is a large and handsome building, situated to the south of the fort, with a view of the sea in front. The Black Town is fortified on the land side, and is open to the sea to the east. It is laid out with great regularity, and contains a large population, principally natives. Here are many good houses. Here also are the mint, and the jail, an Episcopal church, and one of the Mission-chapels, a Roman Catholic and Methodist chapel, mosques and Hindoo pagodas in great numbers, but none of large dimensions. Facing the sea is an extensive row of fine buildings, among which is the supreme court, the custom-house, general post-office, board of trade, and several merchants' houses, &c. Behind these are several very good European shops. Excellent water is raised from wells situated on the northern side of Black Town, and is conveyed all over it by means of pipes. In this city it is delightful to find Missionary, Bible, and Tract Societies; orphan schools for both boys and girls; various other schools, and many other institutions of a noble and benevolent kind, such as adorn most of the great cities and towns in our own favoured land. Here are many pious and excellent individuals belonging to different denominations, several of whom are amongst the first classes of society, and breathe much of the lovely spirit of the gospel.

The neighbourhood of Madras is greatly benefited and adorned by the rivers and canals, which run in different directions, and over which several beautiful bridges are thrown. The roads are amongst the best in the world; and, though the climate is hot, the locality is considered as very healthy.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Abstract of the Farewell-Letter of the Deputation to the Missionaries on the various stations of the Society in India.

Isle of France, Dec. 7, 1827. DEAR and esteemed Friends and Brethren, Having, as a Deputation from the London Missionary Society, completed our official visits to you, its honoured friends and associates in the great and glorious work in which we are all engaged, and having bid adieu to the shores of India to proceed to the discharge of other duties, we embrace the earliest opportunity allowed us to say Farewell.

A wider scope, beloved brethren, for Missionary exertion and for Missionary talents than lies before you cannot be desired. Not fewer probably than one-tenth of the human race, one hundred millions of immortal beings and British subjects, lie spread around you: the valley is full of dry bones-very dry; the field is white to the harvest, inviting the reapers to put in the sickle. All these immortal beings standing on the verge of an eternal destiny, all hastening to that tribunal where it must be determined by the Judge of all the earth; while alas! with few -very few exceptions, they are without God and without hope in the world. Can you indulge in inglorious supineness, in such circumstances? Can you repose in sloth, when you ought by day and by night to stretch forth the

hand of Christian philanthropy, and do all you can to snatch these brands from the eternal burnings? We do not question your willingness to use your best exertions in such a cause; and you will allow us affectionately to stir up your minds by way of remembrance, to those obligations which you are under to work while it is called day, seeing the night cometh when no man can work.

Never had Missionaries stronger motives presented to awaken their zeal, and to rouse them to use their most vigorous exertions. And now is the accepted time, this is the day of salvation. So far as the government is concerned, not one obstacle lies in your way, and the prudent Missionary may have access to every city, town, village, and hovel, throughout these extensive countries. You enjoy all the protection and unembarrassed freedom you can wish; and though the civil power wisely maintains its neutrality, it protects you in using your best exertions, and none dare make you afraid; while you have every reason to hope that the Supreme Authority wishes well to your labours and prosperity to your cause.

We are well aware of the difficulties and discouragements which oppose you: human nature in its worst condition; an idolatrous system, the whole of whose principles and ceremonies are diametrically opposed to those of the religion which you advocate; customs and associations which plead an almost unlimited antiquity; pride, avarice, and sensuality, which are inherent in fallen nature; ignorance, sloth and deceit, which to human agency are invincible; and all these powerful opponents in alliance with the powers of darkness, whose intervention is never wanting when the truth as it is in Christ is to be withstood, and its doctrines and its precepts neutralized. How formidable do these obstacles appear when duly considered! Yet there is no reason for either discouragement or despair. The cause in which you have embarked is the cause of God. Greater is He who is for you, than all they who are against you.

But, brethren, as it is by the intervention of the appointed system of means that God will destroy idolatry, change the hearts of the heathen, and bring them into the fold of Christ, with what holy diligence ought you, by prayer and study, to seek to be duly qualified for your great work, as workmen who need not be ashamed! The knowledge of the language of the people whose conversion you seek is essential to your success; for the better you are acquainted with it, and the more correctly and fluently you speak it, the more respect and attention will be given to your message. To that one language bend your most earnest attention until you have made it your own; nor suffer your minds to be drawn away by others, or by the pride of being thought learned, or the vanity of knowing many languages. The possession of any one of the languages of India, in such a degree of perfection as is desirable, will usually cost exertion enough; and when obtained, will give you access to millions of souls-scope enough for your best exertions.

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Let not your pundits deceive you, for they are in league with the common enemy, by teaching you a language which those do not understand to whom you have access. Neither soar so high as to be incomprehensible, nor descend so low as to be contemptible and vulgar. There is a style in all languages that is at once plain, dignified, and appropriate, which both rich and poor can comprehend, and which neither can condemn. This is the style which we recommend that you should study, and in which you should preach the gospel.

These remarks we chiefly intend for our younger brethren, who have recently arrived in India. Most of you who have been for some time on Missionary ground, we are happy in feeling assured, are well acquainted with the language of the people among whom you labour, and speak it both with fluency and correctness. Until then no Missionary is an efficient labourer. To arrive at so high and important an attainment should be the first concern of a Missionary on reaching his sphere of action; and no other object, however important, should be allowed to divert his attention from this. Any Missionary who either cannot or will not acquire the language of the people to whom he goes to preach the gospel is but a cumberer of the ground, and should turn his attention to some other object, and not consume those funds which are raised for the support of useful Missionaries, and not the indolent, or those who are seeking their own ease and aggrandizement.

Let plain and perspicuous language be the medium through which you place before the understandings of the people, and the consciences of your hearers, the glorious doctrines and precepts and motives of the unsophisticated gospel of Jesus. Be it yours to follow the illustrious example of the greatest of mere human Missionaries, and to know nothing but Christ and him crucified, and to glory only in the cross. To some this may be a stumbling-block, and to others foolishness; but to many we trust it will be the power of God, and the wisdom of God.Guard, dear friends, against dwelling on subjects of mere speculation, or on such as would afford mere amusement. Let the great things of God fill every address.

Nothing will tend so much

at once to excite attention, to do good to your hearers, and to destroy idolatry. Let the truth alone be exalted, and error will fall. Life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel; and the same should be attempted in every sermon that you preach; for, alas! darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. The fall of man, and the importance of a change of heart-repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, must be the great subjects of every sermon to the heathen. You cannot depart from first principles, without being guilty of a dereliction of duty. And allow us again to recommend that your sermons to the heathen be pithy, lively, warm, and affectionate; delivered with a manifest concern to do them good. To be so, they must be short. Much strength is wasted in these countries by long sermons, where so little ought to be unnecessarily expended.

A small chapel is desirable at a Missionary station where a few converts have been made, who are willing to sanctify the Sabbath and to keep it holy, as a place of public meeting for divine worship. But before such expense is incurred, converts must be made.

[Here follow various remarks on the circumstances under which baptism ought to be administered, and other Christian privileges granted to applicants and candidates.] Permit us, dear brethren, to recommend more street and bazaar-preaching; consider what this despised practice did in the days of Whitfield and Wesley, and in the days of Christ and his apostles. This is not sufficiently practised in India by the Misionaries, excepting in a few places. No Missionary, we conceive, should be satisfied with himself unless he has preached, in this way, a short sermon every evening, when the heat of the day is over; and so far from this being injurious to his health, we are satisfied that the exertion would be conducive to it, and prove a counteraction to the deterioration of homestudy through the day. Many induce disease in these climates by indolence and the want of more bodily exercise. We have everywhere found that the most healthy are those who make the most exertion.-By street and bazaar-preaching, we are aware that you will perhaps expose yourselves to some contempt; but by not doing it you are in danger of a neglect of duty and the stings of conscience. A love of ease would urge more tranquillity and less publicity. To be known, you must be public; and both are essential to your usefulness, that both your doctrines and your example may be understood, the one embraced and the other followed. To seek publicity for its own sake would be vanity; but to seek it for the sake of doing good is the duty of every Missionary of Jesus Christ.

The school system in India is diffusing much light and scriptural knowledge among the rising generation, lessening their prejudices against the doctrines of the gospel, and preparing the way for some great change to which these nations we conceive are fast advancing. But allow us to caution you against multiplying schools beyond the power of giving a very frequent superintendence, which should be at least once or twice a week, and that made by yourselves or those assistants in whom you can fully confide. Much has been done; but much improvement we think needs to be attempted in the state of the schools. The masters, if hirelings, will be satisfied with having a few children who can read tolerably well, and repeat a catechism. But why should there not be twenty where there are but four or five? A more close, vigilant, and frequent inspection would, we think, cure the evil. But the principal advantage to be derived from the school-system is, we think, the opportunity which the schools give to the Missionary, when he visits them, of preaching the gospel to those who stop at the outside, and to the parents who come to hear their children catechised, or others. We would therefore recommend that one stated day and hour every week should be appointed and known, that the

parents may come to hear their children, as well as passers-by. School-rooms should always be selected in public streets and places of great resort, that the people may be induced to stop and hear. When a number are collected to hear the children catechised and examined, a fine opportunity is afforded, either directly or through the children, of placing the great truths of the gospel before their minds. It is preaching the gospel, and not the school, or any other system, that is ordained of God to renovate the world. The Missionary who does not think so will be useless, and has much both to learn and to unlearn before he will be a useful labourer.

Allow us to recommend, brethren, that you make yourselves more familiar with the people around you. Visit the bazaars, converse with the natives on the great things of God, invite them to your houses, and let them feel that you are concerned indeed for their welfare. This cannot but ensure their respect and esteem, however much they may think you mistaken on the subject of religion. Extensive observation and experience have convinced us of the great importance of the practice which we affectionately recommend. Difference of country and of people makes no difference here. Familiar conversation on difficult subjects, when an interchange of sentiment is permitted, is the most certain method of exciting interest, and bringing the subjects on which we speak within the comprehension of those with whom we converse. This will assist you too in acquiring the language in which you preach, in knowing the people's mode of thinking and reasoning, and in adapting your discourses to their capacities. The Redeemer's conversation with the woman of Samaria at the well, and his general mode of instruction, is an example which cannot but commend itself to your admiration, and is worthy of being followed.

We recollect with great satisfaction that, connected with many of your stations, there are several country-born young men and natives who have come forward to the work of the Lord, and to assist you in your noble designs of saving souls. While we would recommend again that all suitable encouragement should continue to be given to them, and that they be kept in a state of constant and active employment in the work of the Mission, permit us to guard you against the temptation of thinking that they are to do all the work; and that, because you have such assistants, therefore you may do the less. This would be a lamentable misappropriation of their talents. However numerous your assistants may be, and however extensive their exertions, your own active zeal must not in the least be diminished. Yours is a work that cannot be done by proxy.

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cation of the other sex; we are aware of the difficulties which oppose; but we beseech you, and our dear friends and sisters, seriously to lay the subject to heart, and make your best exertions.

A few cautionary hints may not be unseasonable in this letter of free and affectionate advice. We feel the awful responsibility of your office and circumstances; and we are more solicitous that you so discharge the important duties devolving upon you, and so conduct yourselves under all relations of life, as to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, accomplish the objects of your mission, and continue to enjoy the confidence and esteem of all. Permit us then to guard you against all political interference with the powers that be. The government of these countries excites our admiration for its liberality, equity, and benevolence; and you share the protection of the laws, while you enjoy the most perfect and unrestrained freedom in discharging your Missionary duties, and in spreading the savour of the Redeemer's name. Yours is a work which admits of no compromise-which in a peculiar manner demands the whole of your talents, and your undivided time and attention. Too much English preaching, keeping of schools, composing books on subjects merely literary, entering much into the society of your countrymen, attempting a variety of languages when one only should at first engross your entire attention, a restless hankering after home, a dislike to your station or the people among whom you labour, with a variety of other things, may become great snares to a Missionary, in taking off his heart from his work entirely or in part. We have seen with grief the effects of such allurements; and when these objects, or any other not directly missionary, engross the attention, we cease to wonder at the want of success among the heathen.

Having travelled through all the countries over which your stations are scattered, and taken we think an impartial view of the state of your several Missions, we greatly rejoice to recollect that we have seen you, with very few exceptions, faithfully devoting your talents to your great object, and have formed the most gratifying opinion of both your talents and your piety. Nor do we neglect duly to appreciate what has been actually accomplished, in bewailing what has not been achieved. You are responsible, not for success, but for the due and diligent application of those means which are within your power. To some stations which we have visited, we can advert with peculiar delight, and exclaim, What has God wrought! We have beheld Hindoo pagodas prostrated before the gospel, and Christian chapels growing up, and crowded by hundreds of attentive hearers, not a few of whom evince, by their lives and conversation, that they have turned indeed from dumb idols to serve the living God. Glorious sights!

talent, and time, and money? How comparatively few the converts! How little is God known! How slight, comparatively, is the impression made on this hundred of millions of human beings! Oh, let us humble ourselves before God, in the very dust, that we have been no more concerned for their salvation-that we have laboured so little for their good-that we have no more wrestled with God in prayer, that He would make bare his holy arm, and pour out his Holy Spirit upon them. When the friends of Missions at home, and the Missionaries abroad, are found thus engaged, then we may expect this wilderness to blossom as the rose, and this desert to become as the garden of the Lord.

Nor will we despair of seeing better days: we have a solid foundation on which to rest our hope and entire confidence that, at some future period, if not now, these heathen regions shall bow to the authority of Christ, and unite to crown him Lord of all.-It is not necessary that we should dwell on the purposes and the promises of God which assure us of the approach of so glorious a day;-you know them, and do well often to meditate upon them, in their variety, their comprehensiveness, their fidelity, and the sufficiency of Him who spoke them to give them their entire accomplishment. But, for your encouragement, consider why Divine Providence has, in so surprising a manner, and almost in spite of the power that now rules these nations, broken the yoke of Mahommedan and Hindoo tyranny, and put them under a Christian government-and that, the most likely to do them good. This is the hand of God; and we cannot doubt that He has prospective designs in this stupendous change. He has given them to England, that England may give them the gospel.-Besides, but a few years ago the greatest opposition was raised against the introduction of the gospel into these countries; but now every difficulty is removed; and where England sends but one Missionary, she might send a thousand, and not the smallest obstacle would be thrown in the path of their Missionary career by the government. The growing indifference of the Hindoos to their own tenets and ceremonies is another pleasing omen. Of the fact we can have no doubt. Indeed, to us, who have travelled so much among them, their mythological system appears - like multitudes of their temples-in a state of wretched dilapidation: both are tottering to their fall. A few years, and the world will witness some mighty change. Knowledge is making rapid progress among the people; the Brahmins are falling into disrepute. Aware that covetousness is the mainspring of their actions, their vassals are become impatient of the yoke; they will speedily cast it off, think for themselves, and embrace the gospel. What means that eagerness everywhere so ardent to obtain the Christian tracts, portions of the Scripture, and the various publications which you are diffusing among them, and what the tendency of their influence? Besides, the sacred volume is now made to speak to all these nations, in their own tongue,

of the wonderful works of God. Is not this a fact of auspicious aspect?-A few years ago scarcely a pious individual was to be found in these countries, in whose life religion could be seen, or who was disposed to plead the cause of the perishing heathen at a throne of grace; but now, God has a numerous seed to serve him, scattered over the vast regions of India, who rejoice to aid your designs and to encourage your hearts; to assist you with their prayers, their example, and their pecuniary contributions. How many benevolent institutions are in vigorous operation, not only in the great cities of Calcutta and Madras, but also in various parts of the interior, labouring in different ways to circulate the Scriptures of truth and religious tracts and books: all aiding in your Missionary

career.

Before we close this letter, we must entreat of you to take all due care of your health. On the importance of this blessing, both to your personal happiness and to your usefulness in the great work in which you are engaged, we need say nothing; but to pay all suitable attention to its preservation is an imperative duty. Many a Missionary, we doubt not, has fallen a sacrifice in these climes to his own imprudence, in not taking sufficient bodily exercise, and by engaging his mind too intensely in his studies at home. The English constitution will not bear the ardour of mental exertion in these sultry regions as at home, excepting for a short portion of the day; and it requires to be followed by far more exercise of the animal system than is generally taken, to preserve both the mind and body in good health. For the want of such exercise, the muscles lose their tone, the system gradually sinks into a state of torpor, and the diseases incident to these regions are induced. Exercise may be taken, we conceive, in a carriage at any part of the day, with safety, provided the direct rays of the sun are avoided; but the mornings and evenings are, doubtless, the most suitable. At these times, the Missionary should go to the adjacent villages, visit the schools which he has under his care, and address the people both in the school-rooms and in the streets, distributing tracts to and conversing with them: such engagements, daily pursued, we are persuaded, would tend greatly both to the usefulness of the Missionary, and to the preservation of his health. This should be done from the time the Missionary arrives in India, so far as it is possible; and so soon as he has obtained a few words of the language he should make use of them in the schools, and in attempting to converse with the people; by which means, also, he would acquire the language much sooner, and with more correctness of pronunciation, than otherwise. However, when the constitution fails, and sinks under the climate, and becomes the subject of that debility which torrid regions so often induce, and when a change of air becomes necessary, we think that no Missionary should take a voyage to England, merely for the sake of recovering the vigour and tone of his system, till he has tried a journey to the Nilgherry Hills, in the Madras

Presidency, which may be done at a much less loss of time and expense to the Society than would be incurred by a voyage to England.

We leave you, dear brethren, with regret; but it is with the greatest confidence that you will continue to adorn the doctrines of God our Saviour; spend and be spent in his service; and may you have the gracious protection of a faithful God and the encouraging smiles of his people! We leave you in the enjoyment of affectionate union with each other, and of a firm attachment to that Society in whose service it is our mutual happiness to spend and be spent, and in circumstances of temporal satisfaction and comfort. We leave you with a deep sense of ardent gratitude for all the kind solicitude of yourselves and of our dear sisters your beloved partners, to promote both our comfort and our objects in visiting you; and assure you that we shall ever remember you with affectionate anxiety for your personal health and domestic welfare and success in your arduous work. While we shall bear you on our hearts constantly before God, we earnestly solicit an interest in your prayers. Let us still have your confidence and esteem; cultivate towards the Society, with which you are associated in this great work, the closest union and the most affectionate attachment. Be ye faithful unto death, and your Divine Master will give you a crown of life.

Farewell, beloved brethren and friends. With the best wishes we commend you, with all whom you most tenderly love, to God and to the word of his grace; and remain, in the bonds of Christian love and sincere friendship,

Your affectionate Friends and Brethren,
(Signed) DANIEL TYERman,
GEORGE Bennet.

CHAPTER XLIX. Embarkation for the Mauritius, or Isle of FranceArrival at Port Louis-Deliberations about visiting Madagascar-Town, College, Churches, &c., of Port Louis-State of Society-Slavery-M. Perille-Anec dotes of Slaves-Dreadful Hurricane-Information respecting Madagascar-Examples of barbarous Usages and despotic Cruelties.

OCT. 13. Having finished our tour in Southern India, and rested a few days at Madras, to wind up the whole of our official business in this part of the world, we embarked to-day on board the Frances Charlotte, Captain Talbot, for the Isle of France.

Nov. 23. At four o'clock in the morning we came in sight of land, about fifteen miles distant. By daybreak we discovered the Round, Serpent, Flat, and Coin Islands, to the north of the Mauritius. The mountains of the latter rose in the misty majesty of morning, through which the sunbeams gradually breaking presented a scene of real and aerial perspective seldom so perfectly and happily combined. The low lands towards the shore, covered with sugar-cane plantations, interspersed with cottages, villas, and hamlets, among trees and bushes, were minutely distinct in the foreground, while the peaks of the volcanic eminences behind changed form, and colour, and

size, and position, every quarter of an hour, emerging and sinking alternately in the sea of vapours that now encircled, now overflowed, and finally deserted them, melting away into the limpid element, through which heaven, earth, and ocean were at once and harmoniously revealed in the glory and loveliness of risen day, within the verge of the tropics.

In the evening the ship came to anchor off the harbour of Port Louis; but as it was too late for the inspector to visit us and examine our bills of health, we remained on board till morning. The day had been remarkably serene, the breeze favourable, and our spirits were exhilarated with the prospect of liberty, after six weeks' confinement, as we sailed down the side of the island, which looked so peaceful and flourishing with cultivation, that the thought could hardly settle, for more than a moment or two, in our mind, that this fine island is not unfrequently devastated with the most tremendous hurricanes, and is seated on a bed of fire, which may unexpectedly overwhelm it with disrupted torrents of lava, or engulph it by the force of earthquakes in the surrounding ocean. The forms of many of the mountains, which may hereafter again be the ministers of destined destruction, as they have been of old, are singular and grotesque, and they bear names as fanciful as their appearance. One pair of conspicuous eminences is degraded by the appellation of the Ass's Ears. The highest peak is called Peter Botte; it rises to the height of 3500 feet, diminishing upwards into a perfect spire, on the point of which is suspended a globular mass of stone, denominated the cap of liberty, which "Peter Botte" wears unmolested, whatever sovereign reigns below, whether the Grand Monarque, the Republican Directory, the Emperor Napoleon, or the King of England; and, we may add, he wears it unmolested, whatever oppression is exercised beneath his feet over the black population of this hotbed of slavery.

Nov. 24. After due investigation the ship was allowed to enter the harbour, when we landed, and soon afterwards met Mr. Le Brun, the Missionary of our Society. We were surprised and distressed to learn that the state of Madagascar, in respect to climate, for several months to come, may be presumed to be such that hardly any European constitution could survive the perils of travelling through the forests, and over the lakes, mountains, and morasses, into the interior, where the metropolis is situated, and where our Missionaries reside. We have no alternative, therefore, except to remain here till the malignant season is past, or to avail ourselves of the first opportunity to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, on our way homeward, and abandon the purpose of visiting Madagascar altogether.

1828. Jan. 28. Till this day we have been detained in the Mauritius, waiting first for a safe season, and latterly for a vessel to sail to Madagascar.

Port Louis, the principal town of this colony, stands at the head of a fine harbour, between