CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

TWENTY-FIRST REPORT.

(Continued from p. 54.)

Our last Number embraced the substance of that part of the Society's Twenty-first Report, which refers to the West African Mission: we now proceed to the Mediterranean Mission, a primary object of which is the revival of the Christian churches bordering on the Mediterranean, with a view to the extension of Christianitythroughout the continents of Africa and Asia. Many of the particulars of this mission have appeared in our pages: we shall therefore content ourselves with a brief recapitulation.

During five years' residence in the Mediterranean, Mr. Jowett's time has been fully occupied in voyages and journeys, in superintending the translation of the Scriptures into Maltese, in carrying on much of the correspondence and business of the Malta Bible Society, in assisting in the preparation of tracts, and in promoting education. Whenever he was in Malta, and his health would allow it, he maintained family prayers, in English and Italian, on Saturday and Sunday evenings, accessible to such persons as wished to frequent them. These meetings were the means of attaching friends to the mission. So greatly, however, has the work grown in his hands, that able coadjutors are required; and the Committee trust that his visit home will be the means of procuring such assistants.

The valuable manuscript of the Amharic New Testament, our readers will remember, was brought to England by Mr. Jowett; that of the Old arrived safely by a subsequent packet. Mr. Jowett brought also a translation of the Gospels into Maltese, with a view of printing one of them during his stay in this country.

Before Mr. Jowett left Egypt, he made arrangements with Mr. Salt for the purchase of manuscripts of the, Ethiopic Scriptures, more particularly of those parts which are wanting or defective iu the copies accessible in Europe.

Mr. Professor Lee has turned his mind much to the subject of Abyssinia; and several other members of the University of Cambridge are devoting themselves, with his assistance, to for.

ward the plans of this and other benevolent societies in behalf of that nation.

Dr. Nandi has continued the prepa. ration of tracts in Italian. Mr. Jowett brought with him to England a tract on Redemption, which had received the benefit of revision by an accomplished Italian scholar: he has carried this tract through the press, and an edition of 2000 copies has been forwarded to Malta. By the series of tracts now in a course of preparation, "we shall become," Mr. Jowett says, "preachers of the truth to many hundreds of thousands who read the Italian language."

Mrs. Jowett has exerted herself witls much success for the instruction of Maltese girls. Habits of order and neatness had been introduced; and prayer and the reading of the Scriptures, in Maltese, rendered familiar to the children.

Mr. Jowett has accumulated a large stock of materials for communicating to the Christian world a view of the moral and religious state of the Mediterranean; and is occupied in digesting them for publication.

The Committee next report the proceedings of the Rev. James Connor on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean; a narrative of which has already appeared in our pages. Mr. Connor was enabled, in his journey, to open channels for the circulation of the Scriptures, not only throughout the islands of Candia, Rhodes, and Cyprus, but in all parts of Syria. Hilarion, an Archimandrite of the Greek Church, had engaged, before Mr. Connor left Constantinople, in a translation of the New Testament into modern Greek. On his return to that city, he found that great progress had been made in the translation. Mr. Connor availed himself of the opportunity of cultivating an intercourse with various ecclesiastics of high station, who are friendly to the circulation of the Scrip. tures. Among these, Polycarp, Patriarch of Jerusalem, had been apprised of his proceedings in the holy city, and warmly approved of them.

The recent melancholy events at Constantinople, which have greatly imped. ed the Society's plans for the present, are already known to our readers.

The Committee next proceed to lay before their subscribers, the substance of their communications from the NorthIndia Mission.

The Committee trace the proceedings in this Mission, under the heads of Christian Labourers, Education, and the Press.

In the stations in which these labourers are employed, no other change has taken place, during the year, than a vacancy at Titalya, occasioned by the death of Mr. Schroeter. Of two of the Society's native missionaries, Abdool Messeeh and Mr. William Bowley, the Corresponding Committee thus speak :

"Abdool Messeeh continues to fulfil the utmost expectations of the Committee; and the testimony borne to the excellency of his general deportment, is such as the friends of religion would desire. He is now in Calcutta, where he holds public worship in Hindoostanee three times a week; and numbers of the native Christians attend."

Of Mr. Bowley, who has been ordained as a Lutheran minister, the Commit

tee remark:

"Mr. Bowley's labours are continued as formerly, to the native congregation, and to the native inhabitants of Chunar, and the neighbourhood generally. His journals exhibit, instances of several respectable natives, who, through their intercourse with him, have been brought to approve of Christianity-openly to avow their disbelief of Hindoo booksto read the Gospel in private--and to join occasionally in Christian worship; yet the loss of property, and other inconveniences involved in loss of caste, have hitherto deterred them from making an open profession of Christianity. It is, how. ever, evident that this wearing away of ancient prejudices and increasing favourable disposition toward Christianity among the natives, in every place where missionaries are in habits of intercourse with them, is a preparation of the way for the reception of the Gospel."

Of the seminary of Hindoostanee youths under Mr. Corrie, it is said:

"An examination of the Hindoostanee boys took place, in the presence of several members of the Committee, as well as others interested in missionary objects. The boys were first exercised in reading out of the New Testament, in Hindoostanee; then in reading out of the English New Testament, and explaining the meaning in Hindoostanee. This part of the examination gave much satisfaction: as the pupils manifested a knowledge of English, both in CHRIST. OBSERV. NO. 242.

respect to the pronunciation and meaning, which was creditable at once to themselves and their instructor. They were also made to repeat a large portion of the Hindoostanee Catechism, lately printed by the Committee, for the use chiefly of the native Christians at Chunar. The result completely proved that nothing more is wanted than a suitable com. mand of leisure for the prosecution of this work in a very efficient manner. The Committee humbly hope, that perseverance in a course of Christian discipline and education, may, with the Divine blessing, enable them to furnish some useful labourers to the missionary field."

In the department of Education, providing suitable books is felt to be a point of prime importance in India. In addition to the valuable labours of the Rev. D. Schmid, on this point, assistance had been derived from other quarters. The Corresponding Committee particnlarly acknowledge their obligations to the Diocesan School Committee, for the History of Joseph, in Bengalee; and to the Calcutta School-book Society. The number of scholars under instruction throughout this mission, probably exceeds 2000.

About

Of the works which have issued from the press, it is stated that the whole of Mr. Ellerton's Dialogues on the Book of Genesis are now published, with an English translation annexed. 8000 copies have been printed during the year. One thousand copies of each dialogue have been printed separately in Bengalee. The dialogues have been introduced at Burdwan with very good effect: and the Committee add, that the curiosity of the Natives to read them is so considerable that Mr. Deer has introduced them into the greater part of his village schools; so that it has become necessary to take measures for printing a new edition in Bengalee alone, to meet the demand. The Com mittee have also printed, during the last year, 2000 copies of Mr. Bowley's Catechism in Hindoostanee in the Persian character, and 500 in the Nagree character; 200 copies of a hymn book and 300 copies of extracts from the Common Prayer, comprehending the Litany in the Nagree character. In this department the Rev. D. Schmid has been diligently employed. He published a letter in English, addressed to Baboo. Rammohun Roy; with a view to point out to inquisitive Hindoos-who, reR

nouncing the idolatrous system of their Poorans, adhere to the Vedas as of Divine authority-the exclusive claims of the Bible to inspiration. Soon after, the school book called "Divine Sayings," in Bengalee and English, was brought through the press by the Committee. Mr. Schmid has now in hand a work, of which the first part in Bengalee and English, containing 294 pages, has just issued from the press: it is intended to be a summary of Christian doctrine and practice, and of church history, drawu from the Scriptures, and expressed in the very words of the sacred text. Mr. Schmid has devoted the whole of his savings to the printing of this and other works, and has given the profits to the funds of the mission.

The expenditure of this mission for the year, amounted to about 31,890 rupees, or 3986l., exclusive of the outfit and passage of missionaries. More than a fourth of the amount of this expenditure was raised in India.

It would be impracticable for us to enter upon the details of the several stations connected with this mission; but we shall extract one or two passages by way of specimen.

A gentleman in the East India Company's service, who visited Chunar, bears the following testimony to the exemplary state of the Native Christians.

"It was delightful to witness the beautiful order and decorum of the Native women. The first sight of such a congregation of worshippers is the more striking, because one has hitherto been accustomed to see the women of this country under such very different circumstances. I went with Mr. Bowley to hear him catechize the Christian women in one of their houses, and was indeed gratified. I was more particularly struck by their behaviour and deportment. They read too, very well; and seemed well to understand the questions and answers of the catechism: they then sang. I cannot tell you what I felt in hearing them sound the praises of Je sus Christ. They seemed also to feel as they sung. I went afterward to see two of the European invalids, whose wives were among the Christians. The first was an old invalid soldier, nearly deaf; and I was accosted, on entering his door, by a native girl, neatly dressed, saying in English, Good morning, sir: there was another little black creature running about: these are two native orphans, whom this man has

adopted. On entering the honse of the next, I was particularly surprised to observe the exceeding cleanliness and neatness of the house and all its furniture. We surprised the man at his Bible: his wife came in, soon after, having been among those who were examined: she is, Mr. Bowley says, a pious woman. The whole appearance of the barracks, of the houses of the individuals, and those of the Native Christian women, was such as reminded me of a country village in Englaud on the Sabbath-day. Some were sitting at the doors, and others in the verandas reading; and the whole of them were so quiet that one could not but be sure that the Gospel of Peace was known there. I have not seen any thing like it în India before; on which account, perhaps, it was the more observable by me: but the Natives themselves, Mr. Bowley told me, say that the place has been quite altered since the Gospel has been preached. The hawkers and venders of goods now never think of going to the barracks on a Sunday; for they only meet with reproof or advice, instead of selling any thing: and the very Coolies of the place have learned something of Jesus Christ; for the women talk of Him to all who will listen."

Mr. Fisher thus speaks of the Native Christians at Meerut:

- "My Native Christiansare, at present, all with me. We have the sacrament on the first Sunday in every monthyat which they regularly attend and participate. Every Sunday, at eleven o'clock, they all assemble in my study, to read the Gospels. If I were to write down their conversations, they would furnish interesting subjects for correspondence."

Of one of these conversations, Mr. Fisher gives the following account.

"Last Sunday, we were conversing on the universality of the feeling that prevails in all nations, that some atonement for sin is necessary. I related to them what my three sons had seen, as they returned with me from Hardwar. A Fakeer was observed by the road-side, preparing something extraordinary; which, having never observed before, excited a curiosity to draw near and examine his employment. He had several Hindoo Pilgrims round him, all on their way from the holy Ghant; who assisted in preparing the wretched devotee for some horrible purpose, to which he had voluntarily bound himself, in order to expiate the guilt of some crime which he had committed long ago. His attendants literally worshipped him; kissing his feet, calling him God, and invoking his blessing. A large fire was kindled under the extended branch of an old tree: - to this branch the Fakir fastened two strong ropes, having at the lower end of each of them a stuffed noose, into which he introduced his feet; and thus being anspended with his head downward over the fire, a third rope (at a distance toward the end of the branch) was fixed, by which he succeeded with one hand to set himself in a swinging motion, backward and forward through the smoke and flaming fire, which was kept blazing by a constant supply of fuel, ministered by many of his followers: with the other hand he counted a string of beads, a fixed number of times; so as to ascertain the termination of the four hours, for which he had doomed himself daily to endure this exercise for twelve years, nine of which are nearly expired. A narrow bandage is over his eyes, and another over his mouth, to guard against the suffocating effects of the smoke. By this means he says he shall atone for the guilt of his sins, and be made holy for ever. The last half hour of the four hours, his people say, he stands upright and swings in a circular motion round the fire. On.coming down, he rolls himself in the hot ashes of the fire. The boys went to see him again in the evening, when he was engaged in his prayers, but to what or whom they could not tell.

"I asked my little congregation what they thought of all this. They sat silent, withtheir eyes castdown and sighingheavily. At length, Anund turned toMatthew Phiroodeen, and passing his arms round his neck, exclaimed, with the most touch ing expression of affection as well as of gratitude, to God- Ah, my brother! my brother! such once were we! but now (and he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and elevated his whole person) Jesus! Jesus! my God! my Saviour!'"

SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF POOR PIOUS CLERGYMEN,

The following are a few extracts from the letters received by the Committee in the course of the last year. These afford ample proof of the necessity and utility of the institution, and -are its best recommendation.

1. I still remain in circumstances si. milar to those of the last year, when real

poverty constrained me to appeal to the compassion of your Committee. I say similar, though not exactly in all points, for a gracious God has sent me an increase of family. Though Mrs. has been the mother of thirteen, I cordially welcome the last; and as it is a boy, I give him to God in sincere prayer, to make him a truly christian man, and if it be his will, a laborious preacher of righteousness. - Without some charitable aid I cannot clear off the arrears of the last year. In my present rather expensive situation, how is it pos sible that 130l., the amount of my income, can supply so large a family as eleven persons, with the most common comforts of life? Your repeated bounty has enabled me to be useful, and respectable, and comfortable, in a situation certainly of some importance."

2. "Happy should I be were my pecuniary circumstances such as would render another application on my part unnecessary; but having had for many yearsto labour among a verypoor people, my family having been very large, and my necessities compelling me to purchase many articles on disadvantageous terms. I have not known for several years what it is to be free from difficul. ties; and such is my state at present, unless I can obtain some speedy assistance, that my credit must fail, and in that case an end will be put to my ministerial usefulness. In addition to my other burthens, I have latelyexperienced considerable affliction in my family, and -having myself at times been so indisposed as to be incapable of discharging my duty; the consequence has been an unavoidable increase of expenditureand although the congregation I serve is so considerable in number, many of them being in low circumstances, and not a few of them total strangers, that degree of assistance is not afforded which might otherwise be expected. My income is about 1471. I have ten children, five of whom are wholly de. pendent upon me for support. It is computed that the congregation may average a thousand persons; the communicauts a hundred. The sacrament is administered monthly."

3. " I am still curate of -, have a wife and ten children, seven of whom are wholly dependent on me; and my curacy is no more than fifty pounds per annum for our support. Five of my chil. dren have been afflicted with the typhus fever, and doctors' bills must be very

considérable for attending them these three months. I hope that the worthy gentlemen will look upon this my humble petition with tenderness and compas. sion: and may the God of mercy reward my kind benefactors!"

4. (From a Clergyman's Widow.)"Indeep distress and heartfelt sorrow, I acquaint you and the worthy Committee of the death of my dear husband, after a painful illness of ten months, which he bore with a steady, composed, and Christian fortitude, truly edifying to his religious friends I feel greatly obliged for the last liberal supply, in feeling consideration of his supposed expense-I have three children dependent on me, or rather on Providence. The medical bills, and seI veral other necessary expenses, are yet unpaid. I pray to be enabled to put my whole trust in the Lord. My son, who is come to us, and has succeeded in having his father's curacies, is the only earthly support I have to look to. In laying this before the Committee, you will oblige your afflicted but grateful servant."

5. "When I review the dealings of God with us. I am constrained to say, that mercy and goodness have abounded towards us-Though the merciful-Lord was pleased to cloud his favours with afflictions, yet I trust all was in love to our souls-I have forty-five pounds per annum from the chapel, and have received forty-six pounds, from other sources. We are sıx in family. From six to seven hundred in the congregation, and "about thirty communicants. We have Sunday-schools attach ed to the chapel: I superintend them myself."

6. "I beg leave to acknowledge in the most grateful manner, the receipt of your kind letter, with the inclosed bank post-bill. It is impossible for me to describe, within the compass of a letter, the joy which the receipt of this valuable present has created in the bosom of my poor wife and myself. It came just in time to rescue us from the greatest misery, and to afford us where with to obtain those necessaries required for the sustenance of man, which I am sorry to say we were almost des

plish many of my wishes for the services of my children, and which could not have been done but through this aid. It will prevent many a heart-ache, and cause, I hope, my soul to be lifted up to God in gratitude and thanksgiving."

.......... "My income, oue hundred pounds........ No fees whatever. My family consists of nine persons. I buried a child nine months ago, and my eldest son has been put apprentice by some pious christian friends. The congregation from twelve to fifteen hundred, often two thousand. The communicants monthly from one to two hundred."

8." My scanty stipend will too well convey a sense of my need, which is pressing; but I wish to conduct myself with resignation. My salary is twenty pounds. I have no other income I have a wife and three children. The average of the congregation about one hundred and fiftysacrament administered four times a ycar. My own poverty, and that of the people, have hitherto prevented me from doing any good further than by my public and private labours."

9......... "Though poverty pinches very hard, more particularly in cases where the petitioners may have been brought up in affluent circumstances, and educated as gentlemen usually are at our universities, yet, when continued illness, with numberless concomitant expenses is taken into consideration, his sufferings become far greater; to this add a further source of grief;-a poor sick wife, near her confinement is wholly unable to provide the many little necessaries requisite. You may hence form a fair opinion of my present state. My income is under sixty-five pounds. I have a wife, and at present three children, all young, and wholly 'dependent on me for support."

By reference to the accounts of the Society, it appears that the Committee have been under the necessity, for the last two years, of selling ont part of their funded property; although by the dividends arising from it, the grants made by them have been in a considerable measure supplied. The Committee therefore hope, that as the claims on the Society's benevolence are yearly increasing, the friends of religion and the church will exert themselves to increase the list of donations and subscriptions,