their unfeigned thanks to its Representatives in this Presidency, for the zealous and prudent superintendence which they continue to exercise.

The Corresponding Committee, in the following introductory remarks to their Report, while they faithfully state the difficulties and delays attendant on the Mission, clearly point out the duty of those who labour therein :

The stage at which the Society's establishments in this country have arrived, does not justify expectations of any extraordinary success, on the part of its Missionaries and Coadjutors, in the actual conversion of the Heathen.

Most of its Missionaries are still engaged in the study of the languages of the places where they are stationed. Many of their employments, from which, at an advanced period of their respective Missions, important results may ensue, are at present pursued incidentally.. The work of Education is, in several places, still upon an experimental footing; and is, at most Stations, of limited operation. The Holy Scriptures have hitherto been circulated only to a small extent, compared with the occasion for them, in any of the languages of the country; and, in many, not at all. Books of Christian Instruction, in the Vernacular Languages, are still rare; and, though increasing in number as much as can be reasonably expected in the actual circumstances of the different Missions, the preparation and publication of them are necessarily works of slow and difficult execution: the circulation of such books is also contracted by many causes, which can only be removed by the gradual and concurrent operation of various arrangements. Above all, the work of Preaching-the great appointed means of extending, in every part of the world, that Faith which it was the means of first promulgating-must be exceedingly restricted in its exercise, until the Missionaries, who are entrusted with the function, shall have become fully qualified for its performance, by a perfect acquaintance with the languages, and an intimate knowledge of the character, the manners, and the condition of the people, among whom they have been appointed to minister the Word of Life.

Under such circumstances, all that it is reasonable for those to expect, who watch the proceedings of the Missionaries with the warmest desire for their success, is the diligent performance of the various duties of their respective stations. And, for the Missionaries themselves, the line of duty seems to be, to strive to make progressive proof of their Ministry, as the means and opportunities within their command shall enable them: and to persevere in patient continuance in well doing-happy if the favouring Providence of Almighty God shall permit them to witness, in their progress toward greater results, occasional

instances of the beneficial fruits of their limited and imperfect endeavours, for the development of the objects of the Missionary Office: but willing, if denied such encouragement, to pursue their obvious course of action; preparing their Lord's way, it may be, for their successors; supported by the glad assurance that a day shall arrive, when both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, will rejoice together, in the abundant harvest of imperishable blessings, communicated by the Divine Compassion, in its appointed period, through their means, to the people whose present and everlasting welfare they have been solemnly devoted to promote.

The retrospect of the current year's proceedings will evince, that, in the performance of the duties incumbent upon them, the Missionaries, in this division of the Society's extended field of operation, have not been deficient; and those, who favour their undertakings, and who aid them with their prayers for the blessing of Heaven upon their efforts, will find with satisfaction, that their labours, during this period, have not been without some encouraging proofs of present utility and success.

The Corresponding Committee, on the publication of their Third Report, addressed Letters to the Missionaries at the several Stations, conveying to them their views of the respective parts of the Mission. These Letters furnish a most satisfactory evidence of the wise and paternal solicitude with which the Committee watch over the different parts of their charge. No Missionary of the Society having been at that time at Tranquebar, a Letter was not addressed to that Station; but, on the appointment of the Rev. Isaac Wilson to a temporary residence there, the Corresponding Committee addressed to him Instructions, containing the most seasonable counsel, in reference to himself and to the state and circumstances of that part of the Mission*.

MADRAS AND ITS VICINITY.

From the Fourth Report and its Appendix, the Committee will select, in the usual order, the principal details relative to Madras and its Vicinity.

In reference to the MINISTRY OF THE WORD, it is said

The division of duty at this Station, mentioned in the last Report, by assigning to the Rev. Mr. Bärenbruck the Native

• These Letters and Instructions are printed in Appendix XI.

Department of the Mission, and to the Rev. Mr. Ridsdale, while pursuing the study of the Tamul Language, the English Department, continues to be observed.

On the Native Department, the Report states

The Congregation of Christian Natives which assembles regularly at the Mission Church, has averaged this year from 70 to 80 persons. Four Heathens have been admitted within this period to the ordinance of Baptism, after long probation and suitable instruction. In the case of one, in particular, the renunciation of Heathenism ensued after much persecution on the part of the Convert's family and relations, on account of his intention; and was attended by the dereliction of the nearest connections of life-realizing an instance of the deliberate choice of the alternative, which the Divine Redeemer has imposed upon his disciples-He, that loveth father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me. The Congregation which assembles at the Koorookapettah School, on Sunday Afternoon, increases; and is often attended by Heathen Spectators. In the course of this year, the Reader Christian, who was formerly deposed from his Office in the Church, has been restored; after long and satisfactory proof of his repentance, and a solemn admonition before the Congregation.

Mr. Bärenbruck continues, with much benefit, to visit, at their respective houses, the Native Members of the Mission.

Of the English Department of the Mission, it is said

The English Congregation, which assembles in the Mission Church, has generally amounted on Sundays to between 100 and 150 persons; and a marked improvement is visible in the order and seriousness with which the Service is attended. From 50 to 60 persons are usually present at the Weekly Service on Tuesday Evenings; and 14 persons have, after careful instruction, been admitted to the Communion of the Church.

On this subject, it has been found highly necessary to act with prudence and decision; and strictly to enforce the discipline of our Church. This was judged important, for the twofold purpose, of excluding improper characters to prevent offence, and of bringing those who should be received into closer connection with their Minister for their edification. The utility of this measure has been fully proved: as it has kept back several, who would have been a scandal to the little flock; and, on the other hand, has ensured a more full and satisfactory development of the characters of those who have been admitted.

There is a spirit of inquiry among the Young, some of whom have applied for instruction with great apparent earnestness.

The Tuesday Evening Congregation consists of the more select and stated part of the Sunday-Evening Attendants. Several Armenian and Roman-Catholic Inhabitants of the Black Town are frequently present. It is also quite striking, when engaged in the Service of the Sanctuary, to see, as is often the case, Hindoos, Mahomedans, Chinese, &c. come to LOOK at the Worship of Jehovah. May the glorious period soon arrive when all these poor aliens shall be brought into the Household of Faith, and with one heart and one mouth glorify God our Saviour!

A Monthly Missionary Prayer-Meeting was established in this Congregation in July last; and an Association in connection with the Society, in the following month, which has since contributed fifty rupees to the fund-a contribution formed chiefly of the offerings of the poor, the most valued gifts to the treasury of the Temple!

A Prayer-Meeting is also held on the Third Saturday in the month, the evening preceding the Sacrament Sunday, for the Members of the Congregation.

As a proof that the English Service is esteemed a privilege by many who attend it, the Congregation have contributed, since January, for the purchase of additional shades and lighting the Church, upward of 170 rupees; and, at the Sacrament, there have been given 40 rupees for the relief of the poor.

The arrangements made in reference to the Rev. Isaac Wilson, whose arrival at Madras has been before noticed, are thus stated

H

In the course of this year, an addition has been made to the list of Missionaries attached to this Committee, by the arrival here, in the month of September last, of the Rev. Isaac Wilson, a Clergyman of the Church of England; who has been placed by the Parent Society at the Committee's disposal, for the service of their Missions on this Coast.

The Committee conceiving that Mr. Wilson would find at Tranquebar, greater facilities for the acquirement of the Tamul Language, and a knowledge of the duties of his office, than at any other Station, Mr. Wilson has proceeded to Tranquebar; where all the assistance that can be afforded him, for the attainment of the important objects of his residence at that place, has been promised, with his accustomed kindness, by the Rev. Dr. Caemmerer, the Superior of the Royal Danish Mission, and at present Superintendant of the Society's School Establishments in that quarter*.

The state of the SCHOOLS connected with Madras, at the end of October, may be seen by the Return

Latchmayer
Narasookitty

26

31

27

18

Tervoovengatasayer

23

8 Great Conjeveram 1st School Namasevayah, Pandaram 9 Ditto Ditto 2d Ditto Andiyappa

10 Little Conjeveram

The following Report from the resident Missionaries presents a pleasing account of a Public Examination of the Madras Schools, held about the middle of the present year:

On the 26th of July, the Children of the Four Schools in Madras assembled at the Mission House, about nine o'clock in the morning. After the several Schoolmasters had received their instructions for the business of the day, they proceeded, agreeably to the order of the Schools, to the Mission Church, where they were arranged according to classes. The Examination commenced by singing a few verses, and saying the School Prayers, at half past nine o'clock; and lasted until half past two.

full triumph of faith, at Tranquebar, on the 11th of December, in her twenty-eighth year. A striking Character and Obituary of this devout Woman, who afforded, in her whole spirit and conduct, an example to other Females engaged in this great work, have just appeared in the Missionary Register for October.

To the loss of Mrs. Wilson, the Committee have the painful task of adding the death of two other persons connected with this Mission, intelligence of which has arrived since the Anniversary.

The Rev. Thomas Norton, at Allepie, has been deprived of his assiduous and affectionate Partner. Mrs. Norton died on the 20th of February, leaving a pleasing testimony behind her of the value and power of Christianity. An edifying Obituary of her, from a Letter written by Mr. Fenn, has been printed in the Missionary Register for September.

The third on this melancholy list is the Rev. Charles Church, Chaplain on the Madras Establishment, to whose just and enlarged views the Society is indebted for many of the statements which the Committee have extracted in this Report. He was obliged, after a short residence in India, to seek renovated health by a visit home; but died on Kis passage, on board the Abberton, Captain Gilpin, on the 15th of April, off Madagascar.