encourage the undertaking. The active Agent of the former has proposed the formation of Societies, whose annual contributions will be exclusively devoted to this object; and has forwarded the amount received. On a recent application to the latter Society, they generously resolved to furnish the sum of three hundred dollars. We cannot contemplate the liberality thus evinced by our sister institutions but with pleasuré, as reflecting honor upon the spirit by which they are actuated. Perhaps there is no country in which the prospect is better, of accomplishing much by the circulation of Tracts, than in Burmah. Nearly all the males can read; and if such manuals of Christian instruction are necessary and desirable in this land abounding in all the means of light and improvement, how much more necessary in that, where the knowledge of the gospel has but just dawned. If here they are instrumental of reforming hundreds who come not within the influence of the ministry, so there, they may be the means of calling the attention of multitudes, and leading them to Christ, whom the Missionaries never saw. In this view, it has been anxiously hoped, that the proposition originating in Utica to raise one thousand dollars for the object, might be carried into effect. Ava. Rev. Jonathan D. Price, M. D. was the only Missionary at this place. At the date of our last Report, his health was known to be impaired, and fears were entertained that he might not recover. He continued to decline, under the influence of pulmonary consumption, until February 14, 1828, when he died. The particulars of this mournful event have not yet been received. There is no doubt, while his strength would permit, he exerted himself in his JUNE, 1829. ordinary work of instruction, for his anticipations were sanguine of ultimate success. Considering their religious system as founded upon false principles of philosophy, he conceived, when this should be demonstrated by the light of science, they would abandon it. Although the Board might not adopt the same opinion, they were certain that the extension of knowledge was favorable to the introduction of Christianity; and considering the character of those Dr Price had under instruction-his connexion with government-its intimate acquaintance with, and tacit sanction of all his proceedings, they thought it might be important to keep up the Station, Accordingly, they gave instructions to their Missionaries at Maulamying, to take the subject into special consideration, whether one of them ought not to join Dr P. This suggestion could not have reached them, till after the removal of Mr Boardman to Tavoy, when the diminution of their number would probably determine the question. Since the hostile spirit of certain Burmans to the converts at Maulamying, has been evinced, where they are under restraint by the British, it is more doubtful what would have been the conduct of the Emperor, had any subjects under his eye presumed to change their religion. While it was matter of speculation only, it excited little alarm ; but when it should become matter of practice, it might be otherwise. It will deserve the consideration of the Convention, what further efforts shall be attempted at this place. Tavoy. Rev. G. D. Boardman and Mrs Boardman. The Board early informed their Missionaries, after their concentration at Amherst, that it would probably increase their usefulness, so soon as they had acquired the language of the country, were 27 ing account, obtained from one of their company. was they to separate into different villages, at no very great distance from each other. They took the "More than ten years ago, a subject into consideration, and re- man in the habit of a religious solved to comply with the propo- ascetic, visited one of the Karen sition, as nearly as possible. They villages several times, and preachcould not establish themselves in ed to the people that they must the vicinity of each other, the abstain from certain meats, pracBritish settlement being new, tise certain ceremonies, and worwithout placing themselves again ship a book which he left with under Burman authority, which them. He also told them there was inexpedient, while important one true and living God. posts remained unoccupied, where About half the villagers (who they could have full protection. were perhaps thirty in all) beAccordingly, having deliberated lieved the teacher, and espousupon the comparative advantages ed' his religion. When he had of these situations, they made gone,one of the company, more dechoice of Tavoy, and united in voted than the rest, became teachthe opinion that Mr Boardınan er to his brethren; and although should remove to it. he cannot read a word in the book which they so much venerate, and knows not even in what language it is written, he is their living oracle, and the defender of their faith." Mr B. observes that these men requested him to go to their village, or allow one of the native Christians to go and explain to them the nature and precepts of the Christian religion. He promised to go when the rainy season was past, and gave them a tract, which one of the company. could read. A second deputation professed to admire all the sentiments of the tract, and that their aged teacher wept when he heard it read. Tavoy is an ancient Burman city, situated on the eastern side of a river of the same name, about thirty-five miles from its mouth. It is south east from Martaban about one hundred and fifty miles, and contains a population of more than nine thousand inhabitants. At this place Mr and Mrs Boardman arrived on the 9th of April, 1828. They took with them two native Christians, one of whom, though received by the church, had not been baptized; and four of the lads who composed part of his male boarding school at Maulamying, the remainder being detained by their parents. So soon as Mr Boardman had procured a residence for his family, he began to receive visiters at his house, and make known to them the great salvation, as well as his limited acquaintance with the language would allow. Among the earliest of those who called upon him, were a company of Karens, who reside in a village about three day's journey from Tavoy. He describes them as being a singular people, devoid of any fixed principles of religion, yet restless on the subject, and obviously anxious to be taught. More fully to illustrate their character and condition, he introduces the follow While the above account exhibits great credulity on the part of this people, it shows at the same time how much they need instruction, and that Mr B. has in his vicinity whole villages of a people, apparently prepared to receive the word of the Lord. It may be considered an auspicious circumstance, that the unbaptized convert who accompanied Mr Boardman from Maulamying, is a Karen, and enters cordially into measures for their instruction. Mr Boardman soon ascertained that to be useful to the inhabitants of Tavoy, he must occupy a zayat. This he procured in a favor able situation, and has already received decided encouragement in his work. Two men, one of them a Chinese, have given satisfactory evidence of true conversion, and, together with the Karen, have been baptized. Boys' Boarding School. This School was commenced at Tavoy with four lads, and has already increased to nine. Mrs Boardman, who was most usefully and happily employed before her removal, with Mrs Wade in the female department, has here found it necessary, being alone, to aid her husband. The conversion of the Chinese, promises not only to relieve her in this respect, but to open the field to more extended labors. There is in this community a class of children, the offspring of Chinese and Burmans by intermarriages, who speak both languages, and form a connecting link between the people of those vast empires. The importance of giving to them a Christian education, will easily be conceived; and the prospect is now fair for introducing a portion of them into the existing establishment, or of organizing a separate school. The Chinese is qualified to instruct either in his own or the English language, and has already entered upon the service. Monrovia, on the Western Coast of Africa. Intelligence has been received of the death of Rev. Lott Carey at this place an event which cannot fail to make a deep impression on all who knew him. His continuance, to us, seemed most desirable, as he was eminently active and devoted, in promoting every measure for the temporal and everlasting well-being of the colonists and the natives of the country. But God, who is "infinite in counsel and excellent in working," saw that his purposes would be best accomplished by removing him, and to his righteous administration we bow in submission. How far this event will affect our missionary operations at the place, cannot be distinctly foreseen. Doubtless it will interrupt them for a time, as Mr Carey had the entire control of money sent out for that purpose, and until his affairs are settled, no disbursements can be made. It is already ascertained that the school at Grand Cape Mount is temporarily suspended, till further remittances can be made. It was with surprise at such a time, and under such circumstances, the Board learned that a European Missionary had intruded himself upon their ground, and sent home for the means of sustaining himself in the position. They trust, however, as necessary funds have been sent out, that the former instructer, Mr John Rovey, has, ere this, renewed his labors. He is a pious and well informed young man, who has been eight years in the country, become intimately acquainted with the manners of the people, and is therefore more likely to be acceptable and useful than a stran ger. The ladies of Richmond prepared and forwarded by the last ship, many suits of clothes for the children of the school. The church at Monrovia has enjoyed a healthful state from its beginning, and embraces at the two ordained preachers, Messrs present time, besides exhorters, John Lewis and Colston M. Waring. It has received additions by baptism, and nearly every accession of colonists has brought to them fresh strength. Not less than sixteen members of Baptist churches embarked in the late ship from Norfolk, several of whom are men of promise, American Stations. These are exclusively among the Aborigines of this country, and are highly important, though the measure of success attending them hitherto, from the amount of labor bestowed, and means expended, has not been great. It is feared that this will continue to be the case, in most instances at least, while their situation remains what it is. Inroads are constantly made upon them by our extending settlements, and the policy of the State governments, to incorporate the Indian lands within their respective limits, and spread over them the influence of their laws. The result, as might be expected, has been to unsettle the minds of the Indians, and expose them to the worst prejudices and passions. Aware of such a state of things, and believing that the only remedy would be found in procuring for them a permanent home, the Board presented a memorial to Congress in the session of 1827-8, soliciting that the subject might be taken into their wise consideration, and a location assigned. The opinions and movements of the officers of government, who had in charge the Indian department, were in happy coincidence with the views of the Board, and a survey of a territory at the west for the object was ordered. On this survey, our Missionary, Rev. Mr M'Coy, was appointed, has executed the trust assigned him, and made his report. Probably no man could have been selected for this service, so well qualified to discharge it with the hope of success, as having the confidence of the Indians from his long residence among them, and being fully acquainted with what their exigencies require. On this Report, Congress has not definitely acted, owing to a press of business; but it is fully believed they will at their next session, and not merely provide the home required, but furnish such Indians as are disposed to remove to it, with the means of so doing. When this shall be accomplished, it is probable the plan heretofore pursued of conducting missions among them, in its most expensive parts, may be materially varied. The first emigrants will doubtless settle in villages, and take with them the best informed of the tribes, who have had the advantage of the schools taught in them, and are already familiarized to the arts of husbandry, in consequence of which the large farming establishments kept up by the Missionaries may be dispensed with. When the Missionaries, in single families, shall be allowed to sit down among the Indians in their respective settlements, free from secular cares, it is believed that far more good will be realized in their spiritual instruction and improvement. In referring to particular stations, we shall commence with Carey on the St. Joseph, 25 miles south-east of Lake Michigan, in Michigan Territory. Carey. Missionaries, Rev. Isaac M'Coy, Mrs M'Coy; Mr Johnston Lykins, teacher; Mr Robert Simmerwell, Mrs Simmerwell; Mr Joseph Bey. At this place, the Commissioners of Government, in September last, negotiated a treaty with the Puttawattomies, by which all the surrounding country, with the exception of ten miles square, was ceded to the United States. Within the reserve, is the site of the Mission, concerning which a provisionary article was incorporated in the treaty, providing an indemnity, when the station shall be given up. This event furnishes another example, showing the absolute necessity of seeking a home for the Indians far to the west. In the meantime, this tribe will be principally shut up on their small reserve. If any advantage is to be looked for from such a posture of their affairs, it must arise from their proximity to the Missionaries, within whose influence they will be more directly placed. The number of children in the school has been about seventy, and nothing special of a religious nature has occurred till lately, when four of the men engaged on the farm were hopefully brought to the knowledge of the truth. This event displays in a strong light the sovereignty of divine grace, since it transpired in the absence of some of the Missionaries, on whom the station principally relied for Christian instruction. A deeply interesting account has also been received by the Board within the year, of the death of Anthony Rollo, at the station. He was a half-breed Puttawattomie, whose mind his father had deeply imbued with the Catholic superstitions; nor was he willing that his son should be placed within the religious influence of the Missionaries. After the demise of his father, a train of incidents conspired to bring Anthony to the school, though imbittered in his prejudices, and fully fortified in his resolution against Protestant Christianity. After residing here for a time, a revival commenced in the establishment, which terminated favorably for him. He early became a subject of conviction; but his former views greatly obstructed his coming to Christ, till at length he saw there was no other refuge. "The 6th of Jan. 1825," says, Mr M'Coy, was a day long to be remembered. It was on the evening of this day, that "Anthony desired an interview with some of the Missionaries, and gave them reason to believe that he exercised genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His views of himself as a poor, justly condemned sinner, were very clear, and his hopes of heaven were based alone on the merits of the Saviour. He became fully convinced of the absurdity of his old Catholic ceremonies, and often entreated Catholics whom he met in this country to read the Scriptures." During a protracted illness, he gave the most unequivocal evidences of genuine faith, and died "leaving not the smallest doubt in those who had known him for the last three years, that he was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom." How will this ran 66 somed Indian through eternity bless God for the labors of your Missionaries! Thomas. This station is among the Ottawas, on Grand river of Lake Michigan, about 40 miles from its junction with the Lake. Teachers, Mr Leonard Slater, Mrs Slater, Mr Jotham Meeker, Miss Susan Thompson, Miss Richardson. The school at this place may be reckoned at 25, its numbers varying at different times. It has more particularly been reduced within the last season by sickness, which, though not fatal, was for a time nearly universal in the mission family, and obliged them to dismiss many of the children. At the last intelligence, health was generally restored, and wonted labors resumed. Besides the Boarding School, the teachers have commenced in the vicinity a district day school, which approved itself to the natives, and has been well attended. They have also endeavored to qualify themselves for greater usefulness, by acquiring the Ottawa language, in which they have made considerable progress. There can be no doubt of the ultimate advantage of a measure of this kind. Valley Towns, on the head waters of the Hiwassee, (N. C.) Rev. Evan Jones, Missionary, Mrs Jones, John Timson, Interpreter. The new arrangements at this Station have been carried into full effect for the last year, and promise the best results. The Boarding school has averaged more than 20 pupils, has received the unwearied labors of Mrs Jones, with occasional assistance by her daughter and husband, and is in a prosperous state. Besides this establishment, a school has been organized, under the instruction of Rev. Mr Morrison at Nottely, about 16 miles distant, and is well attended. The Indi ans in the vicinity provided the school-house, and have contribut |