PHILIPPOLIS. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Mr. John Melvill, formerly of Cape Town, joined Mr. Clarke in this Mission at the beginning of last year. The whole population of Philippolis amounts to about 1150 persons, including Griquas - Bootsuannas, who are refugees from Lattakoo-old inhabitants, who are chiefly Colonial Hottentots-Corannasand some families of a plundered tribe, called Basootsoos. The station and territory connected with it were given over to the Griqua Captain, Adam Kok, in the month of May last. The place does not appear to be well furnished with water in conséquence of which the people contemplate dispersing, and settling at places where water can be found; in which case, a system of itinerancy among them must be adopted by the Missionaries. On the Sabbath Day, a Prayer Meeting is held immediately after sun-rise-Morning and Evening Service, as usual-and a Catechetical Meeting for the children in the afternoon: on Monday, there is a meeting for singing: on the other days, the Old and New Testament are expounded, alternately; except on Saturday, when a Prayer Meeting is held. The usual attendance on the Lord's Day is about 25, besides a few children. The School consists of 50 scholars, of whom 15 are BootsuSome of the old inhabitants, who, at a former period, were excluded from the Church, appear now to be proper subjects for re-admission. annas. [Report. Some Bosjesmans are found at these Stations; but they are, as a body, the wild men of South Africa. Mr. Kay, Wesleyan Missionary, has given an affecting account of those who inhabit parts of the country near Somerset, which we shall extract. He thus describes the Bosjesman His bow is bent-his darts are poisoned-and, his looks betraying both fear and hostility, hestands fully prepared to take a fatal aim at all who may approach his rampart. Hence it is almost impossible to effect the least intercourse with him. He might seem to claim kindred only with baboons and beasts of prey; for the retreats of these creatures are frequently converted into places of habitation for him aud for his family. He never sallies forth without arrows in his quiver and poison in his bag; and this poison is of the most deadly kind. He is very diminutive in person-clad only with filth-well-instructed in every species of barbarity, to which he trains his offspring from their very infancy; and he maintains their miserable existence by plunder and murder. His perpetual depredations render him the object of hatred and dread, and induce many to pursue him with the instruments of death. Such is the almost incredible and truly awful state of this class of our neighbours at the present moment! No sound of salvation is heard in their dens: the Sabbath of the Lord to them is unknown of the Name of a Saviour they have no knowledge; and the Gospel of God has not yet reached them! The protection now afforded to these people, by the recent establishment of Trial by Jury, was stated under the head of Somerset. Bootsuannas. NEW LATTAKOO, LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Rob. Hamilton, Rob. Moffat, Missionaries. Of the progress of the Mission at this place the Directors are unable to say any thing very decisive. Various attacks have been made on it by Córannas and other tribes, which have had an unfavourable influence; but the Missionaries continue to preach to the Bootsuannas both in their own language and through interpreters: knowledge is increasing, but little concern about salvation is manifested: the attendance on the preaching of the Word of God is rather improved from His hands are uplifted against every one: and daily occurrences render it fully evident, that he regards every man's hand as being raised against him. A cursory glance at his deplorable condition would induce one to ask, "Does this wretched creature belong to the human family?" This, indeed, must be granted: but where shall we look for him?-persons of various tribes, who cultivate a poramidst human society and among the habitations of men? Alas! we must leave the range of men, and visit the haunts of wild beasts-the deep and distant glen, the dense and almost impenetrable forest, or the terrific and apparently inaccessible precipice; and, looking up to the projecting crag, penetrating the gloomy cavern, or climbing to the summit of the rock, there he is to be found! Jan. 1829. tion of land allotted to each, and prove very useful labourers to the Missionaries. The School is in a very infant state as yet: Mr. Moffat has prepared a second much-improved edition of his Spelling-book, which he intended to forward, after having conferred with the Wesleyan Missionaries respecting an established orthography. In the course of last year he visited the interior, and spent ten F people beyond the Colony, and looked up to by the different Native Tribes: the Chief is of the greatest consequence of any in this immediate neighbourhood. A Station with this people may be considered similar in its nature, and equal in importance, to Khamiesberg: and no step that we can at present take is of equal importance, to give stability and permanency to this Mission; or, to us, a safe access to, and great influence over, the different Native Tribes around us. weeks with the Barolongs on the Molopo Ri- || in the highest state of civilization of any ver he intended to pay them a still longer visit, when he last wrote, with a view, if pos sible, to get the tribes in that quarter to congregate, and form a Settlement. As Mr. Moffat is the only individual in Lattakoo, who is fully acquainted with Bootsuanna, the Directors are desirous of sending another Missionary without delay, in order to secure the knowledge of the language, to assist Mr. Moffat in reducing it to grammatical form, and ultimately to provide a translation of the Scriptures in that tongue. [Report. PLATBERG. A Station among the Bootsuannas, near the Maquasse Mountains-north of the Yellow River. • WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1823. The Missionaries Hodgson and Archbell appear to have changed the site of the Mission from Maquasse to Platberg: see p. 51 of the last Survey. They write from Platberg No circumstances have occurred to lead us to doubt the permanency of this Station; or to alter our views of the importance of this field of Missionary Labour: but many events confirm our often-expressed opinion, that the Mission will fully meet our expectations. Though we hear of wars at a distance, we remain at peace; and have not the slightest apprehension of being disturbed. Our Chief is rising in importance; and an increasing disposition to settle with him shews itself among the Natives scattered in small parties at a distance.. The Bataws have removed a little nearer to us: and it is much to be regretted that we have not the means of residing with the Chief of that tribe- a measure which would greatly tend to secure permanent peace among both Corannas and Bosjesmans, by whom he is surrounded; and who, from old habits, are much in danger of committing depredations by stealing cattle. Berend Berend, a Chief among the Bastard Hottentots, has changed his residence, and fixed his permanent abode within about twenty miles of us. He visited us a few days ago, to solicit us to obtain a Missionary to reside with him and his people: and one object of this Letter is, to request permission to form a Station with him, and the means of accomplishing our anxious wish in this respect. This Chief, some years ago, had the privilege of hearing the Gospel, and was considered to possess its saving influences; and many of his people, though awfully corrupted in principle and depraved in practice, yet admit the importance of spiritual things, and are unanimously desirous of our advocating their cause with the Committee. They form a part of what are termed Griquas, now Namaquas. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The only information received relative to the Mission among the Namaquas is contained in the following passage of the Report. Though the people belonging to Steinkopff would be glad to enjoy the preaching of the Gospel and that their children should be educated, their extreme poverty and the local circumstances of the country render it almost impossible to keep them together in one place: the Catechist, who labours at Steinkopff, has a Congregation of 38 persons; at Reed Fountain, which is two days' journey from it, one of 14; and, at another place, one consisting of four families: there are others also dispersed through the wilderness. He has selected two young persons, who assist him in visiting them, and to keep up prayermeetings, and to teach the children. Most of the people appear to conduct themselves properly, and the Word is not altogether without effect upon them. There is a great want of books; which Mr. Shaw, the Wesleyan Mis sionary, has occasionally supplied, with great kindness. LILY FOUNTAIN. In Little Namaqualand-near the Khamiesberg. WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Mr. Edwards, who labours at this Station, writes on the 8th of January of last year Our prospects of usefulness are encouraging. In reference to temporals, we are in a state of improvement; the harvest this year has turned out better than the last our people are daily employed in gathering its fruits. With respect to spiritual concerns, we have much cause for thankfulness for the work already begun in the hearts of many of these poor outcasts. The Lord is graciously present. We have lately admitted several new persons among us, and have very recently had an application from a head of a numerous family for permission to come and reside at our Station. It was said by many of the Natives, a few years ago, that our people would soon be reduced to a state of starvation at Lily Fountain; and that so many would | Silver Fountain, on the 3d of September not be able to subsist together: these pro- 1827. He was a Namaqua, named phets have proved to be false; and our ene- Nauwgaap; and was engaged as guide to mies must now confess that a great change his victims on their way to the Damara has been effected among the people. This Country: with five other Natives whom change for the better, under God, must be at- he had instigated, they attacked Mr. tributed to the exertions of the Brethren, Threlfall and his two Natives while who have zealously promoted agriculture and asleep. Mr. Threlfall escaped from industry among the people, in connection them; but was soon discovered, and was with religion. struck on the temple by Nauwgaap while on his knees in prayer. The murderer of the late Mr. Threlfall and his companions was executed at Mauritius, African Islands. Or, Isle of France-east of Madagascar- Inhabi- John Le Brun, Missionary. V. Forgette, Assistant. No detailed account of this Mission has been received; but, from general information, the Directors have reason to believe, that the state of things is, on the whole, prosperous. The Society's Deputation arrived there in the month of December; and, from the last accounts, were likely to remain some months, waiting for the proper season to visit Madagascar; in which case they would not only assist Mr. Le Brun, but intended to take some tours through the island, which will enable the Directors to speak more fully on the state and prospects of this Mission in their next Report. [Report. CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY. The Rev. A. Denny, late Chaplain on the Gold Coast but now Civil Chaplain at Mauritius, undertook, on his departure || from England for his Station, to ascertain in what way the aid of the Society could be most advantageously extended to the Island. The Board report on this subject Mr. Denny states, that, in the town of Port Louis, containing a population of 3382 Whites, 7511 Free Coloured People, and 15,717 Slaves, there is one School, established and supported by Government since the year 1822 for the education of Free People of Colour of both sexes: the School contains, at present, 90 Boys and 25 Girls; but was almost destitute of books, and manuscripts were resorted to for carrying on the business of instruction. There are also four or five Schools established on the estates of individuals for the education of their Slaves, conducted upon a plan of oral instruction, similar to that of the Catechetical Schools in the West Indies, the pupils not being permitted to learn to read: Mr. Denny agrees with the other Authorities, in pronouncing such Schools totally useless, except as an introduction to a more complete system of instruction. In Port Louis there is an endowed College for the education of the upper classes both of French and English, in every branch of knowledge taught in our public schools: there are in this Seminary about 50 Protestant Boys, the sons of English residents and of some French Protestants: as the Masters are chiefly Frenchmen and Catholics, the Chaplains have assigned a day in every week for the religious instruction of these young persons. Mr. Denny requests a grant of a Lending Library, and of religious books for their use, many of them having neither a copy of the Bible nor of the PrayerBook. Upon the receipt of this communication, the Society lost no time in forwarding a com plete set of its Books and Tracts to Mr. Denny, to be used as a Lending Library; and likewise a supply of Bibles, Testaments, PrayerBooks, and School-Books, in French and English. Encouragement was also held out to him to form a District Committee for the Mauritius; and thus to place the Island in the regular receipt of those advantages, which it has not yet been able to procure. The Capital of the territory of King Radama, which David Jones, David Griffiths, David Johns, Mr. Freeman and his family, with Mr. and Mrs. Canham, left Tamatave Aug. 24, 1827; and arrived at Tananarivou on the 14th of September. Mr. Row lands, one of the Artisans, died in April last. Mr. Baker sailed on the 2d of May. The Directors thus speak of the Mission By an order from Radama, all marriages celebrated at the Mission Chapel, since the commencement of last year, will be considered legal. On the 28th of February, two couples were publicly married there: one of the individuals had been a scholar at Tananarivou. Mr. Freeman bore the following testi To no part of the wide field occupied by the Society do the Directors look with greater anxiety, than to the Island of Madagascar. The extent of its population-the freedom of religious opinion which it enjoys-the parti-mony, about a month after his arrival, cular point of improvement to which it has to the state in which he found the advanced, occupying, as it were, the very line Missionwhich divides the state of barbarism from that of civilization-the character of its ruler -and the encouragement given to the introduction of Christianity, in connection with the arts and manufactures-all contribute to encourage our hopes; while, at the same time, they present difficulties, which it will require the greatest wisdom and perseverance, together with the special blessing of God, to surmount. From the state of the Island, and the particular wishes of the King, the members of the Society are already aware, that the Missionaries devote a large portion of their attention to the Schools: the number of them, according to the last returns, is 31; and that of the scholars, 1956. Beside 42 Teachers, and the same number of Assistants, in the schools, eight of the best students in the Central School at Tananarivou have been chosen to assist the Missionaries as Visitors and Catechists: each of them has four schools under his superintendence, which he visits and examines strictly on the last week of every month, and gives in his report on the following week. The Missionaries visit the schools always on Saturday, as a check upon the Native Visitors. Of the eight persons thus employed, the Missionaries write- "They have the gift of prayer, and, we hope, the spirit of prayer also; and have acquired a good knowledge of theology." - On the general progress of the work of instruction on the Island, we are assured, that "Thousands now can read, though eight years ago there were not half-a-dozen who knew any thing of their own language. There are hundreds in the schools, who have committed to memory the Assembly's Catechism with proofs; and several students in the Central School, who are learning English, and have commenced with Latin and Greek.' The Congregations on the Sabbath have been increased, by the attendance of many Youths from the neighbouring schools; who, after the Morning Service, repeat portions of the Scriptures, which they copy from MSS. furnished by Messrs. Jones and Griffiths. number of Youths are considered by the Missionaries fit subjects of baptism; but, from various considerations, its administration has not yet taken place. A I have pleasure in stating my conviction, from all which I have seen here, that there has been a very persevering and honourable diligence on the part of the Missionaries. I feel convinced of this, from the progress of the translation of the Scriptures and of other books-from the number of Youths now in the Schools, and their respectable attainments-from the large body of well-qualified Native Instructors employed in the Schools in the country, whom I have seen examined in Tananarivou and from various other instances. Of one thing I am quite convinced, that if any country in the world wants evangelizing, Madagascar does; and though, in some respects, things wear a gloomy or a dubious aspect at present, I can most unhesitatingly assure the Directors that I am more than ever convinced of the vast importance of this Station, and that, engaging now in the field of Missionary Labour, I know of no spot for which I would willingly resign this. Time, and faith, with diligence and union, will, I con fidently hope, do much, as crowned with His blessing who promises the harvest in due time. The following further particulars are communicated by the Missionaries at the beginning of March. The Chapel is generally well attended three times on the Sabbath; viz. soon after sun-rise, by the scholars, for Catechetical Exercisesin the forenoon, for Public Worship-and in the afternoon, for the English and Madagasse Prayer-Meeting. Nearly the whole of the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments, are prepared for final revision. Various Catechisms are also ready for printing. We have issued from the press-1500 Reading Lessons in Madagasse; a small impression of the Madagasse Alphabet, for general distribution, to secure, by the King's direction, uniformity in the orthoëpy of the language; 800 copies of a small volume of Madagasse Hymns for Public Worship; and 2200 copies of a small Spelling-Book. There is now in the press a First Catechism, 1500 copies: the Gospel by St. Luke is printed as far as the 8th chapter. The King and the Royal Family have expressed themselves highly gratified with the introduction of the art of printing into Mada 1829.] AFRICAN ISLANDS. gascar, to circulate among the "Ambaniandro," useful and religious knowledge. This is the name given by Radama to his subjects, signifying, "Beneath the day"-"Once darkness, now light." So may it prove in reality! The Society has sustained a serious loss in the death of the Rev. Daniel Tyerman, who had, with Mr. Bennet, spent several years in visiting its Missions, and was on his return home: he died at Tananarivou, on the 30th of July. On the day of his funeral, the 1st of August, King Radama also departed this life. Of these solemn events Mr. Freeman writes in The very morning we were conveying the ashes of the departed to their long and silent home, we received a communication from the Government, that we were to assemble, immediately after the interment, to receive an important message. What its purport might be we knew not. No official information had yet been given as to the decease of the King; although, from several circumstances, we had reason to conclude that that event had taken place. We returned from the grave: the of ficers came and announced their message the name of Ranavaloua, the Queen, successor to Radama; and its purport was, to exhort us to cherish confidence-to entertain no fears and that whatever Radama had done, as regards the Mission, she would do; and would rather augment than diminish it. In two or three hours afterward, we received another communication to the same purport; but now it was written, the first being only verbal: the first was sent officially; but the latter, if possible, more so; the principal Civil Authorities of the town, in company with those who came in the first instance, being deputed to bring the Letter, and take back our Reply. We thanked the Queen and the Government for the message-expressed our confidence in their protection-and stated our disposition to do all that we could to promote the good of the kingdom for Ranavaloua, as we had done for Radama; and that we would rather augment than diminish our efforts: and, while we conveyed our thanks to her Majesty, we sincerely offered them to a higher throne, and devoutly acknowledged the merciful and superintending care of Him, who ruleth over all the dominions of men, and turneth the hearts of kings to accomplish His good plea sure. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. The Society has supplied for the Press 16 reams of paper; and has also given 3000 English Publications, and to a Public Library lately formed a copy of the Society's bound Publications, amounting to Ninety Volumes. Seychelles. A cluster of about Sixteen Islands and as many Islets, dependent on Mauritius - Inhabitants, according to Returns in January 1825, were 582 Whites, 323 Free Coloured, and 6058 Slaves: about three-fourths of each class occupy Mahé, the chief Island, 16 miles by about 3, in Long. 55° 26' East and Lat. 4o 35' South. Application has been made to the Church Missionary Society to place a Missionary in these Islands; which the Committee would gladly do, if the state of the Funds would allow it and a suitable Missionary could be procured. In the mean time, it may be well to put on record the information which has been received, relative to the deplorable state of ignorance and irreligion in which the Free People live, by whom, of course, the spiritual wants of their more than Six Thousand Slaves are utterly neglected. The following Letter is from a resident in the Islands I am sorry to tell you I have been obliged to keep the Tracts which you wished me to distribute here. In this Island the people have no idea of religion; and the reading even of serious books is unknown: it has been even impossible to persuade the inhabitants to accept Bibles which were formerly sent hither: they said, that they did not know what to do with them! It is a dreadful thing to leave a country without spiritual instruction. Missionaries are sent into Heathen Lands; while here, and in a Christian Country (or professing to be so), children are born, grow up, marry, and die, without partaking of a single Sacrament! If a Protestant Minister came hither, he might do a great deal of good: in a short time, this country would be entirely re-united to our Communion; for though the inhabitants in general call themselves Catholic, they are much farther removed from that religion than from ours, and that arises from the bad opinion which they entertain of their Priests. The Free Population would as easily adopt the Protestant Religion as the Catholic, being unacquainted with either the one or the other. But it will be necessary that the Minister should speak French; and that he should not easily be discouraged by the difficulties which he would have to overcome. Until the present time, Sunday (and the usual hour of prayer) was employed particularly in the sale of Merchandize and Slaves; and it has only been since Mr.H. (the Government Agent) had the power, that he has put a stop to it but he has been unable to prevent the inhabitants from making choice of that day in preference for their grand dinners and balls, which is their general practice. A Military Officer, who was stationed at Mahé, gives the following character of the Free Inhabitants |