ance is more particularly necessary in persons who have, in the first place, considered Idolatry to be their only sin, and the Worship of the Only True God to be the only good but who have, as yet, remained practically unacquainted with the various evil passions of their hearts; into which they can only get a proper insight, by experience and seasonable exhortations. Here then are wisdom, patience, love, and earnestness required in those to whose care they are committed and who is sufficient for these things?

:

The Heathens a Check on Insincerity in professed Converts.

One evening a person asked very slyly, whether it was right to worship God, and Siva and Vishnoo. I did not know, at first, what he meant by this question, but his anger soon betrayed him : he charged our people with coming one day to our Church, to worship God; and another, with worshipping Siva, by besmearing their foreheads with ashes. I told him to point out such a person: he shewed me a Young Man who stood near me, besmeared with ashes; but he was not of our people: his falsehood was, therefore, evident. However, I know that there are some among them, who, from human prudence, will still accommodate themselves to some of the manners of the Heathen. Now it is very good that the Heathen are jealous of this, because it will lead our people to break with every thing that is heathenish: indeed, it has already had that effect; and so the Heathen must help to purify the Church. None of the Christians dare shew himself in the street with the least show of Heathenism, but he is immediately assailed with abuse.

Happy Deaths of Native Converts.

On the death-bed, it has appeared in several instances, even in those who have not yet been baptized, that the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ was precious to them. Though their Heathenish Relations and Neighbours did every thing they could, in that awful hour, to persuade them to renounce Christ, and to offer to Idols, giving them hopes of recovery by their means; they, standing on the threshold of eternity, have manfully refused all such advice, and have

said, "We believe on the Lord! He will help us! His will be done!"-and so died in peace.

:

On a recent occasion, we could wish our friends to have witnessed the baptism of an old grey-headed man: he spoke with much animation of the state in which he was before his conversion, and of the great deliverance which he had received from darkness and sin, through our Lord Jesus Christ; desiring now, like Simeon of old, to depart hence in peace the whole Congregation was edified; and a stranger came afterward to Mr. Rhenius, and, of his own accord, expressed his astonishment at what he had seen and heard that morning. Another old man, in Shenkoollam, who had been for many years a Sanniyasi in the mountains, and who upon his return to his village, a few years ago, heard the Gospel, from that time joined the Church there, and has recently been baptized: Jesus Christ, as his Redeemer from sin, the glowing terms in which he spoke of in Him, and the fervour with which he and of the knowledge of the True God ever sang His praises, set all the Congregation in motion: he also says with old Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation!

These instances, of which we have, thanks to God! many more, both among things, that the hope of converting the men and women, shew, among other

Natives is not to be limited to children; and that the grace of God is as effective in the hearts of the old, as in the young. We allude particularly to the notion, more common than it ought to be, that we can hope to see true Christians arise labour among the GROWN people will be from the Schools only; and that all our in vain. No, we can testify that it is not in vain; and we would encourage every one who labours in this Sacred Cause, while he instructs the rising generation, by no means to neglect the GROWN people; but to sow the good seed, both morning and evening, and to water it with persevering and believing prayers.

State of the Roman Catholics.

The state of the Roman Catholics requires a few observations. Most of those who have applied for Christian Instruction have, in the first instance, been excited to it, by quarrels with their Priests about money matters. After they have joined our Congregations, the

Priests endeavour to bring them back again to their Church; partly by most cruel persecutions, and partly by concessions and persuasions. With many, they have succeeded. Among these, are the Catholics of the village Oavari: the Romish Church, however, will not obtain any accession of strength by their return; for, as these persons have generally become pretty well acquainted with the Scriptures, and with the falsehood of that Church (of which they have often expressed themselves in stronger terms than we now use), they cannot be very tractable members; and they will not be able to stifle the truth in their breasts altogether. Sooner or later, therefore, a more sure and extensive conversion from this Corrupt Church will, by the blessing of God, be effected. We are happy to say, that one pretty numerous Congregation, from among the Roman Catholics, stands fast in the profession of the Gospel.

State and Progress of the Schools.

There are Thirty Schools in connection with the Mission, which contain 619 Boys and 37 Girls. At the end of the year 1827, there were but 16 Schools: the remainder were established in the course of 1828; and most of them within a very recent period.

One School, at Chettikoollam, was established at the request of the head Brahmin of that place, in conjunction with other Brahmins, and a number of other villagers of different castes. The Brahmins seemed particularly desirous of having a Christian School there: and in a place beyond Tinnevelly, a Brahmin of some learning is about to be employed as Schoolmaster, to instruct Soodras as well as Brahmins. When it is remembered, that, about six years ago, a Young Brahmin, who was constrained by poverty to become a Schoolmaster, was so harassed by the derision of his castepeople, because of his having degraded himself so far as to become a teacher of Soodras, that he ran away in a kind of temporary derangement, the instances just mentioned will be sufficient to shew, that a favourable change of sentiment has taken place, even among the Brahmins, with respect to our Schools.

The progress of the Children in Divine Knowledge, and in fluency in reading, is evident and encouraging, in most of the longer-established Schools. The Master of the School at Tatchanalloor

died last year: when the Children of his School heard of his sickness, they went to the village where he was; and he exhorted them to continue to read our books, to keep God's Commandments, and to believe in Christ: when he was near death, his wife asked him what she should do with her children: he replied, "Leave them to the Lord: He will care for them." A Boy of the same School died some time ago, calling on the name of Jesus. The hopeful death of another Boy is mentioned in Mr. Schmid's Journal, who, while labouring under the Cholera, and just before he closed his eyes on all sublunary things, endeavoured to comfort his father under the bereavement which he was about to experience; and enjoined him carefully to preserve the Tracts which he had received from the Missionaries, in order that his younger brother might read them as soon as he was able.

State of the Male Seminary.

Our Male Seminary consists, at present, of Thirty Boys and Young Men. We are warranted in giving them the best testimony, in every respect. They are diligent and desirous of learning: their conduct is very pleasing: hardly any bad behaviour, worth mentioning, has occurred among them, during the last twenty months; excepting in the case of one lad, whom we have been under the necessity lately of removing from the Seminary. Occasional negligence is the principal fault among them. At the last Half-yearly Examination, which took place in July, they acquitted themselves much to our satisfaction.

The First Class consists of Seven Youths, who are studying English, Latin, Hebrew, English Arithmetic, Geography combined with History, and the Evidences of Christianity: the Second Class, consisting of Fourteen Boys, do the same, with the exception of the Hebrew: the Third Class contains the remaining Nine Boys; who are still mostly in the Central School, occupied with Tamul Learning. All are particularly instructed in the Word of God: six of the Seminarists are yet unbaptized, but are candidates for Baptism: ten of the Boys are partakers of the Lord's Supper.

From the Male Seminary we hope to derive, in a few years, by the Divine Blessing, more able Servants of the Congregations. We endeavour, by all means, to avoid taking any of them, at

present, for the service, in order not to interrupt their progress in learning; neither do they themselves wish for it, for the same reason.

State of the Female Seminary.

The Female Seminary consists, at present, of Twenty-one Girls, being five less than at the close of 1827; occa

sioned, partly by marriages, and partly by some of the eldest girls having been sent to their homes. The number 26 continued till July last: it was then thought advisable to send the eldest girls home, in order that they might learn house-business, and be otherwise inured to their respective village labours. During the last two years, six of the tallest girls have been married; most of them to Catechists. The total number of girls would be still less this year, but new girls, of a younger age, have been received.

Only 8 among the present number of girls have been baptized: the other 13 are from among our Congregations, not yet admitted to baptism: many of them are greatly improved in their character: some of them still require strict discipline. Their progress in learning to read, cipher, and write Tamul, and in committing to memory the Catechisms and portions of Scripture, is pleasing: they have also received some knowledge of Geography. In Female Work, many are clever in spinning and knitting. Sewing is, at present, not much practised; because there is so little occasion for it.

The following extract from the Eighth Report of the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society will shew the Care taken in preparing the New Tamul

Translation of the Scriptures.

In order that the friends of the Society may be enabled to form a correct estimate of the labour bestowed on this revision of the Scriptures, and then in some degree to appreciate its value, the Committee would briefly notice the system that is pursued, with reference thereto, by the Tamul Sub-Committee, in connection with the Rev. Mr. Rhenius. After the Translation has been completed by this able and indefatigable Translator, it is most accurately examined, in its construction and rendering, by the Sub-Committee. That these Gentlemen have spared no pains in faithfully discharging their duties may be conceived, when it is known, that, on many occasions, several hours have been occupied in only considering a few verses. Sept 1829.

:

After the Sub-Committee have finished their criticisms, they are forwarded to the Rev. Mr. Rhenius, for his counter remarks on these being received, the whole is gone through once more; and the different points in dispute are most carefully considered, always with the assistance of the best Native Scholars be fearlessly stated, that no means, that can be found. It may, therefore, within the command of the Committee, have been neglected, and no pains have been spared to render their Translation strictly correct and idiomatic.

From Mr. Rhenius's Journal we collect some further information. Openings and Enlargements of the Mission.

Feb. 5, 1828-David, who set out, some weeks since, on a journey westward and northward, writes that he had passed through Seventeen Villages, speaking the Word of Life and distributing Tracts. All sorts of people, with few exceptions, had received him gladly. Our new people from among the Roman Catholics in Kaliyanipooram delivered to him their last image of the Virgin Mary and a rosary: they were diligently hearing the Word of God. He has been as far as Shevelipoottoor; about 60 miles hence north the Heathen on the road had heard of the Gospel and of the wonderful work of Christ Jesus, with much interest; and many of them, particularly the women, had shewn much anxiety to retain the Name of Christ in memory.

March 2: Sunday -A large Congregation within, and many Heathens without. In the afternoon, I spoke with several of our people from the villages; among others, with three men from Rajahpaleyam. I was agreeably surprised to hear that the field in that quarter is larger than I knew of: 13 families are in hamlets near Taleivenkotu, the residence of a Zemindar, about 45 miles northwest, near the mountains; and, about 15 miles further north, is Rajahpaleyam, where there are now between 60 and 70 families, who have signified their wish to learn the way to heaven. Praised be the Lord! We are in no small straits about Teachers for these various quarters: we do not know whom to send. March 3- We have resolved on sending Stephen, brother of Titus of Tiroopoolankoody, to Rajahpaleyam: he is somewhat like Stephen of old, and we have chosen him with much pleasure for the work. Christian, formerly of Kaloongooviley, goes along with him.

April 22-I was in Tinnevelly, where I had the pleasure to find four men of the Retty Caste from Eilandapooram, about 20 miles north from this place, who, with six 3 I

other families, desire to become Christians : they say that they had cherished this idea these two years, having heard that ours is the way to heavenly bliss. I had a pleasant meeting with them and a number of our Tinnevelly people, attended by several Heathen. The concluding prayer was a blessing to our souls. On my way home, I could heartily sing "Glory, honour, praise, and power, &c."

April 25, 1828-Ten men came from Mookkoodel, a village of low-caste people in the West, asking for a Christian Teacher: seven of them are Roman Catholics, and three Heathens. They are Weavers by employment, and appear to be not ignorant. I was on the whole pleased with them, though time will shew what their proper object is. But how shall we get Teachers for all these new places?

April 27: Sunday - The four men from Eilandapooram have been here till now, to attend our Divine Services. It appears that troubles from other people have been the means of bringing them to their resolution. They seem to be intelligent men. They are of a peculiar caste; consisting of 40 houses, in a kind of mud fort, into which no other person dare enter: their wives never leave that fort. In how many ways has Satan enslaved this nation, to keep them off, or at least greatly to hinder them, from embracing Christianity!

April 29 Stephen and Christian have returned from Rajahpaleyam, where they instructed the people during the month: they bring good news. The people thereabout seem to be much more simple and teachable than those in the South: there is not so much deceit among them. The Gospel is looked upon by them with astonishment and pleasure. One bad vice, however, is among the low-caste people: drunkenness is more or less habitual to all, and productive of other mischief. Those who have embraced Christianity have, therefore, a strong enemy to contend with. May the Holy Spirit work powerfully among them by His Word, to deliver them from this chain of Satan! Many more people have declared themselves desirous of becoming Christians.

May 16 A Roman Catholic from Keytaur, near Eilandapooram, met me there,

and said that the Roman Catholics there are on the point of forsaking Popery and embracing the pure doctrines of the Gospel. He himself is an intelligent man, and expressed himself convinced of the folly of Popery. He said that the Roman Priests' livelihood is perishing. I asked, "Why?" He replied, "Because all the Congregations will leave them." I told him, that it was not necessary to leave them if they would cleanse their Churches from the abominations which they

at present practise, and teach the people the Word of God. But he meant that they would not do that, and so must go back to the place from whence they came. Amen! May 31 This evening was the Missionary Prayer-Meeting. Thomas related the following conversation between a number of Heathen Soodras and their Shastri, a person whom they employ to foretell them the state of the weather, &c. Soodras: "To-day we shall ask you a particular question, which you must answer strictly according to your Shaster." Shastri: "Say on. What is it?" Soodras: "The Christian Vedam is now spreading very fast: Temples and Idols are more and more being forsaken, and the Idol Carts are drawn with much difficulty: now tell us, what your Shaster says on this subject. Will the Christian Vedam stand fast, or last only a short time?" The Shastri, looking round to see whether any Christian was there, and seeing none, said, "This Christian Vedam is from God, and will not decline; but advance more and more." A Christian Boy, whom they did not recognise as such, was standing near, and overheard this conversation; and afterward related it to Thomas. It is very observable, that the Natives generally believe that a change will take place with their religion; and they comfort themselves with the persuasion, that their Books foretell it.

June 5-We celebrated the Lord's Supper, with between 40 and 50 Natives; after which the Catechists were exhorted, and dismissed to their Stations. As usual, we are in straits about supplying all the Stations, which is increased by the sickness of several of the Catechists. All these things, besides the troubles which the Maravers make in several places, are distressing; and we lift up our hearts to the Lord to change this state of things.

June 15- The Roman Priest of Pettah, having heard that the Roman Catholics of Eilandapooram and Pannekoollam are on the point of embracing the Gospel, has determined to visit them again after a lapse of many years: one of our people has set out to prepare them for the visit. It is a fact, that, during the last eight or ten years, no Heathen has been baptized in the Roman Church hereabout; and that even many of the Children of their Congregations remain unbaptized.

Death of Vengoo Moodelliar, a rich
Heathen.

May 5-At noon, Vengoo Moodelliar, the rich man of this District, often mentioned in our Journals, died; after many days' painful illness, which no sacrifice to the Idols, nor any gifts of charity to the Temple, could remove. This morning he sent a peon to ask me to send a person to receive charity money, which he had proposed to give to our

Institutions, meaning particularly rice to the Seminarists. While a servant was preparing to go along with him, another messenger from Vengoo brought 175 rupees. He made this present because he thought his charity would be incomplete if he did not include our Institutions, the Church Schools: to the Heathen Temples, also, he has, of course, sent much more.

A few days ago, I attempted to pay him a visit; but he declined it until he was a little better. To-day I again sent the servant to inquire whether I might see him, as I wished to speak about death and heaven; but he again declined in the same manner, and at noon he was a corpse.

Though he was very liberal and charitable, particularly to the Brahmins; yet he was an enemy to Christianity, and the principal support of Idolatry in this part of India: his death, therefore, is, particularly at this time, an important event in connection with the cause of the Gospel. May the Great Head of the Church overrule it to the rescuing of many souls from the iron chain of Idolatry !

West Indies.

Jamaica.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE Committee give the following interesting narrative of the

Happy Death of a Christian Negro. Mr. Burchell has forwarded the following account of a conversation held with one of his members, in the near prospect of death. It will rejoice the hearts of many, to see, that, in all countries and under all the varieties of external condition, the influence of true religion is uniformly the same :

Calling on this poor man one day when he was very ill, I said, Well, my friend, do you think God unkind for afflicting you so severely?

A. No, Massa.

Q. Don't you feel sometimes disposed to complain?

A. No, pray to God not to let me.

A. No, no.

Q. But do not you expect to go there, because you are not so wicked as before, but are become a member of the Church?

A. No, me no have one good ting to tink of; nothing but Christ-Him precious blood. Q. Why do you think Christ will receive you? A. Me love Him: me love Him to me heart.

Q. But will He be willing?

A. Ah, Massa! Him no pill Him precious blood! Him no say, Come unto me! Me know Him true.

Q. Would you like to meet your Christian Friends again on earth?

A. Me would like to tell all me broders and sisters to love Christ more- to keep nearer to God. Me feel de more prayer, de nearer we keep to God, de happier we be.

Again, a few days before his death:Q. Well, friend, you appear very low. A. Yes, Massa, but de Lord is very good. Q. Do you feel much fear of death? A. No, Massa: Jesus promise to be wid me. Q. Where do you think you will go when you die?

A. I tink I shall go home.

Q. But where is the home you mean?
A. Where Jesus is.

Q. What do you think of religion now? (At this he brightened up.)

A. Ah, Massa, what become of poor Neger, if him no hear religion? What me tink? Me FEEL-me no able to tell what me FEEL. It good: it make Neger happy to die.

Q. Would you wish to recover again?
A. Me too weak.

Q. Well, but if God were to give you your own will, how would you act?

A. Why (he hesitated and replied)—No, no, my will no do: me no want my willGod's will is best.

He lived consistently, and died happily

Intelligence.

Volume) amount to 21,400 francs. They are proposed as rewards for the best accounts of the Soudan, in Central Africa - MarawiAncient Babylonia and Chaldea — Australasia- the Southern Part of Caramania-the countries to the south of the chain of Mount Taurus-and the Interior of French Guiana. A medal of the value of 2400 francs is offered for the best account of American Antiquities. Italy-We extract from an American Publication an article headed, "A_ Sign of the Times in Italy;" taken from a Prospectus of