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decision be in favour of the principles of the Reformation, there will be cause for rejoicing; but, if otherwise, the nation must rise in its majesty and say, If Popery is

to be the religion of the Estab. lishment, there shall be no Established Church.

December 16th, 1867.

VARIETIES.

when

TALMUDIC PROVERBS.-Even the gates of prayer are shut in heaven, those of tears are open.-Prayer is Israel's only weapon, a weapon inherited from its fathers, a weapon tried in a thousand battles. When the righteous dies, it is the earth that loses.-The lost jewel will always be a jewel; but the possessor who lost it, well may he weep.-The reward of good works is like dates, sweet and ripening late. The dying benediction of a sage to his disciples was, "I pray for you that the fear of heaven may be as strong upon you as the fear of man. You avoid sin before the face of the latter: avoid it before the face of the All-seeing.' "If your God hates idolatry, why does He not destroy it?" a heathen asked. And they answered him, "Behold, they worship the sun, the moon, the stars; would you have Him destroy this beautiful world for the sake of the foolish?"-He who has more learning than good works is like a tree with many branches, but few roots, which the first wind throws on its face; whilst he whose works are greater than his knowledge is like a tree with many roots and fewer branches, but which all the winds of heaven cannot uproot.-Love your wife like yourself; honour her more than yourself. He who forsakes the love of his youth, God's altar weeps for him.He who sees his wife die before him has, as it were, been present at the destruction of the sanctuary itself: around him the world grows dark.-It is woman alone through whom God's blessings are vouchsafed to a house. She teaches the children, speeds the husband to the place of worship and instruction, welcomes him when he returns, keeps the house godly and pure; and God's blessing rests upon all these things. He who marries for money, his children shall be a curse to him.-The house that does not open to the poor shall open to the physician.-The birds in the air even despise the miser.-He who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses

himself. Let the honour of thy neighbour be to thee like thine own.-Rather be thrown into a fiery furnace than bring any one to public shame.-There are three crowns of the law, the priesthood, the kingship; but the crown of a good name is greater than them all.-Iron breaks the stone, fire melts iron, water extinguishes fire, the clouds drink up the water, a storm drives away the clouds, man withstands the storm, fear unmans man, wine dispels fear, sleep drives away wine, and death sweeps all away, even sleep: but Solomon the wise says, Charity saves from death. How can you escape sin? Think of three things: whence thou comest, whither thou goest, and to whom thou wilt have to account for all thy deeds; even to the King of kings, the All Holy, praised be He.-Four shall not enter Paradise the scoffer, the liar, the hypocrite, and the slanderer.-To slander is to murder. The cock and the owl both await the daylight. "The light," says the cock, "brings delight to me; but what are you waiting for?"-When the thief has no opportunity for stealing, he considers himself an honest man.-Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend's friend has a friend: be discreet. The camel wanted to have horns, and they took away his ears.-The soldiers fight, and the kings are the heroes.-The thief invokes God while he breaks into the house. After the thief runs the theft; after the beggar, poverty.-While thy foot is shod, smash the thorn.-When the ox is down, many are the butchers.Descend a step in choosing a wife, mount a step in choosing a friend.-If there is anything bad about you, say it yourself.Beat the gods, and the priests will tremble. -The sun will go down all by himself, without your assistance.-The world could not well get on without perfumers and without tanners: but woe unto the tanner, well to the perfumer!--No man is to be made responsible for words which he utters in his grief.-He who is ashamed

will not easily commit sin.-There is a great difference between him who is ashamed before his own self, and him who is only ashamed before others.-One contrition in man's heart is better than many flagellations. The last thief is hanged first.-Teach thy tongue to say, "I do not know."-The heart of our first ancestors was as large as the largest gate of the Temple, that of the later ones, like that of the next large one; ours is like the eye of a needle. -Drink not, and you will not sin.-Not what you say about yourself, but what others say. Not the place honours the man, but the man the place.-From the Quarterly Review.

DISCOVERIES IN SYRIA.-Lovers of

biblical antiquities will rejoice to hear that the excavations now being made in Syria have resulted in the discovery at Nadir Sarape, of a Hebrew honse dating from about the second century before Christ. Some of the rooms, with their contents, are in perfect preservation, among the latter being a number of Hebrew books, showing that the house belonged to a literary man. Besides the books of Moses and the Psalms of David, there is a collection of Hebrew poems, absolutely unknown to the Orientals of our day. These interesting remains, many of which bear traces of Egyptian origin, have been sent to the Asiatic Society of London.Christian Work.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THE

FIJI.

MURDER OF THE REV. THOMAS BAKER AND NATIVE TEACHERS BY CANEIBALS.

A Few days ago it was my painful daty to address a letter to the Rev. S. Rabone, General Secretary of the Australasian Wesleyan Missionary Society, informing him of the melancholy event that has just covered our pulpits with mourning, and filled our hearts with the bitterest sorrow.

As the occurrence is of such mournful interest to our friends everywhere, and to the public generally, I herewith, to save time, send you a copy of that letter, which contains full particulars of the recent massacre of my late esteemed colleague, the Rev. Thomas Baker, and his companions.

After more than eight years of hard and successful work among these savage tribes, my brother missionary has been treacherously murdered by cannibal hands.

This loss falls heavily on our Society, but indescribably so on the heart of one who, with her three fatherless little girls, is now preparing to leave these shores with many a lingering and heartbreaking look towards the dark hills in the distance, whence a loved one will never return.-Rev. Jesse Carey, Rewa, August 22d, 1867.

[Want of space prevents our giving more than detached portions of this letter as it appears in the "Notices."]

A FEW days ago I was thinking about sending you a few facts respecting the work of God in this Circuit, when suddenly my mind was disturbed, and my heart wounded, by news of one of the most dreadful calamities that has ever happened in the history of Missions. It is now my painful duty to tell you of a deed of darkness, which has sent a thrill of horror through the heart of every missionary and white settler in these islands. The laborious and useful life of my esteemed colleague has been prematurely brought to a close by the savage act of a cannibal tribe of an inland district, about forty miles from this station.

On Saturday, July 13th, I received a line from Mr. Baker, to say that he was just then leaving home on a visit to some inland tribes. You have already been made aware, by Mr. Baker's own letters, of the pleasing fact, that many of these tribes have lately abandoned heathenism, and sent for Christian teachers to instruct them in the faith of Jesus Christ our Saviour. No heart was more delighted at this change than that of my departed friend. A few months ago we stationed a large number of teachers in the towns and villages of these benighted people.

These teachers, I need not say, require constant pastoral oversight and direction. Such a visit, therefore, as my late brother missionary started on the 13th ultimo to make, did not surprise me, as he had often been before on similar work.

On the evening of Saturday, July 13th, Mr. Baker remained in the district of Nailasiri, and was kindly accommodated at the house of Mr. Morton.

July 14th. After breakfast Mr. Baker rowed up the river to Natoaika, where he preached in Fijian. During the day he made another short stage, and stopped to hold another native service at Naso. Then he proceeded to Natausa, in the Viria district, and in the evening preached in English at Mr. Lee's residence to a small congregation of planters. After service he went to the town of Viria, where he slept.

15th. He was in his boat early in the morning, and on his way to the next tribe. Soon after leaving Viria he met one of our native teachers, Isaiah Naseikai, whom he took into his boat. In the afternoon he reached a town called Navunimoli, on the north branch of the Rewa river, known as the Wai-Luve--" Great Water." He slept here, and the next morning gave orders to the teachers in this neighbourhood to take his boat home, should they hear that he had decided to proceed westward.

16th. Mr. Baker and party struck across the country to Nacau, and stopped for the night at a place called Toberua, in the district of Navunidakua. In former visits, I believe, he had never been further inland than this.

17th. He passed into the Dawarau district, and reached Namara, the chief town, in the evening. The chief's name is Waqaliqali. Here Mr. Baker met three of the four native teachers lately appointed to this tribe, which a few months ago gave up heathenism, and sent for Christian instructors. The tribe is, however, only very partially Christian, and the change, as is always the case at first, is only nominal. This is the limit of our inland operations. All beyond, to the westward, is heathen, and comparatively unknown. Mr. Baker stayed here all Thursday, the 18th, and in the evening told the

chiefs that he should like to leave on Friday morning; but they begged him to remain on Friday, as they were anxious to give him and his people a "feast of yams and pork.". To this he appears to have readily consented. He had preached to the people on Thurs day, and now appointed Shadrach Seileka to preach to them again.

19th. The "feast of yams and pork" was given, as promised. During his stay at this town Mr. Baker made many inquiries about the next tribe, and expressed a strong desire to pro ceed, for the purpose of asking the people to abandon heathenism; and also, if possible, to get their permission to pass through their territory to the tribes beyond.

[At this point Mr. Baker wrote two pencil notes,-one to Mrs. Baker and the other to Mr. Carey.]

The letter to Mrs. Baker, in some respects, is a remarkable one. It gives us the motives that led him to penetrate so far inland, and that is a source of much consolation to his mourning widow and to us all. It is dated

"DAWARAU, July 19th.

"I AM here, and have been two days now. We have had very wet weather until to-day, which has hindered us. I find we are mid-way across the land, and am resolved to go all the way, now I am so far in. I had thought of this before I left you, but did not name it, because I knew you could not endure the thought of my going away for so long a time. But I have only decided this evening to go. And I do so Lecause, first, I want to do the people good; second, because I believe there is no great obstacle in my way; and, third, because if I do not go now I shall never go." [This last remark refers to his being about to visit the colonies for a short time, and then to return, probably, to some other field of labour.]

"When you get this I shall be at or near Vuda, and shall come back by way of Nadroga, and up the coast. In this way I shall not require a boat to go for me. You must cheer up, and pray for me. I am in my Master's work, and He will take care of me and mine. We are all in good spirits, and our feet are sound. We have preached twice

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yard. Mr. Baker and the native mis-
sionary then went up and shook hands
with him. Then the native mission-
ary, in accordance with Fijian custom,
from, what they had come about, and
reported fully where they had come
where they wanted to go. Pre-
senting a "whale's tooth," he begged
that the chief would be kind enough,
at his convenience, to conduct them to
might proceed thence to
the next tribe, of Magordo, that they
Vuda.
Having listened to the report and the
luvu, took up the tooth, and promised
request, Katakataimoso alias Waba-

here. I did so yesterday, and Shadrach has preached today. People are becoming Christian all round, and there is only here and there a town that is not lotus. We start early in the morning for Navosa. I anticipate no difficalty, except in this place. If they do not lotu, I believe they will not venture to kill me. I think much about you and our little ones, especially Alice. If Navosa should lotu, I will send another letter on by Nadroga, or any other way that may offer. I may be home by to-morrow week, July 27th. I have found the people very kind, so far. We hope to reach Navosa to-morrow, and, if they lotu, to spend Sunday His reply to their expressed wish, that there. There is no fighting anywhere he would give up heathenism, was not now, so I feel the 'coast' is all clear. so favourable. He would not make Kiss the children for me,-all of them, any change, as he hated Christianity. -and tell them to pray for me. On Mr. Baker told him that if he felt Saturday, (27th,) let the boat be sent to Besa, as I hope to meet her there. Good night, my dear wife, and God bless you all.

Your devoted husband,” &c.

These letters were received on Tuesday morning, the 23d of July; but the brave missionary had been taken away two days before that from his Master's work to his Master's side.

to show the travellers the road to Vuda.

inclined to lotu-become Christian

he, Mr. Baker and party, would spend Sunday in his town. On his declining

to do this, Mr. Baker asked to be conducted on his way that night: whereslept here on his way across the land upon the chief said, "No, the consul from south to north, and so must you."

for it is said that he communicated this Then Mr. Baker seemed more satisfied; fact to his young men, and the whole

At this place Mr. Baker got another teacher to join him; and his party now consisted of one native missionary, two teachers, and six young men from of the place visited the strangers, and At a late hour many of the natives our Circuit Training Institution. Mr. made many inquiries about ChristianBaker and his companions were with- ity. Some said, "What is the Chris

party went at once to a house pointed out to them by the chief.

out arms.

July 20th.-Early in the morning "Will it make these bodies of ours live the chief of Namara, Dawarau, gave for ever? If it will, then we will be Mr. Baker two young men as guides, come Christian at once." The mis and the party left before breakfast for sionary and the native assistant misthe district of Navosa. The chiefs and sionary, in kind and pleasant words, many of the townspeople went a few explained. Then, again, said others, miles with them, and then bidding "Where are presents to us; where are the farewell, returned. Mr. Baker guns and powder and cloth, that we

tianity you come to tell us about?"

and his comrades then took breakfast.

may become Christian with?" In this

They continued their march; and by way conversation was kept up for some about two o'clock P.M. they a distance the principal village, or town, place. saw in the as the natives call it, of the Navosa

time; but nothing unpleasant took

21st.-Early in the morning

tribe. After taking some refreshment Mr. Baker conducted morning prayers

they walked

up, and on

entering the

town inquired at once for the chief's house. The chief's name is Nakataka

with his people, and the party took breakfast. One witness states that Mr. Baker was seen looking through his

taimoso. When told of the arrival of telescope from the low doorway, at the strangers, he came outside and sat something going on outside; probably down on a stone in the public court- he saw people coming in from othe

places. Then he said, "Lads, let us be quick, or we shall be killed to-day." However this may be, it is certain that at about even o'clock A.M., and just while a little water was boiling to make the missionary a cup of coffee, the chief of the town came to the door, and said, "Come along; let us put you on your road at once. Messengers have come from the neighbouring villages to say that the people will soon be here, and if you stay much longer you will be sure to get killed." The missionary, without a moment's delay, said, "Who will conduct us out of the town?" And the chief said, "I will." Without waiting for coffee, or, as far as I can learn, taking notice of anything in the house, Mr. Baker followed his guide, and the whole party turned out and formed in single file, one behind the other, which is Fijian marching order. The two young men who had acted as guides on Saturday were detained in the house.

The chief, as he promised to do, led the way. Mr. Baker followed, and behind him came a strong-looking native of the place, carrying a kind of battle-axe or long-helved tomahawk; then came Shadrach Seileka, the native assistant missionary, and after him two teachers and six young men belonging to our Circuit Training Institution.

The last man but two in the line had on his right shoulder a small iron box. The party had not gone more than a hundred yards, when the last two young men looked behind, and saw the second chief of the town leading on a band of armed savages.

They were coming on at a rapid pace, and without noise or confusion. This terrified the two young men, who ran forward into the middle of the party. The man with the iron box was now the last in the line. The chief leading the armed men, with a long club dealt him a blow on the head. As the box was a little tilted behind, it received the full force of the blow, and the man dropping the box, sprung out of the line to the left. The noise and the commotion behind caused Mr. Baker

to turn round, and step a little out of the path, to see what had happened. The man with the long-helved hatchet passed on somewhat ahead, and then turned too, so as to be just behind Mr. Baker. The missionary at that moment, with his right hand raised, was in the act of speaking, when he was suddenly cut down by the man, who chopped him across the back, and a little to the right side of the neck.

At this point the evidence of our best witnesses breaks off; for it is that given by two young men who escaped. One of these saw the hatchet raised, but did not see it fall, for he was gone into the reed-grass close by.

This young man was one of the two who had a few moments before changed position by running into the middle of the line. The other, who was the man that carried the box, heard Mr. Baker say, "Don't! don't!" and he saw him struck with the hatchet, and fall over on his right side. This man concealed himself in the reed-grass till night, and then, finding the path the party had come by on Saturday, he succeeded by night-travelling in reaching Veria three days after this horrible deed was done. He was found by my messenger-sent in search of additional news to that brought by our teachers from the inland tribes-on Thursday, July 25th, and examined the same day by the Rev. F. Tait and myself.

The deceased missionary was in the thirty-sixth year of his age, and the ninth of his ministry. A more hardworking man I have not known. He was not a hasty enthusiast, but a steady worker, who never flinched from duty, when it appeared clear to him that duty called him to action. He was for two years my colleague on Vanua-Levu, the island next to this in importance and extent in the group. For the last two years we have again been fellow-labourers.

THE amount of Contributions and Remittances announced on the Cover of the Notices this month is £9,812 188. 7d.

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