one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him,' &c. The suggestion was well received, and we are now making the trial of monthly subscriptions. At present it is the day of small things, but I hope, in time, when the people see fully its importance and advantages, we shall reap the benefit of the experiment. There is a scarcity now of cocoa-nuts, so that the first month we got no oil. The subscription for August was 13s. 6d.; September, 15 gallons oil, cash £1 3s. 6d.; October, 22 gallons oil, cash £1 2s. 5d.; November, 36 gallons oil, cash £2 88. 64.; December, 42 gallons oil, cash £2 12s. 10d, "There is a good attendance of the people on the public means of grace, and, also, at the day-schools for adults and children. "Several church members have died during the year, most of them giving pleasing evidence of their interest in the Saviour and their resignation to his will. One was the wife of a teacher; her disease pulmonary consumption. She sunk very gradually to the grave, and seemed daily to be waiting for the time of her departure with a mind submissive to her Saviour's will, and leaning upon him as her Guide and Deliverer. "The chiefs have adopted a code of laws, and are making attempts to carry them out. Their ideas of legislation at present are not very clear. The Samoan custom of holding the persons of chiefs sacred makes it a difficult thing for them to bring their laws into operation, when chiefs happen to be the aggressors. They are beginning, however, I think, to see and feel the benefit of the laws in the attempts they have already made to punish crime. If they succeed in carrying them out, it will be a blessing to the community at large, and greatly promote their moral welfare." CHINA. HONG KONG. WHILE the extensive spread of the Gospel in China continues to be opposed by many and all but insuperable obstacles, we are from time to time privileged to announce the ingathering of one and another from among the native population to the fold of Christ. Two additional converts have recently been admitted to the initial rite of the Christian church, at this station, and, in reporting the interesting event, the Rev. Dr. Legge, under date July 22nd ultimo, makes the following statement: BAPTISM OF TWO CHINESE. "I informed you that I was expecting on the last Sabbath of the last month to have the pleasure of administering the ordinance of baptism to two Chinese. I did baptize them accordingly, in Union Chapel, in the presence of the usual congregation of our countrymen, and about an equal number of their own. The parties were a man between forty and fifty, and a lad of nineteen, one of my scholars in the preparatory school. The former is at present employed as a writer at a good salary in one of the government offices in this place. For some years he was employed as a teacher by Dr. Hobson, and had applied to the church in Canton for baptism nearly three years ago. He first came to Hong-Kong last year as a teacher in Bishop Smith's school, and, shortly after his arrival, wrote to me requesting that he might be baptized. I had then several interviews with him. Being a scholar, and having read much of the Bible, and enjoyed Dr. Hobson's instructions, his knowledge was of course very considerable; but I was not satisfied that he was receiving the truths concerning the person and work of Christ as a little child. Now and then, in the course of our conversations, sparks were thrown out as from the proud, unsubdued heart of a Chinese professor of literature. "In the end of last year, he went back to Canton, having given much satisfaction to Bishop Smith as a teacher. Four months ago he returned here and obtained his present employment, shortly after which he renewed his application for baptism. His views, which were previously defective, had become enlarged. He professed his entire dependence on the atoning death of Christ, avowed that Christ was the Son of God, and God over all, without whom there was no salvation, even for Confucius and the other sages of China, and declared that he was humbly seeking to cultivate religion pure and undefiled. Who could forbid water that he should not be baptized? The Chinese brethren were unanimous in their suffrages that he should be received into their number. I baptized him, therefore, as I have told you, he witnessing at the time a good confession. "From the case of the other party my pupil, Chü A-luk, I shall take occasion to make some observations on the system which we have been pursuing here in the hope of being able to train up a native ministry. "I never administered baptism to any one with more satisfaction and confidence than to A-luk. He is a son of the colporteur of the same name, and has been in the school for about six years. His abilities are not above mediocrity, and till within the last twelve months he used to give me a good deal of trouble, being noisy and inattentive. A great change gradually took place in his conduct. He grew quiet and diligent, thoughtful and reserved. Mrs. Legge and others took notice of the change, and spoke of it. He was evidently revolving a great purpose in his mind, and I was pleased but not surprised, when in the beginning of this year he told me that he was anxious to declare his faith in the Saviour and to be baptized. Ilis piety appears to be based on a deep conviction of his sinfulness and weakness. I fear it will not be possible to make him a scholar, either in Chinese or English, but I expect that in his own walk he will adorn the gospel of our Saviour." CONVERTS IN THE NATIVE BOARDING SCHOOL. "A-luk makes the tenth of our scholars who have been received into the church of Christ within the last five years. We do not plume ourselves on this success, but we ought to be grateful for it. I do not know if there are many boarding schools, even in England, taught by God-fearing masters, which could The show an equally gratifying result. number of our pupils has never been more than fifty, and for the most part they come to us quite young and entirely ignorant of all Christian and Divine truth. "It is, I think, in connection with Mr. Moffat's school or schools in Africa, that Mr. Freeman remarks with regard to the training up a native ministry among the heathen, that we should have that object in view from our first commencing to instruct their children. Let a good general Christian instruction be given, and the teachers be ever on the watch to cherish the sympton.s of nascent piety, and when pupils have really become pious then carry on their education so as best to fit them to be evangelists and preachers among their countrymen. It is on this plan that we have proceeded here since 1844, and especially since 1848. We are not yet in a position to judge truly of its results. but so far as we can ascertain them we have no reason to be discouraged. "Among the young men who are converted, there will always be a proportionmore than half-who, from mental or physi cal infirmities, will be unapt for the office of teachers. Others again may be expected to yield to opposing influences, and, wither: making shipwreck altogether of faith and of a good conscience, prefer easier and micre remunerative courses of life to the arduous toils, and in a heathen country dangers, of the Christian ministry. The mysterious previdence of God, moreover, may lay low the native student, as it does the foreign Mis sionary, when the hopes of the church of L and from him are at the highest. "It may be observed, that none of the young men have apostatized. It may be t'at one has turned aside from the path in which we wished him to walk, and that in sem: others the growth of the spiritual life has ret been so continuous and vigorous as we hope and prayed; but I do not know that these young men would be lowered in our estimation, if a comparison could be drawn between their history and that of as many young members of any Congregational church s home. "Of the ten there are only four in the position of students, and it may be doubtei whether all the four will be able to finish their term of study, or that I shall be so satisfied with their profiting as to be able at the close of the term to recommend them all to the service of the churches. Still they will all be witnesses of the truth in their several spheres, and if only two go forth as scribes well instructed for the kingdom of heaven, there will be grounds for congratulation. Such a production of native ministers is slow, but it is faster than the formation of native churches. I think I speak the truth when I say, that no one Chinese Mission has added to its communion fifty members during the last five years. So far then as the establishment of the kingdom of Christ in this part of the world is concerned, it is yet the day of small things. If this one department of operations seems to advance slowly, its advance is quite equal to that made in other departments, and when on all our fields of labour the Spirit shall be poured out from on high, this also will receive blessing from God." INDIA. CUDDAPAHI. OUR Number for July contained an article from the pen of the Rev. Edward Porter, showing that in the various departments of evangelical effort at this station, the Lord had vouchsafed the tokens of his presence and blessing. The additional particulars given in the subjoined letter afford gratifying proof that, in the villages around Cuddapah, the gospel has come with light and power to many hearts. Under date August 13th ult., Mr. "I am thankful in being able to report favourably of the prosperity of the Mission. During the current year, I have baptized no less than eighteen adults, upon a credible profession of their faith in Christ. Some of the number have already undergone a considerable storm of persecution from their heathen neighbours, but I am thankful to say, that they have hitherto remained stedfast in the faith, and that, through their instrumentality, others are now willing to join our Christian congregations. You will be glad to hear that the work of conversion in the village to the north-west of Cuddapah appears to be steadily advancing. There are now upwards of forty candidates for Christian baptism in five different villages, who have already renounced all idol-worship, and have placed themselves under Christian instruction. In one village, which we have now adopted as an outstation, some of the people have surrendered their idol, with the temple, into our hands. The former (a large flat stone, with a little colouring upon it) is now used as a seat for the schoolmaster, and the latter is employed as a school-room, in which to teach their children the word of life Porter writes: and peace. It is, however, far too small for the numbers who come to hear the word of God on the Sabbath, so that I fully intend to build a good-sized chapel, which may serve the double purpose of a school-room in the week-day, and a place of worship on the Sabbath. I expect it will cost about fifteen or twenty pounds. Should any friends of Missions be inclined to help us in this good work, we shall be most happy to receive their subscriptions. The people will, I have no doubt, help us to some extent; but, as they are very poor, they will not be able to do much towards defraying the expense. In this place (Ubdhulupooram) there are upwards of twenty adult candidates for Christian baptism, and a considerable spirit of inquiry is excited amongst the villagers in the neighbourhood. In a village near this station, called Korennupully, they have surrendered their idol to our native catechist, and are now earnestly seeking a Christian teacher. Whilst our catechist was staying at Yeyparala, a man from Oopulapadoo came to him, and said, 'Sir, we have heard your preaching, and have believed the truth which you declared to us. We now hate our idol atry, and have rejected our heathen ways; but where is the schoolmaster to teach us and our children?' The catechist replied, that our master will come and visit you, and send you a Christian teacher.' There are now no less than five or six villages, where they are earnestly desiring a Christian schoolmaster to teach their children and adults the way of salvation. "We hope to supply their wants as far as we are able; in the mean time we must intreat the earnest prayers of the friends of Missions at home, that the Lord would raise up and send forth more labourers into this large and interesting field. We want men full of zeal for Christ, and of tender compassion for perishing souls; men who will be willing to spend and be spent for the glory of the Redeemer in this vast heathen land. Should the Lord, in answer to our many prayers, pour out his Spirit extensively on the hearts of this people, so as to lead them to come in flocks to the standard of the Prince of Pence, we fear the present state of Missionary zeal in the churches at home is so low, that we should not be able to find spiritual shepherds for them to lead them into the paths of truth and salvation. Oh! it is grievous to think of Missionary zeal and Missionary contributions declining, when the Lord is setting before his church so many wide and effectual doors, and bidding them go up and take pessession of the land. The churches of Great Britain must not think of receding, or of being stationary, in that great work which the great Head of the church has committed to their charge, but must press forward to plant the standard of their great King in the midst of the citadels of heathen idolatry and superstition." BANGALORE. 66 IN our Number for September we gave a communication from the Rev. B. Rice, of the Bangalore Mission, containing, besides other interesting matters, a notice of the death of a respectable and intelligent Brahmin, who had long known, and apparently loved the truth as it is in Jesus; but who, to the last, shrunk from making an open profession of his faith. The following additional particulars respecting this hopeful, but timid disciple, are from the pen of our respected friend, the Rev. John Hands, formerly of the Bangalore Mission. Under date, Lower Abbey-street, Dublin, September 13th, Mr. Hands writes: "In the last CHRONICLE I have read with deep interest the account of 'A Secret Disciple,' from the pen of my esteemed brother the Rev. Mr. Rice. Should you deem it worth insertion in your next month's, it will, I doubt not, be interesting to our friends to know something more of my departed friend Suncharappa. "About twelve months before I left Bangalore, in the close of 1840, one of the Canarese boys, who had been taught in our Mission School, was taken into this Brahmin's service as a cow-boy. One day, before he went to the field with his cows, he sat down in his master's yard to read his Canarese Testament, and accidentally dropped a loose leaf without observing it. Shortly after, Suncharappa passing that way, and seeing this paper lying on the ground, took it up and read it, (it contained part of the ninth chapter of the Gospel by Mark). Struck with what he had read, he inquired what t was, and how it came there; some one told him, they supposed it belonged to the little cow-boy. Ah!' said he, call him.' The boy came. 'What paper is this?' 'It belongs to my book, sir.' 'What book?' 'A book I got at the Mission School.' 'Can I get such a book?' 'Yes, sir, you may get one at the Mission House.' He came and asked for such a book as the boys read in our school. Having ascertained from his account of it what book it was, the Gospel by Mark was given to him, and, I believe, Luke also, with an earnest exhortation to read them with serious attention as a part of our Holy Scriptures, and containing the history and words of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and he was requested to come again when he had read them, and we would give him more, and explain to him anything he did not understand. He came again, expressed the satisfaction he had experienced in the perusal, and requested explanations of some passages he did not quite understand. These were given with the remainder of the New Testament. This he also soon read through, and appeared much impressed by what he had read, and asked for more. The translation of the Old Testament was then given to him, and much interesting conversation passed. "Soon after this, he began occasionally to attend our Canarese family worship, and then our public worship, in the Pettah Native Chapel. This was soon noised abroad, as he was a man of some note among the Brahmins, and exposed him to no little persecution from his family and others, so that he considered his life was in danger, and felt it necessary to discontinue his open communications with us. When I was leaving the station I called upon him to bid him farewell, and also again to urge him to follow out his convictions and publicly avow his faith in Christ, in whom, to me, he had repeatedly declared he did believe. I found him in his verandah with a little company of natives around him, with whom he was reading the New Testament. After I had given them an address, he took me up alone to a little upper room, where I found the whole of the Canarese and Teloogoo books and tracts I had given him, with a little book of prayers in English, of which language he had acquired a little. He then said, Since I have become acquainted with you and your holy books, I have spent a large portion of my time in this little private room, reading them and offering up my prayers to God through Jesus Christ; then, putting into my hand a little bamboo box, he said, This box contains my household gods; I want not these now, and I give them to you; take them to your country, and let the Christian people in England see what despicable things we poor ignorant Hindoos have been accustomed to worship. I again besought him to give himself fully and openly to the Saviour. He said, I must wait a little longer. Having prayed with him, we parted with not a little mutual emotion. He promised he would write to me, but no letter have I received from him, and I had many fears that his convictions had died away. However, from my frequent intercourse with him, while at Bangalore, and the interesting account which Brother Rice has given us of his latter end, I feel strong ground of hope that I shall meet him in heaven. Many such secret disciples, I have no doubt, are to be found in India. NAGERCOIL. THE LAMBS OF THE FLOCK. FOR several years past Mrs. Lewis, the wife of the Rev. Ebenezer Lewis, of Santhapooram,-a branch of the Nagercoil Mission,—has, with unremitting zeal and encouraging success, devoted herself to the charge of a large Native Girls' School; and the following Letter, addressed by Mrs. L. to a venerable and excellent friend in this country, affords pleasing evidence that the main object of the writer's care and solicitude is to win souls for Christ. Under date Santhapooram, 30th April ult., Mrs. Lewis observes: "Again and again, dear Madam, I have to acknowledge your Christian liberality and kindness, every fresh instance of which fills my heart with feelings of thankfulness, not only to yourself but to God, the Disposer of the hearts of men. I know not how to ex |