Page images
PDF
EPUB

does not appear necessary to give them more

in detail.

"24th.-Left Luckyantipore this day, after a residence of three weeks and three days, in the review of which I cannot but exclaim, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.' In the midst of great dangers I and mine have been preserved. A door has been opened, and strength has been given me to preach the blessed Gospel in many villages where a minister of Christ has never been before. Some thousands have heard of the grace of God through Christ, and many hundreds of tracts have been given away in the hope that the knowledge of a Saviour may be still more increased, and the impressions produced be deepened. Before closing this journal I would make a few observations on this interesting district, as affording many and great encouragements for the prosecution of missionary labour therein.

"First.

During six months in the year the state of the country is such as that every part of it is accessible with ease to a missionary. It is during that time entirely flooded with water, so that a canoe can go to every village with no difficulty, and little delay. This is an important consideration, as in most places, in consequence of the want of roads, the greatest difficulties present themselves to the missionary. The country also during the rainy season is as healthy as other places.

"Secondly. Although the inhabitants are very superstitious, and attached to caste, they have little knowledge of the Shasters, and are therefore very ill prepared to defend their system against the statements of Christian missionaries; and as there are but very few Brahmins among them, and these generally very ill informed, there is scarcely any to whom they can resort to get the difficulties thus presented satisfactorily answered, and their doubts removed. Caste also is retained more through fear of worldly loss than respect which they have for it.

"Thirdly. The people are generally very much oppressed by the landowners, and in consequence much discontented. Beside, the different religious services to which they attend are chiefly for obtaining worldly good. Thus an idol which they call Dokyin Roy, is to be seen in every field (excepting those which belong to Musselmans), and it is supposed to be very propitious in bringing abundance of fish and rice; and for this object also such of them as have saved a little money generally expend it in building a temple in honour of Kristnoo, so that most of the villages have at least one of these buildings. But neither Dokyin Roy nor Kristnoo fulfil their expectations; for, as I said before, the people

generally are very much distressed, and even those families that have erected temples to Kristnoo are, with few exceptions, reduced to poverty. A very ignorant heathen man said to me once as I was travelling in a canoe, when asking him some questions respecting these temples; I do not know how it is, but the fact is certain that every body that builds a temple, instead of getting rich, as he expected, comes to poverty;' and this, on inquiry, I found to be very generally true. Hence their poverty, the oppressions to which they are subject, and the inefficacy of idolatry make many sincerely desire a change; and when missionaries visit them it causes them also to receive them with gladness, and listen to their message with attention. When thy judgments are abroad in the world, the inhabitants thereof will learn righteousness.

"Fourthly. Christianity has, by the labours of missionaries and the distribution of tracts, obtained through all parts of the country a good reputation; so that there exists a great desire and curiosity to hear the word of God, and peruse the little printed messengers of mercy. I have often been surprised at the pleasure which has been manifested when the inconsistencies, contradictions, and abominations of Hindooism have been exposed. The people appeared as though they had been wishing to throw away the load which oppresses them, and that they had now found reasons for so doing. On these occasions also they have highly extolled the Gospel, saying, "This is the true, the excellent way.' A considerable number of persons who have not professed themselves Christians have obtained a good insight into its doctrines, precepts, and prospects.

"Fifthly. The ice of caste is now broken. Several hundreds of persons within a few years have become Christians in profession, and thus shown their disregard for caste. This with Hindoos is a great point. Dostoor, or example, sways a very powerful influence over their minds; nor do I find that in this part of the country Christians are less respected by their neighbours than they were before losing caste. Many say they have done right, and that they would follow them did they not fear the anger of their landowners.

"From all these things then it certainly appears that affectionate, prudent, persevering, evangelical missionary labours in this district, followed by prayer, would, in a few years, accomplish the most glorious achievements in the cause of our adorable Redeemer; and with these views I cannot but look back on my labours here, humble and imperfect as they have been, with hope and thankfulness, and commend them to His overruling power, who has said, My word shall not return unto me void." Amen.

CALCUTTA.

Baptism of four Native Converts.

From the Calcutta Missionary Herald of March, 1831.

"On Tuesday afternoon, March 22nd, the ordinance of Believers' Baptism was administered in Mr. Wilson's Tank, in Intalee, when four persons, about to be received into the native church, at Calcutta, thus made a public profession of their faith in Christ

Jesus. One was formerly a Mussulman residing in Calcutta; and the remaining three are Hindoos; one from the village of Bonstollah, and the other two from that of Kharee.

The service was commenced by singing, with reading the Scriptures and prayer, by Mr. W. H. Pearce; after which an address to the spectators was delivered by Mr. G. Pearce. Mr. C. C. Aratoon then asked the candidates several questions as to the reasons which induced them thus publicly to embrace the religion of Jesus; and having received from one of them, in the name of the rest, satisfactory replies, he explained the design of the solemn service in which they had engaged to the numerous spectators present, and besought them also to embrace the Saviour. He then went down with the candidates into the water, and baptized them; after which, brother Soojautally, the Society's native preacher, concluded the interesting service with prayer. Besides professing Christians, it is estimated that 250 Hindoos and Mussulmans were present, and all behaved with the most respectful attention during the service.

In the evening, the persons baptized were received into the fellowship of the native church, when the Lord's Supper was administered by Mr. W. H. Pearce, to nearly thirty native members, besides European visitors.

BOMBAY.

It will appear, by the subjoined extract, that our American missionary brethren at Bombay have recently been encouraged in their efforts by several instances of hopeBesides three other persons, admitted into their com

ful success.

munion a little while before, two Hindoos were received on the first Sabbath of December (1830) of whom it is said :

"On the first Sabbath in December, Dajeeba, a Hindoo of the Purhoo caste, was received into the church by baptism, and admitted to the Lord's Supper. And on the first Sabbath in March, Moroba, of the Hindoo caste, was received into the church by baptism.

"After this the Lord's Supper was administered in the American Mission Chapel to nineteen communicants, among whom were the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth -from the four quarters of the globe. The services were conducted in the Murat'hee language. The novelty of the scene drew out a large number of natives, to whom the nature and design of the ordinances were clearly explained, and who listened to the instruction, and watched the movements, with much apparent concern.

"Dajeeba, previously to his baptism, had been employed by the American Mission as a teacher of one of their native schools in Mazagaum, for nearly three years, during which time he had been a regular attendant on the religious services at the chapel on the Sabbath and on Tuesday. Little more than a year previously to his baptism his mind was apparently deeply impressed with Divine truth,-a sense of his own innate depravity and sinfulness of life, and a persuasion of the inefficacy of the numerous atonements inculcated by Hindooism to expiate sin. For a season his mind was in such a state of anxious inquiry respecting the way to obtain the remission of sin and eternal life, as to disqualify him, in a measure, for the regular instruction of his school. He requested permission to put another teacher in his place, that he might, with less interruption, pursue the great inquiry which seemed to absorb his every thought. His request being acccded to by the missionaries, he went to them daily for several weeks, to read the Scripture and receive instruction. Having read the New Testament attentively, and having had it explained to him by the missionaries, he professed his belief in Christianity, and in Christ as his only Saviour. But in consequence of the entreaties of an aged and infirm mother, who was dependant on him for support, and the influence of other friends, he was induced to

defer the violation of his caste by uniting in a measure, the deep solicitude he once with the church. Though he seemed to lose, manifested for his salvation, and was guilty of some improper conduct, yet it is believed

he did not return to the practice of idolatry. He professed to read the Scriptures daily, and to pray to the one living and true God. About six months before his baptism, Divine truth seemed to take a more deep and abiding hold of his feelings. He acknowledged that he had done wrong in listening to the entreaties of a mother, rather than to the commands of his Saviour, and requested to be baptized. His mother, who before so virulently opposed him, consented to his baptism; for she said, I am convinced that Dajeeba will find no peace to his mind till he has professed Christ before his countrymen by being baptized; but as for me,' she added, 'I can assure you that I will never be guilty of apostacy from the religion of my ancestors. If they have gone to hell, I will go there too -I have no concern for that.' And here we would mention, that Christians may be excited to pray for this aged Pagan woman, that she was present at the baptism of her son, and since that time has attended divine service at the chapel when her infirmities would admit. She is less bitter in her feeling-more disposed to hear-and attends family worship with her son.

66

Dajeeba is a young man, aged 26, rather modest and retiring in his natural disposition, possesses good natural talents, and, for a Hindoo, considerable information. He is advantageously employed as superintendent of schools, and at the same time pursuing a course of study for more extensive usefulness.

"The other Hindoo convert, Moroba, had been employed as a teacher of a school in connexion with the mission only six months previous to his baptism. From that time, in addition to the stated services at the chapel, and the Christian instruction given in the school, he attended daily the reading of the Scriptures and prayer at one of the missionaries' houses. About two months after this he brought his household gods, which had been worshipped in the families of his ancestors for years, and gave them to the missionary, and said, Take these abominable gods, for I have no further need of them.

I wish

to clear my house of them, for I am convinced there is but one God, who is a Spirit-and from this time I am determined to worship him in my family.' At the same time he requested to be baptized as soon as the missionaries should deem him a proper subject for admission to the Christian church.

"Moroba and Dajeeba are bitterly persecuted by their former castes, but as yet they seem to suffer joyfully for Christ's sake. The wife of the former is at present in a very interesting state of mind. She daily receives Christian instruction from one of the ladies of the mission. Hopes are entertained that

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The contributor of the following brief article, was once a little sceptical about the great success of the Baptist West-India Missionaries, on account of the vast number of supposed conversions; but, having been permitted to see their labours and the good effected, he begs leave to give as a sample a few of the many queries and answers which the missionary and the candidate for baptism respectively put and received, prior to that ordinance.

What is sin? "All that don't fitten." Another, "All the badness we do 'foretime." Who is Jesus Christ? "The Son of God." And what has He done for our salvation? "Him 'tand for we." Another," Him get himself wound for we." Do you repent of sin?"Ebery ting me do 'foretime, me sorry for to me heart." How did you know yourself to be a sinner? "Me tink me a sinner; for me hearee de Bible read. Do you love Jesus? "Me lub me Massa Jesus; me wish me always at Him feet." Why do you love

[ocr errors]

the Saviour? "For Him come down and be crucified, and Him 'till pray.' Can you do good of yourself?" By de power of Jesus." Why do you wish to be baptized? "Massa Jesus leave de word, and me wish to follow him track." But if any one should mock afterwards, what would you do? "Me take him hand, and me say, how you do?" What does the minister break the bread for, and pour out the wine? "To mind upon it, and 'member upon it, how Massa Jesus body broke for we, how Him precious blood 'pilt for we. Why do you wish to partake of the Lord's Supper?" It bring feeling over me mind; for Him wounded for me sin." One of them having been asked if she loved God, replied in the affirmative; and on being further asked, whether she loved all the brethren and sisters, answered, "Hi Massa! me no lub me broder and me sisters, who me see ebery day, when me lub God who me neber see."

[ocr errors]

"

[blocks in formation]

Sept. 27

SOUTH AFRICA..........Messrs. Kidwell and Webber, Graham's Town

Aug. 18

DOMESTIC.

rily involves. Our heavenly Father having been pleased to confer upon us the honour of communicating his Gospel to our benighted Our readers will perceive that the fellow men, surely there can be no employgenerous kindness of our friend ment of property more noble than to use it for that purpose. I do hope that convictions Omicron," and the excellent very of this kind are, on the whole, gaining ground letter accompanying his munificent among us; but we have all need to be redonation, as inserted our last num-minded, again and again, of what is at once ber, have not been without their our duty and our privilege in this respect. effects. Besides various donations of smaller amounts, for all which the Committee are very thankful, another anonymous friend has forwarded a benefaction of THREE HUNDRED POUNDS. It was accompanied by the following lines, addressed to the Secretary.

DEAR SIR,

Your correspondent Omicron expresses the desire that all the readers of his excellent letter may apply his hints to themselves, stating his conviction that, if they do, the number of missionaries may be doubled. This, I think, is beyond all question. I desire to fall under the reproof, and enclose £300 in furtherance of the object. It is delightful to unite in the fervent supplications which are presented, that the kingdom of Christ may be extended throughout the world; and I desire to feel that consistency requires that I shall be ready to make the pecuniary sacrifices which the fulfilment of our wishes necessa

I am far from wishing to press heavily on that large number of our kind friends who contribution of a guinea or two; but I am cannot, with propriety, go beyond the annual quite satisfied that too many content themselves with paltry subscriptions of that order, whose means authorize and require them to I only wish such pergo much beyond it. sons could be brought to feel the cause of Christ as their own-that their happiness is bound up in its prosperity-and what an amazing change should we soon behold!

But I must not intrude farther on your valuable time. Trusting that the call of God in his providence, for more liberal supplies to his cause, may not be unheeded or disobeyed, and rejoicing in the liberal donation you have already received, as well as in the truly Christian manner in which it was presented,

Dec. 20, 1831.

I am, my dear Sir,
Yours most truly,
ONESIMUS.

Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from November 20 to December 20, 1831, not including individual Subscriptions.

Chatham, Juvenile Society, by Capt. Pudner
John Street Chapel Sunday School, (one-fourth)

Aylesbury, Friends by Mr. Reynolds

Oxfordshire Auxiliary, by Rev. James Flood:-

£. S. d.

17 0

[ocr errors]

2 8

Downton, Collection and Weekly Subscriptions, by Rev. John Clare

11 14

[ocr errors]

4 0

Alcester, Collection

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

10300

Missionary Box, by a Female Servant

Haddington, East Lothian Society, by Mr. Hunter (Female Education)

Nairnshire, Missionary Society, by Rev. Wm. Barclay

Reading, Auxiliary Society, on Account, by Mr. Williams

Walworth, one-third of Collection at Rev. George Clayton's

Bradford, Collection and Subscriptions, by Rev. James Rodway
Exeter, by Rev. John Mason:-

Congregational Society, Bartholomew Yard

Sir John Kennaway

Mr. Moxey

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
« PreviousContinue »