grave by a large number of persons of both rich and poor, and of all religions and denominations.

The Convert.

"I hope I shall not tire your patience if I mention another pleasing instance of what the grace of God sometimes does amongst us. I would that such cases were more frequent. The person I refer to is, in his moral and religious character, much like old Simon, but is quite a young man, and of a rather higher intellectual capacity. He was originally, or previous to his conversion, a pious Buddhist, earnestly seeking salvation according to Buddhism by his own merits. For a long time he was distressed, seeking rest and finding none; trying to be meritorious, but only finding his demerit increase. The claims of Chris. tianity came under his notice about two years since; he found it exactly adapted to his wants; sought by prayer the God and Saviour it taught, and soon was enabled to rejoice with joy exceeding and full of glory. He was admitted, after due deliberation, to the fellowship of the church here, and sought, as he had done from the first dawning of light into his own mind, to make known to others the pearl he had found. His anxiety for his heathen parents was especially awakened, and he determined to go home to his village to seek their conversion. It is now about a year since he went, and his continuous and earnest exertions have created quite a senA sation in his own village and in all the villages around it.

thing he knew-that he needed pardon and
purity, and life; a Saviour, a Sanctifier, a
Father, and that he could find them no
where but in Christianity. He accepted
them, and lived and died a Christian, full
of faith and hope and joy. It is now about
six months since he took his leave of the
body. He had been from his boyhood a
servant in a Moodliar's family at Kandy.
He was always a faithful, active servant,
and sincere in his attachment to Buddhism,
even to old age. At length, however, when
about sixty years of age, he was born again,
and fourteen years ago was added to the
church here by baptism; from which
time he was a most exemplary character.
Nothing but utter inability ever kept him
from the house of God whenever the doors
were open for worship. At the prayer
meetings and church meetings, and, in
fact, at every Christian assembly, he was
present. He came even when he was
scarcely able to walk steadily across the
chapel, and was evidently suffering from
much pain. He was extremely child-like,
humble, and kind. He had little capacity
to proclaim the gospel to others, and yet
he did testify, when occasion offered, his
own firm conviction that salvation is in
Christ alone. He had so poor an opinion
of himself, that he would never sit in a
chair; when urged to put himself on an
equality with his brethren, by sitting in
one, he said, 'No, it is right for them to do
it, but a chair is too good for me; I never
have sat in one and I never will.' He would
not, however, object to sit on a sofa.
sofa or couch is but a cushioned bench.
A CHAIR is a throne.' In chapel he sat
upon a little stool, provided for the purpose,
and gave undivided and earnest attention.
He loved the society of his fellow Christians,
and came even to the English service, of which
he understood not a word. Out of his little
income, a pension which his former master
allowed him, he, amongst other subscrip-
tions, gave sixpence per month to the
mission. A short time before his death-
a few hours--he took out sixpence and gave
it to a friend standing near, and requested
him, as it was the beginning of the month,
to pay it for him. He gave most cheer-
fully according to his ability; generally
bringing his subscriptions, and that either
exactly as they were due or before the time.
As he had no relations to whom to leave
the little he had saved from his pension,
he made it all over to the Baptist Mission,
about £10 in money, and garments to be
sold after his death, which realised about
£2 103. His goodness commanded the
love andes teem even of Buddhists, and was
a standing reproof to our many cold and
inconsistent members. His end was em-
phatically PEACE. He was followed to his

His Exertions.

"Catechists have occasionally visited that district, but have never awakened anything like such attention and inquiry-have never met either with so much favour or opposition from the people. Not only did he itinerate and distribute tracts, and proclaim from house to house the word of salvation himself, but opened a place on his own premises, invited persons to preach and people to hear. And all this he has done when he might fairly have said, judging by the ordinary standard,

What can I do ? it is very little I understand. I am not able to teach others, I need to be taught myself; I am no great one, people would not pay attention to a person of so mean an external appearance as I. Besides, I have my living to get, and have little time to spare for anything else.'

"He has just returned to seek a livelihood, and has evidently been on very short allowance since he went away; in fact, he has been almost entirely neglecting his worldly concerns in his eager pursuit of the welfare of others. If you happen to see

Mr. Murdoch's latest report, you will find a short account of him there by Mr. Parsons, Church missionary. It would seem that God has called him to the work, and I am anxious to assist him a little in fitting himself for it, and then to employ him as an evangelist.

claiming the gospel. At N. Ellia, I addressed every native, both Singhalese and Tamil, and Moormen, and almost every European, besides the cartmen who are constantly coming and going, on the subject of religion. There, too, I revised the book of Revelations. I have now revised the Gospels of Matthew and John, the Acts, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, Jude, "We have just returned from N. Ellia, and the Revelations. My revision, howwhere we have spent the last five weeks. ever, is submitted to a class of Singhalese We are all much improved by the change. persons, and in that class we have only yet My throat and voice have continued to got through the first fifteen chapters of improve. Since I wrote you last, I have John. When we are prepared to print, been much engaged in preaching and pro- we can easily increase our speed there."

The Translation.

AGRA. The most recent intelligence of the brethren from this place informs us that both Mr. Parsons and Mr. Evans are suffering somewhat from the confinement of the fort; but on the whole were as comfortable as could be expected. The battle fought under the walls of the fort, on the 10th of October, between Col. Greathed's column and the mutineers from Dholpore, had relieved them from fear of further assault, and the brethren were contemplating a removal to the Benevolent Institution, which with little expense can be made habitable for a time, the walls and roof remaining intact. The Mission House will require a new roof, and the walls considerable repair. Mr. Parsons thus refers to the losses our own mission and other societies have sustained :

"I trust, indeed, that none of the missionaries of our society has fallen in these troubles, save our dear and deeply lamented brother Mackay. Poor Mrs. Thompson and family have been almost swept away. It would appear that only two married daughters remain. The American Presbyterian Mission have suffered a truly affect ing loss in the murder, by the Nana Sahib, of their Futtehgurh missionaries, Mr. Campbell, with Mrs. Campbell and two children; and Messrs. Freeman, Johnstone, and Macmullen, and their wives. The fate of one or more of their Allahabad missionaries is also, I believe, not yet certainly known to the brethren here. Their pecuniary loss, also, in the destruction of their Allahabad and Futtehgurb establishments, and that of the Church Mission, in the utter destruction of the Secundra press, near Agra, must be very heavy. The Bible and Tract Depositories here and in other stations have likewise been destroyed. The societies in these parts will have almost to begin their work afresh.

Mr. Mackay.

In our local newspaper, the Mofussilite, of Saturday last, there is a paragraph quoted from the Lahore Chronicle, which narrates details so very similar to what was told us by Silas Curtis, about the party of which our late dear brother Mackay was a member, that it seems to corroborate his story.

་

Though Mr. Mackay's name is not mentioned, yet as his residence was in Durriao Gunge, it is very probable he should be of the number. From the Lahore Chronicle of September 26th, we have been favoured with the following for publication :-“A lady, a member of the Skinner family, made her escape from Delhi, disguised as a native, and reached Meerut on the 14th instant. She states that on the day of the outbreak, a number of persons, residing in Durriao Gunge, collected in an upper storied house, and there held out for three or four days. The Sepoys, secing musketry was ineffectual in dislodging them, brought down a nine-pounder, a ball from which killed Sub-Conductor Settle. During all this time, they had nothing to eat or drink, and the poor children were crying with hunger and thirst. The wretches told the children that, if they came down, they should have both victuals and drink; but immediately they went down a signal was given, and the poor little innocents were all butchered, and shortly after the slaughter became general." Some names follow of persons believed to have been among the number mentioned, chiefly conductors and their families. We purpose endeavouring to obtain some clue to the lady who escaped, that we may inquire of her whether brother Mackay was, to her knowledge, in this party, or whether she can give us any information about our friends there."

A native letter writer corroborates the statement, by saying that in Durriao Gunge three ladies were slaughtered, and many Englishmen who had taken refuge in a large house in this quarter. We can scarcely hope to obtain any

further or more accurate details of the sad events, which have deprived the society of the labours of these Christian friends.

From a later-dated letter we learn that we have to rejoice in the continued safety of our brethren in this important locality. The defeat of the Dholpore mutineers has left the district comparatively free, and the prospects of a more settled state of things are cheering. Mr. Parsons, under date of October 28th, informs us of the occupations in which the missionaries are engaged, and gives an opinion as to the result of the revolt on the mission work:

Results of the Mutiny.

"The total rout of the Indore mutineers induced the Gwalior Contingent to quit that neighbourhood, and march to the eastward. For us, this is a relief, for that force was one of the chief sources of apprehension to us. A great struggle impends in Oude, and the country about Saugor, as also Assam and Rohilcund, appear to be in a very unsatisfactory condition. But many districts are fast settling down into order. The revenue is brought in, cultivation proceeds, the mails and civil offices are re-established, and, what is a sure sign of the current of affairs, the Sepoys are hunted down by the villagers, and brought in to the authorities. Will the natives at length learn that the gods whom they invoke, and to whom they trust for success are false? I am afraid there is no good ground to hope that such a conviction will prevail extensively, or take strong hold of the heathen mind. They have wit

"It is a gratification to think that while our chapels lie in a partially ruined condition, and our ordinary ministrations to the heathen are suspended, we have not been without numerous opportunities of pursuing the good work. Brother Evans and myself have taken part with our Presbyterian brethren in maintaining two public services on the Lord's day, and we have held prayer meetings with small parties of our friends at their quarters, four times a week, save occasional interruptions through sickness. On Friday evening, we meet the missionaries of both Church and Presbyterian missions in a prayer meeting. I hope that these several meetings have been blessed to the spiritual enjoyment and edi. fication of our people, and that our uniting with other denominations may have a good influence in softening some of the asperities which have heretofore existed. The occupations of the native Christians connected with the Purtapoora church, have only admitted of our holding service withnessed many revolutions without forsaking them on Lord's days, which we have done. Bernard has gathered the Chitoura people together for worship as he has been able. Some are living in the chapel compound at Purtapoora, and he has begun to have service there. Besides, I have found more leisure for my translation than before we came into the fort. Half the Gospel of Luke is now copied for the press, and I hope it will be quite ready by the time the communication is open. And brother Evans and my self, and my dear wife also, have had opportunities of ministering to the bodily wants, and attempting to promote the spiritual good, of the poor sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals."

their idols. There is indeed a power they practically consider greater than that of devtas-the power of fate. To this will all be attributed, and the idols be blindly followed as before, until the light of the glorious gospel dispels the delusion. Yet we do trust that the Lord will overrule these unprecedented events to his glory; that Mohammedan pride will receive a blow; that the wayside ground of the Hindoo heart will be softened and broken up to receive the good seed; and that our rulers will be instructed to amend their principles of government."

BARASET. Our readers will peruse, with great interest, the following communication from our native missionaries at this new station. We give it in their own words, one of them being sufficiently master of the English language to write in it. It is dated September 28th.

"We are extremely happy to bring to points, and thereby drive their doubts your notice that, wherever we preach, from their mind with satisfactory decieither in villages or in markets in the sions. Our neighbouring people generally district of Baraset, the people hear the invite us to hear the gospel, and many sick gospel with excess of delight. Many of persons receive much satisfaction to know them praise the doctrines of Christianity, the unbounded kindness and mercy of our and admit its superiority over all other Saviour. religions. They converse with us delight- "Many learned and educated and respecfully, read tracts and gospels, discuss table men come to us almost every day, to with us the most difficult and important root out the doubts from their minds by

discussions. Many of them have taken mand over English language and literature. the Bible for their study, and they show their progress in it on various occasions. We find sometimes nine or ten persons present at the time of our family worship to join us in the service.

We hope our divine and merciful Father would be pleased to extend his kingdom throughout the village of Baraset. It is not necessary to mention here, that besides those of whom Mr. Bradbury * talked to you, we have at present many to hope for.

"Baboo Wooma Churn Bessus is gradually improving in scriptural knowledge, and he presents himself twice or thrice every week at the time of our family worship. Baboo Kally Krishna is reading the Scriptures often, and advising all his friends to do so.

"A few days ago we had here a young man who gave us sufficient proofs of his repentance to witness his baptism. I went down to Calcutta to invite Mr. Lewis, who, consulting with some European missionaries, advised me to wait for two months, for the present mutiny among the native Sepoys, which was then in the height of its ferocity; especially was Bengal in very great agitation. But the young man was very impatient to take his baptism, so we, giving him the right hand in the name of the church of Baraset, sent him to Serampore with an intimation to the missionaries to baptize him there; but the parents of the young men, knowing his intention, one day suddenly caught him when he was going to give a visit to his uncle, who resides close to Serampore, and have kept him in close confinement at his own house. But there is no change in his We would be extremely happy to mind. He still maintains his former preach once in a year in all parts of the opinions and principles. By the grace of zillah of Baraset; but want of expense our heavenly Father, Baboo-Ram Chunder does not allow us to fulfil our desire. We Doss, the sixth master of the Government must be very thankful if home-committee school of Baraset, will receive his baptism be pleased to increase our missionary exin the month of October. He is a young cursion." man of excellent character, and has a com

"A few days ago we were in constant dread of mutiny; at present the fear is much abated. The calamity which the mutiny has produced over several parts of India, we are sorry to state. It is quite sufficient to say that humanity shudders if the direful picture of the mutiny be pre-. sented in its view. It has caused famine, though it is not, as yet, very formidable for the public; poor people are suffering much from its oppression. The number of beggars is gradually increasing.

A Berhampore Missionary.

MORLAIX.-The work of God continues to make favourable progress, although amid many difficulties and much opposition. Mr. Jenkins has furnished us with the following interesting facts :

Conversion and Baptism.

"It was our privilege last Sabbath week to receive by baptism two Breton country people, the one a farmer, aged sixty-three, and the other a widow, aged forty-eight. They were formerly sincere Catholics, and it is after much inquiry, with reading and preaching the New Testament, that they were brought out of the darkness of Popery to the light of the gospel and a living faith in Christ. The widow was brought to the knowledge of the truth by hearing our aged female teacher reading and explaining the Scriptures eleven or twelve years ago, when they were both in the Church of Rome. Soon after that we became acquainted with her. When she first saw us administering baptism, she felt a desire to follow Christ in that impressive ordinance. She was living quietly as an assistant and a friend with another woman, who kept a shop in the village. In time, she became clearer in her views and more desirous of leaving the Romish Church; but she felt her difficulties to be great. To separate herself from her friend was not easy. She made, for a long

time, much effort to bring her mistress to the knowledge of Christ by reading to her the New Testament, but apparently with little success. However, she made up her mind to quit Romanism, according to her convictions, and join us in the Lord. Soon after this, while talking on the subject to her sister, who is one of the teachers, her mistress overheard the conversation, and it affected her so as to change her mind, and lead her to a decided conversion to the Lord. However, it appears now that even for the last three years she has been a serious secret inquirer after divine truth and salvation.

"Some time ago these two good women, in order to follow Christ, resolved to give up their little business and go to live in the neighbourhood of the teachers, fourteen leagues off. Last Sabbath week, they were both with us, and the one who had been long under deep convictions was added to the church. It is remarkable that this woman is the daughter of a priest, who, in the time of the old French revolution, gave up his rectorship at Pleguat Guerrand,

Mr. Jenkins has the hope of the colportage of the Bible being speedily resumed. The labours of the teachers go on quietly and favourably, and the preaching of the gospel is continued throughout the same district by the missionary.

AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne.—We have received the following communication from Mr. Taylor, which will be perused with great pleasure by our friends. We are happy to communicate the information that two more brethren are about to depart for Australia, on the invitation of the Committee, the Rev. J. Slade, late of Grampound, in Cornwall; and the Rev. J. P. Campbell, of Shipley, Yorkshire. They will sail as soon as the necessary arrangements can be Mr. Taylor's letter is dated Melbourne, Oct. 13, 1857 :