as if missionary efforts were not so much to make men Christians, as to prevent their becoming sectarians. We shall quote but one passage as an example. "It is of great importance," says theReport, p. 141, "to provide this part of the province [Lower Canada] with resident clergy, as the Methodists have for a long period used their efforts to secure an ascendency in the township of St. Armand." We should be greatly rejoiced to see resident episcopal clergy both in Canada and elsewhere; and to learn that they were subverting the Methodists, by "out-preaching and out-living them;" but merely to spar with Methodism "in foreign parts" is a very paltry motive for all the toil and anxiety, the heavy expense, and the unwearied prayers, of the patrons of Christian missions. We are convinced that the best friends of the Society would deeply lament if any of its agents should so far forget the nature of their momentous province, as to be more anxious in a mere party spirit, to stave off Dissenters, than to "bring home Jews, Turks, and Infidels to Christ's flock."

But we proceed to the more pleasing task of extracts from the correspondence of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, dated June and August, 1824.—

"I am happy to acknowledge the safe arrival of the library and communion plate destined for Bishop's College, as well as of Mr. Townsend, the printer, and his necessary stores, and the power of attorney. For all these I should have taken an earlier opportunity of offering my thanks to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, had not they arrived when I was much occupied in preparing for the journey in which I am now engaged, and which it is in my purpose, by God's blessing, to pursue through the greater part of this diocese."-His lordship proceeds to account for the slow progress which had been made in the erection of the college, and adds that it was with difficulty that the principal was enabled last Christmas to take possession of his lodging. He continues," Since that time the progress of the work, if not more rapid, has been more perceptible. The ground has been cleared and drained; the pools filled up; walks of pounded brick constructed round the quadrangle, and to the river. The offices are finished, and the dwellings for the native teachers and the printer are in some degree of advancement. The rooms are to a certain extent furnished. The library, which is a very beautiful apartment, has received, and shews to

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great advantage the books which it owes to the munificence of the Society, and some other benefactors, among whom the principal himself is most conspicuous. was with no common emotion that I first heard a well-toned bell calling, amid those teak and cocoa-nut trees, the inmates of the building to morning prayers, though as yet, unfortunately, not in the chapel. The latter is still empty' and unglazed. The wood work of the stalls has been some time under the workmens' hands; but from such hands no speedy result can be expected. The hall is sufficiently furnished for the present number of its inmates; but its walls have a naked and unadorned appearance, which may perhaps be one day removed by a portrait of the distinguished and excellent prelate who designed it. The printing press is setting up in one of the lower apartments of the east wing. A separate building would be now most desirable, and will ere long be absolutely necessary; but the funds are at present unequal to such an undertaking. The organ is for the present in one of the recesses of the library. With regard to the expense incurred, I beg leave to assure the Incorporated Society that no single item has been allowed by me which both the principal and I have not agreed in thinking absolutely necessary, or respecting the usual price of which I had not obtained the best information in my power."

"The college now contains two students on the foundation of the Incorporated Society, Mr. James Dunsmure and Mr. Daniel Jones; a third, Mr. William Addison Godfrey, on the foundation of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and from the archdeaconry of Madras; and a fourth, a non-foundation student, supported and to be paid for by the Diocesan Committee of the Church Missionary Society. The Rev. Christian David, long a native catechist in the employ of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and lately ordained by me deacon and priest as one of the colonial chaplains of his Majesty's Government of Ceylon, has been an inmate within its walls during the time of his residence in this archdeaconry. The Rev. Mr. Tweddell, one of the Incorporated Society's missionaries, is prosecuting his studies there also; and Mr. Townsend, the printer, is, as a matter of necessity, admitted on the same footing."

"The college is a beautiful object, in a singularly picturesque and sequestered scene. And, above all, it is already in

active and efficient usefulness as a place of oriential, classical, and Christian education; in which its excellent principal is labouring, though single-handed, with a patient and persevering ability, which, to be duly appreciated, must be witnessed. Both he and I, however, look forward with anxious earnestness to the arrival of one, if not both, of the professors who are to share in his toil."

"The Society's two elder missionaries, Mr. Christian and Mr. Morton, are employed, I believe most usefully, and I trust in a manner not contrary to the Society's intentions, in superintending two excellent circles of Bengalee schools, supported by the Diocesan Committee of the Society for promoting Chrisitan Knowledge. They are both men of good talents, and much, zeal and diligence. Mr. Christian is every thing, as I conceive, which a missionary ought to be; devoted to, and delighting in, his work endearing himself to the natives by his kind, condescending, and cheerful disposition, and to his countrymen and brother clergy, by his modesty and propriety both of behaviour and doctrine."

Additional communications state, that Mr. Morton has undertaken, with the approbation of the principal of the college, the preparation and publication of a Manual Bengalli, and English Dictionary, including the Bengalli Synonyms, to be succeeded or accompanied by a Bengalli Grammar. The Bishop has marked out the present Dutch settlement of Chinsurah, thirty miles up the river, for a missionary station.

In the north circle Mr. Christian superintends six schools, which contain nearly five hundred children. The establishment of these schools was a great undertaking, and no doubt will effect a material change in the religious and moral principles of the rising generation. By the active zeal and attention of the Secretary to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, religious tracts in English and Bengalli have been introduced into all the schools of his circle, and the New Testament in English into two of them, which is read and understood tolerably well.

Mr. Christian has found the appearance and manners of the children, since he came among them, greatly improved. Distinguishing marks of red and yellow clay, which were then common on their faces, and which served to impress the mind with the strongest idea of their superstition, are now laid aside the Para

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bles of our Lord, which were read in schools, he has prevailed on them to commit to memory, so that they can now repeat any of them in their own language with readiness; and they have received from him the Gospel of St. Matthew in Bengalli to copy out as a profitable exercise, which when finished is to be bound and returned to them as a reward for their industry. It is to be hoped that many of these children will be brought up. in the Christian faith; certainly they will be very different from the generation before them. The difficulty with adults is great. Caste, it is added, is found to be "one of the chief obstacles to the progress of Christianity; for were that difficulty removed, many would avow their attachment to it.'

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Twenty-fifth Report of this institution, delivered at the last annual meeting, which is now passing through the press, contains a highly interesting account of the Society's proceedings during the last year. We purpose, on its publication, to lay before our readers our usual annual abstract: in the mean time, we give, by anticipation, the following general particulars :

Five new Associations have been formed during the year; besides four Branch and sixteen Ladies' Associations, with six Associations in aid of the Hibernian Auxiliary-making a total, in the United Kingdom, of thirty-one.

The income amounted, without deducting expenses, and including the contributions to the Institution at Islington, to more than 45,000l. The net income. of the year, available for the general purposes of the Society, has been upward of 40,500l.; being an increase, on the net income of the twenty-fourth year, of nearly 6,000. The expenditure of the twenty-fifth year has amounted to nearly 38,000l. The Committee are anxious, however, to have it distinctly understood, that the surplus of the income over the expenditure has not arisen from any inability on their part to expend a larger sum on missionary objects; but, on the contrary, from a prudent desire to restrict the Society's expenditure within the limits of its probable income. The calls for assistance are now so urgent from all parts of the heathen world, that, were the income of the Society twice as large as the sum to which the exertions and contributions of its friends have raised it, there would be no difficulty in making an efficient appro

The offers of service during the past year have been more numerous than during the year preceding: sixty persons have expressed their readiness to labour in the work of the Society. Of this number, the services of sixteen have been accepted; those of twenty-nine have been declined; and the cases of the remaining fifteen are under consideration. There are, at present, twenty students in the Society's Institution, under preparation for missionary labour; of whom, five are Lutheran clergymen from the seminary at Bâsle.

After reporting the opening of the Institution at Islington, the Committee add

"There is one important feature connected with these proceedings, which must not be overlooked. The first institution which the Established Church has witnessed, in our own country, for the specific purpose of training up missionaries for the heathen, has been opened, with every prospect, if adequately supported, of extensively promoting the great object for which it has been set apart. The Rev. Professor Lee had undertaken the superintendance of the Oriental studies of the students."

The survey of the Society's proceedings in its missions occupies nearly 150 pages in the Report: a table is given, in the introductory sheet, of the missions, stations, labourers, schools, and scholars; and, at the close of the Report, appears the following summary.—

In the nine missions of the Society, there are forty-five stations, with which are connected 296 schools.

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These stations and schools are occupied by 440 labourers of these, 119 are Europeans, including a few females born of British parents in India: and 321 were born in the respective countries, chiefly, where they are employed. The number of scholars under the Society is 14,090; of whom 10,457 are boys, 2957 girls, and

In conclusion, the Committee avow their full conviction, with thankfulness to Him who guides all things to the advancement of His kingdom, that, amidst numberless and augmenting difficulties, that kingdom is steadily advancing. Severe trials, indeed, continue to attend the servants of God, in their combined exertions to fulfil His will: of these trials, particularly in that most interesting of all the scenes of Christian labour among the liberated Africans, a large portion has befallen the Society, and still exercises the faith and patience of its friends. Not only, however, is countervailing success granted in other quarters, but, as the Committee rejoice to witness, the Reports of the Associations throughout the United Kingdom indicate the prevalence of a spirit so truly Christian, in reference both to the trials of the Society and its own duties and those of its members, that the Committee cannot but hail this as a manifest token for good.

LADIES' SOCIETY FOR THE EDUCATION OF NEGRO CHILDREN.

We have in our possession a large mass of interesting papers and publications connected with the proceedings of Anti-slavery Societies, and the present condition of the slaves and people of colour in our WestIndia islands: some of the most important extracts from which we hope in future Numbers to lay before our readers. For the present, we must content ourselves with announcing the formation of a Ladies' Society for promoting the early education and improvement of the children of Negroes, and of People of Colour, in those colonies The Society is under the patronage of a number of benevolent ladies of high rank and distinction, and we trust it may be of service, if not in its more direct efforts for the objects of its humane care, at least in exciting an additional interest in the minds of the British public, especially among persons of influence, in behalf of the most degraded and oppressed portion of the human race; more degraded and oppressed in the nineteenth century of the Christian era, under professedly Christian masters, the subjects of the British Crown, and enjoying themselves the ample liberties of Britons, than were the helots of Sparta, or the slaves of Rome, in far less enlightened ages, and under the

obdurate institutions of Pagan despotism. It is well that our countrywomen should zealously pledge themselves to the prosecution of the important object of educating the children of the slaves and coloured population, who, in a vast majority of instances, are scarcely more regarded as fit objects for mental culture than brute animals reared for the market or the plough. And if the benevolent individuals who patronize this object should not find our plantations generally open to their exertions, and not be able to establish efficient schools for the education of a future race of well-instructed, wellordered, Christian labourers, but from the present unhappy condition of WestIndia Society, should find obstacles to impede their efforts, the difficulty will at least afford a new argument to prove the necessity for the authoritative interference of the mother country to place our colonial system on a more wise, and liberal and humane basis.

The following is the Society's address: "The Society now announced originated in a conviction, that, while much has been effected for the benefit of heathen nations, there yet remain thousands of human beings, who are spending their strength to supply us with luxuries; but whose ignorance and depravity, though we have often lamented, we have yet done little to remove; and whose peculiar situation as slaves renders them incapable of promoting their own improvement, or that of their children. Even those Negroes whose masters have been the most compassionate, have, except in a few instances, enjoyed rather the happiness of the inferior animals, than that of rational and immortal beings; for whatever may be the case with regard to their food and clothing, it is an acknowledged fact, that no adequate provision has been made for their instruction in the duties of morality and religion. "In confirmation of this statement, it has been estimated, by persons well acquainted with the subject, that the whole number of Negro children now under instruction does not amount to 10,000; while, on the most moderate computation there are not less than 150,000 of the slave population, under ten years of age, in our West-India Colonies: so that only one child in fifteen is receiving the blessing of education, in a country where, from the depraved habits of the parents, it is so peculiarly needed.

"Surely, then, a vigorous effort ought to be made. The responsibility rests, in a great measure, with ourselves: for no one

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will any longer deny, that Africans are capable of improvement and civilization. In the actual state of Sierra Leone, we have the most gratifying testimony to the admirable effects of Christian instruction upon this neglected race. The opinion of the late Sir Charles M'Carthy on this subject is worth recording. When he was asked by a naval officer (connected with one of the West-India Islands) what method had been pursued to bring them from the deplorable condition in which they were received from the slave ships, to such a state in so short a time: other,' he replied, than teaching them the truths of Christianity; and believe me,' he added, if you admit Christian teachers into your island, you will find your slaves soon become affectionate and faithful servants to you.' The evidence of Captain Sabine of the Engineers, an unprejudiced eye-witness, who resided there six weeks, and who closely and repeatedly inspected the state of the liberated Africans, is also most satisfactory. He has declared, in reference to the largest assemblage of them at Regent's Town, 'that he is persuaded there is not to be seen upon earth, a community of equal size so truly exemplary.' See Quarterly Review, No. 63, p. 34.

"Such indeed has been the happy result wherever the experiment has been made. The governments of different colonies, where missionaries have been stationed, bear the most favourable testimony to the influence of their labours on the state of society; and wherever insurrections have taken place, the instructed Negroes have invariably been found the most faithful to their masters. It is not surprising that these facts, confirmed as they have been by the reports of other individuals, and now become notorious, should have contributed to remove the prejudices that formerly existed against Negro education. Many applications have accordingly been made to the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, by proprietors of estates, to supply their slaves with teachers; and liberal offers have been made for their support. There also exists among the Negroes themselves, an ardent desire for instruction. In some places, those children who are not allowed to go to school, have waited for the return of their more fortunate companions, and, by offering some little bribe, prevailed on them to impart the instruction they have just received.

"The claims of another numerous class of destitute children, the free chil

dren of colour, are also most urgent; many of them are in a lamentable state of poverty and wretchedness, and stand peculiarly in need of Christian instruction. But every effort for their improvement is impeded by want of funds; and without liberal contributions from this country, they, no less than the slaves, will remain in their present state of ignorance and degradation.

"Under these impressions, a Ladies' Society has been formed, the object of which will be to establish schools, and further to assist such schools already established, as may be approved of by the Society, and sanctioned by the owners and superintendants of estates. In all its proceedings, the Society will consider the latter condition indispensable. The Society will thankfully avail itself of the counsel and assistance of the established ecclesiastical authorities, wherever it can procure them, and, aware of the importance of a regular system of inspection, will endeavour to engage those authorities specially in this service; and where this is not practicable, will place their schools under the superintendance of the agents of the Church Missionary and other Societies. In making grants to institutions already established, the Society will always deem such of them as are connected with the Church of England to have the first claim, but will not refuse their aid to those which are under the care of Christian Missionaries of other denominations. They hope especially, in the prosecution of this importat undertaking, to have the co-operation of ladies connected with the West Indies; from whose influence, and local knowledge, they expect much va luable assistance. Above all, they would depend entirely on the Divine blessing, without which no human efforts can be of any avail."

Individuals disposed either to subscribe to the Society in London, or to form Associations in the country, may forward their names to the Treasurers, the Hon. Miss Calthorpe, 41, Lower Grosvenor Street; Miss H. G. Sperling, Highbury Hill: the Secretaries, Mrs. Rich, 42, Cadogan Place; Miss F. Maitland, 11, Bryenstone Square: Mr. Nisbet, Berners Street, Oxford Street; Sir C. Scott and Co., Holles Street, Cavendish Square; Messrs. Coutts and Co., No. 59, Strand; and Messrs. Hoare, and Co., 62, Lombard Street.

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 287.

PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY
SOCIETY.

In our last Number we abstracted that portion of the Society's Thirteenth Report which refers to the distribution of the Church Formularies in the vernacular tongue: we shall now lay before our readers an account of its proceedings in procuring translations into other languages, and distributing them in foreign countries.

On this subject the Committee adopt the language of a foreigner, who says, "The distribution of the Liturgy in the languages of Roman-Catholic countries is most important, with a view to proving, to those who will read it, that Protestants are Christians as well as themselves, and that they agree in many fundamental articles of faith. The Church of England being, like the Church of Rome, governed by bishops, and having priests and deacons; the principal doctrines of the Christian faith being also distinctly expressed in the Liturgy; it is probable that the Book of Common Prayer may be acceptable to Roman Catholics, and that many may cease from that prejudice which causes them to consider Protestants as little better than Jews or Heathens, by shewing them that there exists a church besides their own which is neither Arian nor Socinian." Illustrations of this are afforded in the correspondence of the Society.

But in distributing the Liturgy, and some of the Homilies, in foreign languages, the Committee have by no means an eye only to the religious benefit of Roman Catholics. To conciliate and edify any Protestants is an object equally important in their view. "The state of Protestants here," writes a resident in a very distant land, "is most lamentable. The great body of them is apostate from the faith, and consequently unholy in their life and conversation. From this you may conceive what a blessing our simple and scriptural prayers are likely to be; and what a contrast they make to every thing else here. This is felt by the inquiring Jews, who express their approbation of our service in strong terms.'

In a subsequent letter, the same correspondent says; "Your Prayer-books are used in Divine service in places where there are no ministers to conduct it. The burial service, which is also used in such cases, is much admired. As to the translated Homilies, we have distributed a great number; and it is peculiarly pleasing to us to know that the people make ᏎᏃ