bered, that those who held it forth he said "in a more indispensable manpledged themselves to observe all its ner" because a Christian should alsacred injunctions, toward those whom ways feel himself bound to act as a they sought to gain to the number of Christian toward all men ; but particu its followers. larly so to feel, when he was wishing and labouring to convert other men to Christianity. He had detained the Meeting too long; but he trusted they would sympathize in the motives and feelings which led him beyond his own control. This led him to remark, that all Meetings like the present, had the effect of pledging those who united in them, to feel and observe toward one another, all the duties of that comprehensive command, which was second only to one other; and which, in en- He would conclude, with wishing all joining us to love our neighbour as our- who heard him length of years, in the selves, enjoined us, in those few words, harmony of Christian Love toward one to do all the good and forbear from all another; witnessing a great and conthe evil, which was separately ordained stant increase of the blessed work of or forbidden in the several Command- spreading the knowledge and influence ments that respected our duties toward of the Sacred Writings among the mankind. He trusted, therefore, that, nations around; and beholding their on this and on every similar occasion, children honouring their parents in the covenant of Christian Love toward the best manner, by carrying on and one another would be renewed among advancing toward completion the good all present; and the feeling also of that work which they had begun, and exlove, toward every one of those whom periencing from their own children we invite to associate with us, as neigh- and from their children's children, an bours, in the reception of the Bible: increasing growth of similar remuneand, whether they be Bulloms, or Tim- ration, in a still further expansion, till manees, or Susoos, or Foolahs, or of the Gospel should be spread_from whatever other name or nation-the Sierra Leone to Teemboo, from Teemmoment that we invite them to become boo to the Niger, and from the Niger Christians-the moment that we en- to the Red Sea so that the Lord tertain the hope and thought of mak- might send his Angels, and gather toing them so we should feel, in a more gether His elect from the four winds, indispensable manner, the duty of be- from the uttermost part of the earth to having as Christians toward them: the uttermost part of heaven. APPENDIX IV. (See Page 75.) Journal of an Excursion, by the Rev. W. B. Johnson, Mr. J. B. Cates, Wm. Tamba, and others, round the Colony of Sierra Leone. January 12, 1818. Tuesday.-We Minister, and bidding him farewell left Regent's Town, about four o'clock with many tears. A report had been in the afternoon; and walked to Wil- circulated that he did not intend to berforce, which is situated on the N.W. side of the Colony. At our departure from Regent's Town, many of the inhabitants sur rounded us, shaking hands with their return; and it was with the greatest difficulty, and not till after repeated assurances to the contrary, that the people could be prevailed on to leave us. At our arrival at Wilberforce, the mercy that ever gladdened the heart of the miserable! But their eyes were so blinded, that they seemed to view with indifference that which the Angels in heaven desire to look into ! people of the Town assembled at Mr. Thus was a second uncultivated lanDecker's house. Wm. Tamba ad- guage made the means of conveying to dressed them in the Cosso Language the understandings of perishing sinfrom Matt. xvi. 14-16. In a plain ners, tidings of the most stupendous and serious manner he explained the important truths contained in these verses. The Cosso People seemed quite astonished to hear the words of Eternal Life in their own tongue. One little girl, in particular, appeared scarcely to believe her ears. When Tamba began to speak, she turned alternately to him and to her parents, staring at each, as if desirous to know whether others heard as she did. The reflection, that the Gospel of our Saviour was now, perhaps for the first time, declared in that tongue, afforded us peculiar pleasure. ney. January 13. Wednesday-Having passed the night at Wilberforce, we this morning proceeded on our jourPassing Bassa Town, we arrived at a creek, across which two of our company swam, and brought over a canoe, in which the remainder of us were soon paddled over. The sand-beach and majestic ocean were now before us. On this beach we walked about three miles and a half; crossed another creek; and arrived at a place of some size, called Tongier. A considerable number of people assembled; and as the Headman understood English, Mr. Johnson explained to him, that the object of our visit was to enquire whether they knew and served the Living God. He confessed they did not. The awful consequence of dying in ignorance being pointed out to him, he said that it was all true, and that he should be glad to learn. Tamba was then introduced, as a man who could tell him and his people, in their own tongue, the things which would make for their peace. Tamba addressed them in the Sherbro' Language. They listened with attention; and shewed, by their significant gestures and answers, that they understood him. The Town abounded with those marks of superstition, which are common in this part of Africa. There was scarcely a house which had not its wooden post and broken bowl, for its defence! The folly of depending on such things being pointed out, the Headman acknowledged that they could do them no good; and said that he only kept them because it was the fashion of his country, but did not trust to them. Being asked if he would call his people together on a Sunday, if any one came to instruct them, he said, No! what they had heard to-day was enough! Having faithfully warned him of the probable consequences of his refusal, we left him to consider of it, and resumed our walk along the sand-beach. In about four miles, south-east, we arrived at the first of several small villages, bearing the general name of Ajaltopant. Here we rested; and, having procured some fish and fowl, made our dinner. Fingers served us for forks; and a mat, spread on the earth, for table and chair. As the tide was running in, we were obliged to resume our journey on the sand-beach with as much expedition as possible; having a creek to pass, which was every moment getting deeper. We could not, however, refrain from spending a few minutes, to observe the motions of two large sharks, which were sporting in the water within a few yards of the land. Having reached the creek, we found it fordable; and, stripping off our clothes, we soon waded through. Passing the Turtle Rocks, we arrived at Boombah, a small village, containing nine or ten houses; distant about seven miles south-east from Ajaltopant. The men were all absent; but the women accommodated us with the and best house in the place, and sold us tide being full. After spending an plaintains, casadas, and turtles' eggs, hour or two on its bank, we ventured on which and some fish we made our in. Those who could swim had little supper. While this was preparing, difficulty in getting to the opposite some of us took a walk round the side. They discovered a place where place. It is situated on a small pro- it was possible to walk through; jecting point of land, nearly surrounded thus we all got safely over. Proceedwith the sea. The rocks adjoining it ing along the sand-beach, we passed are quite barren: but the convolvulus sevsral islands; and arrived at a small and other running flowers spread village, where we took some refreshthemselves over their hardy faces, and ment, and afterward passed several kindly lend them the appearance of other villages, but found it impractivegetation on the one side, while the cable to stop at them all. other is exposed to all the fury of the waves. A few miles to the east, the lofty mountains of Sierra Leone appeared in view; and, to the west, the setting sun dropped into the bosom of the ocean. When the shades of night display the wonders of creation in a multitude of worlds around us, we are lost in astonishment at the immensity of the Creator-how much more should we be lost in love and adoration, when we consider that to bestow salvation on the rebellious men of one poor world, the great Creator of the whole thought it not too much to shed His precious blood upon a cross, beneath the insult ing hand of His own creatures! Returning from our waik, and having refreshed ourselves with a wholesome meal, we collected as many people as we could, and told them why we visited their town. As Tamba spoke to them in their own language, they listened to what he said. A Hymn was then sung, and the service was concluded by prayer in English. The women shewed much surprise; but attempted to join in the Hymn, while they laughed and made a great noise during the prayer. May mercy be bestowed upon them! We passed the night at Boombah,: some sleeping on a rude sort of bedstead, with a mat and blanket; and others on the floor. January 14, 1819. Thursday.-Having committed ourselves by prayer to His guidance and blessing who alone could keep us, we resumed our walk this morning, on the sandbeach, till we were stopped by a creek, which was too deep for us to pass, the We next arrived at an open bay, which, as the tide had gone down, was nearly free from water. Having gained the opposite side, our road lay, for some distance, through the bushes; till we again reached the sand-beach, where we passed several small towns, but had not time to stop, till we arrived at Cape Shilling, a Settlement recently formed, about forty miles distant from Wilberforce, and forty-three from Freetown. Mr. Kearney, the Superintendent, was not at home; but his servants provided a lodging for us, to which, after partaking of an excellent supper of their providing, we gladly retired. Jan. 15. Friday.-The man who conducted us from Regent's Town returned carrying intelligence to our friends of our welfare. After taking a walk through the place, and breakfasting, we resumed our journey with a new guide; and arrived at Maryar, about a mile and a half south-east. In four miles further, we got to Tumbo, which is a large village containing about fifty houses and many inhabitants. They possess a considerable quantity of cleared and cultivated land, on which there were plenty of casadas growing; and, as there were several large canoes on the beach, the appearance of the place was beyond that of the generality of African Towns. The high mountains to our left continued visible: and our guide informed us, that, by going round them, we might regain the Colony by a much nearer way than that by which we came. We errered & sme creek, which, in some Thaces, wolić but just allow the CLIKE 1: DES. At the end on where we left the canive, we IMC I be carried a cuasiderable way throut the mud, on a man's back, before we could Passing through Barbarbos, we arived at Margenna, a smag, two miles from Tumbo. We bat ze nearly a mile beyond it, when we were hailed by two men, who engured whither we were going. On being il Epting chassed the bat, we entered formed, they told us that we could me the over E is extemy, and went cross the water which was just belice severe mis uit le steam is deep, us without a canoe, and that at the bit very mudo, zunang beLST ERST place to which we were going we could. The mares of eat side form a not get one. Our guide asseng to commier rest at quite shut out the the probability of the thing we returned to Margenna. Here they informed us that they had a cave to jet, which we engaged; but, from the a orbitant charge which they wi-bed to make for taking us across the bay, we were disposed to think that there ht be as much self-interest as friendship and in their calling us back. After ther The 10wn to which we were going had received the quantity of fi-b-books being situated near our landing-pate, and tobacco agreed upon, they made the pesque soon canight sight of us. The many trifling excuses and delayed met armed themselves, and came out us a long time. Our patience being to meet us: but, as our appearance, exhausted, Mr. Johnson demanded the our message, was quite peaceeither our articles back again, or the canoe to be immediately got ready, They chose to fulfil the agreement: bu, though we were destitute of provisions, and had the prospect of being on the water till night, they would not sell us any thing to eat. ful, they did not interrupt us. We, therefore, entered the town, which is about the size of Tumbo; but has not so many inhabitants. It was now nearly dark; and, as we had been all day without eating, we were glad to purchase plaintains, bananas, casadas, rice, and oysters. Not having an opportunity of collecting the people that evening, we only informed the Headman of the object of our visit, and requested him to tell the people that we would speak to them in the morning Our course, at first, was south-east by east; but gradually changed to east. Though we went about eight miles across the bay, the water, for the greater part of the way, was very shallow and filthy, the oars frequently bringing up mud from the bottom. It abounds in oysters and wild fowl. A bank of se- Jan. 16. Saturday.-The first thing, veral miles in length is almost covered this morning, was to get the people towith these helpless fish; which seem gether. Having accomplished this, to wait the hand of man, to make at Tamba addressed them in Sherbro', acleast one change in their motionless cording to the directions of Mr. Johnand almost inanimate life. The wild son. They were all seated round him; fowl were in great variety; and so tame some on stools, and some on country as to allow a very near view of them. chairs; forming a motley groupe. They One species exceeds, in size, the Eng- were generally attentive while he spoke. lish goose, and nearly resembles it in When he had done, they talked a litcolour: its beak is very large, and of tle time together; after which one of singular construction; when open, the them told Tamba, that they could not skin forms the appearance of a bag, say what he had spoken was bad: and hanging between it and the neck the that the fashions which they kept, were first time that the bird opened its beak the same as the old men before them in our view, one of our boys exclaimed, had done, and they knew no others; with surprize, “Ah! he have pocket!" but if any one came to tell them, they q would hear. Tamba then informed frequently, for half a mile together, them, that it was our wish to send some we were obliged to pull off shoes and person that way, who would occasion- stockings, and walk through the mud. ally come to visit them, and tell them This continued four miles, when we the things that make for their peace. reached the expected town; wet, hunThey seemed very well pleased with gry, and tired. this intelligence. We had not been long in the town, before we were warned not to go into one particular house, as it would assuredly kill us. To confirm this, we were shown a dead horned owl, which was hanging near it; and which, we were told, had presumed to fly over this wonderful house, and therefore had dropped down dead. After breakfast, we took leave of the people; and, having entered another canoe, were once more afloat on the muddy stream, which the Natives call the Ta. We ascended this river about seven miles; at first, north-west by north, and afterwards west. We then left the main stream, which took a southerly direction, and entered a smaller, running north-west by north; and proceeded, about half a mile, to a place where we landed, and walked another half mile to Mema, a small town. In our way to Robiss from this place, we walked, about seven miles, through a country more fertile than we had yet seen. Casadas and rice grow in great plenty. We were calculating on getting here rest and food for our bodies, and imparting food to the souls of the people; but, when we entered, to our great mortification, there was no one in the town but an old woman and a few children, who neither wanted any thing from us, nor would give any thing to us. About a mile further, we came to a hut, in a farm, where we found a woman and two girls. Beyond this place, our guide would not go a step. Our situation was not very pleasant. We had either to remain where we were, without a place to sleep in, or sufficient food; or to go into the woods, with night fast approaching, without a guide, and without knowing a step of the way. Hoping we might find another town, we set off; and went through several farms, till the road entered the wood. Here we soon lost all traces of it, and were obliged to go back to one of the farms, where there was an em' ty shed; resolving to take up our abode there for the night. Tamba then went to the woman, at the farm where we first stopped, to try to get something to eat; but she either could not or would not let us have any thing, nor lend us a pot to cook the little food which we had. We were obliged, therefore, once more, to try if we could not discover a road through the wood; but our endeavours proved fruitless. At the end of this seven miles we again reached the Ta; but the stream was too much diminished to carry a canoe. We proceeded, therefore, by land, seven miles further, to Tom's Place, the road lying through thick bushes all the way. This brought us to the side of the Quer, a branch of the Bunch River; and we should have It was now dark, and we could not gladly got into a canoe to take us to see the road, even where there was one. Robiss, but not one could be procured. As soon as we had reached another We were obliged, therefore, to set off farm, where there was a shed, we again again on foot, with a boy for our stopped; and here we found a fire and guide, intending to pass the night at an iron pot, though no inhabitant; and the next town, as we found we could were glad to spread our blankets on the not reach Robiss. We had to walk earth. The animals in the adjoining through mangroves, by the river side, woods soon howled us asleep. About where the nud was deep; and had, two o'clock in the morning, we awoke; after this, to pass a part of the stream and. finding ourselves cold and a heavy about four feet deep. Our way con- dew falling on us, we heated some tinued through the mangroves; and, water, and mixed with it the last port |