climate and various circumstances ren. der this mission peculiarly difficult; but Mr. Jones goes forward in the strength of the Lord, and does not despair of final success. He greatly needs the prayers of the friends of missions.

Mr. Griffiths is now on his voyage, to join Mr. Jones in this mission.

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ANGLO CHINESE COLLEGE, AT MALACCA. THE Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D. who has just completed a translation of the Holy Scriptures into the Chinese language, and is engaged in, publishing, under the patronage of the Honourable East India Company, a copious Chinese and English Dictionary, having transmitted to Europe the plan of an Institution founded by him at Malacca, for the promotion of Literature and Christianity in the East; it is respectfully submitted to the attention of the friends of religion and learning, in the West, in order to solicit on its behalf that encouragement which is necessary to carry the design into effect.

The plan was formed, and a grant of land for the building obtained, while Malacca was in the possession of Great Britain; and its promoters have the best grounds of confidence that it will enjoy, in the fullest extent, the protection and patronage of the authorities appointed by his majesty the king of the Netherlands, to whom the colony has been ceded since the return of peace. The reason for selecting this spot was, not only that it had become, while under the English government, the seat of an important mission to the heathen; but because, on account of its being the residence of many Chinese, and the constant resort of vast multitudes more, for the purposes of commerce, it was found to be a most favourabie centre of communication, for the intended objects, with the natives of China, as well as of the adjacent countries, both continental and insular.

The College stands in an open and airy situation, near to the western gate of the town of Malacca. The first stone of the building was laid on the 11th of November, 1818, by Major W. Farquhar, late English Commandant of Malacca, (while it was an English settlement) in the presence of the honourable J. S. Timmerman Thyssen, governor of the colony, appointed by his majesty the king of the Netherlands, the Commandant of the Dutch troops, the Members of the College of Justice,

the honourable J. J. Erskine, Member of Council at Penang, and various other persons of distinction.

The following brief view of the plan will, it is presumed, sufficiently explain the constitution and design of the Institution.

Title. The Anglo-Chinese College.

The Objects. The promotion of literature, by affording to Europeans and others, the means of cultivating the Ultra-Ganges languages, especially that of China and its tributary kingdoms; and to natives the means of becoming acquainted with the English language, and with the most useful parts of the science of the west. The diffusion of Christianity in the countries in which the eastern languages referred to are spoken.

The Means.-1. The assistance of tutors, foreign and native, skilled in the different objects embraced in the plan.As Christian theology, and the other branches of knowledge connected with it, form a leading part of the course of instruction, they will be carefully taught, and chiefly in the Chinese and other native languages.-2. The use of a large library of European, Chinese, and Malay books; and, it is hoped, of a suitable philosophical apparatus.-3. The Institution possesses a press for printing Chinese, Malay, &c., which will furnish considerable advantages for the promotion of the general design.4. Apartments in the College will be found for a limited number of Students; others will find accommodations in the town.-The morals of all will be watched over, as far as possible.

Students.-Persons from Europe, &c. of any Christian communion, whose characters and objects shall be approved by the conductors of the Institution.It is presumed that the College will afford great advantages to individuals desirous of studying the Chinese and Malay languages, &c.-with a view to literary, commercial, diplomatic, or other objects.-Native youths, Chinese, Malay, and others, whether supported by themselves, or by societies.As the diffusion of Christianity is the ultimate design of the Institution, and as the course of tuition will bear much upon that object, a preference will be given to those, whether foreigners or natives, who have in view the propagation of the Gospel in the eastern regions of the world. It is hoped, further, that the resources of the College will allow of the gratuitous Education of a certain

number of natives, devoted to the diffusion of the Gospel.

Government. The College will be under the direction of a president, a board of trustees, and a managing committee. The Rev. Dr. Milne, the coadjutor of the Rev. Dr. Morrison in the translation of the Holy Scriptures, and translator of several works from the Chinese, is the present president and tutor of the College.-The president, trustees, and managing committee, may be severally members of any Protestant communion, provided they hold the essential doctrines of the Reformation.

It is obvious, even from this brief statement of the plan of the AngloChinese College, that, if viewed merely as a literary establishment, it is calculated to render important services to the cause of learning and science, not only in the east, but in the west. While it will open to the natives of the east the treasures of European knowledge, it will present to Europeans the key to those stores of important information which, it may justly be presumed, the Ultra-Ganges languages, and especially that of the vast empire of China, when well understood, will be found to contain. Dr. Milne, in his address, upon laying the foundation stone of the Institution, has justly remarked-" The vast empire of China, in its natural and moral history; in its chronology and topography; in its laws and jurisprudence; in the peculiarity of its manners and customs; and in the antiquity and singularity of its language,-presents, without exaggeration, the amplest fields on the face of the globe, for the researches of the naturalist, the historian, the antiquary, and the philosopher.""The other countries are also very important in the same respect. The laws, manners, literature, and religion of these countries, furnish abundant subjects for investigation. The Malay language has Indeed been long cultivated by the Dutch, and latterly by the English; and several very interesting and useful books have been printed, with a view to its illustration. But even here there is still much to be done :-the public, at least in Britain, have but very scanty, and often very erroneous, ideas of the character of that interesting people (the Malays) who inhabit the shores of almost all the islands of the Archipelago, and of their soft and harmonious language."-"The languages of the interior of Sumatra-of the Javanese-of the inhabitants of Borneo and the Celebes of the Philippine islands-of

Japan-of Cambodia and Siam, are all, with the exception of some imperfect ideas of the Japanese, given in Kaempfer's excellent History of Japan, and Thunberg's Travels, untouched by Protestant nations, or in a great measure

So.

Beyond scattered and imperfect hints, I am not aware that any work of merit, capable of laying open these languages, has ever been published by any Protestant.* It is hoped, therefore, that the humble Institution now commencing, may, in course of time, (for all such establishments require many years to develop their advantages) accumulate the means and materials of unfolding in some small degree these several languages, and the diversified character of the people who speak them; and it is intended to unite the study of the languages and history of these countries with those of China, as far as may be practicable."

Objects connected with China, will, however, hold a principal place in the seminary. "The Chinese language, from the figure and number of its external symbols; from the nice and almost imperceptible varieties of sounds which mark its pronunciation; from the singularity of its idioms; and from the number of its dialects, is peculiarly difficult. Though the endeavour has been made in different parts of Europe, it has scarcely ever been acquired there, even in a tolerable degree. Native books, teachers, the daily colloquial medium, and other aids, were wanting; nor is it likely that these facilities will be enjoyed there for a long time to come; and perhaps never but at an expence which the few who possess the spirit of enquiry, could sustain." Besides the attention which is justly due to its language, it may be observed that "China, viewed as an object of philosophical speculation, has scarcely been touched by Protestant countries. All that has yet been done for its development, by those who hold the doctrines of the Reformation, exhibit it to us only as the first view which we obtain of a large and undescribed object, beheld on the horizon through a dense and clouded atmosphere. When we even take into the account all that has been done, with this view, by Roman Catholic countries, how little is it, compared

Dr. Milne, when he wrote this, did not know of the publication of Sir T. S. Raffles's excellent History of Java, which contains a copious comparative Vocabulary of several of these languages,

with what is yet to be done! On how many important subjects does the thick cloud of darkness still hang; and on how many more are we left to the constant evolutions of conjecture, hesitating between different or opposite conclusions!"

But after all, the diffusion of Christianity over these interesting countries, is the chief object of this Institution, Long has the sincere Christian ardently desired to lay open to the immense population and literary multitudes of China, the invaluable treasures of revealed truth. For the accomplishment of this desire-among the noblest which the human heart can form-the best preparation has been made by the founders of the Institution now recommended to public attention, in the translation of the Holy Scriptures effected by their indefatigable labours; and it remains for Christian bounty, by cherishing their further beneficent plans, to promote the work so auspiciously begun.-Are additional motives wanting?" If," as Dr. Milne goes on to observe, "we for a moment survey the deplorable ignorance, the degrading idolatry, and the multifarious delusions of the people of China, and its surrounding countries and islands; if we reflect that nine-tenths of them are worshipping gods of wood, stone, and clay, and that the other tenth is involved in the faith of deceits which run deeper than perhaps any that blind the pagan world, -we must be touched with a sense of their ignorance, guilt, and misery, and feel the obligations we are under to do all in our power to impart to them the knowledge of a better system."

To prepare persons, suitably, for the discharge of this Christian labour, cannot but be an object of the highest importance. Besides the necessary qualification of being able to communicate his ideas to the natives, with clearness and precision in their own tongue, the teacher of Christianity must make himself conversant with their opinions, their habits, their superstitions, their literature, and their history. If he knows not what they know, however versed in the learning of Judea, Greece, and Rome, he will, to them, appear ignorant, and nnqualified to be their instructor. The College at Malacca will become the repository of that indispensable knowledge, from whence the Christian student may obtain it, at a comparatively small cost of time or labour.

But experience may be appealed to, not less than argument. The happy

effects of the measures taken in British India, for cultivating the Native languages, and diffusing knowledge, by the establishment of literary institutions, and especially the College in Bengal, are daily becoming more apparent: the numerous languages of that interesting portion of the world have been explored; the hidden treasures which they contained, of whatever value, have been laid open; and the light of European science and Divine Revelation has been poured into the dark recesses of their long cherished superstitions, and corrupted rites, ceremonies, and habits. The process is going on-additional aids are preparing-and the Natives themselves, sensible of the benefits which cannot but result to their country, are eagerly joining with Europeans in hastening its course. Yet, but a few years since, the means tending to these ends were not more powerful in Hindoostan than those now preparing at Malacca; the Sanskrit was less known to Europeans in the former, than the Chinese now is in the latter, place; yea, the Chinese language already possesses, as well as the Sanskrit, a printed translation of the volume of Divine Revelation.-Shall this beneficent process be stopped in its march towards the furthest boundaries of the earth? Shall the eastern regions of India become a barrier to that amelioration in the state of mankind, so auspiciously commenced in the western? Every feeling, honourable to the character of the enlightened Christians of Europe and America, forbids the apprehension.

It cannot but be evident, then, that the Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca offers powerful claims to the support of the patron of literature, the philanthropist, and the Christian; and while it presents, with deference, its pretensions to their favour, it announces its dependence on their liberality, for that support which is necessary to the accomplishment of its important designs.

This address, intended for circulation on the continents of Europe and America, as well as in the British empire, has the two-fold design of publishing the formation and objects of the College, and calling forth, in aid of those local efforts which have been made on its behalf, the liberality of all those who seek to promote the moral and religious amelioration of the human race, and the accomplishment of the Divine purposes relative to the spread of the glorious Gospel. It has, and can obtain, no

day, sermons were preached by Rev. Rowland Hill, in English; and by the Rev. C. Jones, in Welsh; and at the same hour, in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, by the Rev. Messrs. Williams and Griffith.

a

On Thursday morning, at 7 o'clock, sermon was preached by Rev. R. Everett; and at 10, Rev. Rowland Hill preached in English, and Rev. W. Williams in Welsh

At 2 in the afternoon the meeting for business commenced: Supplications for the divine presence and blessing were offered by the Rev. D. Jones, minister of the place: D. F. Jones, Esq. was requested to take the chair: and after he had explained the object of the meeting, appropriate addresses were delivered by Rev. Messrs. Farmer, Hill, Everett, Jackson, Breese, Williams, C. and D. Jones; also by W. Williamson and J. Davies, Esqrs.-the latter of whom read a Welsh letter, lately received from the Rev. J. Davies, giving a very pleasing account of the state of the mission in the South Sea Islands. Rev. T. Jackson gave a concise, yet comprehensive and very encouraging account of the rise and progress of the London Missionary Society, and in the course of his address, exhibited some of the Idols which the heathen regard as objects of religious worship; and Rev. Rowland Hill exulted in the triumphs of missionary zeal over bigotry and sectarian feelings. Rev. W. Hughes concluded with prayer.

Sermons were preached in the evening by Mr. Jackson at Mr. Jones's place, and by Mr. Breese at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. The whole service was closed by the administration of the Lord's Supper. Mr. Williams presided, who, with Mr. Hill, addressed the congregation: the devotional services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Jackson, T. and W.Jones,Breese, Saunders,Everett, Griffiths, and C. Jones: many were constrained to say, It is good for us to be here.'

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I rejoice to be able to say that they are advancing rapidly in civilization. was their custom for 50, 60, or 100 of both sexes, married and single, to sleep in the same house, or apartment. We remonstrated with them on the impropriety of this wretched custom, and said that all who wished to live and act consistently must separate into families, and build themselves houses. This many have done. The king has had a neat house erected, which is divided into four rooms; and most of the attentive and steady people are following his example. They have likewise built two bridges, which would be a credit to any country village in England. They are likewise very desirous to obtain boats, but cannot get nails. We have established, in our little way, a society for the encouragement of the arts and sciences. The first man that begins to build his boat is to have 150 nails. They are quite alive about it. Thus, you see, while we are actively employed in teaching them the things belonging to their eternal peace, we are not forgetful of their temporal comfort; and although we cannot say that the Bible and Plough' go hand in hand, yet we can say that the hammer and tongs, the adze and chisel, go hand in hand with the Gospel.'

The letter from which this extract is taken I read publicly to my congregation, and strongly recommended the little Society of Raiatea to their patronage; and am happy to say that it was not without effect. Many useful articles (which we have not room to enumerate*) were sent to me, and will be forwarded to you in a few days.

It is impossible to describe the pleasure with which all descriptions of persons contributed articles for the above purpose; and I think that immense quantities might be collected for the benefit of different missions, if a similar plan were adopted. T. EAST.

DESIGNATION OF A CATECHIST.

ON Wednesday, December 14, Mr. Bankhead was designated to the office of a Catechist, at the Rev. T. Jackson's Chapel, Stockwell. Mr. Phillips, of Clapham, commenced with prayer; Mr. Burder delivered the introductory discourse; the Questions, &c. were proposed by Mr. Innes, of Camberwell :

* Among these were 323 pounds of nails, carpenters' tools, hammers, files, screws, 1300 fish-hooks, needles, scissors, &c. &c. &c.; Mr. Joseph Hardy a keg of fine printers' ink.