The general cry of the Europeans here is, "Let the natives remain what they always have been." We are indeed now here in the same, if not worse, circumstances with our mission, than our brethren were in just thirty years ago in Bengal. I trust, however, as it pleased the Lord to let light shine out of darkness there, he will do the same in his due time even this country, for the isles of the sea shall see his glory. I trust also that He will enable me to persevere to the end, even if I should not be permitted to see any fruit of my labour, knowing that what I do for the sake of his name will not be lost. The British Religious Tract Society has sent again seventy-two reams of paper to Batavia for the printing of native tracts; several months ago thirty-two reams arrived, which have been expended. I have always got a part of that paper which that Society has sent, to print my tracts with, except the tract No. 10, this was entirely printed on other paper, and the printing expenses were defrayed solely from the profits of my Javanese grammar. 1000 copies of it have been entirely distributed gratuitously, for no one could ever expect to get a farthing for such things from the poor natives. I have written to the Bible Society in England for a certain number of Dutch Bibles. But I must request you to be so kind as to make inquiry whether these books have already been sent; if they are not yet sent, please to request that ten or fifteen German New Testaments might be added to the former number, that I may have something for the German soldiers here. Since I wrote you last, several more American missionaries are arrived at Batavia, some, I understand, with an intention to remain in this island. My heart has been gladdened by this event, as it indicates as if the Lord intended good for this poor nation. A number of German missionaries from the Rhine Society has also come to these isles; three of them are lately gone to the island of Borneo, to establish a mission there among the Dayaks, who seem to be desirous to be instructed in the word of God. One of these missionaries wrote me lately from Borneo, saying that he and his brethren had not yet been able to penetrate into the midst of that nation, but had established themselves on the shore, where they, however, found some of that nation to teach them. One of the Dayaks had made a profession of faith in Christ. I think I have mentioned all in this letter which can be interesting to you. And now I pray that I may always have a share in your prayers, and in the continuance of your brotherly affection. Your affectionate brother, JAMAICA. We are gratified to state that Mr. Tinson, who had been under the necessity of leaving the island for a season on ac count of illness, returned from New York in the month of November. His trip to America had been very beneficial to his health. He made the homeward passage in twelve days, and found his family well; mercies for which he expresses his gratitude to the great Preserver of men. In reference to native agency, Mr. T. remarks: tention. We are willing and anxious to The subject has occupied much of our at employ it; but if we have it not, what is to be done? And who but the missionaries and the churches under their care, are to judge of the fitness of our members for missionary labour? tive help. We have three deacons in HaLet it be remembered, that we have na conduct a prayer-meeting acceptably. Each of them has long done this; and, during my absence, not only on a week evening but on nover Street, either of whom can exhort and a Sabbath, when there has been no minister. both churches have been kept in peace. They have supplied Yallahs altogether, and Their expenses are paid (about eight dollars) when they go to Yallahs, and that is all they expect; by this means an important station is kept at work, without expense to the Society. I am just returned from Yallahs. Upwards of two months' wet weather, and nine or ten weeks' illness of the master-carpenter, has delayed the completion of the schoolhouse, but now the weather is fine, and the carpenter is well, and he and his hands are at work, and before you receive this I hope to have the school in operation. STEWART TOWN. Mr. Dexter, the zealous and successful missionary at this station, is one of the brethren referred to in our last Num ber, as having been laid aside by illness. We have just received a letter from him, and we are persuaded that its contents will be found so interesting as that none will complain of its length. He addresses the Secretary from Stewart Town, December (day not specified) You will doubtless have heard, some time before this reaches you, that, in common with several others of my brethren, I have been suffering severely from affliction. But for this I should, ere now, have given you some account of the stations under my care. I had, till this season, been merci fully preserved from the fevers of the country, but have now, as is generally the case with those who are attacked by them for the first time during the fourth year of their residence, been brought exceedingly low. Blessed be our heavenly Father that I can say, "When I was brought low he helped me." For some weeks before I was confined to my bed, I had been troubled with diarrhea, and directly the fever left me this returned as violently as ever. I was thus kept in a very debilitated state for a long time, having been absent from my people for eight weeks; and though I am now in mercy restored to them, and to my labours, I am still suffering severely from the same disorder. The greatest kindness was shown to me during the time both by our own people and others from whom I could not have expected it. One gentleman, an attorney for several estates in the neighbourhood, having been told of my illness, and that a change was absolutely necessary, while our nearest stations were so far distant that I could not bear the journey, kindly came and insisted on my removing to the great house on one of the properties, and remaining there as long as might be necessary. The overseers on this and the two adjoining estates, could not have treated me more kindly if they had been my most intimate friends: while the apprentices, the majority of whom are connected with us as members or inquirers, vied with each other in "doing what they could for minister." It is a fact worthy of being known, that, though there are, in round numbers, about 700 people on these estates, there have not been more than four or five punishments inflicted since the commencement of the apprenticeship, while overseers and labourers express themselves mutually pleased with each other. While I write this, I cannot help thinking, "O si sic omnes." The disclosures, however, which have recently been made by the publishing of Williams's pamphlet, and the investigation which has since taken place as to its authenticity, have done much good in this neighbourhood, as they have convinced the planters that if they will exercise their cruelties they must do so at the risk of being exposed and punished. We may be blamed by good men for interfering in this matter, but while the curse of God stands on record upon those who see their brethren ready to perish without attempting their deliverance, we can afford to bear the lesser evil, even if it be only to avoid the greater. over to the Established Church. Six have been dismissed by letter to other churches, and six have died, I trust, in the Lord. You will feel with me that this is a dark part of our picture, but I would rather it should be seen, so that the Committee may be able to judge fairly respecting these stations. Blessed be God, however, we have a brighter side, though perhaps not so bright as in some other churches. There have been eighteen baptized, and twenty more would have been admitted by this ordinance but for my illness. One has been received by letter, and several have been restored. Among the deaths, too, two or three have been of the most triumphant kind. In one of these cases, that of a free person of colour, and one of our most intelligent members. I visited her two or three times on the day of her death, and was much cheered by what I saw and heard. Her expressions of deep self-abasement, of ardent love to the Redeemer, of unshaken confidence in him, and, consequently, of triumph over the last enemy, were such as I had never heard from any one, either in England or Jamaica. If the friends in England could have been present, they would have felt with me that this alone was a sufficient recompence for all the sums which have been expended on the mission. Another case was that of an estates' negro, whom, from the distance at which he lived, I had not an opportunity of seeing. On the day before his death he told his wife that he had been in great darkness and distress," but," said he, "it is all over now, and my soul is as peaceful as a lamb." Fearing, from the manner in which he expressed himself, that he was trusting to some dream or fancied vision, she warned him against all such vain confidences, when he replied that she was mistaken, he had not fixed his hopes on anything of the kind. "But," said he, "O how great is God's forgiveness! how different it is from man's forgiveness! When man says he forgives you, he keeps something back against you in his mind; but when God forgives, he forgives altogether. Presently afterwards he said to his wife, "Well, Betsy, my wing is flapped!" She asked, "Do you mean that you are going to fly?" "Yes," he replied, "I am going to fly, my wing is flapped." She asked again, And do you think that you have faith to fly?" " Yes," he exclaimed, summoning up all his remaining strength, "I bless God that through my Lord Jesus I have faith." He spoke no more, but, in a very few minutes his spirit took its anticipated flight into the presence of that Saviour in whom he trusted. went the next day about eleven miles to bury him, and was much gratified by hearing the overseer and doctor for the property give him an excellent character for diligence and faithfulness. In the church at Rio Bueno there has been much to humble us. During the past year eleven have been excluded; four have with-I drawn; two because they could not give up their right in their fellow-creatures, and two without assigning any reason. The former still attend with us, the latter have gone But to return to Rio Bueno; our con- time, they disagreed; and he began selling gregation keeps up: the Sunday-school goods here on his own account. Till this is flourishing, having an attendance of time, though he had been kept, in a great from 150 to 200 children; and we have measure, from the prevailing sins of the lately commenced a day-school, having en- country, he had seldom been to a place of gaged a member of Mr. Knibb's church who worship, and, even when he did go, it was had learned the British system at Falmouth. only with a view to ridicule what he heard. There are at present about 50 on the books, He at first began to attend occasionally, but we expect that that number will be con- then more constantly, and frequently, as I siderably increased after Christmas. The thought, evincing symptoms of concern. I master is employed on alternate Sabbaths in did not, however, say anything to him till reading a sermon, and otherwise conducting he one day came to me in the chapel, and, the services while I am at Stewart Town. in an interesting and affecting manner, While speaking of this church, I may remark opened the state of his mind. It appears that our most intelligent member, and the that, while conversing with some of our one who knows most of his Bible, is a blind people, who, to use his own language, had young man. Having been frequently struck enjoyed far less advantages of education with the aptness and correctness of his than himself, he was struck with the greater scriptural quotations in prayer and conver- degree of religious knowledge, especially the sation, I asked him how he acquired this knowledge of the Bible, which they possessknowledge? He told me that he kept a lit-ed, and with the ease with which they sitle boy, who could read pretty well, to lead him about; and that when they were at home he employed him in reading, frequently for hours together; "and," said he, "mi-search the Scriptures for himself whether nister, when I have heard words two or three times over, I can generally recollect them." If he had one of the Bibles for the blind, I think he would soon learn to read it. I have therefore told him that I would mention his case to you, and you would perhaps find some way of getting one for him. He is an apprentice, and has nothing to depend upon, or I should have felt it was duty to buy one. We have, as yet, no house on the mission property here, and were I, by any means, to be obliged to leave that which I at present rent, I believe it would be impossible to get another in the place. It becomes, therefore, important to erect a small one, and it will be begun as soon as possible. At Stewart Town we have lost several members by death, some of whom died very happily; though I have no detailed account of their last moments. There have been three excluded and 39 added, and I expect to baptize about 30 more as soon as my strength will permit. The congregation here continues too large for the chapel; the Sunday-school is about equal to that at Rio Bueno, and a day-school has just been commenced with about 45 scholars. Here, as at Rio Bueno, there will probably be a considerable increase directly after Christmas. The young man whom I have engaged for this school, is about to join the church under very interesting circumstances. He is the son of very respectable parents, contrary to whose wishes he left England in a man-ofwar, when only about fifteen years of age. On the vessel arriving at Jamaica, he was discharged at Montego Bay, and shortly after became clerk to a store-keeper at Stewart Town. After remaining with him some lenced his objections. This led him to think that if they were right he had grossly neglected his privileges, and he determined to these things were so. By doing so and attending on the ministry of the word, he had become fully convinced of his need of an interest in Christ, and had therefore come to me for advice. I gave him such as I thought suitable, and, having with much pleasure observed his conduct and apparent growth in grace and knowledge, I proposed to him to take the school in connexion with his shop. Though the salary which I could offer him was much less than he could have obtained in some other employments he readily consented, went to Falmouth to acquire a knowledge of the system, and then commenced the school. He has since given up all thoughts of secular business, that he may devote the whole of his time to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. What may be the design of God regarding him, I know not, but I feel it my duty to assist him by imparting to him whatever of such knowledge I may possess, and trust that he who has given him the desire for it, will teach him so to employ it as shall be most for the good of his cause. He will be baptized shortly, together with the young person who was the means of first leading him to think seriously on the concerns of his soul. He will be employed, on alternate Sabbaths, in the same way as the schoolmaster at Rio Bueno. I have not yet been able to make any collection for the Society, owing to my illness, but I mentioned it to the people last Sabbath, and they expressed their readiness to do what they can, as I have no doubt they will at Rio Bueno. The effort will be made directly after Christmas; I cannot say, with Brother Burchell, that it will not interfere with our regular receipts, I believe it will; though not perhaps to the amount of what will be raised for this specific object. The next year, however, will show. I will endeavour to send my yearly statement of receipts and expenditure as early in the new year as possible, though it may perhaps not be till after the meeting of the Association. Mrs. Dexter and the children (for we have had another since I gave you any detail of family affairs) are pretty well. I have put off, from time to time, the enlargement of our house, but our increasing family renders it absolutely necessary. It is the smallest house I have seen at any of our stations, the whole of our dwelling being only equi valent to one floor of fourteen feet and a half by thirty-three feet. The schoolmaster also is at present forced to reside with us, there being no house to let in the town. From this you may easily judge how we are circumstanced in case of sickness, or a call from a brother missionary. I had forgotten to say that the only member of Stewart Town church who had any apprentices gave them their freedom on the 1st of August. She is a poor black woman, and had nothing else to depend upon. They were four in num ber. Both the churches are now free from the stain. Contributions received on Account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from January 20 to February 16, 1838, not including individual subscriptions: Miscellaneous Contributions for Special Objects. Of Miss R. Stacey, Secretary to Ladies Negro Friend Society, Falmouth, by Mr. Knibb. Coullart's Grove, by Mr. Abbott.. Near Brown's Town, by Mr. Clark. Of C. M., for Schools under the care of Mr. Knibb... 5 0 0 10 10 0 5 5 0 30 0 0 10 0 O 2 2 0 J. Venning, Esq., Norwich, per Rev. R. Knill.. W. M. Forbes, Esq., Denmark Hill.. 1 0 1 0 0 20 0 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 W. Curling, Esq., Herne Hill. 1 Joseph Curling, Esq., Do 10 0 0 TO CORRESPONDENTS.-The Box from Worcester has not yet arrived. IRISH CHRONICLE. MARCH, 1838. Subscriptions and Donations received by the Secretary, Rev. S. GREEN, Walworth; by the Rev. J. DYER, at the Baptist Mission Rooms, 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street; and the Rev. STEPHEN DAVIS, 92, St. John Street Road, Islington; the Messrs. MILLARD, Bishopsgate Street; SANDERS, 104, Great Russel Street, Bloomsbury; LADBROKE & Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; BURLS & Co., Lothbury; by the Rev. C. ANDERSON, Edinburgh: the Rev. Mr. INNES, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; the Rev. J. FORD, 1, Rathmines-road, Dublin; by Mr. J. HOPKINS, Bull Street, Birmingham; by Mr. J. H. ALLEN, Norwich; and by any Baptist Minister, in any of our principal towns. We have great pleasure in announcing, that Messrs. Hinton and Stovel are engaged for a preaching tour for a month in Ireland, during the approaching summer. The following articles have been received from Mr. Davis, who is now in Scotland on behalf of the Society. Glad shall we be if his appeal, together with the instance of liberality he records, shall awaken the attention of our friends to a society which, however good, and however encouraged, is still in arrears, to an amount awakening considerable anxiety. DELIGHTFUL LIBERALITY! A meeting was held pursuant to advertisement, Jan. 2, at the Rev. H. Angus's (Secession) chapel, Aberdeen, for the Baptist Irish Society. The Rev. J. Brown, the respected minister of St. Paul's (Episcopal) chapel, was in the chair. The rev. principal of Marischal college (Dr. Dewar) constituted the meeting by prayer; after which, in addition to the details of the Rev. Stephen Davis, agent of the Society, the meeting was addressed in animated speeches by the chairman and Dr. Dewar, and the Rev. Messrs. Becket (Relief), Kennedy (Indep.), Sedgwick (Seceder), and Souter and Stalker (Baptists). On the following day, after the weekly lecture at St. Paul's, Mr. Brown collected himself for the Society, with a plate at the door, as the congregation retired? The collections, including those by Mr. Davis on the preceding Lord's day, amounted £28 14s. 5d. This is surely an example that is worthy to be recorded and imitated. The rose and the thistle, from jealousy free, Shall raise up the shamrock to equal degree; While Christians of every persuasion unite, To spread through Hibernia Christ's perfect light. to IRELAND; ITS STATE AND NEEDS. What is the state of Ireland? is the universal question to the writer, in his applications through the country for the Baptist Irish Society. Notwithstanding the proximity of Ireland to Britain, and its union under the same government, it has been until recently almost an unknown country; but the act of union, the emancipation act, and the reform bill, in connexion with missionary exertions, have now brought it into particular notice; and it is beginning to be felt, that to neglect Ireland is to neglect ourselves, and to seek its good is to seek our own also. This is as it should be; and in proportion as we are properly impressed with the Christian duty to love our neighbour as ourselves, Ireland will receive from us the attention which is its just claim. No government can any longer neglect it; and while its political amelioration occupies the legislature, Christians must also be aroused to seek its spiritual interest. While the distant heathen, who are simply united to us as portions of the human family, experience our benevolent regard, our fellow-subjects in Ireland, who are daily becoming more incorporated with ourselves, demand from us a four-fold regard, in proportion as they have hitherto been most criminally neglected. While we have been singing, "the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places," the harp of Ireland has been too long complaining in solitude, "No man careth for our souls." It is true, that from the period of the English reformation, every successive government has been professedly engaged in promoting the reformation in Ireland. Multibeen fastened upon her impoverished retudes of Protestant ministers (so called) have sources; but it was not to be expected that individuals who had no religion, and whose only object was party or family aggrandizement, would, except by accident, do any thing for the promotion of her true spiritual interest. If Ireland or the world is to be evangelized, it must be by Christians, simply through the Christian doctrine, and in a U |