we are more than ever encouraged; there is evidently a great and good work gradually going on in Port-au-Prince; our numbers still steadily increase; and, if we had the means of enlarging our chapel, we should be justified in so doing: however, as yet the present building holds our ordinary congregations, and it is only on extraordinary occasions that we are greatly crowded; but as the ordinary congregations are increasing, we may hope that the Port-au-Prince people would, in such a case, come up to the help of the Lord, and make their own way. It is, indeed, matter of great encouragement, that, notwithstanding the long trial of our faith in the past, and the woes and miseries of the country at the present moment, we are now looking forward, by a well-sustained hope, to the accomplishment of great and mighty things. We are hoping for much from our schools, where the Gospel is certainly preached in one way or another. We have now in the Port-au-Prince society near a dozen who first learned that they were sinners in our day-school, and are now giving good reason to believe that they are seeking earnestly the kingdom of God; and several more who are beginning to feel the power of divine truth. We are therefore, upon the whole, encouraged in our general work, and are beginning to hope that the expense and toil which have long been bestowed on Hayti has not been in vain. There is, however, one thing which our little prosperity begins to render painful; and that is, our despair of more Missionaries for Hayti. In the Minutes of our last District-Meeting, we have ventured to ask for but one Missionary; but we have now so long wearied our friends with our importunities to no purpose, that both hope and faith in our prayer seem to faint: we do, however, remember that the purse-strings of Christians loosen in proportion as their worldliness diminishes, and as the flame of Christian zeal increases; and we are therefore hoping that such a fire will speedily be lighted up in the Christian churches of England, as shall send its glowing heat throughout the whole earth. The world was given into the hands of the Christian church by the Saviour, to be converted, when He told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; but, alas! although this duty has long been acknowledged, yet the world is far, very far, from being converted. But a handful of devoted men, in the apostolic age, set the world on fire with charity and love; but now that Christians abound by thousands in the earth, what are we doing? In the former case wealth was limited, and poverty was in the ascendancy; but now wealth and abundance are the lot of many Christians, and the Christian church, upon the whole, cannot plead poverty. O that the hallowed flame of primitive zeal might soon be relighted! We do, indeed, need in Hayti that our hearts and our lips should be re-touched with the living coal from off the altar. May God Almighty baptize us more fully with the Holy Ghost and with fire! We are hoping that the approaching Conference will find itself in circumstances to employ the two young natives, Joseph A. Heauraux, and Louis Jean Jacques Lilavoie, whose names appear on our Minutes, and also to give us at least one more Missionary from England. I would the more strongly urge this prayer, from the ground of hope we have that the subscriptions will materially increase in the District. It is true, that at present we seem to do but little; but it must be kept in view that this is not because our people are wanting in liberality, but in consequence of the great depreciation of the Haytian currency to make £1 sterling requires fifty Haytian dollars; hence we appear to do comparatively nothing. A sum of one thousand dollars now only gives £20 sterling; but it is impossible that such a state of things should be perpetual; the finances of the country must ultimately find their level; and we may hope that then the Haytian Mission will do much for itself in aiding its expenses. As to the present state of Hayti, but little that is satisfactory can be said. The country is far from prospering. A considerable army has now been marched into the Spanish part, with the President himself at the head. What the real design of this march is, is not known. It has, however, been thought, that the Spaniards are many of them well disposed towards the Haytian Government; and it is generally thought that the force now marched towards St. Domingo, the Spanish Capital, has rather in view to inspire confidence in those of the Spaniards who may lean towards this Government, than to make war. However, an army of fifteen thousand men, equipped especially for war, and on a march of great privation, may lead to things and circumstances that were never calculated on or intended. It is an unhappy thing for Hayti, that arms seem to be her only argument in nearly all cases; and, consequently, she is like the troubled sea, which cannot rest. Her military system has filled her with restless spirits; and although her soil is rich, and her natural resources almost unbounded, yet, so vast a proportion of the community being incessantly under arms, much is neglected, and misery reigns where nature is even prolific in her resources. But, notwithstanding the military character of the Haytian people, it is gratifying to be able to state, that the Deputation from the Congress of Peace, held in Brussels last September, has been very cordially welcomed by the President and authorities generally; in fact, notwithstanding all that may seem to the contrary, it would be unjust not to reckon the Haytians amongst the mildest and kindest people upon the face of the earth; but they need to be rightly directed. Let, then, the friends of peace, whether as Peace Societies, as Missionary Societies, or as School Societies, all remember Hayti: she is worthy of all that can be done for her; and her moral and intellectual soil is by no means barren; but we must sow to reap; and if Hayti has as yet shown but little Christianity, let it be remembered that it is simply because she has hitherto had but little of it. Extract of a Letter from the Same, dated Port-au-Prince, June 7th, 1849. It is no small consolation to be able still to say, that the work of God in this District is, upon the whole, encouraging; although, at the same time, with regard to the general affairs of the country, there is much, if not everything, to deplore. It is indeed truly evident in Hayti, that the wicked are like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. In my last, reference was made to the marching of the army towards the eastern part of the island, with the President at its head. This military enterprise has taken place according to the orders announced; but nothing more has resulted than skirmishing between the parties, some few victims on both sides, and great fatigue and suffering from want of food on the part of the French Haytians; all of which has been to no purpose; and even worse than no purpose, as the breach between the two republics is now wider than ever. population of half a million of souls, by the small handful that are now here from England and the United States? It is almost heart-breaking to the Missionary to feel his hands tied, with so much before him that might be done, if men and means were at hand. I am Amongst the many sources of anxiety and pain which we now have, is the present financial state of the country; so that our hopes of increase in our funds are not likely to be realized this year. The Haytian currency is fast sinking in value, and the result is greatly feared. In addition to all the other afflictions of the country, we have had a very severe drought, and provisions have become so afflictingly scarce and dear, that it is much to be feared that cases even of starvation will occur amongst the lower orders. The chastising hand of God weighs heavily upon the country; but, alas! there are but few who are conscious of it, and fewer still who cry for mercy. Our schools in this Circuit are still going on, both at the capital and at La Croix des Bouquets; but the present depressed state of commerce, and the distressing state of the currency, completely cripple all our resources; and we shall, no doubt, have hard work to make our way this year. So far, however, we have met our expenses in this department of our work. But, in the midst of all our discouragements with regard to the support of our schools, we are greatly held up by the fact, that already they have accomplished great good: many have there learned that they were sinners; and some have found mercy, and are now manfully bearing the cross, and are themselves engaged in training up the rising generation to know, fear, and love God: a mode of preaching the Gospel in Hayti which is truly needed. Could but her young sons and daughters, in the plains and in the mountains, be brought under the influence of Christian instruction, what might we not expect? But, alas! it is only in here and there a town that these evangelical nurseries are found; the vast wilderness is still untouched; and it is truly a waste howling wilderness," where African and Romish superstitions blend, and are directed, without the slightest molestation, by the Prince of darkness. Still, what has already been done in the way of education is quite sufficient to reconcile us, and more than reconcile us, to all our toils and sacrifices. In the church, we have much to rejoice over. Some thirteen or fourteen, during this year, have declared themselves on the Lord's side. Our congregations continue to be encouraging, and our hopes of the future continue to be good. It is matter of unspeakable satisfaction to the Haytian Missionary, as he looks upon his flock, to remember that they have been snatched, not only from the world, but from the still more deceitful enchantment of Romish pomp and error. Many there are who feel the force of evangelical truth; but they cannot yet dare the world; they cannot yet brave the sneers and accusations of those who love darkness rather than light. Still, for what has already been done we cannot be too thankful. Yea, by the blessing of God, there are many now in Hayti whose meat and drink it is to do the will of God. I am thankful to say we are all well. DEPARTURE OF MISSIONARIES. ON Sunday, September 16th, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hardey, and their three children, with Misses Drewett, Elliott, Harris, and Watson, and Mr. Roberts, son of the late General Superintendent of the Madras District, sailed from Portsmouth, in the "Vernon," Captain Voss, for Madras. On Saturday, October 6th, Mr. and Mrs. Oram sailed from Plymouth in the “Panama," Captain Thomas, for Sydney, New South Wales. The Committee are greatly indebted to John Lidgett, Esq., of London, who generously granted a free passage for Mr. and Mrs. Oram. See the "Missionary Notices" for October. On the same day, Mr. John Jenkins sailed from Liverpool, in the "Niagara," Captain Stone, for New-York. On Monday, October 8th, Mr. and Mrs. Cheesbrough, and family, sailed from Southampton, in the "Jupiter," Captain Meehan, for Gibraltar. On Monday, October 15th, Miss Allen embarked at Gravesend, by the "Thames," Captain Barclay, for Kingston, Jamaica. DEATH. INTELLIGENCE has been received of the lamented decease of Mrs. Curtis, of Brown's-Town, Jamaica, the beloved partner of the Society's highly esteemed Missionary at that place, on the 22d of August. LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. MISSION AT LAKEMBA, IN FEEJEE. WE make no apology for another Quarterly Paper on the Feejee Mission. Our last related to Vewa; this relates to Lakemba. The islands of Feejee are about one hundred and eighty-five; the inhabitants are reckoned at three hundred thousand; and they have no Teachers except the Wesleyan Missionaries. The people are forsaking their cruel cannibalism and idolatry; in those places where the Missionaries reside, or visit, they embrace Christianity; more than three thousand of them are under instruction. But in other places the poor Heathen know not what to do. At an island named Mango, they have turned from idols "uselessly," they say, because they have no one to instruct them in Christianity. Well may the Missionaries call on us to pray to God in their behalf, and to increase our contributions, that other Missionaries may be sent. Mr. Malvern says, "O let us make an extra effort, let us strain every nerve, to save those for whom Christ died.' If we do not obtain them, the Pope and the devil will." Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Mavern, dated Lakemba, Feejee, To our joy and comfort, the "John Wesley" arrived here on Saturday, the 2d inst., bringing letters, &c., from our dear friends in England, and our provisions from NewZealand for the coming year. Praise the Lord for the gift of the "John Wesley," and praise him for her preservation! What we should do without her, I do not know; we should frequently have to perform long voyages on the great deep in canoes, which would be extremely hazardous; and often, no doubt, have to put up with native fare only, which, I fear, would speedily terminate many of our lives. She landed my goods early on Monday morning, and proceeded before noon to Vewa with Mr. Calvert to the District- Meeting. I expected myself to go this year, but circumstances have rendered it necessary for my Superintendent to be there; and we thought it would not be well to leave the schools and people even for a few weeks; so that I shall be another year without seeing the whole of the brethren. This is a disappointment; but disappointments are so common in Feejee, that although we have been here so short a time, we begin to look for them as regularly as we look for the rising and setting of the sun. When I wrote you last, I was so hurried, that I had not time to thank you for your kindness to myself and Mrs. Malvern while in London, which I now beg gratefully to acknowledge; and also the very kind and motherly attention of Mrs. Beecham. You will be pleased to know that during the past twelve months our health, upon the whole, has been very good; and that, although we have had seasons of trial, we have experienced much more comfort and happiness in Feejee than we expected. The heat has not been so oppressive as we anticipated. We have had delightful companions in our very worthy Superintendent and his most excellent wife. All our wants have been supplied. We have not had to groan beneath the burden of having nothing to do, but, on the contrary, have had an abundance of employment. And we have had a gracious God every day blessing and cheering our hearts; so that even here we can erect a joyous Ebenezer; praise the Lord for his goodness; take courage for the future; and go on our way rejoicing. Two hurricanes have spent their fury upon us; and we have had two or three shocks of earthquake, which shook our houses tremendously; but hitherto not a hair of our head has been touched. When we first saw the Feejeeans, from their strange and terrific appearance, and from what we had heard of them, we were rather alarmed. Their sable bodies very nearly naked, the enormous and frightful heads of hair of some, their faces streaked with a kind of stuff like wet ashes, and painted all patterns and colours, with a large club in their hands, was enough to strike us with terror. Notwithstanding our being told again and again there was nothing to fear from them, we hardly felt safe to be near them; and took great care every night to make our house as secure as we could. We were very incredulous for some time, but have since been happy to find that our fears were altogether groundless. Pious influence has so obtained with them, not excepting the Heathen, that we have no fear of molestation from them at any time; and our property, which in England under the same protection would be plundered, remains untouched. speak in reference to this place alone. Other islands, for want of a canoe, I have not yet visited. There are many, no doubt, in these respects the same as Lakemba; but there are very many other parts of Feejee which have not been favoured with the ministrations of a Christian Missionary, and still continue to wallow in their iniquity. I I have now had a fair opportunity of knowing what effect, in a saving sense, the Gospel has had upon these people. I have been delighted to behold it to be the power of God unto their salvation. Many have told me, in terms that could not be mistaken, and with lives corroborating their testimony, that they possessed the salvation of Jesus Christ. and All the chapels on this island are well attended. The great attention of the people to the preaching of the word of God is surprising, and highly gratifying. They eagerly drink in the water of life; and while they listen to the glad tidings of great joy, they weep; frequently, in spite of their endeavours to prevent it, are obliged to give vent to their full hearts in loud crying; some from bitter remembrance of their sins, and others from feelings of gratitude and joy. In April, a very neat native-built chapel was opened by Mr. Calvert at Livuka, a neighbouring town, when a powerful influence descended upon us. In addition to its being generally felt, one or two pious natives were completely prostrated, and did not recover for several days. I am very thankful that I am enabled to partake in the felicity of preaching to these our fellow-creatures "the unsearchable riches of Christ," which I have done for some months past. May the Lord make me the instrument of saving multitudes of them from nature's "darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in him!" The desire of the Feejeeans to know how to read the Scriptures is very intense. A great |