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that we are destitute in the Pagan world of such persons, as in hard and difficult cases might supply us with good and wholesome advice; so we shall the more gratefully accept those sound instructions you shall be pleased to impart to us, for the better discharge of our trust: the blessed effect whereof is like to be, that the church planted in India will, as it were, from the first shooting of the blade, become truly Christian; and by the Divine grace, be happily preserved from such spots and defilements, as are apt to intrude into the best constitution. "We congratulate you, most worthy gentlemen, on account of the translation of the New Testament into the Damulian tongue, designed for the use of the Heathen world. We have finished at last the impression of the four Evangelists, and of the Acts of the Apostles, and some copies are herewith sent to England: one whereof we present, with filial respect, to the most reverend President of the Society, Dr. Thomas Tenison, Archbishop of Canterbury: another to the University of Cambridge; and the rest to your selves, and other benefactors to the Mission."

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Last year we gave you an account of the number of the Christians in our Malabarick and Portuguese churches. God Almighty has added to them twenty-eight persons more, that have been catechised this year; though the opposition we have hitherto met with, has very much hindered the increase both of our churches and schools. The mighty hand of the Lord, we hope, will at length remove those obstacles, together with our grief which is caused thereby."

"Our thoughts concerning a Seminary for Missionaries, to be made up of students sent from Europe, and of Indians educated in our schools, are every day growing to a greater maturity. We hope that such young men, after they have been duly pre* A considerable benefaction had been rt to the Missionaries from Cambridge.

pared in the knowledge of languages, and fitted for the design, the churches of Christ planted in the East Indies may reap from thence a considerable benefit for their daily increase*."

"After all, we do, with a filial reverence, recommend to your care whatever may serve to advance the propagation of the Gospel of Christ in the eastern parts of the world; that by your help and support, your councils and prayers, the hearts of the unbelievers, destitute of heavenly life and spirit, be made the temples of the Lord, and become holy and living sacrifices, well pleasing to God!"

About this time a college was formed at Copenhagen, by the king of Denmark, for the purpose of facilitating and enlarging the work of the Mission in the East Indies. The members of it immediately communicated the circumstance to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. In the letter which they transmitted they observe," We cannot forget that it is the first part of our office to publish this Royal Institution to the world, and most heartily to invite all who have a hearty concern for the salvation of the Heathen to join with us in promoting the same." An abstract of the Instructions of the King of Denmark (Frederick IV.) to the Missionary College is con

It is much to be lamented that no means have yet been devised by our bishops for obviating the difficulties which stand in the way of employing missionaries of the Church of England. They refuse to grant ordination, except under regulations which may be very proper as they apply to Engbe expedient in the case of persons who gland; but surely a different rule would engage in foreign missions.

+ It will be seen from this passage how strangely at variance were the views of the good Christians of that day, who gave this letter to the world, with those now asserted by certain advocates of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge; who praise the Society for not doing that which it was then

thought the first daty of such a Society to

do, viz. to publish itself to the world, and heartily to invite others to join in forwarding its objects.

tained in the publication before me. They are highly creditable to that pious prince, as the following extract will shew.

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Every member is to think it his duty, after hearty prayers put up for that purpose, to lay to heart a work of so great a concern, and to employ what gifts Providence hath bestowed upon him for advancing so Christian a design, viz. That the Gospel of Christ be preached to the Gentiles, and thereby many souls be brought over to Jesus Christ; and particularly that the Mission designed by us for that purpose, be supported, furthered, and facilitated.

"You are to make it your particular care, to assist the Missionaries already employed in this work, viz. to afford them useful instructions, to correct in them what is amiss, to encourage them in the pursuit of the work, to contrive ways for their timely supply, that they may cheerfully prosecute so good a design, and readily attend the function they are engaged in.

"You ought seriously to consider of procuring more labourers to be sent on the same errand, after they have been sufficiently tried, and found duly qualified for that work, and fit to succeed the Missionaries, if need be, in so weighty a station.

"You ought to consider what methods may be taken with the Heathen, even after they have embraced the Christian religion, thereby to promote their spiritual and temporal interest, viz. How they and their children (besides the knowledge of the principles of Christianity), may be instructed in other useful arts and sciences, and how also they may be employed, according to their respective dispositions and capacities."

A few extracts from the Prospectus published by the College on its first formation, and dated Copenhagen, Jan. 19, 1715, may not be unacceptable to your readers.

"It must be acknowledged by all, who are sensible of the difference between a state of sin and wrath, and a state of grace, to have been an

inestimable blessing to these northern countries, when the Gospel of Christ was received by our forefathers about nine hundred years ago, and heathenism thereby in a great measure abolished, and expelled from these parts of the world.

"And it must be confessed, that this blessing was again renewed to us, under the happy reign of our pious King Frederick I. when Christianity, by means of Luther's Reformation, recovered much of its ancient lustre and glory.

"Praised be God, who, of his infinite mercy, has vouchsafed unto us, to enjoy that benefit, for the space of near two hundred years, which many others stand deprived of to this day!

"Praised be likewise the same most merciful God, who, of his abundant goodness, hath reserved this farther glory to our nation, that the same grace which was received by us (and that not altogether in vain), doth now again go forth from us, and spread itself in far distant countries, whereby Protestant Churches may at last see the possibility of that, which, by many, was deemed altogether impracticable.

"It is now sufficiently known to the world, what pious care his Majesty of Denmark, Frederick the Fourth, our most gracious king, has taken, ever since the year 1705, to have the Gospel of Christ preached to the Heathen in the East Indies, and a church gathered there to the Author of our most holy religion."

"Of what importance the institution of such a Mission is, and how great advantage may be expected from it, will be best understood by those who have obtained grace to work out their own salvation, and are endued with an ardent desire of rescuing also their fellow-creatures from a state of darkness and igno

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years among the Heathen; yet hereby is there abundant cause administered to glorify God on that behalf." "But any one that will seriously consider the signal and blessed success with which God hath vouchsafed to crown the fervent zeal, and unwearied application of our Missionaries, will be easily induced to believe, that He seems to be pleased with this work, as tending so much to his glory, and the salvation of souls." "The Missionaries have not only translated the whole New Testament into Malabarick, but are now engaged in the translation of the Old. It must be acknowledged to be a very great blessing to the Malabar Heathen, to have theGospel laid before them in their native tongue, whereby they have an opportunity to learn and embrace the counsel of God, and the offers of his grace, for their eternal happi

ness.

"Any one who is engaged in the great work of converting others, and has thereby experimentally learnt how difficult a matter it is to gain souls to Christ, will easily believe it to be no small success, that God has so far blessed the Missionaries, as to enable them to gather a congregation, and to erect a church, where the Heathen publicly and constantly may hear the word of God in their own language."

"The gracious providence of God in a short time, vouchsafed unto this Mission such success, as gives us a fair prospect of its further progress, and a promising harvest to follow in due season, if it shall please Him to continue to the Missionaries, as we hope He will, his divine support; not suffering them to be frustrated in their undertaking by any disasters, or to be discouraged by any hardships or obstacles which usually attend works of this nature: but all difficulties will the sooner be overcome, if the benefactors in Europe shall continue to exert themselves on their behalf."

"His Majesty, in his most gracious Jastructions, has intrusted, us with

every thing relating to the right management of this important affair; and that with so much ardour and zeal, that we have reason to tremble at those important words wherewith he concludes his royal Instructions: This is our most gracious will, which we expect you will observe with all deference, and such an application of mind, as you will answer the same here and hereafter, before the great Judge and Lord of us all. Do ye therefore, on your part, as becomes the faithful servants of God, and of your king, that our ardour and zeal may not be lost, nor your labour be in vain."

"It is therefore our hearty and humble request to all sincere lovers of the salvation of men, that they would lay hold of this fair opportunity which now offers itself unto them, in the happy beginning madein the East Indies, and in the charitable design upon Finmark, and also Northland; and by their advice, and their contributions, effectually assist us to rescue a multitude of precious and immortal souls from eternal ruin; especially when they see how willing we are to receive such advice as shall be communicated to us, and shall be always ready to make such use of, as is most likely to obtain the end for which it is designed, and which we have entirely at heart. And we humbly entreat, in a more particular manner, all ecclesiastical persons, Bishops, Superintendants, Provosts, and other Clergymen, as well in the dominions subject to our most gracious king, as in foreign kingdoms and countries; that they would zealously apply themselves to the advancement of so important a work as the conversion of the Heathen is; and in their conversation with other good Christians and public-spirited persons, consider of ways and means to promote it, and then communicate by letters to our Society, whatever they shall think proper for settling the said work on the most solid foundation."

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Heavenly Father in secret are entreated to remember this work, as a proper subject in their constant prayers and supplications. The more fervent they are in their addresses to God, the more shall we be bound to recommend them to his divine favour and protection; and the greater also, we trust, will be the blessing of Almighty God upon the whole undertaking. Let us, therefore, with one accord, and with united hearts and hands, joyfully embrace the opportunity which now offers itself of doing what the good and gracious will of God enjoins, and the misery of so many nations requires. The harvest is verygreat. Oh! let us do good whilst we have time, that in due season we may reap the fruit thereof to all eternity. May the Lord himself, the eternal God, give the increase to our planting and watering, that the seed of his holy word, scattered among the Heathen, may spring up and bring forth a hundred-fold. Faithful is He that bath promised, who will also do it. To Him be all praise, honour and glory, from this time forth and for evermore !"

It is most melancholy to reflect how little during a whole century has been done in this great work, notwithstanding such fair beginnings! How little especially has been done by the Church of England, notwithstanding her multiplied means and opportunities, and her peculiar obligations to exertion. May the Lord pardon our supineness and inactivity in his service, and enable us now to arise and shake ourselves from the dust, and take our proper station in leading the battles of the militant Church.

(To be continued.)

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

THOUGH I have expressed my weariness of controversy, and though Talib, in his last letter, says little more than what he had already said, and what I had already answered, I

am yet unwilling to appear deficient in attention to a writer whom I so much respect. The same remark applies to another anonymous opponent of mine, who has recently published a second pamphlet by way of answer to my reply to his first; which reply appeared in one of your former numbers. He writes with the same excellent spirit that was manifest in his first production, but says little on the subject that is new. I shall, however, notice what I may deem to require notice in both these writers.

I. Talib wishes to compute the 1260 years from an edict of Justinian, and makes them expire A.D. 1792. He is, however, aware, that the number mentioned in Dan. viii. 14, has a synchronical termination with the 1260 years, and moreover that that number plainly specifies the whole duration of the vision of the ram and the he-goat. Counting back then 2300 years (the reading of the common Hebrew) from A. D, 1792, he arrives at the year A. C. 508: which, therefore, in order that his scheme may cohere, he has to prove to be the true chronological commencement of the vision. Now the vision opens with a view of the ram standing on the bank of the river Ulai; and then Daniel says, that he saw this ram in the act of pushing. Concerning the import of this pushing, Talib and I are perfectly agreed: we likewise agree that it commenced about the year 508, though perhaps that is not quite certain; let it however pass. The point, wherein we disagree is, how far the vision can properly be said to commence with the ram's pushing, and, consequently, with the year A. C. 50s. To myself it appears, that Daniel beheld the ram in a standing state anterior to his beginning to push and, therefore, since the vision opens before he began to push, the number which specifies the duration of the whole vision, must of course also commence before he began to push; that is to say, before the year A. C. 50s. If this point

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be established, it is obvious that Talib's system falls to the ground: hence he naturally employs all his ingenuity, of which he possesses no small share, to prove that Daniel did not behold the ram in any state anterior to his pushing; but that the vision opens with his beginning to push, and consequently with the year 508. For this purpose he asserts (and with much truth), that the word by does not necessarily signify to stand, but denotes likewise to subsist or exist; he adduces various instances to prove the point; and he says, that I beg the question by assuming that in Dan. viii. 3 the word imports to stand still. He adds, that, the next verse not beginning with a 1, the Hebrew idiom requires, that it should not be successive to the former verse, but synchronical with it.

1. I reply, that, even were Talib's instances more apposite than they are, they would just prove nothing in the matter before us. The Hebrew verb y, like the English verb to stand, has various cognate significations: what signification it bears in any particular passage must clearly be determined by the context of that passage. To adduce, therefore, instances of various usages of the word from other passages is just about as reasonable as to prove, that a bull stood for an office, because an author, in two different sentences of the same work, said a man stood and a bull stood. The meaning of the word must plainly be determined by the context of its own passage, not by that of the other. The question is not, how Daniel uses the word elsewhere, but how he uses it in one particular place. And I still think, as I heretofore thought, that in Dan. viii. 3, it can only denote standing still. On this point, I would readily submit the matter in dispute to any plain reader, who had no system to support. The Prophet says, I saw, and behold a ram stood before the river. I saw the Tam pushing. Now does not the context plainly shew, that Daniel

first saw the ram quietly standing still, and that afterwards he saw him beginning to push? Would not any plain reader suppose this to be the case? Would he ever imagine, that Daniel meant oddly to express himself, I saw a ram existing on the bank of the river. I saw him pushing? No: on the contrary he would say, "If Daniel meant what Talib ascribes to him, he would never tell us that he saw a ram existing before a river; because, if he saw him, he of course saw him existing. If the vision began with his pushing, the Prophet would naturally have said, I saw before the river a two-horned ram pushing westward, &c. On Talib's scheme, the word hy ought to have been quite omitted, for it serves no other end but to mislead us." Let us put a parallel case. Suppose a man were to tell his neighbour, "As I was taking a walk this morning, I saw a bull standing in a pasture. I saw the bull run at a person who was going through the pasture:" How would his neighbour understand him? Would he not suppose, that he had first seen the animal standing in contradistinction to running or couching, and that afterwards he saw him quit his standing attitude and run at the passenger? I doubt whether he would ever suppose, that his neighbour, by using the word standing, was merely anxious to work a thorough conviction in him, that the vicious bull was assuredly in a state of existence previous to his running.

2. But Talib says, that the Hebrew idiom requires his gloss, because ver. 4 does not commence with a . I must have some much more decisive proof than I expect ever to see, before I subscribe to this canon of criticism. In Dan. vii. neither ver. 8 nor ver. 9 begins with a ; yet I presume Talib will scarcely say, that verses 7, 8, 9 are synchronical and not successive. So little does the conjunction and settle the point of chronology either one way or another, that in Rev. xi. 11,

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