observes the Committee," that the cause of religion, both at Cape Town and among the Heathen, is promoted and encouraged by his Excellency in the most explicit and effi

cacious manner."

The school-house, which on Sundays is generally full, contains about 265 persons: on other days about 80 or 90 attend. In the Kloof, which is 24 miles distant, there is a day-school, in which about 40 attend. This school is, in the absence of the missionaries, conducted by one of the natives who can read. Twenty-six adults and forty-six children, have been baptized; and when Mr. Anderson left Klaar Water, five more adults had been proposed for baptism. The Lord's Supper is administered four times a-year. 3. Great Namaquas.

This station is under the superintendence of the two missionaries Christian and Abraham Albrecht, and its situation is the most remote from Cape Town of any of the missionary settlements. The former condition of the natives was altogether barbarous; but within two or three years, some rays of light have penetrated into these regions of darkness. The Gospel is preached, and, through the mercy of God, not in vain. There are several in the congregation who not only seriously meditate on the word of God, but scem in good earnest about their salvation. There are others who say with Agrippa, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. "

From a letter dated April 19, 1809, it ap pears, that the number of men, women, and children, under their instruction, amounted to 1200; 300 of whom constantly reside at Warme-bath, and receive daily instruction, the rest occasionally. About 200 persons constantly attend public worship. Twentyeight adults, and fourteen children, have made a good progress in reading. They are in great want of school-books, Bibles, Testaments, and hymn-books, in the Dutch language, as also agricultural implements, a supply of which the Directors sent out some time since. They repeat their earnest wish for more missionaries, and desire that they may be persons acquainted with some useful business, such as that of weavers, tailors, cutlers, and dyers.

4. Little Namúqua Land. Mr. J. Sydenfaden has the charge of this missionary station. He superintended a branch of the preceding mission situated at a distance of about two days' journey; but, after suffering many privations and hardships, wh ichhe endured with the constancy becoming a Christian missionary, he ob

tained permission from Lord Caledon to etablish his institution on the Camisburg, in Little Namaqua Land. In a letter written by him from Cape Town, he mentions that the number of his followers was from four to five hundred, among whom he had reason to hope that some served the Lord in spirit and in truth. There were thirty-four among his congregation who were able to read the Scriptures; and others were learning to read. During his stay at the Cape, he married a lady, who seems prepared to endure the privations, as well as share in the labours, of a missionary among the uncivilized Hea then.

II. OTAHEITE.

The most important intelligence received during the past year, respecting the Mission in Otaheite, is contained in a letter dated Nor. 12,1808, at Huaheine, an island about sixteen leagues distant from it, to which must of the missionaries retired in consequence of a civil war which had broken out between Pomarre the King, their friend and patron, and a party of his subjects who wished to dethrone him. The danger, however, does not appear to have been very imminent, as four of the missionaries were left at Otaheite; these, however, the letter states, were expected shortly to follow: whether they did so or not, the Directors have not yet been informed. The missionaries were kindly received by the chiefs of Huaheing, to whom they were not altogether strangers, as two of the Brethren had formerly visited that island, and their preaching had been favourably received.*

Mr. Bicknell; who has been a diligent and faithful labourer at Otaheite from the first, arrived some time since in England. "He left Otaheite in May 1808, and preceeded to Port Jackson, in hope of ob taining a suitable partner in lite at that settlement; but not succeeding, he came home, and has since been married to a pious young woman, with whom he sailed in the Canada, a ship sent out by government

Since the publication of this report, accounts have been received, that all the missionaries, two excepted, had arrived at New South Wales, where they were likely to remain for a time. They were induced to take this step in consequence of the continued ill success of Pomarte, who had been driven from the island, and was not likely to regain his authority. Their houses, garden, plantstions, cattle, &c. had been destroyed. Two unmarried missionaries remained at Huaheine, in hopes of better days.

with one hundred female convicts. Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell were accompanied by four other pious women, who are now on their way to Port Jackson." "The single Brethren at Otaheite, who have expressed an earnest wish to enter into the married state, (a measure which appeared to them and to the Directors expedient, not only for their own comfort, but for the perpetuity of the mission,) will have an opportunity of visiting them at Port Jackson, and of uniting themselves with pious partners, whose assistance and example at Otaheite, or any other island where they may settle, will, it is hoped, con, tribute to the stability and prosperity of the mission."

They are also accompanied by Tapioe, a native, of Otaheite, who, having a strong desire to visit this country, arrived here about three years ago, after a long succession of dangers and disappointments. By the assistance of this Society, and other gentlemen who felt interested in his welfare, he has received considerable instruction, with a view of his being qualified to teach his brethren.

The Directors acknowledge, with gratitude, their obligations to government, who, on the application of Sir Joseph Banks, readily granted a free passage to the seven persons just mentioned; and also assisted the Taheitean stranger in his equipment for the voyage.

"By conversation with Mr. Bicknell, as well as from the journals last received, there is reason to conclude, that, although positive instances of conversion cannot be produced, yet that a considerable degree of knowledge concerning the true God, and the method of salvation by Jesus Christ, has been generally diffused among the Taheiteans."

"Although the superstitions and cruelties of the Taheiteans are yet continued, a consciousness of their evil seems to be entertained, and their chiefs are anxious to conceal them from the missionaries."

A spelling-book in the Taheitean language, sent over by the brethren, has been printed in London, some hundred copies of which Mr. Bicknell has taken with him, and which will be very serviceable in teaching the

children.

III. ASIA.

1. Madras.

Mr. Loveless, during the past year, has been so much afflicted by sickness, that his labours have been liable to many interruptions; but Mr. Vos has supplied his place with much acceptance; and at the dates of Mr. Loveless's last letters, in October, he was perfectly restored, and had resumed all his

engagements. His ministry in the Chapel appeared to go on comfortably; and much liberality in the support of it began to be manifested among the hearers. One of them had presented him with 100 star pagodas (401.) for the necessary expenses. The male school he had undertaken was in a prosperous state, and so well supported, that a proposition had been made to commence a female school on the same plan: the subscription was begun, and application had been made to Government, to render these establishments pemanent. The death of the Rev. Dr. Kerr, of Madras, a truly Christian minister, and zealous friend of missions, was announced in the last Report, and was justly considered as peculiarly afflictive; but it appears that God has provided other faithful servants like-minded, who act on the same kind and liberal principles in the support of His cause, and in forwarding every plan for the diffusion of the light of divine truth among the Heathen.

2. Vizagapatam.

Mr. Des Granges, though deeply afflicted by the removal of his coadjutor, continued his labours in teaching, preaching, and translating the Scriptures and small tracts into Telinga, assisted by Anandarayer, formerly a Brahmin, who, with his wife, exhibited proofs of the power of that Gospel by which they had been brought out of darkness into light*.

*A Mahrattean, or Bandida Brahmin, about thirty years of age, was an accountant in a regiment of Tippoo's troops; and, after his death, in a similar employment under an English officer. Having au earnest desire to obtain eternal happiness, he was advised by an elder Brahmin to repeat a certain prayer four hundred thousand times! This severe task he undertook, and performed it in a pagoda, together with many fatiguing ceremonies, taking care to exceed the number prescribed. After six months, deriving no comfort at all from these laborious exercises, he resolved to return to his family at Nosom, and live as before. On his way home, he met with a Roman Catholic Christian, who conversed with him on religious subjects; and gave him two books on the Christian religion, in the Telinga language, to read. These he perused with much attention, admired their contents, and resolved to make further inquiries into the religion of Christ; and, if satisfied, to accept of it. He was then recommended to a Roman priest, who, not choosing to trust him too much, required him to go home to his relations, and return again with his wife. He obeyed this direction; but found all his friends exceedingly sur

3. In Ceylon,

The missionaries, Palm, Errhardt, and Read, continue their exertions in different places; but the missionary cause does not prosper in the island. Many of the Malays and Cingalese, who had been baptised by the Dutch ministers, when the island was in their possession, have relapsed into idolatry; and the attachment of the natives in general to their idols, the difficulty of acquiring the Cingalese language, and the very limited number of missionaries, combine to hinder the progress of the Gospel in this populous part of the British empire. The desolate situation of the inhabitants, in a moral and religious point of view, seems to be generally felt; in consequence of which measures have been taken by some men of rank in the island, to obtain from home Christian teachers, for the instruction both of Europeans and natives.

prised and alarmed by his intention of becoming a Christian, and thus bringing reproach upon his caste. To prevent this, they offered him a large sum of money, and the sole management of the family estate. These temptations, however, made no impression on him. He declared that he preferred the salvation of his soul to all worldly considerations; and even left his wife behind him, who was neither inclined nor permitted to accompany him. He returned to the priest, who still hesitating to receive him as a convert, he offered to deliver up his brahmin thread, and to cut off his hair-after which, no Brahmin can return to his caste. The priest perceiving his constancy, and satisfied with his sincerity, iustructed, and afterwards baptised him: upon which, his heathen name, Subbarayer, was changed to his present Christian name, Anandarayer.

A few months after this, the priest was called away to Goa; and having just received a letter from a Padree, at Pondicherry, to send him a Telinga Brahmin, he advised Anandarayer to go thither; informing him, that there he would find a larger congregation, and more learned Padrees; by whom he would be further instructed, and his thirst for knowledge be much gratified. When he arrived at Pondicherry, he felt disappointed in many respects; yet there he had the pleasure of meeting his wife, who had suffered much among her relations, and at last formed the resolution of joining him. He then proceeded to Tranquebar, having heard that there was another large congregation, ministers, schools, the Bible translated, with many other books, and no images in their

Mr. Errhardt's sphere of usefulness wa again enlarged; and he was authorised, by a warrant from the governor, to perform the duties of the ministerial office, in Ma tura, and its district, and also at Point de Galle, which is near Matura.

By a letter from Mr. W. Read, dated st Point de Galle, Feb. 14, 1809, it appears that he preached to the English soldiers, and visited them when confined to the hospital; and for the two last years had also exhorted in Dutch. He continued to study the Cmgalese, in which he could read, write, and speak a little; and hoped by degrees to attain such maturity, as to expound the Scrip tures in that language. He kept a school for teaching Cingalese and Portuguese boys the English language, on which he engrafted religious instruction; and had got two ap proved catechisms translated into Datch, Portuguese, and Cingalese, which he hopes

churches, which he always much disliked, and had even disputed with the Roman priests on their impropriety. The worthy ministers at Tranquebar were at first suspicious of him; but, by repeated conversations with him, during several months that he re sided among them, they were well satisfied with him, and admitted him to the Lord's table. He was diligent in attending their religious exercises, and particularly in the study of the Bible, which he had never seen before. He began to make translations from the Tamul into the Telinga language, which he writes elegantly, as well as the Mahratta. His friends would readily have recommended him to some secular employment at Madras or Tanjore; but he declined their offers, being earnestly desirous of employment only in the service of the church.

Having heard of the Missionaries at Vizagapatam, he expressed a strong desire to visit them, hoping that he might be useful among the Telinga nation, cither in church or school.

He now daily carries on the devotional exercises of the natives, who are inquiring the way to Zion. He prays in public with finency, fervency, and zeal: he preaches the Gospel to sinners with ardent zeal; he la bours from morning to night, assisting in the translation of the four Gospels, and in examining manuscripts of religious tracts,that he may put the word of salvation into the hands of his countrymen. He is blessed with a suitable partner, who adorns the doctrines of God her Saviour; and who has been receiv ed into the church by the sacred ordinance of baptism.

to get printed at Columbo. He asks for a supply of Bibles, hymn-books, prayer-books, &c. for his school, all which will be sent him and says he has no doubt that much good may be done by good missionaries who could speak the Cingalese language, notwithstanding the deplorable darkness of that people, which he describes and laments in the most affecting terms.

From Mr. Palm, who was situated at Tillapally, near Jafnapatnam, no late accounts have been received, nor have any communications arrived for some time from Mr. Ringeltaube, who was at Palamcotta, in the Tinevelly district.

4. China.

The accounts from the missionary, Mr., Morrison, are satisfactory. By his indefatigable attention to the language, with the aid of able teachers, the principal difficulties are surmounted, and he is likely to be able to acquire it completely in no long time.

It has proved of great advantage to him, that he copied and carried out with him the Chinese translation of the Gospels, &c. preserved in the British Museum; which he now finds, from his own increasing acquaintance with the language, to be exceedingly valuable, and which must, from the excellency of the style, have been produced by Chinese natives. He has also obtained other unexpected helps; particularly an Exposition of the Decalogne, in three volumes, in Chinese, which a native, professing the Roman Catholic religion, furnished him with. It is but justice to notice the constant and grateful attention paid to Mr. Morrison by Yong Sam Tak, the Chinese native who assisted him when in London; and whose friendly services, on many occasions, where a native only could serve him, have evinced his good disposition, and the favourable impression made upon his mind by Mr. Morrison's conduct.

The recent dispntes between the Chinese and our countrymen had constrained him, with all the Europeans and Americans, repeatedly to remove from Canton to Macao, where he continued at the date of the last letters. He met with a respectable and pious English family at Macao, to a member of which he has since been married.

Mr. Morrison writes thus: "I hope considerable benefit will accrue to your future missionaries from the Grammar, and Dictionary, and from the collection of Chinese books which I have made at the Society's expense. The grammar is prepared for the press, and the dictionary is daily filling up. The MS. of the New Testament is in part CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 106.

fit to be printed. All these, however, are deferred till I shall be more deeply versed in the language, that what shall be done may not be hasty and imperfect. The whole expense for the first year, including food, houserent, books, tuition, domestics, and the expenses of removing to and from Canton, was upwards of 500%. The danger of incurring still greater expense, prevents any steps heing taken at present towards printing. Indeed nothing can be done till I be instructed to what expense I may go. I have said above, that at present I have no prospect of entering the empire; and indeed, unless it were with great freedom, it is not desirable. The works I propose, and my personal assistance to your future missionaries in the acquisition of the language, will be much better accomplished where I now am, or at Penang, than in China; and are, moreover, likely to be, by the blessing of God, productive of much greater good than even a residence at Pekin. An aversion to all foreigners is a leading feature in the disposition of this people."

IV. NORTH AMERICA,

Mr. Pidgeon appears to have been industrious in his labours at New Carlisle, and at Restigouche near the Bay of Chaleur, where his ministry seems to have been useful. He spent the last winter in Prince Edward's Island, where he has been employed in preaching the Gospel. He describes both places as greatly needing many more labourers, the people being very destitute of instruction, yet earnestly desirous of obtaining it. A supply of Bibles, Testaments, and other books, which were sent to Mr. Pidgeon, have been gladly received; but many more are wanted, and a new supply has been ordered.

V. WEST INDIES.

The information received from the western world continues to be encouraging. The society has, indeed, to lament the removal by death of one of their warmest friends, Mr. Post, a gentleman of Le Rousevenir, in the colony of Demarara. Through his good offices, the first missionary, Mr. Wray, was gladly received, and for a long time boarded in his house. Every possible facility was given to the instruction of his slaves, and those of the adjacent plantations; and a commodious chapel built, chiefly at his expense, for their accommodation. Mr. Post has generously secured to the society the chapel which he erected, together with a dwellinghouse for the minister, a garden, and a sum of 100!. annually towards the minister's sup 4 N

port, so long as the society shall continue to provide a missionary who preaches the doctrines of the reformed church; but in case of their ceasing to do this, the provision made is to be transferred to a society in Scotland.

The last letters received from Mr. Wray state that the cause of Christ continues to

prosper, and that many persons, both old and young, are anxious to hear the word of life. His journals contain many pleasing instances of the power of divine grace on the hearts of the negroes, both male and female; the alteration also produced on their moral conduct is such as recommends the Gospel of Christ. Mrs. Wray also is diligent in the instruction of the female slaves and their children. From sixteen to twenty children attend almost every day to learn to read; and generally in the evening a great urany women. On the Lord's day, fifty children frequently attend. It is hoped that the preaching of the Gospel will hereafter be more widely diffused in the co lony, as some of the owners of estates seem disposed to permit the instruction of their slaves, having observed the good effect produced on those who have already been taught.

Mr. Adam, who went to the island of Trinidad, has, by permission of the governor, obtained leave to preach in the Freemasons'Hall, in the town of Port of Spain, where three or four hundred persons have attended his ministry. Several persons have subscribed about 500l. towards the erection of a chapel. The directors have strongly recommended Mr. Adam by all means to use his utmost endeavours for the spiritual instruction of the slaves, considering all other objects as of inferior importance.

In Tobago, Mr. Elliot continues to preach to the slaves, permission being kindly granted by the owners of several estates, on some of which he collects about forty, on others eighty or one hundred hearers. He does not speak in very sanguine terms of his success; yet there is reason to hope that his labours are not in vain. At one place the manager thinks that much good has been done among them, as far as it respects their morals.

Mr. Elliot likewise preaches on the Lord'sday, to the white and coloured inhabitants of the town of Scarborough, who assist in his maintenance. Concerning his hearers, he says, There are two or three white persons, who appear to be concerned for their souls; and I rejoice to say that, instead of meeting with persecution, Mrs. Elliot and myself are treated with the greatest respect by the first persons, as well as by the poor, in the island. It has even been proposed to the council and ssembly of Tobago, that a salary should be

allowed me by the colony; and although my friends have failed in their kind efforts for this purpose, yet perhaps their wishes may eventually be accomplished."

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

The sixty-seventh annual conference of the preachers in the connection of the late Mr. John Wesley, was held in London on the 50th of July last. The numbers belonging to the society were then reported to be as follows: Great Britain, being an increase of near 6000, about 158,000; Gibraltar 50; West-India Islands 11,000"; of whom 146 are whites; Nova Scotia and Newfoundland 2500. The number in Ireland is not stated, but the increase is said to be about 2000.

The only further particular, which seems to deserve notice, is the following minute:

"As several complaints have been made of great impositions practised upon some of our simple people by quacks and empirics, especially such as pretend to cure all dis eases in the eyes, what is the opinion of the conference on this subject?

"We are unanimously of opinion, that no countenance or support should be given to such persons; and we earnestly exhort all our preachers, both itinerant and local, and all the members of our societies, to have no intercourse or connection with them."

SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. The general half-yearly meeting of the Society for the Support and Encouragement of Sunday Schools in England, Wales, Ireland, and adjacent islands, was held at Batson's Coffee-house, Cornhill, on the 10th instant.

The committee reported, that, since the last general meeting in April, fifty-five schools had been added to those which were previously upon the society's list, and assistance had been repeated to forty-one other schools formerly established; for which, and the new schools before stated, they had distributed, within that period, 7160 Spelling-books, 1399 Testaments, and fifty Bibles. That, since the commencement of the institution, they had issued 292,83% Spelling-books, 63,565 Testaments, and 7764 Bibles, to 3403 schools, containing

*The coloured and black people, connected with the society in the different islands, are stated to be, in Antigua, about 2618; Dominica 96; Trinidada 89; St. Kitt's 2058; Nevis 1011; Tortola 2245; St. Thomas 67; St. Vincent's 2361; Barbadoes 40; St. Bartholomew's 200; Jamaica 854.