that the spiritual results which appeared in connection with the mission-then, indeed, comparatively very limited in their amount, but calculated, nevertheless, to excite gratitude and inspire hope-might be multiplied, and extended more and more, as the light which increaseth to the perfect day! It is with much satisfaction we are enabled now to state, that, since that time, the movements, which then threatened serious political commotions in Madagascar, have happily ceased, and a state of general tranquillity throughout the island has ensued.* The missionaries have received increased proof of the favorable disposition of the government towards themselves personally, and also towards the mission, the operations of which it has, in various ways, aided. In the prosecution of their great objeci they have had to contend with fewer impediments of a political nature than formerly, while the mission itself have been attended with more distinguished success, and more decided encouragement, than have marked any antecedent period of its history. The people are now left by the government at full liberty to pursue the convictions of their own minds, both in regard to the public avowal of their belief in Christianity, and the personal observance of its sacred rites and ordinances. Shortly after this toleration was made known, nearly thirty natives, who had previously afforded evidence of sincere reception of the truth, came forward, and were admitted to the Christian privileges of baptism and the Lord's supper. This number has been subsequently increased to nearly seventy. The number of the natives who manifest an earnest desire to attend the preaching of the gospel has greatly increased, and is still increasing. Two chapels have been opened at Tananarivo, also a place for stated public worship at Ambohimandroso, distant some miles from the city; all of which are well attended by apparently devout worshippers; among whom are many who have not participated of the religious advantages afforded in the mission schools. Besides the places of worship already mentioned, several houses have been opened in the heart of the capital for meetings for prayer, and religious instruction and conversation; one or other of which meetings are held each evening of the week. The number of schools has not been increased, but the missionaries are looking forward to a considerable extension of their operations in this important department. According to the last returns, the number of schools in connection with the mission was about sixty, and that of the scholars (who had much improved in their learning,) about 2,500. A distinguished officer in the native army, zealous in promoting the object of the mission, has established an evening school at Tananarivo, where servants, and, indeed, every person who desires to attend, may go and receive religious and other instruction. From sixty to seventy persons attend this school, among which some have evinced great concern in regard to their spiritual interests. We are concerned to state, that letters from Madagascar, received since this article was set up, mention the revival of intestine war in that island. From the further communications just received, it appears, that this number has been, subsequently, greatly augmented. VOL. XXVIII. The missionary artisans have, in their respective vicinities, very commendably provided the means of acquiring useful learning and religious instruction to the operatives in their employ, being natives; of whom there are several hundreds. This arrangement has been attended with results equally gratifying and encouraging. On the other hand, the civil benefits imparted by the artisans in the prosecution of their respective callings, bave tended to conciliate the regard of the natives towards the mission, and render them, generally speaking, more accessible to the means employed for their instruction and evangelization. Indeed, the people at length begin to feel convinced that the benefits conferred by the missionaries are desigued for them, and are not intended, as they formerly supposed, to be exclusively reaped by the government. The printing press has been actively engaged in the printing of the Scriptures, together with hymn-books, catechisms. school books, and tracts, in Malagasse, for which there is a great demand. Numerous copies of the New Testament have been distributed, some of which have reached many villages distant from sixty to eighty miles from the capital, and even the seacoast, in different directions. On the whole, from the later communications of the missionaries, the general state of the mission, together with those circumstances of the country, on which, under Providence, much of its stability, progress, and future success may be supposed eventually to depend, are such as to afford the most animating encouragement, and to awaken the most delightful anticipations. On the part of the native authorities, is evinced an increasing disposition to carry forwards plans favorable to the advancement of civilization-to show personal kindness to the missionaries-to further their beneficent designs-to allow, as already hinted, the people to pursue their own convictions as to the truth and obligations of Christianity; while, in reference to the people themselves, it is gratifying to learn, that a spirit of inquiry has been diffused among them, which promises to extend itself not only in the capital and the surrounding country of the district in which it stands, but likewise in all the adjacent districts of the kingdom of Imerina. Persons are daily coming forward to be instructed in the Christian faith-a marked and gratifying improvement has shown itself among the native youths who have been instructed under the wing of the mission, some of whom address their fellow-countrymen on religious topics "with fluency, copiousness, and earnestness," the places of worship are filled with apparently sincere, attentive, and devout worshippers of the true God -a powerful impression appears to be made on esting topics of which give rise, from time to them by the preaching of the gospel, the interple-while a goodly number exhibit such evitime, to improving conversations among the peodence of intelligent and decided piety as affords, in the opinion of the brethren, scriptural reason to believe that the grace of God has been shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost. Thus, in the midst of a population said to comprise not less than four millions of souls, has the gospel of Christ been planted, and the preaching thereof attended with power. Large congregations of hearers assemble statedly to hear it-Christian churches have been formed, and a considerable number of the natives are seen walking in the fear of God, and in the king. dom and patience of Jesus Christ-the govern 44 ment of the country, meanwhile, permitting the ! missionaries to pursue their various important labors without interruption, and countenancing and even aiding them therein-the blessing of God evidently resting on their work, and they themselves greatly animated and encouraged by the circumstances of the happy change which has taken place, and the cheering prospect that is spread out before them. Let all the members of the society, then, devoutly and thankfully acknowledge these manifestations of divine goodness-let them pray-let all who are looking for the coming of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ pray that a prospect so bright may not be obscured-that a light so cheering, amid darkness so profound, may not be extinguished; but spread from village to village, and from province to province, till every mountain and vale throughout this large and interesting island shall resound with the songs of Zion, and the name and praise of the Redeemer be wafted, with every breeze, along all its coasts. Amen. WESLEYAN SOCIETY'S MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. [From Missionary Notices.] Caffraria. Jan. 24, 1831. An exceedingly profitable class-meeting in the evening. Every heart was constrained to say, "It is good to be here." One of the natives having expressed her hope of finally entering into the kingdom of heaven, I asked her what she would say before God on arriving thither. She wept much, and replied, that she really should not know what to say; but the Lord would then put words into her mouth to praise him. 14. The foundation stone of the new chapel was laid. It was the anniversary of the Salem, or Methodist settlers, leaving England, under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Shaw, in the year 1820. By that occurrence our society was introduced into Albany. It is not a degenerate vine; but a fruitful scion of the parent stem. During the eleven years that have intervened, God hath done much for his people. In the colony he has granted them enlargement and prosperity; and, beyond it, they have been made a blessing to the heathen; their worthy pastor being the first Wesleyan missionary who entered Caffreland. The missionary meeting was held in the evening. March 14-19. At night we were hospitably entertained by an old man, named Kaie, who indulged me with half his bed, namely, a mat spread upon the ground. Of course I kept as far distant from his greasy kaross as was consistent with politeness; for a Christian ought to be courteous even to a barbarian, and I did not wish to appear to undervalue his intended kindness. Wednesday. Before we departed our host gave us a proof both of the superstition and of the craft that are not unfrequently found amongst the Caffres. As to the former, he stated that he had had a remarkable dream in the night, which he thought augured something auspicious concerning him. He had seen a number of men of various nations sitting with him in his hut; and, as he saw them all very clearly, he thought that somehow or other this betokened happiness. It was easy, however, to account for the dream. While we were partaking of the basket of thick milk which he set before us the preceding eve. ning, this friendly man was very inquisitive About white people; and he listened while I enu merated some of the nations of Europe, as the Ama-English, the Ama-French, Ama-Spaniard, Ama-German, &c.; and, lo! in the night, all these nations visited the poor man; but as he had never had such a kind of dream before, he looked upon it as something supernatural. As to his cunning, when I exhorted him to seek God by prayer, &c., he said that that was the very thing he was desirous of doing; but, as his memory was treacherous, he desired a present of ear-beads from the missionary which would serve as a remembrancer of duty. Leaving this kraal, we spent several toilsome hours in preaching to the people on the river Kolora; and when mid-day was past, we travelled over the high mountains to one still more difficult of access, called the Kwelera. Having crossed the river, we rode up to a large kraal, and alighted without ceremony; telling the master of the kraal that as we were both hungry and fatigued, and saw that they had plenty of corn, we had come there for victuals and lodging for that night. The people collected around us, and I preached; after which many curious questions were asked concerning the origin of evil. It has been often inquired by the Caffres, and now the inquiry was renewed, "Why is it that the Almighty does not kill Satan, since he was the first sinner, and so make an example of him, and an end of sin at once?" Another wished to know whether God would not excuse his wickedness in the day of judgment on account of ignorance, since he did not know what the book said, and could not read God's word. When divine light first begins to the inquiries that naturally present themselves! dawn upon a human spirit, how numerous are O that they were always accompanied with a sincere desire to know and to do the will of God! Kwelera, and following its course dowz.wards Thursday-Beginning at the upper part of the towards the coast, I preached in all to two hupdred and eighty souls; the largest number I have yet preached to in one day in Caffreland. These were collected in eight different congregations. A man was sick at the kraal where we slept that night. Just as we arrived, the doctor had finished his incantations, and was receiving his reward. With him I had some sharp contentions. Before we slept, one of the people came and begged us to secure the door of our hut, lest the doctor should exert some baleful influence over us, as he had intercourse with the spirits of the dead. Much as I lamented the ignorance of the people, I could not help reflecting on this glim mering ray of traditionary light which still lingers amongst them, concerning the separate existence of the soul of man after his body is turned to corruption. Friday.-Rose at break of day without feeling any ill effects of the doctor's magic, and travelled down the river till we fell in with the people belonging to the tribes of Pato and Hintza, under the care of the brethren Ay. liff and Young; for here the extremities of our three circuits meet. Being far from home, we now prepared to return, and arrived at Mount Coke towards evening of the following day. In the course of the week, six hundred and eight souls have heard words whereby they may he saved. 23. In company with brother Young, visited Messrs. Brownlee and Kayser, of the London Society, at their station on the Buffalo River, where we also met, by appointment. Messrs. Ross and Benrie, of the Glasgow Society, to consult on various matters relative to the Caffre language. Those excellent men labor with much diligence in the great work of translating the || holy Scriptures. It may be hoped that at no very distant period the tribes of this part of Africa will have the word of God in their own tongue. Aug. 29. This evening, a poor, decrepit old woman came to us, nearly dead with hunger, to solicit food; the people of the kraal to which she belonged having driven her away, because she was no longer able to plough the land, or bring home wood and water. The very aged are almost always treated with barbarity in this country, and looked upon as an incumbrance to all their friends, who either neglect or altogether abandon them. Last night she wandered to a kraal not far from us: but was driven away to lie in the open field, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. When I inquired whither she intended to go, she replied, that she knew not, but must roam about till the wolves found and destroyed her. And this she uttered with We gave apparent indifference and unconcern. her food, and made provision for her necessities. certain mysterious manner, had employed those articles to cause his people to sicken and die. However, the accused person came well off; for, instead of being put to death, or burned with hot stones, he only had to give the doctor a cow or two, and slaughter an ox, to feed him and his associates. The opposition I made to his craft, exempted the poor man from further punishment. The next day I preached on his kraal; and, while assembling the people, the doctor himself sought my friendship, and accosted me with the familiar appellation of umlingani waru, "my equal," or "my companion.” But I said to him, in the presence of all the by-standers, "What, your companion! No, never the companion of such a servant of the devil as thou art." He said no more; but was offended, and refused to attend the preaching. Six or eight of his friends tarried with him: all the rest of the people listened to the word; and, after we rose up from prayer, I quietly went on my way. A man was sent to carry away the uhuti to some unknown place in the dead of night; and, after that, the doctor pronounced the master of the kraal clean, by which he was released from any further penalty and danger. Dec. 5-10. Spent in itinerating on the upper part of the Xakoon, the Kobongo, and some lesser streams; and preached in all to three hundred and seventy-two souls. My primary ob the late chief Tslambie, about thirty-five miles distant from Mount Coke, who is dangerously ill. A considerable number of influential men were assembled at his kraal, and four native doctors were in attendance, who considered themselves, on this occasion, personages of no small importance. I was denied entrance to the sick man's hut, until the doctors had been consulted; and, after several messages to and fro, they finally stated that a white man, from a distant nation, could not be allowed access to the chief. When I had patiently waited for an hour and a half, some of the party asked me for the news of the colony. I replied, that I did not know whether it were lawful for me to give them news? they must first send and get permission from the doctors. They looked at one another, and laughed, perceiving that it was my design to ridicule some of their foolish customs, and apologised for the prohibition, which, they said, could not be avoided. When the sun was near setting. I rose up and went towards the chief's hut. Sept. 23-25. Itinerated on the Dubi and Intyolora rivers, and preached to two hundred and forty persons. The first day I had no opportunity of assembling the people for religious instruction. For, as we descended the Dubi, on the opposite side of the river, we beheld a concourse of men and women dancing, and a doc-ject on the first day was to visit Umhala, son of tor practising his arts of divination before them. I rode straight to the place. The men and women continued dancing and singing, and clapping their hands, to incite the discoverer of witchcraft to a vigorous discharge of his duty. Sometimes he rushed through and through the ranks of the people, brandishing his assagais in a furious manner; at other times he leaped and danced, and put his body into various odd postures in front of them; and, when exhausted, closed each exertion with a short speech. I sat quietly down on the ground, between the doctor and the multitude, carefully watching all their manoeuvres; but my presence evidently disconcerted him, and excited various remarks amongst the people. The doctor had already discovered the ubuti, as the bewitching matter is called, and a man was sitting before the assembly, charged with the preservation of the said ubuti, till the doctor should examine it, and declare its kind and qualities. I had not sat long, however, before he discovered that further search was unnecessary, as he had brought out all and every thing that the evil-disposed person, who, in this instance, was said to be the master of the kraal, bad employed to affect the people with sickness. The master of the kraal asserted his innocence in vain: the doctor's accusation was sufficient proof of guilt. I sharply reproved him for being a liar, a murderer, and shedder of innocent blood in the land; and the people for being duped by such a designing man; and then, walking up to the ubuti, took it up, though composed of rather unpleasant materials, and put into my pocket. This raised a general cry of consternation and displeasure, all exclaiming, "You must not do so; put it down again, put it down again." I said, "I shall not: I am going to examine this stuff, and see of what it is made." Accordingly, I unclosed each of the three rolls; and, having removed the outward cover of a piece of an old kaross, found that it consisted of pieces of stick. burned nearly to charcoal, cowdung, and other filthy materials. The doctor then related how the master of the kraal, in a One said, "Return." I answered, "No, I cannot return;" and, without further ceremony, went in. After tarrying with him a short space, it was arranged that I should be allowed to visit him the next day; which I did, with considerable satisfaction. I would have excused him from kneeling, on account of his great weakness; but he made an effort, and continued on his knees while we called on the name of the Lord. When about to depart, he expressed much thankfulness to me, and his regret that he was not nearer the station, that he might more frequently hear the word of God. [Mr. Shrewsbury's Journal. I cannot express what were my feelings on entering Wesleyville. When our wagon was discovered approaching, the population of the village and neighboring kraals assembled and greeted us, with such earnestness and kindness, as drew from our eyes floods of pleasurable tears. The first entrance of brother Shepstone and myself, with our families, amongst this people, nearly eight years before, was forcibly brought to my recollection. At the time we were received with a mixture of wonder, curiosity, and joy; now, we were embraced as old friends and benefactors. Mrs. Shaw was hailed, "Mother," and myself, "Father," by many a Caffre tongue. At our former entrance, we saw nothing but filthy Caffre karosses; but now many saluted us, who were neatly dressed in European clothing. At the time all were heathens; but now not a few real disciples of our Lord gave us "the right hand of fellowship." When we first came hither, there was not a house in which we could lodge, but now a handsome village crowns the summit of the hill, flanked on the northeast in a commanding situation, by the rising walls of a new stone chapel, building under the direction of my excellent successor brother Young. There has been a remarkable revival of religion, especially amongst the young people, at Wesleyville, into the particulars of which I shall not enter, as brother Young has doubtless transmitted them to you. There is at present a large number of promising candidates for baptism; and while we were there, we witnessed the baptism of eight fine young women, most of whom have grown up on the station; two of them are daughters of chiefs. Cultivation of the land is receiving greatly increased attention at Wesleyville. Last year they obtained a most abundant harvest; and this year they have inclosed many acres of new land. Just as we were leaving, the chief Pato brought me seventy rix dollars, that I might therewith purchase a plough for him in the colony. This is, as far as I know, the first instance of the kind which has occurred in Caffreland. If the plough could be generally introduced amongst the natives, it would enable them to cultivate much more extensively, and be a great relief to the poor women, who at present dig their fields with wooden spades. At Graham's Town, the Lord is still with us. Our congregations continue very large and attentive. The Hew chapel is very much wanted; but, like all large buildings in this country, it progresses very slowly. In September, we held the anniversary of our Sunday school; brother Palmer preached an appropriate sermon on the occasion. The examination of children gave unbounded satisfaction. The present total number of scholars is 392, being an increase during the past year of 52. Such is the high opinion entertained by the public of this institution, that the subscriptions and collections in aid of its funds, have this year amounted to upwards of fifty pounds sterling. The officers and teachers of the schools, greatly commend themselves to the esteem of all who wish well to the rising generation, by their zeal and perseverance in the good work. [Mr. Shaw, Dec. 9, 1831. About six weeks ago, I visited the Corannas; they are about forty miles distant. In that neighborhood, including Bechuanas. I should think the population amounts to 2.000. They are very anxious to hear the gospel. They asked the reason why they could not get a mis sionary; they said, "Missionaries are going far beyond us, but they come not to us. We have been promised a missionary, but we can get none. God has given us plenty of corn, but we are perishing for want of instruction. Our people are dying every day: we have heard there is another life after death; but we know nothing of it." These remarks were most affecting to me, T and I was as a dumb man, that could not speak. Truly this people are prepared of the Lord. I promised to visit them as often as I could, with which they were much pleased, and were very kind to me. [Mr. Shaw, Jan. 6, 1832. DOMESTIC. AMERICAN HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Home Missionary for September contains the following remarks of the Rev. R. S. Storrs, one of the secretaries of the A. II. M. S., respecting the aid to be expected by that society from the New England states. The moral strength of New England is by no means inconsiderable; but the surplus amount, that can be devoted to other states, I apprehend is often and greatly overrated. What though we have a larger proportion of organized churches and congregations than are found on an equal extent of territory, and amid an equal amount of population in other states-it should be remembered that a very large proportion of these are in a state of "living death,"-that they relied so long on the civil arm to sustain them, as to forget where their great strength lay; and be. came enervated, paralyzed even to the heart, before they were aware of danger. Five hundred missionaries are needed at this very hour in New England; and all of them could be most usefully employed, if they could be obtained, and the means of sustaining them secured. I will not, I cannot, plead for the comparative inaction of the New England churches. It is a fuct-and it shall be stated with tenderness-it must be stated with firmness too; that they are not doing so much in the cause of home missions as they are able to do; and bound to do, by every consideration of philanthropy, patriotism, and Christian love. There is less thought, and said, and felt, and done-I will not say, than heaven requires-but less than reason and selfinterest demand; there is a holding back of sacrifice, and a cold questioning of duty, and a reluctance to effort, on this subject, that is more easily mourned over than accounted for. But atter all, something has been done, more is doing, and still more will be done, before they will have any rest. I wish it may be distinctly understood, and deeply felt, that what Massachusetts, and her sister states in New England, are doing for themselves, has as powerful a bearing on the spiritual interests of the west, as what they are doing directly to plant the gospel beyond the Alleghanies. Every church that we plant, or save and build up, east of the Hudson, forms a new fountain, whence will issue streams to make glad the western valleys, so long as the sun and moon shall endure. We need to be quickened, and stimulated to greater efforts; and we hope in God, that two years will not pass away, before New England will double the con tributions of any former year, to the general cause of home missions. But let the moral strength of New England be fairly estimated first-and then let her be put up to the full point of her duty. THE following are extracts from an address to the Baptist churches in the United States by the Executive Committee of the society, in respect to the valley of the west. The Baptists, as a denomination, wield at this moment an immense amount of influence over this large and most important region. In this field their range of moral power equals, if it does not exceed, that committed to any other of the various divisions of the Christian host. Our churches class among their hearers, at least one sixth of the population of this far-spreading territory. Nominally or really, this vast number of immortal spirits is already, more or less, under the influence of those who are designated as Bap tist preachers. From circumstances, to which it were needless to refer, ministers of our sentiments find less resistance from public opinion, and meet less the collision of inherited prejudices, than other evangelical denominations who may go thither, publishing the same message of salvation. That, for influence thus thrown upon us, we are not the less responsible; that we may not venture to cast it from us, or to use it wastefully or carelessly, is a truth no Christian can doubt. While we hail, with true delight, the preaching of the gospel by all of every name, that 'hold the Head, though they follow not with us,' we are yet bound not to bury the talent of influence or of illumination our Lord has granted us; and while the ignorant are perishing for lack of knowledge, we are not to turn away from their cry, and transfer to others the supply of that destitution which has directed to us its earliest appeal. We hold our place in the family of Christian effort but by contributing our share to its cares, its toils and its sacrifices. Even the truth of the gospel may become tarnished and powerless in our hands, if it remain unemployed: for truth itself may be made an idol, if dissevered from the love of the truth; and that love, which 'the truth as it is in Jesus' produces, will lead to the energetic and the diligent, the conscientious and the persevering dissemination of that eternal verity which affords at the same time its continual nutriment and its mightiest weapon. In the circumstances, therefore, of our country and of the Christian world, there is an evi dent call addressing itself to the Baptists of the United States, to arise and build within the walls of their own Jerusalem. Not only are the cir cumstances of the field before them rich, in op. portunities of good, but those of the past year have been full of encouragement to hope. The Ispirit which has vouchsafed such a measure of success to the mission in Burmah, seems working also its reflex influence upon the domestic chan ties and zeal of those churches in America, whose labors and prayers have gone forth to the aid of the heathen. In the revivals of religion, wherewith God has favored our own and other churches of Christ, we read another most urgent incitement to larger exertions. In all that is thus said, of the wide and rich feld of missionary labor in the west, it is not intended to palliate or forget the fact, that in many of the older states there exists in portions of the country a similar destitution, the more hopeless, as it has been more lasting and less involuntary; but which must be alike regarded and supplied. The only bounds to our efforts in this cause must be the limits of our land and the cessation of its spiritual wants. We trust, that the indirect fruits of a zealous pursuit of this great object may prove many and priceless. To bring into the labors of love, which our foreign missions present, the prayers, the wealth, the influence and the hearts of our western brethren; to superadd to the ties of a common discipline, the more lasting union of common sentiments and harmonious feeling; to substitute, for an external uniformity of practice in Christian ordinances, the internal "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace;" to advance Christian truth and Christian holiness, by seeking the favor of that "God who is not the author of cenfusion, but of peace in all the churches of the saints" to inherit the promise which assures those who "devise liberal things" that "by liberal things they shall stand;" to bring our own beloved country more under the dominion of Him, who alone can give wisdom to her counsels, create "upon all her glory a defence," and impart safety and durability to her prosperity, are objects of no mean moment. AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. A gentleman in New York city has given two thousand dollars towards establishing a High School in Liberia, for the benefit of the colony. Miscellanies. HEATHEN. THE THERE are among yon, brethren, some who have not yet decided whether it be their duty to go to the heathen or not. To such, I can say, beloved brethren, I know how to sympathise with you. Such, for a long time, was the anxious state of my own mind on the same sub, ject. But now it astonishes me, to think that so long hesitated on a subject so plain. It was no doubt my sin, though perhaps somewhat extenuated by circumstances which no longer exist. When my mind was first exercised on the subject, I knew of but one in the country, who thought of becoming a missionary to the heathen; and he has not as yet, to my knowledge, engaged in the work. Besides, through all my inquis ries, until I had decided on the subject, it was not known that any support could be obtained in our country. I bless God, that notwithstanding all that opposed, I was enabled to decide as I did. I verily believe it will be matter of joy to me through eternity. Should you make the same decision, brethren, I have no doubt you will find the same satisfaction in it. But you are not decided. Each of you anxiously inquires, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Shall I go to the heathen?" Here historical inquiries and geographical knowledge are of little avail. The decision must be made in view of one single command, and one single fact. Jesus Christ, the God of our salvation, has commanded his disciples to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." This is the command." But even at this day, there are |