so many, yet the Gospel showed me a Saviour of the world, who being almighty to save, is not only able to redeem me from my sins, but is able to save my soul from the wrath to come. "From the day when I believed the Gospel, more than three years ago, until now, I love Jesus as my only Saviour, and now I thank God that he has received me into the body of Christ. I wish to serve Christ with all my strength, to propagate his Gospel to my own people, to preach the inexhaustible riches of Christ, and the savour of his religion, in whatsoever place God will set me; and feeling that according to the power of God, if I shall be able to convert but one of my fellow-creatures to Christ, it will be better than all the riches of the world. This is what my heart most wishes; therefore I expressly write this letter to you; should you be pleased to employ me in Christ, there is no labour which I will refuse; if I shall find favour in your sight, give me an answer, in order to console my thirsty desires. At present, I learn Hebrew, Greek, and English literatures at the feet of Mr. Legge. "I am, yours in the love of Christ, "CHIN-SEEN." THE following encouraging communication has also been recently received from the Rev. James Legge : Amidst all the difficulties which I have had to encounter since my arrival in this place, I am cheered by the confidence that both the Mission and the College are becoming decidedly more efficient. On the first Sunday of this month, I administered the Lord's Supper. It was with no common feelings, I presented to them the emblems of our Saviour's dying love. At such a time only may one realise the glory of the Gospel; the wide scheme of mercy, worthy of the "blessed God," adapted to every kindred, and people, and tongue, and clime. Others are seeking admission into the church, and will, I trust, soon be received. Chin-Seen is going on most hopefully. So is also a cripple baptized by Mr. Kidd: he is eminently enlightened in the truth; and, I might add, a Chinaman baptized three years ago. I hardly venture to tell you that one man has applied to me for baptism, who attri butes his full enlightenment in the truth, and decision for God, to my ministry. After Chin-Seen, he is decidedly the most intelligent Chinaman I have yet met with. Ten years ago he heard something of the Gospel in Malacca, but went away and forgot all about it, till he heard it again last year. When I met him first, he had the precise belief of a quiet Unitarian. The doctrine of the Cross he could not receive; it was foolishness unto him! I was delighted with his acuteness in argument, and went often to his house for an hour to converse with him. Now, he declares that he distinctly perceives and cordially embraces the message of reconciliation, and wishes to confess Jesus Christ before men. Oh that he may prove, indeed, a seal to my labours, the first-fruits of a large harvest that God may honour me to gather in, in this land of darkness and of the shadow of death! MISSIONS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA. BANGALORE. WANT OF MISSIONARIES IN THE CANARESE COUNTRY, IN consequence of removals, sickness, and and are quite unable to carry out plans of the most obvious utility and importance. I implore the Directors to send us out immediate help. An addition of six labourers is the smallest possible number that would be necessary to carry on with efficiency the various and increasing operations of the present Canarese Stations, while many new, large, and promising fields of usefulness must be left uncultivated. I know that our esteemed Directors are most anxious to respond to the various calls for help, but they want suitable agents, and increased funds to send them out. Oh, that my feeble voice could be heard throughout the length and breadth of highly favoured Britain, and that I could fill my mouth with such arguments as might be the means of arousing Christians there to an adequate sense of their high responsibilities, and imperative duty in regard to the conversion of the world! True, they have done, and are doing much, for the attainment of this glorious end. But are they doing all that they might do, and all that they ought to do? I think not. Missions have long ceased to be regarded with indifference. I trust, also, that the air of romance with which they are too often surrounded in England is wearing away, and that the impression is becoming every year more deep, that we are engaged in a work of overwhelming magnitude -- a mighty struggle with the powers of darkness-and that the Christian church must nerve herself to an united, a self-denying, an arduous, a vigorous, and a well-sustained conflict, ere she can look for extensive and complete success. We want it no longer to be thought (as I have sometimes with pain heard it remarked,) that those men will do very well for Missionaries, who have not such gifts, or who have not received such an education as will qualify them to be popular and extensively useful at home. We want it no longer to be the case that the pence and shillings of the poor and middling classes should constitute a large proportion of the income of the Society. No-we want the most talented, the best educated, the most experienced and influential men, to consider it an honour to consecrate themselves to this work. We want to see the higher classes of society no longer content "to dwell in their ceiled houses while the house of God lies waste," but of their abundance to give abundantly, in order to extend the boundaries and erect the walls of the spititual Zion. My heart warms while I write on this subject. I might enlarge on such a topic, but it is unnecessary after all the powerful appeals which are being continually made to the Christian public. Oh, for the Spirit of God to descend with all his blessed influences on the Church, that she may give herself to the work of evangelizing the nations, with all that simplicity of motive, self- renunciation, holy devotedness, and power of prayer, which the vastness, the momentous importance of the work demands. MYSORE. (Extract of a letter from Rev. C. Campbell, Dec 31, 1840.) Intercourse with the heathen. FROM the commencement of my labours here I have found many facilities for a constant and public preaching of the Gospel to the heathen. Generally the congregations that assemble in the streets, are gcod. Sometimes they listen quietly to a lengthened statement of Divine truth; but more frequently, before much is said in the way of address, a discussion commences. This I have not discouraged; for though I should always prefer a simple declaration of the word, yet it is necessary to meet the people in their own way, and to communicate the Gospel message in such portions, and in such a manner, as they are prepared to receive it. On some occasions much opposition is offered; and the only objects of the disputants are to ridicule and provoke. Even this, however, has not been without its use. The Lord has graciously enabled me either to silence the adversaries, and to show the excellency of the doctrines they oppose; or to maintain a calmness and forbearance calculated to shame their violence. But on other occasions a more pleasing task has been assigned me. Frequently lengthened discussions have taken place, when many of the errors of Hindooism have been exposed, and the blessed truths of the Gospel contrasted with them in the midst of large groups of people. I have also had many opportunities of speaking to people who called on me for conversation, and to receive books. The nearness of our house to the Pettah, is very advantageous in this respect; and there is reason to hope that, by the constant and persevering application of the same means, the Gospel will, ere long, be made known, not in Mysore only, but throughout the surrounding country. Itinerant labours. On account of the superior claims of Mysore itself, my preaching in the villages in the immediate neighbourhood has been less frequent this year than the last. Seringapatam, and the villages about the French Rocks, and Hoansour, have been occasionally visited. Once I went as far as Marcara. When on that tour I met a Brahmin at Fraser-pet, who had heard the Gospel in Bangalore, twelve or thirteen years ago. He said he had still some of the books which he then received; and he could tell me some of the facts connected with the death and resurrection of Christ. But though he acknowledged Christianity to be a good way, he had evidently not given up idolatry. Death of three female native Scholars. Mission-school, have been removed by death during the year. The first one died of cholera, after only twelve hours' illness. She was a strong healthy girl, and her sudden death appeared to make a deep impression upon the other children. She was only a few months in school, so that her character was not much developed; but latterly she greatly improved in disposition and conduct, was very fond of the school, and thus gave us hope that there was something good in her mind. Ruth, another very interesting girl, who was formerly in the boarding-school at Bangalore, was also taken under Mrs. Campbell's care for about seven months. For a considerable time back her body had been in a most deformed state, and she was a great sufferer till the day of her death. She had, however, a very good knowledge of the Gospel; and, what is better still, she had evidently imbibed much of its spirit. While with us in My. sore, she was the admiration of all who had an opportunity of observing her meekness and patience in suffering. As long as she could bear it, she was carried from her little house to Mrs. C. for reading and sewing, in both which she took great delight. She was one of the best readers. She fell asleep in Jesus, on the 23rd of November, and we doubt not we shall meet her among the saints in glory. The other girl died on the 21st of December, of typhus fever. She was an orphan, and had been under our care for 18 months. Though rather slow to learn, she manifested a quiet and teachable disposition. She could read the Scriptures, had attained a knowledge of the grace of the Gospel, and declared on her death bed that her whole trust was in Christ. A few days before she died, she said to one of the other girls, "I am going to be beside Ruth." She and Ruth were about twelve years of age. Some of the others give us much encouragement, and we have reason to believe that one of them is a subject of Divine grace. Conversation with the Rajah. I have had one opportunity of declaring the truth in the palace. When I went to see the Rajah, along with the Resident, it was, of course, only a visit of ceremony; and I had not an opportunity of speaking much on religious subjects. But some time ago, when Mr. H- was in the palace setting some philosophical apparatus to rights, a conversation was commenced about Christianity. After a little discussion Mr. H-suggested that they should send for me, which was immediately done. I lost no time in seizing such a valuable opportunity; and when I went I found his Highness in the midst of a number of Brahmins and others. After a few words of course, a question was put to me by one present, which led me to give a short statement of what we knew about God, and the way of approach to him. To this it was objected, that God being invisible, we could neither know nor worship him except through the medium of idols. I replied, that though not seen by us, he might be known; and that he had manifested his glory in a great variety of ways, especially in Christ, the Mediator between God and man, and the Saviour of the world. After this the doctrine of the Trinity was discussed, the nature and necessity of the atonement, the purity of the Divine character, and the consequent impossibility of any of those whom the Hindoos call gods, being either real gods themselves, or the appointed agents and representatives of the Most High. Throughout the discussion, the Rajah was in good humour; but I am sorry to say, rather playful. Sometimes he would go away to another part of the room for a mere trifling circumstance. Sometimes he would himself take part in the argument; and he seemed always exceedingly pleased when the Brahmins were in a difficulty. I offered to leave a copy of the Gospels, but it was not accepted. There is indeed, reason to fear that the interview was desired chiefly for the sake of amusement; but a principle of curiosity may have been mixed with it. And at all events, whenever truth and error are thus brought into immediate contact, it must be with advantage to the former, and a corresponding disadvantage to the latter. I was glad of this opportunity also, because it was calculated to call forth inquiry among the people generally. The thing was not done in a corner; in Mysore it was sure to attract universal attention. Controversial meeting with a pundit. Since that time I was once called to the house of a pundit, who is connected with the palace, where we had a discussion of about three hours' length. He is of the Jaina class, who hold atheistical principles. Thinking that the conversation would likely turn upon their peculiar tenets, I made myself as well acquainted with their sentiments as possible, before I went. But the topics of discussion were of a more general nature; such as idolatry, the atonement, the nature of the Divine law and of sin, the nature of the soul, and a future state of rewards and punishments. One part of this conversation will give you some idea of the daring blasphemies which we are often obliged to hear from the mouths of the heathen. Being asked to state some of the proofs which Jesus gave of his Deity, when on earth, I told them some of his declarations regarding himself, and of the mighty works which he performed. To this one objected, that it was not consistent with modesty for Jesus to speak of his own glory; if these things had been said of him by his disciples, it would have been very well; but self-praise was what no good man would indulge in. At this I felt shocked, but replied calmly, "What you say is right so far as men are concerned; men ought to speak little in their own praise, because they have many faults and few excellences; besides, whatever is good in them they owe to God. But it is different with God; he is infinitely great and glorious, the source of all good to his creatures, and without any, even the least defect. For such a being to speak in the highest terms of his own glory, is perfectly right and proper." This being at once admitted, it was easily applied to Christ. But I showed farther, that Jesus, though he might have done so with the utmost propriety, did not actually speak his own praise until he had done works which proved he was entitled to do so; and that in his human nature he was characterized by the deepest humility and meekness. Folly of Hindoo Philosophers. Their reasoning, also, about the soul, and, as they thought, the impossibility of its existing in a state separate from the body, and being there susceptible of good or evil, showed how little even enlightened men can know of spiritual things without the Gospel. In professing themselves wise, they became fools. On all the points of discussion they felt compelled to give way; but rather than confess themselves vanquished, they attacked Christians for eating flesh. And in this they very much resemble the pharisees of old, who disposed of all the evidences of Jesus' Messiahship by saying, "Search and see, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet." I endeavoured, however, to deprive them of this subterfuge, by calling upon them for proof that it was unlawful to eat flesh. We considered that we had the Divine permission to eat it, although we were not commanded to do so. As they condemned us in this, the burden of proof fell upon them. We could not take their books into account, because they had been before proved false; neither could the argument drawn from God's pervading all things be allowed; because it went upon a wrong view of the connexion between him and his creatures. But if they could give any proper reason for thinking that it was the will of God we should not eat animal food, I for one would eat no more of it, as I wished to act in all things according to what appeared the will of God. SALEM. (Extract of a letter from Rev. Messrs. Walton and Lechlen, Salem, Dec. 31, 1840.) WITH reference to the preaching of the Gospel, we have the satisfaction to state, that to considerable numbers the word of life is made known; but we have not the happiness as yet to inform you that they are crying out, "Sirs, what must we do?” All that is wanting is a copious outpouring of the sanctifying and renovating influences of the Holy Spirit, and we hope that, in answer to the united prayers of God's Israel, we shall in due time be blessed with the realization of our hopes and desires. The difficulties which we have to encounter are both numerous and great; we think, owing to the repeated invitations of the Gospel to them, the major part of an audience habitually oppose the silent influence which the truth exerts on their minds, and which has disturbed them not a little. Many of them see the folly of their idolatrous worship and religious observances and customs, which have been handed down from time immemorial; their faith in their wicked gods is shaken, and they have been obliged, owing to the increase of religious knowledge, which they have obtained through the preaching of the word, openly to avow that there is no good thing in their gods, and that no happiness is to be obtained from following them. They have on several occasions met together to know in what manner they could most effectually put down what, in their estimation, is considered to be a growing and alarming evil. Some, it is said, have proposed that a petition should be sent to government to prevent the padres and their people from making known to them the Christian religion; and stating that from the propagation of its doctrines, there is danger to be apprehended that heathenism will have a mighty downfall. While others comfort themselves in the belief of their traditionary tale, that all mankind must be of our religion; and from what they see daily of Missionary exertions, they necessarily conclude that Paganism will be superseded by Christianity. Some have even gone so far as to expostulate with us, on account of the trouble we occasioned to them, by making known Christ and the way of salvation. "Why do you," say they, "trouble us with your doctrines? We know that our gods are stones, but it is no business of yours to tell us so. We do not want to believe in Christ. Our forefathers are happy because they died in ignorance, but you make us wretched by dispelling our ignorance, and making us, contrary to our inclinations, to inquire and to speak of these things." Near the Shirapetta School there stands a heathen temple. On one occasion, when visiting the school, we went and stood close to the pedestal, and whilst speaking to the people, a chitty (merchant) came near, and with much anger bade us be gone and not pollute the sacred precincts of the temple of his gods. One of us asked him if he could conscientiously call the stone a god? "I know," he replied, "it is not; but we do not want you to tell us so. This is too bad; why cannot you leave us alone?'' It was with much difficulty that we could silence the clamour of this man and a few others who joined with him. The influence of idolatry and Brahminical authority in many respects, we have reason to believe, is on the decline, and knowledge is on the increase. The people see the folly of these things more and more, and we think that a great change is not far off. May the Lord hasten it in his own good time. COIMBATOOR. (Extract of a letter from Rev. Messrs. Addis and Lewis, Coimbatoor, Dec. 31, 1840.) In the course of the past year Mr. Addis made a tour of six weeks through a circuit of 150 miles, and visited various towns and villages in the route. Although no decided good on a large scale was observable, as the result of our efforts in former years, yet an increasing friendliness of disposition was evinced on the part of the inhabitants, and a more open and candid acknowledgment of the truths of the Gospel avowed, than was ever before presented; and in one town Mr. Addis was met by several deputations of natives from distant places, beging him to visit their villages, as was formerly the case; but much exposure to the weather being at present injurious to him, compliance with their requests, to the extent desired, was not possible. One of the deputations brought a fat sheep, requesting it might be accepted as a token of their sincerity and good will; others brought fruit, rice, and other native produce. In one town a circumstance of rather a curious and interesting nature was related. It appears that a man who formerly heard the Gospel preached, was fully convinced of its truth and importance, and accordingly left idolatry. Being some time afterwards seized with severe sickness, and apparently on the point of death, he requested his relatives to send for the Missionary, in order that he might be baptized and die in the faith of Christ; but they refused, saying that the distance, upwards of fifty miles, was too great; however, he was not to be deterred from his purpose, and having heard that an old Roman Catholic woman lived in a village not far distant, he sent for her, and she administered the rite to him in the presence of the bystanders. Shortly after the man died, as the people of the place say, trusting in Christ as his only Saviour. Several others in different places have forsaken idolatry entirely, and in two or three instances have openly professed their adherence to Christianity; but the influence of their relatives, and the fear of man, has operated so far as to induce them to withdraw from outward observation. Another tour of equal extent, but of shorter duration, was also made in a different direction of this extensive province, and an increasing degree of cordiality and apparent confidence was exhibited by all, especially among the Brahmins and the superior classes, many of whom candidly and unreservedly stated their opinions respecting the falsehood of their own systems and the superiority of Christianity; many also, with apparent pleasure, received portions of Scripture and other books, and some, after reading them, brought them back to receive explanation on difficult passages, to ask questions, &c.. These itinerances have been carried on from the commencement of this Mission in 1830, so that the whole district has been repeatedly traversed, and a general knowledge of our holy religion may be found in most places. BELLARY MISSION. AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTIANA, A MEMBER OF THE NATIVE CHURCH. Early experience—exchange of one false I was born of heathen parents, by whom I The gods and goddesses to whom we paid particular homage were Brahma, Vishnu, Kalee, Doorgee, &c.; and by the worship of these, and the performance of the various duties enforced in our shasters, I expected to obtain the pardon of my sins, and the |