his own case. He became more and more calm. His countenance cleared up, and the gloom disappeared, at last he said, "It is even so. O Jesus, I have laid hold of Thee! Jesus, here Thou art! It is even true I have Thee!" His joy was indeed great, and his speech overflowed with prayer and thanksgivings. I never witnessed yet such a sudden, complete, and happy change. It was a complete transition from darkness to light. We all felt the presence of Christ, and, on his request, I baptized him forthwith. Then

he addressed his wife and children, charged them to forsake heathenism and all the works of darkness, and committed them to my care. In this happy state I took leave of him, and saw him no more, for he soon after died; but the catechist told me that he continued in the same happy frame of mind to the last, relying on the merits of the Redeemer for salvation, and that he once more spoke seriously to his wife and children, and charged them to join the congregation, which they have done.— Church Missionary Gleaner.

THE Rev. Charles Barff, of the Society Islands Mission, has, in the subjoined nar rative, recorded the life and labours of Moia, one of the first members of his church at Huahine, and who was also among the foremost of the native pioneers who prepared the way for the introduction of the Gospel at Samoa. To the pious confidence of this devoted man, in undertaking the cure of the most potent chief on the islands, when lying apparently at the point of death, and the signal success of his treatment, may be attributed, under God, the first favourable impressions the Samoans received regarding the new religion which Moia and his companions had come to make known to them.

"Moia, the subject of the following notice," writes Mr. Barff, "was a Raiatean by birth; but on his marriage with a woman of Huahine, he removed to this island, and resided, when I first knew him, near the Marae (temple) of Oro the god of war, and of Hiro the god of thieves. When we removed from Eimeo to Huahine in 1818, and began to form a settlement at Fare, but few of the people could be induced to come and reside at it. It fell to my lot to itinerate round Huahine, to preach and superinterd schools. We had a preaching place and school at Parea, the residence of Moia, and he was among the most diligent in learning to read himself and in teaching others.

When some were placed under a course of private instruction, as candidates for baptism, Moia was one of the first to remove with his family to Fare to enjoy that privilege; and on the 21st of April, 1821, was baptized, on the profession of true repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. He was now admitted among the candidates for communion, and united in church fellowship in May, 1822. His

conversion to God was not accompanied with those alarms of conscience which some experienced; but the growth of his knowledge, faith, and love to the Lord Jesus was gradual. He was one of the most active in the native schools; and in visiting the sick and aged at their houses, to read to them the Word of God, and pray with them. He was among the most diligent, too, in his attendance on the means of grace; and his conduct was uniformly consistent with the gospel of Christ.

Moia was one among many who early volunteered his services as a native teacher among the heathen, and was put under a simple course of instruction preparatory to the work. Proceeding to Tahiti in 1828, he accompanied two of the missionaries to the Marquesas; but as it was not thought safe to commence a mission there at that time, he returned to Huahine.

In the beginning of 1830, after much earnest prayer for direction, it was determined by dear Mr. Williams and myself, to try to commence a mission on the Samoan Islands, and Moia was one of the natives selected by the church of Christ at Huahine for that humble attempt. We left these islands in May, 1830, in the 'Messenger of Peace,' and had the happiness to land, in the month of June following, at Sapapalii on Savaii. Both our native teachers and ourselves were received, by Malieto and his people, with far more kindness than we could have expected. He was spared to labour for twelve years at Samoa.

"In common with his companions in labour, Moia suffered much from the actual want of the necessaries of life. The Samoans had not, like the Tahitians, been in the habit of giving food to visitors, so that, when the few trinkets, Mr. Williams

and I left with them were exhausted, they were reduced to extreme want; but even this was wonderfully overruled for good. Moia had one old black coat left, which had been sent to us, with many other presents, by a kind benefactress in England. This, after much earnest prayer, they determined to lay at the feet of Malietoa, as the best present they had, and solicit his support. Moia and his companions went to Upolu, where Malieto then resided, and found the chief in an aparently dying state. All the skill of the heathen doctors and enchanters had been tried in vain. Malietoa's family surrendered the sick chief to Moia and his companions; this was a trying moment. They knelt down and prayed for Divine direction. After prayer they consulted what to do, and finding the chief was in a high state of fever, they concluded that bleeding would be beneficial. With much fear and trembling, Moia extracted blood from his arm. The chief soon felt relief, and recovered his senses; and on opening his eyes, finding they had been the instruments of saving his life, he blessed them; and, when acquainted with the object of their visit, gave them permission to take food from his lands on all the islands, in which his family and people heartily concurred. They returned to their wives and children at Sapapalii in Savii, overflowing with gratitude to God for his wonderful interposition on their behalf.

"Soon after this event, a number of Malietoa's family and people put themselves under the instruction of the native teachers, and began to attend their religious exercises; and the good work once begun spread rapidly, under the blessing of God, on Savaii and some of the other islands of the group, so that, when dear Mr. Williams visited the islands in 1833, a large number had made a professsion of Christianity. The Rev. A. Buzacott and I visited the Samoans in 1834, and found several small chapels erected for the worship of Jehovah, wattled and plastered with lime, and a large one at Sapapalii on Savaii; and an increased number of natives had made a profession of the faith. It was during this visit that I asked Moia, in private; what occasioned the great change that had taken place. He answered it was the tibi iti, meaning the lancet, that produced the first favourable impression We had provided the native teachers with lancets when we

first located them, and taught them how to use them in case of sickness among themselves.

"It was during this visit that Moia moved from Sapapalii on Savaii to Falelatoi on Upolu, where he spent the remaining years of his labours in the Samoan Mission. He exerted himself very much in building chapels, preaching, and teaching to the extent of his limited knowledge. He was very much afflicted with the disease of the islands, elephantiasis; and, his eye-sight beginning to fail, he was, at his own request, brought home in the Missionary ship to Huahine in 1842. The Missionary in that part of the field where Moia was located, the late Rev. T. Heath, gave him an excellent character.

"Moia now resumed his place in the church of Christ at Huahine, and was as active in his office, as deacon, as his many infirmities would allow. His addresses at the church meetings were always listened to with deep attention, showing a large acquaintance with the Scriptures, and breathing a spirit of deep-toned piety. He survived twelve years after his return from Samoa. During the two last years of his life he was so severe a sufferer as to be unable to attend public worship; but the missionary generally visited him once a week, to converse with him on his Christian experience. God was very gracious to him, and gave him a strong faith in Jesus, and a desire to depart. The last time I saw him he was free from pain, and able to eat, drink, and converse as formerly. He lifted up his arms, and showed me his legs also, which, from having been for many years so swollen as to have become almost useless members, were now nearly reduced to their natural size, and asked me what the change indicated. I told him it showed that the outward man was rapidly decaying, and that his departure was just at hand. He replied, The sooner the better; come Lord Jesus, come quickly.' He died on the 3rd February, 1854, about midnight. He had been as well as usual during the day. About eleven p.m., he awoke his wife, and told her that the Lord Jesus had come for him, and desired her to call Roi, a deacon that lived close by, to come and read a Psalm to him and pray; and while the deacon was praying his spirit departed. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?"-Missionary Magazine.

From thirty to forty brethren and friends assembled at Derby in response to this circular, on Friday, Sep. 15., at St. Mary's Gate School Rooms.

J. Heard, Esq., of Nottingham, occupied the chair. Rev. E. Stevenson implored the divine blessing.

After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read, the Rev. W. Underwood proposed the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :

The Committee and friends of the General Baptist Missionary Society, convened in consequence of the sudden decease of its invaluable Secretary, the Rev. J. G. Pike, feel called upon to record their strong and painful sense of the loss it has sustained by his unexpected removal. They would gratefully acknowledge the divine goodness which has been manifested in making their beloved and lamented brother the chief instrument in the formation of the society, in preserving him in his important official connection with it during the past thirty-eight years of its existence, and in so abundantly succeeding his unwearied efforts to promote its prosperity. They desire to be submissive to the Divine will in the event that has translated this good and faithful servant of Christ from his sphere of usefulness on earth to his gracious reward in

heaven.

A further resolution was also pro

That this Committee on its first meeting after the lamented decease of its venerable Secretary, desires to express its deep sympathy with the bereaved family of our beloved and departed friend, and also with the church assem he was for forty-four years the faithful bling in St. Mary's-gate chapel, of which and zealous pastor, and to record its fervent prayer to Almighty God that both the family and the church may obtain comfort and guidance from above.

After some discussion it was unanimously agreed to invite Rev. J. Buckley, our returned missionary, to act as secretary until the next association. It was understood that Mr. Buckley will arrange for and attend the publie services of local associations, prepare the quarterly papers, and the next annual report. Brethren H. Hunter, of Nottingham, J. Goadby, of Loughborough, and J. C. Pike, of Quorndon, were appointed as a Committee to advise and assist.

It was stated at this meeting that Mr. Pike's family were intending forthwith to prepare a memoir of Mr. Pike; and that it is desirable that any friends who may have important letters from the late Rev. J. G. Pike, should kindly forward them to Rev. J. B. Pike, Bourne, Leicestershire. It is supposed the price of the work will be about five shillings.

Mr. Buckley was requested to draw up a condensed circular for private distribution, to obtain aid for repairing the loss sustained by fire at Berhampore. The Chairman who expressed his warm attachment to this mission intimated his intention, when the accounts were made up, to subscribe £100 to this object. After a short prayer by Mr. Goadby the meeting closed.

are obedient and faithful. "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my

money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This parable teaches that the Lord Jesus deals with his servants variously; that he intrusts them with talents for their use, according to his own sovereign pleasure; that he regards their "several ability" and opportunity in his bestowments; that he gives to all some talent; that the least as well as the greatest endowments are to be employed for his glory; that there will be a solemn day of final account, and that he will reward every one according to his works." He who received only one talent was condemned for not using it, while he who had received two and profited by them was as truly honoured as he who had improved five.

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Our thoughts are conducted by this parable to the day when God will "judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ," as the period when the full reward will be imparted to his faithful servants. The King will then "come in his glory, and sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him will be gathered all nations." "The heavens will declare his righteousness, for God is judge himself." Awful and glorious day! when the saints raised from the dead shall enter on the perfect and endless bliss of heaven, and the unprofitable and unbelieving shall be "cast out into outer darkness." Then, Christ will honour his faithful servants, and welcome them to his glory. But as we are taught in the divine word,