labours for the salvation of souls, and speaks with fluency and energy both in Cingalese and Portuguese. -Mr. Chater, the Baptist Missionary, and his wife, adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. Christian David, a pious and zealous native preacher, a pupil of Swartz, sent hither by the Royal Danish Missionaries, has recommended himself by his simple, fervent, pie ty, and his persevering, steady, conduct, to the favour of the Governor, and to the general esteem. The Missionaries experienced peculiar kindness, and uniform support from Viscount Molesworth. One of them, Mr.Clough, observes; He has been to me a father, a Christian, a friend, and a guide." It was Mr. Clough who was honoured as the instrument of converting the Budhoo priest, of whose public baptism we gave an account in a former Number, p. 411. "This priest," Mr. Clough states, "is to have a salary from Government as a translator; and is now about to translate the Bible into the two languages of the island, -the Cingalese and the Paariah, or Maggada, which is still spoken in the interior. He is to study the Scriptures under the care of the Rev. Mr. Armour, who now resides in Columbo, until he is qualified to preach. I flatter myself that, humanly speaking, this man will be capable of doing as much good among the natives as fifty European Missionaries. Many of the priests are so shaken by this conduct of their leader that they also are wishful to embrace Christianity; but there is this difficulty in the way: when they cast off their robes, they lose all, even their freehold estates, if they have any, as our priest had to a considerable amount. But we hope soon to see the people coming over likewise, and then a way will be opened." Six new Missionaries are about to proceed to Ceylon, and if we can credit the statements transmit ted by the colonial chaplains, the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Twisleton and Mr. Bisset, the moral darkness prevailing there is such as leads every Christian to rejoice in the intelligence. These gentlemen, with a liberality which does them the highest honour, and with a lively solicitude for the salvation of the poor people who surround them, which cannot fail to create an affection for them in every Christian heart, have given the right hand of fellowship to every devoted servant of Christ who is disposed to labour in this corner of his Master's vineyard, have animated and guided their efforts, and have taken a brother's interest in their success. AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSIONS. ABOARD of Commissioners for Foreign Missions has been formed by an act of incorporation, consisting of distinguished ministers and laymen in the Northern States. The fifth annual meeting of this Board was held at Yale College, on the 15th September, 1814. In February, 1812, this Board sent out five Missionaries, three of whom were married, to Calcutta; namely, Messrs. Judson, Newell, and Nott, with their wives; and Messrs. Hall and Rice. On their arrival at Calcutta, they were immediately ordered by the Supreme Government to return by the vessels in which they came. Mr. and Mrs. Newell embarked for the Isle of France. The passage was tedious and stormy; and Mrs. Newell, whose health was in a precarious state, died on the passage*. Mr. Newell * Mrs. Newell appears to have been a most amiable and excellent person; and it is impossible not to lament the harsh and relentless measures which deprived India of her services. We have read her life and her correspondence while in India, but above all the account of think it but justice to say, that the fol her death, with deep interest; and we lowing testimony to her distinguished worth appears to us to be marked with afterwards went to Ceylon, where he was assured of the protection of the Governor, and where he applied himself to the acquisition of the native languages, occasionally preaching in English. His final destination had not been fixed. Some delay having occurred in the removal of the other four Missionaries from Calcutta, two of them, Messrs. Judson and Rice, saw reason to change their sentiments on the subject of baptism, and they were accordingly immersed at Serampore. This occasioned a separation between them and Messrs. Nott and Hall. The two former proceeded to the Isle of Frauce, whence Mr. Rice returned to the United States. The plan of Mr. Judson was, however, to effect, if possible, an establishment at Prince of Wales's Island. Messrs. Nott and Hall had determined on going to Bombay; but the Government, which at first had given them passports for that presidency, changed its purpose and ordered them to proceed to England. Notwithstanding this order, they imprudently went on board the ship in which they had engaged their passage, and arrived at Bombay on the the character of truth: -" "Her superior and cultivated mind, her enlarged and active benevolence, her solid and elevated piety, her steady and cheerful fortitude, her enlightened and sacred devotedness to the missionary canse, adorned with all the endearing virtues of the female character, had raised her high in Christian estimation, and given no ordinary promise of distinguished usefulness. But He, from whom all these excellences proceeded, and to whom they were consecrated, best knew how long to employ them in this world, and when to raise their possessor to perfection for higher employment in a better. Mrs. Newell neither lived to 'herself nor died to herself. Her wit ness, we believe, is in heaven, and her record on high; and we trust that her fervent prayers, her readiness to forsake all for the service of Christ, and her exemplary life and death, will not be lost to her friends, or to that sacred cause to which she was so ardently devoted." 11th of February, 1813. As might have been foreseen, intelligence of the ill-judged step they had taken preceded them, accompanied by an order for their being sent to England. Sir Evan Nepean shewed every disposition to favour them, and permitted them to remain at Bombay until he should try the effect of a representation to the Governor-general, Lord Minto, in their favour. His efforts, however, proving unsuccessful, he was under the necessity of directing them to take their passage for England on board the Carmarthen, In this state of things, the Missionaries again most unadvisedly resolved on quitting Bombay in the same clandestine manner in which they had previously left Calcutta, and proceeding to Ceylon. The vessel which conveyed them stopped at Cochin: there they were overtaken by an order from Bombay requiring them to be sent back to that place. They accordingly returned. Sir Evan Nepean appears to have been justly displeased with their conduct, as it might, from the favour he had shewn them, subject him to censure, as having connived at their delinquency; and his dissatisfaction must have been rather increased than lessened, by the extraordinary justification of it which they attempted. "The authority of the Lord Jesus," they affirmed, "under which they had been sent forth to preach the Gospel to the heathen, was paramount to any civil authority which would frustrate or counteract their mission." We will admit that a man's understanding may be so misled as to believe that, under the peculiar circumstances of these Missionaries, there was the slightest weight in such an argument. Still conduct appears to have been altoas a mere matter of prudence, their gether unjustifiable. They were lowering the missionary character, where it was of the utmost moment it should be held high, and alienating their best friends without a rational hope of succeeding in their designs; for in what part of India could they reasonably expect to be allowed to fix themselves after such a transaction? They were providentially called to give an example of Christian endurance, and they should have given it. The kindness and indulgence of Sir Evan Nepean, however, were not exhausted by this occurrence, and he again permitted them to remain on shore at Bombay until he should hear again from Calcutta. Great efforts were made to procure a remission of the former order, but with what effect does not appear; the last accounts, dated 22d December, 1813, leaving them still at Bombay, but under orders to depart for England.-The Board observes, that their grateful acknowledgments are due to Sir Evan, for the candour, magnanimity, and kindness exhibited in his treatment of the Missionaries, so creditable to his character as a magistrate and a Christian. SPITALFIELDS BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. To encourage the poor to help themselves, ought ever to be a leading principle of public charity. But however important this principle may be in general, it is still to be remembered, that there are many who cannot help themselves, and must either be helped or perish. Few, not in the habit of visiting the abodes of poverty, can conceive the misery of the sick poor. Illness is often hard to be endured, even by those who are in possession of all the additional comforts which it so much requires. How much more grievous must it be to others, who are not only destitute of all such comforts, but who are often deprived, by the circumstance itself, of their means to obtain the very necessaries of life! To meet exigencies of this nature, the Spitalfields Benevolent Society was first instituted in January 1811: during the four years of its existence, the beneficial effects of its operations have been sensibly felt throughout the whole of the NorthEast division of the metropolis. This district is the residence not only of great numbers of poor weavers, but also of almost the whole poor of the City of London. Hence arises a greater mass of wretchedness than is to be found in any other quarter of the metropolis: among such multitudes of poor, numerous cases of the greatest distress are continually occurring, arising from sickness and want of employ. It is a fundamental principle of this charity to afford no relief till after the most particular examina» tion into the reality of the distress, at the habitations of the persons relieved. The visitors engaged in this work are not content with relieving the temporal necessities of the poor ;their aim is also to improve their moral and religious condition; and, through the blessing of God, they have, in many instances, seen the dissolute become sober; the neglecters of the Sabbath prevailed on to attend Divine worship, and to reverence that sacred day; numbers of children destitute of instruction, and in danger of falling a prey to ignorance and vice, admitted into Sunday Schools, and in some cases the parents themselves induced to attend a school for adults. Besides relief from the institution, additional aid is frequently ob tained for cases of more than ordinary distress and interest, either by private subscriptions or from individual liberality, which does not appear in the accounts. In this way, many families have received effectual and permanent benefit. In the year ending March 31, 1815, the Society relieved 881 families, containing 3920 individuals, to whose abode the members of the Committee made 3889 distinct visits: the sum of 491/. 9s. 4d, was distributed, besides a considerable expenditure for linen, &c. for lying. in cases*. Many of the cases visited have exhibited the most de plorable wretchedness and ignorance; and others have been striking instances of the support afford ed by true piety, under the severest pressure of disease and poverty, The visitors have ample encouragement to proceed in their endeavours. Every subscriber will be entitled to recommend, in writing, cases of distress in order to their being inquired into. Opulent and benevolent persons, who have it not in their power to pay personal attention to the cases and wants of the poor would do well to employ such almoners as this Society. If such persons could witness the poverty, and ignorance, and misery, which abound in this quarter of the town, they could not think their charitable fund better employed. A ladies' committee has been appointed to take charge of lying-in cases. Twenty boxes of linen, with one for twin cases, have been made up by them, which are lent during the month, to destitute poor women. Blankets and cast-off clothes presented to the Society form another means of administering relief. Articles of this description may be sent to No. 5, Raven Row, Spitalfields, where all applications on the subject of the Society may be made. The Rev. Josiah Pratt is president of this Society, and Mr. Kincaid, Spital Square, treasurer. The following are a few of the cases relieved by the Society :— · 1. Elizabeth R. was found to be a poor old schoolmistress, in the greatest poverty. In a damp underground kitchen, she taught a few poor children, which brought her in about twenty pence a week. The From the commencement of the charity, 2971 families, containing 12,851 individuals, have been visited 10,369 times, and the sum of 19157. applied för their relief. visitor found her ill, with her scho lars around her. She had once been in good circumstances. She had buried her husband and five children, and had not a friend or relative left. "I never witnessed," says the visitor, "such a scene of weeping, as while she was relating her story. She wept, and the children wept aloud, and also a woman that shewed me the house." Her principal trouble appeared to be about the sum of four shillings and sixpence, arrears of rent, and which she was afraid she should never be able to pay. A day or two after, the visitor took her this sum. The children were just going home: but when it was understood that I had brought the four shillings and sixpence, they stopped, and all hung round her neck, and kissed her and she, in a very suitable manner, returned thanks to God that had heard her prayers, and brought her out of this great difficulty. The relief made indeed the widow's heart to sing for joy. 2. J. B. a convict under sentence of death in Newgate.-His case was particularly distressing. At the time that he was brought to trial, his wife was pregnant; and the shock which she received on hearing of her husband's condemnation, brought on premature delivery. She was destitute of a bed; and, while languishing on a truss of straw, had the misery of seeing her six young children around her, nearly naked and starving, without being able to afford them any relief. From this deplorable condition, however, the kindness of Christian friends has, in some degree, raised her; and she expresses the most heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God for the assistance which she has received from this and similar societies. The visitor was impressed with the great resignation evinced by her under such trying circumstances, and the more so, as it is apparent that she is rather above the lower order. 3. John M. had lived in a very respectable way, but had been re duced to poverty by losses in trade, and by long illness. One of his arms is quite wasted and useless, by the rheumatic gout: he cannot move across the room without crutches. Much of their furniture had been disposed of for food; and, scarcely expecting to retain even their bed, they were truly thankful for the relief afforded them by the Society, and particularly for the loan of a pair of blankets, which were a great comfort to the poor man. The uncomplaining resignation of this young couple much interested the visitor: prayer and the Bible have made them more happy than when in the greatest prosperity. They scarcely ever tasted dinner; and are very thankful for the tea-leaves which a friend always saves for them. If the woman can get a little work, which is binding and ornamenting ladies' shoes, she has frequently sat up the greatest part of the night, as the nursing of her infant and her husband employs the greatest part of her time. The children are as mild and uncomplaining as their parents. During the winter, the visitor desired her to call for some thick worsted stockings for her husband: it was very slippery, and as she came in pattens, the visitor begged she would carry them, as it was dangerous both for herself and the child; but it came out that she had neither soles to her shoes, nor feet to her stockings. 4. Susannah P.-The visitor experienced much real pleasure in witnessing the piety and resignation of this poor widow. Her husband died in a deep decline, three months previous to her confinement. She has six children: the two elder are apprentices, for whom she has to wash and mend; and the remaining four are looking up to her for their entire support. Her occupation is selling crockery in the markets and streets, which produces a very uncertain income: the timely relief afforded her by the Society was peculiarly acceptable; and of this she was truly sensible. Great as her trials were, yet thẹ visitor uever beard a murmur, though the tears would often chase one another down her cheeks, when relating her husband's happy state of mind during the latter part of his illness, which seemed to have made a deep and serious impression on her own. She often repeated many excellent things which he said to her. "You have been a good wife to me," he would say, " and a good mother to our children; but be assured, that this alone will never bring you to heaven." By her manner and conversation she appeared, indeed to feel the truth of what he, at that awful season, had strength sufficient to tell her. She can read, and has a Bible, which is to her now the greatest source of consolation. 5. Sarah C.'s was a very affecting case of distress. The husband had been confined to the house, and principally to his bed, for about half a year, by a violent rheumatic complaint; and she herself expecting every hour to be confined with her fourteenth child: several of the children are young and at home. The family came from Sheffield, a year ago, to seek employment in town; and as they were very well off for apparel and furniture before the man's illness, they had derived their chief support, during several weeks, from pawning almost every thing they possessed to keep them from starving. At the time the visitorswere directed to this family, they had between thirty and forty pawnbroker's duplicates; and, the poor woman having nothing further that she could pawn, had just been eudeavouring to go out, to sell a part of the duplicates, that she might redeem a sheet, and one or two other necessary articles, before her lyingin. Some further help than the Society's funds could afford was ob tained at this juncture, which proved a most seasonable relief, and was most gratefully received. 6. Ann H. was a poor woman, of genteel manners, in a most pitiable state. Her husband, being unable |