112 AGO, IN THE YORUBA COUNTRY. [OCT. On Tuesday the 15th I left Ibadan, and reached Ijaye, spending the next day very pleasantly with brother Mann, and on the 17th went on my way to Ago Oja. The road lay through grass fields, and was rather monotonous; and, from the parched ground at the season, all had a barren appearance. About two o'clock I halted outside the wall A to wash and refresh myself, and sent a messenger forward, who quickly returned with another from the king, to say I must enter at once. lodging was prepared for me, on reaching which I had to appear before the king for a public reception, all the principal men being assembled for the purpose in the king's court-yard. He inquired after my welfare, the reason of my visit, if the Queen was well, and her people have peace, &c.; to all which I replied briefly. He then asked me if I had more to say now. I said, "Yes, very much; so that I fear we cannot finish this evening." Ten heads of cowries and a sheep were then presented to me, after which I was dismissed. The place of reception well deserves the name of a king's residence, and the building surpasses any thing I have ever seen in this country. It is a square of 100 yards by 150, with a range of buildings very neat, and rendered almost elegant by the six towers at equal distances, resting upon pillars of wood. the most central one sat the king-his courtiers, servants, and principal men of the town outside, forming two lines on each side of six rows deep, leaving a space between the two lines of about fifteen yards long and three wide. In the centre of this I was seated, with my interpreter and the king's. There was quite European military order profound silence when the king or I spoke-prostration from the people after each message of the king, with a sort of "God save the king!" followed by the blowing of four trumpets and two fifes. - In The king was dressed in white from head to foot, with a red canopy over his head. He was most easy and free, and spoke through his interpreter so loud, and always turning to me, that I could understand all he said. The greatest sobriety was observed on all sides, except sometimes one of the servants, after a good speech, in his eagerness to honour the king, ran out to put dust on his head, and managed to stumble and tumble about very awkwardly. In the evening the king sent to ask me if I had any private word to tell him. I said, none that I knew of; but if he would favour me with a private interview, I would then relate all I have to say, and he would be able to judge what was private, or if I might say all in public. This pleased him, and I was called the same evening, or rather night, into his presence. It was in the same court. I was desired to begin my conversation, and related, as briefly as I could, what God, through English people, by the suppression of the slave-trade on the coast, and the introduction of the gospel, has done for his country, and still is doing; and that God will not cease with His goodness and His almighty power to work, until He had finished all the good He had in His heart to do. After I had finished all I had to say, the king spoke to this effect-As for this message, he was very much rejoiced: it was as if all the good things had at last waited for him. There was a time when nobody knew who was king in the country, but now there was only one king in Yoruba. Through Ibadan's interference, not only Are, and smaller towns of Yoruba, but even Ilorin, now serve him. It was hard to him to express his joy at this fresh 1856.] RUPERT'S LAND. 113 message of peace he was ready to weep for joy. Then, turning the subject to the English, he said he could not thank the Queen and her people; "but God will thank them, for they do bless us, and surely God will bless them for it." It was now my turn to thank him for his good word; and I added, "Here am I, sent by the same people, and by my European friends in the country, to ask the king if he wants to receive an European teacher of the word of God in his capital, and to encourage his people to receive the word? If so, they will send him one as soon as God shall enable them to do so." About the reception of such an one there was no question, and, he added, the sooner the better. On the same occasion I produced my presents, consisting of a fine silk and velvet patchwork gown, made by some kind ladies, and sent through the Rev. J. H. Smith, of Leamington. The kind givers will be gratified by knowing that it was made available for the introduction of the gospel into a new place. A cushion of similar workmanship, from the Rev. C. Hodgson, and a looking-glass from my companion in Ibadan, Mr. Hoch, completed my offerings, for which the king thanked me again and again, and was evidently much pleased with them. Lights were ordered for seeing the presents; but we afterwards, as before, sat and talked in the beautiful moonshine. I went home with a thankful heart, having seen another step made for the advancement of my Saviour's kingdom in this country. Jan. 19-This evening the king called me again. After I was seated before him there was a pause, and I thought something serious was coming, but was soon relieved by the king telling me he had only called me to see me again, and hear me talk more about my country, &c. He saw me restless with my legs the fact was, I did not know what to do with them-so he said, "Stretch out your legs any way you like, and make yourself quite comfortable." It was altogether a most free and easy sitting together. I told him about railways, farms and farmers, in Europe, &c.; and ended with what could be made of his country's productive soil. Nothing more was wanted than that peace should be established, and the people be rightly instructed, both which could only be effected by the word of God being taught and known. On this occasion I urged strongly the necessity of his protecting from persecution all such as wished to receive and follow the word of God. His answer was, "That is not hard: am not I king? let only the European come." (To be concluded in our next.) RUPERT'S LAND. THE growth of our Missionary work in Rupert's Land is very encouraging. Twenty-five years back, and we were just beginning to break forth from the old ground first occupied in 1822 at the Red River. Now there are four grand centres, each with dependent stations and numerous out-stations, some of which, perhaps the remotest and feeblest of them at present, will become, in due time, parent stations themselves. These centres are, 1st, Red River, 114 RUPERT'S LAND. [ост. immediately to the south of the great Lake Winnipeg; 2dly, Cumberland, a little removed from the north-west corner of the same lake; 3dly, Moose Fort, to the south of James' Bay, the name. given to the most southerly extension of the great Hudson's Bay; and, 4thly, York Factory, on the western shore of the same bay; and the port of entrance from England to Red River. It would be tedious to mention the names of the different stations which connect with each. One of the most important is Islington, on the river route from Lake Winnipeg to James' Bay, from whence light may be extended over the districts that extend towards the Canadian frontier; and the Nepowewin, on the great River Saskatchewan, which flows into Lake Winnipeg from the northwest. It is from this point, and from Fort Pelly, lying between the Nepowewin and the Red River, that we hope to reach the more numerous Indian tribes, called the Plain Indians, who roam over the vast plains which extend to the south and south-west, as far as the American frontier and the Rocky Mountains. There the Indians retain somewhat of the strength of former days, before broken by the white man's power; and there they are to be found in all the wild savagery of their native state, hunting the buffalo and warring against each other. The Bishop of Rupert's Land, in a letter written in June last, mentions some particulars respecting that Mission-field which will interest our readers. Last week, on the anniversary of my own consecration-May 29-I held my third visitation of the clergy. Archdeacon Hunter gave us a very admirable sermon from Ecclesiastes v.-"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand;" after which I delivered my charge. I hope to bring it home with me, and to commit it to the press soon after my arrival. It was rather singular that a large body of Plain Indians should have come to the Red River at the very time. The day after my visitation they came to pay me a visit, to the number of nearly 200. We had held, in the morning, the meeting of the Corresponding Committee, so the clergy were still with me. They arrived in the afternoon, some on horseback, some in carts, some on foot, and, after firing off a quantity of gunpowder as they approached, they took up their place in two semicircles on the lawn. We had a long conference; many addresses on either side: Archdeacon Cockran beseeching them, in very pointed words, to give up the pursuit of war and their roaming life, and to settle down. Archdeacon Hunter then addressed them in their own language, and afterwards, at my request, offered up a prayer in Cree. We gave them some bags of flour and a bag of pemmican, and a few special presents to the four chiefs. It will, I think, be productive of good, and tend to break up their customs and prejudices. One of the chiefs, who has been long under training, has since been baptized by me: he is the chief of the Portage la Prairie Indians; and in baptizing him I selected the name of our excellent President, baptizing him Henry Pelham, and his son John Pelham, after the Rev. J. T. Pelham of St. Marylebone. Our own chief, Pigwys, happened to be present at the time, and, after the baptism was over, gave him an excellent address, 1856.] "COME TO ME." 115 beseeching him to pray to God, to lead a new life, and to beware of the other Indians, who might endeavour to draw him off from God. The Canada mail brought me (through the arrival of Sir G. Simpson) intelligence from Moose and Fort George. It brought fresh proof of the zeal and activity of Mr. Horden. Since my own visit, or in the course of less than six months, he had carried through the press a kalendar for the Indians, with a text of Scripture for each day; also a Hymn-book, with fifty hymns, for public worship. The two little works are beautifully printed in the syllabic character: the very sight of them filled me with joy. Mr. Watkins is going on well, but still feels the extreme difficulties of his position from its loneliness. The bishop also mentions the prospect of the New Testament being translated into the language of the Chepewyans, an Indian nation lying to the north of our present labours at Cumberland. We are at present in communication with them from the Rev. R. Hunt's station on the English river, considerably to the northwest of Cumberland. Thus, in various directions, this Mission is extending itself. May God's blessing continue richly to rest upon it! The destitution of man there and elsewhere is vast, heart-rending. The gospel can alone relieve it. May the gracious Lord accelerate its progress! "COME TO ME." "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." WITH tearful eyes I look around : Life seems a dark and stormy sea, It tells me of a place of rest It tells me where my soul may flee. How sweet the bidding-Come to me.' When nature shudders, loth to part Come, for all else must fail and die; Earth is no resting place for thee; O voice of mercy! voice of love! ANON. AMERICAN NOTICE OF CHURCH MISSIONARY LABOURS IN TINNEVELLY. THE following letter appeared in the "Journal of Missions" for July, published by the American Board. It is a pleasing expression of that large and comprehensive spirit, on the increase, we believe, amongst the people of God, which leads them to look beyond the spheres of action in which they are severally engaged, to that which is being done by others for the glory of Christ, and the salvation of sinners, and to take pleasure in them, as if they were their own. May the Lord increase that spirit largely, and purify Christian churches throughout the world from that narrow and exclusive spirit, which leads men to disparage every thing which is not done by themselves or the section to which they belong. The letter is addressed to the Editor of the "Journal of Missions." I noticed in the "Journal of Missions" for January an account of three Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society, Rev. Messrs. Ragland, Fenn, and Meadows, who have devoted themselves to the work of itinerary preaching among the heathen in the northern part of the Tinnevelly field. It may interest the readers of your paper to know that these good men are still prosecuting their labours, and are very happy in their work. On the 20th of March, while on a tour, in company with the Rev. Mr. Herrick of this station, I had the happiness of meeting two of these gentlemen at Virduputty, a very large town, where we had gone to transfer two village congregations in the vicinity to the care of the Rev. Mr. Whitchurch, a Missionary belonging to the Tinnevelly Church Mission; it being thought that the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom would, on the whole, be best promoted by this measure. On the evening of the 19th, after riding for some time in the darkness and rain, we stopped at the government rest-house at Virduputty, and found that Mr. Whitchurch was awaiting our arrival. The next morning Messrs. Ragland and Fenn came in from their tents, some five or six miles distant, and we had the pleasure of Christian and social intercourse with them for a little season. It was good to see their deep interest in the natives and in the Missionary work, and to behold, as it were, the warmth of a Saviour's love glowing in their countenances. It was animating, also, to listen to their edifying, Christian conversation, and to join in their prayers. As yet they have met with no very great success, though two or three congregations have been gathered, or are now in a forming state. A few persons have also been baptized. They experience some opposition from Brahmins and others; and, in one case, stones were thrown, by which Mr. Ragland's pith hat was broken, though he was not much injured. It is a most interesting and encouraging fact, that men of the highest cultivation and most devoted piety give themselves wholly to this work of direct preaching to the ignorant, debased heathen, willing and happy to "wander about," not, indeed, "in sheep-skins and goat-skins," "but |