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of this Circuit are beginning to assume a more favourable aspect. In turning to the spiritual state of the Circuit, your Missionary has had pleasing evidence that his labours have not been in vain; -several have given themselves to the Lord and to His church, according to His will. A men's class has been commenced here, which promises to be a blessing; the other classes have been regularly met, and there is an improved attendance on the means of grace; the prayer-meetings have been well attended: our people also show a love to the house of God, and listen with deep seriousness to the word preached. O that it may prove the power of God unto salvation to all who hear it! In the Bay-Robert part of the Circuit we have been fa

voured with several instances of sound conversion. We have here a simple, lively, zealous people, who enjoy much of the power of godliness: the major part are poor in this world, but possessed of the true riches; and even out of their worldly poverty they do, I believe, their utmost towards the support of the Gospel among them. The public services have generally been favoured with the Divine presence, and have been as wells of salvation to many thirsty souls. Several other places have been visited in the course of the year by your Missionary, in all of which the people appear anxious for the word of life. Our Sunday-schools, and also the Wesleyan day-school, are in a state of increasing efficiency.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. William E. Shenstone, dated Harbour-Grace, July 15th, 1850.

In my last communication, informing you of the destruction of our chapel by fire, I mentioned our intention of petitioning the Legislature for aid to erect another place of worship. This has been done; and His Excellency, Sir John Gaspard Le Merchant, was graciously pleased to endorse the application for £200 sterling, which sum has been granted by the Government of the colony.

I waited the other day upon the house of Messrs. Ridley and Sons; and they most readily and handsomely gave me a donation of £50. Our subscription-list has upon it somewhere about £600; and the friends in St. John's will also give us some aid. The frame of our new chapel is up, and the roof will be on in a few days.

Attached to the chapel will be a room, twenty-six feet long, eighteen wide, for the conducting of our Sabbathschool; the building will be a substantial one, and handsome in its appearance; the windows will be of the Gothic kind. I will endeavour to furnish you with a sketch of it when all is completed. Materials for building are higher in this island than in the provinces; and labour is also expensive.

We shall endeavour to economise our means, and accomplish as much as we possibly can.

Our congregations are large, and attentive to the preached word. Our Sabbath-school is in operation, and questionless good is done; but, alas, how little, compared with what is desirable! The unsettled condition of our people, they being so much from home; so many of them, at one time, at the Labrador, at another at the sealfishery; this, and all the accompanying evils, throw an obstacle in the way of their spiritual advancement, which all our care, in too many instances, fails to

counteract.

We have had a very trying spring; and, at this moment, an iceberg rears its head in sight of our Mission-house. I am sorry that complaints are being made of the shore-fishery. The potatoes are largely planted this year, and at present promise well. The poverty and wretchedness which I have witnessed in this island will never be obliterated from my memory.

I trust that I shall be enabled to
"Labour on at God's command,
And offer all my works to Him.”

NOVA-SCOTIA.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Ephraim Evans, dated Halifax,
March 22d, 1850.

IT affords me most unfeigned delight, and excites devout gratitude to Almighty God, to be enabled to inform the Committee, that, amidst the painful excitements of these times, the work of salvation is most encouragingly progressing in va

rious parts of this District, and that our Missions are in a highly promising and improving state, both in their spiritual and financial departments.

Our schedule at the March Quarterly Meeting of the Halifax Circuit exhibits

an increase of about forty members, notwithstanding considerable losses by emigration. The doctrine of the necessity and privilege of entire sanctifica tion has been prominently presented in pulpit ministrations, and in the classes, and the attention of our membership much drawn to it. By the blessing of God, several of our Leaders, and a goodly number of our members, are bearing a consistent and scriptural testimony to the truth of this doctrine by a profession of the enjoyment of "perfect love." Many others are earnestly seeking this pearl of great price. To God alone be the glory! Our late Missionary Anniversary services were more than ordinarily interesting and productive, and an impression was made which I am persuaded will tell beneficially upon the work of Christian extension.

Liverpool Circuit, which for some time past had not been as flourishing as at some former periods, has been recently favoured with a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the town, and at Hunt's Point, a very gracious influence has been felt, and considerable accessions made to our Society. At my last advices, the work of conversion was spreading, and the Missionary was much encouraged. I expect shortly to be in possession of a more particular statement.

Wallace Circuit has been similarly favoured during the present, as well as the past year. The persons benefited by the revivals of last year, generally "stand fast in the Lord;" and the labours of the Missionary are still attended with special blessing in the conversion of sinners, and the establishment of believers. A new chapel has been opened, and another is in course of erection. Truro and River-John Circuit also

presents the same causes for thanksgiving to God. The labours of the Missionary, the Rev. James Narraway, have been prosecuted amidst much opposition, with indefatigable and almost self-consuming zeal, and they have been crowned with great success. Several new places have been entered, and the truths of the Gospel explained and enforced with simplicity, ardour, and effect. At New-Annan, visited by request, a gracious revival of religion has taken place. About fifty members, I believe, are now under pastoral charge, converted from sin to righteousness, at that settlement and vicinity. Steps are in progress for the erection of a chapel, which I have no doubt will be accomplished without any en barrassing debt.

Lunenburg Circuit.-The Missionary writes: "The Circuit is in a state of general prosperity, and special tokens of good present themselves in some parts of it. Arrangements are in progress for building a chapel in New-Germany. A Baptist friend has given half an acre of ground in the centre of the place, and deeded it on the Model Connexional plan. The dimensions will be thirty by forty feet, Gothic style, with tower, built to admit galleries when required. The materials and workmanship are so far pledged, that our only cash outlay will be for window-frames, sashes, and glass, with paint and oil; the greater part of which I expect to obtain by the subscriptions of friends."

From Horton and Cornwallis, Newport and Maitland, and Amherst Circuits, as also from Charlo te-town, I learn that the work of God is prospering in the hands of His servants; and I anticipate, upon the whole, an improved state of the District generally at our approaching District Meeting.

NEW-BRUNSWICK.

CALAMITOUS FIRE AT FREDERICION.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Richard Knight, dated St. John's,
November 12th, 1850.

I AM sorry to be the agent of communicating to you the painful news which reached me from Fredericton this morning. The city has been visited with an awful fire. Among the buildings consumed, are our large and commodious chapel, and a Mission-house for which the Trustees paid, some few months since, the sum of £450. On the chapel there is the sum of £600 insured. The house having been recently purchased, I

cannot say if anything is insured, or otherwise, on that property. I hope the Trustees have been sufficiently prudent to do so. And what makes the case more calamitous is, so many of our principal friends have been buint out: this, for our cause, is a heavy stroke indeed. I must proceed, as soon as practicable, to the scene of this disastrous providence. I have not received any particulars, as yet, from Mr. Temple. The beautiful

organ, in the providing of which Mrs. Alder took an active part, has been saved on that there was insured the sum of £100; so that, though it is doubtless damaged in the removal, it will be repaired by the underwriters. Their fine-toned bell is a silent melted mass. The furniture of the Mission-house has been saved, and the windows of the chapel, and some other things in part. Rumour says, that from one hundred to

one hundred and fifty buildings have been consumed.

On my return, I shall be able to lay before you the circumstances of this awful providence more particularly. The fire originated, it is said, in a barn not far from our Mission-premises, and broke out about mid-day. Our only trust is, that God will open up our way to provide a place for our large congregation again to worship in.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

AUCKLAND, NEW-ZEALAND. You will be glad to hear that the Seminary for our Missionaries' children is doing well under Mr. Fletcher: we are much pleased with him as a very suitable man for the position, and he appears happy in his work. During the year there has been a good work among the children: several of them have professed to find peace with God. For Mr. Marsden's valuable present of a patent washing machine, for the use of the school, we are very thankful. We need many articles, for domestic and school purposes, not to be got here but at great cost, which, I doubt not, some of our friends at home could easily supply if they had a gentle hint on the subject. The Native Institu.ion at the Three Kings is also promising to be very useful. Mr. Reid is a very efficient man, and, under his able management, I expect great things. He has in all about one hundred and fifty souls under his care. To Governor Grey we are highly indebted: he has supplied us with funds for building, and much assisted in the support of the Institution

during the last two years. He frequently visits it, and evidently feels a lively interest in its welfare. He is a sincere friend to the aborigines, and always willing to promote their civilisation to the best of his ability. The means he has adopted for providing education for the natives, or rather assisting the Missionary Societies in that work, do not please some; but I believe it was a wise measure. He deserves both your thanks and ours.- Rev. Thomas Buddle, Auckland, New-Zealand, July 17th, 1850.

GRAHAM'S-Town.-Allow me again to appeal to you on behalf of Africa. A vast field remains to be cultivated. O for more Missionaries! O that you had the means to multiply Gospel labourers in this land! The Heathen are perishing for "lack of knowledge; " yet they are bought with blood Divine. But "how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?"-Rev. George Smith, Graham'sTown, October 12th, 1849.

INTELLIGENCE FROM MISSIONARIES WHO HAVE RECENTLY SAILED.

THE late severe storms at sea have necessarily excited much anxiety among the friends of Missions respecting the various beloved brethren who have just left our shores, on their way to their respective destinations. We rejoice to state that nothing has yet been heard of them, but what is calculated to call forth devout thanksgivings to Almighty God on their behalf; although several of them have been called to experience much temporary inconvenience, and many trials of their faith and patience. "Prayer without ceasing" ought still to be offered to the God of Providence, that the good hand of their God may be upon them for good, and conduct them in safety to their desired havens. This is obviously one of those sacred duties which the people of God at home justly owe to those servants of Christ who are called to encounter the perils of foreign travel and labour. We copy from "The Watchman" of

December 4th, a paragraph containing an extract from a letter received from the Rev. William Moister, now on his way to the Cape of Good Hope.

The ship "Emperor," by which the Rev. Messrs. Moister and Thomas embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, having passed the Isle of Wight on Saturday, 23d of November, was encountered by the gale the following morning. Mr. Moister says, "The storm lasted two days and two nights without intermission, and our ship was driven up the Channel again as far as Beachy-Head. During the whole of this time, the sea was breaking over our vessel with fearful violence, and considerable apprehensions were excited as to our personal safety. The passengers collected in the main cabin, and requested us to unite in prayer to God for deliverance; which we did several times, in humble confidence that the Lord would interpose in our behalf. I trust the influence of these exercises and of this visitation will be felt after many days. The tempest ultimately abated; but not without some damage to the ship. Our rudder-wheel

was dashed to pieces, three sails were torn to ribands, several articles were washed overboard, and a quantity of live stock was lost. One man fell from the fore-top, but was caught by the rigging several other men were bruised. We have six hands laid up. Although almost worn out with anxious watching and tossing, our courage and spirits remain unaffected. We hope to proceed in a few days, and to have a propitious voyage, after all. 'Brethren, pray for us.'-West Cowes, Isle of Wight, November 28th, 1850." The "Emperor" resumed her voyage for the Cape, on the morning of Saturday, the 30th November. The "Prima Donna," [having on board the Rev. Messrs. Gardiner and Richards,] for Cape-Coast, sailed from Torbay, on Tuesday, the 26th; the Missionaries having been hospitably entertained and refreshed, at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Churchward, Torquay.

DEATHS.

Ir is our painful duty to record the removal by death of Mrs. M'Leod, the beloved wife of the Rev. A. W. M'Leod, of Halifax, Nova-Scotia, on the 14th of November, 1850; and that of Mrs. Waymouth, the beloved wife of the Rev. W. T. Waymouth, of St. Martin's, West Indies, on the 29th of September, 1850;-both happy

in the Lord.

FOREIGN ARRIVALS.

THE Rev. Joseph Rippon arrived at Point-de-Galle, in Ceylon, on the 24th of September, 1850. In a letter, dated October 16th, he states, that he hoped to begin to preach in Portuguese on the following Sunday; that their prospects are cheering; and that a candidate for baptism, a native youth, "has written a long paper, creditable alike to his intellect and to his heart, stating his reasons for renouncing Buddhism, and embracing Christianity."

MISSIONARY SERVICE.

MESSRS. Gregory, Clegg, Cannell, and Rotherham, were publicly recognised as Missionary probationers, intended for the West Indies, in the New Chapel, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell, on Friday, December 6th.-Dr. Alder introduced the young brethren, and addressed the congregation; the Rev. Joseph Hargreaves suitably addressed the Missionaries; and the Rev. John Hebb concluded these hallowed exercises by solemn prayer.

LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

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