"be strong." Whether, we ask you, will the work dear to our hearts be promoted or frustrated by an Association, one of whose avowed objects is, to break down our financial economy, and thus to bring ruin on every department of our work, both at home and abroad? We believe better things of you. It can scarcely be expected, that, in so large a body, differences will not occasionally arise; but this, let it be remembered, is a question which touches its vital exist tence. Yet, while we thus warn and presume to give a word of caution and advice, we have no fear as to the result. We believe the struggle will be short, and the end peace. Our venerable Founder, in all persecutions, doubts, and troubles, found security in the consciousness that the cause was the cause of God: we feel it to be so; and derive consolation and support from the same source; A for we know it cannot be overthrown. few of the people may "imagine a vain thing," but the "silver is His;” “the gold is His;" the hearts of all men are in His hands;' "He openeth his hand, and fills all things living with plenteousness." It is true, the waters of contention are abroad, and in some places are said to prevail; but our ark floats above them. The elemental conflict is said to rage, but, under divine protection, the people are safe. The Lord hath shut them in. Ere long the floods will abate, the bow of God's promise will shine forth with still greater beauty, and some messenger of peace and love be sent out to announce to a renewed and joyous world, that the goodness of God, in the protection of his people, endureth throughout all generations. In the unity of the Spirit, and the bond of peace, we are, dear brethren, The above" Declaration " must be considered as still under a course of signature ; as the necessity of going to press did not allow sufficient time for receiving the answers of all the members of Committees residing in the country. MISSIONARY NOTICES. SOUTH SEA MISSIONS. FRIENDLY ISLANDS.-We are happy to be able to announce that Messrs. Tucker and Cargill have reached their ultimate destination. It is cause of thankfulness to Almighty God that they have been preserved in their voyaging across the deep, and have joined, in health and vigour, the laborious, successful band of Missionaries whom they were sent to reinforce. Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Tucker, dated Lifuka, Habai, Jan. 31st, 1834. IT is with sentiments of gratitude to almighty God that I pen this letter. By his kind providence I and my dear partner have been brought in safety to this place. Mr. Watkin very much needed help; the work to be done on this station being too much for any one individual. The people of our charge live on eighteen islands, some of which are forty or fifty miles distant, and exceedingly difficult of access; so that Mr. Watkin has been much exposed while voyaging to and fro; while Mrs. Watkin's health has been such as to render her very unfit to be left alone. But the Lord has hitherto been their refuge, their strength, and their comforter in the day of trial; and now he has cheered their hearts by sending them help. You will rejoice to hear that the great Head of the church is still prospering his work among this people; blessed be his name! He continues to water this part of his inheritance, and makes it blossom as the rose. The last year has been one of great good; the in-gathering of souls has been abundant. Christianity exerts a mighty influence on these islanders; it has caused "old things to pass away, and all things friends in England could have witnessed to become new.' The following are extracts from my Journal: Dec. 16th, 1833.-Yesterday was an interesting and truly profitable day to my soul. My feelings were quite over. powered at the native service. There were some hundreds assembled more than the chapel would contain. The singing far exceeded any that I had hitherto heard in this part of the world; it reflects great credit on Mr. Watkin for his unwearied attention to the people in this, as well as other things. They evidently sang with the Spirit, and many of them with the understanding also. 26th. Glory and praise be to God for what we saw, and heard, and felt yesterday! It being Christmas-day, the people were previously informed that there would be service twice, as on the Lord's day; and that it would be well to make it a day of thanksgiving and praise, because it was the time appointed for com. memorating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the morning the multitude repaired to the sanctuary of the Most High, to offer the sacrifice of praise for the greatest and best gift ever bestowed on man. The congregation was overflowing; some hundreds were obliged, as usual, to remain in the chapel-yard. Mr. Watkin preached from part of the first chapter of John. In the afternoon we had a native love-feast, the first I have attended at these ends of the earth. The chapel was crowded with members of society only; there were from nine hundred to a thousand present; the largest company I had ever seen on a sinilar occasion. My mind was deeply affected with the sight, when I reflected, that only five years ago there was not an individual in this group of islands who worshipped the true God, but all were Living in the grossest idolatry and ignorance, committing all manner of sin with greediness, hateful, hating and devouring each other, and utter strangers to the sound of the Saviour's name; and now, to see so many hundreds assembled at a love feast, members of a religious society, sincerely desirous of glorifying God, and saving their souls, filled my heart with sensations of joy and gratitude which I shall not attempt to describe. No time was lost: forty-six stood up in the course of three quarters of an hour, and testified of the grace of God, and of the great change they had experienced. Among those who spoke was one Fejean, and one New-Zealander, who is a useful ClassLeader and Local Preacher. If the dear this scene, it would have stimulated them to increased zeal and diligence in praying, subscribing, and collecting for such a glorious cause. May it soon extend over all the nations and kingdoms of the earth! Mr. January 6th, 1834. This morning Mr. Watkin and I set sail, in a native canoe, for Hano, an island about ten miles distant. It contains about seven or eight hundred inhabitants. We started before sun-rise, and, as soon as the canoe was under weigh, we sang and prayed. The natives were called on to respond the Lord's prayer, which they did in excellent style; the great harmony of their voices made the sound very grateful to our ears. We had a light and favourable breeze, and, after two hours' pleasant run, safely reached the land. As the object of our visit was to preach, as well as to baptize and marry a number of the people, we proceeded to the chapel as soon as practicable, which we found well filled. They were apprized of our approach by seeing the white flag which we had hoisted, and forthwith assembled from the different parts of the island. Watkin preached; after which the candidates for baptism were asked a variety of questions, which they readily answered, We then administered that solemn ordinance to one hundred adults, all of whom had met in class for a considerable time. The scene was quite affecting. Some of them were near threescore years and ten, their heads covered with silver locks, their cheeks wrinkled, their hands trembling, their sight and strength departing, and life fast ebbing out; there were several of middle age, and others in the bloom of life, dedicating themselves to the service of the only true and living God, and all becoming members of a part of the church of Christ. O what an interesting sight to angels above and saints below! Surely there was joy in heaven on the occasion; and the tidings will rejoice the hearts of all who feel interested in the welfare of the Redeemer's kingdom. We also baptized thirty-eight children, and married eleven couples; called upon several who were sick, and completed our work by twelve o'clock. It has been a happy and highly interesting day to the people and to us. 10th. On the last Sabbath the Lord was truly present in the means of grace, and many found it good to be there. The congregations were very large and attentive, and eagerly received the ingrafted word, which is able to save their souls. We have abundant cause for devout thanksgiving and praise to the God of all grace, for the good he is doing among this interesting people. The ordinances of his house are generally seasons of refreshing; and the people give evidence, by their regular and prayerful attendance on all the means of grace, that they love the habitation of God's house, and the place where his honour dwelleth. Their upright walk and conversation evince the reality of the change wrought in them; their thirst after divine and useful knowledge, and devotedness to the service of God, prove that they are sincerely desirous of showing forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. I never saw the Sabbath kept so holy as it is here; and I never heard half so much singing and praying in any part of the world. To God be all the praise, for he alone the work hath wrought! 27th. The congregations yesterday were overflowing: and the presence of God was in the midst of them. At the close of the afternoon service, the five last Sabbaths, we have catechised the people. As soon as a question was asked, men and women simultaneously repeated the answer. They respond exceedingly well. Some of their voices are a deep bass. They all kept time so exactly, that the sound was harmonious in the extreme, and fell soft as music on the ear, while it produced the most powerful effect on all the softer passions of the mind. It rendered the services very interesting, and, I hope, profitable also. Through mercy we are all in pretty good health on this station, and striving for the faith once delivered to the saints; we are happy in our work, and fully resolved for God to live and die. Our situation is awfully important and responsible; but our sufficiency is of God. We very much need your prayers and counsel. Our field is enlarging, our happy toil is increasing, our duties and cares not a few. WEST INDIAN MISSIONS. DOMINICA. IN the postscript of our last number, we briefly stated that an account of the death of the Rev. Josiah Nunn had just been received. The following are the circumstances under which that lamented event took place:-Immediately after the hurricane had subsided, he went from Lasoye to Rousseau, to inform Mr. Harrison, his Superintendent, of the damage which the Mission premises had sustained. On his arrival in the bay, the swell was so great, that he was unable to land; and he had, consequently, to remain in the boat the whole of the night. In the course of a few days, he became unwell, and, notwithstanding the best medical advice, and the unwearying attention of his affectionate Superintendent, he died on the 29th of September, the third day from the commencement of his illness. In his short affliction he was most graciously supported, and his end was not only peaceful, but triumphant. Although the Missionary career of Mr. Nunn, in the West Indies, was short, he had greatly endeared himself to all who had become acquainted with him, and his premature removal is lamented as a public loss. We give the following extracts from his Journal, contained in a letter, dated Rousseau, July 24th, 1834; which afford most satisfactory evidence of the spirit of devotion in which he had entered upon his work, and will serve to impress our readers the more forcibly with the mysterious character of the dispensation by which so promising a Missionary has been so early called away to his reward. I ARRIVED in Dominica on EasterSunday, about three o'clock P. M., having stayed at Antigua a little more than a fortnight after our arrival in that island. Sunday, March 30th.-This day I commenced my regular Mission work. After having been somewhat unsettled for more than four months, after a long interval between my leaving home, and my arrival on my station, I am placed in my regular sphere of Mission labour. "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" How good has the Lord been in bringing me safely across the deep! With how many mercies has the voyage been attended! But little sickness, no accident, many blessed opportunities with my brethren in our ship, and of talking to, and praying with, the |