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them were tied eight smaller ones, some of them about the due length, and some of them considerably too long. The corpse was partially wrapped in a quilt, and a mát, and it was brought, by four brahimuns preceded by a fifth. This leading brahmun carried a bundle of straw, tightly bound up, about the length and thickness of a man's arm, and ignited; in which way the Hindoos often preserve fire for a con siderable time. These men seemed to be repeating some formula, but they very readily left off to answer any questions that were put to them, relative to the business they were about.

"Soon after this, I received a message which obliged me to go home, and return ing as expeditiously as I could, I found that the man had been placed in the pit, in a sitting posture, with his back rest ing against the side. The fire too, had been lighted, but the wind blew it from the body. Proceeding, now, the way the woman was expected, I soon saw the procession (if it may be called a procession) halting a few hundred yards before me. The crowd was kept off the woman, by a square made of four bits of wood, each five or six feet long; I believe the men who carried it were all brahmuns. The rabble was preceded by some of their rude music, which was not playing when I got up to them; but I had the pleasure of seeing two of my worthy countrymen, humanely employed in persuading the woman not to destroy herself. These gentlemen were Lieut. W. and T. B. Esq. and they gladly accepted my assistance; but alas! we all laboured in vain. I urged the grief which her death would occasion to her daughter, and I would have added her son, but as I understood that he was ready to act his part in the infernal tragedy, I rejected that argument as a useless one. I assured her that God would not be pleased, but displeased with her conduct-that she was going the way, not to heaven, but to hell that the act was not required, even by their own shastras; and, finally, I assured her of a sufficient maintenance if she would consent to live. But it was all of no use; she said that her daughter had a husband and children, and would not be grieved at her death. As to the morality and safety of acting as she was about to act, she denied the truth of what I said, and assured me that she did not want money. She was so far from seeming depressed, that she laughed when she replied to what I said. Several times she desired us to allow her to proceed; and when she did proceed, it was with as composed a mien and as firm a step, as any other person there. Unwilling to see

her burn herself, my worthy companions tried, I think, twice more, to prevent the horrid deed; and I lent my feeble assistance, but to no purpose. They halted twenty or thirty yards from the flaming pit, where the last effort was made, and that failing, her infamous co-adjutors gave her a lighted lamp, which I think she put into an earthen pot, that she carried under her arm. What became of this afterwards I do not know, for in a little time all was confusion, and a scene, the most perfectly hellish that we ever saw, was presented to us. A way was made for the woman to the pit, and its margin was left clear. She advanced to the edge, facing her husband, and two or three times waved her right hand. She then walked hastily round the pit, and in one place I thought the flames caught her legs; having completed the circle, she again waved her hand as before, and then, without either hurry or hesitation, jumped into the fire.

"At this moment, I believe, the drums beat, and a dreadful shout rent the air, but I can scarcely say I know: all was confusion, a dense smoke issued from the pit, intermixed, at intervals, with partial bursts of flame. This was occasioned, I suppose, by powdered resin being thrown into the pit by handfuls, and what was thrown in at one time, popped off in a sudden blaze, whilst what followed it obscured the pit with smoke. In a little time, however, they allowed the fire to clear itself, and we then saw the wretched woman in the midst of it. I think her postare was that of kneeling down, and sitting on her heels, her body was erect and motionless, except that she sometimes moved gently backwards and forwards as if she bowed. The assistant murderers kept throwing a little resin at her, but she did not seem likely to be out of her misery in a little time, for the fire was not large and fierce enough to do the dreadful business very quickly.

"The poor creature still kept her erect position, but at length she seemed partially to rise, and she pitched forwards with her head against the side of the pit, about two feet from her husband's left hand. Part of her dark skin was burnt off, and we thought she had lost one hand, but I now believe this was a mistake. The motion of her head, in this new position, indicated pain, and she continued to live for perhaps two or three minutes longer. The other gentlemen then went home, but I staid a little longer, and saw the bodies taken out; for though the women are burnt to death in these pits, the bodies are taken out whilst they are distinguishable, and consumed in two dif

referent fires. At least that is the case here, and we are told it is done that the son may make sure of some fragment of both his parents, to throw into the Ganges. "Now the ropes came into use, which, I have said, were wetted with cow dung and water: one of them was doubled, and the middle thrown down to catch the man's chin. I think it was guided to his chin by a bamboo: one or two bamboo levers were then put under his head to raise it, and get the rope round his neck. The rope was then twisted, that is, the two ends of it were twisted together, in order to fasten it, and they began to draw; but they failed, for the rope slipped off. Another man then attempted to fasten the rope; he succeeded, and they drew up the body, with the exception, I think, of the legs; but it was quite dark, and nothing could be seen but by the light of the fire. As they were not very expeditious, the ropes must have been in considerable danger of being burnt, but the people threw a little water on them occasionally to prevent it. They then tried to raise the woman, but could not easily get the rope round her neck; so they put it on her arm, which projected in such a way as to favour their doing so, and after twisting it well, they drew her nearly to the top of the pit, but they seemed afraid that they should lose her again, if they trasted entirely to her arm, so she was held just below the edge of the pit, till another man put the other rope under her chin, and she was then drawn quite up. Some of the people then employed them. selves in arranging the wood for the fires, that were to consume the bodies, and I stood perhaps ten minutes longer, finally leaving both bodies on the brink of the pit, that of the woman still blazing. The joints of her knees were exposed, and most of the flesh burnt off one leg. I said yesterday to a fourth gentleman who was present, Did you ever see such a scene before?' to which he replied, No, and I will never see such a scene again.' Such are the facts, and I leave them to produce their own effect. W.BAMPTON."

MONGHYR.

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Carey, Dr. Marshman, and Mr. Mack, and left them amidst their prayers and blessings. We were accompanied as far as Cutwa by Mr. Yates, who, at that time, was in a very ill state of health. We left all our Calcutta friends well, but since then they have been heavily afflicted by the epidemic rheumatic fever. We left Calcutta just in time to escape, and have reason for gratitude, as well as for the many other signal deliverances we have experienced since we left England.

At Cutwa we saw W. Carey, and were rejoiced to find him blessed with success in his labours; for on the following Sabbath he was to add four more Hindoos to the number who already surround him. We stopped also at Moorshedabad, and were truly affected with the destitute state of that station. O could you and the people in England see the thousands and tens of thousands who are there, without a soul to point them to the Lamb of God, you would weep day and night on their behalf before God! I never saw, or contemplated seeing, such a scene in all my wanderings of life. I went and saw Mr. Sutton's house; but him I saw not. I looked at the house, and then around me on the people, and retired to my boat with an aching heart.

About two days before we arrived at Monghyr, we were met at a place called Bhaugulpore, by one of the native preachers here, who was so overjoyed at hearing we were on the river, that he could not wait at home till we arrived. Being detained at Bhaugulpore a day by a contrary wind, I went with him to the bazar, and stood by him whilst he preached to a very disputatious audience. Some of them were very vociferous in their arguments, and from the anger evinced by several, I began to be a little afraid lest we might fare somewhat badly. However, many heard with great attention.

The people at Monghyr gave us a thrice hearty welcome. In the course of an hour after we arrived, the native converts were around us, expressing their pleasure at our arrival, and sat down before us and sung a hymn, and afterwards joined in prayer. Mrs. Chamberlain has been accustomed, all along, to have them at her house every morning, to conduct Hindoostanee worship, when the servants, and any others who choose, may have an opportunity of attending. The number of converts is ten, and the congregation of natives on Sabbath is sometimes very great. On the part of the people generally in Monghyr, there is a considerable disposition evinced to hear the gospel. When our native brethren enter the bazar, they are frequently called in to the shops, to explain to the people the word

of God. The European congregation is generally about sixty, which is a large proportion of the residents of the station, and the church consists of fourteen members. The schools amount to seven, and the progress of the scholars is as much as could be expected.

Eliza and myself are studying the language as well as we can do with a moonshee who does not understand a sentence of English. And I am glad to tell you

that she has made as much progress as myself:-indeed, in the speaking depart ment, she has made much more, as she is more in the habit of speaking to the ser vants and the people around her. Her grand object is to acquire as much of the language as will enable her to meet with the native Christian women, to instruct them, as she will be able to say many things to them which ought to be said, and which I cannot say.

Contributions received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary Society, from March 20, to April 20, 1825, not including Individual Subscriptions.

FOR THE MISSION.

Trowbridge, Collection and Subscriptions, by Mr. Wearing
Bilderston, collected by Mr. Osborn..

Wick and Pulteney, Missionary Society, by Mr. Cauldwell.
Worcester, Collection and Subscription, by Rev. Henry Page

Evesham, Ditto

Ditto,

by

Ditto

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Norwich, Baptist Chapel, Union-place, by Rev. Mr. Lemare .......

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Great Missenden Missionary Association, one Moiety, by Mr. Potter 24 7 0 Chesham, Collected at Rev. W. Tomlin's

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Independent Church, Lutterworth....
Thurnby, a few Friends, by Miss Wait..

Subscriptions and Donations

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108

2

Norfolk and Norwich Society in Aid of Missions, by T. Brightwell, Esq. 10
J'enzance, Missionary School Union, by Mr. Spasshatt...
Kettering, Baptist Meeting Society in Aid of Missions 15 18

Subscriptions...

Birmingham Auxiliary; viz.....Warwick...................

16 1

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19 11 6

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New Hall-street

18

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Sundries, Birmingham. 5 16 11

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Arnsby and Husband's Bosworth, Collections, &c. by Mr. Carter....
Garway, &c. Contributions, by Rev. Mr. Williams
Lymington, Collection and Subscriptions, by Rev. James Millard..
Shoe-lane Auxiliary, by Rev. James Elvey
Hitchin, collected by Miss Bradley
Miss Davies, Walthamstow, by the Secretary ....
TRANSLATIONS.

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............................ Life Donation 10 10

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Mr. Biddle, Penzance, by Rev. James Upton
Sorn & Catrine, Association for Religious Purposes, by Rev. G. Barclay
Saltcoats, Female Auxiliary Bible Society, by Ditto.
Edinburgh, a few Friends, by Mr. Frazer.......

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FEMALE EDUCATION.

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6550

Dublin, Female Education Society, by Miss Gardiner Ir is particularly requested that Friends who may have Magazines, &c. to send from the Country, will retain them till some opportunity offers of gratuitous conveyance.

London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho.

BAPTIST MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1825.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. JOHN KEEBLE,

Pastor of the Church, meeting in Blandford-street, London. Extracted from a Funeral Sermon by the Rev. John Chin, of Walworth.

"OUR departed friend was born in the city of Londonderry, in Ireland, of which place his mother was a native. When he was about nine years of age, he removed to England, and resided in Suffolk, the neighbourhood of his father's native place. The seeds of human depravity, unrestrained by education, and fostered by evil example, grew luxuriant, and manifested themselves in the fruits of ungodliness; and he was led captive by the devil at his will. As he grew in years, he became confirmed in vice, and suffered little or no remorse of conscience. Singing profane songs, together with the love of sinful company, led him to frequent public houses, where he indulged in excess of drinking, till at last he became an habitual and almost a confirmed drunkard.

"The partner of his youth was a prudent, industrious, and excellent young woman, even while destitute of real and personal religion. And, though she was happily preserved from a participation of his folly, she necessarily had to share in the sad consequences of his extravagance, being frequently reduced to want the common necessaries of life. These afflictions she bore with unusual fortitude and patient submission, and endeavoured, by soothing kindness, to overcome evil with good.' Hence, he remarks, in one of his letters,' Notwithstand

VOL. XVII.

ing my bad conduct, my wife and I seldom had an angry word. This,' says he, was to be attributed principally to our mutual affection, and partly to prudent management; for, if I came home intoxicated, and my wife began to complain, I used to say, It is in vain to talk to a drunken man; I am not in a condition to attend to any thing you say at present. And, when I got sober, and she resumed the conversation, I told her it was a pity to repeat old grievances, and I would take care such conduct should never be repeated.' So that forbearance on the one hand, and soft answers on the other, generally turned away wrath. And, while they mutually endured the pain of pinching poverty, each was more distressed on account of the privation of the other. Such was often their extreme need, that they were destitute of necessary food. He says, Many times have I gone forth to mow, and to reap, for a whole summer's day, without a morsel of bread, and my wife has remained at home under similar circumstances; and frequently, when we have gone to the cupboard in the morning, and found only a piece of bread, too small to be divided, she would insist upon my taking it, saying, I can do better without food. than you, who have to labour hard in the fields; and this she did when she had a sucking child at her bo

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som. Surely the way of transgressors is hard. This state of things did not continue without some reflections of bitter remorse. The feelings of the husband, and the parent, would occasionally rise above the brutalized passion of besotted sensuality. The cries of afflicted innocence, and the tears of neglected virtue, would at times make such powerful appeals to his conscience, as to arrest the progress of folly, and overwhelm his soul with insupportable anguish. In describing one of these scenes of sorrow he writes thus: All this time my mind was filled, day and night, with horror; and I determined most resolutely to reform my conduct, and to pursue a different course. This resolution I carried into effect to a considerable extent. For more than three months I forsook my wicked companions. I spent my evenings at home; and we lived as happily as was possible for people in our humble situation. I felt a strong desire to learn to read, and for this purpose I bought a spelling-book, and, by my wife's assistance, I made a little progress. During this period, we not only lived comfortably out of my earnings, but laid up a little money to pay our rent; and I had great pleasure in thinking I should now appear the sober and honest man, by paying my rent promptly on quarter day. But a few weeks before that period arrived, a friend called, and by fair promises got me to lend him my money, which was to be return ed in a short time; when rent-day came, I applied for the payment, but, to my great disappointment, was told I could not be paid. I was so much grieved and mortified at the loss of my hard-earned little store, together with the credit of my new-formed character, that I despaired of making any further effort at reformation. I went home, and

took all the money that remained, went to the ale-house, and there continued drinking and carousing till I had spent every farthing. Thus my best efforts proved but as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away,' Hosea xiii. 3,

"These faint efforts were often renewed, but with no better effect. He spent many years in this misera ble round of sinning and repenting. But about the time he arrived at the age of twenty-five, it pleased God to produce an effectual and lasting change upon his heart and conduct, of which he relates the following circumstantial account: At the time of my conversion to God, I lived next door to a good man, who used to go three or four miles every Lord's-day to meeting, and who also kept up family-worship at home. There was but a slender partition between his house and mine; and, by listening attentively, I could hear his devotional exercises, which I often did with great seriousness; and it made a very deep impression on my mind. But my wife becoming alarmed lest I should become contaminated with this man's religion, anxiously advised me to desist from my practice,' saying, 'These people are what they call Anabaptists, and they neither believe the Bible, nor hope in Jesus Christ for salvation.' I replied, I do not know what they believe, nor what they are called, but I know they are much better than we. They pray, we swear; they keep the Sabbath, we break it; they read the Bible, we neglect it.' And so, comparing my conduct with this man's, I felt a longing desire to be in his condition. And this desire continued, and increased for a considerable time; and, at seasons, I cried earnestly to God for mercy and salvation: this was the prevailing desire of my heart, and, to obtain which, I determined to use every possible means.'

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