his being received back into the Church, while he dealt in such traffic, was quite out of the question. He then told me that he had given forty-two dollars for his licence, and that it would be a great sacrifice to forego the sale of rum. I then had an opportunity of telling him, that, if he were really sincere about his soul, he would willingly make that sacrifice. I spoke much with him upon this point; but all to no purpose, since the loss of the forty-two dollars, in his esteem, far outweighed every argument I could advance on the subject: and finding that we could come to no terms, he left me with a sorrowful heart; promising, however, to consider the matter.

The importance of being acquainted with human nature in its varied forms is apparent from the following remark of Mr. Collins :

While meeting those who have backslidden, I have been at times moved, while with tears they have expressed contrition for their past misconduct: but a more lengthened acquaintance has led me to receive their statements with extreme caution, and much to doubt the reality of their professions, although accompanied with tears, from discovering, in too many instances, that their touching appeals are prepared for the occasion; and their constant repetition, with a copious flow of tears at each meeting, makes me fear, much as I would incline to the contrary, the sincerity of their repentance.

The Rev. J. F. Schön had suffered much from ill health during this quarter. He has reported of the various Stations in the Mountain District, as follows:

GLOUCESTER and LEICESTER-The people have been as regular in attending the Public Services as in former quarters; and their conduct has, as far as I know, been becoming in the House of God. It was often pleasing to me to see the Church crowded on Sunday Mornings, before the accustomed signs for assembling had been given. The Evening Services on Week-days and Sundays were also well frequented. I regret that I cannot say the same of the attendance at the Monthly Missionary Prayer Meetings, either in this or in the other villages of the Mountain District.

REGENT-If we could judge from the

attendance of the people, of the concern for their souls, every thing would be encouraging; for the Church was often completely filled. Of many regular attendants not yet admitted to the Church, I entertain a favourable opinion. I readmitted one woman to the number of Communicants. The misconduct of a man, of whose sincerity I never entertained a doubt, was on the other hand an occasion of much grief. The root of all evil, the love of money, caused him to fall and to deceive his neighbour, on which account he was suspended from the Church. There is, however, every reason to believe that he is truly sorry for what he has done.

BATHURST and CHARLOTTE - Although the Church Services at Bathurst are well attended by the inhabitants of this place and of Charlotte, it has sometimes pained me, when riding through the village shortly before Service time, to see how many keep away from the House of God. I several times called on them, as I was passing, to come and hear the Word of God; when some answered, “No, we no go meeting" others said, "Yes, we can come," and never came. The Mahomedans are more numerous here than at other places, and are seen to keep together, and have hitherto not been persuaded to attend Church: they make, however, no objection to their children's attending school.

HASTINGS-The occupation of this Station was referred to at p. 79 of this Volume. John Attarra, who is at present appointed to labour here as a Catechist, gives the following account of the dispositions of the people.

At the commencement of the quarter, we had a prospect of seeing things go on in a more pleasing and successful manner among the people of the village, especially among those who are professors of Christianity; because some of the leaders, and of the people who formerly opposed our manner of worshipping God, openly confessed that they were wrong, and now joined us. It was indeed a thing which greatly encouraged us in our work. From that time, the rest of the people began to think seriously about our way. It had a good effect on the minds of many of them, at the same time. The wife of one could not be persuaded, either by

words of comfort or by threatenings, to desist from us, or to leave our Chapel. The following remarks by Mr. Schön will show the

Necessity of Strictness with the Parents

of the School Children.

I conclude my Report with an observation or two on the conduct of the scholars and their parents. I have observed several times, with much regret, that some of the children show contempt to the Schoolmasters, and are apt to complain to their parents of the punishments they received. The consequence, in three cases out of four, was, that the ignorant parents came to the school, and there gave vent to their feelings in speaking against the Schoolmasters, and abusing them in the presence of all the children. As I had so often spoken against these things, and requested the people to come and let me know their complaints, that I might settle them, without effect; I now always dismiss the children altogether from the school. This is a trial too hard for them; and I find, invariably, that such a measure brings both parents and children to their proper senses. After due acknowledgment of wrong, and a promise never to do the same again, I generally re-admit them. In other cases, I have observed that the parents take a correct view of the matter, and find fault with their children. The sorrow of mind expressed by a woman of Regent, whose daughter was dismissed from school, I think I shall not soon forget. The follies and sins of youth are open to our eyes, and are indeed very often discouraging; but I trust if we could see the secret operations of the Word of God on many a heart, or the beneficial effect which a Scriptural Education may have in future, we should have just as much cause for rejoicing, and encouragement to go on in our labour. Let us then not despair, with regard to this branch of labour; let us remember, that one soweth and another reapeth, but that both shall rejoice together.

Remarks on the Religious State of the
Colony.

One of the Catechists, Mr. William Young, being in this country for the recovery of his health, has communicated, in a Letter dated July 2, 1836, the following general observations to the Committee.

Perhaps the growing inquiry and desire which I have witnessed for the Sacred

Scriptures, and other religious books, manifested by the adult population in the villages, is one among the first proofs of the Lord's blessing upon the general instructions of the Society's Servants. I believe that by far the greater number of this class have been taught to read in our Schools; and their advancement in Christian Knowledge is owing to their steady perseverance and attendance on the public misistry of the Word, as well as on the means of instruction afforded them in our Sunday Schools. One of the Sunday Scholars, at the village where I last lived, would not suffer himself to be deprived of two hours' instruction by a few friends who came several miles to see him.

For the last two or three years, our Congregations have been increasing: and up to the time I left Sierra Leone, in March last, they were never larger. Many of the oldest Natives connected with the Church regularly attend the public ministry of the Word, and faithfully observe the Lord's Day. It is to be hoped that this example may, through the blessing of God, be profitable to the rising generation.

It is very gratifying to state, also, that Family Worship is regularly performed, morning and evening, by a few, to my knowledge: but, still, this sacred duty may be practised by many whom I have not witnessed, and who may be touched with a feeling sense of its consequent blessings. Repeated efforts have been made by such persons, who appreciate the blessings of the Gospel, to bring their heathen neighbours to attend the House of God: though they have been as often repulsed, they still persevere in their visits.

After a series of falls, separations, persecutions, sickness, and death, and amidst all the power of the enemy, there perhaps never was an era, in the history of the West-Africa Mission, when it was in a better or sounder state than now. We indeed have nothing to boast of; but we are sometimes permitted to rejoice, yet with trembling. Idolatry so glaring; the heathen are is not not so bold, though they worship their idols in secret. I have seen them blush, when they have been reasoned with on the folly of their idol-worship; and have left them in much confusion. May the

Lord open their hearts to attend unto the things which are spoken! Though one and another of our Communicants fall into sin, others are becoming more deeply rooted in the faith of Jesus Christ, and are growing in the grace of God. Visit to Kent, the Southernmost Station in the Colony.

During the month of June 1835, the Rev. J. F. Schön paid a visit to Kent; a Station at which, for a long time, the Society has not had any Missionary Labourers. The transmission of his Report of this visit has, from some cause, been delayed. We place it before our Readers in the hope that it may show the extreme want of religious instruction in the remoter parts of the Colony; and thus lead many to pray, that Native Teachers, and Preachers of the ever-blessed Gospel, may be raised up by God, to carry light to these regions of darkness. Mr. Schön writes:

Two applications having lately been addressed to the Special Meeting by some of the inhabitants of Kent who were formerly connected with our Society, either as Communicants or Candidates, for Ministerial Visits; the Brethren of the Special Meeting, considering it desirable that an attempt should be made to comply with their request, appointed that I should undertake a journey to Kent.

Departure from Gloucester.

I accordingly set out from Gloucester on the 16th of June for that purpose. It was not without much deliberation; and, I trust I may say, not without fervent prayer for Divine direction and guidance, in all my ways; particularly as the present season of the year is not well adapted for travelling, nor myself much acquainted with the best method of proceeding. In order to introduce our Native Teacher, M. T. Harding, to the people at Kent-for whom it will be always much easier to undertake a journey to them in future—and in order to have a Christian Companion on the road, I requested him to go with me. Before we left Gloucester, we commended ourselves, our bodies and souls, to the Lord, who is able to supply all our need.

Arrival at Hastings.

The morning was very fine; and the air, through the valley and plain from

Bathurst to Hastings, was quite refreshing. We arrived at Hastings about 9 A.M. The people gave us a very friendly welcome; especially those, or some of them, who were Communicants at the time when that Station was occupied by our Society. They inquired after the Missionaries with whom they were personally acquainted; and asked at what time our Society would take up the Station again. A rumour was spread that I was going to stop there, at which they felt very glad; but were soon disappointed, when they were told the contrary.

The means of instruction which are afforded to the inhabitants of this village are very scanty. On Sundays, Divine Service is held by the Schoolmaster, who reads the Prayers. Besides this, there is a disbanded soldier who on Weekday Evenings either addresses the people in a private small Chapel, or conducts their Prayer Meetings. 4 Day School is supported by Government; which is attended by about 140 scholars, most of whom are under ten years of age. They are very ill provided with School books.

Grateful Welcome from the People of Waterloo,

As the weather was fine, and yet not too hot, we left Hastings about noon, and proceeded toward Waterloo. The roads were much better than I had anticipated; and no inconvenience was felt on that account, except when coming to bridges. I suppose it was the intention of the person in charge of the district, that where he could not make a good bridge, he would rather make none at all, that nobody might be deceived. As there was not much water in the brooks, my horse could always be led through; and I continued to get over in one way or other, without occasioning much trouble to my men.

We reached Waterloo between two and three P. M., and, being tired, resolved not to proceed any further. But, to spend the afternoon and evening in the most profitable way, I endeavoured to let the people know that I would hold Divine Service in the school-house: in which the manager of the place assisted me greatly, by sending the Assistant Schoolmaster around to inform the people, and by ordering the bell to be rung. The notice they had was exceedingly short; on which account I could not expect a large Congregation; and indeed I commenced Service when there was nobody in the room except M. T. Harding,

with some of my men; the former acting as clerk: but I was very much delighted on seeing them come from all directions; and before the hymn was finished, there were about 120 present; and at the end of the Service there were about 140. I am sure that I am not over-rating them. I endeavoured practically to expound Mark xvi. 14, 15; it being the Second Lesson for the day, containing the Saviour's last commission to his Church to preach the Gospel. The congregation was very attentive. When the Service was over, many of the people waited at the door, to shake hands with me and to thank me. Some said, "Thankee, master." By some I was treated more kindly; they styled me brother: "Thankee, brother." Some persons came afterward to my lodging, to speak with me, and to request me to stop with them. They expressed their regret at the Society's leaving them without instruction so many years; and also their hope that better times would come for them; in which I heartily joined them.

Difficult Journey from Waterloo to Cossoo-Town. June 17, 1835-I passed an uncomfortable night: could not sleep till after midnight, on account of heat. In order to admit some fresh air into the room, I opened the window near my bed; and, having fallen asleep soon after, forgot to shut it till about four o'clock; when a tornado coming on, and the rain, falling on my feet, waked me. I rubbed myself dry with a flannel, and suffered no further injury. Got up early. The appearance of the weather was rather forbidding; the mountains were covered with clouds. But, as it did not actually rain, we, commending ourselves to God, set out on a road which I had never trodden before. Having been warned of the bad state of the roads at this season of the year, I took, besides my horse, a hammock and four carriers with me; that, in case the horse should return, the latter might convey me to Kent; and I soon found out the utility of the precaution. About four miles from Waterloo we came to a brook-I should rather say, a marsh-which appeared so formidable, that I almost despaired of the possibility of getting over or through it. My carriers, however, were instantly at hand; required me to sit in my hammock; and wading in the water, which was two feet deep, between pieces of timber, stones, and pieces of posts, the remains of a

bridge, brought me safely over. We made some attempts to get the horse through it, but in vain. I therefore sent it back to Waterloo; and was thankful for having obeyed the voice of friends in taking carriers with me; else I should have had no alternative, but to return without having accomplished my end.

The weather became very fine; and the scenery and road were romantic indeed, through the wood. The brooks were not much swollen; and the water was as clear as crystal. More inconvenience was felt on account of trees lying across the road. Sometimes we had to climb over them; sometimes we had to creep underneath them, there being thick bushes on both sides.

I committed a great mistake in not providing a breakfast previously to our leaving Waterloo; but having learned that we had to pass through a village about six miles from that place, I thought to get one prepared there, and to afford the carriers an opportunity to rest a little. Before we had reached it, they told me that they wanted something to eat; and so did I. We were therefore glad when we arrived at Cossoo-town; but, to our disappointment, we could not get any thing, not even a plantain or a banana. We asked at almost every house for rice, a fowl, or a hog, and offered to pay for it; but the people had actually nothing they seemed to be sorry that they could not help us. As it was about eleven o'clock, and had been a time of hard work for all of us, I opened my store, and gave to each a glass of wine and a biscuit; which was very acceptable. The carriers, seeing my readiness to do any thing for them, were of the same mind toward me. When I offered to get down from the hammock, at difficult places where each had enough to do to see how he could get over, they would not allow me, and overcame all obstacles easily.

Ungodly State of a Village inhabited by Sherbroes.

About one o'clock we arrived at a town inhabited by Sherbroes, but subject to English Government, being within the limits of the Colony. Most of the inhabitants were assembled near a large tree; and were engaged in beating their drums, singing, and playing. They were not interrupted by our presence, and did not allow themselves to be so. Many of them had charms hanging about their bodies, and were very negligently dressed. We saw the Headman, who was smoking

his pipe in the piazza of his house. I put several questions to him, as, whether his children went to school, what instruction they received, &c.; but he pretended he did not understand English. I wanted to buy rice for my carriers, but they preferred going to Kent at once. We all walked together along the sandy beach, for a considerable distance; and the fresh air had such a reviving effect on me, that I forgot the troubles of the journey, and felt no fatigue for some time.

On the road through the bush we found some nice fruit, of the size of an egg, and of a red colour. If I am not mistaken, it is called pomegranate; but different from the pomegranate-apple now and then found in the Colony. We found also several monkey-apples, which were very agreeable to my taste.

About two o'clock P. M. we arrived at Kent. The manager had given orders to a constable to wait for me, and conduct me to the uninhabited Government House. The persons who applied to the Meeting soon came to me, and supplied me with every thing in their power.

After I had seen the school children, I was anxious to hold Divine Service, because I considered it the best means of doing something for all who wished to attend. I read the Prayers, and expounded the parable of the Prodigal Son, in the School-house, in weakness, yet not without cheerfulness. The people were, like those at Waterloo, unprepared; which accounts for the small number of attendants, not more than between seventy and eighty.

To my regret, I soon observed that there were parties and divisions, as they had stated in their letters. I considered it best, however, not to speak with them on differences of opinion, but only on the necessity of repentance toward God, and faith in his dear Son Jesus Christ.

As I knew I could spare but little time at Kent, I endeavoured to do as much of my work as I possibly could. Many persons assembled in my lodging. The Headman, as he is called, presented a list of persons who wished to be baptized; and some of them thought I was going to baptize them at once. I told them, that I could not think of such a thing just then; that they required more preparation; that it was necessary for me to make myself more particularly acquainted with them; and that for that purpose I would consult with my Bre

thren about the best way in which we could do something for them. Also, as the present season rendered it almost impracticable for Europeans to travel such a distance, I informed them that it was likely M. T. Harding would repeat his visits; and that, in case I should come again, I would endeavour to stop longer with them ;-at which they seemed to be satisfied. Some of them wished me not to make the journey again by land, as it exposed me to too much fatigue; and told me, that whenever I could come, I should let them know, and they would send a canoe for me to Freetown ;-which would certainly be preferable, were Kent alone kept in view.

June 18, 1835-I had ordered the Candidates for Baptism to meet me early in the morning; in order to be enabled to put a few questions to them, and to ascertain something of the state of their minds. They were rather timid at first. Considering how little opportunity they have had to receive instruction, I cannot think them very much behind others in knowledge. I encouraged them to learn to read the Word of God; to continue in prayer, and to walk as children of the light; and then dismissed them, by commending them in prayer to the favour and mercy of God. When I was asked whether I was going to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, I gave the same answer as that which they received to their application for immediate baptism. Four or five persons wished me to baptize their children; to which I should not have felt disinclined, if I had known that their sponsors were proper persons, and if the Registers had been delivered into my hands.

The school contains not more than about sixty children; though the accommodations would admit about two hundred and no doubt, in a village of eight hundred inhabitants, so many might be found. They have not more than three or four Bibles; and the schoolmaster told me, that, with the exception of spelling cards-which I saw were torn, and of little use-he had no school-books whatever. The parents may be willing to buy them for their children; but as they cannot get them without going or sending to Freetown, a delay will always be occasioned. I advised the schoolmaster to buy a quantity, and to sell them again; but he seemed not much inclined to it. There came other persons, who wanted to