observation of a stranger at these Institutions, would be an unnecessary trespass on your time, who are already so fully acquainted with them; I shall therefore confine my remarks to a few of the most prominent features they present to those who keep in view the great end of their establishment, the disseminating of religious truth, and the moral improvement of the people.

Mission Schools.

"< Among the various instruments employed for the important objects above-mentioned, schools have ever held a primary place, and we were gratified to find that this fundamental branch of missionary labour had not been overlooked. At all the Institutions we found Sunday-Schools, both for adults and children, in active operation, and zealously supported by the people themselves, as well as almost every individual resident at the station, whose assistance could be made useful as teachers. Many of the latter class were selected from among the Hottentots, and when it is considered, that not less than 600 adults, and from 8 to 400 children, are regularly receiving instruction, and learning to read the Scriptures, in these schools---that the greatest number of the children are also taught on week-days to read and write English, it is impossible, for a moment, to doubt the utility of the Institution, or to deny that the work of improvement is going forward. The progress of persons advanced in years, who have but one day in seven to learn, cannot be otherwise than slow; and doubtless much remains to be done; but while the effect of these schools on the morals of the Hotten- tots is already very apparent, in their better observance of the Lord's day, and the useful appropriation of that portion of time which before was too often wasted in idleness, the very general desire of instruction thus evinced, both for themselves and their children, affords a gratifying proof of the influence of Christian principles on their minds, and cannot fail, at no distant period, to produce a striking and important change in the character and habits of the people. In the dayschools we had much satisfaction in seeing the British system successfully introduced. And at Theopolis particularly, it was pleasing to find that the obstacles hitherto presented by the irregularity of the children's attendance has been almost entirely overcome, and so great a number as 200 daily collected together for instruction, through the active exertions of Mr. Wright, all of whom, with but two or three exceptions, were decently clothed.

"The progress the children had made in English, considering the short time since it had been introduced into the schools, appeared very creditable to their teachers; while the facility with which they learn, and

the readiness of their replies to questions put to them on Scripture history, (particularly at Pacaltsdorp, under Mr. Anderson,) afford a satisfactory refutation of the charge of intellectual incapacity, which some have unguardedly thrown out against the Hottentots in general.

Bethelsdorp Evangelical Society--Attendance on the Public Exercises of Religion— Religious Character of the Hottentots, &c. "At Bethelsdorp the exertions of the Missionaries to keep alive a religious spirit among the people seemed to be most materially aided by the Sunday-school committee, consisting, I believe, entirely of the teachers, in number about 20, which meets once a week for the business of the school, and for mutual edification, and not less so by the Domestic Evangelical Society, of which some of the most pious and best informed Hottentots are members. These visit the people by turns in their own houses, read and explain to them portions of the Scriptures, and tracts, pray with, and exhort them. The simplicity of this Institution, so well adapted to the character of the people, cannot fail to be highly beneficial to the cause of Christianity among them.

"At their weekly prayer-meetings, we had an opportunity of hearing several members of the different churches pour forth their extemporary supplications with a degree of fervour and fluency exceedingly interesting and affecting. And among the many subjects of thankfulness they there publicly enumerated, it was pleasing to hear distinguished the mercy of the Almighty in having sent teachers from afar to instruct and civilize

these " poor, degraded nations."

"At all these institutions, I think I may with propriety affirm, that there exists, both among the missionaries and people, a great degree of zeal, and a real interest in the missionary cause. Indeed, the punctuality of their attendance on the daily public exercises of devotion; the correct seriousness of their demeanour while there; the readiness they have evinced in contributing towards the religious improvement, as well as temporal necessities of their brethren, in the missionary and charitable associations formed among themselves, left us no reason to doubt the statements of the missionaries, that the gospel has been received among the people, not in word only, but in power,' and that its effects are displayed in the lives of many, as well as in the moral and orderly conduct of the whole community at the several stations.

"In their talents for sacred music, which has attracted the attention of almost every traveller, the Hottentots at these institutions do not fall short of their brethren elsewhere. It was not, however, the talent

alone, but the spirit of devotion with which it was employed, that struck us as most worthy of observation; and an assembly of these simple people, joining together in songs of praise and thankfulness to the Creator, is a spectacte as elevating to the mind of a Christian as the sweet harmony of their voices is pleasing to the ear."

Progress of the Hottentots in Civilization.

"With regard to the progress of the Hottentots in civilization, it appears to me that an unfair estimate has often been formed. And because living amongst Europeans, and for the most part subject to their control, they still retain much of their native character and habits, and do not at once adopt the manners and customs of a people so different from themselves, they are hastily pronounced to have advanced but little beyond the savage state.

، Civilization is, indeed, the handmaid of religion, and invariably has followed in her train, but her progress has in general been but very gradual. Yet with every allowancé for the peculiarity of their circumstances, and the differences in national character and habits, I have no hesitation in saying, that many of the Hottentots of these institutions appeared to us fully on an equality, in point of civilization, with a great portion of the labouring class in our country. And among those at Bethelsdorp particularly, English habits and English feelings seemed to be rapidly gaining ground. Many of their houses were exceedingly comfortable and clean; and in this respect it is rather remarkable how far they have overcome the proverbial filthiness of their former habits. Their public spirit and disinterestedness have been shown in the gratuitous contribution of their labours to works of charity and general utility; such as the church, school-house, road, kraal, tank, and poor-house at Bethelsdorp, constructed entirely at their own expense; while the voluntary support of this last-mentioned asylum for the aged and infirm, affords also a strong proof of the benevolence of their dispositions, and the influence of civilizing principles of the best kind on their general conduct.

"We were glad to find that the industry of the people at the different institutions was fettered by no restrictions on the part of the missionaries, and that the profits of it were entirely their own. The missionaries assured us that they strictly avoid interfering with the people in the disposal of themselves, and that they had perfect liberty to go whenever and wherever they pleased. The outward circumstances of many of them, their houses, cattle, waggons, &c. afford unquestionable proof of their industry, while the quantity of European articles sold at the stations of Bethelsdorp and Theopolis, also

shows that the people in general are far from being insensible to the comforts of civilized life, or unwilling to labour to attain them."

Unfounded Charge against the Institutions refuted,

“In the course of our journey, we frequently heard the Missionary Institutions accused as the means of withdrawing the labour of the Hottentots from the inhabitants of the country, and shutting up a great number of useful hands in useless inactivity. Convinced as we were that this charge had its origin partly in ignorance, but chiefly in that unjust, selfish spirit, under the influence of which the Hottentots have been so long regarded as a sort of lawful property, we nevertheless made a point of inquiring particularly into the subject; and to every unprejudiced mind, I feel assured that no other refutation will be required, than the simple fact we ascertained, that at Bethelsdorp, out of nearly 2000 persons enrolled in the books, not more than 450, and of these, 160 children, permanently reside at the institution. The remainder, of course, must be employed in the surrounding country; and if some even of these be occupied entirely on their own account, as they certainly are, no one can have the presumption to maintain, that the Hottentots have not the same right as other free-born persons to labour and acquire property for themselves."

Capability of the Hottentots for Advancement in Civilization.

"The circumstances of the country, and the peculiar civil restrictions under which the Hottentots still labour, present obstacles to their improvement, which the missionaries have not the power of removing; but when they are placed on an equality as to civil rights with every other class of British subjects around them; when their character is better understood by those who wish for their services, and they have the power of becoming individually proprietors of the lands which they now cultivate in common by sufferance only, they will possess inducements to industry and intellectual exertion which they do not now enjoy, and, I am persuaded, will shew themselves well worthy of all the privileges of freemen, and rapidly evince their capacity for the performance of every necessary duty, whether as servants, masters, or citizens of a civilized state."

Buildings at the Institutions.

"The buildings at the several stations appeared to us substantial, and well suited for the purposes to which they are applied, and must have contributed essentially to

wards the improvement of the people. They have afforded employment to many, and provided the means of instructing them in the useful arts; while they have also served to foster a laudable spirit of independence and local attachment, which is productive of the best effects on the people themselves, and helps to attract others to the institution, as experience has already shown.

"The building of a church at Pacaltsdorp we thought promised to be very useful in this way, both among the Hottentots and inhabitants of the district, and when finished, will be a very valuable addition to this station, as well as a fit memorial of the piety and zeal of the worthy founder of the institution, whose bequest has been so properly applied to its erection.

"While at Bethelsdorp, the insufficiency of the building, used as a church, to contain the increasing numbers of the people, was pointed out to Mr. and myself; and it was also suggested, that if a sum could be obtained to enable the Hottentots to subsist their families while engaged in the work, they would cheerfully bestow their services on the erection of a church suited to the wants and rising importance of the station. In consequence of this suggestion, we were induced to propose the subscription at the last meeting of the Auxiliary Missionary Society in Cape Town, which, it is to be hoped, may prove some assistance towards so useful a work. When this has been accomplished, little else in the way of building will be required to complete that station, which, although labouring under many local disad vantages, promises daily to become a place of much greater importance, and more extensive usefulness, than could even have been anticipated; being centrally situated on the high road from the coast of the interior, by means of which the chief trade of the country is carried, and a great number of Hottentots are continually employed. We may not, indeed, there see "the barren land become literally a fruitful field," or desert blossom like the rose," as in some more favoured spots, although there is no deficiency in the outward marks of industry; but we have already seen that it has proved figuratively fruitful in a high degree, in disseminating the knowledge of religion and the only true principles of civilization, among a large portion both of the Hottentot and slave population scattered in its vicinity."

the

Froin a short letter to Dr. Philip, relating to the same Missionary Institutions, written by the fellow-traveller of the gentleman to whom we are indebted for the preceding statements, we extract the following passages:--

"The expectations I had formed, and the accounts I received from yourself and others of the Missionary Institutions, have been fully confirmed. Independently of the direct

religious advantages which they present, the principles on which they are conducted are calculated to inspire into the people a spirit of industry. The stores established at Bethelsdorp and at Theopolis must be extremely useful, as, by the artificial wants they create, they excite the people to increased industry, and at the same time afford the means of supplying their wants at a moderate rate. The new houses, which the Hottentots are building, will not only greatly improve the appearance of the respective places, but add materially to the comforts of the people, and, at the same time, promote their moral improvement. The time allotted for public work, and the people being taught the different trades for their own benefit, and not for the benefit of the mission, are parts of the system which cannot fail to strike every one as worthy of imitation. With the Day and Sunday schools we have been highly delighted, particularly at Theopolis. They do great credit to those who have had the management of them."

Death of Missionaries, &c.

The directors have received from the Cape of Good Hope, intelligence of the death of the Rev. Mr. Kicherer; who in the year 1803, visited this country with Mary, Martha, and John, some of the first fruits of the Missionary Society's labours in Africa, Also, of the death of the Rev. Mr. Vos.. These two Missionaries, formerly labouring under the patronage of the Society in Africa, but subsequently ministers of the Dutch church, both finished their earthly course in September, 1825.

ARRIVAL AND RETURN OF MISSIONARIES,

On the 3d of April, 1825, Rev. C. Pitman and his wife, arrived at Sydney, New South Wales, after a delightful voyage of fourteen weeks; having had nothing, as Mr. P. states, but light and favourable breezes all the voyage. They both were quite well;found, to their great joy, the deputation in the colony; and expected to sail in the brig Haweis, Capt. Dibbs, for the Leeward Islands, about the 20th of May last.

On the 9th of October Rev. W. Foster and Mrs. Foster, arrived safely, and in good health, at the Cape of Good Hope, after a

30 April, 1825.

1 May, 1825.

1 April, 1825.

3 June, 1824.

4 November, 1824

18 May, 1825.

9 April, 1824.

Madras

29 April, 1825. 28 April. 1825.

Singapore

Chinsurah Batavia

Madagascar

Tulbagh

Madras

Pinang

Mauritius

30 July, 1825.

Messrs. Laidler, Chambers, & Campbell Bangalore

R. Edwards..

W. Crow

Rev. Dr. Philip

Mr. J. Hauds

Mr. T. Beighton

J. Jeffreys

Messrs. Jones and Griffiths

Mr. J. Lowndes

....

April, May, and 6 June, 187

29 August, 1825. 4 August, 1825. March, 1825.

4 February, 1825. 8 and 10 May, 1824 23 May, 1825.

31 May, 1825.

25 August, 1823.

31 August, 1825. 28 April, 1825.

4 November, 1824

25 April, 1825.

22 August, 1825.

12 July, 1825.

10 and 19 January, 1825.

2 December, 1824.

31 August and 27 Sep. 1828.

28 September, 1825.

29 August, 1823.

19 April, 1825.

17 June, 1825.

25 July, 1825.

23 July, 1825,

19 and 29th March, 182

9 and 18 March, 1825.

19 March, 1825.
18 November, 1823.

6 May, 1825.

15 May, 1825.

21 June, 1825.

28 June, 1825. 26 May, 1825.

9 June, 1825. 15 July, 1825. April, 1825. 17 May, 1825.

sembly was addressed successively by the Rev. Messrs. Campbell, Richards, Reeve, Vaughan, Ellis, Townley, Dunn, and Morison; also by the following lay gentlemen, Lieut. Fabian, R. N. Captain Joseph Walker, from India, and George Woolley, Esq. one of the Deacons of Mr. Morison's church.

The place of Worship was crowded to excess, and many retired without be ng able to gain admission. The liveliest interest was excited in every mind, by the details of Mr.

Ellis, lately arrived from the Sandwich Islands; and, indeed, by all the speakers who addressed the meeting. The liberal collection and subscriptions at the close of the delightful service proved, that the cause of the benighted Heathen had awakened the deepest commiseration.

HALIFAX---YORKSHIRE.

The friends in Halifax have long deplored that so little was accomplished for the Missionary Society in its immediate vicinity, especially in comparing the extent of contribution with the very rapidly increasing numbers of the professed servants of the Saviour. They determined to commence a new career of exertion, and to arouse themselves from their previous languor in the greatest and best of causes. The congregations under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cockin, and the Rev. E. Parsons, Jun. having invited the co-operation of the churches in their neighbourhood, met in the Chapel of the latter, on Monday evening, October the 17th. George Rawson, Esq. of Leeds, the respected Treasurer of the West Riding Auxiliary Society in the chair. Addresses were delivered on the necessity of exertion for the salvation of the heathen, by the Rev. R. Poole, of Thornton, the Rev. John Cockin of Holmfirth, the Rev. J. Garbutt, of Elland, Dr. Stewart, of Liverpool, the Rev. W. Stevens of Halifax (Wesleyan), the Rev. W. Thompson (Particular Baptist),

the Rev. W. Hurley (General Baptist), Mr, Hewson, and Mr. White. The place was crowded to excess, and an interest was produced, unknown in this town before. The intense feeling which was elicited on this occasion, fully justifies us in regarding it as the commencement of a new era in the Missionary history of this vicinity. Two male and two female Juvenile Associations were formed, which have already commenced their active operations, and promise to increase the funds of this auxiliary Society to an extent exceeding our most sanguine expectations. May the lively zeal which has thus been excited, never again decline!

CHARACTER OF MISSIONARY CANDIDATES.

An Extract from Mrs. Judson's Account of the American Baptist Mission, to the Burman empire.

In encouraging young men to come out as Missionaries, do use the greatest caution.--One wrong-headed, conscientiously obstinate man would ruin us. Humble, quiet, persevering men---men of sound, sterling talents, of decent accomplishments, and some natural aptitude to acquire a language; men of an amiable, yielding temper---willing to take the lowest place, to be the least of all; and the servant of all; men who enjoy much closet religion, who live near to God, and are willing to suffer all things for Christ's sake, without being proud of it; these are the men we need.