FOR AN INCREASE OF GRACE.

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the lingering zeal of the Church would gradually expire; and the very name of a Missionary would become contemptible.

But if, on the contrary, the Lord will be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, then we shall, beyond all question, advance to such a series of moral triumphs, as have never yet inspired the people of God with admiring awe, or enlarged their gratitude and hope. Led by the Spirit of God, each Christian Missionary will be proof against the deadening influence of familiarity with Heathenism; and will preserve, amidst the universal earthliness around him, a spirituality of mind. Under that guidance, he will be persevering through all discouragement, and assiduous amidst a thousand temptations to sloth. Neither the stupidity of those among whom he labours, nor their falsehood, nor their indifference to his instructions, nor their ingratitude for his kindness, would be able to extinguish, or even cool, his benevolence toward them: he would be strong in faith, and mighty in prayer: by a blameless and beneficent life, he would preach to them more loudly than by the force of his arguments or the fervour of his appeals: the blessing of God would rest upon his labours: he would irresistibly penetrate their minds with the conviction of his disinterested good-will: he would reach their consciences: he would subdue their hearts.

Under the same constraining influence, the Church would afford numbers of such Missionaries, and provide ample funds for their support. For then, exulting in the merit of Christ, and happy in His love, we should feel that we are no longer our own, but bought by the price of His sufferings, and therefore bound to consecrate our powers and our property to His service: then, filled with all joy and peace in believing, we should feel a compassionate desire to see all others share in our happiness: then, living in the light of eternity, we should continually remember, that both we and our fellow-creatures must in a few days be brought before the bar of God; and our abounding hope of eternal glory for ourselves would mingle with the most intense compassion for those who seem to be as much without hope as they are without God.

URGENT NECESSITY FOR IMMEDIATE EFFORTS ON BEHALF

OF AFRICA.

THE great importance of taking advantage of the present time for exertion in behalf of Africa is strongly urged in a Letter from Capt. H. D. Trotter, R. N., the Officer who commanded the Niger Expedition, addressed to Sir T. D. Acland, Bart. This Letter has been printed in the Last Number of the "Friend of Africa," and from it the following Extracts are made:

I am convinced there never was a time more propitious for Africa than the present, nor one calling more for strenuous exertion on our part. Our zealous and devoted Missionaries, braving the noxious climate year after year, have paved the way for further exertions, by the education, at Sierra Leone and other places, of the Liberated Slaves and other Natives, from distant as well as neighbouring parts of Africa, who have, by God's blessing, been converted, in numberless instances, to Christianity. The eagerness with which these volunteered to join the Niger Expedition last year in order to visit their native countries, and the excellent conduct of many of those who embarked with us, some giving up a profitable employment for the purpose, are proofs that among the present generation no difficulty will be experienced in finding agents-agents too, who, trained to useful trades, and acting under the influence of religious principle, are anxious to return to their own countries to convert their heathen brethren and to improve their condition in this life, as well as to show them the glorious hope of another. By-and-bye, on the contrary, as the Slave Trade and the importation of Liberated Slaves into Sierra Leone diminishes, there will only be left the descendants of those who were brought away from their own countries; and they, of course, will not have the same wish to return to the land of their forefathers.

Now therefore is the time for exertion, more particularly as Black agency must mainly be the instrument used for the renovation of Africa, owing to the baneful effect of its climate upon the constitution of White men.

In my late visit to the Niger, both Chiefs and people

BAPTISM OF TWO NATIVES IN CALCUTTA.

77

Their con

called loudly to have Instructors sent to them. sciousness of their own inferiority, combined with a desire for improvement and knowledge, was very remarkable; and the fact is a very encouraging one to our friends, who, if they had only witnessed the kindness and courtesy of the Natives, and the surprise and delight which they evinced on being told that the Expedition had come entirely for their good and not for our own profit, would feel amply repaid for the efforts they are now making.

Fernando Po, you are well aware, offers advantages which should not be lost sight of; while Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Cape-Coast Castle, &c., which are still nearer home, present useful and accessible fields for the Society's * operations, whence, simultaneously with the Missionaries, advances could be made into the interior-advances, slow, no doubt, at first, but, by God's blessing, they will be sure.

m

BAPTISM OF TWO EDUCATED NATIVES IN CALCUTTA.

In the course of last year, two young Natives of good family determined to embrace Christianity; and, in consequence, had to encounter violent opposition. They have been admitted into the Christian Church by baptism, by the names of Emmanuel and Samuel; and they are now under the care and instruction of the Rev. J. Innes, at Mirzapore, one of the Stations of the Church Missionary Society. The following particulars respecting them are extracted from the Calcutta Christian Intelligencer :

They were friends before their conversion; and seem to have been led on, by a similar process, to embrace the Truth. One of them was educated at the Hindoo College; the other, at the English Christian School established at Allipore. It was about a year before their baptism that they turned their attention to the Christian Religion. They had both been accustomed to read the Bible at home privately, and were impressed with the plan of Salvation revealed in it, and with secret convictions of its truth. They were also

*The Society for the Extinction of the Slave Trade and the Civilization of Africa.

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PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN THE

accustomed to pray in private to God Almighty. By reading a book called "Hindooism contrasted with Christianity," they were further convinced of the great superiority of the Christian Religion over that of the Hindoos; and both determined to renounce the religion of their fathers at the same time, and to become Christians, whatever might be the consequence. We are happy to add, that, after fruitless opposition and persecution by their friends, they have been admitted into the Christian fold, and have given every evidence that the work is of God. We most earnestly pray that they may be kept humble, docile, and persevering; and that they may be eminently useful in life, happy in death, and at length crowned with eternal life in heaven.

PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF

NEW ZEALAND.

OUR Readers will probably recollect, that in the First Number of the Church Missionary Gleaner, which was published in April 1841, an account was given of the formation of a Missionary Station at Turanga, in Poverty Bay. The Rev. W. Williams removed thither, from Waimate, in the beginning of the year 1840. Since that time he has been the only European Labourer in that extensive and muchblessed field of exertion. It is hoped, however, that ere this he has been joined by two Clergymen, whose services have been appropriated to that district, and who sailed from this country in December last. Some idea of the extent to which the knowledge of Christianity had prevailed in that neighbourhood, when Mr. Williams had resided there only a year and a half, may be obtained from the following Extracts from a Letter written by him on July 26, 1841. One paragraph of this communication, describing the desire of the people to possess Prayer Books and Testaments, was inserted in page 53 of our Number for May last, and is therefore omitted here.

EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW ZEALAND.

79

The geographical extent of this district is 180 miles on the map; but in consequence of the difficulties of the road, it requires from twelve to fourteen days hard travelling to pass through the whole length of it. The idols are already cast to the moles and the bats; the swords are beat into ploughshares, and the spears into pruning-hooks; that is, the whole fabric of native superstitions is gone, whether relating to the living or the dead, the old priests being as forward to take this step as any others. Their weapons of warfare are laid by; their animosities with distant tribes are given up; and their petty quarrels are settled by arbitration. The disposition to receive instruction is shown by the fact, that more than 8000 persons assemble every Lord's Day to worship the God of Christians, for the most part in chapels neatly built. **** The number of candidates for baptism, and who are under weekly instruction, is upward of 1400. The number of Native Christians is 878 adults, who have been received into the Church of Christ after careful examination; which, together with 363 children, make a total of 1241. Among the adults are included a large proportion of the leading Chiefs.

The general consistency of conduct in those who profess Christianity is pleasing. In the absence of more extensive testimony from persons disconnected with the Mission, may be given a copy of a paper found at Waiapu on my last visit:

Waiapu, July 21, 1840.

These are to certify, that John Brown, of the Brig Martha, seaman, was unfortunately drowned on the beach; and was buried by the kind assistance of the Chief and Missionaries (Native), who paid every attention, by having the rites performed in a proper manner and with good order.

Given under my hand at the Pa, this 20th day of July 1840. G. POWELL, Master. A great work has been accomplished, in which the hand of the Lord has been signally manifest. It has not been by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. It has not been through the labours of your Missionaries; for the Word has only been preached by Native Teachers. We have literally stood still, to see the salvation of God.

In a Letter written a few days previously to the