PROSPECT STATION, BLUE MOUNTAIN VALLEY, JAMAICA.

THE following account of this Station has been furnished by our brother, the Rev. R. Dickson, at present in England :

"The Mission in this part of the Island was commenced in 1838, by the Rev. Benjamin Franklin. The meetings for Divine worship were held for some time in an open shed on an adjoining property, and afterwards, in a similar structure, on the Society's premises, until the Chapel, represented on the preceding page, was erected in 1843. It is a frame-building raised on brick pillars, and stands on the brow of the hill below the dwelling-house, as exhibited in the engraving.

"A short time before the erection of the Chapel was commenced, twelve emancipated Christian Negroes sat down with the Missionary to the Lord's Supper; and, shortly after the building was opened for Divine worship, he was gratified by several candidates for fellowship coming forward, most of whom were subsequently admitted, and whose consistent walk and conversation have since been a source of great comfort and encouragement. There were 79 members in Church-fellowship and an average Congregation of 450, when Mr. Dickson had to leave the station, in consequence of the state of his health, last Autumn. There was also a large class of inquirers, including 25 young men and several young women, who have been formed into a Bible-class, and have rendered great assistance in the Sunday-school. "The valley has a population of about 5,000, all of whom are within easy reach of the Missionary: a large portion of them enjoy the means of Christian instruction in connexion with the preaching stations in the neighbouring settlements, as well as through the efforts of the young people who read the Scriptures in their cottages.

"The Church, and people in the valley generally, contributed liberally, both of their labour and money, towards building the Chapel; and have evinced great anxiety to sustain the Mission. Their contributions for various purposes have averaged about 1207. per annum, which, although small, must, when the recent date of the station and the condition of the people are remembered, be received as conclusive evidence that they appreciate the means of Christian instruction.

"The school has been a great blessing to the district. It is the only one within several miles, and many of the children come a distance of five or six miles to attend it. When Mr. Dickson returned to England he placed the school in charge of a negro youth who had distinguished himself by diligence in learning and efficiency in teaching. There is another youth from this school at the Boroughroad Institution, training for the important office of teacher to his sable countrymen. It will also be gratifying to the friends of the Negro Race, as proving that the latter are not deficient in mental endowments and energy, to hear that this youth is commended by his tutors for ability and diligence, no less than for his amiable deportment."

During the latter part of his residence at Prospect Penn, Mr. Dickson paid close attention to the Society's Station at Port Morant, now under the care of Mr. Andrews. He was much gratified by his visits, and represents it as a sphere of labour richly deserving culture; the population being numerous, eager for instruction, industrious in their habits, and disposed to be liberal in support of the Gospel among themselves.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Anniversary Services in May.

THE Directors are gratified in announcing to the Friends and Members of the Society, that they have made the following arrangements for the ensuing Anniversary:

MONDAY, MAY 7.

EVENING.-EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, Gray's-inn-road, SERMON by Rev. T. R. BROOKS, A. M., Vicar of Avening, Gloucestershire.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9.

MORNING.-SURREY CHAPEL, SERMON by Rev. J. A. JAMES, of Birmingham. EVENING. TABERNACLE, SERMON by Rev. Dr. ROBSON, of Glasgow.

THURSDAY, MAY 10,

MORNING.-ANNUAL MEETING-EXETER HALL.
EVENING.-ADJOURNED MEETING-FINSBURY CHAPEL.

FRIDAY, MAY 11.

EVENING.-POULTRY CHAPEL, SERMON TO THE YOUNG, by the Rev. JOHN HARRIS, D. D., of Cheshunt College.

LORD'S DAY, May 13.

SERMONS will be preached on behalf of the Society, at various Places of Worship, in London and its Vicinity.

MONDAY, MAY 14.

EVENING.-The SACRAMENT of the LORD'S SUPPER will be administered at various Places of Worship.

*** Further particulars in a future number.

TO THE AUXILIARY SOCIETIES IN LONDON AND THE COUNTRY. The Officers and Committees of Auxiliary Missionary Societies in London, and its Vicinity, are respectfully requested to pay in their amounts at the Mission-House, on or before Saturday, the 31st instant, the day appointed for closing the Accounts. The Lists of Contributions should be forwarded to the Mission-House, on or before that day, in order that they may be inserted in the Society's Annual Report for 1849.

The Officers of the Auxiliary Societies throughout the country are respectfully requested to transmit their Contributions so that they may be received at the Mission- House on or before Saturday, the 31st instant; together with correct Lists of Subscribers of Ten Shillings and upwards, alphabetically arranged, for insertion in the Annual Report; also distinct statements of the sums collected from Congregations, from Branch Associations, and by Deputa tions sent from London.

CHINA.

ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE TO THE WORD OF LIFE.

OUR latest correspondence from this vast EMPIRE is highly animating and hopeful. The encouragements of our brethren are increasing, and, with the blessing of the Most High, a plentiful harvest will, at no distant period, reward their toils. In the Northern Provinces, the field of labour, in all its wide extent, is daily becoming more easy of access, and the multitudes, over whom for ages the shadow of death has hung in unbroken gloom, are beginning to lend a willing ear to the words of eternal life. The breaker-up of the way has gone before the messengers of salvation, and the path to victory no longer appears doubtful or obscure. The willingness of the people to listen to the truth, their freedom from prejudice against those who proclaim it, the deserved contempt in which the native priesthood is generally held, and the neglected state of the temples of idolatry, conspire to prove that the Chinese have grown weary of their ancient delusions, and are now looking for a better hope. May the Spirit of the Lord speedily descend on these myriads of dissatisfied and restless spirits, and bring many of them into the way of peace!

The several facts mentioned in the appended statement from Mr. Milne, dated Shanghae, October 13, will be found to illustrate and confirm, in a very remarkable manner, the preceding remarks:

Our itinerant labours (writes Mr. M.) have been continued both in the neighbourhood and at a distance. Wong-shan-yet, the Colporteur, in addition to his frequent visits to the chapel, lately went to Hang-chau, a large and populous district, about 150 miles distant. He has reported very favourably of his visit, and of the willingness of the people there, as at other places, to hear and receive the word of God. He seems to have been greatly encouraged in his work, and to have enjoyed the utmost facility in circulating books and tracts. From the accounts which we thus receive, it appears that there is a wide and inviting field for Christian labour in every part of the interior. Though restrictions exist to the admission of foreigners, native assistants may go, not only freely but welcomely, and proclaim to the countless multitudes the word of Life. Were individuals qualified for this end to present themselves, and suitable proffers of assistance to reach us from home, an unspeakable amount of good might be effected in the very heart of the empire. There is positively nothing in the way of the unlimited employment of such agency; and we are fully persuaded that it is by means of it, in a great measure, China is to be evangelised and converted to God. The mere possibility, not to say the actual prospect of that event, might well awaken our strongest desire to be enabled to carry this

mode of usefulness to a far greater extent than ever.

The gratifying report of the Colporteur we have had it in our power to confirm by personal observation. During our late visits into the country we have met very much to encourage us. The inhabitants of the cities, towns, and villages have, for the most part, treated us respectfully; and, on becoming aware of our object, evinced great anxiety to obtain copies of our books and tracts. It may be interesting to subjoin a few notes made on the occasions which they represent:

April 16.-Went to Lung-hwa, a village about six miles distant. It is a place of small consequence in itself, but as connected with Shanghae, it is rendered famous by an annual feast that is held there. On occasion of the last feast, great crowds of people were assembled, to whom we gave tracts, and preached. We witnessed the servile prostrations of the worshippers, chiefly women and children. The priests appeared to be a very degraded set of men, whose professed and manifest object was merely to get a sufficiency of rice. In their presence we spoke fully and fearlessly about them, to the evident gratification of the people, who also listened attentively to the message of life and salvation. The idols and temples were in a sad state of neglect, though we do not look upon that as any proof, in itself, of the decline of idolatry.

God.

April 20.-Went to Nanziang, thirteen of the land for the worship and service of miles distant. It contains a population of about 50,000, and is of considerable commercial importance. Our time being limited, we has tened directly towards one of the principal temples by a side-street, distributing tracts, which were willingly received, as we went along. Though we did not expect a large assembly at the place of meeting, we were pleased to find the news of our arrival had so spread, that Dr. Medhurst had, in a short time, a congregation of about 800 people, to most of whom he preached, for the first time, the words of everlasting life. We were much pleased with the attention of the audience, though their appearance indicated an extreme of ignorance and unconcern about Divine things.

May 1.-Visited Kong-Wan, about five miles from Shanghae. We had been informed that a great feast would be celebrated to-day in honour of the Idol, and that there would be a large crowd of people present. On reaching it we were astonished at the vast assemblage already in the town, and the myriads who were pouring into it from every quarter. It was estimated that there were not less than 100,000 people. We walked through the streets, distributing tracts; and Dr. Med hurst preached twice, on one occasion to about 700 at once. We repaired thither on the following day also, when Mr. Milne enjoyed a favourable opportunity for testifying against the follies and sins of heathenism. The people quietly and approvingly listened; and, though surrounded by all the symbols of idolatry, and by multitudes eager in the practice of it, we were not in the least molested or annoyed. At such seasons we seldom observe anything of a publicly immoral or indecent character, as is the case on similar occasions in India: still so much is done to amuse and excite the people in favour of the prevailing customs, that the permission to go amongst them in the discharge of our work augurs well of future success. We do not believe that the people indulge the slightest prejudice against us as Missionaries; on the contrary, we are persuaded, that, when they are brought to know our object, it will be approved and esteemed. Happy sight will it be, when, instead of such a vast concourse of human be ings collected for idolatrous purposes, many shall be gathered together in different parts

May 20.-Visited Nan-Wai, about twentyfive miles distant. It is a city of great extent, and contains a population probably of 40,000 or 50,000. This place had not been visited for a considerable time, but the people, on recognising the design of our mission, crowded round us, seemingly resolved to obtain books at all hazards. We endeavoured to act as prudently as possible, but were speedily relieved of our burden. Still we experienced no inconvenience except from the intense eagerness of the people, and could only lament that so many immortal souls were otherwise entirely destitute of Divine truth. Though not at all aware of the importance of what they so anxiously sought, we hoped it would not be lost upon them, but that they would be led to esteem and value scattered portions of the Word of God as leaves of the tree of life which are for the healing of the nations. We observed in this place an unusual number of intelligent-looking and well-disposed persons, who received our books with politeness and apparent pleasure.

These extracts afford a general view of our Missionary Tours. The details may seem somewhat monotonous, and the results indecisive; still, considering that the people must by a long course of labour be made acquainted with Divine truth, before they can be expected to evince any anxiety regarding it, we must look upon the facility and encouragement that everywhere exists, as in itself no small measure of success. It is really not small; and, if properly improved and divinely blessed, a large amount of good will certainly follow. To be thus enabled to prosecute our labours is highly encouraging. The mere sight of hundreds and thousands willing, at least, to receive us in the discharge of our duties, is exciting and inspiriting; and clearly portends the dawn of better days in China. As the word of the Lord has free course, so we believe it will be abundantly glorified. Even now we would look and long for the conversion of sinners and the in-gathering of souls to the fold of Christ. But we are persuaded of ultimate success; and, when the needed blessing shall descend-when the Spirit is poured out from on high-many, many from amongst this people shall rejoice in the salvation of God.

INCREASE OF DISCIPLES AT HONG-KONG.

WHILE in the North of China, the knowledge of salvation is extending, and the growing hope of an abundant harvest cheers the heart of the husbandman,-in the South, our brethren are rejoicing over the fruits which they have already gathered. Our readers will be gratified to learn that the Chinese Church at Hong-Kong has recently received four additional members to its fellowship. Writing on the 24th of November last, our brother Dr. Legge supplies us with the following information relative to these new disciples, and the circumstances under which they were admitted to the baptismal ordinance :—