date.

It is quoted by the Cor. responding Committee, as an instance of the Inspector's prudent and conciliatory conduct toward his opponents, "the continued exercise of which," the Committee justly remark, “can hardly fail to remove their prejudices, if not to convert their opposition into a contrary feeling."]

Two of the principal Heathens at Purreyar, named Ramalinga Pillay and Ayyakan Cheltyar, came and requested, in a very friendly manner, the use of a choultry near my house, which was left to my care by the owner till the end of this year. Their New Free-School being kept far from their streets, they wish to keep one of their Schoolmasters and a part of his Scholars in this choultry. Although this is not favourable to our Free-Schools in the next street, I foresaw the trouble which they and their friends would cause to get back the choultry from me, in which probably they would succeed. I therefore gave them the use of it. About two rupees, which I lent to the owner of the choultry, they wished to return; but I refused to accept the money.

They were glad of the visit and examination which I made in their Free-School some time ago: they desired me to continue my visits, and

so far I observed their request was sincere. I told them that their Schoolmaster caused us some trouble, by giving bad advice to the Parents who send their Children to our Schools: they appeared very unwilling to approve such conduct in their Schoolmaster, and desired me to give him the necessary instruction. I availed myself of this opportunity, and spoke to them of our disinterested motives to promote the real welfare of the Native Children; and that it was not from such inducements as some of them, ignorant of our Christian Principles, suspect: they ap peared to comprehend me.

Besides this, they observe also how little they can prevent our progress: all their trouble and subscriptions, these six months, enabled them only to establish two Free-Schools, where about 150 Children are instructed, of whom about 60 or 70 Children formerly belonged to our Schools: to prevent the other Children, near 1500 in number, who still come to our Schools, they find not an easy thing: besides, they hear and see how much we are solicited for the establishment of New Schools. They sent me their Schoolmaster in the evening as they promised, to whom I gave the necessary instruction.

At seven o'clock in the evening, we arrived at Nayanarella-Pettah; where they brought us to the door of a Protestant Church, lighted up, and where we found people waiting to be addressed. About sixty Native Christians were present; men, women, and children. The appearance of the whole was interesting-a pretty spacious building, of mud-walls, with a thatched roof of palmyra leaves; with about six supports as pillars, the trunks of trees: at the back wall was an altar chalked over, on a little ele. vation: a small old table stood before it, with an old chair for the Preacher. We entered the Church (a monument of Mr. Jaenicke's labours) immediately after our arrival: the people seated themselves: we sang a hymn of praise, and prayed together; and I addressed them on Ezek. xvi. 6. The people were simple, but apparently attentive; and, at least some, gave evidence that they understood what they heard.

Jan.4, 1821,-About eight o'clock, arrived at Steevygoondam; a large city, with a conspicuous temple; romantically situated on the banks of a pretty large river. We had hardly finished our breakfast, when a large company of Natives gathered round us; with whom I spoke on religion, and among whom I distributed a few Tracts. They had hardly gone, when another number of Natives assembled, to see, to hear, and to receive books, with which they were gratified.

Then came a respectable Native, blind in both his eyes, led by other people, who paid great respect to him: he seemed to be a Wise Man among them; or rather a Pandaram, who instructs the people: a large number of Natives accompanied him. He came to speak on religious subjects, putting several questions with which the Hindoos frequently puzzle themselves; for instance, Why God created the world? Whence came sin? We spoke largely on the subject; and he seemed to be content with the answers which I gave him. They gave me

opportunity also, pretty circumstantially to inform them of the plan of Salvation. The conversation which we had together was long and interest. ing, though occasionally troublesome. The Pandaram and his people were glad to get a copy of the Scrip ture-History Catechism, of our Doc trinal Catechism, and of the Exposition of the Ten Commandments; with an apparently earnest promise to search these things well.

Among the rest of the people, the desire for Tracts was so great, that I already began to regret not having taken a larger quantity with me. Many could read very well, and gave us hopes of making a proper use of the books.

A Young Man seems to have taken the little book which he got to a respectable Avarier, or Priest; who, having seen it, sent him back with his best "salaams," saying, that, as an Avarier, he could not come himself, but begged that I would send him books from which he might be in structed about our way. Upon which I sent my servant along with the mes senger, and two of our little books, to see whether things were so. He did not find the Avarier himself, having gone out; but a Woman said that he had told her to receive the books until his return.

In the meanwhile another company arrived, headed by Brahmins, with whom I had a long discussion on scveral religious points. Their speaker was, as I have usually found the Brahmins to be, stiff-necked: he was sure that they acted and believed rightly, because their Shasters say so, But others seemed affected by the truth. The discourse ended in a solemn address, in which I affectio. nately urged them to turn from their vain traditions and lies, unto the truth of the Living God.

Upon this, the desire after Tracts increased in the multitude, to their own frequent disappointment and to my regret; because my small stock did not permit my satisfying them

all. Those, however, who had come from neighbouring villages, I could not let go without them. Not a few of the people, when they saw me sparing, begged for a little book as hard as for bread.

After which, taking a walk near a river, the Tasildar from Alvar met us in the way; to whom, in return for the flowers which he presented to us, we sent a Commandments' Tract and a Scripture-History Catechism.

In the afternoon we were obliged to get away from the crowd, in order to see Tiroopoolanguddy ; a small village, about three-quarters-of-anhour's distance from Streevygoondam, from which place several of the poor labouring people had come to us some weeks ago, and repeated their former request to Mr. Hough to be received into the Christian Church. Here we met them and their families, in a wretched condition; as this class of people usually are. We found them still desirous to become Christians, and to get a School built in their place. There are Five Families: in all about fifteen persons, grown-up and children; with an aged Father at their head. He had given his daughter in marriage to a Christian Young Man, in the south; on which occasion she was baptized. On his visit there, they had given him a Tranquebar Catechism, with admonitions to read and consider it: they had read it together at home; and then conceived a desire to become Christians: this they related to us, upon our asking how they came to know Christianity. While we were thus speaking together, a crowd of well-looking Natives, of the labouring class, had gathered round us. They listened to what I conversed farther with the former, about the Catechism andabout Christianity. One of the Old Man's Sons could read. They promised to read daily this and some other little books, together with a part of the New Testament which I had given them, until an Instructor could be sent them, and a School be established.

We then left them, and returned to the Mandapam at Streevygoondam; where the people were soon assembling again, to be addressed and to receive Tracts. I discoursed with them on Krishna's supposed Incarnations, on our Lord Jesus Christ, and on Lazarus and the Rich Man, They would, however, not go away without receiving some books; which I, at last, gave to some persons. The people seemed more or less impressed with the necessity of a change in their old belief and life, and pleased with what they heard. We heartily pray the Lord Jesus to let light spring up among them; and to grant that the seed sown among them this day may prove in time of harvest for the kingdom of God.

Jan. 5, 1821.-Early this morning, we proceeded to Nazareth, or Var: liade; where we arrived soon after sun-rise, and were cordially saluted and received by the Country Priest, Visoovasanaden, the Catechist, and the Congregation. We immediately entered the Church: about 300 Native Christians assembled; and we held our Morning Prayer with them. This Church is larger than that which we saw the other evening: it is also somewhat neater built. After breakfast, we went round the village. It was pleasing to reflect, that this is a place inhabited only by Protestant Christians. It was formed, as I understand, about 20 years ago, when a great famine wasted the country, and left hundreds and thousands in extreme want: a large number of such wretched Natives found refuge with our Revered Predecessors, who provided for them, and received them into the Christian Church. A large piece of ground was acquired from the inhabitants, at Varliade, for these poor people: huts were built upon it, forming three or four rather narrow streets: a Church was erected on the one side of it, with a Parsonage-and thus Nazareth arose. It has about 400 or 500 inhabitants. Though they are certainly not yet what, as Chris

tians, they ought to be, and though they still exhibit much of their former barbarous condition; yet, when compared with their Heathen Neighbours, their condition may, in several respects, be said to have been meliorated. Oh would but the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ shine truly into their hearts, this wilderness would soon become altogether a fruitful field!

About noon, we went to Mookupperkuderippoo, about half-an-hour's distance from Nazareth, where we have a School. We found sixteen, mostly small, Heathen Children, in a wretched condition, altogether rude and iguorant in the ten months since its establishment, they have learned little or nothing at all; the Master appears very stupid: he excuses himself, by saying that the Heathen will not have him teach the Commandments and other Christian Books to their Children; and that they often take them out of School to work: we could do very little with them. The village people assembled, to whom I spoke on the necessity of teaching Children divine things. Afterward the Headman of this barbarous tribe appeared, with some other people to make their “salaam." They had a terrible aspect: their looks were wild-their beards and hair long-their bodies strong. I spoke with them, in as plain and simple language as I could, of the necessity of repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ: they heard with attention; and consented to have our books taught in the School. Nevertheless, I think it advisable to give up the School altogether: particularly because of its distance from us; and its being near Nazareth, and in a village where there are already some Native Christians belonging to that Congregation of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Their little Place of Worship has also long served as a School-Room.

From this place we returned to Nazareth, where we held immediately a conference with the Country Priest, and Catechists, and Elders of the Con

gregation, about the Children whom we wish to select for our intended Seminary at Palamcottab. The Priest presented to us fourteen taller and four smaller Christian Boys. They were well-looking lads. We examined them in reading, and as to their mental capacities. Most of them gave us satisfaction; and we hope that they will answer well our wishes and design, under the blessing of God. Several of the Parents were present; and expressed their willingness to give up their Children to our care; and thankfully agreed to the conditions which we had before pointed out to them by the Priest. As many of these Boys as we want, are therefore ready to come to Palamcottah upon our call. The Parents only wished that the Children may be allowed to eat jaggry, to which they had been accustomed, and which is good for their health; to which we had, of course, no objection: this is a kind of black sugar, made from the juice of the palmyra tree, into thick round cakes; which seem to be their means of sustenance.

In the evening, the Congregation assembled for Divine Service. The Church was filled, and could not hold all the people. After singing a hymn and reading a part of the Twelfth Chapter of St. Matthew, the Country Priest offered up a prayer for the Divine blessing; and I then preached on Matt. xii. 49, 50, concluding with prayer and praise. It was an interesting evening. It cheered our hearts to have such a large field of attentive hearers before us, to receive the seed of the Word of God. We heartily pray the Lord to make them shining lights in this dark region. Afterward spoke with the Priest on the improvement of the people.

Jan. 6,Sunday.-Early,before break. fast, a large part of the Congregation assembled for worship; when the Country Priest shortly addressed them, on the text for the day, out of Bogatsky's Golden Treasure, which has been translated into Tamul by the former Missionaries: the text was

All things are possible to them that betieve. In the forenoon, we had a pleasing conversation with him on the duties of the Ministry: he greatly feels the want of a Commentary on the Bible, in Tamul; as he neither knows German nor English, nor the original languages. After that, the Catechist and Schoolmasters assembled; and we read together a few Chapters of revised Matthew and the whole of the Colossians, occasionally comparing the revision with the old version. They expressed their joy at : the revision; and the Country Priest, among other things, said "If this be printed, then we shall not find it so difficult to explain the Scriptures -to the people, and to understand the sense." This subject introduced the Bible Society's cause, and that of other religious Societies; which I strongly recommended to their no: tice.

I trust the Lord was with us; and we could not conclude the meeting without a fervent prayer to our Heavenly Master, to make us all His faithful servants, and to send more labourers into the harvest. After dinner, a part of the Congregation assembled once more, when I gave them a parting address, in which I reminded them of this day's festival of Epiphany: we prayed together, and then left them, with fervent wishes for their present and eternal welfare. We proceeded, south-westward, to Moodelloor, another village of the Christian Knowledge Society.

On the way, in the fields, we were suddenly surprised by a number of poor men, women, and children, saluting us with a Christian salutation, I stopped; and, on inquiry, found that they were Native Christians from a village close by-some having been baptized some years ago, others but lately. The Country Priest and Catechists from Nazareth visit thein, from time to time. I conversed with them about Christianity, and the ground of their faith and prayed with them for a blessing from on high. In the evening, we arrived at Moo.

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delloor, which is a much larger Christian Village than that of Nazareth. The Christians were waiting for our arrival: and, immediately after, assembled in the Church for Evening Prayer: on which occasion, I discoursed to them on Acts xxvi. 17, 18. The Church is considerably larger than that of Nazareth; though still, I understand, too small to hold all the Congregation, that will amount to nearly one thousand souls. To night, there were about six hundred collected. To see so large an assembly of Native Christians occasioned peculiar emotions in our hearts. We fervently prayed for a spiritual blessing upon these people.

Jan. 7, 1821, Sunday.-The morning discovered to us the external, and somewhat of the internal, condition of this people. They are likewise poor, and still less civilized than the Nazareth Christians. The want of a Country Priest, which the latter have, leaves them behind those, in various respects. Their condition excited our pity: they are like sheep without a shepherd.

After ten o'clock, they assembled in the Church, for Divine Service; when I preached to the largest assembly of Native Christians that I ever had before me, on Mark i. 40–45, in as plain and familiar a manner as possible; and endeavoured to move them earnestly to apply, like the leper, to Jesus, for purification and happiness. May the Spirit of the Lord enable them to do so! In the afternoon, we had the School Children assembled, with the special design to do their souls good, and to see whom of them we might select for our Seminary: about forty came together, with several grown people: they were, in general, not so promising as those in Nazareth: we found only about Seven Boys, that were likely to answer our purpose: I catechized them all on the Ten Commandments; and concluded with a prayer, for the Congregation and for the Children. At sun-set we walked through their