formity and sectarian bigotry: it is free as the air we breathe, and cannot be confined by the ties of a stiff and soulless uniformity. No; blessed be God, we know, from our Bible Christianity, no such sectarian bigotry. We can say, with the apostle of the Gentiles," We have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." Missionaries in a heathen land rejoice to have fellowship with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth."

After staying a few days with our hospitable friends, Judge P and his lady, we set off to our small vessel again, in order to pursue our voyage to Vizagapatam. By this time the N. E. monsoon had set in, and there was every probability of our having a rough passage to our destined port. The vessel had anchored about six miles from the shore, as the bay was very shallow, so that we were obliged to sail out to her in a small boat, which was far from pleasant just then, as the wind and tide were right against us. The poor sailors, after rowing hard and tacking about for six hours, at length succeeded in reaching the vessel. We were soon upon deck, and I had an interview with the captain relative to the advisableness of our proceeding to Vizag. As there was every probability of very threatening weather in the bay of Bengal, he strongly urged our going on shore again, and proceeding by land to Vizagapatam. I deemed it prudent to act agreeably to this advice, so that we got into the boat again, and as the wind and tide were all in our favour, we were on shore in the course of half an hour. Our dear friends again welcomed us under their hospitable roof, and were very glad that we had listened to the captain's advice, and had determined to go by land. I cannot but stop here to adore the protecting providence of God, (in whose hand our lives are, and whose are all our ways,) in leading us to adopt this plan; for after we had landed, and the vessel had gone out into the bay, a dreadful gale arose, so that she was driven south of Madras, and the sea arose so high, that every port below deck was obliged to be shut for some days. The consequences of this close confinement to my dear partner would, in all probability, have been fatal. Surely we may say in this, and in many other instances of our history, Thou hast brought up our lives from destruction, O Lord our God!

The next thing was to prepare for our land journey. For this purpose, I purchased one palanquin and borrowed another, and ordered, from the collector of the district, relays of bearers on the road. Our friends kindly provided us with a few provisions for the journey, and also gave us letters of introduction to civil and military gentlemen at the stations through which we

were to pass on our journey to Vizag. We commenced our journey on Thursday, 29th of October, at four o'clock, P.M., and travelled the night. The next morning we found ourselves at a large town, called Ellore, where we were kindly entertained for the day by Major C- and his wife. This first part of our journey we stood very well, and were quite surprised at the ease with which our bearers carried us.

The next two stages, from Ellore to Rajahmundry, were far more fatiguing. We had to wait several hours for a new set of bearers at the small village of Yeeruagooden-a place more than half way to Rajahmundry.

Here, indeed, we felt that we were strangers in a strange land. The unclouded eastern sky, the brilliant plumage of the birds, the apparent stillness of the atmosphere, the low mud huts of the natives, together with their idol temples, the strange black-and-brown faces of the Hindoos and Mussulmen, and the still stranger sounds which issued from their lips, made an indescribable impression upon our minds. Then, indeed, we felt it a pleasure that we could mingle our sympathies and prayers together at the throne of grace; and that, though we could not make our message intelligible to man, yet we could open our hearts to God, and plead with him for the conversion of this heathen land. Now we could join with an emphasis and heart unknown before, in the lines of our pious Doddridge

"Look down, O God, with pitying eye,

And view the desolations round;
See what wide realms in darkness lie,
And hurl their idols to the ground."

We put up during the heat of the day at the travellers' bungalow, and, after we had partaken of some refreshment, and had collected our bearers together, we set forward, about three, P.M., on our journey to Rajahmundry, a large town situated on the north side of the sacred Godavery. The sun was still very powerful, the road very dusty, and, as there was but little wind stirring, we found the journey very fatiguing, especially as our bearers were not like fleet horses or powerful locomotives, but carried us on at the rate of two miles and a half an hour.

At length, after many stoppages and hindrances, arising from the badness of the roads and the inferior strength of our bearers, we arrived, about nine o'clock at night, on the banks of the sacred Godavery. The queen of night had arisen in mild glory, and cast her pleasing light and cool beams on its gently-rippling waters. was, indeed, a glorious sight to our wearied eyes, and refreshing to our spirits, to behold this splendid river, (at this season of

It

the year two miles wide,) gliding down towards the sea, and carrying joy and fer. tility along its banks. It seemed to repay us for all our previous toil, and to call forth a song of praise to Him, who, even in this weary land of the far East, has provided so many refreshments for his wearied creatures, and filled the land with so many fragrant shrubs, wide-spreading trees and fertile streams, to counteract the effects of the extreme heat. It is interesting to the friends of improvement to know, that the waters of this immense river have lately been made available for the cultivation of a large tract of waste-land, through the scientific efforts of a pious engineer officer of the Company's service.

After arriving at the edge of the river, we found the large passenger-boat was on the other side of the river; so that we had to wait patiently for upwards of two hours before we could induce any of our friends on the other side to come and help us. In the meantime all my fellow-travellers soon resigned themselves into the arms of tired nature's sweet restorer-balmy sleep.

I could not so resign myself, but kept on, at intervals, calling out for the (pudňou, pudňoŭ,) boat, boat! At length, after repeated cries, the natives towed over the boat for us. It was one of the best I had seen in the country, large and commodious, and well suited to withstand the immense current which at times rushes down from the hills through the midst of this river on to the sea. The bearers had now to be waked up, which is no easy matter after they have once lain down to repose, and exhorted, by repeated cries, to lift up our palanquins, and place them on the boat. This being done, they put us on the boat, and, in about twenty minutes' time, we found ourselves at the town of Rajahmundry, on the other side of the river. At length we were conveyed to the Judge's house, situated on the walls of the old fort overlooking the river, We were set down in the verandah of this great house, about two, A. M, and all, by mutual consent, took a gentle nap until the morning dawned, when our kind host, Judge W, kindly welcomed us to his roomy mansion, and showed us a large upper room, where we could remain during the day.

It was the sabbath; but there was no church-going bell nor any company that kept holyday, and our position reminded us of the words of the pious Psalmist, when driven, by his bitter adversary, into the caves of Judea, he exclaimed, "I had gone with the multitude with the voice of joy and praise." But though destitute of those religious privileges which our brethren enjoy in highly-favoured England, yet we could read our Bibles, and converse on the things touching the kingdom and glory of

the Messiah. We could also mingle our prayers and plead before God together, for the fulfilment of those promises which are the missionary's solace amidst the darkness of a heathen land. I tried to get up a, serr vice in our friend's house, but his heart did not respond to my suggestion, and we were obliged reluctantly to relinquish it.

On the following morning, before daybreak, we set out afresh on our journey, and travelled twenty-four miles, to the vil lage of Juggumpett, a station on the high road to Vizagapatam. This place is pleas santly situated in a fertile plain, and surrounded by hills of different heights and shapes. Here we found a small bungalow, built by the Company for the accommodation of European travellers. We staid here during the heat of the day, and quite enjoyed our humble fare, a rasher of bacon and some bread. We were much delighted with the beauty of the scenery, and passed our time pleasantly in endeavouring to utter some broken sentences in Teloogoo to the numerous visitors who came to look at the white-faced foreigners. We gave away a few tracts and portions of the Scriptures in Teloogoo to those who were able to read, and made preparations for our journey.

I will, dear sir, with your permission, finish this narrative next month. Meanwhile, I remain,

Yours affectionately,

A TELOOGOO MISSIONARY.. Islington, Dec. 14, 1847.,

CONVERSION AND BAPTISM OF ABRAHAM

BEN OLIEL, A SPANISH JEW...

[THE following Narrative, extracted from the Jewish Herald for February, was delivered by Abraham Ben Oliel, on occasion of his baptism, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Brentford, on the morning of Christmas-day. He is the son of Spanish Jews, and is an agent of the "British Society " for the Conversion of the Children of Abraham.-EDITOR.]

I was born in April, 1826, at Tangiers, and educated there in the Jewish schools until the age of fifteen. On leaving school I removed to Gibraltar, and there learned to read and write the Spanish language. How it was, I cannot remember, but I there obtained a Spanish New Testament. Some time after, when I returned to my native country, I carried with me my Testament, and read in it occasionally. My father often asked me what kind of a book it was that I was reading, but I never told him, lest he should take it from me. It was my meditation day and night; and my desire was to know, if it were possible, that the Messiah, whom we had been so long ex

peeting, was already come. Having consulted some of my Jewish friends about it, they told me that the book was made by the Christians for the sake of converting the Jews. This answer made me read it with increased attention. But I was yet blinded, and could not believe that Christ had already come.

One Saturday, while I was reading, my uncle, who is a learned man, came to make us a visit, when my father asked him to see what book it was I held in my hand. He told him that it was a Testament. At that, my father took the book from me, and to this day I have not seen it again. He also chid me severely for having read it, and forbad me ever to look into any Christian book.

Shortly after, a converted Jew visited my country, and distributed a great number of Hebrew Testaments, but by the command of the priest, they were taken to the synagogue and burned by those who had received them. However, I secured a copy, which was a consolation to me, in the room of the Spanish one which my father had taken away.

When I was eighteen years' old, I removed again to Gibraltar. Here I heard of an evening school for young men, where the English and Spanish languages were taught, instituted by the Wesleyan Missionary Society. So I went to speak about it to the master of the school, and he said he should be glad to receive me. I told him that I could not attend on Friday evenings, as that was our sabbath time. He asked me to attend the service on Sunday evenings, to which I consented. The first Sunday evening that I was in the school, a Spanish youth, who is a member of the Wesleyan Society, gave me a hymnbook, and showed me the hymns which we were to sing. From that time we became acquainted with each other, and indeed he is a faithful servant of the Most High, and his prayer for Israel is that they may be saved.

It was not long before the Jews disco

vered that I attended at a Christian school; and my father's friends told me that it was a dishonour to my family: in fact, they induced me to leave the school. But my friendship with the young Spaniard still continued, and he prevailed upon me to accompany him to a Friday evening Bibleclass. This was the Jewish sabbath, but the explanations given of the New Testament at the class interested me so much, that I could not relinquish my attendance on it. From this time I began to see the light. My Spanish friend, at my request, lent me books concerning the Christian religion; and the book which convinced me that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah, the Saviour of the world, was

"Keith on Prophecy." My friend also askeď me to go with him to his class; and I was much struck one evening, when, coming into the room, I found the leader of the class engaged in fervent prayer on my behalf. From that moment I began to feel the burden of my sins, and to see the necessity of a Redeemer to reconcile me to God.

One sabbath my friend was speaking to me of Jacob's prophecy, Gen. xlix. 10. Afterwards, on accompanying him to chapel, the preacher took for his text the very same prophecy. I should have thought that he must have heard our conversation, but I knew this could not be. No, it was ordered by the providence of the Shepherd of Israel, that I might be led into the path of truth.

Shortly after my father arrived at Gibraltar, and was angry to find me associating with the Methodists. He and my cousins did all they could to deter me from embracing Christianity, and offered me many temporal advantages, if I would promise to have nothing more to do with it; but I answered that if they were unable to prove to me that Jesus, who was crucified by our forefathers, was not the Son of God and the true Messiah, they troubled themselves in vain. When they could not by any means persuade me, they joined in persecuting me. At last my father forsook me. He departed to Tangiers, being ashamed to live in Gibraltar to see me become a Christian, and he took with him all that I had in the world, thinking that I should soon follow him. "But for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, I suffered the loss of all things; and I do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is by the law, but the righteousness which is of God by faith." The last words I heard from my dearest father were, that he should have been more happy to leave me on a dying bed, than seeking Christianity; and that it would have been better for me that I had never been born.

Some days before my father left Gibraltar, I made known to my Christian friends my desire, if it were possible, to find a place where I might study for the purpose of becoming, by the grace of God, a missionary among my brethren after the flesh. For my desire is to offer myself a living sacrifice to my Saviour, and to labour for his glory, seeking the salvation of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, particularly those of my country, for whom "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart." My Christian friends at Gibraltar counselled me to come to London, that I might escape the persecution of the Jews, and obtain my desire to study. I came, recommended to the Rev. Elijah

Hoole, who introduced me to the "British Society," and on the 10th of August I came hither to receive religious instruction from the Rev. W. C. Yonge.

Since my conversion, I have enjoyed peace with God; and though I have had to endure many trials, yet am I happy, knowing that "all things shall work together for my good." And may God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, enable us to live according to his will, and finally grant that we may be found with the Lamb on Mount Sion, having the name of our Father upon our foreheads, and singing a new song to Him who was slain and has redeemed us to God by his blood, saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever." Amen and Amen. A. BEN OLIEL.

THE MADAGASCAR CONVERTS.

(Extract of a Letter from David Ratsarahomba, to a Friend at Walthamstow.)

Port Louis, Sept 29th, 1847.

I AM thankful to say, through the blessing of our heavenly Father, I am in good health, and stronger than ever, in spite of the constant walk to give instruction-I mean the lesson which the Redeemer left to the human race, that they may know the way of salvation.

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The most part of the people who are eager to learn and listen to the word of God, are in the upper part of the mountainous road, and the worst of it is the rough stones; on account of which, my shoes wear out very fast. A shoemaker, on seeing me very often at his neighbour's house, asked me, "What can I do for you, Radanidia ?" "I do not know what you can do for me this moment," said I. "Allow me to mend your shoes for nothing, in return for the favour you do to us," said he. "It is not through me alone that you have me to teach you; it is by the people of God in England, for your sake." Well, for that very reason I do that," said he; "had I the means to be useful to that devoted Society, I would do it with great pleasure; we must wait, however; some day or other the Malagasy will be their assistants in this holy purpose; and now you must accept my poor offer as an auxiliary, that you may be able to come to me, and everywhere." In seeing his wish to show a good example to others, it may be, as he said, one day or other, the Malagasy may be useful members of the Society in time to come. So I said, "Well, do that as long as you can, and may God bless you through Jesus Christ!" However, it does not appear a bad road to me, on account of the joy I have from

the people, that they like to learn and listen to the word of God, as in times of old, when the gospel was preached to the poor -when the Redeemer was here on earth. And shall the children of God in England be weary toward the support of the gospel's cause? And shall I be discouraged in every difficulty? I mean not the road which I have just spoken of, but the church of Rome, which wishes to suppress the Bible readers; but thanks be to God for his efficacious word, that those who have tried and tasted the gospel, Christ is good and precious to them, and no other! In a word, the instruction I have given to them is going on very well indeed, and attendance on every occasion, and on Sunday especially, is equally gratifying.

Now, dear Miss H-, as I have a prospect in view, to make a voyage to Madagascar, perhaps to go round it, in a few days more, if I should be permitted, it is very trying to leave the people; many of them would have prevented me from going, on account of the state of Madagascar at the present-others burst into tears, and expressed their feelings in submission to the will of God, saying, "The will of the Lord be done; may you be successful in your endeavours!"-while others express their warmest love to the cause of Christ, and that they will give instruction to their companions during my absence. I have told them that Ramiandrasina will take my place during my absence, to preach on Sundays. I have given him some instruction about it. I can assure you that there are pious people around me, whom you have not seen, versed in Scripture, and who walk worthy of the gospel.

I desired very much to ask M. Le Brun to let Rafaravavy give instruction during my absence, but her duty at Moka demands her presence.

You, I have no doubt, will think me very glad to see Madagascar again. Madagascar with all thy faults, I love thee still.

Pray for me, that whenever I shall be in the providence of the Most High, I may be precious in his sight, in life and death, and may good be done for mankind!

May God bless you, and the church of God in England! My respects to you. Your affectionate and obedient Servant,

DAVID RATSARAHOMBA.

(Written in English.)

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

LETTERS and papers have been received by the American Board of Missions to May 24. They indicate about the usual progress in education, good morals, Christianity, and civilization.