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the Gospel, if it does not afford full authority to Missionary Societies to use this kind of instrumentality. To read the Gospels and the Epistles, with this subject in mind, one is astonished at the amount of authority, either by direct precept or by inference, in favour of it.

"III. What have been the results of your experience the last two years? Do you find that your professional influence avails you in imparting spiritual benefit?"

If by results is intended conversion of souls, I must reply with sorrow, there have been no such fruits, and the affecting reflection has often occurred, that were my mission to end, if admitted to heaven, there is no consoling evidence or hope that one, one solitary Chinese would there recognise me as the instrument of his salvation. My professional influence has availed to the removal of a larger amount of prejudice, to the gaining an intimate acquaintance with the Chinese, to the winning their confidence, esteem, and affection, and to the imparting a knowledge of the Gospel, in its spirit, precepts, doctrines, and obligations, than a long life could have effected in any other way. There have been access to the patients at all times, and opportunities of speaking a word in season, have constantly presented, and such are peculiarly seasonable, when the patient, relieved of his disease or blindness, wants language to express his gratitude. Then I have often pointed to the source of their blessings, and assured them, but for love to the Redeemer they had never known me, or received his mercies through my hands. It has secured for me and my countrymen, (.e. all who speak my language,) an introduction and influence that otherwise might not have been enjoyed. The extent of spiritual benefits conferred, has been limited rather by my imperfect knowledge of the language, multiplicity of cares, and, shall I say it? dormant love for souls, than for lack of opportunities. Far greater results might have been realised, had there been some one to share my labours, as it would have left me more leisure to improve these opportunities. "IV. What, in your opinion, are the kind of men required as Medical Missionaries; and the nature of the duties to be performed?" The qualifications expected and required in all true Missionaries, and which are admirably expressed by the late Dr. Bogue of Gosport, in his "Lectures to Missionary Students," are also necessary in Medical Missionaries, (I quote memoriter,)" Men of good constitutions, good address, acquaintance with human nature, aptness for acquiring languages, ardent love for souls, enlightened, untiring zeal, and, finally, a spirit of martyrdom." Also, a liberal education, full acquaintance with his profession; energy of character, affability of

manner, an invariable command of one's temper, and an unruffled mind under provocation, &c. At present the practice will be confined to the hospitals at Canton and Macao; occasional voyages will be required sooner or later. Walks for air and exercise, after dining, may be improved in calling at the houses of patients, who will receive you with enthusiasm; the neighbourhood will soon gather round you, furnishing favourable opportunities for speaking on things of the highest importance. You will receive calls from persons of various ranks; some of whom are persuaded their government is under false impressions respecting you, and who are convinced of your disinterestedness, and are willing to be still more enlightened. When they leave you, you may say to them, Here are some Christian books, that contain the word of God, and explain the doctrines of our holy religion; would you like to peruse them? Very much, my heart desires it. Are you not afraid? No; I can put them in my large full sleeves. When you meet again, the subject of your books is an introduction to free conversation upon your respective religions. Before you are the precepts and the fruits of each. The contrast is apparent; the avarice, dishonesty, oppression, cruelty, and degredations of the one; the charity and purity of the other. The stupid, filthy, ragged, and mendicant priests of the one; the intelligence, respectability, and piety of the other. Mention is made, apparently accidentally, that your country has no “ shinseang," (idols.) The idolater starts, and inquires, What then do you worship? You have now only to follow where curiosity leads, to disclose to him the fundamental doctrines of the Bible; and, not being obtruded but sought, prejudice is disarmed. You return to your closet and pray, that the truth now opened to his mind, the eternal holy Spirit may be sent down to save and sanctify the soul. The above is suggested by what recently occurred in respect to the chief priest of the Budhist temple in Ho-Nam, in which are three hundred priests.

"V. The hardships and difficulties to be expected and contended with. Do the authorities interfere and annoy you? If they knew your ultimate motives, would they sanction your continuance ""

The first and greatest hardship to the Missionary to China is the government restrictions. The Missionary to most other heathen countries introduces himself as the ambassador of Heaven-the preacher of the Gospel; and, whenever and wherever he is known, it is as "Jesus Christ's man ;" and the people expect that, whenever they meet him, he will speak upon the subject dearest to his heart, and most important to them. Fuel is thus added to the flame that

inspired his bosom before he left his native land, and it increases and animates his own soul, and all within his influence. With the implements of moral cultivation, he breaks up the neglected soil, and is cheered as the desert begins to bud and blossom, and fruits of righteousness appear. Not so, dear brother, in China. The Missionary arrives at Canton; he is reported as a clerk of some commercial house, which is responsible for his good behaviour; or, perhaps an interpreter; or a tae pan," (a merchant) one wishes to sell him a cargo of tea, another a quantity of silks, or a third invites him to become (secretly) partner in a firm he is about to establish. If, waving all these, he goes forward in his true character, his conduct is full of enigmas to those who supposed the real minister was a merchant. Thus, much of the impetus to his own feelings, and of the first impressions upon the Chinese, is lost. The soldier must first throw away his armour and his weapons, and then fight his battles, or carry the sword of the Spirit sheathed. Let the Missionary be prepared for this trial, for it is great. The Church generally has no conception of the magnitude of the difficulties in the way of converting China. Every inch of ground has to be disputed with the prince of darkness. You will here have no weekly prayer-meetings of twenty or thirty fellow-students, whose hearts glow with youthful piety; no meetings, as in Exeter Hall; no religious anniversaries to attend; nor the sacred eloquence of such men as your worthy minister, Mr. James. Fifty or a hundred meet in the chapel on that day, but all around you, are those who know no Sabbath. The perpetual din of business is interrupted only by the harsher sounds of the gong, and crackers on an occasional festival; and, instead of finding yourself in an atmosphere of holiness, and borne along by the current of active benevolence and piety, you will experience the suffocations of an atmosphere of moral death, and the influence of the malstroom of idolatry, the arethusan, the subterranean current of heathenism. The romance of missions will presently be over, and you will feel in a manner only known by experience-words cannot express it—a life of hard and persevering labour is before you-dreams and visions will have passed away-and government, with all its jealousy, will bar you out; and the people, in all their blindness, and recklessness of immortality, will surround you; and thus, with all your armour, (Eph. vi.,) you are enlisted for a life of hard service. Then, by faith, you must stand upon the promises, and take hold of your heavenly Father's hand; not having access to those refreshing streams enjoyed in your native isle, you must apply

direct and daily to the upper fountain whence those are supplied. It is quite as well to have the mind prepared with a knowledge of these things, as to have it filled with expectations never to be realized. You make no inquiries after the joys to be experienced, these you will know when you have got your crown, having been faithful unto death. We will take up that subject when China has become Immanuel's, and we reflect upon the privilege that was ours, of bearing a humble instrumentality in so great and good a cause. Be assured, that these are foretastes of the banquet above and joys peculiar. The authorities do not interfere in the course at present pursued, though there is no doubt they keep a "compassionate watch" over me. The Linguist, and How Kwa, the senior Hong merchant, are very favourable to me and the institutions. The latter has subscribed two hundred dollars for medicines. Probably they both understand my motives. Were I openly to harangue assemblies and distribute books daily, no doubt my opportunities for usefulness and influence would speedily end.

Respecting your inquiry about the language, both extremes into which writers have fallen are false. Some who have a smattering of it, as if to magnify their wonderful ability in acquiring it, have represented it as almost unattainable to ordinary minds under a reasonable length of time; others, finding this not true, have adopted the opposite extreme, and have said it was as easy as Latin or Greek. The medium is probably the truth. No language taxes the memory more, and in none is a good ear more essential; many of the difficulties, for want of appropriate helps, will soon cease. The works of Premare, Morrison, Marshman, and Medhurst, have greatly facilitated the acquisition of it, and as the number of sinalogues multiply, helps of this kind will greatly increase. The Chinese Chrestomathy, by my honoured brother, Mr. Bridgman, now going through the press, will be invaluable to the beginner. The Chinese is the most difficult language, but still persons of moderate abilities, i. e. the average of good talent, with good application and perseverance, can acquire it.

T. R. College, Esq., President of the Medical Missionary Society, has purchased at Macao a commodious and spacious building, in a convenient situation, and healthy locality, which, besides affording accommo. dation for patients, will afford a very desirable asylum for the Agents of the Society, when, by accident or disease, they need to avail themselves of it.

Desiring your prayers for myself and fellow-labourers, and for China,

I am, most affectionately, yours,
PETER PARKER.

VOL. XVII.

MISSIONARY MAGAZINE

AND

CHRONICLE.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small]

1. Assistant's House. 2. Printing Office. 3. Mission House. 4. Girls' School 5. Church. 6, 7. Readers' Houses. . Boys' School

QUILON MISSION.

QUILON is situated on the Malabar Coast, in N. lat. 8° 49′, and E. long. 76° 40′, at a distance of 88 miles north-west from Cape Comorin, and 80 miles from Nagercoil. About eight years ago the population of the town and neighbouring villages, consisting of Hindoos, Mohammedans, Syrians, Parsees, and a few Roman Catholics, was estimated at nearly 40,000; the number of Hindoos being supposed equal to all the rest taken together. The language chiefly spoken is Malayalim, but the Tamul, also, is spoken by many, and understood by most of the inhabitants,

The moral and religious destitution of the people having, for some time previously, excited the compassion and engaged the attention of the Missionaries at Nagercoil, one of their number, Mr. John Smith, proceeded to Quilon in February, 1821; and being liberally encouraged by the British Resident, commenced the Mission there, which has been continued to the present time. Mr. Smith persevered in the prosecution of his work until the beginning of 1824, when declining health obliged him to leave the station, and return to England. A few months previous to his departure he was joined by Mr. Crow, who having continued to fulfil his duties until 1826, was also obliged to return to England on the same The attention and energies of these Missionaries were chiefly devoted to the establishment and superintendence of native schools, and the efforts which they made in this department of labour were attended with an encouraging measure of success.

account.

The Rev. J. C. Thompson, the present Missionary at Quilon, arrived there in November, 1827. As soon as he had acquired a competent knowledge of the Malayalim language, he commenced his devoted labours in communicating the Gospel to the Hindoos; and although at times much enfeebled by indisposition, and obliged at one period to visit the Neilgherries to recruit his health, he has zealously persevered in endeavouring, under Divine favour, to promote the great objects of his Mission. When he arrived at Quilon, the schools were 9 in number, containing 293 boys; and before the close of that year (1827) 2 native female schools were established, containing 46 girls. But in 1832, the number of the boys' schools had increased to 14, those for girls to 10; the number of scholars in the former to 380, in the latter to 190, making a total of 24 schools, and 570 native children and young persons receiving exclusively Christian instruction, no heathen books whatever being allowed in any of the schools. In the same year it was reported, that a more ample supply of school-books, and a more vigilant superintendence than formerly, had been followed by evident improvement in the scholars, who began to evince greater proficiency in reading, and better understood what they committed to memory; and that many of them were able to repeat considerable portions of the New Testament; such as the Gospel by John, the Epistle to the Romans, and the first Epistle to the Corinthians.

Although the frequent illness of the first Missionaries who laboured at Quilon prevented their acquisition of the vernacular tongue, and they were consequently unable to engage in the direct communication of the Gospel to the natives, exertions were made for this purpose by the brethren connected with the Nagercoil Mission; and also by the native evangelists and teachers belonging to the station itself. The latter also availed themselves of opportunities to converse with the natives in the bazaars, visited the schools, assisted in the examination of the scholars, and distributed the Scriptures and tracts. In 1881, there were only 5 native assistants, but in the course of that year, Mr. Thompson established a seminary at the station, whereby the number has been since increased to 14.

In 1826, a native congregation was first collected at Quilon, but the number assembling for Divine worship has never been large, although it has considerably fluctuated. Indeed the whole Mission has, from its commencement, exhibited considerable diversity of aspect, and has sometimes appeared rather to retrograde than advance. This is chiefly attributable to the great changes through which the native mind has passed on the subject of Christianity; at one time exhibiting a tendency to yield unto its claims, and embrace its blessings; at another to disregard and reject it, in favour of the ancient idolatries and superstitions of the country. During the past year there has been much opposition to the Gospel, in consequence of which the schools and congregation had partially declined. But our brother, Mr. Thompson, with whom the Rev. J. T. Pattison is now associated, has not been discouraged by these apparently adverse circumstances, being persuaded that the conflict between truth and error, by which the native mind is at present agitated, will eventually, under God, be productive of the best results, Meanwhile the brethren are thankful to find that there are some attending on their ministrations, who, with increasing knowledge in Divine things, manifest a decided and substantial growth in grace; that a greater number of persons appear seriously concerned for the salvation of their souls, and anxious to follow and obey the Saviour; and that an improved tone of thinking and feeling is apparent among the readers and teachers, which promises greatly to increase their efficiency and usefulness.

On the first Sabbath of September, 1837, four Hindoos, who had previously been baptised, were united into a Christian church, and at that period there were nine candidates for church fellowship. In the course of the past year 8000 Christian books were distributed over a large extent of country surrounding Quilon, and the people generally received them with avidity and thankfulness.

The preceding statements include the principal points of interest and importance in connexion with the establishment and progress of the Quilon station. It will be perceived, that although there has been a sufficiency of visible encouragement to sustain the hope of a future abundant harvest, the general character of the work in this part of Travancore has hitherto been such as to demand, in a peculiar degree, the exercise of faith and patience, and more than ordinarily to impress the mind with the necessity of earnest and unceasing supplication to the Lord of the harvest for an enlarged outpouring of his Divine and life-giving Spirit. It is hoped that the claims of our brethren at Quilon, and of the people among whom they are labouring, to an interest in the prayers of the disciples of Christ in this country, may be duly felt and answered, that soon the numbers of those who have been brought to the obedience of faith in this part of India may be greatly augmented, and that the day may be hastened when the kingdom of the Redeemer shall be established there, and throughout the eastern world, in the fulness of its blessing, and its glory.

A representation of the Mission-station at Quilon, accompanies the present notice.

THE ENGLISH CHURCH AND CONGREGATION AT MADRAS. MANY appeals have been made to the zeal and devotedness of the Church of Christ, in behalf of the heathen world; and a voice may still be neard from almost every quarter, "Come over and help us." It is not for the work in general that we now plead; but for one church and congregation in particular, gathered to the Lord Jesus Christ in a distant land-the English church and congregation at Madras.

Christians of various denominations united in building the chapel in the year 1810, when there was a lamentable destitution of religious instruction at Madras; and soon after, a

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