man who planned the emancipation of Italy from the Austrian yoke, and lived to see it in part accomplished; guided in doing it, so noble and yet erratic a spirit as Garibaldi, outmaneuvered so wily & diplomatist as Louis Napoleon; and helped to brace up Victor Emmanuel to step forward in the noble work as King Honest Man,' his name will be historic. He could | be ill spared just now. Ricasoli is his successor in the ministry. The Italians are anxiously waiting the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the courts of Turin and Paris. The American strife has at length broken out. People in this country greatly err who suppose the issue is-slavery, or abolition. The cry of the north is

Save the Union,' and any return from hostilities to negotiations would at once reveal the divided state of opinion on the 'domestic institution.' 700 slaves have escaped from Virginia. Our brother Graham says, in a recent letter, that General Butler has many runaway negroes working in the trenches. Spain is now added to the list of European powers who have de

clared

to mainFears are

their intention tain a strict neutrality. entertained about the cotton cropbut perhaps without any just foundation. It is said that a larger breadth of corn has been sown' down South' this year than last. The war in New Zealand is at length at an end. English troops are being sent to Canada. The volunteers in England seem to have lost little of their early enthusiasm. Trade is still flat, and many hundreds of people in the manufacturing districts are working short time. The corn crops look promising. Caterpillars have made great ravages in gardens. Gooseberry trees in many cases have been stript of every leaf.

The Paper Duty is at length repealed. The Lords consented with a bad grace, and the Commons have regained their old privilege, yet liberal questions, whether social or ecclesiastical, meet with little favour in either House. We cannot help muttering to ourselves, as we read the dreary platitudes of Tory nominees and Whigs without a political vertebra, 'Get ye gone,-and give place to better men.'

Ir is an era in the history of a neighbourhood when the first convert from heathenism breaks away from the superstitions of his forefathers, and braving losses, sacrifices, and sufferings scarcely to be surpassed by martyrdom itself boldly avows himself a christian. The removal of such a man from the world after having for many years faithfully served the church of Christ, and by his holy life secured the respect even of his heathen kinsmen and acquaintance is an event worthy of some permanent record. Information has been received during the year of the death of two of your native brethren who were honoured to be "the first fruits unto Christ" from their respective localities, Hurree Pardi and Sebo Sabu. Through many long and dreary ages had idolatry cast its baleful shadow over their land. They grew up to manhood as idolaters. Hurree was the first from Athgur, and Sebo the first from Olassa, to receive and embrace the gospel. Their sufferings and sacrifices at the outset of their christian course were surely evidence of their sincerity. Their subsequent course through many years confirmed the reality of the work of grace on their hearts, and now there is every reason to believe that they have entered on that rest which remains for the people of God. Let the revilers of Missions to the heathen, who say that the timid and debased hindoos will not make christians study the histories of these two men. What did Hurree Pardi gain so far as this world is concerned when he found Christ? His gain was to be rejected from his house and farm, to have his wife for a season forcibly detained from him, to endure "trials of cruel mockings", and at length to be driven to find a home in a cow-shed! Let any who think lightly of such sacrifices, tell what they have suffered for the sake of Christ

an

and a good conscience. And as for Sebo, could martydom have been a severer test than the one which he experienced when he openly confessed Christ? Let the supporters of the Mission magnify in these men the grace of God. It is a distinguished honour to be permitted to gather in the first fruits unto the Lord from different parts of Orissa, but how much greater would be the honour and the joy to announce that the last idolater from that dark province had forsaken his false gods and become a disciple of the Saviour. Such a time must come. Let faith anticipate its coming, while toil that never tires, and prayer that importunes to the last, are used as the means for hastening its approach.

BERHAMPORE.

The number of members in the church at Berhampore is rather less than last year, but both your missionaries express the conviction that the cause is in a better state than for some time past, and they have a goodly number of candidates for admission to the church both there and at the new location, a few miles distant.

The cold season is emphatically the missionary's seed time. Then the obstacles to the preaching of the gospel in distant towns and villages interposed by the hot and rainy seasons are removed, the way is opened to districts that can only be reached by long marches and by lengthened absence from home. Your brethren availed themselves of the earliest opportunity in the season to go forth bearing precious seed." They commenced their itineracies in October, and some of the native ministers were out at the latter end of April. The necessity for such labours is forcibly exhibited in the subjoined remarks from Mr. Bailey.

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"In presenting another annual report of our labours. I am afraid our friends at home will say that we are always harping on the old string, the paucity of labourers, and the vastness of the field. Almost every year we make fresh aggressions upon the kingdom of darkness, but with all our extensive itineracies in this district, we have not yet reached the extreme limits of the Oriya country; in fact there are countless masses of people that have never seen a single tract, or ever heard the sound of a Saviour's name, and unless our strength is reinforced these deluded idolaters must inevitably live and die in despair."

On our arrival at Rumagarda a large number of the inhabitants turned out to welcome us and were most anxious to listen to our message. We were not long in making the discovery that one and another had been reading our books. A reference was made by the missionary in his address to the second coming of Christ, and one of the principal men in the village, turning to a companion said, "yes! we know that Christ will come again to judge the world, for we have read this in the New Testament." After one of our addresses in the bazaar, we told the people that if they would prepare a suitable place, we would come about eight p.m. and sing some of our most popular christian poems. When the time drew near three men were sent to our encampment to remind us of our promise, and to conduct us to the spot selected. A large fire was kindled, lights were placed in the centre of the room, and two elk skins were laid down as seats for the sahibs and native preachers. One of the head men called out most lustily to the people to come and meet us, and in a few minutes we were surrounded with a most interesting audience. Between each hymn, brief addresses were delivered by the missionaries and native preachers, and the interest was well sustained for at least two hours.

At the close a number of questions were proposed by the heathen in reference to the person and work of Christ, the plan of salvation, and a future state. After repeated expressions of satisfaction and delight, a greyheaded old man, with a bright open countenance, said, "there is one question I should like to be answered;

tell us how we are to worship the unseen God?" Damudar with admirable tact and clearness answered the inquiry. Turning to the man he said, brother, God can be worshipped in every clime and country, in every time and place. God is here. And with a propriety we can never forget, he said, "let us worship Him now," and without a moment's pause or hesitation, our native brother fell upon his knees, and offered one of the most simple, yet sublime and touching prayers, we had ever heard. O how he pleaded with God for the salvation of his countrymen! A very marked effect had been produced by our songs and addresses, but it is utterly impossible to describe the effect of this prayer, the heathen were completely awe stricken, all were silent as death, such a scene I had never witnessed, and in rising from our knees all were ready to exclaim, "surely God is in this place." The room we occupied had been built for heathen revelry, but that night it was converted into a house of prayer; instead of debauched songs, the praises of him who gave his life for the world were sung, and where satan once reigned supreme we found a very Bethel to our souls.

PADRE PELLA.

RUSSELL CONDAH.

In the Society's Report for 1846 occurs the following paragraph in reference to a mission among the Khonds: "The Indian Government are using their benevolent efforts, and employing their agents, to put down the horrible sacrifices to which for ages these people have been addicted. Success, it is to be hoped, will to some extent crown these efforts; yet the most effectual cure will be the diffusion of gospel light. Of the Khonds, Mr. Buckley remarks: they belong to us, and on us will devolve the blessed work of making known to them the glad tidings of great joy.' The subject of a mission to them has engaged the attention of your brethren, though nothing very effective has yet been practicable." The country was at that time in a very disturbed state, and the Report for the next year contains the copy of a resolution passed by the Orissa Conference to the effect that the way did not then seem open to establish missionary operations among the Khonds, but adding "We would, however, by no means dis. miss the subject from our minds, but await the openings of Providence for a more favourable opportunity to carry out our wishes and desires for attempt ing their conversion to Christ."

At

their last Annual Conference held at Berhampore in November, your brethren unanimously decided to appoint a native preacher and colporteur to Russell Condah. This resolution was passed with a special view to opening the door for the gospel among the Khonds. Two native brethren have been appointed to that town, and a house has been secured without the

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trouble of building. It is sufficiently large for two families, has a large piece of freehold land attached, and the whole has been purchased for the trifling sum of fifty rupees. Your friends in India consider the openings at Russell Condah to be quite providential. Mrs. Goadby, referring to a letter received from her husband while on a visit there observes, "The way seems preparing for a mission at Russell Condah wonderfully. I would quote from this morning's letter but am completely exhausted. The hand of God is in it all. Help, help for the love of Jesus." Perhaps the most pleasing feature of the case is the interest displayed by some of the children in the girls' asylum at Berhampore, in this effort to extend the knowledge of the gospel. For many months they have held a weekly meeting among themselves to pray for the conversion of the heathen. When they heard of what was doing at Russell Condah, several of them, especially the Meriahs exclaimed, "Now indeed we have a proof that God hears and answers prayers. We prayed for the extension of his kingdom, and he has answered us by sending the glorious gospel to our own dear people! Now we will continue to pray the same as ever, but will add another day, especially for our own people, that they may speedily be brought to a knowledge of the truth." Others said, "Now I know I shall meet my parents, or brothers, or sisters, again, for as soon as they hear of the loving Saviour, they will believe in him." Who can be indifferent when "babes and sucklings" thus plead with God for the conversion of their heather relatives? Shall not the prayers that prevail with God also prevail with christians in this favoured land, to send the further help that is needed?

our

It is of the first importance that one or two European missionaries should be stationed at Russell Condab. This however is impracticable unless at least one additional missionary be sent out from this country.

PIPLEE.

Piplee is a village situated on the great Juggernath road, about half way

One night we had a remarkably good audience, and the truths made known appeared to have some effect upon the minds of those present. On this occasion the subject of caste was introduced by a man of the Sudra caste, and stoutly defended by a brahmin present. Thoma, who was then speaking, took up the question, and before he had disposed of it made his opponents thoroughly ashamed. The discussion was somewhat as follows:

Thoma inquired-Is not the foundation of this caste your shastres? Brahmin.-Yes.

Thoma-Do not the shastres say that the four divisions of mankind all proceeded from Bruhma?

Brahmin.-Yes.

Thoma.-Then, after all, we all had one origin; and therefore caste is a great error; for if we are all the

Brahmin.-Oh but one caste issued from the mouth, another_from_the arms, a third from the bowels, and the fourth from the feet of Brubma; how then can there be an equality?

Thoma-Nay, friends! you know the Panasa (jack fruit) is not all borne on the upper branch. But do you therefore call that borne on the lower branches by some other name and count it inferior? Nay, verily. I know, continued Thoma, that in some respects there is a difference between the eldest son in a family and the youngest; the former has rights, being his father's heir, which the latter cannot claim; but are they not therefore brethren? Further, the big brother does not despise the little brother: you know be loves him tenderly, carries him in his arms, and in every way acts towards him the part of a father, does he not? Brahmin.-Yes to be sure.

Thoma. -But does the brahmin whom you call the big brother do this him? does he not avoid all contact to the sudra? rather, does he not hate with him? yea, does he not trample bim under bis feet? The good man is surely the great man: but wherein consists the goodness of the brahmin ? Does he not lie; coming to your door after having eaten a good breakfast and saying, "I have eaten nothing for three days-give me a little?" Is he not revengeful-cursing you if you give him not what he asks? Is he not a deceiver, blessing and filling you with plenty while he himself is starving from want? Is he not covetous and cruel, selling his own daughter, a girl of ten or twelve years old, to an old man of sixty, to be his wife, at whose death she will be condemned to perpetual widowhood, or rather, as you know, to a life of prostitution?

When our brother had reached this point the poor brahmin was 80 thoroughly ashamed that he slunk away, and we saw him no more: but the "common people," who themselves sanctioned what the preacher said, and could testify from sad experience to the truth of these statements heard all gladly.