The following interesting letter from the Rev. Dr. Carey to a friend in Philadelphia, was received by one of the latest arrivals from Calcutta. DR. CAREY'S LETTER. MY DEAR SIR, Is the name of the Mission here, I write to acknowledge our obligations to you for the unremitted attention to the cause of our Lord in this country, which you have shewn, and at the Languages. 1 Sangskrit 2 Bengallee 3 Orissa same time to acknowledge the receipt of dollars brought out by Capt. Griffin of the The religious public in America having so generously contributed to the translation and printing of the Bible in the Oriental Languages, we consider it as our duty to give them all possible information of the present state, and future gradual progress of the work; and I do therefore hereby inform them through you of the present state of the work: Translated. * Printed. The whole N. T. & to 1 Kgs. c. viii. The N. T. Pent. Josh. N. T. & Ο. T. except the Pent. 4 Hindoosthannee N. T. Pent. Historical books The whole Bible is translated and printed in the Malay language. This was done several years ago by the Dutch government, at Batavia. The whole Bible is translated and printed in the Tamul language, or that spoken on the east coast of the Peninsula, from Madras to Cape Comorin. We are about to print a new and large edition of this version, at the expense of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Soci. ety. The New Testament is translated into Cingalese, or the language of Ceylon, and the Old Testament is in a course of translation on the Island. We are about also to print a large edition of the New Testament in this language at the expense of the same society. N. B. There are 380,000 pro fessed Christians on that Island, and at present not more than thirty copies of the New Testament to be found among them all. The whole BiD. N. T, [third Ed. N. Test. Hagiography, [Prophets, Joshua. N. T. 2d ed. of the Gos. [pels. Gen. begun, N. T. Genesis. N. T. in the press. N. T. in the presș. N. T. just commencing. Matt. and Mark. Not begun--types cast. Matt. begun, but relin[quished for the present. Not begun. The Gospels, and I believe the whole New Testament have been lately translated into the Malayalam language, or that spoken on the western side of the Peninsula, by the Bishop of the Syrian churches there. We are about to print an edition of this version also, at the expense of the same society. There are still several languages in the East into which no translation is yet begun, viz. The language of Cabul; that of Thibet; the languages of Tartary, the Arrakan, Siam, and Cambodian languages, together with • I am at Calcutta, and our accounts at Serampore, I cannot therefore specify the number of dollars; I only recollect that we received a large sum, I think $2000, and afterwards a small sum, which I believe was that brought by Capt. Griffin, I however well recollect that they exactly agreed with your account which accompanied them, those spoken by different small nations of mountaineers, north and east of India. Also a number of languages spoken in the Islands, as the Javan, Macassar, Batta, Buggeso, and sever. al others unknown to me. The cause of our Redeemer pros. pers in India, and I trust will go on to prosper. There are five churches in Bengal, two in Hindoosthan, one in Orissa, and one in the Birman Empire. We have it in contemplation to send missions to Java and Amboyna, and, should the Lord prosper us, eventually to other places. Among the works in the press at Serampore, I ought to have mention. ed a version in the Arabico-Hindoosthannee, by the Rev. Mr. Martyn; a Persian version of the New Testament by the Rev. Mr. Sebastiani, a Catholic; and an Arabic one, not yet put to press, by Mr. Nathaneal Sabat. Thus I have given you a short account of the works which we are carrying on, and of those carrying on by others; also a short and very images. It will always be found that the perfect account of what still remains to be done in the way of translating the word of God. It must, however, not be supposed that I have given a complete account of all that remains to be done. The languages spoken through all the Islands of the Indian Ocean, and the Chinese seas, must be very numerous, and many of them have scarcely been noticed by Europeans. These islands are, however, full of inhabitants, and many of them are in the most dreadful state of barbarism. In Sumatra, one nation, if not more, are cannibals, and exceed all that has ever been heard of cannibals. We have a lad now in our free school at Calcutt, who was saved from being devoured by a gentleman, captain of a ship in the Eastern trade, who gave me the acoount, which is as follows. He was on the east side of Sumatra, when having occasion one day to go ashore, his attention was particularly arrested by three boys in a sort of enclosure. On inquiring of a Malay what these boys were intended for, he told him they had been stolen from a neighboring Island, that they would be fattened, and then sold to the Battas, (a nation residing on the island) for food. He inquired the price of the boys, and was told 150 dollars, which he immediately paid, and thus saved them from that destruction. I suppose the greatest enemies to missions will scarcely think it wrong to send the Gospel to a country like this. The distress of nations is great, and political confusion prevails all over the earth, but I trust the Lord is carrying forward his great work through. out the earth, and that his cause will triumpb, and eventually accomplish all that which has so long been expected in vain from political chan. depravity of human nature is the root of all human evils, and that the effect. ual prevalence of the Gospel of our Redeemer in the hearts of men is the only true remedy for it. Give my love to our good friend Capt. Wickes; and to Mr. Mayhew, I delayed writing because of the great uncertainty of this ship's sailing, and must now make short work of my correspondence, as I find she will sail immediately. I am very affectionately yours, Calcutta, Oct. 4, 1811. MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY. At the third annual meeting of The Bible Society of Massachusetts, 4th June, the following Officers were elected: His Honor WILLIAM PHILLIPS, President; Rev. JOHN LATHROP, D. D. Vice-President; Rev. JOSEPH S. BUCKMINSTER, Corresponding Secretary; Rev. JOHN PIERCE, Recording Secretary; Mr. JOHN TAPPAN, Treasurer; Mr. JOHN GREW, Assistant Treasurer. Rev. John Elliot, D. D. Rev. James Wright, Esq. Hon, William Brown, SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL. At the late annual meeting of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, the following officers were elected. His Honor WILLIAM PHILLIPS, Esq. Prendent; Rev. JOHN LATHROP, D. D. Vice-President; Rev. ABIEL HOLMES, D. D. Secretary; Rev. WIL- DONATIONS TO FOREIGN MISSIONS. May 26. From an anonymous friend of missions in Steuben County, (N.Y.) who states that he was formerly an idolater, supremely devoted to mammon From Mr. Nathaniel Wales, by the hands of the Rev. Jonathan Strong of Randolph By the hands of the Rev. Reuben Emerson of Reading, from five young persons in his Society By the hands of the Rev. Richard S. Storrs of Braintree, a contribution in his parish A quarterly contribution by a Society of females in his parish From the Merrimac Branch of the Foreign Missionary Society, transmitted by Mr. Richard Bartlet, the Treasurer From three individuals by the Rev. Dr. Austin, the Rev. John Cleaveland, and the Hon. Ammi R. Mit chell, Esq. From tour females in the state of New York, by the hands of Mr. Samuel Parker, (towards the translations) 27. From individuals in Westborough, by the hands of the Rev. E. Rockwood 28. From a lady in Boston, by the hands of the Rev. From several females, friends to missions, by the hands of Mr. Cogswell From Gen. Huntington of New London, (towards the translations.) May 29-Jane 10. By the hands of the Rev. Dr. Morse, viz. late Rev. Mr. Sparhawk Carried forward $5 00 15 25 820 25 $274 70 • This sum was inclosed in the following note to the Rev. Dr. Morse. Sir, Observing that you are one of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and highly approving the object in view, of complying with the manifest indications of Providence, in sending the blessed Gospel to the dark corners of the earth, 1. take the liberty of enclosing five dollars, out of my small annual income, to be applied in aid of the above prous and benevolent design. Respectfully and affectionately yours, A Friend to Missions." you Brought forward From individuals in New Bedford, transmitted by Rev. Sylvester Holmes From individuals in Stockbridge, a contribution, transmitted by the Rev. Dr. West.t From the students of Lenox Academy June 4. From the Foreign Missionary Society of Brunswick and Topsham, by the hands of the Hon. Benjamin J. Porter, the Treasurer From individuals in West Stockbridge transmitted by the Rev. Alvan Hyde of Lee 5. From the Rev. Jonathan Osgood, of Gardner, by the hands of the Hon. William Phillips, Esq. 11. From the Foreign Mission Society of North Yarmouth and the Vicinity, by the hands of the Hon. Ammi R. Mitchell, Esq. the Treasurer June 11. Monies received by Mr. Ezekiel Rich; viz. From Ruth Wilder, Hingham From Eleazer Peaks and his son, Scituate From the widow Hannah Cushing do. From a friend to missions From several individuals From several persons in Hanover From Mr. Levi Wild of Braintree do. do. 16. From individuals in the Rev, Daniel A. Clark's Society in Weymouth 18. Transmitted by Mr. Chester Dewey, Tutor in Williams' College (part of which being the avails of Dr. Woods's Missionary Sermon) 20. From Mr. David Fisher (towards the translations) 24. From the "Essay to do good Society," in Kingston From the Female Charitable Society in Sheffield, by the hands of Mr. Jonathan Lee From the Female Cent Society in Somers, (Conn.) by the same hands $20 25 $274 70 Monies received by Mr. John Frost, on his journey; viz. of the Rev. Dr. Austin From subscribers to the Foreign Missionary Society 12 00 183 67 15 00-230 92 100 50 11 00 10 00 122 00 5 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 7 20 10 07-52 27 20 00 7 50 5 00 5 10 9 57 $56 42 15 57-71 99. $6 00 From the Female Foreign Mission Society of New London and the Vicinity, transmitted by Mrs. Charlotte Wolcott, the Treasurer 27. From the Foreign Mission Society of New London and the Vicinity, transmitted by Charles Lothrop, Esq. the Treasurer † This sum, added to $66,33 published in the March Panoplist, makes $250. We have heretofore published $21, as received from this place. 146 00 194 00 $1,379 15 1 FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETIES. THE following gentlemen were elected officers of the Foreign Mission Soci ety of Brunswick and Topsham, Feb. 26, 1812. The Rev. JESSE APPLETON, D D. President. JOHN PERRY, Esq. Secretary. Hon. BENJAMIN J. PORTER, Esq. Treasurer. The officers of the Foreign Mission Society of IIallowell, Augusta, and the Vicinity, elected Feb. 26, 1812, are The Rev. ELIPHALET GILLET, President. Rev. BENJAMIN TAPPAN, Vice President. Gen. HENRY SEWALL, Secretary. JOHN SEWALL, Esq. Treasurer. The annual subscription of this Society is about $150. The Foreign Mission Society of New London and the Vicinity was formed on the 14th of April, when the following gentlemen were chosen officers: Gen. JEDIDIAH HUNTINGTON, President. GUY RICHARDS, Esq 2d Vice President. Mr. STEPHEN PECK, Secretary. CHARLES LATHROP, Esq. Treasurer. The following gentlemen are chosen officers of Norwich and the Vicinity. of the Foreign Mission Society The Rev. JOSEPH STRONG, D.D. President. ZACHARIAH HUNTINGTON, Esq. Vice Presidents: the bulwark of the Religion we profess:-And whereas by this awful and alarming change in our circum stances the People of this Commonwealth are in a peculiar manner ex posed to personal suffering, and the loss of a great proportion of their substance:-It becomes us, in imitation of our fathers, in their times of perplexity and danger, with deep repentance to humble ourselves before Him for our sins, and the ungrateful returns we have made to Him for His mercies:-To ascribe righteousness to our Maker, when He threatens us with the most severe of all tem. poral calamities, and to beseech Him to avert the tokens of his anger, and remember for us His former loving kindness and tender mercy. I do therefore by and with the ad. |