The Glory of the Sanctuary, The Choice of Moses, perience,. Nov. 13, W. Counterslip....and Sanctification, Distinction between Justification I UNITED MEETING OF PRAYER, PREACHERS. Mr. Thorp Mr. Roberts Dr. Ryland Mr. Thorp Mr. Lowell Mr. Roberts. For the Success of the Gospel, to be held in BRISTOL for 1816.-To begin at Seven. [The following Articles were unavoidably omitted in the Chronicle, which went to press before this half-sheet.] SOME Persons, who are disposed to support the Missionary Society, not knowing to whom their Donations or Subscriptions should be sent, are respectfully informed, that their office is at No. 8, Old Jewry, Cheapside, where one of the Secretaries attends every day from Eleven to Three. Letters may be addressed to the Treasurer or Secretaries at that place. We are concerned to state the death of Mr. John Steven, a promising young man, one of the Missionary Students at Gosport. He departed this life on Wednesday the 10th of January. safe to land. We landed safe at the Cape on the 22nd of May; and during our stay there, had a comfortable lodg ing at the house of Jacobus Beck, Esq. a Dutch gentleman, and were at no expence to the Society. On the 12th of July, we left Cape Town, and commenced our journey to the interior. I have a small waggon to myself, which is drawn by oxen. For our sustenance, on our journey, we have bread, flesh, &c. but I expect to be deprived of bread, at least for some time, after we shall have arrived at the place of our destination. August 5, we arrived at, Hooge Kraal, a small Missionary station,-paid a visit to the Landrost, or Governor of the district, who kindly invited Mrs. Evans and myself to his house, to live with him during our stay at the kraal. This place is about 260 miles from Cape Town. Thus far we are come safe; but when we are gone out of the colony, we shall be exposed to far greater dangers, and shall experience many travelling privations. But there is no sacrifice too great for me to make in the glorious cause in which I have the honour to be engaged. I am fully persuaded, that a faithful Missionary in the cause of Christ in Africa, shall receive a crown of glory that will never fade away! I spontaneously left my native country, which was dear to me in many respects, and have many times since experienced the fulfilment of that gracious promise made by my dear Redeemer, Lo, I am with you alway, to the end of the world.' Please to remember Mrs. E. and self to my relations and friends. Mrs. Evans's health at present is but indifferent; mine is good. This country, for the most part, is in a state of nature, and very thinly inhabited. The inhabitants of the colony are mostly Dutch, and are very hospitable. Their servants are Hottentots. Many of them have slaves, which they have purchased for life. They have wheat for bread; but not very plentifully. They grind it as we do barley for pigs in Wales, and make bread of it without sifting it. Cheese and butter are very rare things: their cows give very little milk, on account of the grass being rough and generally dry. Their common food is flesh, bread, pumpkins, and fruit in great variety. Their beverage is milk and coffee. We expect soon to be on our journey to Bethelsdorp, which is about 14 days journey at the rate we go. Innumerable are the blessings of Wales, in comparison to Africa! O may the Lord of Heaven and earth give you wisdom and strength to acknowledge him for the same, especially for the blessings of the gospel. In a letter to brother Howells. he says, I am now in the wilds of Africa, on my journey to Latakoo. The more I see of the inhabitants of the world, and their different manners of living, the clearer I perceive the existence of an all-wise and powerful God, and the total depravity of human nature. This place is of Lord Caledon's choice, which he fixed upon in 1811; and out of respect to the King, was called, George Drosdy. There are now about 20 decent houses built, and many now are building. It is about eight miles from Mossel Bay, and about a quarter of a mile south of the forest, at the bottom of a range of mountains running east and west. The Landrost is now making a road over these mountains, to enable the farmers to the north of this place, towards Elephant's River, to bring their corn for sale here, or at Mossel Bay. The population of the place is daily increasing, and civilization gaining ground. During my residence at the Cape, and O on my journey to this place, it often occurred so me, that it would be comparatively but little sacrifice, for well meaning religious mechanics from Wales and other enlightened countries, to come out and live here and at other places in the colony. They would be fully employed, and well paid; and at the same time have more cattle than many a Welch farmer. They could also sow the seed of the heavenly kingdom in this barren wilderness. You cannot feel for the poor Africans in Wales as I do! However, I shall not despair, for God will take care of his cause, and the holy seed shall be gathered from every tribe and nation to the heavenly kingdom, and all the work completely finished. July 25th, half-past ten at night, Mr. Albrecht, a Missionary, died at the Cape. I did not see him, as I had left a few days before his arrival from Namaqua Land. He came to the Cape for medical advice. He was not then supposed to be so near his dissolution, for he went about the town, transicted business, preached, and vi sited the grave of Dr. Vanderkemp; in which doubtless he is now interred. happy brother, he came from the field of labour, while I am on my tedious journey thither, to lay down his wearied body in the tomb of Vanderkemp! This gloomy dispensation has a double voice, and shall it not be heard? It loudly calls for my faithfulness, diligence, and perseverance in well-doing, whilst I shall be left; and it reminds the sincere friends of Christ, that many more. labourers are wanted to Africa. While I was at the Cape, I met Capt. Money, returning from Bombay to England. Much to his honour, he presented our Mission with 200 rix-dollars; and his lady presented our sisters with a medicine chest, worth 100 rix-dollars; and the Captain's brother gave us 100 rixdollars. We have received no letters from England or Wales, nor any aecount of the ship Alacrity, in which my Missionary brethren expected their tools. We must wait at Bethelsdorp till they arrive. Mrs. Evans joins me in Christian love to the church in Lammas Street; Mr. and Mrs. Peter, Mr. D. L. Jones, and all the Students. If God will bring me safe to Bethelsdorp, I shall write to some of the friends. I am anxious to know the success of the Missionary Meeting at Carmarthen. I expect to hear something very encouraging for me from Wales, my native country, Now may the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit, be with you all! This is the sineere wish of your unworthy brother in Christ, JOHN EVANS. Missionary Chronicle FOR FEBRUARY, 1816. SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. FROM the last communications from the Missionaries at Eimeo, published some months ago, we could not but conclude that a work of divine grace on the hearts of many of the islanders had commenced, which there was reason to hope would become more and more extensive. The following Letter, written about four months after the former, abundantly confirms the expectations we had indulged. The desire of the natives for instruction is still increasing, and the school at Eimeo, composed chiefly of adults, contains nearly 300 persons, Nor is it in Eimeo ouly, but in Otaheite, Raiatea, and several other islands, the same desires are manifested; so that the natives leave the places of their abode to visit the spot where the Missionaries reside; and it is remarkable, that in several islands, the CHIEFS themselves are earnestly desirous that Missionaries may be sent to instruct their people. The total number of persons who have openly renounced idolatry amounts to at least FIVE HUNDRED! How encouraging is this appearance! and what abundant cause of thanksgiving does it furnish to all the Members of the Missionary Society! Extract of a Letter from the Missionaries, dated Eimeo, Jan. 14, 1815. Honoured Fathers and Brethren, THE last letter we received from you was dated March 11, 1813; and our last to you, September 17, 1814; a duplicate of which accompanies this. We have heard that there are letters for us in the colony; but when they will reach us is uncertain. We are again favoured with a conveyance to the colony of New South Wales; and shall therefore briefly relate what has been most remarkable since the date of our last, as to ourselves and the Mission. As to ourselves, affliction of one kind or another has often been our portion. Most of us complain of the want of health; and during the past three months we have been repeatedly hindered from following our several avocations, and confined to our beds, through severe illness; yet, in much mercy, and the enjoyment of many privileges we are unworthy of, we have been brought to the end of another year, and to the commencement of a new one; and it is our united prayer, that, if the Lord be pleased to prolong our days, so that we may reach its XXIV. close, it may be spent more profitably, and more to his glory than those that are past. At the time our last was dated, brother Wilson was absent; but the cause of his absence was not stated, for fear of causing an uneasiness which might continue long after the occasion of it had ceased. The case was this:- A brig from India, called Matilda, Capt. Fowler (last from New South Wales) was endeavouring to got into our harbour on Sept. 3, and brother Wilson, Mr. G. Bicknell, S. Heury (brother Henry's son) the king, the young chief of Huaheine, and about 23 others, mostly our people, got on board, to give assistance, as the vessel was almost on the reef, and expecting to get in in the evening; but instead of that, a fresh breeze from the land springing up, they were carried out to sea; and nothing was seen, nor heard of them for about three months. This caused us and the natives much uneasiness and anxiety of mind; and we ceased not to pray for their safe return to us, which the Lord mercifully granted; for, December 2, the vessel returned; and they were all restored to us in good health. The vessel had drifted to the Leeward Islands, where, viz. at L Raiatea, Tahaa, and Huaheine, they had been lying wind-bound, after some attempts to get up here. At those islands they were kindly entertained, and brother Wilson informs us, that those Rajateans, whose names were recorded here among the worshippers of the true God, are still keeping up their profession; and that they, and many others, the chiefs in general, are exceedingly desirous that some of the Missionaries should reside among them, to teach them the word of the true God, and how to read it. Here, at Eimeo, our congregation increases apace, several coming over, from Tahcite from time to time for the purpose of obtaining instruction. Our constant hearers are about 300, but sometimes many more; so that the house cannot contain them. The number of those that attend school is, at present, 258, mostly adults; and those who have, in a more particular manner, requested their names to be written down as the professed worshippers of the true God, have increased to 204, exclusive of some who have left us. Of the above number, three men and one woman, died lately; of each of whom we had some ground of hope. They all acknowledged their sinfulness and need of pardon, and professed to make Jesus Christ and bis atonement their only ground of hope; and appeared to pray earnestly that the anger of God might be appeased, and their sins pardoned, for the sake of the great atonement. But beside our congregation here, where we reside, which is composed chiefly of strangers from Taheite, Raiatea, and other places, there are numbers at Taheite in different places, who have publicly renounced idolatry, observe the Sabbath, and meet together to worship the true God, and are known by the common appellation Bure Autua, or praying people. There are some also of this description at the little island Tapuamanu, a number at Huaheine, and also at Raiatea; so that the number of those who have renounced idolatry in these several islands, cannot be less than between 500 and 600, including most of the principal chiefs. Some of these people have lately met with a considerable degree of persecution at Taheite. The house where a number of them used to meet for worship was burnt down, and some other houses ; a number have been banished from their land; and one man has been pursued with the intention of killing him, and offering him a sacrifice to Oro; and all this because they were Bure Autua, yet several of the Ratiras of Taheite, who are still professed idolators, have taken their part, saying, They were innocent people, and ought not to be ill used. The case of Pomare, the king, also grieves and perplexes us. He wishes to be baptized, previous to the baptizing of any of his people; but we are far, very far from being satisfied that he is a proper subject. He has an extensive knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel; but is a slave to drinking. We have repeatedly warned him and spoken very plainly, and faithfully to him but with little success. we, and a number of our poor people who may be fit subjects, kept in a sort of disagreeable delay and suspense. Thus are We again wish to remind our honored Directors, that they should take the state of this Mission into serious consideration. Were all possessing a state of uninterrupted health, and were we endowed with zeal and abilities which we dont possess, yet still, in these islands, the harvest would be truly great, and the labourers few, very few, if local circumstances are duly considered and weighed; but as it is, being almost all infirm, and in a very precarious state of health, the ur gency of the case is still the greater. We are, hon. Fathers and Brethren, yours in the bonds of the gospel, To the Directors of the Missionary Society, London. HENRY BICKNELL JOHN DAVIES JAMES HAYWARD W. HENRY HENRY NOTT WILLIAM SCOTT CHARLES WILSON SAMUEL TESSIER. P.S. Brother Wilson, while in the islands below, spoke to crowded audiences on the Sabbaths, and Wednesday evenings; and at Raiatea, by the request of the people, and wrote down 39 names, as the worshippers of the true God, including most of the Chiefs; and since the above letter was written, a large party has arrived from Taheite, for the purpose of joining the school, &c.; and the number of scholars this day (Jan. 17, 1815) is 295. JOHN DAVIES. THE Otaheitan Mission bears a very encouraging aspect; and, in all probability, in a few generations more, Christianity will become the prevailing religion of the Society Isles. Mr. Marsden has lately visited New Zea land, in company with some Missionaries, to assist them in forming a new settlement. Three married families, and some useful mechanics, are now settled there, with the most ready acquiescence of the natives; and I think there is no room to fear their safety, while they conduct themselves with propriety. The natives have been greatly insulted, injured, and provoked by masters of vessels and JAVA. MR. Supper, now one of the minis ters of the Dutch church in Batavia, has been very diligent in the distribution of Bibles and other good books. In a letter lately received, he says, 'I received from Mr. Milne, at Macao, some tracts, the outlines of the History of the Bible, and the Divine Songs, in the Chinese language. The Chinese received them with unspeakable gratitude; some kissed the books, and bowed before me to the ground. The Arabians, as well as the Chinese, say, We want teachers to explain these writings to us.' When I was just finishing my letter, hundreds of the Chinese were passing my house, returning from their very extensive burial-ground, where they had been paying their usual homage to their deceased relations. I placed myself at the gate of my garden in the high road, and distributed among them many of the tracts. With what joy and gratitude they were received, I am unable to express. One must personally witness such scenes as these to be able to form an adequate idea of them. I must say, that the awful superstition and idolatry of such people on the one hand, and their eagerness after, and gratitude for, the word of God on the other, must either excite the warmest Missionary zeal, or miserably harden the heart,' Extract of another Letter from Mr. Supper, dated Batavia, June 27, 1815. BLESSED be God, I have hitherto enjoyed a very good state of health; and, by his grace, I can say, that I labour with great delight in bis service, and have already the pleasure to see that my humble exertions are not in vain in the Lord, O that I had a thousand tongues to make known to my fellow-men the precious gospel of salvation! Here is much, very much to be done, and great opportunities of being useful. I have been lately travelling in the island, and find that the field is very extensive and ripe for the harvest. I have conversed with Mahometan priests and their people, and I can assure you, that they seem to be ready to receive a better religion than they have hitherto professed. I believe |