being above his countrymen, and is simply and truly a Christian Indian. John's dress is similar to that worn by Christian Aroolappen*, the native costume, white linen with a broad black girdle. It has a very pretty effect. When officiating he wears the surplice. He appears to me to be an excellent specimen of a native parish priest, such as India must possess by hundreds and thousands before it can be fully evangelized. May many such be raised up among us; but, in the mean time, let us continue patient in well-doing, assured that when the Lord shall give the word, great will be the company of those that shall publish it in India. We must contentedly bear the burthen and heat of the day, but the harvest will be gathered by a native clergy.

Sunday, January 3.

After an early dinner yesterday I took leave of our kind host, who is evidently devoted to his duties, and travelling all night in a palan

The Rev. Christian Aroolappen, a native clergyman of Madras, admitted by me to deacon's orders in 1839.

quin, arrived here early this morning. The place is called Sattankollum, (Lacedæmon,) and I am the guest of the reverend Mr. Blackman. I have had the pleasure of receiving three letters here from Mr. Tucker. One of them, however, brings bad tidings, as it announces the death of Mr. Ridsdale, for several years an indefatigable missionary in this diocese, and whom I had hoped to have welcomed back to India in the course of the present year. He has left a widow and a large family. May the Father of the fatherless and the God of the widow support and comfort them. In all other respects Mr. Tucker's report from England is highly encouraging.

Divine service being performed here in Tamil, and the church necessarily very hot, I did not attend it. In the afternoon we called our little party together in the house, and after reading the beautiful prayers of our Church, I preached on 1 Cor. xv. 22. In the evening, accompanied by Mr. Blackman, I visited a Christian village, the appearance of which delighted me. Unquestionably the Christians have the pro

mise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come; they look so much happier than their heathen countrymen. And so they must be the peace of God has visited them.

Moodeloor, January 5.

I want words to express my astonishment at all that I see in this land of promise. The word of the Lord is covering it. I am no enthusiast, in the abuse of that term; and looking at the state of things in my diocese, as an overseer ought to look at them, with a steady eye, I am not deceived by appearances, and most assuredly I would not willingly deceive others; but I unhesitatingly declare to all who are interested in the progress of the Gospel in India, that this is a land of promise. In other parts of the country I find the poor native Christians a little flock dwelling among wolves: here we have Christian villages,-villages entirely Christian. It is a glorious sight, and I thank God and take courage as I look at it.

At Sattancollum, where I have passed two

happy days, I had the comfort of confirming two hundred and fifty persons, who I am assured by their excellent minister can give a very satisfactory account of the faith that is in them. It was indeed a cheering sight to see "old men and children, young men and maidens" crowding around the altar of the only true God, to receive at the hands of their bishop a blessing in his name, upon their promise that they would endeavour from that day forth, through the aid of the Comforter, to keep their baptismal vows. All were strikingly and yet most simply devout; not the slightest affectation of rapture, but the holy and chastened spirit of prayer and praise was upon them. I addressed them at some length, and all appeared much interested in what I said.

I had the gratification during my brief visit to make the acquaintance of two more of my clergy, the reverend Messrs. Thomas and Miller. Mr. Blackman I had already known at Madras. I am told that the native heathens in these parts are a highly imaginative and superstitious people; fully persuaded that dreams have an especial commission either for

good or evil, and that the air is full of malignant beings, who must be propitiated in order to avert their anger. Even professing Christians among them have been sometimes detected in "devil dancing," that is, dancing in a particular dress before an emblem of the evil spirit, when any of their family are ill, or any other misfortune overtakes them. Devil worship is very common in Tinnevelly. It is extremely difficult for a stranger really to know the natives, who possess in perfection the art of disguising their genuine feelings. Until India becomes, if I may be allowed the expression, thoroughly Europeanized by education, our acquaintance with their real character must continue very superficial; and even among his own people the most experienced missionary will be often deceived.

I cannot describe the effect produced upon the mind in this country by a visit to a Christian village. One almost feels at home again! Every countenance speaks joy and welcome, and the native Christian greeting "God be praised" sounds most cheering. The poor simple people throng about my horse, calling