16 EGYPTIAN EXPEDITION UP THE RIVER NILE.

difficulty of travelling by land, they form the chief medium of communication with the interior of the country. It was on this account that so many hopes and expectations were formed respecting the Expedition up the Niger. And so far as the desire manifested by the Natives to receive Christian instruction is concerned, these hopes were fully realized; but the nature of the climate has proved so prejudicial to European constitutions, that the door appears to be closed, for the present, in that direction.

Recent events, however, have brought to light, in a most remarkable manner, the probability of reaching the heart of Africa by means of another river— the Nile, without the same dangers from climate. By the direction of the enterprising Pasha of Egypt, an Expedition of Discovery proceeded up that branch of the Nile called the White River, and which is the chief branch. The following particulars have been extracted from a Geographical Memoir on Eastern Africa, drawn up for the Society by Mr. James M'Queen, to accompany the Journals of the Rev. Messrs. C. W. Isenberg and J. L. Krapf, detailing their proceedings in Abyssinia, which are now in the press:

The Expedition started from Bhastoum in December 1839, soon after the commencement of the dry season. It consisted of three or four sailing barques, and some small canoes or passage-boats, commanded by intelligent officers, and accompanied by 400 men from the garrison of Sennaar. Every day's proceedings were noted with care: the breadth, depth, and current of the river, the temperature, the names of the Tribes inhabiting the banks, and the appearance of the country around as the Expedition proceeded. The chief object-the exploring of the main stream to its utmost point was steadily kept in view. For about 150 miles above Bhastoum the breadth of the river was about a mile and a half, and the depth from four to five fathoms : the breadth afterward decreased to about half-a-mile.

The whole country is a table-land of very considerable

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITION UP THE RIVER NILE.

17

elevation, and the scenery on all sides is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful. Numerous and considerable Tribes were found on the banks. Hippopotami and crocodiles were numerous in the stream; and cattle, sheep, goats, and asses everywhere abounded, on either side. As the Expedition ascended, the country was studded with fine trees; and in proof of the elevation of the country above the level of the sea, it may be observed, that, around the bifurcation, the trees and foliage were those of an European climate; while, to shield themselves from the effects of cold during the night, the inhabitants sleep among warm ashes. The population on the banks, though surprised at the sight of the vessels, offered no resistance the moment the real object of the Expedition was made known to them. Throughout the whole voyage no mountains were perceived on either side, and but very few hills:

The distance that the Expedition advanced up the river, south from Bhastoum, was, including windings, 1300 geographical miles; after which the river separated into two branches. The eastern branch they ascended in the barques to lat. 3° 22′ N., when the depth of water was only three feet, though the breadth was nearly 1300 feet. Consequently they could not proceed any further; and accordingly turned back, and-in their way having also explored the branch called the Red River-reached Bhastoum at the end of 135 days.

The results of this undertaking are not only most important in a geographical point of view, but they cannot fail to be highly advantageous to the human race, especially to the long-neglected population and country of Africa. The Pasha is about to send steamers up the river above described.

LETTERS FROM A NATIVE CATECHIST IN NORTH INDIA.

WILLIAM CHURRUN, a Hindoo Convert, has been for several years a Native Catechist in connexion with the Church Missionary Society. He formerly laboured at Gorruckpore, under the superintendence of the Rev. M. Wilkinson. He is now stationed at Agra. When Mr. Wilkinson visited this country in 1834, he was the bearer of the following earnest and

18 LETTERS FROM A CATECHIST IN NORTH INDIA.

touching message from the Catechist to the people of England :

Tell them, that William Churrun, by the grace of God a servant of Jesus Christ, was once a servant of sin; and would have been a servant of sin now, had they not sent you to tell me of Christ crucified for sinners. Tell them my heart thanks them. Oh! when I think, that had not English Christians sent Jesus Christ to me, I must have been for ever lost, I cannot help loving them.-Next tell them, we wonder much that they only send one or two Missionaries. What are one or two? Do they not know how many millions of my poor Hindoo Brethren are yet without God? Oh! tell them that William, who thanks them for himself, blames them on account of others. I have heard

you say there are many millions of people in England; and then I think-Well, many millions; and only one, two, or three Missionaries come to India to save millions of those who are perishing in sin! Tell them we have three hundred and thirty millions of gods, whose slaves we are. And, oh! tell them, that though these gods never spoke before, yet in the Day of Judgment the God of English Christians, who is the God of the whole world, will give each a tongue, to condemn them, for not sending the Gospel and more Missionaries to India.

Since Mr. Wilkinson's more recent arrival in England, he has received the following Letter from the same individual:

HONOURED FATHER AND GUIDE- -On England rest the light of God! Woe, woe, that you have left us, and ran away! If you return, we shall heartily welcome you: if not, send your portrait, that, looking at it, we may be comforted. According to your instructions, I continue to proclaim the glad tidings of Salvation, as far as I can, to every creature. This is my desire. You remember my wish to go to China. You told me its walls were closed against me and the Truth of God. This I could not believe; and I left my home with nought but my clothes on my body, and as many Tracts and books as I could carry on my back.

On reaching the Nepaul Territory I was arrested by the Sepoys (soldiery). The Jemmadar (Commander of a band

LETTERS FROM A CATECHIST IN NORTH INDIA.

19

of men) put me under a guard, and threatened my life; at which I opened my Testament, and read, “I am also a man under authority: my Lord and Master is the Almighty God and Saviour of the world. No man hath sent me hither. My Gooroo (spiritual guide) forbade me, and told me you would seize me. I am come in the name of Godan ambassador of the Lord of Armies. My commission is from Him, and my message is to you. You threaten to take away my life. In the name of God and His Son Jesus Christ, I offer you life eternal; and, as though God did beseech you by me, I pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God. Repent, and believe the Gospel, and do not so wickedly." All cried out, "This is a good man: he brings good tidings. He is not a man of war, but of peace. Let us do him no harm, but send him away: we dare not let him proceed." The Jemmadar then called me to him; and I sat long in conversation with him. He received a book, and promised to read it. He afterward invited me to sup. I ate a hearty meal, and retired to rest, and I never slept more soundly. Many more received books. Perhaps good will result; perhaps not. My conscience was eased of a burden, and I left them. My next purpose was to go to Affghanistan, after hearing of the success of our arms-to follow them with the Gospel of Peace. With this end in view, I again left Gorruckpore, to go to Sababhu. You accompanied me as far as Azimgurh, and we then parted.

My trials and difficulties on the way were very great. Kind friends helped me on my way; but still I was in perils oft and various. I had before been in perils among false brethren; and now I was in perils among the Heathen. By the grace of God I everywhere preached the Gospel, and gave away Tracts and books with which you, and others on my way, supplied me, till I reached Jabather, in the mountain wilds. Here I found plenty of work; and I thought I would stay and labour, and go to heaven from these hills. Every day, when well, I preached, and prayed, and distributed God's Word; but my wife could not bear the cold of these mountains, and therefore we have left [the way into Affghanistan was now closed]; and here we are [at Agra].

Baluk is truly converted to God, and accompanies me in

20

TESTIMONY OF THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND TO

my preachings, &c., in the market-places and at the melas (fairs). Many hear us gladly, and some scoff. I am henceforth to assist the Rev. C. G. Pfander in the work of God

here.

Kabarena [his wife] is better. God has given us another child: we have named him Samuel.

Your affectionate child,

WM. CHURRUN.

BAPTISM OF TWENTY-FOUR HINDOOS.

We make the following Extract from the Journal of the Rev. J. Thomas, who has charge of the Meignanapooram District of the Tinnevelly Mission:

Dec. 22, 1841: Lord's Day-Pragasapooram. By eight o'clock this morning I had concluded a most interesting and affecting Service, having baptized 14 adults and 10 children before a crowded congregation. There were several whole families baptized; and it was most interesting to see the wife sitting on the same mat with her husband and children—a thing which a Hindoo woman will never think of doing while in heathenism. She would not, however, be prevailed upon to sit next to her husband; but pushed two of the children between. While pronouncing the words, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, the deepest solemnity prevailed: all the Candidates seemed to be devout, and many of them earnest in ejaculatory prayer.

PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN THAT COUNTRY.

THE Bishop of New Zealand reached his Diocese on the 30th of May last, after a prosperous voyage. He landed, in the first instance, at Auckland; and after remaining some time in the neighbourhood of the Thames, he embarked for the Bay of Islands, where he arrived on the evening of the 19th of June. His Lordship had so successfully prosecuted the study of the New-Zealand Language during the voyage, that, on the first Lord's Day after his arrival in the Bay, he was able to take part of the Native Services in the Society's Church at Paihía, preaching in the