eight, out of the twelve Missionaries requested, would immediately receive their entire support from the stations to which they should be appointed, without any charge, on that account, on the funds of the Parent Society. The Committee were at that time, as at the present, under the necessity of refusing many such applications: the expenditure of the year had far exceeded the income, and a compliance with the request for additional Missionaries would have occasioned an addition to the debt of the Society, and to the amount of money to be borrowed on interest: the application for twelve additional Missionaries was therefore not granted, although refused with great pain and reluctance. The following is an extract from the proceedings of the Committee on that occasion : "RESOLVED, That the Committee never more deeply regretted their straitened circumstances than at the present moment, with the urgent and affecting appeal from the Jamaica District before them for additional Missionaries. Most gladly would they send out the twelve Missionaries requested, in confidence that the Missionaries and Circuit-officers of the District would redeem their pledge of not allowing the expense of the support of more than four to come on the funds of the Society; but the Committee are under the necessity of declining to comply with this request, as they would have to borrow the whole amount required for passages and outfits; and would also have before them the prospect of an accumulation of debt from year to year for the whole cost of those Missionaries whose support was not provided on the island." Subsequently to the date of the above Resolution, the Jamaica District experienced a reduction in the number of its Missionaries, by the death of Messrs. Greenwood and Redfern, as announced in the "Notices" of last year; and we regret that it is now our duty to place upon record the fact of a further diminution of their number, by the lamented removal of the Rev. Wilson Lofthouse, who died at Savannah-la-Mar, on the 10th of October. Up to the Sabbath before his death, on which day he preached three times to large congregations, he was in labours more abundant; and, as the following letters testify, his labours were rendered very useful. To supply the vacancies thus occasioned by death, and to fulfil the reasonable request which met with a negative in October, 1840, fifteen Missionaries would be required for Jamaica alone! The Committee wait the result of their appeals for extraordinary and additional exertions, on the part of the friends of Missions, at the close of 1841, with great anxiety. They are also equally anxious to ascertain what may be their prospect for 1842, and for following years, in the way of regular and stated income; as they must necessarily, for the future, regulate their expenditure for the outfit and passages of Missionaries, as well as for their support, by the probable income for the year. The following letters will strongly confirm the views of the Committee as to the great and growing usefulness of the Jamaica Mission, and the undeniable necessity for a large and prompt supply of labourers to that large and populous island. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Jonathan Edmondson, dated Beechamville, Jamaica, October 26th, 1841. I HOPE the Committee will not think me unmindful of their Circular, when the bills reported above are presented at the Mission-House. I am anxious, and so is the District-Treasurer, as much as possible to avoid drawing; but, though the Missionaries can be put off until the District-Meeting, the School-Teachers cannot be managed in the same way. Mr. Armstrong is therefore drawing bills indispensable to the continuance of the schools. You will learn from other brethren by this mail, that death has again thrown its gloomy shades around us. On Monday, the 4th inst., Mr. Lofthouse, of Savannahla-Mar, began to feel unwell; on Tuesday the fever came on; and on Sunday, 10th, he died, in the steadfast hope of eternal bliss. The town of Savannah-la-Mar is regarded as unhealthy; the Circuit is about thirty miles in extent; and, in the wet seasons, the Missionary has to travel over wet and bad roads, exposed to the alternate influence of heavy showers and the burning sun. In this Circuit, especially, Mr. Lofthouse has laboured hard both in building and Circuit duties; and a new chapel, and a number of souls savingly converted to God, are among the happy fruits of his toil. His mourning widow (who is far advanced in pregnancy) and their little girl have returned to Kingston, their native place, where they will have all the attention of pious relatives and friends, and where, above all, we hope they will receive the blessing of Him who has said, "Leave thy fatherless children, and let thy widows trust in me.' In the present state of the Mission I have been almost at my wit's end about a supply for the vacant Circuit. To leave it until the District-Meeting, appeared very improper; and to get a suitable man, or a man who could barely keep things in order until the end of the year, (if peace and the well-being of other Circuits were to be considered,) seemed next to impossible. But last week I had an interview with Mr. Kerr and Mr. Bleby; and, after talking the subject over, Mr. Kerr generously con sented to give up Mr. Hann; and we have finally determined, that he shall come to this Circuit, and Mr. Bleby shall be sent to Savannah-la-Mar. What to say to the Committee, I know not. If the printed Plan is to be regarded as decisive of their intentions, Kingston has but three men for the city, and one for the mountains. SpanishTown, has only two, instead of three; and Stoney-Hill, Lucea, and Yallahs are unsupplied. Black-River has lost its Preacher; Savannah-la-Mar has been deprived in the same way; Mr. Lewis is unable to do his work, and will probably have to return home immediately. Considering the encouraging state of this District, with respect to numbers, and income, and prospects, and, I may add, the willingness of your agents to enter the doors opened by Providence, we do not think you treat us in the best way. For years we have been refused the least aid in building-grants; every prospect of increasing the Circuits has been closed upon us; and when our brethren fall in the field, their places are not supplied. I look forward to the approaching District-Meeting with painful apprehension. At present we have no prospect of being able to pay the brethren's deficiencies as our numbers now stand, we cannot continue the present stations, and must abandon to other persons, or to the prince of darkness, Circuits on which money, and health, and life have been largely spent; and this must be followed again by a great falling off in the ordinary income. But perhaps I am doing wrong to trouble you with these remarks. The Committee have doubtless their difficulties, as well as the Missionaries; and, perhaps, very many more than we have an idea of. I hope they will speedily disappear, and that a brighter day will soon dawn on Jamaica, and on your other Missions. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Richard Sergeant, dated Kingston, THE station lately commenced in Port-Royal Mountains has greatly exceeded our highest expectations. Mr. Harding, who is stationed there, has organized a society, now numbering near seven hundred members. His labours, however, are almost exclusively confined to that region; in consequence of which, the town of Port-Royal is deprived of its accustomed Missionary. We have also taken up Red-Hills, which was deprived of its Pastor by the death of Mr. Greenwood. Now, when you consider that three of us have Red-Hills in addition to what four had last year, one of these corollaries must necessarily follow, either, that your Missionaries had not a sufficiency of work before, or, that we have now a great deal more than we can properly attend to. sionaries last year with their labours. But, your Miswere worn down Then, how is it now with us? We are utterly unable in their sins, or you must send out more to do the work. We are pressed above Missionaries, or a native agency must be measure. The tension to which our employed. With respect to native physical and mental energies are per- agency, it does not become me to offer petually subjected must, sooner or later, an opinion. Your funds are exhausted. deprive both body and mind of that Then, shall the people be left to perish? natural elasticity so essential to our These sons of Africa, torn from home to existence, if that existence is to be pre- enrich the pockets, or furnish the luxuserved, for our comfort and efficient ser- ries, of the English; liberated by Eng. vice to Christ's church, from premature land's penitence; who, when released enervation. Some would kindly advise from slavery, instead of retaliating for us not to make injurious draughts upon wrongs received, kissed the hand that Our resources. We accept the advice was wont to oppress; who have become with gratitude, somewhat, we trust, the most docile and obedient subjects of commensurate with the friendship which Her Majesty's laws; who are, when farsuggested it. But those who advise ther instructed, to carry back to their cannot sympathize with the feelings excited on occasions not of unfrequent occurrence, when a messenger presents himself at the door, and the salutation assumes the form of a petition addressed to the exhausted Missionary's most sensitive susceptibilities:-"O massa, me sweet massa, please come pray for my son. Him sick. Him dying." The sun may be pouring down from his vertical height rays of fire. And sometimes we are ready to sink in the streets, faint and exhausted. Our frequent exposures to a tropical sun, and constantly inhaling an atmosphere so intensely rarefied, peculiarly prepare us for bilious, brain, and yellow fevers. A short time. back Mrs. Armstrong died of yellow fever. A few weeks after, Mr. Redfern died of yellow fever. A few weeks more, and Mrs. Bleby and Mrs. Simmons's child died of fever. And now we have to inform you, that Mr. Lofthouse is no more! The fevers which are now raging through the island are quite alarming. Whose turn will it be next? May we be prepared whenever our change cometh! Amen. The same principles which induced us to offer ourselves as Missionaries, sustain us amidst danger and death. You will also receive information, by this packet, that it is necessary Mr. Lewis should leave the island. In a short time, I suppose, one or two more must leave. What, then, is to be done with the Circuits deprived of their Missionaries? The people must either be left to perish fatherland the blessings of civilization, no fields of usefulness were stretched out I am happy to say, that the general health of my wife and myself continues good. May we be wise to spend it to the glory of Him to whom our more than all is due! Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Lewis Lewis, dated Kingston, Jamaica, THREE months have now passed, and I have not had one day's health; and it is to be feared that repeated attacks of fever have either produced hydro-thorax, or something akin to it. The constant suffering I have endured has led some of my brethren to entreat Mr. Edmondson to send me home. Several medical gentlemen have also spoken and written on the subject. I have tried everything I can command in Jamaica, to restore my health, especially change of air; but I have received nothing like permanent good. The Chairman has now written to inform me, that I am at liberty to return. But what a serious affair to leave the Clarendon Circuit, with four societies scattered over a hundred miles in circumference, to one Missionary! I have so pitied Mr. Hodgson and the people, that I have several times rode in the rain, and endangered my life, to assist him. But do our English friends allow this? Must we go to our appointments, when ill of fever, and so weak as to be obliged to preach sitting? I am fully persuaded, that if our dear friends knew our labours and sufferings, they would do more than they have ever done to send others to assist us. My dear Sirs, pity the Jamaica Mission! I know you do pity it; but with tears I beseech you to take care of the souls you have gathered. Dear Mr. Lofthouse, too, is gone!-strong, zealous, and efficient, but one week before his death! And who can be astonished at it? The Sunday before he died he preached thrice, beside other duties, in this burning clime. Do we call him imprudent? His love for souls, for perishing souls, led to the imprudence. In Jamaica the faithful Missionary must work or die. To sit idle, with thousands perishing on all hands, is impossible. Your Missionaries have been so useful, that they cannot be spared. I leave Jamaica with unfeigned regret, and could I have health I would not desire it. I am still, however, your servant; and wherever you think proper to send me, I shall readily go. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. David Kerr, dated St. Anne's Bay, Jamaica, October 26th, 1841. THIS packet will convey to you the melancholy tidings of the death of another of your Missionaries, our dear brother Lofthouse. Thus have three excellent and laborious men been removed from the field, in the vigour of life, in the midst of usefulness, and at a time, when, (humanly speaking,) above all others, we could ill spare them. But these afflictive chastenings, as well as the great prosperity with which your Mission in this country is still favoured, are all the Lord's doing, and leave us to adore with "speechless wonder at his feet." With him is the residue of the Spirit; and having also all power in his possession, he "doeth according to his own will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth;" neither must we say to him, What doest thou?" But, O, these are inscrutable dispensations of Providence, far above our ability to scan. Three Circuits in this District are left o be supplied fully, while every other Circuit is crying out for help; and at a time, too, when application after application to the Committee is met with si. lence, or with (no doubt the painful, yet) positive refusal. As a District we feel for you, and we are willing, to the utmost of our ability, nay, and beyond our ability, to help you, not only by pressing as lightly on the funds as possible; but, as soon as may be, if you will increase your agents, by clearing our own way, and ministering to the necessities of others. Of this you have ample proof, in the financial state of the District for the last two years; and especially the last year, in the £4,291 less expenses to the fund than the year preceding. Nor will this year be behind either of the two former; nay, it will be as the former, and, at least, more abundant, from all I can learn. I wish the Committee to look, not at the probable, but at the certain, result of an enlargement of their Missionary agency in this District; (I cannot enter into the merits of others;) and the certain result of an enlarged ministerial agency here, will be an enlarged income of souls and of funds. Our Annual District-Meeting is again very near; and what is to be done, unless you send us an immediate supply, it is impossible to conjecture. We cannot reckon upon more than twenty-six Missionaries, and one Assistant, even should death make no more inroads among us. Mr. Whitehouse, who has kindly stayed to supply Black-River, cannot be expected to take another Circuit. Mr. Lewis is, by three Physicians, ordered out of the country immediately, if his life is to be preserved. Mr. Lofthouse, there can be no doubt, fell a martyr to his work; and, unless our numbers are increased speedily, you may expect to hear of more; for, however unworthy I may be to apply the passage to myself, yet I will say of my brethren, that they "count not their lives dear unto themselves." But this will be a most afflictive way of having your agents withdrawn from the field; nor is it the most likely way of adding to the finances, to keep those places without an immediate supply of labourers, In this Circuit our connexional sympathies have been touched by the late painful bereavement. Savannah-la-Mar could not be left destitute until the District-Meeting. A Circuit of such extent was not likely to be much benefited by the scanty help it might receive from any of the neighbouring Circuits; besides, there is a chapel not yet finished, which requires constant attention and oversight. But what was to be done? This was the all-engrossing question of our excellent Chairman, on whom naturally devolves the care of the churches in such emergencies. And the only way he and I could devise, was to request Mr. Bleby to take charge of Savannah-la-Mar until the end of the year, and that Mr. Hann should take his place in the St. Ann's East Circuit; the Chairman affording me what help he can in the mean time. By this arrangement the case is met for the present; but it has been keenly felt by our people here, that they are obliged again to submit to a half-supply of ministerial labour. Nor do they forget to tell us, that, as they are contributing to the full supply, they have a right to expect it. This is exceedingly natural, and no more than any society at home would desire; namely, maintain, and receive. Moreover, the liberality of this society is proverbial, and unequalled by any other society in the District. Indeed, they are liberal to the full extent of their means; and they maintain their character by a spirit of sacrifice which is highly creditable to themselves. This is proved by a reference to the Auxiliary Report for last year, with which, doubtless, the Committee have been furnished; which shows that, in addition to £96. 14s. 2d., as subscriptions for general Mission-purposes, they subscribed £73. 6s. 3d. specially for Ashantee. And in closing the Circuit-account for the September quarter, I find that the average of weekly and quarterly moneys amounts to something more than 38. 6d. per member. You may be sure, therefore, that it was not without some anxiety I mentioned the above arrangement at our Leaders'-Meeting last night; the more so, because Mr. Hann is greatly beloved, and deservedly so, by all. I took the opportunity, however, of introducing a few remarks upon the subject of our connexional character, and our conse quent duty, even at the expense of increased sacrifice, to help a distressed, and especially a bereaved, Circuit. This was felt, and very readily granted. But the question came, "How long are we to be without our Preacher? Shall we have a second Preacher re-appointed at the District-Meeting?" Here the way was opened for another conversation on the embarrassed state of the Mission-fund. Knowing, as I do, the circumstances of the people, I scarcely could, with a good conscience, ask them to do any more than they are already doing. However, I placed the matter before them; and I send you a copy of two Resolutions which were immediately proposed, and adopted heartily and with one consent. "Wesleyan chapel, St. Ann's Bay, October 25th, 1841. "At the Leaders' Meeting, held as above. "Resolved unanimously, "1. That this Meeting, having taken into consideration the afflicted state of the District, occasioned by the death of several of the Missionaries in the course of the year, and especially the case of the Savannah-la-Mar Circuit, in consequence of the recent death of the Rev. Wilson Lofthouse, feel it a connexional duty, in the spirit of sacrifice, to relinquish, for the present, the valuable services of our greatly-esteemed Minister, the Rev. W. H. Hann, in order to supply the lack of service in the St. Ann's East Circuit. occasioned by the removal of the Rev. Henry Bleby to Savannah-la-Mar. "2. Having also heard with great concern the increasingly-embarrassed state of the Mission-fund, and cordially approving of the measures adopted by the Committee in promoting the work of God, the members of this Meeting pledge themselves to raise immediately (in addition to what may be done for ordinary Mission-purposes) the amount necessary to pay the passage of a single Missionary to Jamaica, with the view, first, of supplying one of the vacancies occasioned by death, and that the second Preacher may be re-appointed to this Circuit at the approaching District-Meeting; and, secondly, in the hope that some other Circuits may be induced to take up this important subject in such a way as to them shall seem most likely to contribute to the immediate relief of the District by securing a supply of Missionaries from the Parent Society, as also the speedy liquidation of the debt. "Signed on behalf of the Meeting, “D. KERRANN, } "THOMAS D. JEFFERSON, Leader |