The joy which we felt on witnessing this new state of things was completed, by our attendance at the Chapel on the Mission Premises the evening that we left Burdwan. For the first time I heard our Liturgy read in Bengalee, and the responses given distinctly by the Natives. It was a rich feast! Mr. Perowne has full Service in this Chapel every Sunday Evening, and several Natives (about 30 at present) attend from the neighbourhood. One person comes regularly on a Sunday from a distance of eight miles, in order to receive instruction.

The introduction of Christian Worship and Preaching at different Villages was noticed at p. 74 of the Survey; and, more at large, at pp. 437, 438 of our last Volume. In speaking of the Village of Pala, Mr. Thomason says

Mr. Perowne attends two evenings in the week, with his class of Boys and Pundit, for the performance of Divine Worship. We attended with him on the evening of Tuesday. The Service commenced with a hymn, sung by the boys: the Pundit then read and expounded a chapter, the Eleventh of St. Matthew: Mr. Perowne followed with a suitable exhortation and prayer, and then dismissed the company with a blessing: about 150 persons from the village might be present. Three other villages have followed the example of Pala. Surely this is a great subject of thankfulness. When the people themselves urge the attendance of a Christian Missionary, there is every reason to hope that his labour will not be in vain in the Lord; and a better opening can scarcely be imagined, than is thus afforded for the full scope of a Missionary's calling.

In the following communication from Mr. Perowne to the Archdeacon of Calcutta, in the latter part of October, while we regret the faillure of his health we cannot but rejoice to witness his activity in sowing the seed of the Word in the Villages around him.

You have doubtless heard of my severe and continued indisposition since I last wrote to you: after being for five weeks unable to have service, I went to Church on the 13th of August, and also re-commenced the Bengalee Worship at home;

but, the same night, I had a relapse, from the effects of which I am not yet recovered.

As might have been expected, discou ragements have arisen from my not being able for some time to direct the affairs of the Mission: but, upon the whole, there is great cause for thankfulness. Ram Doolal seems more in earnest than ever; and professes a desire to be bap tized whenever I may deem it expedient. Another Pundit, Ram Harry of Camalpore, appears well disposed: he says he feels that there is no salvation out of Christ; and he is determined to become a Christian, though at present he does not feel sufficient confidence to give up his caste: in the mean time, he reads and explains the Scriptures to such of his fellow-villagers as are willing to attend him after school in the afternoon.

Two other persons are receiving instruction, with a view to baptism; and several more are inquiring.

In the beginning of June, I went, at the request of Ram Harry, to preach at Camalpore. About 20 villagers were already assembled in the School-Room, when I arrived at six in the morning. One of the elder boys read a chapter; after which I preached to the people for about three-quarters of an hour; giving them a brief outline of the Gospel, and calling upon them to receive instruction, repent, and believe. I was much pleased with their attention. They have, several times since, expressed their regret that I could not go frequently; and some of them manifest a desire to learn, by attending the Pundit when he reads and explains the Scriptures.

From Camalpore I proceeded to Goytonpore. Many People soon assembled in the School-Room, with whom I conversed on religion till after eleven o'clock, when I found it necessary to take some refreshment and repose. I remained in the School till three in the afternoon, when I was invited to the house of a respectable Native in the centre of the village. In about half-anhour, the enclosure in front of the house they sat down in rows, and were very was filled with persons of all descriptions: orderly I addressed them from the verandah, which was filled with most of the principal people in the place. I was engaged in explaining the leading truths of Christianity, in answering questions, and in meeting objections, till about half-past five, when a heavy shower of rain com

pelled the people to disperse. There seemed no indisposition to hear the Word of God: several expressed a readiness to attend, whenever I would go and instruct them: some said that they were too old to embrace a new religion; others observed, that they thought something better than they had, was necessary. One, a clever, shrewd old man, who sat near me, after listening attentively for some time, advised me very seriously to desist from teaching our religion to the Natives of this country: on my enquiring the reason of his giving this advice, he replied, “I have often wondered why the English are so superior to us and the Mussulmans; and I now see that it is owing to your Religion: now, if you teach us your religion, it will make us equal to you; and we shall be able to protect and govern our own country, and you will lose possession of it." This observation was so unexpected from a Native, that I scarcely knew what answer it was best to make. I told him, however, that this was a question on which I did not wish to enter. "I am sent," I said, "to preach the Gospel: it is my duty to do so; but I have nothing to do with political matters: it is of little consequence to you or me, or to any one now present, who will rule this country some hundred years hence; but it is of infinite consequence whether our souls be saved or not. As to the government of nations, God gives them to whomsoever He pleases; and no power can hold them longer or lose them sooner than He sees good. He commands all Christians to seek the conversion and salvation of the Heathen; and, while the English continue to obey this command with regard to the people of this country, He will rather increase their possessions here than deprive them of what He has given."

The man of greatest influence in Goytonpore and the surrounding villages was not at home; which I regretted, as I had, from time to time, caused the Scriptures and other religious books to be conveyed to him, and wished much to have an interview with him. Our wish, it seems, was mutual; for, a few days after, he came to my house, when we conversed together for about two hours. He had read, and evidently understood,

the different books sent to him.

I was

surprised at the clearness of his views on the subject of religion. I told him my only object in coming to this country

was to convert the Natives; and that, in order to this, the Schools had been established: but, as preaching was the chief means on which we could expect the Divine Blessing, and the only means by which we could instruct the adult population, I was anxious to collect the people wherever I could, and teach them at stated times. He replied, that, as a Hindoo, he saw no objection to the people hearing what I had to say about Christianity; and that if I would go to Goy tonpore, he would himself attend, and also use his influence with others to do the same; and then, after hearing, people would become Christians or not, as they thought best.

I am sorry that illness has ever since prevented my taking any further steps; but I hope, by the Divine Blessing, soon to be able to do so. As Camalpore and Goytonpore are both on the other side of the Damooda, at a distance of about six miles from our house, and there is no means of getting there except with bearers, I thought of building a small bungalow in one of the villages, in order to be able to stay a day and night, or longer, if necessary: one room and a bathing-room, which could be made for 100 rupees, would afford every thing needful, and would prevent much exposure, and much of the fatigue of travelling, both in visiting the schools and preaching.

Three baptisms and two marriages took place on St. Matthew's Day. It was an interesting occasion. I hope we shall have many such.

I am sorry to inform you, that most of the Village School-Houses are in so bad a state, that they require re-building: three have fallen down; and a fourth is supported from falling with props. Those that cannot be repaired, I will have rebuilt: such as can be made to stand over till next year, shall do so. This extra expense is grievous; but it is unavoidable.

Promising State of the Mission.

We rejoice to add the testimony of such an eye-witness as Mr. Thomason to the promising state of this Mission. Missionaries are becoming increasingly cautious in receiving reports from others, especially Natives; and even in judging of appearances: a statement is made, on the authority of some

Natives, at p. 237 of our Volume for 1824, of the promising state of a Village near Burdwan, which was afterward found not at all to be borne out by the facts of the case: the testimony of intelligent and trustworthy witnesses is, therefore, highly to be valued. Mr.Thomason writes

Those who are sanguine in their hopes of an extensive and rapid conversion of the Natives to Christianity, will see nothing very encouraging in what has now been reported: but, to us, who have watched the course of things from the very commencement of our Missionary Labours, these openings cannot but be very cheering. We have felt the strong prejudices which opposed the work, and the difficulty with which even a common school for the instruction of children could be established: we found it necessary to be cautious and prudent, patient and persevering; and have seen the gradual progress of education, until a whole class of boys have grown up

under our eyes, preparing daily for useful labour, and becoming more qualified and disposed to communicate instruction to their fellow-countrymen. We now see these boys, some of them actually engaged in superintending schools, others about to undertake the work of trans

lating, while all unite with the Christian Minister in his daily prayers, and even accompany him to Native Villages, and open the service with a hymn to the honour of the Redeemer, in a Chapel established at the request of the villagers themselves. In all this we must rejoice. We thank God, and take courage; not doubting that He, who hath begun the good work, will carry it forward. You may easily imagine that to me it is a subject of joy and thankfulness that I have been permitted to see our Burdwan Establishment, in what may be called its MATURE STATE, before my departure. May God abundantly bless His own appointed ordinances, there and elsewhere, until the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Divine Truth!

Baptist Miss. Soc.-The Rev. Joseph Burton, late of Canterbury, has been appointed to Jamaica: he left London, with Mrs. Burton, at the end of June, to embark at Liverpool in the William, Captain Jamieson, on board which vessel Messrs. G. F. Angas and Co. had granted them a free passage. Church Miss. Soc. The promising report just given relative to Burdwan will awaken regret in the reader to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Perowne, with their three children, have been obliged to visit home on account of health they left Calcutta, on the 8th of April, in the Mary Ann, Captain O'Brien, and arrived at Plymouth on the 5th of September: his health had much improved during the voyage.

CONTINENT.

Bible Society. The Rev. Dr. Pinkerton and the Rev. R. W. Sibthorp are now on a visit to various parts of the Continent on the Society's concerns. They write from Frankfort, on the 20th of August

We reached Darmstadt on the evening of the 16th. The following morning we hastened to call on Dr. Van Ess. You will participate in our feelings when we found this distinguished Labourer in the Bible Cause alarmingly ill; too much so to allow him to see us with safety, or even to hear our arrival communicated to him: he had been attacked, about eight days before, with a violent fever, which had assumed unfavourable symptoms.. We were precluded, by this dispensation of Providence, from any present communication with him. Being thus retarded as to the principal object of our visit to Darmstadt, we judred it best to proceed, without delay, to Frankfort, where we had business of the Society to attend to.... The chief part of our business at Darmstadt we hope to execute on our return from the interior of Germany, should it please God to prolong Dr. Van Ess's valuable life: the accounts which we have

Entelligence.

received this morning communicate no improvement as to his state: three Physicians were attending him.

Church Miss. Soc.-Mr. Jowett and Mr. Schlienz were both indisposed in the latter part of May: Mr. Jowett writes

We have here sometimes more distinct and positive suffering from the approach of summer heat, than from its continuance: the months of May and June knock us down, if I may so express myselfthe months of July, August, and September, simply leave us languishing on the ground.

At the end of July, Mr. Jowett's indisposition continued: he writes

I am sorry to report that it prevents my giving that attention to various communications which I feel desirous to give. Several very weighty matters-such as the Mission to Constantinople; the utility of attempting something more permanent in the way of instruction for the Greeks; the state of the Egyptian and Abyssinian Mission; and the kind of effect likely to be produced, and already in some degree actually produced, on the Oriental Churches; together with some points of moment rising up in my own immediate sphere-all these lie continually before my mind. I am extremely reluctant to hold them in suspense; but am, in a considerable degree, unable to treat of them: they will require a more braced state of body and mind than I possess at this enervating season. Pray for me, that my delay may not go the length of self

indulgence, and that it may be attended with some of the benefits of mature reflection. I am thankful to say that I am just aoie to keep the Press in its usual activity, or nearly so.

Mr. Hartley writes from Constantinople, on the 12th of July, that he was about to supply the place of the British Chaplain at Smyrna, for six months; that Gentleman being obliged to visit England for a short time. The two Jewish Converts who remained firm have had the time of their imprisonment extended to three years!

CHINA.

Dr. Morrison writes, on 16th DecemberChina is greatly agitated at present, by a revolt of the Mahomedans in Little Bucharia, from Cashgar to Hami, on the South of the Alah Mountaius, in the ancient Scythia extra Imaus." His Imperial Majesty is intent on send ng an army thither, to reduce them to obedience.-The Lord reigneth! INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES.

The Mary Anne, with the Bishop of Calcutta (p. 342) on board, arrived at Madeira on the 2d of August, and sailed again on the 6th.

Lieut.-Col. Newall, of the Madras Army, British Resident at the Court of Travancore, embarked at Allepie, on board the Cumberland, on his return home; his health not allowing of longer residence in India. But it was too late he died on board that ship, on the 30th May, after an illness of a few hours.

Church Miss. Soc.-The venerable Abdool Messeeh finished his course, on Sunday the 4th of March, at Lucknow; we shall give a brief Memoir of this distinguished Convert in our next Number-The George (see p. 223) anchored in Simon's Bay, at the Cape, on the morning of the 14th of June; after a narrow escape from shipwreck, the preceding night, in False Bay. Miss Baker, Sister of the Rev. Henry Baker, who was proceeding, at her own expense, to join her Brother in Travancore, was seized with typhus fever on the 6th of May, shortly after entering the Tropics, and died on the 15th. Miss Stratford, in attending on Miss Baker, caught the fever; as did Mrs. Norton afterward, in performing the same kind office: Miss Stratford's life was in danger for some days, but both were restored. It pleased God to bless the prompt measures adopted to prevent the spread of the contagion-The Marquis Wellington, on board of which vessel Mr. and Mrs. Latham are proceeding (p. 301) to Calcutta, was spoken with, on the 20th of July, in Lat. 10 N. and Long. 24 W.

POLYNESIA.

Board of Missions-The American Board

have sent out a little vessel, the Missionary Packet, for the use of the Missionaries at the Sandwich Islands. Captain Hunnewell, who commands her, attempted the passage round Cape Horn, but was obliged to pass by the Straits of Magellan: he reached Valparaiso on the 1st of September of last year. Karaimoku, whose continued illness was stated in the Survey, died in peace on the 8th of February.

UNITED STATES.

Slave-Emancipation in New York-The Legislature of the State of New York has wisely and humanely adopted the policy of a gradual extinction of Slavery. The Act took place on the 4th of July, the Anniversary of American Independence: the following are its chief provisions :—

1. All who were held as Slaves previously to the 4th of July 1799, are absolutely and unconditionally emancipated.

2. The Children of Slaves, born after the 4th of July 1799 and before the 31st of March 1817, remain the Servants of the Owners of their Mothers and their representatives, "in the same manner as if such children had been bound to service by the overseers of the poor," viz. males until the age of 28 years, and females until the age of 25. 3. Children, born of Slaves since the 31st day of March 1817, remain Servants as aforesaid until the age of 21 years, and no longer.

4. The Children of Servants by Law are absolutely free; and their condition is the same as that of White Children, except as to the qualification for voting at elections.

Board of Missions Several Members of the Sandwich-Islands Mission have returned home on account of health. Dr. Blatchely, with his family and the eldest daughter of Mr. Whitney, embarked in the beginning of November on board the Connecticut, Captain Chester, and arrived at New London on the 26th of May. Mr. Loomis, printer, with his family and the eldest daughter of Mr. Ruggles, embarked on the 6th of January in the brig Convoy, Captain Grimes, for Valparaiso; from which place they reached Baltimore on the 20th of June. The chief part of the charges for passage on these occasions was liberally remitted-At the Monthly Concert in Boston, on Monday the 11th of June, six persons were dismissed to their labours; the Rev. Cyrus Stone and Mrs. Stone, the Rev. David O. Allen and Mrs. Allen, and Miss Farrar, for Bombay; and Mr. John Eliot, as a Teacher among the Tuscarora Indians: those destined to Bombay embarked, on the 12th, in the Emerald, Captain Heard, for Calcutta; and Mr. Eliot left Boston on the 13th.