the current of our trade from a channel that is impure, into one that is clear and healthful, and thus compel the Americans to abolish slavery, or seek a new market for their goods?

Cuddapah is the capital of the eastern district, The climate is dry and very hot. Being a civil station, and a large town containing 60,000 inhabitants, and a place of great resort, it had many claims as a field for missionary exertion. Having acted for some time as an assistant missionary at Bellary, and as a superintendent of schools, Mr. Howell was prepared to occupy a distinct sphere of labour, and settled here in December 1822. The Europeans at the station gave him a kind reception. He continued to labour among the heathen, and as his labours were crowned with a promising measure of success, he was ordained at Madras in 1824. Without ordination in India, a missionary occupies no peculiar station in society. He does not take rank among Europeans, where rank is so much attended to; nor do the natives esteem him so highly, since their Gooroos set an inestimable value upon their induction into office, and teach their votaries to do the same. However trifling may be the importance which some attach to this rite, it is expedient that all Europeans who go as missionaries to India, and all who are recognized there as ministers of Christ, should be publicly set apart, and receive the approbation of their brethren.

In 1824, the mission began to assume a new

ASPECT OF THE MISSION.

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aspect. Hitherto, Mr. Howell had preached the gospel in his own house; a few families used to meet together on the Sabbath to receive instruction; and the truth was regularly proclaimed among the heathen; but no church was formed, and no regular congregation could be said to exist. As many natives followed Judge Waters from Chittoor, these and the people who were accustomed to assemble, formed a respectable congregation, and they met in a bungalow which this generous friend had given up for the purpose. At this very time also, many of the heathen who had heard the gospel, and had long been undecided, no longer halted between two opinions, but came forward, renounced idolatry, and declared openly their attachment to the truth. The congregation thus formed were viewed as nominal professors only, while those who gave evidence of real piety were formed into a church, and ten members celebrated the death of the Redeemer.

The want of a chapel was felt in 1825; and Mr. Howell obtained subscriptions upon the spot, and throughout the presidency, and erected a sanctuary where the natives have assembled, and worshipped the living God. A proposition was made, at the same time, to establish a Christian village. On a piece of ground well adapted for the purpose, many houses have been built, and 150 persons located. To prevent sloth and idleness, all are engaged to labour. Some of the people are agriculturists and cultivate

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CHRISTIAN VILLAGE.

the mission-ground; a paper-mill was established and has given employment to others. Many work at their trades, and all contrive by diligence and industry to obtain their livelihood. Mr. Howell does not seem to regard all these natives, as decided Christians. But they profess to have abandoned their idolatry; they wish to be instructed in the great doctrines of revelation; they are willing to surrender their caste, their good name, and their respectability among their heathen neighbours for Christ; and lest they should be exposed to the malice and persecutions of enemies, they have taken up their abode in this city of refuge. While they attend the ordinances, one and another of the enquirers understand and value the gospel, and are baptized; sometimes the baptized are impressed, and show more evident marks of faith and repentance, and they are admitted into the communion of the faithful; and as the believers grow in knowledge and in grace, and in ability to be useful to others, they are selected to be schoolmasters, readers, or native teachers. There is something very natural, reasonable, and scriptural in this.

But many who wish well to Zion, are doubtful of the propriety of this system. There is such a liability, they contend, in the natives to be influenced by worldly motives, that it would be better to allow all professors to fight the battle among their own people. No doubt, there must be failures. Hindoos will take advantage of kind and generous plans, as