us to inspect this once flourishing establishment, and seemed to give a kind of melancholy interest to the sacred place, whose compartments are now covered with jungle and wild thorus, and occupied by a variety of poisonous reptiles. It would be a work of real mercy to build up this waste place of Zion.

The good work in Jaffna goes on steadily, and we hope, in the name of

the Lord, it will continue to prosper. Some time ago a gentleman sent 300 rix-dollars, which I distributed amongst the poor. The Portuguese Class which was formed about seven months ago, became so large as to oblige us to divide it; and we have given one portion to a lady who was brought to God during the ministrations of our first Brethren.

JUNE 9th, 1825.-On the evening of the 2d of June we held the Second Anniversary of the Wesleyan Auxiliary Missionary Society for Tortola and the other Virgin Islands, of which I transmit to you the following account :

The Honourable George R. Porter, President of the Virgin Islands, in the

Chair.

Present: The Hou. Mark D. French; the Honourable J. Ross, M.D.; the Honourable Wilson Lawson; the Rev. William Chaderton, Rector; Richard King, sen., Esq.; Abraham M. Belisario, Esq.; Christian Rolefson, Esq.; and Isaac Thomas, Esq.

The Hon. Wm. R. Isaacs, the Hon. Wm. Geo. Crabb, and the Hon. Wm. Gordon, were engaged to assist at the Meeting, but the former gentleman had an unexpected call from the Island two or three, days before, and the two latter were prevented by bodily indisposition.

The Honourable Chairman, in opening the Meeting, said, “I cannot refrain from observing, that it will appear to you, from the Report which will be immediately read, that the Missionary cause is prospering. The Almighty has evidently crowned this labour of love with great success. We have therefore encouragement to continue our efforts in aid of an Institution which the great Head of the Church has been graciously pleased to own and bless. It is true, poor as we are in this Island, we can do but little, but even that little aids the Mission. Let us not, then, be wearied in well doing, but continue to contribute all in our power to this truly Christian work. To excite us to do this, let us recollect the thousands and tens of thousands of the human race who are still left in the darkness of Paganism, or in the sen suality of the religion (if such it may

which we give the following extracts.

be called) of the arch impostor Mahomet; and let it be impressed on our minds, that if by our contributions we can add but one Missionary to instruct these our fellow-creatures, by the blessing of God on his ministry, many of them may be brought into the Christian fold. Under this impression, inspired with this hope, let us all contribute to the best of our ability, fully assured, that if we do this from proper motives, we shall in no wise lose our reward. When I had the honour and pleasure to address the Missionary Meeting held in this place the last year, it did not strike me, as necessary for me to add my testimony to that of several of my highly valued friends, to the worth and respectability of the Wesleyan Missionaries, who, at different times, during many years past, have been stationed among us. My friendly sentiments towards these gentlemen, and the veneration in which I have always held them, were known, not only in this Island, but also in England; yet, for certain reasons, unnecessary to mention, I beg leave thus publicly to avow, that that respect and veneration which I have ever felt and expressed towards them continues unabated. My feeble testimony can add but little to their well-known character; still I think it proper, on this occasion, to repeat what I have asserted an hundred, perhaps a thousand times,

that, in my opinion, this Colony would, years since, have been a scene of anarchy and confusion; perhaps it might have ceased to be an inhabited Colony, had it not been for the blessing of God upon the very judicious religious instruction so long and zealously imparted to our slave population by the Wesleyan Missionaries. Having said this, it is hardly necessary for me to add, that I rejoice in any opportunity

afforded me of co-operating with these servants of God in any measure, and especially on the present occasion." The Rev. William Chaderton, Rector of St. George's, moved the third Resolution, and spoke as follows:-"A deeply-roooted and increasing assurance, that the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society is a chosen instrument in the hand of God for extending the knowledge and practice of our holy religion in the world, has impelled me to embrace the present opportunity of again appearing to promote, as far as my feeble abilities can avail, the interests of that truly Christian association, in whose behalf I ventured to make my first public exertions a twelvemonth ago. I rejoice, Mr. Chairman, on a review of the sentiments which I then expressed, in the fulness, in the fervour, and in the integrity of a heart which hath ever abhorred the base duplicity of pretending regard for those it did not love; and which, if a judgment may be formed from past experience, no sordid motives, or temporal considerations of any kind, can ever rend or seduce from its attachments, so long as it is persuaded that they have been fixed upon objects deserving its esteem. I do, therefore, with all that warmth and devotedness of affection which genuine friendship alone could inspire, repeat the substance of that solemn avowal, which must be in the memory of the majority of persons in the present meeting, and say, that I continue, without the slightest change, an ar dent admirer and zealous advocate of Methodism, as taught and practised by the followers of the venerable Wesley.' In this character I now address myself to the respectable audience here assembled, and beg leave to move the following resolution, the vast importance of which must be felt and acknowledged by every one who is acquainted with the nature of Christianity, and is duly concerned for its advancement, namely, "That this Meeting solemnly recognizing that great principle in our holy religion, that the success of all human endeavours in extending the kingdom of Christ in the world depends wholly on the divine blessing, earnestly recommends to all the members and friends of this Society, to be more than ever abundant in supplications for the special blessing of Heaven, and the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Missionaries themselves, and on the Heathen world in which they labour.' Did we attempt to enter on such a discussion as would do justice to the momentous subject here proposed to our

consideration, the day would dawn upon us long ere we had attained the end of our task. We must therefore con tent ourselves with a few brief observations, which, however, it is hoped, will be found sufficient, at the present time, for confirming the doctrine announced, and enforcing the duty enjoined in this Resolution. It is, doubtless, a fundamental principle of the Gospel, and it is acknowledged by every Christian, that is to say, by every one who de serves that sacred title, that the divine blessing, manifested in the gracious influences of God's Holy Spirit, is indispensable for giving efficacy to the exertions of those who are engaged in the arduous work of evangelizing the world that lieth in wickedness. It was the solemn asseveration of our Saviour to his Apostles, the first and most successful of Christian Missionaries

Without me ye can do nothing;" and when he was taking his final leave of them, being about to return to his heavenly Father; at the same time that he commanded them to go abroad into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,' he strictly charged them to tarry at Jerusalem, until he should send the promise of the Father unto them, and they should be endued with power from on high.' The same office with which the disciples of our Lord were entrusted, devolves upon the Ministers of the Gospel in every age; and surely that blessed unc tion from above' must be equally necessary for them as for their predecessors. The Christian Missionary, now, like his brethren in the primitive times, is sent forth as an Ambassador of the King of kings, to offer terms of reconciliation to an apostate world; to turn sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. In the faithful execution of this high commission, he has to encounter difficulties, dangers, trials, and temptations, which human nature, left to itself, could never surmount, or endure. He has not only to renounce and overcome the love of the world, in common with the rest of his fellow Christians, but he has to forego many of the comforts of life, which the ordinary Christian may continue to enjoy without interruption. He has not merely to perform the quiet duties of a stationary Pastor, who has, possibly, entered into the la bours of others, and is reaping with ease the rich harvest which they toiled for in vain; but he has to travel in painful pursuit of the most abandoned of the human species, who neither know nor care for God; and who, when

he has found them, will, probably, in many instauces, reject his charitable proposals with contempt, reproaches, and violence. He has to make up his mind to forsake, if necessary, houses and lands, father and mother, wife and children; and patiently to submit to be reviled and persecuted, and even, according to the Apostle's strong and energetic language, to be treated as the filth of the earth and the offscouring of all things.' But the Christian Missionary has to wrestle not merely against flesh and blood,-not merely against the depravity and wickedness of men, but against the machinations and oppositions of infernal malice and diabolical strength,-against principalities, against powers,-against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' What extraordinary qualifications are necessary for the man who shall be a successful combatant in such a warfare as this! What knowledge, and wisdom, and zeal, and courage, and prudence, and patience, and self-denial, and heavenly-mindedness! But where among the sons of Adam can such a man be found, who is sufficient to produce these talents and graces in himself? They are to be derived from Him alone, who touched the prophet's hallowed lips with fire, and said, Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee. They are to be derived from Him alone who arrested that archpersecutor in the midst of his mad career, struck him to the ground with his celestial lightning, and transformed him into a meek, patient, submissive, and laborious Apostle, by that effectual call, Rise and stand upon thy feet, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a Minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee.' They are to be derived from Him alone, who left that promise with the poor, weak, unlettered, despised mechanics of Galilee, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' If the grace of God be necessary to qua

lify the Christian Missionary for a due and faithful discharge of his ministry, it is equally requisite to the success of his labours, that the people to whom he is sent should be made partakers of a similar blessing. The Preacher may be all-accomplished, both intellectually and morally; he may be endued with the learning, and zeal, and holiness, and charity of Paul; and the eloquence of Apostles inay dwell upon his tongue : but unless, in conjunction with the engrafted word, the Spirit of God move on the dark chaos of the listening sinner's heart, the light of the glorious Gospel will never shine there, so as to open his eyes, that he may see, and appreciate, and avail himself of the privileges of that gracious dispensation, whereby alone he may obtain forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sauctified. The Saviour of the world has assured us, that No man can come to him,' so as to participate in the benefits of his mediation, unless 'drawn' by a divine influence, and taught of God.' He declared it indispensable that he should retire from the world, in order that he might send another Divine Agent, to convince mankind of sin, and prepare them for an admission into his Church, and an holy obedience to the requisitions of his Gospel. An Apostle gives us to understand, that we are all so far gone from original righteousness, that in our flesh, or natural man, dwelleth no good thing; that our carnal heart is enmity against God; under the baleful influence of which, it is quite impossible we should be subject to his holy law. We are assured that those grand truths of the divine word, which are calculated to save our souls, are of no use whatever, until applied by the Holy Spirit; for these are the things of the Spirit, which are utterly unintelligible to the natural man, who seeth them not, neither knoweth them, because they are spiritually discerned. The following de clarations are equally applicable to every human being: No man can say, with a conviction of the truth of his assertion, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, without the Holy Ghost. It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that (namely faith) not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; who hath created us'-believers- in Christ Jesus unto good works, which He hath before prepared, that we should walk in them. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.' In conformity with these Scriptures, it has always, and

uniformly, been the doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church, that all saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, together with all that righteousness of life, and holiness of heart, which it is the grand design of Christianity to produce, are to be derived wholly from inspiration of God. The Church of England, in particular, has declared her sentiments on this subject with remarkable precision, perspicuity, and fulness. Hear her truly evangelical address to the candidates for the sacred ministry, in the office for the ordination of Priests:-Ye cannot have a mind or will thereto,' i. e., to discharge that office faithfully and effectually, of your selves, for the will and ability is given of God alone. Therefore ye ought and have need to pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit. Ye will continually pray to God the Father, by the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavauly assistance of the Holy Ghost.' Hear also what our Church declares in the homilies, concerning the insufficiency of human reason to comprehend the Gospel, and the incapacity of the unrenewed man to comply with its injunctions: Man's human and worldly wisdom and science is not needful to the understanding of Scripture, but the revelation of the Holy Ghost, who inspireth the true meaning into them that with humility and diligence do seek therefore.' And again:- Man of his own nature is fleshly and carnal, corrupt, nought, sinful, and disobedient to God; without any spark of goodness in him, without any virtuous or godly motions, only given to evil thoughts and wicked deeds. As for the marks of the Spirit, the fruits of faith, charitable and godly motions, if he have any at all in him, they proceed only of the Holy Ghost, who is the only worker of our sanctification, and maketh us new men in Christ Jesus.' Iu conformity with these principles, she instructs us to approach the throne of the heavenly grace, every day of our lives, with fervent prayer to the almighty and everlasting God, who alone worketh great marvels, that He would send down on all his Ministers, and all the people committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of his grace, and that they may truly please him. He would pour upon them the continued dew of his blessing, for the honour of our advocate and mediator Jesus Christ.' It is hoped that enough has been said to convince the audience of the truth of the doctrine which is propounded, and the importtance of the duty recommended in this Resolution. Allow me then to ask, Do

you believe that the success of all human endeavours in extending the kingdom of Christ, depends wholly on the divine blessing? If you do, you must then admit the reasonableness of this inference, That it is incumbent on all who are interested in the propagation of the Christian religion to pray constantly and fervently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Missionaries themselves, and on the sinsubjected world, to whose conversion their pious and charitable labours are directed. How great is the encouragement to a vigorous and persevering discharge of this duty, when we call to mind, that the divine word is pledged for the communication of this blessing to his believing people in every age; and that it never shall be withheld from those who sincerely and diligently seek it. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring,' said Jehovah to his chosen, under that dispensation which was preparatory to the introduction of the Gospel; and this promise,' saith an inspired Apostle, to every Christian believer, is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.' Let us be persuaded, then, and let us act as under the persuasion, that God, for Christ's sake, will give the Holy Spirit in answer to the prayers of his believing servants. But whilst we plead at the throne of grace for the success of all truly Christian Missions, let us remember, that a still higher obligation is imposed on the friends and members of this Society, to be more than ever abundant in supplications for the special blessing of Heaven on the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionaries in partiticular, and on those branches of the human family to which the providence of God has directed their ministrations. This permanent duty will be duly recognised and practised by every faithful servant of Christ, and real lover of souls, who shall, on the one hand, have considered the wonderful success with which the Lord hath crowned the operations of this Mission in most places to which its influence has extended; and on the other, the violent and overwhelming persecution to which the Society has recently been exposed in certain unhappy countries, whose inhabitants of the higher orders (it is painful to observe) have themselves not yet been prepared by the gracious visitations of the Divine Spirit for a cordial reception of the Gospel, nor even disposed to tolerate the noble and disinterested exertions which have been