casion of their being decoyed away, and robbed, and sometimes murdered. Three of the little boys belonging to the school on our premises, were lately enticed away to a neighbouring thicket, and robbed of their ornaments; and a few months since, a fine lad at Cuttack was murdered for the same purpose. The children use neither pen, ink, nor paper, but in the first stages, write their let

quently about ten of the boys left. || them, and are frequently the ocWhen the master informed me of it, and asked what could be done in the affair, I told him it was not our own advantage we sought, but the children's; that it was not our wish to use compulsion, and if they desired instruction, they might return, but if they prefered remaining in ignorance, they must stay away I took this method because the natives are disposed to believe all under obligations to them for allowing their chil-ters and accounts on the ground dren to attend our schools, instead of considering our gratuitous instructions a favour. This had the desired effect; for in the course of eight or ten days, I had the pleasure to see the little lads again filling their places.

with a soft stone, something like chalk; and when more advanced, write with an iron style upon the Palmyra leaf. On these leaves all the native books are written. We, however, have introduced printed books. It is interesting to hear these young idolaters chanting the ten commandments, and the life and death of Jesus Christ. Surely we may indulge the hope that these important lessons will one day produce their intended effect.

The

Before I close my account of these little seminaries. it may not be uninteresting if I give you a brief description of one of them: Imagine to yourself a room fifty feet long, and twenty broad, with a thatched roof and mud walls. Common earth beat down hard serves for a floor. We are at no expense for either forms, tables, or desks; these being indulgencies which the Oorigas do not as yet know how to appreciate. Next, figure to yourself about 30 copper-coloured boys, resting on their heels like so many frogs, exclaiming with all their might, ka kka ga gha, while some of the more advanced are chanting their lessons in rhyme. In the midst of them is the pedagogue, strutting about with the emblem of his authority, the cane. Many of the children have very interesting countenances, and a little familiarity with the colour, soon leads us to think they are handsome. Although they are not over burdened with clothes, yet many of Balasore was formerly considerthem have silver ornaments rounded the first European station in their wrists and ancles. A few Orissa ; but by some means, Cutof them have golden ear-rings, and tack now ranks before it, and has necklaces. These, however, are many more residents both in the very injudiciously bestowed upon civil and military departments.

We have made attempts to obtain girls' schools, but have hitherto been unsuccessful, and shall, I fear, for some time to come. natives of this province are vastly more prejudiced against the education of females than those in Bengal. Although it would be much more agreeable to my inclinations, to be devoted entirely to this class of the heathens, yet, while it cannot be the case, I shall by no means deem it an uninteresting or unimportant employment to superintend boys' schools; for the sooner the male part of the population are in possession of an enlightened education, the sooner will their prejudices against the improvement of the other sex be removed.

Still, there are about twelve Euro- passion, and call into operation peans here, beside ourselves, by measures for their relief. Before all of whom we are treated with the occupation of this country by civility, and from a few have re- the present governors, it had been ceived some real kindnesses. enacted by the Hindoos, and ratifiThe native population of the towned afterwards by the Musselmans, is computed at about 10,000; but that persons who had fallen, (i. e. with our present strength in Oris-had forfeited caste,) forfeited at the sa, we consider that 1,500,000 same time their right as inheritors. souls fall to our share. This law, we are sorry to find, remains in force to the present day, to the great prejudice of Christianity, as well as the severe injury of those who embrace the religion of Jesus. This law, unlike many oth

Alas! what are the efforts of one or two christians among such a host of idolaters! nothing but weakness itself. But David said, "By thee I have run through a troop, and by my God have I leap-ers which exist only in the archives ed over a wall;" so we may confidently say, that "through Christ who strengthens us, we can do all things”—even make an effectual attack upon some of the strong holds of Satan by which we are encompassed. Let us, my dear Mrs. K., have your prayers that we may be enabled to labour with diligence and in faith, and that it may be our happy lot to see at least some little success.

With my best respects to Mr. K. I am, affectionately yours,

E. W. SUTTON.

IMPEDIMENTS TO THE SPREAD OF

THE GOSPEL IN INDIA.

of a kingdom, is generally known among the Hindoos, as it has long been suspended in terrorem over them, not in reference to Christianity merely, but every thing which would subject them to the loss of caste. The existence of this law, therefore, cannot but be considered as a great obstacle to the progress of the gospel, since by a profession of Christianity, a person renders himself obnoxious to its penalty. Many instances might be adduced, if it were necessary, (some of which are known to the writer, and of others he has been informed,) of several respectable Hindoos who profess to believe the gospel, and express a strong desire to unite with British Christians, but who have not courage enough to plunge from the elevation of wealth into poverty at once. The influence of this law is felt, not only at the time when an individual has approached to the threshold of a Christian church, but it meets Christianity at the very onset. When the gospel knocks at first for admission, it represents it as a most unwelcome visitor, and too often succeeds in shutting the heart completely against it-often, As the condition of native con- too often withholds the feet from verts with respect to their claims entering the house of God, the on hereditary property may not be hands from receiving the written generally known to our readers, we messengers of mercy, and the beg to submit to their attention a mind from an investigation of the few remarks, in order to excite com-claims of the gospel, lest convic

The obstacles to the progress of christian-
ity in heathen countries, which pre-
vent the free course of the word of the

Lord, will doubtless yield to the power
of divine grace. The promise of God
ensures ultimate success. But for this
purpose, the patience, and efforts, and
prayers of the saints are required. It is
necessary that these obstacles should be
often exhibited, to awaken zeal and to
excite prayer.
The following article,
from the Calcutta Missionary Herald,
strikingly presents one of the obstacles
to a profession of Christianity among the
Hindoos.

tion should seize, and compel it to || dia affords strong encouragement,

embrace a profession, the penalties of which are so painful.

that such an application would not be made in vain. The following extracts from the Journal of a Baptist Missionary in Calcutta will partly show the occasion of these remarks.

As

This state of things not only proves a great hinderance to the ready acceptance of the gospel, but often places missionaries in em- June 21. While preaching at Jabarrassed circumstances. The feel- un Bazar chapel, a Brahmin said: ings of Hindoos generally towards If in passing some place, I should native converts, are quite in unison see a man hanging from a tree, what with the spirit of the law that dis-opinion must I form of him? Should inherits them the consequence, I not immediately conclude that he therefore, most frequently is, that as had been guilty of some heinous soon as a Hindoo declares himself crime, which had led to so disa Christian, he is at once expell-graceful an end? Answer. ed his family, and cut off from further intercourse with them. Deprived of property and friends, he is cast upon the world to seek his livelihood. If he obtain employment among his countrymen, it is only to experience similar treatment as soon as his character is known. To whom, then, must he betake himself for relief? to whom can he go, but to Christian Missionaries?

long as you remained at a distance, and made no inquiry, you might think so; but if, on approaching nearer, you should discover the individual thus suspended to be your own father, than whom you knew there was not a more virtuous person living, would you at once conclude that he had suffered justly, or would you not reserve your decision until you had examined fully into the affair; and if upon examThere is also another point of ination you should learn, that your view, in which we would present father, so far from suffering on his this subject, and that is, of perse- own account, was chargeable with cution. While this state of things no crime whatsoever, but had volcontinues, a Christian Hindoo is untarily died, in order to rescue persecuted for conscience' sake, you from destruction, in what light since in following the dictates of would his character appear under his conscience he suffers this loss. these circumstances? Such inIn this, it may be said, that as a deed was the conduct of the Lord Christian he ought to lay his ac- Jesus Christ, whom you are encount. True, as a Christian he deavouring to traduce in the presought, but not as a man, nor as a ence of this assembly. He died the subject of that realm, whose glory just one for the unjust. In his life it is that it recognizes, on behalf no one could convict him of sin, of all under its dominion, (with while both his betrayer and his the exception of the Hindoos,) the judge publickly avowed their conrights of conscience. As a sub-viction of his innocence. In reply ject of Britain, then, he may respectfully claim that right, and the friends of religion may claim it for him. We earnestly hope then, that the friends of Missions, both here and at home, will feel so interested in this subject, as to bring it as speedily as possible before the attention of our rulers, whose known desire to meliorate the condition of the inhabitants of In

to this, the Brahmin said, that Christ could not be innocent, as he could prove from our Own books that he had killed a shepherd on the mount of Olives; and as he had not the book with him, he begged permission to go and fetch it. He departed, and I resumed my discourse to the people, not expecting to see him again. He however returned to my sur

for I am a Christian. I inquired whether he belonged to any church, to which he answered in the negative, yet added, that he had a strong desire to unite with Christians, from which he was deterred only by the present state of the Hindoo law respecting inheritance and the disposition of his relatives, who when they knew that he had avowed himself a disciple of Christ, would immediately disinherit him. Being asked respecting the period when he came to the knowledge of the Saviour, he said that he had been instructed in English, and recommended to read the Bible about fourteen years ago, by an elderly English gentleman, of the

prise, in about ten minutes, with a copy of Mark's Gospel in his hand, which I had given him some weeks before. Having opened the book, he produced the 27th verse of the 14th chapter: "And Jesus said unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, &c." Upon this the people began to come nearer to hear what could be said in reply to such incontestable proof. It was remarked, in reply to this objection, that that part of the text was a quotation from the prophet Zechariah, made by Christ to apprize his disciples of his being about shortly to be smitten with sufferings and death. Some of the hearers did not, how-name of Scot, from which time he ever, credit this, but contended that the Brahinin had established In the course of conversation, his point. Judging from the ap- he gave me his name, and referred pearance of some present, that me for the truth of what he had they might be able to read Eng- said, to two respectable English land, (as I had not the Bengalee gentlemen. He also added, reOld Testament,) I opened the peating it three or four times, that English Bible at the passage, and he knew several respectable and desired any to read it that pleased.rich Bengalee gentlemen, who Some being able read it, and were satisfied. This gave me an opportunity to speak particularly on the subject of prophecy; and thus it is that the ignorance or impertinence of one, affords occasion for the instruction, and perhaps conviction of many.

After preaching at Chitpore road chapel, having inquired if any wished to receive scriptures, or tracts, in looking round I observed a young Baboo of respectable appearance sitting on one of the benches, apparently considerably interested in what was going on. I asked him if he would accept of a book. Yes, he replied, if you will give me a Christian catechism. I wished to present him with the gospels in English and Bengalee; to which he objected, saying, I have the whole Bible in English, which I not only read, but believe it to be the word of God. Do you indeed? said I. Yes, he replied;

had become convinced of its truth.

were similarly situated with himself, believing the truth and excellency of the Christian faith, but fearing to confess freely their sentiments, lest they should be plunged at once into poverty.

that you could so manage it as to procure forty suits of clothing for boys and girls. They are bound in the school regulations to clothe their children as soon as practicable, but I am afraid that it will be too long first. Please to tell the Board to be strong in the Lord and the power of his might, for it seems as if the great flood gate is about to be opened upon this part of Africa; one missionary arrived here in the Ontario, and he informs me that there are four others following close after him. He is all the way from Germany or

were sent at my request by the king of Grand Cape Mount for the purpose of removing brother Revey's books, &c. up, in order to commence the establishment of our long talked of school; and I made the necessary arrangements in time to set off on the 13th, and reached there on the 15th. We were received very cordially. On Saturday the 17th, after a few hours' palaver, it terminated in the unanimous consent of the king and all the head men not only to permit the establishment of a school, but to protect it to the uttermost. The school room is nearly fif- || Switzerland-of the Lutheran deteen feet by thirty. We made ar- nomination. I do not know what rangements to have worship in it to say, but I must say, O Amerion the ensuing Lord's day, and I can Christians! look this way; had the honour to address a very attentive audience twice, through brother John. After service I in- || formed the congregation that I should need their assistance the following day in preparing seats, &c., and they turned out like men, and performed more labour by eight o'clock, than I expected to have accomplished in the whole day. We got seats prepared for about 60 children by 4 o'clock, and gave notice that as the school would be organized on the day following, at 9 o'clock, A. M., all persons wishing to have their children instructed, were requested to come at that time and have them entered, and the number received was 37. I reading was lost except fifteen spelland explained a short set of regulations which I had drawn up; and as I had the king and his head men present, I got them to sign the articles of agreement in the presence of the whole congregation. For twelve months I think the school will, of course, be expensive. The present arrangement is-I agree to allow brother Revey $20 per month, and find him provisions, washing, &c.

If these expenses can be defrayed for one year, I think that they may be greatly reduced at the expiration of that time. I do wish

come this way; and help, if you cannot come. The harvest is already white. The heathen in our vicinity are so very anxious for the means of light, that they will buy it, beg it, and sooner than miss of it they will steal it. To establish this I will mention a circumstance which actually took place in removing our school establishment up to C. M. I had upwards of forty natives to carry our baggage, and they carried something like 250 bars; a part of them went on four days beforehand, and had every opportunity to commit depredations, but of all the goods that were sent and carried there, noth

ing books; five of them we recovered again. I must say that I was almost pleased to find them stealing books, as they know that you have such a number of them in America, and that they can, and no doubt will, be supplied upon better terms.

I send on to you a copy of the missionary's letter, and also a copy of the school grant, given by the people of Cape Mount. A few days before I left Cape Mount, I baptized the man George belonging there.

LOTT CARY.