Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

DINAJPUR.

Mr. Smylie has also been encouraged by the addition by baptism of one hopeful convert to the church under his pastoral care.

BENARES.

On the 17th ultimo Mr. Small had the satisfaction of baptizing and receiving into the church one female convert, the wife of one of his catechists.

CHUNAR.

Mr. Heinig has recently visited a town named Aharora, about twelve miles from his station. It contains about three thousand inhabitants, carries on a trade in sugar, stones, wood, and iron, and is in a large valley extending many miles in length and breadth, which appears to be very fruitful, abounding in groves of trees, in whose shade weary travellers find protection from the burning sun. Giving an account of his journey, Mr. Heinig says

came on

After having pitched my tent in a garden | turned to my tent), my tent was continually abounding with mangoe trees which were in crowded from morning till ten o'clock at night. full bloom, and promised a plentiful crop, my They did not allow me time to get my meals, arrival was noised abroad in the town. Many and I did not ask them to leave me, because came to see me, and would at once have I wished to improve the opportunity as much entered my tent to engage in conversation, as possible, as my stay was very short, being but being weary from my long walk, I re- obliged to return on Friday evening to prequested them to leave me for a few hours, and pare myself for the sabbath; however, my I would come to the city and deliver my mes- mind was so much worn out from much sage. With this they complied. In the talking, instructing, and endeavouring to afternoon I went into the bazar and pro- direct their minds from the worship of their claimed the message of salvation before a gods and idols to the only thing needful, that large congregation, who heard with great I felt a little rest quite necessary. attention and apparent delight. This was Intending to start the next morning early, not the effect of fear or reverence which the I thought a few hours' bodily rest would natives generally show when they first see a strengthen me for the march, but I was quite missionary coming amongst them, but which disappointed, for a heavy storm is soon succeeded by impudence. These about nine o'clock in the evening, when people formerly were often visited by Mr. those people who had been with me hastened Bowley, and had heard and conversed much to their homes. I was obliged to keep awake with him about salvation by Jesus Christ, the whole night on account of the vivid and therefore I brought no strange things flashes of lightning and the strong wind, before them. Crowds followed me to my which threatened to tear my tent every tent, where we conversed in a more quiet moment. I and all my things were comand convenient manner. They stayed with pletely covered with dust. Weary from me till a very late hour. The next morning I went early into the bazar, and preached and conversed to a considerable length; and afterwards I went to some of their houses, where I was welcomed by those who were the teachers of the people; others of the higher class also came and took their seats. They evidently showed regard for the saving truths of the gospel, and if any made the slightest attempt to make light, or to mix his notions with the explanation of Christ's coming and his merits, the rest of the hearers immediately prevented him interrupting the conversation. After that time (having re

watching, I anxiously awaited the daybreak, and when the wind had a little abated Í started, with many good wishes of the people, who had again come to bid me farewell, and arrived home about twelve o'clock. Though very weary, yet I felt happy in my mind, and though I cannot speak decidedly of any conversions amongst this interesting people, yet I do trust many of them were seriously impressed. Since I have been engaged in missionary labour, I have never felt more pleasure and joy in the work, and the recollection of this visit will continue to be sweet to my mind. I distributed 150 gospels and about 100 tracts.

not of this world. Carefully, then, abstain | proper manner towards their civil governfrom every thing which might tend to lessen ors, showing by your own example that your usefulness, and teach those who hear Christianity is a system highly beneficial to you to conduct themselves in a peaceable and civil society.

ASIA.

CALCUTTA.

Mr. Lewis, whose arrival in this city has already been announced, speaks cheerfully of his prospects. Writing on the 2nd of July, he says,—

I am now giving all my time and strength to Bengali, and I hope, judging from the pleasure with which I study it, and from the ease with which I have acquired the rudiments, that I shall soon master it.

ing. We greatly admire and love them all, and we esteem it no small privilege to be associated with men so truly affectionate and endowed with so much piety, and with such prolonged experience.

At present, the only assistance I am able We are at present well. Mrs. Lewis's to render to the brethren is in the way of health has been decidedly improved by the relieving them occasionally in English preach-change. Our little boy thrives very nicely.

BARISAL.

The accounts which have reached us respecting this station have been of a mixed and perplexing character. Missionaries who have visited it believe that a very great number of the recent converts have been in truth turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; but there are circumstances relating to Mr. Bareiro himself which are, to say the least, very questionable and suspicious in their aspect. Our most recent information is from Mr. Thomas, who says, under date of July 2nd,

Brother Parry has been into a part of the native Christians of eight villages, to take Barisal station, and met with about 200 of them under his charge, and is very anxious the native Christians, who are desirous of that somebody should take charge of the religious instruction. In a letter received others, but to enable him to do anything for yesterday he gives a list of twenty-three vil- the religious benefit of the people of those lages, containing about 200 families, and eight villages, he will be obliged immediately comprehending about 900 individuals, who to select men from among his converts to are said to have embraced the Christian labour there. This we shall encourage him name, and to be desirous of religious instruc- to do. tion. Of this number upwards of 200 have been baptized. He gives a very distressing account of the sufferings of the native Christiaus in some of the villages, where they have been plundered of all the property they had, and driven from their houses, by their land

lords.

Mr. Parry did not go so far as Barisal, having to appear in one of the local courts on behalf of the poor persecuted people, with a view to obtain justice for them. He has engaged to comply with the request of the

From other stations the intelligence is, on the whole, encouraging; and I begin to entertain the hope that the very painful events which have taken place at the Barisal station will ultimately, and probably at no distant period, turn out to the real advantage of the cause. It is a time of reproof and reproach, but it is also a sifting time; and although there is assuredly a good deal of chaff, I believe there is also a good deal of precious grain.

JESSORE.

During the month of April Mr. Parry had the pleasure of receiving seven converts into the church under his charge on a confession of their faith in Christ by baptism.

DINAJPUR.

Mr. Smylie has also been encouraged by the addition by baptism of one hopeful convert to the church under his pastoral care.

BENARES.

On the 17th ultimo Mr. Small had the satisfaction of baptizing and receiving into the church one female convert, the wife of one of his catechists.

CHUNAR.

Mr. Heinig has recently visited a town named Aharora, about twelve miles from his station. It contains about three thousand inhabitants, carries on a trade in sugar, stones, wood, and iron, and is in a large valley extending many miles in length and breadth, which appears to be very fruitful, abounding in groves of trees, in whose shade weary travellers find protection from the burning sun. Giving an account of his journey, Mr. Heinig says—

came on

After having pitched my tent in a garden | turned to my tent), my tent was continually abounding with mangoe trees which were in crowded from morning till ten o'clock at night. full bloom, and promised a plentiful crop, my They did not allow me time to get my meals, arrival was noised abroad in the town. Many and I did not ask them to leave me, because came to see me, and would at once have I wished to improve the opportunity as much entered my tent to engage in conversation, as possible, as my stay was very short, being but being weary from my long walk, I re- obliged to return on Friday evening to prequested them to leave me for a few hours, and pare myself for the sabbath; however, my I would come to the city and deliver my mes- mind was so much worn out from much sage. With this they complied. In the talking, instructing, and endeavouring to afternoon I went into the bazar and pro- direct their minds from the worship of their claimed the message of salvation before a gods and idols to the only thing needful, that large congregation, who heard with great I felt a little rest quite necessary. attention and apparent delight. This was Intending to start the next morning early, not the effect of fear or reverence which the I thought a few hours' bodily rest would natives generally show when they first see a strengthen me for the march, but I was quite missionary coming amongst them, but which disappointed, for a heavy storm is soon succeeded by impudence. These about nine o'clock in the evening, when people formerly were often visited by Mr. those people who had been with me hastened Bowley, and had heard and conversed much to their homes. I was obliged to keep awake with him about salvation by Jesus Christ, the whole night on account of the vivid and therefore I brought no strange things flashes of lightning and the strong wind, before them. Crowds followed me to my which threatened to tear my tent every tent, where we conversed in a more quiet moment. I and all my things were comand convenient manner. They stayed with pletely covered with dust. Weary from me till a very late hour. The next morning watching, I anxiously awaited the daybreak, I went early into the bazar, and preached and conversed to a considerable length; and afterwards I went to some of their houses, where I was welcomed by those who were the teachers of the people; others of the higher class also came and took their seats. They evidently showed regard for the saving truths of the gospel, and if any made the slightest attempt to make light, or to mix his notions with the explanation of Christ's coming and his merits, the rest of the bearers immediately prevented him interrupting the conversation. After that time (having re

and when the wind had a little abated ĺ started, with many good wishes of the people, who had again come to bid me farewell, and arrived home about twelve o'clock. Though very weary, yet I felt happy in my mind, and though I cannot speak decidedly of any conversions amongst this interesting people, yet I do trust many of them were seriously impressed. Since I have been engaged in missionary labour, I have never felt more pleasure and joy in the work, and the recollection of this visit will continue to be sweet to my mind. I distributed 150 gospels and about 100 tracts.

But one circumstance I have to mention, He generally remained two or three months that among the great number of children in the place, and after he would go again to there is no permanent teacher, consequently his field labours; [consequently the children the children know not how to spend their forgot almost all they had learned, therefore time, and of course grow up in idleness and the people solicited me to commence a school; bad habits. The people very earnestly en- but I have no funds for this purpose. How treated and begged me to establish a school. thankful should I be if some Christian friends I asked why the rich people, who have built would assist me in doing good among this tanks and groves, did not care for the youths people. The expenses are generally in the of the city. The usual answer was, that beginning a little more as regards books, &c., they took no interest in them; and when I &c., than the support itself. If I had about inquired where some of them had learned to forty rupees for the first month, and for the read, they answered, that now and then a continual support say fourteen rupees, I might teacher came and taught them, but he only be able to establish two schools, one in which taught them according to what the children Sanskrit and another in which Hindi is could give him; for instance, a boy that taught, and the children would imbibe a better could give him three annas per month ob- knowledge, and become useful members of tained a little more knowledge than those society. Cast thy bread upon the waters, and that could only afford two annas or six pice.it shall be found after many days.

AGRA.

period brother Domingo and I preached in fifty-three different places, some of them large towns and villages, where we had many large and attentive congregations. At Hatras we preached in several parts of the town to great crowds of hearers. This, I think, is a good place for a missionary to be located. At Allygurh we had a good preaching in the town on two mornings; some hundreds heard attentively the word of life. I also preached once in English to a few of the residents of the station; this also presents a fine field for missionary labour.

Mr. Williams, addressing the editor of the Calcutta Missionary Herald, saysSince I last wrote you, four persons have an absence of eighteen days, during which been added to the church by baptism, two of the European community, the others natives: may they have grace given them to endure unto the end, that they may be saved. Some time ago I informed you that we had land at Madeka-magrá; I had just then legally purchased land, and had the prospect of obtaining immediate possession, but I am sorry to say, that I have been quite disappointed, in consequence of the person to whom the land had been mortgaged having a claim, whether real or otherwise I am not prepared to say; at any rate it was deemed sufficient to prevent my being put in possession without a process of litigation, which, under existing circumstances, I do not think advisable. However, I am glad to say, that we have succeeded in securing some fifty bigahs of good land at the village of Hiner, two miles distant from Chitaura, and we fully expect to secure more shortly. I am happy to state, the dwellinghouse for Mr. Smith and family is nearly finished, though we have not as yet realized the sum required for its erection; some hundreds of rupees are still wanting-" the Lord will provide."

I have recently been on a missionary tour to Allygurh and to Bulandshahar. I had fully intended to go further up the country, but not feeling myself well, and the weather being very warm, I did not deem it prudent to do so, and therefore returned_home, after

At Bulandshahar I remained for three days with our most affectionate friend Mr. E., where I had also the pleasure of meeting with brother Thompson of Delhi. Our stay together was but short; I could have wished it to have been much longer, but circumstances did not admit of it. On the Friday evening we had an English service; brother Thompson preached. The next morning we went into the town, and preached to a goodly number of natives, who heard us pretty well. On the same evening brother Thompson left for Delhi. On the sabbath I preached twice in English. I trust the Lord was with us, and that the time was a time of love. Blessed be the Lord, there are some few in this place who serve him in spirit and in truth; may he pour out of his Spirit upon them abundantly.

CEYLON.

In a letter dated Colombo, July 10th, Mr. Davies says, "I am going to baptize two native converts to-morrow. I trust the work is reviving."

From Kandy, Mr. Allen writes thus:

In the Kandian province there is little to cheer and gladden the heart, whilst there is much to depress and discourage; and yet I would continue, if God give me strength to labour, in the hope that some good will arise from the efforts that are made to turn the idolatrous people to the one living and true God. Since brother Dawson left Kandy my labours have perhaps been more abundant in some respects. At least I have done more of what I deem missionary work to consist in. In journeyings often, I have preached the gospel to multitudes, who it is probable have but seldom if ever listened to it, and this with varied experience. Sometimes listened to

and encouraged, sometimes treated with insolence and contempt, and departing discouraged, but still hoping and praying that good may be done. A week at a time, as the months roll round, I leave for the jungle, and dwell amongst the people, endeavouring to instruct them in the great things of the gospel; in their huts and by the wayside, in their rest-sheds and temples, or wherever I meet with them. I endeavour in such excursions to preach the gospel to every creature, but with what success in many instances the day of judgment will alone reveal. At other times I do what I can in the language, not without hope of becoming fluent in it.

AFRICA.

We are happy to learn that Dr. Prince has arrived safely at Clarence, after an absence occasioned by the failing health of Mrs. Prince and himself. Mr. Newbegin, while supplying the Doctor's place, suffered severely from illness, of which he gives an account in a letter dated Bimbia, July 2nd.

The people were very kind, and, I believe, her soul took its flight, but from that time I appreciated the sacrifice I made in coming have been gradually giving way. among them for that time. Dr. Prince's absence was protracted beyond thirteen weeks, and I began to fear much that he would be unable to find any conveyance back. He returned on the 14th ult., in the vessel commanded by the individual whose castaway crew the Dove picked up about two years ago. The Warree had arrived the day be fore, so that for two days we mustered a strong mission band. Mr. Waddell very kindly preached for me the sabbath on which he arrived. A powerful sermon it was, and the help very opportune, for I was then the subject of a tertian ague, and considerably weakened by it.

....

I did seriously think of going in the Dove, such was the prostration that for weeks I suffered; and withal I was then the subject of Asiatic dropsy and enlarged spleen. But I rallied once more, and after brother Fuller's death, which gave me great anxiety, I returned to Clarence weak and exhausted, lying in my bed all the day prior to my departure, and there obliged to give directions concerning the packing, &c., necessary for my expected sojourn. When I inform you of all this, you will not think me unreasonable in meditating a voyage home. I have great hopes that a visit in the cooler months, for a short time, will do much for me, by restoring my liver and allaying the irratibility of my nervous system, which suffers sometimes very sadly. Greater constitutional strength would be obtained, because of the necessary cessation of these prostrating causes. At present, although better, I am very weak in muscular strength, and unable to apply my mind closely to any work for any length of time. I have written to Dr. Prince concerning his opinion about a voyage home, and shall consult with all the brethren here before I decide, but I think it is right to inform you of what passes in my mind at present. I have no wish to enter any other field, but to occupy this usefully as long as my appointed time lasts.

My residence at Clarence was a time of considerable suffering in health; often so weak as to find the performance of duty an exceedingly difficult task. I preached two sermons on one sabbath, after a night of fever, but was obliged to leave the preliminary parts to the people to conduct. I have written thus much, I believe a fuller account than I have before done, because I think such inroads have been made on my health that a few more such as the last will place me by my sainted wife, and I think the time is come for me to seek a rest from their repetition by leaving the coast entirely for a season, that I may be built up and established. I do not think such a trip as Dr. Prince's, which is I have passed through deep waters only palliative, will affect what I require. here such as I never knew till here I Let it be remembered that from the time of came. I desire not to be moved by such my dear wife's death, I have been constantly things, but to spend my life for the good of the subject of some attack. I had strength unhappy Africa. I have strong hope that mercifully given me to attend upon her until a visit home will effect what I desire.

« AnteriorContinuar »