and last, not least, to humanity. Let us pray that he may be spared." Who is there in this audience-who is there in the whole civilized world, who will not say a hearty "Amen" to that prayer of Mr. Maclear? But all this is subordinate to the great and superior character of the missionary.

I do not know that I ever heard anything with more exultation and delight than a few words which fell from the lips of the good Doctor yesterday evening, when describing to us the acceptance and favour that he had met with in Central Africa. He told us that the name of Englishman was not known, but when he described to the people who he was, and showed them, not his white face-for I understand it was blacker than a coal-but his white chest and arms, these men in Central Africa exclaimed, "O, we know who you are. You belong to that tribe that loves the black man.' Is not that a glorious title for the Empire of Great Britain? I would rather that that should be said of her among civilized and uncivilized nations, than that she should be called the Mistress of Kingdoms, the Queen of the Ocean, or all the high-sounding paradings that the Herald King atArms could announce "from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same." And much do I hope and pray that this good man, going forth again to his labours and his toils, may be considered not simply in the language of courtesy, but in reality and in truth, the representative of the British Empire. Or rather, I would say, that the British Empire might be considered the representative of him, and that this whole nation, imitating his self-devotion and his singleness of heart, would devote all that she has of arts, and arms, and science, to the glory of God and the welfare of the human race. The noble Earl

having announced that letters had been received from Lord Stanley, Lord Panmure, and the Portuguese Minister, expressive of their deep regret at not being able to attend the meeting that day, called upon Dr. Vaughan, President of the Lancashire Independent College, to move the first resolution. The Rev. Dr. VAUGHAN accordingly rose to move

"That this meeting presents its most cordial congratulations to the Rev. David Livingston, LL.D., on his safe arrival in his native country, after an absence of sixteen years occupied in Missionary labours and travels in South Africa. It entertains the highest admiration of that Christian benevolence, courage, and perseverance by which he was animated and sustained throughout his extended and perilous journeys in those hitherto unexplored regions; and the meeting hereby devoutly acknowledges the merciful providence of God, by which Dr. Livingston was befriended and preserved amidst the formidable perils and gigantic difficulties of his noble enterprise, and by which his selfdenying and indefatigable efforts to open a channel for the introduction of Christianity, with its unnumbered blessings, to the unenlightened millions of South Africa have been crowned with the happiest success."

He said: My Lord, prejudice has been very prolific in its time. It has been the parent of a very large and a very strange progeny of thought in relation to the great Missionary enterprise. It might at first seem to be not a little surprising that any man, possessing an ordinary measure of intelligence, and calling himself a Christian, should have been disposed to represent the work of Missions as Quixotic. History shows us that there is no nation upon the face of the earth at the present moment, bearing the Christian name, that may not be regarded as the fruit of Christian Missions. If the question were put to some of the highest authorities of European mind, at the present moment, as to the relation between Christianity and the elevation of man, the answer that they would give, we may be assured, would be, in substance, this, that nations lying northward of the Alps, when Christianity was first published, were all in a state of comparative barbarism; and that every one of them that has come out of that state has come out of it mainly under the influence of Christianity. At that time the only civilized nations, recognized as such, were the nations that border upon that great reservoir of waters, the Mediterranean, and those that lie eastward from that point. But when the Christian Missionary came into these Western and North Western regions, the rulers became more humane than the people had hitherto known, and the people themselves more harmonious; dwelling-places more substantial, more convenient, more tasteful; schools arose in which they were brought under kindly training; libraries were formed; the Sabbath-day

1

came to invite to repose and the calm of religious worship; industry in agriculture, and in trade, received encouragement; foreign travel ensued. In short, all the civilization of the South and the East was thus introduced into the North and West by Christian Missionaries. At this moment, the foremost nations of the world are the nations which profess the religion of these Christian Missionaries; and amongst these foremost nations, those who are most in advance are the nations that have in them most of the spirit of that religion. Here he is in our midst, a man who has crossed that continent, that mighty continent, which seems to include almost the only unknown land. He has crossed that blank space in the map of Africa upon which we have all of us gazed, from our boyhood upwards; our curiosity, perhaps, awakened often as to what might possibly, some day, be discovered there. Well, he has travelled that space, yard by yard, mile by mile, until his feet have gone over nearly 11,000 miles for the object he has before him; threading forests, crossing rivers, and making his way through the morass, sometimes over a level country, so flat that he was not merely ankle deep, or waist deep, but neck-deep in the waters he had to pass. And what was his sleeping-place then? Stones put together so as to rise above the surface of the waters, and grass placed so as to make them comfortable. This was his resting-place; and there he lay him down, while the waters rushed through the hours of the night by the side of him, to get his rest. No wonder he had a fever visit about once a month upon the average for years together. These are difficulties in which nothing could have sustained him, I apprehend, but the great motives by which we believe him to have been guided. [We hope to be able to give further particulars in our next number.]

LETTER FROM REV. J. BUCKLEY.

Cuttack, October 15th, 1856.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-We have had a long and trying wet season, but it is happily drawing to a close, and we shall, D.V., soon enjoy the cold weather which, as you know, is the most pleasant and healthy season of the year. I hope we have some evidence that the hand of the Lord is with us. At our last church meeting ten were proposed for baptism and fellowship, all of them, with one exception, from the schools; so that we cannot but hope that the Lord is prospering the means employed to guide the dear young people amongst us to the knowledge of Christ. Some of them, I trust, will prove useful characters. The internal condition of the church too appears much more satisfactory than it did some years since: but a church of Christ in the most favoured circumstances, and much more in a heathen country, where there are peculiar sources of disappointment and sorrow, answers to John Howe's description. It is an hospital; all its inmates have some sickness or sore: they are under a process of cure, but none of them perfectly healed. Those who are thoroughly cured remain no longer in the hospital; and those who die, or whose diseases are incurable, are taken away. Our friends at Berhampore have recently had some pleasing additions, and have a larger number of candidates than we. Oh! for showers of blessing.

Our local subscriptions for mission schools and other objects are in a prosperous condition. I shall be surprised, if we do not realize at this station for the mission during the year, much more than any church in the connexion. I hope we shall obtain not less than 1,500 or 2,000 c.r., (£150 or £200.) Nor do I include in this estimate the monies contributed by government for the Khond children, which last year amounted to about 1,200 c. r., though this year the sum will not be so large. I think this should encourage our friends at home to help us. We are doing what we can to help ourselves, and the Lord is raising up friends to assist us in our great work, for which we bless his name. Some of our subscribers too are very liberal. One gentleman high in office gives

20 c. r., (£2) per mensem to the mission; and some others 10 or 12 c.r. One of these friends sent not long since to brother Stubbins a special subscription of 400 c. r. (£40) for the purpose of establishing another christian village near to Choga. This is very encouraging.

We have recently had a box of fancy and useful articles from the Dublin Auxiliary of the Female Education Society for the benefit of the Female Asylum. The articles were spread out in the large room of the college and presented a very beautiful appearance: a notice was sent round the station that on a day mentioned a bazaar would be held for the purpose of disposing of them. The ladies and gentlemen of the station attended and purchased, and all expressed themselves much interested. It was an anxious and fatiguing time for Mrs. Buckley and Miss Butler, though other friends kindly lent assistance. The sales have realized about 430 c. r., (£43) and some of the articles remain unsold. It is a larger sum than has been before obtained from any box sent for the school. Now I am writing about money, another thought occurs to me, and I may as well put it on paper. I wish that more of the friends of the mission would remember it in their "last will and testament." Some have done so in past years; and others (whom God long preserve to promote its interests) have not forgotten it in their testamentary bequests; but many more by regarding this hint might greatly serve the cause of the Redeemer. Far be it from me to advocate any injustice to "those of our own house." Let all that is fairly included in 1 Tim. v. 8, be righteously done in the sight of God; but the claims of family connexions and of christian institutions never need clash, though “a wise and an understanding heart" may sometimes be necessary to adjust their respective claims. I have in my eye dear christian friends whom providence has loaded with benefits, but who have no special family claims. Surely such will see in a hint like this a way of employing their riches, so as to produce "fruit that may abound to their account" when they are sleeping in the dust. There are other cases in which the great giver has vouchsafed so much of affluence that the claims of relatives may be amply met, (as I hold they ought to be,) and yet much remain whereby efforts to extend the gospel at home and abroad may be aided. Are there not also christians, who, if they reflect at all, must have a moral certainty that their money, if not now devoted to God, will be spent when they are dead in hindering the gospel of Christ? To such it is but faithful friendship honestly to state, that money is a talent-that the possesser of it must render an account to the giver-and that if he deliberately devote it in a way that is likely to prove adverse to the highest interests of humanity it were a thousand times better that he had never possessed it. John Newton, in one of those sweet experimental effusions that most of us admire, says—

"We, alas! forget too often

What a Friend we have above."

And is it not true that this dear friend, whose friendship and love are professedly prized beyond all others, is often forgotten in the last solemn instrument to be carried into effect when the spirit has entered the eternal state? I had no intention of writing in this strain when I began, but it may possibly convey to some christian friend a seasonable and useful hint. Now I proceed with my letter.

We have enough to teach us that the most precious of all treasures is committed to frail earthen vessels. Brother Miller and his family are spending a little time at Cuttack previous to their departure. We all earnestly hope that they will in due season return to labour in their chosen and beloved sphere. I am sorry to say that brother Stubbins's state of health the last month or two has not been at all satisfactory. He has decided to seek medical advice in Calcutta, and this with the change of scene, and approaching cold weather, we hope, may be blessed to his restoration. Miss Harrison's health too, I regret to say, is not so vigorous as could be wished. The Lord is thus teaching us our dependence on him. It is consoling to repose in the assurance that God's work will go forward, whatever becomes of us. It will gratify many friends to know that Pooroosootum has been fully accepted as a native preacher by the brethren

of the London Missionary Society at Vizagapatam. His course, by all we hear, is consistent, laborious, and useful. Though not employed in connexion with ourselves, we must remember that the cause is one. I am very glad to hear that our American friends are expecting a new missionary and his wife in the approaching cold season-Mr. and Mrs. Hallam. They greatly need help.

Yours as ever,

J. BUCKLEY.

LETTER FROM REV. W. HILL, TO REV. H. HUNTER.

Berhampore, Ganjam, August 14th, 1856.

MY DEAR MR. HUNTER,-If I mistake not I stated in a former letter that Mrs. H. and myself had been appointed to Berhampore. The station we like exceedingly. It is delightfully situated, and is within eight miles of the Bay of Bengal. For about a mile the main road is embowered in trees. The neighbouring scenery is truly magnificent. The distant hills rise in successive stages of beauty, some of which, so far as I am able to judge, are several thousand feet above the level of the sea. Many of them are inhabited by the Khond tribes-tribes which until very recently have offered human sacrifices. During the night blazing fires may often be witnessed. Proverbially Berhampore is very hot and unhealthy. Hitherto I am happy to say the health of my dear wife and myself has been generally good. Certainly the heat is very prostrating, sometimes especially so; without the least exertion ones' clothes are often completely saturated by perspiration. We are living in the house which until recently belonged to brother Bailey. There are no up-stairs' rooms, so that we have not the trouble of climbing up to the top of the house to sleep. The walls are wattled and dabbed, the wattling being of bamboo, and the dab of mud. Inside and out they are whitewashed, so that if they have not a gorgeous, they have, to say the least, a very clean appearance. Long before receiving this letter you will most likely hear about the birth of our dear little boy. We have decided to call him Henry Sutton Hill. Our heart's desire is that he may, should he be spared, prove worthy of the name of Sutton-a name which in connexion with the Orissa Mission shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

As you will suppose, Mrs. H. and myself are engaged daily with the language. Every morning I have a class of boys who have recently begun to learn English. Our custom is to read in Oriya, and then to translate it into English.

We also

read in English and then give the meaning in Oriya. These exercises I find very useful both in increasing my vocabulary of Oriya words, and making me more familiar with the elements and idioms of the language. For some time I have been in the habit of reading the hymns in the public service, and find it much easier to read than to speak.

The cause at Berhampore is not so flourishing as we could desire, but is not without its encouragements. Last Lord's-day morning it was my privilege and happiness to baptize four men and three women. Among the number there was the eldest son of Denabundoo, and also the same son's wife. Denabundoo, as you are most likely aware, was for some years a native preacher, but retired on account of ill health. At eleven o'clock we had service and Juggernaut preached an excellent sermon from "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' In the afternoon the newly baptized brethren and sisters received the right hand of fellowship and were welcomed into the church. In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation may "they shine as lights in the world."

brethren preach in The streets leading Pigs are the only

Most evenings, the weather permitting, some or all of the the bazaar. This is situated about a mile from our house. to it are narrow, irregular, unpaved, undrained and dirty. scavengers. The houses are small and of the meanest possible description, far, very far inferior to the most miserable cow-sheds of England.

As for windows

they are out of the question. In the bazaar the houses and shops are certainly both larger and better, but even here there is not a single pane of glass to be seen. To say nothing of the filthy condition of the ground-the total absence of a pavement, and the lowness and meanness of the buildings.

Owing to the poorness of the people and the fewness of their wants, the kinds of goods exposed for sale are very few compared with those of an English market. Rice, and spice, calicoes, and muslins are the principal articles of commerce. Fragments of English manufactured goods may be occasionally seen; such for instance as a few buttons from Birmingham,-a knife or a razor from Sheffield, or a bundle of cotton from Derby. Most of the articles are evidently made to sell-not to use. In the evening numbers of people throng the bazaar, and while some are busily engaged in buying or selling, others are merely taking an evening's stroll. Here and there may be seen a few groups gambling. To one of these brother Wilkinson and I went the other evening. What the game was we did not know, but it was not a little unlike that of draughts: on the game being ended brother W. took off his hat and placed it upon what we will call the draught-board. Suiting his address, as is usual, to the circumstances, he commenced by saying, "You have just finished one game, now I will tell you about another. On one side there is God, and on the other there is Satan. The stake is the immortal soul, and both parties are endeavouring to win it." By this method of introducing his subject the attention of the people was at once secured. Numbers more soon gathered around us, to whom a crucified Redeemer was fully set forth. Some few questions were asked, such as "We know we are bad, but what are we to do in order to become better?" It is, however, a matter of deep regret that so few are willing to wash in the fountain open for sin and uncleanness. Humanly speaking, the success attendant upon the Gospel does not appear at all equal to the amount of effort put forth. With confidence in God, however, we will not despair, knowing that " we shall reap if we faint not." Pray for us, dear brother, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, and Mrs. H. unite with me in christian love to yourself and Mrs. Hunter. Hoping you are well, I am, dear Mr. Hunter,

Affectionately yours,

WILLIAM HILL.

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MISS BUTLER'S

TO HER SISTER.

Cuttack, October 4th, 1856.

MY DEAR SISTER,-I am glad you enjoyed your visit to Paris, but am still more so that you prefer dear old England to that superficial, fickle, popish place. I can truly say "England with all thy faults I love thee still." There is not a country like it in the whole world. I think I can understand what your feelings would be when you entered the sanctuary after being deprived of the privilege for so long a time. "Lord I love the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth," is still the feeling of my heart. I do enjoy the English service, but I feel as though I cannot retain all I wish of it, or appreciate it sufficiently. I can understand Oryia very well, but have to keep my mind on full stretch to do so, and words will now and then be used the meaning of which I cannot immediately remember, and while I go off to find them in the vocabulary I have in my mind, I lose ideas, sometimes very important ones; and having to keep up this intense attention I cannot digest and apply the truths to my heart as I can in my native tongue. I am grateful I was born in England. I was talking the other day to an old woman who lives in the school, (she was brought from the Khond country with the eighty children Mr. Buckley spoke of,) and she told me she had had a husband and six children, that she actually saw four of