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if we know our own hearts, that we love our work, and would not exchange it for a kingdom. We have no desire to be in the land of our fathers again. We desire to ascribe thanksgiving and praise to Him, who has conferred upon us the unspeakable privilege, that to the Gentiles we may preach Christ.

The Missionary Prayer-Meetings, which are held monthly, are productive of great benefit to the whole body of Labourers. In connection with the religious exercises of the day, the occurrences at each Station are reported; and one of the Missionaries delivers an Address, on some particular subject which furnishes matter for subsequent discussion: that of the Address at the first Meeting was on "Brotherly Love:" that at the last Meeting of which we have seen an account was on "Broken Vows:" both, we have reason to know, produced salutary and abiding effects on the Brethren. On the influence of these Meetings in the maintenance of mutual charity, Mr. Meigs writes—

They have proved one great means of preserving all denominations here in love and harmony: an unusual degree of friendship has subsisted among all the Missionaries in this district for the last ten years. The Missionaries both at Madras and Colombo have adopted our plan with respect to the Prayer Meetings, with much pleasure and profit to

themselves.

The BENEFICIARY CHILDREN were, at the last dates which we have seen, 145 Boys and 30 Girls. The FREESCHOOLS were 60 in number, with between 2000 and 3000 Scholars, of both Bexes. The better to qualify the most promising Boys brought up in these Schools for a further advance, an ACADEMY has been opened at Tillipally, under Mr. Woodward: in January of last year there were in this Preparatory Seminary 120 of the Beneficiary Boys. A class of 19 were leaving the Academy for the Boys' CENTRAL SCHOOL at Batticotta, under Mr. Poor, which would then contain upward of 60 Youths : this School is considered as the germ of the intended COLLEGE: most of the Youths, divided into two classes, are pursuing the studies intended for the first and second years of the College Course: in reference to the College it is stated by the Board

Suites of plain low Rooms, sufficiently large for the Boys to eat, sleep, and study in; with a neat College Edifice, for Hall, Lecturerooms, Library, &c. and a small Chapel, are needed. Through the generosity of several Gentlemen in Ceylon and Madras, the Missionaries have been able to commence, and have now nearly finished, two sets of rooms for the Students, containing three rooms Feb. 1827.

each; and one large and handsome room for a Hall, and other purposes, until a College Edifice may be built. These are all situated on the Church or Government lands at Batticotta.

On the effects of the Schools, and the evidence which they afford of the Divine Blessing, the Missionaries state

We are training up a READING POPULATION; and it is very noticeable, even now, when we go among the people to distribute Tracts, that the Young Men who have been educated in our Schools are by far the most eager to receive them, and the most able to read them with understanding. In the Central School at Batticotta, there are now 22, who give good evidence that they are born from above: most of these possess talents which These, would not disgrace the Ministry. with a number of Boys in the School at Tillipally, and others who are helpers in the Mission, are the fruits of that system on which we have acted. To the Lord be all the praise for the work accomplished!

Several of our Schoolmasters are Members

of our Church. Besides the Weekly Meeting we have regularly a Quarterly Meeting with all the Schoolmasters connected with all our Stations, about 60 in number. Mr. Knight of Nellore also meets with us with his Schoolmasters, making in all above 70. We meet alternately at our several Stations, and spend several hours with them in prayer, reading the Scriptures, and suitable exhortations. By far the greatest part of this number now profess to be convinced of the truth of Christianity and the folly of Heathenism. A few of them are, I trust, truly converted persons; and several others, with more or less earnestness, are inquiring after the right way to heaven. A few years ago they were ALL of their fathers. We have had many very FIRM in their attachment to the superstitions interesting and truly affecting meetings with them. Were it not for that fear of man which bringeth a snare, most of them, I have no doubt, would wish to be called Christians;

and would as well deserve the name as vast

multitudes in Christian Countries.

Mr. Winslow, on the 4th of July 1825, drew the following contrast, in illustration of the beneficial influence of the labours at Oodooville, which may be considered as applicable to the whole

Mission:-
:-

Five years ago to-day, in connection with Br. and Sr. Spaulding, we took up our abode in this house; which had then neither floors, doors, nor windows: but we were happy, because it was OUR HOME AMONG THE HEATHEN; nor has this Home become less dear,

by having been made somewhat more comfortable, and by having become more like a Missionary Station. Then, we had no Boarding School, only two Native FreeSchools, no suitable place for preaching, and none about us who wished to hear-now, there is a Female Boarding-School, Thirteen Native Free-Schools, a decent Place for Public Worship, a respectable Congregation, and a little Church of Converts.

The change in the moral aspect at the Station is, therefore, a little like that in its na

I need scarcely say, that it is truly delightful to see a part of our Cook-house, which, from the trials that we have had with some of the servants, may almost literally be said to have been a den of thieves, now converted into a house of prayer: four or more of the servants meet there two or three evenings in the week to read the Scriptures, and for conversation and prayer.

tural scenery. When, four months previous || being cook to the Beneficiary Children, to taking up our residence here, we first vi- || Mr. Adley writes— sited the place, it was all grown over with briars and thorns, in which the serpent and scorpion lay concealed: the old broken-down walls of the Church and House were the resort of owls and bats, and the supposed residence of evil spirits: the natives around feared to come near the ruins; and the stranger quickened his step, and cast a hasty glance at them in passing by. But let the contributors to this Mission consider the change which their charity has effected the stones revived out of the heaps of rubbish-the ruins rebuilt-the place, like the other Stations of the Mission, resorted to by multitudes to be benefited in a variety of ways, the sick for healing, the poor for charity, the ignorant for instruction, and many for other purposes which bring them for a short time at least within the sound of the Gospel.

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Near Jaffna-Population 5000 or 6000.
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
1818.

Joseph Knight, W. Adley, Missionories.
Three Native Assistants.

Native Assistants in Eleven Schools.
Mr. Knight has paid a visit to Madras.
The work of the MINISTRY has been
continued at Nellore and at Jaffna; and
a new Service, on Wednesday Afternoons,
has been added at Nellore. It will have
been seen at pp. 568-572, among other
details relative to this Station, that there
is good ground of hope respecting a
number of the Youths and others con-
nected with the Mission. The latest
intelligence confirms and enlarges these
views: Mr. Adley writes-

The first month of this year (1826) has

been a time of special mercy. Four per

In the latter part of 1825, the cholera resumed its ravages, and again dispersed the SCHOOLS: they were recovering from the effects of the attack in the earlier part of that year, and were 8 in number, containing 280 Boys and 25 or 30 Girls.

Mr. and Mrs. Adley have had charge of the BENEFICIARY CHILDREN, from September 1825: they were 18 in number; but, as promising children offered, they have been increased to 29. They find this to be a very interesting and encouraging field of labour: about a third of the whole number profess to be inquiring the way to Heaven. Mr. Adley gives the Boys instruction in English. On Saturday Evenings, he meets the Boys and the Servants of the Mission, for religious instruction and prayer, especially reminding them of the prayers continually offered up by their friends in England on their behalf.

Mr. Adley allows a few Boys, sons of some of the chief Natives, to learn with the different classes in the Schools, on condition of their attending at Church and committing Scripture Lessons to memory: he writes on this subject

The Lord's Supper was administered for the first time at this Station, on the first Sunday in February. Four Natives, who had been previously baptized at St. John's Church in Jaffna, communicated. whole Congregation were allowed to stay, that they might witness the solemn and edifying Ordinance.

The

I have thus increased a little the Sabbath

Congregation; and bring under the Means

of Grace a number that would otherwise be

destitute of them. May He, who giveth the increase, sanctify and bless these means; and make these Youths instrumental in

sons connected with the Station are among those who have been awakened: they have continued to manifest such a knowledge of their need of Christ as the only Saviour, with such a deep concern for the salvation of their souls, that they have been admitted as Candidates for Baptism. Eight or ten of the elder Boys also, who evince anxiety respecting their eternal welfare, are assembled once The PRESS has been employed in a week for further instruction and prayer. printing Tracts, some thousands of which One of the Candidates for Baptism || have been distributed.

carrying the light of truth to the darkened habitations and benighted minds of their parents and relations!

Endian Archipelago.

NEARLY the whole of this Division of the Survey is under the authority of the King of the Netherlands. Baron Van der Capellen, who had been Governor General of Netherlands India for ten years, addressed the Members and Officers of

the Government in Batavia, on resigning his authority, in an able Speech, in which he took a comprehensive view of the state of the principal Islands and of his own administration. From this Speech we shall collect some particulars for the information of our Readers.

Let us cast a glance on our possessions. The Molucca Islands and the Government of Macassar both require a fostering hand: with patient and good management the result will be favourable. The Island of Timor has been hitherto of little importance: it possesses resources, however, which have not yet been opened. The west coast of Borneo, occupied by us since 1818, has given me great care: invited by the Native Princes to occupy our old station among them, to guard them against piracies, and to protect them, the Government yielded to their wishes: Banjermassin is perfectly quiet; and its newly-elected Sultan shews attachment to the Government. Rhio has become of more consequence since the cession of our establishments on the Peninsula of Malacca, and the acknowledgment of the neighbouring Foreign Settlement of Singapore. The west coast of Sumatra has assumed a different appearance since the cession of the English Possessions to our Kings: Padang and its dependencies, during the late years, required great sacrifices from us; the war with the fanatical Padries being unavoidable for the preservation of our possessions: the union of Bencoolen and its dependencies has rendered new measures necessary; and the whole administration of the west coast has been placed under one Police Officer: the Kingdom of Palembang enjoys now, after the dethroning of the faithless and ungrateful Sultan, perfect tranquillity. The Island of Banca, quiet within, continues to provide our stores from its rich tin mines with that metal.

The relations of this Government with those of the other European Nations are perfectly friendly. The principle and mode of the late transfer of possessions, in consequence of a Treaty recently concluded between our King and His Majesty the King of Great Britain, offer the clearest evidence of the reciprocal desire of accommodation with which these measures have been carried into effect; and lead us confidently to anticipate that the pacific spirit, in which the Treaty has been concluded, will never be departed from.

The Native Population has, everywhere and as much as the Government has been able, been treated with mildness; and, where it was necessary, with energy. The constant care of the Government to promote the knowledge of the native languages and that of their manners and customs, among those of the Officers who were in continual communication with the Natives, combined with severity against all extortion and ill-treatment, has been productive of the most beneficial consequences. The instruction of the Children had been entirely neglected: now we congratulate ourselves on good and suitable Institutions for Elementary Instruction, being the first step toward reformation and civilization. Steam-boats will soon improve and shorten the difficult communication between the different parts of Netherlands India: when these vessels shall have been introduced, then first the scattered parts of the Archipelago will become a whole; and by these vessels, armed, l'iracy, that scourge of trade and navigation, will be, in a great measure, annihilated.

Prosperity reigns among the Natives everywhere, except where the fatal insurrection of Djocjo Karta spreads its baneful influence: that rebellious Prince has become faithless to his own Court and to the Government; and has raised an insurrection in the heart of Java: however much the rebels may have lost, however considerably their means may have been curtailed, the sword cannot be sheathed before their principal Chiefs have been subdued. This rebellion once quelled, let assistance be rendered from Europe and the Supreme Government of Netherlands India, and calmness, wisdom, and energy pervade the measures to be taken, and it cannot fail but the clearest days will again, as of old, shine over Java and Netherlands India.

Sumatra.

The most westerly of the Sunda Isles-1050 miles long, by 165 average breadth-Inhabitants 3,000,000 -restored to the Dutch, by the British,inApril 1825.

NETHERLANDS BIBLE SOCIETY.

It is stated in the last Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in reference to a communication from a late

able and zealous friend

Your Committee have to acknowledge the kindness of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, in having addressed his sentiments to them at considerable length, in writing, relative to the Sumatran Bible Society, and to the opening prospects of the Institution in these eastern parts of the world. He informs your Committee, that, at the commencement of the Society, few were found able to read: Schools have, however, been established by the Missionaries, education has been extended with considerable success, and the way has been prepared for the reception of the Sacred Volume on the coast of Sumatra. A transfer

of the island has taken place to the Dutch Government; and the Netherlands Bible Society, on being applied to by your Committee, has cheerfully taken that at Sumatra under its wing. A Version in the Batta Language is preparing by Mr. Burton, a Missionary, which will also be adopted by the same friends; while the low Malay, translated by the Rev. Mr. Robinson, will probably be transferred to the College at Singapore, the Netherlands Society not being prepared to undertake this together with the other.

NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The Society is turning its attention to this Island; as it now opens to its Missionaries, under the Netherlands Government, a favourable prospect of usefulness. Two Missionaries were to proceed to Sumatra, and to act as circumstances might open the way.

BENCOOLEN.

Or Fort Marlborough-on the south-west coast. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 1819.

Java.

A Dutch Island, between the sixth and ninth de. grees of South Latitude-600 miles long by 95 average breadth-population, in 1815, estimated at 4,396,611; of whom 81,518 were Chinese.

BATAVIA.

The Capital of the Island-Inhabitants, in 1815, in
cluding the environs, 332,015; of whom 52,391
were Chinese.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
1814-revived 1819.

Walter H. Medhurst, Missionary.
Native Assistants.

Nath. M. Ward, Missionary. On Mr. Robinson's removal to Bengal, noticed in the last Survey, Mr. Ward began diligently to prepare a continuation of the new version of the Scriptures into Malay which had occupied much of Mr. Robinson's time. Mr. Ward superintends the Schools, and circulates the Scriptures and Tracts: it is probable, however, that the transfer of our Settle-Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, spent, in ments in Sumatra to the Netherlands 1825, nearly two months in Java, from Government will lead to his quitting the middle of July till the early part of September, on their way from New South-Wales to the Ultra-Ganges Missions. They announce the death of Mr.

the Island.

SEBOLGA.

The Deputation from the Society,

A Village at the Bay of Tapanooly-about as far Diering, of whom the Directors say

distant, north-west from Padang, as that port is from Bencoolen-situated among the Battas or Bataks. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1822.

Richard Burton, Missionary.

His gratuitous services, during the last four years, have been, in the opinion of Mr. Medhurst, who had the best opportunities of witnessing his zealous efforts, equivalent to those of a regular Missionary. Mr. Diering also liberally contributed toward the support of the Mission. His death, which took place on the 15th of August last, was remarkably peaceful and happy.

Mr. Medhurst bears to Mr. Diering the following affectionate and honour. able testimony

It was intimated in the last Survey, that Mr. Burton would probably be obliged to leave this Station; and, at pp. 300, 574, that the progress of the Insurgents had compelled him to remove with his family: he reached Serampore at the end of August 1825; and proceeded afterward to Digah, where he lost Mrs. Burton. It is stated by the Com-gether, and walked to the House of God in

mittee

The timid Bataks, among whom he had been stationed, had all determined to become Mussulmans, when their invaders took posLession of their country. At the period of his quitting Sebolga, Mr. Burton was engaged in compiling a Dictionary, English, Malay, and Batak, having previously completed his translation of the Gospel of St. John.

PADANG.

About 300 miles north-west of Bencoolen. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1821.

Charles Evans, Missionary. The Committee reportPadang being the seat of European Power, Mr. Evans has not been exposed to the same dangers as Mr.Burton. By the Members of Government he has been treated with much personal respect; and they have shewn themselves friendly to the work of education: but in compliance with the obstinate prejudices of the Natives, such restrictions have been laid on the higher and nobler object of a Christian Missionary-the direct promulgation of the Gospel-that the Committee have deemed it incumbent on them to direct Mr. Evans also to proceed to Bengal, and unite with his brethren in cultivating that more promising field.

No one can lament more feelingly than I do, the sad, the irreparable loss of our zealous friend Diering. We took sweet counsel to

company. We journeyed into the Villages, and visited the Heathen Markets and Fairs, where we aided each other in collecting the crowds, and addressing them on the all-important doctrines of the Gospel. I have seen him standing up, without either fear or shame, before a mixed multitude of Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and Malays; and exhorting them, in earnest strains, to repent and believe in Christ. His chief object seemed to be to exalt the Saviour; and, from all the nice disquisitions which the Malays were fond of entering into, he would turn away, and ask them where forgiveness was to be obtained, and inquire if they knew how their sins could be blotted out. He argued well with the Mahomedan Opponents; and, keeping them to this one theme, he never failed to silence and confute them. I am not ashamed to own, that I have learned much from Mr. Diering and, considering what he has done in preaching for me so often when worne out with fatigue, I cannot refrain from expressing my unfeigned gratitude for his assistance.

:

The Mission Premises, at Waltevreden, a village about three miles from Batavia, are thus described by the Deputation

The Missionary Compound, or enclosure, is situated in a healthy part, containing about Beside the comfortable Mission House occupied by Mr. Medhurst, there is

an acre.

another House, formerly occupied by the late Mr. Slater and family; and another Building, which serves for the printing establishment, and the dwellings of the Chinese employed in the office, &c. The Chapel, surrounded by a verandah, and having two apart

ments attached to it, stands in the centre of the compound: these two apartments serve as Depositories for books; and afford accommodation for a small School, consisting of Boys in the employ of the Mission.

Of Mr. Medhurst's labours in the MINISTRY they thus speak

On Sundays, sometimes Mr. Medhurst goes early in the morning to preach on board some one or other of the English or American Ships, which are frequently lying in the Roads. At eleven, he has Public Worship in the Mission Chapel: on which occasion he reads the English Liturgy, and preaches a Sermon to such English as may be present; but the attendance is small. Occasionally, he visits that part of Batavia where the Chinese chiefly reside, called the Chinese Camp; and converses with such as he finds within shops, houses, &c. and sometimes gives away Chinese Tracts.

On the Sabbath Evening, he has a Malay Service in the Chapel, at which the Malays in his employ are expected to attend, but others are seldom present. The Chinese who are in Mr. Medhurst's service understand Malay, and are also expected to be present, but no other Chinese can be induced to attend Public Worship. Every evening, before his own family-worship, he has a meeting for reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer, in Malay, with those who are in the service of the Mission.

There is also preaching on Friday Evenings at the Malay Bungalow mentioned in the last Survey: but, of the effects of this and the other Native Services, Mr. Medhurst gives a faithful but melancholy account

It is difficult to say what good may be done in removing objections, and correcting mistakes in the minds of individuals; and what influence precept upon precept may have in weakening their attachment to their former superstitions, and preparing them for the reception of the Gospel: but, as yet, no outward indications of it have appeared in the amended lives of any, or the inquiries of a single person about what he must do to be saved. The doctrines of grace, plainly and faithfully enforced, have in most places proved the power of God unto salvation: how is it then that they seem to fail of their effect here? and how is it that numbers of Chinese and Malays have for years sat under the regular preaching of the Word, in this as well as in other stations of the Ultra-Ganges Missions, and so few, if any, seem savingly and permanently affected by what they hear? Oh for the early and latter rain!-the outpouring of God's Spirit, and the influences of His grace; that the Word may be made effectual, and that after so much planting and watering the blessed increase may be vouchsafed!

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The English Service Mr. Medhurst turns to the best account in reference to his Mission: he writes

It being with me a matter of conscience to ble subservient to Missionary Purposes, I make the English Service as much as possi

have for the last four or five months employed myself in expounding the Ten Commandments; and in composing a set of Lectures, treating on the nature, design, and use of the Moral Law, our condemnation under it, and the means of our deliverance from it these I have rendered into Chinese, regularly, as I preached them. They are now brought to a close; and form a treatise on the Moral Law, in twenty sections, and of about 200 pages. Besides rendering my English Discourse into Chinese for the press, I preach from the same subject, both in Chinese and Malay, several times in the week, and disseminate the same truths in different languages in various places; till the subject is completely familiar, and I am enabled to write on it with greater ease and freedom. Thus, I hope, the preparation and preaching of Discourses in English will not tend to interrupt, but further the work among the Heathen; at the same time that it helps partially to the support of the Mission, and affords an opportunity of doing some good to the souls of our countrymen resident in these parts.

The Deputation add

When we came to Batavia, Mr. Medhurst was accommodated with a room in the Store of Mr. Diering, situated in a very public part of the place; where he usually spent the hotter portion of the day, and where sick Chinese applied to him for medicines. In consequence of Mr. Diering's decease, Mr. Medhurst has been obliged to look out for some other place, where he can sit during the heat of the day, and receive visits from such as are disposed to call: he has selected, for this purpose, a place in the midst of what is called the "China Camp," which is exceedingly populous. Often, when he learns that there are any particular festivals among the Chinese, he visits the temples and converses with the people and priests; which here he can do with the utmost freedom, as we have frequently witnessed. The priests converse very cheerfully on the principles of their own religion and those of Christianity, and readily accept Chinese Tracts.

Of these visits Mr. Medhurst saysOwing to the small attendance on the stated Services of the Mission, I have endeavoured to be more frequent and more earnest in occasional labours; spending a portion of each day in going about from house to house, reasoning and conversing with the people. In the China Camp I still continue my rounds; always carrying a few Tracts in my pocket, and seeking for opportunities of engaging the Chinese in religious discourse. My object and character are by this time so well known, that they immediately recognise me on entering their dwellings, saying, "This is the man who goes about exhorting people: wherever he goes he is sure to tell us something about religion."

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