NATIVE AGENCY. course has been pursued in the civil government of the country. Of the great It must be obvious to all who contem-number of men there employed in govplate the magnitude of the missionary work in India-the evangelization of 150,000,000 — that it can never be accomplished by the direct personal labors of men sent from Europe and America. How is the great population of that country ever to hear the gospel? The answer to this inquiry is obvious and easy to find. This great work must be accomplished chiefly by a native agency. It is by such an agency the great body of the people of India are to be converted to Christianity, and they must then have a native ministry. ernment business, only a very small proportion, probably not one in 100, are sent from England. But these few employ, superintend, direct, and control the whole. To this system of policy, civil and military, wisely conceived and ably managed, England is indebted for the acquisition of her Asiatic possessions. And she could not now retain and govern her possessions in India by any civil agency and military force she could send from England. She can only retain and govern what she has acquired by continuing to employ the same agency under her control. And if the English had not pursued this course of policy, their possessions in India would now have con there, and a few square miles of territory around them. Now the Christians of America and Europe must pursue a somewhat analogous course in conquering India from the powers of darkness and bringing it under the dominion of Immanuel. Missionaries must first be sent from Europe and America to preach the gospel; but they should, from the first, have the work of preparing a native agency in view. The manner in which the East India Company acquired possession of that great country, and still holds and governs it, furnishes an appropriate illustra-sisted of some scattered forts here and tion of the means by which its inhabitants are to be brought from their present state of superstition and idolatry into the kingdom and under the government of Immanuel. The English acquired India by employing the inhabitants of the country to conquer it for them. The East India Company sent agents and officers to India, who enlisted the natives into their service, formed them into regiments, instructed them in military discipline, furnished them with weapons, and showed them how to use them. These officers had then to retain the control of these regiments, support them, and accompany, or rather lead them from province to province, and from one country to another. The sable regiments, thus enlisted, disciplined, and supported, have "It is generally believed that in this been seen following their English officountry [India], owing to the deadly climate, cers, and marching under their banners, the average duration of missionary life is 7 not only in every part of India, but in years, and many have come out as missionaEgypt, in Arabia, in Persia, in Afghan-ries under the idea that they would be certain istan, in Mauritius, in Burmah, in Java, and in China and its islands. Of the East India Company's military force, probably at no time within a century past has more than one fourth, and sometimes not more than one eighth part, been European, and all the rest have been natives of the country. A similar The climate of India furnishes strong reasons for raising up a native agency as soon as practicable. Though not so unhealthy as has been generally supposed, yet the climate will always be enervating and sickly to the European and American constitution.* Not only is life to meet with a premature death. But this is a great mistake. From a careful induction of the lives or services of 250 missionaries, we have found that hitherto the average duration of missionary labor in India has been 16 years and 9 months each. It was doubtless much less at first, and numerous cases can be adduced in which young missionaries were cut off after a very short term of labor. But a better knowledge of the climate, and of the shorter and health more uncertain, but | vernacular language as every missionary they have less energy of body and mind should have, requires considerable time than in their native climate. And they and labor, and during all this time he can better perform the labor of qualify- must be supported from the funds of the ing a native agency, than they can en- society with which he is connected. dure the fatigue and exposure of preach- Now, a native missionary would not reing to the native population in the only quire this time, labor, and expense, and places and circumstances in which they would yet be able to use his vernacular can have access to them. It is impossi-language in a more forcible, effectual, ble for missionaries to pursue their labors and acceptable manner, more suited to of itinerating and preaching in the cot-persons of every degree of capacity and tages, and hamlets, and villages over a measure of intelligence, than American large part of India, during much of the or European missionaries are ever likely time in the hot months and in the rainy to acquire. season. But such are the constitutions and habits of the natives, that they could perform such missionary labors, and yet suffer little inconvenience or injury to health from what has often cost Europeans sickness, sufferings, and death. The nature and number of the languages of India furnish a strong reason for missionaries to prepare a native agency for their work. Probably few Europeans or Americans acquire the exact pronunciation of the native languages, just as few foreigners ever acquire the exact pronunciation of all the words and sounds in the English language. Some of the native languages are difficult to acquire, and in most of these languages the first missionaries had to prepare grammars and dictionaries. Missionaries now have many and important facilities for acquiring the languages of India, compared with what their predecessors had. Still, to acquire such a knowledge of any precautions to be used against it, the use of airy dwelling houses and light dress, with other circumstances, have tended very much to reduce the injurious influence of the climate and preserve health, so that the average duration of life and labor is improving every year. As an illustration of this fact we may state that out of 147 missionaries laboring in India and Ceylon in 1830, fifty (we can give their names) are still laboring in health and usefulness; while of the 97 others, who have since died or retired, 20 labored more than 20 years each. Several living missionaries have been in India more than 30 years. It is a remarkable fact that the average missionary life of 47 of the Tranquebar missionaries last century was 22 years each."- Calcutta Review, No. 31, p. 244. There is yet another reason in the languages of the people for a native agency. In most of the large cities the population is composed of different classes, and these classes have each their own language. Men of business early and easily acquire a knowledge of these different languages, and use them fluently as far as they have occasion. But the people of each class generally understand and use only their own hereditary language. Now a missionary has seldom time to acquire two or more languages so as to use them intelligibly and acceptably on religious subjects; and yet for want of understanding them, he often feels that he cannot improve the best opportunities and openings for usefulness. But a native missionary would not experience this difficulty; for such educated men generally understand all the languages used in the places where they live, and they can often apparently use one as well as another. Another important reason for a native agency is its cheapness. The expense of one missionary's going to India, and of his support there till he has become qualified for his work, is ordinarily enough to educate several native missionaries. And then the expense of one American or European missionary (including his family), when reduced to the lowest rate consistent with a due regard to health and usefulness, is ordinarily enough to support several native missionaries. The truth of this is well known to all who have any experience of living in India, way of salvation, and the love of Christ as exhibited in giving himself for an atoning sacrifice, and now exalted to be a Saviour, able, willing, and waiting to and it corresponds to the systems of salaries and allowances in use in all missionary societies for their European and native agency. I often heard native missionaries save all that come unto God through preach to their countrymen, and I have him, and then urging them to forsake never heard religious services of any their idolatry, turn to the true God, flee kind and in any place with greater satis- from the wrath to come, and lay hold on faction. Their sermons and exhortations eternal life by looking to Jesus as their were sound in doctrine, appropriate in Mediator and Saviour - no one can hear manner, and fervent in spirit. No one these native missionaries thus addressing can hear them thus addressing their their countrymen, without being forcibly countrymen on the sin, folly, and absurd- impressed with the great importance of ity of polytheism and idolatry, describing a native ministry, and also with the imthe character of Jehovah as displayed in portance of using all the means which his works and revealed in his word, in-appear likely, by the blessing of God, to culcating the duty and obligation of all secure such an agency in every mission to love and serve him, setting forth his as soon as possible. Rev. Dr. Allen, love for mankind as manifested in the late Missionary in Bombay. AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION. DEATH OF MRS. BIXBY. We are pained to announce the death of Mrs. Susan C. D. Bixby, of the Maulmain Burman Mission. Severe pulmonary affection indicated the necessity of a change of climate, and a voyage home was determined on as the only means of prolonging her life. She arrived at New York with her husband in the ship Ino from Singapore, Aug. 5, reaping no visible benefit from the voyage. From New York she proceeded at once to Vermont, in the hope at least of spending her last days among her kindred. She died at Burlington, August 18, at the early age of 27 years. Her end was peace. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby were of the company which sailed from Boston for Maulmain in the Springbok, Jan. 17, 1853. The other missionaries were Mr. and Mrs. Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker, and Mrs. Cephas Bennett. hope to present a more extended obituary next month from the pen of her husband. DONATIONS. RECEIVED IN AUGUST, 1856. Warren, Mrs. Eliza A. Kennedy We 30.25 Dover, ch. New Hampshire. Massachusetts. East Boston, James Charter 10; Connecticut. 500.93 12.00 674.9 98.44 102.81 59.06 Saratoga Asso., Robert Powers, per Kev. O. D., agent, 50.00 Oneida Asso., New Hartford, ch., per Rev. H. A. Smith, agent, Oswego Asso., Palermo, ch. 21; Colosse, ch. 10.50; per Rev. II. A. S., agent, 16.76 Preston, ch., mon. con. for July & Aug. 5; Richburg, ch. 11; Homer, ch. Mrs. J. G. Wheeler 1; Mrs. M. E. Collins 1; A. C. Steward 66 cts.; H. B. Steward 1.87; Ida Collins, a little girl of 8 years, 22 cts.; Ann Judson Collins, a little girl of 5 years, 25 cts.; 21.00 Hudson River South Asso., Tab. ch., a fem. mem. 30; Mt. Vernon, ch. 28.06; New Rochelle, ch. 7.88; Williamsburg, 1st ch. 7.50; O. M. Beach 10; Bedford Ave. ch. 15; with other donas, to cons. Fred. Glover L. M., per Rev. O. Dodge, agent, Union Asso., Sing Sing, ch. 40.30; Peekskill, ch. 12.51; Tarrytown, ch. 50; per Rev. O. D., agent, New York Asso., Greenport, ch. 50; East Marion, ch. 9.06; per Rev. O. D., agent, 121.38 wick, ch. 8; White Deer, ch. 9; Milton, ch., J. Mixell 5; per Rev. S. M. O., agent, Philadelphia Asso., Williamstown, ch. 38.48; Balligomingo, ch., S. D. Farra, 25 cts: Reading, ch., of wh. 13 is fr. Sab. Sch., 25; per Rev. S. M. O., agent, Pittsburg Asso., McKeesport, ch., per Rev. S. M. O., agent, Wyoming Asso., Eaton, ch., per Rev. S. M. O., agent, 61.08 63.73 5.00 7.00 1265.30 31.50 Madison Asso., Dupont, ch., per 13.60 Genessee Asso. 34.64; Attica, ch. 2.50; Batavia & Pembroke, ch. 8.12: Batavia, ch. 24; Elba, ch. 1; Lagrange, ch. 25.50; Perry, ch. 7; Oakfield and Alabama ch. 10.50; l'avilion, ch. 26; Warsaw, ch.7.75; Le Roy, ch. 30; per Rev. H. A. S., agent, Harmony Asso. 44.89; Jamestown, ch. 50 cts.; Ladies' Benev. Soc. 6; Ashville, ch. 7; Harmony, ch. 10.47; Frewsburgh, ch., of wh. 2 is fr. Sab. Sch., 3; Portland, 1st ch. 2.25; French Creek, ch. 7.25; Busti, ch. 34; per Rev. H. A. S., agent, Madison Asso., Fenner, ch., per Rev. H. A. S., agent, New Jersey. East N. J. Asso., New Brunswick, ch., Youth's Miss. Soc., to cons. Wyckoff H. Powelson, Clayton Kent, Henry S. Wright, Abraham Van Arsdale, Henry B. Snowden, and John P. Onderdonk L. M., per Rev. S. M. Osgood, agent, Pennsylvania. 177.01 115.36 1000.00 Upland, J. P. Crozer, Beaver Asso. 22.59; Achor, ch. 41.75; New Castle, ch., of wh. 2.30 is fr. Sab. Sch., 20.30; Zoar, ch. 16; East Salem, ch., two ladies,75 cts.; Amana, ch., J.Jones 1; Salem, ch. 16; J. Partridge 50 cts.; Clara A. Partridge 5 cts.; Mary E. Partridge 5 cts.; Zelienople, ch. 7.50; to cons. Rev. John Parker L. M., per Rev. S. M. Osgood, agent, Clarion Asso., Brush Valley, ch., Rev. S. Conrad, per Rev. S. M. O., agent, Northumberland Asso., Danville, ch. 4; Jersey Shore, ch. 12.24; Williamsport, ch. 13; Clinton, ch. 4.84; Laporte, ch. 5; Ber 126.49 2.00 Boston, Ms., Miss Abigail Hatch, per Thomas Mair, Ex'r, Rev. A S. A., agent, 7.00 Coffee Creek Asso., Mt. Moriah, ch., per Rev. A. S. A., agent, 2.00 Franklin, 2nd ch., J. Bumgarmer, per Rev. A. S. Á., agent, 1.00 54.61 10.00 $3652.63 SAU QUALA: THE SECOND KAREN CONVERT. (Continued from p. 390.) Journey to Toungoo. and make the nations poor; but the missionary goes to sell "gold tried in the fire," that they "may be rich." Here too, extraordinary as it may seem, the readiest buyers are found; for it is the Asia has given us our myths; it is land of the Karens- the most anxious meet that we repay her with our truths. people on earth to receive Christianity. From the table land east of Ararat, Here on the banks of "the river of gold," floods of fable descended westward and the Pali name of Maubee, and at "the covered Europe; eastward, and over-gold siftings," the literal rendering of spread India, Thibet and China. Truth Shwaygyeen, they drop their sieves, from Palestine came west, and cast the fables into the land of shadows; but eastward the myths still stand unchallenged, as subjects of divine revelation and objects of religious faith, till the missionary takes the Bible in his hand and appears before them. Josephus says Solomon procured his gold from Souphira, which, in ancient Pali, is Suvirna, -the land that was known in Hindustan five centuries be and declare that the truths we offer them are "more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold." Between the mouths of the Salwen and the Irrawadi, another river, the Sitang, finds its way to the sea, so little known to geographers that on many maps it may be sought in vain; yet on its banks, two hundred miles above its mouth, is the ancient city of Toungoo, the capital of a still more ancient fore the Christian era as Suvirna-bummi, kingdom. In the days of the Bur"the land of gold;" and lies between mese government, no Christian had ever the Salwen and the Irrawadi, the Pegu of modern times. Here the Portuguese and the merchants of Venice loaded their ships with gold in the sixteenth century, as Solomon had done two or three thousand years before them. The Jews and the Phenicians, the Portuguese and Venicians went there to buy gold entered the territory; and none had gone there with the gospel in September, 1853, when I wrote from Maulmain to the Deputation in Rangoon, as follows: "Altogether, I deem Toungco the most important location for a Karen station in Burmah; and one that ought to be immediately occupied; for there are |