wide enough for a single carriage, laid across native
boats, which are secured in the stream by heavy
anchors at each end. There seems to be no law
about "keeping to the right" or left. We met heavy
carts on either track, and were compelled twice to
cross the beam which separates them-a feat that
threatened to bring our progress in the carriage to
a hasty termination. The half mile of plank road
on this side is much better than quicksand, but not
the best of corduroy. Was disappointed in making
Had some talk
my intended visit to the bazar.
with some stragglers by the roadside; one of them
(of the shepherd caste) told me there were about
3000 people in Jhúsi, and several temples-one of
them having cost a lac (100,000) of rupees. He
was very ignorant, and "lame from his birth," re-
minding me of the class of people who so often
received blessings from Christ. He acknowledged
Bhagwan (God) as the creator, and true object of
worship, but his notions of Bhagwan were very con-

Bridge of boats-Jhusi-Talking with a large crowd tomatoes were gathered and given me by the man in

plied. This led to a long conversation, in which we mate can surpass that of India at this season of the were joined by an intelligent Munshi, employed in year. The long exhausting hot season we have latethis road service. Among other things, the Brah-ly passed through seems like a dream-scarcely posman asked me if I would hinder a man from killing sible in the same hemisphere with the present one. a cow. I replied, "If from mere cruelty, yes; if Have observed a great many handsomely built tanks for food, no." "Well," said he, "we worship the and wells all along the road, built by various wealthy cow, and you English kill it;" to which I replied, natives, to acquire merit; certainly the most laudby showing the great difference between rational and able Hindu form of securing that object. In a counirrational animals; the propriety of God's creating | try where scarcely any rain falls during eight some animals for food; and finally, that if he would months of the year, a large tank, which supplies not destroy life at all, he must stop drinking water. water for drinking, bathing, and for irrigation, is Seeming unable to answer the views advanced, he naturally regarded as one of the highest types of asked the Munshi to talk with me, who began by public blessings. proposing a very common objection to Christianity, Found our camp pitched at the lower end of the and very difficult to meet satisfactorily. He said, village, just where a branch road leads off to Mirza, "Some Christians are oppressors, some dishonest, poor. This is quite a large place, containing a numsome drunkards," &c., &c., all of which is unfortu ber of superior native dwellings, the property of nately too true here, as elsewhere. I explained as I several wealthy sugar factors, who carry on an excould, the difference between nominal and true Chris- tensive business here. The house of the Thánadár tians, and this led to a discussion about the depravi- (the chief of police) is peculiarly well built. The ty of the heart. He admitted that all men were sin- present incumbent has held the office for a long time, ners, but still thought they could perform some which may account for the fact that Gopeegunj is meritorious actions, else how could they obtain good so noted for its bad character-full of thieves. Even hereafter? This brought us to the very heart of the the camps of the Lieutenant-Governor and of the subject-the necessity of some sin-offering for us-Governor-General were visited by these light-fingered and here I appealed to their own experience. Have gentry. In addition to the two night watchmen you any Saviour? Do you find any comfort in idol worship, &c.? They answered, no. I explained the great salvation by the cross-told them how much comfort they might enjoy, if they would only understand and receive Christ. The old Brahman said, "Well, your religion will fill this land; it is spreading abroad, and will finally be victorious over all"-a very common expression among them. May Christ give these two lost ones the spirit of true inquirers.

usually supplied, they gave us here two of the permanent police officers of a superior grade. In the afternoon, went into the bazar, and had a very long discussion. Never was so much impressed with the conviction that the Hindus are a very religious people; always ready to talk and dispute on the subject, and generally more or less informed of the theological and historical facts of their creeds. Religion is to a Hindu what politics is to a Frenchman-(or an American) the grand absorbent of all his thoughts. The lowest Qúli, earning two or three cents a day, can tell you something of Mahadeo, or Káli, or other objects of worship. The chief points of dispute to-day were the personality of God, and the propriety of worshipping him alone. They at once admitted Ishwar as the sole creator, but are so filled with pantheistic views of this Being, that they can scarcely appreciate the question, "Why do you not worship God directly-why forget him, and worship his works?" Mirza was very happy in his replies to several who insisted on the excellence of their favourite deities. Quoting from their own books, he conand then asked how it was possible that such gods could help others, seeing they could not help themselves? Two of our hearers were very contentious. Foiled repeatedly, they went on proposing fresh questions; none of them, however, beyond the region of sophistry, with which Satan seems to have completely saturated this people. I was glad to see that the crowd saw and felt the truth generally, and, when returning from the Thánná, we passed the spot where we had been talking, a crowd was still there, discussing the truths they had heard. I feel satisfied that Christian ideas are gradually taking hold of the Hindu mind, far and wide, and that these bazar talks are not a mere waste of words. Would that God, in his power, would melt the hearts of this people.

In the afternoon, we spent an hour or two in the village. Nothing can exceed the assurance of some of these Pandits. One of them was very earnest in defence of his favourite deity-Ram-from the charge of wickedness, which Mirza brought against him. The Pandit did not hesitate to use a little falsehood; but the crowd were too familiar with Ram's history to be deceived, and while Mirza went on to expose the Pandit's statement, the crowd applauded with great glee. Foiled in this attempt to divert attention from the scriptural truth Mirzá was proclaiming, the Pandit abruptly asked one of their sneering questions: "We know there is a Hin-victed Rám of weakness, Krishna of vileness, &c., du religion, and a Musalman one, but where did this Christian religion come from-how old is it?" I took up his question, and improved the opportunity to rehearse the inspired account of creation, the fall, &c., showing that our religion began then; it was the only true one, because it contained not one single wicked or impure precept, while all false religions did contain such things, his own among the number. We were descendants of the same first parents, needed a common Saviour, and any religion that cut up the human race into castes, making the one divine, and the other not fit to be saved, (as the Hindu system does,) must be wrong-unlike God, and unfit for man. The Pandit was much vexed, seeing the crowd so attentive, and apparently assenting. He relieved himself by giving me a little flattery, and then quietly slipped off.

Wells built for merit-Bold thieves-Religiousness of the Hindus―The native catechist's replies-Christian ideas gaining ground.

December 13th. Gopeegunj.-Came ten miles this morning, reaching our camp a little after sunrise. The keen morning air is most exhilarating. No cli

Instances of daring theft-Discussions in the bazar—
The aged man's sad reflection.

December 14th. Maharajgunj.-Too unwell to go to the bazar to-day. Our camp is in a grove near the Dák Bungalow, where, a few years since, Major Sleeman, the present resident at Lucknow, pitched

present at the mines. They have desired me to express their great gratitude to those who befriended them in New York.

Many of the Europeans and natives being igno rant of what a Protestant is, I have thought it pro per to show it to them all at once, and I have got printed, and somewhat circulated in town, the little tract of whichI send you a few copies. "Why," say some of these benighted people, after reading it,

The remaining cases treated at the dispensary have been as follows; rheumatism, 6; dyspepsia, 2; affections of the skin, 3; coughs and consumption, 7; injuries, 2; ophthalmic diseases, 8; miscella-"the Protestants are Christians as well as ourselves!" neous, 4.

The mission owes much for whatever good may be done by the dispensary, to the medical counsels of Drs. H. P. Coon and William O. Ayres, both Christian brethren, connected with Presbyterian churches in this city, who have taken almost the sole responsibility of prescribing. We are indebted to Mr. Samuel Adams, druggist, for affording us the necessary medicines at cost rates, by which we have been saved much trouble and expense.

There has been an unusual amount of sickness among the Chinese resident population, within the past few weeks. Some of them have been endeavouring to get up a hospital on a small scale, for the benefit of their own people. It is as yet doubtful whether they will so far yield their old prejudices and fears as to employ an American physician. However, I have insisted upon it with their most influential men, and there are some who see the propriety of giving up notions of medicine not unlike those of our ancestors five hundred years ago. This letter may close with an extract from my journal of a few days since.

You will remember that one of the tactics of the Romish priests for keeping unto them the people, is to say that we are not Christians. My opinion is, that before long I shall have an opportunity of showing them that Protestants are not exactly Christians like themselves; for, a few weeks before my arrival here, a French Romish priest came to Buenos Ayres, and I understand that he intends to form a church, and open a school, under the patronage of the Bishop. Of course, he will preach against the Protestants, and I shall attend to his sayings.

Among the Protestants who attend our meeting, there are three who give me a particular pleasure by their attendance. They are very respectable men, and much respected in the community. I hope they will be the means, under God's blessing, to bring others of the same stamp to the throne of grace. I feel very much, however, that I need the blessing of God. Many times my entreaties to think of the life to come, and the Saviour, are responded to by coldness or indifference. "We have come to America to make our business," say they sometimes to me. Yes, my friends, and it is because of my knowing so, that I entreat you to think of your everlasting destiny. Do you not think your eternal life, or eternal death, worth your consideration?” "You are right sir; well, we shall see." And some of them squeeze my hand earnestly, when I leave and give them adieu.

66

Further notice of the Priest-"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation"-Preaching on the parable of the Prodigal Son.

September 5.This evening I was distressed to hear of the sudden death of a Chinese friend, Pau Chong. He was a man of about forty-five years of age, much esteemed among his people for his honesty, kind-heartedness, and sincerity. He was one of my earliest and warmest friends in California. A few months after my arrival here, he proposed to have me made a sort of chief for the Chinese in the State. He was often an attendant at school and church. To the preaching of the word he listened [Writing again on the 14th of August, Mr. L'Homwith docility and respect; and in occasional conver-bral adds:]-Our Christian worship is conducted as sations on his own obligations to the Saviour, he heretofore. I feel deeply our need of the blessing told me he sometimes read the Scriptures and prayed and assistance of God, for the building of a church in secret. Last year, in accordance with his wish, here. I gave him the key of our chapel that he might find there the needful retirement and quiet for these purposes. Poor Pau Chong! He was hurried away suddenly, perhaps before he knew his danger. He did not send for me during his sickness. Where has his spirit gone? I do not know a heathen Chinese for whom I have felt a more cordial regard. Oh, it is a sad thing to fear that he had never made his salvation secure. And yet, God is merciful; and I cannot but indulge a hope that poor Pau Chong is not among the lost.

MISSION AMONG ROMANISTS.

In my last letter, I mentioned to you a Papist priest, and his endeavours to build a church of his persuasion. You will see by the Nacional of the 8th of August, which I send to you along with this letter, how great are, humanly speaking, the chances of his success. He has before him a rather well disposed population of about ten thousand souls; he presents himself, if not with great talents, at least with the confidence that gives the assurance of success; then, he is backed by the Bishop of Buenos Ayres, and el Senor Dr. Garcia, Provisor y Vicaria Capitular; by el Senor Dr. Aguero, Rector del Colejia Ecclesiastico; by el Senor Dr, Palacios, Secretario General de la Curia. The four above-mentioned gentlemen are to preside, and attend to the inaugu in the magnificent basilic of la calle de la Merced ration of los oficios religiosos, which is to take place Arrival of a French Priest-Encouragement. to-morrow, August 15th. There is to be a fine choir, [Writing from Buenos Ayres, August 2, 1854, Mr. formed, as I understand, with the singers del theatre L'Hombral says:]-I have been preaching in French de la Victoria, one of the two theatres of this place, for these four Sundays past, and I feel much encour- etc., etc. Evidently, our modest Christian worship is aged. The first Sunday, we had about seventy per- likely to be thrown in the dark. But I say to my sons; on the second, one hundred; on the third, self that our Christian Church here is in its cradle, seventy; on Sunday last, forty-five. Evidently, there and that the apostles, when they began the evangeliwere among the attendants many Papists, for I know zation of the world, had not recourse to showy in Buenos Ayres only forty-three Protestants, chil-means. Again, if God is for us, in vain will high dren and women included. The North American standing individuals be against us. Now, God will chapel has been put at my disposal. be with us, if, through our Lord's intercession, we

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF THE REV. T. L'HOMBRAL.
Preaching in French-Ignorance of Protestantism

EVANGELICAL SOCIETY OF GENEVA.

implore upon our work the heavenly blessing. This however, a Roman Catholic French abbé has just I do every day, and every day I feel confident that, arrived, the first French clergyman of any importwith God's assistance, we may soon have an organ-ance who has ever been here. His primary object, ized French Christian Reformed church in Buenos however, is to establish an ecclesiastical college for Ayres. The inauguration de los oficios religiosos, the education of priests; yet he will be apt, I prehas not yet taken place, and some of the knowing sume, to look after brother L'Hombral's operations. put on their smiles. What will they not do, when perceiving the whole purport of their showy songs! The little "Service de l'Eglise Chretienne Reformée" is of great use to us. Our people are delighted with the Commandments of God, the Confession of Sins, the Lord's Prayer, the symbol of the apostles. "The little book brings me back to my early years," say they sometimes one to another. Early happy years! Yesterday I preached on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The early happy years of our life were brought to our remembrance. Many tears were shed in our modest assembly; many sighs were fetched; many in our little flock acknowledged in the silence of their hearts that, like the prodigal son, they had gone far, very far, from home, for getting rid of the paternal authority. Like the prodigal son, we soon got astray; we gave ourselves up to evil; we plunged in depravity and misery, deep, deep, even to the unconsciousness of our own state. How ever, through the holy book actually before us, the Holy Ghost enlightened us on our state. We had it in horror. Our thoughts, our mind, our heart, all the powers of our being, fled towards the fireside. We hastened to the merciful Father. "Yes, Father, we have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and are no more worthy to be called thy sons."

First fruits of the Mission.

We add to Mr. L'Hombral's report an interesting notice of his work taken from the Missionary Magazine of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose chapel, the North American, at Buenos Ayres, is kindly granted to our missionary for his French services. The following paragraphs are from the pen of Mr. Lore, the Methodist chaplain.

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper on Sabbath morning was marked by an unusual circumstance, which greatly added to the interest of the service. The Rev. Mr. L'Hombral, a French Protestant, sent here by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions in the United States, had, according to their custom in the French Church, prepared for the Lord's Supper a young lady, and solicited the privilege of admitting her to that ordinance with us. This, of course, was readily granted. She kneeled with us at our Lord's table, and received for the first time the emblems of her Saviour's love, from the hands of a French pastor, addressed in her own language. The young lady had been brought up, I believe, a Roman Catholic, and is the first fruit of the French Protestant Mission in Buenos Ayres.

Brother L'Hombral has preached for me once in English, the first time he ever attempted to preach in that language; and he also had our church last Sabbath afternoon, to preach to the French. It was his first appointment, and the attendance was certainly encouraging. There were some eighty persons present. He has found among the French between thirty and forty professing Protestantism. I am favourably impressed with his mission; I think it will succeed. It is a field, however, that will require toil, sacrifice, and perseverance. There are thousands of Frenchmen here; some estimate the number as high as twenty thousand; unfortunately,

Notices of the Twenty-Third year's labours. We have lately received the Annual Report of the Geneva Evangelical Society for the year ending in June last. Its important work appears to be enjoying the favour of the great Head of the Church. We observe that twenty-six different posts are occupied, and thirteen ministers, eight evangelists, twelve teachers, acting also as evangelists, and four female teachers are employed in the foreign evangelization, that is, mainly in different parts of France. Twentyseven colporteurs were employed during a number of months, circulating the sacred Scriptures in thirteen departments in France, in Algiers, and in Switzerland. Twenty-eight students were under instruction, of whom seventeen were in the School of Theology, and five in the preparatory School-composed of nine Waldensians, seven French, five Swiss, four Genevese, one German and one English. A school for young ladies is also under the direction of the Society, having thirty-five pupils. The receipts of the year were 126,171 francs. A considerable portion of this sum was contributed by Christian friends in Great Britain; and we are glad to see that our own country and church occupy a place in the acknowledgment of donations to the amount of over 20,000 francs-of which, upwards of 15,000 were contributed by the Board, and the rest by a respected member of our Church. We do not perceive any acknowledgments of donations from other sources in this country.

We insert now some extracts from this Report, as translated by a young French gentleman.

Notices of new stations in France. New stations have been formed at several important places. Concerning three of these we can give you some accounts this year.

Poitou on one side and Marseilles on the other have been visited by our colporteurs, and are again in their hands. Poitou is the residence of a numerous protestant population, who are very destitute of the means of support; awakening from their long sleep, they began to ask for pastors and instructors for many towns and cities. We have been able to take but a little step in that great field, but if we had the necessary means the work we hope would advance rapidly.

Marseilles, that great city, is very nearly all Catholic, and will require besides the official Protestant clergy, who work with ardour, a great number of evangelists. This city will furnish as well by its stationary population, as by the numerous strangers that a sea port attracts, a very extensive field for the spread of the Word. We have complied with the