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EXTRACT FROM SIR J. ROSS'S OWN WORK.

EARLY in the morning, whilst running before a strong easterly breeze, we found ourselves inclosed in a deep bay formed by the Pack or solid ice, which was seen stretching across our bows, as far as the true north. We were also, at this time, much hampered by extensive fields of thin ice, which at this period of the season always form near the margin of a pack or mass of thicker ice; we immediately hauled to the wind, but had great difficulty in extricating the ships, although still favoured by a fresh breeze. At noon we were again in clear water, but it soon after fell quite calm, and the heavy easterly swell was driving us down again upon the Pack, in which were counted from the mast-head eighty-four large icebergs, and some hundreds of smaller dimensions.

We found we were fast closing this chain of bergs, so closely packed together, that we could distinguish no opening through which the ships could pass, the waves breaking violently against them, dashing huge masses of pack ice against the precipitous faces of the bergs; now lifting them nearly to their summit, then forcing them again far beneath their water line, and sometimes rending them into a multitude of brilliant fragments against their projecting points.

Sublime and magnificent as such a scene must have appeared under different circumstances, to us it was awful, if not appalling. For eight hours we had been gradually drifting towards what to human eyes appeared inevitable destruction; the high waves and deep rolling of our ships rendered towing with the boats impossible; and our situation was the more painful and embarrassing from our inability to make any effort to avoid the dreadful calamity that seemed to await us. In moments like

these, comfort and peace of mind could only be obtained by casting our cares upon that Almighty Power which had already so often interposed to save us, when human skill 'was wholly unavailing. Convinced that he is under the protection and guidance of a merciful God, the Christian awaits the issue of events firm and undismayed, and with calm resignation prepares for whatever He may

order. His serenity of mind surprises and strengthens, but never forsakes him; and thus, possessing his soul in peace, he can with the greater advantage watch every change of circumstance that may present itself as a means of escape.

We were now within half a mile of the range of bergs. The roar of the surf, which extended each way as far as we could see, and the crashing of the ice, fell upon the ear with fearful distinctness, whilst the frequently-averted eye as immediately returned to contemplate the awful destruction that threatened in one short hour to close the world, and all its hopes, and joys, and sorrows, upon us for ever. In this our deep distress, "we called upon the Lord, and he heard our voices out of his temple, and our cry came before him." A gentle air of wind filled our sails; hope again revived, and the greatest activity prevailed to make the best use of the feeble breeze; as it gradually freshened, our heavy ships began to feel its influence, slowly at first, but more rapidly afterwards; and before dark we found ourselves far removed from every danger. "O Lord our God, how great are the wondrous works thou hast done; like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward! If I should declare them and speak of them, they should be more than I am able to express."-SIR JAMES CLARK ROSS. Ross. March 7th, 1841.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE recent reports from the Missionaries of our Church contain many interesting accounts of the progress of their work. In South Africa there is a mission at Timmanee. The following extract shows the willingness of the people to receive the clergymen who come to them:

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Having entered the town, and inquired after the chief, we were told that he was in a neighbouring village, on account of ill-health; but that if we had any thing to say, we might give a small present, and have the people called together, which we did. When the people had assembled, we informed them of the object of our coming; and it was truly gratifying to see and hear how pleased they were, the women showing their applause by

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clapping their hands. One said, 'I have three children, and my brother has four:' another, 'I have two:' and 'We will give you all our childen,' was the voice of all together. The Lord may bless you, White Man: you come to make our country good.' After the court was over, as we had fixed to be at Magbelih on the next day, the Lord's-day, we hastened to leave. Before passing the wall of the third town, the son of the chief came to say that his father wished to see us, as sickness prevented him from coming to us. Though sick now,' said he, 'yet, when you come to make a school here, you will see that I shall do much for you.'

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The next will show the nature of idolatry in those countries: :

Idolatry of the Yorubas.

The following passage is from the Journal of Mr. Maxwell.

"Oct. 11, 1846: Lord's-day.-At the close of the afternoon school, a Yoruba man, whose house is in the neighbourhood of the grammar-school, spent a few minutes with me. Among other subjects, we conversed upon idolatry as practised in his native country. So deeply, he observed, are his country people sunk in their superstition and idolatry, that were not the preaching of the Gospel the instrument of God's own appointment for the restoration of lost sinners, he should doubt the probability of any success the messengers of the Cross may have achieved who have gone thither, and all attempts for the conversion of that people as ineffectual. He informed me that, when in his country, he had five images, which were representations of some deities that he believed to exist; that his family was notoriously idolatrous; and that the number of idols in the possession of any individual might be increased according to circumstancesthe insufficiency of one idol to save in time of sickness or danger necessarily admitting the adoption of more. Hence the awful fact that there be gods many, and lords many, a fact demonstrative of the significant appellation assumed by the devil in the Gospel-My name is Legion.

"There is another species of idolatry practised in the Yoruba country, viz. iron worship. Few deities are more dreaded than the god of iron, whose province is, it is believed, to preside over metals, agricultural implements, and instruments of war. Previous to the undertaking of a military expedition, it is customary with the people to assemble in a house consecrated to this deity. There they bring their swords, hoes, and other materials of iron, which they place together in a great heap: this deity is represented by that heap, which is then named Oghung. The people then bow down to it, declare their dependence for assistance in the field upon the god of iron, and acknowledge and supplicate his preserving power. After this, each man takes from the heap what belongs to him, and returns home, when he is considered prepared for the field. The god of iron is so peculiarly dreaded, that, except on some serious and important occasions, his name is not called upon in oaths."

"At Krishnapooram the congregation is composed entirely of converts from heathenism. The way in which these men were led to embrace Christianity serves to show how noiselessly and unobserved, yet how effectively, the Gospel often wins its way. An old man, a heathen, received a copy of the New Testament, printed at Cottayam, from a Syrian. He read, and became deeply interested; conversing as opportunities offered with Syrian Christians. At length he met with some of our people, who conversed with him on the doctrines of the Gospel. He communicated what he heard, and read to others-his heathen neighbours-and at length began to come to Mavelicare Church, nearly ten miles distant, bringing one or two heathens with him. Up to that time he had never spoken to a Missionary. I soon noticed the old man in church, and found that he was regular in his attendance. Subsequently he came to the bungalow and told me his simple tale, expressing an earnest wish to be baptized. On questioning him, I was surprised to find that he was, to a great extent, familiar not only with the facts, but also with the doctrines of the Gospel. He was looking to Christ as the one mediator between God and man, as the friend of sinners, and seemed desirous to speak

of him not merely as THE Saviour, but as HIS Saviour. He appeared to see the necessity of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying influence to create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him. This was the impression left on my mind at the time, and his subsequent conduct has confirmed it. His efforts to stir up his neighbours were made effective. He induced several heathens to come with him regularly to church, as well as to hear and read for themselves. They, too, became very desirous to renounce heathenism; and the number of those who have already embraced Christianity is fifteen. Of these, a fair proportion attended church at Mavelicare during the whole of the monsoon. A weekly journey of nearly ten miles, through the heavy rain, was surely a proof of their being in earnest about something. There are at present nine candidates for baptism at Krishnapooram."

SOUTH INDIA MISSION.- -TRAVANCORE.

Baptisms-Persecution of a Hopeful Convert.

The following passages are extracted from Mr. Harley's Journal. At the end of the September quarter, he writes"Several heathen of the Chogan caste have placed themselves under instruction. Among them was one man, in particular, who has maintained great firmness amidst the persecutions to which his profession has exposed him. When he first came to me with a view of renouncing heathenism, I found, from the knowledge he had already acquired regarding Christianity from our books, that he was grounded in the principles of our religion. He had learned the Commandments, Creed, and Lord's Prayer; and I was glad to find that he was already prepared to act up to the spirit of what he had learned. Knowing that the Lord had forbidden the practice of idolatry, he went home and brought to me the idol that he had been in the habit of worshipping, and begged me to destroy it. It was a small, rude, uncouth figure, made of granite. I told him that he had better use it for a stepping-stone, for this was the greatest dishonour that could be offered to such false gods; with which he agreed. He has brought his wife and two children also with him, and hopes to persuade his father

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