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The Committee have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of the undermentioned; viz. Two Boxes of Fancy Articles, for Calcutta, from Rev. J. Pratt; One ditto of ditto, for ditto, from Miss Rippin, Stepney; One ditto of ditto, for India- Female Schools, from Miss H. Robinson, Canterbury; One ditto of ditto, for the East, or elsewhere, by Ladies of the Congregation of St. Ann's, Lancaster; One Parcel of Apparel, for New Zealand, from Miss Birt and the Misses Smith, Nailsworth: also, from Rev. A. Knox, for NewZealand Girls in the Schools; from Mrs. Alexander Stewart, 11 Pinafores; Mrs. Wilby and Mrs. Green, 8 Frocks; Mrs. C. Watson, 7 ditto.

No. 4.]

APRIL, 1837.

WEST-AFRICA MISSION.

[VOL. VIII.

THE accounts from West Africa have for a considerable period presented the scene of a quietly-prospering Mission: and this cannot fail to have been remarked by those who have attentively read the Quarterly Reports given by the Missionaries themselves, for some time past. In the Report of the Quarter ending September 25, 1836, from which we shall give copious Extracts, the Missionaries have entered into details, yet more clearly indicating the hopeful progress of the Gospel in this Mission. The form of their accounts is somewhat varied hereby: but we shall be enabled to give, from them, a view of the several Stations; and then to present, more minutely, various instances of the influence of the Gospel among the Natives and other inhabitants of the Colony. The account is continued from p. 7 of this Volume. Labours in the Ministry, and Schools, at the respective Stations.

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Concerning the fruit springing up from seed which has here been sown, both of late and at more remote periods, the Rev. G. A. Kissling thus reports:

A young man, who in his youth had been under the tuition of the Rev. M. Renner, attended a Missionary Meeting at the chapel; when, among other things, an account of pious feelings, manifested by some young Heathens (Church Missionary Record for May 1835), was read. Soon after, the man came to my house, and thus expressed the state of his mind:

66 'When you read of that little boy, Sir, how anxious he was for instruction, I looked upon myself; and the thought came to my mind, 'How long have I been hearing God's Word, and it never touched my heart!' My sins were now brought before me: I remembered how I could go to my farm on Sunday. Such heaviness came now upon me, that I did not know what to do; and this heaviness has followed me by day and by night: I have neither been able to eat nor sleep: yet I am not sick; I am quite well. Now I desire to serve God; and I have come to you, Sir, to ask you whether you will receive me into the Church, and baptize me?" I told him that I could not receive him at once into the RECORD, April 1837.]

Church; but that he should first read the Scriptures. with me for some time. He, accordingly, came to my house twice a week; and it gave me real delight to expound the way of Salvation to his hungry soul. He was afterward baptized, and

has been hitherto a steady and attentive member of the chapel.

On July 17, a Communicant requested me to visit his wife, who was very ill. When I had come to the house, she wished me to pray with her; complaining, at the same time, of herself, that she could not fix her mind on God, as her thoughts were wandering. When I was praying for the pardon of her sins, and for her acceptance through Jesus Christ, she repeatedly exclaimed, "Do, Lord, do!" Her attention to the word addressed to her was very pleasing; and though she had no full assurance or hope of eternal life, yet a concern for her soul was apparent. On the 23d of July, I called again upon her, and spoke of the necessity of preparing for another world. I then asked her whether she had a desire to go to Heaven? "Yes, Master," was her reply, "but I want to know the way: please tell me how I can come to God." I read and explained to her John x. and Isaiah liii.; during which time she became exceedingly quiet, so that I paused, supposing she had fallen asleep. This, however, was not the case; for when her husband asked her whether she

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FOURAH BAY- -The Christian Institution has been under the charge of the Rev. G.A.Kissling, who has given to it as much attention as practicable, consistently with his duties in Freetown. His report of its state is favourable. He relates of their dispositions for private reading, as follows:

In studies for themselves, the youths have been much encouraged. For this purpose, permission is granted, when asked for, to make use of "Brown's Bible,"

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Annotations on the Bible," 'Burkitt," &c., books which are deposited at the Christian Institution. A few more copies of a plain and sound Exposition of the Holy Scriptures, with practical remarks, would be highly acceptable. It gives me pleasure to observe, that the more advanced students make also diligent use of their small Library; which they procured from the Mission Store, principally by means accruing from the produce of their little farms on the Society's premises.

The following remarks of the Rev. John Weeks, soon after his return to the Colony, are very satisfactory. He writes October 27, 1836

It is with feelings of delight that I have observed, while spending a few days at the Christian Institution, the good order and evident marks of improvement in the youths now under instruction. When I reflect on the probability of these youths being sent out from the Institution to unite in carrying on the great work of this Mission, and judge, from their spirit and qualifications, of the efficient help which, through God's blessing, they will ere long afford, I desire to thank God, and take courage.

Mr. Kissling adds to his report of the Institution, an account of a Quarterly Examination, which is made at Fourah Bay, of all the Native Teachers connected with the Society's Schools in the Colony. The

plan is found to be of great utility, though not properly a part of the operations of the Institution; and the notice of it may properly be introduced here. Mr. Kissling writesI shall here add a short account of a Teachers' Meeting; which, though not strictly belonging to this Report, yet may be noticed for once, as it is regularly held every quarter at the Christian Institution. At the Teachers' Meeting, the best of the Monitors engaged in our several schools in the villages are examined; and rewarded, with a pair of trowsers or a shirt each, for the little services which they render in presiding over their respective classes.

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On July 20, 1836, thirty-four Monitors, from ten to fifteen years of age, were examined in Reading, the use of the Common Prayer, Dictation, and Ciphering; at the close of which, the Rev. D. F. Morgan put some questions to them on Scripture History. The following is the substance of the questions asked, and answers given. How long was it from the Creation of the World to the Coming of Jesus Christ into the world ?" 4004 "-"Who were first created ?" years. "Adam and Eve."-" What remarkable event took place soon after the Creation ?" The Flood.". "How many souls were saved then ?" 'Eight." "What creatures were preserved ?" "One pair of each kind of the unclean, and seven pairs of each of the clean."

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What else took place soon after the Flood ?" The destruction of Sodom." (Mr. Morgan meant the calling of Abra"From which country was ham.) Abraham called ?" From the ChalInto what country was he deans.' to go ?" "Into Canaan.' Did his descendants continually inhabit that land ?" "No: they went into Egypt." Jacob, Who went into Egypt ?" his sons, and their families."-" Why 66 Because there did they go thither ?" was a famine in the land." - Did Jacob go on account of the famine ?" Joseph his son, whom his brethren had sold, was Governor in Egypt, and so he Here Mr. (Jacob) went to see him.'

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Morgan was requested to close, as the time appointed for the examination had elapsed. The Monitors received their reward with apparent gratitude; and after singing and prayer, were dismissed.

It was pleasing to my mind, and must be so to others, to think that a considerable part of the rising generation is made acquainted with the blessed truths of the Bible: and let us earnestly pray that God's Holy Spirit may apply the word with efficacy to their hearts; and then we may yet expect great results from our feeble labours in this colony.

KISSEY-At this Station, Mr. Kissling reports that the preaching of the Gospel is manifestly attended with the Divine Blessing. Mr. J. Warburton, and Mr. Walter Croley, have also constantly been labouring here. We shall give a few extracts from the reports of each. Mr. Kissling writes

There is much in the people of this Station which is pleasing and encouraging; and that the gracious and almighty Spirit of God is carrying on His work in the hearts of some of them, may be gathered from the following particulars.

About twenty applicants were received, during the quarter, as Candidates for Baptism; and several backsliders, who had been for many years indifferent as to the concerns of their souls, came forward, expressing the sorrow which they felt on account of their sins, and asking for direction to walk again in the way to Zion. Nor has the general conduct of communicants given much occasion for regret: one of their number, indeed, has been requested not to come to the Holy Communion, until some circumstances, which appear to cast a blame on his character, shall have been cleared up.

Thirty persons, including the fourteen who were mentioned at Midsummer, as having been admitted into the Church, have continued to come to my house from a distance of more than two miles, to attend a Weekly Meeting. Having read with the more advanced of them, and practically explained the Gospel by St. Luke, I commenced the Acts of the Apostles, in which we have proceeded as far as chapter viii. This plan of instruction, where it can be adopted, is attended with peculiar advantages; as it is calculated both to enlighten the understanding and to touch the heart. One instance may show how some of these persons interpret of themselves the Holy Scriptures. When questioning them on Luke ix. 57 to 62, whether it

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June 27, 1836-In dependence on the Divine Blessing, I began to collect, for the first time, the halfpenny per week from the school children, as a trifling acknowledgment for their instruction. After

some exertion, I succeeded better than I had anticipated, nearly all the children paying readily. Should this plan succeed, as I doubt not it will, it is my opinion that it will be followed by the beneficial consequences of a greater sense of the value of instruction, and of increasing industry on the part of the parents; besides the prospect it affords of enabling us, in the course of a few years, to raise more substantial and commodious school-houses than some we at present occupy; an object greatly to be desired.

July 4-A man came to intercede for a boy who had been dismissed from school for theft. He was indeed importunate: "Do, Sir, do. What can the boy do at home? he will grow worse and worse. Do, Sir, do!" And then he went on his knees. At first, I refused to take the boy back, as he could read and write; and, being old enough, he might have gone to some employment; but when his friend became so importunate, I said that I would consider his request; with which he seemed satisfied, and returned many thanks. This is an instance of the desire that, I hope, exists for the instruction of children. The individual was not a pious character, but was employed by the mother of the lad to entreat for her son.

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July 28-On my way to Bathurst, I entered into conversation with a young man who was formerly a school-boy under Mr. Taylor, and who now attends Bathurst Sunday School. Among other questions, I said to him, "Do you know that you are a sinner?" Yes."-"How do you know that?" "Because I do things that are not right every day."—" What has Jesus done for sinners ?" 66 'He was crucified for them.-The following answers, which he gave from his knowledge of Watts's First Catechism, are interesting

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as they show the benefit of this kind of instruction. They were purposely put to see what he had gained by attending our schools." Where is Jesus Christ now ?" "He is raised from the dead; and has gone to heaven, to provide a place there for all that serve God, and love His Son Jesus." What do you mean by Christ providing a place ?" "To get place ready.". What kind of place ?" A good place.' -"Will Jesus ever come again ?" He will come again, and call me, and all the world, to account for what we have done."-"What do you mean by Christ calling you to account?" “To judge.”—“How will you feel when Jesus calls you to account?"", 'Ashamed.' Yes; unless you now seek the favour of the Great Judge, that your sins may

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be pardoned."-He observed, "It will not be Jesus Christ's fault if we perish, because He tells us before."-" Do you pray to God that your sins may be forgiven?" "No."—" You know that you are a sinner, and yet you do not pray. Is that good?" Not good." What must you do?" " 'Try."-I endeavoured to make use of the knowledge he had attained, to press upon his mind a concern for his soul.

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I have had, during the quarter, an opportunity of visiting some sick members of my classes, as well as others; some of which were trying scenes. I shall mention one. At a place which I visited, at the request of the sick person's husband, I found a poor woman stretched on a country mat, which was laid on the floor, in a dark dirty room, with a fire on the floor just by her; and on the opposite side was another female, stretched in like

manner.

There was also a man sitting on a stone by the fire; which I discovered, after I had requested that a little light should be admitted, by taking down a board which was in the side of the house. I went as far as the door of this room, but did not advance any further. The poor woman had lost all her toes, and the tops of her fingers, by a disease which the Natives call the Leprosy, and which is common in this Colony. She had been formerly a member of our Church, it appears, but has been for many years deprived of the public and blessed Means of Grace, which are so slighted by many in health and strength.

I asked her a few questions relative to her present condition; such as, whether she had faith in the merits of Christ? whether she had any knowledge of her sins being forgiven? if death were to come to-night and take her away, where did she think she would go? Why, and on what foundation, she had a hope of going to heaven ? But I must confess, that she did not at all satisfy my mind with her answers. I left her, after giving her serious advice, somewhat troubled in mind; and praying, as I went, that the Lord might open her understanding, and give her to see more clearly the real state of her heart!

WELLINGTON

-The spiritual charge of this Station has devolved on Mr. Kissling, so far as his numerous avocations have enabled him to visit it. Mr. Ebenezer Collins, meanwhile, has the care of the schools, being constantly resident here. The following Extracts, from Mr. Kissling's Journal, give his view of the Station

July 8, 1836-I went to Wellington this morning; when Mr. Collins recommended several persons to be taken under special instruction, preparatory to baptism. After a brief examination, four were told to come to me for further instruction: their sincerity is thus put to the test, in a measure; as they have to walk about five miles, each time they come to Fourah Bay. Hitherto they have been very regular in their attendance; exposing themselves, sometimes, contrary to my wishes, to heavy rains.

I was this day pained to witness an awful instance of daring presumption. A Candidate for Baptism, when accused of some serious act of delinquency, demanded the Bible, to take an oath; and being denied this, he went out into the public street, knelt down, appealed to Heaven, and pronounced curses on the accuser. I need not say, that such conduct was considered quite sufficient to separate the individual from connexion with us.

August 6-There appears to be a practice among the people at Wellington, to lay their hands on the body of the deceased, and to engage silently in prayer on their knees. Whether this is worshipping the deceased, or invoking his prayers, or praying for him, or bringing

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