parture this morning, I was at work in dis- | tributing garments to the natives. What a luxury! Oh, that the dear donors could have stood by, and seen me adjusting the tape strings, and tying them in proper order, before and behind. I had four different supplies, and in all clothed more than one hundred persons, great and small. The king at one time sat by, and listened to the a, b, c, of the scholars, and looked at their "strokes," on slates, and, I thought, admired their dresses, until a more fascinating object appeared. This was a small grindstone I had got fitted up, and brought from town for him. His eye brightened. It was sassi (good), sassialle (very good, or good yes). No longer could the little creatures detain him. He had the grindstone mounted on the head of a native, and trudged after him, and it, to his house. I soon had a stand made for it, to raise it from the ground; and have since been favoured by another visit from this quiet and good natured old man. When I first visited him on the day after my arrival at Bassipu, I found him, with a handful of palm leaves, sweeping the front of his house. He did not leave his work incomplete on account of my presence, but soon finished it, and then had a seat placed for himself, and next for me, and our friendly palaver began. He was glad to see me again, and a present of plantains was brought. He took a part, and the other was given to me. He then gave an account of his late sickness, and the proposal made by Dr. Prince to bleed him, to which he could not accede. Next he told me of the foolish fears of some of the old people in the town, that many white men might one day come, and set a net around the town, and catch the people; but he did not think we meant to injure them. At our next meeting in the school-house he reverted to this again, and said he had asked the people if we had ever yet injured a fowl, or a goat, or a sheep, or disturbed any person in the town; and while they said no, he must remain our friend. Again he visited me yesterday, and said that he was hurt at hearing some people would not allow their children to wear clothes. I had done well to give so many away. I might now leave off for a time, as the people did not value the clothes as they should do. I explained their value, how I had got them, &c., and I am sure Bokotalli understood me well, if the king did not. Our prospects are cheering, but I must conclude. The captain has called to say he may sail at half-past eight; it is now about seven, and meeting time. Adieu, dear friend. EXCURSIONS TO VILLAGES. Mr. Merrick writes thus, March 11th: I have lately visited Bassipu, an Abubi village about eight miles from Clarence, where a fine school-room has been erected, chiefly by the exertions of our friend Dr. Prince. Brother Sturgeon and I called on Boidiba, the chief, but found it no very easy matter to enter his house in consequence of the proximity of its roof to the ground; but having encountered that difficulty was soon seated near his majesty, who received us with much kindness, appearing at the same time quite conscious of his royal dignity. After a little conversation I told him I should be happy if he would consent to have all the people in the village clothed, both young and old, and that we would furnish garments. The old man unhesitatingly replied, that it was all nonsense to talk of the old people abandoning the customs and dress they had received from their remote ancestors; that if a child saw his father using a gourd and calabash, and wearing a certain dress, it was natural for him to imitate his parent. I inquired whether if a child was born of poor parents who lived in a mean and wretched hut, that child, if he became wealthy, was to say, My father and mother lived in this hut, and used these things in it, and I won't build a better house, nor use better things? The old man acknowledged that what I said was very good;" that many improvements had taken place since white men came to the islands: that some time ago if Buby saw a person smoking a cigar, he would be quite alarmed, but now he could not live without tobacco; that the report of a gun used formerly to terrify them, but now they had many guns to kill deer; that in times past they did not possess goats or sheep, but now they had many. From all these improvements the old man inferred that others would take place, yet he could not think of recommending his people to abandon their country practices. Brother Sturgeon reminded his majesty that a covering would keep the flies from biting him. "I like them to bite me, he replied. I love sleep too much, and when I sleep they bite, and awake me." Our palaver was very good he thought, but there were two things which he did not like, and they were the wearing of clothes and the relinquishment of polygamy. He was, however, quite wil ling that the children should come to school, and wear clothes, and was happy we had erected a house at Bassipu; but hoped we would secure our yams well, that his people's goats might not eat them, and thus bring palaver. I replied, that we came to do him and his people good, and not to make pala- | favourite wife (who was with him) would give vers. On leaving I gave the old man a birth to a child, but it was not so." The old wrapper (a piece of cloth about two yards man wound up his story by inquiring whether long, to be wrapped round the waist), which if he attended to my word his wife would he at first declined, but was prevailed on to yield him children. I replied, that those who keep for the purpose of brushing away the gave their hearts to the true God did not flies if he were disinclined to wear it. A few trouble themselves about such things. If leaves of tobacco followed, with which the God gave them children they were thankful, old man was highly delighted, and expressed if he withheld them they were content; that his gratitude by wishing I "might never die." frequently children rendered their parents How would I rejoice if his wish were realized very unhappy, and that whenever God within himself in the best sense of the phrase. held the fruit of the womb, it was for wise According to previous engagement with purposes. All very good," was the reply; Boidiba, I met his people early next morning," and now that I have heard what you have to being the sabbath, on the play ground. In- say, I will attend to your words." Early next cluding children, nearly a hundred assembled. morning Boidiba, with a few of his head men, When I spoke to them of the necessity of came to see me, for the purpose of making discarding their charms if they desired to known his intention of propagating far and worship the true God, Boidiba replied, that wide what I had said on the previous day he could not do so; yet he could not help respecting the observance of the sabbath. He thinking the Abubies would be benefited by had resolved, he said, to send the news to our instruction. Before white men came to Banapa, Basilli, and Ribola; that he had the island, the people, he said, used to kill listened to all my word, but could not, at one another in the bush, but now they did once, do all I had told him; that when a not do so. He would, however, recommend child began to walk the mother had to stand us to teach the children first, and get them near to hold him up, but with care the child to wear clothes; and not at present disturb in time became strong. So it was with the the adult people on that subject. But it Bubies; they would not be able to do at would be necessary, he continued, if the chil- once what I recommended, but would gradudren came to our house, to hide our property ally improve. That when the white men from them, that it might not be stolen, for all (meaning Mr. Clarke and Dr. Prince) first children were like dogs. What an estimate came up to Bassipu, and talked of living of the dear little ones! May the time speedily there, they did not believe them, but now arrive when instead of regarding them as they find that those white men are true people. dogs, they will be considered as among the most precious gifts of heaven. On hearing it was wrong to work on Sunday, Boidiba recommended the people no longer to do so, and at the close of the service told Mr. Cooper (one of my attendants), that if his people did not listen to my advice they would have to answer for themselves, but for his part he was determined never again to work on the sabbath. At the close of the service I called on several of the Botuku, or gentlemen, all of whom seemed pleased with my visit, and as far as I could learn, regarded me as their friend. After breakfast two came to the school-room; one of them, named Bwarimea, a very influential Botaku. I spent much time in conversation with them, and felt thankful that I was honoured to declare unto the heathen the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Bwarimea, in the course of conversation, observed, that if after attending to my instructions, a great deal of rain fell, and their yam fields were very productive, then he would be convinced that all I had advanced was correct. How true that "the natural man understandeth not the things of the Spirit of God; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." "I am afraid," continued Bwarimea," that the Inmo men (a sort of priest) do not always speak the truth, for several of them have given me charms with the assurance that my In the afternoon I went to Ribola, a native town about a mile and a half from Bassipu, accompanied by Mr. Gallimore, one of the teachers from Jamaica. I called on Bwirubia, the chief, and met many people at his residence, which afforded me an opportunity of declaring the gospel. I had not spoken long before Bwirubia interrupted me, and said he should be very glad if I would tell the people at Clarence not to charge so much for a goat as they were in the habit of doing; that at first they were only required to pay four baskets of palm oil, but now they could not get a goat without paying twenty; that he and his people did not like to pay so much, and hoped a change would soon be effected. I could not get Bwirubia to give a positive answer respecting the reception of a teacher. He was afraid if a white man came to live at Ribola, the devil would kill him; and besides, his people were not certain of remaining at Ribola, and if after a godman came to live with them they deserted the town for another district, we would say they did not like us. Before leaving I gave his majesty a rather handsome wrapper, with which he was pleased beyond measure. His dim eyes and wrinkled face became animated; he turned his new dress one side and then another, and exclaimed, “Sisi alle, sisi alle, alle, alle;" very beautiful-very beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Indeed, he was so pleased that he was about many stations as we can. You are already aware that my scene of labour is to be the continent; the particular locality has not yet been determined on, but God will doubtless direct us in the right way. Oh pray, sir, that our every step may be ordered by infinite wisdom. I must not forget to mention that I have just passed through the most dangerous illness I have had within my recollection, caused by vitiated biliary secretion. I was confined to my room five days, but am, thank God, quite well again. May our late afflictions make us more holy, and impress on us the necessity of doing with our might whatever our hand findeth to do. It appears from the foregoing remarks, and from many other passages in the letters received, that the presents of clothing which have been made by friends in different parts of the country have proved valuable, and that a constant supply will for some time be needed. The following suggestions also are the result of Mr. Merrick's experience. should be of different qualities. We pay here for some 6s. 6d. per piece, while others cost 8s. and 10s. Cutlasses or matchets, and small axes, are also indispensable; a good supply of tobacco should also be furnished, an article which no African traveller can do without. At Old Calabar River soap is greatly in demand, needles, fish-hooks, large, small, and middle sized, and chest hinges. When at Camaroons I strongly recommended you to furnish us with a supply of such articles as are the media of exchange in the different rivers where we shall have to labour, as such articles can only be procured in Africa at about two hundred per cent. (often much higher) above the invoice price. Since brother Clarke's arrival, he and I have talked the matter over, and he is of opinion that the measure would prove highly economical; and had it not been for his illness, he At New Calabar white shirts or striped would no doubt have written you on the sub-ones (not figured) meet a ready sale. Shirts ject. The articles principally required at made of figured prints are only worn by the Camaroons are salt, which, if supplied, ought juju men, and therefore never purchased to be sent out in barrels, Blue, Baft, or Se- except by them. rampore; an indispensable cloth, chilloe (a sort of handkerchief), and what are called here Romale, and Tom Cuffie (also a sort of handkerchief put up in pieces). The Romale The Society would save a vast amount of money in the support of our infant mission if they could only manage to supply us themselves with stores and the above mentioned articles. AFRICAN CONTINENT. The following account of Mr. Merrick's recent tour on the continent will be read with pleasure. He says, In my last letter, forwarded from Camaroons, by Captain Simpson, of the brig Violet, I intimated that it was my intention to ascend the river, and if favourable opportunities offered, to declare the gospel of salvation to the people. I am happy to inform you that on Wednesday, the 6th December last, I left Bonaku (Aqua's town) in one of King Aqua's canoes, accompanied by one of his sons, and several people, for a settlement about fifteen miles up the river, called Biandung. On our way we called at Dido's town, and the towns of John Aqua, Young King, and Quan, at all of which I met a favourable reception. Being detained at John Aqua's town for two hours in order to obtain the benefit of the ebb tide, I collected as many of the people as I could and preached to them. They listened with much attention, and expressed earnest desires that religious teachers might be settled among them. After a mess of fish, yams, and palm oil, I proceeded on my journey; and, as might be expected, my attention was much taken up with the scenery through which I was passing. The country up the river is in many parts much more elevated than at Bell's and Aqua's towns. The banks of the river are, Qua Qua man speak all the same as Poradorned with a variety of trees, among which tuguese, and Spanish, and English, and the down tree, or ceiba, the palm nut tree, and bambu palm, are the most common. A number of small islands are in the river, many of which have, I learn, only recently been formed, and are generally inundated during the rainy season. When near our journey's end a canoe from a place called Gibbery, which was proceeding up the river, was stopped by several people residing on the settlement to which we were going, for the purpose of plundering the Gibbery people, and had it not been for our interference much blood would perhaps have been shed, and lives lost; for one of the Gibbery men drew a cutlass, which he would have used had the marauding party persisted in their wicked intention. On American." On arriving at Yabyang we found several men boiling mimbo at the bank of the river, and though most of them had never before seen me, they treated me very kindly, and offered me mimbo to drink. After resting for a few minutes we proceeded to the town, which is about a mile and a half up hill from the river, and over a rugged and circuitous tract. My unexpected appearance produced a complete uproar, as very few of the people had before seen a white face. Some of the women made hideous faces, others seemed terrified, while many less fearful ran after and before me clapping their hands, and making a deafening noise. arriving at the chief's residence, whose name is Deboto, the old man made his appearance, but though he had often seen white men, he appeared stupified with the noise and excitement of his people. Being thoroughly tired on account of my walk, I seated myself under a few trees to obtain rest and air, but the people surrounded and gazed on me with perfect astonishment, watching narrowly my every motion. After resting for a while I entered into conversation with the chief, and presented him with two children's dresses, a tin plate, and some tobacco. His favourite children were brought to me for the purpose of having the dresses put on them, with which they seemed highly delighted. After obtaining permission, addressed the people by means of an interpreter, and explained the object of my visit; and on asking Deboto whether he would like a white man to live at his town, to teach him and his people about God, he said, “Yes, but he did not think a white man would come and live with him. In the course of my address Deboto interrupted me for the purpose of asking whether a string of beads around the neck of one of my attendants was given him by me; but on hearing that it was not, he seemed quite satisfied, and allowed me to proceed. On my departure Deboto presented me with a chicken, and a bunch of plantains. On my return to Biandung I visited, with my interpreter, a small town connected with the settlement called Bijieia, where several of King Aqua's slaves reside. This town is situated on a beautiful hill, and is delightfully cool. As I walked over it I could hardly help thinking what an excellent station it might make. My soul for a time was delighted when I beheld through futurity the change which the gospel of Christ would yet produce on the unhappy sons and daughters of Africa; but oh! my distress when I looked and reflected on the degradation and misery of the people, many of whom were in a state of perfect nudity. On my arrival at Biandung I was exceedingly distressed at the ignorance and degradation of the people. I walked over a great part of the town, and was kindly received by its inhabitants, many of whom assembled at seven o'clock in the evening in the open air to listen to the truths of the gospel. The season was to me a solemn one. Most of my auditors had never before heard of Christ and his salvation, of the future state, and of the resurrection and judgment to come, and were of course astonished at what they heard. Though on many accounts it is not so pleasant to declare truth to those who can scarcely apprehend it, and are less willing to obey it, than to those who have felt the power and tasted the sweets of the gospel, I never theless always feel some degree of pleasure in preaching to the heathens. I know that what I declare is the divinely appointed method of rescuing them from darkness and death, and though I sometimes think that the salvation of Africa is yet far, far distant, I am at the same time conscious that "the truth is great, and must prevail." This it is that renders my work pleasant, though apparently unsuccessful. As might be expected after my long day's journey under a scorching sun, I retired to rest quite wearied, but was so much disturbed by mosquitoes that I had not an hour's rest. Next morning, after a hasty breakfast of plantain and palm oil, which I enjoyed much, our party left for Yabyang, a Bakuku or Qua Qua town, about five miles higher up the river. From what I have learnt it would seem that the original country of the Qua Qua people is to the south of the Camaroons river, but that large numbers have emigrated to the north-east portion of the river, where they now reside. They are evidently of the same tribe, or family, as the people who reside at Bell's and Aqua's towns, and the other villages in that neighbourhood, for they speak, with trifling variation, the same language. Speaking of the difference between the languages of the Camaroons and Qua Qua people, the heart of the bambu palm, and boiled to prevent my interpreter said, "Massa, Camaroons and fermentation. * Mimbo is a stimulating drink procured from The people again assembled at Biandung this towns. I was kindly received, and the people evening, and listened for a long time to the expressed themselves willing to receive Chrisword of salvation. Early on the following tian teachers. King William said that he morning I descended the river, and arrived would be glad if a white man would come safely, and from what I saw of the people up and live with him, to teach him about God; the river, I have every reason to believe that that he would sleep close to the white man, a missionary would be quite safe among them. and hear his word better than any man in During my short stay at Camaroons, I was Africa. Perceiving a grigri, or charm, around quite at home, and never on any occasion King William's neck, I spoke to him of the had cause to indulge the slightest suspicion folly and wickedness of reposing confidence respecting them. Several adults, and a few in such things instead of God, when he imchildren, have learned to read pretty well in mediately took off the charm, and put it the first class book, and the love of God in aside. I arrived safely at Clarence on Satursen ding his Son to die for the world was day evening about seven o'clock, and was frequently the topic of conversation among happy to find my dear wife well. themselves. A short time before I left Camaroons King Bell requested me to call on him every morning, and converse with him privately, for the word which I had spoken about the bad place had affected his heart very much, and that he sometimes dreamed about it. "I don't wish at all," said Bell, "to go to the bad place when I die. I must therefore give my heart to God." How would I rejoice if he were to do so. But not to render my letter too lengthy, I must at once inform you that I left Camaroons for this place on Thursday evening, the 26th December, in the same boat which took me over, and on our way stopped at Bimbia, where I preached the gospel at Dick Merchant's and King William's 1 have made a vocabulary of the Camaroon, or Dewalla tongue, and have prepared a first class book in the language, which I purpose printing soon. Since my return from Camaroons I have been busily engaged attending to the repairs of the mission house, for the reception of brother Clarke, and have, I rejoice to say, managed to get it into a fit state for their reception. The arrival of dear Mr. Clarke and our Jamaica friends has much strengthened my hands and comforted my heart. I know not how sufficiently to bless our good God for all he has done for them, and do hope that our Jamaica friends will be made real blessings to their father-land. ASIA. MONGHIR. Mr. Lawrence writes to a relative, March 5th I had the pleasure of receiving your letter | I am conscious, that I deserve them all, and of Dec. 27th, 1843, about the 23rd of last month. Many thanks for the kind sympathy which it expresses for us, and for your prayers on our account. We were truly glad to learn that your own health, and that of dear sister and your family, continued good. Although I cannot say so much of my own dear wife and family, yet I have reason to be thankful that they have been somewhat better during the cold season than they were last autumn, and my own health has been excellent. The warm weather is now coming on, and we much fear it will exceedingly try both our children; but as it is impossible to avoid this, we must leave them in the hands of Him who knows what is good for them and for us better than we do. Whatever afflictions or bereavements may yet overtake us, of this more than all the pain and sorrow they can possibly inflict. I do not regard these afflictions as mysterious; they are a part of the economy of mercy, and I should be ready to suspect myself not included in the covenant of grace were I without them. May the God of all grace, after that we have suffered awhile, make us perfect, "stablish, strengthen, settle us." Since I wrote to you last, I have been from home for about three weeks, visiting a number of villages to the north of this station. Many of these villages had never before been visited by any missionary, and consequently the greater part of the inhabitants were ignorant of the gospel. I was accompanied by Mr. Harter and two of our native preachers We left home on the 11th of January, taking with us a small tent, just |