of these documents, it was peculiarly gratifying to perceive a special request for the Gospels in Ethiopic.

If any motive, drawn from the circumstances of a people, can impel the friends of the Bible Society to make a great sacrifice, the situation of Abyssinia may most peculiarly claim the tribute of funds, of learning, and of labor. How deeply Christianity must once have been seated in the hearts of the people of that country, appears from a great variety of proofs; but now, nominally a Christian empire, it is distracted by the feuds of various Chieftians, who aspire to supreme power, without even a hopeful prospect of peace being settled by the successful superiority of one. Thus situated, composed of vari ous Christian, Mahomedan and Heathen Tribes, all independent, fierce, and warlike, and exposed to incursions from similar tribes on every side, Abyssinia may fear her existence as a Christian nation.That Christianity would not soon disap pear from the country, may be inferred from the great attachment of the people to their religion-an a'tachment which has been tried by numerous opposing circumstances for many centuries. But how much longer Christianity may exist without a general knowledge of the Scriptures, would be a bitter experiment to make-an experiment happily not suited to the beDevolent genius of this age.

And if, from this brief view of Egypt and Abyssinia, we turn our eyes to that vast continent in which these countries lie, with what feelings shall we rise from such contemplation! We are apt to survey, with some pleasure, the little good which we have been enabled to do: we are, thank God, encouraged to proceed by every opening prospect of hopeful fields of labour: but to us, in Malta, if we but open and enlarge our hearts, here, full before our view, lies Africa-left to these latter ages of the world, as a standing monument to remind the benevolent of some. thing which they have not done: the learned of something which they have not discovered-left, perhaps, to humble and shame us; but certainly not to discourage or dismay.

To what extent have the sciences, the study of barbarous tongues, the experience of travellers, commercial enterprize, and actual converse with the natives, assisted to make Europe acquainted with Africa? rather, I should say, to make Africa known to the inhabitants of that planet in which Africa exists? Even the Geographer, whose task lies merely with the surface of the land and sea, confesses that all he has to shew of Africa is but as the hem of a garment.

Every one, however, may in some degree infer the state of Africa, partly from general moral principles, and partly from a knowledge acquired by means of a most

demoralizing traffic. From these too slender premises, many are led to consider, as difficulties nearly insuperable, the hostile superstitions, the barbarous, inhuman customs, and savage horrors, which reign there to an almost unlimited extent; while, at the same time, lost in inquiry concerning the best practicable measures, the mind turns alternately from one project to another, and travels through all the plans that can be devised, of research, of civilization, of education; till weary, spir itless, and desponding, it is ready to shrink from attempting any.

By encouraging the translation of portions of the scriptures into the spoken dia. lects of Africa, the Bible Society may, consistently with its simple principles, render 'most essential aid to the melioration of that continent. For till language, the ve hicle of thought, is ascertained, how is it possible to convey to a people any ideas that can serve to enlighten their minds, or lead them into a method of improving themselves? The Bible, from the variety of words, the simplicity of the style, and the interest of its historical passages, a traditional knowledge of most of which prevails far and wide, seems entitled to have this honor put upon it.

Nor is this a principle newly invented; though in later times, its importance seems to have acquired a new force and interest in the mind of many persons. To the East of Africa, when the Ethiopic language was vernacular, the entire scriptures were rendered into that language: and they have subsequently, within a very few years, been re-translated into the Amharic Dialect. In Arabic there have been two versions, which have proved acceptable in the East and North of Africa. For the western Coasts, portions of the Scriptures have, for the first time within the last twenty years, been translated into dialects, which were never before reduced to writing; as will appear from the specimens this day exhibited to the committee.

Of the real spiritual good to be effected by our distribution of the Scriptures, no sincere believer in the Scriptures will, even in his most desponding moments, seriously doubt. Reflecting, sometimes, on the indifference of men to spiritual concerns, we may fear that these bibles are not all of them studied with due profit: and that, in many instances, the impression may be but as the print of the pilgrim's foot on the sand, speedily effaced by the first breath of the desert. these thoughts must give place to the promises of the Author of the bible, even God himself. He has commanded us not to despise the day of small things. He blesses the growth of the grain of mustard seed, till it becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the fouls of the air may lodge under the shadow

But

of it. He declares, in reference to the blessings that flow from the fountain of truth, a promise peculiarly suited to the state of Africa-The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.-Isaiah xxxv. 1. 2.

amount exceeds four thousand dollars.-But the property is of such a kind that money cannot be obtained for it immediately. The expense of the journey must necessarily be great-The whole extent of it will not be much less than fourteen hun dred miles. The whole company will consist of twenty-four persons. It is hoped that the christian public, in places through which this company may pass, will not forget to shew them kindness, in providing for their present wants, and in making donations to aid them in that part of their journey, which lies through a country where they will find but few, if any of the true friends of Zion.

Any kindness shewn them. we need poi say, will be gratefully received, while at the same time it will save expense to the christian community. These persons have given up all, that they may go far bence to the Gentiles, where they design to spend the residue of their days, till they go down to the grave, expecting neither salaries or wages for their services.

A Marine Bible Society has been organized at Salem; at which place, a house of worship for Roman Catholics is

about to be erected.

Marine Bible Societies have been formed at Boston and Nantucket.

The Rev. HOLLAND WEEKS, of Abington, Mass. has been dismissed from the Pastoral care of the first church in that place, in consequence of his having embraced the system of Emauuel Swedenborg.

STOCKBRIDGE, Sept. 21. Departure of Missionary Assistants for the Choctaw Nation-On Thursday of last week, Capt. John Smith, Messrs. Calvin Cushman, and Elijah Bardwell, with their families, and Mr. Hooper, from Saco, in the State of Maine, left Goshen in this State, to join the Missionaries at Elliot, in the Choctaw nation of Indians. At Peru, in this county, Miss Frizell, joined the company of the Missionaries to proceed with them to Elliot. At Wilksbarre, (Penn) it is expected that Miss Thatcher will join the same company. These persons go out to act as Assistants in the missionary work. Some will be employed as agriculturists, and others as teachers.They have devoted themselves to this service for life. They expect no other earthly compensation than a comfortable maintenance. The gentlemen above named, as we understand, have devoted their property to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The

here they received several donations in money, and received all the hospitality which their situation required. On Mon day morning they left this place to pursue their journey. They probably will pass through Newburgh, in the State of New York, and thence take the most direct route to Wilksbarre, Peun. From Wilksbarre they will go to Pittsburgh, and thence by land to Elliot. [STAR

The Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, met at Hartford on the 20th inst. In the evening, the Rev. Dr. Nott, President of Union College, preached from Luke XVI. 15, and a contribution of three hundred and six dollars, was taken up, for the purposes of the Board. About five weeks since, a collection of one hun dred and thirty dollars was made in the same place, for the same object.

The Sturbridge Baptist Association held its annual meeting at Enfield on the 30th ult. The introductory sermon was delivered by the Rev. George Angel, of Southbridge, from Matthew xx. 28, after which a collection was taken for the relief of widows of deceased ministers. Communications were received from twenty-four churches. The addition to these churches within the past year has been 155 by baptism, and twenty-one by letter. Fiftyseven of the above number added by bap tism, were received into the church in South Brimfeld. The reading of the let ters from the churches, and the transac tions of other business were intermingled with devotional exercises which served le render the season interesting to the pions mind. The closing discourse was delivered by the Rev. Jonathan Going, of Wor

cester, from Phillipians 111. 14th, after which a collection was taken for the spread of the gospel, and the education of pious indigent young men called to the ministry. As the Baptist Meeting-House was small, and not in good repair, the Congregational Meeting-house was very generously opened for the reception of the Association. (TIMES.

Alabama.-The ample means furnished by the general government, which we are in possession of, are, we venture to say, far beyond those of any other State in the Union. Besides every sixteenth section, out of each township, for the benefit of Schools, Congress bas authorized the selection of seventy-two sections, amounting to two entire townships, for the endowment of an University. The greatest portion of these lands have already been selected, and from the very judicious selection, it is presumed that the lands would sell on an average at 15 dollars per acre; but to be within bounds, we will say 10 dollars per acre, which amounts to apwards of four hundred and sixty thousand dollars. [CAHAWBA PRESS.

The rupture which took place in the Secession of Scotland in 1747, between those since called Burghers and AntiBurghers, has finally been healed. Petitions on this subject were presented to the Synods of the respective parties by above an hundred thousand members of the secession church, and never were the deliberations of an assembly conducted with more solemnity, candour, or enlightened and conscientious regard to the in[REC.

terests of truth.

The 77th Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodists commenced its session in Liverpool, Eng. in July. There were present more than 300 ministers, and a deputation from the American General Conference attended.

The Religious Tract Society, of London, issued during the last year, 5,626 674 tracts, an increase from the issues of the preceding year, of 1,583,353.

Dartmoor Prison.-It appears by the late English papers, that this celebrated prison of war, is to be converted into a School of Industry, for the reception of a portion of the paupers of London. The plan is to select 2000 orphan pauper children, and by their voluntary consent, place them in this establishment, where by proper attention, they may be rescued from the desperate evils of the idleness and vice that now awaited them. Mr. Brougham, at a public meeting held in London, on this subject, stated that the depravity of the juvenile depredators of

the metropolis, of late, must make every person shudder with horrour. The King bad approved the design, and subscribed 1000 guineas in furtherance of the ob[REC.

Jeet.

By returns made up to the 1st of May last, it appears that there are in England and Wales, 37,382 schools of all descriptions; in which are educated 1,571,372 children of both sexes, or about 42 to a school. It is specified that 18,276 of these scholars are initiatory, and that 14,192 are English or commercial schools, of which 8,375 are for females. It also appears that the church catechism is taught in 22,581 schools; that the systems of Bell and Lancaster have been more or less adopted in 1,411; that Phillips' interrogative system of questions without answers has been introduced into 3,682; and Pestalozzi's system of oral analysis into 7; that the French language is taught in 7,520; and the dead languages in 3,327. The number of persons employed in education, as masters, governesses, assistants, and private tutors, is estimated at 56,300.

[REC.

The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society have voted the sum of £5000 to be applied under the direction of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, in the Mission College, now erecting by him, for the purpose of translating the scriptures into the languages of India.

REVIVALS Of religion.

In this city, and in several of the adjacent villages, there is a general and powerful revival of religion. The presising character. As soon as we deem ent appearances are of the most promit expedient we shall furnish our readers with a more particular account of this great work of God.

At Chelsea Landing, Norwich, in Lisbon, Griswold and Plainfield, there are many instances of hopeful conversion.

As the fruits of a revival of religion, fifty-four persons have united with the Presbyterian church in Athens, Ohio, nine of whom are students in the College at that place.

The following statement is contained in a letter from students at Hamil ton College, to their brethren at Nassau Hall, N. J.

At the commencement of the present year, the number of students in this Institution, amounted to 89. Of this number about 37 were professors of religion. No peculiar excitement was supposed to exist until about three

weeks after the beginning of the second term. At that time many pious students in the College, began to deplore the waste places of Zion, and feel more sensibly alive to the interests of Christ's