by the native teacher Ryadass, in order to commence a new mission there.

The brethren solicit more Missionaries for several important stations on this part of India, and particularly for Seringapatam, where the poor people are calling for a Missionary to "come over and help them."

Previously to Mr. Hands leaving Madras, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles to the Ephesians and Philippians, as well as the Gospels, in Canara, were printed. The printing of the remainder of the New Testament, and that of the Canarese translation of the Old Testament, will be carried on at Bellary, where a small printing establishment has lately been connected with the mission.

NEW MISSION AT

BELGAUM.

The Directors have already stated, that Mr. Taylor had removed from Bellary, with the native teacher Ryadass, to this place. He had been very kindly received by the Commanding Officer at the station, and other respectable Europeans, by whose solicitations, connected with other important reasons, he had been induced to settle at Belgaum. He conducts divine service on the Sabbath mornings at the General's house, on which occasion a considerable proportion of the officers attend, and in the evenings preaches to the soldiers in the camp. Mr. Taylor's sphere of labour among the surrounding heathen is very extensive.

them with Grammars, Vocabularies, &c. in that language.

They preach in English on the Sunday and Wednesday evenings, chiefly to the soldiers of his Majesty's 34th Regiment. The servant of Mr. Laidler, who has received a religious education at Tranquebar, and understands the Canara and Tamul, reads the Scriptures to the people of a neighbouring village, and afterward delivers an exhortation.

Mr. Forbes had occupied part of his time in superintending a school. Mr. Laidler had begun to write a Catechism, designed to give a view of all the Scripture doctrines, for translation into the Tamul. Mrs. Laidler had commenced a school for the children of the descendants of Europeans. As to the education of the female children of the natives, the brethren intimate, that the strongest possible aversion exists against any such attempt; since, according to the prevalent custom of Hindoostan, females only of the vilest and most degraded character have the privilege of being taught to read. Thus the improvement of the female character in that country is prevented by a practice, concerning whose origin no doubt can be entertained, which, as it respects that sex, identifies education with dishonour!

But it becomes not British Christians on this account, to shrink from attempting to introduce the advantages of education and religion among the native females in India, and thus at once to elevate them to their proper sphere in society, and to awaken in their dormant minds the hopes of immortality and glory. It should be recollected, that there exists no moral difficulties which Christianity, under the direction of the Spirit of its great Author, cannot overcome; and that the force of public opinion there, which now operates against native female education, by the gradual influence of example and emulation, may at length, by the divine blessing on the due use of proper means, be turned in its favour. Let no mem

ber of a Missionary Society, yea, let no Christian forget, that in British India alone, there are at least THIRTY MILLIONS of females destitute at once of the enjoyments of social life, the pleasures of intellect, and the hopes of heaven.

SOUTH TRAVANCORE.

Mr. Mault arrived at Nagarcoil in December, 1819, and Mr. Smith on the 1st of May, 1820.

The number of native schools at this station is increased to 15; and the zeal and diligence of the masters are much improved. In the "Central School" the children increase in number, and the brethren hope, also in wisdom and knowledge. Some of the boys read the Scriptures in Tamul well. From this school they hope to obtain, in due time, native assistants for the mission, who shall prove heralds of salvation to their own countrymen.

Toward the building of the new church at Nagarcoil, the Rajah of Tanjore has subscribed 550 Rupees; and the Resident there has also made a liberal donation for the same object. The building was proceeding. At Agatesurum, ground has been purchased, with a view to the erection of a more commodious place of worship. It is to be built very near one of the pagan temples, and the leading persons in the neighbourhood are filled with apprehensions lest the whole village should renounce idolatry!

During the years 1818 and 1819, about 3000 persons placed themselves under religious instruction, in addition to about 900 originally connected with the mission, while under the superintendence of Mr. Ringeltaube. But although these have renounced idolatry, and are nominally Christians, there is no reason to believe that many among them have as yet any just pretensions to genuine piety.

The following sums have been paid to the Treasurer of the Society during the past year

It may be proper to observe here, that the erection of a bungalow chapel costs 251. and that 107. per annum will maintain a native teacher.

A small printing-press has been erected at this station, which the brethren expect will be fully employed in the printing of catechisms, tracts, &c.

The land connected with the mission had been much improved. The revenue has hitherto been appropriated in the building of a granary, schools, places of worship, &c.

Two young men, Messrs. Ashton and M'Ally, had been engaged chiefly to assist in the secular concerns of the mission. They had also made themselves very useful in superintending schools, visiting the congregations, &c. &c.

The brethren have established a public library at Nagarcoil.

The wide sphere and increasing labours of the mission, induce the brethren importunately to solicit more Missionaries from England.

SURAT.

Mr. Skinner returned from Bombay to Surat in the decline of the year 1819. A printing-press had been obtained from Calcutta, together with founts of English and Guzerat types. The brethren had also received a supply of paper from the "Calcutta Bible Society." Early in the last year, they commenced the printing of tracts in the Guzerat, and shortly after of an edition of 1000 copies of their Guzerat translation of the New Testament, which they hoped would be all printed off by the present time. Meanwhile, they were proceeding with the Guzerat version of the Old Testament, and with such portions of the New Testament as had not been revised for the press. The Guzerat language is spoken throughout

a country at least equal in extent to England: and the brethren rejoice in the expectation of being enabled to send the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ to so many places, where the human voice will not, probably, for a long period, be able to penetrate.

The tracts printed at the mission press the brethren have daily opportunities of distributing.

There is English worship at the Mission-house on Sabbath and Wednesday evenings. Places are opened for native worship in most parts of the city, some of which are visited by the brethren almost every evening.

More Missionaries are also solicited for this station.

RUSSIA. Siberia.

On the arrival of Messrs. Swan and Yuille, it became necessary to erect another house; and the superintendence of the work had occupied much of the brethren's attention. They had, however, devoted a considerable portion of their time to the study of the languages, and had occasionally visited the neighbouring tribes; and on these occasions had distributed numerous copies of the Gospels and tracts in Mongolian, some of them even in the temples.

During these tours they frequently take up their abode with the Buriats for several days together, in order to converse with the Lamas, and others, who resort to the temples.. These means appear to have been attended with very pleasing and encouraging effects.

The Buriats come from a distance of 4 or 500 versts, in order to obtain medical advice and medicine, which occasions are improved by the brethren for conversation with the visitors, and the distribution of tracts.

Mr. Stallybrass has finished the alphabetical arrangement of his Mongolian Dictionary; and his progress in the language had been such, as to encourage a hope, that he should soon be able to address the Buriats in their temples.

The Governor General of Siberia had visited the mission, and had assured the brethren that he would do all that lies in his power to forward their designs.

Messrs. Stally brass and Swan had taken a journey to Kiachta, the frontier town between the Russian and Chinese empires, in order to obtain an interview with the Archimandrite Komenskoe, who was at that place, on his way to Pekin, in which city he is authorised to establish a mission, under the patronage of the Greek Church. They endeavoured to engage him in the work of translating the Scriptures into the Manjur, with which he has a familiar acquaintance, but were unsuccessful. His reply was, that it was no object of his mission.

ST. PETERSBURGH.

Mr. Knill left England for St. Petersburgh in October last, with a view to prosecute preparatory studies there, in the prospect of ultimately labouring in Siberia. He is accommodated in the house of Dr. Henderson, from whom, as well as Dr. Paterson, he has received the kindest attentions. Mr. Knill preaches regularly in the Moravian Chapel, and is numerously and respectably attended.

The Directors are happy to report, that the health of Mr. Knill has been greatly improved since his residence at St. Petersburgh.

RUSSIAN TARTARY.

Sarepta.

The Directors are concerned to state, that, in consequence of the illness of Mr3. Rahmn, Mr. Rahmn was not able to fix his residence at Astrachan, in conformity to the plan adopted previously to the last Anniversary of the Society.

Mr. Rahmn, during the last summer, laboured among the Calmucs, and had opportunities of distributing among them the Gospels and tracts in the Calmuc, and at the same time of improving himself in the language-of collecting materials for further studies-and of

becoming better acquainted with the character and habits of the people.

During the ensuing summer, he proposes devoting himself to the Dorbat horde, who pasture their flocks between the river Kuma and Sarepta.

GREEK MISSION.

ZANTE.

It is with sincere grief that the Directors report the death of Mrs. Lowndes, which melancholy event took place on the 15th of January last.

The Government of Corfu have given Mr. Lowndes permission to deliver a sermon, whenever he chooses, at the garrison chapel, in Zante. On these occasions he reads the Liturgy of the Church of England, and is attended by about 300 of the military.

During the last year Mr. Lowndes visited Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and Patras. His objects were to ascertain, as far as possible, the best methods of facilitating the diffusion of religious knowledge in Greece, and of connecting more closely the friends of the Bible Society at Athens and Patras, with the Ionian Society. During the present spring, it was his intention to visit Salamis, Ægina, and the Negropont.

MALTA.

Mr. Wilson has continued to apply to the study of Romate, or Modern Greek and Italian languages; but particularly to the former. He has compiled a grammar of the Romarc, also a tract on Swearing, in Modern Greek, and has commenced in the same language, a small work, on the Reading of the Scriptures, founded on Mr. Bickersteth's Scripture Help.

A young Greek employed by Mr. Wilson, had translated into the Romarc, Dr. Bogue's "Essay," and begun a translation of Dr. Doddridge's "Rise and Progress" in the same language.

AFRICA.

STATIONS WITHIN THE COLONY. Cape Town.

Dr. Philip preaches in English four times a week, and subsequently to his return from the interior, he has been much gratified by perceiving among

his people, a deep and zealous feeling in relation to the salvation of the heathen, insomuch, that some of them were even disposed to go out themselves to labour as Missionaries.

Dr. Philip is more and more strongly impressed with the great benefits likely to result from the erection at Cape Town, of a large and commodious chapel, in a central situation, and generally with the great importance of attempts to promote the religious and moral improvement of the inhabitants, considered in reference to the bearing of such improvement on the Society's Missions in the interior, since the sentiments and habits of this little metropolis must necessarily influence those of the different parts of the Colony.

Mr. Campbell, accompanied by Mr. Moffat, arrived at New Lattakoo in the spring of last year. He proceeded beyond that place in a north easterly direction, on a journey of between 2 and 300 miles, visited the old city, and several other large and populous towns belonging to the Bootchuanas, in some of which, the people had made far greater advances in civilization, than any he had previously seen among the tribes of that nation. At Kurreechane, a place containing about 16,000 inhabitants, they smelt iron and copper ore, manufacture pottery, and excel in basket-making. Dr. Philip and Mr. Campbell are very desirous that Missionaries should be sent to some of the places discovered by the latter, who ascertained, that the inhabitants were not only willing but desirous to receive them.

From STELLENBOSCH, the PAARL, TULBAH, and CALEDON INSTITUTION, which would follow next in the order of the Report, no intelligence has been received during the past year, except that Mr. Anderson, who has laboured nearly 20 years at Griqua Town, has removed to Caledon Institution.

It is expected, that particulars respecting the above mentioned stations, will be brought by Mr. Campbell.

PACALTSDORP.

The Directors are concerned to state, that this settlement had suffered severe

ly in its external circumstances during the last year. The crops which were in a flourishing condition, were suddenly blasted-the produce of the gardens destroyed by a long drought-their fruit trees stripped by a hurricane-and a considerable loss sustained by the dying of many of their cattle and sheep. In consequence of these disasters, the poor Hottentots were scarcely able to get bread.

Such is the dark side of the picture. On the other, the Directors are happy to state, that the interior concerns of the Mission were highly promising and cheering. The children in the school had made an encouraging progress. Since the Institution of the Sabbath school, the poor slaves, anxious for learning, come to the settlement from every quarter, and having no money to buy books, Mr. Messer had gratuitously sup plied them out of the Mission stock.

Relative to the subject of his ministry Mr. Messer observes, "It seems as if all the poor Hottentots were resolved to obtain the blessings of the Gospel. Such as have appeared for many years to possess hearts as hard as a stone, now come and bow their knees at the feet of Jesus."

Mr. Messer likewise speaks in very favourable terms as to the persevering diligence and exertions of the Hottentots, and particularly in the erection of a wall, which encloses and protects the whole settlement.

Mr. Messer has apprenticed 13 boys belonging to the Institution, to various useful trades.

During the year 1820, he baptized,

that Mr. James Kitchingman, who had laboured about three years at Steinkopff, in Little Namaqualand, having lately visited the Colony, had been appointed by the Deputation to fill a situation in the mission at Bethelsdorp.

The Journal of the proceedings at this station has not as yet been received, but will probably be brought by Mr. Campbell.

THEOPOLIS.

The Directors are in possession of no intelligence as to the state of this Settlement during the past year, except that it has received an additional grant of land from the Acting Governor of the Colony of the Cape.

STATIONS BEYOND THE
COLONY.

MISSIONS IN THE COUNTRY OF
THE GRIQUAAS.

Griqua Town.

The school at this station contains upwards of 100 scholars, of whom 45 can read. Several have learned to write, and some have made some progress in arithmetic.

The church at Griqua Town, consists of about 200 members.

During the last year several stone houses, and four extensive stone enclosures for cattle, had been built. The number of wagons belonging to the Settlement was increased; eight having been purchased by the Griquaas

from the Colonists during the last year.

Mr. Anderson has removed from Griqua Town to Caledon Institution. On the return of Mr. Campbell from the Bootchuana country, he left Mr. Moffat at Griqua Town, where it is presumed he still labours.

CAMPBELL.

Mr. Sass, whose constitution was unable, in summer, to bear the excessive heat on the Orange River, has removed from Bethesda to Campbell, which is situated about 40 miles from Griqua Town. His labours are divided be tween the Griquaas, and several kraals of Corannas on the Great River.