brother J. G. Pike was elected chairman. Brother Bailey was appointed to assist the Secretary. The following minutes were adopted:

I. RETURN OF REV. W. MILLER AND FAMILY TO ENGLAND.

Copy of Medical Certificate from Dr. J. M. Coates presented.

Agreed, that we part for a season, with much regret, from our esteemed brother and sister Miller; but are fully convinced that the serious failure of his health requires his return to the fatherland. We shall greatly miss his invaluable services; still we hope, in due season, to welcome back our dear friends to their home and their work. We also express our kind Christian wishes for our young friends Miss Miller and Miss F. Miller, whose services in the Sabbath school, as well as in other respects, will be much missed.

II. ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. VAUGHAN FROM ENGLAND AND RECEPTION OF MR. HEBERLET ON PROBATION.

Agreed, that we warmly welcome our new friends, the Rev. John and Mrs. Vaughan, as fellow-labourers in the kingdom of Christ in Orissa-that we heartily thank the Committee for sending theman earnest, we hope, of others to follow -and sincerely pray that their Missionary course may be long, happy, and useful.

We also thank the Committee for accepting Mr. Heberlet as a Missionary on probation; we receive him in the Lord with sincere affection, and earnestly pray that his course as a Missionary may be very happy and successful.

255

gospel in Sanscrit and Oriya. Also 3,000 copies of the Acts of the Apostles.

The printing of Scripture Selections, or Holy Lamp, was not finished, but had proceeded to p. 88, which is nearly half. Report received and approved.

Agreed, that we print 2,000 copies of Scripture Lessons from the Four Gospels and Acts; and if funds be available, Selections from the Psalms. The latter to be left with the Cuttack Committee.

The desirableness of binding a certain number of the three parts of this series left with the same Committee.

V. ORISSA TRACT SOCIETY.

1. Reported that the Religious Tract Society had given 100 reams of paper, and £20 for printing "Stories and Pictures of Church History," and £20 for printing Brooks's "Precious Remedies" in Oriya. Value of the paper £30. The two grants for printing realized 457 rupees 2 annas 4 pice.

That the American Tract Society had granted 100 dollars, which realized 230 rupees 3 annas.

That our own Society had granted £45, or 540 rupees, for printing tracts.

Hearty acknowledgments to be made to all who have thus liberally helped us.

2. The following tracts to be printedEpitome of True Religion 2,000 copies. The Cuttack Committee to confer with brother Bailey before printing.

Parables of Christ True Refuge

...

...

...

3,000 2,000 4,000 1,500

Second Commandment
What think ye of Christ? 1,000

N.B.-This is a chapter from "Fulfilled Prophecy."

Agreed to print 1,500 copies of abridgment of "Negro Servant," by Shem Sahu (V. 9 of last year). A few suggestions were made by which it may be rendered more attractive.

"Sunday School Hymns" (V. 10). Report given, but as all these hymns have been composed by Makunda Das, we think that before printing an opportunity should be given to any brother who may have composed suitable hymns to present them, and for this purpose appoint a Committee consisting of brother Buckley, Ghunoo, Thoma, and Shem.

3. Revision of Tracts.

(a) Approved of the revision of "Destroyer of Delusion," with the ex

ception of one or two suggestions that were noted.

(b) "Epitome of True Religion." Revision not approved, especially the change of metre. The tract, in its old form, would be preferred; but as we think that what is obscure should be made plain and clear, we refer it back to the ComImittee of revision.

(c) "Life of Christ." Committee reported, but revision not made. Appointment continued.

(d) "Essence of the Bible." Report given and appointment continued.

4. New Tracts, &c.

(a) Brother Shem presented a translation of "Children of the Bible," published by the Religious Tract Society.

Agreed, that we thank our brother for the labour he has bestowed on the translation, and appoint a Committee of examination, consisting of the Cuttack Missionaries with Ghunoo and Thoma.

(b) Brother Makunda Das presented a translation from Bengali of a work on the personality and work of the Holy Spirit. The same minute adopted, except that Shem was added to the Committee, and five rupees granted to our brother for his labour.

While this was being discussed brother Vaughan came into the College and was introduced by the Secretary to each of the brethren. He was affectionately received by them all. He expressed, in English (one of the brethren acting as translator), his regret that he could not speak to them in their own language, but hoped that the little knowledge he had acquired of the language would be daily increasing till he was able freely and fully to express all he thought and felt in it. It was responded to by Shem, who expressed the thankfulness and pleasure they all felt in his and Mrs. V.'s arrival, and the hope cherished that they would be preserved in health, and be able to labour in this important field for many years.

(c) "History of a Deputy Collector"

-a tract translated from the Bengali by Thoma was presented, and a minute similar to that adopted in the case of b was agreed on.

5. New Books.

(a) "Fulfilled Prophecy." In reference to this book, translated by brother Miller, it was reported that the printing had proceeded to p. 270, and it was hoped it would be completed by the end of the year. Report received with much satisfaction. It is believed that the book will be very interesting and instructive, not

only to our native Christians, but to intelligent Hindoos.

(b) Companion to Bible." Brother Buckley reported that about three-fourths of the copy was ready for printing, and acknowledged the assistance he had received from Ghanushyam and Soda Sebo. The brethren received the report with satisfaction, and hoped that, on the completion of "Fulfilled Prophecy," the printing of this would be begun.

(c) "Early History of the Christian Church in Orissa." Referred by last Conference to brethren Buckley and Ghunoo who reported that, owing to the pressure of other work, especially their attention to "Companion," they had not been able to attend to this appointment. In these circumstances it was agreed to continue the appointment; also to ask our aged brother, Sebo Patra, carefully to examine the manuscript, and give any suggestion he might be able to brother Buckley.

(d) "Holy War." Reported on by brother Brooks, and appointment continued.

(e) "Volume of Sermons for Village use" (V. 5 of last year). Reported on by brother Bailey and Shem. The brethren thought that the end designed might be accomplished by publishing, from time to time, something like the Monthly Messenger of the Religious Tract Society. Care should be taken strictly to adhere to the regulations of the Society. Several brethren promised sermons.

6. Gratuitous Distribution or selling of Tracts (VI. 9 of 1876).

It is understood that each brother uses his discretion in the distribution of tracts, as it cannot be expected that small tracts will be purchased.

7. That we respectfully apply to our Committee for a grant of £45 for our general Tract work.

9. That we also ask them for a grant for "Fulfilled Prophecy," but leave the amount to be decided by the Cuttack Committee on the completion of the work. It will be a larger work than former ones, for which £20 have been granted; but the principle approved was, that an increased sum might be asked for proportioned to the increased number of pages.

9. That brother Miller be requested by this Conference to seek an interview with the Secretary of the Calcutta Christian Tract and Book Society with a view, if possible, of obtaining a grant from that Society for printing this book. (The Religious Tract Society has supplied paper.)

VI.

MISSION ACCOUNTS PRESENTED

BY THE TREASURER.

These Accounts were, by direction of the Conference, audited by brothers Wood and Heberlet, and found correct. forwarded to the Committee.

VII. MISSION COLLEGE.

To be

1. Three Students Banchanidhi, Gideon Mahanty, and Bala Krishnoo Rath had studied most of the year, but about three months since Banchanidhi left, in accordance with his own wish, so that only two remained for examination.

2. The examination of Gideon and Bala Krishnoo was attended to, on behalf of the Conference, by brothers Bailey, Wood, Shem, and Thoma.

3. At a later period of the Conference a favourable report of the examination was given by brother Bailey, and directed to be forwarded to the Committee.

4. Banchanidhi made application for re-admission. Not entertained.

5. Muddhoo Das (Piplee Church), and Chintamuni Padhan (Cuttack Church), and Bhurasa Putnaik (Berhampore Church), made application for admission into the College, but were not accepted.

6. Bahunka Padhan (Piplee Church), was accepted on the usual probation.

VII. NATIVE PREACHERS, COLPORTEURS, &C.

1. The following arrangements as to stations for the Conference year approved.

Berhampore-Anunta Das (Pastor), Benjamin Mahanty, Makunda Sahu, Soda Sebo (to be retained by brother Buckley while required for "Companion"). New Village or Padri Pella-Narayan. Russel Condah-Tama and Balaji. Cuttack-Sebo Patra, Damodar, Ghanu

shyam and Thoma. It is thought desira-
ble that Shem should be at Cuttack, if
approved by the Auxiliary Mission and
himself.

Khundittur-Khumbhoo.
Choga-Pooroosootum.
Minchinpatna-Paul.

Piplee-Makunda Das, Niladri Naik.
Bilepadda-Haran Das, or George Das,
if Haran be sent to Khoordah.
Bonamalipore-Dooli Patra, if George
Das should go to Bilepadda.
Khoordah-In the event of Shem re-
moving to Cuttack, Haran to be at
Khoordah.

Case of Daniel Das left with the Cuttack Committee.

57

2. Anunta Das and the Pastorate of the Church at Berhampore.-Letter read from the church at Berhampore expressive of their desire to retain, for another three years, Anunta Das as their pastor, but regretting that they were not able to raise more than fourteen rupees eight annas monthly, and asking that the Conference would sanction the payment of the balance of six rupees.

Agreed-That we rejoice that the experiment of a native pastor at Berhampore has been so far successful, and that a united desire is felt for its continuance. We are also glad to learn that their pastor is actively engaged in bazaar work and itineracy, and while we regret that they are not able to raise the whole amount required, we cheerfully sanction the payment, from the Native Preachers' Fund, of the balance of six rupees for the present year, on the understanding that his evangelistic labours be continued; and we cannot but hope that when times are more favourable (as we trust they soon may be) they will be able to raise all that is necessary.

In reference to their request that the arrangement proposed may be sanctioned for three years, we are not aware of any serious objection to the proposal, but it is our usual course to make arrangements from Conference to Conference.

We rejoice to know that Anunta Das's labours are so acceptable that the brethren wish him to be publicly set apart to the work. We appoint brother Buckley to represent the Mission on this occasionin case of failure, brother Bailey; and we also request that brother Shem take part in the service.

3. Question of increase of salaries of native preachers considered.

Khumboo to receive a present of ten rupees.

Balaji's salary to be raised one rupee a month on his joining his appointment at Russell Condah.

Cases of Thoma and Shem referred to Cuttack Committee.

Makunda Sahu, on going to Berhampore, to have the usual allowance for children in addition to salary.

N.B.-The extra allowance on account of scarcity to continue in every case to the end of March. The daily batta of two annas to continue, in addition to coolie allowance.

4. Colporteurs.

(a) Application from John Jenna not entertained.

One word for Rome. Not for its church, but its children. Our friend, Mr. Shaw, cannot get the children to the SUNDAY SCHOOL. He gets some adultsthere were seventeen the morning I called, but no children. I suggested he should be a modern Orpheus, and charm them to school with music. He said he would if he knew how. Whereupon I told him what Mr. Alsop had done in Manchester, how I had seen five hundred of the dirtiest and raggedest children assemble at nine o'clock at night, many of them walking miles, for a cup of coffee and a sing, and how they came three and four nights a week all through the winter, and had, by means of the Tonic-sol-fa system, though ignorant of the letters of the alphabet, so mastered music as to give a "ragged concert" in one of the large halls of Manchester, to the great delight of all who heard them.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw caught the idea instantly, and said they would gladly attempt a similiar work in Rome, but they had no musical instrument to assist them. I promised to try and get a HARMONIUM for them, and have already collected eight pounds five shillings among my friends towards its purchase. Now I want to appeal to the readers of the G. B. Magazine to supply the deficiency; and I am sure you will be glad to receive their contributions. Apart from the children, there is a great want of a musical instrument to assist in public worship. The Italians are great lovers of music, but have little or no idea of time and tune in singing. What we call congregational singing is entirely unknown to them. There is nothing in any way corresponding to it in the Papal system. Hence, above all things, I think singing should be cultivated as a means of carrying the gospel to the hearts of the people. And among a people so steeped as the Italians are in emotional and sensuous religious ceremonial,

nothing so innocent and beautiful could be offered them as a substitute, as singing. And there is need that nothing should be left undone to strengthen the hands of the brave little band, who, with a faith stronger than David's, are seeking, with more unequal weapons than his, to slay the Goliath of Christendom. I do not think they will do it. But already the buzz of the little insects now "infesting" Rome has disturbed the equanimity of the stately animal of the Vatican; and one has so stung him as to provoke an undignified kick. For weeks past Rome has been placarded with huge bills calling on the people to render additional homage to "Mary, the mother of God." preacher in the little Waldensian chapel told his hearers that Mary was not the mother of God; that God never had a mother; that the Virgin was a woman like ourselves; and that, if she were God's mother, she would be greater than God Himself, as God must have been dependent upon her. This simple statement was enough to stir up all Rome; and the Cardinal Vicar, at the Pope's request, ordered a "manifestation of loyalty; consisting of a procession of the people to Santa Maria Maggiore.

The

A Roman priest told me, "he believed that within twelvemonths the King would be dethroned, the Pope banished, and the priests' robes torn off their backs." The only thing in the prophecy I question is the time. I think he has correctly guaged the spirit and tendency of the age; but I do not look for so speedy an accomplishment of his prediction. Nevertheless political seeds ripen fast. I mention this to strengthen the good resolution of those who have provided, in the "Sala Cristiana," a little ark of refuge for distressed souls; and to awaken sympathy for the children of Rome, that "the seed of the kingdom" may be planted by song before the "evil days" come.