stances.

Since I last wrote, the Lord has continued to visit us, and to give us repeated evidences of his love. The public services are very refreshing seasons to our souls. Much hallowed feeling characterizes our waiting upon God: many of our people hear instruction to profit, and are growing in good things. Over some of them we can with confidence rejoice. We praise the grace of God in them, and are much encouraged to devote ourselves more fully to his blessed service, who has condescended to use us as instruments of good in these ends of the earth.

You will become acquainted with our increase during the year, in the Districtdocuments now forwarded. Our numbers are continually increasing. A Sabbath seldom passes away without some bowing the knee to Jehovah, and thus becoming professing Christians; for, however long the Feejeeans may hear instruction, they do not renounce their false gods until they bow themselves in a religious act before the Lord. They thus publicly are initiated, and from such time regularly attend the ordinances of worship, and are reckoned as lotu.

They directly make application for a Spelling-Book, and take their place in the school.

We are thankful to be able to say, that there is at present an apparent good feeling on behalf of the Bau Chiefs towards the Vewa Christians.

The open

spirit of persecution has ceased. The Chief Thakobau speaks very favourably of Christianity; and, in fact, has for some time past paid some regard to the Christian Sabbath. During his late visit to Somosomo, with his warriors, to assist Tuiilaila, the King of Somosomo, against the district of Natawa, he would take no steps in the war on the Sunday. also behaved himself very consistently during the whole of his stay at that place.

He

The Natawa war is settled. A few persons were killed on both sides. The Natawa people begged pardon of the Bau Chiefs; and the pardon being granted, the war ceased. It appears, however, that the Somosomo Chief and people were anything but pleased at the way in which it terminated. They wished Thakombau to concede the pardon, and then

to slaughter the people. They were therefore chagrined and disappointed.

From communications from our brethren at Somosomo, we learn that hostilities between the districts of Somosomo and Natawa still exist.

ThokoBut it

The affairs of Rawa remain in a precarious and unsettled state. Qaranigio and his brother Thokonaute have not yet been reconciled to each other. The former resides at a town in the mountains, and the latter at Nakue. nauto is called King of Rawa. is nearly nominal, for Rawa is not rebuilt. Tanoa is said to favour Qaranigio, but Thakombau Thokonauto. It is very difficult at present to judge as to the result. Qaranigio has a pretty strong party with him, and has made an attack on a small town near the former site of Rawa, and killed several people. There has been a serious disturbance at the island of Ovalau, by which many were cut off. A populous district, called Lovoni, has been attacking the towns on the coast, and several towns have been burnt down by them, and the inhabitants killed or scattered. They seem to have carried everything before them, and to have spread consternation over the whole island. They are, in reality, possessors of the whole island; for no force on the spot can stand against them. The towns cut off belonged to Bau: it is not, however, known whether the Bau people will attempt anything. Most, if not all, of the white men who were residing there, were compelled to flee. They had much property plundered from them by the natives; and, in some instances, escaped with only the clothes they had on.

War is desolating some other parts of that group. At Rakiraki, a district on the north-west coast of the island of Navetelavoo, they are at war with each other. We have lately sent a Teacher to that part; and now he is in the midst of war, which will hinder the progress of his work. In addition to war, there is great scarcity of food; yet, notwithstanding, the people delight in war; and a man's foes are literally those of his own household.

Since my last letters to you, the Queen of Rawa and three of her children, and Tuidreketi's mother, renounced Heathenism: they were joined by one of Qaranigio's wives and child, who are residing at Bau, having been taken prisoners in the war, and by several of

and there their bones still lie bleaching in the sun.

There has lately been some dreadful work at Ovalau. The Savone people, living in the mountains, have risen up in arms against those living on the shore, and have slain many hundreds of them, and are still carrying on the work of blood. It is probable that this will involve them in war with Bau, and many hundreds more must fall. On every hand we hear of war and blood, and thousands are perishing around us.

We do not, and we cannot, tell you what we know of Feejeean cruelty and crime. You have heard much; but, after all, you have not been told onehalf every day we hear of murder and bloodshed, and every fresh act seems to rise above the last. There have been some great monsters in Feejee. A Chief at Rakeraki had a box, in which he kept human flesh. Legs and arms were salted for him, and preserved in this box. If he saw any one of his friends who was fatter than the rest, he had him or her killed at once, and part roasted and part preserved. The people say that he eats human flesh every day. At Bau, the people keep human flesh, and chew it as some do tobacco. They carry it about with them in their clothes, and use it in the same way as tobacco. I heard of an instance of cruelty the other day, from one of our Teachers, that surpassed everything I have heard of the kind. A canoe was wrecked near Natawar, and many of the people swam to the shore. They were taken by the Natawar people, and ovens were at once prepared in which to cook them.

The poor wretches were bound ready for the ovens, and their enemies were anxiously waiting to devour them. They did not club them, lest any blood should be lost:

some could not wait until the ovens were heated, but pulled the ears off the wretched beings, and ate them raw. When the ovens were ready, they cut them up very carefully, placing dishes under every part to catch the blood; and if a drop fell, they licked it up off the ground with the greatest greediness. While the poor wretches were being cut in pieces, they pleaded hard for life; but all was of no avail, all were devoured by the cruel cannibals. But time would fail to tell a part of what we could relate; but the worst will yet remain concealed : enough is known to make every heart feel and deeply mourn.

Amid all the darkness, the cruelty, the cannibalism, by which we are surrounded, our hearts are cheered by the conversion of some to the Lord; and it is a pleasing and cheering fact, that those who formerly were the worst of the Feejeeans, have been among the first to embrace the Gospel of Christ, and many of these have been converted to God. I allude to the people of Vewa. The Chief, Elijah, is a good man. He is one of the best men I have met with in these islands. He is a determined man, and will be very useful. He was formerly a cruel cannibal; but the lion has become a lamb, and a little child may lead him. He has suffered the loss of all things for Christ. He has literally given up all, and he seems willing to do anything or suffer anything for Jesus Christ. What bas been done encourages us in our work. Jesus shall reign. Our full hearts are crying out, "O Jesus, ride on, till all are subdued." Glory be to God for what has been done; and glory be to God, says faith, for what he will shortly do. Lord, increase our faith! We want great faith for Feejee. Pray for us.

MARCH 7th, 1847.-At Nottingham, very suddenly, Mrs. Carver, the beloved wife of Mr. Edward Carver, aged thirty-five. From the earliest period of dawning intellect and moral consciousness, she was the subject of divine influence. The fear of God was deeply seated in her heart, restraining her from the pursuits of evil, and drawing her towards religion and virtue. She attended a lovefeast in the Halifax-place chapel, September 27th, 1829, being the eighteenth anniversary of her birth, and obtained peace with God through believing. She was possessed of an

amiable disposition, and her piety was genuine. For three weeks she had been held in painful suspense, between alternate hope and fear in reference to her only child, which was dangerously ill; for, like the patriarch Jacob, her life seemed to be bound up in that of her offspring. She thought she discovered unfavourable symptoms on the evening of the 7th of March: this brought back a full tide of anxiety. Debilitated by nursing, watching, and solicitude, the shock was overpowering. She expressed her fears to her husband, turned round, took a step or two in the

March 8th.--At Tiverton, aged twenty-four, Robert Blake. He had led a very dissolute life until within the last eighteen months, when he was graciously wrought upon by the Holy Spirit, and saw his state as a sinner; and shortly afterwards joined the Methodist society, of which he continued a devoted member till his death, which was occasioned by the falling of a mass of earth he was employed in excavating on the line of railroad in course of construction near this town. By those who knew him best, no doubt is entertained of his constant and complete preparation for such a sudden transition from earth to heaven. G. H.

March 9th.-At Sutton-in-the-Forest, in the Easingwold Circuit, aged twenty-six, Mr. Thọmas Shepherd. He was trained in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and was converted to God in the seventeenth year of his age. His last affliction, which was continued for two years, was endured with Christian patience. A short time before his departure, he said, "All is well I rest on the blessed Atonement," lifted his hands, smiled, and died on earth to live above. P. W.

March 9th. In the Fourth Leeds Circuit, Mr. Anthony Harding. He was converted to God, and joined the Methodist society more than forty years since, at West-Moor, near Newcastleupon-Tyne; at which place he became a Leader, and active in building the chapel. For the last

twenty years his business engagements, as a railway contractor, led him to reside in various parts of the country; but in every place (excepting one in Cheshire, where there was no Methodist society) he was a zealous, active, and useful member of the Wesleyan society. For the last five years he resided at Leeds, where he was a Leader of two classes, a Trustee of our principal chapel, and Circuit-Steward. Mr. Harding was a man of ardent piety and great simplicity. He was firmly attached to the doctrines, discipline, and polity of Wesleyan Methodism, and a liberal supporter of its institutions. In his profession he was a man of considerable skill, and was acknowledged by all who knew him to be a person of ability, energy, and integrity. By his death the church, the poor, and especially his family, have sustained a severe loss. W. B.

March 10th.-At Billingborough, in the Bourn Circuit, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Joseph Jackson. She was a truly consistent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society for the last nineteen years, during which time she employed her talents and her influence in various ways to spread the savour of the Redeemer's name. She particularly excelled as a Sabbath-school Teacher; and by her diligence and earnestness in the duties devolving on her, as such, greatly contributed to the prosperity of that institution in her village. After an illness of fourteen weeks' duration, she was called to her reward by the great Head of the church, in the thirtyeighth year of her age. J. M. B.

March 11th.-At Grantham, aged twenty-one, Ann Peverell, the beloved wife of Mr. John Parkinson. Through faith in Christ she had obtained "the remission of sins." Her religion was wellprincipled. With much Christian patience and fortitude she endured a severe"fight of affliction." Her end was sudden; but her "lamp was trimmed." Her last words were, "The Lord is with me!" W. L.

March 11th.-At Tiverton, aged forty-seven, Ann, wife of Mr. J. Pratt, jun. She had regularly sat under the Wesleyan ministry for some years; but did not join the society till within the last few months, during which time she evinced great earnestness in seeking a knowledge of salvation. Her affliction was short, but severe, and almost prevented any lengthened conversation; but she was favoured with the assurance she had earnestly sought, and died in peace.

G. H.

March 11th.-At Kingsbridge, aged fifty, Mr. John Hosking. He was a man of great peace; and, by his uniform kindness, secured the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. He was converted to God, and became a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist society, in the year 1821, and continued to adorn his Christian profession. He was long and usefully employed as a Class-Leader and Local Preacher; and his judgment was sound. His last affliction was protracted; but he received the trial with Christian submission, and was graciously supported. A short time before he departed, he said, "I feel

June 17th.-At Hoxton-square, Mr. Thomas Roche, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, having been a consistent member of the Wesleyan society for more than thirty-five years. In the year 1809 he was convinced of sin, and soon after obtained a clear sense of his acceptance with God, under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Bennett. He then united himself to the society, and received his first ticket from the hands of the late Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke. For nearly twenty years he sustained the offices of Class-Leader, Society and Poor Steward, and Missionary Secretary. He was laid aside by affliction, for three years prior to his decease; but was enabled patiently to suffer, as well as to do, his Master's will. Towards the close of his career, he was graciously prepared for the change that awaited him; and continually testified that his confidence in the Rock of Ages was firm and unshaken. In his last illness, on a friend inquiring, "You are on the foundation, Christ Jesus?" he quickly replied,

"Other refuge have I none !"

Another remarking, "Underneath and around you are the everlasting arms!" he rejoined,

"Yes! what a prop to recline upon ! In this happy frame he continued, until the messenger arrived to summon him away; when his redeemed spirit gently winged its way to the paradise of God. H. T. R.

June 27th.-At Chelmsford, aged seventy-two, Margaret, the widow of Mr. Henry Leake, formerly of that place; a woman of cultivated mind, pleasing manners, and great sweetness of disposition. She was a consistent member of the Wesleyan society during forty-two years. Her experience of the power of grace was deep and progressive, very manifest in her family, and in the more than ordinary efforts which, while health permitted, she made to extend the benefits of religion around her. Her health had long been in a declining state; but no considerable apprehension was felt with regard to the issue of her last indisposition, until the morning of her departure. The state of her mind at the closing scene is well expressed in the few words to which she then gave utterance. Fearing, from the earnestness with which she prayed that she might be enabled to place her whole confidence on God her Saviour, that her mind was agitated by doubts, her daughter inquired if such were the case she replied, "O, no! not in the least: I have not one doubt. I have much to be thankful for in that respect; yet, at the best of times, we need mercy." And, again, about two hours before she fell asleep," she said, with emphasis, "I long to exchange worlds."

H. L.