stead." So said Dr. Campbell, in his Address to the People of Scotland in 1779.

Such was the state of things in Scotland, "in ages of barbarity," when the inhabitants were divided into clans or tribes, like the savages of America. A law amongst these clans for the regulation of their conduct towards each other, was equivalent to what is now called a "law of nations," according to which each nation may vindicate its rights and its honor, by repelling injuries, or redressing wrongs. By the law before us, murder was the offence to be avenged by death; and the death of the murderer, or of one innocent person of the same clan in his stead, was sufficient to satisfy those barbarians.

Now behold the contrast! Since the nations of Europe have become civilized and christianized, their sentiments on national rights, national honor, and national justice, have become so refined, that a ruler may declare war against a whole nation for a less offence than the murder of a single subject. He may forbear all attempts to find the offender, and invade with an army any part of the offender's dominions, and spread havoc, misery, and death among a people, who never gave him the least ground for offence; and perhaps the slaughter of 20,000, or even 50,000 innocent people will not be sufficient to satiate his REFINED, CHRISTIANIZED spirit of revenge.

So wonderful are the advantages which have resulted from emerging from the ancient state of barbarism! Who would not

be shocked at the thought of having the nations of Christendom sink down from their present state of refinement, to such grovelling ideas of rights, of honor, and of justice, that no more than the death of one innocent person would be requisite to satiate the vengeance of a christian ruler, for the crime of murder, when committed by a person of another nation against one of his own subjects!

But to drop irony in so serious a cause: How abominable, how barbarous, how bloody, are the prevailing sentiments on national rights, honor, and justice! Had the maxims, by which the wars of christendom have been conducted, been framed by him who was a "murderer from the beginning," what more unjust, more unreasonable, or more repugnant to the spirit of the gospel, might have been expected? Have not many of the boasted refinements of civilized nations been of a nature to swell the amount of national injustice and human woe? O Christendom! Christendom! might Jesus say, "thou that killest" one another, "how often would I have gathered thy children as a hen gathers her chickens, under her wings; but ye would not." And what but incessant carnage and desolation is to be expected, while such horrid maxims are suffered to regulate the conduct of nations one towards another? Ought not these nations to cease to call themselves Christians, and to assume the name of Mahometans, or adopt maxims of conduct more conformable to the spirit and precepts of the gospel?

To the Editor of the (London) Times. SIR-I transmit you the copy of a letter, addressed by Sir Gore Ousely, the British ambassador to the court of Persia, to Lord Teignmouth, the President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and also a copy of the translation made by Sir Gore Ousely himself, of the original letter which was written to him by the Persian monarch.

I apprehend that the singular cir. cumstance of the Holy Scriptures, in the vernacular language of his country, being thus placed in the hands of an Eastern monarch, having (according to Pinkerton) a population of ten millions of subjects, professing the Mahometan superstition, together with the candor with which that monarch has received this present, and undertaken to make himself acquainted with its contents, cannot fail to make an impression on your readers and on the public at large.

I am, sir, yours, &c.

St. Petersburg, Sept. 20, 1814. My dear Lord-Finding that I am likely to be detained here some six or seven weeks, and apprehensive that my letters from Persia may not have reached your lordship, I conceive it my duty to acquaint you, for the information of the Society of Christians formed for the purpose of propagat ing the Sacred Writings, that agree ably to the wishes of our poor friend, the late Rev. Henry Martyn, I presented, in the name of the society, (as he particularly desired,) a copy of his translation of the New Testament into the Persian language, to his Persian majesty, Fateh Ali Shah Kajar, having first made conditions that his majesty was to peruse the whole, and fa vor me with his opinion of the style, &c.

Previous to delivering the book to the Shah, I employed transcribers to make some copies of it, which I distributed to Hajee Mahomed Hussein Khan, Prince of Maro, Muza Abdulwahab, and other men of learning and rank immediately about the person of the King, who, being chiefly converts to the Soof philosophy, would, I felt certain, give it a fair judgment, and if called upon by the Shah for their opinion, report of it according to its intrinsic merits.

The enclosed translation of a letter from his Persian majesty to me, will shew your lordship that he thinks the complete work a great acquisition, and that he approves of the simple style, adopted by my lamented friend, Martyn, and his able coadjutor Mirza Seyed Ali, so appropriate to the just and ready conception of the sublime morality of the Sacred Writings. Should the society express a wish to possess the original letter from the Shah, or a copy of it in Persian, I shall be most

happy to present either through your lordship.

I beg leave to add, that, if a correct copy of Mr. Martyn's translation has not yet been presented to the society, I shall have great pleasure in offering one that has been copied from, and collated with the original left with me by Mr. Martyn, on which he had bestowed the greatest pains to render it perfect.

I also promise to devote my leisure to the correction of the press, in the event of your thinking proper to have it printed in England, should my sovereign not have immediate occasion for my services out of England. I beg you to believe me, my dear Lord,

Your lordship's most sincere, and faithful humble servant,

GORE OUSELY.

Translation of his Persian majesty's letter, referred to in the preceding "In the name of the Almighty God, whose

glory is most excellent,"

"It is our august command, that the dignified and excellent, our trusty, faithful, and loyal well-wisher, Sir Gore Ousely, Bart. his Britannic majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary (after being honored and exalted with the expressions of our highest regard and consideration) should know, that the copy of the Gospel, which was translated into Persian by the learned exertions of the late Rev. Henry Martyn, and which has been presented to us by your excellency on the part of the high, dignified, learned, and enlightened Society of Christians, united for the purpose of spreading abroad the Holy Books of the Religion of Jesus (upon whom, and upon all prophets, be peace and blessings!) has

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reached us, and has proved highly acceptable to our august mind.

"In truth, through the learned and unremitted exertions of the Rev. Henry Martyn, it has been translated in a style most befitting Sacred Books, that is, in an easy and simple diction. Formerly the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were known in Persia; but now the whole of the New Testament is completed in a most excellent manner; and this circumstance has been an additional source of pleasure to our enlightened and august mind. Even the four Evangelists, which were known in this country, had never been before explained in so clear and luminous a manner. We, therefore, have been particularly delighted with this copious and complete translation. Please the most merciful God, we shall command the select servants, who are admitted to our presence, to read* to us the above mentioned book from the beginning to the end, that we may, in the most minute manner, hear and comprebend its contents.

"Your excellency will be pleased to rejoice the hearts of the above mentioned, dignified, learned and enlightened society, with assurances of our highest regard and approbation; and to inform those excellent individ

uals, who are so virtuously engaged in disseminating and making known the true meaning and intent of the. Holy Gospel, and other points in sacred books, that they are deservedly honored with our royal favor.-Your excellency must consider yourself as bound to fulfil this royal request. Given in Rebialavil, 1229. (Sealed)

FATEH ALI SHAH KAJAR."

ries.

In the state of Pennsylvania, west of the Alleghany mountains, there are

about 200,000 inhabitants, and only 101 presbyterian and congregational churches, 57 ministers, and two methodist circuits.

In Kentucky, among 400,000 nearly 500,000 people, there are about 90 presbyterian churches, and 40 ministers; a considerable number of methodist and baptist preachers. Universalism and infidelity are very prevalent.

Tennessee is in much the same condition.

The Missisippi Territory in a condition much worse. There are only 6 presbyterian churches, 4 ministers, and some itinerant preachers of the baptist and methodist denomination. The state of this society is deplorable. Scarcely a man rides without a pistol, or walks without a dagger.

Of

Of several other new states the reporters give no better account. our newly acquired territory the account, which they give, is dismal and affecting.

Report of the Directors of the Hampden Bible Society, made at the annual meeting of said Society, Aug. 1814.

The Directors of the Hampden Bible Society, respectfully Report, That they have in the whole, purchased of Messrs. Hudson & Goodwin, seven hundred and forty-four Bibles, at 62 cents, exclusive of the cost of transportation. They have also purchased of the Philadelphia Bible Society, five hundred copies of the Stereotype Bible in sheets, at 43 cents, exclusive of package and transportation, and have also purchased of Warriner & Bontecou, seventy-five Testaments, at 30 cents each. The Treasurer's account exhibited to the Society, shews

that he has received, since the last annual meeting, $509 18 cents, making, with the balance then in his hands, $809 014 cents and has paid out the sum of $735 87 cents, leaving a balance in his hands when this Report was made of $73 14.

As soon as the Bibles were obtained, the Directors, without loss of time, delivered to the care of the Committees in the several towns and parishes, and religious societies, Bibles and Testaments, in the first place to supply those that were wholly destitute, and as soon as it could be done, for the use of those who had subscribed for them.

[Here follows a detailed account of the distribution of the Bibles.]

Of the Bibles purchased of Messrs. Hudson & Goodwin, only twenty-four remain undisposed of in their hands.

The Directors have had no returns from the several town and society committees since they have received the books, and can therefore give no detailed account of the distribution.

Having distributed more than 700 Bibles, and 76 Testaments, they trust the most urgent wants of the inhabitants of the county are supplied; but they fear that in some sections of the county a sufficiently thorough and accurate investigation has not been made. The Directors feel the importance of continued exertions of the several society committees, that no destitute person shall remain in the county without the offer of a Bible. Doubtless cases will continually be found, if sufficient pains are taken, of persons who, without the aid of this society, would be deprived of this great blessing.

In some instances returns have not yet been received from the town committees, of the number of subscribers and their names. They hope returns of the subscribers, and of the distribution of the Bibles and Testaments, will be made without delay.

The Directors cannot refrain from offering their thanks to the Author of all good, that so much has already been done by the Society, and with them their fervent prayers that the exertions of the Society may not be

relaxed. Those who through the medium of this association, have furnished themselves and their families with the word of life, while they are careful to make a right improvement of this treasure, ought to remember those who are perishing for lack of vision, and those who have none to help them.

If the inhabitants of this county are well supplied, they ought to bless GoD for so distinguished a privilege; but if truly and sincerely grateful therefor, instead of relaxing they will increase their exertions, that others may receive that treasure which is above all price.

An account of the proceedings of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, extracted from the Appendix to Dr. Parish's Sermon, preached

at Boston Nov. 3, 1814.

Stockbridge Indians.

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THE Rev Mr. Sergeant has brought down his journal to July 1, 1814; from which it appears that his missionary services have been uninterrupted. With what success, a few extracts from it will show. Instances of individual comfort or improvement are worthy of notice. "August 1, 1813," after preaching to the Oneidas, Mr. S. "concluded the day by preaching a third sermon at a private house, where resided an old chief, called Skonando, blind with age; after which the old man, in a very affectionate manner, thanked both speaker and hearers for their kind attention to him in holding a meeting at his house; and observed that he had much pleasure and comfort in hearing the word of God."-"Sept 3. This day visited a Christian member of the church, who said to me, 'I am glad to see you. I hope I am ready to die, if it be God's will. I feel the work and labor of a Christian is a great thing; that all Christians ought to be engaged and faithful in their Master's work." A sick woman, of whom the Missionary says, 'I hope a Christian,' on be

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ing asked if she was ready and willing to go, if it were the Lord's will, answered, "If I know my own heart, if the Lord thinks I have finished my work, I look upon it beautiful to leave all and go to him; for in him is all my comfort and happiness for this life and the life to come Soon after, he observes, "Preached a funeral sermon on occasion of the death of the above mentioned Christian woman, who. I have good reason to believe, died in the faith." The journal records instances of a general nature, of a favorable reception and improvement of the instructions and counsels of the Missionary Having attended a funeral at a village of Oneidas, who "commonly called the Pagan party," live near the residence of his family, he observes: "It always appeared to me, the young people and part of the chiefs were always fond of hearing religious instruction. They sung a psalm in their own language, and all

behaved well". The use of ardent spirits is discountenanced with some success. A religious woman and member of the church had occasion to raise a barn. "Her carpenters were sober people. She determined not to have any spirituous liquors made use of on the occasion Some of her friends, fond of liquor, remonstrated." Her reply being discreetly decisive, "all opposition ceased; harmony ensued." At an Indian wedding, the Missionary gave an address on the duties and blessings of the marriage life. "The invitation according to custom among the principal families was public. The larger half of the tribe was collected; a handsome table, which would hold about 25 persons, was spread; a plentiful supply of provisions prepared, but no liquor. No disorder took place, but all behaved with becoming propriety, and dispersed after supper to their several homes." It is encouraging to remark, that this attempt for the expulsion of the worst enemy, is attended with the introduction of the best friend of man-the Bible.