opportunities. This may prove a useful hint to future missionaries. -- in which he enjoyed so much delight. He left Aldeen in a boat (called a Budgerow), accompanied In the month of March, 1808, by Mr. Brown, Mr. Corrie, and that great work for which myriads other friends, who, the next day, in ages yet to come, will gratefully were obliged to leave him to prose- remember and revere his namecute his voyage alone. The voyage the version of the New Testament occupied about five weeks, during into Hindoostanee, was completed. which he was diligently employed In reference to this work, he thus in studying the Oriental languages, wrote to a friend :- I have read translating part of the Acts into and corrected the manuscript copies Hindoostanee, and sometimes going of my Hindoostanee New Testaashore, conversing with Brahminsment so often, that my eyes ache. and Mahometans, distributing Tracts, and embracing every opportunity of endeavouring to make himself useful to the souls of men. On the 26th of November, he reached Dinapore, which for a considerable time was to be his permanent residence. Here his objects were to establish native Schoolsto prepare translations of the Scriptures and religious tracts; and to attain such readiness in speaking Hindoostanee, as might enable him to preach the Gospel in that language to the heathen. The commencement of Mr. Martyn's ministry among the Europeans at this place, was by no means encouraging; yet some there were, who afterwards became his joy, and will assuredly be his crown of rejoicing in the great day. Mr. M. in addition to his clerical duties as Chaplain, proceeded steadily in the study of the languages, among which was the Sanscrit, and in translating the parables, and parts of the Common Prayer. He was often engaged in painful disputes with his Moonshees and Pundits, who entertained strong prejudices against the truths of Christianity; in these disputes he found the necessity of watching over his temper, which was naturally irritable; and he observes- If any qualification is necessary for a Missionary in India, it is wisdom, operating in the regulation of his temper, and in the improvement of The heat is terrible, often at 98°, the night insupportable !' Mr. Martyn now applied with great assiduity, and with the help of Sabat, (an able man, who unhappily became an apostate from Christianity) to the translation of the New Testament into the Persian language. Early in the year 1809, he was removed from his station at Dinapore to Cawnpore*. This arrangement was, in many respects, unpleasant to him; he had new acquaintances to form, and the same difficulties as at Dinapore to procure a suitable place of worship. Here we find him, at one time, preaching to a 1000 soldiers; drawn up in a hollow square, when the heat was so great, although the sun had not risen, that many actually dropped down, unable to support it. The close of this year was distinguished by the commencement of his public labours among the heathen; they were chiefly mendicants. To the temporal and spiritual necessities of these wretched beings, Mr. M. continued to minister whilst his health permitted. But in the midst of his numerous exertions, an attack of a severer pain in *Cawnpore is situated on the West side of the Ganges, in the upper part of that vast plain which extends from the Bay of Bengal to the Northern mountains approaching Tibet. It is 49 miles S. W. of Lucknow. Here are barracks for a brigade of the Company's troops. the chest than he had ever before experienced, convinced him of the necessity of some quiet and remission. Whilst deliberating on this point, Mr. Corrie, then on his journey to Agra, providentially called, and undertook part of the duty. Yet such was the sinking state of his health, that a removal from this station, or a sea voyage, became a matter of urgent necessity. The adoption of the latter expedient, he at one time reluctantly determined upon, but other scenes were appointed for him by the Holy Providence of God. His help was wanted for a necessary improvement of the Persian Version of the New Testament, and he magnanimously resolved to go into Arabia and Persia, to effect this, as well as to finish the Arabic version.* On the 1st of October, he departed from Cawnpore, and sailing down the Ganges, he reached Aldeen, the residence of Mr. Brown, on the last day of the month. Restored after an absence of four years, to an intercourse with his friends, who on beholding his pallid countenance, and enfeebled frame, knew not whether most to mourn or to rejoice, Mr. M. partook largely of that pure and refined happiness, When Mr. Brown was informed of Mr. Martyn's purpose, he thus wrote to him: But can I then bring myself to cut the string and let you go? 1 confess I could not, if your bodily frame was strong, and promised to last for half a century. But as you burn with the intenseness and rapid blaze of heated phos phorus, why should we not make the most of you? Your flame may last as long, and perhaps longer in Arabia than in India. Where should the phoenix build her odoriferous nest but in the land prophetically called the blessed;' and where shall we ever expect, but from that country, the true Comforter to come to the nations of the East? I contemplate your New Testament springing up, as it were, from dust and ashes, but beautiful as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers jika yellow gold.' which is peculiar to one of his vivid feelings, and heavenly affections, in that Society where the name of the Redeemer is as ointment poured forth. Here we must for the present, leave this admirable man; intending, in our next Number, to follow him to Arabia and Persia, and trace his steps until he took leave of our world, and entered into the joy of his Lord. JANUARY REFLECTIONS. Ir seems to be scarcely possible for a serious person to enter upon a new year without some pious reflections; and the very name of the month, on which we have just entered, may suggest some leading thoughts adapted to the occasion. Among the ancients the New Year generally commenced in March; but Numa Pompilius began the year with January, which was so called from Janus, one of the Roman deities, whose image had two faces; and this title was deemed suitable, because on the first day of this month, we look back on the year which is closed, and forward to the year which is to come: but some derive the name Januarius from Janua, a gate, this month being, as it were, the gate of the year: indeed Janus was represented with a sceptre in one hand, and a key in the other, as if he possessed the power of opening future scenes to view. On the first day of January they presented to this idol the offering of a cake made with new meal and new salt, with new frankincense and new wine. On this day all animosities were suspended, and friends presented and received New Year's Gifts. On this day a beginning was made of every intended work, and the Consuls entered upon their offices, who, with the Flamens, of fered sacrifices and prayers for the prosperity of the state. On this day too, the Romans abounded in their diversions, and too often indulged in excess and drunkenness. And, did the poor ignorant Heathen thus notice the lapse of time? Did they thus consecrate the new year to their idol, implore his assistance, and commence their operations anew? and shall not Christians, who better know the value of time, as connected with eternity, look back on the year that is past with mingled sentiments of regret and gratitude, and look forward with humble hope and cheerful zeal, renewing their Christian course, and dedicating anew themselves, their time, their talents, their all, to their great Redeemer. When we speak of a year that is passed, we seem to think but a small portion of time has elapsed; but let it be subdivided into its parts, and it will not appear so inconsiderable; for it contained 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,765 hours, 525,949 minutes, 31,526,940 seconds; and, of all this vast number, may we not say, How few were employed to the best and highest purposes of our existence! And when we reflect on many years past of our lives, how great a proportion appears to have been lost! The first 10 years or more are usually spent in childish vanity; the second 10 too often in youthful frolic and frivolity; the next 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, amidst the cares, in cumbrances and perplexities of life; and the remainder, if any, is generally labour and sorrow; so that the old man may say with the patriarch, Few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage!' When we deduct from a year, the hours and days necessarily employed in our lawful callings, in taking our food and sleep, what a poor account will generally be given of the rest of our time! Of how little avail is the greater part of our reading! How little that was rational or spiritual can be recollected in our conversation withour friends; and, in many cases, what an undue proportion of time has been consumed in Dress! Supposing one hour only in the day be so employed, (and many females especially, devote two hours or more daily to it,) the sum will be onetwelfth of the disposable hours of every day; one day in twelve, one month of every year! This indeed is killing time;' and, 'If trifling kills, sure vice must butcher.' O the many murdered hours in every year, the ghosts of which rise up to upbraid us! But we turn from the disgustful theme, to one more pleasant. An old, plain, but pious writer says at the close of the day 'Minutes and mercies multiplied Have made up all this day: Who then can enumerate the mercies of a whole year? Let every one look back, and try to make the review. He cannot remember all God's benefits, but let him not forget them all. Some special deliverances or bestowments may perhaps be recollected; and oh! what a multitude of every-day comforts may be called to mind:-it may be, 365 good nights' rest; more than 1000 wholesome and comfortable meals. For us guilty and unworthy sinners, how many innocent animals have yielded up their lives; the field and the garden have produced their crops; and the pleasing beverage of the afternoon has been fetched from the East and West, for our refreshment! But greater blessings, spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, demand our warmer praises and louder songs. Survey the wondrous cure, And at each step let higher wonder rise.' Favoured every Sabbath, and on many other days, with the word of grace, and the ordinances of God's house; for us the servants of Christ have studied and laboured; the holy book of life was daily in our hands s; the throne of grace was all the year open for access; our prayers have often been answered, and our wishes exceeded; hitherto the Lord hath helped us, and still we are kept by the power of God through faith. What shall we render to the Lord for all his benefits? And this question may direct our eyes to the future. We know not indeed what a day, much less a year, may bring forth. We will not, therefore, presumptuously say, 'We will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain.' This is the language of the atheistical worldling; the Christian will say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.' The hand that writes this page, and the eye that reads it, may, ere the close of the year, write and read no more. But God has graciously denied us the faculty of foresight. To-morrow, Lord, is thine, It shines at thy command.' Events are the Lord's; but duty is ours. Secret things belong unto God; but things revealed, to us and our children. The path is plainly marked; let us pursue it. Let us hereafter walk circumspectly-not as fools-but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.' To retrieve the time already lost is indeed impossible; but let us, like prudent tradesmen, who deligently seize the proper opportunities for buying and selling to the best advantage, improve all the privileges we possess, that so we may grow in grace, that we may be useful in life, and that we may be prepared for death and glory. In short, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for the night cometh when no man can work. Personal religion claims our first regard, not in rank or importance only, but in. order also, for if we are destitute of vital godliness, neither the duties of civil life, nor those of Christian benevolence, can be properly performed. These next demand our warm attention. God has placed us in Society, and the relative duties of husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, governors and subjects, are to be performed according to the rules, and in the spirit of the gospel. Connected with these are the calls of Christian Benevolence. These are 'the order of the day. Never was there a time in which believers were more distinctly required to be up and doing,' than the present; never were such facilities or encouragements afforded as in the present day. Let us apply ourselves to these with vigour, imitating the example of our Lord, whose zeal for his Father's house consumed him; and let us act with promptitude; life is uncertain and the grave allows of no exertions! let us work then while it is day, and may the current year may be more holy, more happy, and more useful then the past. No. XII. MENTOR. 1 verting effects on the learned and the respectable also. The hearers, or rather the judges of the Apostle's address, are divided by the sacred historian into three classes. When they heard of the resurrection from the dead, some (the first class) mocked,' jeered at the notion : others (the second class) were not quite so rude; nor had they made up their minds to an absolute mockery at once hearing: we will hear thee again on this subject.' The third class consisted of certain men who believed, respectable men too-the same as the Christian orator had addressed by the title of 'Ye men of Athens,' in the opening of his speech; and among these was particularly noticed, 'Dionysius, the Areopagite, (also the woman Damaris) and certain others with them, who being of an inferior rank in life, are not distinguished. On the whole then, this labour of the Apostle was well rewarded: the number of the certain men,' we cannot tell; but they, with the 'certain others also,' undoubtedly formed no inconsiderable company. But our present design leads us not so much to consider the number of converts, as the quality of some of them; Dionysius, the Areopagite, and the woman Damaris. The judges of the Areopagus were among the most considerable and the most respectable inhabitants of Athens. They were originally selested on account of their integrity and knowledge; and especially on account of their knowledge in sacred things. We are therefore to conceive of Dionysius, as fully instructed in the whole history of Minerva, well acquainted with her worship in all its parts, perfectly aware of the recondite meaning of the Emblem; and in short, thoroughly initiated, if not also, himself, an explainer of the mysteries of the goddess, and jealous for her honour, as in duty bound. But the arguments employed by Paul affected the mind of the considerate and philosophic Dionysius; and we may contemplate him as going along with them, while they dropped from the speaker's lips. 'The Deity dwelleth not in temples made with hands'-very true; Deity cannot be confined to place. Images cannot represent intellect, not even human intellect'-very true; how then should an image represent the emanation of divine wisdom? No ray of intellectual light ever beamed from an image : no spark of celestial fire ever flashed from an image: we dress and we attend the image of our goddess, we adorn it, we venerate it, we form pompous processions in its honour; but it neither hears nor sees these services, nor comprehends a single prayer or act of homage. This goddess of wisdom is equally wise, whether we worship her, or forbear to worship and her statue is equally unconscious, whether our sacrifices be many or few.' We know that similar reasonings have influenced the minds of the learned in all ages; and do now influence the minds of thousands, and tens of thousands, in the headquarters of idolatry, (India), where the disposition to forsake Idols is widely spreading. If Damaris be particularized as a female convert because she had been eminent as a devotee of Minerva-(it is clear she was eminent for something)-that circumstance would strengthen our conviction of the propriety of the Apostle's address to the intelligent, the learned, and the respectable people of Athens. Here observe also, the advantage enjoyed by the speaker in having been educated at a Greek university. Could Gamaliel, his master in Jewish learning, have delivered his speech? Certainly not: he might have harangued on the |