a room three feet wide by twenty long. But the master said he only taught the boys what their parents told him; and that he could on no account take a New Testament, lest it should ruin his profession. I gave one, however, to an intelligent Lingait master, who received it gladly; and the colporteur sold a number of books, principally to the boys of the English school. I was much pleased by a visit from three of my old pupils who studied in the Bangalore school. ment employ, and confessed that they have no faith in Hinduism. In the evening, we walked to a village on the other side of the tank; and after taking our seat on a baudy, we were soon surrounded by eighty women and children. I told them I had come to point out the way to happiness; and asked, "Do you want to be happy? Béku, béku, was the reply. But I asked, "What is happiness?" "O," exclaimed one, 66 happiness consists in having a full stomach and nothing to do." I tried to raise their grovelling minds to something better; and they listened well. The moon was by this time shedding her silvery light over the scene; and so I prayed with them, and took leave. They are now in Govern 19th, HALLABEED.-As there is here no accommodation of any kind for European travellers, we slept in our coach under a cocoa-nut tree, in the cleanest corner of the town we could find; and our God watched over us. At a former period, this was a place of great importance. Here stood a famous city called Dorasamudra, at one time the residence of the Belella Rajahs, princes of the Jain religion, who ruled over a great part of India. The fine large tank, which still remains, is said to have been in the midst of the town. The only interest which the place now presents, is its remarkable temple. From an inscription on its walls, it is found to have been built about the year 1281, A.D., in honour of Shiva, by Vishnu Verdona, the same Rajah who built the temple at Bailoor. It is unique both in its shape and elaborate sculpture; and, as a work of art, is one of the finest in Southern India. There is first a basement five feet in height, of an irregular polygon form; above this there are rows of elephants, unicorns, scroll works, and various flowers and designs; over these again are large figures, representing nearly all the Jain and Hindu mythology; and the whole stand out in bold relief, with a great deal of exquisite carving behind the figures. The extreme length from end to end, is twenty-seven yards. Two transepts run across at right angles, each sixteen yards long; and the interior is filled with richly sculptured pillars, and niches covered with deities in relief, behind which there is, in many places, the most delicate drapery, resembling lace work. The only objects now worshipped are two lingas. On the east side are two mantapas, with large highly polished stone bulls; the largest of which is sixteen feet long, ten high, and seven broad. The temple is built of potstone; and the sculpturing is the freest from indecent representations I have ever seen in the country. After examining the temple, I preached to a very attentive company on the love of God; and gave a New Testament to the schoolmaster, and other three books to the most intelligent of my hearers. Sept. 3d-We started early this morning, and rode three miles to a village named Harmagatte, right in the centre of a group of hills. It contains about five hundred people, and is sur rounded by a quantity of good land under high cultivation. The feet of the Missionary had never entered their gates before; and our good news was quite new to them. Mr. Banks preached in one place to about forty for nearly two hours, and I did the same to nearly thirty for as long a time. The people listened with the greatest eagerness; the clever, nice-spirited old gowda repeated padas, "proverbs," and wise sayings by the dozen, in pure Canarese, to confirm all we said against sin and idolatry; they crowded round us to hear more after we were both tired of speaking; and when, after ten, we took leave of them, they invited us to come back soon. There was not a Brahman in the village. Rev. J. Hutcheon, M.A., Mysore, December 28th, 1864. THE amount of Contributions and Remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £2,288. 68. 9d. 1. THE following extract from a letter on this subject deserves serious attention: Nearly the whole of my life has been spent in -, a place which you know has been highly favoured by Methodist services. I removed some time since to this place, which is seven miles from a Circuit-town, and is in the midst of a rural district. I have been led to preach occasionally; and my whole experience, in visiting the villages, has taught me, that if Methodism is to take hold of, or if it is to retain its hold upon our rural population, the ministers must be enabled and be determined to stay more among the people; not returning at night to the Circuit-town, bat giving ample time to the pastoral care of our Societies, and striving to evangelize the outlying population. It is sad to see the present dead calm of many villages; the people, in large numbers, not going to any place of worship. If we do not bestir ourselves, I am persuaded that not a few will perish for lack of knowledge. Let me state my own experience in relation to this. My son, who had been a member of our church for some years in came to reside in this neighbourhood, and met in class, till the leader yielded to discouragement and gave up the class, which was scattered. Could our ministers more fully associate themselves, as in former times they did, with our people in the villages, our families would be more firmly attached to Methodism than they are likely to be under present arrangements. With three services on Sunday, they obviously have no time on that day for visiting their flock; and new arrangements, respecting the rural districts, will have to be made, that our people may have that pastoral interCourse with their ministers which is necessary to the conservation and extension of our village work. I write after thirty-three years' association with Methodism, and as the father of a large family, anxious that they may be so blessed as to meet in heaven. effect, and is from one who has known much of student life, and of practical life also. Your letter in this month's Magazine, (March, 1865,) though important with reference to the rural population, hints at a plan which is even more necessary as a means of completing the education of our rising ministry. Every one who has had a taste of a student's life, with anything like a taste for it, knows how insidious are the advances of literary indulgence or bookishness, and will not, therefore, be surprised that any so circumstanced should manifest a predilection for scholastic correctness, rather than for pungent truth. We want both; but we must have the latter. Sermons are heard in all churches, which are polished till they have neither point nor edge, and which fall on congregations as gently as snow-flakes, and as There is some lack of warmly too! that readiness of address which qualifies a minister to lift each cottage-latch, salute each member of his congregation, and accost individuals in prayer-meetings, without fear as to his reception. A student-training may make a man alive to his own shortcomings, but will not give him that acquaintance with men that would inspire him with confidence, and cause his kind intentions, in almost every case, to be fully appreciated. . . . . Acquaintance with books will never supply this qualification; nothing but intercourse with men will secure it. I should hail the time when every candidate for the Methodist ministry should pass three years at the Theological Institution, and, at least, three years more in real Home-Mission work in our towns and villages. Let each thus devote a few years to personal intercourse with the people about him; and though the loved conveniences and leisure for study may be decreased, an industrious man would not be hindered in any valuable pursuit; and, while he retained all the advantages which his scholastic training has afforded him, he would also learn how to apply them in actual use to the great purposes for 2. Another letter is to the following which they were intended. VOL. XI-FIFTH SERIES. 2 п LETTERS FROM WESLEYAN SOLDIERS. To the Rev. Joseph Webster, Shornclife, from J. S., 5th Regiment Foot, 1st Batt.-Woolwich, October, 1864.I am happy to say that I am going on well in temporal things, and that my soul is prospering. While the regiment was in London, I only attended the parade-services at our chapel, as the congregation treated us with coldness. I am however thankful that I am in the good old path which leads to eternal life, and am pressing on to the prize of our high calling. We have some glorious meetings here, one every night in the week, and two on Sundays, Bibleclasses, prayer-meetings, &c. I am glad that your meetings are so well attended in the camp. May the Lord bless every effort for the spread of His truth among the soldiers! J. G. sends his Christian love to you. He says that his soul is prospering, and that he has good times of it here. W. C. is getting on well Zion-ward. B. B. and B. are all doing well, and J. continues in the right road. Your letter greatly warmed our hearts. To the same, from J. E., late 2d Batt. Grenadier Guards.-January 16th, 1865. I have not written earlier, as I have been waiting for some situation. I have now got into the L-shire Constabulary, and am learning the duties of constable. On my arrival I found my wife well. I am still trying to serve God, and want to experience what Paul did, when he said: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." I want to feel only one law, and that the law of the Spirit. I do not forget you and yours in my prayers, and hope to be remembered in yours. I return you my sincere thanks for your kindness to me. I hope that you succeed with your Bible-class and with all your services. I intend joining a class here next Thursday. I was at our chapel here last Sunday, and heard a good sermon. HOME-MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1. PENARTH.-(CARDIFF.)-From the Journal of the Rev. James Shearman.January 5th, 1865.-Several who violently persecuted our members here, have been recently converted. One of the worst has just been subdued by the grace of God, and has joined one of our classes. On her husband becoming seriously ill, the Methodists were sent for, and earnestly entreated to pray with him. They were soon at his bed-side; and he was brought to deep repentance, found mercy, and died trusting in Christ for salvation. His widow is most attentive to our services, and is about to join us in Christian fellowship. Our cottagemeeting on the 11th of January, was crowded with persons, who, for the most part, had been neglecters of worship. The blessing of God was powerfully manifested in our midst. The tears of the unsaved flowed apace, and cries for mercy were heard. We were much encouraged with the results of this meeting, which was held in our most degraded neighbourhood. Small-pox and fever are prevalent here, and some cases have terminated fatally. Considering the way in which many of the inhabitants live, and the condition of some of the newly-formed streets, it is not to be wondered at that disease should abound. Sanitary improve ments are much needed, and cannot be safely delayed. Filth and vice are here associated. In some houses, I find dirt, scarcely any furniture, and tattered garments; though the men living in this manner are earning good wages. February 11th.-Since the 3d of this month, I have been laid aside with sickness, occasioned either by repeatedly getting thoroughly wet in going to preach, or by visiting persons afflicted with small-pox and fever, or by a com bination of both causes. An attack of small-pox was feared, but happily it was averted, and I am now recovering. February 19th.-Preached here and visited the Sunday-school. Our congregations, in our beautiful new chapel, are large and increasing; and our Sunday-school is prospering. The pious and energetic labour of the teachers is being rewarded, as they have secured one hundred and thirty children, and an average attendance of eighty. Some of these children were of the roughest sort; but there is great improvement shown in their behaviour. We may truly say, the Lord is among us, and is prospering the work of our hands. 2. WIDNES. From the Journal of the Rev Joseph Workman.-September 9th, 1864.-Preached at the Horns, and met the Society. God has prospered us here; and we now have a good Society, and an efficient school. Some who were great drunkards have been reclaimed, and are now respectable and well-to-do working men. October 15th.-Widnes has lately been scourged with small-pox and typhus fever. Not unfrequently there are two or three lying dead in one house, and in rooms where the living sleep. Sanitary arrangements here are bad. There is too little drainage, and rows of cottages are built close together. Pig-sties are too common, and too near the houses. I have found as many as twenty persons living in a cottage where there are only two ordinary bed-rooms, and two smaller ones. Our most sanguine expectations are realized, in the attendance at our new chapel. The Sunday-evening congregation would fill three chapels of the size of the old one. For November 6th. The Romanists this day (Sunday) laid the foundation-stone of their chapel at Widnes-Dock. this building, they have resorted to the plan, common in Ireland, of raffling for pigs, horses, &c.; and have resorted to "Negro Concerts;" appealing for the help of all "who have the moral and spiritual welfare of this neighbourhood at heart." Our Foreign Missionary meeting at Ditton was accompanied by a collection greatly in advance of former years; and at Widnes, where two years ago £8 were raised, the contributions this year amount to about £43; so that Home-Missionary work helps our Foreiga Missions. The following has also been received from Mr. Workman: Widnes, March 6th, 1865.-The annexed statement, which I have pleasure in presenting, will show that the blessing of God has been upon the Mission enter. prise in this place, from its commencement in 1860. In 1859, the contributions from the classes and the public collections sent to the Quarterly meeting, amounted to...... .£35 4 3 Contributed by chapel-trusts. 11 3 4 Since the Mission was established, five fresh Sunday-schools, two dayschools, and four Societies have been instituted; and, what is still more cheering, the number of church-members has risen in the same period, from seventy. four to one hundred and ninety-three, and there are now about thirty on trial. Many have been won from the ranks of drunkards, and not a few have been dragged from depths of iniquity. At one small place just outside the town, where we have only a joiner's shop to worship in, about twelve persons have been brought to God during the past six months. One has died, triumphing in Christ; two now belong to other Circuits; the others are giving us great hope. Many homes have been made happy. Wives tell me of the blessed change wrought in their husbands, and husbands rejoice over the change wrought in their wives; and parents are blessing God for converted children. The work is only in its infancy here; our people are in humble positions, but they are very united to one another, and all are devoted to God. Widnes presents a large field for labour. Our beautiful chapel is very well attended. Our different schemes for usefulness are working well, especi ally the cottage prayer-meetings. These are nurseries, both for our congregation and our Society: this morning two young persons, who were awakened at a meeting last week, called upon me to know what they "must do to be saved." The younger one, about eighteen years of age, had been for some time fiercely persecuting her mother for being a Methodist; and the night she was convinced of sin she went to mock our people at one of the cottage prayermeetings. Here God visited her in mercy, and she returned home to pray, and is now diligently using every opportunity for pleading with God in prayer. Much time has been devoted to visiting the sick and dying, and I have often been cheered by the apparent joy with which some of these have received the message of salvation. Although I hesitate to say much about death-bed conversions, I believe some have been saved in the eleventh hour. The present spiritual state of our members, generally, is better than I have known it since I came here, and I am full of hope with respect to the future of this Mission-district. 3. OLDHAM.-From the Rev. John W. Henderson.-February 28th, 1865.-The congregation at the Mission-chapel continues to improve, especially on Sunday evenings, and begins to look as good as that at our older chapel. The first Foreign Missionary services have recently been held in this chapel; the collections amounting to £25, instead of £4 raised for the same object in this locality before the formation of this Mission. We shall have an increase of members this quarter. During the last four months four new classes have been commenced at Brunswick, (the Missionchapel,) and one at Hollins. We are also just commencing two classes at Hollingwood, -a village in the immediate neighbourhood, with about 8,000 inhabitants, and where we have not any place of worship, but which is likely to prove a fruitful field. The Tract Society, just formed, is worked vigorously and prayerfully by our young people, and will prove a great blessing to the population. 4. BLACKBURN.-From the Journal of the Rev. C. W. L. Christien.—Ending March, 1865. This quarter has been one of steady progress. The Mission-services have been well attended, and sometimes crowded. The course of Sunday-afternoon addresses to working men attracted great attention, and brought many heretofore neglecters of public worship to our room. The Sunday-school is succeeding, and the formation of a library, in connexion with it, will increase its efficiency. We have maintained twenty-four cottage-services. These are frequently crowded, and we are much encouraged with our young men's and our young women's classes. My visits to the houses of the people have been well received. My class has increased to twelve members, with fifteen on trial, and two other classes have been commenced. The extreme coldness of the warehouse, in which our Mission-services are, at present, conducted, has been a hindrance to us; yet such large congregations as we have had, in such a place, during the late severe winter, afford us the highest encouragement. All will, however, be improved when our new school-chapel, which is nearly finished, is opened. Sunday, January 22d.-Our Missionservice this evening was crowded, and there was much of God's power felt. One poor old woman, seventy years of age, was broken down and cried aloud for mercy. Another realized a sense of the Divine favour. Some other penitents were comforted, and several were deeply convinced of sin. Our cottage-services increase in interest. Sixteen of our friends now are regularly engaged with me in this work, and a plan of these services has been printed. March 2d. Met with my first rebuff in visiting to day, being told by an angry person, that "I had no right to go into people's houses where I was not wanted." Romanists, indeed, tell me that they shall burn my tracts as soon as I am gone. Their ignorant bigotry is intense. By the majority of those I visit I am gladly received, and, with the above exceptions, with civility by all. 5. PUDSEY.-From the Rev. A. Hoskings. -March 6th, 1865.-I am happy to report an encouraging increase in some of our Societies. At Little-Moor Bottom, the debt on the preaching-room has been paid, and funds are being raised for the erection of a chapel. Several young persons from the Sunday-school have been added to the Society. At Gibraltar an efficient Tract Society has been established, which is in active operation. We have introduced a better system of Sunday-school management, and are endeavouring, by means of a Bible-class, to assist the younger teachers to culti vate their minds and hearts, and to prepare themselves for their duties in the schools. 6. DRAYCOTT.-(DERBY.)-From the Rev. G. Latham.-March 4th, 1865.In my district, which includes some villages, I find much ignorance and spiritual destitution. The people are not grossly immoral, but are sunk in a state of indifference to religion. My time is fully occupied. I am encouraged with my young men's Bible class. Some of its members have been soundly converted, and give promise of usefulness. We have held continuous services which have been productive of great good; many have been convinced of sin, and have found peace with God. We shall have an encouraging increase of church-members this quarter. Next to this, nothing has pleased me more than the quickened activity of our members. Our late revival has arisen principally from this cause. 7. CARLISLE.—From the Journal of the Rev. J. E. Hargreaves.-Ending February, 1865.-I am thankful to say that by the blessing of God we are enabled to report favourably of the past quarter. We have met the four new classes formed in connexion with the Mission, principally composed of persons who have been aroused to religious concern |
