governor, now enjoy perfect liberty to preach the gospel. This liberty is owing to a missive from the sovereign, directing their good treatment and

very favourable auspices by our brother beyond Maulmain, or to enter the BurRYCROFT. His communication gives man empire itself. The arrival at the some interesting particulars of his pre- throne of a new sovereign has, however, liminary visit. Suspended for four or altered the whole face of affairs. Two five years, the labours of our brother missionaries have settled at Rangoon, seem now likely to meet with divine and though at first molested by the success. A small body of Christian people already exists in the town, composed of members of churches who have emigrated from the neighbouring islands of the Bahamas. In these will be found inviting them to visit the capital in the a nucleus of operation, from whose spring. It is obvious that more enmidst may go forth with effect the light lightened counsels prevail at the seat of of truth. We commend this mission to government; and that at last Burmah, the earnest prayers of the churches of so long closed, so long the object of Christ. prayer, will receive the messengers of One of the earliest stations of our Christ. The houses of the missionaries society was Rangoon in Burmah. There at Rangoon were constantly crowded Mr. FELIX CAREY planted the standard with visitors; not fewer than 6000 in of the cross, and, in conjunction with one month are calculated to have sought the eminent JUDSON endeavoured to instruction, and among them a few who evangelize the land. It was left sub- appear to be thoroughly in earnest. sequently entirely in the hands of The day of salvation for Burmah, of our American brethren. For many which JUDSON so longed to see the dawn, long years did they labour and suf- has at length appeared. fer; but were unable to penetrate

INDIA.

MONGHIR.

Mr. PARSONS has favoured us with the following interesting communication, dated Nov. 27, 1851.

The death of the righteous.

I have to speak of increase and of decrease. On the one hand, two dear brethren have been summoned home, we trust, to glory. The one was called away by apoplexy, and was unable to give any expression of the state of his mind on his dying bed. The other, whom dear brother Leechman saw in a sick and enfeebled state during his pleasing visit to us, and who had previously served the church for about nineteen years by leading the singing in the English chapel, was brought down by slow degrees, and often suffered most severely from the effects of complicated disease. In his greatest afflictions, his spirit and conversation evinced the truth of what he often felt and said, that affliction was best for him. All his brethren

were much struck and delighted to see how, as his strength decreased and his outward man failed, and his iron constitution bowed to the violence of his complaints, his inward man was renewed; and the nearer his end drew on, the more humble he appeared, the more emphatic was his self-renunciation, and the more calm and cheerful was his hope in the Redeemer. In his last moments, his hope seemed unclouded, and the remarks of all at his death appeared to show that they had recognized in his dying experience a fresh illustration of the faithfulness and power of Jesus. Blessed be God for such confirmations of our hope in him.

Sovereign grace.

On the 16th ult. it was our privilege to receive by baptism an aged disciple, whose conversion has appeared to us all a surprising instance of sovereign grace. Though a member of a family where Christ is owned and served, her daughter, son-in-law, and

grand-daughter being members with us, she, received from our lips the invitations of a till lately, exhibited much enmity to spiritual Saviour's love. It has been found advisable religion. She appeared to have no suitable to leave the office of distributing books chiefly concern to be prepared for an exchange of in the hands of some one brother, as, without worlds, which, at her age, she cannot suppose this, every speaker is liable to be interrupted to be far distant, and if she had any hope it continually by applicants, and the distraction was a delusive one based on self-righteous- occasioned in supplying them. The dear ness. Not long ago, two of her grand-chil-brother who undertook this part of the work dren were baptized in Calcutta, and a letter from one of them to her is believed to have produced a deep impression on her mind. The change produced in her by the Spirit of God through this and other instrumentality was very conspicuous; and it was with peculiar pleasure we welcomed as a sister in Christ this "brand plucked from the burning."

More grace.

had indeed a laborious task, but those who were engaged in preaching certainly felt very much the benefit of his exertions. It would certainly have been gratifying to the friends of missions to have witnessed the scene at our tents on the 7th and 8th inst. Through a great part of these days, especially, two separate congregations, often very numerous, were being instructed by the living voices of either a native or European brother, the void occasioned by those who retired being imme

assemblage was eagerly crowding around the brother who undertook the distributions, to receive from him the same instructions in a written form. The Mozufferpore brethren were, besides, similarly employed in another part of the mela. Thus very much seed was sown; and it is hard to think that He who has declared that his "word shall not return unto him void," will suffer it all to fall into unfruitful soil.

The Pundit.

Two other individuals are desirous of tes-diately supplied by new comers, while a third tifying, in the same way, their attachment to Christ. In one of them a pious parent's prayers appear to be answered long after his removal to a better world. His father was one of the leading baptists of Calcutta of the last generation. Our dear friend appears to have been awakened some time ago, after a visit to Monghir; and a tract by Shujatali, translated into English under the title of "The Saviour's Complaint," founded on Rev. iii. 20, was a main instrument in that awakening. He subsequently for a time enjoyed a measure of peace and hope in Christ, but being afterwards much tried with fears and perplexities, he sought the counsel and advice of your missionaries here, for which purpose he visited Monghir (for he is not resident here), and since that I have heard from him that he has found peace, and he expresses a wish to unite himself with this church, a step for which I feel encouraged to believe grace has prepared him, and I hope the Lord, in his providence, will soon give him an opportunity to take.

The fair.

A Pundit, in conversation with some of us, much interested us by the account he gave of serious dissensions which had lately taken place in Benares between a number of Shaiva and Vaishnava Pundits, during which they had busied themselves in searching out from the Poorans verses,- the Shaiva Pundits against Vishnu, and the Vaishnavas against Shiv; and he also assured us, that the merits of the Christian doctrine had been much discussed during the controversy. Numerous fakeers, as usual, were present, of a great diversity of names and sects. A remarkably large number came, throughout the time of our stay, to our tents, to hear, converse, or discuss.

The holy book.

I have been permitted, lately, to pay a missionary visit to the Hajeepore fair. I left home on the 22nd ult., and my beloved family accompanied me to Dinapore, where they were kindly entertained at our dear One day, our attention being arrested by a brother Brice's, while I went over to the gaudy palanquin, preceded by a herald on mela. Brethren Soodeen and Bundhoo ac- horseback beating two small drums, and accompanied me. We had several oppor-companied by anumber of attendants, one holdtunities of speaking of Christ on our waying a large scarlet umbrella, another waving a up, but without any circumstance requiring fly-driver, &c.: we found on inquiry, that it particular notice. Brethren Kalberer and contained the Grunth, or sacred book of the McCumby from Patna, Brice from Dinapore, Nanakshahee sect; and afterwards we saw and Brandin and Ott from Mozufferpore, the same, or a similar book, laid in state with Kasee and myself, and two brethren, amongst an encampment of fakeers, covered made up the missionary staff of labourers. It was cheering to see so many labourers in the field, and yet, though we were all employed for several successive days to the full capabilities of our voices, we could scarcely feel that a tithe of the vast assemblage had

with a scarlet cloth. Such homage to a book is really illustrative of the state of mind of a vast number of the people. The supreme object of their regard, whether they avow it or not, evidently the particular theory of religious doctrine and duty to which they

have attached themselves. Indeed, I firmly | Sepoy also came two days, on one of which believe, that one of the greatest hindrances he sat two hours reading the gospel, which I to the conversion of the Hindoos, is the was glad to hear him say had been comalmost universal habit among them of specu-mended by the colonel of his regiment to lating and theorizing on religion, in a way him and his comrades. His approbation that blunts the moral sense, by drawing off of the gospel, as being "very wise," is, alas, the attention from the real state of their the furthest extent of the approval of multihearts, and their real character, the theories tudes, who acknowledge this without feeling themselves being almost all of a nature cal- the word of God binding on their consciences. culated utterly to delude or stupefy the con- A Mahommedan, also, of Behar, on his way science. The result is, that those who will to Mecca on pilgrimage, spent several hours argue for hours about God and his govern- at my house in warm discussion with Nainment, will witness the most flagrant sins sookh, our friend the Afghanistan Gosall, without disgust or alarm; and to produce a and myself. Again and again have indireal concern for pardon and salvation in their viduals stayed for a few days with Nainsookh; minds is a thing far more difficult than the and on one occasion, a man going on pilgriminnate depravity of the human heart would age to Juggernaut was so far convinced by even cause it to be. our brother's conversation as to break off the symbols of his sect from his arm and neck, and return to his home. On such occasions,

Visitors.

It is a gratification to us when any of the the envy and opposition of the Hindoos who heathen visit us at our houses, that we may pass the house are excited, and they do all have the opportunity of doing what brother they can to draw them away by false repreRussell has noticed as important, namely, sentations. They were but too successful in directly confronting, at leisure, their objections the cases of a Punjabee brahmin, and a and arguments. I had several visits from two fakeer, who seemed for a while well disposed. Pundits, one of them a relative of the firstIt resembles reprisals between the kingdoms convert of Monghir, Hingun Abisser. A lof light and darkness.

AFRICA.

BIMBIA.

The letter of our young native brother Fuller gives an affecting account of the decease of his fellow labourer Williams, who, from the establishment of the mission, has been a consistent follower of Christ. He adds to this some account of the last days of one of the converts baptized by our lamented brother Merrick.

The letter is dated Nov. 11th.

The melancholy circumstance under which I am again called to write you a few lines is one of deep sorrow, and one which calls for aid and attention. The afflictions of our mission for the last few years are such that one can't think of them without deep sorrow, and hope that the church will consider Africa's state.

The native preacher's death.

It has pleased our heavenly Father to cause us to feel the stroke of an unerring hand once more in the removal of our aged friend and brother Mr. Williams. He died at Clarence, and, therefore, we are unable to give any particulars of his death, but shall

He

just write as I receive the communication. Mr. Wheeler writes thus :-"It has pleased the Lord to call our dear brother Williams from his suffering to the rest that remaineth for the people of God. He had been getting much better, but the last few days suddenly got much worse. I saw him last on Wednesday afternoon, he was then lying down with his eyes shut, looking quite calm, as if waiting for his last call. His poor wife told him I had come, and roused him. opened his eyes slowly, and could move his arms with much difficulty. He was unable to say more than a few words. He was sensible to the last, and just before he died asked for the Bible, and pointed out two passages of Scripture for his sons and children in Jamaica; Philippians i. 1-6, and the other in Matthew. (His wife writes to say he chose Psalm xxiii. for himself.) It is only a few weeks since I buried his little babe, and now the aged father has been called to follow; he died on Wednesday evening at eight o'clock."

Clara's death.

I know not if you have heard of the decease of one of our Isubu members, by name Clara, an aged woman, one of the

pursue their trade with all the loss of lives; and for an earthly gain there are men to be found who will come out to Africa; but for the gain of an immortal soul, are there none who will think of the profit of a soul? Think of this, and look around you. But it may be asked, where is the profit of all the lives lost at Isubu? Why there is a soul now in heaven which all the world could not purchase, and is not that sufficient compensation for the lives lost if we had not another? Think of the many ships of war that have come out on the coast for the purpose of suppressing the slave trade, the loss of lives, and the length of time they have been en gaged in this business; but has that been accomplished as yet? No! But are there none at the command of an earthly sovereign to come out for that purpose? There are hundreds who would not shrink at such a command; but for the Sovereign of all the earth there are none capable to be found. But again, has our society never laboured with no success for a longer period than they have laboured in Africa, and yet have you not continued? And why should you shrink for Africa Think of the South Seas, and remember Africa.

two baptized by Mr. Merrick before he left. | captains? No! they with undaunted vigour She died on the 31st of July. A few days before her decease I visited her without any knowledge of her being ill, and found her very low. Mr. Saker being here, he administered some medicine which refreshed her a little so as to enable me to converse with her; on the following day, which was the 29th, on entering the room she was surrounded by the natives, and was presenting her petition to God that he would speedily put an end to her suffering and receive her spirit, in every sentence breathing the sweet name of Jesus Christ. I conversed with her of the happiness which awaits them that love the Lord, and at every pause she would say, "Through Jesus Christ." On the following day, after I had conversed with her for a little while, her country people said to her, "All our family never die without saying something to us, and are you going to die dumb? You are only talking with those God-men, you can't say anything to us." Her answer was this, "I am commanded by Christ to say nothing to you; you have heard enough, which is sufficient." Turning her eyes to the little ones she said to them, "What will ye do? I am going." Turning to Moindu, her sister in Christ, she said, "I go before. Hold fast. I leave you in a world of sin and trouble, but Jesus Christ is above." The day she died Mr. Saker and myself saw her, and on asking her of the state of her mind she said, "Well!" Her tongue then became heavy, and she could say but little until half past six o'clock, P.M., her spirit took its flight, leaving us to chant, "How bless'd the righteous when he dies."

Appeal for help.

And now, dear brethren, the melancholy event which has now taken place in the removal of our brother who has been the only company to me here, leads my mind to make another appeal to the church of Christ, but before this I shall just make three remarks at which it may cause some to shrink at the thought of Africa. 1st. It may enter some valuable young man's mind that sickness and death cover Afric's soil. 2nd. The little progress that the gospel makes may dull the spirit of the church; and a scanty means, separation from all enlightened privileges and comforts of home, may be another. But in answer to these I would ask, How many merchant vessels that have left the shores of England for Africa, and every man on board of them have died in the rivers? but to this day are there none that will come on merchandize? Are there no more ships in Cameroons, in Bonney, and in Calabar? Does the mosquito in Benin fright the sailors and

It may be, as I said, because there are scanty means, and a separation from the comforts of home; but our Lord says, "He that will not forsake home, land, father or mother, brother or sister, for my sake is not worthy of me; and whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake the same shall save it." You may say, how can we go without being sent ? England has washed her hands from the abomination of slavery, and shall the evangelization of Africa fright you? Shall the blood of Africa be required at your hands? Think of this, and see if there are no young men who will be willing to spend and be spent for God. See if there are none who will think of Christ's love when he left the seat of glory to die for us; and are there none who will think of fallen men, to tell them the blessed message of redemption? The harvest truly is large, but the labourers are few; pray ye the Lord of the barvest that he would send forth labourers into his vineyard.

In regard to the progress of the gospel here, God is doing his work slowly and silently. I have among my inquirers three hopeful ones, who I trust shall be such as shall be saved. I have not been able to make any journey yet; my time is now employed in printing the remaining parts of Mr. Merrick's works, and the Dualla scriptures.

WEST INDIES.

JAMAICA.

Under date January 24th, Mr. HEW- witnessed; it cannot be described, and I do ETT writes: