our missionaries had been cheered by dis-ing all defects, undeniable proofs of the tinguished manifestations of divine grace. power of the gospel, and of the silent ope"The work of the Lord," they write, ration of the grace of God, convince our "is daily advancing in our neighborhood, brethren that their labor is not in vain in and the Lord hears our fervent prayers be- the Lord, and tend to sustain their faith yond our utmost expectation." and courage.

OF CIVILIZATION IN CONNECTION WITH CHRISTIANITY.

Delaware. Encouraging accounts of the The number of brethren and sisters enprogress of the gospel have also been re-gaged in our sixty-one stations, amounts at ceived from the congregation at Westfield, present to 282, eight more than at the in the mission territory. We were at the close of the preceding year.—An. Account same time grieved to hear that the extreme of Synodal Committee. unhealthiness of this station, owing to yearly inundations, calls for a change of its locality. It remains to be considered what steps can be taken for the maintenance of IMPORTANCE this mission. From New Fairfield, also, in Upper Canada, we received the distressing intelligence of the early departure of sister Regenass, who was only in her twenty-seventh year, and had just entered on the missionary service. Thus, likewise, young sister Wolter was unexpectedly called home to the Lord in the beginning of this year, at Emmaus, in St. Jan, whither she had been called only half a year before.

Labrador. The past winter was one of heavy trial, both as to spirituals and temporals. Transgressions of various kinds had occurred among the Esquimaux; and at Hopedale and Hebron several persons had left the congregation. The weather was very unfavorable for their fishery, and, at Nain, especially, there was much distress in consequence.

|

On this subject Mr. Hadfield-a missionary of the Church Miss. Soc. (Eng.) in New Zealand-remarks:

I believe that I differ from some of my brethren on the importance of advancing the civilization of the natives. It is asserted that civilization draws their thoughts from religion; and, to a certain exent, this cannot be denied: but where are we to look for unmixed good? I confess my own opinions have somewhat altered, but they have altered with circumstances. Whether we may not be able to imagine a barbarous people, led by the influence of religion to abandon their own usages, and substitute in their place some simple code of laws, and continue in a simple, peaceable staté, unencumbered with the many wants of civilized life, is not now the question: we have to deal with a people who are now British subjects, and are necessarily brought into contact with civilized people. To retard their civilization would not promote their advancement in religion; but would certainly hasten their destruction. If a perpetual annual grant from some extraneous source, and a continual supply of ministers, are not to be expected, it follows that the natives must be led to rely, as soon as possible, on their own resources for the supply of these, toward the maintenance of Christianity; but it is difficult to imagine how this can be done without a consider

Greenland. The weather had been milder here, and there was no scarcity of provisions. Our missionaries in these northern stations are very thankful for the proofs of brotherly love which are sent by many friends for themselves and their charge, and which are of great service in this ungenial climate. It is not to be expected, that our mission can make much further progress on these thinly-peopled coasts, where few heathens yet remain. Several families have this year removed from the inhospitable shore of East Greenland to the neighborhood of Fredericksthal, and gave good hope of their conversion. Less disposition was shewn by the heathen of Northern Labrador, who occa-able advance and improvement in civilizasionally visit Hebron for trade, to attend tion. I think that, next to the communito the exhortations addressed to them. cation of direct religious instruction, the The instruction and religious training of object of the missionary ought to be the both Esquimaux and Greenlanders, and the civilization and improvement of the natives eradication of their heathen vices and su- in every way: not that he need spend perstitions, are rendered extremely difficult much time on this object, but, as occasion by their wandering mode of life. Thongh might offer, he should do all in his power gifted national assistants are not wanting to promote it. No time should be lost in among them, yet they will never be able leading the natives to DEPEND for their to do without the care of European mis-improvement in every respect on their own sionaries; for, in many respects, they re-energies and resources.—Miss. Reg. main always children. Yet, notwithstand

"THERE IS THAT SCATTERETH, AND
29
YET INCREASETH.

these, however, have been designated for the Bassa people. Of these seven, three have died, two have returned to this country on account of the failure of their health, though one of them is about resuming her have been now toiling almost ten years. labors, and two still remain where they

In

How, in our large churches, where individuals seem to have so little to do, shall they grow in grace, and, instead of being weak, pany infants, blown about by every wind of doctrine, become strong, And what are the results? Are they healthy men, prepared to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ? The anany thing in comparison with the loss of swer is evident. They must engage with curred? Suppose that in all these years, life, sacrifices, and physical sufferings inall their powers in the conversion of the with all these efforts, but one had been reworld. There are exigencies which de- deemed by the grace of God, would not mand all the energies of the church, and that soul, for whom Christ died, be worth God has given this spirit of activity to meet these exigencies. He has made acall this expense? If, in a Christian land, cessible hundreds of millions of our fellow-salvation of a soul, who may say that any so many joint influences are exerted for the creatures, who are now perishing for lack effort of man is too great to secure such a of vision, and he calls upon every individual member of the church, to put forth all result among heathen? his efforts to save them. We are not able to tell of large churchDo any wish to grow in grace, let them engage in this es, and numerous converts among the Baswork with all their might. It is not by influence, which proves conclusively that sas. But we can tell, of a gradual, silent running after every new preacher, and the Lord is at work with his servants. taking up with every novel sentiment, that order to see what has been accomplished they will attain the faith and hope of primitive Christians; among the Bassas, we must just compare but by imitating their present condition with what it was their zeal in seeking to save a perishing when the mission commenced. Formerly world. Spiritual food is not what they when one of their number died, it was need; they are in fact fed to the full. What they need is exercise; and for want poisoned him. Now it is nothing uncomat once inquired who had bewitched or of this they are moral dyspeptics, capricious and depraved in their appetites. Let mon to hear them remark of a dead friend, "God has called him away." the farmer, the mechanic, the merchant, ministering of saucy wood for trial, was The adand the professional man, set before him also very common when our missionaries the conversion of the world as the great first went among them. Now, among naobject for which he should employ his tives who have heard the gospel, it is selhands and his head; and his secular emdom used, and when it is, they go many ployment, which now proves a snare to miles from the mission that it may not be drag him down to earth, would all contrib-known. There is also a growing veneraute to his advancement in holiness. Then, tion for the Sabbath. If a native in the by the daily exercise of his Christian vicinity of the mission, happens to be graces, the spiritual food, furnished him by caught at work on the Sabbath, he is sure the ordinary privileges of the sanstuary, to apologise for his conduct, endeavoring would be well digested, and his soul be in health and prosperity. Never, till Chris- Instead of being obliged to go to the nato make it appear a work of necessity. tians take this view of their duty and act accordingly, shall we see the church shin-meeting, the missionary has now only to let tives individually and urge them to attend ing forth in the beauty of holiness.-W. G.

Crocker.

RESULTS OF THE BASSA MISSION.

As we look back through the history of the Bassa African Mission, from its commencement in 1835 down to the present time, 1847, we must be impressed with the fact that an omnipotent Power has watched over and protected it. Though severely afflicted by the death of devoted missionaries, yet it has never been left without some one to guard its interests. Since its establishment, eleven missionaries have been for a season at the station. Only seven of

it be known that he will preach at such a time, in such a town, and he will have most, if not all who are in town, to hear him. Such were the fears of the natives respecting having their females instructed, that it was a long time before the missionaries could gain any access to them. Now, when they go into a towu, the head man will order the women to leave whatever work they are engaged in, and go to hear God's palaver. And on the Sabbath morning the natives may be seen gliding along the river in their canoes towards the mission chapel, bringing their females with them.

When our missionaries first went among

1847. But where are the teachers ready to go out and instruct the multitudes who would gladly connect themselves with such schools?

them, it was with difficulty they could ob- | Baptist Missionary Magazine for August, tain boys to instruct, as the natives had a superstition that a child acquainted with book learning must soon die. And as to girls, it was impossible to obtain any. Now they have flourishing schools for each sex, which might be increased to any extent, had they teachers to take the charge of them. As it is, they are frequently obliged to refuse pressing applications for both lads and misses to attend school.

It is not expected that white missionaries will be able to go through the length and breadth of that land. Their object must be to furnish books, and especially to translate the scriptures into the native tongue. But while raising up a native agency, they must themselves go boldly forward in the work. The predictions of scripture, and of the departed ones who have labored in the cause of this people, will yet be realized. In the language of Mr. Crocker," Africa, thou long despised land! thy mourning shall be turned to rejoicing. Thy darkness shall be dis

The missionaries were much discouraged in their first efforts for the children, by having so many of them taken from the school by their parents, before they appeared to have gained any essential knowledge. But they bave been encouraged by finding that God has brought much good to Africa from these apparently adverse circumstances. The memories of the chil-pelled. dren are very retentive, and whatever is told them at the mission, either of scripture history, of the character of God, of the love of Christ, of the final resurrection, or of the day of judgment, is all treasured up, and repeated over and over to each other. When they go back among their people, the natives all come around them to hear what the white man, or the God man, as they call him, has taught them. The child will go through with all that has been told him in a very correct and often impressive manner, so that an interest in the truths of scripture is often awakened in towns where the gospel has never been preached. And persons have-Mem. of W. G. Crocker. frequently come from some distance to inquire whether the stories, reported by the children, were really believed and taught by white men; and wishing to know more perfectly about them.

Thus it is that the little leaven, which the few patient toilers have been trying to infuse into this lump of heathenism, is beginning to operate on the mass. Truly, gospel seed is springing up, but who shall enter upon the harvest. The natives are ready to listen with intense interest to whatever the ambassador of Christ shall proclaim to them, but what is one preacher among so many. The schools connected with the station have long been prosperous. Says one of their teachers, "A scholar can scarcely be addressed upon religious subjects without manifesting deep feeling The tearful eye, and oft heard voice of prayer in the lone woods, tell that the word returns not void." Many very interesting letters from lads in the mission school have been received in this country, several of which have been published in different periodicals. For specimens of these the reader is referred to the New York Recorder of May 5, 1847, or to the

Thy sons, basking under their own vines and fig-trees, without the fear of the lawless invader, shall tune their sweet voices to the melody of Zion's songs. God, even thy God, the God of the oppressed shall appear for thee. Thy children are the workmanship of his hands. And, though the sun has looked upon thee, thou shalt be comely in his sight. Long, long he heard thy groanings, but he hath never forgotten thee. Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands unto God, and call him Father. He will acknowledge the relationship. Thy sons shall be joint heirs with his Son, to a glorious inheritance. Blessed is he that blesseth thee.'"

MEMOIR OF WILLIAM G. CROCKER,

Late missionary in West Africa among the Bassas, including a history of the Bassa Mission. By R. B. Medbery, Newburyport, Mass. Boston Gould, Kendall & Lincoln, 59 Washington Street. 1848.

We have read this Memoir with great satisfaction, and were intending to give an extended notice of it; but the favor which it has already secured from the Christian public, makes this superfluous. We will only add our testimony to the fidelity of the biographer. The life and character of Mr. Crocker are portrayed with singular truth and simplicity; and the remark may be also applied to the history of the Bassa Mission, with whose origin and early proThe work gress they were identified. must promote an increased interest in that mission, wherever it is circulated; while

it will furnish a new illustration of the and very brief portions of this work, preforce of goodness.

MEMOIR OF MRS. SARAH BOARDMAN

JUDSON.

At the time this Magazine goes to press, we have been able to read only detached

pared by Mrs. E. C. Judson, and must defer what we may have to say respecting it, to a future number. It is published by Messrs. Colby & Co., New York, in 250 pp., 18mo.

American Baptist Missionary Union.

APPOINTMENT OF REV. T. T. DEVAN ticularly distinguished himself by car

TO THE FRENCH MISSION.

Dr. Devan, late of the Mission to China, having regained his health, has been transferred, with his own consent, to the French Mission; to sail on the 14th ult. for Havre in the Duchesse d'Orleans. His immediate destination is Paris, where he will put himself into communication with Mr. Willard, of Douay, and will thence enter upon such a course of measures as the best advancement of the objects of the mission may require.

RECENT INTELLIGENCE.

rying out the proscription of the Christian religion.

I prolonged my stay a little, in order to ascertain the disposition of the new governor; but in that I found nothing but discouragement. He very soon gave several proofs of strict adherence to the established religion; his reception of me was extremely cold and reserved; and when I mentioned my desire of proceeding to Ava at some future time, he did not even reply. I think, however, he would not oppose that measure; but, in present circumstances, for reasons mentioned in my last, it is impossible. 1, therefore, concluded to return to Maulmain, and arrived here on the 5th instant.

Br. Stevens having had his own Arrival of Mr. Abbott at Calcutta. house burnt down, had taken up his Mr. Abbott, who left this country Aug. residence in mine, contiguous to the 16, arrived in Calcutta Nov. 4, by the native chapel. I have, therefore, taken overland route, forty-four days from Eng-shelter in the house lately occupied land. His health, though at times very infirm during the passage, had been restored; and he was expecting to sail on the 9th for Arracan. Information had been sent to Mr. Ingalle by a previous mail and "word had gone out through the Karen jungles so that the gaze toward the setting sun for the teacher,' would become more and more intense."

from missionary operations, where I by br. Simous, though rather remote intend to make an effort to finish the dictionary. But I hope also to preach occasionally in the native chapel, one attend to such other missionary work sermon, at least, every Lord's day, and as may be given me to do.

Return of Mr. and Mrs. Vinton.Agreeably to previous announcement, Mr.

Maulmain.—Return of Dr. Judson from and Mrs. Vinton have been compelled, by

Rangoon.

Mrs. V.'s protracted sickness, to leave
Burmah for a season, and return to the

Dr. Judson writing from Maulmain Sept. United States. They were to sail in the

19, says,

I remained in Rangoon long enough to witness the removal of my friend, the governor, and the downfall of the ferocious vice-governor, who had become the terror of all classes, and par

"Ocean Queen" about the last of September, taking passage for the Cape of Good Hope, and thence to England or the United States, as Providence might direct. Mr. Vinton expects, while absent, to con

tinue the revision of the Sgau New Testament, now in hand, Mr. Mason being engaged in the translation of the Old Tes-6,