punishment, and persuade themselves, that a God of infinite goodness will make all his crea tures happy at last, and will inflict punishment on none, whatever may be their character;" and those," who imagine, that every man's destiny is eternally fixed, and every man's conduct immutably determined by an absolute fatality." The awful tendency of such principles, it is justly observed, is

manifest from their effects.

"Since they have prevailed, instances of murder and suicide, and of duelling, which involves in it both murder and suicide, have become much more frequent than they were formerly.

"Only consider what is the natural tendency and the frequent operation of the principles, which have been mentioned. Inquire whether a man possessing and acting upon them, would be safe to himself and wheth er his family, his friends, his neighbours would be safe in connexion with him, if he was [were] unrestrained by the laws of society. Inquire whether a society, actuated by such principles, could protect its members, or could itself subsist. Inquire whether any rational, free, and efficient government could ever be maintained on these principles.... Answer these inquiries, and you will have a full, practical demonstration, that the principles are absolutely false. No sentiments are true, which cannot safely be applied to practice. These, applied to practice, would dissolve families, disband societies, annihilate government, and destroy mankind.

"One of the surest ways to prove whether opinions are [be] true, is to bring them to the test of practice, and examine what would be their

consequence. We may always act in conformity to truth. If we are all to

be annihilated at death, we may act as if we were to be annihilated. If there is [be] no divine moral gov ernment, we may act, as if there was [were] none, and may live as if we

were not accountable. If we are under the power of an uncontrollable this fate: we need not consult our fate, we may give ourselves up to reason, but may implicitly follow every impulse of passion. And if we may act in this manner, so may our neighbours, and so may all mankind. And what would be the consequence? would be an Aceldema. Let the infidel bring forth his strong reasons, and this appeal to practice will at once confound them all."

The world would be a Babel: It

The sermons are concluded with the following reflections, each of which is usefully illustrated.

1. It is a great mercy to be protected from ourselves. 2. We have reason to pray for divine restraints. 3. We have great cause to be thankful, if we have been kept back from presumptuous sins. 4. What numbers will at last be found guilty of self-murder?

From this specimen of the plan and execution of these discourses, a judgment may be formed of their merit. They do not, in our opinion, discredit the pen of their venerable author, whose writings are pre-eminently distinguished for simplicity and justness of thought; for richness and variety of senti. ment; for correctness of inethod and perspicuity of style; and for a uniform tendency to promote evangelical truth and enlightened piety.

Philadelphia, Feb. 4th, 1806.

THE subscriber lately returned from a voyage to the East-Indies, touched in Europe, and was in London in August last, where he received from the Baptist Missionary Society in England for propagating the Gospel among the heathen, one thousand guineas, to be sent in the spring to the Missionaries in Bengal, for the purpose of printing the sacred scriptures in one of the languages of that country. There are seven languages that the Missionaries there aim to trans

late and publish the scriptures in. They have made such progress in three of them that it is expected that the above sum will enable them to complete the work.-The money is now in the hands of ROBERT RALSTON, Esquire, of Philadelphia, who will forward it in due time. Should any individual, society, or congregation of people in the United States of America, be disposed to contribute to this good work, Mr. Ralston will gladly receive whatever may be sent to him for that purpose, and add to it the above sum, to be forwarded to the Missionaries at Serampore near Calcutta.

(Signed) BENJAMIN WICKES, Sen. Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 1805.

WE whose names are underwritten, Ministers of the Gospel in the city of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that we are fully ascertained that the statement made by Capt. Wickes, in the foregoing advertisement, is perfectly correct. We also take the liberty respectfully to recommend to the pious and the liberal of all denominations of Christians, in the United States, an attention to the important objects which this advertisement holds up to their view. Nothing, it appears to us, can be more interesting to a truly benevolent mind. The design contemplated, is not to disseminate the favourite tenets of any particular sect of Christians. It is to print and propagate, among a race of heathen, who are sunk and degraded by the vilest and cruelest system of superstition and idolatry, the pure word of

eternal life contained in the holy Scriptures, without any gloss or comment whatsoever. If this can be exten. sively effected, the happiest conse. quences may be expected to follow; since the natives of India, unlike most other pagans, are many of them able to read, and still more of them are disposed earnestly to listen to what the Bible contains. Even the melioration of their condition in this life, by a knowledge and belief of the scriptures, would be an event calcu lated to produce a lively joy, in every mind influenced by humanity: For their horrible superstition subjects them unceasingly to the most dreadful torments, and annually deprives a large number even of life itself.-But in addition to this, how interesting must be the thought to every truly pious mind, that many of these miserable creatures, by having a Bible in their hands, may not only better their worldly condition, but become truly converted unto God, and through the merits of the Saviour, be raised to eternal happiness and glory. Among the many objects which we know are now soliciting the patronage of the pious and the liberal, throughout our country, we cannot but think, that this deserves a marked attention. Nor can we forbear to add, that we have good reason to believe, that donations from the inhabitants of the United States, for the promotion of the design which has here been specified, would greatly animate and encourage the worthy men who are engaged in the translation of the scriptures, by giving them a striking proof that their arduous work interests the feelings, and is accompanied by the good wishes of Christians, in every region to which the knowledge of it has extended.

Some other important considerations, which it is hoped will as much encourage the liberality of the public, as they animate the hopes and labours of the Missionaries in India, ought to be briefly stated. At Serampore, the immediate seat of the Mission, there are a type foundery and printing

presses, together with a valuable library, consisting chiefly of books containing the various copies and readings of the scriptures, with whatever can materially facilitate the labours of a translator. Learned natives can be procured to assist in the work; and the local situation of the mission is such as will render its distribution throughout India easy and immediate.-The Missionaries them. selves, (among whom is the laborious, learned, and pious Mr. CAREY, Professor of Oriental languages, in the college of Fort William, at Calcutta) have been so long engaged in studying language, and in translating, that the employinent has become in a good degree habitual.

Seven languages are spoken in India: the Ootkul, which prevails among four millions of the inhabitants; the Telinga and Kurnata, each spoken by about seven millions; the Maharatta used by eight millions five hundred thousand; the Tamul, by upwards of nine millions; the Hindossanee, by at least forty-five millions; and the Bengalee, in which the translation is already completed, by a number of the inhabitants nearly equaling the population of the United States of America. The total of the benighted Idolaters of India, equals about the one eighth of the whole race of men now dwelling on our globe. How animating the prospect, that the Holy Bible, by the efforts of pious Christians in Europe and America, is likely soon to circulate among these millions of wretched people, by whom absurd and injurious Vedas and Shasters are now pronounced divine!

JOSEPH SHAW, Pastor-elect of the Associate Congregation. SAMUEL HELFENSTEIN, Pastor of the German Reformed Church. JACOB J. JANEWAY, Co-pastor of the 2d. Presbyterian Church. WILLIAM COLBERT, Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church of St. George.

WILLIAM STAUGHTON, Minister of the 1st Baptist Church.

It is respectfully suggested, that as the season for the departure of the Calcutta ships is fast approaching, whatever is done to promote the design which has been specified above, must be done without delay: and it is requested, that the donations or collections which shall be made throughout the Union, may be forwarded to any of the under-mentioned gentlemen, who will remit them to Mr. RALSTON.

The Rev. Dr. Rogers, the Rev. Mr. Williams, New-York.

The Rev. Dr. Stillman, the Rev. Dr., Eckley, Boston.

The Rev. Joseph Buckminster, Portsmouth, N. H.

The Rev. Dr. Dwight, New-Haven.
Mr. Gauladet, Hartford, Conn.
The Rev. Dr. M'Whorter, Newark,

N. J.

The Rev. Mr. Clark, New-Brunswick. The Rev. Mr. Ingles, the Rev. Mr. Richards, Baltimore.

Joseph Nourse, Esq. Register of the
U. S. Washington.

The Rev. Dr. Muir, Alexandria.
The Rev. Mr. Grigsby, Nortolk.
The Rev. Dr. Furman, the Rev. Dr.
Keith, Charleston.

The Rev. Mr. Clarkson, the Rev. Mr.
Clay, the Rev. Mr. Holcombe,
Savannah.

Extract of a letter to one of the Editors. Philadelphia, Feb. 25, 1806.

Re. and dear Sir,

THE foregoing printed address will with you, Sir, be its own advocate.— We need not add a single motive in order to avail ourselves, or rather the best of causes, of your spirited and personal assistance. Connected with private or individual contributions we would humbly submit to you the propriety of preaching a sermon on the

continued.

MAY 30, 1805. Was visited this day by two Missionaries from New. England. One of them preached; after which the chiefs waited on them, at my house, and delivered the following address.

"Fathers, attend; we wish to speak a few words to you; we are happy to see you by the side of our fire place. We thank the great, good Spirit, that he has protected you through your long journey from the eastern country, and that you are arrived safe here. Having information from our father, Mr. Sergeant, that you wished to see the chiefs and principal men of our nation, so many of

us are come.

"Fathers, when I look upon you, I see your tears are falling down your cheeks on account of many dismal objects you have seen. Now according to the ancient custom of our forefathers, I stretch forth my hand, end wipe off the tears from your eyes, that you may see clearly; and likewise I see your ears are stopped by the dirt, that flies about. I now clear your ears, that you may hear distinctly. I also loosen your tongues, that you may speak freely. Having done this, I see your legs and feet are muddy by reason of the wet path through which you travel. I likewise wash your legs and feet. While I do this, I feel some briars stick in your feet. I pluck them out, and take the healing oil, which our forefathers used to keep for that purpose, and oil them, that they may feel comfortable, while you sit by the side of our fire place. Our nation give you hearty welcome

here.

Now may you proceed on your business."

A string of wampem, delivered. Then the Rev. Messrs. Williston and Wood rose and delivered the following answer and address.

"Brothers and children attend; we now thank you for the many good words you have spoken to us. We also inform you that we have come from a great distance. We rejoice to see you. Your good father Mr. Sergeant has written to the Hampshire Missionary Society, on Connecticut river. He tells them that your kindred to the westward need civilization and the blessings of a preached gospel. He also tells them that you are full of friendly dispositions toward your kindred, and wish the white people to do something for the melioration of their situation, and to make them better. The Hampshire Missionary Society and the white people on Connecticut river, are greatly pleased with the communication of your good father, and the desire you have expressed for the good of your kindred, and have sent us to confer with you on the best way of helping them. The following is a copy of what they have done, viz. A letter from the Rev. Mr. Sergeant of New Stockbridge on the subject of Indian missions was laid before the trustees; upon consideration of the same, it was voted, that the committee duly acknowledge the receipt of the letter in an answer to Mr. Sergeant, that they send a copy of the letter to the Missionary Society in Connecticut, with such observations as they shall think proper on the subject, and that they direct some one of the Missionaries, who may be sent the next year, to confer with Mr. Sergeant and the principal Indians under his instruction, and gain what information may be useful; that the committee make report of such measures as they shall think proper to be adopted by the trustees for promoting Christian education and the preaching of the gospel among the Indians.

"Children attend; our Society wish to enter into a covenant of friendship with your tribe, that they may be better enabled to find the path of proceeding in the great work of benefiting your kindred. We wish you to communicate in writing, all

the light and information you can give us, that we may forward it to our society. In particular, we wish to know whether if our society should think themselves able to send any missionaries among your kindred, you would be willing to furnish one or more school-masters or interpreters to accompany them, and act with them for the good of the common cause, on our society's paying them. Wishing you to take the above into your serious consideration, we subscribe ourselves your friends in the gospel of Jesus,

PAYSON WILLISTON,
THOMAS H. WARD.

After the Indians had deliberated on the subject, they sent for the above missionaries to the chief Sachem's house, when Captain Hendrick rose, and in his own language delivered the following answer, which was written in English by the scribe, and is as follows, (viz.)

"Fathers attend; by the goodness of the great Spirit we meet together this day. You delivered to us your message yesterday. You told us, &c. [recapitulating the substance of their address.] In the first place, therefore, we inform you that our forefathers have established a covenant of friendship with the different tribes of Indians, residing near the great lake, by which the Chippewas, Othawas, Kickkasas, Miamei, Pankasks, Kaskaskaa, Pawatos, Wathakia and Miquakia nations, are our children. They look on us as children do on their grandfather. The Delawares are our grandfather; the Shawanese are our younger brothers. This covenant our nation and these nations have ever kept sacred, which we renewed two years ago. Fathers, we will also inform you, that we have taken pains to acquaint them with the knowledge we have of the ways of white people, and recommended to them civilization and the Christian religion. We also informed them that the white people of late have been stirred up to have commiserate feelings for their deplorable situation, and that there are several societies formed on purpose to help poor Indians in the wil derness. Many of these nations accepted what we recommended to Vol. I. No. 10,

Mм m

them, and depend on our nation to instruct them, or to recommend some good white people for the purpose. And further, we and those nations have agreed to meet in council at the expiration of three years, which will be next year, on purpose to promote our mutual welfare.

"We find that these nations have deep prejudice against the white people of this country, so that they cannot distinguish good men from bad. In order, therefore, that you may be enabled to do them good, it is our opinion that it would be proper for us in the first place to comply with the wish of your society in entering into a covenant of friendship with you. To do this requires time, which we are not able to attend to at present; but we are heartily willing to give you every information which lies in our power. It is our opinion, therefore, that it will be advisable for those, who may be sent, to procure a permission from the President of the United States, and that it is a duty incumbent on us to do every thing to promote the same. We wish, therefore, you would give us early notice of the time of your starting for that mission; by which means we shall be enabled to procure young men to accompany them, you may think proper to send, (should we even be unable to send school masters ;) this being the custom our forefathers have ever observed. We look on ourselves as the front door by and through which you can go through all the different tribes; nevertheless we fully believe the great and good Spirit is able to lead and direct you through every path of this his footstool without any other assistance.

"Fathers, we are willing to send school masters, provided you can assist us in qualifying some young men for that purpose, as we have several almost accomplished with sufficient abilities. May the great and good Spirit guide and direct you in this and every other turn of life, is the sincere wish of your children."

(Signed) HENDRICK AUPUURMET, and six others, Sachems and Counsel lors of the Mahheakunnųck Tribe.

NEW STOCKBRIDGE, May 3, 1805.