of Elementary Instruction among the Protestants varies greatly in different parts of France: in Alsace, for example, there is scarcely a Commune without its School, and there are few uneducated children; while, in the Departments of the Ardèche and the Drôme, the ignorance is extreme.

From two of the Reports delivered on these occasions, we extract some remarks on the

Influence of Political Events on Societies.

The year which has just closed has, doubtless, in many respects, not been favourable to the progress of our Cause: the excitement, which inevitably attends great political and social changes, has diverted the attention of many from serious and religious objects; and there are others, whose pecuniary resources have been considerably reduced. But, on the other hand, these very agitations and inquietudes have, perhaps, led many to feel the value of those sources of good which are independent of the world and of man; and have disposed others to disperse, with enlarged liberality, such Publications as are calculated to enlighten the mind, calm the spirit, and console the heart. Be this as it may, this year is that in which our Society has both had the most abundant resources at its disposal, and has been enabled to make the largest issues. [Tract Soc. Report. The moment in which we speak bears a character of especial urgency. Never, at any other period, did the Moral Wants of the World present themselves in a manner so striking-never were the means of providing for these wants so abundant and so varied-nor ever were the evidences of Divine Approbation and the success of Christian Labours more

marked and more encouraging. What soever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. [The Same.

The state of France and of Europe has greatly changed during the year. It may change still; but without rendering our labours less necessary-without in any degree diminishing their importance -without weakening in any measure their interest: for the Gospel is true at this moment-as it has always been-and as it shall ever remain. Immortal souls are precious now-as they were a hundred years since-as they have been for a thousand years-as they were when the Saviour descended to the earth that

He might purchase them with His blood: and, however serious may be the revolutions which are now working or which may yet work in the social world, the Heathen perish without God and without hope, and the commandment of God to carry to them Salvation and Eternal Life is explicit and unchangeable. [Missionary Report.

Exertions of an English Lady in distributing the Scriptures.

This Lady_writes to the British and Foreign Bible Society

In the secluded glens and remote valleys of the Pyrenees, I have traced the footsteps of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and found in the shepherd's hut the precious Word of God, conveyed thither by your Agents.

I

may take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Society, for the privilege granted to me in the years 1828 and 1829, of spreading the Scriptures in France. Of 1000 copies, which, in that period, I had the happiness of selling, giving away, or placing for distribution, many, to my own knowledge, have been the means of enlightening the understanding and converting the heart: doubtless many more will be found, after many days, when the secrets of all hearts shall be laid open.

I purpose spending this summer in the South of France, more particularly the Pyrenees; and hope the Society will not withhold from me the privilege, granted on a former occasion, of ordering Testaments from Professor Kieffer, for distribution and sale. I shall, in all probability, revisit one valley where I sold 150 French Testaments, and have occasional opportunities of selling a few Spanish Testaments by means of the shepherds.

Western Africa.

ments, which came by the Sappho; as well as to solicit a fresh supply of 200 Nonpareil 12mo. Bibles, both for distribution and sale in the Colony, and also in order to enable the Auxiliary to

meet the demands of the Mission Schools. The Treasurer also wishes to inform you, that a remittance of money will soon be made.

It would afford the friends of the So

ciety here unfeigned pleasure, were they able to give a more cheering account of our Auxiliary: although its operations are not so extensive as they could wish them to be, still I trust that there is sufficient evidence that many of the swarthy sons of Africa have derived lasting benefits from the Blessed Book which it professes to distribute, and that its truths are the support and comfort of their souls.

Many of the Liberated-African Youths, employed as domestic servants, shew such an anxiety for the acquisition of Reading, and pursue their endeavours with so much diligence, as to be able to read the Scriptures with no other help than that of their fellow-servants who had received the benefit of instruction, and with no other time than what they can spare after the labour of the day is over. Some had even paid their fellow-servants for this occasional and defective instruction. Some of this description have applied to me for Bibles. Whatever motive may have induced them to do this, we hope the effect will not be altogether lost; and we have the greater reason to expect this, as the Bible is the book most prized, and most generally read.

Mediterranean.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ABYSSINIAN MISSION.

AN account of the proceedings of the Rev. Messrs. Gobat and Kugler in Abyssinia was given at pp. 146– 149 of our Number for March. It was then stated, that some earlier communications, transmitted by the Missionaries, had not come to hand: these have recently been received; and from them we extract the following particulars.

Favourable Reception of the Missionaries in Abyssinia.

Under date of the 19th of February, Messrs. Gobat and Kugler

thus express their gratitude to God for the free access given them in Abyssinia.

We cannot but begin our first report from Abyssinia with praises and thanksgiving to the Father of Mercies, for having safely conducted us to the country and to the people whose welfare we have had at our hearts for several years. We will not dwell on the gratitude we feel towards God; but we supplicate an abundant measure of grace from Him through Jesus Christ; and trust that we can praise and magnify our glorious Saviour by doing His will, declaring again this great truth to the Abyssinians, That there is no salvation in any other, nor is there any Name under heaven given among the Name of Jesus Christ. The reasons men, whereby we must be saved, except we have to encourage the long-nourished hope that the Lord will now again favour the Abyssinians with the light of His holy Gospel, you will find in our

present report.

We have not met with any of those difficulties of which other Travellers so bitterly complain; but we could not have escaped them all, if our friend Ali had not been with us. We can truly say, that we were without care from the time we left Massowah till now. Ali's conduct has surpassed even our most sanguine expectations; as you will observe, in reading Natives, in what estimation those Trathis report. We have learned from the vellers are held who deal so lavishly with their money in these countries: they are considered as rich people without understanding. We have been so fortunate as to pass everywhere without giving presents; but we paid those who did any thing for us, until we entered the territory of Sebagadis yet we frequently heard the Natives saying, that we were

good men; and we have thus convinced ourselves, that friendship formed only by and for money is, in the East, of no longer duration than in Europe.

Journey from Massowah to Adi-Grate.

Jan. 15, 1830-Left Massowah in the

afternoon, and spent the night at Gerar, the place from which all persons go in boats to Massowah.

On entering Dochono little before mid-day, we were told that Ali's son, with about thirty soldiers, had arrived. They came to welcome their

* Called Arkeeko, by Salt, and others.

master, as soon as we had entered the small house which Naïb Jeckia had given us. In the evening, these soldiers presented themselves to Ali, thus: Each soldier began, in his turn, by singing verses of his own composing; the bystanders accompanying him with their voices. While singing, the soldier stamped towards his master, then back again, holding his sword or spear in his hand; and, in conclusion of the ceremony, stood in the presence of his master, saying repeatedly, "I am your soldier, I am your slave," &c. Some of them made long speeches, enumerating their merits. This show lasted till late at night.

Jan. 18, 1830-We set out from Dochono in the morning. We were all in good health and spirits. Having travelled about eight miles over the Plain Ketra, we rested, and took some refreshment-honey and bread.

From the Plain Ketra we entered into a narrow valley. The mountain Kadam* was on our left, along the sea-shore. We spent the night at Sheluket. We are informed that there is a Shoho Village near this place, upon the mountains, called also Sheluket.

Jan. 19-We left Sheluket early; and reposed at Sachto, a fountain. There came several flocks of cattle, sheep, and goats, whilst we were sitting in the shadow of the trees. The shepherds of the first flocks were afraid of us, on perceiving our soldiers. One of them passed by upon a mule, with several armed servants at his side; and when they thought they had ascertained that we were no robbers, they brought their flocks to the fountain.

A Mahomedan of our company came to me, complaining of a pain in one of his eyes. We advised him to get somebody to blow fine snuff into his eye; but as there was none who knew how to do it, I did it for him. This is a sure remedy in the very first beginning of ophthalmia, as the snuff procures a profuse flow of water from the eye; and ophthalmia generally begins with a dry burning and stinging in the eyes. Mr. Dussap became acquainted with this remedy at Caïro. A slave asked snuff from him in the streets of Caïro; and having got the snuff, the slave put it into his own eyes, in the presence of Mr. Dussap, who has since often witnessed the good effects of this

*Called Gidam, in Salt's Map.

application. A friend of the Mahomedan just mentioned, observed on this occasion, that we differed altogether from all the Franks they had hitherto seen. The others would not even touch any of them; whereas we were always ready to afford relief to suffering people. We arrived in the evening at Hamhamma, another fountain. We saw here, for the first time, many monkeys, on a rocky mountain.

We slept at Debra on the 20th of January, and passed the Taranta in the morning. Spent the night of the 21st at Upper Tubo, and went to Shemphaito on the 22d. The camels from Dochono go back from this place; and from hence oxen, asses, or men must carry the goods up a high and steep mountain, to Halai. Our boxes were carried by people, for wages. On the 23d we rode up the said mountain for about eight miles, and arrived at Halai in the afternoon. The way from Dochono to Halai is very bad. The main direction of our way from Dochono to Halai was S. S. W., sometimes S. W. Halai is the first village in Tigré. The majority of the inhabitants here profess Christianity. There was a caravan at Halai, from the interior. We heard that this caravan had brought about 90 Slaves. The houses at Halai are poor huts, built of stone and mud: the flat roofs are made of wood, and covered with mud. Girls wear a leather skin about them; and women generally wear a large piece of woollen stuff, of their own making. People brought several goats, with bread, honey, and maize, in plenty, to our house. We stayed at Halai till the 25th. Went to Dera in the afternoon. Dera is about four miles from Halai, southward. We were informed that no Mahomedan lived at Dera. We moved from Dera to Auhenè in the afternoon of the 26th. Auhenè is five miles southward from Dera. We passed Adogera, one mile from Auhenè, on the 27th; and entered Adi-Kaich in the afternoon. Adi-Kaich is six miles from Auhenè, southward.

Jan. 28-Went from Adi-Kaich to Dochono, two miles; and reached Senaphè, seven miles from Dochono.

Rested the whole of the 29th at Senaphè; and on the 30th we entered Bechat, the dwelling-place of Ali. This was again a place of repose. During eight days the house was daily full of visitors, from morning to evening. One party went off, and another came, till

experienced the most friendly reception and treatment.

Sebagadis was exceedingly glad to see us, and received us with greater warmth of love and regard than we ever expected. We entered his house on the 15th of February: the breakfast was ready before him, to which we were invited. Sebagadis sat on a sofa; and a carpet was spread on the left side, for us. The conversation commenced after breakfast, with questions. We were asked on what errand we were come to Abyssinia. We replied, "We are come to see the country, to get better acquainted with the people; and knowing the ignorance of the Abyssinians, we should like to instruct them in some branches of useful knowledge." We at the same time stated to Sebagadis, that we were not come to Abyssinia merely for eating and drinking; but that we and our friends at home had the welfare of Abyssinia at our hearts many years since, and that we now should like to try what we can do in behalf of the welfare of Abyssinia. Sebagadis was much pleased with our statement; and having informed us of his descent from Solomon by Menelit, he called us his Brethren. We were then

questioned, whether we believed in two or in three births of Christ. This question was answered, that we believed strictly what was said in the Holy Scriptures in every respect; but with regard to the point in question, we observed, that the Bible speaks but of two births of Christ, and never of three*. Sebagadis rejoiced exceedingly at this answer; and then gave us this most interesting reply: That we are his Brethren; and that he shall always be happy to know our wishes, in order to satisfy them.

Mr. Kugler asked leave to have a private conversation with Sebagadis, which was granted. Mr. Kugler informed Sebagadis, that he wished to know his principal residence, having a desire to remain near him. Sebagadis replied, that he liked four places in his dominions besides Adi-Grate; and that he would go himself with Mr. Kugler to see those places, give him his choice of one of them, and then he, Sebagadis, would make that place his own residence. Mr. Kugler also mentioned, that, as he was very fond of instructing young people, he should like to have five or six Boys with him, whom he would teach the

* Sec page 147 of our Number for March.

English Language, &c. The answer of Sebagadis was, that these people were very ignorant, and he should be very glad to have them taught useful things; and added, that Mr. Kugler should have such Boys.

A principal object of Mr. Gobat's going to Gondar, at so early a period after his arrival in Abyssinia, was to distribute the Amharic Gospels in Amhara. Sebagadis gave Mr. Gobat one of his chief men, to conduct him safely.

The Missionaries add

Thus you see that our prospects are at present as good as could ever be expected; but our trust and hopes have a better ground than words of man, and things which pass away. Our whole confidence is in God Almighty; and shall remain so, by the grace of Christ, in the days of serenity, as it has been in the cloudy days of trial.

On the 13th of March, Mr. Kugler writes

Ali ordered the people to carry all the baggage from Halai to Adi-Grate. Thus we had neither care nor expense, all the way from Halai to Adi-Grate. There are no camels here; and the mules are rarely used for carrying any baggage. Oxen and asses could not carry the boxes; and if we had offered wages, people would have demanded an enormous sum for carriage; but by this order all the baggage was brought safely to Adi-Grate.

Mr. Kugler's medical knowledge rendered him very acceptable to the Abyssinians; and Sebagadis' favourite Wife, who had been ill more than a year with a large tumour on her back, had been placed under Mr. Kugler's care.

Mr. Kugler's Prospects and Labours. Under date of July the 10th, Mr. Kugler writes

has been the study of the Tigré Dialect; My principal employment, hitherto, I have been without a Teacher. The but I am sorry to say that, till this day, only prospect I have at this time for a Teacher is, that a Young Man, a Daphfor instruction in Arabic; and this man tara (Teacher), has lately applied to me understands Amharic well, and was born in Tigré.

I hope to begin teaching Arabic and