rejoice over the eleven persons baptized by from epidemics; but this, the most fearme on the 1st inst., I do feel great need of ful of all, has been permitted to reach humility. I had not forgotten to ask the grace of the Holy Spirit that God in Christ these shores. No wonder the people may be the sole object of my joy. I also do are terror struck! They have heard of remember that this is a subject concerning its fearful ravages from afar. which we are very liable to be mistaken and It has deceived. There is in our nature a great now visited themselves. Surely no propensity to think of ourselves more highly friend, who reads Mr. CAPERN's letter, than we ought to think; but, as I wish will forget him or the people in these solemnly to devote and give up myself to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, agreeably to the terms of the gospel covenant, and in humble expectation of the blessings it ascertains to sincere believers, I am persuaded that God will fulfil in me all the good pleasure of His will." It may be asked, do these native pastors or missionaries in receiving candidates for baptism exercise discrimination as they ought to do? In answer to such a question I would say, that European missionaries would baptize the very same persons if presented to them for the ordinance. We have never known much about those whom we have baptized on the islands. We have taken the reports of the leaders and acted upon them, and not upon personal knowledge of character. As a proof that our native pastors use some discrimination in receiving members, I may mention the fact that when I was at Rum Cay in June, seventeen inquirers were brought before me, but I baptized none of them leaving them for the native pastor to receive. Eleven of these seventeen were selected by Mr. Kerr, and baptized-a number no larger than I might have received; in all probability indeed, not so large. For, the missionary's visits being few and far between, there has generally been, during his visit, great eagerness evinced to be baptized then, and numbers have doubtless been very prematurely received. The measure of native pastorates, therefore, if we can obtain men after God's own heart, is one of great moral and religious moment in this colony at any rate. At the above date both Mr. and Mrs. CAPERN were suffering somewhat from debility. We commend them and the field of their labours to the affectionate prayers of the church. islands when they bow before the throne of grace. I had hoped to have been able to inform you by this mail, that I was under sailing orders for the out-islands, as the hurricane months are over, and the more certain breezes begin to blow. But with deep sorrow I have to tell you that for the present I must remain at home, in consequence of the descending of one of God's most fearful and terrible judgments upon this island; and which in all probability will overspread the colony. The We have always prided ourselves on the healthiness and salubriousness of these small islands. We have been informed of alarming epidemics prevailing in other places, but flattered ourselves that the peculiar nature of our soil would be a prophylactic to us. cholera had raged in America, in Cuba, in Jamaica, and in other places; but we had seen no cases of it here. And we thought we were safe. But, alas! we find that we were not. This place appears in the list the destroying angel has been charged by God, in his anger, to visit. On the 18th ult., this dreadful pestilence was found to be in the midst of us; and two persons on that day died of it. On the following several more died. And when it became generally reported that the cholera was amongst us, the whole town was panic struck. It fell first on some white families; afterwards on the black population; and almost entirely among them at present it continues. That it will return to the white, we have every reason to fear; and great, as you may naturally suppose, is the dismay which the probability occasions. Many of our members-sabbath school children, and many also of the congregation have been cut down. Exceedingly distressing are the scenes which I have been called on to witness; and if my own life be spared, more painful ones perhaps remain The intelligence from the Bahamas, which we have received since the foregoing went to press, is in some respects even more distressing than behind. that from Trinidad. Mr. CAPERN Our poor people are, many of them, in a state of great destitution, as they can writes in deep distress, Oct. 11, to an-not sell their provisions and fruits; nor do nounce the startling fact that cholera had made its appearance! Hitherto these islands were supposed to be exempt they, as they were wont, go forth to their work; fearing that either they will themselves be attacked or that their families will be cut down in their absence. The government, I rejoice to say, have done, and are still doing all they can to mitigate the calamity by distributing provisions, blankets, and flannel to the needy. What our poor out-islanders will do I know not, if the destroyer should reach them. They have no medical men among them, nor any means of obtaining medicine; nor, scattered as they are, could medical men be of much service to them. But they are in God's hands, and He will deal as wisely and mercifully with them as with us. came under British rule, was any day in its history more religiously and solemnly observed than this. The whole community appeared to feel that they were brought by the rod of God's anger, within sight of the eternal world. Never before were the places of worship so crowded; and we have now at all our services large congregations. But in pecuniary matters we shall suffer loss. And the people will become more and more straitened in their means. We shall have soon to minister relief The 7th inst. the ministers of all denomi- rather extensively. Could any thing be nations agreed to set apart as a day of humi- allowed us from your balance in hand obliation and prayer, that the pestilence might tained for Jamaica? Let assistance be renbe stayed. And never, since this colonydered us, if possible. HOME PROCEEDINGS. by the Rev. G. H. Davis; and the following resolution was moved by Rev. Thos. Winter, seconded by Rev. Evan Probert, and unanimously carried. "That this meeting has heard with great satisfaction that the missionary committee contemplates the consolidation and extension of our missions in India; and recommends to the pastors, deacons, collectors of each contake immediate steps to increase the number gregation connected with the auxiliary, to and amount of annual subscriptions, thus to enable our brethren to carry their proposal into effect." During the past month Mr. TRES TRAIL has attended meetings at Bedford and Ampthill, and at Biggleswade he joined Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. GAY has advocated the society's claims in Dublin, Whitchurch, Salop, and Waltham Abbey, at which latter place Mr. WHEELER was present, who has also preached and attended a meeting at Battle. Mr. TRAFFORD and Mr. T. GOULD were the deputation to Pembrokeshire, visiting Pembroke Dock and places adjacent, The request contained in the followHaverfordwest, and Narbeth. We have ing note has been cheerfully complied reason to believe that these meetings with, partly because the friends who are have all been largely attended, the endeavouring to assist Mr. PHILLIPPO congregations interested, and that the have no such convenient mode of acpecuniary proceeds are, in most in- knowledging what has been received stances, in advance of previous years. by them for this purpose, and partly We have great pleasure in giving a because the insertion of Mr GREEN'S place to the following communication communication will make the facts of from the Secretary of the Bristol the case more generally known. auxiliary; and we trust the example thus set in that city, will speedily be followed by the various auxiliaries, particularly in the larger towns. Stoke Newington, Nov. 17th, 1852. MY DEAR BROTHER,-I want a corner in your next Herald for a few words respecting Spanish Town chapel and our esteemed brother Phillippo. Readers of the Herald Two interesting meetings have been held in will remember that a legal decision of a long Bristol. On Lord's day the 29th October, pending suit has recently put Mr. Phillippo the children of the sabbath schools were and his friends in possession of the chapel gathered together in King Street, when they and premises of which they had been unwere addressed on Christian missions by the justly deprived. Against these premises Rev. H. P. Cassidy. On the following certain outrages have been committed since, Tuesday a meeting of the collectors, sub-involving injury and loss to the amount of scribers, and friends was held in Broadmead £516 3s. A large part of this amount Mr. chapel, J. Shoard Esq., in the chair, when a Phillippo and his friends might perhaps have detail of the proposed plan for the consolida- recovered from the parish by legal proceedtion and extension of our missions was given ings, but for reasons they deem sufficient, after protecting themselves against a repeti- notice of the meeting. Nevertheless tion of such violence, they have preferred to there was a good gathering of friends waive their claim on the parish and to rely CASSIDY gave a statement of his views and plan of missionary work in his selected field of labour; the Hon. and Revs. B. W. NOEL and C. STOVEL addressed him words of counsel and rather on the free-will offerings of friends on the occasion. The Rev. Mr. LARto repair the loss. Accordingly the congre- KINS, a friend of Mr. CASSIDY'S in India, gation and church have contributed £160 commended him to God in prayer, Mr. at the commencement of September. Other friends of Mr. Phillippo had expressed their respect to him by adding £30, and he hoped to raise the amount to full £300. For the remainder as you know, he appealed to the committee, asking it as a loan if it could not be given. At their last quarterly meeting, the mission committee very properly deemed that the funds entrusted to them could not encouragement, and Mr. TRESTRAIL be made available for such a loan, neither ought they from that source to give the amount. Some members of the committee met afterwards, with Dr. Acworth of Bradford in the chair, and after mature deliberation, they resolved, on the motion of brethren Birrell, Brock, and Underhill, to attempt to raise the amount by special contributions and to send it to Mr. Phillippo by the end of the year. A beginning has been made, as will be seen from the following list of contributions received. A few other sums are promised, and on behalf of the brethren for W. B. Gurney, Esq. W. H. Watson, Esq. J. H. Allen, Esq. E. B. Underhill, Esq. George Kitson, Esq. by S. G. A. E. by S. G.... Mrs. Sharp, Lisson Grove SAMUEL GREEN. By the Rev. W. Brock......................................... ...... By the Rev. C. J. Middleditch £10 0 0 5 0 0 0 2 2 0552211 21 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 850 gave out the hymns and closed the service in prayer. Mr. CASSIDY is now on his way, via the Cape, and stops at Point de Galle that he may have an opportunity of seeing our brethren and their work in Ceylon. He will journey up through the country to Bombay. May our Heavely Father direct his Way, and greatly prosper him! The Sub-Committee, appointed at the last quarterly meeting of the Committee, are giving prayerful and diligent attention to the plan for consolidating and extending the mission in India. They hope to be able very shortly to present their report to the Committee. When that has been duly considered, and the plan itself, and the means of carrying it out finally determined, the Committee O will at once lay it before the pastors, churches, and friends generally, with the view of securing their hearty cooperation and aid. In the meantime the prayers of all who desire to see the mission prosper are earnestly entreated, An interesting meeting was held at that a spirit of wisdom may be vouchJohn Street chapel on Friday, November safed, and that what is done may be 12th, in connection with Mr. CASSIDY'S done in faith and in a spirit of dependreturn to Bombay. As his departure ence on His wisdom and guidance has been unexpectedly hastened there whose glory in man's salvation is the was no time to give much previous great object sought. POSTSCRIPT. Since the painful intelligence from mission at Hayti. Mrs. W. H. WEBTrinidad and the Bahamas was sent to LEY's health has long been feeble. She press, we learn from Miss HARRIS that had scarcely recovered from domestic another severe stroke has fallen on the trouble, when her husband left for New fervent prayers offered, by all who read these lines, that God may, in His mercy, support our bereaved brother, comfort those friends who are now sorrowing, and sanctify these severe and repeated trials, to the mission band at Jacmel. Miss HARRIS did not intend to return until January, as she was anxious to do all in her power to carry out funds to defray the expenses of the new school house. These tidings have, however, altered her plans. With the self-denial and zeal for which she has always been York to get the frame of the house he was erecting. During his absence, Mr. D. WEBLEY fell ill, and was obliged, as our readers are aware, to return home. The anxiety, watching, and broken rest, consequent thereon, contributed still further to weaken an already debilitated frame. Great difficulty arose in procuring the sort of food necessary for an invalid. On the 29th of Oct., she was seized with a severe attack, and after a severe struggle, in twelve hours breathed her last. It was only by the kindness of the post-master, as the office was distinguished, she goes at once to the closed, that even this imperfect account could be sent. Mr. WEBLEY, at the time Miss Howard wrote, was more calm than could have been expected; but in a sad state of weakness and depression, and the motherless infant seriously ill. The deepest sympathy will be felt, and help of the sick and sorrowing, and wil leave by the packet which sails on the 2nd inst. This will be an explanation to her friends in the country who may be expecting a visit or communications from her, of the cause which prevents a fulfilment of these engagements. CONTRIBUTIONS, Received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, during the month Beddome, R. B., Esq.... 10 10 0 Bible Translation So ciety, for Translations 300 00 Boyce, Thomas, Esq., Trustees of the late... 80 0 0 Gurney, W. B., Esq., Legacy. 25 0 0 Camberwell, on account 30 0 0 8 13 4 Ceylon BEDFORDSHIRE. 200 Ampthill 10 O 0 500 ..200 0 0 Burdett, Mr. R., late of Goodman, Mrs. and BERKSHIRE. 600 5 0 0 Wallingford, on account, by Edwd. Wells, Esq. 2 6 5 Derby DERBYSHIRE. 530 16 0 0 026 180 Reed, T. S., Esq. |