Religious Denominations, &c.

Present State of Religion, &c.

mines, Mongearts,* Foulahs, the extermination of the Slave
Jaloofs, Feloops, Mandangos, Trade; but the settlement was
and many others, as far interior destroyed by some French ships,
as the Great Desert. Most of and afterwards given up to the
these are Pagans, except the British government. Mr. Ny-
Foulahs, who are Mahometans, lander is chaplain of the Colo-
as are also the wandering inhabi- ny; and in 1811 the Wesleyan
tants of the Desert. The Fou- Methodists sent out Missionaries
lahs are a very powerful nation, thither.
and make war on their neigh-
bours to procure slaves for the
Europeans. Population 4,000,-

000.

The Church Society for Misisons to Africa and the East have stations at Bashia and Canofee (both on the Rio Pongos) where they have erected Churches and founded Schools. The governments of Great Britain and the United States have lately entered into a Convention for the purpose of effecting a total suppression of the slave-trade, on the coast of Africa, so long the bane of that degraded country. In this design it is expected that all Christian nations will concur. Should this measure succeed, and the present attempts to establish colonies of civilized coloured people, on the western coast, be found practicable, the prospects that Africa may become civilized, will be more favourable than they have been for ages.

Religious Denominations, &c.

be to furnish, as it is said they did, 100,000 slaves annually to the West Indies. The king of Benin, who possesses but a small part of this territory, is said to be able to raise an army of 100,000. Widah is also very populous, and Haussa has been said (falsely no doubt) to be more populous than London. The French have agreed to give up the slave trade north of Cape Formosa. Population six millions.

South Western Coast. This includes the Kingdoms of Loango, Congo, Angola, and the extensive country of the Jagas, and many other tribes as far

South West Coast. In the 15th century some Portuguese missionaries persuaded the King of Congo and his subjects to receive the Roman Cath

south as the Damaras. The Por-olic Religion; and they were tuguese sent Catholic missions followed by some others; but to some of these countries as they soon revolted again to Paearly as the 15th century; and ganism, and have not yet been some converts have been made to visited by Protestant missionatheir Christianity, but in general ries. this part of Africa is involved in Paganism. See Negroes. Population, three millions.

Damara, Namaquas, and Coran

nas.

Present State of Religion, &c.

The Damaras are divided into five tribes; those who reside near the coast are very poor, and many become servants to the Namaquas farther inland some become rich in cattle (the only riches of those countries) and upon the death of such, the horns and bones of the animals they have consumed are laid upon their graves as trophies. They are naturally mild, and treat their prisoners with humanity. The Namaquas are known to have 10 tribes, and the Corannas 15. [Campbell.] Population one million.

DAMARA, &c.

The Missionary Society (of London) have two settlements in the Namaqua Country, Pella and Mr. Schmelin's station on the Orange River; also one among the Corannas, called Orlam Kraal, and more recently Bethesda.

Religious Denominations, &c.

Colony of the Cape. Calvinists, and chiefly Dutchmen: the settlement having been peopled from Holland; but general toleration prevails under certain restrictions. The population in 1810 was ascertained to exceed 81,000, of whom 50,000 were Hottentots or slaves.

Boshesmen's Country, and Caf

fraria.

Present State of Religion, &c.

The Missionary Society (of London) have several settle ments in these parts-viz. at Stellenbosh (between the Moravian Stations)-at Tulbach or Rodesand, where Mr. Vos resides at Zurbrak near Zwellendam-at Hooge Kraal in George Drosdy and, towards the east end of the Colony, at Bethelsdorp near Algoa Bay, which was founded by Dr. Vanderkemp: but as this last has been found an inconvenient situation for a Mis

The Boshesmen, or Bushmen, are a wild nation with no settled

abode, who traverse the country to the extent of 8 or 9 degrees of longitude, and plunder whenever they can find opportunity; The term Caffraria, or the land of Infidels, was probably given to this country by the Arabs, and it is certain they are in the rudest state of Heathenism; but their country is far more populous than

sion, a new Settlement has been formed farther East (on a spot pointed out by the Governor) and called Theopolis, which may principal missionary station of at present be considered as the this Society in South Africa. An Auxiliary Missionary Society exists here, and another in Graaf limit of the Colony towards CafReynet, which approaches the fraria. Here resides Mr. Kicherer, the minister, and the 3 conEngland in 1803, 4; a great reverted Hottentots, who visited

that of the Bushmen, or the Co-vival of religion has recently taken place in all these stations : and several African Preachers (one a Hottentot) have been ap pointed as Itinerants to assist the European missionaries.

rannas. These nations, with the inhabitants of the Cape, may form a population of one million. Governed by chiefs.

CAPE.

The United Brethren have long had two flourishing Settlements in this colony-one at Groene (formerly Bavian's) Kloof-the other at Genadendal (Gnadenthall) or Grace Vale.

Griquas, Bootchuanas, and other neighbouring Nations.

GRIQUAS.

The same Society have a mis

These are numerous and pow-sion at Claarwater, now called erful, the city Latakoo alone has about 8000 inhabitants and the capital of Makquanas is 3 times

:

Griqua Town, where King Gika and his people profess great respect for Dr. Vanderkemp, who

a's

Religious Denominations, &c.

as large. They are all Pagans. [Campbell.] Population one million,

EASTERN COAST.

Tambookies, Mambookies, and the inhabitants of the coast, as far as Delagoa Bay, are Pagans and Mahometans, mixed with some Portuguese Christians, who of course are Catholics. Population one million.

INTERIOR COAST.

As not more than half this quarter of the Globe has been hitherto explored by Europeans, and even that very imperfectly, it is but reasonable to assign a considerable population to this great extent of unknown country,. which is wholly Pagan. Population four millions.

Present State of Religion, &c. who resided some time among them.

The King of Latakoo, on a visit from Mr. Campbell, expressed his willingness to receive missionaries, and promised to be a father to them. A mission is therefore immediately designed to Latakoo, and to Malapeetze, and Makoon's Kraal-Stations farther to the East, where the inhabitants have expressed the same willingness to receive instruction.

ABYSSINIA.

ABYSSINIA.

Christians of the Abyssinian Church (which see.) They practise circumcision, and some other Jewish rites; but were converted to Christianity between the 4th and 6th centuries, and still

In the latter part of the last century the United Brethren sent Missionaries into Egypt, with a hope of their penetrating into this country, which proved impracticable, and the door at pres

retain the name of Christians.ent, seems shut against the Gos Population three millions. Gov-pel, as much as in any pagan naernment, monarchical. tion whatever. This country is the ancient Ethiopia, and the day cannot be very distant when Ethiopia shall stretch out her hand unto God.