Sierra Leone, in the Seventh Month 1821; his stay in Africa having been originally limited by the Committee, on prudential considerations, to the commencement of the rainy season in those latitudes. His voyage, and abode on the Continent, though not productive of the whole result that was desired, has materially contributed, by a variety of information derived through his means, to clear the way for future proceedings, should the object in view receive the support of friends to the requisite extent.

Since the return of William Singleton, the Committee have had opportunities of conferring with respectable merchants and others acquainted with the Gambia, (some of whom had rendered important services to W.S. there,) on the subject of the plan in contemplation. It is believed on their evidence, in concurrence with that of W. S., that the instruction of the Natives in reading, writing, and useful arts, will be a measure acceptable to the European Settlers, and will receive their countenance and support; that the Africans treat with respect those persons, who, at present, travel among them, from the European Settlements, on account of commerce; and that the Slave Trade, which was the impediment the most apprehended, is not now so prevalent,

either on the Gambia, or in the parts near it in intercourse with the English, as to offer a reasonable ground for delay on that account.

How readily the Natives themselves are likely to fall in with sincere and disinterested tenders of service in this way, the Journal of William Singleton will, in different parts, demonstrate. Indeed, the superiority of Europeans over them in useful knowledge, is sufficiently evident to themselves, and often confessed; and although the moral and religious improvement of these people be our immediate object, it is manifest that instruction, such as we propose to convey, must directly tend to elevate their conceptions to a just sense of their capacities and privileges, as members of the great human family, and consequently to promote their civil advancement, and the final extirpation of Slavery from among them.

A person of colour, a Native of Senegal, well skilled in the Jaloof and Foulah Tongues, and otherwise qualified, by a knowledge of Arabic, French, and

English, to form a judgment of this undertaking, has given to the Committee an opinion decidedly in its favour, as regards both the practicability of reducing the African Languages to writing, and the general solidity of the principles adopted by our friend Hannah Kilham in her labours. From this intelligent stranger, much valuable information has been likewise received on the subject of the Jaloof Language.

After giving a favourable report from Mr. Singleton of the proficiency of the Youths under his care, the Committee observe-

To this report of their progress in learning, the Committee believe they may safely add, on the authority of a friend who has had much opportunity of observing them, that the still more important result, of a degree of religious susceptibility, is apparent in both; a result, which is cause of satisfaction, and thankfulness to the Author of all good, as well on their account, as in the hope that, being cultivated and dwelt under, it will have its future influence on those who may be placed under their

Thus it is proposed to open, with that people whose cause we have long been engaged to plead with their oppressors, a direct and continued intercourse; with a view to impart to them some measure of the blessings and benefits conferred upon us (for this end, doubtless, among others) by a wise and gracious Providence.

Our sympathy was, many years since, awakened on their behalf, by the knowledge which we had acquired of the circumstances of the Slave Trade; and in the great work of procuring the Abolition of this gigantic evil, for Britain and her dependencies, we laboured as early and as earnestly as any of our country. men. Our attention is even now directed to a search after the best means of perfecting this work of mercy. We avow the desire and the purpose, still to plead the Cause of the Sons of Africa; and to use our best endeavours, in concert with benevolent men of our own and other nations, to put an end to the

vile traffic in the persons of men, wherever practised.

Do not the circumstances into which we have been led by this engagement, bring home yet further claims on our benevolence toward this people? Can we te thus desirous to secure, to a whole nation, the quiet and permanent enjoy. ment of their freedom and natural privileges, but on a principle of Christian Love! And will not the same principle, followed out to its remoter effects, lead us also to desire, and endeavour, that they may become fellow-partakers with us, in the higher and enduring privileges of the Gospel? We would wish, doubtless, that their liberties, once acquired, should be used to the glory of their and our Creator, and to the advancement of the Kingdom of the Redeemer upon earth. But it is not by leaving them

FREE IN A STATE OF DEGRADING IGNO

RANCE AND HELPLESS BARBARISM, that we can hope to contribute to this happy and beneficial result. We have it in our power to impart to them the kind and degree of instruction, requisite to prepare their minds for the reception of, at least, the Historical Truths of the Christian Religion; and of those Records, so interesting to all men, of the origin of mankind, and of the Divine Dispensations in successive ages of the world.

Need WE much persuasion to induce us to do in this case, to others, as we would, in like circumstances, they should do to us; nay, as others have already done, in our behalf, through the medium of our predecessors, the ancient inhabitants of these islands-a people more rude, if we may credit history, than the poor Africans whom we are now called to succour a people, who, until the light of the Christian Religion broke in upon them, wandered in their native forests, naked and tatooed; feeding on acorns, and offering human sacrifices to false gods! With such an opportunity before us as now exists, shall we wait to see the rudiments of useful knowledge planted, at some distant day, in the wilds of Africa; not by the peaceable hands of NEIGHBOURS, (for he is my neighbour, however remote his dwelling, who takes pains to do me good,) but by some WARRIOR, subduing and giving laws to the land, for his own aggrandizement? Such was the lot of us Britons, in a remote and perilous

age: but the dispensations of Divine Wisdom are unsearchable; good was still educed from seeming evil. He, whose mercy is in the heavens, and whose faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds, was still favourable to our land, in the midst of its many distresses: the seeds of Christianity were sown: they grew and prospered; and we now see around us the rising harvest. Rejoicing, as we do, in blessings and benefits thus conferred upon us, is it not our incumbent duty, when the way opens, and the leadings of the Providential Hand toward a particular nation are discernible in this respect, cheerfully to apply ourselves, as we may be enabled, to the task of imparting to them a measure of that instruction, which, of His unmerited bounty, we have received?

The work (it may be said) is great, and our abilities and means comparatively very small. Be it so: but of this we may be assured, that it is now possible for us to BEGIN to convey instruction to the Natives of that large and interesting Continent. The talent is already in our hands: let us occupy with it; and, in due season, that which we, if we have faith and courage, shall now originate, may be carried forward by those who shall come after us, with still greater facilities, and with equal perseverance, to a successful issue: both we and they relying on HIS support, and trusting in HIS sufficiency, who hath declared, I will gather ALL NATIONS AND TONGUES; and they shall come, and see my glory. Isa. lxvi. 18.

Continent.

GERMANY.

BIBLE SOCIETIES.

Circulation of the Scriptures, by Professor

Van Ess.

Dr. Pinkerton, writing from Marburg, under date of Oct. 10, 1821, gives the following view of the labours of Professor Van Ess in the circulation of the Scriptures :

We laid the map of Europe before us, and conversed over his benevolent operations for the good of the Catholic Inhabitants of Germany. In order to give you a general idea of those different parts of this extensive field, which have been sown with this blessed seed, I shall

give you a few of the details, as I re. ceived them from the Professor, on our travelling over the map together.

In the Kingdom of Würtemberg, there have been circulated upward of 38,000 copies of his Testament; in the State of Baden, 20,000; in Switzerland, 10,000; in the Austrian Dominions, 24,500; in Bavaria, about 3000; in Nassau, 10,000; in the States of Darmstadt, upward of 10,000; in and around Elberfeld, 3000; in the Country about Munster, 2000; in and near Osnaburg, 6000; in the Principality of Hildesheim, 10,000: in the Prussian States about Berlin, Stettin, &c. 10,000; in Silesia, upward of 30,000; in and around Frankfort-on-the-Main, 10,000; in the country round Fulda, 5000. In addition to these general items, there have been 239,663 copies circulated, in smaller numbers and through various channels, in every part of Germany, and other countries in Europe where German Catholics are found. Thus the whole issues of Van Ess's Testament, up to this date, have been 431,163 copies.

At present, he has about 1000 copies in the depôt at Halle; 1000 in the depôt at Frankfort; 2000 here in Mar. burg; and 25,000 copies lying at Sulzbach. These 29,000 copies belong to your Committee, and are the remainder of the last 50,000 which you purchased from him. If we add to these, 22,000 copies in the hands of the publisher at Sulzbach, the whole stock on hand will be found to be about 50,000 copies.

In his treasury, he has 9000 florins; about 750% sterling. The Committee of the Russian Bible Society have promised him a grant amounting to about 1404., and he expects to receive an equal sum from Amsterdam. These funds are to be employed in binding the above-mentioned 29,000 copies, for such persons as are too poor even to pay for the binding; whose numbers, especially among the Catholic Peasantry, the Professor states to be very great. The issues of copies, from the beginning of this year up to the present date, have been 27,096.

I was born November 8, 1749, in the free borough of Weyffa, in the Circle of Meissen, in Saxony. My dear parents instructed me in every thing profitable for me, and spared no pains to preserve me from the society and seductions of a vain and wicked world. They were both religious, and taught me many sentences out of the Bible, and several excellent Hymns, treating of our Saviour, and what He has done and suffered to redeem lost man. They also prayed frequently with their children; and my Mother encouraged me, in early infancy, to place my whole confidence in God, and on every occasion to pray to him to give me what I wanted for the good of my soul. I followed her advice in simplicity; and felt such trust in God, that prayer was a pleasure to me, even when a little child. The admonitions of my parents, and particularly their fervent prayers for the salvation of their children, which I frequently overheard, made a deep impression on my heart, and I shall April, 1822,

never forget them. I was soon sent to school; learnt my lessons easily, which gave them pleasure; and, in general, spent the early part of my youth very comfortably and happily: but being of a disposition cheerful and volatile, I frequently, though unintentionally, offended my parents, and thereby incurred their censure. Nothing, at such times, could comfort me, till I felt their forgiveness and returning favour: for I loved them greatly; nor did any thing cost me more trouble and tears, than if I was ever called by them a disobedient child.

When I was eight years old, my dear Father departed this life, in reliance on the merits of our Saviour. His pateraal blessing and farewell with his children is still fresh in my recollection. Addressing ME, he observed, that I must never forget that my parents had devoted me to my Saviour from my birth, and therefore must remain faithful to Him, and not refuse His teaching; I should then

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