The Baptism of a Mahunt.

THE following interesting account of the baptism of a Mahunt (a kind of abbot, or head of a religious establishment) has been furnished by Mr. Miller. The baptism of such a man is sure to exert powerful influence in favour of Christianity, and it is hoped that some of his co-religionists will follow the example thus presented.

writes:-
:-

Mr. Miller

Cuttack, January 26th, 1884.

MY DEAR BROTHER HILL,-You will be pleased to hear that the Sika Mahunt, Bhagaban Das, was baptized in the Cuttack chapel last Lord's-day morning, after a sermon by Brother Buckley from Ephesians vi. 16.

I had received several letters from him, begging that some of the brethren might come to him, as he was anxious to come away, and that some of the people were occasioning him trouble in consequence of the position he had taken in regard to Christianity. It was arranged that brethren Shem Sahu and Hurree Krisna (late inspector of police) should visit and advise him in regard to his property, etc. In the meantime he arrived in Cuttack, and begged that he might be baptized.

A number of the native brethren had a lengthy interview with him, and were so satisfied as to his being a proper subject for baptism, that they strongly recommended that it should take place as early as possible. It was therefore arranged for the time above mentioned.

The morning was unusually foggy and cold, which led us to conclude he might be a little late for the service-having to come from the pucca house, Stewart Patna, where he is putting up. Long before the time, however, he came to our house, with a bundle of clothes in his hands. It was thought that he had better come to the chapel in his palkee, and bearers had been engaged. He had, however, got up very early in the morning, and decided to dispense with the palkee, lest, as he said, people should think he was proud, and stood upon his dignity as a Mahunt. We walked to the chapel together, and he took his place by Anam Babu near the baptistry. There were many outsiders at the doors of the chapel, though none of his disciples of Cuttack. Our people mustered strongly, though the congregation would have been much larger had more publicity been given to the baptism. A hymn having been sung at the close of the sermon, which was most appropriate to the occasion, I proposed the following three questions:

1.-Dear Brother, -Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ to be the only Saviour, and are you trusting in Him for the pardon of sin and for salvation?

2.-Are you here of your own free-will to be baptized into the name of the Triune God, e.g., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

3.-Have you, by the grace of God, determined, until death, to be Christ's true disciple, and in all things to follow His instructions?

These questions having been answered in the affirmative in an audible and impressive manner, I offered prayer on his behalf, and after receiving his poita, or sacred thread, led him into the water and baptized him.

This event-unprecedented, at least, in the history of our Mission-a Mahunt giving up his position, his property to a large extent, and the worship and offerings of rich disciples, in order to become a disciple of Christ, has created quité a sensation in this town, and is utterly inexplicable from the standpoint of those ignorant of the irresistible power of the love of Christ. Even Zenana ladies, I learn, are talking about the Mahunt's baptism, and asking questions as to the motives which influenced him. He will, poor man, have a good deal to contend with, and has much need of the prayers of all true Christians. He seems now contented and happy through having obeyed the Lord's commands in regard to baptism. He has counted the cost, and is prepared for the consequences of the step he has taken. Many visited him, and tried in every possible way to dissuade him from baptism. Some said, "You are now a Mahunt, looked up to and revered by disciples who are willing to give anything you may require. On becoming a Christian you will be forsaken and dis

graced, and may have to cut grass in order to obtain a living." "If need be I shall be ready to engage in that most menial employment rather than give up Christ," was his noble reply. He has not, however, been forsaken. Each day since his baptism people have been to see him-among these two Mahunts. He seems quite at home and happy in making known to those who visit him his reasons for the step he has taken, and that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour. He tells me that one of the Mahunts is favourably impressed, and has expressed a desire to copy his example. He is a man of very abstemious habits-has only one meal a day, consisting of dhal, rice, and chupatees. He never touches anything in the way of pan or narcotics, but smokes two cigars in a day. He is of an independent spirit-has a great aversion to receive anything from anybody. He has made over to me for safe keeping 280 rupees in cash, and registered documents which, with interest now due, may amount to some 900 rupees. There is a good deal of landed property, part of which he thinks he has a perfect right to; also other property in his name, which belongs to the Math. The old Mahunt by whom he was nominated some thirteen years ago is still living. They parted in a friendly way, and Bhagaban has written to him since his baptism.

I heard a touching incident regarding Bhagaban's poita, which as a Brahmin he has worn some thirty-five years. The poita is, as you know, a great factor in relation to ceremonial defilement and purification. On the day of his baptism, when the occasion of placing the poita on his ear occurred, on realizing that it was gone he burst into tears, which however were soon checked on considering for whose sake it had been given up. I must now stop, and give you more of his history another time.

Notes from Rome.

BY REV. N. H. SHAW.

BAPTISM.

ON Sunday morning, the 9th inst, we had the pleasure of baptizing two persons, and in the evening of the same day receiving them formally at the Lord's Supper. The day was felt by many to be one of encouragement and joy. There are others asking to be baptized, but the church deemed it wise to let them wait awhile and give further proof of their spiritual life.

DEACONS.

Until a little more than a month ago our church at Via Urbana was without deacons. At the beginning of our communion it was thought that as there was no pressing need for deacons just then it would be well to wait and see what kind of men the church might produce. Our caution was justified by experience. But for several months we have felt that it was possible and desirable to choose two brethren altogether worthy of such an office. The two deacons are young men of intelligence and piety. We have watched their growth with thankfulness and joy, and their zeal now gives us much hope for their future influence on the church life.

DEATH OF A MISSIONARY.

Mrs. Taylor, the wife of Dr. Taylor, of the American Baptist Mission, has been suddenly called from earth to heaven. She fell ill on Monday, the 3rd inst., died on Friday morning, the 7th, and was buried in the Protestant cemetery on Saturday, the 8th. She was much esteemed by all who knew her, and the writer of this notice felt a true admiration for the combination of excellencies that was observable in her character. She has left to mourn her loss, and inherit the memory of her unaffected piety, a family, part of which is in Italy and part in America. A large crowd showed by its presence and sorrowful demeanour at the grave how much everybody unites with us in sympathy for Dr. Taylor and his family in their great loss. May the Lord comfort their hearts.

NEWS AND NOTES.

A WORD WE WANT TO HEAR.

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The need for evangelization in Italy is so great that it can scarcely be exaggerated. It is to be hoped that this has been patent to all the readers of the G. B. Magazine and Observer. There are, moreover, just now special reasons for ordering an advance, and there are also special opportunities which seem like a call from God.

I should like to hear the voice of the Committee and friends at home saying— "Onward! Go in the Lord's name and possess the land! Don't stay in Rome always, but establish one or two stations in other needy cities! Do it at once! Have confidence in us. We can give three times the money that we do for missions, and we will! Do you suppose that our love for Jesus is only an empty profession? Do you imagine that when we sent you to Italy we were not prepared for a real war of conquest? Whatever sort of Christians do you take us for? We have read Matthew xix. 27-30, and 2 Cor. viii.-9. Go on, brother, in the name of the Lord; and for the love of Christ, go on!

Is this the word we shall hear? and soon?

Sambalpur Book Room & Preaching Stations.

In addition to the £10 received from our good friend, R Johnson, Esq., of London, I have received in England the following sums, which I beg to acknowledge with warmest thanks.

I may again mention that the sites for these rooms have been secured and Mr. Heberlet now only waits for the necessary J. G. PIKE.

paid for by friends on the spot. help before he begins to build.

News and Notes.

A SUGGESTION. At a recent meeting of the Committee it was agreed respectfully to suggest that, in towns where there are several churches, arrangements be made, whenever practicable, for holding missionary services in connection with every church or chapel.

BAPTISM AT KHOORDAH.-On the evening of January 19th, Babu Shem Sahu baptized in a tank at Khoordah four persons-one of the candidates being Mrs. Taylor, the wife of the English deputy magistrate there, and another a daughter of Damudar, the native preacher. The event excited considerable interest, and some two hundred spectators were present. W. M.

MR. MILLER, writing from Cuttack on February 23rd, says: "The hot weather seems to have come upon us all of a sudden. Brother Buckley is not feeling well; Mrs. Buckley is still very feeble. They are hoping to go to Gopalpore for a change. The Mahunt has people to him daily. The leader of the Brahmo Samaj expressed his surprise that he should have renounced his position to embrace Christianity and not their system and church."

FIRE IN A CHRISTIAN VILLAGE.-Five houses and a room used as a chapel were burnt down at Asraypore, near Piplee, in the early part of February, and almost everything destroyed. It is a sad loss to our people, but we are doing the best we can. J. V.

BIBLE WOMEN.-Mr. Vaughan writes-"You have probably heard that the ladies at Archdeacon Lane, Leicester, have formed a society, with Mrs. Brooks as Secretary, and that they hope to support our Piplee Bible women.

Mission Services.

DURING the month services have been held as follows:

Received on account of the General Baptist Missionary Society from

February 16th to March 15th, 1884.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the General Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by W. B. BEMBRIDGE, Esq., Ripley, Derby, Treasurer; and by the Rev. W. HILL, Secretary, Mission House, 60, Wilson Street, Derby, from whom also Missionary Boxes, Collecting Books and Cards, may be obtained.