wards it is visible for many miles in every direction. At the entrance of the enclosed space are several smaller figures, about five feet in height. We entered by a doorway, formed in the solid rock, which had been cleft by lightning. After ascending a great number of steps, we reached the doorway at the foot of the image, and were desired to take off our shoes, but immediately spared this ceremony on saying that it was not our custom. An appeal to custom on such matters is decisive, where all argument is useless. We were much struck with the idol as a huge monument of the sculptor's labour. Not a spot defiles it. Though exposed to the weather, it is, from the nature of the stone, as free from spot as if just new from the sculptor's hand; excepting the feet, which are blackened by the frequent offerings of oil, &c., poured upon them. This is the usual mode of worshipping it; but more important ceremonies are gone through once every year. There is a beautiful view of the surrounding country from this hill.

Our resting-place was an open choultry inside the wall of the most beautiful tank I have seen. It is close to the foot of both hills, about four hundred feet square, and built of hewn granite steps. In the evening Mr. Glanville took a walk round the inside of the wall, but, hearing the roar of a wild beast very near our choultry, thought it prudent to return. The next morning we learned, that whilst our coolies were cooking just outside the wall, one or more tigers came so near as to oblige them to flee, leaving their food behind them. Our horses, which were tied not far from the place, smelling the animals, broke from their fastenings, scampered off, and were secured with difficulty, as not one of the people of the town was out of doors after dark to afford any assistance. They informed us, that there were five tigers which often took away cows, &c., changing their abode amongst the numerous caves formed by the piled-up rocks that compose the chief part of the surface of the hills. After breakfast, (Wednesday,) we went out to preach; and were invited by a man, whose chief object appeared to be to merit a book, to the verandah of his house. Here I had scarcely begun to preach, when a man put himself impudently forward, and poured forth a torrent of unprovoked abuse. As he refused to reason, or speak with becoming civility, I turned from him to the other part of the congregation: this reduced him to silence. These were all attention and some en

tered into an interesting conversation after preaching. We were very sparing in the distribution of books, as few could read well: all their desire for books seemed to begin and end in vain curiosity. We then ascended the smaller hill, upon which there are fourteen temples, most of them very small. In the largest is an image of black stone, about twenty or twenty-five feet high, much better proportioned than any others that we saw. In the space outside the temples is a figure of granite, to which no worship is paid. It was broken some time ago in an attempt to remove it, and now stands up to the knees in the ground. The height above the ground is about eight feet. The arms hang down by the side, and on being struck with the knuckles ring as if made of metal.

On returning to the choultry a messenger from the Guru of the place invited us to a provided dinner. The day before the same invitation had been sent, but we declined it, and promised to pay him a visit. As, however, we had to remain a couple of hours longer before the cool of evening, we resolved to go and have our first native dinner. We clambered up into a small building, open on one side, about four feet from the ground, and without steps. A large cloth hung over a bamboo screened us from the multitude; a rude table and two chairs were all the furniture. A chatty of warm water was first brought in, and our attendants were somewhat astonished that we preferred drinking cold water at meals. But "This is our custom" removed all reasoning on this point. When cold water was procured, we had it poured over our hands: two pieces of broad plantain-leaf were then spread out upon the table, and on these various dishes in cups made of green leaves. We could not help regarding them all with suspicion. Two contained vegetable curry; two, sago, or something like it, boiled in sugar; another, ghee; a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, various mixtures; besides these were some dirty brown cakes, a brass pot each of warm milk and curds, some pickles, and a large dish of rice. One of the attendants explained the different qualities of each dish, and on our choosing rice took out handfuls and put on the leaves. We spared him the trouble of fingering the other dainties by helping ourselves. We had some difficulty in resisting their importunate invitations to eat of everything provided, and were not a little awkward in conveying the halfliquid food to the mouth with our fingers. However, we found the dinner most excellent, and ceased to wonder at the Hindoos preferring a vegetable diet. After dinner an interview with the Guru was arranged with all formality. We had not yet seen him. On being introduced into the inner court of his abode, we were again desired to take off our shoes before ascending three or four steps to the verandah, where the chairs were placed. I said again, "That is not our custom: on paying a visit, we take off our hats." This was more than satisfactory. The Guru, after a few minutes' waiting, (to add to his importance,) emerged from a dark little apartment, with his fan of peacocks' feathers and silver handle, and seated himself up in a chair. He is a darkish man, about thirty-five years of age, of good common understanding, and conversed on many subjects for nearly an hour. Before taking leave we walked round the court to examine the paintings upon the wall. The walls all round are covered with figures in the gayest colours, and generally very ridiculous, owing to the entire absence of perspective.

In one place was the representation of several men overwhelmed by a river, which we should not have discovered except by inquiry. The whole space occupied by the representation is about two feet long by one deep. At one end is a square of three inches to show the source of the river. The river is a white wriggling stripe an inch and a half wide, full of fish and various sea-monsters, each from one to two inches in length. Six or eight figures of men in a falling position below the river on a dark red ground, and as many above in an erect position, complete the representation. At different parts of the court are small apartments in the walls containing images, some of them of brass, and of costly workmanship. On leaving we were presented with flowers, cocoa-nuts, raisins, sugar, &c., which soon fell into the hands of our horsekeepers.

We were much pleased with our visit to this place; but found very little encouragement in preaching. We could not resist the impression, that all the kindness and attention we received were prompted by the hope of presents in money. This seemed to be the grand wish of all.

In the evening we rode on to Kickary, six miles. Arriving before our cots, we took dinner, squatting down on the mud floor of a choultry.

On Thursday morning we went out to preach, but found only a small congregation of very inattentive people. After breakfast we had a tolerably good con

gregation outside the town-gate. We were, however, very little encouraged, and sent on all our people immediately to the next stage; intending to follow them as soon as the day was a little cooler. Whilst we sat in the choultry waiting, two or three individuals came in, and we began to converse. In a short time upwards of two hundred people gathered together: most of them sat down, (the choultry being large and open,) and listened with the greatest eagerness and attention for about two hours, whilst I read, preached, conversed, "and disputed the things concerning the kingdom of God." This was the best congregation we had during our whole tour. The ardent desire for books and tracts far exceeded our power to supply them; because, not expecting to be able to distribute many, we had left only a very few out when our coolies were sent off. We then rode to Hatticuppah, where we purposed spending the following day. We were prevented from doing so by learning that the Assistant-Superintendent of the division was expected early in the morning with his cutcherry, and would spend a few days there. In this case, partly to avoid the appearance of being intimately connected with the Government, which the people fully believe, and which the coincidence would have strengthened, and partly because of the bustle and throng that would be unfavourable to our work, we resolved on proceeding direct to Mysore, thirty-two miles, which we reached in the evening.

A review of this journey affords cause for gratitude to our preserving heavenly Father. About three weeks before leaving home I had a slight attack of fever, not sufficient to confine me to the house; but the effects of it continued to hang about me, and render me unable to go on comfortably with my work. The change of air in a few days effectually removed every symptom. We were often exposed to the heat of the sun until late in the day, and to cold, piercing winds blowing in upon us during the night: yet we were graciously preserved from harm. Our prayers were answered in the many excellent opportunities afforded for preaching. Hundreds of poor idolaters heard the glorious Gospel of the blessed God with attentive ears: our own souls were abundantly watered from on high, and made happy in the Lord's work. May the dew of heaven plenteously descend upon the sown ground! May the Spirit of God quicken into life the good seed of the kingdom; and cause it to spring up and bear fruit to the praise and glory of His grace who sent us forth!

The reception given us, in almost every instance of our intercourse with the people, was of the most encouraging kind. The effect produced on their minds by the announcement of truths new to them, was often that of wonder and surprise, as might be expected. Very few, comparatively, gave us trouble by fruitless disputation. It would be too much to expect, that, at the first hearing, any should receive the truth in the love of it. Their minds have so long been enslaved by the most elaborate system of superstition that has ever

existed; they are continually influenced by its daily, almost hourly, ceremonies, and so debased by its impurities, that a complete mental and moral revolution must take place before they will cordially embrace the Gospel of Christ. Humanly speaking, the more simple inhabitants of the country towns and villages are likely to receive the kingdom of God sooner than those of large cities; but they must be frequently visited. The truths of the Gospel must be reiterated in their hearing. And for this purpose we must have a good number of Itinerant Preachers, and a regular system of itinerancy.

UPON the Conference list of stations my name stands for the Beechamville station; but there being a difficulty, arising from failures in health, in supplying Morant-Bay, the District-Meeting, held last month, appointed me to this place instead. I found grace to accept the change with ready and cheerful mind; thanking God that opportunity was given me to supply a lack of service on the one hand, and yield, on the other, a place desirable for others of a different bodily constitution, as is Beecham ville.

Morant-Bay is a place of much interest to us of the Wesleyan Mission. The interest in one respect is mournful. The station has been our Jamaica SierraLeone; and the first object which meets the eye upon entering the chapel-yard is a line of palisades, enclosing the graves of Missionaries, and of the wives and children of Missionary families, to a number unequalled elsewhere in this island. Rare, indeed, has it been for any Missionary to labour here and depart without leaving entombed a wife, a child, or his own body. The climate, strange to say, has proved hardly more favourable to natives of the island, coming hither from Kingston and other parts; so that it has been difficult, on this account, to keep our schools hereabouts supplied, even with native TeachBut better things are now in pro

spect, as it respects the health of our Missionaries. An elevated dwelling has been procured with much effort by my predecessor, Mr. Lockyer, and it is expected that, consequently, more health will be enjoyed by those who shall in future occupy the station. This change of dwelling is one of those measures which the true-hearted men who have gone before us would be slow to sanction. They would, coming early into the field, be sure to take their stand close to the house of prayer, and where intercourse between them and the people might be freest; until long years of fatal experience should make conscience itself dictate, that it were better to have a tedious hill or a short journey dividing a Missionary from his work, than a sickbed or an untimely grave.

Morant-Bay lies in the parish of St. Thomas in the East, where we have also the Circuits of Bath, and Manchioneal, and Port-Morant, numbering altogether four thousand five hundred members, who are African labourers, with a very small exception. The whole parish used to be, in a more exclusive sense than others in the island, the field of Wesleyan Missionary labours. But Morant-Bay is of more ancient note in the records of early preaching, and persecution, and good success. It reckons for its portion of full and accredited church members nearly twelve hun

dred.

My Circuit includes two principal, or, as we call them, Sunday, places; one at Morant-Bay itself, the other in the BlueMountain Valley. I have not yet seen cause to be discouraged concerning the spiritual state of these two societies. They appear to have quite as much of simplicity and godly sincerity as the others in the island with which I am acquainted; are cheerful in their efforts to maintain the Mission; and more intelligent than might be expected, considering that most of them are a rural people, dwelling remote from principal towns. Nevertheless, there are perils to which these churches are exposed, which, from time to time, cause unutterable distress. The Sabbath morning is the grand opportunity for both congregations. They are both well attended, I might say large; yet I found no Local Preacher, properly speaking. A worthy man, a descendant of Abraham, the friend of God, who is a partaker of Abraham's faith, was my only helper, reading a discourse in the one place, while I preached in the other. In this I am, however, relieved by the appointment, on the part of the General Superintendent, of Mr. Harty for a Schoolmaster, who is an acceptable Local

Preacher.

More appalling difficulties arise from the want of a place of worship at the one station, and the dilapidated condition of the chapel at the other; just at a time like this, when the ruin of the colony is by many supposed to have been sealed, and all money and employment are being withdrawn from the island. The chapel at Morant-Bay is unfit for use in rainy weather. But the distress arising from this quarter is lost in the agony occasioned by the case of the BlueMountain Valley society. Here are four or five hundred people, who, to speak of them generally, are a people of a good report, and highly interesting for their order, attention to Sabbath services, simplicity, and cheerful liberality. These people, some years ago, contributed the means of building a large booth, and fitting it with pulpit and benches. Under this booth they have to this day continued to worship God, and hear the word of life. But, though propped and mended from time to time, the booth is now partly open to the sky, and in danger of falling. The people have done more. They have purchased a lot of land, and built up the entire walls of a chapel, sixty feet by thirty;

raising and expending in this way more than £300 sterling money, the earnings of the sweat of their brows, without subjecting the Missionary to the usual resort of taking up a loan upon the trust. But now the resource of profitable labour fails, in the sudden abandonment of the cane-cultivation upon our finest estates, unable to compete with slave-grown sugar; and what shall this people do to procure a roof for their chapel? What shall they do shortly for any shelter at all? The case was considered at the late District-Meeting; and the brethren, compelled to act upon restrictive laws to save their trusts generally, recorded a permission for me to incur a debt upon loan of £100 only. I knew nothing of the case then, but have now ascertained that it requires £400 to roof and floor the chapel, and supply it with doors and windows. What shall I do? Shall this ruin be under my hand? Is it my doom to see a congregation like this unhoused and melted away? Shall this lovely specimen (for such it is) of the fruit of your Missions be destroyed? Already, it is said, that some few of the people, weary of enduring the inconvenience, have sought a shelter in the chapels of other denominations. Where would the whole number be found, if scattered? I wonder how either Preacher or people could worship where these have done, without being made ill whenever it rained. I wonder not that the health of Missionaries should fail in such cases. Are the people still willing to assist in the expense of the building? Yes; but look what they have done already to the half of it; see the prospect now of an entire failure of employment; and what can be expected further of them? I dare not presume to ask help of the Committee, after the things that have been spoken upon such occasions; but I must utter the distress of, and tell of the danger of dismemberment to, a lovely society, from want of a place to worship in. Never did I see so far into the heart of "David and all his afflictions, concerning a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob."

Unthinking world! how small a portion of your wasted wealth, applied here, might produce effects the most hallowed and the most happy! The Gospel of Christ, the Saviour of all, is to be continuously published here; and a people who have nobly exerted themselves are to be rescued from despair, and kept together in the worship and service of the Lord. The peril of this flock makes

me value them the more. I hear of sweet souls in the Swiss mountains and valleys, and cry out, Such are my charge in the region of the Blue Mountains of

Jamaica! O Thou, who hast the hearts of all men in thy hand, incline some who have the power to help them!

THE time for holding our annual District-Meeting approaches, at the expiration of which I anticipate removing to Burin. In drawing to the close of my labours in this my first Circuit, I look back with mingled feelings of joy and grief. When I look at my own works, I pray, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord!" but when I consider how gently the Lord has led me, borne with my infirmities, pardoned my sins, and renewed me in strength, I sing of mercy and judgment. I bless God that he directed you to appoint me to this Circuit. In the year 1844, and again in 1845, I offered my self to be sent to any part of the world. You sent me to Newfoundland; and one great cause of my happiness in this land is the conviction that I am in my providential path. You sent me among a pious and intelligent people, "holding forth the word of life," as "a light in a dark place." I had faith and love and zeal, but very little knowledge and wisdom; and therefore soon found that I had need of all which could be obtained by hard study and fervent prayer. How often have I felt that I was but "a lad with barley loaves and fishes!" And, moreover, those of you who know New foundland, know that "we are here in a desert place." Probably this is the reason why the people have fed so thankfully on the homely fare. O England, thou land of Goshen! poets have sung of thy fertile vales, thy salubrious clime, thy liberty and happy homes, thy wealth of seas, thy Monarch's glory, and thy venerable dead; but, great as these may be, thou inheritest from Jacob's God still greater glory in thy Gospel truth, thy gifts of the word of life and messengers of mercy to the ends of the earth. "Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee." Why? "Because of the Lord thy God, and for the

Holy One of Israel: for he hath glorified thee." Forgetting the injuries inflicted on thy work of peace by the now exiled Monarch, who in "the day of power" put forth his arm, and "touched the Lord's anointed," and drove the "Island Queen," Pomare, of Tahiti, from her father's throne, which thou, by Ministers of grace, didst deliver from heathen bonds; thou, when "God deposed him from his kingly throne, and took his glory from him," didst as cheerfully forgive and shelter his hoary head! Pardon this digression, for my soul rejoices in God my Saviour; and though my lot is cast in Newfoundland, I am thankful and happy. Many times the Lord has multiplied the bread, and I trust I shall carry a few "baskets of fragments" to my new Circuit

I am happy in being able to report, that a good, sound, religious feeling exists among our people. A few have been added of late to the church. The death of the late Mrs. Sutcliffe, wife of the Rev. J. Sutcliffe, St. John's, NewBrunswick, has been blessed to her mother and sister, who have been induced to join the church, and seek in the communion of saints those joys and consolations of religion which the world cannot give. During the winter we had a gracious revival, a few were added to the society, and many gave tokens that the word preached was not ineffectual. But, alas! at the seal-fishery, I fear most of them have lost ground. ground. I see

the Rev. Richard Knight, of NewBrunswick, in his letter to you, published in the Number for April, refers to the Newfoundland seal-fishery as an hinderance to the growth of piety. Its great evil lies in the inducements it affords to Sabbath-breaking. The seals come down from the coasts of Labrador in great numbers; and our merchants fit out vessels, varying in size from fifty to