JOEL BULU, whose portrait is given on the title page, is a Native Minister in the South Seas. From his published autobiography we learn that he was born at Vavau, one of the Friendly Islands, that in early age he was an idolater, and that it was not till he had grown up to mature years that he made the resolve, "I will lotu, that I may live among the stars." To the venerable John Thomas and Nathaniel Turner Joel was indebted for guiding him into the light of Gospel truth. He was present when King George was converted, and often speaks of those days of power. Joel felt moved by the Holy Spirit to go and spread the Gospel in Fiji, and calling one day at the Mission house, Mr. Thomas said, "Joel, a letter has come from Fiji, begging for help; and ever since I read that letter I have been thinking of you." He hastened to Lakemba, where he was welcomed by Mr. Cargill, and where he enjoyed the friendship of Messrs. Hunt, Calvert, and Lyth. He has often had to endure trials, but none of these things have moved him. His labours in Ono were singularly owned of God. He used to think it a little heaven. At Mbua he was the fellow-labourer of Mr. Wilson, whose testimony to Joel's excellence has often been heard. He is now waiting for his dismissal. To quote his own words, "I am now an old man, and my body is weak; but my soul is as strong as ever, rejoicing in the works of the Lord. When I look forward to the good land, which is even so near me, my heart burns, and my eyes fill with tears of joy, as I think of the glory which I shall soon behold, for the Lord is ever present with me, both night and day; and after putting my trust in Him throughout all these years I am not going to begin to doubt Him now.” FEBRUARY, 1873. THE extracts which we give from the letters of our Missionaries are gathered from wide and various fields of labour, but they furnish encouraging evidence of earnest work and steady progress. In Germany, under the vigorous administration of Mr. Barratt, Methodism has assumed a more definite organization; and the erection of a Chapel at Cannstatt has been commenced. In the east and west, in Ceylon, in India, and in Nassau, our brethren are carrying on the work of Christian education with great earnestness; but at the same time they do not forget that their chief business is to preach the Gospel, and to save souls. Mr. Terry's appeal for help toward the erection of a High School at Nassau deserves attention; such a school will have an important influence on the future native ministry in the West Indies. South Africa is rich in promise; with openings in every direction for evangelical aggression, with a growing native ministry, and with manifestations of power from on high, there is much for which we ought to thank God and take courage. Mr. Currey's letter from the shore of Lake Superior will be read with interest. It shows that our brethren in Canada are not unmindful of the claims of the Indians. To answer many inquiries addressed to us as to the appropriation of the money collected in connexion with the Christmas Offerings, and the Juvenile Home and Foreign Missionary Associations, we print on page 44 the Resolutions of the Conference. It is very gratifying to feel that these Juvenile efforts are increasingly successful. THE LATE REV. WILLIAM SHAW. In accordance with the request of the General Committee, the President of the Conference preached an appropriate, impressive, and edifying Funeral Sermon in City Road Chapel, on Monday evening, December 23rd, 1872. A large and devout congregation had gathered from all parts of London, to evince their deep and loving respect for the memory of their honoured and lamented friend. The following biographical notice has been placed on the Minutes of the Committee: "In recording the decease of the Rev. William Shaw the Committee have to lament the loss of one of the most serviceable and valuable Missionaries ever sent forth by this Society. Converted to God, and called into His work at an early age, Mr. Shaw laboured in it with faithful diligence for nearly half a century; of which more than thirty years were spent in South Africa. In the Eastern District of the Cape Colony he was the Society's first Missionary, being then the spiritual guide and adviser of the original settlers. The influence gained by this position was continually growing, as his moral worth, together with his sagacity, prudence, foresight, and general ability became more and more apparent. By many of the colonists he came to be regarded almost as a father; and he held a high place in the esteem of the community at large, and also of those who from time to time administered public affairs in that part of the British dominions. From the original settlers Mr. Shaw extended his labours first to the adjacent, then to the more distant, heathen; and the Missions which he commenced and for a long time directed have been among the most satisfactory of all those carried on under the Committee's care. By the blessing of God he lived to see the one station which he originally occupied grow into fifty-one, arranged in four Districts, with thousands of native converts, several native Ministers, and a Native Training Institution established and in full operation. When the period of Mr. Shaw's foreign service terminated, he continued to take a lively interest in the affairs of the Society, and rendered it good service both by his counsels and his advocacy. And now that, full of years and honours, he rests from his labours, the Committee desire, in the review of his career, to thank God on his behalf, and their own also; and to pray that by the favour of the Head of the Church the supply of such men may be long continued to this Society." 29 GERMANY. WAIBLINGEN. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John C. Barratt, dated I AM glad that I am able for the 66 on During the last quarter I preached a good deal in the distant Circuits of the District, and was comforted to notice in the majority of the stations an improved spiritual life. One very pleasing feature of the work lately has been a considerable increase in the number of Sunday scholars and teachers. In December, 1871, we had of the former five hundred and two, and thirty-two of the latter. In December, 1872, the numbers are teachers sixty-five, scholars eight hundred and fifty-four. The Circuit collections for the year have exceeded those of the previous year by two hundred and fifty florins, about £21, and the contributions in the classes show also a small, very small, increase. The Missionary contributions have amounted to upwards of £150, being considerably in advance of any previous year, while the Christmas Offerings amount to something over £100. These two last named items will, by the kind ness of the Committee, do us good service. After long and troublesome searching, a fortnight ago I bought a building (shell) and site in Backnang, for our anxiously desired chapel. The property will cost when complete between £650 and £700; and by resolution of the last District Meeting the Missionary moneys will be devoted to the Backnang purchase. our On Monday last we took a most important step in connexion with our German work, viz., the first administration of the Lord's Supper. The service was held in our preaching room in Stuttgart, and was an occasion of very great blessing. I had directed preachers not to press or persuade any single member to communicate with us on this occasion, but simply to state what we intended to do. One hundred and four persons joined with us in remembering the Lord's death, and their souls were feasted. This service I felt to be a strong rebuke of my slowness and hesitation in yielding to requests made year after year. course, it will bring down a storm upon us, and may lead to the separation of members from us; but the work was undertaken in the fear of God, and with a conviction of its necessity; and if difficulty comes, we aust pray for wisdom and grace to meet and overcome it. CEYLON. THE TAMIL DISTRICT. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Edmund Rigg, dated Jaffna, You will be glad to learn that the Rev. J. G. Pearson has safely Of reached his station, Batticaloa. Mr. Pearson came up through the |