My feelings have been again roused to the consideration of that subject, by a letter from Mr. Pearson, in the Evangelical Magazine for the present month. "O that my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I could weep day and night for the widows of India!" While I resided at Serampore, hearing that one of my Hindoo neighbours intended to burn with the corpse of her husband, I went for the purpose of conversing with her, and found that she would be obliged to go out of Serampore for the purpose, as the Danish magistrate would not permit her to burn there. No sooner, however, did she apply to an English magistrate but she obtained leave to immolate herself on her husband's funeral pile! I was with her when the servant of this gentleman came with his permission. This announcement was a sore trial for her five children, for till now they had beeu kept in a state of doubt whether their poor mother would burn or not. never shall forget the screams of the eldest

I

son when he was told that he must set fire to the fuel at his mother's head!! I turned myself to a Brahmin and said, "Why do you suffer this?" He replied, "It is a very bad custom!" Thus you see that the Brahmins themselves seem tired of the horrid practice, and are only waiting for authority from the "Company" to put an end to it. And are not the "Company" participating in the guilt till they do so? And are we quite sure that Christians in England will not fall under a similar charge until they use every means to prevail with persons in power, to bring this horrid practice to a perpetual end? I feel so much upon this painful subject, for I can never forget the cries of the orphans in India, that if any one who is competent should draw up a petition to His Majesty; if no one else would present it, I would, if permitted, take it to the throne myself; knowing that "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, who can turn it as the rivers of water are turned." I am persuaded, were I in the presence of some of our honourable Members of Parliament, they would not deny me my request, and use their influence to stop this shocking practice. I am not in the habit of making apologies; if I were to make one for troubling you with this letter it should be," Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." ANN RANDALL.

Salisbury, Nov. 6, 1820.

DECEASE OF THE

REV. EDWARD PRITCHETT, ONE OF THE MISSIONARIES AT VIZAGAPATAM.

In our last we mentioned, very briefly, the death of that valuable missionary, Mr. Pritchett, and now add a few particulars relating to that mournful event.

Mr. Gordon (one of his colleagues) in a letter to the secretary, dated 17th of June, 1829, thus writes: "It fell to my lot, this afternoon at 6 o'clock, to read the funeral service over the remains of Mr. Pritchett, whose sudden removal has produced indescribable

sensations.

"On Sunday the 4th instant, just as he had finished his discourse in the morning, he felt a little sickness, and returned home indisposed. During the following week, his disorder assumed a bilious appearance; but it was not until Sunday the 11th, that any thing like anxiety was excited, and at that

time our fears ran much higher on account of Mrs. Pritchett, as the doctor expressed his concern for her in the strongest terms.

"After the morning service on the 11th, I went over, and found them both in one cot; Mrs. P. the very image of death, and poor brother P. writhing with pain, totally unable to help each other. Never do I recollect to have beheld a more distressing scene!

"It had been previously proposed that they should try what a change of air might effect; for Mrs. P. had been, for some time, ill with a fever prevalent in our settlement. On Monday the 12th, a house about two miles distant from our residence being prepared, they removed thither, not without many fears on my part, and in the evening they felt themselves revived and comforted:

were

But!-ere the morning dawned-poor brother Pritchett had been called away from this world of sin and sorrow, we trust, to a world where both are totally unknown.

" Mrs. Pritchett continues very weak and low; and our fears for her increase in consequence of this severe stroke. O that Almighty God may be the support of the widow, and the orphan's stay! We need your prayers, dear brethren, not more on account of the heathen than of ourselves.

"Mrs. Dawson had, at the time of Mr. Pritchett's death, been about in quest of health for two months; Mr. Dawson ill at the same time with a similar fever; and I, a poor creature, almost worn out by the climate."

Mr. Gordon, in a letter to Mr. Loveless of Madras, dated 13 June, informing him of this event, says:

"I have the melancholy news of brother Pritchett's death to impart to you. Ah! how mysterious are the ways of our God! About three o'clock this morning, he drew his last breath."have just returned from bringing Mrs. Pritchett away from the scene misery. She is as weak as possible, and that fever which is so prevalent here has made sad ravages on her constitution."

of

How

the circumstances connected with it! Not only his dear wife left destitute and forlorn, with her four children, the youngest only three months old-herself near the gates of death, and should she survive, (though I every day expect to hear of her death) no means to bring up her children, nor support for herself- * but the cause of missions deprived of so healthy and laborious a missionary, in the work of translation, when he had a considerable portion of the Old Testament translated, and a fair prospect of completing the whole Bible in the Teloogoo language, a language spoken by such a vast population of these extensive regions-How mysterious the event! How does the great Head of the Church, in such instances, show that He is not dependent upon any of his creatures for carrying on his own work, and particularly in his dealings with the Vizagapatam Mission! --Dear Cran and Desgranges taken away; and now Pritchett, and sister Pritchett, (his first wife) and sister Gordon; and brother Gordon so frequently afflicted and laid by, and yet I am spared! How many have I seen removed, and yet I am continued, though able to do so little for the cause of missions! But God "giveth not account of any of his matters!"

"I hope the Directors will immediately take into consideration the situation of Mrs. Pritchett, with her four children, and send out specific directions concerning her."

[The Directors immediately wrote to Mr. Loveless, Mr. Gordon, and Mrs. Pritchett, with instructions respecting the support of the family.]

* Mr. Loveless was misinformed; Mr. Pritchett has left a little property.

1

ULTRA GANGES MISSIONS.

DR. MILNE, in a letter dated Malacca, 5 Feb. 1820, says, "I have lately been reviewing the state of your Ultra Ganges Missions, and I hope it may safely be affirmed that their prospects are encouraging: while there is much to damp our spirits, there is a great deal more calculated to inspire cheerful hope. Knowledge is spread. ing; the number of youth connected with the missions is increasing; opportunities for circulating tracts are more numerous than ever; and the heathen are more frequently visited in their own houses than formerly. True, these things do not constitute actual success, but the means must be first used, and we have reason to hope that in due time the blessing will follow. -Mr. Fleming has joined our number, and he is about to commence the study of the Chinese." [Dr. Milne has composed a little book of Practical Sermons, on twelve important subjects. He intends, if spared, to carry on these discourses to the number of fifty-two; one for every sabbath in the year, which may be read in families, &c. He is also preparing for the press, A Pamphlet on the Missionary, Tract, and Bible Societies.]

Mr. Fleming, in his letter dated Malacca, 28 Feb. 1819, states, that he arrived there on the 29th of January, with Mrs. Fleming, whom he married at Madras. Being disappointed of a passage direct from that place, he was obliged first to sail to Calcutta, which city he left Nov. 7th. "We encountered," he says, "two severe gales in the Bay of Bengal. We were detained on the north coast of Sumatra, by calms, &c. nearly six weeks. While there, we had the satisfaction of seeing the usurper of the throne of Acheen, and the murderer of Sabat, driven from his scene of piracy and bloodshed.

"We stopped three days at Penang. Our dear brethren and sisters received us most kindly. They are labouring assiduously, and I think with tokens of success. They are much respected and highly spoken of by all. Penang seems a promising missionary field.

"I have commenced the study of Chinese, and find great advantage from the introductory books published by Dr. Morrison. May the Holy Spirit enable me to comprehend that difficult language, so as to make known the great truths of the Bible to the people who speak it."

MAURITIUS AND MADAGASCAR.

A LETTER written by Mr. Le Brun and Mr. David Jones, dated 26 Aug. 1820, has just been received. They state that during the prevalence of that fatal disease, the Cholera Morbus, in the months of November, December, and Jannary last, by which thousands of the inhabitants were cut off, the people in general were filled with consternation; many left their abodes in the town,

and fled to the mountains and woods for safety, so that the place was almost depopulated; the chief objects visible in the streets, were carts laden with the bodies of the dead; while those who continued in the town, relinquished their Sunday visits, feasts, balls, plays, &c. and crowded the Catholic church and the Missionary chapel, (for the English church was shut up for a time.) Many were in tears, as if sensible of their sins, and afraid of the Divine displeasure; so that a considerable reformation was hoped for: but no sooner was the danger over, than all these flattering prospects vanished, and produced no more effect than a shower of rain which had fallen on a rock.

In February last, a Catholic Bishop and four priests (sent by the English government, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Mauritius, and others east of the Cape) arrived, and entered very zealously on the duties of their offices. They were warmly received by the Catholics, and by some of the Protestants also. They have been engaged in baptizing old and young, whites, creoles, and blacks; in receiving confessions, giving absolutions, and bestowing benedictions. On the 28th of July last, when the sacrament was administered to about 60 young ladies, by Monseigneur l' Eveque, the guns were fired on the fortress by the English Artillery. After the ceremony a sumptuous breakfast was given by the Bishop to these young communicants, which was honoured with the presence of several protestant ladies of distinction. In the evening a concert was given at the Bishop's house.

In another Letter from Mr. Jones, dated Port Louis, August 19, 1820, he states, that, through the goodness of God, he is perfectly recovered from that long and obstinate malady he endured when in Madagascar; he has not however recovered his former strength. It was Mr. Jones's intention to leave the Mauritius about the close of the month, to visit Madagascar. The

climate and various circumstances render this mission peculiarly difficult; but Mr. Jones goes forward in the strength of the Lord, and does not despair of final success. He greatly needs the prayers of the friends of missions.

Mr. Griffiths is now on his voyage, to join Mr. Jones in this mission.

NNNN

ANGIO CHINESE COLLEGE, AT MALACCA. THE Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D. who has just completed a translation of the Holy Scriptures into the Chinese language, and is engaged in. publishing, under the patronage of the Honourable East India Company, a copious Chinese and English Dictionary, having transmitted to Europe the plan of an Institution founded by him at Malacca, for the promotion of Literature and Christianity in the East; it is respectfully submitted to the attention of the friends of religion and learning, in the West, in order to solicit on its behalf that encouragement which is necessary to carry the design into effect.

The plan was formed, and a grant of land for the building obtained, while Malacca was in the possession of Great Britain; and its promoters have the best grounds of confidence that it will enjoy, in the fullest extent, the protection and patronage of the authorities appointed by his majesty the king of the Netherlands, to whom the colony has been ceded since the return of peace. The reason for selecting this spot was, not only that it had become, while under the English government, the seat of an important mission to the heathen; but because, on account of its being the residence of many Chinese, and the constant resort of vast multitudes more, for the purposes of commerce, it was found to be a most favourabie centre of communication, for the intended objects, with the natives of China, as well as of the adjacent countries, both continental and insular.

The College stands in an open and airy situation, near to the western gate of the town of Malacca. The first stone of the building was laid on the 11th of November, 1818, by Major W. Farquhar, late English Commandant of Malacca, (while it was an English settlement) in the presence of the honourable J. S. Timmerman Thyssen, governor of the colony, appointed by his majesty the king of the Netherlands, the Commandant of the Dutch troops, the Members of the College of Justice,

the honourable J. J. Erskine, Member of Council at Penang, and various other persons of distinction.

The following brief view of the plan will, it is presumed, sufficiently explain the constitution and design of the Institution.

Title. The Anglo-Chinese College. The Objects. The promotion of literature, by affording to Europeans and others, the means of cultivating the Ultra-Ganges languages, especially that of China and its tributary kingdoms ; and to natives the means of becoming acquainted with the English language, and with the most useful parts of the science of the west. The diffusion of Christianity in the countries in which the eastern languages referred to are spoken.

The Means.-1. The assistance of tutors, foreign and native, skilled in the different objects embraced in the plan.As Christian theology, and the other branches of knowledge connected with it, form a leading part of the course of instruction, they will be carefully taught, and chiefly in the Chinese and other native languages.-2. The use of a large library of European, Chinese, and Malay books; and, it is hoped, of a suitable philosophical apparatus.-3. The Institution possesses a press for printing Chinese, Malay, &c., which will furnish considerable advantages for the promotion of the general design.4. Apartments in the College will be found for a limited number of Students; others will find accommodations in the town. The morals of all will be watched over, as far as possible.

Students. Persons from Europe, &c. of any Christian communion, whose characters and objects shall be approved by the conductors of the Institution.It is presumed that the College will afford great advantages to individuals desirous of studying the Chinese and Malay languages, &c. with a view to literary, commercial, diplomatic, or other objects. Native youths, Chinese, Malay, and others, whether supported by themselves, or by societies. As the diffusion of Christianity is the ultimate design of the Institution, and as the course of tuition will bear much upon that object, a preference will be given to those, whether foreigners or natives, who have in view the propagation of the Gospel in the eastern regions of the world. It is hoped, further, that the resources of the College will allow of the gratuitous Education of a certain

number of natives, devoted to the diffusion of the Gospel.

a

Government. The College will be under the direction of a president, board of trustees, and a managing committee. The Rev. Dr. Milne, the coadjutor of the Rev. Dr. Morrison in the translation of the Holy Scriptures, and translator of several works from the Chinese, is the present president and tutor of the College. The president, trustees, and managing committee, may be severally members of any Protestant communion, provided they hold the essential doctrines of the Reformation.

It is obvious, even from this brief statement of the plan of the AngloChinese College, that, if viewed merely as a literary establishment, it is calculated to render important services to the cause of learning and science, not only in the east, but in the west. While it will open to the natives of the east the treasures of European knowledge, it will present to Europeans the key to those stores of important information which, it may justly be presumed, the Ultra-Ganges languages, and especially that of the vast empire of China, when well understood, will be found to contain. Dr. Milne, in his address, upon laying the foundation stone of the Institution, has justly remarked-" The vast empire of China, in its natural and moral history; in its chronology and topography; in its laws and jurisprudence; in the peculiarity of its manners and customs; and in the antiquity and singularity of its language, presents, without exaggeration, the amplest fields on the face of the globe, for the researches of the naturalist, the historian, the antiquary, and the philosopher.""The other countries are also very important in the same respect. The laws, manners, literature, and religion of these countries, furnish abundant subjects for investigation. The Malay language has Indeed been long cultivated by the Dutch, and latterly by the English ; and several very interesting and useful books have been printed, with a view to its illustration. But even here there is still much to be done:-the public, at least in Britain, have but very scanty, and often very erroneous, ideas of the character of that interesting people (the Malays) who inhabit the shores of almost all the islands of the Archipelago, and of their soft and harmonious language."-"The languages of the interior of Sumatra-of the Javanese-of the inhabitants of Borneo and the Celebes of the Philippine islands of

so.

Japan-of Cambodia and Siam, are all, with the exception of some imperfect ideas of the Japanese, given in Kaempfer's excellent History of Japan, and Thunberg's Travels, untouched by Protestant nations, or in a great measure Beyond scattered and imperfect hints, I am not aware that any work of merit, capable of laying open these languages, has ever been published by any Protestant.* It is hoped, therefore, that the humble Institution now commencing, may, in course of time, (for all such establishments require many years to develop their advantages) accumulate the means and materials of unfolding in some small degree these several languages, and the diversified character of the people who speak them; and it is intended to unite the study of the languages and history of these countries with those of China, as far as may be practicable."

Objects connected with China, will, however, hold a principal place in the seminary. "The Chinese language, from the figure and number of its external symbols; from the nice and almost imperceptible varieties of sounds which mark its pronunciation; from the singularity of its idioms; and from the number of its dialects, is peculiarly difficult. Though the endeavour has been made in different parts of Europe, it has scarcely ever been acquired there, even in a tolerable degree. Native books, teachers, the daily colloquial medium, and other aids, were wanting; nor is it likely that these facilities will be enjoyed there for a long time to come; and perhaps never but at an expence which the few who possess the spirit of enquiry, could sustain." Besides the attention which is justly due to its language, it may be observed that "China, viewed as an object of philosophical speculation, has scarcely been touched by Protestant countries. All that has yet been done for its development, by those who hold the doctrines of the Reformation, exhibit it to us only as the first view which we obtain of a large and undescribed object, beheld on the horizon through a dense and clouded atmosphere. When we even take into the account all that has been done, with this view, by Roman Catholic countries, how little is it, compared

* Dr. Milne, when he wrote this, did not know of the publication of Sir T. S. Raffles's excellent History of Java, which contains a copious comparative Vocabulary of several of these languages,