referred to the anxiety we had lately had on hearing that our pastor had been invited to preach elsewhere, with a view of becoming their minister. Mr. Sprigens, the junior deacon, then read, on behalf of his brethren and the church, a warm and affectionate address to our pastor, referring to the high esteem and affection in which he was held by every member of the church, sympathizing with him in the affliction through which he had passed during the last year, and, concluded, by handing him a substantial proof of their sympathy, a purse of twenty sovereigns. Mr. Preston briefly and feelingly replied. The meeting was afterwards addressed by our senior deacon, Mr. Garratt, and brother Hinton. THE REV. T. M. LAXTON, of Leicester-street, Melton Mowbray, having separated from one of the sections of the Methodist body, upon his conviction of our views of believers' baptism being scriptural, has expressed a desire to find a sphere of ministerial labour amongst us. The Committee of Examination have had the case before them, and beg to state that having carefully looked into his testimonials of Chris tian character and ministerial qualification, feel themselves fully justified VISIT TO THE KHOND COUNTRY. | amination at the London University. Al LETTER TO THE SECRETARY. Russell Condah, Feb. 2nd, 1861. MY DEAR BROTHER,-This morning I returned from my visit to the Khond country, and though I have only time for a hasty line, I must acknowlege the receipt of your last kind letter of December 8th. You are aware that my object in coming to Russell Condah is to make arrangements for the location of a native preacher and colporteur, but the field is such an inviting one, that we must have one or two European brethren located here. In a short time I shall be able to lay before you a report of my labours. My visit to the Khond country has been a most satisfactory one. I went to a place called Pooroona Garda, about forty miles in the interior. In reaching the Khond couutry I had to ascend three ghats, and so steep was the ascent in some places, that I was fairly done up. The mountain scenery surpasses anything I have ever witnessed. The forest was unbroken, and it seemed as though the woodman's axe had never been heard in those regions. On either sides of the pass ferns were growing in abundance. Though we commenced the ascent early in the morning, we did not reach the summit until past midday. We found above the mountains a beautiful tract of cultivated land, and the air was so tracing, that I could almost have imagined I had been on the hills of Charnwood forest. I have seen about forty Khond villages, and have mingled with not a few of the people. I have fixed upon a place where, if the means are placed at our disposal, missionary operations might be commenced forthwith. In the cold weather it is much colder than on the plains, and during the month of December, the fields and houses are covered with hoar frost, and ice is seen an inch thick. But I will not anticipate the report I hope soon to send you. You may be prepared to receive a most urgent request for the commencement of a Khond mission without delay. I was very pleased to see that your son Edward had passed the B A. ex low me to congratulate both him and you. Believe me, ever yours affectionately, FEMALE MISSIONARY LABOURS. The following letters from Mrs. Buckley and Miss Butler are full of interest, and illustrate some of the in the mission are able to act as fellowmany ways in which your valued sisters helpers to the truth. LETTER FROM MRS. BUCKLEY. In camp 63 miles from Cuttack. Bhuddruck, January 2nd, 1861. Nor having been from home for two years excepting for a few days to see our christians at Choga, I was thankful for the privilege of accompanying my dear husband on his present tour. On the 18th of December, I bade farewell to my friend Miss Butler, our dear children, and the many cares of home life, not without a feeling of sadness. I trust our Heavenly Father will watch over those who remain at home, and keep them in peace and safety, and be with us in all our journeyings. Dear Mrs. Hill and her children were Our my companions in travelling. husbands left home the day before. We reached the encampment at Tangi just as the shades of evening drew on. Our husbands had returned from their labours amongst the people, and were right glad to welcome us to partake with them of a comfortable dinner, prepared gipsy fashion. eight o'clock we had a cup of tea, and were favoured with the company of the chaplain and his daughter, who were going by dàk to Calcutta. The chaplain said he should much enjoy a tour with us among the people; he is a truly generous kind-hearted man. At We 19th. Early this morning our tents were struck, and we went forward taking our breakfast with us. knew from past experience that our tents and furniture carts would not We arrive so early as we should. arrived at Chatia our resting place Female Missionary Labours. 155 just what they do, here I enumerated the routine of domestic duties which corresponded with their own; they smiled and said to each other; the lady knows all about our house-work. Well, I said, in addition to this, they learn to read, write, sew, &c. This nice warm cap I am wearing, was made for me by one of the girls. This necktie, that keeps the cold from my neck, another made; the collar and sleeves I wear, were made by the school girls. Christianity teaches us to be industrious that we may honestly obtain food and clothing for the body; but it teaches us more, it tells us of the priceless value of our souls, and how we may obtain the forgiveness of sin, and be made happy for ever. Some of those dear girls, about whom you have heard, love the Lord Jesus, and they will daily pray for me, that I may be able to say something to you, my dear friends, about Him, that you may forsake your idols that cannot save you, and trust in the Lord Jesus, who died to save you. A weaver was present, whom we often employ in making the cloths worn by the school children, he confirmed all that had been said about the school. I was treated with the greatest respect, and a present of plantains and milk was sent from the village to us through the weaver. Though it was now dark several persons came with me who were anxious to obtain books they were able to read, one of them said, "I have read through Proverbs, it is a good book." reaching our resting place, we found a number of people round Mrs. Hill, she and two of the school boys were singing Oriya hymns; seeing the people unwilling to go away, I requested Shem, the native preacher, who had just come in from Cuttack to address them. about ten o'clock, and were accommo- | Lord Jesus Christ. They all earn a dated with four small mud built rooms livelihood at different employments. used by native travellers; they were At home, I have a large school of your quite clean, and a good shelter from country girls. Now I will tell you the heat of the sun. The whole range of rooms being open at the top, we were rather annoyed with the smoke when cooking, there being no chimneys; but we made up our minds to be happy. Our garry with chairs and tables had not come up. Mr. Hill took the white cover from Mrs. Hili's cart and spread it on the mud floor; I brought in my palkee mattress and spread a table cloth over it, on it we arranged our breakfast. Mrs. Hill, the children, and myself, seated ourselves on the mud floor, covered with the white cloth, and our husbands sat upon a stool, not liking to stoop so low as we did. Early in the afternoon the brethren went out to preach at a village. I strolled out to try if I could meet with some women and children. I did not know there was a village near, and was therefore surprised and pleased to find bebind the bazaar houses quite a respectable agricultural village. Several women had come to a well to draw water, and on my saluting them and telling them I should like to go to their village, they replied very well come with us; they led me to the centre of the village to an angle of three streets. The verandahs of the houses were paved with large stones, and pointing to oue, they said, sit on that. Men, women, and children, formed themselves into a half circle round me. I bad a number of tracts in my hand. Holding up the Jewel Mine of Salvation and putting on my spectacles, I said, would you like me to read to you? They gave a general assent, all sat quietly whilst I read half through the book. They heard of their lost condition, of the inability of their idols to save them, of deliverance by Christ, of the resurrection from the dead, and final judgment. At the close of my reading a man said, if we mind this instruction our caste will go and then how can we live? I replied, if you become a christian it will not hinder you from working. Go to Cuttack and you will see bundreds of your countrymen and women, who have given up idolatry, and many of them love and serve the Оп Our next stage was a long one, and there being no place for shelter apart from our tents, we thought it best to occupy our mud rooms for the night, and send forward the tents at three o'clock a.m., that they might arrive at the end of the next stage by the time we did. Our furniture garry remained with us, as we required bedding, &c., for the night. We rose early on the 20th. Arranged a breakfast. for our husbands, and then Mrs. Hill, the children, and myself, proceeded on our journey. The brethren remained to preach at a market. Since 1 was on this way the telegraph wires have been laid down, and milestones measure the road; proofs that this great country is progressing. The milestones seemed like friends, they recalled many pleasant reminiscences of the past. Occupied with thoughts about beloved friends whose faces in all probability I shall not again see in the flesh, I walked five miles. The sun had made himself felt, and I was glad to get into my palkee. Our route thus far has been on the great Juggernath road; and very numerous have been the groups of wayworn pilgrims we have met on their way to the great shrine at Pooree. I have often counted five women to one man, all looking so sad and poverty stricken. The latter part of this stage, we met pilgrims of a different class. First we met men and boys robed in green silk quilts, and gay turbans, mounted on horses, then a train of palkees; and on entering into Naol pore Bazaar, our halting place, I counted a dozen up-country carts, each drawn by three large fierce looking bullocks; each cart appeared to contain a family of wealthy natives. The tops of these up-country vehicles are very like the head of a French bed, with scarlet curtains drawn round, I got out of my palkee near to one of the carts. Little George Hill, my companion, was quite frightened at the strange sight, and began to cry. The native lady drew back the curtain to look at us, and beckoned with her hand for us to go nearer; taking George up in my arms I went to them. The lady was well dressed and wore a profusion of ornaments. The husband, as I suppose him to have been, held a sweet babe nine months old, in his arms, it was laughing, and I fancy he held it out to let George see how happy it was, George had two rag dolls in his hand, one I took from him and offered to the baby, it was received with a smile and graceful salaam, and a pretty humming top presented by the gentleman to George. We tried to talk to each other, but I could only make out they were from Benares and going to Pooree; and the age of the baby. As far as the eye could take in, on each side of the way, there were trees, and all the trees were occupied by travellers or bullocks, who had been resting during the night, and were now preparing to start again. Very many of them were pilgrims, and my mind was oppressed with this unexpected sight of the power of idolatry. I was roused from my musings by our cart-man saying, "we can find no place to pitch the tents;" on looking round, I found a quiet field just off the road, containing two trees in it. Dear Mrs. Hill came up in her bullock cart with the other two children, before her tent was pitched. Her men and mine uniting under our superintendence, the top of her tent was soon hauled up, and very thankful we were to take shelter under it, for the clouds had passed away and the sun was shining in his strength. We sat down to our breakfast at noon, weary and hungry. We had come ten miles, having taken only a cup of coffee and a little toast before we started; five of these miles I had walked. as I have a great dislike to travelling in a palkes. I never sat down to breakfast with a keener appetite. When the brethren arrived we had our tents pitched, and in order, they praised our good taste in the selection of the camping ground. On each side of the tents, a few fields off, were two large hills covered with trees and bushwood, presenting a lovely appearance to the eye. The drawback to looking at them with unmingled pleasure was, knowing that beasts of prey had a home there. But the numerous fires all round our tents were to us a safe-guard. 21st. To accommodate the brethren, who had to go a distance to a market, we had an early breakfast, and then marched on to Brahminee Rool. George Hill could not forget his fright of the previous day, and refused to travel with me any longer; Henry signified his willingness to share the palkee with me, and he being older, I found him the more interesting companion, his quick eye saw everything new, and he had many questions to ask me, and |