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pay is regulated, together with various other plans adopted to prevent imposition and secure faithfulness, have produced very desirable effects. To correct the parrot-like method, prevalent in the country, of learning every thing by rote without reference to the understanding, an attempt has been made, not altogether without success, to put in practice more fully than formerly the plan adopted at Cotta, of requiring the Children to answer questions proposed impromptu, on what is learnt or read at the time of examination.

A School for Girls has been commenced; but the Missionaries have not met with much encouragement: the number of Scholars is not stated.

The BOARDING SCHOOL Consists of 27 Scholars: two of whom have made sufficient proficiency to entitle them to be recommended for admission into the Institution at Cotta: and the Missionaries state, that they are all proceeding creditably in their studies, and that many of them are Youths of considerable promise.

At the commencement of the year, a LIBRARY was established at the Station, in connection with the Boarding School, in which copies of the Scriptures, Tracts, and all other Books in the Tamul Language of a religious nature that can be obtained, are placed, for the use of any who may be disposed to read them.

In reference to the use which is made of this Library, the Missionaries write

It being felt, with respect to many in the School and connected with the Mission Premises, that, besides the usual Exposition of Scripture at Morning and Evening Prayers, some daily means were necessary for their becoming more generally acquainted with subjects connected with the Christian Religion, an hour each day was appointed, between the time of dinner and the commencement of the afternoon studies, in which all should meet, and select Christian Works to be read, and, if necessary, explained. In this way, nearly the whole of the books in the Library have been gone through: the Meeting still continues, and, we hope, proves a means of instruction and benefit.

The PRESS has, for the most part, been kept in employ, either in printing for the Jaffna Tract Society, or on account of the Wesleyan and American Missions. On the Spiritual Condition of the Station the Missionaries make the following remarks:

While we feel, that we have cause for humiliation and regret before Almighty God, that another year has passed without any addition to the number of Communicants, we

have much cause for thankfulness and praise for our present circumstances and prospects. With one exception, by the exercise of discipline in the case of an individual on whom we have reason to hope that salutary effects have been produced, the Communicants have continued to hold on their way with a consistency and zeal that we trust, as an example, will be productive of good. To the inquirers, among the Youths formerly mentioned, who continue in the exercise of the Means of Grace, and are manifestly obtaining increasing knowledge, two or three cases of a very hopeful kind have lately been added, and a general feeling of increased anxiety on the important concerns of the soul and eternity is at present, evinced by most of those attending these means.

AUSTRALASIA MISSION.

THE return of Mr. Charles Davis at the end of July, and his subsequent departure, with that of Mrs. Davis, the Rev. Alfred N. Brown, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Hart, have been already mentioned. They received the Instructions of the Committee on the 9th of February; and embarked on the 25th of April, on board the Elizabeth, Captain Mackdonald, for New South Wales.

It is intended that Mr. Brown should take the charge of the education of the Missionaries' Children, and that Mrs. Hart should assist Mrs. Henry Williams.

The Rev. William Yate, and Mr. and Mrs. Baker, whose departure was noticed in the last Report, arrived at Sydney in New South Wales, on the 21st of December 1827. Mr. Yate embarked for New Zealand, on board the Mission Schooner the "Herald," and arrived there on the 19th of January. Mr. and Mrs. Baker remained in the Colony till after her confinement; when they followed Mr. Yate to New Zealand, and arrived there on the 9th of June.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Mrs. Lisk's health not being sufficiently strong to admit of her removing to a distance from medical advice, Mr. Lisk has not engaged in labouring, as had been intended, among the Aborigines. An opportunity has been afforded him of establishing a Private

See Appendix III.

Seminary in the Society's House at Parramatta, as the most promising method of relieving the funds.

Lieut. Col. Arthur is anxious to establish a Mission among the wretched Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, about 2000 in number, for which some unexpected facilities offer; and has applied to the Society for a Missionary: but the large and increasing demands on the Society's resources have prevented the Committee from holding out any expectation that this and similar applications can be complied with.

BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND.

The circumstances of the New-Zealand Mission, as related in the last Report, were accompanied with no ordinary interest; and the commotions among the Native Tribes, and the probable consequences of the expected death of Shunghee, whom God seems to have specially raised up for the protection of His servants, could not be regarded without considerable anxiety.

The death of this celebrated Chief has since taken place; and, in the circumstances by which it was followed, the over-ruling hand of Jehovah is most clearly discernible. Within a few days after this event, hostilities commenced between his people and another powerful Tribe; which so engrossed the attention of the Natives, that, if they had intended to plunder the Missionaries, they were diverted from their purpose by being summoned to the field of battle. This display of the Divine Goodness was followed by another. The principal Chiefs of Shunghee's Tribe, which had been routed in one action and was preparing to renew hostilities, proposed to the Missionaries to mediate between the contending parties. Negociations were accordingly opened on the Saturday; but, on the Missionaries informing the Chiefs that the following day was the "Sacred Day," further proceedings were deferred till the Monday. The Sunday was passed by the Missionaries among the assembled warriors, of which Mr. Williams gives the following account:

Tohitapu, and some other Chiefs, caused the people to sit down all around, leaving us a place to stand in the middle. We

began by singing a hymn, and prayer; and after having addressed them, we concluded with prayer. They were very attentive, and behaved remarkably well: our Congregation consisted of at least 500 people. After Divine Service, we walked through the camp, and spoke to the people in their temporary huts. In the afternoon, we again went round the camp, and conversed with the people. In this way we spent our Sabbath, in the midst of an army of savages, without the least fear or apprehension. The Lord has certainly given us great influence among these people. We have not received the least insult; but, on the contrary, every attention has been paid to us. Surely, these are new days indeed! Little did I think to have been so much respected in a savage army.

On the Monday, it pleased God to bless the efforts of the Missionaries; and peace was concluded between the hostile parties, to the mutual joy and satisfaction of all concerned.

The Mission has sustained a serious loss in the wreck of the "Herald" schooner; but the Committee hope soon to have it in their power to replace it with another vessel.

Rangheehoo.

Mr. John King is chiefly occupied in the School; while Mr. James Shepherd is employed in visiting the Natives, and in the translation of the Scriptures.

Of the Scholars under his care, Mr. King writes, in March

I have had, for some months past, about 24 Men and Boys, and 14 Girls, in the School. Most of them are diligent in learning to read and write: some of them are working sums in Addition and Multiplication. We have daily cause for thankfulness to God for all His mercies towards us; and for what He has done, and is really doing, for the Heathen. His word is pulling down the strong-holds of Satan. The Lord has answered our prayers; He hath, and is, increasing the number of our Scholars; and, when He inclines many to come to live under the sound of the Gospel, may we not expect, nay, may we not be sure, that it will prosper, and accomplish the thing for which He sent it?

On the same subject, Mr. Shepherd writes, in October

Our School is tolerably well attended. We have upwards of 30 Natives, male and female, therein; some of whom manifest an earnest desire to learn. Indeed, I trust that the Word of Life has had its due effect upon the minds of some. We have now a young man lying ill, who I believe is seeking that rest which is above.

Mr. Shepherd thus speaks of the general conduct of the people :

The Natives of the Settlement behave, in general, tolerably well; they never come near us to make disturbance; and they take our part when other parties behave ill. Those who live more immediately with us are a little trying at times: we hope, however, that we shall, ere long, see better days. We find, that in order to get the Natives to do a little work, they require constant attendance, which, with our many other duties, is not easy to give them.

Mr. King has given the following account of the latter days of a New-Zealander, who, there is reason to hope, was brought to the knowledge of Christ as his Saviour:

He said, formerly he used to disbelieve all that was said about Jesus Christ, and believed Jehovah to be a very angry God; but about five months before his death, the Word of God came with power, and made him tremble and be much afraid. From that time he began to pray and seek the Lord in earnest; and has given satisfactory evidence of his being a brand plucked out of the burning: he prayed, as our Natives observed, night and day to God for the pardon of his sins, and to wash his soul in the blood of Christ, and to prepare his soul for heaven, and for a new and good heart, and not to permit him to go to hell, but to take his soul to heaven. He had peace and joy in believing at times, as well as fears and doubts. Our Natives were surprised to see him so calm and cheerful, in the prospect of death, and labouring under bodily pain; and say that he is gone to heaven, for they remarked that his end was peace.

This Settlement having been found unsuitable for the Mission, from want of level ground, it is to be removed to Tepuna, about a mile distant.

Kiddeekiddee.

The Rev. William Yate was, on his arrival in New Zealand, stationed at Kiddeekiddee; and has associated with him, Mr. James Kemp, Mr. George Clarke, and Mr. James Hamlin, and their Wives. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were also, on their arrival, appointed to this Station.

Messrs. Kemp, Clarke, and Hamlin, go out among the Natives as much as possible; and once in the week, generally on a Thursday, extend their visit to Te Waimate, about ten miles distant. Mr. Yate had, in September, attained sufficient knowledge of the lan

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