buildings on his own estate, and also at St. Ann's Bay; and boldly vindicated the truth which had been to him "the power of God unto salvation," both in the pulpit and with the pen,* as well as by the silent, powerful eloquence of a blameless, benevolent, and holy life. How inscrutable is the Providence which took away such a man at such a time! Had his life been prolonged, he would have stood by the persecuted Missionary; and there is little doubt that his influence in the parish, as a magistrate greatly respected, added to his eminent legal ability, would have been more than a match for the cunning of the rector and all his associates. He had been failing in vigour for some time; but the wicked outrage by which it was attempted to destroy the lives of Mr. Radcliffe and his family at St. Ann's Bay, by a gang of ruffians, had called forth all the energies of Mr. Drew to trace and bring to punishment the lawless band, some of whom were well known. Having, in his capacity of magistrate, set matters in a train for a thorough investigation, he returned home: but it was to die; his exertions having probably exceeded what his sinking health could endure. Before the investigation could be pushed to any important result, his little remaining strength finally gave way; and, to the grief of the Missionaries, and the still deeper distress of his excellent wife and family, he passed away in blessed triumph to the church before the throne. Just before, he had put forth literally a dying effort in singing the beautiful words,— "I know that my Redeemer lives,

And ever prays for me;

A token of His love He gives,

A pledge of liberty."

Among other utterances on his death-bed, he said to one of the Missionaries, who was expressing his regret that one so useful should be taken away at such a crisis, “I am but a poor worm; there is no room for boasting. I cannot look to anything that I have done. The whole science of divinity is compressed into a very narrow compass :—

'I the chief of sinners am,

But Jesus died for me!""

Mr. Drew has left behind him a family of children, and a widow likeminded with himself, who enters fully into all the plans of large-hearted benevolence which he formed, and partly executed. A lady of energetic and well-cultivated mind, she carries on, with excellent results, the management of the estate. But how dark and inexplicable are God's ways! Only one short year elapses since the martyred Grimsdall was laid in his narrow cell,”—two years since her husband ascended to the skies,-when,

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* Mr. Drew was the author of a well-written work, in two octavo volumes, entitled "Principles of Self-Knowledge; or an Attempt to Demonstrate the Truth of Christianity, and the Efficacy of Experimental Religion, against the Cavils of the Intidel, and the Objections of the Formalist." These volumes passed through the press under the supervision of the well-known Samuel Drew, A.M.; but their author did not live to see them in print.

after a brief illness, this excellent lady is summoned to rejoin her beloved companion in the better land, and an orphan family is left to deplore an irreparable loss. When this new affliction occurs, persecution is still raging, and the rector and magistrates, stung almost to madness by the disallowance of their malevolent "slave-law," are imprisoning Missionaries, and stretching their authority beyond all bounds, in defiance alike of justice and of law. The painful bereavement, meanwhile, brings a still darker cloud over the prospects of the Mission, and gives the rector fresh opportunity of pursuing his designs. The estate and the affairs of Belmont (the children being mostly young) fall into the hands of an executor or trustee who has no sympathy with the religious views of Mr. Drew. Had the excellent widow's life been prolonged until all her children attained their majority, (the thing too fondly anticipated,) there is little doubt they would have become parties to the Deed of conveyance required for finally securing the land on which the Mission-premises were erected, both at Belmont and St. Ann's Bay. But, unhappily, there comes an opportunity of reclaiming the land, and of driving the "sectarians" from the parish :--a chance, this, which may not be allowed to pass away unimproved. The land is of little intrinsic value; and there would be no unwillingness to indemnify the estate held on trust for the children's benefit, by giving compensation to the largest amount at which it could be fairly appraised. But the trustee is fully under the influence of the rector, who will be satisfied with nothing less than wresting the property out of the hands of the Methodists. The premises have now become valuable for many hundreds of pounds, contributed partly by the poor slaves, from what their small provision-grounds have yielded, but chiefly by the Society in London, have been expended in erecting those neat and commodious buildings-chapel, dwelling, &c.— which adorn the station. But what cares that man (minister of a just and holy religion though he professes to be) for the unrighteousness of laying violent hands on the property of others, to which the estate could have no moral claim? If the religious services there instituted for the good of the negroes can be broken up, he will rejoice as one that findeth great spoil.

The demand to vacate and give up the Mission-property, chapels, residence and all, both at Belmont and St. Ann's Bay, is in due course made. Before this is complied with, the best legal advice to be had in the island is taken; and the conclusion is reached, that it is most advisable, on the whole, not to risk in costs of uncertain litigation money which may afford material help in providing other places of worship. To the very deep sorrow of hundreds, the beautiful station at Belmont, and the premises at St. Ann's Bay, are ultimately abandoned.

But the chief designs of the persecutors are not accomplished, nor is the work of the Lord entirely frustrated. The poor people, hundreds of whom were "born for glory" on that spot, having there heard the joyful sound of that truth which makes men spiritually free, weep and mourn over the loss of their pleasant sanctuary, and of some of the means of grace: but the Mission is not broken up, as its enemies confidently expected. The great

VOL. X-FIFTH SERIES.

K

Head of the church raises up instruments suited to the accomplishment of His own purposes. So it is in this case. The martyred Grimsdall has been succeeded by a Missionary who is not easily daunted or discouraged. With quiet yet earnest resolution, ready to endure or to do anything the occasion may require, he confronts the opposers, and addresses himself to the emergency of this case, cheering up the hearts of the suffering people, not only to the point of patient endurance, but of joyful hope. After some difficulty he succeeds in obtaining for hire a house (or, rather, what looks very much like the half of a house which has been cut in two) called "Blackheath," within two or three miles of Belmont. It is sufficient for the accommodation of his own family, but not to receive the large congregation wont to assemble in the chapel. In the adjacent pasture, however, there are majestic trees, which with wide-spreading branches afford a delightful protection from the scorching sun-rays. And here, Sabbath after Sabbath, the people assemble, bond and free; not discouraged, though a heavy shower, such as Europeans seldom witness, sometimes sends them dripping to their homes. The surrounding hills echo with their songs of praise; and, sitting all around the minister upon the grass, they listen with moist and eager eyes to the truth that saves. The novelty of this open-field worship, and the sympathy felt with the congregation which has been driven from its place of worship, bring additional numbers from all the country round to attend these pleasant services; and the power of Jehovah is there to slay and to save. Beneath the thick branches of those fine cedars, many hearts are pierced with conviction of sin, and not a few are brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God. It is a re-animating scene; one of great rural beauty, and of more than earthly grandeur ;-a scene on which seraphs might hover with ecstatic joy. There is a congregation largely made up of negro slaves, in clean but humble apparel, bowing before God, and learning the way to heaven. Words cannot describe the eager attention with which they listen, as the Missionary expatiates, with thrilling eloquence, on the words, "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not." (Jonah i. 6.) It is no fancy sketch. These eyes beheld it; and these ears listened there to a much-loved friend who discoursed on the text just cited, while "thoughts that breathe, and words that burn," fell from lips now hushed in the silence of the grave.

In process of time, the ejected congregation obtain, through the liberality of English friends, the gift of a large tent; which is erected there in the pasture, affording shelter to as many as its dimensions will accommodate, when the clouds drop their fatness upon the earth. The persecutors have the mortification of seeing that the work they hate goes on more prosperously than ever. It becomes necessary to divide the congregation, for they gather in crowds from miles distant on either side. Divine providence opens the way. Land is offered for sale in favourable localities. Two beautiful and convenient sites are procured, just in the midst of the people, some six or seven miles apart. It is no discouragement that for many

months the divided congregation has to worship one part in the field, the other part in the forest, canopied by giant trees, until the arrangements for building are completed. At length, through the liberal contributions of the people on the spot, and of friends of Missions in England, two neat, commodious, and substantial houses of prayer are reared, capable of containing at least three times as many as the desecrated sanctuary at Belmont. Thus God, in His boundless wisdom, evolves good out of the evil, and makes the wrath of man to praise Him. Near the larger of these two mountainsanctuaries stands the Missionary's comfortable residence. The principal road through the island gracefully winds round the foot of the hill, passing between the Mission-house and chapel; while the rural station, and the numerous cottages of the emancipated peasantry which thickly stud the neighbourhood all around, add new and lively features to a most beautiful landscape.

But Belmont has gone to ruin. After the change of management, it soon ceased to be the prosperous, productive estate it had been. Its rich herds of cattle ceased to yield any remunerative return; the pasture walls became dilapidated, and were suffered to remain without repair; and the fine stone buildings have fallen into decay. God has, however, taken care of the orphan children. Of the chapel, in the rearing of which so many hearts were gladdened, there are now only fragments. How different it was, when hallowed as the place where Jehovah Jesus was worshipped! How different it might have been still! Such are the thoughts of the Missionary visiter, as, awaking from the long reverie in which he has been indulging, he observes that the shades of evening are gathering darkly around him. Mounting his horse, and casting one more look upon the ruin, he turns away with saddened, chastened, grateful feeling, and bids a last farewell to THE GRAVE OF THE MARTYRED MISSIONARY,

H. BLEBY.

ONE MILLION JEWS IN CHINA.

Ir has been long known that Jews existed in China. From the time when the Jesuits pursued their Missionary efforts in the Celestial land it has been no secret that there, as in India and remoter countries still, small bands of Jews were found maintaining their peculiar national characteristics, and engaged in industrial pursuits. It was not known, however, and could hardly have been imagined, that they existed in such numbers as recent discoveries have shown they do. The following interesting narrative is published in the "Jewish Chronicle." The curious account was related to the writer by a Jewish officer in the British navy.

At the breaking out of the English war with China he received his commission as lieutenant, went to the seat of war, and served under Commander Hollins. Our friend was assigned the command of a small vessel carrying three guns, for the purpose of penetrating the rivers and streams

of the interior, and preventing any hostile assemblages. He seldom advanced farther than five or six miles from the principal rendezvous; but on one occasion, tired of cruising about in the same place so often, and meeting no opposition, he proceeded ten miles up the river, and still found no hindrance. He sailed until he had advanced about thirty miles into the interior of the country, passing several cities and villages, but seeing no fortifications, and not being molested in any way. He was about to retrace his steps, when, looking ahead, he thought that there appeared something in the distance resembling a fortification. He determined to ascertain the nature of the place, and headed the ship to it. When he approached, he was surprised by seeing multitudes of Chinese junks and other small boats approaching the vessel. The deck was then cleared for action in case of a fight. As the enemy approached nearer to the ship, they let fly a cloud of weapons and stones, which, however, did no injury. The lieutenant, thinking to scatter them, had one of his guns loaded with grape-shot, and poured it into them where the crowd appeared thickest. It must have done considerable execution, for now they raised a yell. They attempted to climb up the sides, but were met on every side by the sailors. Now the fight began in real earnest. With all their guns employed, it was as much as the Britishers could do to keep the natives from gaining a footing on board of the vessel. The Chinese fought desperately: their leader-a tall, majestic-looking man, wielding a long straight sword-by his presence seemed to inspire them with increased bravery. An attempt was made to capture him. He had effected a footing on board for himself and a few followers; more were swarming up. A shot through the bottom of his canoe cut off his retreat; there was no hope for them, but fighting till more came to their relief. After a brief struggle, the capture of the chief is effected, and all the belligerents cease fighting. The British vessel then attempted to make its way out of the river; but the natives, as soon as they perceived this, raised such a yell as we never heard before; and the chief, extending his hands, addressed his captors in a language which did not resemble the Chinese in any respect. The lieutenant was astounded at recognising the familiar tone of the Hebrew language. Thanks to his parents, in his youth he had received a good Hebrew education, and was able to carry on a conversation in the Hebrew language with the chief, who told him if he would give him up he would promise that they would not be molested, but permitted a free egress; and also, if he desired, he would show him the city. The officer accepted the proposition; and, accompanied by him as a safe-guard, and also a body of men from the ship, they visited the town. It was an immense city, surrounded on all sides by walls and fortifications, and contained over one million of inhabitants, all Jews. In no other part of the Chinese empire are there any Jews. Here they are allowed every privilege. They can carry their produce to other cities, and trade with them, but are not allowed to emigrate. They have their own laws; and their chief officer is a Jewish Rabbi, who, with twenty others, enacts laws, decides disputes, and deals out justice to the inhabitants of the city. In this tribunal is