The following are Extracts from the Journal of the Rev. Mr. Hyde, Wesleyan Missionary, at Montserrat.

Monday, March 13, 1826.-To-day Mrs. Jones was so much recovered as to justify my hearing, from her own lips, the almost unparalleled narrative of the wreck of the Maria. I had been waiting with some anxiety to hear the particulars from her, the only one spared to relate the sad story. The following, to the best of my recollection, forms a correct account.

After they left Montserrat, on Monday evening, they had to pass through a most fearful night. The wind blew very hard, and the sea was unusually heavy. The day following was one of a very distressing description, but towards sunset they were fast approaching the island of Antigua.

The captain was aware of the dangerous reefs, rocks, and sands, which lie in such fearful numbers at the mouth of St. John's Harbour, and endeavoured to avoid them. The Missionaries were on deck expressing their joy at the prospect of supping and sleeping ashore; and the children below were singing in the cabin, in imitation of their fathers, and playing around their mothers. All now were without fear but Mrs. Jones, and her mind (she says) was so distracted for a time with the idea that the vessel would yet be lost, that she had to pray earnestly against it. However, the fear did not leave her, but these words came to her recollection, and so comforted her, that she could do nothing but repeat them to herself:

"Jesus protects; my fears begone!
What can the rock of ages move?"

About seven o'clock an alarm was spread suddenly through the vessel by the cry of "breakers a-head! breakers a-head!" The helm was instantly put down, and the mainsail lowered, but the vessel missed stays twice (a most unusual thing with her), and before she wore round, she struck on the south end of the Weymouth, a dangerous reef to leeward of Sandy Island (a long bank to the S. W. of St. John's harbour). Had she been twice the length of herself, either to windward or leeward, she would have escaped altogether; for she would either have run between the reef and Sandy Island, or have had sea room enough in her due course; and yet it so occurred, that if the reef had been picked, in the judgment of the agent for Lloyd's, a worse place could not have been found. The brethren now rushed towards the cabin to seize their wives, their little ones, and servants. The mothers and servants snatched up the children, and rushed through the pouring flood, which was now fast filling the vessel, to the Missionaries on deck. The scene was indescribable! The vessel fell on her side and filled directly. The sailors cut away her mast, and she

righted a little. They cast out the anchor, and let out the chain cable, which caused the vessel to hang a little more securely on the rocks, whilst the sea beat over her in the most terrific manner. All the passengers

and crew now hung upon the bulwarks and rails of the quarter-deck, up to their middle in water. Soon after she struck, the boat washed overboard, with George Lambert, a free black seaman, in it. The mate, Mr. Newbold, jumped after it, and happily for himself, reached it. They endeavonred to bring her back to the wreck, but could not, and were driven away to sea. In the situation just stated the passengers remained nearly one hour, calling on Him who alone could save them, and endeavouring to comfort themselves and each other with the prospects of a blissful eternity, when the waist of the vessel gave way, and precipitated all who were clinging to the rails of the quarter-deck into the sea; viz. Mr. and Mrs. White, with their three children, Mr. and Mrs. Truscott, and child, two servants, and Mrs. Jones. Mr. Jones being next to his wife, saw her desperate situation, and made an effort to lay hold of her, in which he providentially succeeded, and drew her up so far that she got hold of the part of the wreck on which he hung, and was saved. The children, as they floated on the surface of their watery grave cried much, but the brethren and their wives calmly met their death. They cried out to them who were on the wreck, "farewell! the Lord bless you!" and they in return repeated the affecting "farewell!" and offered up the same prayer to God. "Lord have mercy upon us!" ""Lord save us!" were the solemn ejaculations that now passed through the lips of the drowning brethren! In a few moments the dear children ceased to cry, and the voice of prayer was turned to endless praise. The captain now exhorted all who were still on the wreck to come nearer to her head, as she was fast breaking up, and that part of her was likely to hold together longest; adding, "hold on, if you possibly can, until the morning, and then we shall be seen from Goat-Hill Battery, and be rescued." With this advice they were enabled to comply, though with considerable difficulty. The sea was tremendous, and the night dark! Wave followed wave in close succession, and they had frequently but just recovered their breath from the past wave, when the next took it from them again. At length the greatly wished for morning arrived, but alas! it was not to be the morning of deliverance for them. They made the best signals of distress they could, but they were not seen. Those on the wreck could see people walking on shore, but no one saw them, there was so little for the naked eye to distinguish them from the reef, and the waves ran high. Vessels and boats passed at some distance during the day, and they unitedly and wi

one voice endeavoured to hail them; but the beating of the sea on the rocks drowned their voices, so that they could not be heard. The brethren and sister Jones were, however, enabled, by the grace of God, notwithstanding all their disappointments, to stay their minds on God, and to instruct the deeplystricken and penitent captain and sailors how to be saved. The sailors wept and prayed, whilst the Missionaries pointed them to the Lamb of God, and exhorted them to add faith to penitence. Poor fellows! two of them died this day on the wreck exhausted, but "looking unto Jesus." Night again came on apace, and soon enveloped them all in its dreariest gloom! Seated on a piece of the wreck, up to their breasts in water, without a crumb of bread or a drop of water having passed through their lips-the sea very rough, and the waves passing over them, each wave threatening immediate death! In this condition they held each other. If one ventured to sleep a little, another watched lest the waves should sweep him away. It was a night like the last, full of horrors. When day appeared, it was welcomed with praise to God that their eyes were permitted once more to see it, and with prayer that it might be the day of rescue; at the same time, according to Mrs. Jones, their language appears to have been that of their divine Master, "not my will, but thine be done." Vessels and boats passed again, but they were not seen. Some time after noon this day (Thursday) Brother Hillier said he thought he could swim ashore, and thus, by the blessing of God, rescue himself, and be the happy instrument of saving them. The brethren Jones and Oke feared, with the captain, that he was too weak, having taken nothing, to swim three miles, the distance required. He, however, still thought he could, and in the spirit of prayer he committed himself to the deep, and they, after bidding him farewell, commended him to God. He struck off well, but in about ten minutes sunk to rise no more till "the sea shall give up her dead." One or two of the sailors also attempted to reach the shore on pieces of the wreck, but failed. Thus the survivors passed through another day of sorrows. The bodies of some of the sufferers were seen floating to-day; and the rain fell in showers around them; but Sister Jones says, eagerly as they wished it, only one slight shower fell on them. She put out her tongue, and caught a few drops of rain, which refreshed her, for which she felt thankful to God. Night now approached once more, but with every appearance of its being the last, for the joints of the piece of wreck on which they were began to open fast, and there was every appearance of its soon falling in pieces, and putting an end to all their affliction. With this expectation, each was fervently engaged with God in hallowed and resined communion. Con

trary to their expectations, however, they were spared to see another day. The sea was much calmer to-day (Friday) than it had before been, and about noon Brother Oke said that he would endeavour to swim ashore. Mrs. Jones was asleep when he made the attempt, but was informed afterwards by Mr. Jones that he was drowned soon after he got into the water, being too weak to swim far. Mrs. Jones was seated on what are called, I believe, the bitts; her husband was beside her with his head leaning on her shoulder, while her hand held him by the coat-collar. He began to lose the use of his legs, and his dear wife called the captain to help her to raise them, if possible, out of the water. The captain made the effort, but was too weak to come to her help. Not long afterwards, Brother Jones looked at his wife, and said, "My dear, I feel a strange drowsiness! What can be the meaning of it?" She had never seen any one die, and replied, "My love, I cannot tell." Soon after he cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" and a few minutes afterwards exclaimed"Glory, glory!"-and blessedly entered into it. Thus he died, with his head leaning upon Mrs. Jones. She called to the captain, but received no answer, for he too, poor man, was dying. For a few minutes she held the remains of her dear husband to her breast; but soon a wave washed him from her unnerved arms, and he fell at her feet. For a few seconds she saw the body floating, and then fell into a state of insensibility. In this state she remained until rescued by Mr. Kentish and Mr. Ashford, two gentlemen, who, on hearing of the wreck through an American captain, who, it is said, passed by at noon, humanely went off without delay to render all the help they could. When she was found, her face was so swelled that her head appeared almost a shapeless mass. On being touched, she came to herself, and asked what they were going to do with her? They conveyed her ashore with all possible dispatch, and the house of Mr. Kentish she met the best of care and medical skill. Dr. Peddie was up with her all the night; bled her two or three times to keep off inflammation, and happily, under God, contrary to his own expectation, saved her life. He told me, that if she had been there two hours longer, nothing could have saved her. That she lives is a great wonder: God only could have preserved her, and to him therefore be the praise. She says, that it appears to her as if boats saw them three times. They pulled or sailed towards them a considerable way, and their hopes on such occasions were strongly excited. They now rejoiced over approaching deliverance; but, alas! it was joy of but short continuance, for they all either turned back, or passed them unobserved. I asked her, if she thought the brethren who attempted to swim ashore would have lived had they remained on the

wreck, and she believes not. The captain, she says, was much stronger in appearance than Mr. Oke, on Friday morning, and yet he died; and she believes that had she not drank salt water on that day, she must have died also. Feeling refreshed by doing so herself, she exhorted the captain and brethren to do the same, but they declined. I asked her how the sailors died? her answer was, "O I hope that they are saved. The captain and men wept much over their sins: they were deeply humbled, and earnestly asked what they should do to be saved?" And she added, "we were so taken up with the salvation of their souls, that we seemed to forget our own danger. To the last moment of their existence, the Missionaries exhorted them to look to the Lord, which they did; and there is strong ground for hope that they found mercy." I had an opportunity of thanking Dr. Peddie to-day for the great attention paid to Mrs. Jones by him. He, I understood, slept at Mr. Kentish's three or four nights on her account. I told him the Society would gladly pay his bill. To this he most generously replied, "Sir, it is altogether an act of benevolence, and I should never forgive myself if I charged a farthing." This was said with so much feeling, that I was almost as much gratified with the manner as with the act.

Messrs. Carson, of Dublin, having liberally offered a free passage for as many Missionaries as the Committee might have to send to Antigua, to supply the places of the brethren called away by the late afflictive dispensation of Providence, Messrs. Cadman, Britten, Hunt, Wood, and Cullingford, were appointed to embark at Dublin.

These

brought the melancholy intelligence of the murder of Mr. Threlfall, Wesleyan Missionary, Mr. Threlfall, it appears, left KhamiesBerg, Little Namacqualand, about August last, accompanied by two men belonging to that Missionary Station, on an intended journey of discovery to the Damara's Country, with the view of selecting a suitable spot near the coast for the establishment of a Missionary Station. When he arrived at Kammanoup, in Namacqualand, the Chief strongly advised him to return; but he determined upon going forward, and prose cuting his intended journey. After having obtained some necessary articles, and hired a guide and several men to accompany him, he proceeded forward. A few days after they left Kammanoup, they arrived at a Bushman Kraal, where Mr. Threlfall, and the two men who accompanied him from Khamies-Berg, were murdered by their treacherous guide and his companions. One of the men was shot whilst asleep, and the other shortly afterwards. Mr. Threlfall fled to a bush, but was pursued and wounded by a musket shot, when a Bushman, instigated by the villainous guide, pierced him near the heart with his assagai, and killed him. A Bushman, who was at the Kraal on the night the murder was committed, fled, and gave the information to the people belonging to Mr. Schmelen's Station, The guide was afterwards seen wearing the clothes of Mr. Threlfall.

We understand that Mr. Schmelen was, at the same time, on a similar journey, and was preserved to accomplish it in safety. He travelled beyond Woolwich Bay, and reached the coast where a vessel was stranded a few years ago.

ANNIVERSARIES.

SOUTH-WALES AUXILIARY MISSIONARY

SOCIETY.

THE Twelfth Anniversary of the above Institution commenced at Tenby, on Wednesday evening, the 18th of August, when a sermon was preached at the Sailor's Chapel, by the Reverend David Peter, of Carmarthen. Hymns were read by the Rev. C. Morris, of Narberth; the Rev. D. Davis, of Bridgend, introduced the service; and the Rev. Henry Davies, of Tierscross, conJohn Arundel, Home Secretary to the cluded. On Thursday morning, the Rev. Parent Society, delivered a very interesting sermon at the Tabernacle. Reading and prayer by the Rev. Mr. Raban. In the afternoon, the Meeting for business was held in the same place, when the Venerable the Archdeacon of Ferns, in Ireland,

presided, and opened the meeting with an appropriate, luminous, and eloquent address. Mr. Arundel gave an account of the operations and success of the London Missionary Society; and the Rev. John Campbell, the African traveller, detailed many remarkable instances of the power and happy effects of Christianity among the Hottentots, and other nations visited by him in his two journies. The Meeting was also addressed by the Rev. Mr. Raban, the Rev. C. Morris, of Narberth; Mr. Bulmer, Haverfordwest; Mr. Warlow, of Milford; Mr. Peter, of Carmarthen ; D. Davies, Esq. of Carnachenwen, and Mr. Joseph Thomas, of Pembroke. In the evening, Mr. Campbell preached at the Sailor's Chapel, from the appropriate words of the Psalmist, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God," when many striking things were advanced respecting Africa, and illustrated by facts connected with the travels of the preacher. All seemed to hang upon his lips with uncommon earnestness, and enjoyed a season peculiarly gratifying, as well as highly calculated to edify and improve. This delightful anniversary closed on Friday morning, with the Missionary Communion at the Tabernacle, previous to which, a sermon was delivered by the Home Secretary. Mr. Peter presided; and, besides the ministers already mentioned, the following were engaged in the different parts of the solemnity:--Mr. George, of Brynberian; Mr. Harries, of Pembroke; Mr. Evans, of Penygroes; Mr. Williams, of Pembroke Dock; Mr. Evans, of Laugharne, and Mr. Phillips, itinerant preacher. The interest felt in the above services was evinced by the collections, amounting to something more than £70.-In connexion with the above anniversary, the yearly meetings of the Pembrokeshire Missionary Association were held at Haverfordwest, Milford, Pembroke, and Pembroke Dock; at which places sermons preached by the Deputation from London, and public meetings held, in order to advocate the cause of Missions. These meetings were attended, with few exceptions, by the ministers who were present at Tenby. Sir John Owen, Bart. M.P. presided at Pembroke; and W. H. Scourfield, Esq. late M.P. for the town, presided at Haverfordwest. The collections at all these meetings were also liberal, far exceeding the most sanguine expectations of those who knew the pecuniary distress of the county, and were anxiously solicitous for the interests of Missionary and other Religious Institutions, amounting altogether to nearly £200 (including the above-mentioned sum of £70).

were

PLYMOUTH, DEVONPORT, AND STONEHOUSE,

THE Anniversary Services of this Society commenced on Lord's Day, the 13th August, when the Rev. Henry Townley preached on behalf of the Society, in the morning at Mount-street Chapel, Devonport, and in the evening at the New Tabernacle, Plymouth.

During the morning of Monday the 14th, a very interesting and important meeting was held in Batter-street Chapel, Plymouth. A series of regulations for the friends of that Chapel was, after some introductory statements and remarks by the Rev. H. Townley, proposed for adoption, and forthwith agreed to. The regulations embody male and female committees; and extend the Juvenile Society, which was already in operation, so as to comprehend adults. A series of similar regulations was then submitted to the members of the New Tabernacle Juvenile Society, and was in like manner cheerfully adopted by them. The rules of an Association for a Charity-School, called the Benevolent Institution, were then read and adopted. A similar plan was finally presented, in reference to the Sunday-School connected with the New Tabernacle, which was also received with approbation. The Rev. Messrs. Hartley and Davies addressed the meeting, and particularly the members of their respective flocks, expressing their cordial approbation of the measures which were proposed; and all present appeared to have been both interested and gratified.

In the evening of Monday, Rev. Rowland Hill preached on behalf of the Society to an overflowing congregation, assembled in Batter-street Chapel. Rev. Mr. Akerman (Wesleyan) commenced with prayer, and Rev. H. Townley closed with a short address and prayer.

On Tuesday morning, the 15th, Mr. Hill preached for the Society in Stonehouse Chapel; Rev. Mr. Shepherd offered up the introductory prayer, and Mr. Townley concluded.

On Tuesday evening a Missionary Service was conducted in Prince's-street Chapel, Devonport. Rev. Mr. Davies, of New Tabernacle, prayed; Mr. Townley preached; and the interesting service was terminated in prayer offered up by Rev. Mr. Sherman.

On Wednesday evening, the public meeting for business was held in the Town Hall, Devonport. The chair was taken by R. Derry, Esq., and the Report read by Rev. Mr. Parrot. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. Hitchings (clergyman); Horton (Baptist); Rowland Hill, Morris, Smith, and Townley. Rev. Mr. Hartley then gave out an hymn, and the collection was made. Addresses followed from Rev. Messrs. Hatchard (clergyman); Sherman (of Devonport); Beale (Wesleyan); Davies, Rudolph (Moravian), and J. G. Sparke, Esq.

The Hall was crowded; a spirit of union and missionary zeal prevailed; the audience seemed deeply interested; and the anniversary closed with increased convictions of the duty and importance of making the most strenuous efforts to save a sinking world. The collections at the different services were in most instances greater than those of former years.

SOUTH DEVON.

THE South Devon Auxiliary Missionary Society held their annual meeting at Kingsbridge, in the Independent Chapel, on Thursday evening, the 17th of August; R. Derry, Esq. in the Chair. The Report having been read by the Rev. T. Stenner, the Meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. R. Hill and the Rev. H. Townley, the Deputation from the Parent Society; also by the Rev. W. Rooker, Sewel, Nicholson (Baptist), Mountford, Bridgman (Baptist), Nicholson, jun., and Patterson. The collection amounted to about 97. On the following day, two sermons were preached in the chapel at Ford (about six miles from Kingsbridge), Rev. T. Mountford, minister, (it being the day appointed for thanksgiving for the late harvest), when collections were made for the Missionary Society, amounting to 127. The interest excited at the above meetings on behalf of missions will, no doubt, be long sensibly felt.

Mr. Townley also reorganized the Societies at Ford, Dartinouth, Paington, Newton, Teignmouth, and Totness; at which places Sunday-School Associations were also formed, in connexion with the South Devon Auxiliary.

FORMATION OF NEW SOCIETIES.

PETERSFIELD.

Aug. 4th. A Missionary Association was formed at Rev. Mr. Greenwood's place of worship, Petersfield, with two committees, male and female; Rev. H. Townley preached on the occasion; and Rev. J. Reynolds, of Romsey, and the worthy minister of the chapel, addressed the assembly.

by supplications, which were offered by Rev. Mr. Yarnold (Baptist), of Romsey. In the evening of the same day, a Sunday-School Missionary Association was formed in connexion with the said Branch.

SOUTHAMPTON.

Aug. 8th. A Congregational Branch Missionary Society was formed at Southampton; Rev. Thomas Adkins, minister of the place, was called to preside, who explained the object of the Meeting in the presence of about one thousand persons, and stated, that after. the most mature consideration, he was convinced of the propriety and duty of forming a Congregational Branch Society. Messrs. Reynolds, Townley, Adams, Crabbe (Wesleyan), Mr. Bullar, and others, addressed the assembly. Two Sunday-School Missionary Associations, one for boys, and the other for girls, were formed in the evening, under very encouraging circumstances.

WOLVERHAMPTON.

Rev.

in connexion with the Auxiliary Society for August 10. A Branch Msssionary Society, hampton, Rev. J. Roaf. Rev. T. Craig, of Warwickshire, &c. was formed at WolverHenry Nott, Missionaries, &c. addressed the Bocking, also Rev. William Ellis, and Rev. numerous assembly, and upwards of 307. was collected on the occasion.

CHUDLEIGH.

August 28. After a sermon preached by the Rev. Henry Townley, a Missionary Association was formed at Rev. J. Allen's place of worship, Chudleigh, in connexion with the East Devon Auxiliary Society.

EXMOUTH.

August 29. A Branch Society was formed for Lady Glenorchy's Chapel, and Ebenezer Chapel, Exmouth, united, when the Rev. Rowland Hill, Rev. H. Townley, and other ministers, addressed the meeting.

ROMSEY.

Aug. 7th. A Congregational Branch Missionary Society was formed at the Rev. John Reynolds' chapel, Romsey; Rev. Dr. Henderson, Tutor of the Mission College, London, was called to the chair, who introduced the business of the day, and was followed by the Rev. Messrs. Adkins, Reynolds, Jefferson, Adams, and Townley, also Mr. Bullar; and the interesting services were closed

NOTICE.

THE Sussex Auxiliary Missionary Society Anniversary Meeting will be held at Brighton on the 17th and 18th of this month. The Rev. John Clayton, jun., Rev. T. Adkins, and a deputation from the Parent Society, have engaged to attend.