wish the Scriptures had been read to me long before now, to convert me from my bad habits!" He is now earnestly imploring mercy. I read to him from the Book of Common Prayer; and he begged of me to call on him daily, that I might teach him how to pray."

·

"Dec. 29th.-At a house where they were waking a dead body, one of my pupils stood up and said, that, if it was agreeable to the company, instead of the fables they were to make use of, and telling what never had been, and never would be, I should read to them books in the Irish language, which would draw us to repentance, and lead us to seek the end for which we were created.' To this they all consented; in number about forty people. I then read to them many passages from the Bible, together with a great part of the Book of Common Prayer; which so highly delighted them, that I was obliged

to leave my two books with the woman of the house, that if any of my pupils should come in, while they kept the corpse unburied, they might read, instead of any other amusement, which she said she would not suffer to be carried on in future."

The result of these circumstances is thus stated in another extract from the same diary, dated Tuesday, December 31st: "In the evening I called for my books; but was refused them, unless I would stop and read to the friends who came to pass that night at the house. Though I had been up all Sunday night, I consented to remain; and read the books as before, at the company's pleasure. There were about thirty people present; and not so much as one word was said in opposition. Fourteen out of the thirty desired to become pupils, On Wednesday morning I left them and came home, but without my books.-Pp, 69-71.

WEST AFRICA.-SIERRA LEONE. In addition to the melancholy list of deaths in our Number for August, we have now to record the removal of Mrs. Palmer, widow of the Rev. Henry Palmer, late chaplain to the colony; of the Rev. C. W. Beckauer; Mrs. Beniger and Mrs. Vaughan, of the Church Missionary Society; and the Rev. John Huddlestone, of the Wesleyan Society. The latest accounts also add, that the Rev. Mr. During appeared to be at the point of death.

Amidst this afflicting intelligence, we rejoice to find, that, while those who are removed witness a good confession, the work of God is still manifestly proceeding in the conversion and edification of our African brethren; and we therefore trust the following extracts will be read with interest.

Mr. Vaughan writes concerning Mrs. Pal

mer,

"On Saturday, May the 81st, I spent much time with her, in assisting her to 'settle her accounts. We had much profitable conversation. She appeared to have strong impressions (and indeed said so) upon her mind, that her time on earth would be but short. Eternity seemed present to her view. Her conversation was principally on death, judgment, and eternity. She told me that she had no desire of abiding any longer in this vain world, which was now nothing to her; but, like the Apostle, she had a great desire to depart and be with Christ: nevertheless, she wished to lie submissive in the hands of her God, and was entirely resigned to His sovereign will: and all her wish was, that the will of God might be done. She said, death had no terrors, as Jesus had taken away the sting; and, though she felt much

from inward conflict, she had nothing to fear, because her blessed Saviour, whose sufferings were far greater than ever hers had been, had not only delivered her from the power of Satan, but would deliver her in the hour of death and in the day of judgment: it was, therefore, with the greatest joy that she looked forward to the immediate presence of God, who had loved her with an everlasting love, and would never leave her nor forsake her.

"On Sunday morning, June the 1st, Mrs. Vaughan and I called to see her: she had violent fever, and was therefore not able to say much. As she reached out her hand and pressed ours, she said, 'The will of the Lord be done! I am quite resigned to it.' I then quoted some of the most applicable promises I could think of; directing her to look to Jesus, and to consider what He suffered for the joy that was set before Him. She said, 'I do: ob, I do! He is my all! He is my all, and in all! I have none other to look to. The promises that you have mentioned, with the smiles of Jesus, will sweeten the bitter waters of Marah.' I then asked her, if Christ was as precious as in former times. O yes, yes! if possible, more so. O, my dear Saviour, in Thee is all my hope-my stay-my trust! I long to see Thee face to face: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done! We then took our leave of her; commending her to the care of Him who is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and who knoweth them that trust in Him.

colony devolves. But, notwithstanding this awful dispensation, our stations are in a thriving state. The work of Almighty Grace seems daily increasing. The numerous applications of people to speak to me about the distress of their minds, often make me doubt whether the concern manifested is real: but, on examining them, I find, that all right to withhold from them the means of grace is cut off. Thirty are on trial, and have received daily instruction for baptism since the first of April.

Thus, my dear Sirs, we see every trial sanctified; as plainly as if the fact were written with a sun-beam! No sooner has the violence of the storm passed over our heads, but the Sun of Righteousness bursts through the remaining clouds with redoubled splendour and glory, to revive the half-slain, and to cause us still to go on our way rejoicing, though that way is but rugged."

"But while I have hinted at my personal affliction, I must not forget the conduct of our people; as it will throw further light on their progress. During the whole time of my sickness, which all knew was of a serious nature, the whole under my care were particularly distressed about it; and all the communicants of Regent's Town both sympathized with those here and felt for me; and their joint prayers and supplications for me were almost incessant.

"When my disease had come to a cri sis, which was on the 2d of June toward evening, I was seized with agonizing pain in the bowels, and a strong palpitation of the heart, which made me breathe with extreme difficulty. This was very soon known; and, in a little time, the bedroom and piazza were filled chiefly with the communicants, all viewing me as certainly dying. No distressing howling noise, as practised by their brethren in their natural state, was heard; but silent tears were seen running down their cheeks in great abundance, while the more hardy vented their grief in sighs and groans. The sight was too much for me: I desired them to remove, at least so far that I could not see them; and said to those near me, 'I take it very kind of you that you feel for

One

me in my distress, but you only increase my pain when I see you so: for which reason I wish you would stand in the piazza, where I cannot see you.' But, as some went out, others came in: I was, therefore, obliged to give way to them. man, who seemed to have been thinking of what I had said, came close to the bed, and said very feelingly, 'Massa, don't drive us away. We come to see what we can do for you suppose you tell us to fetch doctor from town, we can go and carry him up quick, suppose he no have horse to ride.’—

Ah,' said I, no earthly doctor can help me, if the Lord Jesus Christ does not. The only thing that is left for me and you, is to fly to Him in our trouble. I should be obliged to you, if you would pray with me!' No sooner had I uttered these words, than all were instantly on their knees; like soldiers well exercised in the use of their arms! Many times have I felt the power of prayer; but to a season like this I had been a stranger until now; and I believe all the people, too, were very deeply impressed as well as myself.”

The following view of Gloucester, by the late Rev. W. Johnson, will be read with deep interest:

"My heart rejoiced in God my Saviour, when I beheld such goodly numbers. It is now little more than six years since I took the first people to this place; and, with the assistance of a young man, built a shed for their accommodation. The brook which flows here induced me to recommend the spot to the Governor. His Excellency agreed to the proposal, named the place Gloucester, and appointed Brother During Superintendant. It was then a thick forest, but is now a neat village. The church, the parsonage house, and the girls' school, present an interesting scene: but what is far more gratifying, is a church full of attentive and cleanly dressed people; who are advancing in Christian knowledge and experience; about one hundred of them having been made acquainted, through the teaching of the Holy Spirit, with the Saviour of sinners, to whom they have fled for refuge. What has God wrought! Praise and glory be to him!"

THE Society for promoting the enlargement and building of Churches and Chapels, having recently presented their third Report, we apprehend the following extracts will be perused with considerable pleasure:

"The last Report set forth, that ten new churches and chapels had been completed, and that the same were capable of accommodating four thousand and eighty-one persons in pews, and nine thousand nine

hundred and forty-nine poor persons in free seats; that six of them had been conse crated, and that divine service was performed therein; that thirty churches and chapels were then building; that plans had been approved for ten other churches and chapels ; and that, as soon as possible, the construction of the buildings would begin.

"The said Report also stated, that plans for twenty-three other churches and chapels had been laid before the Commis

sioners; and that, in addition to the number of churches and chapels which they proposed to build, according to their preceding Report, they deemed it expedient, owing to the very peculiar circumstances attending the places, to build churches or chapels at Attercliffe, Yorkshire, Bishop Wearmouth, Durham; Greenwich, Kent; Highgate, Middlesex; and St. Andrew, Holborn.

"His Majesty's Commissioners have, since the last Report, proceeded in the execution of the important duties confided to them, with as much dispatch as the circumstances of the several cases would permit; during which time, churches or chapels have been consecrated at the following places :-St. Martin, Birmingham; Walcot, Bath; Christchurch, Southampton; Stepney, Middlesex; Bordesley, Warwickshire; Barnsley, Yorkshire; Hawarden, Flint; St. Mary, Nottingham; Portsea, Southampton; in which divine service is performed. The churches or chapels already built, afford accommodation for seven thousand one hundred and sixteen persons in pews, and for fourteen thousand three hundred and ninety-nine poor persons in free seats; by which it will appear, that the accommodation for the poor is full two thirds of the entire number of sittings.

"His Majesty's Commissioners further report, that forty-four churches or chapels are building at the following places :Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire; Attercliffe, Yorkshire; Erdington, Warwickshire; Bolton, Lancashire; St. Augustine, Bristol; Chelsea, Middlesex ; Chorley, Lancashire; Pudsey, Yorkshire; Camberwell, Surrey; Belper, Derbyshire; Hackney, Middlesex; Kidderminster, Worcestershire; Brixton, Norwood, Kennington, Waterloo Road, Surrey; Regent Street, St. George's, Hanover Square; Greenwich, Kent; Leicester, Leicestershire; Tyldesley, Lancashire; Quarry Hill, Woodhouse, Meadow Lane, Yorkshire; Hooton, Lancashire; Wyndham Place, Langham Place, and Stafford Street, St. Mary-le-bonne; Camp Field, and Salford, Manchester; Nuneaton, Warwickshire; Suffolk Street, and Beckford Place, St. Mary, Newington, Surrey; St. Luke, Middlesex; Stand, Lancashire; Regent Square, and Somers Town, St. Pancras; Fylde Road, Preston, Lancashire; Stockport, Lancashire; Broad Lane, Sheffield, Yorkshire; West Bromwich, Staffordshire; Workington, Cumberland; Stanley, and Alverthorpe, Wakefield, Yorkshire.

"His Majesty's Commissioners have also approved of plans for nine churches or chapels, to be built at Shipley and Wilsden, Bradford, Yorkshire; Bishop Wearmouth, Durham; Netherton, Dudloy, Worcestershire; Hanging Heaton, and Dewsbury

Moor, Dewsbury, Yorkshire; Pimlico, St. George's, Hanover Square; Gateshead, Durham; and Parks, Preston, Lancashire; the preliminary measures for erecting which are in different degrees of forwardness.

"His Majesty's Commissioners have received plans, which are under consideration, for sixteen churches or chapels, to be built at Bermondsey, Surrey; Blackburn, Lancashire; St. Philip, Birmingham, Warwickshire; St. James, Clerkenwell, Middlesex; Farnworth, Lancashire; Earls Heaton, Dewsbury, Yorkshire; Edmonton, Middlesex; Liverpool, Lancashire; St. Mary-lebonne, Middlesex; Travis Street, and Hulme, Manchester; Oldham, Lancashire; Portsea, Southampton; Hoxton, and Haggerstone, St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Middlesex; and Sheffield Moor, Sheffield, Yorkshire.

"The plans for the twelve churches or chapels, proposed to be built at Bethnal Green, Middlesex; Two at Blackburn, Lancashire; Birmingham, Warwickshire; St. Luke, Chelsea; St. George, in the East; St. George, Hanover Square; St. Andrew, Holborn; Highgate; St. Martin in the Fields; St. Luke, Old Street; and Kensington, Middlesex; have not yet been received.

"In the last Report it was stated, that a second new chapel was to be built at Blackburn, to accommodate two thousand persons; but, owing to the number of townships within the parish of Blackburn, it has been deemed expedient that three chapels should be built instead, to accommodate one thousand persons each, which will probably be erected for less than the large church would have cost.

"His Majesty's Commissioners are taking measures for the purpose of obtaining sites for a new chapel for Whitwick, in the county of Leicester, and at Wedmore, in the county of Somerset. They propose to advance, by way of loan, to the town of Brighton, the sum of fifteen thousand pounds, for five years, without interest, to enable the inhabitants to erect a new church, the expense of which will be borne by the parish; they have also lent the sum of two thousand pounds, for four years, to the town of Walsall, without interest, to enable the inhabitants to defray the expense of rebuilding and enlarging the parish church, in which additional accommodation for about one thousand poor persons, in free seats, has been provided.

"His Majesty's Commissioners have assigned an ecclesiastical district to a chapel at Winlaton, in the parish of Royton, and county of Durham; and applications have been made to them for dividing the parish of Walcot, in the city of Bath, into three separate and distinct parishes; and the parish of St. John, Hackney, Middlesex, into three separate and distinct parishes; which ap

plications His Majesty's Commissioners have approved.

"The Exchequer Bills, which have been issued to this day, amount to the sum of two hundred and fifty-seven thousand four hundred and fifty pounds.

"It will be observed by this Report,, that fifteen churches or chapels have been completed; that forty-four are in progress; that plans for nine churches or chapels have been approved, but the works have not been commenced; that plans for sixteen churches

or chapels are under consideration; and
that plans for twelve churches or chapels
have not yet been obtained.
C. CANTUAR.
HARROWBY,
BEXLEY.
STOWEL.
COLCHESTER.

Jos. HOLDEN POTT.
GEORGE OWEN CAMBRIDGE.
B. C. STEPHENSON.
JOSHUA WATSON."

The following melancholy intelligence from Sarepta, a settlement of the United Brethren on the Wolga, has just been received; and we cannot hesitate a moment in commending it to the serious attention of our benevolent readers.

1

Circular Letter to the Congregations of the United Brethren, and to the Friends of our Church in other Denominations. It has pleased the Lord our God, whose ways are often inscrutable, but always righteous and full of love, to visit our congregation at Sarepta, in Russia, with a very heavy disaster. On the 9th of August last, about one o'clock in the afternoon, a fire broke out in one of the outhouses of the Tobacco manufactory; and as all those premises were built of wood, and by the long-continued drought and heat had become like tinder, the flames spread with such rapidity that all human help proved vain; and in the short space of four hours and a half, the shops, with all the buildings belonging to the manufactory, the apothecary's shop, the large distillery, the warden's house, the two large houses of the single Brethren, with all their shops and farming premises, and twenty-four dwelling-houses (comprising three fourths of the whole settlement) were laid in ashes. Thus twenty-eight families, all the single Brethren, seventy in number, and about twenty families of workmen and servants, were bereft of their habitations. When the fire had reached the most dangerous place, between the single Brethren's house and the closely adjoining out-buildings of the minister's house, it pleased God to grant success to the unwearied exertions of those who came to our assistance, and to put a stop to the progress of the devouring element; otherwise, in half an hour more, the whole of Sarepta would have been converted into a melancholy heap of ruins, and all its inhabitants left without a home. "But," as the Bishop, Brother Benjamin Reichel, expresses himself in his letter, dated August 14th," our gracious God, who found it needful to treat us with paternal severity, would yet, according to the purposes of his love, not lay a heavier burden upon us

than we were able to bear, but preserved to us our beautiful church, and so many dwelling houses, that on the 10th of August, all the inhabitants, both members of the congregation and strangers, could be provided with a place of refuge. The single Brethren removed into the church, the single sisters supplying them with victuals; and all the rest of the sufferers were likewise furnished with food and lodging. Our worthy brother Wullschlegel, master of one of the manufactories belonging to the shop, anxious to save as much of the property as possible, exposed himself too long to the flames, and was burnt to such a degree, that he departed this life two days after. An aged single sister, Sophia Frantz, a servant in the inn, escaped into the street without harm, but the fright had such an effect upon her that she died of a fit in the street. Brother Hopf has assisted us in harbouring the families of the Brethren Nitchman and Langerfeld; and indeed all who have retained their houses have most cheerfully accommodated the poor sufferers in the best manner. which most of all comforts us in this state of deep distress and affiction is, that the whole congregation, with one voice, acknowledges and confesses, We have indeed deserved this severe chastisement; but the Lord, who has inflicted it, is our gracious God and Saviour; who will heal the wound, and yet make manifest his merciful purposes with Sarepta. In every countenance humble cheerfulness, resignation, and thankfulness, for the marvellous help he has afforded us, are depicted; and what the lips utter, is confirmed by grateful tears. Considering the furious and rapid progress of the flames, it is surprising how much has been saved of goods belonging to individuals, and other effects; though very much indeed has been consumed. The total loss is immense, and cannot at present be calculated. But the Lord has done it; he is almighty to help in time of need, and he will show us by what means help is to be obtained.

That

We are sure, that on the receipt of this mournful intelligence, compassion and active benevolence will be excited in the breasts of all our Brethren and sisters.