Mr. Williams returned to the fields of his missionary service, leaving the British shore, April 19, 1838. He renewed his labours on his return to the island; and projected new missions: but his work was finished. "On the 19th of November, 1839, the apostle of the Pacific unfurled the banner of peace on the Island of Tanna, where the barbarous people showed him no little kindness, and gladly received the two Christian teachers brought from Samoa. In the evening he recorded his gratitude to God for their success, especially in a letter to a lady in England; but on the next day, while attempting to render the same service for the islanders of Erromanga, the poor deluded savages fell upon him on the beach, and murdered him and his attached friend, Mr. Harris." Thus fell this enterprising Missionary, honoured as a devoted servant of Christ, praying for his murderers, and as a martyr to the doctrines of his Divine Redeemer!

MEMOIR OF THE REV. DR. YATES.

DR. WILLIAM YATES was honoured in being the colleague and successor of Dr. Carey, as a translator of the Holy Scriptures. He was a man of uncommon attainments in learning, though he rose from a humble station in life. He was born December 15, 1792, at Loughborough; and received an English education in the high school of his native town: but as a boy he displayed no peculiar aptitude for learning. Religion, however, awakened his latent powers;

and, as one observes, "his mental history seems to furnish a lively illustration of the power of vital Christianity in quickening the intellect."

His parents feared God; and William was benefited by their instruction in the doctrines of Christ from the Bible; so that in his fourteenth year "he was baptized, on a profession of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and became a member of the General Baptist Church" at Loughborough. His pastor, the Rev. J. Stevenson, gave special attention to the young men of his congregation, and five of them united with William in a class for mutual improvement. This led to their preaching in the villages; to a thirst for learning; and to a concern for the salvation of the heathen. At the age of eleven, young Yates left school to work at his father's trade of a shoe-maker: but now arrangements were made for him to spend four hours a day in the Classical school, under the Rev. Mr. Shaw, so that he was soon able to read Latin and the Greek Testament. A situation, as usher in a school, near Derby, was procured for him; but his thoughts were intent on the Christian ministry; and, being recommended by the Rev. Robert Hall, he was admitted, in 1812, to the Baptist College, Bristol.

Mr. Yates pursued his studies with extraordinary diligence; and he was accepted as a Missionary for India. He was ordained at Leicester, August 31, 1814; the Rev. Dr. Ryland, Rev. R. Hall, and Rev. A. Fuller taking part in the service; he sailed for the East, on the 24th of October, and landed at Calcutta, April 16, 1815.

Dr. Carey received Mr. Yates as his successor in the work of translating the Scriptures; for which his studies, even on the voyage, and in India, were most diligent. "As a son with a father, he served with him in the Gospel," admiring the character and spirit of the venerable father of the mission. January 1, 1827, Mr. Yates embarked for England, and he visited America. He landed there April 15; and left on the 9th of August; so that he reached his family on the 12th of September. On the 13th of August, 1828, he re-embarked for India.

Dr. Yates resumed his labours at Serampore. He was complimented with the honorary degree of "D. D." from Brown University, America, in 1836. But his health again failing, his physicians ordered his return to England. He embarked on board the Bentinck, on the 3rd of June, 1845, but he breathed his last on the 3rd of July, within three days sail of Suez, on the Red Sea. The Rev. J. S. Wardlaw, of the London Missionary Society, on board with him, acted as a Christian brother to him; and he testifies the sweet composure of his mind, as, in full assurance of hope of eternal life, he fell asleep in Jesus.

It is impossible here to give a detail of the various labours of this faithful Missionary; but the reader is referred to the admirable Memoir of his Life, by his friend, Dr. Hoby. The mural tablet to his memory, in the Circular Road Chapel, Calcutta, truly states:-" He was distinguished by elevated piety, eminent wisdom, undaunted firmness, childlike humility, extensive erudition, and unwearied

diligence. He translated the New Testament into Hindusthani and Hindí; the whole Bible into Bengali; the New Testament and a great part of the Old into Sanscrit; and was the author of many useful works in various languages."

"The Committee of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society," as their resolution records of Dr. Yates, "having long entertained the highest admiration of his eminent piety, learning, and usefulness, and cherishing now a grateful remembrance of his distinguished Christian character, and his very important and valuable labours as a translator of the Scriptures, desire to record their deep sense of the great loss which not alone those who are engaged in the work of Bible translation or distribution, but all the members of the Church of Christ, have sustained, by the removal of that remarkable and honoured man from this scene of his zealous and patient toil, to the rest which remains for the people of God," &c., &c.

CHAPTER IV.

THE EDITORS OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF T. P. PLATT, ESQ., A.M., F.A.S., M.R.A.S.

THOMAS PELL PLATT, Esq., a devoted friend to the Bible Society, a gentleman of extraordinary learning, was appointed in 1824, " Honorary Librarian." It is not possible to represent, in this place, the valuable editorial services of this gentleman rendered to the Society. The Committee desired to secure him officially in the office of Editor, and " had all but concluded such an engagement with their valued friend; but the death of his father prevented its completion."

Mr. Platt formed one of the Sub-Committee for engaging Mr. Greenfield as Editor; and kindly cooperated with him in his duties. But being obliged to resign his office of "Librarian," in 1832, it was

Resolved, That this Committee receive with regret the resig nation of T. P. Platt, Esq., while, at the same time, they gratefully record the deep sense they entertain of the high value of those numerous services which have been rendered, both cheerfully and gratuitously, to the cause of the Society by him, during the eight years that he has held the office of Librarian.