AN ADDRESS TO THE LADIES OF GREAT BRITAIN, ON THE .. face, nor to stand at the door, nor look out at the window." (See Ward on the Hindoos, Vol. VI, p. $12,) What can be expected, but that in such a state of ignorance, the female character will be Present State of Female Society in awfully debased? Hence among the British India. It is a most painful fact, that there are in Hindoestan THIRTY MILLIONS of FEMALES Committed to the care of Great Britain, who are totally destitute of Education, and to whom every vestige of mental cultivation has been denied.” The writings which have hitherto formed the basis of legislation in that country, have prohibited to them the knowledge of the Vedu, and doomed them to a state of mental subjection. The calamity the most dreaded there, Widow. hood, is, by the jealousy of the other sex, suspended as a judgment of Providence over the female who shall dare to ac quire a knowledge of the Alphabet. Muneo, one of the Hindoo legislators, says (See Sir W. Jones's Translation): "Woman has no business with the Vedu; this is the law fully settled: having therefore no knowledge of the expiating text, sinful women (meaning all wo nen) must be as foul as falsehood itself; and this is a fixed rule."-Here the legislator first binds the sex fast in the chains of ignorance, and then reproaches and punishes them for the result of his own law. The dreadful consequences of such laws, and such a state of feeling towards the sex, are most strikingly exhibited in the present state of Female Society in India. Here is a whole empire, comprising so many Millions of Females, in which a single School for Girls has not existed for thousands of years; the Females have never seen a book, except in the hands of men, and have no knowledge of any one of the mental employments of females in a civilized country. Their fingers have never touched a needie, a pair of scissars, a book, or a pen, and they are entirely excluded from all intellectual intercourse with the other sex. "A woman is not allowed by law to go out of the honse without the consent of her husband; to talk with a stran ger, nor to laugh without a veil on her It appears from the Reports of the London Missionary Society, that exertions have been made with some success in other parts of India, particularly the Native Schools for Females of Tamul and Travancore, of which more minute accounts may be soon expected, Rajpoot mothers, the murder of female infants is universally practised; not one survives. Mothers among the casts, in fulfilment of their vow to obtain offSpring, are seen sacrificing their fist child in the Brum hu pootru, and other sacred rivers. Many females drown themselves. Capt. saw, one morn ing, while sitting at his own window at Allahabad, sixteen females under the influence of superstition, drown themselves at the junction of the Jumna and the Ganges. And there are now in London copies of official documents, which prove, that in the year 1817, under the Presi dency of Bengal, not less than 705 Females, British subjects, voluntarily immolated themselves by being burnt, or buried alive with the dead bodies of their husbands. No parallel case of such direful effects of ignorance appears to exist in human history. Never in the most savage state have fires like these been kindled, or similar graves been dug. Never were such appalling consequences of ignorance exhibited to the civilized world. In these circumstances to whom shall the appeal be made? Is it not manifest, that the ladies in Britain are the natural guardians of these unhappy widows and orphans in British India? Is it possible, that our fair country-women, Ladies of rank, of influence, of the most refined sensibility, the patterns of every charity, of all that is distinguished and benevo lent in our country, can, after knowing the facts contained in this circular, continue unmoved by the cries issuing from these fires, and from the thousands of orphans which surround them, witnessing the progress of these flames which are devouring the living mother, and con suming her frame to ashes? This appeal cannot be made in vain; such a tale of woe was never before addressed to the hearts of British mothers. Let every lady of rank and influence in the United Empire do her duty, and these fires can not burn another twenty years. Next to the wise and gradual interpo, sition and influence of a benevolent Ġovernment, FEMALE EDUCATION forms the most probable and effectual means of putting an end to this deplorable state of Female Society; and could funds be raised by a distinguished Association of Ladies in London, with Auxiliaries in the Country, for this express object, Schools taught by Native Females might be imme diately established. There is a class of females in India, the daughters of our Countrymen, who are acquainted with the native languages, and from whom a wise selection might be made, and who, after receiving proper instruction, might, as local mistresses, become the greatest possible blessings to India. ning came on at West Bromwich, Staffordshire. The thunder was so tremen dous, that several persons told me, who' were very near the spot, that the ground seemed to sbake beneath them, and they were once evidently lifted up from it. The lightning was extremely vivid, and I am sorry to inform you, fell on the Baptist Meeting-house, tearing out the bricks from the uppermost part of the gable end of the building, and leaving a dread. The state of Indian manners forbids females to be placed under the tuition of men. It may be difficult to overcome prejudices among the natives against Fe-ful gap of about three yards long and male Education, but they will gradually subside, and we shall soou witness the triumph of these humane exertions in the delightful appearance of a state of ciety in India, rewarding the benevolent exertions of the British Ladies. It further appears, by a recent communication from Bengal, that the Calcotta School Society is at this time extending its views and operations to the education of Female Children in Calcutta, to which their attention has been directed by the sentiments of some of the principal Natives, one of whom has even undertaken to publish an extract from authentic Hindoo writings, in furtherance of this object. It is therefore proposed, that a subscrip tion be raised, for the express purpose of promoting the education of Female Na tives of British India, by sending out a well-qualified Mistress, to be at the disposal and under the direction of the Calcutta School Society. The funds so contributed will be received by the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society, and applied as before mentioned in connection with the Calcutta School Society. The following ladies beg leave to recommend this case to the attention of benevolent persons, and particularly to their own sex, and they will thankfully receive subscriptions: Lady Johnston, 19, Cumberland-place. Miss Bradshaw, Stoke Newington. Miss Jane Harris, Walworth. Miss Shewell, Stockwell. Mrs. Millar. 45, Museum-street. MEETING HOUSE INJURED BY LIGHTNING. two wide. It made its way through the ceiling into the pulpit; the Bible was thrown out of it to a considerable dise tance, and the strong board on which it lay was split into three pieces. A cup board door, which was locked, in the vestry, was torn open, and completely shattered. The building is also otherwise considerably damaged. The back wall is split in several places, some of the window cases are torn to pieces, and I counted sixty-three panes of glass which were broken. I also remarked, that the lightning had considerably scorched the trees and the hedges in the neighbouring gardens. I peculiarly regret the damage which has been done to the place of worship, because the people are exceedingly poor; their trade is now in a very miserable state, and they have a debt on the meeting-house of about five hundred and thirty pounds. The injury done by the lightning, I fear, can scarcely be repaired for much less than thirty pounds. The storm might have had a commis sion to fall on some of our habitations, and might have utterly ruined us and our families. It is indeed of the Lord's mercies that we are not utterly consumed, and because his compassions fail not. Should this statement meet the eye of some opulent disciple of the Saviour. whose lieart may be inclined to afford a little aid to the poor people at West Bromwich, he may send his donation to Mr. B. H. Draper, Coseley, near Bilston, who will immediately forward it to them. Coseley. B. H. D. NOTICES. KENT AUXILIARY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Annual Meeting of the Kent Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society On Thursday, May the 25th, 1820, will be held, Providence permitting, at about four o'clock in the afternoon, a Ashford, on Wednesday, the 20th of the tremendous storm of thunder and light-present month, (September.) The Rev. A BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. John Dyer, Secretary to the Parent Society, or the Rev. Thomas Griffin of London, will preach in the morning: service to begin at half-past ten. question will be proposed for public discussion, by the ministers connected with On Wednesday, Sept. 20, 1820, the the Society, in the afternoon; and in Fifth Anniversary of the Baptist Auxthe evening the public business of theiliary Missionary Society, for OxfordAuxiliary Society will be transacted. A shire, and places adjacent, will be held Sermons sermon is expected on the Tuesday at Alcester, Warwickshire. evening, by the Rev. William Giles of will be preached morning and evening, Chatham. and the business of the Society conducted in the afternoon. The attendance and co-operation of the friends of the Institution, are particularly and affeetionately requested. P.S. The members of the Committee are requested to be present on Tuesday evening. Put up at the Oak Inn, Ashford. Poetry. THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. CALM as the Summer's setting sun, Let my last moments be; And when my work on earth is done, Let no dark cloud o'erspread my mind, T'allure me to the skies. One favour more 1 humbly crave Thy glory to extend; And when my final breath draws near, And conquer Death and Hell. Around my bed, at my last hour, O may my kindred stand; May prayers oft offer'd then obtain Acceptance at thy throne! My soul releas'd from mortal clay, And borne on seraph's wing, B. H. B. To the Memory of Miss M. Bowler of Oxford, who died June 12, 1819, aged Twenty-one. OFT,when thro'Cherwell's vista-walk I've stray'd, Thus, with an anguish'd eye I late have view'd beams, Was like the lake at midnight to the moon, Relentless Death! who by the lovely corpse Oxford. Irish Chronicle. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. J. Wilson. DEAR SIR, Bellina, July 15, 1820. You request a particular account of the present state of the schools, and of my preaching. The former I must defer till my next, as I have not seen many of the schools since my last. With respect to preaching, I may truly say, that I have been fully employed; for while assisting Mr. West in collecting in Dublin, besides preaching at Swift'salley, I preached for several of the Independent ministers, with most of whom in town and country I am on terms of cordial and. Christian friendship. On leaving Dublin, 1 returned through the southern part of the kingdom, and preached at Ferbane, Burr, Thurles, Clonmel, Waterford, Youghal, Middleton, Cork, Tralee, and Limerick. In nearly the whole of this tour, the natural scenery was remarkably interesting, luxuriant, and picturesque, and in these respects formed a striking contrast to the scenery in that part of the country in which my lot is cast. So forcibly was I struck with this, that I was almost tempted to envy the situation of my brethren who *are labouring in those parts. But a little pious reflection is calculated to suppress such feelings, because it brings Him be fore our view, who fixes "the bounds of our habitation." Besides which, I did not find that natural scenery, nor the rich products of the earth, effected any change in the human heart, dispersed any of the clouds of superstition and bigotry, or allayed any opposition to the promulgation of divine truth. All these seemed to prevail as much in that beautiful country as in the wilds of Connaught. Even the curiosity which is natural, and which is generally evinced, towards a stranger, did not produce larger congregations than are frequently obtained in these parts by those who are known. Oh that God would pour en larged measures of the influences of his spirit on the whole of Ireland, send more faithful labourers to her aid, and cause abundant success to attend every effort that is made for her spiritual improve ment! Then, natural beauty, and na tural deformity, will both sink into insignificance; and subjects of the most sublime nature, and of the utmost im portance, shall absorb every inferior consideration. Praying that the divine presence may be enjoyed by the committee in all their deliberations, that the efforts, and that you, my dear brother, divine blessing may accompany all their may be long spared as the successful advocate of Ireland, I subscribe myself, Yours very affectionately, J. WILSON. Cork, July 17, 1820. To the Committee of the Baptist Irish GENTLEMEN, LAST week I visited your schools in this county, and embrace this opportunity of making you acquainted with their present state. The first school which I inspected is in Newson's Town, about twenty miles from Cork. On my last inspection of this school about six weeks ago, there were seventy-four children in it; but in consequence of the curses pronounced upon the parents, it is now reduced to twenty-one. Most of that number belong to parents who know that "the curse causeless shall not come." I have reason to hope that this school will be revived, and that I shall again have the pleasure of seeing the cabin well filled with happy-looking children. But even on the supposition that this shall not be realized, we have the satisfaction of knowing that the society has been instrumental in doing good to those who were once in the school. Fifty-three children have been driven reluctantly from the school; but while there, most of them had acquired the ability to read; many of them had treasured up in their memories considerable portions of "the incorruptible seed of the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever;" and all of them had, to say the least, acquired a knowledge of the elements of reading, so that a foundation is laid for their future pursuits. An appetite is created, which, we hope, will not be satisfied | without suitable food. So that though these children bave been taken from the care of the society, we may follow them into future life with feelings which we should not have had respecting them, had they never enjoyed its benefit. If we look at them as members of civil society, now they have open before them that book which will "put them in mind to be subject to principalities and pow. ers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." Now they can read the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Many of them will be servants, and some perhaps servants of men who now oppress them, and then even they shall reap the benefit of their knowledge of that divine precept, Servants, be obedient to those that are your masters according to the flesh." Not a few of them may be called to fight the future battles of our country; and who will say that they will be the less courageous, for even their scanty knowledge of that word which makes the soldier valiant, and teaches him to "sanc. tify the Lord of hosts himself, and to let him be his fear and dread, who will be for a sanctuary? But what is of more importance than all this put together, these children are brought, as immortal beings, interested, deeply interested, in all the awful solemnities of eternity. The time, we hope, is not far distant in which they shall begin to ask, "Where is God my maker?"" Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?" "How shall man be just with God?" "What shall I do to be saved?" "Who shall deliver us from the wrath to come?" May we not suppose that some of these important questions shall in a future day be asked by some of these children? Nay, we know that some of them already begin to be concerned about them. So that, however we may lament the breaking up of our schools, we have to rejoice that the children carry along with them answers to those questions, not ambiguous and doubtful, but clear and satisfactory, because drawn from the lively oracles of God's ward. So that considering life is short, and our means so contracted, I do not know whether those who are the cause of breaking up our schools now and then, are not helping us to give a wider diffusion to the objects we have in view, by dispersing the children as soon as they have been taught to read the word of Jife, and begin to acquire a zehish for it, and so making room for others. These remarks will apply to your 8,000 children remaining still in the schools of the soci ety, and also to the 50,000 in the schools of the "London Hibernian Society," and to the 50,000 in those of the Sunday School Society of Ireland. So that when we contemplate the aggregate of the good that is doing by different societies in putting so many thousands in possession of that which is the power of God to the salvation of every one that believeth, we will not be discouraged by a little opposition; we will rather look upon it as a proof that we are not labouring in vain; we will bless God and take courage. But I intended to inform the Com mittee, that I went to the priest who injured the schools, in order to ascertain the grounds of his disapprobation. His behaviour was that of a gentleman, and worthy of a better cause than that of preventing poor children from reading the word of God. All he told me, however, was what I was but too well aware of before I saw him, viz. that there is a role in his church, by which poor chil dren (and adults also) are prohibited from reading the scriptures. In the application of this rule he said he had “no discretion." All he had to do was, as soon as he hears that the scriptures are read in any school in his parish, to act as he has done in this case, i. e. to give orders to the priest nearest the school to prevent the children from attending, by pronouncing awful curses on the parents that send them. I left this gentleman with feelings of respect towards him for his candour and politeness, but with utter detestation of the principles that dictate such a rule, and with gratitude to God that I do not belong to a church that leaves me "no discretion," and thereby forces me to violate the command of the Saviour," Cull no man master upon earth.” I may just add, that the gentleman in question informed me, that in order to remove the difficulty between themselves and "those who have gone out from them," he has compiled small bunks from the scriptures, and other sources, which he thought I might introduce into the socie ties' schools, at the same time promising to expunge any thing of which I might disapprove, that would not imply compromise of principle on his part." I am afraid, however, that this latter part of the promise would lead me into a dilemma, which you will easily see. I intend examining the books; and provided there be nothing in them that is contrary to the scriptures, I should like to try the experiment of introducing them into this school, if the Committee, should think proper. But I must proceed to mention the state of the other schools. |