evil, which can only be surmounted by good, and at the same time a considerable tendency to that weakness and irritation of spirits which relax and even, when yielded to, destroy the capacity of overcoming that which is wrong in others in the best and most effectual manner. The exhaustion of the natural strength should be guarded against, as opening the way to this weakness, and the simple family maxim adhered to of, 'Let all be well instructed in the duty and business required of them; give timely directions, and avoid unkind reflections.' Having written this maxim, I ought to be more careful to give such instructions as are needed, and be patient when there are many deviations and proofs of inattention in young people little experienced, untaught, and much unused to act without constant direction and superintendence. This in Africa is a great lack, as few of the natives are taught even by Europeans to think and act on a regular system in works of daily service, and this keeps both themselves and their superintendents in a kind of daily toil, even to weariness, and often in much conflict.

"I have lately received letters from my friends; all are looking for my return. Whilst thinking of those dear to me by the ties of relationship and Christian friendship, and attracted to England as my home, the query arose, And where is

home ? Art thou sure it is to be found in England?' I have felt it a fearful thing to look towards leaving this place at this season, and yet within these last few days I have been ready to apprehend my strength might not be equal to the work before me. I have been ready to say, that if my health be preserved, it can only be so by care

and by a determination rather to forego my wishes as to getting forward with my work, than to continue when too much spent to be qualified rightly to proceed.

"Translations interest me greatly. I see that the simplicity of the subjects, together with the pictures, give such a key to the language, that I do greatly wish if possible to see this experiment thoroughly tried. If I had to begin with a new set of children, or had even one teacher on whom to depend for assisting me, I should prefer the children not attempting to learn to read English, until they could read their own language, because of the increased difficulty of attempting two orthographies at the same time. I trust that experience will so confirm my present plan that it will eventually be adopted even in Sierra-Leone; although I hear still the old sound of, This colony is an English colony, and for our own people we do not need the native languages.' The manner in which English is understood and spoken here is grievous. I believe the people in singing hymns often remember but very few of the words given out in two lines, and either use other words, or sing a part of the time without words, and this I apprehend arises from their not knowing enough of the meaning of what they hear to enable them to understand, and if so they cannot be expected to use the lines given out for singing.

"Feeling the lack of religious reading, I took up this afternoon the Daily Expositor,' and was struck with the passage from Luke xvi. 26, and thought that neither the parching heats, nor blighting cold should hinder the effort to proceed when duty calls;

nor even our own life being in jeopardy, if the star appear to lead forward.

"Several of my friends are quite desirous I should not continue through the rains, and particularly as being at this place rather far separated from medical and other aid; but I have felt much interested in this village, and could no otherwise quit it freely than by seeing a prospect of its being continued as a station of liberated Africans, under the friendly care of missionaries or others.

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'My hope is, that Divine Providence will mercifully direct my path. I can only at present inform my friends, that my way for returning does not appear sufficiently clear to allow of making any arrangements with that view; and that I wait a little longer in the expectation of hearing something about the proposal to have elementary African lessons formed through a native agency in England. I fear to move from hence too soon, and would hope also to be preserved from staying when I ought to be looking towards England. When the children of Israel were on their way, and favoured with evident direction, how happy was their state! 'When the cloud rested, they stood still, and when it moved, they journeyed.'

"There is a great variety of sounds and noises in this village, besides the voices of our own young ones, which are as yet too little repressed when out of school, though when in it, they are quiet and easy to govern. There are frequent noisy quarrels in the village, and many of these who thus contend with each other appeal to the sub-manager (a native) who lives below: what with these disturbances

and the frequent breaking of rest in the nights, my health and strength have been much worn down. Still there is a feeling of present home in this place, that I would gratefully acknowledge and daily be thankful for; yet daily care is needful to prevent the various calls for attention from encroaching on the habit of seeking spiritual strength for the day's work. How sweet was the declaration of the Psalmist, 'O, my God, I trust in Thee;' and whoever is seeking sincerely to move in the Divine appointments, and not in his own will, should surely adopt the same language and fear no evil, but go directly forward, without calculating on mere human consequences.

"20th. Our times of instruction on first days are not long, seldom more than an hour, and a part of that is given to such as have some knowledge of English, and given in English only; yet I find just now that the weakness on my lungs, together with some other considerations, prevent me from singing with them, consequently it is rather more difficult than usual to keep up their attention.

"23rd. I intend to-day to write to my friends in England, to say, that if lack of health should not prevent, I have concluded to remain here till next spring. It is not without deeply feeling the responsibility attached to such a conclusion, and the many dangers, spiritually and physically, to which I shall be exposed in remaining, that I have come to this conclusion. Within the last twenty-four hours I have experienced almost all the variety of circumstances that may contribute to lower and destroy the health, to unsettle the temper, or to excite to disappointment, with respect to agents who must be employed, and towards whom, with all

their inadequacy, it is necessary to act with patience and forbearance, and seek at the same time for their better instruction. It is surely needful that I should in earnest prayer seek for victory over all that would prevent my filling this station in a manner that should exemplify in the sight of the people the Christian character, and show forth the Redeemer's praise by the evident prevalence of Christian principles. There is much to combat with in the effect of the great changes which are experienced in the physical state of this climate, and particularly from exhaustion when food at seasonable times is either neglected to be taken, or too long delayed from want of attention in the providers. Too much exertion from teaching in school will produce the same effect.

"It was a cause of sadness to have last evening to part with T. and M. Macfoy, who are going to England. My heart mourned that I had not been to them a better helper in spiritual things. During the night, Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt,' was much in my remembrance as an emphatic Christian memento. I must do more in instructing my teachers, and have them apart for this at a daily specified hour; and surely to teachers and to children, the grand principle of the Redeemer, 'Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you,' should be ever kept in view and acted upon, and thus the feeling that desires not to condemn, but to save, would shine through all the conduct, as a light that would glorify our Father which is in heaven.

"24th. I have just read with much satisfaction the memento for the day, in the selection called 'Daily Bread.' The purport is the estimate of