No. 7.]

[VOL. I.

On comparing the Population of the Settlements under our charge with the attendance at Public Worship, we perceive that about one-fourth of the inhabitants are in the habit of attending Divine Service on Sundays. We may fairly presume that all these are ready to assume the Christian Name, and will desire to be sworn on the Holy Scriptures, if they have to take an oath in a Court of Justice; and even this proportion would, no doubt, be much increased, were we to lower our standard of requirements in those whom we admit to the Church. The fact is, that the Idolatrous Superstition of the African Tribes has in it so little that is fixed and exclusive, that it will comport itself with, or even give way to, any new superstition or outward rite that may be plausibly offered. We are, indeed, strongly inclined to believe that the whole of the heathen population of the Colony would press to the Baptismal Font, if we would receive them there on an un

derstanding that Baptism is of all Greegrees the best.

Excitability of Africans.

In our endeavours to convey to the inquirers-who are still pretty numerousright notions of the Religion which they profess themselves anxious to embrace, and in our addresses to the Congregations generally, we have found them very susceptible of an excitement of feeling, leading even to considerable agitation of the frame. A mode of preaching calculated to produce such effects seems to be greatly liked by them, and much preferred to an appeal to their understandings. While we would wish to become all things to all [RECORD, July, 1830.]

men, we apprehend that a sound work of conversion is not, in any case, dependent on such excitement; whereas there exists considerable danger lest an individual should mistake the vehemence of bodily agitation for an evidence of the inward grace. Such a mistake seems to prevent the subject of those excitements from seeking after clear views of Gospel Doctrine and requirement; and though we would not say that without clear views on these matters the individual cannot be the subject of Salvation, yet we are convinced that his Christian character rests on an insecure foundation.

Standard of Admission to Baptism.

It will be our duty and endeavour to raise the standard of qualifications for Church-Fellowship; but in this endeavour we shall have to encounter difficulties of a very peculiar kind, and which would hardly be supposed to exist in the infant state of Christ's Church in this Colony,

We wish to act with all becoming consideration of the circumstances in which the people under our charge are placed, their means of instruction, and capacities; and, being desirous to descend as low as may be justifiable in our requirements, we should like to find out what degree of knowledge in religious matters is the very lowest to be allowed in those individuals whom we admit to Church Membership. We find, among the Members of the Church who present their claims to the privileges, and have also acquired a certain devotional phraseology, numbers from whom we cannot elicit any thing like an account of their faith, though we endeavour to keep within the narrow compass of their language and their train of ideas. We have asked ourselves whether persons can be

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fit subjects for Baptism who do not possess an acquaintance with those facts of which our Church Formulary requires that they should express their stedfast belief: and, as we can hardly answer this question in the affirmative, we are led to the conclusion, that, previously to their admission, we are bound to minister to the people such instruction as shall bring them to a fuller understanding of their Baptismal engagements.

Want of Native Teachers and Students.

We consider it as one of the most trying features of the work in this Colony, that after fourteen years' labour by the Society's Missionaries, with direct controul, during most of the time, over Public Education, we should not be able to count more Native Teachers.

It is also matter of regret, that we have not been able to increase the number of Students beyond its present state. Perhaps this requires some explanation. The Colony-born Children in the Villages are, generally, too young

to afford sufficient evidence of love for better things than the world affords; though there are not wanting those who give good promise of becoming fit for admission at a future time: the LiberatedAfrican Children supported by Government, who were taken notice of by us previously to our declining the inspection of the Schools, have since been apprenticed out; and, on our re-assuming the charge of those children, we found quite a new set, young in years, and backward in their studies: it will be some time before any of these can attain to a fitness for admission. We have had opportunities of observing that the Institution is an object of great interest to our Village Youth, in those parts which have been occasionally visited by the Superintendant with his Pupils, as well as in those from which children have occasionally been allowed to go on a visit to Fourah Bay; and that the Parents, also, would set a higher value on its advantages for their children, were it consistent with its design to open it for more promiscuous admission.

General State of Schools.

We are naturally led here to turn to our School Establishments; and we look on them, we confess, with greater satisfaction. Persons practically acquainted with the difficulties which we have to contend with in conveying instruction to a population but imperfectly acquainted

with a language, would, we hope, admit that the success of our Educational Endeavours in Day Schools, Evening Schools, and Sunday Schools is sufficiently encouraging. But we must earnestly entreat our friends in England not to form comparisons in their minds between the acquirements of our pupils and those of the scholars in similar Schools in England. Such comparisons must inevitably lead to conceptions far higher than the real state of our Establishments justifies. A degree of proficiency must reasonably encourage us in this Colony, which would not be sufficient to produce the same effect in England. We apprehend that a great proportion of public opinion respecting our success in Schools has been raised unwarrantably high, by general statements which ought to have been understood with reference to the previous ignorance and degradation of the persons educated; which has led to so much the greater disappointment, when inquiry was made, on the spot, by persons not previously disposed in our favour, and taking their standard, to judge by, from the progress of Education in Europe.

What we call 'sufficiently encouraging,' amounts to this, that we have reason to hope there will go forth from our Schools a succession of individuals who have acquired sufficient knowledge to read their Bible and Prayer Book with facility, and a sufficient knowledge of English to understand very plain addresses, and to grow, by attentive waiting on the Means of Grace, in an acquaintance with the meaning of Scripture Expressions and a Some knowledge of Christian Doctrine. ing and readiness of expression, to write will become sufficiently expert in writan intelligible note; and in Arithmetic, to manage their little village concerns: some will attain a somewhat higher degree of information at the Christian Institution, where every branch of School Instruction is further pursued, with reference to the future usefulness of the Students, as Teachers of common Schoollearning and Religion. We look to that Seminary with hopes that we shall draw from it a succession of useful Assistants in the Schools; and we desire to be patiently waiting, with earnest prayer to the Giver of all good things, for the time when one or other of the Youths trained up in it shall become sufficiently matured in judgment, grounded in Biblical Knowledge, established in the Faith, and adorned with humility to allow of his being employed in the office of Native

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In our School Instruction, we have generally endeavoured to make that use of the Infant System which seems most likely to awaken and nourish in the youthful mind a love for that which is good, for the sake of its conformity to the example and precepts of the Saviour. We think ourselves bound, as Christian Missionaries, to encourage this, in preference to the motive of emulation; though the latter, addressing itself to the pride of a corrupt heart, is found to work more rapidly.

In the keeping of Sunday Schools, we have not effected all that we have wished and anticipated: the difficulty of finding a body of well-qualified Teachers, willing to do the work for the love of souls, is much greater than was supposed. There are some long-established Villages, in which hardly any persons are found who have acquired as much learning as to be able to read their Bible intelligibly; and, among those few, it is difficult to meet with any who will lend their help without payment. This was discovered in the case of the Sunday-School Teachers at Gloucester: their zeal lasted so long as they had an expectation of getting remunerated for their services; but that being disappointed, they dropped off.

Review of the Past Year.

This year has delivered the Mission from many hindrances to its prosperity; and it stands now on a better footing than it used to do formerly: this calls for our grateful acknowledgments, and awakens our hopes. We have already received, and still look forward to, such an addition to our number, as promises a great increase of efficiency to our labours. We ought to entertain a persuasion, that, with this addition of numerical strength, our body will obtain a corresponding increase of spiritual vigour of gracious adornments of brotherly love; but we have experienced in ourselves the imbecility of the human mind, which naturally seeks for a common level, and scon drops down, from the excitement of new scenes and high-flushed hopes of large usefulness, to the leaden langour of that every-day routine to which Missionary Duties,like every other effort of man, may be reduced: and we think it the more brotherly part towards our newly-arrived Fellow-labourers, and the more sober improvement of

experience gained, on this occasion to view the enemy's camp and our own, to point out his strong-holds and our vulnerable places, and to call one another to a watchful soldier-like carriage against him. Conclusion.

We feel that this account of the state of the people to whom we are sent differs considerably from the general opinion of our friends in Europe; but we have thought it our duty to give a plain tale, being convinced that the prayers of our Christian Brethren on our behalf will be the more effectual, the more fully they are informed of the real state of things. And we would not have them believe that we lose sight of, or undervalue, the good that has really been done: the Good Shepherd has sought here a sheep, and there one, out of the various Tribes of Africa, and brought them back into His fold; they are a witness to the labours of the Society's Missionaries in this Colony; they are a comfort and support, under many trials, to us now serving in this part of God's Vineyard; and will, we doubt not, prove a crown of rejoicing, to some now resting from their labours, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at His coming.

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This Mission has been established only about 14 years. In consequence of illnesses and deaths, it has had to contend with numerous interruptions to the measures which were from time to time put in progress: the many changes in the agents for carrying on the work have hitherto rendered it impracticable for them to come to any thing like a uniform plan of proceeding the insufficiency of their number for the work before them has, up to this time, frequently prevented them from assisting each other with help in seasons of difficulty, and with advice in matters of perplexity. Let all this be well weighed; and let it be taken into consideration, that they have been men frail and fallible; and the charitable Christian will wonder that so much good has been done, rather than feel surprised that no more should have been effected.

for soundness of faith and for aptness to teach, and who know how they ought to behave themselves in the House of God; the field, we doubt not, will amply reward the labour bestowed on it. We desire still to be favoured with the privilege of carrying to Africans the offers of free salvation, and of seeing many more embrace them, and obtain deliverance from Satan's bondage, in meek submission to the yoke of Jesus.

From the communications of the Missionaries and Catechists we collect the following Notices concerning the Congregations and Schools at their respective Stations.

FREETOWN.

Services at Gibraltar Chapel twice on the Sunday, and once in the week: Communicants 11: average attendance of Scholars-Boys 276, Girls 147.

I was lately called, on a Sunday, to attend one of the Discharged Soldiers, not a Communicant, on a bed of sickness, from which he was soon released by death. I found his companions and friends assembled in the larger room of his grass-house, and himself on his bed in the smaller room. It seemed too late for asking him questions and setting him talking: I therefore addressed myself to his compassionate friends; telling them, that though it was not advisable to speak much to their sick brother at a time when the fever was so strong on him, "yet, if he can believe, we can do something. God has promised, that if we call upon Him in trouble, He will hear us, and will deliver: the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Thus, if the Lord see not good to raise him up for this life, He will do something better; He will save his soul, and deliver him at once from all the miseries of this world." Here the poor sick man most agreeably interrupted me, by exclaiming "Oh yes, Master! do, I beg you, let us pray!" This ejaculation put life into our prayer, and, I hope, proved an encouragement and comfort, not only to the man on his dying bed, but to each person present. [Rev. J. G. Wilhelm.

At the Sunday School in Gibraltar Chapel, I have hitherto been hardly able

to do more than take down the names, dismiss for irregular attendance, and order the regular attendants into classes. When I first took charge of the School, which had always been held there by a few Voluntary Teachers, I found 64 Children present: on its becoming known that I attended, the number increased to more than 130; but that being more than the Chapel can hold in classes, I have been obliged to reduce the number, by rigorous adherence to rules; and must refuse admission to new applicants, until the proposed enlargement of the Chapel shall have been effected. I found the School divided according to the sexes; which arrangement I have hitherto allowed to continue: the male division is taught entirely by my Students: the female department I mean, for the present, to leave to those Teachers who used to keep the School previously to my taking charge of it. [Rev. C. L. Haensel.

CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION, FOURAH BAY.

There are, at present, 9 Students: one, during the quarter, had gone to Gloucester, as Assistant Teacher; and three had been admitted.

The regularity of proceedings in the Institution has been a good deal interrupted, during the quarter, by those duties of an official nature which have so frequently called me from home; and have at home, also, confined me to the Secretary's table more than the School-room could well spare me. Formerly I had some time to enter into my children's little concerns; I could help them to bind a little book, to paint a lion, and to sew on a button: of late, I have been generally in too great a hurry to attend to them as I desire. To my great regret, I now miss that affection which I think I formerly possessed; and, as my mind becomes distressed on that account, I feel more keenly the absence of spiritual fruit. Perhaps this is sent by the Lord, in judgment; perhaps I was too easily contented when I had the affection of the youths, and not jealous enough that their hearts should be given to Him.

I do not say that they make no progress in learning: even in Scriptural Knowledge, I believe they advance to a certain degree; but in spiritual attainment there does not seem to be any growth; and how insecure is the foundation of all my work, so long as this blessing is withheld! [Rev. C. L. Haensel.

Riber District.

KISSEY.

Average attendance on Sunday Morning, 450; Evening, 200: at Week-day Service, 170; and at Daily Morning Prayers, 30. Communicants at the last administration of the Lord's Supper, 44. Day Scholars, 109; Evening, 18; Sunday Scholars, generally attending, 80.

WELLINGTON.

Communicants, 180; Candidates for the Lord's Supper, 2; for Baptism, 36.

I am often ready to tremble at the weighty charge of preparing people to become Members of Christ's Body: but what am I to do, when they apply for salvation, in about this manner-"I get too much trouble in my heart "-"I want to pray God"-"I am afraid to die "-"I fear to go to hell"-"I am a sinner," &c.? Shall I be disposed to think them hypocrites, or rather that they are sincere ? I answer-O Lord God! Thou knowest! I cannot reject them because they perhaps cannot speak sufficiently English, or because they are very imperfect in their knowledge of divine things, bearing in mind the short time since they were emancipated from barbarism and the most degraded state of slavery: A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench. I therefore take the applicants on trial; and, according to their proficiency in Christian experience and in understanding the chief truths of Religion, as far as can be expected from them, I receive them into Christ's Church by Baptism. [Rev. G. Metzger.

The number of backsliders must not discourage us from going on in our work: taking all things into consideration-all the disadvantages-the ignorant state of our people when they first arrive the habits to which they were for many years addicted the frequent removals of those to whom they were accustomed as their Spiritual Pastors, either by death or by other providential occurrences we must say, MUCH, VERY MUCH, has already been done in this Colony by the instrumentality of those frail men that have been employed by the Society. [The Same:

On the 31st of January, a Sunday School was commenced-a novelty which excited some attention. One hundred and sixty persons attended. Of this

number, however, a diminution has taken place; for on Sunday, March 14, only 140 were present: of these, only 12 ean read the word of God; and twothirds are unacquainted with the English Alphabet! It is affecting, yet cheering, to see so many grown up persons among them, attending to the very first stage of learning. Br. Metzger catechises them on what they hear in the morning. May the Lord give His blessing! [J. Warburton, Catechist.

HASTINGS.

of Communicants last reported, with the exception of two who died; but, in their stead, two backsliders have been re-admitted-Present Total, 73. for Baptism, 60.

There is no alteration in the number

Candidates

One pleasing feature of the population of this Village is, that they willingly come forward to subscribe towards building a Church, to which they have already con

tributed a sum of 331.: and when I told them, on Sunday before last, that an additional subscription would be wanted, they sent afterwards the Constables to inform me that I should receive sixpence more from every house, which will raise the above sum to about 50%.

The building of a New Church is to commence here immediately: also at Waterloo, of which place the Governor spoke very highly on account of the people having contributed a very considerable sum towards building a Place of Worship.

[Rev. J. Gerber.

Of

The number of Children at present on the books, is154; the average attendance, 137. Of these, 36 read the Scriptures; several of whom appear, in some measure, to understand what they read, and to be desirous of further instruction. the Girls, 25 receive instruction in needlework. The attendance of Adults and Apprentices at the Sunday School is greatly on the increase: the number present last Sunday was 73. The Evening School for Adults and Apprentices had been discontinued, previously to our coming here; but finding that there were several desirous of instruction, I was induced to recommence it, which I did on March 17, when 33 were present. I expect a great increase, when it becomes more generally known. On the whole, I think the Schools at this Station give us reason to hope they will repay diligent attention and European superintendence.

[H. Graham, Catechist.