to God, and for many years sustained the offices of Leader, Steward, Trustee, and Local Preacher. As a tradesman and a Christian, he maintained an unblemished el aracter in Alfreton, where he long resided. He died in great peace; his last words being, "Praise the Lord!" J. S. Oct. 6th.-At Shotley-Bridge, Mrs. Clements, aged thirty-two. Though moral in deportment from her youth, about four years ago she was led, by the blessed Spirit, to "flee from the wrath to come," and enabled to obtain salvation in Christ. Joining the Wesleyan society, she gave her heart to God, and steadily pursued her religious course, though frequently chastened by affliction, and called to pass through family cares. Soon after her last confinement, unfavourable symptoms appeared; and ultimately the skill of her medical attendants proved unavailing. But her mind was kept happy in God. Raised above maternal anxiety, and sweetly cheered by believing views of the heavenly state, she passed from the pains of mortality, to the rest and joy of eternity. R. T. Oct. 6th.-At the house of his son-in-law, (Mr. James Needham,) at Pendleton, in the Salford Circuit, Manchester, Mr. Samuel Botts, of Ticknall, Derbyshire, aged seventy-two. About fifty years ago he was awakened to a just sense of his awful state as a sinner; and afterwards he obtained "redemption through" the blood of Christ, "the forgiveness of sins." In private life he was a man universally respected by all who knew him. And as he lived, so he died, a Christian indeed, in peace with God, and with all mankind. During the last month of his life, he had resided in Manchester; and, while there, had manifested a more than ordinary love to God, and zeal for his cause, and appeared to be living in a constant readiness for the solemn hour of his departure. His death was sudden; but, as in life he had walked with God, so, when he was not, God took him. G. B. Oct. 8th.-At Cefn, in the Wrexham Circuit, aged nearly twenty-one, Mr. Richard Gittens. Favoured with religious training from his infancy, he was brought, in early life, both to see himself as a sinner, and to look to Christ that he might be saved. His life was brief, but not vain. He enjoyed that pardoning mercy, the comforts of which were especially valuable to him in sickness. Towards the close of his short career, his bodily weakness was extreme, so that he could scarcely speak; but the last words he was heard to utter, not long before he died, declared the happy state of his mind: they were, "Glory be to God!" W. R. Oct. 9th.-At Congleton, Mary, the wife of John Jackson, Esq., one of the Magistrates of the borough. She had formerly been accustomed to attend divine worship at the established Church, but often painfully felt her need of something to make her happy. Through the pious conversation and consistent deportment of her nurse, she and the family were induced to go to the Wesleyan chapel, where she was more perfectly instructed in the way of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus; and, having obtained a sense of the divine favour, she joined the society in 1811. After enjoying the consolations of religion for thirty-three years, she calmly said, when suffering severely from paralysis and dropsy," He has laid around me, and beneath, his everlasting arms." In this happy frame she entered into the joy of her Lord. J. B. H. Oct. 9th.-At Burnop-Field, in the Gateshead Circuit, aged thirty-six, Jane Todd. She had been a member of the Wesleyan society fifteen years. During the former part of this period she was a Teacher in the Sabbath-school, and afterwards she became a zealous Collector for the Missions. Her character as a Christian was steady and uniform. Her piety was sincere and unpretending. And although retirement was most congenial to her disposition, a sense of obligation induced her to labour for the good of others. Her religious career, indeed, was not splendid; but it was useful; and, if not calculated to attract the admiration of beholders, yet this she sought not, but was content to diffuse the blessings of peace and salvation. As she lived, so she died,-submitting to the will of God, and resting her soul on the merits of the atonement. N. R. Oct. 12th. Sally, relict of the late Mr. John Ashworth, of Waitland, near Rochdale, aged eighty-six. She was a decided and consistent member of the Wesleyan church for nearly fifty years; for more than forty of which she enjoyed unwavering confidence in God, through the atonement of his Son. Her end was not only peaceful, but triumphant. T. R. Oct. 14th.-In Great Chart-Street, in the First London Circuit, Mr. John Higgins, aged seventyseven. He joined the Wesleyan society at Witney, in 1783, and soon after obtained the Gospel salvation. In 1797 he removed to London; where, until the infirmities of age compelled him to retire, he was for many years a faithful servant connected with the Wesleyan Book-Room. His education being limited, he manifested great industry in the improvement of his mind, in which he was assisted by the kindness of the late Rev. George Storey. In 1799 he became an active and indefatigable Visiter in the Strangers' Friend Society; and for thirty-three years filled the important office of Class-Leader with affection and fidelity. He was a diligent reader of the Bible, and walked with God in a happy and consistent state of holiness and love. His last days were eminently peaceful. To the Wesleyan Ministers, who frequently visited him, he spoke with freedom respecting the things of God. His prospects of eternal happiness were unclouded, he longed to depart and to be with Christ. "I rest," he said, "upon Christ alone for salvation. I have no fear of death. Satan hath desired to have me, that he may sift me as wheat; but he shall not; my soul is purchased by the atonement of Christ, and I am his. I know in whom I have believed." On one observing, "You will soon gain the victory through the blood of the Lamb," he raised his hand in token of holy triumph; and shortly after, in great tranquillity, and strong in faith, he breathed his last. J. 8. S. Oct. 15th.-At New-Miller-Dane, in the Wakefield Circuit, Mrs. Ann Atkinson, aged seventy. Of a timid, but affectionate, disposition, she was from her childhood moral in conduct, and orderly in all her habits: she felt, however, that something better was wanting. When about forty years of age, circumstances led her and her husband to attend the Wesleyan ministry. She now understood what she wanted, and was soon made a happy partaker of a sense of pardon, through faith in Christ. She greatly valued the privileges she enjoyed; but while she esteemed parti cularly the people of her choice, she loved and honoured all who themselves loved Christ. She had a meek and quiet spirit, and her conduct was marked by gentleness and benevolence. For some months before death, she appeared to be ripening for heaven. She felt her own unworthiness, and rested fully on the all-atoning Lamb. On Sept. 22d she attended in the house of God as usual; but in the course of the week she was taken suddenly ill, and never recovered. In this affliction her mind was calm, and her language seemed to be all prayer and praise. On one occasion she said, "I feel unspeakably happy." At another time, having requested that a hymn which she pointed out (the 47th) might be read to her; when she had heard the last line, and its solemn question, "Shall I be there?" she said, with great energy, "I shall! yes, I shall be there!" In this state she continued till she breathed her last. Death to her was as a peaceful falling asleep. W. Lt Oct. 22d.-At Newbury, Berks., Charlotte, the wife of Mr. John Hawe Mason, aged twenty-four. Being the daughter of pious parents, she became in early life acquainted with the value of religion; sought, and found, its enjoyment; and joined the Wesleyan society at Groombridge, in Kent, of which her parents have long been warm supporters. Absence from home, and from her early religious friends, caused a temporary neglect of the social ordinances of religion; but when her marriage fixed her residence in Newbury, she resumed her connexion with the church of Christ. Her sincere piety, united with a disposition open and ingenuous, afforded to her husband the prospect of many years of matrimonial happiness; and, to the Methodist community, that of an attached and consistent member. From childhood her constitution had been delicate; but subsequently to her confinement, in the month of April last, this was especially the case: she was able, notwithstanding, to attend to her household and religious duties until within a fortnight of her death. Thus suddenly was she called to resign the fond hopes in which she had indulged, of a happy domestic life, in the society of one to whom she was most ardently attached, and who, she was aware, fully reciprocated that affection. To this she referred at an early period of her illness: she, however, made the sacrifice; and, expressing strong eonfidence with regard to her interest in the blood of Christ, she prepared to suffer and to die. Her pain was severe, her patience exemplary, and her end peaceful. Her latest testimony was, "All is right." The infant, which had for some weeks been lingering on the verge of eternity, in about fifteen minutes followed his mother; so that the bereaved husband, in one short hour, was left to mourn the premature death of the wife of his youth, and the child of their affections, after an union with the former of only nineteen months. G. J. POETRY. JUBILEE MISSIONARY HYMN. BY JAMES MONTGOMERY, ESQ. ARISE and shine, your light is come, Shine, for the glory of the Lord Your coral reef surrounds: Poor Africa! through thy waste sands, India! beneath the chariot-wheels China! behold thy quaking wall; The Gospel speaks to you. Father of lights! thy will be done, Reign, till beneath his feet all foes, And the last judgment's sentence close The Mount, Sheffield, Oct., 1844. MISSIONARY NOTICES, Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the Direction of the METHODIST Conference. MISSIONS AT THE GOLD-COAST, ASHANTI, BADAGRY, AND OTHER PARTS OF GUINEA, IN WESTERN AFRICA. VARIOUS circumstances, some very gratifying, and others of a painful and trying character, having combined to create extraordinary interest, not only among our friends, but in the public mind at large, respecting the Society's Missions in Guinea, and their excellent Superintendent, the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman,-we deem it right to give, in this month's Number of the "Missionary Notices," a collection of important documents illustrative of the subjects which have been thus brought under general review. I. THE first is a Statement comprising a bird's-eye view of the Wesleyan Missions at the Gold-Coast, Ashanti, Badagry, and other parts of Guinea, Western Africa, and a brief glance at the remarkable events which in rapid succession led to the extension of those Missions, and involved the Society in a very large amount of expenditure, which had not been provided for in the previous estimates of the Committee, because, from the peculiar nature of the events alluded to, it was necessarily unforeseen. The Statement, which was drawn up in a few weeks after Mr. Freeman's return, was intended chiefly for private distribution; with a view, as its perusal will show, of placing the claims of our Missions in Guinea, on the broad ground of a common Christian philanthropy, before those benevolent persons, of other religious denominations, who are in any way interested in the cause of Africa. As the limited period of his stay in England will, however, restrict the personal visits of Mr. Freeman to a few of the principal provincial towns, it seems but just that the very large number of our friends who must be deprived of the pleasure of hearing Mr. Freeman's thrilling narrative from his own lips, should have that condensed information, which the document in question contains, put into their hands without delay. STATEMENT. THE appointment of a single Wesleyan Missionary to Cape-Coast, in the year 1834, has been followed by very important results. In the short space of ten years it has opened the way to one of the most extensive fields of usefulness now occupied by the Wesleyan Missionary Society. Stations have been formed at the principal places along the Gold-Coast, extending from Dix-Cove on the west, to Akrah on the east, and in various favourable inland localities to the extremity of the Fanti country. The uniting together in religious fellowship of upwards of seven hundred native converts; the establishment of an institution for training native agents,-of whom about fifty are already employed in various spheres of usefulness at the several stations, and of twenty schools, including nearly five hundred children, one-third of whom are females; the check which has been given to barbarous superstitions; and the encouragement afforded to the pursuits and usages of civilized life; are evidences of the success which has attended the arduous labours of the Missionaries, under the blessing of Almighty God. The establishment of a prosperous Mission at the Gold-Coast speedily began to exert an influence upon Ashanti. Without such a preparation, the thought of carrying the Gospel into that country would scarcely have been entertained. The difficulties to be encountered were of the most formidable character; but, after superstitious fear and state-policy had detained the Missionary Freeman on the frontier forty-eight days, he at length reached Kumasi, and so far impressed the barbarous Monarch as to obtain his consent to the introduction of a Mission. It is scarcely three years since Mr. Freeman visited Kumasi a second time, and made arrangements for commencing Missionary operations in that capital; but already most encouraging indications are exhibited. No extensive renunciation of idolatry has, as yet, taken place; but events are occurring which warrant the expectation of an approaching change upon a large scale. The King has taken the Mission under his protection; regular religious services are held in Kumasi, which are attended by many hundreds of Ashantis; and the Missionary occasionally preaches in the open air to crowds of attentive natives. By the permission of the King, he also preaches the Gospel in the sacred town of Bantama, which no European was previously allowed so much as to visit; he itinerates to Jabin, about thirty miles distant, to make known the way of salvation to the inquiring Queen and her people; and he has, moreover, been allowed to meet the wishes of the powerful Chieftain, Bakwai Osai, who resides about twenty-five miles from Kumasi in another direction, and who was anxious that himself and his people should enjoy the benefit of Missionary instruction. Nor does the Missionary spend his strength in vain. Some Ashantis have experienced the saving power of the Gospel, and are now united together in Christian communion; one of whom is the youthful Apoko, a member of the royal family, who, as a public renunciation of the national superstition, has performed an act which would have formerly exposed him to the greatest personal risk:-he openly burned his Fetish idol in one of the streets of the capital, and avowed himself to be a Christian. Apoko Ahoni, who is the next but one in succession to the throne of Ashanti, also evinces an earnest spirit of religious inquiry; and is now being taught, with many of his own household, to read the word of God in the English language. The effects of the Gospel are, moreover, delightfully apparent in the restraint which it is beginning to impose upon the bloody customs, and the savage and warlike dispositions, of the people. To sacrifice human beings on the death of their relatives, has for ages been considered by the Ashantis as an act of the greatest piety, required by the most imperative obligations of their religion; but Apoko Ahoni has recently refused to furnish his quota of slaves for sacrifice, on the occasion of the death of a royal personage, and his example was followed by Bakwai Osai. These practical attacks upon the national superstition, which, before the commencement of the Mission, would have called forth the most violent outbursts of indignation, have been patiently endured; and, in both instances, a present of gold was accepted, as a sufficient mark of respect for the memory of the deceased. As an instance of the influence of the Mission in restraining the warlike propensities of the Ashantis, it may further be mentioned, that the once fierce and impetuous Osai Kujoh, the heirapparent to the crown, who has so often threatened that when he should come into power he would visit the Fantis with all the miseries of war, now takes the Missionary by the hand, declaring that he loves him, and talks with satisfaction and delight about peace and all the various blessings following in its train. The Gold-Coast Mission has more recently afforded the means of embracing another most remarkable opening. The return of so many liberated Africans from Sierra-Leone to their native shores, and the circumstances under which a considerable native Christian community has been planted, in consequence, at Badagry, and in Yariba, is justly regarded as one of the most extraordinary events which have taken place in connexion with modern Missionary and philanthropic enterprise. Loud was the call made upon the Wesleyan Society practically to care for so many of its people, who were thus removed from the pastoral oversight of the Missionaries at Sierra-Leone, to regions where they were at once exposed to all the corrupting influences of idolatry; and the previous establishment of the Gold-Coast Mission had prepared facilities for responding to that call. Mr. Freeman was instructed to proceed to Badagry, and endeavour to commence a Mission at that place, which was only formerly known as the seat of a most sanguinary and debasing superstition, and as one of the principal slave-marts in that part of Africa. Most encouraging success has attended the undertaking. Mr. Freeman was welcomed by some of the principal Chiefs, and the preaching of the Gospel and the establishment of a school have already produced beneficial results. The formation of a Mission at Badagry did not, however, meet the whole case of the emigrants for whom provision was intended to be made. The larger number of them had not remained upon the Coast, but had proceeded into the interior; whither Mr. Freeman followed them, and, at a distance of about ninety geographical miles, found them settled, with some others who had been attached to the Church Missionary Society, in a large town called Abokuta, (signifying, in the Aku language, Understone,) which, although containing forty or fifty thousand inhabitants, had not before been heard of by Europeans. Mr. Freeman was very kindly received by the King, Sodaka; who had been so favourably impressed by the conduct of the Christian emigrants, that he had encou raged them to hold religious services, and to cultivate the civilized habits which they had acquired; granting to them also the peculiar privilege of entering his presence without prostrating themselves upon the ground. Mr. Freeman had likewise the opportunity of entering into friendly communication with the King of Hausa; and left Abokuta as the bearer of a most earnest request from King Sodaka and the emigrants, that the Committee would send Missionaries to that place without delay. The opening of friendly intercourse with Dahomi next followed in the course of events. Aware of the great peril to which the infant Mission at Badagry would be exposed, unless the barbarous Monarch of Dahomi were conciliated, Mr. Freeman resolved to endeavour to reach his capital, and seek his approval of the undertaking. He accordingly proceeded to Whydah, the great slave-port of Dahomi; and, after much delay, was allowed to set out for the royal residence in the interior. His reception was most gratifying. The King gave his assurance that the Mission at Badagry should not be interrupted; and asked why he might not also have a Missionary for Whydah, who should pay him a periodical visit at his capital. After repeated conversations, the King expressed an earnest desire to enter into a commercial treaty with England, in order that he might be enabled to abolish the slave-trade throughout his territories, which he said he was wishful to do; remarking that the Queen of England sent her ships to put a stop to the slave-trade; but that if he gave it up before it was substituted by a better trade, he knew not what he could do, for he had no other on which to depend. As an evidence of the favourable impression which had been made upon his mind, he selected four children from the royal household, and intrusted them to Mr. Freeman's care for education. These children are now mak ing pleasing progress in various branches of instruction at the Mission-house at Cape-Coast, while all the recent accounts furnish proofs of the anxiety manifested by the King for the return of the Christian Missionary to Dahomi. In this way the Wesleyan Missionary Committee have been led by a train of circumstances which they could neither foresee nor control,--circumstances which appeared to mark out their providential path of duty too clearly to be mistaken,-to extend their operations four hundred miles along the coast of Guinea, and in the direction of Ashanti at least two hundred miles into the interior. The expenditure involved by this unanticipated enlargement of their plans has been proportionately great. When, in the year 1840, it was resolved to attempt a commencement in Ashanti, and to increase the number of the Missionaries at the Gold-Coast, it was proposed to expend on these objects the sum of £5,000, in three years, in addition to the annual sum necessary for the support of the Missions already existing. To obtain this amount of £5,000 for the extension of the work, a special appeal was made to the friends of Missions and of Africa generally. Partly by direct answers to that appeal in 1841 and 1842, and partly by some smaller sums received in 1843 for these Missions specifically, the sum of £7,311. 18s. 10d. has been generously contributed; which, added to the sum of £4,926. 13s. Od. taken from the Society's regular income, being the amount of three years' expenditure, at the rate of £1,642. 48. 4d. per annum, (the ordinary expenditure of 1840, exclusive of passage-money, &c.,) makes a total amount of £12,238. 11s. 10d. for the support and extension of the Gold-Coast Mission, to the end of the year 1843. But so greatly has the work advanced beyond all previous calculation, that the actual expenditure for the three years specified, together with a sum of £1,750. 14s. Od. for passagemoney and outfits of the additional Missionaries sent out in Dec., 1840, and for stores, furniture, building-materials, &c., which, though paid and entered in the Report of 1840, properly belonged to the year 1841,-is found to have amounted to no less than £20,173. 12s. 1d.; with the prospect that the expenses of the current year would be upon an equal scale. In this expenditure, however, is included a large amount which has been laid out in the erection of places of worship, schools, and dwellings for the Missionaries. In the sickly climate of Guinea, great precaution has been found necessary for the preservation of the health and lives of the Missionaries; while the cost of building |