The above Return is compiled from Statements made (generally) toward the close of the year. Considerable uncertainty is felt, however, respecting the correctness of some of the numbers; and in only one case, that of Freetown, is it positively known that all whose names are on the Books are included: in that of Waterloo the average attendance only is specified.

It will be observed, that the Communicants and Scholars include those of Freetown: and it may be proper to mention, that the marriages solemnized at Waterloo include 79 from Hastings, a Village not now immediately connected with the Society; and that, in addition to the Burials above reported, which are those of Professing Christians, there have been several of those who died in a state of Heathenism: for the most part, Burials of this description are not registered; but it is known that 22 of them occurred at Leopold and 35 at Waterloo.

Finally, it will be seen that the numbers for 1825 are the same as those given in the Report for that year; and, with reference to both years, it should be understood, that where nothing is stated, no Returns had been received.

Religious State of the Settlements connected

with the Society.

A Sketch of the Religious Condition of each Settlement of Liberated Africans in connection with the Society, during the past year, will now follow; principally prepared from the statements, and not unfrequently given in the words, of those who have the charge of the Station. The particulars stated refer to the following heads

The manifestations of a Christian Spirit, in the lives of the Communicants the number of Religious Inquirers, and the provision made for their assistance the indications of seriousness observable in the Congregations the concern of Parents to have their Children instructed; and the regard shewn to their Teachers the attention of Children to the instruction which they receive; and the marks of improvement visible among them the degree in which Marriage is honoured, and its obligations regarded as sacred-the advancement of the people in Orderly and Industrious Habits.

The state of each Settlement, in

reference to these heads of inquiry, will be noticed in the Survey.

Temporal Condition of the Liberated
Africans.

The following Table embraces a general view of the Population, &c. as reported at the close of the year 1826. If this Table be compared with that of the preceding year, it will be found that there has been an increase in the population of nearly 1600; and an addition of nearly half that amount to the persons employed in Agriculture. It might, perhaps, seem reasonable to expect a corresponding increase in the amount of produce sold during the year: in order, however, to obtain a correct view of this matter, it should be known, that the articles stated as sold form but a small part of what is actually raised by the people; being exclusively those which are purchased for the use of the Africans recently liberated from Slave Vessels, and of others, principally Children, liberated previously, but as yet unable to provide for themselves. It is obvious, therefore, that the quantity thus disposed of at either of the Settlements, during any given period, will be exactly in proportion to the number of new people sent thither within that period, or of individuals previously residing there and still receiving rations of food; so that considerable variations may occur in the amount sold in different years, without at all affecting the question as to what measure of industry is observable among the Liberated Africans. Besides this, the present Governor, Sir Neil Campbell, with the view of reducing the expenditure of the Colony, has recently given directions that the Children hitherto supported by Government shall be placed under the care of such Adults as have been residing in the Settlements for a considerable time, making a small allowance for each, in lieu of issuing rations of food to them as before; and that the newly-arrived Africans shall be furnished with rations but for a very limited time, after which they are to provide for themselves: a diminution has consequently taken place in the quantity purchased by Government, during the closing months of the year.

Bananas

A statement of particulars respecting the produce sold to the Colonial Government during the year 1826 will now be given, as far as the imperfection of some of the Returns will allow. It should be noted, that those of Kissey, York, and Kent embrace a period of about nine months only: this circumstance, together with those mentioned above, will help to account for the reduction observ. able in the Total Amount stated as sold, when compared with that of the preceding year.

Kissey. £. s. d. Cassada, 2083 bush. at 9d. 78 2 3 Cocoa.. 1062 bush. at 1s. 53 2 0

131

4

3

Wellington.

none

2024 14 7

Cassada,8400 bush, at 9d. 315 0 0 Cocoa.. 1500 bush. at 1s. 75 0 0

In addition to the produce thus disposed of, a large proportion is sold (partly at the Public Market in Freetown, and partly at the smaller Markets held in each Village), consisting of Arrow-root, Bananas, Beans,

Peas,
Pine-apples,
Pepper,

Cassadas,

Malaguetta,

51 7 10

Cocoas (or Eddoes),

Bird,

Cring-cree(orCalalue), Plantains,

Ground-nuts,

Potatoes (sweet),

Maize,

Rice,

-466 7 0

Cassada, 1067 bush. at 9d. 40 0 3 Cocoa.. 2807 bush. at 1s. 140 7 0

Oranges,

Palm-oil,

Soap (black),

Sugar-canes,

Tomátas (or Bitter

Apples), Yams, &c.

It seems difficult to ascertain the quantity of these productions which is brought to market: but it is known that Rice and Yams, to the amount of 200 bushels each, were sold by the people of Charlotte; and 300 bushels of Yams, two tons of Rice, and 100 lb. of Arrow-root, by those of Leopold; there being also a considerable quantity of Cassada on hand at the latter Settlement.

The number of Gardens occupied by the Liberated Africans is given, in some instances, where exact Returns had not been received from the last Report. Each house has a piece of ground attached to it, intended for a garden; but the cultivation of this is sometimes neglected, when the people are under the necessity of going to a distance from the village in search of employment. Thus, at. Waterloo, only 200 gardens, being half the whole number, were regularly cultivated; the remainder belonging either to newly-settled people, or to Mechanics and Labourers employed in Freetown.

The Public Works, formerly carried on in the Settlements, not having been resumed, many who were then employed as Mechanics now cultivate the ground: of this description, there are 93 residing at Waterloo, who are accordingly classed as Agriculturists: the 170 Mechanics mentioned under the head of Regent, consist of 70 Masons, 60 Carpenters, and 40 Sawyers.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, a reference may be permitted to some observations formerly made, at the close of the Report for 1825, respecting the gradual manner in which Truth may be expected to make its way among an imperfectly civilized people. The sentiments there expressed have not been altered, but rather confirmed, by the lapse of another year, and the measure of experience which it supplies. Some of the peculiar circumstances connected with the Colony have already been adverted to, so far as they affect Missionary Undertakings. It is not intended to dwell upon them here; but only to venture a hint, as to the propriety of allowing them to have their due weight, in judging of the proceedings now reported, and of the future prospects of the Mission.

Though it may be granted that there are features of a somewhat forbidding cast, in the retrospect which has now been taken; still it is maintained that

there are others of a more attractive kind, which should not be overlooked. Whatever impatience or worldly policy may suggest, nothing, it is conceived, has yet transpired, which ought to discourage the Society from a continuance of its efforts, or which would justify a relaxation of them in the slightest degree. The husbandman is not easily induced to abandon the exertions which he is making to improve any particular spot of ground; but generally perseveres, even amidst many unfavourable appearances, until he either sees the reward of his labours in a plentiful harvest, or obtains full proof that the spot which he has chosen is irreclaimably barren. The application of this is obvious: if the means of improvement, adopted in the Mission, are acknowledged to be suitable to the end proposed, and its operations are conducted with some degree of prudence and diligence, would it be wise or justifiable to relinquish these endeavours, because they are not immediately productive of all the good that we could desire? Rather, it is the part of wisdom and duty, resolutely to maintain our standing; and patiently to continue in the field of labour, with the cheering hope that improvement will at length take place; or, at least, to persevere until circumstances shall arise which absolutely forbid such exertions, or entirely destroy all rational expectation of ultimate benefit. If, indeed, no fruit whatever had been gathered as the recompense of past labours, and if the prospect of future success were far less satisfactory than it is, these things surely should not soon deter from an enterprise which so evidently bears the stamp of Benevolence; and which, moreover, aims to impart benefits of the highest order to an injured race of men, whose claims on our justice, as well as our compassion, have been too little regarded.

re

To the sincere Christian, it can only be necessary to add, that such efforts are sanctioned by the example of the Apostles and other primitive Teachers of Christianity that they are quired by the last command of the Saviour Himself-and that He has engaged to crown them, eventually, with success, in that degree which to His wisdom shall seem good.

Although, therefore, some events have occurred, in the past year, which cannot be reviewed without sorrow; yet it is considered, that those which are of a

different nature more than counterbalance them. It appears, further, an inference warranted by facts, that those Heavenly Influences, which have been alluded to as indispensably necessary to success, have already, in some measure, been vouchsafed: the degree in which these may be hereafter bestowed will probably depend much on the earnestness, humility, and faith, which mark the petitions offered up for them, to that Almighty Lord, who is more ready to impart blessings to His Servants than an earthly parent is to give good things to his children; and who is, likewise, able to do exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think.

Endia within the Ganges.

CALCUTTA.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Examination of the Bengalee Boys' Schools,

under the Calcutta Association.

THE following account of this Examination appears in the "Missionary Intelligence," published at Calcutta.

The Annual Examination of the Boys educating in the Bengalee Schools supported by the Calcutta Church Missionary Association was held on Tuesday, the 6th of March, in the New Chapel at the Church Missionary Premises. The Venerable Archdeacon Corrie, and a number of Ladies and Gentlemen friendly to the cause of Native Education, honoured the occasion by their presence; and expressed their sincere gratification at the progress which the Boys had made in branches of useful science, but especially in the knowledge of the Christian Religion.

The Church Missionary Association supports at present 12 Native-Boys' Schools in Calcutta and its vicinity, which contain nearly ONE THOUSAND Scholars. Of this number, about 200 Boys, comprising the First, Second, and Third Classes, were present at the Examination, and were examined in the following order :

The THIRD CLASS, consisting of 90 Boys, read and explained the Lessons in Jetter's Spelling-Book, and gave the meaning of the words as far as page 30. This Spelling-Book contains the most useful words in the Bengalee Language, with their meanings printed opposite to them: interspersed are Reading Lessons on moral subjects, adapted to the capacity of young boys. When the children

have got by heart the words with their meanings contained in this book, they are prepared to read almost any other Bengalee book with ease: on this account, this Spelling-Book is decidedly the most useful extant in Bengalee.

The SECOND CLASS, consisting of 40 Boys, repeated and explained Reichardt's Catechism of the Christian Religion to page 14: they answered many inter. esting questions on the Christian Scriptures, on God, on the Creation, &c. with much readiness; and explained also the meaning of difficult words, which they did very accurately, evidently shewing that they fully understood what they had read.

The FIRST CLASS, consisting of 70 Boys, read and gave the import of St. Matthew's Gospel to the Ninth Chapter inclusive. These Boys seemed to be very doctrinal lessons in these Chapters, and well acquainted with all the moral and could answer many questions on the Birth of Jesus, on his flight to Egypt, on John the Baptist, on Christ's being tempted by Satan, &c. tempted by Satan, &c. But, more espe cially, the Sermon on the Mount presented a variety of interesting questions, which were, almost without exception, answered with an ingenuity, readiness, and accuracy as to meaning, which would have done credit to Christian Boys of the same ages: for instance, they could give the exact meaning of the Beatitudes, and of the following passages: Ye are the salt of the earth-Ye are the light of the world-the petitions in the Lord's Prayer-Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also-No man can serve two masters-And why take ye thought for raiment? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow—But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you- Enter ye in at the strait gate Wherefore by their fruits shall ye know them-Many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Many of the spectators who understood Bengalee expressed their satisfaction at the answers of the Boys, and were highly pleased with what they had heard.

The next book in which these Boys were examined was the above-mentioned Catechism, which they had learned by heart to page 73. They repeated the answers, gave the meaning of difficult words, and explained the import of the passages: they answered many questions