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MISSIONARY HERALD.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Missionary House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London: or by any of the Ministers and Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report.

BAPTIST MISSION.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CALCUTTA.

them to form an Auxiliary Missionary Society, by whose assistance they were enabled to raise one chapel; and this, upon trial, succeeded far beyond expectation, as crowds flocked to hear the word whenever it was opened. The plan proving successful, was extended, and has since been adopted by all denominations of Christians in Calcutta ; The Committee have availed so that there are now many places raised by themselves of the visit of Mr. the liberality of Christians on the spot, Yates to this country, to obtain where a number have been brought to the where the Gospel is faithfully preached, and more ample information respecting knowledge of the truth. Five such places the progress and prospects of the are now connected with the Baptist Society, Mission in Calcutta. The account in one or other of which there is preaching which he has kindly furnished the European brethren are able to render, every day. Besides the assistance which comprises a Review of proceed- Carapeit, Kirkpatrick, and Panchoo are conings up to the present time, and a stantly employed in preaching in them to Plan for future operations there. numerous congregations.

1. REVIEW OF THE BAPTIST MISSION IN

CALCUTTA.

After some time, the Missionaries commenced worship in their own private house on a Sabbath evening, the day being employed in preaching to the heathen. Having The Missionaries now resident in Cal- formed themselves into a small church, they cutta commenced their united operations continued gradually to receive additions, till there in the year 1817; a course which they it was thought necessary to build another felt themselves constrained to adopt, in con- English place of worship. A spot of ground sequence of their conscientious disapproval having been obtained about two miles from of the steps then taken by the Missionaries the Bow (or Lal) Bazar Chapel, the buildat Serampore, in asserting their independ-ing was commenced, which, including the ence of the Society in England, as expressed ground, cost 26,000 rupees. By the strein their letter of that year. There was then nuous exertions of the church, and the geno place in the metropolis of the East, or nerosity of the public, this sum was raised indeed in all India, devoted to native wor-in Calcutta, and the place is now out of ship; they, therefore, like their predeces-debt. The church consists of about ninety sors, began their work by going into the members, and though the majority of them streets and highways to preach to the na- are poor, they willingly contribute, accordtives. Having persevered in this way for ing to their ability, to the spread of the some time, with great inconvenience, they Gospel. Rent in Calcutta being exceedingly thought it would be desirable to raise sheds high, they had no prospect of supporting a in different parts of the city, to which they minister, unless they could surmount this. could constantly resort; which led to the obstacle; they have therefore lately purbuilding of the native chapels. At first, chased a piece of ground adjoining the however, they had no means of building a chapel, for which, and building a wall round place, nor were they certain, if one were it, they have already paid, and their next built, that the natives would enter it to hear effort will be to raise the dwelling-house. the Gospel. The first consideration led In addition to these exertions, they defray

the current expences of their own chapel, and of the native places of worship in the city. They have also lately formed a Ladies' Association, which it is expected will be able to maintain the station at Doorgapore.

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When the Missionaries had entered on their labours among the natives, they found the great need of a press, to print tracts and various portions of the Scriptures for distribution. They had, however, then no means of getting one, and still less prospect of obtaining a printer; but it was not long before Mr. Pearce, having found it impracticable to remain at Serampore, came down to Calcutta and joined them. This enabled them to commence their operations in the printing department. Their beginning was indeed a small one, their whole establishment consisting of only one press, and one fount of Bengalee types, with three or four natives to work them. Having no prospect of assistance, either in India or England, they were left entirely to their own sources, which, under the blessing of God, were gradually enlarged, so that there are in the office now as many presses as employ seventy-four men, and as many types as are sufficient to print in forty* languages or dialects. In addition to these a foundry is connected with the office, capable of supplying its increasing demands. The Harmony of the Gospels has been printed and widely circulated in the Bengalee and Hindoostanee languages. A new version of the Psalms has been prepared and printed for the Calcutta Bible Society, and the Secretary of that Institution at the time expressed his hopes that these labours might be extended to the other parts of the sacred volume, the Society being desirous of procuring improved versions of the Scriptures in those languages in which their circulation is extensive.

The following is a complete list of the works hitherto published at this press :

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1. Life of Chamberlain.

2. Essays on Important Subjects. 3. Lawson's Funeral Sermon and Memoir.

4. Three Essays on the Burning of Widows.

The above were prepared by Mr. Yates, and to them may be added the following works in Bengalee

1. A Geography, and Geographical Copy Books, by Mr. Pearce.

2. Natural History of remarkable Animals, by Messrs. Lawson and Pearce. 3. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, by Mr. Carey.

4. Harmony of the Gospels, chiefly by Mr. Carey.

5. A number of Tracts, in which all the Missionaries have taken a part.

Besides preparing the preceding, the Missionaries have had also to edit a considerable number of other works.

Being furnished with the means requisite for carrying on their work amongst the natives, the Missionaries now began to think of extending their labours from the city to the suburbs of Calcutta. Their first attempts were made by going out a week at a time in rotation. Finding by this experiment that the plan afforded great opportunities of usefulness, they became anxious to find out a spot where they could reside and continne their exertions for a longer period. Through the influence of one of their Pundits, they succeeded in renting of a native a large piece of ground at Doorgapore, for 200 rupees a year, on which they immediately commenced building a bungalow for the residence of the European Missionary, a house for the native preacher, and a chapel near the road. Besides its local advantages, this place is contiguous to several others of importance, particularly Bureh

nugur and Chitpore; in the former place a chapel has been built, and in the latter a congregation can almost at any time be obtained under a tree. The method of supplying Doorgapore at first, was by each brother going thither in turn for six months: but this afterwards being found inconvenient, Brother Carey occupied it altogether, having Panchoo for is assistant, and it is now occupied by Mr. G. Pearce. That interesting young Brahmin, Anunda, who it is confidently hoped is now in glory, was one of the first fruits of the Gospel at this station; and while it can supply some pleasing in stances of conversion, it has also for some time past exhibited an appearance of general improvement. The neighbours were heretofore much addicted to intoxication and quarrelling, but they have latterly been much reformed, and many of them have, at their own request, had preaching in the chapel once a week, in the evening, after they had finished the labours of the day, and have paid the expence of lighting the place themselves. At Burehnugur, too, the word is heard with great attention.

whom it was proposed that the missionaries should devote the 20,000 rupees which they had acquired to this object, and that to this sum they would add 10,000 more. These instructions being received, the brethren proceeded immediately to look out for a convenient site, and through the kind offices of Mr. Jonathan Carey, they were enabled to obtain of a Native four beegahs of ground adjoining the English chapel to the South: which cost between 19 and 20,000 ru- ́ pees: a sum which, considering the extent and situation of the ground, was reckoned very reasonable. After employing an architect, aud receiving an estimate of the expense of the proposed buildings, they found that, including the ground, they would come to between 50 and 60,000 rupees. They proposed, therefore, to the committee, that instead of 10,000 rupees, one half of the aggregate expense should be furnished by the Society, leaving the Missionaries to pay the other. Not doubting that this proposal would be acceded to, the building was commenced, and a large house and printing office have been erected. The deeds of this property are now in the hands of the cominittee, who will of course, adopt such measures as they may deem necessary to secure it to the use of the Society in perpetuity.

Not long after the Missionaries had established the station at Doorgapore, a new scene of labour presented itself to their view at Howrah; which being the great thoroughfare between Calcutta and the up- Another object of importance which occuper provinces, afforded the best opportuni- pied the attention of the Calcutta Missionties for diffusing religious knowledge, and aries was the education of young men for the for the exercise of talent, both native and work of the Mission in India. They deemed European. Messrs. Townley and Keith it unadvisable to send out young men as used to go over and preach there on the Missionaries, who had received no previous Sabbath to the English, while they them- instruction for the work; or to educate selves frequently went over in the week to youths for this important office who were address the natives. But neither the Inde- not members of a Christian church. They pendent Missionaries nor themselves were chose, therefore, for several years, rather able to continue these labours. About this to attempt nothing than to act on either of period Mr. Statham came down to Calcutta, these plans. For the last three years, howand the Independent brethren having stated ever, they have had opportunities of engagthat they did not intend further to occupying in this work, upon a system altogether the station, it was agreed, at the particular request of a number of friends at Howrah, that he should reside there. By his exertions an English chapel was raised a large burying-ground was also procured, which has since been walled in, at considerable expence, by the Government. A church was formed, of which he became the pastor, and which is now supplied by Mr. G. Pearce and Mr. Kirkpatrick, though both of them are more particularly devoted to the natives, for whose use two places of worship have been raised.

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compatible with their own views, and have now a prospect, with the assistance of the Society, of carrying it to a much greater extent. It is true, that had they possessed more time and strength, they might have extended their labours in this department; because the committee engaged, that if the 20,000 rupees, the interest of which the Missionaries had appropriated to this object, should be expended on missionary premises, they would support any young men as students that were members of a Christian church, and appeared to possess abilities for the work of the ministry. One such young man (Mr. Kirkpatrick) bas been educated, and is now settled at Howrah; another is under a course of instruction, and several more have offered themselves as candidates: indeed, there are so many pious youth now in Calcutta, capable of being employed in the Society's service,

that it is only necessary for the Committee to determine what number they shall be able to support.

With regard to the instruction of the rising generation in India, a plan has been discovered, which will save the Christian public an immense expenditure. At first, all the schools to which Missionaries had access were supported by them, but when it was found that the Hindoos had no objection to pay the masters for instructing their sons, it was immediately perceived that every object would be accomplished, if they could get proper books introduced into the Hindoo schools, instead of the trash used by the natives. This impression being general, two Societies were formed for this specific purpose-the "School" and the "School Book Society." The one is engaged in preparing books; and the other, purchasing them at half the cost price, distributes them in such schools as they can bring under their superintendence. The inducement held out to the natives to place their schools under the care of the School Society is, that they shall be supplied with books gratis. The masters also receive a trifling sum, according to the proficiency of their scholars, at the quarterly examinations held at some one of the Baboos' houses. There are now in Calcutta more than 3000 youths under the influence of this Society. The books which they read being printed by the School Book Society, all come under the revision of the Missionaries, and are printed at the Mission press. Still, how ever, as these Societies provide only for the moral instruction of the natives, it belongs to the friends of the Gospel to make more decided efforts for their religious improvement. Under this conviction, the Missionaries in Calcutta formed another Society, denominated the "Christian School Society;" but it is to be lamented that they have not obtained that support which the importance of their object led them to anticipate. There are, however, two schools of a Christian character connected with the Baptist Mission in Calcutta. In these the boys learn the Scriptures, Catechisms, and hymns, by heart, and receive religious instruction. These are like Sunday schools in England, only that the natives, having no sabbath, are taught every day, instead of once a week. Whatever may be the result of these attempts, as to the conversion of individuals, there can be no doubt they will exert a beneficial influence upon general society; nor can any one justly despair of their being useful to individuals, when he is informed of the case of the Brahmin Seeboo, at Cutwa, who, after having been educated in a school of this description, became a decided Christian, and an eloquent preacher of the Gospel.

In the native female schools, the Missionaries have succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. They had the bonour of first entering into this field of labour, and that too at a time when almost every one believed the attempt would prove abortive. They commenced with one school, and have now fifteen; with the expectation of raising several more. Nor is it merely in what they have been enabled to do that they rejoice, but also in what others have been led to attempt and accomplish. Many of the highest rank in India now patronize these efforts, and ladies of the first respectability are on the managing Committees ; even the natives themselves begin to feel the importance of these exertions, and one of them has come forward with 20,000 rupees, to erect a central female school for the Church Missionary Society. From a review of the whole, therefore, your Missionaries bless God, that though it has pleased Him to exercise them with many trials, yet it hath pleased Him also to crown their feeble efforts with his blessing.

II. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE MISSION IN CALCUTTA.

It is proposed that the Missionaries should be engaged, upon a more comprehensive and enlarged plan, in carrying forward the following branches of labour; viz. the Preaching of the Gospel; the Translating and Printing of the Scriptures, Tracts, &c.; the Instruction of young men for the work of the Mission; and the Superintendence of Schools.

PREACHING.

Under this head there are three departments of labour:

1. Native Preaching,--To supply the native chapels, and the wants of from six to eight hundred thousand people, our Society ought not to have less than two preachers; one for the Bengalee, and another for the Hindoostanee; and each to be supplied with a native assistant. In like manner a preacher and assistant are necessary at Doorgapore.

2. English Preaching.-An experienced and zealous minister, of superior education, ought to be engaged for the congregation in the Circular Road; because the church is increasing in numbers, and in the possession of those means by which it can serve the Mission.

3. Itineracies.--The preceding departments being supplied, arrangements can be made, without any additional strength, for devoting about three months in every year to Itineracies among the natives, in parts distant from Calcutta ; as this could be accomplished by an European brother, accompanied by one or two native assistants.

TRANSLATIONS.

Under this head are included Versions of the Scriptures, Tracts, and School-books. Of these, the two latter being provided for by the Tract and School-book Societies, it is necessary to notice only the former; and in doing so, there are two things which merit consideration the work to be done, and the means to be used for its execution.

I. The work to be done consists of two parts-the improvement of versions which require new editions--and the completion of those which have not yet gone through the first edition. The latter belong properly to Dr. Carey, who has commenced them; and the former must devolve upon those who succeed him in this work. On this it may be remarked :

obtaining complete versions of the Scriptures in the Eastern languages.

II. The means for its execution.-Here it is necessary to inquire, how far present means are inefficient, and what additional means are requisite. The following considerations may serve to explain both these points :

1. The advanced age of Dr. Carey, and the number of new versions which he has yet to complete, render it impossible for him to pay much attention to the improvement of old ones; especially as death has long since deprived him of the assistance of his son Felix, who was very good Oriental scholar, and rendered his father material aid in preparing the last edition of the Bengalee Bible.

2. This work cannot be entrusted to the

1. The improvement of the versions already executed, is a work which must ap-natives. It has been suggested that the pear obviously necessary and important in College students might be ultimately fitted the view of all who pay the slightest atten- for it, but this can never be, for two obvition to the subject. Every one knows that ous reasons: first, because they will never this has been requisite for the translations of be sufficiently acquainted with the original the Sacred Scriptures made into the Euro- languages; and secondly, if they were, pean languages; and the Serampore Missi- such is the character of the natives, that onaries have recorded their conviction of the most learned among them are not to be the same truth, in the seventh report of depended upon, without strict European their Translations, in the following terms: superintendence.

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Respecting the leading languages of 3. No person can be fitted for this work India, and those which are spoken through without going through several years of prethe largest extent of country, they appre-vious study and preparation for it. It may hend that there can be but one opinion on the subject, among all those who feel interested in the planting of the Gospel in India. In these, not only should the whole of the Scriptures be given, but successive and improved editions of them be published as they may be required, till the version be rendered complete, and the country evangelized."

2. Acting under this conviction, the for mer translators have already encouraged others to engage in this work, when they have found persons competent for it, as may be learned from the seventh memoir, already quoted, in which it is stated-"The edition of the Hindee New Testament being nearly exhausted, and the Rev. J. Chamberlain having prepared another version in this language, for which his long residence in the western provinces of India, and his intimate acquaintance with their popular dialects, eminently fit him, the brethren at Serampore have resolved in this edition to print his version of the New Testament instead of their own; as a comparison of independent versions, made by persons long and intimately acquainted with the language, will be of the utmost value in ultimately forming a correct, chaste, and perspicuous version."

3. The Bible Society in Calcutta expressed, in their last report, their willingness to encourage new translations undertaken by competent persons, as the only means of

be set down as a general rule, that no person ought to engage alone in a translation of the Scriptures into any language, until he has studied that language with close attention for at least seven years.

4. The plan, therefore, which seems most desirable for the Society to adopt, is to encourage all their Missionaries in this work. Let any one who is possessed of suitable qualifications, and who has studied a language for a sufficient time on the spot where it is spoken, be encouraged to give in it an improved version of the Scriptures, if he thinks it absolutely necessary. This has been done partially, and why should it not be adopted as a general principle?

5. All the expence required of the Society, till any version was finished, would be the support of a learned native in connection with the Missionary; and after it was completed, if the Bible Society should not print it, it could be printed at the lowest rate possible at their own press in Calcutta, and the expense might be further lessewed by their sending out a quantity of paper for the purpose.

INSTRUCTION FOR THE MINISTRY.

The great expense attending European Missionaries, and the unfriendliness of the climate to their constitutions, renders it highly desirable that diligent attention should be paid to the cultivation of all such

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