sixth time is regarded as meritorious as all the preceding five. Her countenance exhibited great agony: her face became pale as death; and on being taken down she was unable to support herself. The whole scene was attended by their horrid music, and infernal shouts of joy. I expostulated with hundreds of people on the absurdity and wickedness of such sacrifices. I told them that instead of propitiating the favor of God they greatly excited his anger. They seemed to regard me as one who had no fear of the gods. I preached to them the true God, and the only way in which they could secure his favor. Several appeared satisfied that what I said was true. distributed about fifty books, and returned home at dark, realising more sensibly than ever, that the dark places of the earth are filled with the habitations of cruelty.

These horrid spectacles of self-torture are attended by musicians with their tom-toms and other rude instruments, on which they make a deafening noise, while immense crowds look on with perfect indifference, talking, laughing, buying and selling articles, as if nothing of importance was going

on.

While the heart of the reader bleeds to think of the sufferings of these poor deluded creatures, he will naturally ask what they endure all this for.

Some endure it in performance of a vow which they made in sickness, that, if they

should be restored to health, they would swing in honor of the god; or of some other vow which they made on condition of obtaining some favor or escaping some evil some swing merely to honor the god, and to obtain power with him to secure blessings for themselves or their friends: some do it to be admired by the gazing crowd, and get a name for uncommon holiness.

The reader should not think that the sufferings of the Hindoos, demanded by their religious books, and endured in one form or another, is limited to only a few. All their principal gods have festivals annually cele brated in their honor, some of which last several days, and at nearly all of which self-torture of some kind or other is inflicted; so that the sufferings occasioned by these inflictions, with what is endured by various classes of devotee beggars, and by worshippers who go long pilgrimages to celebrate temples, extend to a considerable portion of the whole population. These festivals, or seasons of Hindoo worship, include more than one third of the whole year.

It should be remembered that these festivals, attended with all this uproar, confusion, indecency, self-torture, and often selfimmolation, are the Hindoos' religious wor ship! How unlike the worship of the Christian Sabbath! This is not a state of things that existed formerly and has long since passed away. It exists now.

PRESENT MORAL CONDITION OF THE WORLD.

In the commission given by our Lord to his disciples, what an immense field did he open for the exercise of Christian philanthropy and heroic enterprise! "Go ye into all the world; preach the gospel to every creature."

But what is now the spiritual condition of our race?-Five hundred millions, it is notorious, remain to this hour pagan idolaters, and one hundred millions more are the followers of the imposter Mohammed. Two hundred millions only are left wearing the Christian name; and in order to make the calculation respecting the real state of this remnant as favorable as possible, we will suppose the place of your residence to be a fair epitome of the whole Christian world. Is there one person in four there who appears to be brought decidedly under the influence of Christian principles? I fear not. We have then less than

50,000,000 of real Christians on earth at any given time, and all the rest (750,000,000) are living and dying without God in the world! And this is not the picture of the worst, but of the best period of time, next to the days of the apostles. Perhaps there never existed more good men on earth at one time than there are at present; and yet this leaves more than fifteen out of sixteen of the human race unacquainted with the salvation which is in Christ Jesus; and this havoc made by sin and death has continued without interruption, day by day, and hour by hour, through all the ages since the fall.

There is something so fearful, so tremendous in this retrospect, that I do not wonder that men who have never known "the terrors of the Lord," and "the exceeding sinfulness of sin," should reject the theory altogether. While looking down into this abyss, I am seized with a shivering horror. I tremble exceedingly. And yet the truth which is here so deeply impressed on my mind is the same as that which I learn from the history of the fallen angels, left without a Savior; from the flood; as that which I receive in Gethsemane and

at Calvary; and which is irresistibly confirmed while I look at the civil, and mental, and moral condition of these seven hundred and fifty millions of pagans &c. All proclaims the fearful truth, that there is a criminality, a turpitude, a desert in sin, which we cannot comprehend. And if it were the will of God, that the law should take its course, without mercy, to the end of time, what could we say?"Is God unjust that taketh vengeance? God forbid."

But if in this fearful condition the world is not to remain--if a brighter destiny, a most glorious transformation awaits it--and if the command "to teach all nations," has never been repealed nor suspended, then there must have been a most shocking neglect of duty somewhere.

Seeing so many prophets had painted this brighter period in the most glowing colors, and had raised their loftiest, their sweetest strains to usher in the reign and universal conquests of the Messiah; and seeing our Lord himself repeatedly referred to these halcyon days, and directed his disciples to a universal dissemination of his gospel, and to the work of universal teaching, how,--these records being read by the Christian church every Sabbath-day,-how shall we account for Christians having left, for seventeen hundred years, in a state of perfect brutality and crime, seven hundred and fifty millions of deathless minds committed to their especial care by the Great Head of the church?

What makes this neglect the more strange and unaccountable is, that the command comes from the highest possible authority--that this command is most express, and its meaning most palpable-that the Being who issued it said, at the very time it proceeded from his lips, "Mark! I am with you, even unto the end of the world,"-that this Being has "all power in heaven and upon earth,"--that this command is closely connected with the eternal condition of all these successive swarms of men, eight hundred millions composing each generation-and that every one of those to whom the execution of this commission is confided, is supposed to possess the mind that was in Christ Jesus, who came "to seek and to save that which was lost," and to have, as the distinguishing feature of his character, an overwhelming sense of the value of the human soul.

How, with a provision perfectly commensurate with the extent of the commission-with a command, from the Being who was himself the atonement, that every creature should hear the gospel-with such proofs before us that this gospel is the power of God to salvation--how, with all these facts staring us in the face--how is it, that we have never attempted to carry these glad tidings beyond the walls of our own churches?

The cause of this total abandonment of effort, under such a leader, under such an inspiration, and with such prospects, is one of the most singular, and yet one of the most important inquiries, which Christians at this day can possibly institute.

It will be said, that for many centuries those who felt the genuine force of Christian principles, were in too depressed a state to make efforts for the spread of the gospel: their whole strength was required to preserve any portion of united existence. They were in the situation of men in a besieged fortress; attacks upon the territories of the enemy were out of the question. This defence, to a certain extent, must be admitted. But will He "whose eyes are as a flame of fire, and his voice as the sound of many waters," accept this as an apology for the indifference and inactivity of the last two hundred yearsfor the apathy of the present hour? Ward's Letters.

ing it violently with a sword. During || koran with a peculiar regard to certain intonations of voice, though without comprethese ceremonies, he frequently bowed to the ground, and gazed upward, with an ex- hending a word of its meaning, is the obpression of most intense earnestness. There ject, if not the acme of education. One was something striking in the whole ap- advantage resulting from it is such an acpearance and conduct of the man. It was quaintance with the Arabic character, emvery evident, that if not himself fully per- ployed in writing their own langnage, as suaded of the presence and power of the qualifies them to read Christian books published in the vernacular. One excellent being he invoked, he well knew how to produce this persuasion in the minds of the plan adopted by the missionary is to collect ignorant around him. as many around him as possible, and then to read the books and explain their meaning. It arrests the attention of the hearers, and uniformly disposes them to receive such books as have been made the basis of

The prescribed rites being performed, the priest approached the pile, went through a number of antics, and dashed furiously through the coals. A passage was kept clear from the adjacent temple, and as soon as the signal was given by the priest, a number of persons, old and young, came running with idols in their hands, and bore them through the fire. Others followed, and among them an old man who halted and staggered in the very jaws of death. The scene was one of mad confusion, but its continuance was short, and the crowd soon dispersed. It is thought a test of the character of those who attempt it. If they have a "true heart" and confidence in the

gods, they cannot receive injury. Some of them pass through the fire in fulfilment of a vow made in time of danger or necessity. One of the votaries last year fell in the midst of the fire, and was severely burned.

After the confusion had in a measure ceased, our budget was produced and the tracts disposed of without delay. The madness of their minds rendered them so rude, that it was thought expedient to check the violence with which they snatched the books away. The Lord in mercy dispel their delusions, and grant them the light of

life.

20. Distributed 50 tracts at the marketplace, near Batavia, almost as quickly as they could be handed out. Half of them were the Life of Jesus, and half the gospel account of his miracles. The scene at this place is peculiarly animating to the missionary. With the blessing of God there is no doubt fruit will appear, and in time abound.

26. This morning we walked a short distance in the country, to distribute books in the neighboring campongs, and among the passengers on one of the roads. The noise of school-boys, who exercise their lungs more than their minds both in China and Java, attracted our attention. Fifteen of the native children were assembled in a shed, and in a loud sing-song tone, engaged in conning the koran in the original. We inquired for the teacher, and found that he had left them to instruct or rather amuse themselves, while he was employed in cultivating his lands. He acknowledged that he did not himself understand the contents of the book on which he grounded his faith, and assured us that, were it not for the importunity of the parents, he would not attempt such a fruitless task. To read the

remarks.

Visit to Bitenzorg.

May 6. Wednesday morning, 6 o'clock, we left this place in a government vehicle and reached Bitenzorg, the residence of the governor, in about four hours. The distance is thirty-nine miles. The governor, it is said, performs the journey in two hours and a half, and men of less distinction and fewer advantages, in three. The palace, as the residence of his excellency is called, is rather a splendid edifice, built in the form of a crescent, though with a glaring architectural blunder. It has one window more on one side than the other, and when standing in front of the door there It appears to be a deficiency in the curve. has a park in front, stocked with deer, and an extensive garden in the rear laid out and is undulating, the trees and shrubbery are ornamented in handsome style. The plot exceedingly diversified and beautiful, the walks broad and well gravelled, and the scene adorned with lakes, bridges, and a small islet, jet d'eau, and cascade. It is kept at an expense to government of 7,000 rupees a month.

Between Bitenzorg and the neighboring mountains, whose summits are said to tower 10,000 or 12,000 feet above the sea, the surface of the country is much more elevated and diversified than the low unvarying level of Batavia. I hoped to have a clear view of the crater, the smoke of which is distinctly seen from Batavia; but an intervening peak completely shut it in before we reached Bitenzorg.

Our time was principally spent in visiting the Chinese and native villages, and endeavoring to impart Christian instruction. The Chinese camp (as their villages are called) is large and populous at this place. My companion, Mr. Medhurst, was received as an old acquaintance, and listened to with attention. His books, a large bag full, were disposed of with the greatest facility.

In fact a Chinaman never refuses a book, if he can read, and there is little doubt, but that he generally finds out its contents. We called at the palace of the former reigning family, who still exercise the highest functions, entrusted by government to

was most favorably impressed with the
course pursued, in rendering intelligible to
their minds the truths of Christianity and
the absurdity of paganism. He generally
obliges them to read the lesson, repeat it
from memory, and explain it in the collo-
quial Chinese and the current Malay.

Java viewed as a Field for Missionary
Labor.

the natives. The present chief is fifty- || a portion of almost every day to them, and seven years of age, and his father, who resigned the highest office to become a priest, is about eighty-one. There are five generations of them now living, and the old man numbers among his descendants 250 living souls. Our books were well received at the palaces, and a number of them distributed in the villages. At one place about thirty were assembled at a feast. It is the custom of the Mohammedans of Java to have a number of feasts, at certain intervals after every death, and the present was one of these occasions. A great variety of eatables were arranged on the floor, covered with mats, and the guests were seated around. After asking a blessing, and before they commenced eating, they passed round a number of vessels and poured water upon their hands, reminding us of the Pharisees who, "except they baptise oft, eat not." Thus again we have enjoyed the opportunity of scattering the seed of eternal life, where no fruits have yet appeared. The Lord prepare the hearts of these perishing thousands for its reception.

The principal Chinaman in authority returned with us to Batavia. Though without any sense of Christianity he appears so well persuaded of the stupidity and ill consequences of many of the established superstitions, that he has employed all the weight of his authority and wisdom in opposing them. A small temple, which they venerated for its mystic influence, has been removed, and houses have been erected on the site. The custom of calling in those to prescribe for the sick, whom they suppose capable of being possessed at pleasure, and to whose vagaries they attach the highest virtues, has been abolished. The influence of the priests has been attacked and diminished, and other measures are contemplated which, it is hoped, will prepare the way for a purer and less cumbrous faith. Mr. M.|| spent much of the time in reasoning with our fellow traveller upon the excellence and truth of the Christian religion. Wherever we go there appears to be an extensive sphere of labor, prepared for the missionary's hand. "The harvest truly is great; but the laborers are few."

20. One important measure adopted by Mr. Medhurst in disciplining this heathen nation, consists in having a number of native and Chinese schools under his superintendence. The parents are willing that he should have the management of their children, on condition that he pays a proportion of the teacher's wages. It is expensive to the missionary according to the means employed; but it certainly affords the promise of ample remuneration to the friends of the Savior. Christian books are introduced, and doctrines are instilled, which, it is hoped, may counteract the evils of domestic education, and prepare their minds to glorify God in the day of visitation. I attended these schools with Mr. Young, who devotes

I have now given some of the facts recorded in my journal, during a residence of more than four months. A part of almost every day has been employed in accompanying the missionary to those places most advantageous for communicating oral and written instruction. The greater proportion of these visits have been omitted, because destitute of features of peculiarity. The Lord in his wisdom, has withheld the early and the latter rain, and with a few encouraging exceptions, suffered the husbandman to toil in hope. As success, though eventually certain, is beyond the province of instruments; and as the command of God and the opportunity of obeying it are decisive of duty, Java urges many appeals to the charities and obligations of the Christian world. With a population, nearly half as numerous as the whole United States, there are but two missionaries on the island. The Dutch have sent forth many missionaries to their other colonies; but the widest field is suffered to lie in desolation. Those who reside in Java are generally appointed and supported by the local government, and either instructed, or disinclined to stretch themselves beyond the narrow limits of a small congregation of Dutch, Portuguese, or native Christians. There is very little question that other missionaries would be allowed to co-operate with Mr. Medhurst, and thus amplify the field of gospel culture. I have heard of no instance where they have been prevented, and two or three instances have come to my knowledge where liberty was granted and not improved. In my own case it was extended to one year, probably as a term of probation, although such limits were never prescribed before, and no doubt the permission would have been extended beyond the time. The island is by no means as insalubrious as is generally supposed. With caution there appears but little danger, although in the mind of a devoted missionary such an objection has but little weight, when he thinks of himself; and it certainly should not have any weight when he thinks of the objects of his compassion as exposed to death as himself.

Arrival at Singapore.

June 16. Arrived yesterday at Singapore, after a passage of nine days, and found Mr. Tomlin on the eve of sailing for