act of walking from one part of the house to the other. At the moment I felt the shock, I started from my chair, and soon became confounded, not knowing whether to run backward or forward; and in this moment of inconceivable agitation, the entire wall, from which the balcony was projected where I was sitting, fell, and I was precipitated with it into the general ruin: the height from which I was thrown might have been eighteen or twenty feet; but I scarcely felt the fall; and, when down, was astonished to find myself in existence, although almost suffocated with the dust which arose from this fearful and general crash. In this condition I remained for some seconds; during which time the earth continued to tremble, and, having no idea but that a beam, or some falling wall, would soon send me into eternity, I commended my spirit to God my Saviour; but his great mercy suffered me to live. When the dense cloud of dust had passed over, I arose; and beheld nothing but one vast scene of ruin, which extended to the utmost limits of the fine city of Cape-Haytien, with here and there one emerging from the ruins, which I could compare to nothing but a resurrection. But an intense anxiety soon seized me for my wife and children; and knowing that my beloved wife was in the upper room previous to the event, I rushed to the place, and on my way met our servant at the kitchen-door with our second child in her arms quite safe. My ascent to my dear wife and children was partly over the ruins of our house, and partly up two staircases which had been dreadfully shaken, and were quite unsafe; but my intense anxiety overcame all sense of danger, and I soon reached the room, where I found Mrs. Bird and the two children on the floor, having been violently thrown from their seats by the shock. My joy at finding them safe was such as no language could express. My next anxiety was for the young person who was living with us, and who was in the act of walking from one part of the house to the other at the time the house fell. Not seeing her, I concluded she must be dead; but I afterwards found her alive and unhurt. Thus, by divine goodness and mercy, our whole household has been suffered to escape from one of the most awful visitations of God, that has ever been recorded on the page of history. Having got my family together, we hastened over the ruins-for there were no longer any streets, no, not even one street that was not filled up with the As ruins of the houses from both sides-to the sea-side; but we had no sooner got there than we were terrified with the idea, that we should be overwhelmed by the sea, which, for a few moments, rushed towards the town; but our heavenly Father saved us from this. soon as it was possible, I got into one of the boats in the harbour, and, with many more, went off to a German brig, the Active, commanded by Mr. J. Beckman, whose unbounded hospitality and kindness have rendered him worthy of our sincerest gratitude. Thank God, whose mercy has thus found an asylum for my dear wife, who had not been confined three weeks when this overwhelming event took place, and who had not ventured out of the house since her confinement, until she had to climb over the ruins of this fallen city; but hitherto, neither she nor the dear infant has been at all the worse. To give you anything like an adequate description of this awful calamity, would be utterly impossible. It is one of those events which overwhelm the imagination, and baffle all description. Picture to yourselves, dear Sirs, the suddenness of the visitation, literally, "as a thief in the night," the groans of the dying, the cries of those who were imploring help from under the ruins, without any possibility of being rescued, the continuance of the shocks, the rush of the sea towards the ruined city; in fine, think of one of the finest and most strongly built cities in the West Indies, with a population of about nine thousand, cast down in a moment by Omnipotence, and two-thirds of the population buried in an instant, in one common grave, and you will have some faint idea of a scene, which it wrings my heart with anguish to think of. In the night which succeeded the earthquake, the fallen timbers among the ruins took fire, caused, no doubt, by the fire of the different kitchens, which must have been an awful addition to the agonies of those whose death was not instantaneous. But, as though this guilty people had not filled up the measure of their iniquities, this awful judgment of God had no sooner taken place, than the work of plunder commenced by the people who soon came in from the interior; so that each one who sought his own amongst the ruins, considered it necessary to arm himself with pistol and sword; and thus every man's hand seemed to be turned against his fellow. This can the more easily be imagined as taking place, when it is considered that so many of the au thorities had fallen victims; and that, consequently, all rule and order were necessarily suspended. The towns and villages in the neighbourhood of the Cape are all prostrate; but we have not yet heard what the fate of the capital is. We are, as you will necessarily suppose, in a state of destitution; having only escaped with our lives, and simply the clothes we had on. My library, clothes for myself and family, together with a considerable sum of the Committee's money, are lost; and whether I shall ever be able to recover them is exceedingly doubtful; for as our house did not completely fall, its ruins are very dangerous to approach. But a slight shock would be required, to bring the whole down upon whoever might attempt to rescue any thing; and these shocks have been repeated many times since the fall of the town. I am, at present, at a loss to know which way to turn; but if I hear that Port-au-Prince is in existence, it is my intention to proceed thither by the first opportunity. Or, if it should prove that Port-au-Plaât is standing, I shall perhaps make my way thither. In fact, I have no idea of leaving Port-Hayti, if it be at all possible to remain at it. I may, however, be necessitated, for the time being, to go to Turk's Island, and remain there until I can ascertain what is the real condition of Hayti. But I have unbounded confidence in the Providence of God; and be lieve that our path will be made plain. My dear fathers and brethren, how shall I ever be able sufficiently to praise God for this remarkable, this wonderful deliverance from such a danger, as one cannot think of without shuddering! Ever since it has been my honour to be a Missionary, I have been enabled to say, "I count not my life dear unto me; but now, I am dumb with astonishment. "Take my body, spirit, soul; POSTSCRIPT. Wesleyan Mission-House, Bishopsgate-Street-Within, London, August 22d, 1842. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW. THE Annual Meeting of the Committee of Review of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, which was this year held at the Centenary-Hall and Mission-House, London, on Tuesday, the 26th of July, was very numerously attended by the Wesleyan Ministers who were in London on the occasion of the Annual Conference, and by many respectable and zealous friends and officers of the Society. The Review of the proceedings of the past year afforded occasion of devout thanksgiving to Almighty God, on account of the general prosperity of the Missions, and the liberality with which they had been supported: not unmingled, however, with deep regret and humiliation, that, although the income of the Society for 1841 had exceeded that of all preceding years, many vacancies on the Missions necessarily continued without the required supply; and, consequently, many valuable and providential opportunities of extending the knowledge of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, among the Heathen, remained unimproved. It appeared, that out of fifty-six urgent applications for Missionaries, selected from a greater number, recently forwarded to the Committee from all parts of the world, the Society had consented to twelve only, under the conviction, that even the present enlarged liberality of the friends of Missions would not enable them to support a further extension in addition to the numerous, and important, and growing Missions now under the care of the Society. The Meeting very deeply felt the necessity of maintaining in full and vigorous operation the whole plan as at present existing, for raising Missionary contributions; and it is much to be desired, that all the local officers and Committees, and particularly our valuable Collectors, male and female, adult and juvenile, should be more than ever impressed, as was the Committee, with the magnitude, importance, and responsibility of the great work in which, by the providence and grace of God, the Society is engaged. The Meeting was cheered by the announcement that, by means of an enlarged grant from the Centenary Fund, and by private contributions of a most liberal character, promised or received, two thirds of the debt of the Society was now liquidated; and it was recommended that the remaining debt of somewhat more than ten thousand pounds, and the accumulated interest, should, if possible, be paid off, by means of private contributions from our liberal and willing friends, without any general and public application to the society at large; the maintenance of the annual income of the Society for the support of the Missions, by the regular and uninterrupted working of our system, and the avoidance, if possible, of all debt, in future, being of equal importance with the liquidation of the debt now owing. Among the various topics of interest presented to the attention of the Meeting was the position of India, and of the East generally, with respect to the facilities now existing for the prosecution of Missions in that part of the world. Thomas Allan, Esq., an old friend of the Society, and an ex-member of the General Committee, addressed the Meeting on this subject with a detail of facts, and an eloquence and fervour of manner, equally honourable to his intelligence, ability, and Christian feeling. He enforced his views by a handsome donation to the funds of the Society. Donations towards the debt were handed in by Thomas Farmer, Esq., and several other gentlemen, a list of which is preparing for publication. DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN WATERHOUSE, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MISSIONS IN AUSTRALASIA AND POLYNESIA. THIS much-lamented event took place at Hobart-Town, VanDiemen's Land, on March 30th, 1842. As announced in our Number for April, Mr. Waterhouse safely returned from his second series of Polynesian voyages and visitations, in September, 1841. The business which awaited him on his arrival, especially his correspondence, and the public speaking he deemed it right to undertake for the purpose of stating the condition and progress of the Polynesian Missions, made large demands upon his strength, before he had taken time to recover the exhaustion arising from his long voyages. Yet, under the date of November 2d, Miss Waterhouse, now Mrs. Butters, says, "That my father's health should continue so good beneath the pressure of perpetual excitement, intense anxiety, and labours yet more abundant,' is matter of devout gratitude and wonder." Within a few days after the last-mentioned date Mr. Waterhouse was exposed to heavy rain, while proceeding on horseback to fulfil an appointment; and from this circumstance proceeded the illness which has deprived the church of God of a much-respected Minister, and the Wesleyan Missions of an invaluable Agent and Superintendent. This afflictive dispensation of divine Providence is felt as a severe loss to the large and important Missions under the care of Mr. Water house, which had already derived great benefit from his prudent management, and wise and Christian counsel. It becomes us, however, to bow with submission, and to acknowledge the unerring wisdom, and the undoubted goodness, of God. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." It is worthy of remark, that, notwithstanding the extensive range of the labours of our lamented friend, and his frequent exposure to danger and death, he should have ended his course at his own peaceful home, and amidst the soothing and affectionate attentions of his numerous family. It is a still higher instance of the goodness of God, that his servant should have been graciously supported throughout his painful affliction, and in his last moments should have been honoured with the full assurance of faith and hope. "He knew in whom he had believed,” and "did not fear, though he passed through the valley of the shadow of death." The following particulars of this mournful event cannot but be deeply interesting to all our readers, as well as to the personal friends of Mr. Waterhouse. On the 18th of December, 1841, Mr. Waterhouse, by the handwriting of his daughter, thus addressed the Committee: I FORWARDED, by the "May Flower," October 9th, the District Minutes from the Friendly and Feejee Islands, with a part of my journal, and other documents. The duplicates, with the remaining sheets of my journal, were forwarded, in my absence from home, by my eldest daughter, who sent them per "Joanna," November 2d. On the 26th of October, in compliance with the urgent wish of Mr. Turner, and of other friends, I left HobartTown, though greatly fatigued, in order to proceed to Launceston, to hold the District-Meeting, and assist at their Missionary Meeting. My travelling was, on an average, from thirty to forty miles a day; speaking in the afternoon or evening, for an hour and a half or two hours, on the subject of the South-Sea Missions. The appeal was generally responded to in a very liberal manner. I reached Launceston on the evening of the 4th of November, and had to preach immediately. On Thursday morning, we commenced the business of the DistrictMeeting, which was continued by adjournment from six o'clock A. M., till seven or nine o'clock P. M., daily. On Sunday, the Missionary sermons were preached we had large congregations, and good collections. At the close of our sittings on Monday, the Missionary Meeting was held, and we had a very numerous attendance; when it took me more than two hours to give a narrative of my recent visitation. The interest awakened was practically manifested, notwithstanding the prevalence of great commercial depression. On Tuesday noon, I left the DistrictMeeting to assist at a Missionary Meeting at Longford, to which place (a distance of fourteen miles) I rode through drenching rain, and then walked a mile and a half through long wet grass, the rain still pouring down. I found the chapel tolerably filled; some persons had come more than twenty miles to hear me; and, having spoken an hour and a half, though wet and weary, I returned to our excellent friend, Mr. Ball's, sup ported by the arm of Mr. Butters; but in such an exhausted state, that I fre quently feared I should have to sit down, unable to proceed. At length we reached Mountford at ten P. M., when I took a cup of tea, had my feet put into warm water, and retired to rest. Next morning, in a state of almost entire mental and physical prostration, I rode to Ross, where I was compelled to remain a day in bed, under the hospitable roof of our esteemed friend, Captain Horton; but disease still increasing, I was anxious to be at home, fearing what the result might be. Ou Saturday afternoon, I reached my own house, and had medical advice: Dr. Officer resorted to prompt measures, and forbad me seeing any one, while, for several days, I was principally confined to my bed. For a fortnight I have been somewhat convalescent: being unable to walk, and exercise being considered essential, I have purchased a small horse, and have availed myself of the loan of a friend's gig, and Mr. Tucker has kindly driven me out an hour or two every morning. The Doctor now says there is no organic disease, but it will take me a length of time to rally. In the midst of this I had, through the medium of my daughter, to write official communications (by the "Triton," which sailed November 25th) to New-Zealand, which greatly retarded my progress. As I am unable to address you now, but through an amanuensis, I shall, when sufficiently recovered, write to you more fully. I am almost daily receiving accounts from New-Zealand, generally of a cheering nature. I cannot but regard our arrangements made last year for the southern part as being very providential. I am happy to say, that Mr. Tucker is gradually improving, and Mrs. Tucker is considerably better. Dr. Officer says, that time and rest are essential for Mr. Tucker's recovery, and that a sea voyage will be of great service to him. I have consequently consented for them to return to England, they paying their own expenses thither; and, as they have taken their passage in the "Tasmania," we expect them to sail in a month or six weeks. I have also arranged for our invalid brethren, Longbottom and Brooks, to be employed; Mr. Longbottom at NewNorfolk, and Mr. Brooks at HobartTown, with Mr. Simpson. Mr. Gaud will return to Launceston. I thought they might work the ground; and I hope that, in another year, they will regain their strength. Mr. Butters thus describes the engagements of Mr. Waterhouse on his last tour through Van-Diemen's Land: SELDOM, if ever, have you been called to receive intelligence so mysteriously afflictive as that which it is my painful duty now to communicate. On Wednesday, March 30th, the Rev. John Waterhouse, the General Superintendent of your Missions in this part of the world, after a severe and protracted illness of nearly five months, ceased "to work and live." I cannot but advert with mournful satisfaction and pleasure to the fact, that it was my privilege to accompany him on his last Missionary excursion through the colony, and to take part with him in the last public services in which he ever engaged and, persuaded that a circumstantial account of the closing itinerant labours and dying expressions of a man so highly, deservedly, and generally esteemed, will not be unacceptable to you, I forward the following particulars : On Monday, October 25th, not six weeks after his return from his twelve months' voyage among the islands, (during which interval of time he had been busily employed in attending to various official communications, and making arrangements in reference to the " Triton,") he left Hobart-Town, with an intention to visit every place of importance in the interior of the colony, in order to raise an interest in behalf of your Missions in the South Seas, and to collect moneys for the relief of the funds of the Society in their present depressed state. The first day he travelled to Green-Ponds, (twenty-eight miles,) and at night gave a deeply-interesting narrative of his recent voyagings. On Tuesday he proceeded to Oatlands, twenty-four miles further; and interested a large and re spectable congregation, at mid-day, with statements in reference to New-Zealand, the Friendly Islands, and Feejees; after which we went on to Somercotes, a distance of twenty miles. On Wednesday he attended a Missionary Meeting at Ross, and occupied the principal part of the time with a recital of the scenes which he had witnessed during the preceding eighteen months. On Thursday we visited Campbell-Town, where he spoke at length in reference to the scene of his late labours. Early on Friday morning we started for Aovea, twentyone miles through the bush, where a similar address was given. The following day, Saturday, we returned to Somercotes, (thirty miles,) calling at several residences, where Mr. Waterhouse read the Scriptures, and engaged in prayer. On Sunday he preached at Ross in the morning, met the society at Somercotes in the afternoon, and in the evening preached and made a collection for the support of native Teachers in the Friendly Islands and Feejees, in a new room, built by Samuel Horton, Esq., to be used exclusively as a place of worship. Monday, November 1st, we travelled twenty miles down the River Macquarie, where we met a large and respectable company of settlers, several of whom had come many miles to hear from Mr. Waterhouse what he had seen and heard in the South Seas. The day following, Tuesday, we proceeded to Perth, (twenty miles,) and Mr. Waterhouse again treated us with his matters of fact. On Wednesday afternoon we arrived in Launceston; and, much as Mr. Waterhouse was fatigued, he preached in the evening an appropriate and heart-searching sermon, |