inundated, and the natives have been severe sufferers.-The Cholera has been very fatal during the last month. We hope now that the rains have set in that this dreadful scourge will be stayed in its course. 3. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. The first number of the new quarterly periodical edited by J. McClelland, Esq., devoted to natural and scientific objects, has been forwarded to us. It is replete with interesting and instructive matter and well sustains the high character of Dr. M. as a naturalist and a lover of science. It contains a proposal for a new institution, the objects of which shall be the encouragement of science. We heartily wish it success, but fear it will not succeed. The Doctor has entered at large into the merits of the controversy connected with the curatorship of the Asiatic Society, in which we think he has decidedly the best of the argument. To fetter a scientific man with rules and bye-laws for the regulation of his conduct is certainly not the way to advance the purposes of science. Where confidence ceases, there all connection should terminate. We wish the new Journal every success. 4. THE COOLY TRADE. This new slave-trade is in danger of being revived. Lord John Russel in the House of Commons expressed the determination of ministers to re-open the trade on the testimony of the Mauritians. His reasons were of the most puerile order, and such as the poorest Dhangar with all his ignorance might easily answer. From all we can gather on this subject the Indian and British Governments are playing with the interests of thousands of people, to suit their political scheming. The WestIndian, Mauritius, Cape, or in other words the pro-slavery people are to be kept quiet; the religious or anti-slavery party are not to be offended. What we fear is that without great diligence, in this clashing of interests, in this attempt to please every body, the new slave-trade will be revived, and the helpless Indian be a substitute for the too-long injured African. Will the public of India believe it, that the Report of the Cooly Committee appointed by the public Meeting more than eighteen months ago, had not been forwarded to England up to the last overland. Our advice is if it is not at once forwarded that the original requisitionists call on the Committee for an account of their stewardship.-(It has appeared since this was penned).—ED. 5.-NEW WORKS IN SANSKRIT. The religious stillness which for some time past has pervaded the upper classes of the Hindus, has latterly been broken up by the appearance of two or three pamphlets in Sanskrit by J. Muir, Esq. C. S. They are a Description of England after the plan of Miss Bird's work; an Account of Christian Doctrine; and a Refutation of Hinduism. In reply to the last an answer has appeared by a bráhman in which he has attacked Christianity on the common ground of western infidelity. His work bears evidence of assistance from other than Hindu hands. We hope to be able to give a more extended review of the whole in an early number. A small tract containing a summary of the Christian faith is in course of preparation in Sanskrit by the Tract Society it will, we believe, be accompanied by a Bengálí and Urdu translation. The Gospels and Acts in Sanskrit by the Rev. W. Yates are. we believe, now ready for distribution. 6.-WAR WITH CHINA THE OPIUM TRADE.. The grounds of the war with China are at length propounded by the home officials, and more untenable reasons could not be well assigned. The first is, to chastise the Chinese for the insults offered to Capt. Elliot as the representative of Britain. The reply to this is very simple. Capt. E. was never acknowledged as the representative of Britain by the Chinese. He received no ill treatment save that which he might have anticipated from the circumstances in which he placed himself previous ly to the actual commencement of the war, when of course he could not expect much courtesy. The second reason assigned for the war is, to redress the grievances of the British Merchants and to obtain indemnification for the seizure of Opium. To this we may reply with Lord Sandon, that if any one had cause for waging war on account of insults great and long continued, it was the Chinese and not the British. And on what grounds the British Government can seek indemnification from the Chinese authorities for the Opium smugglers, we are at a loss to conceive-certainly not on the grounds of commercial equity, for they were long warned, not in dreams, but in open and plain language that such would be the punishment which awaited them should they continue their contraband traffic. "They gambled at high chances and lost the game"--and now they come upon the British people for indemnification-but on what plea?-We certainly think that whatever may have been the course pursued by the opium dealers, that they should be indemnified (for they were encouraged by the Indian Government to the last), but not by the British Government. The Government that grew the drug-derived the profits from its sale for half a century, and gave its amplest commercial and political sanction to the whole trade, is alone the source from whence indemnification should be sought; and that Government is the Govern ment of British India. The third reason is the only tenable one for a mere demonstration of war, which we trust the present will only be; viz. to place the future trade with China on a more permanent and satisfactory footing. If this can be effected even at some pecuniary cost without the shedding of blood, it will be a great good gained. May God grant a speedy and peaceful termination to this expedition, for his own name's sake. 7.-NEW WORKS ON INDIA. The deep interest which is evidently felt in the welfare of India is in nothing more manifest than in the number and kind of works on her past and present condition and future prospects. During the last month not less than three works of this description have reached India; one by Dr. Duff of the Scottish Mission, a very able and lucid work; another by the Rev. W. Massie, formerly of the London Missionary Society's mission at Madras-this is a work of considerable interest, as it regards the detail of Indian movements; and the third is by the Rev. W. Campbell of the London Society's mission at Bangalore-this latter is a very masterly production. By the bye, a fourth work has appeared by J. Thornton, Esq. which well merits an attentive perusal. The whole, taken together, with not a few pamphlets on different subjects which serve to agitate the public mind on Indian affairs, cannot fail to give the British people a much more comprehensive and clear view of India in all her relations than they have ever possessed before. We sincerely rejoice at this, and hope that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit this increase of intelligence may be the means of inducing the Church of Christ to put forth new energy on behalf of the best interests of India We hope to notice the whole more at length soon. 8.-ORDINATION AT BANGALORE. On Friday evening the 10th instant, Mr. Regel received ordination in the Mission Chapel at Bangalore. The congregation was large and respectable and seemed much interested in the Service. The brethren of the Wesleyan Society here, kindly afforded their aid. Rev. S. Hardey read the Scriptures and prayed; Rev. B. Rice delivered the introductory Discourse; Rev. J. Sewell asked the questions and received Mr. Regel's confession of Faith; Rev. J. Hands, offered up the ordination prayer and delivered the charge from Rev. ii. 10: "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life;" and Rev. J. Jenkins concluded with prayer. Rev. J. Garrett*, gave out the hymns. The statements of Mr. Regel were most interesting and satisfactory. He has taken charge of the Tamil Department of the Mission at this station. Mr. Regel was originally from Chinsurah and received his first religious impression when a child from the labours of our excellent brother May at that station. How cheering is this to all Mission labourers. Mr. May has been dead now about 20 years, yet the seed sown by him is now yielding blessed fruit.-ED. * Wesleyan Missionaries. 9.-STATE OF RELIGIOUS FEELING IN THE CHURCHES OF ENGLAND IN MARCH 1840, COMMUNICATED IN A LETTER RECEIVED BY THE LAST OVERLAND MAIL "Amid much formality, lukewarmness, and mere profession in this country, the ambassadors of Christ have much to stimulate and encourage them. A conviction daily becoming more deep and extensive is fastening itself upon the Christian mind of England of the importance and necessity of persevering and importunate prayer. In one or two places in Scotland there have lately been remarkable and powerful revivals, while English Churches and pastors in many directions around us are holding special Services to pray for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. These in several instances, have been efficient as a means of spiritual vivification. Let this conviction become universal, and as operative as it is general; let the CHURCH only assume the attitude of the importunate suppliant, wrestling and agonizing for the salvation. of the world; then we shall no longer have to complain of the languishing and inefficient state of the church; the flame of sacred love will arise from its altar; the stream of benevolence will flow forth from its bosom, with a freedom, a majesty, a fulness, and a volume that shall be adequate to the moral necessities and destitution of the human race, and shall produce that transformation striking but predicted, wonderful but certain-a transformation from a state of ignorance to knowledge, from a state of pollution to holiness, when "one shall not have to say to another, know the Lord;' but all shall know him, from the least of them unto the greatest of them." Yea, "when the whole earth shall be filled with his glory, and all flesh shall see it together." 10.-THE BHOWANIPORE FEMALE CHRISTIAN BOARDING SCHOOL AND ORPHAN ASYLUM. On Thursday, May the 21st, an examination of the girls belonging to this Institution took place, and afforded great pleasure to those who were present. The attention of the Missionaries of the London Missionary Society, has been directed to the education of Native females in Calcutta nearly 20 years. Several schools have been established, and many hundred girls have been instructed by the wives of the Missionaries in reading, writing, and the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel.— • VOL. I. 3 A Difficulties, arising from the indifference of both parents and children, as well as the early age at which the latter were removed from the schools in order to be married, led to the abandonment of the schools, and the establishment of the present Female Christian Boarding School and Orphan Asylum, under the superintendence of Mrs. Campbell and her sister, Miss Smart. The girls are either the children of native converts, or orphans. They are boarded, clothed and educated at the expence of the Institution, and while entirely separated from all association with their heathen or Muhammadan friends or former companions, are daily instructed in the truths of our holy faith. At the examination on Thursday the visitors were delighted with the ready answers of the girls, and the clear and satisfactory knowledge they possessed of Gospel truth. The ease with which they all read the Scriptures and other books in their own language, and the fluency with which the elder girls could read and converse in English, was very pleasing. Specimens of their work were exhibited, and for beauty both of design and execution, the worsted rugs, &c. equalled any thing we ever saw either in this country or in England. Great praise is due to Mrs. Campbell for the pains she has bestowed on her pupils; and we hope and pray that many of the girls may be her crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. We are authorized to say that Mrs. C. will be happy to receive any orphan girls. If the parties recommending them, are able to pay for their support, three rupees a month will be charged for each girl; but if unable to pay, the Orphans will be received gratuitously. G. 11.-FIRST ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE BALASORE SCHOOL. We have great pleasure in laying before our readers the following notice of the first annual examination of the Balasore School, communicated by a correspondent. The school was established about twelve months ago, and is supported by the subscriptions of a few enlightened promoters of native improvement, resident at Balasore. The teacher is a young man, who received his education at the General Assembly's Institution in Calcutta. We give the account of the examination as nearly as possible in the words of our correspondent. "The examination of the Balasore School took place this day (April 14th 1840). The magistrate and other gentlemen of the station were present, who all highly approved of the progress the boys had made; especially the boys of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd classes, who read very well, and appeared to understand what they had read. The first class was examined in Clift's Geography, Woollaston's Grammar, Elements of Natural Philosophy, and the two first chapters of Matthew, and Arithmetic (simple Division). The 2nd class were examined in the 1st and 2nd Spelling Book, 2nd Instructor, and writing:-the 3rd class in Spelling Book, &c. also in their Uriya, Bengali and English reading and writing. All which much gratified the subscribers to the school, especially as it was the first annual examination under the present teacher Debì Krishna Mánná's superintendence, who, all acknowledged, was deserving of great praise for his attention to the boys. It appeared very strange and greatly amused the auditors to hear the pupils speak of the form of the earth, and then to give the Hindu idea of it. Some of the boys are very quick, and very retentive in their memories, and I have no doubt but that the school will be the means of instilling good morals into their minds, instead of those horrid and indecent superstitions which they learn from their native instructors. The managers of the school are introducing gradually all they can, leaving it to the natives to make objections, if they have any." It is most gratifying to witness not only the efforts which are beginning to be made by private individuals, in various parts of the country, for promoting the education of the rising generation; but also the avidity with which the native population embrace the opportunities which such efforts open up to them for procuring the elements of useful knowledge. Our best wishes are with the effort which has been made at Balasore, and we hope the time is not far distant when similar attempts will be made at every European station where schools have not already been established. 12.-A MARTYR SPIRIT*. "They never fail who die In a great cause: the flock may soak their gore, But still their spirit walks abroad." Byron. To the Editors of the Calcutta Christian Observer. MESSRS. EDITORS, Could Protestants drop a tear sometimes on the record of the persecutions, which have been suffered by Roman Catholics, they might perhaps occasionally discover that they have other brethren in that communion besides Fenelon and Thomas a Kempis. A gentleman lately sent the writer a French pamphlet entitled "A Notice of the Life and Death of J. C. Cornay, priest of the Diocese of Poictiers, beheaded for the Faith at Tonquin, September 20, 1837." It contains so much of the Martyr Spirit of the primitive ages, that a few extracts, though hastily translated, may not be uninteresting to your readers. John Charles Cornay was born in the Diocese of Poictiers, February 27, 1809, and while studying for the priesthood, his attention was directed to Foreign Missions by the preaching of a Missionary, who visited the scene of his studies. Expressing his feelings to the Editor of the Memoir, he said, "Since the sermons that I have heard these last days, I can hold no longer. God calls me to the conversion of the infidels. He bids me depart. Give me, I beseech you, the means to quit France." To the remark that he went to martyrdom, he replied, "I know it well. I have thought much of it; but that is the very thing that awakens in me a strong desire to depart. It is so grand to pour out one's blood for the glory of God, and the salvation of one's brethren." In due time he departed for China and entered upon his labours in the midst of furious persecutions in the year 1833. One of his letters that he wrote to France, gives a graphic picture of the circumstances in which those labours were prosecuted. "Last year," he writes, "I gave you an account of all the troubles that had come upon me. I have subsequently languished in the most painful uncertainty of my fate. Since the persecution has broken out in a manner so lamentable, and procured the martyrdom of many of my brethren, I am obliged to hide myself all the day in an excavation six feet square, exposed to the humidity of the earth, and encompassed with weeds. I come forth every night to afford the consolations of my ministry to the poor Christians, who devote themselves to my preservation, and return every morning to my kind of den. I have had thus far for my consolation, my breviary, the imitation, and a crucifix. There are some pains in this mode of life; but it has its • We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the accompanying; the subject of it is indeed one of deep interest to every Christian heart. Such are the Lord's people in whatever communion they are found: constrained by Christ's love, and strengthened by Christ's grace; they willingly go forth to suffer for his name's sake, wherever they live, wherever they die we hail them brethren and shall meet them in the skies. What a noble spirit would this devoted man have been had he been free from the errors of the Romish system. |