realize, on the sale of the goods Much progress has been made, during the last year, in the construction of public buildings and works of defence; though, with adequate supplies of lumber, more might doubtless have been accomplished. Two handsome churches, erected solely by the colonists, now adorn the village of Monrovia. Fort Stockton has been rebuilt in a style of strength and beauty. | inspire. Humble, and for the most part unlettered men, born and bred in circumstances the most unfavourable to mental culture, unsustained by the hope of renown, and unfamiliar with the history of great achievements and heroic virtues,-theirs was, nevertheless, a spirit unmoved by danger or by sufferings, which misfortunes could not darken, nor death dismay. They left America, and felt that it was for ever. They landed in Africa, possibly to find a home, but certainly a grave. Strange would it have been, had the religion of every individual of these early set tlers proved genuine but immensely changed as have been their circumstances, and severely tried their faith, most have pre served untarnished the honour of their profession; and to the purity of their morals, and the consistency of their conduct, is, in a great measure, to be attributed the social order and general prosperity of the colony of Liberia. Their example has proved most salutary; and, while subsequent emigrants have found themselves awed and re strained by their regularity, seri ousness, and devotion, the poor A receptacle capable of accommodating 150 emigrants is completed. The new Agency-house, Market-house, Lancasterian school, and Town-house, in Monrovia, were, some months since, far advanced, and the finishing strokes were about to be given to the government house on the St. Paul's. The wing of the old Agencyhouse has been handsomely fitted up for the colonial library, which now consists of 1200 volumes, systematically arranged in glazed cases, with appropriate hangings: all the books are substantially covered and accurately labelled; and files of more than 10 news-natives have given their confidence, papers, more or less complete, are and acknowledged the excellence of preserved. The library is fitted practical Christianity. up so as to answer the purpose of a reading-room; and it is intended to make it a museum of all the natural curiosities of Africa which can be procured. The moral and religious character of the colony exerts a powerful influence on its social and civil condition. That piety which had guided most of the early emigrants to Liberia, even before they left America, to respectability and usefulness among their associates, prepared them, in laying the foundation of a colony, to act with a degree of wisdom and energy which no earthly motives could Mr. Ashmun writes-"It de serves record, that religion has been the principal agent employed in laying and confirming the foundations of the settlement. To this sen timent ruling, restraining, and ac tuating the minds of the colonists, must be referred the whole strength of our civil government." Examples of intemperance, profaneness, or licentiousness, are extremely rare; and vice, wherever it exists, is obliged to seek concealment from the public eye. The Sabbath is universally respected; Sunday-schools, both for the chil dren of the colony and for the natives, are established; all classes | sight this, in this thinly inhabited attend regularly on the worship, and barren part of the globe! They of God; some charitable associa- have derived another great advantions have been formed for the tage the absence of those hostibenefit of the heathen; and, lities, which none of the tribes of though it must not be concealed Africa, yet discovered, in a purely that the deep concern on the sub- heathen state, are free from. Beject of religion, which resulted to- fore Christianity was introduced, ward the conclusion of the year their neighbours the Bosjesmans 1825, in the public profession of were frequently making attacks on Christianity by about 50 colonists, them, and stealing their cattle; the bas in a measure subsided, and some consequence of which was, that The few cases of delinquency since oc- much blood was shed: but since curred- and though there are faults they have been concentrated into growing out of the early condition a body, and have had a missionary and habits of the early settlers, residing among them, they have which require amendment,—yet the had nothing to fear, either from managers have reason to believe enemies without, or from any who that there is a vast and increasing might be disaffected within; for preponderance on the side of cor- the Bosjesmans dare not venture to rect principle and virtuous practice. attack the Namaquas now, and the LILY FOUNTAIN, a station of Namaquas will not attack the Bosthe W. M. S. in Little Namaqua-jesmans-having been taught by the land, near the Khamiesberg. The Gospel to regard them as the offRev. B. Shaw, who has long labour- spring of the same common parent. ed at this place, was joined in Aug. Their spiritual and moral improve1825, by Mr. Haddy. The mem- ment is seen in their regard to truth bers in society are 83. Mr. Threl- and sincerity in their intercourse fall, who came hither for the reco- with one another, and with all very of his health, having attained men. While enveloped in darkness, this object, set forward at the end having no fear of God before their of June, 1825, with 2 native Chris-eyes, but little, if any, regard wastians, on a journey towards the coast, in search of a suitable place for a mission; but they appear to have met a melancholy end by assassination, in the bloom of life, the e not one of them being, it is believed, 30 years of age. Of the influence of the Gospel on the people at this station, Mr. Haddy gives an animating view:-"The number of persons who regard Lily Fountain as their home, is between 7 and 800; and though the Namaquas are naturally addicted to wandering, yet now they seldom leave the institution, unless circumstances compel them: the Gospel, the means of grace, their property and friends, all tend to give them an interest in the place, and to unite them together;-a rare shewn to honesty; but, on the contrary, he who most excelled in deception, judged himself the most praiseworthy. Their veneration of Jehovah, as the God of Providence, and the Sovereign Disposer of all things, is great and affecting. Although the Namaquas were not idolaters, in the common acceptation of the term, yet many degrading customs and ridiculous ideas prevailed among them: divine light has shone into their hearts, and most, if not all, of these are laid aside. They have been taught to look above the earth for fruits, and higher than the clouds for rain.-even to Him 'who gives both the former and the latter rain,' and commands the earth to yield her increase.' Of many it may be truly said their conver teachers was soon apparent among the natives: a desire for religious knowledge was manifested, and a general seriousness spread through the country; which was followed by a visible reformation in the moral deportment of many. In 1744, however, a persecuting spirit arose, and the brethren were prohibited intercourse with the natives: some of them were imprisoned, others were banished, and the people were not permitted to meet for social edification. In 1764, the brethren resumed their labours here, by pèrmission of the Empress Catherine; sation is in heaven, from whence also they look for the Saviour;-their souls breathe after God.' I have been frequently struck with gratitude and admiration, while hearing them, in their rudely constructed huts, offering praise and supplication to the God of Israel; and several times, late at night, after I have gone to rest, I have heard them continuing to sing the songs of Zion. I do not mean to convey the idea that they have all received and obeyed the Gospel. No! much remains yet to be done; but surely these fruits of the Gospel-of the grace of God-call loudly for grati-and the harvest has been great. tude, and furnish the most encouraging motives to be stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."" Cour Their labours have been particularly blessed in and near Pebalg, Reval, Seswegen, in the district of Wenden, and many other places. Beside their seminaries for edu cating schoolmasters at Cremen, Lindheim, and Balgsen, land, they have 2 schools for girls at Newwelke; 1 for Germans of lower stations, who are trained for domestic purposes, and 1 for those of higher rank. In 1818, the num ber of Lettonians and Esthonians, united with the Brethren, was, 32,000; the number of German brethren, at that time, was only 10. LIVONIA, a province of considerable extent, in the N. W. part of European Russia, situated E. of the Baltic, and N. of Courland. Population, 600,000. The inhabitants are principally Esthonians and Lettonians. The Lower ranks are much addicted to intemperance. Unfaithfulness toward their masters, a disposition to cheat and steal, and other vices, prevail, which arise in part from the slavery in which they are held. They rarely rob one another, but are very ingenious in devising means to impose upon their employers. Christianity was introduced among them in the twelfth century, by the Germans and Danes; yet there are many remains of heathenisme. they live in a miserable state of ignorance and degradation; but edicts have recently been issued, to mitigate their vassalage, and provide for their instruction. About 1739, in compliance with a request of several noblemen and clergymen, the U. B. commenced an institution at Cremen, to educate schoolmasters to be employed among the Esthonians and Lettonians. The influence of these The mission is principally conducted by native assistants. The Lettonians and Estonians associated with the Brethren are very active in promoting the cir• culation of the Scriptures. In 1817, an Auxiliary B. S. was formed for a few parishes. On the first day 200 members entered their names; and their number soon increased to 1000, mostly Lettonian peasants. Within 6 months of its establishment, 400 Testaments were gratuitously distributed to the poor, and such children as had made the best proficiency in reading. The success of the Brethren's labours has been universally ac knowledged by the provincial go Hurd gan It is Aide vernments, and they have eminently enjoyed the favour and protection of men in power. LUCKNOW, a city in Hindoostan, and capital of Oude, situated on the S. side of Goomty, a branch of the Ganges, about 127 m. N. Allahabad. It is very ancient, and of considerable extent; it was formerly the residence of the Nabobs of Oude. The houses of the merchants are constructed of brick, lofty, and strong, but the greatest part are in the native style. The streets are narrow and filthy. Population, including the vicinity, 500,000. E. long. 80o, 55o, N. lat. 26° 51'. which is surrounded by a steep cliff 150 feet high, on which stands the fort. Half a m. distant from this, on another cliff, 300 feet above the level of the lake, is Fort Holmes. From this spot there is an extensive prospect of the lakes. During the summer, Machinaw is the resort of many fur traders, and 4 or 5000 Indians, many of whom belong to the Chippeway tribes. The Rev. W. M. Ferry, from the U. F. M. S., Miss Omar, and Miss. E. M'Farland, commenced a mission here in 1823. Previous to its location, Mr. Ferry spent a year in Machinaw, during which he organized a church, and persuaded the inhabitants generally to abandon secular employments on the Sabbath, and to attend public worship. In October, 1823, he commenced a mission for the benefit of the Indians. Within a few months after his arrival, 20 children were received into the mission family; Mr. Hare, superintendent of schools, who has resided in India 40 years, had opened a school here at his own charge, when he was recommended to the corresponding committee of the C. M. S. at Calcutta. They have allowed him 50 rupees monthly, for the employment of native teachers, and others were soon added, and a other charges necessary to give considerable accession was expectefficiency to his school. Children ed. The children have all been of all classes and descriptions, Pro- accustomed to habits of order and testant, Armenian, and Roman Ca- diligence in their studies. It is tholic Christians, with Mussulmans intended, that, in addition to a miand Chinese, appear on the list of nister of the Gospel, the family at schools. About 25 children of this station shall ultimately comChristian parents, who would other-prise one male and two female wise be wholly destitute of educa-teachers, a farmer, and a man and tion, are taught. woman to conduct domestic concerns. The children attend Mr. Hare's family worship. The C. K. S. has a depot of books here. M. MACHINAW, or Makinaw, a fortified village on the island Michilimachinaw, in the straits which connect the lakes Michigan and Huron, within the limits of Michigan territory, 313 m. N. Detroit. It is pleasantly situated on the S.E. side of the island, on a small cove, MADAGASCAR, a large island in the Indian Ocean, discovered by a Portuguese, in 1492. It lies 40 leagues E. of the continent of Africa, from which it is separated by the strait of Mosambique. It extends 900 m. from N. to S,, and is from 200 to 300 broad. The inhabitants, amounting to more than 4,000,000, are divided into a number of tribes. They are commonly tall, well-made, of an olive complexion, and some of them pretty black. Their hair is black, but not woolly, and for the most part evil spirit, which they call Ang gatyr. The four great lords are regarded by them as having great influence with Zangahara. Each family has its guardian angel, who conveys their prayers to the four lords, who are the only medium of access to the Deity. Some appear ances of Judaism are seen among these islanders. They practise cir cumcision, and offer the first-fruits of harvest. Of a Saviour they have no knowledge. The language of the Madagasses is very melodious, and is said to be copious; though it had never been reduced to a written form till since missionaries resided among them. In the interior are some Arabs, who in troduced into the island many of the arts of civilization. It is pro bably owing to the influence of these emigrants on the neighbour. ing tribes, that many of them exhibit evident marks of a state of improvement considerably removed from barbarism. Curls naturally; their nose is small, though not flat; and they have thin lips. They have no towns, but a great number of villages, a small distance from each other. Their houses are pitiful huts, without windows or chimneys, and the roofs covered with reeds or leaves. Those that are dressed in the best manner, have a piece of cotton cloth or silk wrapped round their middle; but the common sort have still less clothing. Both men and women are fond of bracelets, necklaces, and ear-rings. They have little knowledge of commerce, and exchange among themselves goods for goods: gold and silver coins brought by Europeans are immediately melted down for ornaments, and no currency of coin is established. There are a great many petty kings, whose riches consist in cattle and slaves, and they are always at war with each other. There are only some parts of the coast yet known; for both the air and the soil are destructive to strangers. The Madagasses believe in one only true God, the Creator of all things, and the preserver and supreme Ruler of the universe; whom they call Zangahara. When they speak of him, they do it with the greatest degree of solemnity and veneration. Though they consider him so infinitely exalted, that he does not stoop to notice the concerns of men ; yet he has delegated the government of the affairs of this world to four inferior lords, whom they denominate lords of the North, South, East, and West. One of these only, they consider the dispenser of the plagues and miseries of mankind; while the other three are engaged in bestowing benefits. The souls of all good men, they believe, will, after death, ascend to Zangahara, and enjoy perfect happiness in his presence, while all bad men will be tormented, according to their demerits, by the The Rev. Messrs. Jones and Bevan were sent by the L.M. S in 1818, to this island, and com menced their mission auspiciously. These devoted labourers were soon called, however, to experience heavy afflictions in their persons and families; which were followed by the death of Mr. Bevan, and by Mr. Jones's removal from his station to the Mauritius, from a decline in his health. of In the autumn of 1820 his Ex cellency R. T. Farquhar, Esq. Go vernor of the Mauritius, concluded a treaty with Radama, King Madagascar, having for its object the total extinction of the slave traffic in that island. With the full approbation of the Governor, ins Mr. Jones, being sufficiently re covered, accompanied the agent, Mr. Hastie, to the court of Ra dama, by whom he was received with much cordiality. The King being satisfied with the views and the e With pable child |