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will not be wanting, on His side, in fulfilling all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, though we may now and then see occasions to sow in tears: the blood of Christ cannot have been shed in vain, without effect or success; the death of the Son of God must bring forth fruit. Are there thousands and thousands who, in unbelief, thrust His salvation from them? It will one day appear, that there were yet thousands and again thousands who were made willing, in the day of His power, gladly and thankfully to receive it. At the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb the tables will be furnished with guests: His Father's house will be filled.

In the COLONIAL SCHOOLS there are 328 Boys, with an average attendance of 239; and 226 Girls, with an average of 139: during the quarter, 46 Boys and 17 Girls have been admitted; and 12 have left the Boys' School, and 27 the Girls'.

CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION.

The Institution has, at present, 7 Students, whose conduct has been satisfactory to Mr. Haensel. Samuel Crowther, who for some time was employed as assistant to Mr. Haensel, has quitted the Institution, having been appointed as Native Teacher at Regent; but none of the other Youths appear fully qualified

to succeed him.

Riber District.

The Rev. John Gerber has the general superintendence of this District, in which three Stations are at present occupied by the Society-Hastings, Kissey, and Wellington: Mr Gerber's residence is at Hastings; Mr. Edmund Boston has had the charge of Kissey since July 30th; and William Tamba, a Native Catechist, is entrusted with the care of Wellington. Considerable assistance as also been rendered by Mr.Haensel, who has preached eight times at Kissey during the quarter, and has conducted a Sunday School there since the 9th August; the Youths from the Institution acting as Teachers. Of

KISSEY,

Mr. Gerber reports

This is a Station where a zealous

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Missionary would have full employment, without attending to any other place. On account of there having been no resident Teacher in this Village, I have hitherto found much difficulty in administering the holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; especially as my visits are so scanty, on account of the great distance from my resident Station, when on such occasions I am obliged to leave home for two or three days: this inconvenience has been removed during the quarter, by placing Mr. Boston at Kissey. The people attend well on Public Worship. The Members of the Church last reported were 143: 7 have since been excluded, and 1 removed; leaving a total of 135: Candidates on trial for Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 35. The Government School of Children born in the Colony was, on Mr. Boston's removal, given up to him: he has begun to introduce the Infant System, which appears to attract

the attention of the children: the scholars have increased by more than half the former number.

In the SCHOOLS there are 79 Children; of whom, 44 are Boys, and 35 Girls. Of these, Mr. Boston reports

12 can read the Scriptures, 10 African Tracts, part II.; 17 Cards, pp. 5-11; 10Monosyllables; and the remaining 30 scarcely know a letter in the Al

phabet. On the whole, I am much pleased with these Children; for though they do not know much, they are so affectionate, and have such a desire to get forward, that it is quite encouraging to instruct them. The Sunday School has,

since

the Church at this place: the attendance

my residence, been carried on in

on last Sunday was 78. With the assistance of Br. Haensel's Youths, I anticipate our School going on well; but without that assistance, it could not be carried on to the extent to which it is

at present; for I do not see the least prospect of getting any number of Teachers from our own Congregation.

Mr. Boston presents the following general view of the Station—

Religion is at a very low ebb among Congregations are increasing. For seus; but I am glad to tell you, that our veral Sunday Mornings past, Mr. Haensel has preached to about 400 hearers. In the evening, I have usually addressed an average number of 300 persons; and

on two additional Services which I have commenced, one on the Tuesday and the other on Friday Evening, not less than 200 have been present. Daily Morning Prayers have been attended by about 60 persons. There are 36 persons who meet on trial for Baptism. Of these, I can only say, that they regularly attend the meetings appointed for their edification; but, as they know but very little English, I fear they do not receive much profit from them. The number of Communicants is 134. There are a few among them who give evidence, by their life and conversation, that they really possess and follow the truth. Of the others I am at a loss what to say; for they are so extremely ignorant of what is contained in the Scriptures, that they themselves hardly know what they believe; and thus it is no wonder that they should have but little regard for the Ordinances and Means of Grace. Did we not know that there would be tares among the wheat, these things would be discouraging: let us, however, be thankful that the Lord has in any measure prospered the work of His servants.

WELLINGTON.

William Tamba has for a long time suffered from a rheumatic complaint, which for some time confined him to his bed; but he is now sufficiently recovered to resume his duties at the Church, though not able to walk to a distance. There are a number of old Christians from among the disbanded soldiers, of whom Mr. Boston speaks favourably: the younger Christians look up to the old as their guides. Divine Service is generally well attended: sometimes there are above 300 persons; but, during the rains, about 200. The number of Communicants at the end of last quarter was 247; since admitted, 11; died, 2: total at present, 256. Candidates on trial for Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 15. As a proof of the zeal manifested by the people, Mr. Boston mentions that they have a neat stone Church nearly finished: this is much needed, as the present building is in a very bad state. William Tamba gives the following account of his labours among the people :

Morning and Evening Prayers are kept regularly. On Monday, after Evening Prayer, I meet with those on trial; on Tuesday Evening, I speak to the people; on Wednesday, I visit the sick, when I am able; and in the Evening, after Prayer, I meet the Females' Class; on Thursday I speak to the people; on Friday, after Evening Prayer, I meet the Females' Class; and on Saturday, after Evening Prayer, I meet the Males' Class.

HASTINGS.

This place possesses advantages above others in the District, in having the pastoral care of a resident Minister. Of the general state of the Congregation and School, Mr.Gerber makes the following encouraging statement:

I have reason to bless the Lord for what I am allowed to see among the inhabitants of this Village. The attendance on Public Worship has much increased during the quarter: there is but little difference between Sundays and Week-days: the Place of Worship is always crowded; and, from the general conduct of the people, I am led to conclude, that a good number will not hear the Word of the Lord in vain. The Communicants last reported were 64; of these, 4 have been excluded, and 2 have died; since received, 15: total, at present, 73. Candidates on trial for Baptism and the Lord's Supper, remaining from last quarter, 32; of these, 15 have been baptized, 2 died, and 3 dismissed: received during the quarter, 29: total at the close of the quarter, 40. The School is improving gradually: the number of Scholars is 47: the School discipline adopted for the Society's Schools appears to be for the better, as the children attend more regularly than formerly: there have been but 6 dismissals during the quarter.

Mountain District.

This District at present comprises the following Stations:-Leicester, Gloucester, Regent, Bathurst, and Charlotte; among which the Labourers are thus disposed-the Rev. T. Davey, Mrs. Davey, and Mrs. Heighway, and John Attarra and his Wife, Native Teachers, at Bathurst; Mr. John Weeks, Catechist, and Mrs. Weeks, with Samuel Crowther and

his Wife, Native Teachers, at Regent; David Noah, Native Teacher, at Gloucester; and some other Native Teachers, not specified, at Charlotte.

LEICESTER.

David Noah visits the people here on the Sunday Afternoon, and Matthew T. Harding on the Wednesday Evening. The attendance on Public Worship is encouraging: some of the people attend at the Church at Gloucester on the Sunday Morning. There are 8 Communicants, who attend the social meetings at Gloucester on Saturday Night: one person has offered himself as a Candidate for Baptism.

GLOUCESTER.

Mr. Boston left this place for Kis sey, July 30th; and was succeeded by David Noah, who has conducted the Public Services and the School. Mr. Davey administers the Lord's Supper on the third Sunday in the month. Of the Congregation, Mr. Davey makes the following report:

The attendance on Divine Service is on the increase. At the time I last performed Divine Service there, I had a Congregation of upward of 350, including children. The number of Communicants has been reduced to 66, by the suspension of 1. There are 8 Communicants at Leicester, which, added to those of this Village, make 74; out of which there has been an average of 48 present at the Lord's Table. One of the two backsliders reported as being on trial last quarter has been dismissed for irregular attendance; and 2 have since been received; making a total of 3. They have hitherto attended the Weekly Prayer Meetings regularly. Two of the Candidates have been suspended for irregular attendance; there are now 2 men and 4 women; total 14: these have been generally present at the Meeting of Candidates every week. I have baptized 10 infants, and married 7 couples.

David Noah states, that the numbers in the SCHOOLS are, 79 Boys, and 56 Girls, and that the average attending are 118: of this depart ment of labour, Mr. Davey writes—

When I visited the School last, the children appeared to have made some improvement, though not so much as I

had anticipated: they were, however, more orderly in their behaviour than I had been accustomed to see them. Many of them had commenced writing: several, indeed, had made sufficient progress to enable them to write in copy-books. The present number on the books is, 79 Boys, 56 Girls; total 135; out of which there has been an average attendance of 118.

REGENT.

The usual Services and Meetings and Mr. Davey goes to Regent on have been continued by Mr. Weeks; the second Sunday in the month, to administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The attendance on the Sunday Services has increased; and the last time, previous to making his report, that Mr. Davey officiated, the Congregation consisted of at least 600 persons. There are 206 Communicants; of whom, generally, Mr. Davey does not speak favourably; and 20 backsliders are on trial. want of adequate superintendence has been greatly felt in all the Stations throughout the Colony; and on this subject, in connection with Regent, Mr. Davey writes

The

This is still a place requiring much vigilance from those who have the spiritual charge of the souls of its inhabitants: much more vigilance, indeed, than can be afforded by one individual, if, at the same time, he has the charge of the whole of this populous district. There is much to discourage us in the discharge of our duty, on the one hand; and much to animate us to increased exertion on the other. How can we help being discouraged, when our attention is drawn to the cases of those professing and calling themselves Christians who are living in open sin-when we witness the cold indifference shewn to the Means of Grace

and the apathy manifested by many respecting their Church privileges? Such abuses need correction, and ought to have it. fected? The little that can be done, I But how is the task to be eftrust is done. Certainly the Members of the Church are now in the way of being more narrowly watched than formerly; and there is a probability of the whole of them becoming better known to their Teachers than they have been,

for some time past. On the other hand, it is animating to see many of the Members walking consistently with their profession, to meet them regularly at the' House of God, and to witness their apparent attention to the Services of the Church and to the word spoken. Many of the Candidates also, we trust, are treading in the steps of the latter. This, together with an increased attendance at Divine Service, affords us abundant encouragement to go on in our work.

The Candidates on trial for Baptism and the Lord's Supper are 81 in number, 39 men and 42 women. Mr. Davey has found it needful to be very circumspect before he admits candidates to these ordinances, there being considerable difficulty in ascertaining their real character on this he remarks

With all my knowledge of the Africans, I find every day that I am but a learner in these matters, and that I need the wisdom of the serpent with the simplicity of the dove.

There are two SCHOOLS; one for the larger children, and the other an Infants' School. The former of these was considerably increased, in July, by the addition of 78 who had been instructed in the Government School for Liberated African Children; their number has since been reduced to 50, which, in addition to the children born in the Colony who attend, makes the number of Boys 148, and of Girls 97: total, 245. Of this School, Mr. Davey writes

It bids fair to be the foremost of all our Schools; for the children are at least three or four years advanced in age before those of any other village: the elder children, it is hoped, will therefore soon be of great service, in the way of Teachers.

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Of the Infants' School, Mr. Weeks thus reports

With pleasure and gratitude I record the progress of our Infants' School. The number has increased during the quarter, from 183 to 195: the average attendance is 160; which I think, considering the rainy season, is as many as we could expect. We have 24 in the First Class reading the Scriptures: many have been promoted from different Classes: still we

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I trust that I shall be able to speak still more favourably another quarter; as I have now a good Assistant in Samuel Crowther, who was lately appointed to Regent: he promises fair to be very useful: he has, no doubt, had great advantages while in the Christian Institution and, I think, he has made good use of them. May the Lord give him grace and keep him humble! I earnestly hope that those Youths, who shall hereafter be sent from the Institution to instruct

others, will do equal credit to their

Tutor.

Mrs. Weeks has now 26 girls from the Infant School: some are working samplers, and the rest are improving in their sewing. She has commenced a Sunday School, which is very well attended. I have lately begun an Adult School on Monday Evenings: our present number is 9.

BATHURST.

Mr. Davey, in his Quarterly Report, states, that the Sunday and Week-day Services at Bathurst have been regularly kept and well attended; the number on Sundays being about 500, and on week-days 200, including children and some of the people from Charlotte. The Communicants are 16.

Of the SCHOOLS, Mr. Davey makes the following report:

under our

On the 13th of July the Liberated African Girls of this place were taken charge again: the number at that time was 142, but has since been reduced to 126. These Girls are taught in the same room, and nearly on the same system, as the Infant-School Children: the lowest class is reading in the African School Tract, No. 3. Part I.

The Infant-School Children appear to me to improve in behaviour, attendance, and learning.

The Sunday School now assumes a pleasing appearance. The fact, that some have learnt to read Elementary Books who have only attended on Sundays, and that since November last, at which time they did not know the Alphabet, begins to excite in others a desire to gé and do likewise. Thus we have found our numbers almost imperceptibly in creasing for the last few Sundays. We

sincerely trust that they will continue to increase. Nothing but religious instruction is given to our Scholars, the whole of which is generally closed by a short and plain address suited to the capacities of those who attend.

The Evening School, though small, is interesting, and I trust useful. It contains one Bible and one Testament Class: the total number is 22. John Attarra constantly attends it, and I go when I can.

In the Infants' School, which is under Mrs. Heighway's care, there are 130 children, with an average attendance of 114: of their proficiency, Mrs. Heighway writes thus:

There are in all 12 Classes, but the distinction between some of them is very trifling: the three upper Classes are reading in the Scriptures: the others are reading Elementary Books, learning to spell Monosyllables, and about 20 are in the Alphabet. The improvement of the children in reading and general knowledge is on the advance, though it may not appear so rapid as in English Children.

have to come and the unfavourable state of the weather for the last three months are considered, it affords encouragement to see them attending their school so well, and to know that the parents are as anxious to send the children as they are to come. Many of the children are brought as soon as they can just walk and speak: several of them are not more than two years old. May it be found, that the instruction imparted to them proves like the doctrine which drops as the rain, as the speech which distils like the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass!

CHARLOTTE.

Mr. Davey gives the following ac count of this Station

Charlotte continues to claim and to receive all the attendance which we can give. The number of those who attend church is not so great as we could wish: about 100 usually attend on Sunday Afternoons, when either John Attarra or myself go to keep Service. The four Communicants are constant in their attendance on the Means of Grace at Bathurst: the same may be said also of the Candidates of this village. The number has been increased by 1 this quarter,

In reference to their attendance, she addsWhen the distance that some of them making it 12.

MEDITERRANEAN MISSION.

THE circumstances connected with the commencement of this Mission, and the general principle on which it is conducted, having been some time ago stated in one of the Society's Quarterly Papers, they would not have again been noticed, had it not appeared desirable to prefix to each Mission a brief sketch of its history.

The countries which lie round the Mediterranean Sea are peculiarly interesting to us as Christians. In the Holy Land, which forms the eastern shore of this sea, the ancient people of God lived; and there the Incarnate Saviour was born, was crucified, and rose again. From that land He ascended to heaven, and there He poured out His Holy Spirit on His Apostles. From that land the Apostles and their successors travelled over all the shores of that great sea and to many remote nations. Christian [RECORD, Jan. 1830.]

Churches were formed; and Christianity shone with splendour in the holy lives of multitudes, till these Churches fell into heresies and superstitions. Then the Romish Antichrist, that Mystery of Iniquity, which began to work deceitfully against the Truth (2 Thess. ii. 7) even in the times of the Apostles, openly shewed itself; and the Man of Sin was revealed, corrupting and oppressing the true Church of God. Almost at the same instant the Mahomedan Antichrist arose; and speedily conquered all the countries on the African and Asiatic Shores of the Mediterranean, and at length one of the finest parts of Europe, while the rest of Europe sunk under the Romish Tyranny. The Greek, Armenian, Syrian, Coptic, and Abyssinian Churches are chiefly situated in the countries overrun or oppressed by the Maho

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