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gardens to be separate on the banks of the river. About ten houses are finished; one of poles and reed, the same as those at Bethelsdorp; but, being new, have a better appearance. After harvest, they intend to build of brick; brother Ullbricht had a house half finished, in which religious service was held, but it contained so few, that the greater part of the people were obliged to sit out of doors; but poles having been fixed before for a church, I advised them to preceed, and in about ten days a church was ready, 40 feet by

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The brethren complained of great lukewarmness among the members of the church, and inconsistency of conduct; and before I administered the Lord's Supper, a sister was excluded for quarrelling, and long neglect of the means of grace. The above decayed state of things I ascribe partly to the loss of means; the Lord's Supper, that they used to enjoy every Lord's Day at Bethelsdorp, had not been administered for several months, on account of the abundant external work. Prayer and experimental meetings had been dispensed with, (take the breast from the child, the child will linger). A man, a few days before I left it, came under such strong impressions or convic tions, as I have never seen before; he could scarcely walk from church to his house; and on my way home, I found he had a few days before been guilty of stealing money and two wooden spoons from another Hottentot. What the issue will be, I know not.

It will be necessary to ordain brother Ullbricht. I proposed it to the members and himself; but I think ît best to make it a point to be discussed and determined upon at our Conference at Graaff Reinett next month, the proceedings of which will be forwarded to England immediately.

to Graham's Town, several of our poor youths, who had been compelled to military service, flew to me, and with many tears lamented their lot. I had, however, the satisfaction to hear, from several of the officers, that the recruits from our place, in general, far excelled those from other parts.

I received a letter from Griqua Town, of very important contents, a copy of which I enclose with a letter from brother Anderson to Mr. Burder. Accounts from Namaqua Land state, that brother Schmelen, who went away to the Damaras, had been five months absent, and no information had been obtained of him since his departure. I met with one of that nation in the Cape Regiment, who left the country when a boy he says, the language is very similar to that of the Namaqus, as likewise their customs and manners; I observe their colour is something blacker.

I visited Graham's Town and the different military posts in the neighbourhood, but found the work of God in a very low state. Captain Bogle, of the Cape Regiment, intended to march down his company every Sunday to Theopolis. When I came

A letter from our brother Thom informed me that he had commenced preaching in Duteh ; and that on a journey to Koude Bokkeveld, he had collected upwards of 300 rix dollars for the Society. I and brother Corner think of setting out on the 25th for Graaff Reinett. I intend to take some iron, locks, hinges, &e. of ours, in part to supply the place of those lost, according to a former account. We sent three waggons away to Snow Mountains, but we have received information that they have as yet not succeeded in getting corn; and we are much grieved to hear that one of the waggoners hurt himself on the road and died at Graaff Reinett. His left his wife and two small children at Bethelsdorp.

Previously to going to Theopolis, I proposed to the brethren the propriety of setting apart two of our Hottentot brethren as elders; and instead of one, two deacons and two deaconesses. This was agreed to, and the choice fell on the brethren Cupido and Samson, as elders; and for deacons, Jan Valentyn and Andries Pretorins; and for deaconesses, Ruster Martha Pretorious and Annaatye Janmager; the last well

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known to Mr. Campbell, and I trust their services will be a blessing to the church.

I don't know what to say about the work of God here. If I should say it stands still, I should speak an untruth; but I should like to see it flourish more. There are numbers under conviction, and many have been a long time in that state; but they have been neglected. Experimental meetings, and administration of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, are of the utmost importance in a mission, that we keep pace, if I may so express myself, with the Lord in conversion. It is detrimental to the prosperity of a church, when there is one soul converted, and that person remains unknown to the church. At Jerusalem, "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved;' that is, the Lord converted them, and the apostles and elders received them into the church by baptism. The neglect of this may arise from two causes; 1st, an unconcern about the salvation of sinners. Such Ministers or Missionaries think they do enough if they preach the gospel. It may arise, 2dly, from a concern that hypocrites should be kept away; this concern may go to extremes, and be used by the enemy to the great disadvantage of the cause of Christ. I speak because I stand guilty before God. We have several that we intend to receive among us, among whom is a Caffre woman, who cannot speak a word of Dutch; but the Lord has made her understand him, and she is seeking him very earnestly. The experience of several would be interesting, but time is too short. Brother Ullbricht wishes to have a few carpenters' tools, the list of which I will enclose.

Please to give my kindest love to dear Mr. Campbell, and the Directors in general.-I am, Dear Brethren and Fathers, yours most affectionately, J. READ.

P. S. The deceased wife of brother Jantz was of a most amiable disposition, and of good parts; only her colour could distinguish her from a European. Sincerity was visible in her countenance. She was to brother

Jantz a disciple, a convert, and a wife. We see the Lord is the same in Africa as in England; his people have the same hope, the same ground of hope, the same joys, &e. May we be the followers of her who now, through faith and patience, is inheriting the promises.

We have a sore drought, no rain for many months, provisions enormous. The Missionaries will require additional support; please to write on this head.

Ir will be recollected that before Mr. Campbell left the Little Namaqua land, he requested Mr. Schmelen, one of the Missionaries, to undertake a journey of discovery. He was to explore the mouth of the Great River, and to find, if possible, whether ships could enter it from the sea, and so supplies be obtained for the stations in the interior; he was also to examine whether any other river emptied itself into the sea from the Namaqua country. He was then to penetrate, if possible, into the Damara country, which lies north of the Great River, and obtain information concerning its inhabi tants, and also of the regions northward of them, of whom as yet little is known but their name.

Mr. Schmelen readily undertook this dangerous journey. But not having been heard of for several months, painful apprehensions were entertained as to his safety. These, however, have been happily relieved, by a letter just received from him; an extract from which follows:

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Klip Fountain, July 29, 1814. My last, dated May 10, I hope has come to hand. I was then of opinion that after I should have finished my journey in the Namaqua country, I should return to the Great River, and begin a Mission there; but since I was there, Titus Africanus has made a fresh assault among the Great Namaquas, destroyed several of their Kralls, and stolen some thousands of their cattle and sheep. Most of them are now poor, and have scarcely any thing to live upon. They have taken refuge in the place where I now am.

These people, with another Chief called Flemerius, entreat me not to forsake them in their present circumstances. Africanus has terrified them by a message, threatening that he would come and take off their skins to make shoes of, that he would cut off their heads, and the breasts of the women, &c. &c. They are so alarmed that they say if I leave them, they must remove entirely from the country.

When I heard of this, I went to the abode of Africanus, in order to reason with him, and if possible to restore peace; but before I reached his Krall he had left home for several days, and circumstances would not allow me to follow him.

I have received a letter from brother Helm, stating that he wishes to remove from his present station, on account of the extreme heat of the place, which is injurious to his health and desiring me to find a place more airy, and nearer the sea. I have written to him that if he continued in the same mind, he might commence a Mission near the mouth of the Great River, to which I presumed brother Read and the Directors would have no objection. If brother Helm should decline this proposal, some other Missionary should be sent thither, by the first opportunity. Two more Missionaries are requisite for the Chiefs, Tsaumap, Tsaugamap, and Karramap, whom I have seen and conversed with. They are very desirous of being instructed, and are now on their way towards Morast Fountain, which is their own country, about three days journey from hence. I have not seen the place myself, but have heard from those who have lived there some years, that it is a proper place for a Missionary station. I think that Missionaries should not be frightened away by the roarings of Titus Africanus, but boldly enter into the field of the Lord, believing that he is able to protect them from all danger.

On the 18th of May, I left the Great River, continually travelling northward, though with great difficulty, but I was not able to come near the sea, on account of the mountains, and the scarcity of wa

ter. Sometimes I have been in a dismal wilderness for a fortnight together, without meeting one human creature. I continued travelling north as far as it was possible, when on the 5th of July, I could proceed no further, and was obliged to turn my aggon southward. I was then entirely surrounded by wars, yet the Lord preserved me and my people from all danger.

I have not seen any considerable fountain, except that where I now am; but I have heard of some very good ones, in and near the Gandemmap country; and of one river called Kooisip; and there must be a haven somewhere, where ships anchor; and the chief of the Damara country told me of an island near that country, where ships sometimes anchor, and exchange their iron for the cattle of the natives.

I shall add the names of the several chiefs whom I visited on my journey since I left Peila. David Barly lives at the mouth of the Great River Flemerius :

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Great Namaquas. Kobus Frederick-where I now reside.

Nannimap: Koerissimap,-much people.

Kannaman arrisip (Field shoe wearers)-much people. Haikammap-Kooweosip.

Tsaumap.
Tsaugamap.
Karramap.
Kárramap.
Aimap.

Kanmaa-Tsawvep.

With all these I have conversed, and find them very desirous of being instructed; but I have not proper places for them all to settle. I think that the eyes of the Directors must be more directed to the Fish River, for a multitude of people dwell there in the dry season.

The particulars of my journey I shall send by the first opportunity. Remember me in your prayers before God. H. SCHMELIN.

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EDINBURGH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, By a letter from Mr. Paterson, dated Karass, July 27, the Directors are informed, that in pursuance of

the resolution mentioned in the letter of the 8th June, Messrs Mitchell and Fraser left Georghievsk on the 30th of that month, and were to proceed towards Orenberg, by Sarepta and Saratof.

On the 17th, a Mr. Rath from Petersburgh, visited the settlement. He was sent by the Minister of the Interior, to enquire into the situation of the Missionaries, and to learn from them what they conceived Government could do for them, either at Karass or in a new station. He stayed two days with them, inspected every thing connected with the Colony, and then went to Constantinogorski, where he was to remain a few weeks. He left with them a number of questions which the Minister wished to have answered, from which it appears that the Russian Government are desirous, that the Colony should be continued there, and will do every thing for its protection and support.

CRIMEA-A few days before Mr. Paterson wrote, he had received a letter from Mr. Belugin from Perekop, in the Crimea, informing him that Mr. B. had received the copies of the Turkish New Testament, and had begun to distribute them; that the people received them willingly and thankfully; and that several persons had applied for copies, which he was under the necessity of refusing, as he had but few, and wished in the first instance to give them to those who he thought would make the best use of them. Mr. B. also mentioned, that a number of Tartars in the Crimea, live among the Russians and Greeks, and have embraced the Christian religion. "He seems, " says Mr. Paterson, to be a pious man, and is much interested in the spread of the Gospel."

With regard to their visit to As trachan, Messrs. Dickson and Galloway thus write:

"We carried along with us one hundred and four Turkish New *Testaments, all of which were given away as you will learn from our Journal. The longer we stayed in Astrachan, there seemed to be the greater demand for new Testaments, and a considerable number of people asked for copies after we had no

more to give them. When we con sider the great number of Mahommedans who visit Astrachan, through the course of the year, we cannot but consider it as a very central situation for the circulation of the New Testament, and have no doubt but that several hundred of copies might be given away to strangers, by whom they would be carried into the Go vernments of Kazan, Penza, Sinbersk, and Saratov, from all which places, many Tartars annually come. The wandering tribes of Mahommedans on the east of the Wolga, even to the river Ural, come to Astrachan to sell hides, felts, and furs of various kinds, and to purchase whatever they need. To these might be given copies of the New Testament to carry along with them, on their return to their respective places of abode. All the Mahommedan tribes on the west side of the Wolga, as far as Daghestan, and Mosdok, might be supplied in the same way. Copies might also be sent thence to the northern provinces of Persia, where the Turkish language prevails, and be given also to many Bucka rians, Turkomans, who occasionally, visit this city of merchants."

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"We cannot say that any of the Tartars in Astrachan ever discover ed any liking to our religion, on the contrary many of them contradicted and blaspemed, and not a few mocked, used rough language, and ordered us away when we endeavoured to recommend to them the Gospel of Jesus. Yet, upon the whole, we succeeded far beyond our own expectations in distributing New Testaments, and are fully convinced that it is a place that ought not to be neglected. Our object is perfectly well known to many Tartars there, and all the alarm is already caused that would likely take place, till such time as some might begin to renounce their religion altogether. Speaking publicly to the people, would of course become so common, that no one would be surprised at it.-Armenians, and even Russians, who know the Tartar language, have been present at our conversations, and recommended the reading of the New Testament to the Tartars. It may be, for any thing we have seen to

the contrary, that Astrachan may not only be preferable to Siberia for missionary labours, but even equal to the most eligible station, which could be found in all Russian Tartary.

By a letter which the Secretary has received from Mr. Pinkerton at Petersburgh, the grateful intelligence is received, that the ten copies of the Tartar New Testament, which the Missionaries at Karass had, in compliance with the request of the Petersburgh Bible Society, sent to Mr. Belugin, for distribution, in the Crimea, had reached that gentleman, who in his letter of acknowledgement to his Excellency Mr. Popoff, one of the Secretaries of the Petersburgh Society, communicates the following most interesting intelligence, concerning the manner and effects of their reception.

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'Forgive me," says he, that I have not written to you sooner, on account of my not having had an interview with the Mufti. But now I have had the honour of seeing him, and of presenting him with a copy of the Tartar New Testament, which he accepted with exultation, and many expressions of gratitude. After we had much conversation, and many explanations, he expressed a desire to become a member of the St. Petersburgh Bible Society, and has subscribed annually, fifty rubles. He begged me to make known this his resolution to your Committee, and pro

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INTELLIGENCE FROM ORENBERG.

By a letter received since last month, from Messrs. Mitchell and Fraser, dated Orenberg 29th August, the Directors have the satisfaction to learn, that they reached that place on the 1st of August, having accomplished their journey from Karass, without difficulty, and in perfect safety; that they received every protection and encouragement from Prince Volkonsky, the General Governor of the Province, in looking out for an eligible Missionary station, and have no reason to doubt but that a Mission might be estab lished in that city, with considerable security, and prospect of success.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

COMPENDIUM.-(Continued from our last.)

Net Annual Receipta and Expenditures of the Society to the 31st of March, 1814

Receipts, including

Sales of Bib. & Test.

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Expenditure.

L. 8.

691 10 2

1,637 17 5 5,053 18 3

12,206 10 35

Seventh Year..................... 25,998 31

43,532 12 5
0

Eighth Year.
Ninth Year........................ 76,455 1
Tenth Year......................... 87,216 6 9

Total amount...................................L.299,287 11 1

11,289 15 3
23,337 0 21

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