Just lately again, the good news have come that custom of hook-swinging is to be abolished. W has not heard of the festival of Churruck Pooja Who has not shuddered to see some picture of unhappy swinger aloft in the air, with the great in hooks through his back, pretending to feel nothin and scattering flowers over the dancing, yelling m titude below? In Poonah "fifteen families were apart and maintained for the express purpose of be thus tormented at the great festival." Other menne about with swords in their sides, or daggers thr through their cheeks, collecting money from the po deluded heathen crowd. But now the British goven ment has issued a proclamation, declaring that suck self-tortures will no more be permitted. "Hencefort any one attempting to swing, or to be swung, by flesh hooks, or to drive swords through the fleshy parts d his limbs, will be taken into custody by the police." And again, instead of resisting, the natives themselves are grateful to their rulers for putting a stop to the barbarous sport. One more good sign. After the abolition of Suttee, the Hindoos still had very harsh and unnatural notions about women whose husbands were dead. All widows must be shut up for life, regarded as disgraced, and never permitted to marry again. This also is to end. The Times newspaper, on the last day of January, in this year, told. its readers that a great thing had happened in the world. The first wedding of a Hindoo widow ever known had taken place. Hundreds of Brahmins, with other natives, were pre sent, and though some were angry, more seemed glad that the old foolish, cruel custom was passing away. The husband was a Pundit, and his name was ESCHUNDER SURMA. The bride, though a widow, only twelve years old! ow, what makes the Hindoo so ready to give up e old ways? It is not always that he feels and s the Gospel of mercy. Often, indeed, he remains, ries to remain, in his idolatry just the same. But istianity has done him good, which he will not 1. The Missionary has not converted him, it is -, but he has set him thinking. And thinking is great step to everything that is right and good. inhabitants of Hindostan having once begun, will k more and more; and the end of such cruelties hose I have mentioned will be the beginning of time when the Gospel of peace and love will rule the millions of that dark land. Q. LITTLE PILGRIMS. THE road to heaven is narrow, The sun-beams of the morning They pass o'er rugged mountains, They do not greatly tremble They know it leads to heaven, Children's Pap YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIAT NOTES AND NEWS. AN INTERESTING LETTER.—Many of our are much interested in the schools of Ceylon although the following letter is addressed only young friends connected with Henrietta-street Sch in London, it will be read with much pleasure by who are anxious to spread the gospel in heathen lan It was written in Singhalese by the native pastor, has been translated and forwarded by Mr. Davis. "Byamville, Ceylon, Nov. 19, 185 "My dear Christian Friends,-It gave us g pleasure to learn from Mr. Davis, our beloved T that Byamville School in Ceylon is (partly) suppor by your subscriptions. May I, therefore, inform some good news respecting the children who are t in the school? There are thirty boys in attenda some of whom can read in the Bible. They are taught writing and arithmetic. When these childr first came to school, they were quite ignorant: the did not know anything of their Creator; they believed like their ancestors, that everything came into exist YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 47 by itself, as taught by Buddhu. Now, since they › been taught the Word of God, they are led to eve that the Almighty Jehovah is the Creator of ything, both in heaven and in earth; also respectthe fall of man, and his becoming so sinful in l's sight; and the immortality of the soul, and its it value, &c. They have been taught how God ed the world, and sent his Son from heaven, to er a painful death for our salvation; that he is now >re the throne of God in heaven, pleading for us. en the Missionary comes to visit our school, he dly tells us how good people and their children in gland subscribe to send us the glad tidings of the spel. We thank God, who has put it into your rts to think of us in this heathen land, where the ple are daily led astray by false teachers. We d our Christian love to you, till we meet you in aven. May the Lord pour down upon you more I more of his blessing, and enable you, by the inence of his Holy Spirit, to continue your work of arity and labour of love, until the whole earth be ed with the glory of God. By the help of the Spirit ny souls have been led to believe in the Redeemer, d to follow in his appointed way. (Signed) "JOHN MELDER." A similar letter to the foregoing has also been sent to courage the young friends at Little Alie-street Sunday hool. We are grieved to say that Mr. Davis is now his way to England, with shattered health. May od preserve the life of his servant ! THE MONTHLY LECTURE.-The fourth lecture was elivered in the library of the Mission House, by the ev. John Stoughton, on February 13th. Sir S. M. Peto, Bart., presided. The object of the lecturer was show that human history and experience proved truth of the Bible, and showed that God must be author; and that its message of love and mercy adapted to the wants of all the human race. T should lead us ardently to desire that it may be co veyed to the ends of the earth. MEETINGS AND Lectures.-During the past mon the Secretary has addressed juvenile meetings Lectur Regent's-park, Woolwich, and Islington. with dissolving views have been given at Dacre-par Lee; Hackney-road; and Horsley-street, Walwort by Mr. Keen; and at Salter's-hall; Crayford; Upper Norwood by the Secretary. Lectures pictures, idols, &c., have been delivered at Charle street, Kennington, by Mr. Cole; and at Shouldha street; Fox and Knot-court; Maze Pond; and Ne Park-street by the Secretary. The Rev. W. Gill, of Raro tonga, gave an excellent lecture for the Association Lion-street School, on February 5th, on the South Sea Islands. Particulars will be given in the April Her respecting the arrangements for the annual juvenile meetings in London. AUXILIARY CONTRIBUTIONS : Bloomsbury-street School, for school at Hayti Fox and Knot-court Sunday-school for school materials for Ceylon. 33, Moorgate-street, 16th February, 1857. £ s. L 500 1 16 10 J. I. J. U.'s verses are not quite up to the mark. Ou young friend should try again. |