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medans, and have all fallen from the the Mediterranean, have here fixed truth and purity of the Gospel.

The late Dr. Claudius Buchanan first called the attention of the Society to these Ancient Churches; and suggested the placing among them of pious and learned men, who should endeavour, in dependence on the grace of the Holy Spirit, to bring them back to that state of Scriptural Truth and Holiness from which they had fallen. As the people of these Churches live intermingled "with Jews, Mahomedans, and Heathens, they would become, should it please God to restore them from their fallen condition, the best Missionaries to the unconverted around them: as they would be thoroughly acquainted with their languages and modes of thinking; and would know, therefore, the most likely methods of bringing them to understand and receive the Truth as it is in Jesus.

The Rev. William Jowett, then Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, first devoted himself to this labour. He established himself at Malta, with Mrs. Jowett, in the year 1815; since which time, 20 other Labourers have proceeded to the Mediterranean from the Society: of these, 4 have departed in the faith; 5 have retired from the work; and the rest are prosecuting their labours.

The head-quarters of the Mission are in the celebrated Island of Malta, which lies a little to the south of Sicily. The inhabitants are Roman Catholics; and when Malta was surrendered to the British in the war of the French Revolution, it was stipulated, that no attempt should be made to disturb the people in the profession of their religion. This stipulation having been granted by the British, this island is not itself a sphere of Missionary Labour; but it is so advantageously situated for intercourse with all the surrounding shores, and affords such security to Missionaries, that the different Societies, both in Britain and America, which employ Labourers in

their head-quarters. Here the Church and London Missionary Societies and the American Board of Missions have Printing Establishments, from which great numbers of Books and Tracts are issued in the chief Languages of the Mediterranean; and which are circulated from Malta round all its shores.

The Society was aware in fixing Mr. Jowett at Malta, that, under the circumstances just stated, he could not publicly exercise his Ministry in that island. The British, both civil and military, were provided with Government Chaplains; and though Dissenters from the Established Church had liberty, under the sanction of the Governor, to open Places of Worship for persons of their respective communions, Clergymen of that Church were debarred, by the circumstances of the island, from publicly exercising their Ministry, otherwise than as Government Chaplains. This has been felt by Mr. Jowett, in particular, as having usually resided in Malta, as a very serious deprivation, and calling for submission and self-denial: but, from the first, he availed himself of such means of spiritual edification of others as were within his power, having opened his house every Saturday Evening to all who would attend, for social worship and exposition of the Scriptures in English; and this he did on Tuesday Evenings also, for worship and exposition, sometimes in Italian and sometimes in Maltese, so long as any persons would attend : but the jealousy of the Roman Catholics deters many, who would attend if they could act freely.

The Society's Labourers in Malta itself are not Missionaries, therefore, in the sense of Public Preachers: yet they are Missionaries in a most important sense; for they are supplying their fellow-labourers who travel far and wide with the means of communicating and perpetuating Religious Knowledge. In the years 1825, 1826, and 1827, the Society's Press issued

Three Millions of pages of different Religious Tracts and Books: of 16 different Works in Italian, 13,500 copies were printed; of 17 in Modern Greek, 18,000; and of 17 in Arabic, 23,000. Almost all these works were compiled and translated, with great labour, by Mr. Jowett, or under his constant superintendence, and were carried through the press by him. The Rev. C. F. Schlienz has now joined him in the arduous work, under which, together with his extensive correspondence and general superintendence of the Society's Mission, his health so seriously suffered, that the Committee felt it to be their duty to invite him to visit home a second time for the recruiting of his strength. While in this country, he carried through the press a Translation of the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles into Maltese, which it was necessary to print in England, as the circulation of them would not be allowed in Malta if printed in that Island.

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The advantages, however, of printing in Malta rather than in England are decisive. The cost is less, from the comparative cheapness of living and wages—the requisite native help is procurable to an extent not practicable at home-publications issued from Malta are received more freely than those printed in England-and better and more frequent opportunities of circulation offer on the spot.

On Mr. Jowett's first proceeding to the Mediterranean, a Code of Instructions was given to him, which is printed in the Appendix to the Society's Sixteenth Report. Two points were chiefly placed before him-the acquiring of Information relative to the State of Religion, and of Society, with the best Means of its melioration-and the Propagation of Christian Knowledge by the Press, by Journeys into the surrounding countries, and by the Education of the Natives of those countries. These objects have been ever kept in view. It is obvious, therefore, that this Mis

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Mr. Jowett twice visited Egypt and several parts of Greece; and, in 1822, the result of his observations was given in a Volume of "Christian Researches in in the

in 1823 and 1824,

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ranean":

Lanother quarter, an account of which appeared in 1825, under the title of Christian Researches in Syria and the Holy Land." These Volumes contain a most valuable body of information for the future guidance of Missionary Labours in these parts, the benefit of which other Missionaries continually feel and thankfully acknowledge.

In the Instructions delivered to Mr. Jowett, previous to his recent return to his labours in the Mediterranean, the Committee recommended the continuance of his residence at Malta, as affording peculiar facilities for the direction of the Press and the general superintendence of the Mission. The change, however, in Mr. Jowett's domestic circumstances, and the efficient system to which the Press has been brought, and which has been kept up by Mr. Schlienz, seemed to present a fit opportunity to Mr. Jowett to resume, as circumstances allow, the labours of RESEARCH. It has been for many years an object with the Society to attempt something for North-Africa; and while the work of Research has been carried sufficiently far in the other countries round the Mediterranean, for the guidance of those efforts which the Society at present has it in its power to make, and additional information is from time to time

acquired by those who are actually
employed in more direct Missionary
Labours, a share of Mr. Jowett's at-
tention will be directed to North
Africa; and, while the Press, the
means of improving the Translations
already executed, and the advance-
ment of Education will be kept in
mind, he will endeavour to obtain as
accurate and extensive information as
practicable, relative to this part of
the world, and thereby facilitate the
execution of the Society's plans,
should it hereafter be in a condition,
Beina
with respect to Funds and Labourers,"
to act upon them.

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The Rev. John Hartley and the Rev. Dr. Korck have been for some time labouring in Turkey, Greece, and the Archipelago; and in the circulation of the Scriptures and other Books, in the promotion of Education, in their endeavours privately to make known the Truth, and occasionally in the public Preaching of it, have met with a degree of encourage ment, which, under all circumstances, could scarcely have been expected.

Four German Missionaries the Rev. Messrs. Krusé and Lieder in Egypt, and the Rev. Messrs. Gobat and Kugler, destined for Abyssinia are in connection with the Society.

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Abyssinian, Girgis; whose heart is bound to them, there is reason to believe, by the strongest tie which can unite man to man- the reception of spiritual benefit through them: and they will carry with them, the best present which one Christian Land can make to another the Word of God in the vernacular tongue of its inhabitants.

We shall now proceed to give some account of the proceedings of the Missionaries.

Proceedings and Plans of Missionaries in
Egypt.

The Rev. J. R. T. Lieder's Jour

nal of his visit to the Faioum in Upper Egypt, with various other interesting details and a general view of the Mission, will be found (pp. 172 -188, 230-237, 308) in the Missionary Register of last year.

Mr. Lieder had contemplated a second Journey to the Faioum, but an attack of sickness compelled him to suspend his intention. On this interruption of his plans, he writes, in July

I felt extreme sorrow at not being able several times I was willing to leave, notto undertake my journey to the Faioum: withstanding my illness; but Dr. Dussap and all the Brethren continually dissuaded me from doing it, representing to me the danger to which I evidently should expose myself. Finally, I threw my concerns upon the Lord, who also and, as it is suc-now

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In Egypt, the Missionaries have distributed many copies of the Arabic Scriptures and Tracts, and have ceeded in the establishment of Schools at Caïro. 2 frybox] 00k- Send

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heat, I am obliged to postpone it till Matent of the great next Autumn 390) to Put

Besides the leisure afforded him,

The way to the distant Church of Abyssinia has been remarkably open-when convalescent, for improving his

ed by Providence; both in preparing the Scriptures for that country, and in bringing the Missionaries acquainted with some most promising Natives. Some obstacles have retarded the attempt to establish this Mission; but, as Mr. Kugler arrived at Caïro from this country, and it was the intention of Mr. Gobat and himself to set forward in the Autumn, it may be hoped that they are now on their way to that interesting region. They will have been preceded, and will be heartily welcomed, if he still live, by the young

knowledge of the Arabic, Mr. Lieder found this, in other respects, not an unprofitable season: in reference toit he writes

It was a school of the Holy Spirit, in which I found much to learn. We are too much inclined to think of ourselves as being something, and even something almost indispensable; therefore the Lord frequently shews us that we are unnecessary, and that it is mere mercy, on His part, if He makes use of us, as fellow-labourers in the building of His Temple.

At the date of the above commu

nication, Mr. Lieder's health was so far restored, that he was shortly about to visit the Delta, carrying with him, for distribution, a supply of the Scriptures and Tracts: the following is the plan which he gives of his intended journey:

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distinguished; who, according to the Copts, was born a Copt. He makes his appearance on horseback, with the spear. Dragon. But, in the case that one, who in his hand, and in the act of killing the wishes to see him, be addicted to any vice, St. George raises up his spear, rushes in upon him, and suddenly the man dies or if a man be possessed of an evil spirit, he likewise raises up his spear and drives out the spirit. The Copts assert, that these miracles are performed on account of the Mahomedans, to convince them of the truth and godliness, of the Christian Religion; and that many Mahomedans, who had gone there through curiosity, had been persuaded, and had gone to Upper

From the southern corner of the Delta, I purpose sailing down the eastern arm of the Nile as far as Damietta, visiting all the cities and villages on both sides where Christians dwell, and staying at every place as long as requisite. From Damietta I shall return to Mansur, which lies on the eastern bank of the arm, where many Christians live: from Mansur, either pass over to Mahalele Alkebir, and from thence, by land, with live there as Christian ypt, in order to

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camels or mules, to Fua; or else sail round the southern corner of the Delta, and proceed by water to Fua. Fua is the only place on the western coast of this island where there are some Chris tians; but even these few are not natives of the place, but only employed as clerks, to the Pacha. From Fua, I think of going to Rosetta; where I have not yet been, and which is inhabited by many Christians: from thence I intend to proceed to Alexandria, for the purpose of forming friendly connection with the Copts; and, as Mr. MacPherson is likely to leave ere long for England, I wish to treat with his Schoolmaster, who is the best Teacher that we have seen since we have been in Egypt.

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From Mansur, Mr. Lieder expressed his intention of visiting a celebrated place of Pilgrimage of the Copts; where, every Spring, not only large numbers of Copts are collect ed, but, from curiosity, many Roman ists, Greeks, and Armenians. Mr. Lieder gives the following accounte of this place of general resort:

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It lies, at 8 or 9 hours' distance, east erly from Mansur in the Desert, and is called Sette Gemiane. A great Saint of the Copts, after whose name it is called, is buried there; in whose sepulchre, every year, a pretended miracle is performed. If a person, the people say, is desirous to see any Saint-as, for instance, Sette Gemiane or the Mother of our Lord-on entering into that sepulchre the Saint makes his appearance to him, not in his natural stature, but in a smaller and fiery shape. Among the Saints, it is said, St. George is singularly

in secret, escaping murder for public profession; but many, who had gone there for the purpose of scorn only, have found a sudden death. All our arguments against the reality and our demonstration of the unworthiness and abominableness of these things were of no avail; they continually said, "We have witnessed the fact with our own eyes: go yourself, and behold it.” Of his future plans, Mr. Lieder thus writes:

I hope next Autumn to visit the Faioum and Upper Egypt. As I can then avail myself of the inundation of the Nile, to visit many places by water, I think of proceeding first to Upper Egypt; and therefore, request you to send to me for Arabic Bibles-200 New Testamentsthat voyage the following books: 100 200 Acts of the Apostles-200 Gospels -100 Psalms, Coptic and Arabic-600 Genesis 400 Parables of our Lord Jesus Christ-400 Prodigal Son-300 Sower 200 End of Time-200 Watts's Catechism, "unars

The opening of a Girls' School at Caïro was mentioned in the Register, P. 308; an important step, as Mr. Lieder remarks, in the Missionary field of Egypt: he states, in February:

The number of girls at present is 9: Mrs. Krusé teaches them to read and sew, both of which are very desirable. For reading alone, no girl would come to school, as their parents cannot yet perceive what use they can derive from this acquirement; and, therefore, they only learn to read in order to learn sewing at the same time. But if once they perceive the great benefit which reading affords to them, they will consider the

latter as secondary. May the Lord crown this small beginning with His blessing!

The following extract from a Letter written by Mr. Krusé shews the valuable aid afforded by the Malta Press: he writes thus:

We should gladly receive a further supply of the Parables, as most probably we shall be able to dispose of a good many of those which we have received, The Tract entitled "Traveller and yourself" will also soon be gone. As to the rest, we are fully provided with Bibles, Testaments, Gospels, Psalms, and Arabic Tracts: do not send any more Greek Tracts before we write for them again. I rejoice to say, that we have never been so rich in Bibles and other books as we are now, especially since we received the three cases from Smyrna, containing 120 Bibles, 200 Testaments, 700 Psalms, 33 Genesis, and 50 Syriac Testaments; and we hope that all will soon find their way to the Christian Families in this country. One thing I forgot to mention in my last Letter, that a Syrian Catholic Priest has already entreated me six times to procure for him a Bible, or the Venetian edition of the Syriac Old Testament. Have the kindness to send it, as soon as you can.

facts, from information and observation, respecting the inhabitants of Africa, as will prove the best refutation of the great errors of many Philosophers in Europe, who disdain the idea of acknowledging the black Africans as brethren belonging to the same family of attentively listen to the report respecting which they are members. Let them a tribe of these despised people, and they will certainly perceive, that there is more

fear of God, and less vice to be met with, among this people, than-it is awful to say the majority of well-instructed Europeans exhibit in their conduct at home and abroad. It is remarkable, that the Africans of the interior ex

tremely despise and abhor white people,

on account of the truly-abominable SlaveTrade. This is an unquestionable evidence, that such Africans have higher and more just feelings than the advocates of Slavery. The people from Darfur, and other neighbouring tribes, invade the interior at least every second year-and sometimes every year-with no other than the criminal purpose of murdering every individual who refuses to exchange his liberty for the cruel fetters of Slavery. It is not surprising to hear that the people of Darfur believe that the white people are cannibals; for these invasions are frequently repeated, and multitudes of their friends and neighbours Mr. Kugler, in a Letter from > are successively carried away to a far Caïro, mentions, that he had made country, whence scarcely a single indisome proficiency in the study of the vidual ever returns; the invaders taking Tigré Dialect; and that he had met only young people, and putting aged with two Abyssinian Pilgrims-one a individuals to the sword; these awful Priest, the other a Layman-return-facts certainly afford reasons to them for ing from Jerusalem, with whom he conversed in that language. states

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The subject of our conversation was Religion. I read a little Ethiopic to them, and explained it in Tigré: they appeared to be much enlivened by hearing-most likely the first time-the pure Gospel in their own language: it was a cordial to their souls. They understand Amharic; and I am much gratified at finding my Amharic Spelling-book is as well understood as I anticipated. The Abyssinians are much pleased with it. We long exceedingly for the remainder

of the Amharic New Testament.

Mr. Kugler gives an affecting account of the

Atrocities of North-African Slavery.
I shall always be glad to collect such

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the idea that their unfortunate friends and relations have become a prey to can"nibals. I know an individual who refused eating meat for a fortnight in Egypt, supposing that these people were cannibals. It is utterly impossible to describe the cruelty with which these poor slaves are treated by those who capture them: sometimes whole families are taken; and this sad circumstance increases their torments. It happens frequently, that an individual of such an unfortunate family occasions the destruction of his friends. I am informed, by an eye-witness, that persons are seen, during the journey, clinging to their fainting friends; declaring to their cruel drivers, that they

The slaves of the interior, probably, who are kept there in employment, and see hundreds and thousands of slaves passing by to Egypt and other quarters.

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