Jan. 15, 1830-I got information of the death of Samuel, a Seminarist, in his village, whither he went some time ago on account of his health. He was a good and pious lad; and died with joy by faith, exhorting his relatives to repent, and to turn to the Lord in truth. We trust he is now with the Lord, as a fruit of the Seminary. [Rev. C. T. E. Rhenius. Appeal for Pecuniary Aid. Such is the state of the Tinnevelly Mission: such are the encouragements to enlarged exertion in this field, which the Lord hath blessed! But the means of effectively supporting the various objects in which the Society is engaged are inadequate for that purpose. The following are Extracts from an APPEAL, by Mr. Winckler, "to the liberality of a Christian Public, in behalf of the Mission in Tinnevelly, and particularly the Dohnavore Branch of it." In the year 1824, some Congregations were formed in Dohnavore, provided with Native Teachers, and superintended by the Missionaries in Palamcottah. With every succeeding year, the number of such persons as were willing to leave Idolatry, and put themselves under Christian Instruction, increased. In March 1830, the Dohnavore Branch of this Mission contained 10 Catechist Stations, comprising 44 Villages. In these villages are about 310 Families of Christian Catechumens, containing 1060 souls. Among them are 144 Baptized Adults and Children. There are also, at present, 7 Charity Free Schools established in this District, containing between 180 and 190 Children. There are, moreover, 5 tolerably substantial Chapels, and 10 Common-Prayer Houses, or Sheds, in these Congregations. Most of them were erected by the people of the various Congregations, but with liberal assistance from the Madras Corresponding Committee towards the expense. While the different Congregations in this District were rapidly increasing, May, 1831. and, consequently, increased assistance and means of following up the favourable openings for usefulness were much called for, an intimation was received, that the Parent Committee, having found their Income below their actual expenses, were obliged, in consequence, to desire that in every Missionary Establishment such reduction of expenses should be made as was least likely to injure the Cause itself. Regretting that such a measure was made necessary by the state of the funds of the Society, it was seen that the trifling reductions which could be made were, in some respects, far more than counterbalanced by the pressing wants in other respects. The increasing Congregations called, and continue to call, for an adequate increase of Native Assistants, Catechists, and Schoolmasters. More Chapels and PrayerHouses are wanted in several Congrega tions, or the unsubstantial soon-decaying Palmyra-leaf sheds must be converted into regular Prayer-Houses. For the proper superintendence of these increasing and extending Congregations, the travelling expenses of the Missionary and Assistants are increasing in proportion; and also some other expenses, as Religious Books, School Books, and other means of instruction. This being the case, it is easily to be conceived, that any reduction of the expenses hitherto allowed for this Mission must be most injurious to the spread of the Gospel in these regions, or to the stability of the Congregations already existing. On the contrary, multiplied means are so much required, that without them the advantages presenting themselves cannot be followed up, as it is our undoubted duty to do. I have the full confidence that this state of things needs only to be stated fairly and openly to the enlightened and benevolent Christian Public, and they will immediately feel within themselves a higher call, than this Paper is able to convey, to increased benevolence in assisting this Cause, to the very extent of their power. If love to Christ and to immortal souls reign in the heart, shall we restrain our charitableness within narrow bounds? or shall we soon be weary of doing good, while we have still resources left for doing so? Shall we not rather have the Word continually before our eyes, To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin? James iv. 17. Shall we not, in order to free 2 I Divisions, including 244 Towns and Villages; in which there are more than 2000 Families, consisting of above 7500 persons professing Christianity. Of the Scholars, who are chiefly Heathen, 112 and upward are Girls. ourselves from various doubts, which, rising from time to time within our hearts, threaten to destroy our charitable dispositions, rather take sweet counsel with the Word of God than with our own disturbed thoughts? As for instance: If the thought arise," But shall I also live to witness the blessed effects of my charity; and, while rejoicing in other men's spiritual and temporal welfare, shall I not myself be straitened in my necessary wants?"-shall we not accept the best counsel suitable to this case, re corded in such words as these-Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days? Eccl. xi. ver. 1, and Summary of the Tinnevelly Station. 2 3 73 35 Assistants Catechists Schoolmasters Churches 150 Prayer Houses 94 Communicants 171 Seminarists Schools Scholars 36 62 1450 COTTAYAM. Visits to the Syrian Churches. THE return of the Rev. J. W. Doran was noticed at p. 206 of our last Number. Previously to his leaving India, he deemed it advisable to visit the Syrian Churches in Travancore and Malabar. On this journey, he collected much valuable information on the present state of those Churches, the substance of which we have collected from Mr. Doran's Journal. Mr. Doran's Report presents a painful view of the spiritual darkness in which this Ancient Christian Community is still enveloped. But when the Word of God in the vernacular tongue, and the faithful Ministry thereof, ceases in a Church, error and superstition, ignorance and vice, are the inevitable consequences. The means employed by the Missionaries of the Society to diffuse Scriptural Light among the Syrian Christians have, however, through the blessing of God, been attended with important advantages, though much still remains to be accomplished. The confidence of the Metrans and Clergy has been gained: the Syrian Youth intended for Holy Orders are prepared for their sacred function, by the Missionaries of the Society in the College of Cottayam: the New Testament has been translated into Malayalim, and is now in a course of circulation among the people: the Missionaries are freely allowed to preach to the people in Malayalim, in the Syrian Churches: the Syrians are made acquainted with the Reformed Liturgy of the Church of England, in their own tongue: Schools are established in the Syrian Parishes, under the di The Station comprises 72 Catechist rection of the Missionaries, to the extent of their means: and, from the Mission Press, Tracts begin to be issued, calculated to impart sound religious instruction and useful knowledge to the rising generation. These are important results; and call for lively thankfulness to God for what has been attained, while they afford the strongest encouragement to believing perseverance in labours of love on behalf of this Ancient Church. Visit to the Metran, Cyril, at Annúr. Annúr. Dec. 27, 1829: Sunday. Annúr-Being unexpectedly detained yesterday, I did not reach this place, 53 miles to the north of Cochin, till noon to-day. I was the more sorry for this, as I had hoped to be able to address the people while assembled for Prayer. The few persons, however, that dwell in the place, together with others that came from Konangalam, six miles distant, for the purpose of seeing me, assembled in the evening, when I had an opportunity of expounding to them the Word of God. The Metran, two Catanars, and nine Deacons, were also present. I desired to give the exposition to Marcus, Catanar, who accompanied me to this place, but he was too modest to take it. I like Mar Cyril (Kurilos) much: pleasing anticipations may, I think, most justly be entertained of him. Being from very childhood about the late lamented and amiable Philoxenes, he seems to have imbibed not a little of his meek spirit. He is twenty-seven years of age; and was, together with George, Catanar, appointed by Philoxenes, three months before his death, as a Candidate for the exalted office he now bears. He lives in this retired spot; and has no rule over the Churches, but that which may be given him at the pleasure of the Senior Metran, Mar Dionysius. There is a Catanar here who seems to have more idea of the nature of his office than almost any other I have met with: he expounds the Scriptures every Sabbath to the people; and, unlike the general practice, instead of repeating the Mass-prayers in Syriac, a language which the people understand not, he translates the whole into the vernacular dialect. I pray that God may bless his well-intentioned labours; and that, with an increase of light upon his own mind, he may become an instrument of good to others. Konangalam. Dec. 28. Konangalam-Ere I reached this place, 9 A. M., a number of the most respectable inhabitants came out to meet me. There are 1000 houses, and more than 5000 souls. Three Churches belong to this place; two in the town; and one, the principal, about a mile to the southeast. To these there are six Catanars, and, with those at Annúr, as many Deacons. Some time since the Rev. S. Ridsdale established a School here. I have just now seen it. Some were learning to read the Gospel; others were committing to memory Watts's Catechism in Malayalim; whilst two or three more were learning a little Sanscrit: I examined some of them, but could not find that they had made much proficiency. I am inclined to think that this is owing to inattention on the part of the Teacher. I do not know any thing that gives a more unfavourable view of the Syrian character, than the utter indifference they have to the instruction of the rising generation. Changanore. Jan. 3, 1830: Sunday. Changanore Church-It is now three years and a half since I last visited this Church, a few days after my arrival in Travancore. I have just preached in the Church, to a Congregation of about 400. I was pleased to see the willingness with which the Catanars allowed me to perform this Service; and still more so, with the attentive hearing I obtained from the people. I addressed them before celebration of Mass, supposing that they would be more free to hear than after: and I think I was not out in my calculation. The total absence of every thing like devotion in the performance of their Services is particularly and painfully striking. There were four Catanars present, besides the one who officiated. After dinner, I found, in an antechamber of the Church, a few persons with Ikey, Catanar; and Matthew, my pupil, asking them questions upon the address, in the Revelation, to the Seven Churches of Asia. One of them, a very intelligent man, who had been a Writer to two or three successive Metrans, immediately proposed to me some pertinent questions upon the Resurrection. I was the more pleased, because one so seldom meets with an individual in this land of sensuality who even has a rational thought about eternity. I have now had four of the Catanars to sit with me for two hours: I hope not unprofitably. I opened the 3d Chapter of St. John's Gospel, but יין found they could scarcely read the character: they now produced the Version of the Four Gospels which was printed at Bombay, and read it with comparative ease. I asked them to explain to me the terms, Ye must be born again: but no; they "The meaning is Baptism answered, I now got Ikey, Catanar, to read a small Tract, which had been written at Allepie, upon the Knowledge of the Heart. It is pointedly directed at those who neglect the interests of the soul, and was on this occasion the more applicable. They expressed great satisfaction at the Tract, and requested to be allowed to take a copy of it. This is one of the oldest Syrian Churches in India. It may have been built more than 1000 years ago: consisting of granite stone, it seems to have stood this lapse of time without injury. There are about 640 houses connected with it. In the last year there have been 150 baptisms, and 120 deaths. The population increases, though not every year, in the above proportion. There are six Catanars; viz. George, aged forty-eight-Zachariah, forty-sixGeorge, forty-four-Joseph, forty-Alexander, thirty-six; all married - Abraham, twenty-three; single. Church property, 60,000 Chuckrums. I brought with me part of a Translation of Ecclesiastical History, made by two of my Boys; which the Catanars and some people begged to read. They spent a good portion of this day in talking over its subject matter. I do not know that a more acceptable or more useful boon could be offered to the Syrian Christians of Travancore than a good Translation of Church History. Visit to Churches North-East of Cottayam. Porotta. March 29,1830. Porotta-Leaving Cottayam at nine A. M. yesterday, I reached this place, about twenty-six miles distant, at two o'clock this morning. About four o'clock, I stopped at a Roman-Catholic Church, not long since the residence of a celebrated Malpan named Matthew, and fifty Young Men who were under his instructions for the Ministry. I found two Padres, Jacob and Zechariah, in the small house adjoining the Church. About this Church every thing assumes the face of decay. There are two Padres, and only twenty-five persons to minister to. I was informed that, a few years since, the Rev. J. Fenn visited this Church, when there was one of the choicest collections of books to be found in the coun try; but, alas! a few Manuscript Malayalim Prayers, a small printed Catechism in the same language, together with an old copy of Gutbirius's Syriac New Testament, now formed the library of the above persons. I opened the 3d Chapter of St. John's Gospel, for Jacob to read: after fumbling over a few verses, he told me, with a significant smile, that its subject matter was Baptism. On the Church wall was posted a Proclamation from the Pope, written in miserable Malayalim, informing all, that fifteen days' Fast out of six months was sure to cancel all sin; and threatening an awful and protracted Purgatory to all who neglect the strict observance of this Service. May God put down this monstrous imposition! Though the Syrians at Porotta are poor, and not likely to grow better in estate, the population is on the increase. There are six Catanars attached to this Church; viz. Paulos, Vicar, aged forty-six yearsIsaac, forty-nine-John, thirty-five Zechariah, thirty-three-Isaac, thirtyThomen,twenty-six. All these are single, save the senior Isaac, who has a wife and three children. The people of this Church are so poor, that the Catanars have a most pitiful income, not more than forty Chuckrums each per month. In consequence of this poverty, they are obliged to become cultivators, to a certain extent; and this acts reciprocally on both Priest and people, and secularizes their minds. Netchore, and Mamalacherry. Monday. Konata Malpan's ChurchI started from Porotta yesterday morning at five o'clock; and reached Netchore Church, three miles distant to the North, at half-past six. There are but three or four families connected with this miserable unfinished Church; and two Young Deacons, now studying in the College, are its intended Catanars. At present, it is served by one or other of the Catanars from Porotta. Some years since, a Syrian having made a vow to send his on a pilgrimage to St. Thomas's Mount, near Madras, and afterwards finding this measure impracticable, he, in order to offer an equivalent for his vow, built this Church. son Turning now to the North-east, I walked to Mamalacherry, two miles and a half distant. As the sun was beclouded, I felt no inconvenience from this walk; but rather gained by it, what seldom falls to my share, a good appetite. The Mamalacherry Church was built about 350 years since, mostly by private subscription. Its Catanars are four: Abraham, Malpan, forty-five years-Petros, twenty-eight-Marcus, twenty-nine-Gheevurgese, twenty-eight-and three Deacons, now in the College: only one of the above Catanars is married. Houses 140, and about 600 inhabitants. In these are included Malpan's new Church and people. In this district the Syrians, who are generally cultivators, are increasing in wealth; and according to Konata Malpan's account, it may double its population in the next thirty years. The smallpox has been the great check to an increase of population in the last century. Of the above 600 individuals, he tells me there may be 100 Boys capable of being taught in a School; but, alas! as at the district from whence I have now come, here is no such thing: four years since, both at Porotta and this place, the Rev, H. Baker had Schools, but the violent proceeding of Mar Athanasius from Antioch obliged him to discontinue them. I talked much to Malpan upon the necessity of having the Children, within their respective spheres of labour, instructed; and the awful account to which God will assuredly call them, if such, through their indolence, should be neglected. The reply was, that the people were wholly indifferent to this matter, and therefore it was out of their reach. Alas! how easy it is to find a fair excuse for a dereliction of duty. I replied, that it remained for the Priests to create the desire in the minds of the Parents for the instruction of theChildren. Some of the Catanars from the abovenamed Churches have accompanied me to this place. I am glad of this; as it gives me an opportunity of seeing more of their mind, and of communicating more of my own upon the great subject in which we should mutually be engaged. Malpan having come to see me at Mamalacherry, I had an opportunity of conversing much with him. He gave me much useful information upon the Syro-Indian History, though I had expected to find him more ready on this point. He has a good collection of neat Manuscripts; partly translated from ancient Manuscripts by his own hand; and partly collected by his Uncle, an old Malpan, who died, about five years since, at Mamalacherry. They are chiefly prayers, relating to the different Festivals observed by the Church, and parts of Scripture. He did not offer me one. At Porotta, on Sunday Morning last, I was surprised and pained to find that out of about thirty men then in the Church, not more than one or two could even make an attempt to read their vernacular tongue. In every place I visit I find the same evil; and this is a great hindrance to the dissemination of the books I have brought with me. Cadamattum. April, 1830. Cadamattum ChurchLeaving Malpan's Church at 4 P.M., after six miles journeying to the North, I reached this place: Malpan accompanied me. I am glad to have him with me, inasmuch as he knows the circumstances of each place much better than even the local Catanars. The Church here is very prettily situated; but the country around little cultivated, and very thinly populated. It was built 400 years since ; has 100 houses connected with it, and about 500 inhabitants. The people are poor, but increasing in number. In the last year, number of deaths 40, baptisms 50. There are 50 Boys capable of being instructed. There is a School four miles distant, supported by Mr. Baker, containing an average of from 15 to 20 Youths. Upon inquiring of the Catanars who were desirous of obtaining the Malayalim Scriptures, the answer was, that scarcely one could read. I shall, however, leave behind a few copies of the Gospels, and may God grant that they may be blessed to some one or other! The Catanars are 3 in number: Paulos, fifty years-Zechariah, fortyeight-and Joseph,thirty-seven-and one Deacon, who now learns in the College. Coluncherry, and Corinyeel. Wednesday. Corinyeel Church-I started from Cadamattum at 10 o'clock this morning; and after a journey of three miles, in a westerly direction, I reached Coluncherry. The Church here was erected about 250 years ago, by private subscription. Attached to it are six Catanars; viz. Abraham, sixty years old Joseph, thirty-three- Gheevurgese, thirty; married, and has 3 childrenMatthan, thirty; married, with 2 children Jacob, twenty-nine; married; 1 child-John, twenty-nine; married; 3 children. There are 155 houses. In the last year there were 30 baptisms, and 12 deaths. Though the people are, generally speaking, poor, and, from the resources of the country, not likely to better their estate, yet the population may be said to increase. The property |