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Missionary Herald.

Home Proceedings. | Foreign Intelligence.

SEVENOAKS.

SERAMPORE.

INFORMATION has reached us through the medium of Mr. John Marshman, that Krishnoo Paul, the first Hindoo convert, who was baptized in 1800, and has

the gospel to his countrymen,
died at Serampore in August or
September last,
We hope, at
some future time, to be able to
communicate some further par-
ticulars respecting this interest-
ing Christian native.

ON Wednesday, March 19, a public meeting in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society was held at Mr. Shirley's meeting-house, Sevenoaks. A sermon was delivered in the afternoon by Mr. Dyer, Secretary to the Parent So-been long employed in preaching ciety; and in the evening, Thomas Chapman, Esq. formerly of London, having been called to the chair, a statement was given of the origin, progress, and ope. rations of the Society, and various Resolutions, referring to the object, were proposed and carried. Several ministering brethren of the Independent, Wesleyan, and General Baptist denominations, assisted in the business of the evening, and much pleasure appeared to be felt by the nu

merous

congregation present. Although the weather was somewhat unfavourable, and several friends were necessarily absent at the county assizes, the attendance was very encouraging, and the sum of £21 8s. 6d. was collect ed. A wish was expressed that similar meetings might be held at other places in the county; and it cannot be denied that, on some accounts, this method is better calculated than any other, to diffuse information respecting the Society, and excite that interest in its welfare, which is necessary to its support and prosperity.

VOL. XV.

THE following narrative extracted from a Bengalee Newspaper, fully corroborates the ac count given by our friend Mr. Ward, of the same dreadful cus

tom, in his Farewell Letters.'

A New kind of Suttee. The ceremony took place at the town of Kim medy on the 27th of March last. On the morning of that day, the widow, an interesting young girl of sixteen years of age, came out of the town, atpeople, to select the spot on which her tended by musicians and crowds of existence was to terminate. She held in her hand a naked dagger with which she drew a circle on the spot she fixed upon, and turning round she struck and returned to the town in the same the dagger three times in the ground, manner she had come out. As soon as she retired, some men commenced dig ging the pit. At about half past four o'clock in the evening, she came out to complete the dreadful sacrifice. The procession stopped at intervals; and

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men with their bodies painted in the severe fever, which in about a fortmost hideous manner, danced before night became remittent, and by deher, during which time she distributed grees was removed. A short time afbeetle, &c. to those about her. When terwards he had a second attack, from she arrived at the fatal spot, she took which he only partially recovered; and the hand of her father for a second or which on Monday morning last, the two, and after taking off her jewels 12th instant, terminated his valuable and ornaments, she descended into the life. During his illness his mind was pit by a foot path, which had been cut tranquil and happy; and from the slanting into it for this purpose, and commencement of his sickness, he reseated herself at the bottom of it; in ceived the most affectionate attentions this posture her head and neck were from our Pædobaptist brethren and the only parts visible. The corpse of friends. On the Saturday preceding her husband was then placed in the his death, brother Penny and myself, hole, with his head upon her lap, and understanding that he was considerathe pit was filled up with mud and bly worse, set off to Chinsurah, (where earth so as to cover her shoulders. A he had gone, with the hope that change man then came forward and placed a of air would be of benefit to him,) to cocoa nut under her chin, on which see him.-Through various obstacles her head rested, inclining a little for- we did not arrive till the following afward. A large basket (like those car- ternoon, when we found him, though ried on the bandies which convey grain) sensible and calm, almost expiring. full of fine river sand was placed, so We were obliged to return in the eventhat on removing the props, the sand ing to Serampore; and on Tuesday remight fall at once upon her and suffo- ceived a letter from brother Pearson, cate her; but owing to the rottenness dated on Monday, in which he says: of the basket, the props were not so "Dear brother Harle expired at speedily removed as they ought to have one this morning! He continued grabeen, and the sand therefore fell gradually and rapidly to decline, till nadually upon her. At this moment there was a general shout and clapping of hands, set up by the assembled multitudes, in whose faces joy and mirth alone were visible. Thus terminated the existence of this poor creature, whom no intreaties could induce to forego the resolution she had formed. She appeared during the ceremony in all the merriment and mirth imagin-language, with the ease and propriety able, and quite indifferent to the fate that awaited her.

CALCUTTA.

IN our last Number we stated that information had arrived of the death of Mr. Harle, after a connexion with the Society of not quite a twelvemonth's standing, having been baptized on the first Sabbath of September, 1821. We subjoin the following account of this painful event, extracted from a letter written by Mr. Pearce, and dated the 14th of August last.

IT is with feelings of the deepest

sorrow that I now communicate the distressing intelligence of the death of our dear brother Harle. Nearly three months ago, he was taken ill with a

ture being utterly exhausted, he fell asleep in the arms of his Saviour! His end was peace! He said nothing in the interim that I hear, save that All is well! His remains will be interred this evening." Thus has our dear brother fought the good fight of faith, and early entered into his rest! The knowledge he had acquired of the Bengalee

with which he spoke it-the uncommon strength of his constitution-and his fervent zeal for the salvation of the heathen-pointed him out, as one of the most valuable Missionaries in the country-and one for whose long continuance we should have offered the most fervent supplications. But God seeth not as man seeth; and we doubt, not, will manifest the infinite wisdom and goodness of his dispensations in the proper season."

Of the previous history of Mr. Harle we are, in a great measure, ignorant. The following testimony sent by his previous colleagues, in answer to an application from our Calcutta brethren, will, however, shew, how highly he was 'esteemed by them.

Chinsurah, Oct. 8, 1821.

DEAR BROTHER,
In answer to the inquiry you make,

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To Mr. Pearce, Calcutta. We add, as an instructive specimen of the frame of mind in which he engaged in his Missionary work, a letter, sent by him from Howrah to Mr. Lawson, about four months before his death:

“I think we may confidently say, that the Holy Spirit has now to contend more, on the part of the heathen, against infidelity, indifference, and ignorance, than against stubborn idolatry; and on the part of the instruments, as far at least as the writer is concerned, to work in us more real devotedness of body, soul, and spirit, holiness of heart and life, and ardent love to Christ and to souls. O what a cheering thought it is, that so many of our dear christian friends, in Britain, America, and other highly-favoured places, are beginning to pray for this! Violent wrestlers will now take the kingdom of heaven by force. Dear brother, you will remember me always in every prayer of yours.' I think I need more grace than any body. When I look within, and can see my self, I could creep to hide me in the darkest corner; but when I can see Jesus, I think I could stand on the Himalaya mountains, and preach to all the world. None can sing, At hell's dark door we lay,' with more truth than I; and I sometimes tremble lest the gracious Saviour should withdraw his restraining hand. I never understood Paul's body of sin and death,' as I think I have done lately; and if I realized it more, I am sure I should be overwhelmed. But our Lord teaches us as we are able to bear his instructions. O may we be made more suitable instruments for the work of his vineyard on earth; then shall we have

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MISERIES OF PILGRIMS.

MAY, 1822. Doorgapore. This month a poor man has made his way to us, in

very great distress. He set off last year to visit Jaggernaut-lost his wife upon the way-spent every pice of his money-not a bit of cloth scarcely to cover him; and has two infant children, one of which the poor woman was delivered of upon the road, which for want of suitable accommodation and through the fatigue of the journey, caused her death. The poor man is grievously emaciated, and the babes almost lost for want of care and food. The younger child has been getting milk every day since its arrival, and is now somewhat revived, but the man is still very weak.

Another person, in almost a dying condition, came as far as our place, having started for Gunga Saugor a few months since, but being taken ill by the way, was, as is usual in these cases, entirely abandoned by his fellow travellers, and left to perish without succour. When he reached this, he was quite unable to stand or walk, totally destitute of all money and clothing. He lived for a few days in our chapel by the road side, but having removed him to a small room nearer our own house, he died about the middle of the next day. So miserable is the service of the devil, and so hopeless is the case of poor wretched idolaters

deluded and enslaved, and rendered as sheep always destined to the slaughter. I mention the above instances, not because they are rare, but because they chanced to fall under my notice. Multitudes, if sought after, might be found in similar circumstances every day, and in almost every direction. The thousands who die from these wearisome journeys every year, unheeded

and unpitied by all, but by Him who watches the falling of sparrows, and who numbers the hairs of our heads, none can estimate. Lord! hasten his blessed dominion, who "delivers the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper." The more we see of the cruelty of superstition, the more heart-rending it appears. Much has been published, and much said, upon this subject, and those who look with comparative indifference upon this, as well as other matters connected with the souls of men, may be disposed to affirm that more has been reported respecting these matters than is necessary, and that much should be abated, from considering these statements as the effect of heated zeal in those who describe them. But the fact is, that person has never yet spoken or written, who has been able to tell, in any proportion, the miseries which this horrid and multifarious system of idolatry brings in its train.

MOORSHEDABAD.

have been scarcely able to go out ten times into the streets, to preach to the Hindoos. I have sent some of the native christians who are with me out to the markets, fairs, &c. &c. and I have myself generally preached in English to the soldiers on the Sabbath, during the whole of the period; yet it was with so much pain and weakness, both of body and mind, that rendered it almost abortive. But if my health and strength be spared for the future, I hope to be enabled to devote myself more unreservedly to the promotion of the spiritual welfare of the heathen than I have ever yet done. Sickness is highly calculated to make us see the gospel of Christ in all its supreme importance, and the necessity which is laid upon us to preach the gospel to every man. There is nothing really valuable in this world but that which flows from the reception of the gospel. The gospel is the foundation upon which both our eternal and temporal happiness must be built, or we are lost for ever. When I thought it was probable I should be under the nécessity of returning to England, on account of my health, the idea was very WE feel much gratification in distressing to my mind. It appeared presenting our readers with the as if the Lord were thrusting me out following encouraging extract of the vineyard;-and you may therefrom a letter addressed by Mr. fore, from this circumstance, judge Sutton to a friend in Bristol, un-health. Join with me in praising aud how pleasingly I hailed a return of der date of Sept. 27 last. It was blessing the Author of all our mercies written from Serampore, whither for this fresh deliverance. I would he had gone for the benefit of his fain hope religion is increasing amongst health. all classes of people in India. There is much doing in behalf of the moral "In July last my disease had gain- and mental improvement of the heaed such strength, that I was under the then in these vast regions. You will, necessity of leaving Moorshedabad, perhaps, be surprised when I tell you and to come to Serampore, to see if a that there are no less than four monthchange of air would afford me any rely publications in English, in support lief. My strength was so much reduced, and my constitution so debilitated, that my medical friends did not expect any thing to prove permanently beneficial but a complete change of climate, or return to my native land; and I had almost begun to form my plans for a return; but through the great goodness and mercy of God to such an unworthy worm of the dust, my visit to Serampore has been greatly blessed to the return of my strength, and for the last month I have scarcely felt any thing of the disease, so that I am once more engaged in preaching, and other Missionary exertions. It was exceedingly painful for me to be laid aside from my work so many months, for since November, 1821, I

of religion:-The Friend of India, published at Serampore; The Missionary Herald, published by the younger brethren; The Monthly Extracts, pub. lished by the Church Society, &c. &c. ; and to these may be added, The Quarterly Friend of India; The Gospel Magazine, in Bengallee; and the Missionary Magazine, in Bengallee. New plans are every day forming; new exertions made, and new stations formed; and I have no doubt but the great changes which are taking place upon the theatre of the world, will finally bring about the kingdom of Him whose right it is to reign. Since I have been at Serampore, there has been baptizing twice. All the friends at Calcutta and Serampore are well.”

DIGAH.

wish to live without work; but that he would expect that I should, in case of necessity, get him something to do,

Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Rowe, by which to support himself and fa

dated

April 10, 1822.

mily. You are, no doubt, already aware of the difficulties with which we are surrounded with respect to inquirers. On one hand they are reject. ed by their friends and heathen countrymen, and thus deprived of the means of subsistence; and on the other hand, we are unable to support them from our funds. I should be exceedingly thankful if the Society would communicate to me their thoughts on this subject. How ought a Missionary to act, when he sees something really hopeful in an inquirer, but by bapti

"In a letter from a pious young man at Allahabad, to one of our brethren at Dinapore, dated the 26th of February last, is the following item, which I am sure will give pleasure to all who are looking forward to the period when the habitations of cruelty shall be exploded from the face of the earth: No doubt you have heard of the fatal blow which one of the great heads of superstition and self-murder has received at this place; I mean the shock-zing him he is necessitated either to ing practice the natives had of drowning themselves in the river Jumna. The judge issued an order, that any person found assisting to drown another, should be taken up for murder. This had the desired effect, and the multitude collected together dispersed

without the least disturbance.""

"Our native brethren are pretty active in going from house to house, in visiting places immediately around us, and in attending to the ordinary round of duty; I trust their hearts are in the work. They certainly claim our sympathy and our prayers. Day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, they are engaged, more or less, in conversing with their countrymen on the redemption to be found in Christ, without meeting with any who afford them joy here, and give them a hope that they will be their crown in the day of the Lord Jesus. Let us hope they will not always thus labour in vain, and earnestly beseech the Lord to bless them, and make them a blessing.

"We have a native inquirer, from the neighbourhood of Lucknow, in Oude, in whom there appears something hopeful. He was here, as an inquirer, for a considerable time two or three years ago, but returned to his house in consequence of our refusing to support him. He is now returned, and has brought his wife and family with him; his wife also appears to be well disposed: she and a daughter about twelve years of age are learning to read. Our brethren at Dinapore have employed him as Chokedar of the place of worship there. He wishes to be baptized, after which he would consider me as being under an obligation to provide for him: I do not mean to insinuate by this, that it would be his

find him employment for his support, or to turn him out into the world in great distress?"

The question thus proposed by brother Rowe is one of very great practical difficulty, and exhibits, in a striking point of view, the magnitude of the obstacles opposed to the spread of the gospel by the existence of the caste. The subjoined interesting statement, taken from a subsequent letter from Mr. Rowe, dated July 4th last, presents another instance of the same kind.

"A native Rajah is now living in one of the Bungalows belonging to the Society. There are some circumstances connected with this event, that possess an interest in which I am sure you will participate. The Rajah lives in the Eastern style, and of course is sur rounded with Brahmuns, and a great number of servants of various descriptions. Since he first came, he has frequently called to see us, and manifests much cordiality in reciprocating any little attention that we pay him; but appears reserved in his interviews with regard to religion. He tells me that he allows himself about six hours out of the twenty-four for sleep, a few for eating and attending to the neces sary business of life, and the remainder he occupies in his devotions. In deed, he seems to labour, in his way, with all his might, for the salvation of his soul. I generally see him once or twice a day performing his ablutions in the Ganges. On these occasions the Brahmuns in attendance usually form themselves into a circle outside

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