NOTES OF THE MONTH. Sep. 20th-Since our last month's | date the harvest has been gathered in. The season has been unusually propitious for field operations, and it seems agreed on all hands that finer crops of grain have never been collected from our fields. The quality is of the first class, and the yield will be abundant, far beyond an average. In some cases seventeen coombs of wheat per acre are spoken of. It is hoped that this will awaken general gratitude.- -The first of October has been appointed by the Queen as a day of thanks-giving for a bountiful harvest. Of France and other continental countries, as well as Ireland, the report is favourable. As a set off against this it is stated that some parts of Prussia have suffered from inundations; and that the United States have suffered from drought. In our own fields, too, the pastures have been injured by the long season of fine weather.The fearful scourge, cholera, has made alarming progress in London and other places. More than two thousand victims fell in the week ending Sep. 2nd. Before this sheet is in the hands of our readers we hope the severity of this scourge will be abated. Its seat seems to be among the ill-drained and ill-ventilated sections of our towns, and where bad water is used.- -The war has been progressing since our last. In the Baltic, a strongly fortified Island, Bormasund, the key to the Gulph of Finland, has been taken by the allied fleets. The forts of the Russians, the terror of Scandinavia, were immensly strong; granite walls ten feet thick, with an iron covering, underneath which were six feet of sand. All fell before the tremendous power of the British artillery, while our ships were beyond the reach of the Russian guns! Few lives were lost. The Aland Islands were, however, found to be very unhealthy, and consequently the forts were entirely blown up, and the stores of meal, meat, &c., were given to the poor inhabitants. It is now apparent that Russian granite forts are not proof against English cannon, a painful lesson for Russia. Some destruction has been effected in the White Sea. In the Black Sea there has been more activity. A great portion of Varna, where were the head quarters of the allied forces, has been burned down, supposed by incendiary Greeks. The guard of the magazine &c., was therefore doubled. A bridge over the Danube, at Rutchack, 1495 yards long, has been erected by the French and English sappers and miners, which is regarded as a 66 chef-d'euvre" of military construction. It was opened by Omar Pacha with great pomp and festivity. Constantinople is undergoing great changes as to its society, feeling, &c., under the influence of English and French residents.-The allied forces have sailed from Varna to the Crimea, some 80,000 men. (Near 60,000 troops have effected a landing) Their intention is to take Sebastapol. Various and conflicting opinions prevail as to the practicability of the enterprise. It is probable that some definite intelligence will reach us ere long. It is awful to contemplate the power of destruction in guns that throw balls of sixty or eighty pounds, with precision, from two to four miles! Prussia gives unmistakeable indications of a leaning towards Russia, and invites the German powers to the same course. Austria, by compact, has advanced her troops into the principalities. Some predict she will play false. Her true interest is with the allies, but she, or her court, is a perfidious power, and will, in all probability, wait the turn of events.-The Russian forces in Asia have been routed by the Circassian army, under Schamyl. There are, at present, no signs of relenting on the part of the Czar; on the contrary, he has given orders that if Odessa is in danger of falling into the hands of the allied forces, the inhabitants are to burn down their own houses, and threatens such as disobey or attempt to prevent or put out the fire! He thinks of Moscow, the barbarian! The war seems to be far from its termination; alas! when shall all wars cease? There has been a serious fire urges that he should recommend cleanliness and pure air for the removal of cholera, broadly intimating that the catholics, i.e., the poor, are very neg ligent.- -Mrs. Hamilton, an English lady, has ascended Mont Blanc.The court martial on Lieutenant Perry has given general dissatisfaction. He is recommended to seek redress in civil courts. Meantime the officers of the 46th are often insulted and annoyed. Combined as they seemed to be to crush him, they have little sympathy, and the disclosures of the orgies of the barrack rooms, &c., have shocked the public morals.- -Prince Albert has visited France in State to meet the Emperor at a grand review. This cordial feeling between the two countries will have a political influence. -The Sunday sale of beer bill seems likely to be neutralized by the indefiniteness of the word "traveller," the magistrates, with some exceptions, interpreting it as applying to any person going from one part of London to another. When will these houses be closed entirely for the Lord's-day! -Reformatory schools encouraged -Some painful railway accidents by act of parliament are hoped to be have occurred. The open-air ser- instrumental in reclaiming and previces in several places have been in-serving from evil hosts of British boys terrupted by order of the magistrates, on the plea that the places are not certified, and that the assemblage stop the highway. In others, as in Boston, they have been wisely encouraged, and where the thoroughfare is not obstructed the police are directed to keep order and prevent the preachers from being insulted. Mr. Gough, the celebrated Temperance lecturer is reported to be getting rich as a reward of his toils; the public of all kinds being willing to pay well for the pleasure of hearing his thrilling addresses. -There have been a few bread riots, owing to the impression abroad that the bakers were not lowering the price of bread proportionably to that of corn. Good sense and a slight turn of the markets, have corrected this folly.- -The Pope has proclaimed a universal jubilee in October and November. Its object is said to be to obtain peace; the appeasing of sedition; the cessasion of cholera and famine; and light on the question of "the immaculate conception of the virgin." The Times pours con. tempt on his folly and ignorance, especially as to the latter question, and | 66 who have been or might be trained to vice and misery.. -The rise in the value of paper is producing serious embarrasments among the printers. In some cases the price of Newspapers has been in consequence raised.The legislature of the state of Cincinatti have passed an act to protect coloured and other persons from slave hunters, making imperative on them to prove the slavery of any they capture, and imposing a penalty of 5,000 dollars, and five years imprisonment on false evidence.- -A diabolical attempt to overthrow an excursion train, in Ireland, containing a large party of orangemen, resulted in the death of the engine driver, and the serious injury of many others, among whom was the Earl of Enniskillen. Great fires have taken place in America in consequence of the drought. A picnic party near Albany were so surrounded by flames as to escape with very great difficulty.- The Sultan has given orders to provide a site for the erection of a Latin church in Jerusalem in honour of his alliance with France. MISSIONARY OBSERVER. GENERAL BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. Ar a Committee Meeting held in Stoney Street vestry, Nottingham, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, it was determined to request our Nottingham friends, the ladies connected with the three churches, to provide a Bazaar for the Foreign Mission, at the next Association. The Rev. J. Buckley was appointed to correspond with them on this subject. It was agreed that a circular be addressed to the churches, requesting special collections and subscriptions in aid of the loss sustained by our missionaries and friends at Berhampore, in the burning down of their chapel, brother Wilkinson's house, &c. Relying on the prompt assistance of the churches, the Treasurer was authorized to advance £200 to the brethren. The total loss is estimated at £600.* Miss Butler of Nottingham applied to be received as a female teacher in the mission schools. She was cordially received. It is expected that she will go to India with Mr. and Mrs. Buckley. The expenses of her outfit and passage will be paid by a ladies' society. Letters from China were read. It was resolved that the expenses of Rev. T. H. Hudson, for his passage home, be paid by the Society; and the time up to which the accounts are directed to be made up is the 21st of March, 1855-at which period it is understood his connection with the Society terminates. Mr. Goadby of Loughborough was requested to address a note to our Chinese teacher, Le Sing. NOTE TO THE CHINESE TEACHER AT NINGPO. [THE following note, prepared at the request of the Committee, has been duly forwarded to this estimable friend. It is hoped, that though our efforts to spread the gospel in China, for a season, are suspended, the usefulness of this christian brother will not cease.-ED.] sent suspension of our efforts to spread the gospel at Ningpo, our thoughts were affectionately directed to you, and we were solicitous at parting to say a kind word to you. the labours of our esteemed missionWe rejoice in you as the fruit of aries, Messrs. Hudson and Jarrom, and feel that your conversion to God, and possession of the hope of eternal life, is a blessing for which we cannot be too thankful to Almighty grace. the enjoyment of the consolations of We hope that you are still living in Lord Jesus Christ, and in the desire the gospel, in communion with the to bring others to partake of "like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God, and our Saviour are and to diffuse it around you to the The Committee have hope that you may be engaged to assist some of the christian brethren who will live and labour in Ningpo, but they have thought it best, while cherishing this hope, to request you especially to consult Mr. Hudson, who has been your religious guide, as to what it would be best for you to do in the future. Have a regard to his advice and counsel in this matter, and pray in secret very earnestly to God for his wise and gracious guidance. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." To his care we now commit you, fervently praying that he may lead you in a right way, make you useful in life, happy in death, and glorious for ever. In behalf of the Committee, I am your affectionate brother in Christ, JOSEPH GOADBY. Loughborough, Aug. 16, 1854. LETTER FROM REV. W. BAILEY. MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY,-It does | seem a long time since I wrote you, how long I am afraid to say, and though I have nothing of particular interest to communicate either in reference to the state of the church, nominal christian community, or asylums, still the year has been uparalleled in my Indian life for the number and importance of the events that have transpired around us; we have had removals, sudden deaths, fire, pestilence, and almost famine. Early in January the 18th regiment, M. N I., which has been in this district for six years, was sent on foreign service to Jounghoo, in Burmah; several of the officers and ladies in the regiment were pious, and regularly attended our English service, and once a week some of them had been in the habit, for a long time, of attending a meeting which was held alternately at the missionaries' houses, for tea, the reading of a select portion of Scripture, religious conversation and prayer; their friends had also assisted us in carrying on the cause of Christ; to part with them was a trial to our feelings. We indulge the hope that they have been benefitted by our labours, and now they are removed far hence, our prayers follow them that they may continue in the faith, and be blessed with "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." We have repeatedly heard from them since their arrival in Burmah but they give most gloomy accounts of the dearness of provisions and of the great inconvenience and exposure they had experienced for the want of proper dwellings. After the departure of the above regiment the 36th regiment M. N. I. came to Berhampore, en route for Burmah. Russel Kondah, the station from whence the regiment came, is about fifty miles from Berhampore, but as such a distance is thought little of in this country we consider the European residents there as something like neighbours. One of the officers with his wife and child staid with brother and sister Wilkinson, and while there, parted with them (wife and child) for at least three years, and with all uncertainty of seeing each other again at the expiration of that time. It was indeed a painful struggle, but it was unavoidable, for wives and children are not allowed to accompany their husbands to an usettled country. War is a cruel thing apart from the danger and actual suffering on the battle field, in the unnatural separations that it causes amongst friends and families. It will be a happy time for our world when war establishments shall be done away, and when the instruments of death shall be changed into instruments of peace. The head quarters of this regiment embarked from Gopalpore early in March. The Adjutant a pious young man was the son of the present archdeacon of Madras. We had known him for two or three years, but I am grieved to state that he was drowned in the Sitany river, with several native soldiers, on his way to Jounghoo, we have not yet read particularly of this painful occurrence, but I will give you two short extracts from the weekly summary of "The Friend of India": "The Rangoon Chronicle informs us that the Cyclone at Rangoon was fatal to a fleet of boats in the river Sitany. Forty boats conveying a company of artillery, and the 36th M. N. I. to Jounghoo, were caught in the storm. Of the forty, thirty-one are missing, and it is feared the majority have perished. The intelligence is said to be official, but we sincerely hope the catastrophe will be found to be exaggerated." "The Calcutta Morning Chronicle says that the destruction of the fleet of boats in the Sitany river was caused rather by the bore than by the Cyclone. It broke completely over them sinking them at once. We believe the bore is more terrible in this than in any other river in southern Asia." Since the departure of these two regiments, two others have come to fill their places, viz, the 26th M. N. I. for Russel Kondah, and the 5th M. N. I. for Berhampore. In the former regiment are two or three excellent, pious friends, one of them, a Captain I., on his way by sea from Moulmain to Berhampore, lost a fine boy by croup, in a day or two after his wife was attacked with Quinsey, and at the recommendation of the medical officer on board he took her on shore at Vizagapatam and consigned her to the care of one of the Lon. don Missionaries there, but he was unable to remain with her as he had charge of a detachment on board. Very soon after his arrival at Berhampore he received the painful intelligence of the death of his wife, and in a few days following of the death of his then only surviving child, a little girl, of the disease. Thus in ten or twelve days he asw bereft of a lovely wife and family, and him. self left sad and solitary in the world. "As for man his days are as grass, as a flower of the field so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more." In his case we saw with thankfulness the triumph of christian principle, great as was his loss the grace of Christ was sufficient for him. Blessed gospel! what rich consolation it affords in the cloudy and dark day. On the removal of the first mentioned regiment to Burmah, the families of the sepoys (native soldiers) were located on some waste land adjoining the mission premises. Before the huts were built we pointed out our danger from epidemics and fire to the officers of the regiment, and petitioned the civil authorities that some other more eligible site might be selected, but to no purpose. Time has proved the truth of our statements, for our worst fears have been more than realized. Soon after their location, small pox broke out, and many died; this alone was a fruitful source of anxiety, but when the hot winds set in we were in constant fear of fire, as all our buildings were thatched, and these families are proverbial for their carelessness of fire. You have already heard of the very serious loss that has befallen brother Wilkinson and the mission, and four of our native christians; the scenes of that day can never be forgotten. I never felt so paralyzed in my life. I have seen fires in England but they would bear little comparison with the fire at Berhampore. In three or four minutes every room was so filled with flame and smoke that even an attempt to save anything was utterly impossible. In about two hours everything in the shape of wood, both in the chapel, brother W.'s house, and native christians' houses, was entirely consumed. We are thankful that the fire occurred in the day, had it been in the night lives must have been inevitably lost; but I feel that the subject is too painful to write about. I ought however to mention that the Europeans in the district have been exceedingly kind. I may mention that the chaplain of the district, unsolicited, collected and sent to brother W. nearly £60, to help him to bear his burden. The heathen, too, manifested much sympathy, and some of them who own a house in the cantonment offered it to brother W. rent free, as long as he liked to live in it, and another offered him some wood to rebuild his house. Our trials have been great but the Lord has helped us, and given us strength according to our day. But almost immediately after the fire, cholera broke out, and though the disease |