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system. And as to the Sabbath-school, that blessed and invaluable nursery of the church, with all our efforts, it can hardly preserve an existence among us, as the necessities of the pulpit oblige us to draft the Teachers from the school to the Plan almost without intermission. I have endeavoured, in a measure, to make up the great deficiency by holding Bible-classes on Sabbath-mornings, and when I visit the estates through the week. These, however, are unavoidably too irregular to warrant the hope of much

success from them.
Our appointments
through the Circuit prevent the Sabbath-
morning class from prospering; and the
number of estates prevents our visiting
each oftener than once a month. We
want better Teachers and more Ministers.
That we have made any progress at all
through the year, is matter of astonish-
ment and gratitude; especially in the
face of so many difficulties, and with such
inadequate machinery. But the work is
the Lord's: the success also is His; and
to Him be all the praise.

HONDURAS-BAY.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Joseph Webster,
dated Belize, November 13th, 1847.

I INFORMED you in my last of my intention to visit the island of Ruatan. I sailed from Belize in the schooner "Vigilant on August 20th, and, after a tedious passage of three days, arrived at the island. Ruatan is a fine island situated about one hundred and twenty miles south-east of Belize, about forty miles in length from east to west, and about ten miles in the broadest part, very hilly, and from the sea-beach to the tops of the high hills one beautiful mass of evergreen. There are residing on the island about twelve hundred inhabitants, the greater part of whom are black; but there are also several English and Scotch families settled among them.

Many more are expected to leave the impoverished soil of the Grand Cayman's Island to settle there; and as a trade is now opened between this island and NewOrleans, there is reason to suppose it will soon be in a flourishing condition. We have a society of fifty members on the island they have succeeded in erecting a neat little chapel, which is nearly completed. Our day-school, which has been established about twelve months, is in a prosperous state. The progress made by the children in writing, arithmetic, geography, and English grammar, is very gratifying, and reflects great credit on Mrs. Westley, our Teacher there.

I re

mained on the island three weeks, and had several opportunities of proclaiming the word of life. My heart was truly gladdened to witness the intense desire manifested to hear the Gospel preached; our congregations were overflowing, many of the people coming from a distance of six and seven miles to attend the worship of God. The friends are earnestly at work felling the trees, and clearing the bush from the Mission-land, in the hope that a Mission-house will be built, and a Missionary stationed among them, as

I

Mr. Edney engaged to represent their
destitute state to the Committee, on his
arrival in England, and to recommend
that a Missionary should be sent them.
Should the Committee not be able to
comply with their request, I would sub-
mit that Ruatan should take the place in
this Circuit which Charib-Town now
occupies. In the latter place there is
much to discourage us. The greater
part of the male adults are absent from
the settlement seven or eight months in
the year, being employed in the maho-
gany-works, and the females understand
but very little of the English language;
consequently, after all the labour and
expense which have been employed there,
but little visible good has been done.
would not by any means wish to give the
Charibs up. They are an interesting
race, and existing in a lamentable state of
ignorance and superstition. We cannot
but feel a peculiar interest for this people,
remembering that they are the abori-
gines of the West-India islands. A few
of them have embraced the Gospel, and
highly value it. In addressing them a
short time since, I was led to offer some
remarks on the possibility of the Gospel
being removed from them, if they con-
tinued to harden their hearts against its
influence; for God might not always
bear with them, but leave them
themselves. After the service, a young
man came to the Mission-house, and
with a full heart said to me, "Sir, I hope
the Gospel will not be taken from us.
was brought up in sin; but I do not wish
to die in sin. I hope you will not leave
us." I would heartily join with this
poor Charib in the hope that "the
Gospel may not be taken from them;"
but I think it right to direct the atten-
tion of the Committee to the two stations,
and to the fact that at Ruatan we seem
to have a people prepared by the Lord,

to

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a field already white for the harvest, a people earnestly crying, "Come over and help us." I would say, By all means, if it is possible, let a third man be sent. There is plenty of work in this Circuit for three Missionaries, and I do not see how it can be successfully worked without three.

bour, or whether it shall be visited as often as it is practicable from Belize, and Ruatan made a resident station. I shall be glad to receive a line on this subject at your earliest convenience.

us.

At Belize, we have much to encourage

Our chapel, which has been recently enlarged, is well filled with attentive hearers, a gracious feeling pervades the congregation, and many are giving themselves to the Lord.

I would remind the Committee of our local position: first, there is Belize, which can never be left without a Minister; Charib-Town, thirty-miles distant on the coast; Boom, thirty miles up the Belize river; and Ruatan, one hundred and twenty miles distant. To each of these places we have to travel by water, and we have but little Local help. I would also remind the Committee that the greater part of the inhabitants of Ruatan formerly resided at the Grand Cayman's Island, where a Wesleyan Missionary was stationed, but in consequence of their removal the station has been relinquished. If the Committee cannot accede to our request, I trust they will instruct me how to act: whether we shall continue to give Charib-Town the greater share of a Missionary's laHONDURAS-BAY.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Edward Collier, dated Belize, December 11th, 1847.

AFTER some delay, I now embrace an opportunity of writing to you. Mr. Webster informed you of our safe arrival, and since then he has written to the Committee. This, however, is the first letter I have had the pleasure of addressing to you from Honduras.

Our passage from Southampton to Belize was quick and pleasant. The company on board the steamer were highly respectable, and very agreeable. The Venerable Archdeacon Trew, to whom you introduced us at Southampton, was very kind and interesting. He afforded us much information respecting Mission-work; and I trust his counsel will not be in vain. We were sorry to leave his company at Havannah, from whence he proceeded to the Bahamas.

On our route we called at Madeira, and at the different West-India islands. At Madeira my colleague and myself were much impressed with the ignorance and wretchedness of the Portuguese people: they appeared to be in thick darkness, void of spiritual, intellectual, and moral light; and in this state they will continue until the word of God is sent among them. You have heard, no doubt, of the persecutions which Dr. Kalley endured lately in that place, and of his having to flee for safety therefrom.

"Lo, the promise of a shower Drops already from above." "He that winneth souls is wise." For this I preach, for this I pray, and for this I am trying to wait in believing expectation. We are making arrangements for our Missionary Anniversary services, which will be held at Christmas, an account of the proceeds of which will be duly forwarded. I am happy to say our health continues good. We have now laboured seven months beneath a tropical sun, and our health has been as good or better than when we were in England. To God be all the praise.

In our passage across the Atlantic, from Madeira to Barbadoes, we lost one of the crew: he fell overboard at midday; and, notwithstanding every exertion, he sank to rise no more. On the Sunday following, Archdeacon Trew spoke affectionately, at the close of his sermon, on this unhappy occurrence.

At Barbadoes we were kindly received by the Rev. Messrs. Ranyell and Hurd, and their families. Here I had the pleasure of preaching to a black and coloured congregation for the first time. At Grenada we went ashore, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Bickford. At Kingston, Jamaica, we stayed three days with the Rev. H. Bleby. On Good-Friday we were engaged in preaching; and, during our stay, I had the happiness of preaching in each of their chapels, two of which are large, fine buildings.

At Havannah we first saw slaves. After some difficulty with the Spanish authorities respecting passports, we went ashore, in company with Archdeacon Trew, and visited the town: a place of grandeur, and many worldly amusements. We were sorry that we were not allowed to give any Protestant tracts on this Popish island.

We arrived at Belize on Saturday evening, the 17th of April last; and a more

foreign-looking place I had never seen before. On the Sunday following we commenced our great and important work of preaching the Gospel to this people. The seed which has already been sown has brought forth some fruit; but we trust that a more abundant harvest will soon be reaped. Our congregations at all the stations are good; but the Circuit being so extensive, we cannot pay that attention to each place which we desire. The island of Ruatan is about one hundred and forty miles distant from Belize; Charib-Town is about thirty miles, the Boom twenty miles, and Mullins-River fifteen miles from us; and to each place we go by water, which makes the travelling expensive.

But I must not forget the reception we met with from the Rev. James Edney and family, which was very kind. I was glad to associate with Mr. Edney, who had spent so many years in the Missionwork, and whose name in this place is as "ointment poured forth." He will long be remembered by the people of Belize for his faithful ministrations, and perseverance amidst great difficulties.

The population of this place is about

ten thousand, black, white, and coloured; and almost from every nation, being Americans, Spaniards, French, Dutch, English, Africans, Asiatics, Indians, &c. On one side we have the Mosquito-Shore, which contains many thousands of inhabitants, and on the other side we have Mexico. With the latter place Belize has no communication such as it has with the Mosquito country. The Shore was once the residence of one of our Missionaries, but now it has no Minister. It certainly deserves the attention of the Committee. My colleague and myself thought of visiting the Shore next year, to see if any good could be done, if this should be approved of by the Committee.

Our progress in the Spanish language is not rapid. We intend, however, commencing a Spanish service next week, with the assistance of one of our Leaders, who can speak the language well.

We are now busy preparing for our Missionary Anniversary at Christmas. We hope not to fall short in the funds, though the people have given freely during the year toward the enlargement of the chapel.

BAHAMAS.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. W. F. Turtle, dated Nassau, New-Providence, November 29th, 1847.

My respected Superintendent and I have been both blessed with a sufficient measure of health to enable us to discharge, with but an occasional and trivial exception, the regular duties of the Circuit; and in the discharge of them we have not been without the divine blessing. We have been favoured with peace, and, I hope, a little prosperity.

Many of the families of our members residing in the eastern district have suffered much from affliction; fever having prevailed very generally in that part of the island. Happily, few fatal cases have occurred, the fever not being of a very dangerous character; but our congregations have, of course, been somewhat smaller than they would otherwise have been. I have been much gratified to notice in several of the members of this society, during the present quarterly visitation, an evident growth in grace. The religious experience of some of them, to whom I gave tickets during the past week, gladdened my heart. Three of the members have recently gone the way of all the earth. All of them were considerably advanced in years. We have a good hope concerning them.

The adult school in connexion with

Wesley chapel, Grant's-Town, affords much satisfaction. Mr. Ingraham, the Superintendent, is very zealous in his Master's service; and I have been pleased to see his hands recently strengthened by an additional supply of Teachers. An increase of scholars has resulted in consequence; and I do trust that this institution will be prospered of Heaven. A marked improvement in piety, as well as in knowledge, has taken place in several of the female scholars, so that it cannot be hid.

Mr. Annear and family arrived safely in the steamer of the 12th current. His babe is in very delicate health: the other members of the family are well. In consequence of the destitute state of the Abaco Circuit, he has proceeded thither. He left on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 23d, with a favourable wind; and, it is likely, arrived on the following day.

I will now venture to speak of myself. I notice my appointment by the Conference to the Antigua District. The period of my departure will not be before the District-Meeting, I conclude. I am ready, in dependence upon the grace of God, to "follow the cloud" when it shall I trust that my mind is becoming

move.

more and more deeply impressed with the sacred and responsible nature of the ministerial vocation; and with the necessity of becoming more holy, would I be more useful. I think I see more of

DEMERARA.-Extract of a Letter

the "beauty of holiness," and the desirableness of being fully put in possession of it; and I pray that much of the mind which was in Christ Jesus may be bestowed upon me.

from the Rev. William English, dated Abram-Zuil, December 3d, 1847.

I AM thankful in being able to inform you that the work of God continues, on the whole, to retain a promising aspect in this Circuit. There has not been any large ingathering of members into the church, nor any extensive awakening among the members of our several congregations; but there has been, and still continues to be, a gracious work steadily progressing, which promises to issue in results most satisfactory to every true lover of our Saviour. We have witnessed several instances of genuine conversion; and there are several members of our congregation principally young people, children of members of our church-who are under deep convictions on account of sin. This is most encouraging to us: we receive it as a token that God is with us, and that we are in our providential path. Yet we are not satisfied. We believe that conversions might be more general, were we more holy, and had we a larger measure of the Holy Spirit; and we ardently pray both that the Holy Ghost may more abundantly be poured out upon our congregations and churches, and that we may more entirely and unreservedly be consecrated to the service of the Lord our God.

Cannot something be done by you, dear Sirs, to meet a case of necessity which exists in this colony? I refer to the thousands of Coolies who are being brought here from India. It is piteous -it is heart-rending-to see them on the different plantations,-half-naked, idolaters,-unable to speak five words to you in English, yet evidently prepared to receive with thankfulness any instruction you could impart to them. Brought to a strange country, the fascinating power of caste must to a great extent have been

destroyed, and thus the greatest obstacle to their conversion has been removed. Could a Minister address them in their own dear language, I am persuaded his influence among them for good would be immense.

Can you not send a Missionary to us here able to speak the languages of India? You have such, I know, at home. Will not one among them volunteer to labour for the good of these strangers from Continental India, under circumstances more favourable than anything they had previously met with? Do try and send us help. I had several of these Coolies attending our Sunday service; but latterly they have desisted. I tried to get them to attend the Sabbath-school, but did not succeed.

Our Missionary Anniversaries passed off very happily, and, I trust, very profitably. The Rev. W. Cleeve, B.A,, preached two of our sermons; and himself and Mr. Padgham assisted at our public meetings. His Honour, M. L. Fowler, Sheriff of Essequibo, presided, both at Abram-Zuil and at Torg; and by his presence and advocacy did us essential service. Last year the Missionary contributions for the Circuit were unusually large; but I hope this year to exceed the former amount by several pounds. I have found the gentlemen around me very ready to assist in this blessed work.

Our schools continue in a very prosperous condition, both as it respects numbers in attendance and the quality of the instruction imparted. I think I mentioned to you that I had established a third school at our third chapel at Queen's-Town. I am happy to say it now promises well.

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

NEW-BRUNSWICK.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Richard Knight, the General Superintendent of the New-Brunswick District, dated Frederickton, November 16th, 1847.

As another quarter has gone by since I last addressed you, and as your wish is that a correspondence should be kept up with you, at the least quarterly, for the

purpose of laying before you the general state of the District, I now sit down to perform this duty. It would be to me a pleasing duty indeed, as it would be

to you cheering intelligence, amid your many and very arduous official duties, could I inform you that the Lord is abundantly pouring out his Holy Spirit upon our societies and congregations, as he is doing in so especial a manner in the islands of the Pacific. But I thank God that, though I cannot report any such large or special manifestations of the divine power, still I can inform you that the hand of the Lord is with us for good. As to my own Circuit, I am happy to say, that our congregations are increasing, and the prayer-meetings especially these have more than tripled their number since I came here. Some have found rest to their souls. One found peace with God under the sermon on Sunday week last, and six have recently joined us: two others have found peace of late, as the result of visiting and praying with families. We are anxiously looking for greater things. I received, since I last wrote you, some communications from other Circuits. From the Naashwath, Mr. Allison thus writes:

:

"I am happy to have it in my power to tell you that we are witnessing good times on the Naashwath. Our meetings are effecting much good. Eight persons have found peace with God, several backsliders have been restored, and the people of God are rejoicing in his love. We are greatly encouraged, the chapel is filled with penitents, and there is every appearance of an extended work."

On my receipt of this communication, I repaired to the above place, and spent a week there; during which time twelve others experienced the pardoning love of God, and many were awakened. The society, too, in that place has become much quickened. This was indeed

much needed: their state had become lukewarm and low. Unfortunately, about this time the young men had to repair to the woods for the purpose of pursuing the trade of lumbering; the great bane, this, of religion, as regards youth especially, cut off as they are from the means of grace, and compelled to mix with persons of grossly immoral habits. The lumbering business has the same fatal effect on the professing portion of the population in this province as the fisheries have in Newfoundland. But the grace of God is sufficient for them that grace may they attain, and hold fast!

Mr. Bent writes hopefully from Woodstock: he informs me that "there is an increase in the congregation, and also

in the prayer-meetings. The classes appear to have improved, on the whole, as we are reviving some that were not in a state of active operation. The gracious influence of the Spirit is acknowledged on some occasions, and I hope the cause of our blessed Redeemer will abundantly prevail." He also adds, "I visited Sobieque some time ago, and expect before long to go up again. Mr. Prince was down, by way of exchange. Things appear to be in a hopeful state, for the most part, in that division of the work; and we feel encouraged concerning it."

From Mr. Prince, who labours in the Andover Circuit, I have also received communications. Speaking of a preaching-place, fourteen miles down the river from Sobieque, he says, "We have a preaching-place, but no chapel. There are only five members in the society there; but I am happy in being able to say, that there are indications of great good among those who do not as yet belong to us. The inhabitants generally are favourable to our cause, and our preaching is the only preaching they have. We do hope that in this place many will yet accept the offer of life." Mr. Prince, who seems to have the spirit and the hope of a Missionary, proceeds to say, "At the GrandFalls, twenty-three miles above Sobieque, I preach once in three weeks. Our Mi nisters have visited this place occasionally for the last two or three years, with little or no success. Many of the people are Roman Catholics. It is very probable that in the course of years there will be a flourishing_town, and that we shall succeed here. I have preached here three times, and not altogether in vain. Several have been deeply impressed with the truths delivered; and one, in particular, has been so much so, as to go with me to my lodging after service for conversation and prayer. I expect to form a class soon, and admit several on trial for membership. Twenty miles from Sobieque I have preached once in four weeks to large congregations, and hope with some good effect. Twelve miles farther down I preach once in four weeks. There is a small society consisting of twelve niembers here. At Williamstown, thirtyfour miles from Sobieque, I preach once in four weeks. There is a very neat little chapel here being built, the outside of which we hope to finish this autumn, so as to be able to occupy it during the winter. In this place our prospects are more encouraging than in other parts of the Circuit. I regret very much my

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