has taken place in old and young; the prayer-meetings are crowded, class-meetings are delightful seasons, and the whole place resounds with the praises of God. Some weeks ago, after the work at the Cape, we held some special meetings in our new chapel at Fort-Lawrence, when the Lord was pleased to pour out his Holy Spirit upon the people, and sinners were convinced of sin, and converted to God. At the Cape the Holy Spirit's working was as with a mighty rushing wind: but here he spoke with the still small voice; the blessing descended like gentle showers on the mown grass. Twenty persons have given in their names as candidates for membership: several profess to have found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord." From the Aylesford Circuit, Mr. Barret sends me the following pleasing information :-"Some weeks ago, I pro posed to the people to keep a fast-day throughout the Circuit, in order to humble ourselves before the Lord, and beseech Him in mercy to send us both temporal and spiritual prosperity. Each of our four congregations heartily consented to the proposal. God has already smiled upon the people. On our fastday we began a series of meetings at Wilmot chapel, which have continued up to the present time (December 19th). The Lord has greatly blessed these meetings, both to saints and sinners. Old and steady members have been greatly quickened and revived; backsliders in heart and life have been healed; about twenty sinners converted unto God; and many others are still in distress on account of their sins. We have held a few meetings at Aylesford-west chapel: these also have been blessed. We have now a revival in three of our four chapels. We give all the praise to God alone!" MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. SOUTHERN AFRICA. FORTBEAUFORT. It is with great pleasure that I report to you the progress of the Gospel among the native population in Fort-Beaufort. Great numbers of natives, both Fingoes and Hottentots, reside in that neighbourhood, who are deeply degraded. The scenes of wretchedness beheld amongst them are sufficient to call forth the sympathy of every mind; and we earnestly pray that speedily they may be rescued from the thraldom of Heathenism, and be introduced into the liberty of the Gospel. It is matter of rejoicing, however, that many of the natives resident in this place have received the word of God in sincerity, and are living witnesses of the power of truth to dispel the natural ignorance of the human mind. During the last two years, a greater amount of ministerial labour has been devoted to this people than was formerly practicable; and the beneficial results thereof are apparent. Our congregation has increased from about thirty people to two hundred; and many of these have been truly convinced of sin, and brought to the enjoyment of experimental religion. I am frequently delighted with the deportment and Christian sincerity of many of our native members, and especially with the spirit of inquiry excited in their minds by the preaching of the truth. Often do they propose inquiries on religious subjects, and into the mean Many ing of Scripture passages, which clearly SOUTHERN AFRICA.-CRADOCK.We trust the work of God is making some progress among us. We are beginning to hope that the time to favour us, the set time, is come. The word has been attended, in some instances, with power to the hearts of the hearers, though much opposition has been manifested in other quarters. The enemy sometimes seems as if he would come in like a flood; but we trust the Lord will lift up a standard against him. In Graham's-Town there is a good work going ou; and in some other Circuits the Lord is working mightily. May we soon have a glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit!-Rev. George H. Green, Cradock, August 16th, 1848. SOUTHERN AFRICA.-BECHUANA COUNTRY.-Your Missionaries occupy in that District one of the most interesting spots in South Africa; in fruitfulness it cannot be surpassed in Africa; affording a homestead for a dense population, which is being gradually accumulated, from among all the hitherto known tribes of the barren interior. Thus, materials are gathering which, when prepared by the Lord, will become the first-fruits of Central Africa; and when efficient native agency is once obtained, then help will also exist for sounding the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the centre and most barren spots of that continent. Rev. J. P. Bertram, Kamastone, September 12th, 1848. SIERRA-LEONE. Hearing that a vessel is about to sail for England, I embrace the opportunity of sending you an account of the glorious revival of religion that has taken place in SierraLeone. Thank God, the dawn of a brighter day has evidently set in upon this colony. There is not a congregation in Freetown but has undergone a visible and blessed change. Those that were good are now overflowing, and others that were dead are now quickened into life. It is not unusual, on a Sabbath evening, to have from a dozen to fifty souls in distress on account of their sins on one occasion we had a hundred. Nor is this work confined to Freetown. Our country-places are beginning to feel its influence. At Congo-Town the work is going on gloriously; at Wilberforce and Murray-Town there is a breathing of soul after God; and we feel persuaded that God is about to give us a blessed outpouring of His Spirit. I should not like, by these remarks, to convey an idea that we are getting a great increase in society: the work at present is confined principally to our own members, but not entirely; for we have had many from the world, and trust we shall have many more,-Rev. Richard Hart, Freetown, April 8th, 1848. SIERRA-LEONE. I feel happy in being able to say that our work at SierraLeone still continues to advance. From the beginning it bore evident marks of the finger of God; while the rapidity with which it continues to spread is to us as astonishing as it is cheering. When the rains were setting in, we had our fears lest many who were only impressed with good desires would be tempted to stay away from the house of God; but even in this respect we have been most agreeably disappointed. Our congregations every week continue to increase; and our only fear is, lest we shall not have room to accommodate them. It is cheering to our own minds to witness the mighty power of the Gospel. Backsliders, grey-headed sinners, and children, are often seen kneeling at the same form, with eyes bathed in tears, and hearts heaving with sorrow, till Christ comforts them. Many of our school-children have been converted to God, during the revival, and are now happy in Him. I trust this blessed work will still continue to advance till the whole colony is converted.-Rev. R. Hart, Freetown, July 11th, 1848. The MANARGOODY. (Madras District.) -On the 20th of June last, between the hours of two and four in the afternoon, the roof of our preaching-place in Rajah-street was completely destroyed by fire. roof being principally composed of bamboos, leaves, and straw, a spark from any of the neighbouring houses falling on it, and fanned by the breeze, may have been the cause of the conflagration. Without any expense the Mission, it has been rebuilt by the Tusildar of the town, and has been reopened for divine worship. The same benevolent person has it in contemplation, I understand, to spend two or three thousand rupees in the erection of a more substantial building for our use. are thankful for what he has done, and shall be glad to see his generous intention put into execution. to We In consequence of the retrenchment required in our expenditure some months ago, some of our school-operations have been since that time suspended; but, I trust, it is only for a season. As formerly, we continue to preach to the people in our school-rooms, and thus use the means instituted by Divine Wisdom for their conversion; but the hard and sterile soil, trodden down for ages, on which the precious seed is cast, yielding no encouraging moisture, it is only in rare instances that we are permitted to see even the appearance of the blade. Brethren, pray for us, that our faith fail not. There is yet a great work to be accomplished in this country. The most systematic, energetic, and extensive operations are required. The siege and the contest are likely to be difficult and prolonged, but not doubtful. When passing along the thronged streets, we look round on the living multitudes, and frequently ask ourselves, What can be done to enlighten and save this people? In the present state of the country, extensive measures should be adopted to rescue the young from the trammels and the darkness and the misery of Heathenism. Comparatively, few adults are yet converted. This may be said of India generally. It is difficult for the mind to throw off the meshes of a false religion: not that we doubt the power or the mercy of God, or the suitability of the Gospel; but such is the fact.-Rev. Peter Batchelor, November 29th, 1848. MELNATTAM. (Madras District.)——— In this place we have upwards of seventy adult Christians, professedly under our care. They are not yet recognised members of the society; but they are, in pro fession, native Christians, and they look upon us as their spiritual Teachers. Some walk consistently, and diligently attend the means of grace; but others cause shame: they have frequently been reproved and exhorted with all faithfulness; but with little effect. A Reader has lately been specially appointed to go to their houses, and to read the Scriptures and pray with them, as they will not attend the public worship of God. We seek their salvation with strong desires, and trust the means employed will bring them to a more serious consideration of their state.-Idem. DEPARTURE OF A MISSIONARY. ON Thursday, February 15th, Mr. and Mrs. English and child embarked at Gravesend, on board the "James Holmes," for Barbadoes. ARRIVALS OF MISSIONARIES. FROM a letter inserted in a former page of this Number, our readers will be glad to learn the safe arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Badger at the River Gambia, on February 21st, after a passage of twelve days from Sierra-Leone, which colony Mr. Badger had visited, on his way from England, for the purpose of procuring a reinforcement of Native Agents for the important Mission intrusted to his superintendence. Mr. May and Mr. Leigh, Native Agents at Sierra-Leone, were selected for service at the Gambia, and, with their wives, accompanied Mr. Badger to the scene of their future labours. We have also the gratification to state, that information has been received of the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison at St. Vincent, after a somewhat protracted voyage. DEATH OF A MISSIONARY. THE painful tidings of the death of the Rev. Jeremiah Hartley, one of our Missionaries in the Bechuana Country, South Africa, have just reached us. Mr. Hartley finished his earthly course at Imparani, on the 22d of November, 1848, after an illness of short duration. LONDON DISTRICT ANNIVERSARY. THE Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary Wesleyan Missionary Society for the London District will be held this year in the City-road chapel, on Monday evening, May 14th, at six o'clock. LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. |