which all classes seek after this Tract led him to inquire for more of our books; in consequence of which he obtained the copy of St. Matthew's Gospel: he said that he perceived something, on every perusal of the Gospel, which did not strike him before: he had read several of the Hindoo Books of greatest note, but they tended rather to estrange him from God and to lead him to abandon himself to dissipation, as they impute all our actions to God Himself, and thus destroy our own responsibility: the light of reason shewed him the absurdity and evil tendency of such doctrines, and he therefore disregarded them: this was the cause of his perusing the Gospel with the greatest attention, haply he might discover something similar in it also; but this he has not been able to do: he therefore admired it, the more he read it. He said, that, in order to prevent him and others from reading our books, some of our enemies had slandered the Gospel; and published it abroad that our books were adapted to lead people astray, and that we offered and gave large bribes to those who embraced Christianity: this I have frequently heard; but this is an old method of Satan to keep his votaries from the truth. Seeing him so promising and worthy a person, I gave him a complete copy of the Hindee New Testament: to-day he returned, bringing his Testament with him ; and though he received it only a week since, I found that he had read it through, and is going over it a second time. In the course of conversation, he asked the meaning of several passages in the Revelation. Another rich Zemindar in an adjoining village, being informed that he had received several books from me, desired him to bring them to him: he, however, did not think proper so to do; alleging as his reason, that the man was a gross idolater, and has a number of Pundits about him, who would in all probability make a ridicule of the doctrines and speak evil of the books; which, he thought, it would be a sin in him to suffer in his presence, and he might in consequence be irritated to resent it, with injury to himself and without benefit to them. I desired him, on his return, to send word whether they would like to see me; in that case, I would visit them.

July 20, 1826-After having had some conversation with an old Devotee, he followed a Native Christian toward the Church Premises on seeing this, the shopkeepers in the Bazaar raised a hue and cry against it; as if the man was being led to the stocks, or as if he were going to the gallows: the poor man, not having firmness to encounter this, slunk away and did not make his appearance.

July 23: Sunday-To-day the Gentlemen composing the Deputation from the London Missionary Society attended Hindoostanee Service. It was truly animating to see those who have traversed the greater part of the globe in order to witness the progress of the Kingdom of Christ in Heathen Lands. Such visits cannot but prove of essential benefit to the Cause of Missions. Preached from John v. 16. Several unbaptized Hindoos for the

first time joined, with their turbans off, in the public Service of the Church.

July 24-The Native Christian and another visited the Zemindar on the opposite side of the river, at his own request. Every thing which they saw was gratifying: many of the Villagers attend to the instruction of the Headman, and have renounced the worship of the sun and other idols.

July 25-A snake-catcher, being stung by an immense cobra-capella, was brought to me nearly in a state of insensibility. The poison had operated too powerfully to be expelled: he died in about half-an-hour. The Natives, notwithstanding, thought that he would be restored to life: the next morning, they put the corpse in a boat, and took it down the river 16 miles, to Ramnagur; to a Devotee, who pretended to possess power to restore such to life they were, however, compelled to bring it back on the third day, in a state of putrefaction. It is notorious throughout the town, that this snake-catching Fakeer pretended to possess charms to prevent the effects of poison: a few hours previous to his death, he was invited to a shopkeeper's to catch a snake which was seen in an inner apartment: he went, is said, with the snake which stung him folded round his waist; but it appears, that, while seeking for an opportunity to disengage the creature without being discovered, in the course of the process the snake bit him close to his hipbone: the poison began instantly to operate: he would not, however, for shame discover what had taken place; but only complained of excessive heat,instantly went home, and did all that he could to counteract the poison, but without effect: it was then that he requested to be conveyed to the doctor's, and was brought to me: the people are become very suspicious of these men; knowing that they are in the habit of letting loose snakes of their own, and pretending to catch those for which they were seeking.

July 27-A Brahmin residing in the town came to solicit for Tracts; which a Devotee, who has taken up his abode in the hills, requested him to obtain for him.

July 29-The village Zemindar, from the opposite side of the river, came and told many pleasing things-such as having prevailed upon several of his people to renounce the worship of the sun, the river, &c. Being desirous of teaching some of the boys of his village, I gave him copies of the Nagree Spelling-Book, and exhorted him to do all the good that he could to his people; seeing that he was the Father, the Shepherd, and the Light of the village, and that he would have to render an account for his opportunities of usefulness. Another person being present, he questioned him closely; manifesting thereby, that there was not wanting an internal work of the Spirit: he spent about four hours in this manner.

Aug. 1-Our School Moonshee received a paper from the Cauzy of Chunar, containing some questions put to the Christians respecting the Sonship of Jesus Christ and the Trinity, chiefly quoted from the New Testament; and which I was requested to

answer. I had heard that a similar document was presented, a fortnight ago, for the same purpose, to some of our friends at Benares. Finding that the writer was not prompted by captious motives, I have determined on furnishing an answer.

Aug. 3, 1826-After Hindoostanee Service this evening, a woman, just as she reached the outer gate of the Church-yard, swooned away. I administered several doses of eaude-luce, diluted in greater quantities of water, when she gradually came to herself: she said that, during the Service, she had been bitten by something which she supposed to be a snake. In the night, she swooned several times; but the eau-de-luce being renewed as often, she was perfectly recovered in the morning. The snake must have been of the most poisonous kind; for though it was so small as to lead the woman to take no farther notice of it than if she had been bitten by a pismire and to continue in Church till the Service was over, yet during that time the poison had sufficient time to operate thus powerfully.

Aug. 18-Met a Christian Officer, who is a friend of Missions, and who accepted Tracts for distribution to the westward: he had an opportunity formerly of giving away one of our Hindee Tracts to a Rajah, who read it fluently and prized it much.

Aug. 24-The Zemindar of the village on the opposite bank of the river, mentioned frequently before, came and spent half the day, arguing and hearing a refutation of Mahomed read.

Aug. 25- It was truly gratifying to hear a respectable man say, that the Zemindar, above alluded to, was commonly spoken of in the Bazaar as having undergone a very great change of late, in consequence of having read a Tract some time ago-that a short time since, being at a great man's, who was a strenuous idolater, the Zemindar openly rebuked him for it-refuted the system- and defended the Christian Religion, as being the only true one in existence. All present were struck at this amazing change in the man's sentiments, and his undauntedness in thus openly avowing it. These testimonies, derived from our enemies, are not to be slighted.

Aug. 26-Two Officers, who are proceeding far up the country, came and spent the evening profitably. At their request, I gave to each of them a portion of the good things which I possessed, for distribution among the people in their respective spheres. Both of them could read Hindoostanee, and consequently promised to be useful to the Heathen. These solitary individuals, passing up with Christian principles and feelings will be like leaven put in the midst of meal, which will gradually work its way into the mass.

Aug. 27: Sunday - The two Gentlemen attended Hindoostanee Service, and seemed to understand it thoroughly. The last month or two the crowds have thinned very much in the Bazaar: the great enemy is at work to frighten people away from hearing the Word, lest the glorious light of the Gospel should shine into their hearts, and thereby cause them to seek for deliverance.

Sept. 3: Sunday-Administered the Communion to upward of 60 persons.

Sept. 7-Was informed of various grievous slanders, disseminated at Benares against our Native Christians at Chunar. If these calumnies were uttered within our hearing, they would return on the slanderers with confusion. This has strengthened my conviction of an evil which I have witnessed since settling here- I mean the culpable ignorance in which persons remain relative to religious affairs within their own neighbourhood, and often under their own eyes! Instances may be adduced of Gentlemen residing for ten years in a Missionary Station, and knowing no more, except perhaps the mere name of the Missionary residing at the Station, than a person thousands of miles distant. Hence arises the indispensable necessity of caution, in the friends of Missions both at home and abroad, in giving credit to every assertion, merely from the length of time which the person making it might have been in the country, or from his residing at the same place with Missionaries. The want of this caution has led so many to credit all that the Abbé Dubois has written on the subject of Missions, because he resided upward of thirty years as a Missionary (of a false system) in India; whereas every Protestant Missionary who has been at his post but a few years, can shew the erroneousness, at least, of the Abbé's assertions in favour of the Hindoos and against the work of Missionaries among them.

Sept. 16-This morning our beloved Archdeacon arrived; and, in the evening, visited our Bazaar Chapel, which is not yet finished.

Sept. 16: Sunday-The Venerable Archdeacon preached yesterday in English, both morning and evening; and, in the afternoon, attended our Hindoostanee Service. This morning he left us, and returned to Benares. Visit to Buxar.

I also left Chunar late in the evening, and arrived at Benares at midnight. The river was at its utmost height; and the navigation at night rather dangerous, on account of the numerous stone temples and stairs being under the water.

Sept. 21-Left Benares yesterday, in company with the Archdeacon, for Buxar. Arrived to-day at Ghazeepoore, after my little boat had encountered some danger from the strong winds: Mr. Burkitt was very attentive to all present; and doubtless has his heart in the good work, as all his conversation and conduct indicated.

Sept. 24: Sunday-At six in the morning, at Buxar, the people assembled for Divine Service. I read the Prayers, and married and baptized some of the Europeans and their children; and the Archdeacon preached a most faithful Discourse. He has secured to the Mission here, a spot of ground whereon to build a Chapel and a School-Room. All the afternoon we were engaged in Hindoostanee Worship and at Kurrum Musseeh's. While returning from Service to my boat, a Brahmin Pundit, whom I had seen before, accosted me with-" Ram! Ram!"-knowing that we do not counte

46

nance that system. Finding that I did not return the salutation in the same words, as is customary among the Hindoos, he repeated them; when I asked him wherefore Ram, Ram." He replied, "Because he is the Supreme Being." In reply, he was told that Ram's actions prove that he was a mere man, and no more than Prince of Ayodhya and a Hero, but no God. He tried to defend his point for a short time; but, finding it untenable, he said he had some immediate business that required his presence, and he must be gone: this caused a laugh among the people, who desired him to continue the contest; but he went away.

Sept. 25, 1826--In the morning, had Divine Service again with the Native Christians; and, after breakfast, our good Archdeacon, with his party, left us finally.

Sept. 26-Left Buxar, to return by water to Chunar. We found it very tedious, tracking up against a rapid current and a strong wind.

Oct. 3-Did every thing in my power to reach Chunar this evening, in order to be present at the Prayer Meeting, but to no avail. In the course of the day, came to Sydpore, a very populous village on the north bank of the river, wherein are splendid temples it is 22 miles from Benares. Walked through it at mid-day: I was complimented by a Hindoo, who recognised

me, and said that he had received a Tract from me at some village. I there read part of a new Tract, in poetry; which soon collected a great crowd, and a few accepted Tracts. They invariably manifested fear of reproach from their neighbours; for, on returning to my boat, a crowd came to me for books. On the banks of the river, at a salt warehouse, the people seated me: I read to them the Tract, "Sin no Trifle:" they accepted two or three copies of the Single Gospels and as many Tracts.

Polynesia. Sandwich Islands.

AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. Outrages of English and American Sailors. THE outrages on the part of some American Sailors, noticed at p. 137 of the Survey, have been perpetrated by English Sailors also, and from the same criminal motive: it is stated by the Board

During the last year, the Missionaries were kept in most trying circumstances, for a period of ten months, in consequence of the persecution of foreign visitors and residents; which persecution originated from hostility to the purifying influence of the Gospel. Mr. Bingham's life was once attempted, and often threatened; and the Mission Houses were in danger from violence. It is most painful and humiliating to add, that this disorderly state of things was promoted, instead of being checked, by some, who Oct. 1827.

But

were bound by their official station, as well as by all the ties of humanity, of a common country, and of religion, to place themselves in the attitude of benefactors and friends: it may be hoped, indeed, that the manly and decided conduct of Captain Jones, of the Peacock, will operate, by way of example, to prevent similar outrages in future. the fact, that the labours of our beloved Brethren were thus impeded, their benevolent plans interrupted, their strength exhausted, their retirement invaded, and their lives put in jeopardy, should induce their Brethren at home to sustain them cordially, promptly, and as long as they shall need co-operation and aid. The Missionaries and their Accusers confronted.

The following statements by the Board will explain the allusion above made to Captain Jones.

in October, at Kairua, on the Island of At a meeting of the Missionaries, held, Hawaii, a Circular was prepared, intended to meet the principal allegations, which have of late been brought against that Mission, by such as are hostile to the Missionary Enterprise in general, effects of the efforts made at the islands, or have misapprehended the nature and though without formally stating the allegations: and the Letter is signed by men who hold themselves responsible for every word which they have written. We subjoin the close of this Circular:

From those Gentlemen who reside or occasionally touch at these islands, we ask an investigation of our conduct: we do more-we challenge it.

We have here stated our whole Ob

ject, and also the Means which we use hearted Misanthropist and the superstitious Heathen will be opposed to our Object, and will charge all the crimes and defects which still remain to the account of the Means used by us: but there are those around us, and who occasionally visit us from abroad, who can judge candidly: we request them to examine the above statements; and we, on our part, pledge ourselves, that if we may have a candid hearing, with witnesses, we will substantiate every thing which we here assert.

to obtain it. We know that the cold

The Board add

This Circular was printed at the Mission Press, and immediately distributed among the foreign residents and visitants 3 S

Mrs. Graham, from the notes of the Rev. Mr. Bloxam, Chaplain of the Frigate.

at the islands. At the close of the month, the Missionaries at Honoruru were informed, in a Letter signed by a number of the foreigners, that their challenge for investigation was accepted: accordingly the Missionary Packet was sent to different stations, and the Missionaries generally were assembled at Honoruru early in December. After some further correspondence, a Meeting was held on the 8th of December at the House of Boki, at which, besides the Signers of the Letters and the Missionaries, many others were present; among whom were Captain Jones, of the U. S. Sloop of War, Peacock, and several of his Officers.

Although the Missionaries declared, at this Meeting, their readiness to reply to any written charges, which should be supported by such testimony as would at all influence a candid mind, without requiring the testimony to be given under the responsibilities of an oath, no such charges were adduced, nor did any evidence appear against them.

A few weeks subsequently to this Meeting, and just before the sailing of the Peacock, Captain Jones, without solicitation, wrote to the Missionaries a Letter, in which he stated his full conviction, that, in case they had but a candid and fair hearing, the friends of Christianity and Civilization would find no just cause of dissatisfaction with the course which they were pursuing. Captain Jones had been at the islands nearly three months; and seems not to have declared his opinion of the character and influence of the Mission, until he had witnessed the result of the Meeting mentioned above, which was held about a month before the date of his Letter: during his whole stay, however, his deportment toward the Missionaries and others was kind and gentlemanly, and becoming the station which he occupied. Evidence of the Forgery of a pretended Letter from Boki, printed in the Quarterly Review.

The Fifth Article in the Seven tieth Number of the Quarterly Review is thus noticed in the Official Publication of the Board:

A late number of the London Quarterly Review contained an article on the Sandwich Islands, in which great injustice was done to the American Missionaries, who are faithfully labouring on those islands. The article in question is a Review of a Work entitled Voyage of his Majesty's Ship Blonde, in the years 1824-1825," prepared for the press by

The errors and misrepresentations of the Reviewer have led Mr. Stewart, lately a Missionary at those Islands, and who was there during the whole of the visit of the Blonde, to address Six Letters to the Corresponding Secretary; in which the more important of the unfriendly allegations in the Review are considered, and shewn to be founded in a misapprehension of facts; and, often, in a misapprehension so gross and unnecessary, as not to be excusable in those who write for the instruction of the public.

The article in question has also called forth a "Defence of the Missions in the Sandwich and other Islands, by the Rev. William Orme."

From Mr. Stewart's Letters we extract the following passage:

It was, doubtless, thought by the author a most happy circumstance, that, just as the Review was about to appear, a Letter should arrive from the islands, confirming the allegations against the

American Missionaries. This Letter is introduced in a Note, at the close of the Number; and is so important a document, that I will place before you the whole of it, as published by the editors, together with their introductory paragraph.

Since the preceding pages have been struck off, we have been favoured with the following literal copy of a Letter of Boki, (which we pledge ourselves to be genuine,) confirming what we have stated with regard to the conduct of the American Missionaries at the Sandwich Islands.

"Island of Woahoo, Jan. 24, 1826. "Sir-I take this opportunity to send you thes fu lines, hopping the will find you in good health, as ples god the leve me at present. I am sorrey to inform You that Mr. Pitt (Karaimakoo) has gon thro four opperashons since you sailed from here, but thank of his recovery, and I am verey sorey to tell god he is now much better, and we ar in hops you that Mr. Bingham the head of the Misheneres is trieng evere thing in his pour to have the Law of this country in his own hands. all of us are verry happy to have some pepel to instruct us in what is rite and good but he wants us to be intirly under his laws which will not do with the natives. I have don it as yet. There is Cahomano have don all in my pour to prevent it and I

wishes the Misheneres to have the whol atority but I shall prevent it as long as I cane, for if the have ther will be nothing done in thes Ilands not even cultivation, for ther own use. I wish the pepel to reid and to rite and likewise to worke, but the Misheneres have got them night and day old and young so that ther is verrey little don her at present. The pepel in general ar verrey much dis