better, and contribute much towards the support of the gospel, from the earnest desire they have to hear. At Point de Bute, when I came, we had 14 in society; now there are more than 40. I have divided them into two classes, and they appear to be doing well. In this place, when I came to the circuit, I found two old Yorkshire Methodists, (husband and wife), and their son and his wife, in society; but now we have 15 of the same family in society. For many long years the old people's house has been one of the best and most comfortable homes the preachers have had in these parts. See how the Lord has rewarded them! In Sackville we have had an increase in number, and I believe in grace also. I have divided this society into different classes, since which we appear to be doing much better than before. The members seem much quickened, and more alive to God in their souls. Praise the Lord. Amen! Extract of a Letter from Mr. R. ALDER, to Mr. MARSDEN. Horton, Nova Scotia, Feb. 15, 1818. REV. AND DEAR SIR, As I am well aware of the great desire which the Committee feel, to hear from their different Missionaries, I embrace the present opportunity to write to them, through you. I desire to be thank ful to the bountiful Donor of all my niercies, that I continue to enjoy tolerable good health, notwithstanding the severity of the climate in which I labour. My heavenly Father not only grants me temporal, but spiritual favours; and though "I am less than the least of all saints," he satisfies me with the good things of his house, even of his holy temple. It gives me unspeakable pleasure to hear of the prosperity of the work of God, of the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, in so many differents parts of the earth, and of the rapid strides which Christ is making towards universal empire and dominion in the hearts of all the children of men. I often wonder at the blindness of those who cannot see the finger of Providence in the late and present revolutions in the political and religious world: for, surely when we contemplate the wondrous events that have occurred during the last 30 years, this truth arises in the mind, "Verily there is a God who ruleth in the earth." It is well known that the poisonous principles scattered in France before and during the revolution, threatened to subvert monarchy and Christianity, by destroying the majesty of the throne, and the sanc tity of the altar. The infidel philosophers in that country, triumphed, for a time, over all opposition; they declared Christianity to be "the baseless fabric of a vision," stained the altars of religion with the blood of her ministers, and fondly anticipated the period, when the cross of the Redeemer would fall before the Dagon of infidelity. But, though they, in the pride of their hearts, vainly expected to see that glorious system, which had withstood the, wisdom of Greece, and the power of Rome, falling before the wit of Voltaire, and the ri baldry of Diderot; Jehovah laughed them all to scorn; he educed good out of the evil they produced, and stirred up his servants of every denomination to asso ciate together, for the purpose of defending the divine doctrines of Christianity, and spreading the Scriptures of truth; and while the funeral dirge of infidelity has been sung, and its advocates have perished with it, the Saviour that they rejected, and would have crushed, shines in the moral hemisphere with increased and still increasing lustre: who then can help exclaiming, As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, God will establish it for ever." Would to God, I could send you cheering accounts of the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in this distant part of his Majesty's dominions; but alas! though we have to ride through storms and tempests to scatter the precious seed, we are sometimes tempted to think, "we labour in vain, and spend our strength for nought" We hope, however, that we shall behold the barren wilderness changed into a fruitful field. That God, who is rich in mercy to all who call upon him, gives us sometimes to hear of one and another being convinced and con verted under our ministry. I received a letter from brother Busby lately, inform ing me of a young woman having been convinced under a sermon I preached on his circuit a little time ago, and that she did not rest till she could say, "Being with justified by faith, I have peace God through my Lord Jesus Christ.”— The circuit on which Mr. Bennett and I labour is pretty extensive; it includes Horton, Windsor, Falmouth, and Cornwallis; four very large townships. In Horton there has long been a Methodist Society, but there has not been much good done amongst them for some time; the people being so much immersed in the things of this world, that they can find no time to prepare for another and a better. In Windsor, our prospects ane more flattering; the congregations were ever so large and respectable as they have been during the last seven months. And though formerly many went not to hear, but scoff, the utmost seriousness and solemnity are now manifested by all, whether rich or poor. When the chapel was repaired, some of our friends thought it unnecessary to have any gallery in it; but, providentially, there was one put at the end, and on each side; and even now, it is too small to contain the people. Cornwallis is one of the most extensive, populous, and fertile townships in this province; yet this is the first year it has been regularly visited by a Methodist Missionary. We preach at six different parts of the township; and numbers flock to hear us hold forth a free, full, and present salvation from sin and I believe there are many who do not hear in vain, bat inwardly digest the word of God. We have not as yet been able to form any society in the township; and when you consider that Antinomian sentiments have been industriously disseminated among the people, and that the utmost pains have been taken to prejudice them against our doctrines and discipline, you will not wonder that we have as yet formed no Society. But you must not imagine that we have no friends, or that we have done no good in Cornwallis, for there are several who would gladly join a Methodist Society, but they reside at such a distance from each other, that it is impossible for them to enjoy the privilege. I expect, (God willing,) we shall have a chapel built next summer, which will be a place of union for them, and where they may tell each other what God has done for their souls. As it was necessary, in order that Cornwallis might be attended to, to appoint two preachers, for this circuit, the deficiencies will be considerable: for, as we are only making a beginning in Cornwallis, we cannot expect to receive much pecuniary support from the people at present; and they do so little, and have done so little, in Horton, for the support of the gospel, that I often think they are not worthy of it: whereas, in Windsor, they not only manifest a desire to hear, but a disposition to support the cause of God. I make no doubt, but you often wonder, that, in this country, the numbers in our Societies should be so small; but when you consider at what a distance the settlers reside from each other, and how they are scattered through the Province, the deep root which Antinomianism has taken in many parts, and the small number of Missionaries that have been engaged in the work, your astonishment, I trust, will cease. And the great and important prospects that are opening in the East, I hope, will not divert the attention of our brethren at home from the state of the West, especially from the state of Nova Scotia. I would beg leave to impress upon their minds, that, though the Cingalese and others in the Indies are gross idolaters, "saying to a stock, Thou art my father, and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth;" and offering up their children and themselves at the shrine of superstition, there are many in this province, who cannot read, and never, or at least but seldom, hear a sermon preached, and are living in a state of the deepest ignorance and immorality. Many of them are far from that "Island of bliss amidst the subject seas," where civil and religious liberty is enjoyed, aud where they once possessed the most glorious gospel privileges. Yes, now, far from the land of their nativity, and the temples where they were once dedicated to God, they have not only to suffer the chilling blasts cf penury, and bear the ills of life, but, what is worse, destitute of altars and of ministers, they pour out their complaints, and exclaim, "Who will shew us any good?" But most they feel Upon the hallowed morn, the saddening change: No more they hear the gladsome village Ring the blest summons to the house of As they are subjects of the same king, speak the same language, and are natives of the same country with yourselves, I trust you will continue to manifest unabated ardor and zeal to moralize and evangelize them. The winter in this Province is very But what are all my sufferings bere, I still feel determined to give up myself more unreservedly to that God who has done so much for me. Blessed be God, he is not a hard master, for he gives us present wages, and promises us future glory. I love his work, and while labouring in his vineyard, can say, "Labor ipse voluptas."* But while I endeavour to preach the gospel to others, and to do good to my fellow-men, I long to increase in grace and holiness; and in order that I may be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, I bend all the powers of my mind, and employ my leisure hours in the acquirement of useful knowledge, well knowing that ignorance is not devotion, nor the mother of devotion; and that instead of being a proof of superior piety, it is one of the concomitants of sin, and a fruit of the fall; and I am fully convinced, the more the mind is cultivated and improved, and the more our views are enlarged, the more we shall press after the beatitude of heaven, where we shall enjoy superior illumination, and know even as we are known. Please to give my kind regards to all the members of the Committee, and, begging an interest in your prayers, I remain your's, in the best bonds, • Labour itself is pleasure. Woolwich, May 22, 1818. MY DEAR BROTHER, J. YOUNG. I received your letters by the Missionaries in January, and should have written to you before this; but preparing for the District Meeting, and removing from Antigua to this island, has taken up much time, and prevented my so doing. Through over-exertion in preaching, and labour respecting our new chapel in Antigua, I brought upon myself the yellow fever, which arose to so alarming an height, that I was given over by one of my physicians. But through the goodpess of God, I am brought back from the borders of the grave, and I now triumph over that which has triumphed over thou-ands. From the time of my recovery to the present, I have enjoyed very good health. I have grown quite lusty, and never looked so well in my life. Thank God, all the islands are pow pretty healthy. Our new chapel in Antigua was opened on Christmas-day. It is the largest and best upon the Mission. At our District Meeting we judged it proper to change almost all the appoint ments. This year I travel in St. Vincent's with brethren G. Bellamy, and J. Smedley. I am quite satisfied with my colleagues, and believe I have one of the best of men for a superintendant. A new house is building for me about 12 miles from Kings on; it is designed for a mar. ried preacher. Our chapel in Kingston will hold about a thousand. There is, however, no gallery in it. The first Sunday morning I preached here, one of our members told her leader, that "new massa broke all him bones, that he was forced to go to bed." It is usual for females here to call themselves he. Last Sunday I preached at Mount Young, about 24 miles from hence, and 36 from my house, at Prince's Town, in a chapel the Negroes built themselves. I suppose there were about 600 slaves in the chapel, and about 1000 standing without. Blessed be the name of the Lord, he was pleased, in some degree, to own my feeble efforts in Antigua; and I humbly trust he will do it here; and although I find my very soul in the blessed work, yet I am ena bled to say, "Lord, use me or lay me aside. Thy will be done!" I trust ! shall be enabled so to conduct myself, that when the summons comes, I shall have nothing to do, but retire into a corner and die! I am still enabled to say, as be fore, I believe I am where the Lord would have me be: I desire to be no where else. I know in Margate circuit, I have many who pray for me; and I believe I have some in Woolwich also. I am per suaded, in your frequent and fervent supplications at a throne of grace, I am not forgotten of you. Fully persuaded I shall continue to have an interest in the prayers of yourself, and of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, I remain Your's in the Lord Jesus, To Mr. BENSON. Tobago, Fort King George, March 7,1818. I HOPE you will pardon me for presuming to address you, as I am a perfect stranger to you in the flesh; yet I hope we are indissolubly united in the bonds of Christian love. The reason which oc casions my writing is the extremely low state of religion in this island, and Barbadoes; both of which are, at present, without a missionary; Barbadoes, however, having a more promising appearance, in respect of the increase of true religion, than this place; as there is a man of colour there who preaches, and has been the instrument of establishing an Auxiliary Bible Society, whose members are chiefly composed of coloured people, and whose object is to dispel, by the assistance of God, the heathenish darkness that envelopes the people of that island; ignorant in a great measure of the true God. And alas! I fear that many, who call themselves Christians, are totally destitute of the principles which constitute one. For if they believe that there is a God, and give their assent to the truths which are revealed concerning their duty towards him, and man; yet by living diametrically contrary to it and to their own sentiments, they strongly demonstrate that they are atheists in practice, though not in theory. This island, I am afraid, will fully corroborate what I have said, for there is no respect, whatever, paid to the day which God has sanctified and set apart for his worship; since those who know better work on that day, while the poor negroes come in on it, to dispose of their articles. And, indeed, there is no other day in which we can buy any thing, excepting at a moat extravagant price, which necessitates poor people to buy on that day, as their narrow income will not allow them to buy on any other. I only came to this island on the 13th of February last, from Barbadoes. The first Sunday that I came hither, I went down to the market, where I beheld such a scene as grieved me much; and I could not help expressing, in the severest terms, my abhorrence of the flagitious ness of such conduct. Oh! that the Sun gers, whose name is George Watson, who, I am informed, has some acquaintance with you; I believe he is a truly religious character. But some of our men, though they be not religious, yet would be extremely glad to be under a gospel ministry. I have written to a young man in England, and informed him of the predicament which we were in respecting religion; I also told him to show the letter to one of the preachers, and lay it before the Conference. like. wise mentioned in my letter concerning books, what I judged to be important, and would have a tendency to remove prejudice from many whose minds have imbibed it, either from education or the conversation of others. of Righteousness would send forth his irradiating rays to dispel the clouds of ignorance, of error, and of vice, from the people, whose minds are so sunk in darkness, sin, and misery! Is it not astonishing that there is but one minister belonging to the Established Church in the whole island? Where the gospel is not preached, vice will have the predominance, as the power of Jehovah is not ex erted to counteract its baneful influence, and check its infectious diffusion. little of Seneca's or Epictetus's moraliz ing lectures will not avail. For time seon demonstrates how ineffectual it is to ace complish that renovation or change in man which the gospel only is able to effect. I know of none who are religious excepting a lieutenant belonging to the Royal Artillery, who resides here; and a man belonging to the Royal York Ran A May the blessing of God be with you, and keep you firm and immovable till you receive your crown of glory through Christ our Lord! I shall conclude by making the Macedonian request, "Come over and help us." Your affectionate brother, JAMES WILSON, Gunner, Royal Artillery. To the Editor of the Methodist Magazine, IT is pleasing to me to relate that a meeting was held, at Stoke-upon-Trent, on May 12, 1818, to form a Branch Missionary Society; the first of the kind that has been held in the Potteries, which are estimated to contain a population of 60,000 souls. Three excellent and appropriate sermons were preached on the occasion, by Messrs. Jonathan Crowther, J. Draper, and S. Jackson.* The public meeting commenced at two o'clock, which continued till near six, and was then adjourned. After the evening sermon the business was resumed, and continued till past ten at night. Besides the preachers of the Newcastle circuit, there were several others present, with certain gentlemen, who lent their aid on that interesting occasion. A blessed influence attended the meet ing, and uncommon attention was paid to the various excellent speeches which were delivered in the course of the pleadings in favour of the heathen. This was particularly the case in the evening, when all present appeared as if they wished the subject to be continued till midnight. The sum of 351. 8s. was collected, and we have entered on the usual mode of raising weekly, monthly, quarterly, and Divine blessing, we hope to succeed. annual subscriptions; in which, by the I am respectfully your's, JOHN DONCASTER. Newcastle, Staffordshire, May 20, 1818. From Rom. x. 13, 14, 15.-Luke xxiv, 461 47.-Markavi. 15. 560 To the Memory of Mr. JONATHAN PARKIN, who died Nov. 29, 1817. POETRY. with sorrows; When dark'ning troubles lower'd upon his path, And, like the patriarch, all things seem'd against him, How he would bear them all, with placid smile, Cheer those who wept with him, direct their To Israel' God for help; and strong in faith, And I admir'd how, reckless of the world, How nobly did he spurn the tempting bribe, But 'twere in vain to tell of all his good: graces, On him by heaven bestow'd, (all well improv'd) As fall not to the common lot of mortals. The Christian virtues round his hoary brow becaine an itinerant Preacher, lost the favour of a rich relative, from whom he had great expectations. A thorn might start; yet on the blooming The dews of heaven rested, and the oil But now he's gone, and with him all his He rests from all his labours, and his works 4. Glory, honour, thanks and blessing, 5. Pour, pour the full numbers, Here no eye ever slumbers, To the cells of the dead, thee! And see that form in glory, which on earth But no,-1 dare not,-others have a claim A. G. J. Printed at the Conference-Office, 14, City-Road, London; T. CORDEUX, Agent. |