rations, and with the prospect of making a judicious application of your powers and faculties to the spiritual wants of the people. After three months residence at Jerusalem, your beloved brother Parsons considered it a place of unrivalled importance, as the centre of missionary operations; and one that is to be occupied, if possible. It comforted him, on his dying pillow, that God had enabled him to act as a pioneer to succeeding laborers.

As

If ever there was a missionary station, in which the persons engaged would be continually prompted to fidelity, that to which you, dear brethren, are assigned, is the very station. Every time you cast your eyes on Gethsemane and Calvary, you will be reminded of the sufferings which your Savior bore for your sins, and for the sins of your brethren of the human family. When you walk over Mount Olivet, you will think how frequently the same glorious Personage, in the days of his humiliation, passed that way, on his visits of kindness to the friends whom he loved. As you look back upon the devoted city, in which the abomination that maketh desolate has so long been set up, you will remember with what compassion and tenderness the blessed Jesus wept over it. you cast your eyes to the south, you will see the village of Bethlehem, where the wise men worshipped the infant Savior; as you turn to the north, you will gaze upon Mount Zion, so long the emblem of the church on earth and the church in heaven. By all these external objects be excited to unremitting diligence, to laborious industry, to a close and humble walk with God, to ardent aspirations after eminent holiness. The very stones of the pavement would seem to cry out against unfaithfulness in this consecrated region; as the very hills and vallies would lift up the voice of joy and gratulation, at the revival of genuine religion in a place, which formerly enjoyed the peculiar presence of Jehovah, but has now lain, for so many dark and dismal ages, under the distinct and visible expression of his anger.

In considering Western Asia and the neighboring parts of Africa, as fields of missionary labor, it is obvious that a large portion of present exertions must be applied to exploring the state of these countries, and opening channels in which the waters of life may hereafter flow to refresh many nations. It is probable that one of you, in company with one or more of your brethren now in the field, may find it conducive to your great design, to spend every winter, for many years to come, in explorIng tours. Egypt now presents a very inviting aspect to inquiries of this sort; and is favored with a more enlightened government, than any other country under

the domination of Mohammedan rulers. The press is there beginning to exert its influence; and a favorable prospect appears of introducing schools, on an extensive plan. While travellers are ransacking the most remote corners of this ancient seat of the arts, from motives of curiosity, or of gain, shall not the church have her agents employed, not to rake out, from the dust of thirty centuries, the remains of dead men; but to impart to men dead in sin that eternal life, which is brought to light in the Gospel.

It may be thought, that the present troubles in the Turkish empire will interpose a serious obstacle to missionary ef forts. Suffer not your minds to be discouraged by this apprehension. The precise issue of the present political commotions, in that part of the world, we do not pretend to foresee; but it is the opinion of men best informed on the subject, that the result will be, and at no distant period, favorable to the dissemination of knowledge and religion. But suppose it were otherwise; and, to the view of the mere politician, nothing appeared in prospect but interminable ages of cruel oppressionof bloody superstition and relentless massacre; is the opinion of the mere politician to be the rule of duty for the Christian church, in regard to her operations for the diffusion of light and life in the regions of darkness and moral death? Is she to remain inactive and inglorious, and to defer her spiritual conquests, till the god of this world is willing to surrender his dominion, and to release his victims? Is she never to read the plain command of her Savior, written as with a sunbeam, till, through the glass of worldly wisdom, she can see plainly enough to spell out the ambiguous indications of political changes? church is to enlighten the world, and not to wait till the darkness, which broods over the nations, shall dissipate itself. The principles of the Gospel are to control and to subdue the jarring passions of men, and not to suspend their divine influence, till these passions shall die without a struggle.

The

In whatever department of your labors you may be employed, dear brethren, let it be always your endeavor to discharge with vigor and fidelity the duties of each day. Whether you are occupied in preparatory studies, or in superintending the press; whether you are travelling in the passage-boat of an Egyptian canal, or pitching your tent on the east of the Red Sea, or spending your summers at the foot of Mount Lebanon; whether you read the Scriptures with pilgrims in the Holy City, or issue from its gates with Bibles and tracts to be distributed in Armenia;-whether in the house or by the way, in

School or College. As to the expediency of such an institution, we have decided; but have not yet the plan of it matured. For such an establishment there appear to us many important reasons. Indeed there seems to be a necessity for something of the kind. Our reasons are summarily these:

1. It will tend much to a more general diffusion of Christian knowledge among both the higher and lower classes of society.

2. By introducing the sciences along with Christianity, it will raise the standard of education, and strike at the root of idolatry.

3. In this college can be raised up Translators, Native Preachers, Teachers, and Assistants, who will be thoroughly instructed, and well qualified to communicate instruction to others. Men can also be trained up for public service under government, whose principles and habits will be such as to become, in various ways, auxiliary to the extension of Christian knowledge.

4. In this higher seminary, the boys in our boarding schools can pursue and complete their education under peculiar advantages. Having attended to certain preparatory studies in their several schools, they can be united in this, and taught under the superintendence of one person; whereas the boys in our different schools, on the further prosecution of their studies, will, otherwise, require much of the time and attention of each of us.

5. The college would prove a powerful stimulant to the boys, who are now pursuing their studies in our different schools, to qualify themselves for admittance to its privileges. Although the standard of education is exceeding low, yet learning is not altogether undervalued. One reason why this people are not better taught is, that they have not the means of instruction, nor are there any among them properly qualified to teach. Their system of education is very defective; and if it were not, their language contains very few treasures to enrich the mind.

6. Such an institution would recommend our missions to the government, by providing for the public service young men trained and educated in a manner very superior to any whom they now can employ; and would therefore contribute to the perpetuity of the establishment of the Board here.

7. For the establishment of such an institution we enjoy facilities, which, perhaps, cannot be found in any other mission in the East.

We have strength of our own to devote to this object.

We now have, or can easily obtain, any Tamul assistance which may be needed.

We have already under our care, boys to compose the institution; those, indeed, whose situation demands it: and our boarding schools would always be nurseries to such a seminary.

The expenses of such an establishment would not be so small in any part of India, as in this district.

Contemplated Enlargement.

We also contemplate the establishment of at least one native station, and shall probably take some measures for this object soon. It will not materially increase our expenses, but will add something to the expenditures in the building department, and will probably add a few more schools to our list. The state of our mission seems now to require us to make considerable appropriations for the procuring of the Scriptures, tracts, and school books. We still hope for a printing press; but should we be disappointed in this, we must look for supplies elsewhere. We shall, therefore, find it necessary to devote the full amount of what has been sent for the printing department to this object, and should be glad to exceed it. Should all our lives be spared, and we be able to occupy the five stations now established, we must soon make permanent repairs at Manepy, which will of course draw heavily on our funds. In the course of the next year, we shall expect to enlarge somewhat the number of our free schools.

The Charity Boarding School.

Your request concerning a list of the children supported in our families, shall be complied with as speedily as possible. Though we have been more or less particular in the journals of the different stations, to satisfy our benefactors in regard to the children they support, we are sensible that a connected and particular account of all the children in the mission may be very necessary. Such an account we are now preparing. On this subject we are sorry to know, that there has been and still will be disappointment, because the children to be named and supported are not all obtained. But we have done what we could, knowing the anxieties of the public, and especially of those who support the children. And while the want of funds has, to a great extent, prevented our progress in this branch of our labors, it must not be concealed, that we have been somewhat disappointed in not obtaining such children, as seemed worthy of support: and, also, that we doubt the expediency, as well as practicability, of exceeding very much their present number. We trust, however, that the number finally obtained, will equal

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the number, for whom support is or may be obtained?

Obituary Notice of Mr. Richards.

Since our letter of May last, but few things of an interesting nature have transpired. Our prospects generally are encouraging. While, as a mission, we have received much at the hand of God, which demands our gratitude and praise; we have also received much to teach us to be humble and watchful. Last year Mrs. Poor was taken from our number. Now Mr. Richards. Another voice speaks to us from the grave. Our elder brother is no more. Brother Richards, who was so long burdened with sickness and pain, has gone to his heavenly rest. It was not till June last, that our fears concerning him were 1 more than usually excited. At that time, his disorder began to prey upon him with increased violence, and continued to do so till the day of his death, which was on the third of August. Some time previous to this last violent attack, he seemed to have an impression, that the time of his departure was at hand. His mind was led much to self-examination, and to a review of the #past, that he might, if it were possible, find every false ground, upon which he rested for acceptance with God. This self-examination resulted in a confidence of his good estate. This confidence appeared to attend him to the hour of his dissolution. Certainly death was to him disarmed of its terrors. He hoped for a release from pain only in death, and in the enjoyment of his Savior. His sufferings were long and severe; but we doubt not that the voice, which by disease was so long forbidden to join us in prayer and praise, now bears a part in the song of Moses and the Lamb, with the company of those, who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. On Sabbath, August 4th, we assembled at Tillipally to pay the last tribute of affection to his remains. At the house we engaged in devotional exercises, and then followed the corpse, which was borne by the native members of our church, to the grave, where an appropriate address was made to the spectators. We cannot do justice to our own feelings without saying much more respecting our departed brother, than the limits of this letter will admit. We shall therefore soon forward to the Committee a detailed account of his last sickness and death. We cannot, however, close this account without saying of him, "the memory of the just is blessed." Interesting Case of hopeful Conversion.

With regard to our labors generally, we are happy to say, that they continue to be VOL. XIX.

blessed. Since our last communication, there has been one addition to our church from among this people. The case of Philip, the individual admitted, was one of particular interest. About six years ago, he came into possession of a New Testament, the reading of which was blessed to the hopeful conversion of his soul. Two years ago, he commenced, of his own accord, unknown to any Christian friend, publishing a knowledge of the Savior to his countrymen. A few months since, Providence brought him to our notice; since which time, he has lived at Tillipally, studying the Scriptures, and laboring among the people. The evidence he gives of love to God and man, is in a high degree satisfactory. For further particulars respecting him, we refer you to an account to be forwarded by Mr. Poor.

In our last letter we mentioned two individuals, whom we considered as candidates for admission into our Church. Beside those, there are now three others, who give some evidence of having passed from death unto life. And, in almost all our parishes, there is one individual, or more, who, although they give no evidence of piety, are apparently seeking after the truth. Some cases of this nature have excited great interest. We have much reason for gratitude to God for the good measure of grace, which he has bestowed upon our little flock, so that even the lambs thereof have been enabled to glorify him.

Labors of Native Preachers.

The labors of our native preachers continue to increase and to occupy a more and more important sphere in our mission. As we ourselves have acquired strength by the advance made in the native language, their labors as interpreters have become of less importance, and instead of being our medium of communication with the people, they have now become, in a more important sense, themselves preachers of the Gospel. They have heretofore been principally occupied nearer home, but are now beginning to itinerate at a greater distance among the people, and generally spend five or six days of each month either separately or unitedly, on the islands adjacent, or in different parts of this district. For itinerating in this way they have pecu liar advantages, many of which it is impossible for us to possess ourselves. They can leave home without neglecting other duties which are essential to the interest of the mission, and they can, with less exposure, endure the fatigue and inconvenience which attend such tours in this country. We have in this way done something, and hope still to do more; but our labors must necessarily be limited.

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