more fully and strangely did they resemble the Hebrews in their institutions. I am far more inclined to see a parallel, however, with Polynesian customs in some of these, than with Jewish. Some salient points of coincidence may be interesting to the reader.

The most reasonable course is to follow the course of tradition from the creation downward. And, first, of the names and attributes of the Creator.

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16 Xiuletl, in the Mexican language," says the commentator on the Antiquities of Mexico,† signifies blue, and hence was a name which the Mexicans gave to heaven, from which Xiuleticutli is derived, an epithet signifying the God of Heaven, which they bestowed upon Tezcatlipoca or Tonacatecutlì, who was painted with a crown as LORD of all, as the interpreter of the Codex Tellereano-Remensis affirms; to whom they assigned the first and last place§ in the calendar, emphatically styling him the God of Fire. Xiuleticutli may bear the other interpretation of the God of Ages, the Everlasting One, which, connected with the Mexican notion of fire being the

The Spanish historians, Acosta and Torquemada, were so much struck by the similitude, and yet utterly unbelieving in the theory of a Hebrew origin, that they were obliged to look upon the Mexicans as a parody of the devil's, in the New World, on the chosen race in the Old! Of course, had they possessed some of the facts made known by late investigation, they would have found that the Malay race were the colonizers of America, and more largely than Pickering, in "The Races of Man," pp. 112, sqq., supposes. Indeed, that excellent physiologist has not marked the Malay race as sufficiently extended in his Ethnographical Map of the eleven races which his facts clearly proves to exist. As they spread to the West India Islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Barbadoes, there is every probability of the correctness of my notions. At some future time, I may discuss this more fully.

Vol. vi., p. 392, sqq.

Vol. vi., p. 107.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." —“'Εγώ εἰμι το Α καὶ τὸ Ω, ἀρχὴ καὶ τέλος, πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος.” Revela tions, xxii. 13.

element more peculiarly sacred to Him, recals to our recollection the ninth and tenth verses of the seventh chapter of Daniel's description of the vision of the Ancient of Days, from 'before whom issued a fiery stream, and whose throne was like the fiery flame.""

This Tonacatecutli, the Supreme God, resided in the garden of Tonaquatatitlan. He was the Father of Quetzalcoatl, and was surnamed Ometecutli* (Most High). Quetzalcoatl was the Son of God by the virgin of Tula, Chimelman, by His breath or will. "His incarnation," says Humboldt, "existed from eternity, and that He had been the Creator of both the world and man; that he had descended to reform the world by endurance, and, being king of Tula, was crucified for the sins of mankind, &c., as is plainly declared in the tradition of Yucatan, and mysteriously represented in the Mexican paintings."

With the Tree of Scandinavia, too, Yggdrasill (or that of Eden), they were acquainted, and it seems to have held no mean place in their mythology. In Chiapa, we learn from Garcia, the name of the Father is Icona; of the Son, Vucah; and of the Holy Spirit, Es-Ruach.§

Of Eve, whom they called Yexnextli, they seem to have had some tradition, but the apple of Genesis is converted here into roses (called elsewhere Fruit of the Tree). She is represented by Sahagun to have had twins, a son and daughter, Cain and Calmana; and afterwards she again bore twins, Abel and his sister Delborah; she obtained the name of serpent-woman (Chuacohuatl). || The rebellion of the spirits against the Almighty also meets with a parallel in Anahuacan legends of the war in Heaven, and the fall of Zoutemoquen

and the other rebels. The deluge and the ark are also alluded to in the Mexican MSS. It was represented as being made of fir-wood, under the direction of Palecatli, or Cipaquetona,

who invented wine; Xelua, one of his descendants, aided in the construction of a high tower, destroyed by Tonacatecutli, who confounded their language at the same period.

THE WORK OF GOD.

THE intelligence from some circuits is of a cheering kind. The report of a revival at Boston will be read with interest and delight, and the minds of our beloved friends at Boston, and their excellent minister Mr. Wynne, will be encouraged to find that the diminution of numbers lately occasioned by the removal of so many friends to Doncaster, is more than made up by recent accessions to the Church, and by the holy quickening imparted to old members. Heartily do we hope that the present indications of prosperity may continue and increase, and that not only our cause in Boston itself may prosper, but that some surrounding places may be opened. We are aware of the discouragement arising from the loss, some years ago, of a new chapel in a country place, towards which our friends had generously contributed; and we are aware, too, that since then our friends have put forth noble exertions on behalf of their Boston chapel; but we are persuaded that neither their loss in the one case, nor their laudable efforts since, will deter them from endeavouring to extend the cause as far as possible around them. Extension as well as consolidation must be our motto.

It is encouraging to find that we have again an opening in Doncaster. Mr. Nicholas, it seems, at once responded to the call in our last number, and met with a favourable reception. A class is already formed, arrangements made for preaching, and the cause taken under the care of the Sheffield North Circuit. From the rapidly increasing population of the neighbourhood, there is good reason to hope the cause will do well. Much, very much, however, will depend upon the prayerfulness, the earnestness, and zeal of the Doncaster friends themselves. If they are faithful, the cause is sure to prosper.

Our friends will read with much interest the letter of Mr. Mann, giving an account of the adoption of a small

society, and the purchase of a neat chapel at Beccles. Here a people, given up for some reason by the Wesleyan body, unanimously applied for admission into our community, and with mu tual satisfaction have been received. The place is at a considerable distance from Yarmouth; but a number of local preachers, connected with the Wes leyan reform movement, have gene rously undertaken to assist in supplying the place. This looks well it is a manifestation of brotherly affection and sympathy, which we are sure will be fully reciprocated by our friends in any part of the Connexion. There ought to be no stiffness or coldness between ourselves and the Reformers. We are one in doctrines, in ordinances, and in all great principles, and there ought to be the greatest cordiality and the most willing co-operation. We are thankful to find that our cause at Yarmouth is improving. Mr. Mann is taking the right course. Such efforts are sure to be rewarded with success. God has solemnly engaged to bless the faithful, earnest, prayerful efforts of his servants, and his word cannot fail. We know nothing of the district surround→ ing Yarmouth; but if there be a few contiguous towns or villages, we would respectfully suggest that an effort be made to effect an opening therein; and though local preachers of our own may be few, no doubt some brethren among the Reformers would be willing to ren der help in this good work.

Our Manchester friends have again acted a noble part at their recent tea meeting, in the North Circuit. It is pleasing to find several names of friends in the South Circuit occupying an honourable position in the list of contributors. This is as it should be-one neighbouring circuit helping another. No jealousies, no jars, no rivalry except in doing good. Harmony, love, and cordial co-operation prevail. Thus it is, and thus we hope it will ever be; and then the God of concord and love will delight to bless us.

Another liberal gift of £100 to the Mission cause is announced. This reflects honour on the generous donors, Messrs. Firth of Sheffield. Now these special gifts have commenced, we trust they will be continued. There are other able friends, who we think will not be found behind when the Conference arrives. Surely we shall now realize our £3000 for the present year; and having once achieved this result, we must never go back. This sum must henceforth be our minimum standard; and then, while we help our friends abroad, we shall be prepared for extending the cause more rapidly at home.

REVIVAL AT BOSTON.

MY DEAR BROTHER MR. COOKE, Your article on the work of God, in the last number of our Magazine, is truly heart-searching, and I hope it will have a tendency to arouse all our churches throughout the length and breadth of the Connexion, and that all our people will at once arise to vigorous action and diligence in the work of saving souls from death and hell.

Your remarks bear strongly on a circuit like Boston, where we have but one chapel and one society, and where for several years there may be but lit tle variation on the face of our minutes.. In reading over your observations, I felt them to have a stirring influence in my own mind, and yet I could not charge either myself or our friends in Boston with condemnation, on account of there being so little prosperity accompanying our labours. When I came to Boston, it was with fear and trembling, in tears and many prayers that God would open my way and make me useful in the conversion of sinners; and though there appears no prosperity in the return of members up to the last Conference, yet during my first year's appointment there were more than thirty persons who became united with the church.

The apparent want of success lay in cases of declension and removals from the circuit. Since the last Conference, had we not suffered from so many removals, we should at the present time have stood well. You are aware, from the article furnished by a friend in the last Magazine, that twenty members have been removed from our church, and though but fifteen of the number went to Doncaster, it is a fact that twenty members have been removed,

with many of our hearers, and a number of children from the Sunday-school. Indeed there is no church or congregation in the town that has suffered so much loss by the removing of the railway works to Doncaster as ours; and I assure you the circumstance of los ing so many of our friends in a few weeks, brought a dark cloud over us for a season. But we looked to God, prayed, conversed together, and resolved to adopt means whereby the deficiency might be made up. Both preacher and people "have had a mind to work." Necessity was laid upon us, and, feeling an ardent desire to do good, we went out to visit the people, gratuitously distributed tracts, invited them to the house of God, and occasionally held revival services, until the Lord dispelled the cloud, and blessed us with tokens for good.

Several cases of conversion took place, and at the close of our October quarter five hopeful persons were publicly received into the church, leaving a few more on probation. Since that time we have felt more encouraged, being assured that there was a good work going on in the hearts of many that regularly worship with us; and the question resolved itself again and again in our mind, "What can be done to bring out the feeling,, so that we may witness fruit?" There appeared to be something wanting to bring a number of persons to a full decision, who seemed to be lingering by the way and tarrying in the plain. About this time we received the circular addressed to the circuits by the Annual Committee. We laid that circular before the January quarterly meeting; and after due deliberation on the subject, it was suggested to the meeting that it would be well if we could have a stranger of a revival character among us for about a fortnight. The suggestion was taken up with good courage, and we at once decided on writing to Mr. S. Henn, of Tipton. Mr. H. replied by return of post, and we made arrangements to hold a fortnight of revival services.

Mr. Henn commenced his labours on the 22nd of January, continuing them up to the third night in February, and the result has been glorious. During the fortnight, about twenty six persons have professed to find sal vation, and a few backsliders, some of whom belong to other churches, have been restored. And now Mr. Hen

has left us, I feel pleasure in stating that the good work continues.

Last Sabbath being our regular Sacrament day, we arranged to have the ordinance in the afternoon; and oh! my brother, had you been present, I think you could never have forgotten the scene. About twenty of the young converts were present; and when we beheld pious women kneeling at the communion rails by the side of their newly-converted husbands, a parent by the side of his converted offspring, and a master by the side of his converted servants, the scene was touching, and the heavenly influence that rested upon us was overpowering. Every eye seemed to weep, and every heart appeared to be filled with ecstacy of joy; yea, and I believe the angels in heaven rejoiced over the meeting. God is worthy to be praised! Some of the friends have said, since the ordinance was held, that they never felt so much of divine influence before. On Sunday evening we had several penitents, and on Monday night, two of them, I hope, found peace at my class.

I may also add, that on Monday evening, January the 16th, Mr. Booth, a young man with whom you are acquainted, preached in our chapel, on which occasion two persons became decided to give their hearts unto God, and are to the present doing well. Yours affectionately,

Boston, Feb. 9th, 1854.

J. WINNE.

OPENING OF A CAUSE AT

DONCASTER.

DEAR BROTHER,-It will doubtless interest many of your readers to know that a small society has just been organized in Doncaster. At the request of the friends there, I visited them last week, and held several meetings.

1. On Monday evening (February 6th) a dozen assembled at the house of Mr. Rayner to deliberate as to the best mode of proceeding, when much interesting conversation took place, and a good feeling prevailed.

2. On Tuesday evening I preached in the upper room of an unoccupied dwelling, which the friends had engaged for the purpose. The attendance was good, between thirty and forty being present.

3. On Wednesday evening we held a prayer meeting for the purpose of im

ploring the Divine blessing upon our undertaking. Several of the brethren engaged in solemn prayer.

4. On Thursday evening the Rev. Isaiah Flint, of the Sheffield North Circuit, preached a useful sermon. The room was again filled.

5. On Friday evening we met for the purpose of forming a class, when seventeen names were, with the consent of the parties, enrolled in the class book. A leader was chosen, and a committee of management appointed. It was agreed that the services should be held on the following Sabbath, viz.:—a fellowship meeting in the morning, and a sermon preached in the evening by the newly-appointed leader, who, prior to his coming to Doncaster, had been a local preacher among the Primitives.

Orders were given for three large Magazines, and six Juvenile Instructors, to be supplied monthly. During the week a communication was received from the Rev. Thomas Mills, superintendent of the Sheffield North Circuit, informing the friends that that circuit was willing to take up Doncaster, and supply it with Sabbath and week-night preaching. A resolution was passed, gratefully accepting the proposal. I visited several parties with the view of securing a suitable room, but was unsuccessful. I doubt not, however, but the committee appointed will speedily succeed in the object of their wishes. It is proper, I think, to state that a kind friend from Manchester has promised to send the friends six copies of the jubilee volume, in order that our principles may be made known in the locality. Offers of occasional help were also made by several individuals, who were formerly connected with us in Doncaster, but are now identified with other bodies.

It is confidently expected, that should we succeed in obtaining an eligible room for regular worship, several of our old and still attached friends will return to us. Praise is due to our Boston friends, Messrs. Rayner and Grantham, (the one a clerk, the other a foreman in the railway works), for the efforts they have made in opening a cause in Doncaster. May God prosper the infant cause! I am, Dear Brother, Yours affectionately, JOHN NICHOLAS.

Dewsbury, Feb. 14th, 1854.

A NEW INTEREST AT BECCLES.

MR. EDITOR-DEAR SIR-According to promise, I now send you a brief account of our new cause at Beccles. This town is in the county of Suffolk; it contains about five thousand inhabitants, and is fourteen miles from Yarmouth. Several months ago, a friend formerly a member with us in Yarmouth, but who had been living for some time in Beccles, wrote to inform me of the unanimous wish of a small Wesleyan Society in that town to join our community. To obtain all needful information on the subject, and to determine upon the proper course to be pursued, I went over on the following day, and had an interview with the friends. The result was satisfactory. They had been suddenly abandoned by the Wesleyan authorities of the Lowestoft Circuit, the chapel in which they had worshipped was closed, and they were informed it was to be sold. They assured me of their unanimous and anxious wish to join our community, of whose principles, after a careful examination, they cordially approved. Much conversation ensued, in which the difficulties involved in forming the desired union were freely discussed and clearly understood; and then we concluded to attempt a union, and to carry out our plans with vigour, in the fear of God, and trusting in his promised aid.

Subsequently one of our Beccles friends bought the premises, which include a chapel and school-room, for £215, and it is considered a very good bargain. The school-room is occupied during the week by a gentleman who keeps a day-school; the chapel is a neat looking edifice, in good condition; it has no gallery, and will comfortably seat about 150 persons. There is a piece of land in front of the chapel, extending to the street, and neatly palisaded. Not being able to obtain immediate possession of the chapel, we held divine worship in the school-room, and in the meantime reorganized the society, appointing a leader, stewards, &c., and at once the class began to meet.

On the 12th of this month the chapel was reopened, when three sermons were preached by the writer, and the attendance in the afternoon and evening was good. A tea meeting was held on the following day, a goodly number being present, about

twenty of whom were from Yarmouth; and after tea, addresses were delivered by myself, the Rev. J. Dunning, Weslevan Reformer, Rev. Blake, Primitive, and by Messrs. Hotskinson, Tuttle, Francis, and French. I took

the opportunity of giving a brief exposition of our principles. Brother Dunning passed a high eulogium upon the character of the sainted Kilham,' and expressed his strong attachment to our body, having in connection with it the best and happiest associations of his early life. At a rather advanced hour the proceedings closed, and the friends evidently regretted they could make no longer stay. The entire services were highly satisfactory.

are

Justice requires me to state, that in carrying out our plans, we dependent mainly upon our brethren, the Wesleyan Reformers, and especially are we indebted to their talented minister, Mr. Dunning, for his kind assistance and hearty co-operation. It is gratifying to be able to state, that the most friendly feeling exists between us and them; and separated as I am, by distance, from all personal intercourse with our own ministers, I value not a little the society of one who is so well acquainted with our community, and who would rejoice to see an amalgamation with it of the entire body of Wesleyan Reformers.

As it may not be generally known in the Connexion, perhaps I may be allowed to state, that on the 13th of January, E. H. Rabbits, Esq, of London, informed me in a letter, that a society of about 30 members in his neighbourhood had come over to our body.*

Our community never stood higher in the estimation of the public than it does now; its principles are viewed with approbation by thousands who were once opposed to them. Many, too, it is well known, are most desirous of effecting a union between us and the Reformers, and, indeed, all the offshoots of the parent body, and to me it does. not appear very improbable that a vigorous attempt at this will soon be made. And who does not desire it?

* It is true that we have a small society worshipping at Albany Road, and most of the members have come from the Wesleyan Reformers. At present the society numbers about forty or upwards; and it consists of an earnest, hard-working, loving, and devoted people. May God greatly prosper them.-ED.