LETTER FROM DR. SUTTON.

Cuttack, April 25th, 1851. MY DEAR BROTHER,-We have reached our old home safe and well, and in the midst of the bustle of unpacking, receiving visits from our native christian friends, and old pupils, and preparation, I trust for future labours, I attempt writing a few lines on necessary business matters. Please forward the enclosed to America. It is an

acknowledgement of a draft for 1000 dollars for Bible distribution, and on this matter I shall have to write fully when I can meet with our brethren in council, which I fear I will not be before Conference. Our re

ception has been very gratifying from the numerous native christians and young people, and in relation to all more so than we had feared.

We have been the guests of brother and sister Buckley, in our old house, but are preparing to take up our abode pro tem. in the academy buildings, which are ready for our reception. Mr. B. seems desirous, as he has informed you I understand from him, of making over the students to me on the first of May.

I preached for him in Oriya on Sabbath morning, and for brother Lacey in English on Sabbath evening. Romans xvi. 16, last clause, and have exchanged visits with all Missionary friends here.

[This announcement, however pleasing, does not agree with the former one from brother Sutton. See G.B.R. June 1851, page 289.-ED.]

LETTER FROM REV. W. BAILEY.

Piplee, April 23, 1851.

MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY,-Thinking an account of our recent visit to the Sebo Rát festival, Bhubaneswar, might be interesting to you and your readers, I have resolved to write a little about it. Of the origin of this festival I can give you but scanty information. We learn however from, I think, the Bramanda Puraee, that once on a time a sportsman left his home for the woods, and after wandering a long time in the pursuit of game he succeeded in killing a deer, but having done which he found the day was too far spent to allow of his return home; he therefore ascended a tree for the night, and on one of the branches suspended the result of his chase, little thinking that at the foot of this tree was the habitation of Sebo. The blood of the deer, as we are told, fell upon him and as

he had never until that day been worshipped by any one, he thought that the good day of his fortune had dawned, and that the sportsman had come for the express purpose of worshipping him, and he was so gave him his blessing; and from this trioverjoyed with the thought that he instantly fling, silly circumstance has arisen the notable festival called the Sebo Rát, which is annually observed throughout this vast empire.

All Hindoos are strictly commanded to keep it, and from which they expect to obtain no small amount of religious merit; in fact, the votaries of Hindooobtain at this festival; hence you hear of ism say, that whatever you wish you may some going to obtain sons, others to obtain wealth, others to obtain honour, others to obtain victory over their enemies, &c., &c.

We left Piplee on Friday morning, Feb. 28th, and journeyed to a market. On our grims from Joypoor, in the Nagpore terriway thither we saw a vast number of piltory; they had been to Pooree-had visited

all the shrines there; but not satisfied, they were going to Bhubaneswar, to see the far-famed Singa Rág. In the weary wanderings of these deluded worshippers how strikingly is that scripture verified,He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, is not there a lie in my right hand?' We obtained a very good congregation in the market, and from remarks made by our hearers, I came to the conclusion that our books were being read in that district. When we had lost our strength and our voices, we repaired to a hovel to spend a few hours until the heat of the day had declined; but as we had no seats we bought a halfpenny worth of stubble and laid ourselves down to rest. About four, p.m., we recommenced our journey, and on passing Rapileswar temple we staid for a short time and preached to a number of Brahmins and Pundahs, who were seated at the gateway: but they were loud in proclaiming the glories of Rapileswar, (the god of fate,) and said that they had no wish to hear anything whatever about our Jesus Christ: that he might be very well for us, but that Rapileswar would overrule their destiny. It was painfully evident that they had no wish to retain God in their knowledge; and that in consequence they had been given over to a reprobate mind.

On the following morning, in company with brother Miller, I went round this ancient city (Bhubaneswar) to look at some of the temples; though now exceedingly

numerous, still those we saw could only be regarded as a mere remnant, for we are told in Orissian history, that in the seventh century, there were several thousands of temples built in honour of Sebo; but now there is only one temple of note, which in appearance is not unlike the great temple at Pooree, -all the rest are in ruins. After breakfast we repaired to the scene of festivity, and found a large crowd of people. I stood upon a stone in one of the principal thoroughfares, near the Singa Ráj temple, and commenced preaching. Just above me were four or five men seated in a small bower on the top of the temple wall, watching my movements; and scarcely had arrested the attention of the people than they cried out to an abusive Pundah in the crowd, 'Shout Hurri bol, Hurri bol; and drown the Sahib's words.' An effort was made, but in vain; again they cried out to the Pundah, Shout Singa Ráj, Singa Raj, and drive this Sahib away;' but in spite of the opposition I continued preaching. Again the prompters of the Pundah cried out more vehemently Shout Hurri bol, Hurri bol; make a row; do anything to disperse the people, and drive this Sahib away.' But the people were too deeply interested either to make a row or go, so the Pundah told his prompters that he had done all he could but the people heeded him not; so, excessively mortified, he went his way. For two or three hours we continued preaching, and then, thoroughly tired, we returned to our tent. Towards evening we went out again, but as we had become hoarse with loud and long speaking in the morning, we sat down and conversed with the parties that came round us; and though some were on fire with rage, still many interesting questions were proposed, which we were happy indeed to answer.

STRANGE SCENE.

About eight, P.M., brother Miller proposed that we should go out again; I instantly complied, and I shall never forget the scene we were called to witness; nearly 20,000 peo ple were seated on the ground, with lights burning before them; some had three or four, others had ten or twelve; but the females in almost every instance had the most. A sufficient supply of oil was brought by each party, to keep the lights burning through the whole of the night. The darkness of night had taken its departure, for the whole scene was brilliantly illuminated. Though these lights were lighted in honour of Sebo, still even they were considered ob. jects of adoration, hence large quantities of sweetmeats were placed before them. About 10 o'clock a light was several times waived around the top of the temple in honour of its proprietor, but served also as a signal that the brat (row) was ended, and that the

worshippers were allowed to break their fast. Very early on the following morning we sallied forth in two parties to distribute Tracts, as the people were fast quitting the town. Very many were eager to receive books, and I think I never saw the importance more of visiting such festivals than I did on this occasion. In giving books away it is customary with us to inquire of the parties who receive them from whence they come; I did so at the Sebo Rat. One says, I come from Bonamellipore (14 miles distant); a second, I come from Rhooradale (in an opposite direction, 10 miles distant); a third, I come from Lutyabadi (16 miles distant); &c., &c. In this way our books have been carried into almost every village and hamlet throughout Orissa. While giving books away near the tent, a Brahmin came up and requested me to give him one; having complied with his request, he pushed the book in my face, saying,' Do you see this? I will take it and tear it up leaf by leaf, and make crackers of it; I will then throw then in the air and shiver them to atoms.' My indignation was excited, and I caught hold of this blasphemer and took the book from him. I then exposed him before the crowd, and wished him at once to depart. Though very much insulted by the Pundahs, who used their every influence to retard our work, we were much pleased with our visit. I think we never had a better opportunity for making known the gospel; and though wearied with our labours, we felt amply repaid by the thought that we had proclaimed those truths which if received might lead to the eternal salvation of thousands,

Very affectionately yours, W. BAILEY.

LETTER FROM REV. C. LACEY. Cuttack, April 22nd, 1851.

As a

MY DEAR BROTHER,- For the remainder of my letter I will turn to other subjects, which for some time I have determited to notice to you in my next communication,-a few biographical notices of some deceased native converts: men who in their life, as well as in their death, exhibited the sanctifying and supporting power of the blessed gospel. You have, no doubt, heard and read of Bamadabe. He died on the first of October last. christian and as a preacher he was eminent; and as a fruit of our labours he demands our grateful praise to God. We have gathered fruit unto eternal life. Bamadabe was a christian of more than eighteen years standing, and was more than six years a steady, zealous, and useful preacher of the gospel. He was one of the earliest of the Choga converts, and suffered a deal of persecution by his heathen relatives, especially by his elder

brother, Bearer hadhan, 'the old persecutor.' Before his baptism he was forcibly carried away from the Christian poor settlement, in the middle of the military bazar, Cuttack, but no persecutions and no threats induced him to alter his determination to serve Christ. His elder brother, the native collector of Choga, had laid a dark scheme against the life of his brother, to be perpe. trated in the unknown jungly precincts of the Athgur and Dekenall territories; the design was to destroy him by poison, while he should be residing at the house of a distant relative, near the above specified place. The elder brother, Bearer hadan, was happily arrested by an officer of the Government, before he could put his bloody purpose into execution. He was obliged to deliver up his brother to the Commissioner at Cuttack without delay. This was a great triumph! and the old persecutor, stole away ashamed like a tiger who has missed his prey.

Before he was baptized, Bamadabe was a dicisple of that noted devotee, Sunderadass of Koojibur, a village opposite Cuttack, and he received much of his early christian knowledge from that Padhu, or saint. Sunderadass was no novice in the history of Christ, or the doctrines of the New Testament; and he laboured hard to impart his knowledge to his people. While he preached and explained the moral law, he maintained his power over the minds of his people; but when he permitted them to read and study the New Testament, they presently became wiser than their teacher, and soon discovered the deception he wished to practice upon them, namely, that of substituting himself for Jesus Christ, in the pretended second ap. pearance. The disciples, too, began to fall off from the old gooroo; and among several others, was our friend Bamadabe. Liberated by the Commissioner from the power of his brother, and allowed his personal liberty, Bamadabe joined the christian community at Cuttack, and in due time was baptized and received into the church, of which he continued an ornament till his death. As a christian, Bamadabe was intelligent, maintaining a daily acquaintance with the sacred volume, which enriched his mind with holy and living knowledge; and his profiting therein appeared to all around him. was peaceful and amiable, and gained a good degree of esteem, both from christian and heathen natives, as well as from all the Europeans.connected with the mission. For some time after his baptism, he retained in his sentiments some admixture of Badant doctrines which Sunderadass had infused into his mind, mixed up with christian truth; but, after a while this entirely disappeared. and left him a very attached disciple of the blessed Saviour, who died upon the cross to expiate his guilt. His love to Christ was

He

ardent and constant, and absorbed all hi affections, and directed all his thoughts. There he placed his unwavering trust, even on an atoning Saviour: his whole heart centered on Christ; and a stream of joy from the cross refreshed his soul. His christian course was consistent to the end, which course, like the shining light, increased till the shades and clouds of death obscured him from our view.

In a comparatively short period after his baptism, Bamadabe was called to preach the gospel to the heathen, for which important employment he was well fitted, both naturally, intellectually, and morally. He was raised up and called of God; and was peculiarly suited for the commencement of the kingdom of Christ in Orissa. His addresses were not scholastic; they did not evince any amount of intellectual discipline; but they manifested much holy fervour-a good know. ledge of the assailable points of the Hindoo philosophy and idolatry, whether written or oral-and a correct acquaintance with the great peculiar doctrines of revelation. Like the good old preachers at home, fifty or sixty years past, he proclaimed the law and the gospel, suiting his subject to the peculiar circumstances of the Hindoos. He produced a good degree of conviction on the minds of his hearers; and his earnest and affectionate manner, almost to weeping, generally disarmed his hearers of their opposition. He was useful in his ministry to many individuals now members of the church of Christ.

His

When this good man came to die he was prepared for the important change. unshaken confidence in Jesus Christ was evinced by his absence of all fear of death; and by his steadfast resignation to the will of God; as well as by many pleasing expressions which escaped him during his last ill

ness.

I

Perhaps, on the last occasion of his being out of his house, when he returned, he said to his wife, 'Shemama, for what purpose do you place vegetable plants in the garden?' 'To pluck them for use,' was the reply. 'So,' rejoined he,' God has placed me in the garden of his church, and now he is about to remove me into his presence in heaven. shall soon leave you, but be not sorrowful or dismayed, remember the promise that God will be a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless.' Bro. Buckley and myself, with Mrs. Lacey, and other friends frequently went to see him, and were rejoiced at witnessing the triumph which grace displayed in his dying experience; and could not but bless God for permitting us to see such a testimony to the power and efficacy of the gospel. Just before he died he joined his hands on his breast, as he used to do while in life and health, and offered thanksgiving and prayer to God; and in this attitude, he quietly resigned his soul into the keeping of