DEATH OF MRS. COLLIE. Madras, 31st May 1822. My Dear Sir,-During my residence in India (now nearly 17 years) it has frequently been my painful duty to convey to you heavy tidings, and such is the subject of this communication. When the Windsor Castle arrived, Mrs. and Mrs. Collie came to reside with us, expecting to proceed in two or three weeks to Malacca. Little did we then think that their stay would have been so long protracted, much less so painfully terminated. But the Lord is a Sovereign, and though frequently mysterions in his dealings with his people, is yet infinitely wise and good; He has done it. Instead of granting our dear sister her heart's desire, to proceed to her station and labour for many years with her dear partner among the Chinese or Malays, he has seen fit that she should here enter into her rest, and mingle her ashes with "John Thompson's," (she lies within two or three yards of his grave) who, like her, was desirous to assist in building a temple for Jehovah in heathen lands. He hath said, “it was good that it was in thine heart," although he hath denied them the honour. My afflicted Brother Collie has requested me to acquaint you with the mournful event, it being so pain ful for him to dwell upon, and he is very busy preparing for his voyage, as he expects to sail in three or four days. She was taken ill on Friday the 10th inst. During the first part of her illness she laboured under much darkness and insensibility, complaining that passages of scripture did not come to her mind as they had done on former occasions of affliction, and that her recollection of Divine Truth had almost failed her. At the same time she discovered a most eager desire to hear the Scriptures read, to converse on divine things, and to join with her husband in prayer. As the latter was in a poor state of health during this period of her illness, he found it difficult to attend to these duties so often as she wished. She frequently spoke to him with much feeling respecting her utter inability to merit, in the least degree, the favour of God, and of her having committed her soul to Christ to be saved entirely by his satisfaction and grace. During the last week of her life, the gloom which hung over her mind gradually dissipated. Many passages of scripture, and some of Dr. Watts's hymns, seemed to be blessed to her; es pecially the sixth chapter of the Gospel by John, and the 78th hymn, 1st book. A few days previous to her departure, she appeared to be fully convinced that death was at hand, and spoke of it with great composure, observing, that she did not experience the joys of salvation, but that although it should please God to withhold these blessings to the last, salvation itself was more than enough. She frequently observed to Mr. Loveless, that whatever might be the result of her sickness, all would be well; adding, "I know in whom I have believed," &c. But she said that she felt much for Mr. Collie's having to go to his station alone, and for her friends, who would be grieved to hear that she was not permitted to enter on the field of labour. Yes, her whole soul was set upon the glorious work for which she had left her native shores. And although for her to die would be eternal gain, yet she was desirous to live to do something for him who had done so much for her. To a Christian friend she observed, that had it been the will of God, she would gladly have lived many years with her husband, to comfort and encourage him in the great work in which he was engaged, and to have endeavoured to do something herself; but that if it was the Lord's will to call her now, he would carry on his work independently of her. The night before she died, she thanked her heavenly Father that he had not permitted Satan to tempt her with hard thoughts of her God; adding, that although she had little joy, she had no fear. On the day of her death, seeing her husband weep, she stretched out her hands and with great solemnity and much feeling committed him to the Great Head of the Church in the following words: "O Lord, I roll over my dear husband' upon Thee, keep him as the apple of thine eye; be Thou his light and his salvation; never leave him to himself for a single moment. Thou hast a strong arm, although mine be weak." During the day, she was much engaged in ejaculating prayer, sometimes uttering aloud such expressions as the following: "O Lord, I have no claim to thy regard, but what is founded on the work of thy Son. Thou never saidst to any of the seed of Jacob, seek ye my face in vain: I have often sought thee in tears, cast me not off at last. O Lord, lift now upon me the light of thy countenance. O Jesus, save me in thine own way. There is nothing in this world to draw my affections." At this expression, her husband wept, and pointed to himself. Upon which she observed, “Yes, my dear, I love you, perhaps too much; but I love Jesus infinitely more, and so I ought. His arm alone brought salvation. I trust I shall soon enter into joy unspeakable." A few hours before her death she asked me to pray by her bedside: after this exercise was over, her mind seemed greatly delighted with the infinite fulness. treasured up in Christ. Whilst expatiating on this delightful theme, she fixed her eyes on her weeping partner, and in the language of humble but strong confidence, assured him that, in the fulness of which she was speaking, there was abundance of consolation for him in this trying hour. Nearly four hours before she expired the faculty of speech almost left her. During this solemn period, however, she was heard to pronounce, although with a faltering tongue, the following expressions, "He is the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely." "Whosoever believeth in me hath everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." The following were the last words which she uttered: "The battle's fought, the prize is won, Now, O Lord, let trouble cease, And let thy servant die in peace." Thus our dear sister fell asleep in the Lord, on Friday night the 24th inst. having been ill just 14 days. Her death was considered as one of those occurrences in providence that would afford a suitable subject of improvement to the congregations with whom she had united in divine worship; and a funeral sermon was therefore preached by Mr. Traveller on Jast Sabbath evening, at Persewankum Chapel, from Luke ii. 29, 30. (part of the last words she uttered;) and on Wednesday evening, Mr. Crisp also improved the mournful occasion in a sermon at Black Town Chapel, from Psalm cxvi. 15. My dear afflicted Brother feels his loss most keenly; but his mind is graciously supported by the consolations and hopes of the gospel. O that this afflicting dispensation of Divine Providence may be sanctified to all concerned. W. LOVELESS. ΑΜΒΟΥΝΑ. By a letter dated May 18, 1822, we are happy to learn that, on the 9th of January last, an Auxiliary Missionary Society was formed at Amboyna. The object of this institution is, to afford assistance and support to the missionaries already there, or who may hereafter arrive, in the great work of preaching the glad tidings of salvation and enlightening the heathen around them in the knowledge of Christ. The Society intend also to engage suitable schoolmasters, and send them to distant places in the settlement, for the instruction both of the native Christians and of the heathen; and also to employ their press in printing religious tracts. The Rev. Mr. Kam is the president, Mr. J. E.Twysel, treasurer; Mr. J. B.Timmerman, secretary for correspondence with the Netherland Society; and Mr. E. F. Grenier, secretary for correspondence in the English language. By the gentleman last mentioned, we are favoured with this agreeable intelligence. DEATH of the Rev. Dr. MILNE, Senior Missionary at Malacca. THE Society has sustained a most serious loss by the death of their truly excellent, learned, pious and laborious missionary, Dr. Milue. His health has long been in a declining state, and the Directors were anxious that he should try the effect of a voyage to the Cape, or to England; but he was unwilling to quit, for a considerable time, a station which required his presence, at least until he could with confidence leave its affairs in the hands of competent persons, of which he had a pleasing prospect had he been spared a year or two longer. He, however, took a voyage to Sincapore, and from thence to Pulo Penang, or Prince of Wales's Island. From the latter place Mr. Ince, one of our missionaries at that station, wrote a letter to the Directors, dated June 10, 1822, from which the following information is extracted: "Dr. Milne arrived here from Sincapore in April last, and remained with us about a fortnight; but finding the heat of the weather in George Town so very great and debilitating, (the thermometer frequently 880 and 900 in the shade,) he removed into the country, to the resi dence of our kind friend, David Brown, Esq. Mr. Beighton and I remained with him two or three days at a time alternately. But, notwithstanding this de sirable change, he declined more and more daily, and his cough and difficulty of breathing became more and more troublesome. He therefore returned to our house about the 10th of May. He then became anxious to return to Malacca, but there was no vessel at our island about to sail thither. We therefore applied to Mr. Brown, who proposed writing to His Excellency the Hon. W. E. Phillips, the Governor, (who had ever proved him. self our friend) to request the loan of the Government cruiser the Nautilus, to convey Dr. Milne to Malacca. We were almost afraid to request a boon so great; but, to our great joy, the favour was most readily granted, with an assurance of his Excellency's cordial satisfaction in having it in his power to accommodate so good and useful a man as Dr. Milne. "Our afflicted brother, accompanied by Mr. Beighton, sailed on the 16th of May, and reached Malacca in eight days. On their arrival, as Mr. B. has informed me, Dr. Milne was much worse. Indeed the captain, the surgeon, and he, feared Dr. M. would not live to reach the place, but that he would die at sea. "On Sunday morning, June 9, I received a note from the Governor, informing me that a few days after his arrival at Malacca he expired. This is all the information I am yet in possession of, as I have not yet heard from Mr. Beighton, who, I hope, is on his way back to Penang." Mr. Ince gives us, in the same letter, an affecting account of the death of Mrs. Ince, the particulars of which shall appear in a future Number. He states, that Mrs. Beighton and children were quite well. He adds, that a few days before the date of his letter, June 10, he had received a letter from Mr. Ellis, one of the missionaries in the South Seas, informing him that the brethren were all well, as were also Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet, and that the cause of religion was flourishing. We hope soon to receive from the brethren at Malacca, or from Mr. Beighton, the particulars relating to the last hours. of our excellent missionary, Dr. Milne, which we shall hasten to lay before our readers. [The following is an Extract from the last Letter received by the Directors from Dr. Milne, dated Pulo-Penang, April 17, 1822, a few weeks before his death, which shows how fully his heart was set upon his missionary work.] "As to my own case, I think a great and peculiar uncertainty hangs upon itthere is a complication in my disorder. I believe that a long sea-voyage would be useful-and yet I am so tied at Malacca, that I cannot take it. I must hang on, till I see persons able to carry on the work. Make haste and send them, or I shall be gone before they come. 'When heart and flesh fail, be thou, O God, the strength of my heart, and my portion for Pray abundantly for me. The Mission here is doing well. There seems ever. to be a good deal of Christian truth com- I am, very dear Fathers, FURTHER PARTICULARS Extracted from a Letter written by Mr. Beighton; dated Malacca, June 10, 1822. WE had the best medical aid that could be procured at Penang, but Dr. Milne's disease appeared to baffle all medical skill, and made rapid progress on his almost worn-out frame. He was very desirous of returning to Malacca, that he might arrange his affairs, and in conformity with the advice of Dr. Alexander, take a voyage to the Cape or to England. At that time there was no vessel likely to sail from Penang for several weeks, and as Dr. M. became worse every day, D. Brown, Esq. kindly applied to the Governor, and readily ob tained the loan of the Nautilus, one of the Company's cruisers, which the Governor generously ordered to be got in immediate readiness. Dr. M. wished me to accompany him; and indeed it was necessary that some one should be constantly with him. We sailed onThursday evening May 16, and arrived at Malacca on Friday morning the 24th. The wind was contrary most of the way, and Dr. M. became weaker and weaker, so that we feared he would die on the passage. It was his wish, if he died on board, to be conveyed to Malacca for burial; but.this we feared would be found impracticable. On the Sabbath we spent at sea, he appeared to be a little more composed than usual. I was near his couch, and he appeared to be frequently engaged in prayer. On one occasion his petition was, "O God, prepare me for life or death;" adding with peculiar emphasis, "but death-death! that is the thing!' Many expressions dropped from his lips, intimating that he thought his earthly course was nearly finished. The Lord, however, was pleased to spare his dying servant to see his family at Malacca, where we arrived at the time before mentioned. Dr. Milne had previously made his Will, so that his worldly affairs were speedily settled. It soon became apparent that the time of his departure was at hand. The Dutch physician attended him, and pursued the same course of medicine which had been commenced by Dr. Boyd. The hiccough came on, and continued several days. Dr. M. did not appear to experience those raptures and joys with which some are favoured on the near approach of death; but his confidence in Christ was thus expressed: "If I am found in Jesus' hands, About five o'clock on Saturday afternoon, June 1, he was in extreme pain, and exclaimed, "My God, my God, help me!" He was afterwards somewhat more easy,but became gradually weaker; he asked for little during the night, and at half-past two o'clock on Sunday morn ing (June 2,) our highly-respected friend and brother was released from all his sufferings; and his happy spirit fled to enjoy a glorious Sabbath in the paradise of God. Thus has the Society lost a faithful and laborious missionary, and four dear children are deprived of a tender father. Upon the inspection of the body, it was found that his disease was wholly pulmonary, and not that of the liver. He had attained his 37th year on the 27th of April last. For further details I must refer you to the Rev. Mr. Humphreys, and to Mr. Huttmann: the latter assiduously superintends the Society's printing esta blishment. The native schools are going on prosperously, under the vigilant care of Mr. Humphreys. The Chinese youths attached to the College are also on the increase; and O that God may be pleased to bless the means that are used for instilling into the minds of the young the principles of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour. The printing of the Chinese Magazine, the Gleaner, &c. will probably suffer some interruption: but it is hoped that when Dr. Morrison hears of the removal of his esteemed colleague, he will visit Malacca, at least for a few months, and make some arrangement for carrying on the various works usually published here. It has pleased God to visit me with affliction since I came hither. I have had an attack of fever, which has brought me very low; but I am now recovering, and anxiously waiting for a vessel to carry me back to Peyang, Mr. Thompson had left Malacca for Sincapore before I arrived here. In a subsequent letter, dated June 28, Mr. Beighton, who was still waiting for a passage to Penang, states that Mr. Collie, who was appointed to the mission at Malacca, had safely arrived, but that Mrs. Collie died at Madras. SOUTH AFRICA. Improvement of Bethelsdorp. WE rejoice to find from recent communications from Dr. Philip, that the Missionary Settlement at Bethelsdorp is in a very improving state. The people at this station have long struggled with great difficulties, which are now removing. The uncertainty of continuing this statión has long occasioned a neglect of the buildings, which fell into such a state of decay, that those who only looked at outward appearances, regarded the settlement with the utmost contempt. But better houses are already built,and others are about to be erected; a shop is opened by a respectabie person, for the sale of such goods as the Hottentots need, and for which they were formerly obliged to travel many miles. A large farm, a few miles distance from Bethelsdorp, with a substantial house, has been purchased by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, where the cattle belonging to Bethelsdorp may occasionally be fed, and corn raised; and the Hottentots have lately contracted with the Commissariat department of the Colonial Government, to furnish 30 wagons and teams for the conveyance of goods; and being their own drivers, and employing their children for wagon leaders, they are enabled to fulfil the contract much cheaper than any other persons. These engagements will, it is hoped, tend greatly to the advancement of the temporal interests of this despised place. Dr. Philip says, "I can now meet the calumniators of missions, and the enemies of the Hottentots, on their own ground, and challenge them to show me, in any part of the world, a people more capable of being improved than the abused Hottentots of South Africa; or attempts at civilization more complete in their success, than what may now be seen at Bethelsdorp." DISTRESS OF THE COLONY OF THE CAPE. Extract of a Letter from Dr. Philip, Cape Town, Aug. 3, 1822. OWING to the failure of the crops and the distressing situation of the colony, the ex penses of the missionaries are necessarily, this year, higher than usual. Every thing in Cape Town and in other parts of the colony is at an extravagant price. We have no rice but what we receive from India, no wheat but what comes from New Holland or from England, and every necessary of life is in proportion to the price paid for foreign grain. Such a state of things-a state of things approaching to famine, cannot be sustained without bringing additional burdens on the funds of the Society, but it is to be hoped that this affliction will not be of long continuance. I could fill many sheets with the great distress which is daily coming under my own observation, and on account of which I am constantly called upon to promote the means of relief. Your hearts would bleed to see the present condition of this colony. We have had no crops for two years, and fears are generally entertained for the one approaching. While the western coast of Africa has been deluged with rain for four months past, in such a degree that the seed is rotting in the ground, and houses and even villages are falling down, the eastern coast has scarcely had any rain for a twelvemonth past, and the grass is parched as if it had been burnt in an oven. While I am writing this letter, tidings are continually brought in of the desolations occasioned by the late storms, amounting, in many instances, to the almost total ruin of a great part of the inhabitants in the wealthiest districts of the colony. The damage done in Table Bay by the late gales, you will read in the newspapers; and the destruction of the buildings in Cape Town is so great and general, that we esteem it a distinguished mercy that the mission-house and chapel are not damaged. This state of things will account to you for the extra expenses of the missions during the last six months. WESTERN AFRICA. Colony of Free Blacks. THE Colonization Society of America have at length purchased of some native Chiefs in Africa (200 or 300 miles from Sierra Leone,) a fine tract of land called Cape Mesurado, for the future settlement of Free Blacks from the United States. This place is represented as possessing advantages superior to others which had been in contemplation. The kings and headmen of whom the purchase was made, received for payment muskets, gunpowder, tobacco,looking-glasses, &c, MADRAS. from a letter just received from Mr. WE are exceedingly grieved to learn Loveless, at Madras, that Mr. Nicholson, one of our missionaries at that place, has lately been removed by death. Particulars have been sent by another vessel, which has not yet arrived. SIBERIA. Zeal and Liberality of Heathens in support of Superstition. Mr. SWAN, who with Mr. Stallybrass, has taken a journey into the Buriat territory, beyond the Nerchinsk mountains, mentions, in a letter to the Secretary, the zeal of some of the Dalai Lamas in propagating their religion among their neighbours. He says, "Their zeal has carried some of them beyond the Baikal, to the unlettered tribes around Irkutsk, among whom they are acting as missionaries, building temples, &c. and thus preparing to set up their unintelligible mummery in regions where it has hitherto been unknown. I am sure, my dear Sir, you cannot read this statement with indifference. Is it not enough to provoke the Society-the churches, to jealousy? Shall no soldiers of the Cross be sent to take that field against these emissaries of Dalai Lama?-Some may think that we ought to wage the war there; but I could easily fill my sheet with arguments to show why we should not desert our present post (Selinginsk.) On this side the lake we have enough, abundantly more than enough to employ our hearts and hands, were our numbers increased seven-fold. I have another provoking circumstance to mention the liberality of the heathen in the support of their superstition." During my late journey, some Buriats in my presence were conversing about the flocks and herds of the Taisha Djigjit. They said he was not so very rich in sheep. I asked how that happened, since I had been told that his father, Dumba, to whose property he succeeded, had upwards of ten thousand ?—“ Yes, his father at one time had ten thousand, but seven thousand sheep (besides other property) were disposed of for the building of the temple!"-Shall Christians be outdone by heathens? Shall greater sacrifices be made by individuals to uphold or propagate the mass of lies and nousense of which Dalai Lamaism consists, than Christians, who have it in their power, are willing to make for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ? Will not such |