Mountain District.

LEICESTER.

Divine Service is performed at this Hamlet once on the Sunday, and once during the week. The attendance is rather variable: it amounts to about 50 on the Sunday, and to about 16 on the Wednesday Evening.

The Communicants, 7 in number, are included in the total for Gloucester.. [Rev. W. Betta.

GLOUCESTER.

The Sunday-Morning Service is attended by about 350, including Children; the Evening by 150: about 50 are generally present on the Thursday Evening; and there are, on an average, 47 Communicants.

The Rev. John Raban, since his return to the Colony, has assisted Mr. Betts, as his strength admitted, in his Pastoral Duties; and devoting, in conjunction with his Ministerial Labours, a portion of his time to the fixing the Native Dialects. Of his labours he writes

The grand thing at which I aim is simplicity; and those who have sincerely aimed at this, even in England, will testify that it is not of easy attainment: yet in Sierra Leone, where its attainment is far more difficult, its importance is increased in a tenfold degree. I believe that I speak the decided sentiments of my Brethren, as well as of myself, when I say, that it is not possible to be too plain, if only vulgar and incorrect expressions be avoided. It is on this principle that I endeavour to act, in all my Addresses, whether to a smaller or a larger assembly. The point on which I have thus incidentally touched is of sufficient importance to fill a volume. We want simple Prayers for Children; Hymns both for them and for the Adults, of the same description; simple Catechisms, similar to Watts's First Set, but a little more comprehensive; a Dictionary of Necessary Words, drawn up in as easy language as possible; a simple and concise Grammar; &c. &c. Our great outcry is, in short, for simplicity. The idea has been suggested, of simplifying even our admirable Liturgy itself. Let not the wish be considered as presumptuous or unreasonable it arises from no want of regard for those excellent Formularies; but from a painful conviction, that their style, sober and chastened as it is, rises far above

the level of a Liberated African's comprehension, after all that has been done to raise him from his long-continued degradation.

While, however, I rejoice to be occupied in these Pastoral Duties, I do not forget those with which I have been more particularly charged. The subject of the Native Languages has received, I think I may say, all the attention which my other engagements, and a due regard to my health, would allow. From all the inquiries which I have been able to make, I have come to the conclusion, that it will be better to confine myself to one or two languages, and to obtain as full an acquaintance with these as possible, than to enter on a wider field of labour; as the knowledge I could obtain of each must necessarily, in that case, be very slight. The two which have been pointed out to me as peculiarly important, on account both of the number now in the Colony who speak them and of the extent of country through which it is presumed they are vernacular, are the A-ku and the I-bo; the former of which has been cultivated in some degree, as you' will see from Mrs. Kilham's Specimens; the latter only just entered on. Another reason for cultivating the A-ku (or E-yoh) is, that the people who speak it are thought to be superior in intellect to most of the other Tribes located in Sierra Leone; from which it may, with much probability, be inferred, that the language is more copious and finished than others. From what I have yet seen, I am inclined to think there is some ground for such an opinion. But though my chief attention is directed to these two tongues, I do not overlook others, when an opportunity offers, either of making inquiries as to the words already set down, or of learning new ones. is the general outline of the plan, by which I intend to be governed; though I hope to be always ready to adopt any improvement which may be suggested by others, or discovered in the course of my proceedings.

"

66

This

As to the Orthography which I adopt, it may be sufficient to say, that it is substantially the same with Mrs. Kilham's; a few additions and alterations only being admitted where they seemed necessary.

Those who have been occupied in similar pursuits can conceive the dryness of such studies, the slow progress which is made in them, and their tendency to lead the mind away from the great

realities of the Gospel. I know of nó better way to counteract these unfavourable effects, than by a frequent recurrence to the great end in view; which, however distant it may yet be, is nothing less than the transfusion of all the treasures of Revelation into the languages of the Tribes of Africa. Were I to live a hundred years, I know of no grander object, to the attainment of which I could devote myself: and had I only ONE year before me, I should desire above all things, next to the work of DIRECTLY proclaiming the Gospel, to be employed in this, should it please God to favour me with the needful means, as well as with suitable strength. Whether, however, I live or die, I can scarcely doubt that the Blessed Saviour will raise up Instruments for carrying on a work so connected with the honour of His Name and the advancement of His Kingdom, in this part of the Earth.

1

REGENT.

Divine Service is performed twice on the Sunday: the average attendance in the Morning amounts to about 500, including Children; in the Evening, to 250. On the Thursday Evening, an Expository Lecture is given: about 59 Adults attend. The people manifest a pleasing degree of attention in the House of God. The Communicants, on an average 135 in number, meet regularly on the Saturday Evening, when some part of Scripture is familiarly explained. I am sorry, however, to say, that I have too often, on these occasions, to select portions of the Word of God which reprove and warn the lukewarm and the careless; for this

is the general character of the Communicants at Regent. Indeed, my opinion of them is far from favourable; but, as I have been resident among them only nine weeks, I forbear entering on the subject; intending, however, should I be spared to labour at this Station till next quarter, to give a fuller account of their state.

There are at present 35 Candidates, who meet on Monday Evenings. I find this by far too great a number to allow of my obtaining any thing like a correct knowledge of the actual state of each individual: much ignorance prevails amongst them, but their regularity and attention is pleasing. The Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed have been explained to them at their Weekly Meeting. Of the backsliders, one has been dismissed, one has left the town, and eight

have been received on trial; leaving a total of 35.

About a month ago, a more general invitation was given to the Adults and Apprentices to attend the Sunday School; which has increased the number of that class of Scholars to an average attendance of 125. As, however, it still remains uncertain whether they will regularly attend, or whether many may not withdraw when the desire of seeing or hearing some new thing has evaporated, it may not be prudent to calculate on the permanency of the number. About 70 of these are quite beginners, being in the Alphabet Class. By means of this School, many poor Apprenticed Children have been brought under our notice, who appear never to have had the slightest degree of instruction; and who, from their awkwardness and uncouth behaviour at Church, excite the suspicion that they had never before been conducted to a Place of Worship. [Rev. W. Betts.

There are 24 Girls sewing, and 23 learning to sew. The Girls and Boys born in the Colony are gradually improving in speaking the English Language more correctly; that eventually it will supersede the prewhich affords us encouragement to hope sent deep-rooted and much-to-be-lamented system of Broken English. I conceive that the present plan of communicating SpiriAnswers, in our social meetings with the tual Instruction by way of Questions and Adults, will tend to facilitate this important end; yet I desire to be moderate in my expectations, lest I should be too sanguine, and thereby raise hopes that may never be realized.

Our Adult School on Monday and Wednesday Evenings has increased from

9 to 60; 25 of whom are in the Bible Class: among these, I have observed a few who are regular in their attendance, making satisfactory improvement in Scripture Knowledge. [J. Weeks, Catechist.

BATHURST.

It affords matter for unfeigned thankfulness, that, at Bathurst, the Sunday and Week-day Services have met with no interruption during the quarter. The large measure of health vouchsafed to all the Labourers residing here has been such as is but rarely enjoyed for any length of time together in this Colony; and we feel that it demands our gratitude. By the late arrangement, I have, for the first time since my return to the Colony, been able to afford the people of

this and the adjoining Village something like stated Services; and I am gratified in stating, that the advantages which appear to have arisen from this have been an increased and a more regular attendance on Divine Service.

The Congregation on Sunday Mornings consists of more than 500, including Chil dren. The number on Sunday and Thurs day Evenings, and at early Morning Prayers, is, on an average, 100 Adults, 140 Liberated-African Children, and 50 Infant Scholars. The number of Communicants is 14: 9 have been taken on trial as Candidates; which, added to 17 last reported, make a total of 26: these, with the Communicants, are constant in their attendance on the Means of Grace, and at their Weekly Social Meetings.

The Liberated-African Girls' School has 179 Scholars: they appear gradually to improve about 42 of them are reading the Scriptures. The Infants' School has received an increase from among the Colony-born Children.

The Evening School is somewhat larger than it was last quarter; but the increase has not been occasioned so much from persons residing in the town, as it has from among the Children of the Day School, some of whom had a wish to attend for improvement: the number of Scholars taught, who do not attend the Day School, is 24 the whole number attending is 69.

The Sunday School has also been increased so much, that the number on the Books is now double that reported last quarter: there are 72 Adults, and 113 Apprentices: total, 185. The average attendance, 92 to 100. [Rev. T. Davey. The Routine of Instruction in the Infants' School is scarcely varied from what has been reported to you. They are taught, in a way of familiar conversation, as far as practicable, on the Gallery, from 9 to half-past 10; at which time they are allowed to assemble in Classes; though the very small ones can hardly be said to bear the name of CLASS, inasmuch as they are too young to receive much benefit from their Juvenile Teacher: it is hoped, however, that they will at least, through their regular attendance at School, acquire, by imperceptible degrees, a habit of order. No doubt they would, even now, derive more benefit, if the time of a more competent Teacher could be devoted to them. It is thought that a distribution, as equitable as possible, has been made of the assistance available in the way of Teach

At Charlotte, one Service has generally been performed on Sunday Afternoons, by John Attarra; and it affords me pleasure to know, that the number of attendants is on the increase. The hope is therefore indulged, that the Word of God will not, finally, be without saving effect on some of the hearers. There

are 16 Candidates on trial: several of them appear to be walking consistently; but their attainments in Scriptural Knowledge are at present very humble. By the reception into the Church of two Candidates, the number of Communicants has been increased to six. A portion of the people residing at this Village continue to attend Divine Service at Bathurst; many of the Children attend the Day School; and not a few Adults and Apprentices are enrolled in our Sunday-School List, and receive instruction on that day at Bathurst. [Rev. T. Davey.

The difficulties which Missionary Efforts for the benefit of Africa have to encounter, from the nature of the climate and the passions of rapacious and cruel men, are familiar to most of our Readers. The Bâsle Missionary Society, which has directed its attention to the American Colony of Liberia, has not been without a portion of trial; and the afflicted condition of the Mission is thus noticed by two of the Missionaries, Messrs. Sessing and Kissling. Mr. Sessing writes, on the 28th of April—

You have very likely heard that our Society has sent out, in company with me and my dear Partner, in the last year, three more of our Missionary Brethren

-the Rey. T. Bübrer, H. Graner, and R. Dietschy. We all left Bâsle together, the 17th September 1829; and arrived here, by way of America, where we made a stay of a few weeks, in good health: Mr. Bührer, myself, and my wife, arrived

in a small schooner, in Monrovia on the 17th of January: our other two Brethren sailed a few weeks after us, and set their foot on Africa's shore the 28th of February. We all rejoiced together at this increase of our Mission, and thanked God for this great mercy. But how little did we think of what we know now! Oh how severely did the Lord visit us! No more than four weeks after this joyful meeting, two of our dear friends were gone to a far better habitation, called away by the Lord of the quick and dead. Mr. Dietschy died of the country fever, the 22d of March; and Mr. Bührer de parted this life the 26th of the same month: and so we were left to weep over the remains of our deceased friends. Mr. Graner is still very weak, lying down of the fever; but we have hope of his recovery. Mrs. Sessing had the fever very slightly, and, thank God! she is at present in a tolerably good state of health. But what is the state of our Mission now? Our number is again reduced to only three Mr. Kissling, myself, and Mr. Graner, who is yet sick.

After noticing the impediments in the way of their proceeding to the Bassa Country, by the departure of the Governor and the death of the Colonial Physician, who would have greatly facilitated their object, Mr. Sessing continues:

Another more serious obstacle has been thrown in our way of settling in Grand Bassa by the great number of Slavers who occupy the coast; and an imprudent step, taken by some of the American Colonists, has put an entire stop to our wish, for the present. These

men had secret, but no written, orders from the Governor to fight a powerful Slave-Trader, who settled between here and Grand Bassa: he had built a house and fort on an eminent place near the beach, mounted several guns, and gave himself sovereign power by calling himself Don Magill, Lord of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and 10,000 Dollars. He is connected with the most powerful Slave-Traders; and, I believe, a more tyrannical man was never seen on this coast. In order to awe his slaves, he cut some almost to pieces; one he tied to the mouth of a gun, and had it fired; three others he had hanged up in a wooden country-house, and set it on fire: even his own (Spanish) Countrymen, his sailors, ran away from him to save [RECORD, July 1830.]

their lives, and sought refuge in the Co lony. These are facts that would not be believed, perhaps, in England, or Europe, or America, at present; but they are true. Mr. Kissling himself is a witness; who, ignorant of the design of the men in the boat, in which he had taken his passage, was going down to Grand Bassa, to make arrangements for our settling there. On learning their intention, he was not able to dissuade them from it: they attacked the Slave-Trader, and shot him dead: they then made the guns useless; and, after having taken their spoil, would have set the house on fire, had it not been for the interference of the Natives.

Since this act, no vessel of the Colony ventures to go down the coast, for fear of being captured by the Slavers, who anxiously inquired for the perpetrators, and for all the American Settlers without the Colony. You may easily perceive, that, in such a state of things, it is impossible for so few of us to venture our lives where we could meet with no pro tection, except the powerful arm of the where. In our case, we may apply those Almighty, which is able to keep us every

words to ourselves which our Saviour

spoke: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. We are, however, in the hands of our Mighty God and Saviour: it is a little thing for Him to remove all these obstacles out of our way, if it is His will that His blessed Gospel shall be preached on these benighted shores: but, for the present, we can do nothing, but wait patiently, and pray for an increase of love and zeal, and more strength of faith, to put

our whole confidence in Him who has given us the promise that Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hands unto God.

Since their arrival in the Colony, they have commenced a School for poor Children; in reference to which Mr. Kissling writes

The number of Scholars last rainy season was from 40 to 46. About 20 of these poor children read readily the Holy Bible; and, as they had no means of obtaining Bibles, I took the liberty of making use of those which the Bible Society in London had the kindness to give to the late Mr. Wulff. These poor Africans express their grateful thanks to that Society, which was so good as to send this sweet and pleasant Book to them. About 30 Testaments and Bibles

X

I have given away, to persons who are entirely unable to pay any thing for them, yet very desirous to be possessed of the Word of God.

On the state of the Mission, as noticed by his fellow-labourer, Mr. Kissling remarks—

I feel confident that you do sympathize with us, when you hear of our trials and difficulties in Liberia. We may say, indeed, the hand of the Lord is heavy on us. Our way is dark, and our prospects cloudy. Mr. Graner is still very weak and ill; and the will of the Lord concerning his life is not yet known to us. Every day we must witness the passage of Slavers up and down the coast, and the darkness and evil practices of the Country: indeed it is difficult to declare the truths

of the Gospel in such a benighted land, where we meet obstacles on every side. No wonder that a strengthless servant sinks sometimes into distress, when considering all these things. But we lift up our weeping eye to the Throne of Grace; and a source of comfort and consolation

is opened to us. It is true, God moves in a mysterious way, in respect to our Mission in Monrovia; but I confidently trust, that the blessed time will finally arrive, when we shall see and know that He has done all things well. The neglected Africans will be pitied in their distressful situation, and come, I trust, into possession of the blessed Gospel; then we shall praise the Lord for all His doings.

Departure from Cairo.

July 25, 1829-This day, at five o'clock in the afternoon, I set out on my Journey to Lower Egypt, after have ing taken pains the whole week to meet with a vessel: it being the season in which the Mahomedans go on pilgrimage to the Sepulchre of their Saint, Seid Ahmed, which is in Tanta, on the Delta, almost all the vessels were occupied, Whoever can afford as much money as is necessary, repairs to that place; not indeed from piety-this, at least, may be very seldom the case-but in order to empty the cup of the lusts of this world to the very bottom, for which abundant opportunities are offered.

July 26-Last night I was near experiencing shipwreck.

July 27-Visited Tahle (on the map, Thaleh), a large village on the east side of the eastern arm of the Nile, in which I was told that there were Christians; but I found only one, who was extorting money for the Pacha.

Zephte.

of God. Several asked me why we had but Four Gospels, thinking there were Seven; and many I found who knew nothing of the Word of God, except the Psalms, and that there is an Old and a New Testament. As everywhere, so here, I found the Boys most eager, but also the most ill-mannered; having, this morning, presented some with Tracts, such a number of Boys crowded, towards noon-day, near the vessel, and made such a terrible noise, as to oblige me, as words did not prevail, to permit my servant to strike them, in order to compel them to desist. As there were many Mahomedan Children among these Boys, the others would contend with them about the right to receive Tracts; urging me not to give them to any Boy, except he made the Cross, or brought an image of the Virgin Mary. There are about 90 Christian Families in Zephte, who have one Church, with a Kumus and a common Priest: the Church is small and dark: part of it is a School, with about 30 Children. In the afternoon, several Mahomedans called on me; who behaved very well, so that, I am grieved to say, they surpass in manners and education most of the Christians here. I read with them some passages of