From a Reader to the Rev. Mr. Wilson. March 5, 1829. REV. SIR, On the 21st ult. read for P. F. and several others who were present, the 13th chapter of the Acts, the 3d of John, and 4th of 1 Tim. Shewed that there is free salvation offered to the chief of sinners through the Saviour; remarked particularly these words, Acts xiii. 38. "Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him, all that believe are justified from all things." He replied, "The priest tells us that he can forgive our sins if we give him money, and that fastings and penances will atone for our sins; but (said he) these things are only leading the people astray, for none can forgive sins but God only." "none It is commonly believed by those who are ignorant of the gospel, that sickness and pain make atonement for their sins. To a woman under this dangerous delusion, being in affliction, I read several passages of the word of truth; shewing that there is free salvation through the Saviour, freely offered to the chief of sinners, and that cometh to the Father but by him;" adding, that any person departing this life, trusting to their own sufferings in whole or in part for acceptance before God, has not the belief of the gospel, and that it is declared, "he that believeth not shall be damned." This seemed to have the desired effect on the sick person, but her husband got offended, said there are so many religions that people cannot know who to believe. He said he believed that I was a dipper, that he would get people that could contend with me in behalf of good works, &c. I told him I was only contending for the gospel plan of salvation, not speaking of sects or religions, and I requested him to search the Scriptures, with his friends also until my next visit. After a week I visited his house again, read, and made some remarks in hearing of the sick person and several others, but met no opposition. I am yours, &c. R. B. Mr. Cock, ditto The Sunday School, ditto s. d. Mr. Griffin, ditto.... 231 3 13 30 9 060 0 ཙ。 2010 0.10 6 2 21 0 1 0 1 0 Subscriptions received by W. Burls, Esq. 56, Lothbury, Treasurer; Rev. J. Ivimey, 51, Devonshire Street, Queen Square; and Rev. 0 10 0 G. Pritchard, 16, Thornhaugh Street, gra0 10 0 tuitous Secretaries. 1 0 0 NOTICE. THE Treasurers of Auxiliary Societies, and other Friends who may have Monies in hand on account of the Society, are respectfully reminded that the Treasurer's account for the year will close on the 1st of June, which renders it necessary that all payments intended to appear in the Appendix to the next Report, should be made in the course of the present month. It is requested that the respective accounts may be sent, properly balanced, to the Secretary, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, accompanied by the lists of Subscribers, &c. in alphabetical order. Due attention to this Notice will prevent delay in the closing of the Society's accounts, and consequently facilitate the early publication of the Report. The Annual Sermons for the Society will be preached, Providence permitting, on Wednesday, June 17, and the Annual Meeting held, as usual, on the following day. Full particulars of the respective services will appear in our next Number. BAPTIST MISSION. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. CALCUTTA. The following general statement of the progress of our Mission at Calcutta has just reached us :-— Calcutta, Sept. 1828. TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE BAPTIST DEAR BRETHREN, A considerable period having elapsed since the last communication was dispatched, respecting our united and respective labours in this part of the Lord's vineyard, we hasten to furnish you with further particulars; and feeling that you must be anxious to hear again from us, without indulging ourselves in any preparatory remarks, we proceed at once to the detail of our several exertions, beginning with the station at conducted by brother W. H. Pearce and brother Carapeit alternately, and they are assisted by our young brother D'Cruze, and occasionally by another belonging to the Juvenile Society. For the purpose of making known the word of life among the Hindoo and Mussuldifferent parts of Calcutta. In one or other man population, we have four bungalows in of these, brother Carapeit is engaged every day, with the exception of Saturdays and Sabbath days, when he is otherwise employed. He is assisted in Hindoostanee and in Bengalee by D'Cruze. In one of by Soojwatallee, our Mussulman brother, these bungalows the worship is conducted almost exclusively in Hindoostanee, which is in a measure the case also with another of these native chapels. By regularly attending the services in this language, brother Thomas is preparing himself to enter Owing to our reduced number, and our on direct missionary work among the Musbeing in consequence so very fully occupied sulman population. We should feel exin other departments of labour, such as ceedingly happy could we report numerous English preaching at the Circular Road and conversions, but at present that pleasure is Howrah chapels, the Bethel, and the Juve-deuied us; yet scones are sometimes (in CALCUTTA. NATIVE WORSHIP. U deed, we might say often) witnessed, which encourage our hearts and cheer our spirits, and which we are persuaded could not be beheld by our friends in England without much interest, nor without exciting them to pray afresh for divine influence, to bring them in who sometimes scem "not far from the kingdom of God." Within the last few weeks a pleasing change has taken place in the numbers who attend at two of the bungalows. They had some time ago been so small, as to be quite disheartening; they are now much increased, and our brethren are often beard with much attention. Indeed, we have not now to complain of any thing like abuse; people listen in silence, or argue with much less virulence than formerly. In fact, it is not uncommon for the preacher to have those among his hearers who will take up the cause of Christianity against their countrymen. The number present generally averages from 40 to 60, often considerably more, and rarely less. All congregations here among the natives are fluctuating; many come and stay a few minutes, and then retire; but a considerable number often remain much longer. Some have been regular hearers for months together, and others are often seen, though not so regular in their attendance as the former. The services are sometimes continued from half-past eight or nine o'clock to noon, and even later; and there are persons who remain the whole time. The gospel is no novelty here, and hence it is peculiarly gratifying to observe the same persons often present. Their acquaintance with the Christian system must cousequently increase, and we cannot but suppose that the subjects they hear discussed in the places of worship, are often made the topics of conversation; and thus truth is spreading, and error must give way to a greater or less extent. Many admit the excellency of Christianity, and seem unable and sometimes a little ashamed to advocate their own religious creed. We meet occasionally with persons who appear determined to examine for themselves, and to come to the truth. An elderly Mussulman has borrowed and read all those parts of the Scriptures which have been hitherto published in Hindoostanee, and has been at an expence of a hundred rupees to procure a copy of the Koran translated into Hindoostanee, for the purpose of comparing that with the Christian Scriptures. The confidence of numbers in Mahomet appears considerably shaken, and some go so far as to say he was a crafty and bad man. Still in these things we see but a small part of what we want; to be freed from superstition and prejudice in any degree is well, but we want conversion to God. Men are often converted from one error to another, and seem as far distant from truth as before, and are less open to conviction. Such is the progress of many of our Hindoo hearers; they leave idolatry, but, alas! embrace infidelity. There are, however, a few who seem steady, and say they are convinced of the truth of Christianity; and we sometimes hope that there is some good thing in them towards the God of Israel. But we are afraid to say much at present about them. At the close of our services among the heathen, parts of the Scriptures and tracts are distributed, and we trust are daily being read with benefit by many; with saving benefit, we hope, by some. It is increasingly evident to all, we believe, as mentioned above, that in this city idolatry is rapidly losing ground, and that deism is supplanting it, among the youth in Calcutta most respectable for wealth and education; and much do we need zealous and devoted preachers, to proclaim the contents of that blessed revelation which displays the true character of God, and points out the path of blessedness to men. May many such be sent out to our assistance! NATIVE CHURCH. With respect to the Native Church, we are sorry to report rather unfavourably. We have no instance of gross immorality to record, but a general coldness and indifference to the means of grace, which to those who have had chiefly to labour among them has been very discouraging. Some exceptions, however, to this general indifference occur, and particularly in the case of our Mussulman brother, who was baptized in the Ganges about four years ago, and whose conduct ever since has been highly consistent with his profession. Some encouraging circumstances too, occasionally cheer our minds. Among the rest, we may mention that the teacher of the Newcastle female school has lately visited brother W. H. Pearce several Sabbaths in succession, to inquire with apparent seriousness and interest, about the way of salvation. As he has been assured from the first that he will gain no advantage from as by his profession, while he must suffer reproach from others, we cannot but hope that he has some serious impressions. He says that himself and his three brothers (one of whom and two neighbours have once accompanied him) with their wives, are determined to obtain salvation, "though to secure it they may have to perform a long pilgrimage, reside in dreary forests as ascetics, or endure the odium of being accounted the disciples of Christ." Such professions are pleasing, and while made by any one with the slightest hope of sincerity, our duty to instruct and direct them to Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life," is im perative. With God we must leave the oonsequences. ENGLISH CHURCH IN CIRCULAR ROAD. Of our English church, brother Thomas took the oversight during brother Yates's absence, and has ever since devoted much of his time to its interests. No particular alteration has taken place, though we can see much cause for thankfulness to our heavenly Father. As a church, we are at peace and united among ourselves; but we do not see that ardent affection, and zeal, that love to the word, carefulness to improve every opportunity of attending on the social and public means of grace, and that soulhumbling and transforming effect of the gospel which we earnestly desire. We have not been called to lose any of our members by death, though from the sickness and mortality around us, we were prepared to expect it. One addition by baptism has been made to our number since our last letter; one is now a candidate, and we expect one or two more soon to come forward. But we want to see the house crowded with anxious inquirers, so that instead of on" now and then, multitudes might come forward and say, "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." We have been under the painful necessity of excluding two members for improper conduct, and the case of another is undergoing inquiry. However, amidst these heartbreaking occurrences, it is pleasing to see the church, as a body, anxious to preserve that purity which should ever adorn a Christian society, and determined not to suffer any one to remain among them who does not walk according to the gospel. ENGLISH SERVICE IN FORT WILLIAM. In connection with the English church, we would mention the brethren in Fort William, to whom brother Thomas devotes a part of his labours. Our brethren belonging to H. M. 59th, have much greater privileges than were enjoyed by their brethren in H.M. 14th, while residing in the same garrison; and we hope these greater privileges are not altogether lost upon them. They have a very comfortable room to meet in, and, besides edifying services conducted by themselves, have two sermons a week; our Independent brethren going in on a Sabbath evening, and brother Robinson and Thomas one evening in every alternate week. The numbers that attend are generally between 30 and 40. They listen with very great attention, and often seem to feel and enjoy the word. The animation with which they sing and enter into other parts of divine worship, is exceedingly pleasing, and often causes our brethren to think of home, and the congregations they once addressed in their native land. Yet these are generally persons who left that happy land in a state of awful ignorance, and have been brought to the knowledge, the love, and the practice of the truth here, in a land of thick darkness! How strange, and yet how gracious are the ways of God! PRINTING OFFICE AND TYPE FOUNDRY. The Type Foundry and Printing Office, under the superintendence of brother W. II. Pearce, continue in active and we hope useful operation. In the former, besides supplies of various characters for our own use, we have lately cast a fount of Siamese types, and have printed, for a military officer, a Grammar of that language. The only publication before printed in this character, was a small tract we executed some years ago for our friend the late Mrs. Judson. But as Siam is a large empire, and immediately borders on Burmah and various parts of the British possessions to the eastward, and as indeed, many Siamese are residents in the stations occupied by the American and other brethren, we trust that through the medium of the Scriptures in this type, many may have the opportunity of reading, "in their own" language, "the wonderful works of God." We are also cutting a complete fount of Burman type for the use of our American brethren in the printing of the Scripture and Tracts; and have lately cast for our Missionary friends at Bombay and Surat, founts of Maharatla and Goojuratee respectively. In the Printing Office, since we last wrote you, we have executed several large works for Government and individuals, the proceeds from which, we trust, will continue to assist the funds of the Parent Society. Besides this, we have printed for the Calcutta Tract Society, 500 copies each of Select Discourses, and a Catechism of the Evidences of Christianity, 2000 copies of a Scriptural Reading Book for Schools, and 3000 of a Scripture Catechism, all in Bengalee: and have completed in the same language 500 copies of Mr. Mundy's Commentary on Mark, and his Evidences of Christianity; the one forming a volume of 430 and the other of 250 pages. We have also printed in Ooriya 500 Scripture Catechisms, and 1000 Dialogues between a Father and his Son, the former compiled by brother Sutton, (of Balasore,) the latter translated by brother Lacey; and for the Benares and Chunar Tract Society, we have executed 500 Scripture Lessons and 750 Life of Christ in Hindooee, by Mr. Adam (of Benares.) Besides this, we have printed several tracts and religious works in English, with 500 sheet tracts monthly, in Bengalee. In the above and other dialects distinct and vigorous, as to convince the spectators that they fully comprehended what they had committed to memory. The general progress of this extensive class, in every department of learning taught in the School, was so distinguished as to reflect the highest credit on the industry and zeal of Mr. Penney, and fully to substantiate the utility of the institution. we have likewise printed several thousand | British Classics, with an enunciation so school books for the Calcutta School Book Society. The publications of the latter society, though not religious, we conceive, are in their influence very useful and important. By rendering familiar the printed character, and enlarging the vocabulary of the scholar, they prepare a greater number of individuals to read our Tracts and Scriptures, and to hear our discourses, so as to understand them; they inculcate good morals, and supersede various vicious publications which otherwise would be used in schools; and they imperceptibly, but surely, undermine idolatry, which is founded on, or connected with false notions of Natural Science. In all our Missionary schools too, they are followed up by religious tracts and the Scriptures, for comprehending and reverencing which the pupils are thus prepared. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. The attendance and proficiency of the children continue to afford the most pleasing satisfaction, as may be seen in the following extract from the Report lately issued by the Serampore brethren, who are the managers of the Institution. "The present Report embraces only the two schools in Calcutta. "The number of scholars on the books of the institution is 310, of whom 206 belong to the boys' and 104 to the girls' school; the average attendance in the former is 150, in the latter 100. The punctuality of attendance has greatly increased since the last Report, and the applications for admission, more especially on the part of natives, have been so numerous, that a compliance with them all would have doubled the present number of scholars. But as the great object of the institution was the instruction of indigent Christians, it was not deemed proper to depart from the rule which limits the admission of natives. The next class, which consists of about twenty-seven, is engaged in reading the Bible, in studying Murray's English Grammar, and an Introduction to Geography; the children have also attended very diligently to the study of Bengalee. The class immediately below this, consisting of about twenty-five, likewise reads in the Bible; and is exercised in Murray's Abridgment of the Grammar, in parsing, and in writing, both on the slate and on China paper. "The two classes next in succession read in the New Testament, and pursue studies similar to those of the higher classes, though in a more elementary form; while the remaining classes (seven in number) are employed on the alphabet, and in every gradation of spelling exercises. "The cheerful aspect of the children, their eagerness to display what they had attained, their ready and satisfactory answers to those questions which were within the range of their studies, evinced the assiduity with which their education had been conducted, and held out the most encouraging prospect as to their future welfare. "The appearance of the children in the girls' school, where about a hundred cbildren, dressed in the plainest but neatest manner, were prepared to pass their examination, was highly gratifying. Those in the highest class, consisting of about thirtyfive, read most fluently in the Bible, parsed sentences in the grammar with great readiness, and produced specimens of penmanship in the highest degree creditable. They reOn the 24th December, the acting secre- peated from memory several pieces of Entary held an examination of the children, inglish poetry, which had been selected with both schools, which was honoured with the much judgment by Mrs. Penney: the fluattendance of many gentlemen and ladies, ency with which these extracts were remore especially of those within the mis-peated, evinced the great pains which had sionary circle, to whom the managers beg to return their grateful acknowledgments. The highest class in the school, consisting of nearly thirty lads, were examined in figures, as far as fractions and decima's; they passed a very rigid scrutiny in English Grammar and Syntax; and answered with the utmost readiness almost every question put to them from Guy's Geography. In the Use of the Globes they displayed equal facility. The specimens of their English composition and penmanship were highly creditable. Some of the most advanced scholars repeated dialogues and extracts from the been bestowed on the children; while the manner in which they were delivered, clearly proved how well they were understood. The other classes of this department are engaged in reading the Testament, and in regular succession, the spelling lessons, and the alphabet. "As regards their needle-work, the highest class is employed in marking, knitting, and making garments; the next in backstitching and gathering; the next in seaming and inseaming, and the lowest in hemming. The table was covered with garments of their own making, which formed perhaps the |