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the soldiers, &c.-and one in the cuddy ex. clusively for passengers and servants. We have seen no particular fruit, but have had some evidence that the services have not been in vain, and trust even yet that fruit may appear, if not to ourselves, yet to others, -and so long as the work of the Lord really goes forward-so long as there is a harvest from the seed we sow, we will rejoice even though we ourselves reap it not. I wrote an appeal on behalf of our mission, and sent it round among the passengers. This realized £12. 3s. This, I doubt not, will be gratifying to our friends at home. There was, however, one thing about it on which I should like to remark, viz., that some from whom we expected something gave nothing, while others from whom we could expect nothing, gave. Our dear and devoted friends who collect for the mission may surely learn a lesson from this. I know their hearts have often been sorely pained by the unceremonious rebuffs they have met with, not merely from people of the world, but still more from some who profess to love the Saviour. Indeed, during my rounds, I have been told by several that they were really insulted by members of their own church, and insulted in such a way as they never were by any who made no pretensions to christianity. Alas! for such a mammon-god-worshipping spirit! How odious does it make christianity ap. pear! How it sours the disposition of its votaries, and makes them appear like the concentrated essence of verjuice, and leads them to insult those whose persevering, self. denying efforts secure the approbation and smiles of their Redeemer and all in heaven, and seek the present and eternal liberty and happiness of unnumbered millions who have been fast bound by Satan, lo! these many years. If I could address all these dear friends, I would still urge them to persevere, whatever may be their difficulties. It is a light thing that frail men in some instances impugn our motives; the more sensible and pious will both commend and encourage; and, what is best of all, our own conscience and our God will approve. I would not be the man to meet converted idolaters in heaven, and think, here they are arrayed in full glory; but no thanks to me- they are here rather in spite of me, for I not only refused to give what I could well have spared, to send them the gospel; but I positively slighted or insulted the collector. Should these lines meet the eye of any such characters, let me beseech him, or her, by the love of Jesus, the worth of souls, and the solemnities of eternity, to consider his ways and be wise.'

Sep. 6. Blessed be our God and Father, we have again set our feet on India's shores! O what goodness, mercies, and blessings have we to record! How distinguished have

been God's favours since bidding adieu to the land of our fathers! The first feeling of my heart as it bounded with joy was,

'I would not change my blest estate,
For all the world calls rich or great!'

I felt that it was worth coming from England to India to enjoy our first emotions. I could not indeed talk to the people, but their appearance, habits, &c., were quite familiar. It seemed more like getting home than our landing at Portsmouth, near two years before, seemed like getting to England. Soon as we landed we were met by a dear friend to all missionaries, and a baptist, Mr. Van Someren, whom I only knew by report. He took charge of our luggage, which had to go to the custom-house, and sent us all off in two carriages to his own house, where we were received with courtesy and kindness, and glow of affection by Mrs. Van Someren and family that could scarcely have been exceeded by our dearest friends. Before going on shore, however, I received a letter from brother V., enclosing others from brother Sutton and Brooks. There we learnt what could not but grieve our hearts, viz., that brother Wilkinson's health was in so precarious a state as to demand his immediate return to England. We have been cherishing the fond hope of seeing him and sister W. again, and uniting in their prayers and labours, but the Lord has otherwise ordained. It is indeed trying, both on their own account and the Society's account. But our heavenly Father knows what is best; and perhaps he has something for them to do for the benefit of the mission in England. I trust it may be so, and that in due time they may return, as we have done, refreshed and strengthened. At present they are treat. ing for a passage in the Minerva,' which is expected to sail next month, and is to touch on the coast. Whether they go in her is not yet certain. At night a letter arrived from brother Buckley. We rejoice to find that all the rest of our mission party are well. We learnt, too, that Dr. Yates and Mr. Mack had finished their bright and blessed career. Both, but especially the former, have been stars of the first magnitude. How have the mighty cedars fallen! Dr. Judson set off for America on accouut of his wife's health, but when they got to the Mauritius she was so much better that they agreed there to part—she and the family to go forward, and he to return to Burmah. Pikance, the renegade G. B. is no more.

Many changes have taken place since last I heard from India. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, (formerly Mrs. Grant), are returning to England. But I must not enlarge. I could write you a letter as long as a railroad, descriptive of scenes, places, persons, engagements, &c., &c., in Madras, but I

prefer leaving all this to brother Bailey, who has engaged to give you a full, true, and particular account. Brother Millar is to give particulars of Calcutta. This will be deeply interesting to our many friends in happy, happy Old England.

I must, before concluding, beg of you to give my name as an annual subscriber to our mission, £5.; to the college at Leicester, £2.; to the treasurer of the Association for Home purposes, £2.; to the school at Wal. thamstow for missionaries daughters, £1; making a total of £10. Please deduct this annually from my salary, viz., £5. from each half-yearly remittance. Glad am 1 to be able in this way, as well by my own labours, to assist that cause of causes, the cause of Christ. Deduct from the next. I have received fifty rupees to-day for our mission from an officer in H. M. 84th regiment, in fort St. George, Madras, and shall add it, and any other sums, to the collection on board when I balance our accounts after our journeyings, &c. Brother B. will give you an account of our visits to the Fort; labours, excitement, &c., there. I scarcely know how to stop-but I must. warmest christian love to Mrs. family, and our friends, whose name is Legion, in all parts of England. Another donation to our mission, of 100 rupees, has just come in. Blessed be God for these instances of christian liberality from perfect strangers whom we have seen but once! While strangers evince such an interest in our mission, surely our own friends will not be backward.

Give our Pike and

Mrs. Stubbins, the brethren, and Miss Collins, unite with me in kindest christian love to thee and thine. Captain Toller, also, wished particularly to be remembered to you.

A letter, just arrived from brother Lacey, says, 'Poor Pooroosootum is a real penitent. O the bitterness of sin which he expresses! I cannot but rejoice over him again as recovered from the snare of the devil,' &c. Rejoice with me, dear brother, at this delightful intelligence. The Lord be with you evermore is the prayer of Yours ever, in Christ Jesus, I. STUBBINS.

Sep. 13, 1845.

P. S. I have not time to correct mistakes. We sail, (D.v.), on Monday night for Calcutta.

PROPOSED RETURN OF REV. H. WILKINSON.

[We are truly sorry to have occasion to insert the following afflictive intelligence. Mr. Wilkinson's health has been doubtful for some time; but now his return is inevitable. Probably before this he is on the homeward voyage. May his visit to this land be overruled for good!-ED.] Berhampore Sep. 3, 1845.

MY DEAR SIR,-In addressing you at

In

this time my feelings are such as they have never been on any previous occasion. my last, which I wrote from Ganjam; I mentioned my improved state of health, it was then my hope that it would be speedily established. I little thought when I next wrote it would be the opinion of the medical men, as well as that of my brethren, that I cannot expect a perfect recovery without returning to my native climate; but such is now, I am sorry to say, the case. You will have heard from other sources the disasters which attended our last visit to Ganjam. I was attacked, among the rest, with what is here termed, the Ganjam fever;' and as my constitution had not fully recovered from former attacks of dysentery, to which it predisposes the system, I have not been able to shake it off, and have lately had, in connection with it, a return of my former complaint; so that the medical men who have attended me on this and former occa sions, recommend my immediate return to Europe. I send you a copy of their opinion on the case. The first is from Dr. Stevens, the military surgeon of Berhampore. This is contained in a note to brother Buckley.

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'My dear Mr. Buckley,-I was going to speak to you to day regarding Mr. Wilkinson, in answer to your note. It is my opinion that Mr. Wilkinson is in a very bad state of health, and labouring under dysentery and fever, and which he has had continually for the last two years; and I consider it most absolutely necessary that he should return to Europe, for the benefit of his health; and that the requisite arrangements should be made for his immediate removal, or as soon as Mrs. Wilkin son should be able to undertake a journey. Yours, very truly,

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present equal, as we have an infant only three weeks old.

To be obliged to leave the scene of our labours, where the Lord has blessed our unworthy efforts, and where the prospects are now so promising, is to us far more painful than I can express, and we have passed through a most anxious time before our minds were made up to take our departure. I trust the hearts of all our friends will be lifted up to the Lord of missions, that the step may be overruled to the advancement of his glory.

Though in our return there is much that is discouraging, still, when it is remembered that Ganjam is known as one of the most unhealthy stations in India, it will be matter of thankfulness that we were enabled to remain there so long. Of five medical men, one magistrate, and one merchant-three have left India with broken constitutions, one died, and two left the place because of its unhealthiness, after a short residence: the one that remains was born in the country; so that we have been enabled to stand the climate longer than any other European who has resided there.

We hope to write to you again before we leave Berhampore.

Yours, very sincerely,

H. WILKINSON.

LETTER FROM THE LATE GOVER-
NOR OF BENGAL, W. W.
BIRD, ESQ.

MY DEAR SIR,-The friends of our Mission have great cause for thankfulness, in common with all who are interested in the welfare of India, for the suppression of various rites opposed to our common christianity. It is deeply to be regretted that the exposure of the sick on the banks of the Ganges still prevails. The following letter has been received from the late governor of Bengal, and may interest the numerous readers of the Missionary Observer. We must not rest till this 'abomination that maketh desolate 'is abolished.

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Yours in Christ,

J. PEGGS. 24, Cambridge Square, Hyde Park, October 16, 1845.

'DEAR SIR, I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 2nd inst., and beg to say in reply, that I shall be happy, whenever an opportunity may offer, to explain to you in person my views on the important points therein referred to, (rela. tive to the exposure of the sick and infirm.) In the mean time, I must in justice observe, that I believe the local government is sincerely desirous to get rid, as soon as practi cable, of the abominations in question, together with many other observances

equally abhorrent to all who have the real welfare of India at heart; and that it will do every thing in its power for the purpose, not calculated to endanger the general tranquility. The progress of education will no doubt admit of much more being done than has yet been possible; but any steps for which the people are not prepared would only retard the accomplishment of the object in view.

The eminent individuals to whose writings you allude (Heber and Wilson) lament, in common with other friends of India, the existence of such abominations, and think they may be put down; but they have not ventured to suggest any measure for the purpose."

Under date Nov. 3rd,- I return you my best thanks for the publications which you have been so kind as to send me. They are deeply interesting, especially your letter to the Earl of Ripon, to which you particularly drew my attention. I should sincerely rejoice to hear that means had been found to put a stop to the practices you refer to. I shall be happy at all times to answer any inquiries on the subject which you or others may wish to make, in the mode I before pointed out; but the question is one of so much delicacy and importance, and involves so many points requiring to be taken into consideration, that I must decline stating my views in any other way than by private conversation.

I remain, dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, W. W. BIRD.' We have much pleasure to add, that John Poynder Esq. has been solicited to bring the whole subject before the court of directors and proprietors of the East India Company. Happy day when they shall neither 'hurt nor destroy' through every part of our eastern dominions.

THE LARGEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD.

A letter from the Rev. Mr. Coan, of Hilo, Hawaii, Sandwich Islands, contains the following graphic account of a communion scene of the largest church in the world, comprising more than seven thousand members:

'Once in three months the whole church meets at the station to eat the Lord's supper. Our last communion was on the first Sabbath in April; perhaps five thousand were present, and for the want of a convenient house for the occasion, we meet in a grove of cocoanut trees, on the sea shore. The assembly was immense, and the scene overwhelming. Before us was the wide Pacific, heaving its broad chest to the breath of heaven. Be

hind us were the everlasting mountains, rearing their snowy summits above the clouds, and forming an eternal rampart against the western sky. Beneath us was a little spot of earth, once ignited by volcanic fires, rocked by a thousand earthquakes, and more Above than once submerged with a flood.

us was the vaulted sky, that glorious mirror, that "molten looking glass," spread out and made strong by the hand of Omnipotence. Around us was a landscape of inimitable beauty, clothed with verdure, teeming with life, and smiling in loveliness. The softer and sweeter features in nature, blending with the grand, the bold, and the sublime, conBut spired to render the scene enchanting. there was one object which eclipsed all the rest, and which led us to lose sight of all the wondrous handy work of creation around. In the midst of us stood a cross! and on that cross hung the Man of sorrows! His flesh was torn, and his blood was flowing? He was tasting death for us! We heard a voice sweeter than the breath of heaven, "Look unto me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth." We heard another voice. It rose above the roar of the ocean, It is finished!" I looked on the multitude, the five thousand communicants, seated at his table, and in view of the cross. I remembered the words, 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." I thought of the predictions, "The isles shall wait for his law," and "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord." I thought of the promise, "He shall see of the travail of his soul." My heart exclaimed, "How blessed are the eyes that see the things that we see!"-Continental Echo.

DEATH OF THE REV. W. PHILIP, OF
HANKEY, SOUTH AFRICA.

On the 1st of July, Mr. Philip, with his nephew, a youth of eleven years of age, son of John Fairburn, Esq., of Cape Town, was drowned in crossing the Gamtoos River, not far from his station. As there was no one present to witness this disaster, it is impossible to explain how it occurred. It appears that the boat was very leaky, and probably the water flowed in so rapidly as to compel them to leave it, and, in the effort to save themselves, both perished. From the posi tion in which the bodies were found, it is supposed that Mr. Philip had been attempting to swim with his nephew, but, his strength failing, or getting entangled with the little boy, both sank together.

Our departed brother leaves a young widow and two infant children, with his honoured parents, Dr. and Mrs. Philips and family at Cape Town, and a numerous circle of friends and relatives, both in this country and in Africa, to bewail the melancholy event.Miss. Mag.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARIES.

ALLERTON.-On Wednesday evening Mr Peggs walked from Bradford to this village, and preached for the Mission, from Jer. xvi. 19, The Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, Vaand things wherein there is no profit.' rious statements were given confirmatory of this encouraging promise to the church. Collections and subscriptions, £3 Is. 6d. Next day Mr. Peggs proceeded to Hudders. field, and had an interesting interview with Dr. Wilson, the bishop of Calcutta, who is visiting his son-in-law, the vicar.

BURNLEY.-On Lord's-day, Septem. 21st, the missionary sermons were preached in this town. In the afternoon Mr. T. Gill, the minister of the place, preached from Prov. i. 14, 'Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse;' and in the evening Mr. Peggs, spoke from Micah iv. 5, All people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.' On Monday evening a crowded missionary meeting was held; the chair was taken by E. Pollard, Esq. Speeches were delivered by Messrs. Rutherford, Robertshaw, Butler, Abrams, Hill, and Peggs. The Juvenile Society had collected £13. 14s. 4d. Collections on Lord's day, and meeting, £6. 6s.

STALEY BRIDGE.-On Lord's day, Sep. 21st, Mr. Sutcliffe exchanged with Mr. Hollinrake, who preached three times, and collections were made on behalf of the Mission. On the Wednesday evening Mr. Peggs delivered a lecture on the past, present, and probable future state of India. Col. lections and subscriptions, £23. 10s. 6d.

It is pleasing to behold increased support of the Mission in every place visited by the deputation. Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Clayton, &c., it is expected, will shortly arrange their missionary services.

The

BARTON.-The usual services in behalf of the Foreign Mission were held at Barton, Barleston, Market Bosworth, Congeston, Bagworth, and Newbold, on Lord's-day, Nov. 9th, and the four following days. sermons on the Sabbath were preached by the pastor of the church. Brethren Yates, of Ashby; Staples, of Measham; Goadby, of Leicester; Lindley, of Hugglescote; and Pike, of Derby; were present, and delivered interesting and useful addresses at one or more of the meetings. The intelligence communicated by the esteemed secretary, was peculiarly pleasing, and will, we hope, in connection with his very solemn and impressive addresses, be very useful. The collections and contributions for the past year J. C. amounted to £55. 11s. ld.

DECEMBER, 1845.

READ AND CONSIDER.

We have only space to solicit compliance with the request placed at the head of this Chronicle. The intelligence is varied and interesting; and consequently there is propriety in asking our friends to read it. And as it tells what is doing in Ireland, and affords matter for reflection, thanksgiving, and prayer, there is equal propriety in urging its consideration.

The following extract from RICHARD MOORE's journal is worth reading and considering.

I read and explained many portions of holy writ for P. I., from the county of Mayo, to whom I gave some tracts. He seemed much impressed with the scriptures, which I explained to him in his own tongue. He told me that there was a great inquiry after the truth in his neighbourhood, since priest McNamara left the church of Rome. He requested that I would go to that place for a few days, for he was fully persuaded I should do much good, especially as able to talk the Irish language so fluently. He also informed me that the priest with whom I conversed in his part of the country, goes to church from that period to the present.

WM. LORIMER also writes,

I was invited by a romanist to go to visit his mother who was dying. I had often conversed with the family on eternal things, read the scriptures, and prayed with them. They were always glad to have a call. The poor woman had ceased speaking about an hour before I reached the house. But I hope my visit was not useless. Many persons had gathered when they heard I was there. The friends requested me to engage in prayer; after which I had a long and profitable conversation with the people. She died after I left.

I attended her funeral; and was requested by her family to address the people before they left the house. There was a large assembly, very many of them romanists. The attention of all was solemn and becoming throughout.

PAT. GUNNING writes in a similar strain, and his facts go to prove the existence of a spirit of inquiry, and that it is rapidly spreading."

In some of my former journals I spoke about a romanist who frequented my house at all opportunities, to hear the word in this life. During his illness he could not Irish. It pleased God to remove him from bear to have me one hour from his bedside. the chief opposers of the truth, is now a great His brother, who was up to that time one of friend; and within these ten days, has requested me three times to get him a Testament. Another romanist who belonged to the most bigoted sect, the scapularians, now frequents my house at all opportunities. At our last conversation he anxiously desired me to get him a small bible, or, if I could not get that, a Testament; saying to me, "When I am working in my garden, if there comes on a shower of rain, while standing in the shelter of a ditch, I would be happy to search for myself; and as I am often hired by other people, I could communicate unto others the same knowledge."

During the summer the committee accepted the offer of two students in Bristol College, to spend their vacation in Ireland. The following statement from T. COOKE, will show the readiness of the people to hear, and the importance of sending to that country the most efficient men that can be obtained.

The congregation at Easky, Mountain river, Tully-linn, and other places, were larger than I ever saw before, owing to the number of

romanists who came to hear Mr. Williams. In some places we had forty, in others more, and in some as many as 200; and not only romanists, but the various denominations of protestants were also interested in his preaching and conversation. His kindness, punctuality to his engagements, and ability, gained the greatest esteem. Indeed if nothing more came out of his visit to this popish district, than the spirit of inquiry which it has

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