make manifest His merciful purposes toward Sarepta." In every countenance, humble cheerfulness, resignation, and thankfulness for the marvellous help that He has afforded us, are depicted; and what the lips utter, is confirmed by grateful tears.

Considering the furious and rapid progress of the flames, it is surprising how much has been saved of goods belonging to individuals, and other effects; though very much, indeed, has been consumed. The total loss is immense, and cannot at present be calculated; but the Lord has done it! He is almighty to help in time of need; and He will shew us by what means help is to be obtained.

We are sure, that, on the receipt of this mournful intelligence, compassion and active benevolence will be excited in the breasts of all our Brethren and Sisters. That all the inhabitants of Sarepta, notwithstanding their extraordinary exertions and the excessive heat, are well, and continue with unwearied courage and strength, to assist in extinguishing the fire, which still on the 14th was smothering or blazing up in numberless places among the ruins, is to be ascribed to the mercy of our gracious Saviour alone. Our worthy neighbour, Mr. Popow of Otrade, who hastened to our relief with forty of his tenants, and gave the best orders and manual assist. ance, was made, under God, the instrument of saving our Church and the few houses which remain in the place. May God reward him for it!

It is added, by the Elders' Con. ference

The above is all that we know, as yet, of this dreadful calamity.

But as touching brotherly love, dear Brethren and Sisters, ye need not that

we write unto you, for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. Ever since He, who is the Divine Author of our Brotherly Union and Covenant, on the 13th of August, 1727, baptized our first brethren with the Spirit of Love, that spirit has, through His mercy, reigned among us, notwithstanding all our failings and imperfections. We have felt ourselves closely united together, as members of one body, of which Christ is the Head; and if one member suffered, all have suffered with it.

Of this, ample evidence has been afforded in the earlier periods of our His

tory, at the time of the emigration from Herrnhaag and the burning of our Settlement at Neusaltz; and, more recently, by occasion of the destructive fire at Gradenfrey and the damage done during the war at Neuwied and Gnadenberg. To those great misfortunes, which we have experienced, belongs also the late dreadful conflagration at Sarepta.

Let us, therefore, cry mightily to our God and Saviour, that He would refresh by His consolations the hearts of our poor suffering Brethren, and the whole deeply-afflicted Congregation in that remote region on the borders of Asia, and give them faith and confidence in Him. Our own hearts will dictate to us, what we may do for their assistance; and the Lord, the God of Love, will strengthen our hands to exert ourselves in their behalf.

In the fellowship of Jesus, we salute you, as your faithful and affectionate Brethren.

Mr. Latrobe adds, in a Note to the Circular, that, on the 17th of August, the Single Brethren having been otherwise accommodated, the Congregation met for the first time after the Fire in their Church, to offer up praise to God for His mercy.

A Subscription has been opened for the relief of the suffering Congregation.

India within the Ganges.

MEERUT.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

State of the Native Christians. THE Rev. Henry Fisher, Chaplain at Meerut, in a Letter to the Rev. Daniel Corrie, gives the following pleasing view of the character and employment of the Native Christians at that Station :

Although I have not much to communicate respecting the state of my Native Flock, yet your Letter just received calls for the required acknowledgment; and I will avail myself of a leisure hour to meet your wishes. I have hesitated, for the last few weeks, whether to address you on the subject or no; lest I should seem to attach too much importance to my day of small things, or be yielding to too sanguine expectations of success, unwarranted by

circumstances, and of the fallacy of which experience has so often convinced

me.

I think you have been informed of the failure of the plan which I proposed to act upon (in May 1820), of gathering together my little flock of Converts into one place, owing to the exorbitant demand for rent (and that without any security of continued possession) by the Mahomedan proprietor of the spot of ground selected. The idea, however, has been revived in my mind lately, by the discovery of a very convenient (though small) bungalow, with a roomy compound around; situated within the walls of Meerut, and close to the little room over the gateway where my Native Couverts have hitherto been permitted to reside. Here is every convenience that we can desire. It is something like the Kuttra at Agra, in point of accommodation; and if Mr. Bowley will sell it to us on terms within our means of purchase, of which there can be no doubt, a sufficient subscription will easily be obtained among my friends here. The Christian Families may reside there in comfort, and regular Worship be daily enjoyed among themselves, a School probably established, and be within reach to attend on the Sabbath at my house.

-Our Hindoostanee Service, on Sun days, in the hot weather, is at ten o'clock in the morning; and, in the cold season, at two o'clock-my other Church Duties to my European Congregation not allowing any other hour.

The Native Congregation consists of Mooneef, Behadur, Matthew Phiroodeen and his wife, fifteen Portuguese Women (most of them married to Soldiers in one or other of H. M.'s Regiments; sometimes their husbands accompany them), two or three of my servants; and a Seik with his wife and family (his name is Dilsook), who have been candidates for baptism for some time, and whom I propose admitting into our Church on Whit-Sunday.

Dilsook had a School consisting of ten children they were of a low caste (but Dilsook himself is a Gooroo), and I think the fairest and most promising children that I have seen, quite intelligent and industrious; but, strange to say, we have lost them all. The parents of the children, about three weeks ago, took up the idea that Dilsook was plan

Oct. 1823.

ning to make them all Christians, and the whole party have withdrawn themselves: the only reason is, that he had shaved his beard; which had been done merely as an act of mourning for some near relation. They might have heard of his reading his Bible, and of his constant attendance at my house on Sundays; but I can scarcely imagine that this would have had such influence, since they knew of it before he began the School. I regret the loss of the poor Boys: they were making great improvement: however, we must try again.

Matthew still remains here, in apparent rejection from duty as a soldier; but receives his pay, through the Brigade Major. His conduct is exem.. plary; and' I do not think a more upright and faithful disciple could easily be found. He takes great pains in studying the Scriptures, coming to me when he finds a difficulty; and occupies his time in a variety of ways to be useful to the Missionary Cause. Curious inquirers often visit him; and'he, recently, visits the gaol, where he reads the Gospels to those who manifest any willingness to hear him.

Oommed, as you know, was convinced of the truth of Christianity, while living as a servant with Mooneef; and was baptized by you at Calcutta. He is occupied, from morning to night, daily, in reading the Scriptures to the Native Women in the soldiers' huts, and in teaching their children. He behaves very steadily, and seems to increase in devotedness and zeal. I like him much, and consider him an acquisition.

Mooneef is still with me, but I must part with him as a moonshee. I feel anxious to obtain for him some permanent employ if possible, so as to keep him near me. It will be a benefit to him; and he is useful, in a variety of ways, to the Missionary Cause.

Behadur is at Meerut; and visits, from time to time, the neighbouring villages, to read the Scriptures to those that will hear him. Sometimes he is kindly welcomed and treated with respect: at other places, he is hooted and pelted away His behaviour, on these occasions, has often struck me with surprise and admiration. Some weeks ago, I sent him to a great Mela at Gormateesur, with a number of copies of the Gospel. He went into the midst of the 3 K

AGRA.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Letter from Abdool Messech to Rev. Daniel

Corrie.

him to read it; which he did with a bold and audible voice, and vast numbers stopped to listen; some of whom went away, others crowded up to beg that the book might be given to them. In this way he distributed about 300, and could easily have found eager candidates for three times the number.

I took Behadur with me on my journey to Cawnpore, when I travelled to meet Mrs. Fisher and my niece in their way up from Calcutta. I loaded a camel with Gospels, for the purpose of distribution. Our mode was to visit the different Schools, where any were to be found: if not, to find out some favourite place of general resort, where we happened to halt; and to read, and offer as gifts to those who could read for themselves, the glad tidings of salvation. We returned by Agra, Muttra, and Delhi; and, of course, exhausted our stock of books.

Behadur visited Kutowlee, to remain during the continual ebb and flow of the tide of pilgrims who frequent Hurdwar, and which, as you know, consists of gathering thousands upon thousands from all parts of India. Kutowlee is a large and populous town, directly on the high road, and opportunities of usefulness are frequent upon these occasions. He returned a few days ago.

Interesting incidents occur from day to day; but which it does not appear necessary to communicate, except to assure you, that they afford me the strongest encouragement to believe, that He, who has all things at his sovereign disposal, has a witness in the hearts of thousands around me to the truth of the Bible. I am aware that the prevalent spirit of mere idle curiosity among the people is no satisfactory evidence of that Berean zeal, which would know the doctrine, whether it be indeed of God: yet I cannot help thinking that it argues improvement-something of an awakening from their national apathy; and, in the midst of many discouragements, my hopes still live.

I your unworthy Scholar, according to your desire, submit an account of the affairs of the Church at Agra.

By the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, all the Hindoostanee and English Christians at Agra continue to pass their time, as usual, with thanksgiving. Several persons have fallen asleep in the Lord Jesus, of whom I will give a separate account.

In the first place, I will give you an account of our Public Worship. Morning and Evening Prayers are attended by 21 men and 22 women daily; and, on Sunday, by the grace of God, the whole Place of Worship is filled, and often it will not contain all who attend. When General Shouldham comes from Muttra to Agra, he and his Lady, and all the Christians who attend him, come to our Place of Worship; and when the Board of Commissioners was here, and when the Judge of Circuit held his Court here, all the writers belonging to them attended Public Worship; and many Hindoos and Mussulmans come occasionally, as if to see what is going on.

Since my return to Agra five men and five women (Hindoos) have been admitted, by baptism, to the profession of Christians. Forty persons reside in the Kuttra 13 men, 16 women, six grown children, and five little ones: and generally whatever Christians come to this city, they lodge in the Kuttra; and often so many strangers arrive, that there is a scarcity of room for thein. On account of the excessively heavy rains, there has not been opportunity to build houses in the newly-purchased ground adjoining the Kuttra, for dwellings for the resident Christians; for it is Mr. Wright's intention to erect houses there for the Christians, that the space about the Church may remain clear, and that there may be room for the buggies and carriages of those that attend.

Mr. Cannor is dead; and Gorgeen Beg and three women of the Kuttra are fallen asleep in Christ. Gorgeen

Beg died rejoicing and praising God; and the three women seemed to exceed

one another in their confidence in the

Lord Jesus, at the time of death.

Through the goodness of God, Brother Simon arrived here on the 1st of September: I was greatly rejoiced to see him : I had no hope that I should again behold him in this life: he has been laid up with severe fever these two days: I hope in God, that this illness, arising from fatigue, may speedily be removed. Gabriel remains employed in the School. The Rev. Mr. Mill has arrived at Delhi, and is expected here in a few days.

Thirty-five children attend the School -three the children of Mussulmans, 17 of Hindoos, and 15 of Christians.

My own state is briefly this: for some months I continued afflicted in several ways; and a boil gathered in my back, from which several pounds of flesh were cut all my friends were scarcely able to look at it, and were persuaded that I should hardly recover. For fifteen days I lay without motion, and could eat or drink nothing. The Lord Jesus Christ granted me a new life, like as he raised Lazarus from the tomb; and, by His mercy, the wound too is healed: on the 25th of last month I bathed, for the first time since my illness; but still am so weak, that I cannot rise without a staff. On account of this severe illness, I have failed for some time in writing to you.

The black English Shawl which you sent, reached me; and, with many thanks, I made a turban of it. A parcel containing the First Book of Moses and some Poetry of Fuez Messeeh duly arrived. On beholding the beautifully-printed book, I was exceedingly rejoiced. Praise to God, that my Pastor Henry Martyn's labours in the cause of religion are so published abroad, that profit results to many, and will extend far and wide; for this Translation is intelligible to all. I beg the favour of you, when you write to England, or when Mr. Sherer goes, to send my humble respects and Christian love to the Rev. Mr. Pratt and the Rev. Mr. Simeon. My respects to Mr. Sherer, and your Lady, and her Mother; and my blessing to the children Anna and Laura.

Now, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you and with us all!

BOMBAY.

AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS.

Proposal for the Erection of a Missionary

Building.

THE following Circular has been issued by the American Missionaries at this Station.

We, the undersigned Missionaries, beg leave to solicit your favourable consideration and patronage of the following objects: viz.

The erection of a Public Building, for the two-fold purpose of imparting instruction, both religious and literary, to the Native Population of Bombay. The body of the building contemplated, is to be 35 feet by 60; with a veranda 10 feet wide, on each side, and also at the end fronting the public road. The body of the building will accommodate an assembly for Christian Worship; and the verandas will accommodate two or three of our Native Free-Schools. A valuable piece of ground, in a very eligible part of the Native Town, near the house of the late Mahomed Alli Khan, is already secured. Our Schools have, for years, been organized and in operation; to which such accommodations, as are here proposed, would be of immediate and important use. A Native Audience, also, has, for considerable time, been in attendance on Christian Worship; but under very great disadvantages, for want of such a building as is now contemplated: and our Mission has been in operation for about eight years, and is now able to conduct Public Worship in several of the native languages.

Under such circumstances, no arguments, it is presumed, are necessary to show the desirableness and very great importance of providing such a building without any further delay; as such a measure, even at a much earlier stage of Missionary Operations, has almost universally been considered as a matter of course': and especially, as at each of the other Presidencies there have been, for years, several similar buildings erected by the Christian Benevolence of those Presidencies; whereas, no such building has ever yet been erected for the instruction of the Natives of Bombay.

A Plan of the building has been drawn by an able architect; and its expense, exclusive of the purchase of the ground, estimated at about 8000 rupees; and the building is already commenced. To

meet this expense, we now take the liberty of soliciting the charitable aid of the Friends of Christianity and Education in India; and shall feel much assisted and encouraged by whatever you may see fit to subscribe to this benevolent and Christian Object, which, it is fully believed, will contribute, in some humble degree, to the grand cause of Christianity and Literature in this country.

MADRAS.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

FROM the Fifth Report of the Madras Corresponding Committee, and various communications from the Missionaries, we shall extract, in the present Number and in the next Survey, all the important particulars in relation to the SouthIndia Mission.

Perilous Voyage of Missionaries. It was stated at p. 37 of the Survey, that the Missionaries who sailed for India in the Agincourt, (Messrs. Sawyer, Maisch, and Reichardt) had a very dangerous passage. Some particulars have been sent home by Mr. Reichardt, which we here extract, as they shew in what manner the Servants of Christ are enabled to meet those perils to which they are exposed.

Having entered the North-West Tradewind, we sailed on rapidly; and, on the 6th of July, were opposite Table Bay. It was here the winter season; and the wind blew fresher, the more eastward we came. On the 8th, we were opposite Algoa Bay; and only 50 miles from the coast of Africa. Here we encountered a violent storm.

At 8 A. M.-of that day, we had just sat down to breakfast, when the wind increased so much and the sea ran so high, that the ship was tossed about like a little boat. A violent wave filled the cuddy with water; and we were all obliged to flee to our cabins: I found ours three inches under water. The motion of the ship began now to be quite terrible. I was thrown from one corner of the cabin to another. The waves came on like mountains-roaring, and breaking themselves on the deck; and the wind howled frightfully in the rigging. The sails were immediately

taken in, and the ship left to the mercy of Almighty God and the puzzle of the wild billows. The seamen stood almost constantly up to their breasts in water, and were often in danger of being thrown overboard by the violence of the enraged waves.

Our Cabin was our Bethel. There we implored the mercy of God, and surrendered ourselves unto Christ for life or death-pleaded the promises given to His servants in trouble-and prayed to be spared from an untimely end.

It was now ten o'clock; and, at that time, it seemed as if the elements had conspired together for our destruction, for the storm was now tremendous. Some very strong waves struck the stern of the ship, and broke windows and shutters, and a great deal of water came in between decks: one violent stroke more, and this part of the ship would have been destroyed on account of its weak structure. To prevent this, the ship must be turned to sail right before the wind: while this was doing, a very violent wave struck us on the quarter-deck, and in its return carried away the cabin next before ours, and pulled down even the panels of our cabin, so that the water rushed in, and wet me to the breast.

Fear and terror fell now on every one. It was thought that the side of the ship had been pressed in. We prepared ourselves for death. Many of our things floated in the cabin, and every returning wave reached our knees. Some of our furniture was carried away, without any effort on our part to prevent it, because we had given up every thing; and our minds were wholly employed in prayer for salvation by the mediation of Christ. We expected death every moment. Thus we sat, in the utmost danger, for more than an hour; the water constantly rushing in and out again.

At last, we began to hope again; and prayed earnestly for deliverance. Toward evening the wind blew less violently, and the sea was apparently going down. But the danger was not yet over: the apprehension of death prevented our sleep: every heavy wave roused us again.

During the storm, we enjoyed a high and heavenly peace and calmness of mind; and experienced that God is near to all those, who are, for His sake,