while he is near. Feed those little ones whole. When, however, the plans of entrusted to your charge, with the sincere the Society are matured under the milk of the Word. Let there be much sanction of the Governor and of his of the Saviour, his pity, his care, his Majesty's Ministers, you will be fully tenderness, and his love, in all your in- apprised of all details. structions. Nothing but the knowledge of Christ will win the heart to God. The same things will very much apply to your conversations with the Adults. Where a Missionary is stationed with you, you will act under his guidance; but the Committee wish that Schools for Adults should be established as soon as practicable, in every town. Take every opportunity of conversing with them on the state of their souls. The Bible and your own heart will furnish to you that key, which will unlock the hearts of others.

The situation of the Colony of Sierra Leone (and it will probably be the same in New Zealand) presents a danger, which, having already impressed the minds of some of the Missionaries, it is right should be mentioned to you. The Negroes are just rising from barbarism into civilization, from total ignorance even of the common arts of life into some degree of knowledge; and this has been much owing, under the kind protection and assistance of his Excellency the Governor, to the labours of the Society's Missionaries. But do not This, however, leads the Committee mistake civilization for conversion. Do to advert to a circumstance which has not imagine, when Heathens are raised sometimes arisen in the Negro Con- in intellect, in the knowledge of the arts, gregations in Africa. The Negroes, in dress and outward decency, above not being accustomed to restrain their their fellow-countrymen, that therefore feelings, and being susceptible of sudden they are Christians; and so rest content, impressions, if any thing particularly as if your proper work were accomplishtouches them in the Prayers, the Psalms, ed. Our great aim is far higher: it is, or the Sermon, sometimes give way to to make them children of God, and the impresssions made on them, by heirs of his glory. Let this be your weeping aloud, and in other ways, so as desire, and prayer, and labour among to disturb the congregation. When any thing of this kind occurs, they should be exhorted to oppose and repress it. It is by no means a necessary or desirable evidence of feeling and piety. Where this expression of the feelings is discountenanced, it will give way to the sober and well-regulated order of a Christian Congregation; as has been proved in many instances, particularly in the congregations of the United Brethren in the West Indies.

The plans of the Society, with reference to the Christian Institution on Leicester Mountain, are not so far fixed, that positive directions can be given respecting the duties of the Schoolmaster to be settled there. It is probable that the Society will establish there a Seminary, for the superior education of elder youths, selected from all the Schools in the Colony. The division of the younger children under its Schoolmasters in the different towns, in connexion with such a Seminary, will be favourable to the discipline and advancement of the

them. And, while you rejoice in communicating every other good, think little or nothing done till you see those who were dead in trespasses and sins, quickened together with Christ.

The Committee have no reason to doubt but that you are sincere in your dedication of yourselves to the work before you, and that you will enter on it in a Christian Spirit. It is not unlikely, however, that your zeal may receive a temporary check, and yourselves be somewhat discouraged, by observing in those whom you endeavour to teach, a great unwillingness to receive religious instruction; arising, in some, from a self-righteous spirit, and, in others, from a total indifference and carelessness.

Let not this lead you to relax your efforts, but rather to persevere in much patience; looking out for and relying on the promised assistance of the Holy Spirit to bless your labours. Let your whole conversation and conduct prove that you have the real good of the Na

tives at heart. Notice and reprove, with respect to unbelieving Africans, first, those evils only which are of what the Apostle said of the influence greater importance; and, by degrees, of a believing wife over an unbelieving as your labours prosper, correct lesser husband-that if any obey not the Word, evils.

they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation, coupled with fear: whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Should any unhappy differences subsist among the Children or their Parents, endeavour to remove it in the spirit of love; pointing out the sin of living at enmity with one another, and the happiness resulting from harmony and peace. Yet this should be done almost imperceptibly, and with much tenderness. Cultivate a spirit of prayer for them. This will enlarge your heart You will have a just influence over toward them, and enable you to endure your Husbands; but take care that this many things which might otherwise influence be never used to retard the lead you to impatience and fretfulness. great work of the Mission, to increase The importance of the subject will jealousies and contentions, or in any justify the Committee in again ex- way to widen breaches that should be horting you to take heed against what- healed.

ever may indispose you to religious With respect to the Negro Females, retirement. While you consult all ne- the office described by St. Paul seems cessary relaxation for the body, re- to belong to you. To be teachers of member that the want, in any measure, of outward ordinances and privileges, can be supplied only by more close and intimate communion with God: and this will be the most powerful means also of preserving you from that worldliness of mind to which there are many temptations.

A due consideration of our own state, as weak and sinful creatures, will lead you to forbearance with the evil tempers, and compassion for the ignorance of others.

Remember the time is short! Be admonished, by the short period allotted for some who have gone before you, to work while it is day. Sow the seed, while the seed-time continues; and doubt not but that the harvest will follow. The Committee wish particularly to address the Females now going to Africa. You have it in your power, and they doubt not that you have it in your sincere desires also, to be the greatest blessing, not only to your husbands, but also to the benighted Africans. The Females' and the Girls' School will fall under your care; and what applies to the religious instruction of the Boys will apply also to your office as Schoolmistresses.

Your example will have so much weight, that to you may be well applied,

good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Exhortations of this kind, enforced by the practice of what you recommend, will come from you with peculiar force and propriety.

This same spirit, indeed, though now more particularly and immediately required in those of you who are going to Africa, will be needed by all of you, wherever you may be situated.

Seek, all of you who are Husbands and Wives, to be true help-meets to each other. If one be cast down, let the other cheer the drooping spirit. If one be tempted to wander, let the other be ready to call back the wanderer. If one observe the other ready to forget the great obligations under which you lie, let the other be mindful of them. If one be tempted to neglect the means of grace and the duties of your station, a word from the other may stop the backslider. Let the Wives unite with their Husbands, so far as their situation shall allow, in every labour of love; and, by your domestic peace and harmony, let those around you, with those who live under your roof, discover the real value

of those principles which you wish to important parts to take in those vicinstil into their minds. tories and triumphs which shall un

Thus proceeding in your Christian doubtedly attend the cause of the ReCourse, you will be eminently useful deemer. A high and sure reward will and blessed in your lives, and death follow your fidelity. Rise, then, to the will only bring you to higher and un- greatness of the stupendous work before utterable joys. you a work diffusing immense and We live in wonderful times. The innumerable blessings on earth, and inwhole Church Militant is in action. A strumental in filling heaven with new attitude has been assumed. ransomed sinners and immortal souls. Christians are no longer contented with In the name of the Lord, we send guarding their entrenchments. They you forth to your labours. May we have are no longer contented with ancient to record of each of you, as St. Luke and limited possesions, when the utter- does of Barnabas, He was a good man, most parts of the earth are promised and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and belong to their Redeemer. It is and much people were added to the Lord! the privilege of you who are going to Goodness will win, even where inAfrica, to take what is, in many respects, struction may fail. In every way, seek a difficult and dangerous station: but to gain souls for Christ. Whatever man Africa is included in the promise, and may say of the folly of your undertaking, must be won for Christ. Go then, in remember God hath declared, He that your Saviour's strength. Take unto you winneth souls is wise. They that be thus the whole armour of God. Be strong in wise shall shine as the brightness of the the Lord and in the power of His might. firmament; and they that turn many to In the hour of trial, say to one another, righteousness, as the stars, for ever and Be of good courage; and let us behave ever. ourselves valiantly for our people, and the cities of our God; and let the Lord do that which is good in His sight! You have

(By Order of the Committee) JOSIAH PRATT, Secretary. Church Missionary House, Nov. 9, 1818.

APPENDIX III.

(See page 74.)

Abstract of the Address of the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, at the Annual Meeting of the Auxiliary Bible Society of that Colony and its Dependencies, held at Free-town on the 6th of January, 1819.

[From the Sierra Leone Gazette, of April 3, 1819.]

Society-so fully possessed of a conviction of the value of the Bible-and so desirous to enjoy and extend its blessings more amply.

THE Chief Justice adverted to the disposed to promote the objects of the pleasure felt by the Members of the Committee, in the visitation of the houses in the districts assigned to them. It was, indeed, matter of sincere and exalted pleasure to find the inha- In many of the families, the Bibles bitants of every house so ardently brought with them on their removal evincing respect for the Bible, by shew- from America, in consequence of their ing respect to the visitors--so cordially honourable attachment to their King,

deemer himself furnished the most decisive answer, when, inculcating these maxims, he added, For such is the Law and the Prophets.

The true interpretation of the concurrence of the distinguished Heathen Teachers in these instructions is, that, being designed by the Providence of God, as there was every reason to believe, to be lights to the Gentiles, to prepare them for the coming of the Redecmer, they were conducted, or at least the first of them, and the chief author of their best instructions, Pythagoras, was conducted in search of wisdom to the land of Egypt; where

were exhibited to him, still preserved with a peculiar reverence and care. He hoped they would continue long to be so preserved, with daily increase of veneration; and that when, in the course of a period already in rapid progress and he hoped soon to be completed, this Colony should have acquired that importance and splendour to which its position and opportunities and the characteristics of its foundation destined it, the descendents of the present possessors become the leading persons, and, as it may be expressed, the Nobility of British Africa-would cherish these dearest companions and best consolations of that loyal exile; and exhibit the chosen people of God had long sothem to their yet unborn Children, ornamented with appropriate splendour, as the most genuine monuments of the invincible attachment of their revered ancestors to their God as well as their King.

journed, and near to which they had been afterwards permanently established. There the waters of the Divine Word had flowed; and there, they had deposited some small portions and particles of their riches, as the To persons who so highly valued streams descending from the rich the Bible, it was hardly necessary mines and mountains of Africa deposit to talk of proofs of its Divine Ori- their gold dust: these particles Pythagin: yet, in times when men of per- goras, and other visitors, seeking to verse acuteness, desirous to free their collect a store of virtuous wisdom, gapassions from the restraint of its thered, and stored up, and brought Divine Laws, had raised objections away. This is the true explanation of not easily to be answered by every what approached to Christian Purity in simple follower of the Bible, it was the the admired moral precepts of Pythahighest gratification, as well as the best goras, or any of the subsequent virtuous security, to those who might not of and revered philosophers of the Anthemselves be able to give answers, cient Schools. They found and gleaned that its Divine Origin and Authority the precious dust, where the streams had been believed and established by had flowed; but the streams and the the greatest and the wisest of men; and when the Bible was assailed, it was enough for plain men to refer to such authorities, as having found and proved its authenticity, even by the most satisfactory human evidence.

As this might be said of the earlier part of the Bible, the Old Testament; so, in answer to those who attempted to rob the New Testament of the proofs of Divine Origin afforded in the supreme purity of its moral injunctions—if some of these might say, as they had said, "This maxim is of Socrates, and that Pythagoras;" and because these distinguished Heathens lived before the Divine Redeemer, they might argue that from those Heathens the Divine Redeemer took them-the Divine Re

fountains were ours-the mines and the gold were ours; and not only the golden mines of the Old Testament, but the invaluable beds of precious stones of the New.

The immediate business of the day, the Chief Justice observed, was to give the humble aid of this Colony toward the diffusion of the Bible all over the face of the earth.

It was but an appropriate acknowledgment of the Divine Blessing so conspicuously bestowed on the British Arms, and on the righteous cause in which they were engaged in the late awful conflicts, that the season of peace was immediately employed in more zealous exertions, to spread far and wide the knowledge of the Divine

Book. It was a marked indication of divine favour to this divine work, that all Christian Nations were now either actively co-operating in it, or on the point of giving their co-operation.

very recently rescued from slaverythus transferring them, from chains and barbarism, to well-regulated liberty and unvitiated social enjoyment; and from the gross superstitions of gregrees, and So much, indeed, had already been red-water, and witchcraft, and devilsdone, that what remained yet to be houses, to the pure and holy religion done would, with the Divine Aid, be of Christ. It was a particular advantage comparatively easy; and when the to this instruction, that the knowledge great end should be accomplished, to of the Bible and of the English what, under God, would it be owing, Language, proceeded concurrently: but to the Institution, which was the those who learned to read, were taught Parent of the present, and of so many si- to read the Bible, and the Bible only; milar Associations?—to what, but the and thus they obtained the Divine Inirresistible impulse and unwearied struction contained in it, without any exertions of the British and Foreign interference of that profane and vicious Bible Society, and to the Associations reading, which, in countries where co-operating with it? And if, in remote greater facility of learning existed, and now impenetrable futurity, Britain, often preceded the Bible, and barred now so great and flourishing, should, the heart to the accesses of its benign like other nations once mighty and influence, which sometimes came conow in ruins, be humbled in the dust-if temporaneously, and impeded and emher soil, now blooming in rich culti- barrassed its course-sometimes folvation, should relapse into a savage lowed, and overrun and destroyed it wilderness-if her cities, crowded with altogether. But, learning the Bible superb palaces, should become but vast first and last, and the Bible only, the masses of rubbish-yet, among a mul- Converts of this Colony would be strong titude of imperishable blessings and benefits bestowed on the human race, rendering her memory dear and her example precious to nations yet unborn-this supreme and transcendant blessing and benefit, of giving the Knowledge of the Bible to all the nations of the earth, would, of itself, and above all others, be the best title to remembrance and grateful veneration, even down to the latest period of the existence of mankind.

But the matter of more immediate consideration was, he remarked, how to aid, in our humble sphere, the promotion of this divine object.

Two very effectual modes of giving this aid were obvious: first, making the Bible better known among ourselves; and, next, making it known to our immediate neighbours, and extending that sphere of communication successively, as the means should be opened to us. In the first branch, great and gratifying progresss had been made, and was daily making.

The instruction conveyed by the Colonial Schools had given a knowledge of the Bible to a multitude of Africans,

in the knowledge of it, before they could even look into other books; and would not be liable to the dangers of those clashings to which he had adverted.

In regard to the other object-that of spreading the knowledge of the Bible beyond our own Settlements and distributing it among our neighbours, he had strong hope that those of the neighbouring nations who visited this Settlement, even on the transitory pursuits of business, but much more those who had occasion to remain for any time and in some measure to fix themselves here, would perceive so many proofs of Divine Favour, in the social good which they would see reigning around, in the domestic concord and family happiness which they would witness in every house, that they would be led, on reflection, to attribute those blessings, and justly to attribute them, to the heavenly influence of the Bible; and thus they would have the strongest of hunian motives, those of the best human interests, to seek and to receive with eagerness the knowledge of the Bible. In offering the Bible to them, he trusted it would always be remem