MADRAS.

Madras is the capital of the British possessions on the east side of the peninsula of Hindustan. The city stands on the margin of the Bay of Bengal, and is of vast extent, stretching along the shore a distance of nine miles, and between three and four miles inland. The great centre of population in this large area is known as Black Town, which is separated from Fort St. George by a broad and open esplanade. In common with all the European settlements on this coast, Madras has no port for shipping, and every vessel which arrives must cast anchor in the roads at a considerable distance from the shore, which is washed by a heavy surf that sometimes makes landing difficult, if not dangerous. As viewed from the sea this part of the city presents a somewhat imposing appearance. A line of substantial and handsome buildings, often three stories high, and each protected from the sun with a broad verandah, is seen extending for a mile along the beach, and includes merchant's offices, law courts, the custom-house, and the terminus of the Madras Railway. Behind this line of buildings are narrow streets occupied by the humbler classes of English and East Indians, with crowded shops or bazaars, markets, temples, mosques, and churches of various denominations of Christians. Within the municipal limits of Madras there are also several large surburban villages, each numbering its native population by tens of thousands. The broad intervals between these villages are occupied by the spacious residences of English merchants and other civilians, surrounded by park-like gardens. The population of Madras is estimated at half a million, and although the first Protestant church erected in Hindustan was built there, and more Missionary effort has been put forth in this city than in any other place in India, it is believed that more than three-fourths of the people are still heathen, and loudly call for the sympathy and aid of British Christians.

It was in the year 1817 that the first Wesleyan Missionary commenced his labours in this part of India. A few pious Methodists

from England residing there, had been in the habit of meeting together for the purpose of prayer and Christian fellowship, and to read Mr. Wesley's sermons for their mutual edification. They heard with delight of the arrival of Wesleyan Missionaries in Ceylon, and earnestly requested that one of the party might be spared to labour among them. This reasonable wish was readily met by the British Conference, and Mr. Harvard was appointed to Madras. But the claims upon this devoted Missionary at Colombo, in connection with the Mission-press and the work of translation, was such as to prevent his removal to the Continent without serious injury to the cause. It was therefore ultimately arranged that Mr. Lynch should go to commence the Mission at Madras. The arrival of this zealous servant of God marked the commencement of a new era in the populous heathen city which we have described. His statements of Christian experience, and especially his distinct enunciations of the doctrine of the direct witness of the Spirit, were such as had never been heard there before. All classes wondered at his boldness and success. His talent for reproving sin was extraordinary, and wherever he went, he was hailed as a faithful Minister of Christ. During the time that Mr. Lynch laboured in Madras, he was instrumental in the erection of a beautiful new chapel for English services in the centre of the East India population of Black Town, which he left entirely free from debt. He also witnessed the gathering into the fold of Christ of a goodly number of hopeful converts as the seals to his earnest ministry.

The work thus auspiciously commenced in Madras has been zealously maintained ever since, and the faithful preaching of the Gospel, in connection with the educational department of the Mission, has been made a great blessing to the people. Among the devoted Ministers who have laboured here, but who have long since passed away to their reward in heaven, the names of Jonathan Crowther, Joseph Roberts, and Thomas Cryer, are deservedly held in grateful remembrance by a few of the surviving old members. Other zealous Ministers have entered into their labours, who are still spared to the Church of Christ. The chapel,

which was considerably enlarged in 1861, will seat about five hundred persons, and it is generally filled on Sunday evenings. The English Missionary on the Madras station is entirely supported by the members of the church and congregation to whom he ministers, and they also contribute liberally towards the support of the Mission cause generally.

But, whilst thus careful to provide for the spiritual welfare of Europeans and their descendants in India, the Wesleyan Missionary Society is not unmindful of their chief work among the Hindus. They have, moreover, expected that the English work in Madras would be auxiliary to that which is carried on directly for the benefit of the natives. Nor have they in this been disappointed. Black Town has given both men and money, and the native Church will not soon be able to repay the debt of gratitude she owes to her elder sister for her friendly aid in various ways. For many years it was customary to hold Tamil services in the vestibule of the English chapel, for the benefit of a small native society and congregation. But in 1859, by the exertion of the Missionaries, aided by a committee of the English congregation, a commodious Tamil chapel was built close to the English sanctuary; and this is now the centre of the Madras North (Tamil) Circuit, where an important native work has for several years been carried on.

The Madras South (Tamil) Circuit has its centre at Royapettah, a populous district three miles distant from Black Town, where the Wesleyan Mission concentrates its principal labours. The Mission premises are of ample dimensions, and occupy a "compound," or lot of land, some acres in extent. The most conspicuous building is the native chapel, which stands in a convenient position near to the conjunction of several roads. Neat, substantial, and well-built, this sanctuary is no bad specimen of Indian architecture. It will seat about five hundred persons. Venetian folding-doors on three sides take the place of windows; which, standing open during Divine service, invite passers-by to enter and hear the Word of Life. Many have thus been brought under the saving influence of the Gospel, and been led to unite themselves with the people of God.

If we were to enter this chapel on a Sabbath morning we should behold a beautiful sight. The males and females sit apart, after the manner of olden times in England, as arranged by Mr. Wesley. The foremost seats on the women's side are occupied by the neatly clad girls of the boarding-school, and the corresponding seats on the other side, in part, by the young converts from the boy's school. Behind these are arranged the elder members of the church and congregation. The worshippers are generally of the poorer classes of the community; for in India, as in other places, "not many mighty, not many noble are called." If we remain during the service, we shall hear loud and earnest singing, if it be not very melodious. The language is Tamil, and the hymn, which is one of Wesley's, was translated by that excellent Missionary, Elijah Hoole, in his youthful days. The preacher is a native Minister; his face is as dark as those of his hearers, now upturned towards him in wrapt attention, but it glows with affection and zeal in his Master's service. If it is the day for public adult baptisms, we are struck with the promptitude and earnestness with which the native converts answer the questions proposed, and assign their reasons for renouncing heathenism and embracing Christianity, whether we can understand their language or not; and when we remember the persecution to which the native Christians are frequently exposed, and that by thus espousing the cause of Christ, these poor converted Hindus may be severing themselves from home and kindred, and everything dear to a feeling heart, we cannot fail to be convinced that the work must be of God which can produce such wonderful results.

Immediately behind the native chapel which we have described, is the noble range of buildings occupied by the Anglo-Vernacular Schools. These buildings were erected, and the institution brought into excellent working order, several years ago, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Messrs. Jenkins, Hobday, and Burgess, who have occupied the station in succession. The gentleman last named has been the longest connected with the institution, and to his unwearied exertions and able superinten