of the icy seas, and the more intimate our acquaintance with all its difficulties and all its precariousness, the higher have our admiration and respect been raised for those who went before us in these enterprises. Persevering in difficulty, unappalled by danger, and patient under distress, they scarcely ever use the language of complaint, much less that of despair; and, sometimes, when all human hope seems at its lowest ebb, they furnish the most beautiful examples of that firm reliance on a merciful and superintending Providence, which is the only rational source of true fortitude in man. Often, with their narratives impressed upon my mind, and surrounded by the very difficulties which they, in their frail and inefficient barks, undauntedly encountered and overcame, have I been tempted to exclaim, with all the enthusiasm of Purchas, 'How shall I admire your heroic courage, ye marine worthies, beyond names of worthiness!" "On a subject which has, for many years past, excited so strong and general an interest as that of the northwest passage, a subject which has called forth so much warm British feeling in every British heart, it may perhaps be expected that, charged as I have been with three several attempts at its accomplishment, I should, ere I close this volume, once more offer an opinion. This I am enabled to do the more briefly, because the question evidently rests nearly where it did before the equipment of the late expedition, and I have, therefore, little to offer respecting it, in addition to what I have already said at the close of my last narrative. The views I then entertained on the subject, of the nature and practicability of the enterprise, of the means to be adopted, and the route to be pursued for its accomplishment, remain wholly unaltered at the present moment; except that some additional encouragement has been afforded by the favourable appearances of a navigable sea near the southwestern extremity of Prince Regent's inlet. To that point, therefore, I can, in the present state of our knowledge, have no hesitation in still recommending that any future attempt should be directed. "I feel confident that the undertaking, if it be deemed advisable at any future time to pursue it, will one day or other be accomplished; for, setting aside the accidents to which, from their very nature, such attempts must be liable, as well as other unfavourable circumstances which human foresight can never guard against, nor human power control, I cannot but believe it to be an enterprise well within the reasonable limits of practicability. It may be tried often, and often fail, for several favourable and fortunate circumstances must be combined for its accomplishment; but I believe nevertheless that it will ultimately be accomplished. That it is not to be undertaken lightly, nor without due attention to every precaution which past or future experience may suggest, our recent failures, under such advantages of equipment as no other expedition of any age or country ever before united, and we trust also our own endeavours to effect something worthy of so liberal an outfit, will at least serve to show. I am much mistaken, indeed, if the northwest passage ever becomes the business of a single summer; nay, I believe that nothing but a concurrence of very favourable circumstances is likely even to make a single winter in the ice sufficient for its accom plishment. But this is no argu- humble, though, it would seem, ment against the possibility of final success; for we now know that a winter in the ice may be passed, not only in safety, but in health and comfort. I would only, therefore, in conclusion, urge those who may at any future time be charged with this attempt, to omit no pre necessary office of pioneer, should ultimately contribute to the success of some more fortunate individual; but most happy should I again be, to be selected as that individual. May it still fall to England's lot to accomplish this undertaking, and may she ever continue to take the caution that can in the slightest de- lead in enterprises intended to congree contribute to the strength of tribute to the advancement of scithe ships, the duration of their re-ence, and to promote, with her sources, the wholesomeness and own, the welfare of mankind at freshness of their provisions, the large! Such enterprises, so diswarmth, ventilation, and cleanli- interested as well as useful in their ness, of the inhabited apartments, and the comfort, cheerfulness, and moral discipline, of their crews. "Happy as I should have considered myself in solving this interesting question, instead of still leaving it a matter of speculation and conjecture, happy shall I also be if any labours of mine in the object, do honour to the country that undertakes them, even when they fail; they cannot but excite the admiration and respect of every liberal and cultivated mind; and the page of future history will undoubtedly record them as every way worthy of a powerful, a virtuous, and an enlightened nation." RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. FOREIGN. FROM the October number of the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, we select the following particulars respecting the present state of their missions. Extract of a letter from MR. M'KENNY, dated Colombo, Jan. 10th, 1826. SINCE my last communication, in connexion with our good work among the military, we have to notice a very interesting event, which is the death of William Brewington, the leader of the society in the eighty-third regiment. He went up with his company to Kandy, when they were removed from Colombo, and there continued with great zeal and diligence to watch over the little flock; occasionally sending us simple but interesting accounts of the state of his class, and the progress of the work of God among the soldiers in the interior. However, it has pleased the Lord to call this eminently pious man to his eternal reward; he died at Kandy on the 13th ultimo, and we have been much comforted by the accounts we have received of the blessed state of his mind to the very last. The Rev. T. Browning, church missionary, paid our dear friend much attention at all times, but particularly during his illness; and the following is an extract of a letter from this gentleman to me on the subject, dated Kandy, December 14, 1825. "MY DEAR SIR, -I understand from John M'Gowan of the eighty-third, that it was the wish of William Brewington, who died in hospital yesterday, that I should write a line to you to inform you of his death. He has had rather delicate health ever since he came to Kandy: but has been able to attend his duty till within the last two months, during which time he has been very ill of dysentery. About a month ago he was getting much better, and had some hope of recovery; but after a relapse he became so weak that he gave up all expectation of re- it is under the care of a zealous and turning health, and when the medical officer intimated to him the necessity of beginning to look out for another world, he answered with great confidence, that he had not to begin that work, but wished rather to die than to live. During the remainder of his life he continued to enjoy an almost uninterrupted peace of mind. There was nothing rapturous or transporting, but a steady confidence in the merits of Christ Jesus, which enabled him to look forward to death with satisfaction and delight. He told me he sometimes felt that he was a great sinner, but he recollected that he had a great Saviour. Since he has been very ill he has had M'Gowan constantly to attend him, who says that he continued to the end to enjoy the same degree of peace and consolation. The night before he died, on waking from a doze, he asked M'Gowan if that was the right time, and when M'Gowan asked him what time, he said, Did you not hear me sing? and then repeated with great emphasis, all the hymn beginning, My God, the spring of all my joys, &c, saying that it was very expressive of his feelings. "Thus, my dear sir, I have given you a brief account of this good man, which I have no doubt you will be happy to receive. I have always been much pleased with Brewington since I have known him, and have, I think, witnessed in him a gradual progress in grace and Christian experience, and I have no doubt he is now praising and glorifying that Saviour whom he loved and served in sincerity." The death of truly pious and useful men is felt by the church of Christ in every part where the Redeemer's kingdom is established, but it is more powerfully felt in a country like this, where the holy man is perhaps one in ten thousand; but "the Lord is righteous in all his ways." The prayer meetings in the houses of several of our friends, which were first noticed in my letter of last April, are continued and well attended, and are much calculated to increase and extend the work of God among us. We have lately formed another class at the mission house, consisting of females only; at present the number is only four, but we expect an increase: excellent leader, Mr. Mooyaart. We have also got a new juvenile class formed at the New Bazar school, which consists of twenty-four promising boys, and is met by Mr. Chinner, the English master of the school. The religious state of Colombo, altogether, is very encouraging at present; the union that exists between Christians of all denominations is most remarkable: we often meet together at each other's houses for the express purpose of holding religious intercourse, and on these occasions all distinctions are lost in the firm conviction that we are all the lovers and followers of the same Master, and that the object of our ambition is to see who will be most like him in humility, deadness to the world, resignation to the divine will, and extensive usefulness. Indeed it may be said with truth of the little flock of Christ in this place, that great grace rests upon them all. O that the little leaven may continue its influence until the whole lump be leavened. At a late meeting of the Bible society, our active and excellent friend Mr. Mooyaart was chosen secretary, an event which is to be regarded in a very important light in relation to the future success of this valuable institution. Several plans are already under consideration and arrangement in order to further its interests, and I doubt not but we shall soon be able to communicate some pleasing information on this subject. I have now to notice our late district meeting, held at Colombo last month; this was a time of deep interest to us all, and I know not that I have ever witnessed greater faithfulness among brethren. The ordination of our five brethren, Sutherland, Gogerly, Lalman, Anthoniez, and Cornelius, excited an uncommon degree of interest. The several services were performed in English, Portuguese, and Singhalese; upon each occasion, our chapel was well filled: a great solemnity pervaded the assembly; and much impression was excited by the relation of the conversion and experience of the brethren who were set apart for the work of God. May the effect produced by these services long remain, and the fruit be found after many days! Extract of a letter from Mr. Hume, dated Caltura, December 30th, 1825. Our recent letters have put you in possession of the plans of labour we have adopted, and of the hopes we entertained of very great success attending our efforts; our hopes are now in a very pleasing manner being realized. We seem to have not only gained the confidence of the people, but to have in a very considerable degree excited a lively interest about the things of religion: this is principally to be attributed to the extensive introduction of prayermeetings among the natives.Many who never would have come to us or to the house of God, are thus reached by the gospel, and though, as yet, they are not capable of appreciating Christianity, the beauty of its precepts never fails to recommend it to the good-will of the little companies who attend our meetings. Their nods of assent, their fixed attention, and the frequent remarks they make on Scripture subjects, prove to us not only that our words are understood, but that an interest is felt in the important truths advanced. In a few instances I have of late heard the voice of prayer ascending from native huts as the family within were surrounding the family altar; and in one case in particular, the service was conducted by a little boy. The becoming manner in which he was reading a chapter of the New Testament, with an audible voice, collected a number of the people around the door of the hut, who, as I was passing, were listening attentively to the little worshipper within the circumstance seemed to surprise very much. I have several times, in walking out in the evening, heard the same boy singing his even ing hymn. From the mouth of babes and sucklings God will perfect praise. Our schools continue to prepare with a good degree of effect a generation that will praise the Lord. They are forming the character of the future race of Christians. They are infusing precepts of morality, and sowing seeds of truth, which, under the divine blessing, will shoot forth in the practice, and be matured into habits, in after life. Every one of our schools is not only a nursery of moral but of religious principles. The children are taught not only the knowledge of letters but the knowledge of God, of his Son Jesus Christ, and of the way of salvation by him; and every school contains a few plants which we have every reason to hope will in time be trees of righteousness, the right hand planting of the Lord. We have particular expectations in reference to the schools in and about Pantura, and indeed to the work generally in that part. The Lord has evidently in a very uncommon degree given a hearing ear, and we hope he will not withhold the understanding heart from the population of that part of the station. Our classmeetings are still kept up, and are, in general, seasons of refreshing, at least to myself, and I hope to others also. Our sacramental occasions have of late been particularly interesting: the presence of God has been with us in a very gracious manner, and we have rejoiced with glad hearts in the full confidence that we shall feast together in the kingdom of our God. Our congregations continue steady, and are, I hope, profiting by the numerous sermons which they hear in the different languages. Extract of a letter from Mr. Stoup, dated Galle, Jan, 20th, 1826. THE tone of moral feeling has been greatly raised among the various classes of inhabitants in the island, both European and native, since the residence of Christian missionaries among them. This I have often heard remarked by persons long resident in the country, and well qualified, from their extensive acquaintance with its society, to make such an observation. The knowledge of Christian doctrine is gradually spreading among the natives, and especially those of the higher classes; and though it may be said of many of them, that "they fear the Lord VOL. X. January, 1827. and serve their own gods;" yet we doubt not but this knowledge will eventually clear away the darkness of superstition and paganism from their minds, and "shine more and more unto the perfect day." The sabbath is more reverenced than formerly, though there is still room to wish that it were more strictly observed; yet we are happy to see that in and near the towns where Europeans reside, there is generally a partial cessation of worldly business, and more of those who are nominally Christians attend some place of worship. I think it may 5 be said with respect to Galle, that there is as little business going forward in it on a Sunday, as in the generality of country towns in England. On the second inst. I had all the children of the neighbouring schools assembled in the Galle chapel, when I preached to them from John iii, 16, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It was a most interesting occasion; the children were all remarkably neat and clean, and behaved very orderly; the chapel was quite filled, and they read the responses of the Liturgy aloud and very distinctly. How delightful to hear from the lips of heathen children, “We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord:" "All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting." Surely among this assembly one might contemplate the members of a future church, who "shall stand as pillars in the temple of our God, to go no more out." Letters also from Matura, and Negombo, give flattering accounts of the state of their congregations, and particularly their numerous schools, those nurseries for the rising generation. SOUTHERN AFRICA. Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Kay, who is stationed at Caffraria. A BRIEF description of the ceremony of ascertaining who had bewitched a sick person, I will now give. The whole company is ranged in the form of a crescent, with their faces towards the cattle-folds. The women clap their hands, and sing with all their might; while the men beat their spears, stamp with their feet, and occasionally join in the song of the females. A kind of sorcerer (answering, in a great measure, in point of character, to the Pawaws of the American Indians, and the Angekoks of the Greenlanders) sits in a hut at a short distance, in company with eight or ten natives, who seem to constitute his council. When I arrived, he was momentarily expected to make his appearance in order publicly to declare, by whose evil influence the warrior in question was afflicted. Nevertheless, upwards upwards of three hours elapsed apsed before their expectations were realized. At length, however, it was announced that he was coming, when every man and woman, except those that were designed to form his train, instantly flew to the dancing party, and renewed their strange and laborious manœuvres with redoubled vigour, making the surrounding glens echo with their doleful sound; insomuch that it might be heard at the distance of some miles. 1 felt deeply impressed with the idea that infernal spirits thronged the air and hovered over us. The harbingers of the sorcerer consisted of six or eight women, one of whom first made a tour round with the branch of a tree in her hand. When she retired, the others followed in the same manner. This done, a more formidable procession began to approach; but with more regularity than I had been led to expect. The wizard was encircled by a numerous guard, so as to be entirely concealed from view. Having proceeded until they had arrived in front of the assembly, leaving a space of about thirty yards, his train took its stand, and the song became general. In the course of a few minutes, a most frightful figure came forth, painted in different parts of his body with red ochre. One side of his face was red, and the other jet black. He had the skin of some wild animal fastened round him, in the form of a petticoat, and a piece of a jackall's tail fixed on his forehead. Upon coming to about the centre of the circle, he occasionally writhed as if in agony; and at other times threw himself into the most violent attitudes. Having again retired to the centre of his guard, he required that the oxen, which they were about to present him for his services, should be brought before him, together with a certain bead, to be taken off the dress of each individual in the opposite party. These were immediately brought, and the latter article laid at his feet with the utmost reverence, by the persons who presented them, and who passed before him in regular rotation for that purpose. The impression on the minds of the natives is, that he discovers the witch by scent. Hence he pretends to |