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have occurred wherein 11 out of 14 have been laid up at once. This being observed, I may consider myself as gently dealt with; my colleague has also felt a little of the effects of the climate. I wish I had had strength and spirits to have written to you as I would; but you must however, this time, accept the will for the deed. You did nobly for missions last year, nor will you, I trust, relax your efforts in this. If you knew what we feel I am sure you would not think much to forego a few little things, to increase our comforts. In one sense I consider myself happy in being called to be a missionary at a time when the religious world is awake; nor is it the least source of encouragement to a man in a far distant country to reflect, that, though the same day's sun warms not the places they inhabit, yet millions of his friends are sending up their ardent prayers to heaven on his behalf, and contributing of their property to support him. Weakened as we are by affliction, in a distant country, in a dangerous climate, nearly without earthly friends, and surrounded by apparent difficulties, need we not your prayers? And shall we not have them? Need we not your aid, and shall we not have it? The two years I feebly filled that pulpit are gone to return no more. The events of that period are registered in eternity; I preached; you heard; I was often ashamed of my services. On the review this moment I feel something of the memory of joys that are past, which is pleasant, yet monraful to the soul.

My paper fills, my strength is exhausted; but my heart is not empty; may the Eternal God pour down his richest bless ings on you! May he multiply you a hundred-fold. I wish my kindest love to all, throughout the circuit, who may be assembled at your Missionary Meeting. My request is, that you will not cease to pray for one who once laboured among you, though you see him no more.

more than doubled this last fortnight. We have distributed a great number of tracts; and last night we preached to two different congregations. I took the congregation at home, and Mr. Catts that in another part of the city. We purpose very soon, God willing, to take the field, and publish in the open air the riches of salvation. Mr. Catts has twice visited a village about eight miles distant, Croix des Bouquets, where he has met with the most flattering reception. From a pulpit or stone under the tree of liberty, with the Commandant of the place by his side, and a file of soldiers ranged round the congregation, to the deeply attentive inhabitants, he proclaimed the faithful saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have had an invitation from the Commandant of ano ther village, who was one of Mr. Catts's auditors.

In the prosecution of our work we have to combat, not only with ignorance and wickedness, common to mankind in an unconverted state, (both of which are in the extreme) but that which forms the most formidable barrier in our way, is the people's superstition. Many of them are so ignorant that they know not what a New Testament is; others, more sensible, have no idea of its being a divine book, and containing the words of eter nal life. Sabbath-breaking, fornication, and adultery, are common sins, and the place is notorious for thieving; yet, in the midst of all, you cannot persuade them but that they are, bons Chretiens, bein bons Chretiens! good Christians, very good Christians. We are visited by several every day, who either come for tracts, or to have some conversation with us; but I do not think we have found one who was not resting perfectly secure under an idea of their safety. Going to confession, making the sign of the cross, repeating prayers, doing acts of penance ;-these heal up every spiritual malady. Great numbers carry about them a little book (one of which I have obtained,) containing prayers to Jesus Christ, the virgin Mary, &c. all which prayers are said to have had some miraculous origin. On taking this book Port au Prince, March 31, 1817. they go to confession, fast ten Fridays, ab. OUR prospects of usefulness, though far stain from flesh all other Fridays, carry from flattering, are improving; and, this book for one year, repeat five Pater through the mercy of God, we hope to nosters, and five Ave Marias every Frisucceed in establishing a church here. day. The doing this secures them the From secular power, or the influence of pardon of all their sins, protection from wealth, we have little to expect to give evil, every blessing on earth, and heaven weight to our Mission. It appears, we must stand alone, and work our way, if ever we make it. It will be pleasing to you to hear that our congregation has

Your's, affectionately, J. BROWN.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. JOHN
BROWN to Mr. JAMES WOOD, dated

hereafter! At the end of La Rue de la Croix a crucifix is placed; hither num. bers repair morning and evening to count their beads, and babble over their devo

tions. This is Passion-week, and there is much show; persons in sackcloth, walking barefoot, &c. Last Saturday was a solemn procession to the above-mentioned crucifix; all were covered in black. How our hearts are greived at these things, not merely to reflect that human intellect should be so degraded as to substitute these things for the worship of the great God, but to find that they are put in the place of our Redeemer, and that by them the conscience is deadened, and every avenue to the heart locked up.

Port au Prince can never be a favourable situation for health. The regular trade winds from N. E. which refresh the other islands, are interrupted by a long range of land and high mountains, and when the wind is from the east it sweeps the plain, and is considered very unhealthy. All the sea-breeze we have is a kind of re-action against the trade wind. The situation of the town, also, being near mountains, causes the rays of the sun to beat fiercely upon it, and much of the ground on which it stands is swampy. Though our congregation fills the house in an evening, on Sunday morning and afternoon we have not been able to raise a congregation. The three last Sundays I have preached at one o'clock in English. There are very few whites in this place.

In a joint letter from Messrs. BROWN and CATTS to Mr. MARSDEN, dated Port au Prince, April 21, 1817, they say,

OUR Congregation is now too large for our house. We cannot yet praise God for conversions, but a more reverent and deeply attentive congregation I never saw. Several of them last night at prayer, not only kneeled, but actually bent forward, and put their mouths in the dust. Mr. Catt's affliction has prevented us from executing our design of preaching in the open air. Persons call upon us every day for tracts and conversation; but it grieves us that we cannot get more Bibles into circulation. I waited on the President of the Bible Society here; and afterwards on the Treasurer. They promised to come and visit us. At length the Treasurer came, and engaged to get a man of colour to go with me from house to house. we depend on God alone for success. Let us entreat your prayers, and interest as many congregations as you can on our behalf. Our increasing congregations, and their deep attention, shed on us a ray of hope amidst our afflictions, the dangerous climate, and the horrid shades of ignorance, wretchedness and superstition

around us.

But

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turns.

Far other, nobler cause have I to roam;-
I call the wanderers to their Father's home!

A MISSIONARY HYMN.
By S. Woolmer.

ALL hail Immanuel's name,
Adorn'd with richest grace;
The music, loud proclaim

To all the human race;
From sea to sea, from shore to shore,
Till the bright sun shall set no more,
Zephyrs that gently move,
And every flowing wave,
Shall spread Immanuel's love

And mighty power to save,
Till not a dark deserted place
Be found without the light of grace.
He shall bear sovereign sway,

Through all the earth abroad;
And every land obey

Their Saviour and their God.
Sheba and Seba bring their store,
While monarchs prostrate and adore.
Blessings for ever rest,

On Israel's mighty Lord,
Men shall in him be blest
According to his word;

His name for ever shall endure,
And make his oath and promise sure.

Printed at the Conference-Office, 14, City-Road, London; T. CORDEUX, Agent.

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THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR AUGUST, 1817.

BIOGRAPHY.

A SHORT MEMOIR OF MR. JOHN DIXÓN,
Of Bassingham, in Lincolnshire.

THE celebrated Bacon, complaining of the defective taste of his age for biographical productions, subjoins as a reason for his complaint, that though kings, princes, and great personages are few, yet there are many other excellent men who deserve better than vague reports and barren eulogies. And although many, more mortal in their affections than their bodies, esteem the desire of fame and memory but as a vanity; and despise praise, whilst they do nothing that is praise-worthy; yet, as Solomon informs us, "The memory of the just shall be with praises, but the name of the wicked shall rot." This sentiment being founded in truth, I judge Mr. John Dixon to be one of those excellent men who deserve more than vague reports and barren eulogies. Imperishable shall his memory be, for his name deserves solid praise. I only regret that so few of these interesting incidents and documents, which his excellent life must have furnished, have come into my hands; and that some person more able than myself has not been employed to arrange and exhibit them to the public eye. Respecting the earliest part of this excellent man's life, I am incapable of giving any other information than that he became an orphan when he was but four years old. At that time he had an uncle, a resident at Bassingham, in Lincolnshire, who was in easy worldly circumstances; to him was this orphan sent for his education, and by him, as it appears, very reluctantly received. Time, however, gave the youth an opportunity of developing his superior abilities, and Mr. Gibson (for that was the uncle's name) of outliving this unmerited coldness to so promising a relative.

Mr. Gibson, although a perfect stranger to personal piety, and destitute of any remarkable thirst for knowledge, was, notwithstanding, a man of solid sense, and had a taste for reading: VOL. XL. AUGUST, 1817.

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