[Jati, translation of the Scriptures; but was gradually gaining strength.

His schools, in which he is much assisted by Mr. Taylor, continue to flourish. Some copies of the New Testament in Telinga, which Mr. Hands brought with him from Vizagapatam, have been distributed among the Gentoos at Belhary, and several have been sent into the surrounding districts by strangers who have called to visit him. He has also a class in the native school, who read the Telinga Gospels.

The zeal of the country-born people who attend upon his ministry has afforded him much pleasure; they have raised upward of five hundred rupees in aid of the Auxiliary Bible Society at Calcutta. He speaks with great delight of the piety of some of the military.

The country has suffered severely by drought; but Mr. Hands and his family were greatly assisted by the kindness of ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood, without whose friendly aid they could scarcely have obtained the necessaries of life. He expresses also much thankfulness, that the Government has favoured him with a grant of the ground occupied by the Mission Garden, which contains about eight acres, and is to be held free from rent, as long as it is appropriated to the use of the Charity School.

Chinsurah.

Mr. May superintends the Free School at Chinsurah, in which he has introduced some beneficial improvements. He intended to commence a Native School in the month of January, on the British Plan. "It is among the rising generation chiefly," he says, "that I look for success. By teaching them to read the Scriptures, and laying before them the grand principles of our holy religion, we may remove their prejudices without shocking them." He is looking out for native teachers, as recommended by the late Dr. John; and wishes to pursue the plan of a good lady up the country, who employs two or three native teachers, giving each of them four rupees a month, and two annas for every regular scholar: this renders them diligent in procuring and retaining the children.

Mr. May has received some encouragement from the children under his care, several of whom not only attend

his ministry, but are much impressed by the word, repeat the catechism, prayers, and hymns, and receive a short lecture weekly on sacred history. He much wishes for more assistance, and particularly desires that any who may come out may be well acquainted with the improved method of teaching. He regrets that he had not made himself master of it before he left England.

Madras.

Mr. Loveless was attended at the chapel as usual, and was greatly encouraged by the generous exertions made by the friends of religion at Madras to liquidate the debt of his chapel. One liberal gentleman, who would not suffer his name to appear, has contributed seven hundred pagodas for that purpose. He longs for additional help in that great and populous city,

Discellanies.

OBITUARY OF THE REV. DR. COKE.

AT p. 169 of our First Volume, we gave a brief notice of the successful exertions of the Wesleyan Methodists among the Coloured People and Blacks in America and the West Indies, about 43,000 of whom are in connection, as professed Christians, with that body.

We have since noticed, at various times, the exertions which the Society has been latterly making to awaken and embody the zeal of its own members in enlarging its plans with respect to the Heathen World. It is now assuming a prominent. station among Missionary Societies. Hitherto its exertions have been confined to the Slaves and People of Colour in the British or American Territories; but they are now taking a wider range: and we. cannot but anticipate large and effectual assistance to the great cause, from the ready instruments, the disciplined habits, and the energy which attach to this body of Christians.

In the past exertions of the Society Dr. Coke took, for many years, a principal share. The Missions of the Society were chiefly directed by his lahours, and supported by his zeal. The extension of the Society's plans had long engaged his mind; and more particularly in the wide scene of labours which is opening in Asia before the Christian World: and, though it pleased God to call him to his heavenly rest before he could enter on this field, the Society will, doubtless, feel lasting benefit in its attempts from the effects and example of his ardent zeal.

The following narrative is abridged from the account of Dr. Coke's latter days, given by his surviving companions.

Dec. 10, 1813. We proceeded to Portsmouth, where we were to embark. I have seldom seen the Doctor (says Mr. Clough) more lively and happy than on this day: He considered this as the commencement of his mission; and the thought that he had so far succeeded in obtaining the consent of Conference, with six Missionaries to accompany him, afforded him unspeakable pleasure. His happy soul would frequently break forth in loud praises to God, who had thus far opened his way to the East. When he had collected his little party at Portsmouth, and they were all assembled round him, he lifted up his heart and hands to God, and broke forth in the following language: "Here we are, all before God, now embarked in the most important and most glorious work in the world. Glory be ascribed to his blessed Name, that he has given you to he my companions and assistants in carrying the Gospel to the poor Asiatics; and that he has not suffered parents, brothers, sisters, or the dearest friends, to stop any of you from accompanying me to India." He seemed as though he had not a dormant faculty. Every power of his soul was now em ployed, in forwarding the work in which he had engaged.

We staid several days'in Portsmouth before we went on board, during which period his whole attention was fixed upon his work. He would frequently say, "What we are now doing is for God; and, therefore, what our hands find to do in this cause, let us do it with all our might."

Early on the morning of Dec. 30, 1813, the signal guns were fired from our Commodore, for the fleet to, unmoor. When we had arrived safe on board, I procured the carpenter to fix up his bed. After he had taken proper refreshment he retired to rest, and slept as comfortably as though he had been on land. The

next morning he rose, and commenced his usual practice, as one amidst busy multitudes alone: he wrote several letters to send by the pilot to land, when he left the ship. The ship's company began soon to notice him as being a singular character. When we came into the Bay of Biscay, and had to contend with gales of wind and tempestuous seas, the Doctor seemed alike unmoved; and pursued his labours of prayer, study, reading, aud writing, with as much settled composure of mind as though he had been on land. Now it was that the Doctor, who had been to the present a suspected person, began to gain the good opinion, attention, and even respect of all the passengers. His polite and easy address, and his attainments in literature, together with the sacred office which he sustained, attracted the veneration of all.

In the whole of his voyage, he seemed to live with his mind fixed on that passage, Eph. v. 16, Redeeming the time. He had no idle moment, though in a ship: the work in which he was engaged, occupied his attention, next to communion with God: every action of the day tended to forward the work of God in Asia. In the beginning of the voyage, he corrected part of the Old and New Testament of the Portuguese Vulgate: this he intended to print immediately on our arrival at Ceylon; but reflecting on the im-portance of setting the press for the Old and New Testaments, and the infancy of our work, it was thought proper to defer that at present, and begin with something of less magnitude, such as Tracts, Prayers, Hymns, &c. This being determined upon, the Doctor began to write Hymns, Sermons, and Portuguese Prayers, and to translate our Hymns. I believe he has translated nearly fifty.

This labour was too severe, I believe, for a man of his advanced age; and I am sorry to add, from the judgment of the medical gentlemen on board, that it was one means of hastening his death.

One trait in his character while on the voyage, I ought not to omit: when at any time the weather was stormy, or when on any occasion there appeared any alarm, he would encourage the passengers by observing in what small ships he had frequently taken long voyages, what distressing scenes he had witnessed, and how far short these came of what he had passed through. He would remind them of our fine large ship, our comfortable accommodations, and the goodness of God in preserving us from day to day; and that he doubted not that the same God would bring us safe to the end of our voyage, and that all things would be for the best. Thus, while he encouraged their hopes, and dispelled their painful apprehensions, he gained their approbation and esteem.

Tuesday, May 3, 1814.-This day God has visited us with a most afflictive dispensation. Our venerable leader is taken from ns. Dr. Coke is dead! This morning he was found dead in his cabin. While we view every circumstance of this most distressing visitation, we are led to wonder and adore. The

!

event would have been less alarming had he been encircled by his friends, who might have heard his latest testimony, receive his dying instructions, and obtained directions how to proceed in the work of this great Mission; but these advantages were not el joyed, and we are now left to lament the departure of our Elijah. He is gone! and he is gone to receive a crown of righteousness that fadeth not away. His death, though a very great loss to us, and to the cause of God, to himself is infinite gain. Though sudden, his death was glorious: he died in the work of God, with his soul fired with an ardent desire and zeal for the enlargement of his church. For some time before his death, it appeared that he had no desire to live, but to see the Gospel established in Asia. He frequently observed, that he had given up his life to Asia; and it is astonishing with what assiduity he pursued his object. Though near 67 years of age, in a short time he acquired so competent a knowledge of the Portuguese Language, that he had written many Sermons in it, and translated many Hymns into it: this work he was engaged in but yesterday, and is now enjoying his reward.

It was resolved, to apply to Captain Birch for the preservation of the mortal remains of our departed father in the Lord. The captain, however, stated difficulties so insuperable, that, after maturely weighing the subject, we all concluded that it was most proper to desist. Captain Birch wished us to pursue our own plan, with respect to the interment of our venerable friend, stating his desire to "shew every respect to the memory of so worthy and excellent a man."

At five o'clock in the evening the corpse was committed to the deep. This was a very solemn and affecting time. The captain, the passengers, and the whole of the ship's company, shewed him every respect. The deck was crowded on the occasion. A large thick deal coffin had been made, and holes left in the bottom. The body was placed therein; and, being nailed up, was laid on the leeward gang-way, starboard side, respectfully covered with signal flags. The awning was spread, the soldiers drawn up in a rank on deck, the ship's bell called together the passengers and crew, and all seemed struck with silent awe. Four cannon balls had been placed in the coffin, decently tied up in as many bags, and placed two at the head and two at the feet of the corpse. Brother Harvard read the burial service: Brother Ault then delivered an address suited to the subject, in which he spoke of the character, respectability, and general usefulness of the deceased, and of the happiness of the righteous dead; and, from the sudden and unex. pected dissolution of one who was but yesterday in life, took occasion to to shew the necessity that lay on each individual to make a speedy preparation, and to stand in constant readiness for death. Brother Lynch then read the Fifty-first Hymn, on the 53d page, "Hark, a voice divides the sky,"

and concluded with an appropriate prayer. The whole of the service