aries are safe. We fear no evil,-what is required of us is, to act in all things prudently, and to keep to our great work of saving souls; and then, trusting in God, we are in no more danger of personal injury, than we should be in any part of our native land. Our great wants are more labourers, and a richer baptism of the Holy Ghost. God will give the latter-will the friends of Missions withhold the former ? The devil has a great stronghold here; will not good people then come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty? We all continue to enjoy good health. NATAL, TOUR IN THE INTERIOR. NATIVE TEA-MEETING. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Frederick Mason, dated Pietermaritzburg, January 6th, 1859. FOR several months my health having appeared to be in a very weak and precarious state, it was considered desirable that I should have an interval of repose. Accordingly, about the beginning of November, I left Pietermaritzburg for a tour among the higher districts of the colony. I was absent five weeks, and returned with health greatly restored. What pleased me most of all, while moving about in remote parts of the Circuit, was the general disposition and desire to hear the word of God. At one place, in particular, which can only be visited once a fortnight, service is regularly held every Sabbath; devotional exercises being performed, and a sermon read, morning and evening. One evening in the week is also set apart for public worship, when a sermon is read, or a prayer-meeting held. At most of the places a strong wish is expressed, and earnest endeavours are made, for the erection of chapels. At Mooi River, a little sanctuary has been raised, chiefly by the efforts of people on the spot, and is now nearly ready for opening. During the week it will be used as a school-room, when funds can be obtained for the support of a school-master. This leads me to observe here, that educational privileges are highly valued and strongly desired by our people in these localities. I hope the day will come when they will be able to secure the services of masters trained not only in the different branches of learning, but also in the principles and practice of Christianity, in your noble Institution at Westminster. Another chapel is in course of erection at Shafton, which promises to be a model of architectural taste. An interesting circumstance occurred while I was staying in one part of the Circuit, which I will relate. I went on a Sabbath morning, with the eldest son of the Rev. J. Jackson, to visit some Kaffir kraals in the neighbourhood of Magtenberg. As notice had been pre viously given to the people, they assembled in one spot in the open air. About sixty Heathens came to hear what the Umfundisi had to say to them. The men sat in front, the women behind-all listening attentively while I spoke to them; Mr. Jackson being my interpreter. Thus, beneath the hot sun of Africa, with only the sky for a covering, I endeavoured to impress upon the minds of these benighted creatures the truths of the Gospel. Here I should state that Mr. Jackson visits these people frequently, and his labours among them are not without result. Now that his father, the Rev. J. Jackson, is at Indaleni, they may be said to be under his spiritual charge. The chapel which was commenced in Maritzburg, a year and a half ago, is now rapidly drawing to its completion; indeed, we hope to be in it before many weeks are past. In order to increase the funds for this object, a bazaar was recently held, which proved very successful. The ladies had been working with praiseworthy diligence for a long time; many friends contributed, and general interest was shown with respect to the undertaking. Some were doubtful as to the issue, and seemed to think that, as the number of articles was so small, and money so scarce, but little would be realized. The bazaar was held on the 15th and 16th of December, a few of the remaining articles being disposed of on the evening of the 17th. The room in which the sales took place was tastefully decorated with evergreens, flowers, &c., arranged so as to present an imposing appearance. Crowds of people came to see and purchase; most of the principal persons in the city favouring us with their presence or patronage. All fears vanished when the sale commenced; and the result justified the most sanguine expectations. The net proceeds of the affair amount to about £160. This may appear an inconsiderable sum to those who are favoured with a residence in the great and wealthy Circuits in England; but we in Natal are only in the beginning of our strength. Timely relief was thus afforded to the new-chapel fund, which had suffered considerable pressure. Before closing this letter, I will refer to the native tea-meeting held on Monday last, January 3d. This is an annual gathering, and usually takes place about the new year. About two hundred and fifty of Africa's swarthy sons and daughters came together on the occasion; some of them from long distances. This teameeting is always anticipated with eager expectations by the natives, who enter into it with as much spirit and delight as is manifested in your great assemblies at home. It is really astonishing what a social power there is in a good teameeting. It loosens the tongue; it 1ghts up the eye; it melts icy reserve, and, by diffusing a genial warmth of feeling, gives opportunity for friendly intercourse. On this occasion the people came, male and female, dressed cleanly and respectably. If there was room for complaint, it was that some of them were too gaudily attired-the females especially; for if I, a bachelor, may be allowed to say so, the ladies among the native tribes exhibit the same general tendencies as their sisters of fairer hue. Among them was a profusion of red, in the shape of dresses, ribbons, trimmings, and such like. This was, however, the least interesting feature in the assembly. Here was a company of people, but a few years reclaimed from Heathenism, through the blessing of God upon the labours of your Missionaries, met beneath the shelter of their own sanctuary, clothed, and in their right mind; rejoicing in the blessings of civilization, and, above all, in the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was no gathering for war and blood, for the wild song, or the frantic dance these are old things which have passed away. After tea there was, as there commonly is, a long round of speechifying. One or two English friends addressed the meeting; but the chief speakers were the natives themselves. I could understand what the Hottentots said, as they spoke in Dutch; but I could only here and there catch the meaning of the Kaffirs, who, I would observe, are by far the best speakers. While listening to one of them in particular, I could not help thinking that a high degree of civilization is not essenrial to oratory, any more than to poetry. His readiness of utterance, variety of tone, vivacity of wit, and energy of action, were most remarkable. While sitting and listening there, I could not but wish that the friends of Missions at home were favoured with an opportunity of witnessing such an assembly as this, gathered out of the darkness of Heathenism, blessed with the knowledge of the Gospel, by means of their money and prayers. Most thankful am I, Reverend and dear Sirs, that this holy cause of Missions has not lost its interest in the eyes of British Christians. We do not conceal from ourselves its difficulties, its vastness, the feebleness of its agents, the comparatively small progress it has made among the motley millions of the globe; but our confidence is in the might of Jehovah's arm, and in the saving efficacy of Christ's Gospel. You, whom the love of Christ constrains, still pray, still give; and, by God's help, we will still "labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him." Extract of a Letter from the Rev. William Henry Milward, dated Cape-Coast Castle, February 9th, 1859. I WRITE to apprize you of my safe arrival at this place on January 21st, 1859, and of my continued safety and good health and strength up to the present date. I am very much pleased with my station, and much interested in the people of my charge. I find many rejoicing in the assurance of sins forgiven, and of their adoption into God's family; and many of them have witnessed, and still continue to witness, a "good confession " before all men. The Gospel of Jesus Christ here, as elsewhere, has become the "power of God unto the salvation" of all who have believed. Still, after all the labours of the zealous men who have fallen in the cause of their Master on this fatal field, and of those who still remain, or are now labouring in England, the cause of Christ seems to me but in its infancy at present. "Come over and help us" is the cry from every quarter. The "prince of darkness" still reigns here in all his infernal majesty, and many, very many, are madly and rapidly posting down to eternal death. Others are found who have never heard the blessed sound of Jesu's name, and when you tell them the story of redeeming love, wonderingly ask, "How can these things be?" I am trying to get among the people; but I find a great difficulty in speaking to them, owing to the very little knowledge the people have of English; so that oftentimes I have to get Mr. Ansah, or some one else, to interpret it into Fantee. My heart yearns with pity for the poor deluded creatures which everywhere I meet with. O what a harvest of souls is there here to be gathered into the garner of God! "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few." Surely the British churches, and especially the Wesleyan-Methodist church, will come up "to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." O that every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ would adopt the carnest language of the Prophet Isaiah ! "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Then, indeed, when the church of God is really in earnest, shall the time to favour Zion, yea, the set time, be come, ORDINATION. HAPPY DEATH OF A NATIVE CHRISTIAN. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. James A. Solomon, Native Minister, dated Anamabu, February 10th, 1859. HAVING had this favourable opportunity, I cannot but drop you a few lines, respecting the most solemn and impressive ordination of the Rev. Timothy Laing, John O. Ansah, and myself, on Sunday, the 16th ult., in Cape-Coast chapel, by our worthy Superintendent. The service commenced at seven P.M., and the attendants were many. This is the second ordination ever witnessed at this part of the world, and I trust the time is not far distant, when Africa herself will send her own enlightened sons to those who are still involved themselves in the thickest darkness. Since the ceremony performed, I have felt, and do feel more than ever, the weight of the responsibility which rests upon me; but I look up to Him that saith, "All things are possible to him that believeth," and also, "My grace is sufficient for thee." I am once more enforced by duty to bring to your notice the happy death of one of our female Leaders, by the name of Mary Sniper, who had held the office of Leadership in the church for many years, and with whose conduct and attendance we were very much pleased. She took her departure on Monday, the 17th ult., in my absence to the last District Meeting. The statements of her sufferings and death received in writing from her friend, are as follows: "I am glad to inform you the happy death of our Christian sister Mary Sniper, who died in peace, and I am sure she is resting in the bosom of Abraham. "Before her departure I went over to see her, and found she was very ill. I told her to put her trust in God, and she must remember the words of Job, "Though me. "On the last visit, I found that she was on the point of death, and her voice was almost gone: I went and sat by her, and called her by her name; but she was not able to answer: then I said, 'Mamma, look unto Jesus; for he has promised to deliver us even from death: then she tried, and said, with a small voice, There am I looking now.' 999 We had a love feast here last Sunday: the service commenced at half-past ten in the morning, and closed at twelve o'clock. The experience of many was very good indeed. Our spirits were much cheered. My earnest prayer is, that the Lord may bless our feeble endeavours this year with an abundant success, THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE OF A NATIVE MINISTER. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Frederick France, Native Minister, dated James-Town, Akrah, February 11th, 1859. HAVING an opportunity, I am glad to embrace it, by writing you these few lines. I am sure you will be glad to hear from me, as I have not written to you since I was received on probation as an Assistant Missionary by the Conference which was held in the year 1857. You will also be glad to receive a very brief account of my early life, and my present religious experience. I was born at Akrah, and, as my parents were pure Heathens, I was brought up by them in the same false religion. There was no established school at that time in James-Town, until the year 1838, a native of this place went to Cape-Coast and attended the services there, and brought back with him the form of worship as observed by the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. In the same year, 1838, a school was established, and a small Society formed among us. When I was received as a member on trial, when my mother (my father having died) and relatives heard that I had embraced the Christian religion, they were much grieved, as an old Heathen reported to them that I had put myself into great difficulties by becoming a Christian, and therefore I should go mad, and I shall not see their corpses when they die; and many other things. But, dear fathers, I found that religion's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. I shall never forget the first day I heard the sound of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I felt its truth and power, and could say, as one of our hymns, ""Tis music in the sinner's ears, "Tis life, and health, and peace." I shall also never forget the day I experienced the pardoning mercy of God. I had once a proud and stubborn heart, full of self-love, and all that was evil. But when I received the justify ing grace of God in the year 1846, I rejoiced in God my Saviour. I felt that all slavish fear was gone, and that the blood of Christ Jesus had cleanseth me from my past sins. I could then gratefully say,— "No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in him, is mine; And clothed in righteousness Divine." My attention was then turned from all worldly business, and I only wished to be a house-servant to the Missionaries; and as the Lord wished me to be a labourer in his vineyard, I became a chapel-keeper, a steward in the Missionhouse, a School-Teacher, an Interpreter, a Class-Leader, a Local Preacher, and then I was received to the office of an Assistant Missionary. When I consider my unworthiness and insufficiency, I am ready to say, "Who am I, and what am I, that the Lord should call me to such a work as this?" I must say to you, Sirs, that I do feel indeed that I am called of God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to my fellow-countrymen. I began to call sinners among my people in the year 1847; and since then to the present, the Lord has always blessed me in my preaching. You will observe from my latter remark, that my own mother, who, when I resolved to forsake my former Pagan religion to embrace the Christian religion, put great obstacles in my ways. But now she has become a member of our church, through my feeble instrumentality. I cannot help but exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" May God of his infinite mercy grant me his grace, that I may be a good and sharp instrument for the conversion of many of my Heathen people, who are still enveloped in Pagan darkness! I beg you will kindly receive these few lines, and also beg you to remember me at the throne of grace, SIERRA-LEONE. AFFLICTION AND SUCCESS. CLOTHING REQUIRED. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Thomas Champness, dated Freetown, ONCE more I begin to write a few lines to you, and am glad that I have health and strength to do so; for since my last letter I have had two very severe attacks of fever, which were more violent than any previous ones, and caused me to feel more than ever that this is not my native land. Sickness is exceedingly trying here, and especially when you have so much to pass through as has been my lot; but, thanks be to God, in all my sickness there has been one near to cheer and comfort, and I have felt that "there is indeed one that sticketh closer than a brother;" and, if it were possible, I would not undo a single thing that has been done, knowing that "all things work together for good to them that love God." My present health is pretty good; I am happy in my work, and enjoy preaching to this people very much. The Lord has blessed my labours, and I have been privileged to see some good done; but I feel the need of a richer baptism from on high, that much more may be accomplished by my feeble instrumentality. According to your instructions, I shall proceed to Wilberforce when Mr. Dillon leaves; and I hope and pray that I may be made useful there. No doubt, with increased responsibility, there will be increased grace, if it is asked for; and that I mean to do. I shall feel leaving Freetown Circuit very much, having lived in it just long enough to make many friends, and to be acquainted with most of our people; and to leave them will be no small trial. But I shall be working for the same Master in my new sphere of labour, and shall hope to be blessed there, as well as in Freetown. Mr. Dillon leaves his Circuit with the affection and best wishes of his charge, and I hope that I may be made fit to take his place. You will have heard before this of the arrival of our new staff. The Lord grant the workmen health and strength to labour in this sickly climate! I should have stated that Mr. Brown has been very unwell, but is now recovering. The ladies of George-street (Hulme, Manchester 5th Circuit) chapel and school have sent me out a first-rate box of clothing, and I hope that their example will be followed by others. If the kind ladies of England knew how much good they could do by sending us clothing for our poor children and members, I am sure their benevolent hearts would not rest until they had done something towards covering the naked; and, if they could see the happy faces of those who have received garments, they would set about the good work at once. The colony has been invaded by the Man of Sin. Several Popish Priests have arrived here, and will no doubt do us some injury; but I do not think they will accomplish much. Still our position is one that calls for the earnest prayers of all Protestants and well-wishers to the church of Christ, THE NIGER EXPEDITION. Extract of a Letter from Mr. George E. Roche, dated Freetown, As the mail has arrived from the coast, and will in a day or two be leaving this for England; and as I am aware you would be glad to hear from me relative to our mission up the Niger; I therefore take up my pen to write these few lines for the information of the Committee, which I hope will be read with some interest. We arrived here, as you may have heard, on the 17th of December last, and met my dear wife just recovering from a severe attack of sickness, which, but for the mercy of God, she would have died. I myself have had repeated attacks at Abah and the Confluence, and even since my arrival, the effects of being much exposed on board the "Sunbeam" whilst ascending; but I am glad to say that, in the midst of all our afflictions and difficulties, the Lord supported us by his grace, and enabled us to acquiesce in his dispensation. To Him be all praise and glory. The brethren Jackson, Herbert, and Lefevre, have also had their share of affliction. Our conversation with the various Chiefs and influential men are carefully entered in our journals, which I believe will be gratifying to the Committee. The journals of Jackson and Lefevre are copious, and no doubt interesting. They have selected Ndoni in the Ebo district, where I had left them, as being more suitable for Mission station. I have seen the place myself, and approve of the selection. While at the Confluence, I endeavoured to collect some information respecting the manners and customs of the people, and their feelings in regard to the Gospel message, which I think will be gratifying to the Committee, and the good people of England, who have the interest of Africa at heart. I beg particularly to call the attention of the Committee to two places in the Niger, as being in every way suitable for Mission stations. The first is Ndoni, not far from the factory on the opposite shore, about two hundred miles from the mouth of the river, in the immediate |