feelings are apparently awakened which seem at first to promise well, but they prove either momentary, or, if indicated for any length of time, are found to be suspicious, discovering certain ulterior and secular ends. The preaching of the word to such may be for the present regarded, perhaps, merely as a 'testimony;" time, however, will discover results. It is not the province of mortals to dive into futurity, theirs is merely to obey a present command; the issue must be left with Him who will command nothing that is truly impossible even when not understood. "Then said Daniel, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" But God answered and said, "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end!"

Out-stations.-Walajahpettah.

people, the wide commercial intercourse it holds with many of the largest trading districts in this part of India, thereby opening a channel for Divine truth to such unoccupied fields as Hyderabad, Nellore, Masulipatam, and Mysore, and more especially its central position among other outstations visited by this Mission, affording every means of immediate access to the heathen; among others to Conjeveram, that noted place of annual resort, (Cholinger and Old Arcot, being close in the vicinity,)—these circumstances, as well as its being secluded and free from even foreign association, have all contributed to invite serious attention to Walajahpettah as a most desirable spot at which to form a principal Mission. It also appears that a location there would bring the Missionary to better than one-half the distance nearer to all his other out-stations, and so at once facilitate the general superintendence of the whole.

Arnee.

A spirit of inquiry is gaining ground among the heathen at this place. Halesworth continues most indefatigable in his exertions, and the people every where, with few exceptions, give him and his colleague a favourable reception. Some of them often call to see Halesworth, to converse with him, and to ask for tracts.

Hindus of the Jaina caste.

A few months ago a priest of the Jaina caste visited Halesworth's flock at Arnee, of whom there is a great number; and, having heard of Halesworth, sent messengers repeatedly to his house to beg a conference with him. Halesworth gladly went with his colleague, taking with him a good collection of choice tracts and Scriptures. After conversation on the leading truths of Christianity, the priest asked the teacher for some books which taught these truths, that he might examine them for himself. Halesworth complied, and produced the tracts and Scriptures; but he was directed to place the whole of them on the ground, as the priest was scrupulous about his caste. Halesworth with humble dignity declined, and alleged that the books contained the word of God, and that it would betray a want of respect to place them on the ground merely on the recommendation of a man like himself. Upon this the priest

directed his disciples to place a wooden bench before him, and having wiped and put a cloth upon it, begged that the books might be placed upon it. Halesworth immediately did so, and the priest then took them from the table with apparent veneration, thanked him for the gift, and the next day returned to his own district.

There are many Jainas in and about Arnee, and they are all a very mild, unsuspecting, and plain-thinking class of people, but much disliked by the Brahmins, whom they never acknowledge. The writer is intimate with a few of the most influential among them, and peculiar gratification has often been felt in conversing with them; they frankly concede to almost every doctrine, and the only stumbling-block in their way at present is the practice common among Europeans of killing and dressing animals for food. They are so tenacious about this, that they repeatedly strain water before it is used. Nevertheless, it is a matter of fact, for it is a feeling that has been often heard and expressed, that a strong conviction rests on their minds that Christianity will ultimately become the prevailing religion. Oh blessed period! speed, oh speed your approach! for then religion will consist not in "meats and drinks," which profiteth nothing, but "in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!"

Missionary tours.

Not only, he observes, have all the above out-stations been visited by the Missionary three times during the past year, but in May last, a tour was undertaken also to Conjeveram, during the public festival. All the teachers and readers attended on this occasion. The advantage of a tent greatly facilitated intercourse with the people, while it afforded a common shelter from the weather to the Missionary, teachers, and all. Being thus housed together for a few days, an opportunity was also afforded to one and all of breaking through that reserve and timidity common on other occasions, and of knowing and feeling that all were one in the Lord, and one in his cause. Sweet communion was enjoyed as the only relaxation from the active and laborious duties of every day, when every one went to and fro in the town, and amidst crowds of infatuated souls, proclaimed the message of Him "who commandeth all men every where to repent." The teachers and readers also had an opportunity given them of "suffering the word of exhortation," while every thing they witnessed around them in the superstitious and degrading practices of the deluded multitude, was calculated to stimulate their energies and deepen their concern. The tent was fixed just before the popular tank of Conjeveram, where the people perform their accustomed ablutions, so that when all were exhausted in walking the lengths and breadths of Conjeveram, declaring and distributing the Gospel, the tent at once afforded a convenient place from which afterwards to address the multitudes at the tank, respecting that salvation which many of them had heard proclaimed a little before at the thresholds of their own houses. The teachers and readers attached to Chittoor, who did not accompany the rest to Conjeveram, went of their own accord to Vanthamalley, where a second feast was held, and very usefully occupied themselves in the same manner among the thousands of idolaters who were crowded there. Several pleasing instances of the effects of tract and Scripture distribution, and of a preached Gospel, came to notice, though discovered under various states of mind. These tours, and the stated visits to the out-stations, (the latter making a circuit of more than 140 miles,) have invariably been attended with much satisfaction, and caused much

thanksgiving to God. Indeed, the outstations have assumed an interest and importance which only those acquainted with their original condition, subsequent formation, and present features, can justly estimate; and the call for another Missionary could never be made stronger than on this occasion.

Schools.

The names and numbers of these, which have undergone no material change in the books taught, are as follow:

He

Walajahpettah, average number, 40 boys; Arnee, 40; Palamanair, 50; Vellore, 60; Mettoor, 30; Græmpettah, 30; Chittoor, 45; Mission Premises, 16 boys and 11 girls, making a total of 322 children. Several of the girls are orphans, and are educated and brought up entirely by this Mission. Among the schools, 1 is Telugu, and 1 English; the rest are all Tamul. In December last, a public examination of all the schools nearest Chittoor was held before some of the European residents at the station. A number of the lads in the English class have made commendable progress, especially a Brahmin youth, who has discovered astonishing acuteness and power of recollection, and promises to become a useful and efficient member of society. now occasionally assists in superintending the reading of the other lads. May the Lord sanctify to him the use of this knowledge for the best ends! Among the girls there is one, a heathen orphan, in whom it is to be hoped a good work is begun. She has, in short, afforded such satisfaction in knowledge and private habits, that she now stands as a candidate for Christian baptism. In addition to the benefits of weekly instruction, the boys of the several schools at Chittoor are also formed into regular classes on the Lord's day, after Divine service, in the chapel, where they are met by the native teachers and others, to be catechised, &c., as a Sunday-school, while the girls are instructed in the same manner by the Missionary. Our thanks are especially due to a dear Christian brother for the interest and pains bestowed by him towards the improvement of the children on these occasions.

Books Distributed. 154 portions of Scripture, 6,267 tracts, and 155 elementary works. A Bible and tract depository are about being opened at each of the out-stations.

CHOO TIH LANG was brought over to this country, about two years ago, by Mr. Med

hurst, as a transcriber, to assist him in the revision of the Chinese version of the

Scriptures.

He resided with Mr. Medhurst at Hackney, and received kind attentions from many Christian friends, who were anxious to direct his regard to the things of the great salvation. On certain days in every week, he received instruction in some families connected with the church in St. Thomas's-square; and some female members of that church were indefatigable in their endeavours to teach him the Eng. lish language, and to explain to him the sacred Scriptures. At length, by the blessing of God on their patient and persevering efforts, a deep interest in the truths of the Gospel was awakened in his mind, and he gave his whole mind and heart to the study of the word of God. As he became acquainted with our language, he became also an attentive hearer of the Gospel, under the ministry of Dr. Burder; and it began to be apparent to those who had the best opportunities of forming an opinion, that a change of character, of spirit, and of conduct was increasingly obvious. For some time past, Choo Tih Lang has been desirous of Christian baptism, and has fully avowed his entire, abandonment of idolatry, his full conviction of the truth of Christianity, his trust in the Saviour, and his desire to live and die in the service of Christ. These professions induced his friends, and especially Mr. Medhurst, who has watched over him with paternal solicitude, to be the more observant of his demeanor and all his habits, in order to ascertain whether the evidences of his conversion to God were such as to authorise the administration of the ordinance of baptism. At length no hesitation on this point remained. His earnest desire to be baptised, and his reasons for that desire, were distinctly and fully expressed in a letter to Dr. Burder, dated July 6, 1838. Of this the following is a copy :

MY DEAR SIR,-I am very thankful to God that I have been brought to this country, and that I have been able to stop so long; I am very thankful that I have been taught, by kind friends, to read the English Scriptures; and now I feel that I am a great sinner, but Christ died for the pardon of my sins, if I believe in him. I do believe he is the Son of God; if not, how could he do such great miracles, and finish his great work? I perceive that the Gospel is written by the Spirit of God; for though many excellent books have been written by men of great talents, yet none of them contain such pure and excellent principles as those contained in the Bible. If you say, how does the perfect harmony of the various parts of the Bible prove its Divine inspiration? I answer, the Bible was written by many different persons, and at many different periods, so that it was

impossible that its various parts should have perfectly harmonised, unless all the writers had been inspired by the Spirit of the true God; without it, who could have been able to write this wonderful book? If you say, how does the purifying influence of the doctrines of the Bible, on the minds of all who sincerely believe them, prove that they are of Divine origin? I answer, those who truly believe, constantly practise the doctrines and precepts of the Bible, and are much better men than those who believe the doctrines which are contained in any other book. If you ask, does the Bible foretell any future events? It foretold the rise and fall of nations, many years before the events took place; it likewise foretold the birth, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, the Saviour of the world, many hundred years before he descended into the world; and all the predictions respecting these things have been fulfilled. If you ask, how does the fulfilment of the prophecies prove that the Scriptures were inspired by God? This is not easy to understand, unless the omniscient God could have foreknown the events predicted in the Bible; so that I believe this book to be the word of God. And as I find in the heavens, there is but one sun; in a kingdom, there is but one sovereign; and in the universe, there is but one God, and one Saviour, Jesus Christ, so I find there is no other way of obtaining everlasting bliss, or escaping eternal woe, but by believing on Him; for Christ has said, whosover believeth on me, shall not perish, but have eternal life. Having been taught this great truth, I do feel sorry for my sins, that I have broken God's law, in words, in thoughts, and in deeds. I am a sick man, and desire to come to the Great Physician, that I may be made whole. I was once sitting in darkness, but now the true light hath shined into my heart; and it is as if the darkness of a thousand ages had passed away. I do believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God; I do confess my sins before God. Dear Sir, will you baptise me, that I may be joined to God's people in this land? May I not consider this as my native place? Christ has said, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. My great desire is to give my whole self to God, a living sacrifice. Before I sat down to write this letter, I read the third chapter of the Gospel of St. John, and prayed to God to give me his Holy Spirit, to strengthen and establish my faith, that I may give myself publicly to live to his glory. I hope you will not object to baptise me before I return to China, where I hope God will help me to do some good to my countrymen, that they

may become wise unto salvation. If you say, what should I do, if they persecute me? I must remember what our Lord said, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me; and if any man love father or mother, or wife, or children, or land, more than me, he is not worthy of me, he cannot be my disciple. And I have no doubt, wherever the Gospel goes, there will be persecution; but if God permits men to persecute his servants, it is to prove them. When I go back, if the government will not let me teach the Christian religion, they must take me, and punish me; and then I should be brought before the governors. I will follow the apostle Paul's example, and pray to God to help me, that I may speak forth boldly, as he did before Festus. Perhaps in this way God will open the door for the Gospel into China; if not, I will not be afraid; for though they can kill my body, they cannot kill my soul; but rather I will fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell; for God is my heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is my mediator: if I trust in him, he will take care of me, and his Holy Spirit will guide, sanctify, and comfort me. Dear Sir, I hope you will not forget to pray for me, (if I should have the comfort of joining the church,) when you sit down at the Lord's table. I shall often remember that my English Christian friends will pray for me, when I am far away. Wishing every blessing may attend your preaching. Amen, and amen.

I am, my dear Sir,

Your obliged and sincere friend,
CHOO TIH LANG.

On Friday, July 20, Choo Tih Lang was baptised at St. Thomas's-square Chapel, Hackney, in the presence of a large congregation of deeply-interested witnesses.

The Rev. John Clayton read appropriate passages of Scripture, and offered up fervent prayer.

The Rev. Walter H. Medhurst gave a short account of the circumstances which led him to bring Choo Tih Lang to England; of the methods he had pursued with a view to his religious benefit; of the instruction received from Christian friends; and of the full satisfaction with which he should now proceed to administer the ordinance of baptism. Mr. Medhurst then proposed four questions to Choo Tih Lang, and received his replies. They were the following:

:

1. Why do you believe Christianity to be the true religion?

"I believe," replied Choo Tih Lang, "Christianity to be the only true religion, because the Bible was inspired by God, and all that the prophets said about Jesus Christ was fulfilled, when he came into the world. As soon as Adam sinned, Jesus

was promised, and in the fulness of time Jesus came. Besides, the Gospel tells me of just such a Saviour as such a sinner as I am needs; and also I find all its commandments are holy. These are the reasons why I believe Christianity to be the true religion."

2. What reason have you to believe that you are a Christian ?

"I humbly hope that I am a Christian, because I love Christ, who died for me. I love to pray to Christ. I believe he only can save me from sin and from hell. Ï love to talk to Christ's people, and I wish to speak of Christ to every body; and when I go back to China, I will try to bring my countrymen to know Jesus Christ."

3. Have you entirely renounced the idolatrous practices of the heathen?

"As I love Christ, I cannot any longer have any thing to do with idolatrous customs. It is true, I once loved them, but now I hate them. Idols are the work of men's hands, and perish; but Jesus Christ is the only true God, and him alone I desire to serve."

4. Do you resolve, in the strength of Divine grace, to persevere in the profession of Christianity till the end of your days?

"I pray that God, by his Holy Spirit, will enable me to persevere in the faith and practice of the Gospel till I die. It is my earnest desire to give up my heart to Christ, and to continue faithful to him to the end of my days. I resolve, not in my own strength, for I am very weak, but in the strength of Divine grace, to seek to know Christ more and more, and to love and obey him better and better every day."

After receiving these satisfactory answers, which were given under great emotion, Mr. Medhurst proceeded to baptise Choo Tih Lang, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

The Rev. Henry Townley then offered up earnest prayer to God, that the fulness of the blessings set forth in the ordinance of baptism might richly descend upon him.

Dr. Burder then called upon the church in St. Thomas's-square to express, by holding up their hands, their satisfaction in receiving Choo Tih Lang into their Christian communion, in compliance with his own earnest desire, that he might have the delight of sitting down with them at the Lord's table before his departure, and that he might regard his admission as a pledge, that they will remember him in their prayers, when he will be far distant from them. This being done, Dr. Burder addressed Choo Tih Lang, assuring him of the affectionate cordiality with which he had been received into their fellowship, and offering to him a few counsels and advices

in reference to his future course. He then requested that Choo Tih Lang would state to the church and to the Christian friends present, what were his desires and purposes with regard to his future life. Choo Tih Lang replied to the following effect in Chinese, which was interpreted by Mr. Medhurst:

"My great desire is to take the truth, which I have heard, which I have known, and which I have felt, and make it known to my countrymen in China. I wish to exert all my energies of body and mind for the salvation of souls. I wish to take the great light which God has sent into the world, and set it as it were on some great mountain in China, that the 360 millions there may see it and love it.

"This, then, is my great desire, and to communicate the knowledge of the Gospel as far as I possibly can, and to continue in this great work even to the day of my death."

Addressing himself then to the church and congregation of St. Thomas's-square, he took leave of them in the following terms:

My dearly beloved friends and brethren in Christ assembled in this chapel,-I am now about to leave you, and I feel two difficulties the first is, that I am to part with you; and the other, that I am about to enter on such different circumstances when I shall reach China. But I feel very grateful to God who has brought me to this country, that I have heard the Gospel; and I feel very thankful to those kind friends who have taught me the words of eternal truth; for if you had not taught me these good things, and acquainted me with Christianity, my soul, at death, would have descended into the abodes of woe, and therefore it is that I feel grateful to you for the kind interest you have taken in me.

"The reason why I do not like to part with you is, that I wish to know more of the doctrines of the Gospel, and that makes me regret having to part with you. But as I have left China nearly three years, I feel a great desire to return. So that now, by

the blessing of God, having some acquaintance with the Gospel, I feel a desire to communicate what I know to my wife, and to all around me, and not to confine it all to myself.

"Now that I am about to return to China, you must not forget me, but remember me in prayer, that God would strengthen me for the great work devolving on me; and when I return to China I will not forget you; and though my body will be in China, yet my heart will be with you; and I will supplicate God, at the throne of grace, to increase your happiness and holi

ness.

"Now I am about to return to my native country, I do not know if ever I shall return to this country again; but if God should preserve my life, prosper my endeavours in my family, and give me grace to be faithful in my profession, I should much like to return here. But if I never return here, and never see your faces again in this world, I shall earnestly pray that I may meet you in a better, far better place.

I hope that God will give me grace and strength to communicate what I know of the Gospel, and that you with me may not labour to spread the Gospel in vain. I hope that you will all unite with one heart and soul in prayer to God, that God, in his mercy, would change the hearts of the rulers in China, that they may give full liberty for its entrance there. And I think, that if you would all unite in frequent and fervent supplications for this, God would hear your prayers.

"I hope that you will send many missionaries to China, who will be the feathers or wings to communicate this knowledge to all in China. This is all I have to say."

The Rev. John Arundel then expressed his thankfulness to God, and his congratulations to the church and congregation, on the delightful scene they had witnessed, and the heart-affecting declarations they had heard, and concluded the services of the evening in solemn prayer. It is believed that none who were present will ever forget the baptism of Choo Tih Lang!

In the same ship, Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer, schoolmaster and schoolmistress, appointed to Mandeville, in the south of Jamaica; and Mr. John Gibson, schoolmaster, appointed to the Kingston station, also arrived at the latter place.