To-day I desire anew to consecrate my life and all my energies to the glorious work, thankful that, in the sphere God has placed me in, I find such a wide field of usefulness, and in the work so much to encourage me.

COMMENCEMENT OF LABOUR IN THE VERNACULAR.

"You will be glad to learn that before my first year in India closed, I delivered my first Tamil address in public. About three weeks ago our Annual Missionary Sungum was held. On that occasion I delivered my first address to the people in their own language. Alternately at the head station, and at some of the out-congregations, I now conduct part of the service regularly in Tamil, the rest through an interpreter. I long to be able with freedom and power to proclaim to this people in their own language the unsearchable riches of Christ.'

ANNUAL MISSIONARY MEETING OF THE NATIVE CHRISTIANS.

"Our Annual Meeting was a very interesting occasion; the large Chapel was filled to overflowing, and all seemed delighted with the day's proceedings. I trust that the stirring addresses which were then delivered, and the solemn exercises in which the people were engaged, will be productive of much good. It is pleasing to observe that the amount subscribed this year by the Native Christians in this district for Mission purposes shews a gradual increase over that of preceding years.

SPECIAL AND CONTINUED PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

During the last fortnight of September we held a series of special prayermeetings, and as regards the attendance and solemn feeling which characterized these meetings, we have been greatly encouraged, and trust that much fruit will yet appear as the result. God's children, we believe, have had their souls refreshed; they have been led to feel, more perhaps than they have yet felt, that what we most urgently need is an abundant outpouring of God's Holy Spirit in His purifying and reviving influences, in His awaking and converting power. There are thousands in those Missions who attend the means of grace as regularly, if not more so, than many nominal Christians at home; and receiving as many do, daily instruction, they are not ignorant of Gospel truth. Yet we have to say, 'Who hath believed our report?' It is a great matter, however, that upwards of TWENTY THOUSAND have been led in these Missions to relinquish idolatry, and have placed themselves under Christian influence and instruction.

"We are praying and longing for the Spirit to be poured out in copious effusion, so that the precious seed which has been, and still is, so abundantly sown in this part of India, may spring up and bear much fruit.

"Since the beginning of October, besides our regular weekly prayer-meeting, and many meetings for prayer held in the village, at the special request of the people, we continue a special week-night prayer-meeting in the Chapel. The attendance at all these services continues very encouraging. At some of the larger out-congregations special meetings for prayer have also been lately held.

CHRISTIAN EFFORTS OF THE YOUNG.

"I feel a special interest in the spiritual welfare of the young people in our boarding-schools; they are the hope of the Native Church, and to a great extent the future higher standard of Christianity and advancement of the Church, must bear a relation to the character and training of those who are brought so much

ander our direct influence. Mrs. Baylis devotes much time and attention to the Girls' Boarding School, which is in a very flourishing state; and in the Boys' School, too, there are a number of very promising youths.

"I do hope that in the hearts of some a work of grace is going on. Our meetings with the young people, which are held, when the weather permits, in the verandah of Mr. Baylis's bungalow, are deeply interesting.

MEDICAL LABOURS.

"My dispensary work continues increasingly encouraging. As a physician I have gained access to, and preached the Gospel in not a few high-caste Sudra houses during this year; but as I shall soon have to prepare the Annual Report of the Dispensary, I need not at present enter upon details. I may state, however, that this valuable auxiliary to our Mission agency cannot be efficiently wrought, till we can use as a dispensary and hospital the building erected for that purpose, which at present we are obliged to occupy as a dwelling-house.

VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR OF MADRAS TO NEYOOR.

"You will probably have heard that Sir William Dennison, Governor of Madras, Lady Dennison, Miss Dennison, and His Excellency's staff, lately honoured our Mission with a visit, and seemed highly pleased with what they saw. A great number of the Native Christians from surrounding districts, all dressed in their holiday attire, went to Nagercoil to see His Excellency, and give him their salaam. On the afternoon of the day on which the Governor visited Nagercoil, a fine spectacle was presented within the spacious Chapel, which was filled to overflowing, and our distinguished visitors seemed astonished at the amount of success which had attended Missionary efforts in Travancore, and His Excellency gave proof of his interest in our work by presenting a handsome donation for the benefit of our Missions. Sir William seemed specially pleased with our band of theological students, who in the presence of an audience of nearly two thousand natives, stood forward and read and translated very correctly, a portion of the Greek New Testament.

"Mrs. Lowe, I am thankful to say, continues to enjoy good health, and is getting on with the language. She wishes to unite with me in sending warmest regards to yourself and Mr. Prout.

"REV. DR. TIDMAN."

"I remain, my dear Dr. Tidman,

66

(Signed)

Yours sincerely,
"JOHN LOWE.

TESTIMONY OF A LITERARY BRAHMIN, TO THE VALUE OF MISSIONARY LABOUR.

SINCE the commencement of 1862, the REV. BENJAMIN RICE, of Bangalore, has conducted a Canarese Magazine, under the title of "Arunodaya," issued monthly, on a variety of subjects, religious, and secular, calculated to interest and instruct the intelligent classes of native society. This little work has already attained a good circulation, not only among native Christians, but also among educated young men connected with the Govern

ment Schools, and Hindoos of position and influence throughout the Canarese country.

In the May number of the "Arunodaya," Mr. RICE has introduced the translation of an interesting article taken from a Canarese newspaper, edited at Bangalore, by a Brahmin, under the patronage of the Rajah of Mysore. The article is written in so candid a spirit, and bears such honourable testimony to the motives and labours of the Missionaries, holding them up as models for the imitation of the people of India, that we are persuaded it will prove interesting to many of our readers. What the writer says about the objects of Missionaries in India, and their position in reference to the Government, is perfectly true; but in relation to the means by which they are supported he has very naturally fallen into some errors, which our readers can easily correct.

"Though there have been printing-presses in Bangalore for a long time, the Missionaries have printed only one kind of books for general circulation amongst the people. Lately, however, something new has appeared, viz., a Canarese Magazine, called the Arunodaya, published under the auspices of the Christian Vernacular Education Society. It contains 24 pages in each number, is printed in clear type, with illustrations. Though the Magazine dwells much on religious subjects, it also presents information on other topics, and will prove very useful, especially to young persons. Its price is 8 As. a year. The object of that Society being specially to promote education, it has put within the reach of all a very useful book at a very trifling price. In this we rejoice.

"On this occasion we avail ourselves of the opportunity of saying a few words to our own people. Let them pardon us. It is evident to all, that the aforesaid Missionaries are doing a vast amount of work. Now who are these people? Where did they come from? Under what authority do they act? How are they accomplishing so much? What is their object in putting themselves to so much trouble? Let us enquire into these things. For the doings of the wise are always praiseworthy, and it is important that others should imitate them.

"These Missionaries are the inhabitants of a far-off land, England. There, like our spiritual teachers, they generally abandon worldly avocations, and devote them. selves to the things of religion. They are connected with different Societies, and their special business is the extension of their own religion. If it is asked how so many persons, who abandon every other pursuit but this, are supported, we reply, that in their own country capital has been collected specially for the propagation of religion, and with the interest of this they are enabled to live respectably. By the same means also they establish in many places schools and printing-presses. In that country, by the charitable contributions of the rich, and the vast amount of property left without heirs, millions of money are amassed. These Missionaries have no particular authority or help from Government. For the dissemination of their own religion they suffer much, go to distant lands, learn the languages of the people, mix freely with them, and by the manifestation of meekness, and other virtues, easily accomplish their object. Principally, we must say that, by Missionaries, English civilization, the English language, and English wisdom, are diffused. We may also say that through them the British rule will be firmly established in this country.

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"This subject is not new to the inhabitants of this land. They have been acquainted with it for a long time. If the English people were like us, saying that everything happens according to God's decree, we need not put ourselves to any trouble; whatever occurs is in the inevitable course of events; what can we do? Then would ever a single Missionary leave his own country and go to a strange land? Or if he went, would he so prosper in his object as they now do? It is their unanimity, enthusiasm for their own country, and people, and religion, and learning, combined with their natural activity and perseverance, which enables them to accomplish so much. If these incomparable dispositions were possessed by every body, everywhere, what would be difficult? Such persons would secure all riches, all knowledge, all happiness, and prosper perpetually.

"Finally, we add one word, and it is this:-If excellent persons shew their excellence in many ways, and yet no one imitates them, what is the use? Are those who witness their virtues with such indifference likely to get any good? Certainly not. But on this it would be utterly vain to enlarge. Therefore, as according to the proverb, 'We cannot by putting on clothes expose ourselves to be stoned by the naked in the land of nudity,' we here come to a conclusion."

AUSTRALIA.

AFFECTIONATE AND HOSPITABLE RECEPTION OF MISSIONARIES.

THE friends of our Society in the several colonies of Australia have often evinced their love to the cause of Missions by their kind and generous treatment of those devoted labourers who have sojourned with them for a time, on their way to the several islands of the Pacific. Every new company of Missionaries seems to have found the hearts of these colonial friends warmer and larger than their predecessors; and the last body of Missionary visitors, in the following letter of the REV. P. G. BIRD, express in glowing terms their affection and gratitude for the Christian kindness which they so largely shared from friends in VICTORIA, TASMANIA, and NEW SOUTH WALES. The Directors of the Society most sincerely unite with their Missionary Brethren in these expressions of respect and regard to the numerous and generous friends, who, by their personal and domestic kindness, cheered and encouraged the hearts of the new labourers, while, by their liberal contributions, they also greatly promoted the interests of the Society.

6

"Safotulafai, Savaii, 12th August, 1862. "REV. AND DEAR SIR,-Will you favour me with a corner in the Chronicle?' for although so full of Madagascar, China, and India, yet I hope you can spare room for an echo of gratitude' from these ends of the earth.' It is in connexion with the visit of the John Williams' to the colonies last year.

"From the commencement of the voyage we all looked forward with great anticipations to visiting the Cape and Australia, and our most sanguine expectations were fully realized. It was a delightful 'treat' to us, and the visit of the 'John Williams' to their shores was thoroughly appreciated by the people. Of this we

had ample evidence. The ship was an object of intense attraction to all, but especially to the children, who came from far and near to visit it. Our reception at each place was most cordial. All sects of Christians united in giving us a right hearty reception to their adopted land.

"We had services and meetings on Sabbaths and week-days almost daily. These were confined to no denomination, but wherever an open door was found a meeting was held. We had many most delightful 'revival services,' when I was privileged to declare the things I had seen and heard' of the great revival in Scotland. The Catholic spirit of our Society seemed to be fully appreciated. Our reception and visit was everything we could have desired, far, far more than we expected. In fact, it seemed as if each place strove to outvie the other in loading us with kindness.

"At Hobart Town, a day or two before we left, our friends kindly got up an excursion party for us. A steamer was engaged for the day: it was crowded with several hundred friends who wished to have a holiday with us. We had a fine trip up the magnificent Derwent to New Norfolk, some twenty miles from the city. Here a bountiful dinner was prepared. At Melbourne too our friends hired a steamer, and gave us an excursion down the Yarrow. And at Sydney also our friends got up a pleasant party to accompany us down to Port Jackson Heads. They were, in fact, too good to us, and from each port we went on our way rejoicing,' laden with substantial expressions of interest in ourselves and in our work.

"The visit of the John Williams' to the colonies was a happy arrangement. It was the happiest part of our long voyage. We have carried with us to our island homes many sunny memories' from the colonies, which will not soon fade. I doubt not but all of us will delight to revisit in thought those happy scenes and kind loving friends, and often cherish the hope of yet again being permitted some day to do so.

"The Apostolical injunctions were most fully carried out towards us in spirit and letter by the colonial friends. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.' 'Be given to hospitality.' 'Use hospitality one to another without grudging.' It never was my experience to see them so beautifully practised before. It was indeed very cheering to us to find kind friends waiting at each place to receive us, and as soon as the anchor dropped step on board, and welcome us with open arms both to their hearts and homes. Such was our experience.

"It is the great kindness of those dear friends I beg most gratefully to acknowledge. Our visit to the colonies was thereby rendered doubly pleasant. Had we been lodged in hotels our pleasure would have been materially diminished, and the expense to the Society very serious.

"Such donations of Christian love and hospitality to your agents call for special acknowledgment, since by so doing they were also contributing to the funds of the Society.

“I don't think our female friends will be displeased if, in their name, I thank an anonymous friend in Sydney, who very kindly presented each of them with a generous donation through the Rev. S. C. Kent, of Newtown, that they might supply themselves with certain little comforts for the remainder of the long voyage. Pray excuse this hurried letter, which is much longer than I intended. "We are both well, and happy in our work. Mrs. Bird unites in kind regards. "Yours very truly,

"Rev. Dr. Tidman."

(Signed) "P. GOOLD BIRD.