Distributed at Temvamanalloor about seventy-five Tamul Gospels, and about as many copies of the Blind Way. Gave away also several Tellogoo Gospels. Found, when the night closed upon me, that it was high time that my lungs should have rest. Nothing occurred yesterday of particular interest out of the common way, except that a little girl came and received a Tellogoo Gospel and tract. Her father came with her. He told me that he had devoted her to the Temple. This information made me eloquent. I enjoined it upon him not to fulfill his vow, but to marry her-to have her married., He probably felt the force of what I said to some extent, for he said he would not adopt the course he had adopted with this daughter with another and a younger which he had. All I said to make him break his foolish vow will probably be disregarded, and this modest, well-behaved, and pleasant, if not beautiful child, will probably be doomed, after four or five years, to become a prostitute of the Temple. I endeavored to operate upon his feelings of honor, and told him that it would be disgraceful for him to do so, and, moreover, that the curse of God would rest upon him if he did. One of the by-standers seemed to think that it would not at all answer to withdraw his vow when it had been made to God. I told him it had been made to one who was no God. But, as I before said, probably all I said will be disregarded; though, probably from the earnestness of my manner with the father, it will not be soon forgotten. May Jehovah bless the Word in her hands to the salvation of her soul! She has a directory. which few females have in their hands. I gave her father also a Tamul Gospel and a copy of the Blind Way, and I believe also of the Spiritual Milk. I am drawing

near now to Tividy, and shall leave this place this afternoon, having nearly done my work here. So I shall take leave of my dearest with saying what a horrid state of things is it when it is considered as honorable to dedicate children to a temple to become prostitutes. What must we think of such a vile system of religion which will countenance and encourage it but that it is eminently fitted to prepare subjects for hell!

“Tividy, January 1st, 1840. I bid my sweetest a happy new-year-an important season in two respects. The first is because we are brought one year nearer to eternity; the second is because another tenth of a century has passed. Instead of 1839, we have to substitute a four before the nine, and make it 1840. I had some expectation of spending this day in a very different manner two months ago; but we know not what a day brings forth. I expected, as we talked it over, to have a prayer-meeting at our house to-day to pray for the best interests of our fellow-men. Yesterday afternoon I left Anotoor, and came on to Puthapertly, where I encamped under a tree at the side of a tank for the night. As I had distributed books here before, I refused to give any except to a few who were from villages near. This morning I stopped at Lingareddeparlium, and distributed about sixty books and tracts. Most of the tracts were of the Blind Way. Yesterday I gave away probably about thirty books and as many tracts at Anotoor. Have met with nothing on all my journey thus far until this morning which indicated that a book would be misused. This morning I met with a very vile person. He came to the place where I was, and was free in his abuse of our Beloved. He called him a thief and a player, meaning that he had done as Sciva is

said to have done. I took no notice of him so far as speaking to him was concerned. He spent all his spite and then went away, but came back again with a copy of the Blind Way, which he had got from some other person, for I had given him none. As I would not speak to him, he spent his spite so far as words were concerned, and then tore out the first leaf of the Blind Way. I flew to him, and took away the book from him in a moment. Thus ended our interview. I inquired his name, but nobody knew. He was a foreigner. I begged for his name again and again, but in vain.

“I am now, as I said, at Tividy, and the natives are quite in a flock around me. I have been supplying a number with books, and stopped to finish my letter to you, which must go off to-day.

"Memorandum. My old cloak needs my dear wife's needle and thread very much. This old stand-by must yet be my companion, and must be rigged up."

To his Brother-in-law in America.

'Madras, January 15th, 1840.

"I lately returned from a tour of three weeks--a tour to distribute portions of the Scriptures and tracts. I was absent three months from your sister on this business last year. These separations your sister feels so sensibly, as well as myself, that it is not improbable we shall quite turn Rechabites. We now drink no wine. We have no vineyards; neither do we have field nor seed. Should we go out and live in tents, we shall be Rechabites to some extent at least. We could be very comfortable in tents for nine months of the year. The remaining three we could spend in a city, where there are good houses.

I find no one who is willing to engage in this great work of the general distribution of the Scriptures and tracts. The consequence is that much falls upon me. Winslow prepares; I distribute. I do not feel that I am doing justice to the work on my present plan. Harriet seems quite pleased with the idea of accompanying me in the manner just mentioned.

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Well, my dear brother, farewell. Think for Christ, speak for Christ, act for Christ, and may Jehovah Jesus be with and bless you and yours. Harriet sends much love to you and sister.

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"Very affectionately,

"To Rev. J. B. Waterbury."

J. SCUDDER.

CHAPTER X.

Jungle Fever.-Perilous Journey of Mrs. Scudder.—Decides to visit America, etc.

FAILURE OF HEALTH-1841.

DR. SCUDDER'S abundant labors at length broke down a constitution almost Herculean. He seemed not to have considered the draft made upon his physical energies by the constant action of a debilitating climate. "In season and out of season," amid drenching rains and torrid suns, he still kept on his incessant preaching and bookdistribution. Jolting along in his bandy-cart, or footing it amid sand ankle-deep, surrounded by insulting Brahmins or the wild and furious populace, he keeps on with his heavenly works, trusting in God, and weeping over the miseries of the heathen. At length his appetite fails; his headaches become terribly chronic. The strong buttresses seem to be giving way. He is obliged to admit that the arm so often stretched out with the Bread of Life is partially paralyzed, and that he must have a season of relaxation or die; yet how he hates to think of receding or relaxing when surrounded by millions needing his help!

"My doctor has ordered me off to sea, and advised me to visit America; but still I am somewhat strong to labor. Had I nothing but the swelling of the tendons, I should not regard it much. It is the inflammation which occasionally comes on which threatens to break me down.