Let us now turn to the more pleasing features of the Report before us; in gratitude to Him Who alone can establish us in every good word and work, that they are so interesting and so many. The fact which the Rev. D. Jones announces in the Tallygunge Mission, "of the converts banding themselves together to supply the Society's lack and their own need, and promote the Gospel which they have received, by forming a fund for keeping up their perishable Chapel huts, and providing more substantial structures in which the Name of the Lord may be "great," and "the pure offering" be offered to It among the Gentiles," is a pleasant evidence of their faith and, of their liberality. May it stir up others to contribute of their abundance; and especially may it encourage the Rev. A. H. Moore's people at Ishoripore to fulfil their contemplated erection and maintenance of a small bungalow to serve as a chapel. The whole recital of the Rev. Juddoo Nath Ghose, in reference to his most important and interesting field of labour at Bali, near Calcutta, we perused with deep interest, and assurance of its promise. We see no limit to the influence of a zealous and accomplished Native Christian gentleman, prosecuting his work of faith and labour of love in more intimate" contact than has hitherto been the case in Bengal, with the disputer of this world, with the Brahmin, and the Vedantist, strengthened by that wisdom of this world, which is now being so lavishly dispensed in India, in avowed disconnection from the wisdom that is from above." Mr. Ghose's report cannot be epitomized; it must be read throughout by those who would properly appreciate his fit education for, and pious enlightenment in conducting, the work of a Missionary to the Hindoos. It is to such men that we look for the permanent success, and final establishment of the Gospel here. We thank our friend the Rev. H. J. Harrison for his Report on the Dhanghatta Mission. Truly it discloses a state of affairs discreditable to us, as a people to whom much is given-of Chapels much in need of repairs, though miserable huts with but a single window of a foot square to admit the light on the ricketty stand from which the Service is read;"of "a small trunk, procured for the occasion, which supplied the place of a Communion Table," when "the eucharist was administered to about forty persons:"-of "a narrow plank, fitted in between two wooden pillars, to answer the purpose of a reading-desk:"-of every chapel in his Mission being without a Font for the administration of Holy Baptism :— of "roofs" (and those of holy places) "in such a wretched state as to be incapable of affording any shelter in rainy weather." Still let his many consolatory experiences give him courage. Vorwârts, fort und immer fort! We solicit a copy of the document thus handsomely mentioned by the Calcutta Committee. "A most ably written and interesting Report from the Rev. Mr. Perkins, at Cawnpore, whose return to Europe, on sick certificate, will be the more regretted by all who may peruse it, has already been issued in a separate form, alike from regard to its intrinsic worth, and with a view to its circulation among the local supporters of that Mission." Also, on its issue, the valuable second Report of the Rev. Mr. Slater on the Calcutta Hindustani Mission; and the account of the Rev. W. O. B. Smith's Missionary excursion. These, and all other such documents with which we may be favoured, we will duly acknowledge, and if need be, notice at large. And now let us earnestly appeal for an increase of Christian liberality on behalf of this oldest of the two great and venerable Missions of the Church of England. The researches of the indefatigable Dr. Alexander Duff in Southern India, as developed in his recent exciting speech at Agra, declare to us the vastness of the wealth which the Heathen lavish on their molten and graven images, which are profitable for nothing. The lesson which we should read from this we should be justly called trite were we to draw out to any length. APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE MISSION OF MEERPUR, AT The Rev. M. R. De Mello, LL. B., of Jesus' College, Cambridge, the oldest surviving Missionary, in this Diocese, of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, being in 1828 in charge of the Howrah Mission, was applied to, for employment in a menial capacity, by some people calling themselves Christians, and saying, that they formed part of a congregation residing in a Hamlet called Meerpûr, near Geonkâly, at the mouth of the Roopnarain. They ascribed their origin, as a Christian community, to the labours of some Roman Catholic Priests, and particularly to Padre Simon of Calcutta, by whom most of the then existing community had been baptized. But they had long been neglected. Although attention was thus drawn to them, nothing could be done directly for their benefit. But, subsequently such children as they were willing to send for education, were received into the Howrah Mission School. In November 1833, six families, consisting of twenty-six individuals, men, women and children, came from those parts to settle at Howrah, where they sought instruction from the Rev. Mr. DeMello, and were eventually baptized in the Chapel of Bishop's College, on 3rd March, 1834, after having been twice examined by the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, and approved of by him. About 1838, the Calcutta Diocesan Committee, S.P.G.F.P., enabled the Rev. Mr. Bowyer, then in charge of the Howrah Mission, to pay them an occasional visit in a boat, and two Native Readers were located among them, as appears from the following extract from the Rev. Mr. Bowyer's Report, published in 1841: "In December 1838, a new congregation was added to those in connexion with the Howrah Mission; viz. at the village of Meerpûr, in the vicinity of Geonkaly, opposite Hoogly Point. I had for some time heard of several Roman Catholic Christians there, deserted by their Priests. There were people in the Howrah Mission who came from that part of the country, who with others informed me of this. Mr. R. Homfray, a friend of mine, also urged me to go. Accordingly we went together in December 1838, and found a village of nominal Christians, numbering, the men, women, and children, 97, with scarcely any sign of Christianity, except a few images of the Virgin Mary and Saints, no public worship, no prayer, no Scriptures, no Sacraments. After explanation, we asked them if they would receive instruction from me and from the Native Christian Teachers whom I might be able to send them. They said they would gladly. I then promised to attend to them as well as I could, and shortly afterwards sent down two Christian Teachers;-20 of their children were baptized, and provision was made fortheir instruction. I visited Geonkâly about once in three months myself." At the end of 1839, the Rev. Mr. De Mello was appointed by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Calcutta to the special charge of these people, and a house having been rented for him at Tamlook, a Chapel was built at Meerpûr, at a cost of 550 Co.'s Rs., having attached to it a small apartment, about twelve feet square-the whole of mats and posts-in which the Rev. Mr. De Mello has since then made it his practice to reside, away from all society and civilized life, during a great part of every year. Tamlook, his permanent residence, being fourteen miles higher up the Roopnarain, his pastoral duties have necessarily been conducted at a great disadvantage in every respect, and he has repeatedly, for several years past, begged to be provided with a residence among his poor and obscure flock. Such a measure, although acknowledged to be most desirable, on the ground alike of benefit to the converts and economy-since thereby the rent of a house at Tamlook, 50 Rs. per mensem, and the keep of a boat and crew fit for the navigation of those parts, 36 Rs. per month, might be saved -has hitherto not been feasible by reason of the oppressed state of the Diocesan Committee's finances. But the recent total destruction of the Chapel and adjoining room, by a storm early in June last, has created an emergency which the Committee is desirous of meeting in the most effectual way as regards both the present and the future. It is proposed to erect on the spot a small Church, with a tower affording a dwelling of two rooms, and necessary appurtenances, for the use of the Rev. Mr. De Mello. The same to be of substantial pukka construction, calculated to last as long as the Gospel shall find place in those parts, and remain as a testimony should it ever be overborne. The cost of both is estimated at ahout Co.'s Rs. (9,000) Nine Thousand-a small sum for such an object-for it is the Everlasting Gospel that is concerned, and many a moderate dwelling house costs more. The congregation, according to the last returns, (1848,) amounts at present to 136 adults and children, of whom 49 are Communicants, and there is one School conducted on the spot. Although this may seem but a small flock on which to bestow such an outlay, it is to be borne in mind that, whilst it would be sinful to neglect them, their situation is such that no other means of effectually caring for them can be devised but the plan now proposed. Whilst the circumstances, 1st, that Christianity has so long had a name there; 2ndly, that land has been bequeathed by one of the converts for the benefit of the Church; (as recorded by the Rev. Mr. De Mello, in his Report for 1845, ) and 3rdly, that a service of Communion Plate was, some years since, presented for the use of this small flock-all seem to indicate, that the Great Shepherd of the sheep watches over this "smoking flax," in this secluded spot, and, by these signs, bids all who hear of them to "feed" these "His lambs." The Diocesan Church Building Fund having voted the sum of Co.'s Rs. One Thousand for the Church, it is hoped that others will follow their example speedily, for it is desirable that the work be commenced immediately on the close of the present rainy season. Contributions will be received by the Rev. Mr. De Mello, or by the undersigned, at Bishop's College. By order of the Committee, BISHOP'S COLLEGE, CALCUTTA : 13th September, 1849. A. W. STREET, Secy. Cal. Dioc. Com., S.P.G.F.P. |