TRIAL OF FAITH.

"Everybody who knows Benares knows that it is the most difficult thing to get a young woman out of the midst of it, when giving up Hinduism, without causing a serious disturbance. But God, our Father, helped us. After the week of prayer Shir Gobind seemed to have strength given him to dare all for Christ. He came to me on Saturday, the 6th of September, and told me his intention to make an attempt to bring his wife out of the city, as she was perfectly willing to accompany him. He was unable to do anything on Saturday or Sunday, but on Monday, the 8th, to our great joy, he drove into our Mission compound with his wife, having, without the least disturbance, been able to get her quietly conveyed away in a close carriage.

DECISION AND BAPTISM.

"As soon as they arrived I summoned all our Native brethren to our place of worship, and after a most solemn and refreshing service of prayer and praise, in which Mr. Hewlett and our senior Catechist took part, I baptized our young brother. This was the first convert from Hinduism I had ever baptized, and I must not attempt to describe my feeling of gratitude to Almighty God for this great privilege.

PARENTAL GRIEF AND VIOLENT OPPOSITION.

"But our joy was not to be unmixed; before the day closed we had much to try our faith. Within an hour or two after the baptism the widowed mother of Shir Gobind, and the parents of his wife, with others, came to the Mission House, and used entreaty, violence, in fact everything in their power, to move us to give up at least the wife of our friend. She had not been baptized, and they thought that if they got possession of her they might still prevent her from becoming a Christian. Mr. Hewlett and I, aided by our Christian brethren, did all we could. As sons we felt for these mothers, and could hardly keep from weeping with them; but still our duty to Christ and to these converts was plain. We did all we could; but reasoning, &c., seemed all thrown away. The mother of Shir Gobind, a great stout woman, of strong passions, acted in the most violent manner. She not only employed her tongue but also her fists, in a most unwomanlike way, using the most abusive and vile language to us Missionaries, and striking some of our Native Christians. Finding that nothing we could do or say was of any avail, and feeling that we were likely to have people collecting from the city, we asked the aid of our dear Baptist brethren, who are nearest to us of any Missionaries, the Rev. Messrs. Heinig and Parsons, and our Christian friend, Dr. Lazarus, that we might be strengthened by their presence and prayers. For hours our brethren endured with us, most patiently, an amount of bad language, which for vileness, &c., they had, though old Missionaries, never heard equalled.

APPEAL FOR PROTECTION TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES.

"As the evening was closing we all felt that it was necessary to do something to prevent a breach of the peace, as numbers were collecting about us, and the brethren thought it was our duty to seek the aid of the police. I accordingly applied to the officer in charge of the military police, who immediately sent a subordinate European officer to inquire into the matter. This gentleman came to our place and investigated the whole business. Though willing to aid us, he seemed, through misunderstanding of a few sentences in our new penal code, to think it was his duty to give the wife up to her parent, as her lawful guardian,

rather than to her husband, with whom she had been living for two years. We all felt that this was not only contrary to the letter of the law, but that it was most damaging to our cause. We argued the point, and begged him not to give up the wife to her parent till he had got the opinion of some higher authority. God again came to our assistance, and the help came to us through a Hindu official, who seemed better acquainted with law than the English officer. He said the law was that the wife was entitled to go with the parties she chose.

THE ANXIOUS MOMENT, AND HAPPY ISSUE.

"The young woman was then brought out of the room in which she had been staying all the day, hearing the heartrending cries and entreaties of her friends. On one side stood her friends, the police officials, and the heathen; on the other side, all our Christian community. The officer put the question to the poor timid girl, hiding her face through shame and fear, for as a respectable Hindu woman she had never before been subject to such exposure. 'With whom will you go, your husband or your parents?' For several minutes the silence was painful; hearts were beating in no usual measure; and many a secret prayer was sent up to Him who alone could give wisdom and strength. When the question had been repeated two or three times (for there was no small struggle evidently at the time between the daughter and the wife), the young woman rose from her seat and deliberately said, 'I'll go with my husband,' and rushed into the room. This settled the question. The police-officer bound the parents down to keep the peace, and dispersed the crowd. Had we not cause to bless God? In the evening, on the very spot where during the day this contention was going on, we held a solemn meeting for prayer and thanksgiving.

"You will rejoice to hear that our School has not been affected by this conversion. I went next day to the city, expecting at least only a few; instead of this the School was filled as usual, and I had the pleasure of admitting one or two new pupils. Some of the boys even gave us a hint that as this was a matter of joy to us we ought to give them a holiday! Heathen boys in Benares asking for a holiday because one of their companions has been baptized, is surely a sign of the times!

66

Hitherto our young brother and his wife have gone on very well. Though timid, the young woman is getting on with her new friends. Some of her Christian sisters are teaching her to read, and we hope soon to have the pleasure of baptizing her also.

'Begging you will continue to pray for us,
"I remain, my dear Sir,
"Yours very affectionately,
"(Signed) W. M. BLAKE. ¡

"REV. DR. TIDMAN."

BANGALORE.

The following interesting particulars were selected from the Journal of Mrs. Sewell.

A JOYFUL SURPRISE.

October, 14th." As I was hastening through house duties to get off to the Zenana school, in the Pettah, Krishnarow, one of the schoolmasters, was

announced. I expected some fresh little trouble had arisen, and trying to put on patience, told him to sit down, and tell me what was his business. But his was no trouble, it was the most welcome and joyful news that he had made up his mind to become a Christian. His tale was simple, earnest, and touching, and I sat still and drank in his words. They were in substance as follows:-' When I came to you in March last I knew nothing of Christianity, but believed it to be bad. I thought it a terrible misfortune that I should have to take such a situation, as that of teaching girls for Christians. It was most afflicting to me, but I was poor and could find no other employment. The first month I could not bear to hear the children instructed in Christian truth. I tried to stop my ears. The Christian teachers being my superiors, I dared not utter my dislike, but it was intense. To be told that all were of one caste, and that we were all sinners, was most hateful. But as I taught the lessons I found much that was good. I inquired of Noah (a Catechist who teaches in that school) some things, and he explained them, and taught me other things. I was struck with his diligence and fidelity. He was always teaching the girls, or passing visitors, never idle! I observed him and the other Christians known to me, and began to study the religion. Noah often read the Bible with me, and I saw that it was true. I bought one for myself, and read it day and night as I could find time. My anxiety became great, for I saw that Hindooism was false, that I was a wretched sinner, born in sin, and altogether depraved. I could not sleep at night, my heart was full of these things and of anxiety. I went to chapel and heard sermons, and they helped me very much. I often talked to the Brahmin friend with whom I am living about Christianity, and we read some books together. Sometimes he agreed to what we read, and then he would argue against it, and taunt me with partiality to it. Sometimes he is very angry with me. But he is afraid of his people, and does not feel any fear of God, or care about his soul. I only want to be saved. I care for nothing if I can only have a part in "this great salvation ;" (alluding to a sermon he had heard the previous Sabbath from Heb. ii. 3, preached by one of the native students.) I now bless God that I came to your school. It is the greatest mercy that He has ever shown to me. I cannot thank you as I wish.' 'Do you think Jesus can save you ?' I said. 'Yes, I believe He can.' 'Do you think He is willing to do so ?' 'O, yes; He would save all the world if they would come to Him.' Will not your relations be angry?' 'Yes, but if their anger is a thing to be afraid of, their little anger, how much more must I fear the anger of God!' 'Perhaps you will lose your wife?' 'Yes.' • Can you bear to have all your relations against you, and all your caste people ?' 'If the Holy Spirit is given to me I can. I cannot of myself, but He can give me strength for anything.' 'Is it easy to put away sin? you know that the Bible requires that ? 'God can strengthen me to do it.' 'What parts of the Bible have you read ?' 'The whole of Luke, Genesis, and Exodus, and portions of other books.' You remember Abraham's history ?' 'Yes.' And that he was willing to sacrifice his son at the command of God?' 'Yes.' Much more was said, and I then asked Mr. Sewell to see him, and went to the Pettah with a light and joyful heart. Had a pleasant hour with the Zenana school. There were seventeen pupils to day. Mr. S. was satisfied with Krishnarow, and so also was Mr. Rice, who saw him afterwards. It was determined that he should be baptized the following Sabbath morning. He is a Brahmin about twenty-four years of age.

BAPTISM OF THE CONVERT.

During the

"October 19th.-Sabbath. Krishnarow has been every day, and always in the same mind. His feeling is deep and earnest. More than once when I have shown him a promise that I thought suitable for him, his emotion has been very strong. To-day he was baptized at the close of the service. service he appeared retiring but not afraid, serious and affected but not timid. His juttu (a single lock of hair left on the crown while the rest of the head is shaved), and the Brahminical thread, both marks of caste, were removed beforehand. The 'thread' is in my possession. He witnessed a good confession before many witnesses; to God be all the praise! A good number of heathen were present, several of whom had probably heard of what was to take place. One of the other schoolmasters, who seems interested in the Gospel, was there. The heathen present were earnestly attentive, quiet and serious. Two of the boarding-school girls, and an infant of one of the native teachers, were baptized at the same time. We hope a good work is begun in the hearts of several of the girls in the boarding-school. May it be perfected to the praise of God!

PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

"October 24th.-Krishnarow brought a letter to show me, which he had written to his elder brother at Adonee, upwards of 200 miles from Bangalore. In this he simply, but respectfully and touchingly, described the change which had taken place in his views and feelings, and set forth his reasons for publicly embracing the Christian faith. As he had no relations in Bangalore, his baptism passed off quietly, without effort to prevent it. The next day, however, the social persecution which his friends and acquaintances among the heathen were able to exercise, commenced. He had to take up his abode with one of the Native Teachers, and the girls in the school taught by him were diminished to about half their usual number. Daily too, as he passes along the streets, he is greeted with taunts and reproaches, all which he has evidently counted upon beforehand, and now bears in a Christian spirit.

"November 18th.-This morning Josiah told me that the brother of the young girl to whom Krishnarow is married, and her aunt had arrived and were giving him trouble. They arrived on Sunday morning the 16th and went to the Chapel and sat quietly during the whole service, after which they sought to draw him away from the other Christians for conversation. To this he objected, and invited them to accompany him to Josiah's house. Reluctantly they consented, and there a long discussion between the parties took place. The next day they went to him in the school where he teaches, and reproached him strongly for dishonouring his family and his caste. This morning, as there was some reason to fear that violence was likely to be used, his place in the school was taken by another teacher, and he remained quietly at Josiah's house. I sent for him. He told me that among other things, they said to him, 'We regard you as dead!' He replied, 'So do I regard myself dead to the world and sin.' 'What, then, about your wife?' 'How can you ask a dead man about his wife? When a man dies the burden of his widow falls on the living.' 'But you are living.' 'Very well, then as living I am prepared to receive her, if you will send her to me.' 'No, we will never do that until you return to your religion.'

"The girl to whom he was married, according to the Brahminical custom, several years ago, is now nearly of the proper age to join her husband, and hence the anxiety

of these her relatives, on her account, leading them, as soon as they heard of his baptism, to undertake a twenty days' journey to Bangalore.

"His own brother did not come, most probably because his duties as a Govern ment official would not allow him to leave.

"Krishnarow seems full of peace, and of a cheerful confidence that God will give him strength to remain faithful, as he needs it.

"In the Indian Watchman,' received yesterday, there is an interesting narrative of the conversion of a Bhramin schoolmaster in the Orissa Mission, which resulted, after a season of persecution, in the conversion of his wife and four other members of his family, one of them, the brother of the schoolmaster, dying of cholera the day after his baptism, in hope of eternal life through Christ. This was translated to Krishnarow, and evidently was most opportune encouragement."

TRAVANCORE.

THE MISSIONARY'S REVIEW OF HIS FIRST YEAR.

We have seldom been more gratified than with the following letter of our Brother the REV. JOHN LOWE, giving a recital of his first year's Missionary experience and labour in TRAVANCORE. It is evident that the heart of our young friend is in his work, and that he has devoted body, soul, and spirit to the several duties of the Mission. He seems to have lost no time in purposing or preparing to begin, but what his hand found to do he did it promptly, and did it with his might; and the happy result of this personal consecration and diligence is apparent from his narrative. In less than a year he has commenced to speak in the native language, and to take part in public vernacular services. Of course his knowledge of the language must be limited, and we doubt not that he frequently detects himself in some practical blunder; but this is the way to learn more and to grow wiser, and we have no doubt that by perseverance he will soon master present difficulties, and be able to speak to the people in their own tongue with fluency and power. Our young friend, who has been regularly educated in Medicine and Surgery, has also commenced the practice of his professional skill, which he will find a powerful auxiliary to his ministerial usefulness; and we trust that his health, and peace, and usefulness may be long continued as a great blessing to the people o Travancore.

"Neyoor, November 1st, 1862. pro

"MY DEAR DR. TIDMAN,-It is exactly one year to-day since, in the kind vidence of God, my dear wife and I arrived in India; and, reviewing our Heavenly Father's dealings towards us from that time until now, we would raise our Ebenezer and say, 'Hitherto, the Lord hath helped us.'

"It is my earnest prayer that during the second year of my Missionary career, I may, if spared, be enabled faithfully and successfully to discharge the duties which the great Head of the Church has been pleased to permit me to undertake.