instruction of youth in their schools, oc- | eurs in a letter from Tarachund, to brother Ward, dated Vansvariya, 29th June:I thank God that some of the school-boys are so well acquainted with the Christian religion, that they overturn every word of the idolaters who visit the school, and explain the word of the Lord almost as well as Christians themselves; which makes me to believe their conversion to be near. They also disCourse at home about religion, and read the Bible on sabbath and other days.Those that hear them, declare, that this is the true religion, and ought to be obeyed." The zeal of this worthy brother has induced him to compose a number of Bengalee hymns, which are to be printed. At the same time," he adds, I hope you will pray to God, that, by his blessing, these hymns may be spread all over Bengal, and attract the hearts of the hearers toward our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.” Mr. De Bruyn appears to have been made useful, in a variety of instances, among the Mugs, at Chitagong, and its vicinity. At his first" attempt to visit them, these uncivilized people ran up the mountains; however, one of them returned, and after hearing that they had brought them books, and were desirous of making known good news to them, the people took courage, and came round them; when the gospel was read, they acknowledged that they were in a bad way, and that the words were good: they accepted of fourteen books." At Silhet, several persons are waiting for baptism. By a letter from brethren Du Sylva and Bhagvat," We learn that they had visited Hircumbu, (a small independent state,) and had conversed with numbers of the inhabitants respecting the gospel. The daughter of Rajah Govinda-chundra, say they, heard of our arrival, and wished to hear the word; we went, and explained the gospel doctrines to her, with which she seemed much pleased, and detained us six days, during which time she read the word with us, and helped us various ways. At our departure, she expressed the highest pleasure, and told us we were the servants of the true God, and invited us to come every month, and stay two or three days, that she might well understand the Christian doctrine." A pleasing work of grace has been going on at Digah, and its neighbourhood, principally among the British soldiers, though not confined to them. On this subject, a correspondent of the missionaries observes, as follows: "There is in the progress of religion in India, the same appearance as in Europe, a gradual descent of divine influence, like the gentle dew on the tender grass; a daily increasing number of people in different parts of the country, in the civil service, are evidently friends of the gospel; in the army this attachment is more generally decided, and though the work goes on (comparatively) but slowly among the Heathen, this can be accounted for from the great resistance made by the civil and religious prejudices of this people." Mr. Thompson is continuing, with all his former assiduity, to labour in the dissemination of the gospel, in the populous city of Patna. A pleasing instance of the attention excited by the scriptures, occurs in his journal:-" Two Pundits from the city wanted the Sungskrit Testament; not having it, I offered them the Pentateuch, but they said, Not this book, but another, in which there are many good things about Jesus Christ, and good words of his, for we have seen and read the book at Pundit Shookrugee's, in the city, at his recommenda tion; and when we wanted the book for ourselves, he refused, saying, he had obtained it with great difficulty, and told us to come to you.' A new station appears to have been formed at Guya, by a person of the name of Fowles, who had been bap tized by Mr. Thompson, at Patna. He seems to enter into the work of the gos pel with all his heart. “I preach to the Hindoos and Mussulmans," says he, "almost every day, and am heard with much affection and attention; some of them weep, even like children, when I speak to them of the sufferings and death of the Lord of glory; and the Saviour of sinners for the salvation of the elect. Brother John Kerr has proceeded from Ferukabad to Dehli, the ancient capital of India. " "Here" says he, "the word is heard with willingness and attention, much to our encouragement and astonishment, for we had heard that the word could not be preached in Dehli'; but I thank the Lord, that I now per ceive the foily of regarding what men say, and the wisdom of hoping in him, who has promised to his Son the hea then for his inheritance, and the utter most parts of the earth for his pos session." Brethren Peacock and M' Intosh, are proceeding with harmony, and not without success, at Agra. We have received," say our Serampore brethren, " a very pleasing letter from our brother Peacock, giving an account of a change in a family in those parts, from Popish darkness to marvellous light, and from the power of Satan unto God. We should insert this interesting account, but | former occasion, I had a decent number as it relates to a private family, we forbear, lest we should give offence.". Aratoon perseveres in his labours at Surat, amidst many difficulties. "He speaks of a new sect of Hindoos, which sprang up about sixteen years ago, and which is said to comprise 100,000 persons. They affirm that every religion is equally acceptable to God. of hearers, and in the evening quite a crowd; and being formed into a semicircle before the shed in which I stood, which was elevated four or five feet above them, they could all both see and hear very well. During the interval of preaching, we went to the inclosed spot of ground in which the pagoda stands: there, by speaking with a priest, we spoke to a surrounding crowd. We con Another sect.-A sect called Baboojee exists at Surat; they are not numer-tradicted the nonsense of Boodhism, by ous, but brother Aratoon says, "I have stating the plain and important truths of been among them several times. At my the Bible. Mr. Siers and my teacher first visit, I saw them all sitting together afforded me much assistance; and a Mosinging hymns, almost like Christians, handiram, who resides at the village, It seemed a dream to me: I almost fan-united with us in the attack. Thus, in a cied myself at the brethren's house at kind of a side way, we made an assault on Serampore. (Oh! when shall my eyes the enemy upon his own ground; in one see that day again!) These hymns, of his strong holds, where his seat is, though not Christian, are far better than the heathen hymns. They had no prayer. This sect speaks much against idols, and against the Mussulman religion too. I have preached to them." Accounts from the brethren Peter, in Orissa, Chater at Columba, Judson at Rangoon, and Jabez Carey at Amboyna, afford the same proofs of zeal, and unremitting attention, in the sacred cause. The ceremonies were going on the whole night; and not less, I think, thạn ten thousand people were present. Some of them were feeding the lamps, others, carrying lights round the place; some reading books aloud, surrounded by many attentive hearers, and not a few. making offerings of flowers, &c. and repeating prayers, much in the same way as I have seen them in the Burman At Agra, Cutwa, Jessore, and other country. I observed, that every one who stations, several natives had been bap-brought an offering, gave a small piece tized, and several others are mentioned of money to the priest; which, in the as desiring to be admitted to that holy whole, would no doubt amount to a cons ordinance. siderable sum. From Java, Mr. Trowt writes, under date of March 22, 1816,, "Through mercy I can now say I am well; and, if | I continue so, I hope my next will contain a report of progress." The committee of the Java Auxiliary Bible Society, had expressed "the high sense they entertain of Mr. T's exertions in translating the holy scriptures into the Javanese language," and requested his acceptance of 1000 rupees, in aid of that work. Mr. T. is not without some success in his ministry, though he has been much hindered therein by severe indisposition. Brother Chater, in a letter to the brethren at Serampore, dated Columbo, May 27, 1815, says, "I was this week with Mr, Siers and my Cingalese teacher at Kullyanee, where there is a Boodhist temple; at which, on the day of the full moon of the present month, was one of their great days. It is about seven miles and a half from Columbo, on the side of a river, which is called the Kullyanee, river. We arrived after the middle of the day, and at three in the afternoon I delivered a sermon in Cingalese, under a shed not far from the temple; and at eight in the evening another. On the Mr. Siers and myself were at the pa goda, going on with our work, till after, :welve at night. He was so much delighted with his new employment, that he could scarcely sleep when we retired to our little but in which we spent the remainder of the night; at half past seven in the morning, I preached again, and had a considerable number to hear me, In the forenoon, Mr. Armour, and the two methodist brethren, Harvard and Clough, came to the place. They went first up to the pagoda, and talked to the people; and from thence to the preach ing shed, where a priest, who has made up his mind to renounce Boodhism, read a paper, shewing his reasons for so doing: to which he added something extempore, to show that it is a false religion. Among other things he said, Boodh himself had foretold, that during the five thousand years of his dynasty, two thousand of which are not yet elapsed, the Boodh religion would keep its footing in this island, and the Kandian kings would continue to reign as a sure proof that Boodhism is not true, he said they all knew that the king of Kandy is now a prisoner in the fort of Columbo. After the priest had delivered his speech, Mr. Harvard, with the help of an interpreter, prayed and preached to the people; and we sung hymns in English. After this service was over, we took-dinner with a Dutch magistrate, who was at the place to keep peace during the feast; and then returned to Columbo in one boat, singing hymns almost the whole way. I was much gratified with the trip; and felt more like a missionary at his proper work, than at any time since my arrival here." Letters have also been received from Jamaica. Brother Compere appears to have a pleasing prospect before him; he has procured a meeting-house in King ston, which had long been shut up, and there has formed a church from among the people of colour, previously professing Christianity, consisting of se, veral hundred communicants. On July 13, he received intelligence, which seems much to have rejoiced his spirits. "I have heard," he says, "that all the slaves on an estate called M. have lately began to pray, and that those on three estates adjoining are likeminded. God grant that they may be praying souls indeed, that they may weep and pray on earth, but rejoice and praise in heaven." The following is from the Journal of Mrs. Judson, dated Rangoon, Sept. 1813, and continued till Sept. 1814. his table. Though but two in number, we feel the command as binding, and the privilege as great as if there were more, and we have indeed found it refreshing to our souls. "December 11.-To-day, for the first time, I have visited the wife of the viceroy. I was introduced to her by ta French lady, who has frequently visited her. When we first arrived at the government house, she was not up, consequently, we had to wait some time. But the inferior wives of the viceroy diverted us much by their curiosity, in minutely examining every thing we had on, and by trying on our gloves, bonnets, &c. At last her Highness made her appearance, dressed richly in the Burman fashion, with a long silver pipe at her mouth smoking. At her appear ance, all the other wives took their seats at a respeciful distance, and sat in a crouching posture, without speaking. She received me very politely, took me by the hand, seated me upon a mat, and herself by me. She excused herself for not coming in sooner, saying she was unwell. One of the women brought her a bunch of flowers, of which she took several, and ornamented her cap. She was very inquisitive whether I had a hus. band and children, whether I was my husband's first wife, meaning by this, whether I was the highest among them, supposing that my husband, like the Burmans, had many wives; and whether I intended tarrying long in the country. His "Not more refreshing to the thirsty sons of Afric is the cooling stream, nor inore luxurious to the meagre, half. "When the viceroy came in, I really starved native Andaman, is a morsel of trembled; for I never before beheld food, than your letters to our weary and such a savage looking creature. almost famished feelings. Two long long robe and enormous spear not a lityears and a half had elapsed since we tle increased my dread. He spoke to left our native country, without our hear-me, however, very condescendingly, and ing one word from any of our American friends., Thirteen months of this have been spent in the cruel, avaricious, benighted country of Burmah, without a single Christian friend, or female companion of any kind. Our home is in the Mission-house, built by the English Baptist Society, on the first arrival of Messrs. Chater and Carey in this country. It is large and convenient, situated in a rural place, about half a mile from the walls of the town. We have gardens enclosed, containing about two acres of ground, full of fruit trees of various kinds. In the dry season, our situation is very agreeable. We often enjoy a pleasant walk within our own enclosure, or in some of the ad. joining villages. " September 20-This is the first sabbath that we have united in commemorating the dying love of Christ at VOL VIIL asked if I would drink some rum or wine. When I arose to go, her highness again took my hand, told me she was happy to see me, that I must come to see her every day,for Iwas like a sister to her. She led me to the door, and I made my salam, and departed. My only object in visiting her was, that if we should get into any difficulty with the Burmans, I could have access to her, when perhaps it would not be possible for Mr. Judson to get access to the viceroy. One can' obtain almost any favour from her, by mak❤ ing a small present. We intend to have as little to do with government people as possible, as our usefulness will proba bly be among the common people. Mr. Judson lately visited the viceroy, when he scarcely deigned to look at him, as English men are no uncommon sight in this country: but an English female is quite a curiosity." 4 C Domestic Religious Intelligence. "LAST week I visited most of the schools, and paid the masters their quarter's salary. In general I found them very attentive to the new regulations respecting classing the children, &c., "In my last, I promised you a more particular account of my preaching in this part of the country: I preached at Sligo on Lord's-day, Sept. 22, to a large and attentive congregation. On the same morning, I baptized two persons, who appear to be partakers of divine grace, on a profession of their faith. On Monday at Windsfort, in a school-room, which was much crowded:-on Tuesday at Washington, five miles from Sligo, to a very attentive auditory :-on Wednesday at Coloony, in the market-house :-on Thursday at Bto a very erowded congregation, most of whom were Roman Catholics, who paid particular attention: this is the parish referred to in my journal of last March, where a great number of the inhabitants left the priest, mass, and chapel.-On Friday I preached again at Coloony, where the inhabitants manifest a great desire to hear the gospel. Near this place there is a HOLY WELL, on the top of a high mountain, where thousands assemble, at particular times, to do penance, and perform stations. On Sa turday morning I had the curiosity of going to see it; at which I met several pilgrims, who had come from a great distance to see them prostrating themselves before the well; beating their breasts; and to hear them repeating their Ava-Marias on the beads; and groaning in the most horrid manner, was enough to shock any person's feelings After they had said a certain number of prayers, both men and women crept over a craggy rock which was before the well, till the flesh was cut, and the blood to be seen upon the stones. This they did with all the blind devotion imaginable, and were not ashamed to do it in the presence of thousauds. Never 'did, I witness a sight which affected me so much! I endeavoured to point them to the Saviour, who did not require such performances in order to render them acceptable before him but all that I said appeared to be in vain, as they firmly believed it was absolutely neces sary to do penance, before the priest could absolve them. Oh! what ignorance, not at all inferior to the blindness of the worshippers of Juggernaut in Orissa. This consideration ought to stir us up to a greater diligence in distributing the word of life among the be nighted inhabitants of this island. "Two little boys from one of our schools, who have learned to read, took home their Irish Testament to read to their fathers; the priest missing them at confession, called to know the reason: Indeed,' they replied, and we can do without you now. If we die upon the mountain, we shall not want you; for we have found out a better priest→→ Jesus Christ the great High Priest.'”. There are many similar instances. The darkness is past the true light now shineth. 3000 children are now in the schools; and the Committee are strongly solicited to send a minister to Clon mel, where a neat place of worship, capable of containing about one hundred and twenty hearers, has been lately opened by Mr. Hassel and Mr. M'Carthy. There was some interruption; but the major's son, who was present, exerted his influence, and prevented mischief. 4 L.254 13 7 The First Annual Report is printed, and may be had of Button and Son." BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Ir having been agreed at the meeting of the Bucks and Herts Association, in May last, that the ministers should assemble in the course of the summer, to consult on the best means for the formation of an Auxiliary Society, in aid of the Baptist Mission, a meeting was held at Chesham, on Thursday, September the 5th, at which the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted: 1. That the Association be considered, in future, as an auxiliary society in aid of "The Baptist Missionary Society." HANTS AND WILTS. OCTOBER 2, the churches of the Hants and Wilts Missionary Association, held their last meeting for the year, at Salis bury. After an early meeting for prayer, the morning sermon, on the importance of united prayer for the success of the gospel, was preached, by Mr. Owers, from 2 Thess. iii. 1. In the evening, Mr. Dyer, of Reading, preached from Rom. iii. 31. Mr. Hawkins preached the preceding evening. The devotional parts of the services were conducted by the brethren Headden, Hawkins, Russell, Millard, Dyer, Saffery, Clare, Mead, Bulgin, and George. The afternoon was devoted to the bu siness of the Association and Mission; the subscriptions and collections to which amounted, in the past year, to £378 18s. 4 d. It is worthy of notice, that 2. That the churches are requested to £19 15s. 8d. of this sum was subsend such contributions as they may be scribed in the last three quarters of the able to raise, in behalf of the above-year by a Sunday school, in which no named institution, to the annual meetings of the association. 3. That the amount of the contribution of each church, and the names of subscribers, shall be transmitted by the secretary of the association, to one of the secretaries of the Parent Society, to be printed in the Periodical Accounts. 4. That if any individuals wish to send contributions specifically for the translations of the scriptures, they shall be regularly consigned to the fund, which is appropriated to that object. 5. That contributions in aid of the Baptist Society for promoting the gospel in Ireland, will be thankfully received, and faithfully conveyed to the treasurer' of that institution. 6. That the secretary is empowered to receive the contributions at the annual meetings, and to transmit them accordingly. " Public service was held in the evening, Messrs. Hunt, of Tring, and Groser, of Watford, prayed; Messrs. Groser, of Risborough, and Godwin, of Missenden, preached the former from Matthew, xiii. 16, 17; on the superiority of our religious advantages over those enjoyed by good men in former ages, and our child was allowed to give more than one half-penny a week. To what an extent might not the funds of the Mission be assisted, were similar exertions made The throughout the Denomination! committee of this society affectionately press on all their congregations renewed activity in this great work. The next Association is to be held at Romsey, on the Wednesday in the Easter week, 1817. The brethren Bulgin, Saffery, and Miall, are to preach. The former on the Tuesday evening. HUNTINGDONSHIRE. THE second anniversary of this society was held on Wednesday, April 10, 1816, at Ramsey, when the Rev. T. Griffin, of Prescott-street, London, preached in the morning, from Ephesians, ii. 8,9; and the Rev. S. Hillyard, of Bedford, in the evening, from Proverbs, xiy. 28. In the afternoon a public meeting was held, for the purpose of transacting the business of the society, and communicating interesting missionary intelligence. The congregations throughout the day were large, and the collections considerable. |