A school was shortly established, and largely attended, the composition of which, four Hindus for one Mussulman, soon betrayed that the prejudices with which a missionary has to contend are not only religious, but national. This is peculiarly the case with the Mussulmans of Delhi, who seem unable either to forget the proud pre-eminence they once enjoyed as the rulers of Hindustan, or to forgive the nation which has displaced them. With earnest diligence did the missionary and his native coadjutor endeavour to convey the bread of life to the people. The streets of the city were daily visited, the bazars attended, and the villages of the surrounding district explored. Inquirers began to seek for further instruction, when suddenly the fiery torrent of revolt cut short their labours, and both these devoted servants of Christ fell martyrs to the testimony of Jesus Christ. In the storm of slaughter which overtook the English residents of Delhi, we but dimly discern the close of Mr. Mackay's life. For a few days, with others, he found shelter in a large house, which was finally crushed with its living occupants beneath the iron hail of cannon, brought to bear on them by the revolted soldiery. The wonderful and providential escape of Fatima, the wife of Walayat Ali, with her children, has permitted us to learn the steadfastness with which this Christian native sealed his faith with his blood; with his dying voice, almost in the words of Stephen, he yielded his soul into the hands of the Lord Jesus. Thus the history of our mission in Delhi closes in gloom. Its sun has set in blood. Shall it rise again? Shall Delhi, the arena of Moslem bigotry and violence, yet become the dwelling place of peace, and its ruined palaces yet echo with the songs of triumph which the hosts of the Lord shall sing in the hour of his divine and bloodless victory ? The history of the past is before us. future, is not ours to tell. Prophecy, the history of the DEATH OF THE REV. J. THOMAS, OF CALCUTTA. THE Calcutta mail, which arrived on the 1st of September, brought intelligence of the alarming illness of our valued missionary, the Rev. J. Thomas, who has been for many years the able and indefatigable superintendent of the Mission Press, and who, by his exalted piety, self-sacrifice, and constant kindness towards all the brethren in his intercourse with them, and in the management of the pecuniary affairs of the Indian Mission, had endeared himself to all who knew him. A telegram despatched to Kedgeree, after the packet had sailed for Calcutta, confirmed the fears of those around him, and conveyed the news of his decease early on the morning of the 20th July. The Bombay mail, which arrived on the 3rd of September, brought letters containing particulars of this melancholy event. It appears that our departed brother was not well on the 14th of July, but he was able to attend a church-meeting at the Lall Bazar Chapel, and had the pleasure of proposing his son John for baptism and fellowship. His indisposition increasing, he somewhat abruptly closed the meeting, and at four the following morning his medical attendant was called in, and found him suffering from cholera. The more painful symptoms of the disorder abated the next day, and, on the 17th, the doctor considered his recovery very hopeful. On the 19th he began to suffer from severe pains in the chest, and it was soon seen that he was attacked by inflam mation. Every breath was accompanied with agony, and his power to take any nourishment was gone. Mr. Lewis describes his sufferings, on trying to take a little iced water, to have been most distressing. His anguish for several days was so great as almost to incapacitate him from saying anything about himself or his affairs. Occasionally he was able to express his steadfast hope that the Lord would continue to support him. There are a few lines in Mr. Lewis's last letter which present a view of the closing scene of our friend's life. "On the 19th July Mrs. Lewis went cometh strength. It was evident to me with me to see him at half-past eight that he was dying fast. His p.m., and found him suffering greatly, family, except the very youngest, all came so much so that I resolved to pass around his dying bed, but his anguish, though the night at his bedside. His pains it did not prevent recognition, rendered now rapidly increased, and were uninter- it impossible for him to say anything in mitted. Heavy groans were uttered with reference to his departure. Thus he linevery breath, except when he ejaculated, gered till midnight, the dying strife Lord help me! or put a restraint upon becoming less gradually severe; then his himself while he listened to some inquiry regarding his sufferings, or to some consolatory passage from God's word. In the latter case he would say, Yes, yes; or often take up the words and himself complete the quotation. His mind evidently dwelt on no subject, owing to his anguish; but his eyes were lifted to Him from whom jaw fell, and for a few minutes his breathing subsided into calmness. At twenty-five minutes past twelve on Tuesday morning, July 20, there was a slight spasm perceptible at the mouth, a few last breaths, and all was over. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." During the whole of this trying scene, Mrs. Thomas was wonderfully supported. She was enabled, with apparent composure, to minister continually to her suffering husband. Surrounded by the brethren, Lewis, Wenger, Sampson, Pearce, and Trafford, and aided by the kind attention of Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Leslie, everything that Christian affection and sympathy could afford to alleviate the sufferings of the dying missionary, and the distress of his wife and family, was continually rendered. The Mission has sustained a heavy loss. Mr. Thomas was no common man. His labours for thirty-two years were incessant, and his self-sacrifice, zeal, ability, and uprightness, won him the highest regard. The whole Christian community of Calcutta laments his decease, and deeply sympathises with his bereaved widow and family. We commend them to the like sympathy of the churches at home. The following remarks, relating to his general character, and giving details of the last hours of his life, are from the pen of his bereaved and sorrowing widow : "Mr. Thomas was always particularly reserved on the subject of his own experience, and never seemed to like to talk about himself; on this account, I am ignorant of the peculiar exercises of his mind; but feel convinced from his habitual calmness and placidity, as also from the tenor of his daily prayers, that, resting upon the Rock of ages, he was enabled uniformly to Read his title clear to mansions in the skies.' "His devotedness to his work I need hardly speak of. You know it well: it seemed the all-absorbing subject of his thoughts and life. True, much of his time was occupied in labours which had but an indirect bearing upon the extension of the cause of Christ; but it was because he believed them to be connected with it, that he engaged in them with all his heart, as well as in other departments of labour which had a more direct tendency towards the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. The circulation of the Scriptures was a work in which he took great delight, and constant and earnest were his prayers for a blessing on that department of labour. Most entirely too did he sympathise with all his brethren in their labours and cares, and made their anxieties greatly his own, taking them most feelingly to a throne of grace, often in his family prayers, and I believe yet more often in his private devotions. "As a husband and a father he was most tender and indulgent. Short indeed were the intervals he was able to devote to his family, scarcely more than meal times, yet those intervals recalled will be with fond remembrance, and his earnest prayers for the salvation of his loved ones will, I trust, be ever remembered by all. least peevishness, and frequently saying, 'His love in time past forbids me to think His purposes will ripen fast, His temper, naturally hasty, was kept At another time— "My beloved husband had been feeling very unwell the whole of Wednesday, the 14th July, but was at his work all day as usual, and in the evening, though a wet one, attended a church meeting at the Lall Bazar Chapel. On his return he said he felt somewhat better, and sat down to read. I retired before him, but on awaking, about two A.M., was alarmed by the increase of his illness, and after giving him medicine without effect, about three o'clock sent for the doctor. He came promptly, administered medicine, and charged him to keep as quiet as possible until his return. By eight o'clock all his symptoms denoted cholera, his suffering subsequently was very severe for many hours, so much so, that little could be said to him: nothing beyond an occasional word of comfort; and still less could be elicited from him, except as we caught at intervals the sound of prayer for patience and grace in this his hour of trial. The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.' "At one time wishing to know if he thought he should recover, I made some slight allusion to it, when he said with great do what is best." At another time I asked difficulty, 'We are in His hands; He will him to pray for myself and the children; as nearly as I could catch his reply, it was, I do, dear.' He then immediately began to pray most earnestly; but though I strained my ear to catch the words, I could not. I have no doubt, however, that that prayer was for us, who now so keenly feel his loss. During the Sabbath he suffered much from exhaustion as well as from a slight cough and most distressing expectoration. Towards the close of the day he complained of pain in his chest and side, and on Monday morning the doctor pronounced this to be an attack of pleurisy, slight in itself, but he greatly feared the result, from the proximity of the seat of the disorder to the heart. Throughout the day his sufferings were yet greater than previously, but his mind continued in the same sweet frame. Once he repeated, with great difficulty, the lines The more Thy glories strike mine eye, Thus, while I sink, my joys shall rise "On Friday, the cholera symptoms subsided, but were followed by such extreme exhaustion as to render it equally difficult to engage in anything like conversation. A word or two at a time was all he could say, and that could be heard only by the closest attention. But all that was heard indicated that his mind was fixed on heavenly things. I have the impression that up to "From this time no hope of recovery quite the last day of his life he entertained could be longer entertained, and for the hopes of recovery; nevertheless, he seemed last four or five hours the pain he endured to have done with earth, as he only twice, was most agonizing; still he retained perand that very slightly, alluded to worldly fect consciousness, and when, about a quarmatters of any kind. All he did utter ter of an hour before he expired, I asked seemed to be texts of Scripture, verses of hymns, or prayer. He was much in prayer, often quite inaudible, but often also so that a word or two could be caught. He prayed much for patience, that he might not be permitted to murmur or repine, and asked me often to pray for the same. This was certainly granted to him, for throughout he was most patient, never showing the him if he knew me, he turned his head towards me, and said, 'Yes, dear.' But, a few minutes after, his sufferings seemed gradually to subside as death approached, and so calmly and quietly did his spirit pass away, that the exact moment could not be known. "He rests from his labours, but his works will follow him.” FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. CALCUTTA. The changes going on both in India and England, with regard to the government of India, cannot but be regarded with the deepest solicitude by the friends of missions. The following extracts from letters from our highly-esteemed missionary, Mr. Wenger, will be received as the views of a calm and sagacious observer. Writing Feb. 21st, he says, "We are now beginning to see what was the gracious object for which God permitted the mutiny. It was to overturn, and overturn, and overturn, that He might come, whose right it is to reign, even in India. The religious aspect of the mental revolution concerning India, which has taken place in England, is a subject of admiration and thanksgiving to me; and my hopes for the future, though not so sanguine as those entertained by others, are, nevertheless, very strong. Great wisdom, however, will be required, to prevent serious practical mistakes, such as deluging the country with more Scriptures than there are readers. The proposed plan for diffusing vernacular education strikes me as good, and not so impracticable as other schemes.' At a later date, June 19th, before the fate of the East India Company was known in India, Mr. Wenger says:-"The existence of the Company, as a government, cannot be prolonged, unless it can get rid of the royal army, which, I suppose, is impracticable. What the effect upon the native mind will be is doubtful. Some will say, 'If we have succeeded in expelling the Company, we may succeed in driving out the Queen's government also.' Others will say, 'If, by the greatest effort which it were capable of making, and which resulted in the fall of the Company, we gained nothing, but rather helped to establish the power of the Crown, previously unknown to us, it is useless for us to attempt to overthrow the latter.' I hope the latter reasoning will prevail among the masses. I think, for a generation or two, it will predominate; and if in that time Christianity makes extensive progress in the country, the great battle will be won. India will then belong to Christ, and I trust continue to be united to Great Britain. My hopes are based on the firm conviction which I entertain, that Christ will cause his gospel to prevail in India, and that Britain is the instrument by which that design is to be accomplished." ALIPORE.-At the close of the cold season the members of the theological class re-assembled under Mr. Pearce's instruction. Twelve were expected to devote themselves to study during the year, most of them from our flourishing stations in Dacca and Jessore. Miss Packer's girls' school commenced the year with a goodly number of children, and further additions were expected. Mr. Pearce anxiously presses on the Society the importance of increasing its mission in Bengal, where God has so largely prospered our labours. He thinks that at present the north-west provinces are closed to missionary labour. It will, however, be seen, from our last Herald," that the brethren in the northwest speak in very encouraging terms of the prospects before them. SEWRY.-Mr. Williamson, under date of March 10th, has favoured us with the following brief account of his more recent missionary exertions : "We have undertaken two additional journeys, each, like the first, of three weeks' duration. In the first of these we went as far as Cutwa, where we had an opportunity of seeing our dear brother Parry, who was then free from fever, but very weak, and much reduced, though better than he has been since. From Cutwa we proceeded to the annual fair held at Rendoolee, twenty miles from hence. In this journey our labours and general reception were much the same as those of the first already mentioned. At Rendoolee, where, if anywhere, we have been in the habit of meeting with opposition, but considerably less of late than formerly, unusual enmity to the gospel was evinced, owing, perhaps, to the diminished respect in which Englishmen and Christians have been held since the commencement of the insurrection. I was told, after having been a good deal annoyed one day by Byragies, that they merely intended to try us, in order to see how we would bear interruption from their singing and dancing in our congregation. From our last journey to Deoghur, distant eighty I which they expect to obtain the fulfilment of all their desires, which are all of a carnal nature, such as health, children, riches, &c. No one ever asks for the forgiveness of their sins, and less still, the renovation of their unregenerate minds. We preached to them the true Saviour, by the shedding of whose blood our sins are washed away, and by whose Spirit our souls are renewed and sanctified. The people generally heard us gladly, but the pundahs (or pilgrim hunters) manifested a good deal of opposition. eight miles, we returned a few days ago. "You ask what opinions the natives about us entertain respecting the insurrection? Until lately the Mussulmans believed that the English would be all killed or driven out of the country; but now they are crest-fallen, and more respectful than they were. The Hindoos, on the contrary, neither wished nor believed that the English would lose the day, or cease to reign over them. Several zemindars told me they were very happy under the régime of the English, and that they deprecated any change of rulers. The Hindoos have not yet forgotten what they suffered from the Mussulmans previous to the accession of British rule. Robberies were rife, nor was their money, or their women, safe from the hands of those in power. Beautiful women, when seen or heard of, were hunted down, or carried off by stratagem to their zenanahs. The excesses of the last Nuwab, Surajooddoula, still live in the memories of the Hindoos here,-how he used to rip up women with child to gratify his curiosity. Had the Sepoys and up-country Hindoos and Mussulmans got the better of us, the Mussulmans of Bengal would have most readily joined them, nor would the self-interested Bengali baboos have been JESSORE. In our April number we gave some interesting statements respecting the work of God in this missionary district. We now continue the interrupted letter of our missionary, Mr. Anderson. "One of the new converts who had accompanied us, remained among them to as certain their feelings. They told him that if the people of certain other villagers became Christians they would too. There is a strong propensity among the Bengalis to act in this manner. It is a common saying, The way in which other ten persons act, in that way will I act.' In the afternoon, a youth, the heir to a considerable property in this district, resident in a Hindoo mansion, on the bank of the Bhetwa, came to my boat, and I gave him counsel adapted to his age. “After reaching the boat, as some people were assembled on the bank, I went out, and having read a portion of the gospel of John, addressed them, after which the Brahmin youth and a number of other Brahmins came into my boat; among them, their family priest, with whom, and with another elderly Brahmin, I maintained a discussion till the evening. . They left the boat much pleased, inquiring when I should return to the place again. I distributed some books among them. "October 9th: This morning we revisited the muchee parah Samtah, and remained there a long time. I spoke to them very seriously. Ali Mahomed addressed them |