O that we might soon be favored therewith! My dear Harriet and myself were at a prayer-meeting at Odooville last evening. We reached home a little after midnight. One of the hymns of Dobell, which begins 'Saviour, visit thy plantation,' I hope we were enabled to sing with some degree of feeling. I hope, too, that our Saviour was with us. We often have very precious seasons of prayer in our mission. Unite with us. If you feel disposed to sing as well as pray, and if you should like to sing a hymn of your son's composing at any time, you will have the opportunity, as I will now write it for you."

Dr. Scudder's absence was of essential benefit to his health, and afforded him an opportunity to survey the continental field to which afterward he was assigned. He formed quite an extensive acquaintance with British officials at Madras and elsewhere, and scanned with close and interested observation the vast field of heathenism which he hoped, with some of his brethren, soon to occupy. Ceylon was the school where Providence had taught him the social and religious characteristics of the heathen, and where, by close study and constant practice, he had acquired a facility in the use of the Tamul language spoken by millions on the continent. On his return his heart was full of this new mission, and he communicated his zeal to the rest, so that, after due deliberation and communicating with the Board at home, it became clear that the time for establishing an American Mission at Madras was fully come.

In 1836 it was determined that Rev. Mr. Winslow and Dr. Scudder should make a beginning, with headquarters at Madras, and thence, as Providence should open the way, push their labors into the interior.

CHAPTER VIII.

Revival in Madras.—Tours, and Towns visited, etc.

MADRAS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.

MADRAS is the chief city of the Carnatic, and lies on the eastern shore of Peninsular India. In it, Oriental magnificence is mingled with the activities of British military and commercial life. It has been the centre of stirring events. In the interminable and bloody wars waged by the Saxon conquerors to extend their dominion, this city has been the point d'appui of their operations. This was the scene of the Nabob of Arcot's wily transactions with British officials, which required the genius of Edmund Burke to unravel and expose.

But now the horrors of war had been succeeded by an abject submission, the princes and people simply asking to be allowed the enjoyment of a languid existence, and the observance of their absurd and cruel idolatries.

The policy of England has been varied toward these poor heathen, sometimes conniving at their horrible rites, and at others legislating against them. It has, at length, under the constraining pressure of public religious sentiment, settled down on the principle of gradually undermining the power of paganism, and substituting, as fast as possible, the mild and merciful sway of the Christian religion. Hence Juggernaut and the suttee have gone down, and the missionaries are encouraged to prosecute their moral warfare against the antiquated forms of paganism.

A more important centre for missionary operations than Madras can hardly be named. Radiating from it are innumerable towns and villages, swarming with population, and readily accessible. But the city itself affords a vast field of usefulness. Dr. Scudder, writing under date of October 3d, 1836, says, "You will be surprised to hear that I have been removed from Ceylon to the continent of India. Such, it appears, has been the will of the Lord, and I have only to add that I rejoice that it is so. I am pleasantly situated in a pleasant part of the great city, on the borders of many thousands of people. It is nearly a central situation. I say central, for the whole population of Madras is not in one place. It is a city of cities, if I may so call it. It is supposed that there are 400,000 people in it. We expect to have a large printing establishment here, for the purpose of printing the Bible and religious tracts. We are expecting large funds from the American Bible and Tract Societies. The way is open to distribute immense numbers of religious publications among the Tamul people."

REVIVAL OF RELIGION AT MADRAS.

"I like Madras very much. I have enjoyed some precious seasons, as I have been in two revivals of religion since I came here. One occurred in Mr. Smith's congregation, where Winslow and I have labored, more or less, for some time past. The other occurred in the fort. This has been more extensive. There are seven or eight hundred soldiers there. Among them wickedness has prevailed to a shocking degree, and among most of them it still prevails. Drunkenness is one of the most

conspicuous crimes. Perhaps one hundred and fifty attended our meetings.

"There is a very pious, devoted military man in the fort, whose house has been opened years to them who would come to hear the Gospel which he proclaimed. Generally but few attended. Now many of them who are in the habit of attending have, as I hope, found the Saviour.

"There is at the fort a chaplain of the Church of England. I do not know him. I am glad to say that he has made no opposition to my private labors. Would that I could tell you of a revival of religion among the poor degraded natives. Alas! they are sunk in sin—fast asleep in the arms of the great adversary."

After Dr. Scudder had become settled at Madras, he pursued the same general plan of missionary operations as at Ceylon. By the aid of a printing establishment, under the superintendence of his colleague, Dr. Winslow, tracts were prepared adapted to interest and enlighten the heathen; and, with these and the Scriptures in Tamul, Dr. S., loading his bullock bandy, went forth among the swarming population of the interior towns, preaching the Gospel in the highways and hedges, and supplying the greedy applicants with reading matter adapted to make them wise unto salvation. Sometimes he was rudely assailed, and often obliged to retreat before the surging masses. In a letter to his father he says, "When you think, my dear father, that you have a son engaged in the blessed work of endeavoring to ameliorate both the moral and physical condition of such wretched and benighted beings, you should rejoice. Would that we could

see a general disposition to embrace the great salvation that we preach. But, alas! how few are there who receive it. Instead of meeting with a hearty reception, in many cases we must meet with ridicule and reproach, and sometimes even with bodily abuse. I was, not long since, stoned, and the soreness of the bruises continued for some time. We should soon be torn to pieces could the desire of many be gratified. But, notwithstanding all these trials, we often meet with encouragements."

Such was the spirit in which this heroic Christian, separating himself for months from his family, went out into the dark surrounding regions, carrying the lamp of salvation to the benighted. The extracts from his jour nal which we insert will be read, we are sure, with deep interest.

TOURS, AND TOWNS VISITED.

"Coonatoor is a village of considerable size. I went out into its streets this morning proclaiming the only name given under heaven whereby we can be saved. Distributed a few tracts. Sent out three native helpers on the same business. Several persons have come to the bungalow and received portions of the Scriptures. A native catechist ought to be stationed here.

"Some people have objected to the distribution of the Scriptures among the heathen as a useless thing. But facts go to prove the contrary. My own experience is in favor of their distribution, on the principle that, if one in a hundred is, by the Holy Spirit, made effectual to the conversion of a heathen soul, we can afford to lose the rest. But there is other than my testimony that the distributors of the Scriptures have not labored in vain. Let