"Translations into the Persian and Arabic languages, seem to promise more usefulness, than translations into almost any other castern Janguages. The reasons are obvious. "The Board, being a Foreign Rible Society, as well as a Missionary Society, has peculiar advantages for taking up these languages It has the money, and can procure able men; and such men are pecu liarly desirable in those fields. How easily four missionaries might be sent to prepare for translating into each of these languages, in the first instance, and immediately too, if so many suitable men could be spared for these purposes. For the Arabic four; two to Cairo and two to Bussora: For the Persian four, two to Busheer, Shiraz, or Ispahan, and two to the north western parts of Persia, now under the Russian government. "There can be no reasonable doubt, that missionaries might securely remain at all these places; at least so long as they were qui etly learning the languages, and translating the Scriptures. And while they were executing this very important work, they would be under the highest advantages for ascertaining what further missionary establishments would be expedient or practicable, and for promoting the cause generally as literary correspondents. This last consideration is, of itself, in the view of the late Dr. Buchanan, and of the Church Missionary Society, sufficient to justify similar establishments. Besides, these languages being spoken to a great extent, and by many Christians as well as Mahometans, should the missionaries, after translating the Scriptures, find it necessary, they might remove to some other region where the languages are spoken, and where they might preach publicly without apprehension of evil. "There are two considerations, which give a very great importance to the eastern provinces of the Russian empire. They offer stations on the borders of Thibet and China; stations, which may afford a very intimate connexion and intercourse with that supposed inaccessible and most populous quarter of the globe. At such stations, how much might be done for China, as well as for the Russian provinces. "Again; these provinces are under a government well known to be friendly to the propagation of Christianity and partial to America. "As to our concerns in Bombay, we have nothing new to add. Things continue to go on in the same train. To-day the translation of Luke's Gospel has been completed. Our schools are gradually increasing. We have agreed with a man to open a fourth school in the course of a few days. "We shall send our journal, letters, and several other things by the Fawn, capt. Austin. "We remain, dear Sir, "Your brethren and fellow servants, GORDON HALL, The following extracts are from a letter dated Sept. 30, 1816, and contain the latest intelligence from the missionaries. Rev & dear Sir, "Our last of July 12th, was forwarded by the Fawn, of Boston. By the same opportunity we forwarded to you our journal up to that time, and also a trunk of books, principally Arabic and Persian. We send our present communications by way of Calcutta, with the hope that they may reach you sooner than they would via London. Since we swrote last, we have had the satisfaction of hearing, that our brethren in Ceylon have obtained the sanction of government to their settlement in Jaffna, the place of their choice. They were to proceed thither from Colombo as soon as the season would permit. We expect soon Brother Bardwell is to come to this to hear of their final settlement. place by the first opportunity. The most favorable season for coming is at hand, and we are expecting to see him shortly. We are also in ra expectation of receiving our Mahratta types and press by the next ships from Bengal. We hope to commence printing early in the ensuing year. "Our schools continue about in the same state, as when we wrote last; for though we have since that time opened a third school, the number of boys, on the whole, has not been increased. The rainy season, which is just now closing, is unfavorable to their attendance. We hope the number of pupils will be greater the ensuing season. "We continue to preach almost every day to the heathen, in their own houses, at their teinples, or by the way side, as we find opportunity; but we have not yet been able to collect a congrega We intend to make an tion to attend statedly at one place. effort to do this soon. Should we succeed in this attempt, we shall be able to introduce those interesting and important parts of public worship, prayer and praise, which we are now obliged to omit. It would also enable us to communicate our instructions more in the form of a regular discourse, than we can do at present. We have for some time past held a little meeting on Sabbath morning among the poor, to whom we formerly used to preach in English. We found that they did not attend either the Scotch or English church, and as they professed to be willing to come together, in their own neighborhood, on the Sabbath, for religious instruction, we thought they ought not to be neglected. They are but few in number, not more than 15 or 20 men with some women and children, and it is seldom that more than 8 or 10 of them attend at one time. We Cannot say that we have much expectation, at present, of collecting any considerable number of persons, to whom we can preach in English. This need not discourage us at all The great business for which we came hither, is to preach the Gospel to those among whom Christ has not been named In this respect we have an open door, and more work within the compass of a few miles, than would suffice for twenty preachers. "Since we wrote last, the number of laborers in this part of the vineyard has been considerably increased by the arrival of chaplains and missionaries of different denominations. Two chaplains, and a missionary of the Wesleyan connexion, have arrived in Bombay; several chaplains and six missionaries from the London Society at Madras; and four or five Wesleyan missionaries in Ceylon. Thus the number of laborers is increasing; but still there is room. "The state of our pecuniary affairs you will learn from our comWe shall endeavor in fumunications of this date to Mr. Evarts. ture to write you regularly as often at least as once a quarter. "We remain, &c. G. HALL, The latest intelligence from the missionaries in Ceylon is contained in the following extracts from a letter written by Mr. Poor to his mother, dated June 20, 816. "Within a few days, several important decisions have taken place in our affairs; and now an opportunity offers, if letters be immediately written, of sending to Calcutta by private conveyance. Though the present is an unusually busy season, I hope to be able to write one letter, and give you a short account of what has taken place since our residence here. On reviewing the past, the prevailing sentiment of my heart, I would hope, is gratitude to God for the great degree of prosperity that has hitherto attended us in our great work; and for the pleasing prospects that are now opening before us. "Immediately on our arrival, we obtained a commodious house for $12 per month, which is very convenient for our large family. As a body, we have enjoyed better health than persons generally do on their arrival in this country. When we arrived here we supposed that, in consequence of the prevailing monsoon, we should be unable to leave this place short of five or six months. We immediately applied to government, and obtained permission to open English and native schools, and preach to the natives by interpreters. We issued proposals for schools, pledging ourselves to continue them six months, if we had sufficient encouragement. Application was made to us by the Hon. and Rev. T. J. Twistleton, that we would take under our tuition 15 or 16 Malabar and Cingalese scholars, who, for sev eral years, have been attending to the English language, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Armour. These persons Mr. T. wished us to instruct in the principles of theology, with reference to their entering on the work of the ministry. The brethren appointed me to take charge of them; and in this important and pleasing business I have been hitherto employed. It seems like entering at once on the immediate object of the mission. A part of their time is devoted to geography under the care of brother Bardwell. Their progress has been much greater than I expected from native youths in this country. Soon after our proposals were issued, my wife commenced the school for young ladies. She continued in it ten days, having but seven scholars. As she was taken off by ill health, and did not receive that encouragement we had reason to expect, we concluded to suspend the school. "We have not established any public meetings of our own; but thought it best to assist other missionaries, the few months we may continue here. We, [the American missionaries,] preach about five sermons a week, in five different places. The number of hearers is from 50 to 150. We discover an increasing attention to hear the word preached. Mr. Chater is about to receive three persons into his little church. Four military men, who give evidence of piety, have made application to join our church. We have some doubts of the propriety of admitting them, on account of our short continuance in the place. We formed ourselves into a church soon after we arrived here, and hold our communion with Mr. Chater's church alternately once a month. "Since we have been here, we have been forming acquaintances and collecting information, with reference to our future employments and place of abode. The principal characters in this place are very friendly to our designs, and have shewn us every mark of attention that we could desire. The united opinion of all here, who are inter ested in the subject of missions, is, that the District of Jaffna is the most important station. We have been much urged to go thither immediately; but we would make no decision till we received letters from Bombay, and had made further inquiries. About 4 or 5 weeks ago we received letters from the brethren at Bombay; containing very pleasing accounts of the state of the mission at that place. They wish much for assistance, even all our number; but as they can give no assurances that missionaries would be readily received, and as there is a very urgent call for a large number to go to Jaffna, we i have concluded to send brother Bardwell only; he being somewhat acquainted with printing is peculiarly needed at the Bombay mission. We immediately applied to government for permission to settle at Jaffna; and after some delay we obtained a very favorable answer, and a promise of such assistance as is necessary to our settlement there. This answer we received last week; and we feel that it is very desirable for four of us to go to Jaffna immediately. At this time, my wife has recovered her health, and the people have waked up on the subject of the school; they press so hard, that we have thought it expedient that a part of our number should remain here and continue the school at least three months. The others will go, in the course of two or three weeks, and make preparations for our comfortable residence. On Wednesday the school was opened again in our dwelling house. There are 21 scholars, and five more on the subscription list. They are from the first families in the place. The tuition is 12 rix dollars, or nearly three Spanish dollars, a nonth. Here I may remark that this is not the only, nor the most important, way in which females render assistance to the mission. "We shall occupy two stations at Jaffna; Tillepally and Battacotta. We are unanimously agreed, that it is the best division of our force for brother Warren and myself to go to one of the stations; it is not determined which." DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. March 5, 1817. From a society of females in Pelham, (N. H.) who meet for social prayer, by the Rev. JH Church, · 13. From Mr. S. C. Schenck, of Savannah, the clear profits on the Panoplist taken by him, $5.09 20 10 from the same, a donation from a triend of missions, From the Foreign Missionary Society of Portland and the Vicinity, by Mr. Levi Cutter, Treasurer, to be appropriated equally to the different objects for which the Board was instituted, t From the Female Cent Society of Norway, for the same objects, 100 50 19 50 5 88 87 A friend of missions, 5 00 -11 75 8.00 18 00 26. Collected at the monthly prayer-meeting in Keene, (N. H.) remitted by the Rev. David Oliphant, 5 00 From the Female Charitable Society in Looke, (N. Y.) remitted by the Rev. 27. From individuals in Hancock, (N. H.) contributed after Mr. Nichols had preached in that town, VOL. XIII. 16 75 Carried forward, $238 54 23 Brought forward, $238 54 A legacy to the Board, committed to James Morris, Esq. by the late Mr. James Frisbie, of Bethlem, (Con.) who deceased in 1814, 31. From the Foreign Mission Society in the Eastern District of New Haven County, by the Rev. Matthew Noyes, the Treasurer, From the following sources by Mr Élisha P. Swift an agent of the Board; viz. from the Rev. Mr. R. from Miss Lydia Bartlett, of Bethlehem, (N. J.) 71 11 80 00 200 1. 00 5 00 3 00 from Mrs. Anne Chittendon, of Guilford, (Con.) 10 00 1 0022 00 from the Rev. Mr. Price, of Fishkill, $411 65 from the ladies' association in the same parish, for the same object, THE SCHOOL FUND. MARCH 4, 1817. From females in Charlestown, (Mass.) for the education From the association of females in Gloucester, by Mrs. Rebecca Jewett, the From the association of males in Gloucester, by Reuben Brooks, the 6. From the Female Association in the second parish of Rowley, by the : from the Gentlemen's Association in do. 10. From the Gentlemen's Association in the first parish in Rowley, by the Rev. J. W. Tucker, 17 76 12. From an individual by the Rev. Dr. Richards, for the permanent fund, for schools among the heathen, 19. From the Female Association in Concord, (N. H.) by Miss Sarah Kimball, collector, for the education of a heathen child to be named ASA M' FARLAND, out of respect to the Rev. Dr. M' Farland, 48 75 From several children in Locke, (N. Y.) by the Rev. J. Dean, 90.00 1.00 from the Association for education of heathen children, in Marblehead, by the Rev. Samuel Dana, 64 00 from the Association in the 2nd parish of Ipswich, by the Rev. Mr. Crowell, 25 00 from the Boston Cent Society, for educating heathen children on our own continent, by Mrs. Lucia G. Swett. 100 00 from Mrs. Cooper, of Boston, to aid Mr. Kingsbury in his mission, from the association in the north parish of Danvers, by Capt. Hezekiah Flint, 5 00 66 95 from the Association in the north parish of Beverly, by Dea. John from the Salem Female Society for educating heathen children, by Mrs. Abigail Needham, the Treasurer, 24 00407 47 24. From J. Lampson, of New-Boston, (N. H.) by Mr. Armstrong. 1.00 26. Collected at Keene, (N. H.) remitted by the Rev. David Oliphant; viz. for the education of heathen children at Bombay, 4.00 6 00 -10 O From the following sources by Mr. Elisha P. Swift, an agent of the Board; viz. 88 73 from the Presbyterian Congregation in Woodbridge, (N. J.) a col from the Congregational Society in Middletown, Orange County, (N. J.) for the western schools, School Fund, $794 62: Other donations $411 65: 685 7 52 60 00-75 98 Total. $1,206 |