Native Christian Institution.

At the end of last year, the boys and girls of our Christian Institution, who, until that period, had resided with Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, were divided. Mrs. Campbell proposed keeping the girls; and there being no one else to take charge of the boys, I consented to undertake that task, though already fully engaged. As the house I then occupied was not suited for this purpose, I removed to Bhowanipore, (which forms the southern part of Calcutta,) where I had succeeded in obtaining a house, with a large compound, every way fitted for a school, and situated in the midst of a dense native population. The Christian boys have, since last January, resided there with me. The English department of their education has been undertaken by Messrs. Campbell and Bradbury; and the Bengalee, with religious instruction and general superintendence, has fallen to my share. It is a matter of gratification to me to state, that three of the youths are apparently under the operation of Divine grace.

English Day School.

The English day school for heathen boys, which was formerly at Kidderpore, has also been removed to my house. In this, Messrs. Campbell and Bradbury have taken the superintendence of the scientific department, and I of the religious. The number of pupils is at present about sixty, several of them sons of Brahmins. The attendance is on the increase. As a detailed account of this school, as well as ofthe Christian Institution, will be given in the next report of the Bengal Auxiliary Society, it is not necessary I should enlarge on the subject at present.

Theological Class.

With a view to supply the great and immediate need of native teachers, which is felt at all our stations, I have lately commenced a small theological class, composed of five individuals, viz. :—the oldest pupil of the Christian Institution; two young men from Mr. Campbell's Station at Krishnapore; another young man, from Rammakal Choke, who had spent some time at Serampore College; and Radhanath, (Rumsey Paterson,) who, though he has already been employed as a catechist, yet requires further instruction in some branches. They are taught through the medium of the Bengalee language, and the course of instruction consists in a critical and practical study of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, systematic theology, the evi

dences of Christianity, and church history. The young men also write weekly an essay or short sermon on a given portion of Scripture, which, after it has received the needful corrections, they preach in my presence to small congregations of heathen, which are always easily collected. This is with a view to accustom them to the work in which they are likely to be employed, and to teach them to address their countrymen with ease and propriety.

I purpose, when they shall have made some progress in their present studies, to read with them the Ramayon, the Mohabharot, and other Hindu Shastres, in order to furnish them with a thorough knowledge of the system they will be called to oppose; and it is my earnest hope, that at no great distance of time, they will all be employed as assistants, at one or other of the Stations connected with our Society.

Preaching.

My present house being situated on the road that leads to Kali Ghat, which is one of the greatest thoroughfares in Calcutta, I have erected a small chapel in my compound, where I sit and converse with the passers-by, and distribute tracts when I can spare any time, which, I regret to say, is but seldom; however, two of the young men of the theological class often supply my place. In the chapels of the Society at Calcutta, I have continued to preach regularly, nearly every day, to increasingly attentive and numerous audiences, at the same time distributing tracts and holding conversations and discussions with the people. Messrs. Piffard and Campbell, I am thankful to say, have, since the commencement of this year, kindly given me all the assistance they could in the Calcutta chapels.

General aspect of Society.

The general aspect of things at Calcutta and its neighbourhood, on the whole, is not unfavourable. There is much inquiry, much apparent attention to the subject of Christianity, observable among the natives; although I fear little of it is as yet of a genuine and saving nature. A new feature, which I think to be a token for good, is becoming more and more perceptible. I allude to the open hostility to Christianity now displayed by numbers of Hindus, whose apathy in religious matters, so long complained of, seems at last to be yielding. It has ever been remarked, that it is when Satan finds his kingdom tottering, and his power about to

be curtailed, that he excites his adherents to opposition. It is, therefore, a cause for rejoicing rather than for lamenting, that we see this beginning to be the case in this part of Bengal.

As a specimen of this spirit of hostility to the Gospel, and also of the progress which, in the opinion of its very enemies, Christianity has made, I beg to subjoin a literal translation of two articles, which appeared lately in two of the native newspapers, devoted to the support of Hindu orthodoxy. The first of these extracts, you will observe, has reference to the efforts of Missionaries by means of schools; and the second to those by means of preaching :—

THE NATIVE PRESS.

Extract from the Bengalee Newspaper, Sumachar-Chundrika, of February, 1837.— 'It may be in the recollection of our readers that we had inserted in the 'Chundrika' of the 18th Magh (30th January) last, an advertisement by Kesobram Bose, of Copil Parra, regarding his son, Dwarkanath Bose, who, being placed under the tuition of Missionaries, has relinquished Hinduism, and has in consequence been excommunicated, and lost all claim upon the said Kesobram as a father. Look at the strange behaviour of the Missionaries! They, with a view to delude boys to ruin, have spread the net of schools in which many have already been entangled, and their welfare, in this world as well as in the next, lost. Consider, what happiness can boys derive who are deprived of parental care and the benefit of their wealth, wandering like homeless vagrants? Should the Missionaries, on the occasion of a person embracing Christianity, let him have a house, a wife, and the wherewithal to subsist upon for life, the loss on the part of the convert would not be very great.

"Consider, again, whether the Missionaries are not the most cruel people in the world. It is true that dacoits (highway-men) will rob you of your money, but they will not deprive you of your life, except in case of your not giving it up. How big dacoits the Missionaries are is not unknown to men possessed of sense! How dear children are to parents is impossible to describe in writing, and they are in the habit of snatching such dear objects from parents! And what is the consequence? The children

thus taken away, though their parents may be rolling in riches, are reduced to great poverty, and their wives are obliged to live like widows in the life-time of their husbands. Indeed, before life is extinct, they are dead to their relatives. That God Almighty has created a more cruel set of beings than the Missionaries, we do not see. Although the English are not warm in their affection to their offspring, and indifferent

as to the return of kindnesses with which they are loaded; yet would any Missionary like to be bereft of his child by a Mogul, for the purpose of making a Mussulman or slave of him, and say, 'that he chose a straight path, and I am not at all sorry for it,' and treat the matter with indifference?"

Extract from the Bengalee Newspaper, Shumbad Prubhakor, of the 13th February, 1837.-We would strongly advise that all these honey-mouthed, but world-destroying Missionaries, should have a mark put on their white faces, and that they be driven out of this city; for until of late years, the inhabitants used, without meeting any opposition, to acquire religious merit by observ ing the precepts and ceremonies of the Vedas. Moreover, the Hindus never find fault with, nor attack the religion of others; but these white-faced, crafty Missionaries, whose sole aim it is to destroy the religion of other people, have erected in different places tiled or thatched houses, (chapels,) where they stand with fear-inspiring looks, and, agreeably to the command of their own foreign shastre, called the Bible, proclaim the acts and praises of the Son of Lady Mary, lifting up both hands, and moving backward and forward as if they were dancing; and, by every kind of wily contrivance, are destroying the religion and the caste of the Hindus. We repeat, therefore, our opinion, that the measure alluded to above (viz., putting a mark on their faces and expelling them from the city) should by all means be resorted to.

"But is it not a matter of astonishment that the rulers of the country are honouring the very men who are seeking to injure others; whilst those of their subjects [meaning the Hindus] who are spending a great part of their lives in religious exercises and holy acts, are neglected by them? Be this as it may, a great deal of injustice is now being committed. If it be decreed that Hinduism shall cease to exist, there is no one to prevent this calamity! We could write much on this matter, and bring forward many arguments; but what is the use of it if the public authorities pay no attention to the subject?"

These extracts, Mr. Lacroix continues, will speak for themselves. Although they display much animosity against Missionaries and Christianity in general, it nevertheless cannot but be gratifying to observe the very opponents of the truth giving their testimony that the efforts of Missionaries in Calcutta have not been altogether in vain.

Hostility to the Gospel is, however, not expressed only by words or in writing. At present, whenever a respectable Hindu is

known to be favourably inclined to Christianity, open violence is almost invariably resorted to by his relations and friends ; and even after such an one has actually been baptised, persecution, in different shapes, is levelled against him.

I will mention one or two instances. Some months ago, as I was accompanying my friend, the Rev. Mr. Hæberlin, of the Church Missionary Society, to church with two interesting young natives, whom he was going to baptise, we were attacked in broad daylight in one of the most populous streets of Calcutta, by about fifty persons, ten or twelve of whom were hired men from the upper provinces, armed with clubs, whose aim it was to take possession of the candidates, and convey them away by force, so that they might not be baptised. With a little determination and firmness, however, we prevented them from accomplishing their purpose; but found it impossible, from the crowd that assembled to oppose us, to proceed to the church at that time; indeed we were happy to be able to effect a safe retreat, and to lodge again in security the young candidates in Mr. Hæberlin's house.

Not many weeks ago, as the Rev. Mr.

Ewart, of the General Assembly's Mission, was proceeding to his school, accompanied by a young native who had intimated his wish to embrace Christianity, he was at. tacked by a large mob, his conveyance stopped, his horse thrown down, and the youth was forcibly led away; all this in the middle of the day. This young man was then confined in a sequestered room by his relations; but having found means to escape, he returned to the Scotch Missionaries, and was eventually baptised. He is even now not considered safe from attempts on his liberty, on the part of his family; and has, therefore, hitherto scarcely ventured to leave the house and the protection of the Missionaries.

Had my letter not already extended beyond due limits, I would have mentioned here another case of the same description, connected with a young Hindu, of Bhowanipore, whom I baptised at Union Chapel, on Sunday, the 7th instant. I prefer giving it to you separately in my next communication. I remain, dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, A. F. LACROIX.

From previous communications you will be, in some measure, prepared to learn that Samuel Wolfe is no more among us, but among the saints in light-in a better place -where, though we know not how, he answers unquestionably the designs of grace and providence far more effectually than he could do on earth-for God has taken him, and He does all things well.

In November last, Mr. Beighton and myself wrote to you a joint letter respecting the health of our late dear friend; and from that time till the day of his death, which took place on the 27th of April last, his course was that of rapid decline, though he frequently thought he was improving. An account of his views and feelings during this interval, I shall give in extracts from his own letters. I prefer doing so, both for your satisfaction as well as any inquiring friends. In a letter, dated Singapore, Dec. 19, 1836, he observes :

"A few days ago, the Rev. Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Lay, arrived here from China, in a vessel belonging to American merchants, named Himmaleh, and which is now for some time to be devoted to Missionary purposes. Mr. Lay is a naturalist, who about ten years ago came out to this part of the world in that capacity, in his Majesty's ship Blossom. His chief object now is, as agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to see what can be done, and where, in promoting its objects. He is staying with me, and is a most excellent and interesting man and a Christian. He and Mr. Stevens, after making a call at Malacca, are going round Borneo, and among the islands in that direction, probably including Celebes, not merely to give away books, but also, and especially, to ascertain, as much as possible, the state of the people.

"After accomplishing this, they, accompanied by Mr. Gutzlaff, and, perhaps, Mr.

Williams, are going along the coast of China for similar purposes. I am advised to accompany them in one or other of the expeditions, for the benefit of my health; and possibly I may do so."

But how inscrutable, Mr. Davies observes, are the ways of God! The following extract of a letter I received from him, dated Singapore, Jan. 27, 1837, will explain the reason why he left Singapore, better than any thing I can say:

"MY DEAR DAVIES,-I sit down to write very briefly and hastily, as I am to embark to-morrow morning for I know not whither yet; suffice it to say, that it is on the expedition to Borneo and the Eastern islands, of which I made mention to you some time since. Mr. Stevens, who had been appointed to this undertaking with Mr. Lay, was taken ill while here of a fever, the seeds of which it is supposed he had brought with him from China; and just when it was supposed he was rising above the power of the disease, he sunk beneath it, and was called to his account and reward. His place was then to be supplied, and one of the American Missionaries would of course be looked to for that purpose. Mr. Tracy, the senior Missionary here, was quite willing to go. But some of the brethren thinking the voyage would benefit my health, proposed that I should take Mr. Stevens's place. This was agreed to. Afterwards, it was determined that Mr. Dickinson should also go. At this I was exceedingly glad, and felt that I need not take upon myself more responsibility than I had strength to sustain.

"Of course I should scarcely feel justified in thus going away again, but for the hope of benefiting my health, which, though it has improved, yet is far from good, and needs something, I know not what, but something which is not in Singapore, to make it good.

"In the present little trip the company is as pleasant as I could possibly desire; the object is interesting, and the variety and change will be abundant, so that I calculate upon deriving as much benefit from it as from one monotonous voyage to the Cape. And then the business is intimately connected with my work, and I shall not have the unpleasant feeling that I am gone beyond my own sphere.

"We expect to return in about three months. Probably, the places we shall first steer for will be

gards to himself and Mrs. B. and family, and to all good Pinang friends. With much love to Mrs. Davies and babe, "Yours ever,

"SAM. WOLFE."

The above, Mr. Davies continues, is the last letter I ever received from him, and probably the last he ever wrote; and all the subsequent information I have received is contained in a letter kindly furnished by Mr. Dickinson, a copy of which I here transcribe. It is addressed to myself, under date, Singapore, July 7, 1837 :

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-There was no perceptible change in the health of Mr. Wolfe during the passage to Macassar. On arriving at that place, Mr. Van der Lindin, a gentleman of wealth and piety, received him into his house, and treated him with much kindness. For the first few days he was able to take short walks, and to give some attention to business. But his symptoms gradually grew worse. At Bontain, a beautiful place sixty miles from Macassar, he was more cheerful than he had been, but decline still went on. At Ternate, notwithstanding its healthful climate, and its grand and beautiful scenery, the effect of which on my own health was like a charm, his course was still downward. With the advice of Mr. Lay, I stated to him distinctly that we did not think he could reach Singapore if he continued on board the Himmaleh, and suggested to him the idea of leaving the vessel, and either remaining at Ternate, or attempting to return to Singapore by way of Batavia. But he preferred going on.

"From Ternate to Samboangan, a Spanish town on the western extremity of Mindanao, we had a tedious passage, owing to calms and contrary winds. His strength continued to fail, and his cough to increase. His situation was plainly made known to him by his physician, Mr. Lay; and yet such is the infatuation which pulmonary disease produces, that his desires, and even his hopes of again seeing Singapore, became stronger at the very time when they should have been wholly relinquished. Several times I conversed with him on the subject of death. He appeared to look forward to it with calmness; but his attention was chiefly directed towards his disease, and the means of relief.

"On the 27th of April, sixteen hours previous to the closing scene, he inquired of me how long he should probably live? and when I replied that his end was near, and in a day or two probably all would be over, he appeared to receive my words as if he believed them, and without solicitude or sinking of heart. His weakness at this

time prevented conversation with him in relation to his religious feelings and prospects; and this weakness, together with partial derangement of mind, cut off all opportunity for such conversation afterwards. Passages of Scripture, and parts of hymns, such as were deemed appropriate, were repeated to him not unfrequently during the day, to which occasionally he seemed to listen with interest. During two or three hours in the morning his sufferings were severe. After this he was more easy, but his mind was either wandering or insensible most of the time.

"At the close of the day, as I was sitting near him, I observed a change in his breathing. I looked-the eyes were rolling, but there was no indication of pain. There was a catching for breath-the heaving of the breast subsided-the eye was fixed-the spirit was gone, and the bitterness of death was passed. It was just as the sun was setting.

"His remains were the next day deposited in the earth, in a grove of cocoa-nut trees, not far from an old cross, half decayed, the place having been formerly a Catholic burial-ground. The funeral was attended by the officers and crew of the Argos, an English whale ship then in port, and by most of the Spanish gentlemen and officers, together with a company of marines. Many of the natives also were present. It was gratifying to witness the interest and sympathy manifested on the part of all. While the present generation of the inhabitants of Samboangan are living, there will, doubtless, be persons found who can point out the stranger's grave. The gentlemen of Samboangan, though Catholics, treated us like brothers, and I shall long remember with gratitude their kindness.

"Mr. Wolfe was a man of more than ordinary promise. He had studied the Chinese language with sufficient success to make it probable that, had he lived, he would have been a superior Chinese scholar. His mind was rapid in its movements, discriminating, and independent. His opinions consequently were not received upon trust from others, but resulted from the free action of his own thoughts. In his principles he was decided and uncompromising, yet he was liberal to those who differed from him, and knew well how to distinguish between essential points and trifles. Upon his mind and character there was the impress of manliness.

"To his friends in England it will be gratifying to know, that Mr. Wolfe enjoyed the respect and confidence of those who knew him in this part of the world.

"May his early death be sanctified to us all, and may we be prepared to follow him

Respecting the state of his mind during his illness, I have but little more to say; not that he would not have disclosed further his feelings, if he had had the persuasion that his end was so near. But almost to the very last he thought he should recover, and be able to labour for God and for souls for a few years longer, though he always thought that he was not to live long. But as he advanced in disease and life, the important day was viewed as distant in exact proportion to the rapidity with which his end drew nigh; such is the infatuation, and a general, if not an invariable, symptom of consumption. While he stayed at Pinang, in October last, he wrote me a pleasing note, from which I copy the following extract. He was then staying at the residence of Lieut.-Col. Haleman, who treated him with great kindness. He went to live with him, both for the sake of the change, and also for the sake, principally, of being near Dr. Poole, who was his attendant while at Pinang.

Perhaps I may yet come and occupy a room in your house. For God can, and may, make me strong again; if so, I hope it will be to do some good. This would be a source of much satisfaction and pleasure to me. But," after referring to his disease, and the severity of the medical treatment it imperatively demanded, blistering, bleeding, induced nausea, &c. "But," he says, 66 at such a time the sentiment in a verse of Toplady is a welcome one :

I have been thus minute and particular for the purpose of supplying, both for the satisfaction of the Society, and his kind and numerous friends, all the account that can be given, and the more so as some letters may not reach their destination.

So Samuel Wolfe died-a name endeared to many in England, and by the memory of whom the Ultra-Gangetic Mission will be endeared also. The friends of Christ in this part of the world speak with interest of Lyman and Munson, of Stevens and Wolfe, as having fallen in the field as soon nearly as they had fairly entered on their labours.