THE MISSION FIELD. Two subjects of especial interest call the same basis in relation to the governfor watchful attention during the forth- ment as those of any other society. No coming parliamentary discussions on particular privilege attaches to them as the renewal of the East India Company's clergymen of the English establishment; Charter. The first relates to the govern- while the duties of the bishop and chapment connection with idolatry in India. lains, paid for by the East India ComConsiderable progress has, indeed, been pany, are confined to the military and made in the severance of this alliance. civil services. Not content with this Many thousands of temples in all parts position, Bishop Wilson has made several of India, especially in the Madras pre- attempts to obtain a territorial division sidency, have been given over to the and jurisdiction in his diocese: hitherto officiating priests, or to trustees in without success. It forms, however, an whom has been vested the management especial topic of inquiry in the Commons' of the temple revenues. Obstacles committee. An" ecclesiastical provision have, however, arisen in the way of an for the diffusion of Christianity" seems entire separation from the great idol of to be an object that the Derby miOrissa. Some time ago a draft of an nistry will attempt to realize: or an enAct was published in the Calcutta Govern- deavour be made to identify the progress ment Gazette, for its achievement; but of church missions in India with a state that act has not passed the legislative provision and governmental influence council. Delays have interposed, while and power. Up to the present time no some local authorities have represented aid in the advancement of Christianity to the Board of Directors that the has ever been given, with very rare government of India is bound for ever to act as the fiscal of Juggernaut, to see that the idol's table is duly served, and his wooden body properly clothed. exceptions, by the Company's chaplains. Missions in India from first to last have been voluntarily undertaken, and voluntarily carried on. "But if," says the The everlasting nature of this bond editor of the Friend of India, "it be is a sheer absurdity. While the govern- intended, by the introduction of this ment of India enriched its proprietary topic of inquiry, to invest the 'ecclewith the proceeds of the pilgrim tax, it siastical' functionaries of government was only due to the brahmins interested with a missionary character, and place ia the idol that he should be decently missionary operations, by a parliakept. But the Company has relinquished mentary enactment, under episcopal the tax, and there is no reason whatever why the property of Juggernaut should not be committed to the charge of his votaries as has already been done in so many instances for his compeers. The other subject is one that has, or may have, an important influence on all missionary operations. It is well known that the church of England, represented by several bishops and chaplains, has no establishment in India. The missionaries of the Church Missionary and Propagation Societies stand on precisely jurisdiction and superintendence, we have no hesitation in saying that it will be a disastrous innovation; it will mix up the state with schemes of evangelization, and create unnecessary alarm, if not dissatisfaction; it will make more hypocrites than Christians; and it will seriously interfere with the pious and independent efforts of the numerous missionaries not of the church of England now engaged in the field, and thus paralyze the efforts of the Christian world for the conversion of the heathen." The friends of missions will have need to support one missionary in northern to watch unceasingly the stealthy steps India, and we hope ere long to see of this adversary to purely Christian Delhi, so long vacant, thus again voluntary endeavour. Our present number contains very much that will interest the churches of Christ, as illustrative both of the energy and zealous labours of our brethren, and of the certain progress that divine truth is making amid the myriads of India's population. Much and fervent prayer should arise that the Spirit of God may be poured out on the work, while earnest cries should ascend to the Lord of the harvest to send forth more labourers among the ripened grain. Greatly should we rejoice were the example of a valued Christian brother in India followed by others in this country, and in that too. An offer has been made to the Committee, and cheerfully accepted, occupied by a servant of Christ, a messenger of peace to the idol-worshippers of that great city. But Benares, the holy city of Indian mythology, is still wanting an additional missionary. Who will go up in the name of the Lord? Shall Fernando Po, and Haiti, also hold out their hands in vain ? Our readers will peruse with pleasure the long but valuable letter of our missionary brother Mr. CAPERN, and give to him their prayers for his success in the important work that occupies his time, that of " setting in order" the churches of Christ in that portion of the Antilles to which God has called him. INDIA. DACCA. Mr. BION, under date of May 28, has favoured us with the subjoined sketch of missionary operations in Dacca. I. PREACHING. A native preacher is always at the Christian village at Dayapur. Each one stays there a month, and then is relieved by another, who remains the same length of time. His business while there is to instruct the native Christians, by having worship with them morning and evening, and preaching to them on the sabbath. He visits the markets in the neighbourhood several times a week, for which he is allowed a boat, when necessary. In these markets, as in other places, there is often a considerable degree of attention paid to the word. Mr. Bion spends one sabbath in this village every month, when he preaches twice, and administers the Lord's supper to the communicants. II. ITINERACIES. Four native preachers were employed, during the whole year, and the method of proceeding was much the same as during former years. Our native preachers spend a part of their time in Dacca, and the other part is spent in preaching the gospel in the country round Dacca, or in visiting more distant places, as circumstances may require. When at Dacca, they are employed in preaching in the streets and in the villages and markets near to Dacca, Mr. Bion being now resident in Dacca, the preaching in the streets Our itineracies have been considerable, is carried on with more vigour and to a and we should have visited other distant greater extent than formerly. We are also places had we received sufficient supplies of happy to state that the attention of the books in the late cold season; but the failure people is greater than formerly; crowds of the steamers left us for a long time almost from 100 to 300 come to hear, and though without any books for distribution. Sanchar, there is sometimes opposition and disputing, in Tipperah, where the old Mahunto lives, yet there is often a very pleasing appearance who has often been mentioned in our reports, of seriousness. We hope that some at least has been visited three times. This old man are beginning to think well of the gospel. has a great number of disciples, who are called the people of the Satya Gooroo (or true teacher). These people have renounced idolatry, sing our Christian hymns, and read the scriptures, and have often given us hopes that they were not far from the kingdom of God. The old Mahunto himself has seemed at times almost a Christian. But we have been obliged to change our opinion of these people, and especially of the old Mahunto. He has, it seems, discovered that his craft is in danger, and that were he and his disciples to become Christians, he would lose the presents which they now make him as their Gooroo, and by which he is supported. Mr. Bion spoke to him in October last, at the Baranee at the Munshi bazar, and he can fully affirm what has been said. We cannot, therefore, expect that his disciples will come over to Christianity in large numbers; but individuals from among them may be brought over. We hope that one of them, a man who died some months ago, found the right way. This poor man was a constant reader of the scriptures. He lived a few miles from the Mahunto's house. Being convinced that many things among the followers of the Mahunto were wrong, he one day went over to him to remonstrate, and to require that they should all walk according to the scriptures. But the Mahunto would not listen to the poor man's proposals, and he returned home in great distress and soon after died. His neighbours say of him that he often explained the scriptures to them, that he was a most excellent man and the light of their village. May we not hope that this poor man has found the right way? Other distant places have been visited, as Bikrampor, Dumrai, Comillah, and some of these have been visited more than once. Places on the Megna River have been repeatedly visited, but it would be tedious to tell all particulars. The largest itineracy is that by Mr. Bion, through the east of Bengal, quite into Assam. Mr. Bion was accompanied by two native preachers; and he took with him a good quantity of scriptures for distribution, which had been sup plied by the Calcutta Bible Society. Mr. Bion was absent full two months, during which time, he and his assistants preached the gospel in many large towns, and villages, and to vast numbers of people. Nor did they cease to preach even when in Assam, for they found that the greater part of the population understood Bengali; hence they were encouraged to preach every day. III. SOME INCIDENTS. During his long itineracy, Mr. Bion met with many incidents of an encouraging nature. In one place, Tackebazar, in the Dacca Zillah, he was requested to give some medicine to a Brahmin, who had the cholera. Mr. Bion went to him, and found him very ill, but a little medicine revived him. Mr. Bion then told him of his danger, and asked him whether he had ever heard of the Saviour Jesus Christ. He replied: "Yes, yes, I know you; I have seen you at a Baranee, and heard you preach. I am from Bikrampor." (This place was seven days' journey from his home.) Mr. Bion conversed with him a long time, and put this question to him: "Have you any hope that your devtas can save you? Are you relying on them for salvation?" "No, no;" said he, "they cannot save me. I know that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour, but"-. Here severe pains checked his speech, and he could not finish the sentence. Before Mr. Bion left him, he again exhorted him to believe in Jesus Christ, and gave him a New Testament. He pressed Mr. Bion's hand affectionately. He seemed likely to recover. Another pleasing incident with which Mr. Bion met, was as follows. When he was about four days' journey from Jumalpore, two young men showed evident marks of pleasure seeing his boat. One of the native preachers, observing that they seemed very much pleased, asked them if they knew Mr. Bion. "O yes!" said they, "we heard him preach last year at Soorajgunge, and received a book from him, which we still have, and which we read very much. They were now six days' journey from their home Sooraj. gunge. Mr. Bion gave them another book, which they promised to read diligently. "I proceeded on my way," says Mr. Bion, "much encouraged." Such an incident was encouraging, because it shows that much good may be done by means of scattering the scriptures, even where there is no preacher to expound them. After Mr. Bion had been preaching in the bazar at Jumalpore, many people accompanied him to the boat for books. He heard them conversing among themselves, and one inquired of another, "Who is this Sahib;" "This," said the other, "is the Dacca Padri Sahib, who preached here last year, and gave us so many good books." When preaching in the morning, a Mahajon (wealthy Hindoo) came and said: "Why do you not come down to my house? We also wish to hear you. Do you not remember that last year you preached before my house?" Mr. Bion, thus invited, went and preached before this man's house; he soon had a large crowd of respectable people, who listened with great attention for more than an hour. While he was thus engaged, about twenty convicts passed by, and one of them cried out, "O Sahib, give us some of your books. I know something of their contents, and we have plenty of time to read." Mr. Bion stopped, and gave them some books, and they made him many salaams. When he had done preaching in this place many of the people went to a distance of two miles to his boat in order to get books, which they scem very earnestly to desire. They also made many inquiries about the way of salvation. Surely it cannot be said, that such efforts as these, are likely to be all vain. At Dubaree, in the Gowalpara district, Mr. Bion was conversing with two or three people, before the court, but soon was agreeably interrupted. The deputy magistrate, a Hindoo, sent word to ask why he did not come into the court, as the people there also wished to hear the same thing. Mr. Bion went. The court business was suspended, and he was able to preach the word of life to about sixty people of all ranks. The deputy magistrate and some Maulawis seemed to be much pleased, and begged for books, which Mr. Bion distributed with much plea sure. Thus a court was changed, for an hour, into a place for preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus! IV. INQUIRERS. We have, during the year, entertained several persons, whom we call inquirers; persons who gave up their caste and professed a wish to become Christians. Some of them have remained a few days, or a few weeks, according to circumstances. They came for instruction, and they were instructed in the scriptures daily. In some of these we have been disappointed; over two of them only have we seen cause to rejoice. One of these was a Ferajee; he came of his own accord, and said that he had no faith in Mohammed, and that he wished to become a Christian. We saw that he was very ignorant, and we did not entertain much hope of him;-but was it right to refuse him, and drive him back to Mohammedanism? We agreed to keep him for a time, and instruct him. In the meantime his coming over to us caused a great excitement among the Ferajees. They beat him, and threatened his life, yea, even boasted that to kill him would be an act of merit. We felt it necessary to apply to the magistrate for protection; this step had the desired effect, and the poor man seems now to be in safety. After long waiting, we see a change in him; and we hope that the Lord is gradually enlightening his mind. Another case of an inquirer gave us much more satisfaction; but it soon ended in painful disappointment. The name of this young man, about eighteen, was Omar Chand. He was a Ferajee from Bikrampore. He had been to Calcutta, and on his way home he heard the gospel at the Baranee, near Munshigunge, last cold weather. The word had so much effect on him, that instead of going home, he proposed to come to Dacca for instruction, and as he appeared a very promising youth he was encouraged to do so. We soon found that he was a good scholar, both in Hindustani and Bengali; he had been educated for the priesthood; but what was more important, he seemed to understand the way of salvation and to love the Saviour. Though with us but two or three weeks, he could pray extempore with feeling and propriety. On the 12th of December all our hopes of him were destroyed, by his forcible abduction. His father had discovered where he was, and he came to the house of one of our native preachers, where the young man then was, and inquired for him. He, hearing his father's voice, and suspecting nothing, ran to the door to speak to his father. Instantly his father seized him, and several other men then sprang from their hiding places and laid hold of him; they then put a cloth over his face, and beat him, and led him away. As he walked along the street, he said that he would never forsake Jesus Christ-no, not if they killed him. Thus, we lost the poor young man. Whether he is alive now may be doubtful, for it is not likely that any alternative would be allowed him between apostacy and martyrdom. We may add that an old man, an inhabitant of Dacca, who had for years heard the gospel, died a few months ago, giving reason to hope that he had taken refuge in the Saviour. V. BAPTISMS AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCRIPTURES. The number of natives baptized during the year is 12; three other persons were also baptized, making fifteen in all. The volumes of scriptures which were distributed during the last year amounted to 6,800, and the number of tracts 2,500. These volumes of scriptures were distributed, exclusive of a great number which Mr. Bion received from the Calcutta Bible Society. VI. SCHOOL. The female school contains but eight children, under the care of Tany, the wife of one of our native preachers. They are taught reading and writing, both in Bengali and English. They also learn needlework. These children are all Christians but one, and she is the child of a Mug. We have not yet succeeded in procuring any children of Hindoos and Mohammedans. BARISAL. The storm which has devastated this villages in which the native Christians region, has likewise greatly injured the reside. The following account of it has been derived from a letter of Mrs. SALE to Mrs. Bowes, dated May 27. You will be glad to hear that it has pleased God to preserve our unworthy lives through a most terrific storm, which visited us on the 14th of this month (May). It began in the evening, and continued with violence until midnight, when it ceased for awhile; but about 2, A.M. it came on again with redoubled violence, carrying everything before it. Fifteen boats were upset near our house, many poor creatures were lost, and much property destroyed. It cost us nearly two hundred rupees (£20) to repair the damage occasioned by the November gale; and now we have scarcely a chapel or native preacher's nouse standing; all have been more or less damaged, while some have been blown entirely down. How they are to be put up again, I know not. Do you think that my dear pastor could manage to put a paragraph in the Herald for us? There are many, I am sure, who would be glad to help us in this emergency, if they were only made acquainted with our wants. Our poor people, too, are in sad distress in many places, having had their houses blown down and their cattle swept away, while the land is so inundated, that it is impossible to plough, or prepare for sowing their rice. For Dygalia and Ashgor we have every reason to fear a famine: think of so many hundred souls deprived of their all-their rice crops! I think I told you of the marriage of Mina, one of my school girls, but I do not think Í told you that her husband Bhojon had been to me for a bible;-yes, his wife Mina has taught him to read! He told her he was ashamed to see his wife reading, while he could not; and he had taken lessons from her every evening until he could read for himself. Is this not a new and pleasing feature in Indian life? The poor, degraded female slave, rather than wife, raised to be the companion of her husband; and he, the lord and tyrant, condescending to acknowledge her as his teacher. In this I am sure you will rejoice with me. My school is progressing nicely. I am still praying for a helper; with my two children, I find the whole charge very fatiguing. I have several girls vying with each other in their marking, that they may send a sampler to those good ladies who so kindly assist them. Jotela, Pooneya, Sorosolee, Luckya, and Manickya are to be married shortly; all to approved characters. The marriage portion of each school girl is a bible and three sareys; all those who can read have a brass plate given them; this plate we allow them to take away when they marry. It need scarcely be added that we shall with pleasure forward any donations we may be favoured with, for these poor suffering fellow Christians. CAWNPORE. The progress of the gospel and the labours of the missionary at this station and its neighbourhood are given by our brother WILLIAMS, as follows, under date of May 7th : Our English services are pretty well attended, and I trust that several of the hearers are under serious religious impressions. On the 8th of last month I had the pleasure of baptizing two Europeans in the presence of a large company. Others may shortly be expected to follow their example. Work amongst the heathen. morning, I went with one of our native preachers to Sarsiah Ghaut. We took our stand in the usual place; a large crowd soon gathered round us, to whom we preached for a considerable time. Some interested Brahmins opposed us; the majority of the people, however, heard us with much attention. One learned and clever man with whom we conversed, seemed to be very much pleased with the gospel plan of salvation, and said, before all the rest, "This is the true-the right way." On which one of the crowd called out, "You had better throw away your mata and janmi, and embrace Christianity at once." His reply was, "I would even do that to find the truth." He took leave of us in a very friendly manner, promising to call at my house for the purpose of having more intimate and quiet conversation on these important matters. The discussion. A spirit of serious inquiry is, I think, showing itself among some of our stated hearers. Then as to the real aspect of things among the poor benighted heathen around us, this, although dark, and dreary, and barren, in many respects, yet affords some gleams of light and hope. The gospel is daily On the evening of the same day I preached to them more or less, and while visited Bargaddi-Ghaut. At first I had a some are found to withstand the truth, there are others who hear, approve, and accept it, and the system of idolatry is daily being weakened. On the 3rd instant, early in the very interesting congregation, and the several persons present seemed to hear very well indeed, but, after a while, a pujarri Brahmin came and interrupted us ; |
