was entitled, "The Cape of Good Hope Church Missionary Association." The meeting was numerously and most respectably attended; and great interest was excited. The Clergy present spake, together with Mr. Musgrave and Captain Gardiner; the latter of whom gave an animated description of Zoolu manners and character. Having heard to-day, just before the Meeting, that the Athol transport-ship, which had just arrived from England, was ready to sail next morning to Algoa Bay for troops, I obtained an order from the Governor to go by it. Interest excited at Algoa Bay concerning the South-Africa Mission. Although the visit of Mr. Owen to Algoa Bay did not lead to the immediate and definite step of the formation of an Auxiliary Association, yet much interest, as might justly be expected, was raised in favour of the Society, and this particular Mission. This will appear from the following Extracts from his Journal. March 16, 1837-Embarked on board the Athol with my family and baggage; and weighed anchor at one o'clock P. M. Our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Judge, who had shown us the greatest hospitality and kindness, accompanied us to the ship. March 25-We anchored in Algoa Bay, before Port Elizabeth, at nine A. M. Came on shore, with my baggage and stores, in Government boats procured for me by the commander of the vessel. -- March 26: Easter Day-The Rev. M'Cleland, Colonial Chaplain at Port Elizabeth, called. I read Prayers, and assisted at the Communion. He expressed great satisfaction at the commencement of the Mission by our Church in South Africa, and said it was what he had long desired: he thought it not improbable that an Association might be formed here. The churchwarden also took an interest in the subject, and promised to communicate with others about it. In the afternoon, attended some sick soldiers; and in the evening preached at the English Church. A notice was read of a Meeting, on Tuesday next, of the Committee of the Dis trict Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; when it was stated that I would attend, and give such information as I had been furnished with respecting the objects of the Church Missionary Society in South Africa. March 27-Several of the respectable inhabitants called; but I was out, and engaged most of the day in necessary business. March 28-Saw a great many of the most respectable inhabitants, and members of our Church, at their own houses. Considerable interest was manifested for the Mission, though it was not thought advisable to bring the matter immediately before the public. A Meeting was held, in the evening, in the church, of the District Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, which was attended by several of the inhabitants. After the reading and adoption of the Report, in which the object of my arrival in the colony was taken notice of, and much satisfaction expressed at the commencement of a new Mission in South Africa by the Members of our Church, I read copious extracts from my Instructions, such as appeared most suitable. The Chaplain then put the following Resolution: "That this District Committee view with feelings of the most unfeigned gratification, and with the liveliest anticipations of future benefit, the first effort now made by the Established Church to diffuse the light of the Gospel among the Heathen Tribes beyond the boundaries of this colony, in the Mission of the Rev. F. Owen, in connexion with our Parent Church, to the settlement of Port Natal; an undertaking which calls for the earnest good wishes and the warmest support of the Christian inhabitants of South Africa." This Resolution was drawn up on the spot by a respectable lay member of the Committee. It was unanimously carried. Mr. M'Cleland gave me reason to hope that subscriptions would speedily be set on foot, before an Association was regularly formed. The town contains from 1000 to 2000 inhabitants. In 1825, when the Chaplain was first appointed, there were but three communicants of our Church. Under date of March 29th, Mr. Owen adds, that he and his family were about to leave, on the next day; having hired waggons to take them to Graham's Town, where they expected to meet Capt. Gardiner, who was pursuing his journey from Cape Town by land. It is with much satisfaction that I have to announce to you the institution of a Church Missionary Association in this place. Capt. Gardiner, and the Rev. F. Owen, your Missionary to the Zoolu Tribes, arrived in Table Bay, with their respective families, on the 2d instant: and the latter gentleman having communicated to the Rev. G. Hough, Senior Colonial Chaplain, the wishes of your Society that an effort should be made to establish a Branch Association in this town, after the requisite preparatory measures, a Public Meeting was convened for that purpose on Wednesday last, the 15th instant; at which His Excellency the Governor, Sir B. D'Urban, presided, and a large number of the most respectable and distinguished inhabitants were present. Besides Capt. Gardiner and other laymen, it may not be uninteresting to you to learn, that all the Clergy of our Church, belonging to the respective Chaplaincies at this end of the Colony, took part in the proceedings, and warmly recommended the measure; and that the proposal was met with no less cordiality on the part of the assembly. One general feeling, indeed, seemed to prevail, that of thankfulness to Almighty God, that such an opportunity had been opened of contributing to His glory, and of assisting to convey to the savage nations of our benighted continent the light of that blessed Gospel which was ordained to be the power of God unto salvation. CHINA MISSION. THE preparatory measures adopted by the Committee in reference to a Mission to China, have been already stated; and the movements of Mr. E. B. Squire reported, at Vol. VI. p. 62, and Vol. VII. pp. 169, & 197. The following communications will carry back our Readers to the earlier communications of the Committee with the Rev. C. Gutzlaff; and then to the actual commencement of Mr. Squire's labours. In regard to the accessibility of the Maritime Provinces, I can only say, that, after having made seven voyages along the coast, and at each tour distributed an enormous number of books without the least difficulty, while conversing with the As soon as the Committee had decided to enter upon a Correspondence, with a view to China, letters were addressed to the late Rev. Dr. Morrison, who died previously to their arrival; and to the Rev. C. Gutzlaff, well people upon the doctrines of the Gospel, known for his enterprising voyages in China. The following are Extracts from his Reply to the Society, dated, Macao, October 13, 1835:Communication from the Rev. C. Gutzlaff. Ere your letter reached me, your Episcopalian Brethren in America had already anticipated you in your work, by sending out two Missionaries for China. America, being aware of China's wants, will exert itself to the utmost to carry the Gospel to this benighted country. Dr. Morrison, you know, has been long in the grave: the Lord called him to his rest at the most critical moment: I was then absent in Fokeen. RECORD, July 1837.] this is proved by matter of fact. The free trade is naturally extending its range; and the facilities will, in every year, become greater. As for myself, I had no choice of opportunities. I stood literally alone, and had to fight my own way under the banners of a merciful Saviour. Many are the dangers in which I have been, these last four years; but as the Lord has helped under all difficulties, I have forgotten them. As for the Chinese Government, it is diametrically opposed to every improvement, and as bigotted as the conclave at Rome. Yet neither the Apostles nor Reformers waited until Governments Y proved favourable to the Gospel, but went on boldly, in the strength of their Lord. It is the work of God; and the united powers of Satan will not hinder it here. I myself have been decried by the Chinese Court, watched with a suspicious eye, declared a treacherous and traitorous native, calumniated by Europeans; but, nevertheless, I am still alive, and can in much weakness carry on the work of God. We want here no gentlemen-Missionaries; but men who are at all times ready to lay down their lives for the Saviour, and can wander about forgotten and despised; without any human assistance, but their God. As pioneers, they must be men of great talents, especially as linguists, for otherwise they will never acquire the Chinese. As a place for preparation, I propose Singapore;—as a station in China, Hăng choo in Che Keang, an immense city on the Tseen Tang;-but this must be left to circumstances brought on by the mighty hand of Providence. Our printing at Canton has lately been much disturbed by the Government. The Emperor received, in June of this year, a copy of “The Life of the Saviour," and another Tract, containing an Address to the Chinese, and the principal doctrines of the Gospel. He writes, that he had read them; and orders to make strict investigation after the traitorous natives who assisted barbarians in publishing those books. Our printers are therefore frightened; and we are obliged to transfer the work, pro tempore, to Singapore. Be not dismayed on any account: God is with us. You will, long before this, have read the details of a voyage made solely for the purpose of distributing Tracts, by Messrs. Medhurst and Stevens. No charges are brought forward by the Emperor against the books; but he thinks that they will mislead the people. The Roman Catholics have lately made very great numbers of converts; and many Missionaries, principally French, have proceeded into the interior. May the Saviour bless your endeavours! Remember forlorn China, with its millions; and pray also for us who are engaged in the great work. Entrance of Mr. Squire on his Station at Singapore. After having been detained five weeks at Calcutta (see p. 95), Mr. and Mrs. Squire sailed Dec. 18, 1836, for Singapore; where they arrived Jan. 11, 1837. Under date of Jan. 15, he writes as follows: I am looking about for a residence; but as they are generally high in their rents here, I hope, by exercising a little patience, to procure a small house on moderate terms. I have decided for the present to remain in this spot: there is no Mandarin Teacher now attached to the Malacca College, and I have engaged the I only one that was employed there. took my first Chinese lesson, from a native, Thus am I brought to the yesterday. scene I have so often contemplated, by the blessing of God, in health and safety, exactly five months and a half from leaving England: and when I consider that I remained five weeks in Calcutta, which was an unavoidable delay, it is certainly much quicker than I had any right to anticipate. Next month we expect the annual junks, when I hope to be made useful in supplying them with the bread of life. Medhurst's new edition of the Holy Scriptures is published at Batavia, in lithograph. The American Missionaries here are now busily employed in cutting blocks, to publish the same revised Translation at Singapore: so we hope to be well supplied with the Word of God; and pray earnestly that the Spirit of God may breathe on it and bless it, to the salvation of many immortal souls among this heathen people, who are indeed walking in darkness. This week I intend to commence Malay with Mrs. Squire ;-though it must be before breakfast, as I feel very anxious not to slack in the Chinese; and the Malay is comparatively easy, and the general medium of communication among the numerous Natives who have either settled, or visit this rising station. It is possible that I may visit Malacca some months hence, to commence the Fuhkeen dialect; but at present I must keep to the Mandarin, and to the written character, which is the same in both dialects. This will, however, depend on circumstances; such as, the facility of procuring good teachers, &c. During my voyage down, I commenced a correspondence with those who, I hope, may prove of assistance to me in my undertaking; but there are yet many quarters with which I design to open a communication, when I get a little settled. From the little I have seen of Singapore, it appears to be healthy, and a fine sea-breeze constantly blowing. The houses present a lively appearance--the shipping, junks, and native boats rising and falling to the swell of the ocean: and, what is of much consequence in the Torrid Zone, frequent showers, to our comfort, render the air moderately cool: 76° to 86° is about the range of the thermometer. May the Lord give us health and strength to labour for His glory! Pray for us, that His Spirit may rest upon us; and that it may be poured out upon those for whom we desire to spend and be spent. A month afterward, under date of Feb. 15, Mr. Squire further reports : On our landing at Singapore, we were received by the Resident Counsellor, Mr. Wingrove; and resided with him till the 1st inst., when I removed to a house which I have rented for a year; a small place, but in an airy situation. I have now fairly entered on my important duties; and have succeeded in securing the services of a Mandarin Teacher, who attends me daily. I have once been on board the Chinese junks, to distribute Tracts and Gospels: they received them without the slightest objection; but my little acquaintance with their language, and especially their dialects, they being from Shang-hoe and Canton, prevented my speaking to them. I have been liberally supplied with Tracts and Scriptures in the various languages spoken throughout this Archipelago, and find means of distributing them. Chinese Tracts and Scriptures I can always procure from Malacca; and in my movements in the bazaar, and among the people who frequent the premises, the Word of Life is freely given. Perhaps there is no part of the world with greater openings and facilities than Singapore: to every part of the East we have easy access, except the interior of China and Japan: from all I can gather, they remain closed to us, but their coasts are open. State of Education, and Amount of Population at Singapore, In the same communication, Mr. Squire further states:— I find every thing in this comparatively new Settlement, in the way of education, at a very low ebb. The College founded by Sir S. Raffles, and which for years remained in an unfinished state, is now in progress, and will shortly be completed; and the School established here by subscription will be transferred within its walls. It consists of all classes who choose to enter; and gives English instruction, though too partial as regards Christianity; the elder classes only reading the Scriptures, and that only on certain days of the week. There are 45 in the English, 14 in the Tamul, and 13 in the Malayan departments. It is supported by subscription; but the Government give more than the total from individuals, allowing 100 dollars per month. The Chinese, though forming so large a body of the population, do not take advantage of this Institution; and the only school for their children is on the American Mission Premises: there they have experienced many difficulties; and are about to commence on the system of boarding them, and keeping them wholly apart from the heathen around. Perhaps this slight sketch of the state of the Settlement may prove interesting. I will close it with an account of its population. In round numbers, the total is 30,000. The various nations are, Chinese, 14,000; Malays, 9500; Natives of the coast of Coromandel, 2300; of Hindoostan, 600; Bugis, 2000; Europeans and Indo-Britons, 260; Native Christians, chiefly descendants of Portuguese__and Roman Catholics, 425; Armenians, Jews, Arabs, Caffres, Siamese and Parsees, 125; Javanese, 900. The males exceed the females as three to one; which disproportion is mainly caused by the Chinese leaving their families in their own country. The probable influx of Chinese into this Settlement is about 3000 per annum; but great numbers leave for the adjacent islands, and wherever they can find employment: they are an enterprising, active race of men. May we not hope, when it shall please the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon them, that they may be turned to His glory? As far as I can yet judge, this seems to be the spot for training Missionaries;-a healthy climate; much facility of communication; and teachers in any of the dialects, are easily procured from Canton. Want of Spiritual Instructors at Singa when there is one available. cerned as they must be for their Protestant fellow-countrymen abroad, will peruse the following statement of Mr. Squire with much interest. On leaving Calcutta, I was requested by the Archdeacon, acting on behalf of the Bishop, in consequence of there being no Chaplain, to officiate for him, so far as a layman could consistently perform the Services of the Church. There is no church yet opened; a large and handsome building has, however, been erected, but is not yet seated. The Services have hitherto been performed in a small Chapel belonging to the London Missionary Society; and since my arrival I have commenced a Sabbath Evening Service: before this, only one Service was performed in the morning; and, in the absence of any Missionary belonging to the London Missionary Society, the American Missionaries officiate, according to the Form of the Church of England. A Chaplain is expected, as a temporary arrangement, in about two months, to continue a year; and we hope, ere its termination, that some permanent Clergyman will be appointed; which is the anxious desire of the Bishop, The following brief passage is connected with a part of Mr. Squire's employments; namely, Christian Research concerning the most profitable mode of access to the Chinese Empire. He remarks— As every communication regarding China is valuable, I just notice, that the North-east Frontier, through Assam and Burmah, is daily opening. Pemberton's Munni pore; Dr. Richardson's Journal, now publishing in the Asiatic Society's Journal; and the Papers in the Calcutta Christian Observer; contain all the information in print which I have yet seen regarding our intercourse. One Station, Sadaya, is only 200 miles from the frontier of Yunan Province. The Baptists have some Missionaries there. Through friends, I have opened a communication with Authorities stationed in Assam; and though I do not expect much information of a religious kind, yet all intercourse must be made at length subservient to the cause of Truth, and the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom. WEST-INDIES' MISSION. THE following is a Report of most of the Stations of this Mission, and is continued from p. 197 of Vol. VII. 1836, previously to his going to Port Morant. The numerical state of the school at Amity Hall is nearly the same as reported last quarter. The number on the books is about 170; a few new scholars having been entered, and others having left. Those in daily or general attendance amount from 100 to 120. It is my pleasure to be able to state, that numbers of the younger children, or rather the junior classes, have made steady and evident progress in reading. To show that there is a great regard in the minds of many of the children for the Word of God, I relate the following:-On presenting most of the school with rewards of books, handkerchiefs, needle-cases, &c. I called C. D. forward first, and bade him select any three books he saw before him; and, although there were many containing |