their hoary institutions, caste being paramount.

"III. Also by the above may be seen a sample of the general and almost universal impression that Christianity has made upon the mass of the Hindoo mind, even in remote and rural districts; and thus far the fruits of years of former labour are apparent. In many instances this impression is by no means superficial, as some of the facts stated clearly show; and among numerous individuals it has been so deep as to produce a neglect of all idolatrous usages. Sufficient knowledge, were it mixed with faith, is possessed by numbers to insure the salvation of the soul. But this generation is rapidly passing away, and the same work will have to be commenced with the succeeding one.

"IV. The careful consideration of the above particulars will undoubtedly produce in the reader's mind the following query'How, after all, is it that there is so little real fruit-so few genuine conversions or sincere inquirers under conviction of sin? I know of no satisfactory answer, and can only meet the question with another; i.e., Are the influences and power of the Divine Spirit withheld for want of earnest, fervent prayer on the part of the Church? After supplying their agents among the Heathen with the necessary means for outwardly carrying on the work of their several Missions, are they and their work left as it were common objects, i.e. to make their way like a mercantile speculation? O how it would cheer and invigorate the heart, and sustain

the energies of the Missionary, if while he is engaged in promulgating truth, and publishing the unsearchable riches of Christinviting all to come and partake of a free and full salvation, to feel an inward assurance that he is not left alone, but that hundreds, although removed thousands of miles from him, are quite as near the throne of grace as he is, and frequently meet and mingle their petitions there, and are wrestling for a blessing upon his labours with the Father of mercies, through an all-prevailing intercessor, and seeking for the irresistible power of the Divine Spirit!

"O'Brethren pray for us'-for vain is the help of man.

"P.S.-I have not touched upon the subject of caste, for obvious reasons. In the first place to make this masterpiece of the devices of the devil anywise clear to those not on the spot, seems almost impossible, and, as daily met with in all the common avocations of life, would of itself require a volume; but it ought to be better known to the religious public in England than it is at present, in order to correct the numerous errors entertained upon the subject, and the mistakes constantly arising therefrom.

"And in the next place, the various bearings of the preaching of the Gospel upon idolaters as such, seem to be the principal object which should at present be kept in view. But briefly-I must state my conviction that idolatry will disappear from India, before the system of caste from its inhabitants."

EARLY EXPERIENCES.

"About eight years ago, my brother and I were engaged in learning English in the

School at Chindrapetta, in Madras, conducted by Mr. Winslow of the American Mission. What we learnt there convinced

We

This was,

us of the truta of Christianity, and inspired is with a desire to profess the truth. nade known our minds to Mr. Winslow, who, after some inquiry, allowed us to remain in his house. Our friends missing us in the evening, and not finding us in any of the neighbours' houses, came to Mr. Winslow's. They tried to persuade us to return with them, but as we refused to do this they entreated Mr. Winslow not to give us food cooked in his house, but such as they might send. They accordingly, for some days, sent us food. After a while, under various pretences, they persuaded Mr. W. to allow us to visit our friends. We went several times, and were allowed to return. however, a mere device till they had made all arrangements to secure us, which they did on a sudden, at the end of one of our visits. They put us in chains and sent us each in a different direction to some of our relations. A few days after this the brother who had been most instrumental in betraying us was taken ill, and died in great pain. My mother followed him in about a week. These deaths made considerable changes in our domestic circle, and my brother and I were conveyed to Chingerpet. My brother Punnernblem got admission into the Free Church Mission School, and from that place contrived to escape to Mr. Anderson's in Madras, from whom he afterwards received baptism, and with whom he still continues. My own lot was to be very different. I was conveyed to Bangalore and thence removed to Dharwar, where another brother had the spirit contract, and employed me in helping him in his business. I afterwards came to my uncle in Belgaum ; here, after a while, my father joined us. My convictions regarding Christianity were strengthened by the intercourse I contrived to secure with Jonas, the Mission Catechist.

TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS.

"But yet my mind was powerfully wrought upon by what I heard and read regarding the profession of a Saniashee, and by the confident promise of heaven as the reward of adopting it. I frequented, therefore, the Matha of a celebrated man of that profession named Adryappa, who resided with some of his followers about six kos from this. He was of the Shaiva sect. In the mean

while a Brahmin Saniashee, of the Vaishnava sect, gained a complete ascendancy over the minds of my relatives in Dharwar, and, receiving some 50 rupees from them, sealed or branded them with the marks of the Vaishnava sect, in token, as he said, of their obtaining entrance into heaven. He set himself up as the Gooroo of the whole family, and came to Belgaum. There he received the adoration of all the Vaishnavas, who flocked around him. My father bid me go and fall at his feet, which I did. After a few days I had an opportunity of witnessing the branding with seals of Vishnu. The Gooroo, after pompous preparations and purifications, kindled a fire of sandal-wood and leaves in which he heated the copper, and shank, and chakra, the insignia of the Vaishnava religion. He then bid his attendants lay hold of the man who was to be branded, who, shrinking and wincing under the operation, received the marks. This done, the Gooroo turned to my father and said, 'Prepare your son against the third day, when I shall celebrate this ceremony again.' My father was delighted at the prospect of my receiving what he considered to be a great benefit.

"I had time to think, and the Lord enabled me to see the folly of the whole thing. I went to Jonas, and told him that 'the smart of the red hot metal seemed like the earnest and beginning of hell fire. I resolved to escape, and borrowing a rupee from him, set out for Bellary. There I met a friend who had known me in Dharwar. He treated me with great kindness and hospitality, and made nothing of my having escaped from my friends and the brand of the Gooroo. My friend also was engaged in the spirit trade, and employed me for a time. Meanwhile, my brother from Dharwar passed through, but as he knew under what circumstances I had left Belgaum, and how I despised the brand which he had received, he would not speak to me. I afterwards obtained a situation as mess accountant, and in that capacity went with the 6th cavalry to Sholapore. My mind was still impressed with the idea of joining the Shaiva Saniashees, with some of whom I had become acquainted, as I said before, in the neighbourhood of Belgaum.

I found among them a great diversity of opinion as to the means of salvation; one denying what the other affirmed. One of them in particular used facetiously to deride the whole system.

"I tried to make myself master of all the opinions entertained by different individuals. My own mind was fully convinced of the falsity of all. Yet I was curious to know all that may be or was said, if for nothing else, at least to refute them. When satisfied, I returned to Bellary. I there found my brother, who was much distressed at the sight of my Saniashee garb, and persuaded me to leave it off. Thence I accompanied my brother to Dharwar. On my way, I happened to meet the very man from whom I had at first fled. My relative immediately fell at his feet. He recognized me, and said that his regard for my family was so great that if I were willing, he would for my special sake stop in the midst of his journey, and imprint upon me the marks of Vishnu. My late intercourse with Saniashees, however, enabled me to meet him with greater confidence than before. I said I was sure of one thing, that his system was false, and that I could contend with him on his own ground. On this he left us, and I returned to my friends at Belgaum and Dharwar, who, when they heard my history, and my intercourse with the Shaivites, were very much distressed, for they are Vishnuvites.

CONVICTIONS OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTI

ANITY CONFIRMED.

"I had now an opportunity of renewing my acquaintance with Jonas. My convictions regarding Christianity gained ground. I met with a metrical composition, by learned Brahmins in Madras, which purported to be a refutation of Christianity. I read it, and with Jonas's help was able to refute its sophisms. I resolved now to connect myself more intimately with Christians. I went to witness their mode of worship as it is conducted at the Mission Chapel. I went also to see how the Romanists worship. The resemblance of their idolatry to that of the Hindoos struck me so forcibly that I never wished to go again. I now openly professed Christianity, and removed to a house separate from my relations. This my friends tried to prevent. They seized

me, and forcibly conveyed me to my uncle's, where they bound me to a table, and said that though I might resist persuasions, yet hunger would compel me. After a while, my father relented; he released me, and gave me food; he also pleaded for me with my more violent relatives, and contended that I should be left to follow my own choice. With me he urged the fact of his years and his probable speedy death, begged that I should only wait till I should perform his funeral rites, and then I might follow what course I desired. But I felt I must depart. I joined the Mission. My friends used various expedients to intimidate me, and by false charges laid before the local authorities they tried to entrap me. I am thankful they have failed. As in the last assault they made upon me, they laid hold of the hair of my head, I had that removed. This effectually severed my connection with Hindoos, for without the hair as it is com. monly worn, I could not maintain my posi tion among them. It is one of the marks of Hindoo idolatry, and removing it has effectually cut me off from them.

LEAVING ALL FOR CHRIST.

"A review of all that has passed, and a comparison of my former with my present position, tend to confirm my belief of the truth of the Christian religion. I am assured that by birth and practice I am a sinner, and unable to stand before God with any righteousness of my own. 1 am thankful that God has led me to a knowledge of the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. I pray he may enable me to receive the righteousness of Christ Jesus in simplicity and truth, that my sins may be washed away in the blood of Jesus, and that by the strength of the Holy Spirit daily given unto me I may be preserved from falling, kept in the love of God the Father, and be received to dwell with him hereafter.

"I desire now the rite of baptism in obedience to the Scripture requirement, that whosoever believeth and is baptized shall be saved. I trust I have an unfeigned belief in Christ as my only Saviour, and a sincere desire to follow in the way of his commandments; I desire the fellowship of his people, and to be one with them who are the mem bers of the body of Christ."

EDUCATIONAL LABOURS.

"In a letter sent to you soon after my arrival in India, I intimated that in order to be useful in some department of the Mission while pursuing my studies in the native languages, I had undertaken to teach the first English class in the Central School. This position soon merged itself into a general superintendence of the school, which I still occupy. You will be happy to hear that the numbers in actual attendance at the school have, during the last twelve months, rather more than doubled. This circumstance is attributable to various causes, not the least of which is the visit which the Hon. J. Colvin, the new Lieut.-Governor of the North-West Provinces, paid to the school in the month of October, 1853, on which occasion he presented the Mission with the handsome donation of twenty pounds; and to the notification which we have received through Mr. Tucker, the Commissioner at Benares, from the Government at Agra, that the head boys of the school will be permitted to submit to an examination once every year, and that the successful students will be introduced into the public service. I am sorry to say that Mr. Brownlow, the head master, having accepted an appointment in a Government school, will leave us at the end of the present month. The loss of this gentleman, who is a young man of considerable intelligence, and, so far as my observation has gone, of efficiency as a teacher, I am endeavouring to supply by making inquiries for a substitute, though hitherto without success. The school also receives assistance both from Mr. Buyers and Mr. Kennedy.

VOCATION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

"Although the affairs of the Central School have necessarily consumed much of my time, which I do not regard as ill spent, yet, as my chief design in coming to India was to preach the Gospel to the heathen, I have held them as second in importance

when compared with this latter object. Many, doubtless, are the opportunities of enforcing the truths of the Christian religion upon the senior youths instructed in our Mission schools, and I believe the blessing of God is attending such labours. This is partially seen in the undeniable fact that no Hindoo lad having passed through the usual -course of instruction in such schools leaves them a Hindoo. Though not a Christian, generally speaking, I may without exaggeration say he is rarely or never a Hindoo. Hence has risen up a nondescript class of educated natives whose religion has assumed no definite character, who detest the national religion and admire the Christian religion. I was about remarking that, highly as I estimate this means of carrying out the Mission with which God and the Church have intrusted me, I do not personally regard it as my chief vocation. Under the influence of these sentiments I deemed it necessary to obtain a knowledge of the two Indian languages spoken here as speedily as possible, in order directly, as an ambassador of the Cross, to open my mouth to the people and proclaim to them the glad tidings of their salvation. Accordingly, and here with devout humility I would acknowledge the goodness of God in the assistance which he granted me,-I was enabled to preach, or rather (to use a more correct word) to read my first sermon to the congregation of the Mission church in the month of June of the last year. Once having commenced, I soon found that the pressure, though gently imposed, from without, was as strong as the pressure from within, so that my own election to preach was strengthened by that of others. All my engagements, however, were suspended for a period of six weeks during the rainy season, when I was attacked first by fever, then by dysentery. That season throughout this part of India was unusually sickly and the mortality frightful, as will be evident when I tell you that one tenth part

of the European population in Benares died in a fortnight. These cases were mostly from cholera, and included some of the highest men in the Station. Through the mercy of God I was gradually restored to health, when I resumed my duties both in the school and in the church."

"My studies hitherto had been restricted to the Urdoo tongue, the language of the Mussulmans; I now commenced the Hindi, the language of the Hindoos, a knowledge of which, as you are aware, is absolutely necessary in order to hold converse with the inhabitants residing in the villages.

A MISSIONARY TOUR.

Having learnt that Mr. Mather, of Mirzapore, and Mr. Smith, of the Church Mission, Benares, contemplated visiting in the winter season a large number of villages to the south towards Central India, with the consent of my brethren of the District Committee I joined them in that undertaking. My chief motive in taking this step was to gain a ready and available acquaintance with the language of the people, as spoken in the country, with its forms and idioms, and to accustom the ear in hearing, so that the mind might grasp continuous sentences and understand without difficulty what a speaker said. United with this was the strong desire to perceive what Missionary life, strictly so called, really was, and also to ascertain with some approach to completeness the modes of life and thought of the natives, the moral effect which idolatry wrought upon them, and the condition of superstition and debasement in which they were actually placed. Moreover, I wished eagerly, beyond what I can express, to be side by side with those who were continually

preaching the Gospel of salvation and eternal life to the poor Hindoo, whose heart was a stranger to the one and was ignorant of the other.

"Early in the month of December we set out on our journey. Our route lay to the south-west. We traversed several native states, amongst which I may mention the independent states of Rewa, Chatterpore, and Punuah. We had interviews with many of the rajahs and principal men of these countries, some of which were of a very pleasing character. At the populous cities of Jubbulpur and Saugor, both in the Company's territories, we remained several days. Throughout the whole of this large tract of country, the population of which must amount to some millions of inhabitants, we met with no Missionary. At Jubbulpur was a small establishment designed for a Mission, and to which, since our return, a Catechist sent out by the Church Missionary Society from England, has gone. So that we traversed seven hundred miles without finding a single Missionary established in this important field. The people are willing to hear, nay, in not a few cases, we found them anxious to hear of those precious truths which the Missionaries expounded.

THE MISSION RECRUITED.

"Mr. Kennedy, bis wife and family, have arrived safely in Benares, and are quite well. This is a valuable addition to the Mission, and one much needed. The labours of this Mission are, as you well know, various and multitudinous, so that the staff of Missionaries, though increased, will find abundant labour to occupy them. I trust that the Lord will mercifully preserve to us our present measure of strength and energy.”