make more gods than one. He instanced a case of the Prophet Hoshia, or some such name; but could not give any authority, on my requiring it. The next point was, to establish the Prophetical Character of Mahomed, in reply to Mr. Bowley's "Rusalu," which he had read; the persons who copied it having taken it to him. One point was, to prove that he was foretold; for which reference was made to the celebrated promise of the Holy Spirit. (He brought with him an Arabic copy of the New Testament.) To establish the power of the Prophet to work miracles, he alluded to the instance of the moon being cut in two. He was just about to enter on the subject of the Prophet's many wives, when the time summoned him to Prayers: he took his leave, promising to come again to-morrow. At 8 o'clock, the Pundits came to me again, and remained till nearly 10 o'clock.

Feb. 8, 1829: Sunday-To-day, the Residents assembled for Divine Service at the house of the Judge. The Congregation was large: among them were 10 Christian Drummers. After Service, baptized a Boy about ten years old, the son of an Indigo Planter in the vicinity. Occasional visits will, I hope, in future, prevent such delay in matters of this kind. In the afternoon, had a Hindostanee Service for the Drummers and their Wives. They wish to have a Christian Schoolmaster or Catechist among them, for whom they are willing to subscribe a small sum. I spent the evening with Mr. Blackbourn, the Judge. Mr. B. has kindly offered to erect a small Chapel, for the purpose of Divine Service and Administration of the Sacraments in future; and to read the Service every Sunday publicly at his own house, till the Chapel shall be ready. I purpose, therefore, going over once in three months; and hope that Br. Eteson will occasionally visit there also.

Feb. 9- Arrived at Azeemghur. The Collector, to whom I was known, not being in the Station, I could do nothing respecting a School; but hope to be able to pay another visit soon.

Feb. 10-The Gosaen and his friend here appear to continue stedfast in the profession of Christianity among the people. He is called the Christian Devotee. I hope he will see it his duty to be baptized, ere long. Arrangements are in progress for the establishment of a School: we only want funds.

CHUNAR.

Extracts from the Journal of the Rev.
Charles Friend.

A MEMOIR of this devoted Missionary was given (pp. 34-44) in our last Number. We have before us his Journal, during the short period of his residence at Chunar; from which we extract the following particulars. For information relative to the Native Assistants mentioned by Mr. Friend, we refer our Readers to the Missionary Register for 1828 (p.462), and to that of last year (pp.320, 321); which give an account of their admission into the Church, by the blessing which was granted to Mr. Bowley's labours.

Jan. 1, 1829-Understanding that it was usual to have Divine Service on NewYear's Day, I preached this morning, from the words, Consider your ways: the Church was better attended than I ex

pected. In the afternoon we had Hindoostanee Service.

Jan. 2-After studying some time, I visited the Hospital; and had some conversation with several poor sick creatures, diseased in mind and body. Went to the English School; and afterward heard Charles Doss read in English. The Archdeacon wished me to assist this Youth in

pursuing those studies which may fit him

to be a Herald of Salvation. His time is so much taken up at present by his charge of a School, by his attendance at the Bazaar, by writing out Mr. Bowley's Sermons which he reads in the Congregation, and by other things, that he cannot do much at present: by-and-bye, I hope that he will be able to commence the rudiments of the Arabic and Hebrew Languages.

Jan. 8-Evening Service in English: attendance very small-12 or 15; yet I trust that the Lord was amongst us. Visited the Schools in the Bazaar, with Mr. Bowley. It was very interesting to hear the Children of the Hindee School repeat the Poem describing the Creation and Attributes of God, after the manner of the National Schools in England: went afterward to the English School, and had Charles Doss as usual. In the evening we had Hindoostanee Service: at the Bazaar we had quite a crowd.

Jan. 9-In the afternoon we went, according to engagement, to a neigh

bouring Village; where a learned Brahmin and Devotee resided, who wished to converse with Mr. Bowley. We found him dwelling within the precincts of a temple near the river, attended by some other Brahmins, and by some wealthy men, who wished to hear the discussions. After arguing for some time, the chief Brahmin retired, on pretence of performing his ablutions. The conversation was continued with another old Brahmin; who contended, that the man who did not worship the Gunga must be an unrighteous man, and could not know the truth. We were plainly and coarsely told, that we were gross deceivers, who were about to ensnare the people. Anxious that we should not leave this band of Idolaters without reading to them some portion of Truth, I proposed that a Tract should be read. No sooner, however, was that proposed, than the old man rose, and said, Nay; excuse me; I must make my salam: that may do for the Bazaar, but it will not do here: we are not to be taken in your net: you will not make converts of us." Probably, superstition, as well as fear, prompted this conduct; for the Natives declare, that there is a spell in our books. True, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: but, alas for those who refuse to hear its message! These poor creatures were sad examples of those whom the god of this world hath blinded, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Jan. 10, 1829-We had an interesting afternoon at the Bazaar. Perceiving a man performing poojah (worship) to a small lamp, I requested Mr. Bowley to take the opportunity of speaking to him. Mr. Bowley pointed out the absurdity of worshipping a light of his own forming, and the sinfulness of neglecting the light which God had furnished. The man worshipped the lamp because it gave him light; and yet, in the inconsistency of Heathenism, affirmed that God was speaking in him.

Jan. 13-A man called the other day at Mr. Bowley's, from a village about three miles off, which he had formerly visited. From the account which the man gave of the disposition of his brother-villagers, we were induced to appoint a day for visiting them. According to agreement, we went to the village this morning; and found several persons collected together, to hear the Message of the Lord. We retired from the sun, into a narrow mud verandah; and, being seated at one end, the Vil

lagers seated themselves opposite to us; and, our Native Readers not having arrived, Mr. Bowley began conversing with them. It appeared that they were mostly Sectarians, followers of Cuveer. They produced a small book, containing the principles of their faith: part of this was read and commented on by Mr. Bowley, who pointed out the True Way of salvation. The chief speaker, after a long conversation, was not only silenced as an objector, but was turned into an inquirer, requesting to be informed who Jesus was, that he might worship Him. Our interview was very pleasing: we were not received, as we sometimes are, as suspicious persons and deceivers, but with frankness and kindness. The Villagers appeared to be simple-hearted people, in a great measure devoid of prejudice: many of them received our books; and we obtained the consent of the owner of the building, in which we assembled, to commence a School there: this we shall endeavour to do; as it will furnish, we hope, the means of extending the knowledge of Christ in this place. About two hours were occupied in this village: and as another was in sight, we proceeded thither, accompanied by our Native Brethren. Observing several persons seated on an eminence, we approached them: they immediately rose to receive us: we requested them to be seated; when they brought us out one of the common country bedsteads; upon which we sat, under a small shed. We soon had a number of people round us, many of whom appeared very intelligent: I counted no less than 10 or 12 Brahmins among them. Mr. Bowley and Christian Tryloke had some conversation with them; and the latter read "Sin no Trifle." Here, also, we found some who accepted our books; but some declined. One man went so far as to say, “If we are ignorant, let us be willing to be instructed."

The

Jan. 16-Rode, before breakfast, with Mr. Smith and Mr. Bowley, to Turnbull Gunge. Here we found several Pilgrims returning home: they had been carrying water from Allahabad to Baijnaught and other places, in order to pour it on the indecent emblems of Mahadeo. water had been in small glass goblets, containing nearly a quart; which were placed in round baskets, and carried on bamboos: rich individuals sometimes employ persons to perform for them this meritorious act. Mr. Smith stood under a tree and addressed them, but not at

much length; as the sun was getting high, and they wanted to be proceeding on their journey. We next went to another part, where we found three Devotees in a small Temple: one of them has been long known to Mr. Bowley, and is much attached to him: he wished, on this occasion, to bring him out some sugar or other small presents. This poor man is acting against his conscience, in remaining a Devotee; for he is aware that Hindooism is false, and will acknowledge it; but says, that his ancestors gained their living in that way; and that if he should give it up, he should have nothing to live upon. These Devotees are so much reverenced, or feared, that abundance of things are given them.

One of the other

Jan. 17, 1829-This morning early, Messrs. Smith, Bowley, and myself, walked to the Bazaar; and had an opportunity of speaking to some Mahomedans and Hindoos, who gathered round. In the evening we saw again the Nannukshites: they were assembled in one of the shops: the sacred book was before them, with its splendid covering, to which they kept bowing while they'repeated some words. I was not near enough to hear the words; but I expect they were the same as those which Ward mentions: "Wah! Gooroo jeeda khalsa! Wah! Gooroo jeekee phůlé ! *" It seemed to be more of a show than any thing else, for the purpose of obtaining money. We had many hearers when the Tracts were read, but not many at the Chapel. Some young hot-headed Mussulmans wished to disturb us; but our Native friend Bakhtower would not allow them, and compelled them to go away: but before doing so he invited them to listen to the Word: to which one replied, that he cursed us and all our doings.Poor man! he knew not that we were his best friends.

Jan. 23-A very interesting young Soldier came to me this morning, to speak on spiritual things. He has had some very alarming work on his conscience; and is, I trust, under deep spiritual impressions.

Jan. 24-I have been preparing, with *O Teacher, excellent deliverance! O Teacher, excellent victory

the assistance of my Brethren, the outline of a Missionary Association for this place, which I greatly desire. The Church Missionary Society has done much, very much, for Chunar; the least return for which will be, to assist in the general objects of the Society: this I hope to urge in a Missionary Sermon to-morrow, if the Lord will, to the best of my ability.

Jan. 25-Three Villagers came in from a village about four miles off: one or two of them were Brahmins. They had formerly received a copy of the Catechism, and now came to make some further inquiries into our Holy Religion. They sat down; and after some exhortation from Mr. Bowley, Thakoor read to them "The Evil of Sin;" the truth of which they acknowledged. They were furnished with copies of a Gospel, and took their leave, promising to come again. Oh may the Lord, who has, I trust, sent them, cause them to receive the Truth, and glorify Himself in them!

one.

Jan. 30-Visited the Hospital. There are some interesting cases: one an awful The poor man was evidently in much mental perturbation: his lip quivered as he spoke, and his whole countenance displayed the agony of his mind. He told me, that he was now in such a state, that he hardly knew if there were a heaven or a hell. I referred him to what was then passing in his mind, as an evidence of the latter. Poor soul! May God have mercy upon him!

Feb. 3-I almost hesitated this afternoon about going to the Bazaar: my own Brethren were away; and our NativeReaders, Thakoor and Tryloke, were not here-the former was unwell: Charles Doss was the only one left. But not at all liking to slacken our efforts, calling a Heathen Lala or Schoolmaster to assist, off we sallied. At first, we had scarcely any one to hear; but getting one or two hearers, Charles Doss read and explained the Poem, and we soon had a number of listeners. When he had gone through the Poem, the Lala read "The Evil of Sin ;" and then, the people still remaining, Charles read a short Discourse, in Hindee. When he had finished, an intelligent-looking man asked Bakhtower, whether Jesus Christ could save from hell. This led to a long and, apparently, very serious and interesting conversation. The man (he was a Brahmin) listened with the greatest attention, and accepted one of our books. When we left the Bazaar, I thanked our Heathen friend- if it still be right to call

one a Heathen who is a Christian in every thing but the name-for the assistance he had rendered. "Oh" he replied, "I am not worthy of your thanks; but give me your prayers."

Feb. 12, 1829-This morning, Mr. Bowley having breakfasted with me, we crossed the river, and drove to a village formerly mentioned, where the people seemed so well disposed toward us. It turned out a wet morning; but several of the Villagers assembled, and we went into an upper-room, or loft, belonging to the chief of them. The ascent was from the outside, by some mud steps; which led, first to a narrow, low verandah, in which, at this time, were the Boys who form the School which we have commenced. This verandah led into a comfortable room, arched with two crooked branches of trees, which supported the tiles and bamboos of the roof. Here we held our convocation. After waiting a short time, the sharpest of the village wits having arrived, a long conversation ensued, which I hope Mr. Bowley will give in full. The chief speaker appeared to be more a caviller than an inquirer; but others possessed a more honest and favourable mind. The conversation lasted between two and three hours: the number present was about 30. The Christian Schoolmaster is frequently engaged till late at night, in reading and explaining the Gospel: what the result will be we know not, but we leave the event to God.

Feb. 18-An intelligent-looking young Gosaen, who had been with us some time and had learned to read our books, left us this day he had recently given many marks of an unstable mind; which prevented his being baptized, as he desired. Another Young Man left with him, who recently came over to us from Benares to be baptized; but he never shewed any real concern for his soul.

Feb. 20-We were forcibly reminded at the Bazaar, this afternoon, of the strong Scriptural declarations of the state of man, as dead in trespasses and sins: and when we looked on the vacant gaze of the poor Idolaters while the Tracts were reading, we were almost led to say, Can these dry bones live? But we remembered the power of the Lord, and confided in His word—The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. While we sat in the little shop which we have hired for that purpose, Tryloke sat in the opposite shop, surrounded by some intelligent

men, with whom he had much conversation; but he found them vain reasoners. I was much pleased by hearing old Nicodemus give his testimony to the Truth, again, this afternoon. This delightful old disciple said to an inquirer, “If I could have found any other Religion in which I could have BREATHED, I would not have embraced Christianity. Do you think I would have sacrificed my friends and relations, my children and my wife, for nothing?" He spoke more to the same purpose, with much emphasis and feeling. How forcible is the testimony of such a man! how valuable such a living witness to the Truth! May God raise up many such!

Feb. 23-In the evening, the Missionary Collectors met at my house for the first time, and brought their Monthly Collections we are going on steadily.

Feb. 24-Mr. Bowley went to Benares this morning his health is very indifferent he thinks of going to Gorruckpore for a short time: we had not many at the Bazaar this afternoon: the time of the great Festival of the Holee is at hand; and many, indeed, have commenced it. To-day a party of Sipahee went through the Bazaar, making many gestures, and singing indecent songs. The Holee is the great Festival held at the approach of the Vernal Equinox, when the greatest licentiousness is said to prevail: a woman can scarcely walk the streets without being insulted. Amid all, we still sound the Gospel Trumpet, and warn the sinner of the error of his ways.

Feb. 25-Went to the Bazaar Schools. The First Class Boys of the Oordoo read the 11th of St. Matthew; the Second Class, the 3d chapter: both Classes read well: the first evidently understood its meaning, generally. In the Hindee School, a few Boys were able to read in St. Matthew: the rest repeated part of the Tract in verse.

Feb. 26-Went early to the English School in the Church Compound, and heard the Boys read in the English Testament: each Boy, after reading a few words, turned the English into Hindoostanee. From thence, I proceeded to the Military Schools, and catechized the Children.

March 2--We held our usual Monthly Missionary Prayer-Meeting. I thought, when Thakoor, a Converted Brahmin, rose from praying that his Countrymen might be brought to the knowledge of the Truth, how many thousands of

the Children of God, in my beloved native land, would have rejoiced to have seen what I saw, and to hear what I heard.

March 3, 1829-We had many hearers at the Bazaar, and three or four received our books: we had not, however, any inquirers. In the evening, the Committee of the New Church Missionary Association met at my house. We have taken on the Funds of the Association, from the Parent Society, two Hindee Schools, and one Persian School: we have also agreed to support the School in the village on the other side of the river, recently formed; and another constant Reader. We shall also pay Tryloke, till he can be supported from the other Fund. We are thus commencing operations; and I hope we shall be able to do more than we are even now doing, if the good hand of our God be upon us. Oh for a single eye to His glory!

March 6-The licentious Feast of the Holee will last, I find, about fourteen days longer the people are so much engaged, that to-day we could scarcely obtain a hearing; and, as the time of the hot winds is approaching, I fear we shall not be able to do so much out of doors. Good old Nicodemus is here, but he is daily getting more infirm: had he the power, he would doubtless be telling of the lovingkindness of the Lord all the day long. As I am so young in the Mission, and so imperfectly, at present, acquainted with the Languages, the absence of Mr. Bowley will be a great loss to me. But cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils : there is ONE who has said, Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

March 16-My mind was much impressed to-day with those solemn words, Work while it is day; from reading, in the Paper, of the death of Mr. Kindlinger. I saw him at Madras; and esteemed him much, as a devoted Missionary of Christ. During the short time that I have been in the country, one has sailed for England, and two have departed to another world, who were connected with the Society.

March 18-After rather a close day's labour in-doors, it was a relief to go to the Bazaar when the sun permitted; but not so to observe the carelessness of the people.

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We had sometimes ten or twelve persons hearing, and sometimes only two or three; but then the people in the opposite shops would hear. I observed, at one time,

listening, an aged man, whose trembling limbs proclaimed his near approach to death, and whose whole appearance was that of a person in the poorest circumstances; a blind man; and a leper! To the poor the Gospel is preached.

March 20-Yesterday evening, and at night, till I fell asleep, Í heard the noise of the multitude, while celebrating the customs of the Holee. The first thing this morning, I heard the same noise. It was a beautiful moonlight night; and had been spent, I had too much reason to fear, by many thousands, in the grossest ex

cesses.

Fires had been kindled in many places, according to custom; but I cannot learn that any effigies are burned in this place on the present occasion. The effigy of a Female Demon, which is called the "Holika," is said to be burned in many places: the fire itself in Chunar bears that name. There is a short account of Holee in the 24th Volume of the Asiatic Journal, No. 142 (Oct.) This day has been a general holiday: the boys have forsaken their school; the labourers their work; the Sipahees their exercise: play, noise, and drinking, are the order of the day. The Sipahees are particularly noted for their noisy rejoicings, and for the licentious songs which they sing. We could not venture into the Bazaar to-day: it would have been a folly to have interrupted it.

was

March 26-Had a few hearers in the Bazaar, when the first Address read, who sat, for the most part, in the opposite shop. Toward the close of the Address, a Brahmin Devotee came and seated himself near me. I asked him if he could read; he answered in the negative; but said, that he would listen to what was being read: subsequently, Charles Doss had some conversation with him. The poor man said, that he was in the habit of visiting the different places of Pilgrimage; and that he expected, from the repetition of the name of Ram, to obtain salvation. The Hindoos compare this repetition of "Ram, Ram” to fire;— their sins, to cotton; which, by saying Ram, Ram," are consumed and destroyed.

April 1-Had a few hearers at the Bazaar, one of whom, a Brahmin, took much interest in what was read. Whilst the man was listening, some of his friends, as we have often seen done before, tried to draw him away. 'What," said they, you, a Bhugut, listening to these things Do you mean to become a Christian?”