Calcutta. Mr. Schmid was originally destined for Calcutta, but was left, toge ther with his brother, Mr. Bernhard Schmid, at Madras, by Mr. Corrie, as stated in the last Report. One chief object of Mr. Deocar Schmid's removal to Calcutta is the superintendence of a Periodical Work, connected with the plans and exertions of the Society. He had particularly applied his attention to this subject; and had drawn up a Prospectus of the Work, which induced the Calcutta Corresponding Committee to invite him to that place, that they might mature the plan. The Work will embrace a variety of subjects; and will both communicate intelligence of all the most important proceedings in India connected with religion, and will aim at informing, assisting, and stimulating all those in India who may be interested in the improvement of the Natives. Communications have been promised from such quarters as encourage the hope, that, with the blessing of God, a Work may be established which will greatly subserve the cause of Truth and Happiness in India. A Printing-Press, with the latest improvements, has been sent to Calcutta. A quantity of Printing-Paper has also been forwarded, and Founts of Types will speedily follow. About the time of Mr. Schmid's arrival at Calcutta, a vacancy occurring in the situation of Mistress of the Female Orphan Asylum, Mrs. Schmid was appointed to that office-a charge for which she is well qualified, and on which she has entered with the earnest hope of becoming a blessing to the poor Orphans, thirty-four by devoting all my leisure time to correspondence with our different agents, and by a united effort to render the whole of our exertions more efficient." The Committee greatly regret the loss of Mr. Corrie's personal superintendence and aid at Benares; more particularly, as will be seen under that head, as unexpected opportunities for exertion are opening in that immense city: but they anticipate greater advantages, on the whole, from his counsels and assistance at the head-quarters of the Mission. Kidderpore. To the two Schools mentioned in the "Survey," others were adding when Mr. Greenwood removed to Chunar. Mr. Sandys, as there stated, was put in charge of these Schools. He resides at Kidderpore, in the midst of them. Burdwan. Of the Ten Schools, containing 1000 Scholars, under the superintendence of Lieutenant Stewart, we spoke in the "Survey." Two more have been since added. The Report of the Rev. Thomas Robertson concerning the Schools was also mentioned, and has been several times quoted by us. An Extract of that Report is given in the Appendix. In addition to the information of whom are committed to her care. Mr. respecting these Schools given in and Mrs. Schmid reside at the Asylum, in the suburbs of Calcutta, which affords Mr. Schmid an opportunity of pursuing his studies without interruption, and of ready conference, with the Committee. Mr. Corrie was about to be fixed at Calcutta. On this subject the Report states:- Mr. Corrie's establishment at Benares was noticed in the last Report. On the death of the Chaplain at Cawnpore, Mr. Corrie was appointed to that Station; but, before his removal thither, he was summoned to Calcutta, as Senior Chaplain, on the expected departure to England of the then Senior. In a Letter from Benares, of October 8, 1818, he writes "I shall feel much regret at leaving this scene of delightful labour: yet our friend Thomason is so full of employment, that I shall hope to be more useful in Calcatta, the passages referred to, the Report states In a Letter to the Secretary, dated July 21, 1818, Mr. Thomason writes Mr. Robertson's report is abundantly confirmed by all who have visited the Burdwan Schools. Here then is a very important station-a nucleus, around which we have every reasonable ground to hope that knowledge will accumulate and extend itself. Though Lieutenant Stewart does. not yet formally and regularly teach the Scriptures, he is continually distributing copies of the Gospels and of Religious: Tracts, which are eagerly sought after by the young people when they have learned to read. He is on the watch for every occasion of this nature." Mr. Thomason adds, under date of September 24, 1818 "Lieutenant Stewart has earnestly re quested that two Missionaries may be sent to him at Burdwan; and I have promised to forward and to urge his request. Pray set apart two Missionaries for the work there. Mr. Robertson's Letter, in our Report, will have completely put you in possession of our views and engagements 'there. It is an important Establishment which we trust will prove to be the commencement of great good in that quarter. At the time of writing this, Mr. Stewart is busied in selecting out of his Twelve Schools the best Scholars for promotion to a Central School, where the English Language will be taught; and we are looking out for a suitable Superintendent or Schoolmaster." Lieutenant Stewart, in a Letter addressed to the Secretary, dated December 3, 1818, in which he gives an encouraging view of his situation and labours, earnestly presses compliance with this request for two Missionaries. With reference more particularly to this call, the Rev. Messrs. Jetter and Deerr, after acquiring at the . Central School the knowledge of the National System, proceeded to Calcutta, in order to be appointed to Burdwan, if the Corresponding Committee should find the wants of that Station at that time the most pressing. This Letter of Lieutenant Stewart is printed in the Appendix. Chunar. In addition to the information respecting this Station given in the "Survey," the Report states the particulars which we recorded at pp. 220 to 222 of the Number for May, and at p. 272 of that for June. On Mr. Greenwood's removal to this place, Mr. Thomason remarks, in the Letter, before quoted, of July 21, 1818 On mature consideration, we have unanimously judged it expedient, that Mr. Greenwood should fix his residence at Chunar He will have there a regular Cure of Souls; with the charge of Native and Christian Schools, and a most valuable co-adjutor in Mr. Bowley-every thing, in short, which can tend to animate and encourage the Missionary. Mr. Bowley will, in the mean time, continue his usual labours; and, when Mr. Greenwood becomes efficient as a Teacher of Native Christians, will be disposeable, and perhaps go to Buxar, a Station farther down the river, where Mr. Corrie thinks, on many accounts, that a pious labourer, like Mr Bowley, would work with peculiar advantage. The Report adds Buxar is sixty or seventy miles down the river, from Benares. It is a Station of Invalids. Some Native Christians there nave expressed an earnest desire of religious instruction. Mr. Bowley spent a week among them, and was received with much attention. He thinks it a, far more eligible situation, in respect of the Heathen, than even Chunar; one or two Fairs being held there annually, which are resorted to by multitudes of Natives from all quarters. Under date of July 31, 1818, Mr. Corrie writes from Benares "Mr. Bowley's Journal will tell you how diligently he is labouring. The people seem to give him more of their confidence daily. He went, this week, to Shirzapore, a great mart, about twenty miles above Chunar, by invitation from some people of credit who incidentally heard him in the market-place in Chunar. The result of his visit I have not yet heard. "A Brahmin and a Moonshee were baptized at Chunar, the beginning of this month; and others are coming forward to the sacred font." An Abstract of Mr. Bowley's Journal for the year 1818 is printed in the Appendix. Benares. Mr. Corrie's proceedings on his arrival, as Chaplain, at this Station, in furtherance of the Society's objects, was noticed at pp. 31 & 186. An intimation was given in a communication from Mr. Corrie, (see p. 273 of the number for June), that Jay Narain, an opulent Hindoo of Benares, who had been several times mentioned by us, wished the Society to undertake the management of a School-Establishment which he was forming in Benares. The following extract of a Letter from Mr. Corrie, dated Benares, Feb. 25th, 1818, refers to this proposal: I have been to-day, and once before, with Jay Narain. He proposes giving large House in the city for a School, and At length, a Hindoo, who had been very ill, obtained some medicine and advice from a merchant, Mr. Wheatly, by which he obtained a cure. On this I also sought acquaintance with Mr. G. Wheatly. Mr. W. gave me a New Testament, and I bought of him a Book of Common Prayer. He often passed much time with me, in explaining the meaning of these books; and wrote many Letters to me also, on the subject of the Christian Religion. In respect to my complaint, be recommended some simple medicines; but advised, above all, that I should apply myself to God in prayer, to lead my mind into the truth, and to grant me bodily healing. I complied with his advice, and obtained a perfect cure. endowing it with 200 rupees per month, (about 9001. per annum), Mr. Adlington to be the Teacher. I suggested to him to let us have the house on Mr. Adlington's arrival, to begin operations; and that for the present Mr. A. should derive his support from the Church Missionary Society, whilst he should pay for Books and incidental expenses. This seemed to delight him. I proposed that he should make the Church Missionary Society's Committee Trustees of his endowment; reserving the approval of their agent to himself, who, if approved of at the end of one year, should be confirmed for life, or during conformity with the rules of the endowment, which I proposed should be for general learning; our Missionary to be at liberty to receive inquirers after truth, in his private apartments, after School-hours. How far this latter part of my proposal will be acceded to, time will shew; but I hope we shall, by his means, get a fair opening into this vast city. The name of this liberal Native has been long known, in connexion with the efforts of Christians in India. Between nine and ten years since, when his mind was less under the influence of Christian Truth, he addressed a Letter, through Mr. Corrie, with a Benefaction of 100 rupees to the British and Foreign Bible Society. This singular Letter, with some observations of Mr. Cor. rie, is printed in a Note to the Report; and may be seen in Appendix LVI to the Seventh Report of the Bible Society, and at pp. 36 to 39 of the Second Volume of Mr. Owen's History of the Society. To the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, Jay Narain has explained his wishes in the following Letter, dated Benares, August 12, 1818: Honourable Sirs→→→→ It is now many years since I fell very ill: and, leaving Calcutta, came to Benares; where I used every possible means known to Hindoos, in order to get well, Mr. Jonathan Duncan, who was at that time Resident of Benares, and was my particular friend, procured for me the assistance of several European Surgeons, who were not able either to afford me relief. I then asked him what I ought to do for the name of Jesus Christ. He advised nie, that, as I had felt the benefit of the advice which he had given, I ought to consult the benefit of my countrymen; and, with this view, I ought to found a School sian, and Hindee. for instruction in English, Bengalee, Per In compliance with his advice, I set about establishing such a School; and, with the help of my friends, raised a fund to supply 200 rupees a month for the endow himself, having failed in business, became ment of it. Afterwards, Mr. Wheatly the Schoolmaster. His method was, first to instruct my family in Christianity, and pray with them, and then to teach the English Language to the Scholars who attended. He continually taught me, that, Scripture with him, no loss of caste was from joining in prayer, and reading the involved; but piety would be increased. After a short time, Mr. Wheatly died; and, since then, I have had much trouble to accomplish my wish respecting this School. In 1814, when Lord Moira came up the country, I applied, through Mr. John Shakespear, to his Lordship for assistance: his Lordship approved of the design, and left the settlement of it to his agent at Benares, Mr. Brook. Mr. Brook told me, when all disputes were settled respecting the settlement of the Estate which I intended to endow the School with, he would report my wishes to the Governor-General. But, till now, these differences have not been adjusted, and I became very anxious respecting the settle ment of my School. Several Masters whom I employed proved unsuitable, and the children who came to School receivedno profit. I had heard of the Rev. Mr. Corrie, through Mr. Wheatly; and, through him, had sent a letter to the British and Foreign Bible Society, with a small subscription. I often prayed that he might come to Benares; and, at length, he came to reside at this place. From the information communicated by him respecting the Church Missionary Society, and from a perusal of one of that Society's Reports which he gave me, I determined on making the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary Society the Trustees of my School, and of assigning to them the property which I had appropriated for the endowment of it, Accordingly, I have requested them to accept the charge; and legal measures are in progress, for transferring the School and endowment permanently into their hands. In the mean time, my house in Bengalee Tolah, in Benares, which cost me 48,000 rupees in building, has been appropriated for a School; and Mr. Adlington has begun to give instruction in the English Language. Thus what I have been many years desiring, begins to be accomplished: but, as I greatly long that the most effectual means may be used for the enlightening of my countrymen, I am anxious to have a Printing-Press also established in Benares, by which School-books might be speedily multiplied, and Treatises on different subjects might be printed and generally dispersed throughout the country. Without this, the progress of knowledge must be very slow, and the Hindoos long remain in their present very fallen state, which is very painful to a benevolent mind. I most earnestly request, therefore, the Church Missionary Committee to take measures for sending out a Printing-Press to Benares, with one or two Missionaries to superintend it-men of learning, who may be able to satisfy the inquiries of the learned of this ancient city on subjects of science and history, as well as of religion. The reception which the labours of the Missionaries at Serampore, and of the School-book Society meet with, shews how welcome to my countrymen such an Establishment at Benares would be. And, as the Church Missionary Society cheerfully expends its funds for the improvement of mankind, there is no place where their labours are likely to be more beneficial than in Benares; and I earnestly hope they will not be backward to assist the efforts making here. I am, Honourable Sirs, On this important subject, the Re port adds "You will, I think, agree with us," Mr. Thomason writes, 66 in considering the request of so great a benefactor highly worthy of attention. If you could speedily send out two suitable Missionaries, with a Printer, Press, and Types for Benares, you would indeed greatly promote our operations. We want only good and able men to carry on our Missionary Plans." The Committee are making every effort to comply, as speedily and efficiently as they may be able, with this urgent call;. and they are happy to state that they have a good prospect of accomplishing what must be the earnest wish of every member of the Society. They cannot, however, abstain, in the mean time, from commending to the prayers of the Members, one whose heart has been inclined to afford such effectual support to the labours of Christians among his countrymen, that he may himself be brought to embrace the Faith with his whole soul, to enjoy its peace, and to manifest to all around him its sanctifying and ennobling influence. By recent advices from Mr. Corrie, the Committee learn that the benevolent intentions of Jay Narain have been executed. A Deed of Gift of the House and Premises in Benares was signed at Calcutta, by Kolly Shunker Ghossaul, son of Jay Narain, on the 21st of October, the writings then standing in the name of Kolly Shunker. This Deed being sent up to Benares, was signed also by Jay Narain Ghossaul. J By this Deed, the property is given to Messrs. Udny and Sherer, and the Rev. Messrs. Thomason, Parson, and Robertson, as the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary Society, and their suc cessors, "for the purpose of a School for instruction in all kinds of science; and that, in this School, children of all de scriptions may be instructed in the English, Persian, Hindee, and Bengalee Languages. The appointment of the Masters to be at the pleasure of the Committee; the House to be appropriated as a School for ever, and the Committee and their suc.. cessors to have the sole disposal of it." At the request of Jay Narain, Mr. Co rie drew up an advertisement, detailing the plan and objects of the School. It announced, that, for the purpose of teaching the four languages before named, an English Master had been engaged as Superintendent of the Institution, with pro per Assistants and learned Teachers in Persian, Hindee, and Bengalee. It is printed at pp. 222 & 223 of the Number for May, the Committee, after quoting a part, observe The Committee have quoted this passage, not only that they might express their entire satisfaction in the true spirit of a Missionary therein displayed, but that they might hold out the example to others. The Society has neither the right nor the wish to interfere with the just claims of conscience in any Missionary; yet a misguided conscience may disqualify a Missionary from continuing under its protection: nor has the Society the right or the wish to interfere with the exercise of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over its Missionaries, wherever they may enjoy the benefit of such Jurisdiction. But there is a great variety of cases, connected with local circumstances and out of the pale of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, in which an enlightened conscience and an humble heart will lead the Missionary to follow, with an implicit and ready mind, all such directions as may be communicated, either immediately from the Society or from its accredited representatives. In all such cases, the happiness and the usefulness of the Missionary will generally be in proportion as he imbibes the spirit manifested by Mr. Schroeter. Mr. Corrie's visit to this country and his Sermon in Calcutta are thus noticed The Corresponding Committee refer, in the close of their Report, to the visit of Mr. Corrie to this country, in terms which your Committee beg cordially to confirm : "The return of Mr. Corrie may be said to have given a new impulse to Missionary Zeal. During the whole of his stay in England, he was engaged, as far as his health would admit, in the service of the Church Missionary Society. It is hard to say whether he produced a greater effect, by his public addresses from the pulpit, in behalf of India Missions, or by his private communications with the most active and distinguished friends of the cause through. out the country. His statements of facts excited every where the liveliest interest; and, being those of a man who had seen, and heard. and judged for himself, who was experienced in Missionary Labour, who was also eminently capable of appreciating the subject and of shewing how closely it was connected with the duties and professions of the Christian World, his remarks carried with them a weight which no other testimony, however ably delivered, could have possessed. The result has been a great accession of strength to the Church Missionary Body; whose exertions, at a period of unexampled na tional distress, have been truly surprising.” An extract is given from the Sermon, mentioned in the last Report of the Society as preached by Mr. Corrie in Calcutta, in which he made a strong and affecting appeal to his hearers. "I was frequently favoured (he said) during my late visit home, to witness the lively interest expressed by persons in all ranks of life, with regard to the state of the Heathen. The bare mention of some of the cruelties and superstitions which we daily witness, drew tears of commiseration. The news of a single soul turned from Heathen Darkness to the light of the Gospel, drew forth bursts of praise and thanksgiving to the God of all grace and mercy. Nor were these empty expressions only; for, the abundant contributions throughout Britain for carrying on the work of Missions, prove that multitudes were sincere in these expressions of interest in the cause. "In my father's own parish some of the poorest inhabitants are the most constant contributors to the Church Mis sionary Society; and, when weekly contributions could not be spared, I have known the poor to beg, with tears, that their annual mite might be accepted, as they could not bear the thought of giving up all participation in so blessed a work. "Oh when shall we see British Christians in India, thus alive to the spiritual wants of the Heathen, and thus moved by the miseries around them! When shall we begin to appropriate weekly or monthly sums to Missionárý Purposes; and retrench superfluous expenses, to enrich, with spiritual and eternal riches, the morally poor and blind and naked!" After quoting Mr. Corrie's de-. scription of the state of the Hindoos and of the Labourers wanted among them, which have been printed at p. 273, the Committee refer to some of the indications of an improved state of things at Calcutta, as noticed by us at p. 22: and then conclude the Report of this Mission in the following words of Mr. Corrie, in reference to this subject: : You will rejoice to hear of the increasing exertions in this country, all tending to bring on the universal flow into the Kingdom of Christ. There is a marvellous change of opinion on these subject s |