In the afternoon between sixty and seventy of the natives assembled at Hanamiai, and, upon the whole, were attentive, whilst I endeavoured to improve the death of the Queen; to point out the impropriety which had lately been exhibited in the conduct of many of them, and to remove their erroneous ideas concerning the influence of witchcraft. We hope the death of the Queen will be overruled for good. Nearly all the people have been here from the principal valleys in the island. Many have continued with us for several days, and we have had frequent opportunities of conversing with them, and of proclaiming in their hearing the way of salvation. Several have promised to commence making cocoa-nut oil, and for this purpose have been furnished with pieces of hoop-iron, with which to scrape off the kernel. May 3.-The body of the late Queen has been put into a kind of coffin, made by hollowing out the trunk of a bread-fruit tree. The coffin was covered with white native cloth, over which civet was bound, in such a manner that the cloth appeared through the interstices in diamond network. Early this morning the body thus enclosed was removed from the house, erected for its temporary reception, into a dwellinghouse belonging to Iotete, and in which he and some others sleep. Here it is to remain. - Mr. Rodgerson subsequently visited Dominica, and closes his journal with a brief account of the state of the people in that island. Some of them treated his message with neglect, but the greater number listened with more than ordinary seriousness, and expressed a wish to have Missionaries sent to reside among them, and communicate to them instruction in the Christian religion. To Mr. Rodgerson, personally, the natives all evinced a friendly disposition, seemed anxious to win his good opinion, and promised to cease from fighting with their countrymen in the neighbouring islands. Mr. Rodgerson was considerably cheered by his visit to Dominica, and on one occasion felt particularly gratified to hear a native youth observe to a number of people by whom he was surrounded, that "the spirits of those who believed the word of God should go to a good place when their bodies were dead, but those who would not believe, to a bad one." On the 7th of May Mr. R. returned to Sta. Christina. the period now under review, Mr. Stallworthy also made an extensive Missionary tour, instant in season and out of season, to communicate to the people the unsearchable riches of Christ. RAROTONGA. During THE following is part of the translation of a letter from the Native Church at Rarotonga, under the pastoral care of the Rev. C. Pitman, addressed to the Minister and Church assembling in King-street, Portsea : To the Friends and Church in England, and Brethren, and also to the Minister of our Minister, Mr. Pitman. May you be saved by the true God, by Jehovah the real God, who has looked upon us with compassion, and blessed us. These are our words, which we declare unto you, that ye may know. Our true state in former times was heathen; what we did was entirely evil; we worshipped idols. Tangaroa was the name of our great god: we slew men and offered them to that idol, because we thought him to be the true God, and we were well pleased in worshipping him. When the word of God came to our land, then it was that we were rightly informed that Jehovah was the true God, and Jesus the sacrifice whereby sin is pardoned. We held that word, but did not strictly regard it. It was on the arrival of our minister, Mr. Pitman, that we were more fully informed that Jehovah was the true God, and Jesus the true Saviour whereby we are saved: we were then instructed in the word of God, and our minister has taught us to read and write. Men, women, and children, understand. When the true season arrived, then sprung up ordinances, the ordinance of baptism and the eucharist. Many have been admitted into the church. The people are also baptised, and are coming forward for baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We are now dwelling comfortably, meditating on the wonderful compassion of God, and we rejoice to think that you pray to God for us, that we may be blessed, that we may obtain salvation for our souls. Through the amazing compassion of God we are made one; you are brought nigh to us, and we are brought nigh unto you. May our joy continue, even till we meet face to face in the kingdom of God, in that place of which our Lord Jesus has said to us, "I go to prepare a place for you." Let us be glad for these words. This is another word to you, brethren; we pray to God for all heathen lands, that they may also become the people of God, even as you prayed to God for the heathen, and God has heard your prayers, inasmuch that the word of God has reached Rarotonga. May it also reach all lands who are now as we once were ! This is another thing of which we have to inform you, that two men have been selected by the church as deacons, and two others have been set apart, and are gone to the heathen, whom we pity, because of their ignorance of the word of God; even as you pitied us, who now through the grace of God are brought nigh: may the whole world also be brought back. This is another word, the two bells you sent us we received; these strange things caused us much surprise when we obtained them. Now, brethren, let us be one in mind and action, that what we do may agree with the word of God; let us love one another: as God has loved us, so let us love. We have another thing to inform you; our minister is very diligent in making known to the people, and instructing the children in, the word of God. He is very kind to us, and bears up under the evils which arise in the land; he is exceedingly desirous that the kingdom of God may advance in our land, that the people may obtain grace; therefore it is that we hold fast the word of God. If agreeable to you, write to us a letter, that we may know your thoughts, and that we may rejoice to know what you have to say to us. This is what we have to say to you, brethren, in Britain, in the town of Mr. Pitman, and also to his minister. Nothing more to add, brethren. May you be saved by Jehovah the true God, and by Jesus Christ our Redeemer. From the church in Rarotonga, in the town where lives Mr. Pitman, in Vaikotobu,* is this letter written. March 9th, 1837. * General name of the settlement is Gnatangiia. ARRIVAL OF THE MESSRS. STRONACH, LESSELL, AND LYON, AT CALCUTTA. ON the 12th of December last, the Rev. Messrs. A. and J. Stronach, the Rev. W. P. Lyon, and the Rev. T. L. Lessell, with their wives, arrived in Calcutta, by the Broxbournbury, Capt. Chapman. Through Divine mercy their voyage was favourable, and they were each in the enjoyment of health. The brethren, A. and J. Stronach, had taken their passage for Singapore, and expected to embark for that colony on the 1st of January. "We are anxious," they write, "to arrive there as speedily as possible, especially as we have heard of the lamented departure from this world of our esteemed brother Mr. Wolfe." RETURN OF MRS. PIFFARD FROM INDIA. MRS. PIFFARD, the wife of our devoted brother, the Rev. Charles Piffard, has arrived in England, from Calcutta, by the ship Reliance, Capt. Warner. Under the favour of Divine Providence, accompanied by two of her children, she has been safely conducted to this country. The decline of health obliged Mrs. Piffard to leave India for a season, and she is now contemplating a visit to the Continent of Europe. EMBARKATION OF THE REV. JOHN HANDS, AND THE REV. JAMES SEWELL, FOR INDIA. On the 24th of February, the Rev. John Hands embarked for Madras in the Lady Raffles, Capt. Biles. This is the third time our honoured and devoted brother has gone forth to that part of the world. On his arrival in India, Mr. Hands, whose health had been greatly renovated by his sojourn in England, and his visit to the north of Europe, will proceed to Bangalore, and take temporary charge of that Station, on behalf of our brother, the Rev. W. Campbell, whose departure from this country is deferred for some time. Mr. Sewell having received the appointment of the Directors to labour in the Madras Presidency, and accompanied by Mrs. Sewell, also embarked at the above period, in the Lady Raffles, for Madras. The Directors were happy to secure for Mr. Sewell the advantage of his going forth with Mr. Hands to the field of his future labours. ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES. Mr. T. JOSEPH. ON Thursday, Sept. 21, Mr. Thomas Joseph, late of Caermarthen College, appointed to the South Sea Mission, was ordained at Caermarthen. The following ministers en gaged in the solemn service :-the Rev. D. Evans; Rev. D. Davies, (Mr. Joseph's tutor;) Rev. D. Davies, of Cardigan; Rev. John Breese; and Rev. W. Jones. LETTERS RECEIVED FROM MISSIONARIES, &c. SOUTH SEAS, 1836.-Tahiti, Rev. Chas. Barff, Oct. 20. ULTRA GANGES, 1837. - China, Mr. J. R. Morrison, July 31. Malacca, Rev. S. Dyer, Aug. 1. Pinang, Rev. T. Beighton, Sept. 4, and Sept. 8. EAST INDIES, 1837.- Calcutta, Rev. A. F. Lacroix, Oct. 3. Rev. C. Piffard, Sept. 29. Rev. Messrs. Stronach, Lessell, and Lyon, Dec. 20. Benares, Rev. R. C. Mather, Sept. 23. Surat, Rev. A. Fyvie, Sept. 15, and Dec. 15. Madras, Rev. J. Smith, Aug. 14, (two,) Sept. 11, and Oct. 2. Rev. W. H. Drew, Oct. 2, Oct. 31, (two,) and Nov. 11, (two.) Vizagapatam, Rev. Messrs. Gordon and Porter, Aug. 4. Rev. J. W. Gordon, Aug. 1. Cuddapah, Rev. W. Howell, July 15, (two,) Sept. 30, (two.) Chittoor, Rev. J. Bilderbeck, July 28. Bellary, Rev. J. Read, July 19, Sept. 3, and Sept. 8. Bangalore, Rev. Messrs. C. Campbell and Rice, Aug. 8. Rev. C. Campbell, Sept. 8. Salem, Rev. G. Walton, Aug. 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Combaconum, Rev. J. E. Nimmo, Sept. 3. Coimbatoor, Rev. W. B. Addis, Sept. 30, Nov. 11. Nagercoil, Rev. Messrs. Mault and Miller, Oct. 3. Ne yoor, Rev. C. Miller, July 6. Quilon, Rev. J. C. Thompson, Sept. 1. Rev. Messrs. Thompson and Miller, Aug. 25. SOUTH AFRICA, 1837.- Cape Town, Mrs. Philip, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8. Paarl, Rev. W. Elliott, Oct. 30. Tulbagh, Rev. A. Vos, Dec. 20. Caledon Institution, Rev. H. Helm, Nov. 1. Pacaltsdorp, Rev. W. Anderson, Nov. 25. Bethelsdorp, Rev. J. Kitchingman, Nov. 18. Port Elizabeth, Rev. A. Robson, Nov. 10, Nov. 14, Nov. 18. Mr. R. Edwards, Nov. 26. Graham's Town, Rev. J. Monro, Dec. 15, Dec. (no day specified.) Graaff Reinet, Rev. A. Van Lingen, Nov. 23. Theopolis, Rev. C. Sass, Nov. 14. Griqua Town, Messrs. Wright and Hughes, October. Mr. J. Hughes, Nov. 1, and Nov. 3. Kuruman, Mr. R. Hamilton, Nov. 3. AFRICAN ISLANDS, 1837.-Mauritius, Rev. D. Jones, Dec. 6. WEST INDIES, 1837 and 1838.- Demerara, Rev. J. Scott, Dec. 18, and Dec. 19. Rev. C. Rattray, Dec. 11. Rev. R. B. Taylor, Dec. 7, and Dec. 26. Jamaica, Mr. J. Howell, Jan. 11. MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS, From the 1st to the 28th of February, 1838, inclusive. Warwickshire. Aux. Soc. per T. Lowe, Esq. Birmingham Hudson, and friends Wolverhampton, general 0 For Nat. Tea. J. Austin. 10 0 0 0 6 0 22 10 0 4 1 29 12 3 0 6 10 0 0 10 0 0 88 16 1 from dress Cleveland........ 500 Hull, Miss Jackson Thirsk ................................................... WALES. 8 0 0 19 11 0 Carmarthen, per Rev. J. 2 8 Legacy under the will of For Nat. Tea. J. Roaf 81 10 0 0 88 0 0 cluding 10s. for M. Ship 30 10 0 and Or. Fund ............ 12 16 8 South Calvinistic MeCoventry Branch Vicar-lane, less exps. 31. West Orchard Chapel, For Education of a Na- vancore ... For Nat. Tea. J. Jerard Stretton-under-Fosse... Less exps. 251. 3s. 7d 1983 10 6 16007. previously acknowledged. For the Missionary Ship. Birmingham merville and Son; one moiety for Nat. Tea. 20 0 Balance of profit of Me moirs of Mrs. Pater son, by Rev. W. Swan 12 18 Synod of the United Se cession Church, for by Rev. J.Williams. 300 0 Kirkaldy, T. Millie, Esq. for Mis. Ship 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 Dalkeith, Juv. Mis. Soc. 6 0 Leith, for Mis. Ship, per 1243 10 28 7 0 6 Per Rev. J. Williams... 92 0 5 0 0 Rev. G. D. Cullen...... 21 0 0 ...... ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The thanks of the Directors are respectfully presented to the following:-viz., to Mr. Wilshere, for a parcel of books and tracts for Rev. R. B. Taylor, Demerara, also a similar parcel for Rev. D. Jones, Mauritius; to anonymous, for 6 dozen Bible medals for the South Seas; to a friend at Chester, for a box of useful articles for Rev. A. W. Murray, S. Seas; to friends at the Tabernacle, Trowbridge, for a box of useful articles for Mrs. Alloway's schools, Jamaica, value 127.; to Ladies at North Shields, per Rev. A. Jack, for a box of fancy articles for Bangalore, value 601.; to Thomas Walker, Esq., for a case and cask of tools for the Hottentots at the Fish River; to Miss E. Gilbart, for a box of thimbles, &c., for Mrs. Beighton, Pinang; to John Fuller, Esq., Dunmow, Essex, for a box of valuable books; to the Sunday-school teachers at Hayes, Middlesex, for 2 parcels of slates, books, &c., for Rev. John Williams; to Mrs. Moore, Homerton-terrace, for 12 pinafores for South Africa; to Ladies at Newbury, for a box of useful articles, value 607., for Mrs. Campbell, Kidderpore; to Mrs. Stephenson, Lympsham; to Mrs. Barnard, Bath; to T. F. P.; and to Mr. Roberts, Aldermanbury; for volumes and numbers of Evangelical and other Magazines, Newspapers, Pamphlets, &c. &c. W. Tyler, Printer, Bolt-court, Fleet-street. |