will perceive, from our journal, that there are several in our congregation who truly seek the salvation of their souls: for instance, two bastard Hottentots, Gerhardus and Johannes Engelbricht, who have been baptized, and whom we can with satisfaction admit to the Lord's table. From among the Great Namaqua nation there are three, who not only seriously meditate on the word of God, but seem in good earnest about their salvation. In the same state of mind are several women belonging to our people. There are others, who say, with King Agrippa, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.' "

A letter from Mr. C. Albrecht, dated Oct. 29, 1808, contains an interesting account of the proceedings of the Brethren in this remote district; but as it is too long to form a part of the Report, it will appear in the Appendix.

The Directors are taking measures to comply with the earnest request of the Missionaries for additional assistance; and they have the satisfaction to mention that Miss Burgman, a Dutch lady, is now on her way to that station, where, on her arrival, she will be united with Mr. C. Albrecht, and join her sister-in-law in her pious labours among the female Namáquas. The exemplary devotedness and eminent qualifications of this lady, encourage the hope that she will become a distinguished instrument in promoting the interests of Christianity and of civilization in this distant and almost unknown region. The Directors are obliged, by the necessary limits of a Report, to omit a variety of interesting occurrences contained in their journals; but they may be found in the XXIst number of the Missionary Transactions, lately published. (See also Appendix, No. I.)

LITTLE NAMAQUA LAND.

MR. J. SYDENFADEN has the charge of this Missionary station. He was originally associated with the Brethren Albrecht in the preceding Mission, and superintended a branch of it which was situated at a distance from Klaar Water, about two days' journey; but, in consequence of the difficulty of procuring subsistence for himself and his numerous followers, for want of meadows and water, and after suffering many privations and hardships, which he endured with the constancy and patience becoming a Christian Missionary, he obtained permission from lord Caledon to establish his insti

tution on the Camisburg, in Little Namáqua Land. In a letter written by him from Cape Town, he mentions that the number of his followers was from 4 to 500, among whom he had reason to hope that some served the Lord in spirit and in truth; although many others worshipped formally, which occasioned him much sorrow of heart, and constrained him to pray fervently for that meekness, patience, and wisdom, by which he might conduct himself as became a true servant of Christ. There were 34 among his congregation who were able to read the Scriptures; and others who were learning to spell were also anxious to learn to read. A young man, named Lucas Kemmedo, of good disposition and abilities, he has made schoolmaster; and two others, of about 40 years each, he has appointed to be clerks, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures every morning and evening, engaging in prayer, and singing of hymns, during his absence; and he has had the satisfaction to hear that things are going on very well, that religion and tuition are in a forward state; and he adds, "I pray God that, on my return, I may find every thing in such order as to be able to minister to many the sacrament, and to erect a small community to my Lord." During his stay at the Cape, he was married to Miss Maria Schonkin, who is sister to the wife of Mr. Anderson, and who appears to be actuated by a truly devoted spirit, and prepared to endure the privations, as well as share in the labours, of a Missionary, among the uncivilized Heathen.

On the whole, we feel abundant cause for satisfaction and thankfulness in the African Missions; and trust that when they are strengthened, as we trust they will be, by additional labourers, the Society will have the pleasure of finding that the kingdom of Christ in that little-known and neglected part of the world, will be widely extended.

OTAHEITE.

THE most important intelligence received during the past year, respecting the Mission in Otaheite, is from a letter dated Nov. 12, 1808, at Huaheine, an island about 16 leagues distant from it, to which the greater part of the Missionaries thought it necessary to retire, in consequence of a civil war which had just broken out between Pomare, the king of Otaheite, and a party of his subjects who wished to dispossess him of his authority. The letter, (see Appendix, No. II.) which communicates this information, is very short, being, VOL. IV. No. I.

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written in haste, immediately after the arrival of the Brethren at Huaheine, and when the Perseverance, the vessel which conveyed them to that island, was on the point of departure. The danger, however, does not appear to have been very imminent, as four of the single Brethren were left, no doubt with their own consent, at Otaheite; these, however, the letter. states, were expected shortly to follow them: whether they did so or not, the Directors have not yet been informed. Our hope is, that if they could retire to a place sufficiently remote from the scene of conflict, they would be able, at the conclusion of hostilities, which are seldom of long continuance, to resume their labours. They were kindly received by the chiefs of Huaheine, to whom they were not altogether strangers, as two of the Brethren had formerly visited that island, and their preaching had been favourably received. The Missionaries conclude their letter by "praying that the Lord may over-rule this unexpected, and, to them, painful dispensation, for the further good of the Missionary cause." In this wish the Directors sincerely unite, and are not without hope that the dispersion of the Missionaries may tend to the more extensive diffusion of the Gospel in the southern isles.

Since our last meeting, Mr. Henry Bicknell, one of the first Missionaries who offered his services to the Society, and who has been a diligent and faithful labourer at Otaheite from the first, arrived in England. He left Otaheite in May, 1808, and proceeded to Port Jackson, in hope of obtaining a suitable partner in life at that settlement; but not succeeding, he came home, and has since been married to a pious young woman, with whom he sailed in the CANADA, a ship sent out by government with 100 female convicts. Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell were accompanied by four other pious women, who are now on their way to Port Jackson, and who will reside for a time in the colony under the care and direction of the Rev. Mr. Marsden, the active and zealous chaplain of the settlement. The single Brethren at Otaheite, who have expressed an earnest wish to enter into the married state, (a measure which appeared to them and to the Directors expedient, not only for their own comfort, but for the perpetuity of the Mission,) will have an opportunity of visiting them at Port Jackson, and of uniting themselves with pious partners, whose assistance and example at Otaheite, or any other island where they may settle, will, it is hoped, contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Mission.

They are also accompanied by Tapioe, a native of Otaheite, who, having a strong desire to visit this country, arrived here

about three years ago, after a long succession of dangers and disappointments. By the assistance of this Society, and other gentlemen who felt interested in his welfare, he has received considerable instruction, with a view to his being qualified to teach his brethren.

The Directors acknowledge, with gratitude, their obligations to Government, who, on the application of Sir Joseph Banks, readily granted a free passage to the seven persons just mentioned; and also assisted the Taheitan stranger in his equipment for the voyage, furnishing him also presents. for his countrymen, on whom it may be hoped the favours conferred on him may have a beneficial effect. A hope is also indulged that the conversation of the good women who sailed in the Canada, may be rendered useful to the female convicts, for the instruction of whose children they had commenced a school on board the ship before they left Spithead.

By conversation with Mr. Bicknell, as well as from the journals last received, there is reason to conclude, that although positive instances of conversion cannot be produced, yet that a considerable degree of knowledge concerning the true God, and the method of salvation by Jesus Christ, has been generally diffused among the Taheitans. There is also reason to hope that a few individuals have died in the Lord. A seaman who touched at the island was brought under serious impressions, by hearing the Missionaries. He has since proved himself a zealous disciple of Christ, and has been very useful to many of his shipmates". Although the superstitions and cruelties of the Taheitans are yet continued, a consciousness of their evil seems to be entertained, and their chiefs are anxious to conceal them from the Missionaries.

A spelling-book in the Taheitan language, sent over by the Brethren, has been printed in London, some hundred copies of which Mr. Bicknell has taken with him, and which will be very serviceable in the teaching of the children. On the whole, the Society must patiently wait the Lord's time for that success which it is humbly hoped will ultimately crown the persevering labours of the Brethren.

• He visited the island in a South Sea whaler. On his return home, from a fear of being impressed, he entered on board his majesty's ship, the Volun taire. He was afterwards removed to the Ganges, where he was made a signal blessing to his shipmates, so that sixteen, or more, it is said, were awakened to a sense of religion by his instrumentality. His good conduct procured for him the offer of promotion; but he declined it, requesting only to be made the ship's corporal, in which office, having the care of the boys, he hoped to be made useful in training them up in the fear of God.

ASIA.

TO this most extensive field for Missionary exertions we now turn our attention, with a solicitude, in some degree, proportioned to the immense claims which it makes on our benevolence, and which are derived not only from its vast extent and population, but from other circumstances, which more directly relate to ourselves, as Britons and as Christians. For, for what purpose, but the manifestation of his own glory, has the great Disposer of nations placed under the control of the British government so great a portion of these regions, and also preserved to us that commercial intercourse with the great empire of China, which other nations have nearly lost? Surely the friends of Missions can be at no loss for a satisfactory reason for these arrangements of Divine Providence! An attentive view of this subject must necessarily present to our minds the most powerful motives to impart to those unnumbered myriads of our fellow-creatures, by every practicable means, that precious Gospel, which forms the glory, and we trust will prove the defence, of our native land, to the latest posterity.

The events that have transpired since our last annual solemnity, are of a mingled nature. While we have to lament the loss of a beloved Brother, removed from the scene of those interesting labours for which he was matured by his qualifications as to language and local experience, and to adore in silence that dispensation which our dark and limited minds cannot comprehend, we have to acknowledge with gratitude the goodness of our God, in carrying safely across the ocean several of our dear Brethren and sisters, who have reached the shores of India in health and safety*.

In the former event, we behold a devoted servant of Christ called from the work in which he delighted on earth, to the unmixed felicities and nobler services of the church triumphant. In the latter, we behold the prayer recommended to the disciples by Jesus himself answered, and "more labourers sent forth into the harvest." But, O with what emphasis are we compelled, with such a scene before us, to add—“ The harvest truly is great, but the labourers ARE FEW !"

* The Brethren Gordon and Lee, with their families, sailed from Philadelphia in May, 1809, and arrived at Calcutta in September. The Brethren Pritchett, Brain, and Hands, sailed from the Cape of Good Hope, Dec. 7, 1809. (To be continued.)