which has cost £1100, has been built by three of our pious and liberal friends in this town; who, if we may judge from appearances, seemed to be amply repaid in the exalted pleasures they enjoyed on the day in which the doors of this elegant structure were thrown open to the worshippers of the God they love. But more especially do they derive satisfaction from the confident expectation that crowds will be born for glory there.

The pious and excellent Clergyman of the district was present at the preaching; and such is his Christian liberality, that he has welcomed us to his parish as his helpers, and I believe from his very heart has wished us God speed. And we, in return, pray that his life may be crowned with many happy and prosperous days, in his high and holy vocation. At Westbury, a rapidly rising town

ship, about twenty-one miles from hence, we have a fair prospect of raising a flourishing cause. We have already a few members to form a class. There has hitherto been no service of any kind, save the reading of the Liturgy once a week by the village-schoolmaster, although the population is so considerable, that we calculate upon raising a congregation of two hundred persons within a very short time. The Police Magistrate of the district is very favourable to us, and will do all he can to forward our views.

In a very short time I suppose I shall be called to leave this affectionate people to labour in another part of the Lord's vineyard. I shall leave them with regret, and while I live shall retain a lively remembrance of their kindness.

VAN-DIEMEN'S LAND.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. W. Simpson, dated Port-Arthur, June 5th, 1837.

IT gives me pleasure to inform you that the Lord is still with us in this part of the great Mission field. That he is with us, the improved conduct of many of the prisoners, and their increased regard to sacred truth, satisfactorily manifest; for as all good proceeds from the Father of lights, this must be regarded as having been wrought by his Spirit. But we have more unequivocal proofs that he is with us in the conversion of sinners to himself; and though we cannot rejoice over so many as we earnestly desire, yet the addition of even two or three persons (such as those we have to labour amongst) to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a circumstance which loudly calls for our thanksgiving and praise. The members of our society, I think, without exception, have made progress in their religious experience, and are pressing after all the mind that was in Christ. Surely we may inquire with regard to them, "Are not these brands plucked from the burning?" Considering their former character and their present experience, who can refrain from rendering thanks on their behalf to the God of all grace? These are trophies of the cross, which clearly prove that divine power accompanies the preached word, and may serve to stop the mouths of blaspheming infidels. O that their number may be increased an hundred fold!-The frequency of removals prevents our local number from being materially increased; as you may judge, from the circumstance that all who were members at the time

I came hither have been sent to town, excepting one; and others who have been brought to this place since I came, have also been removed. I bless God, nevertheless, that our present number is not less, but rather otherwise.

Our schools are working well; and a very considerable improvement is manifest, particularly in the reading and writing departments. It is a circumstance that argues favourably for these institutions, that when selections of convicts have been made for assignment in other parts of the colony, the number of adult attendants at school is considerably diminished thereby ;-a proof, that those who attend the school conduct themselves so as to merit the recommendation of the Commandant, and consequently become free from penal restrictions sooner than others who neglect to avail themselves of such an advantage. In fact, the Commandant has often remarked that those men are best conducted who are most constant in their attendance at school; so that we may reasonably con clude that great moral benefit is derived from these schools, in addition to the advantage arising from learning to read and write, &c. Indeed this is our constant aim,-to instil moral and religious principles into the minds of these degraded persons; and the Lord has given us some degree of success. If there were no other proof of good being done, the very circumstance that punishments are less frequent than at any former period should encourage us. The Commandant

has frequently told me, that though the number of men is so much increased, he does not find it needful to inflict half the punishments he formerly did; and this he attributes to what he calls "the excellent instruction" given to them, in connexion with the certainty of punishment following any misdemeanour. Hence he always facilitates, to the extent of his power, any measures we may propose to adopt. I have lately succeeded in establishing a Sabbath-school for the soldiers' children, and other free children in the settlement. Two or three persons have kindly engaged to instruct them; and it affords much encouragement, and promises much good, that these are persons of piety. I pray that these greatly neglected children may be eternally benefited by the instructions imparted to them.

His Excellency Sir John Franklin, when here a short time ago, expressed himself as being highly gratified with the state of the schools, &c. &c.; and Lady Franklin promised me some tracts and other books for the use of the men, which she afterwards kindly furnished.

I have lately proposed a plan for visiting one of our outposts once a fortnight on the Sabbath-day. It is perhaps twentyfive miles from the settlement; and the roads to it are of the worst description, so that walking there is quite impracticable; and though the journey may be performed in part by water, yet there

is such uncertainty in obtaining boats, and when a boat is obtained, so much depends upon the wind, &c., that to visit the place with any degree of regularity by these means is quite out of the question. And yet considering that here are upwards of one hundred and thirty individuals, who are without any means of grace, excepting what we supply them with on the week-day, which, under existing circumstances, must be very infrequent; and that, when visited, the whole of their work (so important to His Majesty's Government) must stop for some hours; under these circumstances I could not but wish that some further plan should be adopted, in order to visit them more frequently, and on the Sabbath. I accordingly submitted a plan to His Excellency; and requested that Government would furnish me with a horse to carry it into execution, which request was immediately complied with; and though at present the horse has not been sent to me, I understand that the purchase of one for this benevolent purpose will be very shortly made. Thus I shall be able to extend my operations, not only to the mines, but to various outgangs, where they but seldom hear the word of life. But inasmuch as even a Paul may plant and an Apollos water in vain unless God give the increase, I feel how necessary it is constantly to pray that he would prosper the work of my hands, and convert sinners to himself.

FRIENDLY ISLANDS :-Branch Missionary Society at Lifuka.-The following letter will, we are sure, afford unfeigned pleasure to every reader, as exhibiting a new and additional proof of the beneficent operation of Christianity on the character and habits of its disciples, in opening their hearts, not only to receive the truth, but to contribute, according to their means, for the maintenance and extension of its holy ordinances and institutions. We hail the establishment of a Branch Missionary Society among such a people, as the commencement of a regular and permanent series of local contributions, from the native converts themselves, for the support and spread of the Gospel of salvation.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Charles Tucker, dated Lifuka, Habai,
October 15th, 1836.

You will rejoice to hear that we have formed a Branch Missionary Society at this place, and the success which has attended our efforts is most gratifying. It is true this people have neither silver nor gold, (the King excepted,) yet they have come forward nobly to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The list

of subscriptions was very long; it contained six hundred and eighty-three names, and in most cases a name stood for a family. The subscribers include persons of all ranks, from the King to the poorest individual, and persons of all ages. The articles subscribed are very diversified, and many of them of au

MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE ALBANY DISTRICT.-The revival of religion which has occurred in this place must be considered, under the present external and political circumstances of the colonists of Albany, as peculiarly seasonable, and as strongly exhibiting the watchful care of God for his own cause, and his merciful readiness to afford suitable encouragement, and "help in time of need," to those of his servants who, "through good VOL. XVII. Third Series. January, 1838.

report and evil report," have faithfully persevered in his work. The letters of Mrs. Shaw, written during the absence of her excellent husband, on a visit to the Bechuana Mission, will be very gratifying to the numerous friends of that admirable woman, whose devotedness to the cause of Christ and of the Heathen is well known, and highly appreciated.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. William Shaw, dated Graham's Town,
July 28th, 1837.

I SHOULD have set out for the Bechuana country before now; but an extraordinary revival of religion has commenced here. Within these ten days past, more than fifty persons have professed to find peace with God. Our large chapel is crowded at the prayer-meetings, which we are now obliged to hold every night in the week. I never saw a more remarkable work of grace. Of course the public attention is greatly arrested; and many

come to mock," some of whom "remain to pray." I have observed nothing out of the common way in these meetings, but earnestness on the part of the penitents, who do not as yet at all decrease in number, although so many "have obtained mercy; their places being constantly filled up by others who

become deeply concerned for the salvation of their souls. There is, indeed, some noise, occasioned by the agony of prayer; but I have as yet seen no instances of mere extravagance, and I cannot but believe the work to be of God. I feel rather unwilling to leave home at this interesting period, but I must go the Bechuana journey; and therefore in the course of two or three days' time I shall leave the work in the care of my good colleagues, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Green, both of whom enter into it with great zeal and discretion, and will, I doubt not, watch over and guard the good work as faithful Ministers of Christ ought to do. I hope by hard riding to overtake Mr. Garner, who is gone with the waggons, before he crosses the Orange-river.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. J. Cameron, dated Graham's Town, July 29th,

1837.

THE Lord has in answer to the prayers of his people, poured out his Holy Spirit in a very remarkable manner. About sixty persons appear to have been made happy this week in a sense of God's pardoning mercy, through faith in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ; and many more are seeking the same blessing. Most of the young converts are such as have received instruction in our Sabbath-school, and some of them are the children of our own people. There is necessarily some seeming confusion connected with so general an excitement, but in reality less than the great number

of penitents" striving to enter in at the strait gate "would justify. We have but little to do in the matter; as the Holy Spirit works so powerfully, that our humble instrumentality is in a great degree inapplicable. Overwhelming floods of divine influence have been poured out, and glorious effects are now manifest. God is speaking for himself. I never saw any thing comparable to this before, and am uniformly opposed to mere animal excitement; yet I adore the infinite mercy of God, which this visitation so clearly developes.

Extract of a Letter from Mrs. Shaw, dated Graham's Town, August 18th, 1837.

I JUST write a line to inform you, that the good work is still going forward. Sinners are awakened; penitents are obtaining mercy; believers are stirred up to increasing diligence and devotedness. Such a blessed revival of religion we never expected to see. "It is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes." The Lord is saving sinners by whole families. Scoffers have been arrested, and converted. The whole town is astonished. We have very little hostili

ty to encounter: most are constrained to acknowledge the "finger of God." I cannot give any accurate statement of the number of persons who profess to have obtained mercy; but, on a moderate calculation, I think I may say that they are upwards of two hundred; and we know not where it will end. The holy fire is spreading in all directions; it has reached our native congregations, and many of them are praying earnestly for mercy. O, pray for us, that those

who have believed may "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free." Mr. Shaw has been absent a fortnight he left home reluctantly; but a sense of duty compelled him to

quit the present delightful field of labour. O that the Heathen among whom he is going may "catch the

flame!"

Extract of another Letter from Mrs. Shaw, dated September 1st, 1837. MR. SHAW is still absent, nor have I heard any tidings of him since the first week he left home. I am not, however, uneasy respecting him. As there is no direct communication, I am not much surprised at not having received letters. I trust the Lord will be with him, and make his way prosperous. The glorious work of saving souls is still going for ward. I suppose we shall have between two and three hundred admitted on trial this quarter. The new converts, at present, are steadfast. The great adversary of souls has, in some instances, thrust sore at them; but they have hitherto been mercifully preserved. Very many scoffers have been converted, and are now happy in God. Our dear brethren Cameron and Green are labouring in season and out of season, and the Lord is crowning their efforts with suc

is also a very good work among the natives. Several of them have been enabled to testify that God for Christ's sake has pardoned all their sins. I hope the good people in England will not forget us. I wish I could have five minutes' conversation with my good friend, the Rev. Robert Newton. I would say to him, "The Lord is giving us souls; but our friends at home must send us men and money." Surely they will redouble their efforts. We must also have your prayers, that the work may go on. We want it to extend into Kafferland: they are very restless, and another war is fully expected, and will no doubt take place except the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon them. You will see, from the Graham's Town Journal, the unprovoked attack some of them have made upon the Fingoes; and we fear they will not stop there. Were it not for this blessed revival in Graham's Town, the people would be very uneasy; but the work of conversion seems to be the prevailing topic. God will, I trust, undertake our cause, and be better to us than all our fears.

WEST INDIA MISSIONS.

DOMINICA.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Parkes, dated Roseau, July 28th, 1837.

WHILE we are so frequently obliged to draw from the general funds for the support of the work, we do not fail to exert ourselves to raise all we can here towards meeting the expenditure; and I am happy to inform you that the receipts of the past quarter throughout the Circuit are more than in any preceding quarter; and we trust to accomplish, by paying due attention to the financial part of our discipline, still further improvement.

The

gations were good, and the collections as large as usual. The public Meeting was held on the following Wednesday evening. The assembly was numerous and highly respectable. Our valued friend William Walsh, Esq., occupied the chair, and conducted the business of the evening with distinguished ability. Meeting was addressed by the following gentlemen, in addition to the Preachers on the station; namely, W. T. Rainey and J. Fadelle, Esqrs., Members of the House of Assembly; W. Lynch, Esq., Stipendiary Magistrate; and C. A. Fillan, G. Brown, H. Woodfield, and W. Johnston, Esqrs. The collection was, I believe, larger than at any former Meeting in Dominica; and I have no hesitation in saying, that the proceeds of this Branch Society for the present year

We had pleasing proof, at our late Missionary Anniversary, of the increasingly liberal sentiments entertained towards the Wesleyan Mission in this colony. The preparatory sermons were preached on Sunday, the 16th instant, when, notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, the congre