the above friends into fellowship. On the evening of the same day he preached a funeral discourse for one of our members who died during the week, and who had adorned her profession. May this second visit of our brother S. be signally blessed to the advancement of our little hill of Zion.

G. L.

BEESTON. We have great cause for thankfulness to the Giver of all good for the pleasing manifestation he has given us that the labours of our beloved minister have not been in vain. On Lord's-day, Dec. 6th, four males and three females professed their faith in Christ by baptism; four of them are from thirteen to eighteen years of age, three are scholars in the Sabbath-school. Our minister preached an excellent sermon from Matt. xxviii. 19.

BRADFORD.-On the first Lord's-day in Oct., four persons were baptized. On the

first Lord's-day in Nov., four other persons put on the Lord Jesus by baptism.

EAST LEAKE.-On Lord's-day, Nov., 15th, we had a baptism of three females. Mr. Ball, of Loughborough, preached from Acts xviii. 8th verse. In the afternoon our beloved minister gave an address to the newly-baptized candidates, and administered the Lord'ssupper.

SMARDEN.-On Lord's-day, Nov. 15th, two young persons, one a teacher, and the other a scholar in our Sabbath-school, put on Christ by baptism. What rendered the occasion more interesting, was, that the mother of our young brother, the teacher, was received from the Rev. G. Clayton's church in London; her baptism having taken place previous to her connection with that church. Mr. Jull delivered two appropriate sermons. It was a good day to many.

INDIA.

LETTER FROM REV. C. LACEY.

Cuttack, July 12th, 1846.

Per

I am

MY DEAR BROTHER PIKE,-I mentioned in a letter written a few days since, that I would write to you again soon; and I now commence a letter on the subject of our late additions and persecutions. We have passed a month of intense interest and anxiety; and it has closed with great satisfaction and pleasure, almost amounting to triumph. While I endeavour to detail the outrage which our poor people have suffered, you will gather the numbers and circumstances of those who have been added, from the narrative. The light of christianity, with a strong conviction of its truth and importance, have spread much wider than we had hoped, and the good work is still going on. sons whom we have known for years, and who dare not confess the exercises of their minds, appear now to have long been the subjects of powerful religious impressions. I am more entirely convinced that the work going on in the neighbourhood of Choga, is a work of the Holy Spirit, blessing the word of God's grace, and rendering the gospel successful to the salvation of men. confirmed in this conviction by observing how entirely contrary it is to all human probabilities. The thickly-crowded plains of the mogulbundee, (where the people would have had the protection and security of British law for their persons and property,) have been overlooked; and God has selected a people living under the government of a hindoo prince, where they have almost no law and no protection. The instructed and the improved have been left, and the poor and uninfluential have been chosen. The satisfaction we derive from this assurance is more than a compensation for our extra anxiety and labour in using every means in our power for the assistance and security of our converts. O may the glory all redound to God! To him, and not us, nor any human means, the praise belongs! May He still bless his own cause in his own way, a thousand fold! The additions we have lately had, have been from one family in the village of Choga. Haruma. ha-patra died about fifteen months since. For some years before he died, he had obtained a good deal of christian knowledge, which he privately imparted to his wife, his adopted son, and his other dependants. He often came and had religious conversation, but never mustered resolution to cast off idolatry and avow himself a christian; and

died a heathen, so far as we could ever learn. His latter end, however, was kept perfectly private from his christian neighbours and relatives. The knowledge he and his family obtained remained not inert and powerless, and fifteen months after his death, his wife, and his adopted son, Bhagbot, a young man of about twenty-six years of age, resolved to embrace christianity. Their resolution soon became known to the watchful members of their caste and the brahmins, and oaths and dissuasion were strenuously applied. However, towards the latter end of May last, while I was at Choga, about ten o'clock at night, the woman arrived at the mount of Udyapoor with the determination of renouncing caste, and her caste she did renounce; and early the next morning she sent one of the native christians to fetch away her two boys, sons of her deceased husband; and he succeeded in his object. It was an interesting sight to see these two little fellows, holding their christian uncle's hand, leaving the neighbourhood of idolatry, and trudging after their mother to a christian village. On the morning of the day on which the woman came out, the adopted son, Bhagbot, had been taken to the raja's fort to settle some fine which they had involved him in, on account of his inclination towards christianity; and the news of his mother's departure reached the fort before the business was settled. This was news to the raja and the brahmins about him; but the youth had desired her to go during his absence. As soon as the people heard of the mother's defection, they applied all their arguments, threats, and persuasions with the son to renounce his intention of becoming a christian, and promised him, if he would, that he should have all the family property. Herein they were, through his weakness and fear, for a time, successful. He promised to remain an idolater, and was put in possession of the house, rice fields, cattle, &c.—a very nice estate for a native agriculturist. The Padan of the village, however, had to watch the young man very diligently, for he vacillated much in his mind on his return. A few days after he had been put in possession, the Padan took him to a native officer of the athgur estate to confirm him in his possession, and he remained some two days there. On my next visit to Udhyapoor, which happened while the youth was away from home, the woman came with her children, and proposed to return to her own house, and occupy her property. I advised her to defer her object till next morning; and she remained. Before I arose next morning, however, she had gone and placed herself in

an out-house; and during the day, the house door being opened, she walked in, and took upon her the orders and management of the family and house affairs, as formerly. The young man's wife ran out as the woman entered, and joined an own brother in the village. Thus Biddama seemed to have gained possession of her house and property, and we hoped all would pass quietly. It was acknowledged by all, that she, with her two sons, children of her late husband, had an undoubted right to her property, in preference of merely an adopted son. However, the raja's people had decided that as she had become a christian, and had lost caste; and as they had promised the son the house and property, she should at all events be turned out; and while she remained at home about three days, it was evident that some means were being arranged of a decided character, not only to expel the woman and her boys from her house, but to punish the christians who, the people said, had been the reason of the woman's defection. On Tuesday I received a message requesting me to say how I thought the property of the family should be divided, and I replied by a letter, stating that though I thought the whole of the property, in right, belonged to the widow and her children, yet to avoid all bitterness and disagreement, the woman should take two thirds for herself and children, and Bhagbot the son one third-that this was much for him, as he had been married but little before the father's death, of course at great expense to the family. This letter I gave to Bamadabe, who carried it to Choga on the Lord's-day. Not wishing to attend to such business on the Sabbath, he did not deliver it that day, but proposed to do so on Monday. However, while the christians were at worship on Sabbath morning, a messenger arrived at the chapel from the Padan, requesting the information contained in the letter, and though the friends excused themselves on account of the Sabbath, the messenger said they must go to Choga, though it should only be to speak with the Padan, and not to settle the business. Three or four of them accordingly went down to the village; and not returning so soon as expected, the whole of our christian males, from the mount, one by one, joined their three friends in front of the temple at Choga. Some few minutes after they all appeared, in reference to the business of the letter, Bamadabe observed, 'We will come down, then, to-morrow morning, and talk over the affair,' and having so said, the christian party turned to come away.

Bearer Padan now called out, 'Where are you going?' and making a sign, the whole of the Choga people, to the amount of 200, immediately formed a circle round the christians, and they could not

depart. The same bearer Padan took an elevated position near at hand, and calling to his village police, or watchman, and naming our people one by one, ordered him to beat them, commencing with the native preacher, Purasuarout. The man was unwilling, and hesitated for a long time, saying, For what reason am I to beat them?' and it was not till he was adjured by his allegiance to the raja that he consented to touch them. When thus adjured, he gave Purasuarout a slight push aside. This was the signal for the commencement of the attack. The whole of the people rushed upon the unresisting christians. They seized them and threw them on the ground, and then bruised them with their heels, elbows, and fists, very severely. Purasua was the first to be punished; and they bruised him until he was unable to rise from the earth, and fainted in the mud into which they had thrown him. Having disposed of Purasua, the infuriated assailants attacked most of the remainder, and, though not so severely, pun. ished them much. Three of our people slipped away and ran off for the mount; but about fifty men pursued them, laid them down in the rice-fields, and bruised them from head to foot, with great barbarity. The principal man of the three, named Rahsdowry, our Sabara convert, was reduced to great weakness, and lay entirely exhausted in the field, and was carried to his house by the christian women who came out to his assistance. He revived by some attention, but his back was that evening swollen like a blown bladder, and he was unable to rise from bis floor mat. Three of our young men, after they had received their beating, retired into the house of a christian friend, the only christian house in the village; and for fear of a second turn, hid themselves there. Thus, with the exception of two, the whole of the males received a hard bruising. At the close of the attack, the Padan endeavoured to extort promises from Purasua, that he would never again come to the village to preach. He of course refused all such compliance. The christian party were now permitted to retire, which they did, carrying their disabled preacher with them, but they were threatened with still severer usage, and burnt houses should they persist in visiting Choga and preaching to, or talking with the inhabitants. I had warned the christians in case of an attack, to make no resistance, as in that case no redress could be had; and they submitted patiently to their assailants, committed themselves to the hands of God, for they expected they should have been beaten to death, in some instances. The christians of the mount having retired, the Padan ordered his people to turn the widow and her two children out of her house, which they immediately did,

allowing her to carry no more away than the clothes she wore. They next went in search of the three young men who had hid them. selves in Magunea's house, upon whom they meant to fix the charge of theft, and the fault of the whole affray. They therefore violently entered into the house of Magunea with lighted torches, and there they found the objects of their search. These they seized, dragged out and arrested, binding their arms with plough ropes. Some brass vessels were then fetched from the christian widow's house, which were hung about their necks, and which they were charged with having stolen. Padan related in his report which he sent with them, and which subsequently was included in the petition to the commissioner, that they were detected with these brass vessels, and many more goods belonging to Bhagbot, and that when they were attempted to be apprehended they resisted and caused the affray. The three young men were thus marched off as thieves to Moncheswara, where they were immediately shoe-beaten, and placed in the stocks. In the course of the afternoon, the Oàskuran, an officer of the Athgur raja, had them shoe. beaten, and had their ears twisted, commanding them to deny the name of Jesus Christ, and call upon Jagannath. This they steadfastly refused to do, and told their persecutor that he could kill them if he liked, but they would not deny Christ, or call upon his wooden Jagannath. They were kept in the stocks all the afternoon of Lord's-day, and until Monday morning.

'I anticipated writing you a long letter by the present mail with more pleasure than I have ever before felt; but the severe sickness with which it has pleased God again to visit me, and from which I am, through mercy, recovering, renders it unsafe for me to write more than a few lines. You will rejoice to know that what we have witnessed during the last two months, has filled us with wonder, gratitude, and joy. Our joy has been as the joy of harvest, and as the state of the Israelites when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, and they were like them that dreamed-they could scarcely believe their eyes. Their rapture seemed more like a pleasing dream, than a joyful reality. So it has been with us. I cannot but believe that Satan's kingdom in Berham

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pore has received a severer blow than it ever had before-a blow, too, from which it can. not recover. Nevertheless, we all know that the great enemy, (who has already shown us his tremendous hostility,) never tamely yields, and he will, no doubt, make a desperate effort to regain the ground he has lost. I trust we all feel that increased watchfulness and prayer are called for by our altered and happy circumstances. In the dark days that preceded this manifestation of the Spirit of God, to whom alone let the glory be given, we had often prayed, both in secret and unitedly, that we might have grace to discharge our work in the right spirit, whether we witnessed success or not, assured that it would come though we might not live to see it. Now we feel that the confidence which reposes on the power and the promise of God can never be disappointed; and if called in future days seemingly to labour in the fire,' we shall be encouraged by what has recently transpired, steadily to go forward. You will not forget, dear brother, to pray for us, as well as to give thanks to God on our behalf. We wrestle against a subtle foe, and need much wisdom and prudence, as well as much self-denying zeal and devotedness. The Lord make us like that prince of missionaries-the apostle Paul. And O, forget not in your fervent supplications, those who have recently been gathered to Christ from the ranks of idolatry, and who, owing to the fearful aboundings of iniquity, are daily exposed to a thousand temptations.

At the same date, Mr. Bailey writes from Berhampore :

'Could you be with us in the bazaars on some occasions, you would be delighted to hear brother Stubbins speak to the people. We very often meet with opposition; but this is turned to a good account. A few evenings past, a man came to overturn all that had been said. He said, 'The sahib has been speaking of the glories of heaven. Where is heaven? I have not seen it; therefore, there is no heaven.' Brother Stubbins turned and said, very sarcastically, 'You are VERY knowing.' This poor fellow required no more. The brahmins are very violent. But could you hear their arguments torn to pieces, and hear them exclaim with dejected countenances, 'The sahib knows everything; what more can we say ?' But in defiance of brahmins and gooroos, the gospel is silently progressing, and it will erelong undermine every species of idolatry, and soon will the song of triumph be sung by the messengers of the cross in India, The works of darkness are destroyed, aud Christ is king in the earth.' A brighter day is dawning upon our mission in the south: the Spirit of the Lord is at work amongst the people; several have been gathered from the wilds of heathenism, and are

now united with our people. A goodly number are earnestly inquiring the way to heaven -hundreds have been to our house to converse upon religious subjects, and we are not without hope that some of them will eventually become the disciples of Jesus. On Saturday, Sep. 5th, I had the pleasure of baptizing six candidates. Many came to hear the addresses delivered and to see the ordinance administered--not less than 2,000 spectators.

But in the midst of our joy, some of us have been called to suffer affliction. Brother and sister Stubbins have been called to pass through deep waters, in consequence of the unexpected removal of their infant daughter. Sarah Jane Stubbins was born March 16, 1846. At her birth we rejoiced, and fervently prayed that she might be preserved from the arrow that fleeth by day, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness. She was a lovely child-one of the sweetest little creatures I ever saw. She rarely reminded us that she was out of temper by crying; but at early morn, and dewy eve,' greeted us with a smile -but she smiles no more on earth, for a wise and gracious purpose she is taken by our heavenly Father to that bright world where the inhabitants shall never say, 'I am sick.' In the beginning of September, the weather was very damp. On the 9th, she had a slight cold; on the 12th I went into the nursery to see her, and was happy to find her much better she seemed playful as ever. Brother S. seemed somewhat concerned, but I was not apprehensive of any danger. In the afternoon, Mrs. S. took her to the sea coast, thinking a change might be beneficial. At two o'clock on Sunday morning she altered very rapidly, and appeared in a dangerous state. A medical man was called, and a note was sent to brother S., requesting him to hasten to Gopalpore without delay. Shortly after his arrival she fell asleep. For sometime we could scarcely realize the thought that she was gone.

Bro

ther S. frequently said, when nursing his darling child, Ah! my dear babe, what should I do were you called away.' He, with dear Mrs. S. felt the stroke most keenly, but with submission said, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' Her remains were brought from Gopalpore on Sunday evening, and on the following morning, at sun rise, she was taken to her resting-place, Berhampore cemetery, followed by her afflicted father, myself, and the commanding officer of the Berhampore regiment, Major Bird. It is exceedingly painful in any land to part with children, but especially in this, but Sarah Jane Stubbins was fashioned for a happier world.

'She was a lovely rose, which would have oped, Its early blossom to the morning sun;

But God her saw, and took her hence that she, Her early beauties might unfold in heaven.'

She is gone to glory to commingle her praises with the children of Peggs, and Lacey, and others that are already before the throne. Thanks be to our God we shall see her again, in the morning of the resurrection, not in the character of a lovely infant, but a glorified angel crowned with honour and immortality.

CHINA.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF MR. HUDSON.

WE have before us three very long letters from brother Hudson to different friends. They bear date May 27, Aug. 24, and Sep. 8. We select a few passages from each of them.

་

In writing to a friend, May 27th, 1846, Mr. H. observes, China opens a field of missionary labour of the greatest interest and importance. My impressions at home, have, in this respect, been more than re. alized. The density of the population is amazing, and I do not think that Medhurst's statements are exaggerations, but a calm examination of Chinese statistics. This city is said to contain, with the immediate suburbs, 600,000 souls; and truly the city is crowded with people. The Chinese are partially civilized; government exists; and the most perfect order prevails. A love of literature, has existed for ages, and generally prevails. Readers and books are more abundant than in any other nation. Even a foreign religion is tolerated, and your interests and pursuits are protected from violence by a pagan emperor; and thus the fairest opportunity is afforded you for peacefully propagating the principles of heavenly truth, and the records of the Saviour's love towards a

guilty world! What could you wish for more among a reading population, and a people who are more eager to obtain books, than any hungry man is to obtain his food! Rivers and canals intersect the whole country; and, when you possess the means, you may, from a principal city, circulate through a whole province copies of the word of God, and other religious publications, to instruct millions who may never see your face, or hear your voice. This province contains 26,000,000 of people, and, though we have no railways, no stage-coaches, there are canals to every part of it, and by which it is connected with other provinces of the empire. In this respect you have no difficulty in relation to the language; for a book written in the Chinese language may travel