Morning Star

From the General Baptist Repository.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1830.

(Continued.)

BERHAMPORE.

It may be recollected that on several occasions this town has been visited by Messrs. Bampton and Sutton. Here Eran resides, the first Hindoo baptized in India by our brethren. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, after spending some time at Pooree during the jattra, determined to visit Berhampore; partly influenced by a desire to see their solitary native brother, who was dwelling as a sheep among wolves. After considerable inconvenience and difficulties in travelling and in crossing the Chilka Lake, they arrived at Berhampore on July the 28th. They found Eran steadfast in his profession. They continued there about two months, and had reason to believe that the Word of Truth commended itself to the consciences of a number of persons. Their chief enemies were some nominal Christians. These, with the spirit of Elymas the sorcerer, whom Paul encountered, sought to prevent the Hindoos from embracing the Gospel. Mr. Sutton's account of interviews with Eran,—of the truths he taught,—and of the encouragement he received, is gratifying, and manifests the necessity of exertions to send a Missionary as speedily as practicable to occupy this interesting station.

July 21st.—"Early on Tuesday morning we started for Berhampore. Mrs. S. and myself rode our ponies to Manickapatam where we obtained a boat, which in two days and nights, amid rain and storm, conveyed us over the Chilka Lake to Rambha; the rain came driving through our poor covering, so that we were obliged to get under the bed mattress to keep ourselves dry. On Saturday evening we again mounted our ponies and reached Ganjam; here we obtained comfortable quarters and spent the Sabbath. In the evening I visited the bazaar as usual and spoke twice. We were neither of us well, for we had not only rain and sun to encounter, putrefying shrimps; we suppose a quantity got into our inside and made us ill about half way to Berhampore. On Monday morning we led again and rode, shelter from the sun under the eranda of an old building.

August 8th.-- We reached Berhampore. Eran, our native brother. We found him steadfast in his profession as far as he knows it. He was exceedingly pleased to see us, and rejoiced to hear that brother Bampton was not dead as had been reported to him; we were much gratified by his strong attachment to brother B., and the respect with which he referred to his instructions. He appears to be a very respectable man, and looked up to a good deal by his neighbors.

As it respects the general effect of my labors since I have been here, they are of that nature as to lead me to hope that God has sent us, and that he has something for us to do in this place. Many confess to the truth, some appear hopeful, and generally the word commends itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. The higher orders of my countrymen seem my worst enemies here. I am of that sect which is every where spoken against, and the gentry here seem to think so. They keep me out of the only places where we could assemble with comfort, and would be glad to send me out of the place altogether. How different from the kind reception I experienced from their predecessors! We are fools and madmen for attempting to convert the natives to christianity; this they do not scruple to proclaim, and have told Eran and others that we have no authority to baptize, &c. Cruel men, may the Lord change their hearts. Myself and brethren are the only men in the world who can now speak to the people that they may be saved, and they would prevent us.

Nevertheless there is a little band who welcome the Gospel sound, and if we cannot get a better, we are contented to assemble ourselves in our little despised cottage. The word seems to fall with power, and we do hope the Lord is with us and will bless us.

Eran came with two of his friends, to whom I endeavored to show the excellency and necessity of the Gospel; one seems very near a profession of it. He acknowledges his belief of the truth, and says his only impediment is his wife. She is violently opposed, and storms the house whenever he mentions his desires to her. And Eran joins with him in saying, his case is the case of several in Berhampore. I apprehend this is a difficulty of which we have had little conception, and in England it is supposed that the women would be the first to rejoice in the liberty of the Gospel; matter of fact however proves the contrary. The cause is to be found in their ignorance and the power of superstitious prejudices over their weak minds. Eran is an instance of the difficulty and opposition their wives occasion, he had two at the time of his baptism, both fled. One robbed him of considerable property and the other took away his child! one, the younger, has returned and also his child, but the wife is still very awkward on account of the loss of caste, as none of her friends will eat or hold intercourse with her.

On Sabbath-day Eran was deputed by a part of the inhabitants of Berhampore that I had not visited, to inquire why I had been all round the neighborhood and had not visited them; so it was agreed that I should meet them in the afternoon; accordingly I went and had a good congregation in a convenient place.

Thursday.--Spent about three hours to-day in Eran's house reasoning and disputing with eight or ten people; two or three respectable women came in and took part in the conversation, they seemed as quick or even quicker of apprehension than the men, and often interpreted in Telinga what I said in Oriya.

On Thursday Mrs. Sutton went with me to see Eran's wife: she was backward at first, though I think pleased to see her. Afterwards several women from the neighborhood came in and they became more familiar. The poor woman is in a good deal of distress respecting her anticipated accouchment, as none of her friends or neighbors will assist her or cook for her. Mrs. S--- endeavored to comfort her on this head, and promised her any assistance she could render, which seemed to have a good effect.--This morning Eran has sent us word that his wife has been confined with a son, and that her mother has broken through her restraints and attended to her. I mention this circumstance because similar things have had a good effect on the wives of several, favorably disposed toward the Gospel, but who in consequence of the opposition of their wives are kept back from a profession of it. The Hindoos, both men and women are extremely anxious, like the Jews of old, to have a son; and for this purpose they make great offerings to the idols, and undergo a variety of expensive and troublesome observances. It is in this view therefore remarkable, that Eran should have a son in his old age; and Gunga Dhor, after being married ten years, should also become a father, after his becoming a Christian.

During our stay at Berhampore many things occurred to excite our hopes and encourage us to persevere, but I feel little pleasure in recording favorable appearances, which do not issue in substantial fruit. Besides the man before alluded to as favorable to Christianity, I had four men from the country that I expected would have come forward, and so well did I think of them that the day was fixed for their baptism, but from the time that their baptism was fixed upon I saw them no more. The reason I am unable to comprehend. Another very clever man, being in authority and having soldiers under him, seemed very much disposed towards a profession of the Gospel, besides which there seemed a general conviction that Hindooism was indefensible and the Gospel true. Yet against all this the fear of losing caste, and the fear of each other, seemed insurmountable barriers. We felt on coming away that we were leaving a very promising field, and earnestly hoped and still hope that ourselves, or some one else will speedily be sent to cultivate it. O that we had more laborers. Truly the Christian church is criminally backward in this matter. What, is there none to be found among the 10,000 members of the General Baptist Connexion that can preach the Gospel to the Heathen! It was not so in the first days of the Gospel: then the scattered disciples could go every where preaching the word, and why should we not have as many preachers now? Can any considerations, of home, and friends, and comforts, compensate for the loss of thousands of precious souls? I would again urge upon the attention of the Society, that if they would preserve our Mission in existence, they must send us help and that speedily.

To be continued.