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CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

1816.

W. A. B. Johnson, Minister.
James Norman, Schoolmaster.
Mrs. Norman and Hannah Johnson,
Schoolmistresses.

David Noah, Native Teacher. This whole community presents the singular and delightful appearance of one large family. Kindly feelings are cherished among them, not only in their sacred assemblies for spiritual edification and worship, but in the common and social intercourse of life.

A striking illustration of this is given, in the last Report of the Society; in a narrative of the manner of spending the season of Christmas, which was worthy of a Christian Community.

The population, as it stood at the last Return, was settled on 406 lots. None reside on their farms, but all in the town. More ground had been cleared than in any preceding year; and such had been the industry of the people, that 4050 bushels of Cocoa and 9721 of Cassada had been sold to the Government during the year.

In our last Volume, pp. 161-163, various instances were given of the Influence of Religion on the people; and, at pp. 284-292, a general view of their state, both in their temporal and spiritual concerns, which cannot fail to have strengthened the conviction of every intelligent Reader that this is indeed the work of God. The Missionary Association contributed, in the year, 721. 8s. 1d. The Benefit Society for the relief of the sick distributed 221.10s. There are many, however, to whom some benevolent assistance, especially in sickness and in child-birth, will continue to be acceptable. Mr. Johnson acknowledges, therefore, with great thank. fulness, a seasonable supply furnished to the Society by the Association of Ladies, mentioned at p. 460 of our last Volume.

Of the Schools, Mr. Johnson writes, in one of his last communications

They are well and regularly attended. The Male Schools, Day and Evening, are conducted by David Noah; and the Female by my Sister.

About 500 Scholars regularly attended, and others occasionally.

At the end of April, the number of Communicants was 340; and of Baptized, in preparation, 38. There had been 21 suspended from the Communion, who still attended Church-2 Communicants had left Regent's Town-and 13 had departed in the Faith."

More than 100 Adults had been baptized, in the year; and 25 were under preparation.

The attachment of the Native Teachers

to the place, and the means which have been rendered a blessing to them,is strongly evinced on Sacrament Days; when they have early Service at the places where they labour, that they may, themselves, commu. nicate at Regent's Town-on which occasions, one has come in from Gloucester, a second from Bathurst, a third from Leopold, and a fourth (five miles through the bush) from Wilberforce.

The painful separation of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, on her return home, was an occasion of drawing forth such manifestations of tender regard to them both from the people, that, though it could not but be consolatory to Mr. Johnson, it wounded his heart afresh.

The testimonies of Mr. Ephraim Bacon and Mr. W. Singleton to the state of Regent's Town, were quoted at pp.244-246 of our last Volume. Captain Tanney, of the Merchant Service, who visited this' Settlement, first in 1817, and afterward in 1821, adds the following strong testimony:

Regent's Town, under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, was then (1817) but thinly inhabited. I received the Sacrament from his hands, with about twelve Communicants, the first seals to his Ministry. Very few attended Divine Service.

In contrasting its then condition with the Present, I must confess a just description cannot be given without the appearance of exaggeration. The change is so visible, that no sceptic, however hardened, but must confess it is the hand of the Lord that hath done it: the lives of the Recaptured Negroes are so opposed to their own, that they are astonished and confounded.

Regent's Town now wears the aspect of a wellpeopled village in our happy land-its inhabitants civilized, industrious, honest, and neatly clothed. The ground allotted to each family is cultivated, each lot being distinctly marked out. I have frequently ascended an eminence near the town, to behold the pleasing scene on the Sabbath-Dayhundreds pressing on to the House of God, at the sound of the bell, hungering after the bread of life. Nothing but sickness prevents their attendance now."

On the state of the people, Mr. John

son says

Family Prayer, besides Morning and Evening Service in the Church, is observed by all the Communicants, and by some who have not yet been admitted to the Lord's Table, in their respective houses. Nine in the morning and nine in the evening, are generally the hours when that solemn duty is performed.

I am happy to observe that many now, of the first that were converted, have become established in the faith. Nothing seems to move them. They say little-perhaps will work a whole day, and speak not ten words; but the few words which they speak will have great weight. These, I may truly say, are my crown of rejoicing, and encourage me to persevere. When they were first brought to the knowledge of Christ, they staggered and fell; but, by degrees, learned to walk. Wild fanatical emotions have entirely ceased, as well among old as young.

The new converts will sometimes be much dis. tressed, which arises from not having a sufficient knowledge of the ability of the Saviour to save them; but, with all these I have learned, from experience, to have patience, and to treat them as children. They will incautiously run into error, when they think they have acted right; and when

onvinced of their mistake, will get into great dis. || and, at pp. 298-299, were given many

tress of mind. This was the case with the first who

were converted, and have since become established; and it is the same with the young who remain unsettled. I must confess that I was sometimes much staggered, before the first became settled Christians; but now I am convinced that our gracious God has begun a great work, against which the gates of Hell shall not prevail.

With the following striking scene and fervent prayer, we shall conclude. Mr. Johnson writes

After Evening School, I walked in the piazza. The moon shone very brightly, and the night was beautiful. But I was chiefly animated by hearing the people at their Family Worship, in every direc tion. At my right, were the Boys in the Seminarybefore me, and in every other quarter, sɔme were reading, others praying, and others singing.

O Almighty and Gracious Saviour, may Thy Name, which is as ointment poured forth, and which I now hear from these sheep whom Thou hast sought in the wilderness, be precious to them and to all whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy blood! May Thy love constrain them to love one another! May they live a life of faith, and lead a holy life to Thy praise! May the unworthy Minister and the People be always found at the Throne of Grace, and the Holy Spirit enable them continually to enjoy fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus

Christ! Oh keep Thou the flame of love alive, by causing this blessed communion to be constant and unceasing. Send down refreshing manifestations of Thy love; so that while prayers go up from Thy people and Thy Minister, blessings may come down like rain upon the mown grass, yea as showers that water the earth!

THE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTION.

The Youths under instruction continue to conduct themselves well. Mr. Norman has been frequently indisposed, which has impeded their progress.

At pp. 292 and 293 of our last Volume, some Letters were printed, which had been addressed to the Secretaries by several of the Youths now in the Seminary, which indicate, it may be hoped, a state of mind under preparation to become a future blessing to their countrymen: and at p. 305 were given a few particulars of the Death of Miles Atkinson, a Youth mentioned in the last Survey.

Captain Tanney, before quoted, says of the Institution

I rejoice that your Society has established a Seminary for Pious Youths, to prepare them for the work of the Ministry: it now contains eighteen, who will, in a few years, under the tuition of Mr. Norman, should his life be spared, be ably qualified. They express an ardent desire to be sent to their Countrymen. Much good may be expect ed from this Institution.

GLOUCESTER.

A Town of Liberated Africans, in the Parish of St.
Audrew-Inhabitants. 697.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
1816.

Henry Düring, Minister. Mrs. Düring, Schoolmistress. The testimony of the Governor to the improved condition of this Settlement, with that of Mr. W. Singleton, was quoted at pp. 246 and 247 of our last Volume; Jun. 1893.

particulars relative to the state and progress of religion among the people.

The Communicants had increased to 62. The work of Grace was manifest, not only in this augmentation of numbers, but in the fruits of the Spirit among them. Mr. Düring says of the Communicants

It gives me great encouragement to say of them at large, that there exists a blessed union among them; such as becometh the Gospel of our Lerd Jesus Christ. This I have often witnessed, with much satisfaction, in case of any one being sick among them they will then manifest the utmost care one of another, by administering every kind of relief in their power.

Calumnies had been heaped upon many of them, and personal injuries attempted; in reference to which, Mr. Düring writes

Under these trials, they prosper greatly; they are brought by means of them nearer to the Throne of Grace, and are made more watchful over themselves and more sincere and affectionate one toward another; while this effect creates in others a desire to unite themselves with them.

-Divine Worship continued to be regularly observed, morning and evening every day; and was well attended, though not so numerously as on Sundays.

The Schools had, at the last dates, suffered loss from sickness; but were recovering.

The Missionary Association of the Settlement contributed 187. 148.9d, in the year.

The Anniversary of the Church Missionary Association of the Colony was beld at Gloucester, Dec. 26, 1821; His Excellency the Governor in the Chair. Mr. Düring had preached a Sermon preparatory to the Meeting. Of this Anniversary we gave an account at pp. 241-243 of our last Volume.

Industry is here also the fruit of reli. gion, and is manifested in the increase of produce and live-stock, the amount of which in the year Mr. Düring estimates at double that of the year preceding.

In this promising state of things, it became a cause of great disquietude to Mr. Düring, that he was compelled to leave the people for a season, and to seek a renovation of health by returning to Europe. He would gladly have retired to the Isles de Loss or the Gambia, for a few months; but a visit to Europe was become indispensable. The spiritual interests of the people pressed heavily on his mind: he had been among them several years, and warm affection was mutual; while he was aware that their state was such as daily to need seasonable counsel. The best practicable arrangements having, however, been made for the supply of his absence, as we have already stated, he embarked in the Fletcher, on the 3d of May, and reached Liverpool on the 16th of July. After spending a few months in England,

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and visiting with much advantage various Associations of the Society, he left Falmouth, with his family, on his return in the Betsey and Ann, on the 3d of December, greatly restored.

CAPE MESURADO. AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. It will have appeared, from pp. 416419 of our last Volume, that the land purchased at Grand Bassa, for a Settlement, as stated in the Survey, had been relinquished; and that other land, at Cape A Town of Africans in the Parish of St. Paul-In- Mesurado, north-west of Grand Bassa, had habitants, 595; of whom, 365 are Liberated Slaves, 115 Kroomen, and the rest other Natives, CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1817.

WILBERFORCE.

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CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Stephen Caulker, Schoolmaster. "The Rev. G. E. W. Metzger, whose departure with his Wife for Africa has been already mentioned, was appointed to enter on this Mission. In the meantime, Stephen Caulker is proceeding much to the satisfaction of the Society: Daily Prayer is kept, morning and evening, in a small Place of Worship; and the Scholars have made such progress, that several of them can read fluently.

The Journal of W. Tamba's Second Journey, mentioned in the preceding Survey, was printed at pp. 325-329 of our last Volume; with some Remarks on the Journal.

been purchased by Dr. Ayres, the last Agent of the Society.

Dr. Ayres arrived at Cape Mesurado, with part of the Settlers from Sierra Leone, on the 7th of January. He found the Chiefs disposed to recede from their bargain; but, after much altercation, harmony was restored. In February, sickness, though not of a serious nature, attacked most of the Settlers. In March, Dr. Ayres went to Sierra Leone; and, having finally adjusted the Society's concerns there, arrived again at the Cape on the 2d of April, with the remainder of the Settlers and the stores. A dispute had arisen, during his absence, between the Natives and the Colonists, which led to a Palaver on the 24th of April: here Dr. Ayres assumed a bold tone, and insisted on the fulfilment of the bargain, which the Chiefs were disposed to delay, in the hope of more contributions. The business was, at length, adjusted, and possession taken of the Cape on the 25th of April, by hoisting the American Colours and firing a salute, in the presence of the Chiefs and people. Dr. Ayres then left, on his return to America, to lay before the Society an account of the situation and prospects of the Settlement.

AMERICAN EPISCOPAL MISSIONARY
SOCIETY.

Mr. Ephraim Bacon, with whose name, in connection with this coast, our Readers are acquainted, has been appointed by the Society a Catechist on this Station, with a view to his organizing a permanent Mission.

South Africa.

THE distress of this quarter of our Survey, from the failure of the late harvests, is well known. Some judgment may be formed of the degree of this calamity from the following extracts of Letters from Mr. Hallbeck, one of the Brethren's Missionaries at Gnadenthal :

"The same quantity of corn, which, 18 months ago, we bought for 45 rix-dollars, is now sold for 230, and in some parts of the Colony for 300. Hence there is no help for the poorer Hottentots: they must either suffer hunger, or incur debts; which prolongs their sufferings for years, by being obliged to work off arrears with the farmers, instead of earning money for their families' subsistence. I have seen two years of scarcity in Africa, but never was the general distress so great as at present; not only because the people are impoverished by the sufferings of former years, but because the real want of eatables is much greater. There are hundreds of Colonists who

must contrive to live on animal food alone, as in some places bread is not to be had."

In a subsequent Letter, Mr. Hallbeck says

"There is every appearance of another failure of the crop. In several parts of the Colony the hopes of the husbandman are already destroyed by the "rust," or mildew. May this chastisement be sanctified for the good of this unhappy Colony; and may its inhabitants turn to the Lord with their whole hearts."

This anticipation proved but too well founded. Dr. Philip writes, on the 3d of August

"We have no rice, but what we receive from India-no wheat, but what comes from New Holland or from England. Your hearts would bleed to see the present condition of this Colony. We have had no crops for two years, and fears are generally entertained for the one approaching. While the western coast of Africa has been deluged with rain for four months past, in such a degree that the seed is rotting in the ground, and houses and even villages are falling down, the eastern coast has had scarcely any rain for a twelvemonth past, and the grass is parched up as if it had been burnt in an oven. The desolations occasioned by the late storms amount, in many instances, to the almost total ruin of a great part of the inhabitants in the wealthiest districts of the Colony. The expences of Missionaries are neces-' sarily higher than usual. Every thing in the Colony is at an extravagant price."

The Government afforded every possible relief, under these afflicting cir

cumstances.

We have exchanged the former division of the Stations, as "within the Colony" and "beyond the Colony," for the more appropriate arrangement of them under the Native Tribes, for whose benefit, chiefly, they are respectively appointed.

CAPE TOWN.

The Capital of the Colony-Inhabitants, at the end of 1818, were 18.173: consisting of 7460 Whites, 1905 Free Blacks, 810 Apprentices, 536 Hottentots, and 7462 Slaves.

Church has been formed. The evidence of decided piety afforded by some of the Slaves is of the most satisfactory kind.

We have received no information respecting the Society's Stations at Clanwilliam

Of the improved state of Cape Town, and Zoar. Dr. Philip thus writes

When we look at the mass of the population in Cape Town, we question whether we have effected any change at all among the people; but when we look at the Public Institutions of the place-the Congregations which have been collected-the Churches which have been formed-the persons here, and in other parts of the world, who have been brought to the knowledge of the truth-and the individuals who have been raised up to assist in the Missions, by the preaching of the Gospel in Cape Town-we have great reason for thankful

DESS.

SOUTH-AFRICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The progress of the Society within its first year, has amply justified all the expectations entertained at its formation. The Scriptures have been distributed among the Colonists, and Missionaries have been supplied. The Society has declined a Grant of 2001. from the Parent Institution, in consequence of the present sufficiency of its pecuniary resources. SOUTH-AFRICAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. J. H. Beck, Missionary. About 500 Slaves are under Mr. Beck's Instruction, from among whom a Christian

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF
THE GOSPEL.
1821.

William Wright, Missionary.
Mr. Wright has restored the National
School to a state of efficiency. Scholars,
200.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

John Philip, D. D. Superintendant of the Missions. Dr. Philip spent the last three months of 1821 in visiting the Stations within the Colony. Valuable regulations were adopted, on his suggestion, at some of the Settlements.

The Rev. A. Faure, Dutch Minister at Graaff Reynet, has been associated, on his own offer of service, as a Coadjutor with Dr. Philip.

The contributions received, from various parts of the United Kingdom, toward the Establishment described in the last Survey amounted to about 600/.

Dr. Philip has encouraging evidences of the success of his Ministry.

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Leitner, Tietze, Schulz, Missionaries. Br. Bonatz is returned to Europe. The Brethren Tietze and Schulz lately arrived.

Of the recent distresses of this Settlement, we quoted an afflicting account in a Postscript to our last Volume.

No report of the state of the Congregation has lately appeared.

PAARL.

About 45 Miles north-east of Cape Town.
LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

1819.

Of the influence of religion on the Slaves, Mr. Evans says

It is exceedingly gratifying to hear the excellent character which their Masters and Mistresses give of the Slaves who have been baptized. One Gentleman, five of whose Slaves I have baptized, said that he wished the Society had been established' many years before; for since his Slaves have been instructed, he has not had the least trouble with them. Many others have given a similar testimony: even some who were formerly inimical to the instruction of their Slaves.

TULBAGH.

About 100 miles north-east of Cape Town
LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Ariel Vos, Missionary.
The attendance on Public Worship is
good; and the number of the Heathen
who embrace Christianity is encouraging,
Those who have been baptized continue
steadfast: many, who have not yet been
baptized, manifest serious concern as to
their salvation; while others resist oft-re-
peated exhortations and entreaties, and
continue in sin.

From unavoidable causes, the attendance in the School is far from regular. A Sunday School has been opened.

GNADENTHAL.

About 130 miles eastward-by-north of Cape Town.
UNITED BRETHREN.
1736-renewed 1792.
Beinbrech, Clemens, Fritsch, Hallbeck,
Stein, Thomsen, and Voigt,
Missionaries.

It has pleased God, to take into eternal rest the venerable Brother Marsveld, at the age of 76; after labouring indefatigably in this Mission, from its recommencement in 1792. Br. Voight lately joined the Mission.

A distressing account of the sufferings of this Settlement, as well as that of Groenekloof, was given in the Postscript to our last Volume. The Government made a benevolent grant to this Settlement of rice and wheat, to the value of 1000 rix-dollars. Some alleviating circumstances are mentioned,, with gratitude, by the Missionaries; and they especially rejoiced in the spiritual benefit which the people derived through their sufferings. On this subject, Mr. Hallbeck writes

Evan Evans, Missionary. The labours of Mr. Evans continue to be attended with success. A larger Place of Worship is become requisite; and ground has been granted by Government. In externals, our poor Hottentots have to strug. The number of hearers, at the Paarl and gle with great difficulties; but they put their truse in the neighbouring districts, is about 1100 in God, in a manner truly edifying, and will therewhites and 1200 coloured people. Therefore not be put to shame. A sick man, with whom are about 5000 Heathens in these places.

On the School List there are 175, adults (and children, slaves and free: the average attendance is but from 40 to 80, chiefly on account of distance. Many are indefatigable.

The Missionary Society continues to prosper. The Slaves contribute cheerfully.

I lately conversed, speaking of the scarcity, said, "God formed our eyes in such a manner, that we cannot see what happens on the other side of yonder hill; and I never heard any one complain of it. Our mind's eye is formed in the same manner; for we cannot look into futurity. Why should we then be dissatisfied? No: let us but put our confidence in Him, who surveys all, and will help us through every difficulty." This spirit of childlike confidence in God pervades our whole Congrega tion, and is a great source of consolation to us.

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