simple gospel truth to the people who now pos- | Catholic hierarchy over the people. The priests had said to many parents that they must not send their children to such places to mix with children of different creeds; but they did not heed their warnings, and sent their children notwithstanding; and he had been told, in re

sessed it not. It ought not to be forgotten that the agents of the society were labouring in a country where they were surrounded by influences which were not brought to hear upon people's minds in this country. The people were living under a fearful spiritual tyranny.gard to one of these colleges, that the numbers The priesthood was most despotic, and kept the people in fetters of ignorance and superstition. They were almost worshipped by the inhabitants, and they were believed to be endowed with some supernatural power in consequence of their supposed apostolical succession. Now, speaking of apostolical succession, he thought the doctrine of the Tartars was the best kind of succession after all. Among them, when a priest died he was burnt; his ashes were carefully preserved, and the man who succeeded him had to mix a certain quantity of them in water, which he had to drink. Thus he went on in his work day after day, until he had drunk his predecessor right up. He was glad to find, however, that the priests were losing their influence in Ireland; and in that circumstance he saw great hope for the country. He would rather the priests should lose their influence than see many converts to Protestantism; for when their influence was lost it would be an easy matter to gather the people into the Protestant congregations, and, by the grace of God, into their churches. When these people left their priests, their minds were a perfect vacuum; and that was a fine state in which to find the mind of a Roman Catholic. He became disgusted with popery, shut all such nonsense out of his head, and was ready to receive the instruction that might be afforded him. The condition of the "godless colleges," as they were called, was another proof of the diminished influence possessed by the Roman

in attendance were steadily increasing. It was only natural to expect that the efforts of this and similar societies would be looked upon with much dislike by the priests. A Ragged School had lately been established in Cork, and it had been denounced by the priests, who told the parents that in sending their children to the school they sent them to the devil. Still, however, the children came. There was a little diminution in the number attending for a time, but they very speedily increased. The priests on several occasions stood at the door of the school intimidating the children. He once saw a man taking away three of them, and one of these children, looking round at him (Mr. Young) said, “I will soon be back again, never fear;" and he was as good as his word. The influence that the agents of this society were exerting in Ireland was of the most salutary kind. But something more must yet be done for that country than had hitherto been effected. Would they allow their agents to be placed in the midst of men determined to crush them and using every kind of influence to put them down, to stand single-handed in the battle? or would they send others over to help them? Whatever they did they must do it well and thoroughly.

The Rev. N. HAYCROFT, M.A. of Bristol, seconded the motion, and thanks were voted to the chairman on the motion of E. B. UNDERHILL, Esq.

Subscriptions and Donations are thankfully received by the Treasurer, JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq. 54, Lombard Street, London; by the Secretary, the Rev. WILLIAM GROSER, at the Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street; and by the Pastors of baptist churches throughout the Kingdom. COLLECTOR FOR LONDON, REV. C. WOOLLACOTT,

4, Compton Street East, Brunswick Square.

THE MISSION FIELD.

From various parts of the mission | ment with idolatry. The inquiries, field we continue to receive encouraging now in progress before the House of reports of the progress of divine truth. Commons into the affairs of the East India presents many features of en- India Company, previous to the concouragement, among which may be sideration of the renewal of their specified with joy, additions by baptism charter, have induced the missionaries. to the church of Christ. of various bodies in Calcutta to prepare In the district of Backergunge the a memorial to Parliament on the matter. brethren report several conversions, "It is now," says the " Friend of India," and a pleasing state of advancement "nearly forty years since one of the in the piety and social well-being of the best representatives of the good old native churches. The villages of this times of India informed Dr. Carey, district are wholly occupied in agricul- that for his own part he intended to ture. The frequent inundations often smooth his way to heaven by conexpose them to hunger and want; yet structing a road for Juggernaut. The among them are found many affecting race of brahminized Englishmen has examples of the power of divine grace, nearly died out." Yet the connection to strengthen character, to support in of the government with the temples affliction, to comfort in distress, and and the priesthood of Hindoo deities, has to educe generous and benevolent feel- not wholly ceased. For a long time the ing. directions of the authorities at home, Five more persons have been baptized who, after many years of contrary at the interesting station at Kalikapur, policy, at last yielded to the repeated by our brother JOHANNES. The persecu- representations of Christian philanthrotion to which the converts have been pists, have been evaded, until, during exposed has constrained him to obtain the past year, orders were issued in by purchase, a plot of ground on which India, breaking up the bonds which to erect cottages for them, as well as bound the Indian government to the to supply them with the means of self-care of the idol Juggernaut. But in support. The remarkable circumstances various parts of India the connection attending this work of God, give in- still subsists. Much has indeed been creased interest to every communication done reversing the policy of former concerning the people, while we rejoice years: but some £160,000 sterling a at the steadfastness they have displayed year continue to be expended in the in the hour of trial. The effort of support of Hindoo temples, Mussalman putting up huts, clearing the jungle, mosques, brahmins and nursjeeds. Only and giving the poor outcasts a fresh £10,000 of this is spent in Bengal. start in life, has not cost more than Other charges, however, in the local fifteen pounds. Other hopeful cases revenue are paid, which do not appear of conversion have also occurred, to be rendered to the government, in and we may hope that as the poor dues to Brahmins, gifts to local shrines, people have now a resting place, they and propitiatory offerings, commenced will prosper, and that it will prove perhaps, fifty years ago. Temple lands that God has a great work to do there. remain under the management of the Among the general subjects of in- Revenue Board, and oaths continue terest connected with missionary labour to be taken on the Koran, or by the in India, is the connexion of the govern- Hindoo deities, in the Queen's courts,

103

which has long ceased to be the case though English education is eagerly in the courts of the Company. The sought after, and much encouraged by missionaries desire to call attention to the government and some missionary these facts at the present time, that bodies, the native language has become, in the new charter there may be in- and is daily becoming, more extensively serted a clause forbidding, on the part the medium of intellectual and religious of the Company, any further connection influence and enjoyment in the native with these heathen deities and practices, community. The importance of this which disgraces a government calling cannot be over-estimated; since, while itself Christian, and, at the same time, thousands may learn the English, the leads the natives to think their rulers Bengali must ever remain the language either unbelievers or hypocrites, or at of the millions. the least, wholly indifferent to the gospel they profess to have received.

Our readers will peruse, with deep Late years have seen a large increase difficulties occur in the work of evaninterest, the letter of Mr. SAKER. If in the vernacular literature of Bengal; gelization, yet these give way before not only do missionary presses pour the untiring zeal, fidelity, and diligence, forth floods of knowledge, both religious of the true servant of Christ. As will and secular, among the people; there be seen yet further, results of no slight are not fewer than forty native presses value follow the missionary's toil; and in Calcutta, established for the purpose civilization, industry, and commerce, of publishing Bengalee books, which are found to accompany, in loving comsend out 30,000 volumes annually. panionship, the beneficent influence of There is indeed among them a mixture Christianity. of the bad with the useful; but it is a fact, not a little illustrative of the pro- nication of our brother EAST, from CaNor less encouraging is the commugress of things in Bengal, that while labar, giving cheering prospects of the every work but one of ancient Bengali institution he has undertaken to guide, origin, and full of idolatry and obsce- To train a native ministry for Jamaica nity, has ceased to be printed, nearly is an object of the first moment; every four hundred works have been printed in day adds to its urgency; and we may Bengali, since the Serampore mission- well strengthen our excellent tutor's aries printed and published the first work hands by our generous sympathies and in that language fifty-one years ago. Al- our prayers.

INDIA.

BACKERGUNGE.

The visits paid by our esteemed missionary brother, the Rev. J. C. PAGE, to the various stations in the Barisal district, are full of encouragement. He writes of them as follows:

March 4th, 1852.-I have just returned from a visit to some of our stations; and think you will be pleased to learn some particulars about them.

DHAMSHAR,

Here I spent four days (Jan. 22nd-26th.)
The first place I visited was Dhúmshar.
You may remember that it was here, just
twelve months ago, two brothers with their
wives renounced caste, and joined our little
indignation, abuse, and outstretched broom
Christian community. Unmindful of the
of their own mother, and braving the
threatened opposition of the zamindar, they
declared for Christianity, and were all but

AMGAON.

carried off by the zamindár's piadás, when those lately come amongst us, has given us our people rescued them. Their offence a fine bit of ground for a chapel: and a was not soon forgiven. More than one chapel we must have. The last day I was petition have they been obliged to present in the village, I had a large congregation for protection. Their houses have been left of Muhammadans, who kept me speaking alone, their mother has joined them, but nearly two hours. their zamindár, a wealthy and influential man in these parts, has not ceased to annoy them. They have been waited for at mar- Amgaon was the next place visited. This kets, and watched in all their out-goings is only an out-station, with seven families. and in-comings, as though they had been Before seeing the people, I inquired of thieves and robbers with the police after the heathen about them. "One thing we them. Every now and then promises of know," was the reply, "the Christians do condign punishment have been renewed, not work on the sabbath, but meet together and then bribes held out to them, if they to worship God. We cannot say we have would but return, but all in vain. They seen any evil in them." I spent a day with have remained stedfast; and, on the the Christians, and had many Hindus and evening of sabbath day, Jan. 25th, I bap- Muhammadans around me all the time. tized the elder brother, named Paban.

SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL.

KALIGAON.

Next I went on to Kaligáon. Here the On the Friday previous, the good man, people had long been very unsteady. Months with his eldest son, an interesting little ago, the native preacher was taken very ill, fellow, took some vegetables for sale to the and was nigh unto death. He was forced neighbouring bazar. There he was met to come away, and there was no one to by his old friends the piadás, and marched supply his place. Then three or four off, prisoner-fashion, to the chaudhuri's ka- families kept away from worship, talked cheri. "We have caught you at last," cried of Mahantism as better than Christianity— they. "So you have become a Christian, that is, sin better than obedience to the have you?" "I am a Christian," said precepts of Christ. Soon the majority Paban. Then followed sundry upbraidings, wanted neither Sabbath nor Scripture ; and railings, and threatenings; all which, neither Sahib nor sarkár. So they dreamed however, failed to move the good man. that he would give them up, and let them Calmly he bore it all; telling his enemies do what they liked. I do not think, therethat he was now in their power, it was true; fore, they were at first over-pleased at seeing they might do what they liked with him,- my boats approaching their village. No one but they could kill only his body. "My soul," came out to meet me; but I pushed on, and twice he repeated it," will go to my Father and spent four days with the offenders, in heaven. That you cannot touch." "You reproving, expostulating, and teaching. Fiare fined 25 Rs." cried out one of the great nally, they all promised to do better in men this elicited only a smile. "Pull his future; to be regular at worship, observe ears," cried out another; but this was but the sabbath, obey their teachers, and so gently done, and never disconcerted or anger- forth. So I placed a school teacher from ed Paban. "Take him off," was the next Digaliyá among them, prayed with them, order; that is, being interpreted, Take and came away, indulging a hope that this him to the inquisition-like place where ryots station would now revive a little. But I are punished, and occasionally tortured. fear I hoped too soon. The last accounts "Take me," said Paban; "but it is late from the place were not favourable. in the day, so let my boy go home, for he must be hungry." No; father and son must go together. They were removed; but in five minutes a message came, to let the Christian go and home he came at night, telling me that the devil had been after him trying to injure him. A significant question is now asked in the bazar: How was it a Christian was carried off to the kacheri,-and then dismissed unfined and unbeaten? We can answer this question. Would that the heathen could! I hope Paban's example will be soon followed by his wife and brother too. They all seem getting into the right way.

On the sabbath afternoon, I had a large number of heathen, together with the Christian congregation. To them I spoke at length of the glory and greatness of Christ how that He is Lord over all gods; and that the gods of the heathen are vanity. There was great attention; and after the service I ascertained that what was said was understood by all, perhaps felt by some..

GHAGAR.

February 10th. Left home again for Ghágar. On the way we stopped at a market place, and had a goodly number of hearers, to whom John and I spoke for Our adult and children's schools at Dhám- an hour. The sun was so hot, and there shar are well attended. A few men, women, was not a tree even to shade us, that I was and boys have learned to read. One of obliged to finish sooner than I wished. The