Converts. At Koreya many Muhammadans come to hear us. Formerly they would abuse us and make great noise, but they do so no more. Although comparatively few Hindoos come to hear us at this place, yet one of those who heard us, being convinced of the truth of the gospel by our preaching, came forward with his wife to embrace Christianity. They were prevented from joining us by our inability to make provision for their support on leaving Hinduism; they therefore bad recourse to the missionaries of another denomination. One of our regular hearers at another place was remarkable for the attention he displayed, and we gave him a bible; he also came to us at home for instruction. We were expecting that he would be baptized, but he was shortly after obliged to remove to another place, in consequence of obtaining a new situation, and I did not know whither he had gone, till one day I met him, and he told me that he had been baptized at Mirzapur church, and had been afterwards appointed to labour as a catechist. withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest grimages." It happened that a neighbour of not whether shall prosper, either this or that." his, a Hindoo widow, wished to make a From these words the friends of the gospel pilgrimage to Jagannath at Puri; when this may take encouragement, for, although much young man came to know it, he immediately has not been effected hitherto, yet we thank went to her and succeeded in convincing her God for the change which has taken place; of the uselessness of pilgrimages. His reinasmuch as some whose minds were formerly marks had such an effect upon her mind, like the barren soil, are now becoming fertile. that she has never since thought of making Happy effects of preaching the gospel. any pilgrimage. For instance, at Gobra we had two fixed places for meeting, where every week we were accustomed to go, and people assembled themselves to hear us. On one occasion, when the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ was described, one of them burst into tears. In this way they continued to hear us very attentively for a long time; now, however, we are at a loss to know whither they have removed. I asked an old man who lived near the residence of these people, when I saw him first, who Jesus Christ was? He replied, "The Lord Jesus Christ is my Saviour; this I know, for although I am not acquainted with you, yet I have from time to time profited by your instructions." We afterwards went to an old woman who resided by herself, in the northern part of the village, and spoke to her of the birth, miracles, and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. On this she said, with a sorrowful countenance, "You have told me what I never heard before! No one has ever preached to me these tidings of salvation which you have now brought! What present can I make you for this? I have nothing to give but an iron straw-knife; if you will have that, I will give it to you.' She was told that our Saviour had said, "Freely ye have received, freely give." This woman afforded much reason to expect that if she had lived a little longer she would have professed herself to be a servant of Christ; even now we trust that the Lord is wiping away her tears. In like manner the truths of the Christian religion are preached in various places both among rich and poor, and people confess that no one is able to refute what we say, because it is all true; while others say, "If we inquire among ourselves even, we can plainly see that among the gods and goddesses there is none who is able to save us." More examples. At Sialdah, Beliyaghatta and Baitakkhana many hear our preaching and receive tracts and gospels from us, and one young man from Sialdah was baptized. So also another man named Kaderbax was baptized, as the fruits of our preaching. If our society had the means of sustaining inquirers we should probably have received more accessions: for though well assured of the truth of Christianity, many men shrink from enduring the loss of all things that they may win Christ. Almost Christians. We meet from time to time with young men who confess that the Christian religion is true, but say that they cannot embrace it. The following example may be given. One day a very respectable and wealthy man, a resident at Khidirpur, invited myself and a friend to his house, engaging to prove to us the falsity of our religion, and convince us of the truth of Hinduism. On our arrival, the Babu and his friends received us very kindly; but instead of attempting to refute Christianity, he commenced talking in quite a different way. He said that as God has no beginning nor end, and cannot be seen or understood, his service was impossible, &c. We A Hindu young man, who for a long time replied that though we ourselves can dissought Christian instruction, had received cover nothing certainly concerning God, from me a tract entitled "Account of Pil-yet, as far as He has made himself and his A year ago, we went one day to Tiljala, to see a respectable man whose name was Mitra; he asked us who we were? We replied that we were Christians. Hearing this he received us with every mark of kindness; gave us his own huka to smoke, heard us with attention, and admonished others who were present to listen, and added that they all needed to have their sins forgiven. chapel, when grossly abused and insulted by a Mussalman. He felt that a religion which could produce such effects must be the true one. The influence of this babu's guru, who was much displeased by our visits to his house, at last induced him to break off his will known to us, so far we are bound to love | Christianity had manifested at the Jan Bazar and serve him. This he did not dispute, and after hearing us he confessed that the Christian religion is without doubt true, but that it was a matter of great difficulty to embrace it. When we left, his nephew followed us to our house and remained with us till eleven o'clock at night, bringing forward his doubts concern-intimacy with us; but even after this, he ing Christ, and asking us to solve them. We assured us that his opinion of Christianity endeavoured to remove his difficulties and and his wish to embrace it remained ungave him as many scriptural proofs as we altered. could. In the end he was quite satisfied, and said, that there was no religion which inculcated morality so pure as Christianity, and that no other religion makes known the way of salvation. There was a Babu residing in Taltala who used to invite us to his house; and for some time we visited him on Sundays, and expounded to him the truth regarding the death of Christ and the atonement, and he listened to us with the greatest interest. One day we inquired of him the cause of his desire to become acquainted with Christianity, and he told us that his mind had been greatly impressed by accidentally witnessing the patience and gentleness which a preacher of Similar instances might be brought forward to show that many are now 'favourably disposed towards Christianity, and are willing to avail themselves of opportunities to become acquainted with its truths. It cannot be doubted that some secretly believe, and that many prayers are presented through Jesus Christ, by men who are thought to be heathens. We deplore the lack of firmness and faith which such secret converts display, but still we rejoice that the truth is thus making its way secretly and surely, in spite of all opposition and unbelief, and look forward to the day when its victories shall be manifest and the kingdom of Christ be established. SERAMPORE. By the last mail Mr. MARSHMAN'S reply has been received, addressed to one of the Secretaries of the Society. In our September Herald an intima- the Council of the College, subject of tion was given that certain important course to the final decision of Mr. questions had been before the Committee MARSHMAN on the part of the College in relation to the future management Council. of Serampore College. Some time ago the views of the Committee were communicated at length in reply to letters from Mr. MARSHMAN, which were after- It appears that the proposals of the wards fully considered and discussed Committee meet with his cordial and with Mr. MARSHMAN by the members of entire approval. He says, "The resoluthe deputation on their recent visit to tions of the Committee have the entire India. It was one of the several im- and cordial concurrence of Mr. THOMAS, portant questions that called for their Mr. DENHAM, and myself. We shall attention. On their return they laid proceed to operations with as little delay before the Committee a very full report as possible. The all but unanimous of their interviews with Mr. MARSH- decision of the Committee in a matter MAN, the Revs. J. DENHAM, J. THOMAS, in which we are so deeply interested, and others of the Calcutta brethren, at has infused new life and spirit into us, the same time presenting the conclu- and we hope to be able to show the high sions to which they had been led. Very sense we entertain of their kindness and anxious consideration was given by the consideration by rendering the instituCommittee to their report at the meet- tion a real blessing to the country.” ing in August last, and at its close the After referring to the investment about following resolutions were agreed to as to be made of a considerable sum to the basis of future co-operation with meet the quadrennial repairs of the expense to the Society, or any liability on the part of the Society to keep the College buildings in repair; the secular classes of the College to be open to the theological students without charge. College buildings, Mr. MARSHMAN concludes his letter by saying, "For the present I confine myself to a simple acknowledgment of the receipt of your communication, and an assurance of the entire satisfaction and the sincere pleasure which the decision of the Com-responsibility of the management and direction of its affairs resting with the Council. mittee has afforded me." and will continue, an independent body, as "2. The Council of Serampore College is, constituted by the Charter; the exclusive "3. The College having been established for the double object of training up labourers in every branch of missionary work, and of imparting secular instruction, on Christian principles, to the natives of the country, the missionary department shall be rendered auxiliary to the operations of the Baptist Missionary Society. "4. That the College Council is at liberty to elect its members from among the Missionaries of the Baptist Missionary Society, with the object of establishing a cordial concert and co-operation between the College and the Society. It is with pleasure, therefore, we now lay before our readers the document thus agreed upon; from which it will appear that a building of noble proportions, every way adapted for scholastic and collegiate purposes, founded by the illustrious missionaries of Serampore, Carey, Marshman, and Ward, for the education of native youth, and the training of an evangelic ministry for the churches of India, will henceforth, as in time past, continue to be an auxiliary to the operations of the Bap-Denham, which allowance will continue to tist Missionary Society. Thus will be completed that union of effort between the Society and Serampore which was so auspiciously commenced in 1838. exceeding £500 a-year to this department, "5. The Society appropriate a sum not inclusive of the allowance now paid to Mr. Treasurer of the Society in Calcutta; so that be paid to him as heretofore, through the the difference between the allowance and the annual contribution is the amount to be paid to the Treasurer of Serampore College; this sum to be devoted to the support of students for the ministry, who shall be selected in such Extract of Minutes at Special Meeting of a manner as the Committee of the Society Committee, August 13th, 1851. "Various minutes relating to the question of Serampore College were read, and it was resolved, "That this Committee, on carefully reviewing the correspondence in relation to Serampore College, and the report of the deputation to India, repeat the expression of their best wishes for the prosperity and success of the College, and their desire to co-operate with the Council in diffusing religious knowledge among the natives of India, by availing themselves of the use of the College buildings at Serampore for the purpose of training an indigenous ministry. may from time to time direct. "6. That the department of secular education be continued under the direction of the College Council, to the extent to which funds can be provided, independent of the Ward Funds in England and America, and the Society's Annual Contribution; and that the Society be not considered in any measure responsible for, or connected with, this department of collegiate duty. "7. That the youths, whether in European or native habits, who have completed their education at the College in the missionary department, be employed at the discretion of the Committee, and in accordance with the wants and resources of the mission. "To facilitate this important work, and to "3. The Council agrees to leave in the prevent future misapprehension, the Com-hands of the Society, with the concurrence of mittee deem it desirable to enumerate the the Trustees, the future dividends of Ward's principles on which they are ready to co- Fund, which are to be devoted in accordance operate with the Council at Serampore, and with the terms of the Deed; this sum to be trust that the concurrence of the Council in in addition to the Society's amount contrithese principles may render future co-opera-buted. tion practicable and efficient. "1. The Council offers to the Society the use of the College buildings at Serampore, including residences for a theological tutor and for theological students, without any "9. The Society is at liberty at any future period, should circumstances appear to it to render it necessary, to withdraw from all connection with the College, by withholding the annual contribution." DINAGEPORE. Some pleasing indications are given in the following letter of Mr. SMYLIE, dated September 27th, of the leavening progress of the gospel in the district around his station. It is evident that the native mind is becoming more and more accessible, and the people are more ready and willing to hear the gospel than at any former period. The labours of the native brethren are a mong the most efficacious means that can be employed, and we trust that able men, taught of God, are being raised up among the native converts, every way adapted to carry forward the kingdom of our Lord. The invitation. You know until lately we had no native missionary in Dinagepore, and now we have one only; when your letter came to hand he was out at Jar Bany, some thirty or forty miles to the north-west. We were invited to go out to this by a respectable Musalman, who has been more than once with us in Dinagepore. In his invitation he said he wished us to go out and spend a few days among his neighbours, to try how they would receive the word, hinting, that if they could only be made willing, he would unite with those who would join us. The native mis sionary states that after spending a few days with them (during which time he was much engaged), he read and explained the word, and had prayer with them. After all, they said, we need to be instructed, and unless some one was placed among us for this purpose, it would be impossible for us to understand of ourselves, and unless we understand we cannot embrace Christianity. This, though not what we could wish, is a great advance on the self-perfect Mussalmen. Two of their young men said they would immediately follow the native missionary to Dinagepore, and remain with us a few months for instruction, and to see and learn our ways; all they wanted was support. This, though a very fair and very pleasing offer, is what we cannot comply with now. Another invitation. Another invitation was made by a man who came from Ghor-a-Ghat, some fifty or sixty miles to the south. The last trip has laid up the native missionary with fever, so the south invitation must remain as it is for a time. I would indeed rejoice could we send out a few men to this, and a few to that vil lage, to remain a few days or weeks. The this frail and worn-out carcase, when the naday will come, and may be before I put off tives will, of themselves, by God's Spirit, run to and fro with the word. Where God's Spirit really is in deed and truth, his people don't need to be driven. We want the wind to blow from the four winds upon these dry bones, and on some green ones too, then the multitude will everywhere preach the gospel. A bazar incident. This evening, while engaged in the bazar, follows:-"Sir, you will make very little of I was addressed by a young Musalman as the people here, they are too worldly to be soon converted, but were you to go among the Batanees, I feel persuaded you would soon make converts. I know them, and I would advise you to try. However, that you may not go without some cause, I will go among them for the next six or seven months and try them. Should I meet with encouragement, I will return to you about the setting in of next rainy season, and take you with me to the places where the people are most this Musalman for some years; when I first likely to receive the word." I have known met him he was indeed a bitter character, but time and, I trust, the Spirit have told upon him. His residence is at Puch-a-Ghor, about ninety miles north of this. He has long been engaged in collecting raw hides for the European market. He is employed by some Persian merchants. His calling leads him all over Batan, where cows' hides are cheapest; hence his offer to try the Batanees, and then let me know and take me with him. For the last few years I have regularly had one or two calls from him; sometimes he has caused me much pain and prayer. The other evening, while engaged in the bazar, he came up, placed himself on my right-I had stopped to breathe when my old friend took up the subject with as much ease and simplicity as if he had been taught in the first college, and preached Christ, proving what he said by referring to the Old and New Testament. I shall not try to tell what I felt at in birth till Christ was framed in the soul the time and since; those who have laboured don't need to be told, and those who have not could not understand if they were. A missionary's work. Schools are all we can make them at present. We have no books but such as the Tract and Bible Societies publish, and few of these. My week day duties are the schools, and nightly reading and explaining God's word. This is every day and [every night. I hope the day is coming when every native Christian will have his little band of heathen, hungry souls around him. Sometimes, lately, sure of such, then the school, the bazar, or I have had such little groups. We cannot some other duty must be laid aside. Realways have them. When I have the plea- | member us in prayer. SEWRY BIRBHOOM. The work of God at this station pro- | school. The adults frequent divine gresses, though but slowly. Recently worship, but have not yet made much three persons who had been excluded progress in Christian knowledge. We from the church, were re-admitted to hope, however, though without any apits privileges, while last month a young parent signs at present, that the means man, of good education and exemplary of grace will in due time be blessed to in his conduct, had been baptized and their conversion. Gospel knowledge received into fellowship. Mr. WILLIAM- appears to be on the increase around SON adds, "We have two families that us, accompanied with an increasing joined us some time ago from the conviction of the vanity and sin of heathen, consisting of three adults and idolatry, and of the truth of the five children. The children attend the Christian religion." WEST INDIES. TRINIDAD. We are happy to present to our read-place of worship in this town, yet our little ers, from the pen of our missionary, Mr. LAW, the interesting communication below. Although the opposition is great in Trinidad to the spread of evangelic truth, yet the labours of our brethren are far from fruitless. In addition to their direct efforts, Mr. Law is engaged in publishing from time to time a series of tracts on the chief doctrines of the gospel, exhibiting them in contrast to the errors, superstitions, and idolatries of Rome. Peculiarly interesting is the account rendered of a portion of the refugees from Madeira, whence they were driven by the persecutions of the Roman Catholic clergy. After referring to the want of more labourers, Mr. LAW proceeds : Conversions. The success attending our present labours encourages us to persevere, and, if possible, to increase our exertions to make known the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Although the general attendance is not great at our church has lately experienced a season of refreshing from the divine presence; a spirit of prayer and supplication has been bestowed upon the members; the Spirit of God has viduals have been brought to a saving knowbeen shed down upon us, and several indiledge of the truth of the gospel. Since I gave you an account of the conversion and baptism America, a brother of his has had his heart of a young man who was lately a slave in opened by the divine Spirit, and been led to make a public profession of the name of Jesus by baptism. Two of Afric's children, also, who have been long inquiring the way to Zion, have lately given us reason to believe that they have been made the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ; hence they have been baptized and added to the church. A young couple, who have for some time been attending our meetings and assisting in the sabbath schools, have been led to repent of their sins, and to believe in the Lord Jesus, and, constrained by the love of Christ, they have been baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. At the baptism of this interesting pair I gave an address on the spiritual and doctrinal character of Christian baptism, the substance of which has since been published for general circulation among our friends, that they may better understand the nature of their baptismal engagements. These conversions and |