the notice of the committee, under the title of "Specimens of African Languages," &c.

"The Africans of the colony of Sierra-Leone are acknowledged to be a docile, affectionate people, and easily governed; but very serious difficulties are sometimes experienced, in cases of trial before magistrates, from the little knowledge the people have of the English language; and to a feeling mind it must be truly distressing, when, as is sometimes the case in trials affecting life, it can hardly be distinguished, after a long and harassing examination, who are the innocent, or who the guilty. From the same deficiency children in the schools have sometimes been punished for disobedience, when it has afterwards been found that they did not understand the direction given.

"That some of these poor little children do appear on their arrival only like moving skeletons is indeed true. Nothing but the very representation of death could equal the worn and wretchedly emaciated appearance that some presented when I lately saw them, having but within a few weeks been received from the slave-ships. There are sometimes melancholy instances of a feverish, ravenous appetite, inducing these miserable little victims of oppression, as soon as they land, and are brought within sight of poultry and other kinds of food, to fall upon stealing it, half roasting if possible, and eagerly devouring it; yet still feeling always in want, and always out of health.

"About four weeks from my arrival, I was seized with a severe attack of fever, and received from my friends J. and A. Weeks the kind care of near relations. Their solicitude for me was still

continued when we were all three confined with fever, and in separate apartments, under the care of native nurses. I have indeed to acknowledge that nothing was lacking, and especially to remember with thankfulness the sustaining and consoling sense of Divine Goodness near, with which my mind was visited in the first attack of sickness, and the support still experienced in its continuance, from the assurance that He would order all things well, and all in mercy.

"Being strongly recommended to return to England, both by my medical attendant and missionary friends, I set sail in the St. Andrews on the 20th of 2nd month, accompanied by my dear friends J. and A. Weeks. When we were on board, a precious calm overspread my mind, and thankfulness to Everlasting Goodness sweetly prevailed. My return was much earlier than had been looked for, and yet so freely had my way been opened in Sierra-Leone, that I think I was not aware of anything having been in view that did not appear to be in train for accomplishment; and my hope was, and is, in Him whose ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts, and who can accomplish His own beneficent designs, in whatever way shall please Him, by weak instruments, or by His own immediate power, without the employment of human agency of any kind. We had so fine a sail for the first eighteen days that we could work and write as on shore. Afterwards high and fearful squalls came on, and were so awfully strong that the ship was nearly wrested from the hands of the helmsman, and the captain feared we should have been lost. Ah! how little at that moment did all human

things appear in comparison of the great work of preparation for appearing before a Judge of infinite purity, and mingling, through redeeming mercy, with the spirits of the just made perfect. It was a season I desire ever to remember with feelings of humiliation and thankfulness; and I fully believe that in this, as in other seasons of dismay, the judgments of the Most High are as His mercies, 'true and righteous altogether.'

"After a quick passage we were permitted to land in Plymouth, our hearts, I trust, penetrated with thankfulness to the Father of mercies. My mind has for years been impressed with a conviction that our great duty toward Africa is to strengthen the hands of the people to promote each other's good; and, if we may be so permitted, to be instrumental in leading some to the acknowledgment of Christianity from experimental feeling, who may become humble instruments in the Divine hand of spreading the truth and the love of it, and especially among the rising generation of Africa. It is the Africans themselves that must be the travellers and instructors and improvers of Africa. Let Europeans aid them with Christian kindness, as senior brothers would the younger and feebler members of their father's family; but let it be kept in mind, to what perpetual interruptions every purpose must be subject, that is made dependent upon European life on the African shores.

"4th mo. 5th. I feel thankful for the opportunity I have had of visiting Sierra-Leone; and have, before I went the second time, thought that to be there only for one month, I could be glad to undertake the voyage. My own mind is now so far divested of the concern as to be fully at liberty

to pursue African or other engagements in England, without any present view to a future visit to that coast; yet, I trust, with a feeling as much disposed as ever to be resigned to such a visit, if required, and not in any wise to desire to choose my own path, but only to know the Divine will concerning me in this cause, and to be enabled to do it.

“10th mo. 29th. In remembering, O Lord! that Thou art great and good, and canst in Thine own appointments not only humble into the very dust, but cause to rejoice in hope, because of Thy own designs of mercy; in this remembrance of Thee, and the feeling that Thy Divine Providence is opening the way in various directions to much good among many people, and more and more showing that Thou hast it in view to teach those who love Thee, to strengthen and help and guide the weak, in this shall my heart rejoice; and I will (Thy Divine help enabling) endeavour quietly to pursue the path of humble duty, and to trust to Thee for help and guidance in it from day to day. Give me, O my Father! suffering or consolation, as shall eventually be best for me, only permit that I may be taught to know Thy will and to pursue it, whether it be to the praise or censure of those around. Accept my thanks that Thou hast given me, in Thy beneficent kindness, enough of favour with endeared and justly honoured friends to act with them in concerns of near interest in Thy cause. Teach me to overcome all in my own nature that may yet remain opposed to that which is most pure and spiritual, and make me wholly such as shall be prepared to meet the final summons from this state of trial and of pilgrimage, whenever that summons may be sent.

T

"11th mo. 3rd. I am sad in the reflection on the lack of more religious life in myself and some others, who should be as shepherds; yet we are not without the favour of some evident visitations. Oh! for a more sensible out-pouring of Heavenly good among us.

"15th. I have this morning parted from my beloved friends J. and A. Weeks, who are leaving for Africa. We have had much to console us in our recent intercourse. I felt the parting sensibly: they are going as into a land of death. Shall we ever see or almost hear from them? But let me remember whose are all our lives! I had a solitary ride home, and felt on arriving that I must soon return to my engagements, although my heart is still remembering with pensive feeling my much endeared friends.

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My mind was bowed in meeting in secret supplication for our society, that we might indeed know our call, and be imbued with a feeling that may enable us faithfully to pursue the path of duty. It is a matter quite looked for, that Friends should in a society capacity, ere long enter into some benevolent engagement on behalf of the uninstructed, and especially of idolatrous nations. May we be taught to see and to feel what our path of duty is. Oh! may the position which Friends hold in Christendom be faithfully maintained! Let us see our way in this one point, of the means that can and may be used for the awakening of the careless, and the teaching of the ignorant!

"12th mo. 31st. Again I feel it is due from me to trust in the Lord' being persuaded that none ever trusted in Him and were confounded-to