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vid Noah heard that his father and brethren were all alive and well. William Davis said that he had seen some of those who had sold him; and who tried to hide themselves, being ashamed to look at him: the mistress of his last master, (who sold him to the Portuguese,) when she saw him, ran toward him, and fell round his neck and wept: he heard also that his mother was alive; but she was too far in the interior to enable him to pay her a visit at this time: he, however, sent her a present, and word that he hoped soon to see her, and to have her in his family. Some of the people were so struck when they saw Davis, that they scarcely would believe that he was the same; as an instance of one returning, who had been sold out of the country, had never occurred before."

Mr. Cates, who is mentioned in the preceding letter, was sent, in the year 1819, to the Grand Bassa country, in order to inquire into the expediency of establishing a mission there.

It was the intention of the Church Missionary Society to embrace the first opportunity of entering on the promising field among the Bassa people, which Mr. Cates's visit had opened. The Society will greatly rejoice that American Christians have gained a footing there; and that its own previous researches and labors have led, in any measure, to the attainment of their object. The new colony will serve as a point of support to the exertions of native, as well as of American and English Christians, to diffuse the light of the Gospel on those shores.

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much better than I expected. He was dressed in a robe of country-cloth, made in the Mandingo style; and had on his head a scarlet and blue cloth cap, ornamented with vandyke and tassels. By the help of a staff he was able to walk to his seat; and his sight was sufficient to distinguish me very readily. He inquired after my health, my name, and my business. Being satisfied on these points, he said he was glad to see me, and to hear what I told him. As it was getting dark, I deferred a longer interview till the morning; telling the king, that if he would then assemble his people, we would read the Book which we had brought, and talk to them about it He cheerfully assented; and after a little more conversation respecting the places which we had visited, whence we came, and the doctrine that we taught, he went away.

"The people then began to express their opinions about us. That we should have walked from Sierra Leone, seemed almost incredible: and in order to get rid of this difficulty, one man stated it to be his opinion, that I came down from heaven; which he thought, of course, a shorter journey.

"The king supplied us with a house: and, soon after, sent a large bowl of beef and soup; but as it had too large a portion of palm-oil for my taste, the men enjoyed the benefit of it. In a open shed, near the house appropriated to our use, was the unburied body of the deceased headman, as they reported. Before we began our meeting for prayer, the people had assembled at this shed, with drums and horns, howling and dancing in the extravagant manner which we had before witnessed. I expected that we should scarcely be able to hear the voice of prayer for their noise: but, before the first hymn was finished, they heard us, and left their dancing to come and look at us: nor did they begin any more during the night, to my great comfort.

March 7, 1819, Sunday.-The king sent word, that, by eight o'clock, he wanted to hear our Book. I went, therefore, with Tamba and Davis. We found him seated on a leopard's skin, on a mat on the ground, in a small court surrounded with houses, which were connected by mud walls, and through which there were three entrances. His head, in addition to the red cap, was now surrounded with an enormous quantity of leopard's teeth tied together. There did not appear less than two hundred, the weight of which must have been severely felt by his enfeebled neck About thirty people were admit. ted with us, and the doors were shut. I read part of the eighteenth chapter of St. Matthew, and addressed them; Davis repeating, in Bassa, what I said. They were very attentive; and seemed thankful for the instruction given them, and much surprised at see

"Our arrival was soon noised abroad; when men, women, and children ran together to look at the white man. I was sitting in a large palaver house, which in less than ten minutes was so filled with people, that the heat became quite oppressive; while the noise was such that a Stentor must have despaired of being heard. I was obliged to move into the open air, where I sat nearly half an hour to gratify their curiosity. It was amusing to observe the various countenances which surrounded me. Many of the men came to shake my hand; while the women pressed on the shoulders of the men, and thrust the children under their arms and legs in all di rections, with various indications of surprise or fear. After the crowd of men and women had retired, the children seemed determineding a countryman of their own so far elevated

to indulge a little longer in the novel sight; and moved round me at a few yards' distance, to survey both back and front, as we would do a chained wild beast.

"The approach of the king was now announced; some mats were spread; and a wooden-seated chair, which had lost its back, was brought for him to sit upon. The king is a feeble old man; but possesses his faculties

above them. Having concluded, I told the king that I should like, in the forenoon, to speak to his people more publicly, in some place where all who wished might attend. He said he was willing, and should be glad himself to be present.

"I had not long returned to the house, be fore the king followed me; and having ordered his people to catch a small bull, he pre

sented it to me, begging that I would accept it, and order one of my people to kill it. thanked him; but said as there would be much more than we could eat while it would be good, I would rather decline so bountiful a present. If that were the ease, he said, I should take as much as I liked, and he would take the rest. I again thanked him, but still declined; it being Sunday, I did not like that the men should be so employed. All, however, would not avail, but take part I must. The king therefore ordered his people to kill it; and, when dead, would not take a piece till I had chosen which part I thought proper. I complied, and took about a quarter, but he would make it up nearly half. He inquired whether our great knowledge was acquired at all by any particular diet. Being told that it was not; but that all which we knew naturally, others were equally capable of attaining by a little study; and that all which we knew spiritually, God could teach him and his people; he seemed surprised.

were

"It was twelve o'clock before we ready for morning service, which we held in the palaver house. I had no sooner entered, than the people flocked together in crowds, to hear the surprising things about which we talked: in a few minutes, the king came; when between 200 and 300 persons seated themselves around, and were silent beyond what I could have expected from such untutored people.

"We began by singing part of the nineteenth Psalm. I then prayed; and William Davis explained the meaning of each of these services to them. I then read the second chapter of Genesis; and spoke briefly on the creation of man, in a state of happiness, and contrasted it with his present state; leaving William Davis to enlarge on these topics. Among other things, as a proof of man's departure from justice he stated their custom of killing the people of a whole town, if they can, for the offence of one man, and contrasted it with the justice and mercy enjoined by the Word of God; on which the whole congregation, who had hitherto been silent, set up two or three loud shouts, as if they had been electrified. On inquiry, I found that these were shouts of approbation, and meant that what we said was very good. As soon as silence was restored, Davis finished his discourse; and, after singing the hundred and seventeenth Psalm, and praying, we concluded the service; promising to meet them again before night, as they seemed still disposed to hear.

"At five o'clock, we had afternoon service, I read the third chapter of Genesis; and explained to them the fall of man, and the curse of God incurred thereby; and then, directing them to Jesus as the all-sufficient Savior, concluded with prayer. They were quite willing to hear, and professed to approve what was said. The poor old king especially, seemed desirous that himself and his people should have instruction.

"March 8, 1819.-They kept up drum-ming and dancing to a very late hour last night, and deprived me of rest. The king came early this morning, to ask after my health; and to tell me that he liked the pro

posal which I had made, of sending William Davis to teach them.

"Four or five times in the course of the day, I was called on to read to them; and their desire to hear continued unabated. They busied themselves in devising means of remembering the different parts of Scripture which I read. The king begged hard that I would stay till all his head men should have time to arrive and hear. Toward night I was seized with pain in the head, which prevented my going out again.

"March 9.-My head being much worse, I was obliged to keep my bed almost all the morning. About one o'clock I made an attempt to read to the people, but was unable to sit, and had to leave Davis to conclude.

"March 10.-1 continued very unwell most part of the day; but toward night was a little better. I took the opportunity of going to the king, to hear his final determination, which he gave, by assuring me that he should be glad to receive and afford protection to William Davis, to live as a teacher among them. He requested that I would leave him a book, to state what I had told him: with this I complied, and took down his answer in a book for myself.

"I then told the king that I proposed to set out for home in the morning, to which he agreed. I had first thought of going to the next river; but, finding that king John's ter ritory extended thither, as well as to a considerable distance northward, and as I had now seen most of the headmen from thence, who all approved of our plan, I thought it unnecessary to prolong the journey.

"There is abundant room for as many teachers as we can send them, and there ap pears a great disposition to receive them.

"March 11.-The king came early to see me, and bid me farewell.

"Soon after seven o'clock, we left his town on our way back, having repeated our mutual desire for the instruction of the Bassa country."

CALCUTTA AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.

WE have been obligingly furnished with the tenth Report of this very active and useful institution, made to the Society at the annual meeting, on the 21st of February last. The Report begins with mentioning the forma tion of an Auxiliary Bible Society at Madras, established May 5, 1820-the only link which was wanting to complete the chain of biblical operations in the east. Sir J. Newbolt, chief justice, was chosen president, and several of the most distinguished persons in the place to fill the other offices. The subscriptions and donations, within a short time, amounted to about 8,000 dollars.

The establishment of this new auxiliary is peculiarly important, as it will be able to furnish the Word of Life to great multitudes of native Christians on the Indian peninsula. The Tamul translation is to be revised; though, in the mean time, such is the want of the Bible that 1000 copies of the present version will be published. Mrs. Pritchett, widow of the late missionary of that name, has presented to the Society her husband's transla

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tions into the Tenoogoo language; and Mr. Reeve, of Bellary, bas presented a few chapters of his translation into the Canarese; and Mr. Bailey, of Travancore, and Mr. Spring, of Tellicherry, portions of their translations into the Malayalim. The Society has appointed a Committee of Translations, consisting of the five interpreters to government, and all the clergy of the place.

The Calcutta Society's Report proceeds to say, that the publication of the Malay Bible has been delayed by the accidental loss of the three last sheets in manuscript. The press was obliged to stop till this portion could be supplied by the translator, who was at a distance. The Hindoostanee version of the Old Testament was just going to press. An edition of 4,000 copies of Martyn's Hindoostanee New Testament had been received from the British and Foreign Bible Society; and had been forwarded for distribution to many dif ferent places. The Scriptures in different languages had been issued freely from the depository; and all persons, engaged in the work of missions, of whatever persuasion, had been encouraged to make their wants known, and liberally furnished according to the means possessed.

We solicit the particular attention, of certain classes of persons to the following sen tence in the Report. "Experience gives no great encouragement to expect that Bibles alone,, without teachers, will effect any very extensive good." The classes of persons, to whose notice we would commend this sentence, are very apt to disparage the exertions of Missionary Societies, while they profess a great interest in the circulation of the Bible. The fact is, undoubtedly, that without missionaries the good designs of Bible Societies could never be carried into effect among a heathen people.

The appendix to the Report contains several interesting documents, among which are a letter from the Rev. Dr. Corrie, and another from the Rev. Dr. Marshman, giving an account of particular instances, in which the circulation of the Scriptures appears to have been the means of conversion shall gladly make extracts from these letters hereafter, if our limits will allow.

We

The Society expended the following sums during the year, estimating a sicca rupee at 48 cents; viz.

Salaries allowed to translators and

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$1,131 36

Boat-hire, and charges of conveyance,

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1,306 80 2.035 80 567 36 403 20

3,840 00 1,636 38

SOUTH TRAVANCORE.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Mead, one of the missionaries, to the Rev. Mr. Lewis, Islington, dated Nagurcoil, Feb. 26, 1821. THIS mission is situated in a country where idolatry is supported at an immense expense, and with enthusiastic folly. The whole country was formerly made over to the false idol of their worship; and then, every inch of ground we now tread upon, was devoted to the Brahmins and their deities. A vast change in the aspect of the country has taken place since 1807, when Mr. R- first arrived in Travancore. We have much reason to be thankful for the tolerant spirit of the native government, and the protecting shield of the British name. The higher orders of natives are the most depraved and abandoned part of the community; "the poor have the Gospel preached unto them." Upwards of 5,000 have renounced heathenism, and no longer offer sacrifices to devils, as they formerly did. They are all enjoying the blessing of Christian instruction, as far as we are able to attend to their requests for schoolmasters or catechists. We are constantly visiting them and preaching the Gospel to them, and rendering them every other assistance in our power To us they refer for counsel and advice in every difficulty, and to us they apply for redress under every griev ance. The burthen is vastly too great, and we are sometimes ready to faint. Hitherto, however, strength has been equal to our day.

The past year has been marked with several auspicious circumstances. The arrival of another fellow laborer, the increase of our schools and congregations; the erection of several new places of worship; greater attendance on the Sabbath; evident increase in knowledge; and a spirit of liberality according to the ability of the people-are amongst our encouragements to go forward.

MISSIONARIES FROM BASLE, SWITZERLAND.

FOUR missionaries, who have been educated in the Seminary at Basle, are come over to England, in order, after perfecting their knowledge of English, and learning the national system of education, to proceed to the West Africa and Indian missions of the London Missionary Society.

These young men entered the seminary at Basle, in October 1818, and were admitted to Lutheran ordination, on the 5th of August, in the cathedral of Stutgard, in the presence of the royal family of Wurtemburg and of a congregation of more than 4000 persons.

The interest which the king of Wurtemburg takes in the missionary cause, is feelingly depicted in a letter from Mr. Blumhardt to Dr. 7,048 80 Steinkopff, dated in Aug. of which the follow2,544 16ing is an extract: 480 00

678 90 154 81

$21,827 57

"During my stay in Stutgard, it pleased the Lord so to ordain it, that, without any endeavor on my part, I was called no less than four times to the royal palace. The king did this entirely at the. suggestion of his own mind; and I passed in conversation with him one of

the happiest hours of my life. He inquired, in so condescending a manner, into the state of the missionary society, that all embarrassment, on my side, instantly vanished. He attentively listened to my recital of its history and operations. The chief points of his majesty's inquiries referred to the rise of our missionary seminary, the Christian principles therein inculcated, our plan of education, the number of students, and the conduct of the young Wurtemburgers admitted to it. He then declared, with evident emotion, that he was convinced that this was a work of God, and that it ought to be powerfully sup ported, assuring me, at the same time, in the most explicit manner, that he would embrace every opportunity to evince his heartfelt concern for the success of this work of the Lord.

In an official letter, signed by the revered monarch himself, he commissioned me to assure our Committee, of his sincere interest in the Society's progress, and that he would omit no occasion of testifying his good will to

wards it."

It may be easily conceived from this statement, with what pleasure his majesty would witness the solemn dedication of three of his subjects, in the cathedral church of his kingdom, to the service of Christ among the heathen.

The Treaurer of the A. B. C. F. M. has received an interesting letter from the venerable Mr. Blumhardt, mentioned above, which will appear in the next number of the Missionary Herald.

THE JEWS.

THE change of feeling, which is taking place in Christendom, with respect to God's ancient covenant people, is worthy of much attention. Christians begin to act as though they were under no obligation to perpetuate the curse on this people; but on the contrary, that they should endeavor to remove it. In EngLand, on the continent of Europe, and in this country, considerable interest has recently been exerted for the conversion of Abraham's descendants.

A young Jew hopefully converted to Christianity, about a year since, and baptized by the Rev. Dr. Spiess, of Frankfort, in April last, has arrived at Boston from Holland. He is a native of Poland, and was educated to be a Rabbi, which office he sustained for some time before his conversion. His name is Jadow. nitsky, and his baptism was mentioned by the Rev. Mr. Marc, the agent of the Jews Society in London, as may be seen in the Jewish Expositor for April.

It appears from a letter addressed to the Rev. Mr. Frey of N. Y. by a gentleman in Charleston, S. C that some encouraging facts have taken place recently among the Jews in that state. Two daughters,belonging to a Jewish family, have been hopefully converted, and maintain the profession of Christianity, amid much opposition. A woman, also, belonging to another family has apparently become a real Christian. Several Jewish children, also, having been sent to Sabbath schools by their

parents, evince a great interest in those portions of the New Testament which came be fore them.

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE managers of this national institution have elected the Hon. JouN JAY, of Bedford, N. Y. President of that Society, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of the venerable Dr. Boudinot.

AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY.

SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.

WE have before noticed the annual meeting of this Society, which was held in Boston, on Tuesday, the 2d of October. The very interesting and valuable Report, read at that time, has since been published.

The receipts, at the Treasury, for the year ending Sept. 50th, 1821, were $13,108 97. Of this sum $500 were the bequest of Mr. John Pierson, late of Rowley, Mass. for the permanent fund; $1,660 were the payments of Life Members; 684 annual subscription of members; 964 54, interest of productive funds; the remainder donations.

The whole number of the present members of the Society, as nearly as can be ascertained, is 425. Of this number, 197 are Life Members, the greater part of whom were constituted chiefly by the liberality of females.

The whole number of beneficiaries, who have been aided by the funds of the Society, since its formation in 1815, is 321. The number, now depending on the Society for help, is about 250.

It is matter of deep regret, that, although 63 new beneficiaries were received the last year, the receipts at the treasury, fell more than $2,000 below the amount received the year before; and more than $6,000 below the amount of receipts two years ago.

"The following appalling facts," says the Report, "are drawn from the most authentic

sources.

"In the state of Maine are 127 towns, many of them extensive and populous, that are destitute of Congregational, Presbyterian and Episcopalian ministers. In 1815, in two counties of New-Hampshire, were 45 destitute towns. In Vermont, 81 towns have no minister, of any denomination, and 139 have no Congregational, Presbyterian, or Episcopalian minister.

There are 53 destitute congregations in Massachusetts, and 35 in Connecticut, and 332 in South Carolina. In the Presbyterian connexion in the United States are 451 vacant churches, and in the Baptist connexion ONE THOUSAND. All Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and the Michigan Territory, are destitute of regularly educated ministers, except so far as 16 can supply a population of 300,000, scattered over a territory almost three times as large as NewEngland.

"A table, made with great care, from information obtained from gentlemen in civil of

fice from almost all the counties in Virginia, furnishes the following melancholy results: In that ancient and opulent state, there are not as many Baptist ministers, in proportion to the population, as in Connectieut: 46 counties have no Presbyterian minister: 62 counties have no Episcopalian minister. The whole State has not one Congregational minister: 46 counties, containing a population of more than 304,000, have me ther an Episcopalian or Presbyterian minister. The state contains $74,000 inhabitants,* and but 92 Presbyterian and Episcopalian ministers, leaving upwards of 882,000 souls, destitute of such minister's. Such facts must be reiterated or forgotten.

When we view the great moral waste spread out before us in connexion with the unexampled growth of our country, how dark and portentous is the prospect!

In 1810, the population of the United States was 7,323,905. By the recent official report of the Secretary of the Treasury, it appears that our population increases 34 per cent in 10 years. The census of 1820, gives a population of almost 10,000,000. On this ratio of increase, in 50 years, there will be about 45,000,000; enough to give all the ter. ritory, within the limits of the States, belonging to the Union, a population as dense as that of Connecticut. To supply this popudation as well as Connecticut is supplied, would require 45,000 ministers. But in the dast 70 years, the number of ministers was a little more than doub.ed. If we allow that the number will double in the next 50 years, there will then be but 6,000, not as many as are wanted at this moment.

War, famine and pestilence, may retard the rapid growth of our nation. But from the immense extent of our territory, the fertility of our soil, the salubrity of our climate, and the enterprising character of our citizens, we may fairly calculate, that the increase of our population will not be checked for a hundred years. On this supposition, our country would then contain 177,000,000 of souls, a number nearly equal to the population of Europe, and yet, if spread over our whole territory, between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean would be less dense than the present population of Massachusetts. The prospect is grand. But how is it darkened by the moral desolation, that will overspread this vast empire, unless stayed by omnipotence, through the agency of Christians: unless the friends of the Redeemer have more of his spirit; his zeal for God,-his love to man,his self denial and perseverance in the mighty enterprize of saving a lost world. This enterprize must be achieved "by the preaching of the Gospel;" and the company of the preachers must be great. If mountains

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of difficulties obstruct the way, they will sink before the power of faith. A stronger impulse must be given, to the tone of feeling and action in the Christian community. The word and providence of God warrant the fullest confidence, that when the friends of Zion unite, with system and energy, ou Christian principles, to accomplish the purposes of divine grace, every mountain will be brought low, and every valley exalted; the crooked ways will be made straight, and the rough places smooth.

LIBERALITY OF A MAN, WHO DEPENDS FOR SUPPORT ON THE LABOR OF HIS HANDS.

Not many months ago, we received a letter from a stated contributor to religious charitable objects, from which the following paragraphs are extracted. They show with what alacrity the work of evangelizing the world might go on, if all professed Christians were actuated by the same spirit.

"Although I have a large family, who are dependent upon my labor for a support, yet the Lord has enabled me, within 10 or 12 years, to give more than three hundred dollars in cash for the advancement of his kingdom on earth. I do not mention this by way of boasting; but as a grateful acknowledgment, that God has enabled me to refund such a part of what he has lent me. Can I expect to be remunerated for the payment of debts? Yes, ye rich worldlings, know that I shall have a future revenue from the payment of these debts to the Lord, which will shame all the tardy accumulations of your compound interest. And I am still more positive, that (should I have no future reward) I have a present satisfaction which far surpasses all that can result from receiving and increasing in wealth.

"What are professors of religion about? Are not three quarters of them sleeping at their posts? Were there as much apathy amongst farmers, in time of harvest, the world would starve. Yet, blessed be God, notwithstanding many, "who have a name to live,' are dead; still those, who are only sleeping, will be awakened to action."

MISSION TO THE GREAT OSAGES.

OUR readers are aware, that this mission was fitted out in March last from N. York, by the United Foreign Missionary Society; and that they proceeded, by the way of Pittsburgh, whence they embarked, and went down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Osage, till they arrived at the place, which they named Harmony station. They reached the end of their long journey on the 3rd of August, and selected a site for their establishment, as soon as possible. We have before us a letter, written by Mrs. Jones, a member of the mission family, to her friend in Ashburnham, Mass. from which we transcribe a few passages for publication. Under date of Aug. 3rd, the letter says:

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