meeting was opened with singing a hymn, and one of the pious apprentices delivered a suitable speech. When one party had taken their refreshments, consisting of tea and coffee, they went away, and the tables were filled with new guests, and so it was continued until late at night. The same entertainment was repeated the following evening, preceded by singing and suitable addresses; it was a most pleasing and interesting scene. Some of the first gentry of the town were present, as also the Rev. Alexander Smith and myself and family. Mr. Smith before he left delivered a most excellent speech. The number who attended the second tea meeting was above 300. All these addresses and prayers have, I trust, not been in vain, or failed to make good impressions on the hearts of many who were present. HANKEY. Mr. Williams, at the Hankey station, The first of December was a joyful day with us. In the morning at sunrise we held a prayer meeting, to seek the blessing of God on the engagements of the day. As soon as the apprentices came together, we held another meeting, for the purpose of offering public thanksgivings that the yoke of slavery was broken. In the afternoon a third meeting was held, at which Messrs. Walker and Backhouse, of the Society of Friends, spoke with much feeling and propriaty. In the evening I addressed the apprentices from 1 Peter ii. 15, 16, and after I had finished, observed that if any one present had any thing to say, they were at liberty to speak. Several of our people adverts to the subject as follows:- PAABL. The concluding extract is from Mr. Elliott's communication, dated Dec. 29, in which the subject is thus briefly noticed : The conduct of the emancipated apprentices on and since the first of December, has exceeded the highest expectations of their best friends. Not the slightest disturbance has taken place; the police has had nothing to do. Instances of intoxication have been unusually rare. The Mission Chapel continues to be crowded to excess, even the pulpit being partly occupied by hearers. The blessing of the Great Parent of the universe, who hath made of one blood all nations to dwell upon the face of the earth, and whose tender mercies are over all his works, has manifestly attended and followed hitherto the great act of justice and beneficence on the part of the British nation, to the accomplishment of which attention has now been directed. But a great work yet remains to be performed in the exertions necessary to secure those higher and better results of which the civil enfranchisement of the Hottentot should only be regarded as the forerunner and the pledge. His new-born liberties and rising energies must be guided into a salutary and heavenward channel, and every effort must be made to preserve them from being led according to the course of this world. The churches of Christ, especially, have additional duties and obligations now laid upon them, arising out of the altered state of society in this part of the African continent, as well as the West India islands; for under God, it depends upon them whether the possession of liberty by the multitudes lately held in slavery in these quarters of the world, shall or shall not ultimately conduce to their highest interests and well-being. Never has the period presented itself when an unreserved use of the means, committed by God to his people for the instruction and salvation of the heathen, was so obviously and urgently needed as at the present time, for the instance now before us is only one of many equally conspicuous and pressing. But who can doubt that He, who has prepared such a trial of aith and love for the members of his spiritual body on the earth, will enable them to meet and sustain it until all the purposes for which it is designed are fully accomplished? JOURNAL OF JOHN HALL, NATIVE TEACHER AT SALEM. In transmitting, under date of September last, the journal of Missionary labour, from which the annexed extracts are taken, Mr. Walton observes :-"The fervency of spirit displayed by the teacher, John Hall, has been particularly noticed by almost all the inhabitants of the large towns of Salem and Sheva Petta. Whenever he is out he hardly meets any one without telling them of the great salvation wrought out by our compassionate Redeemer for poor lost sinners, and inviting them to believe in him. On account of his kind, condescending, and earnest manner of speaking the truth as it is in Jesus, he goes by the name of Viragee. Not a few of the natives have been known and seen to welcome his coming among them, and to listen with attention to his preaching. His labours have been so far blessed by the Lord as to lead several to inquire and to come to the Mission House for further instruction, and to obtain books." The journal thus commences : Conversation with an aged idolater. Jan. 5.-Accompanied by Joseph Gill and Marienen, we proceeded to Aremapallium, three miles south of Salem. A few of the villagers came to the place where we stood up to make known to them the glad tidings of salvation. I read the 13th chapter of Luke, and preached to them the doctrine of repentance; my text was, .. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Among the hearers there was an aged man, who listened to all I said; after which, with an angry countenance, he expressed himself thus" Is it come at last to this, that the gods of our forefathers, which have been worshipped from time immemorial, are useless things, and unworthy of Divine homage? Is there no good to be derived from worshipping images? Are they merely stocks and stones? Pray (with a sneer he asked) where did this new God of yours come from? where is he?" I told him that he is every where, without beginning or end, and knows every thing; that He created the world, and all creatures, trees, sea, &c.; that it is by his Almighty power, goodness, and mercy that they are maintained and preserved, and it is His word I now make known to you, that you may exercise repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Forsake your lifeless and worthless idols which cannot save, and come with a willing heart to Him who is able and willing to save us poor sinners from the wrath to come.-After he heard my speech he went away not a little ashamed. Quarrel about caste-peace made. Feb. 1.-As I was going to visit the Sepoy Line School, I witnessed a dispute which took place between two women at the river. This was in consequence of the low caste woman having accidentally touched the water-pot of the woman of high caste, which she said was polluted and insisted that a new pot should be brought and given to her. Four or five men were helping to settle the above dispute; I went and joined them, and endeavoured to compose the enraged mind of the offended party, by telling her that we are all fellow-creatures; that the God who made us, in whom we live, move, and have our being, commands us to love one another, and be of a forgiving mind. As the poor low caste woman whom she considered to be unworthy of her association was of the same family with herself, and since God had made all nations out of one blood, this trivial fault might be easily forgiven, especially as it was not committed intentionally.-With these words I pacified the disputants, and went my way. Idolaters instructed and exhorted. Feb. 24.-On my way to Salem, I met with ten women, who were carrying rice to sell at the Bazaar; when they came near a heathen temple they put down their baskets, and prostrated themselves before the image of stone called the goddess Mareatta. After they had arisen, I spoke to them of the great sin of idolatry; that the God who created them is a jealous God, and he will not give his glory to another, nor his praise to graven images. They silently listened to what was said, and went away. Feb. 27.-At Comaraswamy Petta, many of the heathen assembled to hear the preaching of the Gospel. They said, "All that you state is true, but if we follow your doctrines our gods will be very angry with us, and this will end in our destruction." • Zealot. I told them that the fear with which they were possessed was groundless, that it was out of the power of those which are no gods to do them any harm. For instance, said I-"Allow me to throw down your god, and you will see that it cannot injure me, it will remain in the place where it is put, and cannot move thence." I exhorted them all to forsake their idols, and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and they would be saved and become a happy and blessed people.des Influence of his presence at an idolatrous ceremony. March 17.-This afternoon I went to the Chuckler's village, read and explained the 24th chapter of Matthew to the villagers; while thus engaged, they began to murmur because a stop was put to their offering a sacrifice to their goddess Mareamma. As I was present they found that they could not go on so well with their heathenish worship. Seeing this disposition, I expostulated with them on account of their idolatry, and the sorrow I felt that my labours among them did not produce any good, effect. As I was going to leave them, they came running after me, entreating me not to go away, but to pray to my God to forgive them their sins. After speaking to them on the judgment, and praying for them in their presence, I returned home. Opportunity of instruction improved. April 10. While I was walking into the town of Ahtoor, I found a few women quarrelling with the washerman respecting their unwashed linen. I went up to them, and told them that by sin we are all unclean. I asked the women to tell me what difference there was between the washerman's stone on which he beats the dirty clothes and the stone gods whom they worship. "Ah!" said one, is it come to this at last, that the washerman's stone and our gods are alike? You have been preaching to the people, tell us if they one and all consented to what you said." "Let them alone," said I; "but do you tell me what is in your mind regarding the truth you have heard from me?" They answered, “It is true that there is one God who made us and all things. Our Gooroos, the Bramins, never instruct us, but they come often to ask us for our money, which, when given, they mutter something in an unknown language, which they do not understand." A heavy shower of rain fell, which broke up the conversation, and obliged us to seek for shelter. Instance of the decline of idolatry, April 11.-Early this morning we went to Meolvadie. I read the 1st chapter of Romans, and my discourse was founded on the 19th and 20th verses. The crowd of hearers was great, and they listened very attentively, with the exception of two /weavers, who spoke rather angrily, because we wanted them to become the faithful subjects of our King Immanuel. As I was going to purchase a pair of shoes, a few met me near the river; they informed me what they had heard in the morning had made some impression on their minds; that each family had subscribed a rupee to make a festival in honour of the god whose temple is at the foot of the hill, and whose name is Hyanar. We have now, said they, resolved to do no such thing, but to spend the money we have collected in buying provisions for the support of our families. Ir commended them very highly for this their good resolu tion, and told them by all means to pat into execution; to forsake their vain gods, and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who would bless them not only in this world, but in the world to come. ** 1 it ENLARGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY'S FUNDS. THE annexed proposal has been made in a letter lately received by the Home Secretary. It is offered to notice not so much with the view of the specific plan it describes being carried into effect at the present time, as for the purpose of calling the attention of the friends of Missions generally to the important subject to which it relates "From the statements in the Magazine of the want of funds, which compels the Society to refuse so many who offer themselves as candidates for the Missionary field, allow me to suggest a very simple plan of raising Fifty Thousand Pounds in one day. One million persons giving one shilling each. would of course produce the sum. I therefore propose that notice should be given; that cards be provided and circulars sent to every congregational or other minister in the United Kingdom favourable to the inerests of the Society; that on the first Sun, day in May or June, each of the said minis ters should make it known, and press upon their congregation; that the Monday evening should be a special prayer meeting on behalf of the Society, and that Tuesday be the day for collecting the amount, when every person who can do so should take a card and collect one shilling each of their friends and neighbours; and if the amount is not raised in one day, I have formed s wrong opinion of the churches of Christ, and their zeal in the Missionary cause." ARRANGEMENT OF THE SERVICES AT THE FORTY-FIFTH GENERAL MEETING. TUESDAY, MAY 7th. A Meeting of the Directors of the Society, both Town and Country, will be held at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, at Three o'clock in the afternoon. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8th. Morning, Surrey Chapel.-Rev. Thomas Binney, of London, to preach, The Morning Service to begin at Half-past Ten, and the Evening at Six o'clock. THURSDAY, MAY 9th. Morning-The PUBLIC MEETING will be held at EXETER HALL, in the STRAND.* The Chair to be taken, precisely at Ten o'clock, by Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart. Evening. St. Barnabas Church, King's-square, Goswell-street; the Rev. Henry Hatton, A.M., Incumbent of Woburn, and Chaplain to His Grace the Duke of Bedford, will preach on behalf of the Society. Evening.-The Sacrament of the Lord's-supper will be administered at the following places of worship to those Members and Friends of the Society who are Stated Communicants, and who produce Tickets from their respective Ministers, viz. :--- SION CHAPEL ...... CRAVEN CHAPEL SILVER-STREET CHAPEL YORK STREET Chapel, WalwoRTH ...... Rev. Joseph Fletcher, D.D..... to preside. Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool.. ST. THOMAS'S-SQUARE, HACKNEY.. Rev. Robert Halley, D.D. STOCKWELL CHAPEL " Rev. George Collison Services to begin at Six o'clock. Admission to the Hall will be by TICKETS, for the Platform, the Central Seals, the Raised Seats, and Western Gallery, respectively. The Platform will be appropriated to the Directors of the Society, both town and country; to the Speakers;-to the representatives of kindred Institutions, and to such other Individuals as it may be deemed proper specially to invite; together with all Ministers who are Members of the Society. For the Central Seats, Tickets will be furnished :-- To Annual Subscribers of Five Pounds, or to a Family contributing Five Pounds or upwards, either to the Parent Institution or to an Auxiliary Society-One Ticket. To Presidents, Treasurers, and Secretaries of Auxiliary Societies-One Ticket each. To Collectors of Five Pounds per annum, and upwards-One Ticket each. For the Raised Seats, and Western Gallery, Tickets of admission will be supplied to all other persons, Subscribers or Contributors to the Parent Society, or to its Auxiliaries and Associations, so far as the Hall will admit. N. B. No individual can be entitled to a Ticket in more than one capacity T A Committee for the delivery of Tickets will attend at the Mission House, Blomfieldstreet, Finsbury, from Twelve o'clock till Three, on Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th days of May. Ministers, who are Members of the Society, will be supplied with Tickets for themselves and friends, by their sending, on any of the above-mentioned days, a list of such as are entitled to them, and who wish personally to attend, FORMATION OF AN AUXILIARY MISSIONARY SOCIETY AT SYDNEY. SINCE the reception of the gratifying intelligence from Mr. Williams, which was published in our last number, including a statement of the measures in progress at the time he wrote, for the establishment of an Auxiliary to the Parent Society, at Sydney, New South Wales, a further communication has been received from him, dated Oct. 11, announcing the accomplishment of this important and desirable object under circumstances of great interest and promise. Writing at the date now mentioned, Mr. Williams observes:-"We had a most delightful meeting last night, (Oct. 10,) and formed the Auxiliary. His Excellency Sir George Gipps and Lady Gipps were present, also Captain Bethune, R. N. of the Conway, who has been visiting the islands, and who bore testimony on the occasion to what he witnessed there." The friends of Missions at home will participate in the feelings of satisfaction and devout thanksgiving unto Him who has all hearts at his disposal, which the Directors desire to cherish in reference to the event now under notice, peculiarly calculated as it is to cheer their hopes, to encourage their exertions, and to strengthen their faith as to the speedy approach of the period when the Gospel of the Redeemer shall be diffused among all the nations of the earth. The list of donations and subscriptions, with the names of the contributors, transmitted by Mr. Williams, is as follows: On the day he wrote, Mr. Williams was leaving for Parramatta, with the view of proposing the formation of a similar institution at that place. After returning to Sydney, he states it was his intention to sail immediately for the Navigators Islands, and having landed the brethren at their stations, to retrace his course towards the colony for the purpose of paying his first visit to New Caledonia, "so that," our brother remarks, "before you receive this commmunication, I shall, I trust, have commenced the labours on which my heart has been long set." MISSION AT RAROTONGA. THE particulars inserted below are taken from one of the most recent journals of our brother, the Rev. Charles Pitman. They will serve, remarks Mr. Pitman, (adverting to these and other portions of the same communication,) to show in some measure what God is pleased to do for us in this distant island of the sea. One of the most cheering features of the present time, he continues, is the desire manifested by many of the young people to unite themselves to the Church of Christ. Several have been baptised and received into communion, and many more remain as candidates for both ordinances. Mr. Pitman then proceeds with his interesting narration : Conversation with an aged native. One day sitting in my study, an old man walked in, or rather came creeping, and sat down at my feet. He is one of the oldest *warriors in the island. "Well, my friend," I asked, "what is your business?" "I wish to give myself to God in baptism." “Is that the real desire of your heart?” |