heathen with great power and energy. I confess I never formed so high an estimate of him before. But we leave the good old man and take a ride of some seven miles to Hurripore market, where towards a thousand people have assembled, and as none of the native brethren have come up we will just gratify curiosity by looking at the various wares exposed for sale-and truly they are a medley as the following brief enumeration will show-cloths, iron, brass vessels, ornaments and trinkets of all sorts and sizes, for nose, ears, neck, arms, wrists, fingers, ancles, toes &c., earthen vessels, brooms, baskets, palm leaves, wood, charcoal, husked and unhusked rice, rice pounded, and rice parched with treacle and without, sugar cane, sweetmeats, treacle, curds, whey, greens, radishes, vegetables of various kinds, plantains, cocoa nuts, oranges, salt, fresh and salt fish, cotton, sacking, tobacco, shoes, chillies, beetle nut, pán leaves, spices, and I know not how many other things, all arranged in the most elegant disorder imaginable. The only thing that looked orderly about the whole affair was the barbers, sitting outside the market scraping the heads and faces of their rather numerous, wincing, grinning customers. I call it scraping for to have called it shaving would have been an unpardon. able libel on that dignified art. But as the native brethren are coming up we will leave the scene and take our stand at the foot of a shady and rather venerable looking mango tree to perform our part in this nondescript assembly. We commence by singing the matter of half a page of the "Epitome of the true Religion.' Several collect Khomboo begins, but does not proceed far in his address before an opponent in the shape of a musselman makes a bold attack upon him declaring that Christ could not be God, &c.; Khomboo repels the attack in Hindusthani, and proves that Christ could not be other than God from the unspotted holiness of his life, the lessons he taught, the works he performed, the wonders of his death, and the majesty of his resurrection, &c., &c. I take for my text, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God," &c. And after some exposition and confirmation

round us.

of this, shew the efficacy of Christ's atoning death, the wonders of his love, and the inevitable ruin of those who refuse to seek salvation through him. Rama closes a long, and upon the whole, interesting opportunity with a solemn and rousing address to the sinner.

Seebo Sahoo, Indee Padhan, and Thoma (the student) are preaching to a good congregation in another part of the market.

Public preaching over, we walk through the market as fancy leads, and address ourselves first to one and then to another in some such familiar manner as this, "Well brother, when the market is over where shall you go?" "Home to be sure!" "And when the market of life closes-where?" &c. To another, "Well brother, you are becoming grey; you will soon have to go

are you ready?" &c. To another, "Well friend, you have worn that poita a long while-have you given over lying yet ?" &c. Or to another, "Well friend, will it be any use digging a well when the house is on fire? All your efforts will be fruitless when the soul is lost! Behold, now is the accepted time-behold, now is the day of salvation. To day if you will hear his voice harden not your heart. Hearken, brother, Jesus Christ is calling to you! He says, Come unto me all ye that labour, &c., &c.

14th. I and Rama left Khunditta this morning for Sankachil market, and after a ride of several miles over rice fields, cotton ground full of deep fissures and holes, mud, water, and to the eques. trian various other disagreables endan gering our necks, or some other more lengthy members of the body we found ourselves betwixt two large markets. A new opposition market had been established about a fortnight before, and broken pots &c. had been placed on the path to prevent people going from one to the other. As we, however, were not afraid of being polluted by touching a broken vessel we passed from one market to the other declaring the word of life among some twelve or fourteen hundred people. Very many in both heard well, but one man was excessively noisy and troublesome. But after we had closed our labours he came up to one of the native brethren, and said, 'Brother, I have been very wicked to

day I have opposed what I know to be right. I have insulted both you and the Saheb-will you forgive me?" &c. The man sadly wanted to see me, but I had left. Thus it will frequently be found that our bitterest opponents are among those whose judgments are convinced of the truth, and who, perhaps, assume this species of op position to prevent others thinking they have any leaning towards christianity. I have indeed so often found this the case that I not unfrequently silence them by appealing to their better knowledge and assuring them that their hearts approve what their lips condemn.

15th. Preached this evening in the chapel at Khunditta from the wo man's washing the Saviour's feet with her tears, &c. As soon as we left the chapel I found that my cooley had arrived with supplies from Cuttack. All were welcome; but I left my cook to attend to them whilst I seized the packet of letters. And a packet indeed it was-containing no less than ten epistles of near fifty pages, and some of them closely and badly written! However, there was no going to bed till I had got through them, so at it I went in good earnest, and managed to wade through their multifarious contents by about midnight, and then by way of composing the mind which had been stretched out to the last degree of elasticity, I took up the "Friend of India," which was with the packet, and by the time I had gone through all the wars and rumours of wars, births, marriages, deaths, and I know not what beside, I began to feel that sleep would be rather agreeable than otherwise.

16th. To-night three men, professedly enquirers, came to the village. Several of us met with them for conversation. After a little while I prayed with them, and then addressing myself to the eldest said, "Well brother what do you think about your soul? Just make yourself at home and tell us what you feel, and what you think of doing.' He replied with a great deal of feeling, and not without tears trickling down his time-worn cheeks, "From this day I am dead to all but Jesus Christ. I know no one else. He is my Lord-my all. My wife, my children, my friends, my

companions, my worldly goods are all no more to me. My Lord gave his life for me, and I give mine to him." He then told us that he had a few little matters to settle to-morrow, but added, "To-morrow night I shall come no more to return. If my son, companions, and other friends will comewell-if not, I am dead to them all." &c.

On speaking to another he said, he was first going to Calcutta, but when he came back he would think of these things. I asked if he had been to Him who has life and death at command and secured a ticket of leave for so long a time? and then talked with him seriously on the subject. He is clearly possessed of some good feeling, but fear he is trifling with conviction.

The third was a young man of the barber caste, and on my addressing myself to him he said, in a somewhat trifling manner, "O I am not far off." Reminded him that he might be very near and yet sufficiently far off to be lost, and thus really fare no better than if he was as far off as the poles. Supposed that a number of persons had fallen overboard-some of them were a long way from the life boat, but one so near that he could almost put his hand upon it, and yet be lost; wherein then would he be better off than those who were drowning a mile distant. Told him, too, of one of old who said, "almost thou persuadest me to be a christian," &c. In the course of a long and serious conversation he tried in vain to suppress the crystal tearsthey would start and glisten and chase each other down his brown face. O that the eternal Spirit may be given to deepen and mature divine impressions on these souls!

17th. This evening was a time of deep anxiety. It was the time that Raghoo said he would come out no more to return. After some hours of looking, watching, listening, praying, the brethren who went to see if he was coming, returned, saying that he was surrounded by a large number of people, and they overheard him say to a Brahman," Brother, the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning in my heart, and I cannot, dare not quench it." When he saw the brethren he told them to go, and that as soon as his son returned he should come. While

waiting for him we walked about in a large, mango grove, and Seebo said none but a Hindoo could imagine what it was to renounce Hindooism. He might be fully convinced of the truth of christianity, but the difficulty of rejecting the religion of his fathers and of his country, of embracing outwardly a new one, entering into new scenes and society of which he knew little or nothing, losing caste, &c., &c., suggested a thousand fears enough to make the stoutest heart to quail. He said that when he had fully made up his mind to profess christianity his imagination was so wrought upon by fear that he thought as he walked along the earth was turning round upon him that the trees would fall upon him and crush him to death-that the stars were so near that he had nothing to do but to stretch out his hand to catch hold of them. He tried for hours to find some dark place - it was then night-in which to conceal himself, but every place he entered seemed as light as day. At length he seated himself at the foot of a large tree and fell upon his face to pray, but though he had often enjoyed great freedom in prayer, his mouth now seemed sealed. He could think of nothing-say nothing, but "O Lord if thou dost not save me I must be lost!" He tried in vain to say, to think of anything more; and when he rose up he saw some one with a lighted cigar a few yards before him. Now thought he Ι am done. This is one of the Rajah's people he has discovered where I am, and will bind and take me to the Rajah, where I shall most likely be poisoned. Yes, this will be the end of it! What must I do? He still kept his eyes on the lighted cigar and thought, O yes, he does not come up lest I should run away-he is waiting for a favourable opportunity - perhaps for some one else to come and help him. When his fears were thus worked up to the last pitch of endurance and he was ready to shriek out for help, he discovered that what he saw was not a "lighted cigar," but the morning star. His joy was indescribable. He thought of Christ, the morning star rising upon his soul. He obtained comfort and courage, and was soon after enabled fearlessly to endure a storm of persecution for Christ's sake.

During the last two or three days, as there have been no markets in the neighbourhood, we visited the different villages from which several of our native christians have come. We enjoyed numerous opportunities among the people, and trust they will not prove to have been in vain. I felt to long very much to go to these places, and if possible see some of the friends and early companions of those, some of whom are now walking in the,

ways of Zion and others are passed to the skies. The people generally heard with seriousness and attention, and I cannot but hope there is a good work going on, silently it may be, but not less surely.

18th. Thoma preached this morning in Khunditta chapel, from "Repent ye, and believe the gospel," and I from "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." At the close of my sermon, one of the members got up, and said he had something to say. He had been very

angry with a fellow-member, and he now in the presence of all, begged to acknowledge his fault, and to ask forgiveness of the brother with whom he had been offended. I need not say that a reconciliation was soon effected, and a hearty shake of the hand sealed the forgiveness. Blessed Gospel! how it turns the raven to a dove, the lion to a lamb.

We shall now take a long leap, passing over a visit to Jajipore, and its various ancient wonders-a very pleasant interview of a few days there with our American friends, Mr. and Mrs. Cooley from Balasore-our daily trips to some of the bazars and numerous markets in this vile but populous neighbourhood, and plant ourselves down on the

24th, in Kateea market, among about 800 people. I was exceedingly pleased with the seriousness and attention of many of them. Perhaps this was the first time a European missionary had been there, hence many of the people expressed no little surprise to hear themselves addressed by one in their own lan guage. I had brought Sadai Seeb with me from Khunditta, to see if he could obtain his wife, who lives in this neighbourhood. After he became a christian, about ten months ago, his wife resolutely refused, before a magistrate, to go with him. The two sons, however, were given over to the father, but she was allowed to retain the daughter at present, on account of her childhood. Sadai is known throughout this neighbourhood, and it was suspected he would make another effort to obtain his wife. A rather shrewd, good-natured looking old lady recommended that a nice new cloth should be presented to her; so allowing for once that woman knew the nearest way to woman's heart-a very dear female friend of mine has since affirmed that this is the rule-but without staying to controvert so knotty a point, which we might after all have to endorse with "not proven;" suffice it to say that a new cloth with showy borders and ends was bought, and carefully wrapped up, ready to be conveyed on the morrow.

25th. Early this morning I sent off Seebo Sahoo and Indee Padhan on de

tachment for two or three days, to some distant markets, while I and Thoma visited Mungalapore market, and Kombhoo and Sadai went to pay a visit to the lady. She and her friends offered a variety of excuses for further delay, but clearly in their hearts meaning now-a peculiarity said not to be patent to the ladies of India, but with what truth I am not called upon here to decide. However it was finally agreed that she should come at once, and she came forth attired in her new cloth; but numerous relatives and neighbours condoled with her, some saying it was her fate, what could be done? -others, it was written on her forehead, who could prevent it?-others exclaimed, better had she died!-others, alas for her! she is going to be corrupted by the Sahibs -others, she will be a slave, and have to pound mortar, &c., &c.; still, all were agreed that she ought under the circumstances to come-thus the feelings of the poor woman were worked up to the last degree. She was most anxious that the Sahib should not see her. She and her husband stayed at my tent for him to eat ; she refused to take anything herself, and would only come into the tent as she received the fullest assurances that the Sahib was not there. It happened however, that while her husband was eating, I returned! She trembled from head to foot, but escape was hopeless; so she stood hiding her head in her cloth. I went up to her, and gently laying my hand on her shoulder, said, Well, sister, I am very glad to see you; you have done well to come with your husband. You must not be afraid, or take any notice of what people say to you, &c., &c. She gradually mustered up sufficient courage to turn her cloth slightly aside, to take a hasty glance at me; and when she found I was not the demon-looking monster her own fears had most likely conjectured, she ventured to speak, but it was only to request that she might be allowed to go on and not be detained. I told her that her husband should go with her as soon as he had done eating, and begged her to take a little food herself, but this she refused to do. I expect she will present quite a different aspect when I next see her. It is trying for a man to come out from among the heathen but perhaps much more so for these poor weak-minded women; theirs is not a matter of choice but necessity. They know nothing about where they are going or what will become of them, whilst their natural timidity is excited almost beyond endurance through the foul representations of others.

The market we attended was a large one, and the people, with one exception,

heard well. The exception was a very consequential young brahman, whom I found it necessary to put to shame by a pretty severe exposure of his works. At the close he became more attentive and serious, and was very anxious for a book which I gave to him.

26th. Went this morning to Dubal market, and by the time I returned to my tent in the evening was fairly worn out. A journey of a dozen miles or more over ploughed fields, through rivers, and I know not what beside, under a vertical sun, and preaching for hours among several hundreds of people, and that to a greater or less extent every day, is about as much as flesh and blood can bear. if only one soul be saved what a rich, what a glorious, what an eternal compensation will it be. The Lord grant that it may be mine. Amen.

But

He

27th. Market to day at Mann Sing, which we attended while my tent was being struck. Perhaps 150 people were present, but generally indisposed to hear. After the market, which was over early, I went on to Jajipoor, intending to put up in the Bungalow and send forward my tent &c. to Khunditta as I only purposed spending the night there; but to my mortification I found on my arrival that the Bungalow was occupied by a person whom of all others I was least anxious to see. was an officer stationed at Cuttack, truly, but of principles and practice one does not care to designate. He had made enquiries of my servant who had preceded me when I was coming &c, but on the principle of darkness hating the light, or some other reason best known to himself did not offer me shelter till my tent came up, nor any other of the civilities common to humanity, especially in a country like this, where any little assistance might be of the greatest service, and where every one expects to see a European distinguished by the characteristics of a gentleman. But my friend was not a European, he was only partly so, and fortunately I could shelter myself under a friendly tree and therefore required nothing at his hands.

28th. Went on to Khunditta this morning where I spent this and the following day happily among the Christians. I had not been long at our little Bungalow before Sandai's wife came to see me with another of the christian females. I felt rather amused at the contrast between her appearance now and last Sunday, the day on which I first saw her. She smiled very cheerfully, as if she recognised me as an old friend. In the evening, when calling round among the christians, I went to her house, and though she had just fastened the door to go out she was very anxious