their own gods, How often, after they had listened to a sermon where Christianity was held forth exclusively of other matter, have I not heard them say: "Well, Sir, your religion is excellent for you, and so is our's for us." The fact is, they are so apathetic, particularly on religious subjects, that they actually will not themselves take the trouble of comparing the systems. The Missionary therefore must take upon himself the task which his auditors decline to perform. And how can this be done but by, on the one hand, exposing the error, the absurdity, and the wickedness of idolatry; and, on the other hand, by showing the truth, the reasonableness, and the holy tendency of Christianity; thus compelling them to fix their attention on both at the same time, and forcing them to come to some conclusion on the subject.

I would not therefore consider a sermon on any Christian doctrine or duty complete, unless the deficiency of the Hindu system on the corresponding doctrine or duty had been plainly pointed out to the people, and a comparison between both distinctly drawn in their hearing. This implies, of course, that it is the bounden duty of a Missionary to make himself well acquainted with the religious tenets and prejudices of the people among whom he labours, that he may be able successfully to refute and expose them.

Another reason why some object to the errors of the Hindus being exposed is, their fear that heathen congregations are likely thereby to be irritated and incensed. I can, however, from experience state the contrary to be the case: to resort to abuse or taunt, or to turn their superstitions into ridicule, especially when done with an air of triumph, certainly would have the deplorable effect apprehended; but when errors are pointed out in the spirit of love, and when affection and a desire for the people's good is apparent in a Missionary's discourses, the heathen will give him credit for meaning well; and I have under such circumstances invariably seen the congregations more numerous and attentive than when bare Christianity has been held forth.

It is easy to account for this: the heathen, generally speaking, do hitherto understand but little of Christianity, and where is the man who takes much interest in what he does not understand? Let for instance a sailor or a peasant attend a lecture on an abstruse subject of science, they will find it most wearisome and disagreeable ; but let the lecturer in the midst of his lucubrations chance to make use of an illustration taken from sea-faring life, or agriculture, you will at once see the individuals alluded to brightening up, paying attention and taking the deepest interest in the matter; and why? simply, because they understand what is spoken. Precisely so with the heathen: instead of disliking a Missionary's alluding to their false religion, though it is to condemn it, they listen, when the subject is started, with an interest which nothing can equal, because there and then they are at home,

U U

I have, Mr. Editor, briefly stated my views on this topic. I would however deem them worthy of little regard, were they not corroborated by the highest authority to which a Christian can appeal. I mean the example of our Lord and his apostles. Look at our Lord's preaching; beginning with the sermon on the mount, and will find that he commenced his discourses almost invariyou ably by attacking the prejudices and false notions of his auditors: "Ye have heard, that it was said by them of old time, &c. but I say unto you, &c." Look at Paul and Barnabas preaching at Lystra (Acts xiv. 15,)" We preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the liviny God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." Again, at Athens, (Acts xvii. 22-31,) Paul says: "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device, &c. Finally, at Ephesus, what did Demetrius testify of Paul's preaching? (Acts xix. 26:) Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods which are made with hands.

To adduce further proofs from the sacred writings would be superfluous. Suffice it to say, that the nature of things, experi ence, and the word of God, all confirm the truth, that in order to establish Christianity, the errors of the heathen ought to be controverted and exposed; and that when this is done in the spirit of affection, and with a view to the people's good, the most happy results may be anticipated.

L.

IV. An interesting and impressive Account of the Earthquake at Lucknow, on the 26th August, 1833.

Of late India has been visited by more frequent and violent shocks of earthquake, than any which fall within the remembrance of the present generation. It is not for us to speculate on the secondary causes of phenomena so mysterious in their nature, and so appalling in their effects. Sufficient for us to know that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." And whether or not we can trace the sudden footsteps of his providence, or narrowly scan his high designs, we know and believe that all must be right and best which is the result of the ordination of omnipotent wisdom combined with infinite goodness.

Heretofore, accounts have appeared of the afflictive visitations of Divine Providence in different parts of India. Of these, the capital of Oude has had its full share. But the most threatening in its

aspect seems to have been the earthquake of August, last year. Of this visitation, a description has been given at the end of a useful volume of Moral Precepts, recently published at Lucknow. And though now somewhat out of date, we cannot refrain from quoting the article entire, assured that it is calculated at once to interest and edify our readers.

"On the 26th of August, 1833, the city of Lucknow, the capital of Oude, was visited at midnight by the alarming earthquake which shook India from the snowy mountains of Himalaya, even to the distant ocean. The dreadful scourge of cholera had for some time previous been sent to afflict the people. In almost every street the wail of the broken heart was heard. Mothers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, mourning over the remains of those whom they had loved. The minds of the living were saddened by witnessing from time to time the corpses of the dead pass along their street, in progress to the tomb-the uncertainty of existence was impressed on every mind-sudden death in an awful form threatened every family, and superadded to the apprehension from this mortal scourge it was very awful to be awoke at midnight by an earthquake! The beams of the houses creaked, the lamps and punkas swung to and fro, the walls moved, and a tremulous motion, fearfully distinct, shook the whole earth. The tall minarets trembled in the sky, and the trees were shaken at their base; even the birds in the branches were aroused and evinced their appre hensions by their clamours. The sagacious elephants were awakened, and rose from their lairs, and showed their consciousness by that peculiar hollow noise in their trunks. The people left their houses, now sensibly rocking with the troubled earth, and sought safety in the open air, fearfully awaiting the result, and expecting every moment to hear the crash of falling buildings! The stoutest heart quailed, and at such an awful time, when the earth rocked beneath the feet, there was something peculiarly striking in hearing the sudden simultaneous and loud mingling of prayer from every quarter of the city; from thousands the appeal to the Almighty, allstalla Ullaho Ukbar, Ullaho Ukbar, Ullaho Ukbar, God is great! God is great! God is great! Men then felt their utter insignificance, and as it were, the presence amongst them of that great Invisible Being who was then awfully shaking the foundations of the earth; and to whom arose the earnest simultaneous midnight appeal of multitudes throughout the land, Ullaho Ukbar, Ullaho Ukbar.

"How many prayed then with earnestness and trembling hearts who never prayed before? Is God less worthy of our worship when regulating with an awful power the concerns of the universe, the changes of the seasonswhen supplying all the wants of men-than when shaking the earth beneath our feet? Let our language not only then, but always be, Ullaho Ukbar. "Reader! when Satan the enemy of God and man would tempt thee by his baits to sin, to do aught that is base or mean, let thy noble answer in defiance be, Ullaho Ukbar.

"Christian! when thy spirit droopeth, when sin assails thee from within or from without, take example, remember the moslems when the earth rocked, and their shouts, Ullaho Ukbar.

"Fathers! Mothers! remember the sacred duties which God who shook the earth has laid upon you; to bring up your offspring whom he has given you, in the fear of the Lord; to set them the example of personal holiness, for God is great! Ullaho Ukbar.

"Husbands! Wives! remember that together ye daily worship God, else are ye incurring every day his displeasure, who said, "Worship ye me."

"Men and Brethren! God is not to be mocked. He has sent his fearful message amongst us, the scourge of cholera, the sudden awful death! the livid corpse! the wail of the broken heart, in every street! Is not this enough to turn our hearts to him? Does it not convey to each the message, Be ye also ready, for at such an hour as ye know not death shall suddenly remove thee to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account of the deeds done in the body; and whilst our minds were yet alarmed, and on our tongues to each the fearful question, What of the plague? the great invisible God made known more awfully his presence-and shook at midnight from North to South, from East to West, the trembling earth!

"Friends! from this day henceforth, let our thoughts and lives proclaim indeed the awful glorious truth, Ullaho Ukbar.”

V.-Missionary Tour among the Bhaugulpore Hill Tribes.By Rev. A. LESLIE.

[Continued from page 246.]

20. This morning we raised our tent, and by the help of the villagers, proceeded through the valley, and up two or three steep ascents, the distance of about five miles, to the village of Sutbaira, the residence of the chief of the Tuppa of Pursundah, whose name is Maga. He received us again very kindly; and instantly provided my companions with a good house and the best provisious he had in his own. His people had not, when we arrived, returned from hunting; but came shortly after,bringing with them three young swine, which they had killed. They had been out in the jungles five days; and esteemed their success very poor. We could do nothing to-day in the way of speaking to the people in a body: but, we had, towards evening, some very serious conversation with the chief. We explained to him the Gospel, and said before him the consequences of rejecting it, and of continuing to wor ship the bamboo, sun, moon, &c. He heaved a sigh as he listened; and said, "In my young days, we worshipped God only; had abundance, and were happy; but since Kalee and other things were introduced among us, we have had nothing but trouble." He promised to collect his villagers next morning to hear the Gospel.

21. This morning met with the old chief and all the people of his village, to the number of nearly 60, besides children, and declared to them the glad tidings of salvation. Some of them heard attentively; and others seemed careless. After our service, which ended with prayer, the old chief, in the presence of all his subjects, signified his wish to desist from the worship of Kalee, and to remove the bamboo from the village: but, at the same time, asked, whether it would not be right for him and his people, to adhere to the mode of worship which had existed (to use his own expression) among them from the creation of the world. On our telling him, that all their objects of worship were distinct from the true God, and created things, which ought not to be adored, he seemed greatly non-plussed, and as if he knew not what to do. Something of the same feeling appeared, also, among the others. Time only will shew what they will do. It is evident, however, that a great impression has been produced on the mind of the old man.

About mid-day, having procured a guide, we set off to three contiguous villages, all bearing the name of Kairolgo, about four or five miles distant. In the first, upwards of 20 people, besides children, assembled. They did not seem, in general, to hear with much attention. We found one man among them who could read a little Hindooee. He fully entered into what we said, and promised to visit us next day, at the chief's village, to receive

a book; but did not come. In this village, which was very small, a man went round calling with a loud voice to all the people, to come and see a white man. I could have wished as I heard him, that He had been visible, respecting whom it was said to the villagers of Samaria, " Come see a man, who told me all things that ever I did." In the second village, which was also small, we had a most attentive audience of 25. Several of them seemed to understand well the grand import of our message. As the day was far advanced, we were reluctantly compelled to leave the third village. There is no travelling in this country in the night. The heights and steeps are so many, the jungle so thick, the path-way so untraceable, and the wild beasts so numerous, that it is hardy possible to proceed in the dark with any certainty or safety.

Returned in the evening to the village of the old chief, and were greatly depressed by finding him determinately inclined to abide by his countrygods. At night, however, after having been present at our worship, he seemed greatly softened, and seriously confessed, that our way was the right, and his the wrong.

22. This morning, after having seen the villagers barbarously kill a large sow with their bows and arrows, we visited, in company with the chief, Chupairee, the village of the Nyib, about a mile distant. Here 80 people, besides children, heard us with great attention. Nyib, in particular, was much affected with what was said, and declared, that he would henceforth call on the name of Jesus only. This village has recently lost thirty people with the small-pox; and all seemed in great distress. As they listened to us, they looked as if they were convinced that Kalee, whom they had in common with other villagers introduced, could do nothing for them; and that Christ was the only deliverer. We were much gratified with the people here.

In the middle of the day, we visited, on another side of the old chief's hill, a small village called Mullay-beetah. Here about 20 people met us, to whom we declared the Gospel. Four or five of them heard us with great attention, and shewed us no little kindness in supplying us with some of their best food. Here, also, we saw a Daimno: but he forebore his antics. He sat quietly down, and listened to our message. Afterwards, he seemed greatly pleased at the particularity of my inquiries relative to their various. objects of worship.

Leaving this place, we went on two miles further, to a village called Chaynkron; but were sadly disappointed at finding nearly all the people gone to a neighbouring place, for the purpose of uniting with its inhabitants in drinking Tuddee. Returned in the evening to the abode of the old chief, with whom we had much varied conversation and worship. He was entirely ignorant of all the period beyond the days of his uncle, who had preceded his father as chief.

23. Struck our tent this morning, and accompanied by the chief and his son, descended the hill, passed through a valley, and ascended another small hill, to a little village named Mootayree, when Maisa preached to seven men and 14 women. They had been, unknown to us, warned by the chief, the day before, to assemble. They did not seem to regard our message with much attention. On my telling them, that their bamboo was not God, shaking it at the same time with my hand, they looked with as much astonishment as if they expected a judgment to fall immediately on my head. Here the old chief bade us, with much seeming affection, adieu : his son, and fourteen of his villagers, accompanying us, with our baggage, forward about one and half miles, to one of three small contiguous villages, called Umbra, where my companions were again accommodated with a house, and I erected my tent.