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themselves the responsibility of so important a step. At present they are expending their time and strength in preparing the people's minds for the reception of truth; content to show them the light by degrees, as they appear ready to receive it.

It may be further observed, that many, if not all the Catanars' prayers, to the translation of which the metropolitan would object, are such as it would even be desirable to preserve in Syriac; for they are addressed chiefly to the Virgin Mary, and would tend to confirm the people in error, rather than enlight en their minds and brighten the flame of true devotion.

After this interview with the metropolitan, Messrs. Bailey and Baker accompanied me on an excursion into the interior, in which we visited five Syrian churches; viz. Neranam, Chenganoor, Callucherry, Puttengave, and Mavelicary. We held long, and, in more cases than one, interesting conversations with the Catanars, of whom there are five or six to each church The generality of them are ignorant of the most remarkable historic facts recorded in the sacred volume, and much more so of the plainest doctrines of the Christian faith. They evinced, however, a most docile temper; and submitted to be catechised, with the humility of children, for upwards of an hour together.

One of the Catanars at the first church which we visited, Neranam, is an intelligent, and, from what we could learn, a good man. He answered every question asked him, the last of which was, "Is it enough to SAY that we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ?" His answer to this question was remarkable, considering the general character of the Catanars for ignorance, and the recluse regions which they inhabit-" No : our WORKS must show our faith to be true." On hearing this, we looked at one another with the smile of satisfaction, to find so correct a knowledge of this fundamental article of Christianity illumining these romantic but bénighted abodes.

By looking over the rest of the questions proposed, the committee will be able to form a better idea than could be given them in any other way, of the in

telligence of the Catanar of Neranam, who answered most of them without hesitation; and also of the ignorance of the rest, very few of whom could answer more than one or two, and those few replied to no more than five or six. It ought, however, to be mentioned, and the fact will tend to confirm the wisdom, and justify the pains and expense, of sending missionaries to these interesting people, (if indeed the measure required justification,) that the Catanar of Neranam derived his information from one of your missionaries, Mr. Norton, of Allepie, with whom, I afterward learned, he lived for a twelvemonth. What then may we not anticipate, some few years hence, from the residence and united labours of three other good and active men in the midst of the Syrian churches!

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The morals of the Catanars are as low as their knowledge. This was to be expected from their ignorance of the Divine commandments, and also of the motives to holiness with which the gospel abounds. Their worst passions, being thereby without any moral restraint, were, in consequence of the celibacy of the Catanars, but too easily inflamed. Colonel Munro saw the evil tendency of this custom; and, since it is not contrary to the canons of the Syrian church for the Catanars to marry, he endea voured to remove the fruitful cause of their immoralities, by encouraging some of them to enter the matrimonial state: he succeeded in a few instances; and the missionaries are adopting the same plan with increasing success, and that with the entire concurrence of the metropolitan, who, to encourage the practice, has done some of the Catanars the honour of performing the marriage ceremony himself. Many other vices prevail among the Catanars, as well as the people; but, with all their faults, they confess their conduct to be sinful, and acknowledge the broad distinction between good and evil. This is quite an anomaly in this idolatrous land, and may well encourage the best hopes of the friends of the Syrian church in Malabar. We desired to see the wives of the married Catanars, for the purpose of showing our approbation of the step which they had taken: some of them

came to the church, and others waited at home to receive us. And, here again was observable a striking difference be tween the Syrians and their heathen neighbours; the houses of the Syrians being neat and clean, while those of the heathen are always dirty, and to all appearance comfortless.

The missionaries are establishing schools wherever they can, and we Looked at what there were; but every thing is as yet in its infancy. The Syrians themselves will lend scarcely any pecuniary aid, even to this laudable and beneficial object: they are willing, how ever, to assist in any other way, and appear to be thankful for the instructions offered them.

Upon the whole, then, low as the Syrians are sunk in ignorance and vice, -and the fact cannot be denied, and ought not to be concealed-they nevertheless present a more promising field for missionary labour than any other caste of Indians: for, in their sense of right and wrong, their confession of ignorance, and avowed desire for instruction, their reverence for the word of God, and implicit acquiescence in its authority, the missionary finds a soil to work upon, which perhaps in this country is no where else to be had.

It is happy for the present Syrians, that they have three such men as Messieurs Bailey, Fenn, and Baker, among them; and not a few seem capable of appreciating the blessing. They appear to have won the confidence and love of the metropolitan, malpan, and all about them; and I will venture to say, from what I saw and heard, that the committee may place entire confidence in their wisdom and discretion, to use with advantage the influence they possess.

After a pleasant, and, I trust, a profitable week spent at Cotym and its vicinity, I set out, in company with Mr. Fenn, for Cochin.

But I cannot take leave of the metropolitan without noticing his parting request. Pressing my hand with paternal affection, he desired, with apparent emotion, that I would remember him in my prayers. And on mentioning this to one of the missionaries, he informed me, that the metropolitan often spoke with them on the importance and necesVOL. VII

sity of prayer, with tears in his eyes. This fact needs no comment from me.

At Cochin there is much to interest the devout and benevolent mind, and the place would furnish full employment for one or even two active missionaries. The missionaries at Cotym come over alternately every week; but it may be questioned whether the little which they are enabled to do during their short stay, compensates for the interruption which their visit hither occasions to their important labours among the Syrians. The Jews alone would occupy much of a minister's time and attention; while the Dutch inhabitants,many of whom understand English, and the five or six English gentlemen resident there, would compose a respectable congregation about fifty were at church the Sunday I was at Cochin. But the more appropriate sphere of action for a missionary would be, the native and country-born Portuguese population, both of which classes are very numerous. The missionaries have established an English school in Jew-Town, and a Malabar school in the fort, which must be as much as they can attend to. But what are they among so many? There is another English school in the fort, established by the late chaplain, and handsomely endowed by charitable contributions. Once, this was a good school; but it is now going to ruin for want of an active superintendant: were an English missionary stationed here, there is little doubt but that it would be placed under his care. When I say, an English missionary, I mean a clergyman of our church; for even the Dutch inhabitants would prefer him to a minister of their own country: and it should be borne in mind, that it would be inexpedient to send any missionary to Travancore who has not received episcopal ordination: the Syrians, indeed, would not recognize him as a minister: and they carry their objections so far as to deny the legitimacy of the baptism which such an one administers.

Mr. Fenn accompanied me to Allepie, where we found not a little to in terest us. Mr. Norton is active and zealous in the discharge of his important duties, and appears to have the prospe rity of the mission at heart. Consider 6

ing that he has laboured the major part of his time alone, and that, before the arrival of the gentlemen at Cotym, his attention was frequently divided between the Syrians, Cochin, and Allepie, it was gratifying to see how much had been done. He has built a neat and spacious church; and there is good prospect of a respectable congregation assembling, ere long, within its walls. He baptized, on the 10th of December, six adults, and eleven children, which were the first fruits of his labours. He has three services every Sunday, one in English, and two in Malayalim: at the English, he has from 20 to 30 hearers, and at the Malayalim, between 60 and 70. He is studying Portuguese also, for the benefit of the native Portuguese population, which is extensive; and many of them are desirous of having divine service performed in their own language. There are two schools; in one of which are taught English and Malayalim, and in the other Tamul. Hitherto Mr. Norton has not been successful in his English master; but he has an active and intelligent young man with him now, who has, in a very short time, greatly improved the school; and when he takes charge of it altogether, no doubt it will assume a still more respectable appearance. Mr. Fenn examined the Malayalim scholars, and gave me a favourable report of their progress; while I exercised the Tamul boys, and thought their proficiency as great as could be expected, considering the short time they have been at school. Mr. Norton intends to increase the number of native schools; and, as his attention will in future be less divided than formerly, he will be able to execute his plans without interruption.

Many towns might be pointed out in Travancore as eligible missionary stations, had you missionaries to send: but Trevandrum appeared to me as standing next in importance to Cochin. Within a circumference of nine miles, the inhabitants are estimated at fifty thousand; and the gentlemen there, of whom there are generally nine or ten, would be glad of a clergyman. The Rannee, who resides at Trevandrum, has uniformly acted with great liberality toward the different missions in Tra

vancore; and there can be no doubt of her extending her encouragement to every missionary who shall behave with becoming prudence.

In this report, I suspect you will find no information in addition to what you already possess through the missionaries residing in Travancore. But, as I have mentioned only what I heard and saw, it may be satisfactory to the committee to find the statements which they have formerly received, corroborated by the observations of a visitor to the missions. The pleasure which I experienced on the spot was beyond what I had anticipated: for though, as stated above, the Syrians are greatly degenerated, yet the efforts so liberally, judiciously, and, in some instances, already successfully making, to raise this ancient church from the dust, and the disposition which many of the people manifest for improvement in every respect, are surely encouraging signs, and gratifying to the best feelings of the Christian heart.

State of the Mission at the close of 1821.

Mr. Hough's report gives a view of the mission at the end of 1820. The following extracts of an animated letter from Mr. Fenn to the secretary, present an encouraging picture of its state at the close of last year :

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The mission is settling, and I think solidly. All our plans are going on, though much slower than we could wish. Mr. Baker has increased the number of schools considerably. The college keeps up its numbers; and, I am thankful to say,

that the desire of learning by no means decreases. I allude principally to the younger students; such as have been admitted since I came: they all have the idea that they must spend several years in study, and acquire real learning; and are pleased with the thought.

The capabilities of the mission are great-very great. Under efficient superintendence, the college would, in a year or two, attain great and deserved celebrity.

Do not say that I am sanguine in my expectations. Consider, my dear Sir, how the matter stands. There are thirty schools and upward; containing

more than 800 youths. There are, besides, a grammar school containing 40 more, and the college. Among such a number, it is reasonable to expect that there will be some of more than ordinary talent; and we, who are on the spot, could with ease point out twenty, who would do credit to any tutor and any instructions. We fancy to see those among our pupils, who discover a likely talent for mathematics: we are more confident of others having a peculiar talent for the acquisition of languages: and we can still more confidently answer for their docility of character and thirst of knowledge.

Besides, is it not remarkable, that such a close and apparently indissoluble union should subsist between us and the metropolitan-a man of remarkable wisdom, dignity, judgment, and humility!

With regard to the Hebrew, Arabic, and Syriac languages, with proper assistance they would be soon obtained. With the verbiage and idiom of the Syriac, some are admirably well acquaint ed: in its etymology and grammatical niceties, lies their deficiency. There is a remarkable desire among all the malpans to study Hebrew; and they are receiving instruction from Moses Sarphati. The way to the acquisition of Sanscrit is now open, and many are plodding it, and some, if it so please God, will succeed most honourably.

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You know, my dear Sir, that the college has fallen more immediately to my share. No man is permitted to criminate himself; and, therefore, perhaps, I shall be excused saying more than that if the committee send out a person properly qualified, they will, in a year or two, hear of a change which will at once delight and astonish them.

But pray, my dear Sir, remember that it is" mind" which is most wanted: a cultivated, sanctified, and directing mind. Consider the expense of the mission. Consider the colleges whence those men issued who visited these shores some centuries ago. Consider the number and the respectability of the Christians, all of whom look to you. At the lowest computation, I speak with great confidence, there are 15,000 families. Fifteen thousand FAMILIES! and

there is not a man, woman, or child, but would come to Cotym on being directed so to do. It is a miracle, and the most astonishing one that I have met with. Do, pray do, afford them the help which they need, and which they deserve.

Mr. Bailey, and Mr. Baker, are both out visiting the churches. We enjoy delightful peace, and holy and constant communion, and Do anticipate the glories of heaven. My colleagues are full of zeal, and seem to receive every day fresh ability for their work, and rejoice in it more and more.

Letter of the Syrian Metropolitan to the Society.

A letter has been addressed, by the metropolitan of the Syrian church, to the president and members of the society. Extracts from this very interesting document here follow, from a translation of it, out of Syriac, by professor Lee:

May this letter come in peace and safety to lord Gambier, head of the society which is in the church of England, from the school of Cotym! JAH,

In the name of the eternal and ne cessary existence, the Almighty.

Mar Dionysius, metropolitan of the Jacobite-Syrians in Malabar, subject to the authority of our father, Mar Ignatius, patriarch, who presides in the apostolic see of Antioch of Syria, heloved of the Messiah. Love from Christ, and from the people of all the churches, to lord Gambier, the illustrious, honourable, and renowned president; and to our brother, Mar Henry, the honoured bishop of the city of Gloucester; and to the priests, and deacons, and true Christians, great and small, in the church of England, who are devoted to these things, and are mindful of them, who both assist and provide that we should teach and preach the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ. Love from God, and grace from his only-begotten Son, and protection from the Holy Ghost, be with you all evermore! Amen,

Beloved, kind, and honoured brethren in Christ, we would make known to you, in a few words, what has happened to us froin the depth of our poverty,

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We, who are called Syrian-Jacobites, and reside in the land of Malabar, even from the times of Mar Thomas, the holy apostle, until the wall of Cochin was taken in the reign of king Purgis, kept the true faith according to the manner of the Syrian-Jacobites, of real glory, without division or confusion. But, by the power of the Franks, our Jacobite Syrian fathers and leaders were prohibited from coming from Antioch: and, because we had no leader and head, we were like sheep without a shepherd; or, like orphans and widows, oppressed in spirit, without support or help. By the power and dominion of the Franks, moreover, and by the abundance of their wealth, and the exertions of their leaders, all our Syrian churches in Malabar were subdued, and turned to the faith of the pope of Rome.

In the year of our Lord 1653, came our spiritual father, Mar Ignatius, the patriarch, from Antioch, to Malabar: but, when the Franks knew this, they brought the holy man to the walls of Cochin, imprisoned him in a cell, and gave no small money to the king of Cochin. They then brought out the good man, and drowned him in the sea, and so put him to death. But, when we knew this, all the Jacobite-Syrians in Malabar assembled in the church of Mathancherry, which is in Cochin, and we swore a great oath, by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, that henceforth we would not adhere to the Franks, nor accept the faith of the pope of Rome: we accordingly separated from them. A short time after this, some of our people again joined them, and received the faith of the pope.

Again, in the year of our Lord 1753, came to us some holy Jacobite-Syrian fathers from Antioch, who turned us to our true ancient faith, and set up a high priest for us,

We now have fifty-five Jacobite-Syrian churches in Malabar: and, as the Franks are more powerful and rich than we are, they are hourly laying the trap of the pope for us, and endeavouring to take us in it; and, from the power of a kingdom filled with idols, the heathen have subdued us Jacobite-Syrians, just as Pharoah, king of Egypt, subdued the children of Israel, and had no pity.

And, as the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, and delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage of Pharoah, king of Egypt; so the Lord beheld our sorrows and afflictions; and there have been sent to us an illustrious leader, named Macaulay, and Mar Buchanan, the illustrious priest: and when they came to us, and saw our subjugation, and sorrow, and poverty, they brought us forth from the house of bondage, and consoled us with kind words, and assisted us with money.

After this, another illustrious leader was sent to us, named Munro: and as Joshua, the son of Nun, brought Israel to the land of promise, and put them in' possession of Canaan; so did this illus trious, discerning, and prudent leader, bring back and save us poor people from the hand of violence; and he built a school and one church for us, in the place called Cotym; which he did with great trouble, labour, and expense, in order that our eyes, made dim by the depth of our poverty, may be opened by the knowledge of the declarations of the holy and divine books. All the dea cons, moreover, and children, who are taught in the school of our place, are cherished by the assistance of this illustrious leader.

Again, the priest Benjamin,* the priest Joseph, and the priest Henry, our spiritual and temporal friends, bro thers, and assistants, whom you have sent to us, that they may root out the thorns and tares from among the children of God, are anxiously seeking all the requisites for the redemption of our souls, as well as constantly teaching all the deacons and children of our place the English language.

The books of the New Testament which ye sent us, we divided, and gave to the churches in Malabar; and, with great joy, does every man present his prayer unto God for you; and we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is merciful to those who show mercy, that he will give you a good reward in the day of judgment, even thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold, for your work and labour for us, and that he will make us rejoice with you. But we are unable to re+ Mr. Baker.

• Mr. Bailey. † Mr. Fenn.

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