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God. Her piety was deep and established, her
habits retiring and unobtrusive. She possessed,
in an eminent degree, the ornament of a meek
and quiet spirit, and adorned the doctrine of
God her Saviour in all things. After enduring
the infirmities of advanced age with calm sub-
mission, she died in peace.
W. W. R.

Dec. 6th.-At Sheffield, aged forty-two, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of the Rev. Richard Felvus. Trained in the fear of the Lord from early childhood, her heart became opened to the light and truth of the Gospel; and at the age of eighteen she became the subject of clear and undoubted conversion to God. Her convictions of sin had been powerful and distressing; and the comfortable assurance of pardoning mercy which succeeded, was such as to produce filial delight in God, and love to all mankind. From this time her spiritual course was uniform, distinguished by an ardent longing for the house and ordinances of God, and by a special complacency of affection for those who bore most fully the image of Christ. As a Minister's wife, few could be more exemplary. Humble, confiding, and faithful, she was the known and tried friend of the poor of the flock: whilst great simplicity of demeanour and intercourse, investing a tender yet real fidelity, greatly endeared her, and to a degree of which she was unconscious, to a large circle of Christian friends. In extreme and disinterested labours for the temporal and spiritual good of others, she first felt the serious failure of her health. This was in Lambeth, where her husband then fulfilled his pastoral charge. Her affliction was long and trying; alternating in its

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Dec. 19th.-At Baptist-Mills, in the Bristol North Circuit, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, and the fifty-sixth of his ministry, the Rev. Robert Smith. For twenty-three years he was Governor of the Kingswood School, until, at the Conference of 1843, he was obliged, by the growing infirmities of age, to relinquish the onerous duties of that important charge. Still, however, he continued to preach occasionally as long as his strength permitted, until a short time since, when he was compelled by illness to retire from all public engagements. His last affliction was borne with exemplary patience. During its progress he often entered into a close examination of his heart, and a faithful review of his life, and was accustomed with childlike simplicity to express his reliance on the atonement of Christ as his only and all-sufficient ground of confidence. His warm attachment to his brethren, and deep solicitude for the prosperity of that cause with which he had been so long identified, continued without abatement, and he rejoiced in being favoured to hear of a revival of religion in the Circuit before his departure. The end of his pilgrimage was truly patriarchal. He retained his faculties to the last, and the closing scene was eminently serene and peaceful. J. W.

ERRATUM.-For " Myrtilla Williams," vol. iii., p. 1141,read, ".

Mr. Samuel Williams."

Myrtilla Williams, wife of

POETRY.

SONNET.*

"And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the
Most High." (Psalm lxxvii. 10.)

ALMIGHTY FATHER! in these lines, though brief,
Of thy most holy word, how sweet to find
Meet consolation for a troubled mind,

Nor for the suffering body less relief!
When pain or doubt would, as a mighty thief,

Rob me of faith and hope, in thee enshrined.
O! be there to these blessed words assign'd
Balm for each wound, a cure for every grief.
Yes; I will think of the eternal years

Of thy right hand! the love, the ceaseless care,
The tender sympathy thy works declare,
And thy word seals; until misgiving fears,
Mournful disquietudes, and faithless tears,
Shall pass away as things that never were.

*From "Household Verses," by Bernard Barton.

WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

INDIA.

THE following communications will, we doubt not, lead the friends. of Missions to the exercise of increased and unceasing prayer, that it may please the Lord the Spirit to remove from the hearts of the millions of idolaters in India the gross darkness which covers them, and give success to the efforts of his servants, who labour, in faith and patience, to make known "the unsearchable riches of Christ" to those who are perishing in superstition and idolatry.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Thomas Cryer, dated Negapalam,
September 9th, 1847.

WHEN I last wrote to you, I was planning a work which I have since partly executed; namely, that of visiting the principal idol-temples in Negapatam, for the purpose of bearing my testimony against idolatry in its very presence. In a few instances I have met with rude treatment; but, generally, numbers listened to my addresses with candour and attention. In those visits I have invariably gone alone, have taken nothing with me but my Tamil Bible or Testament, and have generally gone in the early morning. The following notes, made after some of those visits, may perhaps be interesting to you. Though they contain nothing new, they will at least show you that we are not afraid to meet the enemy on his own ground.

Krishnan Temple. This is a small but important temple, about six minutes' walk from the Mission-house. I sat down in the verandah of a house very near to the principal entrance, with an old Brahmin, whom I found very deaf. Soon, however, other Brahmins joined us, and to them I read part of the first chapter in the Epistle to the Romans. One of the company made the usual assertion, that as God is everywhere, therefore he is in everything; and maintained that they really worshipped God in the image, and not the image. I was proceeding to expose the fallacy of this mode of reasoning, and the conversation was becoming more and more interesting, when an aged Brahmin came, and authoritatively dismissed the assembly. I invited the people to visit me at the Mission-house, where I promised a patient hearing, and left the Krishnan temple.

Soundra Rajah Peramal Temple.— This is one of the largest and most opulent temples in Negapatam, and is very near to the Mission-house. I found

VOL. IV.-FOURTH SERIES.

the Tasildar's house very near the principal entrance; and, out of respect to him as a Magistrate, and a servant of the East India Company, I stopped at his door. He ordered chairs to be placed in the open street, and very soon we had a large company listening to our discussion. The subject on which we principally dwelt was, the possibility or impossibility of knowing and worshipping God without some visible form. A mere sketch of the arguments would more than fill my paper. The discussion was carried on with much candour and good feeling, and I had an opportunity to produce some most important Scripture truths. I was glad to see in the crowd several of the Brahmins who had been forced from me in front of the Krishnan temple.

Sallia Appan Swaamy Temple.-This is also a very large structure, and has the appearance of being a recent erection. This temple is built over the remains of a religious mendicant, who was deified, and is now worshipped. At my first visit, I failed in my attempts to draw the Brahmins into conversation; but on a second visit, when accompanied by Mr. Jenkins, I succeeded better. On that occasion, we sat down in a schoolroom near the temple, and soon had a few attentive listeners. The Schoolmaster declining to answer my questions touching the temple, worship, the object worshipped, &c., I volunteered to give a summary of the Christian system. When I had done this, a clever, intellectual-looking man selected three topics from my summary, namely, sin, death, and heaven, and requested me to enlarge on them. This I did; but so many were the questions and interruptions, that, before I had disposed of the first two, it became dark, and we were obliged to take leave.

I

Naga Nathan Swaamy Temple.— This, I doubt not, is the mother-church of the town, and the one from which Nega (properly Naga-) patam takes its name. It is an old building, and nearly a ruin, as is also the massive wall that once surrounded it. I walked quite round the place without seeing an individual, and sat down at the porch, reflecting on the strange vicissitudes to which even deified objects are exposed. Before me was the ruinous temple of the serpent-god that had furnished a name to a town containing some thirty thousand inhabitants, and in which fifty or sixty more favoured idols have reared their shrines. The obscene Krishnan; the beautiful King Peramal; the Indian Cupid, Manmathan; the elephant-headed, big-bellied Ganesa; and CoomaraSwaamy, and Beeraputteran, and Meen Achy, and Nadavar Swaamy, and a host of others, have all their glory, while the serpent-lord sits deserted and alone! And then a better subject cheered my soul. I rejoiced in the full assurance of faith, that all these gods "shall perish from the earth and from

under these heavens," and the Lord Jehovah alone shall be worshipped by all mankind. It was evening when I visited Naga Nathan Swaamy temple; and while I sat alone at the porch, night came on, and I left for home. Very near to the temple, however, two young men, who were coming out of a house, asked me to sit down with them, which I did, and was glad to find them open to instruction. I spoke at length on the true God, and on the sin and folly of idolatry. When I closed, one of the two said, "What you say is true; but hitherto we have lived in the dark." I felt deeply interested in them, and, as I left them, I prayed that the true light, the light of saving truth, may burst upon them, and dispel the darkness which surrounds them.

These are fair specimens of my visits to the temples.

We have continued our street preaching, and have been listened to by great numbers. Hitherto we have had little opposition; and I am anxious to make the best of the calm, which probably will not last long.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Pinkney, dated Melnatiam,
September 7th, 1847.

MONTH after month glides away, and
the degraded idolaters of Hindoostan
continue to follow, with the same energy
and zeal, the system to which they seem
to be wedded. How painful to hear their
repeated cries, "We cannot change our
religion; we must follow in the track
which our forefathers pursued!" How
great is that darkness which covers their
minds! How fast they are bound in
Satan's chains! Since I came to this
Circuit, I have heard many indivi-
duals declare that they did not know the
difference between sin and virtue. So
long as they entertain such notions, it is
not to be expected that they will hate the
one, or love the other. A few days ago,
whilst examining the boys in one of our
schools, I was surprised to find a number
of men, who had collected together,
ignorant of almost everything which
concerns their present and eternal wel-
fare. They answered nearly every ques-
tion which I put to them in the negative.
Some of the questions proposed were as
follows:-"What is sin ?" "Wherein
does the soul differ from the body?
"What is God?" They had no just
ideas respecting these important subjects.
I told them that I felt deeply concerned
for their present and future happiness.
I then took a copy of the Holy Scrip-

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tures, and, holding it up in my hands, I said, "Although there are thousands of books in the world, there is only one which is divine, namely, the Book of God. The Mohammedans have a book which they call the Koran. They say it came from God; but, if we examine it, we shall find that it bears internal evidence that it is only the production of man. The Vedas, you say, proceeded from the mouth of the Supreme Being. No such thing: it is certain that these books were composed by men. The Bible alone is the book of God. Every sentence contained in this holy book is divine. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' &c. It is truly important, my friends, to know the truths which are contained in this book." I then gave an address to them, beseeching them to abandon idolatry, to forsake their sins, to repent, and believe the Gospel. Some of them seemed affected; but perhaps, ere the sun had gone down in the western sky, they would worship idols, "the work of men's hands." I feel deeply for their precious souls, and ardently long for their salvation. I hope a brighter day is approaching. Yes, Jehovah will magnify his power and mercy in the conversion of these degraded idolaters.

Our work in India is truly a work of faith. I hope the influence of our ministry is felt, though the effects are still unseen. Conversions we long to behold; for this we labour, for this we pray; but we will not be discouraged, though we may have to labour long and arduously, before we are gladdened by a sight so cheering, so glorious. I hope the book on "Caste," just published, by our worthy General Superintendent, the Rev. Joseph Roberts, will have an extensive circulation, being so well calculated to bring before the minds of the people, in its true colours, the foul monster against which we have to contend. Caste is an abominable thing, and must be excluded from the enclosure of the church in India. We behold the Pariah clinging to his caste with the same tenacity as the Brahmin.

Considering the character of the people among whom we exercise our ministry, it is extremely difficult to ascertain precisely the amount of good which is effected by the preaching of Christ and Him crucified. I believe, however, that there are many who abhor idolatry in their hearts; but, owing to the foolish customs which exist in this country, they do not take upon them a profession of Christianity. May God Almighty enable them fully to renounce a system which is leading thousands and tens of thousands to everlasting destruction! On Sunday last I preached at Manargoody.

My text was, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Several Heathen, who were present, seemed to feel the force of my statement. May the Holy Spirit awaken them to a concern for their present and eternal salvation ! Since I last addressed you, our

services in Melnattam have been better attended. The schools are in a flourishing condition; the number of boys is considerable, and the important truths which they learn cannot but have some influence upon their future lives, in whatever situation they may be placed. I informed you in my last that we were about to erect a school in a village called Paravacottan. The school has been built, and a large number of boys are learning our Catechisms. A short time ago, one of the scholars took a little Indian corn to an idol, and commanded it to eat. The image, of course, was deaf to his entreaties. He then gave it a blow on the cheek. But this would not do; so he put the corn into its mouth, and said, "Eat." The idol still refused to obey the little boy's command; so he threw it down from its seat. Some men who saw what was going on, went to the boy, then to his father, and afterwards to the Schoolmaster, to whom they said, "This boy despises our gods; he came to the pagoda, and has thrown down the idol; and if he does such things at the very commencement, what will he do when he becomes more skilful in learning?"

SOUTH SEAS.

NEW-ZEALAND.

THE encouraging proofs of the progress of Christianity and civilization in New-Zealand, which are exhibited in the following letters, call for grateful thanksgiving to the great Head of the church, that he has vouchsafed so signally to prosper the work of his servants, the Missionaries; and for fervent prayer, that he will preserve the infant churches which have been formed from the influence of old prejudices and habits, and from everything which would retard their advancement in the knowledge of the truth, and in the practice of the useful arts of civilized life.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. James Buller, dated Kaipara,
April 27th, 1847.

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of Christian charity, as well as of contributing to the spread of the Gospel; being convinced that every such effort on their part produces a healthy influence upon themselves. I therefore announced, that in future a collection would be made at every sacramental service, according to the practice in all Christian churches; which collection, after defraying the expense of the wine, should be appropriated to the benefit of the sick. Accordingly, at the next sacrament, which was at Kaiheo, the people had provided themselves with small coins, and 14s. 2d. was deposited on the plate by about forty communicants. At the Mission-station which came next in order, our communicants are fewer in number, being under twenty; and here the sum of 5s. 1d. was offered. On going to Okaro to administer the sacrament of the Lord's supper there, I found them also fully prepared with their sacramental offerings. I was very much pleased with my last visit to that little settlement. The people are evidently growing in grace, and increasing in intelligence. I was much pleased with the relation of their Christian experience in the classmeetings; and in their prayer-meetings there was much spirituality. I felt it good to be there. In preaching to them I enjoyed much freedom: and well I might; for never was a Christian congregation more eagerly attentive, or more devout. Nor could I but observe how nicely they were clad. Their personal appearance, for the most part, did credit to their beautiful chapel. Very few indeed wore a blanket in the chapel on the Sunday. The New-Zealanders have generally a very tenacious liking to the blanket as an article of apparel; and by their frequent injudicious use of it, they lay the foundation of consumptive diseases, by which so many of them are annually carried off the stage of life. Like the ancients, their bedding is their clothing. But often, from vanity, or other motives, they load their persons with two or more warm blankets; they become heated by exercise, perhaps perspire profusely, and then suddenly expose themselves to a chilling current of air, or to the equally unfavourable effects of the damp ground. The consequences of such conduct may be easily supposed. Besides, the blanket, at least to a European eye, is a very unseemly article of dress, and, particularly when it becomes

dirty, as it very soon does, it is somewhat revolting; so that a company of blanketclad New-Zealanders has often appeared to me more like the inmates of a wretched hospital than the cheerful worshippers of God in a Christian sanctuary. I suppose that every Missionary, and every other person who desires their improvement in personal habits as well as in other particulars, has laboured hard and incessantly to persuade them, in connexion with their personal health and cleanliness, to confine the blanket to its legitimate and proper use, as a comfortable bedding for the night. In these efforts we have been partially successful, but not at all to the extent we could desire. They still, in most cases, cling with the utmost tenacity to their favourite covering; and it is not unfrequent to see a New-Zealand man or woman, in the morning of the day, very respectably attired in European costume; but, getting wearied with the restraint of unaccustomed clothing, before night he or she is robed with a disagreeable blanket. It is therefore particularly gratifying to see a well-dressed congregation of natives; and I could not withhold my meed of commendation from my little flock at Okaro, on the occasion above referred to. Doubtless, the natives generally are far in advance of their original habits, when their persons, their mats, and all pertaining to them, were covered with a casement of red-ochre mixed with train-oil. The ancient New-Zealander has nearly passed away; the present race is in a state of transition from the perfect savage life of their ancestors to the mild, orderly, and cleanly habits of civilized nations. The transition is sure in its progress, but not quite so rapid as we desire it. Though to a stranger they may seem to have made less improvement than he anticipated, yet to one who, from his own personal acquaintance with them, is able to form a more accurate judgment, the time seems not far distant when, if "the word of the Lord have free course among them, (which alone can save them from those vicious habits of their European visiters, which, if once indulged, are the sure forerunners of their destruction,) they will take their stand among our own more civilized race, and will exemplify the fruits of Christianity in all the delightful enjoyments of personal, domestic, and social order, and comfort, and respectability.

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