they may present the profits thereof as an offering to the House of God.

Old Harbour continues a station of peculiar promise. The Chapel, which I a little time since informed you the poor people there managed to build by their own labour and expense, is now (although it contains 300 hearers) so much too small for the Congregation, that I am endeavouring to do my utmost to obtain a suitable spot on which to erect a more substantial and commodious building; an undertaking in which I hope to be considerably assisted by the surrounding neighbourhood. Here also we have lately formed a Sabbath School-an establishment much needed, and which promises well.

In every direction, the fields seem ripe unto the harvest. Last evening, at Passage Fort, a place where there are scarcely a dozen houses, I preached to a congregation of 300; numbers having walked, for the purpose of hearing the glad tidings of Salvation, five or six miles, after the labours of the day. At a populous parish, about 20 miles from Spanish Town, I have recently formed a new Station, with pleasing prospects; and my attention is now directed to three other parishes. Scarcely a week elapses but deputations are sent down, entreating me, in the most earnest manner, to go and break unto them the Bread of Life.

Jamaica is certainly a peculiarly promising and interesting field of Missionary Labour. I bless God with all my heart that he has here fixed the bounds of my habitation; and earnestly hope that the spiritual necessities of the people and our reiterated calls for help, may be no longer unknown or unnoticed in England. At this moment there are stations for a a dozen more Missionaries.

Montego Bay.

of

twenty persons; but, such was the interest excited among the Negroes to hear the Gospel, and so suitable did they find its doctrines to their circumstances, that, after a few weeks, the room at first occupied for worship became much too small to admit those who were anxious to attend. It was necessary to procure a larger; and this has been enlarged at different times, so that it is now capable of accommodating 500 persons. Such, however, is the eager disposition of the Negroes to attend the worship of God, that the Congregation has increased to five times that number: so that 1000 persons crowd themselves into this room, while every other part of the house where the preacher's voice can be heard is equally thronged; and even then, hundreds are frequently obliged to go away disappointed.

That, under such circumstances, a Place of Worship is needed, must appear evident to all; especially when it is added, that many of these poor Negroes travel, after their week of labour, five, ten, fifteen, and even a greater number of miles, in the hope of hearing the Word of God. They leave their homes at one, two, three, and four o'clock in the morning, according to the several distances which they have to come, that they may be present at the Morning Service at six o'clock; and when once they have entered the Chapel, many will remain there till Public Service re-commences, lest, if they should leave it, they should be unable to regain admittance.

The effect of such a crowded attendance, in an upper room only 12 feet high, under a vertical sun, may be easily conceived. The Negroes themselves, inured as they are to the climate, often faint with the heat: what then must the condition of the Minister be, after forcing his way through the dense throng to the frequently requires 15 or 20 minutes to pulpit; an operation, which, of itself, perform! Under such circumstances, health falls a certain sacrifice; and even the life of the Missionary is placed in the most serious and imminent danger.

Since the commencement of the Mission, a Church has been formed, which consists at present of more than 300 members. Many were waiting for admission, when the ill health of Mr. Burchell constrained him to leave them; and above one thousand individuals, under the designation of " Inquirers," were evidently concerned for the salvation of their souls.

Mr. Burchell, after his return from England, thus writes on the 7th of April

All our meetings are delightfully at

tended, and peace and brotherly love are enjoyed among us. On Sunday March 18th, I baptized 75 persons, who had previously given the most satisfactory evidence of their true conversion to God.

UNITED KINGDOM.

THE Bishop (elect) of Calcutta has, in the large and liberal spirit of his predecessor, united himself to the Bible Society and to the several Church Societies connected with India. A revision of the Statutes of Bishop's College has taken place, on the suggestion of the late Bishop Heber, by which Societies as well as Individuals are authorised to found Scholarships: the sum now fixed for each Scholarship is 12,000 rupees, or about 12007. sterling; and if the nomination be reserved in perpetuity to the Founders, 15,000 rupees, or 15007. sterling.

On Thursday, the 24th of May, a Public Discussion took place, which continued from Twelve o'clock till Four, at the Argyll Rooms, Major General Neville in the Chair, between the Rev. John Burnet and Mr. O'Leary, both of Cork, on the subject of the "Indiscriminate Circulation of the Scriptures." Discussions of this nature, which have, of late, been several times held in Ireland, between Protestants and Roman Catholics, tend to awaken attention and promote a spirit of inquiry; and may be expedient, therefore, under particular circumstances: but, as they unavoidably rest the Cause of Truth on the promptitude and intelligence of the advocate, and tend to rouse those passions which are unfavourable to impartial judgment, it seems to us that they should be adopted only under such peculiar circumstances as manifestly render them expedient.

Baptist Miss, Soc. Mrs. Rowe, widow of the late Mr. Rowe of Digah, has been obliged to leave India, for the benefit of her health, and that of her three young children, whom she has brought with her to England: her voyage was, however, delayed, till she could make arrangements for accomplishing it without expense to the Society.-On occasion of Mr. Burchell's visit home from his Station at Montego Bay in Jamaica, as mentioned at p. 259, a subscription was opened for the erection of a Chapel at that Station. Encouraged by the liberal contributions to this object, amounting to nearly 1150, and pressed by the growing wants of the Jamaica Mission, the Committee have opened a West-India Fund, of which they thus speak

The Committee have felt much concern, that prior and very important claims in the Eastern World have rendered it impossible for them to follow up, more closely, the footsteps of Providence in regard to the West. Whatever, from the Fund for General Purposes, they could do, they have always most cheerfully done: but this is very inadequate to the wants of Jamaica, and therefore they announce most readily their com pliance with suggestions with which they have been favoured, and their willingness to receive any contributions which donors may feel inclined to make specifically for the West-India Fund."

They do this, in the full persuasion that their friends will not allow such a notice to interfere with Contributions to the General Fund; already pledged to an extent equal to, if not beyond, its amount. The "West-India Fund" will be considered applicable, in the first instance, to the purpose of aiding in the erection of Chapels, which in several places are most urgently needed; and then, generally, to the increase of our stations in that quarter.

Church Miss. Soc.-The Rev. John Gerber has returned to Europe from Sierra Leone for the benefit of his health: he sailed on the 3d of March, in the Wanderer, Captain Waygood, and landed at Plymouth on the 5th of May; and has proceeded to the Continent, on a visit to his relatives- Mrs. Wilkinson, wife of the Rev. Michael Wilkinson of Gorruckpore, being obliged to leave India on account of ill health, sailed from Calcutta, in the Hibernia, Captain Gillies, about the 22d of December; and landed, much benefited by the voyage, with their three children, at Gravesend, on the 27th of May- On Monday last, the 28th of May, at a Special Meeting of the Committee, the Rt. Hon. Sir G.H. Rose, Bart. M.P. in the Chair, the following Labourers were dismissed to their respective Stations: the Rev. Thomas Davey and Mrs. Davey, on their return to the West-Africa Mission-the Rev. Christian Lewis Korck, M.D., appointed to the Mediterranean Mission-the Rev. John Latham and Mrs. Latham, to North India- the Rev. Paul Pacifique Schaffter, to South India-and the Rev. William Yate, Mr. Charles Baker, and Miss Anna Maria Bailey about to be married to Mr. Baker, to New Zealand. Mr. Latham was one of the body of Missionaries dismissed at a Meeting held in Freemasons' Hall on the 11th of November 1825 (see p. 549 of our Volume for that year), but various circumstances have detained him in this country. The Instructions of the Committee on the present occasion having been delivered by the Senior Secretary and briefly replied to by the respective Missionaries, the Chairman addressed a few words to them, and was followed by the Rev. John Cawood, of Bewdley; after which the Rev. J. H. Stewart commended them in prayer to the blessing of Almighty God.

London Miss. Soc. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, after not quite two years' residence at Chinsurah, where a fine field of usefulness was opening, have returned, on account of her health, to England: they embarked at Calcutta on the 23d of September, on board the North Britian, Captain Richmond; and arrived at Liverpool on the 28th of March, having been obliged by a leak to put into Ceylon. The following appointments of Missionaries have taken place: on the 27th of March, at the Rev. W. Orme's Chapel, Camberwell, the Rev. Joseph John Freeman, late Minister at Kidderminster, to Madagascar;

on the 2d of April, at Holy well-mount Chapel, Mr. W. B. Addis, as Schoolmaster and Catechist, to Quilon; and, on the 4th, at Union Chapel, Islington, Mr. Robert Jennings, to Chittoor-These Labourers, with those whose appointments were noticed at pp. 181 and 182 of the Number for March, recently embarked or sailed: on the 21st of March, Rev. F. G. Kayser and Mrs. Kayser embarked at Gravesend, in the Earl of Egremont, Capt. Johnson, for the Cape: on the 26th, Rev. H. Nott and his companions left Plymouth, having been detained in the Channel by contrary winds on the 4th of April, Rev. J. J. Freeman and his family, with Mr. and Mrs. Canham (see p. 35) on their return, sailed from Gravesend, in the Charles Kerr, Capt. Brodie, for Madagascar: on the 10th, the Rev. J. C. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson for Quilon, with Mr. W. B. Addis for the same destination, and Rev. W. Miller with Mrs. Miller for Nagracoil, sailed from Gravesend, in the George, Capt. Fulcher on the 11th, Rev. W. Reeve on his return to India (see p. 111 of our last Volume) with Mrs. Reeve and their children, Rev. S. Dyer and Mrs. Dyer for Singapore, Rev. Robert Jennings and Mrs. Jennings for Chittoor, Rev. H. Crisp and Mrs. Crisp for Cuddapah, and Miss Newell for Malacca, sailed from Portsmouth, in the Roxburgh Castle, Capt. Denny, for Madras. The Directors remark

Perhaps at no period of the Society's history, since the sailing of the ship Duff, have the Directors ever sent out so many labourers together: within a month, Thirty-one Persons, including families, have launched forth upon the deep, des. tined to far-distant shores. These numerous em. barkations, while they have produced a very extensive outlay, evince the disposition of the Directors not to slacken their hands in the important Cause in which the Society is embarked; but to go forward, relying on the co-operation of its numerous friends, and, above all, on the effectual blessing of Him who has said. The silver and the gold are mine, and whose also is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory. On behalf of this numerous band, we entreat the prayers of the members and friends of the Society; that they may all arrive in safety, and be made lasting blessings to them who are now ready to perish.

Philo-Judæan Soc.-At pp. 197, 198 of the Number for April, some account was given of an Institution formed in favour of Jews, entitled the "Abrahamic Association:" from this Association another arose, with the title of Philo-Judæan Society: as the objects of both Associations were, however, very much the same, it was judged best that both should unite under the latter name. This union took place at a Meeting held in Freemasons' Hall, on Friday the 18th of May, Lord Viscount Mandeville in the Chair. Motions were made or seconded, by Major-General Neville, the Hon. John James Strutt, the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, and other Gentlemen. The President of the Society is the Hon. George Vernon; the Treasurer, Henry Drummond, Esq.; and the Secretary, Mr. James Aquila Brown.

CONTINENT.

German Miss. Soc.- It is stated in a Letter from Bâsle, of the 3d of March

Our Society will begin, this Spring, a Mission to Western Africa, with six Brethren, at two different

places. One of these will be on the Gold Coast, in the Colony of the King of Denmark: His Majesty readily gave permission for that purpose, and that even without any limitation, except the sole condition, that the Missionaries sent thither should understand the System of Mutual Instruction. The other Station will be in the American Colony of Liberia, at Cape Mesurado, below Sierra Leone: our Committee received Letters from thence, so very inviting and encouraging, to undertake a Mission there, that they resolved to send thither three Brethren-Messrs. Handt, Jessing, and Hegete; who will spend some months, if possible, in England, with Mr. Cunningham, in order to perfect their knowledge of the English Languuge; and will depart next Autumn for Liberia, to preach the Salvation of Christ to those Negroes who earnestly pray for Teachers.

It is added, in the same Letter

A New Missionary Society for Greece, formed here in Basle, is going on prosperously. The Committee have purchased the freedom of Twelve Greek Boys from the Russians, and intend to place them in Beuggen (a pious Institution near Basle, for the education of Poor Children and Schoolmasters) to be educated, that they may become, by the Grace of our Saviour, pious Teachers of their own people, Two Missionaries of the German Missionary So. ciety, Messrs, Kildner and Major, have set off from Ancona to Corfu.

WESTERN AFRICA!

Church Miss. Soc.-The health of the Rev. W. K. Betts has, in consequence of much exertion, so far failed as probably to require a visit home. All the other members of the Mission were well-Mr. John Pierce has been taken into the employ of Government.

AFRICAN ISLANDS.

The Missionaries have sustained a heavy loss in the death of James Hastie, Esq., Agent of the British Government at the Court of King Radama, in Madagascar: he died on the 18th of October. The Missionaries thus speak of their deceased friend

In his public capacity of Agent, he was faithful to his Government, and a zealous defender of its honour and interests. As a Man, he was endowed with good natural abilities, was well-informed, just and upright in all his transactions with the King, and in all his dealings with others. He was a warm Promoter of Civilization in Madagascar: no labours were too difficult for him to encounter, no obstacles made him despair of success, no discouragements damped his zeal: while there was a ray of hope, he pursued it: no season deterred him no weather detained him: no private concerns of his own prevented him from adhering to what he deemed to be the path of his duty. As a Friend, he was candid, open, free, and generous: his advice was always esteemed, and his plans valued and usually adopted.

The services which he rendered with a view to the establishment of the Madagascar Mission, and to promote its advancement, were such as will never be erased from their minds. His whole heart was set upon doing good to the last, and the constant bent of his mind was to give his sanction to Missionary Labours in Madagascar.

His loss is deeply lamented by King Radama, who entertained for him a very high regard; and also by the people, whose affections he had gained by his paternal and friendly demeanour, and his readiness, at all times, to succour the needy and distressed.

INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES.

American Bapt. Miss. Soc.-Mrs. Judson, the intelligent and active Wife of the Rev. Dr. Judson, has fallen under the power of an intermittent fever of nearly a month's continuance she died at Amherst Town, near Martaban, on the 24th of October, in the 37th

Nov. 8, 1826. From the 2d instant till now, I have been in constant expectation of my wife's death: she had then an attack of diarrhoea, which brought her so low that there was little hope of her recovery.

Dec. 2-We still walk by faith and not by sight, concerning Mrs. Mueller, who is neither worse nor better; but, God be thanked! always humble and resigned to the will of our Heavenly Father. The Doctor advises us to accompany our Brethren to Beyrout, which he says would be the only way to recover her health at present, however, it would be impossible, on account of her excessive weakness: she is not able to sit up in her bed, much less to move from one place to another: we must wait therefore, till the Lord gives us more light about her. Not what we wish or think shall be done, but what the Lord will. We will cast all our cares upon Him, for He careth for us! Till now He has been our guide, and our light in darkness; and He will continue to be so, till we can say, through His grace, I have finished my course! I have kept the faith!

Dec. 9-It pleased our Heavenly Father to call my dear wife before His presence, last Thursday night, the 7th inst. She had kept her bed three months, within three days; and I can assure you that I derived more benefit from attending on her, than I ever did from any occasion whatever: and I must be very thankful to our gracious God and Father, that He gave me strength enough, according to His promises, to attend her day and night, all the days of her affliction. She always said to me, that I should pray for nothing but that the Lord's will might be done, and that His Holy Name might be glorified by June, 1827.

her, either by her life or death. In her delirium she would very often be instructing Arabic Children; and then she spoke Arabic, wherein she had much pleasure when she was well. But now, she is no more the prop and faithful guide of my life is fallen; and I stay now again alone, like an orphan whose father and mother have left him. But fear not, O my soul! It is the Lord. He has given, and taken away! His name be praised!

Those who knew her, know also what I have lost: for she was not only a tender nurse to me, but also my fellowlabourer in patience and tribulations. She was fit for a Missionary in every respect. When I shrunk back sometimes from the obstacles which lay in our way, she would take me by the hand and hold me up. But now she is no more! She was buried the day after her death. Many friends, both English and German, followed her to the grave. Her remains are deposited in the Greek Convent.

Mr Jowett writes

A lingering low fever, probably of the typhus kind, brought this young, and truly amiable and estimable servant of the Society, after an illness of between three and four months, to her early grave; or, to speak more as Christians, to an early crown. The loss which Br. Mueller and the Mission have sustained may be, in some degree, estimated by the following relic of Mrs. Mueller, dated Alexandria, Aug. 18, 1826, addressed to Mrs. Jowett

The Lord is good to us in this country, where darkness and misery reign. He daily gives us new proofs of His great goodness towards us His poor children. Especially of late, His presence has been precious to us: when we 2 M