known that any detailed account of them here appears to be unnecessary. A brief statement of them, and a tabular view, showing the times when they were commenced, their stations, the number of their missionaries, schools, converts, etc., will be given. Also the results of the missionary enterprise, and some remarks and suggestions concerning ways and means of promoting the cause.

PRESENT STATE OF PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN INDIA.

The first Protestant missions in the southern countries of Asia, were commenced by the Dutch in Amboyna and Ceylon, and the next in the order of time, were the Danish and German mission, on the Coromandel Coast. These last-mentioned missions were assisted at different times by the Society for Propagating the Gospel and the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, in England. The first English missionaries who proceeded to India, were Dr. Carey and his associates in 1793. The exclusive policy of the East India Company for some time prevented the English missionary societies from engaging vigorously in propagating Christianity in India. The restrictions of this Company were removed by changes in the charter, when renewed by Parliament in 1813. From that time there has been a gradual increase in the missionary force in India. Missions have been commenced by societies of different denominations in the United Kingdom, and on the Continent of Europe, and in the United States of America. The stations of these missions were so much scattered over the country, and their operations, though communicated to their respective societies in Europe and the United States, and published in their reports, were yet often so little known to the Christian public in India that a collection of their statistics and more knowledge of their particular state became very desirable. This work was undertaken by the Rev. J. Mullens, in connection with the Calcutta Missionary Conference, and was accomplished to the satisfaction of all connected with the missionary cause. The statistics included Ceylon, as its missions are closely connected with those of India. The results were of a very encouraging character, and showed more progress and

success than was generally expected. The statistics collected were published in tables which exhibited the names of the societies, the stations, and the missionaries, and the number of churches, communicants, catechists, schools, etc., connected with each mission. These tables show that in 1852, India (including Ceylon,) contained:

The tables are too numerous and extended to be all inserted here. Of the two following tables, the first exhibits the force of the principal missionary societies, and the second exhibits the summary of the missions in each Presidency and Ceylon. In the full tables of statistics, the missions of Ceylon are printed separately. In the first of these tables they are included. In the second table they appear by themselves.

Dr. W. Brown in his History of Missions, published in 1854, has given some later statistics and refers to numerous Reports, Journals, etc., for authority. He makes the whole number of communicants 21,299 which is a very considerable increase. Probably the catechists, schools, etc., had increased in equal proportion.

The 22 Missionary Societies engaged in propagating Christianity in India compose a part of nearly every Protestant church and denomination in Europe and America. They show an amount of talent, learning, wealth, and influence vastly exceeding what is generally supposed to be engaged in this cause. They show what a strong hold the cause of foreign missions has acquired upon the feelings of Christians. They show not only a conviction of the truth of Christianity, but of the duty of communicating a knowledge of it to the inhabitants of those countries who have hitherto remained ignorant of it. In the extent of their organization as well as in the learning, talent, wealth, influence, and piety they comprehend, they show that a late distinguished author had well considered this cause when he declared "the Spirit of Missions to be the Glory of the Age."*

Of the 443 missionaries, 48 (the number is greater now) were natives, born and most of them educated in the country. These have been ordained and are now laboring for the conversion of their countrymen. It must be obvious to all who have any acquaintance with India, that its population of 150,000,000 can never be evangelized by the direct labors of missionaries sent from Europe and America. The principal work of these missionaries must be to raise up and superintend a native agency. To prepare a suitably qualified agency to preach the gospel must require much time as well as great labor. Such agents must be converted from heathenism to Christianity, as well as be educated for the ministry. They must give evidence of having been called by God and renewed by his Spirit before they engage in this work. Now no human means can impart to them this essential part of their qualifications; God alone can give it. For this qualification in native agency, missionaries must look to Him who has commanded his Gospel to be preached to all the human family.

* John Foster.