"Ali Mahomed then addressed the au dience, drawing a comparison between the Hindu and Mussulman religions, and showing what a great similarity there was in the religious works of both. They relied upon these religious works for salvation, but they were a false ground of confidence. "In the evening, two men, residents of the village we had visited, came and said, 'We have become Christians.' They then joined in our worship, after which I gave them some further instruction, and advised them how to act until a teacher should be located in the district. into conversation with those assembled. [ preacher there, and from what he had To the left there was a large native house heard from him. These two men came to used as a chundra mundul (their private my boat after a little, and subsequently, house of idolatry). I was told they were several men of the village of Dowlea. I about to build another chundra mundul in talked with them for awhile, when a man a spot opposite to that on which I was came into my boat to say that a number sitting; whereupon I asked how long it of people were collected on the bank would remain, seeing that very many of waiting to see me, so I left the boat and the respectable classes, particularly in Cal- preached to them. cutta, were disavowing idolatry, and that those who were learning in the schools and colleges were all becoming convinced of the falsity of Hinduism. How could it be true when it contained so many contradictory statements? In one shaster it is written that the earth is globular, in another that it is triangular, and in another rectangular. In God's book there cannot be such contradictory statements. I told them of the wickedness of forsaking the worship of the true God and serving idols, and of the provision which God in his mercy had made for their salvation, in sending his Son to be an atonement for our sins. One old Brahmin made this objection, that the religion they observed had come down through the four jugs (ages) into which they divide time, past and present; and that the gods they worship were parts of the deity. I told him that Hinduism was to be found only in Hindustan. Its antiquity did not prove its truthfulness. I asked whether the great God was a holy God, and on their assenting, I told them that if the Hindu deities had been parts of God they would have exhibited in their characters divine attributes, but far from this being the case they were all sinful. Indra (the king of the gods) seduced the wife of his teacher. Bramha, on account of his attachment to his daughter, is scarcely worshipped among them. Krishnu (the deity most adored by the Hindus) came to indulge in debauchery and licentiousness. The elderly Brahmin, however, insisted that what they did amiss, they did when the exercise of their divine powers was suspended; and that the principal deities, Bramha, Vishnu, and Shiv, were without fault. Upon which I asked him how he could make such a statement. Did not Vishnu assume the form of a beautiful woman? and did not Shiv pursue her to gratify criminal desires? Was this the work of God? All but the old man heartily concurred with me, but he did not acknowledge his error. "October 7th: Heard this morning that the two men who had been with me on the previous night, had become alarmed. One of their neighbours had threatened to tell the zemindar if they became Christians, and so they told one of our people we will wait two or three days and see.' I sent for them, requesting them to come and see me again, but they declined. We were concerned to hear of this speedy declension, but are by means hopeless in regard to them. "October 8th: To-day, leaving the boat before breakfast, I went to a village called Doldhoho, about two miles from Shamtah. The people of the division of the village to which we went, soon came round us, and, as is the custom, provided me with a seat, made of wickerwork. Having seated myself, I began to converse with them, but after awhile, to my surprise, nearly all the men rose and quietly departed; and I saw some of them at a distance talking to one another in a confidential manner. We then sang a hymn, of which the chorus, repeated at the end of every verse, is as follows: If, on account of sin, no fear arise in the mind, Oh, mind! what reply will you make on the great judgment-day ?' This attracted one or two of those who had left, but they again retired. . I asked to be informed why several persons had, at the first, departed. One of the Mussulman's said, 'I will tell you the reason. I am the servant of the zemindar. They retire on account of my having come here.' This man then said, 'I will go, and then the people will come.' He had scarcely gone when a number of the villagerspeople of different castes-came and sat down before us, and then some who had left at first found courage to return. (To be continued.) "The native preachers had been to the muchees (shoemakers) at Shamtah, on one side of the river, and to Dowlea, on the other side, and I found that two men of the latter place were desirous to become Christians. One of them had visited Bonyeali, some time ago, and had been much impressed by what he saw of Par, our native HOME PROCEEDINGS. THE past month has been one of unusual pressure in regard to meetings. Mr. Trestrail and Mr. Oughton have finished the Scotch journey. The weather, though very severe, did not materially interfere with the arrangements; and at nearly all the places visited the contributions were in advance of the previous year. This was not expected, as the late commercial crisis had seriously affected some of the larger towns. The meetings, too, were marked with more than ordinary interest, and the attendance on them was encouraging; while the cordial reception given to the deputation, and the great kindness of the friends receiving them, materially promoted their comfort and facilitated their movements. Mr. Oughton, on his way south, visited Montgomeryshire. Mr. Underhill has visited Harlow and Loughton. Mr. Smith has taken Biggleswade, Gamlingay, Spencer Place, Walworth, Chesham and vicinity, Hammersmith, and Richmond, and part of Kent, and, in conjunction with Mr. Denham, Wokingham and Newbury; the latter having also been to Cambridge on behalf of Serampore College. We have great pleasure in stating that the Committee have succeeded in securing the services of the Rev. W. Sutton, of Roade, Northamptonshire, and Rev. B. G. Wilson, of Bradford, Yorkshire, for Australia. The former will proceed to North Melbourne, and the latter to Brisbane. They will sail for their destinations as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. We trust these brethren may have a safe and pleasant voyage, and be eminently successful in their new and important spheres of labour. NOTICE. TO THE TREASURERS AND SECRETARIES OF AUXILIARIES, CONTRIBUTING CHURCHES, AND SUBSCRIBERS IN GENERAL. THE accounts of the Society should close on the 31st of March. But as it will be a matter of great convenience to some of our friends, the Committee have determined to keep the account open till Monday, the 5th of April, and all contributions received up to and on that day will be in time for the next Annual Report. FOREIGN LETTERS RECEIVED. AMERICA-MILWAUKIE, Jackson, J., Jan. BAHAMAS-GRAND CAY, Rycroft, W. K., 14 & 18. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The thanks of the Committee are presented to the following friends : Mrs. Cooke, Shrewsbury, for a package of Magazines ; J. Muir, Esq., D.C.L., Edinburgh, for twenty copies of his "Original Sanscrit Text," etc., Part I., for the Missionaries, India; The Juvenile Working Society, College Street, Northampton, by Mrs. Brown, for a box of clothing. CONTRIBUTIONS, Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from February 22 to March 20, 1858. W. & O. denotes that the Contribution is for Widows and Orphans; N. P. for Native Preachers. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Cozens, Mrs. Dallas, Mrs. E. H. (2 years) Davies, Rev. Dr. Deane, Messrs. Doxsey, Rev. Isaac Dyer, Miss, Letherhead Fund... 500 10 O 0 0 10 0 N. P. "Sat bene si sat cito" 0 Saunders, Miss, col. by 0 Trotman, Mr. Warmington, Wheeler, Mr. D., for do. Allen, Mrs. Ann, late of LEGACIES. £ s. d. .100 0 0 2 2 0 0 15 0 15 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 Joseph, 10 0 0 .126 19 2 Barton Mills Collection 45 0 0 Contributions.. Burwell Collection 1 1 1 300 0 12 3 Hancock & Rixon, Messrs. 1 1 0 1 1 Hanson, Joseph, Esq.... 2 20 Harwood, J. U., Esq.... 2 account, by Mr. Sam. Rawlings, Edw., Esq. 10 10 0 Camden Road Contributions. Isleham 39 4 9 26 6 0 West Row Collection Do., for Intally. 0 10 6 Do., for Jamaica In Drayton, West cial Fund... Contributions, for N.P. 0 15 3 Edmonton, Lower Collections Do., for W. & O. Fox and Knot Court- Harrow on the Hill- 1 1 0 Highgate 1 1 0 Contributions, for N. P. 1 0 8 Collection, for W. & O. 1 5 0 Falmouth Do., for W. & O.. 6 6 0 Kennington, Charles Street Collections 1 1 0 110 Sunday School, by 3 5 4 1 10 0 Beeby, Mrs., for do.... 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 00 Y.M.M.A., for Byam- Kensall Green Collection Shouldham Street- Sunday School School, by 15 0 0 Walworth, Lion Street 500 090 10 0 0 8 10 3 St. Austell 10 0 0 Collections 13 0 0 500 50 7 6 31 10 0 Acknowledged before 24 6 6 1 1 0 26 1 0 Friend, for Jessore Chapel 0 20 Collections Proceeds of Tea Meet- Acknowledged before 8 14 10 110 20 0 10 1 8 0 200 1 1 0 5 13 0 10 0 10 2 602 8 12 0 280 66 9 1 26 9 5 39 19 8 |