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MISSIONARY

BAZAAR AT NEXT ASSOCIATION.

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To the Editor of the Missionary Observer. SIR,-I was gratified by the announce. ment in your last number of the intention of the Leicester friends, at the approaching Association, to make preparations for a bazaar. I was much grieved to find that at the last Association at Wisbech the proceeds, without a bazaar, only reached £13. 18s. 5 d., whereas when there was a bazaar in 1828, it realized £50. I think every place that is of sufficient importance to have the Association should not lose sight of this very efficient means of aiding the missionary cause. I would also beg to add a few suggestions for future occasions. provision stall could be arranged, it might meet the views and circumstances of many persons attending the association, and be made a source of profit. Let the wealthy, and such as prefer a respectable and sumptuous feast, enjoy themselves at their "inns," but let those who wish to economize, that they may be liberal, have facilities for so doing A book and print stall might, I think, be supplied by many friends who could better afford to give such things than money. Some may have duplicates of works which they would like to part with to aid the cause. Any old and rare Connexional works might here find willing purchasers, which, if sold to an ordinary bookseller, could only make waste-paper price. Might not some of our tradesmen also select from their stock some articles which have been long on hand, and which they cannot very readily dispose of, that would here either find purchasers or might be of use to send out to the missionaries. If these hints in any way aid the mission cause it will be gratifiying to Yours, in gospel bonds,

E. A.

TRIP TO BURADA AND HURRIHURPOOR.

(From Mr. Sutton, August 12th, 1844.) IN pursuance of the plan adopted by brother Lacey and myself, of dividing the Cuttack section of the province into five distinct fields of labor, namely, the central station to be Cuttack, embracing the city and country ten miles round it, and four others nearly at the cardinal points, extending to about fifty miles from Cuttack, making the whole area about 100 miles in diameter, I have lately paid three visits to the eastern field, which falls under my charge

OBSERVER.

pro tem. In the first trip, I went eastward, to a place called Burada, but had scarcely reached it before an express came to fetch me home; so that I could do little more than explore the neighbourhood of Cuttack eastward, for about twelve or thirteen miles. I found, however, many villages which seemed to invite attention. As soon as I could secure another day, I again visited Burada, by a somewhat different route, having previously sent forward Doytari and Damuda. They were about a week exploring the neighbourhood of Burada, and found a vast many places of considerable size for Oriya villages. Burada itself is a large village, surrounded by others, at half a mile to a mile distant from each other, on the north and eastern sides; westward is the road to Cuttack, where there are many hamlets, and some large villages; and southward is the Katjoori river. At Burada is a large salt depot, to which numbers of people flock from the surrounding country. Our native brethren found good employ among them during part of two days they remained. The day I was there a market also was held, close to where we stopped. It was but a small one, but we preached the Gospel for hours, to from ten to forty men, that is, to a fluctuating congregation, averaging that number. The place is rendered more important by its being the high way to all the south-eastern part of the province, and, consequently, many people are constantly passing and repassing to and from Cuttack. The distance being about as far as I could hope to visit, we looked about for a spot on which to build a small hut to accommodate us, or perhaps to form a permanent residence for a couple of native preachers- Such a spot we selected near the market, and obtained the promise of it from a native official. Dwarkanath Tagore is the zemindar of all this part of the country though he has never seen it, and manages it by native agents. I found, however, by the next time I visited the place, that they did not intend I should have the piece of ground if they could help it; so have written to the Baboo himself. Whether we make it a sub-station or not, it is a place we shall probably visit; and a spot of ground that will cost a shilling or two a year for rent will be worth securiug.

To-day, July 27th, I have just returned from a more extended trip into the Hurrihurpoor Purgunnah. By travelling at night in a palke, I reached Teen Teer, or Tribena, upwards of twenty miles, by morning, a place we have several times visited at an idolatrous festival. The native preachers, however, Doytaree and Damuda, were about

LETTER FROM MR. WILKINSON.

a koss further on, at Hurrihurpoor village; so, after getting some refreshment, I started after them. But a mile and a half on this side, as I passed a native market, I saw them under a tree, just commencing operations. I took them by surprise, but it was a mutually agreeable one, and we had a very good opportunity, in a large market and among many hearers, who behaved very well. The rain however came down heavily at times. There being a small bungalow belonging to the superintendent of the embankments near Tribena, we retired early in the afternoon, and took up our abode in the verandah. The owner, though an English. man residing at Cuttack, is not favourable to missionaries, and we dared not seek an entrance. The verandah, however, answer. ed our purpose. Here we had some profitable talk with an individual or two. And in the evening Damuda and Doytaree each preached nearly an hour in the neighbouring large village (while I stood by them) called Nooa Patna. I was obliged to start off to. wards home after dark, but my bearers were fagged, and the rain was heavy, so that it was nearly noon to day ere I reached Cuttack. The part of the country I have now visited presents a wide, populous, and convenient field.

There are many large markets, the best preaching places in Orissa, at the present stage of missionary operations, situated at a very easy distance from Tribena; and altogether the district seems strongly to plead for a missionary able and willing to labor. Many of these markets have been visited by brother Lacey in his former missionary tours, and appear in his journals as affording his most encouraging opportunities.

Doytari and Damuda I have sent into another part of the purgunah, or country of Hurrihurpoor, and when they return, after two days, will be able to give me about all the information needed respecting it. This will probably be the field where I shall form a station, in hope of the society placing a missionary brother there; and Burada will form a good halting place about half way in the direct road towards it from Cuttack.

India being so large a country, the maps are usually on so small a scale that no idea of the extent of particular districts can be gathered from them; the names, even of purgunahs, or small countries, are not often mentioned. The location however is as follows. The Katjoora river runs to the south of Cuttack toward the sea eastward; after throwing off the Sarah, Daib, and Mooha, branches, it divides at Tribena, or three streams; the largest branch, which runs towards the black Pagoda, is the Alunkar, and the other, still called Katjoora, turns to the north east and rejoins the Mahanuda. The Hurrihurpoor purgunnah commences at Burada, and runs along the northern

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shores of the Katjoora, some ten miles below Tribena, where it also turns southward and is bounded by the Alankar, and the southern banks of the Katjoora; on the western side of the Alankar are the Purgunnahs, Sibeer, and Syboo, also in my division. The whole division embraces five or six of these countries, or purgunnahs; of the four nearest Cuttack, or western part of my di. vision, I have obtained a tolerably accurate map, with the principal villages. In Kodindah, the most westerly Purgunnah through which I pass, there are nearly sixty villages and hamlets, varying from ten to two hundred houses, put down.

(To be continued.)

LETTER FROM MR. WILKINSON. Gopalpore, near Berhampore, June 5th, 1844.

MY DEAR SIR.-We' have been spending a short time at this place for the benefit of the sea air: the very great heat of Berhampore during the last month brought on a slight return of dysentery. Mrs. Wilkinson's health has very much suffered, and Miss Derry has been unwell; I am thankful to say are we all much improved; Miss Derry and the girls school returned a few days ago, and we return this week. We have had some rain, so we hope to have cooler weather.

As Mrs. Wilkinson is writing this month, in answer to your kind letter, dated February 29th, I only think of sending a few lines with my accounts, which I am sorry I have not been able to get off earlier.

Our new chapel is almost finished; I hope to be able to send a drawing of it when complete. We have been fortunate in getting the roof on before the 'commencement of the rains; I am sorry we have obtained very few subscribers yet.

We hope soon to see Mr. Buckley: I am sorry no more like him can be found. We are about to have a prayer-meeting that the Lord of the harvest may send more labourers into the field. I should much like to see Mr. engaged in translations in

Orissa.

Our young friend Lieut. — still continues to aid us in our duties; his progress in the language is most astonishing; he is now translating two books for the use of our schools, one is the "Peep of day," the other, "The Hindoo Traveller." We have lately had some conversation on the probability of his being entirely employed in seeking the spiritual good of the natives; his present duties are far from being in accordance with either his taste or the desires of his heart; but there are many openings in the civil service for young men of talents. He has applied to be employed in such a way as

will enable him to possess more influence over the natives, and means of doing them good, than if he were engaged as a missionary. He is expecting to be engaged in stopping the human sacrifices among the Khunds, when he hopes to arrange their language and introduce among them a writ ten character, and ultimately the Word of life, in their own tongue; for this I do not think any one could be better fitted than himself. He is now unwell, and is spending a few days with us at this place.

With kind regards, believe me
Yours cordially,

H. WILKINSON.

LETTER FROM AN OREAH GIRL.

The following letter, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Stubbins, was received a short time ago, from Maria, a girl in the Berhampore Asylum; she was baptized about three years ago, and has adorned her profession by her consistent and amiable deportment.

Berhampore March 17th, 1844.

"To you, O my very beloved parents, I sending loving salutations, write this letter. Through the mercy of God, the brethren, sisters, and children, are all well. My anxious desire is again to see you; but what shall we say God has separated us; and it is because his love is within you that you have not forgotten us. My earnest hope is that, should we not see you again in this world, we shall certainly meet you in heaven. This hope delights my soul! The will of the Lord be done! The letter that you wrote to Pooroosootom we all heard, and were filled with pleasure, because we found that papa was so much improved in his health. Our earnest prayer is, that the Lord may ever continue to bless you abundantly. In your letter you said you should leave dear Harriet and Carey behind you, when you returned; hearing this my mind was much distressed; but again I thought it will be for their welfare, and it will be right.

The Lord in mercy has preserved us from accident and danger, and not leading us into temptation, he has kept us to this day, and has given us grace to continue in his service, in which we hope to remain till we die. Our prayer is, that he will enable us to continue the faithful desciples of the Saviour, and after death receive us into glory. The Lord grant this, the desire of our heart.

We were formerly ignorant and wretched, but the Lord had mercy upon us; and now that we have believed upon Christ, he will not suffer us to lack any good thing. Darlimbo, Juggernauth, Negare, and

Jugapa,* believing in Christ, have recently been baptized, and are now members of the church. O my dear parents, remember that in this country there are few christians, and very many heathen: pray much to the Lord that there may be many christians, and his churches continually increased; that as in heaven so on earth his will may be done.

Here our dear and honored Miss Derry, with greater love than our parents cherished, instructs and takes care of us; our parents were sinful, and could give us no good instruction, but because the love of God has filled the heart of this our dear teach er, she is exceedingly kind, and has conferred all these favours upon us.

Though we are weak in the faith, God has until this day preserved us in one place, in one house, in one church.

On March 7th, our school. fellows Jamine and Juggernauth, also Hurry and Bamadabe's daughter, were married; it was a day of great festive enjoyment; it seemed a type of the feast in heaven, only that will be immortal. O that we may ever be able so to live as to be prepared to enter upon that feast.

The children all unite with me in many loving salutations and kisses for dear Harriet and Carey.

Your affectionate daughter,

MARIA.

THE CLAIMS OF INDIA UPON
CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY.
From the Calcutta "Christian Advocate,"
August 10th, 1844.

We have received, as we are accustomed to do annually, a packet of pamphlets from that indefatigable friend to the amelioration of India, the Rev. J. Peggs, formerly connected with the General Baptist Mission in Orissa. Mr. Peggs deserves the warmest thanks of all who wish well to India, for his zealous and persevering labors over a long period of years; amidst difficulties and

trials which would have served to deter ordinary men from the prosecution of their labors. He is to be found addressing ministers of state, at home and abroad, editors equally of religious and secular periodicals, ministers of religion and laymen; warning exhorting, and entreating all, according to the peculiar circumstances in which they are placed, or the influence they possess, to do good to India.

The subject on which Mr. Peggs has long been seeking to awaken and inform the mind of the British parliament, the court

The three first are children in the Asylum, the latter a Telinga who has been an inquirer three years.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARIES.

of directors, the public, and the Indian authorities, are all of the most humane and christian character, viz., the government connection with idolatry, infanticide, ghaut murders, slavery. The pamphlets on these importan subjects are usually accompained by small tracts, on the best means of preserving health in tropical climates-directions for recovering apparently drowned persons, and on the duty of Sabbath observance. These pamphlets and papers would appear to be despatched almost annually, and are usually accompanied by a brief, faithful, and christ. ian exhortation to be watchful and active in endeavouring to sever entirely the government connection with idolatry, to effect the complete suppression of infanticide, the practical abolition of slavery, and to attempt the suppression of that most diabolical practice of ghaut murders. understand that he is aided by christian men in these efforts. We would render all praise to him and his friends, for they have lived and laboured for India, at a time when her enslaved thousands, her ghaut murders, her infanticide, * and her other myriad crying disabilities-religious, moral, and social, were not enough fully to awaken the sympathies and efforts of even the religious public of Britain. Notwithstanding the comparative unpopularity of their cause, these true friends of India continued to hold her up in all her wants, and with all her claims upon British charity and justice.

We

Nor have they labored in vain. Slavery has been abolished by the legislature. Let the friends of the oppressed see that the law be not a dead letter. Slavery is now a crime in British India, as well as in the crown colonies. Infanticide has been rendered in most parts of India a crime. It is still, however, practiced to a fearful extent by many of the natives, especially female infanticide. This is a subject which should engage the efforts of the friends of humanity. Let them seek to complete a work already well begun, and, to a great extent, accomplished. The government connection with idolatry is generally severed. The annual stipend to the horrid rites at Juggernaut, is yet continued; we trust it will soon cease. The friends of christianity and of the people, have but to put their shoulders to the wheel, to help the India government to relieve itself of this remaining blot upon its christian character in this matter.

Ghaut murders. This fearful subject has as yet engaged but little of the public attention; but what a vast field does it open for the benevolent and well-directed efforts of all who profess and call themselves christians! How many a fellow-creature is daily, under

We are surprised the writer has not distinctly refered to the Suttee.-ED.

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the mask of religion, murdered on the banks of the Ganges, from Hurdwar to Calcutta! The ten thousand desperate motives which would impel, in all countries, the wicked to dispatch, unrepented and unprepared, those who are in the way of their ambition or desire, find an ample cloak in India in the professed offices of religion for the dying! Here all suspicion is lulled under circumstances which in Britain would move a country.

Added to these evils, are the manifold disabilities of our native christians. The laws of inheritance, the loss of wives and children, homestead and status in society, the fearful oppression of the zemindary system, and the degraded state of the ryots; all these subjects, and more of a similar nature, demand the attention of all who wish to see India what she has been declared to be, but which as yet she is not, but may be, the brightest gem in the British crown.

These are all subordinate to that subject, in our estimation paramount to them all, the religious education and conversion of the natives, in heart and life, to the faith of Christ. Whatever other things be done, this must not be left undone, but, in concert with it, and with the same agency, may be accomplished, as far as legal measures are concerned, the other important, but subordinate, yet great objects, to which we have referred.

The radical cure for all the ills under which India suffers, morally and spiritually, is the conversion of the hearts of the people to Christ, the bringing the natives under the saving influence of the truth, doctrinal and practical. Purify the heart with heaven's truth, and all the streams which flow from it, as the fountain of Achon, will be pure and holy; and then will India not only become the brightest gem in the crown of Britain, but in the diadem of him who is the King of kings and Lord of lords."

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARIES. LONGFORD, Union Place.-The first public missionary meeting in connection with the second General Baptist church Longford, was held in their chapel, Union Place, Oct. 7th, 1844. These delightful services com

menced a little after three o'clock in the afternoon. The minister of the place gave out the hymns, the Rev. T. H. Hudson, missionary for China, read a portion of the scriptures and engaged in prayer, and the Rev. J. G. Pike, secretary to the missions, preached a very solemn and impressive preparatory sermon, to a tolerably good congregation, from the important and incomprehensible word "eternity." The friends adjourned for tea, and the services were resumed at half past six in the evening. The

Rev. Dr. Hewlett, of Coventry, occupied the chair, and the following ministers took their seats on the platform to address the meeting. T. H. Hudson, I. Stubbins, (missionary from India,) J. G. Pike, F. Franklin, J. Weigham, J. Shaw, W. Chapman, J. Lewitt, J. Goadby, and G. White. After singing and prayer the chairman in his opening address, very beautifully explained the object of the meeting, and then called upon J. Shaw, the pastor of the church, to read the report, which stated that this auxiliary society commenced with the minister and his friends, only a little more than six months ago, and in the character of a gleaner, or of one that "gathereth up the fragments that nothing may be lost." Messrs. Hudson and Stubbins very highly interested the meeting with their speeches; and the heart rending accounts which they gave of the deluded heathen, to the listening multitudes who had crowded the chapel to excess, we doubt not, will long be remembered to the benefit of the missionary cause. Monies raised for this object by missionary collectors, missionary boxes, donations, and public collections, £13. 6s.

BRADFORD. In the evening of Lord's day, Sep. 1st, 1844, Mr. Stubbins preached a sermon in the Independent chapel, Horton Lane, Bradford, in behalf of our Foreign Mission. On Monday evening a missionary meeting was held in the Particular Baptist chapel, Westgate, which was addressed by Messrs. Ingham, Hardy, Tunnicliffe, Butler, and Stubbins. Collections, £10. 13s. Od. The above chapels were kindly lent, because the General Baptist chapel was undergoing repair.

CLAYTON.-On Tuesday, Sep. 3rd, a missionary meeting was held at this place. After a hymn had been sung, and prayer offered, Mr. J. Ingham, Allerton, was called to the chair, and the meeting was addressed by the brethren named above. Collection, £1. 12s.

ALLERTON.-On the 4th, a similar meeting was held at Allerton; J. Ingham, R Ingham, and I. Stubbins, were engaged in pleading the cause of the poor heathen. Collection, £2. 2s.

BIRCHCLIFFE. At this place, on Lord'sday, Sep. 8th, the sum of £4. 1s., was collected for the mission, after a sermon by Mr. Stubbins. Mr. S. also preached a sermon at Heptonstall Slack on the 8th, and on the 9th a missionary meeting was held at that place. Speeches were delivered by W. Butler, I. Stubbins, and two brethren of the Methodist persuasion, whose names are not retained by the writer. Collections,

£12. 7s. 4d.

SHORE. On the 10th a missionary meet

ing was held at this place, which was addressed by Messrs. Ingham, Hardy, Gill, Butler, and Stubbins. Collections, £2. 2s. 04.

LINEHOLME. On the 11th, a similar meeting was held at this place, and the same brethren were again engaged. Collection, £3.

BURNLEY.-On the 12th the same minis. ters went to hold a meeting at this village, and were assisted by Mr. Crabtree, and Mr. Abrahams, (Independent). Collections at the meeting, and on the previous Lord's-day, £6. 7s.

QUEENSHEAD.-On Lord's-day. Sep. 15, Mr. Stubbins preached a sermon at this place, in behalf of the mission, and on Monday evening a missionary meeting was held, which was addressed by Messrs. Hardy, Smith, Ingham, Bradford, and Stubbins. Collections, £6. 16s. 1d.

HALIFAX. On the 17th, a missionary service was held at this place; Messrs. Smith, Ewen, (Indep.) Whitewood, (P. B.), Stubbins and Hardy, were engaged. Collection, £3. 17s.

Meetings more interesting than the above, which have been noticed with as much brevity as possible, it is thought, were never held in this district. Of the addresses of Mr. Stubbins it would be difficult to speak too highly, and the least that can be said respecting them is, that they produced an extraordinary effect, and gave universal satisfaction. Should the interest thus created be sustained, a great deal more will be done by our churches here for the mission.

STALYBRIDGE.-On Lord's-day, Sep. 22, our beloved brother Stubbins favored us with a visit, and preached in the afternoon to a very attentive congregation, and in the evening addressed the Sabbath-school children, on the horrid nature and effects of idolatry in Orissa. Collections, £8. 8s. 3d.; collected at the prayer meetings, £1. 0. 6d.; collected at Sabbath school, £l. 15s. 10d.; private subscriptions, £1. 5s. 6d. Total, £12. 10s. 2 d. J. S.

LONG WHATTON.-An interesting missionary meeting was held in this place on Wednesday, Oct. 16th. It was addressed by Messrs. Stubbins, Hudson, Derry, Cotton, E. Stevenson, and Ball. Collections, £3. 4s. 7d. This is the first missionary meeting in this place for many years. It is hoped, that the missionary spirit will revive in this place.

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