quainted with Scripture and able to speak in public; another of equal Christian character has no gift of utterance, but may exert a highly beneficial influence by private intercourse; a third is fond of the young and can secure their attention; a fourth is a son of consolation," especially fitted to visit the sick; a fifth, noted for his wise conciliatory spirit, may become a Member of the Panchayet or Council for settling differences among Christians; a sixth possesses active business habits, qualifying him to watch over the secular affairs of the congregation. Every pastor should have a list of his people, study their character, and encourage them to engage in fitting occupation.

The division of labour which should take place must depend upon the size of the congregation and the progress made. At the commencement, perhaps there may be only oue man recognised as elder or Christian headman. The following extract is from the last Report of the highly successful Mission in Chota Nagpore:

"Since 1861, and especially since last year, our principal care is directed to dividing the whole district into small circles which in time may become parishes. Over each of these circles, containing from ten to fifteen villages or hamlets within a radius of about three miles-a reliable and trust-worthy man is appointed or will be appointed in time. These men, called elders, have to watch over the affairs of the Christians under their care. They gather them together on Sundays at their own houses, or at the village chapels already built, for prayer, for reading the Word of God, and for learning the catechism. Regularly they have to bring in their Reports about any thing which has happened. By and by, as the Lord prospers us, these little circles will receive teachers; and when the right time has come, also their pastors. The elders are unpaid, but the Native church has promised to care for the necessities of their teachers and pastors." Report for 1863, p. 7.

On the other hand, a large congregation may have various classes of lay agency, as the following:

LAY PREACHERS.-It is said of the early Christians,

They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Converts in secular employ, as far as they are qualified and willing, should be incited to give addresses in towns and villages. On Sundays especially, they may visit places within convenient reach, giving addresses and speaking to the people, much in the same manner as Catechists. In different Missions, there are persons who render valuable service in this manner. One or two of the most earnest devoted Native Christians the compiler has met with in India, have been men of this stamp. They possess one peculiar advantage-the heathen cannot twit them for preaching merely for pay. It must, however, be admitted that caution is necessary. There have been cases when lay preachers provoked the retort, "Physician, heal thyself." No countenance should be given to men whose Christian character will not bear strict investigation.

ELDERS OR CHRISTIAN HEADMEN.-The Presbyterians have recognised Church officers called lay elders, who assist the pastor in watching over the members of the congregation. The class-leaders of the Wesleyans are also well-known. The Committee of the Church Missionary Society in a Minute entitled, "Suggestions on the Organization of Native Churches in Missions," make the following recommendation :

"Converts should be encouraged to form themselves into Christian Companies' (Acts iv. 28) for mutual support and encouragement the members of such companies should not be too numerous or too scattered to prevent their meeting together in familiar religious conference. Local circumstances will decide the convenient number of a company; upon its enlargement beyond that number it should be divided into two or more companies.

"One of such company should be selected, or approved of by the Missionary, as an elder or 'Christian Headman,' to call together and preside over the companies, and to report to the Missionary upon the efforts made by the members for extending the knowledge of Christ's truth. Each Christian company

should be encouraged to hold Weekly Meetings under its headman, with the occasional presence of the Missionary, for united council and action, for reading the Scriptures and prayer, and for making contributions to the Church Fund - if it be only a handful of rice, or more, as God shall prosper them.

'Monthly Meetings of the Christian Headmen should be held under the Missionary, or some one whom he may appoint, at which meetings the headmen should report upon their respective companies, hand over the contributions, receive from the Missionary spiritual counsel and encouragement, and commend their common work, in united prayer, to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls.”

MEMBERS OF PUNCHAYET.-It is much to be regretted, though not surprising, that disputes should not unfrequently occur among Native Christians. Judson always insisted that the party offended should first obey the Scriptural precept," If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone." (Matt. xviii. 15.) When this fails, perhaps the good offices of the Christian headman may suffice. As a last resource, an appeal may be made to the Punchayet, an ancient Hindu institution. Dr. Caldwell gives an account of it in his Tinnevelly Missions, (pp. 66-9.) The concluding remarks may be quoted :

"The Missionary's influence in his own district being much greater than that of any other person, the people of every congregation, the headmen included, are prone to refer every case to him, instead of settling it among themselves; a tacit conspiracy is thus entered into to make him a universal ruler and divider; and if he be young and experienced, he will probably fall into the temptation, until his patience is wearied out with disputes and litigations (a large crop of which is continually ripening in a country where illiterate peasants are the proprietors of the soil, and where all property is held in hereditary co-parcenery; whereas if he steadily makes it his aim to develop the capacity for self-government which every congregation of any size is found to possess, and to organise some central court of appeal, such as the Niyaya Sabei, or Council of Justice,' which

we had at Edeyenkoody, and which was composed of five householders, annually chosen by the whole people, he is set free to devote his time and strength to the spiritual work of his office, with only a general directive influence in the administration of temporal affairs, and the interests of the people themselves in the end more effectually advanced."

CHURCHWARDENS OR FINANCIAL COMMITTEE.—The Missionary should have as little as possible to do with pecuniary matters. Xavier wrote:

"To avoid giving offence, I wish that neither you nor any one of our Society should collect the dues appointed for the sustentation of the college and the neophytes, but that it should be transacted, if possible, by some other fit person. It will not be difficult, I think, to find a person of some property, so that they may be no risk of loss, and that poor contributors may not be too rigidly pressed for payment.*

The General Committee should be divided into sections, each undertaking a particular department. One Sub-Committee might attend to collections for the support of the ministry, another take charge of buildings and current expenditure; a third might have the oversight of the Poor Fund; and so on.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-It has already been mentioned that hitherto almost the entire support of schools has fallen upon the Missionary Societies. A change should take place. Every Christian congregation should be considered to be responsible for the maintenance of its own school. In many parts of India, liberal grantsin-aid can now be obtained from Government. The aim should be to support the school entirely by the contributions of the people, with help from Government. The school should be held to belong to the congregation; the Missionary Society meanwhile simply giving a kind of grant-in-aid to be gradually reduced. A School Committee would tend to excite interest and bring the people to see their duty in the matter.

* Venn's Memoir, p. 229.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.-No remarks are necessary on the advantages of this useful class of labourers.

PUBLICATION AGENT.-Tract Depositories are few in number and confined to large cities. This has had the effect of limiting sales. Every Missionary should endeavour to make Christian books accessible to his people. A Schoolmaster, or other Mission Agent, should be a sort of bookseller in a small way. Many Societies allow discount on sales, which would yield a little profit. The prices might also be raised somewhat, if necessary. The subject will be noticed further under the head of Christian literature.

Supposed Difficulties -It may be objected, that the Missionary will have far greater trouble in making the proposed Committees do their duty than in attending to the business himself. This may be true at the commencement. When a mother first teaches her little daughter to sew, the work done may seem a very inadequate recompense. Regard must be had to the future. It is a matter of vast importance to train the Indian Church to self-reliance.

The difficulties are much less than many imagine. Independent action is a characteristic of the AngloSaxon. On the other hand, from the earliest ages, the Hindus have loved to act in concert. Every village is an organised little republic, competent to manage its own affairs. Division of labour has been introduced to a large extent.

If the converts have not already been pauperised, the Missionary will find good materials to work upon. Even with a moderate degree of administrative ability, an earnest man may effect much.

Course Suggested.-If little progress has previously been made in organization, the Missionary will act wisely in proceeding step by step. He should not attempt to get up a number of Committees at once. Failure would be the result. Let him become thoroughly acquainted with the leaders of the Native

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