The grave is silent-and the far-off sky,
And the deep midnight ;-silent all, and lone!"

Thus have I written you as men and women, and not as children. You will soon be men and women, and then you will understand why I could not do otherwise. I feel as a man, and not as a child; and I must write as I feel, if I write at all. In the loss of your mother, you have lost a correspondent who had a peculiarly happy tact in writing to children. Still, should the death of your mother prove the means of your repentance unto life, and the consecration of yourselves to God, your afflicted father will go on singing down to the grave,

"Sweet affliction, sweet affliction."

MAULMAIN.-Letter of Mr. Binney. Karen theological school-Normal school. Some of the details in this communication are more minute than we have been accustomed to present; but they serve to give a more correct idea of the character of the schools and their general arrangements, than could be easily obtained in so short compass in any other way. They embody, it will also be noted, one very important principle in the conduct of missions. "He is not the best missionary who spends the least money, but he who, with what he does spend, accomplishes [proportionately] the greatest amount of good."

there is evidently no more difficulty in inducing them to come this distance, than must be expected in almost every department of missionary labor; nor half as much difficulty as I have found, generally, in bringing the people of my charge in America to do their duty.

You will see by the estimate of expenses for this school for the next year, that it is much greater than heretofore. I ought to say this arises from the increased number of pupils in part; but in part also from the intention to make some change in the way of making charges. Formerly, the assistants, in school, only were charged to me; their wives and children were charged to Mr. Vinton, as they attended his school. It is proposed to charge all the assistants, while in their course of study, together with their families, to me, and to reckon their families as day scholars in Mr. Vinton's school. The estimate is also to include vacation, when the pupils are all dispersed through the jungle, doing what they can for the cause, while recruiting for the next term. However great the estimate may appear, it is with much pleasure that I can assure you that even Mr. Vinton, who is noted for low charges, expressed much surprise on learning the actual expenses of my school for the past term. They will, however, be somewhat more hereafter, from the circumstances which I have mentioned. I shall be understood, of course, in referring to small expenses. I do not, by any means, think him the best missionary, who spends the least money. But I would rather say, he is the best missionary who, with with what he does spend, accomplishes the greatest amount of good for the people and for the Our third term closed about three cause of Christ. On this principle, I weeks since; a term in which I have shall spend as little money as I can. I enjoyed more satisfaction than I could have raised too much money for mishave believed possible, after so short asions, not to remember where it comes period. The pupils generally have from, and with what difficulty you colbeen diligent and docile. I have had lect it. no more difficulty in the discipline of the school, than may occur at any period, however well disposed the pupils may be generally. It requires constant vigilance, with a very straight and uniform course. I have had, in all, thirty-eight pupils,-thirteen of them with their wives and children. Only eight or nine of these are from this immediate vicinity; all the others have come a distance of from four to sixteen days walk,-from Burmah Proper, and a few from Arracan. They appear to be quite happy, and

During the past term, much inconvenience has been felt for want of sufficient room in our Karen house. I built for only sixteen pupils and their families; but the past term, there were thirteen pupils and their families,leaving only three rooms, five by ten cubits, with a verandah of five cubits, used for their dining room, etc., etc., to accommodate the remaining twentyfive pupils of the Theological School and the eighteen pupils of the Karen Normal School. My only way was to distribute the rooms as well as I could.

It at once, however, rendered it impossible to preserve neatness and order in the boarding house, and I attribute the increased illness among them (which was much more than the first year) to this state of things. The brethren promptly voted me more rooms; but I could not during the term get them up, from the extravagant prices which were charged. It was not until about a month since, that I obtained a contract. I hope they will be done in a few weeks.

of the place, has kindly assisted Mrs. Binney five days in the week, for which she refused any remuneration, either by salary or presents. It was a service which money could not have bought in Maulmain, and for which we feel deeply grateful. Mrs. B. cannot possibly teach five or six hours a day in that school, and yet do justice to the families of our assistants. We fully appreciate the course you have taken respecting an assistant for us. You could do no more. And what ought to be now done, we are not ourselves yet prepared to say.

CHINA.—Letter of Mr. Dean.

We are happy to introduce to our readers again our beloved brother, Mr. Dean, reëntering his work with invigorated health and hope.

On Sunday, the 15th of November, I had a Chinese assembly of about 100 in the morning, and forty or fifty in the afternoon. My text in the morning was, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple;" and in the afternoon, Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." During the intermission, the natives had a prayer meeting, and at the same time Dr. Devan, aided by his teacher, conducted a service in the Canton dia

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The Karen Normal School has had, the past rains, eighteen pupils; more have since been added. About one third of them are girls. They are from four years to about twelve years of age, and a more promising little coinpany, taken together, I have seldom seen here or any where else. They take hold of study as though they loved it, and I am surprised at the ambition of these little subjects. They have had a vacation of two weeks, and have enjoyed their play-days like true children; but during the two weeks, they have three times requested to be permitted to commence their school again. To-day they are at their studies again in full zeal. I know you would smile to see these little subjects resolve to govern themselves. It was proposed for them to work one hour every morning, and for one of the men to work with them. This they regarded as quite derogatory to their honor, that they must be watched by a man. They requested to be tried; and for five months they have conducted them-lect at the Bazaar Chapel. In the eveselves, in their work, more like men than like boys. The moment an idler is noticed, they reprove him, and if he does not go to work, they take the little culprit by the arm and lead him to Mrs. B. to enter their complaint. I do not see but they succeed in their studies as well as children in America. However, at the close of the next term, Mrs. B. will give you her own report of these little subjects, the hope, after all, of the nation and of the church. I have yet provided no rooms for the girls of this school. They must, of course, be separate from the boys. They now sleep in my own house, as do some of the boys. I would be glad if the Board would authorize me to erect such accommodations as the brethren here may deem suitable for that school.

ning, I listened to a sermon in English at the "Union Chapel" connected with the London Missionary Society. The day was one in which I felt some interest for the heathen, in view of their fearful prospects, and found satisfaction in attempting to lead them to Christ. There were present a few men from Long Island, where we have rented a house for an out-station, to be occupied by one of the assistants as a place of worship; and where I hope to meet the people at stated seasons. There was also a man present from a village about ten miles to the northeast of Hongkong, on the main land, and where, he says, are a few hundred Tié Chiú men. I intend to visit them in a few days.

One of the church members, who lives at Pukia-Wau, on the main land, reports two or three persons who sometimes join with him in reading the Bible,

OBITUARY OF MRS. DEVAN.

From a letter of Dr. Devan, of Oct. 22, extracts from which have been published, it appears that the death of Mrs. Devan occurred at Canton on the evening of the Lord's day, Oct. 18. She had been indisposed a week or two previous, but it was only a few days before her decease that the indications of illness became alarming.

On the 12th of Oct. "symptoms of abdominal inflammation made their appearance, which resisted all the means which medical counsel could devise; and on the following Lord's day, at 10 o'clock, P. M., her spirit left the cumbrous clay, to join the great company of glorified martyrs that surround the throne.”

The church here (Hongkong) ap- I left for America, and appeared to live pears as well, and, perhaps, better than and die like a Christian. He was could be expected, when we remem- missed at chapel last Sabbath; but ber that it has been without the care nothing was thought of it, since the and counsel of any missionary for sea was rough and he had to come to nearly two years. One of the mem- worship by boat, being about five or bers is, just now, giving me some so- six miles from us. licitude, but the remainder appear like growing Christians. Several have renewed their application for baptism, and some who made the request before I left China, have since died unbaptized, but, I hope, not unregenerated. I am now quietly settled in my old house. Dr. Devan is repairing the house formerly occupied by Mr. Roberts, and is expecting to occupy it in a few days. The "Queen's Road Chapel" is undergoing some repairs. But of these matters you will be kept informed by the Treasurer. _We now stand thus:- Dr. Devan, Treasurer, and Mr. Dean, Secretary. You may perhaps ask, Where is the mission? And, in reply, I hope you may be able to say, that it is on the way from America. We are not about to make an appeal. The state of the mission is known to the churches in America, and if their hearts are under the influences of the constraining love of Christ, an appeal would be unnecessary; and if they are not, it would be unavailing. I have from five to fifteen Tié Chiú men at my daily worship. A fast of a few months has given me a keener relish for missionary work, and I am surprised at myself, in view of the pleasure I enjoy in attempting, even in this 1 broken manner, to teach these poor people. For a few months before I left China, my duties seemed a burden; but now I enjoy a measure of health and vigor which renders labor a delight. One must experience, in order to know the languor produced by a residence of a few years in a tropical climate; and one no sooner experiences than he knows the delight of a physical "regeneration." Instead of the sluggish flow of the current of life, health leaps in every vein; instead of the clouded brow and morbid irritability of the mind, the cheerful countenance is this?" I told her it was the Lord's speaks of the gladness of the heart day. "I am glad it is, and when shall I within; and instead of a sickly piety, die?" On being told that she could not there may be expected a stronger faith and more effective works for Christ. expect to see another morning, she said, Sim Lan, a member of the Tié Chiú "All is right!" "Lydia," said I, “ have church, died at his residence at Pukiayou any messages for your friends?" Wau, on the 26th ult. He was fifty-Only to tell them that my trust is in one years old, was employed in teaching school, had been in the habit of JESUS." attending our worship for a year before Whampoa;

The day before her death, she was asked, "Do you regret having come to the missionary field?" The answer was prompt and definite," O, no; nor that I came to "What Canton city." At another time, is the state of your mind?” “Peaceful.” Then she asked, "Do you think it possible for me to recover?" I replied, (and it was the first intimation I gave her of her danger,) "There is very great danger." "Well," she said, "I am very willing either to live or to die, to recover or not, as the Lord may please." On the following day she asked, Is my case fixed ?" I replied, “I fear it is.” “Oh,” "she said, "it will be a release, a happy release." Again she inquired, "What day

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Her remains were interred at services at the house by Dr.

Bridgman, missionary of the American Board | but the love of Christ constrained her to

11, contains the following notices of the recent ravages of cholera in that vicinity, and of the general state of the mission. The notes are by Mr. Day.

dressed to Mr. Day, under date of Sept. | out to him. I do not mean to say by this, that his heart did not appear affected. To me he seemed to possess faith in the Sa* * * * but vior, very weak to be sure; he did not feel the necessity of avowing it openly. *** Perhaps, had we visited him and the others residing at the same village, some good might have been done. O how happy, how thankful would we be were there a missionary here, [to take the charge of the station. D.] and we permitted to go abroad into the villages, as in former days. Though desired by you not to leave Nellore,' yet as every thing is going on smoothly, I am very much inclined to escape from this place for a few days on a visit to Verungam-pulla and Mittath-koor."

"That awful scourge, the cholera, has again made its appearance, and is making dreadful ravages in and about this place. Between ten and twenty are being daily carried off in Nellore alone. The doctor and dressers are doing all in their power in aiding the patients, but to little purpose. They have succeeded, however, far better in their efforts to cure the bodily diseases of men, than we have in our humble labors of the gospel. The people, as heretofore, hear us, and dispute with us, and ask for and receive the written word, but do not believe; or, if any believe, fear restrains them from declaring themselves openly. You can imagine the state of mind with which we look on corpse after corpse taken to the bed of the river.* What feelings such scenes awaken in our minds! We would fain believe that a few, at least, of the number who are being consigned to the funeral pile, will have repented and believed in the Lord Jesus in their dying moments.†

6

"A few days ago, I received a short visit from an old acquaintance of [the village] Mittath-koor. This was the second time he called on me this month. He promised to come again and stay with me a few days. Alee Sahib, the person who kept back br. Elisha's Epistles,' at Verungampully, paid us a visit soon after you left, and staid with us about a fortnight. He appeared to have acquired a pretty good understanding of the leading principles of Christianity, and he would at any time profess it, were inducements of livelihood held

*The common resort for all classes for both burning and burying their dead. D.

+ Previous to 1840, no such hope could have cheered the heart of the Christian who might have been witness to the same distressing ravages of the cholera in that place. But now the word of the gospel has been extensively preached there, and thousands have heard and might believe, and call on the name of the

Lord. D.

* * * *

[Mr. M'Carty had engaged a small room in the Main or Bazaar street of the town, where they had daily preaching, and generally gave away a few scriptures and tracts. And he says, "It is only at times that we meet with opposition." D.]

"The Moguls are becoming more and more interested in investigating the scriptures, and have applied to me for a copy of the Old Testament in Hindustani. I have lent them your Pentateuch. Not satisfied with this portion, the younger brother set about learning the English, to be able, as he says, to read the Bible himself. *

**