110 THE IJEBU COUNTRY. [OCT. kings, with whom they had an interview. Their route lay through towns and villages hitherto unvisited by an European, and the fine appearance of the country, with the abundant cultivation, showed not only a fertile soil, but a people willing to labour that it might yield them, in due season, its welcome fruits. But this industrious tendency was sadly interfered with by the insecurity as to property and life which here, as in most African countries, unhappily prevails. The agitation consequent on the slave-trade, and the feuds and wars existing between tribe and tribe, compel the inhabitants to leave the fine open country, and collect themselves in towns rudely fortified by mud walls, with towers, and loop-holed for musketry. Nor is it wonderful that peace should be absent from a land where God is unknown, and idols are worshipped in His stead; where the spirits of the dead are invoked, as if they were powerful for good or evil, and human sacrifices offered to propitiate them. We have received a very interesting narrative of this journey, accompanied by several sketches from Dr. Irving's pencil, one of which we present to our readers: it is the gateway of a town called Ipara, the first Ijebu town which they reached. They approached the town by a wide and straight avenue, with high bush at the side. From the midst of it arose some tall white mast-like Oro-trees, which had been stripped of their branches. These groves are sacred to the superstition called Oro. Oro is generally supposed to be the spirits of the dead: these are occasionally evoked, and then Oro appears as a man in a strange masquerade dress, carrying in his hand a singularly-fashioned piece of wood, which keeps up a whirring noise. It is on the occasion of Oro's midnight excursions that the trees are stripped of their branches, and are left standing like tall masts. In these groves human sacrifices are frequently offered, and the skulls of the victims may be seen nailed, in some conspicuous position, to the trunk of a great tree. At the end of the avenue appeared the thatched gateway and wall of the town of Ipara. This, as soon as they came in sight, was instantly closed, and the wooden gates made fast, while over the walls, and at the loop-holes and crevices, numerous faces were seen peeping. After a brief parley they were admitted, and entered the first Ijebu town they had yet seen, the majority of whose inhabitants had never looked upon a white man before. Here, in consequence of some difficulties as to their further progress, they were detained some days, during which they were hospitably treated by the principal chief, whose intelligent looks and mild yet dignified expression of countenance much interested them. His house, built, after the African fashion, in the form of a square, with an open court in the centre, was placed at their disposal, and they occupied one side of the square during their stay at Ipara. And here they occupied themselves in communicating the message of God's mercy in Christ Jesus to these poor dark souls. On the Lord's-day they had prayers, as usual, with their bearers. In the afternoon the balogun was asked if he would wish to hear the word of God. To this he readily assented, and collected a number of the headmen and elders within an inner compound, surrounded with piazzas and open to the sky. Mr. Hinderer read several prayers 1855.] THE IJEBU COUNTRY. 111 selected for the occasion-the confession of sin, prayer for the king and government, introducing the names of the two Ijebu kings, Acaibo of Ofin, and Awoyade of Ode; also the balogun of Ipara, and other baloguns and elders of the Ijebus. After prayers he read a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, and then, addressing the people, proceeded to explain the purpose for which they had come, and what Christianity was, and what it was designed to do for man. He was listened to with much attention; and various expressions of approval were given, not only by word, but by a peculiar chucking noise, which is generally used to express surprise and approval. There are few events more deeply interesting than the first declaration of gospel truth in a dark and heathen land, when the death-like stillness of ages is at length broken, and God, through the gospel of His Son, speaks in accents of mercy to poor benighted sinners. Angels rejoicenay, He to whom angels are subject rejoices; while Satan trembles, because that voice of gospel truth presages the downfall of his kingdom. Strange, indeed, it sounds at first to unaccustomed ears, and men long plunged in darkness and superstition are slow to understand; but gradually their eyes become accustomed to the light, the blessed work of conversion begins, and the true God is no longer left in that land without the testimony of grateful hearts. Christianity thus introduced becomes the seed of national regeneration; and by a gradual, almost imperceptible, yet wondrous process, nations are upraised out of misery and degradation, and the elements of social prosperity increase. Blessed, indeed, are the people that know the joyful sound. Nor was it only in the morning that Mr. Hinderer had a congregation. In the evening he walked outside the compound, and, leaning against a broken-down fig-tree, with gnarled, bent branches, was soon surrounded by a crowd of curious visitants. He commenced by asking them what they most wished for: the immediate reply was, "A peace!" It is this, indeed, poor Africa needs; for there is no peace to him that goes out, or to him that comes in, but great vexations are upon all the inhabitants of the countries; and nation is destroyed of nation, and city of city. There is no security for life or property. He who sows knows not whether he shall reap. So intense has the tribulation become, that they are earnestly looking and longing for something that will bring peace to the land. "Peace," then, was the answer to Mr. Hinderer's question. "And whence comes peace?" was his next inquiry. "From the Oibo"-the white man. That is the persuasion of these poor Africans; and therefore they long for his coming, and are prepared to welcome him. But the Oibo can only give peace by directing them to Him who is "the author of peace and lover of concord;" and that was the purport of Mr. Hinderer's address. He directed them to Him who is the God of peace; who has sent His Son to be the great peacemaker; and who can give, not only peace to their country, but peace to their consciences. They listened with serious attention, and, when afterwards questioned, showed by their answers that they had comprehended what he said. What interesting fields of labour these intelligent tribes of Africa present to us! May the Lord give us the men and means to press forward to their help! We long to see them occupied by faithful and devoted Missionaries, who shall teach and preach Jesus Christ, and 112 JWALA-MUKHI. [OCT. thus introduce amongst them the only element which can give them peace and prosperity. www JWALA-MUKHI. We have a very interesting station at Kangra, in the hill country, northward of the Punjab. It has not been very long commenced, and we wish to give our readers a brief account of it. Kangra contains a population of upwards of 7000 souls, chiefly Hindus, the rest a few Mahommedans and Sikhs. It is separated from the snowy range by a valley about sixty miles long by ten broad, one of the most fertile spots in India. It is studded with villages, containing populations of from 100 to 1000 natives, chiefly Hindus, the majority of them being Rajputs, a fine, intelligent race of men. But the baneful influence of heathenism upon them may be traced in the extent to which the awful crime of female infanticide prevailed amongst them until about three or four years ago, when English legislation interfered to save the poor babe from the hands of the pitiless parent. The Rajput boys, when asked if they have sisters who would attend school, continually reply that they have none above three or four years old. The older ones had been killed in infancy, there being no prospect of proper matches being found for them. Generally the father, sometimes the mother, deprived the child of life by giving it opium. But Kangra is of importance, not only because of its resident population, but from the number of pilgrims who resort there. In the vicinity is the shrine of Jwala-mukhi, sacred to Deva or Kalí, one of the innumerable deities of Hinduism. The temple, which is not more than twenty feet square, is built on a spot full of apertures, from whence issues an inflammable gas. This being ignited, is always burning in the temple. Hence the name, Jwala-mukhi, from the Sanskrit jwala, "flame," and mukha, "mouth." Kali's head is said to be buried at Jwala-mukli, and the body at Kangra; so these places are thus rendered objects of superstitious attraction. Thousands of pilgrims proceed to visit them from all parts of Hindustan, even from Southern India, arriving in April and September. The multitudes consist not merely of the poor, who have only a few annas to present to the goddess; but amongst them are frequently to be found rajahs, and their numerous trains, who often come from considerable distances, and spend thousands of rupees in their pilgrimage. Not only Hindus, but also large numbers of Sikhs, come and make their regular pujahs, like Hindus. When asked why they, who acknowledge no idols, were coming to worship Kalí, they usually replied, that they got blessings for their families and fields from these visits. The pilgrims travel in parties more or less numerous; and very affecting it is to observe them, when they come in sight of the gilded cupola of any of the shrines, breaking forth, old and young, into the shout of "Hail to Kalí!" and uniting to sing her praises. Oh, when shall Christ be made known to these suffering tribes? They feel they need something, they know not what. They neither know the true nature of their necessity, nor where relief is to be found. They are uneasy and disquieted; they go on pilgrimage, but find no rest to their souls. When shall they be made acquainted with Him 1855.] TRIALS OF YOUNG CONVERTS IN INDIA. 113 who is everywhere present to the exercise of faith, for "the Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him." Kali is worshipped almost everywhere in the hills-Kalí, the ferocious goddess, who is supposed to delight in human blood-who is pleased when her worshippers offer of the blood of their bodies to her. The great Devi of Kangra exercises a very extensive influence. Distant places are occasionally presented with small fac-similes of her image. These idols of course remain her vassals, and are from time to time brought from their respective dwelling-places to pay their respects to her. Thus the shrine is much resorted to, and our Missionary occupies a central position of great usefulness, which brings him into communication with many souls from various parts of India. May the good seed be sown in many a heart, and bring forth fruit to eternal life! Our readers will rejoice to hear that the work of conversion has commenced at Kangra, and a first-fruits been gathered in-a respectable young Brahmin, formerly teacher of a school at Jwala-mukhi, who, after due instruction, appearing earnest and sincere in his profession, has been baptized. TRIALS OF YOUNG CONVERTS IN INDIA. OUR Missionary schools in India are attended by many heathen youths. They come, knowing that they will be instructed, not only in secular, but in Christian knowledge. Yet they come willingly, and in considerable numbers, and the opportunity of giving them light, and bringing the truth of the gospel to shine on their dark minds, is diligently improved by the Missionaries. With many the understanding is enlightened, and the judgment is convinced of the truth of Christianity, yet they remain heathen; but with others it is more than this. The heart is brought under the power of the gospel, the conscience is stirred, so that they can no longer remain heathen, but desire openly to profess the faith of Christ. Then comes a season of great trial. The parents and friends are alarmed at the prospect of their making an open profession of Christianity. They endeavour, first by remonstrances and persuasions, to prevent them; but if these prove unsuccessful, they scruple not to have recourse to violence, and affecting cases are continually brought before us of great sufferings endured by these youths; nor can we be surprised if, in some instances, the trial prove too great for them, and they be withdrawn from the Missionaries, for a time at least. One instance of this kind is mentioned by our Missionaries at Amritsar, in the Punjab One sore trial has befallen us, in the case of a dear boy-Isai Dās— who has been lately drawn away by his friends to the village of his father-in-law, eighteen miles from Amritsar. He was baptized as a scholar in our school last March, after the most vigorous efforts of his relatives and friends to prevent him; and he continued with us until about a month ago-one of the most intelligent, loving, and devout Christians we have ever seen, whether at home or in this country. He was so remarkable an instance of the power of divine 114 TRIALS OF YOUNG CONVERTS IN INDIA. [ост. grace, that we frequently thought of writing an account of him for the Committee and Christian public. His friends continued to come to him from the day of his baptism, and he was as constant in his efforts to do them good. We have seen and heard him entreating his father to turn to God-and it was a deeply affecting and cheering sight-but, alas! he has stumbled. The untiring efforts of his family have been at length partially successful: his wife's family have taken him away, and, as we understand, secured to him 700 rupees and other property with his wife, and he is now living with them. We have ourselves gone or sent native Christians to him three times, and, upon each occasion, succeeded in gaining interviews with him, but he cannot as yet break through all bonds and gain a perfect victory. It is clear that he went away partly in momentary displeasure, and partly in the hope that he could do them good. He said, in the last interview our people had with him, he never could forget the word of God, and in such a manner, that the people who surrounded him that instant looked aghast, and took him away; but he has yet to overcome Satan and the world in this their new assault, and we daily pray he may soon prevail. We trust that, in God's mysterious ways, this circumstance may be the means of carrying the gospel to many in that village, as well as of convincing the people of Amritsar of the mighty power of divine grace through the gospel. He was a Sikh, the son of a man in very comfortable circumstances, and all eyes are looking to the issue. Often it happens, however, that the bitter trial is sustained, and, through grace, the young convert comes off victorious. March 26th of this year was a joyful day to the teachers of our Masulipatam English School. Two intelligent Brahmins, each about seventeen years old, together with a superior young Mussulman, about the same age, all came in the evening to break caste and renounce error. One Brahmin had been five years under Christian teaching; the other more than two and a-half; and the Mussulman more than two. Though all are poor, they have been diligent, regular, and exemplary; and their answers at morning reading and prayer have often been very encouraging and good. Scarcely had they come, when the trial of which we have spoken broke out in all its bitterness. The evening prayer had just closedit was about half-past eight-when the bitter wail of the aged mother of one of the Brahmins, upwards of sixty, broke upon the ear. She and her elder son were invited to come in, and the interview that followed was most heartrending; so much so, that, to use the language of one of the Missionaries, "nothing but a deep sense of man's perishing state while alienated from God, of the awful realities of eternity, and the infinitely superior claims to obedience which God has over parents, can fortify one to go through such painful scenes." The next morning the aged father, perhaps eighty or ninety years old, came with the mother and brother to see the youth again. The mother's violence was gone, but her grief was the more affecting. The lad showed great affection towards his parents, embraced them very warmly, but retired apparently unshaken in his resolution to follow Christ. |