number of people, and called upon them to renounce their idols, to worship God their Maker, to repent of their sins, and to believe in Christ their Redeemer. Returned to breakfast. My arrival having been published the preceding evening, and some few books having been distributed, many people came early for books to my lodgings. I read and spoke to a large number, and gave them books at their own earnest request. After breakfast, accompanied by two Jews I walked through Derwajabahore, Kaup, and Taronda, three towns lying on the sea board to the north of the fort. In these towns I stopped and distributed some books, and addressed such of the people as I found disengaged. On our way back we turned eastward, entered the territory of the native prince, Angrea, and visited a large Hindoo temple about two miles east of the fort. The principal temple is a large, costly, but very ancient building, surrounded by a number of inferior ones. It stands in a solitary place, and around it are but a very few poor native huts. This temple is far superior to all the other temples in this region, Still, but very few persons are attached to it, and it is manifestly a place of but little resort. Near the temple I sat down under the shade of a tree. Eight or ten persons came and sat down with me. An aged Hindoo, with expressions of much kindness, brought me the milk and meat of a cocoanut with some sugar,and desired me to refresh myself. This I was very glad to do, for it was now about the middle of the day, and I had walked four or five miles in a very hot sun. I improved the opportunity by addressing the people on the subject of salvation. I gave them a few books, which I desired them to read repeatedly, and to consider seriously; assuring them that if they would follow the directions contained in those books, they would obtain the pardon of their sins, the favor of God, and the happiness of heaven. I then took leave of them, and returned to my quarters. After resting two or three hours, I started at half past three o'clock in company with three Jews, intending to visit some temples about four miles to the east, in Angrea's territory. On my way, I passed by those mouldering monuments of Mahommedan faith and power, before mentioned. The first village I passed through is called Kolwer, and contains about 75 families, and a large Mussulmaun burying-ground. But here I neither met with any of the inhabitants, who are principally fishermen, nor distributed any books. I then passed on to the town properly called Choule, which I was told contained 1,500 or 2,000 inhabitants. They seemed very friendly, and appeared to be familiarly acquainted with my Jewish companion, our schoolmaster. Through him I learned, that there was no school in the place, but that there was a man who would be glad to teach one, and that it would be pleasing to the people to have one. It was now late in the day. I made some short stops, spoke to a few of the people and gave them books. I next turned to the north, towards the temples on the brow of a mountain, which I had hoped to visit. But after walking awhile longer, I found they were so distant, and so difficult of access, that I could not well reach them, and so relinquished the object. I then bent my course towards my lodgings, and taking a more inland road, I travelled most of the way in Angrea's dominions, passed by several forsaken temples both Hindoo and Mahommedan, and one guard house of his Hindoo Majesty. Distributing a few books on the way, without much intercourse with the few people I saw on the road. I reached my lodgings about sunset, and was not a little fatigued with my walks of not less than 15 miles in the day. Soon after my return more people came for books, many of whom I was obliged to refuse, as my stock was now nearly expended. But I did not dismiss them, till I had given them a word of instruction and exhortation. 30. People came in the morning for books. I read one of the tracts to them, addressed them, and gave them a few books. After breakfast I passed over in a ferry boat to the opposite side of the bay, and visited a small village called Boarlee. Here I found the meager remnant of that Roman Catholic population, which once must have been extremely numerous, opulent, and powerful, in this region. I first called on the only Catholic clergyman in the district, who very courteously received me. He was a native of Goa, and spoke the language of the Concan so imperfectly, that we could interchange but few ideas. His apartments, as is usual, were in a small building adjoining the church, and they bore every mark of extreme solitude and indigence. In mournful accents he told me, that, the whole number of Catholics, including two or three families in Rawadunda, did not exceed 200 souls. In reply to my inquiries, he said,that no exertions were now made to gain proselytes from among the natives. At my desire he accompanied me into the church, which is the only one in the region that has not fallen in the common desolation of Portuguese grandeur. And indeed, a part of the roof of this church has fallen in, and it is but meagerly furnished with that superstitious trumpery and that ridiculous finery, which I have been accustomed to see in other Catholic churches. I gave to the priest the Acts of the apostles and two tracts, which he said he would cause to be read to him; for though he understood something of the language, he could speak it but very imperfectly, and could not read it at all. On taking my leave of the priest, I walked a short distance to the Hindoo village. As I entered it, a principal man of the place invited me to his house, and desired me to take some refreshment. I thanked him for his kindness, but declined his proffered hospitality, as I wanted nothing but a draught of water. Here I conversed with a number of people, and gave iny host two tracts, which he accepted with apparent gratitude. I learned that there was no school in the place, but that 25 or 30 boys might easily be collected into a school. At a small distance I saw a miserable looking temple, and a large collection of people, and heard abundance of music and noise. I advanced to the spot, and found a large number of the villagers, men, women, and children, assembled for religious worship, it being the great Hindoo festival called Dewally. The occasion was extraordinary, but the worship in which these people were engaged was such as I had never before seen. The object of their ceremonies was to bring the devil into a certain man, who would thereby become the guardian deity of the place,and defend its inhabitants from the ravages and assaults of disease. To such strange expedients these people seemed to impute their preservasion for the ravages of the Cholera Morbus, which has been so destructive throughout the country generally, but which, they boastingly said, had not attacked a single living thing in their village. The man who was thus to be deified, or rather demonifird, was placed in the midst of the temple, covered with ashes and filth, reclining on the ground, with his head supported on the lap of another man, who was jingling a little bell over it, while several persons were striking up their barbarous music, and others employed in making burnt offerings to the misshapen idols. At a little distance from the temple I saw a kid, whose head was severed from the body. This was the only one I had noticed in the place, and it had been offered in sacrifice to the idol. I greatly wished to address this poor deluded multitude; but perceiving that I could not do it without violence to their religious ceremony, I made a few observations to some people, who were standing a little aside, and then proceeded to the old Portuguese fortifications,on a lofty height at a short distance. In these fortifications I found the ruins of one spacious Catholic church, some very old and very heavy pieces of ordnance, and some native soldiers. I remained with them more than an hour, conversed with them on a variety of subjects, and gave them Christian instruction. Not one of them could read, and I therefore left no books with them. On descending from the summit, I returned to the house where I had been so hospitably received. The assembly at the temple was entirely dispersed. My host again invited me to take some refreshment, and now feeling the want of it, I gratefully accepted his invitation, and regaled myself on some unleavened cake, a cocoa-nut, and some toddy. A few people came round and I read part of one of the tracts, and spoke briefly to them. We then took a very friendly leave, and returned back. I should have observed, that I gave books to several other persons, among whom were two men, belonging and returning to Hopsee Seedee's territory, who is a petty sovereign residing about 30 miles distant from Choule. 31. Conversed with a number of people at my lodgings before breakfast. After breakfast I walked round the town, stopped in several places, preached to a considerable number of people, and distributed some books. A juice drawn from various kinds of palms, by cutting off the branch intended by nature to produce fruit, and receiving from the wounded branch the sap. In the afternoon, I walked, in company with the Jewish schoolmaster and several others, through Rawadunda, Derwajabahare, Kaup, Taronda, and Aglawea-cheewanda. In all these places I stopped occasionally, addressed many of the people, and distributed a few books. This was my last walk among the villages. I had engaged to go on board the same night, and embark for Bombay. As I returned to my quarters I had more applications for books, and further opportunities to impart Christian instruction to the people. But my stock of books was now quite exhausted, and I could only tell the applicants, that I would endeavor soon to send more from Bombay. Among others, who came to the place, was a military officer of Angrea, and to him I gave the only book I had reserved for my own use, to read to the people as occasion might offer. This officer was on horseback, and his was the only horse I saw in the place, and besides which I saw no means for conveyance whatever, in all the places I visited. Now, on the eve of my departure, I was invited to dine with a Jew, a money changer, and one of the principal Jewish inhabitants of the place. The invitation was quite unexpected, as I anticipated no communion with the still ceremonious children of Abraham. Nothing very interesting occurred on the occasion, except that the Jewish schoolmaster, sometime before we resorted to the place of entertainment, told me that he must first go and kill the fowl on which we were to dine, as there was no other person in the place who could draw the blood in a Levitical manner. Only two Jews sat down to eat with me; and as we finished, the same schoolmaster, who seemed to be the acting Levite, said he would pronounce the blessing according to their custom. I told him we were bound to receive our daily bread with thankful hearts.. Then, as we remained sitting, he pronounced two or three Hebrew sentences. Shortly after, about 10 o'clock P. M. we repaired to the boat, in which we had taken passage for Bombay. But how hard is it to turn away from a field already so white for the harvest! And how desirable that laborers should be speedily sent forth, before the nodding harvest drop into the dust and is lost. In all the towns I have visited I have not seen one school, and am told that there is not one. Formerly there were several, but the increasing poverty of the people, as they said, had dispersed these schools. They appeared desirous of having them revived; and several, who had once been school teachers, desired to be employed by us, should we establish any charity schools. In the towns I visited there is ample room for ten schools. How vastly important that an adequate number should be established; and who can tell to what an extent it might subserve the cause of Christ, to have the principles of his everlasting Gospel taught in such a number of schools. I found the Jews at Choule in a more indigent and obscure condition than I had expected. According to the best information I could obtain, there are not more than 45 families of Jews in the immediate vicinity of Choule. They have no synagogue, but hold their worship in a private house. They appear to have but little regard for the Sabbath, and there is not a well informed man among them. The number of books which I distributed, was about two hundred. Nov. 2. Arrived in Bombay, crowned with rich experience of divine goodness, and found my family and fellow laborers all well. The distance of Choule from Bombay is not more than 25 or 30 miles. We immediately consulted on the expediency of establishing schools at Choule, and agreed to fix one in the great town of Rawadunda, to be taught by the Jew who accompanied me there; and one in the town of Kaup. The former school is designed to receive all the Jewish boys that can be obtained, and more or less Hindoo boys. 17. The schoolmaster left us for Choule, furnished with 434 books, chiefly for distribution. 30. A letter from the Jewish schoolmaster informs us, that he has begun his school, and has 30 boys;-that a school is opened in Kaup, and has 20 boys, and in both schools the number of boys is increasing. VOL. XVI. 5 TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, in December, 1819. Acton, Ms. Mrs. Tuttle, by Mr. C. Byington, $4.00 5 00 13 00 Total. 51 00 7.00 7 59 20 00 19 86 30.50 Alfred and vicinity, NY. Fem. Char. Soc. by Christopher Hurlbut, Esq. Attleborough, Ms. A collection in the Rev. Mr. Wilder's congregation, for the western Indians, Aurora, Ohio. A friend of missions, Austinburgh, Ohio. Eliphalet Austin, jun. by Mr. W. Cooke, Bennington, Ver. Fem. Char. Soc. for the ed. of hea. youth and children, by Catharine Robinson, Treas. Berlin, Ver. Monthly concert, by the Rev. Chester Wright, 105 14 Boston Monthly concert of the Old South and Park Street churches, for the mission to Jerusalem, F. M. for the For. Mis. School, 17 10 1.00 For Mis Society of Boston and vicinity, Catskill, N. Y. B. W. Dwight, by Mr. Moses Jewell, for Choctaws, The Rev. Dr. Porter's society, for the Choctaws, by Mr. Moses Jewell, 18 62 Cazenovia, N. Y. Mr. Samuel Thomas, by Col J. Lincklaen, Charlestown, Ms. A legacy of the late Miss Sarah Russell, by Charles R. Chenango, N. Y. Collec. in the Fem. Praying Soc by Sarah T. Fenton, Choctaw Nation. By the Rev. C. Kingsbury, David Folsom, Charles Juron, James Wilson, William Tumbull, 385 00 14.00 22 50 $53 32 10 50-145 00 Concord, N. H. From H H. for a child to be named MEHETABEL ROGERS, 30 00 Danby, N. Y. Dea. Hyatt for the For. Miss. School, by the Accountant, 1. 00 erd, by Clorinda Barnard, Treasurer, 12.00 22 00 Dorchester, Ms. (2d parish.) Collections at the monthly concert, by the Dunbarton, N. H. For. Miss. Soc. by Maj. John Mills, Dunstable, Ms. The Fem. Char. Soe. for the Sand. Isl. mission, by Abigail Taylor, Treasurer, Gentlemen's Soc. for promoting Christian Knowledge, by Dea. James Total. 14.50 Durham, N. Y. Alanson Chittenden, for the Choctaws, by Mr. Moses 1.00 East Hampton, L. Isl. Fem. Soc. in aid of Foreign Missions, by the Rev. Greenfield, N. Y. Fem. Cent Soc. by Mehetabel Will ams, Grisicold, Con. Fem. Cent Soc, for the For. Mis. Sch. by the Accountant, 33 00 178 72 Halifax, Ver. Auxil. Mis. Soc. by Samuel H. Miner, Treas for the mission at Brainerd, $7; for For. Miss. $28, Hampton, N. Y. A charity box, for the For. Miss. Sch. by the Accountant, Hatfield, Ms. The balance of a verbal bequest of Capt. Perez Graves, paid by Mr. Solomon Graves, his executor, for christianizing Amer. Indians, remitted by Dr. Lyman, Henniker, N. H. A young lady, for the mission at Brainerd, by Dea. J. C. Proctor, Holles, N. H. Children at the close of a Sabbath school, for ed. hea, chil. 35.00 5.00 68 00 1.00 2 25 educ. in the family of Mr. Meigs, Ceylon, 600 Mantua, O. Pascal M'Intosh, for the western Indians, Montague, Ms. Fem. Char. Soc. by Mary Root, Treasurer, for ed. hea. chil. in the East, 27 50; and for translations, 50 cts. 10.05 Montpelier, Ver. Monthly concert, by the Rev. Chester Wright, 28.00 34 31 200 00 New Hartford, Con. Gentlemen's Association for ed. hea. chil. by Mr. Ladies' Association for ed. hea. chil. by Asenath Yale, Treas. 17 20 17 09 *220 00 New York, (State of.) An unknown friend for the For. Miss School, by the Accountant, Gentlem. Assoc. for ed. hea. chil. in India, by Mr. J. H. Pettibone, Trens. Ladies' Association for the same object, by Elizabeth Roys, Treasurer, Northport, Me. Andrew Allison, Norwich, Ver. South Society. For a child in Mr. Spaulding's family, Plainfield, Ver. [See_Marshfield and Plainfield.] Provincetown, Ms. For. Miss. Soc. by Capt. Thomas Rider, Pres. Monthly concert in the Rev. O. Cobb's society, by Mr. Jesse Haskel, 24 25 20 05 204 58 1.00 7 68 A larly of the Rev. Mr. Emerson's society, for the mission at Brainerd, 3.00 31 10.00 Sparta, N. Y. [See Dansville.] Stockholm, N. Y. A contrib. from the church and 1st. congre. soc. by Mr. Stoddard, N. H. Subse for the ed. of hea, chil. by the Rev. Isaac Robinson, 12 82 • This sum includes the total from both Gentlemen's and Ladies' Association. |