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the forest, been compelled to yield to its power, and bend to the mighty rushing wind. Many heads of families are the joyful subjects of this power; but the greater number are in the morning of life, and some even from 10 to 15 years of age.

The people of colour also, on this occasion, have been remembered by the great Head of the Church; and more particularly those who have attended for instruction in the Sunday School.What encouragement does this fact furnish to teachers and patrons of these highly beneficial and interesting institutions; and what delight and pious gratitude must the reflection occasion, that He who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, has brought, as we humbly trust, a number of this poor, and neglected, and suffering people to experience the riches of his grace! and it will be seen, in the light of eternity, whether or no their benevolent exertions have been blessed as a mean in accomplishing this happy end.

During the progress of this revival, much quickening and consolation has been imparted to Christians, though for the most part not until they had been the subjects of great searching of heart, and deep humiliation before God. It has been an occurrence not unfrequent among professors, and particularly in the early part of the blessed work, to lose a sense of God's favour, and even to relinquish their hopes. They were smitten with such a conviction of their awful departure from God, that they could not think it possible that they had ever known the Lord in truth. But, with few exceptions, after a season of darkness and conflict, they have regained their hopes, accompanied with a new and peculiar delight in God's service, and with renewed zeal for the honour of his

cause.

We have no reason to think that there is any suspension of the Divine influences; but that, on the contrary, the blessed dews of heaven are still descending upon us.

If the Lord spares me, and the work advances, I may acquaint you with further particulars, as circumstances may arise, and opportunity occur.

NEW BIBLE SOCIETY.

"The Hillsborough County Bible and Charitable Society," (N. H.) was formed the 11th February, 1817. Its object is fourfold"The distribution of the sacred Scriptures-The education of pi-. ous and indigent young men for the Gospel ministry-The support of missions in the state and County-and the support of foreign missions." "The Officers of the Society shall be a President, three Vice-Presidents, secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor, chosen by ballot; who shall be a Board of Directors, to manage the concerns of the Society; five of whom shall constitute a quorum." "The Society shall hold an annual meeting, on the first Wednesday of September, at Amherst and Hopkinton, alternately.""The Board shall aid the New-Hampshire Bible ociety in the distribution of Bibles and Testaments among the needy and destitute in the County."

THE

CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. II.]

Saturday, March 15, 1817.

(No. 25.

BAPTIST MISSION IN INDIA.

From the Baptist Magasine, (London.)

We extract the following pleasing testimony to the character and conduct of one of our missionaries in the East, from an interesting work, entitled, "Sketches of India," just published by Messrs. Black and Co. and which is currently ascribed to a gentleman of no less eminence than Dr. Ainslie.

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During the greater part of this fair, (at Hurdwar,) which lasted nearly three weeks, a Baptist missionary, (Mr Chamberlain,) in the service of her Highness the Begum Sumroo, attended, and from an Hindostanee translation of the scriptures read daily a considerable portion. His knowledge of the language was that of an accomplished native; his delivery impressive, and his whole manner partook much of mildness and benignity. In fine, he was such as all who undertake the arduous and painful duties of a missionary should be. No abuse, no language, which could in any way injure the sacred service he was employed in, escaped his lips. Having finished his allotted portion, on every part of which he commented and explained, he recited a short prayer, and concluded the evening by bestowing his blessing on all assembled. At first, as may be expected, his auditors were few; a pretty convincing proof, when sixty thousand people were collected, that it was not through mere curiosity they subsequently increased. For the first four or five days, he was not surrounded by more than as many hundred Hindoos; in ten days (for I regularly attended) his congregation had increased to as many thousands. From this time, until the conclusion of the fair, they varied; but never, on a rude guess, I should fancy, fell below eight thousand. They sat around, and listened with an attention which would have reflected credit on a Christian audience. On the missionary retiring, they every evening cheered him home, with May the Padre (or priest) live for ever!'

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"Such was the reception of a missionary at Hurdwar, the Loretto of the Hindoos, at a time when five lacks of people were computed to have been assembled, and whither Brahmins, from far and near, had considered it their duty to repair. What was not the least singular, many of these Brahmins formed part of his congregation. They paid the greatest deference to all that fell from him; and when in doubt, requested an explanation. Their atVOL. II.-No. 25.

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tendance was regular, and many, whose countenances were marked, were even the first in assembling. Thus, instead of exciting a tumult, as was at first apprehended, by attempting conversion at one of the chief sources of idolatry, Mr. Chamberlain, by his prudence and moderation, commanded attention; and, I have little doubt, ere the conclusion of the fair, effected his purpose, by converting to Christianity men of some character and reputation."

Letters have recently been received from India. The following is a brief outline of their contents:

At Gomalty, the station has sustained a loss, by the somewhat sudden death of Manika hund, a valuable native brother; Krishna, always indefatigable, is gone thither to supply his place. Mr. W. Carey, and his native assistants, are proceeding with their accustomed diligence and hopeful success, at Cutwa, and various places in its neighbourhood.

Similar accounts, varied by interesting details of incessant labour, are furnished from Jessore and Berhampore.

The churches at Serampore and Calcutta, are favoured with considerable additions. Much good appears likely to result in the latter city, from the appointment of brethren Lawson and Eustace Carey to the joint pastoral office there. They appear to have entered on their labours with the determination and zeal so desirable in the ministers of Christ. Brother Yates, who, while in England, evinced remarkable skill and aptitude in the acquisition of languages, is proceeding, under the immediate direction of Dr. Carey, in pursuit of these studies, and is already of considerable service in forwarding the great business of the translations.

Brother Smith preaches to crowds of attentive hearers in different parts of Calcutta. The Sheiks in this city were greatly delighted at receiving the gospels in their Gooro-mookhee dialect, putting their books on their heads, and uttering aloud their joy at the gift. Sebuk-rama is indefatigable as an itinerant in his own village; where Roop-dasa, a police-officer, and his family, have avowed their reception of the gospel.

A pleasing instance of the effect of the instruction of youth in their schools, occurs in a letter from Tarachund, to brother Ward, dated Vansvariya, 29th June:"1 thank God that some of the school-boys are so well acquainted with the Christian religion, that they overturn every word of the idolaters who visit the school, and explain the word of the Lord almost as well as Christians themselves; which makes me to believe their conversion to be near. They also discourse at home about religion, and read the Bible on sabbath and other days. Those that hear them, declare, that this is the true religion, and ought to be obeyed." The zeal of this worthy brother has induced him to compose a number of Bengalee hymns, which are to be printed. "At the same time," he adds, "I hope you will pray to God, that, by his blessing, these hymns may be spread all over Bengal, and attract the hearts of the hearers toward our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."

Mr. De Bruyn appears to have been made useful, in a variety of instances, among the Mugs, at hitagong, and its vicinity. At his first" attempt to visit them, these uncivilized people ran up the mountains; however, one of them returned, and after hearing that they had brought them books, and were desirous of making known. good news to them, the people took courage, and came round them; when the gospel was read, they acknowledged that they were in a bad way, and that the words were good: they accepted of fourteen books."

At Silhet, several persons are waiting for baptism. By a letter from brethren Du Sylva and Bhagvat, "We learn that they had visited Hircumbu, (a small independent state,) and had conversed with numbers of the inhabitants respecting the gospel. The daughter of Rajah Govinda chundra, say they heard of our arrival, and wished to hear the word; we went, and explained the gospel doctrines to her, with which she seemed much pleased, and detained us six days, during which time she read the word with us. and helped us various ways. At our departure, she expressed the highest pleasure, and told us we were the servants of the true God, and invited us to come every month, and stay two or three days, that she might well understand the Christian doctrine."

A pleasing work of grace has been going on at Digah, and its neighbourhood, principally among the British soldiers, though not confined to them. On this subject, a correspondent of the missionaries observes, as follows: "There is in the progress of religion in India, the same appearance as in Europe, a gradual descent of divine influence, like the gentle dew on the tender grass; a daily increasing number of people in different parts of the country, in the civil service, are evidently friends of the gospel; in the army this attachment is more generally decided, and though the work goes on (comparatively) but slowly among the Heathen, this can be ac counted for from the great resistance made by the civil and religious prejudices of this people."

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Mr. Thompson is continuing, with all his former assiduity, to labour in the dissemination of the gospel, in the populous city of Patna. A pleasing instance of the attention excited by the scrip tures, occurs in his journal :-" Two Pundits from the city wanted the Sungskrit Testament; not having it, I offered them the Pentateuch, but they said, 'Not this book, but another, in which there are many good things about Jesus Christ, and good words of his, for we have seen and read the book at Pundit Shookrugee's, in the city, at his recommendation; and when we wanted the book for ourselves, he refused, saying, he had obtained it with great difficulty, and told us to come to you.""

A new station appears to have been formed at Guya, by a person of the name of Fowles, who had been baptized by Mr. Thompson, at Patna. He seems to enter into the work of the gospel with all his heart. "I preach to the Hindoos and Musselmen," says he, "almost every day, and am heard with much affection and attention; some of them weep, even like children, when I speak to

them of the sufferings and death of the Lord of glory; and the Saviour of sinners for the salvation of the elect.

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Brother John Kerr has proceeded from Ferukabad to Debli, the ancient capital of India. Here," says he, "the word is heard with willingness and attention, much to our encouragement and astonishment, for we had heard that the word could not be preached in Debli; but I thank the Lord, that I now perceive the folly of regarding what men say, and the wisdom of hoping in him, who has promised to his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession."

DOMESTIC.

Extracts from the Appendix to the Fourth Report of the Board of Trustees of the Society for the support of the Gospel among the poor, in the city of New-York.

STATE PRISON. Wm. Bd, aged 37.

March 3.-After I had catechised the unfortunate youth in hall 5, passing through the middle hall, Mr. R. informed me that this man, then in the hall, had begged leave to speak with me. This man

I had conversed with when recently in the hospital, though now restored. I told him that he might speak with the utmost freedom, and should hope to possess a sincere feeling in his favour. He then gave me the following information: "When I was young, I was in a place where there was a revival of religion; I thought I had some serious impressions concerning eternity; but, by mixing with gay company, these soon left me, and 1 fell into great snares. When I came here, I was so irritated that I was free to mix with those who were too much like myself.. When I came into the hospital, and seeing so many sick and dying around me, I received the kindcounsel you gave me. Since then, I think my mind is differently exorcised. I know I want a Saviour; I refused connexions with my fellow prisoners who appeared to be pardoned; I have kept myself alone, and have not mentioned my case to any but yourself. I hope, sir, you will bear while I tell you how I am, I fear the impressions on my mind are not real; I have many thoughts which are so sinful that I abhor and detest them. I am, sir, in great distress, and I ask the favour of your advice.". I then thought it my duty to tell him,' that, whether his former impressions of mind were real or not, his present concern lay with Jesus Christ. You cannot, said 1, know too much of the deceitfulness and wickedness of your own heart; do not be afraid to know the worst of yourself; the more sensible as a sinner, the more welcome to the Saviour. This promise suits your case, Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. His promise cannot fail, he will never deny himself. After this and other encouragements, while remaining silent, he took out a handkerchief From his pocket to wipe away his tears. Having informed him that I should be pleased on my visit to receive any further communications from him, and giving him my best wishes, I embraced Iis hand and retired. It is, however, just, that I should add, that

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