ever, he tasted nothing stronger than water, and maintained his ground with all the firmness of thorough reformation. Such examples have we to sustain us in adhering to the strictness of our American habits, instead of compromising

night, and multitudes are sounding the caution that you should be on your guard." We inquired, wherefore whether there was any dissatisfaction on account of our residing in the city? "Oh no," said he, "both Mohammedans and Nestorians are your friends, and are ten-with the low indulgences of these counderly solicitous for your safety; but the robbers have conceived the idea that you have chests of money in your houses." In Persia every European is supposed to be loaded with money, and

tries.

Western Africa.

Schools.

THE extending influence of this mission, especially among the native population, and its favorable prospects of future good to that part of the benighted continent where it is located, cannot fail to interest all the friends of Africa.

Oormiah is a noted place for the lootee, LETTER FROM MR. WILSON, DATED AT or professional robbers of the country. CAPE PALMAS, AUG. 24, 1836. We trust, however, that our God will watch over us. Our situation is, indeed, || Health-Organization of a Churcha little lonely, entirely removed, as we are, from European residents. The great advantages, however, which Oormiah, from this very circumstance, presents to the missionary, fully reconcile and render us happy, even in our distant seclusion. No mountain of European vices here lies between us and our appropriate labors; and here no army of vicious foreigners oppose us and our object by slanderous reports and immoral examples. It is a circumstance which calls for devout thankfulness to God, that this very promising field is thus fully open to us, without a hand or a tongue, or a single extraneous influence to rise up in opposition.

17. To-day a considerable number of the scholars went home, to unite the remainder of this week in a season of festivity, in anticipation of the seven weeks fast which commences next Sabbath. May heavenly light soon break in upon these darkened minds, and teach them a more excellent way.

A wealthy, influential Nestorian, from Charbash, a village two miles distant, called to invite us to be his guests to

morrow.

Since I wrote last our general health has been good, and we have been subjected to little or no interruption in our business from sickness. When I say good health, however, you must not understand me as speaking of what you would call in America good health, but good African health. We have frequent attacks of chill and fever, but are not confined to our rooms for more than a few hours, and are able the next day to resume our duties. We feel thankful for the share of health that we enjoy, and rejoice to know that God uses our feeble instrumentality to forward his cause in this benighted land. We have recently formed ourselves into a church, and on last Sabbath I administered the communion of the Lord's supper for the 18. In the morning horses were sent first time. Three Americans were adfrom Charbash for Mrs. Perkins and Mrs.mitted on examination, making the numGrant, and we set off about ten o'clock ber of our communicants six in all. One for our visit. Priest John, who is well of the individuals admitted is a young acquainted in that village, accompanied man who has been a member of our famus. Though a season of general festiv-ily and school for the last eight months. ity, no importunity at dinner could in- Another is the young man mentioned in duce priest John to taste a drop of wine. my last, who is to take charge of the He had formerly been addicted to it, as school at Rocktown. Both of these are we had before been informed, but of his excellent young men, and promise to be own accord had broken entirely off on useful as teachers in the mission. Becoming to reside with us. Our host hu- sides these, we have cheering cause to morously remarked, "Priest John former- hope that our favorite native boy, Waly drank wine quite too freely; but he ser, has experienced a genuine change has become a sober man now in living of heart. He does not think so himself, two weeks with you." The priest felt nor do we tell him so, though he affords exceedingly mortified by these remarks, us increasing evidence of it every day. not suspecting that we were aware of One of the most decided proofs he gives his previous habits. To the end, how-of a change is the tender and anxious

We have had as yet no trouble about keeping our school-boys together. They all appear to be cheerful and contented; and when it has been necessary for one or two of them to go home to their parents, on account of sickness, they have gone very reluctantly. I fear, however, that it will not be so easy to maintain the day schools, as the parents would exert no authority in compelling the attendance of their children. We have four native girls in our family, one of whom is betrothed to one of the male members of our school. We shall add soon two more girls to the present number, but shall not increase it beyond six, as we find it very undesirable to have boys and girls in the same yard, and must defer a female school until our numbers and health will warrant the undertaking.

solicitude he manifests for the salvationing to have such a hearty reception, and of his countrymen, and the efforts he to see the people engage in it with so makes to instruct them on the subject of much spirit. religion. In conversation with him the other day, I inquired what would induce him to work on the Sabbath as he had once done. "Nothing," he said. I asked him if his countrymen should conspire to make him, and lay before him the alternative of compliance or death, what would he do? He said with feeling emotion and fixed determination, "Then I die one time, it be God palaver, I no work Sunday any more." He has lived with us now more than one year, and we have found him all the while a most amiable and worthy boy, and an exception in very many respects to every other native that we have ever known. He has been my teacher in the native tongue for six months, and has been, in very many ways, serviceable to us. We trust that God designs extensive good through his instrumentality. I commenced preaching to the natives in public two weeks ago through an interpreter, and design to spend all my Sabbath afternoons with them. The audience heretofore has been small, but quite as attentive and orderly as I could expect. The king leads the way in attendance, and has said that his people shall work no more on Sunday after they have housed the present crops of rice. We attach very little importance, however, to these outward signs; our sole reliance is upon the efficacious influences of God's grace.

On the 30th of August, Mr. Wilson adds

Our own school is growing upon our hands in spite of us. For more than a week past we have had daily applications and generally by boys from a distance. We have now about twenty native children in our charge and yard. Mrs. W. teaches in the forenoon and I in the afternoon. Had we any female assistance Mrs. Wilson could devote more of her time to instruction, but she has no assistance in domestic affairs.

LETTER

Southern Africa.

FROM DOCT. WILSON, DATED AT KURUMAN, MARCH 21, 1836. AFTER the delay at Griqua Town, mentioned at p. 342 of the last volume, Messrs.

Lindley and Venable proceeded on the 22d of January, according to the intention there stated, to the country of Mosalekatsi, to inform him of the object of the mission and make the requisite preparations for the

I have built a small house for Mrs. Strobel on our lot, in which she will open a day-school for native children on Monday next. The school at Rocktown will be commenced by the first of October; and I expect to commence one at Graway on Monday. This one will be taught by the young man, mentioned above as a member of our family, for the present. His education is superficial, but he reads and writes well enough to teach the elements of reading. In the four schools we shall embrace from seventy-five to one hundred children. I visited Graway with John Banks, the young man who is to teach there, three days ago; and no sooner had I told them that I was ready to commence a school, Doct. Wilson and the females remained at than all hands were summoned to work, Griqua Town a short time longer, and then and in twenty-four hours they had reared moved forward to Kuruman, another station a comfortable house for the teacher and of the London Missionary Society, about inclosed a yard, being more than a hun110 miles north of Griqua Town, at which dred men and boys at work. Their eagerness to have a school cannot be sup- place the following letter was written. The posed to arise from a thorough convic- mission families have been received with tion of its importance; but it was gratify-great hospitality and christian affection by

residence of the mission families there.

!

Preparation for entering their Field of paring it with Mr. M.'s translation, to be

than during others. This decrease of rain threatens to make the country northward from the Great Orange River an uninhabited desert. I suppose that more than one half of the fountains in this section of the country have failed, and all have suffered a decrease in the quantity of water sent forth. As all agricultural operations depend on the fountains for irrigation, if the drought continue, the country must be abandoned by civilized man. You will regret to learn that the interesting station at Griqua Town is now being broken up in consequence of the failure of the fountain which supplied water for the irrigation of their lands. This fact with regard to water spreads a disheartening aspect over the country in view of missionary operations. Mosalekatsi's country appears to be much better watered and to have much more rain.

LETTER FROM DOCT. ADAMS, DATED

AT BUTTERWORTH, APRIL 11, 1836.

AFTER visiting Port Natal and the residence of Dingaan, the chief of the Maritime Zoolahs, and leaving Mr. Champion there,

Mr. Grout and Doct. Adams returned to

Bethelsdorp for their families and effects. Their progress, on their return to Dingaan's country, is given below. Butterworth is a station of the Wesleyan brethren from England.

been burned and the whole premises laid waste by the very people for whose benefit they were erected, and who for several years have enjoyed the counsel and instructions of missionaries. We yesterday had divine service with our Wesleyan brethren, five in number, within the walls of the chapel, which are still standing. One of these brethren remains at this place; the others proceed to the other stations in Caffreland, and we regret that they are to be detained so long at this place, that we cannot have the pleasure of their company. The appearance of this part of the country is fine. The soil is very fertile, and vegetation luxuriant. The beautiful Mimosa tree is scattered over mountain and valley, bearing a yellow blossom which is quite fragrant. Flowers of great variety and of beautiful appearance are scattered here and there among the grass and upon low bushes. Here may be seen lofty mountains covered with verdure to the very summit; valleys filled with gardens; large herds of cattle grazing on the low lands, along the declivities and upon the tops of the hills; kraals of the natives, ten or fifteen in view at the same time. Such are the prospects which continually meet our eyes as we advance. From the river Omzimvoobo, where the Wesleyans have a station, to Port Natal the distance of about two hundred miles, and from the latter place to the Om Zoogala river, about eighty miles, the whole country along the sea coast is uninhabit

Journey from Bethelsdorp towards Port ed, having been depopulated by Chaka,

Natal.

the predecessor of Dingaan. Remnants of the different tribes who formerly inhabited this tract are scattered throughout Cafferland, and are designated by the general name of Fingors. About two thousand of them reside at Natal, under the protection of the white men of that place. We shall probably be three weeks in passing through this solitary and desolate part of the country. From what we have learned of Port Natal, we

We left Bethelsdorp for Port Natal on the 21st ult., and reached this place on Saturday evening, the 9th instant, two or three hours later than the Wesleyan missionaries, who are just returning to their stations which they were obliged to abandon at the commencement of the late war. Thus far the Lord has prospered us on our way. We left King William's town, the capital of the terri-hope you will be able to send missionatory recently added to the colony, on the 4th instant, and crossed the Kei river, the new boundary, on the 8th. While at King William's town we had an interview with colonel Smith, commander in chief on the frontier, and governor of the new province, (called "Queen Adelaide.") He received us very cordially and kindly offered to do all in his power to facilitate our journey. We are now in the country of Creili, son of the late chief Hintza, who was killed during the war. Butterworth presents a melancholy scene of desolation. The mission buildings have

ries and supplies direct to that place. The anchorage outside the harbor is considered by competent judges to be entirely safe for ships which draw too much water to cross the bar, as with either of the prevailing winds, northeast and southwest, they may get to sea. || From a ship anchored outside, passengers and supplies could readily be landed, and there are boats suitable for that purpose. The depth of water upon the bar at spring-tide is twelve feet. The climate of Natal is very salubrious. Among the white residents disease is

The

very rare. The natives are subject to || month of January, which is said to be the dysentery at certain seasons, proba- the warmest month in the year. bly in consequence of their manner of weather was warm, but not oppressive, living, their diet being vegetable alto- the thermometer ranging from 70 to 85 gether. We were there during the land 90 degrees.

Proceedings of other Societies.

FOREIGN.

MISSION OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST
BOARD IN BURMAH.

The journal of Mrs. Wade contains interesting statements respecting the

Christian Character of the Converts, and
Admissions to the Church at Tavoy.

them were from a distant village, visited by brother Mason and Mr. Wade last year, and where two of the Christians from this place have been teaching a school, and preaching the little they themselves had learned, of the blessed gospel. Several more in the same village are hopefully converted, and one anxiously waiting brother Mason's arrival to be baptised.

Now,

20. Sabbath evening. Have enjoyed a delightful Sabbath. One old woman, who asked for baptism before we left last year, being anxious to be received into the church, was examined and accepted. When we arDec. 14, 1835. This evening the Karen rived here last year, this large family, with Christians met in our new cottage, to conse- the exception of one young man who had crate it by prayer and supplication to the married one of the daughters, were worshipLord. They said that they built it for no ping nats, and seldom came near us. worldly purpose, but to receive their teach- the father, mother, and one daughter, are ers, that they might hear more about the members of the church, five more are asking Savior who died for them, and learn more for baptism, and some others are under seabout his holy will; and they prayed that rious impressions. At evening the nine canGod would accept it, and that his blessing didates were baptised; and as we proceeded might rest upon it. The cottage has been slowly to the water, singing one of the songs built entirely by the church here, with the of Zion, I could not help thinking that reexception of a few days' work by the Bur-joicing angels hovered over us. One of mans who brought our things from Tavoy, those baptised to-day was from the tribe of and is worth sixty or seventy rupees. Let Myet-keen Karens, mentioned last Sabbath; Christians in America look at the poverty and his relative, an old man who gives very of these Karen disciples, and learn to imi- pleasing evidence of piety, has come fortate Him, who for our sakes became poor. ward this evening and asked for baptism. All these have to bear bitter reproach and contempt from their relatives and friends.

15. After uniting in asking a blessing from on high, four of our Karen Christians set out on a short missionary excursion. May the presence of the Savior go with them. Away in this dark heathen land, we often think how much good might be done by pious intelligent laymen, in different parts of our dear native land, if they would set about the work as these poor heathen converts do.

18. The four Christians returned this evening, rather sad from the coldness and inattention of those whose welfare they had been trying to promote. They said, however, they felt peace before God in doing their duty, and solemnly warning those poor hardened people, in the name of the Lord, to flee from all their superstitions and sins, to Him who is "mighty to save."

19. This evening has been devoted to the examination of eight of the forty-three candidates for baptism. They had all been before the church for quite a long time, and gave very pleasing evidence of a change of heart, and a new life. Two of our dear pupils were of the number, and all the others were from the villages around. Three of

23. I met an interesting assembly of eighty at the female prayer-meeting this morning, about sixty of whom are members of the church. Besides several prayers, I spend some time in teaching them their duties as daughters, wives, mothers, neighbors, church members, etc. etc., and am much gratified with their answers and remarks, from week to week. But while I try to teach them, I feel deeply my need of more of their humble and child-like spirit.

27. Have enjoyed another delightful Sabbath in this little consecrated spot, in the midst of these heathen jungles; and at the close of the day accompanied nine more lovely converts down to the "watery grave,' making twenty-three baptised since our arrival here. Four were our pupils in Tavoy last season, and, with the nine baptised in Tavoy, make thirteen from that school. Five of the number are lately married to pious and respectable companions, and bid fair to exert a happy influence in society,

31. This is to us all a very solemn and interesting week, on account of the prepara