of the Church, consisting of jewels and rice-fields, is worth about 20,000 Chuckrums. At Coluncherry I had a long dispute, with Konata, Malpan, upon the nature and evidences of the New-birth of the soul. It arose out of his stating that all Priests were regenerate; inasmuch as Christ said, in ordaining the first Ministers of the Gospel, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. This led me to shew, that if all the Ministers of the present day possessed the same spirit which the first Messengers did, then their lives must, by necessary consequence, be marked by the same steady line of faithful obedience to the Divine Commands: but, alas! how faint is the resemblance, even in the best of us.

The Church at Corinyeel was erected fifteen years since. The founder's father being ill, he made a vow that, in case of his recovery, he would build this Church. I do not think it could accommodate more than 40 or 50 persons. Its cost was 35,000 Chuckrums. There are 35 houses, and about 150 persons, connected with it. In the last year, from 5 to 8 baptisms, and as many deaths, have taken place. As yet, this is the only place in which I have found a School supported by the Syrians themselves: it is about half a mile to the North, and

contains 20 Children. Finding that they had no books, I left a few copies of the Gospel, and as many Catechisms, for their use. May God the Holy Ghost bless them to their souls' benefit! There are no Roman Catholics here.

Candanade.

Thursday. Candanade Church.-Moving in a South-east direction, I arrived here this morning. My way lay through reaped rice-fields. The gallery in which I now write is that in which the estimable Dr. Buchanan sat for some hours. Looking back upon the state of things which that great man detailed at that time, I am quite humbled to see how little of his warm and generous anticipations have been fulfilled, with respect to these SyroIndian Churches. It was in this Church Dr. Buchanan had the memorable conversation with the venerable Dionysius, Metran, upon the practicability of forming a union of his and our Church. The Church here was erected 400 years ago, by four rich Syrians. Connected with it now are 170 houses, and about 600 inhabitants. Out of this number there may be 75 Boys, capable of being instructed. In the last year there were 30 baptisms

and 16 deaths. The Roman Catholics have lately erected a small Church here; with which are connected 12 houses and 2 Catanars. Towards their support, I learn that these Priests have, from Verapoli, 4 Chuckrums each per diem. I forgot to state, that belonging to the Syrian Church there are 6 Catanars; Abraham, seventy-five years old, being one of them.

Molandurte.

Taking an early dinner, I started to Molandurtè Church, 2 miles distant to the S.W. Malpan, and many persons, This is the cleanest accompanied me. church I have seen in all Travancore. It was built 100 years since. There are 120 houses, and 3 Catanars; viz. Abraham, seventy years old - Zechariah, twenty-nine; married; 2 children -Abraham, twenty-seven and Twenty-two Boys capable of being taught. Mr. Baker had a School here likewise. Baptisms in the last year, 50; deaths, 12. They are, generally speaking, Traders. There is a small Church to the N.E. of this, built 150 years since, at the expense of Molandurtè Church. Two Metropolitans who came from Antioch, Gregorius and Evanius, are buried in Molandurtè Church. Shrines are placed over their graves. Here also is interred Mar Maprianas, who came about 70 years ago from Antioch: one end of his shrine, facing the East, is covered with silver,

Trepunetra, Karingassura, and Palikerry,

Friday. Palikerry Church—I left Candanade this morning at 5 o'clock, moving in a North-West direction: by 8 o'clock I reached Karingassura. In my way, I made a stop at Udiamper and Trepunetra. Udiamper is a Roman-Catholic and Trepunetra a Syrian Church. Recollecting the scenes that Udiamper witnessed in the violent proceedings of Menezes, Archbishop of Goa, now 200 years since, I was not a little affected upon entering. The two Catanars belonging to it being absent, I did not see them. A Catanar from Coluncherry does the duty of Trepunetra Church. It was built more than 300 years ago; and has 65 houses, or 200 persons, connected with it: these people are all poor.

The Church at Karingassura was built 400 years ago; and has 140 houses, or 500 individuals, connected with it, generally poor. Baptisms, in the last year, 22; deaths,14. In this part of the country Cholera has prevailed to a considerable

extent. There is now but one Catanar, Zechariah, fifty-eight years old: and four Boys are appointed as Catanars, two of whom are now prosecuting their studies in the College. I requested the other two to be sent immediately to the College, to which the Catanar willingly consented. Thirty-nine years since, the Roman Catholics had joint possession of this Church; but the Syrians at that time purchased their interest in it for 380 Rupees, and sent them away. There is no intercourse between the two parties. Mr. Baker has a School at Trepunetra, containing 20 Boys: I did not know this when I passed through, else I should have looked at it. Church property, 50,000 Chuckrums.

In

Palikerry Church was built 480 years since, at the charge of four wealthy Syrians. There are now 180 houses, or 480 individuals, belonging to it. the past year, baptisms, 40; deaths, 50; of these, 25 died of Cholera. The great check, in the last ten years, to an increase of population, I find, is poverty. Out of the above number there are about 60 Children capable of being taught. Mr. Baker has a School three miles to the North; from 25 to 30 in attendance. A rich Syrian pays a man for teaching a few Children: I exhorted him to pay this man a little more than he does, and throw open his instructions to the 28 Children that might be collected to the spot. In this place the Roman Catholics built a Church 78 years ago. As in other places, there is not much friendly feeling between them and the Syrians: four or five Syrians are now about to go over to them. There are three Catanars; viz. Matthew, aged forty; singleGeorge, twenty-eight; married-Matthew, twenty-seven; married. The principal inhabitants of the district are Mahomedans. Two Children, of the ages of four or five years, are intended for Priests. Church property, 20,000 Chuckrums. I was much gratified this morning at the desire the poor people evinced to obtain from me the Word of God. As at other places, I made each person read, ere I distributed, the copies of the Malayalim Scriptures I had with me.

Kuruppumpaddy.

Kuruppumpaddy-Leaving Palikerry at 4 P. M. yesterday, I reached this place about half-past eleven. Toward sun-set I stopped at Angola; where, fourteen years since, a small Church was built by the Catanars of Palikerry Church,

to the N. E., on the boundary of their parish. The walls are still unplastered, and the roof covered only with leaves. It cost about 14,000 Chuckrums: the persons whose money built it are desirous of having two Catanars, from among themselves, appointed to it; and have, accordingly, sent two Boys to the College.

The Church here is the most spacious I have yet visited, with the exception of Cadamattam. It was built 550 years since; and has now attached to it 420 houses, or 1500 inhabitants. The extent of ground which the parish covers is the largest I have yet seen. In the last year were 100 baptisms: 54 of the Children died soon after; making a total of deaths, within the year, 74. Four years ago, Cholera raged considerably in this district. Three Catanars: Zechariah, fifty years old Paulos, forty-fourGeorge, thirty-three; married, and two children. One Deacon: two appointed, of eleven and twelve years respectively. Church property, 15,000 Chuckrums: 60 years since,40,000 Chuckrums were given to the Roman Catholics as an equivalent for their share of the Church. No marriages between the parties. Mr. Baker has two Schools in this district; one here, and the other three miles to the West: average number in both, 45.

Monday-Had a conversation this morning, in the Church, with the Catanars, about a few trifling points of difference between them and the Romanists. I was equally struck with the paltry ground which the conflicting parties take, and the total inability of either party to convince the other. Alas! how apt we are to stumble at straws; whilst, like the Jews, the weightier matters of the Law are wholly neglected.

A respectable Syrian presented himself to me, as a Candidate for one of St. Paul's Epistles; stating, that the Rev. B. Bailey some time before had given him, when at Cottayam, the Four Gospels. Of the stock I brought with me, the only book I now had left was a copy of the Revelation, which he gladly accepted. He opened the 6th Chapter, and began to read aloud; but soon stopped, to say that he could not understand its meaning; and begged that I, or Ikey, Catanar, would explain it to him. He now sat down; and Ikey, with but little assistance from me, and in presence of two of the Catanars, gave him a good exposition of this Chapter. I could evi

dently see that both Catanars and the man were much surprised at the extent of knowledge which this shewed. I do think that a Christian Minister, of conciliatory manners and meek spirit, could not spend his life more profitably, than in going through these Churches, pointing out the resources of improvement which the people possess, and the best means of applying the same.

Angamalee, and Acaparumba.

Tuesday. Angamalee Church - This Church was built nearly 700 years since, and, like other Churches in this quarter, was burnt by Tippoo. There are connected with it and Acaparumba Church, 200 houses, or 1400 persons. In the past year there were about 100 baptisms, and 58 deaths. The Roman Catholics are numerous in this district, not less than 100 houses. The remembrance of the violences practised upon them by the Romanists is thoroughly fixed in the minds of the Syrians of this place. A few Syrians, however, not being able to give their daughters a dowry, and for this cause unable to get them marrieda first consideration with parents of this country-are induced to give them to the sons of comparatively wealthy Roman Catholics: thus the Priests secretly carry on the old craft-proselytism. There are four Catanars belonging to this and Acaparumba Church; viz. Joseph, fiftyeight years old-Ittecurian, fifty-eightAbraham, fifty-Jacob, thirty-seven. There are four Deacons, and one more appointed to the office, all of whom are now studying in the College. Church property, 30,000 Chuckrums.

He told

Accompanied by old Joseph, Catanar, I now walked to Acaparumba Church, four miles from Angamalee. me much of the miserable persecutions of the Romanists, when in power; and exhorted me to pay special attention to the grandson's Syrian studies.

I like

this old man much: he seems modest, generous, and open. About sixty-nine years ago, the Syrians gave the Roman Catholics 75,000 Chuckrums, as a premium for evacuating Acaparumba Church.

Parore.

Thursday. Parore Church-This Church was built about 200 years ago; and is the most spacious, except two, I have yet seen it would accommodate 600 persons. There are about 300 individuals connected with it; but as most of these live about two miles distant, and at the opposite side of the river, a small

Church was erected, some time since, for their better accommodation. The Metran lately ordained a Deacon to this Church; and two others, now in the College, are intended for the same.

Saturday. Cottayam-I reached home this morning. In the whole range of my journey, I found but one place where any thing in the shape of a School was kept up by the Syrians themselves. This is deeply lamentable, when we consider the wealth and security which they now enjoy. At almost all the places I visited, I conversed freely with the Catanars, in the presence of the people, upon this subject. every instance, what I said was well received. I endeavoured to shew them, that, as their persons and property were now secured to them by the presence and indirect influence of a great Christian Power, it became them not to neglect the proper instruction of their Youth, a duty so obviously insisted upon in the Word of God.

In

Visit to Churches South-East of Cottayam. Mavelicherry.

April 14, 1830. Mavelicherry - This morning I reached this place. One great object of my coming is, to inquire if I could, with advantage, establish an English Grammar School. On inquiring, I have their Children taught English. I am find that the people are all anxious to told that I could have, without difficulty, 350 Boys, consisting of Syrians, Brahmins, and Soodras. The Church here was built 300 years ago, by subscription. There are, at present, 300 houses, with about 1000 souls, belonging to it. Out of this number, there may be about 300 Boys capable of being taught. In the last year, 30 deaths and 60 baptisms have taken place. Only 2 Roman-Catholic Families, who attend no Public Worship. Here are 5 Catanars: Thomas, Thomas, fifty-six-Abraham, twentysixty-five years old - Alexander, sixty eight; married-and Jonah, twenty-six; married-One Deacon. Church property, 30,000 Chuckrums: twenty-four square miles may be the extent of the parish. The Rev. H. Baker has a School here.

Wemannee.

April 15. Wemannee Church- I found the Church crowded to excess, with persons come to celebrate the Crucifixion of our Blessed Lord. Having breakfasted, I entered the body of the Church, where I found two persons

of St. Matthew's Gospel, in Malayalim. This I understood was made some years since, by a learned Brahmin who had been converted to Christianity. It is mixed up with so many Sanscrit terms, that, inquiring, I found but few of the hearers could understand; yet they were, to all appearance, listening with great at tention, but it was only to the sound of the reader's voice. I sat down in their midst, made the readers continue their work, and was much gratified with the answers I received to some questions I put, on the sense of what was read: which I continued for an hour. Abandoning all secular labour till Monday next, I find it is the custom of the Syrians throughout the whole country to remain the principal part of their time in the Church, for the business of Prayer. I fear, however, from the specimen I have this day got of their devotions, it is an employ in which the soul takes but little part. The whole seemed to consist in kissing the ground and crossing the body. This Church was built by subscription, about 224 years ago. There are 150 families; out of which there may be 60 or 70 Boys capable of receiving instruction. Four years since, Mr. Baker had a Native School here, which has been continued by the Syrian Teacher on his own account. I find the Children have learned little, save Tamul Arithmetic. In the last year there were 53 baptisms, 35 deaths. There are two Catanars: Thomas, aged forty; and George, thirty-three: both married. No Deacon. I am pleased with the Catanars here, who seem to be plain honest men.

Tumbona.

April 16, 1830. Tumbona Church—This Church is five miles distant from that of Wemannee. I arrived about eight o'clock; and, as the day before, found the Church more than full of clean well-dressed men, women, and children, of all sizes. This Church, like most others, was built by subscription, 292 years since. There are 300 houses, or 1000 persons, connected with it: of this number, more than 100 Boys may be taught; but, alas! as in all other places, since Mr. Baker broke up his School, nothing has been done in the way of instructing the rising generation. In the last year, the number of baptisms has been 35; deaths, 120. Cholera was the cause of most of the deaths. The extent of this parish may be about 34 square miles. There are four Catanars, and three Deacons; viz. May, 1831.

four: both single-Jacob, forty-five— Thoma, thirty: both married, and have children. The Deacons are prosecuting their studies in the College. The Church property is about 20,000 Chuckrums. There are some very rich and respectable Syrians in this district. I saw most of them; and, in presence of the Catanars, exhorted them to establish a School for their Children. I told them that the surrounding Heathen paid more regard to the instruction of their Youth than they did. They acknowledged, and seemed to feel the justness of what I said. Upon asking the Catanars if any of their people had read the Rev. B. Bailey's Translation of the New Testament, they replied, that being full of Sanscrit terms the people could not understand it. I called a few persons together, and had some verses read of the Translation which was printed in Bombay, which all profess to understand; and then the same read in Mr. Bailey's; and, lo! they acknowledged Mr. Bailey's was the best Version. How does the human mind cling to old things!

Omallore.

April 17. Omallore Church - I found that the people were collecting from all quarters, intending to sleep in the Church all night, that they may be ready for Service in the morning at three. Some of the most sensible respectable Syrians I have met with in the whole country, I think, reside at Tumbona. The Catanars, and others, were exceedingly kind and attentive.

April 18: Sunday. Same place Service commenced at three o'clock this morning. It consisted in the Priests, followed by a large body of people, going in procession three times round the Church. They united the discordant tones of tomtoms, cymbals, castanets, with the cries of men, women, and children; which did not savour much of the rational, spiritual service which God accepteth: yet it was in this way that the glorious Resurrection of the Saviour was celebrated. I find, moreover, that some, supposing that they have given to God a

superabundant service during the seven weeks' fast, on this hallowed day revel in all manner of intoxication: and this is not all-the Priests raise up no standard against it. Two wealthy individuals built this Church, 270 years since: belonging to it are 636 families, or 2600 souls. Baptisms in the last year, 150; deaths, 100. Thirty years ago there

2 K

were only 400 families; so that the surplus number has increased since. About 35 Children are under a course of instruction, at their own charge. Mr. Baker had a School here four years ago. The extent of this district or parish may be about 120 square miles. There are five Catanars; viz. Zechariah, aged fiftytwo-Abraham, forty-eight-Zechariah, forty-three; all married-Joseph, thirtysix; single-Matthew, thirty-five; married. One Deacon; and two more appointed; one eleven, the other eight years old. In the course of this day I had some applications for printed copies of the Scriptures. Books are the great de sideratum, throughout the whole country. Would that our printing-fund could enable us to meet this demand! There are two Chapels of Ease dependent on this Church. In proportion as a desire for spiritual knowledge increases among the people, in the same proportion will the necessity of erecting additional Places of Worship be seen.

Korancherry.

April 19, 1830-Korancherry Church This Church was built at the expense of four wealthy families, now 300 years ago. There are now belonging to it 150 houses. In the last thirty years it has nearly doubled its population. Out of the whole number of families, 75 Boys, capable of being taught, are learning with Heathen masters. They have a few copies of the Acts of the Apostles, which they read in their houses, not in School. There are three Catanars; viz. Matthew, fortyfive years of age; married; three children-George, thirty-three; married; two children-George, thirty-one; married; two children. Church property, 35,000 Chuckrums.

Maramana.

At night, arrived at Maramana; which Church is only one mile distant from the last. It was built 300 years since, by public subscription; and has now connected with it 200 houses or families. In the last year there were 60 baptisms, and 32 deaths. There has been an increase of sixty houses in the last fourteen years. There are three Catanars: Zechariah, sixty years old-Alexander, fifty-Abraham, thirty-five: these are married, and two have three children each:-four Boys appointed to the Priesthood; one now learning in the College, the rest about to be sent there. Church property, 50,000 Chuckrums.

In the course of this evening I had an

interesting conversation with Abraham, Malpan. He is one of the Catanars of this Church, and four years since taught Syriac in the College. While I sat in his house, he asked me many questions about the meaning of Greek terms used in the Syriac. I much pleased him by the explanation I gave. He concluded by expressing an anxiety that I would teach his Nephew, a fine Boy now study. ing for the Ministry in the College, English, Greek, and Hebrew; observing, that the two last would be most serviceable in acquiring a true knowledge of the Syriac. I could wish to see this desire for sound knowledge dwell within the mind of all who send their little-ones to the College. Malpan's Wife, or Baskyama, as the Priest's Spouse is called, made her appearance, and chatted a little. Re membering the cruel state of ignorance and degradation in which the females of this land are kept, I rejoiced to see Christianity giving them their proper place.

Naranam.

Naranam Church - It seems that this Church was built upwards of 1000 years ago; and has 1000 families, consisting of 5000 individuals, connected with it. I find, moreover, that out of this number there may be 1000 Youths capable of being instructed; of which number 150 are now under a course of instruction in Mr. Baker's Schools, and 350 learning at their own charge; thus leaving 500 still to be educated. Baptisms in the last year 320, and deaths 153. The population has increased in the past thirty years, more than one-fifth. For the better accommodation of the district,there are three other small Churches; the duty of which is done by one or other of the Catanars here. In this parish are 29 Roman-Catholic Families, who have no Place of Worship of their own, and hold no intercourse with the Syrians. There are 10 Catanars; viz. Jacob, sixty-five years; single Joseph, forty-three; married-Alexander, thirty-eight; married-George, thirty-two; marriedJoseph, twenty-nine; married-Alexander, twenty-three; married-George, fifty-eight; married-Alexander, fortysix; single- the remaining two are sent to other Churches.

Cartigapalay, and Chepade.