Missionaries, who have gone forth to the Heathen in full confidence that the Society would continue to maintain them in the prosecution of their work? And have not these Servants of God, and their Families, a strong claim on our justice as well as on our liberality, for continued support? Never had the Society more ample Fields of Labour open before them, and more general encouragement to proceed. And never have its claims been publicly made known, without producing an increase to its resources. British Christians will not, we are persuaded, suffer this good work to languish for want of sufficient means to carry it on. The Committee address this Appeal to the whole body of the Society's Supporters, with the utmost confidence that the case needs only to be known in order to produce active and zealous exertions. Let every one do as he may be able; and the present deficiency will but act as a fresh impulse, and serve as a point from which far more enlarged liberality shall flow into the Treasury of the Society. There are yet many large Towns and Parishes in which little or nothing has been done in support of the Society; and if its various Friends would undertake to ascertain what openings there are in their respective neighbourhoods, and in what places it is probable that Associations might be formed, and at the same time endeavour to revive those which are languishing, there can be little doubt, from past experience, but that such efforts would tend to a large increase in the resources of the Society. It is hoped that the Secretaries of the Associations will, on the receipt of this Circular, summon an early Meeting of their respective Committees, for the purpose of considering what measures can be adopted for exciting an increased interest in behalf of the Society. E. BICKERSTETH, SecreT. WOODROOFFE, Š taries. Church Missionary Society House, London, Nov. 3, 1827. Senior Secretary, morning and evening: Coll. 717. 14s. 2d. Suffolk and Ipswich-Oct. 28: Sermons; at St. Margaret's, St. Mary Key, and St. Clement's, Ipswich, by Rev. J. D. Wawn; at St. Helen's (Ipswich), Tattingstone, and Chelmondiston, by Rev. John Perowne; and, at Wickham Market, by Rev. Joseph Julian -Oct. 29: Fourteenth Ann. Meeting of the Suffolk and Ipswich Association; Rev. Joseph Julian, Chn. In the evening, Meeting of Female Association; Rev. Francis Cunningham, Chn.-Oct. 30: Ann. Meeting of Stowmarket Branch; Rev. John Bull, Chn. Sermon at St. Mary Key, Ipswich; by Rev. Joseph Julian- Oct. 31: Ann. Meeting of Little Stonham Branch; Rev. John Wilcox, Chn.--Nov. 1: Ann. Meeting of Debenham Branch; Rev. G. Smalley, Chn.-Nov. 2: Ann. Meeting of Old Newton Branch; Rev. C. Bridges, Chn.: and Ann. Meeting of Nedging and Naughton Branch. Total Col lections, 120/ Deduct amount of Acceptances belonging to the preceding Year..... The Payments on account of the respective Missions were as follows: s. d. 210 O 0 6671 0 0 455 17 6 Madagascar Greek Islands.. China and Malacca. Singapore Pinang.. India within the Ganges. Java... South-Sea Islands. West-Indies 2521 15 7 983 7 7 471 16 9 2648 5 3 985 6 6 914 17 5 ..14,353 15 7 713 2 0 4700 8 11 609 10 9 Total... 36,239 3 10 Remarks on the State of the Funds. An Appeal on this subject was printed at pp. 153, 154: we subjoin some additional statements from the Report. That the reduction in the amount of the Ordinary Contributions for the past year, when compared with the amount of those for the year preceding, has not been greater, the Directors consider as a just cause for thankfulness and congratulation; for, although the late violent and unprecedented shock in the commercial world took place in the course of the year 1825-26, its effect on the community at large has been more extensively felt since that period. The most important consideration, however, in reference to the funds of the Society, relates to the great augmentation in its Expenditure. The increase for the year ending 31st March, 1826, compared with that of the preceding year, was 51287. 158. 3d.; the increase of the expenditure for the year 1826-27, compared with that of 1825-26, is 45921. 15s. 4d.: making a total increase in the Society's Expenditure on the past two years of no less a sum than 97214. 10s. 7d. While this statement confirms the propriety of the intimations which the Directors have, from time to time, considered it their duty to give, as to the necessity of the members of the Society keeping in view the increase in its PERMANENT EXPENDITURE, which every New Station formed or Missionary sent out unavoidably occasions, it at the same time demonstrates, that, without a very considerably enlarged future In come, the present scale of the Society's Missions cannot be maintained; and that the Directors, instead of being in a capacity to avail themselves of favourable openings for establishing New Missions or sending out Reinforcements, will find themselves under the necessity, from the want of adequate resources, of abandoning some of the Stations at present in a state of occupancy. Instead, however, of anticipating such result, they would cherish a steady confidence in the zeal, energy, and liberality at all times manifested by the members of the Society, and especially in seasons of exigency; with the hope that they will forthwith, in their respective vicinities, adopt such measures as may appear to them best adapted to increase its future income-such as, re-organizing existing Auxiliaries comparatively inefficient; forming new Societies or Associations, where such measure can with propriety be recommended; or by extending the circulation of the intelligence of the foreign operations of the Society, par. ticularly among opulent and benevolent individuals, resident in their respective vicinities, who, it may be presumed, take an interest in the exertions making to extend the light of Christianity and the benefits of Education to the inhabitants of Pagan Nations. The Missionaries who have been lately sent forth, including their families, amount to upward of Thirty Persons: in sending out this large addition to the great body of Missionaries already labouring in connexion with the Society, the Directors were influenced by important, and, in some cases, also by urgent considerations; and they doubt not their constituents will approve of the measures which they have been led to execute, and cheerfully provide for the increased annual outlay which will be eventually occasioned thereby. New and Re-organized Societies. Beside the re-organization of Thirty-four Female, Juvenile, and other Associations, the following NINETY-TWO New Societies and Associations have been formed Auxiliary Societies, 6-Congregational and other Branches, 23-Female, Juvenile, and other Associations, 43-Sunday-School Associations, 20. In reference to the Sunday-School Associations, the formation of which is chiefly due to the exertions of the Rev. Henry Townley, the Directors remark The preceding announcement, of so considerable an addition to the number of Auxiliary Institutions in connexion with the Society, cannot but prove highly gratifying to the present Meeting; and, particularly, as exhibiting a new and most interesting feature: we allude to the formation of Sabbath-School Associations, in union with Branch and other Auxiliary Societies. The Directors, adverting both to the benefit likely to result to children belonging to SabbathSchool Associations from being thus early trained to take an interest in the highest object of benevolence, and to that which will accrue from such Auxiliary Societies, in common with others, to the funds of the Society, consider it their duty earnestly to recommend the formation of Sabbath School Associations, where they do not at present exist and can with propriety be established. Labourers sent out during the Year. The following Missionaries &c. have proceeded, during the past year, to their respective places of destination: Mr. J. D. Pearson, on his return to Chinsurah-Mr. James Robertson, to BenaresMr. Jacob Tomlin, to Malacca-Mr. C. Hovenden, Printer, to Madagascar. Mr. H. Nott (on his return to Otaheite), Mr. Aaron Buzacott, and Mr. Alex. Simpson, to the South-Sea Islands - Mr. F. G. Kayser, to Caffraria - Rev. J. J. Freeman and Mr. John Canham (Missionary Artisan, on his return), to Madagascar — Mr. W. Miller and Mr. J. C. Thompson, Missionaries, and Mr. W. B. Addis, Superintendant of Schools, to South Travancore-Mr. W. Reeve, on his return to India, to Bangalore - Mr. H. Crisp, to Cuddapah Mr. Robert Jennings, to Chittore-Mr. S. Dyer, to Singapore-Miss Maria Newell, to Malacca. Missionary Seminary. The Committee appointed by the Board for the Annual Examination of the Students consisted of the following Directors -Rev. Dr. Waugh, Rev.G.Collison, Rev. Dr. Collyer, and Rev. Joseph Fletcher; whose report is alike creditable to the Students and their Tutors. The Students "read the Latin and Greek Classics with considerable accuracy and facility:" the result of their examination in Theology 66 was creditable to the justness of their views, and the feelings of their minds." In reference to the manner in which the Tutors have discharged the duties of their respective departments, the Committee express 66 their entire satisfaction; and anticipate the most beneficial consequences from their able and effective superintendence." The number of Students, chiefly juniors, at present in the College, is fourteen. State and Prospects of the Mission. The progressive advancement of the Missions in general, while it presents ample compensation for past labours, is calculated to inspire most pleasing ex. pectation as to the future. If we turn our eyes to the countries of the Eastern World, we observe in many parts a diminution of prejudice-a spirit of inquiry increasing-not a few of the Heathen renouncing idolatry and embracing Christianity; with other indications of an approaching change in the moral condition of the Pagan Natives of those extensive regions. The Missions of the Society within the Colony of the Cape are in a state of progressive improvement and usefulness; while, on its north-eastern boundary, Caffraria has begun to stretch forth her hands unto God. In Siberia and in the Mediterranean, in the Mauritius and the West Indies, Christianity and the benefits of Education are more or less disseminating; while in the latter two countries, among the slave population particularly, considerable numbers are thirsting for know. ledge, and earnestly availing themselves of the means of religious instruction placed within their reach by the instrumentality of this and especially of other Societies. In the South Seas, and in the Sandwich Islands, the light of truth is rapidly spreading; illuminating with its cheering and healing beams one island of the vast Pacific after another: already between Forty and Fifty Native Teachers, from the Georgian and Society Islands, are engaged in communicating the Gospel to the inhabitants of islands more or less distant from their own; and at least Fifty more are ready to go forth to other islands, where the Gospel is still unknown, on the same important errand, as soon as the means of conveyance, and of subsequent communication with them, shall be provided. AFRICAN INSTITUTION. State of the Slave Trade among the Euro- France. legislation for the repression of the Slave FRANCE has, at length, improved her Trade; and, although the measures which she has adopted are far from bethe case, they unquestionably indicate a ing fully adequate to the exigency of better spirit on the subject. A Law has recently passed, by which, all who cooperate or participate in any manner whatever in the Negro Slave Trade (including owners, supercargoes, under writers, commanders, and other officers), are subjected to banishment; and to a fine equal to the value of ship and cargo, to be inflicted jointly on the individuals concerned; the ship and cargo being, moreover, confiscated. The captain and officers are, besides, rendered incapable of serving either in the royal or mercantile navy; and the mariners, those excepted who, in fifteen days from the time of their arrival in port, shall disclose the facts of the case, shall be im prisoned from three months to five years and these penalties are to be independent of such as, by the existing penal code, may be incurred for other crimes proved to have been committed in the course of the voyage, such as the murder of slaves, &c. The discussion of this measure in the Chambers was rendered remarkable by a Speech of the Duke de Broglie, which will bear a comparison, for acuteness of reasoning, force of eloquence, and comprehensive knowledge of the subject, with any thing that has appeared upon it. He laboured to persuade the legislature to substitute imprisonment and forced labour for banishment-on the ground, that to many, especially if they were foreigners trading under the French Flag, exile would be no punishment at all; and even with respect to Frenchmen, it was driving them abroad with an opportunity of renewing their crimes on the Coast of Africa, or in some other quarter of the globe. In this attempted amendment the Duke did not succeed. That this law may produce a considerable effect in checking the trade from the ports of France is very probable; but if a great change shall not be effected in the mode of administering justice in the French Colonies, the trade, it is to be feared, will still be carried on from thence. Whatever may be its future effect, certainly the annals of the past year exhibit little or no diminution of French Slave-trading on the Coast of Africa. We are happy to say, that, through the persevering efforts of the Society of Christian Morals formed at Paris-a Committee of which devote their labours to the abolition of the Slave Trade-public feeling has, of late, been greatly excited on this subject in France; and we may fairly look forward to such further measures of legislation in that country, as will at length cleanse it from the reproach of tolerating this traffic. A fact of peculiar atrocity is quoted from one of the Sierra-Leone Gazettes : A French Slave-Ship, the Perle, while lying near Point-a-Petre, Guadaloupe, succeeded in landing part of her slaves: 65, however, still remained on board, when an armed French GovernmentCutter was observed standing toward her. The brutal Captain, to avoid detection, and consequent capture, threw the whole of the wretched victims over board, and every one perished! Netherlands. Notwithstanding the good faith and cordiality with which the Netherlands Government have acted, in acceding both to the mutual right of search and to the right of capture and condemnation, not only where slaves are actually found on board, but where an intention to trade in Slaves is clearly apparent, some of its Colonial Functionaries continue to place themselves in opposition to the wishes of their Government, and to lend the protection of their official character to the nefarious speculations of the Slave-trader. It is now about two years since some vigour began to be shewn by the French Cruisers in executing their abolition laws: it then became necessary for Slavers of that nation, in order to be secure, to protect themselves with the papers and flag of some other State; for the French Flag, though an adequate defence against English Capture, was no defence against their own cruisers: they have accordingly established, in the Dutch Islands of St. Eustathius and Curaçoa, as well as at the Havannah and the Danish Island of St. Thomas, the means of effecting fraudulent sales, and of obtaining fabricated documents and false flags: these documents and flags are exhibited whenever they are visited by a French Manof-war, from whom also their real French Papers are carefully concealed; and only produced on the visit of an English Cruiser. The number of Spanish Slave-ships condemned at Sierra Leone, in the last year, amounts only to six. The number boarded, but not detained, was immense : they appear to have swarmed on the coast the Treaty with Spain' unfortunately does not admit of their detention, unless Slaves are found on board; so that our cruisers who visit them, (although the indications of their Slave-trading purposes are as clear as the sun-and these purposes are, in many cases, even avowed,) are obliged to leave them unmolested, to pursue their criminal traffic; and when a fair opportunity of escape offers, they take their Slaves on board in a few hours, and set sail for their destination. The number of Slaves captured in these six ships was 1360; but one of them being overset in a tornado, the Slaves on board, to the number of 197, perished. The crowded state of these ships, and the suffering of the Slaves from that cause and from the ravages of dysentery and small-pox, are now become such ne. cessary incidents of the trade, that they excite no surprise. One case, however, which occurred so recently as February last, may be specified: it is that of the Paulita, Antonio Terrara master, captured off Cape Formosa, by Lieut.Tucker, of H.M.S. Maidstone, with 221 Slaves on board: her burden was only 69 tons; and into this space were thrust 82 men, 56 women, 39 boys, and 44 girls: the only provision found on board for their subsistence was yams of the worst quality and fetid water: when captured, both small-pox and dysentery had commenced their ravages: thirty died on the passage to Sierra Leone, and the remainder were landed in an extreme state of wretchedness and emaciation. Some of the atrocities practised by the Spanish Slave-traders on the coast are forcibly and succinctly described by Mr. Canning, in a Letter to our Ambassador at Madrid, dated October 3, 1826. He says It appears that it is the custom of the owners of these Spanish Piratical-Vessels, the greater part of which there is reason to suppose are equipped at the Havannah, to send them outfitted both for trade and for war; but their trade is the proscribed trade in human beings, and the war which they wage is a war of piracy. It is their practice to hover on the coast of Africa; where, if they can conveniently barter for and embark a cargo of Slaves, they proceed with that cargo generally direct to the Island of Cuba: if they do not succeed at once in this barter, or if an opportunity for piracy previously presents itself, they seize the first vessel which they meet with, preferring one that may be laden with Slaves: taking possession of the vessel, they murder or put on shore the White Men found on board; and proceed with the vessel and cargo to Cuba, where they land the Slaves surreptitiously at the back of the island, and then enter in ballast at the Havannah. The details furnished from the Havannah by our Commissioners are still more Leone; and exhibit the conduct of the opprobrious than those from Sierra Public Functionaries there in a light that cannot be suitably characterized without using terms which it might be unseemly to employ: they appear, in what concerns the Slave Trade, to feel the obligations neither of humanity nor of national faith, nor even of personal honour. It is no more than justice to the British Commissioners at the Havannah, Mr. Kilbee and Mr. M'Leay, to say, that they have ably, and vigilantly, and fearlessly performed their duty, in very trying and difficult circumstances; with almost every Public Functionary bined to defeat their vigilance, and to and the whole Spanish Population comwhich are continually recurring.... It is screen the gross acts of delinquency painful to dwell on this perpetual scene of rapacity and profligacy, of fraud and falsehood; in which it is difficult to say, the ferocious cruelties practised by the which most excites disgust and abhorrence, immediate agents in the trade, or the heartless indifference with which the atrocities. What can be expected from Spanish Authorities contemplate these continue, from year to year, to crowd the infatuated obduracy with which they Cuba with an accumulation of fresh exiles from Africa, but that a storm should at last burst forth, which will spread, as formerly in St. Domingo, insurrection, desolation, and death throughout all its coasts? Portugal. During the last fifteen years, the only pretence advanced by Portugal for refusing totally to abolish her Slave Trade has been the necessities of her Trans- |