crease the supply of Siamese type; and two editions of The Seven Princes, and of the Golden Balance, and one of the Gospel by Luke, have been published. The school has been continned under the care of sister Slafter. During the former part of the year it was very small, but more recently additional efforts have been made in its behalf with very encouraging success.

Chinese department.

In the Chinese department the daily morning and evening worship, and preaching on Sabbath morning, and prayer meeting at noon, have been continued. The meeting on Tuesday evening at the bazaar was continued until September, when, as few attended, it was discontinued. Since that time a meeting has been attended on Sabbath evening at the house of one of the disciples living at a distance from us, and on Wednesday at the

sustained most of the time. The number of attendants has not been large, nor has any thing of special interest occurred in reference to the meetings. Tracts have been distributed, accompanied with conversation by Mrs. Slafter, to persous calling at our house, in considerable numbers daily. But there has been no one to go into the streets and lanes of the city, and carry the gospel to every man's door-much less to proclaim its glad tidings in the numerous distant villages of this empire. Since the arrival of br. Jones, his time has been fully occupied in the revision and publication of the scriptures, and the superintendence of the printing. This last office it is proposed that br. Joues retain for the present, as he will necessarily be very much confined at home to revise the scriptures and correct the proof sheets, and he hopes that by taking the entire superintendence of the printing, his own labors will not be very much in-house of another living still more discreased, while br. Davenport will be left entirely free to engage in labors for spreading abroad the knowledge of the gospel. It is difficult to tell how much the mission suffers for the want of more laborers to engage directly in preaching, and teaching from house to house, and in spreading the truth in all corners of the land. Tracts lie useless ou our hands, because we have not laborers to distribute them; we could publish with no more labor and trouble and but little additional expense three times the number we do. Our religious services are attended by but few, because there is none to invite them to come in. In short, all we can do in our present circumstances, can scarcely be expected to produce any important results; and we often feel that what has been done, and what is now going on, is almost useless, because the plans are not carried out with sufficient energy to render them successful. We, however, are willing to hold on a little longer, trusting that we shall not long be left in so embarrassing circumstances. We have had evidence of the anxiety of the Board to give us all the assistance in their power, and we know they were desirons to send additional laborers even before hearing of our mournful bereavement in the death of dear br. Slafter. Since hearing of that event we doubt not every proper means will be used for our speedy relief.

tant in a different direction. Though our congregations are never large, our meetings often prove interesting, and we feel that the Savior verifies his promise to be in the midst, where two or three are met together in his name. Until September Keok Cheng, a teacher who has for some time been a member of the church, was employed exclusively as a missionary assistant. He daily visited the people at their homes, and distributed tracts, and conversed with any who were willing to hear.

In these expeditions he was accompanied by br. Goddard, as often as circumstances would allow, and at other times he reported his proceedings daily. A considerable portion of these labors have been directed towards the agricultural portion of the people, dwelling in large numbers in the suburbs of the city. These visits are almost uniformly received with much politeness, and a tolerable degree of earnestness and determination on the part of the speaker to stick to the subject, usually secures good attention. It is no uncommon thing in these visits to see from six to a dozen persons attentively listening to the gospel for half an hour or more, orcasionally asking questions, and at the close bowing the knee for the first time before the God of heaven, while prayer is offered on their behalf. We should not, however, draw more encouragement from these circumstances In the printing office considerable than is warranted. Much of this enhas been done during the year to in-couraging appearance results from the

natural politeness of the Chinese-they in so public and responsible a station would be slow to treat disrespectfully until he should liquidate his debts. a stranger, especially if he appears to He has since spent most of his time be a person of knowledge and respec- as a private teacher, still assisting in tability. They almost universally as- our meetings, and occasionally going sent to the truth of the gospel, and call abroad to labor among the people. We it an excellent system;-but, alas! too hope that before long, circumstances often that is all-the power of the Di- will render it expedient again to emvine Spirit is as necessary to convert ploy him in this interesting sphere of a Chinese as an American. The in- labor. Since he left this work br. fluence of those labors, however, has Goddard has spent more time than been very manifest. The number of formerly in visiting the people at their attendants on our meetings has been homes-and has met with a reasonable much increased, and many have been share of encouragement. led to inquire-some we hope most seriously, respecting this new religion. The people have been more free to inquire of a fellow countryman than of a foreigner-and his knowledge of christianity has generally enabled him to answer correctly.

Distribution of tracts.

We trust also our tracts have been distributed more discreetly than they otherwise could have been. They have not been given promiscuously to any who would receive them, but individuels have first been freely conversed with, the prominent points of the gospel explained, and then tracts have been left with those who can read, to complete what the living voice had begun.

Monthly concert of prayer.

The monthly concert of prayer has been observed regularly on the first Sabbath of each month, with considerable interest; the contributions have amounted to $29. Several persons have at different times requested baptism, but none have been received: three or four appear very well. We vine love, and may ere long be perhope they have felt the power of dimitted to enjoy the privileges of the church on earth, preparatory to the higher privileges of the church above. Condition of the school.

The school has continued as usual. The scholars (eleven in number) have been more regular in their attendance We believe that this is the only way than formerly. These, as well as the in which tracts can profitably be given Siamese children, are instructed both to the Chinese. There are a large in English and in their native tongue; number who cannot read, to whom a they also attend our religious exercitract would be useless. There is also ses, and receive Sabbath school ina large class who can read, but do not struction. One boy of considerable very well understand what they read-promise died very suddenly last July; this class comprehends by far the greatest proportion of readers. If a Christian tract is given to one of this class without any remark or explanation, he would probably read it through without even getting an idea of the subject of the tract. On the contrary, if the subject and some of the chief points are explained to them and the proper names (which usually make much trouble, owing to the genius of the language) pointed out, they will read the tract with considerable profit. It is very easy to scatter abroad tracts, but to do it in a way likely to do good is a slow and difficult process. In the spring more than fifty junks from China were supplied with tracts. In September it was found that the assistant had carelessly involved himself in debt to a considerable amount, and that some of his creditors were becoming impatient. It was therefore thought not advisable to continue hiin

he had received considerable instruetion, and understood the plan of redemption tolerably well-but gave no evidence of conversion. While he had his reason he was very much alarmed at the thoughts of dying. This sudden providence threw an air of seriousness over the whole school, and several of the scholars for a time were led to attend to several of the external duties of religion. But we have no evidence of sincere repentance in reference to any of them. Beside this, br. Dean since his return has had a biblical or theological class, embracing two teachers who have been sometime members of the church, and another who professes to have hope in Christ and has requested baptism. They meet twice a week, and attend to the examination of subjects fitted to increase their knowledge of the bible. God grant that this small beginning may grow up into an institution for the education of

a native Chinese ministry, who shall carry ont efficiently the work feebly begun by foreign missionaries.

Printing department.

During the past year small editions of the Gospel by Mark-the Inquirer's Guide-the Temperance Tract, and the Gospel Summary, have been published, besides a small vocabulary of Chinese and English by br. Dean. A tract of 170 pages entitled the Life of Christ, containing a connected history of both the works and the instructions of Jesus, has been prepared, and the blocks are now being cut. Considerable has also been done to prepare our Chinese metallic type for use. The types have been arranged in a convenient manner, and a large number have been added by casting the metallic blocks of uniform size, and having the word cut on its face by a block-cutter. This process is very slow, as only ten or twelve words can be cut in a day. But it is hoped that by adding a few words in this way, we shall be able to print the scriptures and other tracts. Were the fount complete, a person accustomed to the business would probably set the types in one day for as much as a block-cutter could cut on wood in a week-there would however be the labor of distributing them again, which is saved when the blocks are cut. Where printing is done by blocks, the tract must first be written out in a neat uniform hand on a paper ruled and cross-ruled to secure perfect uniformity-this is pasted on the face of the blocks, and dried, and then the paper rubs off, leaving the words on the block as a guide to the cutter. Now the metallic type can be set as fast as this copy of the tract can be written, leaving only the labor of distributing to set against that of cutting-or a day's work against a week; such, very nearly, would be the saving by using metallic types instead of cutting blocks. It should be added, that for every new tract new blocks must be procured from China, and are somewhat sive. You have probably noticed the statements relative to Chinese metallic types, made in the last report of the Board of the General Assembly. You may think it worthy the consideration of our Board whether we also ought not to be furnished with a fount of that mould. We think there was a mistake in the calculations relative to the size of the bible printed with such type. The edition of Morrison's translation

expen

now in use contains 5,398 royal octavo pages; with Dyer's types we could print it on 3960 pages of the same size, and with the Paris types in 2550 pages. The Paris type is about as small as we often print with blocks: the bible could probably be printed on 2000 pages, with very fair plain characters, with blocks, but the expense of labor would be immense. The Paris type is regarded by the Chinese as tolerably fair. If it is not likely to be considerably improved within a few years, we think it would be economy to procure a fount immediately. The types might be cast in America, and sent us-or, which would be better, the matrices sent, and the types cast here, as may be most convenient.*

Need of additional laborers.

After what has been said, little needs be added relative to the importance of additional laborers in the Chinese department. It has been stated that br. Dean's health is very precarious; should he continue here, he has little prospect of being able to engage largely in missionary labors ;-should he remove to a colder climate, the result is known only to Him who rules all things according to the counsel of His own will. The health of Mrs. Goddard is also precarious; but supposing she shall be able to endure this climate, Mr. Goddard, without additional fellow laborers, will be drawn away almost entirely from the work to which he was originally appointed, and for which he has thus far chiefly labored to prepare himself. If therefore the Board still wish him to labor according to his original appointment, they will of course relieve him as soon as possible from the pressure of other duties, by seuding appropriate laborers to perform

those duties. We think two additional laborers necessary to the prosperity of this mission, and we doubt whether they can be sent to a more promising field. The way is open and preparedthe field abundantly large, and we have those here who will assist much, if any one will come and superintend their labors. May God be pleased to raise up men of the proper character, and dispose his people freely to furnish

of occurrence of different Chinese words. Of There is a great difference in the frequency some, four or five types are sufficient for a fount, of others as many hundreds are needed. There is a list stating the proper number for each cast in America. Still, without the matrices we word-by the help of which a fount might be should often be liable to be out of sorts.

the means of their support, that these multitudes may not all perish for want of teachers to guide them in the way of life.

We trust that you and the friends of missions generally, will remember to pray constantly for us, that we may be enabled to fill up the short measure of our days in the fear of the Lord, and before we are called away from our Jabors may be instrumental in guiding some souls in the way of life. O, that we may learn wisdom, not only from bis dealings with us, but also those with our brethren of the other mission in removing dear sister Johnson almost immediately after her arrival, and in laying br. French on a bed of protracted sickness, from which he can scarcely have any hopes of rising up. Surely we have been abundantly admonished of our frailty. God grant that we may so number our days as to apply our hearts to wisdom. Let our friends in America also remember they have but a short time to pray for us, or to send us assistance. We look forward on the year now about to commence, but who will see its close we know not.

LETTER FROM MR. GODDARD.

The following letter from Mr. Goddard. dated five days later than the above, gives some additional particulars respecting the condition of the mission, of an interesting character.

seemed to decide for me respecting duty in this case. I began to feel the effects of protracted study upon my health in such manner as to admonish me plainly to change, for a time, my occupation. I have therefore recently made study rather a secondary business, and have given myself up more to visiting. I have been accompanied sometimes by the old assistant, and sometimes by my teacher, who has for some time professed faith and hope in Jesus-he gives tolerable evidence of conversion, and perhaps may be admitted to the church before long.

Visit to the interior.

I have now just returned from a visit to Lengkeaichoo-and Lacouchirsee. The former is a compact Chinese village, on the bank of Ta-Chin river near its mouth, distant from Bangkok about eight hours ride in the boat with favorable tides. The village contains 1500 or 2000 men-who are more commonly settled in families than is usual among the Chinese. Their wives of course are Siamese, but usually talk Chinese tolerably well; some seemned to comprehend religious conversation quite as readily as their husbauds. The children are very numerous ; but few of them are learning to read. All the houses were visited once, and many of them the second time, and the people when found at home were conversed with. A con

Change of employment. Although the report of the mission has just been forwarded to you, it may not be amiss for me to send a few lines to notice more fully some points referred to in that document, and also to give a little account of my labors since. I have hitherto devoted my time and strength chiefly to study, in reference to the primary object of my appointment. I have for some time felt in doubt whether in the present state of the mission I did right in so doing. My mind was most tried as the cold season approached,—the best season for study-and also the best for active labors. Close application to study during this season would do much for my literary advancement. On the other hand, no missionary work of consequence was going on-the number of attendants on our meetings was, as might be expected, constantly diminishing; and several of the discips from seven to ten hundred of the ples were becoming irregular in their attendance. Providence, however, .B. C. F. M.

siderable number would usually follow

from house to house, and thus repeatedly listen to the messages of the gospel. Tracts were given to those who could read, of whom there were found to be a goodly number. A few individuals manifested a very interesting spirit of inquiry—especially two or three aged persons, who received tracts gladly and carefully read them, and inquiries respecting the meaning of afterwards came with a multitude of various passages. God grant that the call which they have thus received at the eleventh hour, may be effectual in bringing them into the vineyard, that they may not fail of the reward.

Having completed our visit at Lengkeaichoo, we proceeded up the river by moonlight, and in one hour arrived at Ta-Chin, a large village of both Siamese and Chinese, containing per

latter. Passing this village, in four hours more we arrived at Laconchirsee. This is a large territory containing about thirty sugar mills, separated

Miscellany.