Missionary Register

INDIA. AGRA.

Journal of Abdool Messee, for the Month of

October, 1813.

(Continued from p. 448.)

October 2, 1813.-This morning Molwee Futtih Ullah made his appearance at Abdool Messee's house with his mouth and cheek bloody. "To-day," said he to Abdool, "I have been numbered among the disciples of Christ." "Why," replied Abdool, "you have long confessed Christ. What is come to pass now?"-" To-day," said he, "I have been beaten for the name of Jesus." He then related how an Arabian, who has been among us several times lately, and wanted money from us, came upon him as he was going along the street; first seized his hands, and then exclaiming, "that mouth has denied Mahomet," hit him several blows on the mouth, so as to make the blood flow. The old man expressed no sorrow, but rather joy; and his conversation in the evening was very edifying. The assailant afterward fled, and is concealed from justice.

Oct. 3. Fewer people attended Divine Worship to-day, owing, it is thought, to the fear of ill-treatment, which yesterday's occurrence has excited. The meekness with which Molwee Futtih Ullah submitted to the assault has been remarked to the honour of the Gospel. In former times, under the Mahometan Government, he had contended with some one about a trifle, and ran after him with a drawn sword: "Now," say the neighbours, “he did not lift his hand in his own defence: but people do become inoffensive, when they become Christians!""

Oct. 7.-Joseph, the brother of Abdool, left Agra to return to Lucknow. He has paid much attention to religion, since he has been among us; and appears truly humble, serious, and pious. He would have been baptized: but we judged it expedient, that he should go and tell his friends his intention, and acquaint them fully with the views of Divine Truth which he has received, and then visit us again. Had he returned baptized to Lucknow, it would have been a signal for persecution without hearing his reasons for becoming a Christian : now we hope that they will hear, and that some may be persuaded to embrace the truth with him. He has taken several copies of all the Translations.

Oct. 10-Abdool being unwell, the Hugeem Talib

Messee Khan officiated, to about the usual number. During the past week, some have withdrawn their attendance: we suppose from fear of reproach, owing to the assault on Molwee Futtih Ullah.

Oct. 17, 1818.-During the past week we were much alarmed by the severe illness of Abdool. On Tuesday he had a very high fever; but the kind attentions of one of our Surgeons were blessed to his perfect recovery. Today Molwee Fazil Messee read prayers, and a written sermon, in the city.

Oct. 21.-This morning we were visited in our house in the city, by Hugeem Aga Ali, who is considered as most skilled in logic of any in this place. He has been in the habit of coming daily for some time past to Abdool. Yesterday he confessed, before several persons, that he was satisfied at the Divine Authority of the Gospel, and felt as if a mountain of sin pressed upon him, which none but Christ could remove. His conversation to-day agreed with his confession.

Oct. 24. This morning, after Divine Service in the fort, we went into the city, where the Christian Congregation assembled for worship. After reading a portion of Scripture, the Litany, and a Treatise on Baptism translated from Archbishop Cranmer's works, Molwee Futtih Ullah was baptized. He has for some time past solicited baptism, and manifests a decided acquaintance with the nature and grace of the Gospel. In reference to the attack made on him, on the 2d instant, he was asked if he had learnt to offer the left cheek when smitten on the right. He said, by the Grace of God he would do so.

After his baptism, the Lord's Supper (the Communion Service being translated into Hindoostanee) was administered to nineteen communicants. They consisted, beside the newly baptized, of converts from the Roman Catholics, and one man formerly of the Armenian Church. They had been instructed in the nature of the ordinance: several of them were deeply affected toward the conclusion of the celebration. The Hugeem Talib Messee Khan observed, when the congregation was dispersing, "What blessed effects attend the Lord's Supper; as if, of itself, it caused our hearts to burn within us!"

Oct. 25.-To-day we were visited by a young man, an Armenian, holding a commission in Scindia's army, under a Sirdar named John Baptist, of Portuguese Origin. He came on purpose to ask for copies of the Scriptures,

having heard of the publication of the Gospel here. He says that there are 60 or 70 people called Christians in the army in which he serves; but that they know nothing. of Christianity. Many of them are well acquainted with the Persian Language. He took away several copies of the Gospels in Persian, with several copies of St. Matthew and Romans, and a copy of the Morning Prayer and Litany in Hindoostanee. He returns to Scindia's country

to-morrow.

October 29.-On going to the city this forenoon, the Old Soldier who first joined himself to us, as expressed in memorandum May 9th and 10th, came forward, after the reading of the Scriptures, and earnestly desired that he might be admitted to receive the sign of the Lord Jesus Christ, viz. Baptism. In answer to questions, he said, he wished for baptism for the strengthening of faith, and that his end might be happy -- was pleased with every word of Christ he had heard-was a great sinner, and none but Christ could save him-none could be compared to Christ-if Christ did not save him, the consequence must be pain and destruction-Christ is able, being the Son of God-he wrought many miracles, rose from the dead, is gone into Heaven, and will judge the world-though he should be left alone in this city, he would not deny Christ-though he should be cast into the fire, he would still cleave to Christ; or cast into the water, he would still cleave to him-is aware that Christ will save none who continue in sin; and that he cannot get rid of sin, but by the power and grace of Christ, for which he must pray.

October 31.-To-day, after Morning Service in the fort, we went into the city-catechized some of the children at school there-afterward baptized five women, one man, three youths, and three children of the new converts. These were examined yesterday, and discover an acquaintance with the Gospel; and express such a sense of their need of Christ's Grace and their hearty acceptance of him, as indicate knowledge and sincerity. Others offered themselves at the same time, but did not seem sufficiently aware of the importance of the ordinance.

After the baptisms, Molwee Fazil Messee officiated in reading Prayers and Litany, (Abdool having a cold and hoarseness upon him.) His manner of exposition was clear and pointed; and, with further knowledge and experience, he promises to be very useful to the Church.

We were agreeably surprized to-day to hear a boy, aš he passed along the road, singing one of the Hymns which Abdool taught the singers, beginning with-"Thou hast had mercy upon me, O Jesus, thou Son of God." The scholars are reduced in number this month, from many of the parents having gone back to their own villages, since the commencement of harvest.

The building erecting for Public Worship in the city is so far finished, as to admit of Divine Service being performed in it yesterday.

The accounts from Meerut, respecting the progress of the Gospel, are very encouraging. The Hugeem Talib Messee. Khan goes over thither shortly to reside. Abdool and his nephew go with him on a visit.

Miscellanies.

NOBLE CONDUCT OF AN AMERICAN CAPTAIN. An American Privateer having, a few weeks since, captured, in the Irish Channel, a sloop from Cardigan, laden with coal, the Captain of the Privateer entered the cabin to survey his prize. Observing there a small box, with an aperture in the lid, similar to a Poor's Box, and an inscription on it, "MISSIONARY Box," he inquired what it was. The Welshman, apprehending the destruction of his vessel and property (according to the recent practice of the Americans to burn their prizes), replied with a sigh-"Ah! it's all over now! You must know, that I and my poor fellows have been accustomed to drop a penny a piece into that box every Sunday Morning, to help to send out Missionaries for the preaching of the Gospel."-" Indeed!" said the American. "That is a good thing-a good thing, indeed!" After a short pause, he put out his hand to the Master of the Sloop-"I will not touch a hair of your heads, nor injure your vessel"-and immediately departed, leaving the astonished and grateful Welshman to pursue his course unmolested!

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Collection at Ashamstead Church: (Rev. Mr. Fisher,

Rector :)

Collection at Beckenham Church: by Rev. G. C.
Gorham, M. A.

Rev. Charles Simeon, M. A. Cambridge
Thomas Roberts, Esq. Charter-House Square
Lady, by Rev. Thomas White, M. A.

£. 7 16 8