Journal of Henry Venn's Reader.

I met a young man who appeared to be spending his time in idleness, and read to him and spoke on the importance of spending time well. He replied hastily, and said, "Who can tell what is sin and what is virtue? these things are unknown even to God himself!" Soon after I saw the young man's father; and on telling him of the bad state of mind in which his son was, and that I feared he would have to answer for not instructing him well, he calmly replied, "Every one will be condemned for his own faults, and not for those of others."

Standing near a tank, where many of the idols were brought to be washed, I asked a man what is the advantage of worshipping such gods? He replied, he could not answer my question, and referred me to their learned men saying he had not inquired much into the subject. I gave him a tract, and exhorted him to read it, and forsake the vanities of his forefathers.

I went to Treviar to examine the schools, which I found in very good order, and well attended. Spoke to some Brahmins on the necessity of becoming like little children before we can enter into the kingdom of heaven. One went away saying, Who can obtain such a nature? Meaning none can.

Attended service in a Christian place of worship, spoke to a man who is a candidate for baptism, and recommended the example of the publican to all who wish to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

A Brahmin said, as I was reading, that it was impossible to worship God without the aid of idols. I showed that be must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

Saw many Brahmins at the Moonsif's,*[3] house, read to them, and exhorted them to strive to know and serve the true and living God. They all acknowledged that that was the only way of escaping the anger and obtaining the favour of Jehovah, Several Brahmins continue to attend Christian instruction on the Sabbath at the Moonsif's house.

Going to the river side, I read to those who came to cross the ferry, and spoke of Christ suffering for our sins. A Brahmin asked whether it was lawful for one to be punished for the crimes of another? I explained that if one wished to undertake and bear the punishment, or pay the debt of another, he could do so lawfully and thus the Redeemer, pitying sinners who were not able to bear the punishment due to their sins, bore it for them, and God accepted this on our account: he assented to what I said.

On the road to Terumanoor, I conversed with a man, who spoke much of the sin of killing animals and eating them. I said that we were unworthy to enjoy any of God's creatures, as we were sinners; but that there was no sin in eating animals, and showed what things are really sinful.

I read to the people on the bank of the Coleroon. One man approving of what was read, at the same time exclaimed, "All gods are alike." I showed him that there could be but one true God, and that those who know him truly will worship no other; and that the Gospel was revealed for the purpose of showing what worship and service he requires.

I examined the school at Tremanoor, on the other side of the Coleroon, and found it in pretty good order, it being recently established.*[4]

Returning to Combooconum, by way of Tanjore, I read part of the Gospel of Mark to some heathens and Christians.

I stopped at the town of Jampettah, and read in the bazar there to many people.

I read to the people in Tharasurahpettah, and spoke to them on their superstitions for some time.

At Terunasalem I read to the heathens in the Weaver's Choultry; I was once interrupted by the common question, Who has seen God? I observed that those who wish to see God must seek him in the way of holiness.

When reading to several heathens, one said, the belly is the principal god, "if that be satisfied nothing is wanting: even Europeans come to India for gain." I acknowledged that most regarded their body too much; yet even gross and ignorant people built temples, and profess to worship some god, thereby showing that they believe they have souls as well as bodies, and that there is danger if they entirely neglect them. I added, if he would read our books he would not remain so ignorant of the true God.

Going to a house where a Roman Catholic woman lay sick, I read the Scriptures and prayed with her; about ten persons were present.

Reading and conversing with some people at Cottyoor, a tax gatherer (a Brahmin) said "God is the author of good and evil, and without him we can do nothing." I replied, that God was holy and just, and hates iniquity. I asked, if he were the author of evil, how could he punish the wicked? No answer was given. I showed, from the Scriptures, that we must be pure in heart to please God.

When reading in a Brahmin street, at Combooconum, one observed, "There is no difference between your religion and ours. We also worship the true God." To which, among other things, I said, if you were worshippers of the only living and true God, you would not consider one place or temple more sacred than another, and say we must go here and there to worship him, since he is every where equally present; the true mode of worshipping him also requires to be known by you.

On another occasion, when reading in the weaver's street, in the course of conversation, a heathen observed, "As you Christians experience joy and sorrow, are afflicted, and die like us, what advantage is there in Christianity which we have not?" I showed that it has many advantages, and especially as it tells how sin came into the world, and how we are to be redeemed from its curse. So (he said) our religion also instructs us about those things, and then suddenly walked away.

Speaking to several persons on the necessity of caring for the soul as well as the body, one present said, "We can do nothing, God must take care of our souls." I said, you can pray to him to enlighten your understandings, and he has promised that those who ask shall receive.

I conducted public worship at the little chapel at Teruvesaloor,*[5] about thirty persons were present; the people appeared attentive. As they are cultivated under Brahmins, they are sometimes persecuted, but have hitherto remained steadfast, and some of the Brahmins are become their friends. Returning home, I conversed with a man on the attributes of God.

As I was reading a tract on regeneration to about twenty persons, one said, "I suppose what is said in our Shasters about being born again (transmigration) is false." I showed the difference between the new birth spoken of in Scripture and the fables on that subject*[6] in the heathen system.

Going to Karupoor, I spoke to some heathens on the evil of idolatry; one man observed, "We do not worship many gods, but only one God. In our sacred places, if a man takes a false oath, he will die immediately, blood coming out of his nose and mouth." He mentioned this as a proof that the knowledge and worship of the true God was not confined to Christians. I replied, that that was no proof, even if such a thing had happened, that the idol was God, or the place sacred, for it does not appear that God always punishes the wicked and rewards the upright, in this world. I said he will, notwithstanding, hereafter, take notice of the actions of men, and punish those who continue impenitent.

I read a tract against the sin of lying, to a merchant, to which he said, "We cannot trade without telling lies." I said, that merchants were seldom believed, even though they spoke truth, but that that arose from the common custom of lying and cheating in the bazars. Then he said, "Here is a man coming, persuade him to believe me and I will speak the truth." I said tell him the true price, and he will purchase from you, and begin from this time to speak the truth always, and see how your trade will prosper, and people will believe you without doubt.

When reading and explaining the Scripture, and exhorting some persons to believe and receive the gospel, they said, "If we embrace this religion, we shall be obliged to beg or starve, for we shall lose all we have." I plainly told them the words of Christ, "If any man love father, mother, house, or lands, more than me," &c. lead us to expect affliction for his sake, but that this would not discourage true Christians from serving him, and professing his gospel.

At Teruvedamarudoor, I was reading in a Choultry to several persons, one of whom asked me, "What kind of religion is this you are talking about? whence came it? I cannot understand what you are reading.'' I explained shortly the historical part of Scripture, and said, as you are a worshipper of the devil, I am afraid he blinds your mind, lest you should see the truth; for what I have read is not difficult to comprehend. Another said, "I know your's is the true religion, but this man knows nothing," and broke off the discourse, and they departed together.

In Semanoor, I read a tract on the history of Naaman to several persons, and asked one who had just returned from bathing in the Caveery, if the water of the tank before us would not cleanse us equally well? He replied, it would not take away our sins. After explaining that water would only cleanse and refresh the body, I spoke of the blood of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin.

l read our Saviour's sermon on the Mount, at the Mamangam Tank,*[7] in Combooconum. One man professed to admire the excellent things contained in this discourse, but said, they were to be found in the Hindoo Shasters likewise, though none walk agreeable thereto. He added, I am become three parts of a Christian, and begged one of each of our tracts, promising that he would read them himself, and make known their contents to others. I had formerly given him one tract and now gave some others, as he requested.

At Teruvellumsooly, when reading to several persons, a Brahmin woman said, "Sir, where did you get this wisdom, and whence do you come? Our Brahmins do not tell us such things." I replied, that it was God's book which he had given to men, that I had been reading, and that to understand it was true happiness. She said with earnestness, "Such truths are excellent."

Journal of George Burder's Reader.

Stopped at a Choultry, where I saw a man who supports many beggars, by going round the town every evening with a cart to beg rice for them, which is considered very meritorious. I had much conversation with him, and the other persons present. I also read a tract which was attentively listened to. They all acknowledged that there was but one true religion. I reminded them that acknowledging this with their lips was not enough; we must do the will of God, and believe on his Son Jesus, and not expect to obtain heaven by ceremonies, alms, bathing, &c.

Reading at Valleapettah, one man appeared very sorrowful on account of the death of his son. I gave him some advice suitable to his state of mind, and spoke to all upon the true way of removing the fear of death, through faith in Christ.

When reading the Scriptures, in the passage-boat at the Arasalar, which was full of people, a Vellala†[8] came to me, and seemed interested in what he had heard, and asked several questions as to how he could obtain heaven, which I answered according to the Scriptures. He promised to attend to what I said.

I saw a woman of the Kannar (brazier) caste, who had been fasting from morning till evening, as she had been unable to see a Brahmany Kite*[9] through the whole of the day. At length a kite came to a tank at a short distance. The woman told some little boys to go and throw stones, and endeavor to make it fly near to her; they did so, but the kite flew another way, and the poor woman was disappointed. Then I spoke to her on the folly of believing that bird to be a god, and of fasting till she had seen it. I advised her to return home, and meditate upon what I had told her about the Redeemer of sinners, and eat her food, and praise, God who made and supports her.

Going to read, I saw a woman of the Chetty (merchant) caste, abusing a pariah woman for coming near her, and telling her to go afar off. I reasoned with the Chetty woman, and showed her that in the beginning God made of one man and woman, all the human race. She said "that might be true, but we must keep up our distinction of caste in this world." I asked her some questions, and found her very ignorant. She thought Vishnu was her maker and preserver. I showed the folly of idolatry, by asking her if the image of Vishnu was removed into a filthy or unclean place, whether it would return to the large temple before which we were standing; she appeared ashamed of having said that this was the god she worshipped. I spoke of Christ as the Redeemer of Sinners.

When reading a tract on the banks of the Arasalar, many going and coming stood and listened a while. I was reading about the deluge mentioned in Scripture. One who heard me went away, saying "this man says it will be better for us all to become Christians, or we shall be destroyed in forty days." I called him, and begged him to come and listen more attentively, for he had made a mistake. He returned, and sat down, and I then explained the history of the deluge, and showed that all impenitent sinners will be destroyed if they repent not. He begged my pardon. I entreated him to pray to Christ for pardon of all his sins.