Missionary Register. OCTOBER, 1830. Biography. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF JOSEPH DACRE, ESQ. LATE OF CHITTORE. THESE Notices of this eminent Christian are collected from communications made to the Directors of the London Missionary Society. They furnish an exemplary illustration of the manner in which Christian Gentlemen in India may employ, to the highest advantage of the Natives, that influence which they derive from their elevated stations. The Deputation of the Society thus speak of their visit, when in India, to Chittore: Here is a Civil Establishment; consisting of a Circuit Judge, the Zilla Judge, a Collector, a Medical Gentle man, and two or three others holding inferior situations. Their houses are good, and pleasantly situated. Both the Judges are truly pious and devoted men, and both are blessed with pious Wives. The Judges here mentioned were Mr.Dacre and Mr. G. Jenkins Waters. Of Mr. Dacre, the Rev. Stephen Jennings, the Society's Missionary at Chittore, writes, in October 1827:I ought to mention, with gratitude, the extreme kindness which we have received from Mr. Dacre, who discovers the utmost concern to promote our comfort and usefulness. On our arrival at Chittore, we had the most friendly entertainment in his own family for several weeks; and now we reside in a house of his, particularly adapted for Mission Premises: it is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Native Population; and within a short distance of the Provincial Court, where the English Service is conducted. The house itself is very commodious; and stands in the centre of a large compound, on which are numerous Buildings, that may be used immediately for Schools, or any other purpose connected with the Mission. For these premises, Mr. Dacre receives the usual rent allowed by the Society, though their estimated value is much greater. But these Gentlemen were, themselves, zealous Labourers among the Natives. Mr. Jennings says Oct. 1830. You already know the generous exertions of Joseph Dacre, Esq., to bring the benighted inhabitants of this place to the knowledge of the True God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. His labours, which have embraced every means calculated to recommend the Gospel and to place Christianity in its true light, have been attended with signal success. Besides numerous families professing the Christian Religion who have left Chittore, there are now in communion with the Church between 60 and 70 persons: many other chains of Idolatry, attend, and listen to Natives, not yet emancipated from the the words of eternal life: not a few, likewise, express the conviction of the truth of Christianity, who have not yet sufficient resolution to make the sacrifices required by a profession of it in this Country. Every morning and evening, Mr. Dacre conducts Family Worship, at his own house, in Tamul; when he expounds the the Native Brethren frequently assist him. Scriptures to an interesting assembly, and Public Worship on the Sabbath is held twice, and is attended by upward of 100 adults, besides many young persons and children: here Mr. Dacre again unfolds lume, assisted, occasionally, by the Nato them the meaning of the Sacred Votive Catechists. These interesting Services I have sometimes attended: I have heard them sing-I have heard them pray I have witnessed their attention to the duced such an effect on my mind, that I Word of God; and the whole has prohave been ready to burst into a flood of tears-not of grief, but of the purest joy. Mr. Dacre, I rejoice to say, does not stand alone at Chittore, in his efforts to 3 K evangelize the Heathen. He is warmly aided by his friend, G. J. Waters, Esq., in all that is good. Mr. Waters has daily Family Worship at his house, conducted in Tamul by a Native Christian; besides which, Mr. Waters frequently addresses the people, on the Sabbath, in Teloogoo, a dialect which most of them understand. Both these Gentlemen have Schools on their own premises; where Native Children, male and female, are daily instructed in reading, writing, and in the principles of the Gospel: thus, while young and before their minds are occupied by prejudice and error, their memories are stored with Divine Truth; and they are necessarily kept in contact with that Religion, which is destined to overturn every other, and to renovate a world now sleeping the sleep of death. To the labours of Mr. Dacre and Mr. Waters the Deputation bear the following honourable testimony: The Protestant Religion was introduced into this place, some years ago, by the instrumentality of Mr. Dacre: he has it in his power to be liberal in supporting and promoting every good work; and it is supposed that he has expended in the cause of Religion between two and three lacks of rupees, or from twenty to thirty thousand pounds. After mentioning the labours of Mr. Dacre and Mr. Waters, they add They are assisted by three Native Teachers, who appear to be decidedly pious. The Teachers are employed in preaching to the people, which they do with great zeal, fluency, and propriety: they also catechize the children. There are two or three other men who also preach occasionally, and assist in catechizing. To give a general idea of the labours of our worthy friends, we need only mention what was done the Lord's Day that we spent here; and which, we presume, is but a specimen of the labours of every Sabbath. In the morning, at six o'clock, Mr. Waters went to the gaol; in the court-yard of which all the prisoners who chose to attend Divine Service were assembled, about 700 in number, all seated on the ground: from a kind of watch-tower on the wall, one of the Native Teachers addressed them for some time, and, afterward, Mr. Walters, for about a quarter of an hour: the Great Salvation was the subject of their Sermons; and there was the most profound attention observable among this Heathen Audience. At niné, a Native Congregation assembled in part of Mr. Dacre's house, which he devotes to this object till a Chapel is built, and which is in contemplation: the Congregation consisted of about 60 men and women and 50 boys and girls all decently dressed and wellbehaved, sitting either on forms or on the floor the Service was conducted, by two of the Native Teachers, in Tamul. At eleven o'clock, there is an English Service at the Court House, conducted by Mr. Dacre or Mr. Waters; but, on this occasion, Mr. Tyerman preached; there was a Congregation of 16 persons, principally English, some Country-born. At three, there was Public Worship for the Natives again, in Mr. Dacre's house, conducted by Mr. Waters, in Teloogoo: he was assisted by a Native Teacher: the Congregation was nearly as in the morning. The children met in the intervals of Public Worship, and were catechized. In the evening, the English are invited to drink tea at the house of Mr. Dacre or Mr. Waters; after which is an English Service of Prayer and Exposition of the Scriptures. Early every morning in the week, a large School of Children meet in a room at the house of Mr. Waters, where they read, are catechized, and have a short Sermon addressed to them: there are Schools of Boys and Girls here, containing in all about 100 children: the Girls are under the immediate superintendence of Mrs. Dacre, who is much devoted to this object. Mr. Jennings, in a Letter of March 11, 1828, gives the following particulars of the lamented] death of Mr. Dacre:— This eminent servant of God departed this life on Friday the 22d of February, 1828, at a quarter before two in the afternoon. About the commencement of the present year, he had an attack of nervous fever, which rendered him incapable of attending to public duty; and occasioned his removal, for change of scene and greater quietude, to Pullamunaire, a salubrious spot, about 30 miles distant from this place. Here he partially recovered, and anticipated a speedy return to his official duties; but an unerring Providence had otherwise determined. In consequence of exposing himself one morning to a very heavy dew, he took a violent cold, to which bilious fever immediately ensued, and, after a fort night's suffering, terminated his valuable life. In an early stage of the disorder, under an impression that the disease would prove fatal, he removed to Chittore. Here, having arranged his earthly affairs by making his last testament, he gave himself up to the will of God concerning him. I was with him day and night, a witness of his sufferings and of his faith. He appeared to wish and expect great manifestations of the Divine Favour: these, however, he did not appear to enjoy, so long as he was able to converse with us: notwithstanding, he had the temper of a dying Christian. Renouncing all self-righteousness and all self-dependence, he looked to the Saviour, with the same feel ing of unworthiness and faith as did the penitent malefactor on the Cross; and, at length, enjoyed the placid assurance of his interest in Christ, declaring that "all was peace, built on the right foundation." On one occasion he said, "I have preached Christ with all the powers of my soul; and now He alone is my confidence. Jesus!" -assuming the language of prayer-"I have sinned against Thee! I have dishonoured Thee! but Thou art still my hope. And wilt Thou now let me go? Canst Thou let me go? No! Thy mercy is a sea of boundless love!" On another occasion, he remarked-alluding, probably, to the ungenerous and unjust construction which was too frequently put on his motives -"Had any one asked, for the last seventeen, I think I may say twenty, years, what had been the object I had chiefly in view, I could have answered, by Divine Grace, without hesitation, the GLORY OF GOD:"-an important judgment for the conscience to pass on itself, in the prospect of immediately standing at the bar of God. During his illness, he was sometimes delirious; but even on those occasions his remarks were interesting, as manifesting the state of his heart. The funeral took place by torch-light; and was attended by a great multitude of Natives, as well Heathen as Christian. He died, where he wished to die, in the room which he appropriated for Divine Worship, and where he had incessantly taught assembled numbers how to live and how to die. He was buried in a spot pointed out by himself, between the graves of two Europeans to whose con. version he had been made instrumental in the hands of God. Thus died one of the most eminent Christian Philanthropists that ever appeared in this Country. His memory will be held sacred, by all who knew him, and were able to appreciate his excellencies either as a private Christian or as a public character. He came to this Country about twenty-five years ago, nearly twenty years of which were spent in the most ardent devotedness to God. His Personal Piety was so deep, that it produced a decision of character very rarely seen: how much soever he was called to mingle with the world, the undissembled piety of his manners and conversations proclaimed him distinct from it. Retirement and devotion were his chief solace; and in order to enjoy as large a portion of it as his active life would permit, he invariably rose at the early hour of FOUR every morning. As a Public Servant, he stood high in the estimation of the Government, as is evident from the circumstance of his being permitted to remain twenty years at one station; and he was well known, among all the Natives, as a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well. But the most remarkable feature in his character was, the intense interest which he felt and manifested, without variation, for the Salvation of the Heathen. Contrasting his own happy state, the happy state of every Christian, with the fearful condition of the Heathen, he, at once, perceived his duty, and felt his responsibility. His benevolent heart immediately devised numerous means to bring them to the knowledge of God, all of which he employed with vigour and constancy: he established Schools-procured Christian Catechists-preached the Gospel-conversed with all the Natives with whom he had intercourse (commonly with tears in his eyes) on the great subjects of Religion-circulated the Scriptures and Religious Books-evinced a general kindness and regard for their interests-in fine, did every thing which a heart overflowing with love to God and man could suggest. Though he was much imposed on by the professions of artful men, who took advantage of his benevolent solicitude, yet surely he cannot altogether have laboured in vain; for at his death he left not less than Four Hundred Natives at Chittore, distinguished by the name of CHRISTIANS, including Children, It was his intention, had he lived, to erect On his character, Mr. Jennings a Church for Public Worship: indeed, he adds- was in actual treaty for the spot of ground, most advantageously situated; and contemplated a large expenditure in the erection of the building: death, however, has put a seal upon his pious intentions. The labours of this good man were not confined to the Natives. In his solicitude to recommend Religion to his own Countrymen, he often met with inconsiderate and cruel persecution: but God highly honoured him as an instrument of conversion to many, some of whom have fallen asleep; but others remain unto this day, yet to bless' the world. It was great relief to his mind, that a Missionary was stationed here, who might enter into his labours. Indeed, almost ever since my arrival at Chittore, he had remarked to those around him-" My work is now done-God has made provision for His Church here-there is nothing to detain me longer-I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." The event shews that he thought as Providence had designed and appointed. Proceedings and Intelligence. United Kingdom. BRITISH & FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. TWENTY-FIFTH REPORT. State and Progress of the Central Schools. THREE-hundred-and-two Scholars have been admitted in the course of the year; making, with those formerly entered on the books, 8780, who have been admitted since the commencement. In reference to a Public Examination, in April, it is said— The questions put to the Scholars on the meaning, spelling, and etymology of words; on the meaning and grammatical structure of sentences; and on geography and history, both ancient and modern; shewed that they were acquiring a respectable stock of generally-useful information: but what was most gratifying to a Christian Audience, was, to find, from the answers given to a great variety of questions on the Holy Scriptures, put by different persons present, that these Children had already attained to an extensive and accurate acquaintance with that Blessed Book, which it is the peculiar glory of your Society to press first and last on the attention of every child. The specimens of Penmanship, and of Geographical and Geometrical Drawing, were much admired; and the quickness and accuracy with which the older boys solved questions in Arithmetic shewed extraordinary proficiency, more especially in mental calculation. The Boys' School presented a new feature in the examination of Twenty Arab Youths, consigned by the Pacha of Egypt to Messrs. Briggs and Co., of London, for the purpose of being educated in England, and admitted as day-scholars at the request of that house. They arrived at the end of December last; and were, at first, as totally ignorant of English as the Master was of Arabic: without having enjoyed the help of an Interpreter, and in spite of frequent detention at home from ill health, they were found able to read, write, and speak in English, with very considerable ease and correctness. Great Importance of raising the Standard of Elementary Teachers. Few concerns of a public kind are of more vital importance than the careful selection and qualification of Elementary Teachers. These form, in every civilized community, a highly-influential classoperating on whole masses of the population with an influence just so much the more powerful, in that it chiefly affects the Young; who have almost every thing to learn in knowledge, and to acquire in character. To them, we shall find children taught to look up, with a reverence scarcely less than that which they instinctively pay to their parents; and even the parents sometimes regard their opinions and example, with all the deference naturally paid by ignorance to real or assumed intellectual superiority. Thus powerfully fitted either to raise or depress the standard of Religion and Morality in the circles in which they move, every circumstance in their character and condition is replete with interest to a Christian Mind; and no defect in either can be too seriously noticed or too speedily corrected. This conviction will be speedily strengthened, when we take their numbers into account; for there are, probably, not many fewer than 20,000 persons now following the occupation in England and Wales-daily surrounded by above a million of children, who regard them as examples, which, in all respects, they may safely follow. With many bright exceptions, it is to be feared that this numerous and powerfully-influential body by no means pos sesses the high character and respecta bility which ought to belong to it; nor is it difficult to perceive what have been the causes of this depression, although it may require the persevering efforts of a century to remove them. As the necessary and inevitable result of this depression, persons are suffered to intrude into the profession with fewer pretensions to qualification than would be tolerated in any other; and into no other do so many such actually intrude, in order to earn that scanty pittance, which, small as it is, is more than they could any otherwise obtain. No wonder, then, that, however honourable or interesting the employment may be in itself, or as it may elsewhere be reputed to be, it should be shunned in this Country by almost all who are best fitted to fill its ranks with advantage to the public and to themselves. The only adequate remedy for these evils is to be found in calling forth from obscurity such Young Persons as seem best qualified for the office-supplying these with the requisite amount of professional knowledge and skill-and then recommending them to situations, where their good qualities may have scope for exercise, and opportunities of being ap preciated both by the rich and the poor. This your Committee consider one of the noblest objects of the Institution: in pursuing which, they trust they have been honoured to be instrumental in effecting some substantial good, and hope to accomplish more. Placing themselves at the threshold, as it were, of the profession, they have been anxious to encourage the active, the intelligent, and the pious to enter; and, having entered, to supply them with every comfort and advantage which their own endeavours, or your liberality, could enable them to bestow: and, on the other hand, they have felt equally anxious to restrain all such as seemed quite unlikely ever to be fit for the employment. The ultimate tendency of this policy, it cannot be doubted, will be, to raise the respectability and usefulness of the whole body of Teachers; and this, indeed,has already been proved, by incontestable evidence. There can be as little doubt that it will tend to raise the average emoluments of Teachers: for even ignorant parents, when they pay at all, will do so more willingly and regularly when the Teacher is respected, than when he is despised; and it would be an insult to those who patronize our schools, to suppose that their liberality will not be affected by the character of those who superintend them. Thus your success' seems likely, by the very constitution of things, as ordained by an All-wise Providence, to advance, in a constantly accelerating ratio, until nothing shall remain to be regretted in that department of the public interests on which it bears. Proceedings in the Training Department. stowed unremitted attention on the exYour Inspectors have accordingly beamination of persons offering themselves as Teachers, and the procuring of proper Candidates, for supplying the new schools, and filling the vacancies which, from time to time, occur in others. The result of their labours has been has follows: Fifty-two persons have entered the Boys' School, in order to learn the system since the last Anniversary. Twenty-six of these have resided in the house; wholly, or in part, at the expense of the Institution. Eighteen schools have been permanently supplied, and Nine have received temporary assistance. Eight Missionaries have received instructions preparatory to the establishment of Missionary Schools. Of the Female Department it is said Thirty-five persons have, since the last Report, been admitted to learn the System; and several of these have resided in the house, some of them, in part, at the Society's expense. Twenty-two have gone to different parts of England, to take charge of Schools; three have gone abroad; and five have been employed in schools requiring temporary assistance. Co-operation and Zeal of Parents at Wey mouth and Devonport. Your Correspondent at Weymouth gives the following interesting relation of what has recently taken place there, at a Meeting of the Parents called for the purpose of conferring with them on the depressed prospects of the school: They were then informed, that the school cost more than 1d. per week, and that we were in difficulties. The Secretary followed; and at length put the question, Whether they thought they could do something more-Whether they could pay 1d. more. One voice One of said, "Yes, Sir! to be sure we can." the Committee then proposed, that, if they all concurred, they should stand up; when immediately all were upon their legs: and it then only remained to congratulate them, that their own efforts had now fairly heaved |