of our own labors, we cannot fail to rejoice, that others have the happiness of seeing the blessing of the Lord upon the work of their hands.

Sickness in the mission families.

Since the date of our last communications, no special alteration has occurred, either in our circumstances or prospects. We have had more or less sickness in our families, but hitherto our lives have been spared. About the 20th of May,brother and sister Nichols came from the north part of Salsette, where they had been residing a few months, to Bombay, for the purpose of obtaining medical aid; both of them having an intermittent fever. Mrs. N. has now recovered her usual health; but Mr. N. is still feeble. His fever has been very severe, and obstinate. During 50 days past, he has been almost wholly confined to his bed; has suffered much pain; and is of course much reduced. Dr. Taylor has given it as his decided opinion, that brother N. should lose no time in getting to sea,|| as the only effectual means of restoring his health.*

The cholera, which has proved so fatal among the natives in various parts of India for two years past, has this year also raged in Bombay and its vieinity. But we are happy to state, that this dreadful disease has now almost wholly subsided. Truly the Lord has a controversy with this people; instead of forsaking their idols, and turning to the Lord, they fly to their idols, and implore protection from gods that cannot save them.

State of the Schools.

Our schools have been considerably impeded by this sickness among the people; but, as a general thing, they are much in the same state as when we last wrote. We are happy to learn, by your last communications, that you so highly approve of this branch of our labors, and give us the privilege of enlarging the number of our schools. We have ever considered these schools as a very important part of our missionary operations; and their importance increases in our estimation,as we see their

*Before this letter was sent, as appears from an appendix, the design of a voyage was given up.

tendency towards the promotion of the great design of our mission. We conceive, that the system of instructing the rising generation in this country, by means of free schools, is not only a system the most popular among Europeans residing in India, but does in fact promise the most extensive and permanent utility. The good effects may not be immediately realized; but there is every reason to believe, that many of the next generation will rise up and call those blessed, by whose liberality they have become able to read the word of life, and prepared, by having their minds less shackled with the superstition and bigotry of their ancestors, to judge for themselves, in matters of the greatest moment. If ability to read the Word of God be desirable, and one of the most important means of bringing the heathen to the acknowledgment of the truth,-then free schools are important and necessary. Only a small portion of this people are taught to read. Such is their poverty and indifference on the subject of giving their children the means of education, that there must be a great revolution in the state of society, before they will themselves generally attempt to provide the means of instruction for their own children.

Our most favorable opportunities for communicating religious instruction are connected with the schools. We not only command the attention of the boys in the schools; but other people also share in the admonitions given at the school rooms. It is not uncommon to see from 20 to 50 persons standing around the doors to hear the boys read, and repeat their lessons, catechisms, hymns, &c.

By a recent paper received from his excellency the governor, in answer to a communication we made to him on this subject, we have permission to visit the continent from time to time, for the purpose of superintending schools. || After the present rains are over, we hope to enlarge our number of schools on Salsette, and on the continent.

Not many months ago we inserted in the Bombay newspapers, a general history of our native free schools,in hope of obtaining some pecuniary aid for their support. We have received but one donation. As a general thing we cannot expect that such proposals from us will, at present, meet with much success. But we flatter ourselves, that our plan of native schooling will not fail of success for want of pecuniary aid

from the Christian public of our own country.

There has recently been quite a revolution in our Jewish school in Bombay. From some religious scruples, as we suppose, (though we find it difficult to learn particulars,) the Jews have established a school for their own chil dren; and, for a few weeks, our school was almost wholly deserted. But many of the boys have returned; and we presume, in a short time, our school will consist of its usual number. This movement among the Jews immediately succeeded a number of evening meetings, which we appointed among them. We do not consider this circumstance as an unfavorable occurrence. The Jews must of course be disturbed, in proportion as they reflect on those Christian doctrines, which, from time to time, have been recommended to their serious attention. We pray God, that this event may be a presage of the conversion of some of these children of promise.

Printing Establishment.

With regard to your inquiry, Whether we think it desirable to enlarge our printing establishment? we reply, generally, that we are able, with our present apparatus to print as fast, as the immediate demand for books requires. We shall soon need a new supply of Mahratta types to keep that part of our fount good, which is worn out by use. But we do not at present think it judicious to print much faster than we can distribute. We hope eventually to accomplish the printing, as well as the translation, of the whole volume of Sacred Scripture.

Distribution of Books.

into various parts of the continent, which We have sent some hundreds of books we have not personally visited. Kader Yar, the native, whom we have baptis

You inquire, whether we have an opportunity of distributing Hebrew Testaments among the Jews of this place? In reply, we must say, that we hardly know of a native Jew in Bombay, who could derive the least benefit from the Hebrew Testament. Though many pretend to read Hebrew, yet they are, in general, as ignorant of the Hebrew language, as the Hindoos themselves. There are, however, considered, and concerning whom we have preable numbers of foreign Jews, who visit Bombay, from Persia and Arabia, for mercantile purposes. We think it very desirable, that a few copies of the Hebrew Testament should be sent us, that we may be able to embrace any opportunity of supplying those Jews, who can read the Hebrew language.

With regard to the distribution of Mahratta books, you inquire how many we could possibly distribute if we had them on hand? In reply, we remark, that the number of applications for books, and the number which we give away,is by no means the same. We might probably give away hundreds of books in a single day, if we made no restriction. Our general practice is to inquire whether the applicant can read; and whether he has not previously been supplied with the same book.

That you may see how many books we have distributed since the commencement of our printing, we send you a catalogue of all the religious books we have printed, and also the

VOL. XVII.

viously written you, has taken a number of tours on the continent, for the purpose of distributing books. He has now gone to his native place, Hydrabad, and has taken with him a good supply of the Gospels, tracts, &c. Though the number of books distributed on the continent has not been great; yet books have been sent to many of the most important towns, both in the northern and southern Concan. We

should deem it a vast acquisition to

our mission, could we find even a few faithful natives, suitable to be employof the continent, which we cannot visit ed in distributing books in those parts ourselves; and we hope that we shall, ere long, be possessed of means for distributing the Scriptures much more extensively, in the vast regions of heathenism that lie beyond us.

Preaching the Gospel.

We have now given you, dear Sir, a general view of the state of our mission, though we have said but little of 19

our personal labors, by way of direct religious instruction; or, in other words, of our preaching the Gospel to the heathen. We do not mention this branch of our business last because we esteem it of small consequence. We do not forget, that this is our principal work;—that it is by the foolishness of preaching, that God is pleased to save them that believe. But, on this part of our work we can, at present, say nothing new or interesting. We continue to

make it a part of every day's employment to go out among the people, for the purpose of imparting religious instruction.

|| clare to them that Christ is the Savior of Hindoos, as well as of Europeans. In some instances, however, we have evidence, that the truths of the Gospel do approve themselves to the consciences of those who hear; not in bringing them to repentance, but in producing in their minds such a conflict between their hearts and consciences, that they cannot wholly conceal their feelings. In other instances, we not unfrequently see the most violent passions exhibited, and hear the most abusive language both against our blessed Savior and ourselves. A volume would not suffice for an enumeration of all the difficulties we meet, and the obstacles we encounter, in preaching the Gospel to this people. But we are not insensible, that a great portion of them result from our own deficiencies. For these we desire to be humble before God, while we pray, that the trial of our faith may work patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and that the hope may not be disappointed; but that, in due time, we may see an abundant harvest springing from the precious seed, which, in much weakness, we are en

Since our last letter to you, we have spent considerable time in various itinerating tours, both on the island of Salsette, and on the continent. We have from time to time attended meetings, which we had appointed, at various school rooms in Bombay. These meetings have generally been in the evening; the number of attendants varying from 30 to 200. In some instances, a good degree of regularity has been obtained; and our hopes have been occasionally excited by seeing a good degree of attention given to our preaching. Our hear-deavoring to sow in this barren soil. ers are of various sects, Hindoos, Mussulmauns and Jews; and generally a few females. Not unfrequently the boys, who belong to the school at which the meeting is held, unite with us in singing.

The work of communicating Christian instruction to the heathen, though in many respects attended with the greatest pleasure, is, in others, attended with difficulties. Here we come in close contact with the peculiarities of heathenism. Whatever truth of the Christian system we introduce, if urged upon their attention by those motives which the Gospel presents, it cannot fail to show them, that their own system of religion is invaded, and their shasters condemned. Though the people generally give a verbal assent to our instructions, yet they usually show much indifference to our teaching. An exclusive proselyting religion is so repulsive to the feelings, and so contrary to the creed of the Hindoos, that when told there is no other Savior than Jesus Christ, and no other way of salvation than through faith in his blood and righteousness, they seem always ready to consider the assertion as applicable to Europeans, or Christians, and will hardly give us credit for speaking our real sentiments, when we plainly de

Think not, dear Sir, that we are disheartened in our work, though we freely speak of our discouragements and want of success. The promises of God are our comfort and support in the land of our pilgrimage. We are encouraged in our work, knowing that the Lord will accomplish all that he has spoken, and that even this people, with all other heathen nations, will eventually see the salvation of God.

We doubt not, that our patrons and Christian friends entertain a deep interest in the success of our labors, and daily pray for the blessing of God upon our efforts. This persuasion gives us animation; it strengthens our hands, and encourages our hearts.

We rejoice that the Board, and our other Christian friends, have so much encouragement in their various and increasing efforts for the spread of the Gospel. The western wilderness blossoms under your hands;-the mission at Ceylon is already crowned with precious fruits;-the most favorable results are reasonably anticipated from the mission to the Sandwich Islands;and the highest interest is excited, in the Jerusalem embassy. Our mission, though the oldest, seems hitherto the most unfruitful. From the beginning it has struggled with many obstacles.

To a missionary probably no part of the heathen world presents greater obstacles than this part of India. But though we thus speak, we would assure our patrons, it is not the language of despondency. We consider this station

as important as we ever did, and rejoice MISSION AMONG THE CHEROKEES

in having devoted our lives to this work, and earnestly, look forward to the time when more laborers shall be sent into this extensive field.

OF THE ARKANSAW.

The following journal,kept by Messrs. Finney and Washburn, during their travels and hand. While the reader considers the privalabors of the last year, has recently come to tions, and weariness, and sickness, and premature death, to which the missionary volun

However dull we may be in learning other important lessons, surely we are placed in a favorable situation for learning, that success must come from the almighty energies of the Spirit of God.tarily exposes himself, let the inquiry be

brought home to the conscience, "Do I thus deny myself, and make sacrifices to my Sa

If our efforts are ever blessed to the
conversion of the heathen around us,
we must be constrained to give all thevior's cause?
glory to God.

We have the pleasure of informing you of the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Kenny, a missionary from the Church Missionary Society. He is the first missionary sent by that Society to this part of India.

Now, dear Sir, we conclude our miscellaneous epistle, by intreating the continuance of your prayers for us, and the work in which we are engaged.

Yours most sincerely in the fellowship of the Gospel, G. HALL,

S. NEWELL,
H. BARDWELL,
J. NICHOLS,
A. GRAVES.

P. S. We have no opportunities of forwarding letters directly to America. July 27. We have this day heard of the death of the Rev. Mr. Pritchett, a missionary of the London Society at Vizagapatam.

We would inquire, whether some of the Tract Societies in America would not aid that department of our mission.

The preceding letter was sent by the way of Calcutta and England, and but recently

came to hand.

With respect to the importance of the Bombay mission, this may be a proper occasion of saying, that a gentleman now in Boston, who has spent much time in India, and is a warm friend of missions, thinks that the efforts of all missionary societies should be directed against the superstition and idolatry of Hindoostan; of all societies, we mean, whose missionaries can gain access to this part of the heathen world. The progress of Christianity in Calcutta and its neighborhood proves, that

Elliot, Jan. 3, 1820. AFTER a very long, toilsome and fatiguing journey, we all arrived in health at this interesting spot, consecrated by the prayers, and supported by the charities, of thousands. God has indeed manifested himself a faithful and covenant-keeping God to us, in our wearisome pilgrimage. In all our trials he has supported us;-in all our difficulties he has aided us;-in all our dangers he has preserved us. May we feel our obligations to him, and, with the Psalmist, call upon our souls and all within us to bless his holy name. Having experienced the deadening effect of journeying, and having been, for a considerable time, deprived of the society of Christians, seeing only those, who are ignorant of God and eternal life, it was peculiarly grateful and refreshing to our hearts to meet and enjoy the Christian fellowship of the brethren and sisters of this establishment. What we have seen of the deplorable ignorance and wretchedness of the heathen will, we hope, enlarge our desires and increase our zeal for their salvation.

5. Met with the brethren of this

place, to confer with them concerning our mission. In consequence of high water,and a letter from the Corresponding Secretary, giving conditional directions, it was the unanimous advice of the brethren, that we defer, for the present, our journey to the Arkansaw. With this opinion we reluctantly con

curred.

18. In conformity to the advice of the brethren, concluded to make our arrangements for procuring a boat for the use of the Arkansaw mission. From the best information we can obtain, it will be utterly impossible to convey, by

May 16. Left Elliot on horseback to make a second attempt to reach the place of our destination. Brother Fisk accompanied us to the Hills, to transact business for the Elliot mission, and to 27. Having heard that the high wa- take back our horses. Rode about 30 ters would not prevent our journey to miles, and encamped under the spreadthe Arkansaw, and having deliberated || ing branches of a tree. more maturely on the subject, the brethren advised us to proceed as soon as practicable.