in conversations. It is a proof of the power of the Gospel, and its suitability to all, that it has been preached to so many nationalities; and has been accepted by men of totally different races and creed. Itinerations have been made to Tattah (the ancient sea-port of Sindh, from which Alexander's fleet is said to have sailed for Persia) to Sukkur, Shikarpore, Larkand, Sehwan, and many other places; and many parts of the Word of God and other books have been translated, chiefly by Mr. Shirt, into the languages of the country.

The Revd. Mr. Sheldon writes that an influential man once said in his hearing that "the religious reforms originating with themselves are only short lived, and as each new sect is formed we can hard expect it to long survive its birth; whilst Christianity expands the longer it exists. The people, he says, are beginning to lose all faith in the Brahmo Somaj, and its off shoots, and are looking in vain for something based on their own systems, on which to rest their hopes."

After many years of faithful labour and patient waiting, God has given to our Missionaries a measure of success, which affords not only encouragement as regards the past, but much hope for the future. The congregation contains a band of intelligent and respectable converts, many of whom are independent of the Mission in worldly matters, and some of them are filling positions of importance and trust. It is to such men as these that the Church especially looks to be the guides and examples, and also the supporters of their poorer and weaker brethren. If these grow in grace and knowledge, and also in humility and love, we may soon expect to see in Kurrachee important additions to the Native Church.

One of the special features of the work both in Kurrachee and in Hyderabad is that of the Zenana Teaching and

Girls' Schools, which are gradually making their way to the hearts and the homes of the people. Many efforts have been made and much labour expended by Mrs. Sheldon and Mrs. Shirt. Six Ladies of the Zenana Missionary Society have of late years laboured for a short time in Kurrachee, of whom Mrs. Ball (formerly Miss Vette) and Miss Bloomer still remain.

The principal characteristic of the Sindh Mission has been the spirit in which it has ever been carried on. The relations of the Missionaries both amongst each other, and between the Missionaries and the people amongst whom they labour, are those of courtesy and love, which betoken the respect and affection which are mutually felt. This has given to the Missionaries an influence amongst those who are without, which is used with much effect, and for great good.

On the departure to England of Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon on the 13th May 1881, the following address was presented to them, together with a purse of Rs. 400, by their native friends in Kurrachee :

The Revd. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon.-We, the undersigned, the principal members of the Native Congregation of your fold, cannot allow you to leave the scene of your labours without taking the opportunity of expressing our heartfelt and sincere thanks for the many privileges and benevolent acts we enjoyed at your hands during the lengthened period of your service in the most responsible, onerous, and difficult work of disseminating the Word of God. To describe at large the most valuable and praiseworthy services you have rendered in the cause of the propagation of the Gospel truth, and the sterling qualities you possess, would require volumes. However, permit us briefly to allude to some of them here.

Nearly twenty-eight years have passed since you came to labour and dwell in this land. The best part of your life has, therefore, been devoted to the service of the Mission; and lasting friendship, and kindly associations are connected with those bygone days.

Consequent upon your connection with Missionary work, many persons have been benefited in a religious point of view. Several to whom the Word of God was a drop of poison have through your faithful and persevering exertions been reclaimed, and now enjoy the fruits of your labours.

Your mild and affable manners have secured for you the good will of all the communities in Karachi and elsewhere; and in fact your name has become a household word in every family, and it is only the possession of sterling qualities that has enabled you to conduct the work connected with the Native Congregation with such success.

You carry from us our true and sincere blessings and good-will, which are the only recompense we can make for your valuable services.

We are extremely happy to bear testimony that you possess all the requisite qualities becoming a Minister of God, and no one can find a tittle of blemish in the career of your life. Man can do no more than appreciate your good actions, but it is only God who can reward your most excellent and energetic services.

It is with very sincere regret for your departure, and with an earnest prayer for your future welfare, that we bid you a hearty farewell.

May God be with you both, during your voyage, and take you to your native land, there to enjoy perfect safety, health and rest, of which you are so deserving.

A Native Pastor is very urgently needed for the Congregation in Kurrachee; and we hope that God may send to them the right man for this important office. For a Congregation like that in Kurrachee the Pastor should be an educated and an able man, and one who knows English. He will require also a Parsonage House.

A second Mission House is also greatly needed in Kurrachee. We are glad to hear that a new Missionary, the Revd. A. W. Cotton, has been just appointed to Hyderabad.

Amongst the Christians in Kurrachee daily morning service is held for those who are able to attend. Evening Prayer is held in the Mission House Library; and on Saturday evenings the gathering develops itself into a congregational Prayer meeting for men and boys. The men's Bible class, held on Saturday afternoons, is fairly well attended, as is also the women's Bible class, held by the Ladies of the Zenana Mission in the Zenana Mission Room. Communicants' meetings are held regularly every month; and the weekly Bible class for English-speaking Natives is also regularly carried on.

The Christians in Kurrachee also hold meetings for prayer, and for the study of the Word of God amongst themselves. A Bible class is held on Sundays, and also a Sunday School which is conducted by members of the Congregation.

Lectures at intervals are given to the educated Natives, and the substance of them is repeated to another audience in Sindhi or in Urdu. Athletic sports are carried on with vigour. In the year 1879 there were no less than three cricket clubs and a gymnasium connected with the school; and the boys themselves subscribed Rs. 39 to the "Games Fund."

Mr. Bambridge has lately made two successful trips to the Persian Gulf, in which he has opened out Missionary communications with the southern part of Persia, and circulated many books and held conversation on religious subjects with the people. He has also lately visited Baghdad, where a C.M.S. Mission during the past year has been established. At the request of the Bishop of Lahore, he accompanied him on his official visit to Persia, as far as Shiraz, and the ruins of Persepolis.

The following interesting passages are taken from the reports of the Mission. In the year 1856, the Missionaries write

It must be acknowledged that the work amongst Mussulmans presents few features of interest. As a class they are

very ignorant, even on the subject of their own religion. A Qazi or a Faqeer may occasionally be met with, who possesses a little more than ordinary intelligence; but bigotry, which seems to be inherent in Mahomedans, but too frequently blinds the understanding, and keeps out the truth. At Tattah, the very stronghold of Islam in Sindh, this intense bigotry was exhibited on a large scale. The people, instigated by their teachers, with one voice rejected the Gospel message, aud heaped abuse upon its proclaimers; telling them they were the children of Satan' and hooting them out of the bazaar. But the Word of God is mighty, and, even amongst these prejudiced ones, finds entrance. It was all-powerful in the conversion of Abdullah Athim. has caused not a few to doubt, if not deny, the authority of Mahomed; and, it is now quietly, but surely, working its way in the minds of many. One of many instances which have

It

come under the notice of the Missionaries must suffice for illustration. When at Shikarpur, a Havildar belonging to the Beluch Battalion, frequently came to the Missionaries' tent for religious instruction. He said he had been inquiring about Christianity ever since Mr. Matchett's first visit to Shikarpur in January, 1854, Being able to read Persian, he had gone very carefully through the books which had been given him; and seemed to be convinced of the errors of Mahomedanism, and the truths of Christianity.

At the beginning of the year 1878, 22 years afterwards, Mr. Shirt, the Missionary of Hyderabad, is able to write thus:

We visited Tattah, a somewhat tumble-down old town now, but formerly of great importance, as its neighbouring necropolis shows. It is still the head-quarters of an enterprising mercantile community. Years ago, when our brethren from Kurrachee visited it, they were ill-treated; but we were kindly received and guested the whole time we stayed. Thanks to the Mission School at Kurrachee, under God, for this change! Part of our hot weather vacation was spent at Mahomed Khan-jo Tando, where we had good audiences, very