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46 blishment of the colony was, their desire to turn to good account a temporary religious excitement among a class of people who call themselves Kálagnánis from believing in a prophetic Purána, termed Kalágnána or knowledge of the times. In this extraordinary book which may be about two hundred years old, great changes regarding the prevailing sects Brahmans and Lingaits are prophesied. Teachers of the true religion are described as coming from the west: and the fall of the great city of Scringapatam is announced as a sign that these prophecies are about to be fulfilled. Stirred up by these predictions, some of the leaders of the Kálagnána sect applied to the London Missionaries at Belgaum for counsel and assistance. Having failed in convincing them of their sincerity, they addressed themselves in 1839 to the Basle missionaries at Dharwar, and requested them to come and teach them the way of truth; assuring them that there were thousands of people of the same mind, who desired most earnestly to be instructed in the doctrines of the true religion. It was evident from the first, that the wishes of these people were not altogether free from worldly considerations; but the missionaries felt it their duty to take the matter up. Several visits were accordingly paid to the Kálagnánis; and the brethren at Dharwar and Hubli were now and then much encouraged by manifestations of an apparently sincere desire after truth on their part. At last, Mr. Frey who was stationed at Hubli, determined on going amongst them, and staid for several months at Bentur, one of their principal villages, instructing all who would come. Matters came to a decision in the latter part of the year 1840, when only twenty people appeared steadfast. These assured Mr. Frey that they would follow him to the asylum which he promised to establish for them; and measures were adopted to commence it.

Early in 1811, the Government granted the mission a piece of waste land, including sixteen acres of stony ground for building, and about a hundred for cultivation, on the same conditions on which Hindu cultivators receive such waste lands: and Mr. Frey, with the consent of the Home Committee, commenced building a mission house and a few native huts. When, however, the settlement was so far advanced that colonists could be admitted, Mr. Frey and his brethren were sadly disappointed by their inconstancy. All who had promised to come refused to give up caste and their former connections. The movement of the Kálagnáni gradually subsided, as they found themselves persecuted by their own people, and the whole plan, as far as they were concerned, fell to the ground. The experiment added another to the long list of proofs already existing that