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hear the gospel. Arriving at Mr. Fischer's, who had negotiated the peace mentioned, they tarried three weeks, during which time they often preached to full congregations of Farmers, who came sometimes four, and sometimes eight days journey to hear the gospel. Proceeding on their journey, the 22d of July, they, on the 6th of August, arrived among the Boschemen, and fixed on a place of settlement; on their knees devoting the place and themselves to the service of the Lord.

The following account of these miserable people, by Mr. Kicherer, cannot fail to interest the feelings of our readers.

"These wild people have no idea whatever of the Supreme Being, consequently they practise no kind of worship. They have however a superstitious reverence for a little insect known by the name of the Creeping-leaf, a sight of which, they conceive, indicates something fortunate, and to kill it, they suppose, will bring a curse upon the perpetrator. They have some notion of an evil spirit which they imagine produces mischief, particularly the diseases which they endure, and to counteract his evil purposes, a sort of men are employed to blow, and make a humming noise over the sick, which they sometimes continue for many hours together.

“Their manner of life is extremely wretched and disgusting. They delight to smear their bodies with the fat of animals, mingled with a powder which makes it shine. They are utter strangers to cleanliness, as they never wash their bodies, but suffer the dirt to accumulate, so that it will hang a considerable length from their elbows. Their huts are formed by digging a hole in the earth about three feet deep, and then making a roof of reeds, which is however insufficient to keep off the rains. Here they lie close together like pigs in a stye. They are extremely lazy, so that nothing will rouse them to action, but excessive hunger. They will continue several days together without food, rather than be at the pains to procure it. When constrained to sally forth for prey, they are dexterous in destroying the various beasts which abound in the country ;*

"The wild beasts are always shot with poisoned darts. They take the poison out of the jawbone of the serpent, and put it on the point

but when they cannot procure these, they make shift to live upon snakes, mice, and the most detestable creatures they can find. There are some spontaneous productions of the earth of the bulbous kind which they also eat, particularly the Cameron, which is as large as a child's head, and the Baroo, about the size of an apple; there are also some little berries which are eatable, and which the women go out to gather, but the men are too idle to do this.

"They are total strangers to domestick happiness. The men have several wives, but conjugal affection is little known. They take no great care of their children, and never correct them except in a fit of rage, when they almost kill them by severe usage. In a quarrel between father and mother, or the several wives of a husband, the defeated party wreaks his or her revenge on the child of the conqueror, which in general loses its life. Tame spring, except in a fit of passion, but Hottentots seldom destroy their off

the Boschemen will kill their chil

dren without remorse on various occasions, as when they are ill shaped, when they are in, want of food, when the father of a child has forsaken its mother, or when obliged to flee from the farmers or others; in which case they will strangle them, smother them, them alive. There are instances of cast them away in the desert, or bury parents throwing their tender offspring before their cavern, refusing to depart to the hungry lion, who stands roaring till some peace offering be made to him. In general, their children cease to be the objects of a mother's care, as soon as they are able to crawl about in the field. They go out every morn ing, an old sheep's skin to lie upon, ing, and when they return in the evenand a little milk or piece of meat, if In some few instances, however, you they have it, is all they have to expect. meet with a spark of natural affection, brute creation. which places them on a level with the

of the dart or harping iron. They then creep behind the small bushes, where they conceal themselves, and attack the beast when about the distance of an hundred steps. If the dart wounds him in the slightest degree, the Hottentot is sure of his prey; sometimes the wounded beast falls down dead immediately, in other cases he pursues it for a time, and at length succeeds. They then take out the wounded part, and eat the rest without injur They can run almost as well as a horse.”

"The Boschemen frequently forsake their aged relations, when removing from place to place for the sake of bunting. In this case they leave the ald person with a piece of meat and an estrich egg shell full of water; as soon as this little stock is exhausted, the poor deserted creature must perish by unger, or become the prey of the wild beasts. Many of these wild Hottentots live by plunder and murder, and are guilty of the most horrid and atrocious actions.

"Such are the people to whom the providence of God has directed our course; and among them, blessed be his name, he has been pleased to call many to the fellowship of the gospel, and to render them the distinguished trophies of his almighty grace.'

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An abstract of the remainder of this interesting Narrative, with the latest intelligence respecting the Missions in this quarter shall appear in our next number.

EAST INDIES.

The London Missionary Society have several missionaries lately sent to the Coromandel coast, to Ceylon and to Surat. Among other reasons for sending to Surat, were the following; "The great population of the city, supposed to be more than 100,000 souls; the fertility and population of the surrounding country; the complete toleration of religion; the independence and security cf British subjects, and the free access to every description of the heathen, many of whom are acquainted with the English language; that it does not appear any missionary efforts have been made in that neighbourhood; and that its situation and commercial connections are remarkably favourable to render it a suitable station from whence the gospel may be diffused through all the north western parts of India, Čabul Candahar, Persia, and Arabia."

The same society contemplate a mission to the Prince of Wales' Island, inhabited and visited by great numbers of Chinese and other people, and where protection and encouragement would be offered to the Missionaries. They also propose a translation of the scriptures into the Chinese language.

ОТАНЕІТЕ.

COMMUNICATIONS from this place received July, 1804, inform, that the island remained in a state of peace,

though matters were not so amicably settled as to leave the missionaries without fear; that the shocking prac-tices of murdering infants, and offering human sacrifices were continued, which, together with fatal diseases were fast depopulating the island, the inhabitants of which do not now exceed 6000, or 7000 at most. It appears also that the natives view the missionaries with a jealous eye. Capt. McLennan of the ship Dart, by whom the above. intelligence was received, gave information to the Directors of his conversation with the missionaries there, and of the death of the chief Pomarre, upon whose decease they desired the captain to stay until they could ascertain whether they were likely to be secure under the new governours; when hav-ing made some inquiries, it appeared to them that they might venture to rely on the promises of Otoo and Edea, that they should remain unmolested on the island, whatever changes might take place.

The society have missionary stations at Otaheite, where they have 15 missionaries; at eight places in South Af rica, where they have 17 missionaries; at Ceylon, Serampore, Surat, and other places in the East Indies, where they have 9 missionaries; at Quebec, Bay of Chaleur, Twillingate, and Newfoundland, where are 3 missionaries.

BAPTIST MISSION IN BENGAL.

From a periodical account of the history and progress of this mission, published last September, it appears, that the number of baptized natives had increased to twenty three, two of whom were Brahmins, three were of the writer cast, and four were Musselmen, the others of the inferior casts of the Hindoos. The following extracts from the Journals and letters of the missionaries will doubtless be acceptable to our readers.

"From our journals and letters you will get a pretty correct idea of the work of God amongst us. No doubt you are ready to say, He hath done great. things for us whereof we are glad: yet, my dear brother, could you see the thousands assembled before a wooden god; could you see as our brother Kristno saw this day, a quarter of a mile from our house, three women mount the funeral pile of a dead husband you would be ready to say, who hath be-lieved our report," &c. (p. 425.) "It wil

be in vain to expect that the gospel will ever widely spread in this country, till God so blesses the means as that native men shall be raised up, who will carry the despised doctrine, brought into the country by the Mleeches, into the very teeth of the brahmins, and prove from the scriptures, that this is indeed the Christ that should come into the world. We hope we see the dawn of this." (p. 426.) "The mighty argument that silences every opposer is, that Jesus Christ has done what no man else ever did, or had compassion enough to do. He bore our sorrows, and made his soul an offering for sin. In all the examples of their gods, they find nothing like this. Although their ideas of sin are extremely deficient, yet this amazing instance of Almighty love strikes them at once, as fitted above every thing for the helplessness of man, and worthy of all acceptation. You can have but little idea of the impression which this one truth has begun to make on this heathen country. It does not strike a converted person in England with such novelty and fitness, as it does here, where the wits have been racked for so many centuries, to find a way of life that should be accompanied with its leading to God and heaven; and where, for so long a time, the guilty conscience has sought in vain for some solid ground to rest upon." (p. 427.)

"It would give you great pleasure, could you drop suddenly among us, on an ordinance day, and see the lively affection with which such a number of persons of different colours and nations unite in commemorating the dying love of Christ. You must not suppose however that our brethren are without faults, or that their knowledge and steadiness are equal to that of the same number of christians in England. We have to contend with the versatility of their minds; to bear with their precipitancy; to nurse them like children in the ways of knowledge; sometimes to rebuke sharply, sometimes to refrain for the present, sometimes to expostulate, sometimes to entreat, and often to carry all to the throne of grace, and pour out our complaints to God. They have however never showed any propensity to go back to idolatry, and we have, on the whole, reason to rejoice in them all." (p. 438.)

"We have it in our power, if our Beans were equal to it, in the space of

about fifteen years, to have the word
of God translated and printed in all the
Our situation
languages of the east.
is such as to furnish us with the best
assistance from natives of the different
countries. We can have types of all
the different characters cast here; and
about 700 rupees per month, (part of
which I hope we shall be able to fur-
nish,) would complete the work. The
languages are, the Hindoostanee, Mah-
arastia, Oreea, Telingua, Bhotan, Bur-
mah, Chinese, Corkin-Chinese, Ton-
quinese, and Malay. On this great
work we have fixed our eyes. Wheth-
er God will enable us to accomplish
it, or any considerable part of it, is un-
certain." (p. 456.)

The periodical accounts given by the Baptist Missionary Society, (No. 12.) of the superstitions and abominable idolatries of the Hindoos, are very affecting.

On the 18th of April, 1804, three women were burnt with the corpses of their husbands, on one pile, near the house of the missionaries. This horrid act is considered by the natives, as a strong proof of the truth of their religion!! The British governour, to prevent this dreadful mischief in the districts subject to the English government, has issued his proclamation prohibiting the practice. It is notwithstanding continued; and 30000 women, at least, perish annually by this diabolical superstition.

GREAT BRITAIN.

THE Sunday School Society, from its institution in 1785, to Sep. 1804, it appears from their report, had established or assisted 2232 schools, in which, 200,787 scholars have been instructed; and they have distributed, beside spell ing books,42,680 testaments, and 6,583 bibles, beside donations of more than £4000 sterling in money.

On the 31st of May, 1804, according to annual custom, upward of six thousand charity children, attended by their patrons, masters, and matrons, went in procession to St. Paul's church, where excellent an preached by the Bishop of Lincoln, from Matt. xi. 5. " And the poor have the gospel preached unto them.”

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sermon was

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

THE annual conference of the preachers in Mr. Wesley's connection, was held in London, 30th of July last. In the minutes of their proceedings, the numbers in the society are thus stated:

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THE information, which has been received, respecting the state of religion within the bounds of the General Assembly during the last year, exhibits a variegated scene. Whilst, on the one hand, it presents many things which are just cause of gratitude and rejoicing; on the other, it brings into view, some, calculated to produce humiliation and regret. In several congregations, particularly on Long Island, in the bounds of the synod of Albany, and in the western parts of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, there have been considerable revivals of religion. The number of adults who have been received into the church in different parts, by baptism, as well as those who have been admitted to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, has been considerable. Such as have been added to the church, during the revivals which have taken place in times past, have generally, and indeed almost universalIs, proved steadfast in the faith, been progressive in their christian course, and evidenced the sincerity of their profession by the holiness of their lives and conversation; whilst instances of apostasy have been very rare. Praying societies have been established in many places, and generally well attended. In those congregations which enjoy the Vol. I. No. 1.

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preaching of the gospel and the administration of its ordinances in a stat ed manner, there is generally manifested a growing attention to the things of religion. A more than usual anxiety, and more vigorous exertions have also been manifested by vacant congrega. tions to have the institutions of religion statedly among them. In several places the highly important duty of catechising has been more attended to than formerly, and has produced those salutary effects, which we have reason to expect will always flow from it.

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The prospects with respect to the Indians are highly encouraging. school has been established among the Cherokees, in the state of Tenessee, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, with flattering prospects. Some of the Indian tribes to the westward seem also favourably disposed to receive the gospel, and have expressed an earnest desire to have schools established among them. The school among the Catabaws, established by the synod of the Carolinas, is also continued; and several young men of different tribes have received, and are now receiving, their education under the care of the synod of Pittsburg.

Whilst there is very satisfactory ev. idence to believe, that there has been a great and glorious work of God carried on throughout a widely extended portion of country to the south and west, within the bounds of the General Assembly, and that many souls have been savingly brought home to God; it is proper to observe, that in general this has been accompanied with very uncommon and extraordinary effects on the body. There appears also reason to believe, that, in certain places, some instances of these bodily affections have been of such a nature, and proceeded to such lengths, as greatly tended to impede the progress, and to tarnish the glory, of what, in its first stages, was so highly promising. That God has all the powers both of our mortal and immortal part absolutely under his direction, and subject to his control, and can influence and affect them according to his sovereign pleasure, will not be doubted by any who acknowledge Him as the framer of our bodies, and the father of our spirits; and that in him we live, and move, and have our being. Experience and the very reason and nature of things also

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manifest, that human nature may be deeply affected and even overpowered by particular views and impressions of spiritual and divine things. But it is equally manifest, that these effects may be, in a considerable degree, produced by natural causes, or by the agency of spiritual and subordinate beings. Satan may transform himself now, as well as formerly, into an angel of light. It is enjoined upon us not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits whether they be of God. As the magicians endeavoured by their enchantments to imitate and discredit the miracles performed by Moses, so has it been an artifice of Satan, in every period of the church to endeavour to obstruct and bring a reproach upon a revival of religion, by counterfeiting the operations of the spirit of God, and exciting those who were concerned in such revival, to extravagant and disorderly proceedings. True religion is a most rational and scriptural thing. One of the unhappy circumstances usually attending a revival of religion is, that some who are engaged in it, are prone to consider all its concomitants, and every thing connected with it, as sacred. This affords the adversary an opportunity, unsuspected, of sowing tares among the wheat, to the great prejudice of the approaching harvest. In times of the revival of religion, it highly concerns us carefully to guard against grieving the holy spirit of God, and provoking him to suspend or withdraw his gracious influence, either by resisting, or not duly improving his operations; or by yielding to the suggestions and influences of Satan. All religious experience is to be brought to the test of divine truth, to the law, and to the testimony; if it be not conformable to these, it is because it is spurious. God is a God of order, and not of confusion; and whatever tends to destroy the comely order of his worship is not from him, for he is consistent with himself. Whilst, then, the General Assembly mourn over, and lament, those irregular and disorderly 'proceedings which have taken place in some parts, and which have tended to obscure and tarnish the glory of this good work of God; they rejoice, that in general they appear to subside; that the minds of the people are reverting to more rational and scriptural views and exercises; that but few of the ministers in their connection have countenanced or encouraged

these wild extravagances, or considered any bodily exercises as a criterion by which to form a judgment of a person's character or state; but have formed their opinion in this case from the conformity of their views and exercises to the word of God. The Assembly are happy to find, that the pernicious and destructive principles of infidelity and philosophy, falsely so called, continue to lose their influence or are less avowed. Whilst, at the same time, they have cause to lament, that formality and lukewarmness in religion seem to prevail in some of our churches; and that the sacred institutions of the gospel are attended with so little power. Multitudes continue careless and secure, perishing in ignorance and in sin, whilst the love of many waxes cold. A respectful and se. rious attention, however, to the institutions of religion, seems pretty gen. erally to have prevailed, and an increasing union and harmony in societies which are composed of presbyterians and congregationalists.

We are also happy to learn by the delegates from our sister churches of Connecticut, that the highly useful practice of catechising has been more than commonly attendedto amongthem, that their churches are in peace, and that there is a generally increased attention to the things of religion among them.

Upon the whole, the Assembly find no inconsiderable cause to bless and praise God for the tokens of his goodness. They find also many things which are cause of humiliation before him. They feel themselves called upon, from the circumstances in which they are placed, to renewed and vigorous exertions in the cause of their God and Re. deemer, in hope that their labours shall not be in vain in the Lord. And do earnestly exhort all the people under their care to activity and perseverance in the christian course, looking to the mercy of God unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory in the churches, world without end. Amen. Ass. Miss. Mag.

Extract of a letter from Virginia, Sept. 1804.

"It gives me much pleasure to be able to inform you that the revival of religion, of which I have formerly spoken, continues to extend. There is every reason to hope that its effects will not be transitory for in many

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