THE ORIYAS AS THEY APPEAR. capable. You may imagine how hard it is to deal with such. I will also say a word or two in reference to the Brahmo Somaj. Judging from the interviews which I have had with several of its members in Cuttack, I should say that most Christians would be disappointed had they seen and heard what I have during my short stay here. Certainly they are are not all alike. I believe there are humble, honest, sincere seekers after truth amongst them, and I trust not a few; but the manner in which the many speak is such that would lead you to believe that they have "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," and that the possession of it had conferred upon them the unenviable right of magnifying themselves to the utmost degree of which their capacious powers are equal. They have advanced a step, truly, and a great step it is; but now they seem to require almost all their time to admire and glorify themselves for having taken it. A great deal I have said about the last class of people is equally true of the Brahmo Somaj. It has nothing for the masses. be said that the common people hear its preachers gladly. It talks about "educated India," and almost forgets how very few Hindoos comparatively are educated. The self-sufficiency with which these gentlemen speak to you, the way in which they refer to Christianity whilst they have but read a very small part of the New Testament, and the fact that they appear utterly unconscious of any spiritual need except that which the religion of the Brahmo Somaj has satisfied-these things are not calculated to lead one to form a very high opinion of their sect, except as one of the destructive powers at work in India under the control of Christ our Lord. It cannot Of the many Mussulmans around us, I am unable to say much, because I have not been cast amongst them. Two or three with whom I have spoken left quite a good impression upon my mind. On the other hand, when at the zayat a few nights ago, I showed a Hindustani New Testament to four or five welldressed respectable babus of this class, the look of contempt and the manner in which one of them said, "Oh! we don't want this," I am unable to describe. It is well known that throughout India the system of lending money at enormous interest is very prevalent. I am informed that even those whom we should consider poor will save whatever they can, and, though little it may be, will lend it at 497 interest. Then, too, the lying that abounds. What can be said of it? It really does seem as though it were the easiest thing in the world for natives to manufacture excuses- often plausible enough under any conceivable circumstances whatever. The lies that are told in order to obtain a holiday! Why, a Hindoo servant during his lifetime loses one knows not how many mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and children. The spite which actuates them in their dealings with each other, the custom of asking twice as much for a thing as it is actually worth and which the man is ready to take, and the fact, apparent to all missionaries, that notwithstanding Hindoos are spoken of as a religious people, their thoughts are bounded by and centred in the life that now isthese things, together with their deficient sense of sin, may lead us to form some idea of the spiritual state of the people. As I said at the commencement, the outside looks fairer than I expected to find it; but penetrate a little-ask about the people's spiritual condition and how different a scene presents itself! My hitherto short life in India impresses me with the idea that its people do not require so much to be reasoned with about heathenism as to be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This was what our Lord said the Spirit of God would do-and undoubtedly this is the great need of India. Were this conviction produced-as being produced it certainly is in the case of not a fewidolatry would never satisfy it only Christ could. Now, as far as I know myself, what I have written is a strictly true representation of things as they have appeared to me; nor do I think I am generally credited with taking a gloomy view of things. I thought it well for the sake of friends to write this. I have the fullest faith in the gospel as the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; nor do I believe for one moment that India presents an insurmountable difficulty to that gospel. But think of the millions of India reflect on their spiritual darkness-how dense that darkness is how truly dark because it is spiritual; and then with renewed earnestness let us pray, Thy kingdom come;" and let us also remember that many to-day, like that chief of missionaries long since gone to his rest, make their appeal to their fellow Christians and say, "Brethren, pray for us." 66 Deaths. THE REV. JOHN LANDELS.-Our readers would learn with sincere sorrow of the death of the Rev. John Landels, one of the Missionaries of the Baptist Missionary Society in Italy. This painful event took place in Genoa on Sunday night, November 2nd, the cause of death being typhoid fever. Mr. John Landels was the eldest son of Dr. Landels, of Regent's Park. In early life he evinced a desire for mission work, and would have gone to India, but was forbidden to do so by his medical adviser. Hoping that the climate of Italy might better suit his constitution, he went out to that country a little more than two years ago. With the view of studying the language and fitting himself for future usefulness he first resided near Leghorn, then in Rome with Mr. Wall, and afterwards with his brother in Naples. Feeling that he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language and people to enable him to enter upon a separate sphere of labour, he removed to Genoa in December last, and there devoted himself diligently and heartily to his work till called to rest from his labours. Two days after his death his mortal remains were buried in the English cemetery at Genoa, his sorrowing mother and widow with two of his brothers being among the mourners. His father, although he travelled from London without halting, was unable to reach in time to take part in the sad ceremony. The funeral services were conducted by Mr. Wall, Signor Mazzarella, Mr. Miller (minister of the Scotch Church), Signor Zocco, and his own brother from Naples. The place of his interment is beautifully situated, commanding a view of the gulf and the city of Genova la Superba. Close to his grave is the family grave of Louis Kossuth, ex-Governor of Hungary; by his side that of the vicar of an English parish. There, in the shadow of the cypress-trees under the blue sky of Italy, awaiting the resurrection of the just, lies all that was mortal of the unselfish and devoted John Landels. To the bereaved family, to his fellow-labourers in Italy, and to the Baptist Missionary Society, we offer our sincere sympathy. DE ST. DALMAS.-At Ulwur, Rajputana, India, on September 21st, aged twenty-seven years, Margaret Christiana, the dearly loved wife of Rev. H. G. Emeric De St. Dalmas, Missionary. Mrs. De St. Dalmas was the daughter of A. M. Ferguson, Esq., of Colombo, Ceylon-so well known for his hospitality to all missionaries who visit the place. SHAW. It is with deep sorrow and sympathy that we have to announce that our beloved friends, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, have been called upon to part with their youngest child. Trying as these events are at home, they are doubly trying among strangers in a foreign land. In communicating the intelligence Mr. Shaw, under date Rome, 2nd November, writes to the Secretary :-" Sorrow has visited us. Our latest born child has, in the providence of God, been taken from us. I could not have believed that it would be so hard to part with one so young. Perhaps our all-wise Father saw that she would somewhat distract us from the work we are here to do, and so took her into His own hands entirely. Certainly it was a problem difficult to solve, how my dear wife was, after the birth of the babe, to find time for carrying out those plans for the mission on which we had mutually decided, and which seemed so necessary to the success of our work. God has solved the problem in a painful and unexpected way. Perhaps that sunny spot in the midst of the shade of tall cypresses in the Protestant cemetery, where we have laid such precious dust, may serve to strengthen our interest in and attachment to Rome, and if it has pleased the Lord that the seeds of future usefulness should be sown in a grave and watered by our tears, we dare not repine, but will hope for the precious fruits. I have nothing special to report. I have received advice from Bourlogne-sur-Mere of the coming of the Harmonium, but it has not reached us yet. Yesterday was All Saints' Day, and the sights we witnessed at the churches were very saddening. Our Mission to the Children of Rome. Via Urbana, 154, Roma, 14th November, 1879. DEAR MR. CLIFFORD,-The Harmonium arrived yesterday in a safe and sound condition—in fact, without a scratch-while the books which were packed with it had sustained no considerable damage. Permit me, through the medium of the Magazine, to warmly thank all the kind friends who have contributed to the purchase of this much-needed instrument, and particularly Mr. Colebrook for his generous initiation of the movement. Special thanks are due, and are hereby tendered, to yourself for the wise selection you have made, and for the kind forethought which has saved me all trouble about carriage or duties. All will be pleased to know that the instrument is a very good one. Mrs. Shaw is delighted with its tone, as well as its appearance. It is in perfect tune, and sounds as if it were really glad to lift up its voice in praise after so long a confinement. Both powerful and sweet, it speaks its notes as if with an "accent of conviction" such as becomes a General Baptist Missionary, while its handsome oak case, as beautiful as it is substantial, is quite worthy of such an instrument. I trust that this harmonium, and the little books, will prove powerful aids to our grand but very difficult work. May all the friends who have helped the mission in these things have the joy of seeing their offerings made very useful. N. HERBERT SHAW. It is hoped that we shall have a sufficient overplus to purchase a magic lantern and a quantity of slides for our Roman children. Indeed, if we have not, we must collect again. No stone must be left unturned by which to gain and train young Rome for Christ and Italy. JOHN CLIFFORD. The Annual Report. A NUMBER of copies of the Annual Report is still on hand. If any subscriber of 10/6 per annum, in one or smaller sums, has been overlooked, we shall be glad to forward a copy. Or, if any collectors think that they can promote the interests of the mission by circulating the Report among their subscribers or others, we shall be glad to supply copies for this purpose. Or, if any friends know where a copy might create an interest in the Mission, it shall be forwarded, on the proper address being received. The pamphlets on the Orissa Mission we shall also be glad to forward. We want all our friends in all parts of the denomination to be on the alert, and to seize every opportunity for extending the cause of Christ among the heathen. The Jubenile Missionary Record. WILL the local Secretaries be good enough to inform the general Secretary whether they will require fewer or more copies of the Record for the forthcoming year. Will they also please give immediate notice of any change in their address. Population Statistics of the Globe. In the Times of November 18th, it is stated that the population of the globe may be roughly assumed at 1,421,000,000, divided thus:-Europe, 309,000,000; Asia, 824,000,000; Africa, 199,000,000; Oceania, 4,000,000; America, 85,000,000. It has been calculated, from the mortality tables of known countries, that the annual number of deaths throughout the world is 35,693,350, or that in other words, 97,790 persons die each day. On the other hand, the balance of population is more than kept up by births, at the rate of 104,800 per day. Seventy new lives are ushered in every minute of the twenty-four hours. EIGHT young persons were baptized at Cuttack on Lord's-day, October 5th, after an appropriate discourse by Thoma, from Deut. xxvi. 17, 18. The address in the afternoon to the newly baptized was founded on Isaiah xliv. 5, “One shall say, I am the Lord's," &c. May all who have recently been added maintain their Christian steadfastness. DR. BUCKLEY. Missionary Services SINCE the beginning of the denominational year have been held as under: J. Jarman, and W. Hill. W. Hill, and local ministers. W. Miller, E. H. Jackson. Todmorden, Lineholme, Lydgate, Shore, & Vale W. Miller, and W. Hill. 14-17 21-23.. Barton, Barlestone, etc. 28-30.. Birchcliffe, Heptonstall Slack, etc. Oct. 5 Quorndon Macclesfield Tarporley, Wheelock Heath, and Audlem Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield .. W. Hill. W. Miller. W. Miller, I. Preston. Foreign Letters Received. BERHAMPORE-H. Wood, Sept. 28, Oct. 18. CUTTACK-J. Vaughan, Oct. 21. Contributions Received on account of the General Baptist Missionary Society from October 16th, I. FOREIGN MISSIONS.-TREASURER: W. B. BEMBRIDGE, Esq., Ripley, nr. Derby. II. SECRETARY: REV. W. HILL, Crompton Street, Derby. CHILWELL COLLEGE.-TREASURER: T. W. MARSHALL, Esq., Loughborough. III. HOME MISSIONS.-TREASURER: T. H. HARRISON, Esq., Wardwick, Derby. SECRETARIES: REVS. J. FLETCHER, 322, Commercial Road, E., and J. CLIFFORD, 51, Porchester Road, London, W. IV. BUILDING Fund.—Treasurer: C. ROBERTS, Jun., Esq., Peterborough. SECRETARY: REV. W. BISHOP, Leicester. Monies should be sent to the Treasurers or Secretaries. Information, Collecting Books, etc., may be had of the Secretaries. a |