exhausted and weakened, he fell asleep the 228 of March. Soon after followed Mr. Buhrer, as above mentioned. Mr. Graner laid down the 20th of March. He had the fever very severely, but his stronger mind enabled him to bear not only a violent fever, but also the death of our two brethren submissively. He is now, though weak, yet in a convalescent state, and we all hope and pray that the Lord would spare his life and by grace make it useful for his service in this country. The Rev. Mr. Kissling left this place a few days ago for a visit to Grand Bassa to renew his health, and especially to have a conversation with King Joe about our settling on his land after the rains. I hope, his desire and ardent wish, to have white men, teachers, to live with him is of a more important kind than is generally the case, as they often want teachers in order to become more knowing, to carry on the horrid slave trade; I am led to think so, by all the news and words (as they say) which I have received from the King since I came here. He is impatient to see me and my friends settled near him. This is good refreshing news, and a great comfort in our present trials; I hope yet, the Lord has a people here, to whom He intends to reveal His love and blessed Gospel. Oh! how willingly would I and my dear brethren suffer and undergo all the hardships, trials, and denials of a country like this, if we only could see and experience that this Mission is begun by the Lord. If it is so, we may rest assured, He will also guide, foster and bless. I think, to this moment, we have seen and felt, that His hand is in it; that He has guided and ruled every circumstance, however small and insignificant; and I believe, therefore, we ought not to give up our faith and confidence in Him, that He will do it in future as He has done it in time past. But we ought to pray more, that the Lord will be gra cious unto us, and send out more Labourers into His vineyard. But we ought also more to be prayed for, and hereby I wish to encourage our dear friends in America and Europe to send up supplications and prayers, that the Lord may in mercy remember us and His great work in poor Africa by giving us more faith and hope and zeal to carry on His work, in spite of satan, whose powerful influence we often feel with terror; and of death, which has totally bereaved us of two so beloved friends. And that He may be gracious to send down His Holy Spirit in a full measure into our hearts and also upon that people, to whom we are going to announce the most glad tidings of a Saviour, who takes away the sins of the world. My dear friend and brother, I must conclude my letter, and I do it with that confident hope, that you will sympathise with me and our cause, and do all in your power to forward it, because it is the Lord's. I have only to remark to you in conclusion, that I received by Dr. Mechlin a copy of the resolution of the Board in Washington respecting Trade for the sole benefit of our Mission here. Will you have the kindness to express our most sincere thanks and obligations to the Board for having favoured us so much. I have sent a copy of it to Mr. Blumhardt, and our Society,

no doubt, will make use of this privilege as soon and as far as they think proper. Your faithful friend and brother,

T. F. SESSING.

Letter of the Rev. George M. Erskine.

Caldwell, Liberia, April 3, 1830.

REV. AND DEAR SIR: I am now at Caldwell, Western Africa, with my family. I can say I am well pleased with this country; and I believe it is a general feeling among the late emigrants. We have been here one month, in which time we discover something of the customs of the country and productions of the soil; and are fully persuaded that the honest and industrious can, with great ease, secure a comfortable living, accompanied with many of the luxuries of a tropical climate. There is, I think, but little sickness in the Colony this season. We have been here one month, fifty-eight in number, and have had thirteen or fourteen cases of climate fever, two of which were doubtful, but no deaths as yet. But, Sir, the state of things, with regard to schools, is truly lamentable. The only school in the Colony at this time, is a remnant of one at the Cape.Among the present emigrants, there are seventeen out of forty-eight that can read the Holy Scriptures, leaving thirty-one that cannot. Now, Sir, suppose each company of emigrants to this place bring a like proportion of illiterate persons into the Colony, then what state, think you, it must be in? But again, Sir: I am greatly mistaken if this Colony is not, for several years yet to come, mostly to be peopled with slaves sent out by their present owners, without any education themselves, and without means and very little desire to have their children instructed; and add to the above, that this people is planted in the midst, and are daily conversant with, a people that are not only heathen, but a people extremely partial in favour of their groveling superstition. My dear Sir, this being the case, whether is it probable that they will come over to us, or we go down to them.— To me the latter is the most likely, as it is the very essence of human nature to seek the lowest depth of degradation. Permit me to say, Sir, there must be a great revolution in this Colony before it can have a salutary influence on the surrounding natives; that is, before it can have a moral influence over them. My dear Sir, I am persuaded, the Parent, with all its Auxiliary Societies, has in view not only the good of emigrants, but also the highest good of the heathens, who are so numerous on this Continent. Therefore I humbly pray to Almighty God that he may move upon the minds of the whole combined nation, so as to incline your honours to establish free or public schools, with enlightened teachers, for the advantage of the children whose parents are not able to school them. I am thankful to the great parent of heaven that he has continued to me the same feelings that I had in your country; that is, that I may preach the gospel extensively in Africa. He has brought me into the harvest-field of immortal souls, which is indeed white for labour. And since

he has brought me hither, I hope he will spare my life, and engage my heart and hands in the glorious work; but I submit myself into his hands, to do as he seemeth good. Your servant,

GEORGE M. ERSKINE.

The Mohammedans of Africa.

[We are gratified to receive the following Communication from one well acquainted with the customs of the Mohammedans of Africa, and whose knowledge of the Arabic language well qualifies him to write on subjects relating to the character, Literature and Religion of the disciples of the great Impostor.]

Among the nations of Soudan, Islam is the universal religion. It is practised with zeal, by the inhabitants of Bornou, Ghouber and Sackatou, and its Morabbouts or Priests, are held in great veneration. To the South of the Djiolata or Niger, this religion has made but partial advances; and in the region adjacent to, and extending East from Liberia, the nations are pagan.These simple children of nature, with their religion of the fetiche, present the most engaging objects to the Christian and the philanthropist. Through them alone, can South Africa ever be civilized; for, if the Mohammedan religion penetrate those countries, it will diffuse its fanaticism and unsocial character. Should the gentle influence of christianity pervade that portion of Africa, civilization with its arts and sciences, comforts physical and social, will be the happy result.

An extract from the book of Abou-l-Hosain, Ahmed-el-Kodouri, upon the Mohammedan law of religious warfare, is here subjoined.

The holy war (djehad) is an obligation imposed by command of God. Infidels must be warred against, even if they be not the aggressors. Children, women, and the disabled, shall not be obliged to go upon the holy war.

When Mussulmans invade an Infidel territory, they shall invite the inhabitants to embrace Islamism; should they do this, they are not to be attacked. If they refuse, they shall be invited to pay the djeziah (tribute),, to which if they consent, they shall enjoy the privileges of Mussulmans. It is permitted to make a second invitation to the Infidels (Kafirs) to embrace Islamism; should they persist in refusing, then Mussulmans

shall implore the aid of God against them, attack and destroy them, consume their habitations with fire, lay waste their fields, cut down their trees, and devastate their crops.

Every Infidel who may embrace Islamism, shall have, by his conversion, perfect security of person and property. When Mussulmans conquer a country, the territory and all married women with their children, shall belong to the public treasury. When the Imam (high priest) has taken possession of an Infidel territory, he shall be permitted to divide it among the conquerors, or to restore it to the inhabitants, under condition of their paying the Khiradj (tribute). As to the captives, he may either put them to death, enslave them, or give them their liberty, as tributaries to Mussulmans.

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Intelligence.

ABBERRACHMAN.

Our cause in the State of New York, (as indeed throughout most of the country) is daily acquiring strength. The following letter will show the ardent and confident spirit of the friends of our Society in that State. Letter from a Gentleman in the State of New York, dated June 9, 1830.

The Baptist Theological Seminary in the village of Hamilton, in this county, held their commencement last week, on which occasion I complied with the request of the Officers of the Institution, and presented the claims of the Colonization cause. The motion prevailed, that the friends of the cause in this county should meet yesterday to form a county Society. We met, and we formed the Society unanimously, liberally, and joyfully.

I believe every Presbyterian Society, and almost every Baptist Society in our county, will make collections next 4th July.

You have before this time, no doubt, seen the proceedings of the last meeting of our State Colonization Society. We shall apply to our Legislature for an annuity of 10 or $20,000, for ten years, to the funds of the American Colonization Society. It is true that we need the assistance of the National treasure to accomplish our object speedily, but I still maintain that this object will be accomplished, even though this assistance is with. held from us. God will not leave this object unaccomplished many years

longer.

GRATITUDE OF A NATIVE AFRICAN--Some months since an African, belonging to one of the interior tribes, arrived in this country from Liberia, whither he had gone from Sierra Leone, in the hope of obtaining

employment; but owing to circumstances which it is unnecessary to detail, he was disappointed. In visiting our shores he appears to have been influenced chiefly by motives of curiosity; which, though good in its place, could not satisfy his hunger, or return him to his native country. In his distress he applied to a gentleman in this city, (G. W. Esq.) who, after due investigation, became satisfied of his good character, as well as his necessities, and generously provided him a free passage to Liberia. Immediately on his arrival, he addressed the following letter to his benefactor, which we publish without alteration, except in a few unimportant particulars. It is written in a very decent hand, and shows at least that an African can be grateful.-[N. Y. Jour. of Com.

Liberia, (Africa) Feb. 26th, 1830. Honored Sir-Give me leave to approach you with the most thankful acknowledgement of a grateful heart for the favour you rendered me in New York. It shall be the business of my whole life, to the utmost of my power, to deserve it. My friends in Africa have already been made sensible of your goodness to me-shortly I hope to show you some marks of my gratitude. Next month I shall make up a box of African curiosities for you. Amongst them you will find five shillings, which I shall particularly request you to give the same to Mr. of Broadway, money which he loaned me on my way for Philadelphia. He said although he gave it me, yet he did not feel satisfied.* Now I am at home in my own country, with plenty around me, I feel it my duty to return him his due. My faithful prayer for your valuable health and that of your family.

* Meaning, as to the honesty of the African's intentions and his freedom from imposture.-Eds.

We particularly invite the attention of our readers, to Francis Devany's statement, and also to the Letter of Capt. Sherman. Though these may not, in every part, be entirely accurate, we have no doubt of their general correctness. No benevolent man, we are sure, can peruse them without feeling a desire to aid the rising and promising Colony of Liberia.

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Resolution of the Board.

At a Meeting of the Board of Managers on the 14th inst. the following Resolution was adopted.

"Resolved, That the friends of this Society, throughout the country be informed, that this Board purpose to despatch an expedition, with emigrants to Liberia, early in October; and that it