neighbourhood of which are large and populous towns, not yet visited by Englishmen, presenting a wide field for Missionary operation. The next is a village at the Confluence, on the right bank at the foot of a mountain, called by the natives Olokojah. Here Dr. Baikie thinks, if a Mission is established, it will afford an excellent opportunity of a direct communication to Lagos through the Yauraba country, which is the shortest route, and probably lead to an acquaintance of tribes yet unknown. I am thankful to God for the success which has attended our mission up the Niger, and I sincerely hope that the time will come, when the Saviour's name shall be proclaimed in every town and village on the banks of that mighty and noble river, and when Heathenism, idolatry, and superstition shall give way to the humble teaching of that Gospel, that pure and unadulterated word, which saves the soul. May the Lord hasten the time! May the choicest blessing of heaven rest upon the Committee, and may Almighty God, by his Holy Spirit, direct them in all their plans for the advancement of His cause, and the spiritual welfare of our dark, benighted brethren along the banks of the Niger, and in Central Africa. GAMBIA. CONVERSION OF AN AMERICAN CAPTAIN. AN AFRICAN SAINT. PEACEFUL DEATH OF Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Richard Cooper, dated Bathurst, I BEG to acknowledge the safe reception of your kind letter. The excellent instructions it contains shall be carefully followed out. It afforded both my self and our people much joy to receive Mr. Peet. During the month I was alone, I was blessed with much of the Saviour's presence, whom I proved, and still prove, to be a friend indeed, "sticking closer than a brother." With the assistance of some of our Native Preachers, all the places in the Circuit were regularly supplied. Good has been done. An American Captain, then in harbour, who attended regularly at Bathurst chapel, (he was convinced of sin under the last sermon Mr. Bridgart preached here,) visited me at the Mission-house on Christmas-night. He then confessed himself to be a sinner so vile, that he feared there could be no forgiveness for him with God. I preached the Gospel to him, while the tears coursed down his weather-beaten cheeks. On parting, I besought him to repair to his cabin, and there, in humble and believ. ing prayer, cast his soul on the mercy of God in Christ. He did so. A few days after, he re-entered the Missionhouse, and, with tears of joy, not of sorrow then, exclaimed, "Well! I have found it, I have found it, and now, bless the Lord, I am quite happy." And thus he continued, to the great astonishment of his officers and crew. He again called upon me, the evening before he left for America, and was then still rejoicing in a felt sense of his acceptance in the Beloved. in I The watch-night service was so well attended, that a difficulty arose accommodating the congregation. preached first in English, and then John Gum, our Supernumerary Assistant Missionary, in Jaloof. Old he truly is in years, but apparently matured in grace, a father in Israel." He has lost his natural eyesight, and for some time all external objects have been obscured from his vision; but spiritually he is not blind. Of this full proof was given, in the earnest, practical, and faithful sermon he delivered, which, I am thankful to say, was blessed to many souls. A large number of Jaloof Mohammedans were present, who eagerly listened while he eloquently discoursed from, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John iii. 16.) During the solemn five minutes of silent private devotion, as we knelt between the receding and the approaching years, many of us consecrated ourselves afresh to God, and entered into solemn covenant-engagements with him, which we pray may never be cancelled. On the following Sabbath I was much exhausted; yet strength was afforded according to my need. At four P.M. 1 was called upon to visit a dying man, who had repeatedly requested to see me ere he died. I mounted my horse, and went. His hour of departure was evidently at hand; but he was not unconscious of what was passing around him. Bending over him, I inquired, “Wil liam, is Jesus precious to you?" The O, Sirs, while, as Missionaries of the cross, we have our trials and discourage ments, blessed be God, we have our encouragements too. And if Africa is a sickly clime, and her sons and daugh ters poor and ignorant, yet it is one of earth's highest honours and richest delights to toil here usefully for Jesus and for immortal souls. In closing, allow me again to thank you for your kind confidence and fatherly advice, from which I have already derived no little benefit and encouragement. Your advice, with respect to seeking the judicious counsel of Mr. Bridgart as often as possible, I shall continue gladly to obey. I am sorry to state, our second day Schoo!master has tendered his resignation, and we have decided it will be best to accept it, and seek another Master. I shall endeavour to obtain a suitable supply ere he leaves. I have, likewise, taken an early opportunity to present Mr. Peet to His Excellency the Governor, by whom we were graciously received. His Excellency kindly offered me a free passage in the Colonial steamer to Macarthy's, on occasion of a visit Mr. Bridgart advised me to pay in February. THE WORK ADVANCING. A CLASS FOR JALOQFS. Extract of a Letter from the Same, dated Bathurst, February 22d, 1859. I AM happy to inform you, that the good work is still advancing. Our people, as a whole, are, I believe, living to God, and the congregations are larger and more attentive than I have ever seen them. Since my last we have been cheered with some thirty restorations and conversions. Each place in our small Circuit has been favoured in this gracious visitation. Steadily and quietly does this revival still extend. I have lately commenced meeting a week-evening class, into which we are seeking to persuade serious Jaloof young persons to enter and enrol themselves in the Lord's militant host. The beginning is small; but I trust in the Lord that we shall soon have a much larger number. Many of the Jaloofs speak English fluently and correctly; and in this point, as well as others, they often excel even the liberated tribes. They appear to prefer the usc of our own language in religious exercises, their own being deficient in expression suited to the worship of a Divine Being. This is a great advantage to us, especially as the Jaloof is very hard to attain, particularly in reference to spiritual purposes. It shall be my endeavour, by the help of the Holy One, to do all that lies in my power to lead this interesting people to the Saviour of the world; but I find it hardly possible to engage as actively and constantly in visitation from house to house, &c., during the second year of West African sojourn as during the first. WEST INDIES. BARBADOES. GRACIOUS REVIVALS. TRIUMPHANT DEATH OF A YOUNG CONVERT. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Henry Soper, dated Barbadoes, December 10th, 1858. WE are now in this Circuit all in the chjoyment of good health, and on Monday, the 6th, had the pleasure of welcom ing back our beloved Superintendent, the Rev. H. Hurd, in renovated health, and evidently greatly benefited by his trip to England. We trust that his labours will again be made a great blessing among us. The gracious outpourings of the Spirit with which we were blessed in April and May, are still manifest among us, in the deepened piety and quickened zeal of many of our old members, and in the consistent walk and earnest piety of the greater number of those who were added to us; and, although the showers are not so copious now, yet we have still the gentle droppings, giving us continued evidence that our "labours are not in vain in the Lord." One after another is found coming to the determination, "This people shall be my people, and their God my God." O that they may be faithful even unto the end! A few weeks since, I was called to rejoice over the triumphant death of a young female, gathered home as a kind of first-fruits of our late revival. She became soundly converted during the second week of our "special services," entered at once the Sabbath-school, and bid fair to be very useful there. But the great Head of the church would have it otherwise. For, about ten weeks after her conversion, she was seized with an attack of illness, which lasted just ten weeks, and then her happy spirit took its flight to heaven. I visited her frequently during her illness, and though at times she had severe conflicts with the enemy, yet her confidence was unshaken. She would often gather her young friends around her bed, and exhort them to give their hearts to God at once, that they might share the happiness which she experienced. Her last words were, "I am happy; Jesus is mine; I am going to be with him." She died at the early age of fifteen years. Her counsel and happy death have exerted a salutary influence on many young persons. I have seen in a late Number of the "Watchman," with pleasure, the account of the many young people who are begin ning to meet in class in different parts of England. You will no doubt be glad to hear that we are not behind in this matter. In the Bethel Society, we have three classes, composed entirely of young people; and in the James-street Society two classes, many of whom truly enjoy religion, and who we hope will yet shine brightly in the church, and in the world. At Dalkeith and Belmont, two of our small stations which had been for some time on the decline, we have been graciously visited, and many have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. At Dalkeith alone, where at the close of the June quarter we returned forty-five members, we have since had twenty-five added. The two chapels are becoming much too small. At Belmont the people are already diligent in raising subscriptions for enlarging the chapel, which we trust we shall soon be able to carry into effect. But while we have much to encourage us here, we are not without causes for deep humiliation and sorrow, as we look upon some who for awhile seemed to "bid fair for the kingdom," but have "turned back." Our open-air services we have had to abandon during the wet season; but we hope to be able to recommence them within a few weeks. The people in the neglected neighbourhoods are already entreating us to come and preach to them. We trust that many among them will be "plucked as brands from the burning." The two young brethren who accompanied Mr. Hurd have each proceeded to their stations. HONDURAS, MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY. UNION PRAYER-MEETINGS AND Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Edward D. Webb, dated Belize, FROM the reports forwarded by the last month's mail, you will learn the continued prosperity of our work in this town, and throughout this Mission. At the December visitation of the classes in Belize, an encouraging increase of members was reported, both on the quarter and on the year. Our Missionary anniversary was held as usual during the Christmas week. The sermons were preached on Sunday, December 26th; in the morning by the Rev. David Arthur, of the Free Church of Scotland, and in the evening by the Rev. George Sykes, from Ruatan. The congregations were crowded, and a gracious influence attended the word of God. The public meeting was held on the following Wednesday evening in the chapel, when we were again encouraged by a respectable and overflowing attendance. The chair was taken by Edward Adams, Esq., a native of the United States, but an old and muchrespected inhabitant of Belize, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Report, which was of a very cheering character, was read by Mr. J. San ders, our day.school Teacher; after which, powerful and deeply-interesting speeches were delivered by the Hon. C. H. J. Cuyler, Esq., Public Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Education, the Rev. D. Arthur, Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. A. Henderson, Bap tist Minister, and the Rev. Richard Fletcher, George Sykes, and Edward D. Webb, the Ministers of the Circuit. The Meeting was continued, with undiminished interest, for upwards of four hours, and did not terminate till after ten P.M. The subscriptions and collections amounted to the noble sum of £204. 16s. 6d. sterling; which, considering the commercial distress of the town, exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and proved the favour with which the Mission cause is still regarded in this town. During the last month of the year it is usual for large numbers of men who during the year have been employed at the distant mahogany-works, to return to Belize to be paid off, and to be reengaged for the following year. The town is therefore at this time, and for a few weeks in January, unusually full; and much wickedness generally abounds. The opportunity has been seized, and special efforts have again been made to direct the attention of the careless and ungodly to the blessings of salvation, by means of open-air preaching, union prayer-meetings, and special services in our chapel. It is pleasing to state that in these efforts the Presbyterian, Baptist, and Wesleyan Ministers have cordially co-operated. During the few weeks Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Sykes were here, we were enabled to keep up preaching in the market-square nearly every evening. The congregations were always large. Sometimes nearly four hundred people were assembled, yet the greatest order prevailed, and the word of life was listened to with the most serious attention. At the close of each service a number of religious tracts were distributed, which were eagerly sought after. The watch-night service in our chapel was crowded, and was a season of great power and blessing. During the first week in the new year, service was held every evening in our chapel, in addition to the out-door services. On Monday and Tuesday there was preaching, and on Wednesday evening the first Union prayer-meeting was held in our chapel, which was crowded to overflowing. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. A. Henderson, Baptist Minister. The Presbyterian and Wesleyan Ministers also took part in the service. The congregation was composed of all denominations of Christians in the town, and we felt it good thus to unite our supplications for the outpouring of God's Spirit, and the revival and extension of his work. Preaching was continued on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday evening a band-meeting was held. The weather was unfavourable; yet the attendance at these services was large, and we have reason to hope they were made a blessing to many. The union prayermeetings have since been continued weekly, being held alternately in the Wesleyan, Baptist, and Presbyterian chapels; and in connexion with them out-door preaching has been held in several parts of the town by the different Ministers in turn. The Divine blessing has attended these efforts, which we doubt not, have been made the means of much good. BAHAMAS. OUT-POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. James T. Hartwell, dated Turk's Islands, February 18th, 1859. SINCE the first day of the present year, it has pleased the Lord of glory to pour out His Holy Spirit so copiously upon the church here, that I could not feel it right to absent myself for some weeks in order to visit Puerto Plata ; especially as I had laboured here for three years with apparently but little success, and now every service seems to be attended by blessings from above. The revival is very encouraging. We had experienced a very good watch-night at the close of the year, and I had retired to bed; when, before day-light, I was called up to go and endeavour to administer comfort to a number of persons who had been praying all night in a private house, and were in great distress of mind. On my arrival, I found some rejoicing in the experience of newborn children of God, and others earnestly seeking the same blessing. The next day was our covenant service, and it was an unusually hallowed season. After the evening sermon, a prayer-meeting was held; and, at the close, those who were distressed in mind, and anxious to serve God, were invited to remain a little longer. Several at once gave themselves up, and at halfpast ten the meeting was adjourned to the next evening. On the first Monday evening in the new year, the adjourned special prayer-meeting was held; and, I believe, none who were there will ever forget it. The great feature in the work is the spirit of prayer. The people seem never to tire of prayer. The weekly general prayer-meeting is often better attended than the week-night sermon. Intercession for individuals is also very common, as we read concerning the world-famed American prayermeetings, and in some cases it appears to have been answered. I never felt so happy in my work as at present. RECENT INTELLIGENCE. THE CHINESE IN AUSTRALIA. CHINESE SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR A CHAPEL. TWO MISSIONS TO THE CHINESE TO BE COMMENCED. THE following paragraph is extracted from a report of the proceedings of the Missionary Committee assembled in Sydney, in connexion with the Australasian Conference. The information is equally pleasing and remarkable. Friday morning, January 28th.—It having been stated to the Committee that many Chinese in Victoria wished to attend the Wesleyan ministry, and had subscribed £200 for the erection of a Chinese Wesleyan chapel to be settled upon the Model Deed, and also, that there was a fair prospect for the opening of a Chinese Mission in this Colony (New South Wales); and the Committee, believing that the exodus of the Chinese to this country afforded a most favour. able opportunity, and was a loud providential call for evangelistic efforts in their behalf, unanimously resolved :— "That this Committee recommends the establishment of Wesleyan Missions to the Chinese in the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria, to be under the same management as the other Missions of the Society." DEPARTURES. THE Rev. Joseph Taylor Shaw, and Mrs. Shaw, embarked at Gravesend, on March 27th, in the "Queen of the Avon," for Nelson, New-Zealand. Mrs. John Shaw and family embarked at Southampton, on April 2d, in the "Magdalena," for Antigua. ARRIVALS. THE Rev. Charles Clay and family arrived at York, Western Australia, on January 14th. The Rev. F. Fawcett and the Rev. G. Martin arrived at Sydney on the 26th of January. DEATHS. WE deeply regret to announce the death of the Rev. Theophilus Taylor, at Ballarat, Australia, on January 4th; and of the Rev. Thomas Fawcett, near Hamilton, Canada West, on January 19th. The Rev. Samuel Johnston, General Missionary in Ireland, after an illness of several weeks, departed this life on the 14th of April, in the triumph of faith. He was a good and faithful Minister of Christ, and very useful in his generation. THE amount of Contributions and Remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £2,292. 8s. 11d. LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. |