cious manner, and we sat down to a sumptuous dinner, served up in the European manner. Mrs. Jeffreys and myself were afterwards conducted to a house appointed for us by his majesty. The next morning the king sent us a present--a sheep, a goose, and a duck, with fifty eggs.

On the 14th of June, the four artisans were presented to the king, who directed that a piece of land, eligibly situated, should be allotted to their use, on which they might erect houses and workshops; and that each of them should have two apprentices, and a boy, to serve them.

In the postscript of a letter from the Rev. D. Jones, dated June 24, he says, "Mr. Hastie, the British agent and myself, have bought three tolerable houses, to be put up for the missionary artisans, on the spot of ground given them by the king. These cost us about two hundred and forty Spanish dollars. On the 22d, after the departure of the king to the war, Mr. Hastie procured about two thousand people from the town, at a short notice, to level the ground and prepare for putting up the houses. I was astonished to see such a multitude of people collected together, to put up the houses for the VAZAA (white people) almost in an instant. All will be finished to-day; so that the artisans may enter upon them and begin their trades immediately, and also lay out the ground annexed to their houses, for their gardens.

Thus you will perceive that both the missionaries and the artisans are completely settled; and I shall lose no time in procuring other articles necessary for the commencement of the business for which they are come, in the exercise of which they may exhibit an example of industry and morality, as well as instruct them in all things needful to make them happy, both in this world and in that to

come.

"With respect to the state of the mission here, (says Mr. Jeffreys) I can affirm, from observation, and from frequent conversations with Mr. Jones and Mr. Griffiths, that our prospects are at present most promising. Much, under God, seems to depend upon king Radama, who is, no doubt, a clever man and an able states

man at the same time it becomes us to be modest, and not too sanguine in our expectations. A foundation seems to be laid for the great structure hereafter to be erected. I think, indeed, that all things considered, wonders have been wrought; many prejudices which seemed to be mighty barriers against the diffusion of truth, have already subsided. The king himself is so anxious for his people to receive instruction, that he sends for parents, and desires them to send their children to the missionaries. Such influence and patronage must be of immense importance in a mission like this, and may be expected to bring great numbers into the schools. At the same time, permit me to add, that the Directors should not indulge an expectation that the Mission may soon be able to support itself; it will probably be some years before this can be effected. Many things are yet wanted, particularly a Printing-press, for although we have a Lithographic-press, which will be of much use hereafter, yet a printingpress will be necessary for the purpose of printing Spelling-books, and other elementary treatises. A great quantity of paper, slates, and blank books for journals, registers, &c. are needed. We also want 200 Bibles and as many Testaments."

We find that Mr. Jones remains in the house built for him by the king in his court-yard; another house is building for Mr. Griffith in the northern end of the town; and Mr. Jeffreys has a comfortable habitation in the southern extremity of it.

Schools.

Mr. Jeffreys, in the close of his journal, says, "This morning (June 16) at seven o'clock, went to Mr. Jones's school to hear the children catechised. It was clean, washed and combed, most of them a pleasing sight. The children were all having white shirts and trowsers. When I entered, they were repeating a hymn after the monitor. For a moment I could fancy myself in England. Shortly after, Mr. Jones entered, and after singing a hymn, he proceeded to catechise them in the Malagash language. The catechism had been composed chiefly by himself, after the method of Dr. Watts.

"At ten o'clock, we had service in English at the house of Mr. Griffiths, who preached from Acts, viii. 38. In the afternoon the children again assembled, were catechised, and practised in singing. I have seldom seen a finer set of children, as to cleanliness and order, in any school in England. It is delightful to witness such fine beginnings in a country like this, and it is, I trust, the dawn of a glorious day. In the evening, we assembled again at Mr. Griffiths's, where Brother Jones conducted the service."

Royal Visit to the Schools.

"June 17.-It having been proposed by Mr. Hastie, and agreed upon, that there should be a public examination of the schools, his majesty, Radama, was pleased to honour us with his presence. About three in the afternoon the king came in his state dress, accompanied by two of his generals, and Mr. Hastie; Mr. Jones's school was first examined in reading, spelling, writing, and in the first rules of arithmetic. The needle-work of the girls was also exhibited. The company then adjourned to the house of Mr. Griffiths, where the children went through à similar process. The total number of children in both schools is eighty-five. After the examination was concluded, the party proceeded to the house of Mr. Hastie, where a handsome dinner was provided; when the social intercourse and good humour of old England were enjoyed in the capital of Madagascar."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

State of the Hibernian Bible Society. From the Sixteenth Report of the Hibernian Bible Society, the following

Summary View of that Institution is extracted:

The total number of Bible Institutions of every description, now in connexion with your Society throughout the kingdom is, ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN, being an addition of thirty-one since your last anniversary. This steady progress towards the occupation of the whole country by these beneficent Institutions, is highly encouraging. Still, much remains to be done. There are yet six counties which possess no institution in connexion with your Society, and eight more in which the Bible establishments are confined to only one town, and its immediate vicinity.

The sum received in free contributions

amounts to 2616l. 10s. 6 1-2d. making an excess over that of last year of 1437l. 13s. 91-2d. This sum, however, is considerably diminished by sales of the Scriptures to subscribers and donors, at the reduced prices of the Society.

The receipts from the sale of the Scriptures have been 29781. 14s. 0 1-2d. and from the sales of. Monthly Extracts, &c. 84l. 7s. 3d. making the total receipts of your Committee, for the last year, 56791. 118. 10d. being 1745l. 16s. 5d. more than the receipts of the preceding year.

The issues from the Depository of the Society have been, during the last year, 8701 Bibles, and 11,964 Testaments, makThese numing a total of 20,665 copies. bers, added to those distributed in former years, make a total of 295,695 copies issued since the commencement of the Society.

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS

TO THE DOMESTIC SECRETARY.

A Gentleman at Newark, N. J. March 24, 1823.

DEAR SIR-At the request of a young Lady, I herewith transmit to you Thirty Dollars, the second donation from the avails of a school taught by herself in aid of the Missionary cause.

In this age of the church, it is found, that the chain of means, which is to operate in evangelizing the world, must be composed of innumerable small though important links.

It is necessary that means should be employed to procure means; and it is, no doubt, gratifying to many, that, in consequence of this necessity, all those, who, for want of sufficient funds, cannot be actually sent out among the heathen, may, notwithstanding

really engage in the cause, and in no unimportant sense become Missionaries. The church at present embraces a considerable number of persons of this description. Persons, who are not only willing to spend their lives in this great work, but persons who have actually devoted themselves to the cause; and who, for want of funds, cannot at present embark. But how shall these persons engage in the work, and what can they do in behalf of Missions? I answer, with a truly Missionary spirit, they can accomplish much. There are many ways in which something may be effected; one of which is, that of teaching Missionary schools. Schools, whose avails shall, in whole, or in part, be devoted to the support of Missions. The method is simple, an experiment easy. But an experiment has been made. Already have donations to the Missionary fund proved it successful. Are there not, then, thousands of the daughters of the church, who may in this way be enabled to make frequent donations into the treasury of the Lord, which shall be returned upon them again in 'good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,' Does not every congregation in the American church present a field in which these schools may be established? And does not every church afford, at least, one female, who can and will gladly engage in an object so important and interesting? A double object-first, to do good to the rising generation; and secondly, to be contributing, in no small degree, to the advancement of the Kingdom of the Redeemer.

A Teacher in Ashby, Mass. Feb. 8, 1823. DEAR SIR-At the time when the Sabbath School closed in this place last season, every member received a small book worth 2 cents. After an appropriate address by the Rev. Mr. P., calculated to impress on their minds their responsibility to God for thus highly favouring them, I mentioned to them the great privileges they enjoyed above the many thousand heathen children as good by nature as themselves; and, to excite a sympathy in their breasts for those neglected fellow-travellers to eternity, told them, that after they had read their books, if they would hand them to me, I would forward them, or the worth of them, to the Missionaries for the benefit of heathen children. Here. Sir, are forty-three books and twenty cents in money given by the S. S. children-some chose to keep their books and pay the value, others gave their books, and as much money as the book cost.

I also inclose $3 50 cents, avails of a charity box kept in my school in this town-the voluntary contribution of those who realised

their privileges to be great, and felt it to be their duty to contribute something to the relief of those who were not thus privileged.

The whole of the above donation is designed for the Osage Indians.

A Clergyman in Philadelphia, March 5, 1823.

DEAR SIR-I enclose you three dollars for the United Foreign Missionary Society, the division of a donation enclosed in an anonymous note, and put into our collection bag at the last communion, 23d of February. The services of the day were from this scripture, Psalm cxix. 38. “Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear." The doctrine-devoting ourselves to God: Division-the servant of God devotes to Godhis understanding, his will, his affections, his property.

The following is the note:-" From a poor young man who joined your church about a year ago, and has been but a comer and goer on account of business and the times, and is unsettled yet; but finding it my duty, by an impression of mind and examination, to do something while it is called to-day, lest I should not see to-morrow, I have tried, seeing my need of greater faith, to trust that the Lord will provide. These five dollars may be used in the following way-Two dollars for the service of the church, and three for the spread of the glorious gospel. 'Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth.'

A friend to (as well as yourself) prayer for revivals."

Scholarship in the Theological Semina ry at Princeton.

We are happy to learn, that Mr. William Scott, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Town, New-Jersey, has recently endowed a Scholarship in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, by a donation of twenty-five hundred dollars, the interest of which is forever to be applied to the support of a student in that Seminary.

DEATH OF THE REV. MR. NICHOLSON,

MISSIONARY AT MADRAS.

The Rev. Messrs Loveless, Traveller, and Crisp, in a joint letter to the Secretary of the London Missionary Society, of the 2d of August, 1822, give the following account of this lamentable

event:

This has been a day of anguish and fearful trembling to us all; we have been called to witness the ravage of that disease which has been so long prevalent in this country, on the person of our beloved brother and fellow-labourer, Mr. Nicholson. He died of the spasmodic cholera, after suffering most acutely about six hours. Such was the rapid progress

of the disease that he had no opportunity of saying much as to the state of his mind, indeed, when asked by one of us how he felt, he replied, "I can hardly think." Oh! what a lesson does this teach, to be prepared against the arrival of the summons, "" we know not the day nor the hour." When racked with much pain, he observed, "This is harder work than preaching;" and to his wife, he said, "This to me is a trial of pain, but to you a trial of faith.” He was frequently heard to exclaim, "there was need of patience;" and another time he uttered, "Heaven after all this." These, my dear Sir, are some of the short sentences gathered from the lips of our departed brother, they have left an impression upon our minds that will not be easily erased; and his sudden removal speaks loudly the necessity of preparation for the same eventful period. Mr. Nicholson was an eminent servant of Christ, his preaching talent was above mediocrity, and his services uniformly acceptable to the church. He was just becoming an efficient instrument among the natives, and we hoped, had he been spared, that benefit would have redounded to them through his labours; but our expectation, like the flower, is cut down; the church of Christ will mourn his sudden exit, and the cause of the heathen, as far as regards his individual exertions, suffer a suspense.

Oh! Sir, this awful dispensation has left a weeping widow and two fatherless children;、 they claim an interest in your prayers and sympathies, that the wound which has been made may be healed by Him, who is the God of the widow, and with whom the fatherless find both mercy and a refuge. An arrangement will be made, that his surviving and sorrowful partner may be made as comfortable and happy as is possible, and an account of our proceedings, with all necessary information, transmitted to you by the first opportunity. We need scarcely add, that our suffering mission claims your notice, and we trust it will not be long before our number is augmented; this is the more necessary, if you consider the pressing duties of the station, in connexion with its importance and the probability that others may be laid aside from disease, or removed by the hand of death.

Death of Mr. Thomas Brown, Missionary Printer.

In addition to the mournful list of missionary labourers or their wives, who have lately been removed by death, we have now to announce the decease of Mr. Thomas Brown, formerly of Bungay, who left England on the 31st of December, 1821, for Calcutta, where he resided some months; but his assistance being wanted at Bellary, he was proceeding to Madras, together with his family, with a view to go there; but it pleased God to call him hence while on his voyage. Mrs. Brown and children have returned to England.

DR. MIDDLETON.

In our last we mentioned the death of the shop of Calcutta. The following additional particulars relating to this event are copied from the London Missionary Chronicle for February, 1823:

On Wednesday, July the 3d, the Bishop and Lady went out to take an airing about an hour before sunset. On turning a corner, about half a mile from home, the sun shone full upon the Bishop. He instantly expressed a feeling of having received what is called "a stroke of the sun;" and said that he was sure he would suffer from it The carriage immediately returned home. Severe head-ache soon came on. His lordship took strong medicine; but would not allow his physician to be sent for. He became very restless; and on going to bed, said that he never felt so before, and God only knew what the result would be.

Next day, he sat at his desk eight hours, answering some papers referred to him by government. At night, he allowed his physician to be sent for, but would see no one else-was exceedingly restless, and seemed to labour under the impression that a load of business lay upon him; and this idea did not forsake him till his death. The feverish symptoms were never violent-his pulse about 80, and only at one time 86; but the restless eagerness of his mind nothing could allay. In the evening of Monday, his physician left him with the impression that he was decidedly better; but he had not been gone long, when the Bishop became very violent, walked about in great agitation, and on being compelled to lie down, nature began to give way. His articulation soon failed. The final scene closed very rapidly, and about eleven he ceased to breathe.

His Lordship has left 5000l. to the college, with 500 volumes from his Library, to be selected by the principal; and, as a token of regard to the place of his early education, a like sum of money to Christ's Hospital.

BAPTIST MISSION.

Mr. THOMAS KNIBB was designated as a Schoolmaster and Missionary, to assist Mr. Coultart at Kingston, in Jamaica, at Exeter, September 24th.

Mr. Knibb embarked in the same ship with Messrs. Tinson and Bourne, October 30th.

Attempts are made at several stations of the Baptist Missionary Society to establish schools for females; and though they are at present on a small scale, and in some cases opposed, yet it is believed the great object will finally be attained.

A daughter of the late Rev. S. Pearce, of Birmingham, has embarked, at her own expense, for Calcutta, with the view of assisting in the Seminary kept by some of the females of the Mission, and of aiding the concerns of the Mission.

Collected in the Presbyterian Church in West-Town, Orange county, N. Y. by the Rev. Thomas Greir,

Collected in the Presbyterian Church in Parsippany, N. J. by Miss Jane M. Howell,

Collected in the Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield, N. J. by the Rev. G. N. Judd,

Collected at the Monthly Concert in the Rev. Mr. M'Leod's Church in Cedar-street, N. Y. by Mr. Robert Blake, Treasurer.

Collected at the Monthly Concert in the Rev. Dr. Romeyn's Church in Cedar-street, N. Y.

From the "Hamilton College Theological Society," part of the avails of a Missionary field cultivated by the Students belonging to the Society, by Mr. William Torrey,

From Mr. John Swan, annual subscription, Collected at the Monthly Concert in the first Reformed Dutch Church in Philadelphia, by the Rev. Dr. Broadhead,

From the Auxiliary Society of Millstone, N. J. by John R. Davison, Esq.

Collected in the first Presbyterian Church in Newark, N. J. by the Rev. Dr. Richards, Collection at the Monthly Concert in do. by do.

Donation by a Lady in Newark, N. J. by do. Avails of a Mission Box in Miss Hay's School, in do. by do.

Collection in the second Congregation in Woodbridge, N. J. by do.

Collection in the Presbyterian Congregation of Deer-Park, Orange County, N. Y. by the Rev. Thomas Greir,

Avails of a fleece of Woof, by Miss Cornelius, of Somers, Westchester County, N. Y. by Miss Covert,

From the Auxiliary Society of Nyack, Rockland County, N. Y. by E. Appleby, Treasurer, through Robert Hart, Esq.

From the Auxiliary Society of Belville, N. J. by William Stevens, Treasurer,

Collected at the Monthly Concert in the Church in Painted-Post, Steuben County, N. Y. by William Steele,

Donation by a friend of Missions,

From the Auxiliary Society of Harlingen, N. J. by Martin Voorhis, Treasurer,

D. C.

15 00

18 25

20 30

15.00

23 11

10 00 S 00

15 00

30 00

62 24

48 02

15 00

3.00

6 00

5 00

150

12 75

13.50

8 75 15.00

45 60

From the Female Reading and Sewing Society of Parsippany, N. J. by the Rev. J. Ford, 10 00 Collected in the Presbyterian Church of South Salem, Westchester County, N. Y. by Mr. Thomas Mead,

Collection at Monthly Concert in do. by do. Donation from Miss Almira Clark, by do. Avails of a Charity Box kept in a School in Ashley, Mass. by Mr. J. Patch,

From the Auxiliary Society of English Neighbourhood, N. J. by the Rev. C. T. Demarest,

To constitute the Rev. John Goldsmith, of Newtown, Long-Island, a Member for Life, by a Member of his Congregation,

From the Auxiliary Society of Somerville, N. J. by Mr. Rhinier Vechte, through Mr. Peter Elmendorf,

Collection in the Presbyterian Church in Smithtown, Long Island, by the Rev. Richard F. Nicholl,

Collection at Monthly Concert in do. by do. From a few Ladies of the Brick Church, in New York, to constitute their Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Spring, a Member for Life,

From a Female Society in Wantage, Sussex County, N. J. to constitute their Pastor, the Rev. Edward Allen, a Life Member, by Mrs. Elsa Stiles,

From the Auxiliary Society of Wantage, Sussex County, N. J. by Mr. John Stiles, From the Auxiliary Society of Bound-Brook, N.J. by John Ross, Esq. Treasurer, Donation from John Ritchie, Esq. From the Auxiliary Society of Kinderhook, Columbia County, N. Y. by Peter Van Beuren, Treasurer,

From the Auxiliary Society of Rhinebeck, N. Y. by the Rev. David Parker,

From a Friend of Missions, the avails of a School taught in aid of the Missionary cause, From the younger Members of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, New-Jersey, principally Members of the Bible Class, to constistute their Pastor, the Rev. Dr. James Richards, a Member for Life,

From the Auxiliary Society of Fishkill, N. Y. by James Givan, Treasurer,

16 52 9 15 1.00

10.50

3 50

From the Children in a Sabbath School in do. acompanied by 43 Primers,

20

Collection in the Lutheran Church, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Kranth, in Martinsburgh, Virginia, by Bernard C. Wolffe, Esq.

8. 00

Donations from a Member of the Rev. Philip C. Hay's Congregation in Newark, N. J. to constitute his Pastor Member for Life, Collected in the first Presbyterian Church in Scipio, N. Y. by the Rev. William Johnson, through James Glover, Esq.

30 00

From the American Missionary Society of Red-Hook, Colonel Pitcher Treasurer, by the Rev. A. N. Kittle,

25 00

1141 66

11 00