GENERAL EFFECT OF MISSIONS. 317 



The result' produced by the missions under these different 

 societies in the various parts of India, is extremely similar. 

 The natives have everywhere become secure from the ap 

 prehension of any violent attempt to overturn their religious 

 belief and observances. This confidence, instead of being 

 shaken, seems confirmed by the presence and activity of the 

 missionaries, when they see government at the same time 

 maintaining the strictest neutrality. They have even over- 

 come all fear arising from the intercourse of foreigners with 

 themselves or their families. They are fond of meeting 

 and entering into argument with them : they send their 

 children to their schools, and even allow them to be cate- 

 chised and instructed in the doctrines of Christianity. Yet 

 with all this, the examples of conversion are so extremely 

 few, that in a national sense they may be considered as no- 

 thing. Omitting all consideration of the manner in which 

 the Hindoo religion is interwoven with the habits of life, 

 with the splendour of its festivals, and the zeal of its vota- 

 ries, the single institution of caste opposes a most formida- 

 ble obstacle, though one which is sensibly diminishing, 

 through the continued communication with the English, 

 and particularly the missionaries. The circumstance, too, 

 that every particular of the creed and worship is contained 



and Eombay, and by their latest periodical accounts it appears that their 

 missions have been successfully prosecuted. They have thirteen .sta- 

 tions; twenty-five American missionaries; at least six churches; and 

 more than ninety schools, numbering three thousand five hundred and 

 sixty scholars. In addition, they have several presses, and have dis- 

 tributed large quantities of Bibles, tracts, and other books, vvith the ex- 

 press sanction of the civil government. 



American Baptist missions in India are confined chiefly to that part 

 of I'urmah which has been annexed to British India within the last five 

 years. Dr. Judson entered the country in 1813, and has remained there 

 ever since. Previous to the subjugation of a part of the country by the 

 British arms, the mission was repeatedly almost annihilated by the" des- 

 potism of the government. Since, however, they have enjoyed protection, 

 the mission has prospered in a high degree. The translation of the 

 Bible into the native language is nearly complete. There are now lour 

 presses employed in printing the Scriptures, tracts, and other elementary 

 works. They have established six churches, and have eighteen Amer- 

 ican missionaries on the spot and on the way there, and more soon to 

 sail. There are schools at I'oway, Mulmein, and Rangoon. About '100 

 natives have been baptized on a profession of their faith since the mis- 

 sion was established. The Uritish government have realized important 

 aid from the missionaries, who have repeatedly acted as interpreters in 

 their negotiations. 



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