their fellow creatures who were of a lower caste than themselves as they did; if the spirit of God was in them ought they not rather to embrace them ?" to which they said, "Yes, yes, yes," for I could understand that. He then preached to them for some time; some made objections, who were met with answers, that as far as I could judge by their appearance, astonished and confused them. Brother L. is most clever with the natives; he is just a match for them. After we had done he told me to give tracts away, and never, never, can I forget the eager manner in which they rushed upon me; I thought I should have been carried away by them. I was a quarter of an hour in giving thirty tracts away, I had such work to get one from another the people pressed round me so. If I had been giving rupees away they could not have been more eager for them. O that God may bless this seed, and spare me to sow much more that shall produce an abundant harvest of precious souls to his honour and glory. Mrs. G. unites with me, love to yourself, Mrs. P., and family, and all dear friends at Derby. We send our love to yourself, Mrs. P., and family, not merely as a matter of course, but from feelings of love and gratitude for your kindness. Yours most sincerely, T. GRANT. LETTER FROM LORD ELPHINSTONE, GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY. WE have been favoured with a sight of the following interesting letter, addressed to our friend Mr. Peggs. We do not entertain the same views as his lordship respecting the mild character of slavery in India, especially in Malabar; but we most cordially concur with the wish, that even the shadow of it should not continue to darken the land. The humane efforts to abolish human sacrifices among the Khunds, will be read with the liveliest interest. We regret to see no reference to British connexion with Idolatry in India. "Madras, Jan. 1st, 1842. "SIR,-I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of two letters, and two packets containing pamphlets on various subjects, and a small volume on the abolition of the punishment of death, which you have done me the favour to send me. These publications evince a christian and philanthropic disposition which is far above my praise. It will be satisfactory to you to learn, that some of the subjects they treat of no longer present the same features which drew your attention to them; and I believe that the whole of them have been under the special consideration of the local government of In dia, or of the law commission. Thus slavery may be said to approximate to a state of voluntary servitude, for a master can now only recover the services of a runaway slave by bringing an action against his employer, or by prosecuting the slave himself before a court of justice. In the former case he would almost inevitably be cast, in the latter imprisonment is the only punishment that could be awarded, during which the master must pay for the slave's expences; and after his release what is to hinder him from running away as before? There is reason to believe that the treatment of slaves has improved generally since their masters have discovered how slight is their hold over them; they are in fact considered rather as hereditary servants than as slaves, in the usual acceptation of the word; but while I believe that it is the shadow rather than the substance of slavery which still remains, I beg you not to suppose that I wish even this shadow to continue to darken the land. If I have entered into this explanation, it is because I am apprehensive, to use your own words, that "a great want of correct information respecting the present state of slavery in India is very prevalent." I do not advocate the maintenance of the present modified system; on the contrary, I believe that it will be found impossible to maintain it. I look upon it as a state of transition, leading imperceptibly, but inevitably, to the entire extinction of slavery. "The existence of human sacrifices among the tribes that first came into contact with us during the Goomsoor expeditions, is a deplorable fact which has long engaged the attention of the Madras government. The means hitherto taken for its suppression, even in those parts of the country which are known to us, and which are in the immediate vicinity of more civilized tracts, have been, I regret to say, lamentably unsuccessful. Thus the Molikoes of the Goomsoor Khonds solemnly engaged not to permit any more sacrifices within their jurisdiction. About the end of 1840, however, major Campbell, to whom the promise had been made, discovered that it was evaded by putting the wretched victims to death in more remote districts, where our influence does not yet extend. In order to bring these interior districts, extending for hundreds of miles through an unhealthy and almost inaccessible country, more within the sphere of our influence, an officer has lately been specially appointed to proceed thither. He is accompanied by a small party of sappers, who act as pioneers, and by a surgeon. His first object will be to endeavour to open a communication through the heart of this, until recently, wholly unexplored country, to acquire information, and particularly to cultivate the acquaintance, and to secure the good-will, of their chiefs "I have the honour to be, Sir, "Your most obedient servant, P. S. 24th Jan. 1842.-I regret to say that I have just received accounts from Ganjam, that the party sent into the Khonde districts had been compelled to return from fever. This is very discouraging, as the attempt must necessarily be deferred until the opening of the next season in November. JOURNAL OF A TOUR. Continued from page 96. 16th.-Spoke with a great number of women that had assembled in one house. They seemed interested with the truths of the Bible, perhaps on account of their novelty; some said, "How can we forsake Jug. gernaut : our husbands and neighbours all worship him?" Truly "darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people." On my way home had an interesting conversation with a lad who has been some years in our employ. Should he become decidedly pious, and a useful character, as we trust he will, he will know nothing of the persecution and opposition that his fellow-countrymen have to endure if they become christians. With us, of course he has every help and encouragement. He is of low caste, but possesses superior natural talents. Among the natives it is utterly impossible for a man of low caste to rise. On Hindoo principles it would be impossible for a shoe maker to become a Dr. Carey, &c., &c. 18th. We are near encamped in a mungo tope (grove): it is delightfully cool. The thermometer seldom rises above eighty. five in the tent. We are near to the large and populous town called Purisutompore. The people here are too much under brahminical influence to receive the humbling doctrine of the cross. They are fond of disputing; many of the women also, though too generally they manifest indifference. I find a difficulty in gaining admission to their houses. They excuse themselves, saying, "the gooroo will be very angry." evening entered a house : the women appeared timid, but listened with some degree of interest, while, by way of introduction, I told them something about my country, how children are clothed, are brought up, &c. A crowd of men and children soon came round the door, which frightened the women so much that I found it was useless to stay with them. This Nov. 15th,-Went to a house that I visi. ted last year. They seemed pleased to see me. Many of the neighbours soon assem. bled. An old woman interrupted the conversation by saying, "Tell us how we are to get rupees, and we will worship God." The younger women appeared interested in hearing of salvation by Jesus Christ. One of them said, "Will you go to another house." She led the way, and intreated 20th. This evening went out as usual. the females not to be frightened. She re- Saw two women standing at the door of a peated to them all she could recollect of the house: they appeared greatly surprised, but ten commandments, and some of the Sa- not very frightened, so I advanced, gained viour's miracles. Her neighbours, however, admission, and was soon surrounded by were not so easily affected, and while her more than twenty. Among the number eyes sparkled with delight and amazement, was an elderly woman, the wife of a gooroo, they appeared indifferent; and while trying who could read, and had some knowledge of to interest them they frequently said, "What their shastras. She seemed abundantly can we understand, we are only women.' sensible of her superiority over the rest, These expressions are by no means uncom- and talked for them all. She first raised mon; they are considered, and do consider the usual objection, "Show us God, and themselves as inferior creatures. The men we will worship." The way in which we often say, "What is the use of trying to combat this argument has been so often reteach these ignorant women," The public lated that I need not repeat it. She said it mind in India is awakened in this respect, was impossible for any one to worship with and we trust the education of females will the mind an unseen deity, and yet she no longer be totally neglected. would allow that a man blind from his birth could worship Juggernaut. After rather a lengthened conversation with her, she said, "Well, if our brahmins and gooroos unite with you, so will we; for as is the gooroo, so are his disciples. I fear the opportunity was not a very useful one; but duty is ours, events belong to God. 25th. Our tent has again been removed, and we are now stationed in a delightful valley with a number of villages all around us. Visited one this evening. The women expressed unusual surprise. They inquired is it a sahib, or sahibamne. So unaccustomed are these villagers to the sight of an European that they really did not know whether it was the missionary or his wife! My visit I found had interrupted the labour of these females. They were engaged in cutting their rice, which they carry on their heads to the threshing-floor. It was not the best time for conversing with them, as the men kept urging them on to their work. I left them with a promise of calling early in the morning, which I was able to perform. I had intended to have added more, but have this day had what I think must be an attack of ague: the fever which succeeds is by no means favourable to letter writing; and if I delay till the morning it may be too late: so am obliged thus hastily to conclude. With united kind regards to your self and family, believe me, my dear sir, Your's in the bonds of the Gospel, about two miles distant: congregation not very large, and what was worse, still less intelligent. Some, however, heard well, and received books gladly. The people are now mostly engaged in their fields, cutting their rice, which, for the first time these last six years, is very abundant. The fields are literally laden with this Indian staff of life, and the tanks, &c., are filled with water. On our way home stopped at another village, and directed a few to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. 28th-Went this morning to a neighbouring village. Several people assembled, and heard with tolerable attention. A few questions were proposed, and disposed of generally to their satisfaction. One man said, "If these books are read there will not be three nowties of dhan (unhusked rice) sold for a rupee, (there are now seven or eight sold.)" Another asked, "Where is God?" Another, " Brahma, Vishnu, and Seeb, have never seen the Supreme Being; how then shall man see him? We can't get rice to eat, how can we worship? A brahmin is God!" &c. These and a few more similar remarks were made, which were met by us in turn, as they occurred. After breakfast, and Oriya worship in my tent, the bustle of the day commenced. This, though the christian's sacred Sabbath, is market-day here; and I suppose near 3000 people were present. We all sallied forth in different directions, collecting groups of people in various parts of the market. After engaging JOURNAL OF A TOUR TO PUNPALI in this way for about a couple of hours, we PUNKA. BY MR. STUBBINS. Nov. 26th, 1841.-Left home this after noon, in company with Mrs. Stubbins, and the native brethren, Pooroosootum and Seebo Naik, for Anchoor, where we arrived about eight o'clock, p. m. Found every thing prepared for our reception, and once more past a night in comfort and repose in our tent, free from the cares and bustle of home. all met together, and in turns stood upon a chair and spoke a considerable time to a large crowd of attentive hearers. A good impression appeared generally to prevail, and not a few appeared to feel the force of truth. We then had a table brought out in the midst of the market, and all three mounted it, and distributed very comfor tably several hundred books, and again addresed a few words to the crowd. Thence we removed to another place, where we distributed a few hundred more, occasion27th.-Felt unable to go out this morning, ally stopping a short time to address a word partly from the effects of strong medicine or two to the people about Christ and his on the preceding day, and perhaps partly great salvation. After being thus employed from the effects of my ride the previous for about three hours, we were glad to sit evening. I find I must not persist in riding down on our board, and rest ourselves. on horseback, however unwilling to relin- Then went up and down the market, giving quish it. The annoyance and expense of a book to any person who could read, but riding in a palanquin are very great, but had not received one, at the same time these are minor considerations compared warning him to flee from the wrath to with moderate health and usefulness. The come. This done we sat down by the way. native brethren preached in a neighbour- side speaking to passers by, entreating ing village, and were much encouraged them to forsake their refuges of lies for with the silent attention of a good congre- Christ the only true refuge. gation. In the afternoon went to a village To be continued. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. THOMAS ROGERS, OF FLEET, LINCOLNSHIRE. "It were profane to quench a glory lighted in the skies, SUCH is the sentiment which a correspondent adopts in reference to the subject of this memoir, while expressing regret, that though he was called to his reward Dec. 6th, 1839, no sketch of his useful career had appeared in our periodical. To prevent the impression from being entertained, that there has been any neglect on our part of a revered father in the ministry, and one who has frequently enriched our pages with his labours, it may be proper to state, that the friends of Mr. Rogers contemplated the publication of an extended memoir in a separate form; and they therefore did not wish to be anticipated by any articles that might be inserted in the General Baptist Repository. As that purpose has been abandoned, a few materials have been forwarded to the Editor to assist him in preparing the present very imperfect sketch of the life and labours of a dearly beloved christian brother and friend. It was the happiness of Mr. Rogers to be descended from pious parents. His grandfather, Thomas Rogers, of Smalley, in Derbyshire, was one of those who opened his door for the preaching of the Gospel by Mr. John Tarratt. He was a good man, and died happy in the Lord. Mr. Rogers' father and mother were baptized by Mr. Tarratt; and though they resided at Nottingham, they continued to attend worship with their christian brethren at Little Hallam, seven or eight miles distant, until family burdens, and ill health, rendered this course impracticable, when they began to attend with the Particular Baptists at Nottingham, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Hopper. Mr. Rogers was born at Nottingham, Sep. 1st, 1774. It was the care of his parents to train up their children in the fear of God. They led them to the house of God three times on the Lord's-day, accustomed them to read the Scriptures, and taught them to pray to God for every needful blessing. To the excellent example, and pious solicitude of his mother, Mr. Rogers was deeply indebted; and he has often declared, he could not recollect a period when he was without serious impressions, which restrained him from the commission of gross sins, and influenced him in the practice of religious duties. When quite a child he was particularly attentive to VOL. 4.-N. S. S private prayer, and even then laid aside the form taught him by his mother that he might utter his petitions in his own language. He was not in his childhood an inattentive hearer, but was frequently much affected by the services of the sanctuary, and especially when he was a spectator of the administration of the Lord's-supper. His mother died in May, 1784, before he was ten years of age; but he retained a grateful recollection of her pious and affectionate counsels during his whole life. What a blessing is a pious mother! What a lesson does this interesting fact inculcate on all! After his mother's death young Thomas was sent to a boarding-school at Ecclesfield, in Yorkshire, where the example of his school-mates, which is often injurious, does not appear to have induced him to give up the incipient piety of his childhood. He continued his secret devotions; and after his return to his father's family, when he was growing up, he maintained the same course, often discoursing with his father's apprentices on religious subjects, holding little prayer-meetings with them, and sometimes adding a word of exhortation. Pursuing a course so free from vice, and so scrupulously correct and religious, it will be anticipated by all who know the deepseated depravity of the human heart, and its proneness to self-commendation, that this interesting youth would be in great danger of pharisaism and selfrighteousness. Though modest, lovely, and virtuous, this was the rock on which he split. He relied on his own works for acceptance with God, considered himself in the way to heaven, and seldom had any trouble of mind, except when he neglected public worship, or omitted private prayer. One of the apprentices before alluded to, somewhat older than himself, had become a Wesleyan Methodist, and apparently was an enlightened christian : he saw in young Thomas such a degree of self-complacency as led him in one of their conversations kindly to advise him "to pray that God would show him his state by nature." This seasonable admonition startled him, and though he did not comprehend the meaning of the expression, he carried it with him to his closet, and invariably adopted this as one of his petitions, that he might know himself and his state by nature. His errors were soon corrected. In the beginning of the year 1791, an uncle came to reside in Nottingham. He had been recently baptized, and was a member of the Church at Ilkeston and Smalley, and now became an inmate of his brother's house. As he and Thomas slept together, one night after they had retired, they both of them agreed to engage in prayer. Thomas was to be the first, and as he "secretly thought" how much better he could pray than his uncle, who was a plain and simple christian, his mind was "full of pharisaic pride." He began, but could not proceed. Shame and confusion filled his whole soul. This embarrassment was so unusual with him, that it led him to suspect the goodness of his own heart, and to doubt the stability of the foundation on which his hopes were built. He looked into himself, saw that his own righteousness was as filthy rags, and that he was fallen, lost, and undone. These new apprehensions induced him to have frequent conversations with pious persons, and an old disciple, named Richard Burton, put into his hands Bunyan's Two Covenants." The perusal of this book gave him an increasing conviction of his depravity and guilt, and led him to tremble lest he should perish in his sins. Many times when retiring to rest he had the most awful apprehensions lest he should awake in hell; and often he would sit up very late reading, meditating, and praying for mercy. He repeatedly resolved that he would not |