THE

MISSIONARY REPORTER.

EDITED BY J. T. RUSSELL, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1831.

TO OUR READERS.

The third volume of the Reporter commences with the present number. Arrangements having been made for communicating information respecting the operations of the Board of Education, in another form, the Education Register will be discontinued, and this work will in future be exclusively devoted to the interests of the Board of Missions. As we have before intimated, we shall endeavour hereafter to furnish a greater variety of missionary intelligence, both Foreign and Domestic, together with occasional communications, and some miscellaneous articles.

We are requested to say also, that the Ex. Committee of the Board of Education have it in contemplation to publish a quarterly Journal, having special reference to the office and work of the ministry-ministerial qualifications-education, particularly that of candidates for the sacred officeforeign missions, &c. &c. In the mean time what ever may be necessary to communicate to the christian public can be made known through the columns of the Reporter and other papers devoted to the great and precious interests of Zion.

SELECTIONS FOR THE MONTHLY CONCERT.

BOMBAY.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR.

STONE.

tapee, (a kind of turban which the Hindoos wear on their heads,) and cast it away, and no longer wear the Hindoo dress. I interposed, and told Luxumun May 10. Rum Chundru, the bap- not to be angry, nor abuse his antagonist, tised native, called and had a conversa- because he had the better side of the artion with my pundit this morning, re- gument, but to discuss the subject canspecting the divinity of the Hindoo ava- didly. He became still more enraged, tars, (incarnations,) and their various ex- said I was partial to Rum Chundru, and pedients for the remission of sins. He that he would not remain in my house maintained, that as all the Hindoo avatars nor in my service any longer, and rose were guilty of base crimes, they were sin-up and went away. The sole difficulty ful, and of course, were not the avatars was, he found himself embarrassed in his of God. Luxumun, my pundit, main attempts to defend Hindooism against tained that the Hindoo avatars, (gods in- Rum Chundru, who was equally well carnate,) though they were guilty of versed in the shaster as himself. Luxuthose crimes which would be sinful for mun has too much knowledge of chrismen to commit, were not by that proved tianity to presume to maintain that Hinto be sinful themselves, because they dooism has as high claims to divinity as were gods, and as such had a right to do christianity has. In speculation he is what they pleased, without its being any probably more thoroughly acquainted evidence against their divinity. As Rum with the doctrines and precepts of chrisChundru pressed the absurdity of his tianity than any other Hindoo in western reasoning upon Luxumun, he became angry, and called Rum Chundru a fool, a liar, and an outcast; and told him, if he had became a christian, to take off his VOL. IX.-Ch, Adv.

India. He has been employed in the service of the mission eight years; and for considerable part of the time in translating the Scriptures with Messrs. Hall 3 R

and Graves. But as he is more acquainted with the spiritual and holy nature of the christian religion, so with his heart proud and unhumbled, he is more opposed to it than are those less acquainted with it. May the Lord Jesus who has the hearts of all in his hands, and who once, to the glory and riches of his grace, and furtherance of his kingdom on earth, converted a pesecuting and angy Saul, have mercy upon my poor teacher, humble him, renovate his soul, and make him a chosen vessel to bear his name among the gentile Hindoos. He would make a fearless and zealous champion of the cross. In his learning, his ardent temperament, his untiring perseverance, and in many other natural traits of character, he resembles Saul of Tarsus. Should he be converted, and these natural endowments consecrated to Christ, he might resemble Paul in humility, self-denial, labors, sufferings, and zeal; and his motto might be, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,"

11. Luxumun, who left me so abruptly yesterday, in a violent passion, returned to-day and said he would continue his services as a teacher, if I wished. He acknowledged that he was very angry, but thought that Rum Chundru gave him sufficient provocation. As it is thought desirable to retain him in the employ of the mission, on account of his superior ability to prepare and correct matter for the press, I told him, in reply, that he might act as he pleased, continue with me, or take his discharge. He preferred

to remain.

CEYLON.

LETTER FROM DR. SCUDDER, DATFD

I

were in reality doing them no good. took occasion to mention, that after scraping together all the money they could, instead of spending it for their benefit, by furnishing them with the scriptures, or establishing schools, they sent it off to Goa. I added, that not only would they do nothing for their good, but when others felt sorry to see their children growing up in ignorance, and wished to give them money to educate them, they opposed them. The letter was well received, and attended, I hope, with good success. Any thing which tends to lessen the influence of the priests, and make the people less afraid of their curses, will of course make them less disposed to be ruled by the rod. I cannot but hope that the rupture which has taken place between the priests and those people who send their children to the school will be attended with great good.

Progress of Religious attention in the vicinity of the Station.

Of late, numbers of the people in this village have listened attentively to the words of eternal life. Some have attended preaching at the school bungalow, Each of my brethren has labored among them during the last quarter, & those who visited from house to house, found abundant encouragement to proceed. Coe, one of my native helpers, writes as follows"I will briefly mention all the good things, which through divine favor, have taken place in Chillalle. In former times, when I went there to instruct them, they abused me and blasphemed the christian religion. If they saw me in the streets they would murmur. When I went to their houses, they would drive me away. Now many call on me to come to their houses and allow me to converse and pray with them. They gladly read the scriptures and tracts. The people are not so much afraid of their priests as before, as appears both from their conduct and conversation."

AT PANDITERIPO, JAN. 1831. Opposition of Catholics. During the last quarter the Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad. The school I had the prospect of establishing among the Roman Catholics. in Chillalle, was commenced three months night meetings in the village, we often Some gladly attend meetings. At our ago, and prospers, notwithstanding all command good congregations. Mrs. the opposition from their corrupt priest- Scudder has a weekly meeting for such hood. As it was said by the resident women as she can induce to attend, and priest of the village, that I had establish- has been much encouraged to exert hered it from malicious motives, I address- self in their behalf. The mothers of Saed a circular to some of the respectable rah Woodhull, Martha Washington, and inhabitants, in which I contradicted his Julia Ann Prime, with one other woman, statements, and pointed out the import-attend my meeting of inquiry. All my ance of having their children educated. schoolmasters, one excepted, also attend Extracts on the subject of education were this meeting, with several of their scholgiven from Tamul authors.* One of my ars. objects was to show that their priests

"He that is learned has eyes. He that is unlearned, hath no eyes, but two sores in his face, &c."

During the last quarter several meetings of peculiar interest have been held in our mission. That with our schoolmasters was very solemn. On Friday of next week, we hope to hold a meeting

with such persons as reside in our fami-struction. All this appeared so much lies, or are occasionally hired by us. We like a native scheme, that I hardly are hoping to feel the divine presence. thought to see him again. But two or Of late we have had our attention more three days afterwards he came with his than usually drawn to the importance of wife, whom he had brought in a dooley, making especial exertions in behalf of she being evidently ill. It soon appearthe spiritual good of the rising generation.ed that it was she who was principally God has been pleased to pour out his desirous of Christian instruction, and spirit copiously upon our boarding schools they agreed to take lodgings in the viland upon the schoolmasters of our na-lage, and remain here at their own chartive free schools. My hopes are strong ges, to learn more of the way of salvathat he has begun to pour it out upon the tion by a crucified Saviour. She appearchildren belonging to the latter. I feel ed for several days to grow worse in bopersuaded there is no class of persons dy and stronger and stronger in mind. I from whom we are to expect so much. have never seen among the natives so My own exertions, together with those much of Christian simplicity, at the made by some of my brethren, in this same time that she had a thoughtful, indepartment of our work at this station, telligent mind. She had a clear knowhave proved to us that we have great ledge of the way of salvation. Christ encouragement to go forward. Some of was her whole dependence, and she was them, as I have understood, refused to anxious to take him for her Lord and go to the heathen temples. Since my re- Saviour publicly by baptism, and considturn from the Neilgherries, I have en- ering, after the strictest examination indeavoured to weaken the confidence in to her motives and conduct, I could find heathenism by showing them some of the no possible objection against her, and her images of the Tamul gods I brought state of health being precarious, and her from the coast with me. Many of them temporary accommodation here little have taken them into their hands, and suited to her comfort, I shortened the have been convinced that they are not period of her probation, and have this entitled to all that reverence, which their day baptized her. I have some hopes of brahimins would make them believe. her husband, but his case not being so urEven should they not become pious, as gent, more time is required before he be they grow up, taught to despise the gods admitted. If you ask what is there in of brass and copper, heathenism will this incident so peculiarly encouraging to have comparatively little hold on their me, I must further inform you that she minds. Could those who think that mis- was once a patient of your's, brought by sionaries should not have schools under her husband from Trincomalee, some six their care, witness all that has been seen or seven years ago, when you performed of late in our mission, it is more than a successful operation on her cheek, the probable that some of their objections scar of which still remains. She talks would vanish like the morning cloud and much of the urgency with which Mrs. early dew. Scudder entreated her to take refuge in Christ, and mentions a promise she made to do so. She has never, she says, forgotten that promise, and she blesses the Lord that he has enabled her to fulfil it.

The anecdote which is narrated below, is extracted from a letter received by Dr. Scudder from the Rev. Mr. Lambrick, of the Church Missionary Society, stationed near Columbo. It shows that the Spirit of the Lord is operating in other parts of the island besides the district of Jaffna; and it must have been peculiarly pleasing and interesting to Dr. Scudder, as it brings to light the happy results of his past labors, in a quarter where he was not looking for them.

CHINA.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR.
BRIDGMAN.

Mr. Bridgman spends most of his time at Canton, though he occasionally visits Macao. He is occupied principally in The following is an extract from a let- acquiring a knowledge of the Chinese ter lately sent me by the Rev. Mr. Lam-language. But since the departure of brick, Church missionary at Cotta, near Columbo.

About a fortnight ago, a Tamul man came to me, and said be wished to become a Christian, and wanted employment. I replied that I had no employment for him, but would willingly instruct him, if that was his object. He then added that his wife, also, wished to become a Christian, and that he would bring her with him, and both would put themselves under in

Mr. Abeel, as mentioned at p. 229, of the last number, a large part of the labor of preaching on the Sabbath to foreign residents and seamen will devolve on him.

Macao, Aug. 2, 1831. Yesterday afforded us an opportunity, the first since we left America, of celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's supper. Had a stranger been here, he would have "thought, at first sight, that he had reach

pared. They are composed of all classes of people, and vary in number from one to two or three hundred persons. We see among them grave, aged, well clad gentlemen; priests and young men, boys and girls, riding in state; numerous bands of musicians with drums, gongs, &c. standard bearers, meat and fruit offerings, and gorgeous, fanciful ornaments, too numerous to be mentioned.

ed a favoured spot; for, from whatever | direction he might have come, he must have travelled some thousands of miles, without having met with a scene like this. In the midst of idol temples, and of idols without number, he hears the sound of the church-going bell, and sees among two or three hundred houses, in the European style, twelve or fifteen chapels, which seem to invite to the worship of Jehovah. On a better acquaintance, however, the stranger finds very little to distinguish the first from the other days of the week. There is a difference. The public offices of the Portuguese are closed, and the citizens permitted to A SOLEMN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE spend the day according to their choice. Their chapels are opened, but no more seem to attend than on other days, and of their numerous clergy, forty or fifty in number, not one comes forth to read and expound the scriptures.

The British Factory have a chapel here, in which, during their residence, which is usually half of the year, divine services are regularly performed by their chaplain.

Dr. Morrison, usually has worship at his own house, where he is joined by a few English and American citizens.Yesterday it was our privilege to join in that worship, and after an appropriate discourse to sit down to the table of our common Lord, where, as he remarked in his sermon, the distinctions of rich and poor, learned and unlearned, of nation, and class, and original character, are all forgotten, under the common character of redeemed sinners. Such a communion table is the epitome of heaven itself, which consists of every nation, tribe, and people, and language, all uniting in the Saviour's praise.

Great Festival and Procession.

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE
BOARD OF MISSIONS.

WEST.

The following is an extract from a communication of an agent of the Board in the West, dated White Co. Illinois, June 13, 1831.

This whole state is one day to exert a powerful influence over all the West and perhaps over the Union. And although every thing is unorganized, yet, the time is near at hand, when distinctive forms of virtue and vice will be seen rising in the land and exercising their congenial influence. The present gloomy state of things therefore-gloomy only from the destitution or moral wasteought not to deter any one from entering any part of this field. But whilst they come they ought to be fully aware that hardness, such perhaps as they have never thought of, will have to be endured.

A man to be useful and build up the church in this land must (1.) expect and be willing to be satisfied to a great extent, with souls for his hire. (2.) He must expect and be willing to deny himself of all the luxuries, and many of what he may have esteemed the comforts of life. (3.) He must be willing to adapt himself at 13. Since the 5th instant, Macao has once, or as soon as possible to the manner presented an unusual scene of idolatrous and habits of the people. (4.) He must devotion. This has been occasioned by be willing to give himself wholly to the the dedication of a new temple, and the work-devote himself solely and excluenthroning of new gods. On each suc-sively to the ministry-and then concencessive day, and the work is still in full trate all his thoughts, affections, and tide, there has been wandering through desires,-his whole scul, upon the great the streets, from morning till evening, and important interests he has undertaksometimes amidst torrents, of rain, and en to sustain. He must feel that he has sometimes beneath the scorching rays of no other interests—not even for himself an almost vertical sun, one of those proces--to advance, than the interests of the sions which are not less offensive to Je- Redeemer's Kingdom. (5.) He must hovah, than they are degrading to the have great patience, firmness, forbearcharacter of man. And on each succes-ance, and determined perseverance: for sive night, the scene has been prolonged, from evening till morning, by theatrical exhibitions and revelry, which could not well endure the light.

It is not easy to describe one of these processions, for I know of nothing on earth with which they can well be com

he will have much and continued labor to perform ; much ignorance to instruct and remove, many difficulties and obstacles to encounter and overcome. (6.) In short he must have a piety which would sustain him at the stake or upon the rack, and which will lead him willingly to sac

amount of guilt rest on it if she suffer the present crisis to pass away and puts not forth the gigantic efforts of which she is capable, for the accomplishing the great object spoken of? Who can estimate her guilt in such a case. Will not future gen

rifice all things for Christ and the success of his gospel. When he leaves home, he ought to feel that the only home which he now has is heaven, and that his father requires him diligently and unremittedly to perform some certain work before he can enter into the man-erations curse her and that bitterly, if sion prepared for him.

Can you not, dear brother, in love to the famishing churches of this land, and in pity to the thousands of souls without the pale of any church, O can you not send several men of the above description at once into the field, and many more in a short time? Where are the devoted brethren, whose hearts burn with love to Christ, and who desire to count it all honour when they have to endure hardships for his sake? Who does not desire to come to the West, the great, the extended West? I plead for laborers in this land, and for those fields I have mentioned; I plead for the bread of life, for perishing souls! Are there none that will come? Or have you lack of friends? And will not those who owe God so much pay him a little to sustain the poor, despised missionary in the field, while he, under the blessing of the Holy Ghost, is preparing souls for "glory and honour and immortality" at God's right hand!!! Will they rob God and starve his people and his ministers? When will christians feel that they are but stewards of the goods or property of the Lord, and act in accordance with such feeling! O that the time were come.

I cannot close this already extended letter without expressing to you the deep and full conviction of my mind, that the present period is a crisis, in which will be decided not only whether this state and indeed this whole valley, shall be religious and infidel; but also whether Presbyterianism shall extend and cover the land or not.

Moreover I would say that if the Presbyterian church can be but aroused from her stupor and lethargy, and brought to act distinctively in the great effort of planting and sustaining the missionary of the cross in the whitening fields of our own country, she could now take possession of this whole land, and establish in it the institutions of the gospel on that plan or those principles which she deems and ever has deemed most consistent with the word of God, and with the civil and religious liberties of the people.

peradventure they should groan under the grievous yoke of civil and ecclesiastical bondage? Will not souls in eternity curse her; nay, may not God himself curse her in holy indignation for her supineness-her unprofitableness-her insensibility to the worth of souls?-But it may be asked what is she to do? How is she to accomplish this great object? I answer by clothing herself in sackcloth and repenting of her past sins, and thus renewedly dedicating herself with all her property to the Lord. But it may still be said, she has not ministers to send out; and whose fault I would ask is this? Has she not pious youth enough within her bosom, whom she can specially devote to the Lord and educate for his ministry? Why has she not done this long ago? Sir on this subject I can scarce utter my feelings. So deeply impressed am I with a sense of the necessity and importance of the Education cause, that I believe it to be the first great duty of the church.

REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES.

LOWER CANADA.

From the Rev. ISAAC PURKIS, dated Laprairie, June 5th, 1831.

In making my quarterly communication, permit me to thank you for your last kind letter assuring me of the interest you feel in favour of Russell Town and of Canada in general, and I trust that Providence will in due time point out such a Missionary or Missionaries as the great head of the Church has selected and prepared for abundant usefulness in this part of his vineyard. I am happy to say, that we have one coadjutor recently introduced from Scotland; a man, we have good reason to believe, of Evangelical sentiments and fervent personal piety and zeal. He has been led by providence to pitch his tent, at upwards of 50 miles to the South West of me, which will be the centre of a large circuit, I trust of usefulness as well as of exertion; he is my nearPresbyterianism, sir, is the very germ, est neighbour in that direction; but he is or rather germinating principle of re- too far distant, and the field is too necessipublicanism; and were this church to be tous to admit of his serving Russell Town, extinguished the civil and religious lib- or the other places which may be associerties of this land, nay of the world, ated with it. This servant of the Rewould be destroyed. Ought not Presby-deemer is a Presbyterian and a seceder, terians therefore to awake on a subject and is assisted in his labours by the small of this kind? And will not a fearful missionary society at Montreal, to which