pursuit of. In 1832, the month of July, I went to Vizagapatam, and shewed my books to a young man, who presently accompanied me to the Rev. Mr. Dawson; but not being free from the delusions of Satan, instead of letting him know that I came to be instructed in the paths of religion, told him that I came to offer him these books as a present. The youth mentioned these things to Mr. W. Dawson, who said, he did not require the books; and now, poor sinful wretch that I was, I became plunged in shame and hardened in heart, and did not venture to announce that my purpose was to become a disciple of Christ, and serve the Lord, but returned to my village. A few days after this, a merchant in Purla Kimdy sent for me, and requested me to instruct his sons in the legends of our own books. I was unwilling to enter upon this service, but the constraint of my superiors in my own house obliged me; and during this period, the contemplation of Jesus Christ was much neglected. About this time I had another tract given me, entitled "The Preaching of virtuous Maxims," shewing the true way of salvation. This was the year Nundānā, (1832.) reading this, the perplexities of my mind were dispelled; and this tract dispersed more of my suspicions than the three former ones had done, for from them I could not learn many excellent things which this tract taught me, and I was therefore greatly delighted; besides, there was at the end of this tract a short prayer, which I committed to memory, and totally relinquished all my former dissembled and hypocritical prayers, which I had used from my infancy. I rehearsed my new prayer every day as often as I could, and disputed with my friends about the truth of Jesus Christ, who I now believed came to effect the salvation of such sinners as myself, reconciling God to such sinners by becoming himself a sacrifice. In this glorious Saviour I believed, and reposed my soul upon him. I abhorred all my former wicked practices and false gods, as well as detested the impure practices of such deities. In order that I might be

On

enabled to quit all my former fallacious tenets, and forget shastrums, to obey the holy scriptures, and be baptized in his name, and come near to Jesus Christ, and enjoy eternal life, I despatched a representation of my ardent desires to the Missionaries at Berhampore, where a certain man, named Francis Adam, lived, who wrote me an unsatisfactory letter, and I did not go (This letter was, undoubtedly, suppressed by Mr. Adam, who is a Catholic; as he knew well, though there might be no Missionary there at the time, there was a church of Protestant Christians.)

over.

[After mentioning another application which was equally unsuccessful, he continues-]

Now, the merchant in whose employ I was, failed, and I went home to my house, where I earnestly prayed and poured forth my complaints before the gracious Saviour, whose revelation I did not as yet well understand. To perfect myself in this knowledge, I wrote down all his divine sayings in a small book, determining to go to Cuttach, or to Vizagapatam, to the Missionaries. In the mean time my brother had some business to transact at Chicacole, and desired me to go and execute it for him. This was a joyful event to my mind, for I immediately determined to take a route to Vizagapatam, and thence to Chicacole. This I did, therefore; and after adjusting the business as soon as possible, I inquired of the people for those whom I sought, and providentially I heard of one Mrs. Knott, to whom I in ecstacy went, and opened my heart to her; and she kindly presented me with some religious books, and persuaded me to continue stedfast in the holy faith of Jesus Christ. She recommended me, with a statement of my case, to Lieut. Evelyn, who also confirmed me by some good instruction in the new way; and the Lord Jesus Christ, through infinite grace and mercy, made my soul to thrive and strengthen in faith and knowledge; and enabled his servant within me (the soul) to resist with firmness and resolution those friends of the devil-shame and anxiety about the mortal body--which had

long caused me to struggle in sin, and had often thrown me into the darkest and most dreadful apprehensions, and would have thrown me back for ever, had it not been for the help thus obtained of my gracious Saviour. He has freed me from the power of these two wicked enemies.

Now, as soon as my near relations, such as my brothers, mother, wife, several kinsmen and friends, as well as the merchants who had from time to time lent me money, heard of my wonderful change, they began to afflict me; some spoke ill of me, some execrated me, some calumniated me, some were enraged with me, some gnashed their teeth at me, some intended to imprison me, and others sought in various ways to injure me. Notwithstanding this, the Lord Jesus Christ, on whom I reposed my whole heart, and whom I followed as my revered instructor, encouraged me with sufficient patience to answer, with mildness and reason, all the revilings of the persecutors, and to stand fearless, undejected, and undismayed; and with firm purpose I avoided the society of such people as would annoy me. And for such mercies I with wonder and delight praised the kindness of the blessed Saviour, who delivered me thus from my persecutors. At length, Lieutenant Evelyn, loving me much, gave me some travelling expenses, and sent me to Major W. T. Brett; recommending me to be sent by him to Madras, to be baptized by one of the Missionaries there. I arrived at Vizagapatam in the year Vigya 1833, month Aushada (June) Suddur Tadeya (15th). The great God, who searches all the internal and external actions of men, and who is a witness to all these things, has induced this forgetful sinner to state such particulars of his circumstances as occurred to his memory, among those that he has done before his conversion, for all those who are interested in the vouchsafement of his Holy Spirit towards his immortal soul.

(Signed)

POORASHOTAM DEB.

INFANTICIDE IN INDIA.

[VIGNETTE.]

BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS.

THERE cannot be any subject more interesting to a contemplative and philanthropic mind than the recent indications of the decline of some of the most dreadful superstitions which ever debased the human race. Though the symptoms of the approaching fall of paganism in India may be few and faint, little doubt can exist upon the minds of those persons who have lately visited that interesting portion of the Eastern world, that the unceasing labours of zealous Christians, aided by the spread of intellectual acquirements, will, in a comparatively short period, overthrow this monstrous system of religious error, which has so long and so fatally enthralled the minds of the followers of Brahma.

Hitherto the unceasing efforts of Missionaries, who have struggled against the most formidable difficulties, only to meet with the bitterest disappointment, have appeared to be nearly wholly unsuccessful; but though the fruits of their exertions seem to be scanty, and of little account, their efforts have not been made in vain, and we may justly attribute the falling off of religious enthusiasm to the new ideas engendered by the dissemination of the Scriptures through Hindostan. It is impossible not to experience the deepest and most heartfelt regret, at the moral and religious condition of a people who are so vividly impressed with a feeling of veneration, that they could not exist without a god. The same strong reverence for the Creator of all good, and the dispenser of every blessing, which leads them to prostrate them

I

selves before stocks and stones, representations of the attributes of the Deity, would, if properly directed, render them far more zealous in the discharge of their duties than the less imaginative natives of colder climes, whom it is so difficult to warm, even though the light of truth beams upon them with its brightest ray.

It would not be possible, in the limits prescribed to the present volume, to give the slightest sketch of the fearful horrors which have sprung from a religion which sanctions every crime, and we must therefore confine ourselves to a few observations upon a barbarous practice, which prevails to an unlimited extent,—that of infanticide. Women ought to be the strongest and most zealous supporters of Christianity, for they owe every blessing they possess to those divine precepts of the gospel which make no distinction of sex, and which inculcate the support and protection of the weak against the strong. Amongst Hindoos, females are of no account, and any pretext is sufficient to occasion the destruction of infants who, coming in the shape of daughters, promise to entail expense and vexation upon their parents. The difficulty of procuring fitting marriages for the daughters of men of rank, and the large sums which it is considered to be essential to spend at weddings in India, are among the chief causes of the commission of a crime which is justified upon the score of expedience. Human life, especially that of females, is nothing when compared to family honours; and though parental affection may be very strong towards those daughters who have been permitted to grow up to a marriageable age, there is little hesitation in any sacrifice which a mistaken sense of dignity seems to demand. When it was found impossible, from political reasons, to fulfil the bridal contract of the princess Kishen Kowen, (a princess of one of the Rajpoot states,) the most beautiful, amiable, and accomplished woman of her day, her death alone would satisfy the jealous feelings of her relatives, impatient of the disgrace of having an unmarried daughter in their house. Obedient to their com