his ambitions as to the size and accommodation of his first house very moderate; for where a man has to do all himself, that all must not be much,—or, in the midst of other and more pressing duties, he will never accomplish it. Roads, too, have to be constructed, and land fenced and ploughed, and cattlefolds erected, ere he can have many comforts of a family character. At Kwangubeni we have already accomplished much of this nature, considering that we have been there but little more than a year. Land has been cleared and dug for a garden; land has been ploughed for forage for horses; a road has been constructed, on which three bridges have been built over small streams; a house has been erected, containing five rooms, for the Mission family,-and another, of two rooms, for the Native Teacher; trees have been planted, both ornamental and useful; and we have now in course of erection a chapel, seventeen feet wide by sixty in length inside. Our garden has flourishing therein the peach, the apricot, the nectarine, the vine, the fig, the apple, and the walnut, and yields us potatoes, cabbages, beans, and maize in abundance. One advantage we have, as compared with our Missions in the Cape colony, the land is much more productive. We have no droughts. The climate is delightful and healthy, and the land yields abundant crops. There is no country under heaven better suited to the industrious emigrant, than the colony of Natal. Right glad should I be to see thousands of Wesleyans emigrating to these parts. Land is both abundant and cheap; and many who are struggling with difficulties in England, would soon realize a competency here. I must now beg for our schools. Our children are naked; we cannot clothe them. Send us, do send us, clothing of any sort or size; and all shall be faithfully applied to the promotion of Christ's interests here. MISSIONS IN WESTERN AFRICA. BADAGRY AND ABBEOKUTA. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Thomas, dated Badagry, THE year which has just closed has been an eventful one for Africa. The intelligence which has come from England, respecting the proposed removal of the squadron from this port, has not created any joyous feelings in the mind of the Missionary; and we wonder how any true friend of the African can look on such a proposal with unconcern. Of course, we do not wish to interfere with, or to question the wisdom of, our Legislature; but think it possible that the most excellent may sometimes be led into error, by incorrect or one-sided representations of facts. No one, we conceive, can look at the horrors of the "slave chain" without being deeply affected; and the inquiry for slaves, though not so public as formerly, is still almost as great as ever; and the cruelty attendant upon it is much as it has ever been. The oppressor makes no scruple to put a slave to death for the least offence, and to repeat his acts of cruelty to one after another, though he is aware that each one would fetch a high price in the market. A case has just occurred, which shows that the principle is still as bad as ever it was: A man, who is a captured slave, from Sierra-Leone, talks English well, and has been in the employ of the Church Mission in this place, was again near undergoing all his former horrors. Going to Abbeokuta, some little time since, (where his friends reside,) he visited another town at a short distance, to trade, when he was taken, with many other of his friends, owing to a quarrel which arose between the people of Abbeokuta and the people of the town in which he was trading, and was led with many others to Lagos, the great slave-mart, to be sold; and would no doubt have been carried away, but for the sinking of a schooner, with eighty slaves in her. He narrowly escaped being put to death by the cruel Chief of Ipeggi, who had taken him, and put seven of the others to death without any remorse. But this man (Gubert) was at length redeemed by his relatives, who had to pay one hundred and thirty heads of cowries, or about twenty-nine pounds sterling money. It would appear more just in our eyes for England to extend more help to the oppressed, and place stronger guards around the person of the African. Had we English forts erected all along on this coast, we conceive our nation would reap advantages in com. merce which they cannot at present realize; and the name of our beloved Queen would be more extensively honoured, and she would command an influence over a numerous race, who would repay her by their gratitude for the protection she afforded them. Another circumstance, which has cast a gloom upon us just at this time, is the death of A. Middleton, Esq., the gentleman who was sent to survey the "lagoons," &c., of this part; which undertaking, had the gentleman lived to complete it, would no doubt have been followed by very pleasing results for Africa, and would have opened up many facilities for legitimate commerce which had been before unknown. It is worthy of remark, that the gentleman above-mentioned met with no opposition, but such as was of a trifling character, and might be easily surmounted; and he entertained the most sanguine hopes of a favourable termination. It would appear that Africa is beginning to appreciate, in some instances, the efforts which England is making on her behalf. The demise of Mr. Middleton took place at his own residence, on the 24th of last month. His remains were brought the following morning to our chapel, where I read part of the funeral service, and Mr. Smith, the Church Missionary, read the other part at the grave. We hope that some other will take up and successfully carry out the work, which promised to confer blessings on Africa. I am thankful in being able to state, that our borders have been kept in peace during the past year, though we have in a few instances been thrown into a state of excitement by reports of war being about to break forth. About a fortnight since, the Dahomians were said to be coming to attack the place, in order to furnish victims for their annual sacrifice, which is now about to take place; but it appears that Badagry has escaped this time; for a few days since they destroyed another pretty large town, (Okeadda,) which is at no great distance from this place. The people of the latter place had been in the habit of troubling the caravans in their journeys to and from Abbeokuta; hence travelling in these parts may be rendered a little more safe in future. But it is not very pleasing to think of a town being broken up to feed a cruel superstition. I now turn to the cause of God, to which I regard all other things as being but secondary, though some of them, it must be allowed, are pioneers of its progress, or bulwarks raised in its defence: but, thank God, it is destined to prosper, though everything else may fail, and stand, though everything else may go to ruin. "The gates of hell shall never prevail against it." I am sorry in not being able to report any marked success in this place; though I thank God we have been able to keep our ground. Two of our members have died during the last year, of whose safety we have no doubt. I was with one in his last moments; and his end, though not triumphant, was truly peaceful and happy. One might be led to despair of ever seeing a change take place among the natives of this place, (the Popo tribe,) were it not that the sure word of prophecy teaches us to expect it, and points out the means by which it shall be accomplished. God's word is true, and nothing can prevent its receiving a full and final accomplishment. The time will come, though it may tarry. The natives of this place keep very close to the customs of their fathers, and say it would not be right for them to change now; though the most intelligent of them acknowledge that they believe that the Christian religion will spread over their land, and be embraced by their children; they themselves, they say, are too old to embrace it, though they think, had it been brought to their fathers in former days, it would have been different with them; and now they must leave it for their children. Still, it is said that they discuss some of our doctrines at their council-houses, and know not what to make of the immortality of the soul, &c. May the day of salvation soon break upon them!] I am pleased in being able to state that our school has prospered a little, though two or three boys have been taken away of late, through the influence of Fetish, over which we can have no control. While I am on this subject, I would not forget to acknowledge the receipt of a case of most valuable articles of clothing, &c., which came through the Mission-house, from the ladies of the Fifth Manchester Circuit; the distribution of these things created great joy, and the hearts of the children glowed with gratitude toward their kind benefac tresses. Some of the things I forward to Abbeokuta, where I have no doubt they will be thankfully received. I hope the friends will be encouraged, and have the blessing of God in their labours of love, and at last be found among those to whom it will be said, "I was naked, and ye clothed me." I will now say a little respecting Abbeokuta, in which place, I am happy to say, God has been working on the hearts of the people. We have more than sixty there already meeting in class, most of whom are very sincere. The idols are being abolished, and the Saviour is with many the chief object of attraction. Some of them have been called, since embracing Christianity, to endure great persecutions; but, with scarcely an exception, they have been faithful. Conversions are not rare there. I received a letter last evening from Mr. Bickersteth, our Agent in that place; and he gives the most pleasing accounts of the work of God there. On the watch-night, he says, several were converted; and he is expecting to see still greater things. It may be very justly said of Abbeokuta, that the fields are already "white unto the harvest," and labourers are required. It seems a pity that our Society has not a regularly-ordained Missionary there, as the duties of the place seem to call for one. In fact, there is ample room for two or three; and each one would find work enough. Our friends of the Church Society are taking up the place with great energy; but there is plenty of room for all; and no doubt but, after awhile, a way will be opened from thence into the interior. And the word of God will find its way all over the continent of Africa; yea, "the deserts shall rejoice, and the wilderness shall bud and blossom as the rose." Great God, hasten the time! GOLD-COAST MISSION. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Charles Hillard, dated Anamabu, As the "Tweed" will sail for England in a few days, I embrace the opportunity of writing you a few lines. I left my former Station (Kumasi) in February last. After arriving upon the coast, I stayed at Cape-Coast a few days, and then left for Anamabu; since when my time and energies have been fully occupied in attending to the duties of my high vocation, as connected with the society and schools of this Circuit. In the midst of some discouragements we have many things to encourage. Our members in general, and our Leaders in particular, are persons who fear God and work righteousness. We have had to enforce our discipline in the expulsion of some who, during the absence of a Missionary, had disgraced their profession; but we hope that it has had a salutary influence, not only on themselves, but also on others who still remain with us, but who had for some time been halting in the divine life, or were actually grown weary of the cross of Christ. Our members, generally, appear to be quickened; we have already had "the promise of a shower," in the anxious inquiries and serious concern of some backsliders; and we are expecting greater things from the hand of the Lord. A spirit of earnest and agonizing prayer is manifested by several of our people; and we believe that they will not pray in vain. When I look upon our attentive and respectable congregations, whose appearance often indicates that their souls hunger and thirst after righteousness; and that the word of God is either quick and powerful, or as the honey and the droppings of the honey-comb ;-when I witness these things, I often exultingly exclaim, "What has God wrought!" Our chapel is inconveniently full every Sunday afternoon. We are now repairing it at a cost of £50, all of which the society have promised to pay ; yet several hints have been given me as to the necessity of a gallery, to accommodate the schools. After the present expenses are cleared off, I shall have no objections to appeal again to their charity in behalf of a gallery; but we do not intend to fall back upon the Committee for any help in this matter; and instead of injuring our people in thus stimulating them to support the house of God, we believe that it will do them much good, as they will thereby feel themselves more fully identified with us, and interested in all that concerns us, which will endear both ourselves and the cause of God to them. Our schools are well attended, especially the boys' school, the average attendance of which is seventy. Some few of them meet in class, and promise to be useful; we watch these institutions with anxious eyes and longing hearts; as from them we expect, not only the future members of our society, but also the future heralds of the cross, who will penetrate the dark and gloomy interior, and proclaim to the most degraded of the human race the Gospel of the grace of God. Since my arrival upon the coast, my health has been good; but I met with an accident the other day, which for a time appeared serious: my hammockmen let me fall down from their heads upon some craggy rocks; my back came in contact with one of the points; the blow made me insensible for the moment, after which the pain was excruciating. For some days I was afraid that my system had received a serious injury; but God has in mercy blessed the means used for recovery, and I am now fast losing all its injurious effects. It is with gratitude that I add, that I am happy, both in my work and in the Lord. Allow me to express my affectionate remembrance of you, and to beg an interest in your prayers; assuring you that I do not forget to implore the divine blessings upon you, and the great work in which you are engaged. SIERRA LEONE. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Charles Knight, Native Missionary, ORDINATION OF A NATIVE MISSIONARY.- -NATIVE INSTITUTION AT HAVING heard that the "Dale Park" will soon sail for England, I embrace the opportunity to write you these few hasty lines, by which I most respectfully beg to acknowledge the receipt of the kind and interesting communication of the Rev. Dr. Beecham on the subject of my Ordination. I did, indeed, feel a very strong desire to come over to England for it; but as the Secretaries deemed it proper that it should take place here, I most readily submitted to your decision. But I can assure you that my feelings during the week in which it was to be celebrated, were more than I can express, especially when I thought of the further obligations which this solemn and important service will place me under. I bless the Lord that I have been enabled to cast myself afresh upon the Strong for strength, and the Wise for wisdom my earnest and constant prayer to God is, "Lord, make me faithful to the end in this responsible and important undertaking!" The Ordination took place on Thursday evening, the 21st of December, 1848, in Zion chapel, in the presence of a large and respectable congregation. When I take a view of my past life, I find that the mercies and goodness of God to me, the unworthiest of all his creatures, are neither few nor small; for which I feel that I am under an infinite obligation to Him. I trust that He who has safely led me up to the present period, will continue to guide me by his unerring hand to my journey's end. You are no doubt aware that, by the appointment of our last Annual DistrictMeeting, I have removed to the Native Institution, to take part of its duties. By the recent rules which we have drawn up for it, we have increased the hours of study in the lecture-room to six. Besides our other numerous duties, Mr. Lewis teaches the students three hours, and myself three hours, daily. The following are the branches of knowledge we are teaching them; namely, Bible lesson, theology, English and Latin grammars, arithmetic, geometry, geography, natural philosophy, etymology, composition, the use of the globes, music, writing, spelling, and Conference Catechism, No. 11I., on the Evidences of Christianity. We have sent out two of the eldest students as School Teachers and Exhorters a fortnight ago. One of them, James Thomas, who has had the advantages of the Institution for a little more than five years, is sent to reestablish our school at Congo-Town; and the other young man, Thomas Johnson, who has also been in the Institution for a little more than three years, is gone to assist our Schoolmaster at Hastings. May the great Head of the church go with them, and make them a blessing to the people among whom they are sent! We have now fourteen young men remaining, most of whom are seventeen and eighteen years of age. I am fully resolved, whilst here, to render them all the assistance I can; and I pray and hope that the instruction which they daily receive from this Christian Institution, may be sanctified to their good, and that they may be made, not only the instruments of disseminating practical and useful knowledge, but of turning many of their fellow-countrymen from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto the living God. MISSIONS IN THE WEST INDIES. HAYTI. THE history and circumstances of this populous and important country have, for the last half-century, occupied a large share of the attention of all who have interested themselves in the welfare of the NEGRO RACE. The general character of the civil and political events which have occurred, during that period, has often been discouraging and calamitous, and painfully disappointing to the expectations and wishes of British Philanthropists. The establishment of the Wesleyan Mission there, now many years ago, under the direction of the venerable and excellent JOHN BROWN, and its subsequent extension and progress under the care of succeeding Missionaries, have somewhat relieved the gloom, in the view of Christian spectators, and justified the hope that brighter days are yet in store for Hayti. We cannot suppress the utterance of our own deep conviction that this Mission has not yet sufficiently engaged the feelings and efforts of our own Society; and that it ought to receive, in all its departments, and especially in its schools, the much-needed re-inforcement. We therefore earnestly call attention to the two following Letters from the Rev. Mark B. Bird, and bespeak for him and his colleagues, and for the benighted land in which they so diligently labour, (and that not without fruit unto God,) the prayers of all our readers. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mark B. Bird, dated Fort-au-Prince, IT is a great satisfaction to be able to say, with regard to the work of God in this country, that all is encouraging, with the exception of Gonaïves, where all has hitherto been barren and trying; but even there, though the preaching of the Gospel seems to have but little effect, our school decidedly prospers, and affords considerable hope that good will ultimately result. At Cayes we have been greatly tried. Such has been the peculiar state of things in that part of the island, that even the authorities of the country, who were well disposed towards the establishment of a Mission at that place, have felt themselves embarrassed about allowing us to preach the Gospel in that seat of darkness; but I am thankful to say, that religious liberty and right have at last prevailed over prejudice and ignorance, which, it is much to be feared, were under the direction of some "wolves in sheep's clothing." After repeated application to the authorities, both in person and by letter, we have at last obtained permission to preach the Gospel at Layes; but we are not allowed to hold school at present, from motives which it is to be supposed are considered as prudential by the authorities however, we may hope that even this may be obtained ultimately; but, whether or no, we are thankful that the sound of the Gospel is now heard in the most needy part of this country. We may now, therefore, consider that the pure Gospel of Christ is preached in all the main places of the French part of the island; and O may this only hope of our ruined world exert its saving power in the cities of this afflicted land! At Cape-Haytien every thing is still encouraging, as to the work of God; and it may reasonably be hoped that the new chapel, which, by the perseverance of our enterprising Missionary at that Station, will in all probability soon be ready for its noble purpose, will have a good and powerful effect amidst the ruins of that chastised and fallen city. At Jérémie, also, the arm of the Lord has been powerfully revealed, and the wrath of man has been truly made to praise God in that place. Both the society and congregation have there increased, and the need of a building dedicated to the worship of God is greatly felt. Our people at Jérémie are generally poor, but they are truly generous; and but a small help from the Committee would enable them soon to realize their laudable desire for a suitable place of worship. At the capital, I am thankful to say, |