watchmen posted round about; every one in turn must perform this duty, nobody dare at any time transgress it. On the day that my turn came to be on the watch all the Sanyasis went to see Jwalamukhi; and their number was very great indeed. But I for the above mentioned reason could not go, only from a distance I saw the place. On the following day we broke up our camp and marched, therefore I was prevented from going there. I will however now make known to every body what my companions have told me about the place. There is a sacrificial pit built of stone at Jwalamukhi in which a fire is kept continually burning. Brahmins and Sanyasis are attached to the place. They receive the sacrifices from the pilgrims. They say: If any one takes an offering in his hand and approaches the fiery pit, flames will come out and envelope his body, but none of his members will be burnt by it, only the offering in his hand will be burnt to ashes, and immediately all his sins will be destroyed. But this is not true. I will tell the reader what I have heard. My companions took offerings with them and sat all down close to the pit. There were altogether nearly 300 men, but no one's body was touched by the fire. So they all came back to the camp. The priests of the shrine, had for their own gain's sake told my companions: Know that your sin is very great, therefore the goddess is not merciful to you. If you make an offering of 100 maunds of ghee, then all your sins will be washed away. The Sanyasis ironically said: We will give it. But where shall we get ghee in this wilderness? The priests answered: give us the price of the ghee, we shall offer it every day for you. We promise you to keep our word; but Sanyasis are from nature cruel and merciless. The coveteousness of the priests excited their wrath; moreover they had uselessly expended some money for the offerings they had brought; and Sanyasis have a high opinion of their own righteousness; they are very proud, always half intoxicated from eating ganja and the priest had called them sinners. So they all full of anger, called out Niranjan, Niranjan (a name of the supreme and invisi ble God, whose worshippers the Sanyasis pretend to be), got up with their sticks and heaped a good quantity of sacrificial wood on the priests back, kindled it with the fire of their wrath. Their fists were instead of mantras and the priests tears were instead of ghee. In this way they performed their sacrifice, and returned to their camp. The following day we marched on to Badarikásram.

Hingula.

Listen now to the description of Hingula. Sanyasis consider that place as the most holy shrine. They all say, that Mokhyo debi (goddess of salvation) resides there; worldly pilgrims (5) never visit it, because travelling there is connected with many difficulties. Those who have gone there, have experienced them. For almost 300 cros no human dwellings are met with. The country passed through is a sandy desert. In some parts there are forests. Not a single article of food can be got there. Even drinking water is no where to be had. There are also innumerable wild beasts. Their roar frightens the heart of the pilgrims. Here and there, there is a sort of people called Bheels. What shall I say of them! they are very cruel; they kill some and rob others. For all these reasons worldly men do not go there: only Sanyasis are pilgrims to that place. When 700 or 800 men have assembled together, then only the journey can be undertaken. Among this number money is collected and provisions are bought, camels are borrowed, and the provisions, consisting of flour, kolaï, drinking water, and salt, are loaded on their backs. Every pilgrim eats once a day after the sun is down. In the day time wild herbs and jungle fruits are eaten. They are all armed with guns and swords to repulse the attacks of the robbers in the jungles.

Among the pilgrims, one man is chosen to be chief. This man judges and decides all cases and disputes which may arise. This man is called Mohonto. He sits on a throne (s); an umbrella is held over his head and he is fanned. Nevertheless his body is smeared over with ashes, and the kopin is his only covering. He eats intoxicating ganja day and night. His eye is dim, and up flies the ganja smoke. As the king, so the subjects, all are covered with ashes. So far the description of the pilgrims.

Now listen, I will speak of the guide. A man from that country called Agooah comes to take the pilgrims. When he sees the great host, he is overjoyed. From every man he takes three and a half rupees. He goes before them; trumpets are blown, drums beaten, a golden or a silver stick is in his hand. Hear the account of this stick. He says, For the protection of the pilgrims, the goddess of Hingula dwells in this stick. If this be true, then why are many devoured by wild beasts on the way? When the Agooah lifts up his stick every body sets out. Where he poises it, there every body stops. If any one goes before the stick, or does not rise immediately when it is lifted up, he must pay a fine of one and half rupees. In that way, the pilgrims travel day and night. No body cares for his neighbour. If any one cannot walk farther or gets sick, they let him lie where he is. In this way many die for want of water, or they are eaten up by the wild beasts, or the Bheels kill them. This is the reward they get for their pilgrimage. When I travelled through the desert we were altogether 930 Sanyasis. We travelled by day and by night; only a few hours of rest intervened. Our numbers decreased every day. The cause of it I have told before. When we had gone half way we came to a river called Kharia. There was very little water in it, therefore we all forded it. We were all exceedingly fatigued, and our strength was gone. At that place (Kharia) there was a Shiblinga called Chondrokup; there we stopped for two days, and all the pilgrims were tried before Shib. All of them were found holy, except twelve men. Those had their hands and feet tied and they were fastened to trees in the forest. After this the Sanyasis arose and departed. Those holy men make pilgrimages and deliver human beings to the wild beasts; judge yourselves if murderers can be called holy men. In 21 days we reached the place where the temple of the goddess was built. But all the brahmans and Sanyasis, who are guardians of the temple, are mere exactors of money. They took three rupees from each pilgrim.

3-STATE OF RELIGION IN FRANCE.

Our last files of English and American papers have put us in possession of several interesting letters, journals, and other matters connected with Missions in different parts of the world. We have made such selections as we think cannot fail to excite a prayerful interest in the great and good work, in every part of the world. If our friends will favor us with such intelligence as they may deem proper to afford we shall feel obliged. We tender our best thanks to our kind correspondent who, in accordance with this arrangement, has forwarded an interesting extract of a letter dated Paris, 5th March, in reference to the state of religiou in France.

(Extract from a letter dated Paris, 5th March, 1840.)

We have been passing a very tranquil winter in the heart of this great Babylon, and you will be surprised to hear, blest with more religious privileges than in any place I ever either visited or lived in. Protes tantism has gained ground amazingly in France since the last Revolution -not that Government encourages, but is merely passive in the matter,

-and the consequence is, numbers of churches have arisen, and schools built and are building in every direction attached to them. These are all taught on the Lancasterian plan-the Bible their only book; and so far is this from being an objection on the part of the parents,—many of these last, struck by the great change operated on their children by means of the instructions received at school, have united and formed themselves, (after work hours,) into a class, where in the evening they receive the same instruction their children had in the earlier part of the day. Belonging to Taitbout Chapel (which we attend) there is an adult class of 80 men and 40 women!! All this naturally tends to good; their minds being awakened, they desire more information, and thus begin voluntary attendance at the Chapel. At first, through shame, they take a distant place, but Sabbath after Sabbath they draw nearer to the preacher, till they summon courage to speak to him and proclaim their wants, which is speedily followed by conviction of their state by nature, and their need of Salvatiou through Him in whom alone it is to be found. It is exceedingly interesting visiting these schools, and particularly so the converted Catholics, whose changed lives and steadiness of conduct and of principle, prove the effect of grace upon the heart;-several of these young protestants might shame the hoary heads of many in our own land, by their knowledge of Scripture, and their active, steady walk in the doctrines it proclaims. Amongst my new friends here, are a converted pair, Monsr. and Madam de Tharon-their history is quite a romance, but I have not room to give any idea of it here,-suffice it to say, there are none here I more esteem, or feel so much interested in, as I do them. At the Taitbont we have in the afternoons an English clergyman, Sir Royd Birch, —they have a meeting at their own house every Wednesday evening, and there are many others of a similar kind at the houses of Pasteurs and pious lay folks; but to me the most interesting of all, is one every Tuesday forenoon at the house of Mlle. Chabond, where about 20 (all ladies) attend. She begins with prayer; one reads a chapter, and she then makes observations from it, and contrives to draw out the opinions of any one willing to speak: much practical experience is thus elucidated, and appropriate anecdotes introduced, all in some way in reference to, or bearing on the portion of scripture read, and the whole concluded by prayer peculiarly applicable to the verses read, and the local circumstances of the season and hour. I never heard any one either pray or expound in a style so simple, so stickingly clear and comprehensive, and yet so short. I often wish I could rivet every syllable of her prayers in my memory-they are so applicable to the case of all and so truly spiritual. Every Sunday, after the morning service, this dear woman catechises the young girls who attend the Chapel, while at the same time a worthy lay Gentleman instructs, in the same way, the boys. These little lectures are most edifying, and it is sweet to see a number of the lower class of women, known by their modest looking white caps,-lingering and listening with the deepest attention to Madame Chabond's useful questions and interesting remarks:-but my paper is done and I must close.

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4-MISSIONS IN BURMAH.

The following extract from an interesting letter addressed to a friend in America by one of the wives of the brethren in Burmah will need no apology from us for its introduction into the Observer. We only wish our respected friends would forward these i teresting statements to us equally with their friends in America. We shall always feel a pleasure in transmitting them in a printed form to the friends of our correspondents either in Europe or America. This applies to the Journal of Mr.

Bronson respecting the Nagas, and to many other excerpts which we occasionally make from our foreign contemporaries.-Ed.]

"Yesterday was our first communion Sabbath in this land of heathenism. This day, without the mission compound, is little like holy time; as much business, as much sin during its hours, as are witnessed on every other day. But within our quiet boundaries, there is the same hallowed stillness, the same Sabbath atmosphere, which we have loved at home; and besides, we have the sound of the church-going bell.

The native chapel is opposite the printing-office, which is just at the left of our house. Having ascended a high flight of steps, and passed across a wide verandah, we enter. At the head of the aisle, a plain table, with an arm-chair at its side, upon a platform raised eight or ten inches, forms the pulpit and its furniture. Your eye rests on the venerable man occupying this station. Mr Judson does indeed delight us every where, but especially here. His dress is very becoming, a plain black gown. This, and his spectacles thrown back, add much to his look of dignity. With a pleasant voice he reads the hymns and portions of scripture to the natives seated before him. About half of these are on neat mats, the others on settees, like those on his right and left for the mission families, the males on one side, and the females on the other. After singing which sounds most sweet to those who love to think of their change from the worship of senseless idols, to the praise of the living and true God, Mr. Judson kneels for prayer.-According to the custom of the country, he remains seated while preaching. His manner is exceedingly animated, almost too much so for his position. Morning service closes much as at home. At three in the afternoon, the brethren and sisters have a prayer meeting at Mr. Osgood's and usually native worship in the evening. Soon after dinner, about five o'clock, we repaired to the baptistry, which is within the compound. There we enjoyed the comfort of witnessing this holy ordinance administered to three-Mr. E. and a Taling and his wife. At dark, we again repaired to the chapel, to celebrate the dying love of our Redeemer. I would, but I cannot, describe my feelings on this occca. sion, so deeply affecting to me; one, to which I had so long looked for. ward with great interest. I must only give you the circumstances. The communion service sent by our church, and the cloth and napkins, were used for the first time. We have but half of them here, that being an ample supply; the other flagon, cups, and plates, have been given to the English church, of which Mr. Stevens is pastor; so that wherever we attend church, we shall find this to remind us of home. The Supper having been instituted in the evening, we were rather more in primitive manner than is usual, in that respect. The candidates were not received by giving them the right hand of fellowship, as with us, that not being with the Burmans a special sign of affection. Mr. Judson addressed the na tives, while breaking the bread, and then distributed it himself to the side on which the females were seated. Mr. Osgood, who addressed us in English, before the cup was divided among our-elves, then exchanged with Mr. Judson, in bringing the wine to us, as he had before taken the bread to the brethren. Our closing hymn was not indeed one, in singing which I have loved to join with our own dear church; but I felt that I must unite in the hymn on this occasion, and therefore ascertained, some days before, the one which Mr. J. would read, and Mr. and Mrs. Stilson, with Mr. S. and myself, learned it by rote, understanding only the general sentiment: even this was pleasant to us.

Ko Chet'thing is a noble man. There is no native, probably, so much admired by the English, and who receives so much of their confidence. They would gladly place him at the head of the Karens of this region, would he accept the appointment; yet he is as humble as a little child,

and most devoted to his work. The wife of Ko Chet'thing is also one of the most spiritual, as well as active, among the native Christians. She seems to possess a peculiar spirit of prayer, and is remarkably blest in receiving answers. There are several other interesting characters among the assistants; one a China-man. He left fine worldly prospects, to become a preacher. Mr. Haswell relates an interesting anecdote of one, who accompanied him from Amherst to Maulmain. They came by land, spending ten days at the little villages scattered between the two places. At one village the assistant was asked, "What does your God wear?" He answered, "His garment is righteousness, His girdle is truth, and His crown is glory." He afterwards repeated it to Mr. Haswell, saying, he thought there was something like it in the Psalms. He did not know what to say, but that came to his mind, and he wished to know if it was proper. One is shocked at such questions, but they are very fre quent among these poor, ignorant people. Sometimes it will be thought that their attention has been gained and an impression made, when the preacher will be interrupted with something like this: "How much money will you give me to enter this religion?" This is indeed discouraging. Midnight darkness seems brooding over this land, but now and then a star of promise shines, to gladden the heart. One of the assistants at Rangoon, while seated in the zayat, received a club thrown by a persecuting passer-by. With most admirable Christian dignity, he arose, and addressed to him this beautiful expression, May you receive the most excellent blessing." Does not the change from a persecuting heathen to a lamb-like follower of the meek and lowly and richly benevolent Saviour, seem most delightful? Is not such a result worth toiling for?

23. This is a peculiarly interesting day in the history of this mission, as that on which the first Toungthoo convert was received by this church as a candidate for baptism. The Toungthoos are a race of people somewhat resembling the Karens in their roving habits, but in other respects differing much from them; perhaps rather superior as a people. Mr. J. has been long desiring to make a beginning among them, and some time since, Ko Shway Ba induced one, who had come down from the vicinity of Ava for the purpose of trading, to lay aside his business, and examine this new religion. Soon he became interested, and now there is unusually satisfactory evidence of his conversion. He has a mild, lovely expression of countenance, which well corresponds with his humble teachable disposition. He is constantly desiring to learn something from every Christian with whom he meets, and very often visits the different missi onaries and native Christians, and requests them to pray with him. He will probably study here during the rains, as like the Karens, the Toungthoos are not a reading people, and he is obliged to commence with them the them-bongyee, (the spelling-book.) Then, he thinks of returning that he may tell his old father and countrymen of Jesus Christ, and of salvation through his merits. Mr. Judson rejoices much over him, and his hopes seem greatly elevated that this is the commencement of a great work among these people. Pray with us that it may be so-that, like the Karens, they may be prepared of the Lord for the gospel, and, like them too, may rejoice to embrace it, until multitudes shall wait for baptism, as do so many poor, persecuted ones, around Rangoon.-Bap. Mag.

5.-GREECE. COMMUNICATION OF MR. PASCO.

In a communication submitted by Mr. Pasco since his return to this country, we have the following statements respecting the

Importance of Missionary labors in Greece.

Our efforts are in behalf of a people who, though not heathen, are yet