Missionary and Religious Entelligence.

CALCUTTA.

I. DEATH OF DR. CAREY.-MISS BIRD.-CAPT. DALBY. Since the publication of our last No. death has been very busy amongst us, and the friends of Missions have had their full share of the general sorrow. Dr. Carey, the first of living Missionaries, the most honoured and the most successful since the time of the Apostles, has closed his long and influential career. Indeed his spirit, his life, and his labours were truly apostolic. Called from the lowest class of the people, he came to this country without money, without friends, without learning. He was exposed to severe persecution, and forced for some time to labour with his own hands for his support; yet then even in his brief intervals of leisure, he found time to master the Hebrew, and Bengáli languages, to make considerable progress in the Sanskrit, and to write with his own hand a complete version of the Scriptures in the language of the country. The spirit of God, which was in him, led him forward from strength to strength, supported him under privation, enabled him to overcome in a fight that seemed without hope. Like the beloved disciple, whom he resembled in simplicity of mind, and in seeking to draw sinners to Christ altogether by the cords of love, he outlived his trials, to enjoy a peaceful and honoured old age, to know that his Master's cause was prospering, and that his own name was named with reverence and blessing in every country where a Christian dwelt. Perhaps no man ever exerted a greater influence for good on a great cause. Who that saw him, poor and in seats of learning uneducated, embark on such an enterprize, could ever dream, that, in little more than forty years, Christendom should be animated with the same spirit, thousands forsake all to follow his example, and that the word of life should be translated into almost every language, and preached in almost every corner of the earth? The vessel was an earthen vessel, but it was filled with the treasures of the Lord. His character was marked by the absence of all pretension, straight-forward simplicity of purpose, and an all-embracing love to God. If his youth and manhood showed how a Christian should live, so the last few years of his life, showed how a Christian should prepare to die. He has gone to his reward, and his works follow him*.

But he has not fallen alone. Miss Bird, another labourer in the same vineyard, has also been called to her rest. The same spirit which found him at his humble trade, and bade him Up! to the help of the Lord,' found her a weak and delicate female, in the bosom of a happy family, in the highest circles of the land, beloved by Christian friends, and surrounded by elegance, taste, and accomplishments. At the call of the Son of Man, she too came forth, to waste her strength alone, and to labour amidst poverty and ignorance in their most repulsive forms. Her's was pre-eminently an active and a cheerful piety: in translations, compiling books, teaching, visiting from house to house, and expounding the word of God, she was indefatigable. Scarcely bestowing on herself the necessaries of life, she gave her time, talents, and money to her master; and like Him, went about continually doing good. Earnestly solicited to return to a circle which she loved with the warmest affection, she could not resolve to leave her work, and she died in the midst of it. What a lesson to missionaries, indeed to all, is the life of this admirable woman!

It would ill become a Missionary Magazine to pass over in silence the death of Captain Dalby. We question if any one in India more nearly realized the character of an accomplished Christian gentleman. He was ever the warm friend of every thing benevolent or useful, and one of that little band, whom the Missionary can point out to the heathen, as "the * We had intended a brief memoir of his life for this No. but the anticipated publication of Mr. Mack's admirable funeral sermon renders it unnecessary.

living witness" of their religion. These have all entered into the joy of their Lord, and in due time we also shall reap if we faint not.

II. ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE FREE SCHOOL CHILDREN. Ths examination was held on June 21st, and was chiefly conducted by the Bishop, Sir John Grant taking part in it occasionally. Lady Bentinck honoured it by her presence. The boys generally answered the questions put to them very distinctly, and, as compared with last year, displayed a progress creditable to their teacher and to themselves. Indeed the institution altogether seems to be in a flourishing state, and bids fair to be one of the most practically useful in Calcutta.

III. REPORT OF THE TA'KI' ACADEMY DURING THE LAST YEAR AND THE SECOND ANNUAL EXAMINATION.

In the Hurkaru of the 22nd June, last year, a communication was inserted, entitled "The rise, progress, and first Annual Examination of the Táki Academy*." The account then given having excited considerable interest among the friends of native improvement, I am hopeful that they will not be undesirous to hear of its continued progress and present condition. Without reiterating previous statements respecting" the rise" of the institution, I may simply remind your readers, that it is supported chiefly by the Babus, Kalinath and Boykantanath Ray Choudri-that it is under the sole superintendence of the Rev. A. Duff, and his coadjutors-that it was established about two years ago, and is situated on the banks of the Jammunah about 45 miles east from Calcutta-that the system of tuition is the same as that pursued in the General Assembly's Institution-and that on the 13th of June, last year, the anniversary of its establishment, it underwent a public examination which filled the minds of all present with emotions of gladness.

The results of the first year's labours were then regarded as indicative of past, and decisive of future, success. All were in consequence encouraged to persevere with greater ardor than ever. The supporters of the institution beheld fruits which more than repaid them with the gratifying consciousness of having done that, which might well entitle them to be enrolled among the benefactors of the species. The masters and pupils were so animated by the merited encomiums bestowed, that they seemed resolved to strive who should exceed in zeal and diligence most,-the teachers or the taught. Parents and guardians were cheered at the thought of that higher position in society to which the newly acquired attainments might enable their sons and protegees honourably to aspire. Expectations were thus raised to the highest pitch. Hope shone forth in gladsome visions. The triumphs that had been achieved justified this ardency of fancy. And the future spread out to view as the bright mirror in which were already seen reflected gleams of triumphs still more brilliant.

But scarcely had the tide of hope and joy risen to its height than it was destined to subside with sudden violence. Towards the end of the preceding month (May), lower Bengal had been visited with that tremendous gale, the effects of which are felt by multitudes till this day. The inundation had strewn every quarter with the decayed remains of animal and vegetable substances. The atmosphere became pestilential. And disease swept away thousands which the flood had spared.

Nor did Táki and its neighbourhood escape the general calamity. Only a few days after the examination of the institution, an epidemic fever broke out, which proved more extensive in its ravages and more disastrous in its effects, than any other within the memory of man. In less than a month the school was all but deserted. Still it was deemed advisable to keep it open, as long as at all practicable, in the hope of a speedy abatement of

*This was extracted in the Observer for July.

the disease. Towards the end of August, the Head Master, Mr. Clift, received a call to the new government institution at Allahabad. At that time, the number in the English department had decreased from 120, who appeared full of life and vigour at the examination, to little more than half a dozen! So fearfully prevalent had the effects of the terrible scourge become! Of course, there was now no alternative but temporarily to shut up the institution altogether.

Mr. Clift's departure from Tákí tended to throw additional melancholy over the scene. So closely had he entwined around himself the affections of his pupils, that the news of his intention to leave them seemed to sound like a death-knell to their hopes.

In the meantime, efforts were made to obtain a worthy successor. Eventually Mr. John Wilson, long favourably known as joint proprietor, and latterly as sole proprietor of the Dharramtollah Academy, was chosen Head Master. And if we may judge of his success, in circumstances the most trying and discouraging, we have reason to be thankful that the mantle of his predecessor appears to have fallen on him.

Early in November last, when the cold season, being fairly set in, seemed to promise an early disappearance of the fever, Mr. Duff proceeded to Tákí, accompanied by Mr. Wilson, to re-open the institution.

The accounts which poured in from every quarter were most lamentable. Not a single family in the whole district had escaped the visitation of death. It not unfrequently happened that in one house, one or two of the inmates lay dead, and the rest as good as limbless from disease—with no one to remove the dead, or bestow attention on the living. Some small villages had been entirely depopulated. And in the case of those who fell not under the first attacks, the malady assumed the form of a slow wasting intermittent fever. Hence the ghastly aspect of all who survived: so that even in November, the great body of the people seemed like a mass of moving skeletons.

In such a state of things, the institution was re-opened most cheerlessly, as may readily be imagined. Scarcely a single parent or guardian could attend. As many of the boys as possibly could, did come to demonstrate their willingness,-but the number did not amount to thirty. And many who came the first day, had a return of fever before the next.

The writer of these remarks who, about five months before, had wit.. nessed the triumph, and partaken in the joys, of hundreds of young and old assembled in that happy spot-when forced to contrast that scene of exultation and buoyant hope, with the present spectacle of solitary walls and empty benches, of drooping countenances, and sickly forms, and downcast spirits, is not ashamed to confess that he could scarcely refrain from bursting into tears.

By degrees, one and another of the former pupils continued to return. But there was no material increase of number till towards the latter end of January. And even then the attendance was not so full as before. Between 20 and 30 of the boys had died. Several had not yet perfectly recovered and others who had fled in a panic to distant parts of the country had not returned. The best boy in the school-the boy who had gained the highest prize for general eminence at the first annual examination, was not able to resume his studies till the month of May. And to complete the catalogue of adversities, the assistant teacher, Mr. Blaney, got ill about the beginning of March, and has been wholly unfit for active duty ever since.

At the risk of being tedious, I have been thus explicit in stating facts. The reasons are obvious. The institution is in many respects a peculiar one; and many eyes have been fixed upon it. Originated and supported chiefly by the liberality of native gentlemen-established in a part of the

2 A

living witness" of their religion. These have all entered into the joy of their Lord, and in due time we also shall reap if we faint not.

II. ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE FREE SCHOOL Children. Ths examination was held on June 21st, and was chiefly conducted by the Bishop, Sir John Grant taking part in it occasionally. Lady Bentinck honoured it by her presence. The boys generally answered the questions put to them very distinctly, and, as compared with last year, displayed & progress creditable to their teacher and to themselves. Indeed the institution altogether seems to be in a flourishing state, and bids fair to be one of the most practically useful in Calcutta.

III. REPORT OF THE TA'KI' ACADEMY DURING THE LAST YEAR AND THE SECOND ANNUAL EXAMINATION.

In the Hurkaru of the 22nd June, last year, a communication was inserted, entitled "The rise, progress, and first Annual Examination of the Táki Academy*." The account then given having excited considerable interest among the friends of native improvement, I am hopeful that they will not be undesirous to hear of its continued progress and present condition. Without reiterating previous statements respecting" the rise" of the institution, I may simply remind your readers, that it is supported chiefly by the Babus, Kalinath and Boykantanath Ray Choudri-that it is under the sole superintendence of the Rev. A. Duff, and his coadjutors-that it was established about two years ago, and is situated on the banks of the Jammunah about 45 miles east from Calcutta-that the system of tuition is the same as that pursued in the General Assembly's Institution—and that on the 13th of June, last year, the anniversary of its establishment, it underwent a public examination which filled the minds of all present with emotions of gladness.

The results of the first year's labours were then regarded as indicative of past, and decisive of future, success. All were in consequence encouraged to persevere with greater ardor than ever. The supporters of the institution beheld fruits which more than repaid them with the gratifying consciousness of having done that, which might well entitle them to be enrolled among the benefactors of the species. The masters and pupils were so animated by the merited encomiums bestowed, that they seemed resolved to strive who should exceed in zeal and diligence most,-the teachers or the taught. Parents and guardians were cheered at the thought of that higher position in society to which the newly acquired attainments might enable their sons and protegees honourably to aspire. Expectations were thus raised to the highest pitch. Hope shone forth in gladsome visions. The triumphs that had been achieved justified this ardency of fancy. And the future spread out to view as the bright mirror in which were already seen reflected gleams of triumphs still more brilliant.

But scarcely had the tide of hope and joy risen to its height than it was destined to subside with sudden violence. Towards the end of the preceding month (May), lower Bengal had been visited with that tremendous gale, the effects of which are felt by multitudes till this day. The inundation had strewn every quarter with the decayed remains of animal and vegetable substances. The atmosphere became pestilential. And disease swept away thousands which the flood had spared.

Nor did Tákí and its neighbourhood escape the general calamity. Only a few days after the examination of the institution, an epidemic fever broke out, which proved more extensive in its ravages and more disastrous in its effects, than any other within the memory of man. In less than a month the school was all but deserted. Still it was deemed advisable to keep it open, as long as at all practicable, in the hope of a speedy abatement of

*This was extracted in the Observer for July.

yes on one of the gentlemen present, the crown of whose head to be bald, and suddenly cried out, with a significant smile, "he

Such an answer may be thought trifling by many, but as an a habit of independent thought and observation, it can only the foolish and the ignorant. And there was not a class in e boys of which did not afford abundant evidence that they stomed to think for themselves.

One could not fail being struck with the marked superiority of those ose minds had been quickened by the English discipline. Many of the English boys had formerly commenced the study of Persian-and some of them still continued more or less to improve their acquaintance with it. These were examined along with the Persian boys, or those that devote day and night to the study. The active intelligence of the English boys, and their ready acuteness in answering questions, finely contrasted with the stiff mechanical scholastic appearance of the disciples of Persian lore. One of the Native gentlemen felt constrained to exclaim, "These boys (the English) know things: but these (the Persian) only words." A pregnant remark truly; and coming from an educated Native gentleman, worth a thousand arguments.

3. This circumstance tends to heighten one's pleasure at the announcement, that the English is "now universally admired and studied with avidity" at Tákí, while the Persian has fallen comparatively into" contempt." The change of feeling towards the two languages is so characteristic, and fraught with instruction, that it is worth while to particularize a little. Táki abounds with respectable native families-many of them off-shoots of the house of the Ray Choudris. Amongst these, several members have at all times found access to offices of responsibility. Hence the possibility and prospect of rising in the world, has been vividly set before the young men generally; and a proportionate emulation has been excited amongst them. Now, as hitherto, the Persian language formed the exclusive passport to offices of trust, the study of it has been pursued with astonishing zeal and perseverance at Tákí:-so much so, that when the English School was opened there, many of the most talented of the young men would not enter it, on the plea that English would be of no service to them, whereas a thorough knowledge of Persian would inevitably pave the way to honourable and lucrative situations. All reasoning_was lost upon them: one reply sufficed to rebut every argument: "English is of no use: for, Government will not, cannot, abolish Persian." Well, upwards of a twelvemonth ago, it was announced in the Calcutta Journals, that Government had abolished Persian in the Political department. This intelligence did more than all our previous arguments. The young men justly concluded that if in one department Government would, and could, and did abolish Persian, the same government possibly could, and probably would, abolish it in every department of the public service. Forthwith much of the zeal and time and labour expended on the Persian were directed to the acquisition of English. And if instead of a partial substitution, Government had formally announced its design of substituting English universally, Persian would have been wholly abandoned, and the undivided energies of the mind, devoted to the study of English literature and science. From this we may infer that, if the natives ouly once feel assured that a thorough knowledge of English will open the way to employ ment in the service of the state, it cannot be doubted, that in a few years there may be even a redundancy of qualified candidates.

4. The extent to which the confidence of the boys had been gained and the desire to acquire knowledge excited, challenged the highest admiration. Having asked Mr. Wilson for an expression of his experience on this head, he, in substance, emphatically replied: I have been engaged in teaching