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this person is going to die, and that person to recover. And as my predictions frequently happened to prove true, I came under suspicion, that I could make people well or sick, as I pleased, and was a witch. But it is a most grievous trial to me, not to enjoy the love and fellowship of my brethren and sisters on that account.' She added, that under these circumstances, our Saviour was her only comfort. The missionary hereupon called all the Christian negroes on the plantation together, after their dinner, and succeeded in convincing them, that the above accusations were groundless. The poor patient was so rejoiced at this, that she burst out into loud weeping, and all present assured her of their love, and that they again owned her as a sister. She now began to recover, after having been confined to her bed nine months; she was also able to work a little; but suddenly had a relapse, and departed this life, according to the report of our negroes, very gently and happily, calling on the name of the Lord to her latest breath."

ST. THOMAS.

May, 1811.-"I have again," one of the missionaries writes, "arrived in St. Thomas. The negroes received us with the most lively expressions of joy.” "I must add something concerning the distribution of the Spanish Testaments, which I was favoured to carry out with me, with a view to give them to those Spaniards who come hither from Porto Rico. As the worthy British and Foreign Bible Society has been pleased to place that trust in me, I am thankful that I may hope to have fulfilled their kind intentions already. I had a rich enjoyment in performing this act of benevolence, while I presented to the dark-looking Spaniards this valuable gift from the Society. Their gloomy countenances, which in general seem to indicate a disposition rather for all the wrathful passions, than for friendship and confidence, brightened up with

an expression of gratitude, of which their tears gave farther evidence; and they declared their regard and love for their benefactors in the warmest terms. Their thanks do not belong to me: they are altogether due to that benevolent Society, to whom I beg you to transfer them: I am fully rewarded by what I have enjoyed, as a blessing for my own soul, on this occasion. I endeavoured to give them a proper account of the Bible Society, and the aim of their labours; which was to put, if possible, into the hands of every man, to whom they could procure access, the holy word of God, that he might read and study it for himself. Many wished to possess the whole Bible in their own language. If the worthy Society should feel disposed to send more to this island for the same purpose, I should esteem it the highest favour to be their distributor."

ANTIGUA.

St. John's, Dec. 30, 1811.-“ In. answer to inquiries made by the legislature, we have given in the number of baptized negroes, belonging to our congregations in this island; at St. John's, 3640; at Gracehill, 1326; at Gracebay, 790, adults: baptized children in the three settlements, 1916; catechumens, 1316; besides the new people."

The foundation-stone for a new chapel was laid with much ceremony at Gracebay, in this island, on the 19th of November, 1811. Speaking of the contributions of the negroes, to this work the missionaries observe: "Notwithstanding the negroes have suffered much, as well last year by tempests as in this, through the long drought, they have nevertheless, with great willingness, brought in their mite, and insisted on its being accepted, and when refused, on account of their poverty, many cried bitterly. Some of them, being even in want of necessary clothing, lame and helpless, and destitute of every comfort in life, exclaimed, Lord Jesus enabled me to get that

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money, that I might give it to the the scripture-text for the day: church: do pray take it." "

BARBADOES.

May 30, 1812.-"I am sorry that I cannot give you a more pleasing account of success attending this mission, though the power of God has not ceased to be made manifest in it. We fervently entreat the Lord, that He would also remember Barbadoes in mercy, and cause the showers of His grace to descend and fructify this poor barren soil, and we will still hope, that, in His own time, He will help us to call sinners to repentance with such effect, that the number of His saved ones may be increased. Nor are we without some encouraging proofs of the power of the word of the Cross. In the last year we baptized five adults and four children.”

After giving an account of the unnatural darkness produced at Barbadoes, by the volcano, which took place at St Vincents, and which reminded me, says one of the missionaries," of that awful darkness when all nature seemed to shudder, and the sun to hide its face, at the expiration of the Son of God on the cross," he thus proceeds:

The works of His hands are verity
and judgment; all his command-
Ps. cxi. 7. con-
ments are sure.'

cluding with fervent prayer. The
attention and devotion of the audi-
tory was great.

The great church of Bridgetown was, on this awful day, so much crowded, that it could hardly contain the people, who at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, with lanthorns in their hands, took refuge in the house of prayer; so great was the consternation of all the inhabitants."

NORTH AMERICA.

The missions to the Indians at Goshen Fairfield, Spring Place, Flint, River, &c. still continue, and seem to be in a slowly progressive state.

At the close of 1811, the Brethren bad, in all, 30 missionary ses tlements; the number of missionaries employed in them being 156.

One of the Periodical Accounts, (the 62d) contains a very interesting narrative of the life of Mr. Antes, who was formerly employed on a mission to Cairo, and of whom honourable mention is made in Bruce's Travels. We hope to be able to lay an abstract of it before our readers.

At MISSION SOCIETY TO AFRICA AND
THE EAST.

"We looked up unto our Almighty Father and Saviour, in this state of awful uncertainty, and he filled our hearts with peace. seven o'clock, our whole family was called together into our hall, and during a solemn feeling of our helplessness, we exhorted each other to faith and trust in God our Redeemer, offered up fervent prayer for ourselves and our fellow-men, and were richly comforted by a sense of his Divine presence. This inexplicable and utter darkness continued till about half past twelve o'clock. About one, a little light from the sun's rays appeared, to the great comfort of every human being in the island. About three o'clock many negroes, from far and near, assembled together in our church, forming a large congregation, to whom a discourse was delivered on

We have already given a brief account of the Anniversary Meeting of this Society in the month of May last. We shall now lay before our readers the substance of the report then made by the Committee, which we have hitherto The report been unable to do. was preceded by a sermon preached by the Rev. W. Goode, M. A. rec tor of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe and St. Ann's Blackfriars, from Psalm lxxii, 17. " All men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed." Mr. Goode proved himself, on this occasion, a powerful advocate in the missionary cause. A few extracts from his ser

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mon, and which, we are sorry to say, is all we can afford to give, will induce our readers, we trust, to stir up their Christian zeal by perusing the whole.

"Christian philanthropy imperiously urges our most strenuous exertions to promote this great object. It excites us, by the most powerful obligations of duty, and the tenderest feelings of enlightened compassion, to reverence the authority of our Master, and to obey with delight that most admirable of his precepts, to do to others as we would have others do to us.' To decline the arduous but honourable task, through senseless indifference, selfish indulgence, or worldly policy to persuade ourselves that we need not be concerned about the welfare of the different races of mankind, while they themselves are satisfied with their situation; though we know them to be degraded by ignorance and vice, and still more awfully degraded, as destitute of the knowledge of the true God, and our only Saviour Jesus Christ, is too much like the murderous apathy of him, who insulted the Divine Majesty with the question, Am I my brother's keeper?' and may perhaps meet, from Him, with a similar reward.

"But, if these principles be true, we affirm still further, that, to oppose the promulgation of Christianity, by arguments drawn from lo cal circumstances, or from the reasons of human prudence, is nothing less than to assume, that the narrow policyof mortals is more suited to promote the welfare of the human race, than the plan of the Omniscient Mind that the infinite wisdom of God mistakes in its means of bestowing blessedness on his creatures in a word, that God himself knows not how best to govern' the world which he has made, since possible circumstances may arise, and have arisen, which may render his plan improper for execution, in va rious situations; and unsuitable to the general happiness of man.

CHRIST. OBSERV. APP.

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"Till we can adopt conclusions so absurd-till we can join in these impious reflections on the moral government of God, we cannot entertain a doubt, but that the promoting of the knowledge of the Gospel, is the most exalted work of piety-the noblest enterprise of humanityand the highest act of beneficence, at which the benevolent mind can aim': we hesitate not to affirm, that the accomplishing of this object would be the general felicity of the world."

"There is, perhaps, no species of benevolent design which requires such ample and liberal support; and it is certain there is none which so well deserves it. The object before us embraces all that is great and good in time and in eternity; the present welfare and the eternal salvation of the thousand millions of the present race of man, and the thousands of millions which shall succeed in progressive' order to the end of time."

"However feeble the initiatory efforts of such institutions, without those initiatory efforts no general effects can ever be expected. However small the beginnings, without those beginnings no grand end can ever be produced. Remember thať the silver and the gold areHis, whose' cause we now endeavour to promote.' He can augment or diminish your stores, as he pleases. But, in a little time, none of all your treasures will remain with you, but that part of them, which' you have thus, in some way or other, put into the treasury of the Lord. Here it will be secured in the remembrance of his loving kindness, till it be exchanged for the everlasting riches of His glory!"

The following passage is conceived in the enlarged spirit of that charity which distinguishes the church of which Mr. Goode is so exemplary and useful a minister, and which he so justly eulogises.

I venerate the episcopal church of the United' Empire. I glory to belong to its communion." I 'con

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ceive it to be more conformable, in its fundamental constitution, to apostolic order and the primitive discipline of the church, than any other. I wish most cordially to promote its peculiar success; convinced that a universal adherence to its doctrines, a holy use of its primitive and devo tional liturgy, and a mild exercise of its discipline, would tend most to the glory of the Redeemer, and the welfare of men. Without any controversy, in former times, the episcopal church of England shone forth as a praise in all the earth; and may thus, if she please, maintain her su periority, continue her holy dignity, and rise to more extended usefulness. But is it necessary to unchristianize other churches, to exalt our own? Where God is seen to work, we would not dare to oppose. If others are casting out devils in the name of Christ, we would not venture to forbid them, because they follow not with us. If it please Him, who doeth what seemeth good to him in heaven and in earth, to give a part of his work, in evangelizing the world, into the hands of other denominations of Christians, we would not be found among those who dispute his sovereignty, or who murmur at his appointment. Rather let us excite one another to holy ardour, to pious emulation,and to increased exertions. If former attempts have failed through jealousy and disunion; let us try what attempts, conducted in the union of the Spirit, will effect. If old methods have been found inadequate; let us seek after new me. thods, which may appear to promise success, provided only that they be prudent, legitimate, and wise. Let every one in his own department, as thus most effectually securing the most extended influence, pursue that work of benevolence toward his fellow-sinners, in which the most diligent pursuit and the utmost exertion of ability, will still leave much to be desired, and much to be done by all. Thus, cooperating in the work of the Lord, we may well commit the interest of

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We now come to the Report. It opens with stating, that the missionary, Butscher, who had been desired to come over to this country in order to confer with the Committee on the state of the mission on the Rio Pongas, on the coast of Africa, was present at the meeting, together with one of the native youths, under education in the Society's schools. Those youths had increased to the number of 120. A chief on a neighbouring river, the Rio Dembia, named Fernandez, had shewn a very favourable disposition towards the missionaries, and expressed a very strong desire for a missionary establishment in the district subjected to his authority, which is about 100 miles in circumference, offering a sufficient quantity of land for a settlement. Should this offer be accepted, which is probable, a way is likely to be thence opened to the missionaries into the interior. The chiefs, in general, in the vicinity of the Rio Pongas, appear to regard the mission in a friendly light, and almost all of them have placed one or more of their children under the care of the missionaries; a circumstance that affords a decisive proof of their good-will and confidence, while it adds greatly to the security of the mission. The missionaries express the most lively hopes of success among the children, grounded on the actual benefit they have already received; and they propose to form schools in various quarters, as soon as they shall receive an accession of labourers. Two of those lately sent out, having been instructed in the national system of

education, will be able to organize to learn their tasks until school comthe schools on that admirable plan. mences. These two, Messrs. Wilhelm and Klein, with Mrs. Klein, reached the Rio Pongas on the 20th of January last, bringing with them a printingpress, a fount of types, and a quantity of printing-paper, to be employed in promoting the objects of the mission. Two more Lutheran clergymen have been engaged by the Society, to strengthen the mission in Africa. A proposal has been made by some zealous persons in America, to select a few of the most prudent, sensible, and pious men, natives of Africa, who have been brought to the United States, and have embraced the Gospel there, and to place them as catechists, under the direction of the missionaries. This proposal is now under the consideration of the Committee. Through the munificence of the Bible Society, the Committee have been enabled to send a fresh supply of the English Scriptures to Sierra Leone, together with thirty copies of the Arabic Scriptures, to be given to such natives of influence, as read Arabic, and value books in that language. Governor Maxwell, of Sierra Leone, continues to patronize the missions of the Society and to shew kindness to their missionaries. One of them, Mr. Nylander, is still employed as chaplain to the colony.

The Appendix contains a detailed account of the Society's schools at Bashia, on the Rio Pongas, from which we shall subjoin an extract.

"The boys all rise at day-break; and, soon after, they go with a captain appointed over them, to the brook, to wash. Upon their return to the school-house, they range themselves up, that it may be seen whether they have washed themselves clean, and how they are dressed. This being done, the yardbell rings for prayer, and every one takes his seat. Those who are able to read, take their Bibles, and one of them reads a chapter; after that we go to prayer. Then the boys are

"Four of the boys are employed by turns, in beating out rice for food. Some are appointed to keep the rooms clean, others to fetch water for the day. And the captain appointed over them is to see that the work is properly done. One of the scholars, by turns, is appointed to keep guard in the yard, to prevent strangers from stealing; and to give report of what may happen, while the others are at school. Another trusty boy measures out the rice for breakfast and dinner. Other little jobs of various kinds are to be done by the boys, when school-time is over. At times, half of the scholars are employed; as for instance, when the garden wants weeding, or the yard to be cleaned : and, perhaps, the next day, the other half of them take their places. They are not put to any hard work; except that the stout ones have sometimes to row the canoe, when we are obliged to go up or down the river. School is always held before breakfast, for the first classes of both sexes; when they are taught English grammar and geography, and write letters dictated to them. At nine o'clock there is breakfast; of which the bell gives notice to the children.

"At ten o'clock the bell rings for school. We begin with singing a hymn or psalm. One of the boys then. repeats the Lord's Prayer: a chapter in the Bible is read; each taking one, two, or three verses, till the chapter is finished. This done, the task which is learnt by heart is heard; and the captains repeat it first. If they have learnt it well themselves, they proceed to their respective classes, to hear their appointed tasks; while the tutor hears the rest of the first class. These assistants, after they have done, bring report of such boys as do not know their lessons. Nearly the same rules are observed with the girls. After spelling is finished, the slates are

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