Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 368

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What I have Seen in Shánghải.

JUNE,

The extraordinary rains of the previous year, the injury to the crops and soil, and consequent famine, lead us to hope that the anticipations of the husbandmen may not be disappointed, whether the theory here. propounded be correct or erroneous.

Ningpo, April 26th, 1850.

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Note.—It has been ascertained by Ehrenberg that the dust or yellow sand which falls like rain on the Atlantic near the Cape de Verde Is., and is sometimes transported to Italy, and even the middle of Europe, consists of a multitude of silicious shelled microscopic animals. Perhaps," says Humboldt, "many of them float for years in the upper strata of the atmosphere, until they are brought down by vertical currents, or in accompaniment with the superior current of the trade-winds, still susceptible of revivification, and multiplying their species by spontaneous division, in conformity with the particular laws of their organiza- tion." Further research may show too that the sand in the Chinese Plain contains animalcule.-Ed. Ch. Rep.

Art. VI. What I have seen in Shánghái: Protestant missions; the late Mrs. Wylie, Mr. Southwell, and Mr. Spalding; notices of each mission; distribution of alms; chaplaincy in Trinity church; Bethel flag ; Chinese version of the N. Testament ; article on Elohim and Theos.-Letter to the Editor by E. C. B. My dear Sir: To those details respecting Christian missions, pub- lished in your last volume, permit me now to add others, showing the progress and present condition of these benevolent institutions. Certain as I am that such information will be acceptable to every intelligent reader, no apology is offered for writing to you again on this subject. The more accurately we can describe the progress of revealed truth, the more will every good man admire this system of religion, the more highly appreciate its blessings, and the more zealous and steadfast we may expect him to be, in purpose and action, for its speedy and universal extension. Accurate information is essential for the successful prosecution of every enterprise, and especially is it so where great ends of a benevolent nature are to be attained. This principle, so generally acknowledged and acted upon, in commercial, political and scientific matters, is happily beginning to be equally recognized in the great scheme of promulgating true religion, the noblest and the greatest of all enterprises. Not to speak of other parts of the world yet to be blessed with true religion, look over these eigh- teen provinces of China Proper, and carefully estimate and sum up the grand total of men and means here most thoroughly and basely alienated from the service of Jehovah, the only true God, and prosti- tuted to the service of those who,~ in the emphatic language of inspi-