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forth the songs of Zion from beneath the shadows of Heathen temples." I arrived safely at home on Saturday, October 10th, and recommenced my labours by preaching the next day to our English congregation.

In my last letter were many anticipa tions of happy and enlarged work, referring especially to house-preaching. I am sorry to say that these were unexpectedly deferred in their accomplishment; deferred-for, by the mercy of God, I am once more in circumstances to try their practicability. Soon after sending off my letter, I was obliged to dismiss my Catechist. He was my only assistant, and, as no help could be got from our other stations, I was left alone for Tamil and English preaching, the visitation of the members at home, and schoolengagements. I laid down a plan for the personal visitation of my native members. I generally went at or before six o'clock in the morning, and I shall ever be thankful for the providence which put me upon this work. Often I have passed the spacious verandah of the master's house to find my way to the mud hut of a cook or butler behind. Here, all the family being assembled and squatted on the ground, I read a chapter and prayed, conversation filling up spare moments, very simple, but very profitable. heart was drawn towards my people; and, on the other hand, family attendance at the house of God evidently increased.

My

I am much encouraged in my English congregation. Quietly I have continued my work, and one family after another has been drawn towards the house of God. I can now count five or six families regularly attendant upon the word. They consist of respectable East Indians, long resident in the place, and European non-commissioned officers in connexion with the native regiments. Last Sabbath evening I was glad to see present a person formerly one of our own members; latterly, a deeply-fallen backslider. I do not think I am deceived in saying that a work of real heart-religion is going on amongst many of them. waited for some signs of this before attempting a class-meeting. I made a beginning a fortnight ago; and, besides Mrs. Simpson, there was present only a gentleman who had met in class with Mr. Hutcheon on board the "Windsor." Last week we added four, all in one family: father, mother, and two daughters. The past few Sunday evenings I have had great liberty in preaching, and the Divine Master has been present in the assembly. I am looking for the

I

Lord to do great things.-Rev. William O. Simpson, November 11th, 1857.

FIJI.

THE following communication from Mr. Waterhouse makes up in value and importance what it wants in length, and will be read with high delight. Our friends will recognise, in the facts which it relates, the answer to many prayers; and the Divine recompense of longcontinued toils and effort on behalf of cannibal Fiji, soon, we may hope, to be transformed into Christian Fiji. It is much to be wished, that the Committee were in circumstances to comply with the earnest request for more labourers, which reaches them from every part of Polynesia.

WE concluded our annual DistrictMeeting on the 14th instant.

Returns were made of 14,000 who had embraced Christianity during the year. In our several Circuits we have now 54,281 professing Christians. Our pre

sent staff of Missionaries and of Native Agents is utterly inadequate to supply them with Christian instruction and pastoral oversight. Yet there are immense fields of labour among the Heathen open to Missionary operations.

The increase in members is very cheering. In the Lakemba Circuit there is a net increase of 376; in the Bau Circuit, of 750; in the Rewa Circuit, of 355; making a total of 1,481. Besides these, we have 2,677 reported on trial for church-fellowship.

The Meeting duly deliberated on the subject of a Theological Training Institution. Rewa was considered to be the most suitable place for it; and the Rev. James S. H. Royce was appointed to make a commencement. The Meeting appeals to the Conference for an additional Missionary, in order that one of the brethren may be fully set apart to this special work.

A hearty welcome was given by the Meeting to the newly-arrived brethren, the Rev. John Crawford, and the Rev. William Fletcher, B. A.

Nine additional Missionaries are required, to meet the demand for instruc

tion.

Mr. Joseph Waterhouse is compelled to try a change of climate this year, and his place is supplied by Mr. Fordham.

Messrs. Malvern and Moore are both very delicate, and may have to leave next year. We hope that you will assist Fiji in this her hour of need. Fifty thousand converts appeal to the Methodist world. These have a claim on you, as they all embraced the profession of Christianity in consequence of the labours of those who were sent immediately from the British Conference. The Australasian Connexion has only just entered into the field, by the appointment of Messrs. Crawford and Fletcher. Do give us a final grant of six men, at least.-Rev. Joseph Waterhouse, July 29th, 1857.

WESTERN AFRICA.

SIERRA-LEONE.

MR. TEAL gives an interesting account of a valedictory service held at Sierra-Leone, on occasion of the departure of four native agents, selected from the staff of that Mission, to accompany the Niger Expedition. He also testifies to the continued activity of the execrable slave-trade.

MR. CHAMPNESS, I believe, informed you by the last mail of his safe arrival at this station. You will be glad to learn, also, that Mr. Weatherston returned from Teneriffe on the 10th instant, very greatly improved in health; and that we had the pleasure, the night before last, of welcoming Mr. Coe, who arrived by the Oscar." You can easily imagine how delighted and encouraged we and our people are by these much-needed and long-expected additions to our little stat on this Mission. May God preserve their lives, and give them strength to labour in this very important field of Missionary enterprise !

I am also happy to inform you that the four native brethren, George E. Roach, Joseph T. Jackson, Isaac B. Lefevre, and William Herbert, who had been selected to join the Niger Expedition, left by the "Candace" for Fernando Po on the 12th, where they will wait the arrival of the "Sunbeam." Mr. Roach is a Congo Creole. Mr. Jackson is an Eboe, and was born at Fernando Po: he was a student at the Institution, King Tom's Point, in Mr. Garry's time. Messrs. Lefevre and Herbert are both natives of the countries on the Niger: the former is of the Eboe, and the latter of the Houssa, tribe. Herbert knows the Houssa, Kakanda,

and Nufi languages, all of which are spoken by the tribes around the confluence of the Niger and Tshadda. Both these men were torn from their homes on the Niger several years ago by the slavedealers, but were captured by our cruisers and brought to Sierra-Leone, where they have been made partakers of the salvation of Christ; and they have now returned with the glad tidings to their native land. Herbert was connected with the Expedition of 1841-42, Messrs. Roach, Jackson, and Lefevre have been employed in this Mission,the two former for several years, -as Schoolmasters and Local Preachers.

On the evening previous to their departure we had a very interesting valedictory service in Bathurst-street chapel, which was crowded to excess, and many were obliged to stand outside, being unable to gain admission. Mr. Weatherston opened the meeting by giving out a hymn and engaging in prayer, after which he explained the objects of the Mission about to be undertaken. He then called upon the four brethren appointed, all of whom gave a brief but interesting account of their Christian experience, and their feelings and hopes in reference to the great enterprise in which they were going to engage. They all said that they were going freely and gladly; the Europeans had come to Africa and risked their lives to preach the Gospel to them, and they thought it high time now for African Christians to do something for their own benighted and perishing fellow-countrymen. And they begged the people to pray for them, that their lives might be preserved, and that their Mission to the great river might be crowned with success. After they had spoken, appropriate addresses were delivered by Mr. May, Mr. Bickersteth, (in the Yoruba language,) Mr. Champness, and myself. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hero, and I then engaged in prayer; and this very interesting and impressive meeting

terminated about nine o'clock. On the following evening these brethren left by the mail-steamer. May God be with them; and may this prove the dawn of a brighter day for the vast tribes of the Niger and its tributaries!-I am happy to tell you that our people here feel a very deep interest in this new Mission, Several of them gave us many little articles, as pen-knives, looking-glasses, handkerchiefs, caps, pieces of print, velvet, &c., for presents to the native Chiefs and Headmen, without which our brethren would have found it difficult to

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

make their way. I hope that the friends of Africa in England will remember these brethren and their great Mission at a throne of grace.

Since I wrote to you in September last, seven or eight more slavers have been taken by our cruisers, and sent to this port.

The "William Clark " has arrived and been condemned; and the Spanish barque was also condemned in the Mixed Commission Court a few days ago. The Captain and part of the crew are now in custody. On the 13th of last month an American-built schooner, the "Joseph," H. Record, Commander, captured off Agwhey by the " Antelope," was brought in here with 187 slaves, chiefly of the Kakandi, Nufi, and Houssa tribes. They consisted of 114 men, 38 women, 31 boys, and 14 girls. On the same day, the "Onward," an American brigantine, which I have often seen in Freetown harbour, came in with 237 slaves. She left here only a few weeks before as a legal trader. She had lost 67 during the voyage up from the Congo from dysentery; and the survivers were in a most deplorable condition, being little better than living skeletons. The reason of this heavy loss was, that the slaver's crew had put rock-salt into the water-casks, and thus spoiled the water. These slaves were not found in the "Onward" when she was captured, but were taken from a large barque which was chased by the "Sappho," the Captain of which, finding escape from the cruiser impossible, ran his ship ashore, and in trying to land the slaves

of whom it is reported there were 1,200 on board-great numbers were drowned. The shore was covered with their dead bodies. Only 304 were rescued by the "Sappho's "boats: these the Admiral ordered to be shipped on board the "Onward" and sent to SierraLeone, where they arrived in the fearful condition above described. Last week the "Vesuvius," Commodore Wise, arrived with 94 slaves, who were taken out of canoes off Cabendah, as they were about to be shipped on board a slaver. They were chiefly Congoes.

102 was the number taken; but 8 died on the passage up. I understood, from one of the officers of the "Vesuvius," that these poor creatures were tied down by the neck with ropes in the bottom of the canoes, so that at a short distance no one but the rowers could be seen. Such are

the events of almost every-day occurrence now on this coast. I have heard from good authority that, a few weeks ago, a French steamer took from the Gallinas, south of Sierra-Leone, a cargo of so-called emigrants, whom they had obtained at the rate of sixteen dollars per head! They have not recently made any attempt to obtain them from SierraLeone; and if they do, they are not likely to succeed.-Rev. Francis Teal, Sierra-Leone, November 20th, 1857.

By the last mail we have received information of the safe arrival of the four brethren above named at Fernando Po, on the 23d of November, where they have been kindly received by many friends, including the Baptist Missionary at that station. They will there await the arrival of the "Sunbeam," the second vessel engaged in the Expedition, which was expected to leave England about the end of November. "DayWe regret to add, that the Spring" struck upon a rock about a day's journey above Rabbah, and soon became a total wreck. Our informant adds, "Mr. May, the Second Master, travelled from thence by land to Lagos, passing through Nufi and Yoruba, and calling at Illorin, Ijaye, and Abbeokuta; and, throughout his journey, he met with the utmost hospitality from the natives, both Mohammedan and Pagan. At Illorin he was told, that two American Missionaries had been there a few days before his arrival, and that they had requested the powerful Chief of that place to allow them to pass on to Nufi; but he refused. He is a Mohammedan, and that is sufficient to explain his conduct in this matter. Some think that Mohammedanism prepares the way for Christianity; but in Africa we find the reverse to be the fact. The Mohammedan natives are invariably the most bigoted and the most difficult of access."

THE amount of contributions and remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £9,195. 11s. 5d,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OBITUARY-RECENT

DEATHS.

THE following account may be placed among those which set forth the sufficiency of God's grace to effect a large amount of good by one person, of ordinary ability, but whose every-day heart is bent on holiness and usefulness.

The late MRS. GREEN, who died at Bardney, Lincolnshire, June 17th, 1856, in the fifty-ninth year of her age, was a remarkable pattern of various, constant, Christian zeal. When fourteen years of age, she obtained peace with God while listening, in the Wragby Wesleyan chapel, to a sermon on Romans i. 16: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." From that time she experienced saving power, and adorned the Christian profession. Though she lived in a farm-house, three miles from the means of grace, she regularly attended her class-meeting on the morning of the Lord's day, and the ministry of the word in the afternoon; and spent the evening in devotional read-. ing, under the watchful care of her kind father. When removed to Bardney with her parents, she gave earnest heed to the cultivation of her mind and heart, and availed herself of all the means of usefulness within her reach. She was "diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality." By keeping God's word, she manifested that in her verily was "the love of God perfected."

She was one of the first Teachers in the Bardney Sunday-school, which now numbers more than two hundred scholars; and most efficiently did she discharge her school duties for thirty-six years. She not only taught those placed under her care every Lord's day, but solicitously entreated and warned them to decide for Christ in early life, as she herself had done. Her hand was probably the first to distribute religious tracts from house to house among her neighbours; and much fruit of this labour she is likely to reap at that day. The honour and happiness of being the first Collector for the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and the British and Foreign Bible Society, in Bardney, belonged to her. She also devised a successful Missionary bazaar during the last twelve years of her life, and left her village yielding annually a

Missionary income of £62. 19s. 6d. Twenty-five years she sustained the office of Class-Leader; having commenced four classes, which numbered exactly a hundred members at the time of her death. The deep interest she felt in her charge can only be understood by Leaders of her spirit; and this will account for her great success in this service. In addition to the duties of a day-school whilst in single life, and those of a household when married, she visited the sick and the healthy to such an extent that nearly every individual of a thousand inhabitants witnessed her fervent instructions, warnings, entreaties, and supplications. Many Wesleyan Ministers can testify that she afforded them much prudent and earnest help in their pastoral duties; seldom, if ever, failing to redeem the time, by accompanying them, not only to those who wanted them, but to those who wanted them most. She did indeed help in the Gospel, and addict herself to the ministry of the saints. The worst people in the village were often awed into respectful silence by her presence; and many whom she was the instrument of turning from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, will be the crown of her rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Solicitude for others, in accordance with the Saviour's example, was her most prominent characteristic. Next to God's favour, her happiness consisted in making others happy. She has been known to take only part of her meal, that she might give the remainder to a sick neighbour; and to give the flannel part of her dress, until she had not a change for herself. A few months before her death, it became necessary to commence the Wesleyan day-school in Bardney, in which one hundred and eighty children are now in training for Christ. Alluding to the one dress which she allowed herself in the year, she said to her likeminded husband, "My dear, the children must have a school; and I will have no new dress this year;"—thus making her superfluities give place to her neighbours' necessities.

Her various and continued exertions were so consuming to her mortal frame, as probably to hasten her departure ten or twelve years, by inducing paralysis. The first stroke occurred while she was

Her

worshipping God in His house; the second, when she was engaged in prayer in her own room; and the third, on the ground which she had just helped to purchase for a Wesleyan day-school, and whither she had accompanied Sundayscholars and numerous friends. sudden departure suggested the thought of translation. And, O, how welcome in the presence of the "Good Shepherd" would that spirit be, that had so recently denied self, in order to serve His lambs! How abundant would be her entrance into His everlasting kingdom! And with what rapture will she receive His rewarding sentence at "the resurrection of the just!" Amazed at the vastness of her reward, she will be among those who will hear "the King answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

In the midst of all Mrs. Green's works of faith and labours of love, she trusted in Christ, in Christ alone, for salvation; and frequently repeated the following lines:

"Could my tears for ever flow,

Could my zeal no languor know,
These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone:
In my hand no price I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling."

WRIGHT SHOVELTON.

Ir is now about two years since I became acquainted with the subject of this brief sketch. Having been introduced to her as a newly-married person, I advised her and her husband to begin life by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, that all other things might be added unto them.

MRS. CONDLIFF received very kindly, and at once acted upon, the advice given. She united herself to my class, and became a regular attendant on all the means of grace. I found her guileless, simple, and very teachable. She appeared to know little of her condition as a sinner, and her need of mercy. She understood not the way of faith through the blood of Jesus. She had a general impression that Christ died for sinners, and that He is the Saviour of the world; but knew nothing of the nature and necessity of the atonement. How Christ died for sin, to vindicate the truth and justice of God, and to open a new and living way to the holiest by His own most precious blood, was all a mystery. These evangelical truths were brought before her by the ministry under which she sat, and fami

liarly explained and enforced in the weekly class. It soon appeared that she was deeply interested in them. Never did I see God's method with Lydia more beautifully explained: He gently opened her heart, and she attended unto the things which were spoken. She saw not only the beauty and propriety, but experienced the power, of truth. She felt she was vile and sinful in the sight of the Omniscient, and, as a sinner, humbled herself, and sought mercy through the Son of God. Her convictions were not alarming, but they were deep. She with child-like contrition acknowledged her sins, and came at once to Christ. By simple faith she looked to Him, without a doubt as to His ability or willingness to save her, and thus received Him as her Hope and Redeemer. The change was marked. Her views of Christ and His method of saving sinners were clear; and the feelings resulting from her faith, though not overpoweringly joyous, were calm, peaceful, and happy. Her experience was like the silvery, purling stream, gliding sweetly along under a clear, cloudless sky, through flowery fields, until lost in the parent deep. was her life quiet and unobtrusive, but now and then brightened with the sparkles of joy, and cheered with the music of praise, till the sweetly-flowing stream ended in the ocean of unending light and joy.

So

Unable, by reason of delicate health, to take any active part in the work of the church, she yet was not a mere spectator, unconcerned about its prosperity. Always, when health permitted, (and often when scarcely able to reach the sanctuary,) she was found in the worshipping assembly, eagerly drinking in that Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

Some time since, she was entirely laid aside,--still hoping to be spared, while her friends saw that her race was nearly run. She was willing, however, to depart and to be with Jesus, which is far better. She resigned her infant to the hands of Him who gave it; and though the big tears glistened in her eyes, she smiled like the sun through spring-showers, and said, "She is only gone a little before me I shall see and have her again.' She triumphed over pain, weakness, and death. She was more than conqueror through Him who loved her. On the Monday previous to her death, we thought she was within a few moments of eternity. We knelt down to commit her spirit into the hands of Jesus. But that name seemed to recall her to life. With

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