Visit to Saugor Island.

In January last Mr. Gogerly and myself visited Sagor island, at the time of the annual bathing festival, and subsequently we itinerated in the districts of Midnapore, Tumlook, and Hooghly. As we have already forwarded the journal kept during that missionary excursion, I shall not enlarge upon the subject. Should God spare my life, I purpose, next cold season, to visit Saugor again, there not being, in my opinion, a better opportunity for making the Gospel extensively known, at a little expense and in a short time, than at that renowned place of pilgrimage.

(Signed)

KAIRA.

A. F. LACROIX.

Extracts of a Letter from Rev. W. Fyvie, dated Kaira, July 1, 1831, addressed to the Foreign Secretary.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

I wrote the Directors on the 1st of April. It was then the commencement of the hot season, which lasted about three months, the thermometer from 90 to 100 and 102 in the coolest room in the house. Such a season is very trying to European constitutions; and, during which, it would have been imprudent to have travelled much in the country. My labours, therefore, during the past quarter, have been confined chiefly to this place.-A piece of ground has been given by Mr. Mills for a burying-place for the native Christians, which he has walled in at his own expence. He has also sanctioned my opening another school at his expence. There are now two schools here supported by him. In the school-rooms I have often pretty large congregations to hear the gospel, and also at other public places. Many from different quarters call to receive the Scriptures and tracts. My native congregation, on the Sabbath, during the last quarter, has averaged from forty to a hundred, and upwards.

Baptism of Two Natives.

On Sabbath, June 26th, I baptized two of the persons referred to in my last, Wago, a young man about twenty-two years of age,

and Kooma, his mother-in-law, a woman about forty-five years old. They had both been under instruction for seven months, during which the man had learned to read. I was satisfied with their sincerity, and pray that they may be ornaments to their Christian profession.

When Kooma began to attend Christian worship, her heathen neighbours told her it was of no use for her to go and hear; had she attended when young, and been baptized then, Jesus would have received her; but now she was old he would not accept her. She mentioned this to the native reader, who told her that what the people said was false, that salvation was entirely of grace, and that the sinner, at whatever time of life he might come to Jesus, would he graciously received, and, in support of this, mentioned the case of the thief on the cross, and the labourers in the vineyard.

The following questions were proposed to the two candidates previous to baptism, to which they returned answers, in the presence of upwards of one hundred natives:

The people of this country having forsaken the true God, acknowledge false gods and goddesses, namely, Vishnu, Seeva, Ram, Krishnu, and others;-knowing their wickedness, do you renounce them all?

There is one only living and true God; He is a pure spirit, without beginning or end. He created the heavens and the earth, the sea and all things therein, and He is the supporter and Lord of all. He is perfectly holy, infinitely just and merciful, and bountiful to all. He is encompassed with every excellence; no imperfection can cleave to Him, for his nature is infinitely holy. Do you acknowledge your belief in a God of such excellence?

Do you entirely give up the worship of idols?

Do you also give up the worship of the sun, moon, stars, fire, water, trees, &c. &c.?

God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son to be the Saviour of mankind. Christ became incarnate for the salvation of sinners-He was perfectly holywrought many miracles-suffered in the room of sinners, and, at last, died to make atonement for their sins-He was buried-rose from the dead the third day, as He had declared-He ascended to heaven, and is there as our advocate and intercessor before GodHe will come again at the end of the worldwill raise the dead-judge all mankind-his true followers He will receive to himself; but the wicked he will banish to hell. Do you cordially believe all these things?

Do you consider yourselves sinners, deserving hell, and is your dependence for salvation placed on Christ?

Will you be diligent in learning all the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, and will you strive to act accordingly?

Do you give up your vaste ?

Is it your desire to unite with the people of Christ, to worship as they do, and, after death, to be buried as they are?

Is it your desire to keep holy the Sabbath, by abstaining from secular employment, and spending the day in the service of God?

ls is your intention to offer up prayer to God daily, morning and evening?

Do you consider all your doings to be mixed with sin?

Do you believe that the blood of Christ can wash away all your sin?

Do you really consider yourselves as having been walking in the way to hell till now? Was it Jesus, who, by his grace, snatched you from this way?

Is it your desire to forsake all sin?

Will you confess Christ, and practise his commands, before Mahommedans, the votaries of the false prophet; and before Hindoos, who are devoted to the service of false gods, and to the worship of idols?

Should you meet with persecution for the name of Christ, is it the determination of your hearts, notwithstanding, to remain steadfast?

Having answered in the affirmative to all these questions, I reminded them of the soleinn profession they had made before God and their fellow-man, encouraged them to the fulfilment of their engagements by the assurance that there was grace and strength sufficient for them in Christ, which they would obtain by earnest prayer. After prayer, they kneeled down, and I baptized them with water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and publicly received them into the church of Christ, praying that God the Father might be their Father, God the Son their Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit their Sanctifier. The service appeared to make a deep impression on the people, especially the questions proposed.-Oh, may the impression be lasting! (Signed) W. FYVIE.

CUDDAPAII.

Extract of a Letter from Rev. W. Howell, dated Cuddapah, July 1, 1831, addressed to the Directors.

DEAR AND RESPECTED SIRS,

As intimated in my last letter, (dated 8th April,) I left home on the 11th instant, to make the tour to the north and eastward, to distribute the Scriptures and tracts more extensively, and to communicate the gospel of salvation to the heathen, in that quarter, which has not been visited by me before. The principal towns in this range are Budvail, Oodagherry, Paumoor, Kanigherry, Markapoor, Cumbum, Giddaloor, Moondlapaud, Culsapaud, Poremomla, Nundialumpetta, and Chennoor; forming a circuit of about two hundred and fifty miles. I took with ne, on this occasion, five hundred portions

of the Scriptures, and two thousand tracts as sorted, consisting chiefly of Christ's Incarnation; True Wisdom; The Way to Heavenly Bliss; The Last Judgment; and Criticisms on the Hindoo Shasters. Veerapah, the reader, accompanied me, and exhorted the people, at every place, very earnestly, to forsake idolatry, and to receive the salvation purchased by Jesus Christ for sinners. He read the Criticisms on the Shasters also to the people at every village, which excited very great attention and inquiry. The tract being now in their pososion, by the blessing of God, will lead them, it is to be hoped, to more serious reflection, and convince them of the absurdity of their Shasters, and the sinful lives of their gods! I had to contend with various characters, but with none so hopeless as those who are under the ensnaring views of self-righteous principles, who maintain that God is the author of evil, and that the human soul is the Supreme Being. I felt greatly grieved at their insensibility and moral depravity. I endeavoured at every place to make them sensible of the danger of living without a right knowledge of God, and of salvation by Jesus Christ. It was pleasing, however, to witness the great anxiety excited at every place, to receive the Scriptures and tracts; and, by a careful distribution, I was enabled to meet partially the wants of the heathen throughout this visit. The precious seed has thus been sown; we now want faithful labourers to water and reap in the harvest. May the Lord send forth many more labourers into his vineyard, to gather the people unto Jesus Christ for a possession!

Translations into Teloogoo.

The translation of Genesis has nearly gone through the press, and I am now revising and correcting the translation of Exodus, by Mr. Gordon, to which I devote the best pait of my time and attention. I have prepared a translation of Daniel and Proverbs, which, when properly revised, will be forwarded to the Bible Society. The Assembly's Cate chism has been lately printed, and a distribution of it made amongst the stations where the Teloogoo is spoken.

Baptisms, &c.

Since my last to you, I have baptized one adult, and a child of one of the members. The adult had been a stated hearer for the last five years, and the only one of his family that was not baptized. There are a few families receiving preparatory instruction for baptism. Recently, one of the girls in the Christian school was married to a resident of the Christian village.

We have been graciously preserved through another hot season, during which the heat was felt more than formerly. There being no rain made it very oppressive. The thermometer rose as high as 108°. (Signed)

W. HOWELL.

BELLARY.

Extracts of a Letter from Rev. John Reid, dated Bellary, August 1st, 1831; addressed to the Directors.

As this is the first time that I have written to you, since my arrival at Bellary, you will be anxious to hear how I like it as a station for missionary labour; and I have the happiness of informing you that, from the knowledge which I possess of the various other stations occupied by our Society, there is not one which I should, on any account, prefor to it; and over most it has several advantages.

Encouraging Circumstances of the Station. We have every encouragement from all quarters to engage in labour. The gentry resident here are favourable to our great object, and from their liberality we are enabled to extend, in a variety of ways, the blessings which we are honoured as the instruments of communicating. We have, as you are aware, no less than four or five societies the Charity School, the Bible, Tract, and Missionary Societies, besides a little which some friends have given to mission native schools. As it regards the treatment we have met with among the natives (except in one instance mentioned in our report), it has been universally kind and respectful. In the Pettah, indeed, there is a considerable degree of indifference to the hearing of the divine word, and to the subject of religion in general; but we often collect large congregations, and, upon the whole, the ordinary attendance is as good as at most stations. In the villages, however, of which I suppose there are seventy or eighty within thirty miles circuit of Bellary, there is an eagerness to receive the instructions which are communicated, truly gratifying. The circumstance of there being so many villages within so short a distance is one which renders the mission a very important one; and as soon as I shall have made sufficient progress in the Canarese, I should, I think, devote a good deal of time and attention to this department.

The Press.

The printing-press is also an invaluable addition to the usefulness of the mission, though, perhaps, the Directors are not fully aware of the large portion of the time of their missionaries which is occupied in, what is very important, reading, correcting, and emending whatever passes through it. I may say, that next to English preaching and preparation for it, this has occupied by far the larger proportion of my time. This is a daily work. I have found it of considerable use to me in gaining an acquaintance with the written language, but it has impeded very much my progress in the colloquial.

the natives. During the tour which I lately took with Mr. Walton, I think I acquired more of the colloquial dialect, and, what is the most difficult part of it, to understand the natives themselves when speaking, than I had done before. We resolved, when we left, to speak to one another, and our servants, only in Canarese, and kept to the resolution most of the time. I regret to say I have not made the proficiency in the language which I anticipated. desired to have done; but there is so much to do in the general business of the mission, in superintending the works passing through the press, and particularly in English preaching and pastoral duties, that I have had but spare time instead of whole time, to devote to it. I hope in a few weeks to begin formal preaching; at present I have done no more than engage in conversation after Mr. Walton has done praying.

Present Results of the Mission.

In reference to the actual success of the mission I cannot say much. At present we have not one Canarese member, nor is there any probability, at present, of any coming forward from among them. But we must labour in faith and in tears, and we shall reap if we faint not. We see the day is breaking in other parts of this benighted land; and we know that where darkness and death now reign, there light shall arise. The progress of Christ's kingdom is slow and gradual; but, like the small grain, it will spring up and shoot forth, and, coming to its maturity of growth, will fill the whole earth with its branches. Oh! happy period, when every pagoda in every village (in none that I have seen, however small, have there been less than two or three), shall be converted into a temple of the living God, and when all who daily bow and worship at their thresholds, shall do Him reverence! long, we labour, we pray for its approach; and we rejoice that in our desires, and labours, and prayers, we are not alone; the church of Christ forms but one company, whose hands and hearts are all united in the great work; and He, who is our great leader and head, is with us; He shows the way, reveals the promise, and holds out the reward. Let us mutually encourage each other in our works of faith and labours of love; and, having so many great and precious sources of encouragement, let us hope for that which we see not, and be continually steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Mrs. Reid.

We

Mrs. Reid has made as much progress in the Canarese language as might have been expected from a weak constitution in a warm climate; she is able to read quite freely, and to engage in superintending, with Mrs. Paine, a Canarese girls' school. (Signed)

JOHN REID.

AFRICA.

BUFFALO RIVER.

Extracts of a Letter from Rev. F. G. Kayser, dated Buffalo River, 23rd June, 1831; addressed to the Directors.

MY HONOURED FATHERS AND BRETHREN,

My last letter, of 13th December, 1830, I hope you have received. In it I mentioned that I had finished the translation into the Kaffer language, of the miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ, assisted by John Tzatzoe; and, up to the present time, I have finished, by the gracious help of my Lord and heavenly Master, the Gospel of John, which has been revised a second time. While making this translation, I had before me the English, the Dutch, and the German Bible of Piscator, printed by the Bible Society. And sometimes, in difficult places, I referred to the exegesis of my unforgotten teacher, Dr. Knapp. Oh, my heart is full of humble thanks to my gracious Lord and God, that he has permitted me to accomplish the translation of this holy gospel in the time that I hoped. I trust in Him, that he will also grant me this year to finish the Acts. If only one soul should derive spiritual blessings by these means, I shall be paid more than I deserve.

I mentioned also in my last letter, that it seemed a more favourable time was approaching among Tzatzoe's people for the spread of the gospel; now I can say, that thus far, in the present year, they attend divine worship on Sundays, more numerously than formerly. They also appear more to observe the Sabbath; and some of the captains will no longer allow heathenish noise and disturbances near the station on the Lord's day. One of these captains went one Sunday morning to three of the neighbouring kraals, from which he noticed the people did not come to worship, and asked them the reason.

On

the following Sunday I observed their attendance: those also whom the captains had reproved for being disorderly on the Sabbath, restrained their noises till after sunset. Another of the above-mentioned captains addressed me once in the fields, as he was going to hunt with some of Tzatzoe's people, and said, Pray to the Lord for me." He also one day became desirous of singing our hymns, and called all his hunting people together to sing with him. Then he arose and spoke to them on these words: "Ye Caffers! awake from your sleep; it is now time." Some Caffers, belonging to Enon's tribe, who were present, were surprised, and said, "What new things are these? What

is to be done?" One among Tzatzoe's people was so stirred in his mind by what the captain said, that he jumped up, and called all the women and children in the adjacent bush to attend to it. This very man did not before like to see me come to his kraal, and call for his people, and during my stay there he often sat and laughed; but since this

speech of the captain, he has not so behaved towards me. O that it might please the Lord to bring this man to a right awakening to Him!

When I went out twice with John Tzatzoe, at the beginning of the year, to examine the people at their kraals, as to what they had learned from me during the year by means of my catechism, which they had repeated every Sunday fortnight, and nearly every Saturday, to our joy we found at some kraals that they were able to answer the questions we put to every one present. After this I tried, on my visits to them, if they could answer the questions I put to them, out of the catechism, without having it before them, I helping them. Some, I found, could answer without assistance. The number of people I have instructed, at the times above mentioned, has been sometimes from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty, and from twenty to forty children.

Our daily school is increased by two adult Caffers, one of the station, and the other the son of a man of some importance, who lives about two hours' distance from us. This latter has a great desire to read and write; and has asked me for a book, that he might be learning at home. Some time ago, brother Brownlee and I, agreed that we should in turn speak on Saturday evening, by John Tzatzoe's interpretation, to the unbaptized men at the station, and on Sunday to the women, and on one evening in the week catechise the people in the church. On our first Saturday evening's exercises, I put the question, Is God good or not? The first said, "He is good; he has sent us his word and teachers: The second, He protects us sinners" The third, "He created us men :" The fourth, "He proclaimed his word in old time to men till now:" The fifth, 66 God has sent his word to men, who only served him with their lips, and did not obey him as their Lord; he came upon earth, and shed his blood for sinners, to save sinners:" The sixth, He sent again his word to the Caffers, after he had sent it by Dr. Vanderkemp, who went back to the Hottentots who accepted the word which the Caffers neglected:" The seventh, That God had protected him from all destruction hitherto. The women, next mid-day, were quite different in their answers. Some of them did not like to give any answer. O that the Lord may have mercy upon them and give them a willing heart!

On another day, when I catechized the people upon Acts v. 17--20, old Tzatzoe was also present, who comes now very often to the evening service. He gave good answers to the questions, and asked, "Why the great men put the apostles into custody." After he was made acquainted with the reason, he said, "I wonder how these great men could oppose themselves to God; for God here is the same; only one God, of whom spake the old fathers of the Caffers, and prayed to him in time of war and sickness." It was after

wards shown to him and others, how they also could, and had opposed God.

We are all at present, by mercy, well, and I would now recommend the spread of the gospel to your earnest prayer, and with all respect, and Christian affection, remain, &c.,

(Signed) F. G. KAYSER.*

* Mr. Kayser is a native of Germany, and but imperfectly acquainted with the English language, which will account for any peculiarities of expression observable in the above letter.-ED.

AFRICAN ISLANDS.

MADAGASCAR.

Extract of a Letter received by the Conch from the Rev. Mr. Freeman, dated Tamatave, 31st August, 1831.

MY DEAR SIR,

You will, I am sure, be gratified to learn that we reached our destination in perfect safety, within a month of leaving Cape Town. We had not quite the winds which might have been expected at this season of the year, or our voyage would have been completed in less time. We came in sight of the land on Sunday the 21st, and by nine o'clock on Monday morning we were anchored in the roads of Tamatave. And it

We

We

was not, I assure you, without great delight that we received our friends, Messrs. Canham and Kitching, on board, with the intelligence that all was well at Tamatave, and all well at Tananarivo. For, to tell the truth, we had some unpleasant apprehensions as we got sight of Tamatave. lost very little time in going ashore, and were much gratified by the very friendly manner in which we were received. have been very kindly and hospitably entertained under the roof of Messrs. Cock and Reddington, where, on Monday afternoon. we met nearly all the European traders of Tamatave, with Prince Coroler, and some other of the queen's officers. A noble dinner was given on occasion of the king's birthday (our King William IV.) In the course of the day we got our cattle ashore, not a little pleased that none of our horses died on the voyage, though, I think, had it continued much longer, we must have lost some. They were completely exhausted. We had an addition of two foals during the passage; these died; one we have had since being on shore is doing famously. sheep only died; that failure in the number is made up by a fine young lamb. No circumstance of any great importance occurred during the voyage. We have reason to be thankful that we enjoyed good health. Our captain was extremely attentive, and his people obliging on all occasions. The Conch shall, therefore, have a good character, so far as I have a voice in the case; and I am disposed to think that the captain will give

One

Tamatave a good character for dispatch. He has, perhaps, never loaded or unloaded in a less space of time--one proof among many, that the natives of Madagascar are not idle and good for nothing, for without their assistance it would not be very easy to get cargoes discharged, or, rather, carried up from the beach to the stores.

Most of the plants appear to be in good condition. I think all are living that were packed in boxes. Some of the oaks, poplars, and proteas, which I brought tied up in skins, with earth round the roots, have died. Vines and figs are actually bearing fruit, though in a small quantity. All are sent forward, and are now on their way to Tananarivo.

And now I have further good news to tell you. The French have withdrawn their hostile forces from the shores of Madagascar; they remain only at the Isle of St. Mary's. I believe there still remain traders up in the north where the French government claimed possession of the country; but the ships of the line and the troops are withdrawn, and it is expected that the attack will not be resumed.

The queen has behaved very handsomely with reference to the packages I have brought. Not only were instructions given that every facility should be afforded for our journey into the interior, but all our packages are taken up free of expense, excepting those containing beer and wine. The laws of the country forbid the use of ardent spirits; and the law is in force in Imerina. This act of the queen will be a very considerable saving of expense to us all, and indicates a disposition altogether friendly to us.

The five Malagasy, who came with us to Madagascar, seem abundantly pleased to have got back to their own country, and I think they will be well received by the queen's government. I found them all useful on board ship, and, in fact, could not have done with fewer. The change to them is striking-they left Madagascar as slavesthey return free-then they durst not move an inch from their chain and their drivernow they rove at liberty, and amuse the natives by their appearance, manners, and English conversation.

My poor little setter dog, that Dr. Bailey geve me, died a few days after coming ashore. It was the Malagasy fever killed him. It took him off within six hours of the attack. The Newfoundlander died soon after coming on board the other three do well. My rabbits are in good condition. They are new in the country; but, from their manner of eating, the natives take them for a kind of large rat.

With peace, prosperity is returning. Houses are being built in Tamatave, and the village is about to be laid out on a new plan, streets to be made straight, market place formed, inferior houses pulled down, &c. &c. The trade is increasing rapidly.

(Signed) J. J. FREEMAN.