used to do; but calmly hear the truth when declared, and some of them even acknowledge its goodness. Some of the principal men among them have expressed a wish to join us, but they want more faith and true Christian courage. The school here is doing better, than before, and the Romans who were some time ago opposed to it, are now commencing to send their children."

Some instances, among the children in the schools, have encouraged the brethren not a little. "The Lord has been pleased of late to grant us one instance which appears to be a case of real conversion among these young objects of our care. A boy who was formerly in one of the schools has professed his faith in Christ, his abhorrence of idolatry, and his determination to renounce it. He has steadfastly and perseveringly refused to place on his forehead the mark of idolatry, and he has, in consequence, endured very severe and cruel treatment from his friends. Hoping to put a stop to his progress, they took him away from town and he is now seldom seen by any of us. Without being in an undue measure elated by this solitary instance, it is not too much to regard it as a gracious testimony of the Lord's approval, and an illustration of what he can do, on a larger scale, and of what we may expect he will do for us eventually, if we faint not."

"A girl in the female school has afforded us much reason for hoping that she had received the grace of God in truth, and that she has died in the faith of Christ. She had been formerly in the female school

270

SEATS OF IDOLATRY.

at Mayaveram, and removed here in November last, with her mother. Her general conduct was exceedingly correct and pleasing, and she always paid great attention to the lessons which were taught her, and the explanation given of them; but it was not till after her death, that I became fully acquainted with what had been her character. In a land where the blasting influence of heathen associations is perpetually felt, we cannot but rejoice if we see any indications of youthful piety, or observe the fruits of the Spirit to be in any measure produced. Thus have we had in the male and female departments of our schools, something over which to rejoice as the work of the Lord among us."

It is thus that the work is advancing. It has been a question whether such stations as Combaconum, where Braminical influence is so powerful, and where idolatry is set forth to captivate the people in such fascinating charms, are the best for missionary enterprise. But whatever might be the decision which reason and experience would make on this point, it is delightful to think that, at a station where Satan has his seat, where the head-quarters of idolatry are fixed, where prejudice and superstition so much prevail, and where the Bramins are so numerous and so inveterate, an altar is erected to the living God; there are a few who fear his name, and maintain his worship; the captives are rescued from the hands of the terrible, and some of the young and of the old give glory to Immanuel.

CHAPTER XV.

TRAVANCORE.

SCENERY-THE PROVINCE THE MISSION ESTABLISHED-MR. RINGLETAUBE-MR. MEAD-ADVANCEMENT OF THE TRUTH-A CHRISREADERS-SEMINARY

TIAN VILLAGE NATIVE TEACHER

SCHOOLS- TRACT

SOCIETY-ADDRESSES-QUILON-THE

CLI

MATE-A NATIVE CONVERT-TRIALS AND DEATHS-MR. THOMPSON-SUCCESS-SCHOOLS.

In the south-western extremity of the peninsula, and not far distant from Cape Comorin, is the province of Travancore. Forty miles in breadth and a hundred and forty in length; divided from Tinevelly by a range of lofty hills on the east, bounded on the north by the territory of the Cochin Rajah, and on the south and west by the sea, it is thought to contain about a million and a half of inhabitants; but that number may be its amount in its best and most prosperous days. Nature has done every thing to render it a happy and delightful land. The diversity of hill and dale, its mountains covered with forests, and its valleys crowned with an almost perpetual verdure, render its scenery often enchanting and