happens to be the Roman, and light will follow. But how can this be done? In the same way in which the Romans, and Musalmans did it. The English characters have already been introduced to a great extent. More useful books are already published in them than either in Persian or Dewanagari. There are at present thousands of young natives in our English schools in Calcutta, Benares, and other large cities, who will all at least learn to read the English characters fluently-[with an English pronunciation too, not with a Bengali one.-ED.] In a few (how few?) years there will be a body of people who can read the English character equal to those who can read any native character. The character is at present spreading by a great variety of useful books. Two hundred copies of the Khair Khwáh i Hind are every month sent to all parts of the country. Scarcely any book in the native characters is bought, but hundreds of copies of Romanized works are easily disposed of*. Now what absurdity is it to say that the Roman character, in which at present private individuals prepare, print and sell books, in which a native newspaper is printed and widely circulated, is dying if not dead already? All we ask is to give to the English character the same privilege which the Persian enjoys. Allow all persons to write legal papers in what character they like. And sure I am that all natives will soon begin to write in that character which the judge likes and understands best, and which he is able to write himself. The conservatives, who for filthy lucre's sake, wish to conserve idolatry and shut out the light, are consistent in opposing this reform; but that liberal and intelligent men, like the Friend of India and Cinsurensis, should cry out against it, and still advocate the introduction of European civilization with all its blessings appears to me inconsistent. They say that the general introduction of the English characters is impossible and hopeless, and still they think the general conversion of the natives to christianity not impossible; still they believe that the natives will one day throw their idols away, restore their ladies to society, read English newspapers, discuss politics, science and religion and become a moral, wise, happy and mighty nation. Such views are certainly inconsistentt. But I hope that after reading this paper they will feel that they are argued down, confess their error and become zealous advocates and promoters of this great reform. I hope that no false sense of consistency will keep them back from adopting so honourable a course‡. Your's truly,

Benares, 11th June, 1838.

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J. A. S.

IV.-Brief Notice of the late Mrs. Yates, being the conclusion of a funeral sermon from Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, &c." delivered in the Circular Road Chapel, on Lord's-day evening, July 1st, 1838. By J. Penney.

Our esteemed friend the late Mrs. Yates, whose death we have attempted to improve, was the daughter of the Rev. W. Grant, a missionary of the Baptist Missionary Society. He came out to this country with Ward, Brunsdon and Dr. Marsh

i. e. forced into schools, but are they bonâ fide bought by natives for the pur. poses of study?-Cinsurensis.

Alas for CINSURENSIS !

As how? We confess our obtuseness in not having been able to penetrate this inference.-Id. Where is his dos s after this? surely he must now "hide his diminished head!" Yet, somehow or other, we cannot help thinking he has not quite tottered under the heavy blows of the Benares mallet. -Id.

man, in the year 1799, and she was then about two years old. Her father died very unexpectedly, a fortnight after his arrival, in the bloom and vigour of life at the age of 25 years, and full of zeal for the conversion of the heathen. It appears that he was much esteemed by his brethren, and that his death threw a gloom over the affairs of the mission. Mr. Ward, in speaking of him, said "he finished his course just as they were binding on their sandals, he obtained the victory and received a crown just as they were buckling on the armour, and preparing for action."

Her mother, of whom she had a vivid recollection and whose loss she seemed never to have forgotten, died suddenly on her way from Cutwa to Serampore*. When left by father and mother the Lord took her up. Her step-father Chamberlain died on his way to England, and was buried at sea not very far from the spot where she now lies. One of her sincere friends, to whom she was much attached also died at sea; so that Chamberlain, Mrs. Yates and Mrs. Murphy, all three endeared to this Church, found a grave in the watery deep. The voice that says "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord:" hath also said that sea shall give up its dead."

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the

It could never be ascertained at what age Mrs. Yates received her first religious impressions, though it is known to have been very early. From a child she was made acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, and that which was early implanted in her mind appears to have grown with her growth and strengthened with her strength.'

She was the first that was added to this Church by baptism; she was baptized in 1819, (by the Rev. Mr. Lawson, the faithful pastor of this Church) in company with Mr. Calder and two soldiers, one named Chamberlain and the other Grant.

In speaking of her character, it may be observed that she was naturally lively and cheerful; she was one who proved, that religion and cheerfulness are not unsuitable companions. Yet while religion supplied her with sources of cheerfulness, it always exercised its power in keeping that cheerfulness within due bounds.

She was one of those who looked at the bright side of things, and at the best side of characters. There was nothing desponding, complaining, or gloomy in her nature. Society was always made more cheerful by her presence, as well as enlightened by her information.

She was affectionate. It was not difficult to learn whether she was attached to her friends; she soon made them sensible of the warmth of her affection; her friends were sure to find in her

* See Memoirs of Chamberlain, page 236.

a most zealous advocate; she preferred old friends to new ones. I never knew that she lost a friend by neglect or unkindness, nor did I ever know any who became tired of her friendship.

As a friend she was faithful. She was not afraid to speak to her friends if she saw any thing that she thought wrong in their conduct. Such was the sincerity of her motives that she enjoyed a sort of privilege to say more than others. Yet if she could give reproof, she could take reproof and feel thankful for it. The closest friendship that was ever formed in this church, was by Mrs. Yates and one who was nearly related to myself. It was known to all that they were inseparable friends; they lived together, they walked together, sat next to each other in the house of God; they dressed alike, and almost thought alike. If circumstances had permitted they would have been laid side by side in the same grave.

As a wife, and as a minister's wife, she was truly a help-meet. The heart of her husband safely confided on her; she was capable of affording advice in cases of difficulty, and always ready to administer comfort in the time of affliction. The latter duty she was frequently called to exercise.

As a mother she had few equals. She gave up her time and devoted her strength to the interests of her children; she was not guilty of poisoning them by indulgence; she was diligent and assiduous in giving them instruction. Her eldest son, although he left her at a tender age, was well instructed from, and acquainted with, the scriptures; and I trust he will ever remember her pious concern for his welfare. If her loss is felt any where, it must be most keenly felt by her family.

As a believer, she was both confident and diffident ;-confident of the truth of scripture doctrines and the faithfulness of divine promises, but diffident in expressing her interest in those truths and promises. She was afraid of deceiving herself in a subject so awfully momentous, and this often led her to express herself diffidently where she might have done it confidently. She had however no doubt as to whom she had believed, or as to his ability to keep that which was committed to him.'

As a member of this church, she felt for its welfare, felt an interest in the labours of her husband. We can all say that she could not well be spared; she will be missed by all, but by none more than by myself, unless we except her immediate relatives. In her death I have lost an invaluable friend!

She was useful in all our Societies: specially as a member of the Ladies' Society and as one of the Committee of the Female School Society. Some years ago she gave up the whole of her time to Native Female Schools, and took much delight in the work.

She was zealous. A friend in a letter, speaking of her says, "The recollection of her visit here has always been pleasant to me, and it ever will be, though now accompanied with mournful feelings. Several lessons did she teach me which I wish never to forget. Her constant cheerfulness, her charitable spirit, her equanimity of temper, are all deeply impressed on my mind. It was a pleasant visit, a time of much enjoyment; there was no reserve; we felt as sisters, and we loved and were beloved by my dear mother as daughters; but it is all past! She was worthy of my respect and love; she tried to win me to Christ by conversation, by letters, and by sending me Pike's Early Piety; and the very first conversation we had, when she came here, was on religion. I can testify too, that she loved her Bible, the House of God. and prayer; many times in a day have I seen her with her Bible on her knee, calmly perusing the sacred pages; the voice of her prayer also has reached my ear in the silence of night."

Before she left home, she asked her partner, if he had any advice to give that might be useful to her on the voyage? He replied Yes, let patience have her perfect work." From her letters subsequently, and from the remarks made on her conduct by living witnesses, it appears that she applied her heart fully to this lesson, until she became "perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

When

As she lived in the affections of all, she died regretted by all. There appears something melancholy in the closing scene; that she, who was so much beloved by her friends, should be separated from them at a time when she so much needed their presence and sympathy. It was the particular desire of her heart to reach home, if it were only to die amongst us, that she might testify her attachment to Christ by her dying breath. it was told her that it was not probable, she expressed her resignation to the will of God: as she lived to the Lord, she died to the Lord. Worn out with affliction and pain, the wheels of nature stood still, the pulse ceased to beat, and, without being observed, her happy spirit departed and was conducted to the realms of bliss and glory. Instead of reaching her earthly home, she gained her heavenly home, "her father's house, in which there are many mansions." Her life was useful and her end was peace. May we "die the death of the righteous, and may our last end be like hers!"

The following particulars of her last days have been furnished by the kind friends with whom she sailed.

May 18th, 1838, 2 P. M. "I have just," writes the Captain, "been to see Mrs. Yates, who expressed a wish that some one should read and pray with her. She is, I fear, sinking fast,

though at times she revives a little. Upon my asking her the state of her mind, she said, I hope I feel resigned to the will of God. I have prayed; and he has raised me up from deeper affliction than this before.' I said, the remembrance of past deliverance should not lead us always to expect the same: it might be the will of the Lord now to deliver her by taking her to himself; she appeared resigned but was too exhausted to say any more, and fell into a dose. When asked in the evening, if she still felt resigned should it be the will of God to remove her, she replied, I hope I do; I should wish to live only for the sake of Mr. Yates and my children, otherwise I shall be a useless cumberer;' and again I have prayed to be resigned, but it would give me great pleasure to go home.' Observing Mrs. H. concerned about her, she said, ' Don't distress yourself about me; you have a little one to look after, and you will also have these two, (meaning her own children,) for they will look to you.' When asked if she found Christ precious, she saidI must not say what I do not feel;' and then reflecting, she replied Yes, I do feel that he is precious to me.' At midnight she was observed praying with a great degree of excitement, but the only words heard were, Have mercy on us, O Lord.""

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May 19th." In conversation this day she declared her belief in all the grand doctrines of the gospel, and her hope of salvation through that gospel; which gave us comfort. She said, Vanity was inscribed on all things here below, and that when we attain the summit of our wishes, there is still something wanting. In reply to some remark that had been made, she replied quickly, I am going home.' Mrs. Holmes said, Yes Mrs. Yates, you are going home.' She replied again, 'I know I am, to the greater if not to the less." I then asked her, if we should have worship-she said, Yes, if you please.' Mrs. Holmes having brought the Bible, I asked her if there was any particular portion of scripture she would wish me to read. She said, the 103rd Psalm: Bless the Lord, O my soul, &c.' In this exercise she engaged with much feeling. About mid-day, she asked me if there was any ship near with a doctor. I said, What can a doctor do for you now?' she replied, Only so far as God might bless his labours.' When asked if she had any message to send to Mr. Yates, she said Yes, I have a great deal to say to him, I should like to write to him a long letter.' I said, If you will tell me what to write, I will write for you.' Her lips trembled and she shrunk from the task. In the evening she was much perplexed with the idea that Mr. Yates was dead, and that we had received letters and would not make her acquainted with the truth; and all the assurances