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day, to be refreshed from the presence of the Lord, and to entreat Him for the conversion of our dear pupils. It may be that He is waiting for you to intercede for us."

Mr. Hodges has continued the early Sunday morning lectures to the English-speaking Hindus of Masulipatam which were begun by Mr. Poole, and of which so interesting an account was given in our number for June, 1879; also a Bible-reading for the same class of men; and his personal intercourse with old pupils of the school, both in Noble's time and since, shows him that not a few admit that there is "no religion to be compared with that of Christ," and yet will not come to Him that they might have life.

THE Rev. F. G. Macartney's Report from Malegam, in the district of Khandesh, Western India, contains one of the most remarkable narratives we have had for a long time:

The only adult baptism was that of a man living near Ranala. As his case is an interesting one we give a short account of it. Cornelius Kashi-Ram is

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about thirty-eight years of age. belongs to the Mahar section of the community, but is a well-to-do man. He owns about twenty head of cattle, has six fields under cultivation, and possesses two houses of his own. His father is a well-known guru in those districts; and although the father himself has not yet become a Christian, yet it was through his teaching that the son has been received into the Christian Church. Dasharat, the father, who is now an old man, first heard the Gospel at Nasik more than thirty years ago, while attending a yatra at that place. He has visited the chief places of pilgrimage in India, and his fame is so great that his advice and assistance have frequently been sought by strangers who do not live in his immediate neighbourhood. On three occasions he has attended the Singhast, a celebrated Hindu festival, held once in twelve years at Nasik, and on each occasion has received portions of the Scriptures and tracts from Christian preachers whom he has met with there. After reading parts of the Pentateuch at home he came to the conclusion that he ought to offer sacrifices to God in order to be saved. He gave up the worship of idols, rejected the caste system, and on three separate occasions during three years he offered a sacrifice near Ranala in the presence of many people. The victims chosen for sacrifice were a sheep, a goat, and two pigeons. The old man tells us that the order of procedure was as follows:-First of all the persons called to the sacrifice bathed. Prayer was then offered by Dasharat,

the presiding guru, and the sacrificial fire was kindled. Each man and wife joined hands and cast into the fire oil, clarified butter, camphor, and some other ingredients. Lastly, the animals were slain and their blood allowed to run into the fire, while Dasharat prayed that the sacrifice might be accepted and his own and the people's sins forgiven. A feast of course formed the conclusion of the ceremony. All this was the result of the conviction of sin, and a desire to obtain forgiveness by the only way the old guru knew of. He had not yet heard about the one all-sufficient sacrifice once for all offered for man's transgressions. Four days after the last sacrifice was offered Kashi-Ram's eldest son died. Father and grandfather at once imagined that God was angry with them for having dared to offer sacrifices. According to Hindu mythology low-caste men have not been unfrequently punished by God for daring to intrude upon the Brahman's prerogative. The sacrifices therefore ceased. About nine years ago one of our catechists, Krishnaji Dhurmaji, visited Ranala while on a preaching tour. He came across Dasharat, heard all about his doings, and taught him the way of God more perfectly, showing him that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." The old man bought a Bible, read and studied it, and has taught and persuaded his son to become a Christian. Kashi-Ram was instructed for several months by our agents, and has twice visited me in Malegam. I had the pleasure of baptizing him in December at Ranala, in the presence of a large concourse of people. This is the first baptism that has taken place in that part of the country, and we trust and believe that

it is the earnest of a larger ingathering into the fold of Christ. KashiRam's wife and sons we hope to baptize soon. Altogether there are about twenty inquirers in those parts. These are all Dasharat's disciples, and he is now visiting them and urging them to become Christians. We wish very much that the old man, whose convictions of the truths of Christianity are so strong, would enter the fold of the visible Church himself. I doubt not

that he will do so eventually. His idea at present is to get his disciples to follow the example of Kashi-Ram. He fears that if he receives baptism now his influence with his followers will cease, and he wants first to persuade them to embrace the Christian religion. The old man is certainly doing a good work as an unpaid agent, and we hope to see good and permanent results from the movement in that quarter.

THE Rev. J. Erhardt sends a very interesting and encouraging account of good fruits resulting from the work of the Secundra Orphanage :

We have had much to cheer us in work. A great number of our youths are developing into steady Christian characters. The most advanced in Christian life has had the misfortune of becoming blind. We greatly hope he may be utilized by accompanying his young wife in visiting zenanas and explaining the word of God there, for which he is eminently qualified. His wife, with His wife, with another of our female teachers, is to work in the Punjab. Our youths, studying in Agra, in the Normal and Government Medical School, give us much joy likewise. One of them was this year among those few who came out in the 1st Division. When he heard it, he wrote, "It is not my work or exertion, it is the Lord's doing, and therefore of the scholarships I obtain I shall give the tenth to the Lord." Our young mechanics, compositors, pressmen, carpenters, &c., have lately been attracted to Ajmere, a large railway station. There are some forty of them; they meet regularly for prayers, and they

hope to form a Native Christian community and have their own Native pastor. Zenana work and the reading of the Scriptures to Native women gives a new sphere for Indian women. We have several of our young women, married though, who have been engaged in this work. Lately we have had applications from the Punjab, and we are glad to be able to help them.

Among the children is still a large number unbaptized, and some seventy are under instruction for confirmation. I prepare these carefully, but the chief preparation must come from the Holy Spirit. It is a pleasure to teach these young Christians, and encouragements are not wanting to keep us from ever getting weary in our work. We are more favoured than many of our brethren by being permitted to see that we do not spend our strength for nought. There are fifty of our young people now engaged in various capacities in the Lord's work in Northern India.

IN our January number, page 38, an unfavourable opinion is quoted as having been expressed by the Rev. A. Menzies concerning the "Bombay Africans" at Frere Town. As printed, the words appear more unqualified than when read with the context in Mr. Menzies' letter. He only spoke of some of the "Bombay Africans; " and neither he nor ourselves at all meant to ignore the excellent character borne by many of them, or the good service some have done in the Mission.

TOPICS FOR THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER. THANKSGIVING for the Society's improved and hopeful financial position; especially for the 16,000l. given to the Extension Fund. (P. 428.)

Prayer for the Noble High School (p. 440), Krishnagar (p. 439), Gaza (p. 440), Ranala (p. 441). Prayer for the Church in Ceylon at the present crisis (p. 438).

Prayer for the Society's students ordained on June 29th (p. 437).

Prayer for the new Lay Secretary of the Society (p. 437).

SELECTIONS FROM PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE.

General Committee, May 9th.-The various Committees and Sub-Committees were appointed for the year.

The Right Rev. Dr. J. S. Burdon, Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong, had an interview with the Committee on his return home, and strongly urged on them the importance of strengthening the Fuh-Kien Mission, where there were very manifest tokens of the Divine blessing on the operations of the Society. He also bore warm testimony to the good work done by the Native Clergy, and mentioned that, before leaving Hong Kong, he had ordained another deacon, after careful examination lasting over a week.

The Rev. E. H. Bickersteth had an interview with the Committee on his return from a tour in India and Palestine, and referred briefly to what he had seen of the Society's Missions.

The Rev. Rowland Bateman, having returned on sick leave from the Punjab Mission, had an interview with the Committee, and gave information in reference to the work of itineration in the Punjab, in which he has been so long and so devotedly engaged. Mr. Bateman also drew the Committee's attention to the very favourable prospects of the Christian settlement at Clarkabad, and urged strongly the need of a European missionary being retained at Kangra.

A letter was read from J. D. Allcroft, Esq., calling attention to the Charitable Trusts Bill, 1881, and forwarding a petition, proposed to be addressed to the House of Lords, against certain provisions in the Bill. The Treasurer and Secretaries were authorized to sign the same on behalf of the Society.

Committee of Correspondence, May 17th.-The Rev. W. H. Barlow communicated an offer from a friend to give 1000l. to the Society, for the purpose of sending a missionary to the Esquimaux on Mackenzie River. Letters were read from the Bishop of Athabasca, referring to the need of missionary work among the Esquimaux in this territory. The Committee requested Mr. Barlow to convey their hearty thanks for this munificent offer, which they gladly accepted.

The Secretaries submitted a list of stations urgently requiring reinforcements in the present year, from which it appeared that, if possible, at least sixteen men, eight old and eight new, should be sent to reinforce existing Missions. It was referred to the Finance Committee, to inquire how far the resolution adopted last year, under which only eight old and five new missionaries were to be sent out each year for three years, could be safely departed from, having regard to the fact that, owing to two or three having been sent out one year in advance under special donations, only three of the five for this year remained to be allotted. Reference was also made to the position of the Society's new Extension and Enlargement Fund, about 70007. of which was now available for the extension of the Society's operations, and it was resolved to recommend to the General Committee that, irrespective of the sixteen proposed above, three missionaries be sent on this Fund to the following fields of labour:-To the Mackenzie River, for work among the Esquimaux; to East Africa, with a view to advance into the Teita country; to the Skeena River, North Pacific Mission. Further, it was agreed that the maintenance of the proposed European clergyman to go out as Secretary of the Niger Mission should be charged against the sum of 10007. recently given specially for work on the Niger. The Secretaries further reminded the

Committee that two ladies should return to the Mission-field in the ensuing autumn, viz., Miss Laurence to Ningo, and Miss Neele to Bengal.

The Committee had an interview with the Rev. T. K. Weatherhead, who had for nearly twenty years laboured for the Society at Bombay, and had lately been in temporary charge of the Missionaries' Children's Home at Highbury. The Committee expressed to Mr. Weatherhead their cordial appreciation of his long and valuable services.

A letter was read from the Rev. A. R. Cavalier, of the Ceylon Mission, now in England, stating that his medical adviser considered it necessary for him to prolong his stay in this country for two or three years, and that, with a view to relieving the Society from all expense on his account, he proposed to accept the office of Secretary of the Indian Female Normal School and Instruction Society, and requested that his name be continued on the list of the Society's missionaries, it being his earnest desire to return to the work hereafter. The Committee granted Mr. Cavalier's request for extended leave, and acceded to his request that his name be retained on the Society's list, subject to the usual half-yearly revision.

The case of Khem Chand, a Native Punjabi convert from Dera Ismail Khan, who had come to England at his own expense, with a view to theological training in this country, was considered. A letter was read from the Rev.

R. Clark respecting him; and the Rev. R. Bateman and C. J. Rodgers, Esq., Principal of the Christian Vernacular Education Society's Training Institu tion at Amritsar, being present, bore warm testimony to Khem Chand's Christian character. The Committee agreed to receive Khem Chand on six months' probation.

Special General Committee, May 23rd.-A Report was presented by the Finance Committee, on the question submitted to them by the Committee of Correspondence on the 17th inst., as to the number of men that might be sent out to the Mission-field this year. The Report stated that the sixteen men (eight old and eight new), asked for from the General Fund, might be safely allowed, irrespective of the two ladies and the missionaries proposed to be sent out on the Extension Fund. Authority was given to the Committee of Correspondence accordingly.

Committee of Correspondence, May 31st.-Reference was made to previous minutes of the Committee, with reference to the postponement of the intention to abandon the Lucknow Mission. A letter was read from the Rev. H. P. Parker, Secretary of the Calcutta Corresponding Committee, referring to the heavy strain on the Rev. G. B. Durrant at Lucknow, and to the work being dwarfed, and earnestly asking that, when the funds of the Society improved, this most promising centre might be the first to benefit by it. Reference was also made to a statement in the last Annual Report of the American Episcopal Methodist Mission, to the effect that no member of that Mission has time to itinerate in Lucknow, and also to the Rev. E. H. Bickersteth's earnest appeal on behalf of Lucknow at the Society's recent Anniversary Meeting. It was resolved that one of the sixteen men sanctioned to the Mission-field in the approaching autumn be designated to Lucknow, to relieve the Rev. G. B. Durrant of the heavy strain placed upon him.

A letter was read from the Rev. James Long, formerly of the Society's Calcutta Mission, placing at the disposal of the Committee, free of cost, fiftyfive copies of his new book, "Eastern Proverbs and Emblems illustrating Moral and Religious Truths," and asking the Committee to send copies to

selected missionaries, in various parts of the Mission-field, with a view to eliciting opinions as to how far the book might be utilized for the benefit of Native preachers and Native Churches, and in what way this could best be done. The Committee accepted with thankfulness the copies of Mr. Long's book, and directed that they be sent out in the way suggested by him.

A letter was read from a lady at Tunbridge Wells, stating that she had paid into the Society's bankers the sum of 1007. towards the maintenance of Bible-women in India. The Committee thankfully accepted the gift, and directed that it be spent, as far as it would go, in support of Bible-women at Lucknow, and at Andul, near Calcutta, from which places application had been received for grants from the Francis Ridley Havergal Fund, which that fund was unable to supply.

Reference having been made to the adoption by the General Committee of the proposals of this Committee for the reinforcement of the Missions for the current year, the Committee further reviewed the wants of the Mission-field, and the qualifications of the men who had received their training at Islington, and the following appointments were made :-From among those ordained during the last two years, but kept back for lack of funds, the Rev. J. W. Hall to Krishnagar; the Rev. J. Verso to the Telugu Mission; the Rev. A. J. A. Gollmer to Ceylon (Singhalese Mission); and the Rev. T. H. Canham to Athabasca, for the new mission to the Esquimaux on the Mackenzie River; and from those to be ordained by the Bishop of London on St. Peter's Day (June 29th), Mr. J. S. Bradshaw to the Yoruba Mission; Mr. A. D. Shaw to East Africa; Mr. W. H. Ball to Calcutta ; Mr. H. Lewis to Agra; Mr. E. Guilford to the Punjab; Mr. W. Windsor (under a certain contingency) to Lucknow ; and Mr. W. G. Falconer to the North Pacific Mission. The Committee further sanctioned the following arrangements for missionaries at home on furlough:The Rev. J. Brown to return to the Santal Mission; the Rev. C. G. Daeuble to the North-West Provinces; the Rev. W. Thwaites, of the Punjab Mission, to go to Karachi; the Rev. J. Caley to return to Travancore; the Rev. E. M. Griffith, formerly of the Tamil Cooly Mission, Ceylon, to go to Mauritius; the Rev. A. B. Hutchinson to return to Hong-Kong, subject to arrangements with the Bishop of Victoria; and the Rev. J. R. Wolfe to return to Fuh-Chow. The Committee further sanctioned the return to Ceylon of the Rev. E. T. Higgens, a former missionary there of many years' standing, and now one of the Society's Association Secretaries. The Secretaries reported that they were unable at present to suggest a name for the proposed English secretaryship of the Niger Mission.

A minute of the Punjab and Sindh Corresponding Committee was read, asking the Committee to consider whether it was expedient that the annual prize for religious knowledge of the Lake Memorial Prize Trust should be open to the competition of non-Christian candidates. Reference was made to the Peter Cator prizes at Madras for religious knowledge, which were open for competition by non-Christians as well as Christians. The Committee expressed their opinion that it would be expedient to open the Lake Prize for competition to non-Christians, feeling sure that this would have been the view of their late friend General Lake.

A letter was read from the Rev. A. H. Arden, Secretary to the Madras Corresponding Committee, with reference to the withdrawal by the Society of a European missionary from the charge of the Palaveram Mission, stating that the Bishop of Madras had kindly made arrangements for relieving the Society for one year of the stipend of the Rev. J. D. Thomas, the missionary in charge, having appointed him to a diocesan secretaryship. The Com

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