Morning Star

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR 1832.
(Continued,)

Letter of Ram Chundra to Christians in England, giving praise to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. O all sincere brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, to you Rama Chundra, a sinner and a Christian, now sends much salutation!

In former times I was involved in works of darkness, but, by the mercy of God, I obtained to hear of the great good news. After having heard it sin sprung up in my mind greatly, and my soul much dreaded the punishment of hell; hence, remaining in my house, I had much sorrow, and wept. My heart feared this world, and hence I prayed to the Lord in secret, and asked the Holy Spirit's help. The Lord, in mercy, granted me to obtain some help of the Holy Spirit. After this, calling my wife and children, my household and relatives, and my neighbors and acquaintances, I said to them, "I am dead to the customs of this your world; and, by the death of Christ Jesus, I am determined to flee into the mercy of God! I will save my spirit from sin; and the torments of hell!" After I had said this, they wept and lamented with a loud voice; as when one is dead so they wept. I came to Cuttack, and there many people attempted to convince me, but I disregarded their word. On the Lord's Day I was baptized by Lacey padree sahib. After this the people of the country, my own household and friends, abused and persecuted me much. None gave me a place to sit down upon: thus much affliction came on me, but the Lord kept me from all danger. All the rest let me, but my wife and children came and joined me.

From that day I have proclaimed the good news unto the people. What the Holy Spirit puts into my mind, that I proclaim. Every day I read the holy book, and worship three times; once in secret I pray unto the Lord, and twice, with my wife and children assembling, I bless and praise God. I pray with my mind always, and in this manner, through pain and pleasure, I have maintained life. I die to sin daily, and try to live to holiness. Satan daily condemns me before God, and creates difference between my brethren and sisters, and makes me without hope; but by the mercy and grace of God, the Lord Jesus daily increases my faith. From hence, with my body, I serve sin, but taking my spirit, I serve and praise God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus I daily live, and those days that I neglect to preach the good news, and do not pray, on those days my mind is in pain; on those days my spirit has no pleasure. Thus I have tried to tell you a little of my mind, and I will, hereafter, tell you my experience in full. Pardon my freedom in writing, and to the Lord, for our brothers and sisters in Orissa, you must pray for we are all of weak minds.

Cuttack, Sept. 30, 1831.

COUNTRY BUNGALOWS AND CIRCUITS.

Another plan which has been adopted for diffusing the Gospel, is the formation of small circuits around a suitable centre, at some distance from a principal Missionary Station. In the central place a small bungalow is erected, to which the Missionary may occasionally resort for a few weeks at a time, and thence visit the neighboring villages. At the Conference at Cuttack, when the general question "What more can we do for spreading the Gospel?" was considered, it was recommended that a circuit of such stations be established. A commencement of this system has been made at Bhogerpoor. Of it Mr. Lacey writes,—

"I have been long impressed with the conviction that circuits in the country would be greatly advantageous to the spread of Gospel light. Pursuant to this impression, we have erected a small Bungalow at Bhogerpoor, a place about eight miles north of Cuttack, surrounded with villages and markets to a great extent. Bhogerpoor is the neighborhood from which most of our converts have come, and where great inquiry is abroad in regard to Christianity. We shall spend some time every year at this Bungalow, and besides that, shall visit it occasionally through the year. We intend also to erect a small place of worship, where we shall occasionally collect the native converts in the neighborhood for divine worship, and thus afford means of comfort and improvement to them, as well as exhibit the ordinances of the Gospel before the mass of the people; and as it is one of their first inquiries, 'How shall we worship God whom we cannot see?' it will be of use to them. We hope D. V. to enter into our new circuit house on the 3d of January 1832. The place will cost about sixty rupees, but will last for forty years or more, with a little yearly repair."

Writing from Bhogerpoor, in January, he stated, that he proposed remaining there a month, and that at Soppa, a village about seven miles off, seven or eight persons were seriously disposed, whom he hoped to go and see on the following Wednesday.

ENGLISH AND OTHER SERVICES AT CUTTACK.

From the commencement of the Mission in Orissa, the Missionaries have labored to promote religion among the European Residents, nor have their labors been in vain; several individuals have been converted. Mr. Beddy, one of the fruits of Mr. Sutton's ministry, who, soon after his baptism, removed to Calcutta, and joined the Lal bazar church, has recently resigned his secular employments, and devoted himself to Missionary labors. He is engaged as a Baptist Missionary; was publicly set apart to the ministry on October 6th, and soon afterwards proceeded up the country. The following information, respecting the English services and the progress of religion, has been received;—

"The English worship has been kept up twice every Lord's-day, i. e. in the forenoon and in the evening. The attendance on the former occasion has generally been good, but on the latter scanty. Some good impressions have been made by these means on the minds of several European hearers, the piety of others has been nourished and strengthened, while a few have been we trust savingly converted, and have owned the Saviour in his own appointed way. From the English congregation two have been added to the church by baptism, and are now walking consistently with their profession, though they have been removed from Cuttack to Calcutta by their employers. Mr. S. who had been separated from the church for some time, has been restored to his place, and has evidently benefitted by the discipline of the church exercised over him. We hope his spirit will be saved in the day of the Lord. His brother, who was formerly a member, has lately died. Good is moreover doing among our European neighbors with whom our chapel is now well and regularly attended."

The salutary effect of a Christian example in Europeans, on the native population, is adverted to,—

"The conversation and devoted life of a European, among these idolaters, is a circumstance of great importance and advantage to the cause of religion in India. The regular and pretty general attendance of the civil and military servants of the Government, makes a very favorable impression on the native mind. They thereby discover that their rulers, and professed Christians in general, at least acknowledge the obligations of religion. There are numbers who stand to witness our sacred exercises on the Lord's-day."

In the afternoons of the Sabbaths, devoted to English worship at Cuttack, an Oria service is regularly conducted. This has been attended by the native Christians and their families, and the native school-masters. This means has been a great benefit to the former class of attendants. They have been thus instructed, warned, and encouraged.

Another means that has been beneficial to the native Christians, has been meeting for religious conversation and prayer. The Missionary at the station refers to this,—

"We have recommenced our experience meetings, which were so useful to our poor and unconfirmed brethren. The first meeting was attended with benefit to the native members; they are at once acquainted, more particularly, with their weaknesses, trials, and sins, and was enabled to give such comfort, encouragement, and reproof, which is useful to them. The experience of some was such as to excite gratitude to God. Through divine assistance I have commenced a weekly visitation to their houses, principally for the benefit of their families. I made my first visit last night, and returned with satisfaction and pleasure. Two young people are apparently under good impressions."

(To be continued.)