Newspaper Page Text
No. 52.—— V01. If.
INDIA/
■ x- H
CGIWWSHtfON OF A HINDOO,
I Inconsequence of finding part of a New Tei-
I lament under a tree.
I JTnfi following is taken from a letter written by
I the Rev. W. Reeve, Missionary at Bellary.
w We extract the part of the letter, which con
,| tains the account which this converted Hindoo
|X gives of himself, and a few reflections from Mr.
Reeve. We are persuaded that our readers
i will take great interest in this simple narrative.]
[Missionary Chronicle.
j 4 Let the Lord God who created the
•great heaven and earth, and all things, be
, greatly loved in Jesus.—To the good pleas
• S ure of our compassionate guides and teach-
| ’ ers: may you be blessed with grace and
r .peace from the Lord Jesus and the Holy
Ghost. We, the little congregation in this
wish to have clearly made known to
J you the troubles which we are suffering in
K our low condition, from the injurious cere-
S monies of caste, and the grievances brought
■ upon us by the Roman Catholicks.
■ I We having been awakened toconsider
8* ation by the warnings of our brethren, and
■ become the subjects of grace; the dark
■ ness that surrounded us being dispersed,
land we having entered into the light, hope
lit will be your good pleasure to listen to
’ |our complaint, and to have compassion up-j
|on us.
[ *As to my own private history, you must
lnow,0! jnerciful teachers, that formerly
■ was what is called a fortune-teller, and
Silled with Paganism. I am now 26 1-2
■rears old. My native village is Parbanada
W norum, in the country of MaUeyalum, the
Kfovince of Rama Rajah. I and my family
■ere the disciples ofVishnu. My father is
I Serang in the service cf the Honourable
Kotnpany, and I am a servant of a European
Bentleman, upon a pay of between four and
Ive pagodas per month. Six years ago 1
Ktt my country, and entered into the above
Hind of service. After having been travel
ing about a long time, 1 came into a village
Ailed Matne, and under a certain tree these
Hind a book, with several other things.
Hpis book contained the Gospels of Mat
■few, Mark, Luke, and John: this ccm-
Hhteiy engrossed my attention, I read it
Ipsely, my heart became greatly affected,
■b yielded a full assent to the truths it
I Since that time I have been very anx
l to see the preachers of the Gospel—
* associated with the congregation of
faithful, and to read and know more of
j book, which is filled with my Lord’s
ns. However, soon after this, I had
jsion to travel about a good deal by sea. J
jbr days subsequent to the close of this
|>d, a Mr. Saithuma came to this coun
|and 1 was engaged in his service, and
Bis circumstance brought to Seringapa-
I The Lord being merciful here, caus
|e to meet with a congregation, but it
| entirely cqmposed of persons that
|p English, therefore it was impossible
£e to profit.—ln this place there were
ly Catholicks and many heathens, and
ffe were some books printed by the rais
ifftoqaries among them. These I obtained
■HKlxving the price of them ; i. e. a New
Iroent, and two Tracts entitled, 4 True.
m,’ and ‘ Short Prayers.’ For these
thanks unto the Lord,
ter some days, had elapsed, tny master
commenced travelling. We went to
h. In that place there were many
j, but I could find none among them
i Christian religion, except a few
licks. I had to associate with the
•ous servants, and lived quietly among
for a time adoring my Lord.—
lgh bis help and cultivating a peacea
iposition, I formed a little agreeable
cy, and endeavoured by this means
se known to them the glad tidings of
ion. With kind words l gave them
;tion. By this means, and by medi
on the Gospel day and night, my
mve me a few from among them to
r brethren. But as there was no
nary there to administer Baptism,
oa being near that station, we sent a
> request a priest to pay us a visit.—
y after, 17 men, eight women, and a
hildren, received the initiatory rite
ling to the forms of the church of
From this time we constantly met
European church, and worshipped,
nth all the people. Some Catholicks’
apprised of this, assembled together
e purpose of disputation. But the
vas with me, and enabled me to qui
multitude. After this we with ooe
1 dwelt happily together. AboutJ
me, five men and one woman from
r the Catholicks, from frequently
ng in our place of worship, were
bt to unite themselves with us alto
r—making in all 34 souls who became
persuasiOT. These walked before
ord with great faith and steadfastness,
a khort time, the British troops at that
i being scattered in various directions,
vere separated. I and my mastet
to Bombay, took shipping and pro
dto Cananore. Remaining there one
ind being informed that there were
brethren, I went and made known to
all the things that kad befallen me,
my seemed pleased with the relation
f little narrative.—l wished to have
ined with then) a short time, but my
THE MISSIONARY.
GO r E INTO ALL THE WORLD , AND PREACII THE GOSPEL TO EVERT CREATURE —Jrsra Cwuw.
master was in a hurry to recommence hit
jtturoey,& this therefore was impracticable.
But previous to my departure, John, a
Catechist, gave me books; one con
taining ‘ Short Prayers,’ and the other en
titled, ‘The Pope’s Spectacle?.’ Coming to
Seringapatam, I immediately went to my
brethren, and made known all things.
Shortly after this my master settled at My
sore. I was grieved to find no followers of
(he Gospel there with whom to associate.
On this account 1 supplicated the Lord—he
graciously gave ear, and raised me np a
few brethren. These were 9ix heathen
men, two women, and one child, in the
service of Dr. S. which were ail baptized
in the same manner a9 those mentioned
above. Shortly after, a Homan Catholick
from Capt. Gore, and three Catholick serr
vauts of Col. S. together with two other
heathens, frequented the house of prayer
which F had built. These all, by reading
our books and giving ear to instruction,
became faithful and steadfast brethren.
These 15 and myself live together at My
sore, in peace, praising the Lord God.
‘ In April 1819, a youth amongst us wish
ed to get married, and there was no means
of accomplishing this without going to
Madras; therefore he find eight of his re
lations went thither to conclude the core I
mony.—Afterwards Col S. removed to
Hydrabad, and thereby three more of our
brethren were obliged to take their de
parture. Capt. G. became a Major, and
two others went away with him to another
place. Os all these 1 indulge a confidence
in the Lord that they will not again associ
ate with other heathens, bat endeavour
wherever they go to bring more to the
faith. These brethren being separated
from me, l prayed to the Lord to raise up
more. In those days there were under
the government of Mysore, many Catho
licks and heathens that could read Tamul.
1 went in anxious pursuit of them into the
street of the former, and made every in
quiry. At length I was informed of a man
wiio had been a Catholick from his forefa
thers, and who they said was accustomed to
read a Tamul printed book. I soon found
him out, and asked what books he bad ; to
which he repffed * I have the Old and New
Testament.’ I never having seen the
former was very desirous to get a sight of
it, and borrowed it from him. From that
time great friendship subsisted between us.
Many Catholicks came to me, to know the
meaning of that Old Testament, and the
way of our worship. By the help of the
Lord I expounded this'And our other books
to them iu the best manner that I was able.
By frequently coming to hear, and by the
goodly words that were spoken to them
from time to time, at length several of them
steadfastly adhefed to -the truth. A Cate
chist named John, together with an Alex
ander and a Paul, courageously renounced
Catholickism, united with us, and became
firm in the protestant faith. Then by the
grace ofGoil there were nine of us. As we
were in the haSit of going backwards and
forwards from Mysore to Seringapatam for
the purposes of publick worship—one day
a few people seeing me, said, 4 We will come
with you, bus we are very unlearned—there
are very many of us who wish much that
you would !f"";llv teach us to read.’ This
circumstance lea to resolve upon The es
tablishment of a Charity-school. Whilst
we were engaged in teaching the children,
the jealousy of the Catholicks was excited.
Some of the chief among them assembling
and consulting together, said, ‘ If we do not
punish these people they will become ex
ceedingly numerous.’ So they resolved to
disgrace us. In the night ofDecember 25,
1819, they threw a shower of stones upon
our chapel, and seizing the übove mention
ed John, Alexander, Paul, and many others
of the Catholicks that had united with us,
taunted them with having become Protest
ants,tied theirarms with ropes,kicked them,
and beat them with their sandals. Thus
with much abusive language, and with many
other nameless and shameful usages, they
most cruelly intreated us.
‘ Three days after! wentto Seringapatam,
and made our grievances known to Messrs.
KT., TANARUS., and C., and besought them, if possi
ble, to put us in the way of getting redress.
These and several others met to consult to
gether, and afforded us much assistance, by
writing a letter to the Honourable Mr. C.,
Resident of Mysore. I brought this to him
myself, and made known to him all the
persecutions that we had suffered.—Thro’
the Lord, I got justice done to the cause
which I stated. Asa heathen I fell with
humility prostrate at his feet, and said, ‘ Sir
you know that 1 believe firmly in the Gospel,
therefore kindly take cognizance of this
cause—that all which i past may be for
gotten—that we may no longer suffer from
their abuse and interruptions, I entreat you
to order them to molest us no more.’ To
this he listened with attention, and spoke
with much kindness iu reply. As the
Catholicks were the subjects of the Mysore
government, in order that the matter might
be fully investigated, he sent me and them
to the court of Crishna Rajah. The
counselors having examined the business,
found the fault to be on the side of the
Catholicks, and charged them that if ever
they acted in this* way again they should be
sent out of the country. Aft Mr. C, soon
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1821.
after went to Bsfegalore, and the Catholicks
not be]ng able to break this verdict, they
improved the f pportuaity, and again rose
up “in jo great mefltitude to abuse and perse
cute. But we being- aware of Mr. C’s.
absence, and seeing the great wrath of our
adversaries, endeavoured to make them
peaceable by speaking kindly to them, and
we are now patiently praying to our Lord
for deliverance. ’ If Mr. C. comes again tc
Mysore, we hope he will so settle things
that the Catholicks may annoy us no longer.
We believe that the Lord God is with us ;
and we know that the persecuting spirit of
the Catholicks, tkcept indicting cruelties
upon our bodieft can do nothing to our
soul 9. I pray that the will of the Lord may
be done both by me and my brethren. It is
not our wish to tut stoned and hated by
these people; bul all 1 desire is, to be able
unmolested to circulate among the Gentoos
and Canarese, in tieir own language, those
books which a! our spiritual guides, you
have sent here for distribution. I feel
much compassion fpr these poor heathens,
that they may brieve what God has de
clared, and what my ministers haye taught,
and give ear to mylnstructioos, and worship
the Lord as we di. I make constant sup
plications on theiiibehalf, and by kind and
nSbetiosnto lrinAUi|> uociat with them
night and day. -
4 I have no desire whatever to be at en
mity with the Gathilicks, but if there should
be any sensible men found amongst them, I
would wish by kind words to represent to
them the errom-s in their creed, and the had
practices in thejr conduct, and to show to
them clearly and orderly what is contained
in the Sacred Scriptures. But to be a com
panion of wicked Catholicks I have no in
clination. In the name of the Lord lam
resolved never, like them, to be wrathful,
make wry faces, &c. &c. but rather submit
patiently to them,and with a smiling coun
tenance always tell the truth without fear.
‘ The Catholicks, we are told, are pri
vately giving bribes, in order if possible, to
prevent our having a church in this place.
But the government is not in their hands.
To the Lord belong the kingdom and the
glory—-he will prosper what I ask at his
hands. This 1 believe with all my heart.
I continually entreat the merciful God to
bless my ministers, teachers, and instructed,
and his church, and that the heathen may
be brought to unite with us. At present
there are with me eight souls. There are
23 others, composed of Catholicks and hea
thens, that were anticipating shortly to join
us, but from the fear of our enemies they
are still hanging back. I trust our God will
again send success and cause them to come.
4 I have farther to add respecting myself,
that my family are all still sunk in heathen
ism. My parent! and brothers are people
of some property and respectability. Be
cause my Gcd chose me, I have no longer
any part with them, hot am cast out.—They
live 40 days journey distant from hence.
4 Since the time that God called me, until
thi day I have never had an opportunity of
being near any Opsfionaries or instructed;
and because 1 did got like to receive bap
tism among tle, Catholicks, God has
not seen (it thal 1 should yet be bapti
zed. I have beta thinking of trying to
come to Bellary for this purpose, and to get
also a good 9upplj of Books ; but these
troubles from the Catholicks have been a
great hindrance. When I am baptized, I
should like my name to be David Solomon.
The people now generally call me Daiwa
Sagayam, 4 The lord’s my helper.”
Aftef this the good man expresses his kind
regards for all comected with the mission
and church at Bellary, and adds a long list
of books, which he beseeches us with many
entreaties to send* for the use of himself and
the inquiring heathens at Seringapatam
and Mysore, and then concludes, in a very
humble and affectionate manner, entreating
that he may soon receive some reply.
This, I think, must be considered by all
Candid persons asan exceedingly interesting
communication. Have not the bare Scrip
tures, without note or comment, and with
out a missionary present to expound them,
done much for this once benighted pagan 1
1 not here a most powerful encourage
ment held forth, to disseminate the Holy
writings widely and indiscriminately ?
What the real state of this man’s heart
may be, is only known to Him who scruti
, nizes its every corner, and takes cogni
zance qf its very inmost recesses. But
certainly.theTe are many things in the un
varnished tale here recited, which, at least
to my mind, wear a most pleasing and hope
ful aspect.
What a hungeriog and thirsting after di
vine knowledge is here discovered 1 and
shall not such be filled? Will not the com
passionate Saviour regard the pantings of
this inquiring heathen ? He has promised,
* I will give unto him that is athirst of the
water of life freely, and it shall be in him
as a well of water springing up into ever
lasting life.’ Wherever this Hindoo has
, been since he fouod the Holy book beneath
the solitary tree, bis uniform inquiry has
been for God’s people, and hpoks pf reli
gious instruction; and if the latter could not
be obtained gratuitously, he has readily
given the value of them. In a concluding
paragraph of the above letter, which has
not bgejj translated, he beseeches ti° in the
most humble and affectionate language, to
send him any, and all the books that may
b* the means es establishing his faith, and
furthering his .knowledge in divine things.
What an anxious desire does he manifest
to bring others to an acquaintance with the
Saviour! not that be might be put in the
priest’s office and thereby get a piece of
bread, foV, throughout the whole course of
his labours of love be has been able to say,
4 These hands have ministered to my wants.’
Has not the love of Christ constrained?
Does he not judge, that if one died for all,
then were all dead, and that He died for all,
that those which live should not henceforth
live unto themselves, but unto him that died
for them and rose again.’ In every place
in which he has sojourned, he has been
ready to say to his countrymen, with Moses
to his father-in-law Hobab, 4 Cctne with us
and we will surely do thee good.’ Or, like
the woman of Samaria, having, we hope,
felt the preciousness of Christ himself, he
is now ready to cry to his kinsfolk and aO>
quaintance, 4 come, see a man that told me
all things that ever I did—is not this the
Christ?’
His giving money for good books—his
building a house for prayer—and his sup
porting a Charity-school, by his own limi
ted means—are things that look well, and
I am sure, we mast trace their origin to a
better system than Hinduism.
Has be not borne persecution with an
admirable spirit, and discovered towards his
enemies, a temper mild, heavenly, and
cbristian-like? O! popery how hast thou
by thy bigoted and unmerciful spirit de
graded and put to the blush the religion of
Jesus! How hast thou mangled and distor
ted that system of moral? so celebrated for
its simplicity, as delivered to us by our great
Master and bis apostles ! Let thy narrow
minded benevolence be expanded. Suffer
thy persecuting hostilities to cease ; and
allow the followers of the meek and lowly
Saviour to worship at his cross according to
the dictates of their own conscience, lest
the divine vengeance descend and erase
thee from the earth.
This half-enlightened pag3n, like our
Lord on the Cross, prays for his enemies,
and seems deeply in the spirit of Stephen,
the proto-martyr, who, amidst the agonies
of martyrdom, cried, 4 Lord, lay not this sin
to their charge.’ He has forgotten his fa
ther's house, and certainly, as to relations,
taken up the cross and testified, at least as
far as his outward deportment goes, that he
love 9 Christ better than father or mother,
brother or sister, house or land, or any thing
that this life contains.
We shall immediately institute a corres
pondence with this man, and have, we hope,
in future, farther means of ascertaiping
whether indeed 4 the root of the matter’ be
in him. An uncommon press of buisness
has obliged me to scrawl the above in great
haste, and in a short time. lam therefore
afraid it will be found in many parts very
incorrect and incoherent. I cannot enter’
upon other things at present; but hope, in
tho course of a few weeks to send you sev
eral other interesting i
nro, my dear Sir, with sentiments of the
highest esteem and respect,
Your’s obediently.
W. REEVE.
EFFECT OF FAITHUL PREACHING.
Extract from Memoirs of Rev Thomas Eng
lish, late of Woburn , Bucks, (England.)
Published in 1812.
44 I have been tried this day. Some peo
ple who attend my ministry, are continually
sitting in judgment on my conduct, and draw
ing such conclusions from it, as, God is my
witness, are foreign from my motives:
What an evil is prejudice ! How busy is Sa
tan with some people, and how successful
in making them see, or think they see, un
favourable things in ministers, by which
means the word is unprofitable, as ‘‘the best
food will do a bad stomach no good.” This
is a subject of great temptation to hearers
of the word. Satan endeavours to fill their
minds with jealoasies against their minister;
his attention towards the persons and fami
lies they dislike; a supposed preference in
him of some others in the church; and sus
picions of his ministry being pointed; arc
frequent causes of evil surmisings, heart
burnings, unkind language, and ungenerous
conduct towards their pastor. With preach
ers in general, nothing is more unfounded
than these ‘suspicions; most have
a variety of anecdotes in their own experi
ences to confirm this assertion. Many have
waited on their ministers to charge him
with being personal in his.publick address
es, who have themselves been the first to
inform him of the case in point, about which
he had never heard a syllable, or bad the
smallest suspicion; a guilty conscience, a te
nacious temper, and a petulant spirit, have
betrayed unpleasant circumstances to a pas
tor, with w hich probably he would Dever
have been acquainted, bad not the person
concerned given him the information.
“ I was once applied to by a stranger, in
a place where I was labouring for a few
Sabbaths only,for a sight of a letter which l
had received, calumniating his character.
1 looked at the<rpan, and pitied him and cool
ly replied,— 4 It would he a breach of the
commpn principles of society, to show con-
in advance.|
fidential letters written to us, for the pur
pose of doing people good.’ He retorted
in an angry tone, — 4 1 demand a sight of it
sir, as an act of justice, due to an injured
man.’ I replied— 4 How did you know that.
I have received t letter concerning you ?’
4 Know, (said he) it was impossible not to
know it, your language and manner were
so pointed, that it was impossible I should
be deceived.’ I. rejoined, 4 Do not be too
positive; you have been deceived before
now, I suppose; you may be so again.’
4 lt is not possible, (said he); you described
the sin of which I am accused, in the clear
est language, and looking me in the face,
and pointing towards me, you said, sinner,
be sure your sins will find you out; l there
fore expect from you, Sir, as a gentleman
and a Christian minister, that you will give
me a sight of the letter, that I may -know
its contents and repel its charges.’ I ob
served—l do not know your name; to my
knowledge I never saw you before; and as
you have not told me in what part of the
sermon it was l was so pointed, if I show
you any letter I may show you the wrong
one ; I shall therefore certainly not exhibit
any of my letters to you, nor satisfy you
whether I have received any one about
you, till you describe the case alluded to.’
He hesitated; but afterwards described the
stu of which he was accused. When he
had finished, looking him full in his eyes,
assuming a solemn attitude, and using a
grave and serious tone of voice, I said, —.
‘Can you look me full in the face, as you
must your Judge at the great day of God,
and declare that you are innocent of the
sin laid to your charge? 1 He trembled,
turned pale, and his voice faltered ; guilt
and anger struggling in his breast, like the
tire in the bowels of Mount Etna, and,sum
moning up bis remaining courage, be said,
4 1 am not bound to make any man tor con
fessor; and if I were guilty, no man'bas a
right to hold me up to publick observation
as you have done.’ 1 assumed a benignity
of countenance, and softened my tone,
4 Do you believe the passage 1
cited— be sure your sins shall find you out —is
the word of God ?’ Me said, —‘ It may be
4 surely it is, (said I;) he that made the ear,
shall he not hear; he that made (he eye,
shall he not aee ; can he have any difficulty
in bringing your sin to light?—Now I will
tell you honestly, I never received any let
ter or information aLout you whatever, but
I am persuaded your sin has found you
out: the preaching of the word isoue meth
od by which God makes men’s sins fad
them out. Let me intreat you seriously to
consider your state and character; who
can tell, God may have intended this ser
mon for your good ; he may mean to have
mercy upon you; this may be the means
of saving your neck from the gallows, and
your soul from hell; hut let me remind
you, you are not there yet, there still is
hope.’ He held down his head, clenched
his hands one into the other, and bursting
into tears, said, 4 1 never met with auy thing
like this—l am certainly obliged to you
for your friendship—l am guilty, and hvpe
this conversation will be of essential advan
tage to me.” _
. PRAYER.
I throw myself down in my chamber and
I call and invite God and his angels thiter
and when they are there, I neglect
and his angels for the noise of a fly, for tl*
rattling of a coach,for the whining of a door
I talk on in the same posture of praying,
eyes lifted up, knees bowed down, as tho’
I prayed to God, and if God or his angels
should ask me .when I thought last of God
in that prayer, 1 cannot tell; sometimes I
find that I had forgot what I wa* sbont, but
when I began to forget it I cannot tell. A
memory of yesterday’s pleasures, a fear of
tomorrow’s dangers, a straw under my knee,
a noise in mine ear, a light in mine eye,
an any thing, a nothing, a fancy, a chimera
in my brain, troubles me in m v prayer, so
certainly is there nothing in spiritual things
perfect in this world.
PERSIAN FABLE.
Aadrop of water fell out of a cloud into
the sea, and finding itselflost in such an im
mensity of fluid matter, broke out into the
following reflection ; “ Alas ! what an in
significant creature am I in this prodigious
ocean of waters; my existence is of no con
cern to the universe ; I am reduced to a
kind of nothing,and am less than the least
of the works of God.” It so happened, that
an oyster, which lay in the neighbourhood
of this drop, chanced to gape and swallow
it up in the midst of this its bumble solilo
quy. ■ The drop, says the fable, lay a greet
while hardening in the shell, till by degrees
it was ripened into a pearl: which falling
into the hands of a diver, after a long series
of adventures, is at present that famous
pearl which k fixed on the top of the Per
sian diadem.
MORAL.
When you behold yourself surrounded by
the infinitude of God’s works, and facl
yourself dwindle into nothing amidst, the
endless profusion,thinknqlthatyou are over
looked by the Omniscient-eye of yoir Mak
er. Your every action, word and thought
is observed by the eye of Omniscience, arid.
i$ registered 10 heavep. Yon wjlljJer^
