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No.  X.] 


[MARCH,  1857. 


THE 

MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 

AND 

CHRONICLE, 

RELAnXG  CHIEFLY  TO  THE  MISSIONS  OF 


The  Directors  have  great  pleasure  in  communicating  to  the  Members  of  the  Society  and 
their  numerous  friends  that  the  following  Ministers  are  engaged  to  preach  the  ANNUAL 
SERMONS  in  May  next:— 

Rev.  JOHN  ELY,  of  Leeds. 

Rev.  J.  K.  FOSTER,  of  Cheshunt  College. 

Rev.  R.  C.  DILLON,  D.  D.,  of  London. 


SERPENT  CHARMERS. 


In  Northern  India  the  serpent  charmers 
are  a  distinct  caste  of  people,  who  reside  in 
the  Upper  Provinces,  and  speak  the  Hindooee 
language.  In  parties  of  forty  or  fifty  they 
itinerate  through  the  whole  of  Hindostan 
and  Bengal ;  and  when  they  arrive  in  the 

VOL.  I. 


vicinity  of  a  populous  district,  they  divide 
themselves  into  companies  of  six  or  eight, 
and,  going  from  house  to  house,  amuse  the 
people  by  causing  serpents  of  all  sizes  to 
wind  round  their  bodies,  &c.  Their  dress 
la  a  long  robe  of  orange-coloured  cotton, 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE. 


reaching  down  to  their  feet,  with  a  cumber- 
bund,  or  girdle,  and  turban  of  the  same 
colour.  Their  faces  are  always  painted  with 
turmeric  and  mud,  and  their  general  appear- 
ance is  calculated  to  alarm  the  fears  of  the 
lower  orders  of  Hindoos,  who  believe  them 
to  possess  supernatural  powers.  They  carry 
with  them  baskets  containing  living  serpents 
of  all  kinds,  and  in  their  hands  they  hold  a 
small  earthen  pipe,  perforated  with  holes,  in 
•which  they  blow,  and  produce  from  it  cer- 
tain  sounds,  which,  they  say,  are  sure  to 
draw  every  serpent  from  its  hiding-place. 
By  what  means  it  is  accomplished  I  cannot 
say,  but  certainly  their  powers  of  fascination 
over  the  serpent  tribes  are  most  wonderful. 

Several  of  these  persons  once  entered  into 
the  compound  of  the  house  where  I  was 
residing,  and  requested  permission  to  charm 
the  snakes  on  the  premises.  Anxious  to 
witness  their  skill,  I  felt  inclined  to  allow 
them  ;  but  finding  a  great  number  of  natives 
collected  round  the  gate,  fearful  lest  an  im- 
pression  mightbe  produced  on  their  minds, 
that  I  was  encouraging  those  whom  they 
believed  to  be  in  league  with  the  powers  of 
darkness,  I  dismissed  them,  and  they  went 
to  the  next  house,  where  they  were  admit- 
ted, and  from  my  window  I  witnessed  all 
that  took  place.  From  a  godown  in  this 
house  several  fowls  had  been  taken  away, 
and  suspicion  had  fallen  on  one  of  the 
servants.  The  sap-wallah,  (serpent-man,) 
however,  on  viewing  the  place,  declared  the 
thief  to  be  a  serpent,  and  immediately  com- 
menced blowing  on  his  pipe.  In  a  few 
minutes  a  shriek  from  the  female  servants 
of  the  house  announced  the  appearance  of 
the  head  of  a  large  serpent  from  a  hole  in 
the  corner,  when  the  man  darted  forward, 
and  seizing  the  animal  by  the  neck,  drew 
forth  and  exhibited  a  serpent  about  six  feet 
in  length. 

An  individual  residing  a  few  miles  from 
Calcutta,  imagining  that  these  feats  were 
nothing  moce  than  sleight  of  hand,  and  that 
the  sap-wallahs  concealed  in  their  flowing 
robes  one  or  more  of  the  serpents  iisually 
carried  about  with  them  in  their  baskets, 
which  are  deprived  of  their  poisonous 
fangs,  and  slipping  them  down,  instantly  seize 
and  exhibit  them  as  newly-caught  snakes, 
determined  to  put  their  skill  to  a  proper 
test.  Attended  by  some  friends,  he  went 
into  a  confined  room,  where  he  saw  all  the 
baskets  containing  the  serpents  tied  down 


and  carefully  deposited ;  then  causing  the 
sap-wallah  to  undress,  his  clothes  were 
locked  up  in  the  same  room,  and  with  no- 
thing on  him  but  a  cloth  round  his  loins, 
which  was  carefully  examined,  he  was 
taken  into  the  garden,  the  door  of  which 
was  locked,  to  prevent  the  admission  of  an 
accomplice.  Nothing  daunted,  the  man 
began  playing  on  his  pipe,  and  proceeding 
from  one  part  of  the  garden  to  another  for 
some  minutes,  stopped  at  a  part  of  the  wall 
much  injured  by  age,  and  intimated  that  a 
serpent  was  within.  He  then  played  quicker, 
and  his  notes  were  louder,  when  almost  im- 
mediately a  large  cobra  di  capella  put  forth 
his  hooded  head,  and  the  man  fearlessly  ran 
to  the  spot,  seized  it  by  the  throat,  and 
drew  it  forth.  He  then  showed  the  poison- 
ous fangs,  and  beat  them  out ;  afterwards  it 
was  taken  to  the  room  where  his  baskets 
were  left,  and  deposited  among  the  rest. 

They  exhibit  these  serpents  for  money, 
and  taking  out  eight  or  ten  of  different 
kinds,  they  cast  them  on  the  ground.  The 
animals  immediately  make  off  in  different 
directions.  The  sap-wallah  then  applies 
the  pipe  to  his  mouth,  and  sends  forth  a 
few  of  his  peculiar  notes,  and  all  the  ser- 
pents stop  as  though  enchanted;  they  then 
turn  towards  the  musician,  and  approaching 
him  within  tvvo  feet,  raise  their  heads  from 
the  ground,  and  bending  backwards  and 
forwards,  keep  time  with  the  tune.  When 
he  ceases  playing  they  drop  their  heads  and 
remain  quiet  on  the  ground. 

The  engraving  at  the  head  of  this  article 
represents  another  and  an  inferior  kind  of 
serpent-charmers,  who  are  Bengalees,  of 
the  lowest  caste.  They  do  not  use  the  pipe 
to  which  I  have  referred,  but  merely  beat 
with  their  fingers  a  small  drum  which  the 
old  man  has  in  his  hand.  The  two  men  in 
a  sitting  posture  have  each  the  cover  of  a 
basket  in  one  hand,  and  pulling  the  tail 
of  the  serpents  with  the  other,  continue 
to  irritate  them,  until  the  animals  become 
so  infuriated  that  they  dart  forward  and 
seize  the  naked  arm  of  the  sap-wallah, 
which  he  exposes  for. the  purpose.  I  have 
seen  these  people  allow  their  arms  to  be 
bitten  in  this  manner  until  they  have  been 
covered  with  blood.  They  are  generally 
great  drunkards,  and  the  money  raised  by 
these  exhibitions  is  almost  immediately 
spent  in  the  purchase  of  arrack  and  other 
intoxicating  liquors.  G.  Gogerly. 


EAST  INDIES.— THE  SURAT  MISSION. 
In  the  north  of  India,  where  this  Mission  is  established,  a  new  order  of  things  is 
rapidly  springing  up,  and  the  day  of  preparation,  ushering  in  the  light  of  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  brightens  to  the  eye  of  the  faithful  Missionary  of  the  Cross.  The 
brethren  in  this  large  field  of  Missionary  enterprise,  while  rejoicing  in  the  amount 


FOR  MARCH,  1837, 


IJxl 


of  actual  success'  graciously  bestowed  by  the  Head  of  the  Church  on  exertions  ever 
felt  to  be  frail  and  powerless  until  fertilized  beneath  his  blessing,  are  encouraged  to 
hope  that  a  great  enlargement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  is  at  hand.  The  ground 
of  expectation  is  at  present  forcibly  depicted  in  the  general  spirit  of  inquiry  at  work 
in  the  Hindoo  mind,  and  the  consequent  decay  of  the  satanical  system  by  which,  for 
ages,  it  has  been  fettered  and  misled.  That  these  spiritual  movements,  which  there 
can  be  no  question  have  been  instrumentally  produced  by  the  voice  of  Divine  revela- 
tion issuing  from  the  lips  of  Christian  Missionaries,  may  be  guided  by  the  wisdom  of 
the  Most  High  into  the  ways  of  peace,  and  truth,  and  holiness,  will  be  the  prayer  of 
all  who  have  at  heart  the  well-being  of  their  fellow -mortals  either  for  time  or  for 
eternity  ;  but  how  much  it  is  to  be  deplored,  that  the  progress  of  myriads  to  a  better 
and  a  brighter  faith — to  the  hallowed  liberty  of  the  children  of  God — should  be  in 
any  measure  hindered  or  retarded  by  British  functionaries  and  others,  who,  instead  of 
obstructing,  ought  to  be  among  the  first  to  aid  in  every  effort  made  for  the  regene- 
ration of  India.  This,  however,  is  a  subject  to  v.  hich  the  attention  of  the  Christian 
public  has  of  late  been  strongly  directed  ;  and,  as  we  stated  last  month,  measures 
have  been  taken  for  the  discontinuance  of  a  policy  so  dishonouring  to  the  British 
name  and  character,  and  so  opposed  to  all  the  dictates  of  philanthropy  and  religion. 
On  this  and  other  points  of  interest  we  give  below 

Extracts  -of  a  Letter  from  the  Rev.  William  Fifvie,  Surat,  Sept.  1,  1836. 


The  Road  to  the  Temple  of  Mahadeo. 

It  has  been  tbe  practice  of  the  Mission- 
aries for  many  years  past  to  attend  the  P»Ie]as, 
which  are  held  in  and  about  Surat  during 
the  month  of  August.  Tbe  principal  of  them 
are  celebrated  at  Kantargaum,  a  village 
about  one  mile  north  of  one  of  the  city  gates, 
where  there  is  a  temple  dedicated  to  Maha- 
deo. The  main  road  from  the  city  to  this 
te:nple  is  filled  with  foot  travellers,  people 
on  horseback,  and  vehicles  of  various  de- 
scriptions. Along  the  road-side  f.iirs  are 
held;  sweetmeats,  fruits,  and  other  eatables, 
with  toys  and  pictures,  exposed  fjr  sale  : 
the  road  is  lined  on  either  side  with  Hin- 
doos, Mohammedans,  and  Parsees,  talking, 
smoking,  and  amusing  themselves  in  various 
ways.  At  one  place  a  snake-catcher,  or 
Indian  juggler,  may  be  seen  with  two, 
three,  four,  or  more  snakes,  playing  cu- 
rious antics,  and  greatly  entertaining  the 
people;  at  another  place,  a  Brahmin  sits 
reading  and  commenting  on  the  Shasters, 
exciting  at  one  time  some  attention,  and  at 
another  time  scarcely  noticed.  Many  other 
amusements  go  on,  bearing  much  resem- 
blance to  the  fairs  at  home ;  some  of  which 
had  their  origin,  no  doubt,  in  the  dark  ages 
of  Popery  or  Paganism. 

Encouragement  afforded  to  Mohammedan  and 
Hindoo  Superstitions  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment. 

August  8tb.  (Cocoa-nut-day — a  festival 
in  which  cocoa-nuts  are  thrown  as  ofiFerings 
into  the  river.)  This  Hindoo  festival  was 
ushered  in  by  a  salute  of  guns  from  the 
Honourable  Company's  -Bbip  lying  in  the 
river,  opposite  to  Surat.     The  castle  guns 


fired  a  salute  at  the  same  time.  About  4 
P.M.,  after  the  Brahmin  had  consecrated  the 
cocoa-nut  with  prayers,  the  European  magis- 
trate presented  the  offering  to  the  river 
amidst  the  poojas  (worship)  of  tbe  Brahmins 
and  other  Hindoos  present.  While  this  vain 
and  idle  ceremony  was  going  forward,  the 
ship,  before  alluded  to,  first  moved  down  and 
then  up  the  river,  displaying  ber  colours, 
and  firing  salutes.  Tbe  British  flag  was 
waving  on  Surat  Castle  all  the  day  in  honour 
of  the  festival. 

In  this  way  our  rulers  and  their  agents 
directly  and  publicly  countenance  idolatry 
and  superstition  in' this  place.  The  new 
moon,  excepting  twice  in  the  year,  when 
the  Mussulmans  t.re  mourning,  is  regularly 
saluted  by  five  guns  to  please  the  Moham- 
medans. Two  thousand  rupees  are  annually 
given  to  the  same  people  by  Government,  to 
assist  tliem  in  tbe  celebration  of  their  Eeds 
(festivals).  AVhen  shall  these  practices  be 
brought  to  a  perpetual  end  1  Surely,  with- 
out making  any  reference  to  higher  and 
more  solemn  considerations,  it  is  now  high 
time  to  begin  to  act  according  to  che  order  of 
the  Court  of  Directors,  which  states,  "  that, 
in  all  matters  relating  to  their  temples,  their 
worship^  their  festivals,  their  religious  prac- 
tices, and  their  ceremonial  observances,  our  na^ 
tive  subjects  be  left  entirely  to  themselves." 

Distribution  of  Religious  Tracts  and  Scrip- 
tures. 

August  10.  Went  to  my  old  station,  at 
the  gate  of  the  temple,  'i  he  ])eopIe  were 
exceedingly  clamorous  for  books,  and  we 
spent  the  most  of  the  time  in  ascertaining 
who  were  able  to  read,  and  supplying  them 
m2 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


acconiingly.  My  usual  number,  300  tracts 
and  50  gospels,  were  soon  given  away.  We 
were  gfad  to  witness  many  reading  them 
afterwards.  Some,  no  doubt,  will  be  de- 
stroyed, and  more  neglected;  but  many  of 
the 'people  will  read  them,  and  afterwards 
circulate  tbem  in  the  different  villages. 
My  daily  and  nightly  prayer  is,  that  the.se 
silent  messengers  may  prove  spirit  and  life 
to  some  souls.  The  melas,  as  I  have  already 
mentioned,  are  much  like  fairs  at  ho  ne  ;  it 
is,  therefore,  often  difficult  to  get  the  people 
to  listen  for  any  length  of  time  to  a  discourse. 
For  preaching  stations,  I  prefer  the  streets  to 
melas.  The  people  are  fewer  and  less  dis- 
poseito  riot;  but  we  must  sow  beside  all 
waters,  and  seek  to  improve  the  opportuni- 
ties the  Lord  gives  us. 

Since  October,  1834,  upwards  of  15,000 
tracts  have  been  given  away,  and  about 
3000  gospels  and  other  books  in  the  same 
period. 

Decline  of  Idolatvy  and  Progress  of  the  Gospel, 
My  congregations  in  the  streets  are  often 
large  and  interesting.  Sometimes  indivi- 
duals come  forward,  and  oppose  every  thing 
said.  But  this  a  Missionary  must  expect, 
and  be  prepared  to  encounter.     Truth  is 


great,  and  it  shall  prevail.      The  word  of 
the  Lord  shall  not  return  to  him  void." 
From  all  I  can  see  and  hear  among  the  hea- 
then, I  am  led  to  the  conclusion,  that  Mis- 
sionary Societies,  IMissionaries,  and  those 
who  pray  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  king- 
dom, will  in  due  time  reap  a  glorious  har- 
vest in  India,  if  they  faint  not.    Yes,  by 
means  of   Mission-schools,    the  Christian 
Scriptures,   tracts,    and  the   preaching  of 
the  Gospel,  light  is  breaking  in  among  the 
people,   even  to  a  greater  extent  than  is 
sup.posed.     There   is  a  conviction  in  the 
minds  of  many  of  the  heathen,  that  Chris- 
tianity must  and  will  one  day  prevail.  Not 
a  few,  since  they  have  heard  and  read  the 
Gospel,  denounce  the  gods   as  monsters 
of  iniquit)' — despise    idolatry — look  upon 
the  various  expedients  for  the  removal  of 
sin,  such  as  bathing,   drinking  the  water 
in  which  a  Brahmin  has  washed  his  feet,  aus- 
terities, and  repeating  the  names  of  the  gods, 
&c.a3  foolish  and  useless,  and  speak  of  Christ 
as  the  only  Saviour.    May  the  Holy  Spirit 
be  given  to  such  to  convince  them  of  sin, 
and  draw  their  minds  to  tfie  Redeemer  ;  for, 
without  the  Spirit's  power,  no  sinner,  white 
or  black,  heathen  or  Christian,  will  come  to 
Jesus,  that  they  may  have  life. 


BELGAUM.— JAMES  ASHTON,  THE  NATIVE  READER. 
From  the  Rev.  William  Beynon,  of  Belgaum,  in  the  Peninsula  of  India,  we 
have  received  the  following  interesting  communication,  in  a  letter  bearing  date 
January  28.    The  individual  referred  to  has  been  for  some  time  distinguished  by  his 
pious  zeal  and  activity  in  spreading  the  Gospel  among  his  countrymen. 


James  Asbton*  was  born  at  Hyderabad, 
but  removed,  when  very  young,  with  his 
father  and  the  other  members  of  his  family 
to  Mysore.  The  father  was  employed  as  a 
catechist  under  the  Abbe  Dubois  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and,  according  to  Ashton's 
account,  must  have  been  a  man  of  some 
repute  among  the  Roman  Catholics,  having 
received,  what  he  calls,  letters  of  confirma- 
tion and  other  honours  directly  from  the 
Pope  himself.  After  the  death  of  his 
father,  James  Ashton,  and  his  elder  bro- 
ther, whose  name  is  Nathanael,  were  em- 
ployed as  catechists,  and  officiated  as  such 
until,  I  believe,  some  time  in  1825,  when 
they  i-enounced  Popery,  embraced  the  Pro- 
testant religion,  and  were  baptized  at  Ban- 
galore by  Samuel  Flavel. 

The  two  brothers  were  first  convinced  of 
the  errors  and  absurdities  of  the  Romish 
Church  by  the  preaching  and  conversation 
of  one  of  the  Bangalore  students,  and  by 
subsequent  interviews  which  they  had  with 
Samuel  Flavel.  When  it  was  known  that 
they  were  about  to  renounce  the  Roman 
Catholic  faith,  all,  that  persuasion  and 
money  could  effect,  was  tried,  in  order  to 
induce  them  to  remain  firm  in  the  faith  in 
which  they  had  been  brought  up,  and, 
•  Hi  5  heathen  name  was  Jonas, 


when  gentler  means  were  found  unavailing, 
threats,  abuse,  false  accusations,  punish- 
ment, and  persecution  in  its  various  forms, 
were  resorted  to.  They  were  enabled  to 
bear  all  with  firmness,  and  resignation  to 
the  will  of  their  Divine  jNIaster.  Ashton 
even  now  informs  me  that  the  days  of  his 
suffering  were  the  happiest  days  of  his  life. 
He  and  his  brother  suffered  most  from  the 
priest  and  people,  on  account  of  their  taking 
away  a  certain  image  of  the  Virgin  which 
had  been  in  the  family  for  many  years  ;  was 
highly  prized  in  consequence  of  the  wonder- 
ful things  it  was  reported  to  have  wrought, 
and  had  been  loaded  with  offerings  by  its 
devotees.  This  celebrated  image  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  Directors  by  the  Missionaries 
then  residing  at  Bangalore. 

Ashton  tells  me  that  his  conversion  took 
place  in  the  early  part  of  1825.  He  joined 
this  Mission  after  the  breaking  up  of  the 
Bangalore  College,  in  1827,  and  has  been 
since  employed  as  schoolmaster  to  the 
orphan  and  poor-house  children.  He  reads 
and  explains  the  Scriptures  to  the  poor- 
house  people  who  understand  the  Tamil 
language,  and  occasionally  preaches  to 
them.  Since  his  connexion  with  the  Mis- 
sion, as  far  as  we  know,  he  has  conducted 
himself  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  We 


FOR  MARCH,  1837. 


have  never  heard  any  thing  prejudicial  to 
bis  character  as  a  Christian,  and  as  an 
assistant  in  the  Mission.  AVhen  reading, 
and  addressing  the  people,  he  evinces  much 
zeal  and  animation ,  and  his  language  appears 
to  proceed  from  his  heart.  His  knowledge 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures  has  frequently  sur- 
prised me.  He  is  in  the  habit,  like  the 
native  reader,  Solomon,  of  bringing  his 
plans  of  sermons  for  my  inspection  ;  and  I 


generally  find,  when  a  portion  of  the  word 
of  God  is  mentioned,  that  he  knows  not 
only  the  book  and  chapter  where  it  is  to  be 
found  but  also  the  verse.  Last  week  he 
accompanied  Solomon  and  myself  to  a 
swinging  festival  in  our  neighbourhood, 
and  there  addressed  the  people.  What  he 
said  was  much  to  the  purpose,  and  seem- 
ed to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  heathen 
assemblage. 


SOUTH  SEAS. 

The  safe  arrival  at  the  Island  of  Tahiti  of  the  brethren  and  their  companions 
proceeding  to  the  Navigators  Islands  was  reported  in  the  Missionarij  Magazine  for 
January.  From  the  joint  letter,  dated  22nd  April,  1836,  in  which  they  communi- 
cated the  above  gratifying  intelligence,  we  give  the  statements  underneath,  which, 
we  are  persuaded,  will  be  perused  with  pleasure  and  interest. 


"  On  our  arrival  at  Tahiti,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pritchard  gave  us  a  most  cordial  reception, 
and  we  have  very  profitably  occupied  our 
time  at  this  place.  On  Thursday  Mr. 
Wilson  came  to  see  us  ;  on  Monday  we 
were  gratified  by  the  arrival  of  ]Mr.  Barff ; 
and  on  Tuesday  had  the  pleasure  of  assem- 
bling with  ]Mr.  BarfF,  and  all  the  brethren  of 
Tahiti,  excepting  Mr.  Orsmond.  We  found 
that  the  latest  news  from  Samoa  (Navigators 
Islands)  had  been  received  in  September 
last ;  that  ^Ir.  Piatt  and  Mr.  Wilson,  jun., 
had  proceeded  thither  in  that  month,  with 
the  understanding  that  Mr.  Piatt  should 
return  about  this  time  :  so  that  our  arrival 
was  very  opportune.  A  high  sea  prevented 
their  landing  on  Savaii,  and  they  were  there- 
fore left  at  Upolu.  They  have  sent  an  en- 
couraging account  of  the  continued  dispo- 
sition of  the  Samoans  to  receive  instruction. 

"  As  regards  Tabid,  after  all  defection, and 
deduction  on  other  grounds,  we  have  seen 
and  heard  much  that  cheers  us,  and  calls 
upon  us  to  thank  God,  and  take  courage. 
That  there  are  nearly  2000  natives  in  church- 
fellowship  ;  that  two  thirds  of  the  people 


can  read  ;  that  a  great  number  of  them  have 
learned  to  write  ;  and  that  the  schools  and 
chapels  are  well  attended  ;  these  are  broad, 
significant,  and  encouraging  facts.  W^e 
cannot  describe  the  feelings  with  which  we 
witnessed  the  native  services  on  the  Sabbath- 
day.  The  morning  service  was  attended  by 
nearly  1000  people,  and  we  had  proof,  at  a 
subsequent  examination,  that  many  of  them 
are  discriminating  and  not  forgetful  hearers 
of  the  word.  There  being  several  vessels 
in  the  harbour,  the  attendance  at  the  Eng- 
lish service  was  also  good,  perhaps  120, 
when  Mr.  Heath  preached  from  Acts  xi. 
23. 

"  The  Missionaries  here  and  Mr.  Barff  have 
very  kindly  agreed  to  give  us  a  supply  of 
young  cattle,  for  our  several  stations  at 
S  imoa.  We  go  over  to  Eimeo  on  Tuesday  ; 
attend  the  examinations  at  the  Institution* 
there  on  Wednesday  ;  and  on  the  following 
day  proceed  to  Huahine.  From  all  we 
have  heard,  we  entertain  strong  hopes  that 
God  will  grant  us  a  favourable  commence- 
ment of  our  labours  amongst  the  Samoans.'' 
*  South  Sea  Academy. 


HEATHEN  FEMALE  EDUCATION.— No.  11. 

Extracts  from  the  communications  of  Missionaries. 


From  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Thompson,  of 
Quilon,  Southern  India,  who  takes  a  most 
lively  interest  in  the  subject,  we  have  the 
following  striking  opinion  : — 

"  From  what  I  have  seen  of  the  result  of 
female  education  and  female  decision,  even 
here,  it  is  my  deliberate  opinion,  that  to 
train  up  females  in  Christianity  is  altogether 
one  of  the  most  powerful  means  of  spread- 
ing the  Gospel." 

This  conviction  of  the  importance  of 
fcHiale  education  naturally  leads  Mr. Thomp- 
son to  desire  co-operation.    The  following 


urgent  and  touching  appeals  cannot,  surely, 
be  read  in  vain. 

"  I  shall  not  say  ranch  ;  and  if  that  little 
is  not  felt,  I  cannot  urge  weightier  claims, 
how  many  words  soever  I  might  add." 

After  alluding  to  the  state  of  disgusting 
degradation  in  which  females  are  kept  by 
the  Brahmins  themselves,  he  says — 

'*  I  have  been  averse  to  write  of  such 
things,  but  the  very  limited  aid  lent  to 
female  education  in  India,  and  the  hitherto 
utter  want  of  provision  for  it  in  this  part  of 
Travancore,  seems  to  require  it.     And  I 


154 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


leave  it  with  the  Christians,  especially  with 
the  Christian  females  of  England,  to  esti- 
mate their  own  obligations  to  Divine  mercy, 
— to  ask — What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord 
for  all  his  benefits  ? — and  not  to  shut  their 
compassions  from  the  poor  and  degraded 
women  of  these  lands,  who  are  without  God, 
and  without  comfort  here  or  hope  above." 

Mr.  Thompson  again  writes — 

"  More  children  might  be  received,  but 
I  cannot  venture  greatly  to  add  to  their 
number.  My  friends  in  India  are  not 
many,  and  to  extend  this  means  of  useful- 
ness, further  aid  is  greatly  needed." 

The  sum  required  to  support  an  orphan 
for  one  year  in  these  schools  is  two  pounds. 

In  a  more  recent  letter, hesays — "The  only 
school,  in  which  an  eflScient  native  woman 
might  be  employed  would  be  a  boarding- 
school  ;  for  she  could  not,  as  the  school- 
masters must  do  in  the  villages,  go  about  to 
collect  the  children  every  day.  Education 
is  not  valued,  and  even  where  no  opposition 
exists,  every  trifle  is  used  by  parents  and 
children  as  a  pretext  for  non-attendance,  so 
that  only  a  person  of  some  influence  among 
them  is  able  to  secure  their  attendance  in 
any  moderate  degree,  and  that  with  many  a 
painful  rebuff." 

The  Rev.  John  Evans,  Anglo- Chinese 
college,  Malacca,  says — "  I  wish  the  ladies 
in  England  would  become  interested  about 
the  Chinese  females.  I  am  sure  if  they 
were  but  to  be  eye-witnesses  of  their  de- 
gradation, without  education,  they  would 
exert  themselves  on  their  behalf,  and  make 
almost  any  sacrifice  to  entail  upon  them  so 
inestimable  a  gift,  in  order  that  they  may 
be  not  only  raised  from  so  low  a  state  of 
degradation,  but  may  enjoy  the  same  privi- 
leges, and  be  placed  upon  the  same  equality 
as  ladies  in  England.  Nothing  but  edu- 
cation can  accomplish  this,  and  Ma^does." 

At  Benares,  Mr.  Buyers  has  about  twenty- 
five  girls,  as  a  commencement.  The  fe- 
males in  the  neighbourhood,  especially  the 
mothers  of  the  children,  begin  to  take  con- 
siderable interest  in  the  instruction  given 
to  their  daughters. 

From  the  Rev.  John  Evans,  Malacca. — 
"  I  am  happy  to  state  that  our  Chinese 
female  schools  are  in  a  very  flourishing  con- 
dition ;  I  could  extend  them  much  more 
had  I  funds.  Mrs.  E.  finds  the  charge  she 
has  undertaken  to  surpass  her  most  san- 
guine expectations." 

From  the  Rev.  W.  B.  Addis,  Coimba- 
toor.  "  Mrs.  Addis  is  likely  to  succeed  in 
her  female  school.  Some  ladies  have  as- 
sisted in  trying  to  carry  into  effect  what  I 
once  mentioned  to  the  Directors  as  my 
wish,  viz. — a  free  boarding-school,  on  the 
plan  adopted  at  Nagercoil,  Neyoor,  &c." 

From  the  Rev.  George  Mundy,  Chin- 
surah.  "  Xiast  evening  I  had  a  visit  from 
one  of  my  most  interesting  inquirers,  a 


Brahmin  of  high  caste  and  great  intelligence. 
Mrs.  Mundy  introduced  her  female  schools 
to  his  attention,  and  showed  him  some  speci- 
mens of  their  work.  He  was  particularly  in- 
terested, and  immediately  offered  some  pe- 
cuniary aid.  He  is  teaching  his  own  wife 
to  read,  and  doing  his  utmost  to  induce 
some  other  men  of  rank  to  follow  his  ex- 
ample. There  is  a  difficulty  in  obtaining 
teachers  for  this  class  of  females  ;  but  the 
Brahmin  promised  to  engage  the  services  of 
four  of  our  girls  for  that  purpose." 

It  is  interesting  to  notice  the  eff'orts  made 
in  many  other  parts  of  the  world  to  raise 
the  female  mind.  In  Siberia,  a  female 
school  has  been  established,  and  is  super- 
intended by  Mrs.  Swan  and  MissStallybrass. 

At  Athens,  a  flourishing  school  has  been 
formed  under  the  patronage  of  another  so- 
ciety. It  contains  600  scholars,  and  in  the 
house  of  Mr.  Hill,  the  Missionary,  are  nine 
pupils  placed  under  Mrs.  Hill's  care  by 
Otho's  government,  and  who,  with  some 
others,  are  to  be  educated  as  teachers.  Mrs. 
H.  speaks  of  the  good  effects  produced  on 
themby  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures  in  their 
families.  She  has  been  joined  by  two  sisters, 
who  are  qualified  to  take  charge  of  th« 
school  during  her  absence.  ' 

Very  cheering  accounts  of  the  progress  of 
Hottentot  female  children  give  reason  to  hope 
that  the  benefits  of  education  will  soon  bie 
extensively  felt  in  Southern  Africa.  Their 
intelligence  fully  equals  that  of  children  in 
European  countries,  and  proves  in  an  af- 
fecting manner  the  injustice  of  the  suspi- 
cions so  long  entertained  of  their  intellec- 
tual capacity. 

Perhaps  it  may  not  be  presuming  too 
much  to  imagine  that  there  may  be  readers  of 
this  paper  who  will  feel  desirous  to  hear  more 
on  this  subject,  and  to  have  some  of  those 
modes  specified  by  which  they  may  increase 
their  own  interest,  and  impart  the  same  to 
others.  To  meet  their  wishes,  it  is  intended 
that  notices  of  the  girls'  schools  in  Africa, 
the  West  Indies,  and  the  South  Sea  Islands, 
begiven  in  future  papers  ;  and  that  the  modes 
of  assisting  their  funds  be  briefly  adverted 
to  in  the  next  magazine. 

N.  B. — The  following  objects  are  recom- 
mended to  those  who  wish  to  subscribe  or 
collect  a  definite  sum  to  be  applied  to  a 
particular  purpose. 

1.  The  supporting  of  a  native  school- 
mistress, from  fifteen  to  twenty  pounds  per 
annum. 

2.  The  maintenance  of  an  orphan  or 
destitute  child,  two  pounds  per  annum. 

3.  Subscriptions  for  the  support  of  Nor- 
mal schools. 

4.  Donations  of  thirty  pounds — a  sum 
sufficient  to  erect  a  school  capable  of  con- 
taining fifty  children. 

5.  Furnishing  .school-materials  for  teach- 
ing reading,  writing,  «ewii^,  and  knitting. 


FOR  MARCH,  iba7. 


135 


SOUTH  AFRICA. 

RE-ESTABLISHMENT  OF  THE  MISSIONS  IN  CAFFRELA.ND. 

With  grateful  pleasure  we  take  the  first  available  opportunity  of  informing  the 
friends  of  the  Sociefy,  and  especially  those  by  whom  the  interests  of  the  native  tribes 
of  South  Africa  are  peculiarly  appreciated,  that  the  Rev.  J.  Brownlee,  and  the  Rev. 
F.  G.  Kayser,  who,  early  in  1835,  reluctantly  retired  from  Caffreland  to  stations 
within  the  colony,  in  consequence  of  the  disturbed  state  of  the  country  at  that  time, 
resumed  their  important  labours  some  months  ago  among  the  Caffre  people, 
though  not  precisely  on  the  same  spots  as  those  they  formerly  occupied.  In  some 
instances  they  found  the  state  of  their  flocks  rather  discouraging  ;  still  they  were  received 
with  joy,  and  the  Caffres  generally  manifested  a  strong  desire  to  be  again  placed  under 
instruction,  and  to  listen  to  the  sacred  word  of  life.  The  chief  Macomo,  we  are 
told,  manifests  a  disposition  decidedly  and  increasingly  favourable  to  missionary  labours 
in  his  territory,  and  is  in  various  ways  affording  evidence  of  his  regard  for  religion 
and  for  religious  instruction.  Of  this  he  has  given  the  strongest  proofs,  by  sending 
his  own  children,  including  his  eldest  son,  the  successor  to  his  chieftaincy,  to  the 
schools  under  the  care  of  the  Missionary,  and  by  maintaining  the  regular  worship  of 
God  in  his  own  kraal,  where  Mr.  Kayser  preaches  on  the  Sabbath  afternoon  to  con- 
gregations varying  between  50  and  100  persons.  Mr.  Brownlee  visits  a  number  of  kraals, 
where  his  reception  is  marked  by  gladness  and  deep  attention  on  the  part  of  the  native 
residents.  The  friends  of  missions  at  home  will,  we  have  no  doubt,  unite  in  grateful 
thanksgiving  to  the  Most  High,  that  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  has  thus  again  found  fre« 
course  among  the  numerous  tribes  and  families  of  the  Caffre  race. 


DEATH  OF  A  MOHAMMEDAN  CONVERT  AT  UITENHAGE. 

Communications  lately  received  from  the  Missionary  at  this  station  sustain  tfee 
hope  that  his  labours  have  been  divinely  owned  and  blessed.  The  church,  which 
by  the  goodness  and  condescension  of  God,  Mr.  JSIesser  has  now  the  happiness  to  see 
blended  into  Christian  fellowship,  and,  at  the  appointed  times,  assembling  round 
the  table  of  the  Lord,  embraces  Hottentots,  CafFres,  Bushmen,  and  Bootchuanas, 
many  of  whom  were  formerly  shrouded  in  the  depths  of  guilt  and  misery  ;  but  now, 
with  little  deviation,  beyond  what  is  attributable  to  frail  nature,  appear  to  be  living 
without  spot  and  blameless  in  the  world.  To  these,  it  is  hoped,  that  some  Moham- 
medans residing  at  the  station  will  soon  be  added,  several  having  latterly  made  a 
profession  of  Christianity.  The  happy  death  of  one  of  the  latter — his  exercise  of 
faith  in  the  Redeemer  at  the  closing  hour  of  existence— and  his  manifestation  of  the 
hope  that  is  full  of  immortality — are  thus  communicated  by  Mr.  Messer  in  a  letter 
dated  Uth  July,  ult. 


"  One  of  the  apprentices,  a  pious  member 
of  my  church,  died  last  night,  in  his  26th 
year.  Shortly  before  his  death  I  conversed 
and  prayed  with  him.  Previous  to  his  con- 
version he  was  a  Mohammedan,  sunk  in 
ignorance,  vice,  and  misery  ;  but  since  that 
happy  change  he  lived  as  became  a  Christian. 
When  asked  if  he  were  willing  to  go  to  his 
eternal  home,  he  said,  '  Yes  !  and  I  hope 
soon  to  behold  my  Saviour,  and  be  with  him 
for  ever.'    About  ten  minutes  before  the 


departure  of  his  soul  to  a  better  world,  he 
prayed  fervently  to  Him  in  whom  he  be- 
lieved, thanking  the  Lord  for  all  the  mer- 
cies bestowed  upon  him  ;  and  gratefully  ac- 
knowledging that  he  had  been  rescued  as  a 
brand  plucked  out  of  the  fire.  Then  ad- 
dressing the  friends  at  his  bedside,  he  en- 
treated them  to  take  refuge  in  the  Lord, 
and  seek  salvation  before  it  was  too  late. 
'  Oh  I'  said  he,  'if  I  had  delayed  until  now 
to  come  to  Christ,  this  would  be  no  time.' 


150 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


The  dying  mau  then  looked  towards  his 
weeping  mother,  and  thanked  her  for  all 
the  comforts  he  had  enjoyed  through  her 
maternal  care  and  affection.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments after,  his  happy  soul  entered  into  the 
presence  of  the  Redeemer,  who  loved  him 
and  washed  him  from  sin  in  his  own  blood. 
Here  was  an  example  of  how  a  true  Christian 
goes  to  his  eternal  home  I    During  his  ill- 


ness, our  departed  friend  particularly  praised 
the  Lord  for  his  goodness  in  not  leaving 
him  to  the  dreadful  delusions  of  Moham- 
medanism, but  mercifully  opened  the  eyes  of 
his  understanding,  and  gave  him  spiritual 
discernment  to  see  the  errors  amid  which  he 
groped  and  stumbled  as  in  a  dark  place. 
Thanksgivings  to  Christ  were  his  last 
breathings." 


THE  INFANT  SCHOOL  AT  PACALTSDORP,  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA. 

The  Missionary  at  this  station,  in  reporting  the  state  and  progress  of  his  mission, 
communicates  the  following,  amongst  other  pleasing  circumstances.  Mr.  Anderson 
writes  from  Cape  Town,  under  date  the  23rd  of  November,  ult. 


I  have  much  pleasure  in  stating,  that 
Botwithstanding  the  extreme  poverty  of  the 
people,  the  public  work  of  the  institution  has 
not  only  been  well  attended  to,  but,  in  ad- 
dition to  this,  we  have  built  a  very  good  in- 
fant-school, thirty-four  feet  by  sixteen,  in- 
side measure.    This  work  has  been  effected 
partly  by  donations  from  Cape  Town  and 
at  George,  and  partly  by  the  gratuitous 
labour  of  the  people.    I  have  expended 
upon  it  40/.,  and  I  calculate  the  labour 
done  by  the  people  to  amount  to  an  equal 
sum.    The  building  is  an  ornament  to  the 
station.    It  was  opened  in  the  middle  of 
October,  when  a  large  company  came  from 
George  to  witness  the  examination  of  the 
children.  Eighty-five  infants  attended,  and 
they  went  through  their  exercises  in  read- 
ing, spelling,  alphabet,  &c.,  so  as  to  give 
great  satisfaction.    The  lady  of  the  ma- 
gistrate was  much  delighted,  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  one  pound  given  before  by  her- 
self and  Mr.  Bergh,  she  presented  another 
pound.    The  district  surgeon  also  gave  an 


additional  donation.  The  lieutenant-go- 
vernor. Captain  Stockenstrom,  paid  us  a 
visit.  He  met  the  magistrate  of  George  at 
our  place,  and  unreservedly  expressed  him- 
self favourable  to  the  cause  of  the  native 
population.  He  walked  over  the  institu» 
tion,  and  on  coming  to  the  new  infant- 
school,  the  native  carpenters,  four  in  num- 
ber, were  busy  laying  the  floor.  The  lieu- 
tenant-governor asked  if  they  belonged  to 
the  institution.  I  told  him  they  did  ;  that 
two  of  them  were  waggon-makers  ;  and  that 
they  could  read  and  write.  I  desired  one  of 
them,  who  had  a  piece  of  chalk  in  his  hand, 
to  write  his  name.  This  he  did  with  so 
much  readiness  and  correctness,  that  the 
lieutenant-governor  and  Major  Napier,  who 
was  with  him,  appeared  much  pleased.  We 
had  also  a  visit  from  Colonel  Smith  and 
his  lady,  who  were  gratified  with  the  schools, 
especially  the  infant-school.  The  Sunday- 
school  continues  to  be  well  attended,  and 
the  children  are  making  encouraging  pro- 
gress. 


WEST  INDIES. 

FORMATION  OF  A  CHURCH  AT  FEARN,  BERBICE. 

In  communicating  this  gratifying  fact,  Mr.  Mirams,  the  Missionary  at  the  station 
at  the  time,  (July  last,)  thus  wrote  to  the  Directors — 


"  On  Sunday  the  5th  of  June  ult.,  a 
Church  was  formed  in  connexion  with  this 
place  of  worship,  consisting  of  ten  indivi- 
duals who  had  expressed  a  desire  to  make  a 
public  profession  of  the  name  of  Christ — 
■whose  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation  ap- 
peared scriptural,  and  whose  conduct,  so 
far  as  could  be  ascertained,  had  been,  for 
some  time  previous,  consistent  with  the  re- 
quirements of  the  Gospel. 

"  At  a  meeting  convened  for  the  purpose, 
early  in  the  morning,  the  candidates  stated 
to  each  other  their  reasons  for  desiring  to 
be  united  in  Christian  fellowship,  with  some 


particulars  of  the  manner  in  which,  as  they 
hope,  the  word  of  God  became  effectual  to 
their  conversion — when  each,  individually, 
received  the  unanimous  approbation  of  the 
rest. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  morning  sermon, 
the  rite  of  baptism  was  administered  to 
eight  of  the  ten,  (two  having  been  previously 
baptized  by  Mr.  Ross,)  and  ten  of  their 
infant  offspring;  after  which,  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  celebrated  for  the  first  time  at 
this  station.  On  this  interesting  occasion 
Mrs.  Mirams,  Mrs.  Kenyon,  Mr.  Henery, 
one  of  our  domestics  who  is  a  member  of 


FOR  MARCH,  I8a7. 


157 


Mr.  Wray's  church,  and  myself,  joined 
■with  those  newly  admitted  to  communion 
with  each  other,  and,  we  trust,  with  the 
Lord,  in  commemorating  his  death. 

"  The  whole  congregation  were  spec- 


tators, and  some  among  them  appeared  to 
look  upon  our  solemnities  as  desirous  of  par- 
ticipating in  their  enjoyment.  May  the  Holy 
Spirit  enkindle  such  a  desire  in  the  hearts 
of  all,  and  *  increase  us  as  with  a  flock.' 


HOME  INTELLIGENCE. 

ATTEMPTS  TO  CONVERT  THE  HEATHEN,  INTRODUCTORY  TO 
THE  SALVATION  OF  BRITAIN. 
To  the  Editor  of  the  Missionary  Magazine, 


The  affecting  appeal  by  Mr.  Medhurst, 
which  was  contained  in  your  Magazine  for 
the  last  month,  cannot  have  been  read,  I 
presume,  without  producing  considerable 
effect  on  the  minds  of  young  ministers  and 
stiidents  in  our  theological  institutions.  It 
has  long  appeared  to  your  correspondent 
the  duty  of  young  ministers  especially,  who 
have  had  some  little  experience  in  the 
work,  to  consider  whether  their  efforts 
should  be  so  localized  as  to  confine  their 
energies  within  a  sphere  of  labour  embrac- 
ing a  few  thousands,  when  there  are  exten- 
sive tracts  of  the  globe,  inhabited  by  mil- 
lions, who  have  no  one,  or  but  a  few,  to 
proclaim  unto  them  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Jesus  Christ.    To  balance  the  claims  of 
those  at  home,  among  whom  there  are  so 
many  of  different  sects  labouring  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  denominational  interests  and 
the  cause  of  Christ,  appears  to  be  out  of  the 
question  :  there  is  such  disproportion  be- 
tween them,  at  the  very  first  glance,  that 
to  balance  them  seems  an  impossibility — 
the  600  MILLIONS  of  the  heathen,  estimated 
in  their  demands  upon  the  zeal  and  ener- 
gies of  British  Christians,  will  bear  no  com- 
parison with  the  FEW  in  our  own  land.  There 
cannot  be  a  doubt  but  many  feel  the  claims 
of  the  heathen  world,  but,  as  Mr.  Med- 
hurst states,  they  cannot  see  the  way  clear — 
th^y  are  afraid  of  departing  from  what  may 
be  thought  by  others  to  be  their  path  of 
duty.    The  time  will  come,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  when  the  nature  and  principles,  the 
labours  and  difficulties,  of  missionary  work 
will  be  stated  with  greater  force  and  dis- 
tinctness, and  be  brought  to  bear,  with  the 
accompanying  motive  of  love  to  God  and 
of  love  to  souls,  upon  the  consciences  of 
British  churches  and  ministers  at  home.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  the  day  is  not  very  far 
distant  when  the  Directors  of  our  Missionary 
Society  will  state,  in  language  which  must 
be  powerfully  felt  by  our  country  associa- 
tions, that  labourers  are  wanted  for  the 
East  and  West  Indies,  for  China,  and  other 
parts  of  the  field  of  missionary  enterprise, 
— when  they  will  appeal  to  them,  in  their 
associated  capacity,  whether  there  are  not 
some  young  ministers  amongst  them,  fired 


with  zeal  and  with  ardent  love,  who  are 
ready  to  give  themselves  up  to  the  work  of 
attempting  the  conversion  of  the  heathen  ? 

Let  this  appeal  now  be  sent  forth — let  it  be 
brought  before  the  assembled  brethren — let 
one  of  them  preach  on  the  claims  of  the 
whole  family  of  man — let  the  matter  receive 
serious  consideration  and  prayer,  and  there 
is  no  doubt,  at  least  the  writer  of  this  feels 
none,  that  one  from  each  association  of  mi- 
nisters will  respond  to  the  call,  and  say, 
Send  me.  There  would  thus  be  at  least 
fifty  missionaries,  reckoning  one  from  each 
county  association,  and  the  aggregate 
number  would  be  more,  because  in  some 
counties  there  are  more  associations  than 
one. 

It  has  frequently  been  said,  that  home 
must  have  its  claims  answered  first,  that 
our  Christian  benevolence  should  reach 
those  at  home  who  need  it,  and  then,  as 
the  streams  of  a  mighty  river,  it  should 
flow  to  distant  lands.  Let  the  comparison 
be  made  between  our  own  land  and  heathen 
climes,,  and  we  shall  find  that  an  over- 
whelming  majority  of  our  fellow- creatures 
are  destitute  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Son  of 
God.  At  home,  individuals  may,  by  giving 
themselves  the  trouble  of  walking  a  few 
miles,  hear  the  truth  ;  but  abroad,  hundreds 
and  thousands  must  be  traversed  before  the 
heathen  can  hear  the  sound  of  the  word  of 
life.  It  is  very  much  to  be  feared  that  we 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  making  the  duties 
of  home-labour  the  standard  of  our  exer- 
tions, and  the  duties  of  foreign-labour 
have  been  held  in  subserviency ;  and  thus 
it  has  been  with  many  who  have  thought 
of  missionary  work,  and  thought  seriously 
too, — the  claims  of  the  few  have  been 
responded  to,  while  the  claims  of  the 
many  have  been  comparatively  disregarded  ; 
and  those  who  have  thought  of  the  wants 
of  the  heathen  have  seldom  come  up  to 
the  mark  of  decisiox  in  favour  of  the 
pagan  world.  We  would  anticipate  that 
the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  another 
standard  will  be  taken  by  the  church  of 
Christ;  when  the  reverse  of  what  has  just 
been  stated  will  be  the  fact;  when  every 
young  man  of  talent  and  piety  will  feel 


158 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


that  the  heathen,  or  the  universal  exten- 
sion of  the  cause  of  Christ,  has  the  first 
claim  ;  when  the  cultivation  of  any  local  in- 
terest shall  be  a  matter  of  secondai-y  consi- 
deration ;  when  local  attachment  shall  give 
place  to  a  more  expansive  feeling  of  love 
to  the  human  family,  who  are  by  millions 
going  to  another  world,  without  any  one  to 
say  to  them,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 
At  home,  many  voices  are  heard  announ- 
cing the  glad  tidings  of  salvation ;  the 
people  listen,  it  is  true,  and  know  the  im- 
port of  the  joyful  sound  ;  but  they  appear 
frequently  to  be  quarrelling  about  denomi- 
national superiority,  or  about  the  melo- 
diousness of  the  herald's  voice,  in&tead  of 
studying  the  sacred  page,  embracing  the 
offers  of  a  Saviour's  love,  and  acceding  to 
the  claims  of  heathen  lands.  If  the  dis- 
ciples of  the  Redeemer  in  our  beloved 
country  felt  themselves  to  be  as  the  Jews 
■were  in  the  land  of  Assyria — far  from  home, 
ready  to  perish  with  want — they  would  be 
satisfied  with  any  messenger,  rightly  ac- 
credited, who  should  proclaim  unto  them 
liberty,  salvation,  and  eternal  life.  There 
would  be  less  importance  attached  to  those 
adventitious  circumstances  which  are  some- 
times found  to  be  possessed  by  the  man  of 
their  choice,  around  whom  they  assemble 
to  hear  from  his  lips  the  truth.  Men  of 
talent  would  not  be  reserved  for  home 
labour  alone,  but  would  be  freely  sur- 
rendered to  the  work  of  evangelizing  the 
heathen.  The  whole  world  is  full  of  dry 
bones ;  and  why  should  there  be  so  many 
labouring  in  our  native  land,  that  they  are 
often  obliged  to  say  to  one  another,  "  Give 
me  room  to  cry  hence  ?  " — Instead  of  crying 
to  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  they  cry  to  one 
another,  and  forget  almost  their  character 
and  their  message. 

It  is  true  that  there  are  a  few  who 
have  gone  forth  with  the  zeal  of  apostles, 
and,  in  the  spirit  of  the  noble  army  of 
martyrs,  not  counting  their  lives  dear 
unto  them  ;  hut  their  number  is  by  no 
means  adequate  to  the  claims  of  dying 
millions.  Some  have  bid  adieu  to  home 
and  all  its  scenes,  to  labour  for  the  uni- 
versal extension  of  the  cause  of  the  Re- 
deemer. But  local  attachment  has  not  yet 
given  way  to  the  feeling  of  ardent  desire  for 
the  conversion  of  the  world.  The  day  is 
coming,  soon  may  it  come  !  when  those  who 
are  to  labour  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Saviour 
will  not  choose  as  the  sphere  of  their  exer- 
tions a  place  where  their  energies  are  not  so 
much  required  as  in  other  parts  of  the  globe, 
where  millions  are  perishing  for  lacking  of 
knowledge,  and  where,  in  the  space  of  a  few 
years,  comprising  the  generation  of  men, 
hundreds   of  millions  die  without  being 


made  acquainted  with  Him  who  is  the  re- 
surrection and  the  life. 

What  has  just  been  stated  will  not  at 
all  retard  the  progress  of  the  Gospel  at 
home :  for  since  our  Missionary  Societies 
have  been  established,  our  churches  at 
home  have  been  blessed ;  the  attention  of 
the  people  has  been  directed  to  their  own 
state,  while  they  have  devoted  their  property 
to  the  conversion  of  others  ;  collectors  of 
our  societies  have  been  led  to  reflect  and  to 
feel  guilt  in  rejecting  that  Saviour  whom 
they  wish  to  be  proclaimed  to  others.  In 
the  future,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  past, 
the  church  at  home  will  be  prosperous  in 
the  same  ratio  as  she  attempts  the  salvation 
of  the  world.  It  has  appeared  in  the 
humble  judgment  of  the  writer,  that  it  would 
be  a  great  blessing  to  Britain  and  to  the 
world,  if  one  half  of  our  most  talented, 
pious,  and  humble  ministers  were  to  leave 
their  native  country  for  the  regions  of  pa- 
ganism. Such  an  event  would  quicken  the 
prayers  and  devotions  of  the  Christian 
church ;  it  would  give  simplicity  to  the 
habits  and  sentiments  both  of  ministers  and 
people,  and  would  prepare  us  to  expect 
abundant  communications  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Should  the  church  at  home  be- 
come too  much  attached  to  intellectuality, 
should  it  become  worldly  in  spirit,  one 
remedy  will  be  found  in  the  general  exhi- 
bition of  self-devotedness.  The  outskirts 
of  our  vineyard,  the  heathen  world,  will 
afford  adapted  scenes  of  labour  for  men  of 
talent,  of  piety,  and  of  zeal. 

To  illustrate  what  has  been  advanced,  that 
the  departure  of  one  half  of  the  most  talented 
among  our  ministerial  brethren  for  heathen 
lands  would  be  a  blessing  to  Britain,  and 
its  highly-favoured  churches,  we  will  sup- 
pose that  a  minister  of  unquestionable 
talent,  and  one  of  a  few  years  standing 
in  the  ministry,  were  to  announce  to  the 
people  of  his  charge  the  following  resolu- 
tion : — I  have,  after  much  prayer  and  re- 
flection, reading  and  consultation,  deter- 
mined to  go  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  the 
heathen  ;  not  that  I  leave  you,  my  dear 
people,  because  you  have  ill-treated  me,  for 
you  have  received  me  always  in  the  manner 
in  which  it  becometh  saints  to  treat  those 
who  watch  over  them  in  the  Lord  ;  but  I 
look  at  the  desolations  that  the  enemy 
has  made  in  distant  portions  of  the  vine- 
yard, which  is  the  world,  for  the  field  is  the 
world.  I  pity  the  millions  that  are  dying 
far  away,  while  we  remain  at  home  with 
comparatively  folded  hands.  You  are  alive 
to  the  salvation  of  your  souls,  and  those 
who  attend  the  house  of  your  solemnities 
unsaved  are  without  excuse.  Looking, 
therefore,  at  the  claims  of  the  few,  and  the 
moral  necessities  of  millions,  and  viewing 


FOR  MARCH,  1837. 


159 


the  case  on  every  side,  necessity  is  laid  upon 
me  to  go  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  the 
heathen,  to  whom  it  is  not  named.  I  rely, 
indeed,  on  your  prayers  in  my  behalf,  that 
I  may  be  counted  worthy  to  be  instrumental 
in  fulfilling  that  declaration,  '  To  whom  he 
was  not  spoken  of  they  shall  see,  and  they 
that  have  not  heard  shall  understand.'  " 

Here  is  a  man  of  talent  and  learning,  of 
judgment  and  piety,  leaving  his  people.  His 
decision,  combined  with  his  character  and 
standing,  draws  attention  ;  others  begin  to 
inquire,  what  is  my  duty  ? — and  many,  hav- 
ing made  the  inquiry,  will  come  in  all  pro- 
bability to  the  same  decision.  It  is  the  effect 
on  that  individual  church,  now  deprived  of  its 
zealous  and  devoted  pastor,  that  we  wish  to 
point  out.  It  will  of  course  be  various  at  first, 
so  that  we  should  not  be  able  to  discover 
any  predominant  impression  ; — the  pious 
would  rejoice  ;  but  those  who  make  the  man 
the  channel  of  their  affection  to  the  Saviour, 
would  doubtless  feel  otherwise  ;  they  would 
be  ready  to  imagine  it  to  be  impossible,  at 
least  for  a  time,  to  love  Him  at  all.  Now, 
because  the  max  in  this  case  was  the 
means  of  transmission,  another  medium  it 
would  be  difiicult  to  find.  They  would  not, 
for  some  time  to  come,  cease  to  speak  of 
such  a  circumstance  with  sad  hearts  and 
with  troubled  and  complaining  souls.  In 
a  word,  every  one  would  think  of  the  affair 
according  to  his  own  feelings,  whether  of 
affection  or  indifference  ;  for  a  little  time  the 
circumstance  would  not  be  viewed  in  the 
light  of  any  general  principle.  The  man, 
however,  with  all  his  excellences,  and  the 
most  prominent  we  have  supposed  to  be  his 
piety  and  talent,  is  "gone  !  He  was  the  idol 
of  the  affections  of  his  people,  though  not  of 
their  worship  ;  but  he  is  now  beheld  by  other 
eyes,  and  doubtless  additionally  loved  by  his 
Saviour,  and  his  late  charge  have  to  look 
for  another  pastor,  another,  who  must  be  a 
man  of  talent.  If  a  probationer  should  ap- 
pear, who  is  not,  according  to  the  general 
acceptation  of  the  term,  a  man  of  talent, 
and  who  does  not  come  up  to  their  stand- 
ard, he  is  treated  with  coolness  and  indiffer- 
ence. He  retires,  and  a  man  of  talent  is 
sought,  as  being  the  only  person  who  will 
suit  such  a  sphere,  and  fill  such  a  pulpit. 
A  talented  person  is  heard  of ;  his  services 
are  sought  ;  and  he  replies,  and  great  is 
the  expectation  when  the  reply  comes  ;  I 
am  obliged  for  your  communication — I  am 
not  at  all  insensible  of  the  honour  which  you 
have  conferred  upon  me — but  my  heart  and 
affections  are  set  upon  the  heathen  world. 
The  love  of  Christ,  and  of  dying  souls  has 
overcome  in  my  bosom,  I  trust,  local  attach- 
ment. I  go  from  all  the  endearments  of 
home,  of  a  father  and  mother,  of  a  brother 
and  sister,  in  the  spirit  of  that  passage, 
which  says,  '  Whoso  loveth  father  or  mo- 


ther, brother  or  sister,  more  than  me,  is  not 
worthy  of  me.'  I  follow  the  example  of 
your  late  pastor.  God  will  provide  for 
your  necessity,  if  you  seek  him  with  prayer 
and  humility."  Instances  like  this,  if  a 
missionary  spirit  possessed  the  right  place 
in  the  affections  of  ministers,  we  imagine, 
instead  of  becoming  solitary,  would  become 
common,  and  a  check  would  be  given  to  that 
thirst  which  is  possessed  for  talent  im- 
piety, in  a  simpler  form,  and  love  to  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  would  be  the  result. 

But  we  will  suppose  that  this  church  is 
not  yet  brought  to  the  right  standard  of 
feeling,  not  reduced  (for  we  must  call  it,  in 
one  view  of  it,  reduction,)  to  the  right  spirit. 
They  hear  again  a  man  of  God  that  will  suit 
their  religious  taste,  and  fill  their  pulpit, 
and  secure,  in  all  probability,  their  affec- 
tions ;  they  make  a  flattering  application, 
with  many  assurances  that,  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  he  will  be  happy  and  useful  among 
them.  He  replies,  "  Mj  heart  has  long 
been  fixed  on  the  habitations  of  cruelty,  my 
sphere  of  labour  is  far  hence.  I  doubt  not 
but  that  the  Lord  will  answer  your  fervent 
prayers  in  providing  for  you  a  pastor  accord- 
ing to  His  will,  and  the  desire  of  your 
hearts."  Such  rebuffs  of  Providence,  if  we 
might  so  call  them,  would  tend  greatly  to 
humble  the  people — would  give  ardour  and 
spirituality  to  their  prayers.  Their  efforts 
to  obtain  a  minister  would  become  more 
spiritual  and  scriptural.  The  acceptance  or 
the  non-acceptance  of  a  preacher  would  not 
so  much  be  connected  with  intellect  as  with 
piety,  and  a  simple  desire  to  bring  sinners 
to  God — a  genuine  missionary  spirit  would 
be  spread  through  that  church  and  other 
churches  of  the  land,  and  by  and  by  there 
would  be  a  church  transplanting  itself  to 
some  heathen  region  for  the  purpose  of  be- 
nefiting the  dying  sons  of  paganism. 

Suppose,  then,  this  feeling  and  proceed- 
ing to  become  general,  it  would  exhibit  the 
spirituality  of  religion  in  such  a  light  as 
would  astonish  the  world  ;  in  a  word,  it 
would  be  instrumental  to  the  salvation  of 
Britain,  as  well  as  the  conversion  of  the 
heathen.  We  have  merely  viewed  one  fea- 
ture of  the  truth,  that  "  attempts  to  con- 
vert the  heathen  would  be  instrumental  to 
the  conversion  of  Britain  ;"  there  are  others 
to  which  reference  might  be  made,  but  I 
forbear,  having  already  trespassed  too  much 
on  the  limits  you  allow  for  correspondents. 

Objections  may  be  urged  against  the 
principles  already  advanced,  that  the 
churches  would  be  destitute.  Mr.  Med- 
hurst  has  shown,  that  any  vacancy  that 
might  occur  would  soon  be  filled  up  ;  but, 
even  supposing  that  it  were  not  for  a  short 
time,  it  would  be  for  the  advantage  of  the 
church  ;  it  would  lead  to  a  more  scriptural 
appreciation  of  the  value  of  religious  ordi- 


IGO 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


nances,  and  to  a  contrast  between  the 
claims  of  the  heathen  and  of  Britain.  It 
might  be  said,  that  it  would  weaken  the 
ties  by  which  pastors  and  people  are  united 
together.  We  think  that  it  would  be  just 
the  reverse.  The  people  would  not  less 
esteem  the  man  who  denies  himself  an 
abode  in  his  fatherland,  and  takes  up  his 
dwelling  in  tropical  climes  ;  and  as  long  as 
memory  held  its  place  in  his  mental  consti- 
tution and  theirs,  they  would  remember  and 
pray  for  him,  and  he  would  not  cease  to 
remember  and  pray  for  them. 

It  might  be  said  that  the  churches  of  our 
land  would  be  unwilling  to  give  up  their 
pastor,  who  was  panting  to  proclaim  to  mil- 
lions of  dying  heathens  the  gospel  of  the 
Son  of  God.  We  think  this  is  doubtful. 
The  churches  have  not  been  tried.  This 
almost  unknown  feeling  of  people  parting 
with  ministers,  who  are  devoting  themselves 
to  the  missionary  work,  has  not  been  pos- 
sessed by  our  churches,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few.  The  time  will  come,  we  hope, 
when  ministers  will  feel  that  the  whole 
•world  has  claims  superior  to  local  spots. 
It  is  true  that  they  possess  not  ubiquity,  so 


as  to  be  in  all  parts  of  the  world  at  the  same 
time,  but  they  ought  to  have  hearts  warm 
enough  and  zeal  self-denying  enough  to 
labour  among  millions  rather  than  among 
hundreds,  when  even  among  those  hundreds 
there  are  many  of  different  denominations 
who  are  endeavouring  to  spread  the  savour 
of  the  Redeemer's  name.  Let  the  Direc- 
tors of  our  Missionary  Society  act  upon  the 
hint  thrown  out  in  the  former  part  of  these 
remarks,  if  it  approve  itself  to  their  judg- 
ment— let  them  appeal  to  our  country  as- 
sociations— let  them  ask  if  there  is  not  one 
young  minister  at  least  in  every  associate 
body  who  is  willing  to  respond  to  the  call 
that  comes  from  the  plains  of  India,  from 
the  vicinity  of  China,  and  from  the  sands 
of  Africa — let  young  ministers  read  the 
appeals  of  Medhurst,  and  Buyers,  and 
Campbell, — let  the  senior  brethren  counsel 
and  advise  the  younger — let  direction  be 
sought  of  Heaven,  and  in  the  approach- 
ing anniversary  there  will  be  forty  addi- 
tional labourers  for  the  heathen  world.* 
That  this  may  be  the  case,  is  the  constant 
and  earnest  desire  of  yours, 

A  Young  Minister, 


DR.  MORRISON'S  FAMILY  AND  CHINESE  LIBRARY. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Missionary  Magazine. 


Dear  Sir, — You  kindly  announced,  in 
your  number  for  January,  the  plan  I  had 
formed  for  rendering  the  Chinese  Library  of 
the  late  Dr.  Morrison  available  to  two  in- 
teresting objects  ; — one,  that  of  augmenting 
the  present  scanty  provision  for  bringing  up 
the  considerable  family  of  that  excellent  man  ; 
the  other,  that  of  accomplishing  the  great 
end  he  had  in  view,  in  bringing  the  library 
to  his  native  country. t 

A  fuller  detail  of  the  proposed  measure  was 
laid  before  the  public,  through  various  pe- 
riodical publications,  of  the  same  month  ;  and 
copies  of  that  communication  have  been  since 
partially  distributed  in  town  and  country. 

My  various  engagements  prevent  me  from 
following  up  these  measures  by  personal  ap- 
plications, as  I  should  otherwise  be  happy  to 
do  ;  but  I  trust  I  may  confidently  rely  on 
the  numerous  friends  of  the  Doctor,  and  on 
the  Ministers,  especially,  whose  friendship 
with  him  was  more  intimate,  for  those  efforts 
which  are  needful  to  give  the  undertaking 
its  desired  success. 

I  presume  that  I  may,  without  inconsis- 
tency, look  for  the  concurrence  of  various 
classes  of  the  benevolent  public,  in  further- 


ing the  plan.  The  patrons  of  Literature  in 
general,  and  of  Oriental  in  particular,  will,  I 
doubt  not,  be  glad  to  have  it  in  their  power 
to  render  so  rare  and  valuable  a  collection  of 
Chinese  works  subservient  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  language  of  China  in  Great  Britain  ; 
and  the  friends  of  Bible  Societies  and  Chris- 
tian Missions  will,  in  addition  to  this  motive, 
feel  others  of  a  still  higher  order. 

It  is,  therefore,  to  the  late  Doctor's  friends 
among  the  latter  class  that  I  chiefly  look  for 
the  needful  encouragement  of  the  plan  ;  and 
I  persuade  myself  that,  if  to  the  importance 
of  laving  a  solid  foundation  for  the  study  of 
the  Chinese  language  in  our  own  country, 
for  all  the  important  purposes  to  which  it 
may  be  applied,  there  be  added  the  just 
claims  of  the  family  upon  the  best  feelings  of 
the  Christian  community,  founded  on  the 
labours  and  self-devctedness  of  its  deceased 
head, — the  value  of  which  every  day  more 
fully  discloses, — nothing  can  be  wanting,  in 
point  of  motive,  to  ensure  the  desired  me.i- 
sure  of  success. 

I  may,  however,  be  permitted,  while  I 
am  inviting  the  benevolence  of  the  Christian 
public  towards  the  younger  children  of  Dr. 


♦  Add  to  these  one  from  each  of  our  academic  institutions  in  England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  and 
Wales,  wliich  would  be  thirteen,  making  a  total  of  fifty-three  labourers  for  the  field  of  Missions. 

+  A  more  ample  account  of  the  manner  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  accomplish  the  above  important 
object  will  be  found  in  the  second  and  third  pages  of  the  cover  of  the  Missionary  Magazine  for  the  present 
month,  to  which  the  attention  of  the  friends  of  Dr.  Morrison,  and  those  interested  in  the  moral  im- 
provement of  the  Chinese,  is  respectfully  invited.— Ed. 


FOR  MARCH,  1837. 


161 


Morrison,  to  observe,  that  if,  through  its 
wonted  liberality,  a  fair  compeasation  be 
thus  made  for  this  portion  of  their  father's 
property,  (which  cost  him  about  2000/.,) 
they  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  placed  abore  the 
need  of  more  dependent  means  of  support, — a 
position  to  which  it  will  gratify  every  sincere 
friend  of  their  highly-esteemed  and  noble- 
minded  parent  to  assist  them  to  attain. 

Having  thus,  through  your  kindness,  laid 
my  wishes  and  hopes,  formed  on  behalf  of 
this  interesting  family,  before  the  Christian 
community  ; — committing  the  endeavour  to 
the  blessing  of  Him  whose  servant  their 
deceased  parent  pre-eminentlv  was,  I  shall 
await  the  result  with  all  due  confidence,  and 
subscribe  myself,  dear  Sir.  yours  very  truly, 
W.  A.  Hankey.' 

Fencburch-street, 
10th  February,  1837. 


DEPUTATION  TO  IRELAND— 183fi. 

The  London  Missionary  Society  has  for 
many  years  past  sent  a  deputation  to  Ire- 
land. Last  year  Mr.  Knill  was  appointed 
to  the  work,  and  remained  among  the  friends 
of  Christ  on  that  island  for  twenty  weeks, 
during  which  time  he  travelled  nearly  2000 
miles,  addressed  200  congregations,  and 
collected,  it  is  believed,  a  larger  amount 
than  was  ever  sent  to  the  Society  in  any 
previous  year. 

He  was  received  with  great  affection  by 
Protestants  of  every  denomination,  and  re- 
quests through  this  medium  to  send  expres- 
sions of  gratitude  to  the  ministers  and  people 
who  aided  him  in  his  labours,  and  from 
whom  he  received  such  marks  of  fraternal 
kindness. 

On  three  different  occasions  he  had  the 
privilege  of  addressing  congregations  in 
Episcopal  churches,  while  their  rectors  and 
curates  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

When  the  Synod  of  Lister  held  its  an- 
nual  meeting  at  Omagh,  Mr.  Knill  was 
present,  and  was  permitted  to  plead  the 
cause  of  missions  before  many  of  that  re- 
verend body.  This  greatly  facilitated  his 
work,  as  several  pulpits  were  immediately 
offered  to  him  in  behalf  of  the  Society. 

Soon  after  this  the  Secession  Synod  held 
its  annual  meeting  at  Armagh,  when  Mr. 
Knill  was  also  present,  and  was  permitted 
to  address  the  Synod  during  the  time  of  its 
sitting.  This  opened  the  way  to  numerous 
pulpits,  so  that  work  was  immediately  pre- 
pared for  months  to  come. 

So  deep  was  the  feeling  of  compassion  for 
the  benighted  heathen,  that  on  many  occa- 
sions the  collections  were  remarkably  large. 
A  number  of  specific  sums  were  raised  for 
a  special  object,  in  connexion  with  the 
Society's  operations  among  the  negroes  in 
the  West  Indies.    Many  friends,  especially 


ladies,  became  supporters  of  girls'  schools 
in  India. 

There  were  some  fine  specimens  of  good 
feeling  among  Sunday-school  teachers  and 
children,  some  of  whom  engaged  to  support 
boys'  schools  in  India. 

Mr.  K.  was  greatly  delighted  by  a  visit 
to  the  Dublin  University,  where  he  met  a 
number  of  divinity  students  whose  hearts 
appeared  to  be  deeply  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  Christ. 

Several  young  persons  of  great  promise 
in  different  parts  of  the  island  offered  them- 
selves as  candidates  to  preach  the  Gospel  to 
the  heathen.  One  instance,  of  a  parent 
publicly  dedicating  his  son  to  this  service, 
produced  a  powerful  effect  on  a  large  meet- 
ing in  York-street  Chapel,  Dublin. 

During  the  services  at  Belfast,  there  was 
a  Presbyterian  minister  recovering  from  a 
dangerous  illness.  His  case  had  excited  an 
unusual  sensation  in  the  city.  A  public 
prayer-meeting  was  held  daily  while  his  life 
was  in  suspense  ;  and  now  that  he  was  con- 
valescent, it  was  proposed  by  a  Seceding 
minister,  at  a  public  meeting,  that  the  pre- 
sent collection  should  be  presented  as  a 
thank-offering  to  God  for  the  recovery  of 
their  brother  Morgan.  One  hundred  and 
ten  pounds  were  subscribed — fourscore  of 
which  were  from  members  of  the  Tempe- 
rance Society. 

Mr.  Knill  commenced  his  labours  in  the 
town  of  Youghal,  and  then  preached  in 
various  places,  until  he  reached  Dingle, 
the  most  western  town  in  Europe ;  then 
leaving  the  romantic  scenes  of  "  the  far 
west,"  he  proceeded  to  Limerick.  He  had 
been  prepared  by  his  visit  to  kind  friends 
in  Cork,  to  propose  to  a  Limerick  friend 
to  translate  and  print  iive  tracts  in  the  Irish 
language,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Irish- 
speaking  peasantry.  This  he  accomplished  ; 
and  to  be  enabled  to  leave  five  editions  of 
precious  little  books  for  this  interesting 
people,  he  considers  one  of  the  happiest 
events  of  his  life. 

From  Limerick  he  worked  his  way  to 
Dublin,  and  after  spending  three  busy 
weeks  among  the  warm-hearted  friends  of 
the  metropolis,  he  passed  on  to  Vinegar 
Hill,  Wexford,  Ross,  Waterford,  KUkeuny, 
&c.,  &c.,  back  to  Dublin  again. 

The  next  trip  was  directly  across  the 
island  to  Sligo,  and  then  to  the  far  north, 
hard  by  the  Giant's  Causeway,  every  where 
receiving  great  personal  kindness  and  liberal 
aid  to  the  mission. 

Many  in  the  beautiful  towns  round  Loch 
Neagh  testified  their  love  to  missions,  and 
in  some  of  them  the  excitement  was  exceed- 
ingly great. 

It  must  be  extremely  difficult  to  arrange 
for  so  long  a  journey,  in  a  manner  not  to 
clash  with  the  diversified  plans  of  the 
numerous  ministers  and  congregations,  yet 


162 


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE 


such  was  the  obliging  conduct  of  all  par- 
ties, that  there  was  scarcely  ever  any  dis- 
appointment. 

All  preceding  deputations  have  borne 
witness  to  the  far-famed  hospitality  of  *'  the 
sister  isle,"  and  none  ever  partook  of  it 
more  largely,  or  cherished  the  remembrance 
of  it  more  gratefully,  than  their  affectionate 
fellow-labourer  whose  visit  has  been  thus 
briefly  noticed. 


ARRIVAL  OF  MR.  &  MRS.  STAL- 
LYBRASS  AT  THE  MISSION  IN 
SIBERIA. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  Rev.  E.  Stally- 
brass  to  the  Treasurer,  dated  Khodon, 
Siberia,  Nov.  22,  1836. 

**  I  HAVE  the  pleasure  of  informing  you 
that  Mrs.  Stallybrass  and  myself  arrived 
safely  at  this  station  on  the  13th  instant, 
after  a  journey  of  more  than  4000  miles 
from  St.  Petersburgh,  which  was  distin- 
guished by  many  mercies.  The  health  of 
our  dear  fellow-labourer,  Mr.  Swan,  has 
for  more  than  a  year  been  very  feeble : 
with  this  exception,  we  were  privileged  to 
find  the  members  of  the  Mission  in  the 
enjoyment  of  health  and  comfort." 

In  a  letter  of  the  same  date,  addressed  to 
the  Foreign  Secretary,  Mr.  Stallybrass  ob- 
serves : — "The  native  converts  have  afforded 
much  satisfaction  to  our  friends,  and  con- 
tinue to  give  reason  for  the  hope  we  cherish , 


that  they  have  received  '  the  word  of  God, 
which  they  heard  of  us,  not  as  the  word  of 
men,  but  as  it  is,  in  truth,  the  word  of 
God.'  The  Mongolian  translation  of  the 
Book  of  Proverbs  is  now  going  through  the 
press." 


RETURN  OF  MR.  &  MRS.  MIRAMS. 

On  the  7th  of  December  last,  the  Rev. 
James  Mirams, .  Mrs.  Mirams,  and  two 
children,  both  suffering  from  indisposition, 
and  with  one  of  whom  the  afflicted  parents 
have  since  been  called  to  part,  arrived  in 
London  from  Berbice,  via  Liverpool.  The 
consideration  of  his  impaired  health,  of 
which  in  a  tropical  climate  there  was  no 
hope  of  restoration,  and  only  the  prospect 
of  a  rapid  decline  if  he  returned,  combined 
with  requirements  of  a  domestic  kind,  have 
rendered  it  advisable  that  he  should  seek 
a  sphere  of  ministerial  labour  in  his  native 
country ;  and,  in  harmony  with  his  own 
preference  under  these  circumstances,  the 
connexion  of  Mr.  Mirams  with  the  Society, 
as  one  of  its  Missionaries,  has  ceased.  Mr. 
IVIirams'  own  health  has  improved  since  his 
return,  and  it  is  earnestly  hoped  that  a 
station  of  usefulness  will,  in  Divine  provi- 
dence, be  presented,  in  which,  while  directly 
seeking  to  advance  the  interests  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom  at  home,  he  may 
indirectly  but  effectively  promote  its  exten- 
sion among  the  heathen. 


TO  AUXILIARY  SOCIETIES  IN  LONDON. 

The  Officers  and  Committees  of  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  Societies  in  London  and  its  vicinity 
are.  respectfully  requested  to  meet  at  the  Mission  House,  Blomfield-street,  Finsbury,  on 
Wednesday,  the  22nd  instant,  at  twelve  o'clock  in  the  morning,  to  pay  their  subscriptions, 
and  the  amount  of  their  respective  collections,  &c. 

The  Rev.  John  Philip,  D.D.  from  South  Africa,  is  engaged  to  take  the  chair,  and  deliver 
an  address  on  tlie  occasion. 

The  Officers  and  Committees  of  the  other  Auxiliary  Missionary  Societies  in  London  and 
its  vicinity  are  respectfully  requested  to  pay  in  their  amounts  at  the  Mission  House  on  or 
before  Friday,  the  31st  of  March,  the  day  appointed  for  closing  the  accounts.  The  lists 
of  contributions  should  be  forwarded  to  the  Mission  House  on  or  before  that  day,  in  order 
that  they  may  be  inserted  in  the  Society's  Annual  Heportfor  1837. 


TO  AUXILIARY  SOCIETIES  IN  THE  COUNTRY. 

The  Officers  of  the  Auxiliary  Societies  throughout  the  country  are  respectfully  requested 
to  transmit  their  contributions,  so  as  to  be  received  at  the  Mission  House  on  or  before 
Friday,  the  31st  day  of  March,  together  with  correct  lists  of  subscribers  of  ten  shillings 
and  ii\)waYds,  alphabetically  arranged,  for  insertion  in  the  Annual  Report ;  also  distinct  state- 
ments of  the  sums  collected  from  Congregations,  from  Branch  Associations,  and  by  Depu- 
tations sent  from  London. 

They  are  also  requested  to  mention  the  number  of  Reports  and  Abstracts,  respectively, 
that  will  be  required  for  Subscribers,  and  hov.'  many  of  the  latter,  at  seven  shillings  per 
hundred,  will  he  wanted  for  circulation,  to  be  stitched  up  with  their  own  Local  Society's 
Lists  of  Subscribers  and  Officers.  The  Abstracts  are  printed  in  an  octavo  form  for  that 
purpose,  and  the  Directors  recommend  to  the  Auxiharies  the  purchase  and  circulation  of 
tbem  on  the  principle  of  economy. 


FOR  MARCH,  1837. 


163 


LETTERS  RECEIVED  F 

ULTRA  GANGES,  1836.  —  Malacca,  Rev.  S. 
Dyer,  July  21.  Pinang,  Rev.  T.  Beighton,  and 
Rev.  E.  Davies,  (jointly,)  Aug.  2.3;  Rev.  T.  Beigh- 
ton, June  1.  Batavia,  Mr.  W.  Young,  jun.,  Aug. 
19,  and  Aug.  25. 

EAST  IXniES,  1836.  — Calcutta,  Chairman  and 
Secretary  to  Calcutta  District  Committee,  Sept.  20. 
Chinsurah,  Rev.  G.  Mundy,  Aug.  27.  Surat,  Rev. 
A.  Fyvie,  Aug.  18.  Madras,  Rev.  J.  Smith,  Sept. 
13,  Aug.  3,  Aug.  27-Sept.  10,  Aug.  31,  (papers,) 
Oct.  13,  (two  letters)— Secretary's  Correspondence 
to  Sept.  30.  Vizagapatam,  Rev.  J.  "W.  Gordon, 
Aug.  3,  Aug.  27,  (enclosing  Schedule,)  and  Sept.  15. 
Cuddapah,  Rev.  W.  Howell,  Sept.  6,  and  Oct.  8, 
(two  letters.)  Eellary,  Rev.  John  Reid,  Sept  1, 
(two  parcels  of  papers.)  Salem,  Rev.  George  Wal- 
ton, Aug.  23,  (two  parcels,)  Aug.  24.  Nagercoil, 
Mrs.  Mault,  Sept.  7,  (circular.)  ftiiilon,  Vice- 
Chairman  and  Secretary  of  Travancore  District 
Committee,  Sept.  28.  Coimhatoor,  Rev.  W.  B. 
Addis,  Aug.  15,  (with  enclosure,)  Oct.  3,  (Report 
and  Schedule.)  Palamcottah,  Rev.  M»ssrs.  Rhe- 
nlus.  and  others,  July  13,  (Report.) 

RUSSIAN  EMPIRE,  1836  and  1837.— Khodon, 
Rev.  E.  Stallybrass,  Nov.  22,  (two  letters. )  St. 
Petersburgh,  Rev.  John  Hands,  Jan.  16,  (with  en- 
closure.) 


)M  MISSIONARIES,  &c. 

SOUTH  AFRICA,  1836. —  Cape  Town,  Mrs. 
Philip,  Dec.  2.  Pacaltsdorp,  Rev.  W.  Anderson, 
Nov.  23,  (dated  from  Cape  Town.)  Port  Elizabeth, 
Rev.  A.  Robson,  (Schedule,  not  dated.)  Graham's 
Town,  Rev.  J.  Monro,  Nov.  1.    Theopolis,  Rev. 

C.  Sass,  Nov.  17.  Griqua  Town,  Rev.  P.  Wright 
Sept.  10;  Rev.  P.  Wright,  and  Rev.  J.  Hughes, 
(jointly,)  Oct.  (day  not  mentioned.)  Phillipolis, 
Rev.  T.  Atkinson,  Nov.  14.  Lattakoo,  Rev.  R. 
Moffat  and  brethren,  (Schedule  for  1835-6.)  « 

AFRICAN  ISLANDS,  1836.— Mauritius,  Rer,  D. 
Johns,  Sept.  29 ;  Mr.  E.  Baker,  Oct.  22. 

WEST   INDIES,    1836.  —  Demerara   Rev.  C. 

D.  Watt,  Nov.  18  ;  Rev.  C.  Rattray,  Nov.  9  ;  Rev. 
J.  Scott,  Nov.  18,  Dec.  21  ;  Rev.  R.  B.  Taylor,  Nov. 
14,  Dec.  10;  Secretary  to  Demerara  District  Com- 
mittee, Nov.  14,  and  Dec.  12.  Chairman  and  Secre- 
tary to  D.  D.  C,  Nov.  14,  and  Dec.  10.  Berbice, 
Rev.  John  Wray,  Nov.  24,  (with  enclosure,)  Nov. 
25,  Dec.  6.  Rev.  D.  Kenyon,  Nov.  20,  and  Nov. 
28 ;  Rev.  G.  Forward.  Nov  22,  and  Dec.  2,  (en- 
closing documents.)  Jamaica,  Rev.  John  Vine, 
Oct.  25,  and  Dec.  14  ;  Rev.  John  Wooldridge,  Nov. 
3,  Nov.  5,  Dec.  15,  and  Dec.  31  ;  Rev.  W.  Alloway, 
Oct.  25,  and  Dec.  20 ;  Rev.  W  Slatyer,  Dec.  14; 
Rev.  W.  G.  Barrett,  Dec.  15  ;  Mr.  Russell,  Dec. 
12  ;  Barbadoes,  Rev.  James  Howe,  Dec.  12. 


MISSIONARY  CONTRIBUTIONS, 

From  the  \st  to  the  ^\st  January ^  1837,  inclusive. 


£   s.  d. 


For  the  Georgian  Isles, 

per  the  "  Record"   0 

A  Friend  to  the  L.  M.  S.  5 

A  Thank  Offering   10 

Ditto,  Widojvs'  and  Or- 
phans' F  und   2 

Masters,  H.  W.  Esq   10 

Slack,  G.  Esq.  Esq   10 

A  Friend,  per  Rev.  W. 

Ellis   5 

Marl'iorough  Chapel  Sun- 
day-school Association,  2 
Bedfordshire. 
Cotton  End 

Rev.  J.  Frost  

Berkshire. 

Reading:— 
Fur    Native  Teacher 

Douglas    10 

Buckinghamshire. 
Wingrave  and  Aston  Ab- 
botts .— 

Rev.  T.  Aston  

Newport  Pagnell,  per 
Rev.  T.  P.  Bull, /or  the 
Native  '/'eacAer  William 

Bull  

Cambridgeshire. 
Auxiliary  Society,  per  R. 
Haylock,  Esq. : — 

Bassingbourn   76 

Cambridge,  including 
21/.  for  Chinese  Mis- 
sion and  Schools  142 

Duxford    17 

Foul  mire   18 

Linton    .50 

Chlshill   16 

Melbourne   60 

Royston  Old  Meeting  16 
  New  Meeting  23 


10  0 

0  0 

0  0 

0  0 

10  0 

0  0 

5    0  0 

2  10  0 

10    0  0 


10    0  0 


10    0  0 


4  0 


0  8 
14  11 


Lessexps.,  27/.  2s  393  16  0 


^  s. 

Corntvall. 
Auxiliary  Society,  per  J. 
Baynard,  Esq. : — 
Falmouth,  general  pur- 
poses  107  1 

For  Native  Schools          8  18 

For    Orphan  School, 

Nagercoil   5  10 

For  West  India  Schools    3  4 

Launceston   48  3 

Liskeard    5  16 

Penryn,  II.  for  Native 

Teacher   32  7 

Portscatha   3  2 

St.  Columb   9  18  10 

St.  Ives   4   5  6 

Penzance   68  11 

Truro   63  2 

Bodmin   19  11 

Looe    3  10 

Fowey   2  13 

St.  Agnes   6  2 

Wadebridge   1  3 

Grampound   8  7 

Mevagissey   3  18 


Lancashire. 

£  s. 

East  Auxiliary  Society, 
per  J. H. Heron,  Esq. : — 

Wharton  Chapel   2  14  0 

Bolton  :— 

Mawdsley-street   82    3  7 

Duke's-alley   94  14  10 

Manchester : — 
W^elsh  Calv.  Meth.  Juv. 

Society    45    0  0 

ForWfst  India  Schools  25  10  0 
Grcsvenor-street,  in- 
cluding  lOl.  for  Na- 
tive Teacher  490 

Moslej'-street,  includ- 
chtding  m.  for  W 
dows  and  Orphans  . 


Less  exps.,  13/.  10«.,..*391  18  2 


*  64/.  1 35.  of  this  sum  acknowledged 
in  previous  Magazines. 
Derbyshire. 
Chesterfield  :— 

Rev.  W.  Blandy   20 

Essex. 

An  Essex  Lady,  for  Fe- 
male Education   19 

Hampshire. 

Fordingbridge   12 

Gosport : — 
Legacy  of  late  Miss  We- 

therley    10 

Dividend  onMrs. Yoke's 
Legacy  (see  August, 
1836)   7 


0  0 


0  0 


0  0 


0  0 


9  6 


.670  11 


RusholmeRoad  125  0 

New  Windsor  Chapel...  33  1 

Jackson's-lane              43  4 

Chapel-st.,  Salford  284  5 

Ann.  Kerm.  Mosley-st.  79  4 
Public  Meeting,  col.  in 

boxes                        99  8 

Donations  at  Public 
Meeting  and  Break- 
fast, including  261. 
14s.  for  Female  Edu- 
cation  1142  11 

Patricroft                     26  19 

Stayley  Bridge                6  10 

Stand                          48  17 

Leigh                           4  12 

Bamford                      72  7 

Halshaw  Moor   112  0 

 for  Nat.  Tea.  la  0 

Charlestown,  for  West 

India  Schools                6  12 


Less  exps.  68/  2s.  4d.  •3442  15 


•  2220/.  3s.  Ud.  of  this  sum  pre- 
viously acknowledged. 


164 


Lancaster  :— 

For  Native  Teacher  R. 
Bousfield   


MISSIONARY  MAGAZINE. 


Leicestershire. 
Lutterworth  Juv.  Soc.  on 
account   10 

Northamptonshire. 
Kettering  : — 
For  Native  Teacher,  T. 
N.  Toller    10 


0  0 


No  tti  ngh  a  msh  ire. 
Nottingham : — 

Coll.  for  South  Africa  71  13  5 
Carlton  :— 

R.  Ramsden,  Esq.  for 
School  in  India   10    0  C 

Somersetshire. 
Auxiliary  Society,  per  J, 
Spencer,  Esq. : — 

Barton  St.  David    9  10  J 

Bishop's  Hull   2  .'5  ( 

Bridgewater   10  7  ( 

Broadway   3  0  ( 

Bruton    11  12  ( 

Castle  Cary    3  C  l 

Fulwood    .S8  13 

Glastonbury   8  16  1 

Ilminster   9  0 

Lambrook   1    1  i 

Milverton   2  1 

Norton  Fitzwarren   1  1 

Shepton  Mallett    4  8 

Somerton   3  1 7 

Wells   11  11  1 

Wincanton    11    .5  1 

Wiveliscombe   7   4  1 


Ebenezer  Chapel,  ge- 
neral purposes  451    4  0 

For  Native  Teachers, 
G.  Glover,  T.  East, 
J.  Hardy,  J.  Dickiu- 
son,  J.  Brewer,  II. 
Phillips.and  J.A.Salt  70  0  0 
For  Schools  ill.  India  ...  26  0  0 
For  South. 4frica  .......  20    1  0 

King-street  Chapel         S3  12  10 

Livery-street  ditto          22  10  10 


£  s.  (I. 

Crosby  Garrett    3   9  8 

Ravenstondale    0  10  0 


Col.  at  Pub.  Meeting  ...1.38 
Proceeds  of  Tickets  ....  33 


J.  Sturge,  Esq  

Rev.  T.  Morgan   

For  an  Institution  at 
Cape  Town  for  train- 
ing Native  Teachers  2! 


Less  exps.,  61. 


...119  0 


1  7 


1785  12  11 


5  6 
20  10 
13  15 

9  2 


36  15 
51  7 


Less  exps.  il.  135.  2d  *134  10  6 


10    0  0 


0  0 


*  100/.  acknowledged  in  January 
Bath  :— 
For  the  Native  Teacher, 

W.  Jay  

Bristol  :— 
Legacy  of  the  late  Mr. 
Owen,  less  duty  ....  45 
Surrey. 

Clapham : — 
Sac.  Coll.  for  Widows' 
and  Orphan's  Fund  10 
Warwickshire. 
Warwickshire  and  South 
StaflTordshire  Auxiliary, 
per  T.  Lowe,  Esq. : — 
Birmingham : — 
Carr's-lane  general 

purposes  565 

For  Native  Teachers  R. 
Hill,  J.  Giil,  J.  A. 
James,  J.  Heath,  G. 
Wilde,  and  J.  Gausby  60 
For  Chapels  in  Travan- 

core    20 

For  Widows'  and  Or- 
phans' Fund   1 


Erdington  

Stratford-on-Avon  

Warwick   

Tamworth   

Coventry : — 
West  Orchard  street . 

Vicar-lane   

Atherstone    16  15 

Bed  worth   12  1 

Stretton-under-Fosse          1  1 

Armitage   31  10 

Bilston    27  10 

Brewood    23  4 

Burton  and  Branston  ....  18  15 
Cannock,  including  10/. 
for  a  Native  Teacher, 

G.  S.  Mansfield    13  16 

Handsworth,  including 
20;.  for  J.  Hammond, 
M.  H.  Hammond,  and 

J.  Austin   57  4 

Gornall   30  1 

Tutbiiry  ...   16  13 

Litchfield   33  1 

Walsall   68  11  10 

Wednesbury   :>  0 

Wolverhampton   95  13  11 

West  Bromwicli : — 

Rev.  J.  Hudson    70 

Rev.  J.  C.  Galloway, 
including  10/.  for  G. 

Whitehouse   82 

Uttoxeter   35 


Wiltshire. 
Bulford  :— 

Rev.  W.  Williams         110  0 

Salisbury: — 

Rev.  S.  Sleigh   16  0 

Mrs.  E.  Elliott  (D.)  ....  10  0 
Wilton  :— 

Rev.  J.  E.  Trevor    7 

Yorkshire. 

Batley  :— 
Legacy   of   late  Mr. 
J.  Burnley,  less  duty  45  0 
Bradford  :— 

General  purposes    83  12 

For  Native  Teacher,  T. 

R.  Taylor   10 

Huddersfield : — 
Highfield  Chapel,  for 
Widows'  andOrphans 
Fund   5 


0 
0 

0  10 


0  0 


WALES. 

Anglesea: — 
Calv.  Meths.  in  addi- 
tion-to  147/.  19s.  4rf. 
acknowledged  last 

month    50  15 

Wrexham  Auxiliary  :— 

Chester-street   59  7 

Pen  y  bryn   43  0 

Missionary  Breakfast...    3  4 

Coll.  Town  Hall   12  10 

Do.  Calv,  Meth.  Chap.    5  10 


2  3 


Less  exps.  42/.  17s  *2517  19  0 


♦  2300/.  of  this  sum  previously 
acknowledged. 

Birmingham : — B   1  1 

Westmoreland, 
Per  Rev.  D.  Jones. 
Kendal . — 

General  purposes   81  12  4 

For  Native  Schools   8    4  0 

For  Female  Education  20  0 
Kirkby  Stephen   11  17  11 


Less  exps.,  2/.  16s  125  16  4 

Milford   16  10  0 

Pembroke   20  12  6 

Wrexham : — 
Legacy  of  late  Mr.  R. 

Brown    19  19  0 

SCOTLAND. 

Aberdeen : — 
Col.  W.  Farquhar,  for 
the  Anglo-Chinese 

College  ..."   5    5  0 

Kennethmont  Juv.  Soc.    4    0  0 
Edinburgh  :— 
Messrs.  Somerville  and 

Son   10  0 

Ditto, /or  Nat.  Teacher  10  0 
Per  I\lr.  J.  Risk  — 
Hamilton  Indept.  Ch.apel  10  0 
Greenock  Relief  Society   5  0 
AFriend,  per  A.W.,Esq.  21  0 


Paisley : — 
Second  Relief  Ch          25    0  0 

IRELAKD. 

Holywood  Sabbath  School 
Teachers,  for  a  School 
in  India   10    0  0 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 


The  thanks  of  the  Directors  are  respectfully  pre- 
sented to  the  following :— To  Mr.  C.  Pitman,  for  a 
parcel  of  buttons,  &c.,  for  the  South  Seas  ;  to 
friends  at  Hanover  Chapel,  Peckham,  for  a  case 
of  garments,  prints,  books,  and  other  useful  ar- 
ticles, for  South  Africa;  to  "  C.  E.  S.,"  Hampshire, 
for  a  box  of  useful  articles  for  the  schools  at 
Pinang;  to  Mr.  George  King,  Aberdeen,  for 
a  parcel  of  knives,  for  the  South  Sea  islands ; 
to  Mr.   James    M'Gillavray,   Alford,   for  ten 


copies  of  "  Memoir  of  W.  Brown,"  and  some 
tracts  ;  to  Sarah  Stanton,  Leverington,  for  a  parcel 
of  -wearing  apparel,  for  the  South  Seas  ;  to  "  A 
constant  subscriber  to  the  Evangelical  Magazine," 
for  a  box  of  useful  articles  for  Mrs.  Dyer,  Pinang; 
to  a  "sincere  friend  to  virtue  and  religion;"  to  G. 
Slack,  Esq. ;  to  Mr.  Lefever ;  to  a  servant  girl  ;  and 
to  "  B."  for  volumes  and  numbers  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Magazine,  pamphlets,  newspapers,  &c. 


William  Tyler,  Printer,  Bolt-coiut,  Fleet-street, 


FSht  iiqe  in  Library  only 


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