that he was a great sinner, and stating his desire to obtain pardon from God. He continued about two or three months seeking that peace which God alone can bestow; and although he was not able to give so clear and distinct a statement of experience as we desired, he evidently became a subject of saving grace two or three weeks before his death; for all his guilty fears were removed, and he could contemplate his dissolution with composure. He often spoke of the goodness of the Lord in supplying his temporal wants. His trials in this respect were heavy, as he had a wife and four children to support, and his income for the purpose did not exceed five shillings per week. But the Lord raised him up friends, who in some measure relieved his necessities, and verified that promise to his comfort, 'They that trust in the Lord shall not want any good thing.' About a week before his death, he was called to experience another trial; viz., the death of one of his sons, who was suddenly taken ill, and died in a few days. But the power of that grace, of which he was the happy possessor, enabled him to triumph over this affliction also, and he was kept in perfect peace. It was really delightful to see the calmness and serenity of his countenance, and to hear what confidence he had in the promise of God.He was removed from this state of trial, as we trust, to mingle in the songs of those before the throne."

The following is from a Tract-Distributor of the same Society, whose narration will illustrate another mode of making Tracts useful:

"Knowing the power of God to forgive sins, and his willingness also to pardon the vilest of sinners, inasmuch as he has pardoned me, I thought I would send some Tracts to a very worldly friend. They were for a time carelessly put aside, and lay neglected in his box; until one Sunday morning his eye rested upon one entitled 'ETERNITY.' He took it up, and read it; and the truths it contained were carried with power to his heart. It was the means of inducing him to attend the house of God; and the result is, he is now, I believe, a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus; he is a member of the Wesleyan Society, and a Teacher in a Sunday School. May God give all his servants like success!"

This may be appropriately connected with another beautiful instance of Christian zeal and success:

"The following account is given by a Distributor, who was formerly living as a servant in a gentleman's family, but has since, in consequence of the death of his master, left the neighbourhood, which is now supplied with Tracts from the Hinds-street Society. The excellent individual alluded to writes thus -'About two years ago, while residing in St. James' Place, my mind was much impressed by considering the awful state in which multitudes were living around me; and I felt an earnest desire to make some effort to check the sin and iniquity which every where prevailed, especially Sabbath-breaking. For this purpose, purchased from the Depository at different times, Tracts to the amount of £8, of a character calculated to awaken and alarm those who were dead in trespasses and sins; and I rejoice to be able to state that I was amply repaid in the conversion of one soul to God, and in witnessing the beneficial effects which followed their distribution throughout the neighbourhood,-effects not confined to the lower classes of society, but extending itself in many cases to those who move in more elevated spheres, but who are not less interested in the blessings connected with the Gospel, or less in need of its transforming power.'

We are sure our readers will be both instructed and edified by the following delightful instance of the power of the Gospel, and will be rejoiced that such devoted labourers are found in the often unmarked path of Christian usefulness which Tract-distribution furnishes :

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Among others in my district," observes a Distributor, "who have been called out of time into eternity, was a man between forty and fifty years of age. I called one morning, as usual, and his wife informed me that her husband was not well. I embraced the opportunity of speaking to him concerning his soul and his eternal welfare. At first he listened to my tale with a careless indifference, as though religion did not belong to him; but every time I saw him, I took occasion to press upon his attention the great necessity there was of his preparing to meet his God, as I always had an impression on my mind that he would not long be an inhabitant of this world. Going for a short time into the country, I was prevented from paying my regular weekly visits at his dwelling; but the first Sabbath after my return, I went to him, and found that during my short absence disease had made rapid progress in his frame, and he was now

confined to his bed. I understood from his wife that he had made frequent inquiries after me since I was last there.I was encouraged to hear this, as at first he took no interest in what I said to him. I therefore began most earnestly to persuade and beseech him to fly to Christ for salvation. He seemed to listen with much attention, and appeared affected. I then prayed with him; and on the following Sunday called with another pious friend, when we found him an humble penitent at the foot of the cross, and earnestly longing for an assurance in his own conscience that God's anger was turned away from him. This was the last Sabbath he ever spent in this world. I went home, but the case of the poor man was continually in my mind; and on the following Thursday I called to

see him for the last time; but no sooner had I entered his room, than by his very countenance I saw a great and happy change had passed upon him. I told him how I rejoiced to see him brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. He said, 'O yes! I am happy: I know my sins are forgiven; I feel that I am a new creature. O! how can I praise God? I cannot express the happiness I feel.' I then joined with him in prayer and thanksgiving to God for his great mercy, in thus stooping and rescuing a soul upon the verge of eternity, as a brand from the everlasting burning. He continued rejoicing in God till Saturday, when his happy sp1rit quitted this earthly tabernacle, to enter into the paradise of God,"

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. WILLIAM TOWLER, dated Port-au-Plaat, Hayti, May 18th, 1842.

You will most likely have learned, by a more direct conveyance than I can now avail myself of, the awful visitation which this island has just experienced. On Saturday, May 7th, about five o'clock in the afternoon, we had three violent shocks of an earthquake, the two last of which were the most powerful. The surrounding mountains and trees, and the houses of this city, reeled to and fro like a drunken man; "the earth trembled at the presence of the Lord, at the preEven sence of the God of Jacob."

whilst thinking and writing of it, it makes me dizzy. The Mission-house rolled so much, as to throw over the chairs and water-jars; the books and bottles of medicine in my study were cast from the shelves to the floor; and most of the houses of the city were affected in the same manner. A range of stone and brick buildings, consisting of dwellinghouses and stores, were in a moment laid in ruins; but the greater part of the houses, and all our lives, have been mercifully spared. Glory be to God, for his great goodness to us!

It has not been thus with some of the neighbouring cities. Santiago, sixty miles in the interior, is in ruins: many were

a moment

killed at the time, and many are now suf fering from want of the necessaries of life. Cape-Haytien, built of stone, was overtaken with sudden destruction.Whilst all were occupied in their usual business, their houses shook and fell, burying many of the inhabitants in the ruins, maiming others, and in sending many into eternity. In a wonderful manner, (for such it must have been,) our brother Bird and his family were saved. I have not had a letter from him; but I have received a verbal message from a friend. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." We have heard that some of the smaller towns on the coast are sunk, and overwhelmed with water.How terrible is He in his doings toward the children of men!

At Porte au Plaat we had another shock, but not so violent, on Saturday night, and again very early on Sunday morning. During divine service we had another, which caused the chapel to rock, and the timbers to creak. We have also had several slight ones since. The inhabitants of the place were thrown into the greatest alarm and confusion; they ran from their houses, and fell upon their knees; and even those who call themselves infidels were compelled to acknowledge God, and prayed to him.

to have mercy upon them at that awful inoment. The Spanish Priest had all his people out in a short time, who walked in procession through the town, headed by a wooden figure of St. Philip, dressed as a Bishop, borne on the shoulders of men, before which were candles burning, and incense waving. Many of the American part of the population came to our chapel, and spent some time in prayer. On Sunday morning our place of worship was filled before the usual hour. There was a solemnity of expression upon every countenance: all seemed to feel that God had spoken to them. At the close of the service many cried aloud to God to have mercy upon their souls: they felt unprepared to die, and great was their lamentation. In the afternoon the chapel was crowded, and again in the evening at the French service. Nearly all the stores were closed on the Sunday, as also on the last Sunday: until now this has been the greatest day of commerce. The natives regard the earthquake as a visitation from God for their sins, and seem to be reminded and impressed particularly about their Sabbath-breaking. Most of the females have habited themselves in dresses of brown linen, as a token of penitence. O that it were a rending of the heart, and not merely a change of the gar

ments!

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We have had religious services at our chapel once and twice every day since: we have been led to examine our own hearts and lives, and to humble ourselves before God, beseeching him to avert further calamity. Many have come forward and declared their resolution to forsake sin, and enter into the service of God; some have already felt the truth of our Saviour's words, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Being justified by faith, they have peace with God." One instance I will mention, which is peculiarly gratifying, that of a young lady from the country, who is on a visit to our house. She is a native of France, and a Roman Catholic by baptism and education.She had been reading the Scriptures for some time, and had many doubts in her mind as to the profession in which she was baptized. During or shortly after the earthquake, on Sunday morning, whilst she was in the chapel, her bodily fears were drowned in alarm for her immortal soul: she felt herself to be a miserable sinner, and unprepared to die: she wept much about her condition: we

encouraged her to go direct to Jesus Christ in earnest prayer, seeking no other mediation. She did so; and poured out her soul in supplication to Him who has said, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." On the Tuesday afternoon following, she observed that she thought there was no mercy for her. We conversed with her for some time, encouraging her to put her trust in the merits of Christ, and placed in her hands Miss Thayer's Letters, directing her to the one containing an account of Miss T.'s conversion. This seemed to encourage her, in some measure, and she went out to the sea side, engaging her mind in prayer and meditation on the promises of God. On returning, she still felt her burden to be almost intolerable. She sat down, and took up the Bible, still praying; and, in a moment, on her exercising faith in the Lord Jesus, her load was all taken away, and she rejoiced in the favour of God, and in the sense of sins forgiven. She gave us a clear testimony that she had obtained peace with God, and has been very useful since in encouraging others to look to Christ, and believe on him. Now, she says, she sees that the Bible-way of seeking God, through the mediation of Christ alone, is the only true way.

I have made the alarm caused by the earthquake an occasion of visiting the houses of many of the natives, and conversing with them, giving them tracts and books to read.

May God grant that any good impressions that are made may not quickly wear away. My dear wife, myself, and family, are in tolerable health, thank God. We have not heard from Samana, nor from the brethren at the other Stations; but we trust that He who has preserved us here, and Mr. Bird and his family at Cape-Haytien, in so wonderful a manner, has also preserved them.

[The next month's Magazine_will contain an extract of a letter from Rev. W. B. Bird, giving a graphic description of the awful scene which he had witnessed in the destruction of Cape Haytien by the earthquake, and the particulars of the providential escape of himself and family. This, we are certain, will be very interesting to all, as it contains a very well-written account of an impressive manifestation of the strength of God, and the weakness of man. We are sorry that we have not room for it in the present number.]-Ed.