Several of this number, from the înferior circumstances of their parents, I have taken into the school gratuitously. "I have hitherto omitted to observe to you, that in consequence of not being able to procure a house for the school in the centre of the town, I have converted the old dwell rented a residence at a short distance from it. In this circumstance I think I can dis cover the Hand of Providence. prayers, and counsels, Thus had the Lord prepared something pleasant for me in this wilderness; but they met me still in a confused state, having just come down with my family from Salatiga; I had no room, nor even table to receive them in a decent manner. I am also called to report to you the sad news of the death of our dearing-house in the Chapel-yard into one, and brother Diering, of Batavia; he entered the fifteenth of the last month into the rest of his Lord. The Rev. Mr. Medhurst laments his death very feelingly, as he says "I am extremely happy that you are he has lost in him a very valuable assistant making arrangements to send me an asin promoting the cause of Christ, and a very sistant. I think I have not, in this respect, affectionate friend and brother; he has made an unnecessary application. The preached a funeral sermon on this event. charge of 140 boys and girls at home, even Yesterday I received the box which you had | if they are all on the plan and well estaforwarded to me; I thank you most heartilyblished in it, and the master no other duties for every article in it, especially for the portrait of Dr. Ryland. I shall deduct something for the contents of the box, in my next bill on this Society. I have an argent call from Batavia to come thither, and superintend the printing of my translation, and it appears to me proper that I should obey the call, as the printing will then go forward, otherwise it is a doubtful ease. I have forwarded my Journal regularly to you, except the last, which I have not even found time enough, in this state of confusion to write. I have, in the meantime, gone amongst the natives around us, as my strength, and the confused state of circumstances have permitted, but with no better success than formerly, some listen a little, some not at all. Should the Lord be pleased to spare me longer in his service, I hope to be more useful in his cause for the future; I long much for the time when a church of natives shall be erected, and that I might be spared so long." SPANISH TOWN. to attend to, I believe is considered as almost sufficient employment. About 30 of my scholars are advanced considerably beyond the limits of the system in arithmetic, some are in mensuration and fractions. Many learn Latin, Hebrew, Geography, and Grammar, You know my other duties; and when I inform you, that for three months past I have had no one to assist me, and the school to organize, that I am obliged to superintend the building of the chapel and exert myself considerably for subscriptions towards it, I am confident that you will not only be convinced that I absolutely require aid, but will forward it me as expeditiously as possible. "After considerable alterations and expense, the old building is made remarkably commodious and convenient for the purpose of a school. It will accommodate about 150 boys and an equal number of girls, on the second floor. Of the latter, there are 40 to whose instruction in needle-work, my dear wife devotes three afternoons in a week. "The Sabbath-school, under her care,' I am also happy to say is flourishing. Our prospect of usefulness in this department of service is, I flatter myself, so great and indu bitable, and my conviction of the vast im A LETTER from Mr. Philipo, dated Feb. 13th, contains a grati-portance of the diffusion of the blessings of fying account of the labours in which he is engaged, and in which, we trust, he will soon receive efficient assistance from Mr. Baylis, one of the Missionaries, whose departure for Jamaica was announced in the Herald for last month. education generally among the lower classes so decided, that notwithstanding I were conscious that I should fall an early sacrifice to times inclined to question whether I should excessive anxiety and labour, I am somehe justified in resigning my work but with my breath. Nor is the prosperity of my school establishment my only encouragement. God has graciously condescended to smile also on my ministerial exertions. Since my arrival here, I think no one has had greater reason for gratitude to the Father of Mercies. "Some little time ago, I had the happiness of adding to the church, about 60 individuals, whose conduct hitherto appears to be "such as becometh the Gospel of Christ.” At Old Harbour, more recently, I with equal gratification administered the sacred ordinance of Baptism to 30 more; two of whom, from their respectability, are likely to be a considerable acquisition to our Society. Numbers (chiefly young persons) are constantly adding to our congregation, and all connected with us seem fast awaking from their lethargy.. "I assure you I have been often obliged to exclaim with astonishment and gratitude, "What hath God wrought!' MONTEGO BAY, A PLEASING instance of the value in which the labours of Christian Missionaries now begin to be held, occurs in a late communication from Mr. Burchell. valuable partner, and the speedy removal of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming, his condition is very solitary, and he has been visited by sickness too; he has laboured and not fainted, and some indications are granted him that his exertions have not been in vain. He writes, under date of the 11th of January last. My congregation was never better, if so good as at present, especially on the Sabbath morning; there appears a considerable degree of attention, and some real good appears to be doing. Three free negroes, one brother, and two sisters, not less than 40 years of age, give very pleasing hope of s change, besides a number more who are promising. Those who have been already baptized stand their ground well, and give stronger proof of a work of grace. The first convert, whose name is John Morrell, bids fair to be of great assistance to me as a native preacher; perhaps, all things considered, equally so as a European Missionary. In point of natural gifts, and those gifts evidently under the powerful influence of di vine grace, I do not expect to meet with another of the sons of Africa to surpass him. He has, evidently, on account of the change wrought in him, been a loser as to this world, and had to encounter considerable persecu tion; but all seems to do him good, and to lead his heart nearer to God in Christ. He is continually employed, though without any remuneration; and even while doing to the utmost, or beyond his power for the chapel, in preaching and conversing among the people in different directions, and evidently with a degree of acceptance and power. He said the other day, when he and I were Limited as are the finances of the Society, visiting the people at a place called Charit was felt that such a generous proposal, lotte Town, where are about 500 people, according so intirely with the object we have and where we have preached twice during in view, could not but be thankfully ac- the week, that he could feel contented to cepted. Instructions to this effect have, live upon bread and water, if he could do in consequence, been sent to Mr. Burchell; any good among that people. It is pleasing and ere long, we trust, this new station will amidst some trials to behold the powerful be occupied as diligently, and as success-effects of divine grace. Help me to thank fully, as those previously existing on the God for this instance of his goodness! O island have been. He informs the Society, under date of January 24, that a gentleman who had previously shewn him much kindness, having recently purchased an estate in the parish of Westmoreland, was very desirous that a Missionary should be stationed there; and to facilitate the accomplishment of his wishes, he had authorized Mr. B to make an offer of premises, situated on the estate, for a sum not equal to one-third of their original cost, and proposed to add, as a free gift in addition, twenty acres of land adjoining. The station is described as most eligible, being in the centre of nearly 50,000 negroes, among whom no Missionary has yet entered. The sole condition on which the offer is made, is that a Missionary station be formed there. Should this be neglected, or discontinued, the premises are to revert to the donor. HONDURAS. By the return of our worthy friend, Captain Whittle, of the Ocean, from Honduras, we have received some pleasing intelligence from our Missionary, Mr. Bourn. Although, by the loss of his that it may be the first fruits of an abundant harvest in this part of the world!—Our first convert is very sanguine in his expectations of good being done, and thinks true religion will spread and prevail in this place, and none will be able to stop it. Since the new year entered, we have set apart one day in the week for fasting and prayer that God would pour out his Holy Spirit upon his word, that it may have free course, ran and be glorified. We have also entered into some fresh regulation respecting the Sabbath school. Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary_Society, from April 20, to May 20, 1826, not including Individual Subscriptions. 0 0 11 0 0 Montrose, Society for Missions, Schools and Tracts, by Mr. James Dow, Sec. 10 Devonshire Square, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. T. Jackson ... 15 0 0 8 0 0 13 19 0 13 3 0 5 11 0 Kent Auxiliary Society, by Mr. Parnell, and Rev. W. Groser, viz. Acknowledged before, Expenses, &c. 197 8 Poole, Subscriptions, by Rev. John Shoveller ..... Walworth, Moiety of Missionary Collection at York-street Chapel, by Camberwell Female Auxiliary Society, by Miss Gutteridge, Treasurer Watford, Subscriptions and Auxiliary Society, by Mr. Young, (including £3. 9s. 1d. for Female Education) Canterbury, Subscriptions and Donations, by Mr. Christian Kingsbridge, Weekly Subscriptions, &c. by Rev. J. Nicholson Bedfordshire Auxiliary Society, by John Foster, Esq. viz. Leighton & Great Brickhill 17 12 7 Another Tithe of Gratitude, by Mr. Nisbet .... TRANSLATIONS. Edinburgh Bible Society, by Rev. C. Anderson Suffolk Society in Aid of Missions, by Mr. S. Ray Calton Association for Religious Purposes, by Mr. Turnbull 141 8 4 .Donation. 20 5 400 008 TO CORRESPONDENTS. The thanks of the Committee are returned to Mr. Turnbull, of Loughton, for 13 Volumes of the Baptist Magazine; Mr. Epps, for 10 Vols. do.; and Mrs. Allen, of Frome, for Sundry Volumes of Periodical Accounts. Taylor, Green, and Littlewood, Printers, 15, Old Bailey. |