"I know not of any death that has

affected me so much since that of our beloved Trowt, Chamberlain's death we were prepared to expect, but this has come upon us like a thunder clap,

It is earnestly hoped the apprehensions which have been entertained relative to the invaluable life of Dr. Carey will not be realized, and that it will please God yet to lengthen out his days, as from a letter recently received from him by Dr. Ryland, in which he mentions his having been brought very low, he adds, "but I am now nearly as well as before.”

SERAMPORE.

THE Secretary has lately received a highly interesting letter from Dr. Carey, dated Seram

I shall now mention some few circumstances relative to the progress of the Redeemer's cause in India. The most prominent, and one of the most encouraging things in the present state of Indian missions, is the harmony which subsists between all engaged in the work. We and the junior brethren are cordially united, and I believe sincerely love one another; this is also the case with the independent brethren, and the same friendly disposition exists between the evangelical clergymen and the different dissenting ministers.

which has filled us with consternation. Brother Ward was down in Calcutta, at the Monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting, held at the Loll Bazaar chapel, on Monday-evening, every one remarked how well and how cheerful he looked, but, alas, before the week has closed he has finished his course, and entered into the joy of his Lord.pore, Jan. 23, 1823, from which His sickness lasted only about one the following is an extract. day, his complaint was the cholera morbus, the disease so fatal in this country, and that of which our dear brother Anunda died. Dr. Carey was in Calcutta on Friday-morning as usual, and he informed us that when he left home, brother Ward was very ill of the cholera morbus, and in the same evening after he returned, he wrote me the note which I send enclosed. O! how true it is that in the Imidst of life we are in death! I feel extremely sorry that I have not been able to attend his funeral. This last week I have been very unwell, owing to the change of the season. I had taken eight calomel pills in the course of the week, and about an hour before I received the Doctor's note I had taken four more, so that it was impossible for me to attend. The disease of which he died was so rapid and so violent, that it incapacitated him for conversation, and I believe he spoke very little. How mysterious are the ways of Providence, that he should have been preserved in his journeys by land and by sea, and then taken away as in a moment from the boson of his family, in the full enjoyment of health and strength!

"I pray that this event may be graciously sanctified to us all. Does it not say,Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh?' His late visit to England and America will, I am sure, make his death to be deeply lamented by all the friends of the Mission. I am afraid that coming so soon after the death of his son, Felix, it will have too powerful an effect on the Doctor's mind, though on these occasions it is astonishing how much christian resignation he displays."

The reports from the different sta tions are, perhaps, as gratifying as they ever were at any former time. The additions within the last year were very considerable. Beerbhoom, being about sixty miles fom Cutwa, could be but seldom visited; it is now separated, and forms a distinct church, and must in a little time form two churches, one at Soori, and the other at Bhoori or Dooberajpoor. Brother Hampden is now settled at Soori, and preaches to both congregations, as well as in the surrounding neighbourhood. In Jessore (Jushuhur) all the inhabitants of one village, except five houses, have either made an open profession of the gospel, or are in a pleasing train towards it. Several villages near Dhacca (Dhako) are full of inquirers and inquiry. Brother Thompson has baptized a learned brahman at Dellee, the first fruits of that city. Several have been added to the churches at Dinagepore, Chittagong, Calcutta, Serampore, and other places. Schools are much encouraged, and generally well attended. Female education, especially in Calcutta, is ear. ried on with great success.

CALCUTTA.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Yates to
Mr. Hoby, dated

Calcutta, Feb. 8, 1823. SABBATH-DAYS, and two days in the week, I am engaged in preaching to the natives, and the other days of the week I have been so far occupied by proofs, and Chamberlain's Memoir, &c. that I have had very little opportunity of writing to my friends. I expect this work will be put to press in about another month. I have finished seven chapters out of ten; but think it advisable not to begin the printing till I have finished the writing. Since I wrote to you last, I have been a journey up the country as far as Soojenpore, chiefly on account of Mrs. Yates's health, who had been ill for nearly three months, of a fever. This illness very much impeded me in my work, as the whole charge of our little school fell upon me, which Mrs. Yates, when well, takes almost entirely upon herself. This short trip on the river, however, was very serviceable to both her and me: she is now able to resume her accustomed occupation, and I am much better in health than I have been for a long season. While out on the river, I had frequent opportunities of speaking to the natives, and of distributing tracts. At Culna, a large boat, by which we were lying for the night, took fire, and was entirely consumed; it was so near to

that we were afraid ours and many us, others, would have caught the flame, but we escaped by crossing over to the other side of the river. All this transpiring in the night, gave us not a little alarm; and though several hundred natives were excited by the cry of fire to come and see what was the matter, yet they all stood composedly on the shore, as though they enjoyed the sight, and not one amongst

them would move hand or foot to assist the sufferers. You will not wonder that a people so little affected with temporal distress, should be little wrought upon by any representations that can be made to them of future punishment.

We expect in a few weeks to have a baptizing, as we have nine or ten candidates; among these one is an old man, who was awakened by hearing the gospel at Doorgapore; though old and ignorant of his letters at first, he has now learned to read, and affords a pleasing specimen of the

power of divine grace: another is a brahmun, whom we hope God has graciously given us to supply the loss of our beloved Anunda,* he heard the gospel first about three years ago, when I was at Doorgapore, but was prevented by his friends from coming near us again; nevertheless, the seed sown was not lost, but is now bearing fruit. I now hear him address his countrymen every week, and he promises to be a very useful man. May the Lord uphold him, and make him wise to win many souls to Christ. Our English congregation is rather on the increase; our native ones are very attentive, we have scarcely any disputing now; all seem over-awed by the force of truth, though few are inclined to follow

its dictates.

From the Calcutta Baptist Auxiliary Missionary Society to the Committee of the Parent Society in England.

Dear Brethren,

Calcutta, Sept. 1, 1822.

In acknowledging your pleasing communication of the 2nd of August, 1821, we beg to say, that it is gratifying to observe our humble efforts in the cause of our blessed Redeemer have met with the approbation of our more experienced brethren in missionary

labour.

Although it may appear something like assuming to ourselves a degree of importance unwarranted by circumstances, yet we cannot but feel convinced of the justice of your remark, that "speaking according to the ordinary course of events, India never can be evangelized by the efforts made in England, unless strenuously seconded by the exertions of individuals resident in the country, which it is so anxiously desired, should be enlightened by the knowledge of salvation."

To the labours of our Missionary brethren among Europeans, and descendants of Europeans in India, as well as among the heathen, may be attributed, under the blessing of God, the lively interest which it is evident now exists in the hearts of very many of the former, for the promotion of Christianity; and when the number of societies now existing in these realms of darkness is considered, and when we view the operations of the Church,

* Anunda was a converted brahmun, and was so highly esteemed by the brethren that they generally speak of him as the "beloved" Anunda.

Independent, and Baptist Missionary | lish, called The Missionary Herald,'

Societies, a Bible Society and Bible Association, School and School-book Societies, most of which are engaged in making known the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the heathen, we cannot but anticipate the most cheering prospects of future good, from the united exertions of these fruits of Mis-given to others, who have not yet put sionary labour.

and books, desks, or rather stools, rice and dirt, rags and relics in every part of the spacious room, where all sat without any apparent order, except the old man, who had a corner to himself, from which I presume he never moves or is removed, for it appears to serve him for eating, drinking, lecturing, and sleeping. This old gentleman received us very coolly, and appeared very suspicious, nor was it till after a long conference, that I could persuade him to receive a single book, nor even to look into one. At last he read a little of the New Testament, and some of his pupils followed his example, and when he received the books they did likewise. The news of our visit seemed to spread rapidly, for many persons came in to see us. I talked with them for about an hour and gave books to all who could read; after which we took our leave. As we came out, one of the men who accompanied us, expressed himself much pleased at seeing us come away safely, saying he had been very much afraid on our account, for these people are such fanatics, that if they thought any one came with the intention of inducing them to change their religion, they would not hesitate to run-a-muck.* Indeed they refused so long to read or receive any of the books, that I doubt not but they supposed we were come to impose on them a new belief. These are the people we are come to serve, and we must brave every danger of this description, counting not our lives dear to us, so that we might win their souls to Christ.

banyan, the durian, and other lofty trees, he is secured from the influence of the sun until many degrees above the horizon. A beautifully clear river which in some places is very broad but shallow, gently murmuring over its pebbly bed, frequently met the eye, and when the road was at all open, the harvest of paddy newly reaped and standing in ricks, very much like our English wheat ricks, contributed to vary the scenery, and produce a very pleasing effect. We arrived at the site of the resident's house, which was recently burnt down, about eight o'clock. This appears to be the entrance of the district, we immediately enquired for the chief of the Pungulus, but found that he was gone three days' journey into the woods to cut timber to erect another house for Mr. Dupuy. This was a great disappointment, as we understood he was the only one among the chiefs of any information at all, and we think the information very correct, for. we saw by chance the next in rank, who is much more like a cooly than a chief. After we had taken a little refreshment, we procured a man to conduct us in search of persons to whom we could talk and distribute books. Our guide took us to one of the Padras, whose daily employment is to teach the youth to read the Koran and other religious books, but not to understand any of the contents. We found him in his school-house with a few persons, but his scholars were not come. I conversed with him for some time, and likewise read to him from several books, particularly the creation of the world and the fall of man, lately pub- This is the only description of semilished in the form of a tract at Ben-nary which the Malays have, and they coolen. He seemed attentive and much pleased, and when I gave him some of each sort, he engaged to read and distribute them. His companions were very attentive, and thankfully received books.

We then went to the house of the principal of these padras, whom we found in the midst of his pupils, to the number of thirty. He is a decrepid old man, but apparently very much revered. His scholars were all employed either in reading or writing Arabic, though I suppose not one in ten understood a single word. The house in which they were is large, and in one respect very much resembles most literary retreats, for it was the picture of confusion. To attempt a particular description of it would be vain. There were pens and ink, paper

are all conducted upon the same principle, though some are much smaller than others. I observed that round each ofthose houses of instruction there is a deep trench full of clear water, abounding in excellent fish-the original design is to afford the means of bathing the feet before you enter, which the Malays always do before coming into a house if they have convenience, both for their own comfort and as a mark of respect.

We had now travelled on foot three or four miles under a burning sun, and passed three branches of the river,

* A practice among the Malays, when iritated, of running furiously, with a drawn creese, and killing and wounding indiscriminately, every person they meet with.