charge was not proven. It did not say fessions. Besides, it takes for granted whether my teaching on the Sabbath the thing to be proved, namely, that I is, or is not, an offence against the am a school teacher, or that what I do school law; which was the point to on the Sabbath interferes with the edwhich my counsel, Mr. Kaligas, main-ucational system of the country and ly confined his plea. The testimony of the single witness that was reëxamined at this trial, only proved that Mrs. Buel and another lady had taught the children on the Sabbath; the little girl could not say that she had either seen or heard Mr. Buel teaching. There was abundant testimony within reach, if the court had desired it, to prove that I had taught children and grown persons also. The fact that it was not produced, only shows a previous purpose to acquit me. By placing the acquittal on the ground of insufficiency of evidence, it is made to appear rather in the light of an escape from justice; the priests are less offended, and an appearance of liberality is preserved on the question of religious toleration. Be the decision viewed as it may, it is a triumph to us and a defeat to our enemies. The discussion has showed most fully and publicly, that a man ought not to be molested for teaching religion in his own house on the Lord's day, that it is an unjust and dangerous thing to give to the minister of education a jurisdiction over the conscience;-in fine, that instruction, be it oral or written or printed, is not necessarily school teaching; and, therefore, it is absurd and unconstitutional to maintain that any kind of instruction, that any communication of our thoughts or opinions, must be licensed by the minister of education or some branch of the government. with the rights and privileges of teachers. The school organization aims to secure to every child of the kingdom a given amount of knowledge, but it does not prevent children from seeking useful knowledge elsewhere than in the schools; neither does it prevent people from cominunicating knowledge elsewhere than in the licensed schools, provided they do not interfere with the system of public instruction. Moreover, it should be kept in mind that out of the score of studies prescribed for the common schools, the first on the list, the Catechism, which is meant to include all religious instruction, is left to the option of the parent or guardian of the child. Hence religious teaching is least of all an interference with the established system of public instruction. He who speaks formally or informally, statedly or occasionally, upon the subject of religion, is equally with his auditors beyond the reach of any school law. I ought to add, that nothing was said in court calculated in the least to annoy me, either in my private or my public and professional character. On the contrary, whatever personal remarks were made in reference to me or my family, were quite of the opposite kind. My family are in good health, and rejoicing in God for his recent distinguished mercies toward us, in delivering us from the desire of them that hate us and the cause we endeavor to promote. The past four months have been a season of trial. We have found it good to trust in the Lord. We have been brought into deep waters, where the floods overflowed us. Our only comfort was in quiet submission, in cheerful confidence in Him who is "too wise to err, too good to be unkind." And "when the Lord turned again our captivity, we were like them that dream." It is good to be brought to "the fiery trial." I had not seen the untold riches of God's word, unless I had seen affliction. I had not felt the weakness of my faith and trust in the Divine promises, unIt less I had walked the boisterous waves The attorney, Mr. Mitsakis, who managed the suit, insisted upon the analogy between the teacher's occupation and that of the physician or apothecary; and that the State has a rightful control over both these avocations; and as both are and ought to be restricted to licensed persons, it follows that I am amenable for teaching without a license. This was substantially his reasoning against the legality of the act I was charged with. He maintained, however, that the prosecution failed in the absence of sufficient proof; and counselled me to discontinue my teaching, unless I obtained the requisite license. His argument unfortunately proves too much. prevents people from administering to go to Jesus. "Let Israel hope in ever to the physical, intellectual or religious wants of others, lest they interfere with some of the licensed pro the Lord from henceforth and forever." P. S. The U. S. steam sloop Prince Capt. Engle and his officers have left a very favorable impression. The town of Patras from the 10th to the 14th was the scene of a rebellion. The irregular troops robbed the bank of $30,000, and took possession of the citadel. The citizens paid then $5,000 to leave the town. As they were on the ton left the Piræus for Malta on the 27th inst., after a stay here of eighteen days. On the day of her departure she was visited by the king and queen and their suite, who went out a few miles to sea with her for the purpose of witnessing the working of the machinery and the firing of shells, &c. The Princeton has been the great at-point of embarking in boats, the regular traction here. It is supposed that up- troops entered the city; and in the fray wards of 500 people visited the vessel that followed, some dozen of the rebels on St. Spiridion's day (24th inst). were slain. The place is now quiet. LERS-CHINESE SOLDIERY. Miscellany. FORTUNE-TEL- lects one from the heap and hands it to the fortune-teller, who unrolls it and compares the character there inscribed with a corresponding page of a book, wherein the destiny or luck of him who may have selected that word, is fully made known. Usually, however, the soothsayer professes to be so well-read in his books as not to need the consultation of them; and in that case, after reading the character, be seizes his pen and writes upon a metallic slate before him the answer of the fates. The answer is announced with loud swelling words and corresponding bombast of manner; while the awe-stricken applicant learns with all-absorbing interest his future fate, and the gaping by standers wonder at the amazing skill of the soothsayer, and instinctively examine their own pockets to find a cent wherewith to purchase the riches and honor and the male children, which can be so cheaply promised. By Rev. T. T. Devan, M. D. Chinese fortune-tellers.-The Chinese, as is usual with all the heathen, and even with the ignorant of Christian lands, are exceedingly superstitious. They see supernatural agencies in all the ordinary phenomena of nature, and suppose it necessary to resort to certain ceremonies to appease evil spirits or propitiate the good ones, in almost all the ordinary transactions of life. If it thunders, it is regarded as an evidence of anger in the celestial spirits; and should the lightning strike death upon any one, that person is supposed to be so outrageously wicked that the gods could not bear his existence on earth any longer. Not a house is erected unless the ridge-pole be painted red and a long strip of red cloth allowed to remain, it may be for years, suspended from it. And very rarely is any business of importance undertaken or transacted, without previously consulting the fortune-tellers, or resorting to some other less expensive way of reading the future result. This superstition furnishes employment and livelihood to 200 or 300 professed fortune-tellers in the city of Canton alone. They are generally seen sitting on the ground in the open streets, waiting to deal out destiny to any applicant, for the sum of one or two cents. Behind them is paraded generally a species of map or placard, showing forth the wonders of the art of soothsaying and the skill of him who reads the future. Before him there are usually from 60 to 100 little red paper rolls, upon the inside of each of which is a character or word written. The applicant se Some profess, by astrological calculations, to inform the needy applicant of the exact tide in his life which, taken at the proper juncture, will bear him on to fortune, to rank, or to glory. Another mode of divination consists in the fortune-teller's throwing from a tortoise shell box or case three coins three successive times. The combinations of the characters on the coins at each successive time, form the data from which to read the fate of the future. Some prefer divination by the course of the wind, the noise or the flight of birds, the relation of the clouds and other physical objects to each other, or by a multitude of other modes possessed and practised by the soothsayers. Many of these fortune-tellers hire a seat and table in the temples, where they practice their art for any who, being drawn by the reputation of the place, may choose to pay a trifle more than a cent for the superior skill of the diviner. Men of business, or others having important undertakings in view, or desiring to know the results of certain measures in course of prosecution, not unfrequently visit the altar of a temple, where the means of attaining their wishes are always at hand. Immediately in front of the idol is placed a bamboo vessel, shaped like a quart measure, and which contains the square of 8 (i. e. 64) slips of bamboo, each one of which is numbered. The worshipper takes this vessel in both hands, and with sundry bows before the god shakes it until one of the slips falls on the pavement; this he carries to the fortune-teller, who sits by, and who by turning to the page of a certain book which corresponds with the number of the slip, reads to the applicant the whole story of his futurity. The only other means of divining that I have ever observed on the altars, is two pieces of wood, crescent-shaped, like the lobules of a bean, each having a flat and a convex side. The victim of superstition seizes these pieces of wood in his hand, and then, with certain genuflexions and prostrations, he throws them up; and if they happen to fall on the ground a convex side of one and the flat side of the other uppermost, the future is to be perfectly lucky; if both the round surfaces are uppermost, the future will be peaceable and restful; but if both the flat surfaces are uppermost, the future will be decidedly unlucky. There is, however, this peculiarity in this mode of divination, and, doubtless, it applies also to the other modes, that if one trial is not quite agreeable to the applicant, he may try again till he gets an answer that suits him. Chinese soldiery.-All officers of government in China are divided into two classes; they are either of the literary or the military rank. One of each class may generally be found associated together in every important position. The former are compelled by government to worship Confucius twice every year; the latter are ordered by law to worship Kwan tei (the Mars of China) just as often, and at these times they are required to spread before the idol offerings of meat and fruits. The soldiers also are compelled to join in the same service, and also every morning and evening to burn incense sticks to that god. Soldiers are paid nearly $2 per month as wages; but when called to active service, they receive something additional. In the former case they are permitted to carry on any handicraft business they choose, but in the latter they cannot. Some few are armed with matchlocks with uncleaned barrels and painted stocks, and having appended to the lock a long piece of rope fuse. It is said that, after taking aim, the soldiers shut their eyes and bring the fuse to the priming powder; and as they attempt then to turn their heads, to escape the particles of their own powder, a certain elevation is given to the muzzle which allows room to suppose they are firing at the clouds instead of the enemy. However this may be, I have been often amused at the undisciplined, Falstaff ranks, where smoking, talking and irregularity seemed the order of the day. I don't know what is the control the officers hold over their men; but I recollect, one day, when there were some grounds for expecting an outbreak among the rabble of Canton, a company of about a hundred Chinese troops was quartered next door to our mission house. Some of these unwashed defenders of the public peace wandered into the little Baptist chapel to hear the gospel; and I must confess that a more attentive and more respectful fourscore Chinamen I never yet saw in any one congregation than were those soldiers. Their captain was a tall, well-made, military looking man, dressed in a long gown, and having his feet cased in a huge pair of awkward boots. By his side there dangled a formidable case, beside which there was nothing that indicated a man of arms. After having seated himself and stretched out his legs to his full satisfaction, a subaltern brought to him the roll of his company. He glanced his eye attentively over the list, and then brought his hand to his side as though to draw from the case some formidable weapon, when, behold, out came a lady's fan. This he diligently plied to cool his military ardor, and having learned that his troops were in the foreign demon's" house, hearing the gospel, he despatched a man to summon them to his presence. messenger delivered his message with a loud voice in the midst of the preaching; but not one obeyed; they sat still, and were determined to obey the officer only when the exercises had concluded. After the lapse of some five minutes, another subaltern came and ordered them to appear in their ranks. About this time the service was concluded, and each man slowly and quietly left the house, bearing with him a Christian tract. The And now ensued a scene that beggars description. The troops had been summoned to receive the extra pay, which was daily issued during the term of active service. The officer sat on the stool, dili- |lar groups to see what was coming. My gently laboring with his fan. A subaltern good friend, the captain, however, stood This constituted a military review; and I learned that their mode of warfare, on The names of two men were called at a their first contact with the English in the time, and a string of 100 cash was given last war, was quite as original. The Chithem. Having received it, they walked nese officers had (I am told) trained the away and divided their pay, and I could men into the belief, that they would inevinot but be struck with the frequency of tably be victorious, if, on drawing near to the men complaining that they had not the enemy, they would set up a tremenreceived the full sum due thein. But they dous shout and cut up a number of antics, all knew that liberty to squeeze is univer- with a view to frighten away the enemy. sally maintained by all superiors; and I am told they did so; but were so comhence all they could do was to bawl and pletely astounded to see the British troops shout out, for the amusement of by-etand-perfectly unmoved by their frothy valor, ers, the fact that the liberty had been ex- that they very quickly displayed all the ercised. With their money the men wan66 courage they possessed, by turning dered off to some of the innumerable eat- their backs to the invaders. ing houses of Canton, where they soon emptied their pockets. I was amused to see on the backs of these troops the word "courage in large character. I have never been able to learn exactly why it is that the government causes this word to be put on the back instead of the breast of each soldier. The best reason I can assign is, that, being on the back, the enemy has much more frequent opportunity to learn that they possess that important requisite for war, than if it had been written on the breast. UNITED BRETHREN. Survey of the missions for the year 1846. The basis on which we ground our work remains unchangeably the same; our message to the heathen is still Christ and Him crucified, as the only method which experience has sanctioned for turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, and impelling them to renounce the unfruitful works of darkness, and walk as children of the light. Of Chinese tactics I can say nothing from actual observation, except that one We have often dwelt, in former comday my attention was called to the front munications, on the important work which window by a loud clangor of gongs. On in- still remains for us, viz., the education of quiring the cause, I learned that the mayor youth. Gladly as we would pass on to (as the officer would be called in any of tribes that are as yet buried in heathen our cities) was about to review the troops darkness, we cannot forsake those already that were quartered next door to my gathered, until, by the gradual training of house. I looked out for the ranks of sol- national assistants, we have enabled them diery, and somewhat doubted the truth of to dispense with our services. The estabmy information when I saw the soldiers lishment of an Institution in Antigua for lounging about everywhere without their this object has already been announced as arms, smoking or talking, or some, perhaps in contemplation, and we have received from curiosity, gathered together in irregu- | contributions toward it from various quar ters, for which we return sincere thanks. No small encouragement is afforded by the excellent fruit borne by the similar Institution at Genadendal, in South Africa. In the course of the year, several hopeful pupils have been stationed not only in the schools of our Hottentot congregations, but in out-posts too remote to be served by our missionaries. They attend in such places to the regular school instruction, and to divine worship, under the direction of the missionaries, who visit them from time to time. In this manner provision has been made for the free negroes in the Cedar Mountains on the Elephant River, who, some time ago, sent in a pressing request for teachers. Three boys have also been received into this Institution from different Caffre tribes, in the hope that they may one day become useful amongst their countrymen. Proposals are made to us, from time to time, with reference to the establishment of new stations, which we shall not overlook. At the synod of the Brethren's Unity, which is to assemble in the year 1848, the consideration of our whole missionary work, especially with regard to this subject, will form a prominent part of its deliberations. South Africa. The congregations have claimed our especial sympathy, exposed as they have been, since the outbreak of the Caffre war, to the incursions of that savage race. This remark applies especially to Enon and Shiloh, both of which have been more than once in imminent danger of destruction by the invading hordes, but have been thus far marvellously preserved from injury. Grateful for the signal preservation already experienced, the missionaries rely on the protecting care of God for the future, and earnestly commend themselves to our prayers. At best, the gospel makes but slow progress among the Caffre races, their deep and ingrained superstition and immorality placing serious obstacles in the way; and our missionaries might well lose heart, were it not for the firmness and faithfulness of the few who are really converted. Nor have our congregations in the western part of the colony been unaffected by the war, the most able-bodied of the male inhabitants having been drafted into the army, which they set out to join, after an affecting parting with their families, and being commended to the blessing of God. The Leper Hospital at Hemel-en-Aarde has been transplanted by government to Robben Island, and br. Lehman has been allowed to follow them thither at their own request. A church and dwelling-house for the missionary have been built at the expense of government. British West Indies. The congregations have gradually become very numerous. In the first beginnings of the mission, when great obstacles were often interposed to the conversion of the negro slaves, and the profession of the gospel was attended by reproach, the congregations were smaller, but they consisted of sincerer members. Yet this more general dissemination of the gospel, as exemplified already in the apostolic age as well as in later times, and without which christendom would never have reached its present extension, no doubt belongs to the divine plan; and it is the duty of the missionary to scatter the good seed wherever he has opportunity, even though a portion of it falls on barren soil. Danish West Indies.-The commencement of the schools for negro children in St. Thomas and St. Jan, on the same plan with those in St. Croix, was waiting for the return of His Excellency, Governor-General Von Scholten, from Europe. Meanwhile, the missionaries were very anxious to bring the Sunday schools into train, in order, in some measure, to meet the wants of the negro children, who enjoy the benefits of the day schools only till their eighth or ninth year. A school-house for this purpose has been erected at Friedensberg. Surinam. The past year has been a very trying one for the whole colony, owing to the continued drought and the consequent scarcity of provisions and water for domestic use. There are still various impediments in the way of our missionary labors, arising partly from the distance at which the plantations lie from each other, and the want of central preaching places, and partly from the social state of the colony, and the influence of the slave system. It is our earnest prayer, that the signal blessing which the Lord has hitherto laid upon this mission, upon its temporal as well as spiritual concerns, may not be withheld in time to come. A wide field is still open in Surinam for the spread of the gospel, for our Banbey Mission includes but a small proportion of the free negroes. The Conference in Surinam have applied for a large reinforcement of their numbers; and ten brethren and sisters have, accordingly, been called to that service. North-American Indians.-The political differences subsisting between different parties in the Arkansas, occasioned us some anxiety respecting our Cherokee Mission. We were, therefore, the more gratified to learn that a fresh awakening had taken place among the heathen inhabitants, in the neighborhood of Beattie's Prairie, or Canaan and New Spring-place, and that |