American missionaries, and we feel no doubt our readers rejoiced at finding that, while the state of our funds debarred the Society from undertaking a mission to China, members of our body were taking a part, though but a small part, in the work. A letter from Mr. JOHNSON to Mr. Fraser, dated Hong Kong, 27th March last, contains the following information : In my last letter to you I mentioned Si-ki-bu as the agent employed by your fund. He was employed in your service till the close of December. As he was desirous to visit his native district on private business, it was not thought consistent to employ him longer as your agent until he could again give himself "wholly to the work." He is still absent. The agent now employed is Tan Tui, aged forty-three, a widower. His family connexion is highly respectable. His father was a "literary man." Of his family connexions there is but one besides himself a Christian. A cousin (son of a mandarin) was baptized by Mr. Dean, and is a member of the mission church here. Brother Dean first met with Tan Tui in 1842. He was at the time a contractor, and had a number of men in his employ at work upon the public roads. The acquaintance was made on a visit for tract distribution to the shed in which he was living with his men. He at once became an attendant upon both the daily and Lord's day services, and soon an anxious inquirer. He manifested his sincerity by a punctual attendance upon all the religious services, bringing with him on the Lord's day all the men in his employ; a most interesting instance of self-denial and moral courage, continuing this after his conversion and connexion with the church as long as he had men in his employ. He was one of the first members of the church here, and has continued from the first one of the worthiest. He is a man above the average of his countrymen, both in intellect and education. He is stationed at Tany Chin, an island fifteen miles distant, between this and Macao, population about 6000. Several of our church members reside there, most of whom heard the story of Calvary's bleeding Sufferer first from his lips. We have established a school there, having commenced with twenty scholars. It is a part of his duty to have with the boys daily religious services. This is a very important and promising station. ADDITIONS TO VARIOUS CHURCHES. We extract from the "Oriental Baptist" for May, the following information, which will be interesting to our readers. Saugor. Two believers were immersed in the lake at Saugor on the 20th Dec. last, in the presence of many witnesses. On the 25th July two more, and on the 18th three more in like manner owned their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the latter was a private tutor to the rajah of Tehri. He is a convert from Mohammadanism, and is now adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour. Benares. Mr. Small had the pleasure of baptizing Serjeant-Major Davis and his wife on the 25th of March. Serampore. Our friends at this station had the pleasure of receiving three into their communion by Christian baptism on the first Lord's day in April. Two were youthful candidates, granddaughters of the late Mrs. Dr. Carey, and a European attached to the college school as second master. Barisal. Our esteemed brother, Mr. Page, had the satisfaction of baptizing two converts from heathenism in March last. | Cuttack. Mr. Lacey, of the General Baptist Missionary Society, in a letter dated 23rd March, says, "We have added eleven at Cuttack during 1848, and thirteen at Choga. Our interests at Choga are growing stronger and fairer. Light has sprung up in darkness, the desert has become a sweet garden. The brethren Bailey and Miller will baptize their first candidate and convert at Paphlee next Lord's day. We have had sixteen who joined the Christian community at Choga during the past year, besides those baptized, and now one of the rajah's foster sons has come out, and a very interesting and promising youth he is, but the old man will not give us any more building ground, so we are going to build without leave. If he likes he can burn down the houses, but I hardly think he will do that; the commissioners would hear of it. WEST INDIES. JAMAICA. STATISTICAL REPORT OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS IN THE BAPTIST WESTERN UNION, 1848. ... ... Ocho Rios, St. Ann......... Maldon, St. James Mount Carey, St. James... Superintendents. Mrs. Jones...... Mr. Malcolm Johnson.. 4454 134 Male. Female. Total. 8 7 15 *p[VIK Female. Total. Scripture Readers. Ministers Inspecting. 90 60 150 19 3 22 149 104 253 15 14 29 270 234 504 20 11 31 210 114 324 14 3 17 158 63 221 P. H. Cornford Sami. Hodges Messrs.Finlayson & Brown 45 30 75 430 370 800*480 John' Clark Mr. Robert Munroe......... 13 10 23 190 146 336 Joshua Tinson 96 W. Claydon 5 13 181 250 431 201 Edward Hewett 130 " 23 15 38 162 121 283 Robert Gay Mr. Henry Hunter 5 15 152 111 263 78 Walter Dendy 32 " Miss Ann Reid... Mr. C. E. Skeyers Mr. James Valentine...... 5 11 43 21 64 30 46 64 51 29 80 26 5 19 29 48 3 6 9 54 35 89 G. R. Henderson We fear that the Herald for May may have misled some of our readers. It is there stated that the Educational Committee of the Society of Friends had aided the Jamaica Educational Society last year. It seems, however, that no grants have been made for 1848; though in 1847 some most acceptable grants were made. STATISTICAL REPORT OF THE JAMAICA EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY IN CONNEXION WITH THE BAPTIST WESTERN UNION, FOR THE YEAR 1848. No reports have been received from Waldensia, Hastings, and Bethtephil, at each of which stations there is a flourishing school. The mode of classification adopted is that recommended in the Borough Road Manual. ST. ANDREW'S, NEW GRENADA. While the Society is debarred by the state of its funds from conveying the message of mercy to new lands, we have no doubt it will gratify our readers to hear of an instance in which God has, in a way we have not known, been raising up instruments and carrying on his cause where, until of late, there was a complete destitution of the means of grace. The intelligence reaches us in the following letter from our friend Mr. OUGHTON, dated Kingston, Jamaica, 9th June. We have had a somewhat interesting cir- quito coast, in order to be set apart to the cumstance here during the past week, which work of the ministry. His father, who was may not be uninteresting to you, especially superintendent of the Maroons at Scots Hall, at a time when the efforts of missionary socie- in the parish of St. Andrew's, was a member ties are so crippled for want of means. A of Mr. W. Whitehorne's church at Mount young man named Philip Livingston came Charles, and a very consistent Christian. from the Island of St. Andrew's on the Mos- The son, however, was very wild, and being brought up to the sea, was removed from all parental superintendence and control. At length, by a succession of providential events, he was brought to serious concern. The vessel he commanded was struck by lightning, and he narrowly escaped destruction; and a succession of calamities followed which, I trust, were sanctified to the conversion of the young sailor. He was baptized by the Rev. W. W. Everts, of Laight Street, New York, and having married a native of St. Andrew's, went there to reside. This island, containabout 800 souls, had up to that period been destitute of every description of religious instruction, no member of any denomination having resided there. He therefore felt it his duty to endeavour to do something for the spiritual welfare of the people, and has been for nearly, or quite six years, doing the work of an evangelist amongst them. And the Lord has blessed his labours. The people have heard him gladly, have built for him a rough chapel, and I understand he has a congregation every Sunday of about 400 persons, whilst no less than eighty have manifested serious concern for their eternal welfare, and earnestly desired to be formed into a Christian church. He, however, feeling some objection to such a step without being first set apart to the work, has come here, after a voyage of four weeks, and the people, who have little or no money, subscribed their contributions of cocoa-nut oil amounting to one hundred gallons in all, to bear his expense. As he produced the most undoubted testimonials both from the church at Laight Street, and also from the people, I did not dare to refuse their request. He was publicly set apart for the ministry in our chapel last Tuesday evening. We had a crowded congregation, and it was a very interesting service. I am happy to say that on application to the agent of the Bible Society, a small grant of bibles has been given to him, and we have furnished him with a Tract Society's Commentary, and other books, to aid in the good work. Thus you perceive the work of the Lord is still going on, and when missionary societies are compelled to stand still for want of means, the Lord can and does raise up men in a wonderful manner to advance his cause, and open for them doors of usefulness. The island is only about nine miles long by four broad, and his chapel is situated in nearly the centre, so that all the inhabitants have access to it. There is also another small island of about 500 inhabitants, called New Providence, to which he purposes (D.v.) to extend his labours. The islands belong to the republic of New Grenada, but the English language is spoken. TRINIDAD. We commend to the notice of our readers the following letter from Mr. COWEN, dated April 7th, 1849, containing an earnest appeal for the means of engaging the services of a native assistant, who appears, on a trial of several months, to be well fitted for a station of considerable interest. Though the expense, in addition to what may be derived from the Education Fund, will be only thirty or forty pounds per annum, the Committee do not feel themselves at liberty in the present state of the funds to incur it. But we trust our excellent missionary will not plead in vain with those who have the means of furnishing a separate contribution for the object. Which of us, if in the situation of our brother Cowen, would not be disheartened by the refusal of such a request? We have pleasure in stating that one friend has promised £10 per annum for three years, within which time we hope the missionary chest will be replenished. We trust that the list will be completed before the mail on the 17th, so that the secretary may be enabled to forward the welcome intelligence. Some time back I took occasion to name to you a native who had come over from Demerara at my request to assist in the work, by keeping school and other useful exercises. Since his arrival he has been located at Montserrat, where the little school has greatly revived and improved; in addition to which he has been every sabbath engaged in preaching the word at one or other of the stations. He is a man of considerable mind and practical turn, sound in the truth, has very respectable preaching abilities, and is fully competent and quite deserving of the position for which I would beg to recommend him. Indeed he is the first native I have met since my residence in Trinidad for whom I would venture to say any thing like so much. He is altogether superior to any I have met in point of general intelligence, good sound Christian knowledge and experience, common practical sense, and deep humility, which in the natives especially is a virtue very rarely met with. He is desirous of being identified permanently with the Society, and feeling that his services would be of great value to us in this part of the island, I have ventured to introduce him to you for this purpose. He is quite as efficient for the work in hand as any missionary the Society might send out, while his services may be secured to the stations here for about fifty or sixty pounds per annum, so that with what we are enabled to give him out of the Friends' grant, if we had about £30 more our mission here could be strengthened by an additional labourer as an assistant missionary. Now I know you are desirous, if possible, to secure native agency, and so am I, if of the right stamp. Well, here is a brother whom I think I can confidently recommend to the Society, and upon whose services both in public and private, in the school and in the pulpit, I set a very great value. And if the society be not at liberty to entertain this proposition, could not some one or two individuals be found sufficiently interested in the matter to guarantee this trifle for such a purpose? He left his family behind him, and hesitates removing them, and taking up his abode permanently with us, except in connexion with and directly recognized by the Society. Then would he give himself up fully to the work. I do hope he may be encouraged to do so. There is ample work here for all, and I should consider him great acquisition to our mission. His labours are, moreover, necessary to counteract the mischievous efforts of a set of grossly ignorant black men, who without the least fitness for the work, or the slightest acquaintance with the bible, being grossly illiterate, set themselves up as guides for others, whom they only seal up in darkness and ignorance still more profound than their own. Near us are some such men who continue thus to exert themselves, owing to the lamentable paucity of scripturally intelligent teachers in the field. Already much mischief has ensued through the vanity and ignorance of such men, who are enemies to the cross of Christ, but their mouths must be stopped, and an end put to their mischievous and wicked workings. In order to this I should hail the appointment of this highly intelligent, meek, and humbleminded coloured young man, whom the Lord seems to have thrown in our way. With his assistance we might be able to pay some attention to Sanfernando, a place of some importance. Dear brother, I leave this matter with you, hoping soon to hear a satisfactory reply. BAHAMAS. A letter has been received from Mr. LITTLEWOOD, dated Nassau, January 29th, 1849, from which we select the following extract:— The delay of the expected steamer affords me time to add a few lines relative to the work of God in this section of his church. Our times of sorrow and of joy have alternated. Many there are of our number who have held fast the profession of their faith without wavering, and are living witnesses of the transforming and sanctifying power of genuine godliness, and are increasing in knowledge of the doctrines of that word, "the entrance of which giveth light." Others there are who did run well, but Satan hath hindered them, that they should not obey the truth; but on a review of the whole, our encouragements preponderate, and we thank God and take courage. We have many inquiring the way to heaven in spite of these stumbling-blocks and rocks of offence. May God preserve the lambs of his flock, and throughout the thorny path protect and strengthen them. Our sabbath schools are large, particularly the one assembling at Zion Chapel, and we are not without our hopes that the seed so unceasingly sown will re-appear in ripened fruit. When parents shall understand more fully their duty, and train up their little ones in the way they should go, we may expect greater success in this delightful employment. Amongst them we discover signs of strong intellect, an aptitude for learning, a fair acquaintance with God's most precious word, a serious and pious demeanour, which excites the hope that they have been with Christ, and are taught of him. I wish I could speak highly of the quiet and gentle behaviour of all. Let us pray and do all we can, till our most sanguine desires are more than realized. RAGGED ISLAND. My visit to Ragged Island was attended with much pleasure, and I hope with profit to the isolated people there. A very great change has been effected in the morals of the place since Mr. Burton first explained to them the way of God more perfectly. Ere I arrived the church had been rent with party strifes and dissensions. A rule they had adhered to of compelling persons who had been excluded the church to sit apart from those in the chapel who were members, occasioned continual outbreaks, and very often the words, "peace be within thy walls," &c., would have been most inapplicable. Captain Tucker, of the American steamer "Orus," kindly took me to the island free of charge. My stay was extended to twelve days, which were more than occupied in holding meetings for preaching, prayer, and religious instruction, endeavouring to settle disputes, and to improve the state of the church. Eleven candidates, of whose piety we hoped well, were admitted to the ordinance of baptism and the Lord's supper. A flourishing sabbath school meet in their large |