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the word of salvation. Though we suffer poverty, and are in want of all earthly comforts which we could have enjoyed in our native country, yet we are satisfied, if we perceive that our feeble endeavours are blessed from on high. We shall always rejoice, if we can be instrumental of the extension of the kingdom of Christ."

To be continned.

The following Extracts are from No.
XVI. of the Periodical Accounts rela-
tive to the Baptist Missionary Socie-
ey, published May, 1807, from the
Journals of Messrs. Marshman,
Ward, and Mardon.

Continued from page 283.
MR. MARSHMAN to MR. FULLER.
Aug. 28, 1805.

We feel the weight of responsibility attached to our conduct. If we were not to improve to the utmost the advantages we possess for spreading the word, we should sin against God, against the poor heathen, against you, and against the religious public. Situated in one of the best places perhaps in the world for a central missionary station; favour granted us in the eyes of the government; the knowledge of several of the country languages; the means (and trust I may add the desire) of acquiring the rest; a printing press; a good number of native brethren to carry the glad tidings abroad; a body organized, experienced in some degree, and animated I hope with one spirit are these advantages given us for our sakes? Are they not rather given for the sake of the poor heathen, and of the cause of God? If Paul said, Wo is me if I preach not the gospel; surely we may say, Wo unto us if we improve not these privileges for the same end! Should the religious public ever withhold their support from us, (which while we do our duty we cannot believe they will) yet we feel ourselves obliged and inclined to do the utmost in our power. Only send us out helpers, faithful and beloved, and in the strength of God every exertion shall be made on our part. The God who supported an

Elijah, a Franck, and many others who have disinterestedly engaged in his service, and who hath made our way thus far prosperous, that God will surely sustain, and not forsake us.

Among the advantages which I have enumerated is that of a body of native Christian brethren. Of their importance, one instance may give you some idea. A poor husbandman, about forty years old, who can neither read nor write, about three years ago, came to us from above seventy the way of life. After a while he was miles distance, and inquired about baptised and returned home. There, telling his artless story, of what he had found," two women were so wrought upon that they came all that distance on foot to hear the gospel, which, when they had done, they also believed and were baptised. One of them was his sister. Some time af ter a simple Mussulman heard the gospel from him, and imitated their example. Soon after a more respect. able Hindoo, who could read and write, heard the word from him, came to us, heard more, and after going home and weighing it, returned and took up his cross. This man's nephew, in a few months, followed his example. Nor did the matter end here. Another poor husbandman heard from the first, and leaving all, came to us, was baptised, and after working some months in our garden, died, leaving a good report. Nor is this the utmost extent of this brother's usefulness. About three months ago he brought two more of his neighbours, who were baptised; and we hear they both walk worthy of the gospel. And even now there are two with us from that part of the country, inquiring the way of life, of neither of whom do we despair. This simple man is our brother SHEETARAM!

A native brother or two can often accompany a European brother even newly arrived; can catch the broken accents from his lips, and explain them with a fervour and clearness that would surprise you: while the mere presence of a European brother protects them from insult, and inspires them with boldness. Nor are they useless when sent alone. Though not so well calculated to

harangue a multitude, yet they can enter private circles, watch opportunities, and drop an effectual word, where we cannot be heard. They, silent and unobserved, can penetrate a bigotted city, stay two or three days in a house, and, unsuspected, scatter the precious seed; while only the appearance of one of us would create universal alarm. I say nothing of the advantages they derive from their intimate knowledge of the ideas, habits, and prejudices of their countrymen. What I have said is quite enough to shew that it is our duty to avail ourselves of their assistance.

It will however strike you, that while they are thus employed in disseminating the good seed, they cannot be at home supporting their families. A hundred rupees per month (about 150/. per annum) would nearly support ten of them, with their families, and a greater number of single brethren. And why should we

stop at ten, or even at ten times ten? Shall we, after having begun to reap the harvest of our toils, relax in our labours? Shall we supinely suffer such opportunities to slide away unimproved? Yes, if the cry of perishing millions is not to be heard; if the religious public be impoverished, and wearied by what they have done already; and if the promises of God have lost their meaning: but if the contrary of these be true, it is for us to abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labours will not be in vain in the Lord.

"On coming down this morning from Serampore, I requested the missionaries to send me a few specimens of their labours, whether in the press or in manuscript, to be forwarded to you by the packet which closes this day.

"They have sent me the following: 1. Shanscrit. Two first gospels will be ready by the end of this year. 2. Bengalee. This is a new and most admirable translation of the whole scriptures.

3. Mahratta. The four gospels are printed off.

4. Orissa. A sheet from the

press not corrected. This work is in great forwardness.

"In manuscript:
5. Telinga.

6.

7.

8.

Shanscrit Hindoostanee.
Delhi Hindoostanee.
Guzerattee.

9. Persian. (Book of Psalms is finished.)

10. Chinese.

"Mr. Professor Lassar has sent me three Chinese specimens, with a letter in the same language, the work of his own head and hand.

"As the above little specimens are the hasty production of this morning, I do not recommend them to severe criticism, but Mr. Lassar is a thorough Chinese, and will do the great work of translating the scriptures into that language, if it pleases God to spare his life five or six years. He reads every thing in the language as readily as you do English, and writes it as rapidly.

"The other manuscript specimens are in a rough state, and not fit to be

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SO. submitted to critical inspection.

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"The Shanscrit and Chinese (apparently the most difficult of access) are discovered to be the most practicable of all the languages yet undertaken.

"The first answers to Greek, as face answers to face in a glass. The translation will be perfect, while it will be almost verbal. A Shanscrit edition of the gospels will be published with the Greek on the opposite page, as soon as we can procure Greek types. You will find the verb in the corresponding mood and tense, the noun and adjective in the corresponding case and gender. The idiom

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Religion

TIME, A MESSENGER C

THE vicissitudes of da night, and the changes an cession of the seasons, a answer important purpo common life, so are they o use to awaken moral and rel reflections. If time we unvaried in its circumstanc it is silent in its motion would seem to stand still, a should scarcely notice its ress. Time is in scripture pared to a swift messenger, comes charged with mome information. This inform it communicates daily; morning and every evening every change of the seasons with peculiar solemnity one year ends, and a ne We will a commences. season pay some attention reports.

Time proclaims a God. heavens declare his glory the firmament displays his works. Day unto day speech; night unto night forth knowledge." The o succession of the seasons a liberal productions of the repeat and enforce the san If we dw portant truth. one unvaried scene of the surrounding objects, thou evidence of an existing d might be as decisive to yet it would not be so s and impressive, as it is this variety of objects, wh changes of day and night, mer and winter present t is astonishing, that, wh so clearly manifests hir

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the advantages we possess for spread write, heard the d ing the word, we should sin against to us, heard min God, against the poor heathen, home and weig again and against the religious took

up

Simated in one of the best nephew, in ava places perhaps in the world for a cen- example. Nor cal missionary station; favour grant. here. Andher ed in the eyes of the government; heard from the the knowledge of several of the coun- came to us, wi by languages; the means (and trust working some I may add the desire) of acquiring died, leaving good the rest; a printing press; a good this the st umber of native brethren to carry er's usefulness be glad tidings abroad; a body or ago he brought some degree, neighbours, who ized, experienced in and animated I hope with one spirit we hear they both un these advantages given us for gospel. And eve our sakes! Are they not rather two with us from given for the sake of the poor heath country, inquiring en, and of the cause of God! If Paul of neither of wha said, Wo is me if I preach not the This simple ma A native brother pel; surely we may tay, Wounto SHEETARAN! if we improve not these privileges for the same end! Should the relig. accompany a Europ ious public ever withhold their support newly arrived; can from us, (which while we do our duty accents from his we cannot believe they will) yet we them with a fervour feel ourselves obliged and inclined to that would surprise do the utmost in our power. Only were presence of a send us out helpers, faithful and be protects them from Joved, and in the strength of God ev- spires them with bold ery exertion shall be made on our they useless when part The God who supported an Though not so well

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