he inserted the propositions which he had to make during each visit; leaving room under each head for the insertion of my explications. This plan was carried on for two or three months, at two visits a week, highly to my satisfaction: as I cannot remember, that, in one single instance, he advanced a light or impertinent question; while, at the same time, he started every objection which had any serious weight on his mind. He never entered one of my explanations, until he found his mind persuaded of its truth, especially in connection with the Divinity of our adorable Saviour and the Atonement, as supported by evidence from the Old and New Testaments. During one of our conversations, I asked him what his motives were for taking such trouble in his researches; when, in a solemn tone, he replied-" There are nearly 20,000 immortal souls looking to me as their guide to happiness in a future state, and for whom I shall have to answer another day to the Judge Eternal; and, lest I should be found by Him a blind leader of the blind, I use all diligence to discover what is Truth." He called to take leave of me, previous to his departure, a few months back, when I was confined by a fever; and I have heard nothing of him since: but I hope to hear of him again, as I have just reason to believe him to be strongly prepossessed in favour of the Gospel Plan of Salvation; and, from the solemn conscientious sense of his awful responsibility as a Spiritual Teacher by which he seemed to be governed, I trust that he will not fail, however cautiously, to introduce among his numerous disciples the truths which convinced his own soul during his inquiries. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY society. FROM the communications of the Rev. John F. England, Missionary at Bangalore, we extract the following passages. Some Account of the Canarese, or Aborigines of the Mysore. Most of the people speaking Tamul are immediately or remotely connected with the army; consequently subject to the removals and fluctuations incident to a military life in India. On the other hand, the Canarese are altogether unconnected with the army-live in small villages-and, living by the produce of the soil principally, generation succeeds generation without, perhaps, ever seeing acts. the distance of twenty miles from the spot which gave them birth. Among them, too, a man never thinks of taking any important step in life singly he talks the matter over with his own people, gains their concurrence, and then The hope, therefore, is held out, that, when Christianity is introduced successfully among them, it will not be embraced by solitary individuals only, but by communities: at least, Idolatry is almost sure to be thus abandoned; and the Holy Spirit may employ this peculiarity of their social character and manners in the conversion and sanctification of their hearts. A most delightful prospect here opens to the eye of expecting faith. Village after village, as has been the case from other causes in the South, casting their idols to the moles and the bats-the abominable and obscene symbols which now rise conspicuous, and pollute almost every field, and hang suspended from almost every neck, corrupting alike possessor and beholder, shall be universally regarded as the abominable thing; and, as such, be for ever put away from among them: and houses of prayer, songs of praise, and the life-giving sound of the Gospel, with its purifying and elevating Ordinances crowded by multitudes of humble, spiritual, and holy believers, shall cover and purge the land. Beneficial Method of employing a Native Catechist. The ignorance of the people on all the common principles of Morals, and their worse than ignorance of the Character, Attributes, and Government of God, put them almost beyond the reach of conviction, and render an appeal to their reason almost useless. I have adopted several ways with the Natives who compose my Congregations which they individually possess; and to to ascertain the degree of knowledge correct their eroneous sentiments, and The extend their views of Divine Truth. last which I have tried has given me much encouragement. I send the Native Catechist round to every house on a Monday, to inquire from each individual what he knows of the Sermon which he heard the preceding day. This is either begun or ended with prayer, according to circumstances. Where the views of the person are substantially correct, the Catechist, in a familiar way, opens and applies the subject still further: where any misconception exists, it is corrected. He is the better enabled to do this, as he writes a kind of Tamul short-hand abridgment of my Sermon, while it is delivering. This practice has the advantage of making the people more attentive when they hear the Sermon, and of leaving them to reflect upon it when at home, Awful Rapidity of Cholera Morbus. That ghastly Messenger of Death, Cholera Morbus, has been commissioned to visit, for the first time, I believe, this Settlement. Its ravages were confined principally to the Soldiers and their Wives: a few of our Members are num bered among those who have fallen. The awful rapidity with which the vital spark is separated from the clay tenement will appear from the case of a Member of the Society, named Winstanley. I was praying with a poor woman in the Hospital, whom I had visited in the morning, but of whom little hope could then be entertained; when a Member informed me of Winstanley being in the Hospital, in the adjoining ward. I went to see him, and found him nearly insensible. I prayed for him; and, in an hour after I left, he was a corpse. This was about eight o'clock, P. M. He had been on guard all daywell; and was in my yard after four o'clock the same evening, in the possession of perfect health! The divine admonition, that we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth, has an ineffable emphasis to those who reside in this Country; and during the ravages of this mysterious scourge, it may be literally affirmed, that there is but a step between them and death. The most fruitful imagination can paint no situation more inexpressibly awful, than that of a man seized upon by this resistless malady in an unprepared state. The only hope is in the abundant use of narcotics. From the moment a man, therefore, is attacked, from the conjoint influence of the disease itself and of the medicines administered all power of calm reflection, to say nothing of the exercises of devotion, is lost; and without so much as an opportunity of realizing his situation, or the power of saying God be merciful to me a sinner, he passes the mysterious boundary which separates a state of probation from an unchanging eternity. Conversation with a Heathen Gentleman. In my way from Bangalore to Madras, I was informed, on reaching Poonamallee, that a Heathen Native Gentleman, the proprietor of ten or twelve villages, hearing of my intention to visit that place, had, for three successive days, come a distance of several miles, accompanied by two of his Sons, to see and converse with me about Christianity. On learning this, I immediately sent my respects to the Old Gentleman, and invited him to the Chapel. He soon made his appearance, in his carriage: his two Sons, remarkably fine youths, accompanying him. I found him a shrewd, intelligent man. He expressed his utter abhorrence of Idolatry; assuring me, that he had not, for a number of years, paid homage to an Idol. His history contained some very interesting passages; some of which I will relate: "My Father," he said," was Officiating Priest of a Heathen Temple; and was considered, in those days, a superior English Scholar: by teaching the English Language to Wealthy Natives, he realized a very large fortune. At a very early period, when a mere boy, I was employed by my Father to light the lamps in the Pagoda, and attend to the various things connected with the Idols. I hardly remember the time when my mind was not exercised on the folly of Idolatry. 'These things,' I thought, were made by the hand of man-can move only by man-and, whether treated well or ill, are unconscious of either. Why all this cleaning, anointing, illuminating, &c.?' One evening, these considerations so powerfully wrought on my youthful mind, that, instead of placing the Idols according to custom, I threw them from their pedestals, and left them with their faces in the dust. My Father, on witnessing what I had done, chastised me so severely as to leave me almost dead. I reasoned with him, that, if they could not get up out of the dust, they were not able to do what I could; and that, instead of being worshipped as gods, they deserved to lie in the dust, where I had thrown them. He was implacable, and vowed to disinherit me; and, as the first step to it, sent me away from his house. He relented on his death-bed, and left me all his wealth." Our conversation continued several hours; and much of that time was devoted to the discussion of the subject of Caste the most important subject in the estimation of a Native. He wished the Christian Church to allow the distinction of Caste as a Civil Institution, in the manner suggested by the late Bishop Heber; whose remarks on the subject of Caste among Christians I put into his hands, and with which he was so well pleased as to take the trouble to copy them. He avowed his firm belief of Christianity, as a system revealed by God; and his fixed resolve to embrace it in the face of the world. When warned of the evils of procrastination in an affair of so much moment, and asked why any delay were necessary, he replied, "I have a large family of grown-up Children, who can exercise the same privilege of judging for themselves on the subject of Religion as I have done: I do not, therefore, see that it is my duty to compel them to be Christians with myself. I am anxious to see them settled, by marriage suitable to their rank in society, so that my embracing Christianity would not ruin their prospects in life; and then I purpose soliciting, without delay, the Ordinance of Baptism to be administered to me, and to live and die a Christian." I felt some delicacy in asking a question which arose out of the latter part of the preceding remarks: I, however, ventured; requesting to know whether he intended to marry his Children, male or female, to Idolaters. He unhesitatingly, and with considerable animation, replied, "No, never!" Time for Tamul Service having arrived, and the Congregation waiting, I reluctantly broke off the conversation; inviting the Old Gentleman and his Sons to stay during the Service. They willingly complied-remarking, that, as the evening was fast closing and the road to their village extremely bad, they should not be able to remain until it was ended; which they hoped I would excuse. When the Service was about half concluded, they left the Chapel. The whole of our conversation was conducted in English, which he spoke with more ease and accuracy than any Native whom I have ever heard. He has a good English Library, comprising the English, Roman, and Grecian Histories; and of which he is perfect master-illustrating his remarks, in conversation, by references and allusions to the characters and events described in those Histories. Altogether, he is the most interesting, intelligent, conversable, unprejudiced, and highly-civilized Native whom it has been my privilege to see. To convince me of his entire conquest over the prejudices of Caste, he joined me in taking refreshment. Guiana. UNITED BRETHREN. FROM the Journals of the Brethren stationed at Paramaribo, we extract the following account of the Penitent Deaths of Two Heathen Malefactors. In the course of this month (February, 1830) a Mulatto Woman, by name Jaquelina, was frequently visited by us in prison. She is a Slave and a Heathen, and seems never to have given herself the smallest concern about the state of her soul. The crime of which she had been guilty, and for which she was about to suffer, was an attempt to poison her Master; who had always treated her with great kindness, and brought her up from childhood in his own family. She endeavoured to effect this purpose by mixing arsenic in his chocolate; but, by God's mercy, though both himself and a negro maid-servant drank of it, their lives were saved. Jaquelina did not hesitate to confess the fact; but appeared, at our first interview with her, perfectly indifferent as to the consequences: by degrees, however, we had the pleasure to see a real change wrought within her: she listened with attention to the declarations of Scripture became truly awakened to a sense of her lost condition-and acknowledged herself to be a miserable sinner, deserving not only-of temporal but also of eternal punishment. It became now our delightful duty, to point out to her the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world: and great was our joy, to perceive that our feeble testimony was accompanied with the demonstration of the Spirit. She was, at length, enabled to declare, "I am indeed a wretched sinner! but I believe in Jesus, who died upon the Cross, and shed His blood for the remission of my sins; and I beseech Him to pardon and receive me.' "On the 26th instant, she was baptized, at her earnest request, and called Magdalen: on this occasion, the doors of the prison were thrown open, and as many as wished to attend were admitted to the solemn service: all present were deeply affected, and many tears were shed. On the following day, she was led to the place of execution. Her sentence being once more read to her, she turned to the Magistrate and Officers in attendance, and said, in a firm tone of voice-" Permit me to say a few words, before I leave this world." Leave being given, she continued: Here, I know I can expect no mercy: I have yielded to a temptation of Satan, and committed a great crime. Of the consequences I was altogether unmindful; but perhaps it was for my eternal good, that I was brought into this situation. My thoughts are now directed to another world; and to that Saviour, who can and will be gracious to the vilest of sinners. Lord Jesus! into Thy hands I commend my spirit!" On her way to the gallows, she again exclaimed aloud-" Lord Jesus! I beseech Thee, receive my soul!" The needful preparations having been made, she ascended the ladder with firmness, and in a few minutes was turned off: she had not, however, been suspended many seconds, when the rope broke, and she fell to the ground. Before she could be raised I hastened to her, and said, Magdalen, are you praying to the Lord Jesus?" She answered distinctly, "Yes." A stronger rope was now procured; and, after the usual painful preparations had been a second time gone through, she was launched into eternity. The whole scene, and especially the composed but penitent demeanour of the poor criminal, appeared to make a deep impression on the spectators. Of the Second Criminal, the Bre (the prison), heard of God or his Holy Word: he had, indeed, been aware, that Teachers visited the neighbouring Estate, and baptized the Negroes; but he had never felt disposed to attend their ministry. He now appeared to receive with eagerness the blessed truth, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; often exclaiming, "Oh, if I had heard all this before, I should never have lifted up my hand against my Wife. All that is now told me of a Saviour I believe: I feel I am a sinner, who deserves death; and I therefore rejoice that Jesus has shed His blood for the remission of my sins. Oh that He would have mercy upon me! I hear that I am to die upon a gallows: I do not fear to die, if I could only be assured of the pardon of my sins: and I feel already a joyful hope, that this assurance will be granted me." Thus gladly did this poor benighted Heathen receive the message of salvation; and, being made obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit, attain to pardon, peace, and rest for his soul. At his Baptism, which took place shortly after, in the presence of many spectators, he received the name of Christian. His execution followed, on the 3d of May: on this awful occasion he conducted himself with equal firmness and decorum; entreating from his judges, as a last favour, that his children might be taught betimes to know and fear the Lord. His last words were: Lord Jesus! be merciful to my poor soul !" Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. UNITED KINGDOM. - B. & F. Bible Society Mr. W. Acworth, one of the Society's Agents, remarks, after a journey of three months in the Principality of Wales Having travelled nearly 2000 miles since I left the metropolis, and seen every town of Wales with the exception of one or two, I feel justified in stating, that the interest felt in the principles and proceedings of the British and Foreign Bible Society is not only undiminished, but increasing, among all classes of the population. The greatest disadvantage, with which we have had to contend, has been the difficulty of obtaining places sufficiently spacious to contain the persons anxious to attend the Public Meetings; and, in many instances, the pressure of the crowds, who have sought admission into them, has been so fearful, as to endanger the safety of those who had already entered. Though not disposed to admit that the families of any one District of the Thirteen Counties which I have visited are adequately supplied, yet, after having attended nearly 100 Public Meetings, and listened to the Reports then read, I feel justified in assuring the Parent Committee that 250,000 copies of the Holy Scriptures have not been sent from our Depository, into the Principality, in vain. Wesleyan Miss. Soc.-The Committee have circulated the following affecting notice : On the 1st of October, Mrs. Marshall arrived at Bristol from the Gambia, where her late Husband, the Rev. Richard Marshall, had laboured for nearly two years with great acceptance and success. She stated that Mr. Marshall died on the 19th of August, after an illness of five days, and while she, with their little son, was confined with the same fever. At the urgent recommendation of her medical attendant, she embraced the only opportunity which offered for sailing to England,and left the Gambia two days after her husband's decease. Mrs. Marshall arrived, as might be expected, in a state of great bodily weakness and much mental suffering: nothing, however, appeared to indicate any immediate danger; but, on the evening after her arrival, she was seized with strong convulsions, in which she continued, without intermission, till the following evening, when her sufferings terminated in death. Mr. Marshall was eminently qualified for the work to which he was appointed: he was intelligent, prudent, and laborious. Under his care, several Native Assistants were raised up on the Station; and he had acquired such a knowledge of the language spoken by the nearest Native Tribes, that he had already commenced a translation of a part of the Holy Scriptures for their use. Mrs. Marshall was no less useful among the female children, to whom she paid the closest attention; and with very satisfactory results. INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. having greatly suffered from the climate of India, and her medical attendant having recommended her return to England as the only probable means of its restoration, she and her husband embarked at Bombay on the 6th of July, with the sanction of the Committee, on board the Othello, Captain Thomson, and landed at Liverpool on the 1st of November. UNITED STATES. Board of Missions. - Mrs. Stewart, Wife of the Rev. Č.S. Stewart, for three years a Mis. sionary of the Board at the Sandwich Islands, died, on the 6th of September, of a disease, the foundation of which was laid while engaged in the Mission, and on account of which she with her husband left the Islands in Oc. tober 1825, and returned to their native country. Methodist Episcopal Church.-It appears, from the General Minutes of the several Annual Conferences for 1830, that the Members are 476,000; being an increase, on the total of the preceding year 447,743 (printed at p. 430 by mistake 477,743), of 28,257. The Travelling Preachers are 1777, and the Supernumeraries 123; being an increase of 83 on the number of the preceding year. The total number of 476,000 Members consists of 402,561 Whites, 69,230 Coloured and Black, and 4209 Indians. The number for 1829 including 9678 for the Canada Conference, which are not reckoned in the present account, the true increase for 1830 is 37,935. Miscellanies. PIETY AMONG THE POOR. MANY discouragements are met with, by those who engage in the benevolent work of visiting the Labouring Class: we are glad, therefore, to quote, from a late Report of the Westminster Auxiliary Bible Society, the following instances of a contrary nature: One of the earliest Free Subscribers to the St. Clement Dane's Association lately died. He was an aged black man, supposed to be ninety years old, and by trade a shoe-black. He was first known to us by his name being set down, at our Annual Meeting, for a free subscription of one shilling a-week: this was considered too much to receive from a person in his circumstances; and a Member of the Committee visited him, to converse on the subject. It was found he could not read, and was paying one shilling a-week for a person to read to him: the Bible, with a few other religious works, formed his library. This poor man conceived, in the charity of his heart, that all who were asked to give or lend were bound to do so: and he reduced this truly benevolent maxim to habitual practice; for he would bring to his miserable home his more miserable fellow countrymen, and give them bed and board free of expense. Such hospitality is not less praiseworthy that it occurred in a sphere so humble and obscure. Before he became convinced of the value of his soul, he used to pursue his calling on the Sabbath; but, when his views were changed on divine things, the Sabbath was preserved inviolate, at the risk of losing his employment. A Member of the Committee visited the black circle assembled at the funeral of this poor African; and the fervent devotion of one of them, who led the company in their address at the Throne of Grace, was truly affecting. One Lady in another District, engaged in collecting, relates the following anecdote, as shewing the benefit of Bible Associations; and hoping to induce others to come forward in the sacred cause of benevolence and salvation to perishing sinners. After being fatigued in visiting many houses, I had nearly given up the work, when I entered (by the merest chance, as the worldling would say, but surely directed thither by an ever-watchful Providence) a miserable garret, where, I was told, a poor woman had been long confined. My first inquiry was, of course, if she had a Bible; and being answered in the affirmative, I next asked if its consolations sustained her in her trials. This was an almost hopeless query; for, among the mass of human beings whom I had that day met with, scarcely one seemed at all impressed with the use of a Bible. But what a refreshment was it to the weary spirit, to hear the reply! What should I have done without the Word? I have esteemed it more than my necessary food; for it testifies of Jesus.' To be brief: on subsequent visits I have found this Young Woman a real Believer-living the life of Faith in the midst of suffering of the most intense kind-enduring privations of every sort; with a husband out of work, and children crying for bread. Humanly speaking, in this Christian City this disciple of Christ might literally have sunk into an early tomb for want, had it not been for this visit. Much of deepest interest might be added, but I forbear; and conclude, by beseeching all those who have half-an-hour in a week to spare, to arise to the work of the Lord." |