BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL EXAMINATION.

THE Annual Commemoration, by the Society, of His Majesty's Birthday, in the Examination of the Children educated in the Metropolis, took place, on the 4th of June, at Highbury Tavern.

The Duke of Sussex was in the Chair; and was supported by the Duke of Kent. A numerous assemblage of Ladies and Gentlemen was collected.

Between 3000 and 4000 Children were present. A number of Girls were first examined; then a number of Boys; and, afterward, some of the Children from the Jewish School.

The following Hymn was prepared and printed for the occasion. It is an improvement of the popular National Song of "God save the King;" and may be substituted

God save great George our King,
Long live our Noble King,

God save the King!

Grant, Lord, our heart's desire,
With zeal our Youth inspire,
'Till all in grateful quire
Thy glories sing!

God bless this favour'd soil!
Long be our Native Isle

Freedom's bright Throne!
Thy blessings shed around,
May every good abound,
And Hymns of Praise resound,
To Thee alone!

Thy choicest gifts in store
On George be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign!
May he defend our Laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing, with heart and voice,
God save the King!

The Meeting was addressed by the Dukes of Sussex and Kent, by Mr. Joshua Van Oven (Vice-President of the Jewish School), Mr. Alderman Wood, Mons. Billing, and others. The Children then sat down to dinner, some on forms, and others on the grass; after which, the friends and subscribers dined together in the Long Room.

SOUTH AFRICA. UNITED BRETHREN.

WITTE REVIER.

Danger and Distress of the Settlement,

from the attacks of the Cuffres. In the "Survey," p. 11 of the Number for January, some account is given of the formation of this New Settlement, and of the promising circumstances under which it was entered upon. We are sorry to report, that a late irruption of the Caffres has exposed the Settlement to great danger and distress. The Brethren have just circulated the following information on this afflicting subject.

London, June 7, 1819.

Ever since the Public Papers have given an account of an invasion of the Cape Colony by the Caffres, we have been under no small concern for the

safety of the New Missionary Settle

ment of the United Brethren on the Witte Revier, which had been formed

with the best prospect of success. Yet, while the reports in the Newspapers seemed not to rest upon any good authority, we were willing to hope, that, if not altogether unfounded, they might originate in some trifling occurrences, creating temporary alarm. Yesterday's post, how. ever, brought a confirmation of the painful intelligence; and that the danger to our Settlement and the Mis

and expose our Brethren and Sisters there to the most imminent danger of being all massacred.

sionaries on the Witte Revier was greater than we had supposed. The following Letters, which have been long on their passage, will give to our Brethren and Friends some account how they have fared, during the beginning of this horrid war with one of the most fierce and cruel nations of South Africa; but as to what they may have suffered in the sequel, we are left in suspense. We have no hope, but in the mercy of our God and Saviour, which has in so many instances been made manifest in the miraculous preservation of our Brethren and Sisters employed in the Missions, in the midst of the most iniminent dangers. May these reports excite all who read them to fervent prayer, in behalf both of those dear servants of God, and of their Congregation!

We have since seen a Proclamation issued by the Governor, Lord Charles H. Somerset, dated the 3d of March, calling out the Farmers to assist the Military sent to the frontier under General Wiltshire; and placing the districts of Uitenhagen and Graaf Reynet under martial law, till the disturbance is over. His Excellency, on his late journey into the Interior in 1817, having penetrated into the Caffre Country, established peace with their Chief or King, T'Geika. Other Chiefs, not acknowledging him as King, have made war upon him; and extended their predatory incursions into the Colony, as stated in the Proclamation.

C. I. LATROBE.

The Missionary, Hans Peter Hallbeck, thus writes to Mr. Latrobe, from Gnadenthal, dated February 27, 1819:

Previous to my setting out for the Witte Revier, in the beginning of this month, I wrote to you on the 6th instant, and informed you of my intention to visit the New Settlement. You will wonder how it happens, that you are again addressed by me from this place, so soon after my departure for the Interior. It is owing to very melancholy events on the frontiers of this Colony, which have already involved many families in distress and ruin, threaten destruction to the Infant Settlement on the Witte Revier,

On my leaving Gnadenthal, on the 9th instant, we supposed that all was safe and peaceful along the frontier; particularly as we knew that the Caf fres had been but lately severely chastised. But in the neighbourhood of the Caffre Kuyls Revier, beyond Zwellendam, I met a Hottentot, bringing Letters from Brother Schmitt, by which I received the first intelligence of robberies and murders committed by the Caffres in the neighbourhood of the Witte Revier. Soon after, on the Gowritz Revier, I met a courier, who brought sad news of the alarming state of the country between the Sunday's and Great Fish Reviers, and a long catalogue of murdered soldiers a inhabitants. These news were but too strongly confirmed, when I arrived at George Town. The Land. drost, Mr. Van Kervel, informed me, that 220 farmers and other inhabitants of his district had been commanded to march against the Caffres, part of whom were already on their way; and that, on account of the many horses and waggons required for the public service, I should find it impos sible to proceed any farther, though-I was furnished with a Government Order for relays. No waggons were going that way, on account of the disturbed state of the country; and the Caffres were already on this side of the Witte Revier. For these rea sons, and knowing that if I even should be able to penetrate as far as the New Settlement, my journey would not answer the end for which it was undertaken, I resolved to return home as speedily as possible; in order also to relieve the anxiety of my wife, and the Brethren at Gnadenthal, and before the Commando from Zwellendam should put itself in motion.

I left George Town in the evening of the 16th, and arrived here on the 21st; to the great joy and surprise of all the inhabitants, who had already been under considerable concern for my safety.

Our anxiety about the Witte Revier increased every day, till, on the 27th, it was-shall I say, relieved, or rather augmented, by a Letter from Brother Schmitt, dated the 10th and 14th instant; and by a second, from the

Landdrost of George, Mr. Van Kervel.

The latter wrote as follows:

Colonel Cuyler informed me, by Letter of the 15th instant, that he heard that the Institution on the Witte Revier, belong ing to the Moravians, had been attacked, but that they had bravely beat off the Caffres, and killed thirty of them, but lost all their cattle: I beg leave, therefore, to acquaint you therewith, and remain ever, &c.

Colonel Cuyler's information, however, does not appear to have been correct; as will be seen from the following extract of Brother Schmitt's Letter, which I will give you in his own words. On the 10th of February, he writes :—

Yesterday, between five and six o'clock in the evening, our herd being about five minutes' walk from our house, feeding upon an open plain, above two hundred Caffres rushed out of the woods upon them; and, though all the men instantly bastened with their fire-arms to the spot, drove off 235 head of cattle before our eyes. A great many of these naked fellows ran close to our dwellings, toward the herd. A general hue and cry was raised, and the Hottentots fired upon the thieves; but nothing could stop their progress. It is supposed that two of them were killed, and five wounded. We are astonished at the escape of nine of our men, who were, watching the herd, and got all among the Caffres. Some of them were in the greatest possible danger. One was in the river, when the Caffres plunged into the stream; and saved him. self only by keeping under water, while the banditti were swimming across it.

Brother Schmitt then describes the attack made upon their neighbour, Jacobus Scheper, jun. at the Slagboom Farm, whose cattle they stole, killed his European Servant, and were prevented murdering his wife only by the great dogs defending their mistress; after which, the family took shelter with the Brethren at the Witte Revier. He continues:—

We now resolved to send two horsemen with a Letter to the Landdrost, Colonel Cuyler, at Uitenhagen, to represent to him our distressing situation, and to beg

for speedy assistance. But our messengers returned in the evening, declaring it impossible to cross the Sunday's Revier.

Caffres having been seen this evening (the 10th), close to our place, we expected. nothing less than to be attacked during the night. The women and children had already, yesterday night, slept in the Church, thinking themselves safer there than in their dwellings; the place being also well watched.

On the 11th, I again sent off two men on horseback, with the Letter to Colonel

Cuyler. Meanwhile, we and our Hot-, tentots were employed in making a kind of rampart around our houses, with waggons and heavy pieces of timber, to guard against any sudden attack. Behind each projection, two, three, or four men were posted. In the evening came on a most tremendous storm of thunder and lightning. The rain was so very violent, that I have hardly ever witnessed such a shower. The messengers returned; and reported, that they had reached the crossing-place of the Sunday's Revier, but found the ferryboat sunk. Two men from the opposite bank attempted to swim across, and fetch the Letter; but the stream was so powerful, that the rope by which they meant to work themselves across, broke, and the poor men were carried down the stream and out of sight. Whether they saved their lives or not, remains unknown.

The night passed quietly, for which we gave thanks to our Heavenly Father and Protector. Toward evening, some families came hither with a waggon from Graham's Town, with whom we obtained a reinforcement of seven men and four muskets.

The accounts which these fugitives brought from the eastward, filled our people's minds with fear and dismay. To us, the most painful of all was, a proposal of our Hottentots to quit the place; and fly into the Interior, toward the Bosjeman's Revier. I told them, that we could not possibly admit of it; but that if the Sunday's Revier had been fordable, we should have had no objection to retreat toward Uitenhagen: but, as it bad pleased God to shut up that road, we should wait here with patience, trusting to Him for deliverance, and not lose our confidence in His mercy. Many. of them then declared, that they were ashamed of having so soon spoken of running away; and they all remained quiet.

On the 13th, we had a peaceful day, and employed it to strengthen our fortifi cations. But, in the night of the 14th, 2N

twenty or thirty Caffres approached close to our place, without our perceiving it; and formed themselves into two parties, opposite our houses. This alarm pre vented our meeting at Church, as we had intended; being obliged to keep on the look-out. As a Hottentot offered to take this Letter, and to try to swim across the Sunday's Revier, I send it, together with the Letter to Colonel Cuyler. The farmers are assembled in the neighbour hood of the Bosjeman's Revier, where

As

the Caffres have robbed them of their cattle, set fire to the houses and cornstacks, and murdered many people. we could not but suppose that numbers of them are lurking about in the thickets all around our Settlement, we sent thirteen

men as guard over the remaining cattle,

three of them mounted on horseback,

Our Brethren and Sisters may easily conceive the anxiety which we suffer. Many of the Children cry out for food. Our people have lived chiefly on milk; and, as the Caffres have stolen the whole

of the first herd, among which were all the milch-cows, they are in great distress. We are most afraid of a violent attack, the Caffres taking us by surprise; from which, may God in mercy protect us! Pray for us, for the help of man is vain! Thank God, we all enjoy good health.

J. H. SCHMITT.

I think this Extract is sufficient to give you an idea of the perilous situation of our poor Brethren and Sisters on the Witte Revier, and to excite you all to fervent prayers for their preservation. I wish for nothing more than that they may be able to fly: for, if they remain, they must either defend themselves, and perhaps spill the blood of their assailants, or themselves be massacred; for the Caffres will certainly not rest, till they have avenged the death of those who fell

on the 9th.

Throughout the whole Colony, a so-called Caffre Commando is now raising; and here we expect Mr. Cobus Linde, the Commander-in-Chief, to come in a day or two, when he will call out the most able of our men to join the troop. The distress of our poor Hottentots will thereby be greatly increased; the more so, as corn and provisions of all kinds are enormously dear. A muid of wheat, which, at the time you were here, cost four or five rix-dollars, now costs from twenty to twenty-six. Meat likewise is about four times as dear as it was three

years ago, and every other article of provision is in proportion. Pray do not forget our suffering poor. Several individuals here must perish, if they are not assisted by us; and our poors' box, owing to the high price of corn, is quite exhausted, Please to communicate what relates to the Witte Revier, as soon as possible, to our Brethren and Friends. I hope soon to be able to give you further advice from that quarter.

1 remain ever, &c. &c.HANS PETER HALBECK. Mr. Latrobe has informed us, that, since the circulation of the preceding intelligence, he has received a Letter from the Witte Revier, dated the 2d of March. The Missionaries were in the same dangerous situation; and the Caffres went on plundering, and murdering those who opposed their thefts. They had threatened to seize the remainder of the cattle. Yet the Missionaries were determined to hold out, in reliance on their God and Saviour, hoping in His defence,

MEDITERRANEAN.

SYRIAN COMMITTEE. Proceedings of the Archbishop of Jerusalem.

THE Archbishop of Jerusalem has written to Professor Lee, from Paris, under date of the 6th of May. His Letter is in Syriac, and conveys his cordial thanks for the kindness shewn to him while in England. On his arrival at Paris, Baron de Sacy informed him, that he had been authorised by the Committee to provide him with the requisite printing-materials, at their expense, to the extent of 400l. They went to the Imperial Printing-office, to determine on what might be necessary for the Archbishop's purpose. found that preparation was already making to assist him; the King of France having, during the Archbishop's stay in London, granted 8000 francs (about 330/.) to this object. It was then deter

It was

mined, in consequence of this enlarged assistance, that the Archbishop should be provided with Syriac Types of three sizes. It was his purpose, however, not to wait for these types; but to proceed to Marseilles without delay, and, taking printing-paper with him from that port, to return home, in order to take the most prompt measures for entering on his la

bours.

INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES.
CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
BURDWAN.

Method of Instruction. THE advantages of Instruction by Dictation were detailed in a former Number (see pp. 116-118). In reference to the practice of this method in the Burdwan Schools, Mr. Robertson writes

The books already in use are well adapted to circumstances, and must eventually work a mighty revolution among our Hindoo Subjects.

The first of the four Upper Classes The first of the four Upper Classes is employed in committing to memory short Moral Sentences, such as the following:

66 Sincerity and truth form the basis of every virtue."

"

"Loose conversation operates on the soul as poison does on the body." "Do to others as you would have others do to you."

"Be more ready to forgive, than to return an injury."

"Ingratitude is a crime so shameful, that the man was never yet found who would acknowledge himself guilty of it."

"Use no indecent language; for indecency is want of sense."

The secrets of all hearts are known to God; therefore live in fear of God."

"Honour the Government: it is the guardian of your person and property."

Another Work has been prepared, with a Commentary: it contains the History of their False Gods, as related in the Shasters. In this Work, the wickedness of them whom they call Gods is shewn to be so atrocious, that

it is almost impossible for a youth to go through the preceding course of study adopted in Schools, without learning to despise such fabled deities. I am of opinion, that, with a little matroduce into these Schools any book nagement and patience, we may inthat we please. What shall prevent us from impressing the minds of Youth with such principles as will necessarily overthrow Idolatry, by exalting them above it? It is Ignorance which enslaves men to a system so absurd and contemptible as that of Idolatry.

MONGHYR. I

Opening for a Missionary.

Some account is given of this place at p. 26 of the "Survey" as connected with the Baptist Mission. It is about 250 miles N. w. of Calcutta, and is a Station of Invalids of the British Army. It will appear, from the following extract of a Letter from a Military Officer to the Rev. Daniel Corrie, dated Monghyr, March 13, 1818, that there is a promising opening for a Missionary of the Society. The Committee can only regret that it is not, at present, in their power to embrace the opportunities of usefulness which are thus multiplying upon them on all sides.

After your departure, the Society here expressed their regret that they were debarred the Means of Grace. could your labours have been contiThey would have been most happy, neral expression of all your audience. them. This was a genued among.

An inquiry has been excited here, whether a Clergyman of the Church might not ultimately come hither. The inhabitants, Civil and Military, would all subscribe for the erection of a Church immediately, if there could be a prospect of a preacher. In this state of the inquiry, I turn to you, to know if one of the Church Missionaries could not be spared to collect a Congregation here.

There are between thirty and forty Europeans who wish to attend, besides people continually passing who might drop in. I should be most happy to see him in my house, and