THERE are not, in the whole world, more noble and honourable men and women than Christian Missionaries. Kings and Queens and Nobles are nothing to them! Nay, many a King, and Queen, and Noble, has done more harm than good among the people over whom they ruled. There have been but few of royal or noble blood who have been benefactors of their race. But the Christian Missionary is a blessing-the greatest blessing to the people he visits. By proclaiming to the poor dark heathen, the glorious gospel, they have been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God. What a noble employment is this! An angel would delight to do such work. And in this work of mercy and love, not only men, but women have also engaged. Many have gone as the wives of missionaries, under the care and protection of their husbands. Not only have these ventured among the heathen, but single women also, from love to the gospel and the heathen, have gone out alone, leaving father and mother, and brother and sister, for Christ's sake. "Honourable women," your names shall be had in everlasting remembrance! The above picture represents a female missionary teaching an Indian child. What wonderful things does she tell it, of which the poor little creature knew nothing before. Instruction to such children must be to them like entering on a new world. Pleasing news of the good that is doing among the heathen, we are now always hearing from distant lands. Blessed be God, the father of all mercy, for his great goodness, in crowning the labours of his servants with success ! A missionary, now in this country, who for many years was in the South Sea Islands, and is soon going back, has written a letter to the young friends of missions, in which he says, "It is now nearly fifty years since the first missionaries went to Tahiti, and nearly thirty since the people of that, and many other islands near to it, were converted from heathenism. They are called the Society Islands. About twenty years ago the Gospel was first taken to the Hervey Islands, and thirteen years since, to Samoa. I have lived at Samoa several years, and have visited the other groups, and can therefore assure you that very much good has been done in all of them by the Word of God, and the preaching of the Gospel, and by schools. Above one hundred thousand people have been taught the name of Jesus, the Saviour, and many thousands now believe in him, and love and serve him. Before the missionaries went, they were all very ignorant and very wicked. At some islands, mothers killed their children; at others, the warriors killed those they took prisoners, and then feasted on their bodies, and sometimes burnt the old people and little children alive in fires! The poor children were taught all the evil ways of their parents; but now the mothers pre serve and kindly nurse their children, and men do not kill and devour one another. Many are still foolish and wicked, but not so much so as they were, and nearly all of them keep the Sabbath-day, and learn to read. They did not know, formerly, the true God, the Creator, and Preserver, and Saviour of men; but had very ignorant and foolish notions about many spirits and other things which they called gods. They worshipped rude idols, and birds, and fishes; but they only worshipped them from fear, or to obtain food, or health, or victory over their enemies; not as you do the true God and Saviour, from gratitude and love, and in order to obtain happiness for ever in heaven. But now they worship the same God and Saviour as you do, and are very thankful that British christians have taught them to do so." British children! think of heathen children; and not only think, but do something to send them God's blessed gospel. Remember, that the privileges you enjoy in a land like this, with schools, and bibles, and books abounding around you, should cause you, not only to be thankful for them, but lead you to pity and help those who, in the dark parts of the earth, have never yet enjoyed such advantages. A SOCIAL tea and public meeting was held in the school room, at the Wesleyan Association chapel, Beresford-street, Woolwich, on January 3rd, 1844; as introductory to the opening of a day-school for boys, in the above place, by Mr. J. S. Featherstone, on January 8th following. The Rev. J. Cox presided on the occasion; and, together with other ministers and friends, addressed the meeting on the subject of "Christian devotedness, and the best means of promoting it." In the course of the evening, Mr. Featherstone recited the following lines as descriptive of his plans, and expressive of his wishes, with reference to the new school. MUCH esteemed chairman, and kind christian friends, To give a line or two, my muse intends: |