Since the last meeting of the Society there have been distributed 1514 English Bibles, 387 English New Testaments, 54 German Bibles, 196 German New Testaments, 45 French New Testaments, 1 Welsh Bible, and 1 Gaelic Bible. Fifty English Bibles, and fifty English .New Testaments, were taken out to the Island of St. Croix by Mr. Francis Markoe, one of the managers. These he distributed partly in person; and on leaving the island, committed the remainder to the Minister of the Episcopal church, to the Society of the Unitas Fratrum, and to some other friends, who were kind enough to co-operate with this society in carrying the light of the Scriptures into the abodes of darkness. The attention which the society had paid to the necessities of these islanders, excited strong emotions of surprise and gratitude among them, and called forth a spirit of liberality in favour of our institution. General Harcourt, Lieutenant-Governor of the islam, became a member of this society, by a life subscription of fifty dollars; Dr. Edward Stephens, by a life subscription of fifty dollars; Mr. Peter Markoe, by a life subscription of fifty dollars; Mr. Isaac Dubois, Collector of the Customs, by a life subscription of sixty-four dollars; Mr. John Brown, by a donation of six dollars, and the usual annual subscription of two dollars. There is reason to hope that the Bibles sent to this island will materially assist the exertions of those who are there labouring to diffuse the Gospel of the Lord our Saviour." The managers of the New-York Bible Society state, that "they have discovered, by the inquiries which they have instituted, that great numbers in the city, and in the frontier settlements, are destitute of Bibles." "These wants have been in part relieved by the distribution of near two thousand copies of the sacred volume. The Mana gers have not, however, confined the bounty of the Society within the limits of the state of New-York. They have cast it upon the ocean, by donations of Bibles to mariners. They have extended it to the western limits of this continent, by sending Bibles to a settlement forming at the mouth of Columbia River; and to the East Indies, by a donation of a thousand dollars, to aid in the translation of the Bible into the several languages of Asia." (To be continued.) MISSION SOCIETY TO AFRICA & THE EAST(Continued from p. 530.) The Committee next advert to New Zealand. The settlers, Wm. Hall and his wife, and John King, intended for this place, arrived with the Rev. Samuel Marsden at Port Jackson on the 27th of February, 1810. Mr. Marsden, in a letter dated May 3, 1810, informs the society: "On our arrival at Port Jackson, I found the merchants here had formed a determination to make a settlement at New Zealand, in order to procure hemp, &c. which that island produces. The people were appointed, who were to form the settlement; and every other necessary preparation made, and the ship ready to sail under the sanction of the government: when, at the moment, a vessel arrived from New Zealand, bringing information that a ship called the Boyd, which had sailed from Port Jackson for timber to carry to India, had been burnt by the natives, and the ship's crew murdered, with the exception of eight persons. This was very alarming news; and deterred, for the present, the merchants from their intention of forming a settlement on New Zealand. "Duaterra is much distressed for what bas happened at New Zealand. 1 believe it will be found that we have treated the New Zealanders with the greatest injustice. It is much to be lamented that Englishmen should be such savages as they often are, when among poor heathens, whom they imagiue they have in their power. "No doubt but various reports will be spread in England against the New Zealanders-but it should be remembered, that they have none to tell their story, or to represent the injuries which they have suffered from European cruelty. "In consequence of what has taken place, your settlers, William Hall, his wife, and John King, will remain here at present. Duaterra is very much attached to the missionaries he promises to go over to New Zealand and see what state his country is in, and to return again for them to Port Jacksou; and to bring six of his own people with him to live with me, to learn our trades. It will be of great service to the missionaries to remain here for some time, as they will acquire much knowledge which may be of use to them hereafter. As the missionaries will be very little expense, if any, to the so He is very for instruction, to live with me. ciety while they remain at this place, it will be better for them to continue where they are, till a good understanding is established again between us and the New Zealanders. In the mean time they will find no difficulty in labouring for their support in this settlement. They will also benefit this colony by their Christian lives and conversation while they remain, though not actually engaged in the work of the mission. "I believe that the heathen nations around us will be enlightened from this colony, and the glory of the Lord will shine apon those, who are now sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death." In a subsequent letter, Mr. Marsden resumes the subject. "This morning a person called upon me, who had just returned from New Zealand, in a vessel called the Brothers, belonging to this port. The New Zealanders behaved to them in the kindest manner, and supplied the vessel with every necessary in their power. They gave them a bag of potatoes for a single nail, and afforded them every assistance. Ten of the sailors belonging to the Brothers took one of the boats and went on shore-and began to destroy the growing crop of potatoes. The natives remonstrated with them; when the sailors murdered one of the native men in the most barbarous manner, and behaved with the greatest cruelty to many of the others. Notwithstanding this act of wanton cruelty, the Ratives did no injury to the vessel or any of the sailors; but were satisfied with the captain assuring them, that he would complain to our Governor, and have them punished. "I believe the loss of the Boyd, and the tourder of her crew, were in retaliation for acts of cruelty and fraud, which had previQusly been committed by some Europeans. The acts of fraud and cruelty committed at New Zealand by Europeans are undoubtedly wery great". "I do not think it prudent for the Missionaries to proceed at present. Duaterra is making great progress both in knowledge and agriculture-he works every day at one kind of labour or another, and will now do as much work in a given time as most men in the colony, and as well. I intend that he shall get a perfect knowledge of the culture and management of flax, as well as of different grain, vegetables, and pulse. He assures me, that, on his return to New Zealand, he will begin to cultivate his lands as we do, and will send over some of his people Is not this a subject for the criminal judicature of the country? Ought not the Solicitor of the Admiralty to inquire into it? "I have three New Zealanders now living with me, two of whom are sons of chiefs. One of them was at New Zealand when the affair of the Boyd took place. The captain of the Boyd, according to this man's statement, took four New Zealanders from Port Jackson; one of whom was the son of a chief of that part of the island to which the Boyd went for spars. He states, that the captain flogged all the four New Zealanders, on the passage from Port Jackson. When they arrived, the son of the chief complained to his father of the cruelties that had been exercised on him and his companions. The old chief, and one of his sous, named Tipphoolee, determined immediately on revenging the injuries that had been done to his son and subjects, by taking the ship and murdering all the crew: which they effected. "Our friend Tippahee was no way concerned in this business, from the best accounts we can obtain. The Boyd did not happened to arrive with a cargo of fish, put in at any part of his dominions. He (which he owed to the chief of that part where the Boyd was taken) just at the time that the business had taken place. Five men had run up into the rigging, to save themselves. Tippahee called them down, and told them to come into his canoe and he would Tippahee carried them immediately on shore, save them: the sailors got into his canoe: but was followed by the enraged party, overpowered, and all the men murdered. Tippahee did all he could to save our coun the neck, and many of his subjects killed by trymen; but was afterwards shot through whole of his island on which his houses stood parties landed from the whalers, and the destroyed. He is since dead. His son, who was in England at the time I was in London, arrival of the Boyd. died from disease nine days previous to the "It is generally believed here, that the whole that has happened to the Boyd has been owing to the conduct of the Europeans themselves. I have conversed with before and some since the affair of the many who have been at New Zealand, some that we are the aggressors. I am still perBoyd; but they all concur in one opinion, suaded that Divine Goodness has some gra cious intentions toward this noble race of human beings. "I have sown two acres of flax, which are now growing: as soon as this is ready, it is my intention to set John King to teach the New Zealanders how to spin line and make rope, as this will apply to their imroediate wants. Port Jackson will be the proper place to begin the instruction of these people, both in religion, morals, arts, and commerce. They are very attentive, sober, and willing to learn all they can. I shall be happy to have a school formed for them in this place, where they may be taught every thing that may be of use to them, in their present state: I mean the simple mechanics, agriculture, and the knowledge of the Scriptures. town, in order to acquire some knowledge of the art of printing, and of the new system of education, preparatory to their sailing for the Rio Pongas. These two missionaries have advanced considerably in the knowledge of the En glish and Arabic languages. It is the intention of the Committee to print Arabic tracts, and circulate them in Africa. When they go, they will carry out with them a printing press, and a font of Roman letter. Mr. Thomas Norton still continues to prosecute his studies, under the care of Mr. Scott. Another student, Mr. William Greenwood, has been received by the socięty, and placed in the seminary. ཟླ The Committee urge on the clergy a ħa their ministrations. They would not only assist the funds of the society, by this means, in the most easy and effectual manner; but they would kindle, with the Divine blessing, a spirit of Christian sympathy and kind regard to the wants of the perishing heathen, which would have a most important influence on the spiritual interests of their own congregations. While, therefore, they return their cordial thanks to those clergymen who have assisted the funds of the society by occasiona! collections at their churches, they cannot but feel under peculiar obligations to those who have annually called the attention of their congregations to the important subject of the propagation of the Gospel throughout the world. The amount of collections made on such annual occasions may sometimes appear small, compared with less frequent collections at some other places: but such annual collections are in the highest degree useful, not only in a pecuniary view, but as exciting in ministers, and communicating to their hearers, a warm interest in the conversion of the heathen world, "Nothing can be effectually done with the natives of the South-Sea Islands, with out the means of keeping up a constant communication with them from Port Jack-bitual regard to the subject of missions in son. The missionaries can neither be safe nor comfortable, without this. A communication cannot be maintained without a ship. One vessel, of about one hundred and fifty, or two hundred tons, would visit all the islands in these seas, be a protection to the missionaries, and bring such natives to and from Port Jackson, as may from time to time wish to go in her. The produce of the islands, brought to Port Jackson and sold, would pay all expenses. If I had the means within my own power, I would not hesitate one moment on this plan. It is what I have recommended for the last ten years. I wish some of the merchants in London would undertake to fit out a vessel for this service; not on the account of any public society, but on their own pri vate account. This would be doing more toward promoting the instruction of the natives in these seas, than can be otherwise affected by all the money which they may throw into any public purse. We will readily, in this colony, second any plan of this nature, so far as our exertions and means will extend. I can answer for myself and friends here to the amount of fifteen hundred pounds. The missionaries would then be safe in the islands. There would be something to call forth their industry, and that of the natives: viz. the collecting the natural productions of the islands, and sending them to market. They would be able to supply all their own wants, independently of the societies to which they belonged. The most friendly intercourse would be kept up between Port Jackson and all the natives of the different islands. The SouthSea whalers would also be safe, when they wanted supplies from New Zealand." The missionaries Wilhelm and Klein continued under the care of Mr. Scott till the ginning of September, when they came to YEARLY MEETING OF THE QUAKERE. The annual meeting of this body took place in May. The Epistle to the Friends in Great Britait, Ireland, and elsewhere, contains much wholesome counsel, which all classes of Christians may beneficially apply to themselves. In addressing the young, they observe: "It is a signal favour that in various places there are continually fresh proofs of the prevalence of the love of Christ operating on the mind, and producing its genuine and blessed effect of confor mity to his likeness. Humility, it is true, and self-denial, must form a part of this likeness; but so doth, also, the real and fruitful love of God, and of our neighbour: and if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also in the likeness of his resurrection.' Bend, therefore, we beseech you, early-bend in good earnest and cheerfully, under the forming hand of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,' yea, the foundation of truc knowledge. There is danger in seeking knowledge independently of this; for so, as saith the apostle, knowledge puffeth up. But this true knowledge is life eternal. 'This,' said our blessed Lord, is life eter nal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. O, the favour, the honour, and the eternal blessed effect, of being taught of the Lord!" Those who are advanced in life, they beseech to pause and ponder the path of their feet. "Is your salvation nearer now than when you believed?" " Fruits of increasing love to God are manifested in a variety of ways; and probably not in any one more clearly, or more acceptably to Him, than by tokens of regard for the plants of his hand, tlie youth of his church. It is remark able, that when our Lord thrice put the ques tion to his zealous disciple, Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? the only con sequent injunction was, Feed my lambs feed my sheep.' There are various ways, too, in which this may be effected by precept, by sympathy, by assistance in their spiritual difficulties; but above all, by steady, uniform, circumspect example. And this, dear friends, you know, cannot be afforded to them, unless you experience fresh supplies of spiritual strength to persevere yourselves in dedication, faithfulness, and the fear of the Lord." "Many are the duties," they add, "in eumbent on the followers of Christ, and all require the support of his presence for their due performance. Without me,' they are his own words, ye can do nothing' We feel inclined at this time, ere we close the present salutation of our love, to remind you of that indispensable duty, the acknowledg ment of our dependence on his power, by duly assembling at the season appointed for waiting on and worshipping God. Defi eiencies, indeed, in this respect do not in the general appear to increase; and we are aware that we often renew our tender exhortation on this subject. Once more, dear friends, let the exhortation go forth. Consider the motives of deficiency; such of you as may be conscious of it. If, as the apostle has de clared, the presenting of your bodies be a ⚫reasonable service,' we beseech you to examine into the cause that it is too often intermitted. Is it not, that, in a greater or lesser degree, you may still be conformed to this world?" But recollect: this conformity will still prevent the Christian professor from being transformed by the renewing of the mind; and from proving (as who at the solemn approaching close will not rejoice to have proved?) what is the good, and ac eeptable, and perfect will of God.'” We could not help smiling, amidst all this seriousness, to read the following sentence. The sufferings, reported this year, amount in all to about 12,7001. Ecclesiastical demands form the bulk, and military ones a considerable part." The payment of tithes, &c. they call sufferings. If so, they are sufferings self-induced. For why do they buy pro perty which they know to be subject to tithes? Since with their eyes open they have made the purchase, and have had an abatement of the price in consideration of these very tithes, if we did not know the power of prejudice, we should say it was hardly fair or honest to refuse, and even resist, the payment. The demand of tithes, under such eircumstances, is as much the demand of a debt justly due, as a baker's or a buteber's bill would be. JAMAICA. We have had frequent occasion to ad vert to the persecuting spirit which animates the legislature of this island. A fresh instance was given of it in their last session. Our readers have doubtless heard much of the disputes existing in this islaud, between the Governor and the Assembly. They may not know, however, that these had their origin in an instruction of his Majesty in Coun cil to the Governor, to pass no law which should affect religion, without a clause sus peuding its operation until his Majesty's pleasure should be known. The Assembly were resolved to submit to no such restriction; and they refused to proceed to the granting of supplies, or to any other public business, until the Governor had assented to a bill, restraining the liberty of religious wor ship, without any such clause as had been prescribed by his Majesty. It still remains for the Governor to explain how it was, that, in the face of a distinct command from his Majesty, he should have given his assent to such an act. " The act was passed in last November, and is entitled, An act to prevent preaching and teaching by persons not duly quali fied, and to restrain meetings of a danger. ous nature, on pretence of attending such preaching and teaching.” We will give the substance of it. "Whereas it is expedient that some precaution should be taken in permitting persons to preach the Gospel to assemblies of people of colour and negroes; for the parpose of excluding from the exercise of such sacred functions all ignorant and ill-designing persons, who, under the pretence of preaching the Gospel, may disseminate principles subversive of the peace and good order of society." I. It is hereby enacted, That from and after the passing of this act no person shall preach or teach in or to any meeting or assembly of persons of colour or negroes, unless he shall first qualify himself for that purpose in the supreme court, by taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and by making and subscribing the declaration against popery, &c. and be registered accordingly. II. That no person shall be admitted to take the said oaths, &c. for the above purpose, who shall not appear to the judges of the said court to be a fit and proper person to perform the office of preacher or teacher at a meeting or assembly of persons of colour or negroes t. III. That no assembly of persons of coJour or negroes, for the purpose of preaching or teaching, shall be holden in any house, or at any place within the said island, but such only as shall be notified to the supreme court, as intended to be used and resorted to for that purpose, and registered accordingly. IV. That every person intending to make application to qualify as aforesaid, shall give notice of such intention in the newspapers of the island, for four successive weeks previous to the meeting of the court; and also that every person intending to give to the supreme court a notification of a house or place meant to be used for preaching and teaching, shall give a like notice of such intention. V. That if any person shall be found preaching or teaching in any meeting or assembly composed wholly or chiefly of persons of colour or negroes, without being qualified, as aforesaid, or if any person so qualified shall be found preaching or teaching in any house or at any place not so notified, &c. such person being of free condition, shall, upon being convicted before two or more justices of the peace of the parish where the offence shall have been committed, forfeit for the first offence the sum of fifty pounds, to be levied by warrant of distress; and if the party convicted should be a stranger, or itinerant person, or shall not have sufficient chattels within the said parish, it shall and may be lawful for the magis trates to enforce payment, by committing * It is not alleged that any evil actually exists requiring such a remedy as the present. + The obvious effect of this clause will be, that no one will be admitted to qualify. ... the offender to the common gaol, there to remain for three months, without bail or mainprize, unless he shall sooner pay the said fifty pounds; and if such person, so convicted, shall at any time again commit the like offence, and be thereof convicted, such of fender shall, for every such subsequent of fence, incur the penalty of one hundred pounds, to be levied as aforesaid; and on default of sufficient goods, it shall be lawful to commit the party to the common gaol, there to remain without bail or mainprize, for the space of six months, unless he shall sooner pay the penalty VI. That no assembly of persons of colour or negroes, for the purpose of preaching or teaching, shall be holden before sunrise, or after sun-set*, under the penalty of fifty pounds on every preacher or teacher who shall be present at such meeting, and of ten pounds on every other person whomsoever, attending such meeting, to be levied on conviction before two or more magistrates, by warrant of distress; and if there shall not be goods sufficient, then it shall be lawful to commit the offenders to the common gaol, there to remain without bail or mainprize, if a preacher or teacher, for the space of three months, and if a person attending, for the space of one month, unless the said penalty shall be sooner paid VII. That the doors of every house or place used for preaching or teaching shall be open during such preaching and teaching, and all magistrates, and other persons whomsoever, shall have free ingress and egress; and if any obstruction shall be given to them, or if such preaching shall take place before sun. rise or after sun-set; on the same being proved before two magistrates, the certifi cate granted in respect of such house shall be null and void, and every assembly held in such place, after such proof, shall be unlawful, and the preacher or teacher, or persons attending, shall incur the same penalties as if no certificate had been granted. VIII. That if, on complaint made to the supreme court, and after hearing the parties, and examination of witnesses on oath, on both sides, it shall appear that any person so qualified as aforesaid is a person not fit or proper to perform the functions of a preacher or teacher in such assemblies, or that such person Las misconducted himself, or has attempted to disseminate principles subversive of good order, then it shall be lawful for the judges This, which may seem a harmless regu lation, does in fact exclude all the slaves from the benefit of religious instruction, except on Sundays; as they are always at work between sun-rise and sun-set. |