5th.-Early this morning we left the bungalow, and went to the largest Sivan temple, near the gate of which, while Mr. Drew went inside, I sat down and read the first chapter in our Second Catechism; and had great liberty while contrasting the true Jehovah with the gods of the Hindoos. Mr. Drew returned, and sat down by me; and for a long time we continued the subject, partly in explaining, and partly in answering objections. While we sat here, the elephant belonging to the temple was brought out, I doubt not to intimidate us, and was placed sufficiently near to have wrapped us both in his huge trunk; but we fearlessly continued our subject, trusting to our Master for protection. By this time, the heat reminded us that we must return to our rest-house, which we did; but before we had half done our breakfast a considerable number had collected in the virandah, wishing us to speak with them. This we did gladly; and as the people continued to come, we took the work by turns all the day. Some brought with them tracts, or parts of Scripture, which they had received from former Missionaries. It was one of the most interesting days I ever spent in my life; and I doubt not some fruits of it MADRAS.-Extract of a Letter from THE District-Meeting having nearly closed its labours, while the brethren are copying the documents, I avail myself of the opportunity to say a few words, by a vessel which may probably sail immediately. Increase in society, about onefourth more than the former returns; that is, fifty-seven members.-Schools: about the same number of scholars as last year, but the system more effective. - Our school examinations highly interesting. -The anniversary of the Missionary Society better attended, and larger collections than we have ever known. The Native Missionary Meeting this year exceeded every former one. Larger numbers attended, and more European and native speakers engaged the attention of the assembly.-One young man will be recommended to the Committee as a native Assistant. He is a child of Methodism, having united himself to our society in Madras many years ago. Another native has joined us, a man of superior abilities, who was brought up at a Missionary seminary. He has begun to preach, and is a member of a theological class which I established lately, and of which you will hear more in a little time. will be found in the day of judgment. Oftener than once I saw the tears start from the fine intelligent eyes of the listening natives; and on one occasion especially, when I had been dwelling at length on the sufferings of Christ, almost every hand was stretched out, accompanied by the request, "Give me a book which tells of the sufferings of Christ !" I was happy I had it in my power to comply with their request; and in no instance did I deny it. About seven o'clock in the evening we were ready for leaving the place, and up to the very moment at which we entered our palanquins we were surrounded by inquirers. Will British Christians, who have the means, refuse to send the Gospel to these perishing millions? Will the multitudes of able young men in the "valley of vision " refuse to come to this land of deepest shade? Had I a voice sufficiently loud, it should sound through every city, town, and village of Christendom, saying, "In the name of our common Saviour, come over and help us! In the name of the blessings you have received by Christianity, come over and help us! In the name of the blood-bought perishing thousands and millions of Hindoos, come over and help us ! " Mr. Carver, dated January 31st, 1835. Mrs. Carver has entered into the work with all her heart, and is rapidly becoming acquainted with the Tamil language. She joined the native female class, and requested her ticket in their language, as one of them. The people, of course, regard such things favourably. The children appear to delight in being taught in such a spirit; and I must confess, that, during all my labour in India, I never was so much encouraged by the willingness of those around us to receive instruction at our hands. We have just received into the Mission-House the Rev. Mr. Lacey, from Orissa, (or Juggernaut,) with his wife, and five children: he is proceeding to England, after twelve years' labour among the General Baptist brethren, and means to return to India again. He appears an excellent man, and will tell you what he has seen among us. They may remain five or six days longer with Some of his children are ill; and we rejoice to be able to render a brother Missionary any assistance on his way to his beloved country. us. NORTH CEYLON.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Stott, dated Point-Pedro, April 24th, 1834. OUR members remain steadfast, and attend the means of grace well; and we have as many hearers at present as we generally have had. There is one thing, however, from which I hope great things; that is, the intense desire of the people to receive Bibles and tracts. When I go out, they crowd round me and say, "Give us books. We want to read and know the Christian religion. You teach it to us; but we want the books, that we may read about it in our houses, and make it known to our neighbours." And when I am riding on the road, they fol. low me and call out, "Give us books, give us books. We want to know whether our religion or yours is better." The farmers in the field also run after me for books; and give their strong reasons why I ought to give them some. Some say, "We attend preaching; therefore you ought to give us books." Others say, "We were taught in your schools; therefore we ought to have books." Some say, "We have kept the books carefully which you gave us before. If you do not believe, come and see." Others say, "We can read well; therefore you should give us books. If you think we cannot read well, try us." In this and in many other ways, they make a demand upon me for books. I have had to the amount of my subscriptions, both of Bibles and tracts. Fifty dollars' worth more I have bought, and I have great quantities given both of Scriptures and tracts; but all these are not sufficient either for the wants, or to satisfy the wishes, of the people. These, I think, are indications of good; and I believe we shall soon have more direct tokens, that the Lord is imparting to them a desire to know the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ. NORTH CEYLON.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. George, dated Jaffna, September 10th, OUR native society was never so large or prosperous as it is at present, although it is yet but the day of small things. Heathenism has still an awful and demoralizing ascendancy. The twenty-five days' festival at Nelloor is just finished, at which there were not fewer than twenty thousand persons, bowing in most 1834. debasing worship to a piece of copper, cut in the form of a bricklayer's trowel, called Failoothum, said to be the weapon used by Canthasoovamy, the tutelary deity of the temple, in achieving some splendid exploits in war. How long will these deluded votaries "love darkness rather than light ?" SOUTH CEYLON.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Toyne, dated Colombo, December 19th, 1834. WE have had a temporary interruption to our work in the garrison, in consequence of the removal of the regiment. Many who were amongst the most depraved and abandoned in the regiment, on their arrival here a few years ago, are now new creatures in Christ Jesus, better soldiers and better men. Many of the women who were under Mrs. Toyne's care expressed their deep regret at leaving a place where they had been so greatly blessed. More than one of them observed, that they felt more on leaving Colombo than they did on leaving their native homes. They again cheerfully rally round their standard-bearers; the classes are again organized; our little chapel is crowded to excess; a blessed influence overshadows our assemblies; and we hope to see increasing prosperity in our little Zion. Our prospects of good in the Pettah are such as to aff rd us encouragement. The Portuguese congregations continue steady, and a few members have been added to the classes. The English service, which formerly was held at seven o'clock on Sunday mornings, is now conducted at half-past ten o'clock, it being found more convenient for the congregation to attend at this hour than at seven o'clock, while at the same time it affords an opportunity to the children of the Institution to be present at divine service every Lord's day. We have likewise commenced a Sunday-school from two to four o'clock in the afternoon, for the express purpose of communicating reli The places of those who have been removed are filled up by the arrival of His Majesty's 78th regiment, who were stationed in this garrison some years since, and a part of His Majesty's 58th regiment. Many of them, we are happy to find, have continued steadfast, and are still "walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." gious instruction; that the rising generation may be taught to read God's holy word, and to reverence the Sabbath-day, the neglect of which we at present deeply lament to observe to a very awful extent. As yet our Sunday-school is but in its infancy. In general, a willingness to send their children to be taught on Sabbath-days is manifested by the inhabitants. Besides the girls who come daily to Mrs. Toyne, a few others attend on the Sunday both at the chapel and also the Sunday-school, who repeat the catechism, passages of Scripture, hymns, &c., and give pleasing indications of improvement in their attention to divine things, and advancement in scriptural knowledge. Whenever my appointments admit of it, I always take a part in conducting the instruction of the boys; and we trust, by the blessing of God upon our feeble endeavours, that the seed sown in these youthful minds will be productive of a rich and glorious harvest of immortal souls to the church of Christ on earth, and to the kingdom of God in glory. Among the native population our expectation of success alternates between EAST CEYLON.-From Mr. Stott, MR. PERCEVAL having reached Jaffna in the end of September, we agreed that Mr. George should occupy PointPedro for the present, and that I should come to Trincomalee. We arrived October 14th. I preach four times a week, and Mr. Hunter, the Assistant, three times; and on those days when we have not to preach we go from street to street, and sometimes from house to house, distributing tracts, and exhorting the people to forsake their idols and sins, and believe in Jesus Christ; and though we do not see much fruit of our labours, we hope and fear. We are not, however, without encouragement in our labours. A few weeks ago we went on a short Missionary tour to Negombo. Our little chapel in Negombo was crowded to excess by persons who came several miles; and such was their eagerness on the occasion, that many of them were present hours before the meeting commenced. We held a Branch Meeting at Seedua. The chapel being too small for the number who attended on the occasion, a small canopy was erected to shelter the speakers, while the people seated themselves on their mats around us under the shade of the cocoa-nut trees. After the meeting, we laid the foundation-stone of a large chapel, which it is expected will be erected chiefly by voluntary subscriptions, and the personal services of the neighbouring villagers. We desire to go on preaching that glorious Gospel which is committed to our trust, looking for the promised Holy Spirit to render it effectual to the saving of souls, until the Sun of Righteousness shall arise on our benighted world, and usher in the latter-day glory,-which may the Lord hasten in his time! dated Trincomalee, Dec. 22d, 1834. SOUTH SEA MISSIONS. NEW SOUTH WALES.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Orton, dated Sydney, November 19th, 1834. I HAVE just returned from a pastoral visit to our little society at the interesting and promising settlement of Bathurst, situated about one hundred and thirty miles interior from Sydney, over a very broken and extensive range of hills called the "Blue Mountains." After overcoming the difficulties of traversing the ridges, valleys, and swamps of this tedious part of the road, (being a distance of about seventy miles,) the traveller is amply gratified by the appearance of a beautiful open country; the contrast of which, with the wild and limited scenery of sterile rocks, horrifying ravines, and dense thickets, is most delightful. My journey afforded me an opportunity of preaching the Gospel to many who very rarely are favoured with hearing the word of God. It is my practice on these journeys to officiate at the end of every daily stage, whether at an inn or at a private establishment; and on all such occasions every facility is afforded for assembling the people, who willingly come, and thankfully receive the message of mercy. My attention is particularly directed to the road-parties and iron-gangs which consist of men convicted of offences committed in this country, who are sen tenced to penal labour, and are employed in making and keeping in repair the interior roads. They are interspersed over the country in parties of from fifty to three hundred in number. They are generally a most depraved set of men ; but they are sinners for whom Christ died, and should, by his Ministers, be called to repentance at every opportunity. If an important collateral object of penal conviction be reformation, these poor creatures, over whom one's bowels of compassion cannot but yearn, are most piteously neglected; being destitute of any means likely to accomplish so desirable an object. Whenever I have officiated amongst them, they have appeared to give profound attention, and, in many instances, have been suffused in tears while listening to the offers of divine mercy to the vilest of sinners; showing thereby that they are not all irrecoverably lost to feeling, and affording a hope that the bread thus cast upon the waters will be found" after many days." It gives me pleasure to be able to state that the members of our little flock at Bathurst continue to hold on their way, though they have to endure great privation, and are exposed to great temptations and dangers in the want of the ordinary means of grace, and of pastoral attention, for which they are very anxious, -so much so, that they have renewed their former pledges with increased and praiseworthy liberality, with a view of establishing a regular station, and supporting a Missionary, in that part of the country. A few friends have combined their means, and pledged themselves to raise a sufficiency to meet the ordinary expenses of a single Preacher, with promises to extend their liberality as circumstances may enable them. They have in contemplation the erection of a chapel without delay. One gentleman, Mr. William Lane, has given to the Society an acre of land, in a very eligible situation, and a subscription of fifty pounds. Other friends have come forward in a manner proportioned to their circumstances; and the present list of subscriptions will enable them to proceed without embarrassment. During my visit, a meeting of the principal friends was convened; at which, amongst other decisions regarding the establishment of a station at Bathurst, it was unanimously resolved, "That on the ground of their being willing, and pledging themselves, to meet the ordinary expenditure of a single Preacher, the Committee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, through the medium of the Chairman of the New South Wales District, be respectfully and earnestly solicited to supply them with a Missionary with as little delay as possible." I therefore now officially forward the above Resolution, with my most cordial approbation, and pressing support, not only on account of their great liberality in a pecuniary point of view, but because there is an encouraging opening which ought to be entered without delay. An extensive population is scattered about the neighbourhood, which would afford to an active Missionary ample scope for labour and usefulness amongst Our countrymen ; who, in most cases, are without the means of grace, but are anxious to possess, and willing to the utmost of their power to support, a preached Gospel, and pastoral superintendence. I am hopefully awaiting the intelligence that the Committee have granted our oft-repeated solicitations for a second Missionary for Sydney, and again beg that the request of the Bathurst friends may be complied with, by sending a Missionary without delay. In Sydney we continue to do as well as our means will allow, though much cramped for want of help. WESTERN AFRICA. THE Society's Missions in Western Africa are increasingly important and encouraging. To one branch of these Missions, that which is established in the colony of Sierra-Leone, the following letter refers; and gives a succinct account of their present state and prospect :— SIERRA-LEONE.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Maer, dated Freetown, January 16th, THE past has been a year of trials and afflictions, of great exertion and many difficulties, of adversity and prosperity, 1835. of sifting and of in-gathering. With regard to the Circuit, we have still eleven places in which divine service is con ducted, either by myself, or by our Local Preachers, Exhorters, or Leaders. Several of these places are distant, and we have considerable difficulty in getting them supplied. The field of usefulness is great, but our labourers are few. Some of our best Preachers are labouring under the infirmities of age, and are unable to endure so much as formerly. Others are engaged in trading out of the colony; and the assistance we derive from their service is very small. We have already finished two large and respectable frame chapels, which are legally secured to the Connexion, and one board chapel; and are proceeding with two others, one a stone, and the other a frame, building. I am under the necessity of praying the Committee to sanction my charging a few pounds' de ficiency on these two new chapels. I have laboured hard to obtain subscriptions toward them, and have had the whole charge of superintending the works; and believe that the people have done all in their power. Under these circumstances I am induced to hope that while the Committee are so liberal to other stations, they will not deny my earnest request, especially when they see that it is not great, and that extensive benefits have already resulted therefrom. Our schools are prospering, a particular account of which I shall give you in a separate letter. Our society is also increasing, and considerable prosperity appears at present to crown our labours. We have now five hundred and eightyfour full members, besides two hundred and fifty-one remaining on trial. CONTRIBUTIONS. TB amount of Contributions received by the General Treasurers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, since the 13th of May, is £2,895 78. 9d. CHRISTIAN RETROSPECT. THE proceedings of Parliament, during the present month, have not been such as to give unmixed satisfaction to the religious part of the community. The Bill of Mr. Poulter, designed to secure a better observance of the Sabbath, though exceedingly limited in its provisions, and far from meeting the whole case of Sabbath-desecration, has been rejected by the House of Commons. While this important measure was under discussion, the attendance of Members was very inconsiderable; a sad proof that many of the parliamentary Representatives of this Christian nation take little interest in the question, and attach no serious importance to the numberless petitions concerning it which have been presented from all parts of the land, and all classes of the community. For the present, therefore, Sunday trading and labour will remain unchecked, and a large portion of His Majesty's subjects will still be compelled, either to violate their consciences, or to suffer pecuniary loss. The tradesman who closes his shop on the Sabbath is injured by his unscrupulous neighbour, who serves all the customers that may wait upon him on that sacred day. The manner in which this Bill was rejected was such as no devout mind can contemplate without the deepest pain. By several Honourable Members the entire subject was treated with most offensive levity; and appeals to the word of God, as containing the law of the Sabbath, were heard with loud laughter, and every expression of contempt. Modern Liberalism and Popery agree, in legislation, to discard the recorded will of the Most High. This is a subject to which the Christian electors of Great Britain ought to direct their conscientious attention. Every man who is possessed of the elective franchise is invested with a trust, which he is bound to execute according to his best judgment; and neither a desire to shun publicity, nor a wish to avoid giving personal and private offence,-nor even a partiality for a particular course of secular polity,should induce those who fear and love God, to avoid the trouble of duly qualifying themselves as electors, or induce them to give their suffrages in favour of a man of bad morals, or of doubtful religious principles. Infidelity is not likely, in any case, to supply correct legislation; and in the Senate of a Christian country it is most earnestly to be deprecated. We have thought it right to advert to this subject at present, because it is at this pe |