formed by Mr. Trawin, Mr. Pearson of Chinsurah, Mr. Ray, and Mr. Piffard.

There is a large and respectable School very near the Chapel, frequently visited by the Brethren of Kidderpore.

The state and prospects of the Mission at Kidderpore are abundantly encouraging, under the faithful, zealous, and well-directed efforts of our Missionary Friends at that place.

The following encouraging fact has just occurred. A Native, who had occasionally heard our friends preach and seen some of their Schools, has, to the surprise and delight of the Missionaries, established a School in his own house, at Kaleeghaut-one of Satan's chief high-places; and where Mr. Trawin had often desired to have a School, but in vain. This is properly regarded as a very pleasing indication of the success of the Brethren's labours.

At Kidderpore we had the satisfaction of partaking of the Lord's Supper with the native and other members of the Church of Christ formed there; who, it is pleasing to be able to add, are walking worthy of the Gospel.

Before every Native Public-Service in the Kidderpore Chapel, it is Mr. Trawin's judicious practice to catechize the children in the presence of the parents and such other adults as may happen to be present: this gives a valuable opportunity of conveying reproof, correction, and instruction to the congregation, in an advantageous manner. In the church at Kidderpore are fifteen Native Christians (Hindoos).

Serampore-About twelve miles above Calcutta, the chief station of the Baptist Missions: here we staid a day, going up, and again coming down the Ganges. At this beautiful place we were most kindly received by Dr. and Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Marshman, and her son and daughters; by Messrs. Mack and Swan, and their families. This is a vast and interesting establishment-Missionary, Educational, Literary, Printing, &c.

Chinsurah-With this place we were unqualifiedly pleased. We found Mr. Mundy still very low, on account of the loss of his late most excellent wife; who, from all accounts, was a very superior woman, and strengthened her husband's hands in all missionary and other good works.

Mr. Mundy has very efficiently superintended the Government Schools during the absence of Mr. Pearson, who resumed the charge of them on the 1st of November: these Schools are 16 in number; and contain, on the books, 2016: the actual attendance out of this number is 1680: the Scriptures are not, at present, allowed by Government in these Schools; nor is direct religious instruction permitted: but the influence which the superintendence of these Schools gives over the children and their parents &c. is valuable, as may be seen by the numbers which attend at the several preaching stations. Besides the care of these Government Schools, Mr. Mundy has three Mission Schools, in which the Christian Scriptures and Cathechisms are fully introduced: these three Schools contain 295 on the books; of

which 240 are, on the average, attending: at these Schools, or some other of the wellchosen places for the purpose, the Gospel is preached to the Natives almost every evening, either by Mr. Mundy or by Mr. Lacroix; and, from what we ourselves saw frequently and hear to be the case, the attendance on these preachings is most encouraging.

The population of Chinsurah is about 30,000; and, with the addition of villages near, and Chandernagore, in all of which there are Schools or Preaching Stations, the population amounts to 100,000.

While at Chinsurah, Mr. Mundy read to us and translated for us a large part of a Commentary on St. Mark's Gospel; which he has translated into Bengalee, in the form of question and answer, for the use of the schools and inquirers of all ages. Of the translation into Bengalee, we were not, of course, competent to judge: but we understand, by learned and pious Europeans, that the translation is good; and that the work is likely to be very valuable, both for schools and to give away in parts, it being intended to have it done up in small portions as Tracts. The very excellent and learned Archdeacon Corrie and the Church Missionaries so much approve of this work, that they readily accept the charge and hazard of printing the whole; and will furnish Mr. Mundy with the number of copies which he desires at the actual cost price. The Commentary appears to us, in English, to be correct, simple, and well adapted to its proposed object.

Mr. Mundy has also drawn up a small work, on the internal and external Evidences of the Christian Religion; and is now translating it into Bengalee. A work of this kind, we have reason to believe, is very much needed. This work is judiciously drawn up, being very respectable as to luminous order, simplicity of manner, and orthodoxy of sentiment with the approbation of many, Mr. Mundy purposes first to publish this work in English, and then in Bengalee.

From Chinsurah to Patna-From Chinsurah, we passed up the river Jelingy, an eastern branch of the Ganges; there not being sufficient water in the Cossimbazar River to allow of our passing up that western branch of the Ganges: consequently, we were prevented from seeing Berhampore, &c. until we should return down the river. From the Jelingy, we entered the Burra Gunga, or Great Ganges, a little above the town of Jelingy. The Great Ganges is most truly a magnificent river: the noble width of the water, and the sea-like waves which frequently agitate the vessels, of which great numbers are almost always within sight, produce altogether a very powerful impression on first entering this mass of yellow waters. This was the case with respect to ourselves, although the rains in the Nepaul Mountains had, as yet, produced but little effect on the river.

The flat but fertile and beautiful country on the sides of the river now soon gave place to the varied hilly and still more beautiful scenery, as we approached the ancient town

and ruins of Rajemahel. The population of this town and neighbourhood is very great, and is entirely destitute of all Christian Instruction.

Boglipore, Monghyr, Digah, and Dinapore, all of which we saw, ascending and descending the river, and at which we made very short stays, are favoured with Christian Missionaries or Ministers, belonging either to the Established Church or to the Baptists: but, even in those places, the labourers are vastly inadequate to the moral fields needing cultivation.

Patna-We stayed a day or two at the very ancient city of Patna, both as we went up and descended the river. The Hon. Judge Douglas (to whom we had a Letter of Introduction from his niece, Lady Brisbane, of New South Wales) received us very kindly, and furnished us with palankeens and attendants, that we might see this curious and interesting city, whose entire population of 250,000 souls are entirely uncared for by Christians of any denomination; only we understood, that, incidentally, a Baptist Native-Christian has gone to see them. Morning, evening, and at noon, we saw countless multitudes performing their ablutions and devotions in the "sacred" river; and under almost every green tree, they had some idolatrous object of worship. Some of their stone and other gods, to which we saw them presenting offerings, and on which we saw them pouring libations, we succeeded in purchasing from one of their priests; and these we have with us, that our privileged Fellow-Christians of Britain may see additional instances of what contemptible things these poor Hindoos are contented to put their trust in and pay their adoration to. The city of Patna is, by the course of the river, about 550 miles above Calcutta. At Patna the Ganges is about five miles wide.

Benares-Much distressed by the heat, and opposed by a rapid current, and after having not unfrequently seen large boats lost, we at length reached that most celebrated of holy eastern cities BENARES; which, for beauty, majesty, and novelty, as it is first seen sweeping to a great extent along a noble reach of the river, can scarcely be surpassed-the city, with its numerous proud and picturesque ghauts, temples, mosques, and other buildings, forming the arch of a grand bow.

In the evening, Mr. Adam sent a onehorse carriage to convey us to Cecro'e, the part where he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Adam received us very kindly, and invited us to take up our residence at their house: we, however, declined this invitation for the present, having determined to go to Chunar, Mirzapore, and Allahabad; places of much interest in regard to Missionary Labours, and higher up the river. After spending about two days with Mr. Adam, we, therefore, proceeded to

Chunar-which is situated about 15 miles above Benares: it has a large and strong fort, and is a station for invalid British Soldiers the population is very considerable, and the place beautiful. There are two Clergymen here, both of them in connexion

with the Church Missionary Society. The Rev. Mr. Bowley preaches three times in the week in Hindoostanee, and has a very numerous and attentive audience in the Mission Church: Mr. Bowley has also Schools for the Natives: he has translated the New Testament into Hinduwee, and published a small Volume of Hymns in the same language. There are two services in the week, for the Europeans, soldiers, and others, in the same Mission Church. The Rev. Mr. Greenwood is the Acting Chaplain. Both these gentlemen received us with the greatest kindness.

Mirzapore-is a large town in the province of Allahabad, about half way between Chunar and the city of Allahabad: the number of native inhabitants is very great, and of Europeans there are many also. Darkness covers the town and country: the people here have no Christian Instructors at all; neither Chaplain, Missionary, nor Native Teacher. In two of the temples, dedicated to Kalee, which were being rebuilt, we saw very gross superstitions: the whole place, indeed, appears to be given up to idolatry and irreligion, the people living without hope and without God in the world. A Missionary would here have abundance of work; and, if he were of the right stamp, might hope for good success.

Allahabad-is one of the most ancient and "holy" of the cities of India, having a very great resident population; and, at certain periods, a vast influx of pilgrims to perform their devotions in its temples, but especially to bathe in the "holy" waters of the Ganges at its confluence with the Jumna; these two rivers meeting here. The very extensive and well-built Fort of Allahabad, and the ancient Palace of the Kings (ancient Rajahs) of these regions, which seem one mass of building, and stand on the point of land at which the rivers meet, are seen at some distance as we ascend the Ganges; and give Allahabad an air of grandeur and magnificence, which, when we travel through the city, we do not find sustained, either by the extent of the population, or the houses, streets, or bazaars.

The Baptists have here a Missionary, an Indo-Briton, Mr. Mackintosh, with whose piety we were much pleased. He has a School for Half-castes and for Natives; to whom he preaches, or with whom he converses at his own house, at the Ghauts, and at the Melas or Hindoo Festivals: on which occasions he gives Religious Tracts and parts of the Scriptures, in Hindoostanee and Hinduwee. Mr. Mackintosh has one Hindoo whom he regards as pious, and who assists him in his Missionary Labours. The scene of labour here is large, and Mr. Mackintosh says he feels that he is growing feeble: we think him a devoted Missionary. Besides labouring among the Natives, he has had, for some time, two English Services in the Fort on Sundays, at which a few of the soldiers attend: of late, a Medical Gentleman, resident at Allahabad, has co-operated with him in these Lord's-day Services, by taking one alternately with him. These have been the only means of religious instruction, which

Europeans or Natives have had at this place; but we were glad to learn that a Chaplain has now reached Allahabad: but the Natives greatly need more instruction.

To the Judge and Magistrate, A. J. Colvin, Esq., we were much indebted for his obliging reception of us; and furnishing us with his buggy, palankeen, &c., which enabled us to see the place, temples, &c. to advantage. The Hindoo Temples and Mahomedan Mosques are here, as almost everywhere, numerous.

Some remarkably shocking instances of absurd superstitious worship we saw while here. We happened to be visiting a very handsomely-built stone-temple, covered with well-executed sculptures of their idols, "holy" persons, &c. in stone, of the highest relief: in this temple are several stone idols representing the serpent-the cobra-capella : the largest, which represents a serpent 12 feet long, coiled into a sort of gordian knot, and very well cut, is the principal object of worship in this temple. While we were looking at this stone snake, a horrid-looking man (about 25 years old) rushed in, covered with the ashes of burnt ordure, and his huge quantity of hair matted with mud and dust: his eyes appeared inflamed: he bowed before the serpent-then prostrated himself-then respectfully touched his head-looked fixedly upon the serpent-prostrated himself again

then touched it-and rushed out, as if in a paroxysm of delight, at the thought of having worshipped this thing! when he got out of the temple, he walked all round, within the verandah; and, having once more bowed at the door of the temple, he departed with a hurried step. We cannot conceive of any human being having more the appearance of a demoniac than this miserable creature ; who, nevertheless, is regarded, by the poor Hindoos, as one of the holiest of men.

Mr. Mackintosh informed us, that, in this part of India, there are now none of those Suttees, of which formerly there were many. He never knew instances here of infants being exposed in trees or thrown into the Ganges; nor of parents brought down to the river, and, having their mouths, ears, &c. filled with the mud of the Ganges, left to die : but he took us to see some tombs of persons who had procured themselves to be buried alive, as the most immediate way to heaven: the last of these shocking interments took place about 70 years ago. Another horrid form of self-murder has happily been put down by a regulation of the Government, and the wise and firm application of it by the present truly worthy Judge and Magistrate, Mr. Colvin; who said that he had not suffered any one to drown himself at the junction of the Ganges and the Jumna-laving declared, that if any one assists another, either with a boat to assist in tying on the earthen pots, or helps the individual to throw himself into the river, the person or persons so acting shall be regarded as accessory to the murder, and be dealt with accordingly. An instance of this self-drowning, Mr. Colvin said, had not occurred since he had held the Government of Allahabad; nor will he suffer either of these or any other cruelties which it is in his power to prevent. We rejoice also August, 1827.

to state, that this is the sentiment of all such Judges and Magistrates as we have had intercourse with in the different districts. This, in connexion with the facts that the shackles of caste and brahminical domination are much and obviously weakening, is a subject of sincere congratulation to the friends of humanity and piety.

Benares-On our return to this place, we were kindly received into Mr. Adam's house, where we remained upward of a fortnight : both Mr. and Mrs. Adam were obligingly attentive to us. We visited most of the idolatrous temples, and other places of religious resort, both of Hindoos and Mahomedans. The sight of such multitudes of gross idolaters, grovelling in the lowest sinks of ignorance and superstition, and oppressed by about Eight Thousand Brahmins, (with their families, they make up Forty Thousand!) was indeed mournful; but we would hope it is destined to come to an end.

A few rays of holy light, however, shine in the midst of this darkness.

Mr. Smith, Missionary in connexion with the Baptist Society, resides in the city of Benares; and is a consistent, steady, diligent, and successful Missionary, of great modesty and respectable talents. He has Schools for the Natives; and constantly visits the Ghauts, the Bazaars, and the Melas, to converse, to preach, and to distribute Tracts and portions of the Scriptures in Hindoostanee, &c.

The Rev. Mr. Adlington, the Clergyman, who is the Church Missionary here, well acquainted with the language of these parts - has several well-conducted Native Schools belonging to the Mission-has several Preaching Stations; and preaches twice on the Sunday to the Natives, in the Mission Chapel. He appears to be a very efficient Missionary; giving himself up exclusively to the instruction of the Natives in their own languages. There is here, also, under Mr. Adlington's superintendence, a large Endowed School, where Persian, Sanscrit, Hindoostanee, Hinduwee, and English, are taught to about Two Hundred Youths: the premises were given by a Baboo, and the Institution has been endowed by his Son: beside this, the British Government gives 200 rupees per month, so that the Society bears no part of the expense: nevertheless, it is pleasing to be able to say, that, in every department of this Institution, the Scriptures are introduced and Christian Instruction given we were agreeably surprised to hear the Native Boys, who are learning English, so well acquainted with the principles of Christianity, both doctrines and duties, and with the Assembly's and Dr. Watts's Catechisms.

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Mr. Adam, whose period of labour here has been much shorter than that of the Missionaries of the other Societies, has Five Schools, and visits the Melas to distribute Tracts. We had the satisfaction to attend one Mela, with Mr. Adam: Mr. Adlington also, and Mr. Bowley of Chunar, were there: Mr. Bowley had some animated controversy with some of the Brahmins; in which we could perceive that the Brahmins were silenced, if they were not convinced. Mr.Adam has not, as yet, begun to preach to the Na

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tives; but he addresses a small congregation of Soldiers, in English, in the Mission Chapel, on Sabbath Evening, and also on a Week-day Evening. Mr. Adam has written a Catechism, and several other small publications, in Hinduwee, for the use of the Schools and for distribution. Mr. Robertson, who is destined to Benares, as a co-labourer with Mr. Adam, and whom we saw several times before we left Calcutta, is at present in that city.

Benares, with its six-hundred-and-fifty thousand inhabitants, Hindoos and Mahomedans, in the proportion of five to one, appears to us a most important Missionary Station; having, beside the above-stated population, an immense accession, at particular seasons of the year, when the pilgrimages are made. All these hundreds of thousands are accessible they will hear you: they will converse with you: they will argue with you; and, generally speaking, they will take your books, and promise to read them. At their Ghauts, in their Bazaars, before the Schools, congregations may be collected every day.

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There is a very respectable European Population at Benares, living at Cecrole, about three or four miles from the city in a very Beat Church, the Rev. Mr. Proby officiates to these Europeans, the Church being large enough for the whole.

To the Magistrate, R. N. C. Hamilton, Esq., we were under very particular obligations for the various facilities which he afforded us of seeing Benares, and for giving us introductions elsewhere. There seems to be a humane and ardent desire in this Gentleman, who is the son of Sir Frederick Hamilton, Collector at Benares, to prevent, to the extent of his powers, all atrocities and superstitious inhumanities within his district, which is vastly extensive.

Ghazeepore is one day's voyage from Benares, by the stream down the river it is a great Military Station, with multitudes of Native Inhabitants, but not any Missionary there is here a respectable Church; and a serious Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Burkitt. Bucar, which is about as far below Ghazeepore, has also a very extensive population, but no Missionary at present; however, Archdeacon Corrie has ordered a Bungalow Chapel to be built, and has promised to send a Missionary.

Dinapore-At this place, which is another great Military Station, there is a benevolent Young Clergyman, very lately come out as Chaplain for that Station.

Digah-At this place, which is only a few miles lower on the river than Dinapore, there are Mr. Burton and Mrs. Rowe, con. nected with the Baptist Missionary Society. Mr. Burton is just beginning to preach to the Natives: he has not been here very long. Mrs. Rowe appears to be an efficient Missionary she has several well-managed Schools.

We left the river Ganges a little above a small town called Gooty, and entered the branch which has the name of Cossimbazar until it is joined by the more eastern branch, the Jelingy on which junction it assumes the name of the Hoogly, and passes Chinsurah, Serampore, Calcutta, &c., and falls into the sea beyond Saugor Island.

Berhampore-We had the satisfaction to reach this very interesting station, where Mr. Micaiah Hill and Mr. Ray have been labouring for some time. Here we were most kindly received and treated by Mr. and Mrs. Hill, and Mrs. Warden who is staying at Berhampore. Mr. Ray had gone to Calcutta.

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It being the rainy season, and the country round partly inundated, the School and Preaching Operations have been partially hindered of late. With Mr. Hill and Mr. Trawin (who happened, with Mrs. Trawin, to be on a visit here for health), we visited Six Schools, containing 280 children; and Two Girls' Schools, containing 40 girls, under the care of Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Warden: also three small Native Chapels. We heard Mr. Hill and Mr. Trawin preach at the Chapels; and Mr. Hill, many times, at the Bazaars. the Sabbath, Mr. Hill has a peculiar congregation of Natives, in his own court-yard: they are the blind, the maimed, the old and impotent; who are privileged beggars: for an hour, Mr. Hill reads to them and converses with them, and preaches a short Sermon in Bengalee; after which they each receive some trifle. Beside this meeting with these Natives and daily attending to the Schools, also almost daily preaching to the Natives either in the little chapels or in the streets, Mr. Hill has, in the Hall of his own house, an English Service, which is respectably attended: there are a few persons united in Christian Fellowship.

The population is very considerable among which Mr. Hill labours; and the neighbouring towns, Moorshedabad and Cossimbazar, have a vast population of Hindoos and Mahomedans.

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Cutwa-At Cutwa are Mr. and Mrs. William Carey, of the Baptist Society. Mr. Carey has a little congregation of Native Christians, meeting twice every Sunday, at his own house a few are united in church-fellowship. He has three or four Natives, who assist him, by preaching in turn, in the various Bazaars and Stations, which they regularly visit: one or other preaches every night. Mr. Carey, very wisely, always accompanies his preachers when he does not preach himself; by which means he has an opportunity to correct any mistakes into which Native Preachers will, for a long time, be liable to fall. We spent a very agreeable and profitable day with this pious and useful family, where we saw an interesting de. gree of Christian simplicity and kindness.

Culna-We came to an anchor at Culna, a populous town and neighbourhood; about 60 miles lower on the Hoogly than Berhampore, and about 30 above Chinsurah. Mr. Deerr, belonging to the Church Missionary, Society, has been here a short time.

Calcutta-After seeing several boats and one pinnace lost on the river, and meeting with those who had experienced some heavy losses and inconvenience in ascending or descending the Ganges, we were mercifully brought back to Calcutta ; though not without some obvious dangers, yet without any accident of moment, of a painful nature; and had again to record, Thus far hath the Lord helped us!

Testimony of the Deputation to the Effect

of Christian Labours in Bengal. The Deputation introduce the preceding Journal with the following remarks

By the concurrent testimony of all ranks and parties, the change for the better in India, within twenty or twentyfive years, has been surprisingly great; both as it respects the manners and practices of the Natives and Europeans. Worldly, irreligious persons acknowledge the change; and confess that it has been a good thing to have such an increase of Clergymen and Churches in different parts of Bengal, the Upper Provinces, &c. The truly-serious and intelligently observant part of society here see and acknowledge, that this more valuable melioration has resulted from Divine

Providence having disposed the minds of Christians to send out so many pious and devoted Missionaries, of the different Protestant Denominations; who have borne a steady, faithful, and scriptural testimony against vice and ignorance, whether in Natives or Europeans, and in favour of truth and piety. This has been also very greatly aided by the faithful labours of many of the Clergy, who have not come out as Missionaries;

but whose zeal for the diffusion of Divine Truth among the Heathen is most pleasingly displayed.

The degree of union and the disposition to co-operate in works of piety and benevolence, which exist in these parts, have very much strengthened the hands of all Christian Parties, and increased the friends of each: and if this spirit of Christian Union continue and increase, it must very greatly aid the progress of Gospel Truth and Holiness through these regions, and proportionally tend to disarm the enemy of some of his more formidable weapons.

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They thus close their report— Having now given some account of the state of things, as we have seen them in Calcutta, Kidderpore, Chinsurah, Berhampore, and Benares, would remark generally, that our expectations respecting the Missionary Good that has been effected, and the prospects of more good being done, have been greatly exceeded by what we have found, and by what, under the blessing of God, we may reasonably hope. Our faith respecting the conversion of the Hindoos has been much increased, by

ration, with which these inferior castes verential regard, reaching to actual adotreated the Brahmins, is very much lessened. We think we see the fetters of

caste very much weakened and we do cheerfully hope, that the whole series of

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the links of this cruel chain will be for moderation and prudence of our enlightever broken, under the commendable ened Government ; and especially by the blessing of God on the efforts of prudent Christian Members and Missionaries, who, while they preach the Gospel very widely and faithfully, exhibit a scriptural temper and conduct toward another, toward the European Inhalation; and who are also zealously enbitants, and toward the Heathen Popu gaged in superintending the education of printing, and distributing useful books, the young of both sexes, and in writing, especially the Scriptures, to so very great an extent.

The effects which have been already produced on the Native Population, by the introduction of an increased number Members of Religion not being Missioof wise and good Missionaries, and naries, have already been great, directly, in various parts of India; nor less so indirectly, by having effected so manifest a moral improvement in the resident British Population in these parts. This change is so great and so valuable, that no reflecting person can help seeing it, and no benevolent person can avoid rejoicing in it. The decencies of social life are decorously observed-the Day of God is distinguished-the Places of Religious Worship, in and out of the Establishment, are well filled-the Institutions and Ministers of Religion are reverenced-and many pious families in the different ranks of society among the British offer their daily thanks to God, and pray that His kingdom may come and spread until it shall cover the whole earth!