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that when called on to speak or engage in prayer, they are not so much put out as church members would be at home, nor are the young so shy to conduct family worship as their equals in years are in Scotland.

It is at the close of the weekly prayer-meeting that the marriages take place, due notice having been given on the previous Sabbath. The ceremony is not a protracted one. Having joined hands, the man promises before God and the people assembled to take his only wife, to take care of her, and not to forsake her, and to treat her well every day, and to do nothing bad to her. The woman promises before God and the assembled people to abide with her husband, to take care of him, and not to forsake him, and to act well towards him at all times, and to do nothing bad to him.

After a few admonitions as to their duties in their new relationship, prayer is offered, a hymn sung, and the benediction pronounced. Thereafter, the new man and wife are recognised by their relations and acquaintances by the shaking of hands. Generally speaking, the natives take the affair of marriage very coolly. It is not such a great event to them as it is to the inhabitants of more civilised countries where husband and wife are much more mutually dependent. Generally, they (the man and wife) find their way separately to their common home. Since May last I have joined about sixty couples. Only two out of all these females had not been wives previously. During my residence here I have married three males and six females a second time. They think nothing of being married half-a-dozen of times, as they were constantly on the move in the days of heathenism. In the list of marriages kept on this side of the island I find that seven white men have been joined to native females. I had a hand in one of these, and was called to account for it by some of my brethren. I need not give you the pros and cons. Since the measles, we have had a great many marriages, caused by the rupture of the nuptial bond. For two or three Wednesdays we may have none, and then a batch of three or four.

The attendance on the Wednesday prayer-meeting is smaller than on Sabbath. Sometimes we have not more than a third. The hour of meeting finds many of the natives in the midst of some piece of work; the attendance of those at a distance interferes with the preparation of the evening meal; while the absence of many can only be accounted for on the ground of indifference. For several years this meeting was held on Friday. I have heard that the attendance then was almost equal to that on Sabbath. In the lapse of time the novelty has passed off, and things are finding their level. With best wishes, I am, yours, &c. Jos. COPELAND.

Rev. John Kay, Castle-Douglas.

EXTRACT LETTERS FROM MR AND MRS GEDDIE.

WORK ON ANEITYUM.

"I HAVE but little to report of the work on this island. It continues, however, to progress in the right direction. We have not, indeed, been favoured with those remarkable outpourings of the Holy Spirit which have of late been experienced in many parts of the Christian world, but there is good reason to hope that not a few are seeking the one thing needful.' The means of grace are well attended, and the natives, if not rapidly, are by degrees increasing their knowledge of divine things. Crimes are of uncommon occurrence, and the order which prevails on the island forms a pleasing contrast to the unchecked abominations of former years. There is still a small party attached to the traders who live regardless of religion. Some of them do indeed attend the means of grace, but they are never likely to become good members of society. There is more hope of the heathen than of those who are under the influence of our own countrymen on these islands. I am glad to say that our work, which was suspended by the sickness and mortality of the past year, goes on as before. The fearful Scourge which swept so many into the grave has left indelible traces of its progress everywhere; but our hope and comfort is, that many who died knew the Saviour, and trusted in him. We have recently made up the statistics of the past year, and find the numbers who died of measles and dysentery on this island to be about 1200. What an account will those monsters have to render at the last tribunal, who have knowingly, and, we have reason to believe, designedly,

brought so much suffering and death among an unsuspecting and unoffending people! They are murderers in the sight of God, and ought to be regarded as such by man.

......

"You are aware that Mr Copeland has been appointed to the Erromangan mission. He is a prudent man, an excellent missionary, and eminently fitted for the field of labour which he expects to occupy. He is now studying the language. and can speak it with considerable fluency. In due time we hope that he will enter his new field of labour with many advantages. His residence on Aneityum has given him some knowledge of native character and experience of missionary work. His acquaintance with the language will enable him to commence his labours at once, and he will go preceded or accompanied by a good band of native teachers, and the Erromangans now living on the island. It is most desirable, however, that Mr Copeland should be accompanied by another missionary. I trust that one from our Church may be ready to join him by the time he is released from his duties here. I fondly hope that the evangelisation of Erromanga draws nigh. It is something to know that it is a spot on which are concentrated the sympathies and prayers of the Christian world, and we may expect much from this.""

The following extract of a letter from Mrs Geddie, in regard to the proposed orphan school, will be read with interest :-

"Our Natomarids (high chiefs) are getting a building put up, intended for a boy's boarding and school house. We say the chiefs, but the chief here was the mover, and is taking all the responsibility; he is, however, backed by good Abraham, Nasivi, and Nasauai. Lathella's people, and the people from Abraham's land are going on with the building. The lime is burnt, and a good part of the wood cut, and some brought out of the forests. Papa highly approves of the project, and hopes it will succeed. Lathella is determined to carry it, and from proper motives, as he thinks, that if the boys are not looked after, they will be come an injury to the mission work upon this island, being very numerous in our district, and many of them smart little fellows. Our plan is to have a home für the boys, and a good steady couple to live with them. The two school-rooms will be under the same roof with the dwelling-house, which will consist of 3 sitting or dining room and a sleeping-room. Girls and boys will be together during school hours, the smaller ones being in separate apartments from the larger ones, but when school is out, the girls come into their own, i., our yard, and the boys go to work under the care and direction of some efficient person. After having worked, they will be allowed some play time; but stil they will not be left alone. There is to be a plantation commenced immediately, so that, by the time the building is ready, there will also be some food to begin with, and we hope that, with a little assistance from their friends, the boys will be able to feed themselves, as they will employ a portion of their time every fine day in working at their plantations. I also purpose getting seed from Sydney, to encourage them in raising vegetables. The whole thing is intended, not merely to instruct them during study hours, but to teach them industry and selfdependence. Lathella, who will take the oversight of all, will irgui (beg) old boxes from Papa, out of which the little boys can manufacture stools and such articles, while we shall irgui tools and nails from friends at home. There wil also be a large play ground and garden attached to the building, which will be erected in a pretty spot, behind Lathella's premises. Mrs Johnston is to be the head teacher, and have charge of the school, in connection with a native, whom she will train to take her place when she leaves. If you can procure us any useful school materials, they will be very acceptable indeed-anything that we can give as rewards, such as knives, &c.”

[As it is highly probable that Mr and Mrs Inglis will leave this country for the New Hebrides in the beginning of March 1863, congregations purposing to send out mission boxes cannot too soon complete their arrangements. For guidance in the making up of such boxes, we would refer to Mrs Inglis's valuable letter, published in the January number of the Magazine for this year.] Printed by Jony GREIG & SON, at their Printing Office, Old Physic Gardens, and Pablished by JOHNSTONE, HUNTER, & Co., at their Warehouse, 2 Melbourne Place, Edinburgh.

THE

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

MAGAZINE

FOR 1863.

"I SPEAK OF THE THINGS......TOUCHING THE KING."-PSA. XLV. ].

EDINBURGH:

JOHNSTONE, HUNTER, & CO., 2 MELBOURNE PLACE.

MDCCCLXIII.

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