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them he was in the daily practice of discoursing on the subject of the Paradise announced by the Prophet, and of his own power of granting admission; and, at certain times, he caused draughts of a soporific nature to be administered to ten or a dozen of the youths; and, when half dead with sleep, he had them conveyed to the several apartments of the palaces in the garden. Upon awakening from this state of lethargy, their senses were struck with all the delightful objects that have been described, and each perceived himself surrounded by lovely damsels, singing, playing, and attracting his regards by the most fascinating caresses; serving him also with delicate viands and exquisite wines; until intoxicated with excess of enjoyment, amidst actual rivulets of milk and wine, he believed himself assuredly in Paradise, and felt an unwillingness to relinquish its delights. When four or five days had thus been passed, they were thrown once more into a state of somnolency, and carried out of the garden. Upon their being introduced to his presence, and questioned by him as to where they had been, their answer was, 'in Paradise, through the favour of your highness; and then, before the whole court, who listened to them with eager curiosity and astonishment, they gave a circumstantial account of the scenes to which they had been witnesses. The chief thereupon addressing them, said, • We have the assurances of our Prophet that he who defends his lord shall inherit Paradise, and if you show your selves devoted to the obedience of my orders, that happy lot awaits you.' Animated to enthusiasm by words of this nature, all deemed themselves happy to receive the commands of their master, and were forward to die in his service. The consequence of this system was, that when any of the neighbouring princes, or others, gave umbrage to this chief, they were put to death by these his disciplined assassins; none of whom felt terror at the risk of losing their own lives, which they held in little estimation, provided they could execute their master's will. Thus there was no person, however powerful, who having become exposed

to the enmity of the Old Man of the Mountain, could escape assassination. His territory being situated within the dominions of Ulau (Hulagu, the brother of the grand khan (Mangu, that prince had information of his atrocious practices, as above related, as well as of his employing people to rob travellers in their passage through his country, and, in the year 1262, sent one of his armies to besiege this chief in his castle. It proved, however, so capable of defence, that for three years no impression could be made upon it; until at length he was forced to surrender from the want of provisions, and being made prisoner, was put to death. His castle was dismantled, and his garden of Paradise destroyed."

Now the whole of this story, abating the extravagance of the diction, and high colouring of the picture, (which, as Marco derived it from Persia, furnishes an additional proof of his fidelity in repeating what he heard,) is a well authenticated historical fact.* Divested of the marvellous, it is simply this:-The term mulihet, or "impious," was applied by the orthodox Musselmans to an odious and fanatic sect, who began to flourish about the year 1090, and dwelt in the mountainous district of Kohistan. Hassan (the hero of the beautiful tale of Abu-Hassan in the "Thousand and One Nights") was the name of the founder, but in the time of Marco Polo, the reigning "Old Man" was, as he says, Alo-eddin, against whom and his son an expedition was undertaken by the Moghuls, on account of their numerous massacres and other cruelties; and though this intelligent traveller may be mistaken a few years in the date of Alo-eddin's "castle being dismantled, and his Paradise destroyed," yet it is quite certain that Hulagu Khan, the grandson Gengis, put this chief, and, according to Mirkhoud, 12,000 of his infatuated

*The name of the "Old Man of the Mountain," has given to it, an air of romance, which the sober and more accurate translation of Sheikh al Jebal, "Chief of the Mountaineers," at once destroysfor the word Sheikh, like Signor, (as Mr. Marsden has observed,) bears the double meaning of Elder and Lord.

followers, to death, about the time mentioned by Marco Polo.

Such is the origin and history of the "Old Man of the Mountain and his Assassins," a branch of whom, having established themselves in the mountains of Anti-Libanus, rendered these names famous and formidable in the histories of the Crusades.

Society for Promoting Christian

Knowledge, (England.)

AT the annual meeting of the mem bers of the Society, the Secretary stat ed, that 32,199 Bibles, 45,682 New Testaments and Psalters, 85,301 Common Prayers, and 75,550 other bound books, had been distributed gratuitously, and on the terms of the Society, within the last year. The committee had also distributed 827,044 small tracts, halfbound, &c. and other books and papers to the amount of 176,315-making a total in one year of 1,242,091. Of the Society's Family Bible four impressions have been already printed, and about 20,000 copies sold a fifth was now publishing in parts.t

Our readers will feel interested in the following particulars respecting the Society's proceedings in India. It is remarked in the report of the Calcutta Diocesan Committee for 1819, "The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has found no means of carrying on its benevolent designs so effective as the diocesan and district committees

There are few words whose etymology

has exercised, and, at the same time, baffled the ingenuity of the learned more than this. Perhaps the following may not be very remote from the truth. Through out all the East a preparation of hemp which we call bang, is universally used "to exhilarate the feelings by a luxurious species of intoxication.” This is known to the Orientals by the name of Haschisch, and those who are addicted to it are caled Haschischin and Haschaschin, “two expressions," says De Sacy, "which explain why the Ismaelians have been called by the historians of the Crusades, at one time Assissini, and at another Assassini:" so that, instead of a "secret murderer," assassin implies, in point of fact, “an habitual drunkard."

This Bible is now republishing in New-York, by T. & J: Swords, under the superintendence of Bishop Hobart. VOL. V.

connected with it. The five, which are now happily established in the East-Indies at Calcutta, Madras, Bom bay, Colombo; and Prince of Wales Island afford to the Society facilities, which it had never before possessed, of advancing true religion and piety in these extensive countries." The committee add-❝ To do good to all men, and to endeavour that all may come to the knowledge of the truth, is assuredly the part of every sincere Christian : but his more especial care should be those who are already of the household of faith; those who at least name the name of Christ; so that while the doctrines of Christianity are earnestly of fered to the full examination of all men, the practical effects of them in the minds and hearts of Christians, may openly demonstrate their truth and power. Nothing could more powerfully contribute to awaken the ignorant and deluded people of these countries to a sense of their deplorable state, than to witness what human nature may be come under the influence of Christianity. To see the young imbued with principles of holiness, from which they do not dare to deviate, and even in their early years influenced by the love and fear of God; to see the members of Christian society in general united in one bond of faith and love, and habitually exercising all the charities of the heart among themselves; to see the wicked reclaimed to virtue and peace, and the wretched supporting the dispensations of Providence; and with resignation and cheerfulness all to see death deprived of its terrors, and considered only as the gate of life and happiness; to see all this fully exemplified in the professors of Christianity would effectually conduce, under Divine Providence, to conversion. And while it is the duty of all who have the means and opportunities of contributing to produce such an effect on the general mass of Christians, readily to afford them, it cannot be doubted that they shall also be blessed in their deed." "

The facts stated in the following passage are very important. "The committee cannot remark without satisfaction the considerable increase in the demand upon them for Bibles;

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while at the same time they have cause to regret, that they have in some cases been unable to meet the call. At the time of their first establishment, there was reason to imagine that the demand for Bibles in this country was always met by an adequate supply, and they were therefore willing to apply a larger proportion of their resources to other means of religious instruction. But either the general demand has increased, perhaps by the influx of Europeans within the few last years, or a more immediate cause may be, that the wider dispersion of the books and tracts published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, has diverted the call for Bibles also to its committee at Calcutta in a greater degree than be fore. By far the greater number of the applications made for these books comprise also a request for Bibles and Prayer Books. Care has therefore been taken to remedy the inconvenience which has been felt, by making provision for a larger stock than has heretofore been ordered for the committee's stores."

From Madras the Calcutta diocesan committee have received much valuable information respecting the Society's concerns in that quarter. The Madras district committee have adopted the plan of depot stations, and are carrying on their exertions with vigour; and they have the happiness of seeing the ancient missions of the Society reviving with every promise of continued success. Within the last year, three missionaries of the Society have arrived at Madras; Mr. Sperschneider, a young man of excellent promise, and Messrs Haubro' and Rosen, who had received ordination from the Bishop of Zealand, and brought the highest testimonials to the Society. Mr. Sperschneider is already stationed at Tanjore, and Messrs. Haubro' and Rosen are qualifying themselves at Madras for active service. The Rev. Dr. Rottler had, as our readers are aware, completed and published a Tamul translation of the whole Book of Common Prayer, a work of great labour and merit.

The following extract from a letter, written by the Rev. J. Hough, chaplain

at Palamcottah, to R. Clarke, Esq. the secretary of the Madras committee, presents an interesting picture of the native Christian converts.

"Palamcottah, September 2d, 1819. "My dear Sir-Having just returned from a visit to the Protestant churches, in this district, I hasten to report their present condition.

"There is a Church at every station; but, with only two exceptions, they are built with raw brick, and covered with palmyra leaves. The ground on which these churches stand. was given to the mission by the Nabob's government nearly twenty years ago, and most of the buildings were erected at the same time. Those I have seen are in very good repair, and it requires but a small sum annually to keep them so.

"The mission has received an important accession, since the last report, in another native priest, named Viservarsemarden. He seems to be a man of respectable abilities and genuine piety; and the discourse I heard him preach to his own congregation would have done credit to a minister possessed of the advantage of a superior education to that which he has receivedHe is stationed at a village called, by, the Christians, Nazareth, about twenty miles to the south of this: and Abraham, the other country priest, is at Mothelloor, a few miles further. If I may judge from appearances during my short stay among the people of these two villages, they are much attached to their priests, as are the Christians of the surrounding country, and I am persuaded they only require to be well supported and encouraged to prove of the most essential service to the congregations intrusted to their care. Even from my hasty visit, the joy diffused through all classes was indescribable, and the people flocked in from the neighbouring villages in every direction. On catechising such as were introduced to me as the principal people, I found them much better taught in their religion than I had anticipated; and, considering the space of time that they had been, without a missionary, it was highly gratifying and encouraging to find the benign and peaceable genius of

Christianity still keeping them at unity amongst themselves. The two villa ges named above consist entirely of Protestants, nor is there an idol or heathen temple any where to be seen : while the stillness that prevailed, contrasted with the tumult of heathen abodes, seemed to invest these favoured spots with a degree of sanctity, and made one forget for the moment that they were in the midst of a pagan land. One of the priests led me to a part of the village where was seated, under the shade of cocoa-nut trees, a considerable company of women spinning cotton, and singing Lutheran hymns to the motion of their wheels.

"After service a great part of the congregation showed no disposition to disperse, and, seating themselves around the door, sang their hymns to a late hour. There were two old men among the group, who were converted to the Christian faith by your missionary Janické, about twenty years ago, and they sang to me several hymns he had taught them: what they sang or said was not so intelligible, indeed, as the language of younger men, but you will readily imagine them to have been amongst the most interesting of the company. I state these, perhaps trifling particulars, to show that there appears to be something more than the bare name of Christianity here; and that the enemies of missionary exertions are mistaken in asserting, as many have asserted, that there is not a genuine convert to Christianity among the native Protestants. No, Sir, if the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge had no other fruit of their cares, their exertions, or their expenditure for 'the Promoting of Christian Knowledge' in India, they might point triumphantly to these two villages, in proof that their labour has not been in vain. I have seldom witnessed so much religion in a town in England as is conspicuous here and some heathen in the neighbourhood of one of the villages told me candidly, that it was a very quiet and good place. I spoke with the priests of the Tamul Liturgy that you propose sending hither, and recommended them to adopt it in all the churches, in room of the German form of worship now

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in use, and they readily acceded to the proposition."

The number of children baptized at this station during the year was 117; besides 52 converts from heathenism: the number of communicants was 127.

Obituary Notices.

Mrs. SARAH HOFFMAN.

DIED, in this city, on Saturday, July 28th, 1821, aged 79 years, Mrs. Sarah Hoffman, relict of the late Nicholas Hoffman, and daughter of the late Honourable David Ogden, one of the Provincial Judges of New-Jersey.

It pleased God that the last few years of the long life of this venerable "mother in Israel," should be spent in painful presages of slowly approaching dissolution. This, however, through his blessing, served but to illustrate more fully the strength of her faith, and the ardour of her piety. She knew in whom she trusted, and found in him support under every trial, and a refuge from every wo. This faith, though then strengthened, and more fully than ever, tested, was far from being merely the effect of that consciousness of fast approaching the eternal world, which the infirmities of age cannot but produce in every reflecting mind. It had been long cherished, and its truth and life been long manifested, by that only evangelical test, working by love. It had led to uniform and devout application to those religious duties which are the required homage of creatures to their Creator, and the appointed means of that grace whereby alone the heart can be renewed and sanctified, the life be rendered holy, and the Christian become meet for the heavenly inheritance which was purchased, by the Redeemer's merits, for all who, by patient continuance in well-deing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality. Accordingly, besides that private and domestic religion, in which the true Christian finds such a delightful and edifying expression of his faith and devotion, this excellent woman, when health and strength permitted, was an exemplary attendant on the services of the temple and the altar. She loved the church, because she considered it as

under the blessing of its divine Head, the appointed channel and mean of grace and salvation, to a fallen and perishing world.

To the love of God above all things, she added that other branch of the perfect law of the Gospel, loving her neighbour as her self. In the full circle of relative and social duties, by which the influence of this holy principle is to be manifested, and was so, most faithfully, by her, those which form the interesting connexion between the needy and their benefactors, appear to have been her favourite employ ment. She felt for others' wo. The widow and the orphan werè peculiar objects of her commiseration, and called forth peculiar efforts for their relief. Having spent several years in faithful participation in the care and manage ment of the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children, she was one of two or three, in whose minds the active care of the needy objects of that most excellent charity, suggested the idea of forming that no ble sister institution, the Orphan Asy lum Society. Her mind was too strongly imbued with those Christian principles which strengthen and sanc tify the tender sympathies of nature, not to enter warmly and heartily into a project so disinterested and so heaven ly. The blessing of Divine Providence was vouchsafed; and her favourite topic, to the last, was the cause of gratitude which this gave to the conductresses of that institution. Accustomed to acknowledge, in all events, the wise and good control of a kind heavenly Parent, she would dwell, with pious joy, on the special evidences of so consoling a truth, in the experience of the Orphan Asylum, Often, when its managers knew not from what human source the next week's necessary support of their numerous family could be derived, some liberal benefactor has appeared as the almoner of him whó has promised to be the Father of the fatherless. It was delightful to hear our venerable departed sister speak of these instances of providential care. They confirmed her faith. They renewed her hope. They encouraged ber in that exalted charity which kin

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dled in her breast all a mother's love, tenderness, and anxiety for the little children in whose cause she so actively and cheerfully laboured. When the infirmities of age and disease precluded labour, she still manifested, if possible, an increasing interest in their welfare. Almost the last words 'she uttered expressed an anxiety for the Orphan Asylum.

It was to be expected that a life like her's would be succeeded by an easy and a happy death. She found it so. Divine mercy, secured by divine veracity to the humble, the penitent, and the faithful, vouchsafed that peace which is the never-failing reward of the piety which divine grace renders attainable. The consolation and support which she had enjoyed in the many troubles and trials of her protracted pilgrimage, were peculiarly experienced in the lingering and painful disease which brought it to its close. But she knew too well the only sufficient ground of confidence, to attribute her present comfort, or her strong hope of future glory, to any merit of her own righteousness. When near her end, the good fight she had fought was mentioned to her. "I rely," was her answer, " my full and only reliance, is on the atonement made for my sins by the Redeemer." "In this triumphant faith, she fell asleep, leaving an example most worthy of imitation; having given long and practical proof, that private station affords, to those who are willing to improve them, many opportunities of effecting lasting public good; and exhibiting the glorious success of that faith to which all are called and which all may possess, and the sufficiency of that grace which is offered to all, and which will enable all who duly seek and improve it, to attain, through the merits of him who purchased it by his blood, to a true, a living, and a saving faith.

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