religion, will be rarely found. The trait which shone in her with peculiar lustre, was " charity," which, in the estimation of Heaven, ranks above all other endowments,-being the "bond of perfectness;" even the "charity" which "suffereth long and is kind," and which "thinketh no evil." One with whom she lived more than seven years, never heard her speak an unkind word of any person. The affliction by which she was removed was sudden and severe; but her end was eminently peaceful.

W. H.

Dec. 14th.-At Evershot, in the Sherborne Circuit, aged seventy-seven, Mr. Thomas Ryall. He was brought to the knowledge of God at Blandford, through the instrumentality of R. C. Brackenbury, Esq. He was one of the first and most liberal supporters of our cause in Sherborne and its neighbourhood; and it is not undeserving of record, that he afforded the Ministers the use of a house, free of expense, for nearly twenty years. His last affliction was long and painful; but it was borne with patience, and ended in his triumphant departure to be with Christ.

Dec. 22d.-At Wakefield, aged fifty-three, Mr. Alexander Mackie, whose Christian consistency was, for many years, known and read of all who knew him. He was a member of the Wesleyan Society thirty-seven years. Soon after his union with it, he was made the subject of a sound conversion; being then in his sixteenth year of age. He subsequently sustained various church-offices, with great credit and usefulness. The utmost confidence was placed in his piety, ability, fidelity, and diligence. He was the parent and nurse of country Societies, and greatly instrumental in building suitable chapels. Many villages have cause to cherish his memory. Ilis temper was mild, his understanding clear, his integrity inflexible. He was deeply serious and devout; at once circumspect and zealous in the cause of God. Of all things the interests of religion and of Methodism lay nearest his heart. His death was in perfect keeping with his life. Through the whole of his sickness, he had an abiding consciousness of God's presence. His intellect was clear, untouched by disease. No glow of rapture; yet the heavens were cloudless. Divinely confident that all was right, and rejoicing in the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, he fell asleep. W. A.

Dec, 24th.-At Preston, aged seventy-three, Elijah Hall, a man of great simplicity of manners, and of genuine piety. For forty-five years he had been a member of Society; and for thirty had been faithful in the charge of a class. "A door-keeper," literally, in the latter part of his life, he loved to be employed in connexion with the sanctuary; having a well-grounded hope that he should "dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." In his last illness, humility and gra

titude alike characterized him. "My trust is in the bleeding Lamb,"-"It is all of the grace of God," was his dying testimony.

J. E. M.

Dec. 27th.-Mr. James Reed, of Mexbrough, near Wath, aged fifty-nine. He was a member of Society nearly forty years, during which he maintained a consistent course. The excellency of his character was appreciated by the church in which he long held the offices of Trustee, Leader, Steward, and Local Preacher. He was much respected by all who knew him; and, as a master, he was greatly beloved by his numerous work-people. His affliction was protracted, and his end was eminently peaceful. A. F.

"

Dec. 28th.-In the fifty-fifth year of her age, and in the maturity of Christian graces and of beneficent influence, Ann Eliza, the beloved wife of George Fishwick, Esq., of Springfield, near Garstang, and only daughter of the late Roger Crane, Esq., of Preston. The foundation of her eminently holy and useful character was laid in her early religious training; which, in the dawn of life, led to a deep acquaintance with her own heart, and with Christ as the only hope and refuge of a sinner. Having found the pearl of great price, she walked humbly and closely with God, and became, through the rich influences of His Spirit, a "living epistle, "-an embodiment of "whatsoever things are pure,' "lovely," and "of good report." Integrity and unselfishness were her leading characteristics; and the fruits of the Spirit were manifested in her daily walk and conversation. Her mind was vigorous and highly cultivated; and the crowning grace of humility was added to a sound judgment. She discouraged all forms of evil speaking. In her presence the lip of slander closed, abashed. "She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness." Her character exhibited a full cluster of Christian and feminine excellencies. In compliance with her express wish, no extended memoir of her will appear. But her disinterestedness and large-hearted benevolence have raised an imperishable monument among those who knew her; whilst the widow, the fatherless, the sick, and the destitute, will long mourn that the hand that was ever ready to feed, to succour, and to clothe them, has forgotten its offices of love. Throughout her painful and depressing illness, her mind was kept in great peace,-fixed on the Rock of Ages. She longed, yet calmly waited, for the coming of her Lord. Often she exclaimed, "None but Jesus! None but Jesus!"

Dec. 28th.-At Liverpool, aged seventy-five, Sarah, relict of the late Mr. William Kaye, and daughter of Mr. Jonathan Fothergill, a useful member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society when its adherents were few, and their lot that of obloquy and persecution. At the age of sixteen the word of truth, in its public ministration, was felt by her to be a "killing letter." Stricken in spirit, she fled for refuge to the Cross; and, whilst secretly pleading with God for mercy, entered into the liberty of His children. Deeming it her privilege and duty so to do, she immediately cast in her lot with the people of God; and to the end of life, for the space of nearly sixty years, by a consistent and irreproachable demeanour, as well as by the faithful discharge of every relative duty, she adorned the doctrine of her God and Saviour. Married in early life, she was blessed with a numerous offspring; yet, as a wife and mother, was she given bitterly to feel the uncertainty of this world's joys. Breach upon breach was made in the family-circle; till, in sad succession, nine beloved children, and the husband of her affection, were followed to the tomb. Yet, "in all this," she "sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." She was ardently attached to the doctrines and the economy of Wesleyan Methodism; and in the varied means of grace she took great delight. Her removal to a better world was unexpected. After perusing in the old Magazines, as was her custom, the memorials of departed saints, she retired to rest, apparently in better health than usual; but she had scarcely lain down, when symptoms of approaching dissolution were felt, and in little more than one hour she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus; her last expressions clearly indicating her confidence in God, and her prospects as to the future. W. W. S.

The disease which ultimately proved fatal, is supposed to have been induced by too severe application of the mental powers, connected with successive and distressing afflictions. His consciousness remained until within a few hours of his death, which was eminently happy and peaceful. Though deprived of speech for a week, when repeatedly asked if he "felt Christ to be precious," he promptly gave the well-known sign of assent, accompanied with a look of hopeful assurance. 8. B., 2d.

Jan. 1st.-At Athy, in the Carlow Circuit, Miss Eliza Conway, aged twenty-six years. Her conversion, which took place a considerable time since, was very distinctly marked; and her evidence of acceptance with God deep, clear, and strong. From that period until her last illness she never lost, even for a single day, her sense of the Divine favour. She engaged, with great zeal and uncommon success, in teaching a Sabbathschool class; and, in her private dealing with souls, exhibited her deep devotedness to God. Being asked, on her death-bed, if she were able to resign her will completely to the will of her Lord,-she paused, and then said, "That is a difficult lesson, but I have learned it." Her end was eminently happy.

R. M.

Jan. 2d.-At Runcorn, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, the Rev. Seth Morris. Through faith in Christ he obtained knowledge of salvation in the year 1800. He commenced his itinerancy in 1812, and laboured for his great Master until, during the year 1831, the failure of his health compelled him to become a Supernumerary. His last illness was painful and protracted; but, for a time, its fatal termination was not anticipated by any but himself. During its continuance his mind was kept in perfect peace. On being advised, a few hours before death, not to exhaust himself by speaking so much, he replied, "How can I help it?

'Happy, if with my latest breath,

I may but gasp His name!'"*

Then, melting into tears, he exclaimed, "My humbled soul! O, my humbled soul! How can I love Him enough?" In this blessed frame he slept in Jesus. R. H. H.

Jan. 7th.-At Ballyshannon, in the seventyseventh year of his age, and the forty-fourth of his ministry, the Rev. John C. Irvine. A few days before his death, he said, "I have been expecting for many weeks to be taken away every day, and wonder I keep alive so long; but, glory be to God, I have no fear. I feel I love God: I believe I love nothing but what He loves, and hate nothing but what He hates." His affliction was lengthened; but he bore it with patient resignation to the Divine will, often repeating, "Wa know that all things work together for good to them that love God." J. O.

my journal, containing the account of my visit. You will be aware that, four or five years ago, these people attracted the notice of the Ceylon Government, and measures were taken to bring them to a state of civilisation. For this purpose they were visited by the Assistant Government-Agent stationed here, accompanied by my predecessor, Mr. Stott, who embraced that opportunity of inquiring into their spiritual state, and adopting means for their evangelization. It was the intention of the Government to establish them in a few principal places, and give them a fair opportunity of cultivating lands, and leading a settled life. For this purpose they were called from the jungles, presents of cloth and food were made to them, houses were built, and trees planted, and full liberty was given them to cut down the jungle, and tools provided for that purpose. Meanwhile, school-houses were built, and Teachers established among them; and they then professed a willingness to embrace Christianity, and a large number of them were baptized, promising, as they did, to discontinue their superstitious practices, and to walk according to the rule of Christianity. For a time the efforts of the Government appeared to be crowned with success. In many places the jungle was partly cleared, and the ground cultivated, especially while the people were provided with food, tools, &c.; but as soon as these supplies were withheld, or only partially furnished, and they were thrown in any degree on their own resources, their weakness of character was manifested, and a disposition evinced to return more or less to their former unsettled mode of life. Instead of cultivating their ground at proper seasons, and waiting patiently for their produce, they repaired to the mountains for honey, and to the jungle for flesh; and their lands were consequently neglected, their trees destroyed by wild beasts, and the benevolent intentions of Government to a large extent frustrated. The Teachers, formerly appointed and paid by the Government, were after a time discontinued, and some of them taken up by the Mission; but most of these proved notoriously unfaithful, and others were unable to collect the people or the children together with any regularity; and, besides, it was found impossible to maintain them at their posts at the salary they required, especially during the last two years. Stott, I believe, visited them about three times a year for some time, until he found himself unable to travel, from the effects of jungle-fever. The Exhorters and Ca

Mr.

techists, too, were sent quarterly; but as none of these understood the language of the people any more than the Missionary, they were always obliged to use an interpreter. On coming to the Station in 1847, I found one or two Schoolmasters, in the pay of the Mission, stationed among them; but, for the reasons just assigned, these it was found necessary to discontinue. In 1847 the Veddahs were visited by the Assistant Missionary, Mr. Philips, and in 1848 by the Exhorter; but the journeys were found very expensive, as every article of provision must be taken all the way. I was too much engaged in preparing for the occupation of the new Station at Carawaoor to visit the Veddahs last year, which I much regretted; but this year, though alone on the Station, I determined, if possible, to go before the season closed, as I had heard various statements of the real state of the Veddahs, and was anxious to ascertain the truth.

October 14th.-I set out from home at about seven P. M.; reached Araoor, a village about nine miles distant, inhabited by Moors and Tamuls, and containing a large population, at half-past nine; and, after staying some time, conversing and distributing tracts among the people, in the afternoon went on to Chittande, another Tamul village, where there is a large temple. Here I conversed again with the people, and argued with them on the folly and sinfulness of idol-worship.

Next morning we entered the jungle, and travelled, till nine o'clock, to the bed of a river, where we stayed some hours; and in the afternoon came to a Veddah village, called Larvarney. Here there is now one dwelling, containing three men, three women, and five children. None of these had been baptized, and they professed to believe in Hinduism, though they did not rub ashes, nor perform any idolatrous rite. Six persons, who formerly were baptized here, were said to have died, and the rest are dispersed. After conversing with them for some time on the nature and claims of Christianity, we journeyed on to Arvettey arvele, a place about two miles distant, where there are three or four stone houses, inhabited by Veddahs. found four men, six women, and eight children, living on the bare stones, where they cook their food; and during the winter they retire into the cleft of the rock, or hide themselves underneath it. They eat monkeys, guanas, wild hogs, roots, &c. One of them had been living at Puleanteevo for some time, as a ser

We

vant in the house of the Chief Modeleer, when a youth; but when grown up, he preferred returning to his native wilds, and living by the chase. I conversed with them on their religious belief. When asked if there was a God, they said, they could not tell; for who had seen Him? They had been told, however, that there was one God, who gave them food, or withheld it; but they did not fear Him, because they could not see Him. When He gave them food, they were glad, and asked Him to sit on their mat; when He did not, they reviled Him. They knew nothing of Jesus Christ. They heard at one time about Christianity; but did not know what they heard, and had forgotten all about it. When they die, their souls go away like wind; but whether they live hereafter or not, or experience pleasure or pain, they have no idea. Some of them had been baptized themselves; but they did not wish their children to be baptized: what good could they get by it? They were formerly assisted by the Government with tools, food, &c.; but now they were not, and had to pay a tithe for what they grew. I give these statements as nearly in their own words as possible. Four men, six women, and eight children inhabit these rocks. After conversing with them for some time, we retired to the bed of the river, and passed the night there.

Next morning we travelled about nine miles further, and halted in another river; and in the afternoon went on to Ikkarkalla, a Veddah village about seven miles further, by a road full of stumps of trees, large timber, thorns, rocks and stones, and of traces of wild beasts. We reached this place about three P.M.; and soon after a violent thunder-storm came on. We were sheltered in the bungalow. Here there are nine houses, containing twelve men, twelve women, and nine children. Almost all of them were formerly baptized. They said, that before they practised devil-dancing, but now do not. They do not know how to pray; but they think of God when they lie down, and when they rise up. If they get any food, they think it is His goodness that gives it; and if they do not, they do not revile Him, but are contented and submissive. They do not think themselves good, but sinful. They know that sinners are not pleasing to God. They think there is another world, though they are not quite certain; but cannot tell where the soul goes when it leaves the body, or whether it will be happy or miserable. They heard before

hand about Jesus Christ, but have for-gotten what they heard. They do not rub ashes, or worship stones or any Heathen deities. They grow Indian corn, but do not pay tithe for it: they have also several plantain-trees.

On Thursday morning, fifteen men, thirteen women, and fourteen children assembled round the bungalow, to hear the word of God. They listened attentively, and promised to live accordingly. I baptized two children here, whose parents had been baptized, and expressed a wish that their children should receive the rite. The women wear a great quantity of beads and rings round their necks, arms, and fingers; the children wear rings, bells, and beads. They get honey from a rock near their dwelling. The principal thing they wanted was clothes, as they appear to cultivate their grounds better than those I first visited.

About eight P M. I left Ikkarkalla, and reached Ummeny at eleven A. M. This is a large Veddah settlement, where the Vanniar resides; and the road to it is, on the whole, good, and well shaded all the way. Cocoa-nut and plantain trees grow in the Vanniar's compound, and a few other places. Most of the people were gone to the jungle when I was there. I saw one field that had been sown with "paddy," and a good crop had been produced. There is plenty of water here, having its source in the neighbouring mountain. Some of the cocoa-nut trees belonging to the Veddahs are now bearing fruit; but a great many have died for want of attention. There are the remains of an old Buddhist temple cut out of the rock, and of statues of Buddhu, very much mutilated.

On Friday morning we ascended the Ummeny mountain, which may be seen at a great distance. We had a fine view from the top of the adjacent country, and of the Natoor and Araoor rivers. Abundance of grass and berries grew in the middle and towards the top of the mountain, and large quantities of honey are obtained from the holes in the rocks, to which the Veddahs descend by means of long sticks fastened to the roots of bushes, and, after smoking out the bees with fire-sticks, and getting the honey, they pull themselves up by the same method by which they went down, and then divide the spoil among themselves. We descended the mountain about half-past nine, and reached the Vanniar's bungalow at eleven A. M. The Veddahs chew the bark of trees as a substitute for betel; and when they are sick, they tie string round their necks and arms,