have carried the Gospel to all the islands that stud the Pacific Ocean. I thank you for the attention with which you have heard me, and would only add, in the language of a heathen Chief, "We have abundance of proof that God is working;" we call upon you to pray for his blessing and for his support; and let all be ambitious of the honour of being "co-workers together with God." It had been arranged, that a concluding address should be delivered by the Rev. Dr. CAMPBELL, but, on account of the lateness of the hour, he declined; and the services were closed by singing, and prayer offered by the Rev. E. Prout, of Halstead. DEATH OF A NATIVE CHIEFTAINESS IN RAROTONGA. (From Rev. W. Gill, Arorangi, Dec. 31, 1812.) You will be grieved to learn that the sickness of the poor people is fast depopulating this island. There have not been so many cases during the past year, but it must be remembered that the number of inhabitants is less now than formerly. There is an average decrease of 300 souls annually in the island. At this station, there have been 94 deaths in the past year, while the births have only amounted to 27. In a few years hence, our settlements will be very thin. Oh! that the Lord may listen to our prayers, and spare a remnant to the praise of his grace! Among our deaths we have been called to number many of the most useful and devoted members of the church, several of whom gave pleasing testimony to the power of the Gospel during the last conflict. Makea Vaine, wife of Makea the late Chief of Avarua, has been among the number of those whom we hope have been removed to the church triumphant. Makea Vaine, from the time of her conversion, was stedfast to the profession of faith, and increasingly devoted in her efforts for the welfare of others, to the close of life. Although somewhat advanced in years, she soon learned to read, and I have heard Mrs. Buzacott say that she rarely visited their house without bringing her Testament under her arm, to inquire into some passage which she had been reading at home. For some years she was a most efficient superintendent in the female department of the children's school; but for two years before her death, she devoted her whole energies to the adult department of the early morning-school, where her influence and example were most beneficial. For some time before Mr. Buzacott's departure, she had had several attacks, and in May and June she grew worse. As the realities of death approached her, she became more and more humble, and at last could sing of redemption through the blood of the Lamb. On the last Sabbath in July, she became much worse. On my entering her apartment I found her insensible. The strong hand of death was fast accomplishing its purpose. After waiting a little time she revived, and upon her recognizing me, I said, "Friend, you are near death: are you in much pain?" She answered, "Yes, my pain is very great." I inquired, "Are you troubled at all in mind in reference to the past, or the future?" She replied, "No, my heart is fixed, my thoughts centre in Jesus." "Can you really place the care of your all on the Saviour," I inquired; "and have you no misgiving of heart about your security in him?" She thought a moment, and said, "There is at times a little trouble lest I should not reach the place where Jesus dwells;" again, pausing for a moment, she resumed, "but the trouble is not great; my heart is with Him-my heart is with Jesus." Then referring to a sweet native hymn, expressive of the Psalmist's faith and hope, when he sang, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me;" she again became convulsed, and in that state continued until the following day, when the chariot of the Lord's deliverance appeared and bore her redeemed spirit to the place of his glory. To His name be all the praise! MASSACRE AT THE ISLE OF PINES. We deeply regret to state, that, in the month of April last, a report reached Sydney, of the truth of which no reasonable doubt can be entertained, that another of those dreadful massacres so frequent among the unchristianized Islands of the Pacific, had been recently perpetrated by the natives at the Isle of Pines. It appears, that on the 12th of August, 1842, three days before the Camden reached Sydney on her voyage to England, the brig Star, commanded by Captain Ebrill, son-in-law of one of our Missionaries at Tahiti, sailed from that port for the Isle of Pines, where she arrived, it is supposed, about a month after. While lying at anchor off the island, the captain and crew, who had pre viously been on the most friendly terms with the natives, went on shore for the purpose of cutting timber, and were thus engaged when, upon a signal from Matuka, the principal Chief, the people rushed upon them, slaughtered then with their own axes, and afterwards devoured them. The Chief then sent a number of the natives, together with some of the Native Evangelists from the Samoas, who had been labouring a short time upon the island, to tow the vessel on shore; and when this was done, the Samoan Teachers were also killed at his command. Thus have the merciful purposes of the Society, in reference to this island, been defeated for the present, and thus has additional evidence been afforded of the necessity for greater efforts to spread the Gospel among the unevangelized and barbarous portion of the Polynesian tribes, not only as the divinely-appointed instrument for securing the salvation of the soul, but as the only effectual safeguard against the recurrence of such heartrending atrocities as that which has now been stated. It is, however, consolatory to know that the murderous attack of the natives was not in consequence of any feeling of opposition to the Christian Religion, or its teachers, but was simply an act of indiscriminate revenge for severe injuries formerly inflicted upon them by Europeans visiting their island. The murder of the Samoan Evangelists admits of less extenuation; but their connexion with foreigners would, in the estimation of the barbarous people, incapable of distinguishing friends from enemies, be a sufficient justification of the act. Had It is deeply to be regretted that the Star left Sydney before the arrival of the Camden, since Captain Morgan, who had recently visited the Isle of Pines, was aware of the intention of the natives to destroy the next Europeans who should land amongst them. Captain Ebrill sailed three days later, he would have been apprized of the danger, and dissuaded from his enterprise; but, unhappily, the first intimation he received of the fearful doom that awaited himself and his crew, was the wild and sudden rush of the exasperated islanders on their confiding and unprepared victims. AFRICA. PROOFS OF DIVINE FAVOUR IN CAFFRARIA. (From Rev. H. Calderwood, Blinkwater, Caffraria, June 12, 1843.) WHILE the measure of our success is by no means to be regarded as the rule of our duty; and while the number, he may be permitted to receive into church-fellowship, would be an unsafe and unscriptural criterion of the christian character and ability of any Missionary or Minister; still it is most depressing to labour without any suc cess. blest to give us a fresh impulse. It is truly humbling to think how constantly we require to be pushed forward. O, how prone we are to fall back and become languid! We are here deprived of many of the hallowed and exciting influences of home. But the Lord is faithful and compassionate, and he knoweth them that are his. To bear up against the depressing influence of such a trial requires unusual faith; and it must be regarded as a ground of very great thankfulness and encouragement, by all engaged in the cause of Missions, whether at home or abroad, when the Missionary is favoured to see any signs of life amid the darkness and death by which he is surrounded; when he is permitted to tell the churches at home that he fighteth in the "high places of the field," "not as one that beateth the air." You will, therefore, I know, rejoice with me, when I inform you that I had the happiness, the Sabbath before last, to baptize and receive into church-fellowship nineteen Caffres, three Hottentots, and two, formerly slaves-one Hottentot, baptized when a child, at Theopolis, was admitted into the church at the same time-in all 25 persons. The scene was unusually interesting, and I trust the impressions of the day will long remain: I hope the occasion has been The last mentioned Hottentot was formerly a source of much annoyance to me. He had more knowledge than many of his neighbours, but it was that knowledge which puffeth up. He was proud and violent, and much given to quarrel. But he is now a changed man. He was humbled under an attack of the small-pox; and ever since he appears to have profited by the stated ministrations on the Sabbath, and during the week. In Caffreland, I believe there has always been much secret opposition by the Chiefs and Amapakati, or Counsellors, with an outward show of encouragement, or an appearance of indifference The native authorities of this land seem to have long thought the teachers were a simple, harmless set of folks; that the word of God which they spoke could not do any harm: that they might, therefore, be permitted to talk; and thus the credit and temporal ad vantage of apparently countenancing the teachers might be enjoyed, without much risk of old customs being endangered. But things are beginning to alter. The matter is becoming more serious. Too many are seen to be influenced by the truth, and the word of God is proved to be not quite so harmless to good old customs as was supposed. All this is gradually converting secret, into open and determined, opposition. But a work has been begun which no Chief, or any set of Chiefs can entirely destroy. We have now a considerable number of children in the school on the station, and Mrs. C. has resumed her work with the girls. We have also three boys and six girls in the house under instruction, But their maintenance this season will be a serious affair, owing to scarcity of food, which is caused by the want of irrigation. I am trying to urge the people in the immediate neighbourhood, who have a right to live near the river, to bring the water out upon the land. It would require great labour, and the people have no food. Still we shall make the attempt. I fear now to ask a farthing for any thing from home, when there is so much heart-rending distress there. I have got 107. towards the work. It would require at least 507., in addition to the labour of the people. This would secure food for a considerable number, and would be far better to the people, and therefore to the cause than an annual subscription of money. We cannot maintain our position efficiently in this country without irrigation; and no station ought ever to be commenced without its being ascertained that the land can be irrigated. EDUCATION AT THEOPOLIS. (Extract of a letter from Mrs. Taylor, Theopolis, March 4, 1843.) Ir is with great pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of two boxes, (one from a kind friend of Hyde-vale, Blackheath, the other from some kind friends at Camberwell,) containing useful articles of wearing apparel, &c., for the natives; in which I hope soon to see some of them comfortably clad. The loose frocks and pinafores are very suitable, as also the various cottons, thimbles, books, and slates. It is very encouraging to find our friends in England so interested in the welfare of our little black charge: they certainly claim much of their pity, many of them being entirely deprived of receiving instruction in the schools, from the want of proper clothing, which they begin to feel very much. On the receipt of the box above referred to, wishing to improve the circumstance as much as possible to them, a whole holiday was given to both schools: the parents were informed on the Sunday previous that a public examination would take place on that day, and rewards be given, and they also were invited to attend. Accordingly, between one and two o'clock the bell rang for the general assembly in the chapel. Mr. Taylor examined the children in Scripture-reading, both English and Dutch; ciphering and geography. The improvement they have made in each is quite surprising: children who, when Mr. T. first took the school, were unable to read, or even to add a few figures together, can now do both very well; and the anxiety they showed to perform sums given them was very pleasing, all trying who could be first. After the examination was concluded, several hymns were sung by them, and Mr. T. addressed the parents; after which thirty-seven articles of clothing were given to the children as rewards: these we had previously selected from our valuable store, and affixed the name of the child, and for what it was given. After these had been distributed, tickets for tea were given to those children who had been regular in their attendance at the schools-they then dispersed to their homes, each to bring a bason or cup for their tea. Meanwhile we conveyed five baskets of plum-bread and cakes, which I had made in the former part of the day, to the infant schoolroom where the children were admitted by showing their tickets. We then joined them, and greatly enjoyed taking our tea with about forty happy cheerful children, Hottentots, Fingoes, and Bassutos. Many hymns were repeated and sweetly sung by them, affording us an indescribable feeling of pleasure and delight in witnessing the result of the labours of our kind friends in England, who were often talked of by us. Could they but have united in our meeting, they would, I feel assured, have felt fully compensated for their exertions in seeing the happiness resulting from them to these poor African children. That they may continue to feel the same interest in them as they have hitherto evinced, is our united prayer, for these children claim much sympathy, and this, we hope, is but the commencement of greater things. DEATH OF THE REV. PETER WRIGHT. ADDITIONAL particulars of this deeply afflictive event, are communicated in the appended copy of a letter, addressed by the sorrowing widow of our departed brother, to the Rev. Dr. Philip, at Cape Town :— MY DEAR SIR,-You will, ere this, have heard of the great loss which we and the Mission have sustained. Myself and family have been visited with severe and protracted affliction. The fever has been in our house for more than two months; not a servant has escaped; and all, with the exception of the three youngest children, have had it. On the 31st of March, my dear partner began to complain. On the Saturday he prepared for the Sabbath, and attended two funerals. On the Sabbath-morning he felt much worse, and said, O that I had but assistance to-day for my great work! I feel as if I shall scarcely get through the services. However, he preached three times, and administered the Lord's supper. Many were that day admitted to the church, and one of our own children among the rest. On the Monday morning Mr. W. complained that he felt worse; but he attended to the meetings for inquirers, and was busily employed all the day in the affairs of the Mission. Tuesday passed away in the same manner, but he continued to get worse. On the Wednesday he was entirely laid aside, and took to his bed to get up no more. For the first eight days there was nothing apparently very dangerous; he prescribed for himself and for two of the children who were both confined to their beds with fever; and also for the servants. On the ninth day his symptoms became very alarming, and we lost no time in sending off to Colesberg for medical advice. On the tenth day he lost both his hearing and his speech, and his sufferings were very great. We had no help at hand, but we tried every means in our power to afford him relief, but it was all in vain-death was near. A little before twelve o'clock at night the men arrived from Colesberg, but the doctor could not come-the men brought medicines which the doctor hoped would give relief. We succeeded in giving him a little, but he immediately appeared worse. In a little more than a quarter of an hour, he became convulsed; and after being twice convulsed, his happy spirit took its flight. The Lord had greatly supported me through all this affliction; but when my husband was gone the stroke seemed too heavy for me. I felt as if heart and flesh would fail, and I became very ill and was confined to my bed ten days; but through mercy we are all getting about a little. On the Thursday when my dear partner grew worse, the deacons assembled the people together in the church, purposely to pray for their dear pastor's recovery. Some of the old members came and knelt at his bedside, and prayed earnestly that the Lord would rot remove from them their kind shepherd, who cared for all their interests, and who watched over them with fatherly kindness. The last two days of his life were days of weeping and lamentation among the people they all attended his funeral and wept bitterly over his grave; the service was conducted by one of the deacons, who has taken a deep interest in all our concerns. The other deacon, with the Chief and his principal men, have done all in their power to comfort us. The first sabbath after Mr. W.'s death, the place of worship was a place of mourning; the speakers could not be heard for weeping-they had to stop and mingle their tears with the people. We have had three congregations every sabbath morning; the chapel being far too small for the Griqua po. pulation. When it was filled, the rest were assembled under the trees and addressed by a native. The Bechuana congregation meet in the infant school, which is not nearly large enough for them. The Mission was daily becoming more interesting; a revival had begun, and people were daily coming to our house to inquire what they must do to be saved. The schools had been well attended, and we often had more than 300 children in both schools. I had also commenced a sewing school twice a-week, which pleased the people very much. And, as it regarded temporal things, Philippolis had rever made such a move before: there are many good houses in a forward state; some already roofed and others thatched; and there are also a good many begun, and many good stone kraals have been built. This is a dark dispensation for the Griqua Mission: who will now plead their cause? I know not. I am very sorry for the Chief-he is much cast down. The Lord is never at a loss for want of means, and I trust some one will come forth who will study all the interests of these poor and now afflicted people. The last labours of my dear husband, for the temporal welfare of these people, was answering the false charges of the Boors against the Griquas. It cost him much labour, he had so many witnesses to examine. I know you will sympathize with us, and pray for us. I am now left a widow with nine fatherless children-I have lost a kind busband, and my children a tender and affectionate father. It should be mentioned, that Mr. Wright's complaint was typhus fever, and not malignant scre-throat. MADAGASCAR. EXPULSION OF THE NATIVE TEACHERS, RAFARAVAVY AND JOSEPH, FROM NOSIMITSIO BY THE FRENCH. THE following cominunications from our indefatigable Missionary, the Rev. D. Johns, under date Mauritius, April 12, will be read with deep and painful interest. The Directors had been encouraged to hope, that a Mission might be commenced in some of the islands lying off the north-east side of Madagascar ; but it will be seen that the plan is, for the present, defeated by the political movements of the French in these quarters, and the hostility of the Romish priests. The Directors learn, by subsequent letters, that Mr. Johns has gone down again to the western coast of Madagascar, and they anxiously wait to hear the result of his visit, and to ascertain what opening he can find for locating the Native Teachers, and promoting the interests of a Mission in connexion with which so much prayer and faith have been exercised. A FEW days ago I received letters from Joseph and Mary, extracts of which I forward by this opportunity. I am again cast down, for my plans are once more frustrated. We had made up our minds to establish a Mission at Nosimitsio, which would be likely to bear upon Madagascar; but the French have taken possession of the island, and a Catholic priest has fixed his abole there, and driven away cur teachers, s that now we have no hope of being able to do anything there more than at Nosibe, Nosifaly, or Nosikomba. The four islands are now in the possession of the French; and I am told by good authority that they design taking possession of a large portion of the north of Madagascar before the close of this year, and that preparations are now being made for it. They also intend to take Mojanga, nor is it expected that they will stop until they gain possession of the whole island. This they will be able to accomplish without much difficulty, since they are engaging upon their side all the Chieftains who are not in subjection to the Hovas. These Chieftains are inveterate (Extract of a letter from Joseph, to In a week after your departure from Nosimitsio, Ratsimiharo brought his wife and her sisters to Rafaravavy, so that she had then five or six scholars, and I had six scholars who attended to receive instruction every day. When the people saw that the instruction communicated to the scholars was not difficult, but easy; and when they heard our daily conversation, many applied to us for spelling-books, and all who tried to learn of their own accord improved fast, and were much delighted. When they all assembled, the house was found too small to receive them, and I was obliged to take them out of doors, and to have assistance in teaching them. This was the delightful state of things in the island. We were greatly rejoiced in teaching the people, and in conversing with enemies to the Hovas, who have often treated them with barbarous cruelty, and they will readily do all in their power to assist the French in subduing them. I need not say anything respecting the proceedings of Joseph and Mary at Nosimitsio, and the cause of their departure. Though their pious efforts to introduce the Gospel among their countrymen in that island had not been long commenced, we may hope that the secd they have sown will not be altogether lost. During the four months and a half they were allowed to teach, a good many persons learned to read the Scriptures, and obtained copies of the Psalms or Testament, which I believe they still retain. And may we not hope that some of these will teach in turn their relatives and friends? I am much pleased with the feeling evinced by Joseph and Mary: they do not murmur, or appear discouraged in their work, but seem sensible that it is their duty to do all in their power to advance the cause of the Redeemer in any part of their native land. I hope and pray their lives may be spared many years. Rev. D. Johns, Nosimitsio, Feb. 1843.) them, and felt much encouraged by their improvement. Many were able to read, and we gave them several copies of the Psalter and New Testament, and we began to think of establishing prayer-meetings. Alas! our joy lasted not long! On the 16th of November, a Catholic priest from Nosibe, arrived at Nosimitsio, and, as soon as he arrived, before entering any house, he came to us at the house of Rafaravavy, and called Andrianado and myself to follow him. When we entered the house, he invited us most earnestly to unite with him, and teach his scholars, offering to supply us with all we wanted as to food, clothing, and residence; and give us a dollar a month for the present. We replied, that we would teach according to our own way; and after we refused again and again to comply with |