months. When I heard of his being very ill I hastened down, but was only permitted to see his lifeless corpse. It was very painful to me, because our love was great: but I hope I was enabled to say, 66 The will of the Lord be done." He has left three children and a widow; God has in mercy provided for them by means of my dear youngest brother Jonathan. Poor Felix was a great help to our dear father in the translations, and especially in his infirm state of body. But as it respects the cause of God, we have now a greater loss to mourn over: our dear brother Ward is no more! This is the second Lord's day he has, no doubt, been in heaven with the spirits of just men made perfect. He was very dear to me; and I may say that, under God, he has been a great help to me in the way to Zion. How mysterious are the ways of God! but no doubt all is for the best. What the Serampore friends will do, or what arrangements they have made, I do not know; but they must be in the deepest distress, and especially as Mr. Ward's death was so sudden. My dear father says, he preached a most impressive sermon on Wednesday, and was dead on Friday following. I have no doubt but God, who has made this breach, will also supply his place. I must now give up the subject of death; my heart is, and has been for some time, full of eternity; the Lord prepare me for this solemn season. O that for me to live may be Christ, and to die gain! In your last you ask me some ques tions, which I shall try to answer as well as I can. Beerbhoom is the name of a district; a Mr. Hampton is the missionary stationed there. He has a fine field before him, and a pretty large church to look over; and I hope the Lord will give him strength for his work. As the greater part of the church live in Beerbloom, I have but very few members here, whom I shall endeavour to describe to you. Kangalee has two wives, both members of the church he at present is the chief and best itinerant that I have got. I think he has been a member for fifteen or sixteen years. He constantly attends the markets and large assemblies around us, and is received well. I do not think he would make a good preacher, if he was to take a text and preach from it; but he has a good talent in showing his countrymen the evil of their ways, the danger they are in, and the way of salvation by : Poree Jesus Christ. I do not think that any one of the people, learned or unlearned, would venture a dispute with him about religious matters. is another itinerant, but of short standing; he is Kangalee's only son, and promises well; he also attends the markets and large assemblies; has a wife and son, not members. Soroop is another itinerant, Kangalee's nephew, he is also of but short standing, but I think has good ideas, and will in time make a good preacher; he has a wife and two children. Raddhamahon is a person that I have just taken as an itinerant, and I think from all that I have heard and seen, he will in time be a good preacher. This man has married the widow of my late excellent itinerant Seebo, and so has a family also. As I make it a point to go out with them as often as I can, it tends to embolden them much. Moice is another member, and works as a gardener; he has a wife and seven or eight children; his wife and eldest son are members of this church; another of his sons is a member of a church at Beerdwon. Poor Seboo's mother, an elderly woman, is also a member; and Soroop's father-in-law and mother are members. I think these are all that we at present have; of late their walk and conversation has been pleasing: often the native brethren are called aside and questioned about religious subjects, and often people call at their houses to know more fully about these matters. When we go out amongst the natives I have always discouraged disputing, which only causes confusion, and therefore we have much of sameness every day. From the constant serious attention which those give to the word who attend, I have great hopes that the time is not far off when God will appear for his own cause, and his people will have more abundant reason to rejoice in their labours. About a month ago some of the native brethren accompanied me to a place called Dooda, abont twelve miles distant, where there was a large assembly, mostly of Byragees. Here we endeavoured to preach the word of life; great numbers heard, but very many were tumultuous, and by clapping of hands disturbed us much. We gave away a great number of books and small tracts, which were in many instances torn from us, and some even fought with each other to get them. About a week ago I with the native brethren went to another assembly, at Kableishur, about twenty-four miles distant, where the scene was quite people were very attentive to the word, and were very peaceable and orderly in taking books and tracts. Going from one place to another I heard the people say one to another, Go, go to the gentleman and he will give you books; when others have expressed their doubt whether I would give them a book or not. Some were saying that different from the former: here the be supported in such an engage. may be the time was not far off when this way would universally prevail. Our morning worship is well attended, and I hope that some are not altogether without serious thoughts. My soul often bleeds for the people. O when shall we have the out-pouring of the blessed Extract of a Letter from Mr. Rowe, Spirit! DIGAH. dated Digah, Oct. 8, 1822. I have often thought that it would be a good thing, if the Society could bear the expense, to have places of THE Rajah, who rented the other worship built at different populous bungalow for a short period,* returned places; the buildings and repairs to his home, near Buxar, about the would cost something yearly, but I 22nd of July last. Several of his rethink it would be a means of doing tinue solicited New Testaments in the good. These places might be used as Hindoosthanee and Persian lanschools, if the expense of schoolmas- guages; they also took a considerable ters could be met. I also think that number of tracts; and I hope, under it would be a great and good thing if the Divine blessing, they will not be money could be found to support some perused in vain. While they were young christians, that they might be here, several of them used to read the brought up as itinerants, and well in-word in secret, and I trust they will structed for that object alone. I think this is an important object now, as the Lord is in his wise providence removing so many of the European teachers from his vineyard. Some of these native young men in time might be able to do much more in the way of the spread of the gospel, than Europeans will ever be able to do. continue to ponder these things over in their minds. It is no small consolation to know, that that God who sees in secret, and who has access to the hearts of men, can cause his own word to take deep root, notwithstanding all the outward opposition it may have to contend with. The man, of whom I wrote, continued stedfast in his profession to the last, though very much The pious writer of this letter persecuted. He came to me the even will, no doubt, rejoice to finding before he left, and spoke to the that his judicious suggestion respecting the training of native converts for the work of the ministry, has been anticipated, by the arrangements made for the reception of such persons in the Serampore College. The funds raised for this object, by the exertions of Mr. Ward, and vested in public securities in this country, supply annually more than £100 per annum, which is regularly remitted to Serampore for this specific object; in addition to which, the Committee, in the full confidence that they would following effect: "As you cannot promise me support, I am quite help, less. What can I do? There are some people come from my house, and I fear they have some evil design against me. They declare I shall not go to my friends unless I renounce my will never make them known to them. new sentiments, and promise that I They have searched for my Testament, to take it from me; but not finding it, they suppose I have returned it to you. However, they are mistaken, for I have concealed it among my clothes, and shall continue carefully to peruse it if I should ever get it home. If on the way home I should discover any * See Mag. for April, p. 173. evil design against my life, I will de-jects, and gave an account of several eamp and return to you." I have heard nothing of him since, except from a syce (a groom) who came hither from the rajah's place, and informed us he was still with the rajah.-The gospel may make its way into some of their hearts, although they have no living preacher. God has often shown us what he can effect by the simple reading of his word, and let us pray that he would give us farther proofs of the efficacy of his Spirit, by converting some of these deluded slaves of sin and Satan. He has given them his word, O that he may give them his Spirit too! Do you not think that in the great day we shall find many who have graciously been brought to Christ in such a way as this? persons in his own country, to whom he had spoken of the way of life. About twelve o'clock they retired, the other man sleeping at the chapel with him. At three o'clock in the morning he called up the Beteah Christian, and told him he was taken very ill. After day-break this man called the native brethren who were at Digah, without giving me any notice of his affliction. The native brethren returned to inform me, but it was then nearly eight o'clock, and the dreadful malady had been preying upon him for nearly five hours, without his having taken any medicine to counteract it. I sent for him instantly, and his being brought to Digah, a medical gentleman kindly afforded him all the assistance he could; but it was too late to hope for any beneficial result-he died about the middle of the day. He appeared sensible to the last; but the internal spasms were so violent as to prevent his saying much. After I had administered the first dose of medicine Ramkisoon, the inquirer whom we employed as Chokedar for the Dinapore Chapel, has been suddenly taken away by the cholera marbus. From many things which I had an opportunity of witnessing in his conduct and conversation, as well as from what has reached me from time to time respect-prescribed, he told brother Hureedas, ing him, I cannot forbear entertaining a hope that he died, "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." During the interval of his first and second visit to Digah, which I believe was a period of three years or upwards, he resided near Lucknow, in Oude, and interested himself in imparting to his countrymen what knowledge he had gained concerning the gospel while an inquirer at Digah. Two or three natives from that part of the country called on our native brethren at different times, in consequence of what they had heard from him respecting them and the gospel. After his return, with his family, I had frequent opportunities of seeing him manifest an abhorrence of iniquity both with respect to Europeans and natives; and his own conduct appeared to be in unison with these expressions of dislike to sin. He had learned to read, and had diligently perused one of the gospels. He was very desirous of making an open profession, by being baptized, which I dare say would have taken place had he lived a little longer. I think he would in a little time have given up his requisition that I should engage to find him employment, or support him. On the Friday evening previous to his death he appeared quite well, and sat up conversing with one of the Beteah Roman Catholic Christians till midnight. He then conversed on a variety of sub | in a whisper, that his mind was going out after God, in the midst of all his pain. He then held up his hands in the attitude of prayer, and in a faint voice confessed his iniquities, and implored the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. His dying prayer, as repeated by Hureedas, was as follows: "O) Lord, I am a great sinner, save me from wrath! Thou art gracious, thou art able. None but thee! O Lord Jesus Christ, save me from destruction! save me from the power of sin and Satan!" Seeing his wife and some of his children weeping, he said to them," Forbear to weep, for I am going to my Lord and Saviour." We buried him, according to the na tive custom, viz. without a coffin. Their manner is, to wrap the body in a new white cloth. The grave is first dug as a common grave, then a sort of chamber is dug out on one side, at the bottom. The corpse is deposited in this chamber, and a long board is placed in a slanting position before it, to prevent the earth from coming in contact with the body, when the grave is filled up. He has left a widow and four children, all at present dependent upon me. Our native brethren have performed but few itinerant journies during the last quarter. Roopdas has been detained at home the greater part of his time, for several months past, by the illness of his wife; I do not think she ean live long, unless thérè is a change for the better. She has hitherto been a professed heathen, and has given him a great deal of trouble by her constant and determined opposition to the gospel. Notwithstanding all this, his attentions towards her, now she is in the most helpless state of body, are of the most assiduous and unremitting nature. Hence, although I have on one hand to regret that his Missionary labours are so much impeded; on the other I have to rejoice in seeing such a display of the Christian character. How different is this from the unnatural and brutal conduct of the heathen around towards their afflicted relatives! He has lately lost his eldest child; she was an interesting little girl, and was snatched away after but a few hours illness. The rains have also proved an hindrance to their going to a number of villages they have been accustomed to visit. When the weather has permitted, they have continued their visits to Bankipore, as also to other places that have been accessible; but at present we see no fruit from their labours. Among the inquirers we have had, there was a Brahmun, from a distance, who appeared to hear with attention, and to show a disposition to receive the truth. When he returned home, he came to me for some books to take with him. To evade the rapid stream of the Ganges, boats, that are going up the river, sail among these towns and villages, over fields, which at other seasons of the year are covered with wav ing crops of grain for days together. The river Ganges, the bed of which is here about two miles in width, rolls down its mighty torrent within a few feet of the bungalow in which I reside, carrying down daily an immense number of boats of various sizes and descriptions. Many boats and many lives are lost on the Ganges during this stormy period. A few weeks ago a boat was upset a mile or two above Digah: a number of fishing boats immediately put off to pick up parts of the boat, her cargo, and her crew if any of them happened to float down pretty near them. So little do they think of the value of human life, that, in general, they would hardly row fifty yards to rescue a fellow-creature from a watery grave, unless tempted by the hope of gain. I saw two men belonging to this boat floating down in the strongest part of the stream, and FROM a letter, written about unable to get towards the shore; in the same time, by Mr. Rowe to addition to which a storm had gathered his parents, we extract the fol- and was just ready to burst over them, but not a boat offered to go to their lowing particulars. The infor-assistance. At the moment I stopped mation contained in them will be a fisherman, on his way to share the new to most of our readers. plunder, and offered him a reward, on condition of his bringing these two men We are just emerging out of what to me. On the strength of this promise we call the rainy season. During a he set off, and after a while returned great part of this period we live a sort with the men. The poor men were of amphibious life, surrounded with nearly exhausted. The unnatural water, and the heat and profusion of practice of throwing dead bodies into perspiration is sometimes so great that the river, and being accustomed to see we ourselves seem almost reduced to them lying about on the shore, and a fluid. At this period of the year the floating down the stream, has no doubt prospect is such as would be altoge- a tendency to blunt every humane and ther new to you. We have no hills benevolent feeling. In short, the whole and vales to feast our eyes upon, but system of idolatry seems to be blended the surrounding country presents a with cruelty. How ought we to reflat, extending as far as the eye can joice that the glorious gospel is trireach, in every direction. The Ganges umphing over this abominable system, overflows its banks, and inundates the and that the period is evidently drawlow lands. Hence the natives building nigh, when Jesus shall have the their towns and villages on spots of heathen for his inheritance, and the rising ground, and during a consider- uttermost parts of the earth for his able part of the rains the country possession! Contributions received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary Society, from August 20, to September 20, 1823, not including Individual Subscriptions. FOR THE MISSION. ........ Stirlingshire, Society in Aid of Missions, by Rev. Mr. Smart ... Mission. Box and Sunday School ..... 4 19 6 Wellington Mission. Association, by Rev. R. Horsey 9 18 3 Subscriptions, by Ditto 2 2 0 ... 8 9 6 Carlton-le-Moorland, Collection by Rev. W. H. Newman 77 12 6 Donation to Baptist Home Mission. Society 10 0 0 Bristol and Bath, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. John Daniell, Jun. (including £3 for Translations) 304 Cambridge, Auxiliary Society, by Edward Randall, Esq. Norfolk and Norwich, Association in Aid of Missions, by T. B. Oldfield, Esq. Peckham Cottage. John Warner, Esq. Edmonton 03 000 60 TRANSLATIONS. Stirling, Female Bible Society, by Rev. Mr. Smart.......... SCHOOLS. "Tribute of Gratitude on Recovery from Sickness; Psalm cxvi." FEMALE EDUCATION. Lyme, for Female School at Digah, by Rev. J. Saffery ....... TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Thanks of the Committee are returned to "A sincere Friend," and also to "Friends at Highgate," for sundry Magazines, &c. ERRATA. For "Boxmoor" in our last Number, read "Hemel Hempsted;" and for "Enderby" in the Herald for August, read" Blaby.” J. BARFIELD, Printer, 91, Wardour-Street, Sahe. |