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faith, giving glory to God," looking for com- | with her two little ones, in the "Garland plete redemption as the result of his free Grove," which will sail for England in a few grace through Christ Jesus. His sufferings, days. Her failing health has long made it under the disease of which he died, though necessary, in the opinion of medical men, for short, were more than ordinarily severe; yet her to leave the island. he manifested great patience, and perfect resignation to the will of God. On the 2nd of November, about two o'clock, P.M., his sufferings terminated, and his spirit joined "the spirits of the just made perfect."

Mrs. Davies has keenly felt the trying dispensation, but is, I am happy to say, enabled to bear her heavy loss with much Christian fortitude. At her desire, I write to you. Mrs. Davies is thinking of leaving,

You will hear from other sources of the high estimation in which our deceased brother was held by a very large portion of the community, who are now anxious to testify their regard by making some provision for his surviving family. Need I say, that we all feel the deepest interest in their welfare, and that the case of Mrs. Davies especially calls for our keenest sympathy:

WEST INDIES.

BAHAMAS.

RUM CAY.

Our laborious missionary, Mr. LITTLEWOOD, gives the following interesting general view of the extent of his labours, and the difficulties and discouragements of the work, especially with regard to schools, in a letter dated Sept. 22, 1849.

San Salvador.

Other islands.

Connected with the Rum Cay station occasional visit from the clergy, who are exunder my supervision, are more than twelve erting their every power to establish themislands, and a great number of sub-stations. selves. These islands are far removed from each other, the means of reaching them irregular and expensive. In the absence of the mis- San Salvador, above eighty miles sionary the public services are conducted by long, has several large settlements, and is the deacons, men of good character, but entirely under Baptist control, with the extotally destitute of any advantages except ception of the late interference of the estapiety, and the ability to read very imperfectly. blishment. We had four day schools there; Sabbath schools are established wherever we they have been closed, and the teacher can obtain the services of a few able to teach; thrown upon his own resources. This is a but in some places little more than the very important station, comprising eight alphabet is known by the instructors. Hun-churches. A man of active habits might be dreds of children on these sea-girt islands are kept itinerating here with very great advangrowing up without the means of education. tage. We had connected with this station till lately six native agents supported by the Missionary Society; those funds failing, they were thrown upon the people with whom they were located, who from their poverty and a want of a proper appreciation of mental and spiritual advantages, took but little interest in them after the first few months. At Rum Cay, my principal station, we have one day school; we had two, both well attended for a time. One failed a year ago, the other is fast declining, and the teacher fears he will be obliged to close in a few weeks this, the only school on the island. The public services here are better supplied than at any of the other islands, the missionary making this his head quarters for three or four months of the year. The island is left to Baptist influence, with the exception of an

Crooked Island has several good settlements and three churches, but is without a school. Could we establish a good native preacher at Long Cay, twenty miles distant, he could supply the church there, and command an influence over Crooked and Acklin's Islands. Grand Bahama is an extensive island, surrounded by others, where we have several stations. Our schools have been closed, and the teacher recalled. At Andros Island we have been uninterrupted in our engagements till the rage of proselytism. Here we have several stations under the charge of an African youth trained by Mr. Capern; he is, however, badly provided for.

Eleuthera is committed to the charge of a worthy native preacher, who is labouring

amidst great discouragements temporarily Long Island has the advantage of the services of a zealous native preacher, who has been the means of doing much good, but is inadequately supplied with the common necessaries of life. Exuma, celebrated for clerical persecution and intolerance, is under the care of a worthy brother, but, like the rest, ill rewarded. Ragged Island, a poor place, and very difficult of access, has a large settlement and a public school. Our two churches are superintended by the deacons, men unadorned with the wisdom of this world.

Their necessities.

Here is a field of labour of the most inviting nature to the truly benevolent, and any philanthropic effort would meet with ample encouragement. The hearts of many would be made glad, whose harps are now hung

upon the willows; coming generations would rise up to call their benefactors blessed, and the unconverted would present themselves at the Saviour's feet as trophies of mercy. Thirty or forty pounds annually would support a schoolmaster or a native preacher, whose time might be divided between the schools and the public services. If a few friends, a school, or a church, would support one or more of the above stations, they would do an incalculable amount of good. Unless something be speedily done to regain our lost ground, we shall be driven from this interesting field, and the labour of years be rendered ineffectual. Our prayer is, "Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted; then shall not our teachers be removed into a corner any more, but our eyes shall see our teachers."

Our brother desires that we should "urge the claims of his station;" the above account given by himself will speak far more effectually than any words of ours.

TRINIDAD.

SAVANNA GRANDE.

The following interesting passages relative to schools, are from a letter from Mr. COWEN, under date of October 17, 1849.

In Trinidad our schools have not a very large attendance, especially in this part of the island, where the population is scattered, and during the rainy season the roads impassable for children.

that you see it is absolutely necessary, if these people are to be instructed at all as they should be, that something more be done for them. A teacher, such as would answer our present purpose, might be sustained for about £30 per annum.

Sherring Ville.

You can have no idea of the deplorable state of ignorance that prevails in these parts; among the adult population scarcely one in a hundred can read at all, and not one in five Our little school at Sherring Ville is hundred so as fully to understand and be still in operation, and though the attendimproved by it. We, as a body, ought to be ance is but small-from twenty to thirty, doing more in the way of education than we yet it is an interesting little group, not have hitherto attempted. Our strength in one of whose parents, I believe, know a the future mainly depends upon our efforts letter in a book. If we be instrumental in to render the rising mind scripturally intelli- dragging from the depths of their hereditary gent. At this moment I have a small ignorance and darkness a few of these dear chapel, in which there might and should be a children, and convert them into agents of school through the week, closed, and nothing usefulness in their day and generation, will it doing where so much is needed, all for want not be a great work? Last sabbath I visited of a little means. On visiting this place a this place, met twenty of them at the sabfew sabbaths back, I was greatly pleased to bath school, some of them, eight or ten, meet before worship a class of scripture read-reading the scriptures, and all reading someers, young persons who voluntarily meet on sabbath mornings, first to read among themselves, and then to teach any younger children that may be found. Had we a regular Christian teacher located here to aid and direct the efforts of these young people, the most beneficial results might follow. At best I can visit them but one Lord's day in three, and very often not so frequently; so

thing; while the old people, who hitherto thought education of little use, sat listening and passing their remarks as the children read, sang, recited their hymns, and answered questions. Several adults have also profited by this school, by receiving occasional instruction, and in very many families have the scriptures and other good books been from time to time read by the teacher, of which

the people themselves have made mention to months' instruction, commencing with her me with delight.

Little Victoria.

Our little school at my own house is not destitute of some interest. When first it was commenced the children had to learn their letters, among whom was little Victoria, whose parents live not far from our house. They are nominal Roman Catholics, and on that ground the priest claimed the little girl as the property of his church, and did his utmost to prevent her attendance at our school, by designating it as the" devil's school," and that if she attended it she would become "crazy," &c. But her parents, though ignorant people, were not so soft or timid as the priest supposed, and without giving him any satisfaction one way or the other, continued to send the child, with two or three others, regularly to school. They now see the advantage of it in the rapid improvement she has made in a very short time. I had the great pleasure a day or two since to present her with a Testament, which she can read tolerably well after about three

letters. I told her to read it at home to her parents, and last sabbath her father attended our worship, paying the greatest attention.

The Abbè, the boy and his Bible.

A few weeks back a lad about fourteen years of age presented himself to the teacher for admittance to the school, with his slate, paper, and bible under his arm. The teacher told me afterwards he came from the Abbe's school. I took occasion in a few days to speak to the lad on the subject, when he said "he left the priest's school because the Abbè told him one day he must not bring his bible there any more, or if he did he (the Abbè) would take it from him." The lad, though a catholic, did not like either to leave behind him or to lose his bible, so he took himself off, and has been with us ever since, daily reading the lessons of divine truth. Since he came he has also induced three or four other lads to attend with him. Now, had we no school in operation, they would not have had this refuge.

RETRENCHMENT.

Under this head we give a few additional extracts from the letters of our toil-worn brethren. They need no comment. They appeal to every Christian's attachment to his Lord. Must the lack of means compel the Committee, in face of these urgent and affecting necessities, to persist in their contemplated reductions?

Mr. WILLIAMSON of Sewry, under date of October 3, 1849, thus writes to Mr. Angus:

Your letter, under date of the 27th June | supported by funds collected on the spot. last, inclosing the resolutions of the Com- Both myself and my wife (who is a very mittee respecting a very considerable reduc- good economist) have all along adopted the tion of expenditure in our Indian mission, most economical plans we could think of; has elicited many anxious thoughts. I am and have hitherto, I believe, been enabled, sorry you are about to resign the secretary- by the help of God, to expend as little of ship. It is grievous, too, to think of con- the Society's precious funds as any European, tracting, instead of enlarging our operations. with so large a family, could probably do. Nor is it less so, to hear of the necessity You are, doubtless, well aware what an exwhich has compelled the Committee, how-pensive country this is for a European to live ever unwillingly, to resolve on so painful a in. The subject has often been a very painmeasure. And most of all it grieves me to say, that in my case it will be impossible to comply with the resolution of the Committee to the extent required. I believe you are already aware that there are no items of expenditure at this station, on account of which I draw from the Society's funds, besides that of my salary, which, about four years ago, I was enabled, by the aid of our We mean, however, to try to do something, auxiliary society, then formed, to reduce and are already at work reviewing every item from 200 to 175 rupees per mensem. Our of expenditure, and applying the scissors native preachers, orphan children, and infirm wherever necessity does not forbid their use. widows, together with our schools, being all I cannot as yet say, however, the exact

ful one for me to contemplate; but I trust I have done my best to save the Society all unnecessary expenditure at this station, and therefore fear I cannot go much further in the work of reduction, unless I were to adopt the native mode of living, which seems out of the question, especially at my time of life.

Present condition of mission.

amount of reduction we may be able to effect, the commencement of the year, however,
but I much fear it cannot be done to the full until June, there were not less than seventy,
extent required by the Committee; who, the school having suffered a considerable
however, may rely on our putting forth every reduction in consequence of an unusually
effort in order to comply with their necessary severe visitation of cholera (in which the
requirements.
Lord mercifully preserved us) in the months
of June and July, during which period it
was almost entirely deserted. Our Bengalee
I have the pleasure to say, that our little school contains about fifty, having also suf-
church has received some considerable addi- fered, though proportionably less, from the
tions this year.
It contained thirty-two same cause. Both heathens and Mohamme-
members last year. We now number thirty- dans, and Christians, have been addressed
six. Indeed, five persons have been received, once, and often twice a day, and we trust not
but one has been dismissed to another church. without effect, though, as usual, no decisive
Of those admitted, one was by dismission, results have followed, yet we doubt not that
two by baptism, and three by restoration. the work of God is progressing, and will be
There are, at present, in our English school crowned with ultimate success.
forty-five boys in regular attendance. From Lord hasten it in his time.

May the

Our missionary at Howrah, Mr. MORGAN, under date of October 5th, writes as follows:

During a period of ten years' service in the mission no communication has produced so much perplexity, anxiety, and pain, as your last. With me the mission is the centre of all my ideas, therefore any diminution of strength, whether of men or of money, is a cause of deep sorrow.

such offer. I have not accepted one invita-
tion to dinner since I have been in Howrah,
thus much valuable time has been spared.

Now for money. I have never received
one penny from the Society except my
regular salary. No children, no extra ex-
pences whatever. It cost me £10 to go on
the river last year, but I did not send in a
bill.

It has been my maxim from my arrival here to be always at my post, able to work. This cannot be done without the cultivation My first convert was a Brahmin. I supand the preservation of health. To preserve ported him for one year at my own expense. health artificial means are necessary, such as I have had Bengalee schools, native preachpunkahs in the hot weather. The govern-ers, and an English school for little Christian ment have ordered punkahs for the common vagabonds, who, according to their own acEuropean soldiers. This means has kept my count, never had a father, only a mother. wife in India, and myself in working order. The money I had here, from the English conIn ten years I was absent but one month, on gregation, sometimes more at other times less. account of fever. For the last two years I have gone through four services every Sunday, in two languages. Who beside me has done that? Without the punkahs I could not do it. However, they cost money. From January till now, I have not failed one Sunday. There are but few, if any, that can say that. Some think punkahs not necessary; yet, according to their own account, they cannot sleep at night, therefore they cannot work by day.

I have always considered that my time is the property of the mission, therefore, though

There is none of the Society's money under my control except my own salary. You will ask, can you reduce that? No; without endangering my health, and lessening my usefulness. There are two things that I fear, the undermining of my constitution, and any temptation to engage in any secular affairs. The latter will destroy the fine moral tone which a missionary ought to possess and to cultivate, and it will also injure his character. What would be gained in money would be lost in character.

In this letter I have written much about

I have had many offers from respectable par-myself, and am almost ashamed, but what ties to teach an hour in the day, and good can be done?

pay, I have always indignantly refused every

At Dinagepore our brother, Mr. SMYLIE, labours. Under date of September 11th, he says:

Your letter, bearing date 27th June, 1849, all that is expended on this station, and this was received on the 6th September. It contains heavy tidings; but we bow to the will of an all-wise, just, and merciful God, trusting he may yet hear our prayers, and send us better days.

The salary of the European missionary is

is all that has been allowed for years past,
and it is known that his salary allows of
nothing more than the common necessaries of
life. It admits of no company or invitations
whatever.

My dear brother, the reductions which

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have long been made at this station are as me almost entirely within doors. Again, if I follows:

No travelling expenses.

No native missionaries.

No native schoolmaster.
No catechists.
No schools.

No house repairs.

All is fixed, whether in sickness or in health, whether things be dear or cheap, whether we have one child's tuition, board, and clothing to pay for, or two, or more.

God alone knows what reductions can be made. I do not pay in full for my son's tuition, only for board and washing; when the second child goes to school, which I trust she will shortly do, we shall be much more straitened, though I shall not be able to pay much more than half the sum necessary. This is a subject I never intended to mention again, and it is done simply because you wish to know all that is in my heart. Perhaps the salary I receive could be reduced six or seven rupees monthly; but this would be no profit to the cause, because it will shut

were to leave the house I now have, and live in a little hut or bungalow, this would enable me to reduce my salary, but then rent would be required, and we would be in continual danger of having our house burned, as fires are common here, and take place two or three times every year. Few stations are without one or more native preachers, here we have none.

The calamity which now hangs over us is indeed great and distressing. The spirit of the natives would lead us to say, missions should be followed up, increased, and strengthened, and not weakened. If the means are wanting, what can be done? It is distressing, as it comes at a time when many have grown grey in the service, and no hope of others following. I myself am now thirty-two years in India, and I have entered my thirty-third year. Twenty years of this time have been spent in the mission, and a little more than six years were spent in the service of Christ without money and without price. Oh, that all my years had been so spent!

Let these painful details be borne in mind, and 'carried to the footstool of Divine mercy by the disciples of the Redeemer. Let the condition of our African mission be remembered. Haiti and Madras also; each requires immediate assistance and another missionary. Both the East and West Indies are crying aloud for help. May the churches of Christ arise, and say with ancient Israel, in reply to the summons of the Captain of their salvation, "Whatsoever thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.”

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

We have been favoured with the following letter from a missionary brother labouring in India. The subject of it has often been referred to in this country as a means of quickening and deepening a missionary spirit, and by some pastors of churches has been carried into effect. We most cordially commend the suggestions and remarks of this letter to general consideration.

To the Editor of the Missionary Herald.

DEAR SIR,

I think it is some months since I noticed in the Herald or the Baptist Magazine, a suggestion which, though not new, but on the contrary often put forth by missionaries and those who take an interest at home in the cause of missions to the heathen, is yet far too seldom acted upon, and needs therefore to be again reiterated. I mean, that different churches and auxiliary societies should single out particular labourers or localities in the mission field, with whom or which they will feel themselves in a manner identified, taking a peculiar interest in them, keeping up a regular correspondence with them, and binding themselves to a certain

extent to furnish the pecuniary means requisite for the support of schools, or native assistants, &c., connected with them. Of whatever church a missionary or his partner may have been (previously to their going forth) a member, or if either of them had been an office-bearer or active supporter of an auxiliary society, this circumstance of itself ought to give them both a special claim on the sympathies and zealous co-operation of such church or auxiliary. And in the case of both a missionary and his wife being personally and favourably known to the members of the same particular church or branch society, or if even merely to the pastor or office-bearers of such, there must surely be something very defective in the feelings of the parties at home, or in the conduct and

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