Scriptures and prayed with them, previous to his leaving home.

From some of his relations and neigh bours he suffered much persecution; and many, like the enemies of Daniel, would have rejoiced in his halting; but nothing could be laid to his charge, except as touching the Law of his God.

It was his custom at home to pray three times a day; and he usually had his noontide and evening prayers in the Preaching Bungalow, which is close to his house. On these occasions, some of those dwelling near were accustomed to write down parts of his prayer, for subjects of ridicule; but his prayers were those of earnest wrestling with God for spiritual blessings, and of affectionate pleading for the salvation of souls. The Lord Jehovah had, we trust, intentions far above the thoughts of these men; and these memorials of his sincerity to God and love for souls may yet bring convictions to some of their minds.

As an example of his fervent continuance in prayer, it may be noticed, that on the Sabbath Evening it is customary for the pious at the Station to assemble together and conclude the day in mutual exhortation and prayer: this was called a Samuel's Meeting, from the circumstance of his presiding at it, and generally concluding himself with prayer: it commences about 7 o'clock, and continues during the time the Mission Families are met together for a similar purpose. It was not often that the Meeting was broken up without notice, which I gave by ringing a small bell about 9 o'clock, when Samuel immediately began the concluding prayer. I have returned at half-past 9, and found him still earnestly pleading with the God of Jacob not to let them go without a blessing, and frequently for ten minutes after he has continued his supplications.

Some few instances of his strict integrity and conscientiousness have also come to our notice. At one time, when returning with articles purchased from the Bazaar, the road from which passed near his house, his wife, who saw some ripe plantains in the basket, took one of them to give to her child. Samuel seeing it, obliged her to return it again to the basket, asking her how she came to take what was not her own; saying, “If my children want fruit, I must buy it for them ;" and he immediately gave money for that purpose. At another time, when sent to pay the butcher, some little allowance was made him from the bill, in order to induce him to pur

chase there again; but this he brought to his Mistress, saying it was not his, but her money. Similar instances might be noticed, shewing a state of moral feeling and conscientious integrity very rare with Native Christians.

In one case, when I had occasion to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at a distance from the Station, Samuel being with me, and knowing his habitually prepared and devotional state of mind, I told him, a few hours previous, that I had no objection to his joining in commemorating the Saviour's love, if he desired to do so. In reply, he said he hoped I would not be offended at his declining it; but he considered it his duty to have more time to examine himself, and to meditate on the wondrous deeds of the Redeemer in dying for him &c. before he came to His Table.

At the Weekly Meeting of the Communicants, when mention was made of the shortness of time and the necessity of activity in the Lord's service, he invariably entered into such subjects with much feeling and impression of mind.

A few weeks before his death he appears to have had something of a presentiment that danger or death was near; having mentioned to some at the Station, with forebodings of solemnity, though free from fears, the solitariness of his nightly walk from the Station to his own house.

The Sunday previous to his death was the Festival of the Heathens' New Year; at which season they give themselves up, for many days, to play and amusement. Some ittle time before his proceeding into the village, as usual, to distribute Tracts and read with the people, one said to him he would meet with difficulties in going, and that it was not a good time to gain the people's attention. He replied, 'If I go in prayer and a proper spirit, I may find some poor soul away from the multitude, and God can prepare his mind to hear:" and it appears that the presence and blessing of the Lord did on that day especially attend him. After vainly attempting to gain a hearing with two parties, he arrested the attention of a third; who, at the conclusion of his reading and addressing them, all left their amusements, and severally returned to their homes: one man of the number discovered considerable concern at what he had heard.

Address from Eph. v. 14. Awake thou that sleepest, &c.: the text had also been preached from a short time before. Samuel, in his turn, rose to speak with more than usual animation: he began by noticing the importance of the subject to them; saying, that though he had heard much respecting it, it was still new to him and he continued to speak for a considerable time with so much of freedom and earnestness, that, to use one of the Teachers' expressions on it, it seemed that all fear was gone from him.

But we come to the more painful part his unexpected removal from us. He was returning from the Station to his house on Wednesday Evening: my house-servant, Lopu, was fortunately with him. It being moonlight, they, in order to save a little distance, went part of the way by a footpath. Samuel walking first, engaged in conversation; and was expressing his fears respecting the state of mind of one of the other servants at the Station, and his grief that, with so many privileges, he should not be careful for his soul; when, on coming to a part of the path which was narrow and confined on each side by a little earth bank, a small spot also crossing the road overgrown with grass and weeds, Samuel, stepping on a part of this spot, trod on a snake. It immediately coiled itself round his leg; but, in his quickness, he shook it off without danger, and hastily ran forward a few paces till he supposed himself free from the reptile; and then, stopping, he turned round to look for Lopu; when, strange to relate, the snake, most probably from the narrowness of the path, had taken the same course; and, on his stopping, was at his feet: it instantly coiled round the other leg, and gave the fatal bite.

His companion, who was behind, says that he had a distinct view of the snake, and that it was a large one of the Beaver tribe, the most dangerous species. Samuel was collected, and immediately gave Lopu directions respecting his wife and children, in case of the approach of insensibility and death; and he expressed himself as feeling prepared and happy in the prospect of being called to another world. They returned a short distance, to the house of a Native Doctor; where what was said to be an antidote to the bite was administered to him, and with the help of Lopu he reached his house. But feeling the effects of the poison extending over him, and fearing that his Heathen Relations would proceed to use ceremonies and in

cantations for his recovery, he almost immediately determined on going to the house of the Government Schoolmaster and Catechist, a pious man, and who has some skill in cases of the kind: with the assistance of Lopu he proceeded, and was enabled to reach the Catechist's house.

I insert here the Translation of a Letter sent to me the following day by the Catechist, detailing, in his own words, the account of Samuel's coming to him.

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"This Letter is to shew, that in 1829, the 5th of April, in the night, after 9 o'clock, I having retired to bed, Samuel, and a young man named Lopu, came and knocked at my door, and informed me that a snake had bitten Samuel on his leg. Immediately I arose; and having prepared a medicine, I gave it him to drink. He seemed to have strong possessions of good thoughts and pious feelings; but when I perceived that the effect of the poison and also perspiration and pain of body were beyond measure increasing, I, without a moment's delay, prepared the medicines proper to remedy the symptoms of the bite, and was watching over him. While thus engaged, one of my relations, Anthopulle, who is also a Doctor, came to my help, and we were both actively employed in attending Samuel. About half-past 10 Samuel's Brother came, bringing with him a Doctor who pretends to perform cures of the bite of a snake by external means, such as beating the leaves of the Margosa-tree on the patient, repeating certain muntherums, incantations, &c. &c. He stood for some time at the door; but afterwards entered, and urged Samuel's going with him, that he might be under the care of the Doctor whom he had brought.

I requested the Doctor to come in; and found that they had brought a large quantity of Margosa-leaves, in order to perform the ceremonies: which when Samuel saw, he immediately spoke, saying they were not necessary, and that they could have no power or efficacy to do good; and he added, that he would not allow them to exercise any Heathenish Practice, although he should die of his affliction; for it would be much better for him to die, than to bring a hindrance or bad faith to the minds of those around him, by yielding to their persuasions: and he said also to those around, 'O people, believe not in such things, for in them is no good!' He then put his bitten leg behind a pillar, refusing to let them see it, or to exercise any ceremony over him. He moreover said to me, 'It was my desire, in coming to you,

for you to do your utmost for both my temporal and spiritual good, and that I might be free from all HeathenCeremonies and Practices; therefore I shall take your medicines and not others, and beg you also to advise my friends not to perform any ceremonies on my account.' Saying thus, he resisted all the attempts of the Doctor brought by his Brother. Then I said to them, 'You see Samuel is strong in his faith: it is not right, therefore, to oppose his wishes.' His Brother still, however, persisted in his attempt to remove him, which I for a long time opposed. But Samuel gradually became weaker, from the powerful operation of the medicine and the increasing effects of the poison: yet while thus decaying in body, his faith and piety were more strong. His wife coming near and weeping, he said, 'Don't be in grief for me. Take the children, and you with them walk in the true Christian Way; follow not the Heathen; and thus doing, God will take care of you:' and he then exhorted her with tears. About 12 or 1 o'clock the poison affected his head. Medicine was then applied to his nostrils and eyes, and he suffered greatly. His relations continued consulting together how they might take him away to their house. I still entertained hopes of his recovery; but at day-break, Samuel himself not being sensible, they, contrary to my wishes, forcibly took him away. I declare, as long as sensible he resisted every appearance of Heathenism. Indeed, there is no doubt but Samuel was a true Christian.

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"This I have briefly written for the information of the Rev. William Adley. (Signed) JOHN PULLE." Early on Thursday Morning, Lopu, who had remained with him during the night, returned to the Station; and came to me with the painful intelligence, stating that Samuel, in his way home the preceding evening, had been bitten by a snake, was in much pain, insensible, and speechless. I soon proceeded, with mixed feelings of grief and hope, to his dwelling. On reaching his house, I found him a little recovered. He was sensible, and able to speak; had been expressing his desires to see me; and on hearing my voice, there was some effort of returning energies. On my inquiring of the state of his mind, he said, with a twice-repeated expression, that he was happy; and spoke of his trust in the Lord Jesus, and the consolation which he felt within. He expressed his confidence that he was going to heaven, and

his concern that those around him, and others, might follow him. He had, he said, before spoken his mind, and they would tell me; and concluded by saying, he knew that he was not in the hands of man but of God, and He would do all things well.

It was manifestly too late to use any effectual means to stay the progress of the poison: my only hope was in drawing it to the surface, by promoting perspiration, &c. The Native Doctor called by his friends was attending him, and expressed himself confident of his recovery: I had, however, but faint hopes of his long surviving. I spoke to them on the use of means in dependence on God for His blessing; and Samuel having expressed a wish to hear prayer, we knelt down and pleaded in his behalf; much desiring, if it were the Lord's will, that he might be spared and restored, but willing to resign him wholly to the Lord. Leaving two or three of the School Youths with him, that I might be informed if any material change should take place, I returned home. He continued through the day with but little variation; was able to hear the Scripture read, and prayer offered, in which he seemed to delight, occasionally making a suitable remark, mentioning his happiness, and exhorting those around to follow him to heaven.

In the afternoon I again went, with Mrs. Adley, to his house he appeared but little altered, and I felt somewhat encouraged to hope for his recovery. His attendants said that he was better, and that the symptoms were favourable. On questioning him, however, my hopes were very faint that he would survive much beyond the 24 hours from the time of his being bitten. He had himself no expectation of life; and, through grace and mercy, he appeared fully prepared for the great change. His mind was tranquil and happy. He had done with the things below. He exhorted his wife not to listen to her Heathen Friends, nor on any account to turn aside from following him, as she hoped to meet him in heaven; and his children he committed to my care. Being again asked if he had any thing further to say to me, he replied, that he had much to say, but was not able. He had, he said, strong faith in God, and knew he should soon be with Him. He expressed his gratitude for all the instruction he had received, and the knowledge which he had obtained of the Gospel; and again declared his joy in

by any other Labourers, was select ed as a Missionary Station. While the Missionaries were preparing for the work of the Ministry by the study of the Native Language, Schools were established in Black Town and at various places in the vicinity; and Catechists and Readers were engaged, for the superintendence of the Schools and the general instruction of the people. In 1818, the Committee purchased premises most desirably situated in the principal street of Black Town, containing a house sufficient for the accommodation of the Missionaries and for the formation of a Mission Establishment. On these premises, by the liberality of the Madras Government, a Church has been erected, and, subsequently, on account of the increase of the Congregation, considerably enlarged: a part of the Buildings is also used for Printing and Book-binding. At Perambore, a short distance from Madras, a small Church has also been built, chiefly at the expense of an individual.

The PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL has been continued in Black Town, and at one or more of the Out-Stations, with very little interruption, and not without an evident influence on those who have availed themselves of it.

In the SCHOOLS in Madras and its vicinity, there were, according to the last Returns, 1000 Scholars, 200 of whom are Females.

The PRESS has not been in so efficient a state as has been desired, from the want of a Printer: though this obstacle to its efficiency, it is hoped, has ere this been removed, by the arrival of a Printer, who left this country in October. It will be seen, however, on reference to the Society's last Report, that many copies of the Scriptures, besides Tracts and other Publications, have been issued from it, under the superintendence of the Missionary who has taken the charge of it.

The two Missionaries, sent out by

the Society to Madras in 1814, were at first employed in superintending the Schools of the Danish Mission, founded by the Rev. Dr. John, in Tranquebar and the adjacent District, which had for some time been chiefly maintained at the Society's expense. They remained there, with Dr. John's Successor, till the commencement of the Mission in Madras, when they both removed to Black Town; but one of them subsequently returned to Tranquebar. The Society continued to supply Tranquebar with a Missionary, and to maintain the Schools, till 1827; when, at the request of the Danish Government, they were retransferred. During the time they were under the Society's care, 6000 Children had passed through them; and, at the period when they were resumed by the Danish Authorities, they contained 1700 Scholars. The Society's Mission in that quarter was then removed to Mayaveram, about 10 miles west from Tranquebar, where, in connection with the Ministry of the Gospel, there are Schools containing 1600 Scholars, and a Seminary for the preparation of Youths as Native Teachers.

The Rev. James Hough, one of the Company's Chaplains on the Madras Establishment, having been appointed to the Station at Palamcottah in the District of Tinnevelly, took effectual measures, soon after his arrival in 1817, for the establishment of Schools in the District. They continued under Mr. Hough's superintendence till 1820, when, his health failing, two Missionaries removed thither from Madras, and have since been joined by a third. The recent Reports of the Society's operations in this quarter furnish evidence of the extensive and increasing blessing which God has vouchsafed to His servants; and it is a subject of gratitude to Him, whose is the glory, because His is the work, that, from the latest accounts, it appears to be steadily ad