had no power except it was from God :'— thus I felt great boldness, and spoke the word of God to them. After I had ended, they went away; and I found there was a great division among them also. After the brethren saw that they did no harm, they appeared to be reconciled again; and we proposed meeting the next night, which we did accordingly. Soon after I began duty, there were stones thrown on the house. I told the brethren to keep as much as possible from the door, and that they would receive no hurt. They did so, and I went on. These people, not contented with throwing stones, now began firing shot at the house. After they had fired twice thro' the house and upon it, the poor things were sorely afraid. One who stood behind the door, shut it close. I asked, if any of them was hurt? They said, 'No.' I said, "Well, my brethien, he who seeks to save his life, shall lose it; but I profess to lay down my life for Jesus Christ and the gospel." After saying these words, I made them throw open the doors. When this was done, they ceased firing. the last General Meeting, to convey the two Missionary catechists, Melchior Renner and Peter Hartwig, to the place of their destination; but a variety of circumstances occasioned a delay till about two months since. The principal causes of that delay will prove, it may be hoped, advantageous to the progress of the Society's designs. On January 31st, an Address was de livered to them at an open Committee, convened for that purpose; when they took kave of the Society in an affecting and pious letter, drawn up and signed by them all for that purpose, the Missionaries not being able to express themselves readily in The English language. At Portsmouth, whither they were attended by the Deputy Secretary at the desire of your Committee, they embarked on board a vessel for Siena Leone; and as the ship was detained there several days, waiting for a convoy, your Committee heard with pleasure, that they were comfortably accommodated, and were in good spirits, - that they were very kindly treated by the Captain, —and that they were anxiously desirous of entering upon their office. Your Committee entertain the hope, that they are, before An Extract from the Report of this time, arrived at the Colony, and pre paring for their labours; as the vessel was heard of several weeks since off the Madeiras, within a few days sail of her des the Committee, delivered to 1804. "THOUGH Your Committee entertain the most satisfactory hopes of the Divine blessing on the ultimate designs of this Institution, it has yet been, trom the be ginning, their desire to caution their Friends against the expectation of a rapid progress. They are sensible, that such an expectation would not correspond with the usual method of Divine Providence towards those undertakings, which are eventually rendered the most beneficialto mankind. "In this view it is that your Committee wish to consider every past delay in the accomplishment of their designs, every interruption of their efforts, and every disappointment of their expectations. They are aware that their progress has been slow. The views of the Society have, however, been progressively improving; and your Committee have now the happiness of meeting the Subscribers with more satisfaction than they have before felt, in the prospect which begins to open before them of Missionary labours among the Heathen. "It was expected that an opportunity would have been afforded, very soon after "A Letter, dated Freetown, 27th Aug. 1803, from the Conimittee of Correspond ence at Sierra Leone, expresses their hearty concurrence with your Committee in the plan of the Missionaries temporary residence at Sierra Leone; and their own determination to give every assistance in their power to promote the views of the Society. They purpose also to propose it to the Missionaries, during their residence there, to make excursions into the adjacent districts, whereby they will have the opportunity of viewing and pointing out the most eligible situations for the more extensive exercise of their ministry. "In their last Report, your Committee referred to a Correspondence with the Directors of the Seminary at Berlin, for the selection of four other students for the purposes of this Society. By the recom mendation of the Rev. Mr. Jaenicke, your Committee, at their meeting on July 4th, 1803, accepted four students, who should be wholly supported and educated at the expence of this Society; and diligently employ themselves in the study of the English, Arabic, and Susoo languages, and in such other pursuits as might qualify them for their future employ. "Should the Great Head of the Church open to the Missionaries already sent out, a prospect of usefulness among the Susoos, your Committee propose to appoint the four students, now at Berlin, to the same destination. Your Committee think it right to make a vigorous and combined effort among that people, should the way be opened for them to do so; and they wish to leave that field to the exclusive cultivation of a body of Missionaries of the same communion, who, it may be presumed, will act together with more har mony and cordiality than could be expected from persons of different commu nions. "This nation forms, indeed, but a small portion of that extensive quarter of the globe, from which, in part, this Society assumes its name; but your Committee have considered, that the Susoo nation being situated in the midst of other nus merous and widely scattered tribes, this circumstance renders it, independently of other advantages, a favourable station for a first attempt; from which, should it please God to prosper the designs of the Society, access may be ultimately opened among the numerous natives on the western coast, and in the interior. While, therefore, your Committee congratulate the friends of the gospel that some other Societies appear to be labouring successfully in South Africa, they purpose to con fine, for the present at least, their attempts in this quarter of the globe to that part of it, whither, they trust, Di vine Providence has opened them a way, "Your Committee have not, in the mean time, been inattentive to that immensely populous part of the world, which is embraced under the head of "The East," in the appellation of the Society. The recent extension of British power and influence in that quarter, is a strong inducement, in addition to the other numerous and weighty reasons which previously called upon Christians for zealous and persevering exertions amongst the Heathens and Mahometans of Asia. This circumstance, together with the successful efforts which are now making by various Societies in this field, seen to render it eminently the duty of British Christians to follow whither God seems to lead; and to pray and labour that wherever British power is felt, the infinite blessings of pure Christianity may be felt likewise; and that the time may soon approach, when the countless millions of Asia may have fulfilled to them the animating words of prophecy, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." "In the mean time, Divine Providence allows circumstances to arise, which exer "In 1852, Mr. Gericke repeated his. journey to the southward (of which we gave an account in the Evan. Mag. for: Aug. 1803, P. 357.) He was preparing for a third journey into the south, where, he expected, as he wrote but a week be fore his death, a greater harvest than even that which he had in 1802. Thus longing to be instrumental in the extension of See the Report of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for 1803, p. 138, "The Society will hear with pleasure, that there is a good prospect of one or two zealous and devoted members of our own church coming forward, after due preparation, in this great cause. "Your Committee now beg leave to call the attention of the Society to the state of the Funds, which will be found entirely insufficient for their present engagements and future prospects. In 'solieting the exertions of the Society, and the Contributions of the Public, they have been cautious to proportion their application to their increasing views and opportunities of usefulness. Hitherto, the Subscriptions have been found adequate to those opportunities; but, at present, their opportunities have enlarged far beyond their abilities to pursue them. Their field of Missionary labours cannot, of course, be extended without extended supplies. Their undertakings must indeed be very limited, if the liberality of the public be not excited to meet theii enlarging views. Your Committee, therefore, find it neceseary to state, that, as seven persons are now wholly dependent upon the Society, its actual income is not equal to half its actual expences. Your Committee make this statement, not through any despond. ing apprehensions, but confident that the knowledge of the fact will be sufficient to provoke the zeal and liberality of pios Christians. Of this, indeed, they have had some encouraging and satisfactory proofs, since the eircumstances have been a little more known. "They take the liberty also of observing, that since they have not only the prospect of some Missionaries among clergymen of their own church, but that the Lutheran church appears to offer them such a facility of obtaining suitable Missionaries, they have now a well-founded expectation of usefully employing what ever funds the exertions and liberality of their Christian friends may entrust to their disposal. "Your Committee, therefore, earnestly intreat the Members of this Society to promote its interest to the utmost of their power, both by their prayers for its success, and by encouraging Subscriptions and Contributions among their friends. They particularly request of the clergy to place Before their agregations the importance of the object, and to endeavour to excite a liberal spirit in promoting it," particularly (where practicable) by annual collections in their respective congregations." MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Extract of a Letter from Dr. Vanderkemp, in South Africa, to the Missionary Society. Bethelsdorp, Feb. 29, 1804. Most respected, and dearly beloved Fathers and Brethren in Christ, "OUR labours and present institution have, from the first, been a stumbling-block in the eyes of the unchristian inhabitants of this country, and an object of their hatred. After the restoration of government into the hands of the Ba tavian Republic, the almost universal clamour was, that an institution, not only formed and adminis tered by emissaries of the London Society, but even now continuing under the influence and direction of a company of Englishmen, was, by its nature, too dangerous for the public tranquillity to be suffered any longer. It was an easy matter to convince the philanthropic Governor Jansens of the futility of the objection; and to shew that our undertaking was entirely separated from all national views and con cerns; and that your direction, being entirely restricted to spiritual purposes, did not, even in the least degree affect, much less relax, the authority which government has a right to exercise over all its subjects, any more than the filial obedience due to a father or tutor infringes the rights of a sovereign over a son or pupil residing in his dominions. But it was not so easy to eradicate the inveterate prejudices against our work among the Hea then, out of the stony hearts of more barbarous inhabitants; and it was evident that our relation to English benefactors was only a pretext to give vent to a deeper rooted enmity against God, his Christ, and the extension of his kingdom of love and grace among the Heathen. "Some of our Missionary brethren have received an order from government to give up the instruction of Christians or Heathen within the limits of the parishes in this colony, and to remove to a distance of three days journey from every established church. We have written a letter of thanks to the Governor for this step; by which our brethren are effectually directed to the helpless Heathen, who, hitherto, have been left without the means of grace. We have obtained, that this prohibition be extended to all the Missionaries in general; and that those parishes which are at present without a regular clergyman be excepted, and thus rendered accessible for Missionaries. We had hereby chiefly in view the colony of Graaff Reinet, where not only some Heathen, but also three nominal Christians, were awakened by the labours of two of our Hottentot brethren, who have been rewarded for this labour of love, by order of a boor, acting as landdrost of that place, with imprisonment and stripes. The Missionary spirit which it pleased the Lord to kindle in the hearts of several of our Hottentot converts, is remarkable, and gives us a pleasing prospect of new victories over the power of darkness. own master, and must do that work which the Lord shall call me to. My dear brother Read is also, in this respect, of the same mind. "Last month I received a Memoir from Mr. Hogendorp, a man of considerable property in Amster dam, and Director of the Missionary Society; in which he proposes to form a settlement of a commercial nature, in connection with our institution, near Algoa Bay; and speaks of sending every year one or more ships to this bay. This undertaking may, perhaps, in the hand of God, be subservient to facilitate Missionary efforts in this part of the world. "To the conjecture expressed in your letter of the 31st of August, 1802, respecting the means likely to be furnished for our future support, I can only reply, that it is uncertain what fellow-creatures may do; but Christ will, most certainly, supply us abundantly with all that is necessary for us to carry his glorious plan into execution; and this is all we can wish for. Hitherto, I have not touched the gool.; and I hope not to employ any part of it but with the utmost frugality. "The Lord continues to bless "The forementioned prohibition our labours, and the kingdom of his has excited, in several of our fel- grace seems to spread itself more Inw-missionaries, a desire to settle and more among the poor Hottenamong us. Our Rules do not ad- tots; and the progress of our schomit more than three Missionaries, lars in reading, writing, and reand two schoolmasters fixed at ligious knowledge, is equally astonBethelsdorp; but more can reside ishing as (if 1 may call it so) the here, and itinerate in the neigh- Missionary spirit and zeal which bourhood, or form new settlements animates our new Christians, whenby our assistance. We long to see ever they find an opportunity to a Mission established in Madagas profess the name of Christ before car. I repeatedly suggested to our the world and the Heathen. These Missionary brethren in this colony three particulars will appear the and the Cape Society, to undertake more astonishing to one who is ac it; but hitherto in vain. quainted with the natural languor, stupidity, and aversion from every other kind of mental or bodily ex ercise characterizing this nation. This shews, that nothing is impossible for God! To him we commit our, or rathe his own work, the success of your undertakings, and the direction of all your thoughts and actions to the glory of his name ! I am yours, &c. They might commence their expeditions by running into Algoa Bay, in order to take in two or three Missionaries from Bethelsdorp, whose hearts the Lord shall incline to give themselves over to that service, and to debark them in Madagascar, or elsewhere. Should none be found, I should wish to supply their place, if the Lord shall appoint one to whom we may commit the direction of Bethelsdorp; but I am not my J. T. VANDERKEMP. MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c. Rev. Mr. Shufflebotham and friends, Bungay HOME INTELLIGENCE. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Associated Ministers of Gloucester, with many others, met in Mr. Harris's meeting house. Mr. Phillips, of Chedworth, preached from Isa. liii. 1; and Mr. Thomas, of Cam, from Acts iv. 19. In the afternoon Mi. Evans, who is supplying at Dursley, preached also to a full congregation; while the ministers, with some of their friends, withdrew to arrange the business of the Association, of their Mission, and of the Benevolent Society, whose object is to relieve is necessitous ministers, their widows and orphans. It is remarked with pleasure and gratitude, that, by subscribers and collections, the Society has been enabled to purchase this year 200l. in the 5 per cents. making the whole of their fund 5201. and the Society proposes to give to every claimant 20l. per year in proportion to every tocol. capital. The Rev. Wm. Bishop, of Gloster, is the Secretary. In the evening, a very large congregation was affectionately addressed by the Rev. R. Hill, from Acts xviii 25; Mess. Richardson, Winter,. T. Jones, and Flint, led the devotional exercises of the day. N. B. The Half-yearly Meeting of the Associated Ministers of Dorsetshire, intended to be held at Sherborne in October, is postponed to the 4th of November, at which time the new chapel is also intended to be opened. May 24, the Rev. John Hoppus was ordained pastor of the Independent church at Yardley Hastings, Northamptonshire, formerly under the care of the late Rev. T. Raban. Mr. T. Hillyard, of Bedford, introduced the solemnities with prayer and reading of Scripture; Mr. T. P. Buil, of Newport-Pagnel, delivered an introductory discourse, and proposed the usual enquiries; Mr Bull, sen. addressed to the minister a charge from Mat. x. 16; Mr. Hennell, of Wollaston, preached to the church from 2 Chron x. 20; and Mr. Manning, of Spalding, concluded with prayer. Mr. Hoppus having laboured chiefly at Yardley Hastings since the death of Mr. Raban, with great acceptance and prospect of usefulness, has beeu enabled to take the charge of this congregation, which had been in a very low state, by the liberal assistance of friends, chiefly in £. 14 6 30 24 II 6009 London, toward the building of a convenient house, which was not otherwise to be obtained in that village. He has extended his labours to neighbouring places with pleasing success, especially at Denton, where a place has lately been fitted up for worship by the Union of Christians formed at Bedford The increase of the Independent congregation at Romsey having rendered it necessary, they have, at their own expence, erected a new place of worship (sixty-three feet by forty-seven) which was opened July 17. Mr. Bennett, pastor of the church, opened the service with prayer and reading the Scriptures; Mr. Bogue preached from Ps. lxxxvii.4. Mr.Lewis, of Ringwood, concluded with prayer; Mr. Eisdell, and Mr. Adams, of Winchester, offered. up prayers in the afternoon; when Mr. Adams, of Salisbury (now no more) preached from Ps. ii. 8. In the evening, Mr. Winter, of Newbury, engaged in prayer; and his brother, from the Isle of Wight, preached from Neh x. 39. May the Lord answer the requests of these numerous assemblies, that the glory of the latter house may be greater than the former ! Aug. 9. The Rev. James Hatton (late a student at Hoxton) was ordained over the Independent church at Sowerby, near Halifax. Mr.Hudswell, of Bingley, opened the service by prayer and reading the Scriptures; Mr. Vint, of Idle, introduced the business of the day and proposed the usual questions; Mr. Cockin, of Halifax, offered up the ordination prayer; Mr. Holdgate, of Bradford, gave the charge, from 1 Tim. 1. 16.; Mr. Sowden, of Bolton, preached to the people, from Deut. iii, 28.; Mr. Pollard, of Booth, concluded. On Wednesday, Aug. 22, the Rev Jos. Parkin, lately a student at Rotherham, was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Independent church at Wigan, in Lancashire. Mr. Charrier, of Lancaster, introduced the service by reading the Scriptures and by prayer; Mr. Evans, of Stockport, gave a discourse on ordination among Protestant Dissenters, |