THE MISSIONARY MAGAZINE AND CHRONICLE, RELATING CHIEFLY TO THE MISSIONS OF The London Missionary Society. SUBSCRIPTIONS and DONATIONS in aid of the Funds of this Society will be thankfully received by the Treasurer or Secretaries, at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, and by Messrs. Hankey, the Society's Bankers 7, Fenchurch-street, London; in Edinburgh, by Mr. George Yule, Broughton Hall; in Glasgow, by Mr. Risk, 9, Cochranestreet; and in Dublin, by Messrs. J. D. La Touche and Co., or at 7, Lower Abbey-street. PERILS OF TRAVELLING THROUGH THE JUNGLES IN INDIA. THE itinerant labours of the Missionaries at Calcutta, in the extensive and densely peopled neighbourhood of that vast metropolis, have always borne a character of strong and varied interest. The purpose for which these exertions have been made has been two-fold; first, to communicate the Gospel to the natives, and, VOL. XVI. 3 с secondly, to obtain exact information as to their moral and spiritual condition, with a view to more extended and regular efforts on their behalf. In December last, two of the brethren, the Rev. A. F. Lacroix, and Rev. J. Campbell, with this object in view, proceeded on an excursion up the Isamuttee river, through the districts of Bagundee, Jessore, and Kishnagur. The natives whom they observed, or with whom they held personal intercourse on the way, especially those employed cutting down trees in the jungles and forests, they describe as being extremely ignorant and superstitious; and deeply needing religious instruction, consolation, and peace. The brethren further remarked, that these our fellow beings are not only suffering under the evils of an utter unacquaintance with the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, but that, in their outward circumstances, they are also exposed to numerous calamities of a peculiarly trying nature. Among the latter may be mentioned, the constant peril in which they are placed from the insatiable beasts of prey, and amphibious monsters, which swarm the desolate jungles and rivers of this part of India. Against these ravenous and almost resistless creatures, the defence which they can make is feeble in the extreme; and the bodily wounds, of which multiplied instances occur, followed in many cases by agonising death, but too fully warrant the apprehension of danger, scarcely less painful than the reality it forebodes, under which the unprotected natives almost constantly labour. From the frequency of the accidents experienced in this way, the brethren (who have themselves the same perils to encounter, but with more resolution to meet them, knowing, besides, that no harm can befall them from man or beast without the permission of Him in whose service they go forth) take occasion to notice the advantage which would arise if Missionaries, labouring among a people so situated, possessed, in addition to their own proper qualifications, some share of medical knowledge and skill. This would often be brought into requisition, and it is thought might be the means, not only of serving the cause of humanity, but of securing to the Missionary a large accession of moral influence, which, under the Divine blessing, could scarcely fail to operate in his favour as an ambassador of Christ unto the Gentiles. After entering the Isamuttee river, which they describe as "a beautiful stream, but much infested with alligators, which frequently carry away both human beings and cattle," the brethren proceeded to Takee, and thence to Bagundee, at which place they experienced a most gratifying reception from Dr. Temple, the Superintendent of the East India Company's Salt Agency residing there. His skill in the medical profession, they state, enables him to do much good among the poor natives of this sequestered district, who flock to him from all quarters for advice and medicine. In support of their opinion, as to the desirableness of Missionaries in this part of India being qualified to afford medical and surgical aid to the natives, and also as tending to show that the Bengallees, in cases of emergency, are not destitute of courage and self-possession to the extent generally supposed, the Missionaries mention the following circumstance of which the preceding page contains a representation :- "Dr. Temple related to us that some time ago two villagers were returning from a neighbouring market, and had to leap over a ditch that communicated with the river. One of them got safely over; but the other, in attempting to follow his comrade, was seized above the knee by an alligator that lay concealed underneath. The monster was hastening to the river with its prey, when the man had the presence of mind to thrust his thumbs into its eyes. The alligator, unable to bear the pain, instantly let go its hold. The poor man's friend, who had been a spectator of this frightful scene, then rushed forward, pulled him out of the mire, and brought him to Dr. Temple, who found the leg so dreadfully The operation suc lacerated as to render immediate amputation necessary. ceeded, and the man was restored to his family, who, on hearing of the circumstance, had given up all hopes of ever again seeing him alive." Having left Bagundee and visited several other places, the brethren arrived at Poorooa, a large village on the eastern bank of the Isamuttee. They were kindly received by the Zemindar, in whose house they met by appointment six learned Brahmins, heads of native colleges, with whom they held a deeply interesting conversation on the comparative claims of Christianity and Hindooism. This circumstance, which cannot but be regarded as a source of encouragement and hope, is thus noticed : tual attempts to get out of the dilemmas they had brought themselves into, they were visibly much humbled, and better prepared to hear our views of Divine truth; indeed, they even begged we would state them: we then, without being interrupted, acquainted them with the religious system of the Bible, and with the way of salvation as it is in Jesus. They listened with great attention, and much apparent interest. We thus spent three hours in a most agreeable, and, we hope, useful manner;-there was no anger displayed, and no noise made, and the discussion was conducted on both sides with a temperate and friendly spirit. The pundits and the people expressed themselves very anxious that we should remain a few days longer, to tell them more about Christianity, but our time would not allow of this. Before taking leave, we gave to the Zemindar and to the teacher of the school a copy each of the New Testament in Bengallee, and to every pundit a copy of one of the gospels, and requested them to peruse them attentively, and promised, that if spared, one of us, at least, would endeavour to visit them again a few months hence. The Pundits and ourselves sat on chairs at one end of a large open hall, the rest of the apartment being occupied by a concourse of people, who had come to hear the discussion, and who seated themselves on the floor. Being aware that Hindoo pundits have most exalted notions of their own theological knowledge, and the utmost contempt for that of others, we did not deem it prudent to commence at once with the Gospel, which they would probably have received with unbecoming feelings, or met with sophistical arguments, in which they are great adepts. Our object was to produce in them, first a little humility, by convincing them that their system was not quite so tenable and faultless as they, from never having been opposed, had hitherto fondly surmised. We therefore requested them to tell us what the Hindoo shasters teach about the nature and attributes of God, the creation, &c.; and it was not long before they had, as we expected, made several contradictory statements. On this being pointed out to them they commenced differing among themselves also, some maintaining one opinion, and the others another. After much talking, and several ineffecAfter leaving Poorooa, Messrs. Lacroix and Campbell continued their labours in other villages and towns until the 23rd, when they returned to Calcutta. The journal of this interesting tour, which it is fervently hoped and believed will. be followed by a measure of the Divine blessing, closes with the following remark : Of the various impressions produced upon our minds during this excursion, the most vivid and forcible was, that the fields are white unto the harvest, but that the labourers are few. Oh, may the Lord of the harvest thrust forth more labourers into his harvest, men full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and endowed with a burning zeal for his glory, and love for the poor perishing heathen! so that this extensive country may speedily be reclaimed from the thraldom of superstition and sin under which it has so long been groaning, and be won to the Lord, to remain as long as the earth endures, a monument of what his grace and his power to save can effect. GOOJURAT IN ITS RELIGIOUS AND MORAL ASPECTS. IN further elucidating the character and tendency of the Hindoo system, and exposing the delusive rites and practices connected with it, Mr. Fyvie thus proceeds :- Instances of the folly of Idolaters. Some years ago a Brahmin of the highest caste solemnly affirmed in my hearing, that soon after Surat came into the possession of the British, a company of English soldiers one afternoon went for a walk to a village about three miles distant from the city, and in a frolic touched one of these images; and that the god immediately made his appearance in the form of a swarm of large bees, and killed ten of the poor men as a punishment for their temerity. "Now," said he, "the English know the manner of the god of this land, and do not act so foolishly." In conversing with a Brahmin one day, I said, "In what do you occupy your time when at home?" He answered, "A part of every day is occupied in preparing and presenting rice to an image of Mahadeva." "Indeed! Of what is the image made?" "Of stone." "Well! does the stone eat the rice?" At this he laughed heartily, and said, "No, but I present them, and if Mahadeva does not think proper to eat them, it is nothing to me. I do my duty." On another occasion I met a man and said to him, "Friend, where are you going?" "To Banaras for holy water,' was his reply. "Who sent you on such an errand, such a distance?" He said, "My household god sent me.' "Of what is he made?" "Of brass." "Then can he speak?" "No." "How do you know what he wishes you to do when he is dumb?" On this he smiled, either at my folly or his own, and walked off. Alas! they feed on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned them aside, so that they cannot deliver their souls, nor say, Is there not a lie in our right hand? Enter the purlieus of an idol temple, and behold the worship performed by the people before their material gods! Here are perhaps a half dozen of worshippers ringing a bell, or clapping their hands, or snapping their fingers, or making a mumbling noise with their mouths; or perhaps they are bleating like sheep, or bawling out with all their might, O Rama! O Krishna! O Maha Kali! O Ranchorji! O Shiva! or something similar! Or they are beating drums, playing on various rude instruments, or waving clubs and twigs of the Tulsi tree, and thus walking in procession round the temple! Here is a priest presenting a garland of flowers, or some fruit, or oil, or rice, to his god! Dedication of Infants to Idols. Every child of idolatrous parents in this land is on the sixth day after its birth devoted to the goddess of fate, and on the twelfth day presented to the god of wisdom, through means of various ceremonies, and the presentation of offerings to Brahmans, all performed in the dwelling of its parents! look here! The mother has come abroad But with the child in her arms. Poor babe, it is insensible to all that is passing around. The mother first presents her own offering, or performs her obeisance to the idol. Th she puts some fruit, or rice, or a bit of $2ver, brass, or copper, on the palm of the child's right hand, raises it towards the abject of adoration, or lets the money fall inta the lap of the officiating priest, makes the infant bow its head in the presence of the ugly block, and thus dooms it to be idolater before it can lisp the endearing name of father or mother! These or simi. lar ceremonies she repeats day after day, during its nonage, and every additional act she conceives, lays the god under increased obligations to bless her and her child in this world and in the next! O Christian parents, and especially O believing mothers, learn from these deluded mothers in Goojurat, a high and holy lesson. Instruct your child. ren respecting the true God and his Son Jesus Christ, pray for your children; and pity and pray for these ignorant millions! One man prays, "give me a son,"-another, "give me wealth,"-a third, "heal me of my disease,"—a fourth, "make me prosperous in my undertaking," and that undertaking, very probably, being to circumvent and ruin his neighbour. But there is no profound adoration, not one grateful expression of praise for mercies received, not one penitential confession, not one prayer for pardoning mercy. All is earthly, sensual, or carnal. All bow down before the idol, and all expect to be heard. If they obtain their wishes, they are satisfied; but if not, it is not unlikely their next service to the idol will be a torrent of abuse ! Character of Idol worship. Idol worship is almost in every case the work of slavery. The man fancies his idol looks at him with a malignant aspect, and hence his endeavours to appease him by gross flattery, painful pilgrimages, hard services, and expensive offerings. He goes to the temple from fear, and comes from it as from a task, and knows no privilege, unless it be the gratification of his evil passions, the greater debasement of his character, and the hardening of his heart. Thus they dishonour God, fill themselves with pride, deceive their hearts, injure their souls, and by the application of their minds to stocks or stones, naturally and necessarily imbibe much of the stupefaction of the objects worshipped. Notwithstanding all this, the amount contributed by the Hindoos to their idols, in money, cloth, and various products of the soil, is much greater, I am confident, than what any part of the Christian world give for the support and extension of true religion! Male and female make an offering of some sort almost every day to the idols, or their priests, and none appear to murmur at this, any more than they do at the expense attending the support of their families, provided they obtain from a kind Providence what they ask and expect from their idols! All the offerings of the people go to the support of the temples, and their numerous indolent, haughty, and adulterous priests. Many of the temples also are the private property of the priests, and hence the motives for these wolves to sustain their system of image worship, and by every means to make these material gods popular. In addition to these regularly consecrated blocks, the sun, moon, and stars, fire, air, and water, are regularly worshipped by this people-men, cows, monkeys, dogs, peacocks, fish, snakes, trees, plants, books, and stones, are the objects of their constant veneration and religious homage. In their estimation, Brahmins are the incarnation of all that is good, to support them in indolence the greatest merit, and to drink the water in which one of them has dipped his great toe, the most sovereign atonement for sin. Hindoo Superstitions. All occasionally feed birds, beasts, and insects, as acts of religious service; but some devote their whole lives to this work. A few years ago I was told of a man, who, in the neighbourhood of Ahmedabad, the capital of Goojurat, had for the space of fifteen years employed his whole time and energy in obtaining and scattering sugar, rice, and flour, on the ground, for the various tribes of ants that swarm in those parts. This he did as a religious act, for the good of his soul. Some are so anxious about the preservation of animal life, as not only to give food for its support, but never to kindle a fire or lamp in their houses, or elsewhere-never wash their clothes, wear shoes, or move without a towel tied over their mouths, lest they should inadvertently injure an insect, or destroy any animalcula. The cow is an incarnation of a goddess, and receives her full share of attention from all classes, while a Brahmin is not considered perfect unless he has one of these animals as a part of his household. Indeed, fully to specify and detail on this part of the subject, is both needless and impossible. Superstition and idolatry so pervade their minds, is so interwoven with the whole frame-work of society, and so incorporated with all the transactions of every-day life, as that nothing can be done without a marked reference to some filthy god or abominable rite. Merchants worship their shops-writers, their pens and inkstands-carpenters, their axes and saws-bricklayers and stonecutters, their trowels and chisels-smiths, their anvils and hammers-weavers, their looms and gear-shoemakers, their knives and awls-husbandmen and labourers, their plough, carts, mattocks, and hoes-seafaring men, their boats and nets-and soldiers, their various accoutrements of offensive and defensive warfare, in order to secure success in their respective occupations and pursuits. Every action of private, social, and public life, morning, noon, and night, each day in the week, and every month in the year, has its appointed incantation, sacrifice, or offering, but each and all dishonourable to God, and detrimental to man. Such has been their conduct for ages, such it is now, and such it will continue to be till they are favoured with the gospel and receive its blessings! After noticing the vain and foolish devices adopted by the Hindoos to obtain forgiveness of their sins, the corrupt state of morals produced by idolatry, together with the efforts which have been made for the purpose of introducing the Gospel and its various attendant blessings amongst the immense population of Goojurat, Mr. Fyvie thus concludes his stirring appeal to the friends of Missions :— The facts stated in the present communication, speak a language which I hope cannot be misunderstood by any who love the Saviour, and desire to know and do his will. They appeal to all the moral sensibilities of your nature; and I most fervently pray, that the Spirit of God, and his word, and your own consciences, may guide you to a proper conclusion, and lead you henceforth individually and collectively to perform with more holy energy the part assigned to you in the regeneration and salvation of this people. Duty of Christians in relation to the O ye redeemed of the Lord, an incal culable degree of moral power has been put into your hands by the Saviour, to be employed instrumentally for the salvation of men. Have you fully considered the nature of this power, its amount, its diffusive influence, and its infinite resources in the boundless love of Father, Son, and Spirit? Are you using this power in the spirit of faith, perseverance, and prayer, and to the extent that the Head of the Church demands? Are you making all the sacrifices and efforts which it is possible, in order to save these heathen? Will no blood be found in the skirts of your garments on account of the thousands who in this land have gone into eternity without ever having heard of the name of Christ, and thousands |