Labourers for our School-establishments in this way. Aug. 21, 1821.-A man from Keelpatam brought his Son to learn in our Schools. 'A third Boy will follow from Kanasabaram. Thus we shall have Three Boys to prepare for usefulness. We must, of course, feed and clothe them as long as they are here; as we wish to have them about usaccustom them to cleanliness and order and instruct them in Christianity. We doubt not that the Committee will approve of the measure, and allow the expense of them. Aug. 25. A Hamildar, of the 20th Native Regiment in the Fort, came to-day, and asked for a Christian Book. He seemed indeed desirous to know Christianity. To the question whether their own Gooroos do not give them the knowledge of the True God, he answered-" How can they they have it not themselves: they teach us what they know for the sake of gain." David has been the means of exciting him to make inquiry. These inquiries are here, alas! very rare. Tinnevelly is, in this respect, much behind Madras. Aug. 26, Sunday. The Schoolmaster from Cookoracollam, who wishes to be baptized, attended, for the first time, Divine Service: fear of the reproach of men has hitherto prevented his attending. There is, besides him, a bricklayer; who has been, for a long time about our house, and who has, for three months, attended Divine Service, that wishes to be baptized. His Wife died a few years ago. He has an only Daughter, who is twelve years of age he spake to her the other day, after he had opened his mind to me, and told her his intention of becoming a Christian: she was so much frightened, as to beg him to destroy her before he did so! He, however, spoke to her more fully upon the subject, and she became more reconciled: the opposition of his Daughter has, notwithstanding, given him a great shock. I am unable yet to discover whether his intention is pure: he says he has heard the Gospel for three months—that he is convinced that idolatry is a bad and useless thing-that he feels himself a sinner and that he thinks Christianity is the true religion. Besides the above two persons, there is a woman, in our service, who has also declared her wish to become a Christian in order to save her soul, She has usually attended our Evening Devotions, which seem to have made a good impression on her mind. When her eldest Daughter, who is likewise in our service and is about fifteen years of age, heard of her Mother's intention, she was very much displeased, and broke out against her in a manner similar to that of the bricklayer's Daughterpublishing it to her relations: but, for some days past, she also has attended our Evening Worship, though I fear not willingly. The Mother sends her two youngest Daughters to our School. Sept. 23, Sunday. The Congregation was more numerous than usual: several Christians attended from Tanjore, who were journeying to Nagracoil: also some of the people of Keelpatam. A goodly number of Heathens attended at the doors and windows. David informed me yesterday, that, on account of the present dry season, the Brahmins of Tinnevelly make extraordinary long prayers to their Deities for rain, and begged me to offer prayer to the God of Heaven and Earth: we accordingly did so to-day, accompanying it with a few admonitions to the people. Sept. 26. I went with Brother Schmid to Courichy, where, after the business of the School, we visited the people in the village. A crowd of people assembled, both Brahmins and others, to whom I preached the Word of God-entreating them to turn from the error of their ways. An ancient Brahmin, from civility I believe, assented to all I said: an other remarked, during the Discourse, that it had already grown dark: the rest heard quietly. None seemed inclined to accept a Tract, Alas! how deaf are their ears! Extracts from the Journal of the Rev. Bernhard Schmid, from April to April, 1821.-The introduction of Dr. Bell's System has been commenced, by giving daily, to the whole School, a lesson in Avoyar's Sentences, with a literal translation; explaining, as far as possible, every difficult word, and ordering them to write in the sand almost every word, that they may obtain a clear idea of whatever they repeat; and then making them repeat, in rotation, every single sentence, together with the interpretation; and questioning them, from time to time, about the meaning of the high Tamul words, taken out of the connection in which they occurred, in order to prevent their learning by heart, in that thoughtless and mechanical manner to which Indian Youths are so much accus'tomed. Each sentence was thus repeated, till most of the Boys were masters of it: then they proceeded to the following sentences. We enlarge on this subject, partly because we have the intention to propose to the Committee to print Avoyar's Sentences with a translation, which we shall send to you; together with an Appendix, containing short Annotations on these Sentences, and on the superiority of Scripture Morals. Such a little book would be very useful for rewards, and for occasional distribution among the Heathen; besides its use as a School'book. The practice of obliging Children to learn by heart things which they do not understand, we cannot but consider one of the most cunning and successful measures, which Satan has devised to maintain his cause upon earth. Persons are thereby accustomed, blindly to follow the authority of others, and to believe and to say whatever teachers or superiors believe or say they lay an undue importance on mere forms of words, which they do not understand; and are easily induced to suppose them to have mysterious powers. Even if the Children should attempt to reflect on them, and attach an idea to these verses, they cannot but make mistakes and fall upon absurdities: whether they reflect while learning these verses by heart or not, they will derive no benefit from them; but their minds will only be darkened and stupified, besides the loss of their time. Moreover, by seeing their teachers and learned persons greatly boasting of their knowledge of these things, the people are induced to think very highly of the excellency of these books; and conceive a deep respect for the supposed wisdom and truth contained in them, whether scientific or religious, because they are unable to search and examine them themselves; and thence reject, with contempt, the opportunities of becoming acquainted with truewisdom and true religion. If therefore we wish to preserve those Children, whom God has entrusted to our care, in these various Schools, from a perverse and slavish mind, and from thoughtless or hypocritical assenting to whatever custom or a particular creed may command, we should not suffer the Children in any School, to learn any thing by heart which they do not understand, at least in some degree. From the custom of the Natives to repeat with admirable fluency what they have committed to memory, although they do not understand even one word of it, it comes, that Europeans are too generally led into the erroneous opinion, that the children, as well as grown-up persons, are very clever and have learnt well; whereas it is but, most frequently, a mere repetition stand. It would be equally wrong to turn out of our Schools the Ancient Tamul Language, i. e. the High Tamul, as it is commonly called; together with the writings composed in the classical age of the Tamul Nation. But nothing must be learnt without an interpretation. We intend, therefore, after having taught the whole of Avoyar's Sentences in the way mentioned before, to teach in the same way some other Rational and Moral Books as far as time permits. But to exercise their memory with words, and to inure them to patient labour and to perseverance, they shall learn, in their native manner, the Negandoo and Devaragam Dictionaries of the Tamul Language, which will be of great use to them afterward. of words, which they do not under- and if a Parriar Boy is advanced in the class, and comes to stand between two Caste Boys, the whole class moves, in order to avoid touching one another; for the Parriars are so accustomed to this, that they, of their own accord, are careful not to touch a Boy of Caste: this produces often much disorder in a class. I am grieved that I must daily see such instances of superstition, by which man degrades his fellow but since all the Boys are Heathen, excepting a few Roman Catholics that are among them, I think it is a duty of Christian forbearance to connive, unless the disorder occasioned by it becomes too apparent. The manner in which a Boy of Caste looks at a Parriar, who comes, even unintentionally, too near to him, reminds me often, in a very lively manner, of that passage of the Prophet Isaiah lxv. 5.-Stand by thyself: come not near to me, for I am holier than thou: these are a smoke in my nose—a fire that burneth all the day. In Madras, I never saw or heard such a thing. After this lesson in Avoyar's Sentences, an hour's lesson is daily given, to teach them, according to the System, our Short Catechism; ascertain ing whether every word is clear to them; and ordering them to write in the sand the more difficult words. This lesson is given also to the whole School, in order to afford the Boys a greater scope for competition and exertion, and to discover their capacities; so that it will be easy to divide them into Classes, as soon as requisite. May 16, 1821.-Was almost the whole morning in the School, to accustom the Seminarists a little to the System. Only one of the youngest of them enters, in some measure, into its spirit; and he, I hope, will become useful to me. All who are above fourteen or fifteen years of age seem to find unconquerable difficulties, in divesting themselves of the mechanical observance of certain rules, and in making a free use of their mental faculties. I have hitherto found it so, at least with persons of caste. It is ridiculous, but distressing, to see how little dirty Boys of Caste, when standing with Parriars, according to the System, in a half-circle, endeavour to keep at a distance from the Farriars: May 19.-Almost daily, new Boys come to the School, of good caste. I am afraid, that, when the Gospel begins to shew its effects among them, great drawbacks will take place. But we must not be induced by this fear to withhold from them the Gospel, so long as they are placed by Providence under our care. It is the peculiar character of the Gospel to make a stir; and, before such stir exists, the Gospel does not duly operate. We have always found, that those among our Schools have prospered most in spiritual things, in which the greatest stir has been excited by the Catechis ing, and the Christian Books which the Boys committed to memory. In such cases, the Children will leave the Schools IN NUMBERS; but many of them will return, after a time, when they see that we persevere steadily in our way, and explain to them meekly our motives and views as often as opportunity offers. The Children become, after such struggles, the more willing to learn our books, and more inquisitive than before. A striking instance of this occurred in the Third Madras School, at certain periods. These views of the efficacy of the Gospel are acknowledged by all Christians, as correct, taken IN THE ABSTRACT; but it seems to me, that they are but little acknowledged and acted upon, with respect to the management of Schools for Natives of India. May 28, 1821.-It is pleasing to observe, that a desire after more instruction is kindling among our Scholars. They frequently apply to nie for Tamul Tracts, in order to read them at home. We give books to those only, who read well, and whose general behaviour is orderly. We hope hereby to stimulate the others to diligence, and to enhance in their eyes the gift of such a book. May 30.-Some measures, devised by the friends of Education, seem likely to prove temptations to School masters to deceive. I cannot but mention here, as an instance, what I read to-day in the very valuable and useful compilation of School Reports, in the Missionary Register for March 1819, p. 118; where it is stated, that, in one case, the wages of the Schoolmasters are regulated according to the number of Scholars; but, in order to take away from the Master the temptation to swell the School in point of numbers, the price given for all incapable of writing from Dictation was so small, as scarcely to repay the care required for a system of deception in point of numbers, while it was greatly increased for such as could write from Dictation. But, by this measure, they will be led into another temptation: viz. to induce, by various means, even by little presents, Boys who have the means of being instructed in their own Schools, and who have already made some progress in reading, to leave their Schools and to come over to them: while they entirely neglect, yea discourage, those small and slow Boys, who give them no hope of gain for a consi derable time to come; and the cares ful instruction of whom would only deprive them of the advantages, which the quicker advancement of the Elder Boys procures to them. Thus the PRINCIPAL END of these Charity Schools is counteracted; namely, to enable those Children TO READ THE GLAD TIDINGS OF SALVATION, who would otherwise be quite destitute of all instruction. June 11. As the dormant facul ties of the School Boys are in some degree awakening, I observe, that, generally, the Boys of Caste are con siderate in their answers, and regular in their behaviour. When saying their lessons, they do not often forfeit their places from committing mistakes: yet their minds seem to be fettered; and it appears to be difficult for them to familiarize themselves with new ideas. The Parriar Boys, on the contrary, often forfeit their places, through inconsiderate answers and wrong spelling or reading; which is a consequence of the great incorrectness of their language but they gain their places again, and advance to the highest, by answers which require a free exercise of their mental powers. I should like to know whether others, who are much engaged in Schools, have made the same observation. It seems to me that Caste, while it constrains the Native to an outwardly regular and decent behaviour, enchains his mental powers. June 15.-Having now succeeded to bring the inferior classes into a certain train, I began to-day to introduce in the reading class, a very important branch of instruction, and a distinguished feature in Dr. Bell's System to ask the pupils questions on each sentence which they read. In order to learn what phrases and words Children and Adults do or do not understand, I find it very necessary to catechise often, and to talk with Children freely on the subjects which occur in the lessons. We learn thus to divest ourselves of our European ideas and turns of expression; in which erroneous expressions, unintelligible to a Tamulian, we are much strengthened by studying Tamul books, written by Europeans, though they may be praised as good Tamul Scholars. An important hint is given, in this respect, by Dr. Buchanan, in his Address to the Brethren going to India. July 4, 1821.-Several Children of Caste have left the School; alleging as a reason, that it is inconsistent with their Caste and Religion to learn by heart Christian Books. A number of Children stay away from the School, and frame various excuses. Satan has certainly reason to tremble for his kingdom, when Children have imprinted on their memories the Doctrines of Christ. July 6.-A Boy of Caste requested to be admitted into the School. Thus some leave, and others come. July 10.-We, this day, examined our First Tamul School. As the best instruction will not benefit Boys unless they attend regularly, we thought it advisable to reward those who had behaved best and attended most nine were rewarded, six of which had a piece of cloth. Their progress is slow, but I trust a good foundation is laid for a quicker growth in spiritual and intellectual improve ment. July 31. Since the beginning of this month I have appointed three Ushers, chosen from the highest class, at half-a-rupee each per month; for which sum they have also to copy on ollas at home, certain passages of Scripture for the use of the School. Dr. Bell's observation is just, that "such a remuneration to Ushers is indispensable, in order to encourage them to diligence in their frequently tiresome and unpleasant duties:" and it is still more important here, as the Boys are growing tall; and would, ere long, leave the School for other employment, unless induced by this small salary to remain. Their salaries must, of course, be increased as they grow older, and as they become more adapted to fill more important stations in these or other Schools. Circumstances will shew the best way to employ them for the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Aug. 12. It is very gratifying to observe that the Boys of our First School continue, entirely of their own accord, to attend Divine Service on Sundays. At first, I supposed that they came merely from curiosity. There were nine present to day: three were Roman Catholics, the rest were Heathen. They were very attentive, if I may judge by their countenances and deportment. Aug. 18.-Commenced to give lessons in writing on paper to ten of the best Boys in the First School. I hope to obtain, by this means, in time, some Copyists: as they know that writing may be very useful at a future time, they are well pleased with this instruction. I hope to further our views still more, however, by this method; as I shall expect the Boys to learn a certain portion of our books by heart, besides what they learn during School-hours, if they attend the writing lessons. If we had but sufficient funds, we might take our most promising School Boys into our service, and so prevent them from seeking a maintenance elsewhere. Aug. 31.-The First Tamul School goes on orderly and peaceably, but slowly: there is a better spirit manifested, than there was two months ago. The Boys which have remained do every thing with readiness and diligence: all appears much more cheerful to me: before, there were continual quarrels to be decided. The Schoolmaster also seems to take more pleasure in being attentive to the Children than he did formerly; and he enters now more into the spirit of methodical instruction. Until this School is sufficiently improved to become a central one, not much can be done in the others. Sep. 7.-Several Children of Caste have returned, who have been absent two months: they probably perceive |