which I have come into this country. Wherever this gospel has been preached, it has stood the test of examination and spread, while other religions have all faded away before it. This shaster is no fable, but the true words of God. As for your shasters, one prescribes to you a certain duty, the other tells you it is a sin; which proves them to be the work of man, for if God had given them they would all speak the same thing. The old man at the anvil, who had been listening with the closest attention, appealed to the brahmin whether anything could be said against this, and whether it must not be the true religion? The brahmin, somewhat to my surprise, nodded assent. I give this as a specimen of the manner in which the gospel is generally received by those among whom I have been. Another illustration may be given from a conversation which I had with another brahmin this forenoon, who travelled in company with our people yesterday from Jórhat. I commenced by asking, You came along with this young man (Montan) from Jórhat yesterday, did you not? B. Yes, I came with your men all the way, and stopped to help them catch the deer in the jungle. M. Did the young man say anything about religion? B. Oh yes, he told us abundance of new things. M. What did he say? B. He told us that Jesus Christ had made an atonement for sin-that the worship of Ram Krishnu and the rest of the Ten Avatars (Incarnations) was of no use, that we must leave our old religion, for it would not save us. M. What did you think of his talk? B. Oh, I stick to the old shasters. I shall trust for salvation to Ram, and the rest of the Avatars. By this time we had reached the yard in front of the house, where were a good many people who gathered round to listen to the conversation. M. There are one or two things in your shasters that are false. B. Yes, there may be one or two. M. I am sure there are; I have read some parts of your shasters; they say the earth rests on the heads of elephants, do they not? B. Yes, there are eight elephants that stand on eight heads of a great serpent, and these support the earth. M. Well, people have been all over the earth in the foreign ships, and examined it on every side, and the heads of these great elephants have nowhere been found. B. You do not mean to say they have gone to the end of the world? M. Yes, they have been all over it. B, Have they actually crossed the great ocean, and found the other side? M. Yes, I came from the other side of the earth. My country is directly under our feet. B. What do you mean to say you have come fup from the under side? Pray, how did you get here? M. We sailed directly round on the surface, just as a fly would creep round an orange. B. Is it possible that people live on the under side? M. Yes, it is night there when it is day here. Perhaps you will wonder why the people don't fall off from the other side? B. Yes, to be sure! M. Did you ever see a magnet, which draws a needle so that it adheres to it? B. Yes, I have seen it. M. There is something like this in the middle of the earth, which draws all bodies towards the centre, so that they do not fall off from it, either up or down, on whatsoever side of it they may be. B. This is very extraordinary. Are these things contained in your shasters? M. No, our shasters do not contain geography and other sciences found out by human wisdom-they contain nothing but the words of God, which relate only to religion. This that I have told you of the earth is what men have seen and know, and what you may learn by studying. You will find all the scholars at Gowahati know about these things. B. But how does it happen that these things are not mentioned in our shasters? M. Because they were not known when the shasters were written, nor did any body at that time suppose there could be a country on the under side of the world. The pandits made their geography according to the best of their judgment, and now their words have turned out false. If God were the author of the shasters he would not have allowed any mistakes, for he created the world, and knows all about it. It is only a few years since a wise man by the name of Columbus, fancied there might be a country on the other side of the globe, and although he was for a long time ridiculed, he at length succeeded in obtaining several ships with which he made the discovery, and now the people of various nations on this continent have gone over and formed a great country there. His influence over the people is very great. Found here a respectable baboo, and a large number of the Gosain's people, who listened with some interest, though evidently much opposed to the truth. March 13. Went into the bazar, where I found the people building a I have had many discussions with nam-ghor, or meeting-house. Inquired the brahmins of the same import, and of them what virtue there could be in I am inclined to think that very many breaking the Sabbath to build a meetamong them secretly believe that the ing house. A number of people gathgeographical part of their religion mustered round and listened with apparent fall. The religious part must of course fall with it. 26. Br. Cutter having returned, we left the Janji this morning and reached home a little after noon. Made no stop except at a village of Dóms on the Namdang, near the stone bridge, where we found a large collection of people. 27. Went out with br. Cutter to the Disang river. Passed through several very fine villages and extensive rice fields, and gave away a few tracts. Received a letter from our excellent friend Mr. Bruce, who offers to supply us with what money we need, without interest, until we can get remittances from home. This is truly an assistance in time of need, and will relieve us from all embarrassment till other arrangements can be made. 30. Lord's day. Went out with the brethren into the villages on the Gorgaun road. Found several groups of people, who listened with much apparent interest. Feb. 6. Went into the bazar and entered into a tailor's shop, where I had a dispute with some Mussulmans. They manifested some opposition at first, but one of the better informed Mussulmans coming in, who was disposed to be reasonable in his arguments, the discussion ended very satisfactorily, and I hope some truth found its way to their minds. 9. Resumed the translation of Acts, which has been interrupted for some time. Have now reached the 12th chapter. Find it much harder to translate than the gospels, owing principally to the difficulty of constructing the complex sentences, which are of so frequent occurrence in Acts. 20. After conversing a while in the bazar, went down to the river's bank, where some houses are being erected for the Auniati Gosain, the spiritual lord of this part of Assam, who is coming, it is said, with a large retinue, and is to remain here for some time. interest, while I explained the institution of the Sabbath. None of them attempted to dispute. 20. Spent the afternoon in the zayat, where I had a long dispute with several Assamese on the Hindu doctrine of fate. They all believed that God has written the fate of every man upon his forehead-that if he is a thief or murderer, it is in consequence of the Deity having so ordained. Endeavored to show them that on this plan there could be no such thing as sin, or if so, that the guilt belonged to God and not to man; and that consequently the shasters which contained such doctrines, could not have been given by a holy God. One or two professed themselves satisfied that their doctrine was false. About sundown went into the bazar, where a large number gathered around me. Pursued the subject commenced in the zayat, after which I had a dispute with the head-man on geography. Soon after, a well dressed baboo came up and entered into the discussion, who appeared to understand the European system of geography as well as his own. He labored for some time to reconcile the two systems, but not succeeding, he at length said that the Hindu system was not made for the learned, but only for the common people-the learned of course knew better. At this frank confession the people raised a shout of laughter, and the baboo walked off, appearing to enjoy the merriment as well as any of them. orthographic mistakes. The 3d has been carefully compared with the original story, and a few passages have been translated and substituted for some which seemed not so relevant to the subject. The tract has thus been enlarged about a page and a half. The general character of it remains unchanged. Romans will be completed in a few days. I am engaged, at such times as I can get, in translating from Burman, Mr. Boardman's tract, the "Ship of Grace," and may, perhaps, print it It is a parable, and the natives are exceedingly fond of parables. The Chinese church is still an object of soon. much interest. Mr. Goddard's teacher was added to it, by baptism, a few weeks since. Change of Siamese views. itate the spread of truth. They will lead to discussion, and awaken minds naturally dormant. They will accustom men to think, and thinking seems to be one of the first advances towards christianity. I speak now of intellectual processes.-I do not forget the agency required to renovate the heart. -Let that be continually and fervently implored. You cannot fail to bear in mind our state. LETTER FROM MR. DAVENPORT, DATED Desire for tracts, and an increasing seriousness. The heat being the most oppressive at this season of the year,-thermometer ranging from 85° to 95° and 98° in the shade, during the day,-I have recently taken only some short excursions into the country, for the purpose of conversing with the people and distributing tracts. My plan has been to select some intelligent individual from among the crowd of hearers, to whom I direct the most of my conversation, while the rest stand or sit around and listen. These individuals sometimes propose important questions, in answering which, remarks are made which I hope will convey benefit and permanent good to some. 1 sometimes, however, address the multitude promiscuously, especially if I can receive their attention. The change which I have previously spoken of in Siamese views, growing out of intercourse with foreigners, and acquaintance with some of the principles of foreign science, is much greater than I had heretofore supposed. The Siamese list of books generally regarded as sacred, and as ground of ultimate decision in matters of their religion, is the same as the Burmese list. On showing this list to one of the most intelligent and candid priests of the country, a few days since, he at once disposed of nearly two-thirds of them, by saying that they were not to be regarded as of any authority whatever. I learn, from various sources, After such instructions, the anxiety that several hundreds of the most in- to receive tracts seems to be generally fluential priests adopt the same views, much increased :—though, in other cirand that they are daily spreading cumstances, go where you will, with among different classes of people. All very few exceptions, the people crowd these hail the appearance of the Gol- around you and beg in the most imden Balance as auxiliary to their sen- portunate manner for books. I think timents. Though they are still reluct-persons from a distance are much ant to adopt those views which are more in the habit of calling at our peculiar to christianity, with them the premises for tracts, than formerly. ground of controversy is narrowed ex- Many of these are aged, grave looking ceedingly. It must relate, principally, persons, and some of their counteto the metempsychosis and eventual an- nances seemed to say, "they desired nihilation, or the doctrine of a proba- to know the truth." An individual tion here and endless joy or wo here- called the other day to receive a new after. They say, were they satisfied of supply of books; and I was pleased to a future endless state of rewards and hear him give so good an account of punishments, they could but rejoice in those he had read, in a most serious the reception of christianity, as the and fluent manner. I thought he was only system which provides for the not far from the kingdom of God. forgiveness of sin. Sinners, they ac- Oh! that the blessed Spirit would knowledge themselves to be, and read-cause these sacred truths to affect his ily grant that Budhism provides no heart and life. means or hopes of pardon. It would Hundreds of thousands of the leaves not be surprising, if these various dis- of precious truth have recently been agreeing views should materially facil-distributed far and near. And do we believe, and do we pray, that God's | Peh Kwung, Chek Kam, Chek Moe, truth shall not return unto him void, Chek Seng, besides a man who lives but shall accomplish that whereunto and does business in a boat, viz., Peh it is sent? Then we labor not with- Soe, who has not long resided in that out encouragement. Eternity will wit- place. With these several men, I atness that these seeds of precious things tended the worship of God three or have produced a harvest to the praise four times. On the 10th we went up and glory of God. to Kun-sai-se to distribute tracts. There, also, we found those who heard us joyfully, but the families were scattered abroad.* I remained in that LETTER FROM MR. GODDARD, DATED “In the course of last month," says Mr. our native Chinese assistant, Keok Goddard, Cheng, made a third visit to Leng-kea-choo and Kun-sai-se. He was absent eighteen days. He distributed tracts, and conversed with the people by the way, as well as at each of those places. The following is a translation of his own account of the tour, written after his rereturn, from which it would seem that the labors of the assistant were attended with encouraging results. I should hope that the persons whom he mentions are at least hopeful inquirers, if not genuine converts. He says the hearts of the people in country places are not so much hardened as here in the city, and he seems to prefer to labor among them. Gambling and intemperance certainly do not prevail there as here. Yet we hope God has a people here in the city as well as in the country, and that from both united, he will raise up one glorious church to the praise and honor of his name." Tour of Keok Cheng. neighborhood not many days. Chek Hony only with warm heart believed, I abode in his house two nights, and conversed with him on the things of God. On the 17th I returned to Lengkea-choo, and on the 19th went up to Tai-tit-toon (a place this side of L.) and distributed tracts, and on the same day about noon, the tide favoring, returned to Bangkok. We daily had morning and evening worship in the boat with Chek Hwaf and the others, and conversed with all who came. Such is a brief outline, leaving many things unnoticed." Maulmain. LETTER FROM MR. HASWELL. Mr. Haswell, under date of May 26, 1842, having attended to some secular matters, among which we notice a request for certain farming utensils for some of the native brethren, who were beginning to turn their attention to agricultural pursuits, adds I am now engaged in translating the epistle to the Hebrews, and in the study of Burman during the day; besides which, I preach from five to six times a week, and attend to other duties as they present. I shall not print any thing until after the rains, as it is very difficult to be much on the river at this season, as I shall be obliged to be whenever I print, there being no one who can correct the proofs but myself, so that I must be often in Maulmain. After the rains are over, I hope to be able to print the epistles from Galatians to the end of Hebrews, and, perhaps, may get James and Peter ready also; but do not expect to. Last month I had the pleasure of bap “On the 3d day of the present moon, (March 15th,) I started, according to instruction, for the country villages to distribute tracts. But meeting high winds and ebbing tide, we spent one night in Mong Luon,' (name of a canal through which we had to pass,) and explained the religion of Jesus to all who were willing to hear. On the 4th we arrived at Leng-kea-choo. But as this village had previously been supplied with tracts, few were needed. I, therefore, conversed with them on the truth of God, and attended worship with the families of as many as were willing. 1, moreover, accepted a residence in the family of one who heard this doctrine joyfully, and every evening, when people are at leisure, lighted a lamp and invited the neighbors to come toA riot had occurred on one of their days gether and listen to the truth. Now I for idol worship, and a man was killed. The custom of the Siamese is, when any crime is reckon that of those who joyfully be- committed, if the true offender cannot be selieve in this doctrine are the follow-cured, to seize all who live in the neighboring, viz.:—*Peh Kaou, Peh Ngeum, Peh, is an appellation of an aged man. Chek, of a man in middle life. hood; hence, in such cases, the neighbors flee and conceal themselves,-such was the state of things at Kun-sai-se. † A disciple who accompanied him as rower. tizing a Burman by the name of Shwa | there be in what I am able to do, if Youk. His wife has left him on ac- in a few years or months I am taken count of his having become a Chris- away, and there is no one ready to foltian. The church numbers twenty; low up what I have begun? I would and several others are about to join by to God, that there was some other one letter from Maulmain. Our congrega- who could take the responsibility of tion is gradually increasing; and I translating off from my hands, so that think that we shall be obliged to build I might give myself to preaching and a chapel, separate from the school- other duties; or at least, some one to house, within a year or two. The consult with, and who could assist in prospect here is now more favorable preaching, from village to village; and than ever before, though our hopes that in case one should die, or fail in may all be blasted; still our trust is in health, the other could press forward God, and we hope to see his salvation, with the work. I have always been of though the people are exceedingly the opinion, that one man ought not to stupid and are joined to their idols. be left alone in any field of labor. I hope the Board will think of this subject, and try to send a good man to enter the Peguan department; as well as two or three for the Karen department in the vicinity of Maulmain. We feel our need of the prayers and sympathy of our brethren in America. I regret exceedingly, that br. M. has determined not to enter the missionary field. I feel sad when I think of being left alone. What profit will Miscellany. KONG KOBA'S REQUEST TO VISIT AMERICA. some of them before, but those were not all. Indeed I am very anxious to see the The following letter, under date of July 30, country, and also to see all those good per was addressed to the secretaries of the Board by a Bassa youth, who several years since experienced religion, and is now a pupil in Mr. Clarke's school, and a member of the church at Edina. He is already so far advanced in letters and in a knowledge of divine truth, as to be useful as an assistant; and at a late meeting of the Board he received an appointment as such. Mr. Clarke has expressed the hope that Kong Koba, in coming years, may be useful as a translator of the sacred scriptures. His conversion and comparative promise should be received as a partial fulfilment at least, of the prediction that "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." Dear Sirs-I am again endeavoring to make the feeble attempt to write, though I feel sensibly my unworthiness and incapacity, and fear my communication will not merit a perusal. I have often written to you on the same subject I now have in view. But I am afraid you will think I am ungrateful; for you have showed me and my countrymen many kindness, and if I still ask a permission to go to America, you will (without any doubt) think I am ungrateful. But, Dear Sirs, I have many things in mind which urge me to ask you that I may go to America; I mentioned sons who are supporting us from time to time. I have heard of America several times, by some of my countrymen, and also by some of the Americans. I have also heard of large towns and cities, and large houses, which would be a great sight to me if I should go there. I have also heard of ice and snow and have read about them, but have not seen any; I have also heard of large churches, which would also be a great sight to me. We thank you very much for your kindness in sending us the gospel. We thank you a thousand times that you sent the gospel into Africa. Africa! which has been the seat of superstition from ages to ages. Now what changes has the Lord made during a few years, that now we can see christian brethren. There are several young men at Cape Palmas who profess to be the followers of the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world; several of them wrote to me, and I wrote to them again. I think they all love God. Oh, for the love of God,-how precious is the love of God. I returned from visiting my friends yesterday, found them all well, and I was glad on that account. But on the other hand I was very sorry that though their bodies were well, their souls (as I may say) were not well. They knew not |