on several occasions, the testimony of their Heathen Neighbours to the fact, that the Christians walk not as they formerly did, when they were Heathen. Many of them, as far as appears to us, love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and in truth. On a recent occasion, we could have wished our friends to have witnessed the baptism of an old grey-headed man: he spoke with much animation of the state in which he was before his conversion, and of the great deliverance he had received from darkness and sin, through our Lord Jesus Christ; desiring now, like Simeon of old, to depart hence in peace. Of the motives by which the people are influenced in making a profession of Christianity, the Missionaries observe All absence of worldly inducement, the persecution which usually follows a profession of Christianity, added to the arrangements we make respecting new Converts, are such trials, that new people will not come so easily forward to join the Congregations, if they have not some real persuasion of the excellency of Christianity, and some desire to be saved. We studiously avoid giving them our assistance in their secular concerns, excepting in very particular cases; and even then it is done, as much as possible, without their knowledge. Still they come forward, renounce Heathenism, and put themselves under Christian Instruction: so that, notwithstanding the declension in other Villages, the increase in six months is 800 souls: and ever since June last, several more Villagers have come forward, and have applied for Christian Teachers. That instances are not wanting to shew the genuineness of their principles in the most trying of all seasons, is thus stated in the Report : On the death-bed, it has appeared in several instances, even in those who have not yet been baptized, that the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ was precious to them. Though their Heathenish Relations and Neighbours did every thing they could, in that awful hour, to persuade them to renounce Christ, and to offer to idols, giving them hopes of recovery by their means; they, standing on the threshold of eternity, have manfully refused all such advice, and have said, “We believe on the Lord: He will help us: His will be done!"— and so died in peace. The following remark as to the blessing that may be expected to accompany God's appointed ordinance of Preaching, deserves the attention of all who are engaged in Missions: it is as follows: These instances, of which we have, thanks to God! many more, both among men and women, shew, among other things, that the hope of converting the Natives is not to be limited to Children; and that the Grace of God is as effective in the hearts of the old as in the young. We allude particularly to the notion, more common than it ought to be, that we can hope to see true Christians arise from the Schools only; and that all our labours among the GROWN people will be in vain. No, we can testify that it is not in vain: and we would encourage every one that labours in this Sacred Cause, whilst he instructs the rising generation, by no means to neglect the GROWN people; but to sow the good seed, both morning and evening, and to water it with persevering and believing prayers. There are, besides the Male and Female Seminaries, 30 Schools in connection with the Station, which contain 619 Boys, and 37 Girls. The following account of them is taken from the Madras Report: The progress of the Children in Divine Knowledge, and in fluency in reading, is evident and encouraging, in most of the longer-established Schools. The Master of the School at Tatchanalloor died last year. When the Children of his School heard of his sickness, they went to the village where he was; and he exhorted them to continue to read our books, to keep God's Commandments, and to believe in Christ. When he was near death, his Wife asked him what she should do with her children. To which he replied, "Leave them to the Lord: He will care for them." A Boy of the same School died some time ago, calling on the name of Jesus. The hopeful death of another Boy is mentioned in Mr. Schmid's Journal, who, whilst labouring under the Cholera, and just before he closed his eyes on all sublunary things, endeavoured to comfort his father under the bereavement he was about to experience; and enjoined him carefully to preserve the Tracts he had received from the Missionaries, in order that his younger Brother might read them, as soon as he was able. In the MALE SEMINARY there are 30 Youths, of whose diligence and general good-conduct the Missionaries speak favourably. They give the following account of their studies: The First Class consists of 7 Youths, who are studying English, Latin, Hebrew, English Arithmetic, Geography, combined with History, and the Evidences of Christianity. The Second Class, consisting of 14 Boys, do the same, with the exception of the Hebrew. The Third Class contains the remaining 9 Boys; who are still mostly in the Central School, occupied with Tamul Learning. All are particularly instructed in the Word of God: six of the Seminarists are yet unbaptized, but are candidates for Baptism: ten of the Boys are partakers of the Lord's Supper. The Missionaries add tions. From the Male Seminary we hope to derive, in a few years, by the Divine Blessing, more able Servants of the CongregaWe endeavour, by all means, to avoid taking any of them, at present, for the service, in order not to interrupt their progress in learning; neither do they themselves wish for it, for the same reason. The FEMALE SEMINARY consists of 21 Girls. There were 26 till July, when it was thought advisable to send the eldest Girls home, in order that they might mostly be accustomed to their village labours: 6 have also been married, to Catechists; and the number has been supplied by the reception of some younger Girls. Of those now in the Seminary, the Missionaries write Only 8 among the present number of Girls have been baptized: the other 13 are from among our Congregations, not yet admitted to Baptism: many of them are greatly improved in their character: some of them still require strict discipline. Their progress in learning to read, cipher, and write Tamul, and in committing to memory the Catechisms and portions of Scripture, is pleasing: they have also received some knowledge of Geography. In Female Work, many are clever in spinning and knitting. Sewing is, at present, not much practised; because there is so little occasion for it. The Translation of the Old Testament into Tamul has proceeded, during these two years, very slowly; owing to Mr. Rhenius's urgent extra labours. He has advanced only, in the Pentateuch, to the end of Exodus; and in the Proverbs, to the 20th Chapter. In the increase of this Mission, Messrs. Rhenius and Schmid have made repeated and urgent applications for a supply of more Labourers, and for the establishment of additional Schools. The Madras Committee have met these applications, as far as circumstances allowed, by the opening of 17 New Schools, where they were most needed; but anxious as the Committee are to meet the call, there have been no means of sending them a fellow-labourer in their work. The Missionaries have endeavoured to supply the wants of the Mission by Native Catechists, whom it is their care to use all practicable means of qualifying for their office. Of these they write The number of Catechists labouring among the several Congregations, at the end of June, was 43. On them we think it necessary to bestow particular attention, in order to promote their mental and spiritual improvement, and their fitness for the great Work in which they are engaged. We assemble them, therefore, every month, in Palamcottah, for six or eight days; when they give in their reports of the state of the people; are advised upon doubtful cases; receive further instruction in Theology; and enjoy the Lord's Supper with us. Latterly, we have also begun to make them discourse, at our Evening Meetings, in our presence, upon a certain passage of Scripture, of their own choosing; which, the next morning, is thoroughly criticised, accompanied by such instructions as they may require. This exercise they have found to be particularly useful. They have not all, as might have been anticipated, the same talents; but we can say of all, that they are true Believers; and willing to be faithful and profitable servants; and to be corrected in their errors, when wrong. Those who have been in the Seminary have evidently the advantage over the rest. The Deputation of the London Missionary Society highly gratified both the Missionaries and their Congregations, by a visit. Mr. Bannister, of Madras, apprises the Committee, that he had frequently conversed with those Gentlemen, at Madras, respecting this Mission ; and was assured by them, that not the slightest attempt appeared, in the documents published, to add a colouring to facts, but that to most of the statements they could themselves bear decisive testimony. In reference to this subject, and to the attempts which have been made in some quarters to discredit the statements, the Madras Committee remark That vast numbers of the inhabitants of Tinnevelly have, of late, under the Ministry of the Society's Labourers, discarded their Idol Shrines, and professed to become Disciples of Christ, is a fact which ignorance alone can deny; and it is one, in which the Committee cannot but recognise, with devout thanksgiving, the special work of Him, who doeth according to His will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou? TRAVANCORE. Of the proceedings of the Missionaries in Travancore, very limited information has been received. A portion of the Madras Report was transmitted, while it was passing through the Press, which does not include the Stations in this District. Cottayam. The Rev. Benjamin Bailey and the Rev. Henry Baker, with Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Baker, have continued in the enjoyment of their health: but indisposition rendered it necessary for the Rev. J. W.Doran to seek change of air, which proved beneficial; and he has since so far recovered, as to be able to resume his duties. The Missionaries have entered on the direct exercise of the MINISTRY among the Natives. While they continue to co-operate most cordially with the Syrians, they have, on good and substantial grounds, judged it right to establish, on their own part, a Malayalim Service, and have a most encouraging Congregation. During Mr. Doran's absence, Mr. Bailey undertook the general superintendence of the COLLEGE; the classical department being entrusted to two of Mr. Doran's Pupils, of whose conduct during his absence he speaks in very favourable terms. The College contains 53 Students; 10 of whom are in Deacon's Orders: they are divided into 8 Classes; and Mr. Doran gives a satisfactory account of their progress and good conduct. There are 34 SCHOOLS under Mr. Baker's care: the Grammar School, with from 50 to 60 Scholars: 32 Parochial Schools, with 863 Boys; and one School, with 18 Girls. The Mr. Bailey continues to conduct the PRESS. Gospel of St. Luke, in Malayalim, has been printed; and the Acts of the Apostles, as far as the 17th Chapter. Mr. Bailey is extremely anxious to render the Translation both as faithful and as universally acceptable as possible. The Liturgy, also, is begun at the Press; and many of the Homilies are translated. Allepie. The Rev. Thomas Norton, with his Family, reached Madras, August 5, 1827, on his return from England; and was detained there till the 20th of October: on the 20th of November he arrived at Allepie. Of the MINISTRY OF THE WORD, Mr. Norton reports- |