THE MISSION FIELD. 1833 to 1842 of 1075 persons. THERE is a point of contrast of some interest between the commencement of the kingdom of God under apostolic ministrations, and that of modern mis- however, stirred up opposition as well sionary enterprise. Then the whole as allayed it-opposition from those false world was open to the messengers of systems which are perversions of the Christ, and they could journey every-gospel. Romanism and Anglicanism where proclaiming the gospel. When have, too, their emissaries in the field, Thomas and Carey began their labours and aim to sow tares among the seed of in India, every part of the heathen world the kingdom. Thus in India there has was closed to them. It was because no been for some years every effort made other locality would admit them, that to introduce the English establishment, the directors of the London Missionary with its parochial arrangements and Society chose the islands of the South charges, its cathedrals and ecclesiastical Pacific as the place of their evangelic courts, its exclusiveness and priestly toil. But not among the least of the bles- pride. Bishop after bishop has striven sings resulting indirectly from mission- to effect this object, and to parcel out ary zeal is the fact, that now every heathen the empire of India as its own. If, in land except Japan is accessible, not only some things the government of India to the preacher of the cross, but to all the has been found obstructive to missionameliorating influences of a true civili-ary efforts, in this matter it has proved zation. The efforts of the first twenty-itself wise and politic. five years were naturally slow in manifesting their results. Languages had to be acquired, the Bible to be translated, countries to be explored, prejudices to be removed, governments to be rendered tolerant if not favourable. Scarcely twenty-five years can be said to have been fairly employed, in producing the astonishing results given in our last of preventing the introduction of those number, in India alone. Two-thirds of parochial rights, privileges, and prerothe missions existing in Hindostan have gatives that exist in England, and which been established less than twenty years, would be altogether out of place in a and several even less than ten. country where every clergyman, as refollowing table, presented to the mis-gards his appointment, his removal, and sionary conference in Calcutta a few his allowances, occupies the position of a military chaplain." The years ago, shows the accelerated rate at which the increase of converts proceeds as time goes on. There were accessions to the Christian church from : "From the time," says the Friend of India, "when the episcopate was established in India, it has been the constant aim and the earnest endeavour of the episcopal authorities to divide the metropolis into parishes. But this has steadily been resisted by the government, from the very obvious necessity There is therefore no established religion in India, except idolatry may be so considered, where the government supports the priests and temples. But this abomination is about to cease altogether. We observe, however, with regret, that while the government of India, in compliance with the urgent solicitations of the public, both abroad and at home, is spiritual condition of the people is full about to break off all connection with of satisfaction. But the dark gloom of idolatry, the new Governor of Ceylon is suffering and pestilence still broods over about to resume it. Three years ago, the island. In various places cholera has by an official letter of Sir E. Tennent, re-appeared, and its direful effects are the Ceylon government formally broke aided by the prevalence of small pox in with the Buddhism of the island. By a form of great virulence. These cirLord Grey the step was emphatically cumstances give increased urgency to approved. Yet the present governor the letter of the Rev. J. CLARK, which has resumed the practice of appointing will be found in a subsequent page. the priests; an oppressive system of The usurpation successfully executed service on the temple estates has been by Louis Napoleon in France has already, thereby re-introduced, and the temples in some places, proved its enmity to the themselves are adorned by forced labour. gospel. The very valuable labours of Missionary intelligence from India the Rev. N. RoUSSEL, in Charente, have continues of a cheering character. Our present number contains an interesting account from our German brother, Mr. BION, of the baptisms he has been permitted to administer at Dacca; while Mr. JOHANNES' letter gives us some interesting details in continuation of the information already presented of the striking work going on at Comilla. One of the pleasing scenes there referred to is depicted in the engraving on our first page. From Jamaica the intelligence of the glorious and righteous reign, been stopped, and there is every probability of a general onset on Protestantism by the jubilant priests of Rome. Our brother JENKINS is at present unmolested, and his assistants are still permitted to carry the Bible from place to place. Thus, chequered as is the scene of missionary operations, yet in them all may we discern the great Head of the church overruling all things for its good, and preparing the way for his INDIA. DACCA. Under date of Oct. 31, 1851, our German brother, Mr. BION, gives us a very encouraging report of his labours. After referring to the advantages he had gained by his brief residence at Serampore, and his subsequent marriage to a daughter of our aged brother ROBINSON, he proceeds to recount His success. You must have heard that our good Lord blessed my feeble endeavours in winning souls to him, and that I have had since the last four years a native Christian congregation of forty souls. After our baptism, however, nearly all of them left us, and seemed resolved never to return. I am, therefore, very happy to tell you that most of them begged to rebaptized last February in the presence of gain their membership. Four of them were Messrs. Leechman and Russell, and on the 12th inst. I had the happiness to immerse other five believers in the river at my outstation, Dayapur. I held an address from the boat to the congregation, to which some Hindoos and Musselmans attended. After this I immersed them upon a profession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and administered the Lord's supper after preaching a sermon in my bungalow. It was a day of much blessing to me, and I hope to all who were present. There are eight or ten more candidates for immersion at Dayapur, all of whom (with the exception of one) are of my former flock. I delayed their baptism for a good reason, but I hope the Lord will grant me the pleasure of re-admitting them very soon into uncertain situation prevented my doing so, our flock. but I cherish the hope, and if God permits, to commence with this branch after the cold His labours. My work here is chiefly in Bengali. Brother Robinson and myself take turns in preaching on the sabbath both in English and Bengali, and when brother Robinson is not able to take his turn I preach for him. On Tuesdays I have a regular expounding of the scriptures with the native preachers, to which also all other members attend. On Thursdays I have a Bible class in English with the children of the native Christians, which is also attended by the children of brother Robinson. On Wednesdays we intend to continue the weekly service in English which has been interrupted during the last few months on account of having no audience. Besides this I have the boys for an hour daily to teach them singing, that our worship in Bengali and English may, by and by, be benefited in this point also, which is most desirable and I think necessary. Two young lads of my flock at Dayapur I have taken under my care here to give them instruction. They are promising boys, and accompany me in my journeys, distributing books and singing with me in the bazars to collect people for hearing the word. At evenings I accompany one of the native preachers to preach in the streets and bazars in town, which preaching is really most encouraging as we have nearly always good and attentive hearers. By saying this I would not rouse any sanguine feelings, the people are still deaf and dead; the Spirit of God must awaken them, and not less stimulate the preachers also, that we may truly say, the hand of the Lord is with us.' Last sabbath we had again a blessed day. My dear wife with her sister were baptized upon a profession of faith in our Lord Jesus. The former had, a year since, struggled with many fears and doubts, but happily the Lord answered our prayers at last, and triumphed over every obstacle. The chapel was very well attended both morning and evening. I preached in Bengali before a mixed congregation, brother Robinson held an address in English at the water side and then immersed his two daughters. Thus you will praise the Lord with us, and magnify his name. I hope sincerely that the Committee will not hesitate to keep up Dacca, and, if possible, send my old fellow labourer here also, that we may both, as we did before, do the work of evangelists. I have not opened any school as yet, my season. Yesterday I visited again with brother Robinson our out-station, where we found things in pretty good order, and settled some matters connected with the ground there. Next week I shall for eight days visit a very large melah at Munshi bazar, where, it is said, 40 or 50,000 people will flock together from all the adjacent districts. We hope to blow the trumpet of the everlasting gospel to many hundred souls, and distribute the word of life more widely than we did before. After this trip I intend to travel through and into the Tipperah district, and make known the all-sufficiency of the atonement of our Lord Jesus. There are somewhere some people apparently near the kingdom of God, may they be fully rescued from the wrath to come, and become devoted followers of the Lord. I will not fail to give you some report of our itinerations. The field. Dacca is the capital of whole East Bengal, surrounded by a great population; the capital of the eastern and northern districts of Bengal, extending from Chittagong and Tipperah on the east, as far as Purneah on the west, a country of at least 70,000 square miles of land, with a population, it is supposed, of about eighteen millions of immortal beings, and is occupied with but two or three missionaries. The seed has been widely sown in all the adjacent districts, as Dacca itself, Tipperah, Silhet, Mymensing, Pubua, and Furreed pore, and it cannot but germinate in the hearts of these multitudes. Everywhere Supper and myself have been received in a most encouraging manner in our journeys in the preceding years; the attendance at the English services is gradually increasing; two small native congregations collected, and other things call on us to go on and not to abandon the field. There is a Romish bishop with some priests and nuns here, who exercise not an unimportant influence upon several Europeans, they seem to be trying to get a firm footing here. Shall, then, the truths as they are in Jesus be taken away from this wide and inviting field? I hope not. I rather trust the Committee will strengthen this place by another brother, and I would be happy to spend my life for the gospel with my former colleague Supper, who has nine years since been my intimate friend and brother in Christ, my fellow student at Basle, and fellow labourer and sufferer in Bengal. CHITTAGONG. The interesting facts relative to the, to have their sins washed away in the blood work of grace proceeding at Comilla, which cleanseth from all sin. The four are further detailed by Mr. JOHANNES, as follows: A new church formed. 18th Sept. 1851.-Before I left the village from which I last wrote, I felt it my duty to administer the rite of baptism to four men and four women, and thus form the first Christian church at Comilla. The other eight candidates are placed under instruction; and I hope that when I next visit the place I shall also baptize them. It is my firm persuasion that this church will, under the divine blessing, prosper; for from the disposition of the people I am convinced that God is carrying on his own work; and now that I am away from them my heart is among the people there, and to instruct them in the things of God will constitute one chief end and employment of my life. After the baptism of these few followers of Christ, I entreated them to recognize their obligations as Christians, and ever to bear in mind their lost and ruinous condition by sin, and that nothing under the sun would deliver them from suffering, sorrow, and death but a firm belief in a crucified Saviour-that from the day of their putting on Christ by baptism to the day of their death, the work of repentance aud grace must progress in their souls-that they must live by faith which will overcome the world, surmount difficulties, and make them meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. The converts instructed. The night preceding their baptism, myself and the brethren employed ourselves in singing hymns and exhorting the people to continue stedfast and faithful unto the end. I told them that their happiness was great in the manifestation of God's distinguishing favour towards them, while thousands in the villages around were sunk in gross darkness, and knew not the value of this great salvation -that as Christians they must now live up to the standard of the gospel, walk in love, and be conformed more and more to the image of Christ-be meek and lowly in heart-have the mind which was in Christ Jesus-that then and then only they were likely to enjoy the great peace of the gospel and fellowship with God and his Son Jesus Christ-happy under all the vicissitudes and trials of life, and triumphant in the anticipation of the glorious period when they shall enter into the joy of their Lord. I also told them that they must not forget to keep their hearts with all diligence and continually to strive and pray female candidates more than once expressed their happiness in their high calling of God in Christ Jesus; and told me that they were fully convinced in their minds that they had now known the true love of God and the way of peace. A good confession. Early in the morning of the 15th of August, these eight persons made a public profession of their faith in Christ. It was a very affecting sight. While offering up a prayer, the women followed, repeating every word after me, and that most earnestly and devoutly. Whilst in the water Bishwanath, one of the Brahmans, pulled off his Brahmanical thread or paita from his neck (long his companion there, and roughly flinging it in the water), said, "Thou hast long deceived me and the world. I have now done with thee for ever for the sake of Christ whom I now own." The second Brahman, Benikanta, also followed his example. I appointed a teacher to instruct the people in reading and writing. From the day of my arrival, I commenced giving instruction in Bengali, and before I left, the four women came to me and said that they could repeat a part of the alphabet. I encouraged them to perseverance and promised to send them books. This I did on my arrival at Chittagong. I also left the native preachers there to attend the court, and to return and inform me of the result of their petition before the magistrate. Some of the men who have come from them inform me that no order has as yet been passed. You will be happy to hear that I have not neglected this infant church. My preachers are sent regularly to remain there for a month, two by turns, and the people are always coming backwards and forwards. I have now two young men, very hopeful, whom I have set to work, they are under my immediate instruction, and are two of the eight candidates. I must add that the brethren who had suffered oppression were completely deprived of their house, weaving materials and apparatus, and that I ventured partially to relieve their wants by allowing them a few rupees to provide themselves for future usefulness. 3rd October, 1851.- The brethren at Comilla are still suffering even more greatly from zemindari oppression. The complaint which they had lodged in the magistrate's court has been dismissed. This was owing to their non-attendance. They had remained at Comilla till they had spent their last pice, when they were compelled to return home: I believe the case must be instituted de novo, and this I am unwilling to do, as it is expensive, vexatious, and trying. When I am present on the spot, I shall see some of these Hindu zemindars and try a more conciliating mode of going to work. You will be glad to hear that some of the native converts visit me at Chittagong very frequently. I have now two with me under instruction. SEWRY BIRBHOOM. Under date of Dec. 2, 1851, our excellent brother WILLIAMSON furnishes the following reply to some inquiries as to the qualifications and labours of the native agents under his direction. We give, first his own letter, and then extracts from the journal to which he refers. They will be read with interest, -the first as a most valuable testimony of one best able to judge, to the activity and zeal of the native brethren engaged in the work; the other, as affording a fair illustration of the efforts made by them in diffusing the light of the gospel among their benighted follow country men: You are naturally desirous of knowing something of the character and qualifications of those who labour with me in the gospel. Whether as teachers or preachers, I have much pleasure in saying, that though they are not learned men, nor men of eminent piety, they are nearly all pretty well educated, sensible, intelligent men, and, I trust, possessed of necessary, though not extensive, religious attainments. They are also so useful to me in the mission, that I know not how I could dispense with their services. For many years they have cost the society nothing, their salaries having been paid out of funds collected at this station. At present four assistants are employed as teachers and preachers of the gospel-two in preaching only, and two more as schoolmasters as well as preachers-chiefly at home. I have heretofore, at different times, transmitted to the society extracts from their journals, and have now the pleasure of sending enclosed an account of a few weeks' itinerancy with me, from which we have just returned. The translation is as literal as the English language will well admit of, and the account is concise, in order to occupy as little room as possible. kora, Grogoria, and Pama, telling them that they could not be saved by those from whom they expected salvation, seeing they were themselves sinners, but only by the Lord Jesus Christ, who has wrought out salvation for all who believe on him. Many people, at every place, listened in silence. 9th, Lord's day. We preached in the villages of Neturee, Mongoldi, Lebura, Resubthe worship of idols is exceedingly displeaspoor, and Kosba. We said generally, that ing to God, because they are made by men's hands; none can make God, who is the object of worship. Generally, large, attenCreator of all things, and the only proper tive congregations. 10th. Visited to-day the villages of Banpoor, and Mirzapoor. Pretty good congredoga, Kendanga, Bollobpoor, Soorool, Raygations of quiet hearers, except at Raypoor, where some opposition was manifested, and one of our tracts torn. Our chief subject was salvation by Christ only. 11th. We preached in the mela and market of Loopoor, making known the love of God in sending his Son to save a lost world; many hearers. 12th. Both morning and evening we went, some of us into the mela or fair, and others to the neighbouring villages. Some observed that they could not forsake the religion of their fathers, to which we replied, that the gods, being sinful beings, could not save their votaries; but that Jesus, who is perfectly holy, could; to which they assented. 13th. We adopted the same method as yesterday, speaking of the miracles and sacrifice of the Son of God, the only foundation of our hope. 14th. In the fair we insisted chiefly on the one great sacrifice for sin, effected by the Lord Jesus Christ (who is god in human nature), contrasted with the inadequate propitiation of human invention. 15th. In the mela and Hator market, we said that Christ has shed his precious blood as an atonement from sin, that we sinners might be reconciled to God. Many seemed to approve of what was said. 16th, Lord's day. Addressed the gospel to several congregations in the villages of LooNov. 8th. We (Saheb, Sonaton, and my- poor, Chundurpoor, Mirzapoor, and at the self,) set out for Loopoor mela. On our way fair. Among many other things, we obwe spoke to the people in the market of served that mankind, having lost the knowPoorindopoor, and in the villages of Hatti-ledge of God, had reduced themselves to a |