of our congregation deprived of hearing the Word of life. A thought struck my mind. Brother Payne having spoken to me for a change, and brother Dunbar's circuit being contiguous, I conceded. Although they had refused to let me beg, I was determined to see what I could do by borrowing, giving them good security, even the Divine promise, he that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord. They liked their security, and so laid down their dust. I was enabled to return last night with glass, stove, and a little money to

spare.

In the work of the ministry I have many foes without and fears within. The best of all is, God is with me, and the things which I have felt I declare unto others, and I trust my labours are in some measure useful, to the edifying of the church, to the perfecting of the saints. My delight is in my work. In my last circuit several got safe home to heaven; three of them were natives of Old England, and one of them among the first fruits of Mr. Wesley's labours.

JOHN FISHPOOL.

BAHAMAS.
Extract of a letter from Mr. W. WILSON,
sen. to Mr. J. JARRETT, at Rye, dated
New Providence, Dec. 17, 1817.

On my arrival at Harbour Island, from New Providence, I was much pleased to see the people waiting for me, and giving me a hearty welcome. Since last Easter Sunday the Lord has been working in a powerful manner among us. At all our meetings he is graciously present, quickening the people. On the 20th of July, while I was preaching, my mind received a deeper impression respecting the value of souls, and while pleading with sinners the Lord, in mercy, spoke powerfully to their hearts, and they began to cry aloud for mercy, from the disquietude of their souls. The longer I preached the louder cry was raised, till my voice could scarcely be heard. Our brother Turton then prayed, and the Lord continued to work, affect, and influence their minds, in an astonishing manner.

The 27th was our sacrament-day, brother Turton preached a very appropriate sermon, which was blessed to many; and while we were administering the elements, the people were dissolved in tears. Truly the Lord was at the table, feeding his children with the bread of life. August 17, I went to the Cove, it was so rough that I was necessitated to land and walk. On the 18th, in the morning, I preached and administer

ed the sacrament. In the afternoon I preached, and held a love-feast. To. wards the close of which one person manifested a strong desire to obtain peace with God, and requested one of the brethren to pray; and while he did so the Spirit of God wrought powerfully upon this people; a black woman fell to the ground, and broke out in fervent prayer; and while she was thus engaged two or three more fell prostrate, and cried aloud for mercy. At last the cry became general, and all present, of whatever age, seemed to be deeply engaged with God, either for pardon, or a deeper work of grace. Four backsliders were present, one of them fell to the ground, another cried out, "O the torment I feel, it is as if I were in hell." Eight or nine were now prostrate on the ground, and prayer was made for them, and ten found peace with God. Never did I feel more of the presence of God, than I did at this time. My heart was filled with love to him and all mankind; I thought this is worth crossing the seas for. On the 24th, one was deeply convinced of sin, and savingly converted. I am sure the Lord of missionaries has done much in this place to destroy the works of the devil.

Mrs. W. and myself have been very ill; but thanks be to the Lord we are better. In my affliction I experienced the presence of the Lord, and was enabled to look forward with pleasure into eternity; but the Lord has spared me a little longer. O that I may live more to him than ever!

I remain, my dear brother,

Your's, &c. W. WILSON.

CANADAS. Extract of a letter from Mr. DE PUTRON to Mr. ETCHELLS, dated Quebec, July 12, 1817.

For the space of five months I preached in Montreal, last summer; many came to hear, and felt the the truths they heard, but I have heard of no conversion. Last November I came to this place. A respectable merchant has given us the use of a very large room, and another is fitted up, so that without any expense on our part we have this and another place given to preach in, independently of the chapel, for which I am thankful.

What I have stated is encouraging; but, considering the ignorance and preju dices of the people, the influence which the priests have over them, the erroneous principles they instil into their minds from their earliest infancy, &c. I have had

3

many struggles in my mind, and fears concerning the success of my mission. If it please God to bless my endeavours to the conversion of these poor people, I shall exceedingly rejoice; and if not, put my hand upon my mouth, and silently adore his Providence. Had they courage to despise the threatenings of their priests and censures of the church, I should expect much. They are strictly forbidden to read the Bible, indeed few would read it, had they one. They think it is a bad book. The Testament is read by many who keep them generally in secret. We have three convents, pretty well filled with Nuns; the abode of the Friars and Monks is now occupied by soldiers. Their ceremonies are disgusting, the performers being attired in all the trappings vanity could invent.-My health is better than when I was at home. Yours, &c.

J. DE PUTRON.

Extract of a letter from Mr. BOOTH, to the COMMITTEE.

Montreal, Dec. 23d, 1817. HONOURED FATHERS AND BRETHREN,

Ir is with great satisfaction I embrace this opportunity of writing a few lines to you, by our much esteemed friend Mr. D. Fisher, a respectable merchant of this place. I should have written to you sooner, but I have been waiting for a statement of our country circuit, from Mr. Richard Pope, who went thither about the time the roads broke up, to preach to the people, until the winter should set in; for in this country there are certain seasons when we cannot travel without great risk, particularly in the spring and fall of the year; from this circumstance my writing to you has been delayed.

We feel greatly rejoiced that you have sent us two more missionaries. Praised be the Lord for his mercies in preserv ing them from danger while crossing the trackless ocean. Mr. Lusher has arrived in this city a month ago with his family, all well; but Mr. R. Johnston, who parted with him at Albany, has not been heard of yet by any of our brethren, either in the upper or lower province. Where he is, or how he is, we know not. I am sorry to inform you that our dear brother De Putron, who came from Quebec to our circuit for his health, has been very ill, through a severe cold, insomuch that for sometime his life was despaired of; but the last letter I had from him states that he was much better. With regard to the work of God in our circuit,

we have some ground of encouragement; it is proceeding, though but slowly. We have 82 members joined in society in this city; notwithstanding many have removed to other places. How many we have in the country I am not able to say exactly, until I hear from Mr. R. Pope. 1 have the satisfaction of informing you that, after despairing of it for some time, we have established a Sunday school in this place; and have now 125 scholars entered on our lists, and it promises well; glory be ascribed to God for this acquisition to his cause.

We have had a meeting of several respectable gentlemen of this city, to consider of the propriety and probable means of erecting a new chapel here, upon the Conference plan, when 400l. were subscribed; and one of the ablest architects in tire country promised to superintend the building gratis. It is supposed it will cost 25007. currency, to accommodate 1500 persons: but if we proceed it is upon the supposition of selling the present one, which, if we do, we think that a debt of not more than 6 or 8001. would be upon it, when all was finished.

As regards the state of our society, we have some reason to conclude there is an increase of piety amongst them; most of them are satisfied respecting their ac ceptance with God, and some are seeking the full sanctification of their hearts. With respect to myself I bless God I live under a sense of his favour, day by day, through faith in Jesus Christ; and, although I am sensible of my ignorance and weakness, yet, the glory of God, and the good of souls are the objects of my constant desire and pursuit. It is now more than twelve months since I came hither. Many signal deliverances have I witnessed. Three times my life has been in danger: once I was near being frozen to death; once I was almost lost in a dead swamp, having lost my way in the woods, and plunged into the swamp, and within a little of being buried therein, with my horse under me, but was miraculously saved by providentially finding some old roots of trees, just at the place where I was immerged, upon which I and my horse stood, and with difficulty and danger we both escaped. This was a little after twelve P. M. I had about ten miles and a half to ride, and preach at four P. M. I arrived soon after the time, and found the people waiting; I took a drink of water and begun the service, and God was with us, and gave me consolation that overbalanced my trouble. At another time I was thrown from my horse, and lay some time senseless on the ground.

After I was recovered a little, I mounted again, and rode a little way and rested the night, having received a violent bruise in my right side, another on my head, and my left wrist very much strained. But I rose in the morning, and preached in the forenoon, and then rode about nine niiles to another appointment; preached at four to a crowded congre gation. God was with us to bless us.

The next morning I rode about 17 miles, full of pain, insomuch that I could not bear the horse to go faster than a walking pace. The day after I had to encounter the woods again, where I wrenched my back, so that I was unable to sit upon my horse; I remained sick for a few minutes as I stood in the mud, resting myself against my beast; no house or person being near. When I was a little recovered I proceeded to my next appointment; but was in so much pain that I judged it next to an impossibility for me to preach. But when I saw the people waiting, some of whom were come seven or eight miles in the rain which had been pouring down, my heart yearned over them; and, as I did not expect to see my dear wife again in this world, I knew I could not die better than preaching the gospel of the Son of God to poor sinners. I preached to the people from these words, "Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." I had to take breath every sentence I uttered; but finished my discourse, and formed a small class, and then I was happy I had done my work until I arrived at Montreal. A fever, With great pain, ensued; and from Thursda evening until Sunday forenoon I was a prisoner in a log-house, but amongst kind friends in the woods, near the lake Champlane, before I could sit upon my horse to travel. But thanks be to Ged, all is well, and I feel myself heaven born, and heaven-bound. I frequently think on Admiral Nelson's motto,

gand expects every man to do his dutge when i have danger or difficulty 10" er. A missionary meets with Les baters, but he has his sweets. A goon cience, and Christ in his heart, rael up that is wanting beside.

i hope Canada will not rank low in your list of missionary tations in the corect a few years. There is a great field open before us. I received a letter afv days ago from Mr. Catterick, at Konsten, requesting another missionary team sent him, if one could be spared, Three Lutheran congregations having ap. Fed to him to be taken under the care or the British Methodists; also another

letter from Mr. Henry Pope, complaining for want of the help of another missionary; and inquiring after Mr. Johnston; and likewise another from Mr. Williams, at Milburn, stating that God was reviv ing his work and opening his way. Glory be to God for what he has done in Canada. I remain, dear fathers and

brethren, Your's, affectionately, in the Lord, JAMES BOOTH.

St. DOMINGO.

Extract of a leller from Mr. J. BROWN, to the SECRETARY, dated Port au Prince, Jan 3, 1818.

MY DEAR SIR,

WE received your circular of June 18, and December 1, and, with the exception of the Missionary Reports for last year, and two letters which Mr. Catts bas had from his parents, this is absolutely the only communication of any kind that we have received from England since our ar rival. That many of our friends have written to us we have no doubt, but you see not one of their letters has yet come to hand. Will you therefore be so kind as to inform our friends that not one of their letters has reached us, and request them to write again by way of New York, directing for us at Port au Prince, and to the care of Messrs. Pearsall and Grellet, Merchants, 190, Water Street, New York. I believe our friends must pay the postage of the letters they send. am sure if they knew how our hearts still cleave to them, and what it has cost us to bid them adieu, they would not think it much trouble to re-write what they have already written.

We entered on our new house, Oct. 20. The rent is 32 dollars per month. We have established a monthly collection. Our first collection was 334 dollars; our second 333; our third 38. The people have begun to cast into the Lord's trea sury, and he has begun to repay them into their own bosoms. It will give you pleasure, as it fills us with gratitude, to hear we have class-meetings. At the first, 12 were present; at the second 19; and at the third 25. I then set out on a tour along the coast, as far as Jeremie, which lasted upwards of five weeks. On my return I found the congregation was considerably increased. Their improve ment in singing delighted me: and, at our last class-meeting 36 were present, though two were wanting, on whom I believe we may reckon. Some of these have found peace with God; and the way in which they spoke in general, fully convinced

:

me that nothing but the Spirit of God, accompanying the word to their hearts, could have so brought down their popish pride, and put such heavenly wisdom within them. We have read a translation of the rules of the society every meeting except one it is understood these are the conditions, on which we receive them; and several have manifested a zeal for having them enforced. Two tremendous evils prevail in this country, Sabbathbreaking and concubinage. We try, on every occasion, to make a stand against them, and we know there is nothing too hard for the Lord. In our class is one of the chief chanters of the church, a young man, who studies his Bible diligently; and some of the President's domestics. And it is remarkable, that the greater part of His Excellency's servants come to our preaching. Mr. Catts, during my absence, preached in the house of the President's house-steward, in the palace-yard. Our watch-night, at the close of the year, was indeed sweet to my soul. Our house was full. I read Matthew xxv. and preached. Mr. Catts then read a tract, and made remarks thereon, that would not have disgraced hoary hairs. He then came down from the pulpit, and distributed 72 of these tracts in the congrega

tion.

For several months we have had a Sunday-school for adults, in which from 15 to 20 attend regularly, and some of them have made considerable progress. Nov. 24. 1 left Port au Prince, to visit the places along the coast, as far as Jeremie, a distance of sixty leagues. I preached twice at Leogane, twice at Grand Goave, five times at Petit Goave, five times at Mirogoane, twice at L'Ause a Veau, once at Petit Frow, once at Pestel, six times at Jeremie. There are two other towns which I could not visit, viz. Barraderé and Cowail. All these are considerable places, and contain a great number of inhabitants, especially Petit Goave, Jeremie and Leogane. I distributed a great number of religious tracts, which were received with eagerness, as well as Bibles and Testaments, which I took with me. A military law existing here, every town has a commandant and Judge de Paix; I had with me a pass from the commandant of Port au Prince, describing me as a missionary of religion, acknowledged by the President of Hayti, on my way to Jeremie. I had also the President's letter, a copy of which I have sent to England, which authorizes us to perform the duties of our mission. The first thing I did was to present myself before the Commandant, shew my pass

and the President's authority, and request his leave to assemble the people and preach. Not one refused my request. Several received me into their houses, and afforded me every facility in their power. My congregations were in general good, and in every place the prospects were more encouraging than our beginning at Port au Prince. All I can say of the people is, they are ignorant, wicked, superstitious; yet still there are many who manifest a strong desire to be instructed in religion. There is one fact of importance: from Port au Prince to Jeremie are but five priests inclusive of Jeremie, one is a Frenchman, one a Portuguese, and the other are Spaniards.

In this town I proved the utility of having established ourselves in the capital of the Republic, and under the eye of the President; for this has not only given an opportunity for the other places to hear of us, but enables us to visit them with an authority which we otherwise should not have had; and our nine months of painful labour, in which we have preached in almost every part of Port au Prince, has not only ploughed up in some mea sure that city, but I believe has opened our way into every part of the Republic. We purpose, the Lord being our helper, to enter on an extensive circuit along the coast. One must always be in Port au Prince, while the other is travelling; and you must take into consideration the propriety of sending additional help; for I believe it is possible (to enter every town of the Republic. The soil, I grant, is rough, but then the greater is the need of cultivation. The Lord enable us to Jabour in it patiently! Travelling will be conducive to our health; about Jeremie is perhaps the healthiest part of the West Indies. It is my opinion that the French language will flourish in this island, and, as education advances, the Creole will be laid aside. There are three orders of people: those who were alive when the French possessed this island: they understand the good French; those who were born in the heat of the Revolution, and who have arrived at maturity without instruction, these speak only Creole, and understand good French but imperfectly. A younger race, who receive, or have received, an education, these speak and understand French. We have both of us got such a hold of Creole as to be able to converse in it; though, during my tour, I had but seldom occasion to resort to it. Since our last letters, we have both enjoyed good health. I know not that we should have been better in any climate. In the months of July, August, and

OF THE OPENING

OF THE NEW WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL IN OXFORD.

To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine BELIEVING that most of your numerous readers will be pleased to hear of the completion and opening of our New Chapel in this city, we transmit to you the following particulars respecting it:

Thursday, Feb. 19th, being the day appointed for the opening of it, three appropriate discourses were delivered that day on the occasion; one by the Rev. ADAM CLARKE, LL.D. one in the after Moon by the Rev. R. WATSON, and another in the evening by the Rev. J. BUNTING. In the morning and evening, of the Sunday following, the Rev. J. BENSON officiated, and the Rev. W. JENKINS in the afternoon. In all these sermons several of the important and interesting truths of Divine revelation were