stition on the great truths of the Gospel, both on their own account, and also as it serves to shew to the heathen that we are equally opposed to every species of idolatry, and all other practices at variance with pure and undefiled religion; and I am glad to say that the difference between Romanists and Protestants is becoming more generally known in this part of the country. Oh! may the happy and glorious time soon come when this and every other land shall be freed from all idolatry, error, and superstition, and when the Lord alone shall be exalted, and universally loved, adored, and served CHINA. HONG-KONG.-BAPTISM OF TWO CHINESE CONVERTS. OUR brethren at Hong-Kong continue to enjoy abundant encouragement in their labours. In the month of August last, it was their privilege to baptize two more converts from heathenism, of whose personal history and experience the following brief outline is contained in a recent communication from our brother, Mr. Gillespie : "On the 22nd of August, 1847, two Chinese converts, named Laon-ting-Shen and QwanSang, were baptized in Union Chapel. The former is a rice merchant, from Tung-Koon. In the beginning of last year he came to reside in Hong-Kong, having entered into partnership with several other rice merchants, and his shop being opposite to the Bazaar Chapel, in the Chinese part of the town, he had frequent opportunities of hearing the Gospel, and of conversing with Asûn, the keeper of the Chapel. He was struck most forcibly by seeing Asûn, with the members of his family, frequently reading a religious book, and afterwards kneeling down to worship. What it was that they worshipped Ting-Shen could not conceive, as he saw no idol nor shrine-no gilt paper nor incense-no offering of tea and fruitsno burning of tallow candles-nothing but addressing prayers to some invisible being. His nquiries were cheerfully listened to by Asûn, who is an old and tried disciple, and who on this occasion exerted himself-as, indeed he always does-in communicating to his neighbour a knowledge of the Christian doctrines. He continued to attend the chapel regularly, and about four months ago he began to attend the Bible Class, which is composed of inquirers and others, eighteen in number, who meet every morning at the Mission House. The following extracts from a letter which he addressed to the Missionaries, begging them to receive him as a disciple, will show the state of his mind at this time : "I have heard from the teachers that God purposely sent his beloved son Jesus down to the world to be the Son of Man, and to atone for all the wickedness and sins of all people in all nations under heaven. I formerly was wickedness itself. The teachers discoursed on the doctrines of the Sacred Books, such as those contained in the Gospels of John, Matthew, and Luke. When I heard what they said, it was like thunder piercing my ears; like from a dream awakening up like from drunkenness at first coming to reason again. Then I knew that there is a great Ruler in heaven, and that in my body there is a precious soul. They also said that God was my divine father, and that they who hear the doctrines of the Scriptures, and receive the Gospel, shall enjoy the everlasting happiness of heaven. "I formerly worshipped idols and images, and observed and believed the words of the devil, so that thereby I suffered the deceit of the devil in my heart. Now I know that I myself am a very great sinner, and I hereafter to eternity do change and repent of my wickedness. Also I know that Jesus is the beloved Son of God, who expressly came down to the world to be a Son of Man. When he was in the world, he went to every province, city, hamlet, village, market-place, and everywhere, bearing hardships in his travels and opposition in his journeys. When cold, he did not add clothing; when hungry, he did not eat. Wandering and toiling, he endured ten thousand troubles and a thousand hardships, which he did not shrink from, in order to atone for the sins of all men. Who could have done this? Only the Saviour of the world could do this. From Pwan-Koo (the first man, according to Chinese Mythology) to the present time, was there ever a man who could reach to the Saviour of the world-Jesus Christ's, ten thousandth part? While in the world, he preached the Gospel until he had toiled thirty and three years in speaking the doctrines of the True Knowledge. "All that were humble and saw Jesus, several tens of thousands, praised his great virtue and great kindness. As for the people that did not know the doctrine and did not praise Jesus, these were low people. Look at the priests and scribes and elders, who always had an envious heart, and laid plans, and sought opportunities, though they knew the sacred books and histories. Why did they take the Saviour Jesus, and nail him on the cross, and poisonously hurt him, and reward his kindness with enmity? That the Saviour suffered is only to be deplored. Those that hear it have their hearts wounded, and those that see it, shed tears.' When I heard of these sufferings I felt as if a knife were cutting my heart and bowels and liver. Tears flowed from my eyes. My heart was ill at ease. Painful! Lamentable! "Afterwards, I heard that after suffering these hardships-after spending three days and three nights in the tomb-he came to life again, and was in the world again, practising mercy and the Gospel, and propagating doctrine, for forty days. Then after that he ascended to the heavenly hall, to be with the Divine Father, to see each other, and to enjoy the everlasting felicity of ten thousand ages without limit. Whenever we read to this point, I and you all may let down the sorrowful heart. "On the 11th month of last year, I, in the evening, when at leisure, went over to the True God's Temple, and together with teacher Asûn sat conversing on God's exceeding kindness and compassion, who is the father of our souls, and how those that believe may obtain everlasting life. "Afterwards, teacher Asûn, perceiving that I had a mind to hear, spoke to me, saying'If you will accompany me to the Mission House you will hear the doctrine of the True Wisdom explained.' Then I complied with his request, and followed him to your College. And when I saw that the book-shelves were full of classical books, my satisfaction was complete, and my joy extreme. And then also I perceived that the meaning of the sacred books which the teachers daily explained, is this most important thing, namely, the salvation of man's soul. Then I hoped that the Holy Spirit would move and convert my heart; that I always might remember the kindness of God. Yesterday, I was indebted to Ke Seen-sang for giving me a prayer-book, and from the 15th day of this month I began to pray morning and evening, hoping that God would take away all my past sins and wickedness; afterwards being penitent, I would not dare to commit the former transgressions. Now, morning and evening I pray, and it is stedfastly fixed in my heart to do so. "Now I will finish this speech of uncouth words by hoping that the teacher will pray the Saviour for me, asking of him to grant to me the salvation of my soul from sin. "For clear inspection, "The Ignorant Younger Brother, "TING-SHEN'S Writing.' "Shortly after presenting this letter, Ting-Shen was examined as to his faith and knowledge, and his motives. His answers were satisfactory, and in the course of a second examination he expressed his intention of leaving his present employment and engaging in some other business, as he said it was absolutely necessary to success in his business that a man should cheat and overreach his customers. But he was at length persuaded to give it a fair trial, so as to ascertain whether it was possible or not in his line of life for a man to gain a livelihood while avoiding falsehood and acting on all occasions with integrity and uprightness. After giving him many other exhortations, the brethren said to one another-'What doth hinder him to be baptized?' Accordingly, after receiving further instruction, he was baptized on the 22nd of August; and on the second Sabbath thereafter, he and other Chinese Converts, to the number of eleven, sat down to commemorate the dying love of Jesus Christ. At the table of the Lord his feelings appeared to be those of deep penitence for sin, and ardent gratitude to the Saviour, and during the address, which was upon these topics, tears were seen to flow down his manly countenance." Mr. Gillespie supplies the following information respecting the second Chinese Convert, who was baptized on the above occasion: "The other individual who was at the same time baptized and admitted to the fellowship of the Church, is named Kwan-Sang. He is about sixty years of age, and his employment is that of a bookbinder. The following is his own account of himself : "I, that present this, was, upwards of ten years ago, in the employment of the College at Malacca. Then I was deeply rooted in the customs of the world, and had no heart to the doctrines of the Gospel. I did not feel that I was a great sinner, and did not know the great kindness of God in compassionating me a sinner, and the great virtue of Jesus in atoning for sin. Therefore I a long time delayed. But two years ago, when dwelling with Asûn at the chapel in the Shang-Wan, I became indebted to the teachers for their clear explana tions of the sacred books, and received instructions from Asûn at his leisure time. Thus I knew a little of the excellence of the Gospel and of my own sinfulness, and always I give thanks for the explanation of the great merits of Jesus, and his ability to save and redeem sinners. Whosoever is sensible of his sins, and repents and receives the washing of Jesus's blood, may obtain the pardon of all his sins and the salvation of his soul. Therefore, as I am far advanced in years, and do not know what day or what hour my life shall end, I beg of you to baptize me, and to pray for me that the Holy Ghost may put away my old actions, that my faith may be increased, and that I may with a true heart depend on Jesus Christ; and thus the day of my death, should it come immediately, will prove both to me and to my whole family exceedingly fortunate.' "The same week in which these two converts were baptized, four other inquirers were examined as to their fitness for baptism, and there are several others besides who are also desirous of admission into the Church; but it has been judged most prudent to delay, and in the meantime to continue their instruction in the doctrines of Christianity. "From the preceding narrative, it will be seen that the Gospel is taking root in HongKong. One of the inquirers referred to has come down from Canton to Hong-Kong, for the express purpose of attending the Bible Class, and receiving instruction. He is a medical man, and he, together with others who now regularly attend, having no connection whatsoever with any of the Missionaries, have no conceivable motive for attending, except it be a sincere desire to know the way of God more perfectly. It would seem as if the Holy Spirit were now being poured out in this place, seeing that the Word of God is accompanied with the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power from on high, and those that hear it are profited thereby, mixing faith with their hearing. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake.'" AFRICA. SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL IN GRIQUALAND. IN Griqualand, the Lord is bearing testimony to the word of his grace, and multiplying the subjects of his kingdom. The Rev. E. Solomon, who had been on a visit to the Cape, thus addressed the Directors on returning to Griqua Town in July last: Improved Spirit of the Dutch Farmers. THE last letter I addressed to the Directors was written from Cape-Town in the month of February. Shortly after writing that letter, I commenced my journey homewards, and had a speedy and prosperous journey as far as the banks of the Orange River, where we were detained for some time by the river being full, and, on attempting to cross, our wagon, with its contents, was nearly lost. Having, however, been rescued from this imminent danger, we reached Griqua-Town in safety, where we received a cordial welcome from the Chief and people. The only point, in regard to our journey, on which I would wish to remark, is the very great and favourable change we witnessed in the sentiments and conduct of the Dutch Boors, in reference to the persons and labours of Missionaries. Knowing their prejudices, I was not at all prepared for the cordiality and kindness which I experienced from every farmer on the road, from the Orange River to Cape-Town. Nor is this to be ascribed simply to their hospitality to strangers, for which they are proverbial; since, in addition to personal attentions, they invariably expressed a desire that I should hold worship amongst them, and listened with apparent interest to any account given of our Missionary operations beyond the colonial boundary. I preached frequently to them on the road, always with large and attentive congregations, and witnessed a sufficient proof of their increasing liberality of feeling, in their willingness to allow their servants and other coloured people to assemble in the same apartment with themselves for divine worship. This improvement in the disposition of those who were formerly the inveterate enemies of all Missionary operations, calls for gratitude to God, and is an encouraging symptom of the progress made by Missions in public estimation: it is to be ascribed, under the blessing of God, to the increase of Missionaries in the colonial villages, and their consequent increased contact with the farmer, by which means their character has become more extensively known, and their objects better understood. The Answer to Prayer for the Conversion of Souls. I am happy to state that there are one or two movements in the district of GriquaTown of a highly gratifying nature. One has reference to our out-stations among the Batlaru, a tribe of Bechuanas living at Tsantsaban and Gossiep-the former forty, and the latter thirty miles, from Griqua-Town. The settlement of Gossiep has only lately been formed by the removal of the best part of the church-members from Tsantsaban, which place they were compelled by various circumstances to leave; and, since its formation, it has always given us great encouragement. But the very circumstance that tended to promote its prosperity had of course a most depressing influence on Tsantsaban, as only a few members remained there; and these, for the most part, the wives of heathen husbands. Thus the heathen party became rampant, and appeared entirely given up to hardness of heart. The church-member, stationed there as native teacher, came to me about a year ago, much disheartened at the fruitlessness of his labours. I endeavoured to encourage him to persevere in prophesying among the dry bones, reminding him that such was the means appointed by God for the conversion of sinners; and to be also especially earnest in prayer to God for the influence of His Spirit. At the same time, I exhorted the members at Gossiep to pray for their heathen friends at Tsantsaban, and advised the brethren to go over occasionally to strengthen the hands of the native teacher labouring there. Soon a brighter prospect dawned upon us. In my report of last year, I mentioned that there were symptoms of a work of grace commencing at Gossiep; and it is now my privilege to report that this work has continued to prosper: many have come forward to profess attachment to the Saviour, and the work has spread, until it has affected those living at Tsantsaban; so that several of the heathen, who had remained hardened for many years, having shewed signs of relenting, have at length come forward as inquirers after the truth. Public Baptism of Sixty-nine Converts. I lately visited these stations, and as there had been some candidates on the list for a long time, I held an examination, and selected the most promising for baptism. The result was the Baptism of sixty-nine individuals-forty living at Gossiep, and twenty-nine at Tsantsaban. These were individuals who had all been candidates for some time their sentiments scriptural,their knowledge of the elements of divine truth correct,-and their conduct affording pleasing evidence of the sincerity of their profession. The baptismal service was solemn and interesting. I spent the Sabbath at Gossiep, the forty candidates living there, and ten of those at Tsantsaban being present. The day was very cold, with a slight fall of snow, so that I feared that many would be prevented from attending; but, to my delight, I found the place of worship crowded, some females having walked ten or twelve miles the preceding day in order that they might be present. The services of the day commenced as usual with a prayer-meeting at sunrise, at which about 200 natives were present. Oh! it was a cheering sight to the preacher to behold so many coming from their homes on a cold snowy morning, and assembling in the house of God to implore His blessing upon the labours of the day. Afterwards we assembled for preaching, when I addressed the congregation from 1 Peter v. 8; and, on concluding the sermon, called upon those who were to be baptized to approach the pulpit. Surprise and delight were depicted on the countenances of the friends of the Redeemer, when they saw the Converts-fifty in number-standing before the congregation ready to profess their attachment to the Lord. After reminding them of what had been advanced in the sermon, I directed their attention especially to the words of our Saviour, "Be ye faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life;" and, at the conclusion of the address, they were baptized in the name of the Triune God, and then commended to Him in prayer. The Domestic Rewards of Prayer. An interesting feature in this baptism was, that many of those baptized were the wives or husbands of believers who had some years previously identified themselves with the Redeemer's cause, and who now received an answer to their prayers in seeing their partners coming forward to unite themselves with the Church of the Lord. Our two native teachers, and the two deacons of the church, were among the number of those thus privileged. One worthy member, whose wife was among those received, was deeply affected, and after in vain endeavouring to repress his feelings, was obliged to leave the chapel to give them vent. Another said to me on the following day, "My heart is full. Oh! how great is the love of God! I wandered about many years without knowing God. My tribe has been broken up by enemies; but at last God brought me into this country to hear His holy word, and I have felt His love. One thing I have long prayed for-the conversion of my wife. And now God has granted me this likewise. What more can I desire, but that God would give me a heart to praise Him as long as I live, and that I may do all in my power to tell sinners how good He is?" Grace pursuing the Sinner. At Tsantsaban, the order of service was much the same, but the number of baptized smaller. The appearance of things there was much improved. Several of the formerly hardened heathen were among the converts, and even those who as yet had made no profession were much subdued in their manners and language. Among the baptized were the principal wife and eldest son of the Chief of the village. One case is worth mentioning, as shewing how the most inveterate opposition may be overcome by the Gospel. The case to which I allude is that of a young woman, the wife of the Chief's son. Her parents are both decided heathens, living near Kuruman; and she herself was brought up in determined dislike to the Gospel. After she was married, she went to hear the Gospel once or twice; but, feeling her mind somewhat impressed, she determined (as she said) to put herself out of the way of being overcome, by resolutely absenting herself from every place where God's Word was spoken. But though she acted upon this resolution, she was filled with some indefinite apprehension of divine wrath. The sound of the horn (by which the people at Tsantsaban are summoned to worship) always increased her alarm, as it reminded her of something she had heard about the trump of God calling men to judgment. In order to overcome this impression, she for some months endeavoured to guess the time of assembling for worship, and hasten to the field, ostensibly to collect fuel, but in reality to get beyond the reach of the dreaded scund of the horn. But all was in vain. She could not always guess the exact time, and sometimes the horn would sound before she left her house, and then all her terror would revive. At length, her alarm increased to such a degree, that she could obtain no rest; and eventually, after a night of intense agony, she determined to strive no longer against the Lord, but to unbosom her feelings to the teacher, and ask, What she must do to be saved? This she accordingly did, and became punctual in her attendance upon the means of grace. The rumour of this having reached the ears of her parents, her mother set out to visit her daughter, and for this purpose performed on foot a journey of about eighty miles. On meeting her, she expressed her surprise at what she had heard, and begged and entreated her to forsake her new associates and return to heathenism. But in vain! the young woman remained firm, pleading the necessity of obeying God more than man, and the unspeakable importance of seeking the salvation of her soul; and concluded by urging upon her mother the awful danger to which she was exposed while she continued to resist the Gospel. Upon this her mother abruptly left her; and the young woman continuing to give satisfaction, was one of those baptized at Tsantsaban. The Disciples in danger. Let me give another instance of the opposition of the heathen. Two women, the wives of two determined heathen, being led to see their danger, became anxious inquirers after the way of salvation. Their husbands did all in their power to divert their minds from this subject; but failing in their endeavours, they at once resolved to leave the village, and take their wives to some place where they would have no opportunity of hearing the Gospel. Since that time we have not heard of these two women, but we trust that God will keep alive in their hearts those impressions produced, we trust, by His Spirit. You will perceive by the foregoing account that we have reason to rejoice in the success accompanying the preaching of the Gospel among the Batlaru; and you, we know, will join with us in ascribing praise and glory to God, who has thus been pleased to manifest the power of the Gospel in the conversion of many. The awakened coming to the Light. Another circumstance of a highly gratifying nature has lately occurred, which I now proceed to relate. Last Sabbath I observed a number of strangers present at the Griqua Service, and, from their complexion and cast of features, at once perceived that they were not Griquas. On concluding the service, I inquired of some of our people who these strangers were, and was told that they were a party of Amakosa Caffres, who had come to hear the Word of God. Next morning, some of the men called upon me, and I then had an opportunity of ascertaining who they were, and what had induced them to come to Griqua-Town for instruction. In reply to my inquiries, they stated they were a small portion of a party of Amakosa Caffres, who, many years ago, emigrated from their own country, and were located by Sir Andries Stockenstrom, near the Zak River, to form (I suppose) a barrier between the farmers and the Bushmen, who were at that time numerous and very troublesome in that quarter; and they had now come to see if Waterboer would allow them to locate themselves in his district. I inquired if the portion of country in which they were located was unfavourable for their cattle. They replied, that they had no complaints of the country, but they could not live there any longer, as they were quite destitute of instruction. They had applied for some means of instruction, but as yet had received no favourable reply; and therefore they had determined |