The following are Extracts from the last Letter written by MR. CHAPMAN to the Committee, about six weeks before his death. It will be read with interest, both as it mentions the reviving state of a Mission much impeded by the loss of its five Chapels in the memorable hurricane, and the religious state of his own mind. It is dated Tortola, May 4th: It is with considerable pleasure that I inform you, that I continue to enjoy good health, through divine goodness, in this insalubrious clime. This I consider a mercy of which I am utterly unworthy; and I frequently lament that I do not make a better use of it, in promoting his glorious cause. I feel thankful to GOD for the honour he hath conferred upon me, "in putting me into the ministry," for the patience he hath exercised towards me, and for the blessings of his grace and providence I have hitherto enjoyed. ́O! that I may be more devoted to GOD, and more successful in preaching a free, a full, and present salvation to perishing sinners. Mr. Felvus has lately come to our assistance, and we are now able to attend the chapels more regularly. Our congregations are generally large and attentive, and there is no doubt but many are under serious impressions, and that a work of grace is gradually going on among them. Since the District-Meeting we have added upwards of a hundred and fifty members to the Society in Tortola. Our chapel in Road Town is nearly finished, and a very neat and commodious one it is. We have two other chapels in an unfinished state, ANTIGUA.-Extracts from MR. HYDE's February 15, 1821. I have been preaching at Betty's Hope, an estate belonging to Sir C. Codrington. The people were deeply attentive. The manager behaved with great politeness when I called upon him, wishing me great encouragement, and good success. He told me that Mr. Baxter used to preach on the estate, and several of the first Missionaries; and added, "Most of the slaves on this estate are in your Society, I believe; and I am happy to say, that they are very exemplary. A very great change," he further observed, has taken place in their conduct (Jos Van Dykes and West End,) which we intend to complete before the hurricane months. The last Sunday I was over at Jos Van Dykes, and preached to a crowded chapel from 1 Peter iv. 18: the people were much affected under the sermon, and I afterwards admitted several on trial, and married four couples. After meeting the Leaders, I returned to Tortola. In addition to this, I had twenty miles to ride, and ten miles to sail in an open boat, exposed to the burning sun the greater part of the time. I left Road-Town between four and five o'clock in the morning, and got back in the evening between seven and eight. From the above you may judge of the day's work, and the manner in which the life of a Missionary is exposed; and perhaps it will afford you a reason why so many fall victims to the climate. However, thank God, my duty is my delight; "labour is rest, and pain is sweet," while GoD is with me; and by the divine goodness since I came to the West Indies, I have not disappointed one congregation through sickness. My whole design in preaching the Gospel is to humble the sinner, exalt the SAVIOUR, and to spread peace, order, and holiness among mankind. Journal, dated Parham, May 7, 1821. since they began to think for themselves, and to act from religious principle. We scarcely ever use the whip now," said he, "not once in a quarter. It is not needful!" This is cause for gratitude, and encouragement to labour in this good work. March 9. Went this evening on Casmajor's estate; and as I had not been there before, I went first to see the manager, who received me with great kindness, and bore an excellent testimony to the effects of religion amongst his people, the greater part of whom are members of our Society. He observed, "The sound of the whip is rarely heard on the estate, and we have very few offences. Of course they get a little out of the way at times, but I do not think there is a better gang of negroes in the country." Then you think, said I, crimes have considerably decreased amongst them? "I am sure of it," he replied. "We need only look at the old Journals on the estate, and compare them with the present ones, which I and my Lady were doing not long ago, when we discovered amongst other things, that the number of run-a-ways generally amounted to five or six a week, but now such a thing rarely occurs. In fact, we have had but one instance since I have been on the estate, which is about five years, and that was a foolish little girl who did not know what she was doing." 1, of course. was much pleased, and went with additional spirit to visit the sick, and preach to the people on the nature, necessity, importance, and blessedness of regeneration. I then gave tickets, and settied two disputes; one between an adult negro and his aunt. He, it appears, from some offence, had lately passed by her without speaking, but "his heart tell him dat no right before GOD;" and, with tears running down his cheeks, he confessed his unhappiness, and wished to be made friends. I called for his aunt,-talked to both,—they shook hands, and departed perfectly at peace. The other case was a negro young man, who had quarrelled with the young woman he had engaged to marry, and was now resolved, although the banns had been published, to leave her. I told him he must not; and gave him and her suitable advice. He, however, seemed determined not to comply with what I stated to be right. At last I said, "Well, then, you must now take your own way.' At this he started; and in a moment replied, "No, Massa, no! Me no take my own way. My way no good: me take yours. April 1. Preached at Parham. Fifteen persons were afterwards admitted on trial. Two unbaptised were of the number. One of them was brought away when he was but a child; the other had reached manhood. I asked the latter, during his examination, if ever he beard any thing of Mahomet in his own country? to which he answered " Yes, Massa." Did you ever pray to him? “Yes.” I asked him why he now prayed to JESUS instead of Mahomet? he loved him more, and why he wished now to serve JESUS, and to come amongst Gon's people? He replied, "Why, Massa, because me believe that JESUS be God!" Why April 2. On my way home this evening, from St. John's, a gentleman related to me the following instance of God's care for his people, and of the disposals of his sovereign will for their good, when every trace of his operations appears lost A female domestic slave, in a very respectable situation, some years ago was awakened under the ministry of a Methodist Missionary. She fell into deep distress,-tore off her necklaces, rings, and other gaudy decorations, and with all her soul forsook her sins, calling for mercy in the name of the LORD JESUS. She sought God with all her heart; and, ever faithful to his promise, he was found of her. Her manner of life was now altered, and, to the carnal mind, gave offence: hatred, ridicule, and suffering became her portion. On one occasion she was charged with the crime of having a certain key in her pocket, (with which she had always been entrusted,) at the chapel, when it was wanted, and was immediately put down and flogged for it. It was the first time that the whip had been put upon her. It wounded her soul; she felt it keenly, and grieved over it: her daughter participating in her sorrow. They were now charged with the spirit of rebellion for daring to grieve, and the mother was doomed to the field. The gang, struck with astonishment at seeing her brought there, rested upon their hoes to gaze at her. This was immediately called a signal for rebellion; and a certain person rode off, full gallop, to town, to inform the proprietor, who immediately sent out an order for the two rebels, (the poor mother and daughter,) to be sent to town in heavy chains. The order was executed, and they were sent from the Island to Santa Cruz, and sold. The afflicted mother had not been there long, before she was falsely charged with some other offence; but GoD was with her. Her language appears to have been, "Though thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee." GOD's grace was sufficient for her; and in due time he appeared in her behalf. The charge was proved false. Her conduct secured the love and confidence of her new mistress; and at length the LORD disposed the heart of her mistress to make her and her daughter free. She has now returned in credit to the place from which she was exiled: she is happy in the love of GOD, and comfortable in her circumstances. The blessing of the LORD seems to rest upon the family. Blessed are the people whose GoD is the LORD! April 3. Gave tickets this afternoon to the invalids on a neighbouring estate. I was much struck with the expressions of gratitude for mercies received, and still enjoyed from GoD, which flowed in abundance from a poor leprous negro woman, who, whilst she lifted up her hands, with her eyes and heart, towards heaven, exhibited little more than stumps, her fingers having been slowly eaten off by this shocking disorder. Preached in the evening at Sion-hill to a full congregation, and married seventeen couples. Had the following little anecdote related to me on my way home:-The attorney of a large estate, one day asked a pious slave "What religion he followed ?" "The Methodists,' was the answer. "I am sorry for that," said the attorney; "I had much rather you had been of some other." "O, Sir," said the slave, "I have been taught much good by going amongst the Methodists." "Why, what have you been taught?" became the enquiry. have been taught, Sir," he replied, "to be sober,-to be honest,-to be industrious,-to love God and man.” "Well, well," said the Attorney, go on, William, go on; you know the best." "I TRINIDAD.—Our readers will recollect that the Mission-Chapel in this Island was, for some time, shut up, and all public religious services suspended, through the restrictions imposed by the local Government, with which the Missionary, then stationed there, could not conscientiously comply. Through the kind intervention of the British Government, these obstacles were removed, and Mr. WOOLLEY was appointed to the Mission. June 27, he thus writes: Having now closed the June quarterly visitation, I sit down to give you some account of this long-beclouded Mission. To collect, and revive, a scattered and dead people, is a task more arduous and painful than any can conceive, unless they have been exercised in the same work. I have often been ready to relinquish the effort; and had not GoD occasionally kindled a beam of hope to gild my path, I think I should have been ready to give up the cause as lost: but I trust that the anguish of mind I have suffered, the tears I have shed, the prayers I have offered, and the ardent desires I have felt, and still feel, will not be forgotten of Him, without whose blessing human efforts are fruitless. Although the Society is still small, I think I may venture to say that the members, generally, are improving in the divine life, and becoming more deeply acquainted with the things of GoD; and from the gracious influence which he imparts, and the degree of success which attends the ministry of the Word, I am led to hope, that God will yet remember this little hill of Sion; and that though hitherto it has been unfruitful, almost as the barren waste," it will yet blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing." I set apart one morning in the week to catechise and instruct the children. When I first began I had only two, beside my own little boy, but now I have twenty-seven who attend very regularly; in addition to these, I have a class of girls under instruction. As it respects the country parts of the Island, little is done as yet. I visit one estate about eighteen miles from Port of Spain, and I expect to enter upon another next week, but the way opens very slowly. GRENADA.-Mr. Goy has commenced his labours on the windward side of this Island, among the people of some estates which have been kindly opened to him by B. Hewitson, Esq. and others. He writes, April 12, 1821,— Having spent nearly three years in St. George's, I felt attached to the people, and a little regret at being removed, though I hope still to exchange with one of the brethren on every sixth Sunday. The Society is remarkably kind; and I believe there are many truly pious characters among them. In looking back to the period when I landed on this Island, and contemplating all the circumstances through which we have passed since that time, I can evidently trace the footsteps of divine providence, and have great reason to believe, that our labour has not been in vain. Then we had but a small place in which to assemble, and that liable to be upset by every gust of wind from the mountains; now we have a large and commodious chapel, -a chapel in which generations yet unborn may celebrate the praises of the Most High. Many at that time were exceedingly prejudiced against us. Our sincerity was doubted; but now, (I had almost said, woe unto us! for all men speak well of us,) the cloud is dispersed, and almost every facility which the country can allow is afforded us. And what is the best of all, many who were in darkness and sin, are now the happy partakers of the light of life, Even in the country, although our sanguine wishes have not been fully realized, yet we have cause to be thankful, and believe that good has been done. The Brethren in St. George's now visit eleven estates, besides the village of Gougave, and once a quarter the isle Rhonde. The ride across the mountains to the parish of St. Andrew, where I now am, is delightfully picturesque and romantic. The craggy rock the frightful precipice-the cloudcapt mountain-the tall aspiring palmetto and mountain-cabbage-the almost impenetrable brush-wood-all stand as mementos of Him who gave them being, and exalt the mind to Him as their great Original. A road is cut through the mountain, which, in the dry season, is very good; but for half the year bad, and often impassable. At the highest elevation is a large lake, (Grand Etang,) nearly a mile across, and 3500 feet above the level of the sea. At a little distance is Mount Quaco, said to be the highest mountain in the Island. The Grand Etang is considered a great curiosity, and is often visited by strangers and the colonists in marooning parties. The air is so cold, that a person scarcely thinks himself in the West Indies. Close by the Lake there is a residence, occupied by the Captain of the Colony-Rangers, who are employed in taking up the run-away negroes. There is also a tavern for the accommodation of strangers. Brother Squire rode with me up to this place, for the benefit of a change; and after spending a few hours, and taking dinner with Capt. Forsyth, who has always been friendly towards us, he returned, and I proceeded down to St. Andrew's. On this side of the mountain some of the precipices are quite tremendous. Nearly the whole parish of St. Andrew, running along an extended plain, presents itself to the eye. In this parish there are thirty-nine estates, having upon them about 4800 negroes. A little further on begins the parish of St. Patrick, having nearly an equal number. I arrived at Grand Bras, the residence of B. Hewitson, Esq. late in the evening, and was kindly received by that gentleman. I am to stay with him a few weeks, until we can fix on an eligible spot on which to build a small house. As this is a sickly part of the Island, it will be necessary to select a place with care. There are some healthy situations, and we have nearly decided upon one for our dwelling. Mr. H. and his friends propose erecting a house free of expence to the Society. Mr. H. has built a small Chapel on his estate for the negroes, and many seem willing to attend. I commenced my labours the day after I arrived, and am now busy arranging my plans. I have taken in five estates; two belonging to the Hon. J. Berkley, the other three are those of Mr. Hewitsons. On these five estates there are more than a thousand negroes. There is also a port and village, (Grenville,) two miles distant, where propose to preach once a fortnight. Last Sunday I had a good congregation there for the place, and have I engaged next Sunday to preach on board one of the ships in the harbour, to which the seamen from the other vessels will be allowed to come. This is in addition to my labour on the estates. On Mr. B.'s two estates, which I am to attend on the Sunday, the negroes speak only English; on those of Mr. H. principally a corrupted dialect of French. It is my intention to pay much attention to the catechetical mode of instruction, and particularly among the French negroes; for I have generally found them the most ignorant, and by con sequence the most difficult to teach. As I keep a regular journal, I shall be able after a while to write you more in detail. con Extracts from the recent Publications of different Missionary Societies. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-Mr. During writes from Gloucester, Western Africa :— I am greatly at a loss where or how to begin to state what great things the LORD hath done for us. Shall I begin with general blessings in which we all share ;-then my gratitude is called forth-my very soul breaks forth in songs of praise to our God, froin whom all our spiritual and temporal blessings flow. Or with personal mercies?—then I am compelled to exclaim with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies!" O LORD, when I consider that I passed the ocean as a poor creature, desiring no more but to be made instrumental of good to some poor African soul, and that I, at this moment, have the happiness to meet with thirty-six at the Com munion table-I am lost in wonder and adoration ! The general conduct of the people in this village is such, that I am often surprized to see the indolent and barbarous African turn active, and become a man of feeling both toward himself and others. When I have seen some of the women, with their infants tied on their backs, planting or weeding their little farms; and others in the market selling the produce of their labour, or else busy in their immediate household affairs; it has often worked so on my feelings, that tears of joy have started from my eyes, and I could hardly persuade myself that these are liberated negroes!—Miss. Register. Aug. The attachment of the negro children to the Mission Schools, is marked by the following Anecdote : It must be particularly gratifying to every well-wisher of Africa, to see those people, who, but a short time ago, were reduced to a level with the brute, (that is, sold in the market), now, by their desire to learn to read the Word of GOD, shew that they are men who feel that they have immortal souls. The conduct of two of my school-boys will bear witness to this. They had been both put apprentice to a tailor, who works here for Government. About two months since, one of them had had some quarrel with one of his fellows, on account of which he ran away to his country people. He was absent three days. On the third day, in the evening, when I had done with all my work, and was on the point of going to bed, he came back, and earnestly begged me to forgive him. I then |