just been translated and sent to press, and an English and Feejeean dictionary finished. The picture is shaded by the intelligence of the murder of Elijah Varani, the Christian chief of whom we have already spoken, with two brothers, and four of his people, and of persecution and malignant obstruction to the missions in other parts of Feejee. But scarcely had the missionaries ceased to weep over Varani's grave, when they were astonished by the intelligence that the great Feejeean King Thakombau had publicly embraced the Gospel, and that hundreds of the people of Bau, the royal island, walking in procession, and headed by their priests, had followed the example of their king, and bowed their knees in worship of the true God. Thakombau had threatened to kill Varani at the time of his lotu; to which Varani had meekly replied, 'Very well, but you will soon lotu yourself; and then will the thought follow you, I killed Varani because of his lotu.' The first part of this prophecy of the Vewan chief was now verified, and with this a new day dawned on Christian missions in Feejee. In the presence of his children, wives, sisters, chief women, and numerous male attendants,-in all about three hundred,―Thakombau announced his renunciations of heathenism, and his profession of the faith of Christ. 'Our hearts were glad,' writes the officiating missionary; I thought I could not have gone through the service. It was like the beginning of good days, like a dream when one awaketh; yet a blessed reality. 'Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things; and blessed be his glorious name for ever.' Evil practices, of long standing and fearful magnitude, are done away with a stroke; and effectual hindrance to the spread of the gospel removed! Feejee's brightest, best day! long to be remembered! A foundation of great, extensive, and everlasting good!'

"Thus is the gospel rapidly extending its triumphs in Feejee, and narrowing the domain of darkness, crime, and death. What it has done for Ono it is able to accomplish for the whole island-group, it will yet accomplish for the whole world. It is one of the sublime fancies of geology, that, through the labours of the coral insect, and the outbursts and upheavings of the volcano and the earthquake, vast coral platforms shall rise above the bosom of the Pacific, knitting and cementing those numerous isles into one spacious and blooming continent. But the greatest and best of moral revolutions meanwhile advances at a far more rapid pace. Already, many a serene and smiling Patmos lifts its head above the waves, and is the home of those who converse with God, and every year the mission-ship is gliding among its islands, and leaving new evangelists to gather new and early triumphs. As cannibalism and infanticide disappear, population will increase, and colonists, attracted from New Zealand, and even Australia, by the fruitful soil and fragrant climate, will add their multitudes to the native tribes, and, by intermarriage, trade, and commerce, elevate and expand their minds. Christianity will adjoin this island-group to her blessed empire, and enable Feejee to add to the scenery much of the sanctity of paradise. The multitude of isles shall be glad thereof. They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the Majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea. They shall glorify the Lord in the valleys, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.""

NARROW ESCAPE OF MR CALVERT FROM THE FATE OF JOHN WILLIAMS.

In going to Vewa, I desired to call at Motureke, which I had also attempted to do the last time I passed on to Vewa. Besides wishing to speak with them about Christianity, I now desired to warn them of danger near, as Tui Levuka had told me that Motureke would certainly be destroyed, as the mountaineers would go by night. We found that the tide did not serve well for landing; we therefore proceeded towards the entrance leading to Vewa.' One of my boat's crew observed a man on the Motureke beach beckoning for us, and told me. I told one of my Rotumans that he might go on shore, as it was a long distance for me to wade, and we would put in at another point for him, where I would see the people. He got into the water, and was proceeding towards the shore, when he observed several persons come out from among the cocoa-nut trees. He was afraid, and said, "They are from Lovony, and will kill me." I requested him to come into the boat. The man continued to call. He was dressed, which led me to think that he was a Bau man who had lotued. I did not like to let the opportunity pass, and immediately got on my old water shoes. I did not believe them to be Lovonians; but said to the boat's crew, that, should I be killed, they were to return to Levuka, so that Tui Levuka

might get my body. Kaitu, a Rotuman, wished to go with me. I forbade him, and ordered them to take the boat round by the deep water near the reef, and put in for me at the other side. The beach was a considerable distance from me, and the water was in some places over knee deep. As I proceeded towards shore, many more persons made their appearance, some running fast towards me from two directions. As they neared me, they looked very fierce, and made gestures indicative of evil intentions towards me. I could not get to the boat; I therefore went on towards the shore. One was swifter than the rest, and came near, with his gun uplifted to strike me. I expostulated with him. Quickly several were up with me, some of whom had clubs uplifted to club me, some with hatchets, some with spears laid on in a position to throw. One came very near with a musket pointed at me, with desperate looks. I trembled; but protested loudly and firmly that they ought not to kill me; that in me there was no cause of death from them; that their killing me would be greatly to their disgrace. I was surrounded by upwards of one hundred. The features of one I recognised, and hoped he was friendly. (This man had thought that it was my boat, and he, knowing the exasperated state of the people against the whites for meddling in the present wars, and fearing that I should be in danger, had run towards me; but was late in reaching me, from having run a sharp shell into his foot.) He took hold of me, and said I should live. Ï clung to him, and disputed for my life with those who clamoured for my death. Another man's face, through a thick covering of soot, exhibited features familiar to me; but a fearful-looking battle-axe he held in his hand attracted my eye. However, I laid hold of him, and advised and urged them not to kill me. Thus I was between two, who might be friendly. I told my name, my work, my labours in various ways, again and again, on their behalf; my having offered Tui Levuka a very large looking-glass if he would let them alone; my having entreated Mara and the mountaineers not to attack them, and of preventing an intended attack. I told them that I had interceded with the Bau chief to send them the help by which they were now strengthened, and that my full knowledge of being one and friendly with them led me to come on shore; that no white man who had been active in the war against them would have dared to come on shore there. Matters were in a hopeful state, when a very ugly man drew near with great vehemence. Many had avowed themselves in my favour. He appeared resolutely determined, in spite of opposition, to take away my life. He was extremely ferocious; but his arms were seized and held by several. He struggled hard for a length of time to get his musket to bear on me, which indeed he once or twice managed, but it was warded off before he could fire. At length his rage subsided. All then consented to my living; but their thirst for killing had got up, and, as they could not kill me, they wished me to return towards the boat, intending to accompany me, hoping to get one or more of my natives in my stead. I refused to go, and persisted in approaching towards the shore, led by two. One untied my neckcloth, and took it. They pulled my coat, felt me, and I fully expected to be stripped My trousers were wet and heavy. I was weak with talking and disputing with them; indeed, quite hoarse. As we still went on in the sea, they commenced their death-song, always sung as they drag along the bodies of enemies slain. I feared that might increase their rage, and desired to stop it. It was most grating to my feelings, and I entreated them to desist. After a short time they did so, and we proceeded on to the beach. Those who had run to destroy me departed towards their own town.-Letter from Mr Calvert, in Wesleyan Missionary Notices.

STILL FURTHER SUCCESS IN EXPLORING CENTRAL AFRICA.

The following report of a successful voyage up the Niger and Tchadda Rivers, will be read with interest, as given in the United Presbyterian Record:-

The Rev. William Anderson, Old Calabar, in a letter dated the 28th of November, kindly encloses letters which he had just received from Captain Taylor and Dr Hutchinson of the steam-ship Pleiad, containing the interesting and very gratifying intelligence that on the 7th of November they returned from a voyage up the Niger and the Tchadda of about four months' duration, with a company of sixty-six men, twelve of whom were Europeans, without the loss of a single individual. Those who remember the disastrous issue of the Government expedition up the Niger in 1841, will appreciate the great value of this fact. It appears that they went up the Niger to the confluence of that river and the Tchadda, and then that they ascended the latter

stream as far as a place in the great kingdom of Adamawa, called Hamaraa, two hundred miles beyond that which any European vessel had previously reached. Dr Hutchinson says, " Up the Niger we had with,us sixty-six men,-twelve Europeans and fifty-four Africans,-up through its deadly delta, the grave of Europeans and plague-spot of the world,-up the Rivers Tchadda and Benue into the kingdom of Adamawa, and back again through the same course, having been four months, less one day, away from Clarence, and here we are without the loss of a single man on board our ship." He adds, "The countries through which we passed are the most glorious in their picturesque aspects of any countries I have ever been in,—many Pagan and Mahometan kingdoms, the latter possessing a sort of semi-civilization that it is very interesting to study." And Captain Taylor says, "We all returned from our Niger and Tchadda expedition on the 7th of this month alive and well. We got as far up the Tchadda or Benue as a place called Hamaraa, about 200 miles farther than any one had yet been. We had no serious losses or mishaps of any sort; nothing but the usual thing, plenty of hard work, &c. Truly the Lord was with us, took us up and brought us back in safety. I cannot now attempt to give you any description of the country or people. The former is very different, as you may suppose, to where you are; but the greatest difference that I could see in the people is, that they are not so savage higher up as along the coast. At first glance you would notice very little difference between them and the people you are amongst; but look closer, and you will see the most quiet, simple, harmless living people you can imagine. On the banks of the Niger they are industrious, but from the confluence of the Niger and Tchadda, as far as we went, they seem to degenerate very much, and are decidedly very indolent and lazy. At no place could I find that even the name of Calabar, or any of its adjacent countries, was known. I inquired for Calabar, Efik, Ecricock, Omun, Boatswain, &c., but could find no trace of any of them. A little above the confluence I saw some brass rods in the form they come from England, only doubled like the letter U, same as the Calabar people send to one of their markets (I forget now which), and these I am sure had come from Calabar, and it was the only trace of the country I could find anywhere. I was surprised at this, and so will you, for there is do doubt the Cross River goes up near the Tchadda."

FRANCE.

It is pleasing to find in the communication of the correspondent of the News of the Churches, of which what follows is an extract, evidence that the Emperor of the French is favourable to religious liberty :

"Recent events," says he, "have fully confirmed an opinion expressed some months ago, viz., that the Emperor was personally favourable to religious liberty, but, until lately, ignorant of the numerous encroachments made upon it by various local authorities. The readers of the News already know that the application of Count de St George to the Government on behalf of our brethren imprisoned at Louhans, in the Saône et Loire, have been crowned with success. Messrs Getaz, Charpiot, Guyennot, and Tissier are now at liberty, after having spent 110 days in prison. Although the act of his majesty was rather one of pardon than of justice, yet the manner in which this pardon was obtained shows evidently to a certain extent an acknowledgment of our rights, for, in their petition, our persecuted brethren confessed to no guilt whatever, but declared that they had acted throughout according to what they thought to be their right and duty.

"A perhaps more significant acknowledgment of religious liberty is the with drawal of a prohibition laid more than two years ago upon the temple of Tarsac, in the Charente. On the 14th of February 1853, a decision of the prefect had closed this newly erected church, and the gendarmes had erased these words engraved on the front of the building, Search the Scriptures,' and 'Come and see.' Every effort had been made, but in vain, to obtain a repeal of this decree, and all hope had been given up for the present, when, on the 6th inst., the president of the consistory unexpectedly received from the prefect of the Charente the following letter, which I transcribe, because it contains the first instance of an authorization previously withdrawn which has been granted anew:

"Monsieur le President,-I have the honour of informing you that in execution of a decision taken by the Minister of the Interior on the 15th of February last, Í

have just reversed the decree of my predecessor, by which the Protestant temple of Tarsac was ordered to be closed.

(Signed)

For the Prefect on a circuit, The General Secretary, 'MASSEIGNAC.'

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION OF UNITED ORIGINAL SECEDERS, AYR.-This congregation held its Annual Missionary Meeting on the evening of Monday the 12th March.

The Rev. J. Robertson presided, and the Rev. George Stevenson, Kilwinning, opened the meeting with praise and prayer.

After the Minutes of last meeting were read and approved, the Secretary read the Committee's Annual Report. The adoption of the Report having been moved, seconded, and put to the meeting by the chairman, was carried by acclamation. The Missionary (Rev. E. Ritchie), gave a short, but earnest and interesting speech, descriptive of his hopes in reference to the Mission, and his encouragements in prosecuting it, as introductory to the reading of a number of extracts from his journal. These extracts proved most convincingly the absolute necessity that exists for missionary exertion amongst the outcasts in our land. Lost, like the unexpelled Canaanites, they prove thorns in our sides, and their evil practices become a snare

unto us.

The Chairman next addressed the meeting. He adverted to the encouragements to prosecute the mission-work which the Committee's report and the Missionary's journal afforded. After thanking (in name of the meeting), those actively engaged in the mission-work, he closed the meeting with praise, and pronouncing the apostolic benediction.

Trusting that the readers of the Magazine will feel interested in the success of the Ayr Home Mission, the Report of the Committee is given in full.

REPORT.

Your Home Mission Committee cheerfully submit the following first Annual Report of proceedings since the complete organization of the Mission, and it is hoped that the plan of operations adopted, if vigorously carried into effect, will, through the divine blessing, be instrumental in bringing many of the outcasts in our neighbourhood to the saving knowledge of the truths of the Gospel.

The plan of operations adopted by your committee, may be arranged into four departments. (1.) Systematic visitation of the district, including visitation of the sick. (2.) The public preaching of the gospel. (3.) District prayer meetings. (4.) And the circulation of tracts.

A few words on each of these in order

(1.) In compliance with the divine injunction, to "compel them to come in," your very efficient missionary (Mr Ritchie), has visited "from house to house," all the families in the district who were supposed to be non-attenders on the public worship of God; and by reading the word, exhortation and prayer, endeavoured to turn their attention to divine things. His visits have generally been well received, his exhortations attentively listened too, his prayers to the Father of mercies solicited, and, at parting, a renewal of his visits requested. As might be expected, some Papists have opposed, and attempted to argue points of doctrine with him, but others of that class have willingly heard the Scriptures read, and even asked your missionary to engage in prayer.

Of this, the pastoral department of the mission, the visitation of the sick and dying occupies, perhaps, the most important place. During the last year, fifty-five sick persons have been regularly visited. Twenty-six of these are dead; and twelve of those deceased would have been altogether destitute of religious instruction and the consolations of the Gospel, and the rest very much neglected, had it not been for the visits of your missionary. Mr Ritchie says he is very much encouraged in his visits to the sick and dying. They have listened with eager attention to the glad tidings of mercy to lost sinners through Jesus-have been much strengthened and comforted by prayer-and when expressing their thankfulness for his visits, have earnestly desired their continuance. The months of January and February of the present year, have furnished the largest sick-list since the mission commenced.

(2.) Owing to the demand for Mr Ritchie's services to the vacant congregations in the body, the public preaching of the Gospel was not so soon commenced as the other departments of the mission work. The preaching of the Gospel to the poor, in some place they were likely to attend, was felt, by Mr Ritchie and your committee, to be an important desideratum, and it was a subject of deep regret, that the pancity of probationers rendered the services of your missionary, in supplying the numerous vacancies, quite indispensible. As soon, however, as the number of preachers increased, so as to lessen the calls for Mr Ritchie, two diets of worship were commenced in a school-room in Weaver-Row, kindly granted by Mr Stevenson (of the Free Church). Since commenced, they have been regularly maintained. When your missionary is absent, some of the elders conduct a prayer meeting in the forenoon, at which a sermon is read, and the Rev. John Robertson preaches in the evening. During the winter months, the average attendance at the forenoon meeting has been thirteen, but during summer it was much greater. Almost all these are of the class for whom the mission is intended; and if the opportunity of meeting in Weaver Row was not afforded them, they would not hear the Gospel elsewhere. About twenty attended occasionally, a few have seldom been absent, and now and then a stranger or two drop in to hear the Gospel. In the evening, the attendance is generally numerous, comprising persons of all denominations, with a few grown-up individuals of the poorer class, and a number of children from the Sabbath Schools in the locality. Though the attendance of the class, whose welfare your mission is designed to promote, has been comparatively small, it is gratifying to notice the interest manifested in the service by those who attend.

(3.) There are four district prayer meetings every week.

One in Gorden Street, on Thursday evening at eight o'clock-conducted by Messrs Miller and Thomson. Average attendance,

One in Kilmarnock Street, on Thursday evening at eight o'clock-conducted by Mr Reid. Average attendance,

...

One in Wallace Street, on Thursday evening at eight o'clock-conducted by Mr Ritchie. Average attendance,

One in Weaver Row, on Tuesday evening at seven o'clock—conducted by Mr Ritchie. Average attendance,

...

...

...

12

12

10

12

46

Average weekly attendance at four meetings, The attendance at the meeting in Weaver Row has been considerably less during the winter months, than it was during summer. A number of aged, infirm, and thinly clad persons are connected with it, and while the inclement weather lasts, they can only attend occasionally. To a certain extent, the same explanation applies to the other meetings.

These meetings are much appreciated by those who attend regularly; and we may confidently expect, that the petitions which ascend weekly, from these associations, unto the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, will, in his own time and way, meet with gracious answers.

(4.) Twenty young ladies distribute Tracts in the mission field. Each has a district to visit, and is furnished with one tract more than the number of families in the district. The tracts are changed every week, and the extra one is used to facilitate the operation. At present, three hundred tracts are in circulation, and Mr Ritchie has other three hundred to re-place them, as soon as those out have passed through all the districts. Generally the tracts are well received and read, and sometimes re-read. Many delight to talk with the missionary on the subject of the tract they have read. The ladies engaged in this labour of love, deserve great praise for their diligence and punctuality.

Your Committee, in reviewing the first year of the Home Mission connected with the congregation, felt much encouraged to prosecute the work. Great visible results, certainly, have not been attained, but we must beware of despising the "day of small things.' Though the beginning be small," let us hope, pray, and labour, that the "latter end may greatly increase." About fifty persons meet weekly for prayer and to read the Scriptures; and between thirteen and twenty, who otherwise would be destitute of a gospel ministry, hear the word of God preached by his commissioned servant every Sabbath day. The good seed is dropped at many a fireside, and, perhaps, sooner than we expect, a "dew from the Lord may descend upon it and use it to take root and bring forth fruit to his glory. Faithful admonitions, warnings, and encouragements, have been uttered at the bedsides of the sick and dying,