20.00

28 00

25 80

9.00 7.00

30 00

ing it violently with a sword. During || koran with a peculiar regard to certain inthese ceremonies, he frequently bowed to tonations of voice, though without compre the ground, and gazed upward, with an ex- hending a word of its meaning, is the obpression of most intense earnestness. There ject, if not the acme of education. One was something striking in the whole ap-advantage resulting from it is such an acpearance and conduct of the man. It was quaintance with the Arabic character, emvery evident, that if not himself fully per-ployed in writing their own langnage, as suaded of the presence and power of the qualifies them to read Christian books pubbeing he invoked, he well knew how to lished in the vernacular. One excellent produce this persuasion in the minds of the plan adopted by the missionary is to collect ignorant around him. as many around him as possible, and then to read the books and explain their meaning. It arrests the attention of the hearers, and uniformly disposes them to receive such books as have been made the basis of remarks.

The prescribed rites being performed, the priest approached the pile, went through a number of antics, and dashed furiously through the coals. A passage was kept clear from the adjacent temple, and as soon as the signal was given by the priest, a number of persons, old and young, came running with idols in their hands, and bore them through the fire. Others followed, and among them an old man who halted and staggered in the very jaws of death. The scene was one of mad confusion, but its continuance was short, and the crowd soon dispersed. It is thought a test of the character of those who attempt it. If they

have a "true heart" and confidence in the gods, they cannot receive injury. Some of them pass through the fire in fulfilment of a vow made in time of danger or necessity. One of the votaries last year fell in the midst of the fire, and was severely burned.

After the confusion had in a measure ceased, our budget was produced and the tracts disposed of without delay. The madness of their minds rendered them so rude, that it was thought expedient to check the violence with which they snatched the books away. The Lord in mercy dispel their delusions, and grant them the light of

life.

Visit to Bitenzorg.

May 6. Wednesday morning, 6 o'clock, we left this place in a government vehicle and reached Bitenzorg, the residence of the governor, in about four hours. The distance is thirty-nine miles. The governor, hours and a half, and men of less distincit is said, performs the journey in two tion and fewer advantages, in three. The palace, as the residence of his excellency is the form of a crescent, though with a glarcalled, is rather a splendid edifice, built in ing architectural blunder. It has one window more on one side than the other, and when standing in front of the door there appears to be a deficiency in the curve. It has a park in front, stocked with deer, and an extensive garden in the rear laid out and ornamented in handsome style. The plot exceedingly diversified and beautiful, the is undulating, the trees and shrubbery are walks broad and well gravelled, and the scene adorned with lakes, bridges, and a small islet, jet d'eau, and cascade. It is kept at an expense to government of 7,000

rupees a month.

Between Bitenzorg and the neighboring mountains, whose summits are said to tower 10,000 or 12,000 feet above the sea, the surface of the country is much more elevated and diversified than the low unvarying level of Batavia. I hoped to have a clear view of the crater, the smoke of which is distinctly seen from Batavia; but an intervening peak completely shut it in before we reached Bitenzorg.

26. This morning we walked a short distance in the country, to distribute books in the neighboring campongs, and among the passengers on one of the roads. The noise of school-boys, who exercise their lungs Our time was principally spent in visit more than their minds both in China and ing the Chinese and native villages, and Java, attracted our attention. Fifteen of endeavoring to impart Christian instruction. the native children were assembled in a The Chinese camp (as their villages are shed, and in a loud sing-song tone, engag-called) is large and populous at this place. ed in conning the koran in the original. My companion, Mr. Medhurst, was receiv We inquired for the teacher, and found thated as an old acquaintance, and listened to he had left them to instruct or rather amuse themselves, while he was employed in cultivating his lands. He acknowledged that he did not himself understand the contents of the book on which he grounded his faith, and assured us that, were it not for the importunity of the parents, he would not attempt such a fruitless task. To read the

with attention. His books, a large bag full, were disposed of with the greatest facility.

In fact a Chinaman never refuses a book, if he can read, and there is little doubt, but that he generally finds out its contents. We called at the palace of the former reigning family, who still exercise the highest functions, entrusted by government to

Java viewed as a Field for Missionary

Labor.

the natives. The present chief is fifty- || a portion of almost every day to them, and seven years of age, and his father, who re- was most favorably impressed with the signed the highest office to become a priest, course pursued, in rendering intelligible to is about eighty-one. There are five genera- their minds the truths of Christianity and tions of them now living, and the old man the absurdity of paganism. He generally numbers among his descendants 250 living obliges them to read the lesson, repeat it souls. Our books were well received at from memory, and explain it in the collothe palaces, and a number of them distribut- quial Chinese and the current Malay. ed in the villages. At one place about thirty were assembled at a feast. It is the custom of the Mohammedans of Java to have a number of feasts, at certain intervals after every death, and the present was one of these occasions. A great variety of eatables were arranged on the floor, covered with mats, and the guests were seated around. After asking a blessing, and before they commenced eating, they passed round a number of vessels and poured water upon their hands, reminding us of the Pharisees who, "except they baptise oft, eat not." Thus again we have enjoyed the opportunity of scattering the seed of eternal life, where no fruits have yet appeared. The Lord prepare the hearts of these perishing thousands for its reception.

I have now given some of the facts recorded in my journal, during a residence of more than four months. A part of almost every day has been employed in accompanying the missionary to those places most advantageous for communicating oral and written instruction. The greater proportion of these visits have been omitted, because destitute of features of peculiarity. The Lord in his wisdom, has withheld the early and the latter rain, and with a few encouraging exceptions, suffered the husbandman to toil in hope. As success, though eventually certain, is beyond the The principal Chinaman in authority re- province of instruments; and as the comturned with us to Batavia. Though without mand of God and the opportunity of obeyany sense of Christianity he appears so well ing it are decisive of duty, Java urges many persuaded of the stupidity and ill conse- appeals to the charities and obligations of quences of many of the established super- the Christian world. With a population, stitions, that he has employed all the weight nearly half as numerous as the whole United of his authority and wisdom in opposing States, there are but two missionaries on the them. A small temple, which they vener- island. The Dutch have sent forth many ated for its mystic influence, has been re- missionaries to their other colonies; but the moved, and houses have been erected on widest field is suffered to lie in desolation. the site. The custom of calling in those to Those who reside in Java are generally apprescribe for the sick, whom they suppose pointed and supported by the local governcapable of being possessed at pleasure, and ment, and either instructed, or disinclined to whose vagaries they attach the highest to stretch themselves beyond the narrow virtues, has been abolished. The influence limits of a small congregation of Dutch, of the priests has been attacked and dimin- || Portuguese, or native Christians. There ished, and other measures are contemplated is very little question that other missionawhich, it is hoped, will prepare the way for ries would be allowed to co-operate with a purer and less cumbrous faith. Mr. M. Mr. Medhurst, and thus amplify the field of spent much of the time in reasoning with gospel culture. I have heard of no instance our fellow traveller upon the excellence and where they have been prevented, and two truth of the Christian religion. Wherever or three instances have come to my knowlwe go there appears to be an extensive edge where liberty was granted and not imsphere of labor, prepared for the mission- proved. In my own case it was extended ary's hand. "The harvest truly is great; to one year, probably as a term of probabut the laborers are few." tion, although such limits were never prescribed before, and no doubt the permission would have been extended beyond the time. The island is by no means as insalubrious as is generally supposed. With caution there appears but little danger, although in the mind of a devoted missionary such an objection has but little weight, when he thinks of himself; and it certainly should not have any weight when he thinks of the objects of his compassion as exposed to death as himself.

ence.

20. One important measure adopted by Mr. Medhurst in disciplining this heathen nation, consists in having a number of native and Chinese schools under his superintendThe parents are willing that he should have the management of their children, on condition that he pays a proportion of the teacher's wages. It is expensive to the missionary according to the means employed; but it certainly affords the promise of ample remuneration to the friends of the Savior. Christian books are introduced, and doctrines are instilled, which, it is hoped, may counteract the evils of domestic education, and prepare their minds to glorify June 16. Arrived yesterday at SingaGod in the day of visitation. I attended pore, after a passage of nine days, and these schools with Mr. Young, who devotes I found Mr. Tomlin on the eve of sailing for

Arrival at Singapore.

Siam in an Arabian vessel. The circumstance appeared providential as he had been waiting a long time for an opportunity. I have made arrangements to accompany him, and expect to sail to-morrow morning. It is rather doubtful whether Mr. Gutzlaff has not left Siam for China. His mind is fixed upon it, and the Lord in his wisdom has left him at liberty, as far as it regards domestic obligations. He has been written to, to remain, at least for a time. The brethren at Singapore and Malacca are in health, and busily engaged in their respective departments.

Bombay.

JOURNAL OF MR. READ.

THE journal from which extracts are here given || was kept by Mr. Read while detained at Calcutta, on his way to join the mission at Bombay, and during his passage from the former to the latter place. While dining one day with Mr. Duff, of the Scottish Missionary Society, the conversation was upon the

Moral Character of the Heathen.

January 16, 1831. Some, not well disposed to missions, have presumed to say that missionaries portray the native character in too dark colors. The character which Paul has given of the heathen at the time he wrote is certainly a black one. But one need not be long in this country to learn that every trait of character which is there given of them is equally applicable at the present time to the heathen in India. We are assured by Mr. Duff, who has had an opportunity of gaining much knowledge of the Hindoo character himself, and of gaining still more information from others, that the moral character of the heathen is as bad as it has ever been represented to be. The darkest pictures which have been drawn, he assures us, come nearest to the truth. Mr. Ward's history of the Hindoos, he says, is the most correct account which has yet been written.

Visit to the Hindoo College.

The Hindoo college was founded by the ernor general of the East India Company, in the year 1821. The object of it is the instruction of Hindoo youth in the Sanscrit language, and in brahminical science and literature. An English department has since been added. The college is situated in the central part of Calcutta, and has been liberally patronised by the govern

ment.

common schools are taught in America. The scholars are but mere lads. None are admitted into the college after seven years of age. Of course they need their teachers all the time with them. The higher classes are instructed by lectures. The first class have been in the college about nine years and are now attending to the higher branches of mathematics, natural and moral philosophy, polite literature, &c. They are found not inferior to English students. Those I heard exhibit were of the lower classes. I never saw lads who appeared better. They read with fluency, enunciated the English language distinctly, and some of them appeared truly eloquent. To me they manifested less of the effects of training than of real genius.

The whole number of students in the Hindoo college is at present about 600. Four hundred and fifty are taught in the English language, and the others in Sanscrit. The Mohammedan college is also patronised by the government. I do not know the number of the students. It is, however, very much less than that of the Hindoo college. The latter has been rendered extremely popular of late, by introducing the English department of study, as you will see by the great proportion of English scholars. Hindoos have become very fond of learning the English language. So popular has it become that rich Hindoos are beginning to open English schools at their own expense. This has been done in several instances. Though all this has no direct tendency, or is designed to have none, to aid the cause of Christianity, still I

think it may be regarded as a very favorable token of good to our Master's cause. Besides many advantages which may indirectly accrue to the cause of the true relig ion, it will at once throw open before the student an inexhaustible field of research. The English language contains a fountain of Christian knowledge more than centuries can treasure up in any of the languages of the east. Here the claims of Christianity may be examined, and with the influences of the Holy Spirit, many of these may be made the witnesses of God in the midst of the wicked and adulterous generation.

The college is not under a strictly Christian influence. An attempt was lately made on the part of the pious teachers in the colgov-lege and the missionaries in Calcutta, to introduce into the college a weekly course of lectures on the evidences of Christianity. This was decidedly repelled by the direc of meeting together for free discussion. tors. The students, also, were in the habit Religious subjects were frequently taken up by them, and the claims and evidences of different religions were freely discussed. Every thing of this nature was prohibited by the order of the government of the college. The mandate is posted up on the front door, that he who passes may read that Hindoo youth are here prohibited from

Jan. 18. The scholars are divided into ten or fifteen classes. The lower classes are taught in a manner similar to that in which