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Yoxall, Hamstall, &c., including 61. 168. 6d. from Rugely

26 16 6

7934

Fenny Compton, by Rev. Mr. Thorpe... 346

FUND FOR DISABLED MISSIONARIES, THEIR
WIDOWS AND CHILDREN.

Chambers, R. J. Esq., Keppel Street, 1007.
3-per-cent. Consols......

87 0 0

.. 100 00 In remembrance of a departed Relative Smallbone, Mr. W., Lewisham............ 500 ***The Committee thankfully acknowledge the receipt of Three Paper Parcels from Cheltenham; also a Box from a Family at Rainham; and Sundry Fancy Articles from Miss Ireland, Miss Lowther, Miss Voysey, and Mary Gardiner, of the Clerkenwell Ladies.

Church Missionary Record.

No. 11.]

NOVEMBER, 1830.

CALCUTTA AND NORTH-INDIA MISSION.
Benares.

Extracts from the Journal of the Rev.
Ralph Eteson.

SOME account of the Services and
Schools at Benares was given at
pp, 39, 40 of our February Number.
Mr. Eteson, who has sole charge of
the Station, appears to have made
sufficient proficiency in the Native
Language to render himself gene-
rally intelligible, both in preaching
and conversation. The following
Extracts from his Journal furnish
many painful instances of the blind-
ness of the Heathen, and of the
power of that Evil Spirit who detains
them in bondage.

April 6, 1829-To-day was the conclusion of the Ramasan. My Chawkudar requested permission to attend the Prayers which are usually offered up in public on this day. When he returned, I inquired of him what he had been doing. He replied, that he had heard the Molwee read the Book. I asked what it was he read. He did not know all that was required of him, as well as of all the hearers, was to be attentive to the Molwee's actions, to bow when he bowed, to sit when he sat, and to rise when he

rose.

The ignorance of the Mussulmans, as to their own Religion, is unparalleled: I have been often surprised to find even respectable persons among them ignorant of the very name of their Prophet. They tell most stupendous stories of Hassan, Hosein, and Fatima: but of Fatima's father they know nothing; I have heard, from some of them, that his name was Moses. One day, when I was addressing the Hinduwee Schools, a Boy replied to what I had adduced, by saying, that God made Three Sects, who would each be saved, by their own Religion; viz. the Christians who followed Jesus; the Hindoos who followed the Vedas; and the Mussulmans who followed Moses.

[RECORD, Nov. 1830.]

دو

[VOL. I.

در

April 14-This evening, three Mussulmans called on me for books; when the following conversation ensued. "Why do you wish for a Gospel? "We are acquiring Arabic Literature: if we read the Gospels, we shall then be acquainted with the histories of all the Prophets: on this account we wish to read the Gospel and Psalms." But you cannot understand either of these books, unless you ask wisdom and mercy from God." "Why not?"- Because you are in darkness: your hearts are blind with sin: unless God open, who can understand?" "We have read much, in our books, of Adam, and Abraham, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Joshua, and Zachary, and Moses, and the Prophets-peace and benediction upon them! When we read your Book, why may we not understand about Jesus the Prophet-peace and benediction upon Him!"-"Amen! But you speak of numerous Prophets: what do you mean by a prophet? "Instruct us, Sir, what you mean by a Prophet.”- A Prophet is a person instructed and sent of God, to teach mankind such necessary knowledge as they could not otherwise have obtained."- In this way, you, Sir, are a Prophet." "I do not call myself a Prophet, because I have not heard with my own ears the words of God. learned what I and you and all mankind must do to be saved, but not of myself: I have learnt of the Book which I have given you; and I know that that Book is true, because it is established by arguments of learning; because I feel its instructions exactly suitable to my heart: it makes me live in content and joy, which it could not do, if it were not from God." If you, Sir, are a Teacher, why do you not come and preach to us? How shall we learn, unless we are taught?"

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You hear that I can scarcely speak your language. The Padre is absent: I have his work to do. Another Padre is coming, you shall then hear more about it."-" Where is Jesus Christ ?" heaven."- In which heaven?" 2 I

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is only one heaven; that is the immediate presence of God."-"You affirm that Jesus is alive, and a Prophet: now a Prophet is commanded by God-let Him be exalted!—to go himself and teach the way. Why does not Christ come, and teach us ?"—" Why does not Mahomed come and teach me? Mahomed is not alive, in the same manner that Christ is." Yet he is alive, notwithstanding."Further, there is no necessity that Christ should come, as He has caused to be written in that Book whatever He would have said were He present. Why then should He come Himself? If we will not believe what that Book says concerning Him, neither should we believe, though we heard Christ Himself.”—“What does your Book say of the Day of Judgment?" “Christ will raise all men alive, Hindoos, Mussulmans, and English: they will again take their bodies, and together, with all who shall remain alive, be compelled to appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ. Those whose works have shewn that they have not believed in Christ, will go to Hell: those whose works have shewn that they have lived in Christ and done His will, will become blessed.""If Jesus has power to confer all blessing on His people at the Day of Judgment, why does he not to-day turn my heart; for power is in Him?” This is a useless speech. Perhaps you have never asked God's mercy: and shall God give His mercy to those who care so little for it, as not even to pray for it? If your son anger you, and care so little for you as not even to ask your blessing, do you bestow wealth upon him? This Book says, Ask, and ye shall receive: and if you do not receive, it is only because you do not ask. When you arrive at your house, pray for God's wisdom and mercy; saying,Lord, I am a great sinner! how shall I be saved? Teach me what I must do to be saved!'"-Here our conference ended; and my antagonist departed, promising to call again.

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April 15, 1829-Visited all the Hinduwee Schools, and examined the English, Persian, Hinduwee, and Bengalee Classes in the City School. I succeeded in persuading all the Boys in the Free School to wipe off the mark from their foreheads, on the ground of its being the Devil's Mark, and not proper to be worne. introduced a discussion on the propriety of Image-worship: the Boys asserted, that although God was one, yet He pervades all things, and therefore He pervades

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their images, and exists in them; consequently, it was lawful to worship those things in which God dwelt; and that they did not worship the matter of the image, but only the God who dwelt in it.

April 27-I found the Boys in the Free Schools had resumed the marks, and I had great difficulty in persuading them to rub them out. They however obeyed, when they saw me peremptory. In the Persian School, the Boys were obstinate, and chose rather to leave the School. I was afraid that I had required too much; and went to the Rajah, to tell him what I had done: he persuaded me not to press the matter, lest I should irritate them, and excite them to disobedience: I took his advice. It appeared to me, however, that the Boys would not have refused me, had not the Moonshees and Monitors instigated them.

Dec. 1-This morning, before breakfast, I rode, with the Rev. J. Robertson of the London Missionary Society, to a Temple in the City, dedicated to Hanuman, the enormous Monkey who assisted Ram, by his strength and subtlety, in overcoming Rawanee. In the midst of this Temple is a dirty pool, supplied from a neighbouring well. This pool is supposed to possess the property of healing those who bathe in it, of leprosy and other diseases; and is therefore called, by the Hindoos, Amrit-jhil—the Pool of Immortality. On inquiry, however, I learnt that not more than one in thirty are benefited by its imaginary virtues; yet this frequent want of success is not imputed to any lack of efficacy in the waters, but solely to the want of faith in the sufferers.

In the precincts of this seat of Idolatry, where Satan reigned apparently supreme, Mr. Robertson has succeeded in establishing a Native School, in which the Christian Scriptures are daily read: this certainly indicates that prejudice is giving way; but something more is requisite than Christian Instruction to convert the soul-the immediate agency of the Spirit on the degenerate and benighted heart. At the door of this Temple we stood for half-an-hour, conversing with about 20 Hindoos, and urging on them the holy doctrines of Christianity.

After breakfast, I visited my Hinduwee Schools. The examination at each of them collected about 20 people in the street; to whom I made known, as well as my imperfect language would allow me, what wonderful things God had done,

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and promised, in order to save their souls. About 12 copies of Kythee Gospels, and some Hinduwee Prayers, were distributed among them. I was struck with the weight and authority of Scriptural Sentiments on a Heathen Mind. saith the Lord, is, at all times, an impressive introduction to such sentences, as, He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be ́ damned.

Dec. 2, 1829-The Sacramental Fund of this Station has been for some time exhausted: I have therefore been attempting, this day, to make a small collection among the Residents for the poor Native Christians. This evening I read Prayers and expounded at the Hindostanee Chapel: about 14 or 15 persons present.

Dec. 3-In the evening, the Rev. J. Robertson, Mr. Steward, and myself, went to a small village called Shivpore, the Town of Siva: after having walked about the place for a short time, and attracted a crowd around us, we commenced a rather boisterous discussion, which gradually settled into a peaceable conversation. The people were very anxious for a School; or at least two or three Lalas were, each of whom expect ed to be employed in it; but the distance of the village precludes all possibility of diligent superintendence. School, however, established in this village, would tend to win over the inhabitants, and always afford an opportunity of usefulness to the Missionary.

One

Dec. 6: Sunday In the morning, administered the Sacrament to 10 Communicants. In the evening, preached at the English Church, in order to afford the Chaplain an opportunity of visiting Chunar. I have agreed to preach for him on the first Sunday of every month.

Dec. 8-In the morning, I took Mr. Robertson to one of my Hinduwee Schools, where we alternately addressed about 20 to 25 Hindoos. No one produced any objection to our doctrine: perhaps they scarcely understood us,

After

breakfast, I visited another Hindoo School, and again addressed a Native Audience. On our way from this School to Jay Narain's, we examined a large gateway, painted like the gates of most houses which belong to rich Natives, with different figures, such as ridiculous imitations of English Ladies and Gentlemen. Soon after, a servant came out, to invite us inside. The owner's brother was waiting to receive us; and con

ducted us to an upper room, which was well furnished with carpets and lookingglasses. The feet of the bed were of. solid silver. After we were seated, sweetmeats were presented, and conversation commenced. The Baboo inquired who I was, and what was my employment? This, of course, introduced the subject of my Mission. When I told him that my sole motive in coming to India was to preach the Gospel, he said, "That, indeed, is an excellent employment." In the mean time, the elder brother was introduced; and, as they both seemed curious to know the contents of the Gospel, I left with each of them a copy of the New Testament. I then proceeded to the Free School, and examined the Persian Classes.

Dec. 10-Visited Lahota, in company with Lieut. Lyall, Mr. Robertson, and Holwee, to fix upon the site of a small Native Hut, which we wish to erect for the purpose of performing Public Worship. The expense will be defrayed by Lieut. Lyall. This obscure village promises well: its inhabitants are always kind and attentive to us: yet I dare not say more; for though they listen to our Message with outward reverence, yet none of them come forward to inquire more explicitly into the doctrines which we preach. We thought it advisable to exhibit before their eyes a pattern and example of that reasonable service which our Religion requires. We are in the habit of calling on our hearers to worship the Lord through the mediation of Christ; but forget that an ignorant unconverted Hindoo can form no further idea of Worship than the performance of his own idolatrous formalities he imagines that Worship is something to be DONE, and not something to be FELT, with reference to the Supreme God. Fervency of devotion, and the pious affections of the heart, are spiri tual things, of which they have no idea.

Dec. 21-Rode with Mr. Robertson to one of our Schools, where, after some delay, we collected an unusually large Congregation. A Mussulman came forward, and wished to persuade us, that He, whom we called God, was no other than the Hindoo Ishwor, and the Mahomedan Allah. We replied, that certainly there could be no other God but One; yet different Nations might form very different conceptions of that One God, which was true in fact. Their Religions would therefore differ; which

was also true: but, as God was One, and His nature One, how could He command two things totally inconsistenthow could He command us, at the same time, to love our enemies, and hate our enemies? Yet the Gospel inculcates one of these precepts, and the Korân the other: both Religions could not, therefore, be true, or agreeable to the will of God. One of them must be false.

Dec. 22, 1829-Again rode into the city; where I found Mr. Robertson engaged with a great many Natives. We here encountered one or two learned Pundits; whose objections I could scarcely understand, for want of an acquaintance with Sanscrit. One man, covered with idolatrous marks, seemed convinced that there was some truth in our words. He asked for, and received, a copy of the Gospel. Dec. 24-I have been engaged today in marking out a piece of ground for a School for Native-Female Christians it will cost the Society, perhaps, 80 rupees.

Dec. 29-Mr. Robertson and myself visited our Hinduwee Schools, at each of which about 30 hearers collected around us. At one of them, a young Brahmin, having listened attentively for some time, expressed his opinion that men and beasts are on an equal footing, all actuated by the same all-pervading spirit. How truly lamentable is their Philosophy, which degrades even their own Deities to a level with the brutes! At another School, an old man highly approved our doctrine, saying, that, certainly, whatever we English said was right. Several more said, that they hoped they should remember what we said, but were afraid they should forget it. Alas! that the impression of such important things should be so soon effaced.

Dec. 31-Visited Shivpore. The public road from Benares to Jaunpore lies through this village, and this circumstance has greatly debased the character of its inhabitants. Our hearers amounted to about 20: some of them listened with apparent attention; others, though they approved of our words, were evidently more disposed to ridicule than to receive them. It is grievous, indeed, to see the natural conscience struggling so ineffectually with their corrupt affections. Since I began to preach in the Bazaar, I have gained a clearer convictions of the necessity of a direct influence from above to convert the soul,

than I ever possessed before. The Missionary may convince; but he is as powerless to convert, as he is to arrest the sun in the heavens.

Jan. 3,1830-Administered the Lord's Supper to 17 Communicants.

Jan. 4-Mr. Robertson and I repaired, as usual, to the city; where we were shortly surrounded by a Congregation of 50 or 60 people. At one time I counted upwards of 60: they listened attentively; and we were on the point of leaving them, when a young man advanced the proposition, that all things were God. I find it difficult to convince them of the absurdity of this doctrine; for though they stoutly affirm that man is God, yet they deny the converse-that God is man; at least, they shrink from imputing to Him human properties and failings.

Jan. 11-Accompanied Mr. Robertson to the Temple which incloses the Amritjhil.

Some time elapsed ere we attracted particular notice: at length, four or five Brahmins approached, to listen to our Reader; but their minds were impervious to our discourse. I am led to think that they did not clearly understand me. Nothing is more easy than to attract a Congregation in Benares, where passengers will stop and listen for hours. The place itself is notoriously superstitious; and religious discourse of every Sect is, with the Hindoos at least, a serious business. The Pundits in the Temple behaved worse than I have ever yet experienced: they were doubtless irritated by our approaching too near their sacred pool, and I do not think it advisable to go there again. Mr. Robertson was too weak to speak much; and I confined myself to a simple declaration, that, according to our Shaster, the human heart was corrupt, and, as was evident from the works of all men, had gone astray from God; and then to tell them the provision which God had made for their recovery. One man promised to call on me.

Jan. 13-After breakfasting with Mr. Robertson, we visited a School in the city, which is under his care: from 40 to 60 people gathered around us; and of these about 30 were stationary hearers, some of whom listened with serious attention. One old man seriously sup ported the worship of Idols, because," said he, they are the representation of God." When Mr. Robertson inquired,

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How God could possess any likeness;

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