work, and bring them to his heavenly king-| dom! One person, formerly excluded, has been restored. In my last I gave you an account of the different stations here belonging to our Society. I am now thinking of forming a fifth station, at a village called Kottighawatta, about five miles from Colombo. It is a place in the centre of a considerable, and, till recently, almost neglected population; but the gospel, having been introduced among them, in some cases appears to have become the power of God to salvation. Four persons have been baptized, and some others are candidates for the ordinances of Christ. We began last week to build a place of worship there; and a gifted member of our church here, a native, who has preached among them with great acceptance, will (D. V.) go and dwell with his family among them, and regularly preach the word to them and many villages around. The great difficulty is to obtain a house for his residence. As there is no house to be rented there, one must be built for him. I think we can manage it for about £40. How I shall be able to obtain the money, I do not know. Persons around us, who can give, are so indifferent to those things, that dare not make too many applications; and having obtained lately about £50 towards our missionary operations, I can scarcely again apply to them. But I trust that He, who has all power in heaven and earth, will aid us in what is requisite to advance his glory. He has helped unexpectedly before, and can do it again. We are proceeding with our revised edition of the Singhalese Scriptures, and have printed from Joshua to the end of the Book of Psalms, and are now going on with Genesis and Exodus. Several interesting new tracts have lately issued from the press. The Popish Controversy is still continued. I have published 15 numbers of "The Protestant Vindicator," which makes its appearance monthly. The horrid system of Popery appears to have received a shock here, the effects of which will, I trust, ere long become more visible. Several of the more intelligent Papists are beginning to examine their system, and to be alive to many of its errors, though they have not as yet the courage publicly to renounce them. They and their priests have been at open war. A few months since they presented a memorial to their Padres, signed by 1700 persons, complaining of the negligence of their pastors, stating their grievances, and intreating that they might be removed. This so incensed the Padres, that they declared they would neither confess, nor admit to the Lord's supper, any persons who received interest for money they had lent to their neighbours. Better days are, I think, dawning upon this island. We have a new Governor, who, with his lady, appear to be persons of decided piety, and seem determined to use the influence of their example and exertions to advance true religion. Mrs. Stewart Mackenzie has brought with her, from a society in England, a female to superintend the education of natives of her own sex, chiefly from the families of the native headmen. Befriended by such high patronage, she has met with much encouragement, and has opened a school of the above description, under the most favourable auspices. I think how different this reception to that of my dear predecessor, brother Chater, who was obliged to wait for some time before he could obtain permission to preach here. But the sufferings, as well as the labours of the faithful servants of Christ, all bear on the great event of his universal reign. JAMAICA. With feelings of no ordinary delight, blended, we trust, with devout thankfulness to the Father of mercies, we record that on the day on which our present publication is dated, the whole population of Jamaica is absolutely free. Acting on instructions from the Home Government, Sir Lionel Smith convoked the House of Assembly on the 5th of June, laid before them the recent Act of Parliament introduced by Lord Glenelg, and stated, with much frankness, his own conviction that, as the law now stood, it was impossible that the apprenticeship could go In this opinion both Houses of the Legislature appear to have concurred, and, consequently, a bill was brought in, and passed without a dissentient voice, for the total abolition of the system on the 1st of August, 1838! on. Surely we may say, This is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes. To Him be all the glory! The following letter from Mr. Tinson, dated Kingston, May 9th, conveys the affecting and unexpected intelligence of the decease of our valuable brother Gardner, the pastor of the church in East Queen-street : Kingston, Jamaica, 9th May. 1838. My dear Friend,-I am just returned from the house of mourning, from a scene of sorrow as unexpected as it is afflictive. Yesterday morning, a little before ten o'clock, our esteemed brother Gardner finished his course! We have now committed his remains to the tomb, and the mourners go about the streets. O that many might lay it to heart, and thus, though being dead, may he yet speak! His funeral was numerously attended, many merchants and others unconnected with the church were present; the pall was borne by six ministers of different denominations; the large chapel was full to overflowing; and many appeared to feel deeply. The disease of which he died was what the medical men term congestive fever, occasioned, in all probability, by exposure to a heavy fall of rain, such as those who have never visited a tropical climate can hardly conceive of, and that immediately after travelling several hours beneath the unmitigated rays of a very hot sun. A day or two after he complained of pains in different parts of his body, and felt quite unwell during his evening service on Thursday last. He retired from the pulpit to his bed, and left it no more till he was carried to the house appointed for all living. How inscrutable are the ways of God! Here is one of his servants in the vigour of youth, only 31 years of age, removed from an extensive sphere of labour and of usefulness, with which he was just become thoroughly acquainted, and in which his influence was being widely felt! How solemn the warning to those of us who are left! Pray for us, that living and dying we may have but one single aim-the glory of Christ in the salvation of sinners. What infinite condescension that he should employ us at all! But he will have us learn that he can do without us; and that whatever he may permit us to convey to others, the treasure is in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be seen to be his. It is somewhat remarkable that our brother had selected the passage in Psalm xcvii. 2, and actually prepared a discourse upon it for Sabbath evening, in reference to the death of two or three members of the church, which had recently happened; and do we not see in his death a practical illustration of the language, more striking and impressive than any studied arrangement of words could impart? Until within a few hours of his death, before the disease reached the brain, he was perfectly collected, and spoke of his approaching dissolution with composure. After requesting me to make various memoranda relative to his secular affairs, he endeavoured to comfort and encourage his deeply-afflicted companion, from whom, as her earthly stay and support, he was so soon to be removed; directing her mind to that all-sufficient Saviour, who is a Father of the fatherless, and a Judge of the widows, I said to him, "Brother, I hope Jesus, whom you have preached to others, is now precious." He replied, Yes, he is; his grace is sufficient for me." In this solemn dispensation the church has lost an active and devoted pastor; the widow, a kind and affectionate husband; the helpless orphans, a tender and indulgent parent; and the community, a useful member. 66 Mrs. Gardner will probably send you more particulars as soon as she is able to write. CONTRIBUTIONS Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from June 8, to July 15, 1838, not including individual subscriptions: Myles Ariel, Esq., Bristol S. Cary, Esq., do. J. C. Hughes, Esq., do. .......... ............ W. Pollard, Esq., do........................................ Mr. W. P. Basham, do................................ Ebenezer Foster, Esq., jun., do........ Mr. Joshua Tripling, do................................. T. Bignold, Esq., Norwich, for first five E. Willet, Esq., Norwich.................................... William Delf, Esq., do.. James Cozens, Esq., do......... Mrs. Davey, do.. John Cozens, Esq., do.. ........ Mr. Josiah Fletcher, do.. Messrs. Gooderson and Moll, do...... J. Wright, Esq., Buckstone Mr. Jas. Burchem, Antingham Mr. Cornell Tyson, Thetford.. Mrs. Crane, Norwich.... .... Mrs. R. Culley, do........... Mr. Newbegin, do.. ...... ........ J. O. Taylor, Esq., do............. John Culley, Esq., do.. Mr. Macro, do, ............ Mr. Mackie, do.. ............ Friend, by Mrs. Cozens, do....... Canuel Dorkins, Esq., do... Rev. D. Thompson, Fakenham... Mr. Joseph Smith, Norwich.. Mr. Hodds, do.... Mites of Two Widows.. ....... John Foster, Esq., Biggleswade, for last five Missionaries... Mrs. Foster, do. Mr. J. K. Hall, do... Blyth Foster, Esq., do..... Mrs. Blyth Foster, do..... Mr. Conder, do. Mrs. Morton, do. For the Liquidation of the Debt owing to the Society. Rev. Reynold Hogg, by Dr. Cox.......... Mrs. Stevenson, Clapham Mr. D. Olney, Tring Rev. J. Kingsford... Dr. Jephson, Leamington, by Mr. Burton Collection at St. Ives, by Rev. J. Burton Do. at Haddenham, by do.... Amicus, per post, 12,131 and 94,573 ..... Donations for Miscellaneous Objects. 50 0 0 15 14 10 300 20 0 0 50 Of Friends at Reading, for Schools at Spanish Town, by Rev. J. M. Phillippo.... Central Negroes' Friend Society, by Miss Stacey, for Schools at St. Ann's Bay, TO CORRESPONDENTS. It is particularly desired that when our friends in the country send to Fen Court for Heralds or Quarterly Papers, they would not express themselves indefinitely, but mention the precise number wanted; bearing in mind that the Heralds are supplied gratuitously only to Ministers, Subscribers of 10s. or upwards, and Collectors; while the Quarterly Papers are supplied to all who contribute a penny a week or upwards to the Society. The Committee do not object to furnish a few extra occasionally where they may be required for presentation to individuals thought likely to subscribe to the mission, but they are anxious to confine the expense of printing and circulation of these papers, which is of necessity considerable within its proper limits. Our worthy friend "Amicus" is thanked for his friendly hints, as well as for his acceptable contribution. He would probably be surprised to learn the amount of effort, in the direction to which he alludes, which has been made for years past. Thanks are presented to Mrs. Hull and Friends, Watford, for a box of straw bonnets and another of useful articles of dress, intended for the schools at Montego Bay; to Mrs. and Miss Grey, Jersey, for a box for Mr. Phillippo, Spanish Town; and to the Church and Congregation at Reading, under the care of Dr. Perrey, another for Mr. Dendy, Salters Hill. Also, to an unknown friend at Bristol, by the Rev. T. S. Crisp, for an embossed copy of St. John's Gospel, for the use of the blind. A box has also been received from Mrs. Barratt, Salisbury, to be forwarded to Mr. Reid, Jamaica; and a parcel of Reports, &c., from Miss Jacobson, Watford; also from Mr. Pengilly and friends, Newcastle, a box for Mr. Phillipo; from Mrs. Williams and friends, Reading, a box for ditto; from friends at Ipswich, a case for Mr. Hutchins; from Mr. Abbott, Bishops Hull, a box for Mr. T. F. Abbott; from Mrs. Coultart, a box for ditto; from Miss Paine, Hammersmith, sundry Magazines; from friends at Bury, a box for Mr. Quant. Two boxes have, also, been received for Mr. Burchell; and a case for Mr. Knibb. IRISH CHRONICLE. AUGUST, 1838. Subscriptions and Donations received by the Secretary, Rev. S. GREEN, 61, Queen's Row, Walworth; by the Rev. J. DYER, at the Baptist Mission Rooms, 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street; and the Rev. STEPHEN DAVIS, 92, St. John Street Road, Islington; the Messrs. MILLARD, Bishopsgate Street; SANDERS, 104, Great Russel Street, Bloomsbury; LADBROKE & Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; by the Rev. C. ANDERSON, Edinburgh; the Rev. Mr. INNES, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; the Rev. J. FORD, 8, Richmond Hill, Rathmines-road, Dublin; by Mr. J. HOPKINS, Bull Street, Birmingham; by Mr. J. H. ALLEN, Norwich; and by any Baptist Minister, in any of our principal towns. Denis Mulhern, under date of April 2nd, writes to Mr. Bates: My Scripture-reading engagements during the last month have been much the same nature as usual: on some occasions I have been heard with attention, and not without some indications of profit on the part of those who heard; while in many other cases I have been, as usual, opposed by the advocates of popery: in these cases, I have always adhered, as far as practicable, to the directions of the committee, to avoid controversy, fully convinced that the most effectual way to cast down Dagon is to set up the ark of God; for, in the same proportion as the precious truths of the gospel are understood, the superstitions of popery are sure to be rejected. And permit me, dear Sir, to say that I am more than ever convinced, that were the friends of true religion to spend the time in reading and explaining the Scriptures, and setting forth the simple truths of the gospel, that they do in endeavouring to disprove the unscriptural tenets of the Church of Rome, they would be more successful in bringing sinners to Jesus, and the blessing of the Lord would more manifestly attend their labours-for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." With regard to appointed engagements, I have, during the last month, endeavoured to lecture or preach on seventeen different occasions to congregations generally well attended. On the 9th, I preached in our school-house at Kilanumera, in the county of Leitrim, for a congregation rather larger, I think, than I have ever had here before. No other person preaches in this village, nor, as I am aware, in this parish (a district of country extending perhaps four or five miles in every direction), except the minister of the Established Church, who, on every Lord's day morning at twelve o'clock, delivers a discourse in the parish church. So that notwithstanding all that is being done by the friends of Jesus for the spiritual melioration of this benighted people, still be said in reference to this spot, it may "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the la bourers are few." May the Lord of the harvest soon employ more, and make such as he has sent to the field faithful unto death! On Lord's-day, the 25th, I preached twice at Easky. In the evening, the small house where we assembled was literally crowded. This appears to me an interesting spot: here are a few Baptist Christians who, I trust, are holding forth the word of life to their neighbours, some of whom are inquiring the way to Zion; while popery, in this immediate neighbourhood, seems more enfeebled than in many other parts of the country! Again, under date of June 2nd, he writes: In reviewing my labours for the last month, I feel much cause of thankfulness and gratitude to the Father of all mercies for his supporting grace so freely exercised towards one of his weakest and most worthless servants. O that I could exercise more Christian zeal for the promotion of the Redeemer's cause, and more untiring exertion in the prosecution of the work in which it is my privilege and happiness to be engaged. I see sinners daily on the right hand and on the left dropping into an awful eternity, and perishing for want of a knowledge of the precious Saviour of whom the Bible so plainly testifies :-"they will not come unto him that they might have life!" In reckoning over my journal, I find fortyone family or school visits, sixty-seven tracts distributed, and that I have visited and preached at Mullifarry, Crossmolina, Carramore, Kilglass, Tullylinn, &c., in all seventeen times, to congregations varying in number from seventy to eight. At all these stations the people manifest an anxious desire to hear the gospel, and I doubt not the congregations will considerably increase in the country, when the poor people get a little relieved from the pressure of labour in the fields, at which they are all now busily engaged. On this account I have had sometimes, during this month, to wait for the |