fixed his residence, in agriculture and the useful arts; and the Committee have, from time to time, sent him such articles as might be serviceable to the Mission in these respects. Above all, his labours appear to have brought many of the Natives to a just knowledge of God; and to have affected their hearts with a deep sense of sin, and a desire to become acquainted with the only Saviour.

Mr. Shaw lately took rather a hazardous journey, to establish a communication with the Bushmen, He had the opportunity of removing a prejudice from them against Missionaries, produced by a report of the Boors, that their object was to collect the Natives and sell them forSlaves; and resolved, as soon as his fellow-labourer should arrive, to attempt to reclaim this ferocious race from their wandering and predatory habits; to teach them "to till the ground for subsistence, and to look up to Christ or salvation."

About 30 have been baptized. Many others have been cured of their idle habits. A forge, and iron, having been sent thither, six ploughs had been equipped by the Missionaries for the Natives, and other implements of husbandry supplied, Great

advantage will accrue to the whole body of the Natives by this introduction of agriculture among them.

All our people (says Mr. Shaw) were anxious to see the forge. When the bellows were put in action, and Brother Edwards began to exercise his hammer, they stood astonished: and, as the Greeks bemoaned the unhappy lot of their ancestors, who by death had been deprived of the sight of Alexander on the throne of Darius; so our people seemed to bemoan the fate of those Namaquas who had not lived to see a forge erected in the midst of their camp,

Thousands of oxen belonging to the Dutch Farmers had died for want of grass and water, owing to a long and excessive drought. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were in a weak state of health, and were proceeding on a visit to Cape Town.

The Governor had granted permission to form a new Settlement, about two days' journey from Khamies Berg, which will afford access to a body of Bastard Hottentots.

Mediterranean.

communicate during the last year, without being struck with the impor tance, in the scheme of Christian Exertions, of this Inland Sea. We refer the Reader to pp. 245-251, 289300, 337-340, 383-390, 445-447, and 515-518; and we are happy to report, that we have documents of even increasing interest to communicate.

In this Division of our Survey, we sail not to mention the numerous enter on a scene far different from Islands." It is impossible, indeed, to that which we have just left. We have read with attention the documents there seen Man-wild and savage-which we have had it in our power to struggling, under the influence of the Gospel and guided by the instructions and example of his more enlightened Brethren, through the first gradations of civilization, into the blessings of social and religious life. Here-along the northern shores of Africa, and the southern coasts of Europe; and all through the vast Continent of Asia, the centre of whose western boundary pushes into these seas-we see TWOTHIRDS OF THE HUMAN RACE prepared, by the knowledge and the increasing love of Letters, to receive every measure of instruction which Christians can communicate to them, by Education and by the rapid and powerful influence of the Press.

The Missionary Institutions, at present in action on this field of labour, are the Church Missionary Society and the London Missionary Society. The Malta and the Smyrna Bible Societies are coming powerfully in aid of the great object. We hope to see similar Institutions rapidly multiplied. The The importance of the Mediter-Journeys of Mr. Jowett and Mr. Burckranean, as a medium of access to a hardt, of which we gave some account considerable portion of the great scene in the pages above referred to; and a of action to which we have just alluded, further Journey of this last Gentleman, will be felt by all who duly appreciate which terminated in his lamented its situation and its present circum- death; with the travels of Mr. Jowett stances. "Examining a Chart of the in Egypt and elsewhere, on which he Mediterranean," says Mr. Jowett, "I has just entered-all these will conwas struck with observing, that, if the tribute to place this sphere of Chrisline of the surrounding shores (includ- tian Labour in its just point of view. ing the Black Sea) were spun out in Dr. Pinkerton is about to pass through length, it would encircle half the the Mediterranean, in his way back Globe-180 degrees. And these shores from this country to Russia; and we communicate with solid continent: are well assured that his tried intelliscarcely any part of them is at a gence and zeal will greatly help forgreater distance than three weeks'ward the cause of Christian Truth,

and that his communications will wisdom of directing our exertions to more than ever convince us of the those quarters.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The views of the Society with respect to the Mediterranean, may be seen in the Instructions to the Rev, W, Jowett, in Appendix V. to the Sixteenth Report; and in those to the Rev. James Connor, in pp. 170-173 of Appendix I. to the Eighteenth Report.

A British Island in the Mediterranean, contain-duty of reading the Scriptures. It is in ing, with the neighbouring Island of Goza, about 110,000 inhabitants. These are chiefly Natives, and of the Roman-Catholic Religion. In 1810, and some few years before and after that period, there were generally 40,000 Foreigners in the island; of whom 12,000 were Greeks, and 6000 or 7000 Jews. The Greeks are reduced to a very small number; and the Jews to 15 families, consisting of 60 or 70 persons.

The Committee are about to establish a Printing-Press at Malta. The advantages of this measure will be very great. Mr. Jowett has it in contemplation to circulate information, by a small monthly workbeginning with French, Italian, and Modern Greek; and adding, in the course of On the 1st of December, Mr. Jowett time, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and what-left Malta for Alexandria, on his intended ever may be printed in Hebrew Characters. Journey through Egypt and Syria.

Black Sea.

No Missionary Society has yet p. 390), from Constantinople to Diarestablished itself on the immediate bekir and Mosul, a body of Chrisshores of this Sea. The Missiona- tians, who would "embrace, with ries of the Edinburgh Society have, simplicity of heart and ardour of however, visited its northern coasts, spirit, any thing that came in the from one of the Stations in Russian form of pure Christianity, especially Tartary; and the Church Missionary the Scriptures." The countries borSociety is about to fix one of its Re-dering on this Sea present, therefore, presentatives at Constantinople. On an important sphere of labour. In the southern shores of this Sea, there this labour, the Russian and the is, as it appears from Mr. Jowett's Malta Bible Societies will, doubtless, communications (See our last Volume, || take an efficient share.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

CONSTANTINOPLE.

The chief city of the Turkish Empire-its situation and appearance peculiarly grand; but the buildings disappoint expectation, on a nearer approach the walls are washed by the Sea of Marmara, separated from the Black Sea by a narrow strait of

a few miles long-inhabitants computed at 400,000 : of whom, 200,000 are Turks; 100,000 Greeks; and the remainder, Jews, Armeniaus, and Franks.

1818.

James Connor.

The Rev. James Connor left London

on the 12th of November, 1817; with a view to labour with Mr. Jowett, at Malta, or wherever it might appear expedient. He reached Malta on the 4th of January of last year; his course having been by way of Paris and Marseilles. Baron Sylvestre de Sacy, at Paris, entered zealously into his views; and very kindly furnished him with Letters of Introduction, likely to be of service to him.

Soon after Mr. Connor's arrival at Malta, he was compelled, by the state of his health, to retire, very reluctantly, from the work on which he had just entered; and to seek repose in the more genial climate of the Bay of Naples. On the 3d of March he left Malta; and returned on the 30th of October, greatly recovered.

On mature deliberation, it appeared that Constantinople combined most advantages, with reference both to the health of Mr. Connor and to his probable usefulness, of any other Station in these Seas. Committing their plans and labours, therefore, to the blessing of their Heavenly Master, Mr. Connor left Malta for Constantinople, on the 18th of November, about a fortnight before Mr. Jowett sailed for Alexandria.

The considerations, with respect to Constantinople itself, which led to this determination, will be seen in the following extract of a Letter written by Mr. Connor a few days before he sailed :

:

Its central situation, its extensive commerce, the great influence of Foreign Merchants and Travellers, and the facility of communication with the North of Europe, the shores of the Black and Caspian Seas, and the most interesting countries of the Mediterranean, contribute to render Constantinople a commanding and most important post for observation and labour. It would also form a link, to combine the operations of the Russian and Malta Bible Societies-a combination, which the spiritual interests of these countries render so desirable and expedient. At Constantinople I should be brought into contact with the chief Greeks and Mahomedans; and have the best opportunity of observing the present temper and character of the principal maintainers of both Creeds.

Morthern Asia.

In passing from the Black Sea to I on the minds of the acute and intellithe almost boundless Steppes of gent, who have had the evidences Northern Asia, the language spoken and the character of Christianity in the newly-acquired Provinces of brought into their view, by the able Russia, through which the traveller discussions among them of the late will take his course, may remind him Henry Martyn, and by the copies of of that great Kingdom which he will the New Testament to which the laleave to the southward. Though bours of that distinguished man have not yet prepared to receive Chris-given them easy access. For some tians in the capacity of Teachers of Re- of those indications to which we ligion, Persia gives many encouraging allude, the Reader may refer to our indications, that the delusions of the last Volume, pp. 251 and 341. It has False Prophet are losing their hold been also said, that a Divan assem

ment and Tracts into Persia; and the Church Missionary Society is supplying Tracts, and has in view the translation of the Old Testament into Persian, and the establishment of a Mission with ultimate reference to that kingdom.

In addition to the exertions in be

bled, by direction of the Prince Royal, at Tebriz, had decided that Christ was a true Prophet, that the Laws contained in the Gospel are just, and that it is unlawful to blaspheme these Laws: it is added, that these decisions have received a legal form; and that the Prince, in consequence, punished one of his domestics for insult-half of the Heathens and Mahomedans ing a Christian. If these statements should prove to be correct, we may anticipate, at no remote period, a free entrance for Christianity into that kingdom. In the mean while, the Russian Bible Society and the Edinburgh Missionary Society are availing themselves of the various means of sending the New Testa

of the Russian Empire which are made by Russian Christians themselves, the United Brethren have long made some attempts among the Calmuck Tartars; and have been followed, in other quarters, by the Edinburgh and the London Missionary Societies.

EDINBURGH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

This Society has Three Stations, which lie on or near the Caspian Sea. Its sphere of labour has, of late, been much enlarged; and its prospects of success have brightened.

KARASS.

In Russian Tartary-in the Government of Cau casus-between the Black and Caspian Seas.

1802.

Alexander Paterson, James Galloway. The reports are increasingly encouraging. The Natives visit the Missionaries; and the Missionaries visit the villages, and travel into the surrounding Steppes. Education is successfully carried on. There is much of a spirit of inquiry among the Mahomedans, and some of them are convinced of the value of Christianity; but they are kept back by dread of their bigotted brethren. The New Testament and Tracts are, however, introduced even into the Schools of the Priests; and much may be expected from the blessing of God upon

them.

The languages spoken in the mountains of Caucasus are very numerous. The Sacred Volume is not yet known among them; while Mahomedans successfully exert themselves to bring over these tribes to their false religion. Redoubled exertions are, therefore, urgently required. For particulars, the Reader may refer to pp. 362-365 of our last Volume.

ASTRACHAN.

A City in Russian Tartary, at the mouth of the Wolga, near the north-west shores of the Caspian. 1814.

Rev. Mr. Glen,

John Mitchell, John Dickson. Mr. Glen left Leith, with his family, on the 20th of May, 1817; and reached Astrachan, by water, down the Wolga, on the 6th of October.

Mr. Mitchel and Mr. Dickson, who had laboured several years in this Station, not being in the Ministry, the Chapel was opened, to their great joy, by Mr. Glen, on the 12th of October, with the regular dispensation of Christian Ordinances.

Mr. McPherson is to be sent out, to take charge of the Youth connected with this Mission.

In the course of 1817, there had been printed 4000 Tracts, 2000 sheets of St. Matthew's Gospel in the Orenburg Dialect, and 5000 copies of a second edition: of the Tartar New Testament as far as Galatians: 4310 Books or Tracts had been bound and prepared for distribution: and 5548 Books or Tracts had been issued from the Depository. Entire New Testaments, or portions of the Scriptures, formed a considerable part of these publications.

These books find their way, by means of Mahomedan Merchants and Pilgrims, to Bagdat, Persia, Bucharia, and even China. Brahmins and Jews also visit Astrachan, and become bearers of these treasures.

Every thing speaks the importance of Astrachan as a Station for diffusing Christian Truth, by means of the Press, through. out many parts of Asia. See our last Vol. pp. 365-569.

ORENBURG.

In Russian Tartary-the Capital of the Govern-
ment of Orenburg-to the north-east of the
Caspian the great thoroughfare from Siberia to
European Russia.

1814.

C. Fraser, G. M'Alpine.
Walter Buchanan, a Cabardian.
Walter Buchanan continues faithfully

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

UNITED BRETHREN.

Thibet.