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SPIRITUAL CONCERN.

truth from it, as there are none here to teach me the way properly, or to expound the doctrines of Christianity as I could wish. You must also give me a book which would instruct me in the way of praising God. You must also explain the nature of baptism to me, as I cannot obtain leave to come to you.

"I have left off the worship of idols, have renounced my caste, have ceased to put the mark on my forehead, and no longer offer any worship to the Bramin who taught me the muntrums. The sepoys of the battalion are all against me; they shun my company and call me an apostate, a pariar, and a fool. The women also mock and persecute me; but the Bramin more especially! I have no one to look to for support; but I trust in God the Father and in his Son Jesus Christ alone, who gave his life for us and who is full of compassion. You must also be kind to me, and as Christ came to save sinners, you must teach me the way to be saved. As I cannot read and write well, I have written this to the best of my ability; you must forgive the many mistakes which are in it. You are my father and my brother; I have trusted in you; do not forget my request. You must teach me how to pray and explain to me the doctrine of baptism, in such a manner as I may understand it. I beg to send you my salutation, and my love to the brethren; when you write, let me know them by name."

CATHOLIC BAPTISM.

369

Who can read this letter without feeling deeply affected with its contents? Are not the heathen crying out "Come over and help us?" What Christian does not feel that he is bound, by the most sacred obligations, to make every exertion, to use every means, and to submit to every sacrifice, to send the gospel to those who are in such an interesting state?

In the church of Cuddapah, there are only twenty-three members; but many more have been baptized, and are under instruction. Among the latter, was a Roman Catholic who has been led, by the perusal of the tract "Andrew Dunn " in Tamul, to abjure the errors of Popery, and has remained steadfast to his determination, notwithstanding the persecutions which he has suffered from his friends and relatives in the cantonment. He requested the missionary to baptize him as a proof of his sincerity, and because the Roman Catholics baptized him with oil, salt, and spittle, contrary to the word of God. From this circumstance and after what they have heard from the native Vedabodacum, a few others have expressed a wish to be re-baptized. This is a question which has long been agitated and discussed in India. Some have contended that as the reformers, in their separation from the church of Rome, were not baptized again; and that as those who at home abjure its dominion, are only called upon to make a public recantation of its

BB

370

PROTESTANT BAPTISM.

errors, it cannot be necessary that a different method should be pursued in Hindosthan.

But, are such examples, it may be replied, to be considered infallible authorities? As to the reformers, they could not, with propriety, have baptized one another, since they all left the Romish communion, and their protest against the system was so loud, so solemn, and so determined, that it required not the celebration of any rite, to add to its strength and its publicity. In latter days, the Romish superstition, has been regarded, in England, with a charity which can scarcely be justified, and few measures have been adopted either to protest against its enormities, or to rescue its votaries from the thraldom. But however modified may be the system at home, it is as bad as paganism in India; and however charitably we may be disposed to look at it here, we are bound to regard it as idolatry there. Within its pale, there may be a few who are the subjects of Messiah; but, as a system, it is, in reality, a cruel superstition, it is a vile apostacy, it is the mystery of iniquity, it is the abominations of the earth. Why, then, should we regard any of its rites as valid, especially when they are performed in an unscriptural, and heathenish manner? To test his sincerity, and to make a public renunciation of this idolatry, I would certainly require every Roman Catholic, as much as every Hindoo and Mahommedan to be baptized.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE CANARESE MISSIONS.

THE

CANARESE

MAN

COUNTRIES-THEIR PRESENT CONDITION-ROCATHOLICS-COORG-PROTESTANT EFFORT REQUIRED

BELLARY-SETTLEMENT OF MR. HANDS-SERINGAPATAM-LABOURS AMONG EUROPEANS-REVIVALS-MISSION-HOUSE-FREE SCHOOL-ENGLISH SCHOOL-TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES MISSION-TOURS-HUMPEE-HEATHEN CARS.

THE countries in which the Canarese language is spoken, are very extensive and populous. Stretching from the Crishna on the north, to the descent of the Ghauts on the south, and comprehending the whole of the table-land, the ancient kingdom of Carnata unquestionably derived its name from the language, or gave to the language its name, as it was there universally spoken. In addition to the province of Canara below the western Ghauts, the inhabitants of the Wynaud, of Coorg, of Bellary, of Harponhully, of Darwar, of Beejapoor, of Bednore, and of many other districts speak this fine language, and wait to receive the gospel through its medium. In 1824, it was reckoned that eight

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CANARESE COUNTRIES.

or nine millions of people spoke the Canarese, and since that period, the number must have greatly increased.

But except at Bangalore, at Bellary, at Belgaum, and latterly at Mangalore, no missions have been established in these interesting provinces. Like the Telloogoo countries, they have been deplorably neglected. As a division of the empire, a more healthy, well-watered, beautiful, and interesting one, there does not exist. It is rich in minerals, in spices, in forests, in all kinds of cultivation, and its boundless resources await the time when a wise and enlightened government, or when enterprising companies will undertake to draw forth its stores and riches which are only concealed from view, by the apathy and the indolence of the people. But as yet, the Sun of righteousness has scarcely arisen upon it, with healing under his wings. Its races of men-more strong and athletic in body, more bold and vigorous in mind, more determined in war, and more simple in their manners, than any perhaps in the peninsula,-are still sitting in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death. To-day, they are as open to the truth, to the exertions of the philanthropist and the missionary, to an attack from the champions of the cross, as they ever were, in former times, to the fury of the lawless banditti, and the oppressions of the usurping Polygars. But what has been done to rescue them from the hands of the wicked one?-Alas! the enemy still keeps