LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM

THE REV. W. MILLER.

LETTERS have been received from our esteemed brethren Miller and Hill. We regret that our space this month will not allow the insertion of Mr. Hill's letter, which, however, we will reserve for the next"Quarterly Paper." We have the gratification of announcing that the "Viceroy" reached Calcutta on Thursday, the 16th November.

Off Cape St. Vincent,

S. S. "Viceroy," Oct. 6th. My dear brother,-Though a week has not yet transpired since you said "Good bye" to us, the interval is so crowded with memorable incidents that it appears to me more like a year. You did well not to remain for the tug to return to the shore, as the wind gradually increased, and blew hard when Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Goadby, and other friends, left us.

At seven o'clock next morning we had weighed anchor and commenced our long journey. We could not but gaze long and fondly on the receding and beautiful coast of dear old England. At eight o'clock we passed the Eddystone Lighthouse, eight miles from Plymouth, and soon after our pilot, with a bag full of letters, left us, and thus severed the last link of communication with the fatherland. Throughout the day the wind and waves continued to increase in strength and magnitude, causing the ship to pitch and roll in a manner that soon laid low almost every passenger with sea-sickness, and rendered the day the most wretched I had ever passed through. Social or public worship was utterly impracticable. Our hope that a day and night of indescribable discomfort and suffering would be succeeded by favourable weather was doomed to bitter disappointment. A severe gale, for which we were in many respects unprepared, had evidently come upon us, which continued up to Tuesday evening. To make matters worse, our cabins and the steerage, from known and unknown causes, were deluged with water, which saturated the bedding and

ping, some of the cabins could be occupied; others had to be entirely vacated for the saloon, which happily kept dry, and where many of the passengers spent the night as well as day. All the passengers are one in the conviction that the ship ought to have been more thoroughly tested before being sent to sea. Another week, at least, was needed to overhaul and complete her requirements. Notwithstanding the leakage which comes from the deck and port-holes, she has, after a very severe trial, proved herself a good sea-boat.

We are now quite near Cape St. Vincent, the south-west extremity of Portugal, and about sixteen hours' run from Gibraltar. On the extreme point of the Cape is a small fortification and monastery, with a lighthouse, of which we have now a splendid view. We have had delightful weather the last two days, and every person and thing on board begins to wear a more bright and cheerful aspect; boxes, portmanteaus with their contents, bedding, carpets, &c., are being dried, and in a few days, if not repeated, we shall have almost forgotten the sufferings and dangers we have passed through

We have on board some 180 soulsfirst-class passengers, 84; second, 16; ship's company, 80. The Mission party musters some 20 persons, old and young. There are four Church Missionaries, two of the London Mission, and three young ladies going out to engage in zenana work -one is for Rangoon, the other two for Bengal. I am happy to say we are all on the most friendly terms, and have arranged to have an equal share in christian work, both on the Lord's-day and week-days, while on board.

Of Algeria, 8th Oct.—The weather continues most pleasant; the sea as calm as possible, and of a deep indigo colour, peculiar, I believe, to the Mediterranean. We have had the coast in view since early morning, and are now within seven miles of it. It is hilly, treeless, and barren, and apparently thinly populated. We are now in a straight line with a large village, which has a mosque and lighthouse. On the eastern side, running up

to the sea, is a remarkable hill, which has the appearance of a lofty fortress, crowned by a terrace and mounted with guns. Many ships and steamers are constantly passing us. We had service this morning on the poop, conducted by two of the Church Missionaries; most of the passengers, seamen, and ship officers were present. In the afternoon some of us went into the forecastle and spoke to the sailors. The evening service was held in the saloon, and was conducted by one of the London Missionaries.

Oct. 11th, off Malta.-We have just passed quite close to Gozo and Monica, two small islands belonging to Malta, and separated from it by a narrow strait. We are now crossing St. Paul's Bay, the scene of the great apostle's shipwreck, so graphically described in Acts xxvii. 39-44. There is a large village on the shore of the bay, named also after the apostle. The country adjoining has a burnt-up, barren appearance, and is laid out in terraces to favour cultivation. Many small boats are moving about and engaged in fishing. This seems to be the principal employment of the people of this part of Malta, as well as the adjoining islands. One boat tried hard to reach us with fish, but could not. One time this morning, the sea at the side of the ship was studded with fine pieces of sponge, which accounts for their being so cheap in these parts. We are now passing Valetta, the chief town of Malta, where the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers call both on the homeward and outward passage. The extensive barracks, St. John's Cathedral, and other public buildings, present a very imposing appearance at this distance. We have also a good view of the harbour and shipping. We are now entering the Sea of Adria, and hope we may escape the tempestuous Euroclydon. By to-morrow at noon we ought to be in the longitude of Crete, Fair Havens, and Clauda. The weather continues most favourable, and our average run is 240 miles each 24 hours. We hope to reach Port Said, the entrance to the Suez Canal, on the 15th inst., and there have an opportunity to post letters. We shall then be within 100 miles of Jerusalem. I am now daily engaged at the English and Oriya Dictionary, and in teaching my own children Oriya. To them the speaking of it will be a very easy matter; a knowledge of reading, writing, and grammar is what they have to acquire.

Port Said, Oct. 16th.

In answer to many prayers, and through the never-failing care and mercy of our heavenly Father, we have reached in safety this stage of our long journey. Yesterday, at six a.m., we first sighted the coast of Egypt, near Damietta, a small town at the mouth of one of the branches of the Nile; and at noon we arrived here. We are at anchor in an immense dock or basin which leads into the canal, and quite close to the town. It was difficult to realize that it was really Sunday, as all was noise, bustle, and excitement. Dozens of small boats with Arabs were immediately alongside to convey passengers to the town. Any attempt to enter a boat was the signal for a general rush, and loud screams on the part of the boatmen to secure the prize. Natives, with boats full of apples, dates, walnuts, cocoa nuts, eggs, &c., were also busy plying their calling. Worst of all, coaling was commenced, and carried on until near midnight, which occasioned indescribable noise and dirt. The town, which now contains some 5000 inhabitants, is built near the sea on a low, narrow strip of sand, and has behind it a very large shallow lake, called Menzaleh, through which the canal runs for many miles. The houses have mostly tiled roofs, and have a very uncomfortable and unsubstantial appearance, and look as if they had been put up in a great hurry. There are several hotels and shops kept by Frenchmen. Everything is frightfully dear. One of the passengers was charged 1s. 6d. for a cup of chocolate. Fresh water must be expensive, as it is all conveyed through pipes from Ismailia, 48 miles distant. The entrance from the sea to Port Said is a grand work. It is formed by two stone breakwaters about half a mile apart, which run out one and a half miles from the shore, forming a wide channel, with a depth of water in the shallowest part of thirty feet. The western breakwater has at the shore end a lighthouse, very lofty and graceful in appearance, which shows an electric light, seen at a distance of 24 miles. I am happy to say all our party are quite well. We are now (11.30 a.m.) getting up the anchors, and in a few minutes will com. mence our journey through the canal.

I must not omit to mention the generous hospitality of our good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, while in London. I shall never cease to feel grateful for the kindness shown to us. We also owe a

large debt of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Robson, who are ever ready and happy to entertain, and in every possible way to help, the members of the Mission on their journey to and from India.

BAPTISTS IN ITALY,

SECOND LETTER.

To the Editor of the Missionary Observer.

Dear Sir,-Writing you from this city seven weeks ago, I promised that on my next visit to Rome I would try to collect other information relative to our Baptist brethren in Italy, and that I might possibly again communicate with you. Having again been to Rome, I again, on my homeward journey, stop at Genoa to record a few details of the result of my inquiries. The facts communicated in my first letter were supplied by an esteemed American brother, coupled with an interview with one of the congregation in Rome. I have now obtained more detailed information from the two brethren who constitute a kind of Anglo-American pastorate and mission, and from personal observation of three distinct assemblages met for worship and teaching.

The Rev. W. NELSON COTE, from Canada, represents our transatlantic Baptist brethren; and the Rev. JAMES WALL, a devoted English minister, most cordially co-operates with Mr. Cote. The latter has been some years in Italy, working for God amongst railway navvies, and in several localities and cities. By the hand of this latter gentleman, aided by influential christians at home, more than 112,000 copies of Scriptures, in whole or part, have been distributed; and I believe a church at Bologna owes its origin to his labours. I had a long and pleasant interview with these worthy co-adjutors, and from them I learnt the following additional particulars.

At ROME there are four meeting places, viz., at 9, Vicolo Gaetana, second story; at 46, Piazza Trajana; at 108, via del Tritone; and at 5, Vicolo del Cerrique, in the Trosterere. The Roman church consists of about sixty members; and there is a college for the training of young ministers at No. 72, Babruno-at present there are six students, one of whom I heard speak with great fluency and power. The baptized disciples meet every Lord's-day morning at the most central place of worship, in the Vicolo Gaetana, for mutual conference, Bible

exposition and teaching, and the "breaking of bread." Most of the members of the church are spoken of as simpleminded sincere christians.

At CIVITA VECCHIA the church consists of twenty members-not fifty, as I stated by mistake in my former letterand there are meetings held at Albano, Tivoli, Velletri, and Viterbo.

BARI is the place in the south to which I referred as the scene of the conversion of an entire congregation to Baptist principles, where the minister first visited Rome and was baptized, and then invited Mr. Cote to go down and teach the way of truth more perfectly; and the result was the baptism in the Adriatic of seventy-five members. The services there are conducted by several talented members in conjunction with their pastor.

The BOLOGNA church numbers about fifty members, under the evangelistic teaching of Signor Giannini.

In the WALDENSIAN VALLEYS, conspicuous in the history of the church during the darkest ages, there are about thirty known baptized believers, chiefly under the guidance and teaching of the evangelist Signor Ferrario; and if I live to return from Egypt and Palestine in the next spring, I will try to carry out the suggestion of my good brother Wall, and conduct a tour to the valleys, when I hope to have the company of Mr. Wall, who has laboured there, and is acquainted with their geography and people.

In addition to these known organizations, there are little nucleuses of societies gathering at Leghorn, Pisa, and other places, where, without any extraneous assistance, devoted men are employing scriptural means for the establishment of "the truth as it is in Jesus." I was reminded by Mr. Wall's information of the early days of the General Baptist churches at Barton-in-the-Beans, Derby, Nottingham, Wadsworth, Boston, and other districts, where we have now flourishing churches. Isolated par. ties in Italy, without concert with any other christian congregations, are found studying and practising the precepts and examples of the New Testament, and they become Baptists without the knowledge of those larger bodies that have the name. In Rome, notwithstanding that all the communionists are baptized believers, they do not wish to be known by any name except that first given to the disciples at Antioch. In addition to these associated and scattered bands of

christian disciples, there are hundreds who sign their names as an expression of their desire to renounce popery; and there are many inquirers on the records of the churches.

In speaking of Rome, I forgot to mention the schools that are in course of formation. Our brethren have two day schools and one Sunday school, in addition to a deeply interesting institution founded by Mrs. Gould, wife of Dr. Gould, the resident American physician, who bids fair to become a worthy successor of the famous Mrs. Thompson, late of Beyrout. Twice I visited her school of fifty or sixty children, and the singing of the sweet little song for children

"I think when I hear the sweet story of old," which I heard these little ones sing seven days ago, seems still to ring in my ears. And then, after hearing several English hymns repeated and sung, with clear articulation and true Italian melody, to hear these pupils of about eight months training, varying in age from three to twelve or fifteen, translate the words into the Italian language, word by word and sentence by sentence, it almost made one wish to be a 66 piccoli bambini," and learn with "little children" the first rudiments of Italian. Compared with them, how foolish one felt when called upon, at a weekly united prayer meeting held in the Wesleyan meeting-house on the following evening, to say a few words, every sentence had to be interpreted by my good brother Cote.

Of what I saw and heard in Rome last Lord's-day and two following even

ings, I could easily fill the whole space of the Missionary Observer; but I stop here till next month, when you will perhaps again favour me with space for another letter on general christian effort in Rome. In the meantime I have a proposal to make to English christians on behalf of these Roman disciples, which I hope, on my return, to be able to submit to a select party of well-known friends of education and christian labour, amongst whom I shall try to include the joint Editors of the General Baptist Magazine and Missionary Observer. I am, dear sir, Yours very truly, THOMAS COOK.

Genoa, Nov. 19, 1871.

DEATH OF THE REV. F. SUPPER, OF DACCA.

We regret to announce the death of the above esteemed brother on the 2nd of October. We are informed that malarious fever was the cause of death, after only a day's illness. One day previously two of his daughters had embarked in the Viceroy to join their parents at Dacca. The first intelligence that would meet them on their arrival in India would be that of their father's decease. We hear that Mrs. Supper intended to wait the arrival of her daughters at Calcutta, and to return with them to England. We would bespeak an interest in the sympathies and prayers of our friends for the widow (who is the sister-in-law of the late Dr. Sutton) and her fatherless children.

Our limited space this month prevents any reference to Home Proceedings, Meetings, &c.