to advocate; and it, ultimately, works its own cure, by destroying its own existence; and brings its supporters into that contempt, it so industriously endeavours to hurl upon that authority, to which, finally, its supporters so meanly cringe. Never permit our children to read any leading articles in any Colonial Newspapers. There is so much scurrility, vituperation, and perfidy amongst their productions. I am exceedingly anxious that my dear children should have the cause of my present privations, and humiliating and degrading situation, constantly pressed upon their attention, that they never may be exposed to the same fate as that which has overtaken me, but be preserved from it. I am aware that you will expect to hear an account of the cruelty and tyranny, which is supposed to be inflicted, and in existence here; but, to be candid, this is not that 'earthly hell,' which it has been represented, by vindictive writers. If credit is to be given to the stories of men here, there has been a very great degree of severity exercised by the authorities, and if I may judge, or venture an opinion, on the measures which put such severity in execution, I have no hesitation in saying, that the insubordinate state of the prisoners fully warranted the exercise of such rigorous discipline. But our present Commandant, (who was not here when the mutiny took place,) has given humanity a fair trial; and it has had a very good effect. There was an attempt made to abuse his goodness, by a few misguided individuals, and such are never wanting in any community. They took to the bush, for a few days; but he proved himself no waverer, but a very determined and prompt officer. And although his public duty was painful, and trying to his feelings, yet as a Public Functionary, he could not, and did not, let his private feelings step between himself and his duty; but by a partial and momentary severity, to two or three individuals, he shewed an infinite degree of humanity to every prisoner on the Island; for he put a full and effectual stop to that crime. APPENDIX. An EPISTLE to FRIENDS in HOBART TOWN, &c. To Friends of Hobart Town, and such other persons as habitually attend their Meetings. Dear Friends, Our hearts have been made sad, by the information we have received, respecting the departure of one, who was of your little company, from the paths of rectitude; and by the offence which his misconduct has occasioned. While we mourn over him, as over one that has fallen into the snare of the devil, to his eternal perdition, unless he repent, and turn from his iniquity, and obtain pardon of the Lord, we cannot but feel an anxious solicitude, for the rest of the little flock in Van Diemens Land, who, being turned to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as manifested in man, have been brought to sit down together in silence, to wait upon the Lord, in their public worship. May all these watch and pray, that they enter not into temptation. If we neglect to keep our minds open to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, we shall not perceive our spiritual wants, and how then can we ask to have them supplied? The imitation of prayer may indeed be uttered in words, or presented in the language of thought, but it will not ascend with acceptance before the throne of God; it will form no part of that worship which is in spirit and in truth, and which alone is acceptable to God. Be careful, then, dear Friends, that you do indeed watch over your own hearts before the Lord, and as you feel your own souls' necessities, pray unto the Father, in the name of his beloved Son, for the supply of your need, for pardon, or help, or strength, or preservation, as you feel you require these blessings. How great is the privilege, of being permitted to ask of God, in the name of Christ, when, because of past transgression, we are universally unworthy, to receive anything that we may ask in our own names, or for our own sakes! And seeing that the Lord Jesus so loved us, that he gave himself for us, how ought we to cherish love to God, and one to another! Christ himself hath declared, that it is impossible but that offences will come; therefore, let us not be discouraged by them, nor act as the world, who refuse to come unto him, or to walk with him, because of these offences. For "Woe," is still "unto the world because of offences," and "woe," is also "unto him by whom the offence cometh." Be not shaken from steadfastly following the Lord, by what has happened, we entreat you; but rather, be stirred up to diligence thereby, that so you may be enabled by a holy, chaste, conversation and conduct, to exhibit proof to those around you, that the fall of such as go astray, is not the fault of the Foundation, on which you have builded, but their own fault, in departing from this Foundation. Remember, for your encouragement, that "truth is truth, though all men should forsake it,” and that "the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." And dear Friends, have compassion on those, who through unwatchfulness, and human infirmity, are overtaken with a fault; and seek to "restore such in the spirit of meekness, considering yourselves, lest ye also be tempted:" yet deal faithfully and impartially, with those, who persist in a course contrary, to sound doctrine or practice. Much as we value gospel ministry, when it is exercised under the divine anointing and putting forth, both in testimony and in prayer, we are solicitous, that none among you may be trying to live upon vocal labour, in meetings, or thinking that meetings cannot be profitably held without vocal expression. Such temptations are very dangerous, both to those who speak, and to those who hear; and if given way to, they weaken the establishment of those who give way to them, till their ministrations destroy the life of religion, instead of strengthening it, and the hearing becomes the object waited upon, instead of the Lord. Be not therefore, ashamed of silent meetings, neither f be discouraged at their occurrence;. but let your hearts be to the Lord, both in them and out of them, and be diligent in attending them; then you will profit under the Lord's own teaching, and if, at seasons, he put forth any to speak in his name, there will also be a preparation of heart to hear with profit; and those who speak under such impressions, keeping within the measure of their exercise, will edify the Church, and be strengthened themselves. We remain, with much love, Your friends, JAMES BACKHOUSE. GEORGE WASHINGTON WALKER. Sydney, New South Wales, 23rd of 5th mo., 1835. APPENDIX. An ADDRESS to the PRISONER POPULATION of NEW SOUTH WALES and VAN DIEMENS LAND. The Address of James Backhouse and George Washington Suffer, we entreat you, two individuals, who have spent nearly five years, in New South Wales and Van Diemens Land, in labouring to promote the temporal and eternal welfare of their fellowcreatures, without any other motive than that of endeavouring to discharge a Christian duty, to call your attention to the present Address. Seriously peruse it, and reflect upon it; and accept it as their parting expression of sincere concern for your well-being, now that they are about to leave these shores, for other fields of religious labour, into which they believe themselves called of the Most High. During our sojourn in these Colonies, we have felt much for you, who are in bondage; and have often, when opportunity presented, expressed our fervent desire, that you might act as rational men, and as Christians; and we continue to feel for you, under the humiliating circumstances in which you have been placed, through sin. We would therefore entreat you to keep in remembrance, that it was sin which brought you under the punishment you suffer; and that, as sin brings a measure of its own punishment in this world, sometimes in the form of bondage, and always in one |