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MISSIONARY

BAZAAR AT NEXT ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor of the Missionary Observer.

DEAR SIR,-We beg through the medium of the Repository, to inform the friends of the mission, that we intend opening a Bazaar at the ensuing association, in aid of that institution. Articles both of a useful and ornamental description, will therefore be gratefully received, by the Rev. S. Wigg, New Walk, and Miss Fowkes, Pocklington's Walk, Leicester.

LETTER FROM REV. A. SUTTON.

Cuttack, July 8th, 1844.

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MY DEAR BROTHER GOADBY, * I sit at my desk from early morn till dewy eve, and only on rare occasions go out of the sight of home. I sometimes sigh for a little of the old campaigning work, though on the whole I am well satisfied that I am in my proper place. Yesterday, was however a pleasant day, and furnished somewhat of an exception to my last remark. We had just finished a new hymn book in the Oriya language, containing 310 hymns and an appendix for children. It was the ordinance Sabbath, and the chapel was crowded with our town and country members; but when the latter saw the new hymn books in the hands of the more fortunate town brethren and sisters, their eyes danced, and they seemed to wonder where the [new hymns and sweet melodies came from, for they really sung very well yesterday. There have been many eager applicants this morning and within the past few days. One of the country christians has left his mark on the corner of my letter, but whether I shall ever be able to finish it, is a question, for they keep coming in all day, and a Hindoo has no notion that time is of any value. please them right well, a missionary should have nothing to do, and a very large stock of patience, and let them sit and chat, just as long as they please,-two or three hours at least. This, however, does not exactly square with my pursuits. Ours is a regular house of call; this morning some have been for physic; some for money; some for books; some waiting still; two deputations have been to ask for wives for a couple of country swains; some to sell their country produce, usually oil, vege

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tables, fruit, &c. ; these, in addition to our various proper duties with our own large family, press, &c., keep us pretty busy.

A letter just before me reminds me that perhaps a little account of our schoolchapel, and the subscriptions for it especially, may not be uninteresting. Last July I published a brief account of the first seven years of our orphan asylum in the Calcutta Christian Observer, and in a postscript gave a hint that assistance towards building a chapel for the use of the Institution, would be acceptable. Our first contribution was from Mr. Alexander, our generous Calcutta friend, 100 rupees; Col. Eckford, who was baptized at Cuttack, fifty rupees; J. W. Skipworth-now a pious magistrate, but when I was at Balasore a wild young man who, with three others, used to turn their hounds loose to hunt close at our door nearly every Sabbath. Three out of the four, I have heard, have become changed men,-100 rupees; Anonymous 100 rupees; Capt. H. Lyall (perfect stranger), 50 rupees; George Thompson, Esq., sent to me from Delhi with a little commission. I saw Mr. Thompson in the United States of America, twenty rupees; James Alexander, twentyfive rupees; Mr. Robert Trotter, says he saw that Mr. Skipworth had given and therefore he sends 100 rupees; Captains Martyn, Townshend, and Mac Cleghan, from the banks of the Indus, 50 rupees. A reply to my note thanking these gentlemen brought another which led me to copy these subscriptions; the note being short I copy it. Enclosed was a draft for fifty rupees.

"My dear Sir,-I had the pleasure of receiving a very nice letter from you enclosing one to Col. Eckford, which I forwarded to Sheh jehan poor. The Lord has been very bountiful to me, and I would humbly present the enclosed for his service, and place it at your disposal. Let us return thanks for his goodness.

I am, dear Sir, &c., &c." I apprehend the gentleman and his brother officers, who united in sending the first contributions have passed through the dreadful Affghan campaign. Col. Eckford was shut up with the illustrious garrison at Jellahabad, there also was Dr. Marshman's youngest daughter's husband, the gallant captain Havelock, a pious man. Col. E. was very busy in his attempts to do good. Mrs. E. in a note lately received speaks of his collecting a large company of officers and men, and reading my sermons to them, (forgive this personality*) and goes on to

I had to make the same apology in my last.

say, "I doubt not at the last great day when we shall see clearly all the way the Lord has led us, we shall then bless him for sending my dear husband to Jellahabad." He then was in daily attendance upon the sick soldiers in the various hospitals, and I rejoice to say many heard him gladly. One man, who died, wrote to his wife in the provinces to tell her, if she was ever near the 6th regiment, to go to it and tell the good colonel "what joy and peace he had been the means of imparting to him." The poor man died soon after leaving Jellahabad.

You will forgive my quoting these letters, notwithstanding personal allusions, as they seem to show something of the liberal spirit of christianity in India; for all these donations were voluntary, and most of them from perfect strangers; while the quotation referring to Col. Eckford will, without I hope trespassing too far upon private communications, show how widely christian influence may be spread, and that even amidst the most appalling wickedness (for such surely was the Affghan war) there may be an under current of good.

I have run so far away from my subject that I have hardly room to say that we have built our school chapel on the mission premises, and have built a wall all round. Our chapel has no pews, but a series of broad steps rising up from the centre on three sides, each step nearly a yard broad, on which a mat is spread, and thus our children and adults too, in fact, sit orientally, alias, tailor fashion.

We are glad to hear the Academy goes on well. In our discussions at our round table as to who was to be tutor, fearing brother John Stevenson's strength would not hold out, we had settled that brother Wallis was the man. I hope, however, you will infuse the missionary spirit into the academy. Our American friends think differently on this point, from what we do. I was again and again invited to address large bodies of students; to persuade them to become missionaries, and in one academy, received the names of twenty-three, most of whom are now in the field. I do not mean to say all these became so through my persuasion, but gave me their names to hand in to the board.

My

Evening. Have just had worship with our assembled schools in the chapel, and now finish my letter. I see, among others, waiting for correction, a proof of Ezekiel, which reminds me that thus far we have proceeded with the Old Testament. proof is from the thirteenth to the sixteenth chapter, inclusive. Also a proof of an Oreah vocabulary for government schools, and a proof of the Oreah introductory lessons in progress, nearly completed however. We are also carrying through the press a translation of Barth's Church History, by brother Lacey; and finally, a third volume

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LETTER FROM MISS DERRY TO
HER SISTER.

Berhampore, May 8th, 1844.

MY DEAR ANN.-The great motive for exertion should be the love of Christ. If this is indeed our motive, it will bear us up under disappointments, and support us when we walk in darkness. Since I last wrote you, my experience has been marked by peculiar trials and peculiar mercies. It is not possible for those who are brought up in a christian land, and favored with a religious education, to conceive of the depravity and degradation of man in an heathen state. The noble faculties of the soul appear to lie dormant, and you see him bent only upon the gratification of his animal propensities, and yet capable of wearing such a fair outside, that, without close intercourse with them, you would not imagine them so wicked as they are. Of course I am now speaking of such as have a motive for this deception; where there is no object to be gained, they are not concerned to hide from you their real character.

Mrs. Grant's giving up the school at the time she did, and my dear friends, the Wilkinsons, not wishing to interfere at all with my plans, only to aid me with their kind and useful advice, rendered it easy for me to have the requisite alterations made in the school premises, for the carrying out of a plan which had long appeared to me highly important; but one which I feared to attempt, while so many difficulties lay in the way. To conduct a school of native children without native aid, is, I believe, an experiment that has not been tried before by any in the missionary field; and it was certainly one which I entered upon with much fear and trembling; but I felt that I would rather sacrifice health, or even life, than leave any means within my reach untried, that might tend to root out vice, and implant virtue. Experience daily confirms my conviction, that, to benefit the Hindoos, we must embody our precepts in our actions. But, to do this in a climate so uncongenial to European constitutions, amongst a people so demoralized, and so incapable of appreciating your efforts to promote their present and eternal welfare, and who often, if you reprove them in the most affectionate manner, only reward you with ingratitude, requires more, much more self.renunciation, than do the first steps in the missionary career. Still, whilst we feel weak in ourselves, if we can but feel strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, we can count all our trials light afflictions,

LETTER FROM MISS DERRY.

and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for Him, and to bear witness to the riches of his grace. The Hindoos are not yet a people hungering and thirsting after knowledge; even when we hope they are turned from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, there is yet apparent in them such a degree of apathy as is very painful to the minds of all who long to see them "shine as lights in the world." Let me now, however, turn from this gloomy subject, and record some of the special mercies my Heavenly Father has graciously bestowed upon me; not the least of which is an almost uninterrupted state of health, energy, and spirits; so that, notwithstanding the domestic cares of a family of twenty children, to instruct, provide for, and train to habits of industry, I get through my different duties with some degree of comfort, and fancy it may afford you some degree of satisfaction to know how I spend my time. Well, now you may, if you please, fancy you see me sitting in a large airy room at a desk; to the right of me is a long form, on which stand the elder girls' work-boxes, made of bamboo; on the left is another long form, and a tambour frame, kindly given me by a friend, for the use of the school; there is also a respectable looking clock. This is the room in which I teach not only the girls, but as many of the adult females as wish to be taught sew. ing, &c. The school premises have a neat appearance, but I wish they joined the mis. sion house, my work would then be less laborious.

I have recently had a covered way made to them to shelter me from the burning rays of the sun. I find early rising essential to my health, and during the hot season I usually rise at half-past four. I go out early each morning. It is not quite light when I commence my morning journey, so that I have a little time for quiet reflection. On reaching home, day has begun to dawn, when I read some good book, which prepares the mind for closet duties. I usually reach home by half past five, at six I ring the bell to let the girls know it is time for them to com. mence their morning's work. After this, preparation is made for breakfast; then, if time will admit, I go to Bogapore, and spend half an hour in the day school. There are thirty boys in that school, five of whom read nicely. My own school is opened at seven, but I like to go ten minutes before time, to see if each girl has done her appointed work. The first class have obtained wooden boxes, in which to put their clothes, as a reward for industry. All the girls have brass vessels out of which they eat their rice. These are thoroughly cleansed every morning, the compound and all the rooms are well swept, and their persons made neat and clean for school. All the girls past ten years old wear skirts, made of

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neat check; over their shoulders is thrown a piece of coarse white country-made calico; the little girls wear pinafores, but no cloth. This dress is really neat, and strongly opposed as the natives are to any alterations in their customs, I find the native christians are adopting this dress for their children. I always express my dislike to seeing their children naked, because I am sure it has a very demoralizing effect; I usually spend two hours with them giving instruction. At ten they come to the mission house, and continue till twelve at their knitting. The ladies' society have just sent out ten sets of beautiful knitting pins, just sufficient for the first class; I have given the old pins to the little girls, all of whom are beginning to knit. The little creatures are troublesome enough at present, but in the course of another week they will be less so, and not require so much of my attention. If the hot weather does not waste my strength too much, I mean to spend some time in teaching the native christian boys. A rich native has asked me to teach his boy also; I told him if I did, I should certainly try to instruct him in the christian religion, and he was quite willing I should. If he comes I mean to charge his father for his instruction, and tell him to what purpose I intend to apply it. On Mondays I spend an hour with those who profess to be enquiring the way to heaven, and on Wednesdays another with the female members of the church.

The elder girls have been taught to cut out and make up the dresses worn by the natives. One clever girl I am teaching to make European dresses. We have family worship at half-past eight, after which I leave my charge and continue till eleven with my much loved friends the Wilkinsons, often discussing plans of usefulness for the benefit of the poor Oreahs; Mr. Frye is usually with us on these occasions; he is a sharer both in our sorrows and our joys. He is now translating two useful books for children, one called "Peep of day," the other, "Sin upon sin." These books you should have in your day school at Barton. You will probably have heard that two of our children have lately been married. I was pleased to hear the other day that one of them spends an hour each day with one of the nominal christian females, teaching her to read; this she commenced doing of her own accord. Two of the school girls have lately been baptized, and there are four more who are desirous of being united to the church. One of them told me that for a long time, whilst hearing the gospel preached, she had strong desires to yield her heart to God, but during the week the Sabbath impressions wore away, till within the last few months; but now, she said, I have an abiding sense of the evil of sin, a hatred to it, and I feel

the Lord Jesus Christ more precious to me than every other object. I have hope that through his blood my sins are forgiven. She referred to one of Mr. Wilkinson's sermons, as having aided her in deciding for the Lord. The other girls do not appear to have felt the cleansing efficacy of the blood of Christ applied to their souls, but still feel sin to be a burden. Besides these girls there are three adults, two females, and one male, all I believe approved candidates; there are also several interesting youths who attend the means, and who are anxious to learn to read, in whose eternal welfare we feel much interest. The interesting female I named in my letter to dear Mary, is not with me, she wept much when she took her leave. I have heard pleasing accounts from her several times; so that I hope a real work of grace is begun in her heart. Mary, the interesting brahminee, is returned a widow, with a sweet little boy. I am much pleased with her; she is become very indus. trious, and appears affectionate and mild. To-day she came into my room, and seeing me busy writing, she said, "Give my love to all your beloved friends."

And now, dear Ann, my paper is full. The natives all send their love to you, and wish you would come and live with me. With more love than I can express to all my relations and beloved friends, I remain, Your ever affectionate sister,

CHINA.

INTERESTING FACTS.

SARAH.

To the Editor of the Missionary Observer. MY DEAR SIR.-The two following items were published by the "American Messenger," a journal printed by the American Tract Society. The latter of the two, though brief, is powerful in weight of fact and argument. The friends of the mission will rejoice to see the change produced in the chinese mind, since peace has been proclaimed, and the ports have been opened to European intercourse.

"An example for christians."

"A chinese, who a year ago was a worshiper of idols, and had never heard of the gospel, has been present at the last seven monthly concerts for prayer, and has given one dollar each month. He gains his sub. sistence by working for twenty-cents a day." May the zeal of converted pagans call forth more extensively the benevolence of British christians.

"The changes in China."

The Rev. Dr. Abeel says:-"The China I knew a few years ago is not the China in which I am now residing. We can no

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longer say to the churches at home, 'ye are straightened in us.' The fields, the villages, the junks, the shops, the crowded streets, the numerous temples, are all open Hundreds of thousands are accessible. We can with difficulty escape them. If we have no leisure to visit them, they come to us. Many a time have I returned wearied and exhausted, but their voices have rung in my ears, and I have found little or no relief. And yet I fear the hearts of our churches are not prepared to send the men and money which are needful to supply these millions with the bread of life."

British christians, read these facts, and study these remarks! The way is open. The people are evidently anxious to hear what you have to communicate. The bread of life is prepared in the translation of the word of God, and religious tracts are ready for circulation. The harvest is great, the laborers are few. Send, then, the messengers of evangelical truth to explain the way of salvation, and souls will be saved from death. China must be regenerated, and her millions be brought to Jesus!

I remain, yours truly,
PHILANTHROPOS.

Sep. 16th, 1844.

CEYLON.

DEATH OF MR. DANIEL.

OUR beloved brother Daniel has closed his life of toil, and entered into his heavenly rest. His illness was short-his sufferings were not severe-his death was peaceful and happy-and, I need not say, his reward is great. He was taken unwell on Sunday evening, the 26th of May, while preaching in the Pettah chapel. Sir Anthony Oliphant, with his accustomed kindness, had him re. moved to his own house, where he and lady Oliphant continued unremittingly to supply his wants till death removed him from their care. It was not until the Thursday preceding his decease that his symptoms were considered dangerous, and even on Saturday it was confidently hoped that his life would yet be spared. The affection of his stomach and bowels, however, superinduced dysen. tery, and on Sunday morning at ten o'clock his spirit joined "the spirits of the just made perfect." Mr. Daniel arrived in the island in August, 1830, and his labors there have been unremitting and successful. The com. mittee are affected with the most lively gratitude at the information communicated to them of the kind and assiduous attentions paid to their late lamented missionary by the hon. sir Anthony Oliphant, chief justice of Ceylon, and lady Oliphant; and under a deep sense of obligation for their christian sym. pathy, offer to them their sincere and respectful acknowledgements.-Bap. Mag.

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In our last Chronicle some suggestions were thrown out on the subject of "Efficient Support" to our missionary institutions. They must have commended themselves to all our readers. If they were generally adopted, great good would result to them all. We beg to call the attention of our friends to the following letter, which is so important, so kind, and so much in accordance with the design of our last paper, that we print it here, that it may secure the notice it deserves. It is not pretended that the course taken by our esteemed friend, and the church of which he is pastor, originated in our remarks; but it is a most pleasing coincidence and while tendering to him our warmest thanks, we earnestly beseech other churches, of similar ability, to go and do likewise. The letter is as follows:

"My dear Brother,

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"Rochdale, September 11, 1844. *

"Last evening I submitted to the church here a proposition to the following effect that we open a correspondence with some half-dozen of the adjacent churches, with the design of engaging them to concur with us in sustaining a ministerial agent in Ireland, in connexion with your Society. The proposal, I am happy to say, was cordially approved and adopted. But before it was carried into effect, it was deemed desirable I should communicate with you, to ascertain some few particulars on the following points. First, what is the salary you allow a ministerial agent? Second, do you know any active, good brother, whom we could take under our special patronage? Third, have you any important station presenting itself to attention, and for which provision is not yet made? Fourth, supposing two such agents, and two such stations could be adopted, could you furnish them?

"I have inquired for an important station, that is, a large town, rather than a rural district. Our attention would be fixed on the former, rather than on the latter. This is the principle on which we are acting in connexion with our County Home Mission, and find it most advantageous; we would therefore adopt it in any other sphere of Christian operation. If "the high places" can be subdued, the less potent and defensible will soon submit. Let me hear from you immediately, and believe me, my dear brother,

"Yours very affectionately,

"W. F. BURCHELL."

The information desired was sent off at once, and we hope ere long to communicate the results, which we cannot but hope will be most gratifying. It is encouraging to see these tokens of a growing interest in the operations of the Irish Mission.

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