him." In this state of mind she remained till she left this world, to see Christ her Saviour as he is. The foundation of our new school-house was laid in January last, and in August the building was finished. It was opened in September, when the Rev. Mr. Roberts, of Swellendam, preached to parents and child. ren. The building is 24 feet by 60 outside, and has forms and desks for 150 children. FOUR PATHS STATION, JAMAICA. AMONG the latest communications received from this quarter of the world, we are happy to give the following notices of the progress of the work at the station of Four Paths, Jamaica, transmitted by the Rev. W. G. Barrett, in a letter dated in January last. Writing at that period, Mr. Barrett thus refers to the advancement of piety among the people Revival of Religion. The past year has closed propitiously. For some weeks previous to its termination, there was evidently an increased spirit of attention to the word preached. During the Christmas week brother Slatyer, Hillyer, Gibson, and myself, held continued services at the chapel here, and the neighbouring Baptist chapel, and also at Porus; these services were well attended; our chapels were full, although in former years the week has been usually devoted to carousing. One of the members of the church remarked to me, "What a difference between now and former times! always holiday time they had dance and carouse; now when holidays come, the people all look for chapel instead; couldn't believe such a difference if me didn't see it myself." The effect of these services has been good; a number of persons, hitherto irregular in their attendance, have "listed down," as they call it, and taken sittings; some appear to have been much affected by the word; and I trust that by the energy of the Holy Spirit accompanying these impressions, they will terminate in genuine conversion. The members of the church are united and zealous in their endeavours to glorify God, and thus the new year has come upon us, while our minds are full of hope for the future. New Mission Chapel. The chapel at Brixton-hill, the out-station on the Mocha Mountains, is just finished; a few more days' labour will complete the work, and then I should like some of the friends of the cause of Christ at home to see our Jamaica Brixton-hill. It is a neat building and commodious for its size, and is, indeed, "Beautiful for situation on the sides of the north." At the foot of the ridge of hills on which it is built lies the whole parish of Vere, with its numerous estates, and beyond to the horizon the blue and boundless sea, a prospect of great extent and real beauty. Influence of Christian principle among the Negroes. The people in this district have manifested great liberality towards the Society during the past year. Being obliged to build a lime-kiln, I was about to hire peo ple to do it, when a number of them proposed, of their own accord, to do it for nothing. And I have great pleasure in stating that the mountain people gave 290 days' labour on the kiln, which valued at 18. per day, makes a saving of 147. 10s. sterling to the Society. For doing this the people endured much obloquy, being derided for working for the "parson" for nothing, when they could get pay elsewhere. One property sent the constable to see how many of the people formerly belonging to it were giving their labour, and immediately served notices to quit on all they found working on the kiln. One proprietor came himself, and swore a great deal at some of his old slaves, who were exercising their newly acquired rights by working for whom they pleased. Much more of this kind occurred; but I have stated sufficient to prove that the infant liberties of this people require a jealous and vigilant superintend ence. Nor have the people in the low-lands been backward in their liberality to the Society. When the letter addressed to us on the subject of the deficiency in the Society's funds was received, I called a church meeting and read it to them. I did not say any thing to enforce the claim, I merely explained the letter, and left it to the forwardness of their own minds. A week after, one of the members said, "Minister, don't tell us what he wish us to do about that letter." I said, "No, I wish to leave it entirely to your selves." They all met presently, and one proposed that each member should give three dollars (17. currency) towards meeting the deficiency. I proposed then that they should make it a new year's gift. With one accord they all answered, Yes; and when the time came I found that they had not limited themselves to the three dollars; two gave five dollars, another three and a half dollars, and thus our little church of nineteen members made up 207. immediately. If this example provoke others to give out of their abundance what these have given out of their moderate means, how soon would the 10,000l. now deficient be raised! and I do trust that many will, by the experiment of this ministration, thus glorify God, whilst they behold the professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ, of their fellow Christians in foreign parts. NAVIGATORS ISLANDS, SAVAII. Is the arrangements made for the prosecution of the labours of the brethren in these islands, it was settled that Messrs. Hardie and Macdonald should occupy as their station, the island of Savaii, which is one of the largest of the group. This intention, however, in consequence of Mr. Macdonald being detained by illness at Rarotonga, was in the first instance frustrated, and Mr. Hardie, for a time, pursued his arduous work alone and unassisted. But he was not long a solitary labourer. In the last account of this branch of the Mission, as derived from the correspondence of Mr. Hardie, and published in the Missionary Magazine for July, the arrival of Mr. Macdonald and his wife, at Savaii, in April, 1837, was reported. Restored in health, and animated to exertion by the promising appearance of the Mission, Mr. Macdonald immediately commenced operations conformably to the original design; and by the subjoined extracts of a letter received from him under date of February last, it will be perceived that his labours, conjointly with those of Mr. Hardie, have been abundantly favoured by the blessing of the Most High. When we arrived here in the beginning of April, we were much cheered by meeting once more our dear brethren in perfect health, and full of spirits because of the pleasing prospects presented to their view by this most interesting field of labour. After the business of the meeting, brother Hardie and myself immediately made arrangements for a tour of the island, in order to choose the station where it would be most advisable for us to settle, as well as to distribute books. We commenced our journey on the 20th of April, and it is truly gratifying to be able to state that, in every district, the people seemed pleased to see us, received and treated us kindly, attentively listened to the word of salvation faithfully and affectionately addressed to them by brother Hardie, ad eagerly and gratefully received our books. Oh may they as eagerly read, seek to understand, and gratefully appreciate the all-important truths which these books make known! by the kindness of our God in inclining the hearts of many of these poor, ignorant, but interesting people, to follow that which is good. During my stay at Sapapalii, I applied myself to the Samoan language, in which I found my little knowledge of the Rarotongan dialect to be of very great service. On the Sabbath, July 19th, I preached my first Samoan sermon, from Matt. xxii. 42, at one of brother Hardie's out-stations, to about 60 people, who seemed to listen with attention; and from their answers to seve ral questions put to them after the service, I was led to conclude that they understood at least the substance of what was delivered to them. My feelings then, at the thought that I was enabled in some degree to declare to those people the truth as it is in Jesus, cannot be easily forgotten. Ever since I have continued to preach at the stated seasons and on every occasional opportunity which has offered. May the great Head of the church smile on those feeble efforts, and grant that the preaching of his word may accomplish great things among this people, enlighten, convert, and save them, to the glory of his great name! In the course of our tour we saw many things to cheer us-many persons coming forward and professing their determination to leave off heathenism, and attend to our Instructions. We, therefore, thanked God, and took courage. On the 5th of May we completed our tour, and again joined our families at Sapapalii,* after a walk of at least 140 miles, much fatigued in body, but truly strengthened and encouraged in heart There are two stations in the island, Sapapalii and Safune. The former is occupied by Mr. Hardie, the latter by Mr. Macdonald. On the 8th of August I left Sapapalii, with Mrs. Macdonald, for Safune, the place fixed upon for our station, where we arrived in the afternoon of the 10th; the distance is probably a little more than 30 miles. The island being little else than a solid mass of lava, we find it very difficult to travel by land, which, however, we prefer to the more dangerous conveyance in canoes along a bold and rugged coast. The people gladly received us as their instructors. Tato, one of the principal chiefs of the district, very readily allowed us one of the great houses of the settlement as a temporary residence until we should build one for ourselves; for these things we desire to be thankful to Him in whose hands are the hearts of all men. When entering on our station, seeing so many persons surrounding us and welcoming us among them, the responsibility and importance of the charge appeared so great contrasted with our own littleness, as to call forth the exclamation, "Who is sufficient for these things?" We desire an interest in your prayers, that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly, that we may teach them with prudence, affection, and zeal, the spirituality, duties, and doctrines of that religion which alone can make them happy in time and through eternity. Although I cannot say that there are any as yet who manifest an anxious concern about the salvation of their souls, yet their deportment on the Sabbath, the crowded congregations on that holy day to hear the Gospel, and their evident improvement in Scriptural knowledge, encourage us to go on in our work, warrant us to believe that God is smiling on our efforts to advance the interests of his kingdom among them, and that he will in his own time bless his word to the good of their souls. I am glad to state that our schools are, upon the whole, encouraging, the attendance is good and pretty regular; the number of adult scholars is 160, and of children 124. DEATH OF MRS. HEATH, AT MANONO, NAVIGATORS ISLANDS. THE accounts received of the continuance of life and health among the Mission families in these islands, since their arrival there in June, 1836, have, to a very recent period, been exceedingly gratifying and satisfactory. Still later communications, however, have brought the painful intelligence that the number of the members of the Mission no longer remains undiminished. A letter from the Rev. Thomas Heath, dated in August last, informs the Directors that their devoted brother has been called to undergo deep affliction in the removal, by death, of his beloved wife: "It has pleased our Heavenly Father," he writes, "to visit me with severe trial, by removing from this world my affectionate and faithful helpmate, and efficient coadjutor in this interesting field of labour. Mrs. Heath exhibited in December last symptoms of pulmonary consumption. Such the disease proved to be, and it carried her off on the 13th of May last. I am happy to be able to state, that she was divinely aided to sustain with admirable patience and Christian spirit her long affliction; and that she died, as she had lived, in reliance on Him who triumphed, in behalf of his people, over death and the grave." The friends of the Society will unite with the Directors in affectionately sympathising with their brother under this extreme affliction, praying that he may be graciously supported in the trying situation in which he is now placed, and soon be favoured to behold the goodness and mercy of the Lord springing forth out of present darkness and trouble. REV. JOHN WILLIAMS.-ARRIVAL OF THE MISSIONARY SHIP CAMDEN AT SYDNEY. THOSE friends of the Society, who had not previously received information of the fact, will be gratified to learn that the Rev. John Williams, and the Missionary brethren and sisters, proceeding in the ship Camden to the South Sea Islands, have arrived at Sydney, New South Wales; which place, through the mercy of Divine Providence, they reached in safety on the 8th of September last. This is stated in a letter to the Foreign Secretary, received from Mr. Williams, under date October 5th, wherein grateful mention is made of the Christian kindness and hospitality experienced by himself, Mrs. Williams, and their compa nions, from numerous friends at Sydney, whose valued attentions the Directors take the present opportunity likewise to acknowledge. Mr. Williams describes the colony of New South Wales as a most important and inviting field for ministerial usefulness, and forcibly represents the amount of good which, under the Divine blessing, would result both in relation to the colony itself, and the South Sea Islands, from the labours of a devoted minister of Christ stationed at Sydney. Mr. Williams earnestly desires that the attention of ministers of the Gospel in England should be invited to this subject, in the hope that an individual pos. sessing requisite qualifications may be found willing to devote himself for a term of years, if not permanently, to this important service. Mr. Williams also states, that measures had been adopted for establishing at Sydney au Auxiliary to the Parent Society; and he thus notices the encouraging results of a meeting which had been held there for the purpose of bringing the object under public notice. "Our first Missionary meeting was held last evening in the Baptist chapel, where the excellent Mr. Saunders is labouring with great success. The late Colonial Secretary, Alexander M'Leay, Esq., took the chair, and the place was crowded to excess by a most respectable audience. No collection had been intended, as the meeting was only preparatory to the formation of an Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society. One friend, however, rose and said that he would give fifty pounds annually for five years!! another gave a donation of fifty pounds! two others of ten, and four of five pounds; and this, I trust, is only the commencement of the work. We are to hold another meeting next Wednesday evening, when the Auxiliary is to be formed; but as neither the Independent nor Baptist Chapel is large enough, Dr. Lang has kindly lent us the Scotch Kirk." At Sydney, Mr. Williams had received pleasing intelligence from the South Sea Islands, adverting to which he thus writes:"A vessel arrived from the Islands yesterday, and I have this afternoon seen the Captain, who gives a most delightful account of the state of the Islands, especially Rarotonga, and the Navigators Islands. He states that it is of no use to take muskets and powder to that group, that nothing is demanded by the people but books, Missionaries, pens, ink, slates, and paper; and that the work is going on with unprecedented success. The Missionaries are loved much by the people. Mrs. Heath, we were grieved to hear, is dead. I have heard no particulars of her decease, but suppose that as letters have arrived for England, you will be informed of the circumstance." It was expected that the Camden would leave Sydney on the 15th of October; Mr. Williams proposing to proceed, in the first instance, to the Navigators Islands. In closing his letter, he observes, “Our prospects grow brighter and brighter, as we approach the field of labour, and, I think, if God spare my life for a few years, our most sanguine expectations will be surpassed." ARRIVAL OF THE REV. W. H. MEDHURST AND FRIENDS AT BATAVIA. THE Directors have the satisfaction to announce the safe arrival at Batavia, by the ship George the Fourth, of the Rev. W. H. Medhurst and family, Mr. William Lockhart, and the Chinese brother, Choo-tihLang, who sailed from London in July last. These grateful tidings are communicated in a letter from Mr. Medhurst, dated Nov. 17, 1838, written immediately on his arrival at Batavia, or a few days after; and in describing the particulars of a voyage which has been peculiarly marked with the Divine favour, our brother states: "I was enabled to continue writing every day, except one, from the time of our leaving England to our arrival in the Straits of Sunda. During this period I was busily employed in arranging and compiling an English and Chinese Dictionary of about 15,000 words, which, I hope, will prove of immense service to me and to my brethren in our further labours of translating and compiling Chinese. *** My valuable and esteemed coadjator, Mr. Lockhart, devoted himself incessantly to the study of Chinese; and such was his ardour and assiduity, that he read through one of the four Books of Confucius, and began another during the voyage, besides going through Morrison's Chinese Dialogues, and other books. *** Choo-tih-Lang conducted himself very consistently with his profession, and engaged in prayer alternately with me, during the voyage." ERECTION OF A MISSION HOUSE IN MADRAS. By a letter received from the Rev. W. H. Drew, of Madras, dated in November last, the attention of the Directors has been directed to the necessity which exists for the erection of a Mission House in an extensive and densely inhabited district of that city, for which hitherto no adequate efforts have been made. A printed statement put into circula tion by Mr. Drew, some months ago, among the friends of Missions in Madras, will best explain the nature and design of the undertaking which it is now proposed to carry into effect. That statement, which was issued in the form of a circular letter with Mr. Drew's name appended, contained the following particulars : "For a long time past, the undersigned has been impressed with the necessity of making more direct and constant efforts to bring home Christian truth to the minds of the teeming population of Black Town. With this view a piece of ground was purchased and a school erected on it, about four years since, in the heart of the town; but desiring to be in still nearer contact with the people, he wishes to reside among them, that they may be able freely to come to him at all times, undeterred by distance or difficulty. There is no suitable house at present to be obtained in the town; and, as the ground in Mint-street, on which the school is built, has been already purchased, and is, perhaps, in the very best situation that could be found, it is proposed to erect on it a Mission-house, having an upper floor in which Mr. Caldwell and himself would live, and a ground floor which could be used as a school or preaching-room, be always kept open, and provided with books in different languages for those who wish to read. The ground measures 66 feet by 40 feet. The street is inhabited entirely by natives of respectability; and is a constant thoroughfare, reaching from the General Hospital, south, to the Mint, north. With the Divine blessing he believes that residence in such a place is admirably calculated to accomplish the great purposes of Mission labour. "A plan of the house, estimated to cost about 6007., has been prepared with due regard to economy and health, and has been submitted to some Christian friends, who have kindly examined it, and siguified their approbation of it. "The plan so much commends itself to his own mind, and to Christian friends, as will be seen from the annexed recommendation,* that with some confidence he respectfully solicits for it the contributions of all who seek the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants of India." The impression produced by the foregoing statement and appeal, among the friends of the cause of Christ in the Madras Presidency, was such as to lead many to contribute very liberally towards the furtherance of this desirable object. It will be seen that the entire sum needed for its accomplishment has been estimated at about 6007.; and rather more than half of that amount has, according to the list of donations transmitted by Mr. Drew, been subscribed at Madras. To obtain assistance towards making up the remainder, our brother states that he is under the necessity of looking to the friends of the Society in England; and with that view has requested that the case should thus be made known. The Directors would, therefore, gratefully receive and undertake to forward to Madras, the contributions of those who may feel disposed to render pecuniary aid in furtherance of an object so worthy of Christian attention and support as that above stated. LETTERS RECEIVED FROM MISSIONARIES, &c. SOUTH SEAS, 1837 and 1838.-Tahiti, Rev. Messrs. C. Wilson, Davies, and Rodgerson, May 22. Rev. C. Wilson, and brethren, Sept. 1. Rev. Messrs. Rodgerson and C. Wilson, July 7. Rev. J. Rodgerson, July 13 and 14, Aug. 25, (two letters). Rev. J. M. Orsmond, Dec. 28, (1836) April (no day specified,) Sept. 26, Dec. 20. Eimeo, Rev. A. Simpson, July 13 and 14. Huahine, Rev. C. Barff, Dec. 18 and 27. Rev. C. Barff and Brethren, April 25. Rev. C. Barff, Aug. 24, (from Tahiti). Raiatea, Rev. J. Williams, Oct. 4 and 5, (from Sydney). Borabora, Rev. G. Platt, Jan. 4 and 16, May 2, July 17 and 18. Rarotonga, Rev. A. Buzacott, Jan. 1, (two letters). Marquesas, Rev. G. Stallworthy, Feb. 25, June 27, Aug. 11. Savaii, Rev. A. Macdonald, Feb. 10. Upolu, Rev. T. Heath, Aug. 6, 11. Rev. W. Mills, Aug. 15 and 16. Tutuila, Rev. Messrs. Barnden and Murray, June 8. Rev. G. Barnden, June 9, (three letters). ULTRA GANGES, 1838. Malacca, Rev. S. Dyer, March 24, Sept. 24, (two letters). Rev. Messrs. Evans and Dyer, Oct. 2. Singapore, Rev. Messrs. A. and J. Stronach, Sept. 7, Oct. 9, Nov. (no day specified). Pinang, Rev. T. Beighton, Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 13. Batavia, Mr. W. Young, Jun. Oct. 31. Rev. EAST INDIES, 1838.-Calcutta, Rev. A. F. RUSSIAN EMPIRE, 1838 and 1839. MEDITERRANEAN, 1839. Corfu, Rev. J. Lowndes, Jan. 3, and 18. SOUTH AFRICA, 1838 and 1839.-Cape Town, • A testimonial in favour of the object, with several signatures attached, accompanied the circular. |