little excursion into the country, partly for the purpose of reconnoitring, with a view to future labour, and partly to preach the Gospel. Having supplied ourselves with a good stock of the Scriptures and tracts, we took the road leading to Dumdum, a military station, distant from Calcutta about nine miles. Having proceeded to within two miles of this place, we observed a small village on our left, situated on a rising ground, in the midst of a group of large and tall trees. It resembled in appearance a fruitful island in the midst of the ocean, as the dark green foliage of the trees was strongly in contrast with the extended plain of ripe corn which surrounded it. Having found a path leading to the village, we bent our steps thither. This path was raised about a foot and a half above the level of the ground, as were all the paths that intersected the plain in different directions from village to village, a necessary measure, as the ground is covered with water several months in the year, to aid the cultivation of rice. These raised paths reminded me of some expressions in the Prophets, "Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way;" and again, "To walk in paths, in a way not cast up." On entering the village we met two or three of the inhabitants, who, on our requesting them, kindly couducted us to the Mundal's or principal person's house. We were shewn into a large court, or farm yard, on one side of which were several stacks of rice that had just been brought from the adjoining fields; on another side stood a small temple, for the convenience of the family. We looked into it, but saw nothing of any idols. In the centre of the yard was the village school, seated on mats on the ground, and engaged in writing their lessons on the plaintain and tal leaves. They possessed no books of any kind. While looking at the different things that attracted our attention, the master of the house made his appearance, and, as might be expected, seemed surprised at finding European strangers on his premises. We soon, however, made him acquainted with the object of our visit, when he requested us to seat ourselves, while he and his neighbours, who by this time amounted to a dozen, took their stations on the ground around us. After some little conversation, we read to them the greater part of a tract, entitled the Sure Refuge, the design of which is to shew the vanity of trusting in the Hindoo deities, and to lead the reader to the knowledge of Christ. As we proceeded, they seemed to listen with much attention, while the old man took the pains to explain it to the people around. The reading of the tract being finished, brother Carapeit addressed them for about half an hour, and before he had done the congregation had considerably in creased, as the news of our visit had spread in the fields, and brought in the people from their work in all directions. The conduct of an old Brahmin, a relation of the Mundul's, who was also a Brahmin, particularly excited my attention, as it furnished a practical proof of the estimation in which their religion teaches them to hold Europeans, as unclean, and also that the villagers pay more attention to this than the natives, whose intercourse with the English is much greater. This man had requested us to present him with a book; we did so, but in attempting to put it into his hand, he withdrew it as the book approached him. It was necessary for us to drop it into his hands, or he would not have received it. We gave him two or three books, as he could read well; but he uniformly received them in this way. This excited on our part a little pleasantry; he seemed ashamed, and denied that we could pollute him, but took great care nevertheless that we did not touch him. On leaving this place, we distributed several copies of the Gospels and tracts; the people received them with apparent pleasure, and requested us to visit them again, which we hope to do shortly. Daylight had now nearly' closed, and we returned home, gratified with our little journey. Having recently witnessed another instance of that barbarous practice so common in this country, I cannot refrain from sending an account of it, hoping that it may be published, and tend to keep alive the minds of the British public to this subject. About a quarter of a mile from my resi dence is a ghaut, where in the compass of a year many a wretched female enters eternity through the flames. It is said to be held peculiarly sacred by the natives, and on this account it is frequented by them for this purpose from many miles around. Having been informed that a widow was about to burn, I lost no time in hastening to the spot, as I had never witnessed an instance of the kind before. When I arrived, I found the intelligence but too true. being prepared, the widow sat in a palanquin near the spot, and the body of the deceased husband laid at the edge of the water. I immediately made my way through the crowd to the palanquin. On my attempting to speak with the woman, her relatives at first made some attempts to hinder me. After some expostulation with them, they opened the shutters, and I addressed her. Her aspect altogether was indeed truly affecting. Her age appeared about fourteen years, her countenance indicated that she was under the influence of some intoxicating drug or liquor, and the answers which she returned to my questions, together with her wild demeanour, fully corroborated my suspicions. Finding it therefore to be of no The pile was place. We loft Bombay 17th Feb. and had a pleasant voyage of fourteen days to Point de Galle. My health, I am happy to say, through a divine blessing, is most mercifully restored; and the health of my dear companion much improved. A vessel will soon leave this for England, but my school reports, cash account, &c. I fear will not be ready to send by her, for, as you may well suppose, I have much to do in putting things into order again after so long an absence from my station. But that I may make sure of this opportunity to send you the above information and such other general intelligence as I am able, I think it right in the first place to write this letter, and if I have time to prepare them, the other documents shall accompany it. Through divine goodness the mission here has suffered but little from my absence. At the Grand Pass meeting-house the congregations, (which are never large) have been unusually small. Since my return, however, they have come up again to their former numbers. And the Pettah congregation has rather increased than diminished, and if we can possibly find the means to enlarge it, we must do it without delay. If this can be done, an increase of hearers may confidently be expected, but if not, we must expect a decrease. When persons come and find no place to sit down, (as is the case at present) it must be supposed they will not use to talk with her, I addressed myself to the bystanders, and particularly to those who seemed most engaged in the horrible work, and endeavoured to shew them the cruelty and sin of such conduct. My exertions were of no avail; they were madly bent upon their deed of death. It was, they said, their custom, their religion, and well pleasing to God. It is impossible to be conceived, except by those who witness these scenes, what furious zeal and determination actuate these murderers, for a better name they deserve not. The sun striking very hot, and there being no immediate signs of the burning taking place, I retired to a little distance, to obtain shelter under a tree. I had not stood here long, before the permission from the magistrate arrived for the immolation of the woman. The reading of this, with the putting of the usual questions, lasted about a quarter of an hour. When this was over, she was immediately conducted to the river side to perform her ablutions. After five minutes, the noise and motion of the crowd indicated her approach to the pile. I then left my retreat, and drew near. On her coming to the fatal spot, some person supplied her with a basket of sweetmeats. These, as she began to perambulate the pile, she scattered among the crowd, who were ready to tear each other to pieces in order to catch them as they fell. She had not proceeded more than half a dozen paces, before one of the Brah-be iuclined to come again. In the Fort the mins took her up in his arms, as though good work has been going on well, espeimpatient of the slow progress she made, cially among a few Europeans, beyond my and carried her round the pile. Having highest expectations. Till a little before I gone once round, he laid her down upon it, left for Bombay, Mr. Siers had never atand, oh, never shall I forget the inanity and tempted to preach in English, and I was unconsciousness of her dreadful fate that very fearful that a little company of attenpervaded her countenance! A minute elaps- tive hearers I had collected, chiefly made up ed, and she laid herself down by the side of of soldiers from H.M. 78th regiment, would the corpse. At this instant several persons have been dispersed. For awhile after began to cover them with straw, flax, bam- my departure it was so, but Mr. S. was enboos, and large pieces of wood. The mul-abled to collect them again, and before I titude resounded Hurri Bol! the fire was applied, and I, filled with horror, hastily left the place. Alas! When will Britains cease to tolerate this diabolical custom? I must now conclude, hoping that the rich blessing of God will attend your labours, and those of the Society, to the salvation of millions of the human race from their ungodly deeds, and everlasting condemnation. CEYLON. The following letter, dated since the return of Mr. Chater from Bombay, has lately reached us. Colombo, 24th March 1828. It will no doubt be gratifying to you to see me once more writing to you from this arrived his preaching had been so far blessed to them that three had put on Christ by baptism, and beside them a young man, a native of Colombo, who was appointed second English master in our Grand Pass school previous to my departure for Bombay, and who promises fair to be a useful member of our little church; his name is Thomas Gabriel. Two more, one baptized in Scotland and the other in Ireland, are proposed for admission into the church; two have been received who are not yet baptized; and two others have expressed their wish to be added to us by baptism. Our European members, therefore, exclusive of myself, are likely to be soon nine in number. This we trust is only the beginning of a good work that will still go on and prosper. Many persons, we know, would say to all this, "what has this to do with missionary their approbation, evidently constrained by the love of Christ, and has engaged in the delightful work of publishing the good news, with apparent zeal, and a deep sense of his dependance upon God for success. Having expressed an intention to prepare and suspend a religious writing in front of his door, in order to attract the attention of the people, he observes, "But while man devises, God's pleasure alone will be accomplished." work? their bustness is solely with leathens." To such an objector, I would say we do not abate in our attention to the heathen on account of the little we do for our own countrymen; and there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, whatever his colour may be, or from whatever country he may have come. Besides, the effect that the example of these men may have on the natives may be expected to be highly salutary. It is but too well known" Under this impression," says Dr. Judson what sad effects have been and still are pro- "he desires to persevere in his work." duced by men of a different stamp, who bearing the Christian name, exceed the heathens themselves in immorality and wickedness. How desirable, therefore, that this evil should in some measure be counteracted by some among that very class by which Christianity has been for years so shockingly disgraced; by some, who, by their good conversation in Christ Jesus shall shew to the poor pagans around them, that their religion is something more than a name, and who by well doing shall put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Our schools, so far as I can ascertain, are going on well. But particulars about them must be deferred till I can write the regular Report. A Mussulman youth who has long attended the Grand Pass school, seems to have had his mind wonderfully enlightened and strongly impressed by reading the Scriptures. He is anxious to be baptized and join our church, and expresses his determined resolution to do so though he may risk his life by doing it. But as his case has been known to me but little more than a week, I can add no more concerning it yet. BURMAH. From an American Periodical we are enabled to present our readers with the following brief notice respecting the progress of our esteemed brethren in the Burmese empire. The name of the Burman mentioned will be familiar • to those of our readers who have perused Mrs. Judson's interesting "Letters." Moung Ing, one of the Burman converts, has expressed a desire to be sent out as a Missionary to preach the Gospel to his countrymen in the provinces of Tavoy and Mergui. As the missionaries were well satisfied that he was called of God, and qualified for the work, they joyfully complied with his request. He has, therefore, gone forth with On the 25th Feb. 1827, this first Burman preacher commenced his labour of love. He finds the prospect of usefulness as encouraging as could reasonably be expected. May God render him the instrument of conversion to many! Mr. Boardman and family have arrived safely in Amherst, and joined Messrs. Judson and Wade. Mrs. Wade has commenced the instruction of a native female school. JAMAICA. The following extracts of correspondence from various stations in this island were sent for publication in our last number, but omitted for want of room. MONTEGO BAY. Extract of a letter from Mr. Burchell to the Secretary, dated April 22, 1828— "We commenced public worship in our new chapel nearly five weeks ago, though not much more than half finished; the attendance, notwithstanding crop, has been de lightful; we have had full 1000 persons at our six o'clock morning prayer-meetings, and at our ten o'clock service we have been crowded. I mentioned to you some time since that in consequence of the late law I do not feel myself justified in enlarging so much as I thought we needed. I now feel it necessary, from the large attendance, to give up that part of the house which we had purposed for our dwelling, and appropriate the whole building to the chapel, so that its dimensions will be about 65 feet square, with three galleries, two of which will be nine seats deep. This last addition will of course be attended with additional expense, besides rendering it necessary to build a dwelling house or rent at 1001. sterling per aunum. "At Crooked Spring we have had an addition to the church this spring of about forty by baptism, and at the Bay about ninety, so that notwithstanding all our difficulties and discouragements, the cause of the Re deemer is triumphant. The Lord also is will do my utmost to raise the whole. I raising up amongst us active and useful bave collected about 1301. since January, friends. One young man is eminently so. and if health is continued, I hope, by the After attending to his regular engagements blessing of God, to make a further effort ere during the day, he spends his evenings read-long. ing and explaining the Scriptures, conduct- "The chapel was opened by brethren ing prayer meetings, visiting the sick, and Tinson and Conltart; brother Tinson preach. teaching to read all who will apply to him ed in the morning from Acts; As for this for instruction. He appropriates the whole sect, we know that it is every where spoken of the Sabbath to the service of his Maker; against.' And brother Coultart in the evenconducting the Sunday school, bolding con- ing from Thy kingdom come.' The services versational meetings with the members from were peculiarly interesting, and I hope acthe country, examining enquirers, and in- ceptable to God. The chapel is well filled structing the ignorant in the way of salva- and often crowded on Sabbath evenings, and tion. In short, he lays himself out to do the Sabbath school is interesting. I hope, good, going from house to house seeking to in the course of a week or so to baptize bring sinners to the sinner's friend, in encou- about 25, when I will give you a more parraging enquirers, and endeavouring to edify ticular account of the prospects of usefulness the people of God. If he were in India, he and the state of the church than I am able would be employed as a native preacher, to do at present. and were we allowed we should be glad to employ him as such here. I sometimes hope to be able to employ him in a school, i. e. when we can get something out of debt. "This week we had our Missionary meeting in Kingston. I hope to present you with an abstract of the Report, and an account of the meeting by next packet, as I have been requested to do. "The large chapel in East Queen Street was crowded to excess, and hundreds were around the walls outside. One of our Wesleyan brethren presided, and the meeting was one of the most interesting I have ever beheld, and I hope will be the forerunner of much good." SPANISH TOWN. "Since writing the above I have been much interrupted, or I had purposed filling the rest of my paper with pleasing anecdotes of our people; however, though I have but few minutes I would just relate one of a poor dying negro. Upon his dying bed he called his family around him and thus addressed them, Me children, you see your dying father, me often pray for you, me often tell you of de Saviour, me often beg you to come to him; me now beg you for de last time. You see me dying; me willing to live, but me no wish to live; me willing to die, for me have a living Saviour, and to him me go. Your ways no lead to him, dey lead to dead.' On being asked what made him happy in the prospect of death, he replied, Christ no die for poor Neger? me Ĵove him, me feel him near, me feel him mine, dat make me happy. O Lord, take poor neger home.' His affectionate addressing spectacle. But above all I have the has been blessed to one of his children; a wild wicked son, but now a humble enquirer after salvation." KINGSTON. continues to wear a very smiling aspect. "Every thing connected with this station I might have said appearances are more pleasing than at any former time. Our chapel on a Sabbath afternoon is often crowded; the congregation being principally composed of young and interesting characters, really exhibits on a Lord's day a very pleas most pleasing evidences that I do not "labour in vain nor spend my strength for nought.' On the first Sabbath in June I expect to baptize about sixty persons, many of whom are very interesting characters indeed. Among them is Mr. Andrews, two more Under date of April 26, Mr. Knibb white persons, and above a dozen respectwrites: "The enlargement of the chapel in Port Royal is completed. But as I was obliged to have a new roof entirely, (the other being rotten and weak) the expence has been very heavy-will cost 4001. but I could not ask you for anything in your present state. 1 able individuals of colour; and I have every reason to believe that the sacred leaven is still operating on the hearts of many of my congregation. What a matter for thankful ness and zeal. HOME PROCEEDINGS. SCARBOROUGH. On Sunday, August 31, three sermons were preached on behalf of the Society-in the morning by the Rev. Swan, in the Baptist meeting-house; in the afternoon by the Rev. H. Stephens, in ditto; and in the evening by the Rev. J. Swan, in the Independent meeting-house. On Monday evening the Rev. E. Carey preached in the Baptist chapel, and the pub lie meeting was held on the Tuesday evening. The Rev. H. Stephens presided on the occasion, and the resolutions were proposed and supported by the Rev. Messrs. J. Meeke (Methodist), G. Kidd (Independent), J. Swan, C. Thompson, E. Carey, B. Evans, R. Harness, and J. Carr. Our Treasurer will give you a statement of collections, &c. The meetings upon the whole excited a deep, and I hope lasting interest, particularly amongst some of our young friends, and it is my ardent prayer that this feeling may rapidly increase. Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from August 20 to September 20, 1828, not including individual Subscriptions. Audlem, (Cheshire) Baptist Church, by Mr. Thursfield.. ..... 10 5 45 0920 O 0479O .......... man 9 Keppel Street, Auxiliary Society, by John Marshall, Esq.. Sherborne, Subscriptions, by B. Chandler, Esq. .... Hemel Hempstead, Missionary Association, by Mr. Howard ... Philanthropic Society, for Translations, by ditto 30 52 304 3 0 5 5 0 10 11 2 11 17 0 6 0 0 0 Cambridge, by Edward Randall, Esq. Annual and Quarterly Subscriptions Ladies Penny a Week Society A Friend to the Translation of the Scriptures, by the Calcutta Brethren.. FEMALE SCHOOL AT KINGSTON. Friends' Committee, by Robert Forster, Esq. 100 0 0 |