APRIL, 1842.

SURVEY

OF

THE PROTESTANT MISSIONARY STATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,

IN THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL ORDER.

(Continued from p. 159 of the Number for March.)

India within the Ganges.

MISSIONARY PROSPECTS IN INDIA-The "Friend of India," of the 6th of January, offers some salutary counsel on this subject :-

The departure of so many Labourers-the victims of the climate-in search of health, gives rise to many painful emotions. It is impossible to avoid the impression, that the Societies at home, so far from being able to increase the strength of their Missions, can barely sustain that which they have attained-that their resources have reached their maximum-and that their efforts must henceforth be stationary, while India yet continues Heathen.

But even this conviction would be relieved of much of its gloom, if there were any reason to hope that the minds of those who direct these Associations could be opened to the truth-that an organic change of measures was necessary; and that since they could not enlarge their funds, their duty was to devise means for making those funds go twice their present length, by raising up an INDIGENOUS MINISTRY, and availing themselves of the resources which the country itself presents for its spiritual regeneration.... The Societies must come at last to the principles on which the First Mission at this Presidency was founded--that of employing as Missionaries, to a large extent, the Youth whom the country furnishes; and of withholding from their Native Teachers whatever training might excite ambitious views, and render them discontented in their humble labours.

IMMORAL INFLUENCE OF HINDOOISM AND MAHOMEDANISM-The following appalling picture, by the Bishop of Calcutta, should serve as a stimulus to the persevering appliance of the most efficient measures for the cure of such a moral plague.

Truth, fidelity, trustworthiness, are utterly unknown as the result of moral instruction in the Native Superstitions: fraud, deceit, lies, cunning evasions, are enjoined on certain occasions, and connived at and encouraged in all. The elements for the production of truth are wanting: the knowledge of the One Living and True Godthe moral law-a future judgment-conscience-the scrutiny of the heart by an Omniscient Judge-not one of these fundamental principles is clearly and consistently laid down.

I say nothing of the doctrines of Christianity-Redemption-the sacrifice of Christ -the mystery of the ever-blessed Trinity-the operations and grace of God the Holy Ghost-love-gratitude-hope-peace-joy in believing, with all the other fruits of the Spirit; from which, as from a living fountain, good works, good principles, good habits, holy living, and, among these, honesty and truth, can alone spring in a fallen creature. I speak of the broad and admitted facts of the case only. And when to these facts we add the examples and legends of the gods of Hindooism, and of the Prophet of the Moslems, and go on to open what they term their Sacred Books, and read the pitiable absurdities and inconsistencies of their precepts of morals, we are prepared to meet with what forces itself on our notice at every turn-a leaven of fraud, perjury, deceit, and craft, penetrating the whole frame-work of society. 2 A

April, 1842.

It is perfectly true, that you have occasional words of truth and acts of fidelity to commend. It is perfectly true, that when no end is to be gained, you may chance-and it is but a chance to meet simple fidelity of narration. It is perfectly true, that merchandise creates, what it demands in order to exist-conventional faith. All this, and much more, may no doubt be said. If it could not, the case which I have stated would be an impossible one. It is upon truth, in common life and on ordinary occasions, that a system of deceit is, and only can be erected; and, of course, it is just possible that the case may be stated too unreservedly-any case may. The grand arraignment which I bring against Hindooism and Mahomedanism is, that they generate and strengthen all the corruptions of our fallen nature, and the disregard to truth among the rest. Nor have I met with a single person well acquainted with native character, who has not confessed the accuracy of what I am now stating; and of what was so well stated in his place in the House of Lords, by a Right Rev. Prelate, at the close of the last Session. And it is the clearer light cast on this and other parts of the native habits and principles, which I rank among the present advantages of our Great Cause in India. Christianity gains by the development of the tendencies of false religion. Every thing is concurring to illustrate its necessity; and make way for its propagation, in all its grace, and holy effects, and joy.

NATIVE EDUCATION-This subject is now brought into earnest controversy. Lord William Bentinck, by a celebrated Minute of March 7, 1835, designed to supersede, in the higher instruction of Native Youth, the acquisition of Oriental Literature and Science, by means of the learned languages of India; and to substitute European Literature and Science, acquired through the medium of the English Language. Lord Auckland, on retiring from the Government of India, has issued a Minute, by which he restores Oriental Literature and Science to much of the superiority which they occupied previous to the 7th of March 1835. This has given rise to great discussion. The Rev. Dr. Duff strenuously opposes Lord Auckland's reasonings and designs. The "Friend of India" on some points favours his views. English, it is stated, has been latterly cultivated, to the injurious neglect of the Native Languages: while the great problem to be solved is, How to secure the cultivation of those Languages, and that Literature and Science, which shall most effectually promote the social, moral, and religious interests of India.

BRITISH SUPPORT OF IDOLATRY ABANDONED-This consummation, so long and devoutly wished and laboured for, has at last, through the mercy of God, been happily effected. The Chairman of the Court of Directors announced, in a Debate on the 23d of December, that peremptory orders had been sent out to put an end to, at once and for ever, any connection on the part of the Company's Officers, Troops, or Servants, with the Processions or other Religious Ceremonies of the Natives. The "Friend of India," of the 20th of January, observes

The final orders of the Court of Directors on this important subject are full and decisive; and, as far as we can see, leave nothing further to be desired. Judging from the course which events have taken during the last ten years, there appears every reason to suppose that the celebrated Despatch of 1832, which is known to have been penned by Lord Glenelg, was in advance of the opinion and resolution of the Court of Directors. They were not prepared to carry its clear and sound principles into execution: they manifested such hesitation and repugnance, that it was at one time feared that the measure would not be completed in our days. It is to a peaceful, earnest, and legitimate agitation, of which the public pledge of the Directors formed the main strength, and which has been carried on without interruption from that day to the present, that we are indebted for the final consummation of our expectations. At the same time, it is only a matter of justice to acknowledge, that from the time when the Directors determined resolutely to carry the measure into execution, now about three years ago, they have acted with cheerfulness and earnest

ness,

BIBLE, TRACT, AND EDUCATION SOCIETIES.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Calcutta-The distribution, in the year 1840, has been 43,000 volumes: Books ordered to be printed, and now in hand, amount to 78,000 volumes; and 2000 reams of paper have been voted, beside 7000 copies of Bibles and Testaments in English-Pp. 150, 151.

Dr. Hæberlin writes

We have had forwarded to us, from Herat, the Persian Testament in Hebrew Characters. I laid the Version before the Committee here; but they agreed with me in referring the matter to you, recommending you to have an edition of 2000 copies of it printed. The Version is Henry Martyn's. Nearly all the Jews in Persia speak only the Persian Language; but they write it, and write it only in the Hebrew Character. Dr. Login has been frequently applied to for Scriptures in this form. The Rev. Mr. Pfander, formerly a Missionary to Persia, in connection with the Bâsle Society, found in the western and northern parts of Persia what Dr. Login reports of the east and south, as to the Language and Character used by the descendants of Abraham.

The Committee have authorised Dr. Hæberlin to print 2000 copies of the Persian Testament in Hebrew Characters.

Measures have been adopted by the Calcutta Auxiliary for preparing a Version in the Orissa Language. It is added in their Report:

The Calcutta Bible Association continues its

useful work of distributing the Holy Scriptures to every class of people in this metropolis. Its issues for the past year have been 4249 Volumes; and since the commencement of its operations, 60,610.

The Receipts of the Auxiliary amount to 15347. 18s.

The minds of some have been stirred up in this city to seek the conversion of the Jews; the number of whom at present in the city is materially increased, by the unsettled state of Egypt, the Porte, and the whole Persian Gulf. We have just now about 1200 Jews, or 400 families. Visits are made among them almost every day. Scriptures and Tracts are freely distributed. [Mr. Boas.

Bombay-1813-The printing of the Scriptures in the Maráthee and Gujaráthee has been steadily advancing. Supplies of Persian and Hindoostanee Scriptures have been forwarded from Calcutta -P. 151.

The following extract is from the 22d Report of the Auxiliary:

The Committee's operations during the past year have been more varied and extensive than during any former period of a similar length. They attribute this happy result principally to the circumstances, that they have been led to hold monthly meetings for deliberation respecting its affairs-that they have been able, through the liberality of the Parent Society, to establish a commodious depository, and to command the 'undivided services of an Assistant Secretary-that they have received directly from the Parent Society, and, on its account, from the Calcutta Auxiliary, large supplies of the Scriptures in different Languages-that the number of persons interested in the circulation of the Word of God is gradually on the increase—and, that extensive journeys have been undertaken, for the preaching of the Gospel, and the distribution of Tracts and Books, by several of the Missionaries of this Presidency.

The following observations are taken from a Letter of Dr. Wilson's :

During our journey, we witnessed some remarkable effects of former circulations of portions of the Bible and Religious Tracts in the north of Gujarat. We found at the very extremity of the province, never before visited by a Missionary, several individuals who, principally through this instrumentality, have been led to assume a particular form of professional Christianity.

Madras-1820-The issues of the last year amount to 34,742, principally in the Tamul and Teloogoo Languages. There have been printed in Tamul 45,500 copies of portions of the Scriptures; 26,000 in Teloogoo; and 13,000 in Malayalim. The amount received by the Auxiliary, in Subscriptions, Donations, and in payment for Scriptures, is 7007. 16s.

A grant of 1000%. and 1000 reams of paper has been made to the Auxiliary— Pp. 150-152.

CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY. Calcutta-The Bishop of Calcutta, in a Letter dated Dec. 15, 1841, has forwarded to the Board a Report of the progress made in building the Cathedral, from which the following extracts are taken :

The foundations and plinth have been completed, and the superstructure raised eight feet and a half in height, or thirteen feet from the plane of site. It is hoped that in little more than two years the Cathedral may be ready for consecration.

The style of architecture is Gothic, or IndoGothic, or Indo-Christian, if such words may be allowed.

found the children had made satisfactory progress. The number of pupils was 85.

A grant of 60%. has been made toward the erection of a small Chapel at Pondicherry, near Cuddalore.

Madras-The Bishop has determined to build a Chapel at his own cost, which is estimated at 1007., at Kotagherry. It is to be attached to a house which he has there for the benefit of his health; but though to be considered his private Chapel, is to be open to all residents and visitors of the place. The Bishop recommends Kotagherry as a Missionary Station.

Books to the value of 251. have been granted to the Seminary at Vepery; pension of 61. per annum to the widow of the late Native Ordained Teacher, Visuvasanaden; and Books to the value of 1007. have been granted for the use of Her Majesty's Regiments. The rebuilding of the Church at Muddalore is proceeding favourably.

In a Letter, dated May 5, 1841, the Bishop of Madras remarks that the Seminary at Vepery is full of promise; and, as a subsidiary ally to Bishop's College, is likely to prove a blessing to Southern India-P. 152.