Four miles from Shingeva, we left our carriages, and ascended a rocky hill rising abruptly from the plain, on the top of which was a small idol temple. There we had a wide prospect. What a magnificent plain is this of the Godavery! From the long range of hills bounding it on the south, and separating it from the higher plain of Ahmednuggur, to the hills of Ellora on the north-east, hid from the eye by a swell of land, the distance is some sixty miles; and every where we saw clumps of trees indicating the sites of villages. There being no one at the temple, we kneeled down on the grass under its shadow, and united with Mr. Thompson in a prayer-the first true prayer, perhaps, ever offered there-that the everlasting gospel might soon have free course among the inhabitants of this great valley. Next day we came to Kokar, the centre of the cluster of villages which we had specially in view. Here we were introduced to Yesuba, one of our most effective catechists. He and his mahar friends, to the number of some five-and-twenty adults, besides children, were assembled to welcome their brethren from a distant land, and to receive instruction. They greeted us cordially. Idolatry has been renounced by the mahars of this place; and here, forty miles from the seat of our mission, we found ourselves in a Christian assembly. We wanted only the power (which Mr. Ballantine possesses so eminently) of speaking to the people in their own tongue, to have our cup of blessedness running over, as we presented to them our Christian salutations, and those of our dear associates far away. Towards night we went on to Wadála, a village often mentioned in our publications, where we found our tents pitched by the side of a small stream, under the shade of a large banyan tree. Here we were to spend the Sabbath; and here we have a chapel, erected several years ago on ground given by Mukinda, a converted mahar. There are rooms for a small family under the same roof. These were occupied for some time by Harripunt-the well-known converted brahman, now about being ordained pastor of the first church in Ahmednuggur-when he resided here as a catechist. His place is partially supplied by Kanduba, once a gooroo or pagan teacher, now a zealous Christian. Mr. Ballantine held two services in the chapel. Never shall we lose the delightful impression which these made upon us, as illustrations of village preaching on the plains and in the valleys of India, when the Holy Spirit is present. More than fifty natives were collected, besides children. Forty-two were from Wadála and eight villages in the vicinity. Of these, eighteen were church members; and most of the twenty-four others were inquirers. Twelve church members belonging to these villages were necessarily away. In the morning the attention was good, though the poor laboring men were not fully aroused; but in the afternoon, while the preacher was expatiating with great animation and fervor on the consequences of a general out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in this land, every eye was fixed; and never in our own country did we see an audience more absorbed. There was great solemnity. When Mr. Ballantine had closed, Mr. Thompson followed with an admirable illustration of faith in Christ, which created much sensation. The old Mukinda, who had given the land for the chapel, could not help responding audibly. I had myself spoken at the close of the forenoon service, and did not intend to speak again; but, though the benediction had been pronounced, not one person moved; and Mr. Ballantine said I must say something more. I could only assure them, which I felt authorized to do in the most positive manner, that whosoever of them believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, should certainly be saved. Then I sat down. But the people were in a learning mood; and all sat still, as if desiring more. We hardly knew what to do; but Mr. Ballantine decided, and rightly I think, that we had better all go, and thus send the people to their homes. We took our hats and went, with that delightful fullness of feeling which the people of God are conscious of, when the blessed Spirit has been present to refresh their souls; and soon we saw the people following. A few of the hearers belong to the cultivator caste; but the greater part were mahars. Surely there is hope that the Lord has many chosen ones among these poor people. It is proposed to organize the Christians of these contiguous villages very soon into a church, and to provide a native pastor for them at the earliest possible day; and that Mr. and Mrs. Barker take up their abode at Kokar during the dry season, (three-fourths of the year,) having an inexpensive, temporary bungalow erected for their use. From that eligible centre, he will be able to superintend operations in all this quarter, and as far down as Newasse, and even Toka, which latter place is at the junction of the Pera and Godavery rivers, about twenty miles from Kokar. Ere long Newasse, where we own a native house, may become a second centre. We spent Monday night in this house at Newasse, and next morning took a survey of the town. Temples and brahminical influence are prominent here; and not much impression has yet been made. You will recollect the severe struggle by which Mr. Wilder succeeded in obtaining this house for the use of Ramkrishnapunt, another brahman of high promise, now about to be ordained pastor of a second church in Ahmednuggur. A school is taught in the house; but there is no catechist at present. At Pimpalgaum, twelve miles from this place, on our return towards Ahmednuggur by another route, we made the acquaintance of a second Yesuba and his Christian family. I have not room for his history. He has long been a man of some property, though he suffered great losses in consequence of renouncing idolatry. He continues his business, and interested us greatly by his apparently hearty devotion to the cause and kingdom of our divine Lord. With such men as the two Yesubas, (and there are others like them,) we need not despair of mahar village churches in the Godavery valley. We were about to leave this immense valley, possessing exhaustless fertility, now yielding large products, and destined to yield vastly more, when well-made roads shall develope industry by giving facilities to the market. And when, on the morning of the 29th, we had ascended to the plain of Ahmednuggur, we climbed a high hill with our two brethren to survey the goodly land we were to see no more, but in whose religious prosperity we were now very deeply interested. The hills of Ellora, already mentioned as the north-eastern boundary, where are the famed cave-temples which we had not time to visit, were distinctly seen. It was a grand panorama. Richer soil there is not in our own Western Valley. There were villages every where. And this field, as far as we could see westward, northward, eastward, and southward, (including the regions of Ahmednuggur,) unoccupied at present by other societies, is all our own to cultivate for our Lord Jesus Christ. Before leaving this height, which we called our Pisgah, we kneeled down upon the summit, and besought the Lord to send forth laborers into his harvest. I am glad we took this tour into the valley of the Godavery. It is worth a visit to India. Henceforth we go strongly for preaching the gospel in the villages of Western India, and of this part in particular. We go for making full proclamation of the gospel to the mahars in every village,-not however neglecting shudras and brahmans. We go for gathering churches as fast as may be in every cluster of villages, and organizing them with the best native pastors that can be obtained. We go for the least possible amount of concentration in our India missions, and for aiming to keep and train our converts and their children in their own villages. There will be little of show and much hard work in such missions; but they will be interesting to those who long for the salvation of poor sinners; and the Lord of the harvest will crown them with his blessing. I remain, dear brethren, as ever, with great affection, most truly yours, R. ANDERSON. INTELLIGENCE FROM THE MISSIONS. Canton. ANNUAL REPORT. Loss by Death. modations. Instruction has been given to Bible classes, as heretofore. THE brethren of this mission, in reviewing the events of the year, make their first reference to the death of Mrs. Vrooman, who closed her labors on the 17th of June. “She had been with us," they say, "two years and three months. Her course was marked by a cheerful and affectionate disposition, with unwavering love to the Savior and his cause. Whilst we mourn her loss, and wonder why God should take away one who had but just commenced her sacred mission, we are comforted by the belief that she is now enjoying the presence of the Lord of the harvest, and has received his approval, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' We know that she hath done what she could.' She does not now regret having left her father's house and native land, to aid, as she was able, in publishing a Savior's love to the benighted Chi nese." Labors of the Mission. Signs of the Times. "The The report of the mission speaks of certain influences adverse to their operations. "The wide-spread vice of opium smoking," these brethren say, "has as many votaries as ever, and probably more, if we may judge by the quantity of opium sold. With their physical energies benumbed, their minds stupefied, their perception of moral truths blinded or almost deadened, they are nearly hopeless subjects for Christian instruction." The rebellion is also alluded to. collision with the Government, warlike preparations, want of commercial confidence, and harassing fears and tumults, have so distracted the minds of the people as to unfit them for close attention to Christian instruction. Great distress has been occasioned to thousands of families by these disorders. Many wealthy families have been reduced to poverty; and the poor are turned out to beggary and pinching hunger. But God will doubtless bring good out of this apparent evil." The following statement is important: "The insurrection which has been in progress four years, has grown out of the desire and deter Among the labors of the brethren at Canton, the preaching of the Word holds the first place.mination of multitudes to establish a more just Messrs. Williams and Bonney have done most that has been attempted in this line. The former has unfolded the scheme of salvation at two places, Dr. Parker's hospital, and a room near the Factories. The latter has conducted a service at Mr. Vrooman's lecture room, two miles east of the Factories, the number in attendance having varied from thirty to three hundred. "All are supplied with books or tracts to carry to their places of abode, which will enable them to learn more correctly the way of pardon and peace." and liberal civil government. Should the insurgents succeed, it is possible that there may be more conformity to the usages and privileges of civilized western nations." There are some hopeful sigus, the missionaries think, in more immediate connection with their work. "One," they say, " is an eager desire for Christian books and tracts. Very few are refused, when offered as a gift. There is an increasing desire, in the city and the country, to peruse our publications; which surely furnish Dr. Ball's school was suspended some time better food for these starving minds than the since, because of his illness. Mrs. Brewster has trash of native works. The foreign teachers, a few Chinese girls in her charge, who have made moreover, are now rarely subject to insult beWhere their commendable progress in reading their own lan- cause of their foreign, origin. guage, and in committing portions of the New good deeds are known, they are respected and Testament to memory. She might increase the esteemed." And in all the commotions and number of her pupils, if she had suitable accom-changes in China, they trust, "God is working for the establishment of his kingdom and the overthrow of Satan's." It is for this reason that they call for additional helpers. When the harvest shall have come, they would be ready to thrust in the sickle and reap. The members had the power and the will to destroy every native, who should forsake the religion of his fathers and cleave to his Savior. At that time, moreover, it was dangerous for any person to teach "outside barbarians" the language of the "cen LETTER FROM MR. WILLIAMS, OCTOBER tral flowery people ;" and my own teach 25, 1854. MR. WILLIAMS commenced his missionary life at Canton, on the 25th of October, 1833 At the date of this letter, therefore, he had been personally acquainted with the course of events in China for twenty-one years. This circumstance has led him to devote the present communication to a review of the changes which have taken place, and which bear more particularly upon the spread of the gospel in that vast empire. It will be seen that many things have "fallen out" "unto the furtherance of the gospel." And so it will be hereafter. Past Hinderances to Missions. er, to whom a large price was paid for his services, whenever he came to my room, brought a pair of foreign shoes in his sleeves to exhibit, if he should there be met by any of his countrymen who might complain of his treasonable conduct. It was rather discouraging too, in commencing the study of the Chinese language, to sit down with such a man, utterly ignorant of any tongue but his own, and have no aid except Morrison's quarto Dictionary in another dialect, and an imperfect Anglo-Chinese Vocabulary; for these comprised all there was. And then if one attempted to use his acquisitions, his dialogist would express much surprise, and wish to know the name of the man who had taught him; or he would ridicule his rude pronunciation, and try to exhibit his own better knowledge of English in every reply. Even John Morrison, to whom the Canton dia shopmen in broken English, partly to avoid undue notoriety. The Chinese were taught by their rulers to despise foreigners; and they did as they were told, and that heartily. It was unusual also for persons then to go about the suburbs; though a few there were who sought out the people in their homes and narrow streets. State of the Enterprise. In 1833, the East India Company were in full power; as was its collaborator in resisting every movement for diffusing the knowledge of Christian truth among the Chinese, when it interfered with its own prospects of gain, the cohong of select was very familiar, usually spoke to curity merchants. As we look back upon the conduct of the Company, in setting themselves against the efforts of their countrymen to make known the truths of the Bible in their possessions in India, it cannot be doubted that they would have hindered every British subject in doing anything of the kind among the Chinese, as soon as the cohong had requested them to do so. Both these monopolies are now removed, however, and the powerful obstacle which they would have proved, had either been maintained, is taken out of the way. The character of the members of the East India Company in China, and the unanimity which was to be expected from them in relation to opposing every missionary effort, may be inferred from the remark made by Dr. Morrison, "that during the twenty-seven years of his intercourse with them, there had not been a single individual in the factory, whose life and profession were such that he thought they gave evidence of a saving change of heart, and with whom he could take Christian counsel." Of the firm determination of the cohong to oppose all change in their own vested privileges, and every movement intended to make western learning known to their countrymen, it is needless to enlarge. The subjoined statements as to the progress which the missionary work had then made, are significant and instructive. In 1833, there were three missionaries living in China and a seamen's chaplain. These were Dr. Morrison, Mr. Gützlaff, Mr. Bridgman, and Rev. Edwin Stevens. There were no schools, no printing presses, and no hospitals, that were doing anything effective. The Bible, indeed, was translated; but it could not be printed in the country, nor easily introduced when it was printed. It was not altogether safe for a Chinese to be seen reading a tract which spoke of Jesus, much less for him to undertake to distribute them; and it was even dangerous for him to engage to print them. the time I speak of, some attention had At Progress of Missions. been drawn to the distribution of tracts Removal of Obstacles. In speaking of the changes which have been effected in the providence of God, Mr. Williams proceeds as follows: During these twelve years the church of God has done more for the diffusion of truth and religion among the Chinese, than it had done before since the Reformation. And what do we now see? The messengers of Christ, increased from three to ninety, are uniting their energies, their wisdom, and their patience, in making known the mysteries of the cross. Formerly no one was Twenty-one years ago, the prospect to allowed to reside in China with his the eye of man was gloomy enough, that family; but this is changed, the exhibiChina would be rendered accessible to tion of the courtesies of civilized society the efforts of Christians. It had been forming a surety of the peaceful intenclosed for about one hundred and fifty tions of those who have given hostages years; and it was likely to remain so. in their wives and children to the people But the ways of God's dealings began they have come to dwell among. At at length to open; and he entered into Hongkong and the open cities, every judgment with this people, that he might thing now existing in the shape of show them his mercy. The termination schools, printing establishments, hospiof the trading privileges of the Company tals, churches, and other appliances of was the first object removed. The co- missionary effort, has been created; and hong remained, indeed, till the signing their present successful operation is only of the treaty of Nanking in 1842; but the first-fruits of what they can effect. during the eight years which followed All the missions existing among the the cessation of its elder brother's rule, Chinese out of their own land, have been it suffered so many losses by the disas-removed hither, except the Baptist mistrous attempt of Lord Napier to open a sion at Bangkok; and the number of direct communication with the authori-societies and agents now in operation has ties, and by the demands made on it for been multiplied many fold. Instead of funds towards carrying on the war with the half dozen whom Dr. Morrison assemEngland, that probably none of its mem-bled in his study that he might discourse bers were sorry when the corporation to them of the things of the kingdom of was dissolved. heaven, there are now daily religious By the treaty of Nanking, the barriers services at Hongkong and all the open which had so long been effectual in cities, and a score or more in all upon resisting the introduction of whatever the Sabbath, where thousands hear somecould make the people of China happy thing of Jesus Christ. The aids in learnfor this life, and fit them for the next, ing the language have been enlarged, were partially thrown down. Twelve until something is possessed in every years have shown that the apprehensions dialect to guide and assist the learner; which were felt by many, that the cessa- and the books for teaching geographical, tion of the cohong would soon destroy astronomical, physiological, and historiall security in carrying on commerce, cal truth, as well as religious, have inall confidence in the quality of merchan-creased many fold. Churches have been dise, and all expectation that contracts erected where nothing but heathenish would be fulfilled, were unfounded; as temples once attracted worshipers. Conalso those graver fears for the security verts are not so numerous as we wish; of life that were expressed by others. but the signs of interest daily increase. Before the treaty was signed, the coun- In the region around Amoy these are so try was really shut out from those influ- striking, indeed, that we now look for ences which were best calculated to fit great triumphs of redeeming love. A its rulers for governing, and its inhabi-million of Testaments are in progress of tants for being governed, as well as printing and circulation; and other parts qualify all to sustain their relations with of the Scriptures will likewise be multitheir fellowmen in other lands to the ad- plied. Finally, the whole mass of Chivantage of themselves and their country. Inese mind is stirred up by a body of |