ASIA. CALCUTTA. Letters as recent as Dec. 20th, 1844, have been received. Influenza prevailed throughout the city, and almost all the missionaries had been indisposed. Mr. Pearce was on the river, seeking restoration, and Mr. Leslie and Mr. Wenger were about to ascend it, partly for missionary purposes, and partly in order to recruit their exhausted strength. Two of the Society's missionaries, who and remember very well what is written have for some time past been in the habit of there." Upon this the missionary questioned addressing the natives once or twice a week him a little in detail, when to his surprise the in one of the public thoroughfares, were lately young man, before a multitude listening with several times interrupted in their preaching breathless silence, repeated nearly verbatim labours by a certain Musalmán, usually ac- the whole account of the birth of Christ, as companied by two or three friends, who contained in the first chapter of Matthew. brought forward, in a most self-sufficient The missionary's curiosity being excited, he manner, the blasphemous arguments with put several further questions to the young which Muhammadans are wont to attack man on the leading points of Christianity, to Christianity. On one occasion this adversary all of which he gave very good answers. came up just when they had done preaching; Among other things, he said Christ was to and on seeing him join the listening crowd, sinners what a physician was to a sick man; they left the spot, whilst the Muhammadan and that the object of Christ's coming into spectators raised a deafening shout of triumph. the world was to make himself a sacrifice for Emboldened by this apparent success, the sinners. On inquiry he stated that he had same man returned to the charge on two sub- | been living for three or four months (probsequent evenings, but was both times silenced ably in the capacity of a servant) with a by the sharp rebukes that were administered European gentleman, not a missionary, but to him. Nothing daunted, he made his ap- a layman-who had repeatedly conversed pearance a third time a few days since, and with him about Christianity, and had given finding that the missionaries were not disposed him the gospel of Matthew to read. either to yield, or to enter into an argument with him, he, with his friends began to preach against Christ, about fifteen yards from the place where the missionaries were preaching the gospel. Both parties had been thus engaged for nearly an hour, when the audience of the missionaries was joined by a young upcountry Hindu, who with great earnestness asked whether Jesus was the son of Joseph? One of the missionaries who was familiar with the Hindi, replied, "No! certainly not." The young man said, "Well, I thought as much. Look at that Musalmán there; he is telling the people that Christ is the son of Joseph, but I know it is all a falsehood; for I have read the gospel of Matthew, This incident shows, 1st, that Christian laymen may do much for the conversion of natives; 2ndly, that the perusal of the Christian scriptures produces some impression upon the minds of the people; and, 3rdly, that opposition is more useful than injurious to missionaries. The attention of this young man was arrested, and his indignation roused by the things which that wicked Musalmán preached; he first confounded him, and by joining the audience of the missionaries, drew after him the whole crowd which had gathered around the Muhammadan preacher. And there can be no doubt that when the people dispersed, they continued to talk over what they had heard. DACCA. Our aged brother, Mr. Robinson, writes thus: Partly through the wet weather, and partly with the exception of one sabbath, when I through the state of my health, I have been able to do very little in the way of preaching out of doors, but I have been able to attend to all our regular services, in both languages, was obliged to leave my share of labour to the native brethren. The native chapel has been as well attended as usual. Last sabbath many were present for a considerable time, and apparently heard with much attention. One spoke very loudly in opposition; but I gave him no answer. I sought him at the end of the service, but he had disappeared. Prán, the Dacca bairágí, was there during the whole time. I conversed with him, but he was so full of self-justification that I could entertain no hope of him. He still leans, in appearance, to Hinduism; but I do not think he has always a quiet conscience. It is a comforting reflection that when I cannot go out, I can always do something at home. My window seems to be as well known as any shop in Dacca, and not a day passes without a few customers for books and tracts. During all last month, persons came every day; some took tracts, regretting, as I did too, that I had nothing better to give them; while others adduced very weighty arguments in favour of their obtaining large books, which were all answered by my telling them that I had none to give them. Many, I could perceive, did not believe me, when I assured them that I had no large books; and they left me, I fear, under the impression that I was telling them a falsehood. In this country, where falsehood is more current than truth, who can expect that his word will be credited? I am happy to say that the arrival of another box of books has just been announced, and a good large one it is; so that this month I shall not have to send the hungry away empty. It is very possible, however, that when I address you at the beginning of next month, I shall have to inform you that this large supply is expended; and that we must still reiterate the cry of "give, give." Our native brethren visited many markets in the course of last month. The list before me says thirteen; all but one situated at the distance of from eight to ten or twelve miles from Dacca. The rivers were very rough, and they were exposed to much danger. Poor Chánd was so terrified last Saturday evening, that after getting so near home as the other side of the Dacca river, he preferred remaining there all night to trusting himself to the boisterous waves. The account which our native brethren give of their reception is always pleasing; in all places they are heard with attention, and in some places the people say to them, "Come again, we want to hear more of these things." On sabbath evening, June 23rd, we had the pleasure of opening our new chapel for English worship. The chaplain being absent from the station, and there being no service in the church, our little chapel was crowded, and some who came and could find no seats returned. It was a pleasing sight; the attention was fixed and sustained throughout. Last sabbath evening the chaplain was here, and the church was open at the same hour as the chapel, but we had a good congregation for Dacca. Our weekly prayer-meeting, which was held at different houses alternately, we have transferred to the chapel; one of the brethren may pray, and I shall have to expound. We commenced last Wednesday evening, and were encouraged by the attendance of a few, whom we should be glad always to see. I have now a better opportunity than formerly for sowing the seed: this is all that can be said at present. Who will reap the harvest no one can tell; be that as it may, let me have ample opportunity for sowing; this is a pleasant part of our work; and the time will come, how distant soever it may be, when the sower and the reaper will rejoice together. MUTTRA. The following extract of a letter from Mr. Phillips is extracted from the Calcutta Missionary Herald. You will rejoice to hear that we have had another baptism. Shiv-Jítrá, after six months probation and conversations with Christian friends at Agra and Muttra, was received as a candidate, and on the 21st of July, was baptized at the same ghát where B. had been baptized. He is a villager, whose family for generations have held the office of Kanungo. When he came to us, his mind was very dark respecting divine things, but the light has very gradually spread over the whole horizon of his mind, and now I hope he loves and walks in the light. His behaviour has been worthy of his profession hitherto, and now he is very zealous for the Lord against idolatry. We have made him a teacher in our school, and he is supported by Christian liberality. He will fetch his wife from his distant village when the roads are passable after the rains. His baptism has excited great attention in the city, he being the first Hindu baptized here, for B. was a Roman Catholic. The people however still listen cheerfully to the truth, and the school is increasing in numbers. The other inquirer has turned out to be a great deceiver. He was expelled from the church at Loodiana, after being with them for three years. He has in turn visited all the mission stations, and has been dismissed from all. We look forward with joy to the arrival of our fellow-labourers, and hope that division of labour will, with God's blessing, make the work of the Lord very prosperous here. We have had abundant rains, but also continual flights of locusts, which show how easily God can punish the ingratitude of the people now that he has so richly blessed them. DELHI. The following are extracts from the journal of Mr. Thompson, who labours at this station I have the pleasure to state that on Satur- dred persons, mostly strangers, have been day night last, at a church-meeting, I gave addressed on the subject of salvation, and the right hand of fellowship to my son D. some thousands of scriptures and tracts, and at a church-meeting yesterday morning handed to them; besides the multitudes in to Mrs. B. wife of a member, and to Drum- the crowded parts of the city, and isolated mer L., and repairing to the river near our individuals met and addressed by me in the house, we had service in Hindi and English, roads round Delhi, and the scriptures and when we sung "With joy we in his footsteps tracts given to them. I believe a fair also tread;" and after addressing the people re- took place in the mean time, and an influx of garding the Saviour of the world, union with the followers of Dádu, Charn-dás, and Kabír, him, and the blessedness of his ways, I went a great many of whom took away our books down into the water, and baptized the three when they departed. The distributions therecandidates. Returning to the house I had an fore, taking from the 22nd of November, English and Hindí service, discoursing sever- 1843, and including the above-mentioned ally from Acts viii. 26-40, on baptism, occasions, down to the 30th of June, are, 562 and from 1 Cor. xi. 23-32, on the Lord's volumes, 2387 gospels and other portions, and supper; and at the close of the service, ad- 7612 tracts; in Persian, Urdu, Hindí, Sandressing a few words to each of the candidates scrit, Bengálí, Panjábí, and Arabic; but it is separately, admitted them to the Lord's table, to be observed that a proportion of the recent and we all held solemn communion. May distributions, say for a month past, consist of He who looks down on the feeblest lambs of books recovered from the swamped cases. I his flock, look down on the souls now joined trust from the terms in which a good many of to us, bless them, render them holy and useful the books were taken, that they will not be members of his church, and give us joy in laid aside or destroyed, and when kept and their walk and conduct. read, the divine blessing will attend them. I am happy to say my fellow-labourers have continued in health, and all go out daily reading to the people, and occasionally distributing gospels and tracts. I too have been enabled to go out daily, and call the attention of the people to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and almost daily I have had the happiness to address new strangers, asking them to read the word of God, and consider the word and work of Jesus. Many respectable persons have by this means been led to send for the entire Testament or other portions of the divine word. The tracts on the Muhammadan controversy are beginning to excite inquiry and increase an interest in scripture discussions. An aged Maulavi from the camp of the commander in chief, brought a letter of recommendation to me from a chaplain, desiring to be furnished with a Testament with marginal references, and the strongest of Mr. Pfander's publications, fully and leisurely to consider both sides of the question. July 2nd. Immediately after my return from Hurdwar I hired a room in the principal street and seated my party, then three persons, in it, to invite passengers to sit, read, hear, and discuss points; while I drove leisurely a mile or two more, stopping occasionally, gathering crowds around me, reading and discoursing with them. The room is open twice a day, an hour and a half in the morning and three hours in the afternoon; and in the course of the last two months, upwards of six hun One more circumstance, and I have done for the present. During my absence at Hurdwar a new regiment of infantry arrived here, and the Christian drummers and musicians sent two of their numbers to invite me to go and establish Christian worship among them in Hindustání. On my return home I lost no time in sending for two or three of the party, and ascertaining their views. They came, said they were destitute of Christian instruction, and many of them wished to acquire a knowledge of the Nágrí and Persian letters, to enable them to read the word of God for themselves. They desired therefore I would both statedly preach to them, and engage the necessary teachers for them and that they might have a place as well for worship as for instruction in a knowledge of the letters, they proposed according to their slender means to build one. They have built, and received from me only five rupees as my contribution to their house, and two rupees to clear a debt on the chapel. My daughter, Mrs. B., has presented the place with three benches or forms, and I hope to add three more. The walls are of mud, and the roof is a choppered one: and perhaps fifty persons may sit with convenience in it. I have had the pleasure to preach a few times in this place, when I have had about thirty, but more came the last sabbath, when I could not attend from indisposition. I pray I may long have this door opened to me, and be enabled to declare the whole counsel of God to this people. A Mr. F., drum-major, is their prin- tree. The Urd and Hindi school too has cipal man, and I have taken measures for produced some readers, who otherwise would providing him with the salaries of the Nágrí not have had the knowledge of letters, and and Persian teachers. The persons already perfected others in their reading of Hindi and able to read among them have taken at least Urdu, and furnished them with the Christian twenty volumes of the Hindi and Urdu scriptures. One of the heathen readers, a scriptures for their own use, and the demand native of Almora, and musician in the regi is likely to increase with their increased ability ment, has expressed his admiration of the to read, and now I humbly pray the Lord to truths he has thus been made acquainted grant his blessing on this opening for useful- with, and formed a wish to join us as a believer in and worshipper of Christ, the Incarnate God and Saviour of men. I have only heard of this wish from others; he has not spoken to me on the subject. I hear he bears a good character in the regiment, and there is no charge of dissoluteness brought against him by those who appear to know him best. ness. Oct. 7th.-I have much pleasure in stating that we held a church-meeting yesterday, when we gave the right hand of fellowship to Mrs. L., who had for some months expressed a wish to join us. Shortly after receiving her, we repaired to the river, and with the usual service, I baptized her before a crowd of attentive and seriously disposed natives. Among these, as voluntary attendants, I was glad to perceive two persons who I did not think would have been present, viz. a bráhman student of the English College, of a sceptical turn of mind, and a goldsmith, an extremely bigoted idolater. The latter was not only purposely present, but before the baptism came to my house for such books as I might deem useful for him. It so happened that at the moment of his coming, a pandit also came for the word in Sanskrit: the latter took the Testament and went home, while the former repaired to the ghát and awaited the administration of the ordinance. The event may give rise to feelings favourable to the interests of the gospel, and to his leisurely perusing the divine word, and may perhaps serve to soften down the inveteracy of mind he has manifested for years towards truth opposed to idolatry. I am happy to say that the worship in cantonments serves to bring under the sound of the gospel from seventeen to twenty persons, who would otherwise be without that privilege; and some two or three of these appear to hear as for eternity, and at times when I have not been expected, I have found them reading the word of God in the shade of a In the city, I am happy to say, I am enabled to go about among its crowds daily. once or twice, and to secure for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that attention which may be considered the basis of future good. Of those whose attention has been thus arrested, numbers are in the habit of reading the gospels, the Testament, the Pentateuch, or the entire bible, in Urdú, Persian, Hindí, and Sanskrit. Of these, three are stated attendants at the Hindí and Urdu worship; a fourth individual attended, but sickness has confined him to his house for three weeks. Of this individual I entertained a hope, five years ago, that he would have joined us, and a recent conversation before his illness has revived this hope. I hope he may persevere in his desire; but his family and numerous connexions are in his way. Of the right impression of divine truth on his own mind I have no doubt, but he has obstacles to contend with which no ordinary mind could overcome without an uncommon measure of divine grace. The affrighted man proposed to me to receive and baptize him privately, two months ago; but I would not encourage the measure. If ever we needed the prayers of our brethren we need them ten-fold more now, and I at this particular juncture intreat them in an especial manner. AGRA. A letter from Mr. Williams, dated Agra. Dec. 20th, contains the following passages: I think I told you in a former letter of the baptism of a Hindoo residing in a village fourteen miles from this. I have recently baptized two more of the same place, and some others are inquiring the way to Zion. I have therefore been encouraged to build a small chapel there, the whole expence of which has been defrayed by the church, and I fully intend to have preaching in it once a week throughout the year, providing my health will be con tinued to me. The Lord has dealt bountifully with me this year in this respect; I have never been better since I came to India. I also intend establishing a school in the same village. I have already mentioned the subject to the people there, who appeared well pleased with the proposal, and engaged to send their children; indeed schools are ver y much needed in all the surrounding villages, for perhaps not more than one in fifty of the |