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MORE LABOURERS FOR ORISSA. THE urgent need for additional labourers in our mission-field engaged the earnest thoughts and prayers of many friends at the recent Association. resolution on the subject was passed at the large Annual Committee Meeting, and also by the Association. At the crowded Missionary Meeting in the Stoney Street Chapel, the matter was most earnestly pleaded by the Chairman in his opening address. We are glad to be able to give the substance of that address in the present number of the Observer, and trust that it will be read and re-read, pondered and prayed over by all into whose hands it may come. When we remember the long term of years that most of our honoured brethren have spent in the distant field, there is really too much reason for alarm lest in the course of a few years the Mission should die out, unless speedily reinforced by several younger men, who may be acquiring the language, and thus preparing themselves to take up the work when laid down by those who have already borne the burden and heat of the day. In order to meet the present emergency the proposal that follows was made by R. Johnson, Esq., at the Annual Meeting.

PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE FUNDS FOR REINFORCING THE MIS. SION IMMEDIATELY.

A SUGGESTION in the form of a challenge to all the subscribers to the Mission was made by R. Johnson, Esq., of London, at the Annual Meeting. It was that throughout the Connexion, the subscribers should engage TO DOUBLE

THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE NEXT

FIVE YEARS. Mr. Johnson engaged to do this himself if others would, and thus raise his subscription from ten pounds a year to twenty. He felt that the time was come when we must make sacrifices for the Mission, instead of giving contributions that are not even missed or felt by the donors.

When it is clearly understood that the extra subscriptions are only to be guaranteed for the terms of five years, it is hoped that Mr. Johnson's challenge will be accepted, and that the plan will

find favour universally with the subscribers to the Mission. By that time it is probable, as the result of deeper interest in the society's work, and of more effective organization in the churches, that the regular income may be so increased, as to render these extra contributions no longer necessary.

But, at present, the matter is urgent. MORE MEN MUST BE SENT, OR THE MISSION MUST DIE.

An additional home income of five hundred pounds a year would meet the difficulty.

No one would sanction incurring a heavy debt, even for such an emergency. Let the money be provided first, and God will give the men.

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

By CHARLES ROBERTS, Esq., of Peterborough, at the Annual Meeting, held at Stoney Street Chapel, Nottingham, June 26th, 1872.

THE circumstances under which we meet this evening are such as to call forth the deepest concern in every christian heart, for the progress and future success of this valuable and interesting Mission to heathen lands.

The jubilee meeting of this society was held in Baxter Gate Chapel, Loughborough, June 20th, 1866. In the report of that year we were told that "a stirring letter, calling for the establishment of such a society, appeared in the monthly magazine early in the year 1816. The Lincolnshire Conference took up the question. A few days before the time of the Association, the Midland Conference became enthusiastic, viewing the subject as of "infinite importance, recommending it most seriously to the consideration of the body at the forthcoming Association." The result was the meeting of a few friends in the vestry of the quaint old chapel at Boston, in the evening of June 26th, 1816; and this society was then and there formed, and commenced its work. Just fifty-six years this very day and hour (for mark, it was the evening), have passed since this blessed society (for God has abun

dantly blessed it), was formed, but when it was first instituted, please mark, neither the means nor men were ready. It was commenced in faith, and nearly six years more had to transpire before our first missionaries, Bampton and Peggs, all honour to their names, trod the land of Orissa. It was, they wrote, about five in the afternoon of Feb. 12th, 1822, when they reached Cuttack; their letter with this information is dated March 7, 1822, and they hoped it would arrive by the Association in June, but it was not received until October of that year-how different are our present circumstances and means of communication.

It is, then, just fifty years since our actual occupation of Orissa as a field of labour. Such was our commencement. During the active operations which have passed away, we have to be devoutly thankful for what God has wrought in that land through the labours of Bampton, Peggs, Cropper, Lacey, Sutton, Goadby, and others already gone to their heavenly home; and amongst the living by Wilkinson, Stubbins, Buckley, Bailey, Miller, Hill, Taylor, J. Bailey, and it may be others I am not able to name. I say we have to be thankful for the abundant blessings our Heavenly Father has vouchsafed to us in the many recovered from idolatry, who have left blessed testimony that they knew in whom they believed, and through faith in the atoning sacrifice, have safely arrived in heaven, and we have also to thank God that united in christian fellowship we have many hundreds pressing on in the way which leads to life eternal. Taking this glance at our rise and progress, it, I think, becomes us with devout seriousness, to look at our present position, and I do most earnestly desire that we may be directed aright.

What, then, shall we say, my friends. Ought we after these years of labour and results, to pronounce the cause of missions a failure? to confess we have made a mistake, and no longer go on with the work. Would this be true and the right thing to do? We are encompassed about by a great cloud of witnesses; amongst their number, what must we believe would be the counsel of Pike, of Heard, Pegg, and other beloved ones, but earnestly to say, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and

"Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if yet faint not?" I put the question to you most solemnly, my friends, shall we give up this mission? or shall we resolve in the strength of God, vigorously to maintain it, and give Him no rest until His spirit be abundantly poured out upon all the churches in the connexion, and that fresh and vigorous life may everywhere be experienced?

We

But is there really any need for serious concern about the mission? I feel there is, for what are our present circumstances? our mission staff now in Orissa consists of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, who went out in 1841; Mr. and Mrs. Buckley, 1844; Mr. and Mrs. Miller and W. Bailey, 1845; Mr. and Mrs. Hill, 1855; Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, 1855 ; Mr. Thos. Bailey, now at home, 1861; and Miss Packer, who joined our friends in 1862. This is our number, and with a debt of £350 the case is serious. have reason to be thankful that lives so devoted have been spared in such an unfriendly climate, to labour so long. But flesh and beart will fail, and in some cases must do so soon, and unless we resolve before this meeting or Association separates, that God helping us, we will resolve to supply increased means, and earnestly pray that God will raise up three or four more suitable brethren, to go forth, whom we undertake to sustain, we shall not be, in my opinion, doing our duty, and cannot expect the Lord will continue to bless us. I think I can exercise in this matter as strong faith as other christians, and know well this work does not depend upon our faithfulness. God can do without us, and will if we neglect our duty; but I pray we may be all alive to our privileges in this good work. How, then, is what I suggest to be accomplished? First, by every minister, every member, and as a necessary consequence every church, seeking, by earnest prayer, the outpouring of the divine spirit that we may all be more in earnest and alive to the important work.

2nd. By the committee seeking, in christian love, more vigorously, earnestly, and effectively to attend to the thorough reorganisation of auxiliary societies, the appointment of proper officers and collectors throughout the churches of the connexion, and especially counselling the importance of the weekly and monthly plan of collecting.

3rd. That the officers of the society in their visits to the churches take sufficient time to assist in getting each church into a good working state for the year, and to see that they are furnished with all needful collecting books, &c.

If the connexion be thus thoroughly revised, remodelled, and invigorated, in its mission work, I think it is not too much to expect that with the many liberal friends we have, not numbered with our church members, and if our recommendation be worked as I think it should, we ought to calculate on at least on an average of 1d. per week per member, which would give us an income at home of more than £4000 a year. With this we could nearly double our staff, and thus put the mission as to means, in a vigorous and healthy state, and be able to send the gospel to Rome also, a most desirable work to be done. You ask where are the men to send? I answer our fathers, the founders of this society, began first to raise the means; the increase we must provide, and God will help us to the men when we give proof of our devotion and sincerity by raising the means to sustain them.

I do, then, most earnestly entreat that you will, my beloved friends, seek to be deeply and zealously moved to this work. By all that is important, both for time and eternity; by the spirit which moved our fathers who have gone to heaven; by the desire we feel that the knowledge of the Lord may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; by the command of our blessed Saviour who gave the commission to go into all the world and preach; and for the earthly and eternal happiness it shall bring to the heathen that embrace the Saviour, I implore you to be deeply moved for the continued success and prosperity of this good work.

CHOLERA AT CHAGA-BAPTISMS AT CUTTACK.

LETTER FROM REV. J. BUCKLEY, D.D. Cuttack, June 7th.

OUR native christians at Chaga have recently been in great trouble. Cholera, which for several weeks had lingered in the heathen villages near, entered our village during last month; and though there have not been more than seven or eight cases, three of them have

proved fatal. The first victim was a young man, married not twelve months ago, and his widow is expecting to be a mother. The other cases were a mother and a son. Both died on the same day, the child in the morning, the mother in the afternoon. It is pleasing to add that the christians in their time of trouble had recourse to prayer; morning and evening prayer meetings were daily held, and we trust that the scourge has now departed. We rejoice, too, in the persuasion that both those of mature age who have been taken from us were prepared for the great change. The native preacher, Paul Singh, did all that was possible to help and soothe the people at this time of anxiety.

An awfully sudden death from snake bite occured at Chaga a few days ago. A young man had got some thatch for the purpose of thatching his house, and, taking it up, a little snake bit his finger, and though only a few yards from the door he was dead before he could enter the house. It is one of the most afflicting circumstances of the kind I have known. He was a corpse iu about five minutes.

Last Lord's day three females were baptized at Cuttack. Ghanushyam preached on the occasion from Luke xvi. 29-31, enlarging upon the supreme authority of the Word of God, and the practical regard due to its teaching. Damudar baptized the candidates. One of them came to us as a widow in the dark days of the famine, and has since been married again; the others had been brought up amongst us. It is interesting to state that one of them was the daughter-in-law of dear Jagoo. The reader probably remembers the affectionate earnestness with which he addressed his eldest son and daughterin-law when near death, and may recollect that Simeon was soon led to seek that "hidden treasure" to which his attention had been so solemnly directed. All will rejoice to know that the daughter-in-law has been baptized. A special promise insures a joyful harvest to the weeping sower, and we see in this case the blessed results of the precious seed sown by a servant of Christ in his dying moments. How it would have gladdened his affectionate heart if he could have seen his first-born a member of the church, and the wife a fellow heir of the grace of life. But probably he knows of it in that land of

light and love, where the result of christian labour is more clearly and perfectly known, and surely the knowledge must increase his thankfulness and joy. The annular eclipse, yesterday morning, interested us much. "For ever, O Lord,Thy word is settled in heaven!" And how precious the thought, that the promises of the covenant of grace are as stable as the laws of the material universe.

"The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises."

THE AMERICAN MISSION IN THE NORTH OF ORISSA.

LETTER FROM THE REV. J. L. PHILLIPS TO REV. J. BUCKLEY, CUTTACK.

Midnapore, Feb. 5, 1872.

My dear Brother Buckley,-We had hoped that father would be able to attend your annual Conference this month, but, on getting_home from a trip among the Santals, I am sorry to learn that, owing to mother's illness, he has been obliged to relinquish his plans. This, I know will be a great disappointment to him, for he had been looking forward with pleasant anticipations to your meeting at Cuttack. Under the present circumstances, therefore, it devolves upon me to communicate to you, as the representative of the Orissa Mission, the hearty good wishes and christian sympathies of all the labourers in this part of the great field. Be assured that, so far as we know your state, we unfeignedly rejoice in all your successes, and grieve in all your afflictions. The hand of the Lord has been heavy upon your Mission during the past year, and we have often made mention of you in our meetings for prayer and at our family altars; imploring God to comfort and cheer you in your time of darkness and trouble. We hope that in your hearts and homes, and also in your churches and communities, you have experienced the fulfillment of that precious word-" Unto the upright there ariseth LIGHT in the darkness."

We too have not been without our trials. Not one brother in all our home churches has responded to our cry for help, and Dr. Bacheler's place remains vacant. In August last, Mahes Chandra Rai, our senior Bengali preacher, was summoned, after a brief illness, to his

heavenly reward. He was a good man, and, for twenty years and more, a faithful, fearless preacher of the glorious Gospel. His memory will long abide as a precious treasure in our hearts, while we pray that his mantle may fall on some of the younger men who are left. Another native teacher has left us during the year, not for the rest and rewards of the world to come, but "having loved this present world." This case has caused us sincere grief, and put the name of Christ to open shame amongst the heathen. I may mention that this man's chief besetting sin was contracting debts by borrowing money without prospect of payment. In this way how many professed christians disgrace themselves and dishonour the Lord! But I should not say so much, perhaps, about the dark side of our work.

The year has not been without its manifold tokens of good. In March last, Kamala Naika, of Balasore, was set apart to the work of the ministry by the imposition of hands; and three young men presented themselves as candidates for the ministry. We hope still others are looking in this direction. Some of those who were brought in during the fearful famine of '66 bid fair to become useful agents in the promulgation of the Gospel.

In the Press we have been short of funds, and hence very little has been done. The Oriya version of Miss Leslie's "Dawn of Light" approaches completion. We hope to issue it in a few months. The gospel of John, a thorough revision, in Santal, is being printed. Several Bengali and Santal tracts have been recently published. We hope to do more in this department another year.

Amongst the Oriyas, the most charming feature, at present, is the thirst for knowledge on the part of the women and children, The zenanas and zenana schools in Balasore receive the hearty support of not a few leading Hindoos. We only wish that christianity could be more fully introduced into this system of education. But the offence of the cross has not ceased. There are calls for more female teachers coming in from Hindoo villages in the vicinity of our stations, but, as yet, the way does not seem open for responding to all these. The Oriyas generally listen to word word of life more cheerfully and

candidly than formerly, and the hope is entertained, that in some sections of our field they will soon begin to break away from their sins and superstitions, and accept the Gospel.

The Bengalis are hard, very hard, still not without considerable sign of improvement. In the bazaar we have had no fruit as yet; but in the villages the good seed seems to be coming up. The Zenana work, I think, is more cheering with the poorer classes than with the babus. One woman of note, a Nepaul Brahmini, has been baptized, and is at work here.

The movement among the Santals promises good results. These people. of the jungles seem to be advancing towards christianity more rapidly than the Hindoos. We now have forty-three schools in their villages, and the teachers are taking steps to profess christianity; two of them are christians, and others seem near the kingdom.

All our churches have been refreshed during the year. At Santipore there has been quite a revival of religion, and at Patna many of the school girls have been brought in. Last month it was my happy privilege to baptize two persons at each of the two branches of our church. The one among the Santal is gaining ground; still, as yet, not a woman has been baptized. We hope some may be ere long. The Santal brethren were the first in our Mission to build a chapel at their own expense.

At our Bengali branch, a little chapel, built by the native christians, was dedicated to the service of God last month. We thank God for all these tokens of good. I need write no more about the work. We pray God to bless you richly with His Holy Spirit at your Conference, and to succeed all your plans for His glory among the Oriyas. Our annual Conference will open (D.v.) here, at Midnapore, on the 15th of March, and I hope to have a letter from you to present to the brethren. All communications from you are full of interest to

us.

Please assure all of your number of our christian regard, and believe me, Yours in the Master's work, JAS. L. PHILLIPS.

MISSION TO ROME.

ONLY a few of the cards circulated by our esteemed brother, Mr. Thomas Cook, at the Association, have been returned.

The Rev. E. H. Jackson, of Ripley, promises ten shillings a year, and Mr. T. Cook engages to contribute or collect ten pounds a year for the next five years.

The Secretary is writing at a distance from home, and so cannot be quite certain, but he thinks the above are all the promises he has received since the Association at Nottingham.