GOOD NEWS FROM BERHAMPORE.

TO THE EDITOR

My dear Brother, I have been requested by the Rev. G. Taylor to send the following account for insertion in the Missionary Observer. Every name mentioned is as familiar to me as those of my own household. All the girls were under Miss Packer's care: and I can clearly see in their conversion, and especially in their correct views of divine truth, the result of her unwearied labours. I rejoice greatly in the evident tokens of God's blessing amongst those I have watched from their earliest days. I have especial joy in the baptism of Kogai Bearer. For some years before I left India I felt sure he was a child of God, but he never seemed to have courage to sever the last tie which bound him to his friends. Kogai Bearer is a man of considerable influence and respectability, and his profession of christianity may lead to important results in his village. May he be "a burning and a shining light." Many a journey have I taken to this good man's house, and many an hour have I spent in urging him to put on Christ. I see the reward now.

In various parts of the mission field we have had similar success for patience and perseverance. "The waters wear the stones." Let all our friends pray that the good work may go on, and that "the parched ground may become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water." I am, yours faithfully,

W. BAILEY.

the slain that they might live;' 'power from on high' that the preached word might prove as a fire and a hammer to break the rocky heart in pieces. And encouraged by the blessed Lord's gracious assurance that the 'Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him,' we resolved, at our church meeting, August 30th, to have a series of special prayer meetings, and to prove God there with and see if He would not open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that there should not be room to contain it.' This resolution was carried out during the second week of September at Berhampore and the new village simultaneously; and seasons most precious and promising were experienced by those who were present. For my own part I could not believe but that prayer had power with God and would prevail—and so I told the people at the time. There seemed such an unction vouchsafed as I had never experienced at our native prayer meetings. And, blessed be God, we had not to wait long for what I feel to be the earnest of answers to our prayers; for about a month after, two of our young people-one still in the girls' school, and one who had left but a short time before-came to me and professed to have seen and felt the evil of sin, their deep penitence and sorrow on account of it, and their hope of pardon through the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus.

You and your dear wife will well remember Julia (Papi's sister), and Rachel, the daughter of poor backsliding Erabon; and you will rejoice to hear that these are the two girls in question. With Julia's experience and manner I was very much gratified. There was a depth of feeling one does not always find in our native converts, and a clearness of perception and expression as to the plan of salvation for which I was scarcely prepared. And very gratified and thankful was I to find, from what she said, that God had been graciously pleased to make me instrumental in leading her to decide for Christ. On her leaving the school the previous July to assist her mother, I took occasion to remind her of the instruction she had received in the

school-the labour that had been bestowed on her, and the prayers that had been offered for her salvation by those who had watched for her soul:' and, alas! apparently all in vain! inasmuch as she was leaving the school still unsaved. And with many such words, and a few suitable books, I dismissed her to her home. This parting interview seems to have been blessed by God to her conversion.

Though not quite so satisfactory a case as Julia's, still I was pleased with 'Little Rachel,' as we call her. She was much affected, and wept freely as she uttered, in broken sentences, how deeply she felt her sinfulness, and especially that she had so long neglected the instruction which had been given her in the school; and her earnest hope that God would pardon her for Jesus' sake. My dear wife has been much pleased with the improvement in her conduct of late. You may recollect that she was by no means fond of work: and in this respect, when she first came to us, my wife had much trouble with her. Now, however, she is as 'diligent in business' as we could wish; and this we take as one fruit, among others, of true repent

ance.

About a fortnight after the above three other young girls came for conversation, viz., Herà, the eldest daughter of Juggernath, native preacher, deceased; Malipa, Daniel's niece; and Komali, the eldest of all our famine girls. Of these I cannot speak with so much confidence as of the other two; still they appeared very anxious about their salvation; and if not in, I trust they are not far from the kingdom of God.' They all requested to have their names laid before the church, and a committee has accordingly been appointed to see them.

Shortly after this, Anunda, the third son of Tama, a worthy native preacher, came to see me about the state of his soul; and in a most gratifying spirit, and with a pleasing simplicity of language, and thoroughly scriptural, professed humble faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have every reason to believe that his profession is sincere and truthful. His attendance on all the means of grace has been most regular-he has scarcely missed a prayer meeting for several months past, and his whole deportment is equally satisfactory. This is matter

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of great joy to his father, as well as to us all. God grant that the father's mantle may fall upon the son in this case; for I think Tama a most worthy christian, and a thorough workman.

Another case about which you will be pleased to hear is that of Rama Chundra's wife. Her name was brought before the church several months ago, when every thing was considered favourable save a nose jewel, which, as you know, we consider it wrong, because of its associations, for our christian people to wear, but to which the good woman clung with terrible tenacity. In fact when the committee appointed to see her told her she must dispense with it, she said she would rather forego the privilege of fellowship with the church than give it up! Within the last six weeks, however, I am happy to tell you that a

stronger than the strong man armed' has come, and victorious grace has helped her to tear the idol from its throne,' and she too now stands a hopeful candidate for baptism and church fellowship.

But what will please you most of all, and encourage you in future labours, is the case of Kogai, of Pilepardá. You laboured, and hoped, and prayed about his case for years, and yet were not permitted to see him publicly avow himself the Lord's before leaving these parts. As to Kogai, you laboured, and I have entered into your labours; for I must tell you we had the pleasure of baptizing and receiving him into the church on Sunday, October 27th. When brother T. Bailey and I visited Russell Condah in May we had a long conversation with him, in which we both especially reminded him that if he refused to confess Christ before men, Christ would he ashamed of him at the last. He then assured us that if ever he did come to Berhampore it would be to be baptized. He did not, however, come expressly for this purpose, but providentially, as I believe, was brought here by a law suit and while this was pending he had repeated interviews with myself and the brethren, and at length came one day with Rama Chundra and begged that he might be allowed to 'put on Christ.'

Thus you see the Lord is graciously blessing His own word, and favouring us with a cheering increase."

ACCOUNT OF GUNGA DHOR SARANGEE.*

Written by Himself.

FROM that day I began to think much about the Scriptures, and felt much concern respecting sin, Christ, heaven, hell, the day of judgment, and the state of my own heart; and I visited padre Lacey at Cuttack many times in order to be instructed on these subjects; and he gave me much instruction, broke down my false hopes, and showed me that in Christ alone was real good. Beholding the misery caused by sin, I became very sorrowful, frequently wept much, and prayed for strength to strengthen my mind. I prayed in secret, in the jungles, in the house, and mentally, and daily received a little strength. My only difficulty was, How shall I break caste, and make it known? there are no other native christians-how can I stand alone?

I saw

About that time Lacey sahib said to me, "If you will accompany me to Calcutta you will see native christians of both sexes, for some there have taken refuge and believed in Christ." I therefore went to Calcutta, and saw a number of christian brethren and sisters. a number, also, at Serampore. We returned home after an absence of two months and four days. My mind said, Believe in Christ in secret, and remain in your own house-don't go anywhere else. This I determined to do, and remained as I was.

After some time Lacey sahib sent me a letter; and after reading it I considered-It is impossible for me to endure the darts of Satan. I will assuredly openly profess Christ. I shall do very wrong if I remain as I am, and both body and soul be destroyed; the Lord will be angry, cut me down, and send me to hell; there is no salvation but in Christ. After thinking much about these things, I sent word by the bearer of the letter that I would go after four days. I then spoke to my wife, to ascertain how her mind was affected, and found that she loved Christ and the Scriptures much, but she offered many objections on account of caste-saying that others would put her to shame, would not associate with her, would call her an outcaste, &c.: and the thought of *Continued from page 30.

all these things made her very sorrowful. But in one way or another I succeeded in quieting her fears, and committing her into the hands of the Lord left for Cuttack, saw the missionary, and requested to be baptized. He wished me to remain a week as I was; and I went and stayed in the house of Mágunee Sáhu, the oilman.

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The following Sunday was the sixth day, and the padre caused it to be proclaimed in the bazaars that there would be a baptism. At four o'clock in the afternoon we went to the Mahanuddi river, where many people had assembled to witness the baptism. Lacey sahib first gave an address, and then in the presence of all asked me, Why do you wish to be baptized ?" I replied, "I am a sinner, and Christ is the Saviour of sinners, as I have learnt from the Scriptures; and believing in Him, I wish to be baptized at your hands. The gods I formerly served and worshipped I know to be all false." Of my own accord I then took off my poita, and gave it to the sahib, and was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. There was I, alone as it were, and the three thousand spectators surrounded me, and gave me abuse of every sort, heaping reproach upon me: this was continued till we reached Mágunee Sáhu's shop. A great many people came there, and after giving me much abuse went their way. But my mouth was not closed by all this; till eleven o'clock at night I continued to expose their sinfulness, to speak of my Lord, and answering the various questions put to me. Wheu the people had mostly departed, I spoke to the family of Mágunee Sáhu. I then purchased some refreshment, and went to eat it in the house of Nárayan Bearer on the sahib's compound; and afterwards went to sleep in a small room in the sahib's house, first commending myself into the hands of the Lord. But a conflict commenced in my mind. I thought to myself, the people will surely be unmerciful, cruel, and use all kinds of insulting language to me. I thought that as children are alarmed at thunder, so will it be with me; it may be that I may tremble, and be ground down as between two millstones: what can I say? But just as I was in this state I heard the voice of Lacey sahib

engaged in family prayer in the next room. Hearing this, I cast myself on Jesus, and taking refuge in Him sang one or two hymns in my heart, not by my voice. I then fell asleep, and slept all night. Whilst it was still very early I went to the Mahanuddi to bathe, and in returning went into the bazaar, and had some talk with the people; and afterwards cooked and ate. At two o'clock I went to the padre. In the morning I had said, "You must give me two men of low caste to accompany me, so that if any one molests me he may be laid hold of." The sahib asked, "Will you go to your house?" I replied, "Yes." I then said that. I would not have the two hádis along with me, for that if Christ was with me, and in my heart, no one could do me any harm. I then received some books and a little money, and left trusting in the Lord.

I reached my home at Tangi at nine o'clock at night, and saw that a number of people were with my wife, trying to persuade her to go to her father's house, and saying many evil things against me. I learnt that she had not eaten for two days, had not been anywhere, but had remained quiet in the house. She replied to their persuasions, "I will not go; when I have seen him then I will go." What she had previously heard respecting sin and salvation caused her to be somewhat calm; at times, however, she was overwhelmed with grief, for the people had said to her, "Your husband has eaten raw cow's flesh, and drunk the blood; has eaten pork, and drunk spirits; the sahib and his wife buried him in the sand of the river, and stamped upon him with their feet, filled his mouth with filthy water, and then dipped him in the river; and on their return to the house gave him food, and all became one caste." And with such lying tales they had tried to embitter her mind and deceive her. On my calling out to her, she got up from amongst them, and opened the door. I then took her by the hand, but she, not finding the poita on my shoulder, began to weep. Two old brahmins also came to see if I had my poita on, and not finding it, gave me abuse. All the people having gone away, I lighted a lamp, and tried to console my wife. She remained silent. After cooking and eating, we retired to rest very late at night. Early in the

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morning many men and women came to look at me; and as they reviled I gave them good advice, and they went away. No one would touch me, or enter the house.

Going about daily from village to village, I preached to the people, and remained for nine months in the village in which I was born. Eight days after my return home, my wife began fearlessly to speak to the people about sin and heaven, and about Jagannath. This afforded me much pleasure. By listening to the reading of the Scriptures, and uniting with me in prayer, her mind was strengthened. Casting away from her all thoughts about worldly honour and caste, she took refuge in Christ.

About that time an aged brahminee from the district of Khundittur gave heed to my instructions, and remained at my house, and afterwards became a believer. She had already been to visit the neem-tree-wood Jagannath eleven times, and was on her way for the twelfth time.

I remained nine months at my own house after my baptism. Mr. Lacey then requested me to preach the gospel, when I removed to Cuttack, and resided in a house at the back of the chapel. I went to the bazaars and other places daily, doing the Lord's work. My wife, having experienced a change of heart, was baptized in the Mahanuddi river, in March, 1829. The old brahminee was also baptized.

As I preached in the bazaars and markets, many people reviled, gave abuse, and assaulted me; but thinking of the patience, compassion, and the love of Jesus at His death, and being strengthened by the Holy Ghost, I received help, and with a determined mind fearlessly preached the gospel. Many reviled; and my own brother said, "Had you died it would have been well; you have brought a stain on the family." My nephew said, "You have sunk to the lowest caste." Many others gave abuse to their hearts' content.

Whilst preaching one day in the Tangi market, the zemindar gave me much abuse, and said, "You have become a Hádi; will you make Hádis of us ?" He and others then struck me several times, and tore up and threw away my books. After mentioning the matter to Mr. Lacey, I preferred a

charge against them, and established its truth by witnesses; they, however, hid themselves; and as they did this I forgave them.

The people at that time made many objections. Some said caste was established by God; others said it had been established by Brahmá, and that the Bades were the essence of all. Others said that caste had been abolished, and that all would become one caste. Some said, When people of all castes sit and eat together at night, then who retains his caste? Others said, What he says is true, for there is but one God, without a second. Others said, God pervades all things. Others again said, God is everything: He is heaven and He is hell; He is both a sinner and is sinless; He suffers affliction and enjoys pleasure. But in my preaching I showed the people that God was entirely distinct from heaven, earth, and hell; that mankind and animals were distinct; and that the guilty and innocent were distinct. I also showed that the gods and goddesses, gooroos, priests, brahmins, and boishnobs were all false, and

that their religion was all at variance. On these and similar subjects I preached to the people. Some gave assent, whilst many others did not do so. One and another, however, came forward and professed themselves believers in Christ, which gave me very great pleasure.

MAKE use of me, my God!
Let me be not forgot;
A broken vessel cast aside-
One whom thou needest not.

I am thy creature, Lord,
And made by hands divine;
And I am part, however mean,
Of this great world of thine.
Thou usest all thy works-
The weakest things that be,
Each has a service of its own,

For all things wait on thee.

All things as serve thee hereAll creatures great and small: Make use of me, of me, my God, The weakest of them all.