providence of God at the head-quarters of idolatry, and called to aid, however humbly, in demolishing some of the devil's strongest holds, I desire for one, never to forget that the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God. It was asked whether more might not be done to benefit the East Indians; and the desirableness of taking tours into those districts which have rarely or never been visited with the Gospel was suggested by more than one, but practical difficulties will, I fear, prevent us in some parts of Orissa from doing all that is in our hearts. The public services of this Conference were numerously attended, and were occasions on which the presence of the Lord was enjoyed. The usual sermons were preached on New Year's day. Mr. Miller preached in Oriya, from Colossians, 3. 11-Christ all and in all, was the preacher's theme, and surely a better could not have been chosen. Mr. Bailey preached in English on the life and labours of the Apostle Paul, from Acts 9. 15 16. The annual missionary meeting was a very pleasing service, and the attendance was encouraging. The speakers were Gunga Dhor, Rama Chundra, Tama, and Jagoo Koul. Prayer was offered by Thoma and Paul. We were all refreshed and strengthed by the sentiments expressed. On the second sabbath of the year we engaged in the Lord's supper together, and the sacred pleasures of the occasion were augmented by six happy converts being admitted at the same time to the Lord's table. The baptismal service in the morning was an impressive one. Mr. Bailey preached from Luke 18.28,30,and Damudar(whose eldest son was one of the candidates) expressed, in affecting language, the holy joy that pervaded his heart on this solemn occasion, after which he offered prayer. Ithen baptized the candidates. In the evening Mr. Taylor exhorted us to imitate the primitive disciples, who "all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication." I must not omit to mention that after the business was finished we had a special prayer-meeting which was felt to be a very quickening season. J. BUCKLEY. THE RAJAH OF KHOORDA Has recently deceased. He was the superintendent of the temple of Jaganath, and was immensely rich, but abolishing the Pilgrim Tax, the manhe was a leper. By the act of 1840 agement of the temple at Pooree, was vested in the Rajah of Khoorda for the time being, and as the late Rajah bad no son and heir, some anxiety was felt as to the way in which the difficul- renowned diamond was in the future, Tour on the Rivers East of Cuttack TOUR ON THE RIVERS EAST OF Maha Nuddy, Oct. 24, 1859 Ir is too early at present to travel about the country, but as in the course of a few weeks I am to take charge of the printing office, I have decided to take a trip by water, and to visit such of the villages and markets as may be reached from the rivers east of Cuttack. Sebo Patra and Thoma were to have accompanied me, but just as I was leaving home the latter came and said that his mind was very troubled because his son had got sixteen anna fever,* and that though he was very anxious to go and do the Lord's work, he was afraid his mind would be in his home instead of in his preaching. Under the circumstances, I thought it best to tell him to remain at home a day or two, hoping that his son would be better. My temporary house is a floating one, and is set up on the top of a boat about the width of the narrow boats which ply on the canals in England, but not so long. It is about fifteen feet long, six feet wide, and from five to six feet high, and contains just room enough for a cot, table, and chair; also for a few boxes with food, clothes, books, &c. The framework of the walls and roof is made of bamboos tied together; the former are covered with leaves of the palm tree, and the latter is thatched with straw. At each end there is a palm leaf door with hinges made of string, and on each side there is a glassless window having a palm leaf shutter. The floor is made of roughly-sawn planks, but these fit so badly that it requires great care in setting down one's foot, lest it should go further than was intended. As it is dark, and I have a light, the insects are coming by hun. dreds. To have any of these buzzing in one's hair, or creeping down one's back, is not at all pleasant, but the green flying bugs are the greatest Luisance, as they have such a horrid smell. These, however, are becoming so numerous and tiresome that I really There being sixteen annas in the rupee, this expression denotes a complete fever. To serve God with a whole mind would be a "sixteen anna mind" with halt a mind, with an 16 eight anna mind,' 157 must give up writing, and go away from the light. Our boat has already been on several sandbanks, and the boatmen say they cannot see and must hold to for the night. One Oct. 25th.-Before sunrise we unmoored the boat and continued our journey down the river till we reached a village named Sath batti. We had much difficulty in finding the centre of the village, or large street, as it is called, which consisted of perhaps eight or ten irregularly-built houses, though there are many others scattered about. We had a congregation of about fifty people, who listened to our addresses with a good degree of attention. young brahmin showed a disposition to talk and cavil while Sebo was preaching. For some time he took little notice of the interruption, but at length in bis quiet, effective manner, gave the young man a most severe castigation, which not only made him hold his tongue, but turn his face into all kinds of contortions, much to the amusement of the assembly. I heard one man say to another, "to-day no more water will come from your mouth." As we were leaving, we gave tracts to such as could read, but these were very few indeed. Oct. 26th.-We continued our course down the river from before sunrise, till about eight o'clock. Just below the mouth of the Pyka river, we came to a place where a newly-established market was to be held. We seut several times to see if the people had assembled, but The received replies in the negative. man who was last sent came and said that the market would not sit till after another prahara, or watch of three hours. Sebo and I consulted as to whether it was desirable to wait, and though both of us were mortified at the idea of leaving a market we had waited to attend, we thought it best to go forward, as the delay might hinder our attending a larger one the next day. Leaving the Maha Nuddy to the right we entered the Cheturtolah river. At one of the ferries we had a little conversation with a few people. One man when urged to renounce his false system, replied, "how can I leave a religion which has been observed by my forefathers for fifty generations "? Just as it was growing dusk, we reached a temple dedicated to Mahadebe, and situated on the river's bank. By the encroaches of the river the foundations have been undermined, and one-half of the temple is already down. Speed the time when the river which flows from the city of our God shall lay every temple low, and cause this moral wilderness to rejoice and blossom as the rose. There we rested for the night. Oct. 27th.-Early this morning we proceeded down the river. Leaving the Cheturtolah, we went into the Nooua. About nine o'clock we moored at a place near to which two markets were to be held. Breakfast being over, we first went to Demando market, which is held on the left bank of the river, under a fine banyan tree, as indeed most markets are. Even the tree was daubed with paint, and regarded as a goddess. We took up our position on the top of a bank, and were soon surrounded by a crowd of people. One man attempted to justify or excuse idolatry by saying that it was the fault of the age, this being the kolejuga, or wicked age. "Then if a mau," said Sebo, "should enter your house, murder your wife and children, and steal all your property, you would blame the kolejuga, would you, and not him?" "I should blame him," was the reply. "Or if, when the murderer was taken before the magistrate, he should say he did not commit the murder, the kolejuga did it, would the magistrate release him?" 46 No," replied the man, "he would send him to the gallows." Say not, then, that your worshipping idols is the fault of the age! It is your fault, and unless you repent you will certainly be punished." We then crossed the river, and attended Badribah market, which was a small affair. There, however, we had a congregation of fifty or sixty people. We next proceeded down the river to Assressur. At sunset, a cooley from Cuttack arrived, bringing supplies. Bread, butter, &c., on these occasions are but secon dary considerations, the first being, "what news from home?" I was sorry to learn that our dear Henry had a bad cold and fever, but trust he will soon be better. Four days must elapse before I can hear again. 66 Oct. 28th.-To-day we have attended the Chatra market, which was rather large. While preaching we met with a considerable amount of opposition, but it was from parties who are interested in heathenism as it is, and would have to work for livelihood if it were destroyed. Faith was declared to be everything, and it was stated that if a man had true faith, it mattered not what he worshipped. It was admitted however, that faith did not alter the nature of things, that it would not transform a cobra into a child, a tiger into a cow, stones into brass, or sand into gold. But alas! alas! the people desire not to see their error and to walk in the ways of the Lord. Scarcely do I ever return from a market without thinking of the words of our Saviour, Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." After this market we glided several miles down the river, to be near another to-morrow. Oct. 29th.-Between nine and ten o'clock this morning we left the boat for Bholo market, and found it to be about two miles distant. With one or two exceptions, the people heard exceedingly well. For some time I have had misgivings as to the desirability of distributing all our publications gratuitously, so after preaching I thought I would try if I could not sell a few of the larger at mere nominal prices. I told the people that I was persuaded that what they obtained for nothing they did not value, but that what they bought, they would endeavour to preserve. This they admitted, to be true. Look! said I, these books are very valuable, but in order that you may learn to value and preserve them, I shall not give them away, but sell them, at a very small price, to anybody who can read. Understand me, I continued, I do not want your poice, and the amount you may pay me for books I will give to any blind or lame people there may be in the market. So saying, a bound copy of the " Gospels and Acts" was offered for one anna. Two poice, or half-an-anna, were immediately bid, and as nobody seemed inclined to give the former, I let it go for the latter amount. The poice were at once made over to a blind man who was sitting by. A Contributions. volume containing extracts from the Bible was sold for a similar amount, and the proceeds passed over in like manner. Other books of the same kind were applied for, but as we had none with us, I sold a small volume of Poetical Tracts, two copies of the Life of Christ, and two of Mark's Gospel at one poice each. Two annas were made over to the blind man, who, I was going to say, sat looking on with deep in. terest. On one occasion, as I was holding a poice towards him I perceived him put out his hands rather quickly. To this circumstance I called the attention of the people, much to their 159 amusement, whereupon the old man felt called upon to prove that he was really blind. How do you think he did this? Why, by saying that he had carried a whole host of sabibs, whose names he mentioned, on his shoulder! To his own mind this might be perfectly satisfactory, but how carrying sahibs on his shoulder should make him blind, I of course, was unable to comprehend. As however, the poor fellow had a speck over the pupil of each eye, I was satisfied he could not see very distinctly, so considered him an object of charity. (To be continued.) |