of confidence in any other system." Hence he was a regular attendant at the Public Services of the Church, and always joined our party in the Marketplace and in the Bazaar Chapel. On this account he was subject to much obloquy. He was laid up of a fever for five days before I left for the Fair, and died about twenty days afterwards. Four days before his demise, my Nagree Copyist called upon him, and found him very much reduced: he recommended him to apply to some Native Physician. He refused, saying he had long since cast off all confidence in them; that his trust was in Messe eh (Christ), let what would be the issue. [Rev. W. Bowley. Value of the Scriptures in the Proceedings of Missionaries. Dec. 7, 1830-In the family, the Native Girls read the 42d Psalm; and the Lads in the Bazaar Schools read the first and second chapters of the 2d Book of Kings. The Old-Testament History I find is so applicable to the Natives, that it comes with redoubled force; and great interest is excited, without any umbrage being given. I would not, for my own sake, lose these opportunities, daily afforded, of explaining and enforcing the Divine Word to the Natives, for all one might enjoy from a different course. A greater power is granted the Word, at least to me; and I cannot but think that the same course would benefit others also. [Rev. W. Bowley. Illustrations of the State of the Natives. Jan. 20,1830-Walking along the beach this morning, a Brahmin came to beg alms, with whom I had much reasoning. He said, that all who serve God are much afflicted by Him, as was his own case. He was asked, whether mortals punished their children because they obeyed them. He replied, Certainly not." "And would you make God worse than yourself?" He laughed; and acknowledged, Christians have the true knowledge of God, and therefore are blessed in their deeds; although the people will not allow that you have any knowledge of God." Jan. 22-Had a long discussion with some respectable attendants and Pundits of a Rajah who is come hither to bathe. I recognised one of the Pundits, having met him at Buxar. They all mentioned the virtues of Gunga. Having admitted its natural effects, we denied and disproved its power to purify the heart from guilt; and spoke of their provoking the True God, and following after Idols which can profit them nothing. They tried to defend their system; but, by so doing, only caused it to be the more effectually refuted. A Pundit was constrained to yield up the deityship and virtues of Gunga, before a great crowd. One said, "How then can we be saved by Jesus Christ?" I was pleased to hear this, as it was a proof that the man had either heard or read of the Saviour; and I replied: "Christ is God Almighty, of infinite love: He became incarnate, and was made a propitiation for the sins of the whole world; for which purpose, He suffered, bled, died, rose again, and now pleads our cause before His Father. Here is real consolation. All seemed pleased, and appeared struck at what they had heard, without taking the least umbrage; though Hindooism was frely overturned. One asked, “Of what image is God?" Answer-" Of what image is your soul? If you cannot tell that, wherefore think to fathom the Deity. He is a Spirit, and has no shape. Hindoo "If the soul has no image or shape, it cannot suffer, nor can it sin." Ans.- There is the Rajah's Budgerow (cabined boat), pointing to it: suppose that certain persons are determined to rob it; could they not, before, lay out their plan for so doing? Now which is concerned in planning the deed-the soul, or the body?" This doctrine of the body alone being concerned in all the evils that are done seems universal with the Hindoos, according to the Vedant, the Bhagvat Geeta, &c. March 25 At nine A. M. all went to the Annual Melah at the Shrine of a Mahomedan Saint, where we remained till five P.M. reading and arguing. Though this is a Mahomedan Fair, yet ten Hindoos to one Mussulman come to present offerings at the Shrine. Thus will the Devil permit his slaves to go from one false system to another, without suffering persecution, &c. March 30-To-day, a Cuverite Gooroo came, and spent three parts of the day with us, making particular inquiries about Christianity. He manifested a wonderful knowledge of the history of our Lord, freely quoting from St. Matthew's and St. John's Gospels, to the astonishment of us all. He also spoke freely on the Tracts which he had read; and has completely made up his mind to embrace Christianity. He says he was a Brahmin, and for several years became a Devotee, performed pilgrimages, &c.; and for the last five or six years he settled in Cuverism, but still without satisfaction to himself. He has a wife and, I believe, three children, and a mother. He has a number of disciples, some of whom are opulent. He resides at Boojee Gurb, forty miles distant. About three months since, one of his disciples came to Chunar, and received, from Matthew Runjeet, a few Tracts, which were taken to him. On reading the Tracts, he found every thing very good in them: and whilst I was on my way to Cawnpore, he came to Chunar, to have an interview. Matthew gave him a copy of St. Matthew's and St. John's Gospels for himself, and 30 Tracts for distribution, telling him that I should be here about this time; when, according to promise, he came. He has distributed the Tracts, has given the Gospels to one of his disciples, and is now reconciled to cast off his former badge and to embrace Christianity. He said he would permit the bead to remain about his neck, till he got amongst some of his most intelligent disciples; when he would shew them the uselessness of the bead, and point them to Christ in the Gospel as the only way to happiness, and break the bead, and get all he can to do the same. I have not before seen such an instance as this of one being so evidently taught without the help of man. Oct. 24, 1830: Sunday-Had Family Prayers at day-break; and before sunrise all went to the Market-place. From hence, went to a different part of the Bazaar: read as before, and gave away but a few Tracts. Could not but feel grieved at the deplorable state manifested by the people. Alas! they seem to be in a deep sleep of insensibility. All concern for eternal things seems obliterated from every mind. However, during the day, things assumed a favourable appearance: people continued to come and go, till we went out in the evening. A Devotee, who had heard us in the morning, and manifested that he had read and heard of the Saviour, came and argued with our people respecting killing animals; and could not feel satisfied on this head, till he had been with us for an hour. He said he liked every thing in Christianity, but this sanctioning the killing of animals. Hence it became necessary to enter fully into the discussion of the subject, and shew him that all ani And mals are not alike; that God intended that animals should subsist on animals; hence fish live on fish, cats on mice, tigers on other animals, &c. though the Christian Religion sanctions animal food, it binds no person to eat this or that; but it may be considered as if four dishes of food were prepared by a father for his child, and he left it to the choice of his child to make a meal of one dish alone, or a little of each for thus it is that God deals with us; and the Scriptures say, Let not him that eateth, judge him that eateth not, &c. He seemed satisfied, and professed his entire faith in Christianity; saying, that he should now close up his concerns here, and follow me as soon as he could ta Chunar; only entreating that I would leave him what portions of the Word I possessed. I gave him the Hinduwee New Testament, a copy of the Psalms, and a few Tracts. Oct. 28 After Prayers, all walked round the Fair, and entered within the precincts of Brighu's Temple. A conversation was opened with the most learned Brahmin, who presides. He felt constrained to yield that Idolatry was wrong, though enjoined by the Shasters; but said, "We have a system different from this for ourselves, and for those whom we have any influence over; only we are obliged to inculcate this system to the populace, otherwise they would hoot us away."-" True, very true; but are you not acting the part of a hypocrite, by believing in one system, and inculcating another? Are you not responsible to your Creator for your actions in the body? Do you not know that you are destroying your own soul, as well as the souls of others? Will the world stand by you, when God brings you into judgment? Let me tell you what God has done to save sinners; and this is the only door open for the sinner to escape eternal punishment. Every other system of Religion, being of man's invention, will lead to certain ruin." In the afternoon, the Readers went among the Devotees, and found a Mussulman arguing against Idolatry. On our friends approaching, he ceased; and our friends were desired to speak to the people. They then read a Tract, wherein Christ is set forth as God Incarnate, the Saviour of sinners. Here they were interrupted by the Mussulman, who said it was blasphemy to call Christ God; that they believed him to be a true Pro phet, and a great one, but not more. The Readers replied, “Christ was called God before his incarnation, by the Prophets; and His life proved that He possessed the attributes of Deity, &c.: but as to Mahomed, you cannot prove that he was a Prophet: his life was altogether inconsistent with that of a holy man. Convince us by sound argument, and we shall admit Him, as we do others, to be a Prophet of God." The Mussulman said, "It is a good thing you live under an English Government: were the Government ours, we should instantly hang you all up on this tree, and torture you till you had embraced Mahomedanism: but we are powerless, and therefore you speak as you do." Nov. 9, 1830-Early this morning, as Thakoor and I walked towards a miserable-looking village, a well-built house at tracted our notice; and, upon inquiry, it proved to belong to a Devotee. This excited our curiosity not a little, as it was built much in the European style : its walls, as well as those of the area, were of burnt bricks; and the dwelling was two stories high, with a fine thorny fence enclosing the whole of the premises; into which we walked, and had an interview with the owner. On learning my errand, he asked whether I was sent on the part of Dr. Carey. I found, from inquiries, that he had seen the Doc tor some fifteen or twenty years since, and had heard something of Christianity. On speaking of what Christ had done for a world of sinners, he asked whether Christ had ascended up into heaven with the same body which he had upon earth. He then said that every thing composed of matter should undergo corruption: this was in allusion to Christ's body. In reply, he was asked whether he knew the cause of our death; which was explained to him, and also the love manifested by God in giving His only Son to suffer the penalty due to the sins of the worldthat Christ assumed our nature pure and holy, and did not see corruption. He said that we did not possess the power to keep ourselves undefiled from the pollutions of sin, and that this went to prove that God is the author of all evil. In reply, he was asked the cause of the total depravity of mankind. The state in which our first parents were created, their fall, and the estrangement of their descendants from their infancy-the idol Self, set up from their very birth-the necessity of Christ's Atonement for the August, 1831. sins of the world, and the consequent blessings therefrom arising to the sinner-and the necessity of humiliation and of entire dependence upon the Omnipotent Saviour -were set before him: all which he heard with attention, and seemed desirous of knowing more: he therefore made parti, cular inquiries as to my name and residence. Dec. 14-A man, who had been with us for the last three months, came to us in a most distressed state, eaten up with disease, having been rejected from the Hospital, apparently past cure: he presented himself to us, and was of course admitted, but with very faint, if any, hope of recovery. The means prescribed were, however, so far blessed, as to restore to him the free use of his hand and foot; one of each was hardly deemed curable. One time, under the Means of Grace,he seemed truly under the influence of the Spirit; but having quenched His holy motions, he gradually fell away, began to act with duplicity, and to tell lies in order to deceive. He was told he must now commence working for his own subsistence; to which, apparently, he readily assented; but in the dusk of the evening he stole away, with his boy, who Iwas entirely under Christian Instruction during the time. How lamentable! how awful! Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Living God, are fallen and depraved creatures like us to be converted, and eventually saved. How loudly do these instances call upon the people of God to supplicate the Throne of Grace for the outpouring of the Divine Spirit! Dec. 18-Attended our Evening Catechetical Exercise and Family Prayer; after which the Molwee entreated me to attend to him, and we conversed till half-past nine P. M. He remembered what was told him, that there were several Doctrines of Christianity which are mysterious and beyond the reach of fallible reason to comprehend; and admitted, that the Trinity was One. He inquired of Christ, both before and after his Incarnation; of the necessity of his Atonement; whether the Prophets were sinless; and if involved in sin, what confidence could be placed in them. To which it was replied, that they were all the natural and fallen descendants of Adam, but by Divine Grace chosen and called of God to the faith of the Promised Messiah; by which faith their sins were pardoned, and they were made 3 B righteous through the righteousness of Christ: and thus considered sinless, they were Messengers, sent to the people to deliver those things that had been revealed to them-that they possessed no more power than we do, to save sinners. He also asked, whom we considered, or whether any, as the greatest among the Prophets. To which it was said, that God revealed and manifested Himself in a more familiar manner to some, than to others; but in the main point, i.e. that they were fallen helpless sinners, they were all alike. He also asked whether Peter was not chief among the Apostles; also, "What is faith?" A. "Faith is of two kinds, dead and alive: the first admits or credits what has been said, without influencing the conduct: the second is, the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, which transforms the heart and renovates the life, by sorrow for past guilt, and trust in the merits of Christ's Atonement for pardon, and on His Grace for sanctification." He also asked me what I thought became of Judas, since he repented of his sin of betraying the Saviour; and also of Pontius Pilate, who pronounced Christ guilt less. A. From the Scripture, it is clear that Judas was lost; not so much on account of that sin, as despairing of mercy, and committing suicide: had he, with all his sins, gone to the Saviour, he would doubtless have been received and saved, as many of our Lord's murderers were. Pontius Pilate was guilty, in that he delivered Christ to be crucified, from fear of the world, after he had pronounced Him guiltless; and it appears, from History, that he came to a miserable end." Molwee—“ When a person embraces Christianity, what is he to do with an unbelieving wife and brother? must he cast them off?"-A." Certainly not: unless the unbeliever wishes to depart, love and affection should be manifested, and all lawful means tried to win them over to the Gospel Salvation." He now recollected what he had read in St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, and admired it greatly. From what passed, it was evident that he had read the New Testament with understanding and attention. [Rev. W. Bowley. Nov. 23, 1830- Left Chunar. The first village I came to was Pateetah, a considerable place, with a police, five miles from Chunar. Proceeded to the most public place of the Bazaar, and read the Tract True Counsel," to a great crowd collected about me. Several persons said that this village was visited last year by two of our Brethren, who brought a number of Tracts and distributed them. On finding that some who were present wanted books, I supplied their wants. After this, called on the Thanadar (Officer); who, having expected my visit, had invited some of his neighbours to meet me. On being seated, I presented the Thanadar with a New Testament, a copy of the Psalms, Isaiah, and two Tracts. On accepting these, he wished to know the contents of them; and a brief explanation was given him. After this, the following conversation took place: Thanadar—“ Have you become a Christian? Did you, before you became one, examine the tenets of the Hindoo and Mahomedan Religion ?" Christian"Yes, I have examined both." T. "Can you give me your reason?" I read the "Brief Sketch of Hindooism;" commenting, and shewing the absurdities of the Hindoo Religion, as I read it. The Thanadar then told the people who were about him: "In this country the people worship precisely as this Christian has stated; but in Cashmere, which is my native place, we do not worship as you do." Turning to me, he asked, But what are your objections to the Mahomedan Religion ?" I then read the Tract containing "Certain Marks of a True Prophet," in which Mahomed's pretensions to being one are refuted; and proved that the religion which he propagated could not be from God. "6 Nov. 24-Went to the Bazaar, and read the Tract on the Evil of Sin. Having finished it, a Cloth-merchant invited me to his shop, and asked, "Who is Jesus Christ ?" Christian-" He is the True God, and the Saviour of the world." Mahajun-"How do you prove this?" I proved it from those passages wherein He is said to be the Creator of the Universe; and spoke on the Creation, the Fall, the Promise of a Saviour, who became incarnate at the very time at which He was, by several Prophets, predicted to appear; who suffered in our stead, gave his life as a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the world, ascended into heaven to intercede with the Father, and left instructions with his Disciples and with us to proclaim to every sinner, that He is the only Saviour, and that whoso ever believeth in Him will obtain everlasting life, while those who do not believe Je shall not see life.-M. "What do you say to the incarnation of Ram and Krishna ?" C. "Your books say they were incarnations but compare the life of Ram and Krishna with that of Jesus Christ, and you will perceive what they have done, and what Christ has done for you. sus Christ gave His life for our sins, that he might thereby discharge the debt of sin on our account; but what have Ram and Krishna done for you? Be pleased to tell me." M. "By taking their names, millions of our sins are effaced and blotted out." C. "Will the magistrate release the murderer for repeating his name, and giving a bond not to murder in future?" M. "No." C. "Do you admit that God is just?" M. "Yes." C. "How can God then, in justice, permit the sinner to go unpunished?" To evade the subject, the Mahajun said, "This is a new thing to us, and we cannot leave off the religion of our fathers." 66 Nov. 29, 1830- Benares. After refreshment, went to the river-side. Here met a Devotee in a state of nudity, and others. The Devotee, on seeing me, inquired what I had in my hands. I said, The Word of God.' Another said, "These are the Christian's books. Devotee "No, it is God's Word. The Christians worship God, and we Ram." I said, "Why do you not say, thirty-three millions of Gods are worshipped by us?” A Brahmin-“The same Ram pervades all." C. "Who is it, that is in you and me ?" B.“ The very same Ram who is in me, is in you." C." Come then, we will eat together." B. A distinction has been made by the world; but when prejudices are removed, we shall be able to eat together." C."If the same Ram is in all, why is there any prejudice and distinction?" B." The delusion of the Deity has kept us astray." C. “What! is Ram subject to delusion ?” B. "No; but Delusion is his handmaid." C. Well, according to your statement, that very Ram, who has Delusion for his handmaid, is in both of us?" B. "Yes, the very same." C. "Why do you not open your eyes, and consider what you say? Ram is not in the wrong, and yet Delusion is his handmaid; how is this soul, then, involved in errors and afflictions? It appears that you neither know Ram nor yourselves, but only fancy things for yourself. You know nothing of the True God; therefore your prayers, fastings, and pilgrimages can be of no use. He who is about to discharge an arrow should ور fix a mark, or else it will be useless." [Christian Tryloke. 66 66 Wednesday- Proceeded to Belwan, twelve miles from Chunar, on the Mirzapore Road. Early next morning, several collected round me; among whom was the chief Devotee of the place. Being an acquaintance, I offered him books. He said, "Have you any Sanscrit ?" Ans. None. But you are welcome to what books I have." He then read the Tract "A Sketch of Hindooism, and said, "I worship the Supreme Being." Matt. "You name the Supreme Being, but know nothing of him: you approach him through Idols; consequently you know not the True God. How have you obtained the knowledge of God?" A. Through my Spiritual Guide." I quoted a verse from a Hindoo Book, shewing that both Gooroo and Disciple are blind. Q." Who then is to be guide?" A. God is a Spirit, and we cannot know Him of ourselves. He has therefore made a revelation of Himself." Q. "Which is the Revelation ?" A." The Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that we might be saved through Him. The Word became incarnate, and dwelt among us, and revealed the mind of God to us, which is contained in the New Testament." Q. What! Do you mean to say that all our Incarnations are false ?" A. Do you but examine, and compare the Life of Christ with your Incarnations, and you will be enabled to judge for yourself." This saying pleased the man much. He confessed that he had done a great deal to obtain the knowledge of the Truth; but has not been satisfied. He left me; and the people began to say that they considered the Devotee a great saint, and "he says that he is not satisfied with his own system! What is this? It appears there are very good words in these books." Left them; and proceeded to my native village, two miles further on. Here my acquaintance came round me; and began to reproach and accuse me, saying that they had heard strange things of me. Q. "What is it that you have heard?" A. "That you have become a Christian: pray what have you obtained by taking such a step ?" Matt. "I have obtained every thing which is contained in the word Salvation: there is nothing to be put in competition with |