aware, that many of the individuals, who became reformed, at Macquarie Harbour, were first awakened to a sense of their lost state, and of their need of a Saviour, and of the constant help of the Holy Spirit, to enable them to resist temptation, and to work righteousness, by remarkable circumstances, permitted, or ordained, in the overrulings of a merciful Providence. Yet those who were thus awakened, were, in many instances, encouraged and confirmed by the Christian care of the first Missionary.

The services of this individual, in the latter part of the time of his residence at Macquarie Harbour, were nevertheless, rendered much less influential, by his giving way to compl-in to the Commandant, of the omission of some one, to pay him the customary, and empty token of respect, of taking off the hat to him as he passed. In so doing, those around him, perceived the operation of a spark of the pride of unregenerated man, such as ought not to be seen in a Christian minister; and I am persuaded, that however consistent it may be thought, with the military, or the civil discipline, to require such tokens of respect from prisoners, whether the respect exists or not, it will not do for religious men to require them, if they regard their own usefulness in the Divine hand, for the reformation of the unrighteous. If religious persons conduct themselves with humility and sincerity, manifesting a christian interest in those around them, in the fear of the Lord, they will be respected by those who are in any degree capable of appreciating that which deserves respect; and they will generally receive the tokens of it in the usual forms, except in cases where persons cannot use the common forms conscientiously, on account of many of them being tokens of homage to God, and of their general insincerity, as applied to men; and in these cases, the respect will be shown in more marked attentions, even from prisoners.

What I want chiefly to impress upon thy attention, is the ab. solute necessity of a minister, keeping his mind under the power of the Holy Spirit, in order that his ministry may baptize others "into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" for unless the Lord's power accompany our ministry, however sound our doctrine may be, it will not awaken the spiritually dead. If the dead be raised by the Lord, through our instrumentality, we must first be baptized of the Holy Spirit, for the dead; and if the sick in spirit be healed, we must sympathize with them, under the operation of the Holy Spirit. We must be willing, in our measure, to follow the Captain of our Salvation, who took our sicknesses, and bare our diseases, and who, having been tempted

in all points like as we are, though without sin, is able to succour them that are tempted. Many of the baptisms of Christ belonged to his office of a minister, in which he was an example for all ministers. These baptisms are to be distinguished from the offering of his life upon the cross, for the sins of mankind. In patiently bearing our measure of such sufferings, on behalf of others, we fill up our portion of "that which is behind, of the afflictions of Christ in our flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church.” See Col. i. 24.

I want also to impress upon thee, the importance of being "instant in season; out of season;" for I am persuaded, that where religious labours are only used in set seasons for public worship, they will be of comparatively little effect. The mind of the labourer will, in the intervals, get from under the power of the Holy Spirit, and his ministrations will lose the savour of life. On the other hand, if the mind be kept in a close walk with God, attentive to the pointings of his Spirit, he will frequently open to the view, out of set seasons, opportunities for speaking a word to restrain evil, or to direct in the way of holiness, by turning people's attention to the inward manifestation of the Holy Spirit, as a witness in the conscience, against sin; and as a Comforter to those who work righteousness, and seek daily for the renewed, or continued evidence that their sins are blotted out in the blood of the Lamb. In these opportunities, "out of season," much is to be done, under the putting forth of the True Shepherd, in the way of remark, conversation and example.

It is well to be cautious of impeding such services, by too readily clothing these simple exercises in the formal garb of preaching or prayer; nevertheless, we must preach, and pray too, when these services are opened before us, of the Lord. Where the mind is kept under the power and guidance of the Spirit of Truth, there is often, in fields of labour like Port Arthur, a right opening for reading small portions of Scripture, and for making comments, in simplicity, on such passages as may impress the mind for instruction, or on other passages or subjects, that may not at the time have been read. At other times, there may be no such openings for expression; and then, it is safest to let the simple reading, with a pause, for inward exercise of soul, suffice.

I wish particularly to commend to thy Christian sympathy and notice, the poor creatures, sick in the hospital, or in the exempted building, and those in solitary confinement. Often, "man's extremity is God's opportunity;" and I believe, if thou give thy mind.

to exercise before the Lord, for these, he will reward thee with fruit from among them. I would also recommend thy visiting, as frequently as can be done, the out-stations, including the constables' huts, &c. The men on Woody Island, told G. W. Walker and myself, that they had no Bible, nor any books: we gave them a few tracts, and promised to mention their situation to thee. On lending books, or receiving them again, it would be well to take the opportunity to converse a little on their contents: this would tend to increase the attention and interest of the men, in reading them.

I would also recommend thy taking a lively interest, in unison with the Commandant, in classifying the prisoners. Much evil may be prevented, by putting men who shew signs of religious reformation, by themselves, as, I think, is done in your schoolroom. Those whose conduct is improved, or improving, from inferior motives, ought to be separated from the more vicious; and so on, in different grades, till the worst, not sleeping in cells, are left by themselves; and those sleeping in cells should be apart from the others, in a day-room, unless their cells be used also as day-rooms.

When we put a good, or a well-conducted man, among those who are worse, we ought always to calculate upon his becoming as bad as his companions; for such is the evil tendency of human nature, that nothing but a miracle of grace can preserve such a man from contamination; and we cannot insure such a miracle. No doubt, but God would afford the needful grace, if the man were to seek it; but who among the sons of men, can assure themselves that such a man will never get off his watch, and fall into the snare of the devil.

I think the Catechist ought to consider it as one of his official duties to superintend the School, every time it is conducted. If he neglect it, the interest of the teachers and pupils will be sure to flag.

George W. Walker joins me, in the salutation of Christian regard; and in desires, that thou mayst so walk with God, and labour in his fear, and in the ability that he giveth, as to receive his blessing abundantly thyself, and as to be made of the Lord, abundantly, a blessing to others.

Thy sincere friend,

JAMES BACKHOUSE.

"An unfortunate Son, now embraces the afforded opportunity, of imparting to you, in the strongest terms, his fervent desires for your welfare, &c. Since the receipt of your last letter, I have, through the want of a friend, and which I shall long feel the need of, become convicted to Norfolk Island. *** My present situation here however, unfortunately, for me, dear Parents, [is such] that nothing but pure conduct, and the help of God alone, can afford me again the opportunity of meeting with you in this world. Dear Father and Mother, mine is a bitter lot in life; but I, myself, am alone to blame. Bid my brothers and sisters ever to bear my situation in mind, ever to refrain from drinking and loose company; and bid my sister M. to be careful over her son, lest he meet with my present unfortunate situation. And may every

***

**

blessing that God can impart, attend you all through life, is the prayer of your unfortunate, though affectionate Son,"

"My dear Father,

No. 2.

"Norfolk Island, 26th April, 1835.

"It is the heart-felt duty of me, to write to you at all opportuni*** What will be your surprise, when I inform you, that

ties.

upon my arrival in the Colony of New South Wales, I was immediately forwarded to this Penal Settlement, an Island in the South Seas, about 1,000 miles distant from Sydney. *** I cannot for a moment, imagine, that it was the intention of the British Government, for me to be forwarded here; and this most particular and important point, I have most earnestly to beg of you, to find out. I am quite aware, that certain Prisoners are so sentenced, to be forwarded to this penal place of punishment; but such persons are generally old offenders, and individuals who have been more than once convicted. *** If such is the law of my Country, that I, for the first offence, be transported to a Penal Settlement, (and that, the most severe in their dominions,) I must humbly submit to the same, and endeavour to obtain by my good conduct, a removal; but I cannot become reconciled to so strange a proceeding as yet; however, I shall most patiently wait for your reply, which I hope will be favourable."

"I am much concerned respecting the welfare of you, my dear father and mother, and my dear brothers and sisters. Tell them, I most earnestly hope, that my misfortune will be an everlasting warning to them; and whatever they do, strictly to obey your commands, and live an honest, upright, and religious life; for illgotten booty, only tends to make people miserably unhappy, instead of comfortable. Had I my time again, I would lead a very different life indeed, to what I have hitherto accustomed myself to. Accept yourself, my dear father, the kind love of your ungrateful Son,

No. 3.

"Norfolk Island, 11th April, 1835.

"My dear Wife and beloved Children,

66

Through all the chances, changes, and vicissitudes of my chequered life, I never had a task so painful to my mangled feelings, as the present one, of addressing you from this doleful spot,my sea-girt prison, on the beach of which I stand, a monument of destruction; driven by adverse winds of fate, to the confines of black despair, and into the vortex of galling misery. I am just like a gigantic tree of the forest, which has stood many a wintry blast and stormy tempest; but now, alas! I am become a withered trunk, with all my tenderest and greenest branches lop'd off.