Psalm xxxii. 1. I read there what words, pray?—Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.' Blessed, twice blessed! forgiven, covered. That is true mercy indeed! I find that so sweet to the ears of my heart; for, though so old, that has been written for me; that applies to my own soul." Tears of joy and compunction stopped the orator; but after one moment's pause he continued, saying, "You know I was born down there, towards Natal, a Zulu; but I was, after a time, brought here: I have survived amidst wars and confusion. Wherefore? That I might learn to read and meditate on such a sweet passage as this, Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered;'-besides a hundred more not less comforting to me. At first I was taught to repeat A, B, C,' and now I can read my Book of Psalms. You know how hard I have been therefore pray to God that I may be softened, and let this good book be my own companion through life. With it, and with Christ Jesus in my bosom, I remain a servant still; but am I not

also a son, a lord, richer than those who possess purses of gold, and who do not possess this my own treasure? This book, like Canaan of old, is a land flowing with milk and honey."

No

Another native convert said: "This is a true shield, and we need it in battles to be daily fought against our own corrupt hearts, against the inmates of our huts, against our countrymen generally, whose thoughts and ways are at enmity with God. The issue of this warfare will prove to be a glorious one. trouble about that, no hesitating: let us only fight to-day, and to-morrow, and until the end. When we go, this book in our hand, visiting towns and hamlets, to do them good, believe that God will have preceded us there, and that many will have been prepared to hear. Every Basuto knows now that Jehovah reigns, that Jehovah is Lord; even those among them who go down to hell through their own obstinacy. Thus, my friends, we should not be dismayed, but rather be confident, and be up and doing, knowing that our labour will not be in vain in the Lord."-Bible Society Reporter.

INDIA.

MADRAS.

On Sunday morning, September 14th, I was present at the Tamul service, in the chapel on the premises at Royapettah. Mr. Jordan, an excellent Local Preacher, occupied the pulpit. There was the usual congregation, namely, about two hundred and fifty or three hundred people present; more than twothirds of them were Christians, and the rest were Heathens. The sight of this congregation would have delighted our friends at home, if they could have seen it. Accustomed as I am to see native congregations, I was very much struck with the remarkably clean and neat appearance both of the chapel and the people. And whilst I beheld the devout worshippers, I could not help contrasting the Gospel which had produced what I saw, with the filthy Hindu Shasters which foster every abomination; and then I contrasted the pure conduct of Jesus Christ and His followers, with the impure conduct of Vishnu and other so-called incarnations and their followers. Alas! how true is the declaration of VOL. III.-FIFTH SERIES.

idolaters, who say, "We don't want a holy God!" They have no eyes for "the beauty of holiness." But in this congregation there were some intelligentlooking Hindu youths, from Mr. Burgess's school, who were remarkably attentive to the sermon: they seemed as if they were inwardly saying, "We have nothing like that in Hinduism." The girls of Mrs. Roberts's school were all present. Every one was a pattern of neatness, and many of the elder girls appeared to be humble, devout worshippers. The whole congregation, young and old, Christians and Heathen, taken together, was an assembly as attractive and striking as anything of the kind I have ever witnessed in India.

Besides two services every Sabbath, and one on a week-day, in the above chapel, there is preaching four times a week in other places in the neighbourhood. A very suitable way-side preaching-room is now in course of re-erection. It is in a good street in a very populous locality, about a mile from the Missionhouse. The former room was a thatched building, which fell down during the last monsoon. The expense of rebuilding it will be defrayed by local subscriptions.

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These way-side rooms are erected, not for the purpose of Christian worship, but as advantageous positions from which the soldier of Christ may attack the strongholds of Satan. Here the Missionary takes his stand, and explains the plan of salvation to thousands who would never enter a church or chapel.

The young men in this Circuit who are candidates for the ministry, and others under instruction, are all appointed in turn to this work of preaching in the open air. They do this as one part of their daily duties. Every morning before breakfast, these young men receive instruction from Mr. Burgess in theology, or some other useful subject in regular course. After breakfast, they all teach in one of the schools; two teach in the girls' school, and the others in the boys' school. In the afternoon, they either preach, or visit from house to house, according to a regular plan; and in the evening, they attend either a class-meeting or a prayer-meeting; and afterwards study some appointed subject or lesson, on which Mr. Burgess is to give them instruction on the following morning. On this course of discipline we look for the Divine blessing, that these young men may become holy and useful labourers in the Lord's vineyard.

The Educational Institution is on the same premises as the Mission-house and chapel. The number of scholars in daily attendance is one hundred and twenty. Some of them are twenty-five years of age, and others only nine or ten. Their castes vary like their ages. There are eight Brahmins in the school, and twelve pariahs, or outcastes, and the rest are of all the intermediate grades. After prayer every morning, one hour is spent in giving religious instruction. Mr. Burgess takes the boys of the highest class, and the others are divided amongst the Teachers and candidates for the ministry above mentioned. Whilst due attention is given to secular instruction, the chief aim is to make all the students "wise unto salvation." It is a pleasing fact, that about half the students voluntarily attend the Sunday-morning Tamul service, in the chapel above mentioned. It is no question with Mr. Burgess whether he should neglect vernacular preaching to the adult Heathen for the sake of teaching in the school, or whether he should neglect the school for the sake of vernacular preaching, or which of these duties has the prior claim upon his time and attention; but he diligently performs both duties. He teaches in the school, and preaches in the Tamul

language also, with zeal and efficiency, Not only is he doing this himself, but he is training others by precept and example to walk by the same rule, and mind the same things.

For the above-mentioned educational operations we have long needed additional school-rooms; and we are now, I am thankful to say, likely to have our wants met, at least in part. Some time ago, we made application to Government for aid. The Inspector came and examined the school; he sent in a favourable report to the Governor in Council; and Mr. Burgess has received £200, to be applied either to the improvement of the present old school-premises, or towards the erecting of new ones. With some subscriptions which Mr. Burgess will obtain and add to the above grant, we can repair the present thatched building, and also erect one large substantial room other rooms will follow according to the architect's plan, as soon as we can raise the means. I had the pleasure of laying the foundation-stone of this new school-room last evening in the presence of a large number of interested spectators, both Christians and Hindus.

The girls' school, on the same premises, under the care of Mrs. Roberts, is equally interesting and important. Besides about thirty day-scholars, there are now in the school forty-eight poor girls, who are clothed, fed, and instructed. Religious instruction is, of course, made most prominent. Mrs. Roberts tells me that the conduct of the girls has lately been most exemplary. Twenty-one of them are meeting in class, and are all, we hope, walking in the way to heaven. Since the establishment of the school in 1848, many young women have passed away from it. Some have died happy in the Lord, others are now living in humble respectability. They are members of Christian churches in different parts of southern India. A few have been left widows, but not left as the Hindu widow is, a poor degraded creature, driven to vice and infamy. These Christian widows, in consequence of the instruction received in our school, are able to maintain themselves respectably by sewing, or teaching in female schools. This one benefit would be an ample compensation for all the time and money spent on female education in India. Being anxious to extend all the blessed results which this school is capable of affording, the late lamented Mr. Griffith applied for Government aid. The Inspector, after visiting the school, gave a very favourable report of it, and the

Government has granted £30 per annum, in order that the number of scholars may be increased.-Rev. Thomas Hodson, Madras, September 28th, 1856.

SOUTH AFRICA.

EASTERN PROVINCE.

I AM happy to state that the work of the Lord is steadily progressing amongst the Fingoes as a people. With us the congregations are good and attentive. We hope to return at the end of the present quarter an increase of about one hundred members for the year. We have commenced two small, but convenient, branch school-houses and chapels; and hope to have them ready for opening by the District-Meeting. In this thing I have been assisted by our truly excellent Governor, Sir George Grey; he having made me a grant of £50 for each. I have been enabled to get subscriptions from our people of £20 more; so that I shall be able to command £70 for each of these places. For Society, Missionary, and Chapel purposes, our people of this Circuit have contributed more than one hundred pounds this year; and this, coming from Fingoes, shows the power of the Gospel; for I do not think that there is a more covetous people on the face of the earth than the Fingoes are in their Heathen state.

A few weeks ago this place was visited by the Lord Bishop of Cape-Town, his lady, and one of the Clergy, at present a Missionary in British Kaffraria. The Bishop found us all hard at work: he spoke to all very encouragingly, saying to me that he could willingly change places with me. This was very kind, and gave us great encouragement in our work; for though in our Missionary work we seek not honour of men, yet, when our labours receive the commendation of great and good men, we are thankful and encouraged.

The present work, to which a very great deal of our time and attention is devoted, is the large erection of the Industrial School. This work has involved a large amount of personal labour, and considerable anxiety of mind in getting it built. Sir George Grey, who takes so deep and lively an interest in Industrial Institutions, visited this place on Saturday last, having arrived in FortBeaufort at noon. After remaining there one hour, he proceeded, with several gentlemen and officers, to HealdTown. The Civil Commissioner of the district having informed me of His

Excellency's intentions, I waited for him in the beautiful glen of Heald-Town, having requested Mr. Rose, the Teacher, to have the children prepared to receive His Excellency.

His Excellency went through every part of the building, and, to my no small joy and satisfaction, made many remarks expressive of approval and satisfaction. I am compelled to acknowledge that, having had to expend from £3,000 to £4,000 of Government money, I felt anxious to know the mind of the Governor on the spot; and hence, when he said, "The building is large, suitable, and substantial," I felt relieved from all my anxiety.

In getting up this building I have had to be far more amongst the stone-quarries and brick-fields than amongst my books. It has involved great personal labour, seeing that I have had the charge of a Society of three hundred members, and sixty children boarding in the establishment, to attend to at the same time. In the Sunday-school I have received efficient aid from Mr. James Vints, the Civil Superintendent of the Fingoe settlements; and in the day-school, from Mr. Rose. The Governor visited the Mission-family, and, indeed, gave us all encouragement by thanking us for what we had done, and promising us the means for further labour and usefulness.

The Governor left with the promise that he would return the following Sabbath, and visit the schools and see the congregation. On the way up the glen, he visited for the second time a kraal where a poor boy lay, bringing with him Dr. Barker, of the 73d Regiment of Foot.

At three P.M. he entered the chapel, the whole congregation rising. A small raised platform had been prepared for His Excellency. Being desirous of giving the Governor to see, not only what we were doing, but how we were doing it, I just let the proceedings go on as though no strangers were present. It being the Sabbath-day, of course the whole of the examination was purely religious: this was to be regretted, because it prevented the Governor from seeing the results of the new system introduced by Mr. Rose. The oldest Class-Leader and Native Teacher gave out the first Kaffir hymn that was ever composed by a Kaffir or Fingoe. It was composed, together with the tune, by a native convert of the name of Untsikana. It is always sung by the natives with great feeling: very often the singing is interrupted by loud bursts of feeling,

especially among the old Christians. The following is the translation of the lines we sung :

"Thou art the great God; He who is in the heaven.

It is Thou, Thou Shield of Truth.
It is Thou, Thou Tower of Truth.
It is Thou, Thou Bush of Truth.

It is Thou, Thou who sittest in the highest. Thou art the Creator of life, Thou madest the regions above.

The Creator who made the heavens also.
The Maker of the stars and the Pleiades." *

After the singing of this, and prayer, one of the beautifully-melodious chants taught in the Westminster College was sung in English by the children of the school, under the direction of Mr. Rose. The contrast was very striking, and had a good effect. Then followed the Conference Catechism, section by section, the Kaffir first by the Superintendent of the Sunday-school, Mr. Vints, and then the English, by Mr. Rose. Then followed Scripture reading in both languages. The attendance was good; about two hundred children were present.

All the Chiefs and head men of the settlement were present, and these were requested to speak if they wished. Several did so; and all, excepting one, spoke thankfully of the religious and educational privileges of their children.

Sir George then asked if he could do anything more for us. I mentioned the case of one of our members, who had lost all his cattle by the lung-sickness, that he had no means of ploughing. I stated that he was a worthy man, who had, besides his own family, a blind mother to support. The Governor promised to make a loan of money to him to buy oxen with; namely, £50. I mentioned another case of one of our people who had suffered loss from the burning of his hut, during the previous week, through the grass having taken fire. To this poor man he granted £10. 10s. Upon being asked if I knew of any other case, I mentioned the case of a Fingoe

who had been wounded in the late war in his right arm, and was disabled from supporting himself and family. This case he directed to be brought before him in a memorial for a pension. He then waited some time to relieve any other case of want and necessity.

He then referred the head men and congregation to the children, so comfortably clothed, and so carefully taught, and hoped that the parents would do all that they possibly could to promote their improvement. "I am thankful," said His Excellency, "to receive the good accounts I have received from the Magistrate of the district, from the Commandant of the police, of the general good conduct of the Heald-Town people. I also thank your Minister, Mrs. Ayliff, and their daughters, for their labours.' He then left us, leaving a savour which will not soon be lost, of love and esteem, and thankfulness to God for this benefit. -Rev. John Ayliff, Heald-Town, September 4th, 1856.

WESTERN AFRICA.

SIERRA LEONE.

As far as I know, things prosper in the Freetown Circuit: the congregations are large, schools prosperous, and the work of conversion is going on. On Sunday, September 28th, I preached a sermon to the young in Zion chapel, Freetown, which was densely crowded, so much so, that many had to go away unable to obtain admittance. The friends of Bathurst-street are in earnest to have a new chapel in a central part of the town. To accomplish this desirable object, several meetings were held before Mr. Edney left the colony, which resulted in the determination to purchase a large store and several out-buildings in a prominent position in the town.

A few months back, during a prayer. meeting in Wilberforce chapel, God poured out His Spirit in a remarkable

manner. Many sinners in different parts of the chapel began to cry for mercy, and seven or eight obtained a comforting assurance of the pardon of their sins. In connection with this chapel we have a flourishing Sunday and day school, and I am about to establish a Bible-class for young men.

In Aberdeen the Society is increasing: the congregations are good, especially on the Sunday, when the chapel is filled to overflowing. The day-school in connection with this place of worship is going on favourably: the number of scholars is increasing, and advancing in knowledge. Of the Sabbath-school I cannot give so good a report; and the reason is, that the people in the villages do not value Sabbath-school instruction so much as the people in the town.Rev. Robert Dillon, Wilberforce, October 18th, 1856.

FEEJEE.

We are glad, at the commencement of another year, to be able to present to our readers intelligence so truly delightful as that which has reached us during the last month from the Feejee Islands. It would appear, that the patient labour of many years is about to be recompensed in a general turning to the Lord, such as those which have entitled the Sandwich Islands, the Friendly Isles, and NewZealand to the designation of Christian countries. Or, to borrow the words of Mr. Malvern, the Chairman of the District, "These gloomy regions are assuming a brighter aspect. The grey dawn of the Gospel [day] has passed away, and the Sun of Righteousness is now high in the heavens."

TELEVA.

In the midst of sickness and trials, we rejoice to say, that the work of the Lord prospers. The Gospel is making rapid progress in this Circuit, as well as in other parts of the District. We have now forty-three Christian towns in this department of the Feejeean field. Two years ago we could only report six hundred attendants on public worship; last year we reported one thousand. At the present time we have two thousand who bow the knee to the Saviour, and attend the preaching of God's word, when it can be ministered to them; but as there

are at least twenty more towns than can be supplied with Teachers, they cannot have regular religious instruction, and some are several weeks together without hearing of the way that leadeth unto life. The harvest has far outstripped the labourers. Our native resources are exhausted we have no Teacher to send to hundreds who wonder why they cannot have some one to direct them in the way to heaven. We are glad to hear that more Missionaries are on their way to Feejee. We shall hail them with great pleasure. The time to favour Feejee is now; and ought she not to be favoured? Has she not proved to be a soil worthy of cultivation ? And there is every prospect that she will more than ever remunerate our toil. A very pleasing and encouraging consideration with regard to the greater part of those who have embraced Christianity is, that they have done so with thankfulness; they receive the word with joy, and no doubt very Imany will be the subjects of its saving power. Several of our members who have died since we wrote our last Report, have left an undoubted testimony behind them that they are gone to be with Jesus.

We held our Missionary Meeting on Wednesday last. The speaking part was performed in the forenoon, when the Preachers,) three of the Teachers, and Chief Hezekiah, (one of our best Native Jethro, (a Manilla man, and old Local Preacher and convert from Popery,) delivered some very effective speeches. In the afternoon we made the collection. About one thousand Christians were present. They were highly pleased, and very cheerfully contributed as they could to the cause of God. The collectingplate was an area of the Mission-yard. Each town, arrayed in their best, marched slowly and stately towards it, chanting a psalm, or another portion of God's word, or a hymn of their Teacher's composing; bearing along in their hands or upon their shoulders their intended offering. Both the Bua Chiefs were present, and by their own example taught their people to sacrifice to Jehovah and not to Baal. The scene was imposing and affecting, and highly gratifying to all. We have no doubt that it will prove a means of good to these people. Thirty persons have since embraced Christianity, and it is supposed they have done so through the influence of the Missionary Meeting. The collection from the natives contained 332 mats, 470 large yams, 73 gallons of cocoa-nut oil, 3 pounds of tortoise-shell, 3 small rolls of sinnet, 10