the liberty of the children of God," or are earnestly seeking that unspeakable blessing. And although, from the revival which attended the ministry of our worthy brother Ward, an increase of numbers was not expected, yet, in this respect, God has also been graciously pleased to bless us; and we are happy to say, our present prospects afford us pleasing anticipations of great good being done in the ensuing year."

"Abaco having been visited by brothers Ward and Head, and the seeds of the Gospel sown there, it has excited an ardent desire in many to seek "the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins." The society is very small, occasioned by the absence of the preacher; but, from the constant attendance of the people on divine worship, we have reason to think, if a preacher were stationed there, it would not be long before there would be a good society."

"Long Island has been without any minister for many years. There are many who are willing to hear and attend to the word of truth; but there are others who see no excellency in it; yet there seems to be a door opening for the spread of the Gospel; and, if possible, it should be visited by the brethren; and should a barrier or two be removed, there would be work enough for a missionary, and no doubt but seals would be added to his ministry."

Whites. 73

Coloured & Blacks.

Total.

In some of the Islands the societies have decreased, owing partly to the fluctuation to which societies of negroes are subject, under a strict discipline, partly to opposition, and, in one or two instances, to large removals, from the depression of commerce; but in others the increase has been unprecedented. In Jamaica, though, independent of the act to which allusion has been made, the freedom of worship is very limited, and the complement of missionaries not complete; the increase to the societies has been near 1000, with access to new and promising fields of labour. In Antigua, the increase is 1000; in Demerara, 600; and in the

Bahamas, in the midst of restraint and difficulty, the number is above that of the last year. This favourable state of the mission calls for additional gratitude, when it is considered that the societies have been deprived of their full share of missionary care by the death, at an early period of the year, of four active and useful missionaries, who fell victims to their labours and the diseases incident to those climates. They, however, honoured the missionary cause in life and death; and the donation of 1007. sterling to the widow of Mr. Burgar, from the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica, voted at a meeting of the magistrates and vestry as a token of respect for the memory of her husband, is a pleasing proof that Jamaica has many respectable inhabitants who value the Gospel, and appeciate the pious zeal of those who hazard their health and life to teach it to their negroes.

Besides the new stations in Jamaica, the island of Barbadoes offers encouragement for a new trial, and the appointment of a missionary. Mr. Westerman, appointed by the last Conference, was prevented from proceeding there by other arrangements which it was necessary to make for the supply of a more promising station. The society is in number not more than 28, and the old chapel in a state of decay. Mr. Woolley has, however, lately visited this island, hitherto the almost only exception to the success of the efforts of our missionaries in the West Indies, and proposes the erection of a new chapel, to which one benevolent gentleman of the island has promised 1007.

Tobago has not hitherto appeared upon our list of West India missions; but having been recommended to the Committee by Messrs. Brown and Catts, who made a short stay there on their way to St. Domingo, it was lately visited by Mr. Woolley, under the direction of the Antigua District Meeting; and offers sufficient encouragement for the immediate appointment of a missionary. The fact that there is but one minister in the colony, shews sufficiently the necessity of extending help to its lost population, many of whom are "perishing for lack of knowledge." The intention has been warmly encouraged by some of the principal gentlemen of the island, who, influenced by their regard to religion, and the moral interests of the negroes, have offered subscriptions, in support of the mission, so liberal as to warrant the hope that the work there may be conducted with trifling expense to the Mission Fund.

45

To the supply of new stations in the West Indies, and the places of the missionaries who have died, or returned home, a considerable number of new missionaries will be requisite ; and the Committee are happy to state, that, notwithstanding the reproaches, labours and hazards of that mission, no failure in the supply of qualified missionaries is anticipated. Still, through the influence of Him whose Spirit alone kindles the true flame of missionary zeal, a sufficient number are offering themselves for this service; and others, who had served their appointed time in the islands, now in the ministry at home, have again proposed themselves to re-enter the same field, and to fill up the ranks of those who have fallen in the glorious warfare.

The intelligence from the two missionaries sent out since the last Conference to the republican part of the island of St. Domingo is of a very interesting nature. Their first impressions on entering a country where the superstitions of popery had been merely superinduced upon the ignorance of paganism, without being accompanied with a just knowledge of Christianity, were somewhat discouraging, and especially as for a few of the first weeks they spent in the island, they were rendered unable, by attacks from fever, from entering upon their work.* Their recent letters are, however, written under cheering anticipations of being able to effect, in some good degree, the great objects of their mission. The freedom of religious worship guaranteed by the laws, the respect paid by the people to

Mr. Brown writes, "We first set foot on this ground February 7, 1817. Port au Prince covers as near as I can guess, about a square mile. The inhabitants may amount to about 20,000. They are frenchified in their manners; but, without exception, taken in whole, the most religious people I ever saw. It is true, many of them do not know what a New Testament is; and others, the more sensible, seem to have no idea that it is a divine book, and contains the words of eternal life. They have public market on Sundays, plays, &c. Marriage is neglected; fornication and adultery are common, and the place is noted for thieving; yet I have hardly conversed with any who would not assert and maintain, “Je suis bon Chretien, bien bon Chretien," Popery has reigned in this place undisturbed.— The people have been trained up in its mummeries; and whatever their actions may have been, after confession, doing penance, repeating prayers, &c. they look upon themselves as immaculate.

"We were a full fortnight after our arrival before we had a positive answer from the President; and before we had this we could not begin our labours in public. The reason of this delay was, that his Excellency was in the country, he and his family having been very sick. In the mean time I caught a fever, which laid another barrier in our way; and it was not till the third Sunday, March 2, that brother Catts opened his mission in public. We have hired a house: one large room which is our chapel, and two small ones. Last Friday night we were crowded; and the last two Sundays, whilst I preached at home, Mr. Catts preached at the house of a person who kindly visited him during his illness. We purpose trying the open air shortly. We have distributed a large number of tracts; but it pains us that we can get so few copies of the Scriptures circulated. The worth of these is altogether unknowa by most in this place. Brother Catts has twice visited a place in the country, Croits des Bouquets, where he has met with the most flattering reception. From a pulpit of stone, under a tree, with the Commandant of the place at his side, a tile of soldiers round the congregation, to the deeply attentive inhabitants he declared the faithful saying, 1 Tim. i. 15. The Commandant then gave an address, enforcing what he had said. The peo gave a shout of approbation.

every form of religion, and the earnest and attentive manner in which the congregations listen to the preaching of the word of God, are all encouraging circumstances, and warrant the hopes which the Committee have indulged, that Divine Providence may make use of the brethren there to communicate the important blessings of religious knowledge to a people whose civil condition is rapidly advancing, under a liberal government and an enlarging commerce. "Our congregation," says Mr. Brown, in a letter dated Port au Prince May 30, 1817,"fills the house, and covers the pavement before it; and if sighs, tears and groans are marks of their being affected, these we witness. Very often they response to what we say in our sermons. Two or three Sundays ago, preaching on Luke xxiv. 46, 47, towards the close, wishing to rivet the word on their minds, I addressed them: "Do you think, my friends that we have come here to publish a lie?" Instantly, "No, no!" echoed from every quarter. Taking advantage of this declaration, I proceeded to insist on our total depravity and guilt; on the absolute necessity of repentance and remission of sins; and pointed them to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour; whilst," Yes, yes !" was reiterated at the close of almost every sentence. 'Tis pleasing to see a numerous congregation; 'tis pleasing to see our hearers deeply attentive, and moved with what is delivered; but short of their conversion we cannot be satisfied. However, when their profound ignorance of the leading principles of religion, together with their superstitions, are taken into the account, conversions can hardly he expected as the work of a day. That many of their hearts are touched, I have no doubt. We frequently receive proofs of their affection.

"A large place has now become necessary. We have one in view, and have been considering how to meet the additional expense. This is the plan we propose: 1. To beg among the gentlemen here for money to fit it up for the two-fold purpose of a school and chapel. 2. To found a school on the Lancasterian plan.

"By the laws of the republic no white can own property, or exercise any office. We thought it necessary to lay our proposals before the President: we insert his answer."

"Port au Prince, May 27, 1817.1

« Alexander Petion, President of Hayti, to Messrs. John Brown and James Catts. "Gentlemen,

"I have received your letter, of the 14th inst. requesting my permission to establish a school here on the Lancasterian plan, and to receive for that purpose those contribusions which the infrabitants of this capital are disposed to afford you.

"Agreeably to your desires, I hasten to grant you the authority you request; and I shall witness with pleasure your project crowned with the success which it merits, being fully convinced that education raises man to the dignity of his being, and contributes to render him happy in society.

"As to the exercise of your religion, the 49th Article of our Constitution provides for freedom of worship; and, therefore, nothing will prevent you, while acting in conformity to the law established for all, from discharging the pious duties of the mission committed to your trust. I shall willingly do all that lies in my power, Gentlemen, to prove to the honourable Society whose missionaries you are, how much I am flattered by the selection which it has made of you, and how much I desire to concur with them in promoting the happiness of my fellow men.

"Apply to me with confidence on all occasions in which I can be of service to you, and receive the assurance of my perfect consideration.

PETION."

The committee have reason to expect an equally favourable opening to another part of this important island, which they have resolved to embrace as soon as suitable persons can be obtained for the enterprize.

For the Methodist Magazine.

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF A CAMP-MEETING HELD AT COW-HARBOUR, LONG ISLAND, WHICH COMMENGED AUGUST 11th, 1818.

An unusual number of people were assembled on Tuesday, when the exercises began under the most favourable auspices. The word of the LORD which was delivered, was received by the people with apparent eagerness and delight. Great peace and harmony prevailed; and the prayers of God's people were fervent and incessant. In the evening there were some conversions.

There were between forty and fifty sloops in the harbour; and it was judged that there were from six to eight thousand people on the encampment; and what was most desirable, great order and solemnity prevailed.

According to the order of the meeting, the people, this night, retired to rest at ten o'clock. The next morning opened a delightful prospect to a contemplative mind. The rising Sun in the cast, darting his lucid beams through the grove, which was now rendered vocal by the voice of morning prayer in the several tents, announced the superintending care, and proclaimed the majesty of Him who maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good. The gentle zephyrs softly whispering through the foliage of the beautiful grove, now consecrated to God, was an expressive emblem of that divine Spirit, which so sweetly filled the soul, and tranquilized all the passions of the human heart. Not a turbulent passion was permitted to interrupt the sacred peace and divine harmony which the heavenly dove had imparted to God's