Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle

cases of two individuals who had recently departed in the faith-the one an aged and established Christian, and the other a young disciple lately brought to the knowledge of the truth:

DEATH OF AN AGED MEMBER AND DEACON

OF THE CHUrch.

"Amongst the number who recently departed in the faith was our respected brother Kaisara, one of the two deacons chosen at the formation of a Christian church in this place, May, 1833-a man esteemed and loved by us all. A few extracts from my journal will show you the state of his mind when summoned by his Master.

"All the afternoon till dark with the sick. Spent an hour with our aged brother, deacon Kaisara, who has been some months confined to his house. Like my other visits this has been truly refreshing. In reference to the future there is no hesitation. His eye and heart are fixed upon the true and firm foundation, Christ Jesus. He is in the attitude of expectation, waiting the coming of his Lord. We talked together of days past-of brethren who had preceded us, and the prospects before us. Whilst talking on the joys of paradise he seemed to renew his strength, and longed for the time when he should "mount up as with the wings of eagles." Whilst thus leading this venerable saint "through the valley," he pulled from under his pillow an axe without a handle, and said, "Teacher, when you first came to this island, you gave me that axe; with it I hewed down trees for the first house of God erected in this place, for school-houses, and for your dwelling-house. built our new stone school-house, it was employed in that work; so also in the building of the stone chapel at Titikaveka; then laid aside. When we built our stone chapel here, after the hurricane, and subsequently the new school-house at Matavera, I drew it out of concealment to be employed in the work of God. There it is; look at it." I did so, and should not have thought from its appearance that it had been used for so much work. I expressed my surprise at the great care he had taken of such an article, and returned it, saying, "One work, perhaps, remains to be accomplished by it-to cut down wood for a coffin." "Yes," said he, with much cheerfulness," and what then

When we

"A messenger to say that Kaisara was apparently drawing near to his end. Went directly to see him, and found him exceedingly weak, scarcely able to speak. Well, brother," I said, "how is it now on the borders of Jordan?" "My ship," he replied, "is moored; the anchor is within the vail; all is well, there will be no shipwreck; all is calm." Calm indeed it was. Not a ruffle appeared on the surface of his soul; not a doubt of safety expressed. Christ's promises his support, and waiting to enter the haven of rest. We recounted together the labours of past years, and talked of the amazing love of God to the sons of Rarotonga. It was a soul-cheering visit to one just entering the invisible state. "What shall I say to the church after your dismissal?" "Tell them," he replied, "to hold fast their confidence to the end-that faith in Christ is absolutely necessary to salvation," and quoted, as strength would allow and his quivering lips repeat, John iii. 36. "This may, perhaps, be our last meeting below." "Well," said he, "ere long we shall meet again in the far brighter world above, to dwell for ever with the Lord, there to see the King in his beauty,' and that land (pointing to the heavens) which is afar off." Prayed with him, and left his humble cottage.

"Just as I was going to the out-station, was sent for to see our dying friend. Quite sensible, but hardly able to speak. Replies to questions truly satisfactory. His meditations wholly on Christ; there his affections centre. ****"You will soon leave us?" "Yes, the chariot is at the door; the body is the clog which keeps back my spirit, but soon the thread will be cut, then shall I "Have you fly away beyond restraints."

any fear in the prospect of separation?" "None at all." "What is the reason of this tranquillity of mind as death approaches?" "Christ is mine. To him I have committed my soul; why should I fear?" "Is your trust entirely on Christ ?" "On Christ alone I trust for salvation; he is the true foundation-the way-the door." As I prayed with him and supplicated the Divine presence with his soul through the valley, he responded to it with much emotion. I then took my leave. Next day his son came to say that he was near death. I went. Pulse scarcely perceptible; breathing short. "How is it with you?" I asked. He replied, "With Christ is my soul." Entirely?" "Yes, entirely." "No fear?" "None at all." "This is the hour of our separation." Unable to speak, but a significant squeeze of the hand. After awhile he came to and opened his eyes. I said, "You will, I trust, soon be with Christ." "Yes, I shall.” "To-morrow," I said, "is the Sabbath." He replied, "I shall be in heaven." "How great the love of God in not leaving you in the ignorance of heathenism!" Raising his eyes upwards, he said, "Great! great!" With his son-in-law and daughter I then conversed on the difference between the death of a saint and sinner, all of which he heard and understood, as a reply he made fully evinced. I left him to go to dinner, but ere I could return his spirit had fled, to be with Him who had redeemed him with his precious blood.

"Thus died Kaisara, one of the first members of the church in Ngatangaia, and one of the first deacons. A good man; a consistent follower of Christ; born heathen, died a Christian.

"At our next church prayer-meeting one of the members, alluding to his death in his prayer, said, "How often have we heard his voice exhorting us to flee from wrath and lay hold on Christ as our Saviour, as he perambulated our districts when we were living without God; but now we shall hear his voice no more." This is true. For twenty years past, in company with his brother deacons and others, has he visited almost every family throughout the districts, affectionately entreating the different classes of whom they are composed to an abandon

ment of what is evil, and to "seek the Lord whilst he was to be found." Of the good effects of these visits we have had frequent proofs from the testimony of not a few admitted into the church. His work is now finished on earth-his Master has called him home.'

DEATH OF A YOUNG CHIEF.

"In my communication to you, Nov., 1851, mention was made of the remarkable change produced in the heart of a young chief, from a conversation with Maretu, on one of these visits; our departed brother, Kaisara, was also present. That young man in January last was called away by death. From the above period, till the time of his decease, he gave full proof that the change was real. He subsequently joined my Bible class, and evinced a great desire to understand the fundamental truths, and be enriched with the blessings of the Gospel. My visits to him during his short illness were frequent, and I found him in a pleasing frame of mind in reference to the future. One of our lay native preachers, who resides near his dwelling, and was often with him, informed me, that so eager was he for religious conversation, and such delight did he take in it, that he would not talk on any other subject. If allusion was made to his lands, he said he had done with all these things. He was asked, if leaving his possessions, friends, wife, &c., did not cause any painful sensations? Not in the least,' was his reply, for he had long since had his mind weaned from earth.' Are you under no fearful apprehensions of death?' 'None at all.'How is it that you seem so lost to the things of this world?' Because they are not that on which my soul can repose. Ever since my heart was convinced of the evil nature of sin, and I perceived the reality of Scripture truths, and that Christ alone is the true foundation of a sinner's trust, my desire for salvation has wholly rested there; there alone have my thoughts been fixed, and nothing on earth besides is worth possessing. I wish to be with Jesus. I do not waver. My heart is fixed upon Christ. Earth and all it contains are insignificant in comparison with the prospects beyond.' In this frame of mind he continued till the last, and nothing else yielded him delight. He (the teacher) was

with him till a few hours of his death. Soon after he last saw him, his friends told him that he suddenly sat up, and mustering all the strength he possessed, sang one of our hymns with a loud voice, and then prayed with much energy, which exercise quite exhausted him, and, sinking down, he spoke but little after. His spirit took her flight, and sped her way to that Saviour whom he loved.

"Thus died one of the oldest and one of the youngest of our members, Both of

them, 'brands plucked out of the fire.' To the free and sovereign grace of God in Christ they ascribed salvation, and through the infinite merits of the Redeemer have, I trust, entered through the same 'gate into the city' as their believing brethren in more highly favoured Christian countries. Many more instances might be recorded, but the above are sufficient to call forth united thanks givings to the God of all grace, who still condescends to smile upon our feeble efforts to advance Messiah's empire."

ARRIVALS IN ENGLAND.

Rev. J. M. Lechler and family, from India, April 1.

Rev. Joseph Gill, and Mrs. Gill, from South Africa, same date.
Rev. W. C. Milne and family, from China, April 4.

Rev. W. Inglis and family, from South Africa, May 11.

Mr. T. Artope and family, from India, same date.

ARRIVALS ABROAD.

Mrs. Mullens, Wife of Rev. J. Mullens, accompanied by her sisters, the Misses Lacroix, at Calcutta, January 27.

Rev. James Kennedy and family, at Benares, February 24.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

The thanks of the Directors are respectfully presented to the following, viz. :— For Rev. Dr. Legge, Hong-Kong. To Ladies at

Hull, per Mr. B. A. Tapp-For a Box of
Useful Articles.

For Rev. Messrs. Stronach, Amoy. A few
Friends in Edinburgh, per Miss E. M. Smith,
-For a Box of Useful and Fancy Articles,
value £30.

For Rev. W. Clarkson, Mahikantha. To the Ladies of the Rev. J. Flower's congregation, Beccles -For a Box of Useful Articles. To the Stockwell Young Ladies' Missionary Working Association-For a Parcel of Clothing.

For Rev. R. C. Mather, Mirzapore. The pupils of Miss Watson's Establishment, UxbridgeFor a Box of Fancy Articles, value 10 108. For Rev. M. A. Sheering, Mirzapore. To the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society-For a Case of School Materials, value £8.

For Rev. E. Porter, Cuddapah. To Friends at Bedford-For a Box of Useful Articles. To Friends at Islington-For a Parcel of Useful Articles. To the Female Missionary Working Association, Surrey Chapel-For a Case of Useful Articles.

For Rev. G. and Mrs. Hall, Madras. To Ladies at Park Chapel, Camden Town-For a Box of Useful and Fancy Articles, value £35. To Mount Zion Chapel Sunday School, Sheffield-For a Box of Clothing, &c. For Mrs. Sewell, Bangalore. To Ladies at Paddington Chapel, per Miss Stratten-For Two Boxes of Useful and Fancy Articles, value £27.

For Mrs. Sargent's Tamil School, Bangalore.
To Friends at Kingsland, per Mrs. Aveling
-For a Box of Useful and fancy articles,
value £32.
To the Paisley
Association for Female Education in India--
For a Box of Useful Articles.
For the Schools at Madras under the care of Mrs.
Porter and Miss Drew. To Ladies at Tavi-
stock, per Rev. E. Straker-For a Box of
Clothing and Useful Articles. To the Oke-
hampton Ladies' Working Society-For a
Box of Useful Articles.

For Mrs. Campbell, Mysore.

For Mrs. Lewis, Santhapooram. To Mrs. Gib-
son, Cheadle-For a Box of Useful Articles.
To Mrs. Hill and a few Friends at Worces-
ter-For a Box of Useful and Ornamental
Articles, Clothing, &c.
For Rev. J. and Mrs. Abbs, Pareychaley. To
Mrs. Wm. Hall and the Young Ladies'
Working Party of Princes Street Chapel,
Norwich-For a Box of Useful Articles,
Clothing, &c. value £36. Mrs. Bleakly-
For Ditto, value £5 158. To the Missionary
Working Association, Surrey Chapel-For
a Case of Clothing and Useful Articles. To
Miss Scrutton and Friends, at Pembury
Grove Chapel, Hackney-For a Box of Use-
ful Articles, value £6.

For Rev. F. Baylis, Neyoor. To the Committee of the British and Foreign School SocietyFor a Box of School Materials, value £5. For Rev. R. Birt, Peelton. To Friends at Newton-le-Willows, per Rev. T. Davies-For a Box of Clothing. To the Stepney Missionary Working Society and the Juvenile Missionary Working Society-For a Case of

Clothing and Useful Articles. To the Juvenile Missionary Working Party, Ryde-For a Box of Clothing and Useful Articles. For Rev. W. Ashton, Kuruman. To Friends at Ashton-under-Lyne, and elsewhere- For a Valuable Box of Clothing, and other Useful Articles. For Rev. R. B. Taylor, Craddock. To the

Working Missionary Society, Castle Gate Chapel, Shrewsbury-For a Box of Clothing. For Rev. R. Moffat, Lattakoo. To Miss Braithwaite, Kendal-For a Box of Clothing, &c. To Ladies' Working Society. Mrs. Portlock, Brighton, and to the Sunday School Juvenile Society, per Miss Unwin-For a l'arcel of Garments, &c.

For Rev. J. Read, Kat River. To a Friend in London-For a Parcel of Useful Articles. For Mrs. Kayser, Knapps Hope. To the Queen

Street Chapel Ladies' Working Party, Chester-For a Parcel of Clothing, School Ma. terials, &c.

For Rev. W. Thompson, Cape Town. To Miss Reid, Peckham Rye-For a Parcel of Books. To the Juvenile Working Party, Park Chapel, Camden Town-For a Box of Clothing for the Children of the Schools. To Miss Braithwaite, Kendal-For a Box of Clothing. For Rev. D. Darling, Tahiti. To the Juvenile Working Party Sunday School, Old Gravel Pit, Hackney-For a Box of Children's Dresses, and School Materials.

For Rev. J. Jones, Samoa. To Miss Vines, and the Young Ladies of Miss Christie's Establishment, Canonbury Square-For a Box of Clothing and Useful Articles. For Rev. S. M. Creagh, Samoa.

To the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society-For a Box of School Materials, value £5.

For Rev. W. W. Gill, Mangaia. To a Friend, per Mrs. Lucy, Blackheath Road- For two Boxes of Useful Articles.

Anniversary Collec

To Mrs.

For Rev. William Hillyer, Jamaica. To the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society For a Box of School Materials. For Rev. W. J. Gardner, Jamaica. Sibree, Hull-For a Box of Wearing Apparel and School Materials. To the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible SocietyFor a Box of School Materials, value £3. For Rev. A. Jansen, Berbice. To the Committee of the British and Foreign School SocietyFor a Grant of Maps.

To the Rev. Dr. Archer and Friends, Oxendon United Presbyterian Church, for a Communion Service for the Native Church at Tananarivo, Madagascar.

To A. Z. Sherston, for a Bale of Prints and Calicoes; to the Children of the Infant School at Bloomsgrove, near Nottingham, for a Parcel of Clothing, &c.; to an Orphan, Kington, for a Purse, &c., for Prince Radama, Madagascar; to Mrs. Powell, Southampton Street, Camberwell, for a Parcel of Books.

To Mr. Leach, Southampton; to Mrs. Fordham, Bayswater; to Mr. W. Bennett, Bath: to Mrs. J. R. Burton; to Miss Rotton, Newbury; to Mr. J. Drinkald; to Mrs. Williams; to Mrs. Bennett, Twerty Hays, Bath; to Mr. John Weeks, Rotherhithe; to J. Paul, Esq., Ridgewell, to Mr. J. Wilson; to T. T. Ormerod, Esq., Brig. house; to E. Barnett, Esq., Birmingham; to Mrs. Mann, Holloway; and to Mr. J. Young. Chatham, for Volumes and Numbers of the Evangelical and other Magazines, &c., &c.

Mrs. R. B. Taylor gratefully acknowledges the receipt of the under-mentioned articles for Harpenden Chapel, Cradock:-A Bell, from Mr. Colls and Friends, at Camberwell; a Commu nion Service and Pulpit Bible, from Friends, per Mr. Willshere, at Chelmsford; Two Cases of Useful Articles and Books, from Mrs. F. Smith, Camberwell; and a Box of Useful Arti cles, from Rev. G. T. Johnson and Friends, Harpenden.