stray several times before we could get them prepared for our baggage. then plunge her knife into his breast. She also pointed to a large Indian standMost of the Indians remained on the ing near with a dirk, who signified that beach during the night. Those who he would do the same. In consequence were in the camp gathered around us of these threats, the captain thought it for a farewell interview, each one hoping prudent to prevent our coming into conto receive something from us. We en-tact with old Maria, and for this reason deavored to put some little thing into every one's hand. Santurion made us a family visit, and requested that we would return and live with them. He also mentioned some articles he wished us to procure in our country and bring to him. When we had finished distributing our presents, the Indians took hold and carefully aided us in packing our horses, and a full escort attended us down to the vessel. It was painful to leave the camp and separate, probably forever, from these rude sons of nature, yet in all the darkness of heathenism. But what was most affecting was to part with our old Indian mother. Her fidelity to us had remained unshaken to the last, and now we bade her farewell, she put on a solemn countenance and commenced a very plaintive song, which continued till we were beyond the sound of her voice. sent her to the shore in one boat, while we were brought on board in another. What was the particular cause of this exasperated state of feeling in the old queen at this time we do not know. She had never exhibited such feelings towards us. [Mr. Coan. Messrs. Arms and Coan received a gratuitous passage in the Antarctic to the Falkland Islands; and by a similar act of kindness on the part of capt. G. L. Allyn, of the schooner Talma, they were brought to Groton, Connecticut, where they arrived on the 14th of May. Mahrattas. EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MR. PREVIOUS to the time of writing the follow- When we arrived at the shore we found the Indians there very pleasant, and having distributed a few presents we bade them farewell and went on board the vessel. While going from the shore to the schooner, we were passed by another boat going from the vessel to the shore, with Maria and several Indians. When the boat passed ours, an Indian held up a tract, and calling out to our boat's crew to look on, threw it overboard. Old Maria now held up a bundle of tracts, and crying out "Malo! malo!" dashed them into the water with indig-whose character and lamented decease have nant contempt. When we came on board the Antarctic, capt. Nash informed us that the Indians told him he was bad for attempting to take us away, and that we should not go. For this reason he retained some of them on board with the determination to keep them till he had secured us. Old Maria, he remarked, had stolen the tracts we saw her throw into the water, from his cabin. He also stated that she had torn many of them in pieces on board; that she said they were "Malo!" and taking a tract from a bundle she held in her hand she rent it before the captain's eyes, and then drawing a knife from her boson, by expressive gestures in connection with the name of my companion, she told him that she was going to meet Mr. Arms on the shore, tear up the tracts before him, and low, he was occupied in the preparation of a memoir of Babajee, the Mahratta convert, been repeatedly mentioned in this work. Labors at the Mahabulishwur Hills and Vicinity-Chinese Convicts. Though I have on some accounts regretted this long absence, yet I have not regretted it on the whole. It has given me an opportunity of itinerating nearly the whole time. This I consider, in the present state of missions here, as the first and most important part of missionary labor. Schools, especially schools of a higher character, and female schools of any character, provided they be brought under strictly Christian supervision, present strong claims on our labors. But preaching the gospel from village to village, and diffusing as widely as possible Christian tracts and portions of the Scriptures, must undoubtedly hold the first place. Since leaving Ahmednuggur, last October, I have travelled about eleven hundred miles, at the rate of ten miles per day. I preached Christ and him crucified to about one hundred and twenty-five towns and villages. In about one half of these places the gospel had never been preached before. Besides the superintendence of the school at Mahabulishwur which I mentioned in my last, and addressing a company of beggars twice a week, I had an opportunity of instructing some Chinese convicts, who are now placed on these hills. I had regarded these unfortunate men as almost or quite inaccessible, except as I could give them a few Chinese tracts, which I providentially had. They are state prisoners, shut up at night, and kept at work during the day, making roads or otherwise, from eight till four o'clock. And what presented another formidable obstacle, was, that I knew not a word of their language; nor could they speak English or Mahratta. One day six of them sent a Hindoo sepoy, their keeper, to say that they wished to be baptised and become Christians. I could scarcely credit the message; but requested to see and converse with the inquirers. An interview took place in the evening, when I succeeded in conversing with them through a Mahratta interpreter, who communicated with them in Hindoostanee. They appeared truly anxious to be baptised, though they were, of course, in a great degree ignorant of the true import of what they asked. They said they had read the books which I gave them a year ago, had become convinced of the truth and ex cellency of Christianity, and determined to avail themselves of the first opportunity of embracing it. I explained to them what it is to be a Christian-that Christianity is a religion of the heart, and not merely of external forms, and exhorted them to pray to God for wisdom and sanctification through a crucified Savior. I told them that should it hereafter appear that they had become what I now described, I should most joyfully receive them by baptism. I expressed a wish to see them often, and to speak to them of the true salvation. This I was enabled to do almost every evening. They were always prompt to attend; appeared greatly interested in all they understood, (for their knowledge of Hindoostance is very limited,) and uniformly said they were very desirous to be baptised and become true Christians. They were also permitted to come to me on the Sabbath, which they were prompt to do. Feeling the embarrassment which they, as well as myself, labored under, in having no common language in which we could communicate, they proposed that they would learn English or Mahratta. I encouraged them to commence the latter, as this would be of more general utility. Being furnished with the Mahratta spelling-book, they set themselves to their work with all the alacrity of youths of sixteen, although no one of them is scarcely less than thirty years old. Before I left them, two or three had begun to read short sentences. I supplied them with a few papers to furnish them with further instruction, and, left them, believing they would soon be able to read the word of God. I parted from these interesting inquirers with much regret. I thought of the "Celestial Empire"-of the efforts which are now making to enlighten that vast empire of sin, and of the mighty shock which idolatry will receive, when the hundreds of millions of China shall turn to the Lord. I seemed to see these poor convicts liberated from their present bondage and returning to their native land, with the Bible in their hands and the grace of God in their hearts. I could not feel so far satisfied with their attainments in Christian knowledge or Christian graces, as to warrant my baptising them. I gave them encouragement, by telling them that probably Mr. Allen or myself would visit them in a few months. Another circumstance respecting these convicts will not be deemed unworthy of notice. When I first visited them last year, I inquired how many among them could read, and if they had any books? They replied that there were a number of readers among them, but that they had but one book. This, on inquiry, I found to be a Christian tract, which one of them said, he "received from that good man, Dr. Morrison Sahib," of Canton. When the tract was given, whether before the recipient became a criminal, or while he awaited the sentence of the law against him; and how it was preserved by the convict, and thus brought into the interior of another heathen country, I could not learn. To know that these little vehicles of truth can, and often do cross oceans and deserts, and find a resting place in a dreary prison, or in some noisome haunt of vice, and there proclaim the truth in secret till some more powerful agent is permitted to call forth their latent influence into spiritual life-to know this is enough to quicken our zeal and en- EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MR. nounced the attack to be spasmodic cholera, and before night her happy spirit was released from its tabernacle of clay, and returned to its rest on high. I watched the progress of the disease in its awful and rapid march, but could do Decease of Mrs. Ramsey-Return of nothing, save administer to her few Mr. Ramsey. In the last number it was stated that, in consequence of the decease of Mrs. Ramsey and the state of his own health, Mr. Ramsey, accompanied by his two children, was on his return to the United States. As no vessel was likely soon to proceed directly to this country, he embarked in the British ship Aliquis, bound to Liverpool, on board of which, near the Cape of Good Hope, this letter was written. By reference to some of my late letters, you will find that I at times spoke of Mrs. Ramsey's declining state of health, and also of my own frequent attacks of illness. We hoped that change of air in India would prove beneficial to us both. In consequence of this we removed twice, at the advice of our physician and with the consent of the mission, from Bombay. These changes were of no real benefit. During the last cold season, from December to February, I was absent on a tour with the Rev. Mr. Read, and enjoyed pretty good health. Shortly after my return to Bombay I had another severe attack of illness, the effect of which I yet feel. During my absence Mrs. Ramsey also enjoyed tolerably good health. As soon, however, as the weather began to grow warm, her strength began to fail. Sometimes she was able to attend to her various duties, and at other times she was not. She had given up visiting the schools under her care; but when able, she had the children come to the house where they were examined and rewarded as usual. In May she became the joyful mother of a daughter. She regained her strength but slowly. The physicians attending her gave it as their opinion, that she ought to be removed from the country as soon as her health would permit. On the evening of June 10th Mrs. Ramsey seemed better, though quite weak. She retired to rest at an early hour, and enjoyed a good night's rest. Early in the morning she seemed still better; but before many hours had elapsed, symptoms appeared which alarmed me, and caused me to send for a physician, who arrived at 10 o'clock. The progress of the disease was now short. At twelve, noon, Drs. Maxwell, Smyttan, and Kays, pro wants and commend her departing spirit to our Father and covenant-keeping God. Thus was I, in a few short hours, left with two dear babes to mourn her loss, while she, having put off this mortal body, and having begun the song of the redeemed, rejoiced with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. I mourn her loss, nor can I refrain the sad tears trickling down, while I make known to you what God has done. I weep, and not without a cause. If the Savior wept over the grave of Lazarus, why may I not weep over the remains of the beloved companion of my youth and the mother of my babes? But while I mourn her loss, I rejoice in the grace vouchsafed to her, in that she was enabled, without fear and in a full assurance of acceptance with God, to bid farewell to earth and earthly scenes, and to commit her afflicted and bereaved husband and children to the watchful care of a faithful and merciful God. The Lord supported me in the hour of trial, and yet supports my sinking spirit, and enables me to say, I hope sincerely, "Father thy will be done." My state of health before Mrs. Ramsey's death, and especially after it, was such that the physicians unitedly agreed in recommending a voyage to America. The nature of my attacks of sickness, and the symptoms of disease which af fected me, induced them to recommend my return. Upon my laying their opinions before the brethren in Bombay, they immediately agreed that I should proceed by the earliest opportunity with my children to America, so as to avoid the trying season of the rains. The brethren at Ahmednuggur also gave their consent to my going. Thus, in the mysterious providence of God, am I urged away from the field of labor whither God had sent me. Three of those who entered the field in 1831 rest from their labors, two only remain in the field to tell the heathen of Jesus, while I am tossed on the deep. What afflictions or trials or labors or joys await me, I know not. But the Lord of the harvest will direct me in all things; Oh, for grace to follow wherever he may lead, and to go where he may send me. Syria and the Holy Land. JOURNAL OF MR. THOMSON AT JERU SALEM. THE removal of Mr. Thomson and his family from Beyroot to Jerusalem was repeatedly adverted to in the last volume. In the brief notice of the decease of Mrs. Thomson, given in the last number, reference was made to the rebellion of the mountain tribes against the pasha of Egypt, who now holds the government of Syria, and the exposed situation in which Mrs. T. had previously been placed, the rebellion having extended to Jerusalem, and Mr. T. being absent at Jaffa, whence he was unable to return, on account of the hostile troops which rendered the mountains impassable. The following journal of Mr. Thomson narrates the events of this distressing period, beginning with his departure from Jerusalem for Jaffa. Journey from Jerusalem to Jaffa. Jerusalem, May 19, 1834. Having left my goods in Jaffa when I brought up my family to this place, I engaged mules to-day to go down for them. But a rumor is afloat that the Fellahheen mountaineers have rebelled against the pasha, and no persuasions would induce the muleteers to set out. 20. Started early this morning without our muleteers, and on our road down the mountains met many Fellahheens, armed and equipped for war. About noon stopped at a well under a small village to take some refreshment. I asked one of the Fellahs who came down to us, if he was shooting birds? With a bitter|| smile, he said, my birds are in Jaffa, and my lead is for the pasha. As they began to gather around us, all armed, and looked rather suspicious, we thought it best to be away. The cause of this disturbance is an order from the pasha to take every fifth man to be a soldier, at which the mountaineers are greatly enraged. Those we saw swore by their prophet that they never would submit to be made "nezzam," the name of the Egyptian troops. Their greatest objections are ridiculous enough, but strikingly characterize the feelings of the people. The pasha shaves off their long beards and puts on the Nezzam dress, very much like the Frank; which two things are an abomination in the eyes of these people. One 22. The son of our consul came down from Ramla, bringing his father's camels to transport my baggage to Jerusalem. He confirmed the report of yesterday, and on our way to Ramla we met several travellers who started from Jaffa yesterday, but could not get up the mountains, and were now returning in great terror. A little farther on, an express passed us, bearing news to the pasha. I was greatly struck with his appearance. He sat erect and firm as a statue on its pedestal. His countenance was fixed and steady, and every muscle and joint was screwed down tight. With a firm grasp, he held his cocked musket, at arms length, and parallel with the horizon; and dashing his heavy stirrup irons into the bleeding sides of his swift Arabian, he flew over the ground like an eagle hasting to seize its prey. When we arrived in Ramla, I learned that the Fellahheens, at the village where we stopped as we came from Jerusalem, had attacked a body of the pasha's cavalry, killed the eineer Ali (commander), and many others, and drove the rest down the mountains. The Fellahs resemble the American Indians in their complexion, dress, and lawless habits; and are more terrible to the timorous inhabitants of the plain, than the red men ever were to New England or Kentucky. It will be impossible to return to Jerusalem until they are subdued, as they have possession of all the passes up the mountains. This is a severe disappointment, and will be more distressing to my family than it is to myself, as very exaggerated reports will no doubt reach them. But it is the will of the Lord, and let that || make their appearance in the upper will be done. Schools at Ramla and Gaza-Condition of Females. Ramla embraces a very considerable Greek population, and I made an arrangement this evening to supply their school with about two hundred books of different sizes. The school is large, and the children will not only read the books themselves, but carry them home, and thus introduce them into every respecta ble Greek family in the place. May the good seed thus sown among the people take deep root in their hearts, and bring forth fruit an hundred fold, to the glory of God. Our consul, who is perhaps the wealthiest Christian in the place, offered of his own accord to be our agent to receive and distribute the books. I gave books to his family on my way down, with which they were much pleased, exhibiting them and reading portions of them to all their numerous visitors. The consul's eldest son, an interesting man with a rising family, was particularly pleased with "Prayers for every day in the week," and repeatedly declared his intention to read them every day. May he learn to pray with a humble and contrite heart, and to worship in spirit and in truth. I have also become acquainted with the Russian consul for Gaza, who is equally pleased with the books, and requested a supply for the school in Gaza. According to his account, the Christians are more numerous in Gaza than I had expected. But all statistical information derived from natives requires to be corrected by personal investigation; and can never, with safety, be made the basis of missionary operations. But all these efforts, let it never be forgotten, reach only one half of the community. Not a ray of light penetrates the dark chambers of the harem. There the prince of darkness sits undisturbed in visible obscurity, pouring his poisonous precepts into the tender minds of all the rising race. And here he must be assailed and driven out, if ever his cruel empire over Palestine be broken. So long as he keeps possession of the fountains, he will not be greatly disturbed at our light skirmishing with the streams. The females of these parts are imprisoned with peculiar rigor. I have been many days and nights at our consul's, who is particularly attentive and kind, and yet I have never seen one of the family-not even when Mrs. Thomson was with me. They never VOL. XXXI. apartments, where their husbands, brothwishes to leave, some of the men always ers, and children sit; and if any visitor go before crying out "Terreenck, terreeuck!" the way, the way! and if I am out with the men, I am obliged to remain until some of them can return with me to halloo the "terreeuck," when all the females run and hide until I have passed up stairs. Poor things, they know nothing! Being unable to read, and forbidden to hear the gentlemen converse or read, they are cut off from every source of incovered with gold and jewelry, they are formation; and although the rich are as ignorant and foolish as children, in every thing except the simplest arts of benevolence, which will require the very degree of that greatest of graces which first order of self-denial, and the highest hopeth all things, beareth all things, and never faileth. common life. Here is a field of female Population and Ruins of Ramla. 23. About nine o'clock last night a reinforcement of cavalry arrived from Jaffa, and at mid-night another came in all the pride and pomp of war; and active preparations are being made for the work of death. Nothing new to-day. Ramla has, at no very distant period, been a much larger place than it is at present. The number of inhabitants is perhaps three thousand, mostly Mussulmans and Greek Christians; and what is more extraordinary, at least one half of the people are blind, either in one or both their eyes; and many of them have eyes so weak that they keep them half closed. I have counted at different times, in mixed companies of old and young, and always found the greater number blind. What can be the cause of the great prevalence of this sore calamity? Perhaps it is owing to its locality. Situated in the centre of the vast plain or valley of Sharon, Ramla is excessively hot, and the reflection of the sun from the white sand is very painful to the eyes. Spent an hour in examining some ancient remains a little to the west of the village. A small square of about two or three acres is inclosed by an old wall. Within this inclosure are three vast subterraneous apartments, resembling cisterns. The one on the south side is about one hundred and fifty feet long and forty wide, and twenty-five deep, and the vault is sustained by nine square columns. The one on the west side is 6 |