by preaching, and first to teach them mechanical arts and industrial habits, to better their temporal condition; and then afterwards to introduce Christianity among the people as a secondary thing: then, say these men of reason, the heathens will believe your preaching, because they will say, these men who have taught us to make our houses better, to cultivate our lands, and to better our temporal condition, must be true in what they tell us of their new religion. I have been positively told by one of these reasonable advisers, that unless I put aside teaching the natives the art of reading and writing, and teach them carpentry, coopery, cookery, &c., he would never subscribe a farthing towards my missionary work to convert the heathen.

South Africa.

RELIGIOUS AWAKENING IN NATAL.

THE Natal Mercury, published at Durban, South Africa, makes mention of a religious awakening in connection with the labours of Rev. W. Taylor, a minister of the California Wesleyan Conference; of whom it says: "His fame had come overland from Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth, where he worked with success among the white population, and it had also spread among the Kafirs, to whom he preached, through an interpreter, along his route, and among whom it is hoped there will be permanent results."

"During the past fortnight the town has been startled from its usual religious quiet. Groups of men in eager converse have been noticed, and soon you found out their talk was of some one man who by his preaching was creating no small stir. Some contended for his greatness, while others spoke depreciatingly, and wondered how such a stir should have come about. Every evening the unwonted sight of wagons and horsemen in abundance, has been seen coming in from the country districts, returning, in many cases, six or eight miles late on in the night. One of the largest places of worship in the town has been nightly crowded with earnest listeners. Prayermeetings, but little removed in their character from the ordinary, have had extraordinary numbers attending them, while, with comparatively little confusion, they have witnessed great stirrings of conscience, and, in not a few cases, public confession of sin and earnest resolve for the future. Employers in some instances speak of the change

which for the better has come over young men in their stores. Many who lacked decision on the most momentous matters have been brought to such decision on the right side. The bond of union between Christians of different denominations has been strengthened; a higher tone has been given to Christian life and morals amongst us, and there are signs, too, of great diligence on the part of many, in the doing of work which all along it has been felt ought to be done."

From Indaleni, Mr. Milward is much encouraged by evident tokens of spiritual progress. At Pietermaritzberg the gracious work continues. Mr. Mason makes an appeal in his letter to his Society :-" In your prayers, on your missionary platform, in your social gatherings, remember Natal; remember Pietermaritzberg, which is now the head-quarters of that ecclesiastical scepticism which, like a scathing stream of fire, has ravaged the fair fields of the Church of God. Every Sunday the cathedral pulpit of this city gives assuredly no uncertain sound: for it issues a fresh signal of attack on the essential doctrines of Christianity." From Verulam, Mr. Kirby writes :-" During the past two months upwards of two hundred and fifty have been either recoverted from backsliding, or newly converted, and the work yet goes on." . . "I thank God that He has remembered us in his mercy; and by his almighty breath has quickened with newness of life our churches, thus rebuking that scepticism and worldliness which were holding with the gripe of death many who are now living the life of faith." One pleasing sign of the great change brought about by this glorious spiritual visitation, is the deep interest which is being manifested by intelligent young Europeans in the religious welfare of the natives.

QUEEN'S TOWN DISTRICT WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

The following extract from the local journal (Queen's Town) describes a scene which the oldest Missionaries in South Africa scarcely dared to hope to live to witness :-"On a recent Sunday, one hundred and sixty natives were admitted into the Wesleyan Church at Kamastone, by the rite of baptism. This initiatory rite was performed by the Rev. William Shepstone, Superintendent of Kaffrarian Missions. It must have been exceedingly gratifying to the venerable gentleman, who has laboured for nearly half a century amongst the heathen in Africa, to see such abundant fruit of his labour in these his latter

days. Many of the candidates for baptism were grey-headed men and women, who for many years have sat under the sound of the gospel, but resisted its influences; but being aroused by the stirring appeals of the modern Apostle, William Taylor, have since come to the determination to lead a new life, and flee from the wrath to come. In one instance we saw an aged man and woman— man and wife-tottering on the verge of the grave, who both, a few months ago, were walking in the paths of sin, now clothed and in their right mind, kneeling side by side, with solemn reverence receiving the holy and sacred rite of baptism. Women who a short time ago were found at the dance besmeared with red clay, and enjoying all the licentiousness of those abominable scenes, now were clothed in decent European apparel, not only being baptized themselves, but bringing their infants forward that they also might participate in the privileges to be derived by an admission into the visible church of Christ on earth. The large church was crowded with attentive observers, and no one could view the scene unmoved, or without feelings of deep gratitude to the Great Head of the Church. He thus sends forth his Holy Spirit, to lead men to repentance. In several instances these converts have suffered considerable persecution from their heathen relatives; some have been driven from their homes; some have been severely beaten; others have been tied fast to the pole of the house and watched, that they might not go out and pray to the Great Spirit. Yet in almost every case persecution has only produced the same effects it did in the days of old; it has made the objects of it more determined than ever to serve God rather than man."

GRAHAM'S TOWN WESLEYAN MISSION.

The following is extracted, in the Wesleyan Notices, from a private letter:

:

We have prayer meetings on Sunday and Tuesday evenings, after service. About four hundred usually remain; and prayer meetings from eleven to twelve on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, in the vestry, at which about a hundred attend daily, and when the meeting is over seem loath to go. At all these meetings we are greatly blessed. has found peace; he attends most of our evening meetings, and is not ashamed of his Christianity. When he was at he stood up without hesitation in answer to an invitation from Mr. Taylor to

"tell what Jesus had done for him, and encourage the seekers," and, before a chapel full of people, bore testimony to what the Lord had done for him. "I have lived," said he, "forty years in sin; tried horse-racing, cards, billiards, and other worldly amusements, and never knew what happiness was, either at home or in the world, until the Lord pardoned my sins, and ever since then I have been happy."

Another is reported as having found peace after a severe struggle, and forthwith professing his sense of pardon, and calling on those around him to join in the praise of his Saviour. Referring to the same opportunity subsequently, he said, "Ah! I had no shame then; it was all gone, and I am not ashamed now; the only shame I feel is, that I have been forty years a sinner. I have told everybody I have met what a dear Saviour I have found. O, I am not ashamed of Christ! I could not have believed in such a change. I trust you will find me a different man now. I have ten children, and they have never till now heard their father pray."

During the last year one of the most notorious witch-doctors in this neighbourhood has been converted. He was a fearfully depraved man, and his village (he is a petty chief) was the scene of constant debauches. He came one Sabbath morning to the usual service. The text for the day was the parable of the Prodigal Son. While the minister was illustrating and applying the subject, the word came with power to his heart, and the old grey-headed sinner was seen to weep. In describing his feelings on this occasion he said, "I felt that the minister was describing my state and necessities, and I was forced to return to my Father." The change produced in him is remarkable. He has substituted European clothing for his former filthy "karosses," has given up the practice of his "black art," joined himself to the church, and has employed a mason to build him a cottage, with a view of leaving the conical hut for a more civilised and Christian habitation.

Mrs. Brown, the wife of our lately-arrived brother, is no more. She expired on the 10th inst., and her death has again cast a gloom over our circle. The season through which we have just passed was one of a peculiar nature, and for which we were not prepared. Mrs. B. was fondly hoping to give birth to one who was to add to the happiness of which, she more than once remarked, she had enjoyed so large a share since she came to the Kuruman. No one, I believe, entertained a different idea; but how different are God's purposes to our expectations!

Everything we could conceive of was done to soothe, in some measure, her prolonged sufferings; but it was impossible to hold out even the slightest hope of recovery. To this she was entirely resigned, and more than once said that she wished her friends to know that she never regretted having given herself up to the work, and frequently repeated to some one present, "I am going home, but the path is long." Although during the period of her sufferings she manifested none of those transports of joy some do feel in the prospect of being delivered from a body of racking pain to be introduced into the company of saints and angels in that land where there is fulness of joy, she was calm and resigned. During the time when the struggle was evidently drawing to a close, her mind wandered over past scenes and on what had been her hopes, all unconscious of the presence of those who were bending over her dying pillow and now her remains rest in the mission burying-ground, to await the sound of the trump of God.

us,

It was not until three days before her death that our hopes of her recovery were destroyed; but immediately she knew that she must die, her spirit seemed prepared for the change, and any one not knowing the facts might have supposed that death had been before her eyes for some time. The day after all hope ceased she said to one of "It is strange that I have not a definite thought about anything, not even about Jesus, though He died to save me; still I know all this is sealed and sure, and I need not trouble about it." All suggestions as to a possibility of recovery were replied to by a movement of the head and a peaceful smile, which showed that she knew she was going to that which is far better. Still, had it been the will of God, she would have gladly had her life on earth lengthened, that she might labour for Jesus, and spare the hearts of her beloved relatives the deep sorrow which her loss must cause. Again and again she expressed her

regret that it had not been her privilege to do something for Jesus among the people of this land; but she knew God would say it was well in that it was in her heart.

Madagascar.

THE Rev. G. Cousins states, "The total number of churches and church members is much Christians in England, who have freely given of larger than we had anticipated; and we know that their wealth, and who have never ceased from praying for this country, will rejoice together with us, who are labouring on the spot, in such tokens of the progress and power of Christianity amongst the Malagasy." The figures are as follows:

:

Under the care of Rev. R. Toy: churches, 18; 258; schools, 3; teachers, 7; scholars, boys, 100; pastors, 21; communicants, 1030; candidates, girls, 80.

Rev. R. G. Hartley: churches, 9; pastors, 13; communicants, 505; candidates, 82; schools, 1; teachers, 1; scholars, boys, 29; girls, 4.

Rev. W. E. Cousins: churches, 30; pastors, 34; communicants, 1041; candidates, 85 ; schools, 4; teachers, 5; scholars, boys, 84; girls, 89.

Rev. B. Briggs: churches, 4; pastors, 6; communicants, 471; candidates, 37; schools, 2; teachers, 3; scholars, boys, 69; girls, 63.

Rev. J. Pearse; churches, 8; pastors, 6; communicants, 582; candidates, 31; schools, 6; teachers, 8; scholars, boys, 162; girls, 88.

Rev. G. Cousins: churches, 10; pastors, 15; communicants, 745; candidates, 56; schools, 3; teachers, 4; scholars, boys, 72; girls, 6.

Antananarivo Central School: teachers, 1; scholars, boys, 37; girls, 6.

Total missionaries, 6; churches, 79; pastors, 95; communicants, 4379; candidates, 549; schools, 20; teachers, 29; scholars, boys, 550; girls, 386. The total Christian population of Madagascar is about 16,000 to 18,000.

United States.

A NOTE (says the Presbyterian) from the Rev. Mr. Glen, pastor of the Church in German Valley, New Jersey, gives the following good news:"The first Sabbath of the year 1867 was an interesting day to the Church of the German Valley, New Jersey. Thirty-six persons were added on profession of their faith, ten of whom received baptism before we sat down at the table of the Lord. Five others who had been hopefully

converted during our special services, which closed three weeks before communion, were either prevented by sickness from uniting with us, or united with neighbouring churches. We feel grateful to the Rev. Joseph S. Van Dyke, who assisted a great part of the time, and also to other brethren for occasional services. To God be all the glory." The Presbyterian Banner says :-" The Church of Island Creek, Presbytery of Steubenville, is enjoying a precious season of awakening. Professing Christians are quickened, and many have stopped to think on their way. Fifty-three profess a hope in Christ. Among these are men of age and little children. More than twenty persons have united with the Church of Newcastle, Presbytery of Beaver (the Rev. Dr. D. X. Junkin's,) as a part of the fruits of the late awakening in that Church. The Rev. W. Gaston, of Bell Air, Ohio, writes that the spiritual condition of his congregation is encouraging. Over forty have united within the last three months, and others are inquiring." The Rev. A. S. Billingsly describes a revival in Iberia, Ohio, as follows:-" Thirty-six have come out on the Lord's side, and still they come. Last night we had the largest congregation since we commenced. The young converts pray with much power. The old and the young have been gathered in. Our prayer still is, 'O Lord, revive Thy work!' The Spirit at times seemed to come like the rushing of a mighty wind. Forty persons have already made a profession of faith." On last Sabbath (continues the Presbyterian) “twentyfive persons were received into the communion in the Fortieth-street Presbyterian Church, New York city, twenty of them on profession of faith. Five persons were heads of families, and seven were baptized."

From various parts of the South we (Christian Intelligencer) receive the intelligence that the Spirit of God is poured out upon the churches, awakening religious inquiry and attention to the claims of the Gospel, and bringing many souls to Christ. The Central Presbyterian, of Richmond, says:"In some parts of Eastern Virginia the people are found gathered day after day, and week after week, in meeting-houses, without windows or doors, to keep out the cool October breezes. Here are witnessed scenes of revival which have diffused an influence over whole counties. In many places in the country very large meetings are gathered for worship at night, the people coming in horse carts, the only vehicle left them, and on foot, over many miles, and returning often as late as ten o'clock to their

homes." We have the same intelligence from different parts of North Carolina. The narrative of the Presbytery of South Carolina says:-"Our hearts were greatly cheered by the congregational reports. On many of them the Spirit of God has been poured out. More than four hundred were reported as having joined a few of our churches within the past few weeks. Our song was, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul!"" The religious and secular papers both speak of an extensive and almost unusual awakening over large portions of the State of Georgia. One town in that State is mentioned in which every man seems affected by the seriousness prevailing in all the churches, and the stores are closed every day during divine service. The Atlanta Index says:-"From all directions, and in all denominations, we have encouraging reports of the successful preaching of the word."

We rejoice in receiving and in communicating such intelligence as this, and we would earnestly hope and pray that the Spirit of God may so pervade all parts of the land that his people may be made one in heart and one in the service of their common Master.

The City Sunday School Society held its annual meeting on the evening of January 21st, in Washington-square church, New York. After the usual devotional exercises, and an anthem by the choir, reports were read by the two missionaries having supervision of the work, and also by the corresponding secretary, giving a brief statistical account of the rise and progress of the missions under the care of the Society. By this it was shown that during the past year there have been 15,728 families visited; about 4,000 conversations held with persons visited; 110 class meetings held; 332 sermons preached ; 22,390 pages of tracts distributed; 1,000 scholars gained; 82 officers and teachers gained; 5 additional societies formed with 190 members; 271 prayer meetings held; and 667 Sunday school sessions held.

The Missionary Herald for January contains the annual survey of the missions of the American Board, from which we make the following extract:

"The year has been one of sufficient prosperity in the missions to call for devout gratitude and stimulate to cheerful efforts in the future. More than eleven hundred persons have been added to the churches on profession of their faith in Christ; schools are doing a good work still; seminaries are bringing forward men fitted to be teachers, preachers, evangelists, and pastors of churches among their own countrymen; the number of such labourers and their efficiency is increasing in many