will be exceedingly useful. A younger brother of his has also been examined during the District-Meeting, and recommended very heartily to the Conference as a candidate for our ministry. 29th. The public examination of the Anglo-Vernacular Institution has been held this evening, in our commodious and beautiful Native chapel at Royapettah. The Right Hon. Lord Harris, the Governor of Madras, was so kind as to preside. Several influential civilians and officers were also present, and a considerable number of respectable Hindoos. This Institution has risen very much in efficiency as a scholastic establishment during the last three years, and now enjoys the good opinion not only of European gentlemen, but of the native population of the neighbourhood. About one hundred and twenty Hindoo lads of all ages, from eight to twenty-one or two, receive instruction here daily, in all the usual branches of education, This evening the holy Scriptures formed the first subject of examination, as every morning the first hour is devoted to their study. It was pleasing to hear from these swarthy Hindoos, bearing upon their foreheads, as the larger portion of them do, the glaring marks of Heathenism, proof of accurate acquaintance with the facts and doctrines of the Bible. It is also encouraging to be assured, that into the hearts of several of them the truth is gradually penetrating, and that a few seem to stand tremblingly upon the very threshold of Christianity. May God enable them to break through the powerful hindrances with which they are beset, and courageously to enter His church! But while in this school Scripture truth is made to occupy the foremost position, other studies are by no means neglected. During the examination the senior class showed considerable familiarity with the details of general geography, and with the principles of vulgar and decimal fractions. They also performed a few simple but striking experiments in chemistry; and clearly described the construction and use of the thermometer, barometer, and other philosophical instruments. At the close of the evening Lord Harris distributed the prizes; congratulated Mr. Burgess on the state of the Institution, and especially upon the introduction into the course of study of so interesting and important a branch of science as chemistry; and expressed his good wishes for the prosperity of the school. The watch-night service held in our Black-Town chapel is one of the most popular services in Madras. It was to commence at half-past nine; but, on going down at nine, I found the chapel densely crowded, and several persons coming away, unable to obtain entrance. Mr. Simpson preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon from, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccles. xii. 13.) And Mr. Pinkney delivered an address on the fleeting character of all earthly things. I trust that a large proportion of the congregation closed the old year, and entered upon the new, with lowly and chastened feelings, and with a strong resolve to live henceforth nearer to God, and more for the advancement of His glory. Sunday, January 4th. - This morning I read the Covenant Service at BlackTown. The attendance was very good, and about sixty persons remained to ratify their vows at the table of the Lord. In the evening I endeavoured to deepen the impression already produced by preaching from, "Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten." (Jer. 1. 4, 5.) O, may this be a year in which, as a church, we may enjoy much of the presence and blessing of God, and do something to promote His glory! Sunday, 18th. - This morning I attended the Tamil service at Royapettah. Mr. Jordan, an excellent and zealous Local Preacher, occupied the pulpit. I could understand only a word or two here and there of his discourse; but the text, "There shall be no night there," embodies a promise which, to one surrounded by the thick darkness of this land, forms a delightful theme of contemplation. The congregation, on the Sabbath morning, usually numbers about two hundred or two hundred and fifty: to-day, however, it was not quite so large, owing to the absence, during the Christmas holidays, of many of the pupils in our two schools. The singing of the hymns, composed chiefly by Dr. Hoole, is exceedingly sweet and refreshing. 21st. This evening I accompanied Mr. Hobday to our way-side preachingplace, lately erected in Triplicane. We found the boys of the school, who occupy the building during the day, busy with their ola-leaves. While we were speaking to them, a considerable number of adults gathered about the door. To these my companion read and expounded the narrative of our Lord's healing the 2. In the Tamil school, Mr. Evers has had more than twenty children under his personal instruction. With great labour they have at last been broken in to school-discipline, and the work has become pleasant and hopeful, especially amongst the elder children. Mr. Evers's removal from this school is likely to have an injurious effect; but he is endeavouring to keep it afoot. 3. The services for our own people have undergone a new arrangement. Considering that almost all the people who attended our English service could understand Tamil as well as English, many of them better, and that, according to the old system, one service only was given to each class of the people, we resolved to abolish the English service, and have two full services in Tamil. We had, indeed, held a second Tamil service before the evening English service; but it was inconvenient both to our people and ourselves, so that we were not surprised at its comparative failure. Our English school is much better situated for an evening service than the chapel, and is conveniently placed for attracting the attention of the Heathen. In the English school, therefore, we held our new Tamil evening service; and the experiment, as far as we had tried it when I left, was succeeding well. The congregation, both morning and evening, became much larger than formerly; and my colleague and myself encouraged ourselves with signs of improvement amongst the people. Sunday services were taken alternately by Mr. Evers and myself. The poor leper; and afterwards, through him as interpreter, I addressed to them a few words of exhortation. Thus is the good seed being daily scattered in this vast city. May God grant to us a speedy and abundant harvest! - Rev. Robert Stephenson, B. A., Madras, January 22d, 1857. NEGAPAТАМ. You will perceive, by the date of this letter, that I am away from what was my Circuit, and my presence in this place leads me to address these few lines to you. In consequence of Mr. Pinkney's approaching departure for England, Mr. Hodson directed me to come down here to make arrangements with Mr. Pinkney for taking this Circuit next year. I have, therefore, in all probability, done with Negapatam for some time to come; and, on this account, it appears appropriate that I should let you know how things were going on at my departure. 1. The English school. - After seven months' persevering toil, this school has amply rewarded my labour. The number on the books is forty-five; a feesystem is in regular operation; and the spirit of the boys, in reference to the pursuit of knowledge, is of the highest kind. The last day that I was at Negapatam, we held our examination. The Assistant-Collector took the chair; and the Government Inspector of Schools, and very many native gentlemen, were present. The boys acquitted themselves well, and won the commendation of all persons present. Along with this zeal for knowledge, I am confident that a work of religion has been going on in the minds of the boys, especially those of the first and second classes, who have been taught by myself. I have encouraged the boys to come to me in play-hours, and day after day have they gathered round me in my own room; and there I have had the opportunity of close personal appeals, and then I have watched their effects. My heart became bound up in the boys, and I felt and feared a departure from them. But my removal has, perhaps, consummated results which my continued residence might have delayed. Since I have come here, I have received two letters from Mr. Evers, referring to a Brahmin boy in my first class, whose state of mind was thoroughly known to me, and about whom I felt considerable anxiety. Since my departure he has firmly resolved to give up idolatry and caste. Mr. Evers has now resumed charge of the school, 4. Shortly before I left, we tried an experiment in our services for the Heathen. Two nights a week were set apart, and announced for inquiry, conversation, and discussion; other two nights being devoted to preaching. This experiment also succeeded. Our congregations have increased, and the services have become more animated. The part which I could take in these services, and a little assistance derived from my first Teacher, set Mr. Evers at liberty one night in the week for West-Gate. He has been wont, taking the Scriptures in his hand, to go and read and converse in the bazaar for an hour or more. My removal will cause some of these services to be discontinued, and the others will be a very heavy burden upon Mr. Evers's shoulders. 5. Our Sunday-school has continued, to the last, regular and encouraging. Some arrangements will be made for its continuance. Deep have been my regrets at leaving this my first Tamil Circuit, after nine months' labour in it. But though I see no help for it, I feel for the Madras District. Mr. Burgess and I are the only European Tamil-speaking Missionaries in the District. Mr. Evers is by himself at Negapatam; Mr. Hobday by himself at Manargoody; I by myself at Trichinopoly. What can we do? We may work hard; but we cannot do everything. Preaching, schools, visitation, raising a Native agency; when will our good people think of these numerous branches of Missionary toil? -and no Mission-station should want one of them. Let them also think of populations counted by tens of thousands handed over to the care of one man !— Rev. William O. Simpson, Trichinopoly, November 25th, 1856. CHINA. MACAO. FORMER communications of my colleagues have informed you that we have found a quiet retreat at Macao from the turmoil of war. We have been favoured by a kind Providence in all our movements since leaving Canton. The premises we have taken, at an exceedingly moderate rental, afford good accommodation for us all, and the situation is as good as it could be for our work. In one of the rooms, a congregation meets daily, much larger than Mr. Piercy usually had at Canton; so that we still have the opportunity of making known the truth, by preaching, and the distribution of books and tracts. There is no prospect of an immediate re-establishment of peace between the British and Chinese Governments. Every step the infatuated Governor Yeh takes makes his situation more desperate; and it is evident that he has the sympathies of the people with him in his continued refusal to accede to the demands of our Admiral. In their ignorance, the Chinese think to exterminate us. They will have some bitter experiences to pass through, I fear, before they discover their error. Let us pray that the great changes which will inevitably follow the present war, may be favourable to the spread of the Gospel in this part of the empire. Details of the progress of the war you will learn from the Hong-Kong newspapers. A delightful feeling of unanimity prevails through our Mission-circle at Macao. On the first Monday in this year three meetings were held, for the purpose of united prayer and counsel. The Spirit of God was in our midst. We were all humbled as in the dust before the Lord; we were led to dedicate ourselves afresh to Christ and to His service, and our hearts were filled with love to each other. In these services, I think, may be found sure indications of a happy and prosperous year. The first meeting was held at the Presbyterian Mission-house. The following questions were considered :-" 1. Wherein have we been unfaithful? 2. What encouragements has God given us? 3. What are we to lay to heart in the present arrangements of God's pro vidence? And, 4. What can be done to secure a higher position in the future?" A second meeting was held at our own premises. The subjects then brought under consideration The were, "1. character and development of Evangelists, Tract-distributers, &c. 2. The general condition and character of our converts. 3. The state and hopes we may entertain of our domestics and other dependents. 4. The necessity of a more perfect development of a powerful Christian example." We held a very profitable watchnight service, in which we were joined by Missionaries of other bodies. We were also much blessed at the renewal of the covenant. I have at last succeeded in obtaining a Teacher. He is with me to-day for the first time. We are at present undecided about opening a school at Macao: perhaps we shall think well to do so, as there is the prospect of our here being detained a long time. Though driven from Canton, we are thankful that there is a service here which we can render our adorable Master. Great numbers of Chinese live around us who know not Christ, and we still have intercourse with them.-Rev. Samuel Hutton, Macao, January 12th, 1857. FEEJEE ISLANDS. WE left Sydney on the 8th of June last by the "John Wesley." After a long run of twenty-one days, owing to contrary winds, we reached Tonga We then visited the Hapai and Vavau groups. Here we found the work prospering, and the liberality of the people increasing they have contributed this year upwards of fifty tons of oil: at Hapai alone they had thirty tons ready for shipment. Unless, however, there is a re-inforcement of men here, the cause will suffer. Mr. Daniel goes to the colonies by the return of the "Wesley," which will leave five men to manage the thousands of our members in this important group. While we were at Vavau, a man came from inland to learn the news, hearing that the "Wesley" had arrived, and that a new Missionary had come. When informed that I was for Feejee, he burst into a flood of tears, and went away. Having completed our work in the Friendly Islands, we proceeded to Feejee, visiting the several stations of Lakemba, Nandy, Bua, Viwa, and Rewa, where our wanderings terminated. Here, in Feejee, they were fully expecting three men, beside myself. It was found, on examining the different reports, that twelve additional men could be well employed in the work. There are now fully sixty thousand people in Feejee who have bowed the knee to Jehovah, beside thousands more who will shortly be numbered among us; for the people say, "The lotu will come, and it is no use our trying to push it back again." WESTERN AFRICA. THE LATE REV. DANIEL WEST. THE announcement of the death of this able and faithful Minister of Christ at the moment when his return from his deputation to Western Africa was anticipated with the most lively interest, will be a cause of general mourning. During his voyage to Africa in October and November last, and during the whole of his labours and journeys in Africa for nearly three months, he had not experienced one day's sickness. He left Cape-Coast in perfect health, and with every prospect of returning home without having received any injury from the labour which he had undertaken in connexion with that Mission, or from the inconveniences and exposure to which he had been subject in his journeys in the interior of the country, especially in visiting Lagos and Abbeokuta. The telegraphic announcement in the "Times" of March 14th, that the lamented event occurred on board the "Niger" steam-packet, February 24th, was not correct. Mr. West died at the Mission-house, St. Mary's, Gambia, having been landed from the "Niger" a few hours previously. He had embarked on board that vessel at Cape-Coast, February 11th. Before he reached Sierra-Leone on the 19th, he was prosAt In the Rewa Circuit we have twentyone thousand professing Christians; and every week brings its additional numbers. Some thousands have lotued since our last District-Meeting. We fear that the Papists will take advantage of our weakness. We regret to say, in a dis-trated by an attack of illness. pute which has lately occurred at Nandy, some hundreds, in opposition to our people, declared themselves Papists; and now they have a Priest among them. Whether this will be a permanent change, remains to be proved. It is impossible, in this Circuit, with the present staff of men, to visit more than once in six months some important towns which have lately embraced Christianity. The same may be said of most of the Circuits in Feejee at the present time. There is yet much to be done, which must remain undone till a fresh force shall come to the help of the Lord. The walls of Jericho will not go down now simply by blowing the ram's horn; and even if they did, there must be an army to keep the captured citadel. I hope Mr. Calvert will plead powerfully and successfully on behalf of Feejee. I can already conduct a service in the Feejee language, by the help of Mr. Hunt's printed sermons. Very shortly I hope to be able to preach without help. Rev. James S. H. Royce, Rewa, October 21st, 1856. Sierra-Leone he was carried on shore, and received every kind attention from the Rev. John Weatherston, and from medical gentlemen of that colony. When he was carried back to the steamer, the next day, to resume his voyage, his strength was greatly reduced; but no apprehension was entertained that his illness would be fatal: on the contrary, it was believed by his medical friends that the moderate temperature into which he would enter on leaving the tropics would prove the restorative which his system required. Mr. Weatherston sent a trustworthy servant to accompany him, if needful, as far as Teneriffe: he writes in the strongest terms of the edifying example of patience and cheerfulness under sufferings which Mr. West presented during his last brief visit to Sierra-Leone, in which colony his preaching on his voyage out had excited great interest. The Missionaries at St. Mary's, Gambia, were joyfully anticipating Mr. West's visit. But, going to meet him on board the "Niger," they found him dangerously ill. In a state of comparative unconsciousness, he declined to be carried ashore, and expressed his determination to proceed to England. The assistance of two medical men from the colony was immediately obtained: Mr. Bridgart, seeing Mr. West's helpless state, remained with him all night, and kindly prepared to depart from the Gambia a month earlier than he had intended, that he might accompany him during the remainder of the voyage home. The next morning, however, Mr. West was carried ashore with his own consent. Every attention was paid to the beloved sufferer; but his case was found to be beyond the reach of human assistance: he was mercifully released from his weakness and pain in the course of a few hours, and was removed from a world of labour and sorrow to his eternal reward in the presence of God in heaven. "Almost the last words he uttered to me," says Mr. Gurney, were, There is another and a better world than this.' Upon my replying, 'Yes, there is; where no sorrow and pain shall exist, but where Jesus is,' he pressed my hand, but immediately became again unconscious." After the departure of the packet, his body was, no doubt, committed to the earth in the burial-place at St. Mary's, (of which a beautiful lithographic view is given in the Rev. William Fox's volume on Western Africa,) amid the tears and lamentations of the Missionaries, Messrs. Bridgart and Gurney, surrounded by a loving and sorrowful multitude of converted Africans. 66 Circumstances had arisen in the growth and extension of the Gold-Coast Mission which, in the view of the Committee, made it desirable that a competent Deputation should be sent to inspect and report on its state and progress. The Deputation was proposed to our departed friend more than twelve months ago. His many and various attainments, together with the gentleness of his manners, and his high spirituality of mind, pointed him out as possessed of suitable qualifications for the duties of the arduous undertaking. After a prayerful consideration of the subject for some weeks, and consultation with his medical friends and others, he announced his cheerful and cordial consent to the proposal of the Committee; the kind acquiescence of the friends in the Birmingham West Circuit to receive a supply in his place, during his absence, having been also obtained. He took advantage of an interval of several months to prepare for the undertaking by making himself acquainted with every subject bearing on the interests of the countries he was about to visit. His previously-acquired stores of knowledge made this preparation an easy and delightful task. It was with their entire confidence, and many affectionate prayers for his health and safety, that the Committee took their leave of him in October last. He was one of those who were publicly commended to the Divine care at the memorable Valedictory Service at the Centenary-Hall, on October 17th; nor will the services which were held at Plymouth, before his embarkation at that port, be speedily forgotten. The letters which follow will in some measure exhibit the spirit and manner in which he accomplished the work confided to him. His visit and labours were occasions of comfort and encouragement to the Missionaries and native Christians; and he was regarded with high respect by many of the Heathen, both Chiefs and common people. The removal of a useful and beloved servant of God is at any time cause of grief and lamentation to the survivers; but it is peculiarly afflictive that Mr. West should have been taken from us at this juncture of his services to the church of Christ. This mysterious event will be cleared up in the light of eternity, when that which is in part shall be done away," and we shall "know even as we are known." Remembering the inscrutable wisdom and the infinite mercy of the great Head of the church, we bow our sorrowing souls with resignation to His holy will; we moderate our grief by the exercise of the faith which teaches us that "death is ours," and the hope that is full of immortality; and whilst we mourn our irreparable loss, we are thankful that the Lord of the harvest ever sent forth such a labourer into His harvest, and that He mercifully continued to us the benefit of his labours and example for so long a time. GOLD-COAST. I MUST not omit the cheering statement, that the visit of the Deputation and my worthy Superintendent, the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman, has been crowned with abundant success. At the watchnight fourteen individuals found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. O, may the name of the Lord be greatly magnified and adored! The passage from which our esteemed and honoured Deputation, the Rev. Daniel West, spoke to us, was Genesis xxviii. 16-22. The sermon he delivered created such joy in the minds of the hearers, that many of those present could not refrain |