to Cape Town. Mr. Wilson has, too, a considerable number of theological, scientific, and general reading books. Thus, readers are about as well off here as they would be in Scotland. "The bookseller's shop, also, answers the purpose of a regular post-officeMr. Wilson being post-office master. You may, perhaps, be surprised that a mission station should have a postoffice for itself. But so it is. The correspondence demands it. The population of the station demands it. For just remember that, with pupils, students, apprentices, masters of the trades department, teachers, missionaries, and others connected with the Institution, we have a population of about five hundred; and will see you that if we write at all to our friends, it is almost essential that we should have a post-office at hand. The number of business letters alone that are sent from here is of itself so very great, that if we had not our Lovedale postoffice, we would have to employ boys for no other purpose than to keep running to Alice (rather more than a mile distant) with our letters. Well, then, we have our post-office. And this, besides being convenient for those who have to write letters, encourages the native part of our population to take up the pen too. And now, just think that last year there passed through the Lovedale post no less than 10,000 letters, newspapers, and book-packets, besides 22,000 copies of the Express! "We have not only a post, but a telegraph-office. We can now, therefore, go and see it. This office was opened in August, 1872, and its origin is one of the many proofs we have here of the energy and perseverance of Dr. Stewart. He had a class for chemistry and physical science. In the prosecution of the work of this class, they came across the subject of electricity. Now, as every opportunity is embraced which presents itself of giving a practical turn to all our teaching, he wished to show the members of his class how messages could be sent from place to place by means of the electric current. Accordingly, he made a few experiments in the class-room in the first place; then he got a telegraph wire to Alice, so that the students could see the thing in its real state. This working well, and the students making considerable progress in the new art, he applied to Government, and, although the municipality of Alice had failed in securing telegraphic communication between Alice and the other places of the colony, he-such was his tact and perseverance-obtained this benefit for Lovedale. So, as we have said, the telegraph-office here was opened in August, 1872, and ever since Lovedale has been recognised as a regular telegraph station. Thus, with our post and telegraph offices, we have all the advantages in this respect that the citizens of any city in Britain can boast of. Looking in, now, to the office, you see how expert telegraphists these native clerks are. In receiving and forwarding messages, they show a quickness that is equalled only by what is seen in telegraph-offices in the old country. And they have a good deal to do, as you will see, when you think that last year the number of messages forwarded and received was no less than 2,105. Another interesting thing is that the natives are more and more beginning to make use of telegraphic communication, so that last year the number of native messages was as much as sixteen times greater than what it was.in 1873" 4. MANUAL LABOUR. In describing the busy scenes to be witnessed in other workshops on the estate, the writer takes occasion to observe that on the Lord's-day the students are as actively engaged in Christian labour among the heathen at the various kraals and out-stations. "The wagon-making department is under the charge of Mr. Ririe. He has at present twenty apprenticesall actively employed at work, you see. As the wagon is the only means the people in South Africa have of transporting goods from place to place, this branch of industry is of very great importance indeed. It is also very popular among the natives, as may be inferred from the large number who are here learning it. This department turns out, during the year, a goodly number of wagons, Scotch-carts, and wheel-barrows, "Next door is the blacksmith's department. Mr. Macintosh has charge of this; but although he is a good master, and is kind to the natives, yet somehow or other this trade is not popular with them at present. They seem to think that iron is too hard a thing to work with. Hence Mr. Macintosh has only got six apprentices. The work done by them is principally the making of all the iron mounting' for the wagons, horse-shoeing, and general jobbing. "We will now go and see the carpenter's workshop. As you look in at the door, you see quite a hive of natives all busy at work. There are a dozen of benches, and no less than twenty-seven apprentices. Some excellent work is produced here, and a good quantity of it too. They make every kind of school furniture-such as desks, seats, blackboards, cupboards, and tables, &c. They also do all the carpenter-work required for houses. They used, moreover, to make several articles of house furniture, but owing to the great demand for such work as we have just mentioned, it was found necessary to separate the making of furniture, and form a new department for it. So in April last we commenced the branch of regular cabinet-making, having got Mr. Radley, a trained cabinet-maker, to take charge of it. "Of the trades department, it yet remains that we see the bookbinding establishment. To get to it, however, we will have to walk nearly two miles; for having no accommodation at all about Lovedale, and not being able to find any about Alice, we were obliged to purchase an old road-side inn on the King William's Town-road, and give it to Mr. Fairlie, who has charge of this department. Bookbinding is not at all popular among the Kaffirs; hence there are only two apprentices learning the trade at present. Still the business is very good, and is steadily increasing. Orders come from almost all parts of the eastern province, from Fort Beaufort, King William's Town, East London, Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, and all the intermediate parts of the country. Mr. Fairlie is a splendid bookbinder, and hence highly qualified to teach this branch to his apprentices. This is abundantly shown by the fact that, at the Cape Town Exhibition held last year, he gained the prize for ornamental bookbinding, although specimens were sent from all parts of the colony. The books for which he gained the prize have been sent to the Philadelphia Exhibition, and we trust that they will be equally successful there.' V.-India-South Travancore. OME three years since a revival of religion took place among a sect known as the SYRIAN CHRISTIANS, members of which are to be found on the Western or MALABAR coast of South India. In connection with that revival a Brahmin convert and native clergyman, the Rev. JUSTUS JOSEPH, was, with his brothers, an earnest and enthusiastic labourer. While possessing many interesting and hopeful features, the revival of 1873 was marred by errors and superstitions which have culminated in the lamentable scenes of extravagance and fanaticism of which a sect which has lately come into existence have been guilty. "The six years' people" -for so the sect is termed—boast of some four or five thousand adherents. About eighteen Syrian priests have joined them, and they have congregations in several places. Respecting the origin of the movement, the following details are given by the Rev. S. MATEER, of Trevandrum :— "A man called called Thomman (or Thomas), a Syrian Christian of Shenkulam, near Quilon, made professions of having received the gift of prophecy, and worked upon Justus Joseph so that, in July, 1875, the latter issued a circular to a number of persons and advertised in the public papers as follows:— 666 ́ ́DIVINE PROCLAMATION. "It is hereby proclaimed with certainty that there remains an interval of only six years (from May, 1875) till the glorious coming of King Jesus of Nazareth on the fiery cloud. And as He is going to appear suddenly in the seventh year to be seen by all. "Repent ye all, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "The proclamation, made by His servant is as revealed by the Holy Ghost of King Jesus. 666 JUSTUS JOSEPH, C. M. S. Minister of Kanneet.' "To this was added in a postscript the promise of a book, then being prepared for publication in accordance with the directions of the Holy Spirit,' in which things were foretold the fulfilment of which should be a proof of the truth of the above pro phecy. This book, however, has never appeared. "Joseph was again and again advised with and exhorted on these matters by missionaries of the Church Missionary Society and others. But he went on further and further. He put implicit faith in the prophet,' who seems, as far as I can hear, to be a cheat rather than a fanatic. Dreams, visions, and pretences to direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost were everywhere believed among the poor Syrian Christians. Joseph was constantly surrounded by excited crowds of adherents. His mother went about beating a gong and preaching the coming of the Lord. But still their chief labours were amongst Syrian Christians. Little was or is done for the heathen. "Soon the doctrine was started that public and detailed and reiterated confession of every sin before the congregation was an essential duty. Terrible revelations were made; in some cases, however, so extravagant and improbable, that I venture to hope that people accused themselves more or less unjustly in the heat of excitement." 2. SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICES. Scenes such as those described above are sad enough; but the profanity of some of the rites and ceremonies practised is still more to be deplored, tending, as it does, to bring Christianity into ridicule and contempt : "Marvellous absurdities and fanaticisms are practised amongst these poor people. They go in a kind of procession to church, ringing a bell and singing, then circumambulate the building three times and then enter. In the centre a table is placed which they regard as the throne of God. At the four corners are placed four chief men, the four living creatures,' and around these the four and twenty elders,' and then the common people. "A kind of dancing is practised in their services, both by men and women, to the tune of Tamil lyrics. After singing and dancing are ended, all with one voice and raising their hands cry aloud, Christ will come.' There are now two additional prophets. The prophet beats his breast and goes through the congregation, using alarming threats and making the people confess their sins and pray. One of the prophets frequently makes a noise like a trumpet in the four quarters; the other sometimes makes a noise and dances backward and forward on one leg. They now 'seal' the disciples and pass them through the strait gate. Very recently a prophecy was uttered that there should be darkness on the face of the earth for three days, from 10th to 12th August, but nothing remarkable occurred. A heavy blow has been inflicted on the party by the failure of this prediction, and Justus Joseph is said to have confessed that he was deceived by Satan; but they are now attempting to spiritualise the prophecy and assert its actual fulfilment in the sense of spiritual darkness." 3. MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE. The members of this strange community do not pay much regard to the institution of the Sabbath. They gather from time to time in great crowds for a kind of camp meeting lasting three days, at which fasting is a prominent feature. Their caste prejudices are strong and bitter :— "The 'six years people' have plenty of funds, a large tax being imposed on all proselytes, and so they were able to afford to spend a considerable sum in sending a prophetic telegram to the Queen and to the Maharajah of Travancore about the end of July, hoping, no doubt, to attract attention in England and perhaps obtain further support thence. These six years men' regard all Christians but themselves as dark and unconverted, and are in the habit of praying for the conversion of the Church and London Mission people. Their prophet having declared that it is the word of the Lord that all communion with the Mission shall cease, this has accordingly been done, and Joseph has of necessity been cut off from connection with the Church Missionary Society. The party work chiefly amongst Christians rather than heathens, and are, by their loud professions, positive assertions, and apparent earnestness, unsettling many minds. They have nearly scattered a congregation formed by our mission at Shenkulam, in Quilon District, of low caste people, whom the Syrians would not admit inside their church at that place on account of their caste. The new party will not, I believe, recieve low caste adherents. A Pulagar woman, at Shenkulam, was affected like them, but they will not admit her inside their church but oblige her to stand outside at some distance from the door. Another convert, a trifle higher in caste, is allowed to stand at the door outside. On being remonstrated with on this subject by our Catechist, they actually replied, 'We have had no prophecy about this, to gather in these low castes; when we receive a revelation we will do it.' But where are the prophecies of Holy Writ and the command of our Lord Jesus Christ? This of itself shows the evil character of the present movement; for where there is a revival of true piety there cannot but be a desire to bring all to the Saviour. But these cunning religionists do not forget in all their madness their long-cherished caste prejudices, and take every care of their reputation for caste respectability with their Hindu neighbours. “In this party, some, no doubt, are deceivers, others deceived. I had always thought well of the personal piety and entire sincerity of Justus Joseph, and regarded him as deceived by the lies and trickery of the prophet Thomman. I have, however, lately heard that there is reason to believe that Joseph is himself rather doubtful (as well he may be) of his present position and teaching, and apparently preparing to escape from its difficulties in case of failure." T VI.-idows' and Orphans' Fund. NEW YEAR'S SACRAMENTAL OFFERING. WENTY-SIX YEARS have passed since the Directors made their first Appeal to the friends of the Society on behalf of this Fund. Acknowledging that the salaries of missionaries, while freeing them from present anxiety, allow no provision to be made for future trouble, and especially for that which may follow sudden and unexpected decease, they stated that the claims of widows and orphans had begun to form a regular demand upon the Society's resources; and they urged that such claims should be met by a special offering from the Churches of the country at the first Communion Service of the year. The Appeal met with a most hearty response. It touched a tender chord in many hearts; it called forth many expressions of affectionate sympathy; and it was felt on all hands to be peculiarly appropriate to supply the desired help by a Sacramental Offering, specially gathered on its behalf. The first collection made for that distinct purpose added to the Society's income the sum of £1,547. During the years that have since passed, the great increase made in the number of the Society's missionaries, together with the lengthened service of those previously labouring in various parts of the world, has naturally produced an increase in the number of widows and children |