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Read Luke xviii; Third Instructer, Part I. xx; Part II. lxxxviii, various questions; showing the knowledge of Grammar, copying a part on slates; Grammar, Parts I. II. III; Geography page 22d; Catechism, appendix to Number II., the whole; Arithmetic, (Joyce's) Fractions; specimens of writing.

Second Class. (Native Department.)Reading the New Testament, Luke xv; Catechism II., page 30th; Grammar, Parts I. II. III; false English, page 20th; the whole of Geography; Natural Philosophy, page 16th; Third Instructer, Scripture History; Arithmetic, division of decimals; specimens of writing.

First Class. (Upper Department.) Scripture, Matthew xxv.; Catechism II. the whole series; Grammar, Orthography, Etymology, and Syntax; Geography, the whole, use of Maps; Natural Philosophy, page 25th; Law, page 6th; Specimens of Writing: Mrs. Trimmer's Scripture History, Third Instructer; Arithmetic, principles, Long Division.

First Class. (Native Department.) Ancient History, page 136th; Evidences of Christianity, the whole of Three Series of Catechisms; Political Economy, page 100th; Second Series of Catechism, the whole; Principles of Geometry, page 78th; Grammar, miscellaneous questions, particularly on Etymology and Compounds; Law, page 12th; Natural Philosophy, Dialogue Ist; specimens of writing; Arithmetic, page 102, Decimal fractions; Geography, Europe; Greek John i.

The studies of the first class will serve to show that I am doing all in my power to give the pupils all the advantages I

can.

The examination was conducted by myself principally, and continued from eleven till four o'clock. The different classes gave great satisfaction, and one general expression of approbation was awarded to me, for my efforts to lead on the rising youth to knowledge and piety. In ancient history and the evidences of Christianity, the pupils acquitted themselves very well, as they did also in the other branches.

In this connexion I may introduce my theological native-students, as they occupy the most distinguished places in their class, and indeed in the school. I have great pleasure in stating, that they not only give me satisfaction in the prosecution of their studies, but their general conduct is such as affords me the hope, that they will become useful agents among their countrymen. In addition to their school studies, I embrace every opportunity for aiding them in various ways in the study

of divinity, &c. They are now reading Watson's Conversations for the Young," as are also the more advanced pupils of the upper girls' school. The students are employed occasionally in distributing tracts, and in the Sunday-schools, both in town and in the villages. For their accommodation I have erected three wall rooms on the premises, which afford them the means of retirement and seclusion. This little institution, and the one for females just commenced, both on the premises, and under my constant care, I regard with an interest I cannot describe. The family of the SchoolSuperintendent, conducted by his amiable wife Harriet, and the little asylum under her sister's care, together with the large school containing upwards of two hundred pupils, are objects of interest. Visiters on looking over our establishment are astonished at its magnitude, and impressed with the persuasion, that it must promote the interests of Christianity in this part of the island. That you may see how the premises are arranged for the different purposes of the Mission, I shall accompany this with a ground plan of the whole building.

MISCELLANEOUS LABOURS.

DURING the past year, my literary labours have been prosecuted, it is true, with difficulty, but with some degree of effect. As a member of the Committee of Revision for the Bible Society, I have considerable labour; and as the Secretary and joint Editor of the Book Society, and as a member of the Tract Society's Committee, my labours are also extensive. Our present labours for the Bible Society consist of a revision of the Psalms. The Book Society is increasing its operations considerably. Several new works have issued from the press during the past year, and several more are in course of preparation. I have in hand Bischi's

Instructions to Catechists," which is to be published in a revised form, for the benefit of the native agents employed in the Missionary Institutions. For the Tract Society I have got up a Tract of fortyeight pages, and also a Daily Monitor in Tamil on the plan of those published in England. The latter work consists of two texts of Scriptures for every day in the year, with a verse of a hymn annexed. These two works have cost me considerable labour, and will, I hope, prove extensively useful. The following is the outline of my Tract, called "Incarnate Grace."

Part I. shows the discrepancies existing between the system of the Saivas and

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WE have judged it expedient to put on record in this Number an authentic Copy of the Circular which has been recently sent to the Wesleyan Missionaries stationed in our West Indian Colonies. The reference made to this Document in the House of Commons, by Her Majesty's Under-Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, may probably have excited in some of our friends a desire to be fully acquainted with its contents, which we are happy thus to gratify.

Wesleyan Mission- House,
77, Hatton-Garden,
April 14th, 1838.

DEAR BROTHER,

As the liberation of a portion of the apprenticed negroes in August next may probably have an unsettling effect upon those who are appointed by the Abolition Act to remain in the condition of apprentices for two years longer, and as the efforts which have been made to procure an immediate and universal extinction of the apprenticeship system may also tend to produce still greater excitement, we deem it proper to give you a word of advice upon the subject. On the question

of the immediate and forcible termination of the apprenticeship by the Imperial Parliament, it is foreign to our purpose to enlarge: our object is to enjoin you to use your influence to allay any excitement which may exist among the negroes, and to inculcate upon them the duty of a quiet

and peaceable submission to their circumstances. As a decision has taken place in the House of Commons, after long deliberation, unfavourable to the immediate and compulsory abolition of the apprenticeship, while a Bill has been passed to prevent those abuses and perversions of the system of which complaint has justly been made, we think that the real friends of the apprentices, whatever may be their opinion of the system, or of the refusal of Parliament forcibly to abolish it, will display the greatest kindness to the apprentices by endeavouring to restrain them from any tumultuous or disorderly expression of their disstisfaction. Such conduct could only prove injurious to themselves;-it would probably be made the occasion for imposing upon them new restrictions ;-and it would tend to check any disposition on the part of the local legislatures, or of individual planters, to introduce them to

the enjoyment of entire freedom before the period fixed for the termination of the Apprenticeship by the Abolition Act.

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The character which you sustain imposes upon you an additional obligation to employ your influence to keep the apprentices in a state of quiet. You are not mere worldly philanthropists. You are Ministers of that Gospel which, while providing for the highest, because imperishable, interests of man, as well those that are only temporal, solemnly enjoins, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart; with good-will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any inan doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." You are the Missionaries of a Society, which, while seeking to impart liberty in its purest and noblest form, requires, in its "standing instructions," that its agents manifest a religious regard to good order, and submission "to the powers that be."

The leading arguments to be employed in reconciling the Negroes to the circumstances of their condition-such as that the apprenticeship must end in two years, and that, in the mean time, the Government stands pledged that the most wakeful care shall be employed in protecting them from oppression-will naturally present themselves to your minds; but there are additional topics of great importance with which we are enabled to furnish you. We have good reason to hope that, if quietness and good order be maintained, some at least of the local legislatures will be induced to shorten the term of the apprenticeship, and, of their own accord, raise the Negroes to unrestricted freedom before the first of August, 1840; which would, in the nature of things, be productive of a much happier feeling than could possibly exist, were a sudden and forcible termination of the present relation between the Flanters and Negroes to be effected by the interposition of the Imperial Parliament. And we have the great pleasure to inform you that there exists ground for hope, that a satisfactory settlement of the important Negro Marriage Question will speedily take place. We have been alive to this subject; and finding that a protective measure was likely to

be adopted by the Imperial Parliament for the benefit of the apprentices, we respectfully urged upon the Right Honourable Lord Glenelg to insert, in his Bill, a clause recognising the validity of the past marriages which you have solemnized, and empowering you legally to solemnize marriage for the future. Although his Lordship, for reasons which appear to us to be cogent, could not in that form meet our wishes, we have good reason to believe that a separate measure will shortly be prepared, which will set the question, in all the West India Colonies, at once and for ever at rest. Such a result cannot fail to have a most important bearing upon the cause of religion and public morals, and will powerfully tend to promote the comfort and welfare of the Negroes and their children. You will understand how to apply this argument, as well as others, to the minds of the Negroes; and we have the confident hope that you will so exert yourselves in the discharge of your important duties, that you will be enabled, by the blessing of God, to preserve that large portion of the negro population which is placed under your pastoral care, from such disorder and excess as would be disgraceful to their Christian character, and would retard, instead of accelerating, the public measures calculated to promote their temporal welfare.

We shall expect to receive from you early information relative to the present state of things among the apprentices; and praying that the Divine blessing may rest upon your endeavours to do them good, and preserve them in quietness and peace,

We remain,
Yours very affectionately,

EDMUND GRINDROD,
President of the Conference.

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LONDON:-Printed by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton-Square.

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Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Mission House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London; or by any of the Ministers or Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CALCUTTA.

The following letter, from Mr. Thomas to Mr. W. H. Pearce, will gratify our readers, as it furnishes proof that the recent steps taken in this country to effect a combination of missionary effort, by our denomination, in India, have been as acceptable to friends on the spot as they have been to those at home:

Calcutta, March 14th, 1838.

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My dear Brother,-After long waiting, with a bitter taste of what the sacred writer meant, when he said, Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," I had the unspeakable satisfaction of receiving your letters of November and December, on Friday evening last, March 9th. Great delay took place in the transmission of the mail from Bombay. We had Bombay newspaper intelligence of its arrival there on Tuesday, though the express did not reach Calcutta before Friday. Having been disappointed in getting your letters for September and October, I was exceedingly anxious. I leave you to conjecture the relief the mere sight of the letters brought to my mind; their contents were joy and gladness; we were all ready to break forth aloud, and, with David, to "call upon our souls and all within us to bless and praise the holy name of Jehovah." From this time it shall be said, "What hath God wrought!" Thanks, a thousand times over, for the news you have conveyed about the transfer-a transfer made in such a manner! Surely it is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes! But I must restrain my feelings for the present, and notice the business-part of your letters. We are exceedingly gratified by the account you give of the success of your appeal, and begin to anticipate the speedy realization of the object, and that ere long we shall hail the arrival of more than one to labour with us, as the result of your exertions; but though, in one sense, help cannot come too I almost wish the departure from

soon,

England were so timed as not to risk health and life by the arrival of our brethren in either the hot weather or the rains. Yet come when they may, we shall receive them with delight. But what shall I say about the transfer? We were prepared to receive news and instructions of some kind, but little anticipated what has taken place, though we most heartily rejoice in it, and most cordially approve of the manner in which it has been brought about.

You may assure Mr. Dyer and the Com mittee that we shall, every one of us, be ready to do every thing in our power to render the working of the measure here as pleasant to all parties, as the making the arrangements has been to them; and really such is the position of affairs, such the apparent temper, feelings, desires, and intentions of the parties concerned, so far as we can see and judge of them, that I conceive very little difficulty will be met with. Before now you have received intelligence of of the death of Dr. Marshman.*

be done even in the case of the Lal Bazar, I am in great hopes that something will if the place can be honourably obtained and held. The congregations at all, or nearly all, the places in Calcutta are increasing, the Lal Bazar among the rest. Were that place shut up, the Circular-road Chapel could not to attend, but many could not, and another contain the congregation, were the people place would be necessary. We all think it tinue. He has been here to consult with us quite desirable Mr. Robinson should conon the subject, and on our engaging to recommend his remaining, should he be able said he would endeavour to obtain them. I to secure the chapel-deeds for the church, suades from giving up the place, says he spoke to Mr. Boaz about it, he strongly disand his brethren will gladly sign any docuit, and that Mr. Charles, Chaplain of the ment we may wish renouncing all claim to

* About a fortnight before his death (writes Mr. George Pearce, Dec. 7), brethren Yates and Penney went up to visit him, as he expressed a wish to see things, said, "You have all been blessed, and you them. He seemed very glad, and, among other shall be blessed."

Scotch Kirk, and others, would do the

same.

Should anything of this kind occur, I think we could honourably retain the place, if we can as honourably obtain it; how far this may be practicable, I cannot say. Mr. Boaz told me that Mr. Marshman had expressed an earnest desire to get it off his hands. I am in considerable hopes that the Benevolent Institution also will be made over to us, so as once more to belong to our Society. Time will show how far my hopes are likely to be realized. From all that I have seen and heard of Mr. Robinson for some time past, I do not see any reason to apprehend difficulty from his remaining where he is. He is willing to give up the villages to the south. His people are anxious to keep him, and would gladly support him if they had the means. I think you may strongly throw in your influence with ours in favour of his non-removal, if he should succeed in his endeavours to secure the building. We have recommended him to remain if he can—to get possession of the deeds if he can—and have promised, should he succeed in this, to recommend to the Committee that they sanction his remaining. Mr. Thompson was down from Serampore a few days ago; he is desirous of returning to Delhi. We think he should do so. He says the Sanscrit Gospels and Testaments would be most acceptable in those parts, and find readers. He was particularly delighted with the prospect of this version being procurable. He says he shall be thankful to have as large a supply of Scriptures for distribution as we can give him. I have written requesting him to let us know what success he has had, and what are the prospects of usefulness at Delhi. How wonderful are the several coincidences in the late events! The formation of the American and Foreign Bible Society, and the efficient aid rendered us by it, and this at the moment when we were just prepared to turn it to account-the transfer of the other stations to our Society; thus providing vastly large facilities for the wide circulation of the Scriptures, so soon as they shall be ready, the success of your appeal, and the consequent addition to our number, we trust, of several efficient missionaries, and the union of the Baptist denomination in England in missionary enterprize, who will now be both better disposed and better able to aid us in carrying forward our various labours, and among the rest, this of giving to the millions of India the word of God. I cannot help feeling a strong persuasion that God is about to do great things by us, as he has done great things for us.

But you will want to hear how we are.

Through mercy my health continues good, also the children's; Mrs. T. is often ailing, though better than she was a week or two ago. A letter was received about a fortnight ago from brother George Pearce from Bombay. He was better, but not fully restored. He had taken his passage to Madras, whence he would come by the first opportunity to Calcutta. We hope they may be able to return to their accustomed duties. Brother Ellis soon expects to baptize several of the youths in his school. All go on there as to afford great satisfaction and encouragement. We shall anxiously look out for more intelligence both by ship and overland despatch.

With united and ardent affection to you and your dear Martha, and hopes of seeing you before another year has elapsed, I remain, yours truly,

J. THOMAS.

A subsequent letter, from Mr. Ellis, dated in March, contains some pleasing intelligence respecting the seminary under his care.

"The boarding-school, or rather the Baptist Missionary Institution, as the brethren this year have named it, is succeeding very well, and was never more prosperous than at present. The advancement of the youths is most gratifying, and several of the boys are under serious religious impressions. I have not room to enter into a detail of its progress and condition, but must refer you to a letter to Mr. Joseph Gurney, which I hope to send off by this despatch.

"We have received into the institution an East Indian named Pascal, who went with Mr. Le Gros to the Mauritius, and was baptized by brother Yates. He is a truly pious young man, and with some education will, I hope, prove a valuable assistant. At the beginning of the year, it was found desirable and needful to have a theological class, in connexion with the institution, consisting of none but those who are pious, and likely to prove useful agents in the work of evangelization. This class contains six, who meet three days a week, and, in addition to their school duties, go on with a regular course of theological reading and study. Pray, my dear brother, that God would smile on and prosper it. I know, however, that you do this, and most sincerely do I thank you for all your efforts on its behalf.

"There are now here, one native preacher, Bishonath, and three catechists, Ramkisla, Pascal, and Shem. They all improve much in their preaching, and, I trust, in their piety.

"We have three native chapels-one at Banda Ghat, one in Howrah, and the other

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