vancing.

At the end of December 1828, the Congregations consisted of somewhat more than 5000 persons, of whom 760 had been baptized; and at the end of June 1829, 1855 Families, containing 6240 souls, had become inquirers after the Truth. In connection with the Mission there are 53 Places of Worship distributed among 205 Villages, at which Service is performed, by Native Catechists, almost daily; 46 Schools containing 970 Scholars, with an average attendance of 680, of whom 48 are Girls; besides a Male and Female Seminary, containing 30 Male Scholars and 21 Female. There are also 43 Native Catechists, whom the Missionaries find valuable Assistants in their labours. The Appendix to the Society's Twenty-sixth Report contains a succinct account of the origin and progress of this work, towards the accomplishment of which the preaching of the Gospel and the preparation of Native Teachers appear to have been mainly instrumental. Several of the Youths under instruction were the first seals of Ministerial Labour; and these, when their character had acquired some degree of stability, were the means of awakening the attention of their own countrymen to spiritual subjects.

The fallen condition of the Syrian Churches in Travancore is familiar to all who are acquainted with the late Dr. Buchanan's Researches. In 1815, Lieut. Colonel Munro, the then President in Travancore, having investigated the state of those Churches, felt a strong desire to use means for re-animating those principles of pure doctrine and primitive discipline which prevailed among them at a former period. Under the influence of this desire, he opened a communication with the Society's Representatives in Madras, for the purpose of obtaining the assistance of Missionaries for accomplishing the important objects which he had in view.

While the direct object of the Society is the conversion of Mahomedans and Heathens, it gladly avails itself of opportunities of assisting to restore any of the fallen Christian Churches which are surrounded by Mahomedans and Heathens, not only for the sake of those Churches themselves, but because, when restored, they may reasonably be expected to become active and useful Labourers among their ignorant neighbours. On this ground, the Society, at Colonel Munro's instance, commenced its labours in Travancore, in which District Allepie was first occupied as a Missionary Station; shortly after, Cottayam, the principal seat of the Mission; and subsequently Cochin. Among the chief means planned by the President for the elevation of the Syrian Church, were— -the Translation of the Scriptures and Liturgy into Malayalim, the vernacular language of the country; the formation of a College for the education of the Priests; and the establishment of Schools at each of the Churches in the District, for the instruction of the Children at large. These important measures were generally approved by the Syrian Clergy, and received their support; and they, without delay, took steps toward a Translation of the Scriptures. In the second of these objects, the President's plans were greatly facilitated by the munificence of Her Highness, the Rannee of Travancore; who, in addition to benefactions of 21,000 rupees, endowed the College with a tract of land seven miles in circumference. With these facilities, the Missionaries entered on their work, which required the exercise of great delicacy and wisdom; but in which, by the Divine Blessing, they soon conciliated the respect and affection of the Clergy, conducting the Mission on the principle of making the Church as much as possible the instrument of its own improvement, by means of the constituted Ecclesiastical

Authorities, the Metran and Cata

nars.

The Missionaries have succeeded in their endeavours to remove much that was objectionable among the Syrians; and have each been occupied in his own particular department of labour, one of them taking charge of the College, another of the Grammar and other Schools, and the third engaged in the Translation of the Scriptures and Liturgy, and in the Superintendence of the Press. There is good reason to hope, that the instructions given to those who have availed themselves of the advantages of the College have, in several instances, been the means of bringing them into a saving knowledge of Divine Truth, and of impressing them with a sense of the responsibility of the Christian Ministry. Besides 53 Students in the College, and between 50 and 60 Scholars in the Grammar School, there are 860 Boys in 32 Parochial Schools, and a Female School with 18 Scholars. The Gospel of St.

Luke has been translated into Malayalim, and an Edition of 5000 copies printed; and portions of the Acts of the Apostles, and of the Liturgy, are in progress.

Besides the Stations already mentioned in South India, the Society has a Catechist at Tellicherry, but has been unable to supply it with a Missionary.

We subjoin to this brief sketch some communications from the Missionaries, which give a detailed account of their labours at their respective Stations.

MADRAS.

On the Rev. William Sawyer's return to England, the Rev. P. P. Schaffter, who had shared Mr. Bärenbruck's labours at Mayaveram, removed to Madras, and took charge of the Native Congregations and Seminary which had been under Mr. Sawyer's care. The general state of the Congregations and Schools will be seen from the following [RECORD, April, 1830.]

Extracts from Mr. Schaffter's Journal.

Jan. 1, 1829-The greater part of our Christians, and many Heathens, came to-day to wish me a good New Year. We had also, this morning, the Annual Meeting of our Native Association, which has existed now for more than four years mote, in one way or other, the cause of The money which is collected is to proMissions in the vicinity of Madras. About thirteen Rupees were collected, nearly all in Dudies; for these Christians are poor. I read to them, and preached a Tamul Sermon adapted to the occasion: after which, one of our Catechists

addressed them.

Jan. 9-Spoke with a Native RomanCatholic, whom a Catechist brought to me. After some conversation with him on Religion, seeing that he is a sensible man and has an open ear to Truth, I tried to point out to him some of the chief errors of the Roman-Catholic Church, which he seemed to see. I gave him a Tract, calculated to give him further information on the subject; of which he read a part with fluency.

Jan. 10- Heard this morning the weekly reports of our Catechists: they write down briefly, in Tamul, the substance of their daily employments, in order that I may fully understand their reports, and ascertain the correctness of them. Christian, Catechist, is now much engaged in giving Religious Instruction to five persons who seem desirous to become Christians.

Jan. 15-Visited the Congregation at Pursewalkum, and one School; having with me Christian, Catechist, to shew me the houses. The people are still more reserved with me than they were with Mr. Sawyer: I was gratified to see that some of them keep their houses clean and in good order.

Jan. 19-Visited the people of our Congregation at Black Town: neither are these people so open with me as they were with Mr. Sawyer.

Jan. 20-Made a journey to Poonamallee, to visit our School and Congregation there. In the forenoon, I read Prayers and a Sermon, in Tamul, to a Congregation of more than thirty persons, who were attentive, and seemingly valued the preaching of the Word of God. After the Sermon, I proposed some questions and gave some exhortations to four Native Women, who were desirous of Baptism, and for that purpose receive daily instructions from our Catechist stationed

M

there. After dinner, I visited the persons belonging to our Congregation, as Mr. Sawyer was used to do. I fear that many of them received me with more customary kindness than real Christian love. Jan. 21, 1829-I went to see Br. Kindlinger, a Missionary of our Society, who came yesterday from Pulicat, and is now very ill at Mr. Bannister's. Though he is under great bodily pain, yet he is resigned and composed.

Jan. 24 Four persons, who have been now for three months under instruction, were brought to me by Christian, Catechist: they first repeated the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed, which they know perfectly by heart: I then proposed to them many questions on the fundamental truths of Christianity, to which they answered in a very satisfactory manner. On my asking them what made them desirous to become Christians, one of them said, "I wish to save my soul.". -"Who gave you first the desire to save your soul ?"'Nobody," he said: "I felt that desire for some time before I knew any thing of Christianity."

After some more conversation with them, they asked me if I would not soon baptize them : on which I said, that they ought still to learn diligently for some weeks, and to pray to God to enlighten their minds by His good Spirit; then, if I found that they had attended to my advice, I would not refuse to admit them into the Christian Church, by the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. I had already seen them before; and intend to visit them several times more, before I baptize them. After these people were gone, another Heathen came to me, who also was desirous of becoming a Christian. I examined him, as I had done the others; and dismissed him with the same hope. It would be a great joy to me to continue to instruct, and afterward to baptize these people, if I had a full persuasion that they are converted to God.

Jan. 28-Visited and examined four of our Tamul Schools, near Madras: a few of the Children read very well; but all have been neglected in committing their catechisms to memory. Christian, an old Catechist, was with me. I saw also, on my way, some people belonging to our Congregation.

Jan. 31-Went to see our Candidates for Baptism, at Cunshee Totty; and examined them again on the principal truths of Christianity, on the experimental knowledge of which the salvation of

our souls depends. I tried also, assisted by Christian, Catechist, to make them feel the importance of Christian Baptism, and the great responsibility connected with it. To all this they gave very satisfactory answers, always expressing a great desire to become Christians. After this, Christian, Catechist, who has attended them ever since they have been under instruction, at my request, examined them on Sacred History, the Fall of Man, the consequences of the Fall, the coming of the Redeemer into the world, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and the spreading of the Gospel through the world; and, by the answers which they gave, I was confirmed in my opinion, both that Christian, Catechist, is an active and able Assistant, and that these Candidates were really desirous of learning the way of Salvation. At this examination, a great number of the poor people at Cunshee Totty attended.

Feb. 4- Had a conversation this morning with two Young Men from Chittore. One of them, already a Christian, has been brought to the knowledge of the Gospel by Mr. Dacre, late Judge in that place: the other, still a Mahomedan, has, as he told me, a serious desire to become a Christian also. He said, that, beside him, there were, at Chittore, three of his Relations who had made up their minds to leave Mahomedanism, to become Christians, if they could find a way to do

So.

He is a pleasant and intelligent Young Man; and, as he reads Tamul very well, I gave him a Gospel and some Tracts in that language, in order that, by it, he and his Relations might become better acquainted with the way of Salvation: his present knowledge of it is still very defective. After having examined him, and given him some further instruction on the various fundamental truths of the Christian Religion, I advised him, if he had no means of being instructed at Chittore, to bring his Relations to Madras, that I might become better acquainted with them and instruct them; to which he assented.

Feb. 7-This day was one of blessing and of much joy for me and for the whole Congregation. I had, for the first time in my life, the unspeakable comfort of receiving three Heathens, a man forty years of age, a woman, and her little girl, into the Christian Church by Baptism, besides two Roman Catholics, who were also received with them. These people had been under instruction while Mr. Sawyer was here. After the Service

was over, they came to me, two of them remarkably affected, and assured me that they had taken the firm resolution, with the help of God, to live agreeably to the Religion which they now profess.

Feb. 14, 1829-I went again to see our dear Brother Kindlinger: he was much worse than yesterday, and visibly drawing near the end of his pilgrimage; but though under much pain, and in a very oppressed state, when I came into his room he reached out his hand to me as usual, saying, "I am very happy to see you: I am more and more convinced of what I told you some days ago that none but the Divine Physician can cure me. I feel much worse to-day than ever I felt before. I am not able now to give you proper directions for visiting and examining our Schools at Pulicat; but if I am better to-morrow, I will do so." After a little repose, he told me to read a Chapter to him, and to pray with and for him: I read the 23d Psalm, and recommended him in prayer to the most tender care of our sympathizing Saviour; feeling all this time very deeply the reality of what the Apostle says, If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. I found that I could with perfect confidence commit our suffering Brother, and his deeply afflicted Partner, to the tender care of Jesus the Redeemer of his soul, assured that the present limited suffering was the nearest road to bring him to his inheritance. The peace expressed on his countenance, after prayer was ended, shewed that his soul derived comfort from it, and, for a while after, he seemed to be on the whole much better than before; but Mr. Bannister told me that his recovery was now beyond possibility. Mr. Bannister thought, also, that it was time to declare to Mr. and Mrs. Kindlinger the reality of his case. After some very suitable words to prepare their minds to hear this important communication, he told him, that, in all probability, he was drawing near his end, Mr. Kindlinger heard these words with perfect composure of mind, without surprise, and like a man who longs to leave this body and to be with Christ. It is true," he said, "I have no claim of my own to be admitted into heaven; but I rely on the grace of my faithful Saviour.' To Mrs. Kindlinger, who was deeply affected by this declaration, he said, "God will care for you. I am comforted: I go to my Heavenly Father." About half-an-hour after, our dear Brother became so weak, that I really thought he was dying.

At the request of our suffering Brother, I read a Chapter to him and prayed with him, feeling, as before, that the Lord was present with us: soon after, he became very restless; and difficulty of breathing, which had already troubled him before, increased, nearly to suffocation. In this alarming state, he often wished to sit up, and soon to lie down again. Mrs. Kindlinger desired me to call Mr. Bannister. In this distressing state, our Brother shewed great resignation: he often lifted up his hands, and said, “O God! Thy will be done: do not permit me to murmur. Lord Jesus! come !-come soon!"

Mr. Bannister gave him some medicine, which eased him for some minutes: he repeated to him some of the most consoling passages of Scripture, and some Hymns calculated to compose and cheer his mind: our suffering Brother evidently enjoyed in his soul the great and precious promises which were presented to him. The Physicians who know how to minister to the wants of the soul, as well as those of the body, are a great blessing to mankind. I prayed again with our Brother; and before five o'clock in the morning some of his friends came to see him, but he was too weak to speak much to them, though he was apparently in the full possession of his senses. All the following day he was much in the same state, breathing weak, and with the greatest difficulty; and at nine o'clock in the evening he expired. He was a humble, patient, and active servant of God, deeply interested in the salvation of the Heathen. His desire was to leave this body and to be with Christ; but, at the same time, he was anxious to be made a useful instrument, in the hand of God, for the salvation of many souls.

April 9-In the evening attended with our Seminarists, for the last time, the Lecture of the Venerable the Archdeacon at Vepery Church. He has kindly undertaken to deliver, twice-a-week, a Course of Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity, and on the right method of studying the Scriptures, intended chiefly for the improvement of the Catechists and Seminarists belonging to Vepery and Perambore Mission. He explained the subject to them, in a simple style, and in a manner most adapted to their capacity; and then asked them questions, and catechized them. I used the next day to go over the Lecture again with our Seminarists; and, in this way, I am happy to say they derived a great deal of information, calculated to establish them

in their faith, and to make them more fit for the work which they are intended for.

April 25, 1829- Last evening I left Perambore, accompanied by three of our Seminarists, to visit and examine our Schools in and near Pulicat, which had been established and superintended till now by the Rev. J. Kindlinger.

This morning I preached, in Tamul, to a Congregation of about 200 Native Christians, and baptized 7 children: these poor people shew, by their attendance on Divine Worship, that they are sensible of the loss which they have sustained by the death of Mr. Kindlinger, their former Minister.

In the afternoon, I attended Divine Service performed in the Portuguese Language by our Catechist.

April 26-This morning, at half-past four, I set off, accompanied by our Seminarists, from Pulicat, to visit some of our Schools. Before six o'clock we arrived at Thatta Moonshee School: we found our Children together in the School House, 33 in number: I examined them on all the subjects which they had learned while under Mr. Kindlinger: it appeared that much pains had been taken with this School. Many of the Children were reading the New Testament very well, and a still greater number repeated their Catechism fluently. I catechized them; and then addressed some Heathen who had come into the School to see the Examination, Before ten o'clock I arrived at Peramboodoo School, and examined it; but did not find it in so good a state as the one above mentioned: its being further from Pulicat may account for this, After this, I examined Peranjampoorum School, which I found in no better state than the former: the Schoolmaster is a Brahmin; and 24 Children were present. I returned home about three o'clock, rather fatigued, for the heat was excessive.

April 27-Early this morning, I went, with our Catechist and two of our Seminarists, to visit Coromandel School: 33 Boys were present; 10 of whom, at least, are Mahomedans, and the others Heathen, with a few Roman Catholics. The Children read the New Testament, and repeated their Catechisms very fluently, but with the very worst pronunciation. I catechized the Children on the Attributes of God, and on the subject of our Salvation by Christ. As long as I spoke of God and His Attributes, the Mahomedans, who came to hear the Examination, shewed a good deal of attention; but as soon as I began to speak of Christ,

and our Redemption by Him, their countenances changed, some scorned, and others went away. We preach Christ crucified; to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness. After the Examination, returned to Pulicat, and examined our two English Schools there: some of the Girls read and write well; and some of the Boys have been instructed in Grammar and Geography by Mr. Kindlinger, and have laid a good foundation.

After this, I visited Mr. Kindlinger's Compound School: 30 Children were present, of whom 10 were Girls. It is a great pleasure to examine this, as it is by far the best Native School of Mr. Kindlinger's, and probably one of the best in India: a great many Young Children read as fluently in Tamul as Catechists; they write any sentence in sand and on ollas, without fault; and they repeat their Catechisms as fluently as I ever heard. This School is much superior to the others, from its being in the Compound of Brother Kindlinger, who used to employ his leisure hours among the Children.-I was tired when I came to this School, but was quite revived in going through the Examination.

After dinner, I went, with our Catechists and Seminarists, to Pulicat First School; where we found 30 Children, all Heathen, except one, who is a Mahomedan. This School is much inferior to the former it being about a mile from Mr. Kindlinger's house, he had not so much opportunity of visiting it as the one in the Compound.

We examined, the same evening, Edimony School, where 32 Boys were present: many of them read the Gospel and repeated their Catechism fluently, and five write a good hand.

The thought that I had this day seen more than a hundred poor Heathen Children receiving Christian Instruction, filled my mind with comfort and joy. It is impossible that all this instruction be lost; for our Brother Kindlinger imparted it in faith in the promises of God, .and with prayer for His blessing.

April 28-Visited the remainder of our Schools attached to the Pulicat Mission; and in the evening set off for Madras.

June 14-Service, for the first time, in the little Chapel at Poonamallee, since it has been rebuilt by our Native Association, assisted by the kind help of some Gentlemen. This little Chapel was first erected by the Rev. W. Sawyer; but, as the walls were then only of clay,