and other secular modes of obtaining a liveli- of his superior knowledge to lead his more hood. Schools excluding Christianity. At Moozuffer a few attended a season of worship, and were attentive throughout. They said it was their desire to become further acquainted with the truths of the gospel concerning the Lord Jesus. There was, some two or three years ago, an English school here, which, from its unsatisfactory results, has been abolished, of which some of the Christian residents are glad, as most of the lads were distinguished for audacity, scepticism, and a contempt for the gospel. This is about the upshot of the attainments of the greater part of Anglo-Indian students. Not one has as yet been known to make use ignorant countrymen in the way of truth, but many have been known to laugh at their benevolent rulers, and to ridicule the Christian faith. This is undeniable; and there have been several sad instances of the kind at the stations where such schools exist, and in their adjacent villages. The knowledge thus acquired has, as yet, taken an irreligious turn, but may hereafter have a political bias, and fulfil the prediction of a late resident of Delhi, who thoroughly understood the native character. Having taken the French traveller, M. Jacquemont, to see the college, the latter asked what that institution was, when the discerning M. replied, "A nest of scorpions, whom we are training to sting us another day!" WEST INDIES. TURKS' ISLANDS, BAHAMAS. Mr. RYCROFT has furnished some information respecting the origin of the Baptist cause in these islands, and its present state, which we doubt not will be interesting to our readers. It appears that years antecedent to the exertions of our Society in those islands a number of the slave population who held Baptist sentiments, which had been acquired from slaves imported from America time after time, were accustomed to meet together for divine worship, and that to the best of their ability they endeavoured to bring their fellow slaves to the Saviour. At this time, some five and twenty or thirty years ago, the only evidence of the existence of a Christian sabbath consisted in the meetings for religious fellowship of these poor afflicted bondsmen, the chief part of the white population devoting that day to business or worldly pleasure, being emphatically "without God." This state of things brought upon the poor pious slaves the ridicule and displeasure of their employers and neighbours. Persecution in many forms assailed them, and they were often obliged to avail themselves of opportunities of worshipping God in the dead of the night, either among the bushes or in the caves of the earth; and if not thus protected, they were frequently annoyed by stones thrown at them when on their knees, and those whose duty it was to preserve the peace, sought opportunities to break up their meetings. About the year 1830 they obtained the privilege of carrying on their religious services unmolested, by the influence of a coloured minister, originally a slave in the United States, named Sharper Morris. He had resided for some time in Nassau, and in consequence of the little flock on Turks' Island sending him an invitation, he visited them. Soon after his arrival they entered into a subscription for the purchase of land on which to build a meeting house, and some aged females gave a house, which was conveyed and placed at midnight on the land purchased, which is the present site of a commodious chapel. On this occasion Mr. Morris baptized fifty persons, and after his departure the church had rest from its persecutions. In the year 1833, Mr. Burton being obliged to leave Jamaica, partly in consequence of the restrictions under which he was placed in those troublous times, and partly by ill health, visited the Bahama Islands, in which he found "twenty Baptist churches existing, and a fervent desire to receive religious instruction." Mr. Nicholls very soon followed, in the hope of recruiting his health in that somewhat more favourable climate, and they were joined in the latter part of the year by Mr. Milner Pearson, but the hopes of the poor people were grievously disappointed. Mr. Burton and Mr. Nicholls were compelled to return to England, where the latter died the following year; and Mr. Pearson, who appears to have eminently won the affections of the people, after labouring amidst much bodily weakness, was removed by fever in Dec. 1834, and now sleeps in Jesus surrounded by the dwellings of those whom he went to instruct, and who to this day often look towards his tomb with a sigh of affectionate recognition. It may not be uninteresting to know that his excellent widow, having returned to England on his decease, and finding she could not be so happy any where else as among these warm-hearted Christians, returned to the Bahamas to engage in education, and died at her post. After the death of Mr. Pearson, Mr. Quant laboured among these people six or seven years, and was succeeded by Mr. Littlewood, who was compelled by the state of his health to leave at the end of 1846. During this course of years the people have advanced in knowledge and in grace, and have erected several neat and substantial chapels in different islands, which are well filled, contributing largely out of their slender funds. In one of the islands, which in consequence of its distance from Turks' Island, can be but seldom visited, the deacons being good men, do their best to edify the people, and God blesses their efforts, and souls are saved; and in another of the out islands it is remarked, that the larger number of the inhabitants are Baptists, and that they must have remained in heathenism but for the efforts of the Baptists. Mr. Littlewood was succeeded by Mr. Rycroft, who had been labouring for some time in the out islands. The church, which had suffered from the want of a pastor, and the removal of some of the members, in consequence of the difficulty in obtaining the means of support, has revived under his ministry, many members have been added, some from the Sunday school, and the liberality of the people has exceeded that of former years, so as to relieve the Society of one half of the pastor's expenses, and to support the native teachers and pay travelling expenses. Mr. Rycroft expresses his regret that in consequence of having no colleague, he is prevented repeating the visit he made to Haiti in 1844, where he was cordially received, and invited to send missionaries. There are other islands, also, which from their proximity seem to invite an occasional visit, if it did not interfere with the pastoral duties which press upon him. WESTERN AFRICA. LIBERIA. The Committee have received the following epistle from the Baptist Association in this American Colony of free Negroes. They have perused it with feelings of peculiar interest, and have instructed their Secretary in reply to assure them of their cordial sympathy, and of their readiness to keep up fraternal correspondence. They regret, however, that they will have to inform their friends that it is out of their power to send them a missionary, but they felt that they could do no less than forward a copy of this earnest appeal to the Committees of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, and the Sunday School Union, in the hope that, "standing," as our sable friends express themselves to do," on conspicuous and important ground, the independence of their feeble Republic having been recognized by our noble and great country, and feeling their obligations both on religious and political grounds to improve the condition of the people," those benevolent Societies would feel it a privilege to assist them, and the result will convince them that they were not mistaken in attributing "to their English brethren generosity, benevolence, philanthropy, and an extensive desire to promote the interest of the coloured race," the British and Foreign Bible Society having made them a grant of 100 Bibles and Testaments, the Religious Tract Society of £20 worth of books for Libraries, and the Sunday School Union of £10 worth of elementary books for schools. WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA. The Liberia Baptist Association to the Baptist It has been a long time that we have been wishing to open a friendly correspondence with your very zealous and philanthropic Body; but want of confidence in ourselves, and of a knowledge of the proper way to proceed, have been our preventatives. At our last Annual Meeting we came to the conclusion to open an intercourse, if it will fortunately meet your approbation, as we hope to receive from you, by sympathies and instructions, that advice which we are deeply in need of in this country. It is hoped that you will excuse the liberty we have assumed before we had become better acquainted. We, as a people situated in a country like this, have a great many difficulties to encounter, while having the name of Jesus to bear, and so many of the aborigines to teach and lead in the path of civilization. The cause in this country requires much energy, and also means, to accomplish any thing. The natives must have a clear understanding, in their way, of our purposes; and in order to this our interest must be enlarged, in some way adapted to the sure and ultimate consummation of it. We have been endeavouring for some time to devise a plan to carry out our views in this respect, but have failed in every attempt; and, on consideration, have thought it best to confer with you, and to implore your prayers and your aid to assist us in carrying out the work of the Lord. We in this part of Africa, without scruple, have had and now have a commanding influence over the native tribes, and the country is open to us to work if we will, and we, notwithstanding all our embarrassments, have made signal and sure progress by the aid of the Holy Spirit. The openings of the Providence of God have been obvious, and its bright rays have been encouraging, and we can truly say that the Lord has not forsaken us. By the moving of His Spirit many of the natives have been brought into the fold of Jesus, and now they sing and praise, and even weep and mourn when we do. This is a lively stimulant to us, and sometimes we are carried away by a pressure of thoughts when we see the wonderful working of the Lord among us, being such a handful of weak, prayerless, unfaithful, and pennyless people; but though we very often bave such feelings, yet upon the whole we remember the notable words, "One shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to flight." We deem it right to say that the prospect of doing good is flattering; new fields are opening every day, and we believe that if we had the means much good might be done. The fields are ripe for harvest, and by proper and judicious management great will be the harvesting. In this course of making known our motives we feel ourselves conscientious. We wish to know from which quarter the most sympathy will flow and prayers will ascend to the throne of Grace on our behalf. We should be pleased if we could hear from you, and have your advice. It would be a source of great pleasure to us to receive from you an epistle setting forth, if possible, the plans best calculated to assist us in our field of labour. We have thought of the expediency and necessity of your kind Body establishing a Mission here. There is room enough for each and for all. Education, the primary object in a country like ours, is much needed. There are not many Schools among us from the want of means to put more into operation. The majority of them are supported by benevolent Bodies in America, who have done much, but have given very little to us as an independent Body. The circulation of books is much required here. Bibles, tracts, and those periodicals best adapted to improve the morals. Scientific works would much benefit our young, feeble Republic; but alas, the youths, very many of them, are growing up without the means of education. We now find ourselves considerably put to the test in consequence of the movement of your noble and great Government in recognizing our independence; we are brought to stand upon a very conspicuous and important ground in reference to both religious and political duties. We feel that we are now called upon to work to improve our own condition and that of our neighbours, and how we shall do it, and with what, and who will help us, are matters of vital importance to us, and could we believe that there were not generosity, benevolence, philanthropy, and an extensive desire to promote the interest of the coloured race in the hearts of our English Brethren, we should despond in our undertaking. But we cannot believe this, we cherish stronger and livelier hopes-much brighter anticipations. In conclusion, we will lay before you the statistical account of our Denomination. It stands as follows: Dunks, which was left out in the Monterado County, is included in the grand total, thirty-eight scholars, eight teachers. It behoves us to say, that all these schools are in want of those things which will render them capable of growing. Will you allow us the privilege of soliciting your assistance in the work among us. On behalf of the Association, I remain FERNANDO PO. TESTIMONY OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONARY. Our highly esteemed friend, Dr. Thomson, who has lately returned from Spain, has favoured us with a translation of an extract from a work published in Madrid in 1848, entitled "Memorial respecting the Island of Fernando Po, by Jeronius M. Usera y Alarcon." The writer appears to be "Chief Spanish Roman Catholic Missionary in the Gulf of Guinea." It bears an honourable testimony to the characters of our missionaries, and we feel assured our readers will be gratified in finding that the only circumstance which derogates from that character in the view of the writer, is that of their being Protestants, and being much beloved by the converts under their ministry. The writer appears to us to be too good for the system of his church, and his confidence in our excellent friend Dr. Prince, and his testimony in favour of our Mission, are equally honourable to him. When M. Larena arrived at Fernando Po in 1843, the Baptist sect, whose committee, or directing commission, is in London, had only one missionary in the island, namely, Mr. Sturgeon. Afterwards the chief missionary of that sect, Mr. Clarke, established himself in Fernando Po, accompanied by some other missionaries, and by a certain number of teachers and colonists. They fixed on Fernando Po as the most healthy and suitable place for the centre and head quarters of the Baptist Mission station for the west of Africa The Baptist Missionary Society has for its object, as they themselves say, the propagation of the gospel through all the world, the translation and circulation of the holy scriptures, and the establishment of schools. The directing body is composed of thirty-six individuals who reside in London, and they have no other source of funds but donations and voluntary subscriptions. All are considered members who subscribe not less than ten shillings and a half annually, donors of ten pounds or upwards, the pastors, as they call them, of their churches, and all others who render important services to the Society. In this way they collect a considerable quantity of money. In the year 1845 there was one donation which alone amounted to £3622 sterling, and many that passed £200 and £300 sterling. They have also annual subscribers who give upwards of £100. Whether we call this fanaticism, religion, or patriotism, the truth is, that with such societies the English obtain influence, and make room for themselves over all the world, and propagate their language, customs, and commerce. It is no longer armed forces that conquer nations. This method has been superseded by other means, slower perhaps in their effects, but less costly, and attended with better results. These means are-religious missions. Not less surprised than I was would any of my readers be, were they to see the veneration and respect with which the converted negroes of Fernando Po look upon their missionaries. One of the severest punishments which they can inflict on them is the expelling them from their religious fellowship. The festival days they employ in the continual reading and exposition of the gospel, alternating these exercises with religious songs; and more than once in the middle of the night my sleep has been interrupted by these songs being sung by a whole family in a neighbouring house. Let us compare these customs with those which daily present themselves to our eyes [in Madrid], and with the horrible blasphemies which continually grate our ears, and let us say, Which people-these negroes or ourselves, show the most signs of being savages? The number of the missionaries, together with their names, which we found on our arrival to be established in Fernando Po, and in the two immediate stations on the coast of Calabar and Bimbia, are as follows: Missionaries John Clarke, G. K. Prince (physician), Thomas Sturgeon, Joseph Merrick, Wm. Newbegin (surgeon). Assistant Missionaries Teachers Women Missionaries Thos. Thompson, Alfred Saker, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Prince, Mrs. Newbegin, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Saker, Mrs. Bundy, Mrs. Norman, Mrs. Ennis, Mrs. Gallimore, Misses Stewart, Davis, Cooper, and Vitou. Taking the whole number, therefore, together, there are five missionaries, three assistant missionaries, seven teachers, and fifteen female missionaries. Prince and Newbegin, besides being missionaries, act, the former as a physician and the latter as a surgeon. It is an act of justice that I should seize the present opportunity of tributing to Dr. Prince, in my own name and in that of my companions, our heartfelt thanks for the zeal and disinterestedness with which he attended us in all our illnesses. His philanthropy and generosity were extended, not only to the rendering us his professional aid gratuitously, and with the utmost attention, but also to the bestowing on us gratis medicines of the most costly kind from his small stock, and likewise in the previous compounds of them with his own hands. In spite of all my endeavours and efforts to recompense in a slender degree the generosity and watchfulness of Dr. Prince, I never could succeed in making him receive the smallest remuneration for his valuable services. Seldom do we see examples of the nature here presented of catholic missionaries putting themselves in the hands of a sectarian missionary, when at the same time they feel themselves compelled to force him to abandon his residence from the sole circumstance of being of an opposite creed. In truth, in this instance, the confidence and good faith of the Spanish character and the English honour strove nobly with each other. Dr. Prince is truly worthy of being recommended to the Spanish government, and to all Spaniards. The aforesaid missionaries, the greater number of whom reside on Fernando Po, have very good houses, well furnished, and supplied with all necessaries. Our own humble dwelling, the meanness of our furniture, and the scarcity and badness of our provisions, were strikingly contrasted with the conveniences and the well supplied tables of our antagonists. But this was not what chiefly affected us. What filled us with grief of heart was the impossibility in which we found ourselves from want of proper places of celebrating the august sacrifice of the mass, and of thus giving the benefits of religion to upwards of twenty catholic families which at that time resided on the island. We were tormented with the feeling that, whilst we lacked the means for catechising and instructing, our adversaries had all the field to themselves, and abounded in all that they required for the exercise of their proselytism, having, among other things, a large temple. May the God of goodness grant that the day may arrive when we Spaniards shall think only of promoting the interests of this unfortunate nation! Note appended to the last sentence but one. "Whilst I write these lines" [says the author], "I have before me the Report published by the Baptist Society in London, according to their custom of issuing such a document every year. In the article concerning Fernando Po, it is stated, that the poor negroes already defray the expenses of one of these missionaries among them. |