BAPTIST MISSION.

Home Proceedings.

Death of the Rev. John Saffery.

Ir is now our painful duty to record the death of a valuable minister, who has for many years taken a very deep and lively interest in the affairs of the Baptist Mission, and to whose successful exertions in collecting on its behalf, in various parts of Great Britain, our pages have often borne witness. We allude to the Rev. John Saffery, of Salisbury, who expired on Wednesday, the 9th of March, in the sixty-third year of his age.

Mr. Saffery was a native of Hythe, near Southampton, and originally a memher of the church in Portsea, under the care of the late Rev. Joseph Horsey. Soon after he was called by his brethren to the work of the ministry, he visited the church at Salisbury, then recently deprived by death of its pastor, the Rev. Henry Phillips; and after supplying them some time on probation, was chosen as his successor. The connection, thus happily formed, has subsisted from that time to the present-a period of five-andthirty years with undiminished harmony and confidence. Under his care, and by the divine blessing resting upon his labours, the church has greatly increased in numbers, and afforded many pleasing indications of spiritual prosperity. Few instances have occurred in which the expressions of deep solicitude during severe illness, and of unaffected sorrow at its fatal termination, have been more general; and it is honourable alike to the deceased and the parties concerned, to add, that these have not been confined to the church and congregation over whom he presided. They have been shared by

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the other dissenting congregations, and by many of the respectable inhabitants of the city, who were connected with him by no religious tie.

The athletic frame and general health of Mr. Saffery might have been thought to promise the continuance of his life and usefulness for many years to come; but an accident, which occurred to him some months since, in being thrown with violence from a gig, while collecting for the Mission in Dorsetshire, brought on a general debility, if it did not occasion an internal injury, from which he never fully recovered.

By the advice of his physician, he went to Bath at the commencement of the year, in the hope that the waters might be found restorative. While in that city as an invalid, he could not be inactive; he procured a Directory, and endeavoured to learn who, among the opulent inhabitants and visitors of that celebrated wateringplace, were likely to countenance his applications on behalf of the Mission; but his labours for the cause of God were ended: his strength gradually declined, and after spending a few days, in a state of great languor and exhaustion, at the house of his much esteemed friend and relative, Mr. Whitaker of Bratton, he returned, on the 14th of February, to die among his own people, and surrounded by his beloved family.

Although the writer intended nothing more than a passing notice of the departure of a friend, endeared to himself by recollections extending backwards to his early childhood, and highly esteemed by very many who will honour this page with a perusal, on account of his zealous and indefatigable exertions on behalf of the Baptist Missionary Society, he feels it incumbent upon him to add, that the closing scenes of Mr. Saffery's life were eminently peaceful and happy. Amidst excruciating pain, his mind was stayed upon God-he took leave of his beloved family, and of the deacons of the church, with calm and heavenly composure, and

seemed to have something appropriate to address to all who approached his dying bed. During his waking hours, prayer and supplication almost incessantly proceeded from his lips, and even on the very brink of dissolution, that concern for the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, which had distinguished him so long, prompted him to exclaim, "Lord, hear my prayers for the spread of thy gospel.' As to his personal feelings, he cheerfully avowed, in reply to an inquiry on the subject, that "he was as happy as he could be," and more than once vented kis grateful joy in the beautiful apostrophe of the holy Simeon, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

""

At length, fatigued by the painful and long-continued struggle, "the weary pulse of life stood still," and the disencumbered spirit entered into rest, about five o'clock in the morning of the day

above mentioned.

The funeral took place on Monday, the 14th, when an address was delivered by

the Rev. J. E. Good, minister of the Inde

pendent Congregation in Endless-street, Salisbury, and the funeral discourse delivered to a very numerous and deeply affected auditory, by the Rev. John Dyer, from John vi. 37; a passage which had been selected by his deceased friend, because, to use his own expression, it exhibited the foundation of his personal hope towards God-the theme of his public ministry-and the spring of all his

exertions for the cause of the Saviour at home and abroad.

NOTICE.

THE fourth Anniversary of the Bedford. shire Missionary Society will be held at Leighton Buzzard, on Thursday, April 14th. Rev. William Reeve, Missionary from Bellary, and Rev. Edward Steane, of Camberwell, are engaged to preach.

Foreign Intelligence.

A LETTER has been received from Mr. Eustace Carey, dated Philadelphia, January 28th, which gives an encouraging account of the effect produced upon his health by the voyage and change of climate. It was hoped that the strength of Mrs. Carey, (who has lately beeu con

CUTWA.

DURING the last month, a letter has been received from Mr. Wm. Carey, dated July 18th last, enclosing journals of the native preachers under his care, which we give entire, assured that the plain unvarnished accounts of these humble labourers in the great field will be acceptable to many. Mr. Carey mentions that, since his previous letter, two of his members had been removed by the cholera morbus, nearly at the same time, having been ill only nine hours; and that he had baptized three persons, all belonging to the families of the Native Christians, who had given a very satisfactory account of the grounds of their faith and hope at their admission into the church.

Kangalee's Journal for December, 1823.

2d. I went to Dewangunge, and preached at two places; at one place, a Byragee said, that all we did was good, except destroying life. I replied, that Peter was commanded to rise, kill, and eat, and then asked him why they destroyed fish for food, with but little remorse; after this he gave up the point.

7th, Lord's-day.-Had worship three times at home.

8th. Went to the chapel at the riverside, where many heard the word; in the evening two Musselmen came to my house; one of them inquired whether Christ or Mahomet was to be accounted the first. I said that Christ was first, as it was written in the first chapter of John; I also gave him several other examples from the Prophets, of Christ's being the Saviour of the world, and that he was predicted long before he came into. the world; this man remained with me for three days, and heard much about the way of salvation.-13th. Went to the Gunge, where several persons heard the word with attention.-15th. Went to the river-side, where a person said to me, if

he was not to be saved by visiting holy places, how was he to be saved? I spoke to him about Christ, which he heard for some time.-16th. Went to Dewangunge, and preached about the impossibility of any one's being saved, unless they had repentance towards God: numbers were attentive.-17th. Preached in the Gunge, from the fifth of John: many were very attentive.-18th. At the river-side, a person disputed, and said that their shasters were true, and that they did not need to be taught a new way. I told him that there was but one living and true God, and therefore his shasters could not be true, as they hold out more gods.-24th. Spoke from the fourth chapter of Timothy; a Musselman said, We lose our cast by hearing what you say; this brought on a long conversation.-26th. Went to Dewangunge, where I met with many persons collected in one place, to whom I read a tract; one of them said, All you say is true, and will prevail at last; at this place I had some contention, but the people seemed at last satisfied at what was said. (Kangalee has been more or less engaged every day throughout the month.)

Radhamohon's Journal for December, 1823.

3d. I went to the Gunge, where numbers heard the word of life.-5th. Went to the village, where I met with some Byragees, who listened to what I said. 6th. Read the fourth chapter of John, in the Gunge, where numbers heard with attention.-12th. Went to Dewangunge, and spoke to a good number, who heard with much attention.-14th. Spoke with two persons, who came from a place called Chauppra.-18th. Set off for Calcutta, and on the first day had some conversation with a few, who heard well. The 22d and 23d, I spent at Calcutta, and had conversations with numbers.

24th. Set out on my return to Cutwa again, and had some talk with a fakeer. -25th. Two persons forbade me to proceed on the way I was going, as a debta was there; I said that I was a servant of the living God, and did not fear debtas. -27th. Went to Cutwa Market, where I spoke to numbers.

(Radhamohon has been pretty well engaged, but has had family afflictions which have distressed and retarded him much.).

Porose's Journal for December, 1823. 1st. Went to the chapel at the river, side, and read the fifth chapter of Ephe

sians, and spoke for some time: the people were very attentive.-5th. Went to Dewangunge, and spoke from the sixteenth of Luke, and was pleased to find the people attentive; no wish for disputing.-11th. Went to Burdwan, and spent seven days there with much comfort.-18th. Left Burdwan, and had much conversation with people on my way home.

(Porose has been much afflicted through the month, which has hindered his being out as often as he otherwise would have been.)

Soroop's journal for December is, pretty long, but not so interesting as to be put down; he has been to Calcutta, and has spent nearly a month in hearing and reading the word, and in visiting the brethren at Serampore, Calcutta, and Howrah.

Kangalee's Journal for January, 1824.

bers of people heard with attention.-4th. 2d. Went to the Gunge, where numwhere a few heard, but I had no disputaWent to the chapel at the river-side, tions.-5th. Went to Dewangunge, and spoke at two places; at one place the Byragees said that I was a murderer, as I destroyed animal life. I replied, it was true that I eat the flesh of animals, but they being Byragees, were the means of destroying the souls of men ; after some time they said, that what we preached was true, and would prevail at last.-6th. Spoke in the Gunge, where a person said, that all we said was good, but that we did one great evil, and that was, we eat with Europeans. I told him that the word of

God held forth all mankind in the same

light, and that the love of Christ brought all Christians together, and filled them with love to each other, so that they made no difference amongst themselves, and accounted all the creation of God as good and useful.

11th. Went to the river-side, and had a good congregation; some few disputed for some time, but at last gave it up, and seemed satisfied with what had been said.

12th. Went to Dewangunge, and spoke at two places about the death and resurrection of our Lord; also about the cast, which they seemed satisfied with.-22d. Went to Dewangunge, where numbers heard the word. One person said that God would do his own work, and added, Why do you take so much trouble on yourself? I told him he had better not plough his fields, and then look for a harvest; he said that it was necessary in worldly affairs. I replied that it was the same in spiritual things also.-26th.

Spoke this day to numbers of men and women, who were very attentive to the word. 30th. Had much conversation with some attentive people, one of them said at last, that he would come over to our new way, if we would give him some money. I replied, that if all bis concern was for money and bodily comfort, he would not be happy in heaven if he could get there; and the holy scriptures have said that holiness did not consist in meat and drink, but in doing the will of God; in this way I said a great deal to him, and he seemed to be thoughtful and went away. (Kangalee has been ill for several days in the course of last month.)

Radhamohon has been engaged for several days in the last month, but sickness and other family troubles have kept him back a good deal; the accounts he has given in his journal are pleasing as far as they go.

In the last month Porose has been pretty well engaged in preaching and in instructing some inquirers in reading and writing; he has also been a journey to Beerbhoom, at the same time he went to Bhuree, Dubragepore, Sewery, and Kendoly fair, and was well engaged; many heard the word with pleasing attention. He also had much pleasure and comfort in the company of the brethren while there.-Soroop has been engaged as usual all through the last month, and has found his hearers often very attentive.

Kangalee's Journal for February, 1824.

3d. Went to Dewangunge, and was engaged at two places, where the people heard without replying to any thing that was said.-4th. Went to the Gunge, where we had much dispute; but some said that this will ultimately prevail.7th. Went to Cutwa Gunge and had some dispute with some Musselmen, but I proved to them that they and the Hindoos were in the same course of rebellion against God.-13th. Went to Dewangunge and Patihaut, where I had numbers of attentive hearers.-15th. Went to a shop in the Gunge; some people there asked me what our method of worship was. I gave them a reply to this question, and spoke much about the death of our Lord.-17th. Went to Dewangunge; a person there asked me, say. ing, Well, brother, what is the reason of your always coming here? I said that the husbandman cannot be at rest after he bas sown his seed, but always goes to see and observe its progress; in this way much was said, and received with attention. 18th. Went to a Byragee's, where

Porose's Journal for February, 1824.

7th. Went to Byragetollah fair, where I think there must have been five thousand persons at least. I was glad to find that they were not as tumultuous as in former times. They asked us to preach to them, saying, they liked to hear what we said. I suppose we must have given away about six hundred books.-12th. Went to the Gunge, where numbers heard the word of life.-13th. Had a very attentive congregation at Dewangunge, which was very pleasing indeed.

Porose has been to other places, and has had several opportunities of preaching to his countrymen.-Soroop has been out to several places, and has had much conversation with many. He also went to Kobelesher, where great numbers heard the word. He was ill for some time, which has hindered him much.

March, 1824. Kangalee in this month has been well engaged in preaching, reading, and disputing with people at different places. He also went to Augerdeep fair, where great numbers of people (perhaps sixty thousand,) were assembled, amongst whom he had much preaching, and distributed many tracts and books. The people, upon the whole, were attentive to what was said. From thence he went to Bireghanche, where some of our Christian friends reside, and spent two or three pleasant days.

March, 1824. Porose has been well engaged through the last month; he has preached often, has had pleasing conver

sations, and some disputes; he also went to Augerdeep fair, where he had opportunities of speaking about Christ to many souls; he found them pretty attentive to what was advanced.

March, 1824. Soroop has been out to several places, and has had attentive hearers; at some places they disputed, but at last generally acknowledged their error. He has also been to the Barony fair, where great numbers of people had assembled: many heard the word, and received tracts. He also has had some affliction in his family.

Kangalee's Journal for April, 1824.

3d. Went to the chapel at the riverside, where numbers of boat people and strangers attended.

5th. Went to Dewangunge, where a person said to me, Why do you constant ly come here? you have told us all these things; now leave it to God. I told him that he did not like to hear these things, because it was against his pride and exaltation; some of those present began to ridicule what was said; hearing which, an old woman said, You are wrong in ridiculing what these people say, for it is the word of God, and I can give you a proof of it. I used to abuse them some time back for preaching, but three months had not passed over my guilty head before God afflicted me with the leprosy; after this declaration all present heard

with much attention.

After this, Kangalee went to Bireganchee, and stayed there two or three days, had much talk with people thereabouts, who heard with attention; from thence he went to Chappra, where a good number of all casts have collected together, and they invited Kangalee to visit them, and on his arrival they heard what he had to say, and expressed their doubts and fears; they begged Kangalee to stop some time with them; but he told them, that if they were to eat with him, and hear the word, they would all disperse, because they were only bound together by worldly motives; that is, eating and drinking, and therefore as soon as the word of God shewed them their evil ways, and that they must forsake sin, they would all disperse. After having much talk with them for two days, they told Kangalee that he had better return; and that they would, in the mean time, collect their people, and consult about these matters, and send the result to Cutwa. Kangalee has been to other places in the course of last month, from whence he brings pleasing news of

have thrown off their cast; some time back

the attention of the people. In April, Porose has been out to several places, but has been much engaged in making a house for himself.

May. Kangalee has been well engaged as long as he was able, in conversing about the way of life, but has been laid up for nearly twenty days.

May. Porose has had conversations with some persons through the month; but has not been able to go out on account of the heat.

May. Soroop has been engaged as usual.

June. Kangalee has been ill all through the month, but has had some conversation with a few who called at his house occasionally.

June. Porose has been well employed all through the last month in visiting markets, and fairs, and villages; his account of these exertions are very pleasing: he generally found the people attentive.

June. Soroop has been to different places, and has had attentive hearers; some disputed, but others were attentive to what was said.

American (Congregational) Missionary Society."

CEYLON.

AT the various stations in this island, occupied by the Missionaries patronized by this Society, there has been a very remarkable and pleasing display of the power of divine grace, and the triumphs of the gospel. The account is given at length in a letter from Mr. Winslow, one of the Missionaries, to his friends in Boston; but not having seen this, and concluding that its length would render it unsuitable for admission into our pages, we avail ourselves of an abstract of its contents, for which we are indebted to the New York Observer, of Jan. 15, 1825.

Tillipally-On the 18th of January,

The Editor is aware that he has not given the exact designation of this Society, but he trusts this will be excused, as while preparing this article for the press, he is from home, and at a distance from the means of procuring more precise information.