rather to leave that part of the country, and come where the Word of God was taught. God blessing the weak things. I then inquired what had induced them to become so solicitous for instruction? They replied, that some years ago, a party of their friends from their own country had visited them, and told them that they were receiving instruction about God from Missionaries. This, however, had not much influence upon them. But some time ago, said they, this man (pointing to a very insignificant looking little old man) came among us, and since then we have been desirous of instruction. On looking at the individual pointed to, and making some inquiries, I ascertained that he was an old Griqua, who had left GriquaTown some years ago on a visit to his wife's friends, who were living in the Colony. I then asked him, "Are you the teacher of these people?" "No, sir," he replied, "I know nothing, and how can I teach ?" But they say that they heard something of the Word of God from you." "Yes, sir, I will tell you how that was. While wandering about in the Colony, I came to where these people were living; and, as usual, in the evening, before going to sleep, I and my family sang a hymn. The Caffres came round us to see and hear what we were doing. They then asked me some questions about what we had been singing; and I tried to answer them as well as I could, by telling them some few things I remembered having heard at GriquaTown. Since that time, they have wished me to remain with them till they could get a teacher. We now meet and sing a hymn. I try to say something to explain it, and then we try to pray to God; but," he added, with great simplicity, "oh! sir, it is poor and hard work to teach, when you know nothing yourself. And so we agreed to come here together to see if we cannot get some one to teach us." This man, I should remark, was not a member of our church when he left Griquatown. I asked him if he could read: his answer was, "No. "Do you remember any portion of Scripture?" He had some general knowledge of Scripture truth, but could remember very little of the language of Scripture. "What then do you know?" I asked. "I know two Dutch hymns," he replied, repeating the 42nd and 45th of our Selection, (hymns full of evangelical truth), "and these I have taught the people; and that is all I know." I make no comments upon the preceding narrative. I thought it sufficiently interesting to justify me in communicating it. These individuals had come 250 miles to seek religious instruction, being induced to do so by the feeble efforts of a poor ignorant man. I am daily becoming more and more convinced of that humiliating truth, "So then, neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." KURUMAN.-EXTENSION OF THE MISSION. In the Bechuana Country, the value and importance of Native Agency is becoming increasingly apparent; and, through measures now in progress, we have reason to hope that a numerous body of well-qualified Evangelists will ere long be raised up for the service and extension of that Mission. Some months ago, our brother, the Rev. W. Ashton, of Kuruman, opened, in a locality called LISEPENG, a very promising out-station, through the instrumentality of the Native Teacher who, for several years, has been supported by a valued friend at Birmingham, under the name of JAMES HILL. The circumstance is stated in the appended communication from Mr. Ashton, dated August 2nd, which also contains other interesting details of Missionary labours and success:— We went together to Lisepeng to see the Chief and some of the principal people. I asked them if they would like Obonyeng (James Hill) to come to teach them, and to live among them. They all replied in the affirmative. On the Sabbath morning, before the sun was visible, I heard Obonyeng calling out for the prayer-meeting. Of course I went, and was glad to see about fifty persons assembled together. Some of these had come from a village about four miles distant. I had passed through that village on the Saturday and preached to them, and informed them where I should be on the Sabbath; but I did not expect to see so many heathen as well as believers, so early in the morning. My surprise was still greater when I saw people there from a Batlaro village, ten or twelve miles distant. I had sent word to them on the Saturday-the messenger arrived in the evening: these men (some of them old men) immediately packed up their books and Sunday clothes (these they put on after the morning prayer meeting) and came off; where they slept I know not, but there they were at daybreak. These people, and all the rest in their village, are Batlaros from the town near to us, which we visit every alternate Sabbath. After breakfast we had school out of doors, there being no chapel; and then followed the preaching. There were about two hundred present, most of them women: they listened with great attention, and this confirmed Obonyeng in his resolution to live among them. In the afternoon we held school again, then service, and afterwards the members from three villages met in a small house, and I administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to them. The Batlaros, before they returned, came to request me, in the name of their wives, who could not come so far in the winter, to visit them before I returned. I asked Obonyeng to accompany me; and, on the Monday morning, we set off together before the wagon-he on his ox and I on my horse. When we arrived I found these women finishing a small school-house the men had built. They left their work, and we had service. The wagon having come whilst I was preaching, stood at a little distance till the service was over; after which we put into it the corn which the people gave as their subscriptions to the Society, and then I sent it forward, as I had to remain behind to see who were "inquiring." I met with five persons-fruits of our labours among the Batlaros. They could all read except one, and they were all young people who had been in our school. Four of them were baptized yesterday, and admitted to the Lord's table. One of these is an intelligent young man. I told him he should come to Kuruman to learn to write, and also one of the church-members who teaches school there. They said they would be glad to come, and the week after they arrived. Since they came they have attended the school regularly, and taken lessons in writing three times a day, so that now they both write pretty well. They intend to leave to-morrow. I shall give them each a copy-book, with pens and ink; and, when they have finished these, they will come again to remain another week in the school. DEATH OF THE REV. W. LOWRIE. Ir is with unfeigned regret we announce the melancholy death of the Rev. William Lowrie, of the American Presbyterian Board, in the month of September last. He was proceeding by sea from Shanghae to Ningpo, after attending a meeting of the Committee appointed for the revision of the Scriptures, when the boat was attacked by pirates, who threw him overboard. From his eminent missionary qualifications, his loss will be severely felt in the American Mission at Ningpo, with which he was connected; and, with his brethren in China, and the members of the Society who sent him on his errand of mercy to that vast empire, we deeply sympathize under this most painful and aggravated trial. ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES FOR CHINA. ON Wednesday, December 8th, Mr. JOSEPH EDKINS, late of Coward College, was ordained at Stepney Meeting as a Missionary to Shanghae. The Introductory Prayer was presented by Rev. James Kennedy, Minister of the Chapel; the field of labour was described by Rev. Dr. Legge, Missionary from Hong-Kong; the Rev. J. J. Freeman, Home Secretary, proposed the questions; Rev. George Smith, of Poplar, offered the Ordination Prayer; and the Charge was given by Rev. Dr. Jenkyn, Resident Tutor of Coward College. ON Tuesday, December 14th, Mr. THOMAS GILFILLAN, late of Cheshunt College, appointed to Hong-Kong, was ordained at Surrey Chapel. The Introductory Prayer was presented by the Rev. Dr. Alliott; the Rev. Dr. Morison gave the Introductory Address; Rev. Arthur Tidman, Foreign Secretary, presented the usual questions; Rev. James Sherman offered the Ordination Prayer; and the Charge to the Missionary was given by the Rev. Dr. Harris, President of Cheshunt College. ORDINATION OF MR. ANDREWS FOR JAMAICA. ON Friday, Oct. 9, Mr. JOSIAH ANDREWS, formerly of Demerara, latterly of Long Strat ton, was ordained at Holywell Mount Chapel as Missionary to Jamaica. Rev. W. Lucy read the Scriptures and prayed; Rev. John Vine gave the Introductory Address; and the questions were proposed by the Home Secretary, Rev. J. J. Freeman. The Ordination Prayer was offered by the Rev. C. Gilbert; Rev. Dr. Morrison gave the Charge, and Rev. E. Mannering concluded with prayer. The Rev. Dr. Ferguson, T. Eastman, and R. Simpson assisted in the service. PROPOSED FORMATION OF A YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. It will be in the remembrance of many of our young friends that, at the close of the Juvenile Missionary Sermon at the Poultry Chapel in May last, the Rev. Samuel Martin, of Westminster, who preached on that occasion, intimated his intention of attempting the formation of a YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. The Directors, highly approving of the design, and with an earnest desire to aid in its fulfilment, feel great pleasure in inviting the attendance of Christian Young Men in the Board Room of the Mission House, Blomfield Street, Finsbury, on Friday evening, January 7th, at half past 7 o'clock; when Mr. Martin will explain and recommend the object. ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES IN CHINA. IN November we had the pleasure to announce the safe arrival of our friends, Dr. and Mrs. HOBSON and Mr. HIRSCHBERG, at Java, per HUGH WALKER, Captain CAMERON, on their passage to Hong-Kong; and we are now thankful in being able to state, that they reached the latter place, in health and safety, on the 29th of July. We are also happy to announce the safe arrival of Rev. BENJAMIN SOUTHWELL and Mrs. SOUTHWELL, the Rev. WILLIAM MUIRHEAD, and Mr. WYLIE, at Shanghae, per MONARCH, August 26th. EMBARKATION OF MR. ANDREWS FOR JAMAICA. ON Tuesday, December 7th, the Rev. JOSIAH ANDREWS and Mrs. ANDREWS, embarke for Kingston, Jamaica, in the ship LONDON, Captain FREEMAN. ARRIVAL OF MR. LEITCH FROM INDIA. ON Tuesday, December 7th, the Rev. ALEXANDER LEITCH and Mrs. LEITCH arrived safely in London, from Madras, by the ship WORCESTER. MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS. From the 19th November to the 15th December, 1847, inclusive. Contributions in aid of the Society will be thankfully received by Sir Culling Eardley Eardley, Bart., Treasurer, and Rev. Joseph John Freeman, Home Secretary, at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, London; by G. Yule, Esq., Broughton Hall, Edinburgh; J. Risk, Esq., Cochran-street, Glasgow; and by Rev. John Hands, Society House, 32, Lower Abbey-street, Dublin. LONDON: LUKE JAMES HANSARD, PRINTER, NEAR LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. |