PROHIBITION OF RELIGIOUS TORTURES IN INDIA. THE subject of torture in our Oriental Empire has of late very much engaged the attention of the public at home. We are glad now to find that tortures, as a part of the superstitious practices of the people, are consigned to the same fate as infanticide and suttee. The progress of civilisation and the effects of an improved administration of public affairs, have doubtless contributed to these results; but far more is to be attributed to the wide-spread influence of the gospel. In these changes we behold some sure signs of our success.

The following remarks are taken from the columns of "The Christian Times;" and no apology is needed for reproducing them to our readers, since they relate to the great cause in which they are so deeply concerned.

So far distant are we from the scene of action, that even in this dullest season, when there is no domestic question moving to engage general attention, people scarcely make any account of an event in India which deserves the most grateful notice. Mr. Duncan Davidson, magistrate of Poonah, a district of the Bombay Presidency, has been instructed to issue a proclamation for abolishing the custom of swinging by the hook, and of self-wounding by swords, practised from time immemorial by the heathen devotees. For some time past, as it appears, the enlightened part of the Indian community has become sensible of the revolting barbarism of such practices; the Government, aware of this improved state of public opinion, caused an inquiry to be instituted, and the result of this inquiry is Mr. Davidson's proclamation. Henceforth, any one attempting to swing or to be swung by flesh-hook, or to drive swords through the fleshy parts of his limbs, will be taken into custody by the police, and suffer the consequences, whatever they may be, of disobedience to authority. A discretionary power as to the penalty seems to be left with magistrates, and we must hope that if the voluntary sufferers do not desist from wounding their persons, and hazarding their lives, for the sake of sprinkling their own sacred blood upon the spectators, proper measures will be taken to compel them to have pity on themselves. This proclamation does great honour to the Indian Government; and, not to speak of the prevention of suttee and infanticide-customs which were long treated as tenderly as if they had grown virtuous and necessary with lapse of time-we very lately heard that, at the request of the Indians themselves, young widows, no longer burnt, indeed, but perpetually doomed to a compulsory widowhood, were released from that obligation, and may now become members of society. After this wise exercise of the prerogative of sovereignty, the Government of India is now removing another of the customs which had been revolting to humanity. Against those customs the tide of public feeling had begun to set in, and their disuse during a few years will no doubt be sufficient to render any return to them impossible.

But what changed the opinion of the most intelligent natives? and what created any intelligence among them? Undoubtedly that is owing to the influence of Christian missions; and if it had not been for missionaries, councils and magistrates would never have thought of abolishing these various forms of suicide and murder. In Rome gladiatorial shows abounded in spite of Ciceronian refinement: so, in our Eastern empire, a merely secular civilisation would have not only left human sacrifice rampant in all its forms, but also devised new methods of gratifying multitudes with religious cruelties on a far larger scale. One by

one the Government has cut the ties which attached it to idolatry, and the spectacles and institutions which most effectually kept alive a blind fanaticism among the masses of the natives, have been in succession put out of the way. Indifference to positive Christianity, after this, would be most fatal, inasmuch as the millions of India, without a ritual, without feasts, and almost without a priesthood, would sink into pure atheism, with no God to swear by, nor even a demon to be feared. A humanitarian policy would never elevate such people into a position worthy of subjects of Great Britain, and the intelligent portions of Indian society would only despise their rulers as abolitionists of an old religion, without heart or principle enough to provide them with a substitute.

The practices now made unlawful in the Poonah District, and we may hope in every other district of all the Presidencies, so far as they have existed, were not occasional manifestations of religious fury, but compulsory inflictions. Fifteen families of Poonah were set apart and maintained for the express purpose of being thus tormented at the great festivals, and the offerings then made to the individuals mutilated went for the maintenance of those families; and, no doubt, the same authority which makes this mode of maintenance unlawful, will take proper measures to assure the supernumerary swingers against starvation, until the necessity of such provision ceases. So far good. The career of Reformation is fairly opened, and even the sluggish masses of Hindoostan are moved onward with it. The benefits of British rule are now felt in the bosoms of retrieved families, and the inquiry as to what further will be done cannot but wax louder and louder. The sacred families may not henceforth live upon the price of their own flesh and blood; but will the gentlemen of the civil service be willing, in any degree, to subsist on the agonies and groans of tortured tax-payers? Torture by hook is prohibited, and so must be forbidden torture by stone. The Indian must no more swing by his dorsal muscles in the air for the sake of religion, and, of course, he is no longer to be crushed down into the earth, with his back broken, for the sake of revenue. Some expedient may be struck out for making this mode of tax-gathering unnecessary; and the magistrates who so far bestir themselves as to purge the religious festivals of cruelty, even in spite of certain priestly interests and strong popular prejudices, will no doubt be vigilant and magnanimous enough to hazard some trifling inconvenience, if, at that cost, their hands can be cleansed of all blood-guiltiness. So much may now be expected, as, no doubt, it is sincerely desired. The act just reported is not isolated, but part of a great effort for elevating the population of India nearer to our own level, and must inevitably be sustained by many other acts, until the object is attained.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

INDIA.

CALCUTTA. ALIPORE.-We have received a letter from Mr. Underhill, dated November 21, a few days after his return from Burmah. We are glad to learn that in point of health the journey has proved beneficial, though he begins to feel the effect of a tropical climate, and is anxious to finish his work and come home. In accordance with the resolutions of the Committee, Mr. Underhill will at once proceed to wind up all his affairs, and will leave Calcutta

by the last mail in February, somewhat earlier than was expected, and will in all probability reach home by the middle of April. His presence at the anniversaries will be a great advantage; and we are glad that this object can be secured and his work out there done too.

"I confess that I should like to meet the value, or confirms it as the case may be. subscribers in their Annual Meeting, as Now at Mr. Holliday's instance, the judges being the most facile means of spreading of the Sudder have called for the papers in through the denomination a true and clear the Baropakhya case, and have unaniapprehension of what has been done. If mously decided that Mr. Kemp's judgment my return be delayed I could not leave is not accordant with the evidence, and India before the beginning or end of May. that he ought to have sustained the convicThis would bring me into the hottest sea- tion of the magistrate. The effect of this son of the year in Calcutta, and expose us decision will be of great value in Barisaul, on our return to the intolerable heat of for the adversary is beaten, and the way the Red Sea. This for my own sake I am will be open for the poor people to recover anxious to avoid. Before I left for Bur- their land and property. It will be perhaps mah I was feeling the effects of climate, of greater value at home. Any member of producing a continual low headache, and I Parliament bringing forward the case as a shall be glad to escape the trial of another specimen of Bengali justice, and Bengali hot season, both for myself and my wife. All this will, I think, be sufficient to justify the change in the time, while in all other respects I shall be able to see the wishes of the Committee carried into effect.

"Mr. Parsons is now in Calcutta ; but will leave in a week or so. As Mr. Jackson is on his way down, I am anxious that Mr. P. should go up as soon as he can.

"Brother Morgan is in a very precarious state indeed, and we begin to fear he will not live to embark. The doctors wish to keep him here till January that he may escape your cold spring weather. I think that there can be little doubt but that Mr. Kerry must occupy Howrah.

courts, and Bengali police, is safe from the reply that the case is not true. The highest court of Bengal has affirmed that injustice and outrage have been committed upon these poor people, and you have an indubitable proof of this state of things in this part of India. Do, then, push it on, for the sake of the public weal. We may now perhaps obtain the just rights of these few poor Christians; but thousands upon thousands of ryots suffer in this way, and can get no redress. Nor would these poor Christian ryots get it, but for our interference. I will try to obtain from the Lieut.Governor a copy of the opinion. If I succeed, I will send it to you. You are, at "And now for a little good news. The all events, now quite safe from contradicSudder Dewanny Adawlut, that is the tion. It has pleased God to vindicate these supreme court of appeal in civil cases, has oppressed and needy people, and to clear given an opinion condemnatory of the the good name of our missionary brethren judges' decision in the Baropakhya case. from reproach. To Him be the praise! I must explain that the case of our native "I intended to have written you a sheet Christians could not be appealed by us to on things in Burmah. But time is not to the Sudder, as the criminals being ac- be had for it. If I can write one by quitted they could not be tried again. next mail I will do so. I am thankful to But the Sudder Court (Supreme Court of say that we have returned in renovated the Mofussil) possesses the power of calling health. A few little ailments have defor the papers in any case, reversing the parted, and we are enjoying both the decisions of the inferior courts, and of salubrity of the season and the very kind expressing an opinion upon them. It is hospitality of Mr. Pearce. His work seems not a judgment, because the cause is not to prosper with the blessing of God. He reheard or argued; it is an opinion. It and Mrs. Pearce and Miss Parker are in does not reverse the sentence of the criminal excellent health.” court; but of course deprives it of all

CEYLON.

COLOMBO. We have to announce, that, after a protracted struggle, Mr. Davis has been obliged to yield to medical advice, and leave for England. We are grieved, too, at the continued indisposition of Mr. Carter, who suffers from relaxation of the throat, and is unable to preach. In other respects his health was somewhat improved, at date of last advices. He was at Colombo when

Mr. Davis wrote, uniting with him in making the necessary arrangements for conducting the mission until Mr. Allen's return. Dr. Elliott continues his most valuable services in carrying on the public services at the Pettah chapel, and superintending the affairs of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Allen will probably be able to leave early in April, and return, we trust, in thoroughly reinvigorated health, for a long course of active labour in a field where they have been so eminently useful.

"You will be grieved to learn that we "The only advice I can offer in reply are preparing to leave Ceylon in the ship to yours of the 17th, just to hand, is, to Raven's Craig, which will sail the latter return to Colombo for the purpose of preend of the present month. Under existing paring for the voyage to England. It circumstances it has cost me much to de- would be only tempting Providence to cide on such a step; but the opinions and remain longer in conflict with its clireasonings of the four medical men, whom mate, which, if not submitted to by a we have consulted, have compelled me to retreat, may take means to insure a comlay aside my objections, and believe it my plete victory. Submit then to the will of duty to embark as speedily as possible. your Heavenly Father, who knows what is Our sojourn on the hills was, I fear, an ag- best for his own cause, and his willing gravation of my disorder, and before we servants.' could reach Colombo, Dr. Elliott in his kind- "Brother Carter will take charge of all ness, had attempted to secure us a passage matters respecting the mission, and Dr. Elin the Fortitude, but was unable to agree liott, with the Wesleyans, will continue the with the captain, respecting cabin accom- preaching at the Pettah. Some further modation and price. The accompanying particulars I shall be able to send by next extract from a letter from Dr. Elliott to mail, when everything will be settled. Mrs. myself will furnish you with his opinion, in Davis is tolerably well, and resigns her which the other medical men fully concur. charge with extreme reluctance."

AFRICA.

FERNANDO PO, CLARENCE.-The last and previous mails from Clarence have brought us very varied intelligence. In the mountain the natives have had one of those annual gatherings at which the most fearful licentiousness is indulged, and the poor unhappy women cruelly treated, of which Mr. Diboll recently gave so affecting an account. He has done what he could to repress the vile practices, and as his letter will show, not without a measure of success.

truth, but feel much difficulty in breaking from ancient customs.

Native Ignorance.

"... I have been twice to the mountain since my last, and have found things a little improved. The children are allowed to come to school more regularly, and some persons are beginning to question the pro- "I had a company of young women priety of wearing charms against sickness. come to my house a few days since, to A young man came to tell me that he had whom I preached Christ and salvation by been to his Moh Man (Devil Priest) for a his blood; they listened attentively, but remedy against pain in his knees, when a seemed not to comprehend the subject. piece of grass was tied round his neck to The next day they came again, and so cure him. The young man objected that furnished me with another opportunity to the pain was not in his neck but in his exhort them to repent and turn to God. knees. The debate was strong, and ended Oh, that I had stronger faith! Our young in his tearing the charm from his neck, and sister who has been at Fish Town three coming to me for medicine. I have lately months, is not labouring in vain; but she had some good opportunities of speaking must soon be succeeded by some other to the king and his chiefs, in the presence person, who has enjoyed greater advantages of these Devil men, on the folly of trusting than herself. The people at Robola are to lying vanities, and the propriety of inquiring with much earnestness, when I turning to the living God. They listen will go and carry out my original design. with much attention, acknowledge the To such inquiries I can make no reply.