WEST INDIES. BERBICE. THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE. THE triumphs of the Gospel have been strikingly exemplified in the simple piety, the holy and consistent lives, and the unwearied labours of some of our sable brethren-the members and office-bearers of the Mission churches in the West Indies. The subjoined memoir has reference to an individual of this class, who, under the strong impulses of a heart imbued with the love of Christ, found his chief and only delight in the service of his Divine Master, and in spreading abroad the savour of His name and doctrine. Under date Lonsdale, Berbice, 24th February, ult., the Rev. J. Foreman writes: "We have during the year suffered a severe loss by the death of Mr. James France, who for about ten years was a zealous and efficient deacon of this church. "He was naturally of a thoughtful disposition, and possessed good natural abilities. Had he been born under any other system than that of slavery, and those talents cultivated and sanctified by Divine Grace, he might have risen to a position of great usefulness in connexion with the church of God. He appears to have lived a careless life till 1841, when February Arrindell, the then headman on Lonsdale estate, and a deacon of the church, appears to have exerted himself to lead him to serious thought, and this, together with his consistent conduct, had a good influence on James France. HIS ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH. "Mr. Dalgliesh (now of New Amsterdam) arrived at Lonsdale in April, 1842, and shortly afterwards the subject of this notice became a candidate for church membership. The work of grace in his heart seems to have been a gradual one, as he does not appear ever to have spoken of having received religious impressions from any particular sermon or circumstance. Whilst attending the candidates' class he was regular and very diligent, and often referred to the new views of religious truth he was obtaining from the instructions there given. Unlike the majority of those who enter this class, he continued regularly to attend it for a long while after his admission to the fellowship of the church. For about two years he might be seen regularly every Monday afternoon, coming with his Bible under his arm, to get more instruction concerning the Book of God. HIS LABOURS IN THE GOSPEL. "During this period he was very useful to his pastor. There were a good many old people in the class of candidates at that period, who knew but little English; to them he explained what was said, in Creole, and also questioned them as to what they understood. His own views of truth were clear and simple, and he was able to make them intelligible to others also. The assistance he thus rendered was the means of preparing many for the discharge of their duties as members of the church, and also of keeping back others who were deficient. "The fact that a large number of persons attending the chapel were ignorant of the English language, and consequently knew very little of what was said, was to Mr. Dalgliesh a matter of great grief. He therefore resolved to have a sermon in Creole, or rather to have the sermon he had preached in English, repeated in a language that these old people could understand. James France seemed raised up and brought into the church to do this work. He had a remarkably good memory, and seemed to have both the power and the inclination, especially when listening to divine truth, to fix his attention. The amount of good done in this way by his instrumentality will only be known when all things are made manifest.' "This service was given up when the congregation was formed into classes, but James France still continued to teach a large class of old people in Creole. "Besides these different ways of being useful, he (with the assistance of another deacon) used often to conduct the service when the minister was absent supplying another station. Upon the last occasion that he thus filled the pulpit, he delivered a very solemn and searching address to the young people at the close of his sermon. His text was Amos viii. 11: I will send a famine, not of bread,' &c. AS A DEACON, "James France was most exemplary and diligent, and took a deep interest in all the affairs of the church, contributed liberally to the support of the cause of God, and was very anxious for the comfort and happiness of the minister, and did all he could to promote them. "The meetings conducted, by him on Lonsdale estate were, by his diligence and care in preparing for them, rendered valuable to not a few. He was attentive to visiting the sick in his district, and ever ready to visit those in other districts also. It was no small matter that kept him from the house of God, and if obliged to be at home on the Sabbath, longed for some of his brethren to come and tell him what they had heard. AS A CHRISTIAN, "He was sincere and devout, and carried his Christianity into every-day life. His great desire appeared to be, in all circumstances, to do what was right. He was consistent to a degree rarely met with in this country. Against his Christian character not a whisper was ever heard. When he went from home he always took an opportunity of doing good to those with whom he might be brought into contact. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the young, was very anxious to see them improve, made a point of frequently meeting with the young men who appeared well disposed, and did all in his power to encourage and confirm them. AS A MEMBER OF SOCIETY, "He was very industrious, very diligent. Having charge of Lonsdale estate, he occupied a difficult position, standing between the employer and the employed, but with regard to both he was conscientiously just. Only one complaint was ever made against him in that capacity, and in that case he was quite right. Frequently, after having charge of the estate, he used to visit Mr. Dalgliesh for advice, and this he did on many occasions when few would have thought of asking it; but this was one thing that manifested his anxiety to do that which was right. On these occasions he had mostly something to ask about the Scriptures, anxious to get the meaning of some passage, and would go away greatly delighted that he had got something that would be useful for eternity as well as for time. HIS DEATH. "He was never of late years a strong man. For several months before his death he was ailing, and frequently confined to the house for several days in succession. During this time he was calm, resigned, and found abundant comfort in reading the word of God. When he lost his sight, as the disease advanced, he liked then to hear it read to him, and to talk about it so far as he was able. He had no fear of death; he looked forward to it with the feeling that he was safe through the atonement of Jesus Christ. His great anxiety appeared to be the prosperity of the cause of God. On the last Sabbath of his life, a large number of the members and young people belonging to this place walked to town in the afternoon to see him. He had them admitted a few at a time, and spoke to them, while to many of the young men he spoke in language of the most earnest entreaty to decide at once for Christ. [See Engraving.] He thus died as he had lived during the last twelve years of his life, a consistent, zealous Christian. HIS FUNERAL was attended by people from far and near, all anxious thus to bear testimony of their esteem to him who was gone. Among these were his employers, and the manager of a neighbouring estate. He has entered into his rest, but his works do follow him.' "For a large part of the above sketch I am indebted to Mr. Dalgliesh. James France's consistent, useful life, and happy death, has cheered us all here, and I believe will gladden the hearts of many Christians in England." DEMERARA. "Despise not one of these little ones." AMONG the adverse influences which concur to render the Bible a sealed book to many to whom its divine truths are addressed, there is one of a peculiarly local character, to which a Missionary brother, labouring in British Guiana, has directed attention, and which would scarcely have suggested itself to the English reader. By thousands born and nurtured in that colony, presenting, far and wide, one unvarying marshy level, though exuberant in vegetation, the diversified forms of hill and valley are unknown, and even a common pebble is viewed as a phenomenon! Hence it becomes the task of the Missionary to interpret to these people the striking allusions, in Scripture and sacred poetry, to natural objects, with which readers in other lands have been familiar from childhood. Under date Demerara, 22nd February ult, the Rev. Charles Rattray writes: : "For several years I have had a class of young people every Tuesday evening, which, during the last two years, has generally been well attended. We begin by reading a hymu, on which they are questioned as to the meaning of words, the import of figurative allusions, and the sentiments expressed. For the people in this mud-flat country know nothing of hills, and rocks, and running streams, of plains and valleys, flocks and herds, &c. &c:-they never saw a stone, except perhaps in George Town, to which some have been brought from afar to macadamize the streets. The seasons of the year, except wet and dry, are entirely unknown to them. Hence I do not believe that one sixth part of any of our native congregations can at all understand many of our most beautiful hymns; and, as may be supposed, very many figurative portions of the Holy Scriptures, which gladden and edify the souls of the common people in Great Britain, are entirely above the comprehension of the generality of our hearers. Well, the hymn thus analysed and explained is then sung; a chapter from the New Testament is read; prayer is offered, sometimes by one of the youths as well as by myself. For the last twelve months, the "Juvenile Missionary Magazine" has been our class book; and, on a large map of the world, we follow the Missionary ship among the South Sea Islands, or trace our course, from Demerara to that part of the world to which the letter, or other intelligence, in the Magazine, refers. Other parts of the world are also pointed out, and some information communicated about the climate and the inhabitants, &c. of the places referred to. In this way two hours are generally occupied, and I hope not without some advantage to those who regularly attend, though, as might be expected, the same places have to be pointed out and named many times over before they are remembered. The attendance and the attention have latterly been so encouraging that I have been reflecting whether I should not give up some other evening engagement, and devote two evenings of the week, instead of one, as heretofore, to this interesting class." CHINA. ENLARGEMENT OF THE NATIVE CHURCHES. WHILE watching, with the deepest interest, the progress of that great revolutionary movement which it is anticipated may lead to wider openings for the spread of the Gospel in China, our Missionaries have from time to time had their faith strengthened and their spirits refreshed by manifest proofs that their past labours have not been in vain in the Lord. We are now privileged to announce the cheering fact, that not fewer than twenty-two new members have been introduced, through the rite of baptism, to the native churches, namely, seventeen at Amoy, and five at Hong Kong. It is, moreover, a circumstance quite unique and peculiarly interesting, that, of the new converts at Amoy, nine are females. In connexion with the notice of these events in the subjoined correspondence, we have also the pleasure to lay before our readers a gratifying report of the formation, on the continent of America, of a native Chinese church, sustaining a filial relation with that under the charge of our Missionary brethren at Hong Kong. Extract of letter from the Rev. John Stronach, dated Amoy, February 28th, 1854. "The examination of the applicants for baptism took place to-day before my brother, self, and Dr. Hirschberg; some of the native church members were also present. There were ten male applicants, eight of whom we thought admissible, among whom was Ma Lek. Dr. Hirschberg was highly satisfied with the knowledge and feeling of the men, and so were we all. There are eight females whom we hope to examine on Thursday. Oral instruction has been the heavenblessed means of introducing this knowledge into their minds, for only one of them can read, and he not much. So it is evident we are not labouring in vain, while 'preaching,' as our Lord did, the Gospel to the poor.' They all have means of livelihood; nor can we find out any inferior motive leading them to so generally unpopular and unattractive a course as a profession of Christianity. May the Saviour they seek to honour, keep them steadfast. ing, on account of the examination we have been holding of the nine Chinese women who have applied for baptism-the mother of two of our members (one deceased), and who is also the widow of the first member admitted to our church here; the wives of three of the members, and the aunt of two, along with four female servants, one the mother of one of the male applicants. Such is the status of these nine women; and I was more pleased than I had expected to find ground for being, with their knowledge of Christianity and the interest they showed in its truths. So they will all be baptized on the 5th instant by my brother, before the men whom I am to baptize. You will be glad to hear of women being admittedthey give Christianity a home in the land, and their influence cannot be inconsiderable. The public profession of an unpopular and novel religion by Chinese females is a trial of courage, but they are all glad to come forward, and ready to face the world." "March 2nd.-This day has been interestIn a subsequent letter Mr. Stronach mentions the fact of the seventeen interesting Chinese converts, viz., eight males and nine females, referred to in the preceding letter, having been publicly received into the Christian church, through the rite of baptism. Extract of letter from the Revs. Dr. Legge and J. Chalmers, dated Hong Kong, 24th March, 1854. "We are happy to inform you by this opportunity, of some addition to the members of our Christian church. On the evening of the second Sabbath in this month, the ordinance of baptism was administered in the Bazar Chapel to five young men; four of them lads in the school, and the other a brother of one of them, and the son of an individual who was received into the church about three years ago. Of the four scholars who have made this public profession of Christianity, two signified their wish to be baptized more than twelve months ago; and their general behaviour and growth in Christian knowledge have been such as to afford much satisfaction to our minds. The two others had also revolved the subject of their duty to declare themselves on the side of the only living and true God for several months. Some sermons preached by our brother Tsun-sheen, about the close of the last year, stirred up their minds to much thoughtful ness. The four took counsel together, spoke with some of the older members of the church, and unitedly made their application to be received into our Christian fellowship. We received them gladly, and, with affection and hope, commend them to Him who is able to keep them from falling. "Two infants, the children of two of our oldest members, were baptized at the same time, making, in all, the greatest number to whom the ordinance has as yet been administered at one time at this station. There was something interesting in the young, grown up to maturity, declaring their purpose, whatever others might do, to serve the Lord, and in the parents bringing their infants to dedicate them to the Saviour. We could not but he encouraged by the service. It seemed to declare that Christianity has taken root among the Chinese, and to assure us that we shall ere long see greater things." Extract of another letter from the Missionaries at Hong Kong, of somewhat earlier date than the preceding. "Small as our church is, it sustains already the position of a mother church. You will be interested to hear that the only society of Chinese Christians in America is composed of individuals who originally belonged to it. You have heard at different times of lads from the school and members of the church going to California. There are now five in that region who were baptized here, and Soo-long, the young man who was educated at Mr. Henderson's expense in Scotland. In a letter to Dr. Legge, dated 13th November, 1853, one of them, Ho Ch'eong-K'ow says:-'I am happy to say that we have formed a Chinese church here, though the members are yet very few. We are only four-A-sam, A-ts'un, A-ts'ën, and myself. I hope our Heavenly Father will increase our number. A-sam received the office of elder, and A-ts'un is to teach Chinese to the Missionary, Mr. Speer. For the few weeks past, Mr. Speer has held the meeting in my room, but a large chapel will soon be raised for the Chinese. Oh! dear sir, it is very hard to make a man stand in the truth. If God had not helped me, I should have fallen into the hand of Satan; but our Crea tor is able to keep His people from all the temptations of their enemies. The American ladies and brethren are very kind to me. I often think of my beloved teacher in China with great pleasure. Please accept my warm love. When far from the friends we hold dearest we part, What fond recollections still cling to the heart! Past converse, past scenes, past enjoyments are there Oh, how hurtfully pleasing, till hallowed by prayer! "I shall be very glad to hear from you as soon as you can favour me with a letter. My trust is still in God, and I want to live in such a manner that wherever I go I may leave a savour of piety.' "The evidence which the above extracts supply of the piety and Christian steadfastness of the writer is very pleasing, and you will join with us in repeating his prayer that God will be pleased to watch over their infant church. It is something for the London Missionary Society, in addition to all the other things which it can refer to as done by it for China, to be able to say this also, that it has given the first Chinese church to the continent of America." |
