inconvenience in obtaining such certificates as have been required for the sale and transfer of property, life insurances, benefit societies, colleges, schools, apprenticeships, &c. &c. An agency is now established to make searches, and to obtain certified extracts from the entire collection of Records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, deposited in the General Register Office.

Applications are requested to be made to John Shoveller, LL.D., Registration Agency Office, 50, Finsbury-square, London.

LANCASHIRE INDEPENDENT COLLEGE,
NEAR MANCHESTER.

We understand, that the building designed for this noble institution is rapidly advancing towards completion; and that it is fully expected to be ready for occupation, in the course of the next summer. Hence, its patrons and friends feel exceedingly anxious,

that, whenever it shall be opened, it may be so, free from any incumbrance whatever. After having obtained the most liberal contributions in their own county, they regret to state, that, at least, about 4,0007. more will be required to enable them to accomplish this. But the extreme pressure of the times is so severely felt in their immediate neighbourhood, that they are reluctantly compelled to solicit the assistance of their able and benevolent friends at a distance. A deputation, therefore, from the committee, consisting of their chairman, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the Rev. J. Kelly, and the Rev. R. Fletcher, with their treasurer, Geo. Hadfield, Esq., will be in town early this month, to advocate the powerful claims of this institution, wherever they may have an opportunity. And we trust that they will meet with a cordial reception and liberal encouragement, in this work of faith and labour of love.

SYRIA.

MEDICAL AID TO SYRIA.

We are happy to find that an association has been recently formed, under the auspices of wise and benevolent persons, for extending medical assistance to the poor Syrians, many of whom perish annually of ophthalmia and other distressing maladies, simply because the medical and surgical skill of the country is so deplorably defective. We cannot but wish well to so benevolent an enterprise. The Honorary Secretaries to this new institution are the Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., the Rev. Thomas Pyne, A.M., and Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart. The AssistantSecretary is Mr. Jonas King, M.R.C.S.; and the Treasurer, Sir Walter Farquhar, Bart. The Patrons and Committee are, Earl of Chichester, the Earl of Gainsborough, Sir Henry Halford, Sir Gore Ousley, Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, the Marquis of Bristol, the Hon. and Rev. B. Noel, Sir Thomas Baring, Sir George More, Isaac Brathwaite, Esq., Jun., G. Babbington, Esq., J. Blake, Esq., R. F. Brown, Esq., Rev. J. E. Colls, B.D., Dr. Conquest, M.D., Major Harvey, Dr. Hodgkin, M.D., Rev. Robert Vaughan, D.D., and C. B. Williams, M.D.

the

At the formation of the Society, at the Thatched-House Tavern, Sept. 30, the Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., in the chair, the following Resolutions were passed:

"I. That the ancient history and modern

circumstances of Syria constitute a strong claim on the sympathies of Englishmen.

"II. That it appears highly desirable to render medical assistance to the distressed inhabitants of Syria, not only on general grounds of philanthropy, but as a means of recommending our national character, and strengthening the hands of those who are engaged in affording religious instruction in that country.

"III. That an Association be now formed, to be designated the Syrian Medical-Aid Association,' for the purpose of sending to Beyrout, or its neighbourhood, one or more Medical Practitioners, and supplying them with every requisite for affording assistance to the sick; the engagement not to extend beyond two years; and the Report of the Medical Agent to be communicated to the friends of the object as early as practicable.

"IV. That a Committee be appointed, who shall communicate, without delay, with the Committee of the Society for the introduction of Christian Education into Syria, with a view to obtaining their friendly cooperation, and affording them every security that the Agents selected shall be such as are best calculated to promote their and our own objects."

From the reports of travellers, missionaries, military officers, and government agents, the pressing necessity for such an Institution has been fully demonstrated. Referring to the proposed formation of this Society, the Rev. W. M. Thomson, American

missionary at Beyrout, dated Ayn Anoob, Sept. 2, writes as follows:

"It presents a plan for doing good to Syria less liable to objection than any other, and must be favourably entertained by every rational mind of every sect in the land. It will alleviate much bodily suffering, soften the violence of prejudice, and conciliate favour, and will raise the demand for higher medical qualifications, more certainly and rapidly than any thing I can think of.

The only two English merchant-ships now on the coast have come down from Scandaroon with nearly all their men so sick as to require them to be landed. Several of them have already died, and all suffer greatly. This is the case every year. Yours will be a most benevolent scheme, did it no more than relieve the dreadful sufferings of this class of strangers. . . Owing to the prevalence of ophthalmia, cataracts and other affections of the eyes are distressingly numerous. And I know no work more benevolent than to throw open the darkened 'windows of the soul,' and to let the sweet light of heaven into man's otherwise dreary tabernacle. . A dispensary for the gratuitous distribution of medicine will be a most excellent charity to the country. Many people die because their relations are too poor to purchase the most common medicines."

We earnestly recommend this admirable charity to public patronage, not only because it will alleviate the bodily sufferings of the poor Syrians; but because we sincerely believe it will act as the pioneer of the gospel.

FRANCE.

ROMANIST "SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH."

We would earnestly impress upon all the friends of Protestant Missions the momentous fact, that if they are found slumbering at their posts, the apostate Church of Rome will not fail to profit by their criminal negligence of the duty assigned to them by their risen Lord, to "preach the gospel to every creature." In the "Annales de la Propagation de la Foi," for May, 1840, there is an array of facts presented to the attention of the Christian world, which ought to have the effect of stimulating all sound-hearted Protestants to a sense of their duty to the heathen world. The head-quarters of the "Society for the Propagation of the Faith" is Lyons, in France, and its operations extend to almost all the nations of the earth. Rome aims at universal ascendency; and she will gain it, if the advocates of a purer faith do not awake from their existing lethargy. Eighteen years ago, a few obscure catholics met and formed "the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, on behalf of Missions

in the two worlds." From their scanty means, they contributed the sum of 22,000 francs. Since that time the receipts have increased to nearly two million francs per annum. The "Annales" predict that the income of the new Society will soon amount to seventeen million francs. "It must come," say these prophets, " for there is a mathematical necessity for it,-a law, which will subsist,notwithstanding external obstacles which may retard its action,-a fundamental power of nature, which men may oppose, but cannot destroy, and which is called the force of things. Moreover, our predictions will not appear exaggerated, if we consider that Protestantism, all the sects of which added together do not amount to one-third part of the number of catholics, receives 40,000,000 (that is, of francs) a year. Nothing less than this rich revenue could pay the wages of its proselyting forces, from the English satraps who have enthroned themselves in the Antilles and in Hindostan, to the Methodist pro-consuls whose ferule domineers over the kings of the South Sea, and to the peddling Bible men, who prudently confine themselves to the work of scattering corrupted copies of our holy Scriptures, along with contraband opium, upon the coasts of China." In this spirit do the writers of the "Annales" treat the efforts of Protestants to convert the world; speaking of them in terms of lofty contempt; and sounding forth the praises of Catholic Missions in keeping up "something like that unity of heart and soul which reigned in the ' upper chamber' at Jerusalem." Ninety thousand copies of the "Annals of the Propagation of the Faith," have been printed last year, in seven different languages. They report, for Europe, including the Ionian Isles, the Kingdom of Greece, the Principalities, and Turkey; eight archbishops; twelve bishops; five hundred and seventy-nine priests; and two millions, three hundred, and eighty-seven thousand catholics. For Asia, Western, Central, and Eastern, eighteen archbishops; one hundred and four bishops; twenty-four coadjutors; four thousand three hundred and sixty-four priests; and four millim, sir hundred and seventy thousand two hundred catholics. For Africa, fire bishops; ninetyseven priests; and one hundred and eightyeight thousand, one hundred catholics. For America, twenty four bishops; sir hundred and twenty nine priests; and one million seven hundred and fifty-one thou sand catholies. For Oceanica, three bishops; fifty-nine priests; and forty-six thousand catholics. The religious orders which take part in these missions are twenty-eight in number.

In this way does the papal church multiply her numbers and her efforts. The

"Annales" furnish abundant proof of her power of accommodation to all countries and all circumstances. With all her boasted unity, her variations are endlessly diversified. In a sense which Paul would have disdained, she becomes "all things to all men." But her formidable power to deJude and ruin souls, she never abandons. She is every where "the abomination that maketh desolate." Her paganized doctrine and forms adapt themselves fearfully to the work of "deceiving the nations" sunk in idolatry; while her sleepless activity, and jesuitical intrigue, render her every where the dangerous antagonist of truth.

Let Evangelical Protestants rouse themselves to nobler deeds of self-sacrifice for Christ and souls. The enemy-the agents of the great apostacy, are every where in the field, sowing tares, and riveting the chain of antichristian error upon the human mind. Our societies must double their efforts, if Popery is not to carry the day. Our missionaries abroad, and ministers at home, must make themselves masters of the catholic controversy. A new era has commenced. Catholicism condescends to tell us what it is doing; and honest Protestants must outwork it in the field. May the spirit of the best Reformers fall upon our pastors and churches!

EXTRACTS

From the "Archives du Christianisme," Paris, Nov. 13, 1841.

A new periodical journal has begun to he published at Amsterdam, directed and edited by persons of the highest respectability. It has been occasioned by the efforts now making in Holland, for re-estab'ishing the reign of Popery. The title is "D'Evangelische Kerkbode," the Evangelical Church Messenger; its motto "The trath shall make you free;" and its design, to defend the genuine doctrines of the gospel, against the mere commandments of men. We offer up our fervent prayers that, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, this publication may effectually contribute to the extension of real religion among our Dutch brethren. A specimen of the spirit which animates this new work is the following:

"THE CHILD OF GOD.

"I am the child of my heavenly Father; not his counsellor. As a child, I love and Lonour my Father's will, and all his doings, so far as he grants me to be acquainted with them; while there are many things which ay mind cannot yet comprehend. With the veneration of a child, I looked at my Father's desk and papers, without allowing my indiscreet presumption to meddle with his secret affairs. Yet, if he takes me by

the hand, I follow him with glad simplicity. So perfectly am I convinced of his exalted wisdom, his unalterable righteousness, and his perfect love, that I repose myself upon HIM with all tranquillity, assured that, in his own time, he will justify all his words, all his works, and all his ways; so that every tongue shall confess that the Lord hath done all things well. Amen. Hallelujah!"

AMERICA.

BOARD FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

This noble Society held its Twenty-second Annual Meeting, at Philadelphia, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of September, 1841. The proceedings were unusually interesting. Never was deeper solicitude manifested by American Christians on behalf of missions. The depressed state of the Society's funds, called forth a burst of deep-toned Christian sympathy, which, we doubt not, will go far to extricate it from present difficulties, when the effect of the meeting has been felt throughout the American churches.

At this assembly the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, of Edinburgh, and the Rev. Dr. Morison, of London, were appointed foreign corresponding members of the Board.

The following brief account of the Society's Missions, will doubtless prove very interesting to our readers. It is gleaned from the New York Observer, for September 18th, 1841.

AFRICA.

Mission to the Zulus of South Africa.

Mr. Grout arrived at Port Natal on the 30th of June, 1840. Early in the present year, he was preparing to remove into the proper Zulu country, beyond the Umtogela river. Dr. Adams was to continue at Umlazi, and Mr. Lindley to prosecute his labours among the Boors. The congregation at Umlazi on the sabbath numbers about five hundred, and there is a sabbath-school of two hundred. The political state of the country is not settled, and doubts have arisen as to the propriety of continuing the mission, especially as there are English missionary societies which stand ready to occupy the ground should the Board retire from

it.

Mission to the Grebos in West Africa. Dr. Wilson commenced a station at Fishtown a year ago. The town contains three thousand inhabitants, and has a fine, healthful situation on the sea-shore, ten miles from Fair Hope, with a good landing. Rocktown, between Fair Hope and Fishtown, has a larger population than either of those places. Schools exist there, and also at

Sarekeh, twelve miles in the interior. It is said that the practice of praying morning and evening, is more or less prevalent in all the native communities around, where the gospel has been preached, even where there is no manifest desire to conform to any other requirement of the gospel.

The Seminary at Fair Hope contains fiftyfour pupils. The number in the mission school is one hundred and twenty-five. Twelve natives are members of the church. At six places there is stated preaching. One third of the more influential native men are thought to have discarded their greegrees. The feteishmen are losing their power over the minds of the people, and are often treated with disrespect. More than a million of pages were printed the past year. New labourers are needed for this mission, and there are many openings for missionaries along the coast eastward.

EUROPE.

Missions to Greece.

Of all the branches of the oriental church, the Greek appears to be the most difficult to engraft with an evangelical faith and influence. This may be owing in part to the character and position of the Greek mind; and it may be that the Greek church comes nearer than the others to the exclusive, sectarian spirit of the church of Rome. One thing is certain; the Greek church pronounces anathemas equally upon all protestant sects without exception; and those missionaries, therefore, will labour most usefully in it, who put the least stress upon forms, and, with most of the meekness, gentleness, and love of Christ, are most single in their endeavours to fix attention upon the fundamental principles of the gospel.

It should encourage our hopes, that some of the best Greek minds have imbibed the spirit of free religious inquiry, and come out with great boldness through the press; and, notwithstanding many adverse appear. ances, it may be doubted whether it will be found possible to build up a religious despotism in that kingdom. The people are perhaps in greater danger from infidelity and its demoralizing influences.

The station at Areopolis, in Mane, continues to prosper. The high-school at this station has about thirty pupils, and the Lancasterian a hundred. The mission has printed nearly three millions of pages during the year. The printing is done at Athens. Dr. King continues his exegetical class. What Greece needs above all things is an educated, pious ministry, which shall preach the gospel in the churches from sabbath to sabbath.

ASIA.

Mission to Turkey.

The printing establishment of this mission is at Smyrna, and here the amount of printing during the year, was about one million three hundred and forty thousand pages in the Armenian language, about one million eight hundred and sixty thousand in Armeno-Turkish, and about one million seven hundred and eighty thousand in modern Greek; or nearly eight million in the whole. Mr. Adger has completed his revised version of Zohrab's modern Armenian New Testament. The Greek and Armenian monthly magazines increase in popularity. Mrs. Van Lennep departed this life just as the Board closed its last annual meeting.

When the Committee began to think it time for the preachers of the gospel stationed at Broosa to retire from that city, on account of the protracted and obstinate refusal of the people to hear, there began to be indications of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Not only was there a call for books, but new hearers attended almost every sabbath on Mr. Schneider's preaching, and were often deeply affected. The printing for this station in Greco-Turkish has been done chiefly in Athens, and amounted dur ing the year to five hundred and twenty-four thousand pages.

In our survey of the mission we come next to the station at Constantinople. Mr. Schaufiler is still at Vienna, printing the Hebrew Spanish Old Testament. Mr. Homes has returned to his mission, and will probably reside for the present at Brooss, Mr. Powers having been called away by the illness of his wife. The persecuting patriarch of the Armenians has been compelled to resign his office, and the former mild and tolerant patriarch has been reinstated. The persecution has been followed by a strong reaction of feeling in the Armenian community. Mr. Dwight holds three meetings a week with the serious and inquiring, and has more encouragement and hope than ever before. A priest from Nicomedia, is doing the work of an evangelist at Constantinople, going from house to house. The influence of good books is felt there, and at Adrianople, Nicomedia, Ada Bazaar, and other places. At the places last named, the number of converts to evangelical truth exceeds thirty. Mr. Goodell has translated the Old Testament into Armeno-Turkish as far as the book of Jeremiah, and printed it as far as the book of Job. His translation of the New Testament has long been in print. The papists are sparing no expense in the department of education.

At Trebizond, where Mr. Johnston still labours without an associate, there are some

encouraging indications of the presence of the Holy Spirit. About four thousand books were distributed last year in Cyprus, by Messrs. Ladd and Thompson.

On the whole, the prospects of this mission are such as call for strong faith and a more active zeal. Mr. Temple says, that he has never seen such indications of the presence of the Spirit of grace, in the nineteen years of his sojourn in that part of the world. Mr. Hamlin, of Nicomedia, says the papists are taking ad ntage of the religious excitement to gain proselytes. The fact seems to be, that the dark, inquiring, dissatisfied mind, if not met by the minister of truth, is there in danger of falling into the cold, iron embrace of the man of sin. Mission to Syria.

The principal ports of Syria have been subjected to a destructive bombardment, and the country has passed from under the government of Mohammed Ali to that of its old master, the Sultan. Whether its social condition and prospects have improved by this change, is yet uncertain.

Mr. Smith has returned to Syria, and Mr. George C. Hurter has been sent to take charge of the printing. In June last, the proofs that the whole Druze people were open to the mission, became so convincing, that Messrs. Wolcott and Van Dyck were 'sent by their brethren to form a station at Der el Kamer, the seat of the Druze government.

Mr. Smith, also, who had just arrived, proceeded immediately into the mountains, and Mr. Wm. M. Thomson was to spend the summer among the Druze villages. It is in contemplation, if such be the divine pleasure, to erect a seminary for the Druzes in some central position, and to open schools in their principal villages, while the way appears to be prepared for preaching the gospel wherever we will. It surely cannot be that the churches will withhold the funds, with such a call as this.

It was necessary to retire from Beyrout during the bombardment. How remarkably the printing establishment, the valuable library, the houses, furniture, and other property of the mission was preserved by a kind Providence, is known to the readers of the Missionary Herald.

The seminary and schools are much as they were at the time of the last annual meeting. Without more means, the precious opportunity of diffusing gospel light through the Druze community, must be nearly lost.

Missions to the Nestorians of Persia.

Dr. Wright, and also Mr. Breath, a printer, have joined the mission. The latter was accompanied by a press, which has since been an object of great curiosity to the people. We are beginning to witness the gra

VOL. XX.

dual revival of preaching in this ancient church. Three bishops and four priests have made a beginning in this heretofore, to them, unwonted service. The seminary has a class of eleven in theology. The Nestorian pupils amount to four hundred and seventy-six, and are taught in two boardingschools and sixteen village free-schools. Sixty-two are boarding scholars. Eighteen priests, and sixteen deacons are teachers in the schools.

Mission to the Independent Nestorians.

Dr. Grant, after visiting this country, has returned to his interesting field, and by this time, probably, is among the independent Nestorian mountaineers. The Rev. Messrs. Abel K. Hinsdale and Colby, C. Mitchell, with their wives, have proceeded as far as Aleppo, in northern Syria, on their way to meet Dr. Grant at Mosul, where arrangements are to be made, should such be the divine will, for occupying a station in that place, and another in the mountains.

Mission to the Persian Mahommedans.

In view of the increasing claims of other fields occupied by the Board, and the unpromising nature of the one now under consideration, -as appears from the general tenour of Mr. Merrick's correspondence during the five or six years he has been in Persia, the committee have decided not to continue a distinct mission to the Persian Mahommedans. He is authorised to join the Nestorian mission at Ooroomiah.

Mission to the Mahratlas, in Western

India.

Though the progress of this mission is apparently slow, the way of the Lord is evidently preparing among the Mahrattas. They now stand very differently related to the Christian religion, from what they did in the year 1814. Much unavoidable preliminary ground has been gone over. The truth is nearer the great mass of the native intellect and heart. The sensation occasioned by the conversion of one or two Parsee or Brahmin young men, shows how the subject is regarded by the more intelligent native population. If there were no progress, no impression, no danger, there would be no alarm.

The mission has continued its stated and itinerant preaching as usual. The seminary at Ahmednuggur has sixty pupils, and four other boarding-schools have fifteen boys and sixty-seven girls, making nearly one hundred and fifty boarding-scholars. Twenty-three free schools contain about seven hundred pupils. The printing for the last year was somewhat more than two million of pages. The three native helpers, Dajeeba, Narayan and Harripunt, continue to retain the confidence of their employers.

D