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with breathless silence. In the evening, at seven o'clock, I preached at the house of one of the principal Chiefs, when the room was crowded almost to suffocation; and though I had not intimated my intention to the afterncon congregation, yet they all attended in the evening. After the congregation was dismissed, I saw the persons who have met together for prayer, and explained to them the nature and religious advantages of class-meetings. Thirty-one gave in their names, and Mr. Barnes kindly promised to watch over them, to the best of his ability. Praised be God for the mercies of this day!

26th. At four o'clock I commenced my journey home, and arrived here weary and faint with fatigue and heat, thanking God, and taking courage. At six o'clock in the evening, I gave tickets (on trial) to fifty of my class. It was a time to be remembered by all present, being the first meeting of the kind that ever took place in this part of the world. May it not be the last by many thousands!

From the above extracts you will, in some measure, be able to form an idea of what I have to do. I need to say but little with reference to Annamaboe. I can visit it but seldom, the road being bad, and the expenses of travelling great. Domminagie, a town in the interior, I should like very much to visit, as one of the Chiefs has been to Cape-Coast, to see me, and converse about the things of God. He can read and write a little, and I have received several very pleasing letters from him since his visit.

At Cape-Coast appearances are encouraging; my congregation increases daily,

and the attention of the people is remarkable. I have divided the class into two, and the Mission-house is now too small for the congregation. If I should establish a school, there is no room for them to attend public worship. Still a female school is much wanted, and the inhabitants press this subject upon me, in particular. As the females are a degraded class of beings, if any articles of clothing could be sent out for them, it would be of infinite service: I am sure, could the ladies in England see these creatures, they would exert themselves to a degree of which they have no idea at present.

A new chapel now appears quite necessary; therefore, during the rainy season, which will shortly set in, I intend to see what money I can raise towards this object, so that at the latter end of the year, we may be able to commence. A stone chapel would cost at least six or seven hundred pounds, but a swish or "mud " one would not cost above half that price, and, if well finished, will endure many years.

The great hinderance to the promotion of Christianity among the natives, is the enforcement of the law of marriage, to which they are totally averse. I am happy to say, that those who have come under my care put away all their women, except the one who is considered the lawful wife, and have consented to be married in the Christian mode. Indeed, I am determined, by the grace of God, to enforce it, or not have one in society.

WEST INDIAN MISSIONS.

It has pleased God to visit some of the West India islands with one of those destructive hurricanes, to which they are so awfully liable. From this part of the world it has been our lot, of late, to publish much truly pleasing information, respecting the improved spiritual prospects of the Missions. Divine Providence is now teaching us the salutary lesson, that there are other storms, besides those of external persecution and annoyance, for our security from which we depend wholly and absolutely on His sovereign will and pleasure. May He graciously sanctify, and overrule for good, these calamitous dispensations! The immediate operation of them on the local finances of the societies in the islands thus desolated, cannot but be most distressing. But our collectors and friends at home, thankful for the general exemption of our own happy island from such appalling desolations, will, we trust, cheerfully exert themselves in raising additional supplies, to repair the serious damages, and meet the unusual deficiencies, thus occasioned. The poor negroes, especially, for whose welfare we have all felt so much, have an irresistible claim on our sympathy and assistance, in their present circumstances,

because the very fact of their recent happy emancipation from their former slavery will tend to prevent them from receiving that local relief from their recent losses and sufferings, which, under the ancient system, they had a right to expect.

The following letters convey the painful news of the removal of Mr. Price, in the Bahamas; and of Mr. Walters, in Jamaica. It is no small consolation, that their end was most blessed, and worthy of the great cause in which they died.

BAHAMAS.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Lofthouse, dated Nassau, NewProvidence, July 20th, 1835.

My heart, and the hearts of the whole Mission family, and of the people, are full of sorrow, by reason of the heavy stroke we are sustaining in the death of our much and dearly beloved brother Price.

In my communication of the 7th instant, I informed you of his arrival at Harbour-Island, of his attack of fever, and of his removal to Nassau in order to obtain medical aid. Brother Price landed at the Current in perfect health, but went from Spanish-Wells in an open boat to Harbour-Island, a distance of thirty miles, exposed to the rays of the burning sun, not having the least shade by way of awning, not even an umbrella.

On the Thursday night he preached, I understand, a most excellent sermon from Romans v. 1; and was apparently enjoying perfect health, until Saturday, when he complained of a degree of lassitude, and pain in the limbs. Mr. Crofts, who is well-skilled in tropical diseases, and has a good knowledge of medicine, paid immediate attention to his case; and administered those antidotes to West India fever which were deemed most suitable to his state,-I believe with good effect, as on the Sunday morning it was thought he would be able to preach in the afternoon. But in the middle of the day he became feverish, and during the remainder of the evening the symptoms, were more and more alarming; upon which brother Crofts administered more powerful medicine. Notwithstanding this, the fever continued to burn with great intensity during the night. In the morning Mr. Crofts, not feeling sufficient confidence in himself, and with the hope of obtaining the most efficient help, determined on removing him to town. accordingly engaged a vessel, and had a very speedy run to Nassau. Upon his arrival, Dr. Turnbull was immediately called in; and every attention that skill and affection could suggest was paid to his situation. For a season we indulged

He

in a hope that he would be delivered from his affliction. On Wednesday morning, the day on which I wrote to you, the fever seemed to relinquish its grasp, and we flattered ourselves that he was doing well. On Thursday morning he seemed much more relieved in mind than he had been before; at least, he was more capable of collecting his thoughts, and fixing them regularly on spiritual things. His whole soul, from the very first, was filled with the presence and blessing of God, and seemed to soar in the regions of heavenly bliss. He spoke in such a manner on religious subjects as astonished and delighted all around. His heart was so full of peace and joy, that whenever he was allowed to speak, it was of heaven. After he had been looking at me with smiles of joy, while conversing on various things connected with our work, he lifted up his eyes with uncommon emotion, and said,

"Now the full glories of the Lamb
Adorn the heavenly plains;
Bright seraphs learn Immanuel's name,
And try their choicest strains.

"O may I bear some humble part
In that immortal song!
Wonder and joy shall tune my heart,
And love command my tongue."
Then, as if lost in wonder, he said with
peculiar energy of mind and voice,

"I thirst, thou wounded Lamb of God,
To wash me in thy cleansing blood.
To dwell within thy wounds ! then pain
Is sweet, and life or death is gain.
"Take my poor heart, and let it be i
For ever closed to all but thee!

Seal thou my breast, and let me wear
That pl dge of love for ever there."
I shall never forget the strong confidence
in the atoning blood of Christ which he
manifested from first to last. A word
expressive of distress, or of anxiety as to
consequences, never escaped from his lips.
Though he appeared quite sensible of his
situation, his constant declaration was,
"I know all will be well:" "It is all
well."
right."

"My heavenly Father will do And then he would advert, with

anspeakable pleasure, to the happy days he had spent among the people at Montreal. Frequently his soul lighted up within him at the recollection of them. We were hoping that all would end well for us; and prayed earnestly that God would restore him; but alas! alas! the fever had retired for a season, as if to make a more violent assault on his whole frame.

About three o'clock, a material change for the worse took place; and he sank rapidly. About a quarter past four, his happy soul took its flight to paradise. A

little before he expired, he prayed very fervently in Welsh, (his native language,) and composedly said, "Amen! Amen! Soon after, he said, with difficulty, "If I die, I shall live! I shall live! I shall live! O happy! happy! happy!" Mr. Crofts, and all around him, kneeled down to pray with him, when he appeared to be insensible to all earthly things; but he raised his eyes and his voice again, as if animated into new life, by the sound of the name of Jesus. His death was truly glorious.

JAMAICA.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. Isaac Whitehouse, dated St. Ann's, July 22d, 1835.

On the 27th of May, it was my painful duty to inform you of the unexpected removal, by death, of my highly-esteemed brother, Mr. William Wood. It is now my melancholy task to acquaint you with the death of my more recent colleague, Mr. Walters.

Brother Walters arrived in this Circuit, on Saturday, June 27th; and on Sunday, the 28th, opened and closed his commission at St. Ann's Bay. It was remarked by several of the people on the Bay, that Mr. Walters had preached his own funeral sermon. The subject of death occupied a prominent place in his Sabbath labours; and it was evident, that he considered the time of his departure to be at hand. He even ventured to assert, whilst preaching on the Sunday, that he was come to St. Ann's to be buried there. His apprehensions were the more remarkable, as he appeared quite to enjoy his removal from SpanishTown to St. Ann's. I saw him on Monday, the 29th of June, when I thought he appeared more cheerful than I had seen him for some time past. In fact, I remarked, that I thought he seemed to be more healthy than I had ever seen him. He informed me, that the preceding day, Sunday, was one of the happiest he had ever enjoyed. Indeed, I believe he was so led out in public exercises as to have exceeded his strength. He said he felt as if he had lost a burden. On the evening of the same day, he complain

ed a little. On the following day, Tuesday, he took medicine. On Wednesday, the Doctor was called in; and on Sunday, July 5th, there was but little hope of his recovery: however, there appeared a favourable change afterwards; and for several days we hoped that God would restore him; but on Saturday morning, the 11th instant, at about half-past six o'clock, the Lord was pleased to put an end to his sufferings, by taking him to himself.

From the commencement of his attack, Mr. Walters spoke of nothing scarcely but death; and his last words

were,

"Then ask the Monster, Where's thy sting? And where 's thy victory, boasting Grave?"

Every thing that human skill and human kindness could devise or effect was resorted to, to save brother Walters; but all was in vain. He now rests from his labours.

Last week I took Mrs. Wood as far as Falmouth, on her way to MontegoBay, from which she was to embark for Bristol, on the 15th instant.

I have not yet heard if she has sailed. Mrs. Walters is, at present, stopping with us at this place (Blackheath). She keenly feels the loss of her husband; but the Lord proportions her strength to her day. I intend to accompany her to her family and friends in Kingston, next week, God willing.

DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES.

On the 29th of August, Mr. and Mrs. Hornby, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Seccombe, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson, and Mr. Harding embarked for Jamaica; and on the 15th of September, Mr. Robert Spence Hardy and Mrs. Hardy embarked for the island of Ceylon. Mr. Hardy is returning to Ceylon; having been first appointed to that station in 1825. A considerable number of other Brethren are expected

to

to leave England in the course of this and the ensuing month, in order to re-inforce various Missions, which greatly need additional help. We earnestly recommend all these "messengers of the churches the fervent prayers of our friends; and trust that their preservation on their respective voyages, and success in the several scenes of labour to which they are appointed, will be made the subjects of distinct and special supplication to Almighty God, in all the Missionary prayer meetings for the month of October.

DR. BUNTING respectfully and gratefully acknowledges the receipt of THREE HUNDRED POUNDS from E. S., which he will distribute according to the directions of the noble-minded donor.

The following is an extract from the letter which accompanied the inclosure to which this announcement refers ::

"As I understand you see the necessity of sending out thirty-five Missionaries, in addition to the old number; and as you intend faithfully and steadfastly to adhere to the great and long-established principles of original Methodism; I send you three hundred pounds; one hundred pounds of which I will thank you to apply to the Shetland Mission. And at all times, while Methodism continues in its present state, you may expect me to be a steady friend. I wish this to be private; but you can acknowledge it in the next Watchman.-Pray for me, that my faith fail not.'"

CONTRIBUTIONS.

Tus amount of Contributions received by the General Treasurers of the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, since the 13th of August, is £1,231. 1s. 8d.

CHRISTIAN RETROSPECT.

MUCH has of late been said on the commemoration of the third centenary of the printing of the entire Scriptures in English an object which is every way worthy of this Christian nation, and particularly seasonable in the present times. Before the Reformation the people of England, like their neighbours on the Continent, were deeply sunk in ignorance, vice, and superstition. Few of them were able to read; the holy Scriptures were inaccessible; and, could they have been obtained, they were a sealed book. The Christian salvation, in its rich assemblage of spiritual blessings, and the method of attaining it by simple faith in the blood of Christ, were never declared from the pulpit, and therefore never offered to the free acceptance of worshipping assemblies. Masses, penances, pilgrimages, the invocation of saints, were taught to be the meritorious means of access to God by guilty men; and the great and vital truth, that Christ is the only Mediator between God and sinners, was sys

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Two important objects, bearing upon the Reformation, were gained during the otherwise disastrous reign of Henry the Eighth. The supremacy of the Pope was denied, and the exercise of his authority in these realms strictly forbidden; and the entire Scriptures were given to the people in their own language, who were thus invited to read and judge for themselves. This latter object was achieved by the piety, zeal, and learning of Myles Coverdale, who followed in the path of the murdered Tindal, and was raised to the episcopate during the next reign. The publication of Coverdale's Bible was opposed by the wily Ecclesiastics of that day; but Henry was their master, and they were forced to submit.

Perhaps it was ridiculed, as "a thing of nought," by some of the wise men of this world; but its ultimate consequences no finite mind can estimate.

It was "like the great ocean when some dam gives way." This virtual acknowledgment of the right of private judgment awakened the dormant intellect of the nation, and called into exercise a thousand agencies which no earthly power could control. British liberty, wealth, law, commerce, and enterprise, which have long been the admiration of the world, are among the minor blessings of the Reformation. Its great honour is, that it has given to the people the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, as pure as when it emanated from the mercy of God, and fell from the lips of his incarnate Son, in the synagogues and temple of the Jews. The Reformers cleared the way of access to the waters of life; and millions have quenched their burning thirst at the refreshing stream. No longer pent up within the wretched enclosures of Popery, those waters now gush forth, and flow in all directions, conveying every where spiritual life, and health, and beauty. Fierce and terrible was the struggle which the Reformation had to maintain, and many a "light of Israel" perished in the conflict with intolerance and error; but glorious has been the result. O what would the early disciples of the Reformers have given, when they retired into solitude with their Bibles, and were tracked by the bloodhounds of the Romish Church, to see the day which now beams upon Protestant England! "Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth." "Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name!" Immense wealth is now evidently in a course of expenditure, and many secret and open agencies are at work, to bring back the darkness and misery of Popery; and a strange indifference to the abominations of this system has of late pervaded almost all classes of Protestant Christians. By the blessing of God it may be hoped that a deep and permanent

impression will be made upon the public mind, by the religious services of the memorable fourth of October next; and the efforts of the Romish emissaries in many quarters receive an effectual check. While Protestants slumber, an enemy is sowing tares among the wheat.

For many years the angel of the Apocalypse has been pouring out the "vial" of the divine wrath, in different degrees,

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upon the seat of the beast; " and the contents of that vial are not yet exhausted. The recent attempt to assassinate Louis Philippe, and the severe law which the French Chambers have deemed it necessary to enact in reference to the press, show that the state of feeling in France is not such as to promise permanent tranquillity. In that fine country Popery has withheld the Scriptures from the people, and given its direct sanction to the violation of the Sabbath; while its follies, hypocrisy, and intolerance, have prepared the way for infidelity, even in the form of Atheism. Circumstances, however, augur improvement. Learned men in general have renounced the dogma of materialism; and great good may be expected to result from the reading of the holy Scriptures in the public schools which are conducted under the direct sanction of the Government.

The condition of Spain is deplorable. That wretched country, but recently the seat of a protracted war, carried on by a successful invader, presents now the lamentable spectacle of civil discord, the issue of which is extremely doubtful. Spain was one of the last of the European churches that submitted to the See of Rome; but since her submission she has been a principal support of the Papacy, and is deeply involved in the guilt of persecution. Some "burning and shining lights" were raised up there by the special providence of God, at the time of the Reformation; but they were extinguished by that terrible engine of hell, the Inquisition, whose operations were carried on with unrelenting fury, amidst scenes of agony, and blood, and flame, till no vestiges of primitive Christianity were left in the land. The punish

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