missionaries. Mr. Trant writes as fol- of the sect, méans Servant of God. lows: "In March, 1816, I went, with two other gentlemen, from Futtyghur, on the invitation of the principal persons of the sect, to witness an assemblage of them, for the purpose of religious worship, in the city of Furrukhabad; the general meeting of the sect being, that year, in that city. "The assembly took place within the court-yard of a large house. The number of men, women, and children, was considerable. We were received with great attention, and chairs were placed for us in front of the hall. After some time, when the place was quite full of people, the worship commenced. It consisted solely in the chanting of a hymn, this being the only mode of public worship used by the Saadhs. "At subsequent periods, I made particular inquiries relative to the religious opinions and practices of this sect; and was frequently visited by Bhuwanee Dos, the principal person of the sect in the city of Furrukhabad, "The following is the substance of the account given by Bhuwanee Dos, of the origin of the sect: "About the Sumbut year, 1600, or 177 years ago, a person named Beer bhan, an inhabitant of Beejbasur, near Narnou, in the province of Delhi, received a miraculous communication from Ooda Dos, teaching him the particulars of the religion now professed by the Saadhs. Ooda Dos at the same time gave to Beerbhan marks by which he might know him on his re-appear. ance: 1. That whatever he foretold should happen. 2. That no shadow should be cast from his figure. 3. That he would tell him his thoughts. 4. That he would be suspended between heaven and earth. 5. That he would. bring the dead to life. “Bhuwanee Dos presented me with a copy of the Pothee' or religious book of the Saadhs, written in a kind of verse, in the Thenth Hindee Dialect; and he fully explained to me the leading points of their religion. The Saadhs utterly reject and abhor all kinds of idolatry; and the Ganges is considered by them with no greater veneration than by Christians, although the converts are made chiefly, if not entirely, from among the Hindoos, whom they resemble in outward appearance. Their name for God is Sutgur:' and Saadh, the appellation They are pure Deists; and their form of worship is most simple, as I have already stated. Ornament and gay ap parel, of every kind, are strictly pro hibited. Their dress is always white. They never make any obeisance or salam. They will not take an oath; and they are exempted in the courts of justice, their asseveration being cousidered equivalent. The Saadhs profess to abstain from all luxuries; such as tobacco, paun, opium, and wine. They never have nauches or dancing. All attack on man or beast is forbidden; but in self-defence resistance is allowed. “Industry is strongly enjoined. The Saadhs take great care of their poor and infirm people. To receive assistance out of the 'punt,' or tribe, would be reckoned disgraceful, and render the offender liable to excommunication. “ All parade of worship is forbidden. Secret prayer is commended. Alms should be nnostentations: they are not to be done that they should be seen of men. The due regulation of the tongue is a principal duty-The chief seats of the Saadh sect are Delhi, Agra, Jypore, and Furrukhabad; but there are several of the sect scattered over the coun try. An annual meeting takes place at one or other of the cities above-mentioned, at which the concerns of the sect are settled. The magistrate of Furrukhabad informed me, that he had found the Saadhs an orderly and wellconducted people. They are chiefly engaged in trade. "Bhuwanee Dos was anxious to become acquainted with the Christian religion ; and I gave him some copies of the New Testament in Persian and Hindoo stanee, which he said he had read, and shewn to his people, and much approv. ed. I had no copy of the Old Testament in any language which he understood well; but, as he expressed a strong desire to know the account of the creation as given in it, I explained it to him from the Arabic Version, of which he knew a little. I promised to procure him a Persian or Hindoostanee Old Testament, if possible. "I am of opinion that the Saadhs are a very interesting people; and that an intelligent and zealous missionary would find great facility in communicating with them." AFRICAN SUPERSTITION. One of the Missionaries of the London Missionary Society, in Africa, gives the following account of the ignorance and superstition of the natives among whom he resides. "The King of Lattakoo, on returning from a long journey to the east, reported that he had met with tribes of men, who had never seen any of his people (the Bootchuanas), but had heard reports of them, which stated, that they had tails like cows; they flocked to gether from all quarters to see him and his people, and were greatly astonished to find that they were like themselves. "A wooden clock, with three little figures which strike bells, denoting the hours and quarters, which was sent to Lattakoo by the Society, has excited great astonishment. Some of the natives disputed among themselves whether these little men were made by God or man; they also wished to know whether they ate meat and drank milk. It was also reported among them, that these three little men had come in the night, in a waggon without oxen. In short, this clock appears to them the most wonderful thing ever known in the country. "After a season of great drought, one of the people called Rain-makers visited Lattakoo. These people are considered as a kind of inferior deities. Many of the inhabitants went out to meet him, and made him a present of a sheep. "On the same day, a rain-meeting was held at Maklak's kraal, and the rainmaker was presented with a fat ox. He then issued an order, forbidding the men to go into the fields to dig, &c. threateuing that if they disobeyed this order, lightning would come down and kill them. This mandate was punctually obeyed. How ready are they to listen to the word of man, but how backward to regard the word of God! After this some clouds appeared; and great hopes were entertained that the rain would soon fall. "In one of the rain-meetings, held about this time, the rain-maker complained that the Dutch people (so the natives call the missionaries) hindered the rain, and caused the clouds to pass away, by reason of some of their customs: be therefore recommended it to Mateebe to send them away. But, though many probably wished this, nothing was done. "At length, no rain having fallen, the people began to be impatient, and to curse him, saying, that the rain-maker was a liar, and too old to make rain. Not knowing what to do, he went up to the top of one of the mountains, and rolled down stones: this was done to amuse them, and gain time, for they were ready to drive him away. "About twelve days after this, the people rejoiced greatly on account of copious showers, which fell for two or three days in great abundance. After which, the rain-maker, with a great number of women, paraded the town, singing, and begging presents, on account of the rain." The missionary relates several disputes and battles between the Bootchuanas and the Bushmen, in consequence of stealing cattle: and the former were much displeased with the missionaries, who would have dissuaded them from killing some of the thieves when taken, and informed them, that though they might preach to them, they must not attempt to alter their laws. In one instance, a feast was held on occasion of the execution of a Bushman, who had stolen an ox, and who was not able to restore two in its stead, according to their law. Several storms of thunder, lightening, and rain, having occurred, by which a woman, and several of the cattle were killed, a ceremony took place to pre vent further mischief. The rain-maker gave orders that no women should go out to work in the field, for that the clouds must have medicine, or they would kill more. The king then, with the rain-maker, and a great number of people, went forth to bury the woman, stabbing the ground with their assigais, and making fires to form smoke for the clouds; and then, having washed the body with water, they permitted one of the missionaries to bury it in their usual way. BASLE MISSIONARY INSTI. TUTION. A large and commodious house bas 'been lately purchased and fitted up for the reception of the Students of the Basle Missionary Institution. Dr. Steinkopff's visit to Bâsle, on the service of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was the time chosen for a solemn service, in dedication of this house to the glory of God. About 400 persons assembled in the school-room of the Institutiou: among them were the clergy of the town and of the canton, the greater part of the professors of the university, and some of the most distinguished members of the govern ment. This Institution originated during the war of 1815.-" That war," remarked Mr. Blumhardt, "threatened our dear city with desolation and ruin; but we marvellously escaped: and then some individuals, desiring to erect a monument in token of their gratitude for so wonderful a deliverance, thought that no monument would be more lasting, and none more expressive of their profound thankfulness, than the establishment of a Missionary College; a college from which those might be sent who would preach the Gospel of Peace to the perishing heathen." This testimony of public gratitude was approved by the Government; who afforded the Institution their favour and protection. The first effort in 1816 was very limited but soon ten missionaries presented themselves, of whom two are now in India, and seven are waiting in Holland, for the time when, further instructed in languages, they will sail to the Moluccas. The years 1816 and 1817 were years of remarkable scarcity: and yet the Institution continued to prosper; and the students were increased in 1818 by one half. : At the above-mentioned meeting, Dr. Steinkopff spoke with peculiar effect; both because formerly, as minister at Bâsle, he was intimately connected with many persons present who had been benefited by his ministry, and also as from him had originated the first idea of forming this Institution; in which it should be the object to train up young men, who, after they are instructed in the Scriptures and all necessary sciences, and have enlightened their minds and formed in a degree their judgment, will go forth to preach the Gospel. "Young Men," said Dr. Steinkopff, "who are destined to this high office, may the Spirit of God lead you into all truth! may His peace dwell in you! may His love constrain you! may you no more live to yourselves, but to Him who hath died and risen again for you! You have no state of rest to expect in this world: you will have perils and pain to encounter; and, in preaching the Gospel, you will, perhaps, have to endure contempt and persecution; and you may even be called to give up your lives as witnesses of the truth. But let not these things move you: the name of Christ will be glorified in your suffering; and the reward which he will give will be so much the more dear to you. Many will take an interest in your welfare, as they join now in gratitude to God who hath wrought so great a work in you, aud for you." After Dr. Steinkopff, a young student, named Felix P. Jaremba, addressed the meeting. He is of one of the principal families of Russian Poland; but has left all, that he may go forth and proclaim the Gospel to the heathen. KING'S COLLEGE AT WINDSOR, (NOVA SCOTIA.) The British Provinces of North America being left, on the separation from them of the United States, without any establishment for the higher branches of education, the Legislature of Nova Scotia passed an act, in 1789, for the formation of a College, with a grant of 4001. per annum ; and appointing the Lieutenant-Governor and other chief officers of the province, to be Governors of the College. A suitable piece of ground was purchased for the purpose at Windsor, 45 miles from Halifax. By the aid of several parlia mentary grants, the proper buildings were erected. On the 12th of May, 1802, a Royal Charter passed the Great Seal, of which the following is an abstract : It was ordained and granted, that, at Windsor, in Nova Scotia, there should be established one college, the mother of an university, for the education of students in arts and faculties, to continne for ever, and to be called King's College-to be an university, and to enjoy all such privileges as are enjoyed by the universities in the United Kingdom; the students to have liberty and faculty of taking the degrees of Bachelor, Master, aud Doctor, in the several Arts and Faculties at the ap pointed times; and to have liberty of performing within themselves all scholastic exercises for the conferring of such degrees, in such manner as should be directed by the Statues of the College: the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the time being, to be Patron of the College; the Bishop of Nova Scotia, for the time being, Visitor; and the Governor, or Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, the Bishop of Nova Scotia, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Attorney and Solicitor General, and the Secretary of the Pró vince, severally for the time being, to gether with any three other persons who might from time to time be chosen by those above named, to be Governors of the College, with authority to frame statutes and rules for its government, and for the management and regulation of all matters connected with its interest, such statutes, or any alteration of them being subject to the approbation of the Patron: the College itself to consist of one President, three or more Fellows and Professors, and twelve or more Scholars; and the Governor, President, and Fellows to be a body corporate, by the name and style of "The Governors, President, and Fellows of King's College, at Windsor, in the Province of Nova Scotia." The statutes of the University of Oxford have been the model in forming a code applicable to Nova Scotia; and its whole system has been followed as close ly as was practicable. Government allow 10001. per annum toward the support of the College. This sum, with that of 4001. before mentioned, have not been sufficient to enable the Governors to make all the arrangements authorised by the charter. They have, as yet, established only a President and a VicePresident, who combine with these offices the duties also of the different Professors. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Cox, of Oxford, was the first president. On his death, iu 1805, he was succeeded by the present president, the Rev. Dr. Charles Porter, of Oxford. The president is, by the statutes, Professor of Divinity; and, in the want of a regular Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Porter acts in that character. The Rev. Dr. William Cochran, of Trinity College, Dublin, was appointed first vice-president, and still holds that office: he is also Professor of Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic; and, in the absence of a regular professor, acts as Professor of the Moral Sciences and Metaphysics. Four Scholarships or Exhibitions, of 201. each, are founded by the statutes, to be held for four years; which are paid out of the above funds, as well as the salary of the steward and incidental expenses. A useful Library kas been attached to the College, by public subscription. The Governors deeming it essential to the prosperity of the College, that a preparatory institution should be esta blished, under their own immediate CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 228. superintendance, a Grammar School for forty boys was founded. A handsome building of stone, affording accommodation for the masters and boys, has been lately erected on the grounds belonging to the College, and imme diately contiguous to it. The salaries of the head and assistant masters, with incidental expenses, consume nearly the whole of the 4001. derived from the provincial legislature. The College at Windsor has justly been considered as the most legitimate source from which the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick might be furnish ed with Missionaries, who would unite to the other essential qualifications an intimate knowledge of the dispo sition and manners of the people, and a greater familiarity with the climate, the severity of which has frequently been found injurions to the constitution of Europeans. Influenced by these considerations, the Society for propagating the Gospel, have, from time to time, extended their liberality to the University and the Grammar School at Windsor. As the provinces have increased in wealth and population, the demand for resident clergymen has be come greater; and the encouragement offered for the education of young men for ordination, has induced several candidates to seek for the exhibitions. meet these growing demands, the Society have agreed to enlarge the num ber at both establishments to twelve, with a stipend of 301. per annum for seven years each. To Many young men have already been sent forth from this institution, who are now affording, in the exercise of their different professions in various parts of the British provinces, substantial evidence of the importance of sound edu cation. The number of such young men would have been much greater, if the funds would have allowed of an extension of the scale on which the College is conducted. In addition to the inadequate endowment of the College, it is matter of regret that the present building, which is of wood, is become almost uninhabitable; and the Governors have no funds at their disposal for the crection of another, which is become the more necessary, as other seminaries are rising in different parts of the province. In the Eastern District, a Presbyterian College has been established under Royal Charter; and, at Halifax, another Col4 Q lege, on the system of the Scottish Universities, is in forwardness. Were a new and commodious building erected, and additional Professorships and Scholarships established, the Col lege might become in truth, as the Charter expresses it, mother of a uni versity, not for Nova Scotia alone, but for the whole of British America and our West India Islands. VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. FOREIGN. CONFERENCES AT TROPPAU, &c. &c The congress at Troppau has continued to conduct its proceedings with the most impenetrable secresy. In the absence, however, of authentic communications, rumour and invention have been busily at work; but on none of the reports which have been spread can any confidence be placed. It would seem very probable, however, that Austria should strongly assert the expediency and duty of hostile movements against Naples, in case pacific measures should fail, with a view to counteract the effects of the late Revolution in that country, and, if not to bring it back exactly to its former state, at least to expunge some of the more democratical elements in its present constitution. But whether such be really the view of Austria or not, such are they reported to be; and it is added, that Russia and Prussia have concurred in them, being influenced, among other considerations, by a strong apprehension of the evil effects likely to result to their own subjects, and to all Europe, from the revolutionary spirit which has so widely gone abroad, and from the dangeraus examples of its successful evolution. The British and French govern ments are, on the other hand, reported to have objected to hostile measures, as both unjust and inexpedient. The views and purposes, however, thus imputed to the several cabinets, must be regarded rather as inferences from what is known of their general policy or inclination, than as statements founded on any actual knowledge of facts. Certainly no reasonable doubt can exist, that both France and Great Britain will feel it right to keep aloof from the anti-revolutionary crusade which may have been projected by Austria, or sanctioned by any other power. It can as little be doubted, that Austria must feel seriously alarmed by the late revolutions; and that both Russia and Prussia must at least be greatly dissatisfied with the mode of their occurrence. Still we are not disposed to forego the hope that the pending conferences may terminate peacefully. The case must be very strong indeed which can justify sovereigns who have solemnly bound themselves by treaty, in the face of Europe, to take the holy Scriptures for the rule of their conduct, in interfering by hostile menace, or acal aggres sion, to regulate or controi the internal policy of independent states. We, unquestionably, do not conceive the case which now occupies their deliberations to be one of this description; or that the allied powers, there fore, can, on any recognized principles, not merely of Christian obligation, but of public law, interpose in any other than a mediatory and pacife manner. NAPLES.-It is a somewhat singular spectacle, and one which, to the moral observer, will convey an edifying les son on the human character, that while Naples is summoning its utmost efforts to resist the aggressions of Austria, and urging the right of every státe to legislate for itself, she herself is holding Sicily in a condition little differing from that of military occu pation. The Junta at Palermo has ceased to act, the estates of the principal nobility are placed under sequestration, and General Coletta at present governs the city and the surrounding district by his sole authority, under the title of Lieutenant-General. PORTUGAL.-This country is proceeding with little interruption in her revolutionary career. General Silveira, who was placed at first at the head of the provisional government, having given the people of Oporto and the army great dissatisfaction by some part of his conduct, has been compelled to retire from public affairs; and another person, more in their confidence, has been appointed to succeed |