On a review of the proceedings at his Station, Mr. Bärenbruck writes

There is not a day passing but, in one way or other, the Heathen about us have ample opportunities of hearing and being informed of what concerns their salvation; and, in which, exertions are making that we are but workmen of the Lord, to instruct them: yet we must remember,

and are waiting for the life-giving breath to descend on the dead bones. Till then, many a deaf ear is turned, not only to our well-intended exhortation, but to the

Word of God itself, and the voice of their own consciences; for we frequently see it as a matter beyond all doubt, and they confess it to be so, that their own consciences do testify against them at times, when we are the organs of declaring to them the Word of God.

He adds

I am sure that I am expressing the feelings of the persons engaged in the Mission, in saying that we want more divine grace, faith, and heavenly-mindedness, and judicious zeal in the work of the Lord. I am happy in bearing a good testimony to them all; or rather, praising God for that grace which we have enjoyed, and for our concord and brotherly love: we are united as a family; when one suffers, all suffer; and when one rejoices, all rejoice. One thing, however, still gives us pain-the remains of attachment to Caste in some of the young this, indeed, is to be regretted; but I trust, by the grace of God, it will be done away.

TINNEVELLY.

In the Summary View of this Mission, given in our April Number (pp. 86-88), it was stated, that there were, in June 1829, in 205 Villages, 1855 Families, consisting

and the people gain fresh experience of their own depraved hearts, and of their need of a Saviour: they are settled more and more in the conviction that Christianity is the only religion that is true, and suited to their spiritual wants: they get a perfect disgust against Idolatry, and are more and more freed from vain superstition. In the various occurrences of life, in which the Heathen looks to the stars, the soothsayer, the lizard, &c. &c., they abandon these miserable props, and shew that they trust in the Living God that made heaven and earth. When they are despised, ridiculed, oppressed, and cruelly threatened, they indeed often fear, are ashamed, and feel provoked; but, by the blessed influence of the Gospel, they check themselves, and do not return evil for evil. General Effect on their Heathen Neigh bours.

Among those who still remain in Heathenism, a good opinion of Chris tianity is taking root; the worthlessness of their Idols is more openly acknowledged, and their worship neglected. Some have gone so far as to make presents to the Mission of parts of their lands, for the benefit of the Christians, for the establishment of Schools, &c. We will not say that they have the purest motives, such as Christians would have; but they evidently have done this from a conviction that the Christians have right on their side. There would, perhaps, appear still more of this benevolent spirit and of this favourable inclination towards Christianity, and opposition would be less, were there not some influential Natives, who, from interest in Idolatry, or from other motives, set themselves up as opponents; and secretly excite other people to opposition, by promulgating a number of falsehoods respecting ourselves and Christianity. They tell, for instance, that, at Baptism, we give the people dirty water to drink, or that we put such water into human sculls and then offer it; or that we give them cow's flesh to eat; or that we dissuade slaves from serving their masters, and sub-cultivators from paying their landlords their dues, persuading them, at the same time, to wrest their lands from them; or that we allure people to become Christians by promising them remission of, taxes, and such like. In short, sometimes we are said to be the worst people in existence: or they say that only the low Parriars and some senseless Toddy-people embrace

this religion, by which they endeavour to lower it in the estimation of the people; and, when they cannot deny that Soodras are converted, of whom there are whole Congregations, and that even Brahmins are in favour of Christianity, desiring Christian Schools that their boys may learn this good religion, they quickly find out some other reason to contemn them also. The bulk of the people, however, become more and more aware of these falsehoods: in some places where they used to point at a Christian fellow with sneering and contempt, they now address him kindly, make him read the book which he may have in his hand, and often do not let him go without giving them a copy of it. While one rich Native does all that he can to injure us and the Cause, another rich Native favours us and promotes it. Brahmin Proprietors have given lands as a charity for the Two settlement of Native Christians. Brahmins, in the beginning of this year, even joined one of the Congregations; but, as we feared they would not hold out long, both because we suspected their motives and because they would find the persecutions of the other Brahmins too hard for them, so it has happened, and Instances have they have withdrawn.

occurred, in which Brahmins, quarrelling among themselves, have threatened one another with becoming Christians, if they were not immediately satisfied according to their demands. Among the lower classes, they began, some months ago, to make superstitious use of our Christian Books. A man had resolved to become a Christian, and had taken such books into his house: in the night, either in a dream or otherwise, the evil demon told him, that unless he removed these books he would no longer be his friend nor do him any good. The man replied, Thou hast never done me any good, neither will I serve thee any longer; and these books shall remain here." This was soon spread among the Heathen; when some came and asked for books, in order to keep the devil out of their houses. This was, of course, refused.

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Influence on Roman-Catholics and

Moormen.

Among Roman Catholics, likewise, the Truth is gradually gaining ground; and not a few have, in the course of the year, exchanged their superstitions for the pure doctrines of the Gospel.

The Moormen also begin to lend a more patient ear to the Word of Truth;

and though they, in general, remain still very obstinate in believing their Prophet and his Korân, yet individuals read our books, and examine the nature of Christianity. Some have come and asked for the Scriptures; others have made Christians read them to them. In one place, a number of Moormen proposed to one of us to have a public disputation with their Priests about Religion: the next day was fixed for the purpose; but the latter failed to attend. In another place, two Moormen are very desirous of embracing Christianity; but still stand back, from fear of persecution and of remaining without a livelihood.

Although, then, we have to pass through various trials and difficulties, and through much evil report, yet, in this District, knowledge is increasing in all quarters. And if any District requires it, it is this; because the spirit of lies and deceit has so extensively and shockingly possessed this people, that it has been justly called the worst in India. Christianity only can change this horrible state of things; and blessed be God that this glorious work is making steady progress!

Schools.

There are, in the District, under the superintendence of the Missionaries, 55 Schools; containing, at the date of the last Returns, 1360 Scholars, with an average attendance of 943.

Applications for Schools.

During the past year, many important Heathen Places made applications for Schools; a compliance with many of which was postponed, because of the want of competent Masters: so that all the 17 Schools, granted by the Committee, were not established at once. Encou→ raged by the small School Fund, which was obtained in this manner, Mr. Schmid requested, in July last, the Catechists and Schoolmasters of our Establishment to look out and send, for further instruction, such persons as they thought fit and willing to become Schoolmasters or Teachers; and, as the presence of an European Missionary seems to be particularly necessary at Satangkoolam, he assembled them there, and stayed with them as long as he could be absent from Palamcottah.

Increase of Teachers and Schools.

In the month of July, 15 persons, mostly Heathen Soodras, of different

ages, came together, and were instructed on the same plan as last year. After a short time, a considerable attention and seriousness were observed amongst many of them; and although, in the Schoolexercises, they were treated exactly like school-boys, yet the second month a greater number than was anticipated (not less than 15 new persons) applied for instruction, and were received on trial. Two of them, one a Physician, and the other a Merchant, had formerly lived as Wise Men, or Sanniasies, and had been, as we were informed subsequently, as well as several others of them, deriders of and disputants against Christianity. Conviction of the Truth is evidently increased among them during the month: three Soodras, who had previously been more or less acquainted with our books, applied for Baptism; and others, in private conversation amongst themselves, expressed their conviction that Christianity is true, and that they would, after a longer examination of our books, also come to the resolution to be baptized.

As, in the mean time, several pressing requests for Schools had been newly made, or old ones repeated, it was impossible not to follow up these hints of Providence; and, consequently, in the beginning of September, five new Schools were established, partly in Heathen, and partly in Christian Villages; and, after a month's more exercise, eight other Preparandi were appointed, in the beginning of October, to new Schools.

One of those who had requested Baptism was placed as Schoolmaster in his own village, where he had some time back been diligently reading our books to his relations and other Soodras. About a month after his appointment, the village was visited by one of us, when we saw the fragments of two clay Idols, which had been broken down by the Schoolmaster, in conjunction with the Soodra and Shunar Inhabitants, scattered about, near the Temple. Subsequently, they have destroyed a stone Idol.

Want of Female Schools.

It will be remembered, from the statement in the last Report of the Committee, that the number of Girls attending our Schools was 37, and in March 1829 they had increased to 84; but we are sorry to add, that they gradually decreased to 60. This diminution is principally owing to the ignorance of the Parents, and to the aversion of the Girls to attend Boys' Schools; which can easily be accounted

for, from the manners and morals of the Hindoos. It is therefore necessary, if we wish to benefit the Females more generally, to establish separate Female Schools in suitable places: but for such we have not sufficient funds, and we must appeal to the Public for assistance. Christians! sums are lavished to buy a jewel, which would be sufficient to make many poor children intelligent, useful, and happy; who would impart the benefits, which they have received from you, to many of their neighbours and their own descendants. We evidently see that the Lord is extending His kingdom. Fellow Christians! will you still stand back-cold, doubting, and unconcerned?

Preparation of Native Teachers.

As has been stated in our former Reports, the necessity of supplying villages with Christian Teachers, according to the request of those who renounce Idolatry, has created this class of Students, preparing for the service. They are grown Natives, of various ages and castes, Christians in heart, apt to teach, and desirous of serving their Master, Christ. They must have been already baptizel, though sometimes circumstances force us to make exceptions; but none are employed as Catechists before Baptism: as Schoolmasters, they may be so. At present, we have 15 such persons, whom Providence has brought into our hands, just when we feared that we should be left without subjects to supply new Congregations. They stay with us, and receive a small sum for their subsistence : they are daily instructed in the Principles of Christianity, and otherwise exercised in the necessary duties of Teachers: they learn the Doctrinal and Scriptural Catechisms by heart, with large portions of the Apostolic Epistles, which are expounded to them: they attend Lectures on the Books of Moses and the Prophets, which are publicly given every evening, and especially on the Sunday. They are nearly all Soodras; which we mention, chiefly because it is often said that only the low classes become Christians. They are not learned men; neither is there time to instruct them in the Sciences; though they receive, in the course of instruction, also a good deal of general knowledge: our principal aim with them is, to promote piety-to fill their heads and hearts with Religious Truths, and to fit them for teaching the same to those who know less than themselves. An unexceptionable conduct, in proof of their

faith, is particularly required; and if any one fail therein, he is dismissed. We have often been surprised at the pains which they take; and the success which they have in their lessons, to which they were not accustomed before. Their selfdenial is likewise remarkable: they leave their homes for a considerable time, excepting occasional visits, and content themselves with a small pittance: they are an important branch of our machinery, and require the good wishes and hearty prayers of all the People of God, that they may be taught by the Divine Spirit. The Seminary.

Since the last Return in July, 7 new Boys have been received into the Seminary; so that it consists now of 40 Scholars. We think it necessary to make some special remarks on the nature of our Seminary, that none may expect more from it than is just. These remarks refer to the disadvantages under which it labours. Besides Theology, they have been studying the Tamul, English, Hebrew and Latin Languages, Geography, History, Arithmetic, Logic, and Rhetoric. But their progress, though steady, is but slow, because of the want of Elementary Books in Tamul. All instructions are carried on in Tamul; and those Elementary Books are prepared whilst they are instructed. The Hebrew has latterly been discontinued, because of the want of Hebrew Dictionaries: the Teacher had always to prepare a Vocabulary for each lesson; which, in his daily accumulating labours, he found too much for him. And again, excepting Tamul, English, Latin, and Arithmetic, which are taught by Mr. Regel, the rest devolves on one of the Missionaries; who is sometimes absent from home, or otherwise so much engaged with the Catechists, which happens regularly eight days in the month, at their periodical assemblies, that frequently he cannot attend to the Seminary. It is true, that the Students, in those days, repeat their previous lessons; still it cannot but be a great obstacle to their progress. So long, therefore, as those Elementary Books must be prepared whilst teaching, and so long as there is no scientific man to attend constantly to the Seminary, the Students must be viewed as under very disadvantageous circumstances.

The Missionaries further remarkElementary Books are gradually coming