could walk with safety, even during the day. In other places, taxes have been unjustly levied upon the Christians, while their Heathen neighbours are exempted in one place, the Congregation was obliged to pay their annual tax twice, with a fine of 50 rupees for nothing! Their loss amounts, in all, to several hundreds of rupees. Here and there their lands have been wantonly and cruelly disputed; their crops withheld or destroyed; their persons maltreated. In some places, the enemies were, at one time, even so bold as to publish, that Government had sent orders prohibiting people from becoming Christians, and directing that those who were so already should no more assemble together for Divine Worship. In addition to all this, in the Congregations themselves there have been persons giving way to their evil passions, and causing strifes and animosities. Under all these circumstances, it is no wonder at all that the unsettled and timid draw back, and that the well-inclined Heathen hesitates to join the Church. Still there is much room for encouragement and praise. The good work on the whole, in every branch of it, is going on. Including the Schools, there are nearly 10,000 Natives under Christian Instruction, by the Society. Idolatry is greatly on the decline, even among the Heathen. Christianity is, on the whole, respected, and even former cruel enemies have become its friends. This is particularly the case with a rich Native in the country, who a few years ago persecuted the Christians near him even to blood: he seems, for some time, to have been their friend, and encourages their increase. That all this is a thorn in the eye of the Arch-Foe of God and man, and that in consequence he excites the passions of benighted men against us, is most natural, and must be expected. He is rapidly growing weak; but when will his defence depart from him altogether? This is what I entreat every Philanthropic Christian Mind most earnestly to pray for; likewise, that the Divine Spirit, the Spirit of Grace, of Prayer, and of Glory, may be abundantly imparted to all Labourers, both Native and European, and to all Congregations. Finally, I beg leave to state, that our Mission Villages have been taken notice of by Government; and that we are directed to apply for the sanction of the Honourable the Governor in Council, to hold them in the name of the Society. We heartily pray that Government may be inclined to favour these Institutions with their countenance and support; as they are a public good, tending to enlighten and moralize the people, particularly in this district, which, perhaps, is not surpassed by any other in lies, deceit, perjuries, robberies, violence, oppression, and cruelty. Christianity alone can check this torrent of iniquity; and, I trust, has already begun to do so. We select a few passages from Mr. Rhenius's Journal, calculated still further to illustrate the state of this Mission. Encouraging Occurrence. Nov. 24, 1830- Early this morning arrived at Kalliturei; where we found no Bearers ready, and had to wait till noon. The Lord enabled me to improve the interval. The Tasildar, and other Natives of the place, were open to Religious Conversation, and received Books with much pleasure. The son of a Tasildar, hereabout, in the service of the Travancore Government, is instructed in English, by Simon, a Portuguese Young Man, formerly with us. He sought me out, and came to inform me of the progress he had made, and to thank me for his Teacher. Upon closer inquiry, I was happy to find that Simon keeps steady to his Christian profession, and is useful to the young Brahmin in making him acquainted with the Bible. The Brahmin spoke with much feeling about the sufferings of Christ, which he had read therein. He was eager for more Books. Who knows what precious fruit this mustard seed may bring forth for the Garden of the Lord? Examination of the Seminarists. Dec. 30-This day was appointed for holding the Half-yearly Examination of the Seminarists. The Seminarists were examined in Tamul Reading, Grammar, Ciphering, and construing Tamul Poetry; in English Reading, Grammar, Arithmetic, and Geography; in Latin Reading, and Grammar. Only two Boys remain of the Hebrew Class: they have had no instruction in it this year; but I examined them, to see whether they had forgotten it. I was glad to find that they had not. In the other Lessons they gave us considerable satisfaction. 1831.] INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. At intervals they made Declamations; They have declared to the Zemindar's viz. Abraham recited a few pieces of Ta- David pronounced Cicero's Sentiments Persecutions of the Converts. Dec. 9, 1830-The Catechists have been here since the 6th. On the whole, the Congregations are quiet. Here and there, however, the Tasildars evince their hatred to the Christians; finding that they can do so with impunity. The Tasildar in Calcand, particularly, seems to disregard every thing that is just, if he can but injure the Christians. The other Heathen, of course, take courage from such examples, to do likewise. I do not wonder, that, under such circumstances, new Members get frightened, and forsake the assembling of themselves together. The Congregation in Tinnevelly also suffer much from injustice: several of its unsettled Members grow lax, and murmur. We have none to look to, but the Lord; and He will doubtless overrule all for good. Dec. 25 This afternoon came the good people of Pudiyaputtore, belonging to the Etiapooram Zemindar (Landholder). His servants oppress them greatly, and wish to force them to give up Christianity. With several they have succeeded, and the Congregation there has in consequence dispersed. The men who have come display the best spirit. Servants, that they may do what they like with them, but that they cannot compel them to renounce the Gospel. They are on the point of being reduced to poverty: their lands, their crops, are taken away from them. What can we do for them, but commit their cause to the Lord? State of Opinion among the Natives. Dec. 11-A rather poor Zemindar has lately been with me several times, and conversed about Religion. He is a great Vedanta (Hindoo Divinity) Scholar. I Our conwas surprised at his abilities. versations were very interesting. If I mistake not, I have succeeded in convincing him of the error of a fundamental notion of these Scholars; viz. that God is void of Attributes;" and that the Creator is inferior to God, because of His desire to create a world. A powerful excitement has been produced among the Natives in different parts of India, by a prediction which emanated from Benares, of impending changes and judgments. Mr. Rhenius thus notices the subject, in his Journal: Dec. 11, 1830-The Heathen here, and in Malayala, are in much perplexity about what is to happen in January next. The cause is a prediction sent to Malayala, from a famous Shastree (a person learned in the Shasters) in Benares, containing these words : "On Thursday night, the 7th of Januthe 17th ary of the year Vigividi [which or 18th of our January 1831] at ten o'clock, a poisonous wind will commence, and last two whole days. After that, on Wednesday, a most wonderful and dreadful flood will come. After that, during the day, about there will be half-past-twelve o'clock at noon, Then Veegreat trouble in the kingdoms. ravsanden will reign: at first well; then he will subdue all kingdoms under him. Afterwards, the people who are left alive will live to a hundred years old. Children will not die whilst their parents exist. All people There will be will become joyful, as one. 28 stars*. Sixty years long will be his reign; when, besides the twenty-seven stars, one more will appear: a great voice of woe will be; but it will die away, because that star brings prosperity. Everywhere will be submission and peace. All people will rejoice. None who hears or reads this must think it a falsehood. He that thinks it a falsehood, will be as guilty as one that kills ten cows and women; also, Hell will be his portion. All people must be informed of this. The * At present, the Natives reckon but twenty-seven stars, among which the hours of the day are divided people who know this must mind it, and act accordingly. They must do charities and other virtuous actions. This is the notice which Narayana Shastree of Kasi (i.e. Benares) gives.' Many persons treat this with ridicule; but in general the people are perplexed by it; and postpone many things as useless, which otherwise they would do. In former years, the people used to set out in these days for Ramisseram, to attend the famous Idol Festival there; but I hear that they do not go up this year, in consequence of the expectation of these fearful things. The people of Ceylon have also been thrown into a state of excitement, from a similar cause. In this case, the period fixed for the catastrophe is February 1832. Possibly, however, the two statements may be derived from the same original prediction, varied and corrupted, in passing from Benares over India and Ceylon. The matter, as it respects Ceylon, is thus communicated by the Rev. James Selkirk : In the Hindoostanee Year 1888, and Saleevahum Sagalden 1753, answering to the year A.D.1832, in the month of February, on the 5th day after the full moon, which will be on Saturday, and at the hour of 10 o'clock A.M., when the sun enters Capricorn, the present iron age of the world will be turned into a golden age; which will continue for 1000 years, when the general duration of human life will be 125 years. And, at the above-mentioned date, a Rajah will be born at the North Pole, about eight o'clock in the morning, of the race of the Moon; and that night will be lengthened to thirteen hours and a half; after the expiration of nine hours of which an earthquake will take place, when all tyrants and wicked people shall be destroyed, but holy and charitable persons will be preserved. Those who receive this account with doubt will undoubtedly commit sin; but those who receive it, and transmit it to other countries, will perform as much charity as if they had presented a thousand cows and horses. COTTAYAM. The Rev. J.B.Morewood took temporary charge of the Syrian College, in consequence of the return home of the Rev. Messrs. Bailey and Doran on account of ill-health. From his Report to the Corresponding Committee, under date of December 16th, 1830, we make the following Extracts. In addition to the charge of the College, he had under his care two sons of the Rev. T. Norton, three of the Rev. C. T. E. Rhenius, and one of the Rev. G. T. Bärenbruck; who are to be educated by him on the Nilgherry Hills, as soon as the Buildings are ready to receive them. Public Worship at the Grammar School. Divine Service is regularly performed, in the Grammar School-house, twice every Sunday; in the morning, in English, at half-past ten o'clock; and in the afternoon, in Malayalim, at four. I always preach in the morning, and the Rev. H. Baker in the afternoon. The attendance at the Morning Service may vary from 180 to 200. About 90 Deacons and other Youths from the College, about 30 of the Grammar-School Boys, about 50 of Mrs. Baker's Female Scholars, my own pupils, and Mr. Baker's family, compose the Congregation. Perhaps not more than 20 or 30 are able to understand the English Prayers and Sermon. We think it right, however, to continue this Service, both for our own benefit, and in order that we may shew, to those who are hereafter to be the Spiritual Guides of the Syrian Christians, the simple and sober usages of the English Church. Of course, our Communicants consist exclusively of our own families, as the Syrians partake of all Ecclesiastical Ordinances in their ownChurches. State of the College. I took charge of the College about the 21st of October. My duty to my Missionary Pupils will not allow me to give more than an hour-and-a-half a-day to the superintendence of it. There are now in the College about 95 Students. The appearance of proficiency is not so great and imposing as when the Venerable the Archdeacon visited Cottayam, and gave the Committee so interesting a Report of the progress of the Students. This, however, may be easily and satisfactorily accounted for. As I am unable to give my individual attention to the College Boys, I have been obliged to seek for assistance in carrying on the various exercises; and this could only be procured by breaking up the First Classes, both Mathematical and who previously composed them. Classical, and making Teachers of those most of them are Laymen, perhaps they could not be more usefully employed As than in imparting to others what they have themselves acquired. The First Class construes, in Greek, the New Testament and Analecta Minora. This Class I generally instruct myself, as it consists almost exclusively of Deacons ; and their Testament Lesson affords me an opportunity of teaching Divinity as well as Greek. The most promising Deacons belong to this Class. In Latin they read Horace. There is also a Virgil Class, a Casar Class, and a Selecta-è-Profanis Class. Poonen and Mamen, Deacons, form the First Class in Mathematics: they work, on alternate days, Propositions in the 11th Book of Euclid, and Quadratic Equations. The Second Class contains Seven Students: they work Propositions in the 1st Book of Euclid, and Simple Equations. The Syriac Classes are large, containing many Deacons who came too late in life to the College to attend to any thing which is not necessary for their admission to the Priesthood, or who display neither inclination nor ability for more abstruse studies. The afternoons are employed by the Junior Boys in Arithmetic, and in Reading and Parsing English, and translating it into Malayalim: and to the Deacons, Abraham, Catanar, expounds the Scriptures in Malayalim. I occasionally visit the College before Service on Sunday Mornings, and expound to the Deacons myself; but I have little pleasure or encouragement in the exercise, as I fear but very few understand enough of English to profit by my instructions, and the Malayalim is unknown to me. Generally speaking, the Students are willing to learn any thing which is prescribed to them; though many of the Deacons are inclined to spend an undue proportion of their time in the acquisition of the Syriac, as a good knowledge of this language will tell most in their subsequent life. Very few instances of obstinacy, and none of immorality, have met my observation. Of the existence of true spiritual piety amongst the Students I have little or no evidence. They appear to have no notion of the necessity of a change of heart, and rest satisfied with the performance of their own superstitious ceremonies. There is, however, sufficient encouragement to persevere in the labours in which the Society's Missionaries have been engaged. It should be particularly kept in mind, that those who have hitherto been educated in the College are but poor specimens of that moral and spiritual improvement which, under God's bless Nov. 1831. ing, may hereafter be effected. Hitherto the Students have been admitted at an advanced age; and, after a short period of study, have been speedily called away for the necessary supply of the Churches. Of the generation which has enjoyed a regular education, but few have yet left the College. It seems impossible, humanly speaking, that so large a measure of Scriptural Knowledge and sound learning can be imparted without producing some visible effects. But experience has frequently shewn, that the understanding may be enlightened, whilst the heart remains unsanctified; and I fear that there are some instances of it amongst the Syrian Catanars. Our eyes therefore, are unto the Lord; for unless He prosper the work of our hands, our labour will be in vain. In State of the Grammar School. To this part of my work I am able to attend very imperfectly; as I can only visit the School two or three times aweek, and sometimes not even so often. The Boys are principally engaged in learning Sanscrit and English. They read and parse English, and translate it into Malayalim; are exercised in the Simple Rules of Arithmetic; and commit to memory English Grammar and Watts's Catechism. I wish to give more time to this School; but my other engagements will not permit me. both these Institutions, mine is a work principally of superintendence. I endeavour to keep the Teachers diligent, and to point out to them the best methods of communicating instruction. Though, at my morning visit to the College, I usually take the Greek-Testament Class, yet I sometimes call any other which, at the time, occurs to me; and I am thus enabled to form an opinion of the diligence of the Teacher, and of the consequent progress of his Pupils. The Committee will be glad to learn, that the Small-Pox, which has scattered the Students for so many months during the past year, and so seriously interrupted the employments of the College, has now entirely disappeared. Studies and Proficiency of the Missionary Pupils. Mr. Morewood gives the following particulars relative to the progress and proficiency of the Missionary Pupils under his charge: I have under my care six Sons of Missionaries in connexion with the Church Missionary Society. Their education I 3 T find the pleasantest part of my work. The diligent application of one or two of my Pupils is highly praise-worthy; and will, I doubt not, when the difficulties which always attend an entrance on every branch of study have been overcome, be rewarded by a solid and respectable progress in sound learning. I am also not without well-founded hopes, that one or two of them are actuated by really pious motives. Private Prayer, and the study of God's Word, I know to be habitually attended to. Much of this, I am aware, may arise from a pious education; but I am willing to hope, and compelled to believe, that there is more than this. At this early period, however, we must rather carefully foster any cheering signs of piety, than rejoice in them as fixed and staple Christian Principles. I feel thankful to God for having put these pupils under my care. They cheer my solitude; and occupy much time, which, without them, must be spent in a much less pleasant and profitable manner. I desire that they should regard me as a Father and a Friend; and I trust that this is the case with those that have been longest with me, and consequently know me best. As it regards their studies, I am at all times accessible to them; and in every difficulty I encourage them to apply to me for an explanation. I am extremely anxious to be permanently established on the Hills, where we shall doubtless enjoy much greater advantages than we do at Cottayam. I am occasionally a little dis couraged by manifest and wilful idleness; but I soon find, that one single example of patient diligence and successful application abundantly compensates for many instances of carelessness and inattention. I trust the time will come when I shall see some at least of my little pupils devoted and successful Evangelists among the Heathens. This is surely a consummation of my unworthy endeavours, earnestly to be wished for; and one so important, that all who wish well to our Zion should help me by their prayers and in the belief that I am thus assisted, I desire cheerfully to proceed with my labours. We give the following Extract from Mr. Morewood's Journal, in reference to the Ministry of the Gospel in Malayalim. Det. 24, 1830-I was truly rejoiced, at Mr. Baker's Afternoon Service, to hear Philip, Catanar, read the Malayalim Prayers, and Ninah, Catanar, preach an excellent Sermon on the nature and consequences of Saving Faith. I would rather hear the Syrian Catanars preach in their own Churches than in our Grammar School, lest any should think that our object is to win them over to our Communion. It may, however, promote a mutual good feeling between the Clergy of the two Churches to exchange Services occasionally, as far as Preaching goes. We find so much difficulty in persuading the Syrian Catanars to preach, although it is enjoined by their own Canons, that we are glad to hear them doing it anywhere. The labours of the Rev. Thomas Norton have been subjected to some interruption, in consequence of a small allowance from the Travancore Government for educational purposes having been withdrawn. Mr. Norton earnestly recommends the establishment of Boarding Schools in preference to Day Schools, as better calculated permanently to profit those who are educated in them. There is no doubt that children placed entirely under the Missionary's care are more likely to be benefited by the instruction given them, than those who are so only partially. It is therefore desirable that a School should be formed at each Station, wherein a few of the boarded as well as educated: and more promising Youths may be this plan has been generally adopted in the more-advanced Stations of the Society's Indian Missions. But the Missionary's labours ought not to be limited to Schools of this description; because Village Schools, to the extent of his ability to superintend them personally, not only enable him more widely to diffuse the doctrines of Christianity by the education which the children receive, but they afford him numerous and very advantageous opportunities to preach the Gospel to the Adults, who are connected with |