He is a weaver, and in comfortable circum-gospel message, and availed himself of every stances, and can read the scriptures in opportunity of listening to it, and about six Bengáli.

his friends threaten immediately to put him out of caste. Such is not the case with

Mohammadans, and therefore they enjoy the privilege of receiving religious instruction, of which the poor Hindu is destitute, owing to the strong prejudice of caste.

More baptisms.

August 2nd, 1849. On the second sabbath of July last I had the pleasure of baptizing two converts from Mohammadanism in the village of Halimpur, which is situated to the east of Sátberiya, and nearly a mile distant from it. I was glad to find a large number of Hindus and Mohammadans collected near the waterside to witness the ceremony. Many of them had never seen the administration of the ordinance of baptism, and their curiosity was gratified, but I hope the sight of it made some serious impression on many of the spectators. I addressed them for nearly an hour before leading the converts into the water. I was much pleased to observe my auditors seriously attentive, and I hope that some of them ere long will turn to the Lord. An European gentleman from the Trimony Sugar Factory attended on the occasion, and he seemed to take an interest in the matter, as he holds Baptist principles.

The converts-Prospects.

With regard to the converts, suffice to say, that we hope that they are sincere, and by the grace of God will honour their profession. Several months previously their walk and conversation had been consistent, which affords us an evidence that they will continue to do so, and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I expect to baptize four believers in this place (D.v.) on the ensuing sabbath. Thus we are encouraged by the success the Lord is graciously granting us. Of late I have had constant applications at my house for the scriptures, and I have liberally supplied the applicants with the word of God, with my prayer that its contents may be blessed to the conversion of the recipients. On such occasions I have availed myself of the opportunity of addressing a few words for the good of the souls of those who have sought for the scriptures. All the applicants confessed that their shástras were erroneous and delusive. The Puránas, &c., are fast falling into disrepute amongst the Hindus. time is coming when all who can read will seek for the bible, and I fear we shall not be able to supply the demand. Let us hope, however, that the Lord will provide.

RETRENCHMENT.

The

Under this head we propose to bring together a few passages from the letters of our missionaries, on whom the announcement of the necessity of retrenchment has produced a most discouraging effect. The long continued decline in our funds rendered this course imperative; and although there are some encouraging symptoms of improvement, yet it is not enough to enable the Committee to write these brethren and say "Go forward." We lay these heartrending epistles before our readers with the deepest grief, yet not without the hope that they may lead the followers of Christ to a renewed consecration of themselves and their all to God, that the work of grace and the salvation of the perishing be not hindered. Brethren, listen to the cry that reaches you from lands of pagan darkness and deepest wretchedness. Be mindful of your Lord's command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Our brother THOMAS, of Calcutta, under date of September 7th, thus writes:

The determination of the Committee to The total exhibited by the statement is rather reduce the expenditure from £7000 to £5700, more than 5500 rupees per mensem, equal to is really heartrending, and will cause con- 66,000 [£6600] for the year, without allowance sternation throughout the mission, and make for extras. How to reduce the monthly paymany hands to hang down; and will be re-ments even to 5000 rupees, I am at a loss; the garded as merely the beginning of the end.

How to bring down the expenditure to any thing like the sum you mention I cannot con

ceive.

A few weeks ago I made out a list of stations and agents, appending to each, as nearly as I could, the amount which would have to be paid by the agents per mensem. The statement is not perhaps quite correct; at all events I must go over the items again.

subject, however, will have the earnest consideration of the brethren. I hope that providence will somehow appear in our favour, so that the awful reduction your letter calls for will not be necessary, at least to its full extent. We want, and have long been calling out for, more help, and now to be told that none can be given, and that the aid hitherto afforded must be reduced is extremely dis tressing.

From Delhi, Mr. THOMPSON, under date of September 6th, thus addresses the Secretary:

It is with deep grief I sit down to reply to your letter and the Committee's resolution on the subject of reduction. From the time the Society withdrew their support of my Christian readers, now some years, I felt it quite necessary to retain their assistance, and took their support on myself. About the same time, the expenses attending my missionary journeys were also withheld, and believing that such distant visits from home were eminently calculated to do good towards the diffusion of the gospel and the distribution of God's word, I availed myself of the contributions of G. Edmonstone, Esq. (now in England), and was happy in being able to continue them without the usual cost to the Society. Mr. Edmonstone has since left India, and the travelling charges to Hurdwar this year had to be met by myself. Another journey must (D.v.) shortly be undertaken, if the usual amount of annual labour is to be performed, in the hope of doing good, and the expense must be borne by myself. Ever since my union with the Society in 1812, all such expenses were met by themselves, even when I travelled for three or four months together. I have, besides, to supply our worship with lights, which, under no circumstances, have I charged the Society with, being too happy to bear their cost, and have long paid a watchman, or chokeydar, for guarding the chapel and its furniture, and Not less distressing is the following from Mr. MAKEPEACE, of Saugor, under date September 7th :—

still pay for its occasional repairs, when injury is sustained by the rains. In all the charges above enumerated, and by other incidental expenses, I have relieved, and still continue to relieve, the Society of about 374 rupees a year, which was always borne by themselves (the charge for lights and chokey. dar excepted), and now I meet them. The Society are put to no expense for house-rent, nor has any aid been solicited for my station chapel. All the expense the Society are put to at this station is for my salary, for the support of myself and family, for which, with heartfelt gratitude to the great Head of the church who sent me into the field thirty-seven years ago, I feel exceedingly thankful to the Society. After paying all expenses we have not, at times, literally and truly one rupee left, and I am sure you will believe me when I say, that before the end of the month we have at times to borrow five or six rupees for current expenses. No part of our pay have we or do we lay by; as a matter of course, all goes that comes, through the very economical management of Mrs. Thompson, who, besides paying servants (a heavy charge in India), providing food for the family, manages to clothe all in decent clothes, a suit or two now and then, half-a-dozen of any article of linen being out of the question, as imprac ticable with our means.

What shall I say to the resolution of the efforts, a people for his praise; but these do Committee to restrict for the present the not, cannot supply the place of a missionary operations of the Society within narrower brother, with whom you can take counsel, limits? How you are to do that in India, as and who can share alike your toils and your it regards European and East Indian agency, sorrows. Far be it from me to complain. I I know not. Mr. Beddy has left Patna, so hope, through strength communicated from that that important station shares the fate of on high, to pursue my labours, both English Allahabad. Brother Thompson of Delhi is and native with vigour, until compelled to at the grave's mouth, being far advanced in pause. My constitution has been much years, and no provision has been made for a shattered, and you must not be surprised if, successor. Should he be suddenly removed as the result of unceasing exertion and care our mission in Delhi must of course be at in an Indian climate, I should ere many years least temporarily abandoned. Brother Phil- have passed by, either fall into a premature lips is still alone at Muttra. A few months grave, or be hurried away to seek renovation ago he was complaining of bad health, and in a more genial clime. Believe me, I am spoke of seeking a change either in England perfectly ready to work alone amidst a popuor at the hills. Should he leave, who is there lation of nearly two millions of people-to to occupy his flock? At Agra you have no preach in English twice a week-in the native accredited agent of the Society, Mr. Williams tongue three or four times-to meet inquirers having become pastor of the English church-visit the members of the church and conthere. His duties are too onerous to allow of gregation-attend the hospital-instruct our his engaging to any extent in missionary efforts.

Then look at Saugor. Here am I, a lone missionary, heaving a sigh after a fellowlabourer of a kindred spirit. True the Lord has abounded in goodness towards me in gathering together, through my unworthy

native agents-write hither and thither for the means of support, or labour myself in instructing a few boys (as I do now for two hours in early morning), so as to secure a sufficiency without appealing to the Committee for aid.

Remember, my dear sir, that the native

mission and operations in Saugor have not since my arrival cost the Society one farthing. With the exception of a small sum given by some gentlemen in the station, the whole amount required for the maintenance of our native establishment is paid from my own salary, and from the sums I have realized through the above mentioned private efforts. The majority of the donors have preferred the sabbath school as an object of support. Whilst our members have, generally speaking, enough to do to sustain the English services, and meet other demands. The rent of a

building, cost of lights, servants, &c., make up, in toto, no inconsiderable amount; what reduction, therefore, can I make? Myself and family cost you less by fifty rupees per month than what we did at Agra, whilst the native mission costs you nothing, and by the blessing of God it shall cost you nothing. Until we have an English chapel of our own, our people cannot be expected to do much more than they at present accomplish. I cannot enter now into further detail, but will do so when I send my annual report.

We earnestly intreat the churches of Christ to take these matters into prayerful consideration, and if possible avert the painful trials which seem to hang over our beloved and first established missions in India.

BRITTANY.

MORLAIX.

Our missionary brother, Mr. JENKINS, writing the 6th November to the Secretaries, favours us with the following account of his labours and prospects in the interesting land where he is called to labour in the gospel of Christ.

Since I wrote last I have baptized our Breton bible colporteur, Omnes. We are fully persuaded he is truly converted to the Lord, and he is a consistent and excellent Christian. Preaching in the country commenced at his house; and he has been very useful ever since in connexion with that work, and in distributing the New Testament. He suffers all reviling for Christ's sake with admirable patience, and is never ashamed nor discouraged to confess the Saviour before men. His house is always open to preach the gospel therein, and he is always ready to invite his neighbours to hear it.

I have been this time somewhat longer with the Lord's blessing, that will bring this than usual before writing to the Society. I people out of darkness into light, and from am glad to say that preaching in the country the power of Satan into the kingdom of the continues. I regret that I have not been Redeemer. able to attend sufficiently to this part of my work for want of an assistant. I preached lately in the part of the country which I generally visit for that purpose. I held four meetings in three different parishes. These were not out-of-door meetings, but held in private houses. They were fairly attended, and the attention was good. The people here wish me to preach to them oftener, and more regularly, and it is truly desirable that I should do so. I trust I will be able to preach in that neighbourhood oftener. At Belle-Isleen-Terre I intend taking a convenient room, as the house of our friend Georget is inconvenient, and too far out of the town. While Sabbath day the 30th ult., I was to baptize experience shows the difficulties which attend two men, one a Breton, and the other a young every step of the progress of our work in this Frenchman employed in selling the scriptures. country, yet such is the state of things, and The French friend had come from L'Orient, a our prospects, that I am confident it will stand town from twenty-five to thirty leagues hence, its ground, and gradually go on, and triumph for that purpose, where he has been useful over difficulties. Very often after our meet- not only in selling the scriptures, but also in ings we have interesting and good conversa- creating a religious interest in the minds of tions on religion and the errors of Rome. many, who meet often in his room to hear The people will freely blame many things in the explanation of the word of God. But I their church, and their feelings generally are was not able to leave my bed on that day, strong against the avarice and the wickedness nor for some days after, having been taken ill of the priests; but it is somewhat astonishing with vomiting the day before. Through the how void they are of a true notion of the Lord's goodness I was not long ill, and am duty of man to come to God, form his Chris- quite well now. tian character, his opposition to sin and error, I devote some time to the translation of his life and actions, according to the word of Barth's Bible Stories. This work is not in so God. This indeed is one of the baneful forward a state as I could wish, as Mr. Wileffects of the system of popery. It is con- liams, of Quimper, has not been able to give tinual preaching, and other evangelical means, any assistance, as he intended.

The Bible Society has very kindly voted that a second edition of the Breton New Testament should be made, and I devote some time to the revision of the present version.

I have been for a long time in straits to know how to have an evangelist to meet the views of the Liverpool friends, and for a small salary. I could not write to Mr. Lacquet, as there was no prospect of means to pay his

travelling expenses and sixty francs per month salary, as the Liverpool Society has granted but £20 for this year, and promises only £15 for the next year. However, I trust the Lord has enabled us to find a very excellent young man that will answer onr purpose. He is Dussauze, the colporteur that is now at L'Orient. As this matter is not decided, I will tell you more about it in my next letter.

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

Since our last publication, meetings in behalf of the Mission have been held at various places in Northumberland and Durham; Messrs. HINTON and TRESTRAIL of London attending as the deputation-at Birmingham, where the claims of the Society were advocated by Messrs. G. H. DAVIS of Bristol, BAYNES of Nottingham, and JOHN CLARKE-at Haverfordwest and places adjacent, where Messrs. CAREY and CLARKE were present-at Plymouth and its vicinity, and at Shouldham Street, London, the former attended by Mr. CLARKE, and the latter by E. B. UNDERHILL, Esq. It is very gratifying to the Committee to be able to state, that these meetings were pervaded by an earnest and devout spirit. The deputations were received with the greatest cordiality, and their appeals were responded to with promptness and liberality. We would fain hope that the missionary spirit is still maintained in our churches, and is visibly on the increase. May it abound yet more and more! It may be proper to state that the connexion which formerly subsisted between the Committee and Mr. BEDDY, late of Patna, is at an end-he is no longer an agent of the Society. Mr. Start, a Baptist brother, supporting missionaries on his own resources, has intimated his intention and wish to occupy that station; and the Calcutta brethren have recommended that Patna be no longer occupied by the Society. This recommendation has been adopted by the Committee, who have authorized the brethren in Calcutta to make such arrangements respecting the Society's property at Patna as may appear to them most expedient.

YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday evening, December 19th, the Third Lecture will be delivered in the Mission Library, by the Rev. J. B. BROWN, B.A. Subject: "The Philosophy of Missionary Enterprise, as developed in the Life of the Apostle Paul."