saved. With a tremulous voice and eyes filled with tears, he addressed me in substance as follows: "Sir, I am a very great sinner; I am very wicked; I am very much afraid. You must teach me every day; you must pray for me. I see that my heart is very wicked; I am going to hell; God is very angry with me for my sins. You must help me. How can I go to hell, and be miserable forever," --and much more to the same effect. All this was said with an earnestness and tone of voice, which cannot be described. I was myself so much affected, as scarcely to be able to answer him. I endeavored, however, as well as I was able, to point him to the Savior, as the great Physician of the soul, and to teach him not to depend on any human aid for relief. I conversed with him about half an hour, and then dismissed him with prayer. He is a young man of about 17 years of age, possessing a very correct mind, and is fond of study. His relations are persons of property and influence, and very strong in their attachment to heathenism. Soon after we came to Batticotta, he came here to live with us as a scholar. His relations live about eight miles off, in Nellore, the parish which is occupied by Mr. Knight, of the Church Missionary Society. His father and mother are dead, and his relations were unwilling to support him at school at so great a distance from them. At his request, therefore, we afforded him a small monthly allowance, to enable him to continue with us, as we saw him to be a promising young man. After our boarding school was established, on account of his cast he refused to eat with other boys. I did not, however, immediately turn him away, but continued his monthly allowance for some time longer, and in the meanwhile took many opportunities to converse with him, particularly on the folly and wickedness of heathenism, and to show him the excellence of the Christian religion. He always professed to believe in the truth of what I told him. Indeed his conscience seemed convinced, but he wanted resolution to obey its dictates. About three months since, I came to the resolution to withhold his support; as it appeared to me that his object was to obtain his education, and still remain a heathen in practice, against the convictions of his conscience. I accordingly withheld his monthly allowance, at the same time advising him to go and board with his relations, and attend the school of the Rev. Mr. Knight. His reply to this proposition was,-"Sir, my relations in Nellore are all heathens, and are going to hell; and if I go and live with them, they will compel me to be a heathen too, and to go to hell with them. I am unwilling to go and live there." As a strong proof of the sincerity of this remark, I am happy to say, that he has ever since begged money of his relatives for his support, and appears determined to live with me. 10. Brother and sister Richards returned from Jaffnapatam this morning. 14. Sent a duplicate of my journal to America, by way of Bombay. Sandera Sakaren continues the subject of very pungent convictions. His mind is very tender on serious subjects, and he is commonly in tears when conversing about his own condition. May these prove to be indeed tears of repentance. 15. Saturday evening. Have had a very solemn and interesting meeting with my largest boys this evening. The Spirit of God seems indeed to be at work in the hearts of a number of them. Among the rest, I have discovered that my principal servant is quite seriously impressed. He has lived in the family ever since we came to Jaffna. He was, for a long season, a strong heathen, but has by degrees become convinced of the truth of Christianity, and has within a few months entirely left off going to the temples, and all other heathenish practices. But it is only lately that he has appeared at all in earnest in seeking the way to heaven. 27. Almost every day I have some very interesting conversation with Sandera Sakaren. He continues remarkably serious. Indeed, I have seldom seen any person in my native land the subject of more pungent convictions. A few evenings ago, after returning from a visit to his friends, I asked him, what he had been thinking of on the way. He said "he had been thinking of the great love of God to him; that though he was born a heathen in Nellore, yet God had sent missionaries into this country, and had sent him to Batticotta to learn the way to heaven." He seemed also greatly distressed about the situation of his friends, who he said were living in ignorance and sin, and going the direct road to hell. June 1. This evening in conversation with Sandera Sakaren, he said, "I do rejoice in the great love of God in giving his Son to die for sinners, and that he is now interceding for us at the right hand of God. Jesus Christ is my Savior; I love to pray to him. Sometimes when I pray, I feel my heart very warm. When I think how long I have lived in sin, I feel very sorry. I pray God to forgive me. A few months ago, I thought I did not need a Savior, and that God would forgive me without one. But now I see that he will not; I must be saved by Christ or go to hell." Although I am very cautious in what I say to him on the subject, yet I cannot but tremblingly hope, that he has become a child of God. This day sent a letter to Arbuthnot, De Monte, McTaggart and Co. of Madras, requesting them to become Agents of the A. B. C. F. M. for their missionaries in Jaffna. 8. Last Sabbath we all united at Tillipally in commemorating the dying love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yesterday being the first Monday in the month, we united also at that place, in observing the concert of prayer. Mr. Knight was present with us. We had a very interesting season. I am much pleased of late with the appearance of my head schoolmaster at this place, Philip Matthew. He originally belonged to the school of the Rev. Christian David. His parents were Protestants. His conduct has been very correct ever since he has been with me; and he has been for a long time the subject of some serious impressions; but never gave decided evidence of piety till lately. Now, he has confidence to hope, that he has obtained mercy of the Lord. In conversation with him one day. I said, Philip, do you converse much with Gabriel upon serious subjects? "O yes, every day we converse together. I love to talk and pray with him; but I do not feel so much as he does. I am not so good as Gabriel." Again in conversation with Gabriel, he says, "Philip is a very good young man: I love him very much. He is much better than I am." Since the great change that has taken place in Gabriel, I receive great assistance from him in my work. When he speaks to the people or prays with them, it now comes from his heart, and not from his lips only, as formerly. He now spends much of his time in this employment. He converses personally and faithfully with the school boys, with all our servants and coolies, and in short, with all whom he meets. His heart seems much engaged in the work, and he labors and prays earnestly for the conversion of all around him. Certainly to human appearance, he grows in knowledge and grace very rapidly. Nor are his labors without effect. A considerable degree of seriousness prevails among some of the servants and many of the school boys; and even one of my nearest neighbors, whose brother belongs to the boarding school, appears to be the subject of some serious impressions. He regularly attends our Saturday evening meetings, and is constant on the Sabbath. Every evening the voice of prayer may be heard in different parts of the garden, when the school boys go away to attend that duty. Sabbath, 13. A larger audience to-day than usual. The boys belonging to three of my common schools attended. Since the epidemic commenced among the people, until this time, the members of my common schools have refused to attend meeting on the Sabbath at the mission house. 21. Received a very favorable answer to my letter addressed to Arbuthnot, De Monte, McTaggart, and Co. at Madras. That house has consented to become the Agents of our Board for their missionaries in Jaffna, on terms very favorable for the Board. Saturday, 26. Received a note from brother Poor giving us a painful account of the state of his health. He has had a bad cough for a number of weeks; but we have lived in constant expectation that he would recover from it. But instead of that, it has been growing worse, so that he now expectorates considerable mat→ ter which appears like pus. He has also of late raised some blood, which apparently came from his lungs. Brother and sister R. have gone thither to-day, as he needs medical advice and assistance immediately. How mysterious is the Providence of God, which has now removed from their labors three of our number in this district, with pulmonary complaints! On account of our diminished numbers, we feel this affliction more sensibly than either of the two former ones. May the Lord speedily send us assistance, or else we may be called to the painful necessity of abandoning one of the two stations which we now occupy. But our confidence is in the Lord, and we would bow submissively to his holy will. July 9. Brother and sister R. returned from a visit of a few days to Jaffna. He is considerably more unwell; has some symptoms of dropsy. VOL. XVI. 23 16. Heard of the arrival of three Wesleyan missionaries at Trincomalee, and two at Point de Galle. They are much needed on the island. 23. Mr. and Mrs. Ward, of the Church Missionary Society, have spent a few days with us, on account of their health. Mr. W. is stationed at Calpenteen, at about half the distance from this place to Columbo; but on account of his health, and that of his family, he has come to Jaffna to spend a few weeks. 27. Have experienced quite a missionary trial to-day. One of the finest boys in my school has run away. He is the boy mentioned in my former journal, as having wandered to me from a neighboring village, who said he was destitute of parents, brothers and sisters. He had made rapid advances in his studies, both Tamul and English. Though he had been here but about six months, he could read in almost any part of the English Bible with considerable fluency and correctness. It now appears, that he told me a falsehood, both with respect to his cast and relations. He is not of so high a cast as he told me he was. It appears also, that he has a father living at the distance of about 11 miles, and that he came to me unknown to his father. As soon as this was discovered, the boy probably felt mortified on account of his situation and conduct, and, fearing lest he should be punished for his falsehood, immediately ran away, to the great grief and disappointment of us all. As I had made no agreement for him, it is doubtful whether he will come back again, even if I succeed in finding where he is. This day sent a letter to Mr. Evarts, by way of Calcutta, inclosing a copy of the annual accounts of this station, and also of the treasurer's account with the Board for the past year. 29. Sent a duplicate of the above-mentioned letter and accounts by way of Bombay. Aug. 2. This evening the monthly concert for prayer was held in this place. In addition to all our own number, there were present the Rev. Messrs. Ward and Knight, of the Church Missionary Society; the Rev. Messrs. Squance, Osborn, Stead, and Bott, Wesleyan missionaries; and the Rev. Christian David. The two last mentioned Wesleyans have just arrived. It was truly a pleasant and profitable meeting to us all. To behold ten missionaries from different Societies, and of different denominations, uniting with perfect cordiality in the worship of God on such an interesting occasion, was truly a pleasant sight. We were all, we trust, of one heart and one soul. The fact that no root of bitterness has yet sprung up to trouble us in this district, calls for our fervent gratitude to the Author of peace and concord. We solemnly pledged ourselves to continue to love one another, and seek for those things which make for peace; and all united in the sentiment, woe be to that missionary, who shall sow the seeds of discord among brethren. 4. About three months ago my day school at this place became so small, principally on account of the epidemic, that I thought it not worth while to employ a teacher for so few boys, and accordingly dismissed him. The people have now requested me to open the school again, promising to send their children. I have accordingly opened the school again to-day. 7. Learn with great concern, that brother Poor is more unwell. Were it not for the difficulty of leaving his station at the present time, we should all unite in advising him to take a voyage to Madras; but the situation of his family and station will probably prevent. 16. Brother Poor is here to-day. He is better in health at present; but whether permanently so or not, it is difficult to judge. Brother Richards appears to be recovering in a considerable degree from the ill turn which he had a few weeks since. The continuance of his life for many months we consider quite uncertain. Still, we see no prospect of immediate dissolution. His cough is not severe nor very troublesome; he has a good appetite and sleeps well. He is able to walk about the house for a few minutes at a time, and to take his accustomed exercise morning and evening in a palankeen. 30. I am rejoiced to find, that my head servant appears more and more in earnest about the salvation of his soul. I am grieved also to find, that some of the boys, who appeared serious for a time, seem to be losing their serious impressions. Sept. 1. Brother Poor has determined to take a short voyage as far as Batti. caloe, on the south east part of the island, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Osborn, of the Wesleyan mission, who are to be stationed at that place. Batticaloe is the S. E. extremity of the country in which the Tamul language is spoken. It is not spoken so far south on the western side of the island. The vessel will probably leave Jaffna on Saturday the 4th, and return in about three weeks. 4. Have this day made an agreement for a little girl of about ten or eleven years of age, the daughter of a poor widow woman in the neighborhood. This is the first girl who has been offered to us. She came here on trial the 16th of last month. She has made pleasing improvement both in her studies and in her be havior, since she came. She appears intelligent and active. We dress her in a very plain though decent manner; and she appears exceedingly happy in her new situation. (To be continued.) DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, IN THE MONTH OF MARCH. Abington, Ms. A charity box for the western mission, by the Rev. Mr. Coł- Total. $1.50 1 50 12.00 35 00 Boston, United Mon. Con. of Old South, Park Street, and Essex Street churches, for the Palestine mission, A lady, for the most needy, Reading Circle of Females, for SERENO E. DWIGHT, 2d payment, by Kingston, Ms. The mission box of Maj. G. Russell, Brattleboro, Ver. (east parish,) Mon. concert, by Mr. A. Barber, Treas. Camden, N. Y. Ladies, by the Rev. Henry Smith, for the mission to Cayuga, Co. N. Y. A lady, by the Rev. Israel F. Brainerd, Foxborough, Ms. Mon. Con. by Mr. Hartshorn, Greenville, E. Ten. Collection in a small evening circle, by the Rev. A. Hadley, Ms. Fem. Mite Soc. for JOHN WOODBRIDGE, by Pamela Por- Hanover, N. H. Contribution of little boys, by the Rev. Josiah Towne, Ladies' Soc. for promoting Christianity among the Jews; appropriated solely for a school of Jewish children at Bombay, Mexico, N. Y. Mon. Con. by the Rev. D. R. Dixon, Middletown and vicinity, Con. For. Miss. Soc. by Richard Hubbard, Monthly Con. in the same parish, Marlborough, Ms. Contribution in the Rev. S. F. Bucklin's congrega- Middletown, Con. Young Men's Soc. for the ed. of hea. youth, by Rich- Morristown, N. J. Collection in a small circle, by the Rev. A. Finney, Newburyport, Ms. C. B. for the Palestine mission, Northampton, Ms. and the neighboring towns, For. Miss. Soc. by the Norway, N. Y. Mon. Con by the Rev. Samuel Swezey, Parsippany, N. J. Soc. for ed. hea, chil. for a child in Ceylon, to be nam- Pawlet, Ver Fem. Cent Soc. by Mrs. Julia S. Fitch, for a child to be son's society, by the Rev. A. Finney, viz. One person, $2; A collection after an evening lecture in the Rev. Dr. Wilson's church, from people of several congregations, Juv. Mite Soc. in the Northern Liberties, for two children in Ceylon, named SAMUEL LOYD, and HUGH DE HAVEN, by Hugh De Haven, jr. Plymouth, Ms. Mon. Concert, Several ladies, by Mrs. Howard, 5.00 Palestine mission, Fem. Cent Soc. for the Palestine mission, by the Rev. Wm. T. Torrey, Rochester, Ms. The family mite box of Elisha Ruggles, Esq. for the A friend of missions, Rockingham, Co. Ń. H. by J. Burley Hill, Treas. for the instruction of Indian youth in America, Foreign missions, Collection in Hampton, N. H. for Cherokee mission, by Rev. J. Webster, $25 14 1 62 6 15 A female friend, by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, Char. box of Mr. Moody Stockman, of Hampton, by do. *We have been requested to give a summary of the donations, through the Treasury of this Society, within the year ending Oct. 12, 1819. They were as follows: viz. from Belchertown, by the Rev. Experience Porter, Chesterfield, Union Society, for educating heathen children, Easthampton, contributed at the annual meeting, Northampton, collected by Mr. D. S. Whitney, by Miss Abigail Clark, for the Foreign Mission School, an unknown female, under the signature of Cornelia, for the school Female Juvenile Soc. by Miss Eunice Edwards, for the Cherokees, Spencertown, NY. Fem. Char. Soc. for David Brainerd at Tillipally, for the Sandwich Island Mission, by Mrs. Sophia P. Niles, Sunderland, subscribers, by N. Smith, Esq. Mrs. Sanderson, for heathen children in N. America, Williamsburgh, children for the school fund, †This name is given in honor of the two Moravian missionaries in Germany, to sell themselves as slaves in the West Indies, in order to gain access to the preach the Gospel to them. |