57 77

525 81

5 00

21 62

5.00

10.00

23 00

15.00
3 50

5.00

50 00

32 00

20 00

54 00

5.00

25.00

10 00

which we called, a priest came, and, probably in the simplicity of his soul, asked us why we did not worship. We told him that we worshipped the God of heavennot such blind, dumb images as knew nothing, neither could do any thing. It gave

Interview with Priests-Prodigality of the occasion for much conversation and he lis

King.

Jan. 2, 1832. The priest who was introduced to us by letter from Mr. Gutzlaff, and who has frequently called upon us since, came again this morning, in company with another of high rank, who had also visited us before. They had heard before entering the house, that we both were going, and appeared more than usually affectionate and thoughtful. We spent all the evening in endeavoring to persuade

them to turn from their idols to the true

tened with the attention of a child in hearing a marvellous thing.

in one of the temples, at their noon-day and At the next pagoda we found three priests last meal, all far advanced in life. They put the usual question and received our usual reply. Here the conversation was much protracted. A number of worshippers and others who came in, listened with attention, while we pointed out some of those plain truths which Christianity sug gests and idolatry cannot endure. The old priests, who at first would have little to say for their gods, when they heard us conto us, perhaps offended at our irreverence verse in their own tongue, became very

civil and attentive.

In passing to the boat, we encountered another company of priests, and among them a man who manifested some knowledge, of Christianity and a conviction of its truths. He asked, in the presence of the priests, whether it was right to worship idols according to the custom of the Siamese. His object appeared merely to get our reply, which he no doubt anticipated, that he might make it a subject of remark to his more ignorant auditors.

God. They listened with attention-asked many questions, one of which was (we hope the suggestion of at least a partial awakening) whether the God of heaven had denounced the worship of images. The superior has a mind of ready and comprehensive powers. He has copied nearly two of the gospels and appears generally to understand what he reads. He spoke of the fig-tree which Jesus cursed, and we endeavored to enforce its application upon himself. We have reason to believe that he is convinced of the folly of idolatry, and impressed in some degree with the reasonableness, if not necessity, of the Christian religion. But his rank is high and the consequences of changing his faith will probably produce a 5. As we passed up the river this mornstruggle before he is made to submit. Much ing, the gilded temples and spires of idolamust be sacrificed-much encountered-try gleaned in the first rays of the rising perhaps much endured. His own plea for not being a Christian is ignorance. He says he knows but little yet. It is worthy of much intercession, that he and his companion, in some respects as hopeful as him-large vessels of boiled rice and other proself, may be made the first fruits of Siam unto God.

3. Spent the principal part of the day in the boat and at some of the pagodas, conversing with the priests and others. While looking at the idols in the first temple at VOL. XXVIII.

sun and appeared too beautiful not to be-
long to Him, whose is the silver and the
gold. Priests in crowds were passing about
from house to house, while women, with

visions, were sitting before the doors of the
floating houses, or in their boats, measuring
to each his portion. This finished, they
put both hands to their foreheads, intended
to be an act of worship, while the priest
appears not to notice their reverence.
35*

We called upon a man in public office, and were informed that the king is preparing to consecrate eight new and newly repaired temples. On the occasion he throws away a vast sum, in support of his royal estate. A fixed estimate is placed upon his person, his palace, some of his wives, his sons, his plate and other articles. Each distinct sum is written upon a scrap of paper and put within a lemon. Some of them are said to amount to a thousand dollars. His majesty ascends an elevated place and scatters these lemons among the assembled crowd. Every sum, to the amount written upon the paper, is promptly paid. Thus like the afflicted at the pool of Bethesda, the most needy are thrust aside, while the more strong and less miserable come before and divide the spoil.

A Funeral Scene-A celebrated Pagoda with its Images.

reverence,) women were worshipping. Again our contempt of their gods was a subject of conversation, and again we pointed them to Him who has denounced such abominations and will punish every transgressor of his law. Some were silent and sullen, refusing to open the inner door. One, who had perhaps received a ray of true light, helped us in explaining our message. After almost compassing the block, which proved no inconsiderable walk, we found an open door and entered. The whole outer range, which we had thus surrounded, with another of almost equal extent, a few feet within, and a third, somewhat smaller, between the two, were completely filled with rows of gilded images of different sizes and in different attitudes. The number of idols was variously stated by the priests and others. Our own calculation made the aggregate between six and seven hundred, though we probably did not see them all, and none of them would admit We passed a funeral array. The body that there was less than a thousand. The was placed in a coffin, shaded with a large largest image was about thirty feet high. white canopy. From the coffin a piece of Enclosed by these ranges of buildings we cloth was passed over the shoulder of a found another court, containing a number lad, who sat a short distance in front of it, of tasteful ornaments, something like pyraand who was dressed to represent an angel, mids, and with a splendid temple in the and fastened to the garment of a priest, sit- centre. Had "holiness to the Lord" been ting near the bow of the boat. By this inscribed here, this inner court, as guarded means, they say, the priest conducts the deas the "sanctum sanctorum," would have ceased to happiness. The body is taken in appeared delightful. While our eyes were this manner to a temple and consumed. employed in examining these objects of adBefore returning, we called at two of the miration and horror, our tongues were nearmost spacious and magnificent pagodas in ly as active with the priests and others, who the city. The superiority of the one confollowed us. The longest discussion took sists principally in the situation and ar- place in presence of the monstrous image rangement of its buildings-the other in spoken of, with two young men, who were their number and magnificent furniture. In more zealous for the honor of their gods, entering the outer court of the latter, the than any we had before met. One of them attention is first arrested by large images, insisted that he could speak, for, pointing more like horses than any other living anito a large tablet before him, he said, "It mals, occupying the place of wardens. All has all been dictated by him." The other, the gates are guarded by these and another retorting our exposure of such folly, scornclass of still stranger figures, intended to fully represented the cross with his fingers, represent the body of a man, with a face of believing that all foreigners were Catholic mixed features-a combination of bird, man idolaters, and plainly showing that their and beast-all distorted and giving the abominations had been made a stench even countenance a frightful expression. Within in a heathen's nose. We were assisted in the outer court are a large temple, an ora- correcting this mistake (alas! how common tory, (an open building where the priests among the heathen!) by an intelligent lookdeliver their discourses) two or three high ing man of middle age, who had evidently towers, and an extensive row of smaller received some correct and impressive open buildings, for what purpose I do not knowledge of Christianity-probably from know. Having passed through this court, the books; and who told them that our beyou enter a second gate, and find a more lief was not the same. In this interesting spacious area surrounded by walls, and man, who all along assented to our remarks, decorated with spires of still larger propor- and appeared sincere in his belief, we tions. In the centre, is, in external appear- thought we could discover another ray ance, a stupendous block of buildings, hav-light piercing the shadow of death, and ing temples on four sides facing the area, calling upon us for gratitude and encouropposite each other and connected with agement. Thus we have had another op rows of smaller dimensions. We entered portunity of scattering the seed of eternal one of the large temples-desirous, if possi- life, and of learning that our labor is not in ble, to pass through, and examine the inte- vain in the Lord. We have attacked idolrior. A number of priests were stretched atry in its strong holds. In their most apon their beds sleeping--others were magnificent temples-surrounded by the wasting their time in trifles. Before them proudest displays of their blind devotionand a large idol, (objects of nearly equal in the very presence of their most venerated

of

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF

THE MISSION, FOR 1831.

THE annual report of this mission for 1831, which has been recently received, contains many facts which have been already published, and which it is unnecessary to repeat. As the seminary at the Batticotta station occupies a place of high importance in the mission, it will be first noticed. No class has been admitted or dismissed the past year, though eight of the students, for various reasons, have left.

Number and Studies of the several Classes

in the Seminary at Batticotta.

First class, 17 students. Lennie's Grammar and Exercises-Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric-Porteus' Evidences of Christianity--Euclid through 4th book-Blair's Grammar of Natural Philosophy through optics--Translating, Declamation, and Composition-Tamul Classics.

Second class 18 students. Woodbridge's Geography-Lennie's Grammar--Euler's and Bonnycastle's Algebra-Mental Arithmetic, (reviewing)-Tamul and English Phrases-Euclid 1st book-Pronouncing Testament-Tamul Grammar of the High language, and Tamul Classics.

definite and correct estimate of the value of an education. Many of the parents have been induced to attend church, at our several stations. Even those who have for various causes left the seminary prematurely, as Avery, Hedges, and others, have found profitable employment in teaching English. The people of Batticotta, on witnessing the operations of the seminary, have been moved to jealousy, and manifested considerable interest in the establishment of an English school in the village, that their children, even at this late day, may have opportunity of preparing to enter the seminary. The parents of these chil-. dren also attend church."

The seminary is evidently exerting an important and increasing influence, in favor of Christianity, not only on the students, who in consequence of the enlargement of mind produced by their studies easily throw off the shackles of idolatry, and through the power of divine truth, frequently and affectionately urged upon them, are almost constrained to attend seriously to religion, but upon their parents and friends, who, by their means, are sometimes brought to hear the gospel preached, and through them, in various ways, especially by their conversation and by their distributing tracts when at home during the vacations, are made acquainted with the nature and evidences of

the Christian revelation.

Attention to personal religion, among the students, has been greater the last, than any preceding year. The special religious excitement, which so happily marked the close of 1830, continued through the early months of this year, and as fruits of it, and of former awakenings, twenty-eight of the members of the seminary have been added Third class 18, and fourth class 30 stu- to the church, since the year commenced. dents. Lennie's Grammar-Colburn and Of the whole number, eighty-three, in the Joyce's Arithmetics, through Logarithms- seminary, thirty-eight are members of the Phrases-Native Arithmetic-First Lessons church, and there are several candidates for in Astronomy-Writing in English and admission. In all the classes, but especialTamul-Construing the English New Tes-ly the first, the weight of character and intament and English Tracts.-All the classes have attended to the study of the Bible, in both Tamul and English, in connection with Chronology.

A particular account of the examination of the seminary in April, 1831, in the presence of Bishop Turner and other English gentlemen, may be seen p. 103 of current volume. The donation of twenty pounds sterling, made by one of the commissioners, for the encouragement of translations and original composition, has given a salutary impulse to students in these branches.

Salutary Influence of the Seminary.

The principal of the school remarks, "The year has been distinguished by application to study, and general good conduct on the part of the students; both they and their parents are evidently forming a more

fluence is decidedly Christian. Idolatry may possibly have its secret advocates, but it is avowed by none; and though, while the heart remains unchanged, there can be no security that any one, on leaving the school, will not turn back to heathenism, yet the folly, if not the sin of idol worship must be so apparent to all, as to have little prospect of its ever being again heartily embraced by any. Some few, who were for a longer or shorter time in the institution, and in one or two cases even members of the church, now are seen marked with holy ashes, and bearing other badges of heathenism; but it is more in compliance with the wishes of their friends, or from a spirit of opposition to Christians, than from any reverence for the gods, to whose worship they thus profess to return. In most cases, even where there has appeared no saving change in those who have left the seminary, after having finished or nearly

finished their course, there has continued || brahmin often mentioned in the notices of to be manifested an outward respect for the the station, who has lately forbidden Mr. institutions of Christianity, and an utter Meigs to pass along a path near his temple, disregard for the brahminic superstitions. as he has been accustomed to do for fifteen The facts disclosed in the study of years, lest the sacred place should be polgeography, astronomy, and the elements of luted by his horse's feet. But "why do the natural philosophy, are so entirely discor- || heathen rage?" dant with the doctrines of the Puranas, as, if believed; necessarily to overthrow their authority as divine records; and though such is the perverseness of the human mind, and especially when warped and biassed as here, by most inveterate prejudices, that it will sometimes obstinately cling to any sys; tem which is loved, however shattered and sinking, yet, in general, truth will ultimately prevail. One instance in proof of this, as given by the principal of the seminary, will close these few remarks.

Besides the twenty-eight members of the seminary, added to the church as mentioned above, there have been four others added at this station, including two children of the missionaries. There are several candidates. A little Christian neighborhood, consisting already of four families connected with the station, is forming near the mission premises, and promises, by its contrast to the state of heathen society around, to recommend Christianity. "On the whole," adds Mr. M., "though I see many deficiences in myself, and many obstacles arising from the wickedness of those around me, when I reflect that they that be with us are more than they that be with them,' I feel that I have no cause for despondency but abundant reason to thank God and take courage, as

"Shortly before the eclipse of the moon, on the evening of the 26th of February, a printed tract was put in circulation, on the nature and causes of eclipses; showing the fallacy of the arguments urged by the brahmins and others, in support of the Hindoo mythology, arising from their ability to cal-suredly believing that our labor will not be culate eclipses; pointing out also the errors noticed in the native calculations of eclipses, within the past three years, and awakening the attention of the people to an error of twenty-five minutes, in the commencement of the then ensuing eclipse. This tract had the desired effect, so far as our observation extended, upon all who noticed the eclipse."

The native free schools at this station, though some of them suffered a temporary suspension, for want of funds, are more prosperous and have given greater satisfaction, during the past, than any preceding year.

The congregations at this station have been larger and more attentive, than at any former period. Not only has the chapel been filled, but an adjoining room also. The latter has been particularly useful for the accommodation of the native women, who to the number of from 15 to 30, have of late attended. Seven of the schoolmasters have induced their wives, or if not married, their mothers, or sisters, to come out. "This is indeed," remarks Mr. Meigs, "a new era at Batticotta. Six months ago it was considered a thing quite impracticable. Many were disposed to say, should the Lord make windows in heaven could this thing be! Two of the women (wives of schoolmasters) have been induced to attend, principally through the influence of their sons in the schools."

There has been regular preaching on Fridays, often by missionaries from other stations, or the native preachers, as well as on the Sabbath; and evening meetings have been well attended, sometimes in two different villages at the same time. Some women attend these meetings, and usually from 20 to 30 men. No considerable opposition has manifested itself, except from a

in vain in the Lord. I think I never felt inore earnest desires literally to obey the last command of our blessed Savior, 'go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,' than I have during the last month. My encouragements to do so are also abundant. May the Lord, according to his gracious promise, ever be with me and enable me joyfully to take up the cross and follow my blessed Redeemer wherever he shall lead me."

Oodoorille.-The female central school, at this station, gives continued and increasing satisfaction, as the education of females appears more and more important, and the success and influence of this establishment are more and more manifest. By means of it, in part no doubt, the prejudices of the natives against sending their daughters to the free schools in the villages are diminished; and in some cases female teachers have been prepared in it, for those schools. The principal object of the school, to raise up suitable companions for native Christian assistants, is also in a more fair way of attainment, by the greater facility of getting girls of good family to enter it, and greater readiness of our young men to seek them for partners, than perhaps at any former time. The universal custom here, of marrying, if possible, among relatives, and especially of marrying those of the same caste, and seeking, as an indispensable condition, a good dowry, has always operated as a hindrance to settling the girls suitably in life. As this gradually lessens, the prospects of the school brighten. The last year three of the girls were married to Christian young men, one of whom is appointed as a reader in a distant village, and with his wife, therefore, occupies a sort of native station, where they have opportunity to do much good.