long contracted habits, which triumphed over enfeebled reason, are subdued by the power of divine grace, and they are new men leading a new life. Thank the Lord, I am in good health, but my eyes are weak, owing to the warmness of the climate. My soul is happy in God, and I am looking for the appearing of my Lord. I am, your humble servant, W. DOWSON. Extract of a Letter from Mr. WILLIAM COULTAS to the Missionary Committee. Spanish-Town, July 22, 1812. I HAD not an opportunity of laying before you an account of the work of God in this Circuit, by the last Packet, because of her arrival at the time I had to remove to this island. When my much esteemed brother Cooper and myself arrived in Tortola, which was about the 20th of February, we found brother Dixon in Road-Town. Mr. Turner had gone from this island to receive us, and returned the next day. The Lord had begun to make His power known, and many were flocking to join the society. Brothers Dixon, Cooper, and I, laboured together, until we sailed to hold our District-meeting in St. Kitts, and our labours were not in vain. Being of one heart, the pleasure of the Lord prospered in our hands, and we saw that the fields were white unto the harvest, which encouraged us to hope for an outpouring of the Spirit. On returning from the District-meeting, brother Dixon was left at St. Bartholomew's, and brother Cooper took his station at Spanish-Town; but in a fortnight was called to his eternal reward. How mysterious are the ways of God, for who can conceive why brothers M'Dermid and Cooper, whose labours. were so much wanted in this part, should be so soon called away? After brother Cooper's death, the work rested upon Mr. T. and myself; which was far too much. Mr. Turner attended to Spanish-Town, and some places in Tortola, and for six weeks I was in Road-Town. The work in that place is too much for one man: viz. to attend Chapel five mornings in the week, (this I did nearly all the time I was there) and to preach three times on the Lord's day, to attend the classes in the evenings, which, in my opinion, is an essential thing in this Country; to hold two leaders' meetings, in the week, in which, on account of so many joining, I had to sit for three or four hours; and added to all this, visiting of the sick, baptizing and burying, &c. However, when the power of God was made manifest, the work was not a discouragement; though, at any time, the life of a missionary is very laborious. Glory be to God in the highest, for unto Him all praise is due. He was pleased to make bare his arm; the chapels became far too small, and in RoadTown, from fifty to seventy in a week joined society, and numbers groaned for redemption, and not a few, I am convinced, were made partakers of that peace which the world cannot give, and are now walking in the liberty of the sons of God; and some have died happy in the Redeemer, The work is still going on, but not so rapidly; the congregations continue very large, and, I hope, as brother Dixon has returned, that the time will come in which thirty or forty shall not only join the society in a week, but obtain redemption in the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins. A few days before I left Road Town, looking over the number that had been received on trial since I have been in this circuit, I found it to be upwards of seven hundred in Road-Town; and, I think, not less than one hundred and fifty in the country places. O that the Lord may, in a most powerful manner, awaken sinners, and revive his work, that the West India Islands may have the Gospel preached in them, and thousands of souls be converted to God. Extract of a Letter from Mr. C. DIXON to the Rev. Dr. COKE. Rev. Sir, Tortola, Aug. 17, ĮS12. Many people in the West Indies, will have to praise God for ever for you, because you have been in his hands an instrument of great good to their souls. Your exertions in sending out men to preach the everlasting Gospel here, and in procuring pecuniary aid to support them in their happy toil, as well as your own personal labour, in sowing the seed of the kingdom, shall doubtless meet with a gracious reward, when you enter the house above, eternal in the heavens. May the Lord help you to persevere, and give you success in this labour of love. I hope our good friends at home, who have hitherto aided us in this important work, will continue their needful aid and assistance; bearing fruit as in days past, and abounding still more and more. Their labour will not be in vain; in due time they shall reap if they famt not. I am persuaded that it will afford you no small happiness to hear that the pleasure of the Lord rospers in our hands. When i returned from Nevis, (upon the death of our good brother Cooper) I found all things going on well in the church in this island, and the neighbouring quays: great numbers had joined our society, and many had found the love and peace of God. The Lord still continues to carry on his glorious work; the cords of the church are lengthened exceedingly. Many, very many, join with us, and bid fair to run the Christian race. We have, I believe, had preaching several years in the island of St. John, but no society until some time in February last. Indeed we could never get the coloured people to come to hear us, until one of our coloured local preachers went and gave them a lecture, since which time, they flock in abundance to hear the Word of life; and now we have a society there of two or three and twenty whites, and about forty coloured and blacks; all of whom are, I trust, earnestly seeking the one thing needful, and pressing into the kingdom of God. On the 26th of July, I visited St. John's; and the people were so affected while I preached, that several white ladies, (to prevent their falling to the ground,) turned from their seats and kneeled, crying aloud for mercy; and several coloured people also so felt the sharpness of the two-edged sword, that they fell down in great distress. Surely the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them, and pressed them sore: they did indeed receive "the spirit of bondage unto fear." I visited them again last Monday; but I scarcely had reached the threshold of the preaching-house door, before I was met by some, whose countenances indicated the unspeakable happiness of their souls; and, being seated, they began, without being asked, to relate the gracious dealings of God with them. I found that four whites and three coloured people had received a clear witness that they were born of God. I afterwards preached, met the class, joined three white men, two white wo men, and four coloured people to the society. I left several under very deep convictions, panting for the Lord, as the hart for the cooling stream. Thus, thank God, the work goes on, and the prospect of greater good is highly encouraging. I hope, the joyful day, wherein God will revive his work, is dawning upon us. O that the Sun of Righteousness would arise, and heal all the wounds and troubles of the church. Mr. Turner is well, and so is brother Coultas and his family. Mr. Coultas is at present in Spanish-Town, and has about five weeks longer to stop there. When he returns hither, I shall go to Spanish-Town. Your intimation to the preachers here, that you desired them to give you a more full and particular account of the work, may, I presume, be pleaded as an excuse for the frequency of my letters to you and the Committee. Extract of a Letter from Mr. GEORGE JOHNSON to the Rev. Dr. COKE. Prince Rupert's, Aug. 17, 1812. Rev. and dear Sir, WITH pleasure I inform you, that I have returned to Prince Rupert's, with my health perfectly restored. Í have been absent thirteen weeks, and in that time have sailed upwards of five thou sand miles, and, through the blessing of in my taking it is completely answered; God upon the voyage, the end proposed and I am now ready for this, or any other station to which I may be appointed. changed with Mr. Dunbar, the same as I was four weeks in Bermuda, and if I had been appointed to labour there. The state of the church in that island is much to the credit of Mr. Marsden, whose name will be long remembered by many with affection and gratitude; and it gave me great pleasure to observe, that Mr. Dunbar is almost equally beloved. Both the rich and poor are friendly to religion, and a door is opened in every parish for the reception of the gospel. Three preachers might find employment there; two, in my opinion, are certainly necessary. Such was my attachment to the people, that I left them with regret. I took a passage for Newfoundland, in a vess belonging to Messrs. Woods and Co. Bermuda, who, as a token of respect, returned the passage-money. We had very dark, foggy weather on the Banks of Newfoundland, and, being tossed by dreadful squalls, we were every moment in danger of being dashed to pieces against islands of ice. For three days we saw neither sun, nor moon, 3 . nor stars; and the dashing waves, bursting over our little vessel, so drenched and benumbed us, that, in my opinion, had the storm continued one day longer, I should have completely sunk under its effects But God, in the time of our extremity, rebuked the winds, caused the sun to shine, and presented to our eyes the wished-for port, into which we entered, as monuments of his care who "rules the raging of the sea.' During two days and nights, after I landed, I continued to tremble; but my relaxed nerves were braced by the piercing cold, and this was the beginning of strength to my feeble body. I was much disappointed when I found none of our Missionaries in St. John's. I was directed to a Mr. Sanderson, an independent minister, who received me in a truly christian manner. During my stay, I lodged in his house, and was kindly entertained by his people. I remained but nine days in Newfoundland; for despatches having arrived from Halifax, that the Americans had proclaimed war against England, and commenced hostilities, it was expected that an embargo would be laid upon all the merchant vessels the next day. This apprehension so operated, that all the vessels which were ready for sea sailed early the next morning; and as I did not like to be detained, I engaged a passage in a vessel bound for Grenada. We were, by contrary winds, carried six hundred miles out of our course; but, through the divine blessing, we arrived in twenty eight days at Grenada. There I found a loving people, to whom I preached five times, with much comfort. I rejoiced to find several seals to the ministry of Messrs. Willis and Pool; and I hope the ministry of Mr. Jewitt will also be crowned with success. We are sorry that the following Article happened, by some means, to be overlooked when our last number was published. We did not receive it in time for that of November. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ON Monday, the 12th of October last, a Special General Meeting of the SOCIETY FOR MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST, was held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, for the purpose of addressing and dismissing to their labours, the Rev. Leopold Butscher, one of the Society's Missionaries, on his return to Africa, accompanied by eight other persons, in order to strengthen and extend the Society's Missions on the Western coast of that Con tinent. The President, the Right Hon. Lord GAMBIER, was in the chair; and there were present between three and four hundred ladies and gentlemen. The Secretary, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, delivered the instructions of the Committee to the Missionary and his companions ; and the Rev. Henry Budd, Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence, addressed them on the subject of their duties and encouragement. Mr. Butscher, who has been six years in Africa, and has become thoroughly acquainted with the character of the natives, and has gained the confidence of the Chiefs, replied to these addresses in a spirit of simplicity, and prudent, but determined zeal, which greatly impressed the Meeting. Two settlements have been formed in the Rio Pongas; and a third, named Gambier, after the noble President of the Society, is about to be formed on the Rio Dambia. Mr. Butscher takes contribute to the success of the Mission, out with him three Laymen, who will by conciliating the natives, and advancing their civilization, in the exercise among them of various useful arts. Secretary, the Rev. Henry Budd, the ham; the and much interest was excited by Seven Lutheran Ministers, five Lay Setprospect opening before the society." tlers, six English Students, eight wives 120 African children, are dependent on of Missionaries and Settlers, and about the society. The income of the society having fallen short of its expenditure last year, by the sum of 600; and being wholly inadequate to the exertions which the Committee are now making; the noble President added liberally to his former ample contributions to the funds: and, as many persons present have regretted that they were not distinctly invited at the meeting to follow his lordship's example, it is hoped, that they, and others, will fulfil their kind intentions, by sending their contribuJosiah Pratt, Doughty Street; to the tions or subscriptions either to the Rev. Deputy Secretary, Mr. Thomas Smith, 19, Little Moorfields; or to the Treasurer, Henry Thornton, Esq. M.P. Bartholomew Lane. A " Plan of Church Missionary Associations," was distributed at the meeting; in which the Committee point out the method and the advantage of associating in support of the society, the inhabitants of large towns, of parishes, or the members of congregations, or a circle of private friends. The first asso- To the Editor. My dear Sir, IT is with the utmost pleasure that I find you have reprinted" Lambert's Reading Made Easy," and am persuaded if its excellency were known to the great body of our people, it would be highly valued, and would prove an incalculable blessing to the rising generation. The plan, as a first Book for Children, is excellent, and initiates the learner into the art of reading with simplicity and ease. But its value consists chiefly in the familiar and easy manner in which divine things are stated and explained: in a style adapted to the capacities of children, it presents to the infant mind a complete view of doctrinal, experimental, and practical divinity. The Author in the Preface of the first Edition, recommends to young persons, after they have learned to write, FOR THE NEW YEAR. Dear Sir, to transcribe the texts of Scripture in the margin, by which the lessons are explained and illustrated. From this, not only children, but also adults and aged christians might derive instruction and profit. Had I an opportunity, I would earnestly recommend the use of this little book to all private families where there are children. A vacant hour might be agreeably improved by the father or mother in hearing the little children read a few pages, accompanied with familiar observations; calculated to exdivine truth. It is impossible to estiplain and impress upon their minds arise from such a practice, were it gemate the probable good which might nerally adopted in the families of our people. I know a family of six children, whose first book was Lambert's Reading Made Easy; and who at once learned to ceived a measure of divine light and read at an early period, and also rereligious feeling, which according to present appearances, are likely to be permanent. mended to Sunday and other Charity- POETRY. MEETING with the following Piece on the New Year, I thought you may judge it worthy a place in your Magazine. Jax. 2, 1808. I am, Sir, your's, &c. From all my acquaintance I meet, What a damp on my spirits they cast! But am I not older in sin? To the grave what a number are gone, And am I prepar'd to depart 79 From the race I am running below? Dear Sir, THE following Ode, written by Montgomery, and recited at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Lancaftrian Institution, will, no doubt, please moft of the readers of your valuable Magazine. Your's, &c. Margate, May 23, 1812. J. W. GREEN. Of all that live, and move, and breathe, He looks above, around, beneath, At once the heir of heaven and earth: From strength to strength he travels on, He soarsa disembodied mind, What guides him in his high pursuit, The joys of knowledge shall increase. New spirit breathed into the clod, Dear Sir, THE following moral strains were published Your's affectionately, Proclaims mortality to man; These all had converse with the soul, The dust return'd to whence it came; And death dissolv'd the wond'rous frame. Yet own thy knowledge centres there! Of transient knowledge, wealth, & pow'r ? All, all, must pass this dreary road, To dust and silence, cold and gloom : The dwelling of the world-the tomb! Yet more in virtue and in truth: For then 'tis thine alone to save; A REFLECTION, In sin's unhallow'd ways. R. R. He seeks for sweets, where nought is found Unpleasing to the sight; And grasps in fancy at the rose, And mourns his hapless plight. Around the ambient deep? Is life unfurnish'd with a calm? He suffer'd and he bled! Fly where in realms of bliss supreme, Of infinite delight. X. Printed at the Conference-Office, City-Road |