Friends who have monies in hand for the Society are respectfully requested to forward them to the Treasurer or Secretary before the 31st instant, as on that day the accounts for the year are to be made up.

A parcel of clothing from young friends in connexion with Dr. Steane's church, Camberwell, per Mr. Dickes, has been received for Rev. W. Hamilton, of Ballina. Parcels of clothing and of books have been received from Mrs. Risdon of Pershore, Mrs. Carter of Canterbury, Mrs. Cozens of Clapton, and from Mr. H. Sutherland of Chelsea; all of which have been, or will shortly be, distributed among thankful recipients.

Subscriptions and Donations thankfully received by the Treasurer, JOSEPH TRITTON, Esq. 54, Lombard Street, London; by the Secretary, the Rev. WILLIAM GROSER, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street; and by the Pastors of the churches throughout the Kingdom.

COLLECTOR FOR LONDON, REV. C. WOOLLACOTT,

4, Compton Street East, Brunswick Square.

THE MISSION FIELD.

forcing the way into their private assemblies, and shedding its light on their errors. We cannot but commend to our readers the curious particulars our brother has forwarded of his visit to the Hajeepore mela, as well as the striking fact relative to the tract of our excellent native brother Shujatale.

Among the most significant indica- the pundits, the servants of Shiva; tions of the decay of Hindooism, a very that insensibly they are constrained to striking one is the decreasing popularity entertain it in their private intercourse, of some of the most important of the heathen festivals. The Indian journals all agree in saying that the festivities of the Durga Pujah have gone off this year with greater tameness than at any bygone period. It shows itself in the economy practised, where before all was recklessness and extravagance; feasting is less general, and the licentious While our letters from Africa convey to nautches are neither so expensively got us the intelligence of the lamented death up nor so well attended. Writers in- of our native brother WILLIAMS, we are different to missions attribute this to rejoiced to find that the work of God conthe increase of knowledge among the tinues to make progress, and the health of people, and a growing conviction of our brethren to be mercifully sustained. the utter folly and vanity of idolatry. Mr. and Mrs. SAKER are now we trust It must however be borne in mind that happily settled at Cameroons, and Mr. whatever there is of education in the WHEELER has much to encourage him country, either owes its origin to or is in his solitary work. The dawn of under the direction of, the missionary brighter days seems at hand for Africa. bodies, from whose presses continually It would seem from late intelligence, issue works of a religious and scientific that the English squadron has very character, distructive of the mingled nearly put an end to the slave trade. system of Hindoo mythology and philo- All its strongholds near Congo have sophy. recently been abandoned, and at the three or four remaining places it was expected the trade would cease by the close of last year-rooted out, we trust, never to be revived.

Converted natives, instructed in the missionary institutions, are also stepping forward to assail with boldness and effect the idols of their countrymen, and to expound to the more cultivated Jamaica still suffers. Small-pox and Hindoos the authority of the gospel of cholera seem to emulate each other in Christ. There have been recently an- their destructive ravages. The people nounced in Calcutta, courses of lectures | perish by hundreds. The little help our on the Evidences of Christianity, the afflicted brethren can render is cheerdesign of which has alone proceeded fully afforded, and with readiness are from the intelligent zeal of two or three well educated young men of the higher classes. Their connections, and their knowledge of the state of mind of the upper ranks of Hindoos in Calcutta give great interest to their object.

their efforts seconded from our Cholera Fund. We rejoice that the tried band will speedily be reinforced by the presence of our brethren, DAY, J. E. HENDERSON, and CLAYDON, who sailed in the "Hopewell" for Jamaica on the 9th ult.

From our brother PARSONS' letter, it will be seen that discussions on Chris- The mission at Port au Plat, St. tian truth are not unfrequent among Domingo, has been recommenced under

very favourable auspices by our brother | beyond Maulmain, or to enter the BurRYCROFT. His communication gives man empire itself. The arrival at the some interesting particulars of his pre- throne of a new sovereign has, however, liminary visit. Suspended for four or altered the whole face of affairs. Two five years, the labours of our brother missionaries have settled at Rangoon, seem now likely to meet with divine and though at first molested by the success. A small body of Christian governor, now enjoy perfect liberty to people already exists in the town, com- preach the gospel. This liberty is posed of members of churches who have owing to a missive from the sovereign, emigrated from the neighbouring islands directing their good treatment and of the Bahamas. In these will be found inviting them to visit the capital in the a nucleus of operation, from whose spring. It is obvious that more enmidst may go forth with effect the light lightened counsels prevail at the seat of of truth. We commend this mission to government; and that at last Burmah, the earnest prayers of the churches of so long closed, so long the object of Christ. prayer, will receive the messengers of One of the earliest stations of our Christ. The houses of the missionaries society was Rangoon in Burmah. There at Rangoon were constantly crowded Mr. FELIX CAREY planted the standard with visitors; not fewer than 6000 in of the cross, and, in conjunction with one month are calculated to have sought the eminent JUDSON endeavoured to instruction, and among them a few who evangelize the land. It was left sub- appear to be thoroughly in earnest. sequently entirely in the hands of The day of salvation for Burmah, of our American brethren. For many which JUDSON so longed to see the dawn, long years did they labour and suf- has at length appeared. fer; but were unable to penetrate

INDIA.

MONGHIR.

Mr. PARSONS has favoured us with were much struck and delighted to see how, the following interesting communication, dated Nov. 27, 1851.

The death of the righteous.

I have to speak of increase and of decrease. On the one hand, two dear brethren have been summoned home, we trust, to glory. The one was called away by apoplexy, and was unable to give any expression of the state of his mind on his dying bed. The other, whom dear brother Leechman saw in a sick and enfeebled state during his pleasing visit to us, and who had previously served the church for about nineteen years by leading the singing in the English chapel, was brought down by slow degrees, and often suffered most severely from the effects of complicated disease. In his greatest afflictions, his spirit and conversation evinced the truth of what he often felt and said, that affliction was best for him. All his brethren

as his strength decreased and his outward man failed, and his iron constitution bowed to the violence of his complaints, his inward man was renewed; and the nearer his end drew on, the more humble he appeared, the more emphatic was his self-renunciation, and the more calm and cheerful was his hope in the Redeemer. In his last moments, his hope seemed unclouded, and the remarks of all at his death appeared to show that they had recognized in his dying experience a fresh illustration of the faithfulness and power of Jesus. Blessed be God for such confirmations of our hope in him.

Sovereign grace.

On the 16th ult. it was our privilege to receive by baptism an aged disciple, whose conversion has appeared to us all a surprising instance of sovereign grace. Though a member of a family where Christ is owned and served, her daughter, son-in-law, and

grand-daughter being members with us, she, received from our lips the invitations of a

till lately, exhibited much enmity to spiritual Saviour's love. It has been found advisable religion. She appeared to have no suitable to leave the office of distributing books chiefly concern to be prepared for an exchange of in the hands of some one brother, as, without worlds, which, at her age, she cannot suppose this, every speaker is liable to be interrupted to be far distant, and if she had any hope it continually by applicants, and the distraction was a delusive one based on self-righteous- occasioned in supplying them. The dear ness. Not long ago, two of her grand-chil-brother who undertook this part of the work dren were baptized in Calcutta, and a letter from one of them to her is believed to have produced a deep impression on her mind. The change produced in her by the Spirit of God through this and other instrumentality was very conspicuous; and it was with peculiar pleasure we welcomed as a sister in Christ this "brand plucked from the burning."

More grace.

Two other individuals are desirous of testifying, in the same way, their attachment to Christ. In one of them a pious parent's prayers appear to be answered long after his removal to a better world. His father was one of the leading baptists of Calcutta of the last generation. Our dear friend appears to have been awakened some time ago, after a visit to Monghir; and a tract by Shujatali, translated into English under the title of "The Saviour's Complaint," founded on Rev. iii. 20, was a main instrument in that awakening. He subsequently for a time enjoyed a measure of peace and hope in Christ, but being afterwards much tried with fears and perplexities, he sought the counsel and advice of your missionaries here, for which purpose he visited Monghir (for he is not resident here), and since that I have heard from him that he has found peace, and he expresses a wish to unite himself with this church, a step for which I feel encouraged to believe grace has prepared him, and I hope the Lord, in his providence, will soon give him an opportunity to take.

The fair.

had indeed a laborious task, but those who were engaged in preaching certainly felt very much the benefit of his exertions. It would certainly have been gratifying to the friends of missions to have witnessed the scene at our tents on the 7th and 8th inst. Through a great part of these days, especially, two separate congregations, often very numerous, were being instructed by the living voices of either a native or European brother, the void occasioned by those who retired being immediately supplied by new comers, while a third assemblage was eagerly crowding around the brother who undertook the distributions, to receive from him the same instructions in a written form. The Mozufferpore brethren were, besides, similarly employed in another part of the mela. Thus very much seed was sown; and it is hard to think that He who has declared that his "word shall not return unto him void," will suffer it all to fall into unfruitful soil.

The Pundit.

A Pundit, in conversation with some of us, much interested us by the account he gave of serious dissensions which had lately taken place in Benares between a number of Shaiva and Vaishnava Pundits, during which they had busied themselves in searching out from the Poorans verses,-the Shaiva Pundits against Vishnu, and the Vaishnavas against Shiv; and he also assured us, that the merits of the Christian doctrine had been much discussed during the controversy. Numerous fakeers, as usual, were present, of a great diversity of names and sects. A remarkably large number came, throughout the time of our stay, to our tents, to hear, converse, or discuss.

The holy book.

I have been permitted, lately, to pay a missionary visit to the Hajeepore fair. I left home on the 22nd ult., and my beloved family accompanied me to Dinapore, where they were kindly entertained at our dear One day, our attention being arrested by a brother Brice's, while I went over to the gaudy palanquin, preceded by a herald on mela. Brethren Soodeen and Bundhoo ac- horseback beating two small drums, and accompanied me. We had several oppor-companied by a number of attendants, one holdtunities of speaking of Christ on our way ing a large scarlet umbrella, another waving a up, but without any circumstance requiring fly-driver, &c.: we found on inquiry, that it particular notice. Brethren Kalberer and contained the Grunth, or sacred book of the McCumby from Patna, Brice from Dinapore, Nanakshahee sect; and afterwards we saw and Brandin and Ott from Mozufferpore, the same, or a similar book, laid in state with Kasee and myself, and two brethren, made up the missionary staff of labourers. It was cheering to see so many labourers in the field, and yet, though we were all employed for several successive days to the full capabilities of our voices, we could scarcely feel that a tithe of the vast assemblage had

amongst an encampment of fakeers, covered with a scarlet cloth. Such homage to a book is really illustrative of the state of mind of a vast number of the people. The supreme object of their regard, whether they avow it or not, evidently is the particular theory of religious doctrine and duty to which they