JAMAICA-The extinction of the horrible slave-trade would be an object worthy the best efforts of British philanthropists: and for this their exertions are really required. Only last week a Portuguese slaver, with three hundred kidnapped Africans on board, ran on the Pedro-Reefs, on the south side of Jamaica. The Captain and crew deserted the vessel and succeeded in getting ashore in the boats; but left the three hundred poor slaves, manacled below, to perish miserably, and find a watery grave. Two of Her Majesty's cruisers were despatched immediately on receiving the intelligence, to rescue the unfortunate creatures from the wreck : but they returned to Port-Royal on Sunday, after a fruitless search; not a vestige of the brig, nor any portion of the miserable cargo was to be discovered. If this horrible traffic were made piracy, and all who are found engaged in it were to be consigned to a pirate's fate, this would check the accursed evil: but till this is done the slave-trade will be continued, and thousands and tens of thousands annually will be torn from their families and their homes, to be murdered on their passage to a foreign land, or consigned to hopeless toil and bondage.-Rev. Henry Bleby, Kingston, May 31st, 1838. The late Act of the House of Assembly "to abolish the Apprenticeship system on the 1st of August next," has excited much interest in the minds of all parties. At the request of our Superintendent, we have spoken of it in our various congregations, and given a word of advice. I am much pleased with the Christian behaviour of our people: they do not speak of it as a something to be hailed with feasting and mirth, but wish to be found in the Lord's house, calling on the name of Him who is alone able to give light and strength to the minds of men. Last night we held our Missionary prayer-meeting. Whilst I was reading the Appeal in behalf of Fejee, the feeling was intense; some groaned, some wept, all felt; at the close of the service a subscription was talked of, and in the congregation, not a large one, the sum of twenty pounds was subscribed in a few minutes, and more will be given.- Rev. Lewis Lewis, St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, June 30th, 1838. POSTSCRIPT. Wesleyan Mission-House, 77, Hatton-Garden, London. August 21st, 1838. LETTERS have been received from the Rev. Jonathan Crowther, Madras, to the 5th of May. He describes himself as pretty fairly in his work, although not fully recovered from the effects of the fatigue and exposure consequent on his shipwreck. The reports on the state of the Missions in India, and the health of the Mission families, were favourable. FEJEE ISLANDS. LETTERS have been received this day from the Missionaries in this remote and arduous Mission. The Rev. David Cargill and the Rev. William Cross write from Lakemba, on the 27th December, 1837. Mr. Cross writes also from Reua, on the 9th January, 1838; whither he had proceeded to offer the Gospel to Tanoa, the King of Fejee; Tanoa, however, had returned to Bau; but the King of Reua received Mr. Cross and his family with much kindness. The island was in a disturbed state; four rebels had been killed just before his arrival; two of them had been eaten, and the other two were in the oven! The Missionaries and their families had suffered considerably for want of the stores and supplies which had been sent, but which, in consequence of the difficulties of the navigation, and the unwillingness of Captains of vessels to venture near to Fejee, had not reached them. They earnestly entreat a printing-press and more Missionaries. We trust they will soon be cheered by the arrival of the noble band who were sent to their help a few months ago We confidently claim the affectionate sympathies and earnest prayers of our friends for these devoted men who occupy stations so hazardous. ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES. MR. and MRS. WILKINSON, on their way to New South Wales; Mr. and Mrs. Tuckfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, appointed to the new Mission at Port Philip, in South Australia; and Mr and Mrs. Sutch, appointed to Launceston, safely arrived at Hobart-Town. Van Diemen's Land, in March last. They were received with much affection, and were delighted with the prosperity of the cause in that place and neighbourhood. Mr. Goodrick arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on the 27th of May, after a tedious and perilous voyage of one hundred and five days. RETURN OF MISSIONARIES. SINCE our last announcement under this head, several Missionaries have returned to this country, chiefly for the recovery of their health. The Rev. Abraham Cooper, from St. Vincent's, arrived in May, but survived only a few weeks. The Rev. William Fidler and family, of Barbadoes, the Rev. William Sanders, of Sierra Leone, the Rev. Mark B. Bird, of Jamaica, and also the widow of the late Rev. J. D. Jackson, of Jamaica, and the widow of the Rev. William Wilkinson, of St. Mary's, Gambia, arrived in the same month. Subsequently, the Rev. John George and family, of Ceylon, the Rev. William Wedlock and family, of Jamaica, and the Rev. Thomas Richardson, of Bermuda, have arrived in England. DEATHS. In addition to the lamented death of the Rev. Abraham Cooper, above-mentioned, we have also received information of the death of the Rev. William Ellis, in Newfoundland. on the 19th of Sept. 1837 and of the Rev John Barry, in Montreal, on the 21st of June last. Both these excellent men had already retired from active service, in consequence of the failure of their health. They have each left a widow and a large family. The Society has also suffered loss by the decease of the excellent Wives of the following Missionaries:-Mrs. Draper, the wife of the Rev. D. J. Draper, Parramatta, on the 16th of February last : Mrs. Satchell the wife of the Rev W. Satchell, Dominica, on the 24th of June: Mrs. Freeman, the wife of the Rev. Thos. B. Freeman, Cape Coast, 20th February: Mrs. Smith, the wife of the Rev. William Smith, Nova Scotia, on the 27th of June: Mrs. Pugh, the wife of the Rev Theophilus Pugh, Bermuda, on the 1st of June: Mrs. Edney, the wife of the Rev. James Edney, of Jamaica, on the 26th of May and Mrs. Pearson, the wife of the Rev. Thomas Pearson, of Turk's Island, on the 5th of April, 1838. : LONDON:- Printed by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton-Square. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Mission House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London; or by any of the Ministers or Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. PATNA. The following letter from Mr. Beddy, dated Patna, 15th of April, furnishes affecting evidence of the strength of those prejudices which_obstruct the reception and acknowledgment of the truth among the inhabitants of India. Meanwhile, famine is spreading fearful desolation through a wide and populous district, where there are few indeed to direct the perishing multitudes to the only refuge. To use the expressive language of an ancient prophet, God is marching through the land in indignation, and threshing the heathen in his anger. Oh, that this may be but the prelude to the displays of his healing mercy! Patna, 15th April, 1838. My dear Brother, Since I had last the pleasure of addresssing you, I have been out in a district called Tirhoot, and although nothing particular occurred beyond the ordinary course of missionary work, preaching and distributing the word, yet on the whole I felt much gratified with my journey from the kind manner I was received by many, and the number of tracts, &c., that I was called on to distribute. There is little opposition now to be met with in preaching, except from the Mohammedans, who still continue to testify the greatest bitterness and opposition to every attempt to preach salvation through the atonement of our blessed Lord: but alas, here the matter seems to stand; there appears to be a heartlessness with regard to salvation and future things among the people that almost baffles description. However, amidst these desponding scenes, now and then a something seems to spring up to revive our spirits, but this awful stumbling-block, caste, presents itself as a I am barrier that no trifling energy, and no ordinary degree of faith can surmount. not without hope, that there are three or four, at least, here who are almost persuaded to renounce caste and all for Christ: but it is a great sacrifice. A servant of mine, of almost the lowest caste, a sweeper, whom I have had with me for about five years, and on whom I yet hope the word has made some impression, voluntarily gave up caste, he said, for Christ's sake, and to obtain salvation. He had been telling his family for ten or twelve days he would do so, but they did not believe him sincere ; but when he had done the thing, he was assailed with the most indignant treatment, beaten by his sister, and, subsequently, and sister declaring they would kill themtaken away and bound; his mother, wife, selves, rather than that he should become a Christian. The sister was also a servant, and the whole of them living on our premises. When persons thus situated acted so, what may we not expect from strangers? His family so far won upon his affections, that he had not power to withstand their solicitations, and he has again taken up caste. What may be the result I cannot tell; the Lord only knows what induced him thus to act, as also if there is any grace in his heart. I have been down during the month of January, to see brother Leslie ; you have heard that he is poorly, and my last does not say that he has much im. proved. My chief object in going down was to assist him, and, if possible, to persuade him to go to sea for the recovery of his health, as both medical and other persons unite in saying that nothing but a voyage to sea will restore his health; but this he positively declines. We have an awful visitation of Providence to the westward, a famine which is consuming thousands, and yet no cry of repentance, no forsaking their dumb idols. May the Lord in infinite mercy pour out his Spirit upon these dry bones! O that the prayers of his people may be heard, and answers sent in behalf of this poor be nighted land. All around is one barren prospect, no thought, no concern, all dead in trespasses and sins. The weather is now awfully hot; the heat from the ground, even under a shade, something like that sent forth from a great heated furnace: the ground has become dry and hard, just like the hearts of the people around us. We indeed seem to labour in vain and spend our strength for nought, but the Lord's time is fast approaching; soon, soon I hope will India's sons and daughters come bowing before the cross of Christ. Send us pros. perity, O Lord! Yours affectionately, HENRY BEDDY. JAMAICA. two, been ready to sink beneath the fatigue of travelling from place to place, for the purpose of securing permanent and general good-will. A day or two ago, I visited almost every estate and penn in the neighbourhood in which I understood the least excitement prevailed,-assembled the people privately in their towns, and at their work, and, with all the earnestness and arguments I could exercise and command, entreated them, even under the most trying circumstances, to manifest the patience, forbearance, and respectful demeanour, of true followers of Christ. Nor, in any single instance, were these efforts unavailing; all, with one voice, declared their resolution to take off the crops without delay, to agree to whatever was equitable, and to cultivate future habits of industry and peace. But, while I have thus judged it advisable to apprise you of the real cause of any discontent that may possibly reach your ears, I would, at the same time, guard you against the apprehen sion of any thing extreme. The 1st of August, I doubt not, will pass over with all the peacefulness and sanctity of a Sabbath; and the majority of the planters, I am persuaded, acting in accordance with the spirit and changes of the time, will secure the willing services of the people on the follow We are happy to announce that the mail from this important island arrived just in time to allow us to insert, in our present number, intelligence as to the manner in which the ever-memorable first of August was celebrated. The question of wages, it must be owned, is one of considerable difficulty, and our missionaries have been called upon to use their influence with both classes, the employers and the labourers, to adjusting Monday. This, however, I may say, I it to mutual satisfaction. From the north side of the island, Mr. Oughton writes, under date June 26th. My time is now very fully occupied. Almost all the managers of properties are sending to request that I would assist in fixing scales of wages, &c. with their people, and I am happy to say that the ma jority of them evince a disposition to act fairly, and meet, by a liberal conduct, the altered and improved spirit of the times. Oh, pray that their prosperity may not become a snare to their souls; but that with civil emancipation they may also receive that more glorious boon of liberty with which Christ makes his people free! Mr. Phillippo, from Spanish Town, a few days later, on July 7, thus refers to the same subject: It cannot be dissembled, that many pro prietors and managers seem to manifest every disposition to annoy and impose upon the people under them by idle threats of expulsion from their properties, and by disgraceful proposals for their future services. As a consequence of the dissatisfaction occasioned by these circumstances, and others of a similar kind, occasioned by misrule, I have often, within this last week or have obtained almost as a pledge from the whole apprentice population by whom I am surrounded, both in town and country, amounting probably to 10,000 individuals. Some of the proprietors and attorneys, and these among the most wealthy and respectable, have submitted for my remarks their calculations relative to a scale of wages, &c.; at the same time declaring their determination, as ultimately most advantageous to themselves, to act towards their labourers Terms, acceptable and beneficial to all parupon the strictest principles of equity. ties once concluded, upon one or two of the principal properties in this parish, under the management, or in the possession of persons heretofore reputed liberal and humane, I have cheerfully offered my services to facilitate their universal adoption, as far as my humble influence extends; and I have no doubt, from the character of the persons with whom the proposals originate, and from the importance and influence of the parish, that such an impetus will be given as will secure their speedy adoption, more or less extensively, by the mass. As the effect of the changes that are so rapidly progressing, and as illustrative of the ease with which men regulate their policy by their interests, I must not omit to inform you of the bright and glorious prospects which are now opening up to us for the prosecution of our glorious work. I am persuaded, that there is now scarcely a proprietor or manager, of any extent, in the whole district which I occupy, but who would be glad to afford me all the encouragement in his power in imparting religious instruction to his people. At the present moment, I have invitations from not fewer than a dozen of the most influential individuals in town and country, to establish schools and preaching in the vicinity of their estates, accompanied, in almost every case, by an offer of land and materials for the purpose of a religious establishment. British Christians, come, or send over, and help us! What is to be done must be done quickly, for the fields are ripe, and the harvest is great. From the various communications dated subsequently to the day of freedom, we select that furnished by Mr. Tinson, particularly as its postscript is of the latest date of all the letters by the present mail. Kingston, Jamaica, Aug. 3, 1838. My very dear Sir,— The ever-memorable day has passed, and passed peacefully, happily, and I hope piously. I should like to have written to you on its close, but was too much exhausted with its delightful labours, and yesterday was also a busy season. In passing the streets and lanes of our city, on the evening of the 31st ult., as the sun retired for the last time from a land of slavery, expressions of thankfulness, and mutual congratulation, met the ear from all directions. Thank God-freedom is come- I give you joy" -were the welcome sounds that floated on the breeze. Several places of worship were open at midnight, in which the assembled multitudes listened to suitable addresses, or chanted the funeral dirge of slavery at the moment of its decease, and hailed the birth of freedom with songs of praise. There was no rude or noisy mirth. A number of small parties continued during the night to serenade our citizens, and some of them treated us with instrumental as well as vocal music; and, though they stole my sleep, which I could ill afford to lose, in prospect of a laborious day, I willingly forgave the theft. The pieces I heard sung were mostly sacred, consisting of some of our well-known and beautiful hymns, such as those beginning, 'Jesus, lover of my soul;" "All hail the power of Jesus' name; and "O'er the gloomy hills of darkness." 66 We commenced our services in Hanoverstreet at half-past three in the morning. From thence till day-light the time was chiefly occupied in reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. The congregation was large; God was with us; and the spirit of prayer was evidently enjoyed. Four members engaged who had all been slaves; and I never remember hearing them pray with more feeling or propriety-a chastened emotion of gratitude seemed almost to overpower them; and, on one occasion, nearly all the congregation were in tears, not of sorrow, but of grateful adoration, for the distinguished boon which the Giver of all good had conferred. The recognition of Divine power in the change effected, was very prominently evinced in their prayers; and most fervently did they bless God for the missionaries, whom they viewed as instruments in the great work. At half-past ten I preached to a crowded audience, from Psalm cl. 1, 2. In the afternoon, we took a view of the origin and progress of West Indian slavery, with the means employed for its abolition; that the mind might be furnished with incentives to gratitude, from a survey of the miseries they had escaped, and the methods by which their redemption had been accomplished. The services of the day were concluded by a discourse in the evening on John viii. 36. On each occasion, the privileges and duties that would arise out of this new state of society were fully and faithfully set before the people, to which they listened with the greatest attention. In the chapel at East Queen-street, service was conducted all day by our esteemed brother Mr. S. Whitehorne; who is now labouring to supply that church, in addition to the duties of his school. I mentioned in my last, if I mistake not, that I proposed having a tea-party among the members of our church, on the evening of the 1st of August; but they preferred devoting that day to religious exercises, and have the party on the second. Accordingly, about 500 of the church and congregation sat down together last evening to a social dinner. A large booth was erected for the purpose, in the chapel-yard, Hanover-street, under which the tables were placed, and the ends of the booth ornamented with branches of the palm-tree, tastefully interlaced and decorated with flowers. The party sat down about six o'clock, and separated a little after eight. Several toasts were given; one to "Our beloved Queen," our present Governor, the Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Sligo, Mr. Sturge, and others. The whole was concluded by singing, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." Greater order and decorum there could not have been; not the slightest disturbance or unpleasantness occurred. The same evening, an immense concourse |