ce with a friendly feeling. Most pleasant
proof has been given that many of the inhabitants of Benares have come
to look on missionaries not only with respect but affection. I well
remember gratifying acts of courtesy and kindness, which could not have
been prompted by sinister motives.

I must not omit to say that while missionaries have carried on their
work openly and boldly, they have felt themselves bound to treat the
people courteously, and to abstain from the use of violent and abusive
words. There are places where they do not deem themselves entitled to
declare their message--such as sacred places where worship is being
carried on. Mr. Smith, of the Church Mission, once mentioned to me that
he had for a short time taken his stand close to one of the bathing
places, but the priests and people were greatly excited by his presence,
and he deemed it proper to retire.

While at Benares the Gospel has to encounter peculiar opposition, it has
some marked advantages as a mission-field. The missionary, as he moves
about, meets with people from all parts of India. While these speak
different languages, many know enough of the languages spoken at Benares
to admit of a measure of intelligent intercourse with them. Vast
multitudes come from the widely extended region over which the
Hindustanee and Hindee prevail. While many go to Benares, we may suppose
the great majority, urged by the gregarious feeling so powerful all the
world over, happy to find themselves among the multitude, hoping to get
some religious benefit, and sure at any rate, as they acknowledge, of
amusement, we cannot doubt there are among them earnest souls--how many
it is impossible to say--who are ill at ease, and have a craving for
rest and satisfaction. These persons are in the state of mind to which
the Gospel is specially adapted, and it is very desirous for the
missionary to come into contact with them. Missionaries have fallen in
with persons of this class, and among them there have been pleasing
instances of conversion. There are individuals now in distant parts of
India living Christian lives, who were led to embrace Christ as their
Saviour by what they heard at Benares. Many Christian books have been
circulated among pilgrims to the sacred city. These are taken to their
homes, we may hope sooner or later to be read by them to their spiritual
benefit. Again and again bread cast on the waters has been found after
many days.

The greed of the Pund