sionally dine with the ex-Parson, and mix with good humour in the motley company there assembled,-Hardy, the shoe-maker, sitting on one side of him, and Sir Francis Burdett on the other.— Lord Campbell's Lives of the Chancellors.

PROGRESS OF MANUFACTURES.Some idea may be formed of the gigantic strides which our manufactures have made during the present century by the facts that the quantity of white and dyed cottons exported had increased from 248,000,000 yards in 1820, to 1,026,000,000 yards in 1844; and the British iron made, from 258,000 tons in 1806, to 1,400,000 tons in the latter year. These results appear from the new edition of Porter's "Progress of the Nation."

THE GREAT SNOW-STORM OF 1620. -The snow tell during thirteen days and nights with very little intermission, accompanied with great cold, and keen biting wind. About the fifth and sixth days the young sheep fell into a torpid state, and died; and about the ninth and tenth days the shepherds began to build up large semicircular walls of the dead, in order to form some shelter for the living; but the protection was of little service. Impelled by hunger, the sheep were frequently seen tearing at one another's wool with their teeth. On the fourteenth day there was, on many a high-lying farm, not a surviver of extensive flocks to be found. Large misshapen walls of dead surrounding a small prostrate group, likewise dead, and stiffly frozen in their lairs, met the eye of the forlorn shepherd and his master. Of upwards of twenty thousand sheep maintained in the extensive pastoral district of Eskdale Moor, only about fortyfive were left alive.-Gallery of Nature.

ANECDOTES OF THE LATE KING OF PRUSSIA.-Once, when the King was entering a considerable town, the Superintendent of the place thought proper to greet him with an eulogistic address. Frederick interrupted him, turning indignantly to the Adjutant, Colonel Witzleben, "This is not to be endured the man speaks plain untruths." Then, taking out the paper upon which the names of those invited to the afternoon entertainment stood, with his own hand he scored the name of the Superintendent out. A young man, possessing much talent and much fluency, and furnished with high testimonials, had been proposed as Preacher to the division of Guards. He was permitted to preach his trial-sermon in the

presence of the King, in the court and garrison church at Potsdam. He here discoursed eloquently upon Christian heroism; but making use of unmeasured encomiums upon the conduct of the King and the Prussian army, the former, who at other times sat there listening with undivided attention to all he heard, lost his equanimity, and, rising, looked round the church. As his eye rested on me, in his displeasure, he added, "The Preacher has certainly not studied the holy Scriptures, at least he has not learnt their spirit, or he would have known well that the inspired writings never flatter men, but, on the contrary, humble them. A Preacher who makes my troops feel their self-sufficiency, and pats them asleep when he ought to rouse them, I will not endure." In 1809, when the King with his family returned to Berlin, according to his former practice, he attended the celebration of the Lord's supper in the church at Potsdam with the congregation. The moving and elevated spectacle of a Sovereign and his people uniting on such consecrated ground affected every heart so much, that I thought some allusion to the circumstance necessary. But, trifling as the allusion was, it displeased him. "I thank you for your sermon," he said, afterwards.

"It was

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an excellent one, and it edified me. But it is painful to me when, in the preaching of the divine word, any mention is made of my name, especially in the way of praise." I answered, that his feelings on this subject were known to me, and that I honoured such sentiments; but that, in present circumstances, the people would have been disappointed in their justest expectations, had I passed over in utter silence the subject which warms all hearts. added, "If, however, on that account, I have displeased you, yet may the good intentions which I had excuse me.' The memorable words of the King in answer to me were, "Your good intentions I have by no means mistaken; but I believe there is no King in a church in the eyes of God, no distinctions, no merit. The more earnestly and freely, and without respect of persons, a man preaches God's word, the more will I esteem him. The public worship of God, and the participation in it, is meant to improve man, and, on account, real truth and disagreeable truth must be spoken as well to master as to servant."Bishop Eylert's Traits of Character from the Life of Frederick William III., King of Prussia.

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My last letter informed you of the conversion of a Roman Catholic, and his reception into our society. You will rejoice to hear of his steadfastness in the faith and hope of the Gospel. His deliberate renunciation of Papistical error has been followed up by a most orderly and consistent Christian walk. In the midst of many trials from his wife and friends, besides those incident to Christian converts in general in India, I have never observed him to waver for a moment; but, so far as can be judged, he is steadily growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was formerly sepoy, and has latterly made a precarious subsistence by writing letters, and by rough tailor's work. But as these are done for native servants chiefly, the remuneration is very small and uncertain. His conduct has in one respect been the reverse of many native Christians, who are frequently indolent and dissatisfied, and look for entire support from those to whom they attach themselves, caring comparatively little about spiritual instruction, unless accompanied by the loaves and fishes. He has never uttered a syllable of complaint, nor appeared to be in want, although, on making inquiry into his circumstances, I found he had often been without food for one or two days together. As he is very desirous to have some employment, whereby he may make his own living, I purpose establishing an additional

Tamul school, and employing him as a Schoolmaster. Mysore being a Canarese station, is an objection to the establishment of Tamul schools; as the Missionary cannot attend to them so well as to Canarese schools. He can, however, satisfy himself in some degree as to their state; and where the masters are converted men, more reliance can be placed upon them than upon the heathen masters we are as yet obliged to employ in Canarese schools, and more spiritual good may be hoped for from their labours.

Since my last letter, I have visited Seringapatam twice; the first time in company with the Rev. C. Campbell; and the second time, with the Rev. J. B. Coles, both of the London Missionary Society. On each of these occasions a number of persons attended whilst we preached and held discussions, and were very eager for tracts. These we gave only to persons likely to profit by them. At the latter visit, we went out during the day to visit the most interesting places. The large temple of Ilui Ranga, which stands in the fort, seems an ancient building; but there was no one at hand who could give an account of its past or present history. We saw two men, to whom we spoke of the folly and sin of idolatry. Our words were lamentably strange to their ears; and they were too apathetic to ask, "We would know what these things mean." In another part of the fort, we spoke to a

few persons who were in the act of worshipping the images of snakes. There were several large trees, and at the foot of each several of these images in basrelief on stone, and set up like small grave-stones. The offerings consisted of milk, the milk of the cocoa-nut, flowers, &c., accompanied with numerous bowings, prostrations, and muttered prayers. This done, several of them laughed at their own folly in expecting any good from worshipping images, yet were no way disposed to forsake their idolatrous vanities. A youth came up whilst we were speaking with the people, and proposed some interesting questions, which showed that he had some knowledge of the Christian way. Most likely he had been at some Missionschool.

In the afternoon we went out to Ganjam, which is at a short distance from, or may be considered to be a continuation of, Seringapatam. I had some curiosity to see the chapel once occupied by the Abbé Dubois, and still used by the Papists, whose adherents are numerous here. The chapel is small, and unpretending in its whole appearance. Inside were the images usual in Popish places of worship, and several small cars, such as are used by the Heathen in their idolatrous feasts. In a building outside was a large car, surmounted by a dome, and decorated with figures designed to represent angels, &c., painted in gaudy colours. We found no person on the spot but an old sick woman; and it was too late to stay and preach in the town.

I have not been able to satisfy myself personally with regard to the mental and moral condition of the Papists; but they are represented as most deplorably ignorant. And, indeed, it cannot be otherwise, whilst they are kept from reading the word which is a lamp to the feet, and a light to the path. In India, as elsewhere, ignorance is the mainstay of the Papacy.

The Papists are a great hinderance to the spread of Christianity here. The Heathen confound them with Christians; and often meet our arguments against idolatry by crossing their fingers, or two sticks, and calling out, "See here! this is your God!" and they are not very willing to believe that Papists and Christians differ. Their number in Mysore is great; and as most of the native Christians here are converted Papists, the greater part of the persecution they have to endure is from those whom they have left. In general, one or more individuals of a family have

been converted; and a man's foes are mostly they of his own house. Much bitterness is caused; but it is gratifying to witness how seldom it is met with any other disposition than compassion and love on the part of the Christians. One of the most striking and pleasing features in a converted Papist is the joy with which he reads his Bible. About twelve months ago, I gave a Testament to a Roman Catholic, and asked if he would read it. He took it as a book that he had heard of, and was curious to see; and, to my certain knowledge, he sat up nearly all night several times, until he had read it all. A short time afterwards, I asked him if he had read the book I gave him, and what he thought of it. He said he had read it all, some

parts several times over; and, with the feeling of one who has obtained a blessing of which he had been long deprived, said, that his Priest had many times told him not to read that book; from which he concluded that it must be unfit to be read; that he never before knew what kind of book it was, and could not have thought that his Priest was keeping him from so good a book, which, had he possessed it long ago, would have made his heart better. He then asked if there was not another book like it; for that he found several references to another, and he would like to read that also. This was the Old Testament. He has since read some other books, particularly the Pilgrim's Progress, and an Exposition of the Parables. I regret to state, that he has not yet declared himself a Christian, owing to his wife's determined opposition. Their last child is yet unbaptized, because he will not have it baptized by a Popish Priest, and she will not consent to any one else. I sincerely trust that the Lord will soon touch her heart likewise, and that both may become disciples of Christ.

One of their sons, a young man about twenty years of age, is with us as a ser vant at present. We took him in the latter end of January last. For the first two months he was so exceedingly troublesome, that we several times resolved to send him away, but were unable then to supply his place. After repeatedly speaking to him, I one evening called him into my study, and spoke very seriously to him about his conduct. He at first seemed hardened, but afterwards softened almost to tears. In a few days we observed such a marked change in him, that we could not help thinking that the Spirit of God was working in

subject them; and, consequently, they remain undecided.

I see, more than ever, the necessity of paying particular attention to the young. Their minds have been, so to speak, poisoned by idolatry. They have been taught to pay homage to senseless idols from the very dawn of reason. Need we

wonder, then, at their love of idolatry? It grows with their growth, and increases with their years. Whoever attentively considers these facts, will perceive, we imagine, the importance of paying especial attention to the rising generation. Their minds are filled with error; and hence arises the necessity of using our utmost efforts to liberate their captive spirits. Preaching the Gospel is, doubtless, God's grand instrument for the conversion of a guilty world; but schools, in which the principles of our holy religion are taught, are important auxiliaries, and especially in a country like India. Besides, wherever schools have been established, we have an opportunity, every time we visit them, to preach the Gospel of our blessed Saviour. Not unfrequently on these occasions the parents of the children and other individuals collect together, to whom we make known the joyful tidings of salvation. A short time ago, I went out into the country for the purpose to which I have alluded; and I had an opportunity of preaching three times to good congregations. Whilst I explained the nature and necessity of the new birth, and also pointed out the means in order to obtain a new heart and a right spirit, they to whom I spoke listened with great attention. I pointed out the futility of the means adopted by the Hindoos in order to obtain holiness; namely, pilgrimages, washing in rivers, and doing penance. I showed that it was utterly impossible for such things to

renew the heart of man. The bias of the mind must be changed, the love of sin removed, before we can enter into the kingdom of heaven. The natives manifest considerable anxiety to obtain tracts on the verities of Christianity. I hope much good will result from the distribution of these silent monitors.

We continue to preach the Gospel in the streets of Negapatam, as well as in other places around us. Our congregations are generally good, and we hope that the divine blessing will succeed our efforts in this department of our labour. Vast numbers on these occasions hear the joyful sound, who otherwise would be prevented. After the conclusion of the service, I often perceive them talking one to another about the things which they have heard. May God water the seed thus sown by the dew of his Holy Spirit, and cause the fruits of righteousness to appear! Our confidence in the power of truth is great, and we know it must eventually prevail over every opposing foe. Perhaps a shower of blessings is now hanging over this barren and thirsty land; and when its sacred contents are discharged, these captive souls shall be delivered from the galling fetters of idolatry, and their hearts filled with joy and gladness, and abiding consolation and peace. While we hail the advent of brighter days as certain, let each one ask himself what he can do to accelerate its progress. May every soul be intent upon this great work, the salvation of the human family. May the church unite in earnest prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and plead fervently with God until the promised blessing shall descend: then "the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert blossom as the garden of the Lord."

VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES.

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