place. I read the Service; the Rev. W. Cockran preached; and I administered the Lord's Supper to upward of 200 Communicants. Such a day, in all respects, as, at one time, I never could have calculated upon in Red-River Settlement. May 15, 1833-This day was fixed upon for laying the foundation-stone of our Church. The Canadian masons call the first hewn stone above ground the foundation-stone, and for this we are now ready. We expected the Governor's Lady would have been present; but she was prevented by indisposition, and her place was supplied by Henry Hulse Berens, Esq., who passed the winter here, and, together with the Governor, Messrs. Christie and Le Blanc, as well as several others, came to the Parsonage-House to breakfast. At twelve o'clock, we went to the ground, where we commenced by singing 'Jesus shall reign where'er the sun, &c. After this, I offered up a prayer to the God of Heaven, for His blessing on the undertaking. Mr. Berens then laid the plate with superscription, together with the coins of England in the cavity of the stone, and the whole was closed up; after this we sang, Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" and adjourned to the Church, where, by this time, our Wednesday Congregation had gathered; and I addressed them from Ps. cxxxii. 1—6. 66 Lower Church. Influence of the Preaching of the Gospel. From the copious Journals of the Rev. W.Cockran, we are enabled only to present to our Readers a few extracts; which will serve, however, sufficiently to illustrate the progressive influence of the preaching of the Gospel at his important Station. Nov. 9. 1832-Walked down the bank of the river to the residence of a certain family, who had appointed to-day for their reception into the Christian Church, by Baptism. Six of the family have constantly attended our Sunday School since their arrival in the Settlement, more than twelve months ago: two are Day Scholars. When the family were all assembled, I proceeded to read the Service appointed by our Church, and baptized the mother and seven children. Dec. 26—Went down the Settlement to administer the Sacrament of Baptism to a family who came from Moose, about eighteen months ago, to reside here. The father is a half-breed; the ancestry of the mother seems to be Indian. I was considerably interested in the family: the children have always attended the School, and been exceedingly anxious to improve two of them can read the New Testament fluently. The mother had every thing in good order: the floor was washed clean, and all her children had been trimmed for the occasion. After a little conversation, and some explanatory remarks, I baptized four children according to the usual form, and concluded with prayer. When this woman came to reside in this neighbourhood at first, she had a great aversion to attending Church, and could seldom be prevailed upon to come: her family, she said, needed her constant attention, and she had no one to leave them with during her absence. These hindrances were plausible excuses, and such as, she thought, ought to justify her non-attendance. Lately she has begun to feel her need of the Ordinances. God, by the application of the Word of Truth to her soul, has made her acquainted with the ignorance of her mind regarding spiritual things, and the sinfulness of her nature. This discovery has called into existence new desires, and created within her a thirst for the Ordinances of God, and made them pleasant and refreshing. She needs no argument now to bring her mind to a sense of her duty, and to lead her to join herself with those who seek the favour of the Lord, who sanctify the Sabbath, and reverence His Holy Name. No; she comes with the first of them: her cumbersome family, the stormy weather, and other hindrances which invariably press upon the poor cottager, must all give way to her attendance on the worship of God. Jan. 5, 1833-Was sent for to visit a young woman who was dangerously ill. She was one of our Sunday Scholars. When I entered the room, she was exceedingly happy to see me, held out her hand and grasped mine, and said she thought she was dying. After inquiring into the cause of her sickness, I went to prayer with her, and she followed me through with the greatest attention, and often interrupted me with her responses. Prayer being finished, she desired me to take a seat at her head, which I did, and then asked me to be so kind as to sing her a hymn. I declined singing: my feelings were overpowered by the prospect of her sudden death. She had only been absent from School one Sunday; and I had not heard that her absence arose from any indisposition: I attributed it to neglect; for when at School, I thought her generally inattentive, and many a sharp rebuke she has received for it. The indifference which she had frequently shown to learning, and the slovenly manner in which she often dressed herself when attending the Sunday School, had raised certain prejudices in my mind against her, which prevented my feeling the high degree of interest in her welfare which I feel in some others, who are more anxious to improve, and desirous to please. However, these things were now lost sight of, when she was struggling with the last enemy, and on the point of being removed from us. I was sorry now that ever I had allowed her neglect to exhaust my interest and zeal for her good. I was afraid lest she should not be so prepared for death as she ought to have been. Oh! I thought, if God would only spare your life, I would teach you with zeal and diligence, and forget all the trouble you have given me! While in deep thought respecting her soul, which was "Thou dear Redeemer, dying Lamb! HOME PROCEEDINGS. Thirty-fourth Anniversary of the Society. THE Anniversary Sermon before the Society will be preached on Monday Evening, the 5th of May, by the Rev. James Scholefield, M.A., Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge, at the Parish Church of St. Bride, Fleet Street: Divine Service to commence at half past Six o'clock. The Annual Meeting will be held at Exeter Hall, Strand, on Tuesday the 6th of May. The Chair to be taken at Eleven o'clock precisely.} Ordination of Students. We omitted, in our January Number, to report the admission, by the Bishop of London, on the 22d of December 1833, to Deacon's Orders, of Messrs. Thomas Hill Applegate, Robert Maunsell, and William Oakley; and to Priest's Orders, of the Rev. Messrs. William John Woodcock, John Michael Lechler, and John Francis Müller. Instant, to embark on board the " Henry Wellesley," Capt. Johnson, on their return to Ceylon: they reached Portsmouth on the 12th inst. and sailed on the 13th. PROCEEDINGS OF ASSOCIATIONS. Gloucestershire - March 9: Sermon at Stroud, by Rev. A. G. Cornwall, Coll. 187. Os. 8d.; Meeting at Stroud, re-organization of the "Church Missionary Association of the Borough of Stroud;" Lord Ducie, Patron; D. Pennant, esq., Pres.; Rev. P. H. Fisher, Treas. Rev. G. Grimstead and T. Marling, Esq., Secs.; Coll. not known. Oxfordshire-March 16: Sermon at St. Peter's, Oxford, by Rev. Dr Doran, Coll. 30l. 58.-March 17: Meeting at Oxford, Dr. Macbride, Principal of Mag. dalene Hall, Chn., Coll. 211. 15s. 1d. Shropshire-Jan. 14: Meeting at Whittington, no Coll.- Jan. 15: Meeting at Oswestry, T. Longueville, Esq., Chn., Coll. not known. IRELAND-Feb. 16: Sermons at Delgany, Morn. and Even, by the Dean of Ardagh, Coll. 71. 188. ; Morn. at Wicklow, by Rev. G. Hazlewood, Coll. 41. 1s 4d.-Feb. 17: Meetings at Rathdown, Morn. and Even.. Rev. W. Guiness, Chn., no Coll.-Feb. 18: Meeting at Arklow, Hon and Rev. W. Wing. field, Chn., Coll. 21. 28. 61.-Feb. 19; Meetings; Morn. at Carnew, Hon. and Rev. C. Moore, Chn., Coll. 21. 158. 11d.; Even. at Shillelagh, same Chn., Coll. 188.-Feb. 20: Meeting at Newtown-Barry, Rev. A. M'Clintock, Chn, Coll. 11. 12s.-Feb. 21: Meeting at Wexford, Rev. - Hickey, Chn, Coll. 31. -Feb. 23: Sermons at Waterford, Morn. and Even., at the Cathedral, by the Dean of Ardagh, no Coll. ; Morn. at St. Patrick's, by Rev. G. Hazlewood, no Coll-Feb 24: Meetings at Waterford, no Chn., Morn. Coll. 41 88. 5d.; Ever. Coll. 31.- March 1: Meeting at Gorey, Rev. H. Webb, Chn, Coll. 19s. 4d. -March 2: Sermons at Rathdown, Morn. by Rev. G Hazlewood, Coll. 5. 68 ld.; Even. by Rev. W. Guiness, Coll 1.; at Castle M'Adam, Morn. by Hon. and Rev. W. Wingfield, Coll. 17. 8s.; Even by Rev. G. Hazlewood, Coll. 8s. ; Morn. at Redcross, by Rev. Power, Coll. 18s. 11d.-March 3: Meeting at Tinehaly, Rev. J. Simms, Chn, Coll. 11. 28. 2d. June 2. Mond. Arrangements for Visiting Associations in Ireland during the Year. Moate............... 6 Evening. 3. Tues. Tullamore........... Noon. 5. Thurs. Roscrea............. Noon. 6 Friday, Carlow. 6. Friday, Cashel.... 8. Sund. Fethard Castlecomer....... Cappoquin ........................ Mitchelstown........ 6 Evening. 12. Thurs. Fermoy Noon. Noon. Sept. 4. Thurs. Longford............ Noon. 4. Thurs. Ardagh. 6 Erening. 5. Friday, Edgeworthstown.... Noon. 5. Friday, Granard............. 6 Erening. 10. Wed. 12. Friday, 14. Sund. Noon. Noon. .......... ... 8. Sund. 6 Evening. Morn. and Eren. Morn. and Even. 7 Sund. 7. Sund. Arva..... Mullingar. Noon. 8. Mond. Mohill 10. Tues. Noon. ....... 6 Evening. 6 Evening. 6 Evening. 9. Tues. Carrick-on-Shannon, Noon. 11. Wed. Noon. Sligo.... Noon. 11. Wed. Manor Hamilton Noon. Morn and Eren. Noon. 6 Evening. 6 Evening. 6 Evening. Noon. Morn, and Eren. Morn, and Even. Noon. 6 Erening. Noon. 6 Evening. Noon. Noon. Noon. Belturbet........... 6 Evening. Cootehill.. ......... Noon, Monaghan....................... Noon. 6 Evening. 2. Thurs. Charlemont......... 6 Evening. 3 Friday, Stewartstown............... Noon. Moneymore. ....... Noon. ....... 6 Evening. Newtownlimavady.. 6 Evening. Antrim............................ Belfast........ ... 4 Sat. 6 Evening. Noon. 5. Sund. 5. Sund. Morn. and Even. 6. Mond. Maghera 6 Erening. 7. Tues. Dungiven. 8. Wed. Noon. 9 Thurs. Coleraine.... Belfast... Lurgan.. Lisburn 16 Thurs. Kircubbin 17. Friday, Carrickfergus... 19. Sund. Ballynahinch.. 20. Mond. Downpatrick. 21. Tues. Newcastle... 23. Thurs. Rostrevor....... 24. Friday, Newry RECENT INTELLIGENCE. West-Africa Mission-By a Letter from the Rev. J. F. Schön, dated Sierra Leone, 27th of January, we learn that Mrs. Kissling and Mrs. Weeks were not in good health. The Rev. C. L. F. Haensel, writes from Magbeli, in the Timmanee country, Dec. 24, 1833; but as a previous Letter, to which he alludes, has not been received, we are not informed of the particulars of his arrival there. Mediterranean Mission-The Rev. F. Hildner (p. 15) arrived at Syra on the 9th of January last. North-India Mission-From several despatches recently received from this Mission, we learn that the season had been hot and trying, and the mortality among Europeans very great. We regret to state that Mrs. Eteson, wife of the Rev. R. Eteson of Chunar, after a Noon. Noon. Morn, and Even. Morn, and Eren. Noon. Morn, and Even. Noon. 6 Evening. Noon. Noon. 2 o'clock. Noon. .... Noon. 6 Erening. Morn. and Eren. Noon. 6 Evening. Noon. Noon. lingering illness, died in the month of October. The Rev. Messrs. M. Wilkinson, W. Smith, J. C. T. Linke, and W. Morse appear, in some degree, to have suffered from the climate. The Bishop and the rest of our friends were in good health. Mr. Wilkinson's health has suffered so considerably, that the Corresponding Committee have sanctioned his visiting England, to try the effect of a change of climate. Western-India Mission-We learn by a Letter from the Rev. C. P. Farrar, dated Sept. 11, 1833, that the Rev. W. Mitchell's state of health precluded him, at that time, in a considerable degree, from exertion; and that the Rev. J. Dixon's attacks of bilious headache are not so frequent as they were." 66 Mrs. Selina Burroughs, late of Gibraltar, by **The Committee beg to acknowledge the receipt of a Parcel containing Fancy Articles from Ladies at Bridgenorth; Ditto of Clothing for New Zealand, from Ladies at Cheltenham; Ditto for Smyrna, from an Anonymous Friend: a Package of Fancy Articles for Schools in Greece, from the Rev. E Dewdney, Portsea; and a Box of Ditto for Female Schools in India, from friends at Clapham, by Miss Rippin. ERRATA.-The sums of 421. 39. 6d. from Deal, and 267. 58. 2d. from Dover, acknowledged last month under the head of Kent," should have appeared under the head of "East Kent;" and the sum of 351. 108. improperly placed under the head of " Brighton and East Sussex," was from New Shoreham. No. 4.] APRIL, 1834. NORTH-INDIA MISSION. [VOL. V. THE Lord Bishop of Calcutta, having had his attention directed to the influence of Caste on the minds of Natives within his Diocese, converted to Christianity, addressed the following Letter "to the Reverend Brethren, the Missionaries in the Diocese of Calcutta, and the Flocks gathered by their labours or entrusted to their care," on that very important and difficult subject. Palace, Calcutta, July 5, 1833. REV. AND DEAR BRETHREN, Having heard that some usages of an unfavourable nature prevail in certain of the Native Churches, and more particularly in the southern parts of the Peninsula, I am bound, by the obligations of my sacred office, to deliver to you this my pastoral opinion and advice. My honoured and revered predecessors in this See, now with God, laboured to abate the inconveniences to which I allude; and I am much relieved in discharging my own share in this duty by the memorials of their previous admonitions, which I have had the opportunity of consulting. Their abstinence from any official interference ought to have commended their advice to your cheerful acquiescence, and to have superseded the necessity of my now entering upon the subject. But, as their forbearance and kindness have failed to produce the desired effect, you will not be surprised if I feel compelled, as the Pastor and Bishop of souls under Christ our Lord in this Diocese, to prescribe to you what seems to me essential to the preservation of the purity of the Christian Faith among you. The unfavourable usages to which I refer, arise, as I understand, from the distinction of castes. These castes are still retained-customs in the public worship of Almighty God, and even in the approach to the Altar of the Lord, are derived from them-the refusal of acts of common humanity often follows-processions at marriages, and other relics of heathenism, are at times preserved marks on the countenance are sometimes borne-envy, hatred, pride, alienation of heart, are too much engendered the discipline and subjection of the flock to its shepherd are frequently violated combinations to oppose the lawful and deRECORD, April, 1834.] - vout directions of the Missionaries are formed in short, under the name of Christianity, half the evils of Paganism are retained. These various instances of the effects of the one false principle, the retention of caste, might be multiplied. They differ, no doubt, in different places. In some stations they are slight and few; in others numerous and dangerous. Many, many Native Congregations are, as I trust, free from them altogether: many have nearly accomplished their removal. I speak therefore only generally, as the reports have reached me. I throw no blame on individuals, whether Ministers or people. It is to the system that my present remarks apply; and it is in love I proceed to give my decision. The distinction of castes, then, must be abandoned, decidedly, immediately, finally; and those who profess to belong to Christ, must give this proof of their having really put off, concerning the former conversation, the old, and having put on the new man, in Christ Jesus. The Gospel recognises no distinctions such as those of castes, imposed by a heathen usage, bearing in some respects a supposed religious obligation, condemning those in the lower ranks to perpetual abasement, placing an immoveable barrier against all general advance and improvement in Society, cutting asunder the bonds of human fellowship on the one hand, and preventing those of Christian Love on the other-such distinctions, I say, the Gospel does not recognise. On the contrary, it teaches us, that God hath made of one blood all the nations of men: it teaches us, that whilst the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them, it must not be so among the followers of Christ; but that whosoever will be great among them, I |