ning, plain needle-work, knitting, and marking; and lace-making is just introduced. They have to read and write in Malayalim and Native Arithmetic: they learn the Church and Dr. Watts's Catechisms, and portions of Scripture and Hymns, all in Malayalim. Thus their minds are informed in those things which belong to their everlasting peace.

The Morning School commences at six o'clock; and all the Children are learning until nine, when they take their breakfast. At half-past-nine they assemble in the verandah, with other persons belonging to our Family, for Prayer; after which the Boys go into the English School, and the Girls remain with me until three o'clock, having half-an-hour allowed, at twelve, for dinner-when they again all assemble in the Malayalim School, which is over at five o'clock. At half-past-six a bell calls them again for the evening, when they learn their Catechisms &c. until eight o'clock, and after Evening Prayer they go to rest. Their Catechisms they have to repeat during their Sunday-School hours. Thus their time is fully occupied. Prospects and Plans with regard to the Female Scholars.

The general progress of the Children, in their various branches of instruction, is pleasing and satisfactory to me. I hope to add greatly to their numbers, ere long. My principal hope regarding those whom I have with me, is, that they may be qualified, each of them, to conduct Schools in the different Villages around us, and thus become very extensive blessings. I have two about to be married shortly, each of them capable of conduct ing a Day School: and, as their marriage is, in every respect, in consonance with our wishes, we intend placing them in two Villages near us; where their Husbands, who are both employed as Readers in the Mission, may be very useful among the people, and undertake each a Boys' School.

I find them as capable of improvement as any European Child. They have, for centuries, been doomed to slavery, and really considered as only fit for the meanest drudgery; and that to attempt their improvement would be unavailing: but I have proved, that the reverse is the case; and that they only want what their situation demands, what many Mothers in Israel and Daughters in Sion are inclined to impart to them, and what all ought to unite in-to rescue them from their present deplorable situation, to which they have been so long condemned

by idolatry, superstition, and cruelty; and to raise them to their proper and natural, because rightful, station in life, in which they may act as skilful, industrious, virtuous, and Christian Wives and Mothers, in society and in the Church of Christ. I trust that the day is at hand, in which there will be an universal striving together for their own temporal and spiritual welfare. One gives us many indications that she tastes, feels, and handles of the Word of Life: she derives her happiness from the Scriptures and other sources of Divine Knowledge; and, as she is one of the two before alluded to, we anticipate her being usefully and actively employed, ere long, in leading others in the path of life.

We are, with the consent of the Madras Committee, about to erect separate buildings for each sex; in which there will be a good airy School-room, a Sleeping-room, an Eating-room, and a small one for the Attendant adjacent to the Sleepingroom: annexed is to be one as a Ward for any that may be sick, which in these climates is often the case. There are to be Play-grounds, well divided from each other, in the front of each range, that no intercourse whatever can subsist. Thus each will have every means for improvement, in mind, cleanliness, health, &c.: and then I hope we shall have a far greater number, and proceed with regularity and comfort, which cannot be at present.

I feel myself quite happy and at home among them; and hope, if spared, to see more than 50 around me. We are, as you are aware, situated on the coast; and I take my Girls to the sea-side once a-week - a recreation which they are much pleased with. I have two motives for doing this: the one is, to benefit their health; the other, that the inhabitants may see, as they pass through the Bazaar, the comfortable circumstances in which they are (for they are a great contrast to all those through whom they pass), and may be induced to send their children also.

PROCEEDINGS OF REV. MESSRS. RHENIUS AND SCHMID IN TINNEVELLY.

A summary view of this highlyinteresting Mission is given at p. 29 of the Survey, and very full partilars in those parts of our last Volume

there referred to: from the recent communications of the Missionaries we collect some further notices.

Manner in which Christianity obtained

Admission into a Village.

In Kalladeikooritchy we have lately begun a School, by the exertions of a Goldsmith; who designs therewith to introduce Christianity into the place. The School-boys were very much afraid to come together before me: not only because the thing was new to them, but also because some evil-minded persons had spread the notion that I should now send them off, on board a ship, to Europe: however, on sending again for them, they came with a great crowd of grown people, whom I think I succeeded in persuading not to credit such talk. After dinner, the aged Goldsmith came again, with a Weaver who is in connection with our Tinnevelly People, and signified their desire to renounce Idolatry and become Christians. He got also several of his relations together, and we read 1 Peter i. It was a blessed meeting. While reading, more people came together, standing at a distance, several of whom the old man beckoned to come near and sit down; and when some of his relations told him to let them alone, he said privately, "No! Let them also come and hear, that they may understand these things. Must not they also be converted ?" The crowd grew larger and larger, and many more Tracts were distributed: the people were impetuous after them; so that I was at last obliged to shut myself up in the palanquin, in order to be out of their sight. They heard the Truth with apparent conviction.

The next morning, when at Shenkoollam, the Goldsmith arrived from Kalladeikooritchy, with the Weaver and his wife, and two or three other persons, in order to hear more of the Word of God. The Weaver and his wife requested to be baptized to-day; but I advised them still to wait, and to get more knowledge of the Way of Salvation, and to content themselves at present with subscribing their names. At noon, the Congregation was together; when I preached to them on Luke xii. 32, and then baptized four grown persons. The Weaver from Kalladeikooritchy at the same time subscribed his name as a Candidate. This couple form now the beginning of a Church at that large place: their firm declaration to renounce Idolatry and embrace the Gospel surprised me. May this one family soon become a thousand! The other persons who were baptized are, I trust, truly fearing God, and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour: they

have long been members of the Congregation. It was a profitable and joyful forenoon. May the Lord's blessing continue to rest upon this small Church! The Heathen around seem to harden their hearts, and endeavour to oppress the Christians in various ways: but God will help them. [Mr. Rhenius.

Firmness under Persecution.

A Maraver of Varavanalloor having determined to become a Christian, the other Maravers persecute him for it. A few days ago, they took him, under some pretence, from the Chapel-bound him— carried him to another village-tortured him by straitening his body, putting a large stone upon his chest, &c.; when he was happily relieved by the Headman, who came to apprehend that very Maravar who committed the outrage. The poor man was here this evening; and declared, that, if they injured him even still more, he would not forsake the Lord and His Word, because his soul will live thereby. I asked him, "Suppose somebody would now assure you of 5 or 10 pagodas income per month, and make you quite comfortable, would that not be enough for you?" He replied, Though they give 1000 pagodas per month, I will not leave this Vedam.” [Mr. Rhenius.

Decay of Heathen Idolatry. The great Heathen Feast has been celebrated in Tinnevelly; during which the decay of Idolatry in this District became more evident than ever before. Very few, comparatively, came from the villages to draw the Idol Cars: and when the Police Peons called on the Brahmins and other influential persons in several villages to send their people, they are said to have replied, that the inhabitants of the different towns ought to draw their own Cars; and, when the Peons importuned them, they threatened that they would become Christians. Without the assistance of a rich Pariar and his dependants, it is believed that the Cars could not have been drawn through the street as usual; and once, when the great Car was so much shaken that the Idol had almost fallen down, the people made various remarks on the vanity of these Idols; and a Brahmin said, "We see that Christ gets the upper hand!" The more jealous Idolaters, or rather the interested ones, were greatly irritated against Christianity; and held many consultations about the means to be used to uphold the sinking honour of their

gods: some proposed even to murder one of the Christians as the most effectual means of frightening the people, and of putting a stop to the progress of Christianity. A well-inclined Heathen of respectability told our Catechist, David, in confidence, that the others had exerted themselves to draw the Cars principally from shame, lest the decay of Idolatry should become too evident.

These things admonish us, to be now more cautious than ever in our proceedings; but, at the same time, to abound also in prayer and zeal, forasmuch as we see, evidently, that the Lord has arisen and exerts His Mighty arm to assume to Himself the victory: let us only quietly and humbly follow His hints, and boldly enter where He openeth. In Tinnevelly itself, a crisis in the conflict between light and darkness, or rather between Christ and the Wicked One, seems to be drawing near. May God grant that it pass over without violent convulsions ! [Mr. Schmid.

It is plain that the people's HEARTS are no more engaged in these processions. May Christ indeed increase! [Mr. Rhenius.

Increasing Prosperity of the Mission. In a journey, from May the 19th to the 29th, I visited the Congregations in Eleven Villages; and returned with the clear conviction, that Divine Knowledge and Divine Life are steadily increasing in all the Congregations; although not so rapidly as we could wish, yet I think I can say more so than we could expect, considering the depth of ignorance and the power of habit from which they have to come out. Often I was constrained to say to myself, Of a truth, this is the work of the Holy Spirit!" In all the Catechists' Stations which I visited, I conversed with Heathens who had just come forward, and several of them attended Divine Service for the first time.

Increase of Congregations.

The Congregations exhibit an encouraging increase during the last year. There are now 53 Catechist Stations, with 205 Villages; 1855 Families or Houses, containing 6243 souls, which form now our Congregations. This is an increase of 1938 souls in the course of the year, since July last. May the Lord Jesus Christ be soon glorified throughout this land!

[Mr. Rhenius.

UNITED KINGDOM.

Baptist Miss. Soc. Mr. Daniel, with his Wife and their three Daughters, embarked at Gravesend, on the 1st of May, on board the Africa, Captain Skelton, for Colombo; to supply the place of the late Mr. Chater in that Mission.

London Miss. Soc.-The Rev. Josiah Hughes, of the Mission College, appointed to Malacca, sailed for that Station, on the 27th of April, in the Pyramus, Captain Gowan, from West Cowes; the ship having been detained there by contrary winds Mr. and Mrs. Adams from Benares, and Mr. and Mrs. Piffard from Calcutta, arrived in the St. George, Captain Swainson, at Liverpool, on the 3d of May. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, from Malta, have arrived in London. All returned on account of health.

MEDITERRANEAN.

Church Miss. Soc.-In a Letter, dated Jidda, Nov. 30, Mr. Gobat states, that he and Mr.Kugler, accompanied by two Abyssinians, had, by the Providence of God, proceeded thus far on their way to Abyssinia. It was their intention to leave Jidda on the 3d of December, in an Arab Vessel, which would convey them to Massowah.

INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. Church Miss. Soc.-Letters have been received from Messrs. Dixon and Farrar, under date of the 7th and 11th of January. Mr. Dixon was residing with Mr. Mitchell, at Bandora, and pursuing the study of Mahratta; and Mr. and Mrs. Farrar were stationed at Basseen.

London Miss.Soc.- Mr.W. Fyvie, with Mrs. Fyvie, who had spent some time at home for the recovery of his health, arrived at Bombay on the 25th of December, on their way to his Station at Surat.

AUSTRALASIA.

Church Miss. Soc.- Despatches to the beginning of January have been received from New Zealand: all the Members of the Mission were in good health. The Rev. S. Marsden, with one of his daughters, left New South-Wales on the 16th of February, on another visit to New Zealand.

WEST INDIES.

Baptist Miss. Soc.-Mr. James Mann, who had laboured in Jamaica about four years, died, on the 17th of February, from a fever brought on by exposure to rain.

GUIANA.

London Miss. Soc.- Mr. and Mrs. Lewis (see p. 199) arrived at George Town, Demerara, on the 3d of April.