Death of Mrs. Maria V. Savage-Parentage, birth, and early nation to offer her services for Africa-Letter to the Rev Farewell letter to her friends-Voyage and arrival in Afri

OUR next record must repeat the story of bereavement. Miss Maria V. Chapin had pas the acclimating fever with little suffering, tered upon the labors of missionary life wit est promise of extensive usefulness. On the 1842, she was united in marriage with th Savage, and continued to discharge her imp with great zeal and ability, until she was her last illness. She died at Mt. Vaugha 23d, 1843, aged twenty-three years.

Miss Chapin was the daughter of I Chapin, and was born in Derby, Verm about sixteen years old, she entered the demy at Burlington, where she was first im the claims of Divine truth, and devoted h service of her Redeemer. She was subs ployed for two years in the vicinity of Top native state; but believing that a wal would be more favorable to her health, sh to seek a situation as governess in one of

states. With this design, she wished to add to her other qnalifications a knowledge of music; and being unwilling that her father should incur the expense of her instruction, she entered one of the mills at Lowell, and with the profits of her industry, engaged a teacher, and devoted her leisure time to the acquisition of this accom"A plishment. But God had another place for her. man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps." In the autumn of 1841, she attended an evening lecture, in which the Rev. Mr. Payne gave an account of his labors in Africa, and presented a strong appeal in behalf of the dying heathen of that benighted continent. Her sympathies were strongly enlisted, and the inquiry immediately presented itself, "why should. not I give myself to this work." Seriously and prayerfully she pondered the question of duty, and after consulting her pastor, determined to offer her services to the Foreign Committee. The following communication to the Rev. Dr. Vaughan, then secretary of that body, will show with what feelings she looked forward to the work.

The question of my personally engaging in a Mission to the Heathen, has long been before my mind, and received, as it claimed, my most serious and prayerful consideration. This great work is now brought nearer to my mind than I could ever before regard it, and I trust it does not appear the less desirable. I have considered the subject in every light, so far as I am able from the information I have respecting it, and I can never take up the question again, to find reasons for going. My mind is now settled as to the duty, should no unforeseen

providence prevent, of leaving home and country for a heathen land. A long adieu to my kindred and friends will rend the heart; I feel already that it will; but at the same time, the prospect of doing good to some poor heathen soul will fill it with joy, and the hope of advancing, in ever so small a degree, the cause of my Redeemer, will be a constant feast to the soul. The silent tear of parental affection and solicitude would indeed overpower me, had I not confidence that He who thus afflicts, will support, my beloved parents. Neither, in the present case, can I think it proper to follow, altogether, the opinion of friends. With the smiles of my heavenly Father, I must be happy, though friends forsake me. I feel an inexpressible pleasure in commending them to God, assured that they will be enabled to give up their child without regret, in the hope that she will do good to perishing souls. And I have, also, that blessed hope, that, should we never again meet in this world, we shall be a happy family circle at the right hand of God. Still, I feel my own insufficiency to decide a question of such importance as that of leaving all that the heart holds most dear on earth, to encounter the toils and hardships of a missionary life. Indeed, I would not decide for myself. I trust solely to Him who has promised grace and strength. Though, at times, great weakness has constrained me to shrink at the prospect before me, I have been consoled and supported in the assurance that God will perfect strength in my weakness. I feel a desire to act in accordance with the will of God; to do nothing which would be displeasing in His sight. I think I am

willing to be, and to do, anything for the sake of the glory of God; and if I can only be sure that I am wholly under the guidance of His spirit, I shall be fully satisfied. It is difficult, I know, to analyze one's feelings, and ascertain the real character of the motives by which we are actuated; I feel my liability to be deceived, and my need of Divine assistance. The only question which concerns me, is, are my motives pure and holy? Never would I bear the missionary standard, without having in my heart the missionary spirit. I have calmly and deliberately weighed the subject, and feel, that no attraction from its novelty, no impulse from its moral dignity, can bear up, and carry forward any one, amidst the long continued labors of almost uniform sameness which you represented to me; nothing but a thorough conviction of being in the path of duty, nothing but the approving smile of heaven, can keep one from despondency, from sinking into hopeless inactivity; but I have calmly and deliberately weighed the subject, and feel a willingness to give up comforts, and submit to privations, to forsake ease and endure toil, to assemble no more with the great congregation,' but seek the Lord in the wilderness, or in the desert-in short, to make every sacrifice of personal ease and gratification, for the one great object of making known a crucified Saviour to those who are perishing in ignorance and sin. Indeed, what sacrifice can be too great, if what is done for Him who bought us with his own blood can be called a sacrifice, for those to make, who have themselves experienced the efficacy of a Saviour's blood? I have reflected, that should I go out, cheered by the smiles of friends, and en

couraged by the approbation of the churches, yet soon, amidst a people of strange speech, I shall see these smiles only in remembranee, and hear the voice of encouragement only in dying whispers across the ocean. Yet, when I have considered the command of Christ, Go ye and teach all nations,'—and when, in pouring out my soul on this subject to the Father of light, I have realized more of that sweet 'peace which passeth all understanding;' objections have all dwindled to a point; I have been enabled, by the eye of faith, to discover the finger of God, pointing me to the benighted African, and have heard his voice saying, with the affection of a Father and the authority of a Sovereign, 'Come, follow me'' He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me ;' and adding, for my encouragement, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' I do feel that God calls me to become a missionary, and do, with this belief, resolve to consider myself as devoted to that service, hoping that God will qualify me, and make me a faithful servant for Christ's sake."

As has been before stated, Miss Chapin embarked for Africa, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Payne, January 28th, 1842. Her farewell letter to her friends, closed on board the vessel, expresses her satisfaction on the prospect of soon being on missionary ground, but shows that she felt deeply, the pain of parting from her friends. "Do not think," she writes, "that I can bid adieu to the shores of America without a tear-no; I cannot! The separation is far more trying than I had anticipated; but I must not indulge myself in saying what is in my heart. Nature struggles hard, and I stop