ter; one of which is put into the hands of every one able to make a good use of it, and he is also allowed to carry it home with him.

Thus an important end is answered of getting the Scriptures read in public, and circulated amongst the common people, without any great expenditure of books. The difficulty of reading in public, so as to be understood by those who hear, is greater in China than elsewhere, owing to the small number of sounds representing a large mass of characters, so that it would require the most exact pronunciation on the part of the reader, and the closest attention on that of the listener, to enable the latter to make out a single sentence. This difficulty is, however, obviated by placing the written word in each hearer's hand, while the understanding of the illiterate is sought to be enlightened by reading off the chapter in the colloquial style, so that even women and children may understand. Having established public worship, we thought it essential to bring the Scriptures prominently before the attention of the people, and this is the way in which we have sought to obviate the peculiar difficulties of our position.

In addition to the reading of the Scriptures, the service is preceded and closed by prayer, while a sermon in the freest colloquial style, on the most important doctrines of the Gospel, forms the principal part of the whole exercise. When the service is concluded, a short tract on the subject of the discourse is put into the hands of each listener, and the assembly disperses in the most orderly manner.

On the 9th of May, two persons were baptized, one a native of Hwuy-chow, situated about 300 miles in the interior. He has been before mentioned in our letter of 31st March, 1845, under the name of Wang Show Yeh. The journey into the interior was undertaken in his company, and with the view of ascertaining more fully his character and connections; and the result has been exceedingly satisfactory. During the journey, repeated conversations were held with him, in the course of which the state of his mind and feelings was frequently elicited.

It was found, on going into the question of religion with him, to be by no means an easy matter to win him over to Christianity. His decided preference for Confucianism, and his sturdy advocacy of the doctrines of

the Sages, showed that the systems current in China had obtained a strong hold upon his mind, and that his attachment to the religion of his forefathers was too strong to be shaken by any but Almighty Power. The pride of the human intellect, and reliance on native strength, were never more strikingly exhibited than in him; while he spoke of the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, such as redemption by Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, with a levity that to a believer in those doctrines was painful.

Still it was evident that there was a struggle in his mind. He was unsettled, and unsatisfied with his former system of belief: he saw that there was something peculiar in the religion of the Cross, and that, if the latter were true, he was utterly lost and undone. He has been seen to spend hours in anxious and deep inquiry, as well as fervent prayer, and has risen in the dead of the night to implore celestial guidance to enable him to discover where the truth lay. It was remarked at the time that the subject had taken too strong a hold upon him to be easily let go, and that if the Spirit of God were really at work upon his mind, the agitation and inquiry would go on, until it ended in a decided embracing of the Gospel. It has done so: his residence near the Missionaries, for several months after his return from the journey, enabled him to see and hear more of Christianity, and he earnestly sought to be admitted among our number by the ordinance of baptism. May we not hope that he was at the same time baptized by the Holy Ghost and with fire, and that he may henceforth display as much zeal and devotedness in his attachment to the Gospel, and the spread of its truths, as he formerly did in the maintenance and diffusion of error. He is at present in the interior on his private business, and hopes, on his return to Shanghae, to be able to bring with him others of that class of reformers to which he formerly belonged. The other person, admitted to the ordinance of baptism at the same time, is the young man-the step-son of a member of our church, named Chae He. Since his baptism he has left Shanghae, and we fear will be thrown into circumstances of temptation that may endan ger, in some measure, his christian profession. We can only pray for such, and hope that they may not be led to make shipwreck of their faith, but endure to the end that they may be saved.

Amoy is a tching which is a part of the district of Tang-wan in the department of Tsiuen-tchou. This town lies in 24° 22' north latitude, and 115° 35' east longitude, from the meridian of Greenwich. It is of the first order, but is neither the capital of a department nor of a district. It is the seat of a special Prefecture and Admiralty. It is situate on the eastern coast of the Chinese Empire, in the province of Fukien, in an island in an estuary formed by two large rivers. It is composed of two cities; the one small, placed on an eminence, and surrounded by a wall, the population of which amounts to from 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants; the other extending on the sea-shore, the population of which may be calculated at about 200,000 souls.

It is there that maritime commerce is carried on in all its activity. The port of Amoy is one of the most famous in China; 300 merchant junks are employed by the natives; the whole island, which is engaged in the same trade, comprises a total population of more than 400,000 inhabitants. Amoy is the second port opened to foreign trade-it is, however, but the third in commercial importance. It is about 1000 li (333 miles) north-east of Canton, and 400 li (120 miles) south-west of Foutchou, another port just opened to foreign trade, but where it has been hitherto almost nugatory.

The principal trade of Amoy with the western nations has been carried on through the intervention of the English Agents connected with the houses established at HongKong. Opium is the staple commodity; business is transacted on different neighbouring points, to which the clippers, or ships, laden with this prohibited drug, repair. It is said that the sales of it amount to more than 5,000 dollars a day. The remainder of the foreign trade consists of woollen and cotton goods, and other articles from the straits, but in less quantity

than at Canton and Shanghae. The staple article of export for foreign trade is black

tea.

Chang-chau is situated in 25° 24′ north latitude, and 116' 30' east longitude of the meridian of Greenwich. It has been already visited by several American Missionaries, amongst whom was the Rev. Mr. Lowrie, who compared it in extent to New York. At the entrance of Chang-chau is a famous bridge, but its beauty is not equal to the accounts given of it. It includes twenty-two apertures, formed by pillars, on which are placed long granite stones. At the ends of the bridge are several rows of houses; at the west side is an ancient temple, built during the Tang dynasty, and adorned with gigantic idols. Quays border the river, which runs from north-west to south-east. There are large coal stores supplied from the Hing-hwa-foo mines.

Chang-chau is a walled town about fifteen li (four miles and a half) in circumference, with four gates placed as usual at the four cardinal points. These gates are formed of a door for foot-passengers and a canal for boats. The streets are wider than any seen elsewhere, and are embellished with fine and well furnished shops. In many parts are large and well ornamented stone gateways. A number of trees add to the gay prospect. The people are very affable. In the suburbs are large manufactories of tiles for houses, fire-places, and other uses, as well as of conical jars for sugar. There are some sugar manufactories in the vicinity; one in particular, which is very extensive, and has all the appearance of an European building, is seen on the left side of the river. The total population inside and outside this interesting town is said to amount to one million. Our travellers, accompanied by their guides, which had considerably increased in number by persons joining them through curiosity, after

wards reached the Tchi-fou, or Mansionhouse, where they awaited the orders of the magistrates.

In the mean time M. Hedde gathered all the information he could relative to the productions of the country. He visited the soldiers' house; examined their spears, bows, and muskets; and saw with surprise guns filled with rust, and unfit to be fired. He made inquiry as to the arrangements of the military service, and found that it was performed by men perfectly ignorant of the military art. M. Hedde also sought information about the production of silk and the manufactures of the country, and also about their dyeing establishments. While he was thus employed, the Rev. Mr. Pohlmann was engaged in instructing the people, distributing his books, and preparing the inhabitants, by his presents and by his eloquent and kind language, to give a favourable reception to his mission. Those well-meaning people were truly astonished to hear a foreigner speaking the Changchau dialect with remarkable facility; the boys, who were generally the most inquisitive amongst them, asked several questions, which were answered to their evident satisfaction; but the oldest amongst them remembered the last American Mission to Chang-chau, and that remembrance secured to the new travellers a friendly reception.

An order having at length arrived from the Authorities, our Missionaries were conducted by a large troop of soldiers and lantern-bearers to a pagoda, where they were plentifully supplied with rice, fish, sweet potatoes, eggs, oranges, litchi, plantains, tea, and cakes; spoons and chopsticks, cups, and plates were brought; indeed nothing was wanting. Numerous servants were in attendance, and they were surrounded by a crowd of very talkative people, who seemed quite amused with the novelty of the scene. A sleeping-room was prepared for our travellers, on the door of which was inscribed the character Foo, which signifies happiness. This was considered as a favourable omen of a good bed and a quiet night; but, alas! what a bed! what a night! Scorpions and spiders, mice and mosquitoes, had possession of the place, and seemed in no wise inclined to be dislodged. Instead of a bed, a plank was all that was supplied to them on which to rest their wearied limbs. Suspicions of intended mischief were now excited. They asked themselves whether they were to be made the victims of a despicable act of treachery. M. Hedde had present to his recollection the facts which occurred during his journey to Sou-chau-foo, and the emissaries then sent to seize on him;

and the idea naturally suggested itself that he had been now permitted to proceed to Chang-chau only to make him bitterly repent of his excursion, and to deter any other traveller from a similar attempt.

The night appeared, indeed, long to the two Missionaries; but day-light came at length to put an end to their perplexities. The striking of gongs and the opening of doors announced the hour of their delivery, and the approach of officers bringing presents, and the arrival of people anxious either to receive instructive books or to hear an interesting sermon, removed all further feeling of uneasiness. The pagoda soon resounded with animated conversation; and, while engaged at their breakfast, they heard the sounding of the large gong, announcing a visit from the chief magistrate of Chang-chau. This unexpected event caused a great sensation in the pagoda, but the kindness of the Kwan soon established a degree of intimacy which was advantageous to the Mission. Rev. Mr. Pohlmann presented him with some of his best books, which he requested might be explained to him. He approved of the object intended by them, and said they should be used for the instruction of his family, adding, that if China had been always visited by such Missionaries as Mr. Pohlmann appeared to be, there would have been more Christians in the country.

The

M. Hedde seized an opportunity of presenting to the Kwan a rich specimen of the production of the Jacquard looms of Lyons, which he brought with him for the purpose. The officer was much pleased with the present, which he said should be deposited in the Government-house, as a token of the friendly feeling of a town superior in science and arts to any place in China. M. Hedde availed himself of the friendly disposition evinced by the Kwan to solicit permission to visit the manufactories of the country, and to examine into its cultivation, which was readily granted, and one of the chiefs of the corporation of silk-weavers was requested to assist the Missionaries.

While M. Hedde was engaged in examining everything connected with the silk trade, the Rev. Mr. Pohlmann assembled a numerous auditory round him, whom he instructed.

The time having arrived for leaving Chang-chau, the departure of the Missionaries took place in the midst of an escort as brilliant as ever attended a foreign envoy. Amidst the benedictions of a whole population, their junk set sail, laden with presents of all kinds from the principal magistrates, and in the midst of universal acclamations.

I have the pleasure of communicating the following interesting event, illustrative of the vital power of the Word of God, when applied by the Holy Spirit: it also affords most pleasing evidence of the good which is issuing, at this late period, from the Surat Mission.

A respectable farmer, residing in the vicinity of Broach, thirty miles from Baroda, has just been baptized by this Mission. He was brought to the knowledge of the truth in the following manner:

About two years ago, he received a book from a native who said it was of no use to himself. This book was an historical account of Christ, published by the Surat Mission, about twenty or twenty-five years ago, as I infer from the fact that the book is out of print, and bears marks of very early composition. The man, who is about fifty years of age, immediately began to study this book. When he began, he could scarcely read at all, but, by continued practice, he succeeded in his object. One day he heard that a Missionary was distributing books in Broach. He immediately started for that place-twelve miles distant-in order to have his book explained to him. He arrived too late, the Missionary having left the place the preceding evening; but he still went on to study the book by himself. At length, about a year ago, he came to Baroda, where I conversed with him, and showed him the Way of Life. He did not at that time profess himself a convert, nor do I recollect conversing with him in particular. After returning to his village, he more and more clearly saw the truth, and at length resolved to become a disciple. For that purpose he came a month ago to Baroda; and, as I was at that time at another place thirty miles off, Mr. Taylor sent him to me. After remaining with us a short time, he was baptized.

Since then I have accompanied him to his village, conceiving that a door of entrance for the Gospel was opened among

his relatives. These are very numerous, comprising in all nearly one hundred souls, all sprung from one stock in two generations, and constituting the great majority of the villagers. About twenty of the family can read. They have been supplied with books, which many are reading with real diligence. The old man is much respected by them all, and has at once secured a good reception for us and our doctrines. Two or three of the younger members of the family are impressed, and have offered themselves for baptism. The women, also, are favourable; having heard the Words of Life from the mouth of my beloved and devoted wife. The old man has acted with beautiful consistency among his people, stating clearly the Word of God, and walking according to its principles. We intend returning in a few days.

You will observe, how wide is the field we are called to occupy; and how God in his providence obliges us to move away from our present location. He will not allow us to keep the Word of Truth confined to one locality. It often happens that those whom we seek we find not, and those whom we seek not are found by us. I have also to record the following::

A Hindoo, in the same locality as that of the old man, came to me with the Gospel of John, asking me to interpret it. He said he had possessed it for fifteen years, and had asked many to interpret it, but none could do so. His brother, he thinks, originally brought it from Broach, and read it for several years before his death; this young man being then a child. I pointed him to the 5th verse, and showed him how strikingly this was fulfilled in relation to him. There is every reason to think, however, that he is no longer a stranger to the Light. He has already declared himself willing to be a disciple of the Saviour.

I have the pleasure of stating, that our brother, Mr. Taylor, has already entered on his work. He accompanied me to the banks