Sunday, Sept. 2d.-The cold I took on the 18th ultimo, brought on a fever, which is but just leaving me; I hope that I am not insensible of the mercy of my GOD, in making this stroke so gentle, and raising me up from the bed of sickness. During this rainy season how many have been taken from time to eternity, from this town! Already, nearly thirty Europeans are gone to their " long home!" I went this morning to Portuguese Town, held a prayer-meeting, and met the class; I felt fatigued on my return, but ventured to read prayers and preach in the Townchapel at ten o'clock. These services I found to be equal to my strength. Our dear re-captured people are thankful that I am able to visit them again. When we were both unable to preach, and confined to our rooms, they were not without the presence and blessing of our GOD. Several came to us whilst in the fever, with the joyful news of the spiritual improvement of the Society. These things have been a comfort to me in my affliction, and have more than once revived my spirits, when, perhaps, nothing else would. Sunday, 9th.-I rode this morning to Portuguese Town; and spoke to the people from Psalm cxvi. 1-9. They are not unacquainted with the sentiments of the text, at least those of them who meet in class; they are between twenty and thirty, and most of these enjoy and practise Scriptural Christianity." The others are striving to enter in at the "strait gate." Monday, 24th.-I held the prayermeeting at the Town-chapel this evening. Our prayer-meetings are generally favoured with the presence of Him who filleth heaven and earth. Another Portuguese schooner arrived to-day, being a Slaver, captured by one of our Gunbrigs, (Snapper,) with about fifty slaves on board when taken. Not long since one was taken and brought here with two hundred on board! Tuesday, 26th.-At seven this evening I preached at West End, from Matt. vii. 7-11, to a small company in broken English. In this patois we are obliged to preach to the re-captured people, or we should not be understood. Thursday, 27th.-About noon we had one of the heaviest storms of rain and wind, continuing an hour or more, that I have ever witnessed; the wind blowing due north, like an hurricane. I sometimes feel an inexpressible lassitude; for which I apologise to myself by considering that I am in an unhealthy tropical clime. But though the reason may be a just one, I may, by a too frequent recurrence to it, encourage this feeling, and cherish, though unintentionally, that indolence which every preacher of the Gospel should greatly guard against. Monday, Oct. 8th.-I rode to Kissey Town, and took dinner with the REV. G. R. NYLANDER, one of the Church Missionaries. Respecting all the Church Missionaries and us, it may be said, we "love as brethren." Sunday, 21st.-I met the class at Portuguese Town this morning, and returned to breakfast. At ten, A. M. I read prayers and preached from 1 Peter i. 8, 9. At two, P. M., we held our quarterly love-feast in the Town-chapel, when about seventy persons declared, in the simplicity of their hearts, what God had done for their souls! Truly this was a gracious season to myself, and, I believe, to all present. Whilst some of them declared that, previous to their being turned" from darkness to light,. they exceeded their neighbours in sin, I was forcibly struck with our SAVIOUR'S words, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Monday, 22d.-The heat of the sun, which is now vertical, is almost intolerable. All Monday, 29th.-To-day we held our Quarterly Meeting at our house. the leaders were present, and the business was conducted with peace and love. There is an increase of fourteen members, since last Quarter-day. May "the little one become a thousand!" Friday, Nov. 9th.-This afternoon I preached at Congo-town, and afterwards met the class-leaders. In examining their papers I generally find that the members attend very regularly. Saturday, 10th.-To-day one of our class-leaders (an Angola man) called at the Mission-house. I said to him, as soon as he came in, "Well, Joseph, any news?" He replied, "No, I call for see you, because you call for see me; one hand no wash himself good; two hand wash one another." This smart observation much pleased me. WEST INDIA MISSIONS. SEVERAL Letters and Journals, from the Brethren in different islands, have been received during the month; and we are happy to state that they generally contain encouraging details of the progress of the work of GoD in the different stations. In Antigua, this is specially the case. The persons recently received on trial amount to 700; and the number of children in the School now amount to 3000, in that island. DEMERARA.-We mentioned, in our Number for February, the melancholy intelligence of the removal of our esteemed and lamented brethren, MESSRS. BELLAMY and AMES, from their important labours in this Colony by death. MR. SHREWSBURY, upon hearing of this event, promptly left Barbadoes, to take charge of the bereaved congregations and societies, and by him we have been favoured with the particulars of the last sickness, and death, of these devoted servants of our LORD.* On the state of the Mission, MR. S. writes as follows: Extract of a Letter from MR. SHREWSBURY, dated George Town, Demerara, November 30, 1821. It cannot be expected that I should be able to give a particular account of this station; but so far as I am able to judge, it is, upon the whole, in a prosperous state. The congregations are very large, serious, devout, and attentive; the Societies are in a tolerably good state, although in George Town there has been rather a laxity of discipline. I visited Mahaica last week, and met several classes, nearly all of whom were slaves, and, thought them to be very sincere, and without exception, truly in earnest for the salvation of their souls. Brother AMES watched over that Society with extraordinary faithfulness and diligence. There is a small Sunday School in George Town, but it is not yet organized; however, as my stay is for so short a time, I think it best to leave that to the preacher who may be appointed here. I have also determined to take no new members into Society, as I cannot sufficiently examine them and know their character, owing to the many concerns which press upon me. I take down the names of those who wish to join, and catechize them once a week, and shall leave the list behind at my removal. My time I intend to divide as nearly as I can between George Town and Mahaica; but as they are twenty-eight miles apart, my work is very laborious. BAHAMAS.-We are happy to announce the safe arrival of MR, and MRS. GICK, at New Providence, on the 20th of January. Extract of a Letter from MR. TURTLE, dated Abaco, Nov. 10, 1821. FINDING myself, at length, in a great measure restored, I longed to return to my circuit; and accordingly, embraced the earliest opportunity of so doing; especially as at that season of the year, (the hurricane months,) the vessels but seldom cross the channel. I left Nassau on the 5th of September, having been there about six weeks; and arrived at Great Harbour, after a very rough but quick passage, about two o'clock, P. M. the next day. Here we remained till the Wednesday following; during which time I preached at every opportunity, and, with MRS. T., instructed all the children who were sent to us for that purpose. I was thankful to find, that during my absence from my circuit, this new Society had kept together tolerably well; considering the very few advantages with which they are favoured. They certainly are a very poor and illiterate people; but the few who have come out from the world, appear to be in earnest for their salvation, and determined to live to the glory of GoD. Having stayed the time above-mentioned, we left for Green Turtle Key, and arrived the same day; when the friends were ready on the beach to receive us. There I was called to witness the destructive effects of a terrible thunderstorm, which happened on this Key, on the night of the 1st of August, eight days after we left it for Nassau. This storm was the most awful the inhabitants had ever witnessed. The only building struck and damaged was the MissionHouse, which was the only house empty at the time. The electric fluid destroyed the north-west end of the building, burst open the windows and doors, carried off part of the roof, and split the partition which divides the chamber from the hall. It is generally believed, by all who witnessed the ruins, and ex These interesting accounts we are obliged to reserve for a future Number of this Magazine. EDITOR. amined the course of the lightning, that if the house had been full of people at the time, they would, in all probability, have been hurried in a moment into an awful eternity. We had so recently left the premises, that I could not but feel the liveliest gratitude to our great Deliverer and merciful God. My absence from my circuit, I have reason to believe, retarded, in some /measure, the progress of the work here; but the members all remained steadfast, so that no complaints were brought against the conduct of any upon my return. Since then, I trust I can say, I have been labouring with all my might, and have left no means untried, to build up the Church of CHRIST, and to bring lost sinners to the SAVIOUR. And I am rejoiced to inform you, that my labours have not been altogether "in vain in the LORD." Several have been added to the Society, and, apparently, are earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls. Our congregations continue large on Sabbath-days, and the people seem serious and attentive. The work of GOD, however, has never worn a very promising aspect amongst the Black population in this place, though I believe my brethren, who have preceded me, have laboured hard, and by every possible means in their power, to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. I also trust I can say, with regard to myself, that I have done what I could, and still feel determined to use every effort to win them to CHRIST. Their number on this Key is but small in comparison of many other settlements; but few even of these are, apparently, under any serions concern for their eternal interests. I have, of late, called them together at the Mission-house on the Monday evening, for the purpose of instructing them in a more plain and pointed manner; at which time, I either expound the Scriptures, read something of a striking and impressive nature, or catechise them. I think I can see some good resulting already, and hope it will prove of lasting benefit. We have also prayermeetings on the Sunday and Thursday evenings on purpose for them. BARBADOES.-Several discouragements to the efforts of the Missionaries continue in the country parts of this island; but MR. NELSON observes in a letter dated January 12, 1822, We have, in Bridge-town, some cheering prospects, and are enabled to take courage and proceed in the labour of love. I know our cause is the cause of GOD, and that it shall ultimately prevail in a greater or less degree, though perhaps by some more honoured and happy instrument. In this town our congregations are increasingly large, and generally serious and attentive; on the Sabbath evening our chapel is crowded, and some of the most respectable inhabitants attend. A spirit of hearing is evidently excited; many, I believe, feel the power of the Word. As a proof of the former observation we may regard the attendance of many persons of respectability from a distance in the country; as proofs of the latter, the frequent converse on religious subjects, and the gradual removal of prejudice from the minds of many of the most determined opposers. We have added a few members during the year, but then we have been under the necessity of excluding others, so that on the whole our numbers are much the same as at the close of the last year. Our members are, on the whole, in a good state; most of them appear to be vigilant, prayerful, spiritual, and affectionate, and are particularly earnest in imploring an outpouring of the SPIRIT; they importunately plead for Zion's prosperity, and their prayers, I doubt not, will prevail. We have been much afflicted in our persons and in our work. The LORD hath given us the bread and water of affliction; but, I trust, this dispensation has been sanctified. The most pleasing and promising feature in our Mission is our SundaySchool. This, we may say, prospers. The children increase in number,-are making considerable improvement,-behave well, are studious and diligent, and some of them seem to have their minds in some degree affected by divine truth. We are also well supplied with kind, diligent, and able teachers, who, I believe, enter into the work with spirit, and implore the divine blessing on their pleasing toil. May the LORD reward their zeal and love with an abundant harvest! The only want we feel is that of books, which we hope soon to have removed. We held our first Anniversary on the 1st of January, on which occasion I preached two sermons,-one, in the morning, to the children, and the other, in the evening, to a large congregation, on the excellence of a virtuous and pious education. After the morning service the children were publicly examined, and they gave great and general satisfaction; some respectable persons, who were present on the occasion, expressed themselves as highly gratified. Many of the children repeated long tasks, such as considerable portions of the sacred Scriptures, and the Catechism. One girl especially deserves to be named, who repeated two long chapters in the New Testament, and the whole of NEWSTEAD'S Catechism in verse; two or three other children also repeated the whole of this interesting little work. After their examination they were rewarded according to their respective merits, with a little book or tract; they were then (above one hundred and twenty in number) regaled with plumcake, &c. the gift of a friend to SundaySchools: they were dismissed with their little hearts filled with joy and gladness, which gleamed through their counte nances of various colours. During the examination, a servant came to me with a note, from the Lady of CAPTAIN M'LAUGHLIN, regretting that she could not be present on the "interesting occasion," accompanied with a “subscription in aid of our excellent institution." After the evening service we made a collection, and all seemed considerably interested in the success of the school. It should also be observed that several other persons have given or promised us annual subscriptions. We are also indebted to MR. HYDE for a kind present of seventy-five of NEWSTEAD'S Catechisms, and to MRS. M'LAUGHLIN for a supply of Tracts. I was myself much gratified on the occasion. I have never spent so happy a day since I left my dear native isle. MISSIONS IN BRITISH AMERICA. NEWFOUNDLAND.-Extract of a Letter from MR. WALSH, dated St. John's, January 3, 1822. NEWFOUNDLAND presents many local obstacles to the diffusion of vital Christianity; yet has there been, since the first introduction of the Gospel, a great number of precious souls brought to experience its saving efficacy. In these regions of frost and snow, the prediction of the Prophet has not unfrequently been fulfilled: "The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." This lovely sight we often behold. In a small village, about a mile and a half from this town, a considerable number of the Protestant inhabitants have been lately brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Within the last three months, in this village, and in St. John's, about forty persons have become the subjects of divine grace. This with us is a great revival. We view it as such when we consider the value of souls, and the difficulties we have to encounter. The change which has taken place in many is very conspicuous. Their whole lives had been spent in ignorance and profaneness of the most degrading kind-in swearing, drunkenness, sabbath-breaking, lying, and gaming. Two of them once agreed to try which could be the most wicked. Another knew not that he had passed a day, since he could recollect, without swearing. A third said to me," My house, Sir, was a hell upon earth before this change took place in my sons." All confessed, "It is of the LORD's mercy we are not consumed." In fact, the place was notorious for wickedness, and for all the wretchedness Extract of a Letter from MR. BARR, dated Bonavista, December 30, 1821. I WROTE to you some time ago on the distressed state of this country, and of our fears respecting the winter. I wish these fears had been groundless. The distress of many at this time is truly painful. I will state the case of one man as an instance. He came to one of our leaders lately, and begged to have the loan of a sail. He was asked what he wanted it for. He answered, that he and his family had little or no food, and as little firing; that when they could suffer the cold and hunger no longer they went to bed, and having little bed-clothing, they were almost perished there, and he wanted the sail to keep them warm. This is only one instance out of many. The weather is rough and cold now, almost beyond any thing I have known in the island. Notwithstanding the difficulties that lie in the way, I rejoice to say that there is a good work going on among us, and that while meeting the classes, I am often comforted in hearing the mem Our Sunday-School is a small institution of great promise and utility. The number of children is about eighty; most of whom have no other means of instruction. I laboured two years in one of our Schools in Glasgow, containing 500 scholars, and I do not recollect any of those with whom our first class would not bear a comparison. We have a good supply of teachers. I attend regularly with them on Sunday afternoon; and, with the tracts you sent me, I have formed among them a little Reading Society. By this means the tracts are much more extensively read than if given away; and in receiving the last week's tract, and giving a new one, I have an opportunity of questioning them on what they have read, and also of ascertaining whether they have read their little book to their parents, neighbours, and fellows. Extract of a Letter from MR. HICKSON, dated Trinity, January 10, 1822. OUR school in this place has greatly prospered. It was commenced by brother ELLIS. Then few children in the harbour could read at all; now, many read the Scriptures, and the rest are learning rapidly. Two kind friends of this place lately took me in a small boat to English Harbour. We arrived just as the flag was taken down for service. I preached twice with much liberty, and a good impression appeared to be made upon the people. O that this may not be as the morning cloud and as the early dew! A little more than five years ago I spent a week in this harbour. Then there was no Society; now there are between thirty and forty members. They had no place of worship; now they have a chapel, in which they hold divine service regularly on the LORD's Day. Then there was no Sunday School; now there is one of upwards of fifty children. This is encouraging. I had great pleasure in visiting the school. MRS. KELSON, wife of MR. W. KELSON, Merchant, and Magistrate of this place, after a severe fit of illness, which confined her for three weeks, was again enabled to attend. Her labours have been indefatigable and very useful among the children, on Sundays and Thursdays, for more than two years. She tells me that when she began to teach, she did it for the credit of the harbour, but now being, with her husband, made a subject of divine grace, the "love of Christ constrains her." There are two or three young females who give their labours regularly twice a week. Much good has been done among the people generally. In my last visit to this place in 1817, during the whole winter, few nights passed without a ball, either private or public, but now nothing of the kind occurs. The morals of the people are improved greatly. Thus, though we may go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, we shall doubtless return again rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us. Last July, I visited an Indian wigwam; its inhabitants belonged to the tribe called Micmacks, and were Christians. What pleased me most was, that I found them so forward to speak about GOD, their souls, and heaven. They spoke in broken English, but their language savoured of godly sincerity. The principal of them spoke of the providential care of GOD over all his creatures, saying, "Dere be ten tousand and tousands, but GOT miss none. Me been very ill. Me thought at night me gone in morning; me lie down here, me not tink get up again; me 'spect to die, but de goot Gor mind me gain." I made inquiries respecting the different parts of his family, and I found he had taken one out of charity. He said, "She noting kin me, she noting kin my wife, but all her people go! she left! she perish! me took her, cause me wish do sometink for GOD." I asked him whether he prayed with them altogether; to which |
