Schools: for, although we do not succeed in the work of actual conversion as we could wish, yet of this we may be sure, that the future generations of Hindoos will give up their foolish and abominable practices. And we hope that, at last, those fetters whereby Satan now holds them fast, and leads them captive at his will, will be entirely broken.

Burdwan.

On being settled at this place, the Rev. John Perowne applied himself to Bengalee, with a view to the superintendence of the Central School. It is expected that a Church will be built by Government at this Station, for the benefit of the European Residents: such service as can be rendered to them by the Mission, without interfering with its main object, will be gladly afforded.

The Corresponding Committee state

In March last, a Deputation of the Committee proceeded to Burdwan, for the purpose of inspecting the Church Missionary Schools at that Station.

Those who have read the former Reports of these Schools, will naturally expect to find them proceeding with still greater efficiency, than before they had the benefit of regular European Superintendence; and in this expectation they will not be disappointed.

Of the Examination of the Schools on occasion of this visit, Mr.Thomason makes the following Report:

Several circumstances concurred to render this Examination more than usually interesting. The close attention paid by Messrs. Jetter and Deerr to their respective departments of labour, during the preceding year, might have been expected to appear in the improved character of the Boys; for, as they had been unremittingly occupied in rendering the Schools as efficient as possible, the fruits of their diligence could not but shew themselves, when the Schools were again brought together for a trial of skill and comparative proficiency. The Committee, however, will hear with lively satisfaction, that the expectations previously formed have been greatly surpassed; and the performances of the Boys have reflected the highest credit on the Gentlemen above-mentioned.

The accompanying papers give a detailed account of the method pursued in the Examination. The questions were drawn up by Messrs. Jetter and Deerr, as referring to the subjects which had been read by the Boys during the preceding year, and calculated to give a fair view of their progress. The

bare inspection of the papers will enable the Committee to judge of the satisfaction that was experienced, on finding that all the questions (which had been prepared without the knowledge of the Boys) were answered with correctness, by a great majority of the Boys assembled.

The Bengalee Boys were examined, as usual, on the first day. The whole number examined might be about 120. Many of them answered without once failing. The questions on Geography, &c. exhibited a very pleasing proficiency. It was indeed difficult to adjust the respective merits of the Boys until they were tried by dictation; which, after several trials, produced Eighteen Boys as more distinguished than the rest, who were therefore adjudged worthy of prizes. The Examination lasted about five hours; and it was pleasing to find, that those very Boys were adjudged to be worthy of prizes, who had usually distinguished themselves in their respective Schools above their school-fellows, and whom Mr. Deerr, their indefatigable instructor, had uniformly found to be more attentive than the rest.

The value of the books published by the School-Book Society becomes more and more conspicuous. Without these preparatory books, our Schools would be at a stand; and the effect of those which have been circulated, in opening the minds of the Boys, eliciting their talents, assisting them to reason, and sharpening their wit, must be seen in order to be justly appreciated. The progress of the Schools, this year, has been particularly manifested by the diffusion of Geographical Knowledge among them: it was scarcely possible to put a question out of the first three Geographical Copy-books, which was not answered.

The Committee will be happy to hear that Mr. Deerr's exertions have not impaired his health: though much exposed to the climate, by reason of his frequent journeys to the villages, he enjoys as good health as in Europe. He has made great proficiency in the Bengalee Language; and is wholly devoted to his work, and happy in it. It was truly gratifying to see how entirely he was engaged in promoting the improvement of the Boys, and what an affectionate interest he took in their welfare as a Christian Missionary.

The Examination, this year, was witnessed by two other Members of the Church Missionary Committee-Messrs. Sherer and Phipps; who had come to Burdwan for the occasion.

We were all particularly gratified with the Examination of the English School, on the following day; as were also a highly respectable company of Gentlemen and Ladies belonging to the Station, who were present at the exhibition of the first class. As this class read the Thirteenth Chapter of St. Matthew, they

*Two of these Papers have been printed, since the Anniversary, in the Missionary Register for August, pp. 338, 339.

were examined in parsing; and surprised us much by their knowledge of English Grammar. Their answers to the questions on the whole Gospel of St. Matthew evinced a close attention to the subjects of the different Chapters, and a proficiency which could never have been acquired without the greatest exertions on the part of Mr. Jetter. This class was also examined in translating from Bengalee into English, and writing by dictation; and greatly surprised us by the manner in which their difficult exercises were performed. It was a subject of thankfulness that the European Residents at the Station, who were all present, and now, for the first time, saw what might be effected by School Labours among the Natives, expressed their unqualified admiration of the progress manifested by these Boys. Considering the shortness of time which had been given to the English Language, their improvement was such as would have reflected credit on any class of Boys, under any circumstances, however advantageous. The Members of your Committee who were present could not but feel a strong hope, that the Missionary Cause may have advanced greatly in the minds of the public, by the Examination then witnessed. It was quite evident that Christian Principles could be inculcated and Christian Books read in the presence of the Heathens, without exciting alarm or opposition: the Brahmins stood by, and heard them speak of Jesus, the Son of God and Saviour of the World, and of His command to go and preach the Gospel unto all the world, without uttering a word. By connecting the English with the Native Language, we have a facility in the introduction of our books: if they will learn English, it appears to them natural to learn it from our own writings. However they may dislike Gospel Truth, therefore, they do not object to the learning of English from the Gospel itself.

The indefatigable exertions of Mr. Jetter have, I lament to add, greatly injured his health: he has brought an ardent and somewhat anxious mind to his work; and has been so much reduced by successive attacks of a bowel complaint, that the Doctor has strongly advised him to leave Burdwan for a few weeks, that he may recruit himself by rest from labour and change of air. He will, I believe, soon follow us to Calcutta, if the Committee approve.

Material help was afforded by Mr. Ellerton, Registrar of Burdwan, in the conducting of the Examinations this year. It was very gratifying to see him walking in the steps of his honoured Father, teaching the Heathens from his Father's own books, and cultivating the language in which his Father was eminent, with the professed object of bearing his part in the efforts that are now in progress for the melioration of the Natives.

We left Burdwan, full of thankfulness for what we had seen, and of hope for the future.

I

In reference to Mr. Perowne, it is stated

The Committee were happy to be able to supply the call for an English Clergyman to complete their Establishment at Burdwan. The Rev Mr. Perowne proceeded in November, with the permission of Government, to that Station. His reception by the Residents there w, as might be expected, most cordial: a subscription was set on foot for the erection of a suitable Place of Worship; and application being made to Government by the Local Authorities, an eligible spot of ground was assigned for the site of the Church, and an order issued to supply the sum necessary to complete the estimate out of the Public Chest.

In the above account of the Examination, Messrs. Jetter and Deerr were naturally mentioned, as being the persons who have been engaged in the School Department. Mr. Perowne had been applying himself to the Bengalee, with a view to the superintendence of the English School: he has succeeded so far as to be able, with the assistance of his Missionary Pupil, to conduct the English School during Mr. Jetter's absence, and speaks of the number of Scholars as increasing.

The House spoken of in the last Report as in preparation for the Missionaries was inhabited, for a time, by Mr. and Mrs. Perowne; and it being found desirable that Messrs. Jetter and Deerr should reside near to the Native Schools, a house and land were purchased conveniently situated for that purpose. Of this house Mr. Deerr says

It is at the distance of one mile from the town; and, between the house and the town, several considerable villages are situated: two small villages are close to our house. The situation of the house is very delightful. There is also a considerable piece of ground attached to it, part of which is a garden.

According to the opinion of all the Gentlemen at the Station, the Committee have made this purchase at a very cheap rate; so that by buying this house instead of building a new one, as they intended before, they have made a considerable saving.

The cost of this house, with twenty acres of land, was 4400 rupees, or 5507.

It having been determined that Mr. Jetter should remain in Calcutta, a Deputation of the Committee, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Thomason and Mr. Sherer, visited Burdwan, in October, with a view to make further arrangements for the accommodation of the Missionaries. Finding the house and premises, lately purchased, well adapted for all the purposes of the

Mission, the house which had been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Perowne was sold, and preparation made for the residence of all the Missionaries on the new premises.

On the general state of the Schools, and on their further extension, the Corresponding Committee thus speak

The present number of Schools belonging to the Society at Burdwan is thirteen; containing upwards of 1000 Boys, including the English School, where food and lodging also are afforded to the Scholars, the number of whom is now about 50.

It is apprehended that there will be little difficulty in extending the School System at Burdwan, to almost any limit; as further applications, besides those reported last year, have been made from neighbouring villages, to have Schools established in them. The Committee have not, however, been able to attend to these calls, from want of adequate funds.

Of the disinterestedness of Messrs. Jetter and Deerr an instance was stated in the last Report. The Committee quote, with pleasure, another proof of this Christian Virtue from a Letter of Mr. Deerr

With regard to our temporal wants, I am thankful to say that your Corresponding Committee kindly provide for them in such a manner, that we can apply our whole mind and strength to the immediate duties of our calling.

That which I can save from my monthly allowance, I thought could be applied by me in the best manner, if I spent it in the support and education of some Boys whom I receive into my house.

There are already five Boys living with me, one of whom is of the Brahmin Caste, fourteen years of age: after he had been with me six months, he expressed a desire to renounce his caste, and to become a follower of our Lord; but I told him to wait the renunciation of his caste, till he had obtained a better knowledge of the Saviour, as I was afraid that his desire originated from this-that the people despised him, saying "We shall not touch you any more-you are a Christian." The other four Boys are Children of poor Native Christians, and are between nine and sixteen years of age; they have not been baptized, but desire it. I enter with them, every evening, on a devotional exercise; in which I read and explain to them a Chapter of the Bible, and pray.

99

I am sometimes delighted with the answers which I obtain, when I ask these Boys the meaning of a passage of Scripture: For instance, when I asked, "What did our Lord mean, when he said, Whosoever seeth me, seeth the Father ?" the Brahmin Boy