gre and imperfect a sketch of the original, that I should not have thought it worthy of your acceptance; but having delivered it, viva voce, at a public meeting of the friends of missions, and been strongly requested to send it to the Observer for publication, with the assurance that it might and would do good, I have sacrified my scruples, and send it to you now without delay.

The letter, to which this of Dr. Philip's was a reply, contained numerous queries as to the state of missions in South Africa, the character of the work, the qualifications requisite in the men who should enter upon it, what the London Missionary Society had accomplished in South Africa, and what were their present prospects, and whether the field was large enough for the formation of an American Mission in that quarter of the world. It stated also, that 30 out of 120 students engaged in pursuing theological studies at the Princeton Seminary, were specially occupied in laying missionary work to heart; and that 13 had already pledged themselves to undertake it, and were now waiting to see what sphere of usefulness would be opened up to them, by the Head of the Church.

I. In replying to this cheering epistle, Dr. Philip prefaced what he had to say, by stating his honest and candid opinion, that the views which have for so long been entertained and expressed of the natural inferiority of the African had no other foundation, than prejudice or self-interested ignorance. He might indeed, in his natural state, appear inferior; but it was that his wants being few, his incentives to industry and ingenuity, both mental and corporeal, were proportionately few. And what few motives to labour did exist were checked and diminished in their influence by the great uncertainty of property and life, created on the one hand by the savage rapacity of the monsters that yet traffic in human flesh and blood, and the equally savage ferocity of the surrounding tribes, to whom the Gospel and its natural effect, civilization, had not yet

extended.

What the value of this testimony is, we may gather from the circumstances, that Dr. Philip has been 15 years a resident in South Africa; that each year he has made extensive tours throughout the whole country, from the civilized portion of the colony in the south and west, to the Caffres on the east, and the Bechuanas and Zoolahs on the north, and has already published to the world, two vols. of Researches in South Africa, for which he publicly received the thanks of some of the present members of the Supreme Government, and which were considered so sound and just, as to lead to a motion by the British Parliament, that has for ever established the liberties of the Hottentots.

II. In the next place, the letter goes on to notice the general feeling in favour of Missionaries, and their operations, among the various native tribes of South Africa, and gives some instances of

it of a striking and extraordinary character. The temporal advantages of religion, always great and important, have appeared doubly so to the uninstructed and barbarous natives, and have had such influence on the minds of even the most warlike and ferocious, as to compel them to sue the Missionaries to be made partakers of their blessings. On one of Dr. Philip's journies into the interior, he met with a tribe of Coranas, who had been three weeks on the road, along which he was, for the purpose of begging the gift of a Missionary; and when told that their request could not possibly be granted, they entreated then most earnestly, that he would send to them an instructed native. On Dr. Philip's asking how they would treat him, the reply was, that they would make him a chief; and though this could not be done according to the laws of their nation, except to one who could claim natural alliance with a chief or his family, yet they would surmount this difficulty by giving him in marriage a chief's daughter. On another occasion the Bechuanas, who had heard of the residence of the Missionaries amongst the Griquas, and of the good results that had arisen from their instruction, were seized with such a desire to be as prosperous as the Griquas, that their chieftain set out to seek Dr. Philip, and took with him a thousand head of cattle, in order to purchase a Missionary. On the road, he was robbed of every one of them, and was thus compelled to return, but it was not till he asked an individual connected with the Missionary cause to obtain a Missionary for him, threatening, that if he did not, he would come and by force make him his Missionary. Thus the Gospel, in the heart and hands of Christians, has been as were Israel's peculiar privilege to the surrounding heathen nations: it has been" their wisdom and their understanding in the sight of the nations;" so that even they who have understood but the smallest part of its glory, have been compelled to say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

III. The successes, under God, of the London Missionary Society, in South Africa, were next detailed.

And here, instead of giving them in his own words, the writer chooses the very language that has been used, and recorded as such, by one of the converted Hottentots of Bethelsdorp. "What have the Missionaries done? Let us attend to the reply of the Hottentot of Bethelsdorp, when he was asked this question by J. J. Bigge, Esq. and Major Colebrooke, commissioners to visit the stations. When the Missionaries came amongst us, we had no clothing, but filthy sheep-skins, (Kaross ;) now we are clothed in British manufactures: we were without letters; now we can read our Bibles, or hear them read to us: we were without any religion; now we worship God in our own families: we were without morals now every man has his own wife: we were given up to licentiousness and drunkenness; now we have among us industry and sobriety:

;

we were without property; now the Hottentots at Bethelsdorp are in possession of 50 waggons, and a corresponding number of cattle: we were liable to be shot like wild beasts, and the Missionaries stood between us and the bullets of our enemies." He might have added, that then, though nominally free, we were groaning beneath the worst species of slavery: our persons and our time, and our labour being accounted the perquisites of the local authorities, being compelled to serve them or others at their command and pleasure; our children being liable to be taken from us and lent to others for 10 or 15 years, and ourselves not being allowed to go any where without a pass, and liable to be punished, if found beyond bounds; with all the inflictions peculiar to the slave, without the benefits to be derived from his circumstances; now, we are free, choosing our own mode of life, and using our powers to pursue it, none daring to interfere or make afraid, so long as it accords with the will of God, and we enjoy in addition all the rights and all the justice which the white population possesses. Before, in consequence of these restrictions, the Missionaries were compelled to create institutions at their own expense, and we were compelled to remain within their limits, so that we could not make known the Gospel to others, without being liable to be seized and imprisoned ourselves. Now institutions are no longer necessary; the earth we tread and the air we breathe are free to us, and we can do good to all, as we have ability and opportunity.

Such is the temporal benefit accruing to the Griquas, a small nation of about 4,000 people, that though formerly oppressed and enslaved by more powerful tribes, yet now they are free, are able to defend themselves, and have at this day, under their Christian protection, no fewer than 25,000 of the Bechuanas, 500 Coranas, and 1000 Bushmen; they are now too, so complete a barrier of protection to the northern boundary of the colony, that they have set aside the necessity that has existed so long for the continual presence of some part of the army, and have in consequence actually saved the Colonial Government the expense of 500 soldiers, necessary to defend it; and it is now the universal testimony of all the sensible boors, that they could not sleep a night in safety, were it not for the protection afforded to their persons and property by the Griquas. Their chief or king, Waterboer, is a decided Christain, and true Christianity has extended itself throughout a great part of his subjects; and both, under the teaching of the Missionaries, have become not only lovers of truth, but of all good order, domestic and civil: and it was only a few months ago that they made application to the Colonial Government to be admitted to the rights and privileges of the colony, expressing their willingness to pay all the taxes, and to further the ends of all good government, to the best of their power.

This small nation has lately proved the best and only barrier,

against the encroachments and devastations of Mosalikatsi, the king of the Zoolahs, the most numerous and the most warlike tribe yet discovered in South Africa. This man was visited, a year or two ago, by Messrs. Moffat and Pelissier, and he is described by them as a very extraordinary individual. To an address, wild and winning, he unites great capacity for war, great ambition and great cruelty. He has now, as the result of former wars, 32 African kings or princes in subjection to him. His custom is, when he subdues a nation, to divide the country among his followers ; the old people he destroys, the young he reserves for future service. The boys, he sends to the camp or to the cattle posts, to be fitted and disciplined for his service; while the girls are kept as rewards for his young soldiers. Both the country and its inhabitants are alike considered the personal property of the king, and indeed to such an extent does he carry his dominion over both, that no one can marry without his permission; and when he gives away his women, it is only for service rendered to the state-one, two, or three to each person, according to the number of heroic deeds achieved, and dowries of land in addition. Thus realizing on earth, the schemes of rewards and punishments, devised by Mahomet, and represented to be in heaven; and demonstrating that it did not need the wisdom of a philosopher to build up such a scheme, much less the wisdom and interference of Deity, but that it could and has originated in all the darkness of unenlightened barbarism. Last year, this man invaded the country of the Bechuanas, and having driven the inhabitants before him, desolated the whole with fire and sword, as far as Lattakoo, and all the time of Dr. Philip's visit, they were then fearing his return; but by his advice they have entered into a league with the Griquas, who up to this date have been able to protect them.

On reading the above description of Mosalikatsi's character, we should expect any thing else from him but a willingness to cooperate in diffusing the Gospel; and yet so advantageous have appeared to him the results of Missions, that he has sent and signified his ardent wish, that Missionaries should be sent out to him.

IV. The letter next proceeds to give an account of some portions of the country which in Dr. Philip's view the Americans might enter upon immediately, and with great advantage.

He advises that a Mission should be sent out to the country of Mosalikatsi, and of Dingaan, a neighbouring but independent chieftain,—a tract of land extending from De La Goa Bay, to Port Natal, and certainly the most fertile and densely populated of any part in South Africa. To enter upon this, Americans have peculiar facilities, in that they are already known, and a prejudice exists in their favour, from the circumstance of American ships touching at Port Natal, for provisions and general commerce. With re

spect to the American colony of Liberia, Dr. Philip gave it as his opinion that it can only succeed as religion is had regard to, as the basis of all their civil institutions; and that no better plan can be pursued, than to conform to the modes already existing of Missionary settlements in the South of Africa. With respect to the Landers, and the opinions they have expressed, both as to the intellectual and moral capacity of the natives, he should not feel himself disposed to attach much weight to them, as they possess ability and daring fortitude, and invincible patience, which serve them well, as travellers and discoverers of new countries; but as to deciding on the moral condition of man, and pronouncing dogmatically as to the results of any efforts that may be made to civilize and evangelize them, they are not competent judges.

V. The letter next discussed the way in which Missions in South Africa should be conducted.

1. Great stress was laid upon the important connection between civilization and evangelization; not indeed asserting, as many do, that the former is absolutely necessary as a preparative for the latter; nor yet that the latter, alone and by itself, is necessarily and immediately productive of the former; but that the two are mutually productive of each other when taught, as they ought to be, in close and unvaried connection.

2. The importance of early education was dwelt on, as one chief means of extending the Gospel, and advice was given that it should be commenced before the child has attained the age of seven, or otherwise its utility, from the inveteracy of habits thus early formed, would be much diminished.

3. Important remarks were made on preaching, as the main instrument of extending the Gospel, as that which has both precept and precedent for its obligation, and which can plead both the command and the special blessing of our Lord in respect to its right fulfilment. But here it was thought that the plan hitherto pursued of employing European agency alone must be abandoned, however good and praiseworthy at the commencement. Both as to numbers and effectiveness and expense, it was alike the worst that could be continued; and advice was given, that as speedily as possible, natives should be raised up, and properly qualified to teach the Gospel, and an estimate was given, that small as is the salary of European Missionaries in Africa, yet for the same expence ten times as many natives could be kept in operation as there are now of Europeans.

4. Infant Schools and Temperance Societies were next spoken of as having been of essential service in Africa, and that not only amongst the natives, but the European portion. In Cape Town, nothing is more common than to witness the ruin and the death of emigrant tradesmen within a few years after their arrival in the colony, and the cause of it is intemperance.