its Captain, or Headman, who is subject to the King or Chieftain of the District in which his village stands. Following the course of any of the numerous streams that water the country, the traveller is sure to find a great number of these villages, or kraals, within a short distance of each other. To this state of things, our itinerating system is admirably adapted; and when we shall be able to bring it into full operation upon a portion of this country, I hope we shall, by the blessing of God, see great things. The Mission at Delagoa-Bay, that among the Boschuanas, and the Caffre Mission, will each bear upon countless multitudes of untutored Pagans; all of whom are evidently of the same origin, practising similar customs, and speaking a language, which, notwithstanding very considerable differences in dialect, is doubtless substantially the same. What an immense field will the three stations enclose, and what a promising circumstance is it, that in no part of it, whatever other difficulties may exist, (and there are many,) will any obstacle arise from an established superstition, under the name of religion!And yet into what a region of darkness are we entering, with our three small tapers, so far separated! But the promise, the encouraging promise, is, "From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts." MISSIONS IN WESTERN AFRICA. APRIL 13th, 1823.-This morning, through divine mercy, I landed safely, after a long and toilsome passage of ten days from Lemon Island; where I left the MAJOR and MR. C. GRANT, directing the building of a garrison, as the commencement of a place which, it is expected, will be of considerable importance in a few years, in a commercial point of view: and I pray, with great hope, that it may prove a centre from which the Sun of Righteousness shall diffuse its rays through the dark shades of Mahomedan error and superstition. 14th.-I attended my school, and was sorry to find that the boys had sustained great loss in my absence, notwithstanding that a young man has given them instruction every day. 20th.-I attended the Society-meeting, and was glad to find that the greater part of the members had been diligent in the means of grace during my absence. After morning-preaching, I baptized STEADMAN, who has passed his time of probation, and given satisfactory evidence of his conversion. I preached three times, the congregations discouragingly small. 27th. I preached in Jaloof-Town in the morning, and in the afternoon at Soldier-Town, to small congregations. In the evening I went again to preach in Jaloof-Town, where my mind was greatly pained to see so few attending to hear the word of God, while the people were sauntering about by hundreds in the streets and walks. When I came to the Meeting-house, I found no one present but my little Society; upon which I determined to take my people into the street, and preach there; and by this means I collected together about a hundred persons. May 1st. After school I preached at Soldier-Town. This last week we have been favoured with a strong breeze from the sea, which has rendered the air pleasantly cool. May the LORD's name be praised, I still enjoy good health; which long affliction has taught me to appreciate more highly than in any former period of my life. I think I never felt better, nor ever more thankful for this inestimable blessing. May the LORD help me to show forth his praise by labouring more diligently in his service. In the evening I preached in Jaloof-Town. 5th. This morning I met the Society. Several seemed deeply impressed with a sense of their depravity, and we had a solemn meeting. After preaching in Jaloof-Town in the morning and in Soldier-Town in the afternoon, in the evening I preached again in the street, and to a large congregation. 7th. The MAJOR and MR. GRANT returned this morning from Lemon Island, to which they have given the name of Macarthy's Island: and the fort which they have now finished there, they have called George's Fort. We have been honoured to-day by a visit from the King of Barro, who has been from house to house, not only with the view of showing respect to the white men, but also with a hope of multiplying his presents. At the Government-House he begged for a bedstead and bedding; saying that he had been, for want of them, obliged to sleep on the floor, from the time of his coronation, which he thought was quite inconsistent for a white King,-which, he said, he was in fact become, having given orders to his subjects no longer to look upon him as a black King. He also obtained some plates, knives, forks, &c. 10th. My heart is deeply impressed with a sense of the goodness and mercy of GOD towards me. He continues to bless me with health; and I recollect no period of my life in which I was more happy than the present. I feel delight in my work, and am able to prosecute it with great hope of success. This evening, after school, I preached in Jaloof-Town. 12th. Sunday. This morning I met the Society as usual; all present.-1 preached in the morning and afternoon in the Meeting-house; and in the evening stood in the street near the dwelling of some Greots, a most degraded set of people, who get their living by dancing, drumming, and singing, at festivals, &c. They are almost always in liquor, and in their mode of living come nearer the brutes than any people I have seen. I was led to hope that the novelty of my preaching at their doors would attract their attention; but in this I was disappointed, as not one of them appeared, though several of them understand a little English. I had none to hear me but my own people, for the novelty be gins to wear off; but if I am spared, I will preach at one place more next Sunday evening, that every part of the town may have an opportunity of hearing. 26th. My congregations in the house to-day were much larger than usual. In the evening I took my stand at a place where many could hear me in their houses. 27th. This evening, in Soldier-Town, I was much encouraged by the attention and increase of my congregations. July 3d. After school I preached in Soldier-Town, and was followed home by a young Jaloof man, whom I have long observed to be very attentive, and who gave me the happiness to hear a detailed account of his conversion. One good mark of his sincerity is, that he manifests a great concern for the salvation of his countrymen, and embraces every opportunity to caution and instruct them; telling them what God has done for him. This is truly the day of small things here; but I thank GOD, that in my little sphere I am often encouraged by a hope of increase; and my society, though small, contains several instances of the converting grace of God. My school, though small, is encou raging. It consists of about twenty-five boys, with seven adults, who attend in the evenings and on the Sunday mornings; and it often tends to support my mind, when walking to the Meeting, and cast down by the anticipation of a small congregation, to be accompanied by such a number of the children of harlots, drunkards,sabbath-breakers, and thieves; and nearly half of them with their Bibles in their hands, to read after me the word of GOD. 13th. Sunday. This morning I met the Society, preached, and baptized a young man. I preached again twice in the following parts of the day, and afterwards had much conversation with a Marraboo. He affords me but little ground to hope that he has been benefited by former discourses which we have had together, as he is totally ignorant of his natural depravity; and till he is convicted and condemned in his own conscience, I can entertain very little hope of doing him good, though I think it might be an easy thing to make a convert of him to a profession of Christianity. This, however, would be of no advantage either to him or to the church. He talked candidly; praised the moral precepts of the Koran; and stated some difficulties which he felt in acknowledging the truth of the Bible, but which were all founded on the prejudices of habit and education. He told me that the principal thing which led him to think that the christian religion might be from GoD, was the disposition of Christians to do good to others. He had observed that I instructed the children gratuitously, without respect to persons, and freely gave advice to any who asked for it. He was, also, certain that if the Mahomedans had the power which the Christians have in this island, they would put us all to death; whereas he saw that the Marraboos were permitted to live among us without molestation. He also adverted to our abolition of the slavetrade as a proof of the superiority of the spirit of Christianity to Mahomedanism. 20th.-I met the Society, who seemed in a good spirit. The congregations, through the day, were much as usual. It affords me much pleasure to see that several of them enjoy religion, by their voluntarily assembling together for devotional exercises. Aug. 4th.-I visited the sick, and felt much satisfaction with one poor woman who lay in the most excruciating pain. Her husband, an irreligious man, seemed to murmur at Divine Providence, saying, "Me no sabby, (know,) Massah, what for that poor woman get that bad sick: too much pain catch her this time, me no sabby what for." The poor woman immediately rebuked him, though almost incapable of moving on her bed, saying, "Ah, no talkey so; no let poor sinner say he no sabby what for sick catch him: we been do wicked enough." 10th.I desire to be unfeignedly thankful to Almighty God that I enjoy good health thus far through the rains; and that, while the greater part of the Europeans on the island, and many natives, are sick, nothing has hitherto prevented my attending to preaching and to the school. Sept. 3d.-After school I preached in Soldier-Town; my Marraboo still perseveres in learning to read dish. 7th. I spent the evening in conversing with my Marraboo, on things relating to his soul. I talked to him of experimental religion, and endeavoured to show him the depravity of his nature, and the necessity of regeneration. Two young men of his country were present, who belong to the Society, and have lately obtained justifying faith; and they confirmed to him what I said from their own experience, at which he expressed great astonishment. After having pointed out the justice and holiness of GOD, and man's corruption and disobe dience, I was led to hope that he saw something of the sinfulness of his nature, and of his need of a SAVIOUR; as he appeared much concerned, and said, he had always thought well of himself, seeing he had been taught to read when a child, and had abstained from strong drink, but now he feared he should go to hell. He says, he sees that every thing I tell him is true, but he knows not what to do; and this, I believe, is the case: but I fear his heart is not sufficiently impressed with a sense of its importance, to stand the trial to which he will be exposed as soon as the Marraboos take alarm; when, if it be in their power, they will injure him; and he will have need to take care of being poisoned. His father, too, is now absent, and on his return will undoubtedly disinherit him unless he abandons my house. 23d. This day I was visited in my school by a strange Marraboo, who is considered as a sort of metropolitan in this place. He appears to be the most learned among them, as he can read my Arabic Bible; and he was desirous of disputing with me in favour of Mahomedanism: but his arguments were much the same as those of the rest who visit and hinder me almost every day, and are not worth repeating. October 4th. I went to my garden, which I have made on the lot of land inclosed for the Mission-honse, and was sorry to find that all my labour has been in vain for this year; as the grasshoppers have fallen by tens of thousands on my young vegetables, and destroyed them all. (To be continued) WEST INDIA MISSIONS. DOMINICA. Extract of a Letter from MR. HARRISON, dated St. Joseph, 1823. IN Rosseau, our new Chapel is well attended, especially on a Sunday evening, and no doubt many receive good; they hear the most solemn doctrines, and acknowledge their truth; this betokens good to our successors, and I have no doubt that a plentiful harvest will be reaped by them, as a reward for their labours. At St. Joseph, I have every opportunity of visiting the contiguous estates, of which I avail myself, by visiting all in their turn; and the testimony borne to the good conduct of those who belong to us is highly gratifying: their regular habits, with the desire manifested by them to give every satisfaction, demonstrate most clearly that they have not received the grace of GoD in vain. I have adopted more generally the catechetical mode of instruction, and find it likely to ensure great success. A few days ago, I returned from the windward part of the island, which we visit by turns, once a month; the distance is about 110 miles, and the journey very fatiguing. The continued rains, with which Dominica is visited, make it doubly so, and expose us to changes very prejudicial; otherwise it is pleasant. There is an opening on that side, the most favourable that can be imagined; the windward part of the island being more healthy than the leeward, and the people prepared for the Gospel,-their insular situation precluding them from those temptations so destructive to many. The gentlemen who have the management of the properties are desirous and wishful of seeing a Missionary established among them:. their attention to Brother CATTS and myself is more than civil; it is kind and affectionate. HAYTI.—We regret to find, from the following letter recently received from MR. PREGOIR, that our poor persecuted Society at Port-au-Prince, so long the object of popish rancour, bas again had to sustain the brutal outrages of an ignorant mob, incited it would seem, as in another place, by persons calling themselves "respectable," and without experiencing any protection from the local authorities. The Committee have endeavoured to obtain for them the common protection of the laws of their own country, by applications through various quarters, and hope they may be ultimately successful. In the mean time this excellent and suffering people are entitled to the special sympathies, and earnest prayers, of the friends of Missions. We trust that they may yet, by their meek and patient suffering, and heroic perseverance, obtain that liberty of worship which they so earnestly desire. The Letter is addressed to the REV. JOHN BROWN, and is dated Port-au-Prince, Dec. 9th, 1823. IN writing the present, I hasten to entreat you to present our thanks to the Committee for its so great liberality to ús. ST. DENIS gave me the letter you wrote him, to read to all with whom I could have communication. Sunday, 22d of November, I read it in a meeting in the afternoon. They were deeply affected with gratitude for the assistance mentioned, and entreated me to testify their humble acknowledgments to those who thus provide for their necessities. I should tell you that, since the great persecution, the dispersion of the Society has hindered our private regular subscriptions for procuring the house I mentioned in a former letter: but as by the grace of GOD we begin to breathe again, after the mortal blow which our enemies thought they had given us, (as they both thought and said,) I have given out for making the subscription on the 15th instant, and again on New Year's day, and so shall continue it every fortnight, till by the mercy of GOD we shall have obtained what is necessary to finish the work which we have undertaken for his glory: this is what we beg of him. I have read of many instances of martyrdom for the testimony of JESUS CHRIST, but I have not yet read a passage which relates that the people of a city rose up like murderers, with a very few exceptions, to stone a few persons met together in a house, as our fathers, mothers, brethren, and children, have done unto us not long ago. O cruel people! They began to throw stones at us at five o'clock in the afternoon, and continued their assaults till ten o'clock, committing all kinds of violence. They broke down the doors, broke open the windows, destroyed the first and second partitions in the upper chambers; in a word, every thing that was in the house, and beat with their cowskin-whips the brethren and sisters there, without showing compassion for either age or youth, or even infancy. I believe I suffered the least of any: only a great emissary of Satan, seized my left hand, and lifting up his whip declared he would knock me down if I did not say Almighty GOD, the Virgin MARY." My only answer was,-turning my back. Several times he even brought his whip to my neck, and afterwards laid it on my shoulder, raging and abusing me with all the fury of Antichrist. But He who numbered my hairs did not allow one of them to fall to the ground. Thanks be to him for confidence in his holy word, which is firmer than heaven or earth. When the populace entered to knock down our sisters, I was in the first chamber, and hearing their cries, I tried to force my way to them, to try if I could render them any assistance; then the tyrant persecutor struck me several times on my hat, but I received no injury. But we were in great danger; those who wished to go out were stoned, beaten, torn, outraged, and brought back to the house, where they exercised their dark cruelty. It appeared as if Satan was unchained, and had come forth to make war against those whom the truth of the Gospel had made free, and to crush those who had believed the testimony of the Son of GoD. I ask, then, by whom have we been protected and delivered unto this day? Was it by Magistrates, Judges, and Police Officers? Or by the other guards appointed to appease riots and defend the law? It is true, they were present in great numbers, but it was rather to advise and direct others. Some brought barrows full of stones, and others threw them, and said to the cruel populace, that, since we were so obstinate, the government had given us into their hands, and they might do to us whatever they pleased; and they did treat us with inhumanity and the greatest violence. It was impossible to go out without being beaten, stoned, dragged, abused, and covered with dirt; and in the end we could neither buy nor sell without being dragged before a Magistrate, beat, and covered with spitting and mud, and all kinds of outrages. They went beyond Porte Marchant to Brother FLORAN'S, Sister CLAIRE's, and J. P. J. LAUSANT'S. At Brother FLORAN'S they destroyed every thing in the garden, and treated his wife, already broken with age, with the greatest inhumanity; dragging Sister CLAIRE by her feet out of the house, as also her god-daughter. And at J. P. J. LAURENT'S what disorders have they not committed amongst those poor persons, who have fled from the town to have some tranquillity. I must tell you one circumstance which J. P. J. L. told me, to show you the cowardice of persecutors. Five or six of them entered his gate, concealing their swords, making up to him with loud vociferations: seeing them coming, he went into his house, took an old rusty musket without flint, and, on his levelling it at them, they all instantly fled with all speed, saying, "The Quakers don't carry arms, and see this old Quaker here intends killing us." I ask then by whom have we been protected, so that all the efforts against us could not take away our lives?-not even the life of one of us! It is by the power of the Almighty GoD of JACOB: and because he has been for us, who could be against us? To him be thanksgiving, praise, exaltation, by our LORD JESUS CHRIST, in all ages, for ever and ever. Amen. What wisdom do I not need at this moment, and at all times! O pray, pray to the LORD for me, I entreat you, that he may fill me with his SPIRIT, and that I may know how to conduct myself in the church of GOD, and in the midst of this perverse race! When I see and consider some of our own people, as if they would say to me, "Brother CHARLES, why will you hold meetings, seeing the people oppose it? do not be obstinate;" it is then I hear a voice within me which says, "Fear not what man can do unto you; for he that is ashamed of me and of my words, before this generation, of him will I be ashamed before my FATHER in heaven;" and moreover "he who will save his life shall lose it." Medicine is unpleasant to both old and young; but they who are compelled to take it, often acknowledge, from the effects it produces, that it is a good thing. Thus I purpose, with the assistance of GOD, not to hold my peace, or to sink into lukewarmness, on account of what may be either said or done to me, but, in season and out of season, to force the sick to take medicine. I feel as if the LORD were saying to me, "Go from house to house, and into the streets, to preach the kingdom of GOD, the Gospel, to the poor." O what assistance do I need! LORD, help me, and dispose of me for thy glory! MISSIONS IN THE BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. NEWFOUNDLAND.-A public meeting was held in October last, at the Methodist Chapel, St. John's, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Society, for the Newfoundland Districts, in aid of the Funds of the Wesleyan-Missionary Society. MR. JOSIAH PARKIN, of Harbour-Grace, was called to the Chair. He introduced the business by congratulating the audience on the prospect of adding another benevolent Institution to those which already graced the respectable town of St. John's; and, in an able speech, impressed upon the meeting the necessity and utility of Missionary and other Associations, for the important purpose of civilizing and evangelizing the world at large, but more especially the Aborigines of that Island, and the Indians of Labrador, and of extending the means of instruction to their fellow-subjects on their own desolate shores. He stated the encouragement they had to persevere in these God-like efforts, in the liberal support, and very encouraging success, which had attended the Parent Society; and eoncluded, by expressing his fervent desire, that all religious denominations would unite in promoting the benevolent object of the meeting. The Resolutions were moved and seconded by the REV. MESSRS. BOYD and WALSH, and by JOHN BLACK, JAMES CROSs, and JOHN JOB, ESQRS., DR. MORRISON, R. N., and CAPTAIN CHARLES TREWAVIS. |