The Rome Mission in the New Year.

WE have the pleasure to furnish our readers with the following interesting letter from Mr. Cook, 66 written from Rome." As the chapel is about completed, and all payments have to be made, will those friends. who have promised. help kindly forward their donations as soon as convenient? A glance at the published lists encourages the hope that there are many other quarters from which contributions may be expected. Only the other day the writer heard a friend say he would "give a sovereign if any one would collect for the Rome Chapel." Probably there are many others who would do the same. A thorough canvass of our churches would doubtless secure many a new year's gift." Who will undertake the work, once for all? Mr. Cook writes:

Missionary Conference at Cuttack.

BY REV. DR. BUCKLEY.

IN sitting down to describe for the information of your readers the work of our last Conference, I am reminded of the words, "Call to remembrance the former days." Our first Conference at Cuttack was held March 24th, 1825; our last, as you know, ended its sittings a few days ago. Our first was held in a private house; our last, like many former ones, was held in the Mission College. In olden times the sisters were reckoned as members of the Conference, and voted as well as spoke; and I may add that on one question which half a century ago was keenly discussed in missionary circles-the desirableness of missionaries wearing the native dress-the Eves were right and the Adams were wrong; the logic of the brethren was at fault-the instinct of the sisters was right. The one side argued, We have come to this country to win the natives to Christ, and the more we conform to their mode of dress and other usages, the more likely is our object to be accomplished. The other side felt the greatest repugnance

* I give the minute as it is recorded in our ancient annals, only filling up the names, the initials only of which are given. "Ninth question-on the propriety of adopting the native dress. Result-Brethren B(ampton), L(acey), and S(utton) think it probably may be useful and therefore advisable to make the attempt. Brother and sister P(eggs) neutral. Sisters B(ampton) and L(acey) opposed." I have heard that the vote was taken twice, and that Mr. Peggs, who had voted with the other three brethren the first time, was neutral, after the display of female eloquence and energy.

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to seeing their husbands in dress and other matters like ordinary natives. Experience has long since settled the question with all sensible men; the Hindoos know that we are Englishmen, and to wish to appear otherwise is in their view sailing under false colours, and instead of conciliating only strengthens their prejudices. But leaving this, it may be stated that the business of the first Conference, though much less than that of the last, related principally to the same subjects. It was decided on that occasion to write to the Religious Tract Society for help. Arrangements were made for preparing and printing tracts, for obtaining from Serampore "as many single gospels as possible;" and though they had not a native preacher, they decided on trying in this capacity a native Christian servant whom they had brought with them from Serampore, whose name was Abraham; but it was not successful.† The sermon was by Mr. Bampton, and was on "Paul's character and conduct as a missionary." It is said that the subject was treated in a manner "that made an impression and excited a desire of imitation in all."

Now for our recent Conference. Mr. Miller was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Bailey appointed to assist the Secretary. The business that engaged our attention was varied and important; some of it might be described as "the outward business of the house of God;" but all of it related to the furtherance of the gospel in Orissa. The native ministers met with us on two days, and took an important part in our deliberations and decisions. A paper prepared by Anunta Das, on "The duty of the church towards backsliders," was read and approved. The paper for next year is to be written by Thoma, and to be on "The best means of promoting the independence of the churches."

After recording our high estimate of the faithful and very valuable services rendered for nearly twelve years by our late respected Treasurer, T. Hill, Esq., and expressing our tender sympathy with Mrs. Hill and the bereaved family, we felt it important to bring before the Committee and the churches at home the state and prospects of the Mission. We felt that there was much on account of which we ought to thank God and take courage.

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We could not but rejoice that the number of our native ministers was increasing this all must feel to be a very hopeful sign, for though there is a diversity of gifts, and though all are not equally zealous in the work, we felt that we could not but give thanks for the efficiency of some who have long laboured in the work, and for the promising gifts of some of the younger brethren; but the point on which we were especially anxious to fix the attention of the intelligent friends of the cause was the small number of English missionaries in the field, coupled with the fact that three of them have laboured respectively thirty-six, thirty-three, and thirty-two years; and surely it can hardly be expected that they can labour efficiently much longer. I have spoken and written so much about this that it seems an old story. I can say nothing new about it. "To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous,' but I feel that "for you it is" desirable and important. Dear friends, think over the matter. Realise its magnitude and importance. Pray over it. Look round and see if there be not in your churches promising young men whose hearts the Lord has touched with a desire to engage in this blessed work; and surely if all this be done the Lord of the harvest will, in answer to the prayers of His servants, send the help which has long been sorely needed. It is, I know, desirable, most desirable, that we should break forth on the right hand and on the left; but can we with our present force vigorously undertake and permanently occupy a station like Sumbulpore? We want men-men of God-men of prayer-men of strong faith--men of deep compassion for souls-men willing to live and labour and die in the good work; and we want them united to women like-minded. Let me add, that urgent as is our want, experience shows that we had better wait for such men than have unsuitable ones sent.

The Tract department received, as in former years, much earnest attention. The revision of some of our old tracts was considered, and the printing of 37,000 of these little messengers of mercy-all of which testify of Christ-was ordered. An abridgement of "Negro Servant," by Leigh Richmond, translated

I give the minute, as it is rather curious. "That the Society be recommended to allow our native brother Abraham twelve rupees per month, to enable him to be married, and to continue to keep his pony; both which seem desirable and very necessary."

by Shem Sahu, was presented; and a manuscript, by Makunda Das, of "Hymns for Sunday Schools." Both were referred for careful examination before printing to a Committee. The Book department was not overlooked. We again considered Mr. Miller's translation from the Bengalee of a work published by the Calcutta Christian Tract and Book Society, on "Fulfilled Prophecy." I may add, that the work was originally written in English by Rev. J. Vaughan, of the Church Missionary Society, in Calcutta, and was intended principally for educated natives. It is a very excellent work of the kind. A report was also given of the progress made in preparing "Companion to the Bible" for Oriya readers; and it is hoped that some progress will be made in the coming year in printing both these works. Arrangements were also made in reference to a manuscript presented by Ghanushyam, entitled "The early history of the Church of Christ in Orissa." I shall rejoice if we be able to print, for the generation now rising up know little of our elder converts and their labours and sufferings for Christ's sake.

Our Bible work also received an important share of our united and prayerful deliberation. The work done last year at the press in this department was reported; and arrangements made for printing next year portions of Scripture, which will require much more money than we have at present in hand, but the Lord will no doubt send it before it is needed. Our work in making known by means of the press the precious truths of the gospel appears to be increasingly important as years pass by. We are scattering immortal seed, and much of the precious fruit will be gathered when the present labourers are sleeping in the dust of the earth.

It was a very agreeable part of our duty to acknowledge the generous help received from various Societies. I may especially mention the Religious Tract Society, the Bible Translation Society, and the Calcutta Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, which has helped us in printing portions of the Old Testament. I must not forget to add, that the liberal response of our own Committee to the application of Conference for help in our tract and Book work was very warmly acknowledged.

The examination of six students—a larger number than we have had for some years-was attended to by a Committee, and the result was considered satisfactory. Three of the students having completed the usual course, were received on probation as native preachers. Their names are Soda Sebo Praharaj, who was baptized at Berhampore by Mr. Hill a little more than four years ago, and who was the first Pooree brahmin who thus confessed his Lord and Saviour; Dole Patra, a member of the church at Cuttack; and Daniel Das, a member of the church at Piplee, and brother of Anunta Das, pastor of the church at Berhampore. May they give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word!

We hope soon to establish at Cuttack a zayat, or shop for the sale of Scriptures and Christian books, and where facilities will be afforded for conversation with inquirers. It is to be on the site of the old chapel, endeared to some of us by a thousand tender and hallowed associations. A better site could not have been selected, for it is on the way to the bazaar; and we may hope that as much good was done on that spot for nearly half a century, that the Christian books and tracts which will be there disposed of will in the future bring forth much fruit to the glory of God.

The question of a house for native preachers when visiting Pooree was considered. Mr. Bailey reported the steps he had taken by direction of the last Conference, and it is hoped that the house, for which the Society has supplied the means, will soon be built. We all feel the importance of more being done at Pooree than has been done for some years past. It has always been an interesting feature of our Mission that it was established so near the most famous shrine of idolatry in India; and my readers will of course understand that it has always been visited at the car festival, and often on other occasions; but the pleasing fact that during the last four years three have been baptized from this wicked city, who will, it is hoped, be useful to their fellow-countrymen, and the persuasion we cannot but entertain that the faith of others in Juggernath is shaken, and that the claims of Christ are being considered, suggest the desirableness of our doing more.

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The question of a new and larger place of worship at Khoordah, ths station of the Auxiliary Mission, was again considered, and it is trusted that this desirable object may soon be accomplished. An application was also made for a native preacher to be associated with brother Shem.

One feature of our business was novel and interesting-the application of Mr. P. E. Heberlet to be engaged in Mission work. No such application has been considered at any of our meetings for more than thirty years. Our friend is engaged in the Government service in the survey department, and came from the north-west into this region in connection with the Khoordah survey. He was trained as a Roman Catholic, but was emancipated by the grace of God after reaching Cuttack from the thraldom of that corrupt system. On arriving at this place two kind Christian friends took him by the hand and helped him much: indeed, to refer to Paul's language to Philemon, he may be said to " Owe even his own self" unto them. He was baptized and became a member of the church here a little more than a year ago. He is twenty-three years of ageis a total abstainer-has a poetic mind-has begun to study Oriya-and is very anxious to be useful; but while the brethren felt that he had qualifications which rendered him an eligible candidate for Mission work, they also considered that as he was a young Christian, a course of preparatory study in our College at Chilwell was extremely desirable. As the matter is left with the Committee, to whom the circumstances are fully known, I can only express our united hope and prayer that they may be guided to such a decision as shall be for the happiness and usefulness of Mr. H., and for the furtherance of the gospel in Orissa. It is additionally interesting to add that two somewhat similar cases were considered; but as we do not know what the issue will be, it is not necessary to enlarge. One of the cases related to Tahboodeen, a pensioned subadar of the 11th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, and who now resides at Raipore, in the Central Provinces. Mr. Miller was appointed to make inquiries respecting him and report to the Cuttack Committee. A pleasing account of this converted Mohammedan will be found in a recent number of the "Sunday at Home," from the pen of Mr. W. Bailey. I remember to have seen him at Berhampore some thirteen or fourteen years ago. There are many Mussulmans in this region, and such a man might be very useful in directing them to Christ.

One of our colporteurs has died during the year-Ram Chundra Senapaty. He was not a gifted or brilliant man, but one who "felt his Bible true," and knew that Christ was the Saviour of sinners, because He had saved him. He was the first native of Goomsur that confessed Christ, and was baptized by Mr. W. Bailey fifteen years ago. Our late dear brother, John Orissa Goadby, who was present on the occasion, wrote, "Long though I may live and labour in Orissa, and in whatever successes may be permitted to participate, the day when Ram Chundra confessed his attachment to the Saviour in the presence of his numerous villagers will be a golden day in my missionary recollections. Years of toil and prayers and tears are all forgotten on such hallowed occasions as these. May Goomsoor's beautiful valley yield many such fruits of the Holy Spirit!"-a prayer to which we shall all add, Amen.

I have not left myself much time to enlarge on the public services of this Conference. The attendance was larger than I have before seen. The Oriya sermons were preached by Mr. Miller and Pooroosootum; the former from Psalm xc. 16, 17; the latter from Nehemiah iii. 28, on every one repairing over against his own house. Mr. Wood preached the English sermon from Ephes. iii. 9. I trust we all derived instruction and quickening from these hallowed engagements. The missionary meeting was presided over by the writer, and addresses delivered by Mr. Bailey and Shem Sahu, all in Oriya. On Friday evening, Nov. 2, a temperance meeting was held. Prayer was offered by Makunda Das, and addresses delivered in English by Dr. Parker, of the 12th Regiment, Madras Army, who presided, Mr. Wood and Mr. Heberlet. An Oriya address was delivered by Shem Sahu. On the other days an evening meeting was held at one or other of the villages, but I was only able to attend one. The last united service was the commemoration of the Lord's death. Addresses were delivered in Oriya by Mr. Bailey from Acts viii. 4; and in English by Mr. Pike from John xxi. 22. Prayer was offered by the pastors, and by Ghanushyam and Sebo Patra. On Monday, Nov. 5, our sittings closed by the chairman com