as many together at one place and largest number in one place is at Ko-So, time, in Bassein or elsewhere. Baptisms" and "new worshippers" were reported; the latter chiefly among the Pwos, eleven having been added to the church in Shwey Loung. Two houses nine personsamong the Sgaus. Two families of Burmans living in Karen villages are also reported as worshippers. The head of one of these families was baptized by br. Douglass on the last day of the meeting. where the first academy was started. There are one hundred and thirty there, a number of whom are paying their board. In addition to these, there are now -are reported twenty-one students from Bassein attending the theological seminary at Maulmain, and some ten or twelve studying English, &c. at Rangoon. To these if we add those who are now, and others who will be, studying with us at Bassein, the whole number of pupils from this district cannot, we think, fall much short of one thousand for the year. The churches all seem to be enjoying a good degree of prosperity and harmony. There are but three exceptions worth mentioning. One of the churches is divided on the question, as to where they shall build their chapel; another is troubled by a disposition on the part of some of its members to attend Burman "pweys" (festivals); a third and the most serious case is in a strong tendency of a formerly substantial church member, to the views and practices of the "Spiritualists." He pretends that communications are made to him by angels, and especially by Tway Poh, his former pastor, the ordained preacher who died in 1853. The widow herself seems to be especially affected by his pretended revelations. We advised his instant expulsion, should he continue to trouble the church with any more such communications; since which time, they say he has kept quiet. And we hope he will continue so; but we need not say, the bare existence of such a thing among the people occasions us no little anxiety. Home Missionary Society - Application of funds-Home Missionaries. Liberal contributions were made, as usual, to the funds of the Home Missionary Society. This money has hitherto been paid only to missionaries. At this of the same to preachers needing it.— meeting it was at length decided to give chairman of the committee on this subThe decision was announced by the ject, Myat Keh, one of the most forward of the ordained men, as an idea altogether new to them, or that had just come to full conception. And yet it was unanimously resolved nine months ago to do this very thing. And why did they not do it? It was not for want of funds. There were nearly five hundred rupees in the treasurer's hands, when we came together. It was not that the preachers did not need aid; for some of them were very much in need. It was, simply, because the principle, being new and one on which as a body they had never acted before, required so long a time to come to maturity in the minds of this people. Eighteen of the preachers availed themselves of the proffered aid, and received each from five to ten rupees. Schools-Theological students. The schools have made an excellent beginning. Thirty-one villages are known to have schools, and two have academies aside from the ordinary school. The whole number of pupils reported as attending now, is eight hundred and thirty-nine. Two or three schools are yet to be heard from, and several have not yet their full complement. We expect the whole number of pupils will exceed nine hundred. The request of their brethren. Six of the The number of missionaries appointed for the coming quarter, was eight, each of whom received one month's pay (seven rupees) in advance. Several of them are pastors, and consented to labor at intervals as they could, at the urgent and two to the Sgau. These are in addition to the six who are at Toungoo; from which place the most encouraging accounts continue to be received. number are designated for the Pwo field, | are full, they can easily be brought to Prome in a raft. The native assistants with Mr. K. will improve the time in preaching at the villages. As there are promising inquirers in the vicinity, some may be examined and baptized. PROME MISSION. LETTER FROM MR. SIMONS. Embassy to Ava from the E. I. Government. Prome, Sept. 1, 1855.-The embassy, with presents from the Governor General of India to the king of Burmah, arrived here on the 5th ult. in two steamers and two flats, and left on the 8th. I have since received a few lines from Mr. Edwards, dated on the 16th, at Yanangyoung. He says, " Every attention has been paid to the members of the Mission at all the villages beyond the frontier. Heaps of fire-wood were placed in readiness for the use of the steamers at every station, and supplies of every description put at our disposal. His Majesty has sent down two accommodation boats and half a dozen war boats in charge of woondouks and sayaghyees from the shoot-dau; and the late ambassador, Mr. Mackentick, the governor and collector at Melloon. The deputation welcomed us into His Majesty's dominions at Menhla. We remain here for two days in search of geological, geographical and botanical subjects." Chapel and zayats at Prome-Message from the king. Mr. Kincaid left us on the 30th for Woonten Zike, an out-station distant about twenty miles, and will be absent a few days. He went on horseback, and took with him carpenters, coolies and native assistants. The former will be employed in pulling down part of the frame of an old monastery, which has been given by the owner to Mr. K. There are about sixty posts large and small, besides planks and boards. They will be used for the frames of a chapel and three zayats which we are about to erect, the chapel and two zayats here, and a zayat at Thayet. As the river at this season is at its height and the creeks By the kind assistance of friends here and at Thayet we have been enabled to keep our assistants in employ, notwithstanding the embarrassed state of our finances. The donations and subscriptions will amount to about one thousand rupees. 3.—Mr. K. has returned, and speaks very favorably of the prospect in the different villages which he visited. He found the roads almost impassable, and was exposed to several showers of rain, but seems to have suffered no serious injury by the exposure. 8.-A messenger from the king and heir apparent, on his way to Rangoon, called to-day on Mr. Kincaid. He said he had strict orders given him by the king and his brother to find out Mr. K. in Prome, and ascertain from him when he intended to make his next visit to the royal city, and if he returned without this information, he would incur their Royal Highnesses' displeasure. This visit will probably be made in the month of November or December. NINGPO MISSION. LETTER FROM DR. MACGOWAN. Akwang and Aming. While at Hongkong eleven years ago, two young boys, aged ten years respectively, were committed to the care of Mrs. Macgowan. Akwang (lustrous) was the foster-child of a deacon belonging to Dr. Dean's church. He had been redeemed from slavery and beggary by his sonless patron, who was anxious lest, in the world of spirits, he should suffer for the want of those attentions which departed parents receive at the hands of surviving children. It proved a bad speculation. for the poor deacon, who, though he had learned the futility and sinfulness of ancestral sacrifices, yet hoped to realize ment. Aming at his home-Grace enduring and aggressive. In June last, a few weeks after our return from the south, a well thumbed copy of the New Testament was sent up some temporal advantage from his invest- | Atui. He could give us no information The lad was indolent in the ex- respecting Aming, nor could any of the treme, of a sulky disposition, and very Chauchau (Tiechiu) men aid in our grovelling in his habits. Aming (intel- inquiries. ligent) was the son of a respectable sugar planter, who on a former visit to Hongkong had heard the gospel, and on again visiting the colony took with him his little boy to be instructed in the truths which had impressed his own heart.-to Mrs. M. opened, exhibiting a written From information which Aming obtained respecting the last moments of his father, who died about a year after we embarked for the north, there is every reason to believe that he died with the hope and faith of a Christian. His son resembled him morally and intellectually, being of a most amiable disposition, and always anxious to please, and to learn; and was possessed of an innate refinement and delicacy which won the favor of all he met. He more than compensated his kind teacher for the care and trouble his insensate companion occasioned her. After being under instruction about two years, Aming was decoyed from us by a faithless native assistant, who had accompanied us from Hongkong. He was induced to return to his native place, Chauchau, on the promise that he should be sent back to Ningpo, and from the desire he felt to see his fond mother. His excellent disposition had so endeared him to us that we saw him depart with much pain, particularly as he had become a praying child, and, as Mrs. M. believed, a child of God. We endeavored to keep an acquaintance with the dear boy by letters, but none ever reached him from us, and only one from him ever came to hand. It was written after he had been at home a couple of years. He wrote with childlike simplicity, that he was like page showing the volume to have been a gift from her to her much loved scholar, who was announced as below, anxiously waiting to see us once more. The history he gave of himself strikingly manifests the power of divine grace in preserving its subjects from the wiles and assaults of the wicked one. In so His first words to his mother, after his return, were of a meek, expostulatory character, called forth by the signs of idolatry which met his eyes and ears. Though of a most gentle disposition, and being only twelve years old-an infant in the estimation of those about himthe aggressive character of his belief impelled him to seek the overthrow of idolatry from his mother's house. doing he encountered strong opposition. His mother upbraided him with having imbibed barbarian sympathies, with having alienated his affections, and being at heart a foreigner; charges which were keenly felt. His only comfort was in the Word of God and in prayer. He kept a Sabbath as well as he was able, but lost his reckoning as to the day. In time the opposition of his mother, sisters and brothers (he is the youngest of the family,) wore away ; yet he relaxed none of his efforts, and had at length the satisfaction to see not only the grosser idolatry of the family giving way, but that form which is as dear to a Chinaman as the apple of the eyeancestral worship-itself losing its hold And on the circle in which he moved. now, although he does not regard any of them as true Christians, nearly all desire Christian instruction, the only idolater in the family being a married sister. Aming had had, latterly, charge of twenty workmen, to whom he endeavored to trict of the Tiechiu men, a part of China impart the truth he himself so truly loved. Thus eight years passed away without his meeting with a Christian or having any means of improvement but his New Testament, and well did he study the precious legacy, and faithfully, it is believed, did he conform to its teachings. Aming's visit to Ningpo, and baptism. considered (but most erroneously,) as closed against foreigners. For this reason, we hope our young brother will return, and with the blessing of God become the means of illuminating, not his own kindred only but the whole neighborhood; so that we shall be compelled to send an evangelist to that part of China, which has such strong and peculiar claims on the supporters of the Union. Aming is now subject to but one form of persecution at home: it is one in which his mother naturally takes the lead. He is importuned to assent to initiatory arrangements for his marriage; but having again and again firmly assured with a Christian, they have treated him as very contumacious and unfilial in this respect, to the last. He will be able to appease the family on this only point of difference on his return. About the time that Mrs. M. parted with Jane, who was married to a young disciple, she adopted a forsaken girl, who exhibits the same sweet traits of character which distinguish Aming. She is withal the most comely child the country affords, and shall be specially educated as an aid and companion for the solitary believer of Chauchau. Her name is SelehSarah-who is indebted to the Amity St. Sabbath scholars for her support. Last autumn his brothers entrusted Aming with a cargo of sugar which they shipped in a junk for the north, for which he found a good market at Chapu; and as soon as he could get released from his duties there, he hastened to Ningpo, that he might receive the ordinances of the church and enjoy Christian fellow-them that he would never marry unless ship. From the account he rendered of his religious experience before the church, it would seem that he was a converted boy ere he had quitted our roof. Nothing could be more satisfactory than his examination, except the deportment manifested before and since his baptism. He is looked up to by the native brethren as a shining light, while his zealous and skilful efforts for the enlightenment and conversion of the heathen, together with his holy walk, seem to impress them in a peculiar manner. He is thirsting for knowledge, but for that kind only which in his estimation may make him a better and more useful disciple. Our little Laura assists her mother in teaching him. At present he is negotiating in behalf of his brothers to charter a foreign vessel for a return cargo to Chauchau. It has seemed to us best that he should continue in his present employment. be more useful, we think, as a private Christian than as an employee of the Mission, and will do more good among his kindred than were he to labor at Ningpo. He can It is common with missionaries to feel most anxiety respecting reinforcements for their own immediate field; but while I am solicitous for more laborers at Ningpo, I would willingly forego such a favor in behalf of Chauchau-the dis This account of the two scholars can not be better concluded than by a translation of a letter just addressed by Aming to Akwang. Letter of Aming to Akwang. "To my beloved younger brother Akwang, for his information. I have been reflecting on the intercourse we had more than ten years ago, when receiving instruction together with you from Mrs. Macgowan at Ningpo. Since then, we have been widely separated, and have had no means of communication. But now our Heavenly Father has caused me to remember afresh that, though far distant from me, you are my fellow hands and feet, and that we have feelings in unison. Never since our separation have I forgotten you. "On the 30th of the 7th month of last year I sailed from Chauchau, in charge of a cargo of sugar for Chapu. On the 21st of the 3d month of this year, I came to Ningpo. Although pirates abounded on the ocean, I relied upon our Heavenly Father, who kept me tranquil and preserved me from harm. I met our parents Dr. and Mrs. Macgowan. When at home I daily prayed to our Heavenly Father that he would permit me to see them again. Now I have seen them, and I know that He hears prayer, and that to get we have only to ask. I find that He has kept them in peace; for which I ought to be thankful; this is man's reasonable obligation. "When at home, I pondered on the instruction these parents gave us, and on the gospel ways. Late and early I besought our Heavenly Father to bestow the Holy Spirit, to change my heart and to keep me from the temptations of the devil, praying at the same time that my sins might be atoned for by Jesus. By continuing this daily, I both got grace from God and a heart to remember all my instructions. Then our Heavenly Father pitied the sins of my family, so that they were led to renounce the worship of idols and ancestors and the like false objects. "This year, 5th month, 19th day, at 7 A. M., I was baptized by teacher Lord. Why did I act thus? Because, firstly, our Heavenly Father had conferred grace upon me; and secondly, because I am seeking to escape from everlasting misery by walking the road which leads to life eternal. thirdly, you will escape future misery; and fourthly, you will recompense the care which these kind parents have bestowed upon you. They deeply commiserate your condition. My feelings are great, but my space is contracted, and I cannot say all that I would. I earnestly exhort my younger brother to embrace the doctrine of the True God. Do not be ashamed to be a disciple. Do not be absorbed in the cares of this world; its riches and its glory are not permanent. Our bodies cannot long remain here, for we must surely die. At the last day there will be no time for repentance, nor any open road to escape. How pitiable, how lamentable, the state of my loved younger brother, should he not be saved! If my brother consider this, how I shall rejoice. "Give my salutations to your honored father. Greet all the worthy brethren. May the Holy Spirit abide with you all. "To Kwang Chu, my esteemed younger brother, wishing his precious person tranquillity. "Written by Wang Ming, 6th month, 11th day." Additional baptisms-Eastern modes of labor. Among those baptized with Aming, was a poor and very illiterate man, named Tenhai, who has been above eight years in my service in the capacity of sedan bearer. I well recollect, on first coming to China, buoyant with the strength of a good constitution, how I recoiled from availing myself of that mode of conve ance which compels one to employ his fellow man as an animal of burden. A very few summers sufficed to dissipate both my strength and prejudices. If one to save his money, or to spare these laborers, overwalk to the detriment of health, he does harm to them as well as himself, in depriving them of employment which they covet. Instead of employing a sedan occasionally as others, my professional avocations require me to keep a couple of men constantly at hand for this service. One "Were I to write thousands of words and myriads of sentences, I could not tell you all that is in my heart. I can only exhort you to be affected, to repent at once, and enter the religion as a true disciple. You will thus obtain, firstly, the grace of our Heavenly Father; secondly, the soul's affairs will be safe; of these has been an applicant for bap |