August 1825, they made a public renunciation of their religion and caste, and took their brahmin cords from their shoulders, and gave them to Samuel previous to their baptism. Alexander is twenty-eight, and Rufus twenty-four years of age. In vain did they seek direction and peace of conscience from their interviews with popish priests. A copy of the New Testament, which the former had obtained in the Teloogoo language, aroused his attention to ask questions of a Roman Catholic priest: his inquiries and objections in a short time were displeasing to the priest. Observing the Testament in his hand on one occasion, and inquiring what the book was, the priest on being informed, told him to throw it away, for it was an accursed book. A conversation Alexander had with one of the students, and one afterwards both he and his brother had with Samuel, were blessed as the means of leading them to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. Alexander in the course of examination said, that he loved the name of Christ, and to be his servant, he esteemed his highest honour. He acknowledged, that the change produced in his views and affections is to be ascribed alone to the Spirit of God in Christ. Rufus said, that he loved the Saviour, because the Saviour first loved him, and gave his life a ransom for our sins, and that he is worthy of our highest regard. They have exhibited evidence of personal religion, and seem willingly to sit at the feet of Christ to learn his will. They are good scholars in Teloogoo and Canarese. We hope they will occupy the place of tutors in these

ness, others with ridicule. This closing scene was considered a presage of opposition to the gospel in the pettah. The sabbath following, a great many people attended the preaching of the gospel, and were attentive; but on Feb. 26th, a Brahmin came forward and interrupted the service. He denied the existence of the soul, and sneeringly asked Samuel," Show us the God?" None of the others joined him, and in a short time he left the place, but the form of his visage was changed as he retired-a deadly paleness of countenance, whilst every muscle seemed distorted and armed with rage, he attempted to laugh, but it only increased the hideous glare of his dilated eye. March 5th, a great concourse of people assembled, when public worship began, and in a short time a general uproar was made. The angry words and menacing gestures of many, the loud laugh and offensive language, which soon became general, put a stop to reason and argument. On the Monday and Tuesday following, Samuel went up to the pettah. A good number heard the truth, and no interruption took place; but on the next sabbath, peons were placed at the gates, with orders not to let the Christians enter the pettah, and public orders were issued to the people, and repeated for two or three days, not to attend the preaching of the Christians: those who should disobey, were threatened with fine and imprisonment.

By this means the gospel was in a great measure shut out of the town of Bangalore; but the neigh

bouring villages continued to be visited by the students on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the people assembled in considerable numbers. The preaching of the gospel in the chapel was regularly attended by the natives.

Should we fail to receive that encouragement to persevere which we think may be justly derived from such circumstances, (a failure which must be the result of very limited views and sinful despondency,) we have other circumstances to animate us, where we can look and experimentally trace the richness of new covenant blessings, and the faithfulness of our covenant God. We may be permitted to observe, that the more our engagements in the heathen world have been examined, and the principles, drawn from the word of God, on which we profess to act, have been weighed; the more the plan of our operations has been calmly compared with the plans of some public servants now engaged, or others who served the same glorious cause in ages that are past, and canvassed by us, the more are we satisfied that we enjoy the sanction of experience, that we follow the steps of those who have succeeded in accomplishing a similar work; and we especially hope that we have the high warrant of our Master in his word and by his blessing. A considerable sum has been subscribed for the support of the plan made known; and not one good man has expressed disapprobation to whom we have submitted our plans in India.

As God has been pleased to connect the means with the accomplishment of his gracious purposes to man, and as the preaching of the gospel may be justly considered the grand means for enlarging the kingdom of Christ; the personal piety and qualifications of those who are engaged as ministers, or are looking forward to be engaged as preachers of the gospel, will ever be considered by every friend of Zion as of the first importance. The result, therefore, of a very minute examination of the students, and the whole affairs of the mission entered into by us, 1st April 1826, we shall briefly narrate.

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Isaac, who has been in connexion with the mission nearly four years, was born in Tanjore, of Roman Catholic parents, and he is about thirty years of age. Till he arrived in Bangalore, where he met with Samuel Flavel, he strenuously opposed Christianity; but through conversation, reading the Scriptures, &c. he was convinced of his errors. He immediately forsook the wicked courses he was then following, and since has been consistent and exemplary in his conduct. He can read the high Tamil with fluency, and composes in correct language with considerable readiness. In the examination of his scriptural knowledge and views of the leading and fundamental doctrines, he was asked, Did the patriarchs know any thing of Christ's coming? He replied, that in Jude, Enoch is mentioned as prophesying, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints," &c.;

God is maintained in the expiatory sufferings of Christ, man's surety, who died for the sins of men.

Did Adam immediately suffer the penalty-did he die? Does sin destroy the life of those who commit it? Ans. Spiritually, Adam did die, and lost all relish for the divine life and communion with God. It is only through the satisfaction of a Mediator that sin is pardoned. Is it consistent with the justice, holiness, and mercy of the moral governor to accept of the offering of an innocent person as a substitute for a sinner? Ans. If the innocent person be willing. Christ willingly gave himself as a ransom. He said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.-Can any innocent creature give up his life for another? Ans. A creature cannot give up his life but Christ is God, and therefore he had power over his own life.

These questions were put, and answers were given in their own language, the substance of which is here given. We hope these particulars will convey correct ideas to the candid mind, of the value of the institution, and the portion of success with which God has been graciously pleased to encourage the labourers in this place.

On the third day the students were assembled in the chapel, and after prayer, were addressed by Mr. Massie, who had endeavoured to lead their minds to consider the vast importance of their present employments and future prospects, as the ministers of Christ. We felt