been raised in the neighbourhood: Kur rum Messeeh is going on steadily. At Burdwan, the most encouraging appearances present themselves: many Villages have united to request preaching to be established among them: a few persons have received baptism: about 30 families have volunteered to receive instruction, with a view to baptism; but there is some stipulation about provision, which I do not understand: I hope to visit that Station next week: in the mean time, alas! Mr. Perowne's health is failing: what shall we say? O Lord, undertake for Thine own work, that sinners may hear, believe, and be saved! At Culna, much is to be hoped for: under the pressure of scanty funds and paucity of help, we were inclined to defer establishing Mr. Deerr there; and accordingly begged Mr. and Mrs. Wilson to accompany Mr. Deerr thither in December last, and to dismiss most of the Teachers; reserving two or three Schools, to be carried on in connection with Burdwan, and increased hereafter as opportunity might serve: on their arrival at Culna, they found 300 First-Class Boys, of whom 70 were Sons of Brahmins, each with a copy of one of the Gospels (according to their classes) under his arm: in them they read so well and answered so intelligently, that Mr. and Mrs. Wilson could not find it in their hearts to disperse the Schools: a petition, too, which has been sent home, was drawn up by some of the principal people, to beg that Mr. Deerr would settle among them: under these circumstances, and hoping literally against hope as to funds, we have continued the Schools at Culna; and Mr. Deerr is gone up, and is living with his wife and child at present in a little hut I shall see him too, if it please God, next week; and shall consider what arrangements can be made for his accommodation. In Calcutta, we hope a regular Congregation is forming, at the New Chapel on the Missionary Premises: Mr. Wilson tells me, that he observes a few Native Christians, besides those connected with the premises, in attendance on Sundays; and there is a hope that it will become a kind of Parish Church to that class: the Schools go on as usual, and are well attended: I should add here, that a Native, of good connections and wealthy, comes regularly to the Chapel; and appears a devout Worshipper: considerations respecting family property have as yet prevented his re

ceiving baptism. Thus much of general affairs.

State of the Funds.

In December, the Archdeacon says in reference to the state of the Funds

We shall exhibit at the end of our Fourth Year, an increased amount of subscriptions; but the Stations increase in their demands as our work prospers, and we are often at a stand how to supply them. The gold and the silver are the Lord's; and, doubtless, what He sees fit will be supplied. May we patiently wait His time; and neither run before we are sent, nor be backward to follow on as He leads the way!

Mr. Schmid has exerted himself in enlarging the Contributions to the Auxiliary; and makes the following favourable statement in reference to local support

Sir Charles Grey, the Chief Justice, has, in a very handsome manner, become an Annual Subscriber of 200 rupees: Sir Anthony Buller, also, another Judge, has given a donation of 100 rupees. Several of the principal Gentlemen in the Civil Service, and some of the principal Merchants, are become Subscribers or Donors. The sum subscribed amounts already to 4130 rupees; while, in the Two preceding years, only 4296 rupees were collected in India.

There is no hope, however, for the present, that any such increase to the local contributions can be obtained as at all to meet the growing demands of the Mission, but the Committee state

It is not without a hope that the intelligence may lead to an exertion on the part of the friends of Missions to assist them out of their difficulties, that the Committee add, that, on the 1st of the current month, the Balance against them in their Treasurer's books, exclusive of the Mortgage on the Mirzapore Estate, was 12,974 rupees.

InFebruary, theArchdeacon makes the following urgent Appeal

On the subject of Funds, I know not what to write. The Committee feel most deeply the liberality of the Parent Society, and are reluctant to ask for more. The Cause, however, is not ours individually, but that of the Christian Public; and if another 1000%. a-year could be granted, we should be able to main

tain our present Establishment with comfort. Experience is teaching us system, and I hope we shall get all things in good train soon. Mr. Ballard and Mr. Gisborne went over all the items of the accounts of the different Stations, and could find nothing to retrench without putting a stop to some good in progress. Government has given 43 rupees monthly, for servants and lighting the Church at Chunar; and an application is now before Government, for a similar sum for Gorruckpore. On the renewal of the Company's Charter, I think Parliament should make provision for the instruction of Native Christians, where a Congrega

tion has been formed.

Ministry of the Word to the Natives in Calcutta.

The Committee report on this subject

The Rev. Mr. Wilson and the Rev. Mr. Reichardt are each occupied three or four evenings in the week, in preaching to and conversing with such as choose to attend in the Bungalow Chapels of the Society; of which there are two in the Native Town, distant nearly two miles from each other. The attendance at these places is very encouraging; sometimes amounting to 200 persons and upward, but usually from 30 to 80: many of these stay during the whole time of Divine Service. Some prepare questions in writing at home, and apply to the Missionaries for answers: these questions relate chiefly to the Person of Christ, the nature of the Christian Religion, and what would be required of them on their becoming Christians. Some will occasionally debate for a long while on controverted points of difference between Christianity and Hindooism, which generally ends in their being left without any plausible objection to the truth; and they conclude the argument with saying

Let the Baboos and Pundits first embrace Christianity, then all the other castes will follow.

Besides the Chapel on the Mission Premises and that at Potuldunga, which seem to be the two above spoken of, Mr. Reichardt says, in June of last year

We

Another Chapel has lately been erected in Semlya, in a very eligible spot. opened it only about a month ago, and have hitherto had an attendance of from

100 to 200 hearers, who generally stay to hear during the whole time of the Service. The Chapel will hold 300 persons; and, as numbers of the people constantly pass by and many Hindoos live around, a numerous attendance is secured.

Mr. Reichardt gives the following account of the manner of conduct

ing the Service at the Potuldunga Chapel, and of the behaviour and character of the Natives:

We commence, generally, at seven o'clock in the evening; when the Service is opened by singing a hymn, during which the hearers assemble at the doors of the Chapel, some also coming in and taking a chair. After that, one of us addresses them, either on a text of Scripture, or some Parable, or any argument that may have been started at the commencement: thus, in succession, Two or THREE of us address the Natives, who are coming and going; so that as our Addresses begin, an entire new congregation has perhaps collected, and the new preacher has sometimes to go over the very same ground as his predecessor. When all the Addresses are finished, we conclude with prayer; after which Tracts are distributed to those who are desirous to obtain them.

I am happy to say that we perceive now more decorum than formerly among the hearers: they appear to know that a Christian Chapel is devoted to the Service of God, and that a decent behaviour is proper. A spirit of inquiry, also, seems to have gone abroad, which appears from the many sensible questions and arguments that are sometimes started, whereas formerly they used often to indulge in very frivolous questions and abusive language. We do not now permit them to interrupt us during the Discourse; and the benefit of this has frequently appeared, as we have been

able to deliver two or three Addresses without one objection being started. We always tell them to wait with their questions till the end of the Discourse; and if this is not obeyed, we either anthe disturber would leave the Chapel. swer the question very briefly, or beg We consider it derogatory to the office of a servant of the Most High, to be treated by Idolaters in an insolent manner; and our being determined on that point has had a very good effect in com manding respect. Great judgment, in

deed, ought to be used and especial grace prayed for, in the regulation of our conduct toward these poor Idolaters, as neither severity nor too great and mistaking mildness will suit them. I have seen instances where, perhaps, the mere raising of the voice was construed as proceeding from anger; and I have also known cases wherein too great mildness and forbearance have been abused for the most complete mockery, ridicule, and dissipation of the attention of all the hearers.

The great subject of our preaching is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified the Saviour of the World-of ALL, in ALL nations, who believe in Him. In Bengal this seems to be the topic of all others to be dwelt upon invariably, in order to awaken the people to a sense of their danger, and to rouse them from their total lethargy and indifference toward every thing connected with religion. In fact, the greater part of these obstinate Idolaters mind nothing at all. There is no fear of God before their eyes; while they indulge in every kind of superstition, vice, and abomination, too shameful to be even named. How true is the description that St. Paul gives in the First Chapter of his Epistle to the Romans! Idolaters, in every age and in every land, are the same- the same, in wickedness; the same, in total want of principle; the same, in utter forgetfulness of God and a Judgment Day! Such is the field in which the Lord has called us to labour. Though it be dreary and unpromising, yea almost disheartening, yet we do not despair: we have the Word of the Lord: we believe in His power and faithfulness; and all our doubts and fears vanish like the clouds before the wind.-He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet-Faithful is He that hath promised, who will also do it.

State and Disposition of the Natives. We add remarks on this subject by Mr. Wilson :

Independently of the general will ingness which we observe among the Natives to listen to the Gospel, there is not any thing remarkably striking. There is no difficulty in collecting a congregation, as often as we attempt to make known the Word of God among them. They listen, sometimes, with great patience for half-an-hour: at other

times, they prefer a lengthened debate on some favourite subject with which they are familiar.

One thing is worthy of notice-that. while they are made acquainted with the Name, Offices, Death, and Character of the Saviour, they in general attend to these particulars with decorum and apparent seriousness: those, who know how much averse the Hindoos have been to the mere mention of the Name of Jesus, will, I think, agree with us that prejudice is on the decline.

Another fact deserves attention-the almost total want of confidence in the knowledge which they possess of their own books. A man will frequently argue for an hour together, and find no difficulty in suggesting a thousand childish and even sometimes sensible arguments; but if you once ask him what Shaster he obeys, he is bewildered, astonished, and often silent: the truth is, he knows no Shaster.

It is extremely difficult to fix any thing on the conscience of a Hindoo respecting the value of his soul. All the notion that he has of spirit, is, that he is a small portion of the Great Spiritthat is, God: but he never supposes that he is to exist as a separate and distinct being; but merely that at death he shall again return to that source from whence he originally came, and become, in fact, a portion of God. This is a most paralyzing scheme for keeping them fast asleep in sin, and regardless of godly instruction. Caste, no doubt, keeps them under the fear of man; but this fatal notion, as a deadly bane, lulls them into torpor in the commission of every transgression, and closes every avenue of the heart against the fear, the mercy, and the love of God.

Still, I cannot but hope that some considerable impressions have been made by the Ministry of the Word among them. Some have wished to hear more on the subject of Christianity; and, in two or more instances, men have expressed their wish to be baptized-others publicly declare that caste is nothing; and that they read the Bible at home, and are Christians in heart. Thus, while appearances are so favourable, we may go forward with faith and hope. The work is indeed impossible to MAN: but the excellency of the power is of God, and not of us; and all things are possible with Him.

Usual Objections of the Natives against

Christianity.

Mr. Reichardt thus states the Objections usually urged by the Natives against Christianity :

The objections of the Natives seem to be confined to a certain limited num

ber; and arise partly from superstition, partly from ignorance: some of the most frequent I will mention; viz.

God is the author of sin-Christianity is a modern religion, lately brought into this country-We must not forsake the customs of our forefathers - What our Gooroos say is true-We are to deem our own Gooroos to be God-If Christianity be true, then all our forefathers must have gone to hell-Christians eat cow's flesh and destroy animal life -This is the Cali Yug (Iron Age) when sin abounds, on which account we cannot be blamed for our sins-What a great number of persons say must be true-The soul is a part of God, therefore does nothing without his co-operation -Jesus Christ is not mentioned in the Veda, nor in any other of our Shasters-Unless we tell lies, we cannot prosper in business-If we embrace Christianity, we lose our caste-Perform a miracle, and we will believe-Shew us any good that you have derived from ChristianityMany Christians lead very bad lives - Every man can be saved by HIS OWN religion There are as many different ways to Heaven, as there are roads leading to Government House-Christ was born among the Jews; and is, therefore, not the Saviour of Hindoos -We cannot alter the fate which is written in our foreheads; and, therefore, are not responsible &c. &c.

All these are easily to be answered; and I am happy to say that I have never yet seen a Hindoo triumph over the truth of the Gospel as stated by its heralds; but have always observed the Christian, with the eternal truth on his side, obtain the victory-awarded to him even by many of the Heathens themselves, when they have declared, "What you have said is really true, and we cannot disprove it." On such occasions, the one who proposed the objections generally takes to his heels or steals away privately: as soon as the point in question is to be settled and established, they try to evade it, either by starting some other objections, or adverting to some other matter, quite foreign to the subject.

Eagerness of the Natives for Tracts.
Mr. Reichardt writes-

The eagerness for Tracts is sometimes overwhelming a hundred hands lifted up at an instant, while one cries" I will

have a book"-another, "I can read: let me have one"-another, "I wish to get one for my brother, who will read it to me:" thus 50, 80, 100, or more Tracts are occasionally distributed. That they are read, we have had very satisfactory proofs: some Natives have serted that they had learned from Chrisexpressed sentiments which they as

tian Books: others have shewn such a

knowledge of Christ and His religion, that it was evident they must have read our books. Indeed these Tracts are as bread cast upon the waters, which shall be found after many days: they are a seed sown in a rugged and unprofitable soil : yet, though some may fall on stony ground and be lost, there are many little spots where this seed shall take root and bring forth abundance of precious fruit. Enlargement of the Mission Premises at Mirzapore.

The Committee state

On the Society's premises at Mirzapore a Puckah Chapel is now erecting for the use of the Missionary Establishment and the neighbourhood. The men of Eight Christian Families residing with us are mostly employed in the Society's Printing Office, and in various

offices connected with the Mission. A Thatched Chapel was last year erected for the convenience of Morning and Evening Worship, which is daily maintained; and the Lord's Supper administered every second Sunday of the month. Mr. Wilson concludes his report to the Committee in these words

I cannot but look back with thankfulness to the God of all Grace and Mercy for what I have been allowed to witness during three years in Calcutta; and do hope that things are changing for the better, from my own observation and experience: we should not, therefore, I think, merely continue the labours which we have commenced, but endeavour to enlarge our sphere of action, till the Heathen around us acknowledge Jesus to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

An intended enlargement of these Premises was noticed at pp. 334336 of our last Volume: it will appear from the following statement by the Committee, that the design

has been carried into effect ·

The improvements carrying on by the Lottery Committee in Calcutta have added greatly to the healthiness and general value of the Society's Premises at Mirzapore. The new road leading

from St. James's Church northward, runs close to the Society's Premises, taking off the north-west corner, and leaving a space to the southward, which it became necessary for the Committee to purchase, in order to secure the advantage of free circulation of air, as well as to prevent the space being occupied to the detriment of their former premises. The cost of this new purchase is 24, 182 Sicca Rupees; and the Committee did not venture upon it without much deliberation and reflection. The liberality of the Parent Society, in supplying so large a sum as 25007. for the purchase and improvement of the former part of the Premises, made the Committee very reluctant to venture on any act which might involve a necessity of applying for a further grant beyond the Annual Allowance; and they cannot but hope that the friends of the Society will make an effort, to prevent any necessity of selling part of the present estate, in order to the repayment of this latter purchase money. When it is considered, that, in the course of perhaps a few years, the purchase now made would be rendered necessary by the enlargement of the Mission, and then might not be had on any terms, the desirableness of securing the advantage now offered will appear evident.

The Committee feel that they are only beginning a work, which, by the blessing of God, will go on and increase, till it embrace the whole surrounding population: they feel justified, therefore, in attempting literally to lengthen the cords of their Missionary Tabernacle and to strengthen its stakes; and to make such provision, as that the work may not fail in future generations.

State of the English School at Mirzapore. Mr. Wilson writes, in May of last year

The English School has a pretty regular attendance of about 50 boys: they do not remain a sufficient time with us to benefit so much as we could wish; but this evil will be less, I hope, when we have the New School-Room finished, and other school apparatus in more perfect order. The boys are reading and studying Murray's Introduction -the New Testament Mangnall-Roman

and we do not find the least difficulty in introducing such books. We have occasionally a few experiments in Natural Philosophy: such studies have a wonderfully good effect, where the mind has been so completely trammeled by ignorance and superstition; but we have not been able to go far, on account of the few instruments which we have for this purpose: I hope, however, that these will gradually be increased, and especially as our work is assuming a more public aspect in consequence of the improvements in this neighbourhood.

State of Bengalee Schools.

In May of last year, Mr. Reichardt thus enumerates these Schools, with their respective distances in different directions from the Mission Premises, and the Scholars in each

Kidderpore.
Thomason's
Colinga..
Shealdah.
Mirzapore..
Tuntunnya..
Semlya
Shyam Pooker.
Cumpoli Tulloh.
Gooa Bagan.
Baug Bazaar

.31.

..60

.31. .5

...70

.54

Shyam Bazaar. Shyam Nagor.. Of these Thirteen Schools the Committee say—

There are 812 Boys in daily attendance, who are instructed in all the elementary books published by the SchoolBook Society; besides which, they read portions of the Christian Scriptures, and are instructed in a Catechism compiled by the Rev. Mr. Reichardt on the evidences and principal subjects of Christianity. This they commit to memory with the utmost readiness; and answer, on examination, to the questions, with a precision which would do credit to any Christian Institution.

Mr. Reichardt gives the following account of the Schools under his charge:

::

mar-and have gone in Arithmetic as far as Fractions. The English Bible has been a class-book for more than a year; August, 1827.

a short time, I have found it advisable to let the children chiefly read the Catechism composed by myself; which con

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