SOUTH AFRICA.

MR. CAMPBELL, in a letter to a relation, says, "The cause of missions in Africa never stood so high in the esteem of the leading gentlemen at the Cape as at present." He adds, " that the calls for Missionaries at various places which he has visited, are many, and that he hoped more labourers would soon be sent out by the Society."

He had been travelling about ten months in the interior, and had not had one hour's sickness: he was however fatigued, and, to use his own language, hoped, in a few weeks (from Nov. 10) to rest his weary body and mind on board the ship, in is way home. It is probable that he has sailed long before this, and may be expected in a few weeks.

MRS. MOFFAT has written an interesting letter to Mr. G. Yeoland, giving an account of her journey, with Mr. Moffat, from Cape Town to Lattakoo. Six weeks were occupied in travelling from Cape Town to Beaufort; three weeks from thence to Griqua town; and one from thence to Eattakoo. She describes the greater part of the country through which she passed, as very dry, barren, and without wood; yet some of the valleys, between mountains tremendously high, were very delightful. "The Paarl," which is about 36 miles from the

Cape, she says, "is a beautiful village, the loveliest spot I have seen.

"The state of the natives in general is truly distressing; all that I ever heard of it in England falls short of the truth: in order to form an adequate idea of it, a person must come and see.' The Bushmen appear to be the most degraded of all the tribes, and are greatly despised by the rest."

With regard to Lattakoo, she says, Circumstances here are as good as can be expected;" but as yet, she thinks there is little true piety. The Missionaries are still under the disadvantage of teaching the people by an Interpreter; but Mr. Moffat is applying himself vigorously to the attainment of the native language.

As to the inhabitants, she says, "I like the people here exceedingly. I think them much superior to any of the other tribes I have yet seen. Except in colour, many have English features, and some of them are beautiful. Manooth, the queen, appears to be a very sensible woman, and were she Christian, would probably be a shining character.

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"This place is situated rather pleasantly, a range of hills south and west, but the country is very dry; nothing will grow, unless assisted by water, which is procured with great labour. The Missionaries, with some Bethelsdorp people who are here, have brought. fro the river a fine stream of water, which supplies them well. They have good gardens, and Mr. Hamilton a good house. The church is pretty decent, and built of reeds and mud.".

INDIA.

MR. HANDS, of Bellary, in a letter written in July last, gives an encouraging account of the progress of Missions in India.

While at Madras, he completed the printing of the Four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles, in the Canarese language. These are already getting into pretty extensive circulation. Several of the Epistles also are translated, and ready for the press.

An Auxiliary Bible Society, and a School Book Society, have been formed at Madras. Every thing there presentsa pleasing appearance, especially among the higher classes.

Mr. Hands, on his journey from Ma-dras to Bellary, met with a gentleman of influence, much devoted to God and his cause. Mr. H., while at his house, baptized 20 natives, 10 instructed adults, and 10 children.

The good people at Seringapatam are going on well. They have built a neat chapel for the worship of God, in doing which they were much assisted by some European officers. They are very desirous of having a missionary to reside among them, and one of the brethren will soon pay them a visit.

At Bellary, the concerns of the mission appear to be in a very pleasing

state.

The European congregation has lately increased, and a very large proportion of the officers and their families attend the mission chapel, and it is hoped that much good has been done among them. The 53d reg. is just removed to Bangalore, to make way for the 46th. "We need (says Mr. Hands) more labourers, and hope you will soon be able to send us more. Important fields are opening around us on every side."

"A short time ago the Commanding officer of a large corps on the Mahratta frontiers, about 200 miles from Bellary, wrote to the mission, representing the importance of his station as a Mission

ary settlement, and earnestly requesting that one of us would, if possible, visit it, at least for a time, and he would afford us every aid in his power. As neither of us could go, Mr. Taylor was sent, and is yet there; he is returning again shortly, when it will be determined whether he is to settle there or at Complee. He has received great attention from the general and the officers, and has preached to them regularly every Sabbath. His labours among the natives have also excited much attention.

Mr. Hands has received another application from Hydrabad for a Missionary, with a promise of procuring a provision for him. "Thus (says Mr. H.) we have Seringapatum, Complee, Belgam, and Hydrabad, looking up to us, and begging us to come over and help them.' O send us more labourers, that we may be able to help them."

A printing-office is now erected at Bellary, and a press obtained, together with both Canarese and European types; so that they hope soon to proceed with the printing of the Sacred Scriptures and Tracts, which they have great facilities for dispersing through immense districts of great population. A pious and able printer, to superintend the printing-office, is earnestly desired. In a postscript, Mr. Hands says, "I have just received the distressing intelligence of the sudden decease of my dear fellow-student, fellow-passenger, companion, friend, and brother, Mr. Pritchett, of a bilious fever. His health was, in general, so good, and his life appeared to us so necessary to the completion of the great work in which he was engaged (the Telinga translation) that his removal has quite confounded us. O how mysterious are often the dispensations of Divine Providence! his ways and thoughts are not as ours; but it becomes us to be still, and remember that he is God. Lord help us, once his fellow-labourers, who yet remain in the field, duly to improve this mournful and afflicting dispensation. The poor widow and children-my heart bleeds for them! May the Lord support and assist her!

SOUTH TRAVANCORE.

A LETTER from Mr. Mead, dated 26th Sept. 1820, has just been received. It appears that Mrs. Mead had been twice attacked with the jungle fever, and reduced so much, that a temporary removal to her native air in Tanjore was

deemed necessary for her recovery. Mr. Mead was therefore obliged to leave Mr. Mault, about two months before Mr. Smith had arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Mead returned to South Travancore on the 14th of July, and found all things going on well.

Whilst at Tanjore, Mr. M. obtained some subscriptions towards the Church now building at Nagarcoil: among the subscribers was the Rajah of Tanjore, who contributed 550 rupees. By this seasonable supply the progress of the work will be promoted.

Mr. M.describing the labours in which the Missionaries are engaged, says:"We have at present fields to cultivate, gardens to plant, timber to hew and saw, school-rooms and places of worship to erect, &c.: and I am happy to inform you that we have at length obtained a printing press, and types, both Tamul and English; and we hope in a few months the press will be fully employed. Some of our boys will be taught the art of printing: it will be desirable to add paper-making and bookbinding to the establishment. zealous holy men, acquainted with these professions, would be of essential service to the cause of Christ here.

Two

He

[In our last we inserted the concluding paragraph of a letter and journal from Mr. Mault, dated June 28. had then been joined by Mr. Smith, who was received by the natives with affection. During Mr. Mead's absence, Mr. Mault had visited the numerous villages and schools included in this mission. In general the people, though ignorant, were very attentive and teachable; a few were intelligent and inquisitive. The brethren, it appears, will be able to employ several native teachers and school-masters, as well as to occupy many small chapels for worship, so that the generous friends of this mission may depend on a faithful, and, we hope, useful application of the several sums they have so liberally contributed for those particular purposes.]

IDOLATROUS WORSHIP IN A SCHOOL.

Extractea from the Journal of Mr. Taylor, one of the Missionaries at Bellary. "THIS evening took a walk into the village (Complee); went to one of the schools, where I saw preparations making to offer praises to Vignariwara(the god that prospers all undertakings) which is done in all the schools at the time of the new and full moon, at which times the children are allowed holidays. The image is placed in a conspicuous situation, and offerings of flowers, betel, plantains, &c. are placed before it. The boards on which the children write are curiously figured, some only with the pencil which they commonly use, others with a variety of colours. These are all arranged in order, some before the image, others in different parts of the school. About half an hour before the children are dismissed, they all place ́themselves in order before the idol, and unite in singing praises to it; sometimes, all singing together, and at other times one part responsing to the other. Whilst my heart was pained to see such unmeaning and degrading idolatry, I could not help feeling an earnest desire that the praises of the true God and his Son Jesus Christ might be substituted for these of Vignariwara."

Christian school-masters may take a hint from this narrative, and be induced more frequently to engage the dear children under their care in the delight. ful work of praising the Saviour of the world.

IMMOLATIONS IN INDIA. WE referred, in our last, to a pamphlet lately published under the above title, in which the nature, extent, and evil effects of these practices are briefly but clearly exposed, and The practicability of suppressing them is stated.

From this part of the pamphlet we shall extract a few particulars.

It is suggested that the following methods might have been tried-" To enlighten the public mind on the immorality and cruelty of actions so palpably atrocious, Persuasion might have been tried the success of which, (in one quarter,) by Colonel Waiker, as to infanticide, was remarkable. Government might have recommended their discontinuance. Efforts might have been made to gain to the side of humanity the men of influence, and the native officers. Government might have enforced some provisions, forbidding females, in certain circumstances, to burn-why not

prohibit the use of cords and levers to keep down the widow on the pile? Why not prohibit, under a heavy penalty, intoxicating drugs to be given to the destined victim?"

It is further urged, that "Positive prohibitions are within the bounds of a safe legislation. Some of the sacrifices referred to, do not appear to be sanctioned by the Shastres-as infanticide, the destruction of lepers or incurables, the swinging cruelties, and the immolations to Juggernaut. Some of these abominations are also merely local, and known only in some parts of India; and in various cases, force and compulsion are employed. Why should not the law prohibit all force, encourage resistance, and reward those who resist?

"As to the burning of widows, it is the opinion of many well-informed persons that it may be suppressed with perfect safety, in a gradual manner, by the introduction of regulations and limitations, to which the natives are already prepared quietly to submit.

The car of Juggernaut was actually seized, some years ago, by the officers of government, for the payment of á deficient tribute. Formerly, no Brahmin, however guilty, could be put to death; but Brahmins are now hanged for atrocious crimes, and no evil has ensued. When immolations in Saugur island were brought before Marquis Wellesley, he sent a body of native soldiers to the spot, and they have been suppressed in the same manner ever since" And had that nobleman continued in India, it is highly probable (as Mr. Wilberforce said in the House of Commons) "that he would have achieved other conquests over the cruel practices of India. We have heard, indeed, that, as his last act in council, the Noble Marquis left a record on the minutes to that effect.

Let it be remembered that, in abolishing these practices, we have on our side all the primary feelings of the human heart, as well as the fear of a painful death; the horror of leaving children to the care of others; and, in the case of infanticide, maternal affection, of all others the most powerful, and the most active principle.

We shall close by relating a singular fact, recorded in a letter, dated Richmond, February 25, 1820, and signed P. JULIUS:

"Mrs. Julius, who resided at Arrah (about the year 1804) was informed that near her premises a funeral pile was

erected, on which the body of a Brahmin was placed, and that a multitude of people were conducting his widow to it. At that moment, Mrs. Trower, wife of the Collector, called in her carriage, and both agreed to attempt the delivery of the wretched victim. They drove as fast as possible to the spot: as the carriage approached, the mob took to flight; but the pile was already in flames. In an agony of mind they walked round the pile. They perceived that the roof had fallen, but not on the body of the deceased, but was resting on the edge of the pile; and that the place prepared for the widow was unoccupied, for the poor creature, availing herself of the opportunity afforded by the confusion, had effected her escape!

Her

The ladies found out the hut to which she had fled, and gained admittance. There they beheld the poor victim, about 20 years old, surrounded by four children, and a baby in her arms. eldest son, at some distance, crying. Her hair was very long, hanging down; and oil and ghee were dropping from it to the ground. Her head was covered with sandal dust, and her whole body was highly perfumed. Without the smallest reluctance she consented to accompany Mrs. J. and Mrs. T. to my house, with all her children. On her arrival, I discovered that her shoulders were very much burnt. On being questioned, she declared that her intended immolation was not a voluntary act, but the consequence of terror from the threats of the Brahmins, who had also given her large quantities of opium and bang; and that for many hours previous to her arrival at the pile she was in a state of distraction and stupefaction. It appears that the Brahmins, seeing the carriage drive near, hastily threw down the roof, intending it to fall on the pile, and prevent the escape of the victim. But providentially they failed; it rested on its edge, and allowed the poor widow opportunity to fly.

"This poor woman remained some time with Mrs. Trower, and then returned to her own village; but we never heard any subsequent account of her. P. JULIUS."

66 May it not now be hoped that facts and considerations like these will induce the Hon. the Court of Directors to take some decisive step which shall ultimately suppress these barbarous practices.

"In committing these immense territories to Great Britain, has not Divine

Providence placed us under a most solemn obligation to improve them? To what a magnificent work are we called! To give a mental and happy existence to sixty millions of the human race, is a vast, but a most delightful charge! O that our Country may be faithful to her great trust!"

Death of Mr. Rowland Hassell.

THE following is an extract of a let. ter to one of the directors, from a relation at Sydney, New South Wales:

"On the 28th of August 1820, at his house at Paramatta, after a few days illness, died Mr. Rowland Hassell, in the 52d year of his age; also two of his grand-children within a fortnight, of the same prevailing Catarrh.

"In the death of Mr. H., society ber, and his large and young family a has lost a pious and benevolent memgood man. tender husband, a kind father, and a

"Mr. Hassell (a native of Coventry) was one of the first Missionaries sent to the Society Islands in 1796, and when several of them were so alarmed with the dangers which then threatened them, that they left Otaheite, he settled here. For nearly 20 years residence in the colony, his life was a continued example of religion and piety, extensive benevolence and hospitality. He never lost sight of his original designation as 、 a Missionary, and continued to the perform the duties of one, by preachlatest period of his life zealously to ing the Gospel in almost all parts of the colony.

"His latter end was full of peace; and, as he lived, so he died, encouraged and supported by the hopes and consolations of religion.

"To his afflicted widow, and large family of children and grand-children, the lustre and worth of his character must be a consolation, well calculated to support and encourage them under the great loss which they have sustained by his death.

"His remains were interred at Paramatta, amidst the regrets of his very numerous friends and neighbours, in the evening of the 30th of August."

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

MR. PIDGEON (formerly in connexion with this Society) in a letter to Mr. Langton, dated 22d August 1820, mentions the safe arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde from England. He observes, that there is much occasion for more labourers in

that part of the Gospel field; there are many persons who would be glad to receive ministers, but in general they are so poor that they cannot support them.

He says, Many are employed in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, in spreading abroad the good tidings of the Gospel; and yet there is room, ample room for greater exertions to be made. The ministers in those parts are forming themselves into bodies, in order to strengthen each other's hands, and are sending out missionaries into various places which are destitute of pastors, and cannot at present be otherwise supplied.

Influence of the Gospel on converted
Negroes.

ON the arrival of two vessels at Demarara, from Dominica, with a great number of slaves, among whom were several Methodists, a native female of the latter place, a member of the Methodist Society, who had formerly lived on the plantation from whence they came, on hearing of their arrival, went on board one of the vessels. As soon as they saw her, they exclaimed, "Here are we; we came from de word of God; we bin hearing de word of God in Dominica; but we no know if we hear de word of God now: Poor we! We no care where dem bring we, so we hear de word of God!" On being told they would find a chapel and Missionaries there, in a moment their sorrow was turned into joy, and they blessed the bearer of such happy tidings a thousand times, and, hailing those in the other ship, they cried out, "Keep good heart, dere be chapel here."

Ordination of a Missionary.

ON Tuesday evening, Feb. the 13th, the Rev. James Humphreys, who had pursued his studies, first at Glasgow, and since at Gosport, was ordained at Oxendon Street Chapel, as a Missionary to Malacca. The service commenced with prayer and reading the Scriptures by the Rev. J. Arundel, Home Secretary of the Society. Dr. Winter delivered an introductory Discourse. Mr. Burder, the senior Secretary, proposed the usual questions, the answers to which by Mr. Humphreys were very satisfactory. Dr. Waugh offered up solemn and fervent prayer to God for the Missionary; and Mr. Broadfoot, Minister of the Chapel, delivered a most

affectionate and evangelical charge. Mr. Allen, from Tenessee, in North America, concluded with prayer. A very large congregation was convened; and the service proved, as we believe similar services in general prove, highly gratifying to the people, and powerfully conducive to the promotion of that missionary zeal which is necessary to the successful prosecution of tlrat most noble of all human enterprizes-the conversion of the heathen world to our Divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Mr. Humphreys (with Mrs. H.) is expected to sail very shortly, together with Mr. Bankhead, (who was designated on the 14th of Dec. last, at Stockwell) in the ship Lonach, Capt. Pearson, for Calcutta, in the vicinity of which Mr. B. is appointed a labourer; and Mr. Humphreys will proceed (by the first opportunity) to Malacca.

MISSIONARY INSTITUTION AT BASLE IN SWITZERLAND.

A LARGE and commodious house, which had been purchased and fitted up for the reception of the Missionary Students, was opened on the 20th of June 1820; when about 400 of the friends of the Institution assembled in the School-room, among whom were the Clergy of the town and canton, and many distinguished members of the University and of the Government.

After singing a hymn, and prayer by the President of the Society, Mr. Van Brun, Mr. Blumhardt gave an account of the rise and progress of the Institution. Dr. Steinkopff, of London, then addressed the Meeting with peculiar effect, both as having formerly been a minister in Basle, and as intimately connected with many of the Society, and having been the first mover of the Institution.

A student, named Felix P. Jaremba, addressed the meeting. He is of a principal family in Russian Poland, and left all, that he might go forth and proclaim to the heathen the glad tidings of salvation. Mr. Stockmeyer and Mr. La Roche, ministers at Basle, delivered their sentiments, and the latter closed the meeting with fervent prayer.

PALESTINE.

WE have noticed, in some of our former Numbers, the appointment of Messrs. Parsons and Fisk, by the American Board for Foreign Missions, to attempt a mission to the Holy Land.