believed had long since been killed and eaten by the white people. His expressions of surprise were strong, but very significant. "If God himself," he said, "had told me this, I could not have believed what my eyes now see." The interpreter then found out that Anya was the very place to which he had first been sold as a slave, and at which he had spent nine years of his early life; and that the very person with whom he was speaking, had been his doctor and nurse in a severe illness, on which account he had retained a thankful remembrance of him. 26. King Obi sent one of his sons to welcome the strangers: he was a very fine looking young man, of about twenty years of age. Both himself and his companions attended our morning devotions; after which I told them what book it was, of which I had been reading a portion; and that I had come to this country to tell the people what God had, in it, revealed to us. They were surprised, and could not well understand how it was possible that I should have no other object in view. They are sensible of their inferiority, in every respect, to white men, and can therefore be easily led by them either to do evil or good. When I told one, this morning, that the slave-trade was a bad thing, and that white people wished to put an end to it altogether, he gave me an excellent answer, "Well, if white people give up buy. ing, black people will give up selling slaves." He assured me, too, that it had hitherto been his belief that it was the will of God that black people should be slaves to white people. I this forenoon satisfied myself of the correctness of various particulars, which I had previously obtained of Ibo people, respecting some of their superstitious practices. It appears to be but too true, that human sacrifices are offered by them, and that in a most barbarous manner. The legs of the devoted victim are tied together, and he is dragged from place to place till be expires. The person who gave me this information told me that one man had been dragged about for nearly a whole day before his sufferings terminated in death: the body is afterwards cast into the river. Interment is always denied them: they must become food for alligators or fishes. Sometimes people are fastened to trees, or to branches close to the river, until they are famished. While we were at anchor inside the bar, the body of a young woman was found on the sand-bank, having been dead, apparently, only a few hours; and as no external marks of injury were observed, except those produced by a rope fastened around her loins, she may have been sacrificed in this manner. Infanticide of a peculiar nature likewise prevails among them: twins are never allowed to live. As soon as they are born, they are put into two earthen pots, and exposed to beasts of the forest, and the unfortunate mother ever afterward endures great trouble and hardships. A small tent is built for her in the forest, in which she is obliged to dwell, and to undergo many ceremonies for her purification. She is separated from all society for a considerable time; her conjugal alliance with her husband is forever dissolved; and she is never again permitted to sit down with other women in the same market or in the same house. If a child should happen to cut its top teeth first, the poor infant is likewise killed: it is considered to indicate that the child, were it allowed to live, ld become a very bad person. To say to son, "You cut your top teeth first," is, therefore, as much as to say, "Nothing good can be expected from you: you are born to do evil: it is impossible for you to act otherwise." The Ibos are, in their way, a religious people. The word "Tshuku," God, is continually beard. Tshuku is supposed to do every thing. When a few bananas fell out of the hands of one in the water, be comforted himself by saying, "God has done it." Their notions of some of the attributes of the Supreme Being are, in many respects, correct, and their manner of expressing them striking. "God made every thing: be made both white and black," is continually on their lips. Some of their parables are descriptive of the perfections of God. When they say, for instance, that God has two eyes or two ears, that the one is in heaven and the other on earth, I suppose the conclusion that they have an idea of God's omniscience and omnipresence cannot be disputed. On the death of a person who has, in their estimation, been good, they will say, "He will see God;" while of a wicked person, they say, "He will go into fire." I had frequent opportunities of hearing these expressions at Sierra Leone; but though I was assured that they had not learned them from Christians, I would not state them before I had satisfied myself, by inquiring of such as had never had any intercourse with Christians, that they possessed correct ideas of a future state of reward and punishment. Truly God has not left himself without witness! Iddah-Egga. Our proceedings with the king of Iddah were as encouraging as those with king Obi at Ibo. He entered upon the treaty in all its details, agreed to give up the slave-trade and human sacrifices, and will be very glad to receive christian missionaries. He also requested that the interpreter might remain with him, to teach him and his people our fashion. I am much disappointed with regard to the situation of Iddah: for though high, it is surrounded by swamps, and cannot fail to be very unhealthy for Europeans. A large tract of country was purchased from the king of Iddah, commencing at Beaufort Island, and extending to Sterling Hill. On this the model farm has been commenced. There appears to be no great population in these regions, as they were driven away by the Foolatahs but a few months ago. They depend on English protection, and have expressed their desire to return to the place: if they should return, I shall be better able to express an opinion as to its eligibility for a missionary settlement, after our return from the Niger. Sept. 29. Egga. This is undoubtedly the largest town we have yet seen on the banks of the river: the population may safely be stated at 7,000 or 8,000. Nufi is the language of the country, though many others are extensively spoken and understood. The Nufi language is spoken at the confluence of the Tshadda and Niger, on the left bank of the river all the way to Rabba, and even beyond it. The Nufi nation must comprise more than 100,000 persons. What a large field for missionary labors! They are a harmless, teachable, aud industrious people here: and such is their character at Sierra Leone. The people, not including the strangers from various other kingdoms, differ in nothing from those below, as regards their religion. The same mixture of paganism and Mohammedan ism is every where observed. There are, however, fewer charms, and other marks of superstition, to be seen than in the towns below Iddah. Egga appears to be entirely surrounded by water; and the swamps behind it extend to a considerable distance. The whole country may become perfectly dry in the dry season; but it is a question whether the healthiness of the town would be advanced by it. The unanimous testimony of the natives is, that the dry season is very unhealthy, and that fever, small-pox, and dysentery, carry off large numbers, even of those born and brought up at the place. pose," said he, "a serpent should bite me; I have only to put my leg under this god"-the shade and I cannot die. Suppose sickness should come upon me; go to my god, and soon get better. From death alone he cannot deliver me: I must die when my time shall come. But white men's book cannot save them from death: they, too, must all die." On this last expression he laid peculiar stress; and many of the by-standers burst out laughing, considering it peculiarly fortunate and conclusive. I took occasion from this, to put before them, in as simple language as I thought my Nufi interpreter capable of translating, the cause of death, and the Christian's hope and consolation whether he or the Christian would be the happier; representing the one as an obedient, the other as a disobedient child before the judgment seat of the Almighty. The old man said, that, as far as he was concerned, he would remain in his old habits till he should die; but the headman of the town made a long and excellent reply. It was to this effect, as literally as I can recollect, "Before time, we were told to sell slaves because white people wanted them; and we sold plenty: this time, they come and tell us, 'You no must sell slaves again,' and we no seil slave again: and suppose you come and teach us your book, we cannot refuse to learn. See," pointing to Thomas King, "this man is a black man, and before he went to white man's Human Sacrifices at Atshara-Defence of country he did all the same as we do; but now The answer to the question, whether Egga might be considered a suitable station for Eu-in it; and then wished the old man to tell me ropean missionaries, is obvious. It is much more objectionable than Iddah, because much more unhealthy. Having now advanced upward of 300 miles into the interior, in search of comparatively healthier stations than those along the coast, and being obliged to sum up my investigations in this single sentence, "I have seen none," I feel no small portion of grief and sorrow, especially when I consider that the people, to all appearance, would be ready to receive the gospel of our salvation with open arms and hearts. They are prepared by those means which God, in his providence, has often sent as the forerunners of the gospel-trials and troubles. Idolatry. he knows better: you must not say that we are Results of the Expedition. I had a long conversation on the difference between our religion and their own. On inquiring of them whether they ever sacrificed human beings, they denied ever having done so. As I could hardly credit their account, I addressed a few words to them on the sinfulness of such a practice. At this they were startled; and the head man told me, that if I were to tell this to the attah he would be very angry with me, as he was in the habit of sacrificing a slave every year; and at the death of the attah, twenty free people were generally sacrificed. The number here stated is larger than we were told at Iddah. Astonishment was actually perceptible on every countenance, when they were informed that the attah had been told that the practice was sinful, and had agreed to abandon it. These people are pagans: no mixture of Mohammedanism is observable in their customs. They shewed me their gods. Under a small shade erected before almost every house were broken pots, pieces of yams, feathers of fowls, horns of animals, broken bows and arrows, knives and spears. Such are their gods! It is easy to attack them, or to expose them to ridicule, but not so easy to eradicate the superstitious belief in them out of the hearts of men. The old argument was again brought forward, that this fashion of worship was good for black men, though it might not suit white people-not but prove very injurious to European conthat the same God who had given us the book had given to them their country-fashion. I endeavored to convince them of the sinfulness of idolatry; and directed them to the only true and living God, who had made himself known unto us by Jesus Christ. An old man then arose to defend their customs, declaring that they would never leave them-that as they found things when they entered this world, so would they retain them and continue in them-that whatever white man might talk, they were convinced that their gods were very good to them. "Sup I have no hesitation in saying, that our visit was made during the best season of the year, in every respect: the information I have received from the natives proves that the dry season is decidedly more unhealthy, and that the natives themselves suffer extremely from fever, smallpox, and dysentery, when the water begins to subside. The country in the vicinity of the river is low and swampy, sometimes to a considerable distance, leading one to anticipate much sickness; and generally the most popu lous towns are situated in the very worst places. Iddah may claim exception, being built on a hill; but the swamps of the neighborhood can stitutions. I can but briefly touch on another subject-the prospects which missionaries have of entering upon their work in the interior. The means of conveyance to their stations depend upon mercantile intercourse between England and Africa. When that intercourse will be established it is difficult to foresee. Nothing that I have seen of the resources of the country can lead me to expect that any merchant would ascend the country as far as Egga more than once of the country above that place I cannot speak from personal observation. Unless, there fore, a philanthropic society were to send vessels up the Niger, the missionaries could not obtain passages, nor, in case of distress, see a possibility of returning. Concerning the abolition of the slave-trade, the expedition has been as successful, or more so, than could have been expected. The king of Ibo and the attah of Iddah have most readily entered into treaties, pledging themselves to abolish it; and, as far as we had opportunities to observe, have carried them into effect. All the experience I have gained, during my sojourn up the river, has coufirmed my belief that it is through native agency chiefly that Africa must be benefitted. I had frequent opportunities to observe, that the chief objection raised-that the natives would pay no attention to what their own country-people might tell them is without foundation. They listened to those who were with us very attentively; and often asked them to remain with them, and teach them better things. I know that the heads of the expedition are also impressed with the importance of paying great attention to the training of native missionaries. DOMESTIC. ANNIVERSARIES AND REPORTS. AMERICAN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY. THE anniversary was held in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York city, 9th May, the president, captain Richardson, in the chair. Rev. Dr. McAuley opened the meeting with prayer. Rev. John Spaulding, the secretary, read the annual report. The total receipts of the society for the year were $20,861 86, being $10,157 61 more than the preceding year. In concert with the British and Foreign Sailor's Society, the American Seamen's Friend Society, during the past year, has aided in sustaining efficient chaplains to preach the gospel at Cronstadt in Russia, at Sydney in New South Wales, and at the Cape of Good Hope. Additional joint aid has also been granted for the benefit of seamen at Amsterdam, in Holland, to be expended under the direction of the Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church. With the Glasgow Seamen's Friend Society a friendly correspondence has been maintained. The American society has also employed two sailor missionaries to labor under the advice and direction of the Rev. George Scott in the important ports of Stockholm and Gottenberg, in Sweden. Their able chaplain has been sustained at Havre in France: and on the 10th of March the Rev. Samuel C. Damon sailed from New York, as chaplain to seamen in the increasingly important port of Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands. The emperor Nicholas has given permission for the erection of a place of worship for seamen in the port of Cronstadt, and the corner stone of the Mariner's Chapel at Havre was to be laid in March last. At several foreign missionary stations the gospel has been preached to seamen by the missionaries of various boards. At the port of Canton in China, it is designed to station a Thirty-two new publications, including nine volumes, have been issued; whole number of publications on the society's list 1,016, including 131 volumes, besides 1,634 publications approv ed for foreign stations. Printed during the year 245.000 volumes, 4,812,000 publications, 100,108,000 pages; circulated during the year 185,152 volumes, 4,478,799 publications, 94,329,045 pages. The circulation exceeds that of the last year by 13,647,480 pages, and includes 2,786 sets of the Evangelical Family Library of fifteen volumes, 524 of the Christian Library of forty-five volumes, upwards of 8,000 each of several separate volumes, 91,000 of the Christian Almanac for the United States, and of some four page tracts from 100,000 to 150,000 copies each. Total circulated in seventeen years 1,220,090,921 pages. The gratuitous distributions of publications to the destitute, made in 574 distinct grants, with publications delivered to members and directors, amount to $10,403 01; exceeding the last year by 3,695,982 pages. Receipts in donatious, including $11,846 99 for foreign distribution, $34,941 03; for sales $56,214 11: total $91,155 15. Remitted for foreign and pagan lands $15,000. At the close of the year there was due on bills sanctioned $10,603 39. Volume circulation, which receives increas ing evidence of the Divine sanction. One hundred and eighty-five thousand volumes have 1 been circulated during the year, including || subject—is $14,476 69, verifying the statements 2.786 sets of the Evangelical Family Library. of former years, that more than forty per cent By the voluntary co-operation of at least on the amount appropriated in aid of feeble 20,000 Christians 1,800,000 volumes in all have churches, is paid back by them, during the year, been circulated among perhaps 200,000 families, into the different channels of christian benevoembracing not far from 4,000,000 souls. Pow-lence. Very few churches responded with more erful revivals of religion have followed the circulation in many cities and villages within a brief period, and with an obvious providential and gracious connection with this enterprise. It is with deep regret the committee announce that they have been able to remit for foreign and pagan lands only the sum of $15,000. promptness and liberality to the call of the American Board, the last autumn, than did many of the missionary churches. Almost as soon as intelligence could be received, after the report of the Board had reached the most distant parts of the land, we were told of missionary churches, individual and associated, in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond the Mississippi, resolving to increase their selfdenial and their sacrifices at least twenty-five per cent., that theirs, too, might be the privi work of God among the heathen. Not less than 134,000 souls are pledged to entire abstinence from every thing that can intoxicate, in the communities which have been blessed by the labors of the missionaries-a number more than twice as large as was re The $15,000 remitted has been carefully distributed by a special committee of several denominations as it was apparently most pressingly needed, as follows:-for the Sandwich Isl-lege of helping forward, in difficult times, the ands $1.000; Siam and China, Baptist mission, $600; Siam, A. B. C. F. M., $600; Burmah $800; Northern India $2,000; Rev. C. C. Aratoon, Calcutta, $200; Orissa $500; Madras $600; Madura $500; Ceylon $2,000; Mahrattas, Bombay, $200, Ahmednuggur $400; Western Africa, A. B. C. F. M.. $400, Protes-ported the last year. tant Episcopal mission $200; Turkey $1,500; Greece, Protestant Episcopal church $200, A. B. C. F. M. $600, Baptist mission $200; Russia $1,000; Hamburg, Lower Saxony Tract Society $200, Baptist mission $600; Toulouse and Geneva $500. AMERICAN HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The number added to the churches on profession of their faith, is not far from 3,446; by letters from other churches 2.068: in all 5,514, which exceeds the number added the last year by 896. The balance in the treasury, at the date of the last report, was $2.827 79; and there have since been received $92.463 64-making the resources of the year $95,291 43. AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. THE Society's 16th anniversary was held in the Tabernacle, New York city, May 11th, the president, Rev. Henry Dwight, in the chair. THE annual meeting was held in the TabernaRev. Dr. Codman opened the meeting with cle, New York city, 12th May, Hon. John Cotprayer. The treasurer, Jasper Corning, Esq., ton Smith, the president, in the chair, when the and Rev. Mr. Badger, one of the secretaries, services were opened by Rev. Dr. Lyell readread their respective reports; after which Rev.ing the 3d chapter to the Hebrews. The presE. D. Allen, Rev. T. S. Clarke, Rev. H. G. Ludlow, and Rev. Joel Parker, addressed the meeting. The abstract of the annual report states The whole number of missionaries in commission during the year is 791, being 101 more than were in the service of the society the preceding year, and five more than the largest number which the society has ever before had in commission, on the American field, in any one year since its organization. Of the missionaries reported, 548 were in conmission at the beninning of the year, and 243 have been since appointed. The locations of the missionaries are in twenty-three different states and territories, in Upper and Lower Canada, and in Texas. The number of congregations and missionary districts is 987, exceeding the number of the last year by 125; and the amount of labor performed is equal to 594 years, being ninety-three years of labor more than were reported at the last anniversary, and thirty years more than have ever before been reported in a single year. The number of pupils instructed in Sabbath schools and Bible classes, under the supervision of the missionaries, is not far from 64,300. The amount contributed to various benevolent objects by 288 congregations-the whole number from which we have reports on this ident then addressed the meeting; after which Joseph Hyde, Esq., the treasurer, read his report, and an abstract of the report of the Board of Managers was read by the Rev. J. C. Brigham, the secretary. The receipts of the year are $134,357 08; being an increase of $15,496 67 over those of the previous year. Considering the scarcity of money in most parts of the country, and the high rate of exchanges, which make remittances difficult, this amount is encouraging, evincing an abiding love for the Bible and its diffusion. The disbursements have been $139,649 70; leaving $5,292 62 due the treasurer. The number of Bibles and Testaments printed is 276,000; being 109,125 more than those of last year. The number of Bibles and Testaments issued the last year was 257,067, being an increase of 106,874 over the issues of the previous year, and making a total since the formation of the society of 3,052,765 copies. The library of the society now contains nearly 1,000 volumes of rare Bibles, and other books connected with interpretation. It contains one Latin copy printed at Venice in 1476, soon after the art of printing was discovered; also nine English copies, older than that of king James, in 1611. Most of these books are donations from the friends of the society. The managers early in the year voted to appropriate $52,700 for foreign distribution of the Scriptures, and to print an edition for the blind. The receipts of the society enabled them to pay only $20,619 of this amount. The meeting was addressed by Rev. Dr. Eastburn, James Buchanan, Esq., John H. Kam, M. D., Isaac Carow, Esq., John Thompson, Esq., John Tappan, Esq., Rev. E. W. Schon, Rev. Dr. Milnor, Rev. Dr. Bethune, bishop Mar Yohannan, and Rev. Justin Perkins. AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. THE Society held its 26th anniversary in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York, May 12th, Hon. T. Frelinghuysen in the chair. Rev. Baxter Dickinson opened the meeting with prayer. The treasurer's report was read by William A. Twelve young men, during the year, have been discontinued from receiving patronage; nine on account of insufficient scholarship, and three for moral delinquency. The amount of receipts into the treasury of the society and its branches, during the year, is a large legacy, $32,352 15. Exclusive of which was included in the last report of the treasurer, the income of the present year does not vary materially from that of the year preceding. The expenditures for the year have been $34,491 72; exceeding the amount of the receipts by $2,139 57. The amount refunded by beneficiaries during the year is $4,724 78. The indebtedness of the society and the deficiency in the receipts have caused the directors to withhold from the beneficiaries two quar terly appropriations. The whole debt of the society now amounts to $35,539 81; and owing to the depreciation of property and other causes, the permanent fund for scholarships, Booth, Esq., and the report of the directors, by only the income from which can be used, has Rev. S H. Riddel, the secretary. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Prof. Alden, Rev. Edwin Holt, Rev. William A. Stearns, and Rev. Leonard Bacon. The abstract of the annual report of the society furnishes the following statements. The number of beneficiaries assisted during the year, in different stages of their education is 615. Of this number 396 are connected with the parent board, and 219 with the Central American Education Society. In the last mentioned number are included forty-six connected with the Education Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; and thirty-one connected with the Board of Education of the German Reformed Church. The Western American Education Society at Cincinnati, having become an independent society, no statement of the number of its beneficiaries is included in this report. This fact is to be taken into the account in comparing the numbers of the last year with those of the preceding. Making allowance for this difference, it appears that the number assisted during the last year has fallen short of the number assisted the previous year, 127. The number received to the patronage of the society during the year is only sixty-seven. This number is doubtless smaller than it would otherwise have been, in consequence of a change in the rule of the board, adopted during the year, respecting the terms of admission; extending the time of study previous to an application for patronage. There has been, however, a considerable diminution in the number received every year, for several years past. In 1838 the number was 203; in 1839, 160; in 1840, 138; in 1841, 121; and this year, as above stated, 61. The directors would ask the serious attention of the christian community to the facts here stated. Whatever may be said in regard to the present supply of ministers in this country, there can be no doubt that there will soon begin to be a very alarming decrease in the number entering into the ministry from year to year, a decrease, which, though it may be painfully felt, cannot be speedily arrested. been reduced to $75,148 08. AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. THE 18th anniversary was held in the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, May 24th, Alexander Henry, Esq., the president, in the chair. After singing, the Rev. A. Barnes led in prayer. An abstract of the report was read by F. A. Packard, Esq., one of the secretaries; in which it was stated The receipts of the year, in donations, amount to $14,844 27, or $585 21 more than last year. Of this amount, there were received for the west $9,270 42, or $3,000 more than the last year. The salaries and expenses of agents, missionaries, donations, etc., amount to $11,515 53, and the debt of the society for advances to the western and southern fund has been reduced from $4.058 55 to $2,762 57. The general, southern, and foreign funds have small balances in their favor, and the valley fund is still in arrears $4,151 29. The new publications during the year have been fifty-three in number, sixteen of which are bound library books. Among them are particularly mentioned the "Way of Life," and "Bunyan's Holy War." The illustration which these two publications afford of the principles and power of the society is fully drawn out. The character of books from other sources is also incidentally introduced. The donations to destitute schools are 125 in number, varying from $1 to $80, and amounting to $2.505 50. The amount of sales during the year (includ ing grants,) was $65,597 23: or $10,090 35 more than last year. The expense of making and selling $65,844 30. Showing a deficiency of $247,08: which is $1.501 85 less than the deficiency last year. The society has circulated, during the last year, upwards of forty-nine millions of pages, without including a variety of cards, tickets, sheet-lessons, miniature books, etc. etc., which would swell the amount to many millions more thirty millions of these were of an 18mo. size. |