The schools were somewhat revived, and the queen had promised they should be placed on their former footing, and be better filled than ever. The present political state of the country presents nothing of a very cheering or promising nature; yet notwithstanding the events of the last two years, the discouragements, disappointments, and anxiety under which they have laboured, "we have been permitted," say they, "through the tender mercies of our heavenly Father, to pursue our work, and have succeeded beyond our expectations, and now have seen the printing of the New Testament completed. May the Lord open the hearts of the people to receive his word, that the wilderness may rejoice and blossom as the rose! These minutes are accompanied with the following Report of the Madagascar School Society. Report of the Madagascar Missionary School Society, from March, 1828, to December 31, 1829. The members of the Madagascar School Society cannot review the events which have transpired since their last Report, without deep emotion. Numerous circumstances at that time occurred to encourage the cheering expectation, that education would rapidly extend through some populous districts at a greater distance from the capital of Madagascar than those places where schools had been previously established. Arrangements had been made to open schools in Imamo, the southern part of the province of Vonizongo, and the northern part of the province of Betsileo. Stations were selected. In the southern part of the province of Venizongo, Soavina, Fihaonana, Andrambazina, Fierenana-Miara-manjakaAnkazobe; in the province of Imamo, including its four districts, viz. Valalafotsy, Tsimamolakazo, Mandridrano, Fonenanaisandahy. These, with the schools previously formed in connexion with this Society, and specified in the last Report, aug mented the number of scholars and teach. ers, by 30th June, 1828, thus: Schools. Teachers. Scholars. 423 384 300 Voromahery 9 Avaradrano 46 18 92 1790 383 About this period an event occurred which appeared for a time calculated to render uncertain all the future operations of this society, and which the members of the society have never ceased to contemplate as one among the numerous mysteries in the plans of divine Providence, namely, the decease of Radama, the sovereign of this country, in the very prime of his life. His late majesty's efforts in the diffusion of education among a considerable portion of his subjects are well known, and the direct encouragements he afforded to the formation of the new schools were hailed by the members of the society as pledges of his continued regard to the object of their labours, and of his steady determination to prosecute the work he had commenced. ! were Although express assurances given by her majesty, Ranavalona, successor to Radama, that she would steadily carry forward the plans adopted by her predecessor; yet, from the very customs and political circumstances of the country, some interruption and suspension of the Society's labours became unavoidable. The public mourning, which took place on the decease of the king, prevented the revival of the schools till the month of December, 1828. In the course of that month the schools were again permitted to be opened; but scarcely had the scholars been collected, when an augmentation of the military forces of the country having been resolved on, a great number of the senior scholars and teachers were drawn off to form recruits. About 700 were removed from the schools on this occasion. Since that period, many of the schools have diminished in numbers, and in some cases they have entirely dwindled away. In one village, regarded as sacred to the principal idol of this part of the island, exemption from the service of schools has been claimed by the people, and allowed by the government. Idolatry, of every form, is unfavourable to the culture of the human mind and the diffusion of useful knowledge. The members of the School Society cannot help regretting that the stipulated numbers for each school have not yet been filled up; neither the deficiencies remaining at the time of the demise of the late king, nor those occasioned since, by the increase of the army, and other causes, have been made up by any distinct orders from the government. The present state of the schools (Dec. 31, 1829) may be thus estimated. Of Schools specified in Report, May, 1828: From the Missionary Herald of last month. EMBARKATION OF MISSIONARIES. Schools. Teachers. Scholars. Voromahery 8 16 242 Avaradrano 26 In consequence of express orders having been communicated from her majesty to the School Society, interdicting the gratuitous supplies of slates, paper, &c. &c., and of the payment of gratuities to the teachers,-the School Society resolved, a short time since, to wind up its affairs for the present. The property, consigned by different friends to the Madagascar School Society, has been disposed of, and the proceeds have been applied to the reduction of the Society's debt, as stated in the last report. After mentioning the discouraging state of affairs, Mr. David Johns, in a letter, dated Tananarivo, 19th Feb. 1830, states, that last Christmas the government gave an order for all the children who had left the schools, without permission, to return and attend to their education, which had revived the schools a little; and the queen and her officers appear more friendly than formerly. The queen had ordered that the twelve boys who were learning the dead languages, should henceforth apply themselves to the Eng. lish language only, and endeavour to obtain a correct knowledge of it. The queen purposes to have English and Madagasse, and Madagasse and English, Dictionaries composed, containing all the words in use in the island. Two or three hundred boys are to be employed to collect the words, and when collected, they are to be submitted to a society she intends to establish, composed of officers, soldiers, judges and white people, together with some of the most intelligent men from every part of the island, who are to examine the words; and such as are approved of are to be alphabetically entered in a book by the secretaries. Five of these schools are on the borders of Antsihanaka. On the 28th of December last, the third reinforcement of the mission at the Sandwich Islands, sailed from New Bedford, in the ship New England, Capt. Parker, bound to the Pacific Ocean. The members of this reinforcement were the Rev. Messrs. DWIGHT BALDWIN, REUBEN TINKER, and SHELDON DIBBLE, and Mr. ANDREW JOHNSTONE, and their wives. The three ordained missionaries had received their theological education at the seminary in Auburn; Mr. Baldwin being a graduate of Yale College, Mr. Tinker of Amherst, and Mr. Dibble of Hamilton. Mr. Johnstone is sent out to sustain a portion of the secular cares and labours, and perhaps to relieve Mr. Chamberlain of those labours entirely, for a season. Should it be found practicable and expedient, a mission will be fitted out to the Marquesas Islands from the Sandwich Islands, within a year from the arrival of the present reinforcement. General instructions have been given to this effect; but so much must depend upon events beyond human control, or even human foresight, that no very definite plan can now be laid with reference to the subject. The missionaries were received with great kindness and cordiality by friends of missions in New Bedford and the vicinity. There were numerous publick exercises, having reference to the sailing of the missionaries. Mr. Dibble preached for the Rev. Mr. Holmes, New Bedford, Sabbath, Dec. 12th; for the Rev. Mr. Eaton, Middleborough, Sabbath, Dec. 19th; at Rochester, Rev. Mr. Bigelow's parish, Monday, 20th; at the Rev. Mr. Cobb's parish, Tuesday, 21st; and in one of the Baptist churches of New Bedford, Sabbath, Dec. 26th. Mr. Tinker preached for the Rev. Mr. Holmes, Sabbath, Dec. 19th; at Fall River, Monday, 20th; at Mattapoisett, Sabbath, 26th; and at Fairhaven, on the evenings of the 19th, 21st, and 26th. Mr. Baldwin preached at Dartmouth, Sabbath, Dec. 19th, and in one of the Methodist churches of New Bedford, Sabbath, Dec. 26th. On most of the abovementioned occasions, the subjects of discourse had reference to the duty of sending the gospel to the heathen. Beside these publick meetings, various more private meetings were held for conference and prayer. The instructions of the Prudential Committee were delivered to the Missionaries, by the Corresponding Secretary of the Board, in Mr. Holmes' church, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 22d. The Rev. Samuel Nott, of Wareham, one of the first missionaries to Bombay, deliver. ed an address to the Assembly. A col lection of $98.94 was taken. At the close of the exercises, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Rev. Messrs. King, of Tiverton, Gould, of Fairhaven, and Bigelow, of Rochester. The assembly was numerous and respect. able, clergymen and private members of churches being present from several neighbouring towns. On Sabbath, Dec. 19th, the Corresponding Secretary delivered a discourse on missions, in the Rev. Mr. Gould's church, Fairhaven; and, in the evening of that day, a history of the mission at the Sandwich Islands, in Mr. Holmes' church, New Bedford. On the latter occasion, an address was delivered by the Hon. Mr. Reed, a member of the Prudential Committee, on the Bible, as the only proper foundation of missionary effort. On Tuesday morning, the 28th, the weather, which had long been rainy and otherwise unfavourable, suddenly became fair and inviting. The missionaries, and numerous friends, assembled on the wharf for embarkation at sunrise. A prayer was made by the Rev. Dr. Wisner, a member of the Prudential Committee, and a parting hymn was sung; after which hasty and affectionate farewells were taken. The ship was followed by many an eager eye, as she sailed beautifully out to sea; and numerous Christian friends were gratified, that the weather, for several successive days, was pleasant and favourable to the ship's making a good commencement of her voyage. Several collections of useful articles were made for the missionaries, by individuals in New Bedford. One gentleman inclosed $20, in a kind note to Mr. Holmes; to whom, and to members of his church and congregation, special acknowledgments are due for their kindness and hospitality, which were uniformly experienced during the delay of the embarkation, and the various preparations for it. MACKINAW. Eliza, an Indian woman, of whose early life and conversion an account was given in the volume of this work for 1829, pp. 154-8, died at the mission station, Nov. 23. By the blessing of God on the religious instruction given her, she had been raised from uncommon debasement to a degree of Christian knowledge and piety, seldom attained by persons in her circumstances. At the time of her decease, "she exhibited," says Mr. Ferry, "the character of the believer triumphing in death. For many months she had been almost daily looking for her departure. Though suffering much in body, yet she was uniformly patient and happy. She repeatedly said on the day of her death, "I think I shall go to-day. At night she shook hands with some of the members of the mission family, and with a smile spoke of it as the last time. But a few minutes before her death, in allusion to David's words, she said she feared no evil. Surely no unbeliever, observing her course down the dark valley, could any longer doubt the reality of religion, or deny the importance of carrying the tidings of the gospel to the unlettered savage." CHOCTAWs. Eight members were added to the Mayhew church, at a meeting held at Hikashubbaha, or Long-sweet-gums, Nov. 14th; and some who had previously been under censure for misconduct were restored to the privileges of the church. Ten children were baptized. "It is distressing," says Mr. Byington, "to see how many of the poor Choctaws give themselves up to drink whiskey. I have just been in a neighbourhood where I formerly had large and attentive congregations, and hoped to do much good; but now they are all, without exception, given up to drinking!" This is the consequence of their present political troubles. A temperance association was lately organized in the vicinity of Hikashubbaha, which was joined by more than a hundred members at the first meeting. The necessity for exertions to stem the tide of intemperance, which is overflowing the Choctaw nation, in this time of trouble, is seen in the fact, that, in one district, fourteen deaths have taken place, in conMarch. sequence of intemperance, since last CHEROKEES OF THE ARKANSAS. The school at Dwight contains about forty scholars, only a few of whom were members of the school before its removal. Though new scholars, and beginning with the alphabet, they make good proficiency. The other schools are also promising. WESTERN ASIA. The last published intelligence from Messrs. Smith and Dwight left them at Tiflis, on the 4th of August. More recent accounts trace them in their journey south as far as Shousha, where they were on the first of October. Both had been somewhat ill of a remittent, or intermittent fever; but Mr. D. appears to have recovered, and Mr. S. was convalescent. The cholera morbus was exceedingly fatal in places around Shousha, but was comparatively mild in that salubrious place. Diew of Publick Affairs. EUROPE. The latest European accounts, at the time we write, are from Britain, (Liverpool,) to the 26th of January, and from France, (Paris,) to the 23d of same month. The intelligence, especially from the continent of Europe, is so abundant, that we cannot pretend to give much of its detail; but it is also highly important, and we shall endeavour to make our summary as complete as our space will permit. BRITAIN.-Parliament adjourned on the 23d of December, till the Sd of February. On the last night of the sitting, Sir James Graham, in behalf of the ministry, made a statement in the House of Commons, relative to the views of those who now direct the publick councils. It was in substance, that the present ministry were determined to redeem the pledges which they had given to the nation, in relation to a reform in parliament, the reduction of publick expenses, and other measures to relieve the burdens and complaints of the people; and that it was their firm purpose, if the existing parliament would not bear them out in these views, to advise the king to dissolve it, and to appeal to the sense of the nation, by a new election. This declaration was received with great applause. It appears, however, that there was a considerable variety of opinion, as to the extent to which reformation ought to be carried-from moderate reform, down to radicalism. Earl Grey, the premier, was in favour of less numerous changes, than would suit the wishes of many others. Incendiary outrages still prevailed in many parts of the country, notwithstanding the detection, trial and execution of a number of the guilty. It appears, indeed, that the people of England are in a very unquiet and agitated state; and meetings to express the popular voice in favour of thorough parliamentary reform, were every where held. A form of Prayer, on account of the troubled state of certain parts of the united kingdom," has been pub. lished by authority, and ordered to be used in all the churches of the establishment. Among the dissenters also, meetings and associations for prayer have taken place. The serious and reflecting part of the community appear to be deeply impressed with a sense of the critical and dangerous state of the nation. That things cannot remain as they are, seems to be the conviction of all; and yet the hazard of making changes, such as will in any tolerable degree satisfy the mass of the population, is manifestly greatwhen begun, none can foresee where they will end. We have long been of the mind, that in some way or other, that enormous disparity, which exists between the higher and lower classes,-between the noble and wealthy, the dependant and poor, of South Britain-must come to an end, or be greatly diminished. Most sincerely do we wish that it may take place without convulsion and bloodshed; but how it is to be effected, we do not perceive. Ireland is still more agitated than England. O'Connell is doing all in his power to effect a dissolution of the Union; and it is not doubted that his ultimate aim is to render Ireland a separate and independent kingdom. The present Lord Lieutenant, the Marquis of Anglesea, is highly popular; but it is questionable whether, with all his influence, he can preserve peace without the intervention of a powerful military force; and this may produce insurrection and rebellion at once. He has caused O'Connell and four of his chief associates, Messrs. Steele, Reynolds, Barrett, and Lawless, to be arrested by a State warrant, on a charge of conspiring to evade the proclamation act. This measure occasioned great excitement in Dublin, which continued at the date of the last accounts. On Christmas day, the Archbishop of Rheims (Cardinal Latil), presided at the celebration of the popish ceremonies, in the Roman Catholick Chapel of Edinburgh, having for attendants, the ex-king, Charles X., the duke and duchess of Angouleme, the duchess of Berri, and the duke of Bordeaux, with their suites. Were John Knox living, what would he say to this! There has been a small deficiency in the English revenue for the current year, but none that causes alarm. In some parts of England and Scotland, the operatives have lately found full employ, but at low wages. FRANCE. The trial of the ex-ministers of France was concluded on the 21st of December, and they were all sentenced to perpetual imprisonment, and to be deprived of their titles, dignities and privileges. In addition to this, the sentence pronounced on Polignac included transportation and civil death. In France, civil death, deprives a man of every civil and social right, dissolves his marriage, conveys his property to his heirs, and takes from him all control and direction in the education of his children. The unhappy man on whom this fearful sentence has been pronounced, is to be confined in the fortress of St. Michael, on a bleak, barren rock, near the coast of Normandy; his associates go together to Fort Ham in Picardy. What a change, in less than five months, from the highest honours short of royalty, to the lowest depths of contempt, degradation and infamy! To such changes are those distinctions exposed, for which the great and the wise of this world pant and strive, and keep the world in commotion. Happy is he who seeks that honour "which cometh from God only," and leaves the conflicts of ambition to its deluded votaries and victims. Great fears were entertained that the populace of Paris would break through all restraint, when it should be known that their importunate demand for the death of the ex-ministers had not been complied with. But the number and fidelity of the National Guards, under the wise arrangements of General Lafayette, who went and lodged with the prisoners during the night they remained in Paris after their trial, preserved the city in perfect peace; and the next morning, at a very early hour, they were transferred without interruption to the castle of Vincennes, where their sentence was read to them, by two commissioners from the court of Peers. On Friday evening, December 24th, three days after sentence had been pronounced on the ex-ministers, a resolution was passed by the Chamber of Deputies, declaring the office held by General Lafayette, as commander-in-chief of the National Guards, unnecessary. The consequence of this vote, if it had been approved by other branches of the government, would of course have been the removal of the General from the command of that body. The General, however, after a consultation with his friends, resigned his commission into the hands of the king, in a letter, in which he declared that, in resuming his station as a simple soldier of the revolution, he was determined by all the means still at his disposal to support the throne, and the principles which had grown out of the events of July. The king, upon receiving General Lafayette's letter, immediately sent for (as he called him) "his old and long attached friend." The call was promptly obeyed, and a long interview was the result. They parted, late in the day, on terms of warm and mutual respect. Much, excitement, however, was produced in Paris, particularly among the students of the Polytechnic school. On Monday a number of the students, in defiance of the frowns of superior authority, went in a body to General Lafayette's private house, to express to him their cordial regard. On the same day, he informed the Chamber of Deputies, that he had resigned his commission. We wish we had space to give his whole speech, of considerable length, on the occasion. He told them that "he had always considered the post of commander-in-chief of the National Guards of France as incompatible with a constitutional monarchy; which had led him, in 1790, when solicited to accept it by three millions of National Guards, to apply to the "Constituent Assembly to issue a decree to forbid his acceptance"-that the memorable events of July, had induced him to accept this command, "always retaining the intention of laying it down, as soon as he was satisfied that it was no longer necessary for him to retain it, earlier if peace remained unbroken, but at a later period if war ensued." He told them, however, that he would not have resigned his command till after the trial and sentence of the ex-ministers; and intimated than it had been somewhat hastened by their act, and by finding that his retaining it had given some umbrage. He declared that he resigned it cheerfully, and even felt himself relieved from some embarrassment in speaking as a deputy, now that he should sustain that character without any other influence or authority. Such was the purport of his speech. He soon after addressed a very affectionate farewell letter to the National Guards, in which he recommends a ready obedience to his successor, Count Lobau, who, (we believe on his recommendation,) had been appointed by the king; to whom the resignation of Lafayette appears to have occasioned unfeigned regret. In a word, our country's friend has in this, as in every other instance, sustained his character as a pure and dignified patriot. There was probably some intriguing to get him to resign his commission, in the manner and at the time it took place; but we see no evidence that his influence, or popularity, is diminished. The king immediately published an address to the National Guards, in which he expressed bis regret at the retirement of General Lafayette, and then announced his successor. Since the foregoing occurrences, the Chambers have been busily employed in a variety of concerns, important to the country; such as a new election law-acts in regard to the military establishment, &c.-but of these we cannot give a detail. There have also been changes in the ministry; and the last accounts state that the prime minister, La Fitte, who was at the head of the most noted banking house in France, has publickly announced that he has resigned all connexion with that establishment. On the whole, the prospect for France still seems to be auspicious. Louis Philip has positively, but very courteously, refused the request of the Belgic Congress, to permit his son to be chosen king of Belgium. |