e L. 10. valuable addition to their stock of eatables." MAQUASSE, a town in the Bootchuana country, S. Africa, that near the Maquasse mountains, about 120 m. from the Great, or she's Yellow River. This place is well the supplied with water, and the air is salubrious. In 1823, Sibbunel, the soft chief, with his people, removed bar from Yattaba to Maquasse, to escape the fury of the Mantatees; and here he intended to form a permanent settlement as soon as the the country was relieved from the confusion that had arisen. There are about 500 houses in the town, and a number of considerable villages in the neighbourhood, with a 10 vast population in the vicinity. The inhabitants are an interesting heathen people, believing in the existence of a good and an evil being, superior to themselves; they seem, however, to be entirely ignorant of a future state of existence. As far as the missionaries have been able to ascertain, they have not the smallest vestige of religious worship among them. Christin The star The W. M. S. sent Messrs. Hodgson and Archbell hither, in 1823. Their mission was, however, broken up by the invasion of the Mantatees and other native tribes. With great courage, and in the spirit of Christian enter prise, they afterwards proceeded to its re-establishment. They have endured, in consequence of the distance, and the state of the country, many privations and dangers, but they are hopeful as to ultimate success. Mr. A. took with him a press and types from the Cape, and they have printed an elementary school-book (the first book, ever printed in that language or country) which bears the impress "Maquasse, 1826." It is in the Sichuan language with the Roman character. MARQUESAS, five islands in the Pacific Ocean, named Christina, Magdalena, Dominica, St. Pedro, and Hood. The first four were discovered by Quiros, in 1595; the last by Cook, in 1774. Dominica is much the largest, being about 48 m. in circuit. The products of these islands are breadfruit, bananas, plantains, cocoanuts, scarlet beans, paper mulberries (of the bark of which their cloth is made), casuarinas, with other tropical plants and trees. The Marquesans are of large stature, well made, strong, and active, of a tawny complexion, but look almost black by being tattooed over the whole body. Some of the women are nearly as fair as Europeans, and among them tattooing is not common, and then only on the hands and arms. Their language much resembles that of the Society Islands. Two Tahitian teachers were stationed by the Rev. Mr. Crook, of the L. M. S., on Tahuata (or Santa Christina), in 1825; but after continuing there about 10 months, and seeing no prospect of success, they returned home. It has been since determined to attempt a missionary settlement on Nugahiva, another island of the same group, considered for that purpose as superior to Tahuata. Maracore, one of the teachers who were stationed at the latter island by Mr. C., proposes, with that view, to return to the Marquesas, accompanied by three or four families from Tahiti. Mr. C. has prepared a Marquesian Spelling-book, an edition of which has been printed for their use. Maracore, and his companions, expected to proceed to the Marquesas, in the Minerva, Captain Ebrill, who is son-in-law to Mr. Henry, missionary in Eimeo, and well disposed to promote their views. Mr. Crook has supplied them with stationery, and the bours among them about 1757, and continued till 1807, when he was removed by death. He was for merly supported by a Corporation in London for propagating the Gospel in New England; but this society having withdrawn its support, he received some assis tance from a society in Boston for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America. The present number of Indians is about 150, over whom the Rev. Mr. Fish is settled as a minister. members of his church and congregation have furnished them abundantly with articles of apparel and food, useful implements, &c. Each of them presented some gift on the occasion; they have also, jointly, presented to Capt. Ebrill about half a ton of cocoa-nut oil, as a compensation for the passage, &c. of the teachers. Mr. Alex. Simpson, one of the missionaries who have accompanied Mr. Nott on his return to Tahiti, is appointed to labour in this group. MARSHPEE, a town on the sea-coast, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, near Plymouth. The Rev. R. Bourne, wishing to effect the civilization of the Indians in this neighbourhood, purchased, at his own expense, a small territory at Marshpee, and gave it to them, by deed, about the year 1660. His son soon after obtained an entailment of the land to them and their children for ever. Mr. B. had previously laboured among the Indians here, and was permitted to witness in them the happy effect of his instructions. About 1666, an Indian church was organized, and Mr. B. ordained pastor of it. MARTHA'S VINEYARD, an island S. E. Massachusetts, about 8 miles S. of Falmouth, and 12 W. Nantucket Island, which is 21 m. long, and from 6 to 7 wide. Popu lation about 3200. Indians 400. The Rev. T. Mayhew, jun. esta blished himself here in 1642, and commenced learning the Indian language, with a view to the Christian instruction of the natives. Hiacoomes, who afterward became a preacher of the Gospel, was the first fruit of his t labour. This convert, though opposed and derided by his brethren, manifested so much boldness and intrepidity in the cause of Christ, that many were induced to renounce their former idolatrous practices and embrace the Gospel In 1650, such was the anxiety of a considerable part of the Indians to hear the word of life, that Mr. Mayhew, to accommodate them, preached weekly at different parts of the island. About this time, schools were established among In 1693, there were 214 cate them. In 1674, there were sup, chumens here, and at two neigh-posed to be 2 or 3000 Indians on bouring villages. During the 18th century, the number of Indians continued about the same as at the close of the 17th. They were all professed Christians, ahd many exhibited the spirit of the Gospel. Mr. Hawley commenced his la In 1674, there were at this place and in the immediate vicinity upwards of 500 Indians, of whom 90 had been baptized, and 27 were in full communion. Many had made considerable progress in the elements of knowledge. After the death of Mr. B., an Indian, named Simon, was settled over his brethren, who laboured among them above 40 years. this and a neighbouring island, of whom 1500 were praying Indians, and 50 were regular church members. Soon after, the number of Indians began to decrease; sa that in 1792 the whole number amounted only to about 440. 344 Thise bouse Bight neig atten tions and atten MAR While the Indians were fast verging | by cab toward annihilation, the zeal of the por Mayhew family, in bringing them foto a knowledge of the truth, did Ne not abate. Five successive genetybarrations have been indefatigable meretes labourers on this and the neighbouring islands. The Rev. F. Bailies, under the sad patronage of the Society for propaThe gating the Gospel among the Indians and others in N. America, has laboured for several years here and in the vicinity. The Indians manifest an increasing desire to Mas hear the Gospel, and to have their Falmur children receive instruction. Mr. B. extends his parochial duties to Christiantown, Farm Neck, North Shore, and Gay Head, and also to Maria the small island Chabaquiddick; That some of which places he inearning structs or superintends schools. The a number of pupils in the several ruction schools, in 1823, was 141. one MARTIN, ST., of the Caribbee islands, 44 m. in circuit. It has neither harbour nor river. It was long jointly possessed by the French and Dutch; but was taken by the British in 1810. The W. end is 5 m. S. of Anguilla. W. long. 63° 8', N. lat. 180 4'. Here the agents of the W. M. S. have for some years been engaged. Recently they observe:-"On this station we have had reason to thank God, and take courage! Three estates have been, within the last 3 months, opened to our labours: these being the first instances of the kind, two of them are visited once a fortnight at noon, and the slaves are catechised and preached to alternately, in the proprietor and manager's house, The other is visited at night; and being in a populous neighbourhood, is likely to be well attended by persons of all descriptions. On each we have members; and from the serious and earnest attention given to the word, there MAR is every reason to expect good will be done. From Cole Bay (where our week night as well as Sunday congregations are from 80 to 100, chiefly coming from 4 or 5 of the neighbouring estates), several, in the course of the last year, have joined our society in town. Many have been baptized there, and 2 or 3 more added to the communicants; but the want of a chapel evidently retards the work. In town the stated hearers are between 2 and 300 who are, for the most part, truly serious and devout. Several more have, during the last year (1826), established family worship; and a considerable number have been added to the communicants, and to the society. Upwards of 40 have been admitted in the year, but 15 or 20 have been excluded or have withdrawn of those who have died, 2 especially left this world in the joyful assurance of entering into the rest that remaineth for the people of God. Number in societyWhites, 95; Free coloured, 53; Slaves, 151: Total 229." There are 179 children now on the class-papers of the schools; the average of their attendance, in the former part of the year, was from 130 to 150; but during the latter part, the attendance, from various unavoidable causes, has heen only from 100 to 120. Many of the children have made a marked proficiency in reading and other attainments; several of the oldest girls have been dismissed, with credit to themselves and their teachers; two or three of them still frequent the school, and act as assistants in teaching the junior scholars, when their help is required. In the week morning school, there have been from 40 to 80 children attending throughout the year. "Concerning the Women's Sunday School, kept at the missionary's house, the superintendent reports, that it has MARY, ST., a small island at The Rev. Mr. Errhardt, from the L. M. S., arrived at Ceylon in 1804, and was soon after directed, by Governor North, to settle at Matura; where he laboured amidst much opposition, and. many discouragements, with Christian fortitude and prudence, more than 10 years. His congregations, how. ever, were small, and his labours at tended with little success. During the latter years of his residence, he was supported by government; and, about 1815, he removed to Caltura, Mr. W. H. Lalman, assistant missionary from the WV. M. S., commenced labouring here in 1814. The Matura circuit extends 8 m. E. and 14 N. W., comprehending 14 places to which missionaries itinerate regularly; others are occasionally visited. In 1820 there were connected with this station 14 schools, containing 720 scholars; but for want of funds, the schools have since been reduced to 9, and the pupils to about 500, with 12 masters and catechists. A chapel was opened in 1822. The missionaries have preached in Cingalese, Portuguese, and English; and notwithstanding the forbidding appearances of the people, and the numerous embarrass ments under which they have laboured, several of the natives have embraced Christianity; and the missionaries are encouraged to hope that their labours will be extensively useful, especially to the rising generation. In 1823, the society had 25 members. The number of the schools at present on this station is 8, of children 379, and of persons in society, 29. Several schools in the district are supported by government. Mr. Errhardt, formerly superin tended them; they have recently been under the care of Messrs. Mayor and Ward, Church mission aries at Galle. MAUI, one of the Sandwich Islands, 48 m. long and 29 broad. Population 2500. At Lahaina, on the N. W. coast, there is a mission station. The Rev. W. Richards, and C. S. Stewart, with Betsey Stockton, a coloured female assistant from the A. B. C. F. M., commenced their residence here, Aug. 31st, the gre eve Tess 1823, in houses built by the Queen dowager for their use, in the native style, lined with the leaves of the sugar cane, and thatched with grass, without floors or windows. Mr. Pitt, the prime minister, gave them a small plantation, with men to cultivate it. Adjoining the inclosure of the missionaries, a chapel was immediately erected, 100 feet by 40. The houses stand upon the open beach, so near the sea that the surges break within a dozen yards of the doors. sited there wer tion H choles with Soon after their arrival, the missionaries wrote: -"Pigs, hogs, fowls, and goats, have been sent constantly, by some person or another; in fact, no Christian congregation in America could, in this respect, have received a clergyman, coming to administer the word of life to them, with greater hospitality, or stronger expressions of love and goodwill." "It is literally true," say they, "that hundreds have committed the books to memory, and probably will do so, faster than the mission Indeed can possibly furnish them. our prospect of usefulness is limited by our own strength, and not by the circumstances of the people." The death of Keopuolani at this station was the occasion of introducing Christian marriage among the people. Her husband Koapini wishing to take another wife, they were united with great solemnity. At Lahaina, not long since, scarcely any thing could be kept from the rapacity of thieves, who were as numerous as the inhabitants themselves: locks, guards the utmost vigilance-every precaution, were ineffectual; but so great has been the moral change, that for successive months, although every thing was exposed, and nothing was guarded, and hundreds of natives were entering the missionary's habitation every day, nothing, absolutely nothing, was lost. A new church, 94 feet by 24, was opened July 10, 1825, when two adults, the first-fruits of the mission, were baptized; from that time the church has been completely filled. "Not a day passes," says Mr. Richards, "but what we see evidence that the Lord is here." [See Sandwich Islands.] MAUPITI, one of the Society Islands in the S. Pacific Ocean; 40 m. W. Borabora. About 1822, two native teachers were sent here from the L. M. S.'s station at Borabora. In 1823 the deputation visited Maupiti, in compliance with the earnest request of the King. They witnessed the rapid progress which the people had made in the knowledge of the Gospel, and were present at the baptism of 74 persons, 291 having been baptized-in all, 365. They assisted also in the formation of an A. M. S., the subscription to which amounted to nearly 1000 bamboos of cocoa-nut oil. Subsequent efforts have not been without reward. The number of members added to the church during the year 1826, was 36: a few died truly happy. Some of the young people, unhappily, have turned aside to folly, of whom one only has repented, and rejoined the Christians; it is pleasing, however, to add, that the state of religion and morals has been, on the whole, during the year, favourable. The teachers, beside attending to their appropriate missionary duties, have not been inattentive to civilization; they have displayed their industry and skill in the erection of dwelling-houses, boatbuilding, and in making, with dried goat-skins, a pair of bellows for a smith's forge. MAURITIUS, or Isle of France, an island in the Indian Ocean, 400 |