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who falls into the water, and while he is thus bound, the fish attack him the body rises afterwards and then descends again.”— "Does fire attack men? Hormazd replied: Fire attacks not men -it is the Dew Astonied that binds him, and when he is thus bound the birds attack him, and the fire consumes the bones which confine the soul of this man." Thus, fire and water are so venerated, that they are supposed to be incapable of being the instruments of any injury.

6. The Vendidad gives an erroneous view of the natural state of man. In opposition to the voice of universal experience, it sanctions the belief that " from the day that a man's parents bring him from a world replete with light, into this even surpassing it in splendour, a mortal keeps his heart as pure as crystal, yea purer, until the season when he becomes acquainted with the habits of the world."

7. The Vendidad contains gross scientific blunders. This section, however, is rather meagre in its present form, and scarcely meets the expectations raised by the "heading."

8. The Vendidad prescribes an immense number of ceremonies, to which an absurd power or influence is ascribed. Thus, "he who walks upon the stones taking the Berashnom, if he is in povertv, shall have abundance: he shall have children, if he has none: if he has no wealth, he shall be rich, &c."

9. The Vendidad represents ceremonial observances, as more important than moral observances-ceremonial impurity, as more ruinous than moral impurity-ceremonial works, as more excellent than good moral actions.

10. The Vendidad contains some passages directly opposed to morality;-of such a nature that they cannot well be quoted.

11. The Vendidad proposes no reasonable scheme of salvation. It merely enjoins the practice of foolish rites-the performance of acts of kindness to priests, dogs, birds, &c.—the infliction of certain penances-prayers for the dead, &c.

state.

12. The Vendidad gives no becoming account of a future Its observations regarding it are exceedingly confused, low, or ridiculous-wholly unworthy of a holy God and of holysouls. From the preceding statements, which are supported by satisfactory quotations, well may Mr. Wilson, and well may his readers draw the conclusion, that the Vendidad Sade has no claim to be considered as a divine revelation.

4.-The Christian's Hope. A Sermon preached in the Old Church, Calcutta, on Sunday morning, December 1, 1833, on occasion of the death of the Rev. J. Edmond. By the Rev. T. Dealtry, L. L. B.

The text is chosen from Jude, 21st verse: "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." These words are regarded as expressive

1. Of the ultimate end and aim of every Christian.

2.

Of the medium through which he looks for the attainment of his hopes.

3. Of the habit of mind with which it is constantly contemplated by him.

Each of these heads is illustrated with the author's usual warmth of feeling, piety of sentiment, and faithfulness of admonition. There is much to sooth and edify the believer-much also to arrest and allure the unbeliever.

But, from the more general parts of the discourse, we hasten to that portion of it that affords a brief but lucid sketch of the life and character of Mr. Edmond. The leading particulars are the following.

Mr. JAMES EDMOND was born of pious parents, in March, 1759. His childhood and youth, however, were passed in forgetfulness of the God of his father-a circumstance which afterwards cost him many painful reflection, and many a sorrowful tear. Looking back on this godless period of his career, he remarks that he "never was affected with any thing belonging to religion, except a dislike to it;that in all things it was a task and wearisomeness to him, and he was driven to the Bible and to the Catechism, like a slave to his labour, but was fond of any history or romance." Dissatisfied with the quiet habits and wholesome restraints of home, and full of visionary dreams of" seeing the world," he, in imitation of the prodigal son, left the bosom of his family, went to Edinburgh, and, at the age of nineteen, enlisted in the artillery. A few days afterwards, as he was coming down to the castle gate to go to the city, he suddenly met his kind and affectionate father-who had left home in pursuit of his darling son-and was dreadfully abashed and confounded. For a while the father too could not speak, and on going up to the castle, and coming to a spot of green grass, he threw himself down on his face in an agony. The parting interview is truly affecting. "My father," says Mr. Edmond,"experienced all the bitterness of the loss of his first-born, for he thought that in the way in which I was going on, my soul was lost; and in giving me some articles of dress, which my sorrowful mother had sent, he said in the bitterness of his grief, Had it been the will of God to take you to himself, I would sooner have followed you to your grave, than the way in which you are going.' I went with him a mile or two out of town, and he went into a field behind a hedge, and we kneeled down, and he poured out his soul in prayers and tears for the hardened prodigal. I felt only pain and sorrow for his being so troubled at what I did not repent of-so he took a sorrowful leave of me."

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Next succeeded several years of vanity and sin-during which he embarked for this country in the service of the East India Company-was brought repeatedly to the gates of the grave-made resolutions of amendment under threatened death, and as often broke them after restoration to health.

When his engagement with the Company ceased in 1794, he determined to return to Europe. By this time the scenes through which he had passed, and the losses that had been sustained in his family by death, had made a considerable impression on his mind. He now prayed frequently; he began to read the Bible alone; he could not take his food without first imploring the divine blessing, and afterwards offering thanks; he walked and meditated much in private-all which things seemed like the beginnings of that work which ultimately issued in complete conversion.

On reaching his native land, he found that his father was dead, that his mother was a widow in bad health and in poverty; who, besides her husband, had followed eight sons and daughters to the grave. Under the pressure of so many appalling bereavements, his mind became more penitent and humble than ever. But it was when removed to a situation in Manchester, that he became seriously and vitally impressed with a sense of divine things. A sermon preached by Mr. Wilks, from London, was blessed of God as the instrument of subduing his soul into genuine contrition. After a severe struggle he bade a final adieu to the vanities of the world. Clouds and darkness did at times overshadow the brighter joys and hopes of Christian faith. He was perplexed with doubts and harassed with fears. Still he clung to his Bible. "I was surprised," says he, "to find it such a blessed book. I have turned it up in my hand, and said with great emotion, Is this the book that I thought so little of before, and that I thought I knew all about." The word of Divine Truth came home with peculiar power into his soul. "I believe," says he, "if the greatest infidel in the world had experienced the power and effect of one text of Scripture upon his heart, as I then did of different texts repeatedly, he must have been constrained to receive the Bible as the word of God, and not the word of man." Nor were his convictions of truth unproductive of good fruits. "I found no difficulty," he observes, "in beginning to speak on religion at any time if I went into the country, and saw any person on the road before me, I would soon be up with him, and contrive to introduce the subject." But the most signal proof of the sincerity of his profession is to be found in his resolution, after many doubts, fears, hindrances, and prayers, to devote his life to the cause of missions. Bengal, in which he had spent many of his days of vanity, he particularly longed to visit in his regenerated state that he might there proclaim the love of that Saviour, whom he formerly despised and rejected. The London Missionary Society gladly accepted of his services. But as at that time no missionaries were permitted to settle in this country, he was appointed, with that eminent servant of God, Dr. Vanderkemp, to Southern Africa. He arrived at Table Bay on the 31st of March, 1799. Till the close of that year, he laboured with Dr. Vanderkemp in Caffre Land. But time only served to increase the intensity of his desire to visit Bengal. Ac

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cordingly, at the end of the year, with the counsel and advice of his friend and colleague, he embarked for this country. My dear brother Edmond," writes Dr. Vanderkemp in his journal, "departed with my blessing. Our separation is, however, not to be ascribed to a diminution of fraternal love, which I am persuaded is unaltered, but to an insurmountable aversion to labour here, and a strong desire to live among the Bengalees. Oh that the blessing of Christ and his peace may follow him. Amen."

This step, though apparently in accordance with his letter of instructions from the London Society, soon led to his disconnection with that body. But while abandoned by the Society at home, the Lord raised him powerful friends in this strange land. Through the interest of the late Rev. David Brown, he was placed in the Free School; and his labours amongst the soldiers in Fort William, and amongst the sick in the General Hospital, were greatly

blessed.

During the whole of this period, his journals abundantly prove that his spiritual exercises of soul were unceasing,-and his expressions of humility for short-comings, of confidence alone in Christ, and of gratitude to God for his mercies, are copious and fervent to an uncommon degree.

Several years ago, on the death of the late excellent Mr. Schmid, he was appointed by the Lady Managers of the Female Orphan Asylum, as Chaplain to that useful institution. His labours for the spiritual welfare of his young charge were great and unremitting. Nor was he without the satisfaction of seeing them crowned in many instances with the divine blessing.

Early in November last, this aged saint was called to his rest. Only a few hours before his fatal illness," he was," says his friend and biographer, " more than ordinarily intent on impressing on the wards of the Asylum, who were about to commemorate the dying love of the Redeemer, the nature and design of that blessed ordinance, and the spirit in which it should be received. It was the last address he was permitted to give them. Early the next morning he was attacked with cholera. From the first moment he was sensible that the hand of death was upon him. He wished to see me. He said he was very weak, and could not speak much, but was desirous to give me his dying testimony as to the grounds of his confidence and hope. He was perfectly calm, collected, and resigned. He said that his hope was entirely on the mercy of Christ. He had no other trust, and desired no other. He then spoke with grateful feelings of God's goodness to him and his family. He told me he had prayed daily for a blessing upon the ministry in this place, and then spontaneously broke out into prayer for a blessing upon my labours. He prayed for the wards of the Orphan Asylum, and that the word of God which he had endeavoured to explain to them might be made effectual. It was in this spirit of Christian confidence and hope that the day following he fell asleep in Jesus, and entered into Paradise."

Missionary and Keligious Entelligence.

CALCUTTA.

1.-CALCUTTA BIBLE ASSOCIATION.

We have received the Twelfth Report of this excellent and useful institution from which it appears, that 1443 copies of Bibles, New Testaments, and detached portions of Scripture have been distributed during the past year, making a total of 41,035 copies since the formation of the Association. The receipts for the year amount to Sa. Rs. 2,039. 5. 3. and the expendi ture to Sa. Rs. 2,120. 10.

In regard to the Christian population of Calcutta, the direct object of the Association has been so thoroughly accomplished, that very few individuals can be found without a copy of the word of God. In regard to the natives, the prospect is also highly encouraging. There is a considerable demand for Bibles among that portion of them who have received an English education, arising partly from curiosity, and partly, it is to be hoped, from better motives: while in the various Missionary schools, more than 1000 young Hindus are engaged in a course of study of which the Bible constitutes a prominent part. And although as yet but few conversions have taken place, there is a general and a decided improvement in the moral character and habits of the pupils. We cannot close this notice better than in the words of the 3rd Resolution of the late Annual Meeting, viz. "That this meeting, impressed with a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God for the measure of support which has hitherto been afforded to this association, pledge themselves to renew their best efforts in promoting its more extensive usefulness, and earnestly solicit the co-operation of all persons desirous of spreading a knowledge of the word of God." We sincerely hope that their pledge will be redeemed, and their request not made in vain.

2.-DISTRICT CHARITABLE SOCIETY.

It may be questioned, whether there be, in any city in the world, an institution so Catholic in principle, so useful in practice, and so admirably managed as the District Charitable Society of Calcutta. Its receipts for the past year have amounted to Sa. Rs. 54,975. 7. 10., and its disbursements to Sa. Rs. 59,035. 8. 6. leaving a surplus on the whole in favour of the Society of Sa. Rs. 11,198. 8. 11. We hail with sincere pleasure the extension of its benefits to the native poor, and the spirited and valuable support given to it by native gentlemen. This, we understand, is in a great measure owing to the exertions and influence of Baboo Dwarkanauth Thakoor, who, in addition to an annual subscription of Sa. Rs. 100, has presented to the Society the noble donation of Sa. Rs. 2000. Rajah Gopee Mohun Baha door has given Sa. Rs. 1000; Baboo Raj Chunder Dass, Sa. Rs. 500, and many others have subscribed very liberally*. Ere another year, we trust that their noble example will be generally followed by their countrymen. We regret that we have not room for the names of those individuals who have shown that they think it better to earn the blessings of the poor, and the respect of the intelligent by a judicious and discriminating charity, than to throw away their money upon a shraddha, or a nautch, or a bulbul fight. It is an extraordinary circumstance in connection with this, that whilst the list of pensioners contains a due proportion of the Mahomedan popu lation, there does not appear among the subscribers the name of one Mussulman gentleman. Does this arise from suspicion, distrust, or apa

Altogether the Native subscriptions amount to more than Sa. Rs. 5000.

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