BEERBHOOM. Extract of a letter from Mr. Williamson, Missionary in this district, dated, Soory, 30th July, 1827. shall therefore briefly notice some events of a prior date to those recorded in our last Number, and then resume the narrative there given. Mr. Edward Baylis, who from his arrival in Jamaica had been associated with Mr. Philippo, at Spanish Town, in the management of the school, and in the ministerial labours of the station, has removed to Mount Charles. At this station a public meeting was held on the 15th of April last, when a church was formed, the ordinance of baptism was administered to 77 persons, and Mr. Baylis was recognized as the pastor. A congregation at Old Harbour, also, though 36 miles distant from Mount Charles, is supplied on alternate Sabbaths by Mr. B.; and a number of candidates had been proposed for admission into the infant society at the date of his last letter, in September, 1827. Their "Our native church I conceive to be much in the same state I noticed some time ago. I hope they are gradually gaining a more full and adequate knowledge of gospel truth, and their walk and conversation have certainly of late been more becoming the gospel. They are almost all of them now living together around my residence, I may say on the Mission premises; which I consider a very important consideration, inasmuch as the close superintendence they so much require, can be so much more easily and efficaciously employed than if they were residing at a distance, or even dispersed throughout the village. Indeed, they are so sitnated, that hardly any thing, even of trifling moment, can transpire without its becoming almost immediately known. We have lately got up four female schools with great difficulty, containing in all about 35 girls. I hope we shall be able not only to keep them in existence, but to increase their numbers, as well as the number of pupils in each school. The people here are exceedingly averse to female schools, but not so to boys, and are not a little surprised that we should be establishing the one and not the other. I have repeatedly told them of the probability of our being able to teach their boys, although I have not as yet thought it advisable to risk the attempt of introducing any thing of a decidedly religious From Annatto Bay, Mr. Flood writes, on nature into any of them. A good many Dec. 5,-"I trust the Lord is carrying on adults belonging to our native church, both his work here. We have at present thirtyold and young, are learning to read, but two candidates for church fellowship, whom most, I am sorry to say, are very backward. I expect to baptize next Lord's day mornThe education of our Christian youth is ing. My dear partner has commenced a very encouraging, and will, I hope, be ulti-Sunday school; about twenty-five children mately productive of much good. Our native preaching is carried on as fully as circumstances will allow, and I hope not without effect, though that may not be very apparent. Four preachers are at present employed, who go two and two daily into the neighbouring villages, and whenever the season will permit, will considerably extend their present circumscribed limit." JAMAICA. Mr. and Mrs. Burton landed at Morant Bay, August 27, and reached Kingston in safety on the 1st of September. voyage was attended with considerable danger, as the vessel sprang a leak in St. George's Channel, and was completely dismasted when off the island of Antigua. Mr. B. gratefully acknowledges the Divine goodness in their preservation while on the great deep, and in the continued enjoyment of health after their arrival. A later communication mentions his removal to Port Maria, since which he had been twice attacked by fever, but was mercifully restored at the date of his letter, Dec. 23. and five or six adults usually attend. May the great Lord of the harvest deign to bless this humble effort to promote his cause, so that the scholars may learn to understand as well as to read the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Some kind ladies at Northampton lately sent a very acceptable parcel of rewards for the Sunday school children, for which we would tender our grateful acknowledgments. Previously to the departure of Mr. Baylis from Spanish Town, Mr. Philippo had procured an eligible successor in the manage ment of the school, in a young man of piety in-similar post in the army. He continued to and respectable attainments, who had held a We receive applications to visit and preach in The great importance of recent proceedings in this quarter, has occasioned our more ordinary telligence to get into arrears. the neighbouring parishes, from white persons of respectability, to an extent far beyond his means to supply. Hence his letters contain urgent requests that more Missionaries may be sent over, to fill the posts which as yet are supplied but partially, or not at all. * Mr. Burchell began the enlargement of his chapel at Montego Bay in November last, and expected it would be finished in about three months. A few weeks before, he had been called repeatedly to administer the ordinance of baptism. Sept. 16, Brother Alsop, of Black River, assisted me, when 65 were baptized; and Sept. 30, Brother Hudson,* of Lucca, assisted me, when 78 were baptized. Lord's day, Oct. 14, 120 of these were received into the church, when about 500 members commemorated the death of Christ. At the close of the sacrament we held a special prayer meeting on behalf of the cause of God in this island, when a spirit of supplication was poured out indeed. The feelings of the whole church were excited, and many importunate requests were presented to God." The health of Mr. Tinson, pastor of the second church at Kingston, has been somewhat affected of late. Our readers will not be surprised at this, when they learn what is the regular routine of his engagements, which may be taken as a specimen of the exertions of our other Missionaries in the island also. "Including a prayer meeting before day, we have four services on the Sabbath; and two schools between the services, one for adults and another for children: a lecture on Thursday evenings; three prayer meetings every month, one for the Mission, another for the schools, and a third before the ordinance; funerals, sick folks to visit, classes to meet, twice almost every day into town to beg for the chapel, and continual labour with a school besides, in this debilitating country, is quite as much as I am able to bear." In a subsequent letter, he writes" With respect to our church, we are, I hope, going on well, though slowly, at least comparatively so. We have administered the ordinance of baptism once since we opened the place, to about 25 persons, and more are now in waiting. Some have been added of those who were formerly with us, but who for a time left us. Brother Burton preached twice at our chapel, and expressed himself greatly delighted with the appearance of the congregation, and the apparent prospect of usefulness. May the Lord pour out his holy spirit upon the people, and make them a thousand times as many more as they are. Our prayer meetings at day-break on Sundays and on Thursdays are well attended; last Thursday morning there were from three to four hundred persons present. This is the morning we set apart to pray particularly for the Spirit's influence; without this all our doings will amount to very little. But surely the Lord will hear prayer for his church, and what a mercy, that on this subject we cannot be too importunate-' give him no rest." " At the close of December, our senior Missionary, Mr. Coultart, gives a very pleasing account of the examination of the school under the care of Mr. Knibb. "Three hundred children were present, and exhibited specimens of their reading, writing, and arithmetic. Many of the two latter were admirable indeed. The girls presented specimens of needlework, most of which are intended for kind friends in England." Suitable rewards were distributed at the close of the examination, which appears to have been highly encouraging to Mr. Coultart and his brethren. Our readers will remember that the expence of this daily school for so many children is defrayed by Mr. Coultart's congregation. We stated in our last Number, that our Missionary brethren in Kingston and the neighbourhood had been summoned to appear before the House of Assembly. Their examination was conducted by a Committee, consisting of three individuals. It was strictly private, and lasted for several days; the object, apparently, being to elicit such information relative to missionary proceedings as may furnish, if possible, some pretext for the clauses in the late act which were so justly disapproved by his Majesty's Government. We have yet to learn in what manner it is proposed to make use of the information thus obtained, or whether any new restrictions will be laid upon the self-denying labours of our Missionary brethren. Would that our colonial fellow-subjects, instead of indulging weak and groundless jealousies as to the objects and proceedings of Christian Missionaries, would resort at once to the clear and decisive evidence of facts. They are surrounded by multitudes of slaves, who have listened to these "sectarian teachers," and received their doctrines with approbation and delight. Have they, or have they not, been improved by the change? Have not the habits of sobriety, honesty, and general good conduct, been formed in those who were once the reverse of all this? What, but the conviction of this very fact, led a member of the House of Assembly, lately deceased, not merely to invite our Missionaries to instruct his ne * Missionaries belonging to the General groes, but to contribute handsomely towards Baptist Society. their support? What has induced other re spectable gentlemen, within the last few which it relates; merely remarkmonths, to request that the Missionaries ing, that the present pecuniary would visit their estates also? The facts state of the Society renders it especially desirable that all suitable methods should be taken to render its funds more adequate to the sacred purpose we aim to pro referred to are such as any proprietor may easily ascertain; and while they are before us, we cannot avoid asking, On what principle is it, even of temporal policy, that Ministers of the Gospel are thwarted and opposed in every practicable way, merely for attempting to communicate to their poor ignorant fellow-creatures the first principles of the oracles of God? But there are considerations, whether we are alive to them or not, which far transcend all the calculations of worldly policy. The advice of a grave and learned senator of former times may be suitably recommended to those who sustain a similar character now. "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts v. .38, 39. But to return. Our readers have already been apprized, that the unavoidable, and indeed avowedly designed, result of the late proceedings in Jamaica, has been very largely to multiply the claims for pecuniary assistance for the Missionaries there, and for the various benevolent objects in which they are engaged on behalf of their respective congregations. A considerable time must of necessity elapse before the benign intentions of his Majesty's Government can be so realized as to avail to the diminution of the heavy burdens thus entailed on the Society. In the mean while, increased exertions must immediately be made to meet the exigency, or for it is in vain to disguise the fact the opponents of Christian Missions will have to triumph in the withdrawment of some of these laborious men from their arduous and honourable posts. It is for those who have been cheered and animated by the remarkable tokens of a Divine blessing attending these labours, to determine what course the Committee shall adopt. At present we must close, by reminding our readers, that in the month of January, 1827, we announced the opening of a "West India Fund," to which there has been subscribed, since the Annual Meeting in June, One Pound. HOME PROCEEDINGS. mote. SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSIONARY ASSOCIA TIONS. Experience has shewn that in the pecuniary support of the cause of God, small contributions are not to be despised. When diligently sought, and regularly collected, they produce an aggregate of great value. The number of persons who take an interest in the progress of the gospel, is thereby at the same time vastly increased. This class of contributors has not, however, been so extensively brought forward as the interests of the kingdom of Christ require. The design of this paper is to shew the desirableness of engaging our Sabbath scholars more generally in the support of the mission. On them, benevolence has conferred much of her patient and affectionate solicitude; and they ought to be tutored in the cultivation of a virtue, to the exercise of which they are so greatly indebted. But a benevolent disposition is best acquired in the school of practice. What object, then, shall we principally exhibit in our Sabbath schools, adapted to excite the benevolence of the children, and most worthy of their support? Shall it be local or general? The latter, undoubtedly, should be preferred. Of all the valuable institutions of the age, for the diffusion of religion, which shall be selected? If we choose that which operates most directly in the fulfilment of our Lord's command, Matt. xxviii. 19,—which is most needful to the universal extension of his kingdom,which, considering the extent of its sphere, requires the largest pecuniary aid, and which supplies to its contributors the most frequent, varied and interesting details; then, assuredly, it must be the Foreign Missionary Society. The support of this object has engaged the attention of many of the worthy and disinterested labourers in the schools of our denomination; but to the greater part of them, we may yet say, "Go and do thou likewise." To shew what has been done, and to give an idea of what may be expect We cheerfully comply with the request of a highly valued Cor-ed, if there should be a general concurrence respondent, by inserting the following paper, suggested by his own experience, on the subject to in the plan, the following list of Sunday order they occur, from the Report of the school contributions has been copied, in the Baptist Missionary Society for 1827. Other Brighton, Bond Street .......... ........... 6 4 1 2 10 2 6. That the subscriptions be paid over by the collectors, at the close of the school every Sabbath afternoon, to the treasurer, who shall pay in the amount at the monthly committee meeting of the Branch Association in aid of the Baptist mission. 7. That an annual meeting be held, when the amount collected shall be reported, and an address or addresses be delivered by the president and the friends of the missionary cause. 1 0 0 Let it not be thought that such an assoBirmingham, New Hall-street 215 7ciation, merely for Sunday schools, will be Scotland, Garleton... 1 18 6 useless. However small their contributions, Haddington 1 3 O they will probably be increased by such a In addition to the above, the writer has measure; while the management of the whole pleasure in stating, that the school with will be rendered easy and regular. No exwhich he is connected, became an auxiliary pense need be incurred. The rules may in the good work several months ago. be written, and hung up in the school. The few transactions of the committee may be entered with the other memoranda of the teachers' meetings, and the accounts kept on the collecting cards published by the Parent Society. In prosecuting this design, different methods appear to have been adopted. Some schools have made occasional collections; some have employed that unwearied, everasking, but unobtrusive collector, the missionary box; while others, doubtless, have solicited periodical subscriptions. The greatest effect will, however, be likely to arise from the establishment of a well organized association in each school; with which the services of the box, and an occasional collection, may be beneficially combined. The following rules of such an as-refused. sociation are respectfully submitted for consideration, subject to such alterations as local circumstances may require. 1. That this society be called "The Baptist Sunday School Association, in aid of the general objects of the Baptist Mission." 2. That all the teachers and children who shall subscribe one penny, or any lesser or greater sum, weekly or otherwise, be considered members of this association. 3. That the subscriptions be collected, under the appointment of the committee, by one male and one female teacher, assisted by those boys and girls in the Bible class, who have been longest in the school, who are able to write and cipher, and who are most entitled to esteem and confidence for the general propriety of their conduct. 4. That the teachers of the school, assembled at their monthly meeting, be con According to the above rules, the teachers should subscribe; not only to support the cause, but to strengthen their appeal to the children; or if they should be members of an auxiliary, it would be desirable to transfer their names to the school association. The smallest subscription should not be Great attention should be paid to regularity in collecting. By employing the elder children as assistants, they will be trained up as collectors, and will probably acquire an interest in the mission which hereafter may be most advantageously exerted but in selecting them, a sound discretion must be exercised, and the collectors must carefully superintend their work. Without this, the measure will be injurious. It will be highly necessary that the collectors should explain the objects of the association both to parents and children; and supply the latter regularly with the quarterly papers, a sufficient quantity of which the secretary should obtain through the nearest auxiliary, or from the mission house in London. If the minister at whose place of worship the school attends, would, in his visits to the school room, say a few words on the sub ject, and communicate striking facts and lished, there is no return of the schools anecdotes, his labour will not be in vain. connected with them; but surely there canAt the annual meeting, the attendance of not be less than four or five hundred Baptist one or two neighbouring ministers would Sunday Schools in Great Britain. If they enliven and encourage both collectors and will but adopt in this work the Cornish subscribers, and might be rendered profit-motto, "one and all," the Mission will able to the welfare of the school. derive from them not much less than £1000 per annum. Should it be objected, that we are imposing a tax on the gratitude of the children, it is only necessary to refer to the cheerful countenances with which they usually offer and pay their subscriptions. In every instance, the subscriber should be encouraged to contribute willingly; and he should be taught to consider himself honoured in being enabled thus to add a mite to the support of the Redeemer's cause. The effect will not, however, terminate here. A body of subscribers will be raised up, who, it may be hoped, will continue their support to larger Auxiliaries, after they have relinquished their seats and contributions in the school to others. The cause of the mission will be entwined among the early remembrances of a numerous portion of our youth. The energy of our inIf it should be urged, that the application defatigable teachers will become identified is unreasonable, we acknowledge that some with our attempts to preach the gospel of the scholars are poor indeed, and from among the heathen; and a missionary imthem nothing should be received; but the pulse will be given to the piety and zeal majority are in the habit of frequently ob- of many of the members of the Sabbath taining pence from their parents to spend in School Association; who from having contrifles. This spending money devoted to tributed their weekly mite to the support of the Missionary Association, is not only bet-missions, will aspire to become Missionaries ter spent than it would be otherwise; but themselves. the children may be taught to feel more gratification in thus employing it, than they could derive from any other mode. If, fellow labourers, these considerations approve themselves to your judgment, let the love of Christ and the urgent claims of The annual produce of this source of the heathen world constrain you to add to contribution, will almost entirely depend on your present services the interesting work the energy of the teachers. The preceding which has been set before you. Any relist, which may be considered as a moderate marks or suggestions on the subject, forspecimen, gives a total of £54 19 5 from warded to the Secretary in London, will re24 schools; so that, without being too san-ceive from him, no doubt, the most prompt guine, or calculating on uncertain data, we attention. may anticipate an average of £250 from each school. It is to be regretted, that in the lists of our churches occasionally pub-] Truro, Feb. 16, 1828. E. C. Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from January 20 to February 20, 1828, not including individual Subscriptions. FOR THE MISSION. Legacy of the Rev. R. G. North, late of Ware, (Executors, Messrs. £ s. d. 37 0 5 J. Cowell and T. F. Haslam,)..... Cornwall, Auxiliary Society, by Rev. Edmund Clarke :- 44 19 4 Salisbury, Collection and Subscriptions, by Mr. W. Long, Treasurer |