the slaves and were it more general than it is, still to render it what it ought to be, masters must be deprived of the power of separating man and wife; or what becomes of the command, "Those whom God hath joined, let no man put asunder."

As it regards religion the poor slaves a e in the most pitiable. situation. The worst of examples is set before them by the whites who exhibit a dread:ul contempt of sacred things, and teach the slaves the profanation of the sabbath even by their civil institutions.

We will not bring more of this tale of woe before our readers at present, but in our next number we shall endeavour to shew what a moral pestilence slavery brings upon those who are wicked enough to maintain it; and before we leave the subject we shall take a review of what has been done, chiefly by the efforts of Missionaries, to raise and bless the unhappy negroes in despite of all the disadvantages of their situation.

CATALOGUS DESIDERATORUM.

From Dr. Cotton Mather's Essays to do good.

Published in New England, in 1710.

1. "The propagation of the holy and glorious religion of Christ; a religion which emancipated mankind from the worst kind of slavery and misery, and wonderfully ennobles it; and which alone prepares men for the blessedness of another world. Why is this not more attempted by its professors? Protestants, will you be outdone by popish idolaters? Oh the vast pains which those bigots have taken to carry on the Romish merchandize and idolatry! No less than six hundred clergymen in the order of the Jesuits alone, have, within a few years, embarked for China, to win over that mighty nation to their spurious Christianity. No less than five hundred of them lost their lives in the difficulties of their enterprise; and yet the survivors go on with it, expressing a sort of regret that it fell not to their share to make a sacrifice of their lives in attempting the propa

gation of their religion. Oh my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face unto thee, my God! Who can tell what great things might be done if our trading companies and factories would set apart a more considerable part of their gains for the work, and would prosecute it more vigorously! The proposal which Gordon has made at the end of his geography, that all persons of property should appropriate a small part of their wealth to this purpose, should be attentively considered. What has been already done by the Dutch missionaries at Ceylon, and the Danish missionaries at Malabar, one would imagine sufficient to excite us to imitate them.

"If men of zeal for evangelizing and illuminating a miserable world, would learn the language of some nations which are yet unevangelized and wait on the providence of heaven to direct them to some apostolical undertakings, and to bless them therein, who can tell what might be done?"

2. It is lamentable to observe the ignorance and wich edness yet remaining even in many parts of the British dominions; in Wales, in the Highlands of Scotland, and in Ireland. There are pretended shepherds in the world, who will never be able to answer before the Son of God for laying to heart so little the deplorable circumstances of so many persons whom they might, if they were not scandalously negligent, bring to be more acquainted with the only Saviour."

3. " Why is nothing more effected for the poor Greeks, Armenians, Muscovites, and other Christians, who have little preaching, and no printing, among them? If we were to send them Bibles, Psalters, and other books of piety in their own language, they would be noble presents, and God only knows how useful."

4." Poor sailors and poor soldiers call for our pity. They meet with great troubles, and yet their manners seldom discover any good effects of their trials. What shall be done to niake them a better set of men ? distributed among them, other methods must be devised. Cadit

Beside more books of piety

usinus, et est qui sublevat ; perit anima, et non est qui manum apponat. Let Austin awake us."

5. "The tradesman's library should be more enriched."

6. "Universities which shall have more collegia pietatis in them, like that of the excellent Franckius in the lower Saxony. Oh that such institutions were more numerous! seminaries in which the scholars may have a most polite education, but not be sent forth with recommendations for the evangelical ministry till, upon a strict examination, it be found that their souls are fired with a fear of God, the love of Christ, a zeal to do good, and a resolution to bear poverty, reproach, and all sorts of temptations, in the service of our holy religion. Such characters would be the wonder of the world; and what wonders might they do in the world!"

Let charity schools also increase and multiply. Charity schools which may provide subjects for the great Saviour, and blessings for the next generation; charity schools not perverted to the ill purpose of introducing a defective Christianity."

7. "It is the part of wisdom to observe and pursue those things which, so far as we understand by the books of sacred prophecy, are to be the works of our day,” "The works of our day I take to be... The revival of primitive Christianity... The persuading of the European powers to shake off the chains of Popery... and, The formation and quickening of the people who are to be the stone cut out of the mountain."

SCOTTISH MISSION, ASTRACHAN.

(From the Evangelical Magazine.)

Dear Sir, I have lately received a letter from St. Petersburg, -informing me of the conversion of a young Persian of the name of Mirza Mohanimed Ali Bey, by the blessing of God on the labours of the Scottish missionaries who are settled in the Government of Caucasus. He in consequence expressed a wish to be baptized into the Protestant faith, and by the hands of those missionaries who had been the instruments of his conver

J

sion.

An objection however was made to this proposal; buc the subject being laid before the Emperor, the following satisfactory reply was communicated by Prince Galitzin.

I remain, dear Sir,

·Bridport, August 14, 1823.

Yours very respectfully, W. R.

His Excellency Prince Galitzin's reply to the British Missionaries at Astrachan, respecting the converted Persian's request to his Imperial Majesty.

Your most agreeable letter, dated Astrachan, the 7th of May, respecting the conversion of the Persian Mirza Mohammed Ali Bey, and the enclosed petition from him to His Majesty the Emperor, I have duly received. I was at the samė time favoured with a communication from His Grace Abraam, Archbishop of Astrachan and the Caucasus, relative to the same subject. Taking a cordial interest in the conversion of this young Persian, I considered myself bound to embrace the earliest opportunity of bringing it before His Imperial Majesty, that the pious wish of Mirza Ali Bey to obtain the sacrament of holy baptism might be fulfilled with all possible despatch. His Majesty the Emperor, having himself perused with the greatest satisfaction the account of the conversion of this Mahommedan, has most graciously been pleased to order me Gentlemen, to inform you of His Majesty's pleasure, that this Persian should receive baptism in that communion with which he wishes to be united. This measure is in perfect accordance with the privileges graciously bestowed on the 25th of December, 1806, on the Scotch colony settled in the Government of Caucasus, in the 12th, 13th, and 19th articles of which is contained a sufficient decision, authorizing them to receive by holy baptism, all who are converted to the Lord through your instrumentality. The delight with which I communicate to you this pleasing intelligence is equal to the cordial joy which was afforded me by the perusal of your interesting letter. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed and glori

fied! May His blissful reign be extended every where throughout the earth b

Requesting you will transmit to me in future an account of those individuals who like this Persian are converted with their whole heart and soul to the faith of Christ, it is with pleasure I at the same time assure you of my sincere good will towards the object of your society, and my constant readiness to render you my services and all necessary protection. With the highest respect, I have the honour to remain,

The eye of the Christian, who is watching the religious pro gress of the world, cannot fail frequently to rest on Western Africa. Very mingled are the emotions excited by the contemplation of it. It has been the theatre of much Christian heroism; its fields have been profusely watered with Missionary tears and blood; and it seems too probable that such will continue to be the case. No one therefore can refuse his admiration and sympathy to those excellent men who press into this deadly gap. And yet such is their situation that we are compelled to sympathize with them, not so much in their sorrowful feelings, as in their cool, Christian intrepidity. Who that has heard of the great things which God has done by them, could dare to give them the coward advice to retire from their post? It is impossible-rather let the christian world aid them by their prayers, and profit by their example. Our readers have been already made acquainted with the severe losses sustained at Sierra Leone, last April and May. The deaths formerly mentioned were all in connection with the Church Mission