house," &c. &c. The additional Missionary now about to proceed, will, upon his arrival, enable Mr. Shaw to pay a proper attention to this new station, from which the light of truth, and the blessings of civilization, may be communicated to another of the scattered tribes of that country. WEST INDIES. St. Vincent's. The following extract of a letter from Mr. BELLAMY, dated Oct. 29, is a continuation of the statements in the letter, published in our last number, of the progress of the mission in that island, and the pleasing openings for the communication of religious instruction to the children of the negroes. In my last I informed you of circumstances which led to an open door of juvenile negroe instruction. In this I am happy to say, that our little catechumens keep increasing in numbers. Our congregation and society on Mr. Q's estate, is now greatly increasing, so that the chapel is too small. I asked Mr. Q. leave to enlarge it at one end. He said, " Certainly, I am glad there are so many who attend." The chapel is in a pleasant, but peculiar situation; on a fine green, level spot of ground, which has no other building on it; almost surrounded with a small, rapid, fresh-water river, without any bridge over it; and, on the other hand, a steep ascent up to Mr. Q.'s house. So that you must either come down the ascent by Mr. Q.'s house, or go through the river. It is pleasing to see on a Sunday morning, the negroes coming from different parts of the estate, and from others also, neatly dressed, with their stools on their heads, wading through the shallow river, and descending the heights to the chapel; and numbers of little children and young people coming to be catechized, &c. I held a love-feast, in which they spoke in a lively, short, and interesting manner. One black woman, expressing her views of the excellency and unchangeableness of religion in her esteem, said, "When me came to religion on dis island, it be good; religion be good now; no grow old, no grow worse; praise be to de Laud, aud help me to hold it fast to de end, for Christ's sake." In this chapel, I have no doubt but many can date their spiritual birth; and it will be said in the last great day, that this and that man were born there. Though it has no doors, yet we are not afraid of its being robbed of valuable plate, splendid shrines, or costly decorations. No: it is a plain house, that stands open night and day, Sundays and week-days, free for every comer and goer to receive religious instruction. It resembles the free mercy of that eternal God for whose worship it was erected, open for all comers, at all times, who seek the Lord. From the same, dated Nov. 2, 1818. NEVER since I have had the honour of embarking, as a missionary, to this part of the western world, did I experience greater pleasure in the work of the ministry, than I do now. Notwithstanding that I have been called to pass through many painful exercises, such as a long and severe affliction myself, and the loss of an amiable and useful wife; together with sharp attacks at times from adverse powers, yet in the midst of all I am enabled "None of those things move me" from duty. They only tend to brighten and sharpen my spiritual sword, and to call into exercise more fully the powers of my mind, and the Christain graces, to perfect that which is lacking in me, and to lead me up to the measure of the stature of a perfect man in Christ. to say, At one of our appointments on the leeward part of the island, we sometimes meet with a little opposition. One Sun day (being my appointment) I was informed, just before we entered the chapel, that a company of neighbouring gentlemen (whites) had combined together, to come and examine our proceedings, in our private meetings, and to put a check to the progress of Methodism there. However, in the course of the service, instead of a number, only two made their appearance, who behaved like gentlemen, and were very attentive; and, instead of molestation, one of the gentlemen brought near forty negroe children to be catechised; and I hope the other gentleman will follow his good example. The gentleman was present while I catechised them, that he might know the doctrines we taught them, and the principles we infused in their minds. He expressed his satisfaction, and gave me an invitation to his house. St. Bartholomew-To the efforts made in so many of our West India stations to benefit the children of the colonies, by religious instruction, by establishing new, or reviving neglected schools, we have to add the adoption of measures in St. Bartholomew, by Mr. White, for that purpose. His letter is dated September 28. My new appointment came very unexpectedly. I sailed on the 16th. Our passage was rough and unpleasant, and we were exceedingly ill, but arrived in safety the next morning, and disembarked at six o'clock. The number in Society was 333. The people, generally, appeared to be in a good state of mind. The leaders are among the best I have yet met with. Their class and prayer meetings are very lively. They are very poor, and their contributions small. The society numbered 546 in February, 1814, when Mr. Talboys left it; but it has been decreasing ever since. The reason I have heard assigned for which, is, the declining trade of the island, obliging many of its inhabitants to remove to neighbouring places, especially to St. Thomas's, where such of them as were members of our society, are lost to us, as we have now no access to that island, the Danes, to whom it belongs, refusing to allow a Methodist Missionary to preach there. These removals still take place. I soon found that the Lord was among the people, and that he gave me their hearts. I proposed, therefore, the recommencement of a Sunday school, which they had among them before, but which had been discontinued. They readily offered their assistance, and the work commenced on the 2d of last month, to the great joy of all our hearts. It goes on well: the first day we had 66 pupils and 11 teachers, and we have had an increase every Sunday. A month after, some of the teachers proposed the enlargement of the school, or rather of their exertions, and offered to teach three mornings every week, after the five o'clock service. I had thought of it myself, but doubted the success of the plan; but when we came to inquire for teachers and children, we found that most of both were both able and willing to attend. Accordingly, we now have them for an hour and a half every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning; beside two hours on Sunday forenoon, and two more in the afternoon. The number of pupils is risen to 154; and the zeal and diligence, the piety, affection, and faithfulness of the teachers present a very pleasing spectacle. I trust that when all the talents of all of them are brought more fully into operation, (for the whole business is as yet but in its small beginnings,) we shall have a powerful engine put in motion; and it may be hoped that great good will be done. I have seen such institutions rise and fall with an individual, or with impressions of a transitory kind; but this has many marks of an influence of a higher nature: the Lord really appears among them, and they seem to engage in all they do as for him; their motives appear to be of a sanctified kind. A commencement has also been made of an adult school. I am not without hopes of its success, though the prospect is not bright, and there are some difficulties in the way; because the people who have come forward seem to be in good earnest to learn, and they are all in society. There are 18 of them. Our meetings are held as follow:-On" Sunday morning, at five o'clock, several classes meet; at six, the adult school, which continues till half past seven; at eight the children's school assembles, and they continue till ten, when the public service commences by the reading of Mr. Wesley's Abridgment of the Church Prayers; the sermon follows: at twelve the children's school is resumed, which is finally dismissed at two. -At five the congregation returns fo preaching; after which I generally meet the society, and that is succeeded by the meeting of classes. On Monday and Wednesday mornings, at five o'clock, I give a short address without a text: these endeavour to make as close and profitable as possible. On these occasions our assembly is generally large, and a good feeling always prevails. On Friday mornings I read the Litany: the practice did not originate with me; but I believe it proper to continue it, as it teaches our more ignorant people a form of sound words. On the other morning the leaders, in turns, hold prayer meetings, which are well and profitably attended. On Monday I visit the people. At five in the afternoon I meet the children to catechise, converse, and pray with them; but they are so numerous, I shall be obliged to divide them; and I intend to meet the boys on Monday, and the girls on Wednesday. I have desired the more serious, who wish to speak with me, to attend me separately after the others are dismissed. Some appear to be under Divine impressions. I have great satisfaction in the temper and conduct of many. I expect to see in many the preachers, and leaders, and stewards of a future day. The Lord multiply their number. evening I meet the leaders in class; an excellent practice I have from my predecessor, Mr. Whitworth. On Tuesday and Wednesday, from five till eight in the evenings, classes are met. On Thursday evening I preach; Friday meet the On Monday work of God;) Mr. Whitworth, and Mr Riley-all are mentioned. Mr. Gilgrass, who was here a fortnight, and Mr. Jack son, who staid six weeks, were both bles sed to them. They still pray for them." I am frequently reminded of the tachment of the Philippians to St. Paul. at leaders; and Saturday, the bands. There is one trait in the character of this people, which is verypleasing: their frequent reference to the usefulness of their preachers, and the affectionate manner in which they speak of them. Mr.Turton, Mr. Talboys, (who was made eminently useful in a great revival of the Barbadoes. We are happy to state that this revived Mission promises success, The congregations are large, and the decayed state of the old, and for some time forsaken, chapel, requires that a new one should be erected. A handsome subscription for that purpose has been commenced, headed by one sum of 1001. another of 401. and several of 201. and 101.; which, though not all, as yet, equal to the expense, marks the sentiments of several of the most respectable class of society as to the necessity of missionary labours in an island where hitherto they have been in so small a degree successful. NOVA SCOTIA. Extract of a Letter from Mr. KNOWLAN to the COMMITTEE, dated Shelburne, Sept. 14, 1818. By the gracious providence of God, my health has been so far restored, that I ventured to take a circuit this year, and delayed writing until I could ascertain whether I should be able to do its duties; and I praise God, that he has enabled me to go through the summer season with a good degree of comfort and satisfaction. The Lord supports my mind by his grace, and comforts me with his Jove; and I wish to set out afresh as a Christian and as a minister of the gospel, I feel more need than ever of a watchful praying spirit; and I think I feel unfeigned gratitude to God for having prolonged my life, restored my voice and health in a good degree, and opened to my view a prospect of further usefulness in his church. May all that is within me praise his holy name. I have spent one quarter on this cir cuit, and can truly say we have had many refreshing seasons from the presence of the Lord. There appears to be a growth of grace in those who have already believed; and a few have been awakened to a sense of their danger while in sin and unbelief. I have held love feasts both in town and country; and these were profitable seasons. At Barrington, the presence of God was most graciously manifested. It had been, and still continued to be, a time of great affliction, hardly a family escaping; and these afflictions appeared to have been The hearts of many were filled with sorrow; but their sorrow was turned to joy. sanctified. The season, on this side of the peninsula, has been very unfavourable, and the crops of hay, grain, and vegetables, have generally failed; and in some places have been destroyed, with other property, by a devouring fire. So long a drought was never known in these parts, there having been hardly any rain for three months or more; and the soil being light and sandy, of course vegetation was greatly impeded. But as the judgments of the Lord often follow in rapid succession, so it has been in this instance, for, through the badness of the water, the continued drought, and other causes, dysenteries and typhus fever have prevailed, and with peculiar virulence and severity. But I feel thankful, that although I constantly attended the sick, praying with, and giving them advice, I escaped the contagion. In addition to the above, the woods, by some means, took fire, which gradually increased, until it arrived at a most alarming height. At first it was confined to the back woods, but at length it approached the settlements, and filled the people with universal terror and consternation. I was at a place called Cape Niger at the time, and, from a commanding height, could see the country, inland, in one continued blaze, attended with a noise, like the roaring of the sea after a storm, for about twenty miles; the wind north-east, blowing hard. It suddenly changed to north-west, which. brought the whole of that immense body of fire directly upon us. We spent that awful night in fearful apprehension, having every thing packed up ready to take to the boats, fearing there would be no safety on the land. The river preserved us from the impending danger; but I was afraid we should have been suffocated by the immense body of smoke. The next morning I rode to Barrington, accompanied by the Steward of the Shelburne circuit, to the quarterly meeting: and we returned to Shelburne the following day, at the hazard of our lives; for we were both anxious for the safety of our families, fearing the town would be destroyed. My lungs were much injured by riding through the smoke and fire. How the poor people, whose properties have been injured or destroyed, will support themselves through a long Nova Scotia winter, I really know not. In deed, we have heard that the harvest in other parts of the province has been abundant, but where shall the distressed inhabitants of this shore, whose chief dependence for support is their own little crops, find money to purchase? Perhaps the legislature of the province will assist them. Our friends, although in general poor, are very liberal, considering their means, and cheerfully contribute what they can spare to support the cause of God. But from the above-mentioned causes, they are really disabled at present from doing much towards my support, beside defraying the other expenses of the circuit, such as house-rent, fuel, hay and oats for the horse, &c. &c. so that I shall be under the necessity of drawing upon the General Treasurers for about 40l. to enable me to buy a little furniture for the use of the preacher, who is here wholly unprovided for, and to keep my family through the winter. I shall have to send to Halifax for nearly every thing wanted for the use of my family. I have received the Secretary's letter, and feel grateful for its contents. I wish to live near to God, and to proclaim to all a present salvation. I also endeavour to attend to our whole plan of discipline. NEWFOUNDLAND. The following extracts from a letter of Mr. Ellis to the Committee, dated Trinity Bay, July 10, 1818, with extracts from his Journal, very strikingly shew the necessity of Missionary exertions in this island. The inhabitants, in many of the numerous coves and fishing stations, are in some instances entirely without the ministry, and in others are wholly indebted to some pious person who occasionally reads to them sermons and prayers. Nothing can reach their case but an itinerating ministry; and even that is rendered, by the nature of the country, difficult and hazardous. My labours were never so contracted as they have been during the past year; not owing to want of willingness to extend them; but principally to the isolated situation in which I have been and am still placed. In the winter, or at least part of it, travelling by land is difficult, and sometimes dangerous; and by water it is for a length of time almost imprac ticable. In the summer indeed I can visit almost every part of this extensive bay; but at this season the inhabitants are so necessarily engaged in catching and curing their fish, that they have no time to attend preaching, except on the Sabbathday: and in some places many of them would not attend even then, as they frequently work at the fish on this day. But thank God this is not the case with our people in any part of this island. During the fall months and in the winter, I visited a place about four miles from this by water, and about six by land. It is called English Harbour. The path is very bad; as part of it in the winter is over the salt water ice, which is sometimes covered with snow two and three feet deep, which makes the travelling very unpleasant, and not unfre quently dangerous. In this lonely place I think there are more than 200 inhabi tants, mostly, if not all, Protestants; and I doubt not, but much good would be done, could they have preaching regularly. At present, and for four years past, there is a well-disposed man who reads prayers and a sermon in his own house, twice a-day, and has been the means of much good to the people. I preached here frequently in the winter with much enlargement of soul, while most of the people gladly received the word. Mr. Ivimey, the good man who officiates here, has three daughters in Bonavista, who are members of our society; two of them were brought to the knowledge of the truth during the winter I spent there, and have adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour ever since; as does also the other. In English Harbour the prospects are pleasing at present. The inhabitants are friendly, and many of them love the word of God. I preached there last Lord's day, and joined ten in class; all of whom, I think, are seeking after God. During the winter I visited a place called Bonaventure, about eight miles from hence, and found the people kind and affectionate. Here they have a neat little church, in which a person reads on the Lord's day. I preached four times for them. I have no doubt had this friendly people the word of God regularly preached to them, much good would be done. In my last to the Committee, I mentioned my having paid a visit to a place called New Harbour, about 20 leagues from hence. Part of my journal during this excursion is as follows. New Harbour, Sept. 27, 1817. Last night we left Trinity in a boat belonging to Mr. Garboard, and after a pleasant passage of nineteen hours, arrived here in safety. We were inet in the harbour by Mr. Newhook, in his pleasure boat, and conducted to his house, where we In 1815 were hospitably entertained. the inhabitants built a neat little church: it is forty-two feet long, and twenty-four wide. Mr. Wilson reads prayers here, when able, once on the Lord's day, and has been the means of good to many of the people. 28. This day I went, in company with Mr. Newhook, to DildoCove, about three miles from New Harbour, where I was kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. More. Mrs. M. was brought to the knowledge of God in Conception Bay, and she still walks in his pleasant ways. rejoiced to have an opportunity of once more hearing the word of God. She was 29. This morning preached in the church. All were deeply attentive while I enlarged on the goodness of God to all them that seek him in truth. In a new place I never, except once, saw the concern so general. I did not see one inattentive hearer in all the congregation. 30. This evening 1 preached, at Mr. W. Sigdon's, to a little company, from John xvii. 15, and all attended to the things which were spoken with seriousness. Oct. 7. This evening I preached at Mr. More's, Dildo, from 1 Tim. iv. 8. I felt much of the presence of God in my own soul, and nearly all the people were bathed in tears during the service. When the service was concluded, none appeared to be willing to go away; and, as the rain was falling in torrents, told them to begin to sing, which they did till ten o'clock, when we commended each other to the protection of God, and parted We had a wet walk through the woods to New Harbour; but, as the Marquis de Renty said, " they ride easy whom the grace of God carries," so we got on in safety and comfort, and made the woods resound with the praises of our heavenly King. One woman, who had her child to carry in her arms all the way, said, she would not grudge to endure the same fatigue every night if she could hear the word of God. 2d. I preached at Mr. H.'s, New Harbour, in the evening, from 1 Sam. xii. 23, 24. Many felt it good to be there, as the good Master was present to comfort their souls. After sermon we joined in singing psalins and hymns, and then committed each other to the grace of God. 3d. I preached this evening in Dildo We had a again, from Luke xii. 20. large company, as there were a number of boats here from several parts of the When I island, looking for mackerel. took leave of them, many said, "Oh! Sir, come and see us again." But, as the winter was setting in, I could not promise. On Friday I left New Harbour; and, as we had plenty of wind, we got to Trinity about four in the afternoon. Thanks be to God for all his goodness to the least of his servants. In this place many things concur to hinder the work of God having free course; and, perhaps, none more than sabbath-breaking, as you know this sin strikes deep at the root of both religion and morality. Nor is it strange that this sin abounds here, as there is no service at the church on the morning of the Lord's day. But if the doors of the house of God are shut, those of the stores and shops are not; so that the morning of this holy day is spent by many in buying and selling, and by others in sauntering about from place to place. And such is the force of habit, especially of bad habit, that though I have very large congregations in the evening, but few attend in the morning, let the weather be never so fine: yet, notwithstanding this and many other impediments which were in the way, I can say, that some good has been done here. The congregations are increasing in numbers and seriousness; and most of the inhabitants see and acknowledge that we wish to do them good. So that I think, in some tolerable degree, the ground is prepared for the seed of the kingdom; and I hope and believe the period is not distant when many will return to Zion with joy, bringing their sheaves with them. Shortly after I came to this place I instituted a Sunday school, the first that was ever formed here; and the good which has been done, not only to the children, but to many of their parents also, is notorious. We have 71 children, who attend regularly: the progress which they have made in learning proves both the strength of their minds and their ardent thirst after knowledge, as well as their unwearied diligence in the attain.. L |