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DESIRE FOR THE SCRIPTURES.

You will be glad to learn that the New Testaments, so kindly supplied us by the Bible Society, are being fast distributed among the people. We have fixed upon two shillings as the nominal price, which they bring generally in oil or some other native produce. Some who had not succeeded in getting one of the edition published here, were most anxious for the arrival of the "John Wesley," by which they had been told it was most likely the new edition would be brought. Some wished to bring their oil beforehand, and wait for the book until

the vessel came. "But," said 46
we, we are
not sure that she will bring them."
"Never mind," was the answer: "when-
ever they do come, we shall be sure."
One man came the day after the vessel
left, which was a very wet day, and
brought his oil for his book.
He was
thoroughly drenched; in fact, looked
half drowned. I remonstrated with him
for coming out in such weather, and
endangering his health. Said he, "The
reason is, I am going away to an
island as soon as it is fine, and I was
afraid lest when I came back all the
books should be gone."

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Thomas West, dated Lifuka, Haabai,
November 8th, 1854.

LABOURERS WANTED. Now is the time to secure the work in Tonga on a permanent foundation, and we hope you will kindly consider our case. We absolutely require a reinforcement of Missionaries, either from England or the colonies, and we hope they will come soon. I am sure, could those who contribute to this holy cause only hear the earnest prayers of the people for Missionaries to be sent, it would warm their hearts to fresh deeds of Christian liberality, and yet nobler sacrifices for Christ and his kingdom.

I do hope the "set time to favour " Tonga with an increase of Missionaries has come. If we can but take a stand upon a broad basis now, Tonga may become the nucleus of a Missionary movement which shall tell upon the interests and destinies of surrounding groups of islands. For, after all, how much yet remains to be done amidst the countless islands of the Pacific! It seems to me to be a signal call from Divine Providence that Tonga Teachers

and Preachers who have gone to Feejee
or elsewhere have been welcomed and
respected and relied upon in no ordinary
degree, and requests are being continu-
ally made for their labours.

FIFTY TEACHERS ASKED FOR
FEEJEE.

I have now before me a request for no less than fifty men to be sent to Feejee, to enter into as many doors of usefulness. But what are we to do? To send unqua lified men would, in many respects, be worse than sending none at all. The moulding of Christian churches, and the dissemination of Christian doctrine, in such lands as Feejee, is no trivial matThe steps we now take will tell on after generations, and a mistake will be fraught with imminent danger.

ter.

Our great desideratum here is that of a native literature. We absolutely require a few elementary books in biblical and general knowledge, to put into the hands of our native agents; but with our present staff of Missionaies, little or nothing can be done in that way.

GIBRALTAR AND BUENOS-AYRES.

FRUITS OF THE GIBRALTAR MISSION IN SOUTH AMERICA.-An old Mission scholar, the first native boy that presented himself when I opened the town day-school in Gibraltar, is flourishing in Buenos Ayres. With or without the public means of grace, amidst the horrors of siege, and the distractions of revolution, he has, by God's grace, kept his ground in South America. He is a member of the American Methodist Episcopal Church, and fills, besides, several offices in it, such as "President of the Financial Board," Leader of a

Class, Treasurer and Teacher of a Sunday-school. He tells me this, as he says, "because I think it will gratify you to know that the seed you kindly and generously sowed in this poor stony heart, in my childhood, is now, blessed be God, yielding some fruit." He keeps a school with about one hundred and seventy scholars, boarders, half-boarders, and daily. His letter contains the fol lowing passage, which I have now the pleasure of forwarding to you, with the

money.

"I take the liberty of inclosing £5 as

a small offering to the Missionary Society, to which I consider myself indebt-. ed, for sending you to open the eyes of my understanding to behold the truth as it is in Jesus."

This is from Mr. Pascal Negrotto, Buenos Ayres.

I must not forget to say that the

printed rules of his school, now before me, are almost a transcript of those of your schools in Gibraltar, including prayer. Most of the children are of Romish parents, so that you have a branch Mission at Buenos Ayres. William H. Rule, D.D., August 28th. 1855,

INDIA AND CEYLON,

THE BAPTIST DEPUTATION VISITING THE WESLEYAN MISSION IN CEYLON.Has the South Ceylon Mission failed P A reply was given by Mr. Underhill, the Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, on bidding his friends farewell, last Wednesday evening. He has spent three or four months in the south and centre of the island, and fully acquainted himself with the operations of the various Missionary Societies. He gave the results of his inquiries at considerable length; and whilst he recommended the adoption of certain important principles, he declared his conviction that the Mission had been favoured with success beyond any thing he expected. How different, he remarked, was the condition of Ceylon now, from its condition when the first Protestant Missionary landed on its shores, forty years ago! The word of

God has been translated into the language of the people, and circulated all over the land. A great variety of tracts and useful books has been prepared, a large proportion of children are able to read and understand the Bible, a vast amount of saving truth has been diffused, and in recognised membership with the various Missions is a goodly number of consistent believers. The statistics of the Wesleyan Mission will bear a candid examination. Is it not cause for thankfulness, that in this District there are fourteen hundred and fifty-six church members, and two thousand two hundred and eighty-one children attending the schools? And are we not to rejoice, as Mr. Underhill feelingly remarked, that a great number of all ages has joined the church above, the fruit of the Divine blessing on Missionary effort? We are in danger of not being thankful enough.

At the same time we do not forget that much, very much, remains to be accomplished. The object of Mr. Underhill's visit was to examine the work of our Baptist brethren, and to suggest certain principles for their guidance. temper, however, was so truly apostolie

His

that we received him as a messenger to ourselves. Rev. Dr. Kessen, Columbo, July 23d, 1855.

TRINCOMALEE.-Our services are as well attended as when I penned the last report. There is apparently a wonderful spirit of hearing, which encourages me in the midst of much conscious weakness, and often betrays me into efforts beyond my strength.

Mrs. Walton's school is still the best thing in the way of schools we have on the Station; our plan of making it industrial from the commencement, and keeping it purely Tamul, being much approved by the ladies of the place, who are its chief supporters.

This school is now the workshop, to which the residents send their ordinary needle-work. I have been urged by several gentlemen to commence a boys' industrial school, and liberal support has been promised. But I have been compelled to decline, partly from want of strength and time, and partly on account of our probable early departure from this place. Rev. John Walton, July 7th, 1855.

BANGALORE.-Our out-door Canarese congregations, both in Bangalore and the villages, are increasingly attentive to our preaching. At no former period did the people in this Circuit ever manifest so much concern about Christianity as they do now. I think we are on the eve of some great change. Daily preaching in the native language has, with other means, made the truth very extensively known, and has so far prepared the minds of the people for the converting grace of God. We are praying and looking for a pentecostal shower, and are cheered by the consciousness that our friends at home are also praying that this blessing may descend on this dry and barren soil. Rev. Thomas Hodson, July 20th, 1855.

BANGALORE.— -You will be glad to learn that a general spirit of inquiry has been awakened amongst the Canarese weavers,-the very class amongst whom the Gospel has spread

so extensively in the Telugu districts, particularly that of Cuddapa. Tracts and Scriptures are eagerly sought for, and attentive crowds often listen to the preaching of the truth in the pettah. About two months ago we baptized a young man, who has since met regularly in class, and walked consistently with his new profession. Last Sunday I had the happiness of baptizing a whole family, -father, mother, and son, who had been receiving Christian instruction for several weeks previously, and seem, so far as we can judge, influenced only by a conviction of the truth of the Gospel, in thus seeking admission into the Christian church. They will continue to live in the pettah, and follow their own trade.

We trust this will prove the beginning of a state of things for which we have so long laboured and prayed. All the Missionaries who are engaged in street-preaching in the pettah have been struck with the marked change in the congregations of weavers who assemble to listen. We have long regarded them as the most hopeful class of the adult population, and the indications of coming success are now more encouraging than ever. Pray for us, that the Holy Spirit may be given, to make the word preached the power of God unto salvation to thousands of those who now hear it.

I must reserve our school operations for the subject of another letter.-Rev. John Garrett, July 6th, 1855.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE
RULES OR LAWS OF
NEW VILLAGE AT GOOBBEE.

OUR

Whereas ground has been taken from the Circar by the Wesleyan Missionaries for the benefit of those who wish to become Christians; the following are the rules to be observed by all the people who shall cultivate the Wesleyan Mission ground, and who shall live in the village to be built thereon:

1. No idol shall be brought into the village, or set up in it, or in any part of the grounds.

2. No Heathen procession or ceremony of any kind shall be allowed, either in the village or in the fields.

3. On the day called Sunday, no secular work shall be performed. The cattle, as well as the people, shall rest on that day.

4. All who live in the village shall attend Divine worship, on the Sunday, in the chapel which shall be built in the village.

5. No one shall be allowed to reside in the village without a written permission from the Missionary.

6. Every man who cultivates any of the ground shall pay the rent which the Missionary shall fix according to Circar

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ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES.

THE Rev. Daniel and Mrs. Sanderson arrived in Madras July 11th. Mr. and Mrs. Cope, Mr. Lelean, and Miss Partridge, have arrived safely at Sydney, New South Wales.

The Rev. Samuel Hardey and family arrived at Swan River, Australia, on March 29th.

The Rev. W. A. Quick and family embarked for Sydney, by the "Light of the Age," Captain Williams, on September 10th.

THE "JOHN WESLEY" MISSIONARY SHIP.

THE "John Wesley" sailed on Thursday, June 14th, from Sydney, in most admirable condition, new coppered, &c., for Auckland in New-Zealand, from whence she would proceed to the Friendly and Feejee Islands, Niua-tobu-tabu, &c.

DEATH.

We have received the afflictive intelligence of the death of the Rev. James Kerr, of Jamaica. He died at St. David's, in the Yallahs Circuit, on the 23d of August, after a very short illness, much lamented.

THE amount of contributions and remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £2,145. 8s. 4d.

LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE,

Remittances from District and Circuit Treasurers to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers, from the 17th of August, to the 15th of September, 1855.

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Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers, since our last announcement, up to the 15th of September, 1855.

Moneys received at the Mission. House.

G. R. Chappell, Esq., Manchester, a Thank-Offering to Almighty God for the safe return of his Grandson, George Edward Brown Westhead, who was severely wounded on the 7th of June in the Quarries; by the Rev. Dr. Hannah..

Donation, for the Bounties of God's Providence

..

Mr. John Laing, a returned Soldier, for the Trichinopoly Station; per Rev. J.B. Dawson, Edinburgh......

Mr. Pascual Negrotto, Buenos Ayres, by the Rev. Dr. Rule

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The Rev. Aaron and Mrs. Edman, by the Rev. M. Jubb, Horncastle... 5
Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Faversham, by Mrs. Day

..

A Friend to Missions, Liverpool, per Rev. George Osborn
Collected by Captain Locke, of the ship " Armais "
The Crew of the " Armais," by Captain Locke
William Osmond, Esq., Reading ..

A Friend at Taunton, who wishes the call for a Missionary to Rotumah
to be responded to

A Mite from a Tradesman, on reading the Letters from India in the "Notices" for September

2 15

1 10 6

1 0 0

100

FOR THE CHINA MISSION.

T. C. Gibson, Esq. (Second Subscription)

A Friend in South Wales

Received at the Mission-House.-Miss Martha Weir, Missionary
Basket for the China Mission......

The Honourable Judge Marshall, Halifax, Nova Scotia, by the Rev.
Dr. Beecham

Captain Locke

25 0 0
15 0

10 10 0

400
1 1 0

LEGACIES.

Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke, of Scarborough; the Rev. John Flesher, John
Uppleby and George Knowles, Esqs., Executors; by Henry Fowler,
Esq., Duty Free ..

Mr. Christopher Johnson of Darlington; J. H. Bowman, Esq.,
Executor

200 0 0

50 0 0

Miss Alice Taylor, Blakeney, Gloucestershire; Messrs.
John and James Taylor, Executors

50 0 0

Less Duty

5 0 0

45 0 0

Mr. John Maberly Batchelor, of Trowbridge, Wilts; by Mr. George
Gray, Executor

........ .....

500

*** The cordial Thanks of the Committee are offered for various acceptable Presents to the Society; namely,—

From a Few Friends at Carver-street, Sheffield West, by the Rev. J. Skidmore, to the care of the Rev. J. S. and Mrs. Fordham, Feejee, 12 dozen Print Jackets, 8 dozen Print Skirts, 3 dozen Balzarine Skirts, 21 Calico Shirts for Catechists, 13 Cambric Neck-Ties for Ditto, 19 yards of De Laine, 6 Gauze Neckerchiefs, 3 dozen Work-bags, 3 dozen Pincushions, 12 dozen Cotton Reels, 7 dozen Tape, 6 dozen Thimbles, 4 dozen Bodkins, 4 gross Hooks and Eyes, Pins, Needles, &c., 24 Slates, 6 dozen Pencils, 3 Shell Pocket Knives. Value £22.

LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE.

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