read, and say prayers?" Their request was granted, and I stood in the wood and instructed them, in repeating lessons and prayers, for upwards of an hour. 6th.-Having been prevented from visiting my stations in the open air for two days, several children came to my lodging to know the reason of my nonattendance, and said, “ MR. LEIGH, why do you not come and teach us to read and pray?" 20th. I have been favoured with Magazines, by the Society, and am very thankful for their kindness to me. I read several letters from our Missionaries in the East, with much pleasure. Several Missionaries and aged Preachers have died since I left England. LORD, may I be prepared to meet thee with joy! March 1st.-A New Zealand - man wished us to resolve the following point. He observed that when he was in New South Wales, he frequently dreamed that he was with his friends in New Zealand, walking, conversing, and eating with them. How then did we account for it? Did his spirit leave the body and fly to his friends? "for I know," said he," that my body was at Sydney!" March 25th.-A few days since, a young native man, who is working for me, reproved a sailor for swearing at him; he was so angry with the sailor, that the Missionaries had to interfere; for such abhorrence have the higher class of heathens in this island against swearing, or what they call cursing people, that they would resist it with death. Their hatred against it proceeds only from a superstitious fear of being hurt by it; not from any sense of its heinousness, as committed against the blessed GOD. March 30th.-A great number of natives from the River Thames have visited the Bay of Islands, for the purpose of making peace with SHUNGHEE; they are willing to come to any terms. April 2d.-Several natives from the River Thames have visited the Bay of Islands, in hope of redeeming a female, who had been taken from them in time of war; the party that held the captive demanded four men. This number of slaves was delivered by the people from the River Thames, and the female was restored to her family and friends. However, after they had sat for hours in the canoe, weeping and cutting themselves, they separated in great friendship, in hopes that the good understanding which prevailed on both sides would secure a permanent peace between the tribes of the Bay of Islands and the people of the River Thames. 10th.-I visited Hoodoodoo, which is in Doubtful Bay; I accompanied the REV. J. BUTLER, two Europeans, and five Natives. We left Rangahoo in the REV. J. BUTLER'S boat, at eight o'clock in the morning, passed the Curallas at one, and arrived in Doubtful Bay at midnight. We had with us a native, who assured us that he knew the place; but, to our great disappointment, we found, after our arrival in the Bay, that he knew nothing at all about it. This led us to go on shore, and after we had made a fire, and refreshed ourselves with food, and offered up our prayers and praises to GOD, we laid ourselves down upon the ground, and slept for two or three hours. As soon as the day began to dawn, we rose and prepared breakfast, and had prayers with our natives. After preparing the boat, we set sail and put to sea, not knowing where to go. However, we had not sailed more than half an hour, before we discovered an opening in the land, towards which we steered. Having proceeded up a river a few miles, we spoke to a native, from whom we received the intelligence that we were proceeding right. The distance we had to go up the river was twelve miles, and as the tide was ebbing, we found it very difficult to proceed. At noon we arrived at the village, at which place the Sister of SHUNGHEE lives. The moment SHUNGHEE's sister saw us, she began to cry aloud; but this was an expression of joy at our arrival, we being the first Europeans that had ever visited them. Several natives had come from a great distance, having had some information of our visit. We bad much conversation on various subjects. May 1st. A number of natives are gone into the interior of New Zealand, to remove the bones of two Chiefs, who have been dead ten years; this is considered a religious act; all who touch the bones will be polluted for many days, in which period they cannot touch any kind of food, but must be fed by friends, or slaves, or gather their food off the ground with their mouths. EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OF OTHER MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. MISSIONS OF THE AMERICAN Methodists. WYANDOTT INDIAN MISSION. We have great pleasure in observing the success which is crowning the Missionary labours of our Trans atlantic Brethren, among the Indians; a success which we trust is opening the way to a more extensive visitation of the remaining tribes of the original natives of the new world. The following account is from BISHOP M'KENDREE, in a Letter to the Secretary of "the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church," dated August 13th, 1823. OUR Missionary Establishment is at Upper Sandusky, in the large national reserve of the Wyandott tribe of Indians, which contains 147,840 acres of land; being in extent something more than nineteen miles from east to west, and twelve miles from north to south. Through the whole extent of this tract, the Sandusky winds its course, receiving several beautiful streams. This fine tract, with another reservation of five miles square at the Big-Spring, head of Blanchard's River, is all the soil that remains to the Wyandotts, once the proprietors of an extensive tract of country. The Mission of Upper-Sandusky is about sixty-five or seventy miles north of Columbus, the seat of government of Ohio. To the old Indian boundary line, which is about half way, the country is much improved. From thence to the Wyandott reserve, the population is thinly scattered, the lands having been but lately surveyed and brought into market. On Saturday the 21st of June, about ten o'clock in the morning, we arrived safe, and found the Mission-family and the School all in good health; but I was much fatigued myself through affliction, and warm weather, which was quite oppressive to me in crossing over the celebrated Sandusky Plains, through which the road lies. In the afternoon we commenced visiting the Schools, and repeated our visits frequently during the five days which we staid with them. These visits were highly gratifying to us, and they afforded us an opportunity of observing the behaviour of the children, both in and out of School, their improvement in learning, and the whole order and management of the School; together with the proficiency of the boys in agriculture, and of the girls in the various domestic arts. They are sewing and spinning handsomely, and would be weaving if they had looms. The children are cleanly, chaste in their manners, kind to each other, peaceable and friendly to all. They promptly obey orders, and do their work cheerfully without any objection or murmur. They are regular in their attendance on family-devotion and the public worship of God, and sing delightfully. Their proficiency in learning was gratifying to us, and is well spoken of by visitors. If they do not sufficiently understand what they read, it is for the want of suitable books, especially a translation of English words, lessons, hymns, &c., into their own tongue. But the change which has been wrought among the adult Indians, is wonderful. This people" that walked in darkness have seen a great light ;-they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."-And they have been "called from darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel. To estimate correctly the conversion of these Indians from heathenish darkness, it should be remembered that the Friends (or Quakers) were the first to prepare them in some degree for the introduction of the Gospel, by patiently continuing to counsel them, and to afford them pecuniary aid. The first successful Missionary that appeared among them, was MR. STEWART, a coloured man, and a member of our Church. The state of these Indians is thus described by him in a letter to a friend, dated in June last :- "The situation of the Wyandott nation of Indians when I first arrived among them, near six years ago, may be judged of from their manner of living. Some of their houses were made of small poles, and covered with bark ; others of bark altogether. Their farms contained from about two acres to less The women did than half an acre. nearly all the work that was done. They had as many as two ploughs in the nation, but these were seldom used. In a word, they were really in a savage state." But now they are building hewed loghouses, with brick chimneys, cultivating their lands, and successfully adopting the various agricultural arts. They now manifest a relish for, and begin to enjoy the benefits of, civilization; and it is probable that some of them will, this year, raise an ample support for their families, from the produce of their farms. There are more than two hundred of them who have renounced heathenism, and embraced the Christian Religion, giving unequivocal evidence of their sincerity, and of the reality of a divine change. Our Missionaries have taken them under their pastoral care as probationers for membership in our church, and are engaged in instructing them in the doctrine and duties of our holy religion; though the various duties of the Missionaries prevent them from devoting sufficient time for the instruction of these inquirers after truth. But the LORD hath mercifully provided helpers, in the conversion of several of the interpreters, and a majority of the Chiefs of the nation. The interpreters, feeling themselves the force of divine truth, and entering more readily into the plan of the Gospel, are much more efficient organs for communicating instruction to the Indians. Some of the Chiefs are men of sound judgment, and of strong and penetrating minds; and, having been more particularly instructed, have made great proficiency in the knowledge of Gon and of divine truths: being very zealous, they render important assistance in the good work. The regularity of conduct, the solemnity, and devotion of this people, in time of divine service, of which I witnessed a pleasing example, are rarely exceeded in our own worshipping assemblies. To the labours and influence of these great men, the Chiefs, may also in some degree be attributed the good conduct of the children in school. Three of the Chiefs officiate in the school as a committee to preserve good order and obedience among the children. I am told that BETWEEN-THE-LOGS,* theprincipal speaker, has lectured the school-children in a very able and impressive manner, on the design and benefit of the school, attention to their studies, and obedience to their teachers. This excellent man is also a very zealous and useful preacher of righteousness. He has, in conjunction with others of the tribe, lately visited a neighbouring nation, and met with encouragement. On the third day after our arrival, we dined with BETWEEN-THE-LOGS and about twenty of their principal men, six of whom were Chiefs, and three interpreters; and were very agreeably and comfortably entertained. After dinner we were all comfortably seated, a few of us on benches, the rest on the grass, under a pleasant grove of shady oaks, and spent about two hours in council. I requested them to give us their views of the state of the School; to inform us without reserve of any objections they might have to its order and manage ment; and to suggest any alteration they might wish. I also desired to know how their nation liked our religion, and how those who had embraced it were prospering ? It is to be regretted that when this promising convert from heathenism was to be baptized, his name was not changed to one of less uncouth sound. Their reply was appropriate, impressive and dignified, embracing distinctly every particular inquiry, and in the order in which it was proposed to them. The substance of their reply was, that they thought the school was in a good state, and very prosperous; were perfectly satisfied with its order and management; were pleased with the Superintendent and Teachers; and were gratitied with the improvement of the children. Their anxious wish was for its permanence and success. They gave a pleasing account of those who had embraced religion, as to their moral conduct and inoffensive behaviour, and attention to their religious duties. They heartily approved of the religion they had embraced, and were highly pleased with the great and effectual reformation which had taken place among them. In the close they expressed the high obligations they were under to all their kind friends and benefactors; and in a very respectful and feeling manner thanked their visitors, and the Superintendent and Teachers, for their kind attention to themselves and to their children; and concluded with a devout wish for the prosperity and eternal happiness of them and all their kind friends. It was an affecting scene; and tears bespoke their sincerity. In this School there are Indian children sent to it from Canada. Others, who were lately sent, were detained and taken into another School, at the rapids of Maumee, under the direction of the Presbyterians. An apology was written by the Superintendent of that School to ours, stating that the detention was made on the presumption that our School was full, &c. When we reflect upon the state of the Wyandotts, compared with their former savage condition, we may surely exclaim, "What hath GOD wrought!"* "The parched ground hath become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; the wilderness and the solitary place is made glad, and the desert blossoms as the rose." The marks of a genuine work of grace, among these song of the forest, accord so perfectly with the history of the great revivals of religion in all ages of the church, work of GOD. that no doubt remains of its being the That a great and effectual door is opened on our frontier, for the preaching of the Gospel to the Indian nations which border thereon, and that we are providentially called to the work, I have no doubt. The only question is,-Are we prepared to obey the call? The success of our Missionary labours does not de pend on the interference of miraculous power, as in the case of the Apostles, but on the ordinary operations and influences of the HOLY SPIRIT, through the instrumentality of a Gospel-Ministry, supported by the liberality of a generous people. We have lately received an invitation from a distinguished officer of the Government, to extend our Missionary labours to a distant nation of Indians. A gentleman of this State, who has visited New Orleans, has taken a deep interest in its favour; and from the large increase of population from other States, and the great probability, at least, of doing good among them, he urges another attempt. And from his influence, his ability, and his disposition to minister to its support, we entertain a hope of success. From a general view of our Missions, and of what the LORD is doing by us, we certainly have abundant cause to "thank GoD and take courage," and to persevere faithfully and diligently in the great work; looking to the GREAT HEAD of the Church, that he may bless our labours and crown them with success. DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. ANNIVERSARIES OF MISSIONARY BRANCH-SOCIETIES. . October 21, 1823. Liverpool Juvenile Society: WILLIAM COMER, Esq., in the Chair. Preacher, the Rev. T. LESSEY. Collections, £52. October 23. Launceston: the REV. W. MYLES in the Chair. Preacher, the REV. ROBERT WOOD. Collection, £15. November 2. Cheltenham: the REV. JAMES WOOD, in the Chair. Preachers, the REV. JABEZ BUNTING and the REV. R. WOOD. Collections, £53. November 17 and 18. Brighton and Lewes: the REV. JOHN STAMP, Sen., in the Chair. Preacher, the REV. WILLIAM MARTIN. Collection, at Brighton, £35, and at Lewes, £22. The Anniversaries of the Branch-Societies at St. Philip's Chapel, (OWEN LLOYD, Esq., Barrister, in the Chair,) at Portland Chapel, (GEORGE THORNE, Esq., in the Chair,) at Guinea-Street Chapel, and at seven other places in the Bristol Circuit, have been lately held. The Collections were very liberal. FORMATION OF NEW BRANCH-SOCIETIES. A Branch-Society for the Shipley Circuit was formed, November 15, 1823; the REV. J. HICKLING, of Bradford, (Yorkshire,) in the Chair. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. We have the pleasure to state that MESSRS. BOYD and NIGHTINGALE have arrived safely in Newfoundland, and MESSRS. LANG and STINSON, in Canada; and that they have entered upon their respective labours. MR. and MRS. WHITWORTH, accompanied by Miss HUNT, and MR. and MRS. YOUNG, sailed from Deal the 5th ult. in the Venelia, CAPT. GILMORE, for the Cape of Good Hope. From thence they will proceed to their respective stations,-Delagoa-Bay, and Albany, in South Africa. CONTRIBUTIONS. Among the Contributions to the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers, between November 15 and December 15, we observe the following : £. s. d. The RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR GEORGE HENRY ROSE, M. P. JAMES HEALD, Esq., Portwood, near Stockport, (Donation) 500 200 Legacy of the late Mr. W. CURTIS, Bristol, per T. ROBERTS and The Total Sum, received during that period, amounts to £2586 19s. Id. 27 0 0 1. DIED, June 26th, 1823, MRS. M. M. FISON, the late wife of MR. THOS. FISON, of Barningham, in Suffolk. She was for several years a sincere follower of JESUS CHRIST, and endeavoured to train up her rising family in the nurture and admonition of the LORD;-fulfilling the relative duties of her station with affection and faithfulness, and looking for salvation only through the merits and intercession of CHRIST. But she could not always rejoice in him as her SAVIOUR, being often exercised with doubts as to her acceptance with GOD. On Saturday, June 7th, the illness commenced which terminated in death; on the following Friday, the LORD manifested himself to her soul in so powerful a manner as to remove all her fears; and so clear was her sense of pardon, that afterwards she could, to the last moment of her existence in this world, adopt the sentiment of the Poet, "No condemnation now I dread." She had desired her attendants to leave her chamber; and it was while alone, and agonizing in prayer, that she obtained the blessing of "joy and peace through believing." On the following Tuesday, several persons were, by her desire, assembled in her room, when she began to address them in a most solemn manner, though through weakness she was at first obliged to pause between every word. Soon, however, she appeared animated with the glorious subject. I have been wishing," said she, "for this opportunity to tell you what GOD has done for me. I have been long the subject of doubts and fears; but last Friday, when I thought myself dying, I lifted up my heart to GoD in an agony of prayer. He spoke peace to my soul, and graciously manifested himself as pardoning my sins for the sake of JESUS CHRIST. I cannot describe the joy and peace' which filled my soul. I rose up in bed, and called upon all to rejoice with me. I am still spared for the good of others; and if it is the will of God, I would lie thus for weeks to show forth his praise, and declare his goodness." She then most earnestly exhorted those present to seek the salvation of their souls; addressing each, individually, in the most appropriate language. Her husband entreated her to cease for a time, as she seemed exhausted; but she replied, with a sweet smile, "I must praise him, while I have breath." A few days before her death, she requested a friend to place her infant in her arms: she kissed it affectionately, and said, "I should have liked to have taken this dear babe with me to heaven, if it had been the will of God." Then returning it to her friend, she added, with perfect calmness, "But what a mercy that I can give up this, and the other dear children, and feel no anxiety; GOD will preserve them." Never was she heard to repine on account of her sufferings: on one occasion, she said, "I do not desire to suffer one pain less, but only to suffer like a Christian." It might truly be said that, during her affliction, her conversation was in heaven. Her chief desire seemed to be, that GOD might be glorified, and that others might be saved. On one occasion, she begged that her medical attendant would give her something to strengthen her; being afraid that she should die before she had said all she wished to say to her friends about their souls. On expressing her wish that I should preach her funeral-sermon, she added, "Tell my Brother JAMES to say this from me to professors of religion: Do not live beneath your privileges as I did. I was myself the hinderance, by giving way to an undue solicitude about trifles, and to an irritable spirit. I might sooner have obtained what I now enjoy, had I given more time to GOD, and less to things of a temporal nature." On another occasion, she desired that the nurse-maid and a servant-boy might be sent for. To the latter she gave a purse, saying, "When you look at that, remember your dying mistress. You are not too young to die; seek GOD now ;-avoid bad company ;addressing both, she added, "If you pray to have your sins pardoned." Then, be kind to them. They will be without ever have the care of my dear children, a mother to see you, but remember, GOD will see you." On the day of her departure, she had the servants called up to her chamber that she might once more engage with them in prayer, and exhort them to serve God; but she was only able, and that with difficulty, to say, "Get that Religion which will support you in suffering, and prepare you for death."-The same unshaken confidence till death. After a day of great sufferas to her eternal felicity, was evinced ing, she said, "O what a mercy to feel death hovering round, and not to be afraid!" At another time, after great agony, she said, with sweet composure, "The rougher the blast, the sooner 'tis past." The last message she sent to her friends at Thetford was this, "Tell them JESUS is precious." Thus she continued to glorify GoD in her most acute sufferings, and was signally supported by the consolations of his Spirit, until her happy spirit escaped to heaven. Thetford. JAMES FISON. |