Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST Conference. SOUTH INDIA MISSIONS. NEGAPATAM.—Extract of a Letter from MR. MOWAT, dated Sept. 15th, 1823. I TRUST my last, of June 11th, was duly received. Since that period I have been labouring alone, MR. KATTS having left Negapatam almost immediately afterwards, for Madras, to supply the place of Brother HooLE, who proposed a tour into the country, to visit Trichinoply, Seringapatam, Bangalore, and Chittoor, and, in accomplishing this object, first of all to come down the coast as far as Negapatam. Although the labour of the station has fallen entirely upon myself, in consequence of this arrangement, and the work, though not restricted in a greater degree than before, has been deprived at present of the means of enlargement, yet I feel satisfied it was right to comply with the request of the brethren at Madras. There is a probability that greater good will be effected upon the whole, and thus the sacrifice I have made will not be in vain. Since then, my work has regularly been to read prayers and preach on Sunday morning, in English; on Tuesday evening to preach in Tamul; on Wednesday to visit the School in the country; on Thursday evening to meet the Class in Portuguese; on Friday evening to preach in Portuguese; and on Saturday morning to meet the children of the School in town, and the two masters. As my Tamul and Portuguese sermons have demanded every week a good portion of my time, and as I have endeavoured to do as much as I could in studying the two languages, I have found my work quite as much as my health would allow me to do, and have frequently wished for help. Brother HOOLE was with us about a fortnight, and gave me a little rest. I was considerably blessed and encouraged by his visit, and have only to regret it was not longer. His style of preaching in Tamul does him great credit. I have not witnessed any thing to equal it as yet, in a foreigner, and I have heard not a few. On one occasion he addressed from two hundred to three hundred beggars, who come every week to the MissionHouse, to receive a portion of rice, the bounty of a gentleman who has made me his almoner. The greatest attention was excited, and I believe some of these poorest outcasts of the people not only heard but felt the word of truth. Our English congregation continues nearly the same as when I last wrote. The number is small, yet, upon the whole, attentive. I would willingly see some fruit of my labour among them, and hope that it may ultimately be seen that I have not spent my strength for nought. Our Portuguese service, which we have in the Mission-House, is well attended, and is the most pleasing department of my public labours. I feel thankful that I have directed my attention to this lauguage. I am also able, with considerable ease to myself, and I believe profit to others, to meet the Portuguese Class, and we have often refreshing seasons together. The number of those who meet in class was upon the decrease for some time; I believe the principal reason of this to have been the want of a full con viction of their need of mercy, and the advantages to be derived from this means of grace. Our present number is thirteen, most of whom, I believe, are in earnest about their salvation. I hope, as I am acquiring their language, I shall be able more fully to watch over them myself, and that our cause among them may more abundantly flourish. Our two Schools are well attended; the number of children is seventy-five. They have been employed mostly, the last quarter, in learning short prayers, Catechisms, &c.; the progress of some of the boys is very encouraging. The practice of having both the masters and the children of the School in town at the Mission-House, has been continued. After the children are examined, the two masters read a chapter in the New Testament, and the whole are dismissed with prayer. I am sorry to inform you, that although I have continued to preach regularly every Tuesday evening in Tamul, very few of the natives attend, and that a most awful indifference respecting their eternal interests widely prevails among them. The generality of them 2 R VOL. III. Third Series, JULY, 1824. would much rather we did not trouble, lish language, and who are willing to ourselves about their moral condition; and even those who enter into conversation with us on points connected with this subject, and who admit the truth and force of what we advance, with the same unwavering pertinacity still adhere to their superstitions, which excite in a reflecting mind other feelings than those of ridicule,--feelings of deepest regret, a mixture of pity and horror. To some of the Portuguese and Dutch descendants, who understand the Eng read, I have lent several religious books. Among these books have been the lives of persons eminent for piety, our own Magazines, and several volumes of the Christian Library. This plan has not only furnished individuals with a useful mode of spending their leisure-time, but, in those already disposed to seriousness, it has excited a diligent endeavour to obtain a full acquaintance with the religion of JESUS. Extract from MR. HOOLE's Journal of his Tour from Negapatam to Wallagabad. AUGUST 4th, 1823, (Negapatam.)I took an affectionate farewell of my dear friends, Brother and Sister MOWAT. They have trials and hinderances with which I am unacquainted by experience. May they prosper, directed and blessed by their Master! 5th.-As little opportunity of convers ing with the natives presented itself, I employed myself in writing. 6th, (Pundi.)-Soon after my arrival I was visited by a respectable native. After some conversation, in which it appeared he had thought on the subject of religion, I presented him with some Tracts, and desired him to invite the principal persons of the village to a conversation with me, in any place most agreeable to themselves. The Choultry was chosen: two chairs were brought, one for me, and the other for the Mirase, or Owner of the land, the Head man of the place, who came, accompanied by a number of Brahmins, and other attendants, and followed by a crowd of the common people, who almost filled the place where we sat. That all might understand, I spoke plain and loud, and set forth the value of the soul and the importance of its salvation, and that my business was to raise a concern for its welfare in all to whom I had access; that by sin we are exposed to death and hell, but that the one true God who had made us, not willing that any should perish, had found a ransom, at the same time giving us a true Vedam, teaching us how to obtain and keep the blessings purchased for us by JESUS CHRIST; that the truths of the Bible were the object of faith, and the precepts of it the rule of practice; that in obedience to its commands, I endeavoured to make it known to all to whom I have access, and urged them to pursue that path which leads to the enjoyment of the offered benefits; and in consequence, that I then felt pleasure in declaring it to them. The Mirase heard me respectfully till I had finished, when he began to make ob jections, grounded on the different states of men, and the different religions existing in the world. I argued to the contrary, and endeavoured to convince him that most of the religions he mentioned were contrived by men, who by their actions and writings had proved themselves bad, and, in many respects, ignorant; that permission to sin, and contradictory doctrines, could not proceed from a GoD of holiness and wisdom; and that it was our business to exercise the understanding he has given us to know and choose the right way. In replying to these things, sometimes he spoke with much vehemence and apparent passion. When he found that I was immoveable, he became quite mild, and allowed me to warn him of the condemnation arising from a wilful neglect or rejection of divine light. I recommended the subjects of our conversation to his serious consideration, as well as some Tracts I had presented to him. He rose to go away, saying, "It is true there is only one GOD, and he is JIVER, BRUMA, VISHNOO, or CHRIST, or whatever you please to call him." None of his attendants would receive any Tracts, fearing, I suppose, to offend him. Though the result is often no more satisfactory, to all appearance, than the above, I feel pleasure in attempting to fulfil the will of God, in accomplishing the object of my mission; and am often comforted with the thought that, though those who are most forward are often scoffers or objectors, it is possible that the truth is winning a conquest in the hearts of some of the silent speetators. I arrived at Tanjore the same evening, and was hospitably welcomed by MR. KOLHOFF. 7th.-1 preached in the Fort Church to the native congregation, which was large, although it was not the regular day for service, and notice had been given only the evening before. It was not without feeling that I entered the pulpit which the venerable SWARTZ used to occupy, and addressed a congregation containing some, and the children of many more, whom he had been the means of bringing to the knowledge of the truth. I endeavoured to explain and illustrate the nature of saving faith, in an exposition of the miracle performed on the man with the withered hand. In the evening I distributed a number of Tracts, and gave some advice to those who came to see me. 8th. I left Tanjore early in the morning, and about nine o'clock arrived at Puthupett, a village of the christianized Collers, or thieves, to which I had been directed by MR. KOLHOFF. The Collers are a numerous people; they formerly paid a tax to the Rajah for the privilege of thieving, and, in the exercise of their profession, often became formidable to the Rajah himself. When the country fell into the hands of the English, the tax was no longer exacted. MR. SWARTZ preached the Gospel to them, and has left small congregations in every direction; all who have become Christians, and many others through the influence of good government and example, steal no more, but cultivate their lands, and subsist on the produce. Some, however, still pursue their old profession; and it is not many days since upwards of twenty of them were taken at once in the streets of Trichinopoly, where I was assured that there is no safety for Europeans, except one or two of this race are employed in every house to recognize their brethren, and give warning of their approach. At ten o'clock the congregation assembled, and, though rude and simple, they received the word with much attention: their Catechist assured me that many are sincerely pious. After visiting some of them in their huts, I set out on my way to Trichinopoly, which I reached on Saturday morning, and was kindly received by MR. ROSEN. In the evening he drove me out of the fort, where he resides, to the Chapel erected by the soldiers in the cantonment, about three miles distant; it is a small but neat place; it cost about 700 rupees, or £70 sterling, entirely raised by their own exertions and the kindness of some of their officers. 1 found a company of them engaged in prayer, and I rejoiced in the opportunity of drawing near with them to a throne of grace, and gave them a word of exhortation. 10th.-Besides two English services to the soldiers, which were well attended, I assembled as many of the natives, connected with the regiment, as possible, at half past four in the evening. They were principally heathens, and formed an uncouth congregation; but so anxious lest there should be any disturbance, that the crying of a child 468 created almost general confusion, every the famous temple of Seringham, about prayer-meeting with the soldiers. with the Chaplain, MR. W., who takes success, favourite congregation, the natives.13th. At four o'clock I again met my They were improved both in numbers think seriously about their souls. At and behaviour: some of them seemed to the conclusion of the service, one of the and by her attitude showed that she was women came to the door of the vestry, afraid of intruding, but wished to be noticed. I asked her what she wanted: now, but, as she had received light, she said she had been in darkness till wished to act according to it, and make a profession of Christianity by baptism: baptize her little girl, the daughter of a another then came, and begged me to soldier, who had returned to Europe some years ago. I asked if she herself had been baptized. She replied, "No." be baptized? is it not enough if she is "Why then do you wish your child to as you are?" The tears then began to trickle down her cheeks; I trust they were tears of real penitence. Another was brought by her husband, who had married her though a heathen; he has lately become serious, and joined the Society; she wishes to follow his example, and of course to be baptized.Although I had no reason to doubt the sincerity of any of these persons, I did not feel at liberty to baptize them without a further knowledge of them, and giving them farther instruction; and as this was the last day of my stay in Trichinopoly I could only recommend them to MR. ROSEN, who promised to instruct and baptize them. Soon after six, I commenced English preaching, and afterwards met all the Classes, which detained me till ten o'clock, the officers having kindly given permission for the members to remain out of their quarters till that hour. In this meeting I was greatly encouraged, by finding reason to believe that my visit to them had not been in vain. We took an affectionate leave of each other, with the pleasing hope that at least we should meet in another and a better world. (To be continued.) CEYLON MISSION. KORNEGALLE.-Extract of a Letter from MR. NEWSTEAD, dated July 1st, 1823.(Continued from p. 196.) PERERA, our excellent and long-tried assistant in the lower departments of our work, promises well. From having had him nearly six years constantly with me, I may be allowed to speak with confidence. I believe him to have been for about five years in a traly converted state; and a more intelligent mind I have not met among the natives. His knowledge of our language, which is, of course, his principal source of information, is very extensive and clear for a native, and in his own he is very competent. In the successive offices of a Schoolmaster, an Interpreter, and an Assistant Superintendent of Schools, he has, generally speaking, given me unqualified satisfaction. I believe him to be, without exception, the best Theological Interpreter on the island. The services he has rendered to our Mission in our preparatory work, as in the building of the Negombo and Kornegalle Chapels, &c., have been invaluable. I could not, I have no hesitation in saying, have gone through these works without him, unless at an additional expense both of time and money, which I dared not have ventured upon. But I am far from considering these last things as proper grounds of his recommendation to us as an Assistant Preacher, although they are no small praise to him or benefit to us but he is, I do believe, one of the most conscientiously laborious persons we have amongst us. He acts from principle in endeavouring to do all the good he can to the souls of others around him; and many most pleasing instances in his late conduct have induced me to consider bim not only as a fit and proper person to be recommended to so great a work, but as designed by a higher anthority to become a blessing to his countrymen. On these grounds, and many others, of which I can better speak than write, I intend, if the LORD permit, to propose this respectable young man at our next meeting, as an Assistant Preacher. Our Kandian convert, as I hope I may now venture to call him, after nearly twelve months' trial of his sincerity, continues to give me much satisfaction. He has lately given an additional proof of his preference of Christianity, which has been more satisfactory to me than almost any thing else in his circumstances could have been. His father and friends, who bitterly oppose his becoming a Christian, lately sent for him to persuade him from it; and as the most effectual way of doing so, proposed a respectable marriage to him, which would bring him into the possession of some property, in order to his support on leaving his situation. He informed me of it, and seemed to waver in his views; dwelling principally upon his father's wishes. I could, of course, hold out no allurement to him to remain with us, except spiritual considerations; and, much as I feared for him, I could only tell him faithfully of the consequence of forsaking GOD, his hopes of baptism, and above all his hopes of heaven, by becoming connected with a heathen woman, and entangling himself again with heathen society. I believe he obeyed my direction, to pray much and think seriously before he forfeited all his best hopes; and after considerable deliberation he came to me, with a glad countenance, to say that he had fully determined to sacrifice every thing in this world, in order that he might obtain the next, and would cheerfully prefer his baptism to his marriage. He requested leave to go and make known his final determination to his friends; when they immediately treated him as an outcast, in hopes that their threats never to own him, or suffer him to rome near them again, would change his purpose; but though much affected at leaving them, he came back, and Isaid with tears, he had now given up his earthly friends for the sake of heaven (alluding to Matt. x. 37, which I found afterwards he had been reading,) and had no hope but in GoD, and the protection of our Mission! I ventured to assure him of both, while he continued to serve the LORD; and he has since in every way, so far as I know, continued to act consistently with his determination. I do believe him to be sin cere, and a proper subject for christian baptism. I am now fully engaged on the blessed work of the Portuguese Testament, relative to which I may truly say, I feel as happy in it as when the engagement was more new to me. KORNEGALLE.-Extract from MR. NEWSTEAD'S Journal. JUNE 20th, 1822.-Providence led me this evening to a sweet village, very near, which, although I had some idea of it before, I had not been able to visit. It lies in a most lonely situation, at the base of the huge rock which rises nearly behind our house, and is not more than a mile and half distant, which would indeed be reduced to a short walk, but for the road winding round the rock. The houses are all built so as to form a sort of court, of three sides. On one is the dwelling, on the other the open bungaloe, for sitting or sleeping, and receiving their guests; and at the end their corn-store, which latter is always the best built, and kept neatest. From one end to the other of this village may be about half a mile. I conversed much with the people, who, after their first fright was over, were quite delighted, and followed me about from house to house. I believe I visited them all separately, except one or two, where I saw the people running away, and climbing the trees to get out of my reach. Some of their more confident neighbours laughed heartily while they saw the panic of the others, and called out to them to return, because they need not fear me, for I was come to do them good, and give them instruction. I was scarcely able to get through the walk, but was very amply repaid by what I am persuaded will be the result. I have proposed a school among them, and requested two men, who are brothers, and joint proprietors of the neatest house in the village, to allow me the use of their open bungaloe, till we can erect a school; to which they assented, on leave being given from their Chief, who, I found, had had this village given to him, with others, for his faithful adherence to the British Government. His little son is in our Kornegalle School. There are about twenty-five houses, as they are called, but many of them contain several families. June 21st.-According to a promise yesterday, I visited this interesting vil lage again to-day, being very anxious to commence our endeavours there, as it is so conveniently near, and the people, on the whole, so willing. I saw one house, with six separate dwellings on one side of the court, and nearly as many on the other, the whole forming a perfect square; the bungaloe being at one end, and the store at the other. This was all inhabited by the relatives, young and old, of one family. They are accustomed thus to dwell in domestic clusters; and on a marriage taking place, either a new end is added to the former house, or another small one built near it. The court-yard in the middle is generally swept with the utmost neatness, and the water carried off in proper channels; so that this part of a Kandian establishment is generally very pleasant, because dry, shaded, and clean. These are an industrious people, diligently pursuing agriculture, and making their own cloths, &c., from the cotton-trees. 1 was delighted with one little instance of their habits of cleanliness in the place where we are to begin a school:-One of the brothers came in from the field, and though doubtless surprised to see so great a number of guests in his ground, he went straight to the well, took a small brass basin, washed his hands and face, then took up his little child, and came to hear what we had to say. On the whole, this is a most interesting cottage, and the neatest family I have ever seen on the island, and I feel thankful we were directed here; for cleanliness will be taught with more effect, among other good things, where so good an example presents itself among the natives. I am much raised in my expectations of good being done among this primitive sort of people; their prejudices are not many, and their simplicity is great. The attoowa, or cornstore, in this place, is so neatly whitewashed and carefully kept, that I thought, at first, it had been a sinall domestic temple. All the cooking utensils, &c., were |