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DEARTH IN THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES.

[MARCH, verandah floor, and managed there to sleep a little. In the morning we ascended to the top of the mountain, about 2800 feet high, and had a glorious view. We could see the entrance to the river some thirty miles off, and the sea beyond, and all around we had a most beautiful panorama spread out beneath us. Our ears were also gladdened by the merry song of a lark, the first I have heard since leaving England. Afterwards we inspected the building: saw plenty of hideous idols, had a little sport with the sacred fish, and viewed the various little nooks where the monks had made little resting-places, or niches for idols. We found all plentifully disfigured with the carvings of former visitors. A tiring descent, a ride in the heat of the day across the country, which was rather fatiguing, and we were once more back, and within the city walls.

Let our readers only imagine themselves on that height, looking down on the vast ocean of human life. What a place for fishers of men to cast their nets! When shall the fishers stand from Fuhchow to Amoy, and from Amoy to Ningpo, and from Ningpo to Shanghae? And yet it shall be done. The Chinese are among the nations to whom the Gospel shall be preached. May the few European Missionaries in the land be instrumental in raising up a great army of native evangelists who shall do the Lord's work, and gather in fish of various kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding

many.

DEARTH IN THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES OF INDIA.

THE North-west Provinces of India were the great seat of the mutiny. At Meerut was the first outbreak, and Delhi became a place of unutterable horrors. In many other places similar scenes occurred. There was no safety for the European except within strong walls, or amidst the intrepid soldiers of Europe or the Punjab. If the Sepoys burst the bonds, large portions of population followed in their steps, and looted and murdered, as opportunity presented itself. The innocent blood has cried from the earth where it has been shed, and, lo! famine is in the land. It is a judgment, sent, we trust, in mercy, to bring these poor people to see their sins, renounce their idols, and turn to Christ.

An American Missionary, writing in September last, gives some information on this subject

This hot season has proved one of the most trying I have ever experienced in this country. The heat in the months of June and July was pronounced, all over the North-west Provinces, unparalleled, and the great scarcity of rain had much to do in increasing the heat. The rains set in at last, on the 18th of July, about a month later than usual, and a great relief it was, not only to us, but to the natives too, who declared they had never felt the heat as much as this year. We shall never forget the feeling with which we hailed the first down-pour. The apprehension of a famine, that had been generally entertained, seemed to be dissipated, and the natives expected still an average harvest though it was late in

the season.

1861.]

FIRST LETTER FROM A COLUMBIA MISSIONARY.

29

In these hopes they were disappointed. The rains lasted here about three weeks only, and then ceased. The amount of rain that had fallen had enabled the peasants to plough and sow, but the "latter rain," the "bará barsát," did not follow. For more than a month there has been no rain here at all, and the heat now is as great as it was in May and June; so much so, that our artificial appliances for cooling the house are in full play again. The consequences are, that the crops are burnt up by the sun, and the cattle are dying for want of food. The prices of almost every article of food have increased threefold here from what they were last year, and in other districts, such as Delhi and Agra, it is much worse still. There is not yet an actual scarcity of grain, but the grain dealers, in the hope of large profits, refuse to open their granaries, which are supposed to be full of corn. These unfeeling men hope that the prices will go much higher, and do their best to make matters worse and worse every day. To the natives in general, who live so much on vegetable diet, it seems almost as if their very life was taken from them if grain is dear; and, certainly, it is very hard upon the poorer classes, who have commenced to take but one meal a day in many places, while others are said to have offered their children for sale, though this is prohibited by the law of the land. Should there be a good fall of rain soon it may be a check to the grain dealers, as it will enable the people to plough and sow for the winter; but if this hope fails, I fear the consequences for the poorer classes will be appalling.

These forebodings have been verified. During the rebellion grain was destroyed, and the subsequent harvests were deficient. The year began with scanty stores, and the absence of rain not merely ruined the autumn crop, but prevented the sowing of that which should be reaped next spring. Hence, in the Doab, between the Jumna and the Ganges, and especially in the districts of Agra, Muttra, Rohilcund, Meerut, and Delhi, there has been a famine more severe than has been experienced since 1833, and the misery is intense.

Christianity has an opportunity of manifesting its superiority of principle, and returning good for evil. It has been doing so. A relief fund has been organized, and Government has directed a large expenditure for the relief of the starving poor.

FIRST LETTER FROM A NEW MISSIONARY TO BRITISH
COLUMBIA.

We have received a letter from our Missionary to British Columbia, the Rev. L. S. Tugwell, dated Fort Simpson, October 25, 1860. In this he gives us a description of his transit across the Panama Isthmus, and subsequent voyage along the coast to Victoria, the entire transit from England to British Columbia having occupied sixty-five days, of which forty-nine only were cousumed in the voyage, the rest consisting of detentions.

The journey across the Isthmus of Panama was very interesting, the

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FIRST LETTER FROM A COLUMBIA MISSIONARY. [MARCH, scenery being extremely wild. Several Indian villages were passed, the inhabitants, judging from the appearance of things, living in a very degraded state. They were no less than six hours crossing the Isthmus, a distance of only forty-seven miles, the train being unusually heavy, and the excessive rain which had fallen causing considerable delay. Our travellers remained four days at Fanama, a delay which they did not at all enjoy, Panama being a most wretched place, and very unhealthy. The inhabitants, with few exceptions, are Roman Catholics. The streets are infested with dogs and filth. After four days' detention at this sorry place they proceeded on their voyage by steamers. Acapulco, a small Spanish settlement, half-way between Panama and San Francisco, was touched at. After passing this place, they experienced a merciful preservation. One day, at dinner, the captain was boasting that his ship, although she had been in many storms, had escaped unhurt, and said that it was scarcely possible for a steamer to be struck by lightning. The following night they were overtaken by a terrific thunder-storm. The lightning struck and splintered the mast, and then passed through the upper to the main deck, where, in some marvellous manner, it passed out of the ship; but, for the merciful providence of God, they must have perished. At San Francisco a Sunday was spent, our Missionary preaching twice, in Trinity Church. They had pleasant intercourse with Christian friends, which refreshed them much. Here, too, they met the Bishop of Victoria, from China.

Leaving San Francisco, on board the "Oregon," for Victoria (British Columbia), they reached, in due time, Portland, a town situated about 100 miles up the Columbia River. Here Mr. Tugwell was introduced to the Bishop of Oregon, by a minister of the Episcopal Methodist Church, who manifested great interest in the Mission work to which Mr. Tugwell was going. Of Mr. Duncan, our first Missionary to British Columbia, and who has now been labouring for some years alone amongst the Indians, the Bishop spoke very highly, having met him at Victoria while on a visit there.

On arriving at Victoria they were received by the Bishop of Columbia with great kindness, and invited to his house. Here, also, they met Mr. Duncan, who, as our readers will remember, had come down to Victoria to help on the work there.*

He is a thorough

Mr. Tugwell says, "The work that is going on amongst the Indians has greatly delighted and encouraged us. God has, indeed, greatly blessed the self-denying labours of our dear brother. Missionary, spending and being spent for Christ. have grace and strength to labour as faithfully and done!

Oh, that I may zealously as he has

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"How I wish the friends of Missions in England could see Mr. Duncan's congregation on the Sunday; they would, indeed, thank God, and take courage.' I have never seen an English congregation more orderly and attentive; with but few exceptions, both the children and adults come clean and neatly dressed. The children sing several hymns very sweetly-a morning and evening hymn, composed by Mr. Duncan; a

*See "Church Missionary Gleaner" for December 1860.

1861.]

A MOVEMENT FOR PEACE IN NEW ZEALAND.

31

hymn to our Saviour; and another beginning, 'Jesus is my Saviour;' Here we suffer grief and pain;' and some others, in English: also one in Tsimsheean, composed by Mr. Duncan. I long to be able to speak to them in their own language. It is most painful to see the poor Indians around one, and to be unable to speak to them of that precious name whereby alone they can be saved. The Indians all up the coast are crying out for teachers; their unanimous cry is, 'Come over and help us.' Now seems to be the propitious moment. Soon hundreds, yea, thousands, of the poor Indians will have perished. Drunkenness and other vices are spreading disease and death amongst them. These sins were introduced, and are still fostered, by the whites. Although I have been only two months here, I have witnessed some frightful scenes of drunkenness. Oh that the Lord of the harvest would raise up and

send forth labourers to this part of his vineyard !"

A GREAT MOVEMENT FOR PEACE IN NEW ZEALAND. OUR readers are aware of the calamitous war that has been for some time going on between the Maoris and the British authorities and settlers. To us at home this is a matter of sincerest grief. We are interested in both parties. For the settlers, many of whom have greatly suffered, although in nowise concerned with the origin of the war, we deeply feel; for the Maoris, who, through Missionary efforts, have been converted to a profession of Christianity, and have been raised from deep barbarism to one of comparative civilization, we are as deeply anxious. A great experiment has been going on there, one of first importance to the interests of mankind, whether scriptural Christianity has the power to accomplish a peaceable fusion of a colonial and aboriginal race. That it has the power, no one, who has ever experienced its power on his own heart, can for an instant doubt; but here, in this particular instance of New Zealand under the process of colonization, we wish to see it brought out distinctly and unanswerably before the world. Hitherto, with occasional seasons of disquietude, this great experiment has progressed satisfacfactorily. Now this war is jeopardizing all in which we are most interested. We see Maoris and settlers, who might mutually benefit each other, engaged in the fearful work of mutual injury. How earnestly do we long to see it brought to an end. But how is this to be done? Both parties are embittered, and both claim to be in the right. The settlers consider that the Maoris are unjustly withholding from them land which they do not want, but which the settlers do. The Maoris consider that the settlers are coveting lands which had been guaranteed to them by solemn treaties, and which were entirely at their own disposal. Thus there are jealousies and mutual distrusts. Amidst the excitement the voice of reason is drowned, and both rush impetuously to arms. How shall the mad proceeding be stayed? The Missionaries have tried to interfere, and have, like Moses, urged, "Sirs, ye are brethren, why do ye wrong one to another?" and, like him, not unfrequently they have met with the reply, "Who made thee a ruler aud a judge

over us?"

What, then, is to be done? What hope is there of stopping the effusion

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A MOVEMENT FOR PEACE IN NEW ZEALAND.

[MARCH,

of blood? There is a hope! The degree of importance to which our readers will attach to it, will depend entirely on the light in which they regard it. If it be viewed in the light of mere human judgment, we shall think little of it; it it be viewed with an eye of faith, and in the light of God's word, it will be regarded as a great hope.

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We shall tell our readers what it is. We have a station in New Zealand called Kohanga (the nest), near the mouth of the Waikato River, the Waikato being the most powerful of the Waikato tribes, and one which we have feared might be led to take part in this war. The Maoris at this station are all friendly to the Government, and have been as constant and steady as ever in the attendance on the means of grace. There are amongst them several real Christians; and although many of the boys, when they reach a certain age, like newly-fledged birds, fly out of the " nest and go away, others remain and become useful. One of them has been lately ordained; another is a candidate for orders; another is a very useful catechist; others, monitors. In the Institution, also, the matron of which has been there for eleven years, and, although now nearly blind, is still very useful, there are many very worthy young women. One of the young women is quite a right hand in the school; another was some time back married to an European gentleman, who has given to the school a donation of 101., saying, at the same time, that we had given him a good wife. Such she has proved to be, and has gained the respect of surrounding settlers' wives. Besides, there are many worthy Phobes and Dorcases. Mrs. Maunsell has regular weekly meetings with these females, and has formed a club amongst them for helping the sick, and supplying them all with clothes in the winter time. Now, here is the point, a little point, and yet a great point-Mrs. Maunsell has been delighted, and we are sure our readers will be delighted also, to learn, while in conversation with one of them, that since the commencement of this war five or six of them have made a practice of meeting together in prayer, and placing it before the Lord.

Nor is this the only instance of this kind. We have referred to the Waikato tribes. Some of the influential chiefs amongst them are for peace, but their position is a peculiar one, for the feeling of many, especially of the young men, is strong in the opposite direction. Such is the critical position of affairs at this moment. Should the Waikato tribes throw themselves into the struggle the war would assume much larger dimensions, and the fire rage more fiercely. Now then, again, the hopeful element breaks in; it is this-most of the well-disposed teachers meet at ten o'clock every morning to pray for peace. Archdeacon Maunsell remarks, "I am convinced our gracious Father is answering our prayers, from the different spirit which now prevails. A few weeks ago, War, war,' was the cry, and now there is a real anxiety for peace." These Christian Maoris remind us where our strength lies, and what we had best do in these circumstances. Let every reader of these pages, and every member of the Society, offer up special prayer for the termination of this war. In family prayer let it be remembered, and from every Christian household let earnest intercession be put forth on this point. Let there be prayer for the restoration of peace to New Zealand, and also to the Yoruba Country, which is similarly distracted.

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