ruins. It was a season for prayer and supplication before God. There was still a heavenly Friend to go to, even though a cruel and savage enemy was near at hand. Through the great mercy of the Lord we were delivered from this danger also. The enemy, after a time, renewed their journey without approaching nearer.

"This is a specimen of the many alarms to which we have been exposed. If we could only get a few British troops to occupy the entrenchments, we should, I believe, be altogether free from alarm, and be as comparatively tranquil as the residents of Benares. It is my strong opinion that as soon as Lucknow is well relieved the Government will send troops to Mirzapore, or take some means for its better security. It is with this belief, and with this hope of relief, that I have recalled my family from Calcutta, where my dear wife was suffering much from ill health arising from the dampness of the climate. I met them all at Ranegunge, and brought them to Benares, where they are remaining in the house of my dear friend the Rev. J. F. Cobb, of the Church Mission, who brought his wife from Ranegunge on the same occasion. I trust they will be able to return to Mirzapore shortly. As a Missionary's family should be the last to leave a station where danger exists, so I think it should be amongst the first to return to it when that danger has subsided. Fighting is still going on at Jaunpore and Azimgurth; but, notwithstanding this, there can be no doubt that all this part of the country lying at some distance from Oude as far as Rewah, and including it, is becoming gradually tranquillized.

"When I look upon the past and the present, upon all the dangers we have escaped, and upon all the terrible disasters and afflictions which have visited this portion of India, I cannot but feel that the Lord has been indeed very merciful to us Missionaries, and to our Missions in Benares and Mirzapore. It has been a season for great humiliation, for much prayer, for energy of character, for courage, and for decision. Personally, I can say that I have felt it good to be afflicted, and to be in trouble and danger.

"I am now getting the press, which (for

safety) was for a long time buried, once more into order, and the Mission is gradually assuming its old character. A considerable addition has been made to the Native Christian community of Mirzapore through the presence of the police levy, some of the Sepoys of which are, as I have before observed, Native Christians. The congrega. tion on the Sabbath is most refreshing. So numerous an assembly of Native Christians in our Mission church I have rarely seen. It is surely a new era in the history of India when a Native Christian officer marches a band of Native Christian Sepoys to the house of God on the Sabbath day.

"I am happy to say that the attendance of scholars in the Free School is on the whole pretty good. The natives are recovering from the idea they at one time entertained, that if their children came to the Mission-school, they would be blown up some day together with the school.

"At present the catechists do nothing in the city in the way of preaching to the people. The city is still too excited for this; but I hope that before long this im portant department of Missionary labour also will be resumed.

"I am sorry to say that I get little support for the Mission from the station. The personal troubles and expenses of the resi dents are too great for me to hope for much aid from them. Food of almost every description is approaching what is commonly termed a famine price, and the destitution existing on every hand is frightful. May the Lord graciously avert the calamity of famine, which seems to be impending! About 70 persons receive a small sum every morning in the Mission compound, which is contributed by the station, of which I am the almoner. The magistrate-a man of singular benevolence-has an assembly of nearly four thousand poor people every Sun day morning in his compound, to whom he distributes sums of money amounting in the month to I believe upwards of 500 rupees, or £50. This is a noble example of philan thropy and Christian love.

"You will have seen, I dare say, various accounts of Gorruckpore, which is in the hands of the rebels. My old friend, the Rev. H. Stern, Missionary of that place, was

compelled to flee to Benares. A few days since I received a note from the magistrate of Allygunge, a place upwards of 100 miles from Gorruckpore, to say that 145 Native Christians, in great destitution, had reached Allygunge, having escaped from Gorruckpore and from all the dangers they had met with on the road. He stated, moreover, that a subscription had been set on foot in their behalf, to which some British sailors

I suppose some of Captain Peel's brigadehad contributed 40 rupees. Mr. Stern left in a boat yesterday for Allygunge, to make arrangements for the poor Christians of his Mission. The Christians of Mirzapore might have been in the same sad condition as their brethren at Gorruckpore. Oh! how great and wonderful has been God's mercy towards us!"

REMARKS ON THE SEPOY MUTINY.

"We have reason to be thankful that, during all these disturbances, we have been kept in perfect peace; there has been no outbreak in this part of the country. There were great fears that there would be, espe cially at the time of the Mahurum, and during another Mussulman feast a few weeks before it; but, through the vigilance of the authorities, and by the kind care of our Almighty Guardian, all passed off quietly. We often felt ourselves in danger, as it was impossible to say, in such times, how far the flames of rebellion might spread. The horrors perpetrated in the north-west, and their probable effect on the troops and the people in our neighbourhood, were constant topics of conversation among all classes of people. The excitement was intense and long continued, and every night, as we retired to rest, we thought of the possibility of an attack before the morning; and when the morning came, and found us still alive and undisturbed, our first thoughts were accompanied with a peculiar feeling of gratitude to Him who gives his angels charge over his people. It was to us a matter for thankfulness that all the time neither my dear wife nor myself felt particularly alarmed.

My own feeling was similar to what I often experience in the time of a terrific thunderstorm, or when cholera is raging in the vicinity. There is a sense of danger, and death and eternity seem to be brought peculiarly near. But while there is a solemn awe upon the spirit, a deep sense of unworthiness, and an earnest desire after the grace that is in Christ, there is a calm trust in God, and a sweet conviction that not a shaft can hit without his permission, and that, come what will, it will be well with us. We therefore felt secure under his protection and care. But our hearts have been much grieved on account of those who were in less favourable circumstances; we have sympathized with and prayed much for them. And before the rebellion is entirely put down there may be much loss of life, and many grievous sufferings to be endured. We hope, however, that the worst is over, and that, in answer to the prayers of the Lord's people, both here and at home, peace and prosperity will soon be restored, and the British power established on a firmer basis than ever. Whatever be the plans and measures adopted by the politicians and rulers of this world for the future management of affairs in this country, we know

that the Lord will bring good out of the evil that has occurred, and will so order it that every thing will be made to further the interests of his kingdom.

"A great deal has been said about the causes of the mutinies. It would be superfluous in me to enter into this question; but I may remark that I cannot agree with some who attempt to show that Missionary efforts, and other efforts to spread Christianity in India, have nothing to do with the matter. I doubt not there are many other causes at work, and the principal ones may be those of a political nature; but it is clear that, as a people, we are hated for our Christianity, and we are both feared and hated on account of our persevering efforts to spread the Gospel among them. There is no system of religion so intolerant as that which we labour to introduce. It admits of no rival and no associate. Its aim is to destroy Mohammedanism and Hindooism in all its forms, and to reign absolute and alone. It cannot be wondered at, therefore, that those whose interest or wish is to keep up the old systems should take alarm at the progress every where made in educational and Missionary efforts, and stir up those who are in any way under their influence to resist the movement, and to destroy the hated English people out of the land. But it cannot be. The Lord has purposed to set up his kingdom here, and who can disannul it? For this his hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? No device could now put a stop to the movement. Even the banishment of Missionaries from the country, which no Government could safely attempt, would only be a partial check to the spread of truth. The Lord has already a native host of warriors whom he could make valiant for the truth, and through whom he could work deliverance and accomplish a signal and glorious triumph, though European Christians were all obliged to leave the country. The precious seed of the Word has been widely spread, and it never can perish it will grow and bring forth abundant fruit in spite of all the efforts of earth and hell to root it out or check its growth. But, as things are likely to proceed, let the English and local governments do what they please about their educational schemes, and

with respect to the part to be taken by government officials in reference to religious institutions, &c., so long as Missionaries are allowed to labour, as they must be, and so long as Christian people reside in the country and continue in ten thousand ways to exert an influence on the Heathen and Mussulman population around them, so long will the kingdom grow and take root among them. It is an onward movement, which no created power can successfully resist. The people know this; the well disposed among them are glad at the prospect of the deliverance which it holds out to them; but the wicked and the oppressors tremble for the consequences, and thoroughly hate all who help it forward.

THE PEOPLE UNAFFECTED BY THE PUBLIC DISTURBANCES.

"During all the time that these events have been transpiring, it is remarkable the reserve maintained by the heathen in Bangalore with respect to them. Except on two or three occasions, when vague hints were thrown out with respect to the present state of things in the north-west, no one ever ventured to speak to me on the subject. And so I found it when on a mission tour last month, all the people were per fectly silent on the subject. When I found this, I began to speak to them about it, as I was desirous to know how they viewed it, and was astonished to find how little it seemed to concern them. The thing is at a distance, and they have a pretty strong conviction that the Company's Government will remain secure, and that therefore they will be allowed to dwell in peace. As for the sufferings of others, they have little sympathy for them; if the evil is kept at a distance from themselves it is enough for them.

NOTICE OF PREACHING AND ITINERANT LABOURS.

"There has been no interruption in our preaching in consequence of these disturbances, and I cannot say that I have observed any great difference in the manner in which the people have listened. There is a great deal of opposition to the truth, but I do not know that this is in any measure to be ascribed to recent events. It is now as it has always been during the course

of my labours-some seem to hear gladly, and others manifest all the enmity of the carnal mind. Paul (the Native Assistant) very much complains of this. He says that many revile him much, and tell him that they do not want to hear any thing about this new way; that he should consider it enough to have lost caste, and become spoiled himself, without seeking to spoil other people; and that all his efforts to convert the Hindoos will be of no availthat none will change their religion except outcasts that can get a living in no other way. He is often discouraged, and in his journal the description of a day's labour often ends with the remark, But they did not give their hearts to God,' referring to those whom he may have got to listen a while to him.

"I lately visited two or three large towns, and Paul and Noah, who accompanied me, went to some of the smaller villages in the neighbourhood of those places. Great numbers have thus heard the truth, to whom this privilege is seldom granted. At Dodda Ballapora, I had a great deal of discussion, both with Hindoos and Mussulmans; but although some came forward to maintain their cause and to oppose the Gospel, the general impression produced on my mind was, that the enemies of truth shrunk from encountering us, and seemed to feel the weakness of their cause. At that place two young men, who appeared to have strong convictions, came to speak with me at the bungalow. One of them came alone, and conversed about two hours. The other also came alone, but unfortunately (as it appeared to us) he was soon joined by another Brahmin youth, who was by no means so favourably disposed. They both remained, however, for several hours; and though the Brahmin possessed hostility, he may have

got good from what he heard. Such oppor tunities of entering fully into the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, and answering their objections, are very precious. The two of whom I speak as impressed favourably, appeared to be very desirous to become Christians if they could only do so without making an open profession, by breaking caste, and putting away their heathen marks. In other words, they fear the enmity of the world, and the reproach of the cross. At the same place five or six men came together, who manifested something of the same state of mind. This is so far cheering, as it shows that there is something of a spirit of inquiry among them, a dissatisfaction with their own systems, and a conviction that there is something superior in Christianity, and something far more suitable to their state and character as sinners. May the Lord deepen such impressions, and make them result in the conversion of multitudes. I am sure that there are many in such a state of mind throughout the country, and therefore we may be nearer the time of a great and general change than any of us are aware. At all events, all our labours are preparing the way for this. I have no more doubt of this, than I have that the sun shall rise to-morrow; and therefore, however little fruit I may see of my labours now, my desire is to labour unto the last in this glorious and good cause. It is an honour and a privilege to be so engaged. I sometimes tell the natives this, that we know we shall prevail at last, and that therefore, whether they will now receive our message or not, nothing but sickness or death will put an end to our testifying of the grace of God; and that, when I and those now associated with me are in our graves, or rather in our Father's house above, others will succeed us till they as a people are turned to the Lord."

"Rhoda, whose former name was Nullamah, is an inhabitant of Boorgala, of the Brahminical caste, a large village about 90 miles N. W. of Cuddapah, in the Bellary Zillah. She is about 40 years of age, and for a long time followed the religion of Sceva. After many years' practice in this superstition, she found no rest in her mind; in consequence she was led to seek for bliss by other means. She therefore resolved, in company with some of her neighbours, to visit other heathen shrines, thinking by this to obtain merit. She travelled to the fanious temple at Veerupachy, also to Shreelapurontum, where the golden image of Vishnu is worshipped. Afterwards she went to the golden temple of Venketishvurudoo, at Tripaty, a holy shrine about 60 miles S. E. from Cuddapah, much frequented by the Hindoos of Southern India. She went in company with some neighbours to this celebrated temple, and presented some offerings to the god Venketishvurudoo. As soon as they entered the temple the priest addressed the idol as follows:

"Here are thy servants, O god, who are come to visit thy presence; accept their offerings.' As soon as he uttered these words, he sprinkled water on some flowers which were placed on some sticks held in the hand of the image. As these sticks, from the nature of the wood, curled up when the water touched them, the flowers in consequence fell down. At this the worshippers present expressed much surprise. Nullamah also was much surprised; but when she saw all the tricks behind the image, and how it was the flowers fell from the hand of the image, she ceased to wonder. Then she took the same kind of sticks and some wax likewise. She stuck the sticks to the wax, and fixed the wax to a stone. After she called all her friends to the place, and prayed to the idol as the priest did, she then sprinkled some water on the

sticks, which made them to curl up, and so the flowers fell to the ground.

"When her neighbours saw this they were much surprised, and said, 'Nullamah how is this?' Then she explained the tricks of the wicked priests to them. Then they said,

Why did you not explain these things before, then we would not have presented our offerings, or have submitted to the advice of these deceivers.' After this she again returned to her own village, having travelled upwards of 150 miles in vain. Some time after this, a native of the Smith caste came to Moses, one of our Catechists, to inquire about the true religion. Moses gave him Christian instruction, and sent him on to Cuddapah, that he might receive further knowledge, and have an opportunity of seeing our worship, &c. He came to Cuddapah, and after making good progress in the knowledge of Christianity, he was, at his own earnest request, publicly baptized by Mr. Porter in the Mission Chapel, in the presence of a large congregation. After his baptism he returned with a copy of a part of the Word of God in his own language. Here he made known the glad tidings of salvation to his neighbours. Nullamah heard from him the good news, her heart was impressed, and she resolved to visit Cuddapah to see and hear more of this good

way.

"She left her village and came on to Venboorlah, one of our out-stations, where Moses, one of our Catechists, instructed her in the great principles and facts of the Christian religion. When she heard the wonderful story of the cross, with great surprise she said, 'Oh, I never heard such a wonderful history as this.' Since that time she heard the instructions of the Catechist with great joy. Having manifested a great desire to see Cuddapah, Moses came with this interesting inquirer to see us at our bungalow.