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for each other which soon found some modes of expression. have seldom witnessed a more interesting display of Christian feeling, and am confirmed in the persuasion I have long had of the genuine experience of our native converts. I wish those who are ready to despise them had witnessed the scene. I wish they would go and do likewise. Read and explained some verses in Ephesians, and Rámchandra prayed.

24th. This day, about six in the evening, the idol with his brother and sister were placed on their cars. The rain has fallen heavy all night and it still rains. About half-past six in the morning we took our tracts and walked into the large street. For some time we were obliged to seek shelter in the sheds which had been erected for the workmen who had made the cars. Here we conversed with the people who like us sought shelter. After the rain had somewhat subsided, we went forth and, forming three parties, spoke among the people on the subject of their eternal good. The hearers were disposed to dispute in favour of their superstition, which made the occasion less profitable. More than once they protested that if Jagannáth were not divine, the Government would never support him in such glory, and the whole crowd with their voices responded to this sentiment!!! Here we were, therefore, Europeans, European ministers and Missionaries sent out by our own nation to entreat the people to forsake vain idols and worship one God, directly opposed in the prosecution of our labours by arguments in favour of idolatry given to it, by those drawn from the direct support of our own nation. and profession. And what makes the matter still more lamentable is, that all the proof of which the natives can take cognizance is against us. We come without authority, and without display, and proclaim that an idol is nothing, and God is the only object of worship. On the other side,that is on the side of idolatry,-here is a government supporting Jagannath, a government unequalled in religious merit, in science, in justice, and in military fame. All the power, fame and splendour of the British government, are so many arguments to disprove our assertions-so many arguments in proof of thein divity of the idol at Púrí. Our protestations against idolatry, our persuasions to worship and serve God have but little weight under such circumstances. The people form the same opinion of us, as was recently expressed in high quarters, viz. that we are "Fanatics," and that we deserve no regard. This is the impression at Púrí, and while our countrymen are mounted on their elephants watching with the utmost anxiety for the first appearance of the idol when he comes forth from his temple, and which is the time to get a darsan, we are some

600 or 800 yards below, preaching the gospel surrounded by a crowd of people, pelted by a contemptuous mob with dust, broken pots and cow-dung; nay, I have often noticed, while among the people at Púrí, that so secure did they feel in the approbation of their European tax-collector that they have taken the opportunity of his passing by us to vociferate with all their power Hari bol! Jagannath-ku bhaja! At the close of the service we disposed of about 250 Oriya and Bengálí tracts. There are a few cases of cholera and only a few at present. To-day the rain falls heavy and if it continue long the people will be much exposed, and the disease accele

rated.

In the afternoon at half-past two o'clock we sallied forth to the war in the large road, in several parties, and in many places we spoke to the people and distributed many tracts, most of which were received gladly, and I believe with no ill intention, yet some were immediately torn up and thrown upon us in the crowd. The educated Bengális, with the exception perhaps of the Púrí pandás, were the worst behaved of any class of persons we had to do with. We ended our day's work about six in the evening, and came away from the scene of tumult and blasphemy. About a lákh and a half or 150,000 pilgrims surrounded the cars. Some bodies are lying upon the sand, thrown out to the wild dogs and eagles. One was quite fresh, the body of a little girl, a dog had got the fingers of one of her hands in his mouth grinding them up. The eyes and cheeks were already gone. While I am writing this journal, nine o'clock P. M., the people are saluting the idols in their cars which they have just mounted, and are moving on a little from the temple. Bholabadra came out first, then Subadra the sister and last of all Jagannath.

25th.-At five o'clock this morning we all started to the different outlets of the town, to distribute tracts to the pilgrims as they passed away homewards. Purusuttam and Bhikárí went to Loknáth ghát, Gangadhar to the Indradrammon, myself, Ráma, and Bámádeb placed ourselves at the Atharanalá ghát. As we arrived 50,000!!! kangálís were let through the gate and were rushing into the town en masse. In about half an hour they had mostly passed away and the outwardly bound pilgrims became distinct. We commenced the distribution of Oriya and Bengálí tracts to them. We also disposed of some Nágarí. The proportion of Oriyas to Bengális was two to eight, and of Bengálí females to men six to two. The Bengálís from Calcutta were especially ill behaved, and of these those who were educated, that is who could talk English, were the cream of the rest, not unfrequently insulting God and Christ

in our own language*; getting tracts and immediately tearing them up and throwing them at us, or scattering them in the way. I remained till nine o'clock and then came away for breakfast, leaving the two native preachers to occupy till I should return to them or send others to relieve them. About eleven o'clock Gangadhar having returned from Indradrummon, and taken his rice, went to Atharanalá and occupied the post for Rámachandra. Thus we rested till about three o'clock, at that hour we all started for the town. Myself, brother Stubbins, Ráma, Purusuttam and Bámádeb placed ourselves about the cars, and in several places reasoned with and preached to the people. Afterwards I mounted a scaffolding in front of an half-built house, and from thence, by the aid of a sipáhí, succeeded in distributing some tracts; but the press was so great and so violent as to endanger the fingers of the distributing hand. The people could not have made a greater effort for their lives, yet their motive was derived from example; others got the tracts, and the people from the outskirts of the crowd or from the road, bound up their loins and rushed into the press with all their might, determined to get a book for themselves. Thus they became excited to the highest pitch as though every tract contained the charm of immortality. The addresses delivered I cannot particularize, and merely refer to one argument used in my own. We were standing just before the car of Jagannath, from the front of which the most obscene sentences were being delivered, and appropriate jestures formed. I remarked to a respectable looking bráhman, who heard and understood the hymns, that it appeared impossible to me, that their wives, sisters and daughters could retain their virtue under such circumstances as these. He readily acknowledged that they could not. I then appealed to him whether in truth and sincerity he could think that religion to be divine, the first. highest and most public exhibitions of which destroyed the ordinary virtue of their females? He was confused, and attempted not to defend the system. A very large assembly listened to this conversation, and I closed the discussion by earnestly directing them to God and Christ. I retired amidst the tumultuous vociferations of the infatuated multitude. On the whole this has been a useful day. Oh that God would send down the Holy Spirit to give vitality to the good seed which, in various ways, has been scattered among the people.

There are a few dead bodies lying about, but the people are surprisingly well, considering the state of the weather, and the large crowds congregating together. There must be at least two lákhs or 200,000 of people. We came away thoroughly fatigued. Where did they obtain this spirit? from the fountain we suspect.-ED. VII.

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26th.-Rose at five o'clock and fixed the native brethren at the two principal gháts. Distributed several hundreds of tracts at the Atharanala. Afterwards in company with brother Stubbins visited the large street. Stood before the car of Bholabudra some time, where I reasoned, conversed, and preached, and then retired for breakfast. Have gathered some information to-day about this festival which I knew not before, and which displays the peculiarly stupid credulity of the people. The Christian's faith gives existence in his mind to things unseen and future; the Hindu's faith point blank contradicts the evidence of the senses, especially the sight, and he believes things to be what he sees they are not. And yet who can deny that he has such a faith? He sees a block of wood, but believes it a spirit; and a temple of stone, but believes it gold; sees sand in the streets and plains of Púrí, but believes them diamonds, and precious stones; sees filthy bairágís, bráhmans and pandas, the veriest incarnations of wickedness, but believes them heavenly saints, pure and holy; hears lying, cursing, abominably obscene language; sees adultery, theft, murder, &c. at Púrí, but believes there is no sin there; sees disease, misery and death in every part of the town, but believes it Buikanta," where there is neither disease, misery or death. Sees the idols' cars drawn by the strength of men, but believes the idols impel them on solely by their own will and pleasure! The temple of Lakshmi is apart from that of Jagannáth her husband, and she has a distinct establishment with Saraswattí the

daughter of Bramha. When Jagannath goes on his rath festival, he steals away clandestinely, lest if his wife should hear she should prevent his departure. The greatest care is therefore taken lest his departure should be known to Lakshmi. After about the fourth day of Jagannath's departures, by some means she gets to know of his having left her, and she immediately throws herself into a terrible rage, and all her priests and servants participate in her feelings. She vents her rage by uttering the lowest and most abusive epithets towards her husband, such as "O that black wretch! O that defiler of his sister of his mother, of his daughter! But I'll reckon with the debauched black-faced wretch!" Lakshmi now issues orders for preparations to be made to follow her husband, beat down his car and bring him back to his temple. Her priests set about these orders with spirit, abusing Jagannáth's people very freely. When ready she is carried all flaming with anger to the car of the world's lord, where she begins to abuse him in low obscene language. Her priests also take part with her, and abuse the priests of her husband. Sometimes, I am informed they actually fight with each other. Presently she proceeds to

attack his car, perambulating round it. Meanwhile Jagannath confesses that he is guilty of having absconded, humbles himself, and begs her to moderate her rage, promises he will soon return, and satisfy her uttermost wish, she rejects all these entreaties with indignation, and Jagannáth employs the mediation of two other divinities; i. e. Nilakanţeswar and Loknátheswar, two images of Mahádeb. These come and praise great Lakshmi, speak of the numbers of poor sinners who will be saved by seeing Jagannáth, which they could not have done, had he not gone abroad; promises that he shall soon return home and give her all her desires. They barely succeed in moderating the violence of her anger; however she consents to return to her temple, vowing vengeance on the black-faced destroyer of his sister's virtue, and that, as her husband, she will never see his face again. Sometimes she throws handfuls of dust and sand towards his car, saying as she departs, "Go thou blackfaced destroyer of the virtue of 1,600 gopees, who were kicked and called for thy vile ways; why did I expect joy from being united with thee? Go thou, who lettest thy wife be stolen in the jangal, and then went about like a fool, crying to this tree and that jackal, Saw you my Sitá? Saw you my Sitá? Why should I hope to escape sorrow from thee? Then she abuses Subhadrá the sister, saying, O thou prostitute! what! he has put a beautiful sárí on thy filthy body has he? and beautiful ornaments on thy hands has he? May fire be put into thy face who wert not ashamed to elope with another woman's husband, and thy brother too!" She remains very angry till Jagannath's return, when he finds the door of his temple closed against him, and all entrance denied him. He sends to inquire the reason, and is informed that Lakshmi is offended and has ordered him not to be admitted. A great deal of anxiety is now manifested by the lord of the world and his servants, as to what is to be done. Message after message is sent to no effect; submissions, confessions, promises are all in vain. At length a happy thought occurs to one of his people that perchance a present from Jagannath will appease the angry Lakshmi's wrath. This is immediately adopted and ear-rings, nose-rings, bracelets, anklets, beautiful sáris, &c. &c. are arranged on splendid salvers and carried in state to the apartment and presence of the jealous goddess, with a prayer that they may be accepted and Jagannath forgiven. When she sees all these fine things she is appeased, and exhibiting a kind of half smile says to the messengers, "O that black-faced wretch! That defiler of his sister! This is how he overcomes me is it! Well, well, open the doors and let him come in." This permission is received with joy, the doors are