The baptist Magazine

CALABAR.

A letter has been received from Mr. TINSON, dated April 9th, 1849, from which we have pleasure in making the following extract:

We are all about as usual in health. The has been supplied by students. Yesterday students are well, and giving me much com- week I sent a black student to Falmouth, and fort in every respect. Mr. Smith is going on brother Gay says he gave great satisfaction. well at Dry Harbour. He has had two I notice these little matters because they additions to the church since his settlement, indicate our progress, and I flatter myself and the people seem pleased with him. For that you and the Committee will take an the last two sabbaths he has been supplying interest in them. Mr. Armstrong's station, and Dry Harbour

FERNANDO PO.

ARRIVAL OF THE "DOVE."

We had the pleasure of announcing in the Herald for the last month, the safe arrival of the "Dove." The want of room forbade more. We feel assured that our readers will be gratified with the following extract from Mr. SAKER'S letter, dated Clarence, February 24th, 1849:—

to this distant shore. Great joy was depicted in every countenance; but it was the sabbath, and there was no tumult, no noise, but a hearty, joyful welcome.

The merciful God has again brought our dear friends to this distant land. On sabbath day last, soon after our school had closed (say one o'clock), Mr. Lynslager sent word to me that the "Dove was in sight. The We ascended the hill, and all who had not "smokes" then, as it has been for eight sought the beach were assembled on the weeks past, was exceeding heavy, so much so highest ground, and greeted us as we passed. that we could not see more than three miles It was then past three, and ere we could distant; and at that time, with the aid of a obtain refreshment the beli announced the small glass, I could only discern something ap-hour of worship. A goodly company met, proaching. Hoping that the governor's glass had not misled him, I instantly prepared to go to meet this long looked for "Dove." The news fled through the town so quickly, that I had not time to prepare myself ere five or six of our people, one after the other, came up to tell me the news. Others ran to the beach to procure a boat, and soon a dozen friends were ready seated in Mr. Lynslager's boat to convey to us great joy or heavy tidings.

Rapidly the boat glided over the waves, and all doubt as to the identity of the vessel was removed, yet no one was to be seen on deck, owing to the thick haze. We soon neared the "Dove," and one by one I saw Captain Milbourne, brother Newbegin, a stranger, another, and another, but no Mrs. Saker. Another moment, and a voice came pealing over the water, "All right, brother." A happy greeting followed. My dear wife had been obliged to go below from over excitement. In a few minutes all our minds were calm, and after reading the 103rd psalm, we prostrated ourselves before God in adoring gratitude.

A light air brought us into the cove, and our anchor fell into the deep. But the friends who had congregated to welcome the brethren when they landed, had grown impatient, and numbers, in canoes and boats, came off, so that soon our little vessel seemed like a floating city. Our whole town was moved, and every one, young and old, came out to welcome the long expected friends. As soon as convenient, our boat moved back to the beach, and many smiling, happy faces welcomed our brethren

and brother Newbegin preached. At seven in the evening a prayer-meeting was held to give the church an opportunity of expressing their gratitude for the great mercies we now enjoy. It was a hallowed hour.

On Monday evening a public meeting was held in the chapel, which I feel unable to describe. I was too much engaged in it to take notes of any thing that was said, and I fear that no one else has done it. Besides our mission band, Wilson, S. Johnson, and Smith addressed the meeting. It was not so much the things said, although all was chaste and happily appropriate; but there was a hallowed, grateful feeling, that sought to be uttered by some, but in others was a calming, sanctifying power. I think it was, without exception, the happiest and most joyous public meeting I have attended in Africa.

On Tuesday evening a special meeting was held to express our gratitude for the deliverances our brethren had experienced on the voyage. These were neither small nor few, but which our friends will speak of themselves.

And now, dear sir, we are all here, healthful and happy. To me it has been an exhilarating time. It has had a happy effect on my spirit, but I feel unable to bear the joy, and I shall soon need a quiet, retired hour to moderate my feelings. That hour will soon come, for on Tuesday next the " Dove" will move on to Bimbia. Brother Newbegin and wife, Yarnold and wife, Captain Milbourne and wife, will passage in her, and on its return it is probable I shall visit Cameroons, with Mrs. Saker.

STATE OF THE FUNDS, AND NECESSITY FOR INCREASED EFFORT. The state of the funds, and the fear of stations being abandoned and missionaries withdrawn, have called forth several letters to the Editor, expressing very strongly feelings in which we would express our entire concurrence, and at the same time our confident belief that if the suggestions contained in those letters were fully and earnestly carried out, not only would curtailment be unnecessary, but the sphere of usefulness may be considerably extended; and if the motto of the Pope is "NOT A STEP BACKWARDS," let not the protestant relax in his efforts to fulfil the gracious commission of the Redeemer to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

One friend (D. J. E.), after the suggestion of measures for the consideration of the Committee as to communication with the pastors of the churches and the officers of the auxiliaries, urges the desirableness of each pastor convening a meeting for solemn consultation and earnest prayer within a short period, in order to avert the lamentable result that would ensue if stations should be abandoned or missionaries withdrawn, and expresses the hope that by the matter being presented as a personal question to the members of our churches, a large augmentation of income may be secured.

Another correspondent (R. S.) remarks feelingly on the feeble efforts that are put forward for the fulfilment of the Saviour's great commission, and enforces the duty of immediate steps being taken to double, which he considers possible, the income of the Society, urging on every member of the church, in addition to that now given, to subscribe one penny weekly, and stating that some of the young members of the church with which he is connected have begun collecting on that principle.

A third, under the appropriate motto, "Go forward," prays "that we may all think more of the love of our divine Redeemer, who being rich for our sakes became poor, and feel an increased interest in the promotion of his cause," and he sets an example which we shall be happy to see more generally followed, by enclosing five pounds in addition to his annual subscription.

Surely if the principle enforced in our March number, under the title of "Divine Method of Giving," were generally followed out, that is to say, if every one who can, gave something, and that on the first day of every week, and each gave as the Lord had prospered him, the Society would be at once relieved from all embarrassment. There are probably many young persons who do not contribute, and we trust that Juvenile associations will be multiplied, and that in them all such will be included. The youthful Josiah never thought when he set about a work for God what a blessing God was about to confer on him, and it may be that our children, when brought to feel an interest in the salvation of the heathen, may, under the Divine blessing, be led to seek for themselves that which they would confer upon others. Those in humble circumstances, if they can be induced to put aside with regularity even the smallest sum, will by their numbers raise a large amount; but if we may venture an opinion, it is that the poor members of our churches have borne their proportion of that which has been done. When we look back to the lists of subscribers for twenty years, and see the same individuals with the sum of one pound one shilling annually appended to their names, while it is acknowledged that their income has, under a Divine blessing on their exertions, been increased tenfold, and that their style of living has been in comparison with that, the conclusion is manifest that they have not given as the Lord has prospered them. It may be that they have added some six or eight guineas to their subscription list, and perhaps advanced somewhat in their contribution to the support of their

minister, but alas how small a proportion does the whole together bear to that of which God in his providence has made them stewards! Who amongst us, except some poor widow, has ever made a sacrifice? While a tenth may be a due proportion for one man, a fourth or even a half may be as unquestionably that for another. We feel no doubt that an adherence by all to the scriptural method of giving would at once double the income of the Society. May the Lord enable each of us to feel it a privilege to do all we can for the promotion of His cause.

After the above was in print a letter came to hand from W. H., expressing the feeling which had been created by the Missionary Herald for the last month, which he describes as "a most thrilling one, calculated to excite the most fervent gratitude for the conversion of souls, and a deep sympathy with the Committee of the Society under its present 'difficulties." He expresses his earnest desire that each may arise and show himself strong on behalf of Christ's cause; each according to his power and his responsibility. He states that his reading parts of the Missionary Herald at the prayer meeting had produced immediately a donation of £5, and urges an effort to pay off the debt; but we would remind our excellent friend that this is not all we require. Our expenditure is, year by year, greater than our income, and we must have an increase of regular annual income, or the effort will have to be repeated; and such efforts often repeated have an injurious effect on the Society. As we have expressed above, if every one does what he can, the income will be more than sufficient, and we feel that it will be a reproach to us if, that being the case, the Committee shall be compelled to diminish its means of usefulness.