610 Review. enlarged their spirit, made new creatures of them, and seemed to triple their The term of their studies having ended, the approach of spring gave the signal for the scholars to return to their several homes, and the duties of the school-room gave place to manual labour in the fields and woods. On the evening before their departure, "the young men of Dormilleuse prepared a supper for their new friends, and invited them to the parting banquet. The pastor addressed them on the consolatory thought, that though they might see each other's faces no more in this life, they would most assuredly meet again in a joyful state of existence in the world to come, if they persevered in their Christian course. He then gave a parting benediction, and after a long and mourn. ful silence, which each seemed unwilling to interrupt, they separated. The next morning, at an early hour, they were seen winding down the mountain path to their several homes; and they of Dormilleuse gazed after them till their figures were lost in the distance, and the village on the rock appeared more dreary and desolate than ever." On the next year, they again assembled, and for the last time, when through the kindness of friends they were in circumstances of greater comfort than the preceding year; and Neff writes, "Thanks to the generosity of my friends, our little school is now floored and glazed-the benches and seats are all finished, and while all the other schools in this country are held in damp and dark stables, where the scholars are stifled with smoke, and interrupted by the babble of people and the noise of the cattle, and are obliged to be constantly quarrelling with the kids and fowls in defence of their copy-books, we have here a comfortable and well-warmed apartment. I am again conducting a School for the education of those, whose business it will be to educate others; it now consists of about twenty young men from the different villages. We are buried in snow more than four feet deep." Neff left behind him some remarks on the progress which the students made, and their several capacities and dispositions. These remarks, which are given in the Memoir, shew the great attention he paid to their general character and spiritual condition. He had the satisfaction of seeing his plan in educating the young men answer well, and thus records his praise to God for its success:- -"I never," says he, "can be sufficiently thankful to Almighty God, for the blessing which he has been pleased to vouchsafe upon this undertaking, and for the strength he has given me to enable me to bear the fatigue of it." This second meeting of the Normal School proved to be the • The longlast, and almost the end of Neff's pastoral employ. continued excitement and anxiety; the oft-repeated journies on foot in all weathers; the sharpness of the external air, and the suffocat ing heat of a small room, in which so many persons, not remarkable for their cleanliness, were crowded together day after day, together with the exertion of daily and almost hourly lectures, were calculated to undermine the most robust frame. Deprivation added to hard work, and the irregularity as well as the coarse unwholesome quality of his meals, brought on a weakness of stomach, which was followed by a total derangement of the digestive organs. He struggled through the summer of 1826 pretty well; but when the winter came, and he resumed his labours, both in the school upon the rock, and in visiting his scattered hamlets; while the snow blocked up some of the more direct passes and rendered all difficult of access, it was more and more manifest that the conflict could not last long.' In April, 1827, Neff submitted to the absolute necessity of a removal to his native climate, and made preparation for a return to Geneva by slow degrees. On bidding farewell to his beloved people, these poor mountaineers gave him every proof of the sincerity of their attachment and the bitterness of their sorrow. After travelling by easy stages, he arrived at Geneva in a state of extreme languor and suffering. In 1828, he visited the baths of Plombieres. The use of the waters produced a good effect, and he was so much better as to be capable of preaching a few times. Very soon, however, he became worse than before. His stomach could scarcely bear a little whey; for even with this he suffered much from indigestion, and the pain it caused was so violent that he could not bear to take this slight nourishment till many hours after he had endured the pains of hunger. During the lingering illness which followed, his people in the Alps were fondly remembered, and when he could no longer write to them himself, his mother became his amanuensis, to convey to them sentiments of consolation and instruction. Extracts from these letters are given in the memoir. We must however pass them over, and hasten to conclude our notice of the short life of this high missionary and ministerial character. Two days before his death, (12th April, 1829,) he was supported by two persons, and, though scarcely able to see, he traced at intervals and in large and irregular characters, the following last lines to his beloved friends in the Alps: "Adieu, dear friends, Andre Blanc, Antoine Blanc; all my friends the Pelissiers, whom I love tenderly; Francis Dumont and his wife; Isaac and his wife; beloved Deslois; Emilie Bonnet, &c. &c.; Alexandrine and her mo ther; all, all the brethren and sisters of Mens, adieu, adieu. I ascend to our Father in entire peace! Victory! victory! victory! through Jesus Christ. FELIX NEFF.' Missionary and Religious Entelligence. CALCUTTA. 1. BAPTISM OF A NATIVE FEMALE. On Lord's day, Nov. 3, at the Circular Road Chapel, in the presence of a numerous congregation, composed of European and Native Christians, a Hin doo female, named Piyaree, was baptized. The Rev. Mr. Yates, who administered the ordinance, conceiving it might interest the audience in the salvation of the natives, unexpectedly asked the candidate a number of questions, the answers she gave to which were so appropriate, as to excite much interest, and to afford satisfactory evidence of her intimate acquaintance with the truths of the Gospel, and her feeling sense of their influence on the heart. 2.-NATIVE CHRISTIAN BOARDING SCHOOL, CHITPORE. The attempts made for the instruction of native youth are now of three kinds. The first is, that of affording them instruction in science and general literature, without any attention to religious sentiments; the second is, that of combining religious with scientific knowledge, but still leaving the youth under the care of their heathen parents; and the other is, that of removing them entirely from all the influence of idolatry, and making them acquainted with the Christian religion and general knowledge in a Christian family.—In each of these plans a knowledge of the English language is an essential part of a boy's education. It is to the last of the classes mentioned that the Native Christian Boarding School at Chitpore belongs. This institution consists of 30 boys and 16 girls, all the children of Native Christians, and on the 5th Nov. a respectable number of persons from Calcutta were assembled to witness their examination. After singing and prayer, the 4th English class read parts of the First Instructor. The girls, who have not been taught English, then read in the Bengalee New Testa ment; and considering they had not appeared in public before, acquitted themselves honourably. It must have been a great exertion to them to read aloud and fluently, as they did in the presence of about 200 persons. When the girls had been examined as to what they had read, another class read in English the First Reader, which diversified the scene; then a class in Bengalee was examined, and it was pleasing to observe from their reading and writing, that while they had been engaged in learning the English they had not neglected their own language-a fault by no means uncommon at the present day. Proceeding again to English, a Catechism of the Christian religion in rhyme was repeated by the 3rd class, without a single mistake: which excited both surprise and pleasure. But the best was reserved to the last, in the examination of the first class in geography, the use of the globes, history, and religion those who had witnessed the examination the year before were not prepared for such a display, and much less could strangers be so. The answers of the boys in this class were remarkably correct, and that too when questions were proposed which they could not have anticipated.—They all, both boys and girls, certainly did great credit to their teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis. Of the 30 boys in the institution, about 10 from nominal have become real Christians, and it is hoped that their juniors, as they rise up, will follow their example. There appeared too in one at least indications of his proving something more than an eminent Christian-an able defender of the religion he professes. The examination closed with singing and prayer; after which one of the Christian boys repeated the following hymn, which had been composed for the occasion by the Rev. W. H. Pearce; and so feelingly did he pronounce it, that it drew tears from the eyes of several who were present. ADDRESS OF THANKS. O Lord! thy goodness we adore, For habitation, food, and clothes, For health and life preserved, though near O Lord, for all our praise accept, Grateful we long to be. These blessings of a temporal kind Which claim our noblest songs. Dumb idols were our fathers' gods, Though born idolaters, we too Each is a happy Christian girl, We know the way of life,-are taught While thus to GOD, the source of good, We next to you, respected friends, To you who by your presence here To all on Britain's favour'd shores, To all, we owe a debt of love All we can give,-a grateful heart,- May God in mercy crown your days And in that great and glorious throng 3.-BENGAL AUXILIARY MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Fifteenth Anniversary of this Society was held in the Union Chapel, on Wednesday the 6th November last. The chair was taken by the Rev. Mr. Yates, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Winslow and Reid, American Missionaries, Rev. Messrs. G. Pearce, Lacroix, J. Hill, and Gogerly, and Messrs. Woollaston and Ferris. From the Report it appeared, that owing to sickness and death, the number of the Society's Missionaries in Bengal and Hindoostan had been reduced from twelve to seven, consequently the efforts made by the Society had been principally directed towards carrying on the work which was previously begun, rather than to extending its operations. The principal places connected with this Society where the Missionaries labour are situated as follows: 1. Calcutta. Here there is a native church, containing thirty adult communicants; two Boys' Schools, (one English and one Bengalee,) 120 scholars; and five Girls' Schools, 152 scholars; and three Native Chapels, in which service is performed five times a week for the benefit of the heathen. Missionary-Mr. Gogerly. 2. Kristnapore, E. from Calcutta, distant eight miles, is a station where is a Bungalow Chapel, a Native Church, &c. and a Boy's school. This is a branch of the Calcutta station. 3. Kidderpore, including Rammakal Choke, S. from Calcutta 12 miles, and Gungree, S. 18 miles. Missionary-Mr. Lacroix. In connection with these places are nearly 30 villages, in which the Native Christians reside. Formerly two distinct Churches were organized, but since the departure from India of Mr. Ray, they have been united. There are 70 communicants, and nearly the same number of inquirers. There are two Bengalee Schools, and a Christian Boarding School, which has been lately established, and is under the care of Mr. Campbell. 4. Chinsurah. Missionary-Mr. Mundy. At this station is an English Chapel, in which Divine Service is regularly performed. In 2 Bengalee Boys' Schools are 150 scholars, and in a Native Girls' School are 20. A Portuguese Girls' School is also superintended by Mrs. Mundy. Preaching to the natives in two Chapels and in the open air has been carried on as frequently as the health of the Missionary would permit. 5. Berhampore. Missionaries-Messrs. M. Hill and J. Paterson. In the English Chapel service is performed every Sabbath, and in the Native Chapels every evening. Mr. Hill itinerates in the villages about three months in the year. At this station is an Orphan Asylum, in which the children are taught various trades. There is a Native Church also, in which are — members. 6. Benares. Missionary-Mr. Buyers. The prospects at this station are rather encouraging. The Chapel is crowded with attentive hearers three times in the week. In several schools, Oordoo and Hindee, the lads are instructed in the Doctrines and Evidences of Christianity. We are happy to state that another Missionary, a Mr. Schürman, has arrived in Calcutta, and intends shortly to proceed to Benares to join Mr. Buyers. 4. REV. JAMES HILL. We regret to learn that the Rev. J. Hill, who for several years has been the Pastor of Union Chapel, is compelled from ill health to return to England. The Rev. Robert Cotton Mather, who has just arrived, will for the present undertake the duties connected with the Chapel. Mr. Hill will embark with his family on board the ship Duke of Lancaster in a few days, and we have no doubt but that he will be accompanied by the sincere prayers and best wishes of many who have been benefitted by his valuable ministry. 5.-AMERICAN MISSION, BURMAH. We are happy to find, that Mr. and Mrs. Wade, with the two native converts and the children of Mr. Bennett, who accompanied them, are safely arrived in the United States. The health of Mr. W. is materially im proved, and he fully hopes to be able in due time to return to his work in the East. Several Missionaries are already engaged to proceed to Burmah; but instead of leaving America immediately, it is proposed that they shall reside with Mr. Wade in the State of New-York for 12 months, and with his assistance and that of the Burman and Karen teachers who accompanied him, secure a tolerable knowledge of one of these languages ere they em bark. The plan appears feasible and important, and we trust will on trial be found to answer. 6.-SOUTH AFRICA. The following extract exhibits so pleasing a specimen of that unanimity and friendly co-operation which ought to exist among Christians of all denominations, that we are persuaded it will interest and gratify our eraders. Baptist Missionary Meeting, Graham's Town. On Monday, a meeting, numerously attended, was held at Union Chapel, Graham's Town, for the purpose of forming an auxiliary branch to the Baptist Missionary Society. The Chair was taken by the Rev. J. Heaviside, the acting Chaplain of Graham's Town. The Report, which was read by the Secretary, gave a lucid but succinct account of the rise and progress of the Baptist Mission, particularly in the East and West Indies. Several addresses were made to the meeting in the course of the evening, by those who had actually visited the scenes of the most interesting Missionary labours in both hemispheres; and we regret that a press of matter will not permit us to do justice to statements, which were listened to with much interest. The unanimity evinced at this meeting, as prevailing among different religious bodies, must be received as one of its most pleasing and encouraging features; and furnished to most of the speakers a fertile subject of congratulation. It was certainly satisfactory to find united in the promotion of one great object, Episcopalians, Independants, Baptists and Wesleyans, all waving the little differences of opinion, and meeting on the same platform as Brethren engaged in the same interesting and important work. Towards the close of the meeting, the Treasurer announced that the subscriptions and collections to this Auxiliary Society amounted to the sum of one hundred and thirty-five pounds.—Graham's Town Journal. |