the assurance of her personal interest in the Atonement, she passed from time to a blissful immortality. J. M. May 20th.-At Suffield, in the North-Walsham Circuit, aged fifty-eight, Mr. William Wilde. About twenty years ago he became a member of the Society, to which he evinced strong attachment. It was his study "to be quiet, and to do" his own business." His last affliction was borne with exemplary patience. He was happy; for he felt that Christ was precious. Having a bright hope of being with Him, he calmly fell asleep. C. P. May 26th.-At Abingdon, Mrs. Mary Warren, in her eighty-third year; having been a Wesleyan Methodist fifty-three years. Her first deep impressions were received at a prayer-meeting. She became regular in attendance at the Wesleyan chapel, and was led to class, where she was taught "the way of the Lord more perfectly." About two years after this she married, and removed to Stony-Stratford. In this place there were no Wesleyans, and often did she and her husband walk four miles and a half to hear preaching. But they took a lease of a large room, fitted it up at their own expense, and invited the Wesleyan Preachers. For this they willingly encountered toil and persecution. -The later years of Mrs. Warren's life were spent at Abingdon. Those who conversed with her saw a ripening for heaven. The "hoary head" was "a crown of glory," being "found in the way of righteousness." Her last illness was very painful; but she displayed the most cheerful resignation. Often she said, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." And once, "I shall be made perfect through sufferings. It will soon be over. There I shall bathe my weary soul Z. J. May 31st.-At Croft-House, Morley, in the eighty-second year of his age, Isaac Crowther, Esq. He became a member of the Methodist Society in the year 1806; when, according to his own recorded testimony, he sought the Lord with all his heart, and was blessed with peace and joy in believing. From this time he cherished a fixed "determination, by the help and grace of the Lord Jesus, to serve Him in spirit and in truth,"-a resolution to which he steadily adhered during a period of more than forty years. May 7th, 1846, (the last time he committed his religious feelings to paper,) he wrote, "This blessed portion of holy Scripture was applied to my mind by the Holy Spirit, All things work together for good to them that love God.' My faith rested on it: temptation disappeared, and my soul went on its way rejoicing. Lord, continue these feelings while life shall last! May they grow stronger and stronger, until Thou call me to Thyself, to see and praise Thee for ever! Amen and amen." After this time his strength failed, and the last months of his life were marked by feebleness extreme. His sufferings were great; and his prayer was, that God would grant him patience, and in His own good pleasure receive him to glory. Some of his last words were, "Take my body, spirit, soul; Only Thou possess the whole." He was a man of good sense, quick perception, and much constitutional energy. In the decline of life he sometimes manifested great excitability, and his habits became more retiring. But his views of himself were at all times humbling; while yet he failed not to manifest a just and intense concern for the glory of God, and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. Possessing considerable wealth, he obeyed the sacred injunction, "To do good and to communicate forget not." He contributed largely to wellregulated plans for the stability and prosperity of the work of God in the Circuit in which he resided; presented to the Wesleyan Missionary Society many thousands of pounds; and, loving all the institutions of Methodism, supported them with a munificence rarely exceeded. W. P. June 1st.-At Newark, Mr. George Scales, in the eighty-sixth year of his age; having been a member of Society nearly seventy years. Through a firm and judicious exercise of parental authority, he was led to hear the Gospel; and, under a sermon preached by the Rev. John Valton, he was awakened to a sense of his guilt and danger. He sought the Lord with all his heart, and soon rejoiced in the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. Decision and energy strongly marked his character; and, from the time of his conversion to the close of his life, he was steadily attached to the Ministers and people of God with whom he was connected. About eight months ago his beloved wife, to whom he had been happily united upwards of fifty-six years, was called to her reward. From that time he seemed as one who had "trimmed his lamp," and waited for the bridegroom. A few days before his death he was seized with paralysis, and lost the power of speech; but he was calm and composed. Be had set his house in order, and his end was peace. W. B. S. June 9th.-At Milborne Saint Andrew, in the Dorchester Circuit, the Rev. John Lesson, Wesleyan Minister, of Sherborne. In his sixteenth year he joined the Wesleyan branch of the Christian church, and became a candidate for its ministry at the Conference of 1846. Being appointed to a Circuit, he discharged its important duties with great diligence, and some success. His truly Christian spirit, pastoral habits, and useful talents, greatly endeared him to the people; and by them his early death (which was very triumphant) is deeply regretted. J. S. MISSIONARY NOTICES. FEEJEE MISSION. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. James Calvert, dated Vewa, Feejee, I HAVE just returned from a short visit to the town on Ovalau, where seve ral foreigners reside; a company of whom have just finished a small craft, of seventeen tous, in which I sailed. I preached to their native wives and children in the Feejeean language, met those of them who are members of our church, and preached in English to the foreigners. All were very attentive and kind. They have many children belonging to themselves, and many orphans whom they provide for, belonging to some who have visited Feejee, and others who have died here. They are very industrious, and their conduct good. Yet they need religion; and, in order to that, they need a Missionary. As we shall not be likely to be able to supply them with one, it is desirable that something should be done for them. Their children are growing up, and sail about Feejee with their parents. Some of them are able to read a little; some of the larger having been taught by Mr. Hunt. Their parents are very desirous that they should be educated, and would cheerfully contribute what they could for their education. If these children of foreigners are not educated, they will grow up in ignorance and sin, and will produce great evil in various parts of Feejee. Should they be educated, instructed in religion, and converted, they would be the means of great good in the various places where they reside, and in the many parts of Feejee which they visit. Unless you help them, evil results may be anticipated. If you would benefit Ferjec effectually and permanently, we must have the means to educate the children; we must have the Glasgow system; we must have a man fully qualified to introduce it from you. Could you not send one who is, at least, a Local Preacher? who would introduce the system into all Feejee; reside where he could have most of these half-breed and native children, and preach to natives and foreigners? We rejoice that you have supplied the Friendly Islands and New-Zealand. Our case is equally necessitous and immediately urgent. Our work cannot be VOL. VI-FOURTH SERIES. The fields carried on aright without this help. We Formerly we had preaching in Bau. Three years ago we were not allowed, though the people were permitted to lotu; and they have been preached to once every Sunday on the mainland. I have always felt much for Bau, a most populous and most influential place. Since my arrival here I have made special efforts for that place. Generally, when I have preached at Semby, where the ladies of Bau meet for worship, I have gone over to Bau, and spent several hours there. I have always been well received, and listened to. I have laboured, more particularly, for the salvation of "Lord Feejee," (Tha ko ‘Mbau,) for his own sake and for Feejee's sake. He is so influential and persevering, that I doubt not but his conversion would be followed, in a very short space of time, by fitty thousand persons nominally embracing Christianity. I have spent hours with him on the Sabbaths. He has also returned the visits, and frequently re3 L mains in the Mission-house for a length of time together. He is a man of mind; and is evidently under powerful impressions. I trust the time is not far distant when he will become decided. A few Sundays ago he postponed a feast until the Monday, which was to have taken place on the Sabbath. When religious people are about him, he directs them to ask a blessing on the food. He has, on several occasions lately, bowed down his head when blessings have been asked on food. Once, I hear, he shut his eyes, and on another occasion responded "Amen.” He does not jest as formerly; but talks very soberly about the truth and superlative excellency of religion. He has several times lately reproved the heathen Chiefs for speaking disparagingly of religion, saying, "Christianity is the one true thing in the world." He warns the Priests of their approaching abandonment. He encourages some of his women to persevere in religion, and reproves those who are nominal, but inconsistent, professors. I For many months I have urged him earnestly to give up the war which he has carried on for several years with Rawa, in which it is said two thousand have perished. He has listened attentively to my arguments; and, I believe, he is now willing to end the war. lately went to the brother of the late King of Rawa, who is in the mountains. He had been sent for by his brother who is in Rawa, and who is supported by "Lord Feejee;" but refused to come. The brother at Rawa had reported to Bau that his brother desired to continue the war. I believed it was false, and went to the mountains. The Chief was willing to accompany me to an island in the vicinity of Rawa. I then went for the other brother. They met together, made offerings of peace, and each returned to his town. I then went to Bau. "Lord Feejee" and his father were glad to hear that the brothers had had an interview; and they said that, had I brought the Chief to Bau, he should have lived, and the war should have ended. Hostilities have ceased; but I hear that the Chief in the mountains is afraid to come down as yet. I have offered to "Lord Feejee that I would fetch him, to which he consented. If his coming down should be delayed, and should his being brought down appear perfectly safe, it is probable I shall again go for him. This war has much hindered the progress of Christianity, and been the cause of innumerable evils. I hope the time is not distant when we shall have a Mission-house in Bau. The place is full of people; and the Bauans are not only the most inЯuential, having very extensive dominions, but they are by far the most intelligent. They are decidedly superior in mind, activity, and firmness of purpose. I doubt not but all Feejee will become subject to them. We print books in the Bau dialect only, and expect that this dialect will become universal in Feejee. Journal. On the 21st of January, after preaching at Semby, I went to Bau, and spent the day. There are very many souls in Bau. They are not likely to come to us, so we must go to them. We have come to take possession of the whole of the islands in Feejee, in the name of the Lord. If we could first get this fortified and populous city, they would materially help us with the rest. I visited several houses, was well received, and they evinced a desire to hear about religion. Hearing that a woman was near death,-having, as the people said, been struck by an offended god,— and that her husband was prepared for being strangled, I proposed to a Chief of rank, in whose house I was, and to a Priest, that we should go to see her. They cheerfully complied. We found a house full of people. She had not spoken for eighteen hours; but was quite warm, and her pulsation good. I ascertained that her bowels were confined. Not having any medicine with me, I administered cocoa-nut oil. I desired them to send for her husband. He came in full dress. One large piece of white native cloth was his dress; a piece of coloured cloth was loosely tied round his body, which I suppose was designed for strangling him; on his head he had a red comforter, and in his hand a pine-apple club. I asked him why he was thus decked out. He replied, "In order to die with my wife, Sir." I said, "The age for such gross deeds of darkness is past here. You must not be so foolish; nor yet so faint-hearted, as to refuse to remember and mourn for your wife, and attend to her grave." He replied, "Yes, Sir, I shall die. If I live, I shall be a ruined man; not having any friend, or any person who will provide me food. Now that the report has gone forth to you gentlemen that I have resolved to die, die I must; and, should no one consent to strangle me, I shall leap from a precipice." While I was administering the oil, he held his wife up, and said, "Ay; you perhaps think you will die alone. No, no! we will both die toge ther." He is a Priest. I asked him whether he, as a Priest, had reported that a god had struck her; or that he, as a mere man, had said so. He said he had merely supposed that that was the case. She was relieved by the medicine, and she recovered. I am well pleased in having such opportunities to sow, by the side of all waters, the seed of eternal truth; not knowing which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shall be alike good. MISSIONS IN THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Amos, dated Nukualofa, Tonga, THE arrival of H. M. S. "Daphne," with our kind friend G. Pritchard, Esq., affords me another opportunity of writing to you a few lines concerning our schools in these islands. The gloomy clouds which hung over our training-school operations last year have now passed away, and bright prospects of complete success open up before us. The resolutions of the last District-Meeting have been promptly acted upon, and our Normal School is progressing delightfully. We have twenty-four Local Preachers in training as resident students: eight are from Vavau, six from Haabai, ten are belonging to Tonga. John Faubula, a Feejeean Chief, is intended for Feejee. Twelve females are learning the system, eight of whom are the wives of the students. Shadrach Mumui, the son of a late Tuikanamabolu, whom King George has recently appointed Chief Justice of this island, is permitted to attend the seminary, although he is not a resident, on account of his office. The large house which was erected for my dwelling-house is appropriated to the use of the school, as lecture-room, sleeping-rooms, &c. ; and a large tract of land adjoining the premises has been given by the Chiefs for gardens and farms. It has been divided into lots, and each Teacher has received his portion. I am happy to say that the whole is planted with yams, bananas, maize, sweet-potatoes, sugar-cane, &c. I have been anxious to unite the industrial department with the Normal School, and have laid out the grounds according to the best of my ability, and with as much taste as I possess. The house which I formerly occupied, and which is now the hall, or lecture-room, stands at the head of the plot of land, and faces the road which leads to the sea. From the back entrance of this house we have formed an avenue down the centre of the yam-grounds, which is bordered with pine-apples, and shaded by luxuri ant banana-trees that are planted in rows. On either side of this broad path lie the farms, or rather vegetable-gardens, of the Teachers, at the top of which stand the cottages of the married students. A narrow path leading from the door of each cottage communicates with the long avenue that runs down the centre of the farm to its southern extremity. On the left stands the large building where the children's school is held; at its north end is the play-ground, overgrown with the green wiry grass which was introduced into Tonga by Mr. Lawry. This grass serves for the children to sit down upon and play. We have upwards of two hundred children every school-day. These arrangements have cost me much anxiety and trouble, as I have been obliged to inspect and direct the whole myself. The Tonguese have never worked by rule before; and at first they thought me a little tedious, but are now beginning to see the issue of their labours. I have been cheered in my work by the approving smiles of my colleagues, and they say that this is one step in the way to civilisation. If what I have done meet with the approbation of the General Superintendent upon his next visit, I shall enjoy a pleasing satisfaction in my own mind. Apologising for this detail, I will now give you an account of our plan of working. At break of day the Teachers all go to their gardens, and work until ten A. M.; each one stays at home in his turn to cook their food. At eight A.M. I conduct the children's school, with the assistance of two of the students, who all attend in turn. At the close of the children's school, the Teachers assemble and attend to instruction until two P.M. The afternoon they occupy in preparing the lessons for the morrow, bathing, bringing home food, attending to the means of grace, &c. The weekly routine of instruction embraces reading and analysis, writing and arithmetic, Bible training-lessons, sacred and general geography, natural history and philosophy, the English language, and traditions of Tonga. The latter branch is conducted in the form of conversations, which I write down, in order to collect matter for a short history of the Friendly Isles, to be printed in Tonguese. Grammar and geometry I am preparing, but find it exceedingly difficult to obtain suitable terms in Tonguese for definitions, &c. The majority of the persons who have been sent to us by the Missionaries, easily acquire information, and will make good and useful Teachers. They evince great anxiety to increase in knowledge. Some of them are collecting a large stock of English words, and can read pretty well in M'Culloch's Third Reading-Book. I have a singing-class on Tuesday afternoons, which is numerously attended, and is quite fascinating to both children and Teachers. Mr. Pritchard and the officers of the "Daphne" attended the singing-class last evening; and the Consul declared that there is no such singing in any island of the Pacific as that to which they listened. Mr. Daniel and I have done our best to teach them to sing properly. My kind Superintendent, Mr. Webb, meets the students in class on a Wednesday morning at six A. M., which will do them much good, and give them an idea of what a Class-Leader should be. I am pleased with my duties, though they are onerous, and hope to provide creditable Teachers for all our schools. It was proposed last District-Meeting that the term of residence at the school be one year; but I shall request that the period may be extended to two years, inasmuch as great part of one year is lost before the Vavau and Haabai men can arrive. When the present residents have completed their term, it would be much better to select the next students from the children of our schools, who will have had the advantage of having been under instruction from childhood. MISSIONS IN NEW-ZEALAND. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Warren, dated Waima, THOUGH I cannot give you any very flattering account of the saving work of God among the New-Zealanders of this neighbourhood, yet, all things considered, I think we have abundant cause to thank God and take courage. Many difficulties and obstacles oppose themselves to the work; but, in the midst of all, God graciously grants us tokens of His presence and favour. There is no diminution of thirst for scriptural instruction among the people, but they do not press into the spiritual kingdom of God as we could wish them. The greater part of our members are but in a state of incipient Christianity, though there are many among them who are "working out their salvation with fear and trembling," and striving to "adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things;" over whom we greatly rejoice in the Lord. You are aware that the Missionary has been removed from Newark, I have arranged to spend one week in six in that part of the Circuit, by which means I hope the members may be kept together. The removal of a Station, after so many years of labour and patience, is indeed a painful subject; but in this particular I think there was no alterna tive, as the natives of the Heads of Hokianga, for whom the Station was established, are most determined Heathens, who have evidently leagued together to reject the Gospel; and the Missionary was loudly called for in other parts of the island. The people, however, are not abandoned, though the Missionary is removed. They will be visited both by Mr. Hobbs and myself, as often as possible. I have just returned from Waimamaku, where I was glad to find thirty members meeting in class, who, though greatly grieved and disconcerted at the giving up of the Station, are nevertheless determined to cleave unto the Lord. At Omapue, another place connected with Newark, I found twenty natives meeting in class; but they are all Taranake people, and are expected to leave for the south in the summer. The number of members in the Waima part of the Circuit does not increase; not because members are not added to the church, but, 1. By reason of the great number of removals to Taranake, and to the neighbourhood of other English townships in the south. Not only the people who originally came from the southward are |