He becomes acquainted with many of called to suffer for Christ. By refusing the families in the vicinity, and makes to work on the Sabbath, they have lost known the truth. As he gains their con- their situations, and have sometimes suffidence, some will come to his meetings fered much. They seem to bear it to listen to the word of God. In this patiently, however; and when they are way they hear the truth repeatedly. In annoyed by their heathen and Roman some cases the members of the congre- Catholic neighbors, they have no desire gation explain what they know, and use to give up the religion of Christ. They their influence in leading others to re- are weak in faith, but I think it evident nounce popery and heathenism. Thus a that they are growing stronger and family is occasionally induced to join us, stronger. and many are led to reflect and to comBut will churches be formed eventually in the pare the Christian religion with their own. The influence of these congrega-congregations, which can support their own institions is evidently increasing. As the tutions? This is a vital question. The following members become more enlightened and remarks throw some light upon the subject. more established, they become bet- Heretofore we have been instructing ter known and more respected. Men a few persons, here and there, in the the difference between the two gospel; and when we have seen that systems. The one causes them to grow the truth has made an impression upon up in ignorance and vice; the other leads them to education and virtue. Now this could not be explained in words to the people, so that they would understand it; but they cannot avoid learning the lesson, when it is before them daily. see Ulterior Expectations. Mr. Rendall passes to a very important inquiry, namely, "May we expect the members of these congregations to be converted?" "It is for this end," he continues," that we are laboring." the heart, we have received the individual to the station church. Nothing more has been necessary, thus far; and this is all that will be required for some time to come. As yet I have made little or no progress in getting these congregations to support their own institutions. Their poverty and feebleness have kept them from doing anything, besides attending to the wants of those who suffer among themselves, and occasionally helping to repair their school-houses and churches. As the congregations increase in numbers, however, more must be done in this particular. I think the tendency is towards this important object. If souls are converted, and they have the stated ordinances of the gospel whereby they may grow in grace, churches will be formed which will support their own in-stitutions. A few have already been led! to embrace the Savior; and these, we believe, are growing in grace. I might mention many circumstances which show the improvement that is going on; but none present themselves more clearly to Last year I had the pleasure of remy mind than the tendency to be separ ceiving three adults, members of the ate from the heathen and from Roman-. congregation at Kelamatoor, to the priv-ists, and the interest manifested by the ileges of the church; and there are now more advanced in the institutions of the eight candidates for baptism in all my congregations. I hope to receive a part of these at our next sacramental season. In order to conversion the truth must be made known, and it must be applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit. As a general fact, the Word must be listened to regularly. But a stated attendance upon the means of grace is particularly necessary here. It is on this account that I have far more hope of seeing conversions in our village congregations, than among the heathen who live in the entire neglect of God's word, or who hear the truth but occasionally. In regard to the fitness of these persons, I would remark that all of them, for the past year, have been diligent in learning the truth contained in our smaller catechisms, and have also been regular in their attendance at church. As they are not able to read, they cannot improve as fast as is desirable; but they have done as well as could be expected in their circumstances. Some of them have been gospel. Ceylon. LETTER FROM THE MISSION, DECEMBER 31, 1851. THE following communication, drawn up by Mr. Spaulding, contains the report of the Ceylon mission for 1851. Though it would give our brethren in that field great pleasure to describe more decisive triumphs of the gospel, they feel that they have much reason to be grateful to Him who has given them such manifest tokens of favor and love. Church-Preaching-Schools. The religious state of our church is certainly far below what we could desire. We see no general waking up to build the walls of the city, as in the days of Nehemiah, because Nehemiah has not yet come. These things are not as we would have them. But we feel much encouraged and comforted, whether we look at the attendance of our church members, or at the amount of their contributions to the poor, to the cause of education, and to the Evangelical Society, or at the progress which they make in biblical knowledge. A few, at least, show a very commendable desire to spread the gospel of Christ among the destitute. widening; and every year adds to the evidence that our plans and our course have been laid by Him who had far more foresight and forethought than we had. Some of the results, as they now come before us, are as strangely encouraging as they were formerly sad and disheartening. It now seems as though the pillars of salt, which have been fixed at the corners of our village streets, would become our guideposts to Zion. The educational statistics of the mission are as follows: Number of English day-schools, 66 Number of native free schools,. Pupils in 66 66 Pupils in Batticotta seminary, Temperance-Progress-Hopes. 14 501 73 3,250 99 95 Temperance societies have been formed at each of our stations, and at some of our out-stations. These bring us and the people together in a common The number of church members in regular standing is reported as amounting to three hun-object, and increase their confidence in dred and two; and their contributions for charitable objects have exceeded three hundred dol lars. ment. our general operations. Young men who have been educated at Batticotta and other places in this district, and who are Our village schools are still worth now connected with the government, vastly more than they cost, as simple in- manifest a deep interest in this movestruments of preaching the Word. They A temperance society, composed are the infant, the village, and the Sun-chiefly of such individuals, and organday schools of New England united. ized through their agency, was lately The pupils are all Bible students; and formed in the town of Jaffna. Another of course, here as there, while in school was formed at Kaytes, the principal seaand afterwards, they form the most in-port of the province. These promise telligent and hopeful part of the congremuch good to all classes, not only as the gation, whether in the church or in the commencement of a great work, but as village meetings. More than three leading and influential examples. Althousand, educated at the small expense ready the people in some villages begin of sixty cents each, are now in our to invite our co-operation; and it would schools. Those who were formerly in not be strange if this movement should them, are becoming the fathers and moth- prepare the way for the coming of Christ ers of the land; and they are to be our in his kingdom. future harvest. "The fig-tree puts forth its tender leaves." The summer IS near. Our village preaching is becoming more and more interesting, not only from a clear comprehension of the Word, but from a gradual increase of numbers. This remark may also be applied to some of our congregations on the Sabbath. Another interesting sign of the times is seen in connection with these same educated young men. Through their influence, more or less, a conviction is spreading in many of our villages, that it is as cheap to build churches to the one God, as it is to build temples to devils or to the imaginary gods of their fathers. They know too much to worship idols, but are overruled, more or less, by their heathen relatives. It would not be strange, judging from present indications, if those who have been educated in our seminary, and those who are now head-men under the Government, or influThe influence of our seminary at Bat-ential men in their villages, and who are ticotta, and of the female boarding framed and wedged in among their relaschool at Oodooville, is deepening and tives by marriage, should yet become of In addition to the eight stations, at which twenty-eight divine services are held, there are thirty-one places for stated preaching in the surrounding villages. gos Names. Joseph Abbott, JUNIOR CLASS. John C. Backus, F. Edward Cannon, G. P. Cook, Charles Crocker, Walter Hubbell, Talbert Jones, more service in breaking up old foundations, and in building village churches, than those of whom we have had the highest hopes. It now seems as though it would be exceedingly easy for God to make them instruments to draw every village from idolatry to nominal Christianity. Our last may be first, and our first last. In no previous year have we had such encouragement to preach the pel in the villages, and from house to house. Never have the people manifested more confidence in our measures, or more desire to consider candidly the truths of the gospel. Though we know that Hindoo institutions are one great building, framed with skill, and united with strong materials, and that Hindoo elasticity is exceeded only by its tenacity, still we see, or think we see, great progress. To us who have watched the movements of the mission from the commencement, who remember our first tracts written with a style on the ola, who call to mind how difficult it was to obtain a New Testament even for Sab-A. H. Burtis, bath services, who could find no gram-Russel Clark, mar or dictionary, or next to none, in any shop, who were considered so unclean that even a heathen lad would not come to our garden, these movements are eyes to our faith. J. S. Pattengill, John Storer, FIRST CLASS. Joseph H. Bailey, Benjamin Dyer, CATALOGUE OF THE BATTICOTTA SEM-A. R. Mitchell, INARY. A CATALOGUE of the seminary at Batticotta has been received from Mr. Mills, similar in all respects to the one which was published last year. It has not been thought necessary, however, to insert in the Herald at the present time the residence and parentage of the pupils, as no new class has been admitted to the institution within the last twelvemonth. Those who wish for information on these points, will find it in the Herald for July, 1851. Names. acter. Albert Morrison, SECOND CLASS. Religious char Scholarship. Rufus W. Clark, Henry Clay, Good Henry Coe, Fair 16 SENIOR CLASS. J. W. Cunningham, 17 Jacob Bailey, Medium David Ball, Good Joshua Belden, Artemas Bullard, James P. Cook, Poor Church mem. 23 Morton S. Dibble, 23 Alexander Drummond, 15 15 Joel Fitch, 19 John Flud, Church mem. 20 George Foote, Warren P. Cornelius, John S. Elliott, Joseph Gautier, Fair 66 Serious 19 Benjamin C. Meigs, Very good Church mem. 18 Serious 15 16 24 Gilbert Mollison, Fair 66 20 John G. Morris, Indifferent 15 17 66 Indifferent 25 William P. Nichols, 19 William S. Plumer, Good Indifferent 18 Daniel Poor, Serious 25 19 J. Edson Rockwell, Medium Indifferent 17 16 Good 66 18 Proceedings of other Societies. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE annual meeting of this society was held at Exeter Hall, London, April 29, S. M. Peto, Esq. M. P. being in the chair. The report of the Secretaries showed that the receipts of the past year were £19,146, and the expenditures £18,088. A debt of £5,571 stood against the society at the commencement of the year. The most interesting feature of the anniversary was the address of Rev. J. Leechman, in which he gave an account of the visit made by Rev. Mr. Russell and himself, as a deputation of the society, to the missions in the East. The trust committed to him and brother Russell, he said, was one of importance and interest; and he stood forward in the character of a witness to bear testimony to what he had seen. He would first briefly describe what he had seen at Ceylon. The churches and native preachers there had been remarkably blessed by the Lord. The preachers were men of intelligence, well versed in Scripture, and really fitted for their work. We went out to the jungles, and saw large chapels, with a comfortable mission-house, and those chapels filled with persons deeply interested in the great cause of missions, whose hearts were filled with gratitude and joy. We assemIbled the brethren at various points, questioned them, and took down their answers; which displayed a scriptural knowledge truly surprising and delightful. They too were delighted at being examined. When we got to Bengal, I began to feel quite at home again. On approaching Calcutta, we recognized the brethren in boats waiting to welcome us, and to thank the Lord who had brought us thus far in safety. There were many old men who remembered and greeted me most kindly. I was anxious to hear one of the native preachers again in their own tongue, to see whether I could understand it; for I had not uttered more than a word or two of the language for fourteen years. There was a venerable old man, with a beard that would grace a patriarch, and a fine intelligent countenance, who was a speaker of great power. I heard him preach from the passage, Many are the afflictions of the righteous." It did my heart good to listen to the exposition of this "old man eloquent." He mentioned, in pathetic terms, and with tears trickling down his cheeks, the affliction of a pious father at the sight of a son walking in the paths of sin; for that was his own sad case. But he exclaimed, "How was Christ afflicted; and was he not the Righteous One?" After this service we had the Lord's Supper; and, finding that I understood the preacher, I ventured to address the people. I trembled at my temerity; but they 66 assured me that they understood me, and called out to me to "speak more." I was delighted to find myself once more a missionary. When I got to Serampore, my heart was again filled with joy, for I found the brethren walking in the ways of God. I had spent five years there, in connection with Carey and Marshman; and I was now delighted to find those whom I had known in youth, fathers in the church, matured in Christian knowledge and principle. I will now take you to one of the stations we visited in company with brother Parry, of Jessore. Mr. Parry never was in this country; he is one of the West Indian missionaries; and he has been signally blessed in his work. We received from his own lips many affecting accounts of the people of his flock. In that neighborhood converts are exceedingly disturbed by the heathen zemindars or landlords, who dislike having Christians on their grounds. On one occasion some of the people were apprehended and put in prison by the zemindars; and among them was the native preacher. When the Sabbath day came round, they resolved to enjoy it, even in the prison; and like Paul and Silas they began to sing praises to God. The persons in charge of them attempted to stop them; but the preacher began to reason with them and preach to them; and at length the gaoler went to the chief zemindar, and told him they could do nothing with these people; and so they were obliged to let them go. I asked one old man how old he was. He replied, "Nine years;" for," said he, "all the time before I knew Christ, I was nothing." I was much interested by another fact related to me. One of the women was in great distress, from the circumstances already mentioned. She had a little boy, and she came with him to the missionaries, to tell them her troubles and be comforted by them. Her little boy, looking up to her, said, "Fear not, mother; God will provide for us." 66 Perhaps the most interesting visit was to the smallest church in all India; for he was not taking the favorable specimens of what he had seen; but he wished to show the facts of the matter as they really were. Sailing up one of their largest rivers, they were overtaken by the night, and compelled to stop at an out-station, named Calispore, where they were not at all expected, and had not intended to call. They sent a native preacher who was with them to tell the people; and they soon came running together. It was a beautiful moonlight night. They walked to the chapel through an avenue of trees and bushes, on which the moonbeams were sweetly playing; and when they came to this little Zoar, they found it to consist of a few houses in the form of a square, the dwellings of these humble followers of the Lamb. And there was a little rude church, the most unpretending place of worship he had ever It was an erection of mats, covered seen. with straw; and within were a few mats for the disciples to sit upon. But there was a pulpit facing the door, and within two steps of it, so narrow was the building. A dozen or fifteen persons were assembled there. I examined them, and was astonished at the amount of Christian knowledge they possessed. We have reported to the committee the particulars of that examination; and all acknowledged that it evinced, not only a wonderful degree of acquaintance with the doctrines, facts and precepts of Scripture, but a knowledge on the part of these poor people of their state as sinners, and a humble faith in Jesus. We parted from them in the hope of meeting in heaven. was The native pastors at all these stations are well fitted for their work. They know the people well, are acquainted with their modes of thought, and have, therefore, a power not to be reached by Europeans in proclaiming to them the everlasting gospel. Two in this part of the country have been particularly blessed of God in their labors. One of them had been a Mussulman. He heard brother Parry preach, and brought under the power of the gospel. Now he says, "The love of Jesus is the jewel of my heart; it makes me happy." They asked him how he preached; he said, "Looking at the cross of Christ, I pray for a blessing." When asked if God had given him any blessings, by bringing any person to a knowledge of the truth, he said, “I preach, God converts; " and he mentioned several such. There were no houses at the out-station where we could stay; so we were obliged to sleep on a couch in the chapel, or in our palanquins; but amply repaid were we for all our hardships. The other of these two native preachers has written beautiful hymns. He has written one on Abraham sacrificing Isaac, and another on Christians being the salt of the earth. He used formerly to receive large sums for composing and singing songs at heathen festivals. At Barisaul we had one of the most interesting sights we saw in all India. About two hundred persons assembled in the chapel to hear our farewell address. Brother Page said to them, "Now, before we separate, what have you to send to the kind friends in England, who have sent these brethren to visit you?" One man cried out, "Send them a bit of every thing we've got." Another said, "Send them a bit of our hearts." A third said, "Send them lots of our Christian affection and love;" which I beg now to present to you. At Serampore we found the college prospering under the care of brother Denham, who is laboring alone, but with great success. The young men were examined, and acquitted themselves very creditably. The young Brahmins went to the college by the light of lanterns at five in the morning. The mission press is worth twenty thousand pounds. It brings in one thousand pounds a year to the mission. They were anxious that much more should be done. |