him with worshipping the God of Foreigners; and declared, after a good deal of expostulation on his part, that she would adhere to the worship of the gods of her fathers and her own Country. She put him in mind of all his past misdeeds; for he had not been a good husband: he bore her anger and abuse in a way that he never did before. A neighbour came in, and she began to complain that her husband had forsaken the gods which his own people worshipped; and desired the neighbours not to eat with him, he having refused to eat of food offered to an idol. For several days she railed at him without ceasing, about his worshipping the God of Foreign Nations; and mocked at his morning prayers for a divine blessing, because it had rained two days when she washing. "Where," said she, "is the benefit of your prayers!" She sometimes wept, and wished herself dead. He, in the account which he has written, tells how much he was distressed and nonplussed.

What Agong endures from his Wife, Leangafa has had to suffer from his aged Father. It is strange, that the reformation, which the Gospel has effected both on the Son and the Husband, should not reconcile the other parties to more moderation.

Endia within the Ganges.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, PROCEEDINGS OF THE REV. RALPH ETESON AT BENARES.

Conversation with Mahomedans. April 14-THIS evening, three Mussulmans called on me for books; when the following conversation ensued. "Why do you wish for a Gospel?" "We are acquiring Arabic Literature: if we read the Gospels, we shall then be acquainted with the histories of all the Prophets: on this account we wish to read the Gospel and Psalms."-" But you cannot understand either of these books, unless you ask wisdom and mercy from God." Why not?"-" Because you are in darkness: your hearts are blind with sin: unless God open, who can understand?" "We have read much, in our books, of Adam, and Abraham, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Joshua, and Zachary, and Moses, and the Prophets-peace and benediction upon them! When we read your Book, why may we not understand about Jesus the Prophet-peace and benediction upon

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Him!"-" Amen! But you speak of numerous Prophets: what do you mean by a prophet? Instruct us, Sir, what you mean by a Prophet."-"A Prophet is a person instructed and sent of God, to teach mankind such necessary knowledge as they could not otherwise have obtained." In this way, you, Sir, are a Prophet." "I do not call myself a Prophet, because I have not heard with my own ears the words of God. I have learned what I and you and all mankind must do to be saved, but not of myself: I have learnt of the Book which I have given you; and I know that that Book is true, because it is established by arguments of learning; because I feel its instructions exactly suitable to my heart: it makes me live in content and joy, which it could not do, if it were not from God."—" If you, Sir, are a Teacher, why do you not come and preach to us? How shall we learn, unless we are taught?"

You hear that I can scarcely speak your language. The Padre is absent: I have his work to do. Another Padre is coming, you shall then hear more about it."-"Where is Jesus Christ ?" “In heaven."—"In which heaven?" "There is only one heaven; that is the immediate presence of God."-" You affirm that Jesus is alive, and a Prophet: now a Prophet is commanded by God-let Him be exalted!-to go himself and teach the way. Why does not Christ come, and teach us? -"Why does not Mahomed come and teach me? Mahomed is not alive, in the same manner that Christ is." Yet he is alive, notwithstanding." "Further, there is no necessity that Christ should come, as He has caused to be written in that Book whatever He would have said were He present. Why then should He come Himself? If we will not believe what that Book says concerning Him, neither should we believe, though we heard Christ Himself."-"What does your Book say of the Day of Judgment?" Christ will raise all men alive, Hindoos, Mussulmans, and English: they will again take their bodies, and, together with all who shall remain alive, be compelled to appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ. Those whose works have shewn that they have not believed in Christ, will go to Hell: those whose works have shewn that they have lived in Christ and done His will, will become blessed."

If Jesus has power to confer all blessing on His people at the Day of Judg. ment, why does he not to-day turn my

heart; for power is in Him?" "This is a useless speech. Perhaps you have never asked God's mercy: and shall God give His mercy to those who care so little for it, as not even to pray for it? If your son anger you, and care so little for you as not even to ask your blessing, do you bestow wealth upon him? This Book says, Ask, and ye shall receive: and if you do not receive, it is only because you do not ask. When you arrive at your house, pray for God's wisdom and mercy; saying,‘Lord, I am a great sinner! how shall I be saved? Teach me what I must do to be saved!'"-Here our conference ended; and my antagonist departed, promising to call again.

We extract the following further Notices from Mr. Eteson's Journal. -The ignorance of the Mussulmans, as to their own Religion, is unparalle led: I have been often surprised to find even respectable persons among them ignorant of the very name of their Prophet.

- Nothing is more easy than to attract a Congregation in Benares, where passengers will stop and listen for hours. The place itself is notoriously superstitious; and religious discourse of every Sect is, with the Hindoos at least, a serious business.

Visited Lahota, in company with Lieut. Lyall, Mr. Robertson (of the London Missionary Society), and Holwee, to fix upon the site of a small Native Hut, which we wish to erect for the purpose of performing Public Worship. The expense will be defrayed by Lieut. Lyall. This obscure village promises well: its inhabitants are always kind and attentive to us yet I dare not say more; for though they listen to our Message with outward reverence, yet none of them come forward to inquire more explicitly into the doctrines which we preach. We thought it advisable to exhibit before their eyes a pattern and example of that reasonable service which our Religion requires. We are in the habit of calling on our hearers to worship the Lord through the mediation of Christ; but forget that an ignorant unconverted Hindoo can form no further idea of Worship than the per

formance of his own idolatrous formali ties: he imagines that Worship is something to be DONE, and not something to be FELT, with reference to the Supreme God. Fervency of devotion, and the pious affections of the heart, are spiritual things, of which they have no idea.

I have been engaged in marking out a piece of ground for a School for Native-Female Christians.

- The walls of my Female School are now nearly completed; and I do not anticipate burthening the Society with any further expense than 60 rupees, which I have already drawn. When finished, it will be a neat and compact place, easily convertible into a Christian Institution, if, after a few years, an Establishment of that kind in Benares should be deemed necessary.

In the evening, the Rev. J. Robertson, Mr. Steward, and myself, went to a small village called Shivpore, the Town of Siva: after having walked about the place for a short time, and attracted a crowd around us, we commenced a rather boisterous discussion, which gradually settled into a peaceable conversation. The people were very anxious for a School; or at least two or three Lalas were, each of whom expected to be employed in it; but the distance of the village precludes all possibility of diligent superintendence. School, however, established in this village, would tend to win over the inhabitants, and always afford an opportunity of usefulness to the Missionary.

One

-Visited Shivpore. The public road from Benares to Jaunpore lies through this village, and this circumstance has greatly debased the character of its inhabitants. Our hearers amounted to about 20: some of them listened with apparent attention; others, though they approved of our words, were evidently more disposed to ridicule than to receive them. It is grievous, indeed, to see the natural conscience struggling so ineffectually with their corrupt affections. Since I began to preach in the Bazaar, I have gained clearer convictions of the necessity of a direct influence from above to convert the soul, than I ever possessed before. The Missionary may convince; but he is as powerless to convert, as he is to arrest the sun in the heavens.

-Visited, this morning, my Hinduwee School, near the Permit Office. This School is in a conspicuous situation,

and consequently very suitable to our purpose of attracting a crowd to listen, first to our examination of the Scholars, and afterwards to our address to themselves. I can truly say, that the more I enter into my Missionary Labours, the more I am attached to them.

-As Mr. Robertson was speaking to about 50 hearers, I marked their countenances, to discover, if possible, what impression his words made on their minds. Most of them appeared to gaze on us with listless unconcern; others, with curious inquiry what these things might mean; and one or two manifested a hopeful attention to his words. Thus we sow the seed, and leave the rest to God.

-A Mussulman came to my Bungalow, and entreated to be admitted to Baptism: nothing occurred, in conversation with him, which bore the semblance of sincerity. I discovered that he had been residing with Mr. Smith, the Baptist Missionary: I wrote accordingly to Mr. Smith on the subject; and, from the answer, it appeared, that the Mussulman had been dismissed from under his instruction for confirmed drunkenness. This is not an individual instance of attempt to obtain Baptism; four individuals having now applied within a few months, not with any view to the salvation of their souls. In what need a Missionary stands of the spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind!-of power, to exhort and rebuke the Heathen with all authority; of love, to bear with their gross sins and frequent infirmities; of a sound mind, to detect their fraud and hypocrisy.

PROCEEDINGS OF REV. W. BOWLEY AT CHUNAR,

Notices of Inquirers and Converts. Aug. 1, 1829-Matthew Runjeet spoke of a Devotee who resided in the village in which he lives, who died in the Faith of the Gospel. He said he had spoken several times to Mr. Friend to baptize him, but it was deferred to my return: however, the poor man was called away about a fortnight since. The others of the village, who disputed with him, seem to be satisfied that Christianity is the superior Religion.

August 8-To-day, Bukhtawur Singh came and received Tracts: he also took a copy of each for his Daughter, formerly our Schoolmistress, who has lately been married, and who sent to her father to obtain some books for her. the evening, the new Converts met the Catechumen, four in number; when they

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repeated what they had learned, and had the Creed explained..

August 9: Sunday As usual, had Morning and Evening Service in Hin. doostanee, which Kurrum Messech performed. I had a long conversation on Religion with a Hindoo Boy who was taught at our School, and is a Writer here. Were it not for the iron bar of Caste, what erowds would be flocking into the Christian Church! This stronghold of the Devil keeps many away from openly acknowledging Christ, and many more from the Means of Grace. It seems pretty generally understood, that Christianity makes no compromise: this deters many from inquiring into it.

August 10-Had much serious conversation with two Young Men who came to be taught English: they seem decided in favour of Christianity, so far as reasoning goes.

August 11- During the day, an old Brahmin, Thakoor's Uncle, came to reside with us, from Thalook's village. This unlettered old man, from his knowledge of Christianity, would put many bearing the name of Christians to the blush.

August 12-As the Jew Boys of the English School come to me for instruction, we have generally an hour's serious conversation: two of them seem perfectly convinced that they cannot be saved unless they renounce all for Christ: being however dependent upon their parents, they say they cannot give themselves up to Him: one of them asked for a PrayerBook.

Baptism of Converts.

Sept. 13: Sunday-At Afternoon Hindoostanee Service, I baptized the following persons:

1. Martyn Byjnath, a Hindoo, about 19 years of age; was formerly a Devotee; and was met by our people at Swargdham's village, 12 miles hence. They spoke to him; and he was prevailed on to follow them in December last. He has since been under Christian Instruction, has learnt to read well, and for months has been soliciting Baptism. During my absence, he has been entirely under Christian Tryloke, who speaks well of him.

2. Thomas Ram Chum, of the Kshutra Caste, about 27 years of age, came also about the same time with the former for Baptism, and has been under instruction and probation ever since. Having made good progress in the essentials-of

Religion, and having conducted himself to our satisfaction and earned his livelihood in a creditable way, I admitted him to the Ordinance.

3. Bathsheba, a Brahminee Woman, about 25 years of age, who was married to Matthew Runjeet, our Village Schoolmaster, in March last, and has been preparing for the Ordinance ever since. She is intelligent, and acquainted with Christianity, and reads the Hinduwee Testament.

4. George Beizbuksh, a Mussulman Lad, about 22 years old. He was one of the boatmen who went down with me to Calcutta, since which he has been attached to Christianity: he wanted to remain in my service then; but returned with some of the party to Chunar, where I found him attending on the Means of Grace, and residing with a Christian Family, earning his living by hard labour. He has since proved himself a very promising young man; has a good capacity, a retentive memory, and a willing mind; has made admirable progress in his knowledge of Christianity; and is making good progress in the Gospels.

5. Andrew Buksh, another Mahomedan

Lad, about 16 years of age, was brought from Allahabad by our Schoolmistress's Husband, for the express purpose of being prepared for Baptism: has given great satisfaction; works hard for his livelihood, and has made good progress in all that has been required of him. During the Service, the Church was well filled with Natives, to witness the Or

dinance.

Dec. 25, 1829-To-day I baptized two persons; one, a Hindoo Woman, about 22 years of age, who has been with the Native Christian Women for the last two years, creditably working for her livelihood. For some months past, she has been diligently attending to the concerns

of her soul; and has learned the Creed,

the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, which she repeated. The second person was a Heathen Girl, about 14 years of age has been, for the last three years, brought up by a pious Lady, who has taken the pains to teach her to read and pray in English, and has caused her to be instructed in Hindee also. She was sent to us in September last; and has since learned to read the Scriptures fluently in Nagree, got off the Cate.chism, Creed, &c. &c., and from the commencement has conducted herself as well Nov.1830.

as could be expected from a person of her age and circumstances; so that I can truly say, that I have not seen a Native Girl conduct herself better. She understands, and I trust feels, what she reads. She was baptized by the name of Anna; and the other, by that of Mootree. State of Chunar.

Sept. 30, 1829-Our people go to the Fair daily; but, alas! hardly any will come near them, and they give away but two or three Tracts a-day; whereas at Benares as many thousands might be distributed in the same time.

Chunar is truly in a deplorable state : the inhabitants seem asleep in the lap of indifference, from which no mortal power can rouse them: hence they keep out of the hearing of the Word, with a full conviction that to hear is to become a Christian; and even the few that do manifest any concern, are afraid of the reproach of their neighbours. Humanly speaking, there are many advantages attending the propagation of the Gospel in such a place as Benares or Calcutta, which are wanting at less populous places. At Benares, we might labour with the greatest delight, inasmuch as hearers might be obtained in every direction, and people who would come

forward with a degree of confidence in their system and argue the point with you but not so at Chunar-you might challenge the most learned of the Hindoo or Mahomedan Religion to argue, without one daring to accept the challenge. You may hear yourself flattered in every direction, that none can cope with you; and then you are left.

VISIT OF THE ARCHDEACON OF MADRAS TO THE SOUTHERN STATIONS.

THE Venerable Archdeacon of Madras, in the course of his recent Visitation, had an opportunity of personally inspecting all the Society's Stations in Southern India. His remarks on what he witnessed, in each of these fields of labour, are contained in a Letter addressed by him to the Madras Corresponding Committee on the 29th of April, which we have the gratification of Stations are noticed in the order in laying before our Readers. which they were visited by the Archdeacon.

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