the place, the promise, and the blessing. As several Idolaters were present, I embraced the opportunity of showing in a variety of ways the difference between the temple of the true and living God, which was then being opened for divine service, and the temples of heathen deities; the dif. ference in the place, worship, scenes, &c.; that here the sacred services of God were from time to time performed with holy reverence and spiritual delight; and that here the faithful believers in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would assemble to pre sent their most ardent thanks for those in estimable blessings they are made to enjoy; here the sincere and anxious inquirer would come to be directed in the way to everlasting bliss; and here, too, unbelievers would be faithfully warned to "flee from the wrath to come. An idolatrous temple, on the contrary, was not unfrequently a place of the most diabolical resort, where the worst pas sions of human nature were specially excited and gratified. Worship. Here the praises of God were celebrated with corresponding feelings of deep devotion; here prayers and supplications were addressed to the throne of God; here his ordinances were duly and reverentially performed, his Word proclaimed, its encouragements, threaten ings, instructions, &c., all made known in truth and faithfulness. But what was the nature of the worship performed in an idol temple? There the vilest songs were sung in praise of the vilest gods, celebrating the curse of Bramha, for defiling his own daughter; of Seeb, for committing adultery with the Rushees wives, and his consequent curse; Bishnu's Maya; Sita's elopement, and Rama's consequent distress; the vile and incestuous sports of Krushnu; Jugger. nath's fornication with his sister; the monkey god carrying huge mountains on his tail, &c. There, too, were the dancing of prostitutes, the most obscene gestures, sacrifices, and various bloody rites, &c. After enlarging on the second head, showed also the difference in the presence of the Gods. Here God, as a spiritual being, was present, though invisible, and as really beholding all our ways, and hearing our words, as if we could look upon him as a visible and intelligent spectator; he also was acquainted with the thoughts of our hearts, and knew every motion, every hidden passion and feeling,Psalm xciv. 9, 10. The heathen had their gods in their temples, some of brass, some of stone, others of wood, or iron, or silver, or gold, or other material; with eyes, but saw not, &c. The blessing. Here God, through Christ, dispenses such blessings as sinners most need-pardon, peace, consolation, direction, comfort, hope of heaven, &c.; but all the blessings Idolaters expected, or even sought, related only to this life-riches, children, houses, &c., as their own books declare, "Man meditating on pleasure, worships various gods." In the afternoon the ordinance of the Lord's-supper was administered. Pooroosootum commenced the opportunity by a short, but excellent address on 1 Cor. iii. 17, "The temple of the Lord is holy, which temple ye are." He first made some remarks on the temple of God at Jerusalem, and then referred the subject to the Christian Church. After him brother Wilkinson delivered a short address in English. I then spoke a little in Oriya, on the nature of the ordinance, and proceeded to administer it. Several natives passing by, stopped to behold our order. O that what they heard and witnessed may prove to them an ever.. lasting blessing. In the evening brother Wilkinson preached in English. The congregation was not so large as I had hoped it would have been; but the officers of the corps stationed here, with one or two exceptions, prefer the sports of the field to the ordinances of Jehovah's sanctuary. His sermon, founded on Job xxii. 21, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace," was a very good one, and calculated to impress the mind, and to lead his hearers to seek that religion which alone can inspire with peace and joy. The opening of a new and commodious place of worship in any place, is indeed an interesting and important event; but it is especially so amongst an idolatrous people, where the few who have been brought to Christ may receive regularly divine instruction, and where heathen passing by may be brought to hear the sound of the Gospel, and we trust some of them to embrace it in the love of it. THE RAM-LEELA POOJAH OF THE HINDOOS. There is a very striking feature attendant upon the above Poojah, or religious ceremony, which is well-deserving of a remark. The festival in question takes place annually, during the October "plonilunium," and lasts for four days. Ram-Leela is represented as a hideous giantess, and the huge effigy is capable of being removed from one place to another by means of wheels. Some thousands of Hindoos, of both sexes, are always present on this occasion, who parade around the idol in masks, assuming the likenesses of monkeys, adjutants, and other animals. The hunuman, or black-faced monkey of India, was, according to Hindoo tradition, chiefly instrumental in causing the defeat of Ram-Leela, by their coming out of the woods in vast numbers, and lending their assistance to the Hindoos in fighting against their for midable foe; and this monkey was thence. forth enumerated among their divinities, whilst the adjutant stork is supposed to contain the departed souls of Brahmins, and, even up to this day, a fine of one gold mohur is imposed by the local Government of Calcutta, upon every person who shall wantonly and designedly destroy one of the above birds. But the most remarkable features attendant upon this ceremony are two youths of very tender age, and of comely aspect, who, during the whole time the Poojah is on, are seated on a throne immediately opposite the idol. These lads are pledged as victims to the rapacity of the giant fury, and are surrendered up by their parents to the Brahmins for that purpose, with a full assurance that so precious a sacrifice will propitiate the gods in their behalf, and absolve them from all their crimes. The victims are attired in the most gaudy apparel, and are fed upon the choicest viands; they are equipped at the same time each with a bow and arrow, which latter, towards the conclusion of the tomasha, are discharged at the idol, when it is blown up on the spot by gunpowder, and thus the festival terminates. But it is a fact known to a very few only, that the youths who represent the victims to the idol, never outlive the year in which the Poojah has taken place. A very active and persevering magistrate in the Zillah of Midnapore, a short time since instituted a strict inquiry into this matter, and he discovered to his great surprise, that for nine successive years not one of the children engaged in this idolatrous service had survived the year in which they were severally devoted, which left no doubt upon his mind but that they had been destroyed by the infatuated Brahmins by poison, or some other murderous means, and he was further informed that such was really the case. The barbarous cruelties self-wrought upon the Hindoos at the Churruk-Poojah, at which they suffer themselves to be suspended by large iron hooks passing through the flesh of their backs, and submit to have their tongues riven through with skewers, are truly appalling; but in the latter instance it is voluntary on the part of the sufferers, whilst in the former case the practice is murderous and untenable. J. P. SALE OF SERAMPORE. Recent intelligence from India contains the following reference to the town of Serampore, so justly famed as the principal station of the Baptist Mission in India, and now sacred by the sleeping dust of Carey, Marshman, and Ward. "The government of Denmark is about to dispose of its East India settlements, which it is expected will fall into the hands of the East India Company. They consist of Serampore, in Bengal; and Tranquebar, in the Southern Carnatic; and are small and unimportant colonies, the management of which has latterly been very unprofitable and troublesome to the Danish crown." The thoughtful christian will be reminded of the special providence of God in reference to Serampore, forming, in 1799, a refuge and a Goshen to Messrs Carey, Thomas, Forman, Marshman, Ward, Grant, and Marden, in that eventful period of the Baptist Mission. This town, and its little territory, with a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, and distant from Calcutta only fourteen miles, has been preserved to the friendly continental power of Denmark for great service to the cause of Christ in India. The language of the prophet may be applied to these events. "Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler; for the extortioner is at an end. The spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land."-Isaiah xvi. 4. Yes! imperial Britain may now possess Serampore and Tranquebar-now, like the restored Nebuchadnezzar, she knows" God doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." Thus may the destiny of Britain be favourable to the universal reign of the Prince of Peace. J. P. ABORIGINES OF CEYLON. Extract of a letter, Aug. 3, 1841:--"I have lately been employed by government in trying to civilize and settle the wild men who live in the Rocks of the Bintoune Forests, and have been very successful, living many days with them, and making them good friends. I hope to reclaim them all soon. Poor wretches! they were really wild; could not count three-knew nothing of days or years; had no gods or worship, or ceremony. Many have embraced Christianity, and they are fast improving in every thing." MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. STEVENSON, OF LOUGHBOROUGH. (Concluded from page 7.) THE idea of losing so affectionate and able a minister, could not but be painful to his Church. Perpetual inquiries were made after the state of his health, and unceasing prayer offered for his recovery. His decease was anticipated by many as a personal loss to themselves and their families. The disease of which he died began to assume an alarming form in the October or November of 1840. It gradually increased till the beginning of 1841. His son Frederic, who is possessed of bright mental powers, and considerable medical skill, watched over him with tender assiduity; and when necessary sought the advice of the most eminent physicians. In January and February he rallied very hopefully, and began to preach again, as hinted above; but in the month of May the malady acquired fresh strength, and exhibited more fearful symptoms. His pains were great; but he was favoured with a large measure of true christian resignation, and sweet tranquillity of mind. While he spoke with confidence as to his prospects of future blessedness, he was careful to observe that his hopes were founded on mercy through the atonement. "I regard myself," said he, "as a sinner who deserves condemnation; but as a believer I trust I am pardoned through the blood of the Lamb." The writer addressing him in his last moments said, God, my brother, is the strength of your heart." "Yes," said he with a smile, "and my portion for ever." About three weeks before his decease he spoke to his son, the Rev. J. Stevenson, of his assurance of future blessedness, and his anticipated delight in the recognition of old friends in the heavenly world, with a clearness of statement, a glow and richness of description, not surpassed by him in the period of highest health and vigour; nor does it appear that, seasons of delirium excepted, he was ever deprived of this happy state of mind. His summons came on Saturday morning, July 10th, 1841, when his emancipated spirit left its clay tenement, and became an inhabitant of that world the glories of which he had thus anticipated, and which he had so often rapturously described to large and attentive congregations. An impressive oration was delivered at his grave by his friend the Rev. VOL. 4.-N. S. F A. Smith, of Quorndon. His funeral discourse was preached by his excellent brother the Rev. W. Pickering, from these words, "And Enoch walked with God." On both occasions the attendance was very large; and on the latter hundreds went away in consequence of not being able to come within the sound of the venerable preacher's voice. Thousands of tears were shed by his affectionate family, by the members of his Church, and by friends from a distance; and it was the universal impression, that " a stand. ard bearer had fallen in Israel." May all who zealously worked with him, and fought with him against the powers of darkness, remember the many solemn and affectionate exhortations he delivered to them, and consider him as even now animating them to pursue their christian course. After having cordially united with him in the execution of many plans of benevolence and piety, may it be their happiness at last to unite with him in casting their crowns at the feet of Immanuel. His departure must be considered as a great loss to his family, his Church, the Academy, and the Denomination at large. A brief notice of his disposition, his habits, his intellectual character, and of the manner in which he sustained the several relations of life, must conclude this memoir. His disposition was generous and benevolent. His heart was naturally affectionate; and his enlarged views of the love of God were such as tended through grace to expand his affections, and render him truly philanthropic. The members of his Church are aware that he was always framing some plan for usefulness, and restless until it was carried into execution. "He was a lover of hospitality." His house, as well as his heart, was open for the reception of friends from all the neighbouring Churches; and the students whom he had instructed always met in subsequent years with a cordial welcome beneath his roof. But his philanthropy was chiefly directed to the souls of men. He was ready to seize every opportunity of doing good to them. Though exceedingly desirous to have public opinion in his favour, and sensitive to the power of ridicule, the ardour of his desire to seek the salvation of his fellow creatures often induced him to brave its contempt, to be "instant in season and out of season," to preach in the open air or in private houses, and to expose himself to the imputation of being a ranter, a revivalist, an enthusiast, or any strange character, so that he might but be instrumental in saving deathless souls. He was eminently laborious. His thirst for knowledge continuing unquenchable, stimulated him to intense application in his study. His time was divided into separate portions, and each portion was regularly employed in the business or study assigned to it in his digest. He was diligent in pastoral visitation; he preached with all his might; and his method of tuition was one which imposed great labour and toil on himself. His mind was not distinguished by that stern logical power which takes hold of weighty truths and places them with apparent ease in a commanding position, as if to defy the cavils of infidelity, and the sophisms of a vitiated heart neither was it fertile in those figures which are drawn from the loveliness or solemn grandeur of external objects. It was acute rather than profound, and refined rather than robust. But he was a long way above mediocrity; and it is to be deplored that he did not keep a diary, as he would have penned many hints worthy of attention in the pursuit of knowledge, and well deserving to be hoarded up in the memory. He had a keen perception of the useful, both in speculation, and in schemes of action, a delicacy of taste, and a very large share of that practical good sense which not only points its possessor to the right mode of operation, but secures the concurrence and co-operation of others. His oratory in the middle of life was of a superior order. His thoughts followed each other in quick succession, and caught the fire of his passions as they issued from his mouth. His manner, though very remote from ranting, was exceedingly animated. His range of thought in amplifying a subject was very extensive; and it was obviously his determination that the feelings of his audience should not decline. He was generally successful in his own pulpit, and in the small towns and villages around, though he seldom appeared to great advantage on public occasions. His fort lay in the power with which he carried home to the heart and conscience the practical principles of Scripture. He was more concerned to speak "with the wisdom and spirit of Stephen," who "cut his adversaries to the heart," than to obtain the reputation of an accurate thinker and sound reasoner. His diction was elevated, his elocution graceful, and his tones rich and various. His observations at special services, such as those used in the ordination of ministers, were remarkably pertinent and fit to the occasion; but it was ever his chief aim to rouse the feelings, to produce the burning of convietion, to stir up the passions, and subdue the will by Scriptural statements of doctrine, and duty, and by fervent pleadings on the grounds of moral obligation. His capacity for illustration had been improved by a partial acquaintance with some branches of science and natural philosophy. Though he hardly ever alluded to such subjects in the pulpit, it is a fact, that he had paid some considerable attention to chemistry, astronomy, and mathematics. His chief study in early life was ethics, and mental philosophy, as illustrated in the writings of Locke, Reid, Dugald Stewart, Hartley, and Priestly; but in later years his reading and studies were more strictly theological; and the most eminent and pious of the nonconformist divines, such as Baxter and Howe, became his favourite authors. It is to be regretted that he published no more than one discourse. This appeared in 1814, at the request of the Committee of the Sunday-school Union, which assembled at the Methodist chapel, Halifax-lane, Nottingham, The perusal of it will give no idea of his oratory, but it shows the select and appropriate quality of his thoughts, together with his manner of applying texts to special occasions. It has been intimated, that at one time his theological views were thought to be defective. It is probable he then felt the difficulty which the strongest minds have never been able to surmount, when attempting to comprehend the manner of the divine existence; for though it is an unquestionable truth that Jesus Christ is a divine person, and that we are taught to render to him the highest kind of worship, it is equally certain that we cannot comprehend the mode in which the Sacred Three are One. The preceding pages show that our departed friend cast himself wholly on Christ for salvation; and there are thousands who will testify, that Jesus and his cross were his chief theme-the alpha and the omega of his discourses in the latter, which were by far the most useful, years of his ministry. His tenets, with regard to the extent of the atonement, and the freedom of the human will, were exactly in accordance with those of the denomination at large. But his dearest friends know that he had his imperfections. These, as |