Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

as its emissaries. Still there has been no direct or long cessation of this work. Mr. Martin has given his attention solely to it, though I have been only now and then able to help him. Some melas and very many bazaars have been visited. Some scores of markets have been attended, and the gospel has been proclaimed to thousands of even new hearers. On the whole, too, our message has been well received. In most places the preacher has been encouraged by the attention of his hearers. In a few places we have been led to hope that inquiry has followed our visit.

"Here I cannot but mention the great loss we have experienced in the death of our dear brother, Lalchand, in November last. His chief work was that of preaching, and he often joined Mr. Martin and his native preacher, Bolaram. He was a con

sistent Christian, an amiable man, an earnest and ready preacher, and possessed knowledge and a teachableness such as would have made him one of the first men among the native agents in the mission. In 1856, we lost Birkoonthonáth, the best of our village pastors, and have not been yet able to supply his place efficiently. Just a year and fifteen days after died Lalchand, the best of the preachers. Both men I dearly loved and greatly valued. Their deaths have weakened our hands considerably; but the Lord liveth for evermore. Oh! may He strengthen us to bear the heat and burden of the day; and give us grace to persevere through evil report and good report, in sorrow and in joy, now and unto the end, in the great work unto which he has called us."

CUTWA. We have to record the death of the missionary of this station, the Rev. J. Parry. For many years he laboured in Jessore very successfully, but about three years ago removed to Cutwa. He had scarcely settled there, when the disease which has terminated his life attacked him, and for the last two years he suffered much from debility and pain. In May he removed to Sewry for medical advice; and there, on the 3rd of June, he expired. Mr. Parry joined the mission in the beginning of 1832.

AGRA.-Writing from this important city on the 1st of March, Mr. Evans tells us that the people listen to the gospel with more calmness and attention than ever. Formerly the work of the missionary in Agra was most discouraging. Rudeness and impertinence often interrupted his attempts to gain a hearing for the gospel. Now, large and attentive crowds assemble in the very heart of the city.

We may here mention that Mr. Evans has found a very suitable partner in the granddaughter of Mr. Rowe, one of the earliest missionaries of the Society. At a later date, Mr. Evans writes:-"The change in the tone and conduct of the authorities towards native Christians is wonderful. They are now, not as usually looked down upon, but sought for, in order to give them situations of trust and confidence, as heads of police, jemadars, &c."Six weeks later, Mr. Evans reports that the same favourable feeling was evinced by the people, while preaching had been extended from the city to the villages around. Generally the mornings were devoted to these village journeys, Mr. Evans being accompanied by Mr. Gregson and Bernard. In the afternoon the missionaries divided into two bands. Mr. Parsons, with Mr. Harris and Sukh Das, at one place in the city, and Mr. Evans, Mr. Gregson, and Bernard, at another; not seldom hundreds at a time listening to the word of life. It will give our readers pleasure to know that the Government has listened to the appeal made to them on behalf of the widow of the martyred Walayat Ali, and have allowed her eleven rupees a month, in consideration of the losses she has sustained.

Mr. Gregson arrived in Agra early in March, and immediately began to share with the brethren the labours of the station. The native chapel was shortly repaired, and it was proposed to use it for the present for the worship both of the English and native church. The English congregations were on the whole good, while Bernard continued to minister to the native Christians, both the Chitoura and Agra converts being united under his pastoral care. It is probable that many of the Chitoura Christians will take up their abode in Agra, as they have obtained remunerative employment in various Government situations. "We have yet," says Mr. Gregson, "to learn what the ultimate effect of this mutiny will be upon the prospects of Christian truth. Native Christians are indeed already put upon a new footing. They are eagerly

sought after, and the danger now is that the thing may be overdone; and by the employment of native Christians in offices for which they have had no training, and for which they possess no aptitude, an unfavourable reaction may be occasioned." Mr. Gregson also speaks with much satisfaction of the attentive and unusually respectful audience the people give to the gospel; but laments the absence of any deep and abiding conviction of its truth among the hearers. Mr. Gregson also reports the satisfactory intelligence that the zemindar of Chitoura had been adjudged by the Government to pay 2,000 rupees for the damage he had done to the mission premises in the Christian village. The money had been received, and the bungalows were undergoing repair, in anticipation of the return of Mr. Smith.

The increasing heat and confinement of the fort led the brethren, in April, to repair the Benevolent Institution, and this for the present is the abode of Mr. Parsons and Mr. Gregson. Mr. Evans has been able to secure a small bungalow. In Mr. Parsons's hands, the revision of the New Testament in Hindi continues to make progress, and has proceeded to the 10th chapter of John.

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

THE public recognition of Mr. Joseph G. Gregson, as a missionary of the Society, took place on the 18th of August, in the Baptist Chapel at Hackney. The opening part of the service was conducted by the Rev. S. Brawn, of Loughton, under whose care Mr. Gregson has for some weeks pursued the study of theology. Mr. Underhill presented a brief sketch of the history of the Monghyr station, to which Mr. Gregson is appointed; and Mr. Gregson replied as to the motives which actuated him in giving himself to missionary work, and the truths which he proposes to preach. After prayer, by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, commending the youthful missionary to God, the Rev. D. Katterns, his pastor, addressed to him some earnest cautions and exhortations. The attendance was large, and the service of a very interesting character. Mr. Gregson sailed in the Agamemnon, on the 26th of August, with Mrs. John Gregson, Mrs. Sampson, and Miss South, who are on their return to India.

The appointment of Mr. Joseph G. Gregson to Monghyr, and the departure of the brethren Williams and Smith, have enabled the Committee to make the following arrangements for the occupancy of the stations in the north-west. Mr. Broadway, now at Monghyr, will become the colleague of Mr. John Gregson, at Agra; Mr. Parsons will occupy Benares with Mr. Heinig; Mr. Williams and Mr. Evans will return to Muttra; and Mr. Smith to Chitoura. It is, however, arranged that Mr. Williams should arrest his progress to Muttra at Allahabad for a short time, to ascertain the feasibility of reviving the Society's mission in that city, now for some years interrupted. It is understood that Allahabad is henceforth to be the capital of the northwest provinces. Many of our Agra Christian friends have in consequence removed thither, and are desirous of being constituted into a church, and of retaining their missionary connection with the Society. Mr. Williams will confer with them, and report the result of his inquiries to the Committee.

We are happy to say that the Committee have accepted the offer of Mr. W. A. Hobbs, of Margate, for mission service in India. Mr. Hobbs will, however, spend some months in study before his departure.

We have the pleasure of naming the safe arrival in Kingston of the Rev. S. Oughton. He has met with a very cordial welcome from a large number of his former flock. Divine service has been recommenced in the chapel, and the prospects are encouraging that the cause will be revived under his ministry.

SPECIAL EFFORT FOR INDIA.

CONTRIBUTIONS continue, with more or less frequency, to reach the treasurer; but we fear that the auxiliaries and secretaries of associations are not so actively engaged as we could wish in preparing for the special services and meetings which the resolutions passed at their annual meetings have led us to anticipate. A very gratifying exception to this remark is found, however, in the Bristol Association. Not only is the active secretary giving much time to personal visits in various localities, but he has favoured us with a copy of an admirable circular, which he has prepared and addressed to the friends of the mission cause. Its length, we are sorry to say, precludes its insertion here; but we shall be happy to reprint it in any quantity for the use of our friends, on receiving intimation of their wish. Unless the agents and officers of the Society throughout the different auxiliaries bestir themselves, it is not to be supposed that the large sum proposed to be raised can be accomplished. For the re-construction and enlargement of the mission we want £5,000, and another £5,000 ought to be added to the annual income of the Society. Resolutions are like faith, dead without works.

FOREIGN LETTERS RECEIVED.

AFRICA CAMEROONS, Saker, A., June 25

[blocks in formation]

ASIA-AGRA, Evans, T., May 27; Gregson,
J., June 4.

ALIPORE, Pearce, Geo., June 18.
BARISAL, Page, J. C., June 25.
BENARES, Heinig, H., June 24.
CALCUTTA, Lewis, C. B., May 15 and
17, June 2, 3, 7, and 18, July 3;
Thomas, J., May 18, June 4 and
19, July 3; Wenger, J., June 19.
COLOMBO, Carter, C., June 9.
DACCA, Bion, R., June 30; Supper, F.,
May 28.

DINAGEPORE, M'Kenna, A., May 6.
JESSORE, Anderson, J. H., July 1.
MADRAS, Page, T. C., July 9 ; Christian,

M., and another, July 7.
SERAMPORE, Robinson, John, May 31;
Sampson, W., June 7; Trafford,
John, May 31.
AUSTRALIA-GEELONG, Slade, Geo., June
15.

MELBOURNE, Kerr, R., June 15; Taylor,
James, May 14.

BAHAMAS-GRAND CAY, Rycroft, W. K.
May 19, June 16.

INAGUA, Littlewood, W., May 22.
LONG ISLAND, Littlewood, W., April 24.
NASSAU, Davey, John, May 11, June 11.
HAITI-JACMEL, Webley, W. H., May 28,
July 27 and 28.

JAMAICA-BROWN'S TOWN, Clark, J., July

[blocks in formation]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

:

Mrs. Jordan, Camberwell, for a parcel of magazines (5 years);

The thanks of the Committee are presented to the following:-
The Sunday School Union, for a grant of
books, for Rev. J. Davey, Nassau ;
Friends at Kingsbridge, by Rev. Thomas
Peters, for a box of useful articles for
Rev. A. Saker, Africa;

Mrs. Cozens, Clapton, for a parcel of maga-
zines ;

A Friend, by Rev. Thomas Pottenger, for four volumes;

W. Bowser, Esq., for a parcel of magazines;
Mr. Knightley, for two boxes of magazines;
Mr. A. M. Flint, Nailsworth, for a box of
magazines, &c.;

The proprietors of the "British Evangelist,"
for 275 monthly numbers of that peri-
odical.

CONTRIBUTIONS,

Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from July 21 to August 20, 1858.

W. & O. denotes that the Contribution is for Widows and Orphans; N. P. for Native Preachers. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.

[blocks in formation]

BEDFORDSHIRE.

£ s. d.

£ s. d.

Collection, for India
Special Fund

[blocks in formation]

3 8 9

Hampton

Collection

1 0 4

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by Sir Samuel Morton Peto, Bart., Treasurer; by the Rev. Frederick Trestrail and Edward Bean Underhill, Esq., Secretaries, at the Mission House, 33, Moorgate Street, LONDON; in EDINBURGH, by the Rev. Jonathan Watson, and John Macandrew, Esq.; in GLASGOW, by John Jackson, Esq.; in CALCUTTA, by the Rev. James Thomas, Baptist Mission Press, and Rev. C. B. Lewis, Intally. Contributions can also be paid in at Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, Tritton, and Co.'s, Lombard Street, to the account of the Treasurer.

« AnteriorContinuar »