Some weeks ago, after the work at the Cape, we held some special meetings in our new chapel at Fort-Lawrence, when the Lord was pleased to pour out His Holy Spirit upon the people, and sinners were convinced of sin and converted to God. At the Cape the Holy Spirit's working was as with a mighty rushing wind: but here he spoke with the still small voice; the blessing descended like gentle showers on the mown grass. Twenty persons have given in their names as candidates for membership: several profess to have found peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord." From the Aylesford Circuit, Mr. Barret sends me the following pleasing information:-"Some weeks ago, I proposed to the people to keep a fast-day throughout the Circuit, in order to humble ourselves before the Lord, and beseech Him in mercy to send us both temporal and spiritual prosperity. Each of our four congregations heartily consented to the proposal. God has already smiled upon the people. On our fastday we began a series of meetings at Wilmot chapel, which have continued up to the present time (December 19th). The Lord has greatly blessed these meetings, both to saints and sinners. Old and steady members have been greatly quickened and revived; backsliders in heart and life have been healed; about twenty sinners converted unto God; and many others are still in distress on account of their sins. We have held a few meetings at Aylesford-west chapel : these also have been blessed. We have now a revival in three of our four chapels. We give all the praise to God alone!" MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. AFRICA. FORT SOUTHERN BEAUFORT. It is with great pleasure that I report to you the progress of the Gospel among the native population in Fort-Beaufort. Great numbers of natives, both Fingoes and Hottentots, reside in that neighbourhood, who are deeply degraded. The scenes of wretchedness beheld amongst them are sufficient to call forth the sympathy of every mind; and we earnestly pray that speedily they may be rescued from the thraldom of Heathenism, and be introduced into the liberty of the Gospel. It is matter of rejoicing, however, that many of the natives resident in this place have received the word of God in sincerity, and are living witnesses of the power of truth to dispel the natural ignorance of the human mind. During the last two years, a greater amount of ministerial labour has been devoted to this people than was formerly practicable; and the beneficial results thereof are apparent. Our congregation has increased from about thirty people to two hundred; and many of these have been truly convinced of sin, and brought to the enjoyment of experimental religion. I am frequently delighted with the deportment and Christian sincerity of many of our native members, and especially with the spirit of inquiry excited in their minds by the preaching of the truth. Often do they propose inquiries on religious subjects, and into the meaning of Scripture passages, which clearly Many indicate that their interest in what they hear is by no means superficial. of our people can read the Holy Scriptures; and the pleasure they manifest in being put in possession of the New Testament, (which is now extensively circulated in the Kaffir language,) is gratifying in the highest degree. I often wish that some of our Christian friends in England could behold one of our native congregations in this land: the sight would fill them with grateful emotions, and stimulate to greater zeal and liberality than ever in the cause of our common Saviour. - Rev. George Smith, Graham's-Town, February 4th, 1848. SOUTHERN AFRICA.-CRADOCK.We trust the work of God is making some progress among us. We are beginning to hope that the time to favour us, the set time, is come. The word has been attended in some instances with power to the hearts of the hearers, though much opposition has been manifested in other quarters. The enemy sometimes seems as if he would come in like a flood; but we trust the Lord will lift up a standard against him. In Graham's-Town there is a good work going on; and in some other Circuits the Lord is working mightily. May we soon have a glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit !-Rev. George H. Green, Cradock, August 16th, 1848. SOUTHERN AFRICA. BECHUANA COUNTRY. Your Missionaries occupy in that District one of the most interest ing spots in South Africa; in fruitfulness it cannot be surpassed in Africa; affording a homestead for a dense population, which is being gradually accumulated, from among all the hitherto known tribes of the barren interior. Thus, materials are gathering which, when prepared by the Lord, will become the first-fruits of Central Africa; and when efficient native agency is once obtained, then help will also exist for sounding the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the centre and most barren spots of that continent. -Rev. J. P. Bertram, Kamastone, Sepember 12th, 1848. SIERRA-LEONE.-Hearing that a vessel is about to sail for England, I embrace the opportunity of sending you an account of the glorious revival of religion that has taken place in SierraLeone. Thank God, the dawn of a brighter day has evidently set in upon this colony. There is not a congregation in Freetown but has undergone a visible and blessed change. Those that were good are now overflowing, and others that were dead are now quickened into life. It is not unusual, on a Sabbath evening, to have from a dozen to fifty souls in distress on account of their sins; on one occasion we had a hundred. Nor is this work confined to Freetown. Our country-places are beginning to feel its influence. At Congo-Town the work is going on gloriously; at Wilberforce and Murray-Town there is a breathing of soul after God; and we feel persuaded that God is about to give us a blessed outpouring of His Spirit. I should not like, by these remarks, to convey an idea that we are getting a great increase in society: the work at present is confined principally to our own members, but not entirely; for we have had many from the world, and trust we shall have many more. Rev. Richard Hart, Freetown, April 8th, 1848. SIERRA LEONE. I feel happy in being able to say that our work at SierraLeone still continues to advance. From the beginning it bore evident marks of the finger of God; while the rapidity with which it continues to spread is to us as astonishing as it is cheering. When the rains were setting in, we had our fears lest many who were only impressed with good desires would be tempted to stay away from the house of God; but even in this respect we have been most agreeably disappointed. Our congregations every week continue to increase; and our only fear is, lest we shall not have room to accommodate them. It is cheer ing to our own minds to witness the mighty power of the Gospel. Backsliders, grey-headed sinners, and chil dren, are often seen kneeling at the same form, with eyes bathed in tears, and hearts heaving with sorrow, till Christ comforts them. Many of our school-children have been converted to God during the revival, and are now happy in Him. I trust this blessed work will still continue to advance till the whole colony is converted.—Rev. R. Hart, Freetown, July 11th, 1848. MANARGOODY: (Madras District.) -On the 20th of June last, between the hours of two and four in the afternoon, the roof of our preaching-place in Rajah-street was completely destroyed by fire. The roof being principally composed of bamboos, leaves, and straw, a spark from any of the neighbouring houses falling on it, and fanned by the breeze, may have been the cause of the conflagration. Without any expense to the Mission, it has been rebuilt by the Tusildar of the town, and has been reopened for divine worship. The same benevolent person has it in contemplation, I understand, to spend two or three thousand rupees in the erection of a more substantial building for our use. We are thankful for what he has done, and shall be glad to see his generous intention put into execution. In consequence of the retrenchment required in our expenditure some months ago, some of our school-operations have been since that time suspended; but, I trust, it is only for a season. As formerly, we continue to preach to the people in our school-rooms, and thus use the means instituted by Divine Wisdom for their conversion; but the hard and sterile soil, trodden down for ages, on which the precious seed is cast, yielding no encouraging moisture, it is only in rare instances that we are permitted to see even the appearance of the blade. Brethren, pray for us, that our faith fail not. There is yet a great work to be accomplished in this country. The most systematic, energetic, and extensive operations are required. The siege and the contest are likely to be difficult and prolonged, but not doubtful. When passing along the thronged streets, we look round on the living multitudes, and frequently ask ourselves, What can be done to enlighten and save this people? In the present state of the country, extensive measures should be adopted to rescue the young from the trammels and the darkness and the misery of Heathenism. Compara tively, few adults are yet converted. This may be said of India generally. It is difficult for the mind to throw off the meshes of a false religion: not that we doubt the power or the mercy of God, or the suitability of the Gospel; but such is the fact.-Rev. Peter Batchelor, November 29th, 1848. MELNATTAM : (Madras District.)— In this place we have upwards of seventy adult Christians, professedly under our care. They are not yet recognised members of the society; but they are, in profession, native Christians, and they look upon us as their spiritual Teachers. Some walk consistently, and diligently attend the means of grace; but others cause shame; they have frequently been reproved and exhorted with all faithfulness; but with little effect. A Reader has lately been specially appointed to go to their houses, and to read the Scriptures and pray with them, as they will not attend the public worship of God. We seek their salvation with strong desires, and trust the means employed will bring them to a more serious consideration of their state.-Idem. DEPARTURE OF A MISSIONARY. ON Thursday, February 15th, Mr. and Mrs. English and child embarked at Gravesend, on board the "James Holmes," for Barbadoes. ARRIVALS OF MISSIONARIES. FROM a Letter inserted in a former page of this Number, our Readers will be glad to learn the safe arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Badger at the River Gambia, on February 21st, after a passage of twelve days from Sierra-Leone, which colony Mr. Badger had visited, on his way from England, for the purpose of procuring a re-inforcement of Native Agents for the important Mission intrusted to his superintendence. Mr. May and Mr. Leigh, Native Agents at Sierra-Leone, were selected for service at the Gambia, and, with their wives, accompanied Mr. Badger to the scene of their future labours. We have also the gratification to state, that information has been received of the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison at St. Vincent, after a somewhat protracted voyage. DEATH OF A MISSIONARY. THE painful tidings of the death of the Rev. Jeremiah Hartley, one of our Missionaries in the Bechuana Country, South Africa, have just reached us. Mr. Hartley finished his earthly course at Imparani, on the 22d of November, 1848, after an illness of short duration. LONDON DISTRICT ANNIVERSARY. THE Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary Wesleyan Missionary Society for the London District will be held this year in the City-Road Chapel, on Monday Evening, May 14th, at Six o'clock. LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE. THE Colony of Natal is situated between 27° 46' and 30° 26' south latitude. It is bounded on the north-east by the Utukela and the Buffalo or Umzimyati rivers, on the west by the Draakenberg or Kahlamba mountains, on the south-west by the Umzimkulu river, and on the east by the Indian Ocean, and enibraces an area of about 13,500 square miles. This district is every where covered with vegetation either in the form of luxuriant grass, which grows to a great height, or thorns and low bushes. Timber-trees grow only in kloofs on sides of hills, excepting a belt which runs along the sea-coast. The soil is well adapted for cultivation, and capable of supporting a very large population. Water abounds in every part, and flowing streams cross the path at intervals of a few miles. The native population of this extensive territory has been computed to amount at least to between 80,000 and 100,000, and is composed principally of the remnants of several different tribes who inhabited the surrounding country previous to the time of the Zoolah Chief, Chaka. All the numerous tribes, from the Umklatusi on the north-east, to the Umzimvooboo on the south-west, and between the Kahlamba mountains and the sea, were conquered, and some of them nearly annihi CXVI. JUNE, 1849. lated, by that notoriously cruel and despotic Chieftain. During his career of conquest, multitudes were slaughtered; many thousands fled and took refuge among the tribes to the south-west, and are now to be found in Kaffirland, and in the Cape colony, where they are called Fingoes; while many thousands were taken captive and incorporated with the Zoolahs. In 1824, Chaka, for a trifling consideration, allotted to the late Lieut. Farewell a tract of country (including the Bay of Natal) extending about thirty miles along the coast, and nearly a hundred in a north-west direction. Here a settlement was formed, but was in a short time almost abandoned, so that, at the death of the inhuman Chaka, which took place in 1828, not more than two or three of the original settlers remained. Upon the accession of Dingaan, at once the brother, the murderer, and the successor of Chaka, Natal was repeatedly visited by other traders, who met with considerable encouragement from the Chief. The captive subjects of the Zoolah kingdom, under Dingaan and his successor Panda, have continued to flee from a country where they were regarded with jealousy, and subjected to oppressive and cruel treatment, and have settled around Natal, under the protection of the settlers residing there. In 1844 the territory of Natal was annexed, by letters-patent, to the colony of the Cape of Good Hope; and a Local Government, consisting of a Lieutenant-Governor and Council, was formed shortly after. The refugees from the Zoolah and other tribes may, at the present time, be estimated to amount to nearly 100,000; and these, with a comparatively small number of English and Boers or Dutch farmers, constitute the population of the Natal colony. A Wesleyan Mission was established at Natal in 1841, and has continued in successful operation to the present time. The following account of PIETERMARITZBURG, the capital, and seat of Government, has been communicated by the Rev. James Cameron, the General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions in the Bechuana District, who visited the colony in the summer of last year : PIETERMARITZBURG has its name from one Pieter Maritz, who was a leading man among the Boers at the time the site was chosen. It is delightfully situated on an extended plateau near the base of an elevated mountain, from the top of which it, as well as the surrounding country, is seen to great advantage. It is abundantly supplied with water. The plan of the town, drawn on a large scale, is not yet filled up; but considerable progress is being made towards it. The streets are too narrow, an evil which it is now too late to remedy. To every house of any size a garden is attached, where almost all kinds of vegetables, including fruittrees, may be raised. As yet there are no public edifices worth describing. The military barracks, at the upper end of the town, occupy a commanding situation, and appear to be good substantial buildings. The Government Offices, the Court-House, and the Dutch church are all in one street, of which they are no very distinguished ornaments; the two latter being clumsy Dutch fabrics, and the first, though rather more in the Eng It lish style, very low and common place in ap- It |