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TRANSACTIONS 
 
 / 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Lovvdevi 
 
 MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 A 
 
 INDIA. 
 
 BENGAL. 
 
 Mr. May’s Report of the Native Schools at Chinsurah, Sfc. 
 during the Quarter ending 31sf December, 1816. 
 
 Since the close of the last quarter two new schools have been 
 established ; one under the patronage of the Rajah at Burdwan, 
 and the other under the patronage of Bissumbhor Haldaur, a rich 
 native, resident at Chinsurah. The Rajah’s school is situated at 
 Khornam, about fourteen miles on the way from Chiusurah to 
 Burdwan. It was opened on the 9th of October, and is now in a 
 very flourishing state, having 188 on the list, of which number 100 
 generally attend. On my first visit in October, I had the pleasure 
 to see 136 present; and on my last visit at the beginning of this 
 month, I saw 114 present. There is another school opened by 
 some persons in the village, who objected to their children’s writing 
 the board lessons, and wishing their children to be instructed in 
 arithmetic only, have sent their children to this school, and em- 
 ployed a man to teach them. I saw the school as I passed; there 
 were ten or twelve children, and the teacher sitting in the midst of 
 them, smoking his hookah. This school being very far inland, it is not 
 possible to visit it so often as could be wished. The other school 
 is at Nowparah, a village containing many inhabitants, who are 
 very poor; and they report, that more than 100 children will attend 
 as soon as the harvest is over, as nearly all the children are employed 
 by their parents to assist them in this work. There are only thirty- 
 six names on the list, and about thirty have attended during the 
 latter part of the month of December. Bissumbhor Haldaur Baboo 
 has consented to bear the expence of a school in this village, which 
 belongs to him. The school was opened on the 10th of December. 
 
 The school at Mullicker Baug has been broken up by the 
 Zemindar of the village. He took the teacher to his house, and 
 
394 Mr. May’s Report of the 
 
 beat him it is said, and forbad him to teach the school in his village, 
 saying, that there was one already. This has been done at the insti* 
 gation of the old teacher, who constantly came and abused us when- 
 ever we visited the school ; and when we were not there he would 
 come and abuse the teacher, and beat the children. On one occa- 
 sion he came and abused me, and lifted up his hand to strike me, 
 but I told him to take care not to do this ; and asked him, if he, 
 being an aged Brahman, were not ashamed of his conduct before all 
 the children and people present. The villagers seeing him so angry, 
 and ready to strike me, drew him away. When the school was 
 broken up, the parents and children came and made a complaint 
 against the man who had put a stop to the school, saying, “ That 
 those children who had never learned to read and write before, were 
 now learning in our school ; and that unless the school was re- 
 opened, they would lose all that they had gained.” It was therefore 
 removed to the next village, called Doibokpara, and will be found 
 in the General Statement by that name. Seventy boys generally 
 attend, and eighty five names are on the list; some of the villagers 
 also are favourable to the plan. 
 
 The general attendance of the central school has varied but 
 little during the last three months, and will be found to be double 
 what it was last year during the same period, when the school was 
 in the Fort. The teacher has resigned his office, because his salary 
 was not so high as some, of the village teachers. The reason of this 
 was explained to him ; that the attendance at some of the village 
 schools has always been greater than that of the central school, and 
 that he always received more than the other teachers in proportion 
 to the attendance. He has also received a larger reward. This 
 did not give him satisfaction. I have therefore appointed another 
 teacher, and retained him as a writer and examiner of the schools. 
 Forty-two boys have been admitted, and sixty-two have left the 
 school during the last three months. 
 
 In the school for teachers there are now thirteen boys. One of 
 the head boys of Beebeehaut school has requested to be added to 
 the number. There will then be fourteen. This is a greater num- 
 ber than at any former period. Many others have applied; but as 
 I objected to teach them English, they would not remain. It would 
 be very desirable if all these boys could be selected from among the 
 head boys of the village schools, could they be prevailed on to leave 
 their native villages. This it is hoped will ultimately be the case, 
 as soon as some of the youths trained up in this school have taken 
 the charge of schools on themselves. 
 
 Another boy has been added to the number of those who are 
 learning to paint the board lessons. This is an employment that 
 is beneficial to themselves and useful to others : while they are 
 gaining knowledge from the lessons which they paint, they will in a 
 short time be able to support themselves. It is much to be re- 
 gretted, that a greater number of these cannot at present be obtained, 
 as the quantity of lessons required is very great. Both the perma- 
 nent and circulating ' 
 
Native Schools at Chiu surah. 
 
 395 
 
 January 6th, there was a quarterly meeting of the teachers and 
 head boys. There were present, thirty-one teachers, including the 
 extra teacher, and 180 head boys. The teachers were rewarded 
 according to their diligence and good behaviour ; and the head boys 
 received each six annas for the last three months. Five of the 
 teachers were fined eight annas each, for giving in a false report of 
 the daily attendance of the children. I saw two of the teachers 
 alter their register of attendance ; and a third had in the morning 
 put down the attendance of the children in the afternoon. When- 
 ever I suspect the truth of the statement, and, on comparing it 
 with my own, find it false, I always state the attendance lower 
 than the general number. 
 
 Five petitions were presented to me for new' schools, to which 
 I was obliged to give a general answer, saying that at present I 
 could not open any new schools, as the cold season has not yet 
 expired, and this being the time when the attendance is small, and 
 the children coming at a later hour than usual, I thought it best to 
 defer opening any more till February or March, when the weather 
 is warmer, and the children come much earlier. Scarcely a month 
 passes but I receive three or four of these petitions ; sometimes a 
 teacher will bring with him a number of boys, to move my com- 
 passion and insure his own success ; sometimes two or three of the 
 villagers will come with the teacher, and plead for themselves and 
 for him ; at other times I have been met on the way, when visiting 
 the schools, and requested to open a school in their village. Not 
 long since, three or four persons came three days’ journey, to re- 
 quest that I would establish a school near Cutiva ; I told them the 
 distance was so great that I could not superintend them, but I 
 directed them to apply to the Missionaries of Serampore, two of 
 whom were then with me, and they made their application directly. 
 
 A number of head boys have left the schools during the last 
 three months ; some are gone to be employed by their friends, and 
 others to learn Persian. This is what we must expect, as they are 
 the best boys in the school. Others have been appointed in their 
 stead, but this must necessarily retard the progress of the children, 
 as they have the business of monitors to learn before they can act 
 as such ; so that w hile the monitors are thus succeeding each other, 
 we must expect that some will not be so expert as those who have 
 preceded them. 
 
 The schools have been visited by me and my assistants as often, 
 as possible. It must be however observed, that our visits have not 
 been so frequent as they were during the preceding quarter. The 
 numerous holidays that have occurred, the loss of my convenient 
 little boat on the 20th of November, and the severe indisposition of 
 one of my assistants, who was taken ill in the latter part of that 
 month — these are the causes that have interrupted the frequency of 
 our visits this quarter. The los^of my bouleah has been much felt, 
 as it was very useful to me in visiting the schools. It prevented 
 a deal of trouble and imposition, arising from being obliged to hire 
 a common pansw'ay at a greater expence ; and I found it necessary 
 
3y0 Extract of a Letter from Mr. May, 
 
 frequently to have two boats, as myself and one of my assistants 
 had sometimes occasion to be out both in one day. A boat is a 
 very necessary appendage, as nearly all the schools are oo the river 
 side, and we are obliged to sleep one night, and sometimes two, in 
 the boat. 
 
 From the general statement it appears that not more than 1886 
 lessons have been committed to memory during the last three 
 months. This has arisen partly from the want of new lessons to 
 give them, and partly from the late attendance of the children 
 during the months of November, December, and January; the 
 cold is so great that they seldom assemble much before eight 
 o’clock. It is, however, pleasing to observe their attention to these 
 lessons. Lately, at one of the schools, a particular lesson was en- 
 quired for by die boys ; they were asked l ow they knew there was 
 such a lesson ; they replied, “ that having been to the house of a 
 friend in the next village, the boys ot the family repeated this 
 lesson, and asked them li they knew it.” The central school still 
 retains the first place for committing lessons to memory. 
 
 The teachers report 148 absent last month on account of sick- 
 ness. The number of those who have been removed by death is 
 only ten ; last year the number amounted to 78. There have 
 been 312 admitted, and 3 15 have left the schools during the last 
 three months. There are still seven girls who continue to learn in 
 some of these schools ; they are not mentioned in the general 
 statement. 
 
 The general attendance of last month in 28 schools is 1895. 
 There has been no addition made to the number of schools, so that 
 a small part of the increase of expenditure has been incurred, not 
 for the increased number of attendance, but for other objects. 
 Only one visiting assistant was employed in December ; another is 
 required, and will be employed, as soon as a person with suitable 
 qualifications can be found ; and if the attendance of the children 
 continue to increase to the end of June, as they did last year, the 
 whole of the sum will be required. 
 
 Extracts of a Letter from Mr. May, Missionary at Chin surah, 
 dated 1 6th May, 1817. 
 
 Captain Weatheuhead paid us a short visit yesterday, and 
 said he should be happy to be the bearer of any communications to 
 the Society. The schools under my charge are going on quite as 
 well as touid be expected. Some improvements in the plan have 
 taken place, and moip are in contemplation. The schools are now 
 27 i„ number; and the attendance at these schools 1,600, and the 
 munbe r 0,1 'he boi.ks 2.000; a' increase may be expected in the 
 <ensuin« mcnth. The Brethren Pearson and Harle paid a visit to 
 gom^iijj*ge^^h^^veiTasMmF^^nTav^en^R^^^^^^r 
 
Missionary at Chinsurah. 397 
 
 visit to the Commissioner; and Brother P. has enclosed a copy of 
 the Report in this packet, with some additional particulars. 
 
 On the 6th of May, a society was formed in Calcutta, for the 
 publication of elementary books for the use of the native schools. 
 This was highly necessary, and will be a useful and valuable 
 society. 
 
 By Captain Weatherhead I have sent specimens of my painted 
 boards. One of the small boards contains the alphabet and vowels 
 in the written character, and a collection of contractions at the top 
 in the printed character; in the middle and at the bottom of the 
 contractions, are the marks used in the native accounts, from a 
 quarter of a pice to one rupee. The other small board contains an 
 arrangement of words in columns, painted from a card printed at 
 Serampore. The two large boards contain the Pholas and the 
 Banaan, which is painted in the written character on the largest 
 board. 
 
 I am at present rather in better health than I have been for 
 some time past. I shall continue to preach twice on the Sabbath 
 in the settlement church. The Dutch inhabitants expect the place 
 will be given up by the English within two months. How far this 
 change may affect us we know not. We have a Missionary prayer- 
 meeting once a month, and a weekly prayer- meeting in our hall 
 every Friday; when the Brethren Pearson and Harle take their 
 turns in prayer, and giving a short address. We have also a prayer- 
 meeting on the last Monday in the month, to implore the special 
 blessing of God on the success of our efforts among the children in 
 the schools. This was ouly commenced last month, and is confined 
 to ourselves alone. Our Sunday school is attended by a few chil- 
 dren, generally from 18 to 20. 
 
 With regard to schools in general, I think they are likely to 
 increase ; and we shall want more help from England as soon as 
 possible. I should be glad to have another person associated with 
 Brother Pearson and myself at Chinsurah. Within these last three 
 years, I believe, nearly 100 schools have been established, and I 
 hope they will soon encrease to ten times that number. The 
 School-book Society, and the pamphlet on the subject of schools, 
 published by the Baptist brethren at Serampore, are likely to rouse 
 the public attention to this subject. The government has very 
 generously given me 200 rupees, as a compensation for the loss of 
 my boat, in v\hich I was accustomed to visit the schools. It cost 
 me about 250 rupees, including repairs. I have lately purchased 
 another, which cost 400 rupees. 
 
 A letter was received on the 1st Instant, from Brother Lee, at 
 Ganjam, that the state of his health was such as to oblige him to 
 make a voyage to England; but a trip to the Cape has, 1 find, been 
 recommended to him by the brethren at Madras and Vizigapatam. 
 He speaks of coming round to this quarter, for the purpose of 
 taking a passage in some ship about the month of August next. I 
 have offered him accommodation in our house, and invited him to 
 
( 398 ) 
 
 Mr. P earson’s Report , mentioned in the preceding Letter of 
 
 Mr. May. 
 
 In order to ascertain, in part, what prospects there might be of 
 opening schools higher up the river, on Tuesday, May 20, Mr. Harle 
 and myself left Chmsurah for Bankipore, about 16 miles distant, 
 opposite which we arrived the same evening. As we passed up 
 the river, we here and there observed the Hindoos burning their 
 dead. One party informed us that they had come one and a half days’ 
 journey to the banks of the Ganges. Whilst our milk was preparing 
 for supper we walked ou shore; the scenery was solemn and beau- 
 tiful. It was a fine moonlight evening; Indian huts presented 
 themselves, shaded and surrounded by lofty trees, the cocoa-nut, 
 &c. whose tops were illumined by fire Hies, the light of which is 
 larger than that of the English glow-worm. We had not long laid 
 down in our boat before our ears were assailed by the barking of 
 dogs and the hideous screams of the jackal, nor w ould they cease 
 their contention. Some of the natives, I suppose, unable to afford 
 wood, had left one of (heir dead on the beach, and in the morning 
 the bones only remained. — Horrid and disgusting sight ! The 
 vultures assembled to share their prey, and the natives seemed no 
 way concerned. Before the sun was up we walked to Shoombra, 
 distant about half a mile, and presently, on our entering the village, 
 the brahman’s people and children were collected, to whom we 
 made known our objects. They received us kindly, said it was good 
 news, and appeared to be well pleased at the mention of a school, 
 assuring us that 100 or 150 boys would attend. On our return 
 several brahmans, from Bankipore, to whom our arrival had been 
 made known, came to meet us, attended by above 40 boys from 
 that and a neighbouring village, anxious that a school might be 
 established there also. After breakfast, accompanied by this 
 party, we proceeded to Nataghoree, about a mile N. W. Some of 
 the heads of the village being acquainted w ith our coming, were 
 waiting to conduct us. Here they have a school of 30 or 40 boys 
 (we saw about 20), the sons of those who can afford to pay ; many 
 that are poor cannot; consequently their children are left destitute 
 of instruction. There are two other small villages adjoining this, 
 from which, together, we were told 200 boys might be had. The 
 huts being scattered wide, we conceive it improbable that an at- 
 tendance exceeding 60 or 70 would be obtained. Shortly after our 
 return to the boat, Tarrovvreedy, Mustapha, Jemadar (Lord of the 
 Manor) at Shoombra, sent his best compliments, saying that he 
 should be glad if we could call at his house. He received us with 
 mu h politeness, stating his object in sending, viz. to acquaint us 
 that he should be happy to render his countenance and assistance 
 in establishing schools; said there was no doubt of i 00 boys in 
 this village, the people being poor and unable to support a teacher. 
 He offered, moreover, his poojah house (where worship is held), 
 which is suitable for the purpose, and w ould not be otherwise wanted 
 more than three times in the year: if not found sufficiently large here- 
 
Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Henry Townley. 399 
 
 after, he would give what groundmight be required for building. On 
 our way down the river, in the evening, we called at Chandaree, to 
 the south of Shoombra. The head brahmans, with others, came 
 and entreated on behalf of the poor boys in the village, and ex- 
 pressed much joy on learning that schools might probably be estab- 
 lished in that neighbourhood. They say, if we admit all of the 
 poorer class, 150 may be had. Ground, free of rent, for a school, and 
 nearly as many bamboos, now in a temporary house, as will suffice 
 to build one, with any other assistance they can give, were freely 
 offered. — The above villages are at a convenient distance from 
 each other, none exceeding a mile, and at live of them, schools 
 may be formed with every prospect of success. 
 
 Extracts of Letters from the Rev. Henry Townley, dated 
 Calcutta, 0,4th May, 1817. 
 
 W e are all, by the blessing of God, in good health and spirits up 
 to the present time; not idlers, we trust, in the vineyard, yet doing 
 very little indeed, compared with what there is to be done. God 
 is giving us favour in the sight of the British ; and we are gradually 
 coming into contact with the natives. We labour hard at the lan- 
 guage; and trust we shall obtain the desire of our hearts, and at 
 length be able to preach in Bengal the glorious Gospel of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 An afflictive and most distressing letter has been received from 
 Brother Milne, dated Malacca, lyih April, 1817, saying, that 
 Mrs. Milne w r as dangerously ill, and that his uyvn healili required 
 change of air, whether she recovered or not ; and urging Brother 
 Keith or myself to go there without delay, unless a fellow-labourer 
 was heard of. Brother Medhurst being at Madras, on his way to 
 Malacca*, seems very providential. Lord, send out labourers! 
 it is glorious to die in thy service. Lord, teach us all to work 
 whilst we have health and strength. 
 
 There are some accounts recently received ftom Delhi, of rather 
 a surprising and animating nature. About 500 people are reported 
 to have spontaneously assembled together, to form an agreement to 
 renounce heathenism and embrace the Bible ; and not as the effect 
 ot preaching, but of the distribution of the Scnptures there some 
 years ago. The report is fuliy credited, although the precise parti- 
 culars are not ascertained. 
 
 MADRAS. 
 
 Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Samuel Render, Missionary at 
 Royapettah, near Madras, dated 2d January, 1817. 
 
 I removed to this village on the 27th of last November. It is 
 about four miles distant from Madras, and the same from Vepery. 
 
 * Mr. Medhurst embarked for Malacca, on the 20th May, 1817, on 
 board the Fair Trial, who was to sail die same evening. Mr. M. was 
 married on the preceding day to Mrs Eliza Braune, widow of the late 
 
400 
 
 Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Samuel Lender, 
 
 Tripplecane and St. Thome are villages situated at the distance 
 of about three miles, on each side Royapettah. In the three 
 places it is supposed there are not less than 40,000 inhabitants, 
 consisting of Maiabars, Gentoos, and Moors, besides a number of 
 Europeans. Being anxious to commence my work as a Missionary, 
 I immediately prepared my house, yard, and garden, for schools, 
 and preaching to the Europeans. On the evening of the 8th of 
 December, I preached for the first time in my yard, which, with 
 the veranda, will hold upwards of 100 persons. About 70 persons 
 attended, chiefly Roman Catholics. The greatest attention wa9 
 paid during the whole of the service. About a year and a half ago, 
 a Scotch gentleman in this neighbourhood, of the name of Dark- 
 ness, who keeps a boarding school, opened a free school here for 
 the natives. At first many attended, but not being able himself pro- 
 perly to superintend it, the number of scholars were reduced from 
 50 to about 15. I was invited by this gentleman to come to this 
 place. Six or seven of his boarders come to my house to practise 
 singing, and they form part of my congregation on Sabbath even- 
 ings. I lend them religious publications, which they read in their 
 leisure time with great pleasure. The number of children increases 
 daily in the schools, of which I have three ; one for those who wish 
 to learn English, one for Tamul, and one for the Telinga language. 
 I hope it will be possible to support these schools in part by sub- 
 scription. I have already furnished a pulpit, chairs, benches, lamps, 
 &c. for the public worship out of my own little purse; but with 
 respect to the schools, I shall need assistance, particularly if I open 
 one at St. Thome or Tripplecane, which contain about 2000 families 
 needing instruction, and which, if God should be pleased to pre- 
 serve my health, I think I might be able to superintend. Thus 
 upon a moderate computation from 4 to 500 children and young 
 men might be instructed. They are anxious to learn English, which 
 appears to be of much more importance than their own language : 
 for they have in it few books worth reading, particularly the Gentoos, 
 who have nothing but their foolish heathen stories, which are cal- 
 culated to do much harm. The small portion ot the Bible which 
 is already translated is extremely scarce, and every useful publication 
 in the Telinga is very dear. No dictionary with an English trans- 
 lation has yet appeared, and the greatest collection of translated 
 words in this language which I have seen does not amount to 3000. 
 
 Mr. Campbell, a gentleman in the employ of the Company, has 
 lately printed a grammar in Telinga, intended for the College at 
 Madras and the Government servants. Another Telinga grammar 
 is in the press, which is offered to the public at 12 pagodas, or 
 4/. lO.s. sterling. As I do not proceed to Ganjam the Tamul will 
 be my principal study, in which language there are greater helps to 
 be obtained by the student than in the I eiinga. Having attended 
 a little to the Telinga, I purpose, as it will be useful, to go on with it 
 
401 
 
 Missionary at Royapeltah, near Madras. 
 
 and among the rest Ganjam. The report was not credited at first, 
 but every day brought fresh news to confirm the unwelcome intel- 
 ligence. Troops were immediately ordered off to put a stop to 
 these depredators, whose custom it is to come by surprise upou the 
 inhabitants in the night, plunder, murder, burn, and ruu away. This 
 they are able to do more effectually by being horsemen. Their horses 
 will carry their riders about 50 miles a day ; they are able therefore 
 to do much mischief,- and soon be 100 miles from the piace. I and 
 my dear wife have much cause for gratitude that w r e did uot proceed 
 to Ganjam. Had we gone as proposed, it is probable we should 
 have arrived there a day or two before it was visited by the Pin- 
 darees ; and, as their attack on that place was sudden and unex- 
 pected, might have suffered with many others who have been 
 murdered. 
 
 January 1 , 1817. — Two very large elephants passed us with 
 ammunition, &c. for the camp at Barthapoor, as well as a number 
 of infantry. 
 
 5. — 1 have now upwards of ninety children, boys and girls, in the 
 schools ; with a prospect of many more. Mrs. Render intends to 
 teach the girls to sew. I have printed a set of lessons for schools, 
 which are approved, and of which Brother Loveless has taken 15 
 copies for the use of his school. They are used also by three other 
 boarding schools. 
 
 6. — Being the first Monday in the month, and having given notice 
 of my intention the evening before, I began our Missionary prayer- 
 meeting. I gave a short address, and read part of the First Report 
 of the Missionary Society. About 50 persons attended with great 
 seriousness, and afterwards expressed their satisfaction. 
 
 12. — A gentleman and lady who have regularly come from 
 St. Thom6 to hear the word, very kindly offered me their hall to 
 preach in on the Sabbath mornings. I was thankful for another 
 door thus opened for the gospel, and gladly accepted the invitation. 
 They made it known through the village during the week, and we 
 should have had a numerous congregation had not the Roman 
 Catholic Priest, who acts at present as a Bishop, sent a notice to 
 the people “ that if any persons went to hear the Protestant Mis- 
 sionay preach, he would excommunicate them.” No baptism, no 
 sacrament, no Christian burial, were dreadful sounds in the ears of 
 the deluded people. He threatened me likewise ; but I considered 
 it my duty to go on where Providence seems to have opened a door, 
 which, l trust, no man shall be able to shut. Thirty persons 
 attended. My text was, “ Remember the Sabbath day to keep it 
 holy.” — Exod. xx. 8. My hearers were not all Protestants. Roman 
 Catholics here read their Bible, at least they have Bibles, which is 
 a blessing which their brethren in Europe have not, for the most 
 part, been permitted to enjoy. I find the people willing to reason, 
 and to listen to reasoning on important subjects. Love to God as 
 our Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, and to men as our brethren ; 
 how to please God and do good to our fellow-creatures ; the 
 benefits arising from truth and honesty, and the duties of parents. 
 
402 Extracts of Letters from the Missionaries at Madras. 
 
 people, with whom I have frequent opportunities of speaking by 
 means of my teachers. I first get them to acknowledge something 
 good, and then I recommend them to pay attention to it. Our 
 schools are gradually increasing : they now contain 102 scholars, of 
 whom 12 are girls. The greatest part of my English scholars are 
 Portuguese, and are anxious to read the Bible. I give them English 
 tracts, which some of them can read now, and others will read soon ; 
 but if I had Portuguese tracts to give or lend, their parents might 
 read them, and no doubt be much benefited. 
 
 The Lord has been graciously pleased to preserve us from dan- 
 gers seen and unseen. Nothing has yet been permitted to hurt our 
 bodies ; and as for the trials with which our minds have been 
 exercised, I hope these will be sanctified for our good. I have 
 killed four scorpions. I might have been bitten, but God, who 
 saw it good to afflict me in mind, mercifully preserved my body. 
 
 Extracts of Letters from the Missionaries at Madras, dated 
 12 th and 1 6th Mat/, 1817 . 
 
 Our heavenly Father is very kind to us. We are all well— we are 
 all busy — we have an abundance to do; and it is the desire of our 
 souls to be spent in our Master’s service. We have thought it best 
 to arrange our letters in paragraphs, so that w'e may transmit a 
 duplicate of one or two paragraphs, when a copy of the whole is 
 not necessary. 
 
 The number of our schools might be greatly augmented, were 
 it not for the expence attached to them. We might have thousands 
 of children, but teachers, rooms, &c. all very dear. Indeed, at 
 Madras, every thing is very dear. It was with difficulty the New 
 Testament was introduced; it is now read. Detached parts of the 
 sacred Scriptures are sent to the children on their cadjan leaves, 
 which they learn and repeat. School commences with repeating 
 the Lord’s Prayer ; and on some days in the week they repeat the 
 Decalogue, and the other parts of the Scriptures which they learn. 
 
 The very name of Madras will convey to your mind an idea 
 that many more Missionaries are wanted here. We were speaking 
 to a respectable civil officer here a few days since concerning the po- 
 pulation of Madras; “That (said he) cannot be accurately ascertained, 
 but doubtless there are half a million!” My dear Sir, the Mis- 
 sionaries here are but as a drop to the ocean. Were there only two 
 ministers in all London, who preached in their native tongue, there 
 would be a greater proportion of preachers than there are at Madras. 
 Think of Madras. Think of the places all around us ; hundreds, 
 thousands— yea, tens of thousands live round about us, who speak 
 the same language. 
 
 There are good people in your circle who manifest their love 
 to the souls of men, by distributing good books, such as Baxter's 
 Call—Alleine’s Alarm — Doddridge s Rise and Progress — Ban- 
 yan's Pilgrim — Come and Welcome, &c. &c. There is not a place 
 in the worl d where they are likely to do more good than at Madras. 
 
403 
 
 Madras Missionary Circular. 
 
 enquire earnestly for them. There is a “ noise ” among the people ; 
 yea, there is a “shaking.” If you can possibly send us copies of 
 the above, I am sure there are many, very many, good people in 
 our dear native country who would rejoice to send them if they knew 
 the urgency of the case. Previous to Brother Knill leaving Lon- 
 don, a young lady at Tottenham Court Chapel gave him a number 
 of tracts; and not a week passes but he become^ her almoner to 
 persons whom she never saw. This is the way in which many a 
 pious person might do good : let them know it ; we will be their 
 almoners. To do good in this way is recreation to our bodies, re- 
 laxation to our spirits, and joy to our souls. 
 
 Entreating an encreasing interest in your prayers, and praying 
 for the abundant success of the Society in all its branches, we are, 
 your’s, the Society’s, the church’s, and the heathen’s most devoted 
 servants, for Christ’s sake. 
 
 (Signed) Kn ill, Rich ard. 
 
 Lov eless, W. C. 
 
 Mead, Charles. 
 
 1 6 th May, 1817- 
 
 The ship just tarries long enough to take a hasty sketch of our 
 Missionary Auxiliary Society Meeting. O ! it was delightful. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 14th May, the Rev. Mr. Rhenius, the 
 Church Missionary, preached an excellent sermon from Isaiah, lx. 1. 
 Arise, shine, for thy light is come, fyc. After the sermon the 
 business of the Society was transacted. Thursday evening, Brother 
 Gordon preached from Isa. xliv. 3 and 4., and truly animating was 
 the service. Brother Loveless prayed on the Wednesday, and the 
 Rev. Mr. Lynch, the Methodist Missionary, on Thursday. Thus 
 we all united in one glorious cause. Our assemblies were composed 
 of various nations and colours. There were present, one Chinese, 
 two Brahmans, and several native Christians. Oh ! it was beyond 
 description. The Spirit of the Lord appeared to be felt amongst us. 
 There never was such a meeting in India; yea, perhaps all things 
 considered, there never was such a meeting in the world. The 
 collections amounted to 95 pagodas ; a pair of ear-rings, a gold 
 brooch, and sleeve-buttons were also given. Brother Loveless pre- 
 sided at the meeting. 
 
 MADRAS MISSIONARY CIRCULAR. 
 
 In the 31s£ Number of the Missionary Transactions is inserted a 
 copy of the first number of the Madras Quarterly “ Missionary Cir- 
 cular,” which was transmitted to England in manuscript ; zee hare 
 since received a printed copy of this paper, which contains some parti- 
 culars not inserted in the MS. copy, and which zee therefore subjoin . 
 
 Bellary. 
 
 M 
 
 Schools, 8)X. 
 
 By the last accounts from Bellary, we learn that the 
 hren Hands and Ta^tr have recently visited these schools. 
 
404 Madras Missionary Circular. 
 
 They were, for the most part, in excellent order, and the children 
 are making great proficiency.— The brethren embraced the oppor- 
 tunity of preaching to the natives and of distributing tracts. On 
 one occasion a schoolmaster was desired to read the Sermon on the 
 Mount to those who were assembled. There was an intelligent 
 Brahman among their hearers, who appeared to understand the 
 meaning of the Scripture read, and even to anticipate the remarks 
 made upon it by the Missionaries. He spoke after the reading of 
 every verse, and they observe that what he said was much to the 
 point. 
 
 Calcutta. 
 
 I. Public Preaching. 
 
 Three times a week -we proclaim the word of life in English. 
 We have not a large cathedral in w'hich to preach, nor a crowded 
 audience to listen to the truths delivered. The congregation i9 
 small— -yet we have not forgotten that God “ despises not the day 
 of small things.” Since we last wrote, the numbers have increased. 
 On the 8th of January an appeal was made to the liberality of our 
 hearers, for defraying the espences attending the titling up and 
 lighting our place of worship. This produced 350 sicca rupees— 
 leaving us still about 300 rupees in advance. On the 26th, Brother 
 Townley preached a funeral sermon for W. Myers, Esq. and Mrs. 
 Hall, of whose eternal safety we have every reason to hope. 
 
 On the 3d of February, we received the Christian and polite 
 letter of the Kirk Session, granting us permission to preach at Dr. 
 Bryce’s place of worship whenever we might require it, except 
 when engaged by Dr. B. We have not yet entered upon this new 
 field ; the expence that will be incurred in lighting, Sec. makes us 
 a little nervous. 
 
 II. Missionary Prayer Meetings. 
 
 These are consolidated with those of our Baptist brethren, and 
 are held alternately at our different assemblies ; the one in February, 
 at our place of worship, as well as the others, was well attended. 
 
 We have had some conversation respecting an annual Mis- 
 sionary meeting in May, but we know not whether we shall be able 
 to accomplish this object. 
 
 III. Schools. 
 
 If we would destroy the fabric of error, we must undermine it, 
 and we hope to see it fall, never more to be reared. When this is 
 the case, we anticipate no lack of coolies, ready and willing to clear 
 away the rubbish ; and there is no fear but God will provide him- 
 self skilful masons to build the glorious temple of truth. On the 
 2d of February we commenced a sabbath school, in which the 
 Assembly’s Catechism is taught; 15 children attended, likewise 
 some of their parents. 
 
 Bengallee Schools.— Brother Townley is building a school-room 
 that will hold about 100 children. Brother Keith has taken a 
 poojah house for one. When he went to see if it was cleaned out, 
 
 ^ 1!11 1 1 — LI— . ^ 1 1 — 
 
Madras Missionary Circular. 405 
 
 to teach them. He was to begin with the painted boards the next 
 day. Drive, O Lord, not only the idols of clay and wood from this 
 house, but from the hearts of those who are taught in it. Brother 
 Townley lately visited Burdwan, where Lieut. Sturard resides. 
 He is a man of God, and devoted to his cause, and has under his 
 care, three schools, each containing upwards of a hundred children. 
 
 IV. Language. 
 
 We are both studying Bengallee, and hope that faith, prayer, 
 and perseverance, will render us successful, as well as Eliot. 
 
 V. Our families. 
 
 The Lord has granted us many mercies in the midst of judg- 
 ment. Our partners have been both given us again, and are now 
 with ourselves in good health. Brother T. has a fine boy.— It 
 was ours,” says Brother K. “ to drink the cup of sorrow ; but why 
 should we call it a cup of sorrow, when it was put into our hands 
 by the Father of all our mercies, and the God of consolation ? 
 My dear partner was delivered of a fine boy on December 3 1 st ; 
 this flower was too beautiful for us, and it soon withered away. 
 The child survived 4 days and 19 hours. The doctor did not ex- 
 pect Mrs. K. to live, but God has had mercy on me and raised her 
 up. Our daily prayer is, that he would give us instead a numerous 
 spiritual progeny.” We have only to add, that we have been soli- 
 cited to preach to the soldiers at Dum-Dum, which will be com- 
 plied with. 
 
 Chinsurah. 
 
 I. Schools. 
 
 There are thirty schools under our charge, containing 1775 
 children in attendance, and 2663 on the books, supported and 
 sanctioned by Government. * They are formed on a plan, which 
 unites the native mode of education with such parts of the improved 
 system as we have been able to introduce. Two assistants visit 
 the schools every day, which engages all their time. There is also a 
 free school in the Fort, for Portuguese and Dutch children, con- 
 taining twenty-eight boys and eighteen girls, to which I am Secre- 
 tary. We have also a Sabbath school, in which there are about 
 twenty-eight children, who repeat catechisms, hymns, and a portion 
 of the sacred Scriptures. The attendance is very fluctuating, front 
 eight to thirty-one have attended, but the usual number seldom 
 exceeds sixteen or twenty. Mr. Harle, an European, has been 
 joined to this Mission ; and is preparing to prosecute the arduous 
 labours of a Missionary. 
 
 II. Preaching. 
 
 There is service in the settlement church morning and evening, 
 and a Missionary prayer meeting the first Monday in the month. In 
 the morning, Brother May generally expounds the sacred Scrip- 
 tures, and preaches in the evening. “ With regard to preaching 
 
 * This statement is supposed to be taken from a Report of the Schools, 
 of a date subsequent to that given, page 39G. 
 
406 Madras Missionary Circular. 
 
 among the natives,” Brother May adds, “ I can say nothing. My 
 work is confined solely to the superintendance of these schools ; aud 
 my knowledge of the language is not sufficient to admit of my 
 preaching at present. The schools have occupied so much time as 
 to leave very little leisure for study. As I have now assistance in 
 the work, I hope to devote more time for this purpose. The 
 arrival of Brother Pearson has greatly rejoiced and encouraged me. 
 1 pray that the Lord may bless him, and make him a blessing in 
 improving, establishing, and carrying on many schools. 
 
 “ When 1 was last at Calcutta, I visited the Hindoo College, in 
 which there are now more than fifty youths, sons of w ealthy and 
 respectable natives, who are making considerable progress in the 
 English language. They are instructed in reading, writing, and 
 arithmetic. The general features of the plan is that of the new 
 system of education, with various improvements lately introduced 
 by the Secretary, who is my intimate friend. There is likewise a 
 Persian and Bengalee class. I consider this as a very grand and 
 important Institution, which, under the diviue blessing, may be the 
 means of diffusing much useful knowledge among the Hindoos. 
 Two books have been lately published by learned natives. One is 
 against the worship of idols ; and the other is entitled, An Apology 
 for Hindoo Worship. These works will excite discussion and 
 inquiry, and may prove the means of great good.” 
 
 Madras. 
 
 I. Public Preaching. 
 
 1st. Missionary Chapel, Black Tozcti. — This commodious 
 place of worship was erected in 1810, by the liberal contributions 
 of several valuable friends. This is our principal scene for English 
 preaching. The word of God is expounded twice on the Lord’s 
 day and on Wednesday evenings. The numbers that attend, and 
 the attention given to what is delivered, excite our hope and encou- 
 rage our exertions. There are some pleasing instances of enquiries 
 for religious books, aud an observance of family and social prayer 
 in the congregation, which appear like “ a shaking among the dry 
 bones.” Madras has been for some time favoured with the labours 
 of brethren belonging to other stations. Messrs. Lee, Gordon, 
 and Medhurst have contributed much to the general cause by their 
 active and zealous co-operation. With respect to the natives, 
 there appears a great desire among them to hear the Gospel. Bro- 
 ther Gordon has had frequent opportunities of speaking to many 
 at the Pagodas, &c. They converse w'ithout hesitation, and listen 
 with apparent attention. There is a great want of the Scriptures in 
 Gentoo. We expect, how’ever, that this will not long exist, it being 
 in contemplation to print at Madras, if possible, a revised edition 
 of the three Gospels, the Gospel by John, and the Acts of the 
 Apostles. It is expected, that by the time these are distributed, 
 the remaining books of the New Testament will be ready for the 
 press. 
 
Madras Missionary Circular. 407 
 
 £d. The Tort. — There are a few soldiers collected together by 
 some friends of Mr. Lynch, Wesleyan Missionary, who lately 
 arrived from Ceylon. At their request we preached at the Fort 
 twice a week, until Mr. L. should take possession of this as a part 
 of his more immediate charge. This was complied with ; and since 
 that we have been invited to preach once a week alternately with 
 him, which we do. There is an eligible place for preaching, but it 
 is not at present well attended. 
 
 4th. The Mount. — There is preaching here every Friday evening. 
 Those who attend are our fellow-countrymen in the army, stationed 
 at this place. Our hopes concerning it are sanguine. There was 
 a want of forms and chairs, which interrupted our labours for some 
 time. A few individuals have exerted themselves, and raised 50 
 pagodas to lit up the chapel. This is a proof of the interest which 
 some there take in divine things, who have made these sacrifices to 
 have the Gospel preached to them. 
 
 II. Prayer Meetings. 
 
 Like our brethren in every part of the world, we have Mission- 
 ary Prayer Meetings the first Monday in the month. These are 
 well attended. For some time there had been a prayer meeting on 
 Friday evening in the vestry. It was latterly declining ; and it has 
 in consequence been removed to a more central situation, and is 
 now held at the house of one of the members. Between SO and 40 
 persons attend, and one of the Missionaries gives an address. 
 
 Another plan has been lately adopted in addition to this, to 
 excite a spirit of prayer amongst our friends. There are circulating 
 meetings for prayer every Monday at four or five different places in 
 their regular turn, where one Missionary likewise attends; and the 
 person in whose house it is held invites his friends and neighbours 
 to join in prayer, and hear the w'ord of God expounded. This 
 gives us an opportunity of seeing the members of the church and 
 congregation at their own houses, and to animate them in their way 
 to heaven, w hich had long been a desideratum ; but which could 
 not be accomplished by the usual mode of visiting, as our other 
 engagements prevent any thing of this nature. 
 
 III. Schools. 
 
 The Free School for Boys. — Since its opening 107 boys have 
 been educated, and 147 are still on the books. The new plan of 
 education is adopted, and much good will, we trust, arise from the 
 institution. The Free School for Girls has been only recently set on 
 foot ; but the building is reared, and the school w'as opened on the 
 8th of April. This exceeded our most sanguine expectations. 
 
 The Native Schools contain about 250 children. These semi- 
 naries are yet in their infancy, but promise fair to be productive of 
 good. 
 
 There is an Auxiliary Missionary Society here, established in 
 1814. The liist year it remitted 120 pagodas to the Parent 
 Society, the second 150; and the last four months have produced 
 
408 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. James Skinner , 
 
 70 pagodas. Several young persons have become collectors to the 
 Society, and if their zeal continue, they will augment its funds. 
 
 The Brethren Kuill and Mead are learning the Tamul language, 
 and will never consider they have done any thing while this remaius 
 undone. 
 
 ROY A V ETTA H. 
 
 In a letter, dated April 14, Brother Render says, u The schools 
 which are under my care contain 160 children, of which number 
 from 1 10 to 120 attend regularly. In the English and Portuguese 
 school there are 46 Portuguese and Malabar boys, and 16 girls, 
 who read extracts from the bible, and learn Dr. Watts’s First and 
 Assembly’s Shorter Catechisms. Mrs. Render teaches the girls to 
 sew and mark, in the afternoon of every day. In the Gentoo school 
 there are 16 boys, and in the Malabar 82, who are reading part of 
 the Proverbs of Solomon, and some of the low caste boys different 
 parts of the N. T. These are accommodated in my own garden, 
 and are supported in part by subscription. I preach at St. Thome 
 every Sabbath morning, where from 20 to 30 persons attend. The 
 congregation at Royapettah, in my own house, on sabbath evenings, 
 is about the same as at the beginning, in point of numbers from 50 
 to -70. I have printed 2000 tracts in Portuguese and English on the 
 Lord’s day. About 1200 are now in circulation.” 
 
 BOMBAY. 
 
 Surat. 
 
 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. James Skinner, Missionary at 
 Surac, dated 1 5th April, 1817. 
 
 Since our arrival in India we have closely applied to the language, 
 and have studied it in every form, in exercises of reading, writing, 
 conversation, and translation. This has been the principal object 
 of our pursuit. We formerly mentioned, that we had an English 
 school: it now contains fifty boys. In the month of January we 
 opened a native school, and engaged a teacher at 10 rupees per 
 month. Before the Rev. Mr. Carr, Chaplain to the East India 
 Company, arrived, we preached to the soldiers every Sabbath 
 morning, and in our own house in the evening. We have reason to 
 believe these services were accompanied by the divine blessing. 
 The change of sentiments and reformation of life which we observe 
 in some, are sufficient grounds of encouragement. O that we were 
 able to say, that we employed part of every day in preaching the 
 glorious gospel of the blessed God to the inhabitants of Surat and 
 its neighbouihood. It behoves us to speak with much caution and 
 modesty on this head ; but 1 hope the time is not lar distant when 
 our knowledge of the language will enable us to “ preach the word, 
 be instant in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all 
 long-suffering and doctrine.” We have public worship in our own 
 house on the Sabbath, and on Wednesday evenings, in English. 
 Some natives have occasionally attended, to see the manner in which 
 we conduct divine service, and have requested us to inform them 
 
Missionary at Sural. 409 
 
 what we had been saying to the people. We eagerly embrace such 
 opportunities by reading to them some striking portions of the Holy 
 Scriptures, which we endeavour to impress on their minds by con- 
 versation. Beside prosecuting the study of the Guzeratte, we are 
 preparing in that language a small catechism, and a few very short 
 scripture tracts, which we shall get printed at Bombay. We hope 
 soon to hear that you have ordered a printing press for us from 
 Calcutta. Our American brethren at Bombay are, with the appro- 
 bation of the Board of Directors for Foreign Missions, beginning 
 to print the Scriptures in the Mahratta tongue. They have obtained 
 a fount of types from Bengal. 
 
 We purpose to establish more native schools as prudence will 
 permit; and, should it be the will of our heavenly Father to spare 
 our lives, and continue us in health, we hope to be the humble 
 instruments of translating and putting into the hands of the inha- 
 bitants of this district, the word of inspiration in their own tongue. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Carr, the Company’s Chaplain, whose name 1 
 have already mentioned, is a pious character, and is on the most 
 friendly terms with us. He has a school particularly for the children 
 of soldiers. He preaches in the Court House on the Sabbath, and 
 we attend in the morning, as we do not preach on this part of the 
 day since he came to Surat. The Rev. Mr. Davis, a clergyman 
 also, to whom we had a letter of introduction, is in Bombay, and is 
 an exemplary Christian and a good minister. 
 
 EXTRA GANGES. 
 
 MALACCA. 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. JSIilne, concluded from page 1 14. 
 
 OcL21,181(j. — To-day, Chin-seen-sang, one of my school teachers, 
 whose son died of the measles a few days past, told me, that he had 
 put away his idol out of his house, on the day his son died, because 
 he saw it could not help him. He anxiously inquired about the right 
 way of serving God, which I endeavoured to explain to him. He 
 said he was greatly troubled about a sentence in the w ritings oiMung- 
 tze, a Chinese philosopher, which runs thus, “ Puh heavu yew san, 
 woo how wie ta,” i. e. of the three kinds of unfilial conduct, to be 
 W'ithout posterity, is the greatest. “ Once,” said he, “ I had a child ; 
 now God has taken him away, and I fear I shali have none to leave 
 behind me.” I observed, that the passage he referred to, contained 
 a palpable error. 1st, Because it supposed that it was in every 
 man’s pow'er to marry, and have children, if he himself wished, 
 which was not true; and what was naturally impossible, could not 
 be sin. 2dly, Because it leads to concubinage. If a Chinese has 
 lived with his wife till she be forty years of age, without having- 
 children, especially male children, he thinks himself perfectly justi- 
 fied from such principles in taking a concubine, although his wife 
 be yet alive. 3dly, Because it leads to idolatry ; it is indeed 
 
410 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Milne. 
 
 founded on an idolatrous principle, viz. “ that living posterity should 
 sacrifice to their deceased ancestors and the whole force of the 
 passage arises from this principle. Indeed I could perceive that 
 the fear of having no child to sacrifice at bis tomb, was that which 
 chiefly troubled the poor man. 
 
 Such, when fully examined, is the nature and the tendency of 
 not a few of the sage sayings and moral maxims of Mung-tze and 
 Confucius, (those divine philosophers, as European Deists have 
 called them,) and such will be found to be the nature and tendency 
 of three-fifths of what passes for exalted filial piety among the 
 Chinese. 
 
 After the above conversation, which I suppose he had related to 
 his friends, there was much reasoning among them on the subject. 
 
 Oct. 28. — Private conversation and prayer with sl-gnftng, another 
 of the type-cutters. He has been several times to England, and 
 mentions with gratitude the kindness he met with in London. 
 He had read some religious tracts there. He expressed a 
 
 desire to be baptized, after which- 1 had, at several different times, 
 conversations with him, and endeavoured to explain to him more 
 fully the nature of the gospel ; the necessary qualifications for 
 baptism ; together with the subsequent conduct required of those 
 who receive it. The fear of suffering persecution on his return to 
 China seemed much to discourage him ; but what made me hesitate 
 to baptize him was his having, in the course of conversation, throw'n 
 out some hints to this effect, “ that if be were of the Hung maou 
 Kiaou, (i. e. Engli-sh religion, as he called it,) the English would 
 perhaps assist him by which I supposed he meaut that he might 
 look for some worldly gain or advantage in consequence of his 
 becoming a Christian. This afforded me an opportunity of stating, 
 in a more clear and decisive manner, the end and design of the 
 Gospel, together with the motives which should induce sinners to 
 embrace it. 1 told him that the end of the gospel was not to 
 make men rich, easy, or great, in the world ; but righteous and 
 holy : that although, by the observance of its precepts, men were 
 made diligent in their business and frugal in their habits, and might 
 in this way obtain many advantages even of a temporal nature ; yet 
 that it pointed chiefly to a spiritual and eternal good, to be enjoyed 
 principally beyond death. After this statement, disappointment 
 seemed marked in his countenance, and he has not since attended 
 for private conversation. He, however, still attends the daily wor- 
 ship, and the Sabbath exhortations, with an apparent seriousness, 
 which encourages me to hope that he may, at a future day, become 
 a disciple of Christ. 
 
 l\or. 3. — Sabbath. — At twelve o’clock this day I baptized, in 
 the name of the adorable Trinity, Leang-Kung-Fah, whose name 
 has been already mentioned. The service was performed privately, 
 in a room of the mission-house. Care had been taken, by private 
 conversation, instruction, and prayer, to prepare him for this sacred 
 ordinance : this had been continued for a considerable time. Find- 
 ing him still stedfast m hi.-> wish to become a Christian, I baptized 
 
Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Milne. 411 
 
 hope, the effect of Christian truth, and of that alone, — yet, who of 
 mortals can know the heart ? Several searching questions were 
 proposed to him in private ; and an excercise suited to the case of a 
 heathen candidate for baptism, composed and given to him to read 
 and meditate upon. 
 
 He belongs to the province of Canton, is a single man, about 23 
 years of age, and has no relation living, except a father and brother. 
 He can read a plain book with ease, but has had only a common 
 education; is of a steady character, and frugal habits. His temper 
 is not so sociable and engaging as that of many other Chinese. He 
 was formerly stiff and obstinate, and occasionally troublesome. Of 
 late there has been scarcely any thing of this kind to complain of. 
 He came with me from Canton, in April, 1815, to Malacca. 
 He told me the other day, that he was employed in printing 
 my “ Treatise on the Life of Christ .” Whether he hau been 
 
 seriously impressed with the contents of that book, I am not 
 able to say. 
 
 With respect to his former life, he observed, “ I was never 
 much given to idolatry, and seldom went to the temples. 1 some- 
 times prayed towards heaven, but lived in careless indifference. 
 Although 1 rarely went to excess in sin ; yet I have been oc- 
 casionally guilty of drunkenness and other kindred vices. Before I 
 came hither, I knew not God ; now I desire to serve him.” He 
 wished to be baptized exactly at twelve o'clock, “ when,” to use his 
 own words, “ the shadow inclines neither the one way nor the 
 other.” What his view in fixing on that precise time w r as I cannot 
 tell ; but, I suppose, it arose from the remains of that superstitious 
 regard to “ times,” which prevails so generally among the Chinese. 
 I told him, that God had not distinguished one hour from another ; 
 and that he, as a disciple of Christ, must in future regard every 
 day and hour alike, except the Sabbath, which is to be devoted 
 specially to the service of God. Aw'are that some superstitious 
 attachments may, for a considerable time, hang about the lirst 
 convert from paganism, and that it is in the church, and under 
 the ordinances thereof, that these attachments are to be entirely 
 destroyed, I did not think it advisable to delay administering the 
 initiatory ordinances. 
 
 At baptism, the following questions were proposed to him, to 
 which he answered as below. 
 
 Question 1. Have you truly turned from idols, to worship and 
 serve the living and true God, the creator of heaven and earth and 
 all things ? — Answer. This is my heart’s desire. 
 
 Q. 2. Do you know and feel that you are a sinful creature, totally 
 unable to save yourself ? — A. I know it. 
 
 Q. 3. Do you really, from your heart, believe that Jesus Christ 
 is the Son of God, and Saviour of the world ; and do you trust in 
 him alone for salvation ? — A. This is my heart’s desire. 
 
 Q. 4. Do you expect any worldly advantage, profit, or gain, 
 whatever, by your becoming a Christian .None: 1 receive 
 
 ! mv duty. 
 
412 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Milne. 
 
 Q 5. Da you resolve from this Hay till the day of your death, to 
 live in obedience to all the commandments and ordinances of God ; 
 and in justice and righteousness of life before men -A. This is 
 my determination ; but 1 fear my strength is not equal to it. 
 
 On my part, the ordinance was dispensed with mingled affection, 
 joy, hope, and fear. May he be made faithful unto death; and as 
 he is the first fruits of this branch of the mission, may an abundant 
 harvest follow to the joy of the church, and the honour of Christ. 
 
 Since his baptism, some private means have been used to increase 
 his knowledge; to impress his heart more deeply ; and to strengthen 
 his faith. 
 
 Nov. 10. — Having, since the last date, had a very large blister 
 applied to my side, I am able to do very little. 
 
 To-day conversed privately with Chin-Saen-Sang, who expressed 
 a wish to be baptized. Several things in his conduct justify me in 
 not consenting to his wish at present. I encouraged him to come 
 often and converse with me in private. On one of these oppor- 
 tunities, I asked him — “ You now desire to be baptized ; but sup- 
 pose your countrymen and neighbours should mock and revile you, 
 and seek to injure you, for turning away from the religion of your 
 fathers to embrace another, how do you think that you would then 
 act r” — He said, “ I had not before considered that; I must think 
 of it.” Some time afterwards, observing, that he seemed desirous 
 to decline those private interviews, l asked, “ Do you still retain a 
 desire to be baptized r — Answer. “ l have been thinking on what 
 you last told me about my friends mocking and reviling me ; and I 
 am afraid ” — Having some reason to think that other causes deterred 
 him, 1 advised him for the time to attend the worship of God, read 
 the scriptures, and pray. He daily attended; but in proportion as 
 the recollection of his affliction in the death of his son becomes 
 blunted, in the same proportion his desire to repent and turn to 
 God, seems to die away. “ When he slew them then they sought 
 him'’ Psalm Ixxviii. 34. How coriect is the picture which re- 
 velation has drawn of the heart and character of man! 
 the Chinese the likeness is as striking as it can be in Europe. 
 
 Among 
 
 O 
 
 Nov. 28. — Printing Press, with a fount of English types, and 
 workmen, arrived, from Bengal. A Malay fount had reached some 
 time before. 
 
 Sabbath engagements . — Not having noticed the labours of the 
 Sabbath, in the pieceoing pages, it may not be improper, before 
 I close, to observe, that in general they have been directed iu 
 much the same way as those of last year. 
 
 In the morning at seven o’clock, the scriptures and a short dis- 
 course are read to the Chinese, accompanied with prayer. The 
 teachers, scholars, domestics, and others, employed about the mis- 
 sion, attend, and some strangers occasionally. 
 
 At ten o'clock I preach in the church, in English. From twelve 
 till four some of my Chinese hearers now and then call to converse, 
 and ask farther explanations of what they hear in public. This I 
 
413 
 
 Extracts from the Journa „ of Mr. Milne. 
 
 come. From four o’clock till six the school boys are catechized. 
 This is the most difficult and fatiguing part of the whole day’s 
 work — 1 trust not the least profitable. Since my last illness I have 
 been obliged to employ Seeseen-Sang, my Chinese assistant, to 
 help me in this part of the work, which he has very cheerfully done 
 At eight o’clock in the evening, 1 preach again in Chinese. On 
 this discourse more grown persons attend ; the number of stated 
 hearers averages at from twelve to twenty, sometimes more, often 
 fewer. 
 
 My reason for selecting this late hour for the evening service, 
 is to accommodate the time of preaching to the leisure hours of 
 the Chinese mechanics, many of whom do not leave off work till 
 eight o’clock. Their labour on the Sabbath is just the same as on 
 other days. At mid-day they are all at work, and the shops all open. 
 Those among them who are in superior circumstances may be found 
 at leisure in the middle of the day ; and I hope to establish a mid- 
 day discourse in some part of the town, for these and others of the 
 heathen. 
 
 Duily Labours . — In these, as in those of last year, there is 
 scarce any variety : close study fills up almost all the hours of every 
 day. There is, as above observed, reading the scriptures, exhor- 
 tations, and prayer, at seven o’clock every morning ; after which the 
 day is spent in the study of the language, in translating and com- 
 posing, and in correcting and revising. Lately, I have devoted 
 a little time daily to the study of the Malay written language ; but 
 my health does not admit of my giving it that attention which would 
 promise speedy success. Every moment taken from the Chinese 
 I seem to grudge. 
 
 These labours bear hard on my health and strength ; but my mind 
 is fully satisfied, and only satisfied when engaged therein. 
 
 Such close application to sedentary pursuits does not admit of 
 my going much about among the people ; or of devoting that time 
 to oral instruction which the deplorable ignorance of the heathen 
 requires. In order in some degree to supply this deficiency, I 
 opened a weekly lecture in town, in the temple of Ta-pSh Rung, 
 on the Thursday evening, at eight o’clock. Through the influence 
 of two of my most regular hearers, I gained admission into this 
 small temple. Being a public place, though small, it seemed better 
 adapted to my purpose than a private house, though larger, because 
 quarrels and contentious, which would often prevent neighbours, 
 who do not agree, fiom going to a private house, do not prevent 
 th em from going thither. The place is sometimes full. I sit down 
 before the altar, preach the gospel of the Son of God, and often 
 condemn idolatry in the piesence of the idol and of its votaries. 
 On great days, which sometimes happen on Thursdays, I am 
 obliged to sit before pots of smoking incense, cups of tea, and 
 burning candles of an immense size, placed on the altar in honour 
 of the deity whose worship it is my aim to overthrow. This was 
 the case last evening (Dec. l l6). 1 will not presume to say a single 
 
414 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Milne. 
 
 things have been done or are doing ; but I think it would be not n 
 little gratifying to the members of the Bible Society , to see half a 
 dozen New Testaments taken out and opened in this idol’s temple 
 by the heathen, in order to search for the text, or to look over the 
 passage explained. This is usually the case. There are some who 
 had received New Testaments in 1814. They bring them from 
 their houses, and carry them back when the service is over. How 
 great a blessing will the Bible Society, who furnishes this precious 
 book, prove to the world ! How important its assistance to 
 Missionaries ! 
 
 Publications. — Since the beginning of last January to the pre- 
 sent date, besides the tracts then published, but not distributed, 
 and a large number received from China, the following have been 
 
 printed here and mostly circulated. 
 
 Copies* 
 
 1. Last year's Magazines bound up in one volume 200 
 
 2 Life of Christ * 100 
 
 3 . Outline of the Old Testament History 100 
 
 4. Catechism (Mr. Morrison’s) 200 
 
 5. Tract on the Redemption of the World 200 
 
 6. New tract on “ The Strait Gate” 1000 
 
 7. Ditto, “ On Lying” 1000 
 
 8. This year’s Magazines (500 per mouth) 6000 
 
 9. New Catechism for Youth, printing, not quite finished. 
 
 The Magazine, this year, contains various discourses on theo- 
 logical and literary subjects. Among die most important are, first, 
 four chapters of the Essay on Creation, which w'as began last year ; 
 second, a Discourse on the spirituality of God, and the nature of 
 divine worship ; third, a Discourse explaining some of those figu- 
 rative passages of scripture where the Divine Being is represented 
 as possessing the members of the human body; fourth, Five dis- 
 courses on the most important principles of Astronomy and Geo- 
 graphy, designed to bear against the false theories of the Chinese, 
 on which much of their theological creed is founded. 
 
 The translation of Deuteronomy into Chinese took up a con- 
 siderable pait of my time during the first six months of this year. 
 I have used the utmost pains to render it faithful, correct, and 
 perspicuous. it affords me, however, no small comfort, that I 
 could send it to my dear friend Mr. Morrison, for those corrections 
 and improvements which his superior knowledge of Chinese, and 
 lou^ experience in translating, qualify him to make. I once thought 
 I should have been able to finish the translation either of Exodus 
 or Joshua, by the close of the year, but the state of my health has 
 not yet permitted me to commence either. 
 
 Works in hand — In addition to the assistance I may continue to 
 render Mr. Morrison in completing the translation of the Old 
 Testament, I am desirous to execute die three following works: 
 
 1 . A Practical Commentary on the New Testament. — I think 
 
415 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Milne. 
 
 2. A System of Theological Lectures , on the Plan of Mr. 
 Pogue. — These will be chiefly a translation of Mr. B.’s, with such 
 alterations and additions as are necessary to adapt them to the state 
 of the heathen. Some progress has been made in them this year. 
 
 3. A Scripture Dictionary on the plan of “ Brown’s Diction- 
 ary of the Bible,” but more concise in the definitions, leaving out 
 such historical parts as are likely to be of little interest to people 
 living in China, and adding some things that may be necessary to 
 render the customs and antiquities of the Jews and Greeks, so 
 often referred to in scripture, plain and instructive to them. Some 
 work of this kind is absolutely necessary to the illustration of the 
 New Testament. The plan of it has been formed, and a com- 
 mencement made. I have some valuable helps by me ; but many 
 are still wanting. 
 
 Exclusive of translating (which must for some time hold a chief 
 place) and of composing for the Magazine, the three works above- 
 mentioned will require a period of not less than ten years (sup- 
 posing a state of good health) to complete and revise them. I am 
 firmly persuaded of the great importance of such works in order 
 to the spread and establishment of pure Christianity in China ; and 
 should 1 be early called away by death, I hope they will be kept iu 
 view by those who come after me. 
 
 Dec. 29-— Conversing with See-seen- Sang, my Chinese assistant, 
 he observed, “ that he thought there was a great similarity between 
 some parts of the Scriptures and the Sze Shoo, i. e. Four Books 
 of Confucius.” I observed, “ True, in a few points there is some 
 resemblance; but your books are extremely deficient. Can you 
 point me to a sentence from the beginning to the end of them 
 which shows how a sinful creature can obtain pardon and salva- 
 tion ?” — “ It is very true,” said he, “ there is not one on that subject.” 
 — “ Do they teach you any thing,” said I, “ concerning man’s 
 eternal state ?” — Ans. “ Confucius and Mung-tze say nothing of 
 things after death F 
 
 I then wrote out fifteen particulars, in which the Four Boohs 
 were either erroneous or defective. For several days he has been 
 pensive — often looking over the books and writing. 
 
 To-day I asked a school boy wherein happiness consisted ? — Ans. 
 “ In having enough to eat and drink, without the necessity of 
 labouring.” — This is the genuine language of one half of the 
 Chinese— even their philosophy scarcely leads them higher. IIovv 
 true the words of Jesus— “After these things do the Gentiles seek.” 
 
 Before I conclude this year’s journal, I cannot forbear men- 
 tioning to the Directors how' great obligations this Mission is under 
 to Major W. Farquhar, Resident and Commandant at Malacca. 
 It was chiefly owing to an introductoiy letter from him to the 
 Government of Penang, that I was so kindly received there, and 
 iny memorial so condescendingly attended to. Various other 
 instances of the important services he has rendered to this Mission 
 might be enumerated, which deserve the most grateful acknowledg- 
 J9.cn ts of the Society ; as do also the liberality of the two gentlemen 
 
416 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Joseph Kam, 
 
 whose names are mentioned below, for donations received from 
 them towards the building. 
 
 Spanish Dollars. 
 
 William Chalmers, Esq 60 
 
 Maj or John Me. iunes 100 
 
 Total 160 
 
 AMBOYNA. 
 
 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Joseph Kam, Missionary at 
 Amboyna, 1817, (no date of month.) 
 
 It has been with the greatest delight and thanksgiving to God, 
 I have several times written to you of the pleasing expectations as 
 to the great work of the Lord in this colony, especially among the 
 poor heathen ; of whom the inhabitants of three negerys have lately 
 come forward to testify their repentance towards God, by abolish- 
 ing every vestige of their idolatry, destroying even the houses appro- 
 priated to the worship of the devil, which for many years have 
 been standing, not only in secret places in their foiests, but even 
 publicly in their negerys. 
 
 The names of the places in which these pleasing events have 
 occurred, ate Aboro, Hulaliuw ,* and Kariou. Of the two former I 
 have sent reports by Capt. Lensy ; and I shall take the first oppor- 
 tunity to send a report of the latter place, in which a great num- 
 ber have embraced the mercy of the Redeemer. I felt very much 
 astonished, that the prince of this world so quietly suffered the loss 
 of so much of his territory, and so many of his subjects. Soon, 
 however, the tumult and murders occasioned by the resistance of 
 the Malays to the Dutch government, who attempted to take 
 troops from the Molucca Islands for Java, abated my surprise, 
 while they tilled me with alarm. The resisting party endeavoued to 
 compel every Christian in the negery to assist in the dreadful revolt; 
 the consequence of which has been, that a great number of the inha- 
 bitants have been dreadfully massacred, because they would not 
 join with the revolters. They have murdered the liajah of the 
 negery Sirisory, and a great number of the Christian inhabitants of 
 his negery. He w r as always a great assistant to me, whenever [ 
 have travelled in this island to visit the negerys; and was honoured 
 by every one in it on account of his religious character. After 
 this, the revolters came to the house of the resident, Mr. Vander- 
 berg, whom they murdered, together with bis wife and child, and 
 the Secretary of the Government. 
 
 The Government have made a powerful attempt to bring this 
 island to subjection, but they found the resistance greater than they 
 expected; and we have lost a major, a captain, and several other 
 .officers, besides a great number of troops, as well from the navy as 
 from the army, so that we are in great danger even at Amboyna. 
 
 * At this negery no less than 34 devil’s houses have been destroyed. 
 
Missionary at Amboyna. 4 1 7 
 
 I had purposed to visit the northern part of the Island Celebes, 
 and also the island Sanga (or Sangir) where the inhabitants have for 
 two years been desirous that I should come over and pay them a visit. 
 The late tumults have, however, prevented me. Government re- 
 quested I w ould postpone my journey ; and has employed me in 
 writing a great many letters in the Malay tongue for the islands, and 
 in translating the Malay letters received from thence. I have thus 
 had little time to attend to my important engagements in preaching 
 the Gospel ; and therefore have requested to be released from this 
 business, as inconsistent with my ministerial and other missionary 
 duties. 
 
 Every means have been employed to keep down the spirit of 
 revolt, by offering remission of punishment, &c. ; but we are yet 
 in great danger. My faith is oftentimes at a very low ebb ; so 
 that I have been compelled to cry out, “ O ! my God, my soul is 
 cast down within me ; all thy waves and thy billows are gone over 
 me!” Neither my body nor my soul has, however, been hurt. 
 I have escaped many dangers by land and by sea ; and out of the 
 darkness, which at present surrounds me, 1 have confidence there 
 will come again a glorious light, peihaps greater than before. 
 Surely the mercy of the Lord has accompanied my poor labours 
 from the time of my arrival in Asia! Sutely the time of salvation 
 is at hand, and will be accomplished in favour of the poor heathens, 
 who are so numerous in this colony ! 
 
 Remember me, my dear brethren, in your prayers constantly, 
 and the cause of Christ in these parts. 
 
 P. S — My new place of worship, to receive the heathen con- 
 gregation, is built nearly to the height of the roof; but the work is 
 suspended, on account of the workmen being obliged by the govern- 
 ment to take up arms. I have received a most excellent letter from 
 my dear people at Sourabaya, dated 20th Feb. 1817 ; from Mhich 
 it appears, that the Spirit of God is carrying on his work in their 
 hearts. They constantly assemble together, and keep up their 
 monthly prayer meeting ; out of collections at which they have sent 
 to me the assistance of silver rupees, 142. 11. From the Island of 
 Banda 1 have also received rix-dollars, 38. 20. 
 
 SOUTH AFRICA, 
 
 Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Evan Evans, Missionary at 
 Bethelsdorp, dated May 0.9th, 1817; containing a Narrative 
 of his Journey from Cape Tozm to that place. 
 
 Having arrived at the place of my destination, I think it is my 
 duty to inform you, in as brief a manner as I can, of the principal 
 occurrences which we met with on our journey from Cape Town 
 to this place. Thursday morning, Jan. 30th, Mr. Gilsin, one of 
 the Directors of the Caledon Auxiliary Bible and Missionary So- 
 vol. iv. — no. 33. 3h 
 
418 
 
 "Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Evan Evans, 
 
 ciety, came with two waggons to take us to that place. In the 
 afternoon, Messrs. Taylor and Brownlee, with Mrs. Evans and 
 myself, took leave of all our good friends in Cape Town, and com- 
 menced our journey. Our dear brethren, Messrs. Thom and 
 Kitchingman, accompanied us on horseback until we outspanned 
 the first time, where we took some refreshment in the open air; 
 after which we held a prayer-meeting together, to commend our- 
 selves to the Lord and the word of his grace. After taking an 
 affectionate leave of each other, we continued our journey, and our 
 brethren returned. Saturday afternoon we reached Caledon, where 
 we were kindly received aud entertained by the Rev. Mr. Vos. We 
 stopped there seven weeks, waiting for Mr. Pacalt; during all 
 which time Mr. and Mrs. Vos, with all their family, shewed U9 
 much kindness and attention. The Lord has been pleased to crown 
 Air. Vos’s labours in that place with much success; he has an in- 
 creasing church and an attentive congregation, some of which come 
 several days’ journey to hear him on the Sabbath day9. The Mon- 
 day morning after our arrival, the Annual Meeting of their Auxiliary 
 Bible and Missionary Society took place ; which was conducted 
 with such order and regularity, that I was almost ready to imagine 
 I had been instantaneously transported from Africa to London. It 
 is patronised by Mr. Fronenfelder, the Deputy Landdrost of Zwel- 
 lendam, who subscribes liberally towards its funds. Air. Vos is 
 treasurer, and Air. Bergman, the Landdrost’s secretary, is secre- 
 tary. Both these gentlemen, as well as the directors, are very 
 zealous in the cause. We cannot speak too. highly also of the kind- 
 ness and attention which they shewed towards us during the time 
 we were at Caledon. 
 
 Air. V os holds a meeting in his house every Sunday and Wed- 
 nesday evenings, for the instruction of slaves and Hottentots ; and 
 on the Sabbath mornings one of the elders of the church performs 
 the same duty. Although Air. V. does not now bear the name of 
 a Alissionary, he does not appear to have lost any of his missionary 
 spirit, but has the same ardent zeal for the conversion of the heathen 
 burning in his heart as in former times; and he has been the ho- 
 noured instrument, in the hand of his great Alaster, of doing much 
 good in these parts, among a people who were before very destitute 
 of the means of instruction. 
 
 Feb. 13, we visited the Moravian Settlement at Gnadenthal, where 
 we were received with the greatest friendship and brotherly love by 
 all the brethren and sisters, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Leitner. 
 Airs. L. is an English lady, from Fairfield, near Manchester. We 
 stopped with them till the following Alonday. They have a beautiful 
 settlement there, with a large vineyard and an excellent garden, from 
 which they get abundance of every kind of plants, vegetables, and 
 fruits which the climate produces. They have spared neither pains 
 nor expence to make this place like a little earthly paradise. About 
 1,400 people belong to the settlement, though not above half reside 
 there. They have also a fine church, which will contain upwards 
 of 1,009 people, and which cost their Society upwards of 30,000 
 
Missionary at Bethelsdorp. 419 
 
 guilders. The brethren favoured us with a short account of the 
 settlement from its commencement, the opposition they met with, 
 &c. While viewing it from the top of a hill close by, and com- 
 paring this place now with what it is described to have been 25 
 years ago, when the Missionaries came the second time, at which 
 period it was a complete wilderness, and only a single hut in the 
 place, and the brethren were obliged to cut their way through 
 bushes and briars to come to it, I was compelled to cry out and 
 say, “ What hath God wrought!” “These are the Lord’s doings, 
 and they are wonderful in our eyes.” By the example of these 
 brethren also, I saw what we might do, through the blessing of 
 God, and patient perseverance in the great work to which we have 
 been sent. 
 
 After remaining here three days we returned to Caledon, where 
 we remained five weeks longer, waiting for Mr. Pacalt. But that 
 we might improve our time to the best advantage, we studied the 
 Dutch language with as much attention as we could; in which Mr. 
 Vos was so good as to give us sometimes two and sometimes three 
 lessons daily, by which means much expence was saved to the Society 
 for our instruction. The cause of Brother Pacalt’s delay arose 
 from the miscarriage of both the letters which were sent to apprise 
 him of our coming, they having been entrusted to private hands, 
 instead of being sent by post. 
 
 On the 27th of February w'e reached Zwellendam, and were 
 kindly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Koster. We then proceeded to 
 Mr. Van Wycke’s house, at Yonker’s Fontein, who hospitably re- 
 ceived us. In the afternoon of the Sabbath we were there, Brother 
 Pacalt preached a funeral sermon for Mr. C. P. De Jager, from 
 Rev. xiv. 13. I never witnessed a congregation so affected as they 
 were on this occasion ; I could not observe a dry eye in the whole 
 house. After this, Mr. C. Plasie preached from 1 Peter, i. I — 4.; 
 he appears to be partial to preaching by similitudes, which is a good 
 way, particularly in such countries as Africa. When •peaking of the 
 desert of sin, he said, “ As it does not matter whether a person is bit 
 by a small or large serpent, the poison being equally contagious and 
 mortal in its nature, though, perhaps, not so powerful in its opera- 
 tion ; so, in the same manner, every sin is mortal in its nature, 
 whether it be a small sin, as we may call it, or a great and heinous 
 offence ; both are equally committed against an infinite, just, and 
 holy God, consequently deserving eternal punishment, though cer- 
 tainly there will be degrees in the punishment, according to the num- 
 ber and aggravations of the sins committed.” I could not help 
 admiring their zeal, humility, and simplicity. They are well versed 
 in the sacred scriptures, and are all, both old and young, able to 
 read them fluently. Being destitute of the means of instruction 
 which we Europeans enjoy, they seem to make their Bible and 
 hymn-book their whole study. 1 believe them to be very sound in 
 doctrine, their religion being solely founded on the word of God. 
 They have an affectionate regard for Mr. Pacalt, many of them call 
 
 3 H 2 
 
420 
 
 Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Evan Evans, 
 
 him their father in Christ; his usefulness, while among the farmers, 
 was very great. 
 
 Tuesday, April 1st, we took leave of this kind and pious 
 family, after they had filled our waggons with every thing we 
 wanted for the remainder of our journey, besides giving us great 
 quantities of dried fruit, &c. as well as fruit to eat on the road. 
 
 One o’clock Saturday morning, April 5th, we reached Hooge 
 Kraal. Immediately on our arrival, all the people in the place got 
 up and flocked round our waggons to welcome us to their kraal. 
 They ran to meet Brother Pacalt just in the same manner as chil- 
 dren run to their father when he returns home from a long journey. 
 Had we all been angels from heaven we could scarcely have beeu 
 received with more joy than these poor people manifested towards 
 us at this time. After we had taken some refreshment, Mr. P. 
 called the people into the house, where we held a prayer-meeting 
 together, to thank our heavenly Father for his providential care over 
 us on our journey. While he was engaged in prayer, the people, 
 unable any longer to contain their feelings, began to weep and cry 
 aloud. After singing a hymn, one of the women was desired to 
 engage in prayer, which she did in the most zealous and fervent 
 manner. Oh, how ardently this poor woman thanked the Lord for 
 putting it in the hearts of his dear people in the far and distant 
 land to send his servants with the everlasting Gospel to them poor 
 Hottentots, the most despised and neglected nation in the whole 
 earth, to instruct them in the way of everlasting life. How she 
 expressed her wonder and astonishment that any should be found 
 in the world possessing so much love towards such black, 
 miserable, arid poor beings as they were, as to leave their native 
 country, their dear fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, and 
 in fact, all that was dear to nature, to come and live in such a 
 wilderness as this is, in order to be the means of saving such sinners 
 as they were from everlasting perdition. How she wondered that 
 we ventured to cros the mighty and boisterous ocean, to travel over 
 high mountains and through deep rivers, to come and live among 
 them poor Hottentots, who had nothing to give us after all our 
 trouble and labour. Her manner and language, I think, was 
 enough to affect the hardest heart. 
 
 Although vou have heard of it before, I cannot omit noticing 
 here the singing of the Hottentots, which is most delightful ; 1 
 should almost think it worth while to come from England to Africa 
 to hear them. Their voices are nearly, if not fully as beautiful 
 as any musical instrument I ever heard : to hear them when alone 
 in the fields, in the mornings and evenings, is in the highest degree 
 delightful. 
 
 The Tuesday evening before w'e left Hooge Kraal, we heard an 
 old man, about, if not upwards of QO years of age, engage in 
 prayer You can hardly imagine how interesting it was to hear 
 this poor old man so heartily thauk the Lord for sending his 
 blessed Gospel to his nation in his days, and particularly for making 
 it efficacious to his own conversion. 
 
421 
 
 Missionary at Bethelsdorp. 
 
 On Thursday, April 17th, we took leave of the affectionate 
 people at Hooge Kraal to commence the last part of our journey. 
 Brother Pacalt’s people lent us two spans of oxen to take us to the 
 top of Cradock’s-berg, a high mountain we had to cross, in order to 
 spare ours for the rest of the journey. Mr. Pacalt accompanied 
 us a day’s journey over the mountain, in which he did us great 
 service, for I do not know that we should have been able to have 
 got over without his assistance, the roads being slippery after the 
 rains. Many of the people also followed us several miles, singing 
 the greater part of the way. When it was time that they should 
 return, we held a prayer-meeting together in a wood at the foot of 
 the mountain : the woods and mountains echoed with the sound of 
 their melodious voices. 
 
 At last, after many a waiting hour, we arrived safely at Bethels- 
 dorp, on Wednesday evening, April 30th, where we were received 
 with every mark of kindness and Christian affection by Mr. and 
 Mrs. Messer, which they still continue to shew. Not a single ac- 
 cident of any kind happened to us all the way from Cape Town to 
 this place, for which we have great cause to bless and praise the 
 name of the Lord our God, whose mercies towards us, both on sea 
 and land, have been manifold. Here we may raise our Ebenezer, 
 saying, “ Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” 
 
 Friday, May 9th, Brother Messer accompanied us to Uitenhage, 
 where we waited on Col. Cuyler, the Landdrost. He shewed much 
 kindness and attention towards us, and he has given me permission 
 to preach in English to the soldiers at that place, and the use of the 
 church for that purpose. 
 
 I have no time or room at present to write any thing respecting 
 the state of Bethelsdorp, this letter being already twice as long as 
 I at first intended. Though the outpouring of the Spirit is not 
 now' so powerful as it is represented to have been some time ago, 
 yet we have the pleasure of seeing some, weekly, “ seeking the way 
 to Zion, with their faces thitherward.” 
 
 Brother and Sister Messer, Brother Brownlee, and my wife 
 join with me in love and respects to all the Directors, hoping we 
 shall not be forgotten by them in their supplications before a throne 
 of grace. Dear fathers and brethren, pray daily for us, that the 
 everlasting arms of Jehovah may be underneath us, to make us 
 useful in his great vineyard, and that w r e may be enabled to be good 
 Missionaries of Jesus Christ among the poor and unenlightened 
 heathen . 
 
 LATTAKOO. 
 
 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Robert Hamilton, dated 
 Lattakoo, May 15, 1817. 
 
 We left. Griqua Town on the iGihof April, andafter afavourable 
 journey arrived ai Lattakoo on the 25 th, and found the mission in 
 a better state than we expected. On our arrival we paid a visit to 
 King Mateebe in his house, and found hun and all his household 
 
422 Abstract of a Letter from Mr. Robert Hamilton. 
 
 the dark. A light being made he and Queen Mutruta shook hand? 
 with us. Being informed through an interpreter that we were 
 come to live among them, he replied" we must consider this land as 
 our own, and live and die among them.” He then asked for 
 tobacco, some of which I gave to him, in return he presented me 
 with three stalks of his corn, which is sweet to the taste; w r e then 
 parted, again shaking hauds. 
 
 Understanding that it was King Mateebe’s determination to re- 
 move the city to the Krooman River, I went and looked for proper 
 stones for millstones, and found two, close by the city, 28 inches 
 broad, and 10 inches thick, which I have prepared for a Water Mill 
 at the Krooman. Perhaps I am the first who has hewn a stone 
 at Lattakoo. When I made the hole in the middle of it, the 
 people were struck with wonder. One observed “ that these men must 
 be from God, who can do such things.” The Queen asked if we 
 got our clothes from the Sea Water, as she had never seen any 
 beasts with such skins. When I began to plain wood the people 
 expressed their surprise that they had never seen it doue before. 
 The chain of our waggon however, strikes them as the greatest 
 wonder of all, they say a god must have made it. 
 
 I am sorry to inform you, that not one of the children here will 
 come to school. We have begun to learn the language in which 
 we have hope of succeeding. I received Mr. Campbell’s letter 
 after my arrival here. That part of it which refers to Mateebe, I 
 caused to be read to him. When the King heard it, he smiled, and 
 said he could not comprehend what the Missionaries said. Cupido 
 is settled among the Corannas. 
 
 Prior to the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Mateebe had 
 been out on a predatory expedition against a nation situated to the 
 north-east of Lattakoo. The Missionaries had in vain attempted 
 to dissuade him from this project. He resolved to go at all events, 
 and left the queen and children under their care. The nation whom 
 he sought to plunder had wisely driven all their cattle into the 
 town. Mateebe therefore resolved to attack the town, which he 
 did himself in the centre. The people who had most strongly 
 urged him to proceed upon this commando were on the right wing 
 and soon gave w'ay, the consequence of this was a precipitate re- 
 treat. The enemy then advanced with great fury and obliged 
 Mateebe and his scattered army to fly for their lives. In their 
 flight many of Mateebe’s people were dashed to pieces by falling 
 from the rocks. He is supposed to have lost more than 200 men. 
 In his flight he wounded one of his feet, which is dressed by one of 
 the Missionaries every day. This defeat has deeply affected the 
 King’s mind, and he greatly regrets that he did not listen to the 
 advice of the Missionaries; says he has done w'rong, and that he will 
 no more go out on commando’s, but will give himself up to the 
 Direction of the Missionaries. 
 
 While Mateebe was gone upon the above expedition to take the 
 
Communications from Cajfraria. 423 
 
 cattle of other people, Makabo king of the Wanketzens sent a com- 
 mando and took the cattle from one of Mateebe’s out-posts. 
 
 By another letter dated at the Krooman River, June 11, we learn 
 that the Missionaries removed from Lattakoo on the 4th of June, 
 and arrived at the river on the 8th. This place seems to be well 
 situated for a permanent settlement. One of them says, ‘ the plain 
 is as large as the city of London, surrounded by tall trees, which 
 afford a delightful shade in the summer, and give it a very pleasing 
 appearance; it is like a gentleman’s park.’ They were accom- 
 panied by the king, his uncle, and several other chiefs, who went 
 with them, in order to determine on the spot where the new town 
 should be built. The king intended to return to Lattakoo, and 
 call a geneial meeting of the chiefs, to see who are with him and 
 who are against him ; for several of them are extremely averse both 
 to his removal, and his entertainment of the Missionaries. The 
 king, however, appears to be determined : he complains much of 
 some of his captains, who, he says, deserted him in the field, and 
 left him when he was sick and wounded, to be eaten by the crows ; 
 but the Missionaries visited him, and dressed his wounds, therefore 
 jre should call them his best friends. 
 
 CAFFRARIA. 
 
 Communications have recently been received from Mr. Joseph 
 Williams, Missionary to the Caffres, dated 7th August, 1817. 
 Mr. Williams left Bethelsdorp on the loth of June, 1816, accom- 
 panied by his wife and child, and 28 persons from Bethelsdorp, 
 including children. He arrived at the place of his destination, on 
 the banks of the Kat River, on the 15th of July. On the 18th 
 they were joined by ten Caffre families. He proceeded to build a 
 house of rushes, 1 6 feet long, 14 wide, and 13 in height; after 
 which he made a garden, but the excessive heat destroyed the seeds 
 he brought from England ; all was burnt up, except a few' beans 
 and some Indian corn. He cleared also a piece of land for culti- 
 vation ; but for want of rain was not able to plough. The 
 sixth day after his arrival he began to teach the alphabet to children 
 and adults; 50 or 60 attended then, afterwards about 120; about 
 150 have learned the alphabet, 12 can spell words of two syllables, 
 and nearly all have learned a little Dutch hymn. They assemble four 
 times on the sabbath for religious worship ; the attendance is about 
 100. Jan Tzatzoo usually addresses the people on the evening of 
 the sabbath. They have worship twice a day during the remainder 
 of the week, at sun-rise and after sun-set. He had been visited by 
 King Geika, with whom he had had long conversations. The king 
 is desirous that more Missionaries may be sent, but his people ge- 
 nerally are not. On the 8th of September the tw'o brothers of Jan 
 Tzatzoo arrived, and seemed powerfully affected under the preaching 
 of the word ol God; after remaining with them a month, they returned 
 home, and declared what they had heard and felt of the good wmrdof 
 life. In December they paid a second visit, and appeared teachable 
 _andjrumble ; _^ they came and took up their residence at 
 
424 . 
 
 Greek Islands. 
 
 the Kat River. They were constant in their attendance on public 
 worship, and are the most industrious persons in the Institution. 
 Before they left their father, Jan visited him for a week, during 
 which time he assembled his father’s people morning and evening 
 for worship, and the old man always joined them, and appeared 
 anxious that his sons should continue with him; many of his people 
 appeared much affected under the preaching of the word of the 
 Lord. The old man, however, whom Mr. Williams has visited, is 
 very ignorant on religious subjects, and insensible to the concerns of 
 his soul. 
 
 On the 19th of December, Mr. Williams began a dam in the 
 river, for the purpose of leading out the water on the land ; this is 
 a great and very difficult labour, and may not be completed in 12 
 months. He has been ably assisted in it by the sons of Tzatzoo, 
 who have thus put their industrious spirit to a severe test. Soon 
 after the commencement of thi3 work, and whilst labouring in it, 
 Mr. W. unhappily so much injured the fore-finger of his left hand, 
 as to be under the necessity of having the finger cut off. This ope- 
 ration was performed at Captain Andrews’s post, by Dr. Mahary. 
 
 Mr. W. had received advices that the Tambookie nation had 
 been much afflicted of late with sickness and death, and that some 
 of them anxiously enquired of the Caffres if they were to have a 
 teacher ; when he would come, and said that they longed to see 
 his arrival. 
 
 GREEK ISLANDS. 
 
 On the 19th of September, 1816, the Rev. Isaac Lowndes, together 
 with his wife and infant daughter, embarked on board the Prince 
 Leopold, Capt. Smith, for Malta, to prepare, at that place, for his 
 ulterior destination on a mission to the Greek Islands. He arrived, 
 with his family, safe at Valetta on the morning of the 6lh of No- 
 vember. During the year which Mr. L. has remained iu Malta, he has 
 been diligently prosecuting the study of the modern Greek, and also 
 the Italiau, which latter is almost as necessary as the Greek itself to 
 a Missionary in the Ionian Islands, where the Italian language, is very 
 commonly spoken. Mr. L. for sometime after his arrival, preached 
 in his apartments every sabbath evening, to from 25 to 40 persons, 
 several of w hom appeared to him to be decidedly religious characters. 
 About the beginning of June, the Government granted him the use 
 of a house, rent free, iu which he has fitted up a room that will 
 contain 100 persons. He has now, for several months, preached 
 four times a w'eek ; the attendance is about 50. Mr. L. has dis- 
 tributed a considerable number of Italian aud English tracts; also a 
 number of copies of the Italian Testament, English Bible, Dod- 
 diidge’s Rise and Progress, and Bogue’s Essay, &c. in Italian. Mr. 
 II. Drummond having, last Spring, visited Malta, and succeeded 
 in establishing a Bible Society there, Mr. Lowndes was appointed 
 Secretary to it, conjointly with Dr. Naudi and the Rev. Mr. Jowett. 
 Mr. L. is now waiting a favourable opportunity to depart for the 
 Greek islands,