the occasion. Dorrington and Ruskington are both within five miles of Sleaford. Sabbath-breaking and brutal sports have here been practised from time immemorial to an alarming extent. At present the minds of the people seem to be well affected towards divine things. The Gospel, applied by the Eternal Spirit, is producing illumination and conviction; and we trust that at no distant period great good will be effected in these two villages. It is a delightful consideration, that, by the goodness of God, eight new chapels have been dedicated to his worship in this Circuit, within three years. They are all in good, and some of them in excellent, circumstances. We trust that

the powerful leaven of the Gospel will spread throughout all the villages in this Circuit until the whole be leavened. In this short notice, it would not be right to overlook the liberality of a friend, whose name I am not at liberty to mention. The Lord has put into his hands the ability, and into his heart the willingness, to help forward the cause of truth and righteousness in the villages in this Circuit. He has largely contributed to most, if not all, of these chapels. In this way he is continually scattering, yet still increasing, because the blessing of the Lord is upon him. RALPH GIBSON.

Sleaford, April 17th, 1835.

THE last Conference directed the Preachers stationed in Shetland to visit the Orkney islands in the course of the present year, for the purpose, especially, of ascertaining the state of the people in regard to religious instruction. In compliance with this direction the Rev. Messrs. Catton and Breare, of the Lerwick Circuit, repaired to those islands in February last. The following is an extract from a letter, addressed to the President of the Conference, relating the particulars of their visit.-Edit.

TO THE REV. JOSEPH TAYLOR.

Lerwick, March 24th, 1835.

SOON after I wrote my last, an opportunity offered for visiting Orkney. On the 28th of January a steamer arrived in Bressay Sound, (the second of the kind ever seen here,) for the purpose of carrying the poll-books from Shetland to Orkney. It remained until the 6th of February. The Sheriff kindly gave us a note to the Captain, to give us a passage; to which he consented. We left Lerwick harbour at ten F. M., with the expectation of a fine passage; but we were disappointed, as, shortly after we started, the wind blew a gale from the south-west right ahead. The paddles worked very irregularly, and sometimes not at all; and during the greater part of the voyage the sea broke over the vessel, and swept the decks; so that we were twenty-two hours in going one hundred and fifteen miles. We cast anchor at eight the next evening, in Kirkwall roads; but as there was no boat at hand, we did not get on shore to an inn till ten.

Sunday, Feb. 8th, was such a cold stormy day, that we could do nothing in the open air, and there appeared to be

no open door. I requested the use of the Independent chapel for the weeknight; but the Minister could not let us have it without consulting the Trustees, to do which would take some days. In the morning we attended the cathedral of St. Magnus, the most perfect relic of Episcopacy in the whole of Scotland, the east end of which is used as a parish kirk. The congregation was large, and a stranger preached a plain evangelical sermon. There are three other places of worship, that of the Antiburghers, the United Secession, and the Independents.

Finding that little could be done in Kirkwall, especially as it was the time of chairing the Parliamentary candidate, on Tuesday, the 10th, we strove to get a boat for Stronsay, one of the north isles, about twenty miles from Kirkwall. We met a gentleman on the quay, who told us a sloop was going for Stronsay with the voters. We went on board about five o'clock, P. M., and shortly after weighed anchor. We had a fine run for about three hours and a half, when we anchored in Linga Sound. We found a small inn near the shore, the master of which came with us in the sloop. Here we took up our abode for the night.

Stronsay is about six miles by three, and contains eleven hundred inhabitants. There are two places of worship: one belonging to the Establishment, and the other to the Secession. There are two schools on the island; a parochial and a society school: but they are so near together, that in many parts of the island the children are not able to go; consequently they have but few scholars. The island formerly had three churches, and was divided into three parishes. The churches were situated, one at each extremity, and one in the middle. There

are two things which would make this place important as the head of a Circuit: 1. It is the great fishing station, for herrings and lobsters; and during the fishing season, there is an influx of several thousands of men and women, from the different islands and from the north of Scotland. 2. It will be a key to several adjacent islands, which might easily be visited from Stronsay. Sanday, a much larger island than this, is about three miles distant. Eday and Shapenshay, two smaller islands, are about the same distance. As there was some prospect of usefulness in Stronsay, we thought it best to confine our energies to it.

I will now give you a few extracts from our journal. Thursday, February 12th. Several of the Fair Isle men, who had heard of our arrival, waited upon us. They informed us that there were nine or ten families from the Fair Isle residing here; that three or four persons were formerly members of our society, and that they had all sat under our ministry, and were well-affected towards us; and that a considerable number of others were waiting to receive us. They said there was at the fishing station a large empty house, which Mr. Smith, of Whitehall, had given us leave to occupy, which would hold upwards of one hundred and fifty people; and they would go and prepare it for us. But as the schoolhouse in this corner of the island was offered us, we consented to preach in it at four o'clock; and on the morrow proceed three miles to the station, and preach in the evening. Brother Breare preached in the school-house to a small congregation.

The congregation was evidently interested and affected. About an hour after the service we received a note from the schoolmaster, expressing his satisfaction and gratitude for our visit. He was sorry that he could not lend us the kirk, to preach in; but offered us the school-room for the Sabbath; and assured us, if the weather were favourable, we should have a good congregation.

I

Friday, 13th. The morning was fine, with a strong wind from the south-west. We started early for the station; our host accompanied us; and the people received us affectionately. The empty house was fitted up with deal boards for forms, and well filled with people. preached from John v. 4. Many of the people were in tears. Several of the most respectable people in the neighbourhood attended. I gave out for Mr. Breare to preach there on the next day. Saturday, 14th.-Mr. Breare preached at the station. The congregation was

increased, and many were in distress. 1 went to the south-west to seek some place to preach in at the extremity of the island. I visited seven cottages, talked and prayed with the people, and got the promise of a barn to preach in at Rousholm next week.

Sunday, 15th.-Mr. Breare preached twice and held two prayer-meetings at the station. I preached in Mr. Sketheway's school-room. It was a day of

weeping and awakening. God is truly beginning a great work. After preaching we put down near thirty names of persons to be examined preparatory to becoming members of society. We preached in different parts of the island on the 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st.

Sunday, 22d.-I preached three times at the station, and baptized two children. The place was crowded with about two hundred people, and nearly all the respectable families in that part of the island were there. When I met the society, nine persons came forward to unite with us. I finished my work about halfpast nine in the evening.

We continued preaching every day in the week, when it was possible, and five or six times on the Sabbath. Most of the respectable farmers sent for us, or gave us invitations to their houses; and in the evening we preached in their barns. When we left we had upwards of forty persons in society; and many more said they will unite with us when we send them a Minister. A young man came to me in Stronsay, and offered a piece of ground in a most eligible situation, for the erection of a chapel, which he would sell at a low price. Several promised to assist us. One offered £6 towards building a chapel. Many of the fishermen told me, though they could do but little, they would do what they could, and assist by labour. The people were very importunate for me to send Mr. Breare again, during the fishing season; which I promised, if possible, to do.

The last day we spent in the island was Sunday, March 15th. I preached in the morning at Huip, in Mr. Drever's barn; and in the afternoon walked four miles to the school-room, and preached to a large and respectable congregation. Mr. Breare preached in the morning and afternoon at the station, and in the evening at Huip. The men called us up at two o'clock on the Monday morning, to go to the Fair Isle, in an open boat. It was a great risk, the distance being fortyeight miles, over one of the worst parts of sea in the world. Several endeavoured to dissuade us from it. One gentle

man, who had travelled a great deal, said he would sooner venture across the Bay of Biscay in an open boat than between Stronsay and the Fair Isle. But we could not get a sloop for less than ten pounds; and we thought we would sooner run the risk than be at the expense. When we were about to set sail, the beach was crowded with men, women, and children, who wept sore when we left them. As soon as we got up the foresail, and began to make a little way, we sang the verses beginning,

"The God that rules on high,

That all the earth surveys,
That rides upon the stormy sky,
And calms the roaring seas:
This awful God is ours,

Our Father and our love;
He will send down his heavenly powers
To carry us above."

The men joined us, so that the shores echoed as we left them for the main sea. The wind and tide were both in our favour, and the sea much smoother for the first four hours than I expected; but the tide turned upon us when we were about three or four miles west of the Fair Isle. The sea rolled mountains high, and we had serious apprehensions that we should not make the island. A small boat with seven men came out to meet us, and to tell us we could not land where we intended, and that we must keep more to the east; when one of the seas broke over them, and they were for some seconds immersed beneath the wave. this moment there was a simultaneous shriek from all in the boat, "They are lost!" and what made it the more dis.tressing was, three or four of them were

At

brothers of the men in our boat. After a little while their boat emerged, completely full of water. We pulled down our sails, and endeavoured to rescue them; but for some time we saw no hope. They succeeded in throwing out the water with their hats; and by a wonderful Providence were kept from sinking till they came up with us. We took their men into our boat, and their boat in tow, till we got into smooth water, and were able to land. It was on this island that the flag ship of the Spanish Armada was wrecked; and the Duke de Medina and the crew were saved. The island is between two and three miles long, and one broad, and contains near three hundred inhabitants. Mr. Breare preached here on Monday evening; I on Tuesday morning, and baptized seven children. We dined with the taxman, Mr. Strong, and at two got into a boat for Lerwick. By a good Providence we anchored in Quendal Bay, and felt thankful, though we had nearly thirty miles to walk home.

I hope, Rev. Sir, you will see from this that there is such an opening in Orkney as we never had before. The time to remember Orkney is fully come. O that God would lay Orkney on your heart, as he did Shetland on that of Dr. Clarke ! I pray that every thing requisite may be done, and that speedily; as it is my firm opinion, that one or two Preachers should be appointed there next Conference, as the difficulties and expenses connected with visiting Orkney from Shetland are very great. There is no connexion between the islands whatJAMES CATTON.

ever.

recognise the authority of Revelation on avaricious hoarding, and on unchristian expenditure, to gratify the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, whilst they avow their obligations to redeeming mercy, and profess that themselves, and all they have, are not their own, but belong, and must be accounted for to Him who has said, "Occupy till I come;" then "give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward."

The work wanted is one that will bear on selfishness, as it leads to live for ourselves, and not for God and our fellowmen. It is requested that reference may be made to the different estimates of man who blesseth, and of God who abhorreth, the covetous; (Psalm x. 3;) and to the

tremendous consequences of accumulating property, as this sin is associated with the vilest of crimes which exclude from the kingdom of heaven. (Ephesians v. 5.)

The manuscript is to be sent to Dr. Conquest, 13, Finsbury-square, London, on or before the 1st of November, 1835;

and with it a sealed letter, containing the address of the writer. The Honourable and Reverend Baptist Noel, and the Reverend Dr. Pye Smith, have kindly engaged to be the arbitrators; and the award will be adjudged on the 1st of May, 1836.

A LETTER, of which the following is an extract, written by Mr. Gutzlaff, the enterprising and indefatigable Missionary in China, was addressed to a friend whom he had intimately known in that empire, but who has recently returned to the United States. It is copied from "The New-York Observer."

"Canton, July 1, 1834.

"I HAVE written a treatise upon the Trinity, a Sketch of Great Britain, and commenced the General Description of the Chinese Empire. The Life of our Saviour is nearly printed. Many other of my Chinese essays are ready for distribution, and I have ordered several thousands to be struck off. The next work will be a History of the Bible, a treatise on Faith, and, if I can manage it, a general Geography, accompanied by an Atlas, to give our "celestial friends some idea of our terrestrial regions. "The Society for the Diffusion of Christian and Useful Knowledge' amongst the Chinese will, I hope, be formed; and many of your American friends promised to join in the good work. But I am again upon the point of starting for Fokien, with the ultimate view of keeping along the coast as far as Shanghoe and Nankin, and, if possible, to stretch even from that to Tapoa, and try to open there an intercourse, under the divine sanction.

"Be thou a stanch advocate of the good cause in China. If I could tell you the thoughts which continually actuate my mind! O that I had the means to provide for these myriads instruction, and to push on the work with vigour, until the whole empire be filled with the knowledge of the Saviour! My plans are extensive as ever mortal could conceive them. Thanks to the Lord of all grace, my operations have increased since you left, and I can now already employ more than twenty printers; yet I fear the funds will be very soon at an end! In the mean while I shall work day and night to attain a Chinese classical style, and to write with ease, trusting that the God of all grace will bestow upon the most worthless being the requisite quali

fications. I never despair; and the more arduous the task, the greater the perse

verance.

"In vain, however, may I look forward to do something essential, if the projected associations in England and America are not formed. I leave this to you. If, however, you may be able to effect it, be persuaded that neither the money nor care shall be thrown away. We will put all wheels in motion; and if the Lord be with us, you will very soon see that the work was not vain.

"Where shall I be, when you read this? I go in the strength of my God, with a great number of books and medicines."

The "New-York Observer" also announces the arrival in China of the Rev. Peter Parker, a Missionary sent out by the American Board of Foreign Missions. In a letter, dated, Canton, Oct. 30th, 1834, he says, "Mr. Gutzlaff is now distributing the word of life to vast numbers on the eastern coast. Mrs. Gutzlaff is expected at Macao soon, from Malacca, where she has been engaged as principal of a school. She is an English lady."

In a letter of later date, Dec. 22d, 1834, Mr. Gutzlaff says, "My wife has resolved to accompany me to Peking. I shall rejoice to have so dear a companion at my side.

"I have, in the course of this summer, revisited Formosa, and distributed in this island thousands of books among eager readers. Nothing can exceed the kindness with which I was received in TsinKeang, a large and populous district of Fokien. It might, perhaps, be interesting to describe this town, so rich in blessings, so conducive to the promulgation of the Gospel; but we are now plodding on, and planning more important things, while we look to our God for direction and help. Our visit to the teahills of Anhoe gave me a true zest of Missionary life in China.

"How white is the field for the harvest! I could write you sheets about many cheering events during the last tour. You know my intentions. Do not think me idle if I do not always write about them.

Do not grieve at the indifference of your own countrymen. As for Missionaries, God has already raised a good number, and we shall soon see a host in the field."

In a Berlin paper, dated March 23d, it is said, "According to accounts very lately received from our meritorious countryman Gutzlaff, a steam-boat was building in China, for the purpose of undertaking an expedition into the interior of the empire, by ascending one of the great rivers, and also exploring the most considerable of its tributary streams. It is highly probable that Gutzlaff is by this time in the heart of the empire. He has commenced the publication of a journal in the Chinese language, three numbers of which have been received here. One of them contains a very interesting report on the map of China. This journal is very well received by the natives, and measures have been taken to circulate it all over the country."

A Magazine in the Chinese language, and published at the end of every Chinese moon, is now in a course of publication in Canton. In the "Chinese Repository" of August, 1834, we find the following notice of this important periodical" The Chinese Magazine still continues to be published, and has hitherto met with no opposition. A few copies of the work have recently been sent to Peking; some to Nanking; and some to other parts of the empire. It has now reached its tenth number, which,

like each of the preceding ones, contains about thirty octavo pages. As the friends of China abroad must be desirous of knowing what kind of information the Magazine conveys to the people of this empire, we will subjoin from the table of contents the titles of some of the leading articles contained in the last numbers: Conversation between an Englishman and a Chinese reader of the Magazine, in which the former prevails on the latter to examine and criticise the book.' "Conversation between two Chinese respecting the creation of the world, in which one instructs the other concerning the account contained in the first chapter of Genesis, and contends that nature affords certain evidence of the account being more than a mere western tale.' 'Letter from a Chinese, travelling in South America, to his father in China, giving an account of a ship, of a storm, of Lima, and of the mines of Chili.' 'Narrative of the settlement of the Cape of Good Hope; difficulties encountered, and perseverance of the settlers.' 'Essay against idolatry, with arguments deduced from the principles of the ancient Sages and wise Kings anterior to Confucius, and from the power of an Almighty Being manifested in nature.' "The principles of the steamengine explained, with an illustrative plate.' Besides articles like these, each number usually contains short historical, geographical, and astronomica papers; and these are followed by items of European news, and prices current."