lony. Of most of these youths we have very satisfactory and encouraging accounts brought us from year to year.

Besides the Day School, there has always been, at this Station, a Sunday School, which, for the last twelve years, has been uniformly attended by from 70 to 80 children and adults; of whom the greater part are natives of the country, both Half-breeds and Indians.

Frog-Plain School - During the past three years, there has been a highly respectable School at this point of the settlement, kept by a gentleman who has been identified with the settlement from its first establishment. The system of tuition here adopted, embraces Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, and Book-keeping. The progress of the scholars generally is no less creditable to the master, than satisfactory to the parents and friends of the children.

Middle-Church School-The average number of children here is about 40: here is also a Sunday School, which was organized by the settlers in the vicinity of the Church: they erected a school, and a schoolmaster's dwelling adjoining the same, at their own cost.

Image-Plain School-This now reckons 57 children, all Natives of various grades. The establishment of this school is a great accommodation to the residents hereabout, as they are too distant from either the Middle or the Grand-Rapid Church.

Grand-Rapids School-This counts 70 half-breed children, and 25 Indian boys and girls. The average varies considerably; as at certain seasons the grown-up children are required at home, to assist their parents in their farming occupations. From 50 to 55 may, however, be stated, with confidence, as being in general attendance.

Indian Schools at Netley Creek-Here are two schools: one has 52 Indian child ren, and 5 half-breeds; the other, 9 Indians, and 5 half-breeds. This second school has been in operation only since last autumn; which will explain why the attendance is so much short of the others.

The Seminaries at the Upper Church only remain to be noticed under this head. These are under the care and superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. Jones; and were organized two years ago, with the view of affording the means of education to the children of the gentlemen engaged in the Hon. Hudson's-Bay Company's

service. This establishment at present affords board, lodging, and education to 55 pupils; viz. 25 young ladies and 30 young gentlemen: both these institutions, when organized, were committed to the charge of a Tutor and a Governess from England.

The course of instruction in the young ladies' school embraces Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, the use of the Globes, history, and catechetical information. In the young gentlemen's school, progress is made in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Bookkeeping, Algebra, Mathematics, Latin, Greek, &c. The younger ones read Delectus, and study Grammar, History, &c. ; while the newcomers are in the New Testament and various Catechisms.

Concluding Remarks on the State and Prospects of the Settlement.

When it is considered, that all these Schools have to be visited and examined; that the Churches are open twice a week for Divine Worship; that Baptisms have to be administered, for the most part, at the parents' houses, the weather for twothirds of the year being too severe for infants to be exposed to the open air; that the Indian Schools, as well as the Seminaries, have to be provided for, as well as educated; that many duties, not to be particularized, claim attention; it will be easily seen, that the time of two Clergymen must be completely filled up; and more especially when it is further considered, that, in such a country as this, a person has to combat many difficulties, and is pressed and harassed by a thousand cares and anxieties, which would not be found connected with the same circle of duties at home.

people are in very comfortable circumstances; and enjoy a green old age, in the possession of many comforts: their young people are, in every sense of the word, moral, upright, and well-conducted, and are likely to become worthy members of society.

The Christian cannot view this rising community without feelings of the most lively and gratifying nature: in the very heart of the wilderness, and in the centre of this vast continent, has Divine Providence been pleased to display the standard of Salvation before half-civilized tribes and barbarous nations; who must eventually, according to the sure word of prophecy, learn the will of God, and obey His commandments.

The moralist, also, cannot contemplate without interest the happy security in which each person enjoys the fruit of his own labour; as well as the peace, harmony, and good feeling, which have for a series of years subsisted among the settlers of every grade: few, if any, have, or had, locks to their doors; the barns and out-buildings have seldom any other fastening than a leathern thong; linen, hung out to dry, is left all night in the open air; herds of swine and cattle roam through the woods and plains; and yet we know of but two instances of theft in the course of twelve years, and the perpetrators were persons unconnected with the settlement.

The country possesses great internal resources, never yet put to the test: the climate is healthy, and land generally fertile the inhabitants want nothing, but gratitude to Providence, contentment with their lot, and a little more diligence, to make Red-River Settlement a very desirable place of residence.

We regret, however, to state, that some deductions are to be made from this pleasing picture, instances of trouble and disquietude having recently begun to show themselves : these had been met, however, by prompt and effectual measures on the part of the Authorities. It is to be expected, that, as civilization advances, human corruption will display itself under new forms; but good government, in union with the utmost possible extension of Christian Knowledge, and all the Means of Grace, will be, according to the

general analogy of Providence, the best guarantee for the security and happiness of a community.

We add a few passages from Mr. Cockran's Journal, which feelingly indicate the state of his mind, under diversified circumstances of the Mission. The first extract refers to the prevalence of a

Severe Epidemic in the Mission Settlements.

June 21,1835-Preached at the Rapids in the morning, and at the Indian Settlement in the afternoon. Both places were thinly attended, and the few present were incessantly coughing. An epidemic now rages of the most alarming nature: it seizes the old, the middle-aged, the young, and the infant: all are groaning, and many are prostrate under its evil influence. In the Indian Settlement there is not a nurse left for each family. The symptoms of all are similar-soreness of the throat; excruciating pains in the chest; debility and pains in the limbs ; violent head-ache, and ear-ache; a discharge of matter from the ears; deafness; delirium; inflammation in the eyes; intermitting fever, and severe cough; accompanied, in some, with expecto

One

ration of blood. In the Indian Settlement the disease is most severe. of our boys, belonging to Mr. Smith's school, is not expected to live. In the Indian encampment two have died.

June 24-Visited the Indian Settlement: went through the houses: found not one free from the disease: the children were lying in groups of three or four, on some of the floors: the parents stretched on beds the mothers scarcely able to The few who suckle their children. could walk to the school-room assembled,

and we prayed for the sick and ourselves. In my discourse, I called their attention to all that God had done for us, as a people newly snatched from barbarism and heathenism; and how we had repaid His goodness with ingratitude-received His indulgent offers of mercy with marked indifference-murmured at His providences, which were all intended to work together for our good-sung His praises with a carnal mind-and sent to His throne the prayers which proceeded from a frozen heart: and now the Great Redeemer, the very friend of sinners, looks

down from His throne with displeasure, and seems to say, in every pain, “I will be avenged on such a people as this." Returned home much indisposed, enjoying the shade of every tree that I passed; and often thinking what a blessing it must be to have a passage from hence to a better world, where sin, pain, disease, and death, shall not be allowed to enter.

Mr. Cockran adds, in the subsequent month

July 26-Preached in the morning at the Rapids. The congregation large and attentive. In the afternoon, rode to the Indian Settlement ;-the track miry; the heat excessive; and countless myriads of flies. I have had many a dirty and troublesome ride; but, from some cause or other, I never felt so much annoyed as to-day. This was the first time that ever I felt the toil of a Missionary life to be too much for me. A man, to do his duty here, ought to think constantly upon the crown of glory as the reward of his toils.

As my anticipations of that diminish, I find things, which at other times are met with indifference, become irksome. Returned home late, and spent a sleepless night. The heat, the flies, and the exercise of the day, had so irritated my nerves, that I found it impossible to sleep. Yet, while the feelings of a Missionary are sometimes downcast, he can at other times express himself in a way, such as evinces that the Christian's hope is one that maketh

not ashamed. marks, of a somewhat earlier date in the same year, exhibit an

The following re

Encouraging Review of Nine Years'
Experience.

Jan. 18,1835-In the afternoon, held a meeting at the Indian Settlement: the children who attend school, and most of the adults, were present. The schoolroom was nearly full (old and young amounted to 70). I considered this rather encouraging for North-West America, where the people are scattered over the country in single tents. Some nine years ago, when my zeal had not been tempered by disappointment, I would often say, I came here to preach the Gospel: I am willing to do it: but to whom can I preach it? Can the frozen swamps, the lofty poplars, and the dwarfish willows, benefit by instruction? or will the howling wolf listen to the voice of mercy ?" Such were the queries, that put my zeal to the blush: indeed the country seemed to be without inhabitants. Nevertheless, the Lord knoweth them that are His; and, that they might know Him, He has caused the sound of his mercy to resound through the forest, to assemble them to hear words whereby their souls may be saved. They have done well in accepting the invitation; and since they are come at His bidding, I am persuaded He has purposes of work, therefore, go on, till the little-one mercy concerning them. Let the good shall become a thousand.

to

Appropriation of the Parliamentary Grant in Aid of the Religious and Moral Instruction of the Negroes. In the last Session of Parliament, the sum of 20,000l. was voted " ward the erection of School-houses in the Colonies and Settlements to which the provisions of the Act for the Abolition of Slavery apply.” The views of His Majesty's Government, in the appropriation of the Grant, are thus explained, in a Letter from Sir George Grey to the Lords of the Treasury, under date of July 21, 1835:—

Having especially in his view the observance of those "liberal and comprehensive principles" which Parliament has

already determined shall be adhered to, and at the same time the "religious and moral" character of the education to be provided, his Lordship is of opinion, that the proposed end can be most effectually secured through the agency of the dif ferent Religious Bodies already engaged and which comprise, not only the functioin promoting Education in the Colonies;

naries of the Established Church in the West Indies, but members of most of the leading Denominations of Christians. The past success of these various Societies, in though greatly limited by a deficiency of diffusing Education among the Negroes, funds, affords satisfactory ground for anticipating the most favourable results from an increase of the means at present available in their hands; while, on the other hand, Lord Glenelg conceives that the

establishment of a new and distinct system would tend to interfere with their operations, without deriving any assistance from their agency.

The rule which he proposes to adopt, with respect to the distribution of funds to be placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Government for this purpose, is similar in principle to that which has governed the application of the sums recently granted by Parliament in aid of the erection of Schools in this country. Upon a review of the Statistical Returns received by this Department, it appears that the first step toward the attainment of the object in view must be, the granting assistance for the erection of new School-houses. Lord Glenelg therefore proposes to take into consideration such applications for assistance of this nature as shall be accompanied by a report from one or other of the Societies I have adverted to, which shall satisfy him that the case is one deserving of attention, and which shall be accompanied by adequate security that a fixed proportion of the estimated Expenditure shall be provided by voluntary subscription, or from some other source.

In pursuance of these views, a communication was addressed by Lord Glenelg to the Church Missionary Society, for the purpose of engaging its co-operation in the application of a portion of the Grant through its agency. This the Committee very readily undertook to do, being most solicitous to render the operations of the Society in the West Indies, in the altered circumstances of the population, as extensively available as possible, in imparting Religious Instruction to the Negroes. The general principles on which it was proposed that the appropriation should be made met with the cordial concurrence of the Committee. They are thus stated, in a Letter from Sir George Grey to the Secretaries, of Sept. 10, 1835:—

That each Society making application be required to pledge itself to His Majesty's Government, not to withdraw any portion of its funds now appropriated to Negro Education, in consequence of the aid to be received from the Parliamentary

Grant.

That the Society be required to certify that the School for which the aid is applied for, is, or is intended to be, conducted on the principles and plan sanctioned by the Rules and Constitution of the Society applying.

Various details were also required, which it was proposed that a Schoolas to the Colony and situation in house should be erected, its dimensions, cost, &c. It was also arranged, that two-thirds of the expense of erecting a School-house should be borne by Government, and one-third by the Society.

It was natural that Government should take measures to ascertain that the public money thus placed at the disposal of the Society was duly appropriated to the objects intended. It was therefore provided that the Schools kept in the houses aided by the Parliamentary Grant should be subject to the inspection of an Officer appointed by Government, who should report on their state and efficiency. This Officer, however, is not to interfere with the instruction given. On this head, it was stated by Sir George Grey, in his Letter of Sept. 10th, above mentioned

It is not intended to interfere with the Religious Instruction given in the Schools; but only to ascertain that they really conduce to the moral and religious education and improvement of the Negro Population, and thus answer the end for which the public money has been advanced.

Under the foregoing arrangement, the sum of 2500l. has been appropriated by Lord Glenelg to the Church Missionary Society. In the application of it, provision is to be

made for the erection of two Schoolhouses in Demerara, two in Berbice, and two in Trinidad. The remainder of the sum will be applied to the erection of School-houses in Jamaica.

It will be seen, from what has been stated, that the sum of 12501. will be required from the Society's funds, to give effect to the arrange