ards of Ceylon, and Mr. Rice, the present agent of the Baptist Board of Missions, by whose immediate instrumentality all the Baptist churches in the Union, have been united in one great and efficient society.

When he entered upon his theological studies at Andover, he manifested the same fixed determination, the same unabated zeal; and was enabled to rally to his standard many who are now occupied abroad in the spread of the gospel. It does not appear that Mr. Mills was the instrument of first bringing the subject before those students at Andover, whose names are associated with his in the first public effort, two of whom are now labouring among the natives of the east; but it is certain that his unwearied and steady efforts eminently promoted that combination and union which finally led to great results. In bringing the matter fairly before the churches, and in setting the business of missions actually forward, there was the active agency of another, who commenced his efforts some time before the arrival of Mr. Mills at Andover, and whose agency was ever after, as active, steady, and efficient; we mean Mr. Judson, now a useful and laborious missionary at Rangoon in the Burman empire.

In remarking upon the exertions of the "American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," the author makes one or two mistakes. The bequest of Mrs. Norris did not immediately relieve the Board from embarrassment; it was a long time in doubtful litigation, and at the time that it was resolved to make an effort to send out the first missionaries in 1812, the treasury contained not more than one hundred dollars; and even at the ordination, enough had not been collected to advance a half year's salary to the missionaries. Nevertheless, before their departure from Salem and Philadelphia, which took place in a few days, enough was obtained to send them forth with ample supplies. Thus, by the blessing of God, the faith of those who went forth, and of those who sent them, was abundantly rewarded.

There is also a mistake of some importance in the account of the departure of the missionaries. The second company did not sail in October 1812, but in October 1815: the war had intervened, many difficulties and trials had been met and overcome, and peace again restored, before the second effort was made. We cannot account for this mistake, as the author speaks (p. 58) of the ordination of the same missionaries, at Newburyport, Mass. as having taken place June 21st, 1815.

Though it is not in the order of time, we think this the proper place to notice another great institution for spreading the gospel among the heathen, whose origin was intimately connected with Mr. Mills' efforts; we mean the "United Foreign Missionary Society." This institution is just now commencing its active operations, and it is, we trust, destined to unite the zeal and energies of

the west and south, in missions to the heathen. Thus, in intimate connexion with the designs of Mr. Mills, there are established, in different sections of our country, two great associations, which, by harmony of feeling and design, and by a persevering devotedness to their object, may accomplish great things among the Pagans of our own continent and the world.

The author's account of Mr. Mills' acquaintance with Obookiah, a native of the Sandwich Islands, well illustrates his devotedness to the cause, and his readiness to embrace every opportunity of promoting it; and, in the final results, the "Foreign Mission School," and the mission sent forth with the fairest prospects to the native island of that forlorn and friendless boy, who found shelter, and protection, and support, under the patronage of Mr. Mills, we see a cheering instance of divine favour, to an exertion of pious charity which had little promise of extensive benefit. Though the subject was a poor, afflicted heathen, it is now seen to have been a charity of great importance to the progress of religion. Though he sickened and died before an effort could be made in behalf of his countrymen, the kindness and the care which he received, prepared the way for the reception of others into the school, and for the final departure of a Christian mission to his native island.

It is a very interesting part of the biographical sketch which our author has presented us, in which he notices Mr. Mills' efforts in behalf of the destitute among our own countrymen, particularly in the distant regions of the west and south.

There is a puzzling confusion of dates here, which it is not easy to account for. His ordination occurred (p. 58) June 21st, 1315. Shortly after this event, (p. 59) "he began to make preparation for a missionary tour through the western and southern sections of the United States." Now we have no knowledge of a tour subsequently to this period, nor does our author inform us of any, but shortly states, that he performed two separate tours, "the first in the years 1812 and 1813, and the last, in the years 1814 and 1815;" so that from the last he must have returned previously to his ordination. With this exception, this part of the narrative, which is principally compiled from Mr. Mills' journal, is exceedingly interesting. It is gratifying to perceive in this devoted friend of the heathen, the equally devoted friend of those, who in a Christian land remain untaught and unreclaimed; and it is still more gratifying to perceive, that partly by the instrumentality of Mr. Mills, partly by the impulse which the undertaking of foreign missions has given to the public mind, so much has been undertaken, and so much devised of late, to teach and to reclaim the ignorant and sinful, in the remotest recesses of our own land. We fear, that even yet, the wisest and most efficient measures within our reach have not been devised; but we will rejoice in the confidence, that while we have been

keeping the vineyards of others, we have taken more pains to cultivate our own. It would have been a foul stain, not upon those men who went forth to the heathen, for they could not labour in both spheres, but upon those who remained behind, if the undertaking of foreign missions had not been followed increased exertions amid our widely extended, destitute regions. by up And we shall yet incur a stain, unless, in imitation of our lament ed Mills, we redouble, and again redouble our efforts, and studiously devise, and laboriously and extensively pursue, the most wise and efficient measures. A work of immense magnitude lies before us, and it will but increase, however great our exertions may be, until churches are erected, and ministers settled, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

It is proper to notice in this place, that the "Evangelical Missionary Society" of this city, who are the proprietors of the work, have laboured particularly in the south and west, and we recommend it as still more worthy of public patronage, because the profits will doubtless enable them to continue and extend their labours.

(To be concluded.)

Intelligence,

WESTERN AFRICA-SIERRA LEONE.

Church Missionary Society.

The Appendix to the 19th Report of the Church Missionary Society, furnishes a great number of instances of the success of the great work of grace that is going on among the liberated negroes at this station, from which we shall here give a few extracts.

On the attendance of negroes on public worship, Mr. Johnson writes, "The Chief Justice, the Acting Governor, (the Governor being absent at the Gambia) Messrs. Mills and Burgess, American missionaries, and several officers of the African corps, with other gentlemen of Freetown, came this morning to divine ser'vice. The church was quite full. There were 1100 or 1200 people present. The missionaries were much delighted at the sight of so many black men and women, eager to hear the word of God. One said that nothing less than a miracle had been wrought at this place."

The

Of the first Sunday in September, it is said, "Divine service at half past ten o'clock. The first seats were filled at half past nine. Being a fine day, we were completely crowded; as, on fine days, we have generally strangers from other towns. vestry, the stairs of the gallery, the tower, and the windows, were all full. Some of the seats which were fixed in the passages broke down, being over-burdened. When I entered the church and saw the multitudes, I could hardly refrain myself, for my heart was full."

VOL. VII.

F

Of the Affection of the Negroes to their Minister.-Mr. Johnson says, "When my people heard that I was going again to Freetown, the place was in an uproar. I told them that I would return

in the afternoon, and administer the Lord's supper, and also preach to them. This would not satisfy them; they said, that, as Mr. Garnon* was dead, they were afraid that I would stay in Freetown, and leave them. I assured them that I would not leave them. They answered, that if I stayed at Freetown, they would follow me. The Governor came down from his house: several went to meet him, to tell him that I should not go. I received, also, a note from one, in which was written, Mr. Johnson, if you go, we all follow you.' I told the Governor, who persuaded and assured them that I should come back. They said, that if I did not come to-morrow, they would come and fetch me on Monday." Increasing influence of religion.-Such numbers manifested a desire to be baptized, that Mr. Johnson states, "This desire becomes now so general, that I am afraid the enemy is about to sow tares among the wheat. I am at a loss how to act: I can scarcely believe, at present, that all is real; the number is so great and yet, when I come to examine them individually, I must keep silence; for their language and conduct are wholly changed. May the Holy Spirit direct me aright! may such be added unto us as shall be saved !”

Of one day he says, "I have heen all this morning engaged in speaking to people who came to me, on the state of their minds. All the particulars would fill many sheets. I am still full of doubts and fears concerning the number who make a profession of Christianity, it is so great."

Of some of these candidates he writes, "They expressed much joy; viewing what great things the Lord had done for them, in bringing them away from their own country. Had they never been sold as slaves, they would never have heard of salvation ! they praised God for having been sold as slaves!

From the Panoplist.

ASIA MINOR-PALESTINE MISSION.

Letter from Messrs. Fisk and Parsons, to the Cor. Sec'y. of the American Board of Commissioners for F. M.

Smyrna, Jan. 21, 1820.

REV. AND DEAR SIR-The letter which we dated at Malta, containing a concise account of our voyage to that place, was, we hope, received in due season. On the 9th inst. we set sail for Smyrna, having been previously furnished with a letter of introduction to the Rev. Mr. Williamson, and to the British Consul at Aleppo. Although we were deprived of the privilege which we most earnestly desired, a particular acquaintance with our *For a memoir of this excellent and zealous missionary, see Christian Herald, Vol. VI. p. 546.

missionary brethren; yet, the information we received, amply compensated us for our visit at Valetta.

Besides frequent communications from the missionaries, we were favoured with repeated opportunities for conversation with the American Consul at Tripoli, (Africa) who arrived at Malta a few days since, and is bound to the United States. He has resided at Tripoli seven years, and, by frequent excursions into the neighbouring country, has obtained very extensive information with regard to the religious and civil state of society. The account he gave us of the Barbary states, and especially of the northern parts of Egypt, was very encouraging to the friends of missions. We could not but indulge the hope, as the American character is much respected, and plans of benevolence encouraged, that the way is preparing for the diffusion of the blessings of salvation. The Consul, Mr. Jones, had the goodness to procure for us a letter of introduction to a Greek gentleman in this city, and to another at Scio.

On the sixth day after leaving Malta, we came safely to anchor in this harbor. Our voyage was remarkably rapid, and in every respect pleasant. Passing up the Archipelago, we saw, more or less distinctly, many of the Grecian Islands, as Terigo, Crete, Zea, Andros, Scio, and Mitylene. Some of the islands were richly cultivated. The scenery was delightful, interspersed with gardens, groves of orange trees, plantations, and beautiful villages. Friday, January 14th, at one o'clock, beheld the continent of Asia, and on Saturday, at two o'clock, terminated our voyage to the city of Smyrna. Surely goodness and mercy have followed us all the way. Our friends will unite with us in thanksgiving and praise to our gracious Preserver, for the encou ragement we have to proceed in the heavenly design, of imparting the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, to those who are perishing in ignorance and sin.

As it was late in the day when we came to an anchor, we deferred our visit to the city until the beginning of the week. Spent the Sabbath on board the ship, and performed the usual exercises of public worship. The seamen listened with great seriousness to an address, occasioned by the sudden death of one of their companions.

On Monday the 17th, we visited Smyrna, were introduced to Mr. Lee, and received with every expression of cordiality and friendship. He opened his library, which contains a choice and very elegant selection of books, and observed, "these are for your use at any time when you wish for them. Any assistance which I can give you by credit, influence, or books, will be bestowed with the greatest pleasure."

The same day we were introduced to the Rev. Mr. Williamson, the British chaplain, who enters into the design of our mission with great interest. We notice this circumstance as a very