January 1, 1829 - In consequence of the defalcation in the Society's Funds, we were obliged to dissolve the Female Seminary. I dismissed the Girls to their homes, to-day at the Morning Prayer, with an Address. When they heard of the Resolution, some wept; and some asked permission to stay here and maintain themselves by knitting. Mrs. Rhenius and Mrs. Schmid each kept one in her service; and two, of Palamcottah, were allowed to come daily to our house, to knit under Mrs. Winckler's superintendence. The kindness of the Corresponding Committee enabled us to continue, with a few retrenchments, all the other branches of our work as before.

Jan. 16 Four Brahmins brought a Petition for the establishment of a Christian School at Velaagam, a village beyond Tinnevelly, recommending one of their number as the Schoolmaster. Although they themselves had not signed the Paper, as it seems from fear of persecution from the other Brah mins; yet they confessed frankly their conviction of the vanity of Idolatry, and have evidently read with attention some of our Tracts. They gave me a list of the children who would attend the school, on which I did not see the name of any Brahmin Boy: on my asking them the reason, they intimated that they were afraid to come forward now, but would attend the school by and bye. The yoke of Caste lies very heavily on these people; and we must have great patience and forbearance with them. They appeared very glad that we immediately established the school.

Feb. 17-Encouraged by the establishment of a School for Brahmins on the 16th of last month, several Brahmins from a neighbouring village brought a similar Petition signed by many Brahmins. We could not but

accede to their request.

Feb. 26-The Collector and two other Gentlemen of the Civil Establishment favoured us with their attendance at the Half-Yearly Examination of the Seminarists. After they had sung an English Hymn, they were examined in Tamul Reading-in English Reading, Translating, Grammar, and Arithmeticand also in Latin Reading, Translating, and Grammar: in the afternoon, the same was done in Hebrew; and in the Geography and History of Europe; as also in their Biblical Knowledge. They give us increasing satisfaction and hopes of their future usefulness. The Specimens of their Writing, which were in Tamul, English, Latin, and Hebrew, were satisfactory evidences of the care which Mr. Regel, their Tutor, bestows upon them: and I must remark here, that it is but justice to say that Mr. Regel is very useful in this most important branch of our Missionary Work, besides his visiting every week three or four

Schools, when he examines the boys and addresses the adults who assemble on these occasions. The work of a Schoolmaster is generally undervalued; but is more laborious and useful, and consequently more honourable, than many employments which gratify pride. Feb. 27-We spent the greatest part of the.. day in reviewing the conduct and advancement of the Seminarists, and in giving suitable admonitions to each. We have now thirtyfour pupils; and several more will be received, who beg for admission, and are promising. Proportionably, very few deserved reproof and punishment; and the punishment consisted almost solely in withholding a reward from them.

From Mr. Schmid's Journals, we extract also an account of a

Visit to some of the Congregations. March 10-I found the Congregation of Aroolloor going on pleasingly. Mootteyen has had the care of them about a month. In the evening, I went to a neighbouring village, Kattaramgalam, where Thirteen Householders, Shanars, a short time ago joined the Christian Church. As it was exceedingly close in their little Prayer-House of palmyraleaves, I held the Prayer-Meeting in the street: the clear moon-light made the scene very interesting, and contributed to draw our hearts to God. The people seemed to be greatly joyful at what I was enabled to tell them; and spoke freely. Many Heathens stood round, listening. The Catechumens have already their portion of trouble, in consequence of their learning the way to heaven.

March 11-I went to Satankoollam; where I first examined the School, and then had a Prayer-Meeting with the Christians who had left Idolatry: they shewed much attention and intelligence; and seem to have made good progress in Christian Knowledge, in so short a time. The people require much labour and patience; and we are the more encouraged to bestow both upon them, as it is evident that those who attend to the Means of Grace, so far as their daily hard work allows, advance in Christian Knowledge and Christian Graces.

March 15: Sunday-Went to Moodeloor, the largest Christian Village in connection with the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. At eleven o'Clock we had Divine Service. As it is the season when the palmyra-trees give their juice, only a fifth part of the inhabitants could be, as I was told, expected at home; yet the spacious Church was quite full, and the verandah likewise was crowded: there might be 500 persons present. A large field of labour! I preached fromWithout holiness no man shall see the Lord. The people listened with great attention.

March 16, 1829-As 19 persons wished to be baptized in Kadatchapooram, I spent the morning in conversing with them singly, and baptized them in the Prayer-Meeting at noon. I trust it was an interesting and edifying season to us all. In the afternoon I had the Examination of the School; which I found much improved, particularly in reading. Two little girls gave me much encouragement by their progress: they read very well. The Congregation, I trust, prospers under Seenivasagam's care. I saw a Maraver, whom Mr. Rhenius mentions in his Journal to have been brought under Christian Instruction by a lameness of his limbs, which all his heathenish ceremonies and sacrifices could not remove: I think well of him. Another Maraver has been baptized, together with his wife, who both had good knowledge, and gave evidences of a sincere resolution to obey Christ alone. The Schoolmaster, a Heathen Soodra from Satankoollam, who hitherto seemed to be rather indifferent and slothful, seems to change considerably

for the better.

Set off for Vattakaiviley after sunset. Many Heathens have joined the Congregation since my visit last year, and have made very pleasing progress: they heard with very lively attention, and made very intelligent remarks on what I said. I also examined the School Children, who had made satisfactory progress: it was especially pleasing to observe two little girls writing their letters and repeating their catechism with as much ease as the boys. The ignorance and awkward conduct of the people at my first visit last year, when they had just put themselves under Christian Instruction, and the knowledge and cheerful ease which they manifested this time in conversation with me, shewed to me, very strikingly, what Christianity can effect. They would have heard still a long time; but kindness obliged me to dismiss them. Among the Catechumens, is an old blind Pandaram : who told me that he knew by experience that Idolatry was vain; and that, as soon as he had heard but an outline of Christianity, he felt convinced that this is the only way to peace and happiness.

March 17.-At sun-rise, arrived at Tritchendoor. I was induced to go thither by a request of the Natives to establish a Tamul School. As I was not quite satisfied what were the real motives of those who made the request, I thought it best to go and see; and, at the same time, to examine the English School which we have established there on the request of the Tasildar and other people of the place. March 18 Examination of the English School in the presence of Mr. Stokes and another Gentleman, who both had the kind

ness to take much interest in the Examination. The want of Elementary Books, in any wise adapted to the necessities of the students whose native language is not English, is very distressing. A great variety of books were in the school-Murray's Grammar and Spelling-Book, the Union SpellingBook, Mr. Hough's Exercises, Manuscript Copies of English-Tamul Vocabularies and Dialogues, probably compiled by Natives. In whatever book I examined them, I found that the beginners could not but be confounded and discouraged by the arrangement of the words in the Spelling-Books and of the Lessons in other School-Books. This has stirred me up to look over and correct a little English Pronouncing Vocabulary which I had compiled for our Seminary, and which the Committee had resolved to print about six years ago. Circumstanced as we are here, the establishment of an English School in each of the Talooks would not only be the means of cherishing a friendly intercourse between us and those Tasildars and Ketchery people who wish to have their children instructed in English, but it would also give us many opportunities of circulating Religious Books among such rich Natives as otherwise would probably not come into the way of receiving them; not to mention the collateral advantages which our cause would obtain by such a friendly connection with the rich and influential persons of this district. A great advantage would be gained, if we could establish a Christian Tamul-School in this idolatrous place and I have reason to hope that we shall soon be requested to establish one, if we ourselves do not press it. By means of the English School, a great number of our Tamul Religious-Books have already been brought into the hands of the principal Natives here, and much prejudice against Christianity has been removed.

I left Tritchendoor in the night, so that I could have arrived at Jerusalem at the time

of Evening Prayer; but, going astray with my guide, I arrived after ten o'clock, when the people had gone to sleep. After a conversation with a few people, when I was just thinking of going to rest, the Catechist informed me that the people had assembled in the Church, desirous of hearing a word of admonition from me. I was surprised and rejoiced at this; and taking occasion from my having gone astray, whereby I came too late for their regular Prayer Meeting and now put them to an inconvenience, I shewed the much worse, yea unspeakably terrible consequences, which will follow, if, in our way to the Heavenly Jerusalem, we rely on false guides, or suffer our progress to be retarded by any other neglect.

March 19-Set off early, and arrived at

Purreiyoor, where the parents of our Seminarists Vedamoottoo and Joseph reside, and which is under the care of the Catechist of Jerusalem. I was much pleased with the people the Congregation has, in these four years that I have not seen them, considerably increased, especially of late. As the people have much work in the fields and at the palmyra-trees, I could only have one Prayer Meeting during the day: after which I proceeded to the spot were a Church is to be built and, with prayer, dedicated it for that sacred use, at their particular request. After this I set off for Poodoor. Although I arrived after their Evening Prayer was over, the people assembled again; and I gave them an address by moon-light, concluding with prayer.

March 20, 1829-My Birth-day: which I spent in this place (Poodvor), full of peace and joy, in conversing with Candidates for Baptism and with others, and in translating a very edifying German Memoir, which I hope soon to see printed both in English and Tamul. Mr. Stokes, our friend, will correct the English. I had three Prayer Meetings with the Congregation. The School was in a very poor state, the Catechist having no mind nor ability for the work as the village is large and promising, a separate Schoolmaster must be placed here. But where are the funds? We must again appeal to Christian sympathy and liberality.

In the evening, visited the temple of a remarkable sect, consisting of very poor and ignorant people, called the "Worshippers of the Father." They worship no kind of idols; nor use any religious ceremony, except that they go into the temple at any time and say, "Father!" In the inner room of the temple, the place where the Heathen put their Idol, they place a vessel always kept filled with water: when they fall sick, their priest sprinkles them with that water, in order to their being healed: if they recover, they think that "the Father" has accepted them; if not, then "the Father" has not accepted them; or the meaning probably is, that he has not forgiven their sin. So the women of that sect, whom I there met, told me. I am informed by others, that they believe that every sickness is a punishment of sin: whenever, therefore, any one becomes sick, he goes to the Gooroo, and undergoes any penance which he may command, viz. to eat the remains of the meat of the whole family, or other things considered by the Hindoos still more disgusting; by which they think that they shall infallibly recover. In this District, there are 40 families belonging to this sect; and, in this village, 7 reside. One man from this village I took two or three months ago to

Palamcottah, as a Preparandus for the Schoolmaster's work; but he shews such a wellinclined mind, that we shall be able to employ him as Catechist in due time: two others have this day applied for baptism. Six or eight women, whom I found at their work near the temple where most of their houses stand, heard very willingly and attentively what I told them of the "Son," whom the Father" has sent to be our Redeemer from sin, and to shew us the way to the "Father." The men were in the fields.

I then proceeded to Nazareth, which is very near to Poodoor. I found here Nyanagoodam, our valuable Catechist, in his father's house, very sick and near his dissolution he could not speak much, but I doubt not but he will go to glory, though it pleases God to lead him thither through a dark valley. I reminded him of the much greater pain which Christ had endured out of pure love to his soul, and recommended him in prayer to Him who heals all pains. Afterward I went to the Church, where I addressed a crowded Congregation on the words, Know ye not, that ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost-shewing them, that, in order to evince our enjoyment of the full blessings of the Gospel, something more is required than to lead a tolerably decent life according to the Ten Commandments. The people seemed very attentive, and begged me to stay a day longer among them.

March 21 Arrived in Poodoopatchery. Although it was Saturday, and I came quite unexpectedly, the Church was too crowded to conduct Divine Service without much interruption. During the day, I conversed with those who offered themselves for baptism; which sacred ceremony I had the pleasure of administering, at the Evening Prayer-Meeting, to ten persons, many of whom requested baptism more than twelve months ago: I then declined it, on account of some other objections, but could now receive them into the Christian Communion with great satisfaction.

Murch 22: Sunday - Arrived at Satankoollam after sun-rise. In the afternoon, the Country Priest came in unexpectedly : he was making a tour through a part of the Congregation. We related to each other the principal particulars of our respective journeys: he gave me an account of what he had seen in the Congregations connected with our Missions, which lay in his way; and he seemed greatly pleased when I told him that I had visited several Villages in connection with the Tanjore Mission. It was a pleasant meeting.

The Schoolmaster of Kadatchapooram reported to me that he had gone to Moodeloor

the Saturday after my visit (the 15th of this month), with the two girls who are learning in his School, and made them read to the people; who were so pleased, that nine persons promised to send their daughters to school to shew their firm resolution, they gave a hand-writing to that effect. The Master hopes, confidently, that many more will send their girls, if but a beginning be made; and I think so too. I omitted mentioning in its place, that both in the Divine Service at Moodeloor and when I was walking through the streets, I recommended, strongly and repeatedly, Female Education to the inhabitants; till, at last, a number of the principal men promised to send their daughters. As Moodeloor is by far the largest Christian Village in this District, the example which the people give in breaking through the native prejudice against Female Education will doubtless encourage other villages to do so likewise.

To these Extracts from the Journals of Mr. Rhenius and Mr. Schmid we add, from that of Mr. Winckler,

some

Notices relative to various Congregations.

Jan. 23, 1829-I arrived at Pannikoollam. Several Roman-Catholic Families of this place joined us last year. Christian feeling is at a very low ebb among them: they have refused to contribute any thing for a lamp in the evening, and the Catechist was obliged to teach them in darkness. So far as I have gathered from observation, I must say that those Congregations, which come over to us from Roman Catholicism, are generally much lower in the scale than those recently gathered from among the Heathen: some individuals excepted, they commonly fall back, after some time, into their former way.

Jan. 31: at Dohnavoor-Several persons from Kavelkinnarroo came to speak with me. They had formerly joined our Congregation there, but had fallen away. They had, of their own accord, as is the case with most in our Congregations, signed a Paper, engaging, that, in case they should, after having been instructed for some time, leave the Congregation and return to their former ways, they would restore to our Mission Fund the expenses incurred on their account. David, who had been at their place shortly after the last party had fallen back, threatened, that, in case they would not return, the repayment of the expense should be pressed on them. This awakened, on one side, their fears; though, on the other, they were unwilling either to repay or to return. The object of these men, in coming to me, was, to entreat me to relinquish our right altogether,

pretending several reasons which were mere evasions. The case was intricate, and occasioned me no small perplexity. If I had merely insisted on payment, they and others might quickly have inferred, that the recovery of the money was of more moment to us than their spiritual welfare; and, on the other hand, if I had disengaged them from their promise, it would have been considered by them as an approval of their defection-the credit of our Mission, and of all our arrangements for the good of the people, would have sunk throughout the district- and others would have readily followed their bad example, and would think it a light matter to deceive us and break their promises. I prayed to the Lord for His gracious direction; and then addressed them, telling them that their falling back to Idolatry not only involved them in debt, but would be the ruin of their souls: and this I enlarged upon, to bring them to feel their guilt before God, and to consider this as the most serious view of the question. I said, that we would wait for circumstances. After they had left, I prayed, some time, and would then act according to together with the Catechists of Dohnavoor and Kavelkinnarroo, the latter of whom had accompanied them, for the enlightening and conversion of their miserable souls.

Feb. 1 At Ootchikoollam, where about Eight Families had newly come forward, the people received me with great joy and regard, and confessed their extreme ignorance; but heard with such attention as to catch away, as it were, every word from my mouth while they covered their mouths with their hands, as a sign of great reverence. I had much pleasure among this people, and indulge good hope of them.

Feb. 19 I visited the Congregations in Ootchikoollam and three other places. The Lord was especially gracious during these visits the people seemed to feel the power of the Truth: even the palankeen-boys, Heathens from the surrounding villages, failed not to hear attentively what I said to our people; and were so impressed by it, that, while bearing the palankeen, instead of singing idolatrous hymns in praise of their gods, as they were accustomed to do, their exclamation all the way, was, "O Lord, save us! O Lord, save us!"

Feb. 22, Sunday: at Dohnavoor - The Place of Worship was crowded with our people from all the surrounding villages, and many sat outside who could not find room within. The Lord's Supper was administered, for the first time, I believe, in any of our Village Congregations. Many were, I doubt not, greatly strengthened in faith and in love to the Lord.