The expenses attending the appointment of a Missionary would be from £130 to £150 a year. Thus: salary of an unmarried man, £70; travelling to the station, £20; travelling on the sta

tion, £20; rent, £20. This would be the maximum for a single man; for a family-man an increase of rent and salary would be required.

and

On the 13th of June last, another decree against religious liberty was placarded on the walls of our town. It had passed the Grand Council on the 7th of the same month, by a majority of 184 votes against a minority of only 23! The general tenor of the decree is similar to those of former years, except that additional guards and penalties are therein mentioned against what is termed Methodistic proselytism;" that all such public functionaries as attend a prohibited meeting are, ipso facto, deprived of their situations. cording to this arrangement, even those brethren of the Establishment, who assemble with us in our EvangelicalAlliance meetings, are, as you perceive, liable, on that account, to be at once deprived of their livings! But the most painful fact in the case remains to be told; and it is, that this decree is not, as were its predecessors, merely provisional and temporary, but has at length becomie part an i parcel of the statute-laws of the Ca ston!

Ac

I returned from my deputation to the Channel Islands just as this iniquitous decree was being promulgated; and was, i aur free to confess, very fearful lest our people should be wearied out and dis couraged, and our difficulties rendered aliest insurmountable.

Through the mercy of God, and in answer to fervent, persevering prayer, such has not been the case: our beloved people have manifested a fearless courage, and a devoted interest in the cause, while as a society we have hitherto continued to be uninjured from those withour. Last Sunday we experienced another signal deliverance at Aigle. It had been rumoured, during the week, that the meetings in that town were to be put down on the Sabbath by the civic anthorities. And so it was: two PoliceOllicers, accompanied by a patrol of Gen

darmes, dispersed the two Non-conformist congregations of the place. We expected that, as a matter of course, it would be so with us; and, being met as usual in our place of worship, waited with some degree of anxiety the arrival of the Police. Notwithstanding the exciting and somewhat discouraging circumstances in which we were placed, the congregation, I am happy to state, was good. After prayer I gave out my text: "For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God," and proceeded with my discourse. But a gracious Providence was watching over us as we had commenced so we ended our service, without the least molestation. We were not, either, disturbed in the evening. We bless the Lord for these as for former deliverances, and take them to be "tokens for good."

"Like Moses' bush, we mount the higher,

us.

And flourish, unconsumed, in fire!" Best of all, the gracious work of soulsaving is still going on among Lately several Roman Catholics, natives of Savoy, who had come to Aigle in search of work, having attended our meetings, have been seriously impressed. One of them, a young woman of respectability, has found "the pearl of great price." She returns to her native village with the Bible in her hand, and the Spirit of adoption in her heart. May she prove faithful to the end! Alluding to the difficulties which she will have to encounter, she said to me on Sunday, "They may take away my sacramental veil; but they cannot withdraw my Saviour's love."

At Lausanne, we continue to meet regularly in our chapel; and to hold our Sunday-school, which continues to be, as well as those of Aigle and St. Triphon, very numerously attended. We have nearly two hundred children in all.

Notwithstanding occasional additions to our societies, the numerical increase is small. The reason is, that our meinbers are perpetually emigrating. Some are in France, others in Germany, and the surrounding Swiss Cantons; all of

them exercising an influence favourable both to religion in general, and also to that form of Christianity called Methodism. Now I consider, that this fact is really a source of encouragement and gratitude. We have in the centre of Europe a Mission which, although on a small scale, yet is effectually preparing and sending forth humble (and, what may be deemed important with some people, unexpensive) but devoted messengers to surrounding countries; a holy "leaven" which will assuredly assist in leavening the 66 lump."

Let, therefore, our friends in England

continue to help us in this “good fight,” and we need never despair.

As I hope to forward shortly an account of my late journey to the Waldenses, and of the openings presented in that other section of the Circuit, I shall only just say at present, that my beloved colleague, Mr. Ogier, is now preparing to take up his residence in the Valleys, in answer to an unanimous and earnest call from the Christian societies of Val Lucerne and Val Perouse. We recommend our esteemed brother, and his new and very important field of enterprise, to the prayers of the church.

on

DR. KESSEN will have put you in possession of the state of our work in this District. We have trials and difficulties to encounter; but we have also sources of encouragement, for the Gospel is not preached in vain; yet there is so much sameness in our operations, that we can scarcely point out anything peculiarly interesting. We have had a few converts from the Romanists, one of whom died, a few weeks since, in great peace. We are also gaining ground against the Budhists, at least from Negombo to Caltura, and, I believe, also at Amblangodde. I am printing the third edition (three thousand copies) of my tracts against Budhism, chiefly "God, the Creator," "Man, a Moral Agent," and "The Necessity of a Divine Revelation." The errors of Budhism are pointed out, and the truth of Christianity is established; the whole being argued from the statements in their sacred writings, (the text delivered by Budha, and not the comments, except by way of illustration,) and the Pali quotations inserted, with a Singhalese translation. Good has been done by them even where our Mission does not extend; for Mr. Murdoch, the HeadMaster of the Government Central School in Kandy, mentioned two instances of decided conversion, from the perusal of them. We, however, principally circulate them in the neighbourhood of our schools and chapels, where the subjects can be discussed. We are also enabled, by the abounding liberality of the Bible Society, to circulate the Scriptures more fully; and have good

reason to hope that the copies distributed are highly prized and devoutly read. Our congregations receive the word attentively, and the state of our classes is in general encouraging.

Some weeks ago, the Governor, through his Private Secretary, requested a Report of our Mission in the Singhalese District, to be inserted in the BlueBook, in addition to the Ecclesiastical and Educational Returns required in January of each year. Last year I furnished Sir J. E. Tennent with one in considerable detail. The following are extracts from the Report I sent to the Governor :

"The natives are the chief objects of the attention of the Missionaries, in consequence of which their devotional services are chiefly conducted in the Singhalese language. There is, however, English preaching in the chapels of Colombo Pettah, Colombo Fort, Caltura, Galle, and Matura; and, for the benefit of those Burghers who do not well understand English, divine service is conducted in the Portuguese language, in Colombo, (four services,) Colpetty, Negombo, Caltura, Galle, and Matura. The European Missionaries in the Singhalese District are three; the native Ministers are ten, five of whom are of Burgher descent, and five are Singhalese. These are assisted by sixteen Catechists, fourteen of whom are Singhalese, and two Burghers. [N.B. This number includes some acting Singhalese Catechists, who are paid as Schoolmasters, and therefore not entered in the District Minutes as Catechists.] The number,

therefore, of paid Agents of the Mission, exclusive of Schoolmasters, is nineteen, and their labours are given to sixtynine villages, in each of which divine worship is celebrated every Sunday in the Singhalese language, in addition to six villages in the Seven Korles, and the English and Portuguese services in the towns. On the week-days pastoral duties are diligently attended to, the members of the congregations being visited, and meetings for prayer and exposition of the Scriptures held in private houses. As far as practicable the neighbouring villages are attended to; and, although the success desired has not been obtained, there has been sufficient to excite to a diligent perseverance in the efforts made to evangelize the people. The number of church-members, who are generally conversed with each week in class-meetings, and the greater part of whom are communicants, is 1,171. The number of persons regarding themselves as members of the Wesleyan congregations cannot be accurately ascertained, many being, from various circumstances, irregular: they may probably be estimated at from eight to ten thousand. The marriages solemnized between members of the Wesleyan congregations in 1848, were 274, and the number of baptisms, 694....... From the commencement of the Mission to the present time, education has formed an important part of its proceedings. For some years instruction was partially afforded in the English language; but, except in large towns and their vicinity, little desire was manifested for its acquisition; and as the salaries required by English Teachers were higher than the funds at the disposal of the Missionaries could afford, they found it necessary to abandon these schools, and confine themselves to the vernacular, especially as the children were able to avail themselves of the Government schools then established. They by no means undervalue English education, but are fully convinced that it must be preceded by instruction in the native language, by which alone the bulk of the people can be at present reached......

The present importance of the position occupied by the Mission, in its educational department, will appear from the following considerations. It cannot be estimated that more than one-tenth of

the male population, in the villages in which the schools are situated, is under instruction, which will make the male population connected with the pupils, (2,200 boys, in addition to girls,) 22,000. The number of females in the same neighbourhoods is equal to the males; so that while the direct influence of the Mission, in its ecclesiastical department, extends to only 10,000, the indirect educational influence extends to a population of more than 40,000; the difference between these numbers consisting of Roman Catholics, or persons generally neglectful of the ordinances of Christian worship. The amount of good from this influence would be greatly increased, were the education superior to that which the Mission can afford; but almost insuperable difficulties exist, and the instruction given is of the most elementary kind, being only reading, writing, the rudiments of Christianity, and a little arithmetic. These difficulties arise from, 1. A want of funds to pay properly educated Teachers. 2. The want of an institution for training Masters. And, 3. The want of suitable school-books." After enlarging on these points, the Report concludes thus: "The want of school-books is much felt; and unless some means can be devised for procuring them, and other works on general subjects, the intellectual advancement of the people must be most seriously impeded. The Mission has no funds for the purpose, neither are there any publishers in the island to undertake the preparing and printing the books necessary. Should private individuals attempt it, they would sustain a heavy loss, as the sale would not meet the expenses. Deeply do the Missionaries regret their inability to make the press available for the purposes of general enlightenment; but all they can do, is to furnish a few religious tracts, or aid in the circulation of the holy Scriptures."

Afterwards I wrote officially to the Colonial Secretary, accompanying it with a private letter; and although the finances of the island are in a most depressed state, SO that reductions are being made in every direction, the Governor in Council granted us £200 for the current year, for which we are thankful.

IN reporting on the progress of the work of God in this Circuit during the past year, we have abundant cause for gratitude and praise. We may remark, that it has been a year of great trial to our people generally. The price of mahogany, which is the staple commodity of this country, has fallen so low, that it has barely covered the expense of shipment. Great numbers, therefore, have been thrown out of employ; and have been obliged to go into various rivers, to make plantations for themselves, in order to obtain subsistence.

It has also been a year of great affliction: the settlement has not been so unhealthy for many years. Two epidemics have visited us, and great numbers have fallen victims, including many of our own members. But, amidst poverty and sickness, God has been with us. We are happy to be able to report, that, after deducting for deaths, removals, and backsliders, we have throughout the Circuit a net increase of ninety members, and ten remaining on trial.

We have just concluded our Missionary Anniversary services, which we entered upon with much fear and trembling; for, in addition to the extraordinary commercial distress existing, large demands have been made on the charity of the inhabitants on behalf of the Yucatecos, who have fled to this place for protection. We were, consequently, very apprehensive that our subscriptions would fall short.

All went to work in earnest, the more influential of our friends taking collecting-books, and others Missionary boxes. With persevering zeal they continued their efforts in their work of faith; and we soon discovered that our fears were groundless.

We held our Missionary Meeting on the 3d instant. Christopher Hempstead, Esq., United States' Consul, kindly presided on the occasion. Long before the Meeting commenced, the chapel was filled in every part. We were favoured with the assistance of the Rev. Messrs. Henderson and Kingdon, Baptist Missionaries, and other gentlemen, who advocated the claims of the Heathen world. The Meeting, throughout, was one of a deeply interesting character; and, at its

close, we found that the amounts collected by our friends, together with the collections obtained after the Missionary sermons and the public Meeting, amounted to the noble sum of £107. Is. 9d. sterling; being £19. 18s. 3d. more than last year.

At Charib. Town our work does not make that progress which we could desire. The Gospel, however, is exerting an influence on the habits and practices of the people. Their "devil-feasts"

have been discontinued. These annual feasts were times of dissipation and licentiousness; but we are happy to say, that, during the past two years, no feast of this kind has been held. The Sabbath, also, is now regarded; our chapel is well filled with attentive hearers; and about fourteen of the Charibs are meeting in class. Our day-school is improv. ing; and, on the whole, there is ground for encouragement.

At Ruatan we have now nearly one hundred members in the society. We visit them as often as possible; but more ministerial labour is required. No Minister of any denomination is, as yet, stationed on the island: the inhabitants, amounting to about fourteen hundred, look to us for help. We have on former occasions appealed to the Committee on their behalf, and would now renew their application for a Missionary.

Mullin's River has been visited several times during the year. The majority of the inhabitants are Spanish Roman Catholics. A small Roman Catholic chapel has been erected, which, we believe, is the only Roman Catholic chapel in British Honduras. We have obtained permission to hold divine service in this chapel, and have found a large number willing to join in Protestant worship. On Mr. Webster's last visit, he collected the people together, and stated to them that it was our intention to establish a day-school among them, if they would all engage in erecting a suitable building. The names of about fifty persons were obtained, who were willing to help in this undertaking, thirty-eight of whom were Spanish Roman Catholics. A suitable plot of land has been presented to us for Mission-premises; the bush has since been cleared away; and a school