SOUTH AFRICA. GRAHAM'S TOWN. In no part of the colony have the enemies of Missions been more persevering in their efforts to make the events of the war an occasion for heaping indiscriminate obloquy upon the coloured people and their friends and supporters than in Graham's Town. Of the injustice and cruelty of these attempts to confound the innocent with the guilty no stronger proof can be given than in the facts adduced by the Rev. N. H. Smidt, the Society's esteemed representative at that station, and considering the numerous provocations to which the people under Mr. Smidt's charge have been constantly exposed since the outbreak of the war, it is peculiarly gratifying to learn, not only that they have, with one solitary exception, remained faithful to the cause of social order, but that the labours of the Missionary on their behalf, though pursued under the most adverse circumstances, have been rewarded by some gracious tokens of the Divine approval. "My poor people here," writes Mr. Smidt, under date June 25th, "have suffered not a little in consequence of the rebellion of some of their countrymen in other parts of the colony. In fact, little difference is made here between the innocent and the guilty, the same feeling of hostility being evinced towards the loyal as the disloyal, whilst I also have had my share of insult as a Missionary. My house has been attacked twice at night, the windows being smashed, and the front door much injured, while personal insults have been offered me on more than one occasion. "I feel thankful, however, that while a merciful Saviour has not abandoned me in my trials, he has also enabled my people, with one exception only, to continue faithful up to the present moment. It is matter of no ordinary comfort to my mind to be able to bear testimony to the continued good conduct of so many who have suffered the greatest provocations. "The war has, however, done much mischief: while but few, if any, of the ungodly have been led to reflection by the many painful events which have transpired, others have, to all appearance, become more hardened, and not a few, especially among the soldiers of the Cape corps, have been carried away by the stream of intemperance; and it is very painful to reflect on the probability, that many who, being often reproved, are hardening their necks, may be 'suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy.' "Still, it will be seen that we have not altogether been left without the tokens of God's gracious presence and blessing. God's sanctuary here in connexion with the Society has not been abandoned. Its enlargement has been commenced-a large quantity of stone has been quarried, and we have about £50 in hand to proceed with the building as soon as convenient. The great body of the members have hitherto kept their garments clean, some have been added to the church, in spite of war and rebellious anarchy and confusion around, and others are 'inquiring the way to Sion, with their faces directed thitherward.' And while we know that we have the prayers of British Christians at home, may we not also expect some pecuniary assistance from them to enable us to complete the enlargement of our chapel ? Several of the members of the church have, during the past year, been removed by death. I must, however, at present confine my remarks to one of these only, a Christian of long standing, who had served the church as a deacon during a period of about twelve years. If a man's life may be regarded as a fair test of his state before God, then, had I even known nothing about his last hours, I should have entertained no doubt of his present state. He was a most exemplary Chris tian, ardently devoted to the cause of the Redeemer. Though in intellect above the generality of his countrymen, he was yet most humble and unassuming. In his judgment the church always manifested great confidence, and I had never reason to regret it, for the influence he possessed was always exerted for good. In him those in distress always found a friend ready to assist them from his scanty means, whilst he also contributed liberally to the funds of the Society. His Christian career he commenced like one in earnest, and he preserved his consistency to the end. His sufferings during his last illness were severe; but he bore them with fortitude, and died depending for salvation solely on the merits of a crucified Redeemer. He remarked to me once, about the commencement of his illness, that if it were the will of God he should like to live a little while longer, for the sake of his two poor children, who were then motherless, and for the sake of the church. He was, however, soon convinced by the rapid progress of his disease, that God had otherwise designed, and he became reconciled to his lot, while the most superficial observer might have perceived that he was gradually ripening for the kingdom of heaven. On one occasion he said to me, 'I cannot say that my mind is always altogether free from doubt, but still I feel I can say, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.' On another occasion I found him in great distress, weeping bitterly. On seeing me he said that, though the Lord had preserved him from open sin, yet that Satan had tried hard to make him believe that he had committed the unpardonable offence. I experienced, however, no difficulty in bringing his mind back to the Rock of Ages, and from his trust in that sure foundation I never afterwards found him for a moment to swerve. I once asked him whether he feared death? He answered, 'No, I know in whom I have believed, my Redeemer liveth.' On another occasion h said to me, 'It must be a most dangerous thing to put off repentance to a death-bed. I have often, when in great pain, found it most difficult to keep my thoughts collected and fixed on the Saviour.' On the day before his death I visited him twice, and found him very anxious to depart, and to be with Christ.' In the evening he appeared to be in great suffering, but very composed. He said that he felt his end was very near, and requested me not to leave his room. Shortly after he fell into a gentle slumber, but soon woke again, and said, as if somewhat disappointed. I thought I was going.' During my stay he was much engaged in prayer, and among other petitions, offered the following,-'Lord, delay not thy coming.' 'Lord Jesus, come quickly.' Early on the following morning he gently resigned his spirit into the hands of Jesus. On the Sabbath following I improved the circumstances of his death, for the benefit of survivors, by taking for my text those expressive words, 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' "Will not British Christians take encouragement from this instance of sterling piety in one of the sable children of Africa, to contribute more liberally to the cause of Missions? Let them rest assured that it is not the only one. No, there are many others. The cause of Missions has not proved 'a failure. There are many who both feel and evince the power of vital godliness, and we have sufficient proof of the fact, that even the despised nations of Africa are not beyond the limits of God's grace, that there is efficacy in the blood of Jesus to cleanse away even their sins, and to make them meet for the inhe ritance of the saints in light.' I dare not say that British Christians have not done much; but I may ask, nay, I would rather that they ask themselves, have they done enough? enough for such a cause? I feel persuaded that they will not suffer their minds to be prejudiced against the cause of Missions by the cry that has been raised against it, and that while others talk about exterminating the natives, they will continue to seek their salvation." DEATHS OF MISSIONARIES. 6 THAT venerable and devoted servant of Christ, the Rev. William Anderson, who, for upwards of half a century, had laboured in the cause of the Gospel in South Africa, departed to his rest in the latter end of September. But as no particulars have been received, we can only state that the event took place about the time above indicated, at Pacaltsdorp, with which Station Mr. Anderson had been honourably associated for a period of thirty years. It may be interesting to observe, that Mr. Anderson, and also Mr. Read, of the Kat River Settlement, whose decease was announced a few months since, left England in company for the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1800, and after the varied experiences of an unusually protracted Missionary career, they have both been called in the course of the present year to exchange the labours of earth for the fruition of the heavenly state. Ir is with deep concern he have to announce the removal by death of another of our devoted Missionary brethren, the Rev. F. W. Wheeler, of Kingston, Jamaica, by which event his sorrowing family, and the church and congregation over which he presided, have sustained an irreparable loss. From a communication, dated 11th October, addressed to us by the Rev. J. O. Beardslee, Principal of the Mico Institution, Kingston, and acting on behalf of the committee of the church suffering under this affecting bereavement, we give the following extract in reference to the last illness and death of our lamented brother: "A most afflictive dispensation, with which our heavenly Father has seen fit to visit us, calls for this communication. Our beloved pastor has finished his work, and gone to his reward. On Wednesday, the 29th September, Mr. Wheeler was attacked with fever, which, at the time, was not of a particularly alarming nature. The day following he went with his family to Shortwood (the scene of his former labours), but the fever continued to increase, and on Saturday a physician in the neighbourhood was called in. "Subsequently, as the disease assumed a more alarming aspect, another medical gentleman was called from Kingston to attend him. It proved to be the yellow fever. All was done that medical skill and the most careful nursing could do for his recovery, and for a few days the hope was indulged that these efforts were not in vain. He lingered much longer than is usual in such cases, and his strength held out to a remarkable degree. On Saturday, the 9th instant, there was a decided change for the worse, and about half-past nine o'clock of that evening he expired. We need hardly say that he died happy, and has left behind him, in the evidence of a holy and devoted life, the best assurance to survivors of his having entered upon the rest and blessedness resei ved for the people of God. "Yesterday, the Sabbath, his remains were brought from Shortwood to Kingston, and deposited in the chapel-yard. Ministers of all denominations attended, and took part in the funeral service, and weeping thousands showed their respect for him by gathering to witness the last sad rites of sepulture. "The Rev. Mr. Andrews, who has been with us in our affliction, assisted in conducting the funeral service, and supplied the pulpit for two services." 1 On the eve of going to press, we have received the affecting intelligence of the decease of another of our Missionary brethren, the Rev. J. A. Shurman, of Benares, East Indies. The following particulars are communicated by the Rev. William Buyers, under date Benares, 2nd October, ult. "From my letter of the 27th September, you will have been informed of the very precarious state of brother Shurman's health. It is now my painful duty to inform you, that it has pleased the Lord to remove him from this scene of labour and suffering, and to receive him, as we trust, into a state of eternal rest and enjoyment. He departed this life yesterday, at about a quarter past twelve, A. M., and,' last evening, his remains were deposited in the European Burying Ground, having been followed to the grave by many of the European residents of Benares, and a large concourse of natives, both Christian and heathen, to whom he was well known." The Rev. R. C. Mather, of Mirzapore, also, in a letter of the same date, thus refers to the solemn event: "This morning brought us the sad news of the decease of our brother Shurman. We had been expecting the event for some days. He had been breaking for upwards of a year, and he himself thought that this last formidable malady (acute dysentery) would cause his death. His last work was the composing four hymns, in Hindustani, for our native paper, the Khair Khwahi Hind.' They were translations of four favourite German hymns. They are all hymns of praise; the first, an expansion of Glory to God in the highest,' &c. The second, the 'Song of the Church in the Revelations, on occasion of the Marriage of the Lamb.' The third, The Glories of Him who is the Root and Offspring of David.' The fourth, A Hymn to the Morning of the Day of the Sun of Righteousness.' I informed you, some time ago, that we had commenced a new edition of the Hindustani Scriptures. Mr. Shurman was the editor, and, in connexion with this undertaking, his death is a great loss. I feel it much, as he and I came out to India in the same ship, eighteen years ago." To the foregoing notices, we may add, that our lamented brother, Mr. Shurman, had, for a number of years, rendered highly valuable service in the educational department of the Mission, and, more espeThe able version of the cially, in the work of Scripture translation. Urdu Old Testament, now extensively used in the Missions of Northern India, is the product of his editorial labours. NEW YEAR'S SACRAMENTAL OFFERING TO THE NECESSITOUS WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF DECEASED MISSIONARIES, AND ALSO TO AGED AND INFIRM MISSIONARIES. THE time having arrived for presenting their annual appeal on behalf of the Widows and Children of their deceased Missionaries, the Directors desire to preface the appeal by making their grateful acknowledgments to those churches which have, in former years, so liberally contributed to the relief of these interesting claimaints upon Christian sympathy. Encouraged by the cordial and effective co-operation with which their efforts to serve the cause of the Widow and the Orphan have been formerly met, the Directors have been led to consider that there is another class of claimants who have at least an equal title to share in the sympathies and benefactions of the churches, and with that view they recently adopted the following Resolution, viz. : That the case of superannuated and disabled Missionaries be united with that of the Widows and Orphans in the appeal for Sacramental Offerings in January next. The Directors have every reason to believe that this extension of the objects of the fund will prove generally acceptable to the contributors, and, in renewing their annual appeal, the Directors take the opportunity to state that the present number of Widows wholly, or in part, dependent on the Society for support is twenty-one; of fatherless Children, seventy-seven; and of aged and infirm Missionaries, eight. To prevent any possible misconception as to the object of the present appeal, the Directors desire to repeat the statement made on a former occasion, that they would not in any instance press their application to the injury of the poor members of churches, who have the first claim on the sympathy of their brethren; in such cases they simply ask that those Christian communicants who are willing, may have the opportunity of making some addition to their usual contributions at the Lord's table, and that the amount thus given over and above the ordinary sacramental collection, on the first Sabbath in January next, may be appropriated to this special object. Signed, on behalf of the Directors, ARTHUR TIDMAN, Secretaries. taries. P.S. It is respectfully requested that the amount specially contributed on the occasion, in reply to this appeal, be transmitted forthwith to the Rev. Ebenezer Prout. ། * |