already assembled, some of whom had come the distance of eight or ten miles to hear. At the time for commencement I took my stand under a large spreading oak, and the people delightfully united in singing, "Hallelujah, lof zy den Heer;' or, "Hallelujah, praise ye the Lord." The shade of the royal oak on the banks of the river, and the stream running overthe rocks beneath, were favourable to devotional feelings, so that every succeeding verse of the hymn seemed to create a new interest, and swell the song of praise. After reading the tenth chapter of Romans, and engaging in prayer, I gave out the text as appropriate for the occasisn, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The deepest attention was manifested by all the Heathen till the conclusion of the service. The Field-Cornet stood at a distance a great part of the time, and, with several other Christians, so called, came up to me, and charged me not to come to that place again without his permission. I informed him that it was not requisite for me to ask his permission, or that of any other man, seeing that I had the authority of the Bible, and the sanction of the Government, for what I did. He was exceedingly angry, and threatened the apprentices. So, to end the matter, I published that, on the first Sabbath in April, my life being spared, I should preach there again. I rode off to Stellenbosch, and preached in the evening.

8th. (Somerset.)-I went and preached under the kloof of Sir Lowry's Pass. The congregation consisted of about twenty-eight persons, who were very attentive. At the chapel in the afternoon the congregation was large, embracing persons of all colours, and of almost every age. There were faces fair as the whitest European, and sable as the blackest son of Mosambique; children, also, of three or four years of age, and men bending under the weight of sixty or seventy. How encouraging is that promise of Jehovah : "It shall come to pass that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall behold my glory!"

10th. A number of the apprentices came to be catechised this evening, and several had learned most of the answers to the questions in our little book. They appeared to be mightily pleased with the attention paid to them, and went away rejoicing.

April 4th. I left Cape-Town this afternoon, and reached Diana's a little after Diana was formerly a slave, but was so happy as to procure her freedom,

sunset.

ren.

and obtain a small grant of ground, on which she and her husband laboured hard for many years, till it pleased God to remove her husband, and she was left to struggle with a large family of childShe is, however, quite cheerful and happy, serving God with all her house. Her cottage stands in the midst of the Cape Flats, about half-way to Stellenbosch. On my arrival I found about fourteen children and young persons busily engaged in repeating hymns, passages of Scripture, &c. When they had finished, Diana engaged in prayer for them in the Dutch language; and a more fervent, scriptural, and appropriate prayer I never heard. It was soon agreed that I should preach to-morrow morning, and she sent to inform her neighbours.

5th. I preached at Diana's in a house full of people, and then set off to the Eerste Rivier, to preach, according to appointment, in the open air. On my way thither it began to rain, and, while crossing the wilderness, thus solitary and alone, I was greatly cast down with the idea that I could have no congregation, and that our enemies would triumph over us. On my arrival at the place there was one aged black man walk. ing up and down beneath the trees, but several others soon arrived. The FieldCornet, who had behaved so unkindly the last time I was here, now sent a messenger with an order that we should go on the other side of the river. I told the messenger to give my compliments to his master, and to inform him, that, as we should not trespass on any private property, but keep our service on the King's highway, we did not need his interference on the occasion, but should choose our own place. The Field-Cornet soon arrived, when the following conversation took place :

Field-Cornet. What kind of message was that you sent me ?

Missionary.-I sent my compliments, and desired the messenger to inform you that we should choose our own place.

F.-C. The other side of the river is the proper outspanning or halting-place, and there you ought to go.

M.-The last time I was here I engaged to preach beneath this tree, under the shade of which I am now standing.

F.-C.-But why not go on the other side of the river?

M.-Because myself and the people here assembled have equally as much right here as you have. These apprentices have as much right, being His Majesty's subjects, to walk, or stand, or sit here, as you or any other person.

F.-C.-But this was my father's ground: he only allowed Government the use of this road.

M.-Your father either gave it or sold it to Government, according to your account. I care not whether of the two. It is now the King's highway: I have measured it, and there is room enough for our congregation; so here we shall remain; and it will be at the peril of any man to molest us. I have permission from His Excellency the Governor to preach through this whole country.

F.-C. I know it; but the horses are standing on my ground. If they are not immediately taken away, they will be sent to the pound.

M.-Place all the horses in the middle of the road, and some one of you (to the apprentices) stand by, and take care of them.

A woman of colour now came through the river well mounted, and rode up beneath the trees, where the other horses had been standing.

Field-Cornet. If you do not take that horse away, he shall be sent to the pound.

Woman. You send my horse to the pound! He cost me the sum of two hundred rix-dollars, and I have come all this distance (about fifteen miles) to hear the Gospel, which you wish to prevent being preached!

Addressing herself to me, she said,

"Can we not sing a psalm, Sir, and put a stop to him?" I answered that our people were not acquainted with the Dutch psalms, so as to sing them; but, as soon as they should be collected together, we should commence by singing a hymn. The woman now sat down with the rest; but it was not long before she rose up and said, "My beloved sisters and brothers, by your permission, I will sing a psalm suitable to the occasion ;" and, after giving out a verse, she began and sung, with a loud voice, the ninth psalm, from the twelfth verse to the end.

This psalm, for a time, drove the Field-Cornet from us; and the weather having cleared up, we commenced our service, while he sat on his horse at the distance of about forty yards. Had this been a fine day, we should have had a large audience, as it was known all around. There were, however, many more than I had expected. I suppose about two hundred were present, while I proclaimed, "Behold, now is the day of salvation." I returned to Cape-Town after service. I have rode to-day about thirty-five miles; was three or four hours in the rain; and have preached twice. I had a cup of coffee and a bit of bread about six o'clock in the morning; from that time I had neither breakfast nor dinner, nor even a drink of water, till I reached home about eight o'clock; yet I am quite hearty and strong.

You will be sorry to hear that this island was visited last night with a very destructive hurricane. The appearance of the heavens, and the falling of the barometer, led the people generally to anticipate a gale, and to make the usual preparations. The noise of hammers was as general throughout every street of the town as in Sheffield or Birmingham. During the afternoon we had blustering winds from the northward, with frequent showers of rain. The sea

rose tremendously, and several vessels were cast ashore before sunset. The winds gradually increased in strength until about half-past six o'clock, when the work of destruction became general. Fences, houses, and trees were borne down by its fury, and some lives were lost. From that hour till about halfpast seven it continued to blow from the north-west with terrific violence. We had then a very suspicious calm, of from

twenty minutes to half an hour's continuance. It then commenced from the southward, veered to the south-east, and blew with almost irresistible power for nearly an hour, accompanied with tremendous rains. Its strength then gradually abated till near midnight, when its noise was entirely hushed. Had it continued in the height of its power for a few hours longer, every building in the country must have been prostrated before it. I have just seen a respectable family, whose dwelling is unroofed: they told me that they were in Barbadoes during the destructive gale there, and that this was, for a season, far more terrible.

The destruction of property is im mense: large houses and stores are laid in heaps of ruins; and many of the cottages of the poor are blown away, some into the sea. Numbers are in a state of destitution; their houses, their furniture, their all, are swept away by the

furious blast. Some houses, after being blown from their foundations, and broken into fragments, were carried by torrents of water down our streets into the harbour. Most of the ships are stranded, some broken to pieces, and others much injured. Some were laden with sugar, and nearly ready to sail for England. The Coroner had notice of thirteen deaths by twelve o'clock to-day.

It now becomes my painful task to describe the damage done to Mission property. We have not suffered in the town so much as we had reason to fear. Every effort that prudence could suggest was vigorously made to save the house and chapel; and we have reason to believe that we owe it, by the mercy of God, to this means, that they are not mingled with the general ruin. I was in the chapel during the time that the south-east wind blew the most furiously. It rocked almost like a cradle; and the timbers bent backward and forward, and cracked, both from the sides and roof, so as to threaten inmediate destruction to the building. The noise was as though a perpetual fire of musketry was kept up within the chapel. Every minute I expected it to fall about my ears; but I determined not to quit it whilst any thing could be done for its preservation; and it is well that I did not, for the large doors at the south end (which were secured by lock, and bolts, and by boards nailed across them, for I had broken a bench to pieces for the purpose) were burst open with tremendous violence. Five minutes would have completed the destruction of the house of God, had I not been there to make a passage for the wind on the leeward side. Brother Pilcher, who has been some time in town in consequence of a diseased finger, was very active in the Missionhouse, although he had only the use of one hand.

After my work was done in the chapel, I endeavoured to make my way through the wind, and up to the middle in water, to the Mission-house. This was effected with great difficulty, and my heart was cheered by finding brother Pilcher and my family all safe. When we had done all we could, with hammers, boards, and nails, we betook ourselves to prayer, and the Lord gave us an abundant blessing; so that, from the fulness of our hearts, we cried, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the

We

the God of Jacob is our refuge." continued in prayer until the fury of the winds had abated. I then spent nearly two hours in the streets, in gathering up the wreck of our fence, &c.

The palisades all round the chapel are broken to pieces, so that very little of them will serve in rebuilding the fences. The composition which covered the porticoes is stripped off and torn. The fluted boards which covered the pillars are ripped off and broken; and the window. shutters were driven open with such violence as to break them to pieces. The study, a small turret, standing in a corner of the chapel-yard, had the doors blown off, with one pair of window-shutters, and one of its sides so broken as to render it necessary to reframe it immediately. Some of my papers and books were blown away, others torn to pieces and saturated with rain. The books belonging to the Mission-library are spoiled. The new fences around the Mission-yard were scattered by the winds, but nearly all was gathered up as soon as the wind ceased. The spouting was blown down and partly broken, and many of the shingles were stripped from the roof of the Mission-house. I trust to repair this for about £30 sterling.

Parham school-room is a heap of ruins. The lumber was bought, and the carpenters at work, preparing it for the proposed enlargement. I am glad that they had proceeded no further, or the whole would have been broken to pieces. We cannot conscientiously attempt to rebuild it, as all the old timbers are, and were, much too feeble for such a building in this country; most of them are now broken. I would advise the building of a brick school-room about fifty feet square, as soon as possible. The walls need not be more than eight feet in height. Some of the doors and windows of Parham chapel are broken. The stable, outbuildings, and fences are broken down. The old house is not injured. At Willoughby-Bay, brother Box informs me that the principal damage done is to the fences. From five to ten pounds will repair the whole. English-Harbour chapel has lost a few clap-boards. Bolands chapel has lost about onethird of its roof; one side of which was carried over a dwelling-house at the distance of about one hundred yards, and broken to pieces against a large tamarind-tree, a little beyond it. The new stone chapel at Thibon-Creek, which was built at the expense of two pious young men, is destroyed. Some of the principals of the roof were carried

by the winds over the hill to the distance of nearly a mile from the site of the chapel.

Postscript.-Aug. 24th.-For some time we have had indications of prosperity in the church of God in St. John's, as I have stated in my former communications. Instances of genuine conver

sion have not been rare; but the night before the gale six persons professed to obtain peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and some nearly every day afterward. Within the last few days, we have received similar testimonies from about eighty persons.

DIED, March 12th, 1833, at Remerton, in the Gloucester Circuit, Mr. Frederick Mumford, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. At a very early period of his life he was a subject of religious convictions; and at the age of twelve he joined the Methodist society, of which he continued an upright and useful member, until removed to the church triumphant. Of the precise manner in which he was brought to a saving knowledge of Christ, no particular record is left; but the reality of the change was most satisfactorily evinced in his subsequent life. His religion was experimental and practical. From the commencement of his Christian course, until the period of his dissolution, it might be truly said, that he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. He was remarkable for his diligent attention to the word of God; it "dwelt in him richly in all wisdom." He not only made himself acquainted with the contents of the sacred volume, but he proved his love to its Author by keeping all his command ments. He possessed a filial fear in a very high degree, which often led him to examine the state of his mind, and to take heed to his ways, that he might not grieve the Holy Spirit, and dishonour his heavenly Father. His humility, spirituality, love to God, and his ardent breathings after more of the mind of Christ, are strikingly displayed in his diary. Early in the year 1833 his health began rapidly to decline; and it became apparent to all his friends that his life was drawing to a close. On Saturday, March 9th, having given up all hope of recovery, he earnestly desired a fuller manifestation of the love of God. On being told that it was thought that his sufferings would soon end; after a short pause, he replied, "Then my joys will commence." On being exhorted by his brother to look to Christ for a full salva

6

I shall be pure in heart; I shall see God." On his father entering his room, much affected, he exclaimed, "O father, I am very happy! I shall soon leave you; but the Lord will be your support." He continued to speak in a most animating manner of his happiness, and prospects of blessedness, until his strength was exhausted. About two hours before his departure, he was again favoured with a delightful view of the joys that awaited him. He observed, "I am dying; but the enemy is disarmed of his terrors. While passing through the dark valley, the Lord is with me. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.' I am going to possess an inheritance, a mansion, a crown!" Many other sentences, descriptive of his complete victory over death, and his unclouded prospects of eternal glory, fell from his lips. After some minutes of silence he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, without a struggle or a sigh. Among the many excellencies that adorned the character of this exemplary servant of God was his humility: it manifested itself in every part of his conduct; he entertained the meanest opinion of his own abilities and attainments, and considered himself as less than the least of all saints, so that on all occasions he was ready to prefer others to himself, and to sit at the feet of the poorest follower of Christ, to receive instruction. His diligence and perseverance were not less conspicuous, than his humility. Whatever his hand found to do, he did it with his might. He laboured in season and out of season, until weakness and disease laid him aside;

neither was he ever found weary in welldoing, but steadily persevered in the path of duty, regardless of opposition or difficulties. He possessed, in a very high degree, a devotional spirit. Prayer was the delight of his soul; and he diligently embraced every opportunity of engaging in this blessed exercise. It was his constant practice, when health permitted, to rise early, in order that he might enjoy uninterrupted communion with God; and often has he been heard, by different members of the family, pouring out his soul in the most ardent supplication to God for his blessing on himself and others. He also delighted in the public means of grace; and could say, with David, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth." The prosperity of Zion lay near his heart; he laboured and prayed for the conversion of sinners; and an increase in the church of Christ rejoiced him far more than the possession of any earthly good. His desire and efforts to do good were not confined to the souls of mankind: as far as he had the means, he was ever ready to distribute to their temporal necessities. The poor and the sick were objects of his solicitude; his delight was to visit the afflicted, to arouse the careless, to direct the weeping penitent to the Friend of sinners, and to pour into the heart of the weak believer the oil and wine of heavenly consolation. Nor were his efforts in this work unaccompanied by the divine blessing. Some will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord, and many, doubtless, rise up and call him blessed. JOHN CROWE.

RECENT DEATHS. MARCH 4th, 1835.—At Hull, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. Simeon Malleys, and eldest daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Vasey, of Grimston. She had been a member of the Wesleyan society forty years, bore a protracted and painful illness with great resignation, and died relying solely on the merits of her Redeemer for salvation. C. T. M.

April 24th.-At Belper, Amy Margaret, wife of Mr. Isaac Bennett, and eldest daughter of Mr. John Smith, of that place. Although early instructed in the way of salvation, being from her infancy conducted to the house of God, and prevented from following the customs of the world, it was not until about her sixteenth year that she made a full surrder of herself to God, and chose the Lord for her portion. She was then at school, under the care of Miss Ward, now wife of the Rev. Thomas Edwards. At this time she was deeply humbled on account of her depravity and guilt, enabled to "believe with her heart unto righteousness, and to make_confession with her mouth unto salvation." From that period, to the time of her death, she adorned the Gospel of God her Saviour, by a holy and blameless life, showing forth the "praises of Him who had called her out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto God." The affliction which terminated her life was consumptior; during which she was

July 20th.-At Manchester, aged thirty-five years, Demeredy, the wife of Mr. William Read. She was a native of Bradwell, Derbyshire, where her excellent father, the late Mr. James Kay, resided many years, and where he is still gratefully remembered as having established long ago a Sunday-school, which has been a great and extensive blessing to that neighbourhood. When about twelve years of age, she removed with her father to Manchester, and became a regular attendant on the services of the Wesleyan Methodists in the Oldham-street chapel. She was soon deeply convinced of sin; and being noticed as one who was earnestly seeking salvation, was invited to meet in class, and to unite herself to the society. To this proposal she thankfully assented; and soon afterwards, under a discourse by the Rev. Richard Recce, she was enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with that faith which brings salvation, and to enter into solemn covenant with God, not merely with the humble reverence of a servant, but with the rejoicing confidence of an adopted child. Her disposition, which, from her carliest infancy, was singularly sweet and amiable, connected as it was with an irreproachable propriety and purity of outward conduct, had already won the esteem of all who were acquainted with her. And to this natural loveliness, there being now superadded the elements of those richer graces which constitute "the fruit of the Spirit," she was enabled, in conformity with her own most earnest desire, to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. In particular, though not blessed at that time with any extraordinary facilities for work of that description, she made it her concern frequently to visit the poor and the distressed, to many of whom, in spiritual not less than in temporal things, she was, by the blessing of God, the instrument of valuable aid and consolation. The last thirteen years of her life were spent in the marriage state, the various duties of which she fulfilled with exemplary propriety and wisdom; her conduct ever exhibiting, in a most happy combination, all those graces which constitute the truest ornament and glory of the female character. She was the lively and engaging companion; the tender and affectionate wife; the diligent and judicious parent; the prudent and sagacious counsellor; the faithful and ready friend; the patient sufferer; the humble, self-denying, and holy Christian; and her path, in all these respects, was that of the just, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. She was latterly a subject of frequent bodily affliction; and had many strong presentiments of her approaching dissolution, of which she often spoke with great cheerfulness and confidence. Her last illness was only of a few hours' duration; and it was of such a nature as to prevent her from thinking or conversing very freely; but her lamp was trimmed, and her light burning; and she received the summons to eternity, comparatively sudden as it was, as one who knew that being absent from the body, she would be present with the Lord; leaving on the minds of her bereaved family and numerous friends, an impression of her worth, which no circumstances, nor lapse of time, can ever efface.

J. C.

August 15th.-At Woolwich, Mrs. Ann Buskin, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. In early life she sought and found redemption in the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sin; and for more than half a century was a steady, upright member of the Wesleyan society. Before she had arrived at the age of fourteen, she became a member of the late Hester Ann Rogers's class, in London; and had the privilege of hearing the late Rev. John Wesley preach; from whom she received the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and