ASIA.

THE LATE DR. YATES'S FAMILY.

In a letter to a friend in England, Mrs. Yates says, "I have consulted with our dear friends in the mission as to what they considered I had better do with respect to remaining here or going home, and they, with some of my friends in England, seem to think it best for me to remain in India. My mind was for a time unsettled on this point, but this advice, together with my own general feeling on the subject, has decided me to remain here. Had my dear girls, Ann and Mary, been younger than they are, I should have felt it more my duty for their sakes to have returned; but as they are almost grown up, perhaps they will do best to remain in India. William is now practising as a doctor at a place called Ranecgunge Collien, about 160 miles from Calcutta: he seems contented and comfortable. Dear John, whom perhaps you have seen, is the only other one. I trust Dr. Hoby will be a father to him, and that our friends at home will take notice of him for his father's sake as well as ours, as he is too distant for us to comfort him.

"We have left our old house to Mr. and Mrs. Wenger (who kindly came to reside with us when my dear husband left us) and are residing with our friends, Mr. and Mrs. G. Pearce. We are very comfortable with them and their niece, and Miss Parker, and form, as you can easily imagine, quite a large family, and a very united family; so that we have much to be thankful for."

AFRICA.

MO-HOUSE, FERNANDO PO.

The votaries of superstition called Mo-men, who pretend to supernatural gifts of healing, are formidable opponents of the gospel. Charms of various kinds decorate the interior of certain buildings in which they exercise their skill, a view of one of which, with the adjacent scenery, appears on the preceding page.

FERNANDO PO.

A series of letters, varying in date from July 10 to September 3, have been received from Mr. Sturgeon, pastor of the church at Clarence, from which the following are extracts :—

You have probably heard of the death of Mr. Duffis, one of the settlers from Jamaica. It took place on the 2nd of June. On the following Lord's day morning I improved his death from 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, to an attentive audience. Our brother was at work but a few minutes before his death. I have always considered him a good man, and well calculated to promote the object for which he came to Africa.

He took a great delight in reading the scriptures aloud. On one occasion, when passing his house, I heard him reading and talking with great earnestness, as I supposed, to a little congregation of his neighbours. I entered his cottage, and to my great surprise found that his congregation consisted of his wife and child, whose attention he was directing to Christ and his great salvation. He

was engaged in reading the word of God when here to be their pastor, Calabar would probhe died, about four o'clock, P.M. He was ably long ere now have been my residence. buried next morning by brother Clarke, in As it is, I would wish to guard against making his garden, at ten A.M. As this was the first my rest at Clarence. Seasons may occur death among those who came from Jamaica, when a newly arrived brother may be fully and occurred so suddenly, it produced a great competent to take care of my little charge for sensation in the town. May the death of our a month or two, who could not prudently go dear brother be the means of leading sinners to a more unhealthy field of labour. In such to him who is "the resurrection and the life." a case my heart would bound with joy to Our greatly beloved brother Newbegin has proclaim the gospel to other tribes, for which also lost his dear infant, about seven weeks old. my few years residence in Africa, and slight On the 19th of June, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, acquaintance with African habits, may have brother Newbegin, Mrs. Saker, Miss Stewart, partially prepared me. The greatest difficulty with Mrs. Sturgeon, left our Cove in the attendant upon this plan would be leaving Dove, for Bimbia and Cameroons. Brother my sub-stations, which I hope will be in Saker left Clarence for Cameroons on the active operation before another year has 10th ult., intending if possible to form a passed away, as it is not judicious for a misstation there; having previously visited it sionary on his first settlement in Africa to with Dr. Prince, purchased land, &c. Mrs. engage actively among the natives. But for Saker has gone to share the labour and joy, this inconvenience provision can be made. I to be assisted by Miss Stewart for a season. indulge these views, and wish to carry them When brother Newbegin left us he was rather out, because I think your committee, and my disposed to remain at Bimbia a short time, brethren in Africa, will approve, and future and take some preparatory steps for the settle- emergencies will demand them. Should no ment of himself and dear Mrs. Newbegin at such claims arise, I shall thankfully devote that important station. Should he do so, the the more time to my own beloved people, case of Mrs. Newbegin will be truly distress-devising new schemes of usefulness, and coning. The infant left these abodes of sorrow veying the bread of life to the famishing abofor the realms of bliss two days after the de- rigines of the island. parture of Mr. Newbegin in the Dove. The meltings of soul of Mrs. Newbegin, in the absence of her beloved husband, for the loss of her tender offspring, may be better conceived than described. Such a loss was not anticipated. Her grief was poignant indeed; but though cast down, our dear sister was not in despair. She remembered him who hath said, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." Her sorrows and her tears she poured into the bosom of her God; and hearing her Father address her in accents of mercy, saying, "Be still, and know that I am God," her submissive spirit responded, "It is the Lord."

There has been a general sickness here for some time, though not severe. Miss Vitou, who acts as housekeeper during the absence of Mrs. Clarke, has been ill nearly the whole of the time. She has had several very restless days and nights. Mr. Thompson has also been very poorly, sometimes in great pain, for more than a week. Mrs. Thompson, after a long and trying illness, is greatly improving. Their two children continue in a very weak state. Mr. Norman had to close his school a day or two last week, through fever, but has re-opened it. My dear wife has been a great sufferer of late. I think her pains were more acute last week for two or three days, than they have ever been before. I hope the sea-breeze will strengthen her, that she may return to Clarence to labour among this interesting people with increasing delight and vigour.

I had a long and interesting conversation with Commander Gootch, of the "Sealark," on Saturday last, respecting the establishment of a mission at Old Calabar. This gentleman, who has visited almost every part of the Western coast of Africa, gave it as his opinion that no European missionary can live there, and do the work required. He also added, "they (the missionaries) will require more courage than those who stand before the cannons' mouth." There was much truth and force in what he said; still, in attempting this great work, we think the promise applicable to our case: "Be strong; let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." The commander appeared to take a lively interest in all our movements, and spoke of the emigration of educated negroes from Sierra Leone to Badagary as likely to work well. As a practical evidence of his interest in our affairs, he gave me £2 3s. 4d. towards our new chapel, and requested me to take his boat, and submit the case to his first lieutenant and other officers on board, which generous offer was gratefully accepted, and £3 obtained from that source, making a total of £5 3s. 4d. His intelligence, cheerfulness, and kindness were a valuable boon to me at that time, and supplied an antidote to my dejected spirits, as I was then engaged in preparing for two funerals, and busily employed in multifarious duties.

Captain Bligh entered our Cove a few days ago. Ten hands were lost during the six or eight months he was in the Calabar river. One hundred and twenty-eight white men have Had I not been chosen by the church | died in that deadly place within the last

thirteen months. The seamen are never permitted to go on shore, or the effects would be far more fatal. Captain Becroft has intimated his intention of leaving Clarence Cove to command the second Niger Expedition almost immediately. The 10th or 12th of this month has been fixed, but I fear he will find some difficulty in getting his complement of seamen. Most heartily do I desire that the end designed may be answered, and that we may have an opportunity ere long of conveying the bread of life to the many thousands of the now unknown inhabitants of the banks of the mighty Niger.

Mrs. Sturgeon returned yesterday (8th) from her first excursion in the Dove, and is much refreshed and invigorated by the twelve days' voyage to Bimbia and Cameroons.

evident in the whole of this transaction, but you ought to be in possession of all the facts of the case to judge fairly, both as it regards the natives and the Clarence people. The natives, though so simple and so often imposed upon by unprincipled traders, yet, very many of them, are complete adepts in cheating, and are altogether heedless of consequences. The unjust seizure of the poor females was caused by this kind of conduct. A cow was sold to the gentlemen of Roboloh, in the Banni district, for a certain portion of oil to be paid in small quantities. The cow was killed, and was eaten by the gentlemen and the people generally, and a scanty part only of the stipulated oil being brought, the gentlemen were waited upon, and urged to supply at least part of the remaining deficiency: but so far from their manifesting any Since writing the above, the most cruel willingness to pay the debt, they treated the conduct has been exercised towards the na- trader with scorn, and commonly went out tives by some of those who professed to be of the way when he went to see them upon inquiring after a knowledge of the meek and the subject. At last they positively refused lowly Son of God. Several of the Clarence to pay, and became insolent to the creditor. traders having large quantities of palm-oil due A determination was then made to obtain to them from the natives, determined on ob- redress, the issue of which I have laid before taining it. For this purpose many of their you. No mention has been made of any ill countrymen were solicited to join them, which treatment the natives have received, beyond in the simplicity of their hearts, they did. being caught, separated from their families, They provided themselves with several guns and confined in houses and in prison, for a and cutlasses, and were sufficiently strong in crime in which they had no participation. numbers to fill several large canoes. They Unless some improved methods of trading left us on the 5th inst. at eight o'clock, A.M., are adopted, mutual hatred and jealousies will and reached the Banni district at noon. The be indulged, and the palm-oil trade (which utmost secrecy having been observed, I was may be greatly increased) will become less, not cognizant of the fact until a few minutes as it is now the common practice for traders before their departure. I hastened to the wife to sell a cow, a goat, or a gun to the natives, of the leader, faintly hoping to thwart the depending for payment simply upon their prointended scheme, but my efforts were fruitless. mise. The dealer is urged to this with the The party having reached their destination, hope of profit, as he averages from 150 to and not succeeding in getting the palm-oil 300 per cent. upon all he disposes of. The that was due, laid in ambush for the Boobies natives, on the other hand, knowing the exat night; and when the women came down orbitant demands made upon them, defer from the mountain at night, according to cus- payment until an indefinite time, and fretom, to catch crabs, they fell upon them, and quently make no return for goods received. secured ten of their number. The poor The owner of the cow which caused the late females were not only defenceless, but were quarrel, has a similar claim upon the gentlein the water, with torches in their hands, so men of Rokopa, a town in the same district. that they were the more easily taken. Five Many others are in the same situation. of those captured were soon released. Several | Probably men will soon be wise enough not palavers were held between the kings and the to part with their cattle and goods without an traders, and a portion of the oil demanded equivalent. A more equitable system of was either given or promised, but the full trading would be the certain consequence of quota not being forthcoming, the five native such a course. From the conduct I have females were brought to Clarence on the 12th described, it has been my painful duty to inst., to the great astonishment and grief of exclude five from my rank of inquirers. It all true lovers of justice and humanity, and was a severe trial to nature, but grace seemed disgrace of our town. A very lovely girl, to require it. Two of them had been sepaabout seventeen years of age, was also brought rated from us once before; one was an Isubu with them, under the same circumstances. who had recently united with us, and it is to They were lodged in the houses of their lordly be feared the remaining two were allured into masters for a short period, after which they the ensnaring path. I do hope that the public were sent to the newly erected guard-house. exposure we have made of the affair will be After remaining there a day or two, the cap-salutary both to us and the natives. The tives were set free. I would not detract any latter are made fully acquainted with the fact thing from the injustice and cruelty but too that we had no participation in the matter,

not fail to reproach us for it when we talk to

them.

Two members of the church have also been suspended, one for three, and the other for one month. The former, a brother, for improper language towards a female member; the latter, a sister, for frequent quarrels with her husband; and in addition to the last disturbance, she absented herself from the Lord's table, and decided the affair principally by those who are unfriendly to the progress of truth and piety, instead of invoking the aid of her fellow-members, who in every respect were better qualified for the task. The case of the male member was very intricate, but his own admission was sufficient to prove a degree of guilt to call forth the censure of the church. At his house a daily prayer-meeting has been conducted by Smith and Richards, two of our much esteemed deacons. As the house is located in the vicinity of Rion Town, I had hoped by the unostentatious labours of our friends to have operated upon this hitherto unmoved people. But the stream supplying me with this hope is now dried up. I shall, however (D.v.), open another prayer-meeting myself to-day in a central part of the town. This house is most favourably situated for the dissolute Portuguese and Congos. May our dear brethren, who will hereafter conduct this meeting, bring at least one of them to Jesus.

nor do we in any way approve it, yet they do | backs; but the foundation of the spiritual building being laid by the great Head of the church, the last stone will assuredly be brought with unspeakable triumph. The impenitence of sinners and backslidings of saints serve to show, that "it is not by might or by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord," that all good is effected. And when the enemy of souls comes in like a flood, threatening to bear down and destroy all the fruits of our suffering and toil, the unchanging promises of the gospel solace our spirits, and the thought of contributing towards the latter day glory cheers our hearts. And to the praise of sovereign grace let it be said, that the ground around us is not all barren. We have upwards of 300 scholars in our sabbath school, and 100 in our day-school. In the former we have 32 teachers, most of whom are members of the church; four of them are engaged in native teaching every sabbath; two of them walk four miles, and the others one. Many kings and chiefs have given me the most pleasing testimonies to the value of their labours; while, on the other hand, I have had no complaint, nor the least trouble with them in urging to these delightful, though rather arduous duties, as it not unfrequently happens that the rain falls heavily upon them the whole of the way. In the church there are many who give most unquestionable evidence of their desire for knowledge and spiritual improvement, and holy determination to make a fresh consecration of themselves to God. At a recent church meting, I gave the friends a general view of the state of Clarence, particularly of the Portuguese, Congos, and Kroomen; and requested their co-operation in an attempt I am now making to bring the whole of them under the sound of the gospel. I have long meditated a determined attack on these strongholds of the powers of darkness; and having now begun it, the Lord being our helper, I trust we shall not cease to teach, exhort, and invite, until many, under the drawings of the Spirit, shall say, "Lord, save, or I perish!" The church approve the scheme, and have promised to aid it by individual and united effort.

The case of the female member who has been suspended for one month is very distressing. Her husband has rendered most important service to the mission in various ways, but is now greatly reduced in circumstances, having had a boat sunk at sea, and many other losses. His altered and depressed circumstances have greatly contributed towards that uncomfortable feeling which has long subsisted between him and his wife, and which has been attended with great disgrace on both sides. We do not, however, consider the case of our sister as hopeless. As a church I trust we are fervent at a throne of grace; that she, with our brother who is separated from us for a season, may again return to Christ, and to his fold. Many tears were shed when these matters were discussed by the church. In an interview I had with her after our church meeting, when I informed her of our decision, her conduct made impressions on my mind that will not soon be effaced. She wept aloud, and said, "I know I do wrong; I feel it now. Do not leave me, my dear minister; come and see me, and teach me. I pray you, help me." These things render the exhortation of our blessed Saviour peculiarly appropriate: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." And may I not say, they make our claims upon the Christian church in favoured Britain more urgent? In raising a church in a hea then land like Africa there are many draw

I have purchased a native boat, which I call "the Messenger." I have taken a trip in it to the Banni district, and was well received by many hundreds of natives. I left home on the 10th of June, and returned on the 13th. Three towns were visited, viz. Roboloh, Bassichilli, and Bassipon. The people of Roboloh had not only deserted the town, but actually closed their doors against us before we reached the place. Roboloh is a large town, but the inhabitants are widely scattered. At Bassichilli (situated between Roboloh and Bassipon) we had a hearty reception. Our own party consisted of Messrs. Wilson, Smith, and Richards, seven others, and myself. We halted at Bassichilli play-ground. The grass