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God knows how long my day is to work in his cause. But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness und thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers hereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. God, thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Speaking of the death of the Lay-Assistants of the Mission, Mr. Renner says

The Society was pleased to send us sufficient assistance; and yet, by a wonderful interposition of God, we are now without it. We must then patiently wait upon our God, and say, If this work be of God, it cannot be overthrown: but if of men, it will come to nought. Anxiety of mind was often our lot, and unsought, unjust Palavers with the country people have not a little added thereto.

In a dispatch, dated Midsummer 1814, he speaks on this subject in a manner which must move every Christian Heart.

With much concern I must finish this letter with the melancholy story, that now, in a short period of time, I had to see our Lay Brethren, Quast, Meyer, and Meisner, put into the grave. A watery grave was not their doom, like that of poor Mrs. Quast, who, I under stand, died on her passage home to England; but here were committed" ashes to ashes, dust to dust." I have been bold, in former times, when a brother or sister of us died, in making my remarks; but, in this instance, I have not this boldness. The depth and height of these dispensations of God are above the comprehension of a poor worm. Am I spared, and still living? My goodness, holiness, and faithfulness, have not induced the Lord to preserve my life now for more than ten years in Africa. Alas! my glorifying the Lord in soul and body has been but miserably performed: and as for living in true holiness and righteousness all the days of my tife, it has never been done-standing, as I do, like a

tree that deserved to be cut down a hundred times. But by the intercession of my dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I am still living. The laymen and their wives, six in number, who accompanied Brother Butscher from England to Africa, are reduced to ONE within eighteen months! What can we say, who are but of yesterday? The Lord is mighty in battle, but we know he is also mighty in truth, love, and mercy; and he makes no mistake in sending the messenger of death to Mr. and Mrs. Quast, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, and Mr. Meisner. The dead cannot praise Thee! but the death of the dead must and doth praise thee, thou King over life and death! Spare us, good Lord; and save thy people," in a dying hour, "whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with them for ever!"

Accept my sincere prayers for yourself and family; and do kindly remember your unworthy servant to all our friends, benefactors, and well-wishers.

F

SOUTH AFRICA.

Bible and School Commission.

An Institution, with this title, has been formed at the Cape of Good Hope, of which his Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief is Patron, and his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor President.

The Members are exerting themselves, with success, in the diffusion of the New System of Edupation, and in the dispersion of the Scriptures, throughout the Colony.

Our readers will be much gratified by the following extracts from the last Report of the Society.

The Committee regret, that they have not the means of satisfying all the demands for Bibles, Testaments, and School Books, made by the respective Ministers and Schoolmasters, in the Country Districts, but flatter them

selves that they shall soon be enabled to do so, the following supply having been written for to their Agent in England, viz. about 400 English Bibles and Testaments, 1000 Dutch ditto, besides some copies of the Holy Scriptures in the German, French, and Portuguese Languages, and for several other articles. The Malay Version of the Scriptures, after minute inquiries made by the Committee, was not thought necessary for this place, from the difference in written and oral Malay Language. In turning their attention to this subject, it has appeared far more practicable, and, therefore, advisable, that the Committee should endeavour to spread the knowledge of the Scriptures, by means of the English or Dutch Tongue, rather than by teaching the different languages, and even the varieties of the same language, that abound in the Colony. In proportion also as one language prevails, in that proportion will there be seen to exist intercourse and amity between its inhabitants. From the great and increasing prevalence of Mahometanism, especially among the lower orders in Cape Town, the Committee think themselves called upon to make every effort toward the dispersion and comprehension of the Scriptures among this class of its popu lation.

The Committee hope it will not be long before they can enter more at large into the functions of a Bible Society, of which the next Report will contain the details. It will be necessary, however, previously to frame and make public certain rules for the more effectual fulfilment of this part of their undertaking.

Past success, however, so far from being a ground of remissness, shall be the best motive to encourage and justify future efforts; and though, from peculiar circumstances of situation,these efforts may be partially impeded, there are encouragements (local also) which may stimu late and reward. When the Committee call to mind the great and almost incredible success, attending the new mode of education, they see it coupled with the most promising and extensive advantages. Surrounded by nations yet in darkness, they would offer to them the blessed Gospel of Salvation. The new mode of educa tion, manual. expeditious, and full of life, seems, of all other means, most likely to fix the mind and interest the feelings of an active, yet uncivilized people. Of

this the Committee are fully aware; nor will they leave the interesting subject much longer a question.

By means of teachers educated on the new system, and subject to the controul of the Bible and School Commission, they are encouraged to think that they may thus be able to extend the knowledge of Christianity, of civilized language, and of useful arts, to the different and unenlightened tribes of Southern Africa. The Committee cannot but feel persuaded, that the most promising and effectual method of converting a barbarous people to true religion, is by imparting to their minds a love and susceptibility of knowledge, and by transforming their vagrant, plundering habits into those of order, honesty, and industry.

Extending thus their views, the Committee do not, however, overlook the more immediate and the more imperative duty of affording education and dispersing the Scriptures to the Colony in particular. What they have already done in this respect is now submitted to the judgment of the public;-what they will do hereafter, is left to its candour to determine.

Missionary Conference.

The Missionaries of the (London) Missionary Society purpose to hold Annual Meetings for mutual conference. Great advantages will be likely to result from such an interchange of observations and experience. The first meeting was to be held at Graff Reinet, in August last.

Intelligence from Griqualand, Orange River.

Mr. Anderson writes to the Secretary of the (London) Missionary Society, at the end of February

We have received into our church fourteen by baptism; and we had the unspeakable happiness of proposing, last Wednesday Evening, twenty-one more, who are to be baptized next and the following Sabbaths. Many more are coming daily to speak to us about the state of their souls】 inquiring after the Lord Jesus. We had been long walk

ing in a sorrowful manner, weeping in secret, and saying, Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Iord revealed? but now our sorrow is turned into joy, great joy blessed be the Lord; lat the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amén.

Of a journey among the Griquas, Corannas, and Boschemen, he says,

I had not a minute to spare while I was among them. After I had done preaching, I visited the houses, and spoke to each separately. On my return to my waggon I found always a number waiting to speak to me. I spent a week there, and found it a happy season. Many testified the state of their minds by their tears: among them were some of whom little hope was entertained, as their lives were most wicked and iniquitous, but now they are seeking the Lord Jesus,

Mrs. Janz, wife of the Missionary of that name, died on the 10th of February, in the triumph of the faith. Her remains were conveyed to the buryingground in one of the Missionary Waggons, attended by upward of two hundred persons, walking two and

two.

ISLE OF FRANCE.

Mr. Le Brun, from the (London) Missionary So ciety, is arrived at this Island, and has begun the instruction of youth.

JAVA.

The Directors of the (London) Missionary Society have received intelligence of the safe arrival of Messrs. Kam, Supper, and Bruckner, at Batavia. They have been stationed at three different places, with the sanction of the Governor.