to walk in all the commandments of the Lord, have marked the exercises of their respective subjects.

These subjects have been of all ages and classes, from 80 down to 10 years of age. The old and stubborn oak, and the young and tender plant, have alike bent before the wind that "bloweth where it listeth." Scoffers, drunkards, and others of most profligate lives, have been made to bow at the feet of Jesus, and to own Him as their Lord and Redeemer; and Infidels and Universalists have been humbled by the doctrines of the Cross, and warned their neighbours of the dangerous errors of their respective schemes.

The blessed effects of these outpourings of the Spirit have been seen in giving a new aspect to the moral state of society; the multiplication of meetings for social prayer; and a growing liberality toward the support of the gospel and benevolent institutions.

In addition to these wonderful events, for which the Assembly offers unto God their united and hearty thanks, they rejoice that they are also able to inform the churches, that the state of religion in the different colleges is most encouraging. There are about 40 hopefully pious youth in Union College, Schenectady; in the college at Princeton, there are 25; in Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, there are about 70; in Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and the University of North Carolina, there are several more; in Yale College, at New Haven, there are about 90; and in Hamilton College 48, professors of religion. The hope that most of these will probably devote themselves to the service of God, in the gospel of his Son, affords a most pleasing prospect to the American churches.

The Theological Seminary at Andover contains 112 students, and is in a flourishing condition. The Foreign Mission School at Cornwall contains more than 30 pupils, who speak 11 different languages, a number of whom are hopefully pious.

The Theological Seminary at Princeton continues to enjoy the smiles of Divine Providence. It contains at present 73 students, among whom the spirit of missions is increasing. From these fountains of sacred learning, we trust many streams will soon issue to gladden the city of our God; and that when the cry of the vacant congregations for help, shall reach the ears of these pious youth; and especially when they hear the interrogation of their Lord and Master, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will

go for us?" they may all answer in the spirit of Isaiah, "Here am I, Lord, send me."

With this retrospect of the past, and these animating prospects of the future, we close our Narrative, hoping that those evils which exist, may excite suitable humiliation before God; that Christians, and Christian ministers, will be found more engaged at the throne of grace, and follow their prayers with corresponding endeavours for the advancement of the interests and the extension of the limits of the Redeemer's kingdom.

Published by order of the General Assembly. WILLIAM NIELL, Stated Clerk.

Attest,

BERMUDA.

OPENING A CHAPEL IN THE BERMUDAS, AND THE MERCIFUL PRESERVATION OF MISSIONARIES.

AN interesting communication from the Rev. H. H. Cross, dated St. George's, Bermuda, June 20, 1821, to the Rev, John Arundel, Home Secretary to the London Missionary Society, which, while it evinces the gracious interposition of Divine Providence in behalf of his servants, in straits and sufferings, will also, we trust, excite our numerous readers to sympathy and prayer for all Christian Missionaries, while on their perilous and extensive voyages to distant climes.

"I am happy to inform you, my dear Brother, that our chapel was opened on the 13th of April, under peculiar circumstances of gratitude and delight towards Him who conducts all things after the counsel of his own will.

Previous to its opening, my mind was a great deal exercised respecting the service of that important day. I had no brother to whom I could say, "Come and help me:" I stood alone; and my feelings often overwhelmed me. My fears, however, were very singularly dispersed by our kind and ever gracious God. On Saturday, previous to the 13th, a ship appeared in sight off the Island, hoisting signals of distress; and a report was soon circulated, "That she was full of passengers and several Methodist parsons, in a state of starvation; 6 months from Liverpool, bound to New York." I immediately thought on Mr. Ward; and by referring to the Magazine, found that the time of his sailing from Liverpool to the United States exactly corre sponded. I went up the Signal Hill, where all vessels are seen, and looked

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with an anxious eye towards the ship, hoping and fearing that Mr. Ward might De on board. On my return, however, I found from a friend who had just heard from New York, that Mr. W. had been there, and was then about to return to England. On Sabbath afternoon, the ship with great difficulty came within anchorage off the Island. Some of my friends went with provisions on board, and found the passengers in great distress, yet filled with consolation, and many of them with "joy and peace in believing." As the passengers were no strangers to the language of Canaan, my friends were soon introduced to Mr. Dunbar, a Baptist minister, his wife and four children; Mr. Grey, a Presbyterian minister, and his interesting wife (to us particularly so, because we soon learnt that she had been brought to the saving know ledge of the truth from the circumstances of the voyage;) and Mr. West, a teacher, a very pious young man, and son to Rev. Mr. West, of Dublin. They stated in brief the distressing circumstance to my friends, who could not theu listen to their "Tale of woe " before they came for some fresh supplies, (circumstances prevented the Missionaries from landing on the Sabbath, and my duties from seeing them that evening.) It appeared they had been at sea nearly 6 months; for four months they had been on the allowance of five potatoes per day, and for three weeks the Missionaries had scarcely a drop of water in their mouths: such were the cries of the many children on board, that they were obliged to deny themselves what they could only obtain from the clouds, to satisfy the thirst of the little ones. They were, however, in good health; and were constrained to say,Though we have had nothing, we have possessed all things.

The divine presence had evidently blessed the labours of these devoted servants of Jesus to the hopeful conversion of several.

Early on Monday morning, I went off with several of my friends to the ship, and was soon in the midst of this interesting Mission family. I found them perfectly happy, yea, rejoicing in the prospect of meeting some Christian

friends in a strange country.

During their stay with us, we had our new chapel opened. Mr. Dunbar preached in the morning from Gen. xxviii. 17, and Mr. Grey in the evening from Zech. xiv. 16, 17, to a very crowded and attentive congregation. The collection amounted to 80 dollars. Our friends remained with

us nearly three weeks, and their circumstances and labours made a deep impres sion on many. One evening, after Mr. D. had delivered an excellent and faithful sermon from Acts vii. 34, the Collector of the Customs went to one of my friends, and begged that his name might be put down for Doubloous 211. 6s. 8d. currency, for the general catastrophe, which, he observed, has been so gratefully remembered by the stranger this evening. In the morning we waited on him to return our thanks, and to say, that as the Government had given orders that the passengers should all be taken care of, and forwarded to New York by the first vessel, we begged to decline his kind offer. On stating, however, the great object of Mr. D.'s mission, and shewing him his case, which was strongly recommended by most of the ministers in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Liverpool, and particularly by a written recommendation from Dr. Chalmers, (whom the Collector knows,) he very generously presented Mr. D. with the sum for the object of his Mission, adding, "When you arrive at New Brunswick, shew your case to several gentlemen (whose names he gave Mr. D.; and give my respects to them, and tell them to look at your book; and say, I hope to hear from you that they have followed my example. God bless you, and give you success." We obtained also from other friends subscriptions to the amount of 404. besides clothing and necessaries for the voyage. Every day rendered them more endearing to the friends of Jesus in this place. Fain could we have said, "abide with us," for there is room; and glad would they have been to say, We will continue with you: but the piercing cry of the red men of the woods, “No white man teach red man," had pene trated their hearts. For these, said they, we have left all; and for these we must leave you. They left us on Good Friday, and we are daily expecting to hear of their arrival.*

The Society to which they belong was formed in New Brunswick, British America, by Mr. Dunbar and some Christian friends who had settled there. Shortly after its formation, they deputed Mr. D. to make it known to the friends of Jesus in Scotland, where, through the divine blessing, he became so successful as to send out a young man soon after his arrival; and when cast here, he was bound for New Brunswick, via New York, with Mr. G. and Mr. W.

AFRICA.

Griqua Town.

Mr. HELM, in a letter to Dr. Philip, 26th January 1821, represents the church at Griqua-town as continuing in a low state, no addition having lately been made, while it was found necessary to exclude some. Yet the place of worship, which is not small, continued to be well attended, and he entertained hopes of seeing better times.

Our School, he says, consists of 103 children, of whom 55 can read, and a few write and cipher.

The external state of the mission, is rather prosperous, and it would be still more so, if proper regulations were established, and we expect such will be made by government, in March next, when the market (fair) will be held at Graaf Reinet.

Agriculture is increasing, and though the crop of the present year has not been so abundant as the last, yet we have had more rain than in some former years. More waggons arrive from the colony, from time to time. But as to building, they are too slow. Since Andrew Waterboer has been made captain, they have gone on better than before.

ONE of the Griquaas said to Mr. Helm, "I see more and more, that a mere literal knowledge of Christ and his word is not enough for me, I must have the saving knowledge, which I labour to obtain."

ANOTHER asked, "How is it that many cows, sheep, and goats, who have no understanding, may be kept in order by one good herdsman, and that men, who have understanding, will not be kept in order by the preaching of the word of God?"

SOME Griquaas bunted a lion, which they succeeded in killing, after he had bitten J. K. very dangerously. It is remarkable that the lion, when he attacked J. K. passed by two other men, just as if he had sought him in particular. The unhappy man died of his wounds five days after, without giving any proof of conversion. It appears, that about three years ago, J. K. met a Bushman in the fields, who was driving a cow which he

had stolen. After retaking the cow, without any resistance from the Bushcruelty was taken by the Griquaas, but man, he shot him. No notice of this though men are unjust, God is righteous

CRUELTY OF THE HEATHEN.

Extract from the Journal of Mr. Henry Helm, Missionary at Griqua-Town.

JULY 22, 1820. Andrew Waterboer told me, that some Bushmen, who lately removed from Griqua-town, had left their aged mother, who was very ill, in the following manner: She being unable to move, remained lying on the ground in her hut, when her children, intending to take the materials of it with them, took it to pieces over her head, and left her in this condition to the mercy of others. She remained in this state till next morning, when A. Waterboer hearing of it, took her to his own house, and charged her daughter, who is in his service, to take care of her mother; but she refused, saying, that her mother being too old to get her living by labour, did not deserve to be taken care of, or to have any more victuals Andrew provided for her till the 25th of this month, when she died.

It is customary among the Namaquas, Corannas, and Bushmen, to put an end to the lives of old and infirm persons in a manner equally cruel. The Namaquas, when removing to another place, put them into a small kraal of bushes, leaving nothing with them but a little water. The Corrannas place such a person on a wild ox, which is driven into the woods on the banks of the Great River. The ox having discharged his who does not trouble himself to inquire rider, returns to the kraal of his master, what is become of the poor person. The Bushmen, beside the above method, will drag them into the fields far from their kraal, and leave them there a prey for wolves. A few weeks ago, at Jan Kaar's place, two days journey from hence, some of the Bushmen dragged an old woman into the fields in the afternoon; Jan Kaar heard of it, but not till next morning, when he went in search of her, and found her destroyed by the wolves!

What a comment is this on the apostle Paul's character of the heathen, Rom. i. 31. "Without natural affection."

PACALT'S DORp.

Mr. Messer, in a Letter dated Dec. 1820,

says,

IN my diary you will find how the work of Grace goes on amongst us. Hottentots, who for many years appeared to be as hard as a stone, now come and bow their knees at the foot of the Cross. Notwithstanding we are bitterly opposed by various classes of people, God who has always pleaded his own cause, has heard the voice of our supplications, and has not forsaken us.

This year we sowed more wheat than ever, and had the prospect of a good crop: but in consequence of a dreadful blast, in less than a fortnight all was destroyed. Now we are obliged to look cut for bread, but corn is so very dear, that the poor Hottentots can scarcely archase any.

They have done so much work that you would be surprised to see it, particularly in making the large sod-walls round Pacalt's Dorp, in the streets, the gardens, &c. Now when they see that you will make them a present, they will be encouraged to proceed with additional vigour.

It has pleased government to give us a piece of land, in addition to what we had before, for our cattle ; and even there we have sustained a great loss in cattle and sheep. Our gardens were exceedingly well planted, and every thing looked so well, that it presented a most pleasing prospect; but by a long continuance of drought, and afterwards by a terrible storm of wind, the fruit trees and plants were greatly injured.

If it please God to spare us till next March, I intend to proceed with the enclosure of the corn-field also, (which is large) with sod-walls; but at present I am unwilling to set the poor things to work, they are so much reduced by want of food and other necessaries.*

Pray for us, that we may all be strengthened in faith, and that God may

INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
IN LATTAKOO.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Hamilton,
to A. Stockenstrom, Esq. Landdrost of
Graaf Reinet, dated Burder's Place,
Luttakoo, Feb. 1821.

SIR,-By this opportunity I wish to inform you that your visit to Lattakoo hath been attended with good effect. A short time after you left us, a report was spread that you was going to send a commando to take the Bootschuannas away. I assured Mateebe (the king) that it was false; that you had no such intention. Mateebe was satisfied. Some time after this, when the Bushmen came and took our cattle, a commando went out, but did not get the cattle, but found the Bushmen, none of whom were killed. They took one woman prisoner, brought her to town, kept her for two days, gave her many presents, and sent her home. The Bushmen were so much surprised at this, that they sent word they will take no more cattle from the Bootschuannas, and we have had peace ever since.

Mateebe and many of his captains desired me to inform you that they had done what you wished them to do, and that they were determined to kill no more women or children of the Bushmen. Mateebe said he had given orders that when his people went hunting, not to hurt them, but only those who came to take their cattle. They now wait to see if you will permit them to make exchange for a few muskets and horses, to go after their cattle when taken, and for clothes to put on on Sabbaths, when they come to church. Mateebe wishes that you and he may grow old together in the purest friendship. Broarinlala, (brother-in-law to Mateebe) desires you to send him a few beads. Mateebe is sorry he cannot send you a cat-skin cloak at present, but hopes at another time to send you one. That which hinders the Bootschuanas most from coming to the colony is, that they are afraid of the passage of the Orange River.

The king of the Mashows sent to Mateebe to assist him in making a Com-mando against a nation to the Eastward, but Mateebe and his captains all replied, that they had done with commandoes now -that God's word said it was not good

Extract from the Report of Missionaries at Eimeo.

Nov. 1819. Our congregation, seems gradually to increase. Our chapel is well filled, especially on Sacrament days. A sight which neither we nor our brethren expected to see so soon.

We took a journey in Sept. last round the island, to preach the word, and to inquire into the state of instruction, and ascertain the means they possess for carrying on schools. We were received at every place with the utmost expressions of joy; the people from the districts before coming to meet us, and those from the districts where we had preached, ac companying us through one or two districts more, so that we had generally the inhabitants of four districts at one time to hear. At every place where we slept, the people kept us waking till midnight or cock crowing, in making inquiries respecting their conduct in life, the meaning of different passages of Scripture, and cases of conscience.

During our journey we took every opportunity of listening to the prayers of those who usually engaged in these Prayer-meetings, that we might be able in some measure to ascertain their knowledge of divine things, and the gifts and Christian experience which they possess ; and we found, in one or two instances, erroneous notions and expressions, but they were as few as might reasonably be expected.

We have baptized during the last quarter 192 adults, and 137 children, making a total of 214 adults, and 154 children. Those who were baptized last quarter have been formed into a church.

Two of our members have offered their services as Missionaries to Raivavaithe king intends to send them as soon as a conveyance can be obtained.

On the first Sabbath of Jan. 1820, 43 members were added to our little

flock. It was a time long to be remembered. There were very few dry eyes in the assembly. Some wept aloud, and some were so agitated, that they could scarcely get the cup to their lips; indeed, we were absolutely obliged to assist some lest the wine should be spilt through their trembling. We do not lay any stress on these circumstances, we simply relate them.

We sent two of our church-members, have had a favourable account of their Patii and Tahua forth as Catechists, and proceedings from the people. They were gladly received in every place they visited; there was much weeping under their exhortations, and we have reason to hope that their endeavours were not altogether in vain.

Brother P. in the latter end of January made a tour of the island with the Catechists. He spoke at every place, and catechized the people, after which Patii and Tahua concluded the meetings, each in rotation, by an address and prayer. Mr. P. had some pleasing conversations with the people, some of whom seem to be well acquainted with the plague of their own hearts, and who are apparently seeking salvation, under a proper sense of their need of it. It was delightful to sit and listen to the simple and artless addresses of his fellow travellers, espe cially when they were enjoining on the people the importance of instructing their children, and of being prepared for their own latter end.

With regard to the state of the islands, Mr. Marsden says, "Mr. Wilson assures me that the population is now increasing, since child-murder and human sacrifices have ceased. God has done great things for them. The work is his own. Many and hard have been the struggles for many years. Our hopes and fears alternately prevailed, until the arm of the Lord was revealed, and his power was made known."

In another Letter he says, "God has been very gracious to that heathen country, and there is every reason to believe that many have died in the faith, and are now before the throne of God."