subject of preaching, as the letter has recently come to hand, and this part of it has not been published. "In regard to preaching, we can do little more than repeat what we have often said in former communications. After the close of the last rains, all of us, who were able, made excursions on the neighbouring coast, and in the island of Salsette, for the purpose of visiting our schools, and communicating religious instruction to the people, beyond the limits of our several stations. Condition of Lapsed Catholics. "One special object of the tours we made in Salsette and the northern coast opposite to that island, was, to search out and offer Christian instruction to the lapsed Catholics, concerning whom a more particular account will doubtless be interesting to you. "You already know, that the Portuguese, a few generations ago, by the use of means not to be commended, brought a great number of the Hindoo inhabitants of Bombay, Salsette, and the adjacent coast, into a nominal subjection to the Roman Catholic church. The zeal of the Catholics in this place for the conversion of the heathen, appears long ago to have subsided; and the priests seem to be content to retain the descendants of those, whom their predecessors brought, in some instances by violence, within the pale of their church. But these people are held in subjection to the priests, by a very precarious tenure. During the prevalence of the cholera morbus, about two years since, great numbers of these native Catholics joined in the idolatrous rites, that were practised by the Hindoos to arrest the vengeance of Heaven; for which cause, they were, no doubt very properly, excommunicated by the priests. There are probably two thousand people, in this vicinity, now in this condition. All hope of their reconciliation to the church is given up; and they seem bent on turning back to the idolatry of their forefathers. The change is indeed easy and natural. It is only to change the names and images of Romish saints for those of heathen deities. The Hindoos are well pleased with this defection of the Catholics, though they still look upon them as outcasts, and would not, on any account, intermarry with them. "In May last, an attempt was made, in several villages of these people on Salsette, to dissuade them from their purpose of becoming Hindoos; and an offer was made of establishing Christian worship and free schools among them, in case they would consent to receive religious instruction from us. Though several individuals seemed to be favourably inclined, the body of the people rejected these overtures. For several months after this first attempt, the heavy rains prevented us from visiting them again. But, at our quarterly meeting in October, it was judged expedient to send a special deputation to them, in the name of our mission, and to tender them the offer of Christian instruction. The measure was accordingly executed in the course of that month; but the result was the same as that of the former attempt. We still hope, however, that brother Nichols, who lives near a large village of these people, and not far from the greater part of them, may be able, by constant attention, to gain their confidence, and to prevail on them to accept our offers. If it should please God to give us any of their number, they may fairly be considered as converts from the heathen; for they have assumed the title and badges of idolaters, and seem to be fixed in their purpose of adhering to the Hindoo system. Mr. Nichols has established a school among some of them, who live in the suburbs of Tannah; but this measure has excited a great deal of jealousy, and few of their children attend, though there are great numbers of children idle in the streets. "We consider the lapsed Catholics in this region, as a very interesting people, and suitable subjects of the sympathy and prayers of all, who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and we cannot but indulge the hope, that God will pity their deplorable state, and make their very imperfect knowledge of the Saviour, the means of bringing them out of the thraldom of idolatry into the glorious liberty of the sons of God." Manner of Preaching. As a specimen of the evangelical instructions communicated at Bombay, and an exhibition of suitable feelings in regard to the great work of Missionaries, the following passages are extracted from a letter of Mr. Hall to the Corresponding Secretary, written just before Mr. Bardwell's embarkation. In reference to that event, the writer says: "It would be far less trying, both to you and to us, if, along with these afflictive tidings, we could send you the good news of sinners flocking to Jesus. But alas, out of the tens of millions around us, and the some thousands of those millions, whom we have invited to the great salvation, we know not of a single one inquiring what he must do to be saved. The temptation to discouragement is very great. May we, and all our dear Christian friends at home, obtain faith and strength to labour and not faint. Should the painful diminution of our number, added to our want of immediate success, discourage or damp the zeal, either of ourselves or our patrons, it would doubtless be very sinful in us, and provoking to Him, who loves Zion, and the souls of men infinitely better than we do, and knows infinitely better than we do, how to advance their highest interest. The dispensations of Providence, most mysterious to us, but no way doubtful as to their result, offer a very salutary exercise to our faith and humility, and a most interesting, solemn, and sublime theme to our contemplations." Meeting at a School-room for Hindoo Children. "For the last three evenings I have held meetings at one of our schoolrooms, in a part of the town where no such meetings have before been held. About 150 natives, mostly Hindoos, but some of them Mussulmans, were present at each time. On such occasions, a number of our school boys sometimes sing one of our Mahratta hymns; but a discourse of an hour and a half, or two hours, is usually the only exercise. My own method has been of late, to hold three or four meetings, night after night, successively. This seems to keep up the attention of the people better, than when the meetings are held at periods, several days distant from each other. It is also more conformable to the custom of Hindoos, who meet to hear their own books read and expounded. In the compass of three or four discourses, an hour and a half or two hours long, a pretty comprehensive view of the Christian system may be given. During the last three or four weeks, I have held nine such meetings, in three different parts of the town. Some classes of people are more suspicious and shy of us than others; and such is their jealousy in some places, that we have not yet thought it expedient to hold such meetings in the school-rooms there. But I hope our meetings of this nature will be multiplied, as I consider them the most favourable opportunities, that we now have, for imparting Christian instruction to the natives." Meeting at a School-room for Jewish Children. "I have just returned from a meeting at our Jewish school-room," says Mr. Hall in a postscript, "where I delivered an address of an hour and a half to about an hundred persons, mostly Jews, among whom were a number of females. My subject was the portion of sacred history from the flood to the egress of the Israelites from Egypt, prefaced with a brief sketch of the creation, fall, and flood. From the blood of lambs, sprinkled over the doors of the Israelites in Egypt, typifying the blood of Jesus sprinkled on the heart of penitent believers, I took occasion to preach Christ crucified for sinners. My audience was very attentive; and I told them, that I hoped soon to deliver them two more lectures, at which they seemed much gratified. I have made some efforts to obtain other places, in addition to our school-rooms, for the accommodation of such meetings; but as yet I have been unsuccessful." Mr. Hall has recently discovered a number of lapsed Catholics, and had laboured with most of those, who were then in Bombay, endeavouring to turn them from Hindooism to the faith of Christ. They readily acknowledge the truth of Christianity, and do not attempt to defend the Hindoo system. They seem to be ashamed of what they have done. On a particular occasion, Mr. Hall enjoyed a favourable opportunity of exhorting them, and appears to have made a considerable impression. In the month of October last, Mr. Hall and Mr. Graves made an itinerating tour in company. Of this tour Mr. Hall gives the following brief account, in a letter to the Treasurer, under date of Oct. 17th. "This evening Mr. Graves and my self returned from a tour of nine days. We went in a boat; sailed round the island of Salsette; stopped at the principal towns, and many of the small ones; and also at Basseen, on the opposite continent, in the vicinity of which we visited a number of places. Nearly all the day-time was spent in preaching; and we had the happiness of proclaiming the Gospel to a great number ;-to Hindoos, Roman Catholics, and Mussulmans. May God own and bless these our feeble and unworthy labours." From the Journal kept by Mr. Graves, we select the following: Jan. 14, 1820. In company with brother Nichols, visited Darnda, where the attention was such as made the day very interesting to us. 15. Went to Chamboor with brother Nichols where the people were unusu ally open and attentive. In the evening 20 or 30 were present. They were solicitous for our accommodation during the night, and would take no pay for entertaining us. Next day we visited several other small villages, and then separated for our respective homes. In returning, I came first to Murole, where large numbers heard the word attentively, and then to Koly Kullyan, a village of Catholics, with but two Hindoo houses in the place. Their common languages is Mahratta, often corrupted with Hindostanee, and a few Portuguese words. They have a school in their church to learn to read Portuguese and Latin; but very few understand either. It is most probable, therefore, that Mahratta will be the medium, through which these heathenized Christians will learn the Gospel. Several of them seemed pleased with the proposition of having a Mahratta school among them." 66 Feb. 2. To-day another man told me privately, in such a manner that I had reason to believe him, that he was fully convinced of the truth of the Christian religion; but," said he, "what will it avail to avow it publicly and bring on me the contempt of all the people ?" I endeavoured again to show him the nature of true religion, and the necessity of regeneration, with the effect this would have on his fear of man. "March 22. Meeting with two learned bramhuns, I invited them to the Redeemer, and told them that if they would candidly examine the Christian religion, they would find it to be true. "O yes,' said they, your religion and ours are both true, and proper for you and us respectively.' But,' said I, 'they contradict each other expressly; therefore, if ours is true, yours is false, and vice versa. In regard to the worship of images our religions are contradictory; wise men should therefore examine thoroughly, and settle the point." They replied, you are right; one God only should be worshipped; but after having worshipped images a long time, the mind will comprehend and settle upon the immaterial Spirit.'" "27. Conversed, among others, with a very rich man. He heard, as he usually does, with a respectful, and almost silent attention. It affords much pleasure, that some will hear; though they do not obey the truth. In the best time and way, God will certainly cause the truth to triumph, and to accomplish the salvation of men." 30. Several of those who laboured on our house, are in the habit of calling on us, and hearing conversation relative to the Redeemer. Two such now came. The appearance of one was particularly encouraging. "Oct. 21. Visited Worlee, and had but poor opportunities of addressing the people, it being a very busy time with them as fishermen. But I returned by a temple, which I had not before visited, and which consists of four parts, dedicated to four idols. Here I had a favourable season, and urged the people to forsake their idols and receive the great salvation." "Dec. 9. To-day it was said to me, 'convert all your own people, and then attempt us.' I mentioned to them the contrariety of the Christian religion to the natural disposition of all men;-the necessity of regeneration;-that it was not the pleasure of God to convert all of any one nation, before any of another nation should be converted. His mercy is toward all nations; and he will take an individual here and another there, till all people finally submit. I added, you need salvation and happiness. Why will you not accept it, while you have the offer? I entreat you to turn and be saved.' 'I can't tell,' said one, 'but I may hereafter. If it is written in my fates, it will be so. But at present I cannot.'" At the close of a letter to the Treasurer, Mr. Graves observes: "I exceedingly wish I could tell you good news; but I must be content to say, or at least I must say, that we do not enjoy, in our labours, the converting influences of the Holy Spirit. But I do indulge the hope, that, as a body, we are beginning to seek more earnestly this divine gift; and we are still hoping, notwithstanding the meanness of our services and our own ill deserts, to see better days. We rejoice in the success of other missions, although ours seems as yet almost fruitless. I trust we have been witnesses for Christ; and that some honour will redound to him, in conse. quence of our poor labours." Mr. Nichols, in a journal kept previously to his late illness, makes brief mention of several excursions for preaching. Under the date of March 4th, is the following entry "Returned from Trombee, a village 12 miles distant. On my way thither, had an opportunity of addressing the people of several villages. Tarried over night in the Government house there, and was kindly entertained by the Mussulman Kajee. On my way back, stopped at several villages, and addressed the people on the subject of the Gospel. At one place, a number of Catholics were present, and seemed to join ardently in what I said respecting the impossibility of obtaining salvation except by Christ. A considerable number of people followed me out of town; and, when opposite to the Catholic church, I was invited to go in." Mr. Nichols complied with this invitation; and, seeing images of saints, strongly reprehended the practice of idol-worship, as directly contrary to the word of God. "These poor heathenized Christians," he adds, "could only say, that they were directed so to do, by the great Padre at the other side of the world." For the last six months of the year 1820, Mr. Hall had delivered lectures, or sermons, regularly at his own house. Sometimes he had a hundred hearers, oftener not more than twenty, and sometimes not more than ten. He indulged hopes that the meeting might be perpetuated; and, in a private letter to a friend, he says, that of late he had taken more satisfaction in these and similar meetings, than ever before, since he had been in the heathen world. As to the number of such meetings, their frequency, and the manner of conducting them, each of the brethren is left to the guidance of his own discretion, and his own experience. Reflections on the effect of preaching. and individuals have not resolution Translations and Printing. The Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude, which were mentioned in the last Report as preparing for the press, have since been printed. The "The unprinted parts of the New Testament have been divided," says the last joint letter, into five portions; and one portion has been assigned to each of our number to be translated printed parts have also been assigned to different individuals to be revised. In conformity to the rule which we have heretofore observed, the portions translated by each individual are to pass the examination of all, and to be the subject of their remarks; and the final copy for the press is to be fixed by a committee. Some further notices are given of the translations. The unprinted parts of the New Testament, at the last intelligence, were the Gospels of Mark and Luke, the Epistles of Paul, and the Revelation. These parts, and considerable portions of the Old Testament, had long been translated, and were kept in a state of revision. The distribution of books will depend upon the number of schools. The Mussulman, Kader Yar whom the Missionaries had baptized during the preceding year, had gone far into the interior, with books to be distributed. Willingness to receive Books. As an instance of the readiness, with which books are received by some classes of natives, the Committee cite the following passage from the journal of Mr. Graves. "Dec. 21, 1820. This is the greatest day and night of the Mussulman festival, in honour of Moogdum, a saint of theirs, whose tomb is here. The house erected over his bones is illuminated with (I should think) nearly a thousand lamps. To-day and yesterday, I gave away 12 Hindoostanee Gospels of Matthewall I had. I might perhaps have given away hundreds to those, who could read them well. There were comparatively very few Mahratta people among the multitude; but many Parsees. One family of them took up their lodging with us; cooking their food in our yard, and sleeping in the lower, open part of our house. I spent many hours in conversing with the man, in order to make known the way of salvation. He was, I think, the most inquisitive and attentive Parsee, with whom I had ever spoken." In answer to an inquiry of the late Corresponding Secretary, whether Hebrew Testaments could be usefully distributed among the Jews at Bombay, the Missionaries say, that some foreign Jews, occasionally visiting Bombay, understand Hebrew; but that the Jews of that city do not. General utility of the Press. With respect to the general concerns of the printing establishment, the last joint letter of the Missionaries contains the following information. "We are happy to inform you, that the profits of printing, which we have done for individuals, and for the District Committee of the Christian Know ledge Society, have more than defrayed the ordinary expenses of our press, for six months past. "Since our last communication, we have printed A View of Christian Doctrines, expressed generally in the words of Scripture, making a pamphlet of 70 pages, 12mo; and a short tract of 12 pages. We have also printed for the Christian Knowledge Society, (of which there is a Committee in this place,) a Mahratta translation of Ostervald's Abridgement of Scripture History; and we are now printing for the same society a series of Mahratta tracts, consisting of the History, Discourses, Parables, and Miracles of our Lord, with the sermon on the Mount, and the History of Joseph. We print an edition of 2000 of each of these six tracts for this Society; and, at the same time, 500 of each for ourselves. These tracts will be extensively circulated on the continent, by the Society's agents, and will contribute much to the advancement of Christian knowledge in this region. We feel happy in being able, by means of our press, to further the efforts of the religious and benevolent establishments here; and we are much encouraged by the increase of such efforts, in this part of the country, within a few years past. It must indeed be a pleasing reflection to every enlarged and liberal mind, that modern exertions for the advancement of Christian truth, patronized by Societies in different parts of the world, so often and so essentially aid each other; and it may be safely taken as an indication that God is about to bless all mankind with his Gospel when so happy a union of efforts is forming among his servants, and so wonderful a combination of instruments and agents is brought to bear upon one grand design. Mr. Bardwell's departure seemed an irreparable loss to the printing business at Bombay; but there is reason to think that Mr. Garrett has gone thither, and entered upon the labours of that department. |