distributed by other Agents and by the American Bible Society. A fact is stated in the last Report of the American Society which is painfully illustrative of the extreme want of the Scriptures in Spanish America :

From one State, that of Chihuahua, bordering on our own territory, Letters have been received, soliciting, with much earnestness, a quantity of Bibles and Testaments for the supply of that State. The writer of these Letters is a citizen of the United States-a man of public education, and now occupying a public station in Chihuahua. His official duties have led him into every part of the State; and his opinion is, that, among its 121,000 inhabitants, not more than six or eight copies of the Spanish Bible can be found! He hears frequent inquiries for this Book.

At the other extreme of Spanish America the want of the Scriptures is nearly as deplorable. The Rev. Theophilus Parvin and Mr. Garcia, in Buenos Ayres, have carried the Scriptures from house to house, and found multitudes of the people not only destitute of them, but utterly ignorant of their contents. Yet, even there, a wide door is open, and no opposition has succeeded in closing it.

It is a highly encouraging fact, which we state on the authority of Mr. Matthews, that, when the Scriptures are purchased, they are attentively read: he has had himself abundant evidence that this is the case.

It is stated, that more than nine-tenths of those who read are Young Persons, while no proper books can be found in Spanish for children and the young. This subject was pressed very strongly on the Religious-Tract Society by the Rev. W. Torey, of Buenos Ayres: the Committee have, in consequence, entered on a course for the supply of this want, and have already printed 16 publications adapted to this important class, on whom the hopes for Spanish America must, under the blessing of God, mainly repose. Tracts, Sermons, and Children's Books, to the number of about 50,000, were sent to Spanish America by the Religious-Tract Society, in the course of its Thirtieth Year. Of these, 10,000-6000 of which were Books for the Young-were sent to Mexico. With respect to the 6000, a bookseller, on consulting the ecclesiastics and finding that no objection was made to them, took the whole quantity, intending to disperse them with the Almanacs of the New Year throughout the country; but, as soon as it was known in Mexico that such Books were on sale, they were all purchased on the spot. The Society is now shipping off 33,000 more.

The Spanish and French Translation Society has printed, in the year, 5600 copies chiefly of larger Works for the benefit of these Provinces. See pp. 213, 214 of our last Volume.

Guiana and the West Indies,

FROM the Reports of the different Societies engaged in benevolent exertions to meliorate in this world the lot of our afflicted Bondsmen, and to prepare them for that world where the cry of the oppressed shall be heard no more, we collect the following summary view of their proceedings.

The British and Foreign Bible Society has granted to different places, in the year, 775 Bibles and 2500 Testaments At 6 Stations, with 13 subordinate places, in Jamaica, the Baptist Miss. Society has 11 Missionaries: in April, the Members were 8440; being an increase, within the 21 months immediately preceding, of 2756-Mr. Bromley and Mr. Allsop, of the General Baptist Miss. Society, Mr. Hudson having returned on account of

health, continue to occupy, in Jamaica, 3 Stations, with branches: the Members have increased from 98 to 276, and Inquirers from 527 to more than 1000The Christian-Knowledge Society laments the difficulties which are still to be encountered, in Jamaica more especially, from the prejudices and fears of the planters, the political disputes and agitation, and the want of both Labourers and Funds: in the Diocese of Barba

North-American Indians.

The

THE proceedings of the Board of Missions among the Indians, by which Body the chief labours are carried on, were detailed at pp. 468-477 of our last Volume; and, at pp. 575-579, particulars were given of the Church Missionary Society's proceedings among the North-West Indians. whole body of Indians within the United States appears to be, according to a late estimate of the War Department, 309,292. Efforts are making to remove the chief bodies further westward; but the measures in progress for this end incur the severe reprobation of conscientious men. In truth, the United States, as it appears to us, are in a fearful crisis of their affairs. With respect to two large classes of their subjects-the Aborigines and the Slaves-they are on their trial before the Common Father and Lord of All: and their future condition will probably bear plain and undoubted testimony, either that their Injustice hath brought them under His avenging Hand, or their Equity hath conciliated His favour toward them as a Community.

In the last year, the American Government granted 7350 dollars for the Education of Indian Children. Of this sum, 6600 dollars were paid toward the support of 1180 children, taught at 40 Missionary Stations, belonging to 10 different Societies, at which the number of Labourers of all descriptions amounted to 270. The Superintendant of Indian Affairs, from whose Report these particulars are taken, says of the Schools

From the information which the correspondence of the Office affords, there is reason to believe that they all continue to advance, with increasing usefulness and prosperity.

Labrador.

UNITED BRETHREN.

Nain: 1771-Brn. Henn, Hertzberg, Lundberg, Meisner, Mentzel, Morhardt. Br. Mueller has retired, after a service of 35 years: Br. Lundberg has removed from Hopedale, to succeed him in the general superintendence of the whole Mission in Labrador-Of the state of the Mission at Nain the Brethren thus speak, in August: "During the last season, 14 children were born and baptized, and a youth baptized: 15 persons were admitted to the Holy Communion: three became candidates for baptism: four were received into the congregation: four couple were married: four adults and two children departed this life. The congregation consists of 237 persons; 101 being communicants, two for the time excluded; 38 baptized; 87 baptized children; two candidates for baptism; and 7 unbaptized persons. Though we may truly declare that we have cause to rejoice over the state of our congregation, yet we do it with trembling: there are some who are deficient in divine life, and we wish to see more fruits thereof intheir walk and conversation; but we bear them with patience, and hope the best."

Okkak: 1776-Brn. Beck, Glitsch,

Kmoch, Knauss, Stuerman-"The work of the Lord and His Spirit," the Brethren write, in September, "has been manifest. He has laid His blessing on the preaching of the Gospel: many of our people appear to have been truly converted, while others have increased in the knowledge of their Saviour: the meetings were well attended, and the Festival and Memorial Days were seasons of real blessing. We had, in general, reason to rejoice over the young people and children: they were diligent in learning to read, and in committing to memory texts of Scripture: the doctrine of the love of Jesus made a deep impression on their hearts. Thirteen adults were baptized, 15 added to the class of candidates, 14 admitted to the Holy Communion, and five admitted as candidates: four persons were received into the congregation, 20 children born and baptized; besides two born of unbaptized parents: 3 couple were married: six adults and nine children departed this life. The number of Esquimaux residing with us, including New People who are not yet baptized, is 388, of whom 114 are communicants."

Greenland.

UNITED BRETHREN.

BLESSED IS HE THAT READETH, AND THEY THAT HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, AND KEEP THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN THEREIN: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND. REV. i. 3.

CONCLUSION OF THE ANNUAL SURVEY.

Biography.

WHEN Converts from among Heathens die in the Faith, after an intelligent profession of Christianity and a walk worthy of the Gospel, it would be well if the Missionaries who witness such facts would put them on record; particularly in cases where any strength of character appears, or any especial exemplariness and usefulness of conduct. If attention were kept alive to this subject, it cannot be doubted that more records of this nature, than now appear, might be sent home from the numerous Missions established among the Heathen. We gladly avail ourselves of those which are accessible to us; as every such instance will be accounted, in the judgment of true Christians, an abundant recompence for all the sacrifices which can be made and for all the toil which can be encountered. In this point of view it is, that Memoirs and Obituaries of Converted Heathens acquire an interest, which they would not possess if the facts related to persons born and dying as members of a professed Christian Community.

OBITUARIES OF FIVE NATIVE CHRISTIANS.

WILLEM PLATJES, A HOTTENTOT.

The Rev. G. Barker, of Theopolis, one of the Stations of the London Missionary Society in South Africa, has sent home an account of the last days of one of his Native Communicants, the substance of which we here subjoin. Mr. Barker writes, July 19, 1828

I rode this morning to Long Fountain to see Willem Platjes, who was ill, but had been laid aside only for two days. He had just recovered from a fainting fit, as I entered the hut: he could speak, but his breath was short. I asked him how he felt with regard to his eternal interests: he said, "Christ is allsufficient, and He is all my hope." I observed to him, that he had served the Church of Christ faithfully for many years, and that his Saviour would not leave him in death: he looked at me very earnestly, and said, with great emphasis, "My services have been very imperfect, and on them I cannot depend: God is all-sufficient, and on Him I rest." We then conversed awhile on the nature of his complaint: he had discharged a great quantity of blood: he observed, that this gave him relief a little, but he was looking for relief in God's time. We then made arrangements as to his little property, which he described very minutely: he said he wished his wife to remain in

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the undisturbed possession of all. After a little more conversation, and commending him to God in prayer, I saw wife, and as we supposed fainting; but his head reclining on the bosom of his he instantly breathed out his soul without a struggle. I could not help saying, Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace!

Of this exemplary Christian Mr. Barker thus speaks:

He was a man of sterling piety, of gentle and inoffensive manners, and of unblemished conduct: he was a father in our Church. He was truly a peacemaker among us: his language always was, "Brethren and Sisters! be the least in the kingdom of God; for hoogheid (greatness) does not become the people who profess to be followers of the Saviour."

I was acquainted with him thirteen years, but never knew that he had a dispute with any one. Since I came here, he left the station but once, to hire himself; and he obtained from his master a good character, and much respect for his faithfulness. He was regular in his attendance on the public ordinances of religion, and served the Church faithfully for Christ's sake.

PHOOLEA RUNJEET, OF CHUNAR.

Some account appears, at p.3 .321 of our last Volume, of the baptism, by the Rev. W. Bowley, of the Church