EAST INDIES. The following account of the rapid extension of Christianity in the countries near to Cape Comerin, is taken from a letter of Mr. Gericke, the principal missionary, in the East Indies, of THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, dated at Vepery, near Madras, January 18, 1803. "When, in my journey, I came near to the extremity of the peninsula, I found whole villages waiting anxiously for my coming, to be further instructed and baptized. They had got acquainted with our native priest in that country, and the Catechists and Christians; and had learned from them the catechism; which those who could write copied, to learn it themselves at their leisure. When they heard of my coming, they broke their idols to pieces, and converted their temples into Christian churches; in which I instructed and baptized them (in some about 200, in others about 300); formed them into Christian congregations; procured for them catechists and schoolmasters; and made them choose, in each place, four elders. These examples awakened the whole country; and when I was about to leave it, the inhabitants of many more villages sent messages to me, begging of me to remain a couple of months longer in the country; and to do in their villages the good work I had done in those of their neighbours. My situation not allowing this, I recommended them to the native priests and catechists that are there; and since that, there have been instructed and baptized 2700 people more, and eighteen more congregations have been formed. Among these new converts are several chiefs, all very zealous; and one of them travels about, preaching the gospel: but since my return, some of the Heathens of that country, old enemies, have stirred up a persecution against them, and they have written to me to return, as soon as possible; for while I was among them, all went on very smoothly; and the Heathens themselves seemed to feel a pleasure in what was going on. But it pleased God to afflict me with a fever. When I began to recover, I found a letter from that country; which contained the good news, that the persecution had abated in several places; and that the Christians, who had been confined, had been ho nourably acquitted. The constancy of these people, under their sufferings, may overcome their enemies, and contribute greatly to the spread of the gospel in those parts." MISSION OF THE UNITED BRETHREN. In the last account of these missions which have been published, it appears, that at HоOP on the river CORENTYN, in su RINAM, the congregation consisted at the close of the year 1800 of 169 baptized Indians of whom 84 were communicants, and 39 persons not yet baptized, in all 208. Their number had been diminished during the year, in consequence of the prevalence of the small pox, which had proved fatal to 18 baptized persons, and had induced about 50 others to quit the settlement. At the same time, the con gregation of free negroes at NEW BAMBEY, in SURINAM, consisted of 49 persons, 17 of whom were communicants *. Tho number of missionaries employed in the missions of the brethren in various parts of the world, towards the close of the year 1802, is as follows: Danish West India Island, in six settlements, 32; Greenland, in three settlements, 16; Antigua, in three settlements, 17; St. Kitts, 4; Jamaica, in three settlements, 8; Barbadoes, 2; Tobago, 2; South America, in four settlements, 24; Labrador, three settlements, 25; Indians, in North Ame rica, three settlements, 19; Hottentots, at the Cape of Good Hope, 10; near Tranquebar, 2; in all, 161. * By the diary of the missionaries, it ap pears, that since the government at Pura maribo had, six years ago, appointed them to transact the usual business between the free negroes (who are described as a cruel and savage race) and the government, harmony and confidence had subsisted between them; the negroes being convinced that they have to do with honest men, who do not wish to hurt them in any way: a fresh proof of the importance of character in a missionary. It also comes out incidentally, that if a free negro shoots a runaway slave, and can bring sufficient proof of the fact, he receives from the governor at Paramaribo 25 florins, but if he delivers him up alive fifty." Let the friends of the West Indian system palliate, if they can, this fact. VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. ON THE DUTIES OF THE PRESENT CRISIS. THE present situation of Great Britain and France is such as must powerfully call forth the emotions of every considerate mind and every feeling heart. We behold two great nations, the first in the world, in point of natural and acquired advantages foremost in wealth, in power, in genius, in knowledge, in literature, in arts each of them blessed by heaven, with more abundant means of enjoying and dispensing happiness than were ever be fore vouchsafed to any country; planning and fabricating the most effectual means of atchieving each others misery and ruin. While the instruments of destruction are mutually preparing, a sort of solemn pause takes place, which, like the calm that precedes the hurricane, fills the mind of every observer with awe, and with a fearful foreboding of that war of elements which is at hand. In such a moment as this, the Christian Observer, without forgetting the claims (claims founded on the right of self defence given to us by our Almighty Governor) which his country has on him for his best and utmost services, will yet entertain sentiments and feelings peculiar to himself, and will also, with humble prayer for the divine direction, carefully examine the scene before him, in order to discover the duties which he is called to perform, and how he may best glorify God and adorn his Christian profession. He sees the arm of God uplifted, and his Scourge shaken over a guilty land. Whatever may have been the wisdom or folly, the merits or demerits of ministers, he is sure, because the word of God has declared it, that war is the instrument of divine vengeance, and that whenever it takes place, he is specially called on to humble himself under the mighty hand of God, to examine his ways, to see to it that the national account is not swelled by his particular transgressions, and to endeavour by earnest prayer to deprecate the wrath or conciliate the favour of heaven. His heart also, which has been taught by his divine master to weep with them that weep, anticipates the approaching scenes of wretchedness and destruction; and he beholds the gathering cloud with the greater awe, because it is big with the wrath of offended heaven. But still he remembers who it is that rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm. He is sure that the wrath of man will be finally overruled, so as to magnify the glory, and accomplish the designs of the Almighty. He bows to the dispensations of the supreme disposer of all things, and assured, that not the meanest Christian will be forgotten or neglected in the adjustment of the fates of nations, he commits his way unto the Lord, and prepares for the discharge of his proper duties. In the morning he goes cheerfully to his appointed task; in the evening he lies down in peace and takes his rest, knowing that his Heavenly Father neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, and that, amidst the tumult and uncertainties of all human things, his Almighty Guardian will direct his paths to a world of everlasting peace and love. But while he carries about with him this consideration, and often recurs to it as his appointed cordial to refresh his fainting spirits, and calm any rising anxieties; he yet remembers, that the present should be a season of action, and that he ought now to endeavour to exhibit a proof of the practical excellency of his peculiar principles. He will consider what are the faults which are apt chiefly to prevail, when a nation is in a situation similar to ours; and will try to discourage them in others, and still more studiously to correct any tendency to them in himself. Among them, the foreburthens, which a state of war nemost is a disposition to murmur at the cessarily occasions, and to try to shift them from ourselves on others. A Christian will be conscious, that this disposition is but a branch of that root of selfishness which springs up but too naturally in the human heart, and of which it is his daily business to extirpate every remaining fibre, that true Christian philanthropy, "that plant of celestial growth," may flourish in its place. Not that he will forget that an Englishman is a member of a free community; that as such, he is not only at liberty, but, according to his rank and station, he is bound, to canvass, with candour and moderation, the measures of government, that he may with fidelity discharge the functions of his proper office, be he a legislator or a freeholder, be his sphere of influence larger or more confined. But he remembers that it should be his prime care, not so much to scrutinize the conduct of others, as to look to his own. That whether the public measures have or have not been planned with the utmost wisdom, and guided by the most consummate prudence, yet his country's call is equally clear and loud and urgent. She calls on him to exert in her cause, all his energies of body and mind, all his means of action or of influ ence. He will not very nicely examine, country in the closet more effectually than even in the cabinet or the field. He will pour forth his fervent prayers who, at such a crisis, are entrusted with the management of public affairs; that the Supreme Disposer of all things may give wisdom to their counsels and success to their measures:-for his country, that the divine chastisement may work its due effect, and produce a prevalent temper of serious recollection and humility, in the place of that pride of heart and dissolute spirit of thoughtless dissipation, which have overspread our higher orders especially, with such an extensive predominance:-even for his enemies; he will pray for their sakes as well as his own, that they may also be favoured with a less ambitious and more equitable government; that blessed with the light of true religion, they may dwell in the secure enjoyment of their eminent natural advantages, and may taste the sweets of rational liberty and of social comfort. And amidst his other supplications, surely he may be allowed to supplicate for peace; surely he may sigh over the miseries of war, however necessary; and long for that happy day when the sword shall be returned to its scabbard. whether particular taxes or particular regulations may not press on persons in his circumstances with more than equal weight; if he sees reason to be--for those, whoever they may be, lieve, that there is a disposition in the legislature to impose them with tolerably general equality, he will be satisfied, and will not only abstain from repining and murmuring himself, but will try to soften the irritation and appease the discontent of others: so far as he is able, he will stand forward to defend his country by his personal efforts, and if a weakly body prevents his engaging in this line of service, on that very account he will look out for other modes of service with the greater earnestness and solicitude. He will try to enlighten and animate, to warm and to sustain. He will try to possess the minds of his countrymen with a just sense of the signal blessings which they enjoy as members of this highly favoured empire, and with an adequate impression of the multiplied evils and sufferings which would infallibly befal the whole community, if our country were to be overcome by our haughty and ambitious enemy. If there is any public grievance from which he, with others, may have conscientiously been endeavouring to relieve himself, he will be disposed for the time to remit his efforts, instead of striving to avail himself of this season as of a favourable opportunity for urging his claims, lest he should draw off that attention of government which ought to be allotted undivided and entire to the means of providing for the public safety, or lest he should weaken the efforts by damping the affections of others similarly circumstanced with himself. He will also carefully abstain from that proud and boastful spirit which so little befits a Christian, and boldly avow, that he looks for victory to the blessing of heaven on the justice of our cause*. But a Christian Observer will still remember, that he may serve his * This is a sentiment which will scarcely be thought unworthy of the character of a British subject, when it is remembered, that it is the very language of no less a man than the Duke of Marlborough used in a letter to the minister of the day, when he was flushed with victory, and at the head of that galiant army with which he broke the power of France, and attained to a height of military glory, unequalled in the annals of Great Britain. To a real Christian, however, all the vicissitudes and evils of this life are of eminent utility. The medicine, however nauseous, he knows to be salutary. His heart is daily more weaned from this world; and he springs forward with greater alacrity in his expectations and wishes towards that heavenly state, which he has been accustomed to regard as the termination of his pains and cares, and the consummation of his happiness. The following prayer we insert as a proper supplement to the foregoing reflections on the duties required of Christians at the present awful crisis. It is chiefly compiled from the works of the pious Bishop Taylor, and we hope will prove an acceptable form of prayer for families. PRAYER. O eternal God! who rulest in the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth; thou art the great God of Battles; and by thy wis dom, power, and providence, thou determinest the events of war, and the issues of human councils. Be pleased to cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon this land, and save it from the evils which flow from the power and tyranny of war. Provide us, O Lord, a remedy against the calamities which we fear; and which we, who have so often provoked thee to wrath and jealousy, most justly deserve. But if a cloud of adversity should be allow ed to pass over us, with an eye of faith and hope, may we look beyond it to those merciful issues which, in thy secret providence and admirable wisdom, are intended to flow to thy true and faithful servants from the most calamitous events: may we submit to thy righteous decree, and adore thy justice in our sharpest sufferings. Enable us, amid the changes of private life, or the vicissitudes of public affairs, to make it our great concern to please thee: may we diligently do all our duty; cheerfully submit to all thy will; call upon thee at all times; place all our trust in thy mercy; and lay up all our hopes in the bosom of God." Thou, O Lord, hast constituted all things in a wonderful order, making the inferior creatures subject to man, one man to another, and all to thee. Teach us, and all the people of this land, to honour those whom thou hast set over us. May we reverence their persons; obey all their lawful commands; and cheerfully bear those burdens which the public wisdom and necessity shall impose upon us. In mercy remember our sovereign. Place a guard of angels about his person, and immure him with the defence of thy right hand, that no unhallowed arm may do him violence. Support him with aids from heaven in all his trials, and give unto him the hearts of all his people. Bless his family and all his counsellors, direct their councils, unite their hearts, strengthen their hands, bless their actions; give unto them holiness of intention, that they may pursue the cause of God and of the king; and do thou crown all their endeavours fort to all thy faithful people, and glory to thy holy name. And now, O Lord, do thou guide us who are here present, that amidst all the changes of this world, we may enjoy evenness and tranquillity of spirit, and that our souls may be wholly resigned to thy divine will. Fix our thoughts, our hopes, and desires upon heaven and heavenly things. Inspire us with a holy indifference and superiority to the world. Teach us to repent deeply of our sins, and to flee to Jesus Christ for refuge from the wrath to come. Give us holy purposes of amendment, and spiritual strength to perform them. Enrich our understandings with divine truths, that we may know thy will; and do thou, who workest in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure, influence us to obey all thy commandments, and to believe all thy revelations; and make us partakers of all thy promises, Teach us to watch over all our ways, that we may intend nothing but what is in order to thy glory and service, and that we may do nothing but what becomes thy servants whom thou hast redeemed by thy grace, and sanctified by thy spirit. Let all our passions and affections be so mortified, and brought under the dominion of grace, that we may never either deliberately or inconsiderately offend thee. Make us such as thou wouldst have us to be. Strengthen our faith; confirm our hope; and give us a daily increase of love, that we may ever serve thee according to our opportunities and capacities, growing from grace to grace, till, at length, by thy mercy we attain to the glories of thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory now, henceforth, and for evermore.-Amen. FRANCE. The Chief Consul returned to Paris on the 11th instant. Addresses were presented to him by the constituted authorities, conceived in the usual style of fulsome adulation. It is said, that he in port towns on the coast of Brittany. with a prosperous event, that they tends shortly to visit Brest and the seamay produce honour and safety to our sovereign, defence of his just rights, peace to his people, the establishment and promotion of religion, advantages and encouragement to holy living, deliverance to all the oppressed, comCHRIST. OBSERV. No. 20. The blockade of the French ports is at present very strictly maintained, and our cruisers brave the enemy in their own barbours. Seven gun-boats, which ventured out of Boulogne to attack an English gunbrig and cutter becalmed off that har3 T bour, were driven back by them into the pier. About a week after, the Immortalite frigate and Terror bomb made an attack on that place, by which it is said a part of the lower town was injured. A detachment of seamen and marines is stated to have landed at the same time, and destroyed some works in the harbour. Four French ships of the line from St. Domingo have had the good fortune to escape into Ferrol. The Moniteur contains a list of twenty-four vessels captured since the commencement of hostilities by French cruisers, and carried into port. Two of these are Indiamen, the others are of small consequence. Nothing very certain has transpired with respect to the actual state of the enemy's preparations for invading England. There are, however, strong reasons for supposing them to be in great forwardness. ing her armies. It is impossible she can view with ind fference the progress of the French arms, or that she should not feel a wish to seize the first favourable opportanity of abridging the power of so formida ble a neighbour. Still smarting, however, from recent disasters, it is hardly to be expected that she should speedily assume a very warlike posture, in order to repress the encroachments of France. PRUSSIA. Considerable uneasiness, it is asserted, has been indicated by the Prussian court on account of the measures which Bonaparte is now pursuing in Hanover: the blockade of the Elbe and the Weser must likewise have produced material inconvenience to his subjects. The interchange of couriers between Berlin and Paris has been very frequent of late, but nothing has transpired as to the points which may be in discussion. DENMARK. This power is reported to be also justly alarmed by the vicinity of so large a body of French troops, and to have greatly reinforced, in consequence, its army in Holstein. The Chief Consul, in addition to his other acts of aggression, has demanded the toll duty near Stade of all the Danish vessels going up the Elbe. The Danes are said to have protested against this exaction, and to be determined to resist it. We trust that not only Denmark, but all the other northern powers will, at length, be roused to a sense of the dangers with which they are menaced by the unprincipled ambition of Bonaparte. SWEDEN. This court has openly authorized the ar rival of our mails at Gottenburgh. Denmark had merely tolerated their landing at Tonningen, but it is to be hoped she will soon follow the more manly conduct of Sweden. RUSSIA. The politics of Russia are still involved in uncertainty. Some recent circumstances have tended to encourage a hope, that sensible of his true interest, the Emperor will make common cause with Great Britain in opposing the pernicious principles, and curbing the overgrown power of France. There seems to be no doubt that a considerable armament is preparing in the Russian ports, but whether it is destined to co-operate with Great Britain, or to effect the renewal of a kind of armed neutrality, we are still at liberty to conjec ture. It has been reported, that several Frenchmen had been taken into custody at Petersburgh, as spies, and immediately sent to Siberia. It is also said, that Russia had offered to mediate between Great Britain and France, but that the basis on |