ing month we selected from among the inquirers six candidates for baptism. This was not done without much prayer and deliberation. These had given us very satisfactory proofs of a change of heart. After particular private examination, separately, they were found to possess a much larger knowledge of divine truth than was expected; and their answers were most satisfactory; it was truly gratifying to observe the simplicity of their faith, implicitly relying on the atonement of Christ, of which they appeared to have a very clear conception, considering the previous darkness of their minds on such subjects. They were therefore baptized on the first Sabbath of July, when other circumstances concurred to impart additional interest to the solemnity. It appeared as if it had been the design of Providence to call together, from all quarters, an unusual and most unexpected number of spectators from Philippolis, Campbell, Griqua Town, and Boochuap. From these places there were present about fifty Griquas, who happened to congregate here previous to their proceeding on a hunting expedition. These were suitably and profitably impressed with what transpired, for they themselves had been for some time previous in a lukewarm state, and were thus awakened to jealousy about their own condition, by seeing the Bechuanas pressing into the fold of Christ, while they by their backslidings were being thrust out, and to this we frequently afterwards heard that people bear testimony. There were also present, parties from different places of the interior, who had come for purposes of barter. The place of worship was crowded to excess, and the greatest interest excited by a scene which was indeed a novelty to many, the service being conducted in the Bechuana language." "Our feelings on that occasion were such as our pen would fail to describe. We were as those that dreamed, while we realized the promise on which our souls had often hung. 'He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.' The hour had arrived on which the whole energies of our souls had been intensely fixed, when we should see a church, however small, gathered from among a people who had so long boasted that neither Jesus, nor we, his servants, should ever see Bechuanas worship and confess him as their King." "We were naturally led to anticipate an outward change among the inquirers corresponding with their professions. Those who were baptized, had previously procured decent raiment, and prepared it for the occasion with Mrs. Moffat's assistance, who had to supply two of the women with gowns from her own wardrobe. Hitherto a sewing school had been uncalled for, the women's work being that of building houses, raising fences and cultivating the ground, while the lords of the creation, for their own convenience and comfort, had from time immemorial added to their pursuits the exercise of sewing their garments, which, from their durability and scanty supply, was any. thing but a laborious work. It was a novel sight to observe women and young girls handling the little bright instrument, which was scarcely perceptible to the touch of fingers accustomed to grasp the handle of a pickaxe, or to employ them to supply the absence of trowels. But they were willing, and Mrs. M., in order to encourage them, engaged to meet them as often as her strength would permit. She had soon a motley group of pupils, very few of the whole party possessing either a frock or gown. Thus, by the slow but certain progress of Gospel principles, whole families became clothed, and in their right mind. Ornaments which were formerly in high repute, as adorning, but more frequently disfiguring their persons, were now turned into bullion to purchase skins of animals, which being prepared almost as soft as cloth, were made into jackets, trowsers, and gowns. When opportunity was afforded by the visit of a trader, British manufactures were eagerly purchased." "Our congregation now became a variegated mass, including all descriptions, from the lubricated wild man of the desert, to the clean, comfortable, and well-dressed believer. The same spirit diffused itself through all the routine of household economy. Formerly a chest, a chair, a candle, or a table, were things unknown, and supposed to be only the superfluous accompaniments of beings of another order. They soon found to read in the evening or by night required a more steady light than that afforded by a flickering flame from a bit of wood. Candle moulds and rags for wicks were now in requisition, and tallow carefully preserved, when bunches of candles were shortly to be seen suspended from the wall, a spectacle far more gratifying to us than the most charming picture, an indication of the superior light which had entered their abodes." "The spiritual affairs of the station kept pace with external improvements. The house of God continued to be well filled, and though the strong excitement which prevailed in the early part of 1829 had subsided, knowledge was on the increase, a growing seriousness was observable, and there was every reason for encouragement. Progress was made in reading, which increased my anxiety to make a revision of the gospel of Luke, especially as it was necessary for me to visit Cape Town." "Having thus been permitted to witness some of the effects of the introduction of the Gospel among the Bechuanas, and having accomplished a translation of the gospel of Luke, and of Dr. Brown's Scripture Texts, I repaired with my family to Cape Town, by way of Algoa Bay. Before leaving the Kuruman, I signified that it was my intention to collect subscriptions among the friends in the Colony, towards the building of our new place of worship. When this was made known, a number of the natives cheerfully came forward, and begged to add their mite to so important a work. Some subscribed oxen, others goats, and a few money, though it was still very scarce among them, and a number engaged to give some months' labour." "The importance of introducing the Scripture Lessons having been suggested by Mr. Miles, who also forwarded me a copy, I immediately set about a translation of this invaluable work, which, after many years' experience, I feel no hesitation in pronouncing an inimitable production for schools, and for building up converts among the heathen, in the absence of the entire Scriptures. To spare my time for this object, Mrs. M., in April, 1833, undertook a journey to the Colony, in order to see the children left at school near Graham's Town, and to take another for education. On her return, after an absence of five months, our printing office was enriched with a supply of large type, kindly furnished by the Directors. Our Bechuana schools, including those of Griqua Town and its out-stations, Motito, and other nurseries of education, were supplied with lessons which, we flattered ourselves, in that country, were well printed. New and enlarged editions of elementary works were also printed, and portions of the Scripture Lessons were turned off, each additional sheet being received by the rea ders with increasing avidity. It was no uncommon thing to see the children around the printing-office door, waiting for a new sheet, and enquiring when additions were to be made to their little treasures of knowledge. We were visited at this time with refreshing showers of Divine blessing, and very considerable accessions were made to the number of believers. Strangers from distant tribes were received into the fellowship of the children of God. Among these, three very aged women, all grandmothers, were striking instances of the power of Divine grace. One of them has finished her course since the author came to England. Although blind, the eyes of her understanding were opened by the entrance of that word which giveth light. From that time till her death, a period of several years, she continued to adorn her profession by a consistent walk and conversation." 66 Among the numerous examples of the power of Divine grace, it ought to be particularly noticed, that polygamy, that formidable barrier to the success of the Gospel among barbarous nations, has in numerous instances given way to the principle sanctioned by Christianity. Submission to this law is the severest test to which a savage can be subjected. When we see a man, for conscience' sake, parting with one or more favourite wives, can we deny him the credit of sincerity? can we demand a more satisfactory demonstration of the reality of the change. Among the converts at Griqua Town was a Mosutu, who had ten wives, and he cheerfully parted with nine, in obedience to the requirements of the Gospel. I believe all the missionaries among the Bechuanas are unanimous in the opinion, that not only an elder, but every member of the Church, ought to be the husband of one wife ;' and that the first wife should be considered as having the rightful claim, unless she voluntarily renounces it, which has sometimes been done. Of course it is understood that such are provided for by the husband as long as they continue unmarried." "Before closing the account of the Bechuana mission, it will be proper to state, that during the years 1837, 1838, a rich blessing descended on the labours of the brethren at home, at the out-stations, and, indeed, at every place where the Gospel was read and preached." VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. WE fervently unite in the national gratitude to God in having rescued our beloved Queen from another traitorous attempt against her life. The intended murderer had waylaid her on the preceding day (Sunday, May 29) as she was returning from the house of God; where the prayers of the nation had been offered for her with unusual speciality in the office for the day. We have heard it remarked, by some who thought the service for the "Restoration" out of date, that the coincidence shewed that as treason and murder are not obsolete crimes, there might be more wisdom than they had supposed, in perpetuating the commemoration of that day, and connecting it with loyal prayers and praises, and appropriate scriptural instructions. The courage of the Queen, in continuing to ride out as usual among her subjects in an open carriage, and her magnanimity in dispensing with the attendance of her ladies when danger might be apprehended, have justly called forth the eulogies of the nation; and we have also felt peculiar gratification in remarking the religious and devout manner in which her Majesty has expressed herself in her replies to many of the addresses presented to her on the occasion, declaring her thankfulness to God for his merciful care, and her trust in his watchful providence. The Corn-law Bill and Property-tax Bill having passed, there remain only the concluding stages of the Tariff measure to complete the proposed threefold financial and commercial scheme. All allow that the cabinet has projected a large and comprehensive course of policy; and we hope and believe that as a whole the working will be beneficial. We rejoice to say that Lord Ashley is carrying through Parliament, almost by acclamation, his Bill for relieving girls and women from working in coalmines; and also boys under ten years' of age. We regret that he was obliged to yield three years; for he proposed the age of thirteen. We trust that this is but a beginning of the many ameliorations of the condition of suffering humanity, which justice and mercy, policy and religion, demand in this densely-peopled and money-getting land. Our last paragraph reminds us to mention, that on the first of July the barbarous custom of sweeping chimneys by foreing children up them, instead of using proper machinery, will be illegal. We frequently, in former years, described the many cruelties attending this practice; and we are grateful that the legislature has in its wisdom and humanity abolished it. The prejudices and objections raised by the master-sweepers to machine-sweeping are frivolous and vexatious. The House of Commons is proceeding with the Bill for continuing the Poor Law Commission. We are thankful that the cabinet and the legislature have the wisdom, firmness, and we will add the humanity, to uphold the amended Poor Law, subject to such meliorations as may be required, or are practicable. Having touched upon the matter elsewhere in the present Number, we need not re-open the subject. The House of Commons is achieving much good, by its proceedings respecting bribery at Parliamentary Elections; aud Sir R. Peel has done himself great honour in efficiently aiding them. We begin for the first time to hope that this almost national wickedness will be crushed, or at least materially checked. Sir J. Easthope has happily again failed in obtaining leave to bring in a Bill to abolish Church Rates. There can be nothing unjust-no oppression of conscience-in making the owners of property purchased subject to taxes, pay them. Sir J. Easthope's plan of exchanging Church Rates for Pew Rents, besides the many other objections incident to it, involves the disestablishment of the national Church. Two more Colonial Bishoprics are about to be established; one for New Brunswick, and another for South Australia. Thus is our Church "lengthening her cords, and strengthening her stakes." God grant his especial blessing to these "works of faith and labours of love." ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. P.; R. N.; P.; W. W. C. W.; S. C.; and a MIDDLESEX CLERGY MAN, are under consideration. THE SPIRITUAL AND INTERIOR NATURE OF CHRISTIANITY. For the Christian Observer. THE HERE are many parts of the New Testament-as the history, the parables, and the miracles, of our blessed Lord-to which every renewed mind would naturally turn for spiritual edification. It would seek in them to gratify its Divinely inspired, and now instinctive thirst after spiritual knowledge, or to hear the voice of wisdom in those milder tones and more winning accents which address themselves directly to the heart: which elicit the affections of all with whom is the secret of the Lord, and thus gently, yet irresistibly, constrain them to obedience. But these parts of Scripture speak as with a still small voice, and only into the attentive ear of the docile and anxious inquirer. To their insinuated instruction, to their mild complaint, or covert rebuke, all who will not hear may, without dread of the lashes of an awakened conscience, turn an obdurate heart and an inattentive ear. There are, on the other hand, truths tremendously awful indeed to those against whom their denunciations are levelled, but which, pointed against some particular form of sin, some gross and palpable vice, are unfeared by the great mass of society, because its individuals can cover themselves with the shield of conscious innocence as to any breach of the literal prohibition of this particular statute: and were I now to arm myself from the magazine of Scripture with those texts which denounce indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, against the slanderer, the perjurer, or the blasphemer, the drunkard or adulterer, the robber or murderer, how many are there who would sit with serious attention and calm composure, and watch, as it were, those thunderbolts of the Divine vengeance, on their commissioned march to correct or to destroy, passing, awfully indeed but innocuously, over their own heads, and spreading their uninterrupted and concentrated fury upon some more prominent feature, some more marked and notorious character within the horizon of the moral field. But there are some truths so awful in their import, that all who have ears to hear and consciences to feel, unless reconciled through Christ, and clad in the whole armour of God, must hear them but to CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 56. S M tremble: so explicit and universal in their application, that they must strike upon the souls of all such with the awakening personality of the prophet's declaration to the royal sinner, “Thou art the man!" "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able." "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." "Be ye also ready, for no man knoweth the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh." "What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!" These are but a few texts, not carefully selected, but indiscriminately taken from an abundant mass, to illustrate a class of Scriptural exhortations and threatenings of awful import and universal application. Among this class the introductory assertion in our Lord's address to Nicodemus occupies, from many causes, decidedly the first and most important station. It was delivered, by an acknowledged "teacher come from God," to a timid and docile learner, as the first lesson in the school of Christ, and the elementary principle in the science of Christianity. The deep solemnity of its announcement, ratified by the oath of heaven's Sovereign and man's final Judge; the mysterious import of its obscure and figurative expression, a second birth, compared with the tremendous awfulness and unveiled plainness of its explicit sanction, which is nothing short of eternal exclusion from the kingdom of God, and consequently from happiness; the spiritual darkness of the carnal mind which was evidenced by Nicodemus's literal acceptance of it, and by the bewildered amazement it produced in him; combine to present it in a still more solemn point of view. The firm resolve too, the fixed and immoveable purpose of our Lord, unequivocally evinced by the deliberate calm, and as if abandoned hope of its unexplained re-assertion, while yet all the ruinous consequences to mankind of this important decree were pressed upon His immediate attention, fearfully illustrated in the utter stupidity to all spiritual things of even this amiable and learned inquirer,-this "master in Israel;" the supernatural agency which it expressly demanded for the performance of its requirement, and the sweeping range, the unbounded universality of its application,—all these, as it were, concentrate their rays, but to exhibit in a stronger and clearer light that fundamental and immutable truth, confirmed, as it is, by the oath of Christ Himself, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Most gladly would I here draw aside the veil, and display the glories of that kingdom of God. Most gladly would I picture, in the brightest colours which revelation furnishes, and in their most harmonious and pleasing combination, its unfading flowers and ever ripening fruits, its verdant pastures and its crystal streams. I would tell of the unwearying services, the calm yet joyous anthems of its blessed inhabitants, of the undistracted devotion of the general mind, the uninterrupted beatific vision of the universal Sovereign, of its purity, its peace, its love. I would tell, less gladly indeed, but faithfully, of the anguish of a lost soul, for ever banished from liberty and happiness, and cast into that outer darkness where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I would tell of the solitary torments of a lost soul, |