BAPTIST HIGHLAND MISSION. In our February Number, page 63, we gave an extract of a letter from a correspondent at Perth, on the subject of this Mission; but having more recently received the Annual Report (No. 6) detailing more at large the proceedings of the Society's Agents in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, we gladly embrace the opportunity of laying before our readers some additional information. This sketch of Itinerant exertions is introduced by the following letter, this good work, persuaded that those who have already contributed feel the same interest in it as we do ourselves. And to others, we can offer no argument so powerful as is furnished by the modest Journal of our unobtrusive, prudent, zealous, selfdenying brethren, before whom we shall not longer obtrude ourselves, remarking only, that while their Journals furnish many proofs of their modesty, prudence, and zeal, they do not record those instances of hardship, which frequently occur-some of these have indirectly come to our knowledge, and are calculated to excite, in no ordinary To all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in lovers of Zion. We do not publish them, degree, the sympathy and gratitude of the sincerity. DEAR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS. because the Missionaries themselves do not think proper to insert them in their Jourreasons: "First, because we do not look upon them, (say they) as great trials; and secondly, lest any of these trifling things should give offence to the people, and mar our progress in the cause of Christ afterwards, or that of any other itinerant preachers." We are, for the truth's sake, Yours affectionately, In presenting to you the following Journals; for which they assign the following nal, we take the liberty of making a few prefatory remarks. We congratulate you, that, in the kind providence of God, the health of our brother William Tulloch, somewhat impaired by his former itinerant exertions, has been restored, so that he has seen enabled, not only to labour very assiduously in the preaching of the gospel at Kilmavionaig and the neighbourhood, but also to itinerate during last summer, as extensively as formerly:-that, on his last tour, (of which the Journal is annexed,) he was again accompanied by William Hutchison, a fellow-labourer of like spirit with himself:-that the interest excited by their former labours, has been fully maintained, and the divine blessing in some instances graciously vouchsafed: and finally, that the funds are in a prosperous state. By a reference to the Treasurer's account, annexed to the last Journal, it will be seen, that, on the 5th Feb. 1820, there was a balance owing to the former Treasurer of £21 7 2 On the 5th December, 1820, that debt had not only been liquidated, and the current expenses of the year provided for, but a balance left in the hands of the Treasurer of £14 11 4 Since then, a comfortable meeting-house, capable of containing 200 individuals, has been erected at Kilmavionaig, where William Tulloch resides, at the very moderate expense of £34 16 8; which has been defrayed, and a small surplus thence arising appropriated to the general fund, the total expenses of the year provided for, and such a balance left in the Treasurer's hands, as encourages the hope that another Missionary may be constantly employed next season. In order to this, however, it is necessary that your contributions he maintained, or rather increased. For the greater convenience of contributors, the gentlemen whose names are mentioned below, will receive donations from those in their respective neighbourhoods. We deem it unnecessary to adduce any arguments to excite you to give your aid to JAMES BUCHAN, Glasgow, Jan. 24, 1822. Contributions will be received by Mr. S. STENNETT, 6. Bache's Row, City Road, London; Mr. D. S. WYLIE, Liverpool; Mr. JOSEPH LIVESEY, 108, Church Street, Preston; Mr. DAVID DEWAR, Dunfermline; Mr. ROBERT SCOTT, Perth, the Treasurer; or by either of the above Subscribers. Extracts from the Journal of a Tour by W. TULLOCH and W. HUTCHISON, in the Summer of 1821. "June 9th-Brother William Hutchison arrived at Kilmavionaig, on this evening, after crossing the hill Mingay from Badenoch, with the intention of accompanying William Tulloch to the islands of the West Highlands. 10th.-Met both with the church on Our the former part of the Lord's day, and in the evening preached for the first time, in the house newly erected for worship, to a numerous and an attentive audience. brethren having recommended us tothe grace of God, for the purpose of declaring the glad tidings of salvation to our fellow-sinners, we separated with a view to prosecute our intended journey." We pass over the account which the Missionaries give of their journey to the Islands, as being less interesting, and resume our extracts at the island of MULL, where they arrived on the 22nd of June. affected, many of them shedding tears copiously during the sermon. Considering their destitute situation, and their great anxiety, we resolved to continue among them for the next day. They expressed a desire that we should preach to them in the evening; we complied cheerfully, and ap "After our arrival in Mull, we were informed that the Sabbath immediately succeeding our arrival, was that which followed their communion, which considerably discouraged us; but we lifted our hearts with our hands to God, imploring his direction in dependence on him, for opening a way in which we might be profitably em-pointed sermon in the school-house, the ployed on the Lord's day. 23rd.-Removed from our quarters this morning, and arrived at the established chapel in this district, intimating to such as met us, as well as going to their houses to solicit them, that we intended to preach at their own place of worship next day, after their own minister had done-passed their kirk, we arrived at a small tenantry-we intimated sermon, and went personally to invite the people, earnestly soliciting them to hear the word of life. About forty attended, and before we dismissed them, we informed them that we intended to preach, on the following evening, at their place of worship, and desired them to circulate intimation through the neighbourhood. We returned to the public-house, and addressed, for a little, a number who assembled there. This finishes another week of our labour in those benighted quarters; and reviewing our opportunities and attempts during the week, we were in some degree discouraged from the circumstance that the people did not more generally come to hear the word of life. 25th. On Monday morning, left this quarter for the purpose of visiting the East end of the island. After having travelled for six miles, came to a pretty populous place; sermon being intimated the preceding day, about thirty-five assembled, to whom we preached the glorious gospel. Got no opportunity, for the remaining part of that day, to call the attention of sinners to the truth. "26th.-Left this place; bordering on the coast of the sea, we proceeded to a remote Glen, containing fourteen families, at a considerable distance from any society. This is the first place in Mull, where we discovered any great desire for the word of God. We trust there are a few among them who understand the gospel; but they labour under a great disadvantage, having not any among them who preaches the way of salvation plainly and faithfully-we intimated sermon at twelve o'clock; the whole of the inhabitants flocked to hear; one of us preached to them from 1 Thess. i. 9, 10,For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. They heard with the greatest attention, and in general seemed very much impressed and most centrical and commodious place in the glen-many assembled at eight o'clock, and we continued preaching to them till it was dark. We resembled them to persons deprived of food, who, after a sumptuous diet was set before them, fed with keenness and pleasure on the provisions presented to them. "28th.-After breakfast, the schoolmaster, on whom we called last evening, but found not at home, came to our lodgings, with whom we conversed for some time about general things. He voluntarily proposed to dismiss his school, that we might have the benefit of the school-house for preaching. He sent his scholars to collect the people; about 50 attended, who after the sermon was ended, courteously thanked us. We acknowledged our obligation to the schoolmaster, and proceeded to another corner of the island very populously inha bited, intimating sermon as we were ad vancing, and arrived at a place called Croaig, the most centrical situation in that quarter. Being informed that the people in general were from home working at kelp, we waited their return, and upwards of 50 came to hear the gospel. ICOLMKILL. "July 3.-This morning, hired a boat, with the intention of leaving this island, as we had no prospect of usefulness, in conse quence of the whole inhabitants being from home, at the kelp or peats. We landed about two o'clock in the island of Icolmkill: we met the schoolmaster of the place, an old affectionate character, who enter tained us with much kindness--informed us that there would be no prospect of obtaining an audience till late in the evening; at the same time promised to circulate inti mation of a sermon by his scholars. We appointed to preach in his school-house at nine o'clock; began to read the scriptures by candle light, and continued preaching till eleven to about a hundred people, who assembled: at dismissing, we intimated, that we intended to preach to-morrow, at any time most convenient for them. They proposed seven o'clock next morning, and we had in view to preach to them once more in the evening, and earnestly solicited their attendance. We resumed our delightful employment about nine o'clock. The school-house, though considerably extensive, was crowded to excess, which manifested their great anxiety to hear; moreover, we think very favourably of a few among them. meeting we had on this day, we appointed to preach next day in the same place, being informed by the people that it was the most centrical and commodious spot, and our hearers promised to circulate intimation of this as extensively as possible. 7th.-Met the people, about fifty in number, at the hour appointed, and preached; informed them, when done, where we intended to preach on the Lord's day. Returned to the miller's house again, and a number came, to whom we expounded a portion of the scriptures. In this island, to our great joy, we found a number of lively disciples, who were baptized by Mr. Dougall Sinclair. Unquestionably they stood in much need of being visited, having seldom an opportunity of hearing the gospel and receiving instruction from strangers; and we have reason to believe, that they were much refreshed, comforted, and "We conversed with a young man-questioned him about the way of salvationasked what he thought of himself? he replied, 'That the testimony given of Israel by the prophet certainly applied to him: "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself!" And that the description given in Jeremiah, xvii. 9 and Mark vii, 21, 22, explained the corruption and depravity of his heart.' These answers excited us to inquire, how he found peace to his troubled conscience. He then mentioned the atonement of Christ. We conversed with him respecting the mis-strengthened by our visit. There are a few sion of Christ-the work which he finished -the design of his sufferings-the freeness and suitableness of the gospel. He appeared to have pretty accurate and consistent views of the way of salvation. "5th. We intended to visit another part of this isiand, but being informed that it was about the time of their communion, and aware that the people are particularly attached to their own forms at such occasions, and that there would be no probability of getting them to hear, we resolved to move from this island. Hired a boat, and sailed for COLONSAY: Got a very pleasant and expeditious passage. The gale was favourable all along: about four o'clock, cheerful and comfortable, we landed at the port intended. According to our accustomed practice, we inquired for the disciples in this place. We arrived at the house of D. M'V. about two miles distant from the port at which we landed, He, his wife, and daughter, are very exemplary believers. We were received and entertained kindly by them, during the period we continued in the island. Some in the neighbourhood observed us as we passed, and conjectured our object; a few came of their own accord to hear the truth. We had one advantage by this unexpected meeting; for by those assembled we had an opportunity of circulating, very generally, intimation of a sermon next day. 6th. This morning fulfilled our engagement, and both preached to a numerous and very attentive audience. Returned to our friend's house, and in the evening a very considerable number attended, among whom were the servants of the proprietor of the island. We were extremely happy in having had an opportunity of declaring the glad tidings of salvation to so many precious souls, who appeared very sensible of the advantage they enjoyed. In the first among them who are in the habit of calling the attention of their fellow-sinners to the truth. We approve very much of their method. They speak in three different parts of the island every Lord's day. Two of them always go together, and preach at the different stations in rotation; so that the hearers have fresh hands every day to read the scriptures and explain them. By this proceeding, they attract the attention of the country, and they are generally well attended. [To be continued.] ORDINATION, &c. The public settlement of Mr. James Hargreaves (late of Ogden in Lancashire) over the Baptist Church in Little Wild Street, took place on Wednesday the 13th of March last. Mr. Hoby, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Davis of Walworth, Dr. Winter and Mr. Belsher were the ministers engaged on the occasion. Feb. 24, 1822.-A Baptist Church was formed in Winstone, at which time a sermon was preached by Mr. Hawkins of Eastcombs, from Acts ii. 47, and the Lord's Supper administered to seven persons, who were dismissed from the church at Eastcombs. The service was profitable to many. May this little hill of Zion increase readers to be informed that the gospel was abundantly. It may be gratifying to our first introduced into this village by the Treasurer of the Home Missionary Society, who has also been the instrument of sending the gospel into ten other villages around, where much good has been done, and the prospects of usefulness are very pleasing. October 4. The Welsh Baptists at Cardiff, Glamorganshire, were formed into a church, and Mr. Robert Pritchard ordained pastor over them. The Ministers engaged were Mr. E. Davies, Pen-yr-hewl-Mr. J. James, Pon!-rhyd-yr-ynn-- Mr. J. Jenkins, Hengoed In the -Mr. T. Thomas, Croes-y-park. Finding their place of worship too small, &c. they purchased a piece of ground to erect a meeting-house on it, with ground also to bury their dead. This Chapel was opened last March; it measures in the clear 41 feet by 36, and is crowded on the Lord's day with attentive hearers. About 100 persons were formed into a church, most part of them were previously members at Croes-y-park The purchase of the ground and the building came to upwards of £800, £600 of which remains to be raised. Owing to this heavy burden on a society of poor Christians, they are compelled to make an appeal to the public, and to send their Pastor to solicit assistance towards the discharging of the remaining debt. mitted but to few, to live and to labour so long, and throughout a life lengthened beyond the ordinary days of man; to fulfil their ministerial course with a simplicity and integrity of character more transparent with a benevolence more disinterested and enlarged- -or with a purer, more ardent and active zeal for the glory of God. Long, very long will his memory be cherished and blessed by the many who have profited by his labours---who were his "hope and joy" here, and will be his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus! We may refer onr readers, for some additional information respecting Mr. Riland, to our Memoir of Mr. Abraham Austin, New Evangelical Magazine, Vol. III. p. 1-5. Died on the 4th of March, MR. HENRY BANISTER, Elder of the Inghamite church, at Winewalk, near Colne, Lancashire. He had been in a weakly state of health for several years, but was able, except at intervals, to attend upon the duties of feeding the flock, almost to the close of his days. On the evening of the Lord's day, February 24th. whilst conducting the worship of God, he was seized with a violent complaint in the intestines, which removed him eventually from his sufferings and his labours, into the blissful presence of his Lord. It is worthy of the notice of the churches, that the society of which he was the pastor has been bereaved of four elders within the short October 9. A new Chapel belonging to space of a little more than ten years. the Particular Baptists, was opened at Though it is a cause for joy and consolation, Rhymney Iron Works, near Merthur, Gla- that they have all died in the faith and morganshire, at 10 o'clock. Mr. J. Jenkins, hope of the gospel, yet it presents a powerHengoed-Mr. J. James, Pont-rhyd-yr-unn ful admonition to the churches of God, not -Mr. Jenkin Thomas, Oxford-Mr. M. to neglect the diligent and regular exercise Jones, Merthur-Mr. J. Evans, Peny-garn, of those gifts which the chief Shepherd were the Ministers engaged. The expences bestows for the edifying of the saints. Such of this building amounts to about £120, dispensations loudly announce to those who about £80 has been raised, and the remain- possess any useful talent, the solemn responing £40, they are to collect in the neigh-sibility under which they are laid-to bourhood. A Day School, and a Sunday" OCCUPY TILL CHRIST COMETH. School to be kept in the Chapel. OBITUARY. On Wednesday evening, March 13th, at the Rectory-house, Sutton Coldfield, in the 86th year of his age, the REV. JOHN RILAND, A.M. thirty-two years Rector of that place. Through a deference for what we know would have been the wish of this MR. EDITOR, As a reader of your Magazine, allow me to set you right on a point in which you have been misled, relative to Mr. Read. (See N. E. M. p. 64.) Your correspondent has erred in stating that Mr. R. has united himself to the Calvinistic Baptists. That gentleman is in no way connected with that denomination, otherwise than occasionally preaching for Baptist ministers: I therefore expect you will insert this in your next, to rectify the mistake. truly venerable man, will restrain the full expression of our judgment and feelings on this occasion, we cannot withhold our just tribute of departed worth, and of such distinguished eminence, from a character so well known, and whose virtues and labours as a christian minister, have for nearly half a century, been so extensively useful, and so highly appreciated in this town and neighbourhood. It has been per* A Church of English Baptists has been formed in this town since the year 1806, and has been successful these last years. I am Sir, |