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twice as large as Amoy, and is surrounded on every side by thickly crowded villages. We were, as usual, well received; the whole population seemed anxious to see us; and we were followed by great multitudes in our visits to the large and ancient temples, which are the boast of the city. In these, and at the very feet of the gigantic images worshipped in them, we addressed attentive audiences on the great topic of our Mission, and met with not a single interruption while demonstrating the folly of idolatry in scenes where it had so long reigned, and the glory of that Saviour who came to abolish all worship but that presented, in spirit and in truth, to the Great Father of our spirits. Tracts were sent to the residences of the

principal Mandarins; and before we left, one Mandarin, who had not received any, came down himself to the river-side to ask us to send him some. On the whole our reception was very favourable; and the way was shown to be perfectly open to such itinerating labours even in the Capital of so large a department.

Subsequently a similar excursion was made to Tong An, the principal town of the district in which Amoy is situated, and lying about twenty miles to the North East. It is little inferior to Amoy in size, and is also surrounded by crowds of villages. In this direction, too, we were satisfied by experience that it was easy for us to have the freest access to preach the Gospel.

BECHUANA MISSION.-BORIGELONG.

THE correspondence of the Rev. R. Moffat, forwarded from the Kuruman, under date of March last, bears encouraging testimony to the salutary and saving influences which the Gospel continues to diffuse, through the strenuous exertions of our brethren, in the barbarous regions of the Bechuana Country. In communicating the particulars of an extended Missionary tour, which our brother performed early in the present year, he thus conveys the result of his observations respecting the progress of the work of God at the out-station of Borigelong :

I spent nearly four days at Borigelong, and though it is seldom on such occasions that we meet with every thing to our mind, yet the visit was one which afforded me unfeigned pleasure. The believers, notwithstanding their comparatively isolated situation, and the paucity of the means they enjoy, are making good progress. It was the season when many are required to defend the native grain from the destruction of birds, but for all this the Public Services were so well attended that the place of worship, which Mr. Ashton lately assisted the people to erect, was completely filled on the Sabbath-day. Though they are yet far from making an equal appearance with the people on the Kuruman station, there is nothing like either retrogression or stagnation.

On

There were about twenty candidates for church-fellowship, who, however, will not be received till they have given farther proofs of their love to the Saviour by persevering in learning to read his word. the Sabbath afternoon, 115 sat down to commemorate the dying love of their Redeemer. The season was unusually solemn, and the impression it produced was greatly increased by the following circumstance:

The period for the rite of circumcision, which continues for months, had been commenced. Those who still cling to that degrading custom, hearing the music of divine joy issuing from the house of God, had the

hardihood to collect in an open street at no
great distance from us. In their fantastic
dresses they danced, they croaked, they
grunted, and occasionally raised a wild
shout; while those who were once dupes to
the same superstitious folly were, with re-
newed minds, singing,

"Why was I made to hear his voice,
And enter while there's room?"

The scene was as animating as it was novel. In one place hymns of holy joy were ascending to mingle with the Hallelujahs of the heavenly world. At about two hundred yards distance, Satan's motley group were vociferating their discordant, grating sounds to the waning idols of their former joys. The thunder of divine power was pealing from the sky, while the clouds poured down their treasures on the thirsty earth. The heathen-band, drenched with rain, were compelled to scatter each to his own place. While all this was going on we were quietly seated at the sacred board, so richly covered with immortal food. The deep sigh, and the tear glistening on the sable cheek, testified the deep feeling of some, who felt that they were once as vile as those who were yet warring with God.

Immediately after the service, Motale, the brother of Mahuto, our old queen, remarked,

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These poor sinners thought to have disturbed and silenced us with their dance and

song, and thus do us evil; but they have really done us good."

"How so, Motale?" I inquired.

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"It made me feel," he replied, more thankful than I otherwise should have felt; and we all felt alike; for we have all one spirit, and we were all once as foolish as those poor blind heathens. I was once the chiefest in the dance, and it appears strange now that I ever could have felt pleasure in making myself a maniac. I always feel great thankfulness when I am reminded of what I once was."

Another individual, once a zealous leader in the orgies of paganism, remarked, that the heathen, who were endeavouring to prop up the tottering fabric, did well to make the best of their time; and, addressing one of that number, he said,

"You had need dance and sing all day long, and add the night to it. Take no sleep, for your day is passing. Your circumcision-sun will soon set. You may well try to be merry, for the heathen will have no mirth after death."

This same individual, who is a Chief of a large village, informed me that these votaries, who were trying to keep up their old customs, were deploring the influence of the Gospel. They seldom meet on such occasions but they exclaim, "Re ngotlega yang!" (how we diminish!) Superstition, if we may so call it, is being transferred to another object, and the respect for Christianity is imperceptibly insinuating itself into the hearts of the apparently rude untutored savage, and developing itself on the approach of death. The visits of the faith

ful to the sick-beds of the heathen are always acceptable. The approach of dissolution awakens the powers of the mind, which, under other circumstances, would have remained as dormant and dark as the grave, and influences them, alas! when too late, to contrast the increasing glories of Christianity with the murky shades of paganism. It is, therefore, no uncommon occurrence for the grossest heathen, who were never known to have listened to the message of divine mercy, utter their dying request, that they might be buried with believers, whom they had all along mocked and despised.

Some there are who threaten and rage; but the believers at all our out-stations are composed of persons too numerous and too influential to be moved by what they hear. Sometimes the orphan child of believing parents is forced into these ceremonies by their heathen guardians. From this circumstance, some of the native brethren at Borigelong intimated their wish to withdraw to a situation like the Kuruman, where they might be exempted from these annoyances. Not approving of this, I observed, "Ye are the salt of the earth, and your heavenly Father intends you to salt the mass among whom you live. Ye are witnesses for Christ. Only place yourselves in their condition; or suppose that those who were the first-fruits of the Gospel among the Bechuanas, and had much more reason to complain, had departed from their land, what would your condition have been now?" This was a new view of the subject, and they instantly responded to it.

RETURN OF QUEEN POMARE TO TAHITI.

EARLY in February last, the Queen arrived at Eimeo, and had an interview with M. Bruat for the purpose of arranging the terms of her future residence on Tahiti. The particulars, as stated by one of our Missionary brethren, are as follow :

Her Majesty Queen Pomare arrived on this Island in the John Williams on the 4th February, and next day paid us a visit with her family. The youngest child, when weaned, is to be placed under our care and instruction. Her Majesty seemed in good spirits, and felt exceedingly anxious for the arrival of M. Bruat. The Commissioner arrived with his staff on the 6th, and at half-past four, P.M., had an interview with Pomare. The Queen had sent for me to be present, and I was on the spot on the arrival of the party.

The Governor shook hands, first with the Queen, and then with Tapoa, of Borabora, and some of the principal Members of the Royal Household. This ceremony being

over, he said, "I heard of your Majesty's arrival on the 4th, but indisposition prevented a more early visit." The Queen replied, "I am most happy to see you." A few moments' silence ensued, when M. Bruat said, "I have several important things to say to your Majesty, but I wish to communicate them privately-where can we go?" The reply was, "To the Chapel." Pomare then said, "I wish Uata and Tapoa to go also." This was at once conceded, and the Queen, accompanied by these individuals and two aids-de-camp, with Adam Darling and Samuel Henry as translators, repaired to the Chapel accordingly.

I have since become possessed of the following information, viz., Her Majesty is to

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receive 5,000 dollars annually, besides a considerable sum as rents of her land, offices, &c., swelling the amount to about 8,000. All foreign intercourse with her Majesty is to pass through the Protectorate Government, and all foreigners residing on Tahiti, &c., are to give notice twenty-four hours previous to an interview, and state the nature of that interview. Mr. Alexander Salmon is Minister for the Home Department.

The interview being finished, the Queen and her attendants came into our large school-house, which will hold about 700 people. It was filled, and there was a dense crowd outside. When quiet was obtained, Tapoa engaged in prayer; after which M. Bruat said, standing, and holding the Queen

by her right hand, "A perfect understanding now exists between Queen Pomare, and myself as the Representative of France; and I hereby restore Her Majesty to all her rights and privileges as Queen of Tahiti and Moorea." The band, which was in waiting, struck up the French national tune, and a salute of twenty-one guns closed the ceremony.

The Governor and Staff attended service here on the 7th February, and went away with the Queen on the 9th.

The congregations have been much improved in numbers since the return of the Queen, and we have at present a fair prospect of fresh interest in the schools for the young.

Writing on the 30th of March, another of our Missionary brethren thus describes the reception of the Queen at Tahiti, and conveys his impressions of the present position and prospects of the Mission :—.

I avail myself of the last hour before the mail closes, to give you an idea of our state and prospects since the Queen's return to Tahiti. When she returned she was well received by the French. As soon as the Steamer bearing her flag was seen, the Grampus "dressed ship;" and, as she entered the harbour, the French Ships-of-war "dressed and saluted with twenty-one guns:" the Grampus saluted as the Queen passed. When the Steamer anchored, the Queen requested Rotea, a deacon of the church who accompanied her, to hold a prayermeeting in the cabin before landing. The Governor was on board, and many French Officers. After prayer she landed under a royal salute from the Steamer, and the band playing. The troops formed two lines from the landing-place to the Governor's house, between which the Governor himself conducted the Queen. On the steps of the Governor's house stood Madam Bruat, who received Pomare. She resides in her former house, but eats and sleeps at the house of the Governor. All attention is paid her, but she has no real power. Mr. Salmon is Secretary of State for Native Affairs, and Capt. Henry, Director of the same. Paraita, instead of Regent, is Prime Minister, and beyond that change of name no change has taken place.

The Queen is regular in attendance upon divine service; she attends Chapel every Sabbath twice, sometimes three times, and occasionally attends the Bible-class which

we hold in the Chapel every morning at sun-rise. All her influence is in favour of the Mission. We have re-organised the church our number is about fifty members, including a few visitors from the leeward. I believe all these have maintained a christian character during the war. The congregation is not so large as formerly: we have all the heads of families and respectable people, but have lost the young. Now, however, that the church is re-organised, we hope the members will be active, and try to gain them back. Papaoa and Haapape will be visited by Mr. D. and myself. At Papaoa I have arranged with the people to build a Chapel, and it is now in progress. Mr. Chisholm is at Hidiaa, and Mr. Barff, also, for the present: he is appointed to Tautira, but the people decline to receive him. The church there is under the control of a French party, who talk about receiving only a French Protestant Missionary. Papeuriri will be visited by each of us in rotation. Mr. Davis and Mr. Johnston are at Papara, and Mr. Darling at Bunaania; but the people have not settled near them as formerly. If the Government do not persist in regarding the churches as their property, I think affairs will end in our favour; but at present all is confusionthe people are not yet fairly settled. I shall write more fully on these points when we see a little more clearly how we shall stand. The present aspect of this station is encouraging.

ARRIVAL OF MR. HOWE AT SYDNEY.

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our esteemed brother, Mr. Howe, at Sydney, in March last, on his way to Tahiti. It affords us much pleasure to insert the following passage of his letter, acknowledging the hospitable reception he experienced, and assuring us of the prosperity of the cause of Christ in this. important quarter :

"I am once more on terra firma, through the mercy of our God. We left the Downs on the 28th of November, and after one of the finest passages that any one on board had ever before enjoyed, we dropped anchor in Sydney Cove on Friday morning last, the 19th, having been out 110 days from the Land's-End; and it being just eight years ago on that day since I first landed here on my way to Tahiti.

"I cannot speak in terms too high of the conduct of the Captain, Officers, and Crew. We had two Services on the Sabbath, and one on Thursday evenings, and only had to omit two of them through the whole voyage.

"As it might be expected, I took the friends here by surprise, but received from them a very hearty welcome. I am enjoying the generous hospitality of David Jones, Esq., and of his excellent Lady, residing next door to the Rev. Dr. Ross, who, with his family, are quite well. He has a very commodious, convenient, and beautiful chapel, and appears to be much blessed in his labours. I preached for him on Sunday evening last, and am to preach for his Sunday-schools next Lord's-day.

"The meeting of the New South Wales Auxiliary Bible Society was held last night in the School of Arts, and was crowded to overflowing. Four very excellent young men, who have just arrived by the John Wesley, took part in the proceedings of the meeting with much spirit, and deeply in-.

terested the audience.

"As I draw near to my destination at Tahiti, I feel that I shall have need of much wisdom and self-possession to discharge the very delicate and important duties which devolve upon me in such a way as shall result only in good. Pray for me, for the brethren, and for the people, that we may all be guided by Him who cannot err, that the issue may be for the benefit of all!

"I am happy to find that the general impression at Sydney, as to the effort which you were making in England when I left, is, that it is the wisest and the best that, in the present circumstances of the case, could be adopted. Your Memorial to the Government was published in the Sydney Herald, the day after my arrival; and Dr. Ross intends to hold a Missionary Meeting as soon as convenient, when the entire question will be placed before the friends of Missions."

BIRMINGHAM AUXILIARY.

NOTICE. The Annual Meetings of this Auxiliary will be held on September 12th, and three following days. Messrs. Boaz and Sewell will attend as a Missionary Deputation. Messrs. Hall, of Hull; and Haynes, of Bristol; will preach on Lord's-day the 12th, and will also attend, with the Missionaries, at Walsall on the 15th, and West Bromwich on the 16th.

MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS,

From the 19th July, to 17th August 1847, inclusive.

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