contrary to treaty, contrary to custom, and contrary to everything, for foreigners to come so far from Shanghae. After we had remonstrated with him, he said, 'Well, you cannot go in through this gate, you had better try another.' Seeing it was useless to persist, we returned to our boat. Then we resolved to try and enter by a water gate. We ordered our boatmen to that effect, and fortunately got in safely, though I must confess clandestinely, We left the boat, walked about in every direction, visited some of the chief places of attraction, preached to a large number of people, and then returned to our boat, well pleased with our success. Our presence, as might be expected, excited much curiosity, but I am happy to say that we were not in the least molested, nor, so far as I remember, even insulted. On the following day, being emboldened by our former day's success, we determined to enter the very heart of the city with books; we got in and distributed several hundred copies of the New Testament. I look back on these two days with much pleasure and satisfaction. In this attempt something has been done towards the breaking down of that barrier between the Chinese and foreigners, and the opening up of the country for the free and general distribution of the Word of God, and the proclamation of the Gospel of peace. When at home, I have been going daily to either of the two chapels to preach. My audiences vary very much,

both in number and character. Generally I have had to speak on without interruption; occasionally, however, I have had fiery discussions. I often invite discussion, for the obvious reason that it is an excellent way of explaining, adapting, and enforcing the truths that we have to teach. Our theses are generally such as the following:the existence of God—the origin of things— God's moral government-salvation in Christ -the superiority of Christianity-a future state-the origin, nature, and destiny of man; every inch of ground is strongly contested-sometimes with considerable point and force-by our opponents.

"I am happy to inform you that our female servant, with her two children, received the ordinance of baptism some months ago. She came to us utterly ignorant of Christianity. She knew positively nothing of God, of a Saviour, of her future destiny. Mrs. John made it a point to instruct her daily in those things that pertain to her eternal peace; I had also an opportunity of speaking to her in the evenings at family worship. Soon I observed in her a marked change; she became serious and prayerful, and very solicitous to know the truth and feel its blessed influence in her heart. From the time she was received into the Church until now, she has been walking, so far as we have been able to observe, worthy of the profession which she has made."

DIVERSE IMPRESSIONS CONVEYED TO DIFFERENT MINDS ON THE FIRST VIEW OF SOCIETY IN THE PACIFIC.

"Allow me to refer to the effect on the minds of Missionaries on a first arrival in heathen lands. Take, for instance, that of the first party to Tahiti in the ship ' Duff.' There were some among that band whose hearts sunk within them when they saw the people wholly given to idolatry, lewdness, laziness, lying, and to every species of vice, and yet entirely satisfied with their own ways. These brethren could not, and hence had not measured, the breadth of their work, and they had nigh finished their missionary career ere they had well begun it.

"Another portion, noticing the immense contrast between the condition of the heathen and of themselves, and pitying with all their hearts their wretched condition, were sanguine enough to suppose that when the Natives had perceived that contrast, and when the Missionaries could speak to them of European civilization, and of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, the victory would soon be completed and their work accomplished. These felt their ardour soon checked by bitter disappointment, which, in some instances, led to the relinquishing of their mission. But a third party, though they found that no description had given to them a faithful picture or fully entered into the formidable character of the difficulties before them, had yet prepared themselves for great difficulties, and had entered into the spirit of their work with dependence for success upon God alone. These, though somewhat disappointed, gathered from the difficulties themselves, additional arguments for their continuance in the work. They felt that here was a field where an immense amount of work was to be done; and that, although they might have long to wait, Divine power could raise up of these stones children to Abraham. So differently did the same facts operate upon different minds.

"This diversity of views and feelings is yet observable now that Christianity has been established among the islands. Take an instance. A Missionary arriving a little

more than twenty years ago at the Society Islands, found the Churches in a worse con. dition than I have seen before or since. Civil war had unhappily been raging in the Islands. After which, disappointed ambition had led many to make shipwreck of the faith, and the free introduction of ardent spirits to a general disorganization of the Stations. Fears were entertained for the effect upon the mind of the brother, of such a chaos; but he viewed the whole in what we thought to be the true light. He did not suffer it to quench his ardour; on the contrary, he felt thankful that amid all the evil influences there was a goodly number who had sufficient principle to keep aloof from these evils, and who endeavoured to stem the torrent of iniquity. And there were many more, who, having fallen, mourned over their declensions, and earnestly desired a Missionary to re-establish order among them. And he thanked God that a foundation which could not be shaken had already been laid, and took courage in the hope of future suc cess. Other Missionaries arrived within a few years of that time, but when the Mis. sion had assumed a somewhat brighter aspect; and deep was the disappointment of some of them at the prospect before them. The Churches were in a more prosperous condition; but the state of things was in some respects so different from what was anticipated, that their spirits were damped and their usefulness diminished.

HOW THIS DIVERSITY OF IMPRESSION SERVES ΤΟ ACCOUNT FOR AI PARENT DISCREPANCIES IN THE REPORTS SENT TO ENGLAND.

"You may ask why these references are made. I make them for the purpose of showing the reasons why different Missionaries have sent home varying accounts regarding the same Missions, and also for the purpose of accounting for a fact observed by me when in England, that the same statements from Missionaries gave different views to different individuals. You will perceive that the want of harmony in the accounts is partly the result of a want of harmony in the views of the parties giving them. Both are

given quite conscientiouly. But where correct statements have been given, the hearers often retire with very different ideas, just from the fact that when Missionaries speak or write on the subject they cannot enter into all the particulars needful for giving a correct view of the whole subject, so that much of the filling-up of the picture is left to the imagination of the hearers; and how various the colouring that would be given to that remainder I need not say.

“I have, when in England, been surprised at some extravagant notions entertained by individuals who heard Missionary addresses: those, for instance, of the lamented Williams, whose sanguine spirit led him to look rather at the bright than the reverse side of the subject. Some, transported by his eloquence, seemed to retire with the idea that our Missionary Stations were earthly paradises, where sin was but a dwarf shrub, rather than outworks of the City of Zion, where the fiercest and most trying contests are being carried on with the enemy, and where, too, the balance of success rises and falls with more rapidity than in places where the truth has been long established and generations have been advancing intellectually and morally.

"You will infer from the above remarks that our friends in England do not always obtain a correct view of the comparative condition of different Stations, for while some Missionaries are full and free in their communications to the Christian public, a public not always so anxious for full information as for pleasing anecdotes, &c., there are others who will not write fully of any bright changes in the aspect of the Churches and Stations, knowing that by doing so they would probably give a one-sided view of their condition. A dark shade might pass over them which it would be their duty to make known also; and which, though to themselves easy to be accounted for, could not so readily be explained to the satisfaction of British Christians who have had no experience in a Mission to a heathen country, and who have not the leisure nor the inclination perhaps so to make the subject a matter of study as to see more than the mere surface. For, in order to a just view of Missionary labour, it is necessary, in addition to some knowledge of the pre

vious condition of the people, to combine a careful perusal of the reports of the Society and magazines, with a correspondence with some Missionary brother such as that you, as pastor of the Church at Bristol, had proposed to carry on with myself.

THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF MISSIONARY LABOUR, AND ITS RESULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, IN INDIA, AND IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

"You will excuse me if in this place I refer to some important distinctions in the character of Missions, distinctions likely to affect their internal character. You may

not be aware that some of the Mission Stations in South Africa partake largely of the character of Moravian Settlements, where the well disposed congregate for the purpose of receiving religious instruction, being separated from the heathen, and in a great measure from those who lead vicious and immoral lives. This is a position exceedingly favourable for Missionary labour, and calculated for fostering a comparatively pure community. In India, on the contrary, the Churches consist of a select number who have, through much persecution, entered into their present position, a position which very few destitute of principle would seek. Between both these and the position of Churches in these Islands, a wide difference exists.

"A change, partly religious and partly political, threw the whole of the people of these islands under the instruction of the Missionaries. The whole of the people became nomi. nal Christians at once. Some of them because they were convinced of its truth, others because Christianity was to them a new system, and a popular one; and others again as a consequence of having been defeated in battle; they conceived it to be a necessary part of their submission to the conqueror to submit also to the system which the conqueror had sought to establish. In these Missions, therefore, there was every temptation urging towards a profession of religion, and consequently the greatest circumspection needed in order to prevent a large number of ungodly men from gaining admission into the Churches. Besides this, in forming settlements the whole mass of the people of all classes repaired to them,

securing, it is true, the rapid diffusion of knowledge, but also rendering it easier for the dissolute and viciously inclined to unite and retard the progress of the good work.

"Again, in the Georgian and Society Islands the Settlements are erected either at the harbours, or in places easily accessible to shipping: thus subjecting the labours of the Missionary to all the inconveniences of a sea-port village-a sea-port village of aborigines proverbial for licentiousness. To the thoughtful Christian the fact that the Missionaries have laboured successfully under such circumstances, and have maintained comparatively large Churches among the people, is an exceedingly gratifying one, and he will not be surprised to learn that the Missionary finds more to grieve him, that he is oftener disappointed in his expectations, and has to meet more painful trials, than a pastor at home. He will not be surprised to learn that licentiousness is yet too much a prevailing characteristic of the peoplethat intoxication has on some occasions swept like a destroying flood against the Church (though against such periodical storms a large proportion of the Church has stood), and that the disposition to prevaricate is yet to some extent a national evil; but he will thank God and take courage from the fact that Churches exist in which the discipline is strict, and where expulsion is invariably the remedy for continuance in

sin.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CHRISTIAN PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS, AS CONTRASTED WITH THOSE OF THE SAME CLASS IN ENDLAND.

"The position of the Church in relation to the worldly portion of the community is somewhat different here to what it is in England. With you there is, as it were, an outwork of a morally disposed class from which the accession to Churchfellowship usually come. Here we have no middle class to cover the gap existing be tween the Church and the dissolute portion of the community. This is a lamentable fact, one which exercises a powerful control in arresting the progress of religion in the family and in the world, and which renders it extremely difficult to protect youth reli

giously disposed, but who have not made a decided profession of religion, from falling into open and flagrant sin. We have attempted at each Station to fill this gap by forming a class, who are permitted to attend the special weekly meetings of the Church on Friday, and hence called the Friday Class, and have been gratified at the result, in the protection of those who might not otherwise have had such strong ground for resisting tempta

tion.

"You will perceive from the above facts that, excepting in the Church, there is no expression of public opinion against immorality and vice. But against this fact we have this advantage, that the worst characters will attend our services, and will bear the most pointed rebukes from the pulpit without taking offence; in fact, rather with a feeling of satisfaction that interest is taken in their welfare.

"You will also learn that we have comparatively few converts who have not, prior to conversion, been carried into open violalations of morality; and hence, again, that the dangers of backsliders falling into open sin is more imminent than where a moral atmosphere surrounds the Church.

"We have learned by the experience of years that, to bring a people, notorious for licentiousness, into a condition in which the great majority throw their entire influence into the scale, on the side of morality and purity, is an arduous work, requiring the diligent application of all the means at our disposal through a second and third generation. Indeed, it cannot be accomplished without special attention to the young-an attention attended by the Divine blessing.

"Sometimes the hope has been entertained that we had succeeded in bringing the mass of the people to this consumma tion; but, when temptations suitable to their old habits and tastes have come in like a flood, we have found that much of what we had hoped was standing upon the sure foundation has been swept away. We have seen that our real progress has not been so general as has been anticipated; but we have found, to our unspeakable comfort, that many have stood like the house built upon the rock.

ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE CASE OF
TAHITI.

"These latter remarks are specially ap plicable to the churches of Tahiti for some time past. The trial to which their faith has been subjected has been of the most fearful character. Nothing can be thought of more detrimental to a small community than that of the establishment of a garrison and naval station among them, particularly a French one. The results have told fearfully upon the community generally, and even in the Churches particularly, such as are under novices patronised by government, the tone of moral feeling has been lowered; while almost all (there are some honourable exceptions) without the church, both whites and natives, are living in a state of immorality. But there is a leaven of piety: there are Native Pastors who have stood, maintaining their integrity, and zealously endeavouring to maintain the truth; and there is abundant evidence that the progress of iniquity is not unresisted by a goodly number of Church Members, who continue their

endeavour to secure to the Churches the best individuals as pastors. Indeed, there is abundant evidence to show that the hold which Christianity has taken of the hearts of the people is strong.

CONCLUSION.

"I fear you will regard this letter as dry and uninteresting, but hope that the above remarks will not be without their use in accounting for the various statements, apparently contradictory, that have so often perplexed Christians at home. They will also account for the reasons why ungodly men have so often maligned our Missions. Their intercourse is with the vicious portion, and their conduct in almost every instance partakes of the same character. They know the character of the vicious portion, but are unacquainted with our Churches.

"With Christian affection to the friends of Brunswick Chapel,

"I remain,
"Yours very truly,
"JOHN BARFF."

(Signed)

"Having lately informed you," writes Mr. Ross, "of the admission of eight new members into the Church, I am now happy to announce a great movement among all our people in seeking salvation. This took place immediately after the baptism and reception of the above. The Spirit of God has been poured out, and the Word preached has been followed with demonstrations of the Spirit, and with power. At this station fifteen anxious inquirers about salvation have come forward; the most of these have been so diligent during the last six or seven months, that they have become good readers, and given us the cheering evidence that they

have experienced the second birth; now the greater part of them may enter into the communion of the Church, on the next Lord's Day. There is a considerable number of others, who, by their general conduct, we hope may come forward as candidates; they are already impressed by the preaching of the Word. Backsliders, also, not a few, are desirous to enter among God's people.

"I have just returned from a journey to all the out-stations, and there also I have been greatly encouraged. At Lingopeng there were two religious inquirers, but, as many were out on long journeys, others