ed. To me there must 'ere long be a last year, a last day, a last moment. I hear the admonitory voice, 'Do with thy might what thy hand findeth to do; the night cometh when no man can work.' Perhaps it may be near to me, even the night of death. But the dawn of eternal day is discovered by the eye of faith; and though the blackness of darkness awaits all unbelievers, yet they who trust in Jesus shall be saved from that awful state. Though many and dark be the stains of sin, yet the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, and robes of glory shall forever adorn those who have washed in that precious fountain. I have given myself in covenant to God, to be his for time and eternity; and if I am his in life I shall be also in death. May I not then cheerfully say, Then, sun of nature, roll along, "Dec. 28.-I have this day visited two of the female schools under my care, and, as it may prove interesting to some of my friends, I will describe the manner in which they are managed. When I go in, I first hear the lessons which were previously given, asking questions as I proceed in regard to the meaning. If the lesson is well recited, I then give them another, and direct the class to be in readiness for reading. After hearing all the lessons in this manner, I hear the class read, requiring them frequently to define words and express the meaning of sentences, interspersing them with such remarks as are suggested by the subject. Frequently while I am in school, the bell for idol-worship in the family is rung, and I often endeavor to show them the folly and absurdity of worshipping such senseless objects. Before leaving the school 1 examine the writing of all the children on the semaboards, and frequently the whole school unite in repeating the Lord's prayer, or a hymn which they have learned. In each school are four classes. The fourth class consists of those who learn the single and compound letters, and when they are able to read and write short words, they enter the third class. When they are able to read easy and simple lessons, they go into the second class. While in this class, they learn the ten commandments, and a catechism containing some of the first principles of Christianity, and improve in reading till they read in the Mahratta New Testament with facility, and then they enter the first class. While in this class, they daily practise reading in the scriptures, and other on paper. suitable books, attend a little to the first principles of arithmetic, and also to writing Some of the more advanced girls study a small book on geography, which has been prepared for them, and commit to memory selected passages from the scriptures." 66 CHAPTER XIV. Letters written at Bombay. "Bombay, Nov. 27, 1828. My ever dear parents,―The Lord has led us in a way of mercy. It has not been without its thorns to make us feel that we are in the wilderness, or its crosses to make us realize we are in the enemy's country, yet a sustaining hand has upheld, and goodness has followed us. We have been visited with sickness, but health has soon returned, and at present we are enjoying a good share of this rich blessing. "Our family being pretty large at present, my cares are numerous, and I have but little time to sit down uninterruptedly for study. I am daily in the schools, and almost constantly with the natives, and consequently am continually acquiring the language. Mr. A. sits with the pundit four or five hours in the day. He also visits schools, distributes tracts, preaches in English in his turn, besides considerable business of a public nature, which devolves on him as Secretary of the Tract Society. "Now as this is a kind of conversation letter, and I wish to give you as distinct a view as possible of our situation and manner of life, I will be a little particular. Our family consists of eight.-Mr. A. and myself, Miss Farrar, and a little girl of six years under her care, our two scholars, and two boys. According to the customs of the country, necessarily consequent on its sultry climate the work of the family is performed by servants. The cooking is done out of the house. Now do not start, nor let any one think that I have come hither to live in delicate ease or idleness. Indeed it is not so. Mrs. Stone and myself have often remarked to each other, how much more congenial with our inclinations it would be, to manage our family concerns, without the perplexity of trusting to servants. But in this country Europeans cannot do thus. Their constitutions cannot sustain it. Besides we feel that we were sent hither not merely to take care of our families. Of these we must necessarily have the care and superintendence, and do much for them with our own hands; but there is a nobler work to be performed, and in this we, as well as our husbands, are expected to take a part, and I trust we deem it our privilege. I am sure I never was employed more busi |