CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION CHINA AND THE CHINESE THE GIFT OF CHARLES WILLIAM WASON CLASS OF 1876 1918 \ nil v^i:ii iiiiiisin\ riii'RriiES.. iii:viiM.\ MANUAL OF MISSIONS : \ OB, SIETCHES OF THE FOEEIGI MISSIONS OF THE * PBESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ■WITH MAPS SHOWING THE STATIONS ; AND STATISTICS OF PEOTESTANT MISSIONS AMONG UNEVANGELIZED NATIONS. BY JOHN C. LOWRIE, Ooe of llie Seoretariea of the Board of Foreign Miaeions of the FrOBbyterlan Chnrch. ■Seconti SStiftion. NEW YOEK : ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, 683 BROADWAY 18 5 5. iiWIVin T 1 r, • -1 f ' ,■<> MISSION HOUSE, 23 CENTEE STIIEET. the Board and the inconvenience of these rooms led to another change, and a part of a house was rented in City HaU Place, where the office was held for some years. These rooms, however, were not weU suited to the use of the Board ; and the plan of renting an office was found 24 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. : to be expensive, and attended with the risk of change and other serious inconveniences. It is therefore a most happy thing that a house con- veniently situated, well lighted, sufficiently large, and planned for its special use, is now owned by the Board. Its offices are rent-free, and are better suited to its purposes than rented rooms at almost any cost. In the Mission House, besides the Treasurer's 'and Secretaries' offices, there are apartments for packing and storing goods to be sent to the missions. These occupy the basement story. When several missionary families are about to sail, their trunks, boxes, parcels, articles of fur- niture, &c., fill up these apartments, often to an uncomfortable degree ; and both the economy and the convenience of these rooms become quite apparent. To rent suitable places for such purposes, when mis- sionaries are preparing to embark, would always be attended with much expense, and might often be found impracticable. The rooms devoted to the Museum, in the third story, contain a rare variety of idol gods and goddesses, from India, Siam, China, Africa, and other heathen countries, besides numerous otier objects of interest. This collection is gradually increasing in extent and value, and is worthy of attention by the friends of missions. Visitors are admitted at any time, on application to the officers or clerks in the House. A large room is occupied by the Library. The books here collected number about 2000 volumes, mostly relating directly or indirectly to the work of missions. They include numerous translations of the Sacred Scriptures, Dictionaries and Grammars of foreign languages, Keports and Periodicals of Missionary Institutions in bound volumes, Memoirs of Missionaries; works on the Indians, on Africa, India, China, &c. They form a collection of .very considerable value, and one which should be gradually enlarged. A number of works by Chinese authoi's occupy a recess in the same room. This is probably the only library of the kind in- this country. It consists of about 1000 volumes, of which 400 are but one work, " The Twenty-Four Histories ;" and apother work, "A Uni- versal Encyclopaedia," with maps, diagrams, and sketches, extends to 120 volumes. " The Five Classics" number 104 volumes, and a second series, under a similar title, contains 22 volumes. These are all in octavo, as are works on Botany, Descriptions of particular districts. Accounts BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. 25 of kings and emperors, Dictionaries, &c., besides some works of smaller size. The whole collection gives a striking view of the extent of Chinese literature, and makes one sigh over the strange language which renders its stores inaccessible to most readers. Tet for reference these volumes may prove of great service. They were collected by the late lamented Mr. Olyphant, a merchant in the China trade, for some years a most valued member of the Executive Committee, and by his charac- teristic liberality they occupy a place in the Mission House Library. In other rooms are kept the bound volumes of Letters received at the missionary office. These are arranged according to date. AH from correspondents in this country are classified under Domestic, and those from the missionaries are placed under the head of the Missions. Thus, the volume labelled, " Domestic — January to June, 1853," includes the home letters received in those months ; and the volume labelled, " India Letters, Lodiana, 1847-51,'' contains the letters from the Lodiana Mis- sion in that time. Each volume has an index, making reference easy. There are upwards of sixtv of these thick volumes, and each year steadily increases the number. In addition to these' are many volumes, consisting exclusively of letters relating to the Missionary Chronicle formerly published, and to the Foreign Missionary. The copies of letters sent from the office flU several volumes more. And the Trea/- surer's books of account, of various kinds, form still another class, second to none in their importance. A copy of every letter with re- mittances of money to the missions, and every letter containing remit- tances from the churches or individuals to the treasury, wiU. be found among these volumes. Matters of business, which to some readers may seem to be without interest, have chiefly occupied this chapter. But all will acknow- ledge their practical importance. The healthful action of all the mis- sions, and the confidence of the churches, alike depend largely on the efficient and responsible management of the pecuniary afiairs of the Board. Tet these are but the scaffolding. The temple is every thing. II. MISSIONS AMONG THE IFDIAN TRIBES. ' Kills ttat iiortl in t8« ioiHiernMS Eiall ioin ietart ftim." The Indians of our day may be divided into two classes, — ^those who are now partially civilized, and live in a somewhat settled state, and those who are yet savages. It is among the former that our missionary stations are chiefly found. Indeed, their partial civilization must be ascribed in no small measure to the influence of Christian missions.* These tribes are mostly the remnants of once powerful nations. Some * For a valuable and Interesting collection of evidence taken before a Committee of the British House of Commons, showing that Christian missions confer the greatest tem- poral benefits on the people amongst whom they are established, see a volume entitled, " Christianity the Means of Civilization." London, 1887. HI 3fn-oin-hOo Lidi.H.^.lELi INDIAN TKIBES. 27 of them are found in the western part of New Toirk; others in MicH- gan, but the larger part live in the territory west of the Mississippi river, known as the Indian Eeservation. This Eeservation lies imme- diately west of the States of Arkansas and Missouri, between Red river on the south and Platte river on the north — a territory about three hundred miles in breadth, by five hundred miles in length, from north to south. The General Grovernment has set apart this country for the exclusive use of the Indians. It is of unequal fertility, but embraces a large amount of choice land, and it enjoys the great advan- tage of being penetrated or bordered by several noble rivers. Here are collected: — beginning our enumeration at the south, and proceeding northward — Ohickasaws, Ohoctaws, Creeks, Seminoles, Oherokees, Osa- ges, Wyandots, Potawatomies, Weas and Piankeshaws, Peorias and Kaskaskias, Ottawas,and Chippewas, Shawnees, Kanzas, Dela wares, Kickapoos, lowas, Poxes and Sacs, Otoes and Missouries. Immediately nortt of the Reservation, the Omahas and other tribes have an uncer- tain abode. Most of the Indians in this Territory belong to tribes which former- ly lived on the eastern side of the Mississippi ; some of them in the Atlantic States. The Oherokees dwelt in Georgia ; the Ohoctaws, in Mississippi; the Creeks, partly in Alabama. The interests of the people of these States were supposed to require the removal of the Indians out of their bounds, a measure not to be justified on any other ground than that of stern necessity. It may well be questioned whether this plea should have been admitted. The happy working of a Chris- tian policy towards the Indians has been shown in the State of Michi- gan, where laws were passed by the Legislature to facilitate their becoming citizens. This humane and enlightened policy has wrought no evil to the State, while it is gradually leading many of the Indians to become owners of smaU farms, and to support themselves and their families by honest industry. But these liberal views were not preva- lent at the period when the removal of the Oherokees and other south- ern tribes was enforced. The measure was carried through at the urgent instance of the States, by the power of the General Govern- ment, with as much humanity as the severe circumstances of the case would permit, but unquestionably with very great suffering to the poor 28 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. Indians. Tet good, has been brought out of this great evil. Tho Indians, in their new abodes, are under the protection of the General Government, dwell in peace, and enjoy many opportunities of improve- ment. Considerable sums of money are paid to many of these tribes in annuities, as a compensation for the lands formerly held by them ; and these annuities are partly expended in the support of schools. Several of the tribes enjoyed the instructions of missionaries previous to their removal, and they are now fairly entered on the march of civil- ization. Their numbers are beginning to increase, which is a sure sign that they are becoming free from the wasting habits of savage life. Besides the partially civilized tribes in the Indian Territory, there are some small bands in the States of New Tork and Michigan, whose- progress in the arts of peace may be rated at a similar grade. Some of the Indian &milies in New Mexico, particularly the Pueblos, live in a somewhat settled way ; and the Indians of California, it is believed, could be induced, by the adoption of suitable measures, involving some expense at first to the General Government, to group themselves on reservations of land, and under the care of missionaries to engage in the cultivation of the soil. It would cost infinitely less of money and of effort to provide in this way for the civilization of those Indians, and thus to make them useful citizens, than to employ a military force for their restraint or punishment. Which method of dealing with an ignorant heathen people by a great Christian nation would be most humane and praiseworthy, it requires no argument to show. The other general class of Indians are those who are yet addicted to the ways of savage life. Numerous tribes are still found ranging over the vast tracts of country lying east and west of the Eocky Mountains. These tribes differ greatly from each other; some, like the Caman ches, being numerous and fierce, living by war and violence as well as by the chase ; others, like the poor Iloot<3igger3, being objects, not of terror, but of pity. Amongst these wandering and savage tribes no missionary station is to be found. And it deserves serious considerar tion, whether any thing can be done for them. It must surely be expected that some way of carrying to them the story of the cross will be presented. The streams of emigration to Oregon and California are INDIAN TRIBES. 29 now flowing tlirougli these Indian hunting-gronnds, and onr country- men are in almost feverish expectation of railway travelling across the continent. May these signs of the times betoken the blessings of the gospel, carried by the churches of this land to these long-neglected tribes ! The first Indian mission, commenced in 1833 by the Western Foreign Missionary Society, which was the germ of the Board of Forei^ Missions of the Presbyterian Church, was established amongst the "Weas, a small band, occupying a part of the Indian Territory, near its northern boundary. With this mission the Eev. Messrs. Joseph Kerr and Wells BushneU, and their wives, were connected, and several male and female teachers. The Eev. William D. Smith had previously made an interesting exploring tour amongst the tribes on the Missouri, which led to the formation of the Wea mission. Encouraging success followed the labors of the missionaries ; a church was organized, and a number of native converts added to its communion ; but the mission •was relinquished after a few years, partly on account of the failure of health' and removal of some of the brethi^n, and chiefly because a mission had been afterwards formed by another denomination amongst a small neighboring and kindred band. As the number of Weas was but some two or three hundred, and their kinsmen were hardly more numerous, it was a measure of questionable propriety to form a sepa- rate mission among the latter band ; but this having been done, it then appeared to be inexpedient to maintain the Wea mission, and the laborers who had health to remain were transferred to the Iowa tribe. Some of the noblest examples of self-denying and faithful missionary labor, and some of the brightest displays of the power of divine grace, were witnessed in the brief history of the mission amongst this little tribe. ' The Indian missions of the Board are found now among the Ohicka- saws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles, occupying the southern part of the Indian Territory; the lowas and Sacs, near the northern part; the Omahas and Otoes, in the vicinity of Coincil Bluffe, on the Mis- souri river ; and some bands of the Chippewas and Ottawas, on Grand and Little Traverse bays, Michigan. The Iowa and Sac mission is the oldest on this list, having been so MANUAL OF MISSIONS. formed in 1835. These Indiana live near the northern boundary of the Indian Territory, and the river Missouri separates them from the white settlements. • The lowas numbered about 1100 souls, and the Sacs 500, when the mission was first commencod amongst them. Owing to the prevalence of intemperance, especially among the lowas, their numbers have been decreasing : only about 750 were enumerated in 1S47, and but 437 in 1853. Their vicinity to the settlements of white people has proved a serious drawback to their improvement. For several years the whiskey-trade was carried on with little restraint, and it is stiU too easy for the besotted Indians to 'cross over the river and seek their most deadly enemy. Amongst the demons of our race, a front rank must be assigned to the whiskey-traders on the borders of the white and Indian settlements. They have carried on their destruc- tive business in defiance of the laws of God and man, tempted by its enormous gains. An Indian has been known to exchange a good horse for a small keg of whiskey. The authorities of the Government have endeavored to prevent this demoralizing traffic with the Indians, but it is a difficult thing to restrict it. Its influence on the poor lowas has been most debasing. They are becoming fewer in number, dispirited and degraded. The Sacs are a more sober and industrious tribe, but they are equally indifferftit to the gospel. The missionaries have prosecuted their work steadily in the face of great discouragements, and at times in the midst of serious perils to life, owing to the excitement and quarrels of the Indians under the influence of intoxicating liquor. When sober they regard the breth- ren as their best friends, and place the greatest confidence in them. Preaching and visiting from lodge to lodge have occupied much time and attention, but without much visible fruit. It would seem that but little good can be done to the adult part of these tribes. For the children, schools have been opened. For several years a day-school was maintained, attended by from forty to fifty scholars. In 1846 a boarding-school was established, a large building haviog been erected for this purpose. In this school the number of scholars has been from thirty to forty. In this department of their work the missionaries find their chief encouragement. The language of the lowas was reduced to writing, a grammar pre- INDIAN TEIEES. 31 pared, a small printing-press set up in 1843, portions of the Scriptures transMed, a hymn-book and some elementary books published. Efforts have not been largely extended in this line, however, as .it is deemed more important to teach the children to read the English language. Eor a full account of the mission, the reader will consult the Annual Reports of the Board ; and these will convey a strong impression of the , self-denial, industry, patience, and faith, with which the mission- aries have continued year after year in this discouraging field. Their labors have not been in vain. A few converts have been admitted to the church, one of whom finished her course in 1847, being supported by a good hope through grace. According to the Report of this year, 1854, this mission has one station, one ordained missionary, one male and three female assistant missionaries, twenty three boys and twenty one girls in boarding-schools. Next in date is the Chippewa and Ottawa mission, which was commenced in 1838. Reserving a somewhat ftdl account of this suc- cessful mission for a later place in this papei, I will only give here the numerical statistics contained in the Report of this year, 1854. It has three stations, one ordained missionary, nine male and female as- 'sistant missionaries, a church embracing over thirty communicants, buildings and arrangements for a boarding-school completed, with forty-six scholars, and sixty scholars in day-schools. The MISSION AMONO THE Oreeks was commenced by the Rev. Robert M. Loughridge in 1842, under circumstances of peculiar interest ; and its progress has been marked by the favor of Heaven. The district of country occupied by the Oreeks lies west of the State of Arkansas, in the Indian Territory, between the Ohoctaw district on the south, and the Cherokee on the north. Their number is over 20,000 souls, They are advancing in the knowledge of agriculture and the simpler mechanic arts. Missionaries had been stationed among them in fort mer years by several Societies, but they had been required to leave the Indian country by the chiefs ; and for some years previous to Mr. Lough- ridge's visit to them, this large tribe had been destitute of missionary laborers. Mr. Loughridge spent some months during the winter of 82 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. 1841 and 1842 in the Creek country, visiting tlie leading chiefs and the different settlements in the nation, and he thus gained their confi- dence and good-will. The result was a kind of treaty, a written agree- ment signed by both parties, giving him permission " to establish a mission at some suitable point, with a school, to be under the control of the mission ; but preaching to be only at the mission station, and the number of missionaries not to exceed four at the commencement ; the missionaries not to interfere with the government schools or the national afEiirs ; the chiefs to afford their countenance and protection, and the use of as much land as may be wanted for the mission families." The proviso concerning interference with their schools and public affairs was probably inserted with reference to the events of former years. Early in 1843, Mr. Loughridge with his wife reached the Indian country agaia, and met with a most cordial reception. A log-house wag built for his family, and another for a school-house. The station was called Kowetah, and is twenty-five miles west of the eastern bound- ary, and eight miles from the northern. On the Sabbath, religious ser- vices were held, and a school was taught during the week ; the attend- ance at both, and the interest evinced in them, were encouraging. A boarding-school wa%commenced in 1845, at first with twenty scholars. A church was organized in January of the same year. A second sta- tion was formed at Tallahassee, sixteen miles east of Kowetah, in 1848, and a large building erected for a boarding-school. A day-school was opened at the Agency, two miles east of Tallahassee, which was transfer- red to that station, and afterwards relinquished. The boarding-schools at the two stations contained for some time one hundred and twenty scholars, in equal numbers of boys and girls ; there are still eighty pupils at Tallahassee, but the number at Kowetah, owing to various causes, has been reduced. These schools have proved a means of great good to the youth connected with them. A considerable number of the scholars have become members of the church ; " times of refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord" have caused the hearts of the mis- sionaries to rejoice in their work, many of their beloved scholars having sought and found the way of life. No one of the Indian mis- sions of the Board has been more honored in the hopeful conversion INDIAN TRIBES. 33 of souls. Some of the conyerts, as well as of the missionaries, have died in the triumphs of faith. Two young men, formerly pupils in the school, have been taken under the care of the Presbytery as candidates for the ministry. And the missionary work is stiU going on with marked encouragement and success. This mission, according to the Eeport of this year, 1854, now con- sists of two stations, two ordained missionaries, nine male and female and two native assistant missionaries, fifty-five communicants, and one hundred and twenty scholars in boarding-schools. One of the most important of these missions is the institution called Spencer Academy, among the Ohoctaws. This was placed under the charge of the Board by the Council of the nation, in 1845. Christian missions were commenced among the Choctaws by the American Board, in the year 1818, while these Indians were living east of the Mississippi. Under the labors of devoted missionaries the hap- piest fruits were beginning to appear, before the removal of the tribe from their former lands. These fruits were not altogether lost at the time of their reluctant and afficting change of abode. They were accompanied to their new homes by their best friends, the missiona- ries — some of whom were permitted to continue long in their work of feith and labor of love. The names of KingS1i)ury, Byington,, and Wright, will be ever regarded as amongst the greatest benefactors of this "people. One of these fathers, the Eev. Alfred Wright, has been lately called to his rest ; but before his death, and while a member of the General Assembly which met at Charleston, S. C, in 1852, he could speak of more than eleven hundred church members, he himself- being the pastor of a church of nearly three hundred communicants. The Scriptures also have been translated into the Choctaw language. The Choctaw people are no longer to be -classed among the ruder' tribes, though doubtless many of them are far from having reached the standard of a Christian civilization, and still more, alas! have not be- come Christians even in profession. Tet in 1846 they were described as " all living on farms, and sustaining themselves "by cultivating the soil. Many of their farms and-cabins are small, yet not more so than is found in every new settlement of our western forests. But many of their farms are well improved and the buildings good. Their country 2* Si MANUAL OF MISSIONS. has in it abundance of good land, and stock is easily raised. On their farms many families, are living comfortably, who are wholly Indian, and cannot speak a word of English. They are destitute, in these scattered abodes, of stated preaching : and they need schools and teachers in the different neighborhoods." The Ohoctaws have now an organized government, consisting of a Legislative Council, and Courts of Justice, with an excellent Code of Laws. In the administration of their civil affairs they would not suf- fer by comparison with some of their white neighbors, if indeed their proceedings would not put to the blush "the law and order" main- tained in some of our States. In one important matter they are greatly in advance of many of the States, — ^they have made a most liberal pro- vision for the education of their children. They expend upwards of #20,000 annually for this object, or a sum equal to a tax for educa^ tion ,alone of about one dollar to each person. This money is paid 'out of their annuities from the Government. In the expenditure of their fands for education, the Ohoctaws natu- rally and wisely availed themselves of the help of their missionary friends; and they adopted the system of boarding-schools. Appro- priations of money were made for the erection of buildings, and for the current expenses in part of several schools of this class, which were placed under the charge of the American Board, the Methodist and the Baptist Missionary Societies. The Missionary Societies provide the teachers, books, &c., and also the board and clothing' of a certain number of scholars, involving on their part an expenditure estimated at about one-fourth more than the amount received from the Indians. The Council reserved one institution for their own control, intending to make Spencer Academy neither a local nor a missionary school, but one which should receive scholars from all parts of the nation, to be trained under a superintendent and teachers appointed by the Indian authorities. The Academy was projected in 1842, and endowed with an appropriation of $6,000 per annum from their own fands, and $2,000 from the Indian Department. A reservation of land has been set apart for its use, which, however, is too sterile to admit of profitable cultivation, though it furnishes fuel and partial-advantages for farming. Buildings for the acoommodation of one hundred scholars are placed INDIAN TRIBES. 35 Jn tBe centre of the reservation. The Academy was opened in Febru- ary, 1844, with sixty pnpUs, and the average number while it continued under the direction of the OouncU was seventy-five. After trial, serious difficulties were found to attend the actual work- ing of the institution as originally planned, — difficulties rdating to its expenses, instruction, and government. The Council therefore proposed to transfer the charge of this Academy to the Board, on the condition of the Board contributing $2,000 per annum to its support. This was an unexpected sphere of missionary labor, and in view of the imports ance of having the youth connected with the Academy under Chris- tian influence, the Committee could not long hesitate to accept the trust. The mission was commenced under the charge of the Kev. James B. Eamsey, as superintendent, in 1846. Mr. Eamsey's health having become impaired, he resigned this post, and was succeeded in 1850 by the present superintendent, the Eev. Alexander Eeid. To the devoted services of, these brethren and their associates, the Choc- taws are greatly indebted ; but for the detailed history of the mission, reference must be made to the Annual Eeports of the Board. It is a mdssion which requires a great amount of labor, both at the station and at the Mission House. It has met with difficulties, losses, opposi- tion, and sad bereavements. One of the most severe bereavements was the death of the Eev. Alexander J. Graham, a young minister of superior endowments and devoted piety. Yet this mission has already accomplished a great and blessed work, and it is now in full progress, under gratifying circumstances, and with very favorable prospects. I will only add, to show the exemption of the Board from any just charge of seeking their own things instead of the benefit of the Indians, that while the stipulated number of pupils is one hundred, the actual num- ber has always been considerably larger, and last year amounted to one hundred and thirty ; and while the agreement between the Board and the Council requires an expenditure of $2,000 per annum by the for- mer over the amount received from the latter, the sum actually ex- pended has averaged over $3,100 per year above the amount received. This, hpwever, is a very small sum to be expended by the Church of Christ towards securing the Christian education of more than one hun- dred Choctaw youths, the flower of their nation, the magistrates, legis- 'Sa MANUAL OF MISSIONS. latora, and professional men of their generation. May ttey be found the true disciples of Jeaus ! Eeligioua services are conducted at the station, and at neighboring places, on the Sabbath ; and durmg the vacations of the Academy, the gospel has been preached in more distant parts of the Indian country. These labors have not been in vain in the Lord. Some have been led to put their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation; and a church was organized in 1847, to which a number of native members have been added. The changes at the station, some leaving every year whose places are supplied by others, have tended to prevent satisfactory re- turns of the number of members connected with the church ; but the youth converted here may be expected to become members of churches in other places, and thus their Christian influence will be widely extended. According to the Eeport of this year, 1854, the force employed in this mission consisted of one ordained missionary, and thirteen male and female assistant missionaries. • The attention of the Board was directed to the Otoes akd Omahas for some years before it was found practicable to establish a mission among them. Arrangements were made to receive some of their chil- dren into the boarding-school among the lowas, but their fears pre- vented any thing being done in this way. In the autumn of 1846, the Rev. Edmund M'Kinney and his wife removed from the Iowa station to Bellevue, in the neighborhood of Council Blufis, on the Missouri river, — a place which afforded convenient access to the Otoes and Omahas. A buUding of hewn logs was completed in the spring of 1848. It is two stories high, sixty-four feet in front by twenty-eight in width, with two side wings of proportional size, and is well suited for a missionary family and boarding-school. Besides conducting reli- gious services on the Sabbath, the missionary has the charge of the school. The number of scholars has varied from twenty-five to forty- five, of both sexes, including the children of Otoes, Omahas, Pawnees, Puncas, and half-breeds. The mission family and school have been repeatedly visited with sickness, and it has been found extremely diffi- cult to procure servants for household work. For several years the mission was aerio^sly embarrassed by the changes and the inadequate INDIAN TEIBES. 37 supply of assistant missionaries. Its prospects are now more favorable, although Mr. M'Kinney felt constrained by the health of himself aad family to withdraw during the last year from this field of labor. Hia place has been supplied by the transfer of the Eev. WiUiam Hamilton and his wife from the Iowa mission, who are aided by a tgacher and his wife, a female teacher, and a farmer and his wife, all lately appointed, and entering on their work with fine qualifications for its duties. The friends of these poor Indians may hope that brighter days are now to shine upon them. The past labors of the mission have not indeed been without fruit; and the example of self-denial, patient endurance 'of suffering, and perseverance in discouraging circumstances, should be of great price to a church whose members are generally living in the enjoyment of abundant earthly comfort ; but we may now look for more direct returns from the labor expended on this field than have yet been afforded, if only faith and prayer do not fail. The numbers, character, and condition of these remnants of once .powerful tribes were thus described in former Annual Eeporta of the Board : " The Otoes are divided into six bands, and number 1166. They are much esteemed by the neighboring tribes for their daring spirit, both in war and the chase ; bat their moral character is far from being good. They indulge to excess in the use of intoxicating liquors, and have at times displayed the character of perfect savages in acts of ferocity and violence. As they live mostly, by hunting, the men, women, and children follow the buffalo far to the west and south-west. They are desirous, notwithstanding, of having missionaries and teachers to reside among them, are willing that their children should be taught, and will listen themselves to the preaching of the gospel, " The Omahas number 1050, and are esteemed more docile and harm- less than the adjoining tribes. They have long been most anxious to have missionaries and teachers among them ; and since the brethren have come, they have given them a most cordial welcome. It is affect- ing to hear them relate their effprts to obtain a knowledge of truth. Their remote ancestors had cut a pole, which was to be held sacred, and handed down to the latest generations ; and had also given them a sacred pipe, with which they were to worship on the death of a chief 38 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. or other important event ; but these, they say, could not give them any instruction, for which reason they thought our Bible was to be greatly preferred. They are extremely anxious to have their children taught. Provision was liberally made last lyear by a few ladies in New York to support a large number of these children in the board- ing-school at Iowa. This was, at first, the earnest request of the chiefs ; but when the Indians were applied to for their children, they were afraid and unwilling to trust them to go so fer away, lest the tribes in whose bounds the school is placed should do them injury. " They'have been forced to leave their old villages above the Council Bluff by their enemies, the Sioux, and are at present very much dis- pirited. They are also restricted in their hunting-grounds by their cruel and powerful neighbors. Prom these causes they are very poor : both men and women are clothed in skins, and their children, even in winter, are nearly naked, and often entirely so. During the last summer they suffered from an attack of the lowas, by which a number were wounded, and also from a murderous attack of the Sioux, by which seventy-three of their number were killed. 'By this dreadful calam- ity,' writes Mr. McKinney, ' many of the Omaha families have been entirely destroyed ; many husbands and fathers have lost their wives and children, and the whole nation now in this neighborhood is com- pletely broken dovm in spirit. They seem to think there is no hope for them, and ask of their agent and missionary, in their most afflicting circumstances of bereavement and destitution, What now shall we do? Their agent. Major John MiUer, a professing Christian, takes a most lively interest in their afiairs, and at all times cooperates with the mission to do them good. Every means in our power have been, used - to raise ^their spirits, and to direct their aims and efforts into the chan- nel most likely to lead.to permanent benefit. One ground of hope is, that they cling with great confidence to the white people, and seem to expect a change for the better, not so much by becoming a strong savage people as by adopting the white man's mode of living. When Big Cane, their principal chief, was told that the ladies of New York felt a deep interest in his people, and were desirous of feeding, clothing, and educating their orphan children, he expressed great satisfaction, and attributed it to the agency of the Great Spirit. When asked how INDIAN TRIBES. 39 many orphans they had, he replied : " "We are all orphans, and need the aid of our white brethren." ' " like most of the other tribes on the Missouri river, the Omahas are strongly addicted to intozicating liquors. Poor as they are, they wiU often give a horse for a few gallons of whiskey ; and' their wisest and most influential men are often engaged in drunken frolics. Their agent and the missionaries are doing every thing in their power to correct this dreadful evil. They have told them that they can do nothing to assist them unless they give up a practice which they know to be wrong, and which they see is drawing them to certain ruin. This contest between light and darkness wiU be severe, and life or death to these poor Indians is suspended on the issue. With much to discourage, there are abeady tokens for good among them." — Report 1847, pp. 11, 12. " Both tribes are in a state of degradation, destitution, and wretch- edness. They are acquainted only with hunting, and know not how to labor. When not on the chase, the men are idle, and given to intoxication. They see that the game is fast going beyond their reach, and they profess a willingness to learn the customs of the white man. They are wUling to be instructed and to hear preaching, and anxious that their children should be taken into the boarding-school. One piis- sion and one school is but half what is needed. Each tribe ought to have a mission. They do not live together, nor is it best that they should do so. The Otoes have -a small school annuity of five hundred dollars, which for the present they have given, that their children may share in the benefits of the school. They have other annuities which would aid in giving them a mission and a school, to themselves. The Omahas have no annuity ; but both tribes own a rich and beautiful country, ten times larger than their wants require. Should part of their land be disposed of to the Government, as has been recommend- ed by the able and experienced Superintendent of Indian Affairs, both tribes would have means of their own to support a system of education and instruction which, under proper regulations, would greatly aid them in adopting the habits of civilized life." — Report 1848, p. 13. This mission now consists of one ordained missionary, six male and female assistant missionaries, with 42 scholars in the boarding-school. 40 MANUAL OP MISSIONS. The little missiok among the Sbminolbs was the next established, having been formed in 1848. It is an ofT-shoot from the Creek mission. The Eev. E. M. Loughridge, of this mission, had visited the Seminoles in 1846, and was vrell received by them, though some of them knew nothing about ministers or preaching, and thought it safest and best to oppose aU the ways of the white men, " such as schools, preaching, iiddle-dancing, card-playing, and the like." They are " living by them- selves in the Creek country, their settlements being about one hundred miles south-west from the station at Kowetah. They are the remnant of a once powerful and warlike tribe. They consider themselves to have been most deeply injured by the white man. They have no school funds, and are poor and discouraged. What property they have is exchanged for strong drink, of which large quantities are consumed among them." Thus was their condition described in the Annual Re- port of the Board in 1849, and in 1852 it was represented as but little if at all more hopeful. " The temporal condition of thi§ small tribe is not improving, and is in many respects discouraging. . . . Intem- perance is stiU prevalent, and is even on the increase, wasting their means and destroying their health ; and their number is decreasing." Almost the only thing that encourages the hope of a better state of things amongst this tribe, is the patient labor of their missionary teachers. Gne of these is a somewhat remarkable man, himself a Semi- nole Indian, Mr. John D. Bemo. He was joined in 1848 by Mr. John Lilley, who had been sent out in 1845, with a view to form, in connec- ■Eon with Mr. Bemo, a school among these ■ Indians, but had been detained among the Creeks by the wants of the station at Kowetah. The subsequent progress and present circumstances of the Seminole mission are thus referred to in the Annual Report of 1853 : ■ " The establishment of this mission was at first aa experiment. They had expressed no wish for missionaries or schools, and it was not known that they would even send their children to be taught. They, however, received the teachers kindly, and the chiefs made no objections to the school, or to the religious services conducted at the mission. As the children advanced in learning, their parents became more interested, and others became desirous that their children should be permitted to share in the benefits. The school is yet on a small scale, containing INDIAN TBIBES. 41 seventeen Seminoles, supported by tlie mission, and four Creeks, sup- ported by their parents. Three of the scholars were destitute orphans, and could not well be refused admission, although they are too young for a boarding-school. The other fourteen Seminoles are bright and promising children.- The two eldest, of each sex, wiU sooh be young men and young women. The parents of the Creek children esteem it a privilege to support their children under such good instructions. When out of school, both boys and girls engage cheerfully in their appropriate employments. The best hopes of this discouraged tribe rest upon this mission. Although the scholars are few in number, their influence and their example, especially of the larger boys and girls, are already felt ; and with the blessing of God, they will be pre- pared to do much to promote the best interests of their people." "If the funds of the Board would permit, the number of scholars should at once be doubled. The time, also, has fully come when a min- ister of the gospel should be sent to this mission. Besides the Semi- noles, several settlements of the Creeks are entirely destitute of preach- ing, and a large settlement of Shawnees, consisting of forty families, is but twelve miles from Oak Eidge, the site of the mission. His whole time could be employed in preaching the gospel to these desti- tute neighborhoods." The missionary force at Oak Eidge now consists of four male and female assistant missionaries, with twenty-six scholars in the board- ing-school. The Chickasaw mission is the latest that has been planted among the Indian tribes by the Board. It was resolved upon in 1849, but the work of preaching and instruction in schools was not begun until 1852. These Indians have purchased a part of the country belonging to the Choctaws, amongst whom some of them are stiU living, but many of them are settled in their own district. Their number is stated at over 5000 souls. They receive large annuities from the Government, and are a spirited and interesting people, though less under the influence of the Christian religion than their Choctaw neighbors. Living near- est the south-western extremity of the Indian Territory, they would enjoy advantages, if themselves evangelized, for extending the blessings of the" gospel to the tribes farther west and south. 42 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. Two stations are now formed among this people — one at Wapanuckai the other at Boggy Ddpot. At the former place a large and conve- niently arranged Jpuilding, of stone, has been erected, in which one hundred scholars can be accommodated. The funds of this building were supplied by the Indian Council, who have also engaged to con- tribute the usual part of the current expenses of the school. In this building the Ohickdsaws have taken a generous pride. It waa begun in the midst of the forest, far distant from mills, lumber-yards, mechan- ics, or any of the requisites for such a building, and required not only patience but unwearied energy and industry for its completion — ^aU of which were happily found in Mr. James S. Allan and his wife, who had the privilege of being the first missionaries of our Church to this important tribe. The school was opened in October, 1852, under the charge of the Rev. H. Balentine, and during the first term nearly sixty girls were enjoying, as boarding-scholars, the precious advantages of a Christian education. The full number of girls are now in the school. Thus a fountain of Christian influence is springing up ia the wilder- ness. Many households will have reason to bless God for this place of Christian training, and its daily lessons will prepare many to become citizens of heaven. The Council, in 1851, passed a law requesting the Board to take charge of a boarding-school for boys, to contain .the same number of scholars. To this proposal, consent was given upon certain conditions ; but the Council have not taken further action in the premises. This important measure remains there&re in abeyance, though we may hope it will yet be carried into practical operation. The second station, ten miles distant from "Wapanucka, was nndetthe charge of an ordained missionary^ now absent for his health. He had several stations for preaching, and had already met with good encourage- ment in this work. Three native members were added to the church at the first comniunion. A small brick church has been erected at the Depot. The education of the children was not neglected ; over twenty, most of them in a day-school, were under the instruction of the ladies of the station. The health of the missionaries having given way, Boggy DSpot is at present unoccupied. The Report of this year, 1854, gives as the statistics of this mis- INDIAN TRIBES. 43 Bion — two Stations, two ordained miasionaries, thirteen male and female assistant missionaries. The complete returns of these Indian missions, as stated in the Report of 1854, are : eight ministers of the gospel ; iifty-eight male and female assistant missionaries, of whom four are natives, — teachers, farmers, the wives of missionaries, &c. ; ninety-six- communicants ; and five hundred and tliirty-eight scholars, mostly in boarding-schools. For the siipport of these missions, the sum of $43,457 was expended in the year ending May 1, 1853, a part of which was on account of the buildings for the Ohiclsasaw and Ottawa boarding-schools. The sum of $23,240 was received from the Government, in aid of the schools, being mostly moneys appropriated to this object by the Indians, out of their annuities. This leaves a little more than $20,000 as the amount furnished by the Presbyterian Church to the cause of mis- sions among the Indians — a very small sum for an object so good and noble. The foregoing narrative shows that the boarding-school system has been largely adopted in these missions. It is a system that has some drawbaclis, and yet greater advantages. It involves a considerable expenditure of money — ^for buildings, the support of teachers, food and clothing of scholars. This consideration will always prevent the establishment of such schools in aU tribes alike. Some of the tribes are very poor ; others are not willing to appropriate their annuities for this or any other good object. No part of the missionary work, moreover, requires so large an amount of care and labor, on the part both of the missionaries and of the executive officers of the Board, in providing supplies of every kind for large families, living far in the interior of the western wilderness. It is no light matter to furnish all the different kinds of food, clothing, and domestic service required by a household of one hundred and fifty inmates, at a place far distant from markets, stores, and the usual conveniences of civilized life. Nor is it a small thing to keep all the accounts of such purchases, with a voucher for every item, however minute. Tet with all this complex and difficult labor, and with the more serious discouragements of the 44 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. impaired health of many engaged in the work, and of too frequent changes of scholars and teachers, the system of boarding-school in- struction is nevertheless attended with the greatest benefit to the In- dians — making it well worthy of adoption, as a part of missionary agency. While it need not be used to the exclusion of other Kinds of work, — for the ordained missionaries all preach the gospel, and day- schools are sustained wherever scholars wiE attend them, — it may at the same time be pursued as being in the end one of the best means of doing good to the Indians. The scholars in these institutions are trained up under Christian influence, instruction, and example. They live in the missionary household, and are clothed, plainly but comfort- ably, after our fashion. The boys are taught to work in the garden and on the farm ; the girls to knit, sew, and attend to the common duties of housekeeping. They are taught the English language, and the usual branches of common-school learning. They are assembled morning and evening at family worship, and on the Sabbath they unite together in the, services of the sanctuary. Thus they are in training for the duties of life under the happiest circumstances. Many of them have already become the subjects of divine grace. A few are already looking to the work of the Christian ministry ; some are already, and others probably will be teachers ; others still wiH occupy posts of influence in their respective tribes, as magistrates or council-men. The boys wiU grow up to revere the laws and institutions of civilized society ; the girls, to exert a hallowed influence in the domestic circle ds Christian daughters, wives and mothers. In all this, we see princi- ples or elements of civilization of a high order, — the beginnings of a Christian life in the wilderness, — ^the desert blossoming as the rose. The happy influence of these missions on the Indians may be shown by an example. Fifteen years ago, the Eev. Peter Dougherty, on leaving the Seminary at Princeton, went among the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians in the neighborhood of Grand Traverse Bay, on Lake Michigan. He found them living in a sad condition, dwelling in small bark huts or wigwams, poorly clad, and deriving a precarious subsist- ence from fishing, making sugar from the maple tree, and the cultiva- tion of little fields of Indian corn by the women. They were exposed, moreover, to the pernicious arts of the whiskey-trader, who reaped the INDIAN TRIBES. 45 greater part of their small annuities. They were thus fest travelling on the road to extinction. Mr. Dougherty mingled freely with this poor people, and gained their confidence and good-will. He built a small log cabin for him- self, and another for a school-house, doing most of the work with his own hands. He then taught the children during the week, and preached to as many as could be collected on the Sabbath. After some months he returned to his friends on a short visit, and was accompanied back by his wife, who did not hesitate, at the call of duty, to exchange the comforts of refined Christian society for a home among the chil- dren of the forest. Gradually an impression was made on the minds of the Indians. One family after another was induced to build small cabins of rough l(Jgs, near the 'dwelling of their missionary ; little fields were opened and fenced ; fruit trees were planted, and vegeta- bles raised in the gardens. A suitable church building was erected, with a sweet-toned bell to call the worshippers to the house of God. The unwonted sight of a Christian village appeared on the shores of the bay. The means of grace administered in this humble village were fol- lowed by the influences of the Holy Spirit; hopeful conversions amongst his Indian congregation cheered the heart of the missionary. A church was organized in 1843, and to its communion, at different times, over thirty of the Indians have been admitted after receiving Christian baptism. Some of these have finished their earthly course, in the enjoyment of a good hope through grace, and they are now at rest with Jesus. Surely no doubt can be entertained as to the benign influence of this work of faith and labor of love. Its fruits are beau- tiful here, and in the world of glory they will be for ever perfect. The christianization of these Indians was followed by their civiliza- tion. Of this a marked proof is now to be mentioned. The land occupied by the settlement on Grand Traverse Bay had been ceded by the Indians in former years to the Government, and, being a reserva- tion, it was not yet in market. Mr. Dougherty's Indians, as they may be called, in distinction from the unevangelized part of the same bands, were now anxious to obtain land for permanent possession and improve- ment, sp that they might have a settled dwelling-place, and leave the 46 MANUAL OF MISSIONS, fruits of their labor to their children. They were the more encouraged to desire this, by the wise and liberal legislation of the State of Michi- gan, already referred to, giving to the Indians the rights of citizenship. After long consideration by the Indians and their missionary, and no smalt degree of attention on the part of the Executive Committee of the Board, including repeated references to the Indian Department at Washington, it was eventually deemed best that they should remove from their first settlement, purchase small tracts of land on the other side of the bay, and thus begin life anew. They had carefully hus- banded their small annuities and earnings, and some of them were able, in 1852, to purchase little tracts of forty, sixty, or eighty acres each, to which they have now removed, and they are hard at work clearing their lands, and putting up their houses. They have received a partial compensation for their " improvements" at their fiist settlement ; and they should receive further payments from the Government in exchange for lands west of the Mississippi, the expenses of their removal, and their support for a year, all of which were included in their treaty with the Government. As these provisions of the treaty wiU not now bs called into requisition, in consequence of the Indians remaining on lands purchased in Michigan, they have an equitable claim on the Government for the funds which would have otherwise been expended under the stipulations of the treaty. The possession of these would at once enable them to purchase lands. The Executive Committee have had their claims strongly presented to the authorities at Wash- ington, who are disposed to do every thing in their power to promote the welfare of the Indians. The fact that their removal from the first settlement was made in full view of losing all their former labor, is a decided proof of their sense of the value of a settled home, and their willingness by patient and laborious industry to support themselves and their families. It is gratifying to add, that they were most anxious to have their benefector accompany them to their new abode. A memorial was sent by them to the Committee, signed by a large number, requesting that Mr. Dougherty might be transferred to their new settlement. He is now INDIAN TEIBES. 47 there, pursuing his work under new and more hopeful circumstances. It has become expedient to form a small boarding-school, as the fami- lies are now at considerable distances apart ; and two more stations have been occupied on Little Traverse Bay, where interesting day- schools are supported. This narrative exemplifies the working of our Indian missions, and/ shows clearly the result to which they directly tend. Their aim is to save the Indians for this life and the life to come. They promote their civilization, and thus fit them to become eventually incorporated with the other inhabitants of this country, — ^who can have a better right to be enrolled as native citizens under our government ? And they point their minds to^that life and immortality which the gospel alone brings to light. What has been accomplished amongst these bands of Ohip- pewas and Ottawas, is precisely what we hope to see accomplished among all the Indian tribes. There are difficulties in the way of all this — difficulties numerous and most serious. But with the blessing of God, this great work can be performed, at least for many of the tribes ; and most weighty reasons are addressed to the Christians of this land, to induce a vigor- ous prosecution of these missions. The Indians have strong and pecu- liar claims upon us. They are our nearest unevangelized neighbors ; they live almost within hearing of our church bells. They are depend- ent on us almost alone for the means of grace. And their past history has been sadly interwoven with our own. They once owned the fair lands from which we now draw so large a part of our comfort and wealth ; and in exchange for these broad acres, they have received, as our largest gift, the accursed " fire-water." Gradually have they re- treated before the advance of our population, diminished in numbers by contact with unprincipled white men, far more than by their wars with our race. They are now in their last retreats, few, feeble, dis- pirited, soon to pass away and be no more, except on one condition. That condition is their reception of the gospel. This only can civilize them. This only can save them from extinction as a people. And this can save them for ever. III. MISSIONS IN WESTEEN AFRICA. ' Ethiopia gjall soon stvctcfi out {er ianBs unto ©oil." Africa is one of the principal missionary fields of the Church. It is one of the darkest parts of the world. Its large population is among the most ignorant and debased of the human family ; and yet among the most susceptible of improvement. It is a land easily reached from Christian countries, lying adjacent to Europe, and separated from our States only by the Atlantic. For long periods of time, its chief visitors were those whose business was the infamous slave-trade ; but the true light is now dawning on this benighted land, and its prospects were never before so full of hope. On the north, Africa is inhabited mainly by Mohammedans, in the WESTERN AFEICA. 49 Barbary States and Egypt ; but European influences are more and more shaping the .direction of public aifiiirs in those countries. Algiers is now subject to Prance, while Egypt is virtually a British high- way to India and the East. A few Protestant missionaries are stationed in Egypt and Algiers. The whole eastern coast to the southern tropic presents but a single point of missionary labor — the station at Mombas, a few degrees south of the equator. Some German missionaries, connected with an Eng- lish Episcopal Society, are endeavoring to penetrate from this place into the interior. The southern part of Africa differs widely from all the rest of the continent ; being a British colony, having a sparse population, and being supplied with relatively a large number of missionaries. Ten European Societies and one American support about one hundred and forty missionaries among the native tribes in the colony and beyond its limits, with a large staff of teachers and other assistants, and the reports of last year enumerated over 12,000 communicants in the churches. The transformation of character, habits and pursuits which has been wrought among some of these tribes, and particularly among the Hottentots, is truly wonderful, and such as could have been effected only by divine power. Erom the Cape of Good Hope northward, through the whole of Central Africa, the Christian's eye rests on no bright place. Abyssinia, towards the north-east, is inhabited by nominal Christians, but amongst them ignorance, superstition, and other marks of an unevangelized people are everywhere visible ; while the rest of the interior is the abode of Mohammedans and pagans, numbered by many miUions, amongst whom sin abounds and death reigns. The western coast of Africa has been reserved to tlje last place in this brief survey. The coast itself, for some sixteen degrees of latitude on each side of the equator, and the densely-inhabited regions in the interior to which access can most easily be gained from this part of the coast, form a distinct missionary field. It is in these regions that the mass of the African people live. It is here that Satan's seat is in Africa. Here the door for missionary labors now stands wide open ; and here the gospel is beginning to win some of its brightest triumphs. 3 50 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. The greater part of the population of Africa is found within the tropics. At the north and the south, dry and thirsty tracts of country abound ; the rivers are few in number ; rain seldom falls ; a large pop- ulation could not find the means of subsistence. But a difierent scene appears as you approach the equator, especially along the western coast. The Congo and the Senegal are rivers of respectable size, while the Niger is a river worthy of a great continent. The soil of the country is extremely rich. All kinds of ti epical vegetation have a luxurious growth. And a larger population exists in these regions than is found in the whole of North America, notwithstanding the drawbacks on the growth of population among the Negro races in Africa, occasioned by the long-continued traffic in their own sons and daughters. The Poulahs, the Mandingoes, and the various Negro tribes inhabiting the country from the Senegal southward, comprise many millions of souls. The kingdoms of Ashantee, Dahomey, and Benin, each contain 'severally a large population. In forming an estimate of the spiritual condition of these multitudes, we must distinguish between the Mohammedans and the pagans, though they are equally in need of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. It is remarkable that the Mohammedan religion has become widely spread in Africa, and also, that it is still extending its conquests, while in Asia it is at a stand, if not on the decline. The Foulahs are Mohammedans, and the Mandingoes. Many of the Negroes have also embraced the religion of the False Prophet. This may be owing to their desire of education. Most of the teachers of what little education is within their reach are Mohammedans, and thus the impress of this false reli- gion becomes early stamped on the minds of many of the youth. It has not been by the Sword but by the Alphabet that Mohammedanism has spread in equatorial Africa — literally by the Alphabet, for the education imparted seldom goes further than the mere rudiments. But whatever the education or the belief of these Mohammedan Africans, their morals and practice are little better than those of the heathen. Paganism in Africa appears under a peculiarly low and debasing form. It has no order of Brahmans, no lofty temples, no sacred books. It is called Fetichism or Greegreeism, which may be defined perhaps as the religion of charms. Its principal idea is that of protection from WESTEKN" AFRICA. 51 evil by wearing a. fetich, or greegree, to charm away the danger, what- ever it may be. Any thing may be a fetich — a shell, the hoof of a kid, a piece of leather, an ugly carved block of wood, &c. These are worn on the arm, or on the dress, and are fastened in their huts, to guard from sickness, death, the arts of enemies, and other evils, and to insure success in fishing or in traffic. Amongst the jSTegro nations, it is common for men to array them- selves in hideous costume, and pass themselves off as devil-men, having the power of witchcraft. The power of these men is greatly dreaded by the ignorant people, and no efforts are spared to gratify them and secure their friendship. Presents are made to them for this purpose. It is easy to see that wicked men can use this pretended power to sub- serve their own malicious and base passions. Even murder is often committed at their instigation. Another form of African superstition, which freC[uently leads to the destruction of human life, is the ordeal of drinking Sassi wood water. This is required of one charged with some offence, as a means of proving Ms innocence. The water is either rejected by the stomach, or else it proves a deadly poison. Many instances of murder by this means have been reported by missionaries and other writers. But probably the worst effects of African heathen- ism are witnessed on the death of a king or chief. It is then a com- mon practice to put men to death, in order that they may accompany their departed lord into the world of spirits, — ^the number who are thus killed depending on the rank or power of their master. These are some of the dreadful evils which prevail amongst the heathen nations of Western Africa. The more common vices of heathen life must also be enumerated, — ^the prevalence of falsehood and deception ; the utter want of pure morals, and the common practice of polygamy,* * Polygamy abounds: a man's wealth is estimated often by the number of his wives* and these are treated as if they were slaves. They are bought for a price. Mr. Mackey has given as a curiosity, though, it awakens sad reflections, "the articles paidforaCoris- co girl. "When a Corisco man marries a girl on the mainland, the amount paid is not 60 great, as the same articles are valued much higher. The list is as follows : 20 small bars of iron, 1 gun, 1 neptune, 1 brass kettle, 1 coat, 1 shirt, 1 chair, 1 hat, 2 caps, 1 cut- lass, 4 knives, 1 umbrella, 1 chest, 4 wash basins, 6 plates, 4 ernpty bottles, 1 keg of pow- der, 1 iron pot, 1 brass pan, 10 brass rods, 10 pieces of cloth, 5 mugs, 1 small looking- glass, 1 Jug, 4 pita, 5 needles, 5 fish books, 2 razors, 2 pair of scissors, 8 bunches of small 52 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. with the degraded condition of the female sex ; and all the cruelty, oppression, and loss of life which follow in the train of the horrible traffic in slaves, so long characteristic of this part of the world. The marauding excursions, the midnight attacks on sleeping vUlages, the burning houses, the screams of terror from helpless women and chil- dren, the murder of aged and feeble persons, the breaking up of families,' the savage treatment of captives, the hurrying and cruel march to the sea-coast, the heartless sale to heartless foreigners, the horrors of the " middle passage," — these are scenes better worthy of hell than of earth, and the actors in them should be only the devils themselves. Yet, alas for human nature in its fallen state ! these are the doings of our fellow-men, who have the same passions with ourselves. Grace has made us to differ from them. The gospel has saved us and our chil- dren from scenes of equal if not similar violence and oppression. And the same gospel and grace shall be the means of redeeming long- oppressed, miserable Africa. A better day is now dawning on this dark land. "Varied and power- ful agencies are already at work to restrain existing evils, and to set up the kingdom of righteousness and peace. Amongst these we must reckon as greatly important the armed squadron, nobly maintained for a long time single handed by the British government, for the suppres- sion of the slave-trade. In later years the American and the French governments have each maintained a small naval force on the African poast for the same object. As the slave-vessels carried arms and were commonly of a piratical character, and as the traffic in which they were employed was one that could not flourish side by side with legitimate commerce, civilization, or religion, a naval force for their banishment became a vital measure. "Without it, colonial settlements, factorie for trade in ivory and palm oil, and missionary stations with their schools and churches, were all alike impracticable. The slave-traders would soon have swept all these from the African coast. The question concerning, the employment of the squadron should be considered one beads, 2 pair of ear-rlnga, 1 pocket knife, 8 padlocks and keys, 4 pipes, 10 heads of to- bacco, 1 piece of cloth for her mother, 1 silk handerchlef, 1 small bell, 1 tumbler. This list of articles is not often departed from in these transactions, though occasionally the number of n certain article is made greater or le^," "WESTEEN AFRICA. 53 settled by experience. Tet an attempt was made a few years ago in Parliameijt to liave tlie Britisli squadron withdrawn. The pecuniary interests of a certain class would be promoted by the removal of law- ful restraints upon their intercourse with the natives. In our own country disparaging remarlss have been made about the efBciency and the expense of this method of repressing the slave-trade, as compared with other agencies for the same purpose. But this naval force has been and stUl is essential to the success of every other means ; no single measure has been of greater benefit to all that is good in the temporal condition of the Africans. Other important means are not wanting. The British and Ameri- can settlements of Sierra Leone and Liberia are objects of great interest to all wio have at hearfthe welfare of the African race. The colony at Sierra Leone was formed in 1787 for purposes of trade with . the Africans, and its first settlers were a few hundreds of colored peo- ple from America, most of whom were refugees who had left the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War. The chief in- crease, however, in the population of the colony grew out of the measures adopted by the British Government for suppressing the slave-trade. It became necessary to provide a home for the recaptured slaves. It was impossible to restore them to their former abodes. The native villages of many were far distant in the interior ; the homes of others-had been destroyed, and their friends dispersed. Others still, in large numbers, were children not able to teU where their former homes could be found ; and in many instances their parents and friends had been killed, or reduced to slavery, so that they were left as orphans. These poor people, when.rescued from the grasp of slave-dealers, were settled at Sierra Leone, under the protection and laws of the British Government. Here their numbers gradually increased, until now the population of the colony is estimated at about 70,000. They have here enjoyed the advantages of education and the means of grace. Thousands of them have become worthy members of the Church of Christ, and they have acquired the ideas and the arts of civilized life. Freetown, the capital of the colony, is far in advance of any other town on the western coaat, as the abode of intelligence, comfort, and gospel privileges. 54 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. One remarkable result of this settlement was not probably antici- pated by its earliest friends,— that of its being a kind of normal or training-school for many African tribes. The liberated slaves were natives of different regions. They had their distinctive customs, and various languages were spoken amongst them. When brought under Christian influence, it was soon found to be more difficult to rescue them from their pagan superstitions than from slavery ; but when made partakers of the grace of God, they could not but desire to see the blessings of the gospel extended to their own people. Some of them have already become useful in this good work, others wiU follow their example, and the light of this African Christian settlement will pene- trate far into the interior of the country. Besides Sierra Leone, the British Government possesses trading set- tlements, under the protection of the squadron and a small force of troops, at several other places on the coast. Of these, the settlements on the Gambia, and at Cape Coast and Accra on the Gold Coast, are the most important. The missionary labors carried on at these smaller places have been attended with marked success. The Liberia settlements differ from Sierra Leone in their origin and object, though their influence on Africa itself, we may hope, will eventually prove not less beneficial. The Liberians, properly so called, not being natives of Africa, cannot at first speak the languages of the native tribes. When they reach the land of their forefathers, they are vastly superior to the recaptured slaves in character and intelligence ; but though of the same race, they are nevertheless foreigners, who have been brought up in a much colder climate, and they must there- fore pass the ordeal of acclimation, and begin life anew. Serious risks attend this great change in then- condition, one of which grows out of their new political relations. They have adopted the republican form of government, which more than all others requires its citizens to pos- sess intelligence and integrity. From their former position, and by reason also of the frontier kind of life in which, as colonists with limited means, they are now placed, it would be unreasonable to expect that many of them should be capable at once of self-government. We arc not, therefore, surprised to see the same man in office as Governor and President for many years in succession ; it must be difficult to find WESTERN AFBICA. 55 men qualified to be tlie chief magistrate of tlie republic, and to fill the inferior but important stations of legislators and judges. All this shows the essential importance of Christian schools in Liberia, while the narrow means of most of the settlers renders it necessary for the present that these schools, and also the support of the Christian minis- try, should be largely indebted to the- missionary institutions of the United States. With a cordial and vigorous support from the Ameri- can churches, we trust that Liberia wiU not disappoint the expectations of its benevolent founders, and will become the favored home of thou- sands of our colored people. Their example and influence, if regulated by the spirit of the gospel, will make their adopted country a great blessing in many ways to the people of Africa and to the negro race. We look to both these Christian settlements. Sierra Leone and Liberia, with the deepest interest, as well adapted to repress the slave-trade and other evils, to foster legitimate commerce, and to furnish stations for missionary labor among the natives of the country ; and our hopes ate the more confident, because they are objects of special interest to the two great Protestant nations of our age. It must be for gracious purposes that God has planted these Christian settlements on the bor- ders of this dark continent, and enlisted for their prosperity the sympa- thies and prayers of so many of his people in Great Britain and our own country. The armed squadrons and the colonial settlements have been enume- rated as powerful agencies for the benefit of Western Africa. Hardly inferior to these is the commerce now springing up between foreign traders and the natives along this coast. The chiefs and other men of influence are beginning to find that the labor of their dependants will procure for them a better supply of goods than could be obtained by traffic with slave-dealers. Their own interest is promoted by sending out of the country the productions of the soil and of the forest, rather than their fellow-men. And Western Africa is extremely rich in the staples of commerce. It is capable of producing cotton to almost any extent. Bice and palm oil, ebony and other valuable kinds of wood, the gum used in India-rubber manufactures, ivory, and many other important articles of commerce, can be supplied in ample measure ; while, on the other hand, the Africans are an imitative and an " improv- 56 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. ing" people, anxious to possess articles of European and American manufacture, willing to work for them, and full of enterprise and ingenuity in using means to obtain them. With thirty-five millions of such a people, livmg in a country of exuberant fertihty, at a distance of but a few weeks' sail from British and American seaports, what can prevent an immense amount of commerce being created within no far- distant period? The principal means of Africa's redemption is the blessed gospel of the grace of God. This will effect the greatest changes, when other means prove fruitless. A divine power makes this agency effectual in the change of character, habits, and pursuits. Under its influence, old things pass away, all things become new. This mighty leaven is already at work ; its effects are visible and wonderful. The briefest statement of missionary returns will prove surprising to many, and gratifying to all who have at heart the welfare of this long-neg- lected part of the world. The English Baptist, Episcopal arid Wes- leyan Societies, the Scotch United Presbyterian, the German, the American Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Pres- byterian bodies are all engaged in missionary work in Western Africa. They support over one hundred ministers of the gospel at various sta- tions,'with a considerable number of assistant missionaries.- Over 13,000 communicants, including about 1,000 in Liberia who are mostly of American birth, were reported last year in connection with the churches. The greater part of these are members of the English Episcopal and Wesleyan churches in Sierra Leone ; but over 1,600 are members of the English Wesleyan churches on the Gambia, at Cape Coast, and in the kingdom of Ashantee, and over 200 are members of English Episcopal churches in Abbeokuta and Badagry. Considering the recent origin of most of the missions .and the formidable hinder^ ances to their success, these returns are most cheering. They appear to warrant the opinion, that in no part pf the missionary field may the Church of Christ look for more immediate and extended success than in Westerh Africa. The most serious obstacle to missionary labor in this part of the world is the unhealthiness of the country to foreigners. The climate is not deleterious to the natives, who are described as physically a vig- . WESTEEN AFRICA. 57 orons and long-lived people ; but foreigners are subject to fevers whicb often prove fatal. Unusual mortality has marked the progress of the missionary work on this coast. This may have been owing partly to the want of prudence in some cases, and in others to the want of proper care and treatment. The methods of guarding against disease and of dealing with it are better understood now than in former years. Much greater stress is now laid on the selection of missionaries with health suited to the climate, and the phoice of stations not exposed to malaria from neighboring marshes or to other local causes of disesise. As a result of these precautions, the instances of sickness and death have been diminished. It must be conceded, however, that the climate of this part of Africa will stiU prove more or less injurious to the health of those who have been brought up in northern latitudes. Tet this consideration should not receive more than its proper -weight in 'the scale of Christian duty. , The missionary work is surely worthy of greater sacrifices than the enterprises of men engaged in commerce or other secular pursuits, which now employ the services of some two thousand white people on the coast of "Western Africa. The slave- traders for long years encountered the risks of the climate, living at all points on the coast, in the prosecution of their infamous business. The servants of Christ must not shrink from equal or greater danger in obeying his last commandment. He knew aU the risks of climate when he required them to preach his gospel to every creature ; and tho - promise of his own presence, with them will be sweet and precious in pro- portion to the sincerity of their faith and the difficulties of their work. Their instrumentality in the salvation of lost souls in Africa cannot be dispensed with, and wiU not faU at last to be richly rewarded. ° The missions of the Board in Africa are found in Liberia, — at Monrovia, Since, Kentucky, and Settra Kroo ; and near the Equator, on the island of Ookisco: These are two distinct missionary iields, distant from each other more than a thousand mUes. Each has its own features of interest, -and both are highly important spheres of Christian benevolence. ^he mission to Liberia was commenced in 1832, but has been repeatedly suspended, on account of the death or the return to this cdiintry of the missionaries. The Eev. Messrs. John B. Pinney ani? 3* 58 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. Joseph Barr were the brethren first appointed to this field. Mr. Baxr was called suddenly to his rest by an attack of cholera in Bichmond, Va., while on his way to embark for Africa. His removal was a serious loss, as he was a man qualified by nature and grace for eminent usefulness. The union of energy and prudence with vigorous health seemed to point him out as admirably suited to the work which he had in view. But " the Lord's Ways are not as our. ways." Mr. Pinney proceeded alone on his mission, and arrived at Monrovia in February, 1833. After a few months spent in making the requisite inquiries and arrangements, he returned on a visit to this country to confer with the Oommittee concerning the plans of the mission, and to enlist recruits for its service. Previous to his return, two brethren had been accepted as missionaries for this field ; and in November the missionary company, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Pinney, Laird, and Oloud, with Mrs. Laird, and Mr. James Temple, a colored young man, who was a candidate for the ministry, embarked at Norfolk for Liberia. Most of these laborers were not allowed to continue, by reason ■ of death. Mr. and Mrs. Laird and Mr. Oloud were called to their rest within a few months after their arrival at Monrovia, leaving a memo- rial of piety singularly pure and devoted. Mr. Temple returned to the United States, and Mr. Pinney was again left alone in the mission. For a time he discharged the duties of Governor of the colony with great benefit to all its interests ; but withdrawing from this post as soon as it was practicable for him to resign its duties, he resumed his missionary labors. Having been joined in September, 1834, by Mr. J. F. 0. Finley, Mr. Pinney had a house built for the use of the mission on a small farm, at Millsburgh, a few miles from Monrovia. One or two colored assistants were engaged as teachers for schools among the natives ; and Mr. E. Tytler, a colored man and a, licensed preacher, was employed among the Bassas, a native tribe, at a station selected by Mr .'Pinney on the river John, eighteen miles from the sea. The health of Messrs. Pinney and Finley having given way, they were compelled to return to this country in 1835.* Mr. Tytler con- * Mr. rinloy attovwavds I'cturnod to Africa in oouueotlon, I believe, witlj tlie Colonl- ziation Society; but was murflerecl by natives, -who supposed that lie was In possession of a large sum of money. "WESTERN AFRICA. 59 ducted a small school for two or three years longer among the Bassas, but no very encouraging results appear to have followed his labors. The mission was now virtually suspended. Considerable hesitation was felt about resuming the work of missions in Africa. The loss of several valuable lives, and the failure of the health' of other brethren, proved extremely discouraging to many per- sons. Yet others were clear in their convictions that the Church ought not to abandon this missionary field. The door was open, and aU things invited the labors of the servants of Christ, with the exception of the deleterious climate. To guard against this, it was thought that a more healthy station could be found than those previously occupied, and it was considered expedient for missionaries to return after a few years to their native country, on a visit for the sake of health. Brethren Of approved qualifications had offered themselves specially for this field. It appeared therefore to be the duty of the Board to make another effort to establish this mission. , Accordingly in 1839 the Rev. Oren K. Canfield and Mr., Jonathan P. Alward, with Mr. Pinney, the pioneer of the mission, made an ex- ploring visit along the coast {or nearly a hundred and fifty miles, dur- ing which they were led to select a station among the Keoo people, about half-way between Cape Palmas and Monrovia. An interesting account of the Kroos is given in the Annual Report of the Board for 1840. They are described as the most intelligent and enterprising of the natives on the western coast, having farms in a high state of culti- vation, and always opposed to the slave-trade. Their distinctive name is probably derived from the fact that many of them are employed as crews on board of trading-vessels. This leads them to visit various parts of the coast, although they commonly return to their own coun- try after a few-years spent in this service. The return of African fever soon forbade Mr. Pinney's attempt to resume his missionary labors ; but the other brethren enjoyed good health, and after completing their exploration, they returned home, were married, and Mr. Alward was ordained ; and then they proceeded, in February, 1841, to their chosen work, with many hopes of a useful If not a long hfe. These hopes were destined to be disappointed. Mr. Alward was called to his rest in the following Apyil, and Mr. Canfipld 60 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. in'May of the next year. They were both men of devoted piety, and were qualified to be eminently useful in the missionary work. Their bereaved companions returned to their friends in this country ; and for a month the station was under the charge of a colored female teacher, who had accompanied Messrs. Canfleld and Alward. The Bev. Robert W. Sawyer and his wife, who had arrived at Monrovia in December, 1841, then succeeded the brethren whom they had hoped to join at Settra Kroo ; but in December, 1843, Mr. Sawyer was called to join them in the Saviour's presence. He was a man worthy to be their associate, both in the church on earth and in heaven. Previous to his death, schools had been established, and at one time thirty boys and six girls were boarded and lodged on the mission premises, enjoy- ing the benefits of Christian instruction and example. In the year 1842, three colored ministers became connected with the mission. One of these, the Rev. James Eden, had been for some years at Monrovia, where he was pastor of the Presbyterian church. This station he continued to occupy until his peaceful death, at an advanced age, in 1846. The Bev. Thomas Wilson and the Rev. James M. Priest reached Monrovia in 1842. Mr. Wilson's station was at Sinou, where, however, he was not permitted long to labor, having been called- to his reward in 1846. He was a man of energy, and his talents and piety gave promise of no ordinary usefulness. Mr. Priest was at first stationed at Settra Kroo, but removed to the station at Sinou in 1846, where he has been much encouraged in his work. Mr. Washington MeDonough, a colored teacher, was sent out also in 1842, and he has continued to be connected with a station among the Kroos until the present time. At Settra Kroo the education of native youth continued to engage the attention of Mrs. Sawyer, who with great devotedness had remained at her post, although she was the only white woman within sixty miles of the station. She was assisted by Mr. MeDonough, and by Cecilia Yan Tyne, an excellent colored teacher, until the return of the latter for health in 1844. In the same year the Rev. James M. Con- nelly joined the mission, with whom Mrs. Sawyer was united in mar- riage in the following December. They continued at Settra Kroo, engaged in faithful efforts for the conversion of the people, but meeting with no marked encouragement, until they were compelled to return WESTERN AFRICA, 61 to thia coimtry by tlie failure of health in 1850. Since that time the station among the Eroos has been under the care of Mr. McDonough a small school has been maintained, but no brighter days have been witnessed. Seldom have we known a mission commenced with more deliberate and well-informed judgment, conducted by more devoted and thoroughly qualified men, and resulting in more disastrous and apparently fruitless events. Tet the events have not been fruitless, though no record of conversions has been made. The piety of so many of Christ's servants, their self-denial, their wiHingnesa to peril life itself for the salvation of the heathen , their happy though brief missionary life, their peaceful death — all these have yielded fruit, surely, in the churches at home, if not among the hardened Kroo people ; and their record is on high, — ^their crown of rejoicing is the brighter after being gained in the dark land of Africa. In January, 1847, the Eev. Harrison W. Ellis, a colored man, for- merly a slave, who with his family had been redeemed from bondage by Christian friends in the South, was sent as a missionary to Monro- ' via. As he possessed considerable talent and energy, and had acquired more than ordinary learning for a person so unfavorably situated, it was reasonable to expect that his efforts to do good would prove en- couraging to those who had taken such a kind and liberal interest in his welfare. He was for some time minister of the church in Monrovia, and gave some attention to a school ; but he is not now connected with either. To the want of grace — ^more grace — ^may be ascribed Ilia not fulfilling the expectations of his friends ; but we would hope that he may yet become a useful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. At Kentucky, a settlement a few miles from Monrovia, Mr. H. W. Erskine, a colored teacher and a licentiate preacher, has been stationed since 1849, and has met with much encouragement in his work. About twenty members are connected with the church at this station. Mr. B. V. E. James, another colored teacher, who had been for some years ■ under the patronage of a Society of ladies in New York for promoting education in Africa, became connected, at the instance of his former patrons, with the mission of the Board at Monrovia in 1849. He has continued to be faithfully and successfully employed in a large school at that place. 62 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. The Eev. David A. Wilson and his wife arrived at Monrovia in July, 1850. Mr. Wilson joined this mission with a special view to the work of Christian education, and he has had liie charge of the Alex- ander High School, an academy established by the Board in 1849. The number of schokrs has never been large, but their progress in study has evinced capacity to make respectable acquirements. This institution, it is hoped, will train up many young men for the Church and the State. It may form the germ of a college in future years. Besides teaching in this academy, Mr. Wilson preaches to the church, at present without a pastor. His work is one of vital importance to Liberia. A republican form of government can be maintained only by an intelligent and virtuous people, whose rulers and other men of •influence have been trained in Christian schools, under the charge of competent instructors. The repeated bereavements of the mission on the Liberia coast had led to the inquiry whether a more healthy location could not be dis- covered elsewhere ; and the comparative exemption from fever enjoyed by the missionaries of the American Board on the Gaboon river, turned the attention of many to the region near the Equator. Accordingly, in 1849 the Bev. Messrs. James L. Mackey and George W. Simpson and their wives went out to form a new mission in this part of the African field. They were greatly aided in their inquiries by the counsels of the brethren connected with the American Board, and particularly of the Eev. J. Leighton Wilson, a respected minister of our body, who had been long a missionary,— first at Cape Palmas and afterwards at the Gaboon, — and v/ho is now one of the Secretaries of the Board. After making fuU examination of various places, they were led to select the island of Oorisco as their station. This is a small island, four miles long from north to south, and about the same in breadth at the south end, but at the north not exceeding a mile, — having a circumference of about fifteen miles, and an irregular surface, diversified with narrow valleys and steep hills of no great height. It is fifty-five miles north of the equator, and from fifteen to twenty miles from the mainland. Its population is about 1,500, and its situation, midway in the sea-line of the Bay of Oorisco, affords a ready access to people of the same WESTERN AFRICA. language, the Benga, who live on the shores of the bay and on the sea- coast. In this part of Africa there are no roads, and journeys can be most conveniently made in boats along the coast or on the rivers, so that the situation of the missionaries on an island is rather an advan- tage than a hinderance to their intercourse with, the natives. The chief inducement, however, for choosing Oorisco as the site of the mis- sion, was the hope that it would prove a healthy place. It contains few local causes of disease, while it is removed from the malaria of the coast on the mainland, and enjoys the atmosphere of the sea. ~ Thus far the missionaries have enjoyed remarkable health for foreign- ers in Africa. Mrs. Mackey was early called to her rest by a disease not connected with her new abode. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, in the mysterious providence of God, were lost at sea with all on board the ship except a native sailor, their vessel having been struck by a typhoon. This sad event occurred in April, 1851, causing great sorrow to the friends of this new mission. The other missionaries — Mr. Mackey, Miss Sweeny, who embarked for Oorisco in August, 1851, and was married to Mr. M'ackey in 1852, and the Eev. George McQueen, Jr., who joined the mission in the same year — ^have all enjoyed good health. The Eev.' Messrs. Edwin T. Williams and AVilliara Clemens and their wives sailed for Oorisco in August last. Small schools for boys and girls have been opened, religious worship has been conducted on the Lord's-day, and Mr. Mackey has exerted a happy influence over the natives by his medical skill. Already many of their superstitious practices have been abandoned, the Sabbath is in some degree honored, and the influence of the mission is visible in the improved conduct of the people. The principal employment of the missionaries, however, has been the acquisition of the native lan- guage. Some interesting tours have been made on the mainland, one extending nearly. one hundred and fifty miles into the interior, which have tended to confirm the hope that this mission will afibrd a door of entrance to a very large population. Its location on an island may remind the reader of the celebra,ted island of lona, on the borders of Scotland — ^the home of a Presbyterian and missionary clergy in the sixth century. May Oorisco become to Africa what lona was to Great Britain, Ireland, and many parts of the continent of Europe ! IV. MISSIONS II NORTH INDIA. ' I am tounlj at tjem Itat sougSt mt not." One of the earliest of the missions to which these pages are devoted, was formed in North India. It has also become one of the largest mis- sions ; so that a full aecomit of its history cannot be given in this work. Referring the reader for more particular information to two books by missionaries of the Board,* I would aim here at giving merely a gen- eral view of India as a missionary field, and of the Presbyterian mis- sions in its north-western provinces. * Two Teaks is TJppeb Ihcia ; ly John 0. towrio. New York : Eobert Carter & Brothers. ISDO. Missions ih Hihdtotajj; By James E, Campbell Philadelphia: George H. Stnart 18B2. - be C? Xn"K NY 18&4. Siiiiliipovo^ NORTH INDIA. 65 The country to which the title of India is now commonly applied, forms a well-deftQsd part of 'south-eastern Asia. It is bounded on the north-east by the Himalaya Mountains ; on the north-west by .the river Indus, and on other sides by the Indian Ocean and the bay of Bengal. From Cape Oomorin, in north latitude 8°, to Oashmere, in 34°, its length is about 1,900 miles ; and its greatest breadth, from the mouth of the Indus to Burmah, is about 1,500 miles. Owing to its irregular figure, its area may be stated at about 1,280,000 square miles, being nearly the same as that of the old twenty-six States of our confederacy. Some parts of this vast territory are mountainous, though they are under cultivation to a considerable extent. At the north-west some districts are nearly deserts of sand, while extensive deltas at the mouth of the Ganges and some other rivers are also uninhabitable. The greater part of the country, however, possesses a rich soil, which is mostly under cultivation, and which, under the heat and moisture of a tropical climate, produces a large supply of food and clothing for its own inhabitants, and some of the' most valuable articles of com- merce with foreign nations. The people of India, estimated at 150,- 000,000, are clothed to a great extent from the cotton grown in certain districts ; and the production of this important article might, no doubt, be greatly increased. Sugar, indigo, opium, and rice, are leading sta- ples of Indian commerce. Eice forms a large part of the food of the natives, and is exported to foreign countries. In the northern pro- vinces, wheat and other grains are cultivated. The Hindus differ from each other iutheir appearance, and probably in their origin. Their complexion varies from a dark to an olive color, according to the part of the country in which they live, their exposure to, the sun, and their occupation. In some provinces, as in Bengal, they are a slightly-built, effeminate race ; in others, as in Eajpootana, and other north-western provinces, they are a muscular, vigorous peo- ple — ^the men looking quite warlike, with their match-locks, shields, and swords. They are by no means a savage race. A certain kind of civilization has existed for centuries. -They are found cultivating the soil as their chief employment, but carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers, dyers, gardeners, grooms, cooks, barbers, teachers, learned men, sol- 66 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. diers, priests, and otlier classes, sliow a civilized state of society — though these terms do not describe occupations or professions g.t all so advanced as we meet with in western nations. Their habits of life are simple, and for the most part regular. Two meals a day, chiefly of vegetable food, with no other beverage than water, supply their wants. There are some men of wealth, but the most of the people are extremely poor. Hard-working men, in the fields or on boats, are glad to obtain three rupees a month for wages, or less than a dollar and a half, out of which they must find themselves. Their hope of better circumstances depends on Christianity. This will set them free from idolatry and superstition, which now consume much of their time and property. It will break the yoke of caste and allow scope for enter- prise. It will substitute the holy day of rest for numerous festivals, demoralizing and expensive. It will teach. them truth, integrity, con- tentment, domestic happiness, so needful to all men, but especially to the poor. Eeligion will then be their best support, instead of being, as it surely is now, their greatest burden. It is difficult to describe clearly the religion of the Hindus. Con- flicting views are given in their sacred books. Some writers maintain the unity of the Divine nature ; others, pantheistic notions ; others still, polytheism ; many are fond of metaphysical subtleties ; more delight in foolish legends and corrupting histories — such as the exploits of the god Krishna. Their sacred writings are very voluminous, and contain many just sentiments and good precepts ; but they contain also greater quantities of nonsense and depravity than could probably be found in the literature of all other nations. Some authors have attempted -to treat this religion as if it were a logical system. They speak of Brahm as regarded by the Hindus as a pure and original spirit, pervading all things, but existing in an unconscious state until, suddenly awakening, he created in illusion (or caused the images of objects to appear) the universe, and the seeds of things that should exist ; he then gave existence to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv, and committing to them the farther conduct of the world, he relapsed into unconsciousness. As a spirit taking no interest in the affairs of men, Brahm receives no worship whatever. The triad, Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiv, the destroyer, NORTH INDIA. 67 are supposed to represent the three conditions of all finite existence. The two latter are worshipped over all India ; some of the Shasters declare that Brahma was doomed by the gods not to be worshipped, on account of his incestuous conduct. Innumerable lesser divinities, gods, and goddesses, are also worshipped in various places, at particular times, or for special jurisdiction over the affairs of human life, each by his own followers. A goddess is worshipped by thieves and murderers ; another is invoked for the removal of the small-pox ; a god presides over the fields, &c. Whatever theory may be advanced in order to systematize the religious belief of the Hindus, or however their learned men may speculate on the metaphysical and actual relations of the gods to each other and to human beings, it seems to be quite certain that practically this religion is neither more nor less than a heterogene- ous compound of gross idolatry. The- symbol of SMv may help the learned worshipper to meditate on the object of his devotion, but it is itself worshipped devoutly by nearly all who resort to its temple. Not only are images of various sizes and figures— constructed out of clay, stone, wood, or metal — the objects of religious worship, but cer- tain trees, stones, and rivers. The Ganges is a goddess, and receives worship from most of those who live on its banks, and from multitudes who resort to it from distant parts of the country. To bathe in its waters is a sure way to become free from sin; to die on its banks, drinking its water and invoking its name, is a passport to heaven. Thousands of worshippers may be seen every day paying their homage to this river, and in many places the sick and dying are exposed on its banks, under the burning sun by day, and in the damp air at night, in the hope of thereby ending life in peace, and going at once to a bettor world. The doctrine of the transmigration of the soul, or its passage from one body into another, is a part of this religion. This idea of a suo- cessioa of births into higher or lower beings, according to the conduct, has great influence over the Hindus. To deter men from killing Brah- mans, for instance, Manu, the great lawgiver, enacts, that " the slayer of a Brahman must enter jnto the body of a dog, a boar, an ass, a camel, a bull, a goat, a sheep, a stag, a bird, a low person, or a demon." The common abstinence from meat as food, results theoretically from MANUAL OF MISSIONS. this belief ; otherwise, men might kill and eat the bodies of their rela- tiyeg or friends. One of the effects of this opinion is similar to that of a belief in purgatory — ^it serves as a sedatiYe to the conscience ; men may be punished for their sin by an evil birth, but they will hope to escape from it 'by some meritorious act, — it is not considered an irrevocable sentence. Hardly any thing in Hinduism is more pernicious than the system of caste. The Brahmans were formed from the mouth of th& deity, to expound his will ; the Kshetriyas from his arms, to defend the Brah- mans ; the Vaissyas and Sudras from his body and feet, to provide for and serve the Brahmans — ^the whole doctrine being so framed aa to exalt the priestly class immeasurably above all the others. Accord- ingly, Brahmans are held in the highest honor, are employed in all the functions of religion, are entitled to exact large fees from the lower classes for their spiritual services, and according to native laws are in a great measure exempt from punishment for crimes. The four leading divisions of caste have become variously subdivided, so that now almost every occupation in life belongs to a separate class of people, who neither eat together nor intermarry. To violate any of the rules of caste, is to forfeit one's standing, and in most cases one's means of subsistence. This system interposes a formidable barrier, therefore, in the way of the spread of the gospel. For a Brahman and a Sudra to meet together at a meal, according to Hindu notions of caste, is an impossibility. But no distinction^ of this kind can be recognized at the Lord's table, nor are there any hereditary privileged orders in the Church of Christ; the rich and the poor meet together there as brethren. Moreover, caste is a serious hinderance to the temporal improvement of the natives, forbidding them to adopt superior methods of agriculture or mechanical employment. In this respect, the severity of the system wiU eventually hasten its overthrow ; it will be found to conflict with the self-interest of men of all classes. "Want of space precludes any description here of the temples, festi- val-days, pilgrunages to holy places, ascetic religious orders, and other peculiarities of the Hindu religious system. The indecencies, suffering, and frequent loss of life at the worship of some of the principal gods ; the sacrifice of widows on the fnneral-pile of their husbands. NORTH INDIA. 69 and the destruction of infent children in the Ganges, until these atroci- ties were prohibited by the British authorities — deeds recommended as highly meritorious by the priests ; the continued existence, though now nearly suppressed by the same authorities, of a class of murderers, pursuing their dreadful business under the sanction of a goddess ; — ^these things must fill every Christian mind with the deepest pity for those who practise or suffer them in the name of religion. Hinduism may, indeed, be characterized briefly as a religion which teaches the worship of idols, and which sanctions by its examples the greatest' immorality ; a religion imposing few restraints on vice and crime, burdensome to the rich, oppressive to the poor, degrading to woman, relentless to the widow, regardless of children, yielding no comfort to the afflicted, and to the dying imparting no hope of heaven. Such a religion, though its age be reckoned by centuries, and its votaries by hundreds of millions, must yet surely fall. God is merciful. His gospel must be preached to every creature in India.* The greater part of India is now subject to Great Britain. In this we are constrained to see the hand of a wonderful and wise Provi- dence. To human view, nothing ever occurred in the affeirs of men more unlikely to have taken place, than the present relations of these nations. Far apart, differing widely in language, social life, and reli- gion, no one could have predicted that the Hindus and the British would ever live imder the same government. Looking back to their earlier history, our surprise at this result is increased. Less than two thousand years ago, the inhabitants of the British Isles were a rude, unenlightened, powerless, pagan race ; the Hindus were then as now a people of vast numbers, far superior to the Celts and Picts, the Angles and Saxons, in the arts and occupations of civihaed life, but equally destitute of divine knowledge. The gospel was intro- duced into Great Britain by missionaries, and became the means of civilizing and elevating its inhabitants ; the virtue inherent in the religion of the Bible is the true secret of Anglo-Saxon process. The Hindus without the gospel became only more corrupt in morals, *A considerable number of the Hindus are Mohammedans, especially in the Upper Provinces. Their religion is too well known to need description. In morals they do not greatly differ from their pagan countrymen. 70 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. less able to oppose foreign invasion, and increasingly prepared to be the subjects of any despotism — native, Moghiil, or European. See the influence of Christianity, by example and contrast ! Less than four hundred years ago, the Portuguese appeared to be more likely than any other Europeans to gain dominion in the East. They were the first to obtain a foothold in India ; they acquired pos- session of the whole Malabar coast, with settlements on the Ooroman- del coast and the Bay of Bengal, and made Ceylon tributary to them. They were then one of the chief maritime powers of Europe ; but they were votaries of Komanism, a religion containing in itself the elements of decay. The connection of the English with India began a century later, when they were feeling the new energy inspired by having the Bible open and free in their native islands. See an exam- ple of the power or weakness of nations, as the gospel has taken root amongst them, or has been supplanted by idolatry ! Portugal, under the withering influence of the Roman Catholic Church, has steadily declined in political power and importance, until it is hardly reckoned among the liations. See also God's gracious purpose ! It was not his design to transfer the government of India from Mohammedans to Romanists, equally shutting out the light of the gospel ; but He won- derfully overruled the wickedness of man, and made the wrath of man to praise him, and thereby opened the door for the missionary of the cross to nearly all parts of the country, from Cape Comorin to the "Valley of Cashmere. The political relations of the British with the Hindus are oftea the subject of remark and discussion. I shall not enter into this, further than to state my beHef that most of the Hindus themselves greatly prefer then- present rulers to any that have preceded them. Some prefer the old regime, but generally the Hindus possess discernment enough to appreciate the advantages of a government in which law reigns, and not the despotic will of the ruler. But whatever opinions may be entertained about the relations of Great Britain and India, the reflecting Christian cannot fail to recognize the hand of the Great Ruler of nations, who is also the adorable head of the Church, in so disposing the events of his providence as to brmg this heathen people within reach of the gospel of his grace. KOBTH INDIA. 71 Powerful causes are now at work, which will eventually overturn the huge fabric of idolatry in India. Amongst these, the influence of the government as administered by the British may be reckoned as of great weight. There has indeed been much to censure in the connec- tion of the government with some of the idol temples, aMough the origin and nature of this support has been often misunderstood. In some cases, it grew out of the change of rulers, — ^the British succeed- ing native rulers, who had set apart public lands or funds for the endowment of certain holy places. They seem to have considered themselves bound to perpetuate these endowments, overlooking the obvious fact, that the State support of any religion must fall or change with the State itself. There is too much reason to fear, however, that the chief motive for continuing to support the native temples was the desire of conciliating the natives, thus doing evil that good might come. But now all this connection of the government with idolatry has ceased, or is about to terminate ; and the Brahmans can no longer appeal to the presence of British officials at their religious festivals, as an attestation of the government to their divine character. On the othS: kand, the administration of the government on those common principles of law and equity which prevail in Great Britain and our own country, tends silently but most powerfully to break down some of the cardinal points of Hinduism. Brahmans are tried, condemned, and punished for crinle just as if they were Sudras, the code of Manu to the contrary notwithstanding ; the Thugs are executed for murder, though they have prayed to the goddess Bhowaoai for protection, and devoted to her a part of their blood-stained spoils ; widows are not permitted to bum themselves to death with the dead bodies of their husbands ; and if their sons or other friends are accessory to their crema- tion, they are punished for their unnatural crime, notwithstanding the glowing praises of the Shastras, so lavishly bestowed on those who on the funeral-pile purchase happiness for themselves and their friends. The Hindus see that the government of the country, a power which they consider to be little less than divine, is arrayed against their reli- gion. Gods and priests and holy devotees all alike give way before this new dynasty! The progress of correct knowledge among the natives of India is 72 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. also gradually but greatly changing their religigus belief. It is only a small number of the Hindus who receive any kind of education. The female sex are excluded by universal usage from learning to read or to write ; and most of the laboring classes of men are equally ignorant. Some of the Brahmans, and a few others, have been at school, but have learnt little more than the simplest rudiments ; while those who desire to become learned men must devote themselves to works full of the idle legends of their gods, or containing metaphysical speculations not less unprofitable, or teaching errors long since explqded in the western world, including many most absurd " causes of things." All these writings appear to possess a sacred character ; and works which teach that the earth rests on the back of a tortoise, or which ascribe an eclipse of the sun to an immense monster, who endeavors to devour the orb of day, are held in equal veneration with the histories of the gods. A lesson in a common-school geography will prove hostUe to many of these sacred dogmas. Indeed, all knowledge that is adapted to emancipate the mind from superstition, will, among the Hindus, tend to overthrow their religion. The youth who are taught correct meth- ods, of reasoning, or of weighing evidence, will soon discard 'the greater part of their sacred writings. The effect' of correct know- ledge, however, if unaccompanied by Christian truth, is only destruc- tive so far as religion is concerned. Hinduism is perceived to be felse, pernicious, and every way oppressive, and may be altogether discarded, while yet the partially enlightened miud fails to perceive the truth of Christianity, and may even reject the claims of all revealed and super- natural religion. Precisely this is the state of mind of large numbers of Hindus who have come under the influence of European knowledge. They deny their own faith, but they equally disown religion itself, and foolishly boast of reason as their sole guide. This is a most serious state of things ; and yet the first part of this process must be under- gone by the Hindu mind, before the Christian religion can be embraced. The government schools, from which Christianity is excluded, — as indeed every kind of religion must be in a country where the people are not of one mind ; — the newspaper press ; the intercourse of Europe- ans with the natives ; the progress of commerce, steamboats, railways, and telegraph wires ;— all tend directly to undermine the faith of the NORTH INDIA. TS Hindus in their own religion. They do not impart, however, any linowledge of Christian truth. It would not be surprising if these causes should lead to an entire abandonment of Hinduism — nay, such a result is inevitable ; and to this extent, these agencies are doing an important work for the Church and the missionary. They prepare the way for the Bible and the Christian teacher. But at the same time, the Bible and the missionary are indispensable, in order to save the Hindus from infidelity. They- are indispensable also to direct them unto " the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." The main reliance for the overthrow of Hinduism as a religion is, no doubt, the preaching of the gospel. The religion of Christ will surely overturn all other systems of religion, whenever its divinely-appointed means of grace are made known to men. India will furnish no excep- tion to this remark. Already it afibrds many exemplifications of its truth. Protestant missions in this country were first commenced in South India by Ziegenbalg, in 1705, under the patronage of the King of Den- mark. He was joined by others, who were good men and faithftil mis- sionaries, mostly Germans. In 1751 the celebrated Schwartz com- menced his course in the same part of the country. Considerable suc- cess followed their labors ; and as there has always been a larger rela- tive number Of missionaries in that part of India than in the north or west, there is a much more widely-diffused knowledge and profession of Christianity among the natives than can be found elsewhere. It is within comparatively a recent period that missionaries began their work in the presidencies of Benijal and Bombay ; wHle in the north- west provinces, the field of the missions of the Presbyterian Church, it is not more than twenty years since these missions were commenced. A few excellent men, of the English Baptist and Episcopal Churches, had been previously employed at far-distant places in the same provinces. There has been such an increase of zeal in the Christian world for the conversion of the Hindus, that now nearly all the larger missionary institutions and many of the smaller have their agents at work, preach- ing the gospel in various ways, supporting schools for the Christian education of the young, and employing the press in printing the Word of God and other Christian books. From careftdly-collected statistics 4 74 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. published last year in a Calcutta periodical, it appeared that there were in India, at the beginning of the year 1852, missionaries con- nected with twenty-two European and American Societies, to the num- ber of four hundred and forty-three, of whom forty-eight were native ministers ; nearly seven hundred native catechists ; three hundred and thirty-one churches, containing over eighteen thousand native communi- cants, with over one Hundred thousand native Christians, not communi- cants ; upwards of thirteen hundred vernacular schools, in which nearly forty-eight thousand boys were scholars; ninety-three boarding-schools, with nearly twenty-five hundred native boys ; and one hundred and two similar schools, with over twenty-seven hundred native girls ; one hun- dred and twenty-six superior day-schools for education in English, with nearly fifteen thousand boys and young men ; and three hundred and forty-seven day-schools for girls, containing nearly twelve thousand scholars — ^in all making over eighty thousand Hindu children and youth receivii^ a more or less thorough Christian education. These are striking statistics. They show great progress already made. They betoken still greater progress in the next few years. Add to these returns the statistics of the press, the great auxiliary of the modern missionary, and it is with increased hope that we look for coming triumphs. We are informed from the same source, that twenty-five printing-presses are maiatained in India by Missionary Societies ; and that the Bible has been translated into ten languages, the New Testament into five others, and separate Gospels into four others ; besides numerous works prepared in these different languages for native Christians, and for Mohammedans and Pagans. The iar greater part of this immense agency has been brought into existence, we are further informed, within the last twenty years. "Well may the Church exclaim, in view of such facts as these. What hath God wrought ! The missions of the Presbyterian Church in India' were commenced in 1833. The first missionaries were the Eev. Messrs. William Eeed and John 0. Lowrie, arid their wives, who arrived at Calcutta in Oo- tober of that year. They were sent out by the Western Foreign Mis- sionary Society, with instructions to select a station in some part of NORTH INDIA. 75 the northern provinces, if this should appear to be expedient, after con- sulting with Christian friends in that city ; otherwise, they were at liberty to proceed to any other part of India, or of the Eastern world. They were greatly favored in obtaining information and counsel from several gentlemen who were largely acquainted with the country, partic- ularly the Eev. William H. Pearce, of the English Baptist mission, the Rev. Alexander Duff, D.D., of the Scotch mission, and Sir Charles Trevelyan, K. 0. B., one of the Secretaries in the political department of the government, who had' himself resided in the Upper Provinces. As the result of these inquiries, it was considered advisable to proceed, as originally contemplated, to the remote north-western part of the country ; arid the city of Lodiana, on the river Sutlej, one of the tribu- taries of the Indus, was chosen as the station to be Brst occupied. The principal reasons for choosing the Upper Provinces as their general field of labor, were these : The urgent need of missionaries and teachers in that part of the country ; its being in a great measure un- occupied as missionary ground ; the superior energy of the people, as compared with the inhabitants of the Lower Provinces ; the relation of the north-western parts of India to other Asiatic countries, west and north, which suggested the hope that the gospel might be eventually extended from thence into the heart of Central Asia ;• the vicinity of the Himalaya Mountains, affording places of resort to missionaries whose health might become impaired by the hot climate of the plains. Besides general considerations of this kind, there were some special rear sons, arising out of the liberal views concerning the education of the natives, which were "held by European gentlemen of influence at some of the north-western cities, and the desire of some of the native chiefs to obtain for their sons the advantages of education in the English language. As an example of "both. Sir Claude Wade, the political agent of the government at Lodiana, had set on foot a school for the instruction of native youth in English, which was attended by sons and other jelatives of certain Sikh Sardars or chiefs, and of the Affghan exiles then living at Lodiana. This school was afterwards transferred to the mission, and the generous support of its founder was continued until his official duties called him to a distant part of the country. , It is stiU in successful operation. 76 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. The missionaries recognized with grateful feelings the hand of Provi- dence, in directing the time of their arrival in India at the precise juncture of circumstances .which had turned the attention of Christian observers with special interest to the north-western provinces. If they had reaahed India a year sooner, their choice of a field of labor might have been a very different one ; or, if a year later, they would probably have found the ground at Lodiana already occupied, and that perhaps by some educational institution from which the Christian re- ligion would have been excluded. They also recognized with thank- fulness the favor that was shown to them in the eyes of some of the most influential persons in the country ; so that although they had landed at Calcutta, feeling uncertain what their reception might be, they were cordially aided in their work by those who were in posi- tions greatly to promote or to prevent its success ; while nothing could exceed the friendly interest in their Mission which was manifested by all the European missionary brethren with whom they became ac- quainted. Thus, having favor in the sight of God and his people, their missionary field was chosen and their plans of work were laid. How often do we see that the Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither his ways our ways ! Signally was this shown in the early his- tory of this mission. ' Only one of the first company of missionaries was permitted to see this carefully and well-chosen field of labor ; two of the others were early called to their rest — ^Mrs. Lowrie and Mr. Reed — ^both by consumption ; and Mrs. Reed had accompanied her husband on the voyage homeward, which he did not live to complete. The remaining member of this company reached the station at Lodiana in November, 1834, and entered on his duties ; but a few days after- wards he was taken with dangerous illness. For several weeks the mission seemed likely to become extinct, by his removal from the scenes of this life ; and, on his partial recovery, he was told by his medi- cal attendants that he must not attempt to remain in the hot climate of India. A year longer, however, was spent by him in the charge of a school, preaching, and making journeys and inquiries, to gain infor- mation for the use of the mission and the Church at home ; thus doing the work of a pioneer. In January, 1836, he left Lodiana, and Cal- cutta in April, on a visit to this country for health ; but eventually NORTH INDIA. 77 the hope of returning to the mission was, for the same reason, reluc- tantly abandoned. In the mean time, the Eev; Messrs. James Wilson and John New- ton, and their wives, had arrived at Lodiana in December, 1835, and entered upon enlarged labors in the service of Christ., Besides the school and other duties, they took charge of a printing-press in 1836, which has been a valuable auxiliary in the missionary work. The third company of missionaries, the Eev. Messrs. James E. Camp- bell and James McEwen, and Messrs. Jesse M. Jamieson, William S. Eogers and Joseph Porter, and their wives, reached Calcutta in March, 1836. It was Mr. Lowrie's privilege to welcome these brethren on their arrival, and to aid them in preparing for their journey to the Upper Provinces. Their meeting was of deep interest, as may readily be supposed, especially to one who had seen so severe bereavements and so many dark hours in the Short history of the mission. It was now apparent that these afBictions were not intended to discourage the supporters of the mission, but to teach them their dependence on divine grace alone ; to purify their motives ; to chasten and strengthen their zeal ; and thus at the latter end to do them good, so that by their means Ood would impart the greatest blessings to those who were sit- ting in darkness and the shadow of death. The brethren of this new reinforcement soon proceeded on their jour- ney to Lodiana, but Mr. McBwen was led, by what appeared to be indi- . cations of the will of Providence, to stop at jillahabad, a large city at the junction of the Ganges and the Jumna, which has ever since been occupied as a missionary station. Mr. McEwen's labors were crowned with pleasing success, and a church was formed in January, 1837, with thirteen members. Besides preaching, he gave a part of his time to the charge of schools, -in which he was greatly assisted by his equally devoted wife ; but they were not permitted to continue long in these encouraging labors. On account of the loss of health," he was com- pelled to. leave India in 1838 ; and, 'after serving the cause of Christ as a pastor, in the State of New Tork, he was called to his rest in 1845. On the arrival of the other members of this third company at the end of their journey, in 1836, two new stations were formed. One of 78 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. these was at Sahanmpur, 130 miles south-east from Lodiana ; the other was at Sabathu, HO miles north-east from the same place, in the lower ranges of the Himalaya Mountains, at an elevation of about 4000 feet above the level of the sea. The un-ordained brethren of this company wera graduates of colleges, in preparation for the work of the ministry. They 'went out as teachers, but with the expectation of prosecuting their theological studies, and they were afterwards ordained to th& sacred office. A church was organized at Lodiana in 1837 ; and it is remarkable that two of its first three native members have since become valuable laborers in the missionary work ; one as a minister of the gospel, and another as a teacher. This must be viewed as a signal proof of God's favor towards this infant church, and as a happy example of the way in which the gospel is to be more and more extended in heathen coun- tries. The schools at Lodiana, Saharunpur, and Sabathu, were vigor- ously carried forward, and the brethren were engaged in preaching, distributing the Sacred' Scriptures and religious ti-acts, making jour- neys to places where large assemblages of natives were collected on festival occasions ; but it does not fall within the plan of this little work to give a continuous narrative of these labors. Little more will be attempted here than to present a chronological outline of the arri- vals of the missionaries, with some of the leading facts in their work. The fourth company of missionaries, consisting of the -Rev. Messrs. Henry B. Wilson, Jr., John H. Morrison, and Joseph Caldwell, Mr. James Oraig, teacher, and Mr. Reese Morris, pi'inter, and their wives, arrived at Oalcuttg, in April, 1838. There they met Mr. and Mrs. McBwen, on their return homewards, and were greatly aided by them in making arrangements for theit journey. One of their' number, however, had already reached the last stage of. her pilgrimage ; Mrs. Morrison was taken to her rest before leaving OaJeutta, after a brief illness of cholera. Her afflicted companions- proceeded'^o their several stations : Mr. Morrison to Allahabad, to join the Rev. James Wilson, who had taken charge of the station on Mr. McEwen's removal ; Mr. Morris to Lodiana; and Messrs. Caldwell and Oraig to Saharunpur. Mr. H. B. Wilson, while proceeding to the station at Lodiana, was led by Providence to stop at Puttehgnrh, on the Ganges, two hundred NORTH INDIA. 79 miles above AJlahabad, a town which had been pointed out by some of the earlier brethren as eligible for a missionary station. Here, with an interesting family of orpha,n ehildren, a part of whom were placed under his care by a pious English physician, and assisted by Gopeenath Nundy, the teacher previously employed in their instruction, Mr. Wil- son began important labors, which have been steadily ^osecuted ever since, with eyident tokens of the favor of Heaven. / In February, 1839, the Eev. Messrs. Joseph Warren, John B. Free- man, and James L. Scott, and their wives, arrived at Calcutta, and became connected, the first two with -Allahabad, and the last with Futtehgurh. A printing-press was sent out with Mr. Warren, which, under his efficient superintendence, became an invaluable means of promoting the influence of the mission. In November ef this year, Mrs. Caldwell, at Saharunpur, was called to her rest. In December of the next year, the Eev. Messrs. John C. Rankin and William H. McAuley, and their wives ; the Eev. Joseph Owen and Miss Jane Vanderveer, teacher, arrived at Calcutta. Mr. Owen joined the Allahabad Mjssion, and the rest proceeded to Futtehgurh. In this year, 1840, the work of translating the Sacred Scriptures and preparing other religious books and tracts, began to be reported as occupying much of the time of some of the missionaries. One of these works was a translation of the Gospel of «fohn from the original Greek into Punjabi, the language of the Sikhs ; another was the Con- fession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church into Hindustani, with the Scripture references at the bottoin of the page. In the year 1841, churches were organized at Saharunpur and Fut- tehgurh, and twenty-seven native members were reported at all the stations. The Eev. Messrs. Levi Janvier and John Wray, and their wives, reached India in January, 1842, and were stationed — ^the former at Lodiana, and the latter at Allahabad. Messrs. Morrison and Cald- well were married. Mrs. Porter was called this year to her rest. Dr. Willis Green reached India in November ; spent a few months at Lodiana ; and returned home, the climate not suiting his health. Churches were organized at Saharunpur and Futtehgurh, and the year was further signalized by the organization of thrSe Presbyte- 80 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. riea under the instructions of tlie General Assembly, composed of the ministers in each mission, and taking their names, like the missions, from the leading city, or the station first occupied, in the bounds of each : Lodiana, Purrukhabad, and Allahabad. The brethren at Saharunpur being ecclesiastically related to the General Synod of the Eeformed Presbyterian Church, were constituted by their Synod into a separate Presbytery. Their relations to the Board as missionaries are the same as those of the other brethren, and the intercourse between them has been mutually pleasant and beneficial. A part of their support has always been furnished by churches of the Reformed Synod. The year 1843 was marked by the arrival in India of the Eev. John J. Walsh and his wife, who were connected with the Purnikhabad mis- sion ; the death of the second Mrs. Morrison ; the return to this coun- try of Mr. Bogers and family, on account of Mrs. Eogers' ill health ; and of Mr. Morrison also for health ; the forming of a new station at Mynpurie, forty mUes west of Puttehgurh ; the licensure of the native assistants, Golok Nath and Gopeenath Nundy, by the Presby- teries of Lodiana and Purrukhabad ; and the steady advance of the missionary work. The church members reported at Allahabad in Jan- uary were njpe Americans, three Europeans, eight Bast Indians, an4 eleven natives ; in all thirty-one. In 1844, Mr. Owen was married. Gopeenath Nundy was ordained. Parts of the Bible, in a revised translation, were printed at Lodiana in Hindustani. A translation of the Koran into the same language, by a Maulavi, with an Introduction and Notes, refuting its errors, by the Eev. J. Wilson, was published at Allahabad, marking quite a new era in Mohammedan literature. A larger number of tracts and books were distributed in the Lodiana Mission than during any former year, and all the branches of missionary labor were faithfully carried forward. The number of church members reported at Futtehgurh this year was twenty-seven, of whom sixteen were natives. The next year witnessed the death of Mr. Craig at Saharunpur, and of Mrs. Jamieson at Sabathu ; the return to this country of Mr. Mor- ris on account of health : the destruction by fire of the printing-press, book-depository, &c., at Lodiana, causing the loss of about $10,000 worth of property, including upwards of 90,000 copies of parts of the NORTH INDIA. 81 Holy Scriptures and of tracts. In general, the labors of the mission- aries were continued without change. In November of this year, the- first meeting of the Synod of North India was held at Futtehgurh. Important questions, concerning the kingdom of Christ in India, re- ceived the earnest consideration of its members. In 1846, Mr. Jamieson visited this country, to provide for the edu- cation of his motherless children ; Mr. H. E. "Wilson and family also returned, on account of Mrs. WUson's health ; and Miss Vanderveer came home also on account of impaired health. Mr. Morrison having regained his health, returned to India with his wife ; Mr. Rudolph, a German teacher, and his wife, who had spent some years in India, be- came connected with the Lodiana Mission, and Mr. Rudolph was licensed to preach the gospel. A new station was formed at Agra ; and a number of the members of the church at Allahabad having removed to that city upon the transfer of the government offices, they were reorganized as a church, witb other members, making in all fifteen, under the minis- terial charge of the missionaries. At. Futtehgurh, the number of church members reported was thirty-four. At Allahabad, a church building, 78 feet by 45, was erected ; while, to the commnnion of the church Itself, it was stated that from its commencement seventy-four persons had been admitted, fifty-one of whom were received on the pro- fession of their faith. The government college at Allahabad was trans- ferred to the mission, and the Christian religion and books became a part of the daily studies of the scholars. Early in 1847, the Rev. Messrs. Augustus H. Seeley and Da,vid Ir- ving and their wives, and Mr. Robert M. Munnis, licentiate preacher, arrived at Calcutta, on their way to the Purrukhabad Mission. Mr. Jamieson, on his return to his field of labor, with his wife, reached Cal- cutta in November. Mr. Campbell with his family arrived in this country on a visit, on account of his wife's health. Mr. Rudolph and Golok Nath were ordained as Evangelists by the Presbytery of Lodi- ana, and Mr. Munnis, by the Presbytery of Furrukhabad. A new sta- tion was formed at Jalandar, in the Punjab, about thirty miles west of Lodiana, which was occupied by the Rev. Golok Nath and a native teacher. Churches were organized at Sabathu and Jalandar. Some new members were admitted to most of the churches ; and the number 4* 82 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. reported from all the stations, except Agra and Saharunpur, was one liundred and seven. In January, 1848, the Eev. A. Alexander Hodge and his wife, and the Eev. Charles W. Fonnan, arrived in India. The former joined the Allahabad, and the latter the Lodiana Mission. In November, Mr. Campbell and his wife. reached Calcutta, on their return to Saha- runpur, accompanied by tlie Eev. John S. Woodside and his wife, of the Eeformed Presbyterian Church, destined to the same station. Mr. Julius P. UDman, a 'German teacher, who had lived for some- years in India, became connected with the Purrukhabad Mission, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery. Mr. Porter returned to this country on a visit with his motherless children, and Mr. Eankin and^ his family came home on account of his iU health. Mrs. Scott was called to her rest while on her return to this country for her health. A new station was formed at Ambala, a city almost equally distant from Lodiana, Saharunpur, and Sabathu, which was occupied by Mr. Jamieson and a native catechist. Some new members were admitted to the churches, and a few were suspended from church privileges. The second jpeeting of the Synod of North India was held at Agra, in December of this year. The Minutes of this meeting, and also of th^ first meeting, are published -in the Foreign Missionary Chronicle of November, 1849. They will be read in future ages, as well as at the present time, with deep interest. In the next year, Mr. Porter returned, with his wife, to his field of labor ; Mrs. Rudolph and Mrs. Freeman were taken to their rest ; and Messrs, Irving and Wray and their families returned to this country on account of health. Mr. Ullman received ordination from the Presby- tery of Purrukhabad, and John Hari, a native catechist, was licensed to preach the gospel by tke Presbytery of Allahabad. A new station was formed at Labor, the chief city of the Punjab, which was occu- pied by Messrs. Newton and Porman. A church was organized at Ambala, and a special work of grace was manifested at Futtehgurh, as the result of which thirtyi-three members were admitted to the com- munion of the church. The whole number of church members reported this year was 167. The year 1850 was marked by the arrival in India of .the Eev. NORTH INDIA. - 83 James H. Orbison, to join the Lodiana Mission ; the Rev. Messrs. David E. Campbell and Robert S. FuUerton and their wives, to join the Furrubhabad Mission ; and the Rev. Messrs. Lawrence G. Hay and Horatio W. Shaw and their wives, to be connected with the AJlar habad Mission ; and by the return to this country of Mr. Hodge and his wife, on account of her health, and of Mr. Freeman, whose health had also become impaired. ' The number of church members reported this year was 209. Messrs. J. Wilson and W. H. McAuley aijd their families came home in 1851, on account of health. Mr. Freeman, with his wife, returned to India, and Messrs. Munnis, Rudolph and UUman were married. The number of church members reported this year was 231. In 1852, Mr. Scott made a visit to this country on account of his children, and Mr. Newton and his family came home on account of his health. The Rev. Robert E. Williams embarked for India, and arrived at Agra early in the following year. Schools were now estab- lished at this city for the education of the children of persons of mixed parentage, European and native; who are commonly called East Indians, a class of growing numbers, inteUigopce, and influ- ence. The buildings required for their use were purchased, with the aid of very handsome donations from the late lamented Governor of the North-western Provinces, the Hon. J. Thomason, and other English friends.* The members of the church, according to the. report of this year, were 255. In 1853, Mr. Scott with his wife returned to India ; Mr. Orbison was married ; and Mrs. Seeley and Mr. Porter were called to their * One feature of the missionary canse In India should be mentioned as truly gratify- ing. From the beginning our missionary friends haye enjoyed the confidence of many of the English residents in that country— oiYilians, ofloers in the army, and others, They have seen oqi brethren at their stations, engaged in their daily labors. With the best knowledge of the work in progress, they have considered It their privilege to pror mote it by their sympathy, influence, and-very liberal gifts. They have done this as a means of building up the kingdom of our blessed Lord; and thus have they greatly encouraged our missionary brethren, and gratified the friends of missions in this country. Our common Saviour -will reward them richly for their cordial and efficient coopera? flon with his servants in these missions, 84 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. rest. The work of the missions continued to be carried forward with fidelity and zeal. The preceding sketch conveys a very inadequate view of the work of evangelization which our brethren in India have been permitted already to accomplish. Besides preaching statedly at their various stations, they are accustomed during the cold months of each year to make journeys into parts of the country not yet occupied, in order to make known the way of life by public discourses, conversation, and the distribution of the Scriptures and other Christian books. To thousands of towns and villages has the gospel been published on these tours. They are accustomed also to attend the Melas held at particu- lar times and places. These are assembld'ges of the natives for reli- gious ceremonies, but are attended by many for purposes of trade or amusement— so that they may be regarded as a^kind of Pair.^ They are held at places accounted holy, such as Hardwar, where the Ganges enters the plains, and Allahabad, where the Ganges, the Jumna, and according to the native tradition a third river, invisible, unite their streams. Immense crowds, amounting to hundreds of thousands, ifl- cluding many pilgrims and visitors from the most distant parts of the land, attend the more celebrated of these Blelas ; and there are nume- Tous others of less note, attended by people from the neighboring towns and villages. They afford opportunities for widely disseminating the knowledge of the gospel. The good influence exerted in this way wiU not be known until the great day reveals it, but sometimes it is signally displayed. An aged Brahman had made a pilgrimage from Jubbel- pore to attend the Mela at Allahabad, a journey of several hundred miles, to wash away his sins in the Ganges. There he heard a dis- course by one of the missionaries, which shook his faith in Hinduism. He returned home without having had an interview with the mission- ary, and was led by the persuasion of a Qazi to study the Koran ; but he found in Mohammedanism no rest for his troubled mind. Having by some means obtained a portion of the Scriptures, he carefully studied its lessons, and taught them to his only daughter. At this point, an English officer became acquainted with him, and found that he had renounced hia own religion, and was sincerely seeking a know- NORTH INDIA. 85 ledge of the Christian faith in the face of many difficulties. A Hindi Bible for him was requested from one of the missionaries at Agra, and thus his history became known to our brethren. Another means of promoting a knowledge of the Christian religion has been afforded by the Press. Numerous tracts and catechisms, in various Hindu dialects, and some larger works, have been published. The Way of Life, by Dr. Hodge, translated into Hindustani ; another work with a similar title by a German missionary ; a translation of the Koran into Hindustani, with notes in refutation of its errors ; the Westminster Confession of Faith ; a, volume of Hymns ; revised edi- tions of the Scriptures, in whole or in part ; a translation of the books of Genesis, Exodus, chapters i.-xx., and Psalms, and most of the New Testament, into Punjabi, by Messrs. Newton and Janvier ; are among the larger works issued by the press. The whole amount of print- ing at Lodiana and Allahabad from the beginning is over one hun- dred millions of pages, of which the sacred writings form a large portion. By means of these Christian books a large amount of truth, subversive of idolatry and Mohammedanism, and setting forth the true religion, has been widely diffused. Some striking examples of good which has been done in this way, sometimes in places far remote from the stations of our brethren, have been reported in their letters. StUl another important agency has been the schools of the Missions. These have been supported from the beginning, it having been consi- dered from the commencement of the work an object of the greatest importance to train up a native ministry ; and the number of scholars 1ias gradually increased until, as stated in the Eeport of this year, 1854, about two thousand nine ' hundred of the native youth are now under instruction. A few of the scholars are in elementary schools, but most of them are in schools of a higher grade ; and all of them have been brought in greater or less degree under the influence of Christian instruction and example. A large proportion of them have become convinced of the folly, and in some measure of the sin, of idolatry. Many of them are prepared to acknowledge that Christianity is the true religion ; some of them have becoffi(e the professed followers of our Lord, and a few are laboring in various ways — one as an ordained minister, others as teachers, catechists, and Scripture-readers— to bring 86 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. their countrymen to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners. The preaching of the gospel in these missions has not been in vain, as the preceding statements have sho-wn. It is vfith sincere thanks- giving that we can refer to still another and more impressive proof of the blessing of God on the labors of his servants, — ^the Christian life and the dying testimony of some of the converts to the power of divine grace. Ajx affectin^and beautiful little memoir was published by Mr. "Warren, a few years ago, of Jatni, a member of the church at Allahabad. ' She was the daughjter of a Brahman, but she became a child of God. In all the relations and events of life, her deportment was exemplary. And when called at length to pass over Jordan, she was supported by a good hope through grace. Mr. Warren, with ten- der caution, had apprised her of the probable termination of her disease ; and he adds, " I was delighted to find that she had thought of it, and had come to feel willing that God should do with her, as to life, just as he pleased. I questioned her closely, and set death and the judgment before her plainly ; but her nerves were firm, her eye clear, and her voice calm and steady : ' I know Christ, and can ftdly and completely trust hin? in all things. He keeps my mind in perfect peace.' I saw her often, and always found her the same." She was enabled to resign . her soul, her husband and her child to the care of her Father in heaven, and at the early age of twenty-two, she departed joyfdUy to be with Christ. Another example hardly less striking was presented in the Christian death of a native oatechist at Saharunpnr. His mission- ary friend Mr. Campbell, who had frequent and most pleasing inter- views with him on his death-bed, gives a very interesting account of his religious views and hopes : " I asked him, if he was afraid to die ? ' No, Sir,' he said, ' I am not now afraid. ... I am now fully recon- ciled to the will of God. I do not wish to live longer in this sinful world.' On being asked where his hopes for salvation were placed, he replied emphatically," ' On Christ alone : he is the only Saviour, and I* know he will not disappoint my hopes.;' and then, bursting into tears, he said, ' Sir, how much I owe to you I Ton are the means of lead- ing me to Christ, and of instructing me and saving my soul.' This was so much more than I had expected, it was too much for me, and NOBTH INDIA, 87 we both wept together. At that moment I thought that this was more than enough to compensate me for all the little trials I have ever been called to endure as a missionary. I could have changed places with dear Samuel, to enjoy his happiness and assurance of hope." Examples like these are precious, seals of the favor of Heaven towards the missionary work. MISSIOI IN SIAM. "anS itingB Biiall be t?ia nurafitfi fatJiEte.' The missionary field in Siam is not a large one, viewed either as to the extent of its territory or the number of its inhabitants ; yet, as will appear in the sequel, it is one of more than ordinary interest. Siam is a long, narrow country, lying between Burmah and Cochin- Ohina, and extending from the Gulf of Siam to the borders of China. It is watered by several rivers and by numerous canals ; and as the soil is generally quite fertile, it is capable of supporting a large popu- lation. Having been distracted by wars, however, until within com- paratively a modern period, the actual number of inhabitants is esti- mated at not more than from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000. Of these some SIAM. 89 hundred thousands are Chmese, and there are many Peguans, Burmese, Shans, &c. This diversity among the inhabitants imparts the greater interest to Siam as a sphere of missionary labor. Some races may be reached here who cannot be visited in their own lands. Numerous Chinese, for instance, from the island of Hainan are now living in Bangkok, who keep up a constant intercourse with their own country ; and through whom a Christian influence might readily be exerted on the 1,500,000 inhabitants of that island. • In Siam the inhabitants live chiefly on the banks of rivers and canals, — a circumstance worthy of being noted, as it renders them easily accessible by missionaries in boats — ^the common mode of travel- ling. The principal city is Bangkok, of which the population is esti- mated at 300,000 ; it is situated on the Meinam, about twenty-five miles from its mouth. The people of this country are hardly inferior in civilization to other nations of South-eastern Asia. They carry on various kinds of industrial occupation. Many are able to read, and schools are commonly connected with the wats, or places devoted to temples and idolatrous worship, where education is given without charge by some of the priests ; yet the knowledge thus acquired by the youth is little more than that of the simplest kind. The government of this country is a despotism. The king is chosen, , however, on some basis of hereditary descent, by the principal nobles, which must give them influence in the administration of public afiairs. In no other country in the East, and probably in no country in any part of the world, is tte influence of the king more controlling over all the opinions and conduct of his subjects ; the servility of all classes is most abject, and is fltly shown by the prostration, with the face to the ground, of even the chief men when they appear in the , royal presence. The religion of the Siamese is Buddhism, which may be character- ized as a kind of atheistical idolatry ; for Budh, in his most common form, Gnadama, is not supposed to take any concern in the affairs of men. Some of the practical precepts of Buddhism are good, — ^murder, theft, adultery, falsehood, intoxicating drinks are prohibited ; yet it sanctions polygamy, and the morals of its votaries are the morals of the heathen everywhere. As a religion it makes no provision for the 90 , MANUAL OF .MISSIONS. pardon of sin, nor for the purifying of a depraved nature ; and it yields neither support to the afflicted, nor hope to the dying. Its high- est doctrine teaches the perpetual transmigration of the soul, until at length it becomes annihilated, — that is, swallowed up in the being of the apathetic Budh. This religion prevails more widely than any other, having under various forms its votaries in India, (which many- consider the original seat of Budhism,) Burmah, the Chinese Archi- pelago, Cochin-Ohina, China propes, Chinese Tartary,'and Thibet. It is one of the reasons for regarding Siam with special interest as a mis- sionary field, that it is the head-quarters of this widely-spread system of false religion, so far as this bad preeminence can be assigned to any country. It is a religion held here in great honor. The king is its subject ; the revenues of the kingdom are to a large extent devoted to the wats, the support of priests, processions in honor of Guadama, and other religious ceremonies. If Budh were dethroned in this country, his downfall would doubtless be felt in other parts of Asia. The mission established by the Board in Siam was resolved upon in- 1839. It was formed at first with reference to the Chinese rather than to the Siamese. The door into China was not then open, and Mission- ary Societies adopted the policy of supporting stations among the large numbers of Chinese emigrants who were found in the neighboring countries. The Eev. Eobert W. Orr, one of the first missionaries to the Chinese, whose station Was at Singapore, made a visit to Siam in the autumn of 1838 ; and upon his favorable report it was deemed expedient to form a branch of the Chinese mission at Bangkok, and also a mission to the Siamese at the same place. The Eev. William P. Buell and his wife, appointed to the latter mission, arrived at Bangkok in August, 1840. A physician and his wife were appbinted to this field of labor in 1841, and a minister and his wife in 1843. They were led, however, to proceed to China instead of Siam, so that Mr. Buell was not joined by any associate. After learning the lan- guage, he was able to preach the gospel and distribute the Holy Scriptures and other religious books, explainiog them to the people. He was encouraged in his work ; but in 1844 he was compelled to return to this country by the state of his wife's health. In March, 1847, the Eev. Stephen Mattoon and his wife, and Samuel SIAM. 91 E. House, M. D., licentiate preacher, arrived at Bangkok ; and in April, 1849, they were joined by the Eev. Stephen Bush and his wife. These brethren found ample employment in preaching and distributing the Scriptures and religious tracts. The medical labors of Dr. House were of ihe greatest benefit to large numbers of patients ; while they brought many persons within the reach of the gospel, whose "attention could not otherwise have been gained ; and they also tended to concili- ate the confidence and good-win, of persons of all classes towards the missionaries. The year 1850 was marked by vigorous labors in preaching and tract distribution in Bangkok ; by missionary tours to several distant parts of the country, which were made without hinderance, and afforded many opportunities of publishing the gospel ; by the printing at the press of another mission in Bangkok of 422,000 pages of books of Scripture history ; and by faithful and successful medico-missionary practice. This year was also marked by a singular exigency in the history of the mission, which for months threatened its existence. The missionaries had lived in houses formerly occupied by missionaries of the American Board. On relinquishing Siam as a field of labor, the American Board transferred these houses to the American Asso- ciation, tind it became necessary for the brethren to seek other places of abode. After, long search and many disappointments, they found it impossible either to purchase or rent new quarters. The increasing bigotry of the King was the obstacle in their way. He did not openly oppose their wishes, but it was soon understood among his abject peo- ple that he was unfriendly to foreign teachers ; and no man was willing to seU or lease real estate to those who at any hour might be ordered out of the kingdom. The strange issue was apparently reached, that Christian missionaries must withdraw from a heathen land, where their life and liberty were stiU safe, and where their labors might be carried forward in' many ways, solely for the want of houses in which to live ! The question had been viewed in every aspect ; referred home to the Executive Conmiittee ; .reconsidered after obtaining the sanction of the Committee, given fally, but with deep regret, to their removal to some new field of labor — and still the necessity for this removal appeared to be unavoidable. 92 • MANUAL OF MISSIONS. Towards the end of the year matters grew worse. The teachers of the missionaries were arrested and thrown into prison, their Siamese servants left them or were taken away, and none of the people dared to hold intercourse with them on religious subjects. In the meantime prayer was offered without ceasing on their behalf, and in answer to the requests of his people, God interposed for the help of his servants, — b]it in a way not expected by them. The King was attacked with disease in January, 1851 ; and, though he had the prospect of many years of life, he was cut down by death in April. His successor, the present king, had much intercourse vrith the mis- sionaries before his accession to the throne, and he has since shown himself to be their friend. The difficulty about a site for mission premises was soon removed ; suitable houses -have been erected, and the work of the mission can now be prosecuted with greater freedom than at any former period. The little company of missionaries have since been called to meet with trials of a different kind — ^to see their number diminished, instead of being increased. Mrs. Bush was removed by death in July, 1851. Her last days were full of Christian peace and joy, and her associates could say, that " in the full possession of aU her faculties, without one cloud to separate between her and a present Saviour, she went down into the Jordan of death, singing Hallelujah, in the triumph of victory. The Siamese have lost in her a faithful, praying friend ; the mission, an exemplary feUow-laborer ; and her bereaved husband, an affectionate and beloved companion." The health of Mr. Bush afterwards gave way, and it became necessary for him to return to this country, in 1853, for its recovery. He has not yet become sufficiently restored to return to his field of labor. With the single exception of the embarrassment growing out of their small number, the missionaries have reason to be much encour- aged in their work and its prospects. They are permitted to preach the gospel in stated services and by the way-side ; and the Word has not been preached in vain. Besides the testimony thereby held forth for God and against idols, and the secret convictions and impressions of many hearers, which may yet result in the open confession of Christ before men, two hopeful converts have been admitted to the church. SIAM. • 93 They are botli Chinese, and one of them is a native of Hainan. Their walk and conversation are exemplary, and both of them are engaged in efforts to make the gospel known unto their own people. Some progress has been made in giving the Scriptures to the Siamese in their own tongue. The New Testament and the books of Genesis and Exodus have been translated by the missionaries of other Boards ; but the translation will require revision, and it may be expedient to make altogether a n,ew translation. Mr. Mattoon's biblical scholarship and his knowledge of Siamese will enable him to perform good service in this work. Schools have been opened on the mission premises, and a small number of boarding-scholars are under daily Christian instruction. It seans to be not unlikely that a Christian element may be largely introduced into the education of Siamese, youth. The distribution of the Scriptures in Bangkok and in the interior is going forward, and many of the people are not only able to read and willing to receive Christian books, but give a cordial welcome to the missionary, and have many inquiries to make about this new religion. Mrs. Mattoon and the wives of the other missionaries have been requested ,by the King to give instruction in English to some of the female members of his family ; and they can in this way bring before persons of the highest rank — in Eastern countries commonly secluded from intercourse with ' foreigners — the all-important lessons of the gospel of Christ. These engagements are still in progress, and may result in the greatest good to some of the ladies of the royal family, and by their means to many others in high and low stations. One of their pupils, a princess of amiable disposition, who had given pleasing attention to the instruc- tions of the missionary teachers, was suddenly removed by death. Her serious interest in listening to the story of the cross would lead us to hope that her trust in her'Iast hour may have been placed in Jesus. In connection with this brief sketch of missionary labors, the char- acter of the present King of Siam should be taken into consideration. He- is a Budhist in his religious profession ; and he is an absolute mon- arch. He might on any day banish every missionary from his kingdom. The Church must ever remember that her dependence is not on the kings of the earth, but on the God of heaven. This being deeply felt, it is still allowable to survey things future in the light of present provi- 94 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. dences. Now lie who, contrary to human expectation, has been ele- vated to the throne of Siam, possesses a considerable degree of Christian knowledge. He is a much more enlightened and liberal man than his predecessor. He has learnt the English language. He has paid some attention to the history of our country, probably led to this by his acquaintance with American missionaries, and he is a warm admirer of Washington. He is disposed to adopt the improvements of western civilization. He has under consideration the opening of a ship-canal to connect the Gulf of Siam with the Bay of Bengal — a measure which would prove greatly favorable to commerce between India and China, and would bring his hitherto secluded country out upon one of the highways of the world. He is surrounded by the priests of Budh, but Christian ministers are living at his capital, and their wives are giving lessons of Christian truth in his palace. Eeasons of state policy may commend Budhism to his pride, but the Spirit of God may easily con- strain his heart to bow unto Him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The influence of the king and court in Siam is almost unbounded, especially in all religious matters. If the king should embrace Christianity, a large part of his subjects would follow his ex> ample. They are in some degree prepared for this, -by their acquaint- ance with the general truths of the Christian religion ; the circulation of the Scriptures and Christian books, and other labors of the mission- aries, have been the means of widely, disseminating a knowledge of the gospel. It is, therefore, in the power of one man, not only to make his own reign an era in the history of his country, but to lead his peo- ple from the wat to the church — ^from a miserable paganism to the pro- fession of ' Christianity ; and if the Spirit of the Lord were poured out from on high, we might soon see in Siam " a nation born in a day." " The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord ; as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever he will'." The short but marked history of this mission, the work now in pro- gress, the prospects of widely-extended influence, and the hope of remarkable success, should lead the Church to look with deep interest on this missionary field. More laborers should be sent out. Faith should be in exercise, and prayer shoidd be offered, in the hope of SIAM. ( ' 95 speedy and signal displays of divine grace. On these conditions, with God's blessing, we may soon be permitted to see a Christian nation in the heart of south-eastern Asia. VI. MISSIONS IN CHINA. 'ftiili tficsE from tfjt Eaiili of Stnim." The largest field of modem missions is China ; and, unlike India, China is a country in which nearly the whole work of evangelization is yet to be performed. It is a country, moreover, to which events now in progress have attracted the attention of the world. Such a missionary field has peculiar claims on the Church of Christ. We cannot but regret that our sketch of it must be a very brief one ; but though it will be unsatisfactory, it may serve 'to turn the attention of some readers to works in which they will find fall accounts of this ancient people.* * A Description of the Empire of China Mid Chinese Tartary, together with the VT l.iUi .if Sar..MV .H'"? ^u«^ Vork IdV CHINA. 97 The Chinese themselves are said to " divide their empire into three principal parts, rather by the different form of government which they adopt ia each, than by any geographical arrangement : I. The Eight- een Provinces, or that which is more strictly called China, or China Proper ; it is, with trivial additions, the country which was conquered by the Manchus in 1664. 11. Manchuria, or the native country of the Manchus, lying north of the guK of Laintung, and east of the Inner Daourian Mountains to the sea. HI. Colonial Possessions, in- cluding Mongolia, Ili, (comprising Sungaria and Eastern Turkestan,) Koko-nor, and Thibet."! The area of the Chinese Empire, including Thibet and Chinese Tartary as above defined, is estimated by McCul- lough at 5,300,000 square miles ; that of China Proper, by "Williams, at 1,348,870 square miles, or a territory equal to that of aU the States of our Union, omitting Iowa, Wisconsin, and California. China Proper, ,to which this sketch wiU now be confined, may be described as " a broad expanse of densely-populated country, forming nearly a square ; two sides of which are bounded by the sea and two by land. The sea is the great Pacific Ocean, which, however, does not here present a well-defined outline, but is broken into great Gulfs. Of these the chief is denominated the Sea of China, enclosed by Borneo, the Philippines, and Formosa, and the Yellow Sea, bounded by Tartary and Corea. The interior boundary consists of a range of thinly-peopled tracts, occupied only by wandering and barbarous tribes, Manchu-Tar- tars, Mongols, Kalkals, Eluths, and the eastern tribes of Thibet." The population of China is estimated by native authorities at upwards of 362,000,000. Immense as this number is, strong reasons « Kingdoms of Cores and Thitet, ( 1848, Twelfth " " 1849, Thirteenth " " 1850, Fourteenth " " 1861, 45,498 62 58,779 18 64,644 65 67,081 68 67,908 29 55,163 66 63,718 44 82,372 69 90,661 15 93,679 84 108,686 88 110,634 40 126,075 40 139,084 33 APPENDIX. 143 EEOEIPTa OONTDTUED. rifteenth Tear to May, 1852, - - - 144,922 90 SixteDnth " " 1853, - - 153,263 83 $1,534,741 62 Notes. — ^1. The preceding figures show the aggregate receipts in each year; that is, the amount received from all sources. The sums actually oontrihuted by the churches were considerably less. For example, in the aggregate of last year are included $23,240 from the Indian funds ibr education ; $8,000 from the Bible and Tract Societies j $5,751 from friends in India; $1,800 from the Covenanter Church, and a few smaller sums, so that $113,939 was the amount given by the Presbyterian Church. Of this $118,939, the sum of $11,402 was received in legacies, leaving $102,537 as the amount given by the churches for the year ending on the first of last May. 2. This statement affords ground of much encouragement to the friends of missions. They will observe the large increase in the whole amount, and also the gradual and steady progress of that increase for the last ten years. A steady advance firom year to year is the very best condition of the fonds of any missionary institution. No doubt large sums, even tens of thousands of dollars, could be well expended on churches^ chapels, schools, and other buildings, in making provision for the education of the children, and for the support of the widows of missionaries, or for the general enlarge- ment of the work of missions in existing and new fields of labor ; but for the current or regular expenses of the missionary work, the main reliance must be on the systematio contributions of the congregations. If these should fall of^ or prove to be irregular, or proceed from mere impulse instead of enlightened Christian principle, serious embar- rassment will inevitably follow. We thank God for the steady growth of missionary feeling in the Church, as indicated by these Eetums. 8. Tet the fact must not be forgotten, that it is only a very limited and partial support which the cause of missions has heretofore received. The Minutes of the General Assembly of last year report about 220,000 church members in our com- munion; BO that if each and everyone had given an equal part of the sum of $102,587, the amonut to each would have been less than one cent each weekl Many who were not church members gave their willing offerings to promote this cause. Many, both church members and others, gave five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars, and upwards, to hundreds, and even thousands each. Of course, then, many gave nothing at aU. Now, who is 80 poor as not to be able to aid, in some degree, a work like this? Who could not spare or earn something ? If only the hearts of all were deeply concerned, or If sn opportunity were afforded, and a warm invitation addressed to all the ohoicheB, by 144 MANUAL OF MISSIONS. Uieir office-bearers, there could be no doubt as to -what would be the result. But while so many do not practically recognize the duty of giving money to support this cause, those who do will endeavor to supply their lack of service ; and God wUl, as we believe, graciously iucliue more and more of His people to engage In this worfe, until eventually we shall be in practice as in profession a missionary body, marked by the piety of the primitive Christians. This Is our hope. 4. A milUou and a half of dollars seems to be a large sum of money for one object. Tes, but it is the aggregate of twenty-one years' donations for the conversion of the world, and we spend in each year more than that sum on single articles of luxury. Far more is spent each year by our countrymen on brandy, or on ci^rs. Besides, who can estimate the worth of many souls already saved? Who can count the value of the seed sown in many lands ? Who can compute the blesssedness of hearing the Saviour eay In the great day, "Well done, good and faithful seTv&ntV^ —IbrHgn Missionary, J