effectual will be done among these people. The instructions conveyed by the instrumentality of these Schools are, certainly, as many of my Brethren have observed, the most effectual means by which we may hope, ere long, that the promise will be fulfilled, which we find recorded, Isaiah ii. 17, 18, 20. It is ignorance which keeps these poor people in such a deplorable state, and under the most pernicious influence of the Brahmins. That this is a fact, we see proofs every day among our School-Boys; particularly among those in our English School. Some of these Boys have already begun to see the folly and perverseness of the Hindoo System. Although as yet we cannot say that any one of these English School Boys, concerning whom we entertain more hope than of the rest, has in a satisfactory manner declared a desire of becoming a Christian, yet we are convinced, that they despise idolatry in their hearts. With some, it is only fear of men, which prevents them from making such a confession. At Calcutta I found, quite unexpectedly, a Boy, who, some time ago, left the English School at Burdwan, without informing me of his intention. I was sorry to lose this Boy, because he was so favourable to Christianity; yet I was perfectly satisfied, when I saw him under the immediate eye of Mr. Corrie, who rejoiced me by telling me, that he had renounced his caste, and eats now with the Mussulman Boys who are under his instruction. This instance makes me rejoice the more, because it leads me to entertain good hopes concerning some other Boys of the English School, of a similar disposition; who, for some time past, have shewn regard for the Christian Religion, and have even express ed a wish to become Christians. The prejudices which these people had, when we first came among them, I am happy to say, have diminished in a great measure. They are still very strong, and great care is required in order to labour with some success among them. Kindness and Condescension are requisite, in order to gain their confidence; which has a strong effect when shewn to the Children, because the Parents have such a great affection to their Children that they will hardly ever correct them, or force them to do any thing which is against their will. These two virtues must, at the same time, be united with firmness of character and strictness in dealing with them: for if you shew only kindness and condescension, you will very soon lose your authority and influence over them; while they will not come near you, if they do not find these virtues. These observations apply, more immediately, to those who are not in our employ; to such as we employ in the School-business and who receive a monthly salary, great strictness in requiring a due observance of their duties is to be exercised; and the most effectual means of stimulating them to greater exertions, is, to deduct something from their wages. My employment in the English School, though accompanied with much trouble, chiefly from the character and manners of the Hindoos, was a delightful sphere of labour to me during the past year; because it afforded me so many opportunities of shewing to these Heathen Children, the falsehood of the Hindoo Religion, and the sinfulness of worshipping idols; and, on the other hand, of mak ing known to them the love and unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ our Saviour: and that these Children did not read our books in a superficial manner, the Report of the last Examination held by our friends, the Rev. Mr. Thomason, Mr. Sherer, and Captain Phipps, will give you ample proofs. It is to be hoped that Burdwan will become, by the help of God, a very interesting Missionary Station. However, we cannot yet say what the Lord is about to do. We are waiting upon Him, and are ready to enter whatever door He may open to us. We experience that the Lord is with us; and, by the proofs of His love already shewn to us, we may rest assured that He will not forsake us. From the Rev. W. James Deerr. My Missionary Labours, I have the satisfaction to tell you, are gratifying and promising. Our efforts to make these Schools Christian Seminaries, have been blessed to such a degree, that now the Gospels are read in them; whereby an excellent opportunity is afforded to a Missionary, of imparting to these Youths the knowledge of the saving truths of Christianity. If we fully and permanently succeed in our attempt to introduce the Holy Scriptures into these Schools, we may truly say that the Lord has opened a door for us. It is well known to all who are acquainted with the Brahminical System, how well the Wicked One has secured his castle in this quarter of the globe; for it is one of the principal rules of this System, that no foreigner ought to obtain a knowledge of their Sacred Writings, and that no Hindoo ought to read a religious book of any other nation. This Hindoo Principle is a great obstacle to my endeavours to introduce the Gospels into the Bengalee Schools. When I first gave the Boys the book, they would not continue to read in it after reading a little of it; saying, "This book treats entirely of Jesus Christ-what will become of us if we read it!" I entertain, however, the confident hope, that, by the help of our good Lord, we shall succeed, so that it will become a regular School Book. I had also some trouble in introducing the Scriptural Dialogues of the late pious Mr. Ellerton; but though these Dialogues are admirably adapted to undermine the superstition of Hindooism, yet the people were not so obstinate in opposing the introduction of these Dialogues, as they are in opposing that of the Gospels, because the Name of Jesus occurs so often in the Gospels. In the success with which this attempt of improving these Schools has been already crowned, the Committee have received a pledge that the Lord approves their exertions; for if religious instruction is imparted to the tender minds of these Children, we may hope that the promise will be fulfilled among them, which He has given by the Prophet Isaiah—My word shall not return unto me void: and though the fruits of such Missionary Exertions will not so soon become visible, as they tend more to leaven gradually the whole lump than to produce immediately the conversion of individuals; yet we may encourage ourselves with the hope, which our Lord has authorized us to indulge, that a time will come, when both he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together. But, how great soever the encouragement is which I find in my present employment, yet there are many things which excite anxiety in my mind but these bring to my recollection the saying of our LordSufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. I think, therefore, if those circumstances did not exist which make me uneasy at present, others would arise. Lately, the Son of the Expounder of the Hindoo Law in Burdwan came to me, accompanied by another Brahmin who highly extolled his learning. In the course of the conversation I told him that I could not possibly conceive, how men of learning could degrade themselves so much as to prostrate themselves before cows; and, lying upon their faces, pay divine worship to these beasts. He replied, that cows were worthy of such honour because they were sprung from a deity. I said, "But you see that man's excellency consists chiefly in his reasonable soul, but a cow is entirely devoid of reason: what difference is there, then between cows and other beasts" Hereupon he exclaimed, "No! highly venerable, highly venerable are the cows! their want of reason excepted, they are, in every other respect, the representatives of God:" and then he proceeded, with the most fervent zeal, to ascribe to cows a far greater value than he could put upon himself. One of our School Boys, who had been present at this conversation, said, after they were gone-" It is really the case, that the people csteem the cows so highly; for if a man of a moral character dies, the people are used to say, 'Oh what a good man he was! He was as virtuous as a cow."" The Natives of this country are, in the fullest sense of the expression, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death their Creator is unknown to them, and they know even far less of the Redeemer and Sanctifier. : I lately asked a landholder, in what manner he supposed that men had been brought into existence: He answered, that he had no idea on the subject; and when I came to speak of the consequences of sin and the future state in which men will be placed, he said, that it was commonly said among them, that, by giving presents to the Brahmins and Devotees, by bathing in the Ganges, &c. forgiveness of sins and admission into heaven would be obtained. I made him acquainted with the means which God has appointed for this purpose; and added, that he should tell the people in his village that I would come and tell them more on the subject. It is our earnest prayer, in which we trust our friends will unite with us, that the Lord, who has assisted us hitherto, may endue us more and more with the graces of his Holy Spirit. APPENDIX IX. (See Page 124.) EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE REV. W. BOWLEY, FOR SEPTEMBER 1820. Sept. 2, 1820.-This afternoon, Bukhtawin came, and a hot-brained Pundit soon followed. My Pundit and Moonshee were also present. The two former had a smart controversy: but the Brahmin would not hearken to Bukhtawin's reasoning, nor would he even allow him to know any thing of reasoning, but seemed bent upon aggravating him; notwithstanding Bukhtawin persevered in his steady defence of Christianity, and in exposing the Hindoo and Mahomedan absurdities. the last two months at our Hindoostanee Worship. He said that all his doubts had never been cleared away, till he had several conferences with Bukhtawin in private. Sept. 8. Spent yesterday evening at the Old Man's. The Cutwal and five Hindoos present. All seemed favourable to the Christian Religion. Read and spoke from the "Divine Sayings." The Mussulman entreated me for the copy. Had much conversation with Kishoon Das (the person mentioned on the 5th). He seems gathering strength-speaks to his neighbours of the superiority of the Christian Religion - always kneels at Church, A Carpenter, who was present, said of himself, that he had not been altogether unconcerned Y about the Christian Religion; and that he had generally sat at a distance, and heard our disputes. He also attends the Evening Hindoostanee Worship, and begins to be suspected of being tainted with Christianity. The School Lallah, or Hindoostanee Teacher, has spoken to several to intercede for him to be initiated into the Christian Church. Sept. 10,1820, Sunday.--Atten o'clock, Hindoostanee Service commenced. A great many strangers were present. Addressed them from Luke xxii. 22. And truly the Son of man goeth as was determined. This I endeavoured to prove from the Books of the Old Testament, and confirmed it from the New. After Service, baptized a Boy about twelve years of age, by the name of Cæsar Henry. He has been under tuition for the last two years; and has made good progress in English and Hindoostanee, and in getting off the Catechism. About forty or fifty Heathens were present to witness the Ordinance. At two in the afternoon, three men (traders) from Ram Nugur, came to my place. This is the second time that they have been with me. The chief man put several questions: viz. "How may a sinner become righteous before God?"- Answer. " By faith in the sufferings, death, and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ." Spoke at length. Qu. "How can a soul suffer in Hell without a body?"-Ans. "In how many instances does the soul now suffer without the body participating in it?" Gave several instances, which were satisfactory: and withal said that God, who had created the soul, could make it feel His vengeance even when disembodied; and as the body and soul have both been accomplices in sin and rebellion, so, at the Great Day of Retribution, both should suffer together. Qu. "Why cannot we form any thing good and acceptable to the Supreme Being?"-Ans. The tree must be made good, before it can produce good fruits. We are defiled by nature, in body, soul, and spirit; consequently nothing good can come from such a mass of corruption : we must be engrafted into Christ." Spoke largely here, which he said was convincing and satisfactory, and worthy of being engraven in the heart. Qu, "Which are the things that are evi l?” Ans. “Every thing contrary to the law of God and sound reason." He appeared pleased at the idea of the Ten Commandments being so much like the Precepts of the Vedas. In reply he was told that those Commandments contained more of morality, than could be collected from the whole of the Vedas, Shasters, &c.: notwithstanding no man living could be justi fied by keeping them." Qu. "How then may one be saved?"-Ans. “By Christ alone. He is the Alpha and Omega of the Christian Religion." Qu. "How may a person fix his mind upon that which is good?"-Ans. "By bringing every thing to the test of reason; and, having ascertained the good from the evil, to reject the evil and contemplate upon the good. But Christ must be the foundation of all the door by which we must enter— the first step of the ladder: otherwise all attempts will and vain." It being near Serviceabortive prove time, they went to the Church. At half-past four addressed them from Matt. xi. 16—24. Sept. 15.-This evening was spent at the Old Man's. Spoke to Roychurn Das respecting Baptism and the Lord's Supper. It should be noted that he is a candidate for Baptism. He expressed gratitude; and said that he was preserved to this age, about eighty, though an active and slender-built man, to be my disciple, and that I should be the instrument of his Salvation. Sept. 18.-At four this morning, left Chunar, in company with Mr. Smith, Baptist Missionary, for Mirzapore. Arrived in the suburbs of the city, after ten-put up in a Garden, where we stayed till about four in the afternoon. Then went to the city, and were hospitably treated by a Gentleman. We staid dinner, and then went and took up our seats on the Ghauts among the Idol Temples. About half a dozen men, of some note for their knowledge, gathered about us; among whom was a Devotee, who ridiculed the Idol Worship of the Hindoos: he was reckoned a man of superior knowledge to the rest. On being questioned, he replied that salvation was to be obtained by religious austerities, &c. -Ans. "But are we not enjoined religious duties, from the day of our birth to that of our death?"-Reply, "Certainly."—" And what if we have failed to perform our part for a number of years, and did what was right the remaining part of our days, surely that would not suffice to expiate our past sins. It would be like a person having run himself in debt for a number of years, and afterward refrained from adding to it: that would not suffice to clear him of his past debts: all that would be done with respect to him would be, that no more would be noted down against him. Thus do we stand before God, could we (which is impossible) perform that which the Law of God requires of us." He said, "It is written, that the very Name of God is suffi. cient to blot out the sins of an age.' -Ans." But would that satisfy Divine Justice? You know that it would not an earthly frail Judge." He replied, "God is all mercy." Ans. "Were a frail being, like unto us, to shew all mercy to offending criminals, would it not prove injustice toward the offended? Thus you see, that, by establishing his mercy, you destroy his justice; consequently such reasoning is erroneous, and will not stand the test." All seemed convinced. They now begged to know, "How a sinner may be saved consistent with the justice and mercy of God.' In reply, we spoke of man's inability to good since the Fall, and of God's mercy in the salvation of sinners through the merits of Christ, One asked, who made Satan.- Sept. 19,1820.-Early this morning, The |