AUGUST 8, 1868.

tary, to record the proceedings of the council and undertake the duties of the office. A banker's account in the name of the Madras Native Church Council was directed to be opened; and a summary of accounts in connexion with the native church for the last eighteen months was presented. It appeared that, for the present, a grant of 300 rupees, £30 a month, would be required by the native church, in order to enable the council to undertake all pecuniary responsibility devolving on the native church. I have the gratification to state that the committee of the Church Missionary Society in London have, in the confident hope that the liberality of the native Christians of Madras would gradually relieve the society even from this expenditure, made a grant of that amount.

not discouraged. They are still willing to give influential because derived from the people their life and their energies to that work, as themselves in the conflict yet to be waged" sured that sooner or later they will see success (Chronicle of the London Missionary Society), attending their labours, and an universal estab- MADRAS.-The Native Church Council.-At lishment of the kingdom of Christ" (Rev. M. the meeting of this newly-formed body in Sanderson of the Indian mission). The London January last, the rev. D. Fenn, of the Church Missionary Society give a corroboration of Missionary Society, presided. The election of Mr. Sanderson's statement, when making a three lay representatives of the native church report of their mission at Benares: "The di- was recognized by the reading of a minute rectors of the London Missionary Society, re-adopted by the Madras corresponding comgarding their mission in Benares as one of great mittee; and three native pastors took their importance, have always had several mission- seats under appointment by the parent comaries connected with this station, and have ren-mittee. A native layman was elected secredered liberal support to their various schemes of usefulness. These schemes, for the most part, refer to the two principal methods of labour pursued by the missionaries and their native assistants; which are preaching and teaching, For prosecuting the first method they have had the help of experienced catechists; and, for imparting Christian knowledge to Hindoo youths in Benares and its neighbourhood, they have established eleven schools; all which were in operation during the past year. Nearly six hundred pupils were under instruction in all these schools; but one of them alone, the cen⚫ tral school, contained upwards of two hundred. In this institution a superior education is imparted: a missionary and an ordained native Christian-a man of ability and of thorough devotedness-are always present, directing the general arrangements of the school and teach- THE PUNJAUB AND AFFGHANISTAN.—At a mising its first classes; and fourteen native teachers sionary conference lately held at Meerut, the rev. preside over as many classes. Two of the Mr. Hughes, agent of the Church Missionary schools on the list are for the education of Society in the Punjaub, observed that from girls, Hindoo and half-caste, a work the im- this northern station there was not much to portance of which cannot be too highly esti report in the way of fruit gathered. What he mated. The difficulties in the way of Chris-had to say would rather show the difficulties of tianity, and the opposition that of necessity it has to encounter in an idolatrous city like Benares, are perhaps greater than in any other portion of India, and are of a nature not to be appreciated or understood by ministers and other Christian people in England, accustomed only to the wickedness and error of a so-called Christian land. Prejudice, national usage, priesteraft, brahminical influence and learning, a degrading and sensual idolatry, which in weaves itself into all the ramifications of native society, and a hydra-headed caste, meet the Christian advocate at every turn, and endea vour to thwart him with unwearying persistency and determination. Nevertheless, the triumphs of the gospel are nowhere in India more significant and encouraging. Hindooism, in all its phases, has been subjected to a continuous assault, maintained now for many years; and the result is that, bold and intrepid as it once was in resisting the attacks made upon it, at length it has begun to retire from the strife, and to collect together its own weakened forces, as best it may, for mutual support and strength. Christianity is not merely an acknowledged victor in the long religious struggle in Benares, but, what is of much importance, is gathering its converts into organized churches, so that they are becoming strong as a people in their internal relations, and, at the same time, are constituting a new and powerful element of aggression, all the more

missionary enterprise, and would, he trusted, enlist their sympathy and their prayers. This branch had been establisbed some ten years ago at the suggestion of that earnest Christian and true friend of India, colonel sir Herbert Edwardes, joined by others favourable to the proposal. In Peshawur and its neighbourhood there are for the missionary of peace not a little danger and romance, much more than in most parts of India. When bazaar-preaching is attempted, there is often much uproar-throwing of dust, and the din of howling voices, sufficient to drown that of the preacher. Once or twice, at least, there had been the deliberate attempt to assassinate the missionary or his pupil. The hardness of the work, and particularly the terrors of the climate, were shown in this-that during ten years twelve missionaries had died at Peshawur. In the mission-school there are 600 boys and a few girls, from whose European and Christian education good is hoped. Mr. Hughes told how a great robber from the neighbouring mountains had been converted, and now for several years had shown that Christianity, in fitting men for the heavenly, does also make them worthy members of earthly, society. It is a point of interest in this mission that the Affghans, on whose wild country Peshawur borders, are on several accounts deemed the descendants of part of the lost ten tribes of Israel. Not to speak here of their language, you can scarce look at the Affghans without

thinking of the Jewish countenance. Another point of interest is, that this mission is in correspondence with a Christian church (Armenian), which has long existed in the city of Cabul, in the very heart of that country, so long and still disturbed by intrigue and war. We may well believe that its light, though small amidst so much darkness, has not shined in vain.

to him than gold and silver, houses and lands, and therefore he could not comply with his request. As a rule, the priests of Ceylon are a very unsatisfactory ungovernable class; but he appears to be an exception. I believe him to be very candid and sincere, and likely to be of much service to the Christian church. He desired to be baptized at once, and go to the schoolmasters' class; but I told him that he had better remain in the school for a time, in order to see what his talents and abilities are. As his parents, friends, and relatives have forsaken him, I recommended the Christians to use hospitality; which is so often commended in holy scripture. One of the members of the congregation here promised to give two shillings a month towards his support; hence the poverty of one member of the Christian body becomes the developer of the graces of hospitality and Christian love" (Correspondence of the Church Missionary Society).

CEYLON. The rev. J. Alcock, writing from Kandy, states how much pleasure he and his fellow-missionaries have in their work, cheered as they are by signs of prosperity, and more particularly by the hope of having at no distant period three native pastors in the district, and the cheerfulness and liberality wherewith the native Christians subscribe to the commencement of a native pastorate. "There are also some things with reference to the itinerating to encourage us. The last time I visited Hawardewala, I had the pleasure of baptizing four adults, two of them over sixty years of age; and CHINA.-Canton.-"Rather weak, but down they appeared very sincere. The zeal of the little to breakfast at 9.30; head-ache gone and shiverband of people here is rather remarkable. Du- ing too. Protected by my good Inverness [coat], ring my last visit to this place I administered I sallied forth about noon for the day's expethe Lord's-supper, when about ten persons, who dition. It was a missionary expedition; and were once idolaters, partook of the holy commu- a call on each of the missionaries in Canton nion. They all appeared so thankful and re- (whatever missionary society he belonged to), freshed. It reminded me much of the simpli- was the order of the day. Three chairs, with city of apostolic times, when Christians are said four bearers, waited upon us. After carrying to have continued daily with one accord in us some little way beyond the boundaries of the temple, and, breaking bread from house to Shaumeen, the residence of Europeans in Canhouse, did eat their meat with gladness and ton, we made our way, partly on foot and partly singleness of heart, praising God and having in our chairs, first to Kam-lee-fow, or Canton favour with all the people. They have built a East, where the London Society's missionaries very nice little school, with a sleeping- have their hospital, preaching-hall, chapel, and room at each end, without receiving any also in their charge the depôt of the British and assistance from the society. The chief man Foreign Bible Society. Two or three little inamong them took the name of David, cidents by the way may be noted. We passed who is indeed the chief pillar of this little a crowd of men and boys, apparently in deep community. I think our good God generally, speculation, at an orange-stall. Friends were under such circumstances, raises up some re- buying and eating oranges; and the crowd markable person, for the purpose of feeding, around were gambling on the number of pips supporting, and establishing an infant church. each orange contained. A little farther on, and When they built the school, one man consented a man was chopping wood; and another crowd to make the door, another the window, a third of gamblers were betting as to the effect of each the wall, and so on. In this manner every stroke of the hatchet. The spirit of gambling member of this spiritual Israel contributed his seems, notwithstanding the efforts of the authomite to the building of the temple of the Lord. rities, to have taken too firm a hold on the God has blessed these people in an uncommon Chinese mind to be easily repressed, and it is manner. I hope they will have grace to see the manifested in the smallest everyday transacthings freely given them of the Lord, and abide tions. With gambling superstitious obser in his love. The last time I was in this village vances abound. I noticed the irregular appearanother matter caused much joy and thanks-ance of the buildings. No two houses were built giving; that is, a promising young priest of the Buddhist temple had thrown off his robes, and determined to become a servant of the Lord Jesus. He has been a priest of Buddha for the last five years, and is now about sixteen years old. You will know that there are many trials and temptations connected with such a separation from a heathen temple. He must give up all possessions, home, friends, and take up his cross and follow Christ. The old priest, his superior when in the temple, came to the school and entreated him, in the most affecting manner, not to forsake the temple, adding that if he would consent to return he would make over the temple and its lands to him. The young man replied that the truth was more precious

together, or in a straight line: it would have been unlucky so to build. At every turning, in some places at every door, the god of health, with ingots of gold in his hand, was to be seen, with incense-sticks burning before him on the family altar, in propitiation of the idol. The streets are full of idols, at the doors, or stationed over an altar erected in the shop. As of Athens, so of Canton, in all things they were too superstitious; nor could I add, 'Him whom they ignorantly worship declare I unto you,' for the Chinese cannot be said in any sense to worship the true God at all. The curiosity of the people is very great. Accustomed as the Cantonese must now be to see the English in their streets, my Inverness great-coat attracted

of state to the prince. We have been praying the good Lord to prepare for us a way of access to this people; and, just when and where we could have least expected it, the way seems to be suddenly opened before us, and that too by a specially-marked providence."-Another missionary says: "The people of Japan are all alive. Changes, radical changes, are taking place every day. They are adopting foreign customs, habits, and manners; and many are quite prepared to become nominal, and some, I doubt not, as true, genuine, whole-souled Christians as ever lived.' Thus writes bishop Williams. There is no field in the whole world which seems to him so interesting, and where the prospect is so good for reaping a bountiful harvest. One circumstance is certainly of very special interest: the Japanese are making the English language the general basis of study in their public schools. When their commissioners were in America last year, they bought thirty thousand English school-books, besides a large number of scientific and military books, charts, &c. In addition to previous consignments, Messrs. G. P. Putnam and Son, of New York, recently shipped ten tons of school-books for the Japanese, at a cost of 18,000 dollars (£3,600).

their inquisitiveness. A crowd of idle persons | tian religion. One of the latter is a high officer followed the coat; and every now and then I felt the cape stealthily lifted up, and on turning round found them examining the texture of the cloth, the character of the stitching, and the cut of the garment. In one place I stopped and showed it to them: I unbuttoned it, and showed how it was put on; and the exclamation, 'Number one,' or that it was a first-rate coat, was the result. At length we reached the residence of the missionaries of the London Society; and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, and Mr. and Mrs. Eitel, gave me a very kind and cordial welcome. The missionaries seemed in good health and full of work. Their residence is just such as is consistent with their vocation. No one could accuse them of luxury; and at the same time I was glad to see the convenience and comfort of their abodes; for, if in foreign lands our missionaries are to keep their health and do their work, a healthy comfortable home would be a necessity. At the London missionhospital many poor sick Chinese had already assembled; and the native medical officers were in full employ ministering to their necessities. Each patient, on arriving and departing, visited a large hall adjoining the dispensary, where the holy scriptures were being read by a native Christian. He was addressing his hearers, from twenty-five to fifty in number, on the leaves WESTERN AFRICA. The rev. W. Moore, of the tree,' which are for the healing of the native minister at Oshiell, an out-station of nations. By this most legitimate means, a Abeokuta, thus adverts in a recent letter to the large dissemination of gospel truth must take present aspect of affairs at that station: "I am place in the course of the year; and I was as- alone remaining here; but I trust that I am not sured that the hospital has given the missiona- alone, but our heavenly Father is with me. I ries an effectual entrance among the people, and hope he will please ere long to bring down has on some occasions been the cause of their Satan's power, to cause his servants to return deliverance from impending danger, when the to Abeokuta again, to preach Christ to the many popular feeling against Europeans might have thousands who are yet sitting in darkness and led to serious results. The chapel, where the under the shadow of death. I wrote to you, native church assembled, which, with a conve- fathers of the mission, a letter in February last, nient gallery, might hold 150 persons, and and I hope you have received the same. which the native population entirely fills occaare still much the same as when that letter left sionally, appeared suited for its purpose, especially on account of its situation; for, whilst on one side there is an entrance from the hospital, on the other the entrance was from the crowded street, up and down which the Chinese swarmed, so that, when the doors were open for preaching to the heathen, there can be no difficulty in filling the chapel with listeners in a very short space of time" (From the Journal of the Bishop of Victoria).

JAPAN. Some months since the rev. J. Goble wrote from Nagasaki to the "Missionary Recorder" (Foochow, China), “I am as busy as I can be, teaching school, editing a native paper, and doing a little at translating. I am engaged by the prince of Tosa to lay the foundation of an English college; and, in prosecution of this plan, we expect soon to go up into the country of Tosa to live. We are getting a font of Japanese type cast, and expect soon to be able to print bibles, tracts, books and papers with press and movable types. The English, Dutch, and Chinese versions of the bible are already introduced as a reading-book in our school. Some of the pupils have, of their own accord, asked to be admitted to family worship; and others ask particular instruction in the Chris

We

us. The chief and people here are still very
friendly to us. My fortnightly meeting here
with the converts of Abeokuta continues. Our
chief subject used to be that every one should
do his best endeavour, whenever he has the
chance, to show the war chief of his tribe the
necessity of sending to recal the missionaries.
And sometimes I found it necessary to comfort
them with a portion of scripture. I always tell
them that tribulation will not last for ever, but
it must ere long come to an end; and I some-
times read to them the words of Christ to his
disciples: And ye now, therefore, have sorrow
but I will see you again; and your heart shall
rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you'
(John xvi. 22). Therefore I always tell them
that, in the midst of the Christian's troubles,
they should look forward with the eye of faith
to the promised joy which shall surely come.
I always encouraged them to stand fast in the
faith. As for the persecution, it does not affect,
I am thankful to say, the faith of the true be.
lievers in Abeokuta, so as to make them think
of turning away from the faith of the gospel.
Having been already convinced, they constantly
say that an idol is nothing in the world: they
can never turn to bow down to it again. They

also constantly say, 'To whom shall we go? | the Incarnate Word. They heard the word Christ alone has eternal life to give.' 'Neither gladly; and at the close one of them took a small is there salvation in any other; for there is none book from his pocket, which proved to be the other name under heaven given among men gospel by Matthew, in Tamil, which he told me whereby we must be saved' but that of Christ. he read often and prized much. Mr. Harry will We will therefore, by the grace of God, hold in future constantly pursue this plan of repeathim fast. It always makes my heart joyful ing the sermon to them apart; and I have no whenever they say these words in my hearing. doubt that we shall yet see the Hindoos coming I always thank God and take courage.' What to listen to the gospel story in greater numbers, is now vexing and troubling their mind most is and brought to feel the power of that gospel to the inhuman conduct of their country-people bless and to save." (The kindness of a lady, who towards the missionaries; and they are eagerly wishes to remain unknown, has placed in the looking out and praying for their return.' manager's hands several valuable jewels, to be sold to purchase copies of the word of God, and enables him to include nine Chinese and 24 Hindostanee bibles and testaments in a grant of 100 other volumes, from the library to Mr. Warder) (Missionary Leaves, 1st June).