Esq., and encouraging addresses were delivered by the pastor, the Rev. J. Sutcliffe, and brethren A. Brooks, J. Edwards, J. Heap, and T. Kirkman. The proceeds of the tea, with donations and the praiseworthy efforts of the ladies' serving committee, amounted to the handsome sum of £40.

GENERAL BAPTIST COLLEGE, CHILWELL, NEAR NOTTINGHAM. Our readers will remember that the Committee were empowered by the Association to purchase the premises now held on lease at Sherwood Rise. While negotiations were on foot more commodious and far more eligible premises at Chilwell, near Nottingham, fell into the market. The Committee at once gave the preference to the property at Chilwell. It stands about a mile from the Beeston station, consists of a good house, and a large separate building called the college, with a second residence at one end, and a

tower, surmounted by an observatory at the other. Including garden, orchard, and paddock, there are eight acres of excellent land abutting on the turnpike road. The situation is most beautiful and salubrious. The late proprietors having failed, the assignees put up the property for sale by auction with a reserve bid upon it of £3,500. The bid on behalf of the college was £2,950, at which sum it has since been purchased by private treaty. The property cost the late owners little short of £5,000. The principal building, of a most substantial character, was erected only three years ago. The whole estate is freehold. Now that a local habitation' has been secured everyway so suitable we sincerely hope that our college will still further awaken the sympathies and elicit the support of every church in our denomination.

MARRIAGES.

Sep. 10, at the Baptist Chapel, Wirksworth, Mr. Chas. Bryer, London, to Patience, youngest daughter of Joseph Malin, Esq., of Shottle, near Belper.

Sep.11, at Archdeacon-lane Chapel, Leicester, Mr. Jos. Truman, youngest son of Rev. T. Stevenson, to Harriet, fourth daughter of the late Mr. Staples, of Leicester.

Sep. 12, at Mary's gate, Derby, Mr. W. Robinson, to Sarah, daughter of Mr. J. Barraclough.

Sep. 12, at Trinity Church, Chelsea, J. A. Froude, Esq., to Henrietta, daughter of the late John Ashley Warre, Esq., M.P.

Sep. 15, at the Baptist Chapel, Peterborough, Mr. Henry Harbour, to Mrs. Harriet Todd.

Sep. 18, at Mansfield-road Chapel, Nottingham, Mr. A. T. Rackham, of the Admiralty Registry, Doctor's |

Commons, London, to Annie, second daughter of Mr. W. Stevenson, Shakspeare-street, Nottingham.

DEATHS.

BY REV.

J.

BUCKLEY.

Cuttack, July 2nd, 1861.

Ar the time of sending our last report, we were in a state of great anxiety and concern in reference to securing a plot of land for another christian village. I am now glad to tell you that the land has been secured, and that we all feel much satisfaction in the settlement of the question. It appears desirable now to relate the circumstances, somewhat in detail, for the information of the friends and supporters of the mission. Early in 1857, J. Peyton, Esq., a generous and warm-hearted friend of the mission, who had removed from Cuttack; in a letter to me* gave the property on his estate, comprising two houses, one of which was large, to the mission here. He left us at liberty to let the houses, and devote the proceeds to the mission, or to pull them down and sell the materials for what they would fetch. The proprietory right in the land belonged to the Zemindar, (a Mussulman who has given us a good deal of trouble), and it was subject to an annual rent of 64 rupees, which has now increased to 94, (£9 8s.) The extent of it is nearly 30 bigahs or about 10 English acres. For a time the large house was rented, and the proceeds devoted, after deducting expenses, to the mission schools; but it became at length so much out of repair that we could not let it: the expense of putting it in thorough repair was far too serious to incur; and so we decided to pull it down and sell the materials. I should however state, that we have from the beginning strongly felt the desirableness of establishing another christian village on the land, as all our available land *This Letter has been filed in the Judge's Court,

for building purposes has long been occupied, and our young people who wished to build houses could not secure land for the purpose: but the difficulty in securing it has often seemed well-nigh insurmountable; and nothing but the persuasion that the Lord could easily remove all obstacles, and that if secured, it would be of invaluable service to our native christians, has prevented us from throwing it up in disgust. Our first difficulty was, that the pottah (or title deeds) which Mr. Peyton promised to send to me never came to hand, either through negligence of his agents, or through the awful mutiny which raged a few weeks later, and stopped communication: but if we had obtained these documents they would have been of no service when the house was pulled down. There have been as many as four or five suits instituted to enhance the rent, or oblige us to give up the land; and the annoyance and vexation which all this litigation has occasioned have not been small but hope has sustained us. It is about a month since the case was decided in the Judge's Court. I was summoned as senior respondent to appear, and did so the case was dismissed on technical grounds; but I was assured by a high authority that the law was altogether against us; and that if the Zemindar instituted, as he had a perfect right to do, a suit in the civil court, the decision must be adverse to us. The brethren had previously endeavoured to persuade him to agree to terms similar to those finally adopted, and he had repeatedly promised to do so; but as often evaded the fulfilment of his promise. When the case was dismissed he appeared disheartened, and his Mooktear (attorney) promised on his behalf when he left the court, that he would give a lease of the land on the terms mentioned, and would do it at once. We hoped to obtain it the

next day, which happened to be Friday, but were again doomed to disappointment. The Zemindar was said to be so much indisposed as to be unable to transact business, (it is sometimes convenient to be so, and we suspected this might be the case with him). Nothing can be done in this country without oiling the wheels a little. A present of a few rupees facilitates business amazingly, and often saves expense in the end; so we promised the Mooktear a handsome fee if the lease was speedily given. The business was soon settled. The following day was Saturday, and he told us that the astrologers had been consulted and pronounced that a very unlucky day. Sunday was our holy day, and it could not be done then; but on Monday it might be effected, and accordingly it was. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon what has been done. The anxieties of four years are now at rest; and the lease is to the next assessment, which will be in 1877. Before that time many of us will be sleeping in the dust of the earth; but it is presumed that if any difficulty then arise, the assessment will be at the same rate as the adjoining land.

A question was raised at the Liverpool Conference on Missions, as to native converts being gathered from the heathen and formed into separate villages; and the wisdom of this course was questioned by one and another; but it should be understood, that so far as Orissa is concerned, and I apprehend the remark will apply to other parts of India, the missionaries have had no option. The exclusive and wicked system of caste has compelled them, willing or unwilling, to pursue the course they have done, and those who object, could not if placed in their circumstances have acted differently. We are not according to the proverb, to blame the most wicked of beings beyond his demerits, but the blame, if blame there be, in establishing separate christian villages must without question be attributed to the selfish and hateful caste system which originated in his dark and malignant abode.

I must add, as the result of a good deal of experience in relation to christian villages, that apart from the conviction, that in present circumstances, such a course is necessary for the good of the people, I would on no account sustain the responsibilities which, in this respect, I do. I have actually had during a great part of this year three cases in the courts at the same time. Happily at the present time I have only one. Other engagements are to me far more congenial and interesting; but I attend to these solely on the ground of its being my duty. I do not know that I have ever before referred to this aspect of my work; and I could if disposed tell a long story about these things, but I will only further say, that I find it very difficult in relation to these engagements to act on the inspired direction. 'Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily." May all our duties, whether pleasurable or otherwise, receive the blessing of the Lord; and may the imperfections of our holiest services be pardoned for his beloved sake, "whose we are and whom we serve."

LABOURS

AT POOREE DURING THE HOT SEASON. BY REV. G. TAYLOR.

Piplee, July 15th, 1861. HAVING spent some time at Pooree in the hot season as usual, you may be interested with a short account of our labours there.

Knowing somewhat of the turbulent spirits we had to meet on the field of conflict, we went to the bazaar the first night, I confess with "fear and trembling," and yet I trust in humble dependence on Him who has said, "Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." As to numbers, our audience on this occasion was good, several hundreds being present, but alas! characterized by stolid indifference and unconcern. Objections were raised and questions proposed, but clearly

able young man came up to me and begged I would give him a book, such as that, part of which he had in his house. I told him to sit down and when the preachers had concluded I would attend to his request. Upon this he hastily arose and went away, but in about fifteen minutes he returned with two leaves of the New Testament in his hand. "This," said he, "is the kind of book I want, will you give me a copy? He further said, "There is a Byragee living a little distance from here who wishes much to see you, he has read this book and wants to have some conversation on the subject." I promised him he should have the book he requested, and that we would take an early opportunity to visit the devotee. So the next evening, after a most encouraging service at the bazaar, when, according to promise, the young man was again present, we went to the Byragee's residence. He was evidently expecting us, for he had painted his body with various colours, and had a tremendous plume of peacock feathers on his head, and sitting in a retired part of the house in apparent meditation. He received us very politely, and bade us be seated, and then, by way of conferring his blessing on the sahib, he two or three times stroked me down from head to foot.

On asking wherefore he had sent for us, he replied that he had met with a part of our holy book and had read it with interest, but that he wished to know more about it. The two leaves contained an account of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of all things, Matt. xxiv. He then bade one of his disciples (three or four of whom were present) read parts of the chapter, repeating extensively himself by heart; he asked what the various events predicted referred to, and when they were to take place, especially and repeatedly did he inquire what he was to understand by the time of your redemption draweth nigh." He was totally ignorant of The Son of Man," and therefore very naturally attributed

the phrase to Krushna, whom he himself worshipped, and much time was spent in trying to convince him of his error on this point.

During conversation he appeared much afraid least his neighbours should hear what was being said within, and when any one knocked at his door, he inquired very particularly who was there before he would permit the door to be opened. I stayed with him about half-anhour, when, thinking he might converse more freely with the native brethren were I not present, I took my departure. And so it was, for the brethren reported that after my departure the Byragee became more at ease, and with greater freedom spoke of his convictions and impressions. He also invited them to sit on his own new mat, (a most unusual thing,) and allowed them to light their cigars at his own light. After having questioned them generally about the religion of Jesus Christ, and particularly as to the twenty-fourth of Matthew, he said, "I have frequently passed through the bazaar and heard the gospel preached, and it appeared very strange to me that these christians should come here year after year and labour to teach and instruct the people notwithstanding that scarcely anybody appeared practically to regard what was said. And that, though hooted, and reproached, and insulted; though pelted with dust, and bedaubed with cow dung, not only persisted in coming, but did not attempt to resist such evil treatment. Seeing all this made me think there must be something peculiar about this new religion." The brethren then asked him, if he was prepared to acknowledge his convictions before the world? To which he replied, "No! I have not the courage to do that, nor should I like anybody to know about the object of your visit." Indeed, the brethren could see how greatly afraid he was lest anybody outside should hear what they were talking about. Once and again when any of them grew animated and spoke rather loudly, be begged they would