We conclude by earnestly entreating you to make your present proposal the subject of much serious consideration. A resolution of so much importance, and which involves in it such momentous consequences, ought not to be hastily taken; and if it is but lately that you have formed the desire to engage in this work, it is peculiarly desirable that you should take some time for further deliberation before you finally decide. Let us also recommend to you the reading of such books as may be use. ful in assisting you to come to a proper determination on the subject, and espe cially that you will make it matter of earnest prayer for direction from Him who alone can guide you in the path of duty.

cheer his heart with the prospect of success. He has no pledge, indeed, that his individual exertions will be successful; but he may labour, and live, and die, in the faith, that the cause in which he is engaged will ultimately triumph over all opposition. Nothing can be more animating than the representations by the sacred writers of the future extent and prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. It shall come to pass in the last days," says the evangelical prophet," that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the tops of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." "" "The wilderness and the solitary place," says the same inspired writer, shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.' "He shall have dominion," says the Psalmist, "also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. His name shall endure for ever, his name shall be continued as long as the sun; men shall be blessed in him; and all na.. tions shall call him blessed."

Finally, The faithful Missionary has the promise of a glorious reward. Though he must be indebted for salvation solely to the righteousness of Christ, to the entire exclusion of the works of the law, yet those who have been distinguished in the present world by their labours, and sufferings, and success, in the cause of the Redeemer, will enjoy higher degrees of glory in the heavenly world, and will have sources of happiness peculiar to themselves. "There is

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no man," says our Lord," that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." They that be wise," says Daniel, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." And the Apostle Paul, in speaking of the converts by his ministry, styles them his hope, his crown, and his glory.

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Extract of a Letter from Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, dated Huaheine, Jan. 21, by Captain Gambier, who called at that Island, and kindly offered to take Letters for England.

IN our last letter we had to give you the melancholy news that Pomare is dead! This event had taken place just before we wrote. We hope that no serious injury to the mission will arise from this event. His son succeeds him-a child of about eighteen months of age.

After visiting, transiently, all the stations but one in Tahiti, a suitable opportunity being offered of coming down to these leeward islands, by the General Gates, we thought it best to embrace it. We have been here about six weeks. From hence we propose to proceed to Raiatea and Borabora; and then return to Tahiti, to make a longer stay there.

It affords us unspeakable pleasure to assure you, that all you have heard in England respecting the state of this mission, is far exceeded by the fact. Our hearts have been filled, and overflowing with joy and gratitude, while we are perpetually exclaiming, What hath God wrought!

In Tahiti, Moorea (Eimeo) and this island (all the islands which we have yet seen) a profession of the Gospel is universal. The prayer-meetings and the schools are surprisingly attended; the churches are flourishing; the morality of the people is

freys, "at the bottom of the high hill on which the city is built, we were met by Prince Rataffe and the English officer Mr. Brady, in their military uniform, accompanied by the two missionaries, Mr. Jones and Mr. Griffiths. When we began to ascend the hill, the guns at the top were fired. The streets (which are very narrow and irregular) were crowded by spectators. Some disciplined troops, dressed in the European style, had been drawn up in the court-yard of the king's house. When we entered, the drums beat, the soldiers presented arms, and we hastened to meet King Radama, who was waiting to receive us. As we advanced, my at tention was directed to two alligators, which had been recently taken, and which were placed one on each side the flights of steps that led to the palace.

The king received us in the most gracious manner, and we sat down to a sump tuous dinner, served up in the European manner. Mrs. Jeffreys and myself were afterwards conducted to a house appointed for us by his majesty. The next morning the king sent us a present a sheep, a goose, and a duck, with fifty eggs.

On the 14th of June the four artizans were presented to the king, who directed that a piece of land, eligibly situated, should be allotted to their use, on which they might erect houses and work-shops; and that each of them should have two apprentices, and a boy to serve them.

In the postscript of a letter from the Rev. Dr. Jones, dated June 24, he says, "Mr. Hastie, the British agent, and myself, have bought three tolerable houses, to be put up for the missionary artizans, on the spot of ground given them by the king. These cost us about two hundred and forty Spanish dollars. On the 22d, after the departure of the king to the war, Mr. Hastie procured about two thousand people from the town, at a short notice, to level the ground and prepare for putting up the houses. I was astonished to see such a multitude of people collected together, to put up the houses for the Vazaa (white people) almost in an instant. All will be finished to-day; so that the artizans may enter upon them and begin their trades immediately, and also lay out the ground annexed to their houses for their gardens.

Thus you will perceive that both the missionaries and the artizans are completely settled; and I shall lose no time in procuring other articles necessary for the commencement of the business for which they are come, in the exercise of which they may exhibit an example of industry and morality, as well as instruct them in all

things needful to make them happy, both in this world and in that to come.

"With respect to the state of the mission here, (says Mr. Jeffreys) I can affirm, from observation, and from frequent conversations with Mr. Jones and Mr. Griffiths, that our prospects are at present most promising. Much, under God, seems to depend upon king Radama, who is, no doubt, a clever man and an able statesman: at the same time it becomes us to be modest, and not too sanguine in our expectations. A foundation seems to be laid for the great structure hereafter to be erected. I think, indeed, that, all things considered, wonders have been wrought; many prejudices which seemed to be mighty barriers against the diffusion of truth, have already subsided. The king himself is so anxious for his people to receive instruction, that he sends for parents, and desires them to send their children to the missionaries. Such influence and patronage must be of immense importance in a mission like this, and may be expected to bring great numbers into the schools. At the same time, permit me to add, that the Directors should not indulge an expectation that the mission may soon be able to support itself; it will probably be some years before this can be effected. Many things are yet wanted, particularly a printing press, for although we have a lithographic press, which will be of much use hereafter, yet a printing press will be necessary for the purpose of print ing spelling-books, and other elementary treatises. A great quantity of paper, slates, and blank books for journals, regis ters, &c. are needed. We also want 200 Bibles and as many Testaments."

We find that Mr. Jones remains in the house built for him by the king in his court-yard; another house is building for Mr. Griffith in the northern end of the town; and Mr. Jeffreys has a comfortable habitation in the southern extremity

of it.

Schools. Mr. Jeffreys, in the close of his journal, says, "This morning (June 16.) at seven o'clock, went to Mr. Jones's school to hear the children catechised. It was a pleasing sight. The children were all clean, washed and combed, most of them having white shirts and trowsers. When I entered they were repeating a hymn after the monitor. For a moment I could fancy myself in England. Shortly after, Mr. Jones entered, and after singing a hymn, he proceeded to catechise thein in the Malagash language. The catechism had been composed chiefly by him. self, after the method of Dr. Watts.

"At ten o'clock, we had service in

English at the house of Mr. Griffiths, who preached from Acts viii. 38. In the afternoon the children again assembled, were catechised, and practised in singing. I have seldom seen a finer set of children, as to cleanliness and order, in any school in England. It is delightful to witness such fine beginnings in a country like this, and it is, I trust, the dawn of a glorious day. In the evening we assembled again at Mr. Griffiths's, where Brother Jones conducted the service."

Royal Visit to the Schools, June 17.It having been proposed by Mr. Hastie, and agreed upon, that there should be a public examination of the schools, his majesty, Radama, was pleased to honour us

with his presence. About three in the afternoon the king came in his state dress, accompanied by two of his generals, and Mr. Hastie; Mr. Jones's school was first examined in reading, spelling, writing, and in the first rules of arithmetic. The needle-work of the girls was also exhibited. The company then adjourned to the house of Mr. Griffiths, where the children went through a similar process. The total number of children in both schools is 85. After the examination was concluded, the party proceeded to the house of Mr. Hastie, where a handsome dinner was provi ded; when the social intercourse and good humour of old England were enjoyed in the capital of Madagascar."

Dreadful Earthquake at Aleppo.-The following narrative of this most awful calamity is from the pen of Mr. Benjamin Barker, an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who was preserved almost miraculously from the general de. struction.

"Garden of Ibrahim Aga, near the Ruins of Aleppo, Aug. 23, 1822.—With a heavy heart I take up my pen to trace anew in my dejected mind the most dreadful of all events". The wounds of affliction must bleed afresh when I recall to my memory the lamentations of fathers for their children, of children for their fathers, of husbands for their wives, and of wives for their husbands, running naked from place to place, imploring the protection of the Almighty; or with their feeble hands trying, amidst the falling ruins, to extricate themselves and their relations.

"On the night of the 13th of August, about half-past nine o'clock, Aleppo, the third city of the Ottoman empire, built Entirely of stone, was, in the space of a few seconds, brought down to its founda

tions.

"I was at that time asleep on the terrace of my particular friend Mr. Maseyk, who, by the help of the Almighty, was mercifully saved, with all his family.

"About half an hour previous to the great shock a light one was felt, when I

took the precaution to draw my bed from under a very high wall where it was placed. I was soon awakened by the fall of that wall, on the very spot where my bed had stood. I sprang from my couch, and, without waiting to dress myself, fled into the house, which I found falling on all sides.

"To remain in the house, or to take to flight through the streets, amidst falling houses, appeared to be equally dan

gerous.

"I recommended my soul to God, and embraced the latter resolution. In consequence, I descended the back stairs of Mr. Maseyk's house, by the Almighty's guidance, for the great stair-case fell at the same time.

The darkness of the night, and the clouds of dust that covered the atmosphere, prevented me from perceiving the stones and rubbish on the stairs which had fallen from a part of the house, and consequently · I was precipitated into the court-yard on a dead body.

"How can I express my feelings at that moment, ignorant on what body I had fal len! I was half dead with fright and hotror. I afterwards learnt that it was a faithful servant, who a second before had descended those stairs, when some stones of an adjoining Turkish house fell on him and killed him.

“I quitted that melancholy spot, and, like a man deprived of his senses, ran amidst the falling walls to the gate of the town, which is situated at some distance from my friend's house. It was on my road, among narrow streets, that I was destined to witness the most horrible of all scenes. The lights of the houses whose sides had fallen, exposed to my view men and women clinging to the ruined walls of their houses, holding their children in their trembling arms; mangled bodies lying under my feet; and piercing cries of halfburied people assailing my ears; Christians, Jews, and Turks were imploring the Almighty's mercy in their respective tongues, who a minute before did not perhaps acknowledge him.

"After a great deal of trouble and fatigue, running among the ruins, I arrived exhausted at the gate of the city, called Babelfanige, the earthquake still continuing. Cold and dreadfully bruised, and cut in my body and feet, I fell on my knees, among a concourse of people, to thank the Almighty for my happy deliverance from the jaws of death. But the gate of the city was shut; and no one dared to risk his life under its arch to open it. After recommending my soul again to my Creator, I threw myself on the gate. I felt in the dark and perceived that it was not locked, but the great iron bars that went across the folding doors were bent by the earthquake, and the little strength I retained was not sufficient to force them. I went in quest of the guards, but they were no more!

"I fell again on my knees before the Almighty, who alone could save me from the immediate peril of being crushed to death. I did not forget in my prayers the miserable creatures around me. While I was in that attitude, four or five Turks came near me, and joined hands to pray in their accustomed way, calling out, • Alla! Alla!' Having in sight my safety, and that of thousands of individuals who crowded to the gate to escape, I made no more reflections, but began to intreat them, in the name of God, to help me to open the gate, in order to save our lives and those of so many individuals who were continually perishing before us.

"The Lord inspired them with courage; and, providing themselves with large stones, according to my instructions, in a little time they forced the bars, and opened the gate. No sooner had I quit ted it than a strong shock of an earthquake crumbled it to pieces, and several Jews were killed by its fall.

"A new and affecting scene was now

exhibited. A great concourse of people rushed out, and with one accord fell on their knees to render thanks to the Almighty for their preservation; but when the first transports of joy were over, the thought of having left buried, or in dan. ger of being buried, in the city, their friends and relations, made them pour such pierc ing lamentations that the most hard-hearted person would have been penetrated with grief. I crept as well as I could, about twenty yards, to a place where I saw a group of people who had saved themselves from the suburbs, where no gates prevented their issuing out of the town; there I fell, half dead with cold, and with the pain from my sores.

"Two or three of those people who recognised me in that miserable condition immediately gave me a cloak, and brought me a little water. When I recovered a little my senses, I began to feel new sufferings, of a nature too poignant to be described.

"The thoughts of what might have befallen my brother and his family, who were at Antioch, and the cruel fate of my friends in the city, besides the melancholy objects around me, people wounded, others lamenting the death of their relations, others having before them their dying children, taken from under the ruins, preyed so strongly on my mind, that not the pen of the ablest writer can give an adequate idea of my feelings. I spent the whole night in prayer and anxiety.

"Early the next morning I was conveyed by some charitable people on an ass to the nearest garden, to profit by the shade of the trees. I did not remain long be fore Mr. Derehé the French dragoman joined me, and gave me the agreeable news that all the European Christians, excepting a little boy, had been saved; but many, like myself, were greatly bruised.

"Of the European Jews, the Austrian consul, Mr. Esdra de Picciateo, and a few others, were crushed to death; and many thousands of native Christians, Jews, and Turks, perished with them. I have now the satisfaction to know that my brother and family had escaped from a similar danger at Antioch; which place has likewise been destroyed, as well as Latakia, Gisser Shogre, Idlib, Mendun Killis, Scanderoon, and all the rest of the towns and villages in the Pachalick of Aleppo.

"Of the interior as yet we have had no news. All those who have made their escape out of the city are encamped in the gardens. I remained four days without being able to move, from my bruises and sores, having only a sheet to screen me