places, under the influence of unsancti-,, whom I preached Christ and the resurfied learning, of which we begin to see rection. too many specimens, even in Jaffna. It was very cheering to meet our dear brethren and sisters at Madura. We spent a pleasant, and, I trust, profitable Sabbath. It was the regular communion season. There were at the table the brethren and sisters, Poor, Lawrence, Dwight, and myself and wife, and the brethren Todd and Hall, with a few native communicants, who are helpers from Jaffna. I assisted at the communion, and also preached at evening in English to a number of Indo-Britons and the mission families. In the former part of the day, I accompanied Mr. P. to his schoolroom, where he addressed about twenty of the lads and a few others, on a scripture subject, and prayed with them. It was the second time an exercise of the kind was held, as some alarm was liable to be felt, should too much be said at first on the subject of religion. We remained at Madura until the afternoon of the 25th, desirous of still prolonging our stay, but anxious, if possible, to reach Jaffna in season for the monthly prayer-meeting. Mr. Hall accompanied us to Ramnad, which we reached, a distance of seventy-two miles, on the morning of the 27th. We had the happiness of finding Mr. and Mrs. Eckard well, and in a very comfortable hired house. Saw there also some other of the native assistants from Jaffna, particularly Asbury and Chester, with their wives, who are very useful. The station is too new, as indeed is that of Madura, to allow of much being said as to its prospects. We had an uncomfortable passage of three days to Jaffna, but arrived in season for the meeting which was at Manepy. Nearly all the brethren and sisters of the circle were assembled there. It was to us a most interesting and affecting day. I was not able to preach the first Sabbath; but was at Oodooville, and said something after a sermon by Mr. Hutchings, and afterwards attended a meeting of the church members and another of the school girls. Many of my old friends among the natives flocked around me on the Sabbath, and at other times to express their congratulations. Among others was the moodeliar, or court interpreter of Mallagum, who was baptised by me just before I left. He has had many difficulties in coming out openly, as he belongs to the highest and purest caste families in the district, and all his relations are strong heathens; but he seems to be strengthened to meet opposition. At the communion season in Oodooville, a month after my arrival, I preached there, and had the happiness of distributing the elements to the moodeliar and Nicholas Permander, among the native communicants. I soon spent also an interesting Sabbath at Batticotta, where I preached, as well as several times at this new and interesting station, of which indeed I now have charge for the time, as Doct Scudder has gone on a tour to the continent, to distribute scriptures and tracts. Mr. Winslow mentions that it had been decided by the brethren of the mission, that a new station should be commenced at Ma dras, to be occupied by Doct. Scudder and himself; and that a press should be connected with it. The population of the city and adjacent country is very great, and the opportunity for preaching, and especially for distributing books and tracts, highly favor After remaining through the day, we left in the night, and proceeded to Devipatam to take a dhony for Jaffna. There we were detained through the whole of a hot day in a miserable custom-house; but it was not unprofitable. There was opportunity for reflection and for some conversation with the natives, and it was the place where sister Todd, whose grave we also visited, breathed her last. The grave is in a corner of an open burying-ground__near the sea shore, where the few Roman catholics of the place inter their dead. Most of the graves have a little mound of earth and a wooden cross over them. That of our sister had nothing to distinguish it. The sand which covered her body was nearly On the first page of this number mention on a level with that around, and we could scarcely have distinguished that able. Southern India. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. was made of the removal of Mr. Poor from Batticotta to Madura. The extracts given there was a grave, had it not been point-here were written by him while on a visit to ed out to us. As we stood near it con versing on the christian's hope, a large the latter place, some months previous to his number of natives gathered around, to removal. The field is obviously one of great extent and interest, and ripe for the || public lectures to natives in office and other influential men. harvest. || 6. My present of books to the school I first visited in company with Mr. Burby had the desired effect. As there is a demand for our school-books, I have ceased giving them, except in special cases, and have begun to barter them for native books. 8. It has been indeed a good Sabbath. At our three o'clock meeting it appeared that the native helpers have received a fresh impulse in their labors. They are just now getting well engaged in their business. In the evening they had a meeting and invited the servants of Indo-Britons. This they will probably continue to do. Nov. 3, 1835. Agreeably to appointment, Mr. Burby and I visited one of the native schools. It contained about fifty boys, and the place seemed quite full, but immediately on our entering_about fifty other people crowded in, so that we were much incommoded. The master and his boys were at first a little frightened, and seemed unwilling to say any thing. But when I began to give a school-book to one and another who were able to stammer out a word, they took courage; still they doubted whereunto the thing would grow. At length the people became clamorous for our school-books. As it was impossible to keep them in their places, the schoolmaster suggested that I furnish him with the books I wished to give, and that he would distribute them to the boys after we had left. I did so, making it distinctly understood with what view I gave the books. I then distributed a few other tracts and withdrew. Mr. B. and myself thought it best not to visit any other school at present, but watch the effect of what we had done. There is no 12. At seven o'clock, A. M., the shidisposition among the people, either in the city or villages, to receive our tracts.ristadar, or head native assistant in the The Blind Way and the Almanac are the principal ones that are sought after. It is an unfortunate thing that they have associated the idea of Christianity only with the sight of a printed book. I hope in some degree to efface this impression by a free use of our school books. 4. About four, P. M., I called on the collector at his office in the fort; found him also to be a pleasant man, and easy of access. Gave him a short account of our proceedings in Jaffna, and told him the object of my visit to Madura. That he might understand what are our views and wishes in regard to the mission here, I handed him for perusal a copy of our prospectus, statement, and three triennial reports, and expressed a wish that at a future time he would favor me with his suggestions on two or three points which are now under consideration by the mission. I feel it to be an object of great importance to get a fair hearing from the higher classes of the people on the subject of schools and education generally. My wish is, that by the sanction of the collector I may have opportunity of giving four or five 9. On Saturday sent to the collector, Mr. Duff's speech before the General Assembly of Scotland, thinking it would be a good supplement to the reports of our seminary now in his hands. Took breakfast with him this morning, and had a favorable opportunity for stating my case. He expressed himself decidedly in favor of our plans of education, and will, I trust, aid me in getting a hearing on the subject from the principal inhabitants of the place. After breakfast I visited the district judge, and found him quite friendly to our object. cutchery, who is a brahmin, visited me. We arranged for a public meeting to be held in the old palace on Monday morning (16th) at seven o'clock, that I may state to the people our plans of education, etc. 16. Went to the palace a little after seven o'clock, and found the collector and most of the civilians in the place; also six or seven hundred natives assembled. I gave a short statement of our school establishments in Jaffna, together with some of the results. The audience was very attentive, and manifested much interest in what was said. In the course of my remarks I distributed many tracts of several kinds, illustrative of the subject in hand. Closed by giving notice that another meeting would be held in the same place at seven o'clock, A. M., on the ensuing Sabbath. 17. Have been pressed with visiters most of the day. At one time had an audience of fifty or sixty, ten or twelve Mohammedans of high rank, brahmins, and others. I repeated the substance of my lecture yesterday, as these did not hear of the meeting. Great Meeting at the Old_Palace-Mohammedans-Indo-Britons. 18. I began to get some more defi- || the first European who came to Madura. nite views of the immense field, white He requested only for room enough to to the harvest, that now opens before us nail up a calf-skin, but this skin he dihere. Set Moody and others to drawing vided into ten thousand pieces, and put diagrams representing the nature of a piece in every part of the city. eclipses, and to copy the chart from the nautical Almanac, representing the progress of the approaching eclipse of the sun. Nothing of the kind could have come more in place, than the fifty copies of the tract which I brought with me, exposing the absurdities of the Hindoo theory of eclipses. They are in great demand, as the subject is quite new to the people here. The blanks from Manepy press, and the Tamul maps of the world, which have been long on hand, were just what was needed at the present time; they have produced quite a stir in the city. 19. At morning prayers each of the helpers, as usual, gave an account of his labors in the preceding day. John informed us that some persons had expressed their surprise that they, who were Velales, should become Christians. They thought Christianity was fit only for Parriahs. The Roman catholics in Madura are Parriahs, a people of low caste. All the helpers have full and profitable employment wherever they go. They are called to explain our scientific tracts. 22. Sabbath. Prayer-meeting at five o'clock. At seven o'clock went with Mr. Todd, agreeably to appointment, to the old palace, where we found some hundreds of persons collected. We succeeded in seating a large company of them, and after a few verses had been sung by one of our assistants, in the Tamul style of singing, I commenced my discourse, in which I proposed to answer several important questions which had been proposed in the course of the week. The audience continued rapidly to increase, till it became impossible to reach them with the sound of my voice. As they could not hear what was said, they of course began to converse with each other louder and louder, till the whole congregation became quite tumultuous. It was immediately evident that there were some evil minded persons present, and that we were in some danger of being overwhelmed. Several thousand persons had collected, and many of them had taken the galleries_immediately over our heads. It now became an important question to know how we could effect our retreat in safety. Just at this time a number of native gentlemen, who are men of influence in the place, came in. We beckoned to them to come to us, and then informed them that as it was impossible for us to address the audience, we would adjourn to a more private place. In close connection with them, and while engaged in conversation, we moved from the place, and proceeded in safety. Multitudes followed us in the street with occasional buzzas. Immediately on passing the gate of the city, when a multitude were crowded together in the basin or spacious gateway without, I stopped and re21. Spent much of my time in conquested them to give place to a few versation with visiters. From the reports given by the native assistants at our evening prayer-meeting, it appears that there is much excitement in the city. It was remarked by one of the heathen, that the missionaries and their assistants are as cunning as the dancing girls; that we entrap the people by means of our nice books and fair speeches. Another observed that the missionaries are like 20. Day of the eclipse. Sert diagrams to different places with persons to explain them, and to read the tract on the subject. The comet, sun, moon, and, I doubt not, other heavenly bodies, have rendered us great assistance. It is no small object to awaken the attention of the people to what we have to say to them. In the afternoon rode out with Mr. Lawrence to the river, where thousands of people were bathing and performing ceremonies with reference to the eclipse, believing that the sun was in distress, being caught by a huge serpent. They will not eat till they see the sun tomorrow morning. Met hundreds of dancing girls returning from the river. Clouds obscured the sun just before the eclipse commenced. words. There was a breathless silence. I then told them the story of a kind woman who was preparing some milk for her child; but the child not knowing the kind intentions of his mother, through peevishness and ill temper, bit his mother's finger. But she, disregarding the wound she had received, administered with a mother's tenderness to the wants of her child. I then applied the story to 104 Southern India:-Journal of Mr. Poor. the subject in hand, and told them that || if they preach in villages where schools I should like another opportunity for are established. stating to them the important subjects which I intended to bring before them at the palace. They gave a laugh of approbation, and most of them returned. Some hundreds, however, followed us to the mission-house, where we had comparatively a quiet audience, and a favorable hearing. After the people had retired, we held a prayer-meeting in English. About sunset three persons called at my lodgings in the fort, who manifested some desire to hear what I had to say on the subject of the great salvation. After a free conversation with them, and finding them in a favorable state of mind, I prayed with them and sent them away. shows us how we may escape the punishment due to us for sin. Many appear to be in great doubt whether it is best to make friends with the padres, or to resist them. Dec. 6. Sabbath. At seven, A. M., attended a new service I have commenced at our house in the fort at seven o'clock, for the benefit of natives of the higher classes who are in the service of government. Most of the Indo-Britons, and upwards of two hundred other natives were within hearing, and listened very attentively, while I attempted to answer two questions that have been proposed by different individuals;(1.) "Where did the earth come from?" This gave me occasion to explain the first chapter of Genesis.-(2.) "What is the chief excellence of the christian religion, above that of other religions?" In answering this I stated two points. 23. Early this morning an intelligent First, it shows us what is the great obMohammedan called to see me, and pro-ject or business of life; secondly, it posed some pertinent questions on religious subjects. I had read to him the history of Abdool Messeh, and then pressed him for an answer to the question, How can the guilty escape punishment? After seeing a little the difficulty of the case he said he would carry the question and the tracts I had given him He returned in to some of his friends. the afternoon with a company of Mohammedans, to whom I had a most favorable opportunity for stating the plan of salvation. At noon a brahmin came and solicited a private interview. His object was to request me to assist him in obtaining an office in the service of government. I told him of a much better situation, which I advised him to seek, but on this subject he was quite deaf. Gave out a set of our school-books to a schoolmaster, who has it in contemplation to enter the service of the mission. Had several companies of visiters beMany are sides those above mentioned. wishing to know what is the object of my holding meetings in the palace. The story of the boy who bit his mother while preparing milk for him, is, I understand, the subject of much conversation. We are still making exertions to establish an English school. People are much afraid of our influence, and we have no suitable place in the fort where such a school could be kept. On Friday morning brother Todd and myself went to see an old choultry which belongs to government, and which we thought we might buy or rent. On application to the collector, he informed us that the choultry was needed for government purposes, but that he would gratuitously furnish us for the present with other rooms for the contemplated school. This he has since done, and we are now furnished with commodious rooms for the accommodation of two hundred pupils, for which we are under obligation to Mr. Blackburn. Had a most pleasing interview with a man from Ramnad, who, as it would seem, has come hither from a conviction of the truth of Christianity, to join the mission, together with his wife and daughter, and intended son-in-law. He is a man of intelligence and some learn 24. Went in company with the brethren here, to Secunda Mallai, a mountaining, and was formerly in the service of four or five miles distant from Madura. At the rest-house, where we tarried during the heat of the day, we had a large and attentive audience, to which I preached the word and gave tracts. The novelty of hearing a white man address them in their own language induces many to assemble to hear what is said. Here is a wide field of labor for missionaries who have the language, especially the zemander. He is ready to serve the Gave my first lecture this evening to the Indo-Britons. At noon a respectable schoolmaster was brought here by Warren. After a free conversation with him, he consented to commence a Tamul free school in the service of the mission on Monday. This I consider an important event. Our prospects are now brightening on this subject, and I think we cannot but succeed in the English department, though there may be a demand upon our patience. 16. One of the men who has engaged to serve the mission as a schoolmaster called on me and said that he and his gooroo were up till midnight reading the Encouragement in Preaching and Sermon on the Mount, which was pro Schools. nounced to be very good. Had a visit from a village schoolmaster, the first whom the mission has employed since my arrival. Girdwood and others went and organized the school on Monday. Thus you see the mission is advancing in every department. Twenty-five children are in the infant school, recently commenced by Mrs. Eckard. 15. On Sabbath the 13th instant, had two of the most attentive audiences that I have had in Madura. At the meeting at our dwelling-house in the front yard, we had nearly all the Indo-Britons, many respectable men from the public offices, and persons of other description; making altogether an audience of about three This afternoon the Mohammedan inhundred persons, who were within hear-quirer sent a messenger informing me ing, though many of them were unwilling to come near and sit down. I took up some of the principal topics in the second chapter of Genesis. After prayer I gave at some length an answer to a question with which I closed my discourse on the preceding Sabbath, viz. Is there any way of escape for him who by his crimes has forfeited the life of his soul, and exposed himself to hell? I had real pleasure and some cheering hopes, while bringing before such an audience this weighty subject. All this was a continuation of the answer to the question proposed by many to our helpers, "What is the peculiar excellency of Christianity?" At ten o'clock I preached at Mr. Eckard's to about one hundred persons. 14. At nine o'clock went to the school. Seven pupils now attend. Many spectators, to whom we give lectures on various subjects. A due attention to these visiters is good business. We are adorning our spacious rooms with such maps, charts, and diagrams as we have at hand. Warren reports that a respectable Mooreman has visited him four days in succession, and appears to be in earnest in examining into the nature of Christianity. Others of this class, who have visited me, very unexpectedly, manifest a docile spirit. This I have witnessed almost from the time of my arri val here. 15. Had a company of spectators at the school-room at twelve o'clock, many of whom were from the villages. They listened with wonder to the story of my leaving America, and of coming in pursuit of them. Had an interview with another schoolmaster who is willing to come into the service of the mission. VOL. XXXIII. that about forty persons had come together at his house, and were waiting to see me. I went and had a congregation of about seventy people. This was one of the greatest novelties I have met with at Madura. They behaved very well, and invited me to come again, and to come earlier. This meeting was called agreeably to my suggestions to the inquirer.-In the evening held our weekly prayer-meeting, and a meeting for business. Expect to leave for Jaffna the beginning of next week; I have the pleasure of seeing several important operations commenced, and trust they will be carried forward prosperously. 18. Am acting now under a fresh excitement-that of saying and doing my last things at Madura to various classes, and to individuals. If I be permitted to reach home in safety, and without suffering any reverses in my work as an evangelist, I now feel that one of our first appointments should be a season of special thanksgiving and prayer for the great and rich variety of blessings conferred upon us since I left. I find my mind very active to-day, and my heart joyful. Had a long and satisfactory interview with an intelligent heathen, who requested me to explain the diagrams he had seen, illustrating the nature of eclipses. At the close I pressed upon him, as usual on such occasions, the great question, How can the guilty escape the righteous judgment of God? 19. Had a pleasing interview with the court moonshee, a principal character among the Mohammedans. I urged upon him the importance of becoming acquainted with the writings of Moses and David, inasmuch as he admits them 14 |