so forcibly impressed and suddenly pricked to the heart, I sat down and attended to her solely, and explained the way of salvation through Jesus Christ: she attended to what was said, with tears of gratitude. She kept close to us the remainder of the day, acknowledging what an abominable sinner she was, and promising to visit us at Chunar. We distributed, during the day and night, about 100 copies of the Gospels and Tracts. Returned from the Fair about five o'clock. In the afternoon, and according to promise, met the people at the Ghauts. Twenty-two came: most of these were men of learning and shrewdness: some came with expectations raised to hear great things; others, to prove with hard questions: among these was a leading man, a Gooroo. There was hardly one present who considered the system of the Shasters with any degree of deference: the knowledge and tenets of such persons are reckoned superior to that of the general body of the Hindoos. The beforementioned leading man was looked upto with great respect and reverence; so much so, that all kept silence before him, and left him to combat us. Finding him sit silent with great consequence, I gave him the preference to put any question to me; or, if it were his pleasure, I should propose one to him. After waiting his answer for some time, he vaguely replied, “Neither one thing nor the other." To be short, after much ceremony, I begged to know what his hopes were to be delivered from sin and its consequences. He replied as before. I explained myself. Finding him trying to avoid a direct answer, the hearers began to manifest their anxiety, and to entreat him to give an answer. He at length said the question was an improper one, like going to unravel a knot from the middle, without any reference to what man was before his creation, what he is now, and what will become of him hereafter. Being well aware, from much experience, how these people try to puzzle and to draw one into a maze, without ever coming to the point, I would not admit of any thing till he had cleared up the proposed question. the proposed question. Seeing this, he said there were many things which ought not to be divulged in public.— Answer. "We are well aware that the Hindoo System inculcates secrecy, in the most important concerns: but all mankind being sinners, and all needing salvation, in consistence with sound reason it should not be so; but, on the contrary, such questions should be proposed and discussed in the most open and public manner, that all may give their opinion and decide upon what is urged on both sides. On this account, we Christians, believing ours to be the only true religion upon earth and worthy of all acceptation, have come from Benares and Chunar with a large supply of Books in the simple languages of the country, and our hopes and view of salvation are set forth in them. Being confident of ours being sterling coin, we are neither ashamed nor afraid of our principles, but wish that all would Whenever a search and examine. person has a counterfeit coin to exchange, he does not act with openness and candour, but endeavours to avoid scrutiny as much as possible." All seemed to approve of what was said; when another took up the cause, and questioned me thus-"Pray what shape is God?"-Answer. "Of no form or shape, as also say the Shas"That cannot ters."-Antagonist. be: for a thing without a shape is nothing; nor can any thing exist without shape."-Answer, "I can prove to the contrary. Pray of what form is the wind, or the spirit of man? of what shape is pleasure and pain, scent,thought, &c. ?" In reply he spoke of the effects, and not of the things themselves; which was not conclusive or satisfactory: he was, consequently, silenced by others. However, he would neither give up nor hearken to reason, like determined Infidels. On questioning me about God, I replied, "He is infinite." This he would not admit, nor would those of the same profession; but said, that, in that case, he (God) should be incomprehensible.-Answer, "He certainly is so; otherwise, where were his Godhead?" We then went on, till all became favourable to our way of reasoning and thinking, and expressed their gratitude. They wished that we might make a stay of at least a fortnight. On being told that we had a bundle of Books with us, they all solicited and obtained copies of the Gospels and other Tracts. They then openly acknowledged the superiority of our Religion. Sept. 20, 1820.-This morning we went to the same place. Many came about us, asking questions, arguing, &c. Some spoke ill of us; saying that this was our snare to catch souls, to decoy them away from their religion,&c. We set off in an open boat, laden with lime. Arrived at Chunar at half past seven. Sept. 29. This evening visited our sick Hindoo-School Teacher. Being apprehensive of his state, exhorted him to prepare for his latter end. With tears, he entreated me to defer his baptism no longer. On replying that I should not think it prudent to put it off any longer, and that I should probably do it next Sabbath, he bowed down, with his hands clasped, and with tears of joy answered, 66 Oh, Sir! I have been running away from the Lord Jesus for the last three years past, and this is the fruit of all my sin. I am certain that if I had closed in with Christ and submitted to baptism when Mr. Corrie came over here, nothing of this would have happened to me. Do, Sir, admit me, a poor dog, to participate in the crumbs that fall from Christ's Table. I know my utter unworthiness of becoming a member of Christ's Church. My sins are so aggravated, that I can hardly think His mercy will extend to me. O wretched sinner that I am, who did not accept Him when He was so freely offered! Let me remain a dog at his feet, feeding upon the crumbs, and I shall be happy! Though lost to time, may I but be happy to eternity! O Lord,make me thy willing slave! O Messeeh, grant me, a poor dog, the crumbs of thy table! Vile as I am, thou canst make me whole!" Thus did he go on to our admiration. I was obliged to set the Gospel before him, in order to support his fainting hope. He then begged that I would not leave his companion-in-life behind, but baptize her also at the same time-that it was for this purpose he had not separated himself from her before. She has been in the habit of learning the Hindoostanee Catechism for some months past, and attends the Service regularly. She also expressed her wish to join the flock of Christ. APPENDIX X. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE OF THE REV. ABDOOL MESSEEH UP THE GANGES, FROM CALCUTTA TO AGRA. (Addressed to the Rev. Daniel Corrie.) To the well-wisher of my soul and body, may God, who is Father Son and Holy Ghost, grant to you and yours all things profitable, and keep from you all hurtful things! 1, your humblest Scholar, on the 3d of November took my departure. For three or four days, my boat and Mr. Morris's went on together: afterward my boat, from striking on the ground, sprung a leak, and began to take in much water. We were under the necessity of leaving Mr. Morris, in order that my boatmen might go on speedily to Dinapore to repair the boat. One man was obliged to attend and bale the boat day and night. By the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the winds and waves obey, we arrived in safety at Dinapore on the 7th of December. some food, I go into the village, if any is near, to make known the Gospel; and, if there is no village near, I remain in the boat: the Boys write their copies, and I mend my net*. In the evening, the Boys are disengaged from their lessons; and, after our evening meal and worship, we commit ourselves to God's protection and go to rest. Abdool mentions the two following circumstances: ler, who took, with great thankfulWe fell in with a Mogul Travel The Friday you left us at Chinsurah, was passed in sorrow, on account of my separation from you. In the evening after worship, with my little. family, I slept but little; but passed the time in speaking with Gabriel and Suadut of my feelings, and call-ness, a Persian New Testament and ing their attention to the certainty of a copy of the Psalms. He said, "From conversing with you, great one day in like manner taking leave doubts have arisen in my heart reof the world, when all friends will be left behind, and we must go alone, specting Islam." Time will disclose the event. none with us beside God; therefore we should, according to the Gospel, betimes call off our hearts from earthly things and keep in mind the True Journey. For at the end of that Journey is such a place, that no further removal will follow. I daily think, several times, on those pieces of my heart, those little creatures, dear as life, Anna and Laura, and my heart inordinately wishes for wings, that I might fly every morning to visit them, and hear their lovely prattle; and, in every prayer of mine, I remember them, that God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, may give them in youth spiritual knowledge; and, under your fostering care, grant that they may be among the remnant of true Christians. Amen. Of his daily occupations, during the remainder of November, Abdool gives the following account : After Morning Worship, I give Gabriel instruction in Persian, for two hours. Suadut Messeeh has also a lesson in Oordoo: by the help of God, he has, during a month and a few days, got by heart three long Prayers and the Catechism, and has read several Chapters in the Gospel. At the time the boatmen stay to get We went to a village, but the people ran away; and although I said much to get them to remain, they would not come near us, but stood looking on at a distance. In December, Abdool thus pursues his Journal: The Dec. 1, 1820.-The Custom-House Officers delayed my boat till evening, in examining my baggage. Headman was much offended, when he heard my history; and said, "Let the Infidels' boat go. It is the English Governmen t.I have no power, or I would sink such a fellow's boat." I much wished to talk with him; but, as soon as he saw me come out of the Dec, 2.-Having left my boat opposite to the Bazar, I was walking toward the Roman-Catholic Church, when I passed a Chemist's shop, where ten or twelve Moguls were sitting and smoking. On seeing me they called to me and said, "Sir, whence are you?" I answered, "I am a Native of Delhi." They said, "Speak truth! Your appearance and speech are That is-endeavour to improve in Christian Knowledge. (Note by Mr. Corrie.) not like a Hindoostanee's." I said, "That arises from my having associated much with the People of the West." They asked me," Are you of the People of the West?" I an. swered, "Ask not concerning my birth my Father and Mother were of good extraction; but I have renounced my family, and forsaken Islam, and now have embraced Christianity." They became angry, and said, Dishonourer of your House! why have you forsaken Islam, and become a Nazarite?" I said, "Sirs! I say the truth-that in the Pentateuch, and Psalms, and Books of the Prophets, I found no trace of your Prophet. He, without any authority, styles himself a Prophet, and has ruined a world of souls. All your Scriptures are contrary to God, and the Lord Jesus Christ: and he was so unwise, as knowingly, and with his eyes open, to cast himself into perdition." The speaker said, "God protect me from Satan! O thou, what word of the Prophet of Islam have you found contrary to the Word of God?" I said, "The following is a saying of your Prophet The world is a lie, and advantages arise from deceit."-He was much disconcerted, and said, My house is near." I went with him to his house, and staid with him: he treated me very kindly for three hours, we conversed on Religion, and, were I to detail the whole, this book would not contain it. He at length observed, that, from what he had heard, a desire was created in his heart to forsake Islam; and if I had a copy of the Nagree Tract, in Persian, he begged I would give it to him. I gave him a copy of the Nagree Tract and of the Psalms in Persian, and took my leave. : 66 Dec. 3, 1820.-The boat remained in the same place all day. After worship and breakfast, I went toward the Roman-Catholic Church, and visited Padre Antonio's Christians. They inquired my name. I told them, name, they immediately said, "Our Padre has often spoken of you as the enemy of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary; and that you forbid people to have images of the Saints, or to worship the Virgin Mary; and that you have led astray many of the Agra Christians: and now are you come here, to lead astray the Christians of this place? You must not enter into our Church." I said to them, earnestly, "My Dear Brethren, if any one hears a bad report of another, he inquires if it be true or false, and why it is. I desire you, do not say any thing of your Padre; but sit down in some place apart from the Church, and hear my story; and let any fit person compare what I say with the Holy Gospel. If I speak according to the Gospel, obey it: if I speak contrary, do not obey it." They then said, Don't try to deceive us: we are forbidden by our Padre:" and one said, "I know you once disputed with Padre Antonio, about ten years ago: we do not wish to incur the excommunication of our Padre for your sake." On this, two Christians of that persuasion passed by; and, hearing what I said, invited me to their house, and shewed me much kindness. Both of them were merchants, and spoke Persian, but little of Hindoostanee: they spoke much of the Miracles of their Padres. They received, with much desire and thankfulness, a copy of the Nagree Tract and of the Psalms. I read a Chapter and explained it to them, and prayed with them, in Persian: they were much pleased. I remained in their house until evening. They constrained me to partake of their meal; and observed that though many things in their Church were contrary to the Gospel, they did not approve of them. Dec. 4.* Sunday. We continued in the same place. After Morning Prayers, I went to the house of the above Christians, had worship with It will be seen under date of the 25th, that Ab. dool was, by mistake, a day too forward in his "Abdool Messeeh." On hearing my dates. This was, in fact, the 3d of December. them, and staid till mid-day. Returned from them, and visited two or three Mosques, and conversed with the People about the Gospel. They wondered, and began to say, "We practise what has been handed down to us." Dec. 5, 1820.-The boat came to, at Roilah Ghaut. I went to pay my respects to Mr. Money. I gave my beloved Mr. Sherer's Letter to Mr. Money. He read it, and expressed much pleasure, and asked after the Rev. Mr. Morris. I told him that he was coming after me, and would arrive in ten or fifteen days. He said he much wished to see me, and that he hoped I would ask for any thing I wanted. I answered, that, through God's goodness, I had need of nothing. When I came out, the Servants in attendance came round me, and said, "Nabob Sahib, you and the Collector are great Friends; we too hope to receive sweetmeats from you(viz. a Present).' I said, "I am not a Nabob, but a Christian Fakeer; and have one thing which is sweeter and more precious than all the sweetmeats in the world: whosoever tastes of it, will forget all mortal good. 99 me to be a Mussulman Guide, and approached me with great respect. I told him briefly my history, from heginning to end. He was much astonished; and his Children and many of the village gathered round me. I asked him if he could read: he answered, "No." I then said, "Oh! Sir, I grieve for your state. God has greatly lengthened your days; and has given you all kinds of earthly wealth in riches and in children; but, alas! you have not yet obtained the knowledge of the True God. It would perhaps have been better for you had I not met with you; and yet, if I tell you not the Truth, your blood would be upon my head.” Having said thus much, I remained silent. He then said, Pray, Sir, then tell me what I must do. I have done every thing that I have been told by Native Teachers. I have dug a well, and built a church, and given much in charity. All these external services I have performed; and now from your discourse, I find that these things are all for making a name in the world." I answered, "I tell you, in God's Name, that now is your twelfth hour; and if you will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall, without the merit of your own works, beyond all doubt obtain Salvation." I then read and began to explain to him the Parable of the Labourers, who, in the evening, received wages alike: and I made known the divinity and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He turned to his Eldest Son, and said, "What shall I do?" He, hearing this, rose, and, going into the house, told the family: when the Younger Son, coming out, was very angry with the Father; and said, "Old Man is thy sense gone! Dost thou think of forsaking thy Religion and becoming an Infidel and a Feringee, and ruining us all ?" When he heard his Son's words he said to me, "I tell you truly, that I have heard what you have read, and now understand it; and now my heart desires to become a Christian; but the love of my Children does not allow |