Philadelphia, Feb. 4, 1806. PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL. To all who love the prosperit: of Zion, and are disposed to aid in propagating the Gospel among the Heathen. THE subscriber lately returned from a Voyage to the East-Indies, touched in Europe, and was in London in August last, where he received from the Baptist Missionary society in England, for propagating the gospel among the heathen, one thousand guineas, to be sent in the spring to the missionaries in Bengal, for the purpose of printing the sacred scriptures in one of the languages of that country. There are seven languages that the missionaries there aim to translate and publish the scriptures in. They have made such progress in three of them that it is expected that the above sum will enable them to complete the work. The money is now in the hands of ROBERT RALSTON, Esquire, of Philadelphia, who will forward it in due time. Should any individual, society, or congregation of people in the United States of America, be disposed to contribute to this good work, Mr. Ralston will gladly receive whatever may be sent to him for that purpose, and add to it the above sum, to be forwarded to the missionaries at Serampore, near Calcutta. (Signed) BENJAMIN WICKES, Sen. Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 1804. WE whose names are underwritten, ministers of the gospel in the city of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that we are fully ascertained that the statement made by capt. Wickes, in the foregoing advertisement, is perfectly correct. We also take the liberty respectfully to recommend to the pious and the liberal of all denominations of christians, in the United States, an attention to the important objects which this advertisement holds up to their view. Nothing, it appears to us, can be more interesting to a truly benevolent mind. The design contemplated, is not to disseminate the favourite tenets of any particular sect of christians. It is to print and propagate, among a race of heathen who are sunk and degraded by the vilest and cruelest system of superstition and idolatry, the pure word of eternal life contained in the holy scriptures, without any gloss or comment whatsoever. If this can be extensively effected, the happiest consequences may be expected to follow; since the natives of India, unlike most other pagans, are, many of them able to read, and still more of them are disposed earnestly to listen to what the Bible contains. Even the ame lioration of their condition in this life, by a knowledge and belief of the scriptures, would be an event calculated to produce a lively joy, in every mind influenced by humanity: for their horrible superstition subjects them unceasingly to the most dreadful torments, and annually deprives a large number even of life itself. But in addition to this, how interesting must be the thought to every truly pious mind, that many of these miserable creatures, by having a Bible in their hands, may not only better their worldly condition, but become truly converted unto God, and through the merits of the Saviour, be raised to eternal happiness and glory, Among the many objects which we know are now soliciting the patronage of the pious and the liberal, throughout our Country, we cannot but think, that this deserves a marked attention. Nor can we forbear to add, that we have good reason to believe, that donations from the inhabitants of the United States, for the promotion of the design which has here been specified, would greatly animate and encourage the worthy men who are engaged in the translation of the scriptures, by giving them a striking proof that their ar duous work interests the feelings, and is accompanied by the good wishes of christians, in every region to which the knowledge of it has extended. Some other important considerations, which it is hoped will as much encourage the liberality of the public, as they animate the hopes and labours of the missionaries in India, ought to be briefly stated. At Serampore, the immediate seat of the mission, there are a type foundery and printing presses, together with a valuable library,consisting chiefly of books containing the various copies and readings of the scriptures, with whatever can materially facilitate the labours of a translator. Learned natives can be procured to assist in the work: and the local situation of the mission is such as will render its distribution throughout India easy and immediate. The missionaries themselves, (among whom is the laborious, learned, and pious Mr. CAREY, professor of Oriental languages, in the college of Fort William, at Calcutta) have been so long engaged in studying language, and translating, that the employment has become in a good degree habitual. Seven languages are spoken in India: the Ootkul, which prevails among four millions of the inhabitants; the Telinga and Kurnata, each spoken by about seven millions; the Mahratta, used by eight millions five hundred thousand; the Tamul, by upwards of nine millions; the Hindostanee, by at least forty-five millions; and the Bengalee, in which the translation is already completed, by a number of the inhabitants nearly equalling the population of the United States of America. The total of the benighted idolaters of India, equals about the one-eighth of the whole race of men now dwelling on our globe. How animating the prospect, that the Holy Bible, by the efforts of pious christians in Europe and America, is likely soon to circulate among these millions of wretched people, by whom absurd and injurious Vedas and Shasters are now pro nounced divine. ASHBEL GREEN, senior pastor of the 2d Presbyterian Church. J. HENRY C. HELMUTH, pastor of the German Lutheran Church. WILLIAM ROGERS, professor of English and belles lettres in the university of Pennsylvania. JOHN HEY, pastor of the Independent Church. JOSEPH PILMORE, rector of the Epis- JOSEPH SHAW, pastor-elect of the As- WILLIAM STAUGHTON, minister of It is respectfully requested, that the donations or collections which shall be made throughout the Union, may be forwarded to any of the under-mentioned gentlemen, who will remit them to Mr. RALSTON. The Rev. Dr. Rogers, the Rev. Mr. Williams, New-York. The Rev. Dr. Stillman, the Rev. Dr. Eckley, Boston. The Rev. Joseph Buckminster, Portsmouth, N. H. The Rev. Dr. Dwight, New-Haven. Mr. Gallaudet, Hartford, Con. The Rev. Dr. M'Whorter, Newark, N. J. The Rev. Mr. Clark, New-Brunswick The Rev. Mr. Ingles, the Rev. Mr Richards, Baltimore. Joseph Nourse, Esq. Register of the United States, Washington. The Rev. Dr. Muir, Alexandria. The Rev. Mr. Grigsby, Norfolk. The Rev. Dr. Furman, the Rev. Dr. Keith, Charleston. The Rev. Mr. Clarkson, the Rev. Mr. Clay, the Rev. Mr. Holcombe, Savannah. N. B. The Printers of Newspapers who shall insert the above, will have the satisfaction to reflect, that they have lent their aid to promote the cause of piety and benevolence. Extract from information from Serampore, dated November 14, 1804, published by the Baptist missionary society in London. "Our brethren were going on with the translations of the Bible. Besides the Pentateuch, and a second edition of the New Testament, they have printed great part of the third volume of the Old Testament. They have printed a considerable part of 10,000 copies of Luke, Acts, and Romans, which are published separately. They have begun printing the New Tes tament in Mahratta and Hindostanee. lated into Mahratta and Orissa. A genThe New Testament is nearly all transtleman is translating the New Testament into Malay; and a plan is formed for translating the scriptures into Chinese." N. B. Donations or collections made at any time during the present year will be in season, and duly forwarded. In answer to solicitations for promoting the abovementioned plan, after giving an account of his success, a worthy and intelligent correspondent makes the following remarks. "How truly eventful is the present period! While a gigantic power is humbling the thrones of Europe, and exhibiting an ambition dangerous to the peace of the world and to the rights of nations; while a destructive philosophy, that undermines morals and religion, that threatens in its progress to weaken the only sure ties of society, and to prostrate the best interests of man is spreading in all quarters of the civilized world; a spirit unusual and surprising is manifesting itself in different parts of Europe, and I hope is enkindling in some measure in this country, not only to send a preached gospel to the benighted nations and destitute parts of the earth, but to search out the habitations destitute of the scriptures, and to put the sacred volume in their possession! While the camp of the saints is besieged by such numerous, subtle and potent adversaries, with what pleasure do we witness the pious praying multitudes coming forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty! May the Lord God of hosts be their rearward till truth shall be established in the earth, till righteousness shall look down from heaven, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord Ne and of his Christ! "I think our Magazine is, at least, decently supported, and hope it may prove extensively useful in promoting the great and good cause of truth and piety on the earth. In the last number, nothing interested me so much as the extracts, exhibiting the extensive and growing desire for the sacred scriptures, and the unusual zeal manifested to aid the views of the Bible society! O may the Lord increase the desire, and smile upon and extensively bless this pious work! The account of the little boy, with his brood of chickens, melted me down! Surely out of the mouths of babes and sucklings the Lord is still ordaining strength because of his enemies, that he may still the enemy and the avenger!" Extract from the Report of the Directors of the Missionary Society, to their eleventh General Meeting, held in London, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of May, 1805. [Continued from page 140.] ASIA. THE directors wish in the next place to invite the attention of the society to the eastern world, the regions of which are so vast in their extent and so full of civilized inhabitants, presenting to the christian mind many millions of our fellow-men, long immersed in vice, error, and superstition, and for whose conversion few attempts have hitherto been made. For some time past, the miserable condition of these nations, and particularly of those whose commercial connexion with this country affords a strong claim to our regard, has seriously occupied the minds of the directors. Their efforts have consequently been principally directed to the eastern and western coasts of the great peninsula of India, and to the important island of Ceylon, nearly connected with it. The society is already acquainted with the steps which have been taken as to the island last mentioned. The Rev. Mr. Vos, a veteran in the service of the Redeemer, and formerly a faithful minister in South Africa, near the Cape of Good Hope, superintends this mission. The German brethren, Ehrhardt and Palm, accompany him on this embassy. Together with these, the reverend brethren Ringletaube, Desgranges, and Cran, have sailed for Tranquebar; these are intended to labour on the continent of India, where the providence of God, after they have received the best advice from our Danish brethren at Tranquebar, may direct them to settle, in the most eligible and promising spot. Unexpected delays, not uncommon however in all shipping concerns, protracted their stay in Europe till the 20th of April, 1804, when they sailed in the Danish ship King's Packet from Copenhagen. The goodness of God in preserving their lives, when just leaving the coast of Denmark, must be mentioned with peculiar gratitude. The vessel was at anchor about three miles from the shore, and the brethren were proceeding to join it in a boat. When they had proceeded about threefourths of the way, the boat became leaky, and the water rushed in so fast, that they soon found themselves in the most imminent danger. In this emergency, Mr. Vos having, happily, a tin vessel with him, they successfully employed it in bailing out the water; by which means they kept themselves up, till the people on board the ship, perceiving their perilous situation, sent out their own boat, and took them safely on board. The directors had the pleasure of finding by the Cape Gazette, dated 11th August, 1804, that the ship had arrived safely at the Cape on its way; but no information has yet been received of their arrival in India. [To be continued.] OBITUARY. DEPARTED this life, on Monday, the 17th of March last, at the residence of her son, Dr. James Ewing, in Pittstown, New-Jersey, in the 68th year of her age, Mrs. HANNAH EWING, relict of the Rev. John Ewing, D. D. late senior pastor of the first presbyterian church in Philadelphia, and provost of the university of Pennsylvania. This venerable lady, supported by that religion of which she was an ornamental professor, endured a long and tedious illness with truly christian submission. Her remains were brought to this city and respectfully intered on the Thursday following, in the cemetery, belonging to the first presbyterian congregation, by the side of her husband. Mrs. Ewing was deservedly esteemed by those who had the pleasure of her acquaintance; she was the affectionate wife, the anxious mother, and the sincere friend. Freed now from the cares of this "vale of tears," her spirit is made happy with her God. THE writer had been to visit her several times, and found her mind, though properly exercised with the view of eternity, rather under a cloud. On repeating his visit, on the Lord's day, she said, "I am glad to see you; now I have good news to tell you. God does verily hear and answer prayer. found what I wanted, and can now die in I have peace. Oh! what a discovery has been made to me since I saw you! About four o'clock, this morning, as I lay sleepless and was lamenting over my guilt and sinfulness, the Lord, of his infinite mercy, gave me faith to look to the blood of sprinkling; and I was helped to lay hold on Jesus as my only Saviour. Now, methinks, I am clothed with his righteousness. What grace and mercy to so sinful and worthless a creature!" Though her bo dily weakness was great, yet she indulged such sublime ascriptions of praise, as cannot be repeated without injuring their beauty. Recovering herself, she said to a person that was near, "You prayed, last night, that I might have a a good sabbath-day; and a sabbath indeed I have had! such a one as I never expected in this world; but I believe it is the beginning of a long one, even an eternal sabbath. Surely I cannot live till the return of another. My heart and flesh seem to be failing as fast as my pulse beats; but God, blessed be his name! is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Notwithstanding she was so full of divine things, yet she well knew when to speak of them, and when to be silent; and, as a proof that she was in her right mind, she always suited her discourse to her company; and if any were present who she thought would despise experi mental religion, she would be silent. An exceedingly light and gay young woman coming to her bed-side, she looked wist. fully at her, and said, "What, are you come to see me? Be persuaded to lay aside your vanities, because you must die as well as myself, though you may live a little longer than I shall." The manner in which she spoke these few words, causand to turn away. She said she knew the ed the young woman to burst into tears, young woman, but wished she had not, for she had been a snare to her. One who had been a fellow servant with her, coming to see her, wept. She said, "Weep not, I know you are a seeker of Jesus. I have been a witness of your tears, and you of mine; but now my tears are turned into joy, and so I trust will your's be sooner or later. Be encouraged, therefore, for if you have slighted convictions, I have dene the same; if you have trifled away precious time, so have I; if you have been slow of heart to believe, I more: but, cy, why may not you? You can be but the through rich grace, I have obtained mer chief of sinners; as such, I went to God, and found him merciful and graciousa God pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin." To another she said; "Live by faith on the Son of God; I have not lived so, for if I had, I should not have had so many fears and doubts as I la boured under, at the beginning of my illness. It is good living by faith, but bet when faith shall be turned into sight, and ter dying in faith; and the best of all 고 hope into enjoyment. Oh! when will that be! In heaven we shall see such things, as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard of. We shall see God in majesty-the Lamb of God-the angels of God-the redeemed of the Lord! What is their work? all praise! Methinks I shall sing the loudest; my song, I am sure, must be, Grace, Grace!" At another time, she spoke of the infinite majesty of God, as if she had a view of his unveiled glory. She dwelt upon his nature, attributes and perfections. She went on speaking of the characters,names and titles given him in the scriptures, in such a manner as was truly surprising, and which made the heart to glow. Af terwards, when a little wine was offered to her, she said, "Christ, when he was dying, had vinegar and gall given him instead of wine; not only vinegar, which is sour, but gall, that is bitter, and both mingled together. He drank the sour and the bitter, that I might have the sweet." Here she greatly enlarged on the passion and death of christ. "By his death," said she, "he procured for me, and you, and you, and you," pointing to several, "not only pardon and reconciliation, but heaven also, where I hope soon to enter, and where you will quickly follow." A neighbour overhearing her, and not understanding what was said, reported abroad that she was mad. On being told of this, she cried, "Lord, more of this madness give to me and her! It was said of him who spake as never man spake, He is beside himself, yea he hath a devil; but I hope I do not say any thing unbecoming. I know I do not speak of myself; for when in health, I could scarcely speak at all about sacred things. It is God who gives me matter and words. To him be all the glory; not unto me, not unto vile, unworthy 'ne, but "To him that earth's foundations laid, "Be everlasting honours paid." Noticing how long it was since she had been at public worship, she said, “I should like to worship him in his earthly courts again; but I had rather behold him face to face. I had much rather cast my crown before him in heaven, and see the King in his beauty there, yet I desire to wait the appointed time till my change shall come. This body must die before I can see him; then shall I behold his face in righteousness, and never, never sin any more." In this state of mind and feeling did this pious woman remain, until the termination of life; and surely, such instances of consolation and triumph at the hour of dissolving nature, arising from such views of the merits of the Saviour, will contribute to evince the reality of the christian religion, and the infinite importance of embracing the mercy which it offers. POETRY. Written under a gloom of thought which no There to pour out the heart which pants human motives could dispel. for rest, With fervour kindling at Devotion's fane, To him whose holy influence the breast, By woe subdu'd, with firmness can sustain, And where wild sorrows throbb'd, bid peace all soothing reign. And there the humble supplication raise, Th' unutter'd pray'r, which sighs to be forgiv'n; Or join to swell the grateful note of praise, While the rapt soul, no more by tempest driv❜n, From hope's mild op'ning dawn, anticipates her heav'n. There, too, to listen to the sacred lore, When heav'n-taught wisdom truths sublime display; |