to have obtained the invaluable blessing of perfect love, and who in all things adorn their profession. There are, nevertheless, still not a few who are strangers to experimental religion. Amongst this class some powerful awakenings have of late taken place. These facts strengthen our hands, and cheer our hearts; for though we have severe trials, and often causes of deep sorrow, yet the best of all is, "God is with us."-Rev. William Tyson, Beechamville, August 5th, 1847. JAMAICA. Guy's-Hill.-Throughout this Circuit, (the most extensive in the District placed under the care of one Missionary,) there is much to humble, and induce anxiety as to the future. In common with other churches, we have to complain of the worldly-mindedness of many of our members, and to witness daily-occurring proofs that their religion is of a very superficial kind. Some have abandoned the Christian profession, and others by their indifference show how little value they attach to their eternal interests. Gloomy, however, as appearances are, there are also, I think, indications that a brighter day will soon dawn upon All the discouraging events which we have beheld during the two last years, and the trying scenes through which we are now passing, might have been, and in fact were, foreseen by diligent students of the human mind. Let us be thankful that so much real, enduring good has been done. Let us persevere in our labours, and increase the amount of our agency; and in due time we shall reap a glorious harvest. us. During the last two quarters, we have been advancing a little in point of numbers and finances, at most of the stations in this Circuit; and I trust our people have at the same time been "growing in grace." Want of sufficient local assistance renders the Circuit almost unmanageable; or at least deprives our congregations so often of the public means of grace, as to account for their slow progress in spiritual things; but with five distant and widely-scattered societies under my charge, I cannot possibly give to each that attention which it really needs. O that the Lord of the harvest would thrust more labourers into his vineyard!-Rev. John Mearns, Guy'sHill, August 5th, 1847. to God, for the great things which he has done for them. But I am led to fear, from the intemperance, drumming, and dancing which prevail in the neighbourhood, that only a few heard so as to profit thereby. I am sorry to say, a humiliating change has come over many of the inhabitants of Jamaica. A blighting influence rests upon some of the churches. But although we are cast down, we are not destroyed. We are still going forth, though weeping, scattering the precious seeds of eternal life; and notwithstanding we have no immediate prospect of being rewarded for our toil, yet we believe we shall successively behold the blade, the ear, the full corn in the ear, and then the appointed weeks of harvest, when "the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs!" During the whole of my Missionary career, I have never felt more than I do now the need of falling back upon first principles, or of taking hold by faith of the covenant engagements of God. When I look at the promises of God, and the many predictions which insure the universal spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, I feel encouraged to buckle on the harness afresh, and patiently wait at the post of duty, until he shall pour out his Spirit from on high. It is possible that ere this shall come to pass, the church may be left in the wilderness, as a judicial punishment for her unfaithfulness. It may yet be night with her, and she may have to contend with dark and dismal troubles. The deadly wound inflicted on Papal Rome may be partially healed, and the Beast may again make war with the saints, and the fires of martyrdom again be kindled. But Zion shall put on her strength and come forth, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. The church is already putting forth energies and developing principles which must utterly demolish every system of infidelity, Paganism, and Popery. And although the adherents of Antichrist may take counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed, he that sitteth in the heavens will laugh at their stratagems, the Lord will hold them in derision, he will break them as with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel; for the Lord shall consume the man of sin, and all his iniquitous progeny, with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy them with the brightness of his coming. JAMAICA. Mount-Fletcher. — Last Sabbath, being the 1st of August, a day which the people always keep in commemoration of their grand jubilee, I parti-Rev. R. Hornabrook, Mount-Fletcher, cularly directed their attention, in my discourse, to the important obligations they are under to consecrate themselves August 6th, 1847. JAMAICA. Sandy-Bay.-Our congregations here on the Lord's day are encou raging. Some backsliders have been reclaimed, and others have given their hearts to God and "to his people by his will." I believe that many of our people are more resolved to live to God alone. But I am not satisfied yet. I labour and pray for greater things than these. There is still much formality: many are resting short of "sins forgiven," and fail to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. I find that Satan still lives, and that there are many obstacles to the spread of real religion. Still I console myself by the reflection, that Jehovah is King, and that his arm is omnipotent. All opposers shall fall before him, and his Gospel shall triumph. Good Friday was a day I shall not soon forget. It was observed by our people in this island as a day of special humiliation and prayer. We had a very large attendance here; and "the best of all, God was with us;" and our souls were humbled in his presence. May God revive his work! I am doing what I can to promote the work of God in this locality. I have commenced open-air preaching. There are many estates in the vicinity where I get service in the week evenings, in addition to those in the chapel. On the estates I get good congregations, and often feel much of The DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. BAHAMA DISTRICT.-On Saturday, October 2d, the Rev. Samuel Annear, Mrs. Annear, and child, embarked, by the "Severn," for NewProvidence. SIERRA-LEONE.-On Wednesday, November 3d, the Rev. Thomas Raston, Mrs. Raston, and Messrs. Richard Hart and Thomas Purslow, embarked, by the "Dale Park," for Sierra-Leone. ST. VINCENT'S AND DEMERARA DISTRICT.-On Thursday, November 4th, the Rev. Richard Wrench, Mrs. Wrench, two children, and Mr. Butcher, Mrs. Butcher, and Miss Howse, embarked, by the "Eueretta," for Grenada. RIVER GAMBIA.-On Friday, November 12th, Messrs. George Meadows and Robert Lean embarked, by the "Copy," for the River Gambia. GIBRALTAR.-The Rev. George Alton, and Mrs. Alton, embarked on Wednesday, November 17th, at Southampton, by the "Jupiter," for Gibraltar. ANTIGUA DISTRICT.-On Thursday, November 18th, the Rev. Samuel Simons, Mrs. Simons, and family, embarked, by the "Jabez," for Montserrat. On Monday, November 29th, the Rev. James Aldis, Mrs. Aldis, and family, Mr. George Sargeant, and Mrs. Sargeant, embarked, by the "Sir John Rae Reid," for St. Christopher's. LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1848. BIOGRAPHY. MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM FOWLER: BY HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. MARY ANNE BRADNACK. (Concluded from page 14.) "JANUARY, 1806.-Blessed be God for life and grace through the course of another year! May I start afresh, and labour with new vigour; and when I shall have accomplished as a hireling my day, may I inherit the promises! "January, 1807.-Help me, O Lord, to covenant anew with thee to be thine! I am bound by ten thousand favours to devote all I have and am to thy glory, thou King of saints.' I find that my happiness depends upon my devotedness to God. When I cleave to Him, my peace flows as a river; and in proportion to my distance from Him, such is my want of satisfaction. "April. After preaching in the street at Lostwithiel, we repaired to the chapel, when a large congregation assembled. I see that outdoor preaching is calculated to advance the Redeemer's kingdom. I May. The first Sunday of this month I hallow as the day and Sabbath of my marriage. I preached three times on my wedding-day in Taunton, and in the course of the week returned to my Circuit. found the friends happy to receive us. Grant, O Lord, that our union may be for the welfare of thy church; and after death may our union be perpetuated in heaven, and our felicity have no end! Amen and Amen. "July. I have blown the Gospel trumpet on Bodmin Beacon. The Lord inclined a vast multitude to attend, and hear the word of life, under the canopy of heaven. May it prove the power of God unto salvation! "August. I am re-appointed to the Bodmin Circuit, and raised to the superintendency. O, thou who didst inspire Solomon with wisdom, make me wise to rule the societies committed to my care! Grant that I may never have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons! May I maintain order in thy church, and may the officers and private members of the society be 'a peculiar people, zealous of good works!" 66 September. I have frequently warned a member of the society against mixing himself up with the world, and indulging to excess. VOL. IV.-FOURTH SERIES. K |