The population is divided between the three provinces in the following proportions:

The language of Bengal is the Bengali; of Behar, the Hindi; of Orissa, the Oriya. Hindustani, a mixture of Persian with the vernaculars, is, however, spoken in all the larger towns. It was introduced by the Mohammedan invaders, and is still chiefly employed by Mussulmans or by traders.

About four-fifths of the population are Hindus, idolaters in religion; the remaining fifth are followers of Mohammed. The Bengalis do not appear to be the aboriginal inhabitants of the country. They are probably a portion of the great Arian stock, which entered Hindostan from the north-west, gradually driving the indigenous population into the hills and mountains that skirt Bengal on the north, north-east, and west. These tribes are known at the present day by various designations, as Khunds, Santals, Khasias, &c. The Mohammedans are partly descendants of the Moslem invaders, and partly the children of Bengalis forcibly converted to Islam. They particularly abound in Hooghly, in Dacca, in Jessore, in Dinagpore, and in Patna.

Shiva is the especial object of Bengali idolatry, and the temples containing his obscene representation abound in every part of Bengal. In many towns the car of Juggernath is also met with, usually standing in some open space without the village, and sheltered by a roof, awaiting the return of the annual festival of the god. In Orissa Juggernath holds special carnival. Kali and Durga also have many worshippers. Every household selects some special deity at its pleasure, but shopkeepers almost universally pay homage to the elephant-headed god, Gunesh. There are a few traces in Bengal Proper of the prevalence centuries ago of the doctrines of Buddha. Behar, or the ancient Magadha, was the seat of this atheistic creed. In the fifth and seventh centuries A.D., these districts were visited by Buddhist pilgrims from China. At that time there were many convents existing, inhabited by monks devoted to the study of the sacred writings of Buddha. At Pundooah, in Hooghley zillah, there is even now remaining a lofty monument or tower, which is probably a ruined pagoda erected for the purpose of containing relics of this great reformer of the religion of the ancient Hindus. In the seventh century Buddhism was hastening to decay. Numerous idol temples were built. The ascetic sects of Shiva and Vishnu were increasing. Buddhism was finally banished from the country, leaving only a few traces of its influence in the anti-caste worship of Juggernath, and in the rise of numerous philosophical schools or sects, which continue to this day to despise, and in private to abjure, the popular idolatry. Indeed the idolatry of Bengal has in all periods of its history thrown off numerous bodies of dissentients. Among the most important of these were the sects founded by Chitunya and Kabir, from two to four hundred years ago. Their disciples are very numerous in the districts of Nuddea and Jessore. Many of the early converts to Christianity in Bengal were adherents to one or the other of these sects.

The Brahmins could scarcely have secured their supremacy over the

followers of Buddha before they had to encounter the forcible measures of the Mohammedans for the propagation of their faith. Under the Moslem rulers Hindooism seems to have languished; but to have enjoyed a great revival in the early years of English dominion-years in which no earnest effort was made to introduce the truths of the Christian faith.

Early in the eighteenth century Romanism had been introduced into Bengal by Portuguese priests. In 1758 a German evangelical missionary, Mr. Kiernander, took up his residence in Calcutta, and in the following year the first convert, a Brahmin, was baptized into the Christian faith. Amidst many difficulties Mr. Kiernander pursued his benevolent labours; but having never mastered the vernacular of the people, he was unable to carry on any very efficient operations. About the year 1780 the Moravians attempted the formation of a mission. The three missionaries were soon scattered, and in 1783 they were all dead.

Mr. John Thomas arrived in Bengal in 1783. Scarcely any traces were left of the labours of Mr. Kiernander, and on the part of the English residents there was very little interest in the spiritual well-being of the people. His communications and subsequent return to England were the immediate cause of the selection of Bengal as the primary sphere of the operations of the Baptist Missionary Society. He found in the Rev. W. Carey a man of God prepared to lay down his life for the gospel. They sailed together for India on the 13th June, 1793, and on the 11th November landed in the city of Calcutta. Then were commenced those efforts for the evangelisation of northern India which have resulted in many conversions, in the introduction of the language, literature, and science of the West, in the stirring up of the slumber of Christians in England and America to the great work of the world's salvation, and in the entrance on the mission field of that large body of labourers which now strives with harmonious purpose to overthrow the monstrous fabric that idolatry has erected on the plains of Hindostan, and to win for Christ that noble empire with its teeming myriads of people.

The most recent returns within our reach show that in Orissa there are labouring seventeen missionaries, belonging to two societies, both of them Baptist. They employ seventeen native catechists. There are nearly 300 baptized converts, and about a thousand natives who have relinquished In the schools there are 287 boys and 118 girls.

caste.

In Calcutta seven English and Scotch Pædobaptist societies labour. They sustain twenty-four European missionaries, and employ twelve native catechists. There are 168 native Christian communicants; but the number of the Christian community reaches to 574. The mission schools and institutions (both English and vernacular) contain 4,957 boys and 559 girls.

Of the Baptist Mission in Calcutta there are five missionaries, two assistant missionaries, and eight native catechists. The number of baptized native Christians is 100, and of the native Christian community 560. In the mission schools there are 269 boys and 40 girls. In the English churches there are 201 members.

In the Mofussil, or country districts of Bengal and Behar, there are labouring seven Pædobaptist societies, supporting thirty-three European missionaries and thirty-five native catechists. Communicants number 2,017; the native Christian community reaches to 9,685 individuals. In the schools there are, boys 5,827, girls 648.

The Baptist Missionary Society supports in the Mofussil of Bengal

and Behar twenty missionaries, one assistant missionary, two native missionaries, sixty-eight native catechists. The baptized native communicants number 975; and the native Christian community 2,213. European members of the churches are 139. In the schools are boys 1,524, girls ninety-four. In eleven of the zillahs or districts of Bengal, our missionaries labour alone, and in three others, they co-operate with other societies. Seven more zillahs are occupied by Pædobaptist missionaries. Thus it appears that fifteen zillahs have no resident missionaries whatever. The population occupying these destitute districts is reckoned at twelve

millions.

Let these facts be prayerfully pondered, and awaken in the bosoms of Christian men a more ardent zeal for the spread of Christ's kingdom. In subsequent papers we propose to enter into the facts and details of each of our stations. In the accompanying map the stations are printed in capital letters.

SPECIAL PRAYER.

VERY numerous proofs have reached us that the missionary prayer meetings of the last few months have been largely attended, and that a spirit of prayer has been enjoyed with special reference to the events which have so lately made India a field of deadly strife and horrifying atrocities. Idolatry and irreligion have borne fearful fruit. It is seen and recognised by men of all classes, both at home and abroad, that Christianity alone can grapple with the enormous evils which have inflicted such suffering and loss, and which also entail the eternal ruin of their guilty authors. Still, this fearful visitation is regarded by very numerous parties as probably preparing the way for the more speedy overthrow of idolatry and of the religion of the false prophet; and a strong desire has been awakened more vigorously to prosecute the great work to which our missionary societies are devoted. At many of its more recent meetings the subject has occupied the attention of the committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, and we are happy to inform our friends that measures are in contemplation for an enlarged effort in this the oldest field of its labours. But our more immediate object now is to invite the frequent supplications of our friends for divine guidance and blessing at this important juncture. The reconstruction of the mission in the north-west, the location of the missionaries, the manifestation of a spirit of generous liberality, the acquisition of suitable men, the spread of a deeper interest in the spiritual welfare of the heathen myriads of India, and the growth of a pure and self-denying piety among the native converts, are all topics which may well be embodied in petitions at the throne of grace. If the deliberations of the Committee at its forthcoming quarterly meeting are conducted under a solemn sense of the responsibilities now laid upon the Christian church, and are watered by the prayers of the people of God, we cannot doubt but that His favour will attend every movement, and give success to us in our "work of faith and labour of love." We earnestly, therefore, entreat our readers to present continual prayer for us, both in public and private. May the year on which we enter be signalised by special tokens of the Divine presence with his servants in the great and noble work!

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

INDIA.

JESSORE.-The movement lately inaugurated in several villages on the borders of the district of Nuddea, continues to make very favourable progress. Mr. Anderson reports, that at Boneyalle the sincerity of the people has borne a fair test, and though some are doubtless worldly people, there are others who are sincere converts. At Pallai there are eight families of Christians, and a chapel is in course of erection. At their repeated request a preacher is about to be settled among them. At Simlea a number of the people have embraced Christianity. But here opposition has manifested itself.

"One man has employed himself to pre-mastah, who thereupon changed his tone, vent our getting a footing among them. and intimated his willingness to grant a The manager of a deceased zemindar is better site than that fixed upon. This opposed and threatened to beat (to give person does not like the idea of my getting fifty strokes with the shoe) the man who is a place among the ryots. Any injustice taking the lead among the Christian party, and wrong that may be perpetrated among and, further, wished him to sign an engage- them would be disclosed to me, and perment, that he would forfeit fifty rupees if haps I should be solicited to render the he gave me a plot of land to build a chapel oppressed succour. It is, therefore, natural upon. I sent Ali Mahommed to this Go- that they should wish to keep me away."

At Gour a chapel is in course of erection, although the people fear the interference of their landlord with their intention to embrace the gospel. In several other villages it is the hope of the missionary ere long to have stations. In one of these villages there are eighty, in another sixty families. But it is probable that considerable difficulties will be thrown in the way of the work by hostile zemindars. The people of this district are almost wholly agriculturists and weavers, and have not been much affected by the exciting events which have been passing in other parts of Bengal. Not only in the south-east of Nuddea, but in those parts of Jessore which lie on the route to Calcutta, the most pleasing appearances present themselves, and there is a prospect of some three or four stations being formed on this line of road. Two young men have presented themselves to the missionary from this quarter, and propose, while working for their living in Simlea, to prepare themselves to become teachers of the gospel to their friends and acquaintances. In many places a most cordial welcome is given to those who, having heard the truth, repeat it to others at stations remote from the missionary. The rivers are lined with human habitations, and offer a fine sphere for the messenger of salvation. The following incident will, however, illustrate some of the difficulties to be encountered :"At Alimpore, where two or three mem- -a matter with which the ryots had bers of the Satberia church reside, one of nothing at all to do. For the last three our Christians, a man of the name of Sham, years they have taken money from all their has been carried before his landlords, Kunjo tenants-from each nine annas yearly; but Baboo and Ameer Chand Baboo, and Sham refused to pay, and did so with asked whether he would not forsake Chris- impunity until the last occasion of this tax tianity. He told them they might do what being levied. A petition is prepared and they liked to him, but they could never would have been presented to the magis. make him forsake the Christian religion. trate before this, but he has been away He also refused to pay an illegal exaction, from the station for awhile. A family of upon which, at their direction, he was Mussulmans of that village-Alimporeseverely beaten and fined. The exaction was has just come over. I understand another of this nature:-Three years ago a woman is about to come, and nearly the whole was bitten by a serpent and died. The Mussulman population, some eight or ten law is, that in the event of a death of this families, seem desirous to forsake the kind, the zemindar should give notice to religion of the false prophet." the thannah. In consequence of neglecting to do this, a fine of fifty rupees was incurred, making this circumstance à pretext

More Persecutions.

"On Saturday, the 26th of September, I

"On the Monday, the day after this beating, I proceeded in my boat to Kullara, where there is an assistant magistrate, and have great reason to believe that he will decide in favour of the oppressed. . . .

"The people of many villages are watching with deep interest the progress of the suit which I have instituted. It is a new thing for a muchee (now, however, a Christian) to bring an action against a Brahmin, his landlord. If we succeed, a great barrier will probably be removed."

went to Simlea, one of our new stations, to a state of consternation, came immediately commence the erection of a house. Ma- to me. I re-assured them, and told them terials had previously been bought and that I would do what I could for their prepared. On the following day three of protection. the men were taken and beaten, two of them were very cruelly treated. One of their number, Gour, an old man, was laid in the sun-a burning sun-and not allowed to put anything over his face. When the intense pain led him instinctively to put his hands to his face, the piadas seized him and restrained him; they laid hold of him by the ears, and, wrenching them, pulled him up and thrust him down by them, struck him with the fist, kicked him, and otherwise illtreated him. His son too met with cruel treatment. The people, in We cannot doubt that the violence of the zemindars will defeat its end. The class of shoemakers have ever exhibited great dread of their landlords. In other respects they are more open to the gospel, from the absence of that strong caste feeling which exists among the higher castes. In their comparative freedom from Brahminical influence, they resemble the Chandals of Backergunge, among whom of late years an extensive work of grace has been going on, under the guidance of our missionary, Mr. Page. Our readers will remember this most promising movement at the throne of grace, and seek both for the poor people and for our missionary the sustaining grace of God.

BENARES.-The state of things in this important centre of Hindooism remains unchanged. But the surrounding district continues to be infested with marauding bands. In Mr. Heinig's opinion the rebellion is a general one, embracing all classes of the people, and having its origin in the hatred of the Mohammedans to English rule. The soldiers have been the tools of the Moslem. In whatever city the majority of the population was Mohammedan, there the most cruel and barbarous deeds have been committed. That Benares has remained quiet is chiefly due to the fact that the majority are Hindoos, and is also owing to the sagacity and wisdom of the measures taken by the magistrate, Mr. Gubbins. The neighbouring city of Gorruckpore is in the hands of Mussulmans, and they threaten Azimgurh and Chuprah. Mr. Heinig regards these events as a fulfilment of the prophecy in Daniel vii. 13, 14, and hopes that the country will henceforth be governed by the Crown, that the countenance and aid given to idolatry and Islamism may cease, and the Holy Scriptures be freely employed in all educational institutions.

CEYLON, KANDY.-Mr. Carter has for some time been very successfully engaged on a revision of the Singhalese version of the New Testament. From letters lately received, we learn that his work meets with the cordial approval of other missionaries. He continues to pursue his other missionary duties with assiduity and zeal, and we do not doubt, that the following narratives will greatly interest our readers.

"I quite agree with you, that our most strenuous efforts should be directed to exciting a sense of sin and danger; when that is done, the judgment is convinced, and the heart emphatically feels that there is no other name but Christ's whereby we can be saved. I make it my great object in proclaiming the gospel to the heathen, to make them feel that their all is at stake, and that even according to Buddhism they are verily guilty and exposed to the wrath It is not the best reasoners and those who are most capable of under

to come.

standing the force of evidence, who are generally converted from amongst the Singhalese, but souls who feel a void within them, which they find nothing but the gospel of Christ to fill.

Old Simon.

"Our old friend Simon was just one of this character. Had his reception of Christianity depended upon understanding and weighing with precision its evidences, properly so called, it is certain that he would never have been a Christian. One