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time I was asked if I could speak with my God, since I could not see him.' In order to illustrate the way in which God and his people have intercourse one with another, I told them the story of my call to mission work, and how plainly God had said to me, 'Go in this thy might have not I sent thee? They seemed struck with it, and did not discuss the subject again. In Yellahunka, at which we stopped on our return tour, we had some very interesting work, both morning and evening. I visited the village, and spoke to nice gatherings of women.

"At one time, when I told a man that I had come to speak to the women, and that the men must not interrupt me, he answered, 'I will be a

woman, then,' and stood without making any further trouble. The women, too, seemed quite taken with the idea of having a missionary to themselves; and if men begin to interrupt or argue, the women now fight the battle, and insist on the lady being allowed to speak to them without interruption. I think a very large and interesting sphere of work will be found in this village visiting; and earnestly do we pray that the Lord may abundantly bless these few and weak attempts to sow the seed, so that at last it may be said regarding many of these villages, 'This soul was born there.'"-Chronicle of the London Missionary Society.

DR. JOHN LOWE, of Neyoor, is already well known to our readers. We have much pleasure in laying before them a large portion of his Report of the South Travancore Mission Hospital for the year 1866.

Being compelled by the state of Mrs. Lowe's health, as well as his own, to repair for a period of five months to the Neilgherry hills, he committed the ordinary work of the hospital during his absence to his native assistant, dressers, and students; and it was very gratifying to find, upon his return, that their services were highly appreciated, and that they had merited the confidence he had placed in them.

The following is a summary of the patients: Medical cases, 3,145; surgical cases, 1,518; admitted as indoor patients, 150; visited as outdoor patients, 250; cases of vaccination, 2,021; poor patients assisted, about 300; total, 6,684.

It would appear that many of the diseases which came under their notice are the result of maltreatment by the native physicians. The natives, however, are gradually losing confidence in these men; and the Sircar makes zealous efforts to extend the benefits of European medical skill among all classes of the community.

"The surgical cases treated in the hospital during the year include simple, compound, and comminuted fractures, simple and compound dislocations, flesh wounds caused by falls from palmyra trees, assaults, and self-inflicted injuries, abscesses, ulcers, carbuncles, burns, and scalds,

snake bites, diseases and injuries of eye, nostril, ear, and mouth, operations for the removal of cataract, tumours, cancer, polypi, dead bones, hemorrhoids, fistula, stricture, and hydrocele, obstetric operations, &c.

"We have had a large number of severe cases of palmyra accidents under treatment during the year. The great majority of the poor patients are mere children. At the present time there are two boys, palmyra climbers, in the hospital-one fourteen years of age, with a simple fracture of arm near the shoulder; the other, about twelve years of age, was brought here two days ago convulsed with tetanus, caused by a compound fracture of his left arm, and a severe flesh wound laying open the arm-pit. Only two days ago a boy about the same age, while climbing in the neighbourhood, fell from the top of a tree, a height of about thirty feet, and was killed on the spot.

"In obstetric cases our assistance is seldom sought till they have reached an almost hopeless stage, or until some unexpected complication occurs, when the native midwife suddenly disappears, leaving the poor woman and her friends to look out for other help, or to manage as best they can.

"About two years ago I thought of selecting a few of our intelligent Christian women, and training them as midwives and sicknurses. On communicating my intentions to my kind and valued friend, Dr. Burns Thomson, Edinburgh, he at

once secured for me and forwarded the necessary funds, models, &c., to enable me to carry out my plans.

"Dr. Pulney Andy, of Trevandrum, kindly offered to render me all the assistance he could, so far as his public duties would permit; and his knowledge of the vernacular and of the habits and customs of the people, would render his aid, in such an undertaking, very valuable.

"The circumstances, already detailed, which compelled me to relinquish my work for a season, prevented me from completing my arrangements for the establishment of a training class for women. I now rejoice to learn that there is the probability of such a class being formed in connection with the Maternity Hospital at Trevandrum; and Dr. Ross has kindly offered, so soon as arrangements are completed, to receive as students as many intelligent women as I can send.

"The two vaccinators have been busy at work, having vaccinated during the year upwards of 2,000 persons of all classes and creeds.

"Training Class.-It grieves me much to have to state that V. Daniel, the student who gained the first prize in 1865, and who, on this account, occupied the position of first dresser in the hospital, has fallen into sin, ruined his character, and brought disgrace upon himself and family. The circumstances I need not detail; suffice it to say that they were of such a nature that we could not do otherwise than suspend him from the communion of the Church, and expel him from the class. Up to the time that the painful disclosures were made, no youth in our mission bore a more blameless character. Our high hopes regarding Daniel have been blasted, and this is a sad disappointment to us; may it humble us, and may teacher and students, as well as the reader, lay to heart the lesson taught: 'Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.'

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Regarding the character and conduct of the other students I have every reason to be fully satisfied. With one exception all the missionary students are members of the Church, two having been admitted during the year; and all, I rejoice to add, give decided evidence of the reality of their faith and love.

"During the first six months of the year, our studies were carried on uninterruptedly. The subjects taught were anatomy, physiology, practice of physic and surgery; and, tested by weekly oral and quarterly written examinations, I have been much pleased and encouraged with the progress and attainments of the class.

"We have endeavoured all along to combine practical work with systematic teaching, requiring the students in turn to examine the patients, prescribe or suggest the treatment, compound and dispense the medicines, perform the minor operations, attend to the dressing of wounds and ulcers, and to apply splints and bandages, &c., &c., all this, of course, under my own supervision.

"Regarding the first four students, namely, David, my assistant, Pakkianathan and Arumeinayagam, dressers, and Masilamani, their diligence, success, and ability have exceeded my expectations. So soon as arrangements can be made for opening branch dispensaries, I shall have no hesitation in at once placing these four young men in charge, under my personal superintendence; and I cannot doubt that they will prove themselves worthy of the confidence placed in them, and that the instruction they have received, and the experience they have gained, will enable them to be very useful, and secure for them the respect, esteem, and confidence of the communities in which they may be located.

"Of the other three missionary students, though I cannot speak so highly of them as of the others, still, with another year's training and experience in the hospital, I doubt not my hopes regarding them will be fully realized.

"Govindan, a young Hindoo student, supported by His Highness the First Prince of Travancore, has made very satisfactory progress. His conduct, diligence, and success have given me much pleasure; and, considering that he commenced his medical studies six months after the class was formed, the position he now occupies is highly creditable. The good influences with which he is surrounded, and the advantages he enjoys through the kindness of his illustrious patron, will, we trust, qualify him for a future course of of great usefulness and success.

During my absence on the hills, the students employed their time in revising the subjects we had gone over since the commencement of the class, in studying Latin under Mr. Baylis's kind superintendence, and in aiding my hospital assistant in carrying on the work of the hospital.

"Evangelistic Work.—In all former reports, I have, under this head, given a brief account of our evangelistic efforts in the waiting-room, and among our in-door and out-door patients. On more than one occasion I have described the manner in which this department of our work is carried on, and the pleasing and encouraging results of our labours; and year by year I have

given full extracts from my Evangelist's monthly reports, serving to give a general idea of the nature and results of our work in this direction. The routine of our daily engagements renders it very difficult for us to present to our friends anything fresh under this head. As during former years, so throughout the year under review, day by day the precious seed has been sown in a soil specially prepared to receive it by suffering and affliction. To many, who, humanly speaking, would other wise have lived and died without having heard of the once crucified but now exalted Saviour, the story of redeeming love has been told; many poor, wounded, and diseased sufferers have, at the eleventh hour, been warned and urged to flee for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before them in the Gospel, and concerning not a few such we have reason to hope. From time to time we have been cheered by one and another of our patients, men, too, of influence and means, voluntarily giving up their tridents, clubs, devil cloths, and ornaments, and requesting us to come and pull down their devil temples, as they wished to renounce their heathen follies and ceremonies, and to worship the one living and true God.

"So far, therefore, as direct spiritual results are concerned, our labours during the year have not been in vain; but apart from these results, there are others which spring from the existence of such an institution in a heathen community like this, which cannot be so easily estimated, without taking a retrospective view, and gathering up the results of some years' experience. Instead, therefore, of entering more minutely into details regarding our ordinary evangelistic operations, it may tend more effectually to interest Christian friends in the great cause of Medical Missions, and help to promote the more extensive employment of this agency, if we state briefly the grounds, suggested by some years' experience, upon which we think Medical Missions have a very strong claim upon the Church at large for a greater share of sympathy and support than they have as yet received.

"I. During the last five years, nearly 25,000 patients, of all castes and creeds, have sought relief at the hospital, the great majority of whom were accompanied on their visits by relatives and friends, and to all of whom the way of life was faithfully pointed out. What abundant opportunities have thus been afforded for sowing the good seed of the Word! The spiritual husbandman could hardly desire a more promising field of labour.

VIII.-2.

"II. The influence which such an institution exerts in a community, apart from its success as a direct evangelistic agency, is very favourable to the advancement of the great object the Christian missionary has in view. The existence of a mission hospital is an embodiment of the benevolent spirit and gracious design of our holy religion, and, as such, cannot but tend to conciliate the minds of men towards the missionary and his work. The yearly increasing number of high caste heathen patients who avail themselves of the benefits of the hospital, is a pleasing proof that, through this instrumentality, we are exerting an influence upon a class which our ordinary evangelistic agency fails, to a great extent, in reaching.

"There can be no doubt that the establishment of a hospital in connection with a local mission, gives to that mission a position and an influence, which, in the eyes of a heathen community, it would not otherwise enjoy. This statement would, I am sure, if necessary, be warmly supported by the united testimony of brother missionaries labouring in South Travancore.

"III. From heathen systems of religion, the Christian Church might learn a lesson. In India, China, Africa, and in almost every pagan land, crude systems of medicine and the treatment of disease are intimately associated with the religions of the people. Their knowledge of disease, however, is founded on little else than superstition, and their treatment is in accordance with their foolish theories. Consequently, one of the greatest discouragements and trials which a missionary meets with, is the apostacy of not a few of his converts in times of sickness. Urged by the advice of heathen relatives or friends, or overcome by the power of former propensities, it too often happens, at such times, that weak professors allow heathen rites to be performed and sacrifices to be offered, to gain the favour of the gods, or to appease the anger of the devil, and thus, as they hope, secure their recovery.

"In our schemes, therefore, for promoting the evangelization of heathen nations, in order to counteract this evil, the importance of recognizing the healing art as the handmaid of religion is plainly indicated. What has thus been joined together and forms a part of almost every false system of religion let us not put asunder; but let sanctified medical skill go hand in hand with our teaching and preaching, and a powerful auxiliary to our missionary agencies will be gained.

"Viewed in this light, too much importance cannot be attached to that department of medical

mission work, which, wherever medical missionaries are located, is now being actively prosecuted, namely, the training of native agents to labour among their fellow countrymen as medical catechists or evangelists; for, just as such an agency is incorporated with our ordinary missionary schemes, with God's blessing, will the evil to which we have referred be successfully combated and removed.

"IV. A glance at the subscription lists at the end of this and former reports, will show that this is a department of mission work carried on, in all its details, without our having to draw upon the Society's funds for any help. So thoroughly does this benevolent agency commend itself, that I am more and more convinced that rightly directed efforts would secure for mission hospitals, wherever they existed, even were they a hundred-fold more numerously established than they are, the support and sympathy of the wealthy in the community around, to an extent that would render them independent, or nearly so, of home aid. From the first, I have never been under the necessity of applying for pecuniary aid from the Society; and, with the exception of the missionary's salary, I believe a mission hospital might form a part of every mission circle, without taxing the Parent Society with any additional expense. Indeed, the native community of a district in South India have lately offered to build and maintain a mission hospital, if a sister society, to which the proposal has been made, undertakes to send out and support a fully qualified European medical missionary.

"V. Though at the risk of being charged with egotism, I can allow no false delicacy to prevent me making use of another powerful argument in favour of medical missions.

"A missionary, in losing the wife of his youth under circumstances which, had medical aid been available, her valuable life, in all human probability, might have been saved, was led to say that he would fain stand by her grave and lift up the voice of his appeal for medical missionaries, to co-operate with them in their labours of love, and tend them in times of sickness, till it was heard all over his native land, and responded to by the Church of Christ.

"The medical care of the missionaries and their families has formed no small nor unimportant part of my work as a medical missionary; and in the discharge of this responsible duty I have always found much comfort and satisfaction, and have received many proofs of gratitude and confidence. I can safely say that the missionary brethren and their families, comprising our mission

circle in South Travancore, deem it no small privilege that there is a medical missionary amongst them, there being no other medical man within a distance of forty or fifty miles from most of our home stations.

"It is a great pleasure, too, that we are able to offer to members of our mission circle, from time to time, a temporary residence under our roof when medical assistance is required; and thus a saving of expense to the Society, and of time and trouble to the missionary, is frequently secured. And surely this is no weak argument in favour of the employment of this agency, as a part of every localized mission organization, especially in spheres of labour far removed from the advantages of civilized society.

"Such are a few considerations, well worthy the attention of the friends of missions, suggested by some years' experience of medical mission work in a heathen land.

"Christianity, philanthropy, and patriotism unite in urging the claims of this noble enterprise; and, in a professional point of view, its claims are no less valid. A regard for the interests and honour of our profession, and a due appreciation of its high and holy aims, should impel its members, individually and as a body, to advance the cause, and lend it all possible countenance and support. The most promising fields for medical missionary labour present the widest scope for original medical and scientific research; and to medical missionaries at present in the field, we are, as a profession, much indebted for some most valuable additions to our Materia Medica, and for many interesting and important contributions to our medical literature.

"May we not hope, therefore, that the day is not far distant when an enterprise, presenting such claims, will receive the sympathy and support which it merits, and that, ere long, many young, devoted, pious members of our noble profession, content, for the present, with the rich reward of doing good, and with the prospect of richer blessings in store, will be led to consecrate their talents and skill to the glorious work of being the pioneers of Gospel messengers to the perishing heathen, or the valued coadjutors and comforters of the missionary band in many remote, benighted pagan lands?"

Contributions to the various objects of the Medical Missionary Society are received in London by Mr. James Watson (Messrs. Nisbet & Co.), 21, Berners Street, W.; in Edinburgh by Dr. Ormond, 43, Charlotte Square.