Page images
PDF
EPUB

not only to better themselves spiritually, but also their children, being thoroughly convinced in their minds that their children will wipe out the disgrace of their race by becoming better men and Christians.

in my last communication. It was therefore my bounden duty not to put them to the inconvenience of going to their houses and to return back, and at the same time to attend to instruction without distraction of mind. The food provided for them, however, was no inducement to attend to instruction, as many of them were sufferers by leaving their houses and cattle behind them, which required care and pasturage. I merely mention this to undeceive suspicious minds.

THE CONVERTS.

From the above place we set out for one called Amboyla, accompanied by others, who swelled the number of those who followed us from the commencement of our journey. On our way we were obliged to visit two of the inquirers, where we met from 100 to 150 hearers who had come together to receive us. By this time I was pretty well knocked up, yet I could not leave the place without ad- You can fancy, my dear brother, what dressing the people on their spiritual concerns, grace and wisdom I needed from above, and and praying for them. At the last place on our which, blessed be God, were not denied to way, three or four brahmans asked me, after me, when I had to afford spiritual provision my discourse, rather in a serious tone, what to so many for eight days together. As these would become of them. I took the query in poor people came for nothing else, they had it a light different from their meaning, as I in abundance from me and the native preachafterwards learned, and answered it as I un-ers, whom I had to direct and animate, as the derstood it. It would appear they were toil was almost beyond our strength, as, with brahmans of these people, and by the question an exception or two, the people were ignorant they asked they meant to know what would become of them with regard to their livelihood, as their disciples were embracing Christianity. I was sorry to learn that the father, an aged man, of one of the inquirers was confined by his landholder, and exposed to the sun for a whole day for allowing his son, who was following me, to become a Christian.

of letters. I adopted a different method of instructing them, that they might be acquainted with the gospel scheme of salvation, however ignorant they might be as to other facts contained in it. These points were chiefly explained to them and catechised upon, viz., the birth of the Saviour-his sufferings, death, burial, resurrection, ascension

him-the decalogue-the spiritual import of each commandment-the consequence of sin, hell being its award-the peculiar offices of the Holy Spirit, his descent, &c. I made it a chief point to teach them to sing and to commit to memory those hymns which were short, and which likewise contained the substance of all our discourses. This was also a very difficult task, as we were obliged to sing about six times each of the three hymns selected for the occasion, every day, in addition to speaking and exhortation, commencing from seven A.M. to seven P.M., with an intermission of three hours, which we actually needed ourselves.

We reached Amboyla at about half-past-the nature of the atonement wrought by seven P.M., after nearly four hours' journey. The place prepared for me to preach in could not be occupied by us on account of the innumerable swarms of musquitoes with which it abounds. I would fail in describing, my dear brother, the joy I felt, though my body was overpowered with fatigue. The men candidates and inquirers of all the places had met here, and all points which could strengthen them in their profession of the Saviour were repeatedly touched upon, that clearer light might be enjoyed by them. Our divine service was animating, as the number was nearly 200. Although most of them had not eaten for nine or ten hours, after being tired with shoving their canoes over paddy fields for miles and miles together, yet they were more and more anxious to hear. The moon in the meantime showed her resplendent disc, and told us it was rather a late hour, for, according to brother Paterson's Bengali Almanae (I had no watch), it was nearly one in the morning, a little after which, when the men had eaten, we left this place, and reached Dhan Doba at ten A.M., there being some delay on the way on account of the men baving been greatly tired.

On the 27th, Sunday, I had about sixty hearers, which number increased to upwards of a hundred by the middle of the week, and more a day after. These poor people had to come from a distance of ten, twelve, and thirteen miles from different directions, I having visited most of their houses, as stated

These hymns, together with the other instructions, served to throw great light upon their hitherto ignorant minds. Oh, it was a delightful scene to see them formed into groups of twenty, thirty, and forty, and singing these hymns, over and over, and at midnight, or before the dawn of the morning: their sound was peculiarly solemn through the silence and stillness of the hour. A missionary does not, at least here below, need to see a better scene after the toil of the day. On the 1st instant I convened a meeting of the church, and admitted into it all those who were eligible candidates, the number of whom was about thirty; the rest of the people, by their non-admission, were led to inquire and pray more frequently than they did. On the 2nd instant, another meeting was convened, and another selection was made of

there might be no mistake. This produced a very happy effect; it eased my mind of a burden, as it was possible that every thing might not be right, on account of the number. After a short exhortation I began the work of baptizing one hundred and fifteen persons in the new tank (a wooden flight of steps was finished under my own superintendence just the evening before, to which was attached a platform for me and the candidate to stand on in the water) before a great concourse of people, whom curiosity, strange reports (such as that I was going to consecrate the tank) had brought together.

those of whose earnestness we were aware, and who could answer the questions put to them, while the doubtful ones were rejected, and requested to knock louder at the door of grace. Poor people! They were enabled to do so, and found what they wanted. On Saturday the number of the admitted was 115, among whom twenty-two were women, all, as I plainly saw and praised God for it, taught by the Spirit; their tears, contrition, groans, and lamentations were unequivocal signs of the work begun by the Spirit inwardly. The holy fire could not be mistaken for any other. This day we could not dine before near midnight; what I did eat, or When I look back upon the work I got rather was forced to do so to support nature, through, I am constrained to give all the lay heavy on my chest all night, which, praise to God. All the righteous will readded to the want of rest, threatened to pros- joice for so much grace conferred upon, trate my strength next day; but in the Lord I and through us. In the afternoon, about found strength, and overcame my indisposi- 130 persons partook of the emblems of the tion. dying love of our Saviour. What a sight it was I cannot describe-so many brought from the power of Satan unto God! Blessed be God.

On Sunday morning I again, taking each by the hand, satisfied myself before the whole church, as to the sincerity of their faith, that

CHITTAGONG.

From this province, which lies yet farther to the cast, Mr. Fink wrote thus, October, 1846:

We have had the happiness of baptizing seven candidates since last May, and I am happy to say that there are a few more under instruction for the same ordinance. We have during this year lost two members by death, who departed in peace, trusting in the

atonement of Christ for their salvation. They were Mrs. F. and a Hindu convert, who was baptized last May. I trust that their immortal spirits are now enjoying the happy fruits of their faith before the throne of Him who has redeemed them with his precious blood.

AGRA.

Our brethren in this city, which is 950 miles N.W. of Calcutta, have also received during the past year some compensation for their persevering toil. Mr. Williams, writing October 17, 1846, says:—

villages once a fortnight for three or four days. This is all I can do in connexion with my pastoral duties. During the week I am at home I preach in the hát on Monday and Friday, and other places in or near the city. I am happy to say that twenty-three natives have been baptized this year, and eight from among the European community, and we have several more natives to be baptized at Chitaura, in a month or two more (D.v.). I mention this now because I have not written you, as usual, at every baptism, and that you may have as correct a view as possible of all our operations.

The state of society in this land of darkness generally visit Chitaura and the adjacent and heathenism is such as to render it almost absolutely necessary that native Christians should in some way or other be independent of their idolatrous neighbours. We have had abundant proof of this at Chitaura, and other villages, where we have Christians, but more particularly at Chitaura. You will remember what I told you in my last of a deep-laid scheme, to get one of our poor brethren into jail, and thus to bring our holy religion into disrepute, but glad am I to say that the attempt utterly failed. The magistrate dismissed the case. Our enemies are quiet for the present, but doubtless are only looking out for some pretence or other to renew hostilities; this is what we fully expect.

Upon the whole, I am disposed to beIlieve that yet greater things will soon be

1

accomplished, that many of the poor perishing heathen around will speedily be brought to the knowledge of the true God and of Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I must not, however, omit that we have many trials

and disappointments. The more I enter into direct missionary labour, the more am I convinced of the necessity of great faith, and much patience and perseverance, with fervent and earnest prayer.

PATNA.

Six converts were baptized by Mr. Beddy on the first day of November last, and the details he gives of their previous history will be read with pleasure. Writing on the 18th of November, Mr. Beddy says:—

Of Mrs. Manville I cannot speak much; she appears to be a mild and consistent character, and was spoken well of by one of the brethren who knew her for some time, as also by her husband.

On Lord's day, November 1st, it was my He owes much of his early instruction to his blessed privilege to baptise the following beloved and most affectionate aunt, to whom persons: my second eldest son, nineteen years he attached himself with an affection that she of age, Mrs. Manville, the wife of a member of has well earned from all. Some short time the church, and four young women belonging before his baptism, being present with him, to our Native Refuge. I need not say with he made the discovery to me of the state of what mingled feelings of delight and gratitude his heart, and of his desire for baptism. I I performed this most delightful ceremony. need hardly say how my fond heart exulted My son Joseph in an especial manner called in the discovery, and how it operated on his forth praises and thanksgiving; he is the fond and affectionate mother; with what joy child of many prayers, and I have for a and gratitude she heard the tidings that length of time looked upon him as one "not realized her fondly-cherished wishes. What far from the kingdom of heaven," but through must have been the state of father, mother, some strange backwardness, peculiar to some and aunt's feelings while they looked on the parents, I seldom had any close conversation consummation of what they had all prayed with him, but his dear mother was all along for? or rather, what ought our feelings to have impressed with a firm conviction that for the been under such a scene? Holy and devout last year or two he gave evident tokens of gratitude to the Lord of glory! having a work of grace begun in his heart; and of this there now appears sufficient proof. In his infancy he was subject to much sickness, and we have often gone to bed expecting to find him dead in the morning. His diseases were various and trying, but it pleased the Lord to restore him to health after a very protracted illness. On our way up the river Ganges to join our station at Dinapore, in 1831, he was so far reduced as to have given us every reason to believe that he was actually dying. On this occasion, being far from any village or station, and reflecting that I would have to dig his grave and bury him myself in the sands, I thought much on the more than probable result, of the body being subjected to being mangled by jackals and dogs. My feelings naturally revolted at such a result; I therefore requested his mother, who had retired into another room in the boat, not wishing to see him die, to give him a bath, after which I knelt down, with a beloved aunt who was accompanying us, and I fervently implored the Lord that if it was his will to remove him, that he would in mercy spare him till we reached a station where he might be interred, at the same time praying for his restoration, if in accordance with his divine The second native young woman baptized, will. Having thus commended him to God, Chemaliah, formerly a Hindoo, was sent to we rose from our knees, and it was the will of us by the magistrate of Gya, in October our heavenly Father to give an answer of 1842. She was probably ten years of age peace, and we were permitted to witness an when we received her into the Refuge. She immediate change and a gradual restoration. states that she went in company with some

The first native young woman, Fygou, we received from a gentleman in Tichool, opposite Mongbyr. She was sent through brother Lawrence. The gentleman received her from a rajah, as a present on the gentleman's marriage. She was given or sold by her father, a Mohammedan, to the rajah; and the reason assigned by her for her father's want of natural affection was, that her step-mother ill used her. From her first coming into the Refuge till the present period, she has in every way conducted herself to our satisfaction. We received her in July, 1843, into the Refuge, and she is now about seventeen years of age. It is about eighteen months since she evinced some concern for her soul, and the work appears to have gradually deepened, till about six or seven months ago she came forward and requested to be united to the church by baptism. The testimony borne of her general conduct by the lady in charge of the Refuge is gratifying.

[ocr errors]

relations to see a Hindoo festival, that she was separated from her friends in the crowd, and having wandered about for some time in the expectation of being restored to them, without effect, she was subsequently taken up by the police. She was by the magistrate, as aforesaid, forwarded to our Refuge. She further stated, that her father had been dead. This young female first attracted the notice of the governess about twelve months ago, as evincing a concern after salvation, and uniting with others in prayer and reading the scriptures. Her change and progress appears like the former, to have been gradual and increasing, and having requested baptism, was accordingly received into the church, and that ordinance administered to her.

Pearon, the third female, about fourteen years of age, was received into the Refuge in December, 1842, under circumstances of a peculiar kind. She states that owing to her father (a Mohammedan) having gone up the country in the capacity of a servant, leaving her mother and five children at Dinapore; the mother not hearing from the father for a length of time, sold her and a sister, probably through distress. The subject of this statement was sold to a country-born female, from whom she experienced such cruel usage and unkind treatment, that she ran away from her mistress, and took refuge in Mr. Brice's house, who forwarded her to us. She has been marked on both arms with the name of her mistress, and marked across her forehead in such a manner as to leave it beyond a doubt that she will carry those marks to her grave. She appears to have commenced to think of her soul's concerns much about the time of the former girl, and to have afforded satisfactory evidence of a change of heart and a drawing attachment to the Saviour.

The fourth young woman is Nussebun, received from the magistrate of Gya in July, 1842. She has always been sedate, and has seldom given much trouble, even at the first, which is not generally the case. She had been talking much about religion for a longer period of time than the other young persons, but there is reason to believe that her heart has been recently brought under divine influence, and that at the first she was not what she thought, and wished others to think, having showed evident signs of a proud heart; it is, however, now only just to state, that for some time previous to her coming forward to join the church, a very decided change appeared to have taken place, and her conduct was well spoken of by the governess. She was a Mohammedan-is now about sixteen years of age. She states that being in slavery, and not liking her bondage nor her mistress, she ran away, and was subsequently found by the police wandering about Gya, and taken to the magistrate, who forwarded her to the Refuge. She was asked in marriage some time ago by a young man that was called

Andrew Reed, during our much beloved Mrs. George Parsons's residence in Mongbyr, who now lives with us as a servant, and they have been married, since which time they appear to live happy and comfortable.

We have also a Moonshee that has renounced caste, and who professes to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also a nominal native Christian, who in his infancy was baptised by a native convert to the church of England; but he came to us in an awful state of ignorance and delusion regarding real religion. He reads well, and has showed much attention to instruction. He has evidently improved in knowledge, but how far grace has been received into his heart, and how far he feels himself a sinner, and in that state under condemnation, and is ready to welcome the gospel plan of salvation, I can only state from his own language. He has been employed as a chapel bearer, and his conduct hitherto, as a servant, has been consistent and becoming, making due allowances for native minds, ignorance, &c. On the whole, I am not without hope that his mind has been favourably impressed. His wife is also a nominal Christian, but appears a likely person to receive those truths into her heart which, being accompanied by the divine influence, will lead to faith in a crucified Saviour. There is another native woman, the wife of a member, who professes love to Christ. She has been a very troublesome character, quarrelling with her husband, and very much taken up with worldly affairs. There has been, by all accounts, a change, and she has been enabled to forsake some of her wicked ways. May she at length be fully able to do so, and show to her neighbours the power of divine things when rightly taken into the heart.

In Mrs. Beddy's bible class there are five native married women; two of them are members of the church, one has been excluded, but we hope well of her, and the other two are at present unconverted. To this number, five, we are to add twelve belonging to the Refuge. Five of these are converted, and have joined the church; the others give, more or less, evidence of seeking the Lord, and we trust this is the case. Mrs. Beddy's Sunday-school is in number few, being confined to her own family, with six in addition, who are educated and boarded in our house, mostly country born.

In the Refuge Miss Macdonough, exclusive of every day's instructions in regard to scripture and religious knowledge, has a Sundayschool. All capable of receiving instruction are assembled every Sunday morning after breakfast, and the usual duties of a sabbath school, so-far as native instruction and the native language will admit, is regularly and profitably attended to.

In the chapel we have four services on the Lord's day; in the morning, native service at

six or seven o'clock, according as the season | tion for native service. Bazar preaching permits. At ten o'clock the natives assemble nearly every day, and we have just (that is under the native preacher, who exhorts and the native brethren) returned from a very the brethren pray. At half-past two o'clock large fair, where for four days they were emregular native service, and at six o'clock in ployed in preaching and in distributing tracts the evening English service. Although we and portions of scripture, and where they met cannot say that we have large assemblies, yet with the usual success. May the Lord bless we have, upon the whole, encouraging ones, and own all that has been done, to the glory and the number in the Refuge, thirty-nine of his name and the eternal good of those who (one having just died), swells our congrega-heard and who received the word of life.

WEST INDIES.

TRINIDAD.

Our esteemed Secretary has paid a visit to this island, which was very interesting to him, and we doubt not that his account of it will gratify all our readers. The following letter was written when he was about to leave it: the date is Dec. 5, 1846 :

On leaving England we had no hope whatever of seeing any other stations than those in Jamaica, but on reaching Barbadoes, brother Birrell and myself resolved that, as we were within a few hours' sail of Trinidad, and could visit both it and Haiti at the cost of a fortnight and a few pounds, we should divide, and call at Jacmel and Port of Spain. I am very glad that we adopted this plan. A personal visit gives a better idea of the labours and difficulties of our brethren than "seven years of letter-writing." The estimate is Mr. Cowen's, and not far from the truth. The mere voyage is of great advantage. On board the steamer you meet with residents from each of the West Indian islands and of all shades of opinion. They are generally very frank and communicative, and much information may be obtained from them. At Barbadoes we spent a day with the Wesleyan missionaries, Messrs. Ranyell, English, and Brown, and received from them much kindness. I expect also to spend a few days at Grenada, waiting for the next steamer. These delays are most welcome, and prove highly conducive to the general object of our mission, enabling us to examine the plans and condition of missions connected with other sections of the church of Christ.

sugar. There are, according to the government survey, 1,000,000 acres available for sugar cultivation, of which 200,000 acres are sold. Of these, not more than 25,000 acres are devoted to sugar, and the crop is about 25,000 tons, worth nearly £400,000. You may judge of the productiveness of the soil from the fact that there are cane-pieces (a field) in the island which have not been replanted since the beginning of this century, The average duration of a cane-piece throughout the island is about twenty-five years; while in several other West Indian islands the cane is replanted every four or five years. The soil is a rich loam, free from all stones, and sometimes fifteen feet deep, often more.

The population is large and destitute. Port of Spain contains about 18,000 people; and the whole island about 80,000. The number of evangelical ministers is eight. The attendance at day schools of all kinds has recently been ascertained to be one in every twentythree. The governor, Lord Harris, from whom we obtained this information, is doing much for the improvement of the island, and is in high repute among all classes. The great body of the people are Roman Catholics, and here, as in China and elsewhere, their The importance of our mission in Trinidad priests content themselves with grafting popery it is not easy to overrate. Commercially, the on the prevalent popular superstition. The island is likely to become one of our most freaks and mummeries practised on high fesvaluable West Indian possessions. Within tivals would excite one's laughter, if they sight are the mountains of the Spanish Main, were not connected with interests so serious. accessible to the Christian missionary. The By popery and slavery combined, the energy harbour-the Gulf of Paria-is one of the largest and safest in the world. The island itself is abundantly productive. If the whole were cultivated it might supply Europe with

of the people has been destroyed, and the finer features of the negro character nearly obliterated. They are idle and suspicious, showing for ministers and religion much

« PreviousContinue »