class of the community, when spared, is an evidence, as well as a cause, of the real barbarity and misery of that nation.

A writer on China, after quoting a large portion of one of their moral works, on the inferiority and treatment of females, makes the following remarks: "The very dependant and degraded state of females in China, may be partly seen from this extract. They are, moreover not allowed the confidence of their husbands, nor to sit at table with them, nor to have a voice in domestic concerns, nor to visit the temples, where the prayers of the unfortunate are supposed to find access. Religion is denied them. Little attention seems to be paid to the peculiar circumstances in which, as wives and mothers, they may be placed. "Rise; run; work; eat little; spend little; be silent; keep out of sight; obey; bear; and rather bleed, starve, and die; than dare to complain, is the genuine language of the above extract."

Without education, crippled from infancy, closely immured, married without their con. sent-in some instances even sold by their parents-and often treated most unfeelingly by the relatives and the other wives of their husbands, we cannot wonder at the frequent suicides among them, nor at their attempts to poison those by whom all their happiness and hopes are spoiled.

Can christian females read these statements and not help our Mission to China? Among them religion has the majority of its devoted friends, while China denies altogether what is deemed religion to their injured sisters.

But suffering by the hand of cruelty is not confined to the female sex in China. In the present constitution of society, there is scarcely any security for property or life in the empire. Some of the laws are unjust; others perverted to the most nefarious purposes. The innocent are often made to suffer for, and with, the guilty; and the mandarins have it in their power to dispose of those beneath them according to their pleasure. Hence the oppression and extortions under which the nation has long groaned. Contrary to all the laws of civilized lands, they consider each as guilty, who might possibly be involved in the crime committed, until he proves his innocence. This accounts for that most unreasonable and most cruel custom of examination by torture.

Their modes of punishment, when guilt is proved, and especially in criminal cases, are often shocking in the extreme. Strangling and beheading are so common that scarcely any notice is taken of them. "More than a thousand criminals suffer death annually in the province of Canton. A learned Chinese says that a hundred, on an average, are put to death by law in the province every month."

Some men, from their sufferings in prison-which is generally so loathsome and horrible a place that it is called "hell"-cannot support themselves in the position required. At night they are chained to inclined boards, on which they sleep. Cleanliness is neglected; and their dungeons become offensive and unhealthful in the highest degree. Money can procure some alleviation; and the prisoners of long standing attack in the most ferocious manner those unhappy persons who have newly entered. They seize them by their arms and legs, toss them, beat them, and bite them to extort money from them. The most heinous offences are visited with inflictions of the most refined and exquisite cruelty. Crucifixion, cutting to pieces, and every species of slow and painful execution, is employed.

The real condition of her hundreds of millions is but little understood. With all her empty boast of perfection, and the vapid eulogiums of her ignorant panegyrists, there is probably no other space upon earth so filled with real wretchedness as China. Her "mild patriarchal government," is a system of injustice and oppression. From the "Dragon throne," to the lowest menial in authority, self-aggrandizement is the reigning passion; extortion and cruelty the means of its gratification. Her plebian happiness is the combined result of poverty, virtual slavery, and vice. Those who have had the best opportunities of judging, give the most painful description of the indigence and deprav. ity of the populace. The middling class, or those who enjoy a competence, are few in number; and they too often treated without justice or mercy, and, if possessed of power, are quite as unjust and merciless. Even the appearance of happiness which captivates the stranger must be mere show; for, consisting, as it does, in earthly possessions, there is very little in the laws, or their corrupt administration, to give it basis or perpetuity.

It is true that their literature is extensive: but how far it is calculated to elevate their character, or to meliorate their condition, may be determined by the fact, that scarcely a

subject of which they treat is understood, while the most important truths, the only ones which can improve the moral character of man, are totally unknown."

Mr. Abeel, the author of most of the preceding statements, adds,—

"But the subject of the greatest interest connected with this scene of exertion, is the conversion of China unto Him from whom she has revolted. Here is an object, indeed, whose magnitude beggars description;-the salvation of a whole empire- the most important empire upon earth-itself more extensive than all Europe, and containing at least, one-third of earth's entire population! Look where we may, beneath the wide expanse of the heavens, we can find no distinct enterprize so laudable, so imperious, so inconceivable in its results, as the conversion of China.

How infinitely vast-how worthy of all sacrifice, all hazard, all experiment-does the moral elevation of this nation appear, when viewed in its connexion with the Redeemer's glory! Here is a triumph and a trophy for His victorious grace; a gem as pure and bright as earth can offer, to deck His mediatorial crown! With the eye of this gracious Being upon us, and His heart upon the salvation of those who have been promised Him as His inheritance, what can express our gratitude, evince our discipleship, or display our allegiance and love, if the conversion of China be not the object of our prayers, and plans, and utmost endeavours?

One fact encourages us with respect to the conversion of China. Whenever the Gospel gains access, it must have, according to all appearance, a speedy and wide circulation. There is no moral power to confront it. The religion of the empire is baseless; nothing appears to support it but one vast scaffold of ignorance, which, it is believed, can withstand no shock, and when it yields, must bury the whole fabric in one common grave."

The Committee having resolved on commencing a Mission to this most important and interesting field, judge it desirable to solicit special donations for this object. Several brethren urged the adoption of this suggestion, and one plea for it was, that ten years have elapsed, since such an effort for any branch of our mission was made. Ten years ago, a special effort was made for India, and our gracious Lord has more than rewarded the effort by the success which that mission has since enjoyed. That there may be no misconception respecting what is intended, it may be proper to state, that we do not solict special annual subscriptions, though of course additional subscriptions on account of China will be most welcome. One gentleman, who was a subscriber of five pounds annually to the Mission, has recently set a noble example of liberality by adding to that subscription, twenty-five pounds a year more, for the support of ten orphans, thus making his annual subscription thirty pounds. We do not solicit special donations of any who are literally unable to offer them, and who could not present them except by lessening their regular contributions. But we trust, notwithstanding the depression of the times, there are many whom God has blessed with ability to help his cause. Their offerings, by as pecial effort, we solicit, and request that they may be presented as a thank offering to the Lord for his unspeakable gift. In behalf of the Committee,

Derby, April 6, 1843.

A few donations are already announced.—

J. G. PIKE,
Secretary.

An anonymous friend, "under a deep sense of his obligations to divine mercy and goodness," has sent...

Rev. J. Peggs,...

.£10 0 0

10 0 0

10 0 0

500

heat and insects: these are our unwelcome me. Hitherto our visits have been receiv. visitors during the hot seasons and the former part of the rains. The cold weather is most delightful; our spirits become calm, we enjoy all our English energy, which makes our duties cease to be a task; but I am digressing: it was the school I said I would talk about. Since I have been deprived of the assistance of my friends, I have found the monitorial system useful to me in the school in promoting order and diligence. Brother and sister Grant arrived here on the 7th of November, and have relieved me of mundane concerns, so that I can now spend more time with the children. They come to me at seven o'clock in the morning, when we all sit in a verandah, where the sun gladdens us with his cheering rays, which is as comfortable to us as a nice warm fire is in England in the winter time. Could you just peep at us, you would see me sitting at a little table with Oreah books, and a Bengalee dictionary, preparing my lessons for the Pundit. Some of our dear girls knitting, others spinning, and the little girls preparing the cotton for the elder girls. A quarter before nine o'clock their work is put away, and they come into the school room. A text of scripture is given them, a short portion of the word of God read, and a few practical remarks made. After which one of the elder girls pray.

They then go in the school, and are taught by a schoolmaster, who I believe is a sincere christian, but very deficient in energy and punctuality. On this account I generally go to school with the girls, and see them arranged in their classes, and the schoolmaster at his post. At ten I pay them another visit, and hear the different classes read, or have some familiar conver. sation with them on different subjects. At eleven they put away their books and slates, and spend their time till one o'clock in eating, bathing, drawing water for cooking, &c. At one they again meet in the schoolroom and read, and are questioned on the scriptures until two, when they come to me and resume their morning labours. Eight of the girls are anxious to learn English, and devote a little of their time in the after. noon to studying it. You have heard that seven of our girls are consistent christians, I trust we may add one more to that num. ber. Her experience is interesting, and her general deportment very satisfactory. Sev. eral others appear now to be the subjects of serious impressions, and frequently come to me to tell me the state of their minds. Oh may their convictions lead to conversion. I usually go in an evening to see some of the heathen females; one of the christian females and one or two of the girls go with

ed with much apparent pleasure, we are invariably invited to come again, I have always gone where I am known; perhaps, that is the reason why I am treated so kindly by the heathen. It is more than time I brought this long letter to a conclusion, which I am afraid will try your patience to read. Yet I must trespass a little longer whilst I add, should any christian friends in your neigbourhood wish to support a little girl or girls, we have several that we could recommend, who I hope, would prove worthy of their benevolence. Next to the salvation of our dear children's souls, it is my earnest desire for them to learn something whereby they may be able to support themselves. The difficulty is in finding something for them to do. I hope they will be able to gain a little at knitting. We have lost one of our very few subscribers to the school, Col. - he is gone to England. If there is one favour I desire more than another, it is for an increasing interest in the prayers of my christian friends. Yes: hold up the hands of your brethren and sisters in India by your devout and fervent prayers. Brother Grant and the native preachers have been in the country, and would probably have been there now, had not domestic affliction made it needful for them to return home. Mr. G. is now the subject of some indisposition, brought on through taking cold and too much exercise. We hope he is getting better. The rest of the mission family were well when we heard from them. I say nothing about brother and sister Stubbins, because I have heard the former is writing you this month. May you this year be permitted to gather much fruit from your labours, and have the pleasure of seeing the Church over which you are pastor increasing in knowledge and true holiness, and abounding in every good word and work, is the prayer of yours, in the bonds of christian friendship,

S. DERRY.