| Of the SCHOOLS the Directors report― The aggregate number of Scholars in the Schools, now amounting to four, is about 50; and the annual expense about 200 dollars. The Boys read the Native School-books, in conjunction with those of the Mission. Mr. Medhurst statedly examines the children, particularly in reference to their proficiency in Christian Knowledge. The PRESS has occupied a great portion of Mr. Medhurst's time. He is actively employed in preparing and circulating Chinese Tracts; and has recently adopted the plan of issuing Tracts which have a special reference to the festivals and customs of the Natives: these Tracts have excited very great attention. The "Chinese Magazine" is printed monthly, to the extent of 3000 copies: the Treatise on the Moral Law, mentioned before, was first published in the successive Numbers of the Magazine, and then collected and issued as a separate work, the same blocks serving both purposes: this economical plan is adopted by Mr. Jowett, at Malta, in respect of his Periodical Work "The Friend of Man." Since the establishment of the Press at Batavia, from 60 to 70,000 Tracts have been printed. Mr. Medhurst being of opinion that the Lithographic Press is well adapted to Chinese Printing, a Press of that description has been sent out to him. The Deputation accompanied Mr. Medhurst on a journey of about 800 miles, of which they thus speak Learning that the population is very great on the chief road, passing from west to east, and that Mr. Medhurst had frequently meditated an extensive tour through the island which he had not yet performed, and that openings of great importance would be found for Missionaries at Samarang and Solo, we determined to visit these places. Samarang is distant 320 miles from Batavia, and Solo is 65 miles beyond Samarang.. The variety, beauty, and fertility of the country through which we passed excited the most lively pleasure; and we have to acknowledge the very obliging civilities which all the residents at the sub-governments shewed to us, both going and returning. They condescended also to express their regret, that, owing to the state of war and alarm, they were unable to afford us greater facilities for seeing the country. At Solo, which is a large, handsome, and populous city, being the residence of the Emperor of that division of the island, we had the honour to partake of a public breakfast in the "Cratan," or imperial palace, with the Emperor, the Princes, Officers of State, &c., the arrangements of which were exceedingly interesting. For this honour we were indebted to the kind offices of the Lieut.-Governor, General De Kok, and the Resident. While on this excursion, and during our stay in this island, we have met with innumerable objects to excite feelings of interest and delight-we have been, as Christians, deeply and painfully affected. Among an immense population, consisting of Chinese, Malays, and Javanese, who respectively appear to us industrious, ingenious, and wellbehaved, both in the upper and lower ranks, there is not one, that we have seen, among hundreds of thousands of these different nations, whom we could consider as a Christian. We have also suffered additional pain by finding so little, so very little, serious religion among the Europeans, of any country, whom we have met with in these parts. NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOIETY. J. Starnink, Missionary. Mr. Starnink (see p. 156 of the last Survey) had laboured with success in the Moluccas, when he was called to take charge of a Malay Village, about 15 miles from Batavia: the Deputation say At this village all the inhabitants profess Christianity, and are chiefly the descendants of Portuguese. There is a very good Church for them to meet in, beside a School-house. We visited this village, in company with Mr. Starnink: he preached a Sermon on the Love of God, and we could not but rejoice in the dawn of light which is rising on this privileged About 40 miles inland from Samarang. Samarang, 1816-Salatiga, 1822. Gottlob Bruckner, Missionary. The Deputation of the London Missionary Society thus speak of this laborious Missionary We At Samarang we saw the Rev. Mr. Bruckner, who had just arrived with his family from Salatiga, in consequence of the alarm of war and rebellion in that neighbourhood. found him a pious, humble man, desirous of doing good to the souls of men: but he has almost ceased to hope that he shall ever effect any by preaching to the Javanese; for, after so many years of labour, he says he can get none of them to listen: he has been, however, in the habit of conversing with the Natives on religious snbjects, as often as opportunity would allow. He has made a translation of the New Testament into Javanese, and compiled a Javanese and Dutch Dictionary, both of which are highly valuable works; and he has been officially desired to come to Batavia, to superintend the printing of them. Amboyna. A Dutch Island, lying off the south-west coast of Ceram- 32 miles by 10-in 1796, the Inhabitants were 45,252; or whom 17,813 were Protestants, and the rest chiefly Mahomedans. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1814. Joseph Kam, Missionary. The number of native converts from Paganism and Mahomedanism, who are candidates for baptism, is considerable. In Mr. Kam's Native Seminary there are 18 Young Men under preparatory instruction for the office of Native Teacher: of the Malay School no account has been received. Mr. Kam's Malay translation of the first volume of the Rev. Mr. Burder's Village Sermons is ready for circulation. The Governor-General, who not long ago visited Amboyna, accompanied by his Lady and the Governor of the Moluccas, has inspected Mr. Kam's Missionary Establishment, and expressed himself much satisfied, particularly with his Chapel and Printing-office. His Excellency has ordered Mr. Kam a monthly allowance of 600 Java Rupees toward defraying his travelling expenses. Mr. Kam has been a tour round a part of the coast of Amboyna, accompanied by a Missionary of the Netherlands Society, who has been appointed to a station on the more western side of the island. NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The last Annual Meeting of this Society was held at Rotterdam, on the 20th of July: from the Letters and Journals which have appeared, we shall collect the most recent notices relative to the different Stations, taking them in alphabetical order; but we have still to regret (see pp. 95, 96 of the Survey for 1825) that a well-digested Report of the Society's proceedings does not appear. AMBOYNA: Kam and Hellendoorn, Missionaries-Mr. Hellendoorn, who was at Padang, in Sumatra, assists Mr. Kam, in Amboyna, particularly in the superintendence of Schools: he accompanied Mr. Kam, in 1825, in a circuit among the Islands; as Mr. Vonk had done in 1824: they were received, on both occasions, in many places, with joy: inquiries were made into the state of the Congregations and Schools, the Sacraments were administered, and the Word was preached. BANDA: J. Finn, Missionary-Mr. Finn has been active in this insalubrious island; but the state of his health would soon require his removal. He laments greatly over the low character of the Native Christians: some, however, strengthen his hands. BOURO: John Ferd. Bormeister, late Missionary-Recent intelligence states the death of Mr. Bormeister: very satisfactory testi monials of his diligence had been previously received; and the Directors were about to assign him a more promising field of labour, as he had little success at Bouro. He stated that one means of usefulness was wanting-the Malay Scriptures in a dialect intelligible to the body of the people; the High Malay not being at all understood by them. Bouro is divided into ten parts, which are under a King and nine Chiefs, who are all Mahomedans, and are under a Dutch Resident: the people will not submit to be circumcised as Mahomedans, and yet do not venture to embrace Christianity: the Mahomedans are much more obedient to the Korân, than professed Christians to the Gospel. There were eight Candidates for the Lord's Supper. CELEBES: Daniel Mueller, J. J. Baehr, Missionaries- Mr. Mueller is on the east coast of the island: besides his work as a Missionary, he is Minister of a Dutch Congregation in Menado, and receives his salary from Government. Mr. Baehr is stationed at Macassar, on the south-west coast: he arrived (see p. 157 of the Volume for 1824) at Batavia, with Mr. Knecht, in April 1823: Mr. Knecht died on the 3d of August following: after staying some time at Amboyna, Mr. Baehr proceeded to Macassar, where he labours in the true spirit of a Missionary. CERAM: Akersloth, Missionary-It was from this island that Mr. Starnink removed, as already mentioned, to the vicinity of Batavia: all the four Villages, where the idols (see p. 156 of the last Survey) were destroyed, were in Ceram, and had been under the care of the Missionaries. In twelve months, the Scholars had increased from a very few to 150. KAYBOBO: J. C. Vonk, Missionary- Mr. Vonk was appointed to proceed to this Station, where he would find much to be done. TERNATE: Jungmichel, Missionary-Mr. Jungmichel is much esteemed; but is prevented, by the weak state of his health, from being so active as he desires. TIMOR: Le Brunn, Missionary-Mr. Le Brunn, from time to time, takes voyages, at his own expense, to the neighbouring Islands. He gains ground, and is gathering the fruit of his labours. An Auxiliary established by him is increasing in funds, which are devoted chiefly to the formation of Schools. By his exertions and the powerful support of the Resident Mr. Hazaart and others, he has established an Asylum for Orphans. He has also received permission to preach the Gospel to the Slaves. The Directors state that there is a wide field of labour in the Islands which are not subject to the Netherlands Government; and as they hope to send, ere long, Eight of the Students of their Seminary to the Indian Archipelago, it was expected that two or three of them might be spared for these Islands. Australasia and Polynesia. New South-Wales. among them, how much these poor herdsmen need the word of salvation to be sent among them!" This request led to a grant being made to the Society of 1100 Bibles and Testaments, and the Missionary was referred to its Committee. liary. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Sir Thomas Brisbane landed in March, on his return from New South-Wales: his successor in the Government of the Colony, Lieut. General Darling, reached the Colony in December preceding. His Excellency Governor Darling has Sir Thomas had been uniformly favourable to all attempts to benefit the Na-accepted the office of Patron of the AuxiBesides the Auxiliary, a Corretives within the influence of his authori-sponding Committee has been formed, of ty. To the Grant of 10,000 acres of land, which the Rev. Samuel Marsden is Prestated at p. 157 of the last Survey to have been made to the London Missionary Society, two have been added-cretary: the other Members are, the one, of the same quantity, to the Church Missionary Society; and another to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, of double the quantity from the consideration of its more extensive establishment in the Colony. These Grants are all to be applied to the benefit of the Aborigines of New South-Wales. In the last Report of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, the following testimony is borne to the Labourers and to the Governors in both New South-Wales and Van Diemen's Land These Colonies present an edifying example of religious liberality among the Ministers of different denominations; who all labour in unity of spirit, though in separate departments, to bring the population under that moral influence, which the zealous and persevering diffusion and application of Evangelical Truth alone can effect. The late and present Governors of these Colonies have also, in succession, greatly distinguished themselves, by their liberal patronage of every means by which religion and good order might be promoted; and to their exertions the prospects of improvements of every kind, and the advancement of the inportance and influence of those distant Colonies year after year, are greatly due. AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY. The Parent Committee reportFrom New South-Wales the sum of 2001. has been remitted; and the Secretary, in announcing this contribution, says that 4680 copies of the Scriptures have been circulated by the Society; and, of the Ninth Report, which may be shortly expected, he adds, "it is indeed, upon the whole, rather encouraging: the increased collections made in some of the districts afford great pleasure and enliven our hopes." From a Missionary, recently at Sidney, a request has been received for some Bibles and Testaments. "The persons whom I have in view," he writes, "cannot purchase: they are principally Prisoners of the Crown, sent into the wilderness to keep their masters' flocks and herds. Without society, without any possibility of attending the means of grace, even were those means in existence sident and the Rev. Richard Hill Se Hon. Alexander M'Leay, Saxe Bannister, Esq. (Attorney General), and the Rev. W. Cowper. The Auxiliary will charge itself with cherishing among the Colonists an interest in the Society's ob jects, and with raising funds in its support: the Corresponding Committee pro pose 1. To collect, and supply to the Society, as may be required, information on subjects of a Missionary Nature; particularly on the most desirable stations for Missionaries, and the means of rendering Missions in Australasia effectual-2. To act as friends and patrons of the Society's Missionaries, to correspond with and assist them in the supply of their wants, and to be the medium of communication with the Society at home-3. To watch over the Society's Missions and Schools, whether in New South-Wales, New Zealand, or any other part of Australasia, and to aid them with their influence. No attempt has yet been made by the Society among the ABORIGINES, no proper person having been found for the purpose. This want may probably be supplied either by the Rev. James Norman or Mr. James Lisk, who sailed, with their wives, in October: it having been found that they could not return to Sierra Leone with any prospect of adequate health, their destination was changed for the South Seas: Mr. Norman was admitted to Holy Orders by the Bishop of London. The Aborigines are in a state of great degradation, and have been much injured by their intercourse with Europeans: the thinking and conscientious people of the Colony feel that these first possessors of the soil have the very strongest claim on those who have planted themselves on their shores, and will liberally support such efforts as shall be made to bring them into possession of the enjoyments of civilized life and the higher blessings of Christianity. Sir Thomas Brisbane, in the grants of land to be occupied for the express benefit of these people, has laid, it may be hoped, a sure foundation for the permanent and successful exertions of the different Societies. The building intended by Mr. Marsden for the NEW-ZEALAND SEMINARY is LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Launcelot E. Threlkeld, Missionary to the Aborigines. The Directors report Mr. Threlkeld proceeded, with his family, in the former part of 1825, to Newcastle; where he purposed to reside, till a house which was building for his reception at Reid's Mistake should be completed, when it was his intention to remove thither, with a view to his labours among the Aborigines in that vicinity. In the mean time, he will be chiefly engaged in the study of their language, the attainment of which, from its affinity to the Tahitian, with which he is familiar, will be now ready. In February it had been for some time occupied by the New Zealanders and the family of Mr. Shepherd: he was about to return to New Zealand, his eyes having been much benefited. Some of the New Zealanders also, who had left their island with Mr. Marsden and had resided at Parramatta more than two years, were about to return. Mr. Mars-comparatively easy to him: he has already den contemplates the education of the Missionaries' children at this Seminary, as well as that of some young New-Zea land Chiefs of the necessity of preserving female children, in particular, from the early contamination of native pollution, he speaks very strongly, as he had seen the most fatal and irreclaimable effects of such contamination: on this subject, however, the Rev. W. Williams, who conferred at large thereon with Mr. Marsden, thus speaks The children are now become numerous; and the time of the parents is too much diverted from their work, by attending even partially to the education of their children: this evil has been sensibly felt in Otaheite, and has led the Missionaries there to commit their children to the care of one of their body. The children of the Missionaries would be prevented, by being placed in the Seminary, from witnessing scenes which may be injurious to their minds, and would enjoy the advantages of being educated in a civilized country: on the other hand, much less expense would be incurred if they were educated in New Zealand, while the evils arising from too much intimacy with the Natives would be lessened were the children collected in one School and placed under constant superintendence: they would be able also frequently to visit their parents, and would be watched over by them at all times; whereas, if sent to the Colony, they must be separated from them for five or six years in New Zealand, moreover, the children would attain as familiar a knowledge of the native language as of their mother tongue. : Mr. Shepherd diligently applied himself, while in the Colony, to further acquisitions in the New-Zealand Language: he had collected between 3000 and 4000 words for a Vocabulary. In May, Mr. W. Hall had been more than twelve months in the Colony; and was then living, with his family, at the Seminary: his health was a little better, but he was quite incapable of labour. The Rev. W. Williams and Mr. James Hamlin, with their Wives, reached Sydney Dec. 17, 1825; and sailed for New Zealand on the 18th of March. Feb. 1827. so far prosecuted his inquiries, as to enable him to make an attempt toward the formation of one of the dialects of the Aborigines into a written language: he has also collected a considerable number of words for a Vocabulary. Mr. Threlkeld has visited the scene of his intended labours, which is situated about 20 miles from Newcastle; and has been since informed that the Natives are earnestly waiting for his return, to take up his abode among them. As they are without clothing, he proposed to them, that, instead of eating the skins of animals, as was their practice, they should, in future, give them in barter for articles of apparel: the people were pleased with the idea; and there is some ground to hope that they will not be indisposed to adopt this first step to civilization. NATIVE INSTITUTION. No Report has reached us. RELIGIOUS.TRACT SOCIETY. The Australian Religious-Tract Society has received a further grant of 8000 Publications; and 1500 have been granted, for the use of the Prisoners in the Gaol at Newcastle; and for the Stock-keepers, who constantly live with their herds in the wilderness, and never have an opportunity of listening to the truths of the Gospel from the living voice. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. John Harper, Missionary to the Aborigines. Of Mr. Harper's appointment, mention was made in the last Survey: nothing is said of Mr. Walker, who had been labouring among the Aborigines; but the Committee report The former attempt made by the Committee to bring the Black Natives under instruction has not been so successful as they at one vices which they had acquired by intercourse time hoped their unsettled habits, and the with the lower classes of the Colonists, together with a difference of opinion which arose among the Brethren respecting the manner of prosecuting this work, have all proved unfriendly to the enterprise; but the recent discoveries, which have been made in the interior and distant parts of the Colony, have brought to the knowledge of the Colonists tribes more numerous, and placed more out R of the reach of those counteracting circumstances to which allusion has been made. Among the Natives of Wellington, a Mission has been commenced; and a Young Man has been sent from the Society at Sydney, to commence this service. From Mr. Harper, who is the Mis. sionary here alluded to, the following account of the Aborigines near Wellington has been received It is impossible to state, with any degree of precision, the number of Natives in this neighbourhood; but it certainly is not considerable. There are five tribes, besides the Bathurst Tribe, viz. the Murrylong, the Nury, the Bendjang, the Mudjee, and the Myawl: the usual places of resort of some of these tribes are many miles from Wellington; but, occasionally, they all visit this spot. How large these tribes may be, it is hazardous to conjecture; a whole tribe having, perhaps, never been seen together: they are generally divided into groupes of 60 or 70. They are in general taller, stouter, and more athletic than the Blacks nearer the Colony; and they evince some superiority of intellect: in point of ignorance and behaviour, however, they are on the same level. They are perpetually itinerating from place to place; either as prompted by caprice, or in search of food. They build no houses, and their only covering is opossum skins; but they generally go naked, and even in cold and wet weather they sleep on the bare ground, without shelter, in the open air, with only a fire by their side to keep them warm. They live on kangaroos, emus, opossums, snakes, fish, &c. of which kinds of food there is always a plentiful supply: the women are not invited to partake of the animals procured by their husbands; but are left to seek their own subsistence, which chiefly consists of large grubs, found at the roots of young trees. become utterly extinct, or that melancholy result must be averted by the introduction of Christianity among them. It may be hoped, that this is in the design of the Common Parent of all the tribes and nations of men : and that Christianity may, here, also, have the triumph of arresting the progress of depopulation and death; and of exhibiting some of these tribes, the most depraved and hopeless certainly of human beings, among the monuments of its mercy and saving health. New Zealand. Two large Islands, east of New Holland-the northern, about 600 miles by an average breadtha of 150; and the southern nearly as large. Bay of Islands. A large Bay on the north-east coast of the northern islands. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Stations and Labourers. RANGHEEHOO, on the north side of the Bay : 1815: John King, James Shepherd, Assistants -KIDDEEKIDDEE, on a river which falls into the Bay, on the west side: 1819: James Kemp, G.Clarke, James Hamlin, AssistantsPYHEA, in Marsden's Vale, on the south side of the Bay, about 16 miles to the south-eastward of Kiddeekiddee, and about 10 miles across the Bay southward from Rangheehoo : 1823 H. Williams, W. Williams, Missionaries: W.Fairburn, Richard Davis, C. Davis, W. Puckey, W. Puckey, jun. Assistants KAUAKAUA, about 10 miles south of Pyhea, on the bank of a beautiful river which falls into the Bay at Pyhea: 1825. The Rev. Henry Williams visited New South-Wales, in the beginning of March, in his new vessel, which is named the "Herald:" he there found his brother the Rev. W. Williams and his companions about to proceed to their destination; and returned with them, and Mr. Shepherd, in the Sir George Osborne; reaching the Bay of Islands on Lady Day. Mr. Shepherd occupies Mr. W. Hall's house at Rangheehoo : Mr. Hamlin and his Wife joined Mr. Kemp and Mr. Clarke: the Rev. W. Williams and Mrs. Williams took up their residence with his brother, till he should make some proficiency in the language. They have some notion of a Supreme Being, whom they call MURROOBERRAI; and who, they believe, produces the thunder and lightning. But they pay him no worship; and seem never to think of him but when it thunders, and then their only sentiment is that of terror. They have also some idea of a future state of existence: they believe that though they" tumble down"-the expression which they use for dying-they shall "rise up again;" but it will be as human beings in this world: they think, however, that their future condition will be affected by their conduct in the present state; and Mr. Marsden suggests the establishthat he, who has killed most of his fellow-ment of a Hospital with a House, when men, will rise up under the most adverse circumstances will admit of it, on the circumstances. Murder seems to be the only west end of the Island of Motooroa, crime, which they apprehend will be visited with punishment hereafter. These 'senti- which lies, as may be seen in the Map of ments, however, defective and obscure as the Bay at p. 250 of our Volume for they are, have but little practical influence: 1822, off the mouth of the Kiddeekiddee they appear, indeed, never to advert to them River: he thus explains his design: but when questioned about them. They frequently express an earnest desire to have some person to instruct them in agriculture and to build houses. The island is the common resort of the Natives of different Tribes, when passing to and from the southward. The house will be convenient for the Missionaries occasionally to hold their Meetings in. It would be particuEither the Natives of New Holland must larly convenient for the Natives to resort to, at The Committee add |