weeks ago I had six of the most respect able in the island to hear me. After wards I heard a great deal said in terms of approbation of the doctrines of the Methodists. Last Sunday I had another, and it is probable more of them will come. I hope they may, for since the time to which I refer, I have heard nothing said against us. A few weeks ago a very respectable planter of this island had occasion to bring one of his female slaves, a member of our society, before him, for something which had she been guilty of it, certainly deserved punishment, and she was sentenced to be whipped. However, she was not guilty. When she was about to receive the execution of the sentence, her master standing by, she kneeled down and prayed very earnestly to the Lord to strengthen her, and give her faith and patience to endure her undeserved correction; artlessly telling the Lord at the same time that he knew she was innocent. Her master, who is not a cruel man, was so struck with the woman's prayer, that he ordered her to be released, declaring, that he could not suffer her to be flogged; and that if he had read his bible, and been at church all his life long, he never could have prayed as she did. What cannot the gospel effect? Extract of a Letter from Messrs. WHIT- St. Kitts, Dec. 31, 1816. hemisphere, but we feel real pleasure in stating that though many of the members of our societies have fallen victims to death, yet, in their last moments they witnessed a good confession, and are now safely lodged in Abraham's bosom. The late festival at which the negro popula tion have a little time at their disposal, we might be deemed culpable if we passed over in silence. Three days of relaxation is the time generally allowed them by their owners; our arrangements were such as to enable us to hold our lovefeasts in the different parts of the island during this recess; and the huge multitudes that assembled for prayer and praise were truly astonishing. Our chapels were crowded, and in some places numbers were constrained to stand on the outside. Contrasting what we saw with the line of conduct pursued by them at this season, antecedent to the introduction of the gospel among them, led us to exclaim, What hath God wrought! We have recently felt much interest in the welfare of the rising generation. We saw great numbers of free black and coloured children, whose parents could not read themselves, and who of course were unable to instruct their children. Truly it might be said of such, that no man cared for their souls. Appreciating the advantages of religious instructions in a civil, domestic, and religious point of view; we were determined, if possible, to accomplish this; and we are happy to inform you that we have in general succeeded beyond our most sanguine expectations. Great numbers are now taught to read that book sanctioned by the authority of heaven, and designed to make all wise unto salvation through faith in Christ. The opposition made to our plans and designs has been so trivial as to be undeserving our notice; hence we expect from this, great good to society at large, and great glory to the Most High. We remain your's, affectionately, numbers are not increased, yet the power Extract of a Letter from Mr. G. JACKSON, of godliness is felt, and many of the enslaved sons of Africa rejoice in the liberty wherewith God hath made them free; and the more experienced part of our societies have been much quickened, and are walking in every respect worthy of that name by which they are called. The fall of the year in this and in many of the islands has been sickly. Indeed God appears to have had a controversy with the inhabitants of this part of the western to Mr. T. WOOD. St. John's, Antigua, Dec. 10, 1816. DEAR SIR, IN my last, I gave you a brief account of our voyage to Deal, where the pilot left us; after which we proceeded to Portsmouth, where we arrived October 24. Having cast anchor at that port, on account of the wind being contrary, we went on shore, and proceeded the follow 3 ing day to the Isle of Wight, where we remained till Saturday. At the request of Mr. Miller and the Portsmouth friends, we had agreed, should we not sail, to spend the Lord's-day among them; but about seven o'clock in the morning, a pilot's boat was sent to fetch us on board, and a signal was hoisted for sailing. On Monday the 28th, the weather being thick and rainy, and the wind still continuing tolerably fair, we lost sight of a land dear to me by many ties, as an Englishnian, a Christian, and a Methodist; and after many tossings in the Bay of Biscay and other parts, we arrived off Madeira on Saturday. On Friday, November 15, one of the men, engaged in doing something outside the ship, fell into the sea, in consequence of the rope breaking by which he was suspended, and in all probability would have been drowned, (for he could not swim,) had the weather not been calm, and had not a person, who had formerly been a midshipman on board a man of war, leaped into the sea to him with a rope which he fastened round his body. This being done, the poor unhappy man, instead of thanking God that he was likely to be saved, began, previously to his being quite out of danger, to curse the boatswain for not having furnished him with a stronger rope. The next Sunday, brother Colmer having preached that day week in the cabin, and brothers Swinward and Smedley being sick, it was ordered that I should preach; and hearing that some of the men wished to hear, should I preach on the quarterdeck, Captain Billinghurst, on my applying to him for permission, willingly granted my request. I thanked him for his kindness, and observed that we would, if he pleased, have service in the cabin in the morning as usual, and on the quarterdeck in the afternoon. According to this arrangement, after having preached in the cabin, I endeavoured to prepare for my afternoon's undertaking; and having seen the mercy of God so slighted on the preceding Friday, I preached from Eccles. viii. 11.; and I was glad to find amongst my congregation the man before alluded to, and that all present heard with deep attention, and behaved with the greatest decorum. On the morning of the 20th, from twelve to two o'clock, we had a dreadful thunder storm, attended with torrents of rain; but Captain B. apprehensive of danger, with his usual prudence, called all hands to take in the sails; and thanks be to God, who holds the winds in his fists, and has all the elements under his controul, the storm subsided, and we were preserved in peace and safety. The wind being squally and unsettled, on Sunday the 24th, and brothers Swinward, Smedley, and Colmer, indisposed, Captain B.thought with us, that we should be under the ne cessity of dispensing with the services of the day; and, of course, we had no service, except a prayer-meeting, at which none could exercise besides brother Colmer and myself. But, thanks be to God, who is confined to neither time nor place, he made the season to us a time of refreshing from his presence.-As we could not preach to the sailors, I thought it a convenient time to distribute among them a quantity of religious tracts which I had brought with me for that purpose; and I had the happiness of seeing them thank fully received, and eagerly read. We now expected that we had spent our last Sabbath on board; but though we were only about 500 miles from Antigua, yet, owing to the unsettled state of the weather, our hope proved abortive. On Sunday, December 1, brother Smedley preached in the forenoon; which, owing to existing circumstances, was the only service we had, except a prayermeeting in the evening, at which Captain B. and three of the passengers were present. On Thursday about four o'clock, we came in sight of Guadaloupe, off the larboard side of the ship, and about sunset Antigua was discerned from the masthead. But in the evening, as it begun to blow pretty brisk, was thought prudent to stop the ship until morning, lest she should run upon rocks, or other dangerous places. Though we were so near the end of our voyage, we could not make Antigua that day, owing to a calm in the former part of it, and a contrary wind in the af ternoon; so that we were obliged to tack about until next morning, when we got to an anchor at 9 o'clock, and landed about 11 in the forenoon. val, we were kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Woolley, and other friends. In this delightful spot the yellow fever has raged for some months in an uncommon degree; near 80 white persons have fallen victims to it, and very few who had lately arrived from England have escaped with their lives: some of them have been hurried into another world a few days after their arrival. The mourning weeds and sable colour worn by the inhabitants of every colour, and the solemn garb in which our pulpit at St. John's is arrayed, declare that the ravages of death are with out distinction to character, colour, age, or sex. But thanks be to God, the storm is almost blown over, though not altoge ther: and as we are situated in the most healthy part of the town, and not permitted On our arri to go abroad, I hope we shall escape without injury. We are all in very good health. I am your's, &c. G. JACKSON. From Mr. M. DIXON, to the MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. DEAR BRETHREN, I have just received a letter from the Hon. R. Ottley, Grenada, informning me of the death of my dear brother Mr. Lill. I hasten to give you the following extract from it. "Grenada, January 8, 1817. "MY DEAR FRIEND, "I have ventured to address this Letter to you, in order to request you to communicate to the mother of our late esteemed friend, Mr. Lill, the melancholy tidings of his death. That event took place on the 28th day of last month, after a short illness. I say short, because he was not confined to his house many days previously to his death. But during the whole period of his residence in this island his health has been liable to many variations, and his liver was so much affected, that it is probable he had been suffering with a complaint in that part for a considerable time. He was in the chapel the Sunday before his final departure from this earthly scene. On Monday I called upon him, and, finding him with a fever, advised that he would call in medical assistance. He accordingly sent for Doctor M'Ewen, who came in the course of the day. His symptoms, from the first, were very alarming, and little hopes were entertained of his recovery after Thursday; from that time, however, he lingered until Saturday the 28th, when he expired betwixt twelve and one o'clock at noon. "During the course of his illness I was frequently with him; and, I hope, contributed, in some degree, to his happiness. Upon inquiring as to the state of his mind, he informed me, more than once, that he was unspeakably happy. He performed his devotions until the last, and appeared to die in the true spirit of a Christian." Mr. Poole also informs me that he had a letter from Grenada in which it is said, "Mr. Lill departed this life about five or ten minutes before one o'clock this afternoon, in the spirit of a true Christian, with piety, resignation, firmness, and, as he expressed himself this day, unspeakably happy." Mr. Poole further adds, "I am afraid the societies will suffer much this year for want of preachers. I heartily wish the Committee may send out some. Do all you can in this." I am, dear brethren, Your's, affectionately, M. C. DIXON. Extract of a Letter from Mr. J. BROWN, to Mr. GEORge Marsden. DEAR SIR, St. Thomas, Jan. 21, 1817. HAVING reached this place in time to meet the mail packet, we wish to avail ourselves of the opportunity of affording you some additional information respect ing Tobago. When we came thither, from the circumstance of our being des tined to a place obnoxious to the other West India islands, we were apprehen sive that we should be viewed with a degree of jealousy; and however wishful we might be to publish the gospel of our Redeemer in that benighted land, we judged it necessary to proceed with caution. But no sooner did Mr. Cunningham know that we were missionaries on board, than he sent us an invitation to his house, and offered us his services in every possible way. Our place of appointment and object were not long a secret at Scarbro'; inquiries were made if we would preach; these met the wishes of our hearts, and were, of course, gladly accepted. It was thought necessary to obtain leave from the Governor. Mr. C. having furnished us with horses, we proceeded to wait upon his Excellency, who declined seeing us, on account of a press of business, the mail boat having just arrived. When application was made to him, he immediately gave us leave to preach. The little chapel, the only place of worship on the island, was obtained; we preached four times in it; many of the white inhabitants attended, and the congregation, at each time, increased. We visited several houses, and met with some serious coloured people. Six of these we formed into a class, gave them the Rules of Society, and directed them to meet twice a week. One, Amelia Charles, was a leader, in St. Kitts, 26 or 27 years ago we saw several of her tickets. Another was a member of society, in St. Vincents; two others had heard the Methodists at Grenada and St. Vincents; and the other two were hearers of Mr. Elliott. Five out of the six please us much; we believe they are in the way to heaven. We saw another Methodist from Dominica, who lives in the country, and could not be present when we formed the class. These poor souls, and perhaps many others on the island, were like sheep without a shepherd. Mr. Elliott has a house, and the chapel in which we preached in Tobago. When he left his home, his return was expected in 6 or 8 months; but 16 or 18 months have elapsed since, and he has not yet made his appearance. The accounts respecting him are various and contradictory. His church consisted of 6 coloured women, part of whom, we have joined in class. We think this is no plunder, for they were without a pastor, and no man cared for their souls. The Government of this country would not be inimical to the introduction of a missionary. If a few individuals opposed, I believe there is a sufficient power on the other hand to counter-balance such opposition. Several of the members of the Assembly were among our hearers. There are many in this island who would welcome a missionary. It is our decided opinion, that an effort should be made; and we believe, that a proper effort would be successful. Should it be thought too great a venture to send a missionary from England, a trial might be made by sending one from some West India island, for a few months. The state of the inhabitants, with respect to religious instruction, is most deplorable. To 40 or 50, out of 18,000 souls, for whom the Son of God died, a gentleman who is an owner of estates, reads the church service and a sermon of about 15 or 20 minutes length, once a week. The rest of the inhabitants spend the mornings of the Sabbaths at the public market, and the evenings in singing, dancing, &c. This is an English island; and behold the religion of its inhabitants! The Governor is very zealous for the erection of a Church. In a letter to the House of Assembly, he expressed his opinion to the following effect: That should any of his friends inquire of him, Is there a church in the island of which you are Governor? he should be ashamed to answer No! If poverty were the hinderance to a church, a subscription might be entered into, and he would himself AN HYMN. ETERNAL SIRE, enthron'd on high, Whom angel hosts adore, Who yet to suppliant dust art nigh, Thy presence I implore! O guide me down the steep of age, And keep my passions cool; Teach me to scan the sacred page, And practice ev'ry rule. Teach me to shun the Sceptic's path, And scorn the Deist's lore; Steadfast to hold the ancient faith, Hope humbly, and adore! My flying years time urges on ; What's human must decay; head the list with 3001. Last Friday the House of Assembly decided on the erection of a church. But admitting that the church in question were erected, and supplied with an evangelical minister, the vast population of this island, scattered abroad on divers estates, and in the me lancholy state I have mentioned, affords ample scope for more than one church, and one minister. We have been thus particular in our detail, that you may be able to judge what should be done. I never was so powerfully impressed as I am at present with the extraordinary success of our West India missions. Any one who runs along the range of islands, as we have done; holding in his hand the Minutes of Conference, marking the numbers in society on each; when h reflects that in about 30 years, on these comparatively specks of earth, societies to the amount of 18,000 souls and upwards have been raised up in addition to the thousands that have entered into rest, he must acknowledge that this, if not the most extraordinary, is one of the most extraordinary missions in the world. Our O how me St. Thomas, January 22, 1817. chapel in this place is shut. lancholy the case of the Methodists here, who are not permitted to hear the word of God preached, nor even to hold prayermeetings or class-meetings! There is not a place in this island where divine wor ship is performed in English, though there are many English here. Will not the British Government exert its influence, to obtain liberty of conscience for British subjects in every part of his Majesty's dominions? Pray for us, that God may endue us with prudence, patience, and perseverance, I am your's, &c. POETRY. My friends, my youth's companions gone, Can I expect to stay? J. BROWN. Can I exemption plead, when Death While dust to dust descends! Admitted to thy blest abode, I'll endless anthems pay! Through Heaven, howe'er remote the bound, Thy matchless love proclaim, And join the choir of saints, that sound Their dear Redeemer's name! Printed at the Conference-Office, 14, City-Road, by T. CORDEUX, Agent. |