cere. He has been with me about two years and a half, during which time his moral character, so far as I can ascertain, has been irreproachable. And, for the last twelve months, I have had reason to hope | that he has experienced the power of true religion. He threw up his caste after he had been with us a few months, and desired baptism; but then I was not satisfied that he acted from right motives. He has since been urgently entreated by some of his friends and relatives to return to them, with the prospect of being better off in worldly things than if he continued with me, and has experienced a great deal of ridicule and abuse from the people of this neighbourhood who know him; yet he has remained with us, unflinchingly avowing his determination to be a Christian. I have delayed his baptism, principally, because I wished to be well satisfied first of his sincerity, and partly on account of the severe affliction which he experienced previous to his coming among us. His affliction was occasioned as follows. He had been sent on board a boat by one of the Insurance Companies in Calcutta, in charge of insured goods despatched to the Western Provinces; and, having observed some fraudulent proceedings of the boat people, he remonstrated with them, and threatened to report their conduct if they persisted. They at first endeavoured to persuade him to become a party with them, but, not succeeding, they became embittered against him, and formed a plot to murder and throw him overboard, and report to his employers that he had been taken ill and died on the way. The fear occasioned by the discovery of their murderous intentions, combined with a general derangement of health, and the distress of mind he laboured under at that time, produced by his having failed to observe all the superstitious ceremonies enjoined by the sacred book he had adopted as his guide, drove the poor fellow raving mad. In this state he was sent to the Native Hospital at Patna, where he remained seven months. On his recovery and dismissal from this place, he came to Digha Farm, in the hope of finding some employ; and, shortly after, he met with Hurridas reading the Scriptures by the road-side. His curiosity was in the first place awakened to know what the Scriptures contain; and, as he afterwards continued to read and examine them with me almost daily, his judgment became convinced; and, eventually, I think I can say with confidence, his heart became converted to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom he has now publicly professed his faith and confidence. Oh! that "he may hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end."

Since the commencement of November, I have visited the annual Mélór at Hadjipore, and many of the neighbouring towns and villages. Some of these places I have regularly visited for the last four years during these seasons; and many of the natives who have taken books, and with whom I have previously conversed, recognized and visited me for religious conversation. With some of these persons I have been occasionally much interested; but, alas! it is very painful to observe, even in the most pleasing cases, a perfect insensibility to the evil of sin, and the necessity of the atonement of the Son of God. Their confessions of sin are uttered with such manifest apathy as leaves no ground to suppose that they ever make the evil of sin a subject of deep serious concern. At Arrah, two Mussulmans came to me, and stated that they had read the Gospel, and were convinced that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God and the Saviour of men, and they were determined to become Christians. "Can you," said they,

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give us some advice? You must be aware that, in taking this step, we shall be persecuted, and cast off by our relatives and friends, but if you can assure us that, when cast off, we shall be protected and provided for, we will hesitate no longer." pointed them to the case of the first Christians, and exhorted them to imitate their example as far as they could, and they would assuredly find that Jesus Christ was faithful to his word (Luke xviii. 29, 30). They appeared serious; but there was something vague and indefinite in many of their replies to my questions, and an appearance of a calculating spirit, so that I have little confidence in their sincerity. What was their real motive I know not, as they appeared men in respectable circumstances. When I left Arrah, they said, I should soon see them at Digha; but I have yet seen nothing of them, though more than a month has elapsed.

Three weeks ago, I set out on a journey to Gyah, but my buggy broke down on the road, and I was obliged to return. I have had it repaired, and next week (D. v.) I purpose to start again. May I find in that high place of idolatry some who are willing to receive the knowledge of the "true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, whom to know is life eternal!"

I am happy to say, that my charge at Dinapore continues to afford me much pleasure. I do not remember that we have had any additions to the church since I last wrote you; but I trust the members contiuue to grow in the spirit of genuine piety, and enjoy much of the presence and blessing of God.

necessities.

JAMAICA.

While the friends of justice and humanity throughout the empire are rejoicing at the triumphant issue of their efforts to achieve the complete liberation of our long-oppressed fellow-subjects in the West, it must be remembered that this event greatly increases the necessity of enlarged provision for their spiritual We have just received a forcible representation on this subject from our zealous brethren on the north side of Jamaica, which we lay at once before our readers. It will be remembered that, in this district, our mission is better supplied with labourers than in any other on the island; so that, if six be needed there, it is even painful to calculate the whole number wanted for this island alone. Truly, the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few!

Falmouth, June 7, 1838.

REV. AND DEAR SIR:Your Missionaries residing in the northwest section of the Island of Jamaica take the liberty of addressing the Committee upon a subject which, though it appears to them of the utmost importance, will very probably be to you a matter of surprise. It is no less a request than that you will send to this part of the island six additional missionaries. Your surprise will, however, be considerably diminished, if you remember that we have often stated quite as fully the necessity of the districts in which we individually reside, and that the present application is, therefore, no more than a reiteration of our individual appeals. That we are not extravagant in making this request will appear from the following statement. The last population returns made in August, 1834, give the number of the apprentices and their children in this district thus:

members and inquirers with fifteen churches, which number is now increased to eighteen by the subdivision of our larger churches. These, with thirteen other preaching stations (to say nothing of estate and other schools, which have to be superintended, and at which services are frequently held), have at present to be supplied by nine missionaries. You will allow that their labours even now must be arduous, but will remember that the anticipated change in the circumstances of our people on the first of August next, will give us far greater facilities for the instruction of our people than though we must confess that we often feel we ever before undisputedly enjoyed; and ready to sink under our labours, we expect, that as these advantages dawn upon us, those labours will of necessity be increased.

To give you a more comprehensive view of our stations as now occupied, we subjoin the following list.

JOHN HUTCHINS; Savanna la mar (church), Fuller's Field (church), Mountain Side. Negril, a promising station, was obliged to be abandoned, the strength of the missionary not allowing him to supply it. SAMUEL OUGHTON; Lucea (church), Green Island (church), Gurney's Mount (church), and Fletcher's Grove.

Fletcher's Grove can now enjoy but few preaching services; and Mount Zion, an interior station, has been relinquished, only because it could not be supplied. THOMAS BURCHELL; Montego Bay (church), Shortwood, Mount Carey, and Bethel Hill.

WALTER DENDY; Salter's Hill (church), Bethtephil (church), Greenwich Hill and Retirement, St. Elizabeth's.

Retirement is about twenty-five miles from Salters' Hill, and the road is at certain times almost impassable, and nothing but its paramount importance compels the missionary to supply it, it being the only Baptist station in the parish.

WILLIAM KNIBB; Falmouth (church), Refuge (church), Waldensia (church), and Camberwell.

T. F. ABBOTT; St. Ann's Bay (church), Ocho Rios (church), Coultart's Grove (church), and Cascade.

B. B. DEXTER; Rio Rueno (church), Stewart Town (church).

Maho Hill, though a promising station, was given up through ill health. The mis. sionary intends, however, immediately to attempt to resume it.

JOHN CLARK; Brown's Town (church), Bethany.

The missionary recently visited the moun tain district of the parish of Clarendon, where the inhabitants are living in an awful state of ignorance and neglect of religion.

There is a prospect of a considerable congregation being collected, but the distance (nearly thirty miles) is too great to admit of his frequently visiting the neighbourhood. DAVID DAY; Port Maria (church), Oraca. bessa (church), Bagnal's vale.

(1) We would therefore respectfully suggest to the Society that they send two missiona ries to the parish of St. Elizabeth, namely,

one to Black River, and one to Lacovia, or its neighbourhood; each of whom would find abundant room for out-stations. To this parish the Society has long stood pledged, and the people are still desirous of being supplied with Baptist ministers. Houses were rented at these places, and for a time supplied at the request of the Society, but were abandoned in consequence of no missionary being sent.

(2) One missionary to Green Island. This station being thirty miles from Gurney's Mount, is attended with peculiar difficulties as to its supply, while its importance demands attention, being situated in the centre of a population of 7000 negroes, and affording an opportunity of carrying on the station at Negril, relinquished by Mr. Hutchins from his inability to attend to it; as well as Fuller's Field, which, from medi. cal advice, Mr. H. fears he will be obliged to abandon.

(3) One for Bethtephil and outstations. (4) One for Bethany, and a station, as above referred to, in Clarendon. Mr. Clark confining himself to Brown's Town, and an immensely-populated district nearer the sea.

(5) And one for Ocho Rios and Cascade. Mr. Abbott taking St. Ann's, and Coultart's Grove.

Having thus laid our case before the Committee, we would again remind them, that, however necessary an increase of labourers has heretofore been, that necessity will be much greater in consequence of the almost immediate transition of our people from a state of slavery into one of perfect freedom. We have often been told, when making appeals like the present, that" much has been already done for Jamaica, and that there is no part of the world on which so great an outlay has of late years been made by the Society." We partly acknowledge the force of this objection; but, while we feel grateful for what has been done, we think that far too great a stress is laid upon it. By reviewing the statistics of our Association, you will perceive that the number of missionaries in this part of the island, is precisely the same as it was seven years ago; while, in the same period, many churches and preaching stations have been formed. We have, it is true, at a consider

able expense, an increase of native and other paid agency, but this is very trifling compared with the wants of the population, and cannot be expected, in the present state of society (except in very few cases), to be of a description to carry forward the general objects of the mission.

Should it be said, that there are many more missionaries of other societies in this

part of the island than formerly; while we rejoice at their success, we reply, that their number, united with our own, is far from being commensurate with the wants of the people, even if it were disposed of to the best possible advantage.

considerable objection; though, we trust, The expense will, doubtless, be another not an insurmountable one. The same Christian public which has lately subscribed so liberally on behalf of those who are tribute largely to promote the spiritual welperishing in the East would, doubtless, confare of those for whom we plead. That they may see that we have a fair ground of appeal to them, we request that you would publish this, and we pledge ourselves, that, if that appeal be properly met, we will raise as much as we possibly can towards the outfit, &c., of those brethren who may be sent to join us.

WILLIAM KNIBB, WALTER DEndy, BENJ. B. DEXTER, JOHN HUTCHINS, JOHN CLARK, DAVID DAY,

SAMUEL OUGHTON.

Brethren BURCHELL and ABBOTT absent.

While thus conveying to our readers the sentiments and claims of our brethren, which are admitted in all their force by the Committee, it seems necessary to add, that the receipts of the Socity are far from keeping pace with the cent movements in the Eastern field, so enlarged demands consequent upon rethat a new debt is rapidly accumulating from that cause. We trust, it will be shown, that the progress of the gospel

is not to be retarded for want of the means of sending forth and supporting those who are to declare and enforce it; but in what way, or from what quarter, the requisite supplies are to come, does not at present appear.

STEWART TOWN.

From Mr. Dexter, dated 13th June, 1838:

We have, as missionaries, I believe, along

the whole of this side the island, almost | every thing of a cheering nature we could ask for. Our congregations and schools are larger than ever; the work of conversion appears to be going on at our several stations, and numerous other doors of usefulness are continually opening, into which we cannot, with our present strength, enter. At Stewart Town the congregation has of late so much increased, that I have been necessitated to make alterations, so as to accommodate from 300 to 400 persons underneath, who can hear and most of them see the minister through an aperture caused by the removal of a part of the flooring, which can be put down at pleasure for those services when our numbers are not so large. This space was used for the first time last Sabbath, when brother Dendy preached to about 1100 people at the chapel, and I addressed about 500 in the open air. In the afternoon about 500 members of the united churches, 40 of whom had been baptized in the early part of the day, partook of the Lord's Supper, and in the evening brother D. again preached. On the preceding day the children of the Clarkson school, and those of the Sabbath school, in all about 350, were examined, and acquitted themselves, in their various exercises, in such a manner as to convince all present that they and the master, Mr. Dillon, must have laboured diligently during the six months which have elapsed from the commencement of the institution. Services in every respect similar to these had been held three weeks before at Rio Bueno, when 53 were admitted to the church by baptism. The examination of candidates for this ordinance has this time been unusually pleasing. Having asked one poor old woman what it was which made her so earnestly desire to go to heaven, she replied, "Spose massa Christ is there, me oblige for want for follow him;" and on the question being afterwards put in a different way, she said, "He is not heaven for me home? Is it not my papa's?" Speaking of remaining sin, and of the temptations of the great adversary, she said that when they troubled her, she begged God to let her not have one word with Satan. She expressed her dependence on Christ in the following manner, "Me hab no broder, me hab no sister; all my stay and all my depend is 'pon my sweet Massa." Another, in speaking of her gratitude to God, said, "Me sit down and drink me water; den me praise God; him give it. Me go out and get wood, me praise him, he give me strength, else me no able; me sit down with me pics (she has a numerous family); me praise him, he send them." This poor woman had learnt the spirit if

Another poor old

thing give thanks." African woman, speaking of her being brought here, said, "Me often tell God thank'ee, for bringing me to buckra country to hear about massa Jesus."

Our friends in the neighbourhood of Maho Hill have repeatedly and pressingly urged upon me the necessity of recommencing my labours there, which you will remember I had relinquished on account of inability to attend to them in a proper manner. We have beyond that place, which is itself twelve miles from Stewart Town, about 300 members and inquirers, while many others, who are too far distant to come to chapel at all, call themselves Baptists, though their conduct is such as to disgrace the society to which they profess to belong. Several of my free members have united in forming a little town or settlement in the neighbourhood, and one of them has offered me the loan of a paved space, formerly used as a barbecue, over which the members on the surrounding properties have promised gratuitously to build a shed, which will answer as a place of worship, till we see whether appearances will justify us in purchasing or building something more substantial. On these conditions, I have promised to go up once a month myself, and to send Mr. Dillon, our schoolmaster, once a month to read a sermon. They will thus have a service every alternate Sabbath day, while Rio Bueno and Stewart Town will be deprived of their minister only once in every alternate month. I could not have made these arrangements, had it not been for the assistance of a kind friend, a member of the church at Bath, under the care of Mr. Cater, who has recently settled here as clerk in a store. efforts to do good in the Sabbath school and the church are unwearied, and of course there is ample scope for him. He generally reads a sermon when I am at Rio Bueno, Mr. Dillon having wished him to do so on account of his own youth, and the short time that he has been connected with us. As, however, circumstances require it, I shall now make use of them both, while Mr. Innis, our native schoolmaster at Rio Bueno, is, on alternate Sabbaths, similarly engaged there. You will perceive from this that, though we have not what some of our friends at home have so loudly called for, native preachers, we are glad to employ in

His

a proper manner every instrument which may be raised up around us.

HONDURAS.

We have the pleasure to state that,