the propriety of the College subscribing, considering the deficit of its funds; otherwise we should very much like to see the "Syrian College, Cotym, fifty Rupees," among the Subscribers; and we could manage, perhaps, but feel some hesitation for the reason mentioned. We hope the Committee will advise us what is best herein. We wish it to be clearly seen, that the SYRIAN

COLLEGE LOVES THE BIBLE.

The Report of the Corresponding Committee contains many particulars, communicated by the Missionaries, relative to the Translations, the Clergy, the College, and the Schools*. On this subject, it is remarked

The Correspondence of the Missionaries, in the course of the year, will evince the spirit with which they are engaged in their manifold and laborious duties; and their solicitude to render the means, placed at their disposal for carrying on the work entrusted to them, conducive to the accomplishment of the plans of the Society and for the benefit of the Syrian Church.

The following extracts from the Report, relative to the Schools, will be highly satisfactory :

Some alterations in the arrangements of the Mission having diminished its expense under some heads, in the course of this year; and the amount, allotted by the Committee for the support of the Parochial Schools, having been found insufficient to carry them to the extent contemplated-a transfer of the abovementioned reduction was made to that branch, which has enabled the Missionaries to augment the number of Parochial Schools, without increasing the general expenditure of the Station.

The following account of the number and state of the Schools, derived from a Report dated in the month of November, exhibits a very satisfactory proof of the diligence of the Missionary, engaged in this Department of the Mission, in fulfilling the expectations under which the grants of money for this Department

were made:

The Missionaries cannot but express the heartfelt pleasure which it affords them, to reflect on the great liberality of the Committee toward them, in enabling them, by every means indeed, but more especially by pecuniary aid, to carry into effect those plans which have appeared to them best fitted to promote the work of God among the Syrian Christians. This liberality has been great, in particular, to the School Department of the Mission by means of which a number of Schools have been established, from which, it is hoped, good will ere long result, proportioned in some measure to their expense. At present, however, though fair progress has

* Extracts on these subjects, in addition to those which are given in the Report, will be found in Appendix XIV.; with Extracts from the Journals of Mr. Fenn at Cotym and Mr. Norton at Allepie.

been made in some of the Schools first established, the Missionaries find, daily, that they are only commencing their work; and that much remains untouched, which they must and will gladly attend to as soon as possible.

The following is the state of the Schools at present. In the Grammar School, lately erected at the expense of the Society, Forty Boys (a number about twenty below the proposed establishment) are maintained and instructed. The Missionaries are anxious to complete the number; and might easily do it, but they wish to have among their pupils some from the most distant Churches, and those likewise of respectable families. In the above number are the Ten Youtlis, formerly maintained and instructed at the expense of the Society, to act when qualified as Schoolmasters: it having been thought, that the Grammar School would be sufficient to supply a number of Youths for this purpose, after filling up the vacancies occasioned by Students leaving the College, these Boys were placed there; and their Teacher likewise appointed the Malayalim Teacher of that School. The progress of the Scholars since the last Report has been satisfactory, both in Sanscrit and English. The Sanscrit Teacher has been but lately engaged. He takes great delight in his work; and the Boys, under his instruction, promise to make great improvement.

The Parochial Schools are Thirty-five in number; several of which have been lately established.

A List of these Thirty-five Schools is given; and it is added, by the Committee

Comparing the above List with the preceding one in the month of May, and the earlier List published in the Report of last year, it will be found that the increase in the number of Schools, within the first half of the year, was from ten containing 253 Scholars, to twenty-two containing 541; and, in the second half of the year, the last mentioned number has been augmented to thirty-five Schools, containing 806 Scholars. Of this number, it is pleasing to observe, that thirteen Schools are maintained by the Parishes themselves, without pecuniary assistance from the Mission Funds.

The Missionaries add

There are yet about Twenty Parishes, to which no Schoolmaster has been appointed. Five of that number, from the vicinity of other Churches where Schools have been already established, will not need them; and the rest will be supplied as early as possible.

Some difficulties arising from the distance of part of the Schools are thus stated

At some places, we shall never have many Scholars. The people live scattered about in the valley between the hills, some of them five or six miles from the Church; and in a country where, on account of the wild animals which abound, it is unsafe for Children to go from home, even in the day time. The Monsoon, which continues on this coast for six months, will likewise prevent some Children from coming to School, because the country is in that season, in many parts, covered with water.

The difficulty of visiting these Schools as often as is necessary, is also great. The Churches, where they are situated, are some of them as far as 80 miles to the north of Cotym, others from 100 to 130 miles to the south, and others as far to the eastward toward the Ghaut; as the country is inhabited, at places almost inaccessible.

We purpose, in future, to visit the Churches and Schools more than we have hitherto done; which we hope will be a great means of removing prejudices and fears from the minds. of the people, and in various other respects doing a great deal of good.

An extract from one of the communications of the Missionaries will mark the integrity and caution of their minds. The renewed attestation which it contains to the spirit and character of both the retired and the acting Metropolitan will be heard with much pleasure:

We need scarcely mention to the Committee the great benefit accruing to the Mission and to the Syrian Christians, from the visits of British Gentlemen, on the different Services. It gives the Mission respectability in the sight of the Europeans resident in the country, and greatly raises the respect of the Natives for the Syrian Christians: it is also a spur to the Missionaries, as they naturally feel anxious that the Mission should appear with increased credit, on each successive visit. It is a corrective, also, to the false reports of enemies; and to the too flattering views, which we are prone to cherish, for a stranger discovers a defect or omission much sooner than the acting Missionary. Such visits will also tend to relieve the Missionaries of much responsibility; and will connect the Mission more intimately with its Patrons and Founders. To effect these objects, 'the visitors should be furnished with some kind of Letter to the Metropolitan.

The Metropolitan is a man deserving of all honour; not only from his rank, but from his character: he is a wise man, and an humble man. He is the head, not only of the Syrian Church, but of the Mission. Nothing takes place within the Mission without acquainting him with it; nor is anything allowed, to which he at all objects,

The Metropolitan's affection and respect for us increase. Mar Philoxenus, who lives one hundred miles to the North, ends all his Letters to our friend Mar Dionysius at Cotym, "Let no abatement of the regard of the Sahibs at Cotym befall us!"

Mr. Hough's Report, before referred to, gives a view of the whole Mission at the close of 1820. The

following extracts of an animated Letter from Mr. Fenn to the Secretary, present an encouraging picture of the Cotym Branch of the Mission, at the end of last year:

The Mission is settling, and I think solidly. All our plans are going on, though much slower than we could wish. Mr. Baker has increased the number of Schools considerably. The College keeps up its numbers; and I am thankful to say that the desire of learning by no means decreases. I allude principally to the Younger Students; such as have been admitted since I came: they all have the idea that they must spend several years in study, and acquire real learning; and are pleased with the thought.

The capabilities of the Mission are great-very great. Under efficient superintendence, the College would, in a year or two, attain great and deserved celebrity.

Do not say that I am sanguine in my expectations. Consider, my Dear Sir, how the matter stands. There are Thirty Schools, and upward; containing more than 800 Youths. There are, besides, a Grammar School containing 40 more, and the College. Among such a number, it is reasonable to expect that there will be some of more than ordinary talent; and we, who are on the spot, could with ease point out Twenty, who would do credit to any Tutor and any instructions. We fancy we see those among our pupils, who discover a likely talent for Mathematics: we are more confident of others having a peculiar talent for the acquisition of Languages; and we can still more confidently answer for their docility of character and thirst of knowledge.

Besides, is it not remarkable, that such a close and apparently indissoluble union should subsist between us and the Metropolitan—a man of remarkable wisdom, dignity, judgment, and humility!

With regard to the Hebrew, Arabic, and Syriac Languages, with proper assistance they would be soon obtained. With the verbiage and idiom of the Syriac, some are admirably well acquainted: in its etymology and grammatical niceties, lies their deficiency. There is a remarkable desire among all the Malpans to study Hebrew; and they are receiving instruction from Moses Sarphati. The way to the acquisition of Sanscrit is now open; and many are plodding in it, and some, if it so please God, will succeed most honourably.

You know, my Dear Sir, that the College has fallen more immediately to my share. No man is permitted to criminate himself; and therefore, perhaps, I shall be excused saying more than that if the Committee send out a person properly qualified, they will, in a year or two, hear of a change which will at once delight and astonish them.

But pray, my Dear Sir, remember that it is "mind" which is most wanted: a cultivated, sanctified, and directing mind

Consider the expense of the Mission. Consider the Colleges whence those men issued who visited these shores some centuries ago. Consider the number and the respectability of the Christians, all of whom look to you. At the lowest computation, I speak with great confidence, there are 15,000 Families. Fifteen thousand FAMILIES! and there is not a man, woman, or child, but would come to Cotym on being directed so to do. It is a miracle, and the most astonishing one that I have met with. Do, pray do, afford them the help which they need, and which they deserve.

Mr. Bailey and Mr. Baker are both out visiting the Churches. We enjoy delightful peace, and holy and constant communion, and Do anticipate the glories of heaven. My Colleagues are full of zeal; and seem to receive every day fresh ability for their work, and rejoice in it more and more.

Cochin.

In reference to Cochin, the Corresponding Committee report

The connection of the Cotym Missionaries with this Station, by the alternate stated visits of its members for the performance of Ministerial Duties for the European Inhabitants and their descendants in the absence of a Chaplain, and by their establishment of a School for the Jewish Natives of the place, was mentioned in the preceding Report. The Missionaries continue to afford ministerial assistance to the English Congregation; but have transferred to the Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, which has lately stationed a person in their employment at this place, the School which they had established for the benefit of the Jewish Colony, as stated in the following passage of a recent communication:

The School at Jew-town had just begun to revive again from its almost ruined state, when information was received of Mr. Sargon's coming to Cochin, to pursue the objects of the Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, there and in its vicinity. The Missionaries at Colym having informed themselves of the nature of his instructions, and considered among themselves what would be the best plan of promoting the common objects which both Societies have in view, it was agreed to deliver over the School to the charge of Mr. Sargon, on the part of the Society by which he is employed: accordingly, on the first of July, Mr. Sargon took charge of the School, and the school-books and papers were delivered to him. From that time, he has had the entire management of it, and all expenses attending it have been borne by his Society.

The Malayalim School near the Fort contains 33 Children-being 15 Catholics, 10 Mahomedans, and 8 Heathens. The progress of these Children is very slow, which is occasioned chiefly by their irregular attendance. The Schoolmaster is attentive and diligent; but the Boys are so often absent, that they lose one day what they have gained on the preceding. The Missionaries will, however, do what they can to remedy the evil.