ASIA.

CALCUTTA.

A letter has been received from Mr. Evans, giving so graphic a description of the labours of our brethren in this immense city and its suburbs, and the department of each missionary, that we are persuaded the following extract, though long, will be read with unusual interest.

Calcutta is a vastly populous and important | department, and here our printing press. Of place. Here are to be found men of every European brethren labouring in Calcutta there colour and of every country. Whatever lan- are eight, including our brother at Howrah, guage we may speak, there are individuals in its vicinity. Dr. Yates, and brethren here who will understand our gospel message; and who will, moreover, give us an attentive hearing. Few are ignorant of the claims of our common Christianity; all, in truth are ashamed of idolatry and of religious error. The Spirit's influence only is necessary to "convert a nation in a day." The word of the living God has been faithfully translated; devoted ambassadors for Christ are always saying, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the living waters ;" and many are engaged in directing, with pleasure and success, youthful minds to Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life." The foundations of heathenism have been undermined; the hopes of idolaters have been shown to be utterly groundless; and thousands are saying on every hand, "Your Saviour is the only one and the just:" but, alas! the Spirit's aid and influence are wanting to convert and save them all. This is our exact predicament and position. Were I to take my stand in any place in all Calcutta, I should have an attentive auditory; but when I required, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that men should at once turn to him, I should find many fainthearted and unprepared. We could not have more encouragement as the preachers of the ever-blessed gospel; we could not be placed in a position where we should more imperatively perceive the necessity of divine influence. Our conclusion is the work is the Lord's his church must be more prayerful, more holy.

Thomas, Leslie, Pearce, Wenger, Morgan, Small, and myself. Will you allow me to describe the scene of labour of each? I will try to do it in a spirit of holy respect to them and of faithfulness to you as the servants of the same Lord. Amongst these honoured and faithful servants of the Lord Jesus we place foremost, as is most meet, our beloved brother Dr. Yates. For many years he he has laboured in India as a faithful and laborious missionary of Christ. In the work of biblical translation, however, he stands conspicuous in every circle. I never knew a man who more resembled the Lord Jesus. His walk and conversation are emphatically in heaven. It would weary you to tell of all he has done, and of all he intends to do for our common Lord, in communicating his gracious will to the heathen. In the Bengalee, the Hindosthani, and the Sanskrit tongues he is without an equal in India; but if you were in habits of familiar converse with him you would not imagine this. He is as a child in meek simplicity. I love to speak of him-as I ever love to converse with him. May God in his great love to us and to the heathen, long preserve his life and health! The reports of our mission, and more particularly of the Bible Translation Society, will furnish you with all needful information in regard to his labours as a faithful and indefatigable translator of the word of God; but besides his invaluable services in this department, he always renders his cheerful advice and services in every way But some, if not all of you, may indulge a to our missionary labours. As an English very pardonable curiosity to know your breth- and Bengalee preacher he is much esteemed, ren who are labouring in this vast, important, and his counsel to his junior breth.ren is in and populous city. We could describe most point of value beyond description. All the of our brethren in India, and their differing brethren in the missionary field are cared for scenes of labour, but for the present we con- by him, but his Calcutta brethren are particufine our remarks to Calcutta. Come, breth-larly the objects of his affection. In all our ren, and take your stand with us. Let the meetings for devotion and for business he is "sight affect your heart." Here our mission our president; and under all circumstances has been long established: it is yet, however, in its infancy. We have our preachingstations and chapels. Here is our translating

we see cause to bless our heavenly Father for sparing him to us. His death here will be deplored as an uncommon calamity. By the

heathen he is most deeply respected; by all Europeans he is more than esteemed. Among the advantages of my earthly pilgrimage as a servant of God, I shall always esteem the friendship of brother Yates as most valuable. As one of God's excellent saints, my soul must delight in him.

Next to him, we must not lightly esteem our dear brother Thomas, the superintendent of our mission press. I wish you could spend a day or two with him. When faithful translations of God's most holy word are prepared, he carries them through the press. He is surrounded by many assistants, it is true, but without him they would do worse than nothing. Our mission press is an important place in Calcutta. It is serviceable not only to us, but to the Bible, the Tract, and other kindred societies. It is a centre of Christian influence, in fact, the press of India. In addition to the daily labour of superintending the concerns of the press, our brother Thomas discharges the duties of correspondent to all our up-country brethren. By them, in this respect, he is deservedly esteemed. On his fidelity and affection they can always rely with confidence, and in every case of difficulty and every hour of despondency and sorrow, they find him "a brother indeed." At all our meetings for business in relation to our missionary labours, his counsel is highly esteemed, and his advice is ever given in a spirit of meekness and love. His name and his labours ought to be dear to you, dear brethren in Christ, for you are greatly his debtors.

Next to him I must refer to my beloved brother George Pearce. He bears a good and honourable name, though not related to the seraphic Samuel Pearce. Of his labours for our Lord Jesus I can speak with real confidence and esteem. In English and Ben galee he is alike at home. The institution in Entally for Bengalee students for the ministry is in his charge; whilst all our village stations, with their multitudinous affairs, are under his superintendence. He is a much-loved brother -ever ready to sympathize with his fellows, and always happy in directing the heathen to the Lord Christ. I wish we had many such associates, and all equally ready to do our Lord's will. His anxieties must be many, for his labours are most abundant. Dear brethren, pray for him!

This

of this people for some years, and is de-
servedly respected by them, but his health
failed him here, and he has with our consent,
retired for a while to Monghyr. There we
hope he will be useful in our Lord's vineyard;
and should his health be confirmed by the re-
moval, he will again resume his duties in
Calcutta. To us it was a cause of gratitude
that our brother Wenger could acceptably
supply his place, and minister to his people, as
Dr. Yates could no longer do so.
church has manifested a missionary spirit, and
according to their ability they have contri-
buted to advance the Redeemer's kingdom.
Our esteemed brother Wenger watches over
them with paternal affection, and our prayer
is that he may be rendered a great blessing in
his pastoral relation. Brother Wenger is
my associate as secretary of the Auxiliary
Mission for this city and its vicinity. For-
merly he had charge of that portion of the
missionary villages originated by the church
in Lâl Bazar, now under my pastoral charge,
but he has surrendered these to brother
Pearce, who is now aided in this important
scene of labour, and in his other duties at
Entally, by our young friend, John Chamber-
lain Page. This young man is one of the
fruits of brother Leslie's ministry at Monghyr,
and has been placed in my charge by the
brethren, ever since he removed to Calcutta.
He still resides with me, and gives promise of
becoming a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus
in India.

And now you will permit me to bring to your notice and affection our beloved brother Leslie, and his scene of labour. His name has hitherto been associated with Monghyr, and missionary labours in that vicinity: now, he is the successor of Dr. Yates as the pastor of the church in Circular Road. Since his return from England, when you must have seen and heard him as a faithful witness for Christ, he has felt great perplexity as to the place of labour. Now he is fixed. May the great Shepherd render his ministrations very useful for the conversion of souls, and the profit of all who are in communion with that church. He is a dear and beloved brother, much respected by us all, and much esteemed by all his people. But, beside his stated labours as the pastor of one of our English churches, he feels more than ever inThe next brother is an associate of Dr. terested in direct missionary work amongst Yates in the important work of translation. the heathen. I have accompanied him to I refer to brother Wenger. His acquaintance the scenes where Musalmen and Bengalees with the language of Bengal, and his amiable assemble to hear the word of life. Here he is disposition, naturally point him out as the at home. His wisdom in discerning character associate of Dr. Yates, and by him, and by and motives is always apparent, and while us all, in this capacity, he is greatly esteemed. with meekness and power he preaches the But beyond this, he acts as the pastor of the gospel of the Lord Jesus to all, it is delightful Bengalee church in Colinjah, formerly under to notice the esteem of the heathen for his the care of dear and lamented W. H. Pearce, message and person as an ambassador of the now with Christ. It is altogether a church Lord. He is altogether a missionary. All composed of Bengalees, and of those who his hopes and predilections are in favour speak their language. Sujat Ali was the pastor of the people of India. May God long

Contiguous to the premises where the Native Institution stands, is the neat and commodious chapel erected through the liberality of an anonymous friend in Birmingham. Here the gospel is proclaimed, and its ordinances faithfully administered by brother G. Pearce. May it soon be filled by those who love "the truth as it is in Christ Jesus!"

Redeemer, and from amongst them may very bounty. Oh, shall men whom Carey, Marshmany arise to call him blessed, and to benefit man, Chamberlain, and Ward cared for and others! Truly our dear brother Small needs regarded, be forgotten by you. Send your men encouragement in his work, and it is earnestly to Africa and to the islands of the west, for hoped that he will receive it. they need them, but forget not India. She ought not, and must not be neglected. Think of the people around India; think of her present cries for spiritual instruction; and when the bread and water of life is most dear to you and most valued, send the effectual fervent prayer that soon, very soon, her millions, fed with the same spiritual food, and reposing on the merits of the same adorable Saviour, may shout, "Hosannah to his name." I have now resided nearly three years in India. I felt much for her spiritual destitution before I relinquished home, and ministerial labours there, but now I speak with the determination of one who feels that if ever there was a district of the earth that specially needed spiritual cultivation, and more imperatively demanded it,

There is another devoted servant of our Lord in Calcutta, and one of the agents of our mission, whom I have not yet introduced to you. His name is Aratoon; the first of Carey's ministry, and a missionary indeed. In the language of Bengalees, Hindosthanees, and Armenians, he is at home, and few have had more power and success. Now he is grey-it is INDIA. If I greatly mistake not, it will headed and advanced in years, but in the work of our beloved Lord he is younger and more vigorous than many. I would I could place him beside you, or rather bring you into contact with him, and make you spectators of his labours. Dear to all who love Christ in Calcutta, he is specially honoured and esteemed by us. Few men know the natives of India better, and very few indeed can preach the word of Christ more effectively. Often does he visit me, and as often am I reproved and refreshed. May his life be prolonged and his usefulness increased! India, with her teeming millions, would be indescribably blessed and favoured were many such raised up in her very midst. "O Lord, plead thine own cause!"

Dear brethren, I have thus with great simplicity and fidelity introduced to your affectionate regard your messengers to the heathen in Calcutta. It is the metropolis of Indiathe very centre of influence to her incalculable population. What say you? How feel you all? Do we write and describe in vain and fruitlessly? Is it verily so that your eyes and hopes are fixed on other lands, and that yon begin to despair of scenes where sainted Carey and Chamberlain laboured and died? Can you after all you have read and heard of depressed and idolatrous India, restrict your sympathies and prayers, and without this vast land in vision pray, "Send out thy light and truth, O Lord of hosts, that the people may know thee and the Lord Jesus?" I will not, and cannot believe it. As long as I am a resident in India, and a witness for the Lord Jesus, I will study to" stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance." Take the map of the world, and stretch your sympathies as the saved of the Lord Christ, over every land and sea--but look upon India in her darkness and depression. She asks your prayers, she waits to receive your messengers, and she must continue to be the recipient of your religious

ere long repay all. Her sons and daughters have been affectionately directed to the Lamb of God-the Saviour of men; and they are now earnestly waiting to be instructed in the word and way of life. Will you coldly content yourselves with the bestowment of a pecuniary pittance, when your very fortunes and lives are demanded! Remember, I pray you, dear brethren, how distinct is the call, how imperative the duty. Go your way, each to his farm and merchandize, and may God prosper you all in all your lawful endeavours to get gain, but as disciples of Christ, and as baptists let my feeble voice reach you in behalf of India. When alone, and with God, and his word, I believe I shall have your concurrence and consent. Come out, then, into your public congregations and spiritual assemblies, where your privileges are more peculiarly realized, and give your united and cordial consent, when the committee of our mission would turn their sympathies to India. In no land on the face of the vast globe could there be more encouragement to evangelistic labour; the people are as a prepared people to the Lord: but while" the harvest is indeed great, the labourers are very few." Are you prepared to "sow to the Spirit, that of the Spirit you may reap life everlasting?"

This appeal and statement cannot be made to you in vain. Forget its feebleness; make allowances for him who presents it. During the lonely and silent watches of the night, whilst idolatrous ceremonies and worship ring in his ears, he makes it. He could not plead were there not a cause; he prays he may not plead in vain. As an ambassador for Christ to the heathen around him, and as one who daily looks for "the mercy of God unto eternal life," he urges you to Christian activity and zeal. Millions, dead in trespasses and sins, speak with a much louder voice, and must make a more eloquent and effectual appeal, but his is the appeal of a brother in

the Christian ministry, whom most of you | heart; "ye are wise men,judge ye what I say." know, and in whose fidelity you ought to repose without the shadow of doubt. As God's servant in India, as your brother in all the great principles which distinguish us as a section of the universal church, I write unto wise men; and if I felt I had nothing to support my views, and nothing on which I could base my expectations, I would be altogether silent, and instantly leave India, to return to your assemblies, and my sincere counsel would be-send everywhere the preachers of the gospel, but send not to India. I give expression to these thoughts in the deep sincerity of my

Dear brethren, farewell! I have exceeded what I wished to relate. It may be, however, that I may yet address some words of exhortation to students for the ministry, and to young. persons who effectively aid in contributing to the funds of our mission. Both are objects of my solicitude, and though I should be necessitated to claim their attention in time when repose is imperatively required, in great meekness and affection I will endeavour to address each in such a way as to lead them to care for India. Let my present appeal be regarded, and its imperfections forgiven.

THE SANSKRIT BIBLE.

The question that has been raised in this country respecting the Sanskrit Translation of the scriptures in which our Calcutta brethren are engaged, will be set at rest, we suppose, by the documents which we have now the pleasure to publish. It is to the honour of the missionaries of the London Missionary Society in Calcutta, whose names are, without exception, subjoined, that they passed the resolutions given below unasked by their baptist brethren, as the spontaneous effect of Christian principle, and transmitted them promptly to our brother Mr. Thomas.

TO THE REV. J. THOMAS, SECRETARY OF THE
CALCUTTA BAPTIST AUXILIARY MISSIONARY

SOCIETY.

Dear Brother, I have the pleasure to forward the enclosed, in the name of my brethren collectively, as well as my own, and beg to assure you that it conveys the perfectly unanimous and cordial judgment and feelings

of the members of the district committee.

In haste, believe me to be, yours affectionately,

(Signed) W. MORTON.

EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE CALCUTTA
DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE LONDON MIS-
SIONARY SOCIETY.

Resolved unanimously

That we, the members of the Calcutta District Committee of the London Missionary Society present, have read with equal surprise and regret a letter in the Patriot London newspaper addressed to the editor by the Rev. G. Gogerly, late a missionary of the London Missionary Society in Bengal, in reference to the Sanscrit version of the sacred scriptures. That, while we give our respected brother all credit for what was, we are confident, his only motive in the publication of that letter, namely, a sincere desire to prevent an improvident expenditure of missionary time, strength, and funds, our conviction is unhesitating, that in agitating the question he had

not sufficiently informed himself of all its facts and bearings.

That we view his letter as calculated to

disturb the existing harmony and repose in which the missionaries of the Baptist Society the most part, to pursue their common labours among the heathen, and to awaken a painful recollection of the agitating controversy that had been carried on, some years back, with the Bible Society upon the Translational question that we deem the reclamation, moreover, little adapted for edification to any party; but, on the contrary, likely to throw a stumbling-block in the way of many.

and our own have hitherto been enabled, for

And, lastly, That the statements ventured by Mr. Gogerly we judge to be wholly unsupported by facts; facts, however, with which the sphere of his personal exertions had not, perhaps, led him to become practically acquainted, whilst his theoretic opinions are opposed to all that we know or have heard of the state of things in this and almost every part of India. For,

1st. It is not matter of doubt that the Sanscrit language is the language of learning and religion throughout the whole of the Bengal, and we believe of the Bombay, as well as of considerable portions of the Madras Presidencies.

2ndly. No Brahmins but those altogether secularized and engaged in wholly unbrahminical occupations as soldiers, merchants, &c., are unacquainted to a greater or