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his support? and without his continued support, can we stand for a

moment?

The Politician may doubt, and say, it is dangerous to speak of Religion; but let him ask himself, as a Christian-is it not more dangerous as a Nation in the administration of the sacred charge entrusted to us by PROVIDENCE to neglect what seems to be the evident purpose and intent of God? Is it not dangerous as a Nation to be weighed in the balance and found wanting in performing Gon's will?

What then as a Christian Government is to be done? Can we err in endeavouring to fulfil the will of God, by whose mighty power alone we rule? CAN AUGHT SHAKE WHERE HE APPROVES and UPHOLDS? We are apt to exaggerate obstacles from native prejudices. Let us take example from native governments. What would a Hindu or a Musalmán government do, if in power?-Would not all expect them to rear the temples of their Religion, to read therein the Shastras or the Qurán, and to afford instruction to all who freely sought it? Would this offend any one? No, it would be natural, and all would expect it. Would it politically do harm?-why should it? for none would go for instruction, but those who chose it. Free as air, they would retire at pleasure.

But what line does the British Government pursue ?-does it follow this natural process of opening in like manner Christian temples and schools where all may go for instruction ?-does it support a single Christian School, where its Native subjects may go for instruction on the sacred truths of its foly Religion?-Might not the very natives themselves approve were there attached publicly and openly to each Christian temple throughout the land, a Christian School; and as in the instructions from the pulpit, the doors thrown open and all made welcome to attend. Here would be no deceit -no compulsion-nothing to offend. As the Moslem in the mosque, as the Hindu in the temple, so the Christian minister in his temple, with open doors and public tuition, ready to instruct all who came in the truths of his sacred religion, as well as in all useful worldly knowledge. Would not the declaration of Government appear, even to the Natives, natural and proper, that the Govern ment owed it, as a duty to its Native subjects, to communicate to all such as desired instruction, the knowledge of the mother-country, which led to the blessings of civilization -namely, the arts and sciences, the theory and practice of Government, the advantages of commerce, &c.; but that as it would be a slight to the Deity to teach worldly wisdom alone, and to exclude the knowledge of His Laws and Will, the whole should be taught together-His truths, and all the wisdom which he had enabled man to attain.

Let the experiment be tried at some of our Christian Churches under chosen ministers of approved discretion. Let the ministers publicly communicate that as from the pulpit so in the school attached to the Church, they were ready to follow their vocation and teach and superintend instruction. They would of course teach English and the vernacular languages. It seems very probable that (as in the admirable and crowded schools of the General Assembly in Calcutta and elsewhere) many would seek a sound education there, and even if none went, a CHRISTIAN Government under such a system, would feel the satisfaction of having discharged a duty in giving to its subjects the opportunity of instruction.

And supposing that such schools should give offence, they could at any moment be discontinued. If it be said, that we stand pledged not to interfere with the religion of the people-this is no interference where the people are free as the air they breathe, to go, or stay away. In

struction goes not to seek them-they of their own free will, would go to seek it. Are we as a Christian Government blameless, as in the system now pursued, in deliberately putting the sacred commands of God, under a bushel, and hiding them from the Heathen? Are we justified, is it safe, to set aside the counsel of God, to raise up as we seem now to be doing, a race of intelligent sceptics, if not athiests, who despising all Religion, will be in a great measure set loose from the restraints of conscience? It seems a fearful experiment-one in which we can scarcely expect the support of God, by which alone we exist as a Government. In the other plan of OPENLY giving Christian instruction to all who chose of their own free will to seek it, we should feel secure, that we were not following our own short-sighted pians but were doing GOD'S WILL; the knowledge and truths we taught, would be His; and under this sure and safe guidance also would be the hearts of those to whom His truths were communicated.

The subject is one of deep importance, and is well worthy of serious discussion.

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Who makes them as a beacon-light
To guide his church amid the night
Of darkness and of cloud;

Now gathering round her earthly way,
And from her sight her only stay
Threatening to shroud.

But raise your heads ye scattered few,
Redemption's day-dawn breaks on you;
The message of your God

Announced by wars and rumoured wars,
"By rushing waves and falling stars,"
Makes straight Messiah's road.

Oh then the glad Hosannas sing
To welcome your Redeemer-king
Who hastens here;

Though lightnings pierce our clouded sky,
The thought his coming draweth nigh
His drooping church shall cheer.

He comes! he comes! with saints attending,
Powers of Earth and Heaven are bending
At his feet;

Ten thousand Halleluias send

The summons to earth's utmost end
Our coming Lord to greet.

Come, Jesus, come-my soul doth long
To join thy Blessed Spirit throng
To meet thee in the air;
And all the glories of the throne
Thou hast provided for thine own
With Thee to share.

September 10th, 1839.

INFANTICIDE.

Formerly practised by Hindu mothers to a great extent, and occasionally, it is to be feared, now, although very severe laws are passed against it.

Is there a mother lives, whose tender love
Sweet, smiling infancy can fail to move?
Whose breast expands not at the happy sight,
Nor throbs with soft emotions of delight?
What wonder, too, that Woman, gentle, fair,
By nature kind, should fond affection bear
For helpless childhood, which from her derives
Its nourishment, and by her care survives?

Oh! how unnatural, how passing strange,
That cruelty can woman's love derange;
Can drown her feelings of humanity,
And steel her heart against her progeny !
Alas! (with sorrow is the truth confest)
Oft from the Indian mother's savage breast
Parental love departs; affection thence
Expelled, regards not childhood's innocence!
Bone of her bone, flesh of her flesh to death

She, fiend-like, hurries, with its first-drawn breath!
Oh! murder foul, most foul! Oh! monstrous crime!
By God detested, uneffac'd by time!

Vile murderer! thy infant daughter's blood

For vengeance cries to Him who wills all good.
Such horrid rites do heathen laws decree,
T'appease the monster of Idolatry.

Oh! God, with holy arm and strong right hand,
This base dishonour to thy name withstand!
Thy righteous vengeance, Lord, thy pow'r alone
Can hurl the idol tyrant from his throne.
Almighty Lord! Thou God of Hosts, arise!
Maintain thy cause; scatter thine enemies;
The idol altars level with the dust;

Is there not cause? Ah! sure thy wrath is just,
When wicked men, who "glory in their shame,"
Blaspheme thine honour, and insult thy name.
Then purge this heathen land, and set it free
From bloody rites, and idol tyranny.
Salvation, Oh salvation! may that word
Ere long by Pagan ears be gladly heard.
On this devoted land may rays divine,
Enkindled by the blessed Gospel, shine!
Jesus, Redeemer! may thy praise be sung
By Moslem and Hindu, by every tongue.
May infants lisp thy name, may joyous youth,
And hoary age, be wise in Heav'nly truth!
On India then shall drop the dew of love

From streams which lave thy Zion, Lord, above!

Then snapped shall be the spear, dread war shall cease,

And happiness go hand in hand with peace!

Then India's ransom'd son, when life may end,

His parting spirit shall to God commend,

Supported by the hope well-founded, sure,
With saints immortal ever to endure !

Missionary ang Religious Entelligence.

1.-MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.

Since our last the Rev. A. Duff, D. D. together with Mrs. Duff, have, through the good mercy of God, arrived safely in Calcutta. Dr. Duff visited Bombay and Madras on his way to the city of palaces. His health we are happy to state, is materially improved by his visit to Europe, and his spirit and zeal unabated for the salvation of souls. May he be long spared to live and labour as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ amongst the millions of pagans in India.-The Rev. W. Glen arrived on the Elizabeth on the 13th of May. Mr. Glen is, we believe, appointed to labour amongst the Musalmáns at Moorshedabad. His honoured father has been for many years a diligent Mission laborer in Astrachan, especially in the department of Translations. May the son follow in the steps of his father even as he has followed Christ.-Letters received from the Rev. M. Hill of Berhampore, state it to be his intention (D. V.) to return to India in 1841.-Letters received from London announce the safe arrival of the Owen Glendower on which our good friends Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, Mrs. G. Pearce, and Mrs. Paterson of Berhampore sailed. Mrs. Lyon's health is completely restored by the voyage. The other passengers were all well. Mr. Lyon expresses a hope that he may speedily return to the scene of his former labours.—The Rev. J. Kreiss of the Church Mission has arrived in safety at Agra, the scene of his future labours.

2.-ITEMS.

Two new newspapers in Bengálí have been started at this Presidencythe one at Calcutta, the other at Berhampore.-The examination of the pupils of the Medical College and the distribution of prizes took place a few weeks back. The progress of the students is highly creditable to them as well as to their tutors. The Governor General presided.Rájnárayan Ráy, the native so distinguished for his barbarous treatment of the Editor of the Bháskur, was admitted to the last levee at Government House, as well as to the examination of a native school held at the Bishop's palace!!!-The Editor of the Bhaskar has been liberated. He says he intends to prosecute his oppressor: we are inclined to doubt this. A new medical work in Bengáli by a native is reported as in progress. Several educated native youth bave determined to translate the best works of the western world into the vernaculars.-The pupils of Bábu Gaurmohan Adi's Seminary are to be examined by the Committee of Public Instruction in future, and certificates are to be granted according to their proficiency. We are glad that encouragement is to be afforded to this enterprising native friend.-The District Charitable Society have determined to do away in great measure with grants of money; and to erect an alms and work-house in Calcutta for the destitute but industrious. The Report of the Committee on Municipal Institutions recommends a vagrant law for Calcutta, and that strict attention be paid to the cleansing and purifying of the city.-We are happy to find that our Native contemporaries are engaged in the discussion of interesting and improving topics.-A new native paper has started at Madras, entitled, The Enquirer. It is conducted in the Native and English languages.A Magazine in the Native language has heen commenced at Bombay. It proposes to discuss scientific as well as religious and other subjects. -Part of the fleet destined for China has reached Singapore in safety.A fearful storm, commencing at Mauritius and sweeping the whole of the Bay of Bengal and beyond Calcutta, has committed great ravages both at sea and on shore. The whole country below Calcutta has been

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