task was so painful, that they chose to communicate the information by letter. This increased the shock given to her feelings; but her fortitude wonderfully carried her through all the sad ceremony, which she could only now regard as a kind of death-warrant. I saw her the following day, when she mentioned all that had happened. She was much exhausted, but it seemed to be a relief to her mind; "for now, she said, "I have settled all my worldly affairs. I trust my peace is made with God; and I have nothing to do but to die." O how desirable to be thus waiting for the coming of the Lord! I was also told, that some days previous to this, she had risen from her bed, and got all her wardrobe arranged, and even laid aside the very articles of clothing, in which she wished her corpse to be dressed.

But

In my later visits to this dying convert, I always found that death and heaven were the subjects nearest her heart, and on which she delighted most to converse; and, as she ripened for the abodes of pure and endless bliss, her longing to enter upon their enjoyment daily increased. This desire to depart and be with Christ, was no doubt aided by the growth of her disease, and often she feared that she was sinning by impatience. all her ties to the world were broken; and, having sipped of the streams of heavenly pleasures, she naturally longed to drink at the fountain-head. Sacred hymns were much read to her when she was able to hear them; but the one in which she particularly delighted, because she considered it so appropriate to herself was, The hour of my departure's come,

I hear the voice that calls me home;
At last, O Lord, let troubles cease,
And let thy servant die in peace! &c.

The day on which I last saw her, she was reclining on a couch by the fireside, as her laborious breathing prevented her lying in her bed. She looked uncommonly interesting: so very emaciate and distressed, and yet so calm and placid. She was unable to converse, but requested me to pray with her. Her appearance affected me much; and, while I regretted my inability to give her relief, I mentioned, as a ground of consolation, that we had a great High Priest, who shared our infirmities, and sympathized with us in all our afflictions. Before engaging in prayer, I begged permission to read the beautiful paraphrase on the last verses of the 4th chapter of the Hebrews. The concluding stanzas are as follow:

In ev'ry pang that rends the heart,
The Man of Sorrows had a part;
He sympathises with our grief,
And to the suff'rer sends relief.
With boldness therefore at the throne,
Let us make all our sorrows known;
And ask the aids of heav'nly pow'r,
To help us in the dying hour..

I then knelt at her side, and endeavoured to suit my petitions to her trying situation. As I rose, she thanked me; and, taking hold of my hand, with a feeble voice, but with a most expressive countenance, she said, "God bless you, Sir! God bless you! You have been a kind friend to me. I trust you have saved my soul from the pit of destruction, and plucked me as a brand from the burning. Before I knew you, the very thought of death was dreadfully alarming; but now it is to me the most delightful subject, and I hope God will soon take me to himself. The circumstances attending this happy change have certainly been wonderful. I wish you to write an account of my conversion, as I think it may be useful to others."

After this, Miss M. lived for a fortnight; but the last stages of her disease were só distressing, and the medicine necessarily administered, produced an almost constant stupor, so that she was unfit to receive my visits. At tranquil moments she was frequently observed to be praying, and sometimes her ejaculations were indistinctly heard. And thus she lingered out her appointed days on earth, until the measure of her tribulation being filled up, I fondly trust she had an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God her Saviour, where she now joins the ransomed throng, in singing the heavenly hallelujah.

For now concludes the mighty strife,

And death is swallowed up in life.
She mounts, she flies, she flies away
To regions of eternal day;

And pure white robes to her are given,
Wherewith she shall appear in heaven.

TESTIMONIES TO THE HOLY BIBLE.

Christ. Guard.

The last act of the celebrated Sir William Jones was an act of homage to the Redeemer; he died in his closet, with his hands clasped together, and his eyes turned upward towards heaven. The following testimony of this great man ought surely to have great weight. "I have regularly and attentively read these holy Scriptures, and am of opinion that this volume, independent of its divine origin, contains more sublimity and beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence, than can be collected from all other books, in whatever age or language they may have been composed."

The learned Mr. Bryant, after having written a work to prove that Troy never existed, said:" This investigation I more readily undertook, as it affords an excellent contrast with the sacred writings. The more we search into the very ancient records of Rome and Grecce, the greater darkness and uncertainty ensue. None of them can stand the test of close examination. Upon a minute inspection, all becomes dark and doubtful, and often inconsistent; but when we encounter the sacred volume, even in

parts of higher antiquity, the deeper we go, the greater treasure we find. The various parts are so consistent, that they afford mutual illustration; and the more earnestly we look, the greater light accrues, and consequently the greater satisfaction." So it has always appeared to me, who have looked diligently, and examined; and I trust I have not been mistaken."

Such a supply has just arrived at this mission as, perhaps, never before, since the foundation of the world, came to Bellary. Here are 2000 of our Redeemer's Sermon on the Mount, printed in Canarese; near 200 Testaments in Teloogoo; almost the same quantity of English Bibles, together with 32 dozen of tracts in Tamul and Teloogoo, besides 82 dozen received a short time since. What a pleasing sight! It quite cheers my drooping spirits, and revives my too often desponding heart. Who can calculate the immense harvest that shall appear in the last day as the produce of this seed? It is of a precious and immortal nature, and will be scattered far and wide. O that it may fall into good ground, bring forth in some thirty, in some sixty, in some an hundred fold.

The affairs of this mission at present, wear, upon the whole, a pleasing, promising, and encouraging aspect. Allow me, for your information, to take a brief and hasty view of the different departments.

Translations.-The great Head of the Church has been pleased to honour us, his unworthy servants, by sparing our lives, and permitting us to complete, in the beginning of the present year, a version of the whole sacred volume in the Canara language. Since that time a large portion of almost every day has been employed in the work of revision. In this important exercise we proceed cautiously and slowly, diligently comparing verse for verse with the original, consulting the best commentators, in order that the translation may go forth into the world as faithful and correct as possible. The responsibility that is attached to our character in this arduous and exalted mission, often makes us tremble as we pace along from day to day. But as this is in such an especial manner God's own work, we feel peculiar confidence in looking to him for that strength, guidance, and ability, which we require.

Brother Hands has been at Madras the whole of this year; brother Taylor, absent about three months at Madras; so that

for a considerable time I have been quiet alone. The care of all the schools, preaching to the English, and various other avoca tions, pressed so heavily upon me, that often I was obliged to miss a day in translating; this has made the work proceed considerably slower than it would otherwise have done. We are now revising the 10th chapter of Exodus.

Brother Hands has finished the printing of Matthew, and is now going on with Mark, and will, I hope, in another six months at farthest, be restored to us again.

Schools. This is perhaps the most important sphere of a missionary's labour. Here we seem to be sowing the acorn; it may be for our children, or our children's children, to see the sturdy towering oak. These institutions, there can be no doubt, are silently undermining the strongest holds of Satan, and will prepare us ultimately to storm, in the most effectual manner, his well built and best fortified citadels. Unadulterated truth instilled into the youthful mind, will do more than the machine of Archimedes, it will turn the world upside down.

In addition to our former thirteen native schools, we have lately established another at Mokai, a very populous town, distant about twelve miles from Bellary. This is in a very prosperous state, nearly seventy children attend daily the schoolmaster is a superior and diligent man. Many of the boys will soon have committed to memory both our Catechisms, and the whole of the Sermon on the Mount.

We have in the past year formed an adult school also. This has hitherto been conducted on rather a limited scale; but sufficient encouragement has been afforded to stimulate us to persevere, and not "be weary in well doing." Four or five, who, a few months ago did not know the alphabet, will very soon be able to read, with tolerable accuracy, the New Testament in Tamul. It is our intention that they should, if possible, learn to write also. These people all attend our Tamul congregation on a Thursday evening; one man in particular has discovered a very pleasing spirit-confesses the folly of idolatry, and wishes to understand the nature of Christianity. Adult schools, where practicable, are surely highly worthy the attention of missionaries, and may, if conducted with prudence and perseverance, be the means of delivering many a poor Pagan from that extreme ignorance, in which otherwise he must perish for lack of knowledge, with that cutting language on his lips, "I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul!"

One of the catechists has just been round to all the schools, and his report of their present state is very favourable. In several towns immense congregations assembled together, to hear him preach the gospel; all the books he took with him were received with the greatest avidity. The schools, except one or VOL. VI.

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two, seem all to be in a thriving state; hundreds of the children have now a large knowledge of the Christian doctrine, and the way of salvation, so that they may grow up to call the Redeemer blessed.

The schools established in Bellary and its immediate vicinity, are pretty much under our eye, and we are able to see well to their different movements: all the children in these schools, that are capable of committing catechisms, &c. to memory, come to the mission-house every Monday to repeat what they have learnt during the week. This we find an admirable plan for promoting diligence and progress in divine knowledge. O! that the Father of Mercies, may smile upon these institutions, and give them his rich blessing.

In addition to the above, we have very recently commenced a Sunday school for children, which promises very extensive benefits. The good people have made a considerable collection for the purchase of a Sunday School Library, suitable reward books, &c. &c. Fifteen young persons have volunteered their services as teachers, and nearly eighty children have attended regularly twice on the Sabbath since the commencement.

Catechists. Ryadass, and Anunderayer, continue to afford us satisfaction and pleasure by the outward consistency of their moral deportment. O, that in the last day they may be found to have been faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God. In our great work they are capable of rendering the greatest assistance. They have both good abilities for public speaking, and great fluency; their knowledge of divine things is very extensive, and it is our daily study and prayer that they may live more and more under its practical influence. We cannot help taking a peculiar interest in these two men, because so much depends on their personal piety, stedfastness, humility, and ardent concern for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world. Therefore may the Spirit, in all his gracious and copious influences be poured out upon them. The very God of peace sanctify them wholly. I pray God, that their body, soul, and spirit, may be preserved, blameless, unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We keep them pretty well employed. No day scarcely ever passes by without their having some intercourse with the heathen, in order, if possible, to make known unto them the way of salvation. They talk with all strangers that come to our house, and endeavour to show unto them the necessity of a divine atonement. Part of the day they occupy in copying tracts or translating. They always attend all our public services with the natives, and are in general the chief speakers. Besides this, Ryadass goes several times throughout the week into the public bazaars, and other places of general resort, where he reads the scriptures, and preaches unto the heathen that they should turn