A LETTER FROM DR. VANDERKEMP. Teitjana, country of the Abatoana, north of Cafraria, Feb. 1501. Much refpected Fathers and beloved Brethren in jefus Chrift! I received the favour of your letter, dated Aug. 1799, in Cafraria, the 26th of Dec. 1800, accompanied by three letters from the Treasurer; three from Dr. Haweis and Mr. Eyre; and one from Mr. Wilks; and Į fent out again the bearer with a letter directed to Mr. Hardcastle, inclofing my Journals. Your letter, containing an account of the lofs of the Duff, never came to my hands; but the materials of it I found, as I think, in the Evangelical Magazine, which you were fo obliging as to fend me. The Lord's dealings with his people are wonderful, and unfearchable for mortals. If they were not, the wildom and goodness by which they are directed, could not be equally infinite with the uncontroulable power by which they are executed He permits us, however, to difcover afterwards in the effects fometimes convincing proofs, that all his ways are truth and mercy. The principal external motive which determined me to follow the colo. nfs in their journey to the country of the Abbatoana, I have mentioned in my Journal, 1800, Dec. 28, but there were fubordinate reafons, which allo co-operate towards this ftep, of which I only thall allege, ift, The little fuccefs I hitherto had met with among the Caffres, on this fide the Fah River-2dly, The impoffibility my Millionary brethren were in of joining me in Caftraria, arifing from a politive prohibition of the governor; in confequence of which, my Brothers Read and Vanderlingen now were employed in the Wagemaker's Valley. From the increafing hoftilities of the Modankian Caffies, and thofe under Talouza and Tkonga against the colony, I am now a two days journey towards the east, from the orga of the Tarka, which runs fouth-west towards the colony, and then difcharges itself into the Great Fish River, north of the Snow Mountains, I have requested his Excellency Sir G. Yonge, by a letter, to permit the above-mentioned brethren to proceed as far as the Tarka within the limits of the colony, where, I hope, under the fuperintendency of our Lord, to concert a plan with them for our future operations. Should we be obliged, either by the Governor's commands, or other circumfiances, to give up the million among Geika's Caffres, I will not give up my hopes that fome of the people, and particularly Geika himself, may one day be brought to a faving knowledge of Chrift. It appears to me, that the Lord pleads against him, to let him fee that he is God, May the 27th, 1801.-I stayed near the borders of the colony till I heard that my dear Brothers, Read and Vanderlingen, were arrived at Graaff Rynet. I then fent for a waggon, and proceeded along the Tarka, and Great Fish River, over the Snow Mountains, to Graaff Rynet. I found everywhere on my road waggons and oxen ready, by an order of government, which brought me in eight days to Graaff Rynet. I thought it my duty to decline the place of minifter at that place, which was offered to me; and found my dear Brothers employed in inftru&ting the Heathen and Chriftians in that village. Brother Read labours with all his might among the English dragoons; and oh glory and thanks to God, his labours are vifibly bleffed. Brother Vanderlingen preaches and catechifes the Dutch people; and unworthy Vanderkemp is favoured with between 150 and 200 Hottentots, to whom he speaks every evening, from fix o'clock to eight, the word of God. The Commiffioner May aier favours our labours, and fhews us every politeness. He has opened Brother to us the public Church for the use of the Hottentots. Vanderlingen intends to ftay here till the Lord fhall fend a regular minifter for this parish. Brother Read and I hope to ftay, or to go where the hand of our King fhall keep or lead us: but we have ftill in our eye Caffraria; especially as we understand that the king of that country laments very much that I have left him. We have fent to let him know that we wish to come to him, if God opens the door, by difpofing the heart of Mr. Maynier to let us go; who only keeps us here to perfuade Geika, on his return, to come within the colony, to fettle political matters with him. Brother Vanderlingen affifts me faithfully in catechifing the Heathen and I am confident that my dear brother Read will foon be enabled to do the fame, as he makes a very rapid progress in the Dutch language. I with and pray that you may be directed in your refolutions, by the wifdom from above, and that you may rejoice in feeing the fruits of the labour of your love towards Chrift and his church. I recommend my dear Brothers, Read and Vanderlingen, and myfelf to your prayers, fubfcribing, Much efteemed Fathers and Brethren in Chrift, your Servant and Brother, for his fake, BAPTIST MISSION IN INDIA. No. 8, of the Periodical Accounts of the above Society, lately published among other interefting articles, gives a pleafing account of the com mencement of a work of converfion among the natives; feveral of whom appear to have given up caft to be baptized into the Christian faith. From the fame letters, we learn the happy recovery of Mr. Thomas (who had been ill) and the converfion of two of Mr. Carey's fons; of whom Felix, the elder, has, at the age of fifteen, commenced his Miffonary career with much zeal, and an extenfive acquaintance with the language. The date of the above letters brings down the Society's intelligence to February laft; and the following letter, with which we have been favoured by their Secretary, continues it to near the end of March. To the Editor. Dear Sir, Kettering, Nov. 10, 1891. LETTERS have been received from our Miffionaries in India up to March 18th, 1801; the contents of which are mostly encouraging. Two more female Hindoos were baptized on Feb. 22, viz. Rafoo, the wife of Kreeftno, and Unno, a widow about forty, who refides at his houfe., They have all hitherto conducted themfelves worthy of their holy profeffion. The women, no less than Kreeftno, are firm and zealous, defpifing the caft, and recommending to their heathen neighbours the Savi our of finners. They are all defirous of learning to read the holy Scriptures. Hopes are entertained of several to whom their example and converfation have been uteful. But amid thefe encouraging appearances, as to the progrefs of the Gofpel, they have to lament the continued affliction of Mr. Brunsdon. In Dec. 1800, after a dangerous illness, he feemed in a good measure re, covered; but has fince been worse. In Feb. 1801, Dr. H. the physician, perceived that he was affected with a liver complaint At times he is You 1X dangerouny T " dangerously ill. When the letters came away, however, Mr. Carey thought his diforder had taken a favourable turn. Mr. Thomas is at Dinagepour, very well. They request that two more brethren fhould be fent to their affiftance, of amiable difpofitions; and one of them, at leaft, well-qualified to take charge of the school. I am affectionately yours, A. FULLER. Since writing the above, a letter has been received from Mr. Ward, dated March 24, which gives no hopes of Mr. Brunfdon's life. ROYAL ADMIRAL. The following Extracts from two Letters of Captain William Wilfon, cannoť fail to awaken many Thanksgivings to God, for his Mercies to the Milionaries, on their Voyage to Otaheite: He fays, "after a voyage of nine weeks and three days, we reached Port Jackfon, November zoth." Mr. Turner, the Surgeon, having died hortly after they left England, the captain engaged at Rio Janeiro a French furgeon out of a prize-fhip; whofe fkill, affiduity, and fuccefs he greatly commends. The fever which had nearly disappeared at Rio Janeiro, broke out again on the voyage. The captain therefore reftrained the Miffionaries from vifiting them in the orlop: but the fever abating when they came off the Cape of Good Hope, he permitted the Miffionaries to resume their work among the convicts; about twelve of whom continued to form a fociety among themselves, and to read, fing, and pray in their gloomy abode. One Sunday they ftaid a long while below with the con victs, and caught the infection. Six of the Miffionaries were feized with the fever, and all but two had it. They all recovered, however, except Mr. Morris, who was confumptively inclined, and died after they came afhore at Port Jackfon, where they buried him in the church-yard. A number of the convicts died (fix feamen and one woman). Many of the reft had the difeafe, and recovered. The captain fpeaks of the vaft fatigue and anxiety he has undergone amidst so much sickness, and fuch a danger ous cargo; but he adds, that, through mercy, they are fafe arrived and Janded; and that he hath taken a house for the Miffionaries, and another adjoining for himself; that the Miffionaries have recruited their health and ftrength fince they have been on fhore, and are preparing to depart for the place of their deftination. He has received the account of the departure of the Millionaries from Tongataboo, of whom Shelley purpofes to accompany his brethren to Otaheite. Haffel and his wife, with Shelly, are found faithful; the rest have deferted us. The captain means, after vifiting Otaheite, to call at Tongataboo, and inform himself fully of all the circumstances which have taken place in that ifland, and of its prefentftate and condition. He fays, "I have the happiness to find my conduct, in this trying fituation, has met the approbation of those whom it concerns here nor do I think, which is far better, that I can tax myself with any neglect of all who were committed to my care. I have endeavoured to do my duty, and fhall, I hope, be directed in all things, by unerring wifdom, which I am, through mercy, enabled to look up for, as I never felt my mind reft more firmly on the gracious promifes of God, than in this voy age; and am at prefent experiencing as evident and clear a proof as ever I did in my life, of his preservation of me," &c. Thefe difpatches came by an American veffel, which failed for China. There There are other dispatches, which were expected to have been previously received; but have not come yet to hand We may now foon expect to hear of the landing of the brethren at Otaheite, which is only about a month's voyage from Port Jackfon; when we hope to receive an account of their state and profpects in that most important and first object of our million. Our gracious Saviour hath led us fo far on our way, with bleffings and usefulness. The labours of the Miffionaries have produced the most happy effects, not only on the convicts, but the crew; among whom they have reaped the first fruits of their self-denying services. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Collections, &c. received by the Treafurer from the 25th of O. to the 25th of Nov. 1891. Rev. Melvill Horne and Congregation, Macclesfield £. 10 O many, per Mr. Steinkopf Rev. Jos. Surman and Friends, Chesham Rev. Mr. Stephens and Congregation, at the New In- Mrs. Mary Mackay, late of Whitby, a Legacy by her Society for Promoting Chriftian Knowledge. ON the 27th of October, the Archbishop of Canterbury fent to the Society for Promoting Chriftian Knowledge, accompanied with a note, a copy of the Memoir, lately published by the Rev. W. Mofely, " on the Importance and Practicability of Printing the Sacred Scriptures in the Chinese Language, and circulating them in that vaft Empire," which, being read, was ordered to be taken into further confideration on the 3d of November. The Bishop of London taking the chair on that day, the Memoir was again read by the Secretary; and being generally ap proved, upon a motion made by the Bishop of Durham, it was unanimously refolved to refer it to the East India Miffon Committee, to make a further report to the board as early as poffible, Of this committee the Bishop of Durham is chairman; and the interest, we understand, his Lordfhip takes in the object, will not fail to fecure. an attention to it equal to its magnitude. Book Society. THE Annual Sermon before the Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor, was preached by the Rev. John Clayton, to a crowded auditory, at Salter's Hall, on the 19th ult. In the courfe of the past year this Society has difburfed 2200 Bibles, and about 1200 Teftaments, befide other Books. Somerfetfhire Affociation. TAUNTON anniverfary meeting of the Somerfet Affociation and neighbouring minifters, was held at Mr. Tozer's meeting, October 14. The fervices of the day were introduced with prayer and reading the Scripture, by Mr. Paul, of Castle-Carey; Mr. Saltren, of Bridport, and Mr. Herdfman, of South-Petherton, followed in prayer and thanksgiving; and as the Lord had juft graciouily, reftored peace and plenty to our 3 T2 undeferving undeferving land, Mr. Magor, of Glaftonbury, delivered an appropriate difcourfe, from Pfa cxxii. 8. Mr. Tyreman, of Wellington, closed in prayer. The brethren dined together at the Rev. Mr. Tozer's, pakor of the meeting, and met again in the house of the Lord at fix in the evening, when Mr. Allen, of Exeter, prayed; Mr. Tyreman, of Wellington, preached, from Daniel ii. 44.; and Mr. Cherry, Baptist minister of Wellington, concluded the day with a folemn addrefs to God. ORDINATIONS. AUGUST 19, Mr. Rayfon was ordained to the paftoral charge of the Independent church meeting in George's Street, Wakefield. Mr. Wilfon, of Leeds, opened the fervice by reading the Scriptures and prayer; Mr. Roby, of Manchester, delivered the introductory difcourfe; Mr. Dixon, of Sheffield, propofed the queftions, and received the confeffion of faith; the ordination prayer was offered up by Mr Dawson, of Sheffield; Mr. Brewer, of Birmingham, addressed the minifter, from 2 Tim. ii. 1.; the exhortation to the people was founded on 1 Cor. xvi. 14., by Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, who concluded with prayer. The congregation was large, ferious, and attentive. Mr. Bradley, of Doncafter, preached in the evening, from Pfa. cxxxvii. 5 and 6. October 19th, the Rev. Jof. Hartley, of Weftport chapel, Dundee, Scotland, was appointed by the Miffionary Society of that place to preach their quarterly Sermon. The collection was the largest ever known there; and fuch is the defire of the people for the fpread of the Gospel, that though the place holds upwards of 1300 perfons, yet hundreds went away for want of room. The text was taken from Galatians v. 9. In the first place, He noticed that Miffionary work might be denominated well-doing; 2. That notwithstanding, those who are zealously engaged in it are in danger of growing weary; to prevent which, 3. The encouraging declaration in the text is held forth : " In due time (or season) we fhall reap," &c. We are happy to learn that a fpirit of hearing, and love to the caufe of the Gospel of Jefus Chrift prevails in the northern part of Scotland; that the churches of Christ are visibly increasing, and numbers are daily added, which we truft will be finally faved. October gift, the Rev. John Clayton, jun. was ordained at Kehfingtonchapel Mr. Goode, of London, began with prayer, &e.; Mr. Hum phreys, of Hammersmith, delivered the introductory discourse, and re. ceived the confettion; Mr. Winter, of Newberry, prayed the ordinationprayer; Mr. Clayton, fen. gave the charge, from Acts xx. 24.; and Mr. Nicol, of London, preached to the people, from Acts xiii. 32.- The fervice has been fince published. October 21ft, the Rev. Rich. Cope, from Hoxton academy, was publicly fet apart to the paftoral office over the church of Chrift, at Laun cekor, Cornwall. The fervice of the day commenced with prayer and reading the Scriptures, by Mr. S. Rooker, of Biddeford; Mr. Wm, Rooker, of Tavistock, gave the introductory difcourse, afked the usual queftions, and received the confeffion of faith; the ordination prayer was offered up by Mr. Sloper, of Plymouth, with impofition of hands; Mr. Mends, of Plymouth, gave the charge, from 2 Tim. iv. 1, and 2.; and Mr. Jones, of Dock, concluded with prayer. The fervice being divided, the congregation re-affembled in the evening, when Mr, Sam. Rooker |