TORTOLA. We are happy to find, that the Schools which had been broken up in consequence of the ravages of the Hurricane, have been resumed. MR. GILGRASS writes in his Journal APRIL 15, 1821. We opened our School at six A. M. The principal time for teaching the Children of all colours is Sunday, from four to six P.M. At this time the number of Adults and Children is near 500. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, from six to eight o'clock, we also teach many of the Scholars the Catechism. Saturday, 19. I felt great pleasure at seeing so many children at school, exhibiting in their faces all colours from jet black up to white. The Adult Female Class consists of girls and old women, from the age of eighteen to one hundred years old. She who is said to be one hundred years of age showed much greater concern to learn the Child's Catechism than the younger ones. Two recaptured negroes wept while they repeated the Catechism. THE Work of GOD in the VIRGIN-ISLANDS is generally in a hopeful and prosperous state. It will, however, sustain some loss until the place of the late MR. CHAPMAN can be supplied. BRITISH AMERICA. NEW BRUNSWICK.-Extract of a Letter from MR. TEMPLE, Fredericton, dated July 17, 1821. ON Sunday the 10th of June, I returned to this Circuit from Horton, Nova-Scotia, where our DistrictMeeting was held, a distance of upwards of 200 miles from this place, after an absence of nearly four weeks. Our meeting was accompanied with the divine blessing, and sincere brotherly affection prevailed among us. The various services were well attended, and, we trust, the labours of the Brethren on that occasion will not be found altogether in vain. The ordination of Brother MILLER, an excellent, pious, and able young man, was especially interesting. Brother BURT has been labouring to obtain a new chapel at Horton, and has succeeded beyond our expectations. The wants of the people in these provinces increase. Numbers of our fellow-subjects are emigrating to this country. Many of them were once favoured with the gospel ministry at home; but here they sit down in the wilderness, far removed from a preached gospel-far removed from the people of God, remembering the advantages they once enjoyed, only to lament their loss, whilst their children are growing up in almost heathen darkness. Extracts from the recent Publications of different Missionary Societies. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The Quarterly Chronicle of the Transactions of this Society announces the completion of that important Work, the Translation of the Sacred Scriptures into the Chinese Language, by the labours of DR. MORRISON and MR. MILNE. May it be the means of conveying the light of truth into that vast empire! DR. MORRISON writes from Canton, under the date of Nov. 25, 1819: By the mercy of GoD, an entire version of the books of the Old and New Testaments, into the Chinese language, was this day brought to a conclusion. KING JAMES'S translators were fifty-four in number, in their native country, under the patronage of their Prince, and rendered into their mother tongue. Our version is the work of two persons, or at most of three, (including the author of the MS.) performed in a remote country, and into a foreign and newly ac quired language, one of the most difficult in the world, and the least cultivated in Europe. The candid judge of men's works will not forget these circumstances, when he decides on the character of the present translation. To have MOSES, DAVID, and the Prophets, JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles, using their own words, and thereby declaring to the inhabitants of this land the wonderful works of GOD, indicates, I hope, the speedy introduction of a happier era in these parts of the world; and I trust that the gloomy darkness of Pagan scepticism will be dispelled by the dayspring from on high, and that the gilded idols of Budh, and the numberless images which fill this land, will one day assuredly fall to the ground, before the force of God's Word, as the idol Dagon fell before the Ark. These are my anticipations, although there appears not the least opening at present. A bitter aversion to the name of our blessed SAVIOUR, and to any book which contains his name or his doctrine, is felt and cherished. However, that does not induce me to despair. I remember Britain, what she was, and what she now is, in respect of religion. It is not 300 years since national authority said, that "the Bible should not be read openly in any church, (by the people,) nor privately by the poor; that only "noblemen and gentlemen, and noble ladies and gentlewomen, might have the Bible in their own houses." I remember this, and cherish hope for China. Tyndale, while he was tying to the stake, said, with a fervent and loud voice, in reference to the VIIIth Henry, "LORD, open the King of England's eyes;" and his prayer seems to have been heard and answered. Let us be as fervent in a similar petition in reference to the Sovereign of this empire. In the Apostle's words I conclude this long letter: "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the LORD may have free course and be glorified, even as it is with you." HEATHEN SUPERSTITIONS.-The following is a Chinese description of a festival in Pulo Penang, or Prince Edward's Island, from the Journal of MR. INCE: AFTER School we went to witness the great idolatrous feast of Shaou and Tseaou. When we arrived at the temple it was surrounded by a vast concourse of people, whose appearance was very like that of a fair in England. Opposite the temple was a stage erected for play-actors. On one side of the temple there was a large paper idol called Ta sze yay, I suppose fourteen feet in height, a most distorted figure, painted various colours, with uncommonly large glass eyes. Immediately before this idol was a long table, set out with all kinds of provisions, interspersed with small paper idols. At the end of the table, furthest from the idol, were a number of carpets spread on the ground, on which sat half a dozen priests, worshipping the god, chanting an unintelligible jargon, and bowing themselves to the ground. There were many other smaller paper idols, represented as riding on animals, also made of paper. The whole scene was illuminated by a profusion of lanterns and candles. Behind the great idol was a large quantity of pieces of paper; the most valuable of which were covered with gold leaf. These papers the idolaters burn, and most firmly believe they become money in the world of spirits! This feast is considered as one of pure benevolence, being celebrated in behalf of those poor bereaved spirits, who have no relations to mourn for them; to supply them with clothes, money, &c.; to rescue them from Tartarus, and exalt them to higher and brighter regions. I told some who stood around me, that there was one true God, who was not pleased, but angry at such things as these. I asked what their god was made of? They replied, paper." I expressed surprise at the folly of worshipping a piece of painted paper, adding, that the god they were worshipping had eyes indeed, but could it see? ears, but could it hear? hands, but could it handle? feet, but could it walk? They replied, "Certainly not." I then inquired, what they would do with their god when the feast was over? They answered, "Burn him." I rejoined, he was surely a god of no strength, or he would not suffer that; but the true GOD was almighty and in finite in every perfection. FROM the following extract it appears that the Budhists of China, like those of Ceylon, ascribe diseases to the agency of devils: My Chinese teacher informed me to-day that the Chinese ascribe the Cholera Morbus to the resentment of devils, who are ill supplied with food, clothing, &c. I told him, and many in the temple, in the presence of their idols, that the feasts they were cele brating in order to appease the devils, LIKE the Ceylonese also, it appears that the Chinese abandon their sick to the jungle, and afford another proof that cruelty is the effect of Paganism every where, and under all its forms. AFTER Catechising the Chinese boys in the schools this morning, I asked respecting a poor man who had died the day before in a jungle behind the temple, and requested the teacher to point out to me the place where the poor man expired. It was amidst the ruins of a house which formerly stood in the jungle, in the midst of trees which have grown to a considerable thickness. I inquired if the man had no home, that he should die in such a miserable place? He answered, with the greatest unconcern, that the man was sick, and that the MR. INCE observes,— persons with whom he lived turned MISSIONARY MEETINGS. Extract of a Letter from the ON Tuesday, the 18th of September, a Branch Wesleyan Missionary Society was formed at Wednesbury. The services were highly interesting. On Monday evening, the preparatory sermon was preached by the REV. ROBERT NEWTON. On Tuesday morning, the REV. Joseph Tavlor, one of the General Secretaries, preached in the place of the REV. RICHARD WATSON, who was prevented from attending in consequence of indisposition. At half past two the REV. JOHN RILES, of Birmingham, was called to the Chair. The various Resolutions were Rev. R. WADDY, Wednesbury. proposed by the Rev. Messrs. EnWARDS, TAFT, COOPER, NEWTON, BICKNELL, WADDY, BANKS, and INGLE, and seconded by Messrs. Booru, ADAMS, BAGNALL, BATTELEY, CONSTABLE, UPTON, &c. &c. The Chapel was crowded to excess, an unusual degree of interest was excited, the flame of Missionary zeal was kindled in many breasts, and, at the close of the Meeting, the numerous assembly separated with feelings indicative of the pleasure with which they will hail its annual return. The Collection amounted to sixty-seven pounds. 1 The following Extract of a Letter from the REV. THOMAS ROGERS, HaverfordWest, ought to have had an earlier insertion. THE REV. ROBERT SMITH, Governor of Kingswood-School, having kindly complied with a request to visit us at the formation of our Missionary Society, came, accompanied by MR. JAMES BROOKE, of Swansea. They preached both at HaverfordWest and Milford, on the Sunday. On Monday evening, May 21st, we held our Missionary Meeting at Milford, RICHARD RECS, Esq. of Hilton, in the Chair. Several Ministers and Gentlemen addressed the assembly, in a pious and affecting manner, the influence of which was sensibly felt by the people. On Tuesday evening, we held a meeting at Haverford-West, GEORGE HARRIES, Esq. M. D. Mayor of this town, having kindly consented to take the Chair, to the high gratification of a crowded assembly. He opened the business of the meeting in a most appropriate address, in which he dwelt particularly on the IN the course of the last month, Anniversary Meetings of the Societies of Leeds and Doncaster, Yorkshire; of Spilsby, Alford, Wainfleet, Sleaford, and Navenby, Lincolnshire; and of Retford, Notts, have been held. The Rev. R. WATSON, one of the General Secretaries, visited these places, Sleaford and Navenby excepted; and Cont deplorable condition of the heathen world, the success which had attended the Missions of various denominations, and the obligations we were under to send the Gospel to all the inhabitants of the earth. The Meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. R. SMITH, BROOKE, TurNER, LUKE, WARR, GRIMES, and others, who entered into the subject with much ability and zeal. Much interest was excited, and the Collections on the occasion were upwards of 517. None of the Resolutions were carried with more decided approbation than that by which we stand pledged to have an annual Missionary Meeting in the month of May. Should the brethren in the neighbouring circuits arrange a plan to have Missionary Meetings in the same week, the Preachers who visit us on the occasion would accomplish an important object with very little expense. many of the Preachers and Friends, in the respective neighbourhoods, attended the meetings, which were highly gratifying on account of the increased interest and exertions of the Friends of Missions, and the prosperous state of the Funds of these local Institutions. Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers since the Account published last Month. The Committee present their thanks for the following acceptable Presents to the Society To Mr. Johnson, Almondbury, near Huddersfield, for nine vols. of the Methodist Magazine, bound; to a few young people at Boston, for a spinning-wheel, and sundry presents, for the Mission Schools at Newfoundland; to Miss Pearce, Lidney, for eight vols. of the Methodist Magazine, three vols. of the Evangelical Magazine, one dozen Testaments, one dozen Sunday-school Hymu-books, two vols. of the Missionary Register, and sundry other articles, for the West India Missions; to various friends in Stockport, viz. Mr. J. Leach, jun. the work-people of Mr. A, Howard, Messrs. T. and J. Fernley, Mrs. and Miss Rostron, Mr. Hallworth, Mrs. Stopford, Mrs. Armitage, Mr. H. Davis, Mr. Holehouse, Mr. Unwin, Mr. Lomas, Mr. J. Hobson, Mr. and Mrs. Staley, Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Alcock, Mr. R. Oughton, Mr. Deaville, Miss Taylor, Miss Wrights, the pupils of T. R. Smith, and the Methodist Sunday scholars, for their valuable services and presents, consisting of made-up bed-gowns, stock ings, shoes, caps, thread, scissors, thimbles, pins, waistcoat pieces, writing paper, tracts, planes, saws, hammers, pincers, nails, screws, gimlets, knives, forks, spoons, fish-hooks, buckles, &c. for the South-Sea Missions; to the Rev. G. Douglas, Stamford, for thirteen of his "Facts and Anecdotes," and thirteen "Singular Conversions," for the Madras Mission; to Mr. Scott, Cauterbury, for a piece of worsted cord, for the South African Mission. Printed by T. Cordeux, 14, City-Road, London. |