man is near death *. To this may be ascribed their base subjection to those who assumed do"minion over their conscience. No human 66 vigilance can long keep all parts of a family "from some ceremonial impurity that may affect "its honor; nothing can exceed the secrecy and certainty with which a certain order of Bramins "obtain information of what is amiss, or the ad"dress with which they turn the terror of their "records to their own purpose.

"All false religions have been accommodated "to the corruption of human creatures, by whom nothing is less sought than justice or purity of "heart. It has ever been bodily exercise that profiteth little,' instead of godliness that is profitable to all things.' The people of India "have indeed line upon line to make clean the "outside of the cup and of the platter! But is "that superstition harmless by which a man

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"be considered as a proof of the strong hold the sanctions "of another world are suited to have on the human mind. "This must inevitably on many occasions prove the

means of great enormities. Col. C. Martine once walk"ing on the side of the Ganges, rescued an old man whom "his two sons were drowning under pretence of those cere"monies which it was their duty to perform in his last hours. The old gentleman, it appeared, had a trifle of property, on which they had for some time past cast an "evil eye. He lived for a while in the Colonel's tents; but "growing weary, he preferred to return home, at the hazard ~" of not escaping the second time.

Ff

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would sanctify unjust gain by giving part of it to an idol, or purify his soul as he washes his body in the Ganges? I have seen them shew strong symptoms of uneasiness when urged on this side; and no wonder.

"Here it may be asked, if learned men have at no time produced sublimer speculations in morals? Recluse and contemplative men among them have delivered, sublime truths, but commonly involved in mysticism or fable, and in such form as should benefit only the learned. Nay, persons of inferior cast have been prohibited, under heavy penalties, from looking into "such books, or acquiring that knowledge, with"out which they cannot be read. But the religion of a country is not to be estimated from the meditations of a few recluse men, but from the actual practical state in which it is delivered to the people. Like other religions of antiquity, they have their doctrines for those that are within, and their doctrines for those that are without. But amidst the round of processions, sacrifices, ablutions, and the mummery in which they seek to be heard for their much speaking, urged on them from all sides by precept and example, who of those who undertake to lead thera will ever harangue on justice, mercy and truth? There are enough to recite the legends of their gods, with every comment that can seduce the imagination. But I have

not heard by whom, or in what circumstances, any thing like moral instruction is delivered to "the people!

My reverend Brethren; you are not going "a warfare at your own charge, and we trust

that through the goodness of God you will be furnished with fit weapons to attack the strong holds of Satan. You know the service in which you have enlisted: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be

a soldier.' Some, who once engaged in the "same cause, unfortunately desiring to be rich, "fell into temptation and a snare.' I knew "two Missionaries of excellent learning, and in

other respects of unexceptionable character, "who were drawn aside by the suggestions of "interested natives into such vexations as ended

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only with their lives. In the East, as else"where, there is lawful gain for various profes"sions; but surely these should have known "that to a clergyman who finds food and raiment "in his profession, there can be no lawful gain

out of it.

"Your services, my reverend Brethren, are such as neither demand nor receive any adequate reward from us; you will receive your 03126 reward at the resurrection of the just. The Ta decency and simplicity of your appearance will

"not be lost on the Hindoo; and wherever you are, these will be made in some sort a test of "the purity of your zeal.

"Now the God of peace that brought again "from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, "through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for. 65 ever and ever. Amen."

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In the account for the year 1797, the Rev. Mr. Gerické and Pæzold, send the extracts of their registers. At Vepery, 34 infants christened and one adult; married 10; buried 17; communicants 109; besides those christened in the English and Portuguese. congregations at Cuddalore and Negapatnam, amounting to near 100.

T

"The Rev. Mr. Gerické acknowledges the receipt of the Secretary's Letter, with the "remittances from the Society, together with the

amount of Mr. Pache's legacy, and the sum "of £333 26; being a moiety of the produce of £.1000, 3 per cent. stock, left by the "late Mr. Zeigenhagen, to three Protestant missions at Tranquebar, Madras and Cuddalore... aço moitte & the

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** Mr. Swartz, in a letter from Tanjore, mentions the country priest Sattianaden, as diligent "in the discharge of his duty' at Palamcotta, "and deserving of the gratuity intended for him by the Society."

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ford Mr. Kolhoff mentions, that in his intercourse with the Heathens, he made it his bu"siness to give them comprehensive views of the truths of Christianity. More acknowledged the truth of his words than received it; "and one related a circumstance which had recently happened at the performance of one of their heathenish rites, when after sacrificing "to one of their infernal deities, the inebriated sacrificing priest murdered three persons, and "wounded several others.

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Besides a multiplicity of superior deities, "the heathens in this country have a great num"ber of infernal deities (or rather devils) whom "they likewise make objects of their adoration"The worship done to those infernal deities in

order to render them propitious, consists in "offering them sheep, swine, fowls, rice, plan"tains, and intoxicating liquors, which is always "done either in a garden, or in a chapel built "in a grove without the city or village. After offering the sacrifice, the priest, with the people by whom the sacrifice is brought, sit "down to feast themselves upon the things of"fered. Such a sacrifice was offered by some