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four individuals, this would give a population of 200,108; and I do not consider this rate a high one, when the number of individuals enumerated above, who do not receive pottas, are taken into account.

The bulk of the population would certainly be accessible within a circuit of 25 miles from the station, and would be found principally on the banks of the principal rivers-the Kallang, Dhonhiri and Manohee. The greatest portion are Assamese by birth, custom, and manners, and nearly the whole understand, and generally adopt that language: The remaining portion consists of Mikirs, Kacharis, Nagas, Lalongs, Kukis, Rábbás, a few Kosias, Khamtis or Shyans, Sikhs, Bengalis, and the ancient Ahoms. The first two are the most numerous after the Assamese, and with the Nagas possess distinct languages of their own. The Mikirs inhabit the range of hills running through the centre of the district; the Kacharis, the mountains to the south of the Jamaná; and the Lalongs, that portion of the district which adjoins Kamrup, called Dantipur, or Jyntia, and also parts of the Raha Mehal [division.] Assamese of the Hindu persuasion greatly predominate, and I should imagine that the Mussulmans hardly reach the general average of other parts of India, viz. 10 per cent. There is a tribe called Morias, which appear to belong more nearly to the latter class; they are, however, considered distinct, and are not numerous. Many classes of the inhabitants appear only of late years to have been converted to Hinduism by the agents of the gosairs who go about for that purpose, and also for collecting sums of money (the amount of which brings them in a considerable revenue,) from their deluded votaries. The Dums, a portion of the Ahoms, Lalongs, Mikirs, and Kacharis, are their latest proselytes.

There are several populous parts of the district which have scarcely been visited by Europeans, and are little known; such as Maiyeng, between the Kallang and Brahmaputra, and bounded on the west by the Kamrup district; some Mózás in the Chupan Mehal, and several in Kachar.

I must now conclude these few remarks, trusting that they may prove of use for the purpose you require; above all, that they may assist in drawing the attention of those who are interested in the great work of the conversion of

the heathen to this promising field of missionary labor."

Capt. Rigge was absent on a tour to Munipore, to which place a road is now, or is about to be opened by government, and on that account, and for other reasons, Capt. Gordon predicts, that in the course of a few years Nowgong will become the most important station in Assam. In the vicinity of Nowgong there is certainly a dense population now, and I think br. Bronson has quite as interesting a field as any in Assam. Upon examining Capt. Gordon's letter, it will be seen that he has made the lowest possible estimate of the number of inhabitants, and I should judge from it that 250,000 souls might be found resident in the district.

Having been again kindly furnished with elephants by Capt. Gordon, we left on the 10th for Birhanoth, which is between 30 and 40 miles above Nowgong, and 20 miles above Tezpur, on the Brahmaputra. Our road lay through that portion of the Nowgong district called Koliabor, which is thickly populated by an industrious and thriving people. We also found the banks of the Kallang very thickly populated for a long distance above Nowgong.

Bishanoth is a fine healthy location, and until the Khamti insurrection at Sadiya in 1839, it was the head quarters of the Assam Light Infantry, and of the political agent for Upper Assam. There are now two officers and a small force here, but the population is small. We were politely received by Capt. Smith, commanding at the station, who showed us every attention. Here br. Bronson and myself separated, he returned to Nowgong, and I proceeded to Jorhath by water, which I reached on the 19th of January, five days after leaving Bishanoth.

Jorhath is situated about nine miles inland from the Brahmaputra, and has a population of about 1200 houses. It is the residence of his highness Rájá Purundar Singh, who, till within the last two or three years, ruled over a large portion of Upper Assam. The population here is almost entirely pure Assamese, of whom a great number can read. There is a small guard and a police station here, and it is expected a European officer will eventually be added.

From Jorhath I went to Tita Bor, 12 miles, Kacharihath 24 miles, and Golabath 30 miles south-west of Jorbath. The latter place is situated on

the Dhonhiri river, and a large fair is | books with eagerness and pleasure. occasionally held here, similar to the They are also very desirous to have one noticed below Nowgong. The schools established in the principal Nagas residing in the neighboring hills places-and in fact in nearly all the vilcome down in large numbers for lages. Around Jorhath in particular, we trade. There were nearly 100 boats were beset in almost every street, and at at the ghat belonging to petty traders. every corner, by twenty voices at a time, There is a good population scattered "We want a school-will you establish along between Jorhath and Goláhath, among us a school?" A missionary and a missionary might very profitably school-master, who could devote himspend ten or twelve days occasionally self exclusively to the superintendence in preaching from village to village of schools in this district, would acbetween the two places. complish a vast amount of good. Let his head quarters be fixed in some healthy location, Jorhath or Sibsagor, a cheap school-house erected in the centre of every considerable cluster of villages, and he could then ride on a pony to one or two to-day-one or two to-morrow, and so on, having a native teacher in each school. He would then become familiar with the people, and gradually win their affectious, and prepare them for the reception of the gospel. The missionary teacher should also know something of medicine, and having a supply with him, could greatly diminish the misery of those who linger along in sickness, which a suitable dose of medicine given in time, would have removed, but which it is generally impossible for them to obtain. The missionary's wife would be no less useful than her husband. A school teacher would be equally needed in the district of Darrang Motok.

On my return to Jorhath I found br. Brown, who had come from Sibsagor to meet me. We spent that and the following day in going around the town, preaching and giving tracts. We had several very interesting audiences, who listened with the deepest attention, and appeared to drink in the truth. May the Lord send home the word with power, and bless the means used to the conversion of many in that place.

We spent two or three days in going about in the vicinity of Sibsagor to places which we had not before visited. There are villages within a short distance in every direction, where the missionary can at any time get a small congregation, and where schools ought to be established for instructing the children who are growing up in igno

The rájá very politely gave us the use of one of his elephants to go on as far as the river Jansi, which we reached on the 23d, six or seven hours march from Jorbath. This is a beautiful little stream, which empties itself into the Brahmaputra, some distance above Jorhath ghat, and there is a dense population on both sides for many miles. The next day I went up on one side of the Jánsi for ten or twelve miles, and returned on the other. Extensive cultivation, and numerous villages were seen in every direction as far as the eye could reach. The following day, being the third after leaving Jorhath, we reached Sibsagor, and found our families as well as usual, for which we felt truly grateful. There are many very fine bund roads running through Sibsagor district, in every direction, and it is probable gov-rance. The population of Sibsagor ernment will, sooner or later, open and repair the most important of them, as they are now covered with an impenetrable jungle. They were constructed when Assam was in its glory, by some of its enterprising rulers. Three or four lead to Jaipur, one or two to Motok, and one or two to Gowahati. If these roads were repaired, the whole district would be accessible by land throughout the year, which would be found studded with villages and cultivation in every direction.

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appears to be fast increasing; br. Brown informs me he has already counted 1600 houses, including merchants, troops, &c. Major Jenkins is of the opinion that there is scarcely a chance that the station will ever be relinquished; and, therefore, it may be ranked among the most important missionary locations in Assam. It is situated on the Dekho river, about ten miles from the Brahmaputra, and 170 from Gowahati, in a straight line. By the river the distance is greater. In the station is a large and beautiful tank, about two miles in circumference, dug by one of the former rajahs, and three large temples stand on the banks. Most of

the Europeans' houses are also built | plies were cut off till fresh remittances here. At Rangpur, on the other side could be made from America; and of the Dekho, directly opposite Sibsa- bills, which had already been drawn gor, is another tank of about the same on the agents, will be returned unpaid. size, and two or three smaller ones. The ruins of temples and other buildings are also very extensive here.

In this emergency the Board will be gratified to learn that I have already in my hands, the sum of 800 rs., being a donation from our uniformly kind and generous friend, C. A. Bruce, Esq., and that he, and his brother-in-law, J. P. Parker, Esq., have offered to lend our mission 1000 rs. each, without interest, as long as it may be required, or till remittances are received from home; so that the immediate necessities of our mission are provided for. But I hope the friends of our eastern missions will on this occasion make an extra effort, and come forward liberally to the aid of the Board. Among the merchants and others in the Baptist churches in America, there certainly can be found 80 or say 100 individuals who could each give 100 dollars EXTRA this year, without feeling it. The Board would thus be relieved from their embarrassment, and every loss connected with this failure fully made up. Will not some individual in Boston, willing to be one of the number, make this proposition through the

Brethren Brown and Barker are stationed at Sibsagor. The former is pursuing the important work of translating, and the latter is closely applying himself to the study of the Assamese, and preparing for the no less important work of preaching. Sister Brown has a fine school for boys, and Ramsagar, one of Mrs. Cutter's oldest scholars, whom I have mentioned before, and who has for a long time assisted Mrs. C. in teaching, is temporarily engaged here for the same purpose. Sister Barker has an interesting school for girls, which also promises well. Every one appears happily and usefully employed, and I think the prospects of our mission never appeared so encouraging as now. Books have been prepared, printed and put in circulation-the word is preached, schools are in operation, two from among the scholars have embraced the gospel, and have been baptized ; and the great mass of the people appear to under-columns of the Baptist Magazine? stand our object, and receive us gladly. Since my recent tour through the field, I feel greatly encouraged to labor for this people, and am constrained to cry aloud for help from the Board, and through them to the young men and churches in our beloved land-" Come over and help us;" the field is open and ripe for the harvest. We need your prayers and your assistance to enable us to carry forward what has been commenced in the name of the American Baptist churches. More laborers ought to be on their way from home this moment, to supply the pressing wants of the people. We are distressed at the faint prospect we have of getting more aid even the present year. But I do hope and pray that some will soon offer themselves for this interesting field.

I know the Board have suffered for the want of funds; and the recent unfortunate and unexpected failure in Calcutta of Boyd & Co., by which event they are liable to lose 7000 or 8000 dollars, must again place the Board in most trying circumstances. We were exceedingly distressed on receiving this information, for not only was all this money liable to be lost to the Board, but our own sup

I cannot help feeling confident that this will be the case, and that those who have the ability will not allow this unfortunate affair to prove the means of detaining in America a single missionary for a single day.

Siam.

LETTER FROM MR. JONES, BANGKOK,
SIAM, FEB. 1, 1842.

The character of his translations—An
edition of three thousand copies of the
Gospel by Luke.

An edition of three thousand copies of Luke is now out of the press. As our brethren of the A. B. C. F. M. are now publishing the "Gospel according to John," I have thought it best to defer publishing that until theirs is completed, and I perceive whether I can derive from it any thing which may enable me to improve my translation. We therefore now commence the epistles. The "Epistle to the Romans" was committed to the compositor this morning. As I send you Luke, it may not be improper to offer a few observations regarding the manner in which the translation has been made. The

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Mr. Jones, in a postscript to this communication, repeats, though with great delicacy, the call for more missionaries

first draught was made about four doctrines of christianity? The bazar years ago-using only Knapp's Greek has a language for its own purposesTestament, and Robinson's Wahl, un- but wholly inadequate to express gosless in a few instances of difficulty re- pel truth. Báli terms are sometimes ference was made to Kuinoel, or other used, but, unless they have already becommentators. It was carefully revised come familiarized to the mass of the in 1838-9-using whatever assistance people, only when necessity (not ornacould be derived from Bloomfield, ment) demands it. Campbell, and others. It has since undergone a thorough review, being compared sentence by sentence with the Greek. While I believe it is idioI perceive by the Magazine that such matic, so far as it can safely be made, moving entreaties, and appeals of overI cannot flatter myself that it is im-whelming earnestness for more mismaculate. I do believe it is as intelli- sionaries are sent to you from almost, gible as it can well be made-but those all quarters, that I cannot find it in my who have the aid which Commenta- heart to load you with more. We sinries, Lexicons, Books of Antiquities, cerely lament the removal of br. Dean, &c. furnish, and are accustomed to use and sadly fear that Mrs. Slafter will be them, can easily understand that no compelled by ill health to leave us too. portion of the scriptural writings can She is now quite feeble. Should I say be fully understood without much expray for us, it would seem to intimate planation. Scripture geography and that we had doubts where we certainly ancient customs must, to some extent, have none. be made familiar, by other means than a translation. Should any one inquire whether the translation is strictly literal, I should be under the necessity LETTER FROM MR. LOVE, CORFU, IONIof inquiring what was meant by a strictly literal translation? If when I trans

or, 2

Creece.

AN ISLANDS.

has determined not to leave, so long as he has strength to do any thing for the mission. He has been driven to this conclusion, doubtless, by the lamentably destitute condition of the mission; a mission which claims the prayerful attention of every member of our churches. Our missionaries of those stations, with a truly commendable zeal, have commenced their work, as it seems to us, after the pattern of apostolical example. Whether they are to be permitted to remain at their posts, is yet to be determined. Let prayer be offered for them without ceasing, and let us have confidence in the great Head of the Church.

Mr. Love writes under date of June 20. It late the French, 1 Comment vous por-will be seen from the following extract, that he tez vous, by "How do you do? Mal a tête, by "He has a headache," or in Latin, 3 Ne quid nimis, by "Do not carry matters too far "—if these are strictly literal, then I would hope this translation is so. But if in order to be strictly literal,the 1st example should be "How do you carry yourself?" the 2d, "Bad has the head," and the 3d, "Not anything too much," then I hope the translation is not strictly literal. The genius of the Siamese language is so very diverse from the Greek, that it is only occasionally that a strictly verbal translation is practicable, and then usually the order or collocation must vary indefinitely-sometimes requiring a complete and sometimes only a partial inversion.

In regard to style, a fair medium between vulgarity and bombast is anxiously aimed at. Terms are sometimes used which the common people will not understand without explanation. This is inevitable-unless free circumlocution is allowed-and even then, the difficulty may lie in the idea rather than the terin used to express it.

It is said truth should be made plain. True; but not vulgar. It is said the language of the bazar should be employed; but what language has the bazar for expressing the more important

Mr. Love proposes, by the consent of the Board, to remove to Patras so soon as the mission at Corfu can be reënforced; and his reasons are, 1st, The state of inquiry at Patras requires that the gospel be preached there in a public manner, and immediately. 2d, A missionary at Patras, in order to be of immediate service, must be in a good degree familiar with the Greek language. 3d, He (Mr. Love) is well known at Patras, and has the confidence of the people. These propositions are considered at some length, which we omit, and sub

mit the following

It was with great sorrow of heart that we saw in yours of May 16th, no indication of a speedy reënforcement

the other side of the Atlantic. But we feel that we cannot relinquish. For the night we see coming on, when no man can work.

Our other labors in Corfu are not less interesting. A Jewish friend left me last night at 11 o'clock. He has found another like minded with himself, and they "have been for many days conversing much together." His friend also wishes to come to examine the religion of Jesus of Nazareth. But he speaks only the Italian language, having been educated in Italy, and in this language I cannot communicate religious instruction. Our friend (the former) is gradually gaining

ready, something of the Dr. Cappadoce, of Switzerland. Oh! we hope he is a chosen vessel.

to the mission. We do not mean by this, to breathe a murmuring thought against the dispensations of our Heavenly Father. In reflecting on all the way in which it has been pleasing to the Lord to lead us, we have long since learned that his paths are in the deep waters, and that his footsteps are not known. Nor has the fact contributed to any special perplexity in respect to our future course of proceeding, but rather confirmed us in what has appeared to be the leadings of Providence, for some weeks past. Yet, withal, we cannot but feel deeply that the circumstances of this mission are so little apprehended by our friends at home. We are, my dear sir, straight-strength; we hope we see in him alened in every quarter. At Patras the fields are all white and ready for the harvest, but there is no one to enter into the labor and gather in the precious fruit. Five of these, we hope, if not converted, are, at least, in a most interesting state of inquiry; so I found them a month since, when I spent a few days in Patras, trying to direct them to the Savior. And a letter this day from Apostolos, brings the joyful intelligence of still another who appears in a no less interesting state of mind, and with whom Apostolos has spent most of his time for the last two weeks. Besides these, there are from twenty to fifty more persons in that town, in different stages of inquiry, and who, had they a teacher, it is believed, would attend regularly on the preaching of the gospel. These persons are among the most respectable and intelligent portion of the community.

Other interesting features of labor we can only indicate. A candidate for the priesthood, educated in the seminary at Corfu, found in conversation a few days since, that a portion of the superstructure of his faith was built on the sand. He replied that he had never well examined the New Testament, and proposed to come and read it with me in course. He begins this day at 3 o'clock, P. M.

A poor priest in town, with whom I am not acquainted, has, I have been informed, adopted the heresy, that the New Testament is to be the Christian's guide in matters of faith and practice. He has become greatly despised on account thereof. A candidate for the priesthood, now in the order of deacon at Potamo, has adopted similar At Corfu, Mrs. Dickson, feeble in views, and he reads the translated body, is sinking under her charge. scriptures, which he has obtained from She has thirty-nine scholars in three our house through Demetrius, from languages, and in many and various morning till night. And he has bedegrees of progress, both in needle- come so distressed on account of the work and in mental improvement. spiritual ignorance of the people, that One hundred scholars under ordinary he has opened what he calls a free circumstances would, I believe, be as school for adults, in order that he may easily taught in America as these thirty-explain to them the teaching of the bine in Corfu. She regularly returns from her school to her couch, entirely exhausted. She has this day received a five pound note from strangers in Scotland, requesting her to take five additional Jewish girls into the school. The girls are already obtained, and desiring to enter. But what can she do? More she cannot take. And then every Sabbath afternoon her small chamber is filled with scholars, and others, to hear the Word of Life. Shall she relinquish these labors? It may be answered in the affirmative on

New Testament. This is Demetrius' disciple, and we hope he is not far from the kingdom of heaven. Two youngsters of about eighteen, who attend this school, come to our house with Demetrius for religious instruction on the Sabbath. An old man of sixty-five, has for many weeks been a regular attendant on the Sabbath. His continual lamentation is, that he never heard the truth until the eleventh hour. He is a very plain, simplehearted man, and drinks in the truth with great avidity.

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