have opened a meeting every Monday evening for them, when I endeavour to impress upon their minds the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. "We have also opened two schools; one at Portuguese Town, which consists of between 20 and 30 scholars, principally adults, who appear very wishful to learn. To these people we regularly preach. Two or three appear to have some conviction, which has improved their conduct; (God grant it may end in their salvation!) These we have put under the care of an experienced Christian. The negroes in general, in this place, appear desirous to be taught, and to have their children brought up in the fear of God, or, as they term it, "in white-mau fashion." Last Sunday morning I bap tized 15 of their children, when about 60 or 70 adults were present in our little wattled meeting house, which we have in this village. The other school is at the west end of the town, near our house, and consists of upwards of 40 girls, whom Mrs. Brown teaches sewing and reading. We open school with singing and prayer, and conclude in the evening with the same exercises. We have no assistance, except from a boy whom I got from the hospital, about four months ago. He knew the alphabet, and can now read a chapter in the Testament. He is serious and steady, eager to improve himself, and is attentive to his charge. "I am thankful that we enjoy our health, and have, I trust, passed through the seasoning sickness. I should like to live that I may be the instrument of good to the mission. I am often discouraged on account of my being apparently a useless missionary; I can say, with truth, the greatest evil that I can contemplate is, to spend my days as a dead weight in the skirts of the church of God." Since the above came to hand we have received the melancholy intelligence that both the missionaries, Messrs. Davies and Brown, have had new attacks of fever, and that Mrs. Brown, from whose engagements in the school for female negro children much usefulness was anticipated, has fallen a victim to the same disorder. The following are extracts of a letter from a gentleman in the colony, relative to this event, addressed to Mr. Bunting, and dated "Sierra Leone, Aug. 1, 1817. "Mr. Brown was taken ill first, and that on the 18th instant, with the fever. On the 20th, Mrs. B. became ill also, and had every symptom peculiar to the fever, in this country. It was then I saw them both, and lamented 1 had not known of their indisposition before. The fever soon after assumed its different stages, and fre quently were we led to hope that she would be again restored to her health and strength; but the Lord's ways are not our ways. Towards the ninth day, which is generally the highest stage of the fever, and when the disorder takes a turn, either for the better or the worse we found that nature was nearly exhausted with the repeated attacks which she had endured; yet it was de lightful to behold her gaining fresh spiri tual strength; her soul was stayed sim ply on Jesus, and derived consolation from his all-sufficiency and willingness to save. She was sensible to the last, bat, through weakness, deprived of speech for a few hours, before she departed; and about half past eleven o'clock, on the night of the 28th ult. her soul took its eternal flight. The disembodied spirit is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour, to go out no more for ever, reaping the rich reward of a boundless eternity. "During this time Mr.B.was also very ill. The fever had made considerable progress, and, at times, we were left in great suspense as to the result; he has, however, materially altered for the better. He is at present free from fever, and his chief suffering is from the very severe loss he has sustained in the removal of a most affectionate wife. But, blessed be God, he has mercifully proportioned his grace to the day of trial; he received, and still continues to bear the shock with Christian fortitude; he finds the promises of God sweet, and is enabled to rejoice in this dispensation of his heavenly Father, knowing, he doth all things well.' "I am aware Mr. Davies will give you a more particular account than I can of ber, and from his constant attendance will be able to enumerate many part culars which I could not, having only enjoyed the privilege of being with her occasionally. But yet I feel so gratified in paying this small tribute of affection to her memory, that I hope it will be an apology for any intrusion on my part. "Mr. Davies has lately had two attacks of fever, and was only sufficiently recovered from the last, so as to render them assistance in their trying circumstances. His attention to them both has certainly been unremitting and most affectionate, and any commendation of mine will fall very short, when I assure you it was al most the last words Mrs. B. said, and that to Mr. Davies, as a proof of her gratitude for his attention," God bless you Sir, I thank you for all your kindness." The weather has hitherto been very favourable, as it respects the moderate fall of rain, but the season has been sickly. We have suffered in the loss of two valuable friends; and it is scarcely three weeks ago, since we committed the remains of the Rev. L. Butscher to the grave. Mrs. B. was present at his funeral, and manifested much concern on that occasion. She spoke of it as tending greatly to remind her of her own change, and to quicken her pace in the road that leadeth to everlasting life. May this blessed effect be produced on all those remaining behind, that whether our Master come at the second or third watch, he may find us watching!" The following extract of a letter from Mr. Davies is of the same date as the preceding, and gives some further particulars. "I am just able to sit up to write you a few lines, having been unwell upwards of nine weeks, with fever after fever, which has reduced me almost to a skeleton. Truly this is the land of death. My much-esteemed friend, Mr. Butscher, left us on the 17th of July to join his Catharine, after surviving her two years and two months, within two days. Mr. Brown was taken ill last Friday fortnight, and the following Sunday Mrs. Brown. God called her to the enjoyment of eternal felicity last Monday night, about eleven o'clock. The doctor has given me a particular charge not to write, consequently, at present, I cannot give a full detail. I was hardly able to leave my bed when they were taken ill, but God strengthened me wonderfully, and she would rather take things from my hand than from any other person. She had a short struggle with the enemy about two days before she died, and she sent one of the nurses for me to pray for her; when I had concluded she said, "I have no more confidence than when you began;" I answered, you are as safe as if you were in Abraham's bosom, for although God may hide his face for a moment, he will certainly appear; the Comforter shall come, the dragon must be chained. I believe I was not five, or at the furthest ten minutes, out of the room, before our good friend, Mr. Nicol, came and desired me to go back, and talk to her, as she was more comfortable. I immediately went; and the first sight I beheld was, the tears trickling down her face; then she broke out with a heavenly countenance, "Glory be to God, the enemy is chained! I am justified, but want to be wholly sanctified." Respecting sanctification, I desired her to look to Jesus, leave herself in his hands, then VOL. XL. DECEMBER, 1817. she would soon come out of the furnace, The Rev. Mr. Garnon and his wife have been very attentive to us in our trouble. We also had a very kind medical gentleman, Staff Surgeon Henley, who, I am fully convinced, did all for us that a man could do. His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. the Chief Justice, and all the Europeans, have been very kind in their inquiries, as well as the friends, both leaders and members. There is no ne cessity of my mentioning to you the un changeable kindness of our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Nicol. Mr. Hirst was confined by the fever at the same time, but is re covering. He has had many attacks of late. Mr. D. adds, Aug. 4th, Mr. Brown is much better this morning. WEST INDIES. Death of Mr. WILLIAM BEACOCK The Committee have received a letter communicating the mournful intelligence of the death of the above excellent missionary, which took place on the 29th of last August. Thus, in two successive years, the missionaries appointed to Dominica, have been called away, and the people left as sheep without a shepherd. "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out." CEYLON. [Through mistake the following letters Extract of a joint Letter from Messrs. Under a kind and unerring Providence we arrived safely at Galle on the 25th instant, after a very long, but pleasant voyage. After we had met the Societies at the Cape, generally twice a day, we commended them to God, and left them. We weighed anchor on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and in a few days experienced such a change of climate that our thick clothes were found to be necessary, even our great coats. One day, while at the Cape, the thermometer rose to 88°, and when in 39° S. lat. only 48°, and in a few weeks after to 88 again. Through all these changes we have passed without suffering much inconvenience, and in general have enjoyed good health. We soon became so familiar.zed (I had almost said naturalized) to the heat, as to prefer 88° to 48°. Our study has generally been to make ourselves familiar with the clearest and most simple arguments on the nature and defence of Christianity; this we considered of the first importance; and we are glad to find that our time devoted to the study of Portuguese has not been in vain, for though the Portuguese spoken among the lower order in the island differs a little from the High Portuguese, yet the grammars are very much alike, and continual reference is made from one to the other. We think every missionary, coming out to Ceylon, should be furnished with the Portuguese gram mar and vocabulary, and the Scriptures, for they are always read in High Portu guese. We understand this language is almost universally known in the island, especially round the coast. The latter part of our voyage was very unfriendly to study. The seas in general are rough and heavy in the month of March in the latitudes we passed; and dangerous hurricanes about the Isle of France, prevented our sailing up the Mozambique channel. We stood out from the Cape to 39° S. lat. and did not lessen it till we had made more than 70° E. long. Through the care of Divine Prov dence we have escaped in many imminent dangers. That almost miraculous deliverance we experienced in the British channel may be taken into the account. When forced by contrary winds so far W. long, we were among a quantity of sunk rocks, and our God, who knows their place, conducted us past them in safety. Through the sudden change of climate the chronometer altered so as to turn us out of our way so far, that we had very nearly passed Ceylon; for when we expected to have seen it in our starboard bow (as the sailors call it) it was just discovered before night, that we were on the west of it, when by the ship's reckoning we were in E. long. 79. Had we passed it we should have sailed more to the East, and thus prolonged our voyage many days at least, beside being in danger of rocks and shoals. We came up to the island at night, so could not ascertain what part it was: at four o'clock in the morning we sounded, and found, at one time, but 13 fathoms, and yet we were at least 12 miles from land. As soon as it was daylight, we found we had been near the great Basses; we suppose we passed them within about a ship's length; this is a very fatal place. We soon found we were just off Elephant's Mount, about an equal distance from Galle and Trincomalee, and for a time it was undeter mined which place we should bear down to. We prayed for Divine direction; and in a short time a breeze sprang up, and we sailed for Galle; standing a few miles from land we had a good view of the island; every place was covered with verdure, and had a beautiful appearance, after seeing no land for many months, save the barren mountains of the Cape. About four o'clock, P. M. we were of Tengalle, and about midnight passed Dandra Head, and at day-break Galle just appeared, and at nine o'clock brother Fox went on shore to prepare our way for us, as the captain did not intend coming to anchor. Brother Erskine accompanied brother Fox to the ship about two o'clock, and we got on shore in time to have our boxes of clothes through the customhouse that night. For all our books we had to pay duty, 8 per cent. We found brother and sister M'Kenny and family well; we were heartily welcomed by them all. We wish every missionary may meet with such a Captain and such accommodation; we all felt much at leav ing him, and all the mariners seemed sorry to lose us. We think no man should let the idea of living in a ship for a few months prevent him from following the impulse of a missionary spirit; but rather consider his first entrance to the ship the beginning of his mission. British seamen have left their families at an early period of their lives, and are as ignorant of Christianity as the heathen; but they are willing to be instructed. There was a manifest difference among the seamen when we left them, to what appeared when we first went on board. The Bibles that were furnished from the Bible Society were a good introduction to them, and we hope in the day of eternity to see some blessed effects produced to the glory of our adorable Lord. We have just received letters from the brethren at Colombo, to wel come us to the island; and brother Callaway, from Matura, has paid us a visit and upon the request of the brethren, brother Fox has just set out for Colombo, with a little of his luggage, to stop there till Conference. Brother Newstead is with brother Erskine, at the Modelier's house, and brother Osborne and his wife are at brother M'Kenny's. We have each of us preached to very respectable congregations, and the classes, we find, are in a very promising state. Extract of a Letter from Mr. CLOUGH to Mr. BUNTING, dated Colombo, May 1, 1817. THE nature of our work, and the prospects which open before us, encourage and animate us to labour on. Hence we are using, to the utmost of our power, those means which God has placed within our reach, to accomplish that great work which I have no doubt in my mind whatever, he sent us out to perform. You would be greatly pleased to be in one of our English class-meetings, and hear the artless simplicity of those that are real members of our society, to see their zeal, and love to every branch of Methoddism, and their hearty acquiescence in every part of our discipline. I am really surprised sometimes to hear the clear manner in which they speak of the things of God, and of the work of grace upon their souls; and recollect, that a short time back "These were not a people." As many of the natives, Cingalese, and those who speak the Portuguese language, only have begun to express a wish to be admitted to our classmeetings, we are now beginning to establish classes in the Portuguese and Cingalese languages. The other night we had several natives in the class; but only two or three could speak English. Upon one of them being asked if he wished to be saved from sin and hell, he replied, with much fervour, "I very much like dat." Well, have you begun to pray to God? "I always now praying every day." But how do you pray? He replied, putting his hand upon his breast, "I always pray now wid my heart feeling." This unexpected, and yet most pleasing explanation of prayer produced, as you may naturally suppose, a power ful effect in our English class. It quite overcame some. Our Portuguese congregation, though small in its beginning, now promises well. It is in general serious; but hearing God's word is not enough, and hence there is so little of the fear of God out of the places of worship in this country, that, however a person's mind may be affected under preaching, when he goes 6 into an ungodly world he loses it all, and it would be next to a miracle for such a one to hold fast: then you see the necessity of classes being introduced. Our class meetings are the only means I cau think of, as likely, after all, to make effectual work of it. But as this class of people have lived so long without any kind of religious instruction, every thing must be brought round in a regular way. Hence, I think, the plan we are adopting of establishing a general catechising for all such as are disposed to come, and then finding out those who are the most in earnest for their souls, and immediately forming them into classes, is the best we can devise, at least at the present, to promote the salvation of immortal souls. Since the opening of our chapel, I have paid more particular attention to the Portuguese language, and can now preach or converse in it with the utmost ease. My opinion, in respect to the languages of this country is, that we shall not do much in them in the way of preaching, until we do it extempore. This I see more clearly since I preached in this way in the Portuguese. But having had so much to do in English and Portuguese the last six months, it has proved a serious hindrance to me in the Cingalese. Translating has also been another great hindrance in my way of writing sermons in the Cingalese. Long before you receive this, you will have heard of the death of W. Tolfrey, Esq. who was engaged in making a translation of the New Testament into Cingalese. I wrote to Dr. Clarke some months since, and gave him some of the melancholy inteligence of this worthy gentleman; also of the translating work having been removed to the mission-house. I am now hard at work to complete it, in conjunc tion with brother Armour, and Mr. Chater, the Baptist missionary. At present we are literally jaded with our own different employments on this station, and nothing could possibly induce me to devote four days in the week to close attention to this work, but the idea of its vast impor tance; and I frequently please myself with the reflection, that this translation of the Word of life, when we are gone, will preach the Saviour of sinners to generations yet unborn. The Scriptures are not the only work which are putting into the languages of this country. We have just finished, i. e. printed off, a very large edition of Mr. T. Wood's Catechism, in Cingalese, and another in Portuguese; and from the manner in which they are read and com mitted to memory by the children, and F 2 * adults, I am persuaded that great good will soon be done by it. It is really delightful to hear the children repeat the different answers, with all the Scripture proofs, with the utmost correctness. We are now printing it in Malabar. Besides this, we have printed in the Cingalese and Malabar languages, within the last four months, from 20 to 30,000 Tracts, chiefly extracts from the New Testament, consisting of the parables, miracles, our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, &c. We have printed also a small edition of 2000 of Ostervald's Scripture-history, in Cingalese. I mean the abridged edition. The same is now printing off in Tamul. It is done at the expense of the Bible Society in Ceylon. I am almost constantly confined in my room, and my principal journeys are those I make out of my study, to the translating-room, and from thence into the pulpit. I am sometimes for weeks together, and scarcely reach the outside of the walls of the mission-premises. Here I am :—my hours, days, and weeks, fly in such a way that the remembrance of them is only impressed upon my thoughts by the return of certain seasons; and it must of necessity be the case with me, at least for some time. And our mission will always require some of the brethren thus to fill up their time, as much must be done in translating. O that we could make our voices convey across the wide ocean the feelings of gratitude, love, and affection, that fill our souls toward our friends in Britain, for all their kindness to us, their unworthy representatives to the heathen. Well:-they are known unto God, and the day of the Lord will bring us toge ther in our Father's house. At present we are separated: It must be the case. God's cause requires it, and our souls unitedly say, " Father thy will be done," and by a proper realization of the two periods, in which man was created to move, namely, time and eternity, our little separation will appear a matter of trifling importance. POETRY. THE ANGEL'S SONG. 'Twas great to speak a world from nought; 'Twas greater to redeem.-S. Wesley. WHEN fill'd with vital warmth, the Heavenly Dove, His brooding wings o'er formless chaos spread; When prompted by the energies of love, Through night's dark realm his living light he shed; When "Let creation wake," th' Almighty said, And beauteous order from confusion rose : Then seraph choirs, in glowing flame array'd, The glad, triumphal, choral song compose, And through empyreal heaven, ecstatic music flows. And teach your melodies to mortal ears; What fresh delight in your blest world ap pears? What news of joy, or wonder do ye bring? That thus, while nature her dark mantle wears, On night's still hour your sweet hosannahs ring, And earth, like heaven, resounds with praises to your King. No planet rising on the world of space, But Oh! more vast, the magnitude of grace, Your solemn, swelling hallelujahs claim, The new-found glories of Jehovah's name! Creation, pure and lovely, told his fame, Wisdom and might, in all, conspicuous shone, But what sweet seraph's minstrel-art can frame A song so high, or sound so deep a tone, As shall express his love, in man's redemptes shewn? Theme of your praise, end of your high be hest, A mighty Saviour comes to man destroy'd; His infant limbs in Bethlehem's manger rest; Attendant angels, on their charge empley 'd, Around him wait; while ye blest powers, o'erjoyed, Amaz'd at man's high destiny descend, Leaving awhile your thrones of glory void, This jubilee of being to attend, And publish peace ou earth, through man's incarnate Friend. Heralds of grace! we join your song sublime, Towards David's city turn our joyful eyes, Pierce the long vista of receding time, |