speedily effected, by the propagation of the Written Word. It will tend, we may trust, to what is so much by all good men to be desired, the union of Christians in faith and affection, in doctrine and practice. In proportion as they receive these living waters pure from the holy Fountain, they will be refreshed with the same comforts, and imbibe the same spirit. With the Divine blessing, it will facilitate that for which we daily, and, it is to be hoped, most sincerely pray, 'That all, who profess and call themselves Christians, may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.""

A letter has also been received, by the Secretary of the Society, from the Bishop of Philadelphia. "The state of our church," observes the right reverend prelate, "under the Divine blessing, has been gradually improving, ever since the introduction of authority to ordain. With the hope of furthering the same object, we instituted, a few years ago, a society, whose constitution and reports I herewith send. We have, also, within these few weeks, organized another society, whose endeavours are to be extended to New States westward of Pennsylvania. I inclose their constitution; and have the pleasure of mentioning, that a missionary is already on his tour."

We rejoice in the promising appear ances which these communications exhibit.

WESTERN AFRICA.

The Missionary Register contains extracts from the Journals of the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth during his late visit to Africa, from which we shall select a few passages for the information of such of our readers as may not have access to that work.

inhabitants. Mr. Hughes's children were there. The whole seemed serious and attentive. I told them, after the sermon, that there would be Divine service and a sermon in the evening, at Mr. Hughes's. I overheard one of the soldiers say to his companion, how glad he should be to go to hear the word of God: it was long since he had heard it. I returned to Mr. Hughes's house, and administered the sacrament to him and his wife; and was glad of this opportu uity of remembering the crucified Saviour.

"Mr. Hughes's room was full at evening service. I read prayers, and preached from Eccles. xii. 14. There was a serious spirit in the congregation, but a great noise without.

"March 1.-Having been above a week with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, I may now state my views respecting them.

"I think they are both sincerely aim. ing to do good in their day, and to advance the kingdom of Christ; and are likely; I trust, to prove a great blessing to Goree; and are, in some respects, peculiarly adapted for the situation.

"They appear to have conducted their plans respecting the school with considerable ability; and Mrs. Hughes has paid great attention to the decent clothing of the girls. I certainly think that they ought to be encouraged, as much as circumstances shall allow."

Feb. 25. Sunday. I performed Divine service in the Government House. The soldiers attended, and some of the

"One was a small two-masted vessel, about the size of an English pilot-boat, but not half so well furnished. It contained, when taken, seventy-three hu man beings, sixty of whom were slaves. They must have been literally crammed together under the deck, on the top of water-casks which were put under them in the hold. There were wooden grat ings to keep them down. In other

parts of the vessel there was rice sufficient to feed them on the voyage.

"The other vessel was much larger, and was intended to contain about three bundred slaves. Only one hundred and twenty had been taken into the ship, when it was captured. Many of these had since died, from the previous close confinement. Five had died even in

coming from Goree.

"The captured slaves were standing or sitting on deck, and seemed happy in their deliverance. They had been partly clothed, and are now regularly provided for by Government."

"The settling of the captured Negroes in the colony is likely to promote its rapid improvement; and, probably, will ultimately prove greatly subservient to the extension of the Gospel. They form an assemblage of all the neighbouring nations; and, from their liberation, and the provision with which they are furnished for at least a year, they will naturally feel indebted to their deliverers. They soon learn something of English; and can easily be gathered together for public worship and instruction. These things seem so many leadings of Providence, to induce us to make our chief attempts within the colony."

"It appears very important to mark the indications of a providential lead ing. Among these, I consider the protection of an established government, the facility and safety of intercourse with the people, the economy attending a mission, and the number that may be easily collected together. In the absence of supernatural inspiration, such circumstances may be considered as the call, Come over, and help us!' and all these things speak strongly in favour of our exertions in the colony."

Gambier, March 21.-" The change that appears to be made in three or four of the Gambier girls is worth all the labour and expense that has been be stowed on Africa. Their minds seem renewed, and their hearts made soft and tender, by Christian principle. It was truly interesting to find feelings which mark and distinguish the real Christian, in those who were born heathens, and who, in all probability, would have continued such, but for our Society, as God's honoured instrument."

Rio Pongas, March 24.-" About two o'clock we crossed the Rio Pongas mudbar, and have since (now seven in the evening) been slowly advancing up the

river. The banks are low, and lined on each side with mangrove-trees. There is no open ground till we come to a small village, called Charleston, of six or eight houses, belonging to Mr. Samo. Here was once a slave factory. The view was very beautiful, and became more so towards evening, when the burning rays of the meridian sun ceased to have power. I could almost fancy myself on some parts of the Thames: but here were no towns with churches for the worship of God; no cheerful and hospitable mansions; no birds refreshing us with their songs; but a death-like silence! I could not but attribute it to the slave trade, that no towns are built here; and then, at once, rushed into my mind all the scenes of cruelty, tyranny, rapine, and oppression, which have passed in this river; and the still greater tyranny which Satan exercises over benighted millions! I felt happy in coming on a different errand; and grateful that my beloved country had renounced that sinful traffic."

March 29." I have been engaged the whole of this morning in examining the boys separately, and have been much gratified. No school of English boys that I am acquainted with would have answered the questions so seriously and so feelingly. Surely the labour of God's servants has not been in vain! Surely God's Spirit has striven, and is yet striving, with the hearts of these children! I already feel a great love for these children."

March 31. Sunday." The children sang the hymn which begins

This day belongs to God alone'— very sweetly; and I afterward talked to them from Isaiah Iviii. 13, 14, shewing them what they should not do on this day, and what they should do; and that if they attended to this day as they ought, how God would bless them.

"I cannot look on these dear children without much interest. It is, indeed, pleasing to see ninety children, the offspring of slave-traders, and of headmen and other natives, gathered out of the midst of the heathen, and entirely entrusted to us, to teach them White Man's Book. Surely we should discern in such a sight, a favourable sign of the times for poor Africa; and though we have gained as yet but little, yet this should keep alive our hopes of more.

"The heart sighs when it feels that, perhaps, among these little ones, many, possibly most, may fall into their coun

try customs and sins: yet some may be so touched and affected, that they may become blessings to Africa."

"I am now sitting in my bed-room, in the midst of heathen nations; and yet hear, on every side, the praises of Jesus! The boys in the church are singing psalms together; and the girls are doing the same with Mrs. Renner."

“Mr. Feruandez said he was satisfied

that there was a visible improvement in the appearance of the whole country, in the last seven or eight years; and attributed this, in some degree, to the exer tions of the missionaries in educating the children. Probably much is also owing to the abolition of the slave trade. The land is more cultivated, and the manners of the people are become less savage."

THE French chambers closed their session on the 26th of March. About the same time a considerable disturbance took place at Paris, in consequence of the representation of a new tragedy, called Germanicus, written by a distinguished adherent of Bonaparte, and which appears to have called forth a strong burst of popular feeling in favour of that exiled Chief. It was repressed, though with some difficulty, by the vigour of the police; yet what occurred on this occasion has tended strongly to confirm the suspicion which has been entertained, that the acquiescence of the French in the existing form of government has been the effect of compulsion, and not the effect of general and cordial attachment. Assuredly, if the suspicion be well founded, it furnishes strong reasons for unabated vigilance, on the part of the other powers of Europe, lest fresh revolutionary movements should again convulse the world.

In Sweden, a conspiracy is said to have been formed among some discontented nobles, to assassinate the crown prince, formerly the general Bernadotte, and to raise the son of their late monarch to the throne. The cause assigned for this conspiracy is one very honourable to the crown prince; namely, the disaffection excited by the wise and liberal policy which he has pursued, of raising the community at large to its due share of that power and influence in the state which have hitherto been engrossed almost entirely by the nobles, who even claim the right of filling all offices, civil and military, to the exclusion of the other classes. This blow, aimed at the crown prince, has, however, for the present, been defeated by a timely discovery of the design of the conspirators; some of whom are said to have been arrested, and one banished.

The prince is said to be very popular, both in the army and with the community at large.

The king of Prussia has appointed a council of state, comprising all his great civil and military officers, and a number of other persons. From among the members of this council he has named a committee, who are to associate with themselves natives of the different provinces, and then proceed to the framing of a constitution for Prussia. Among the members of the committee are several individuals distinguished for their enlarged and liberal views on subjects of general policy, a circumstance which augurs favourably for the result of their labours.

On the 4th of March, Mr. Monroe, the new President of the United States, entered on his office. In his inaugural speech he drew a flattering view of their general condition, political and financial, agricultural and commercial. While he very strongly recommends the requisite security against possible dangers from abroad, he declares "peace to be most consistent with the prosperity and happiness of the nation, and expresses his sincere desire to preserve it on just principles with all nations, claiming nothing unreasonable of any, and rendering to each what is due." The new President's cabinet is to consist of John Quincy Adams, secretary of state ; W. H. Crauford, secretary of the trea sary; Isaac Shelly, secretary of war; and Mr. Crowninshield, secretary of the navy.

A letter addressed by the pope to the archbishop of Gnezn, in Poland, on the subject of Bible Societies, has been recently given to the public, and has excited much interest. We reserve till a future Number our remarks on this important document.

The foreign gazettes exhibit a melan.