But "Our last letter to our friends mentioned our expectation of sailing in a few days to the Isle of France. the ship in which we had engaged our passage has been detained a month; and now we cannot say when we shall go. The probability is, that we shall be away from Calcutta ere long, either for the Isle of France, or Ceylon, neither of which places will probably be our final destination. There are so many uncertainties attending any missionary plan, and so many difficulties in knowing what should be done, that we hope to be forgiven if we speak variously when we speak, and if, for a season, we sometimes" choose not to speak at all. Most sincerely do I hope, that we are not neglecting our work; and the various views we entertain result from an attention to it in some degree. "We think much less of Madagas. car than we did, and because we have some hopes of succeeding in some of the places contemplated by us with strong desire when we came out, but which once appeared as almost impracticable. Should any thing appear io render them really so, Madagascar has the same calls to our minds that it ever had. "You may well think we have indeed been tried. Our situation has been responsible, our way difficult, our prospects dark, God's dealings with us distressing and mysteriousBut after he has chastened us, we hope he will take us by the hand and lead us forth, and say to us, 'Sit down here; labor for me; and you shall have a crown of rejoicing,' I pray daily that it may be soon; and that we and you may have occasion for much rejoicing in the goodness of God. The King's business requireth haste; not a moment is to be lost, while the miserable pagans are dying without the offer of salvation. "I have found much comfort and edification since I have been here in the company of Mr. Thomason, one of the episcopal clergymen of this Presidency; and lately in that of Mr. Corrie, who is stationed up in the northern parts of Hindostan. They are indeed men of a great savor of godliness; men from whose company one cannot go away unprofited, men deeply engaged for the salvation of sinners, and very faithful in the dispensation of divine truth. To these, as laboring in this denomination, may be added Mr. Martyn, who is now in Persia perfecting his knowledge of the Persian language, in order to complete a translation of the Scriptures into that language. Mr. Tho mason is engaged in the Arabic, and Mr. Corrie in the Hindostanee; and is also much engaged in laboring at his station among nominal Christians and Heathens. An Auxiliary Bible Society was formed here last winter, and another very lately at Colombo in the island of Ceylon. Though there is abounding wickedness here, there is a grain of mustard seed. It will, we hope, shoot forth its branch. es to a wide extent. Do all you can. my dear Sir, to excite those that love Christ in your flock, in the affection of some of whom I think I enjoy a share, to pray much for me, and for all who are with me, that we may have wisdom and grace, and, if the Lord please, a blessing." "Yours with respect and affection, S. NOTT." Rev. Dr. Griffin. Massachusetts Missionary Society express their liberality by donations and collections in congregations. It may be gratifying to such persons to be informed, that the field of usefulness is continually opening and extending before the Society. To the district of Maine, a very important part of New England, the efforts of the Society are and will be directed. There are in that district great numbers of newly settled towns, in which a judicious distribution of missionaries will greatly hasten the establishment of the Gospel by means of settled ministers. Let all the friends of this Society be animated with increased zeal, and much, very much, may be done for the glory of God, and the good of mankind. The members of the Society, it is hoped, will generally attend the next annual meeting. Others, who may wish to become members, are in formed, that a subscription of two dollars a year, payable at the annual meeting, constitutes membership. If any, who cannot conveniently at tend the annual meeting, should wish to become members, a written request to have their names entered may be addressed to the Treasurer, and will be duly attended to. REVIVALS OF RELIGION. THE friends of Christ will rejoice to hear, that there have lately been very considerable revivals of religion at Bradford, and Haverhill, (Mass.) and that very great revivals now exist at Newark and Elizabethtown, (N. J.) and at New Hartford, (Con.) We hope to be favored with particulars hereafter, THE INQUISITION. The Spanish Cortes have decreed, by 94 votes against 43, that the Inquisition is incompatible with the Constitution of Spain. This event, which will give joy to all the friends of justice and liberty throughout the world, took place on the 22d of Janu ary last. The prospect is at present, that this horrible tribunal will soon forever cease to torment and disgrace mankind. It has but a bare existence. in some of the Portuguese colo nies, and will probably be banished thence by the influence of the British, never more to find a resting place on earth. DONATIONS TO FOREIGN MISSIONS. March 2, 1813. From the Ladies' Cent Society in East 3 From the Cent Society in Rindge, (N. H.) by the Rev. Dr. Payson 4. Prom the church in Windham, (Vt.) by Mr. Hall From the church in Grafton, (Vt.) From a friend to the cause $25 00 74.06 $11.50 250 100 00250 00 ,50 90 00 8 46 8. From individuals in Hartford, (Con.) and the vicinity, 15. Avails of gold trinkets presented to the Board 20. From the Union Society (of females,) in Weymouth, Carried forward $468 02. Brought forward $468 02 24. From individuals in Chester, (Mass.) by the Rev. Dr. Lyman 24 25 From Mr. Solomon Goodell of Jamaica, (Vt.) 123 90 From the Foreign Mission Society of Northampton and the neighboring towns FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETIES. The Foreign Mission Society of the North Association in Hartford County and the Vicinity was formed on the 4th ult. when the following gentlemen were chosen officers; viz. Rev. NATHAN PERKINS, D. D. President. Rev. NEHEMIAH PRUDDEN, and } Vice Presidents. Rev. HESRY A. ROWLAND. Secretary. Mr. CHARLES B. KING. Auditor. The Rev. Mr. Prudden was appointed to preach a sermon at the annual meeting of the Society on the third Wednesday of Oct. next. At the late annual meeting of the Foreign Mission Society of Brunswick and Topsham, the following gentlemen were chosen officers;† viz. Hon. BENJAMIN J. PORTER, Esq President. At the annual meeting of the Foreign Mission Society of Hallowell, Augusta, and the vicinity, holden at Augusta, Jan. 6, 1813, the following gentle. men were chosen officers; viz. Rev. ELIPHALET GILLET, Hallowell; President. Rev. BENJAMIN TAPPAN, Augusta, Vice Presidents. Gen. HENRY SEWALL, Augusta, Secretary. JOHN SEWALL, Esq. Hallowell, Treasurer. FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY FOR THE COUNTY OF LITCHFIELD, (Con.) THE annual meeting of the Foreign Mission Society for the County of Litchfield, embracing the two consociations in said county, was held at Luchfeld on the 10th day of Feb. ult. The following persons were chosen officers of the Society for the year ensuing, viz. His Honor JOHN COTTON SMIгн, Esq. President. This sum is part of the $50 mentioned in the Panoplist for Feb. 1812. Mr. Goodell has also remitted $50 as interest on the $1,000 which he devoted to the permanent fund The memoranda of these Societies were mislaid, or they would have been pubshed last month. The following account was transmitted by the Secretary. JAMES MORRIS, Esq. Secretary. URIEL HOLMES, Esq. Treusnrer. An appropriate and animated sermon was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Bennett Tyler, from Heb. x, 36. For ye have need of patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. The clergy of the county, and many of the most respectable characters from the various towas, were present. The assembly was very large; and I can truly say, that I never witnessed an assembly of people, who in their appearance manifested so deep an interest, and so much complacency. Nor did the countenance belie the heart. At the close of the meeting it was a common exclamation. "We have never seen such a day as this!" It was truly a good day. united prayers of Christians ascended as incense to the throne of grace, for the outpouring of the Divine Spirit on the nations of the earth, for the pros. perity of the Redeemer's kingdom, and that the Word of Life may spread among the nations that never heard of the Savior. The missionary zeal, which was kindled on this occasion, will, it is hoped, pervade the country, awaken new importunity in prayer, increased liberality, and a more united effort in all our towns to pour their contributions into the Treasury of the Lord. The There is to be hereafter, annually, a meeting at 10 o'clock A. M. on the day of the annual meeting of the Society, to pray for the revival of religion in our towns and churches, and for the blessing of God upon the great attempt which is now making to evangelize the nations that call not on the name of the Lord. At this annual meeting, the money paid into the treasury for the translation of the Holy Scriptures, and to aid foreign missionary labors, amounted to $1,304 86, (after deducting some trifling contingent expenses;) which sum is to be paid over to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and to be appropriated to translations or missions, as the donors have designated.t OBITUARY. DIED, at Edenton, (N. C.) in August last, WILLIAM SKINNER, Esq. aged 21 years and 4 months. He had just finished that course which is considered requisite in the study of the law, and had obtained license to practice in our different courts when a haemoptysis, or discharge of blood from the lungs, brought on by sedentary and close application, which baffled the aid of medicine, prematurely terminated his promising but short career. He at an early period of life dis. covered proofs of a strong and vigor ous understanding, which enabled him to acquire the elements of learn. ing with uncommon facility, and soon rendered him capable of enter ing the Junior class at Princeton College, where he continued much beloved by his fellow-students, till he had received a liberal education, and was graduated with the honors of that seminary. The native warmth and benevolence of his heart were conspicuous in all his conduct; and he was endeared to his numerous young friends for his various information, and conciliating deportment. He manifested a most dutiful and affectionate regard to his bereaved parents, his disconsolate sister, and mourning brothers, is absence from them is severely felt, and deeply deplored; may they derive consolation from the re flection, that, "although absent from the body he is present with the Lord," and that "though he cannot return to them, they can go to him." Possessing a clear and discriminating mind he improved the advanta ges of reading the best, and most Our correspondent has very obligingly transmitted an account of the sums contributed in each town, which we defer publishing for the present. When the money is remitted to the treasury of the Beard, these particulars will come with propriety into the monthly list of donations. To avoid all mistake and confusion, it has been found necessary not to publish, in the monthly list, any sums which are not actually thus remitted. select authors, thus increasing the His mind was richly fraught with useful instruction, and he promised to become an ornament to the bar, the profession of his choice. During the severe and trying indis position with which he was afflicted, such was his calmness, fortitude, and resignation, that no impatience, complaint, or even murmur was heard to escape from him. Comparatively few, indeed are the number, who, in leav ing this vale of tears have experienced greater manifestations of the Divine presence and support, than he was enabled to evince, in his last mo. ments. When, in answer to his request to be informed of his real situation, it was announced that no hopes were entertained of his recov ery; and he was convinced that the term of his dissolution was fast ap proaching, he said with some emotion, and must I die? then fare well world, and all earthly enjoyments. Would that I could say, welcome death. His only desire was to obtain an interest in Jesus Christ, and thus find reconciliation with his God. He acknowledged himself a great sinner; was brought to see his lost and un done condition by nature, and his need of a blessed Mediator; expressing pain. ful doubts that his sins could not be pardoned. But from the consoling conversation of a pious minister who visited him by his own particular desire, and which was maintained throughout in a mild, persuasive, and engaging manner, by adducing appropriate textsof Scripture suitable to the state of his mind, and exposing to his view the calls, invitations, and prom ises of the Bible, he was gradually brought to the knowledge of Christ, and was enabled at length "to rejoice in God his Savior, and to have no confidence in the flesh." His worthy attendant prayed by his side, when the interesting youth rose on his knees in bed, and earnestly poured forth all the energies of his soul, that he might find "acceptance in the Beloved," that He, who felt compas. sion for the guilty thief on the cross, would also have compassion on him, remove his load of sin, and receive his soul. He observed to the minister that he still apprehended he should be lost; but that if he could only obtain a slight manifestation, or token, that his prayers were graciously answered, he should die happy. He proposed that another praver might be offered up, during which a more bright and glorious prospect opened upon his astonished view, and he was enabled to cry out, in the full assurance of faith, blessed be God, he bath given me the glorious manifestation that I so ardently desired; my sins are all pardoned; I have found Christ precious to my soul; O "He is all my salvation, and all my desire," "He is the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely." I have it here, laying his hand upon his breast; there was the charter to his "heavenly inheritance." Observing his mother to be deeply affected-he stretched forth his hand which she clasped in her own, and, with a sweet and expres sive smile which strongly pourtrayed in his countenance the tranquillity of his soul, addressed her; "Why weep, mother, when I experience such consolation and hope; am so completely Irappy, and am winging my speedy flight to the arms of my blessed Jesus?" These, my dear son, are tears of joy, she replied, because God has dealt so graciously with you. Then weep on, my dear affectionate mother, such tears should surely be indulged, but see that you grieve not. He took leave of his weeping family, and friends, with the utmost composure, addressing each in the most solemu and impressive manner, declaring, that there could be no happiness without religion, recommending them most urgently to seek "the one thing needful," and then folding his hands |