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In relation to these people, we are constrained to admire the ways of Providence, and adore. And in beholding the happy change wrought among them by the power of Divine grace, we are glad and would take courage. Viewing what God by the mighty energies of his Spirit is accomplishing, I feel abased to the very dust, and see my own utter insignificancy in connexion with the great work which he is effecting, not only here, but throughout the world. Yet, if permitted to be a fellow-worker, I wish to persevere, to spend and be spent, in the promotion of this glorious cause. We have, indeed, been in great tribulation; at one time almost concluding our labour to be in vain; but now we are called to rejoice exceedingly. The enemy appeared to swallow us up, but he is now prostrate, though not dead; and it is our consolation to know that the power which has prostrated him can keep him in a state of subjection. Pray for us. The Gospel is again beginning to triumph here. May that triumph not be transitory, but long and glorious !

When the enemy was fiercest against us, I always felt consolation in the thought, that we were supported by the prayers of God's people, and that light would at length break forth out of darkness, although the change might not take place during my short remaining course on earth. But the triumph of the wicked has been shorter even than we expected. God has been pleased, of his infinite goodness and mercy, to show even to us, the perishing of their expectation. Yet while we rejoice exceedingly, we would do so with trembling. God is omnipotent, and can do all things; and we

can fully trust him. Yet we have seen and felt so much of the deceitfulness and depravity of the human heart, we cannot with confidence trust that, however specious the appearance.

The people are now very diligent in learning what so many of them neglected whilst they had opportunity, and are now becoming acquainted with the Gospel; may it, indeed, prove to them the power of God unto salvation! They have been eagerly striving during the past year to regain their connexion with the church. We have admitted and re-admitted 113 members to church-fellowship. Of these 43 had not been admitted before; and I am happy to say, this number included some from amongst the scholars on whom I had thought my labour entirely lost: 60 were re admitted, besides 10 from Tahaa ; 5 have removed to other stations, 15 have died in the faith, and 2 have been excluded. The number on the books at present is 162; the candidates for communion, now 7 in number, are fast increasing. There have been 7 marriages; 38 children and one adult have been baptised. Our prospects now are encouraging, and we hope to obtain assistance, while the zeal of the people is warm, in our endeavours to impart instruction to them. The field is extensive, the labourers few. I would earnestly urge our claim. May wisdom from above direct your energies into the right channels; and may the great Lord of the harvest fit and send forth many more able and willing labourers endowed with grace, to seek not their own but Jesus Christ's, and then a blessing will not be denied.

State of the Mission Church, &c.

I am thankful to be able to state that the decrease in the attendance at public worship and the schools was, as I hoped, very temporary. Early in the year a great number of the Griquas came with their families to reside on the station, and from that time to the present, with two or three exceptions, our place of worship has been filled and often crowded. Most of these people had been living for years in the neglect of the ordinances of the Gospel; some of them I visited on my journey last year, but so completely have the political changes affected the general state of things, that I should perhaps not find six families were I to take the same circuit again. It is encouraging to see so many of them brought once more under the sound of the Gospel, and I cannot but cherish the hope that this is a token that the Lord is about to manifest his purposes of mercy towards this people. There are some, formerly connected with the church under Mr. Anderson's care, who have for a long period been wanderers from the fold, but who now seem desirous of returning to the shepherd and bishop of their souls. A few of these attend the weekly meetings which I hold with inquirers. It will, indeed, be a great privilege to be instrumental in gathering up some of the scattered remains of my venerable brother's labours in this land, and preparing them for that blessed world where both he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together.

Commencement of an Infant School.

In February an infant school was opened, which contains about 70 children. Mrs. Atkinson is assisted in it by a pious young woman, from Port Elizabeth, who now resides here. The building used for this school is the old mission-house, which,

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though not very convenient, answers the purpose at present.

The day-school, under my own care, has been for some time well attended.

Increase of Church Members.

On February the 4th I had the privilege of baptising and receiving into the church four of the Bechuanas, the first fruits among that nation in this mission. I trust many more of them will, in due time, be added to the Lord. Among the other people, five have been received. There are two classes of candidates, one consisting of Griquas and others, who speak the Dutch language, of whom there are 18; and the other of Bechuanas, at present 29 in number; 27 who attend this class have left the place at different times, and have removed to other missionary stations. It would have been gratifying to have been allowed to watch the progress of these individuals who received their first serious impressions here, and I much regret the departure of some of them; but I trust they will go on well under the care of my esteemed brethren at the several places where they now reside.

Encouragements to extend the Mission.

From the favourable change lately manifested among the Griquas in this district, it does appear that now is the time to make a vigorous effort for their good by a system of well-directed operations. And this cannot be done where the missionary has to work single-handed in a field so widely extended. The encouragement already experienced among the Bechuanas is likewise a manifest call of Divine providence to do something more for the welfare of that people. I am aware of the difficulty of procuring suitable labourers; for during most of the time I was in the college, there were only 12 or 13 of us; and on looking over a list of 28, with whom I was more or

less connected, I find but 10 now employed in the missionary field, all the rest having either been prevented from entering it, or subsequently removed from it. I have reason, therefore, for peculiar gratitude to God, who has thus favoured me above so many, and desire to devote all my energies to his service. It is not that I may have less work that I am anxious for a colleague, but that more may be done in this important field of exertion; and I trust, brethren, that you will not lose sight of the pressing wants of this mission.

Mr. Atkinson will probably be joined by Mr. Schreiner, who has recently arrived in South Africa. Mr. S. was at the Kat River, in August last, but from the strong claims of the Philippolis station, Dr. Philip thought it desirable he should proceed thither. Should this arrangement be carried into effect, Mr. Atkinson will be animated afresh in his labours, and it is hoped that the mission at Philippolis will, through the Divine blessing, soon present a still more cheering aspect.

Birth-early life-first attention to

religion.

I was born at Coimbatoor, of Roman Catholic parents, in the year 1813, and brought up by them under the yoke and idolatry of popery. Having learned to read a little in a school established at this station by a gentleman, I proceeded, along with my father, to the Neilgherry Hills, about the year 1823, and there assisted my father, who was then serving an officer. When I was there, I obtained a portion of the Old Testament from a Protestant minister, and read through the Proverbs and Song of Solomon. Being pleased with this book, I asked my father to procure me another of the same kind, and he accordingly brought and gave me a copy of the New Testament. I was myself now in the employ of an officer; and one of his servants, a Tranquebar Christian, finding me once, at a leisure hour, engaged in reading the Scriptures, asked me what religion I was, and then began to speak to me of the errors of Romanism. I afterwards reasoned about these things with my father in the same manner I was reasoned with by this man. He asked me who taught me to reason thus, and plucked away the Scriptures from me. He gave me in lieu a Tamul grammar and some other similar books, and directed me to read nothing but such books.

Early experience—progress in knowledge.

and obtained one from a catechist of the Rev. Mr. Cooper; who not only gave me a copy, but even introduced me to the minister. The reverend gentleman spoke to me for some days on the errors of Romanism, the evil of sin, the nature of salvation, and the privileges of believers. Although I could not then understand what sin, and pardon, and piety were, yet it made me glad to hear of the unspeakable happiness which awaited the saints; and, supposing to myself, that if I would in future but refrain from customary sins, and pray to God, he would receive me to heaven, I asked the minister what he would have me to do, and that I was ready to obey him. He advised me to renounce Romanism, and join his church. I consented; but as there were then no other Christians at the place, we three only knelt together, and the catechist closed with prayer. The minister afterwards told me, that as I was now received into the church, I should walk agreeably to Christ; and directed the catechist to teach me several other things necessary for me to know. Accordingly, whenever I was at leisure I used to go to the catechist, and receive Christian instruction.

About this time my mother and brother died, and the gentleman whom I served, on leaving the country for England, recommended me to another gentleman. I now again began to desire a New Testament,

punishment. Encouraged by this, I lived in the violation of the law of God.

Renewed study of the Scriptures-conviction of sin, &c.

I next joined a heathen teacher, whose views were nearly like those of Socinians. I asked him to explain to me many things. Finding that these persons spoke so contrary to one another, I thought it best to examine the real character of true religion myself. I read some of the books of the learned among the heathen, and finding them unsatisfactory, I left them, and began to study the Scriptures once more for myself. I also read a little work, entitled, "The Believer's Companion," and a tract, which I found of use to me. But the Epistle to the Romans was most instrumental in doing me good, especially the seventh chapter, which enabled me to obtain a knowledge of sin. I could not then think of sin without great uneasiness of mind; and I used to retire alone to the groves, and kneeling down, confessed my sins to the Lord, praying that he would pardon me for the sake of the Lord Jesus.

Feeling it then to be my duty to make known to others the way of salvation through Christ, I began to talk about it to my father and other relatives. My father becoming vexed took me to the Roman Catholic priest, begging him to give me suitable advice; and charged me, before the priest, with having now learnt the Missionary's religion, and with speaking contrary to the doctrines of his church. The priest, turning round to me, said, "What fault do you find in our religion, that you should now wish to join the Missionary's religion (i. e. turn Protestant)?" In answer, I asked the priest a few questions; but he, instead of giving me proper replies, began to curse ine, and to order me to be turned out of his church.

After this my father died. The Rev. Mr. Sawyer was then in the country, I and used to go and hear his sermons. While I was thus occupied, both in seeking the things of this life and in attending to the concerns of my soul, two Roman Catholics, Aurokiyum and Joseph by name, turned from their idolatry, and I directed them to Mr. Sawyer. There were also two other young men, one of whom was almost prepared to join Mr. Sawyer's church, but

was drawn away by the device of some Socinians the other went back to heathenism, from worldly inducements.

Further progress in knowledge-arrival at Chittoor, &c.

Being accustomed, after this, to hear the Rev. Mr. Schmidt and others, my mind was gradually growing enlightened; but as my employers were void of piety, and as my occupation under them did not afford me much leisure, either to read God's word or to go to church, my zeal lessened from time to time, and I was exposed to many temptations and difficulties, even though occa. sionally awakened by the Holy Spirit to a sense of my duty. I began, therefore, to reflect on the wretchedness of my situation; and finding that all worldly callings are injurious to the soul, though useful to the body, I had often a strong wish to throw up my situation, and to give myself to the service of God. While I was myself so thinking, my master left the Hills for Chittoor, by appointment; and I was obliged to follow him, in the hope of accomplishing my desire some way there.

I arrived here in 1836, and afterwards married a Christian woman from the congregation of Mr. Bilderbeck. Soon after this I resigned my situation, and continued some time without any employment. I made known my feelings to Mr. Bilderbeck, who then took me into the service of the Mission.

My present experience is as follows: I feel that I am a great sinner against God; that, as he is a Being of infinite holiness and justice, I deserve only to be sent to hell. I also feel that I am not worthy of that love which, instead of sending me to hell, moved God to send his Son to die for me, while yet a sinner. I believe that I shall be saved through Christ alone; that the Bible is the word of God; and that, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, I now hate those sins which I before committed, and which only brought sorrow. I look to Christ for the pardon of my sins; and I also believe that He, who has delivered me from all the dangers and evils by which I was long surrounded, and from the hand of the enemy, will continue to save me from all future dangers, and receive me at last into his heavenly kingdom. Adored be his glorious name for ever and ever! Amen.