been taken to secure the interests of the settlers. A great number of waggons were procured, at immense trouble and expence, and from a great distance, to convey them to the different places of location. Liberal rations of beef, mutton, bread, flour, rice, tea, &c. have been served to them from the day of landing up to the present time; and it appears that this will continue some time longer. A large supply of agricultural implements, and various descriptions of tools, were offered to sale at Port Elizabeth, at very reduced prices, and on credit. A sufficiency of seed-corn can be had for any quantity of land, which they may actually plough. The first instalment of the deposit money, paid by each individual in England, has been repaid here, with the advantage of the exchange; the second is about to be repaid; and whether the Government intends to stop the last instalment for payment of these expences, is not known: but this I know, that the whole depositmoney would not cover them. The consequence of this liberality on the part of Government is, that the settlers are, to a man, satisfied; and, as far as I know, without one exception, speak in the most respectful and grateful terms of their rulers. With this I am well pleased; and I know that it cannot but give pleasure to you, as you so carefully instruct your Missionaries to encourage sentiments of loyalty to Governors; and you will not contradict me when I say, that the religion of the Bible is never received, where rulers are disobeyed, and the good order of society is disturbed. With regard to the party with which I am more intimately connected, I have to say, that I am perfectly satisfied with it. There are, it is true, several ungodly men, whom I should wish to see converted to God; but there are also several individuals in it, who possess real religion, From the whole I have received the most respectful and affectionate treatment; so that I am quite at home with them, and feel myself comfortable and happy. The people have already given greater proof of their industry than I expected. If they proceed as they have begun, our village will assume a pretty appearance. As to their general prosperity I have not the least doubt but it will be very great in the course of a few years, as the surprising rapidity of vegetation, and the low prices of sheep, goats, and cows, afford to settlers the best opportunity of securing an increase of flocks, with the unexpected circumstance, that no time need be lost or taken up in clearing the land; the wood generally growing in plots, and leaving sufficiently large tracts quite clear, and fit for agricultural or grazing purposes. These circumstances, in connexion with many others that might be named, seem to indicate that all the reasonable hopes of the settlers will be realized. I have said so much on the temporal affairs of the settlers, (although I am aware it does not come within the range of that kind of intelligence which you wish your Missionaries generally to give,) presuming that the Committee expect from me some information on these topics at this time. The number of settlers who have come to this Colony is about 5000 families; nearly the whole of whom are located between us and the great Fish River; or, rather, between the Boshman River and the Fish River: which I guess to be about 60 miles apart. The boundaries of the settlements the other way are the sea, and the country in a line with Graham's Town; say, 30 miles in-land. On this tract of land there are now residing, if we include the population of Graham's Town,-the soldiers stationed at different posts, and the Dutch farmers with their Hottentots, at least 20,000 souls; for in the five thousand families known as settlers, there cannot be fewer than 15,000, (To be continued.) WEST INDIES. Extract of a Letter from Mr. TURTLE, to the Committee, giving an account of his visit to Turk's Island, dated New Providence, Jan. 20, 1820. The time of my writing, since my last, has been deferred much longer than I intended, owing to my visit to Turk's Island, which was not performed at the time I expected, being disappointed of my passage. I left Nassau at the time I wrote to Mr. Taylor, and was out two days, when the Captain was obliged to put back, being chased, as he thought, by a Carthagina privateer. Upon my return to Nassau, being thus disappointed, and no other opportunity offering, it was deemed most proper for me to remain on my circuit, and let brother Davis go off to Abaca, as he has been in town for some time. It was not till Oct. 2 that another opportunity offered, which I embraced, and embarked on board the mail-boat, having obtained leave of the President. Our passage was very long and tedious, (27 days) a circumstance quite extraordinary, as the distance is little more than 500 miles, and the passage is generally performed in 10 or 12 days. The tediousness of the passage was occasioned by bad weather and head-wind south. I arrived there about midnight, on the 29th, and was introduced, by a fellow passenger, belonging to that place, to George Gibbs, Esq. Collector of his Majesty's Customs, and to whom I had a letter of introduction. He received me very politely, and very hospitably entertained me at his house for several days. Upon my arrival, I embraced the earliest opportunity of delivering my letters of introduction, which I had obtained from the kind friends at Nassau; and being Saturday, I endeavoured to procure a place to preach in on Sunday, and obtained the use of a public school without any difficulty. On the Sabbath I preached in the morning, at eleven o'clock, from Rom. i. 16, and in the afternoon at four, from Job xxii. 21, to very large and respectable congregations. The people expressed their approbation of the doctrines I advanced, and evinced great pleasure in having the gospel preached to them, after being deprived of it for so long a time. I continued with them about five weeks, preaching to them twice every Lord's-day, and thrice in the week days, and had the pleasure to see my congregations increase almost every time, especially on Sabbath days. At length the place I occupied became much too small, and many had to stand on the outside. The island itself is not very large (about eight miles in length and one in breadth) but the population is considerable. Upon inquiry I learned there were about 700 whites, and 1800 blacks, including what is called the Grand and Salt Keys. The staple trade is salt-raking, which at one time was very lucrative, but is not so much so at present. But The inhabitants in general are very respectable, and apparently very kind and hospitable. During my stay, they paid me every attention, and studied my temporal comfort, while they expressed their great pleasure in being favoured with the gospel. With respect to their religious sentiments they seemed rather divided; some being prejudiced in favour of the Church of England, and a great majority being Presbyterians, natives of Bermuda. I think they are, in general, very candid; and that they would countenance and receive any good and zealous minister. Indeed, this sentiment they frequently expressed to me; observing, that they wanted a good man, one who was exemplary in his life, and who would labour for their salvation. There are several families that are truly serious, and they gave me great satisfaction as to their religious views and experience. These families would gladly welcome a faithful minister among them. I was much pleased with the appearance of the black people; they looked healthy, were decently clothed, and seemed quite happy in their situation. Many of them attended preaching; and the number would have been much larger if they could have found room. When I had done, they came round me, apparently much pleased, and expressed a wish for me to stay with them. Indeed, the inhabitants unanimously desired me to stay longer with them; expressing their willingness to do every thing in their power to favour the cause I wished to establish. Several had conceived a kind of prejudice against Methodism prior to my visit; but I have reason to believe that, in a great measure, it is done away. They kindly invited me to their houses, and seemed free to converse upon religious subjects. This gave me an opportunity of explaining to them the nature of Methodism, and of discovering more fully the bent of their minds. When I was about to take my departure they manifested very great reluctance and sorrow; and earnestly expressed a hope that God would interpose in their behalf, and send some faithful man amongst them. While preaching my last sermon, to a very crowded congregation, many were bathed in tears; and expressed as much regret at my leaving them, and affection for me, as though I had laboured with them for a much longer period. Upon the whole, I am really of opinion, that there is a door opened for the gospel in that place; and that many would, through the Divine blessing, soon be brought to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. And could a preacher be fixed amongst them, they are able, and I think willing, to support him. I felt my soul much drawn out for their salvation; and could not help regretting, that with our present help we could not meet their wishes. Brother Moore was to have paid them a visit before the district; but my stay being longer than I expected, he will not be able to do this until afterwards. I acquainted the people with my design in visiting them, and that upon my return to Nassau, I should report my views to the Committee at home, respecting the prospects of usefulness that opened, believing that it would take the matter into consideration; and would, if possible, adopt some measure to supply their wants. Having now performed my promise, I readly leave the matter with you, knowing that you are ever mindful of the spiritual wants of mankind, and ever disposed to afford them that help which comes within your power. With regard to my circuit, I feel happy to say I believe we are doing pretty well. Our congregations are generally large and very attentive, and the society, I trust, is alive to God. We have added several whites to our society, and many blacks have united themselves with us of late; and others, who had drawn back, have returned, and manifest great con cern for their souls. It is true, we are sometimes under the painful necessity of correcting and reproving, and in some instances of suspending or expelling. This, I must acknowledge, is painful to me; but to preserve the purity of the church is not less necessary. I cannot find words to express the great joy I felt in returning to my circuit, to find that the people in general were standing fast in the Lord, and that I was again favoured with the opportunity of preaching to them the words of eternal life. The tabernacles of the Lord appeared truly amiable to me; and I do not remember ever to have experienced such unspeakable pleasure in the worship of God. It afforded me no small pleasure to hear of their anxiety formyreturn, and to find them so ready to receive me again amongst them. I praise the Lord that I feel my soul drawn out after a full conformity to his image; I see an infinite beauty in holiness, and am fully persuaded that the more it is experienced in my own soul, the more, through the Divine blessing, will its saving and benign influences be felt and spread around us. I see increasingly the value of immortal souls; the importance of the great work in which I am engaged, and my high responsibility to God, before whom I must shortly appear. I desire to live to him without reserve; and to spend and be spent for the salvation of perishing sinners. It is to this that God hath called me; it is for this that I was sent out at considerable expense; it is for this that the prayers of thousands are preferred before God; and for this I shall strive earnestly as the noblest end that a rational being oan MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. On possibly propose to himself. Christmas-day we held Divine service. In the morning I preached from Luke ii. 13, 14, and felt my soul much blessed; and in the afternoon I read the service for the day, gave an exhortation, and administered the sa- Extract of a Letter from Mr. Hyde, to the Committee, dated St. Christotophers, Aug. 25, 1820. Mrs. Hyde has been down twice in the fever, and otherwise afflicted: and once she was supposed to be in danger. I have been down once in the fever, ague, and sore throat; and am at present very much troubled with a bilious complaint, which I never had in England. Mr. Brown also has once been confined with the fever; but God has been with us, to strengthen our weakness, and to cheer our souls with unclouded prospects of heavenly enjoyments. You will not, I hope, infer from my naming these painful visitations first, that they occupy a greater share of my attention than the more apparent mercies of God; or that I have a desire to avoid a repetition of them by leaving this "valley of the shadow of death" for a more agreeable climate. No: I feel no such wish. I am happy in my situation: I love my station, Nevis; and am much delighted with my work: for, thank God, I have seldom preached without the witness that he was with me, and that he spoke by me. My soul is much united to the people; and I have abundant reason to believe that I and Mrs. H. live in I am truly the affections of most. thankful to say, that our society and schools still continue in a prosperous state. Of our schools, which are chiefly under Mrs. Hyde's direction, I shall say a little; as I am sure that the instruction of the rising generation in reading and piety is a subject contemplated by you with great delight. There is a general disposition among the children to learn; several of those who were the most careless, have lately become the most attentive. Janeway's Tokens, which were made a blessing to Mrs. H. when a child, she often reads to them; and they have been made a blessing to several -there is a serious enquiry among them after God; they weep,-they t pray for themselves, for each other, more. "June 13. Yesterday was a very me and many interesting day to According to public notice such of the children belonging to our schools as were not detained by sickness, or by other circumstances, or were not prohibited attendance for improper behaviour, assembled by eleven o'clock, to go through apub lick examination of the same description as that adopted by many schools in England. The body of the chapel where the negroes generally sit, was appropriated to the children on this occasion. The forms were placed so as to form a triangle; and the children, amounting to about sixty, sat on the two equal sides, with their faces inclined towards the pulpit, arranged by classes, and the order in which they were to advance towards the base to repeat their tasks. Things being thus arranged, the service began by singing Let heaven and earth agree,' after which Mr. Brown prayed. After this the different classes repeated thei respective tasks with so much correctness and propriety, mingling singing with their examination, as to affect many, and delight all. Mr. Brown then addressed the children with good effect, and the service closed. All present seemed disposed to bless God for what their eyes had seen, and their ears had heard. And had the scene been witnessed in England, it would have afforded equal delight to our friends there." &c. NEW BRUNSWICK, Letter from Mr. Avard, Fredericton, July 5, 1820. THE Fredericton circuit is exten- its organization; and will abide by any sive, and its labours arduous. Hav- equitable requisition, if they can be ing two years ago two preachers but provided with a second preacher. stationed on it, many new places, A few days since, a person applied to for preaching were then opened, me to visit a new settlement, about which I cannot, though by myself, twenty miles from the town. He consistently give up. Hence it re- stated that "the people wished to quires my utmost exertions to supply have a preacher; and could I but rethe different places. In the town, gularly visit them, he fully believed the society claims every other sab- good would be done;" I told him bath; so that the other two chapels I could not promise him at prein Sheffield and Nashwalk are only sent so to do; for if I did, I must opened every fourth sabbath, there neglect other regular places in the not being one local preacher on the circuit. He still pleaded, and urged circuit to fill up any vacancy. As much me even with tears, until I had to say as possible, I give them preaching I would visit them once, and more, through the week; but such are the if possible. occupations of most of the people, that they can very seldom attend when I thus visit them. On this account much of my labours appears to be lost; nor do I see that good resulting from them that I could wish, or should have a right to expect, had we preaching more frequently on the Lord's-day. This can only be obviated by sending us another missionary. This the circuit has anxiously desired, and expected, as the district promised them, that the first preacher the Committee sent out should be stationed in Fredericton. Ever since they had a preacher, they have paid his quarterage, and all other incidental expences. They have also regularly subscribed largely to the Methodist Nova-Scotia Missionary Society, since One of our leading brethren being present, eagerly inquired, “Why we could not have another preacher?" I replied, the expence of sending out a preacher from home is very great. Heimmediately answered, "that shall "not be any longer a hindrance. Do "write the Committee and inform "them, if they will send us another "preacher, I will gladly pay his pas I can sage by remitting the money as soon "as I know the amount." further say, I am sure his expences on the circuit would be regularly liquidated. If possible, without delay, comply with our request, by sending another servant of Christ to the people, and a fellow-helper to the truth. Brief View of the Proceedings of the various Missionary Societies, extracted from their latest Publications. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-By the 20th Report of this Institution, lately published, it appears that the income of the Society, for the last year, was 30,0001. and the expenditure 31,0001. The Society employs 32 Clergymen, besides Readers of the Scriptures, Catechists, School-masters, School-mistresses, and Settlers, European and Native. About 50 persons have offered themselves as candidates in the course of the last year. Nearly a third of them have been received. Africa. The Report contains a highly interesting account of the success of the Missions in West Africa. With respect to the Negroes of Regent's Town, it is observed "The appearance and manners of the degree. people have improved in an equal clothed: They are all now decently almost all the females have |