Saturday, 14th.-We were much incommoded with heat in our tent, principally on account of there not being a free circulation of air through the valley, from its being surrounded by immense mountains. This evening I held divine service. Sunday, 15th. At sun-rise we heard the Namacquas engaged in prayer. Ours, at present, is what we may call a pastoral life. The bleating of sheep, and the barking of dogs, early this morning, reminded us that we were in circumstances something like those of the patriarchs. The goats being milked, and the shepherds sent off with the cattle, a meeting was called for prayer and praise. HEND RICK, my Namacqua assistant, prayed with much fervency and devotion, both for the success of the Gospel and the welfare of the Minister. Two more Namacquas followed, and prayed fervently; after which I prayed for the blessing of GOD throughout the day. About ten this forenoon, my tent was well filled with attentive hearers, to whom I explained the Parable of the Sower, which to me seemed well adapted to the state of my congregation. In the afternoon, I conversed with some of them in private. HENDRICK said, "I have a strong desire to live near the Word; I hunger and desire to understand more of the Word, because the more I learn, the more I want to learn, for by this way I discover more of my own weakness." PETER said, he had a great desire to serve GoD, and hear his word preached." DAVIS said, "I frequently feel, when about to pray, something within me that strives against it, which to me is wonderful." Another said, "I feel the word good for my soul, nevertheless I feel frequently a disposition to quarrel." Before this poor Namacqua heard the Word of Life, he was very much given to broils, and now he finds it necessary to strive against his natural disposition. SARAH said," she felt dead to the world, and all in it; and although she had been much afflicted, yet she could say affliction did her good." I closed the Sabbath by giving a short discourse from the Barren Fig-tree, which seemed deeply to impress the minds of my hearers. After the services of the day I was much encouraged, having spent one of the best Sabbaths I ever enjoyed in this wilderness. WEST INDIA MISSIONS. MONTSERRAT. In this new Mission we are happy to report, that prospects of considerable usefulness present themselves. The following is an Extract of a Letter from MR. JANION, dated Montserrat, Sept. 13, 1821. I PROCEED now, dear Fathers and Brethren, to furnish you with some account of the state of this Mission, my prospects and labours, &c. I am happy to observe, that the congregations continue to increase; so that I believe, were the chapel as large again, it would often be filled. Many have applied for pews, both whites and coloured persons, some of whom have offered to build them at their own expense; but this I could not allow without robbing the poor, whose part of the chapel is the best, and always the most crowded. Some of the whites ask occasionally to sit within the communion rails, others frequently borrow the pews of the black and coloured hearers and members of our Society. The congregations are extremely attentive and decorous during the time of divine service; and I have not heard of a single instance of any gainsaying or making a mock at the word spoken to them, though I often speak very plainly. I have taken some pains to improve the singing, and find them very apt in learning; and it is evident, they take great pleasure in endeavouring to join in this delightful part of the worship of ALMIGHTY GOD; so that hymn-books are in great request. There is a good but gradual work carried on by the LORD in the little Society here; seldom have we met, but the LORD has manifested his presence, in refreshing our souls, and giving us tokens for good, in the happy experience of some, and in the broken-heartedness of others. Twelve or thirteen have been admitted on trial since we came, of whom I entertain good hopes as to the reality of the work of grace begun in their souls. I lately joined two couple in the bonds of holy matrimony, who were, immediately after, admitted into our Society on trial: the men were negro slaves living on two different estates, and were then the only individuals who attended chapel from those estates; but they have since persuaded others to come, and I I I have visited the estate of BLAKE, Esq., twice; (the same which brother M. visited several times ;) I had between twenty and thirty hearers the first time, and between thirty and forty the last time; several free people attended. have heard also with satisfaction that none of the proprietors or managers forbid their negroes to attend the chapel, but some countenance it. Several overseers come very frequently, so that I hope, and every day pray, that "the little leaven may leaven the whole." TRINIDAD. The prospect of a revival of the work in this Station, so long depressed by the closing of the chapel and the absence of a Missionary, will give great satisfaction to the friends of our West-India Missions. WOOLLEY, in a recent letter, observes:— I AM happy to inform you, that I have realized what I told you in my last I was led to anticipate. Your kindness having authorized me to purchase a horse, I have been able to attend two estates, and the negroes seem attentively to regard the truths in which they are instructed. The mode of instruction which I adopt is the catechetical, being persuaded that it is most likely to succeed, when the mind, as yet, has received little or no moral culture. There are on each estate a few, who are desirous of casting in their lot among us, and will, ere long, I trust, have their names enrolled among the disciples of CHRIST. I have already given you to understand, that in the town of Port of Spain, there were a few young men who were subjects of good impressions: I have now to state, that I have formed a new Class, which five of the young men in question have joined; and I have reason to hope, that they will" work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, while GoD works in them to will and to do." My little school, which I commenced with only three children, has increased to upwards of one MR. hundred. I meet as many as can attend I thank God my health has been better this year than it was last; the last Sabbath was the only day I have been laid aside. ANTIGUA. The efforts for the instruction of the children of the Negroes in this Island continue, with unabated zeal; and as they are marked with equal prudence, great good may be anticipated. The following are extracts from the First Annual Report of the Committee for the Sunday School at Parham, in which 559 negro children are taught to read, and instructed in the principles of religion. "OUR labours throughout the past year have been productive of real advantage, in the improvement not only of This the intellect, but of the morals also, of difference by any who understand the obligations of Christianity, and who pray with the spirit and the understand ing, "Thy kingdom come; "-a prayer, the accomplishment of which must be sincerely desired by all who love our LORD JESUS CHRIST; and in furtherance of which no measure more effectual can be adopted by human agency, than that of instructing, in the verities of our most holy faith, the rising gencration: -for we do most fervently acquiesce in the sentiment of one of our excellent Bishops, that one of the most effectual ways of preaching the Gospel to the poor, is a charitable provision for the religious education of their children. "Your Committee know that it will be heard with gratitude, that the children, every Sunday, repeat to their teachers, hymns, psalms, and frequently whole chapters of the Sacred Scriptures, which they have got off in the course of the preceding week; and that they still continue to come clean and neat, without those gaudy decorations so common amongst other children in this part of the world. Several of the children have died in the course of the year; and your Committee rejoice in being able to state, that some of the eldest of them died very happy; the praises of God dwelt upon their lips, throughout their afflictions, for the Sunday School at Parham; and their last exhortations to surrounding friends have left a gracious impression upon their minds. A few of the eldest scholars, too, have sought admission into our Society, and, after the usual examination and trial, have now a place therein, which, we trust, they will honourably keep and adorn, until it shall please GOD to call them to himself." The influence of religion in Antigua is developing itself, as in all other places where it acquires maturity, by a variety of charities, the natural expressions of that love to GoD and our neighbour, which a genuine Christianity implants in every heart that embraces it. A Society for the Relief of Distressed Females, has been in existence in Antigua for a few years; and considering the state of society in the West Indies, no charity of the kind, of a more interesting nature, could have been formed. The protection it has afforded to many females, and especially those left orphans, has effectually secured them from vice and misery; and many excellent members have thus been given or preserved to society, who would have fallen victims to its dangers. As describing another of the fruits of Missionary exertions, and of the character which they have impressed upon many individuals there, the following extracts from the "Sixth Report of the Distressed Females' Friend Society," will be read with great interest. "THE spirit, which, in Great Britain, has long been actively engaged in rearing the noblest institutions for advancing the glory of GoD, and relieving the sufferings of the unfortunate, is gradually stealing, with benignant footsteps, towards this side of the Atlantic; and, in many instances, latterly, the gratifying sight, has been witnessed, in this and some other islands, of a becoming zeal among Christians of different denominations, to emulate the brilliant example set them in the mother country, by feeding the hungry, unfolding the Book of Life to the ignorant, and snatching the friendless and unprotected from the vortex of overwhelming vice and wretchedness. One of the institutions which have thus been formed among us, is the Distressed Females' Friend Society, which, founded in the hope that it would, in some degree, advance the cause of Virtue and Religion, and oppose one barrier to the prevailing vice of the country, has, through the blessing of GOD, for a period of six years, been the humble instrument in his hands of effecting results which, though necessarily circumscribed, have frequently been of a character highly encouraging and satisfactory. Limited as have been its means, it has been enabled, by the help of Providence, to proceed through many difficulties,-sowing some good seed for the benefit of this and future generations, and holding out the hand of sympathy and friendship to suffering virtue. "It is presumed that had such a Society been established twenty years ago, its influence would have prevented many of the bitter repentings and self-accusations which are now so frequently heard from those unhappy females, for whom "no one cared," whilst their tender minds might have taken a proper bias, and who, now awakened to a sense of their fallen state, almost envy the present generation its privileges. There is, however, this consolation to such of these unfortunates as have been brought to a right feeling on the subject, that, in the prospect of being separated by death from their daughters, they can now turn their eyes towards this Society, and be assured that under its auspices it is likely to be well with their children: and it is one of the chief objects of the Society to take such helpless ones into its bosom ;-not, as some mothers, care ful alone for the body, but anxious also to lead their young minds to the fountain of heavenly light and wisdom. "The Committee thankfully acknowledge that this little Society has been favoured with some generous and persevering benefactors, whose assistance and exertions have frequently raised its drooping head; but to no individual is the expression of their fervent and heartfelt gratitude more justly due, than to LADY D'URBAN, whose condescending patronage, announced at the last General Meeting, has given a fresh spring to their exertions; and who continues, they joyfully report, to manifest towards the interests of the Society, even in the minutest details of its affairs, a tender concern and anxiety which prove the genuine benevolence of her Ladyship's mind. By her Ladyship's desire, all the children, assisted by the Society, were assembled on the Anniversary of his Majesty's Birth-day, for the purpose of ascertaining their improvement, and rewarding the most deserving. Eight of the girls, dressed in a complete new suit, of uniform colour, (presented to them by her Ladyship's bounty,) were placed in a front seat. On the entrance of her Ladyship, accompanied by MISS D'URBAN, the whole rose up, and, immediately after making their obeisance, began to chaunt a hymn chosen for the occasion, to the tune of the King's Anthem. LADY and Miss D'URBAN remained standing until the hymn was finished, when her Ladyship desired them to sit. Some of the children then repeated appropriate verses, others produced specimens of writing, samples of fine needle-work, washing, ironing, &c., to all of which these distinguished ladies attended with the most condescending complacency and apparent feelings of interest. Her Ladyship rewarded many of them with pocket-money, and promised to present twelve of the best recommended with a new suit of clothes on the King's next Birth-day; at the same time, kindly expressing herself quite satisfied with the progress they had made. To the gratified spectators of this scene it was quite apparent that her Ladyship was not performing a cold duty, but was enjoying, with a gust which only minds like her own can feel, the solid "luxury of doing good;" and every bosom glowed with feelings of increased reverence and admiration at the touching sight of her Ladyship's scarcely restrained sensibility, whilst she scanned the features, and listened to the not inharmonious lay, of this little band of pensioners on her Ladyship's fostering patronage. The Committee can safely report, that this condescending notice from LADY D'URBAN has had the effect of producing a laudable ambition in the minds of the children to excel in good behaviour and learning. "As the organ of the General Meeting, the Committee beg leave to offer the grateful acknowledgments of the Members of this Institution to the following benefactors:-DR. DOUGLASS, who continues gratuitously to afford his professional services in town; DR. HARTLE, (a name synonymous with philanthropy,) who, recently, has kindly agreed to render the same assistance at English-Harbour; MESSRS. LOVING and HILL, the obliging Printers for the Society; and the REV. A. WHITEHOUSE, for preaching two Charity Sermons on its behalf, at Ebenezer Chapel, the 17th June last, when his zealous and able advocacy procured collections amounting to £42. 8s. 3d. They also desire to repeat their gratitude to the friends in England, who have long continued to the funds of the Society an allowance of £3. 12s. per month; and to W. DAWES, Esquire, their worthy representative. "Fourteen children are now boarded out, four put to a day-school, and six occasionally assisted with clothes, and gratuitously instructed by Members of the Society. Since the publication of the last Report, six of those who received occasional assistance have been removed from the Society's care; three of whom are gone into service in decent families, one is now able to support herself by needle-work, one has been taken by her friends, and one removed by death. It is with peculiarly mingled feelings that the Committee report the death of this little girl. She had been enabled, by assistance from this Institution, to attend a Sabbath and a day-school, where she received the instruction administered with a degree of humility, gratitude, and delight, which made her remarkable. On the bed of sickness, and at the approach of death, she displayed such a knowledge of GoD and heavenly things, as was astonishing to the by-standers; calling upon them to sing with her, and, declaring that she would soon be in Abraham's bosom, to offer louder praises to ALMIGHTY GOD. She continued, to the last, unappalled at the prospect of approaching dissolution, bearing her sweet infant testimony to the blessed hope of a glorious immortality. "Fifteen old women now receive a weekly allowance, two having departed this life in the course of the year. The total number of subscribers is 101." MISSIONS IN THE BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. NOVA SCOTIA.-Extract of a letter from MR. BLACK, dated Halifax, Nov. 20, 1821. (MR. BLACK has been employed in the LORD's work thirty-five years, and is now a Supernumerary at Halifax, but exerts himself in occasionally visiting the Circuits as his health will permit.) I HAD, during the last winter, indulged the hope that, after the District-Meeting, I should have it in my power to visit Dorchester, in the Province of New Brunswick, and within the bounds of the Cumberland circuit, and once more pay my respects to my aged father: "but death had swifter wings than love." When I last parted with him, about two years before, he observed, that he had no desire, were it the will of his heavenly FATHER, to remain longer on earth; that he was only waiting the coming of his LORD. He died in peace a little before the District-Meeting, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. "The weary wheels of life stood still at last." It is well: I hope to meet him in a better world. MRS. BLACK and myself, however, continued our journey from Horton, where our District-Meeting was held, to Dorchester. Our stay in the Cumberland circuit was unexpectedly short, as at the District-Meeting I had promised to visit Lunenberg, and spend a couple of months on that circuit, chiefly in the town. After visiting my relations and christian friends, and preaching at Parrsborough, Westmoreland, Dorchester, and the river Philip, we returned to Halifax. Religion does not appear to have gained much ground at Cumberland. The most comfortable season I had on the circuit, was the Sabbath which I spent at Westmoreland, -particularly in the evening, at the class-meeting. There were twelve or thirteen persons all belonging to one family, MR. WILLIAM TRUEMAN'S, Sen., and all, as I hope, determined for the kingdom of GOD. Happy family! No man on the Cumberland circuit has done more for the cause of GOD than MR. TRUEMAN, and GoD has richly rewarded him. I know of no family around him, that has been more blessed in temporal and in spiritual things. Godliness is indeed profitable for all things; it has the promise of this life, and of that which is to come. MR. ORTH having expressed a wish that the chapel at Lunenburg should be in a more finished state before I made my visit, I remained a few weeks at Halifax, until about the 1st of August, when, after a pleasant passage of less than two days, MRS. BLACK having accompanied me, we arrived at our destination, and found our good friends MR. and MRS. ORTH well, and looking toward their heavenly FATHER'S house. MR. ORTH is pleasantly situated in his own house next door to the chapel. The chapel is a neat little building, 50 feet long and 36 wide, with a gallery on each side and at one end, and will probably contain 500 persons. The main land, and numerous islands in the neighbourhood of the town, are settled by the Germans, who, on the LORD's day, from a distance of four or five miles, come here to attend at their several churches. MR. ORTH supposes there are, in the County of Lunenberg, ten or twelve thousand inhabitants. Through the goodness of GoD my health was so much improved, that I was able, with one or two exceptions, to expound a few verses of the lessons, and afterwards to preach twice in English, every Sabbath while I remained with them. Many of those who live in and about the town understand English; but for the benefit of others, MR. ORTH frequently repeated in German the substance of what I had delivered, sung a hymn, and concluded by prayer in the same language. You will form some idea of the ardent desire with which the people hunger after the Word of grace, when I inform you that men, and even aged women, would, again and again, during the whole of my stay, cross rivers, and, regardless of the badness of the roads, walk six or eight miles to the preaching, and return the same evening, in some instances completely wet and weary. |