To the Rev. J. C. Pike.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-I now sit down to furnish you with a detailed account of one of the most interesting missionary journeys I ever remember to have taken. My companions in labour were the Rev. W. Hill and native preachers Balagi, Tama, and Mathew, and our encamping places were Conchoor, Coruala, Pathpore, Sana Kimedy, Degapunda, Nuaparda, Suringa, Chicketi, Pratapore, Jarada, and Toonpore, Dec. 28, 1858. Left home very early this morning, and on my way to Conchoor, accompanied Miss P- and Miss D- as far as our new village. These two ladies have seen something of missionary life in Bengal, and I was anxious for them to spend a day at our location. On our arrival we found this village in beautiful order, and after a careful inspection of every home, my friends assured me that the social condition of our Christian community was superior to that of the native Christians in Bengal. After settling several worldly matters, I continued my journey to Conchoor. A visit to this place brings back many agreeable reminiscences in my history. My first missionary journey was taken to this place thirteen years ago, and this reminds me how large a portion of my missionary life is past. O that I were more sensible to the rapid flight of time and more determined to labour with unweared zeal for the conversion of the heathen to Christ.

DEC, 29. We now fairly commenced our work, and as we have a strong party, we can divide our strength to advantage and visit five or six villages during the day. This morning I went in company with Tama to Saru. In addressing the people, I reminded them of former visits -that it was a pleasure to me to see them again-that the village was beautifully situated, on rising ground, the homes airy and healthy-the village well supplied with water-and the land exceedingly fertile. These preliminary remarks arrested the attention, and a large gathering listened with great seriousness while I addressed them on the goodness of God.

In the evening, went to Kontia Koli, a weaver village. We had a somewhat noisy congregation. Bro. Hill spoke first I commenced with a sluka (stanza) from

the shastras, "A man went through a field of hemp, and as he gazed on the beautiful yellow flowers, thought he had found a field of gold. He carefully tied up a large bundle of the plants, and carried them home. For a number of days he was greatly elated, thinking how suddenly he had become rich! but on going to look at his treasure, the golden tints had all disappeared-that which he esteemed beyond all price was perfectly worthless-and he exclaimed with sorrow, how deluded is this world, my wealth is all a dream." So it is with all your external performances; you may be zealous in the repeating of muntras, you may keep every feast, attend every festival, and offer every requisite sacrifice, but your toil will be without reward, and your labour without fruit-all will end in delusion. Byasidabe, the greatest sage that Hindooism ever knew, says, "that in works alone the heart can never be made pure, and while the heart remains impure all is impure;" and does not another of your sages affirm, "that as the fragrant sandal wood is powerless in destroying the strong scented garlick, so are works in changing the heart, and in the destruction of evil propensities?" Why then do you trust in them? Forsake these lying refuges; go to Christ; he died to save you, and though "your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool."

snow;

A few years ago a weaver died in this village, who had carefully read our books; his caste people called him their "village preacher," and from all I have been able to learn concerning him, I believe he died in the faith and hope of the gospel. I made some enquiries concerning his family, and found that according to Hindoo custom, the children were under the care of the next of kin to the deceased.

While in the village, I happened to look at a boil on a man's knee, and the people instantly caught the idea that I must have some knowledge of medicine, and in a few minutes I was literally besieged with applicants. One man brought his son covered with "ring-worms," and he was certain that "if I would cure him, I should obtain eternal honour." Another

suffering from a diseased mouth came with me to a native shop, where I procured some alum and gave him directions how to use it. I much regretted that I had not brought with me a larger stock of medicines, for next to the proclamation of the gospel there is nothing that I delight in so much as the relieving of suffering humanity.

Went afterwards into Conchoor town, and found the native preachers earnestly engaged with a Vedantist, who maintained that the destruction of any life was a sin. 30th. Arose this morning very early in order that our tent might be taken down for our expected journey to Coruala and Pathpore. On our way we called at Makara Jal, a fine open village. We ascended a large stone near a temple of Balya gopal (one of the worst forms of Krushnoo.) A goodly number of interesting people came round us, and as our time was limited, we at once commenced our work. I inquired if there were any of our books in the village, and the reply was given by several in the affirmative. One man said, "I have the 'Confuter of Caste.'" I requested him to let me see it, and he soon brought a well-worn copy of the tract. On our way from the village I noticed a solitary rock standing out of a field, and on enquiring whether there was any legend concerning it, was told that it was one of the stones that the monkey god Honooman brought from the Himalayas, when he built the bridge Cape Cormorin to Ceylon, but that becoming wearied with his burden, he let this rock fall, and there it had remained ever since.

We arrived at Coruala about ten a.m., and staid in our old encamping ground. We had many visitors during the dayseveral came only to spend an idle hour. With the more intelligent, Bro. Hill and I carried on several discussions-one young man was called to by some one in the distance to come away, and he shouted with great vehemence, "Don't you know that I am stopping here to go to heaven!" Little indeed he thought of heaven or hell! Coruala is a very large town, and had we more native preachers, would make an admirable out-station.

About three p.m, we continued our journey from Coruala to Pathpore. The Coruala valley is, without exception, the most fertile valley I have ever seen, fruit

"the

ful, I would almost say, even as garden of the Lord." "As we looked at the extensive sugar-cane plantations, and the almost endless variety of oilseeds which were then in flower, and other cereals, one could not but sigh that the occupants of such a soil should be stupid idolaters. Around this valley are mountains of every form and shape, but how little do the inhabitants think of Him "Who, being guided with power, setteth fast the mountains," and though they are so dependent on the mountain stream, they never give thanks to Him "Who watereth the hills from His chambers, and sendeth the springs into the valleys." Were this valley in the possession of an enterprising European, the whole might be covered with cane.

About midway between Coruala and Pathpore we called at a populous village on the banks of the river, and as the people ran out to meet us, we seated ourselves at the foot of a large peepul tree. I addressed them with some freedom for a time, and then Tama and Bro. Hill followed. An instance occurred here which often occurs when the natives are crowded together. A well-made, welldressed, respectable man, came near to listen to our message, and a tempest of wrath was soon poured upon him; the only reason was, that he was a low caste man, and the poor fellow, though his social condition ought to have been equal to any of his accusers, was made to stand in the distance.

During the day I saw a young Brahmin who had lost his brother by death, and in consequence had been unclean for eleven days. He had in his hand several leaves from the Jack fruit-tree to be used according to the Hindoo ceremonial law in purification-he said, that during the days of his separation no one would eat with him or associate with him, but that after his purification, he should be privileged to enjoy his position in Hindoo society.

Ere we had reached our encamping ground, the shades of evening were coming on, and our tent did not arrive until it was quite dark. We kindled a fire, and by its light succeeded in partially pitching it. We breakfasted at ten a.m., and dined about eight p.m. During our travels in the country we rarely take more than two meals a day.

THE Mission work at Agra, at the time of the outbreak, embraced two stations, that at the Kuttra in the city, and at the Secundra, at some distance from the city. At the Secundra is the tomb of the great Mogul Emperor, Akbar, by whom, in 1556, the city of Agra was founded, and after whom it is often called by the natives Akbarabad. The tomb is a magnificent pile, bearing on its highest story, on the very top, a spot paved with perfectly white and polished marble, on which is inscribed "Akbar."

Near this pile stood two other large tombs, one of them said to be that of Akbar's Christian wife. These had been fitted up, many years ago, as orphan refugees. In these the orphans, boys and girls, were lodged, and taught, and trained; and as they grew up, a Christian village was formed round the boys' refuge, consisting of four wide streets, corresponding with the four sides of the central building. The girls' refuge stood in the midst of a garden, enclosed by a wall. At the time of the outbreak there resided at this spot 428 native Christians, the largest flock of converts in North-west India. A printing press of a very superior kind was chiefly the means of giving them support.

Some few more particulars of what these poor people suffered at the time of the outbreak may not be uninteresting. Great alarm was felt at the Secundra during the month of May. A European lady, engaged in teaching the girls, has given some details. One night she was sitting "outside the press, to which, as it was a strong building, they all looked for a refuge in case of an attack, then hourly expected. The Christians took it by turn to go out in companys and keep watch for two hours at a time. It was a most interesting sight to see this little band, about ninety in number, all dressed in white cloths, with twenty Europeans and East Indians, who acted as officers, drawn up in four companies in the centre of the square, with their uncovered heads, bent in devotion, and muskets lowered, while Stephen, the catechist, prayed with them, and then united all in the Lord's Prayer.

At one time it was thought the attack had commenced, and the lady went across the square to speak to the women, and beg of them to make no noise by crying; but although going with a desire to comfort others, she fouud them better able to comfort her. She was pale and trembling, but was met by the assuring words from one of the women, Cheer up, Missie, don't fear. By God's grace we have been

It was so. On the memorable July 5th, 1857, when the European troops were compelled to retire into the fort from the overwhelming numbers of the mutineers, the Secundra Christians were admitted, but not until one of the Missionaries had declared, that if this were not done, he would go out to them, and his blood should flow with theirs. The women and children, about 240 in number, were first given entrance, and finally the men. They soon showed that they would prove no encumbrance, but a valuable help. They at once saved the medical stores from a house a mile distant from the fort, and supplied the place of above a thousand Hindu and Mohammedan servants, who, thinking the fort was about to be taken, had fled during the battle. The Christians were in continued request." Some baked the bread, some had charge of the guns, some were set over the workmen, and others were employed as carpenters. Poor people! during the first days of their stay in the fort, they were very badly off, scarcely a place to live in, with scanty food, all their little property being left behind, and lost. Such as were sickly and weak felt very keenly the loss of the comforts they had once enjoyed; others become ill from exertion and anxieties. But after a time, as the men obtained employment as family servants, or in the militia, their condition became more comfortable.

It should be mentioned that two of the Secundra families were obliged to remain in their houses. On the day when the church, schools, village, press-buildings, and dwellings were plundered and destroyed, they sought shelter in the neighbouring villages, and after some days, succeeded in getting to the fort. The one family was Abel's, the teacher, and the other Daniel's, the native doctor.

During the six mouths of weary confinement in the fort, the Missionaries continued to collect the native flock for divine service on Sundays. A convenient place, however, could not be had, and they were constrained to gather under a tree, or, in unfavourable weather, in a verandah. the Kuttra church repaired from the inSince tranquillity has been restored, and juries it had sustained, the Secundra Christians, to be near the church and schools, have taken lodgings close at hand.

There is an outstation to the Mission

* Mrs. Weitbrecht's Missionary Sketches in, North India, pp. 54, 55.