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bouring here under Vengoo Moodelliar, when making a road. The Catechist of Poovani had, besides, left a few Tracts in their hands, which had been the means of opening their eyes with respect to Idolatry. Blessed be the Lord for all this encouragement !

Jan. 29, 1829: At Dohnavoor-About halfa-dozen men came from Ootchikoollam, a neighbouring village, expressing their desire, in the name of Ten Families, to become Christians. In the evening we went to Nallamaram, where also the Congregation gave us joy.

Jan. 31: At Palamcottah-The Catechists assembled. In the evening (Saturday) we had a Missionary Prayer-Meeting: it was very encouraging. In many places there is an increase in the Congregations. A few have backslidden. In several places there are great troubles by the Maravers: they are, indeed, a scourge to the country. Everywhere the Idolaters have been confounded; because their Idols did not give rain at the appointed time.

Feb. 6 In Tinnevelly, I went to the street of our Congregation, where we assembled in front of the School-room. A large number of Heathens surrounded us; and listened, with much attention, to the Word. We contrasted the nature of this Meeting with the proceedings in a neighbouring Devil's Temple, where they had just made poojah with a great noise. The cholera presses hard on Tinnevelly: when I rode through the long street of the Heathen Weavers, I found in the front of each house a lamp burning, in order to keep the cholera away from them, upon the advice of the Brahmins. The Heathen confessed that it was vain. The Catechist related, that, the other evening, the Heathen of a certain street not far from us had brought their offerings to Ammen at a small Devil's Temple, when they earnestly begged Ammen to keep the cholera out of the street, and the Devil's Devotee (who is, on these occasions, always thought to be possessed of Ammen) confidently assured them that the cholera should no more enter their street: but, the very next morning, they found that ten persons had died in that street in the course of the night. Surely this will open their eyes!

Among

Feb. 10 Applications for Schoolmasters and Catechists increase very fast. others, there were two men from Soondenkotei, near Kommatikotei, where there have been Seven Families under instruction in Christianity now, Twenty Families more, with the Headman of the place, have resolved to become Christians. They have not been properly Idolaters; but belong to what are called "Eight-Letter Worshippers," who use no images. They have a Pandaram for their

priest, who exercises the functions of a God among them; in their sickness and troubles, the people repair to him, with prayers for relife; when he sprinkles them with holy water, and such like: this is all that they have from him. These people did not know even the Eight Letters. The Catechist at Kommatikotei has made them acquainted with better things; and I was much pleased with the account which these two men gave of themselves and of their present wishes. A third man was along with them, who has known Christianity these four years; but who, till last year, followed the course of the world and the common idolatry, contrary to his better conviction: he seems now to be convinced of sin, and of the grace which is in Christ Jesus: when I asked him how he thought God would pardon his sins and accept him, he answered, with much feeling, "Has Christ not said, Come unto me, all Ye that labour and are heavy laden?" he is an able man; so that we think of keeping him here to prepare him for the Lord's work in the country: he is a Soodra, and has hitherto lived by merchandize.

I got a Letter from an English Lady, who seems to have made good proficiency in Ta-, mul; and employs her spare time in translating, and her money in publishing, small Tracts for Children: she is mindful, besides, of her Native Servants and other Natives; and, in the absence of a Minister, prepares weekly two Tamul Sermons for them. Surely this is worthy of imitation! Do we not see great things in India ?

Feb. 14 During the week, a small Tract on the present Want of Rain arrived from the press, and was sent about in all directions. This evening was our Missionary Prayer-Meeting; when the Messengers delivered their Reports, which were, on the whole, pleasing. Many Natives received the Tract gladly: some murmured; others despised. One man said, "The Padre has nothing else to do than to write such things:" to which another replied, "Nevertheless, God seems to be on their side." An aged man appears to have heard the Tract read with deep conviction; as he lamented that he had lived so long without the forgiveness of his sins. A Native Officer of the Corps in the Fort, seeing copies of the Tract in the hand of one of our people, inquired what they were-heard it read for a while; and then called some sepoys to read it-expressed great pleasure at itand then taking four Tracts, gave them to the sepoys, with the order to read them in their leisure hours, instead of doing foolish things: he, also, sent me his salaam, with the blessing of Allah, for publishing such books; he is a Moorman. A rich Native in another place asked for several copies for his boys. A

Brahmin, hearing the Tract read in the street, said to the Reader, "All that is said about the idols is true; and we keep to them only from fear of the world." Several Natives have come and asked for the Tract. Here and there the women have encouraged the Reader to go on reading, and not to mind the foolish talk of some bystanders.

To-day, David set out on a tour to some of the distant Congregations; by way of Tritchendoor, where there is just now a great Idol Feast. The Assistant Catechist of Tinnevelly and one of the Preparandi have taken more than 300 Tracts to Tritchendoor; and are gone in company with the Headmen of the Tinnevelly Congregation, who have there, in common with the Heathen Weavers, a stone choultry, in which they have been used, on the occasion of the Feast, from a certain income belonging to the choultry, to give charities to those who come to the Feast from a distance; such as, water, butter-milk, &c. This year they will distribute these things, as Christians, with one hand, and the Tracts with the other. They will have their station on the one side of the choultry, and the Heathen Weavers on the other. This will certainly be a singular spectacle.

Feb. 25, 1829 Three Goldsmiths, from some large village near Kadeiyam, had been in the Fort at the Feast, and there received some Tracts one of them was the Tract on the "Idols' Cart;" and, having read it, they found what was said about Idolatry to be true, and therefore came to know more of Christianity a fourth man from the Fort came along with them. I had more than two hours' conversation with them; partly to instruct them, and partly to find out their motives. It was apparent that the subject itself engaged their attention; and I rejoiced at the grace of God working in them, particularly in the elderly man he requested, after I had given them an outline of the Way of Salvation, that I would pray for them, that God would give them the needful grace: he said, also, "You have established many Schools all over this country; but have not yet extended your charity to our place, which is a large town, and where small and great would like to be instructed." I supplied them with books, and dismissed them with much joy.

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David was well received in Tritchendoor, even by the Brahmins, knowing him to be our Head Catechist. In one temple, they honoured him much; and heard attentively about Christianity and the vanity of Idols: some were not pleased with it; and one of them, when David told them of the general spread of Christianity and that all would be converted from their Idols to the Living God, exclaimed, "Oh, would that I could die before that takes place!" others said, "Let the will of God be done !" The Name of Christ

was to some pleasant; to others, grievous. While David was in the place, he held Evening Prayer with those who went with him, and with others of our people who had come thither for the market. David afterward visited many of the Congregations in the south, and found much cause for rejoicing.

Feb. 28-To-day the Catechists assembled in the evening was the Missionary Prayer-Meeting: a number of them gave short accounts of what had occurred during the month. In many places the Congregations have increased: a few persons have backslidden: the cholera has tried some.

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March 5- Two fine lads, each about 16 years old, were admitted in the Seminary, both exhibiting marks of a truly-awakened mind one is a Heathen from Taleivenkotei, and has already suffered much for the Gospel the other is a Christian, from the Tanjore Congregation at Eedeiyenkoodiyirooppoo; and, with much feeling, told the state of his mind, and his desire for the grace of the Holy Spirit. Besides these, we received three Young Men for the Preparandi Class: one is a brother of our Catechist Lazarus; the second is Anthony, from Ookramkotei, already baptized; and the third is a Young Man from Eedeiyenkoollam Congregation, also baptized: all three gave us much pleasure. The Lord is evidently favouring us with suitable subjects for the Mission Service.

March 7-Two men of our small Congregation in Mooneinjahpettah came, and related that they had not been heard by the Tasildar of Calcand, when complaining against the Heathen of their place, who continually do them injuries by means of the Maravers; and, last month, pulled down even their small Place of Worship, so that now they have no place in which to assemble, excepting their houses, which are very inconvenient. I advised them to be still, and commit their cause unto God. They were very willing; and appeared in so fine a state of mind, that we immediately knelt down and prayed together fort hemselves and their enemies.

March 13-This evening we had the pleasure of gathering in again a portion of the harvest. We received eleven persons by

baptism into the Christian Church, besides three Roman-Catholics. Two were Se

minarists: one was a child: most of the rest were Preparandi. Their account of the manner, in which the grace of God led them to know the truth, shewed that the Lord's hand is not shortened to reach the hearts of young and old. They were from different villages.

March 16, 1829- The Congregation in Tinnevelly has again quiet from without; but there are some of their own number who

trouble them. Yet there is good seed among them. Those, who have been baptized, walk on steadily in the midst of all trials. To-day their Headmen and some others were with

us, and I instructed them in some particulars belonging to a Believer's life; especially on the infinitely wise permission of God to let His people pass through sufferings: this is usually a hard thing for them to understand. At last they made the following request: they said, that, when in a heathen state, they had, with the rest, and with the assistance of the Native Officers, secreted a number of looms, in order not to pay the taxes for them to Government; but now, as Christians, they could not do so any longer : they, therefore, wished to be put in the way of having all their looms registered, yet so that it might not appear to have originated with them, lest the Heathen should get angry with them. What a pleasing instance is this of the wholesome influence of the Gospel upon the heart of man! How can that Gospel be a cheat, which makes men's hearts honest! We concluded with prayer, and gave thanks to the Lord for granting His Gospel and His Spirit to sinful men.

March 21-Another village has opened the door to the Gospel. Three men, of the Maraver Caste, from Moodaleikoollam, came and asked, in the name of Nine Families, for Christian Instruction, as they would serve Idols no longer: they have received knowledge of Christianity by our new Congregation in Aaneiyappapooram. One of this Congregation came with them: when I asked them how they found the New Vedam, now that they had heard more of its contents, "Oh," said he," it gives us exceeding great joy. What wonderful light it is!" March 25-Among the Preparandi I have much joy. They are a fine set of men, and promise to become useful labourers.

From Mr. Rhenius's communications we add the following parti

culars:

Remaining Influence of Heathen Notions

on Native Christians.

The Tinnevelly Congregation is almost continually in agitation; if not from Heathen, then from one or other of their own

number, and this on account of some trifling things, about certain civilities at their marriages &c. To-day there came again a complaint of a similar nature. I have fixed upon Monday for getting them all here to settle their business. The passions of men are curious things.

I had to-day (March 30) a large number of the Tinnevelly Congregation, with many of their heathen neighbours and relations, in order to bring them, if possible, to a proper understanding about their differences, and to establish peace Their differences are examong them. ceedingly trifling in our view, but with them they are great indeed: they arise from their old connections, usages at marriages, caste, and such like. For instance, there are two men working at their yarn in the street: the one gets angry with the other, and forbids him to work he in return does the same, and so both must stop. In this manner both parties remain without doing their business for many days, until they get reconciled, or until the matter gets otherwise decided. We had about two hours' conversation together, in which I endeavoured to lead them to a conviction of the folly of these things and of the necessity of bearing with one another and The heathen forgiving one another. party were very tenacious; and it became evident that their heathenish notions were in the way. Some of our CongreWhether gation also were obstinate. any thing has been effected by the conference, time will shew. All, however, have heard many truths on the occasion, which may be blessed by the Lord.

Petition of some of the Heathen against the Mission.

I got sight of the Petition, which many principal Natives of the Tinnevelly District made to the Governor, two years ago, against Mr. Monro the Collector, and myself; and to which, it seems, they have never yet got an answer. was probably known that it contained a parcel of lies. I copy some of the passages which refer to myself. They say

It

Mr. Rhenius, the Christian Teacher of Palamcottah, disregarding justice, places men in the public roads to call the persons who pass along them; and speaking ill of their several gods, he exhorts them to go over to the Christian Religion, saying, that if they will, he will remove their Government Rents, and will moreover procure for them the countenance of those in authority. By this means some senseless taddy-men and others, in the hope that their Government Tribute would be

diminished, have embraced the Christian Faith.

In a subsequent Letter to Government, they say thus

It is the custom of Mr. Rhenius of Palamcottah to give religious instruction to those persons who have embraced his religion, or who are ready to embrace it: and not only this, but, from a wish that all should come over to Christianity, he speaks ill of us and the gods, whom, as it is proper, we worship; and endeavours by coaxing speeches to introduce into that religion all the Shanars, Pallers, Parriars, and others, who are our Slaves. The cultivation and the collection of the public revenues have been impeded by the people who have been converted to the above religion, and it is necessary to put a stop to the great evils which are thus occasioned.

The Petitions are signed by many Brahmins and Soodras from each Talook;

in all, by 183 persons. They pretend to be the principal persons of the District; but the fact is, they are only a part of them. Many more have not sullied their names by subscribing to it: and lately, when David Pilley asked Takkar, one of the richest Brahmins in Tinnevelly, how he could sign such evident falsehoods, the Brahmin assured him most earnestly that he himself never did so, and that somebody else must have done it in his name.

Notice of a Native Tamul Book. In these days I got hold of a Native Tamul Book, containing the secret doctrines of the Vedanta Men. It is a curious production, said to have been made by some wise men among the Brahmins. They kept it a secret, because it contains their wisdom; but I believe the reason is, because it condemns all Idolatry, and even a desire after their heavens, Keilasam and Vygoondam. It contains also a prophecy concerning the end of the world by fire; and a description of a great Teacher or Priest, which indeed can only be applied to a man such as was our Lord Jesus Christ; in fact, it ascribes all Divinity to that Great Teacher. To Him, and to the Vedam, and to God, every person is directed diligently to apply, who will attain heavenly bliss. Its first part contains a system of Ethics for such persons; some parts of which are perfectly Scriptural; others shew that the writer groped in the dark. The whole strengthens me in the opinion which I have long cherished, that the Ancients in India knew something of the New Testament as well as the Old. I intend to translate it. An

old "wise man," who has been often with me, brought it to me, as a book that perfectly coincides with our religious books; and who is so enamoured with it, that, notwithstanding most glaring evidence to the contrary, I cannot bring him off from this idea. He intends to live and die with this book, although it tells him nothing of a Saviour from his sins. Oh, how much darkness and light are mixed together in their heads and in their books!

Appeal of the Missionaries for continued Support in their Labours.

The Missionaries in Tinnevelly Messrs. Rhenius, Schmid, and Winckler-in reference to a limitation put on the extension of their labours in consequence of the inadequacy of the Society's resources to sustain such extension, have sent home the following Appeal, which will greatly aid, we trust, in those exertions to obtain an enlarged Income which the Society is about to make.

To all the respected Members of the Church Missionary Society: The undersigned Missionaries of Tinnevelly present their Christian regards, and their fervent wishes that the grace and peace from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, may be multiplied unto

them.

Dear Christian Friends and supporters of our labours in this part of the world, you have heard of the grace of God manifested in this District, by which thousands of our fellow-men have turned from dumb idols to serve the Living God, and to inherit eternal life by our Lord Jesus Christ, in answer to your and our prayers. At the end of July last, there were, in 140 villages, 1250 families, consisting of 4305 souls, who bow no longer to stones and wood, but learn to worship Jehovah in spirit and in truth. and to know His way to everlasting life. Since then, several families in other villages have followed their example; and there is every prospect that many more will do likewise. Christian Places of Worship are rising in every direction, in which these once-benighted Heathens are, every Sabbath Day, yea daily, instructed in the Word of Truth; and Schools are established in many of those villages, in which the Young, both Boys and Girls, learn to know Messiah's

Name. Sin and its consequent misery are checked, and the desert begins to blossom. The Saviour, who died for the Hindoos, receives an increase to His satisfaction for the travail of His soul; and not a few of these Black Brethren have already died in faith, rejoicing in the hope of glory through His merits.

Now, in the midst of all these pleasing labours and joyful prospects, we receive the unexpected intelligence, that the funds of the Society have greatly diminished during the last year; and we are called upon, by the Madras Corresponding Committee, to make large reductions of the expenditure of this Mission! No choice is left us: either we must reduce, or, because of imperious circumstances, they will do it for us. Trusting in the gracious care of our Heavenly Master, we were indeed not materially perplexed by this intelligence. We feel assured that His Work will go on somehow or other. We think it, however, our duty to appeal

to you.

According to present appearances, not only will the work already in progress suffer, but also the increase of the work will be checked. We must give up a number of Schools-we must dissolve our Female Seminary-we must be sparing in visiting our numerous Congregations, to water these promising fieldswe must leave them more exposed to the snares of the Wicked One; and when new applications for Christian Teachers are made, by persons who desire to be delivered from the iron chain of Idolatry, we must tell them that we cannot send them; and when they crave for assistance to build Places of Christian Worship and Schools, we must refuse them. In short, we must say that the good work of evangelizing the Heathen, and of making them happy in Christ Jesus, must stop here.

Now, will you really have us to do so? We can scarcely believe it. Will you live in ceiled houses, and let the Lord's House lie waste? We can hardly suppose it. Will you enjoy the blessings of the Gospel; and shall these our fellowmen be deprived of it, and perish in the service of Satan? We cannot admit the thought for a moment. And yet, if you stop in the good work begun, you will make us believe it-you will make us suppose it-you will force us to admit it.

Had you been this day (it is the Sabbath of the Lord) with us in the town of Tinnevelly, and seen in the midst of

that idolatrous city a small Temple of Jehovah's facing a Temple of Satan; had you seen the House of God filled with the worshippers of Jehovah, and twelve men of them baptized into the death of Jesus; had you seen crowds of Heathens at the doors and windows listen attentively to the word of Salvation, encouraging every hope that they also will sooner or later submit to the doctrine of the Cross for salvation; your heart would have rejoiced, your bowels of mercy would have yearned, you would have determined, This Mission shall not suffer by our want of exertion. Hear, Beloved Friends, an anecdote of a poor aged black woman, in one of the Native Congregations. The Catechist lately made known to them their duty of supporting the Tamul-Tract Association, established in

these parts. A few days after, that poor aged woman, a widow, who has hardly so much as daily to satisfy her hunger, came and brought a few Cash [a small copper coin], and requested the Catechist to take them for the Tract Society. He, knowing her wretched circumstances, refused to take the money, and offered to pay it himself for her. But she insisted upon his taking hers. The Catechist then asked, whether she thought to gain heaven by it: " No," said she, "not heaven: but must we not do what we can to save the souls of others ?"

Now, we would say, Go, and do likewise. May the Holy Spirit enlarge your hearts! May He fill them with the love of Christ! May He make you rejoice in every opportunity which His providence offers you to accomplish this great work of Redemption !

The reduction made in this Mission now amounts to 173 rupees per month, which is about 187., or 2167. per year. Every hope of supplying new demands is taken away. The new Church in Tinnevelly is already too small for the new Congregation; another Church will soon be required. In other villages, new people ask for Teachers, and for assistance in building Places of Worship. Now, refuse them, if you can.

Kindly excuse our plainness of speech. We doubt not, that, if you were here, you would not only do the same, but make a much more powerful appeal, which would instantly send three or four hundred pounds annually more to our assistance.

May Jehovah, the Father, Son, and Spirit, shower His choicest blessings upon you!

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