CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Deputation to the Bishop of Calcutta.

A Deputation from the Society, consisting of his Lordship the President, with the Treasurer, and the Secretary, waited on the Bishop of Calcutta, before his Lordship left London, to convey the congratulations of the Society on his appointment, and to state its objects and proceedings in India. The Bishop received the Deputation with great kindness; and assured the members of his anxiety, in reliance on the blessing of God, to promote Christianity in the East, according to the various circumstances and opportunities which Providence might open before him, in connection with that primitive system of Order and Doctrine, which promised the most important and permanent success to Christianity in India.

Thanks to an Anonymous Benefactor.

At a Meeting of the Committee of the Church Mis sionary Society, held at the Society's House, on the 22d day of August, 1814,

William Albin Garratt, Esq. in the Chair:

The Secretary having reported the following entry in the Treasurer's books, in favour of the Society: Anonymous, London ......................... L. 400 0 0"

it was

Resolved unanimously, That the grateful thanks of the Committee be presented, by Advertisements in the Times, Morning Post, Morning Chronicle, and Courier, to the Unknown Benefactor of the So eiety, for the said munificent Donation.

(Extracted from the Minutes)

JOSIAH PRATT, B. D. Secretary.

(LONDON) MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Lascars and Chinese in London.

The Society has, for some time, turned its attention toward such natives of the East as assist in navigating the India Fleets; and has appointed a Lascar and Chinese Committee, to provide for their instruction while waiting in the Metropolis the return of their respective vessels. Many difficulties occurred, in the prosecution of this benevolent plan. These poor strangers were found to groan under much oppression. Many of them have, however, gladly listened to the word of God; and some have attentively read the Scriptures, and have endeavoured to explain them to their countrymen. Such as desire it are taught English, and others are instructed in reading their own language. Important advantages may be expected from these efforts, wisely and steadily pursued.

Seminary.

`There are now under preparation fifteen students, of whom their tutor reports very favourably. The last year has produced many candidates; the public meetings held in various places having excited much zeal among young men. The greater part of the present number have been admitted since the last Anniversary.

West-Riding Auxiliary Society.

The first Anniversary was held, at Sheffield, June 22 and 23. George Rawson, Esq. of Leeds, was in the Chair. Mr. Campbell gave the detail of his African Journeys. Upward of eight hundred young

people, of both sexes, in Sheffield and its vicinity, had contributed in the course of nine months more than one hundred pounds, out of their precarious pocket-money, toward the promulgation of the Gospel among the Heathen. The collections after the services and meeting amounted to three hundred pounds.

Foreign Intelligence.

INDIA.-AGRA.

Journal of Abdool Messee, one of the Readers supported in India by the Church Missionary Society: written by one of the Chaplains of the Honourable East-India Company.

(Continued from p. 296.)

Sunday, July 25, 1813.-This morning, after Divine Service in the Garrison, the Hugeem was baptized by the name of Talib Messee Khan," the Gift of Christ." They had been previously made well acquainted with the Baptismal Service, and Abdool addressed the exhortations and put the questions to them in Hindoostanee. May these prove the fruits of a rich harvest.

July 27.-To-day Abdool heard of and visited two persons, who have fallen under the displeasure of their friends from their attachment to the Gospel one, the servant of a Hindoo Doctor, whom he has served for sixteen years, and who speaks very highly of his fidelity: the other, a money-changer, who tells his mother plainly this world is only for a short time, and he is determined at all risks to secure a happy eternity.

July 30.-To-day Abdool's house in the city was a constant scene of comers and goers. The disciples of the various Durgahs (tombs of saints) came in different bodies, at one time upward of forty together, to inquire about the Hugeem Talib Messee, and to know the mode

of initiation into Christianity. As might be expected, some went away pleased, and some displeased. Three translations were accepted by some individuals of them.

August 1-To-day the usual services, &c. The Hin doo Doctor's servant came: he said he had endured much trouble, but at present is treated kindly. He was ready to fall down on the mention of the name of Jesus. His master afterward came, and said he was gone beside himself. Abdool only observed, it seemed strange that a deranged person should serve him so well, and that he should still wish to retain him.

Aug. 3.-Yesterday afternoon, and till late in the evening, Abdool's house in the city was full of visitors.

Four men from Jelapore, two days' journey, having heard of the good doctrine which he taught, and of his attention to the poor, came to see whether the report was

true.

At one time, a great company of the learned men of the city, many of whom Abdool had not seen before, came, and asked about many curious points in their own observances. After two or three of these questions, Abdool said, he could not see their drift in making such inquiries: they knew he was become a Christian; and though, from having learned these things in his youth, he still remembered them, yet he now had nothing to do with them. It then appeared that there had been a dispute among themselves respecting him, and that they had taken this method to decide it. One party said he had been a Jew, and so turned Christian: another said no, for they knew his relatives and connections. It was then objected, that, though he might have been a Musselman, yet he must have been unlearned in their religion. On knowing this, Abdool gave them proof of his knowledge in their customs, and they went away`satisfied that he had not without understanding become a Christian. Three of them asked for and received trans lations.

The supply of the Epistle to the Romans is arrived very opportunely, as the doctrine of Justification is now very much discussed. From reading St. Matthew, many are persuaded of the excellency of the Gospel, and now the question among them is, How shall man be just with God?

August 8.-To-day the Lord's Supper was administere

ad, at which, beside our usual communicants, attended Abdool Messee, Talib Messee Khan, Inaeeut Messee, and Nicholao, the eldest of the Native Christian boys, who has been the longest with me. It was a season of evident interest to them, especially to the two latter youths. After service, on coming out, they embraced each other with much emotion, saying, they were now no longer two, but one, having become partakers of the same body.

Aug. 13, 1813.-To-day Abdool's brother arrived from Lucknow. The family have written many letters to Abdool, none of which have been forwarded; and a letter which Abdool had written to them was opened by the Nabob of Lucknow's people, and afterward shewnabout. The copies of St. Matthew, which Abdool's father took away from Cawnpore, have been all sought after, and read even by some of the principal ladies of the Nabob's palace. At first, the brother reports, the people reproached them, on their return from visiting us at Cawnpore; but now no one molests them: on the contrary, many speak well of the Gospel, and exprèss a wish to see and hear Abdool, that they may know more of these things.

Aug. 15. This morning the attendance on Divine Worship was so great, that our place of assembly was inconveniently small. In the afternoon, in the city, the number was also large, and the people heard with much attention.

Aug. 19.-A Sheykh from the city came to declare his intention of embracing Christianity. Some others, who are learned men, have declared the same; and wish to come daily to read the Scriptures, and hear them explained.

Aug. 22. This morning the attendance at home was too large for our place to contain. This calls upon us to lengthen our cords, and strengthen our stakes. In the city, too, the attendance was full. To-day, Abdool being unwell, the Hugeem Talib Messee Khan read the translated sermon, entitled, “ Universal Good News." The readiness with which he engaged in the Service was cause of much consolation to us.

Aug. 29. This morning about forty adults, beside all the children, attended Morning Worship, all of whom profess a regard for the Gospel. In the afternoon, the