the evidence; and has thus laid the foundation of peace and justice, such as Asia before knew not. _He has been the saviour of India to Britain._ The state of the natives in a moral point of view is deplorable; the most shocking indecencies form a part of their worship; and lying, cheating, &c., are not considered crimes. Two youths who were seriously impressed during the voyage, and one who was our fellow-passenger, and has since been brought to consideration, are going on consistently in the ways of wisdom. These first-fruits of our Indian engagement afford me the most lively encouragement, and the strongest hope that God is with me of a truth. O may He be a spirit of power in my own heart, and a word of power in my mouth, that many may be turned unto righteousness: then I am sure that you will bless the day that took me from you, and we shall rejoice together in the loving-kindness of our God!” But to return to the Journal: “December 18th. This evening we are at Plassy. Walking on the bank of the river, we passed an old man brought down to die by the river-side: he exhibited signs of considerable vitality; and certainly no symptoms of immediate dissolution. My spirit was stirred within me; and a Brahmin coming past, I began to talk to him on the wickedness of killing men in this way. He said his shasters[24] commanded it, and that the doctor had pronounced the man dying. I told him that God did no injury to man; that He was good; and, therefore, the shasters were not God’s word; and that God was displeased at such proceedings; he understood me, and pleaded their customs. I answered, that the custom, the shasters, and the people, were all bad; and that when he died he would go down and lie in fire for ever. He evidently understood me and seemed confounded. I then told him that at Cutwa, a Sahib lived, who would give him the true word of God, and recommended him to go there. It appeared, however, that he came from Moorshedebad, and showed no disposition to return to Cutwa. Passing on, we found a party going to Juggernauth. I asked one of them, Why he went there? What use it would be to him, and what good it would do to him? He seemed confounded, and made no reply. I told him also of the anger of God, and of the fire after death. A Birajee[25] came running after us to beg; he was an old man. On being told by him what he was, I said to him, that he was a lazy man that would do no work, but only eat, and that God was angry with him, and that when he died he would go down to fire for ever. He was surprised at this reception, and could only plead his age. I recommended him to Cutwa. This is my first effort at missionary work: but O, how I blush, and abhor myself, for the imperfect manner I speak for God.