the British cruisers, In Sierra Leone, many of the blacks brought there from Central Africa as slaves were now responsible merchants, owning vessels trading along the coast; others were mechanics, and many, educated in the mission schools, were well versed in Latin and Greek, as well as in modern languages, and would, astonish many people here by their learning. One good thing in these blacks who have been educated was, to the mind of the speaker, that they evinced a missionary spirit. To prove this, he mentioned that in the old slave town of Gregor, on the coast, (which is not now a slave town, slavery having been suppressed,) he met an old man, who had been christianized in Sierra Leone, and who told him that there were numbers of others like him in that place who wished to return to the central portion of the country, where they came from, but were afraid to do so, from fear that if they took their Christian families back with them where heathenism prevailed, they would become contaminated with their old sins. They had, therefore, appointed a committee, of which he was one, to visit their native place, and view the prospect, whether it would do for them to return; and when he was informed that the speaker would make an effort to send a missionary with him, he was exceedingly overjoyed, and said that he would see that he was supported. This showed how the people were disposed to receive the gospel. The speaker then referred to Liberia, which he had visited, He spoke of it as flourishing, and called their attention to a statement which some of the press in this country are propagating, to the effect that those who have gone there (to Liberia) from this country, were returning to heathenism. This he declared to be false. On the contrary, numbers of the most savage of the natives in the vicinity, the regular Bushmen, were being brought to civilization through the efforts of the Liberians. In addition to these colonies, there were about a hundred missions spread up and down the coast. There were schools supported by the British and Dutch governments, besides a number of missions schools, in all of which it is estimated that at least fifteen thousand natives had been well educated. The seed thus spread up and down the western coast of Africa would one day yield an abundant harvest. Central Africa was a more important missionary station than the Western coast. There was now less sickness than formerly; the climate was said to be much better; but he (the speaker) thought it was more the difference in the character of the visitors in in former times than now, that fewer deaths took place among strangers. Those who used to visit that country were, generally, that class who were given to all sorts of

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excesses, while the characters of the present visitors were far more moral, generally strictly so. The forests of Africa were one cause of sickness; but in the far interior there are no great forests, such as on the outskirts, but the land might be called table-land. There was also but a very little swamp. Neither was the heat so excessive as is generally supposed. It is said in books that the thermometer generally reaches 140, but the speaker had never known it to be over 100, and generally it ranged between 80 and 90, in the heat of the sun. In the shade it was quite pleasant. He thought that Europeans could live there as well, if not better, than in any of the other countries in the Torrid Zone,

The speaker then noticed the resources of Africa, and said that he supposed most of it, Liberia especially, would eventually become commercially rich. All had heard of the Liberia coffee, and gums and spices were there in abundance. In the forests of Guinea he had found the article of black pepper growing in dense thickets, wildly. These articles, with many others, among which was palm oil, were found, and could be produced the to there amount of millions of dollars. A great amount of the natural product of the country was carried across the desert upon the backs of camels. The speaker suggested that it was possible to establish a regular line of steamers to run up the navigable streams, of which there were a number, into the very heart of Central Africa, and that the profits to be derived from a trade thus opened would be enormous, as the natural productions, of value here, could be obtained for almost nothing there, in exchange for what was of little value here but highly prized there. The speaker doubted not that when our enterprizing merchants became alive to the resources of the country, which would not be long, this suggestion would be carried into effect, notwithstanding the many expeditions fitted out to explore the interior had failed to reach a point near it, which he attributed to mismanagement rather than otherwise: and it would probably be satisfactorily proved that a thorough knowledge of the difficulties to be contended with was only needful, and then they would very soon be removed. When the step last suggested by the speaker should be taken, he said that it might be considered as the most forward and practical step, in the attempt to evangelize Africa, as it was absolutely necessary that the people should become somewhat civilized as a nation, through the influence of commercial intercourse with Christian countries, before the labours of the missionary could meet with that success it was devoutly and earnestly hoped they eventually would. The fact of a missionary converting an individual here

and there, (though they were many, as individuals they were but a few, compared with the vast population of the country,) had not such influence over the mass as would the enterprise of a Christian people, exhibited to the whole country in their commercial intercourse.

It was the advantages of commerce which Africa principally needed, and this the missionaries had not time to engage in, nor was it right they should do so. The character of the people in the interior, the speaker said, was far different, considering the state of society, from those on the coast of Guinea.* The mode in which those in the interior constructed their buildings, their form of government, their laws. and all their customs, were decidedly Eastern or Moorish. As to their religion, all the people, so far as the speaker had been able to ascertain, believed, as did all civilized nations, that there was but "one God, all-powerful and omnipotent," and they also entertained very correct notions of several of the attributes pertaining to Him. They were, however, idolators, and their idolatry was of a character which bore evidences of great antiquity; and in this connection the speaker said that among the many ancient things he had noticed existing among them was the "Cymball" of which mention is made in the Bible. The people worship their idols as intercessors with God, something in the same manner as the Pope is supposed, by the catholics, to be an intercessor, having influence for them with the Supreme Being. What they needed to be taught was, that Jesus Christ was the only intercessor, and through him was the only means by which salvation could be obtained.

In conclusion, the speaker mentioned the fact that the African generally fears death in view of a future state; that when an individual was approaching his end, his friends usally made a sacrifice as an appeal to their idols for the dying man's favourable rception in the world to come, and he (the speaker) regretted that there were not more missionaries to teach them (the Africans) that it was unnecessary for them to make sacrifices for this object, when the Lord Jesus Christ had offered up himself a living sacrifice, for all future time, and that faith in him was all-sufficient for pardon.

The speaker having concluded, a few remakrs were offered by Rev. Dr. Babcock, af ter which prayer was offered by Rev. E. L. Magoon, and the assemblage dispersed.

N. Y. Recorder.

It is an interesting fact, that the British

Government have determined to send out another expedition to go up the Niger, with a view to explore the interior for commercial and benevolent purposes.-ED.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Extracts from the Report for 1853,

The SOUTH CEYLON Mission has presented a degree of prosperity. There is an increase of 78 members, with 40 on trial; the total number in the District was 1416, with 41 on trial, in all 1,847-183 Europeans, and 1,664 Singhalese. 4 new chapels have been erected. The Committee, with deep and solemn regret, noticed the recent death of the Rev. Benjamin Clough. In NORTH CEYLON, it had been a year of many afflictions to the Missionaries: two of them had to return home, and the labours of those who remained had been purused amidst many interruptions.

In CONTINENTAL INDIA one of the most faithful Missionaries, Mr. Cryer, had been removed by death.... Among the English Society in Madras the work had not declined. The native church at Royapettah had received 34 in church fellowship, with 4 on trial; and at Negapatam there had been several converts, one of whom had begun to preach.

At Bamgalore the Educational Establishment contained 300 boys,—an increase of 130. Major-General Cubbon, Commissioner to the Rajah of Mysore, had testified his approval by a monthly gift of 300 rupees. The printing establishment was very efficient. Mysore had been deprived of most of its Missionary labour; but the effects of the former exertions were very manifest. The Committee urged the apappaling fact, that in these territories there was only one Missionary to every million of the population.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-At the Turon goldmines open air services had been productive of good. The Bathurst Circuit had paid its own expenses, and coutributed £200 to the Society. In Melbourne, the congregations had increased, and all the chapel debts had been paid off. A large building had been erected for the reception of Wesleyan emigrants and their families. The Gold-Fields in the province of Victoria had receivep a

a

measure of attention, and occupy a place in the District Schedules:-To Missionaries are employed, who alternately supply the Forst-Creek and Bendigo diggings every Sabbath; and, with the assistance of some faithful and zealous Local Preachers, conduct a large number of religious services weekly. A rough slab chapel was opened at ForestCreek in July, when two large and attentive congregations assembled morning and evening. The collections amounted to £17, which, with the previous subscriptions, fully met the cost of the humble erection. A total of 150 members, with five on trial, is reported, together with one SabbathSchool, containing 65 children.

AMONG the readers of this periodical it is hoped that a considerable proportion are of the class properly denominated young disciples. To them this paper is more especially addressed. You have, dear friends, been brought to the feet of Christ, and through him look for mercy unto eternal life. Convinced of sin, sensible of your fallen and ruined condition by nature and practice, you have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before you in the gospel of Christ, and you have found "joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Ghost." You have thus "passed from death unto life" being "renewed in the spirit of your mind," and "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Happy change! What reason have you for gratitude, that you have been brought to experience it! It may be presumed, farther, that you have been enabled to profess the name of Christ before men. Being "baptized into Christ you have put on Christ," and thus acknowledged, in the face of the church and the world, of angels and men, that you have taken Christ to be your Redeemer, the Spirit your sanctifier, God as your father, and the Scriptures as your guide and rule. To do this,

often requires a large amount of courage and resolution, as well as assistance from above. There are many influences which are unfriendly to such a profession. The frown, the scorn of the world, the suggestions of the great enemy, as well as the fears of our own hearts. But you have added "to your faith virtue,' you have put on the armour of Christ, and determined to be bold to profess his name, and to practice his precepts. You have come to a decision; you have avowed your determination in this all-important affair; and it now remains for you to pursue with diligence and perseverance the path on which you have entered. This course is straight, honourable, and useful. It is marked out by the hand of the King of kings, and leads to the realms of blessedness on high. In the earnest pursuit of it you will find many pleasures, much divine enjoyment, heavenly consolation, and glorious hopes. But there must also be expected various opposition from without and from within; many difficulties and discouragements; severe temptations and heavy trials. You will therefore need to use and employ all the means in your power, to sustain your spirit and stimulate your efforts,

We shall not now refer to these means farther than to suggest that in the general they include the daily seeking of God by prayer and supplication, the regular and earnest attendance on the house of God, fréquent communion with your own heart, pondering the path of your feet, and the dilligent and devout perusal of the Holy Scriptures. Every one of these is important, and cannot be neglected or omitted without injury and danger; and the whole of them tend, when pursued in harmonious combination, to promote our spiritual improvement and progress, and to secure us from the evils of spiritual desertion, apostacy, and sin. "They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." It is to the latter of these suggestions that your attention is now invited, viz., the daily and devout perusal of the Holy Scriptures, in order that your knowledge of them may become comprehensive, correct, and influential. How many are the publications that are ever issuing from the active press of this country, inviting your perusal, and diverting your attention from the oracles of God, it is impossible to tell; but the fact is proper to be referred to, as there is reason to fear, that through them, many young professors, and others too, allow themselves to neglect that sacred book which God himself has given for the instruction and salvation of mankind. You are not counseled to read no other book but the Bible that would be absurd; but to make the attainment of an extensive and intimate acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures the object of your earnest solicitude. Let this be your aim and purpose, and let your general reading have a bearing on this great end. If you have much leisure and many opportunities of reading, keep this in view; and if your means are more

Recollect that the Holy Scriptures are the only source of divine know ledge. God himself is their author. They were written by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit; and they are given for our instruction and salvation. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." claims that they have on our attention as divine, infallible, and as graciously given for our improvement and salvation, cannot be too highly estimated. All other writings which relate to religion, and our spiritual guidance, derive their authority from them, and are to be followed only as they accord with the oracles of God.

The

Seek, then, to have clear views of the doctrines which are taught in the word of God. They set before us the character and perfections of God, his eternity, immensity, omnipotence, omniscience, purity, benevolence, justice and truth. They teach us concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, his divine nature and Godhead, his incarnation, work, offices, and grace. They set before us the creation of the world, the primitive state of man, his fall, corruption, and condition as a sinner under the condemnation of the law of God. They exhibit the way of life and salvation by faith in the Son of God. They teach us the doctrine of justification by faith, and sanctification by the Spirit. They set before us the privileges of christians, their adoption into God's favour and family, and their title to eternal life. They reveal a future judgement, and a state of endless blessedness and of woe reserved for the righteous and the wicked. How desirable to know these things, and to derive our knowledge of them from their divine source.

Seek to become acquainted with the morality of scripture. The oracles