liness; and although much cannot be said of success in these respects, yet there are instances among the Girls of the 1st School which have, in some degree, answered expectations.

The following extract from the Madras Report conveys a satisfactory testimony to the efficiency of this branch of labour:

As some of the Members of the Corresponding Committee have recently visited the above Schools, and have examined the proficiency of the Scholars in most branches of their learning, it has afforded them sincere gratification to be able to bear a decided testimony to the excellence and nature of the Schools; and, at the same time, to state their conviction, that they are amongst the best-conducted and most promising Schools in the Peninsula.

Mayaveram.

The Rev. Paul P. Schaffter arrived at Madras the end of September 1827, and joined Mr. Bärenbruck on the 17th of October: he has since, however, been withdrawn for a time, for the purpose of taking charge of the Seminary at Perambore, during Mr. Sawyer's absence.

The following account of the MINISTRY OF THE WORD is taken from the Madras Report:

Every Sunday Morning, a regular Tamul Service is performed in the Mission Compound School; and in the Afternoon, a portion of Scripture is expounded; or else John Dewasagayam, the Inspector of the Schools, reads a Tamul Service. In the Evening, an Exposition of a portion of Scripture in English is given. Every morning and evening, at 8 o'clock, Prayers are offered up in the School-room, in the Mission Compound, when Mr. Bärenbruck expounds a portion of Scripture in course. Previous to the Evening Service, however, either Mr. Bärenbruck or John Dewasagayam reads the Scriptures for the express benefit of the Heathen; after which it is explained and applied to the hearers, with

suitable remarks.

The Congregation that assembles at the Tamul SundayMorning Service, fluctuates from 20 to 40: amongst them are about 30 Christians, a very few Roman Catholics, and from 6 to 16 Heathens. The Afternoon Congregation differs little from the former; but on the English Evening Service not more than 14 persons attend: this number comprises all who are acquainted with the English Language in the place. In the Daily Morning and Evening Service, from 16 to 26 Christians, and from 3 to 20 Heathens, attend. The Communicants vary from 19 to 30.

There is at present no regular place for Public Worship at Mayaveram: the Services are therefore performed in the School-room within the Mission Compound. Besides this, there is another School-room within a short distance of the former, opposite the high road leading to Combaconum: it is a situation of great thoroughfare; and being perfectly accessible, strangers frequently turn aside to hear part of the Service at the doors or windows, who could on no account be prevailed on to enter a place of stated Worship.

From the last Report, it appears that there are 29 Schools in connection with this Station, containing 1646 Scholars; of whom 46 are Brahmins, 1506 Soodras, 37 Mussulmans, 29 Protestants, and 13 Romanists. In two of the Schools, the Seminary at Mayaveram and a School at Combaconum, both English and Tamul are taught: in the others, Tamul only.

Mr. Schaffter thus notices the disadvantages which are connected with the management of the Schools by Heathen Masters; and the beneficial effects, notwithstanding those evils:

There is difficulty in finding proper Schoolmasters to instruct these little Children in the reading and understanding of the Word of God. It is a sad necessity to be obliged to employ Heathen Schoolmasters in Schools which are to be conducted according to Christian principles, and the chief end of which is to impress the minds of the Children with the saving truths of the Gospel. However, notwithstanding this great defect, which cannot be now altogether prevented, Mr. Bärenbruck has many instances which shew that the Word of God has a powerful and blessed influence on some of the Children; and he cannot but look back on these Schools as one of the chief means which the Lord has put into his hands, for bringing this people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

In the SEMINARY there are 30 Youths, who are included in the above number; of whom about 15 are preparing for Teachers to their Countrymen. Of these, Mr. Schaffter gives the following encouraging

account :

I may say, with truth, of our Seminarists, that the Word of God, which dwells among them richly, is not without effect: they seem to hear, with more and more interest and pleasure, what is good; and are submissive to their Teachers, and regular in their conduct. There are among them some very promising Young Men, in whose hearts the Spirit of God seems to have manifestly begun the work of true conversion; and I have

been surprised to see how far some of them are advanced in the English Language and in other useful knowledge. May we not hope that it will please God to render some of these Young Men shining lights among their Countrymen?

The Madras Committee state, that John Dewasagayam, who has laboured so long and so faithfully at Mayaveram, but whose adherence to Caste caused many to entertain doubts of his sincerity, has become at length so fully persuaded of its incompatibility with Christianity, and of its injurious effects on himself, both as a Christian and as a Missionary Labourer, that he has made an open and formal renunciation of Caste.

TINNEVELLY.

It was stated in the last Report, that the Rev. J. C. F. Winckler and Mrs. Winckler, and Mr. Regel, a Schoolmaster from Sadras, had joined the Rev. Messrs. Rhenius and Schmid at Tinnevelly: they have all, with their families, been preserved in health to continue their labours. Mr. Winckler, who was stationed at Tutecoryn, remained there till September; but it being thought desirable that he should reside more in the midst of the Congregations, he removed to Palamcottah, where he was to reside during the Monsoon; and then to proceed to Dohnavoor, a place near the mountains, south of Palamcottah, where buildings have been erected for his accommodation, and from whence he will superintend the Congregations and Schools along the Hills. Mrs. Schnarre's health was so much impaired in October, that she was advised to try a change of air; and, accordingly, proceeded to Quilon, from whence she would probably proceed to the Nilgherry Hills.

The MINISTRY OF THE WORD is still accompanied by an evident effusion of the Holy Spirit; and many circumstances are stated in the Madras Report which indicate, not only the continuance, but the EXTENSION of that Work which God has wrought by His Servants.

Of the EXTENT of this sphere of labour some idea may be formed, from the fact, that it embraces 146 Towns and Villages, in which there are 52 Places of

Public Worship. In those, Divine Service is performed almost daily: on the Week-days, when the Catechists itinerate among the people, they assemble morning and evening, for the purpose of learning Catechisms, and hearing the Scriptures read and explained; and, on Sunday, they assemble for Worship at the Head-quarters of the Catechist. The Daily Services are attended by all, excepting those who are kept from them by the nature of their employments. In reference to these Services, the Missionaries write

The number of Heathen attending Divine Service cannot be exactly stated. Many attend, particularly at such Chapels as are conspicuously situated and near the road, as those at Palamcottah, Tinnevelly, Satangkoolam, &c.; and by this means, the Word of God, or portions of its truths, are scattered far and wide. Indeed, several late conversions have resulted from such casual (if we may so call it) attendance at these Places of Worship.

The number of people professing Christianity within this Mission was, at the end of June, 4305. The list shews an increase of about 800 souls more than there were at the end of the year 1827. This would have been greater; but many of those who came forward apparently from worldly motives, on finding themselves disappointed, and on being persecuted by their Heathen Neighbours or Headmen, returned to their former ways: circumstances are such, that persons of this description cannot remain long hid: they must soon declare themselves either to be altogether on the Lord's side, or else recede.

In reference to this, the Missionaries write

On the whole, we have reason to say that a true knowledge of the Gospel and true conversions are on the increase. Among those who have stood fast from the beginning of their renouncing Heathenism, amidst many discouragements and persecutions, the Word of God takes deeper root: they begin to adhere to it because it is good; and recede from idolatry, and idolatrous practices, further than ever. Among them we have had the satisfaction, from time to time, to baptize such persons as have appeared to us to be fit for that sacred rite. During the year 1827, 76 persons were baptized; and from January to October, in the present year, 13 others have been admitted to that ordinance.

In speaking of the increase of Converts, one circumstance, which has greatly tended to strengthen their hands, is thus noticed by the Missionaries:

H

We would particularly notice, with joy and gratitude to Almighty Grace, that, in the course of this year, in the town of Tinnevelly, where we seemed for seven years to preach the Word almost in vain, about 60 Soodra Families, of the Weaver Caste, have renounced Idolatry, and have been formed into a Christian Congregation, at the very time when the inhabitants began to boast that we had been so long preaching there without obtaining a single convert. They had, for the space of five months, to endure severe vexations and afflictions from their Heathen Neighbours; but the Lord enabled them to stand fast, and to bear all things patiently. The Word of Jehovah proved, from time to time, a great cordial to them; and they have experienced, that those who wait on the Lord, shall not be confounded. The confusion returned on the heads of their persecutors; one of whom came afterwards, confessing his guilt, and requested permission to join the Congregation. Thirteen of them have since been baptized, having given satisfactory evidence that they really believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This appears to have led to further results, of which they thus speak:

That Tinnevelly had also received the Gospel, spread, of course, throughout the district, and encouraged others to follow their good example. In consequence, we have now several Congregations in the north of Palamcottah, among Soodras and Low Castes: a pretty large Congregation of the latter is about 60 miles to the northward, near the mountains. We are particularly pleased with these openings for the Gospel, because they are in quarters where it had not been previously admitted. Even among the Brahmins & spirit of inquiry is kindled; and two of them have attached themselves to our people, and appear to learn the word of Truth with benefit to their souls, though they have not yet formally renounced Heathenism.

Nor should it be forgotten, that, as far as the evidence of a change of heart can be ascertained by a change of life, this, in many instances, is not wanting; as the following extract from the Report will shew:

With respect to the conduct of our Congregations in general, we are warranted in saying, that those who have continued to attend upon our instructions have become better men, in every respect. In fact, it is known among the Heathen, that to become a Christian, is to become a moral character: and there have been instances, in which Heathens still refuse to join the Church, because, as they said, they cannot yet leave off lying and other wicked courses of the world; yea, one person at least, of those who had already joined the Congregation, left it again for that very reason. We have also had,