St. John's are the following mission- the benefit which their negroes would and the Sabbath School affords much receive from religious instruction, con- encouragement. It is frequented on tributed a handsome sum towards the an average by about 100 children. erection of the necessary buildings. The two principal teachers appear to The difficulty of procuring stones be truly devoted to their work. At was for some time a considerable hindrance to the work; but at length a quarry was opened, about three quarters of a mile from the spot, and the missionaries obtained such kind assistance from the masons, carpenters, Wright and Bayne. and laborers, belonging to their neighbors, that their church (a substantial bert, esq. who had experienced the well built edifice, 64 feet by 30 in the clear) was solemnly consecrated on the 6th of December, 1818. In the year 1769, Nathaniel Gil saving power of the Gospel in England, became a resident of this island; and whilst deploring the spiritual conTo this new settlement, which the dition of the persons by whom he brethren named Newfield, two others was surrounded, he felt an earnest were subsequently added, in the year desire for their welfare. His first ef 1822; one at Cedar Hall, and the forts, were confined to a few individother at Mountjoy: and it is peculiarly uals, whom he invited to assemble in pleasing to add, that in each of these his own house on the Sabbath-day; stations large congregations were col- but finding his exertions were evilected, many were joined to the church by baptism, and the word of God appears to have been followed with an abundant blessing. dently blessed of God, he went forth boldly, and preached the Gospel to the poor benighted negroes, notwithstanding the situation he held as speaker of the House of assembly. Mr. Gilbert continued to labor, without any abatement of ardor, or any diminution of success, till the period of his decease; but as he had no means of appointing a successor in his spiritual office, his bereaved flock were left as sheep without a shepherd In 1778, On the 11th of July, 1823, the United Brethren celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of their church at St. John's; when it appeared that there had been baptized and received into the congregation at that town, 16,099 negroes, young and old; and that 35 male, and as many female, missionaries had been em- for nearly twenty years. ployed in the important service of however, Mr. John Baxter, a member making known to their benighted fel- of the Wesleyan connexion in Engfow-creatures the way of salvation. land, removed to Antigua, for the And it was stated by the Rev. C. F. Richter, that, between Easter 1822 and Easter 1823, 408 adult negroes had been baptized or received into the congregation at St. John's; 104 at Grace Hill; 40 at Grace Bay; 115 at Newfield; and 89 at Cedar Hall; forming a total of 765 in the year; and during the same period, 482 were admitted, in the different settlements, to the Holy Communion. purpose of working as a shipwright in the service of Government; and shortly after his arrival took upon himself, in the intervals of his employment, the care of the remains of Mr. Gilbert's Society. Through the superintendance of Mr. Baxter, the assistance of Mrs. Gilbert, and the subordinate instrumentality of an old Irish emigrant, who had been providentially led to The following is the last report, the island towards the close of 1783, which we have seen of the state of things went on prosperously; so that this mission:-1058 communicants, these individuals had under their care 592 baptized children, 296 candidates upwards of 1000 members, chiefly for baptism or reception, 420 new blacks, who appeared to be earnestly people, and about 300 who are at pre-stretching forth their hands towards sent under church discipline; mak- God. Many new places were opening a total under the care of the ed, and requests were made for missionaries of 3116 souls. The ser- preaching, with which Mr. Baxter vices on the Sabbath are well attended, could not possibly comply. 66 came forward on this occasion in the most handsome manner; but from others we received hard words, and stern repulses." In the month of January, 1787, One well-informed man, of whom I Dr. Coke, after mature deliberation, inquired, took up a book, and said, resolved that Mr. Warrener, one of Sir, with this book in your hand, the missionaries originally appointed you will do more to prevent rebellion, to Nova Scotia, should remain in An- than all the King's men.' tigua; and Mr. Baxter avowed his The latter part of 1818 was unusudetermination of resigning the lucra- ally sickly; and early in the ensuing tive situation which he held as under year Mr. Woolley was compelled, by storekeeper in English Harbor, for indisposition, to go to Bermuda; the express purpose of devoting him- while Mr. Jones, a promising misself unreservedly to the work of the sionary, was removed by death. ministry. In 1820, a hurricane occurred in Two years afterwards it appeared Antigua, which, though it did little that Mr. Warrener, during the com- comparative injury in the island, carparatively short period of his resi- ried away the two Wesleyan schooldence on the island, had been made rooms in the town of Parham. Inthe instrument of adding 1000 mem- deed, as they were only what is termbers to the society, who were dwell-ed wattled buildings, they could not be ing together in the spirit of love. expected to resist a strong wind. In April, 1816, the island of An- The committee, therefore, resolved to tigua was placed under martial law, exert themselves in order to raise a in consequence of an insurrection durable edifice, 60 feet in length by which had recently broken out in 25 in breadth. It was accordingly Barbadoes. Mr. Woolley, one of the commenced, and a subscription was Wesleyan missionaries, on hearing opened to defray the expense of its that the militia of the colony was erection. "Some of the respectable called out, went, in company with inhabitants," says one of the missionhis colleagues, to the president, and aries, offered their services in any way that might be deemed beneficial to the government. "His honor," says Mr. Woolley, "thanked me for the offer, In February, 1821, a missionary soand observed that we could render ciety was formed in St. John's; when more important service than that of a very lively interest was excited, bodily exercise. I assured him, in re- and the subscriptions and collections turn, that nothing on our part should amounted to about 931 currency, exbe wanting to do away any bad im-clusive of a quantity of trinkets thrown pressions which the present painful into the boxes. Previous to the close report might have produced. It is of the year, the hearts of the brethren not more strange than true, that some at Antigua were gladdened by the persons think religion seditious, and conversion of a Mohammedan negro, that the implantation of religious prin- who was publicly baptized by Mr. ciples in the minds of the negroes is Whitehouse, renouncing all the decalculated to bring about revolt. The lusions of the false prophet. subjects of such sentiments, however, On the 23d of September, 1822, a are ignorant of the nature of religion, new place of worship, called Zion and utter strangers to its influence. Chapel, was opened at Zion-hill, the A gentleman, who entertained these estate of the Hon. J. D. Taylor; and ideas, assembled his negroes, and told on the 1st of December, in the same them what had happened at Barba- year, Mr. Whitehouse laid the foundoes; when, to his astonishment, they |dation stone of another chapel in Wilobserved, Massa, dem no have reli- loughby Bay, in which ceremony the gion den.' I have been at some Moravian missionary assisted; while pains to discover whether any of our the negroes connected with his conpeople's minds have received an un- gregation at Newfield brought severfavorable bias from the alarming re-al loads of stone in carts, and many ports in circulation; and am happy of them were ready squared. in being able to state, that I found in From the last report of the Antigua them no disposition even to murmur district, the following particulars are at their situation, much less to rebel. I taken : 6 St John's. Number in society; 19 Divine blessing, many happy effects. whites, 296 free-colored, 446 slaves, Alluding to one of the estates, Mr. 78 admitted during the year. Many Thwaites says, "We have among us have experienced the comforts of the several young men and women, who Gospel of the Son of God in their grew up in the school, and maintain last hours. unblemished characters. What a Parham. The members are gen-contrast to past times, when it seemerally growing in grace, and in the ed as though slavery and unchastity knowledge of Christ. Number in were inseparable! We have gone to Society, 975, of whom 3 are whites, Lynch's on Sunday evenings, in time 17 free-colored, and 955 slaves; 29 marriages, 35 deaths. Sion Hill. In Society 292, of whom 288 are slaves, and 4 free-colored. past, when our ears have been saluted with the sound of the fiddle and the dance; but now the fiddle is no longer heard-the dance is abolishedWilloughby Bay. During the year, and hymns and spiritual songs are 30 members died, and some were often resounding from the little ones. drawn aside into the paths of dissipa- This improvement of the children has tion. The congregations on the es- had an effect on the elder slaves; not tates have been very good. In So- only are the fiddle and dance abolishciety, 664, of whom 633 were slaves, ed on sundays, but they crowd the 29 free-colored, and 2 whites. house of prayer, and are thankful for English Harbor. In society, 189, the care taken of their little ones. of whom 10 were whites, 123 free- Some of these pious parents express colored, and 56 slaves. Total, num-themselves in a very affecting manber in the whole circuit, 2881, of ner, in gratitude to God, and in praywhom 2378 are slaves, 469 free color- ing for blessings on the teachers." ed, 34 whites. The schools are of Other agents have been sent to the three kinds, Noon and Night schools; aid of these successful instructors. Infant schools, and Sunday schools From the Report for 1825-6, it appears The noon and night schools are held that here were 15 schools; containby teachers living on the estates. ing, of colored people, 15 men, 8 woThey are 30 in number, in which are men, 88 boys, and 77 girls; and of taught 1128 scholars. The infant Blacks, 96 men, 65 women, 621 boys, schools are 8 in number, in which are 712 girls; total, 1682. Since then, daily taught 194 children, by female however, the number of children in teachers. The progress, which these attendance has been much diminishlittle children have made is truly ed. No reports have been lately rewonderful. The Sunday schools are ceived from these schools. 3 in number, in which are taught ANTRIM, a maritime county in 1432 children. The total number in Ulster, Ireland. Population, in 1821, the various schools in the island of 269,856. This county is much enAntigua is 1799, including 80 adults. cumbered with bogs and morasses, Mr. Wm. Dawes, a member of the though it enjoys a tolerable air. It committee of the C. M. S, being has a great natural curiosity on the about to settle in Antigua in 1814, N. coast, called the Giant's Causewas, at his own request, accredited way, which projects 600 feet into the as a gratuitous catechist and corres- sea. It is formed of above 3000 perpondent. In 1817, Mr. Charles pendicular pillars of basaltes, standThwaites, who was accompanied by ing in contact with each other, and his wife, was also appointed superin- exhibiting a sort of polygon pavement, tendent of schools, and assistant cat- somewhat resembling the appearance echist. At this time there were three of a solid honeycomb. There are 9 stations-English Harbor, Bethesda, preaching places of the W. M. S. in and the Hope; and the work was this station, and 135 members in soaided by Wm. Anderson and his wife, ciety, being an increase of 25 in resident teachers of color. Between 1830. One Sabbath school has been that period and 1823, the number of commenced, containing 57 children. schools was increased to ten; contain- ARCOT, a city of Hindoostan, the ing 774 boys, 1029 girls, and 133 nominal capital of the Carnatic. adults. These means had, under the the vicinity are celebrated temples, In visited by numerous pilgrims: 57 m. from Madras, E. long 79° 29', N. lat. 12° 52'. The missionaries at Bellary, connected with the L. S., have been useful to the inhabitants, by the distribution of tracts. two ministers, and the Episcopalians, 1 minister. ARMENIA, an Asiatic country, containing 106,000 square miles, formerly divided in Armenia Major and Minor. The first, which is the modern Turcomania, and is sometimes called ARKANSAS, a territory of the Armenia, lies S. of Mount Caucasus, United States, bounded N. by the and comprehends the provinces Erzeterritory and state of Missouri, E. by room, Kars and Van which extend over the Mississippi, which separates it 33,770 square miles, and have 950,000 from the states of Tennessee and Mis- inhabitants, and also the Persian prosissippi, S. by Louisiana and Mexi- vince Erivan. Armenia Minor, now co, and W. by Mexico. Length from called Aladulia or Pegian, belongs to E. to W., 550 m. ; mean breadth about the Turks, and is divided between the 220 m.; square miles about 120,000, pachalics Meraghe and Sivas. Armebetween lon. 90° and 100° W.; lat. nia is a rough mountainous country, 32° 40' and 36° 30' N. This is the which has Caucasus for its northern usual statement of the size of the ter- boundary, and in the centre is traversritory; but the limits of what is pro-ed by branches of the Taurus to which perly called Arkansas territory have belongs Mount Ararat. This mountain been lately reduced, so that it now has two summits, one of which is concontains about 45,000 square miles. siderably higher than the other, and as Population in 1810, 106; in 1820, it is always covered with snow, it 14,273; slaves 1617; in 1830, 30,- must have an elevation of more than 388, of whom 4578 are slaves. It is 10,000 feet. At this mountain the divided into 23 counties. Little boundaries of the three kingdoms. Rock is the seat of government. The Russia, Persia, and Turkey, meet, Arkansas flows through a central the inhabitants consist of genuine part; the Mississippi forms the east- Armenians, of Turcomans, who pass ern, and the Red River a part of the a wandering life in the plains, and of southern boundary. The country be- a few Turks, Greeks, and Jews. The tween the Ozark mountains and the Armenians are a sober and temperate Mississippi is low and level, and in nation, and are chiefly occupied in many places liable to inundation. To commerce, which, in Turkey is althe N. W. of these mountains, the most entirely in their hands. Most of country consists mostly of extensive them are Monophosytes in religion. prairies without trees, except on the Their doctrine differs from the Orthoborders of the streams of water. dox chiefly in their admitting only The soil on the rivers is exceedingly one nature in Christ, and believing fertile, but, in other parts, much of it the Holy Spirit to issue from the Fa is sterile. There is in general a great ther alone. Their hierarchy differs scarcity of water. The climate is sub- little from that of the Greeks. The ject to violent extremes of heat and catholicos, or head of the church has cold, and is unhealthy to new settlers. his seat at Etschmiazim, a monastery The Arkansas river is navigable for near Erivan, the capital of the Perboats at some seasons 1980 m.; its sian Armenia, on Mount Ararat. The whole length following its windings Armenians surpass all the kindred is 2170 m. The principal tribes of Monophosyte sects in information. Indians in this territory are the Osages, The G, M. S. have three stations in Cherokees, Choctaws, Quapaws, Ca- Armenia, which we shall notice in does, &c. Missions have been es-order. "The labors of our missionatablished among some of these tribes, ries," say the Committee, "are inwhich we shall notice under their ap- creased in extent and importance, propriate heads. The Methodists in and the blessing of God is evidentthis territory have 7 preachers and ly resting upon them. Through the 983 members; the Baptists 1 associa- last conclusion of peace between tion, 8 churches, 2 ministers, and 88 Russia and Persia, not only their communicants; the Romanists sever-boundaries are sure and fixed, but al priests; the Presbyterians one or also entrances for missionaries are opened into the very heart of western which is eligibly situated at the Asia and we deeply feel our great mouth of the Arracan river. The want of means to send ministers of whole number of native members of Christ into these inviting regions." the church in full communion, acThe emperor of Russia has recently cording to the last report, is 71; but given a free toleration to the mission- of these not quite one half are fixed aries in Armenia. This is justly con- in the Christian colony. About 20 sidered as a most important decision. still remain at the old stations, and See Karass, Madcha, and Shusha. 14 are in the town of Arracan. There In the early part of 1830, Rev. are also about 30 members at a place Messrs. Eli Smith, and H. G. O. called Kaptai, under the government Dwight, missionaries of the A. B. C. of an independent chief, who being F. M. left Malta, on an exploring exceedingly inimical to the Gospel, tour into Armenia. They visited To- has for several years effectually precat, Erzeroom, Tiflis, Shusha, Etsch- vented all intercourse between these miazim, &c. They reached Malta people and the brethren. The enmion the 2nd of July, 1831. They ex-ty of the human heart has displayed ecuted their arduous commission with itself here as in other places; yet Mr. entire satisfaction to the Board. The Fink has found a frankness of inquiry results of their labors are not yet fully and an earnest attention, which are known. ARROO, five islands in the Indian Ocean, to the S. and W. of New Guinea, extending from 5° 30' to 70 0'S. lat., with narrow channels between them. Population between 19,000 and 20,000 souls. exceedingly encouraging. The Arracanese are essentially the same as the Birmans, and have no caste; and, compared with the Hindoos, have but a limited number of objects of idolatrous worship. Besides the native Christians, a The inhabitants being very desirous number of heathen Arracanese have to receive Christian instruction, Mr. been admitted into the colony as reKam, of the L. S., sent them a native sidents. They, however, comply teacher, who had been previously prepared for the employment, at the seminary which he had erected for the purpose, in Amboyna. with such regulations as Mr. Fink sees fit to appoint, and they have the Gospel regularly preached to them, and their children will receive a ARRACAN, a province in the W. Christian education in the school. part of the Birman empire, S. E. of Tuesdays and Saturdays have been Bengal, on the eastern coast of the fixed as market days; the shops are sea of Bengal, between Rangoon and open on the other days of the week, Chittagong Length 500 m.; breadth with the exception of the Sabbath, from 10 to 200. Population between when there is a cessation of all public 2 and 3 millions. The country is business. fertile, and the mountains are covered with perpetual verdure. Meearung, one of the preachers, is stationed in the colony, and both conThe inhabitants are idolaters, and ducts public worship and teaches the worship of images made of clay. Ar- the school, which is held in the chapracan was formerly an independent el erected by the people themselves. kingdom, but surrendered to the Bir- The other preachers are devoted to the man empire in 1783; since which general diffusion of the Gospel; and time it has been subject to a viceroy, one of them, by rotation, is usually in appointed by the Birman government. the town of Arracan. As the counIn 1826, Arracan, with three other try is much intersected by rivers and provinces was ceded to the British. creeks, Mr Fink has purchased and Arracan, the principal city, is situ- fitted up a small boat in which the ated on a river of the same name, in brethren can convey themselves to a E. long. 93° 6', N. lat. 20° 47'. It is number of important places at consaid to be 15 m. in circumference, siderable distances from their homes; and to contain 160,000 inhabitants. and hitherto they have met with no Land has been granted to the Bapt. unkind treatment from their countryS. for the establishment of a mission men, when thus engaged. These at Akyab, an island of this province, four brethren are supported by the |