course, and where there is an open door for preach-ants for them, prove the importance of increased ing the Gospel to the Ancient People of God who are now arriving, more numerously than at former periods, in the Land of their Forefathers. That this Meeting desires continually to keep in mind the Christian Duty and Privilege of making Christ known to the Jews; and to acknowledge with thankfulness the manifest tokens of the Divine Blessing on the means which have been used in the promotion of this glorious purpose. -That the Publication of the Liturgy in Hebrew is a measure which can scarcely fail to engage the notice and approbation of zealous members of the Church of England; and that this Meeting anticipates great good from its extensive circulation among the Jews, and earnestly prays that a Spirit of Grace and Supplication may be poured out on the Jewish Nation and on all who are seeking their welfare. Receipts 10,2241.; payments 11,2987. Hibernian Society.—Resolved, That this Mecting, fully persuaded that the communication of Scriptural Education to individuals of every Denomination in Ireland affords, under the Divine Blessing, the fairest prospect of promoting the peace, prosperity, and consequent happiness of our United Country, hears, with much satisfaction and thankfulness, the progress which the Society has made during the past year. -That, while we hear with much pleasure of the great number of applications for New Schools during the past year, it is with deep regret that we find the limited extent to which the Society has been able to comply with them; and, feeling the force of the claim which is now made on it for increased support, this Meeting earnestly in vites the co-operation of all who are anxious to promote Bible Instruction among the Poor of the United Kingdom. Receipts 8,0471; payments 8,6187. Sunday School Society for Ireland. The total issue of books, gratuitously and at reduced prices, has amounted to 76,581 Bibles, 351,848 Testaments, 781,287 Spelling Books; and 80,127 smaller Publications. Receipts 2,8651.; payments not stated. efforts to supply the Natives of these exceedingly populous regions with numerous Christian Treatises in their own languages, by means of which, through the Divine Blessing, Idolatry and Superstition may be opposed, and the Glad Tidings of Salvation extensively diffused. -That the new and improved situation of the inhabitants of the West Indies, their great eagerness for instruction, and the infinite importance of giv ing a religious direction to their opening minds, concur to show the necessity of dispensing a liberal supply of Evangelical Publications to all the population, and especially to the rising generation.. That this Meeting rejoices in the enlarged issues of Publications during the past year; and is convinced that the mighty efforts of the Press, and the great progress of Education throughout Great Britain and Ireland, demand increased exertions in favor of this Society, which aims, by its Publications, to spread Scriptural Knowledge, and to direct all men to that Savior whom to know is life eternal. Receipts 47,8861.; payments 48,2551. MISSIONARY ZEAL OF REV. ROWLAND HILL. Rev. Rowland Hill, though very eccentric in action, conversation and mode of preaching, was distinguished for his piety, zeal and usefulness. His writings were truly evangelical, and evidently intended as means of promoting the life, power, and practice of genuine religion. The grand subject of his preaching was the cross of Christ, or the glorious way of salvation through the righteousness and atoning sacrifice of the Son of God. On one occasion he said, "I preach Christ crucified; and when that ceases to be my only theme, may I cease from the pulpit!"-Possessed of ardent love to his Divine Lord and Mas-ter, and compassion for the souls of perishing sinners, he cordially co-operated with others of kindred spirit in the great work of diffusing the light of the Gospel in his own country and in foreign lands.-By the following extract from his Biography, recently published, it appears that he was ac-tive in forming the London Missionary So--That this Meeting, impressed with the import-ciety, and, with zeal and efficiency, proance of promoting Scriptural Education through-moted its interests, to the close of his life. out the Colonies as well as in Foreign Countries, rejoices in the more extended operations of the Society; and trusts, that, under the Divine Blessing, British and Foreign School Society. Resolved, That this Meeting acknowledges with gratitude the assistance rendered by His Majesty's Government, through this Society, towards the erection of School Houses; and ventures to express its earnest hope, that this aid will be still further extended, and that Schools of Scriptural Instruction on just and comprehensive principles may soon be open to every child in the British Empire. their exertions will be crowned with success. Receipts 4,162.; payments 3,6181. Religious Tract Society.-Resolved, That the numerous providential openings for the circulation of Religious Publications in China, Siam, Burmah, and India, and the eagerness of the inhabit "The year 1795 was the era of an event in which Mr. Rowland Hill was most deeply interested the formation of the London Missionary Society, for the conversion of the heathen. There was no institution, to which he was to the end of his days more fervently attached; and it never possessed a solemn and affecting moment; few could have heard him unmoved. At breakfast he was interrupted every instant, but not at all annoyed, by the entrance of those connected with the management of the society, or by the introduction of some distinguished foreigner, who desired to witness the routine of the day. Now and then he was called out to prevent the per sons in the yard from rushing through the house into the chapel, in their anxiety to gain early admission; and it was only by the strongest remonstrances that many of them were prevailed on to wait for the opening of the doors. As soon as the hour of service arrived, he went to the vestry; presently there was a general movement in the chapel, and all eyes were fixed on his venerable figure, as he slowly ascended the steps of the desk. No reader ever gave a more solemn effect to the liturgy of the Church of England; his deep feeling, brought out by the scene and the occasion, his powerful and melodious voice, and his thorough conception of the beauty and spir ituality of the form of prayer he loved, combined to give a pathos and dignity to his performance of this part of the service, which has never been surpassed by any minister. After the prayers, the mission a more zealous and effective promoter of its interests. He was one of its first directors; he concluded its first meeting with a solemn invocation of the blessing of God on its designs; in the vestry of his chapel the proposal was first made that the islands of the South sea should be the scene of the commencement of its efforts; and to the last days of his existence, the success of this cause was one of the chief objects of his solicitude and prayers. He rejoiced in the prosperity of every mission, upon the principles of the Gospel to the heathen world; but the profession of the London Missionary Society to unite in one great object, without reference to minor differences in views or in forms, peculiarly harmonized with the tone and character of his mind. Mr. Rowland Hill preached a missionary sermon at Surry chapel for his favorite, and now long useful society, on the occasion of the first general meeting, on Thursday, September the 25th, 1795. His text was, And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come: Matt. xxiv. 14. There were present about two hundred ministers of various denominations, forming a most impressive and animating spectacle, which has been repeated for many years on the secondary hymn was given out by one of the pha Wednesday in May, in the same place. The missionary day at Surry chapel was, to its devoted pastor, in the brightest sense, a gala. On that morning he rose earlier than usual, and before breakfast, was seen seated at a table near the window of his room, looking alternately at the people as they gathered in the chapel yard, hours before the opening of the doors, and at the Bible and book of common prayer, to select the lessons for the day, and to refresh his recollection of the service he was about to read. When any one entered the room, he would say, "see what a Churchman I am; I must have it all correct;" then perhaps he would make a few remarks on the first movements of his mind towards the great cause of missionary labors. Presently after Mrs. Hill came down, when he said to his servant, "come up to prayer." The family were soon assembled, and in a short but sublime supplication, he poured forth the deep feelings of his soul. It was lanx of ministers who occupied the front of the galleries, and sung by the immense congregation all standing. The full tones of the fine organ, the combination, in a simple melody, of three thousand voices, and the recollection of the object of their meeting, inspired an emotion which thrilled through every Christian's breast. Af ter the sermon Mr. Rowland Hill held a plate at one of the doors, and the people seemed to strive for the honor of putting their donations into his hands. If the col. lection went on well, his countenance beamed delight, and he hastened at its conclusion up the steps to his own house, to reckon its amount, surrounded by those whom he had invited to dine with him in the school room. The sum gathered was seldom found deficient. Once, in times of difficulty, it was less than usual by nearly a hundred pounds. His depression was evident to all near him; but in the evening, as he sat silent and in low spirits at the falling off, a gentle tap was heard at the door, a letter was brought in, and carelessly opened, with the remark, "a begging letter I dare say." It contained a draft for one hundred pounds, from a generous individual, who had observed the effect of the diminution in the collection on his mind, and who expressed his anxiety for the honor of Surry chapel, and the comfort of its then aged pastor. His eye brightened, and he exclaimed, "the Lord hath not forsaken us, we shall now do better than ever; we should never doubt." MORAL CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE CAFFRES. how greatly they need the Gospel to im prove, enlighten and elevate their minds; to meliorate their condition in reference to the present life-their subsistence, health, comfort, and relations as members of civil society; and, above all, to teach them the knowledge of "the only true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom he has sent," "to give his life a ransom for many." gen Caffraria is situated in South Africa, between the 26th and 32d degrees of south latitude. It is bounded on the south-west by the Great Fish River, which divides it from Albany, in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. It runs N. E. along the Indian Ocean to the Bassee River, and extends about 70 miles W. to a chain of The exceeding depravity and misery of mountains. Along the shore the country the heathen are manifest from the plain is marshy, but very fertile; it abounds and repeated declarations of the word of erally with mountains, woods, waters, God. And the truth of Scripture testimo- shrubs and flowers. It is very populous. ny upon this subject is confirmed by the The Caffres are supposed not to be the abobservations of all intelligent Christian mis-origines of the country, but descendants of sionaries and travellers, who have had the the wandering Arabs, who are called Bemost favorable opportunities of witnessing douins, whom they resemble in their pasthe conduct of the heathen, and marking toral habits, predatory disposition, and the the genuine expressions of their deep-rooted depravity in their lives; their continual and gross violation of the law of God, which was originally written on the heart of man; their neglect and contempt of all spiritual worship of their great Creator; their proneness to the practice of sorcery and the most stupid idolatry, accompanied by the most abominable ceremonies; their disregard of the rights of others, want of sympathy for their sorrows, and unrelenting cruelty towards the innocent, as well as the injurious; and their unrestrained in dulgence of their animal appetites and propensities, so as to sink them frequently beneath the level of the beasts that perish. The following description, abstracted chiefly from Kay's Travels and Researches in Caffraria, is intended to exhibit the sad moral condition of the native inhabitants of that country, as well as communicate to the readers of the Chronicle some other useful information. It is justly believed, that the native Caffres are much superior to numerous other heathen tribes. If so, it will be seen how vile and debased, both in a moral and physical point of view, must be a large portion of the human race; and 2 Their practice of circumcision. Their counte- trained to such tricks from early infancy. female by violence attracts little notice. It is desirable, when practicable, that mis- Previously to marriage, a woman is resionaries should dwell near some chief, garded as a marketable article; subsequentsince his presence operates as a check up- ly her husband laments her loss as a mason marauders.-They are a warlike peo- ter does a slave whom he has bought and ple, and many are addicted to plunder. paid for. If she be a widow, she is with. The state of the women in time of war is out a protector through life, and without pitiable. The barbarous and indiscrimi- sympathy at death; and beasts of prey are nate manner in which military expeditions allowed to tear her limb from limb, and are sometimes rushed upon tribes, spread- drag her bones to their dens.-A thievish ing death or desolation on account of rob- disposition is common in the nations of Afberies committed by individuals unknown, rica. It is a prominent trait in the charac. has rendered the sound of such expeditions ter of a Caffre. He scarcely hesitates to dreadful throughout the land. On all such lay his hands on the property of his very occasions, the women are perfect slaves. best friends. Powder and ball will not It is painful to witness aged females pass- compel him to quit his injurious habit. To ing by, having their hands and heads so root out of Caffraria the principle whence heavily laden with hides, calabashes, cook- it proceeds will require a power infinitely ing utensils, &c. as to be scarcely able to superior to human laws and troops, armed move along. Hence, great numbers fall with the terrors of death. When stolen into the hands of the enemy; for their hus- property is such as may be carried in the bands afford them no assistance nor pro- hand, recourse is had to the wizards or tection. Polygamy is very general. The sorceresses. These pretend to exercise a common people have seldom more than power over the minds of men similar to one or two wives, but their chiefs general- the greegrees in Western Africa; profess ly four or five. The infidelity of married to be able, by dreams and visions, to aswomen is a source of litigation. In conse- certain the perpetrators of evil deeds: and quence of not being treated with due re- chiefs and people place such confidence in spect, they have no character to uphold. them, that their lying incantations are in Like all other African females, they are struments of ruin to many an innocent loose in morals. Quarrels and prosecu- family. tions continually spring from this source. Mr. Kay relates an instance of sorcery. Fornication is a common and crying sin. His study-room was broken open in the When adultery is clearly proved, the hus- night, and two chests, containing manu band in general is fully satisfied with the scripts, letters, official documents, a pocket fine usually imposed upon the delinquent, compass, telescopes, mathematical instruthough he recovers only a part, a moiety ments, &c. taken away, under the impressbeing claimed by the chief or his council.-ion that they contained beads, trinkets, &c. Their laws, like those of most barbarous nations, are few and simple; formed less on deep policy than on plain natural principle. Yet, as their source is corrupt, and the hands in which they are placed very impure, they are seldom made to protect the innocent or punish the guilty. Violence and injustice are among their heinous sins. Theft, adultery, murder and sorcery, constitute the chief characteristics of their court calendars. Ignorant of the immortality of the soul and a future state, they regard life as a thing of small moment. Hence, murder is seldom or never punished with death. A murderer is acquitted on paying a fine. The death of a There was much excitement, and the natives collected in great numbers, fearing that the articles taken had been burned, and some plague would follow. After several days, the chests and papers were found; but other articles had been taken away. The old chief was greatly enraged, and declared he would put to death every man that might be found guilty, with his wife and children. The old warriors were summoned, and the business assumed a threatening aspect. They called in the aid of the most celebrated sorceress. At midday, several hundred men assembled, with young chief Rye at their head—a formidable body, all armed. A heathenish dance commenced, in which male and fe- the wicked are cruel!"-Keu, and his com male joined. The old warriors, who form- panion appealed to S'Lhambi, who was ed the court of justice, took seats on the dissatisfied with the whole affair, and orground. The sorceress, preceded by sev dered the re-assembling of his warriors uneral other native wonen, came forth, attir- der Dushani. On Sabbath morning, crowds ed in a dirty black garment, loosely sus- of natives poured in from all quarters, to pended from her shoulders. On her head perform their heathenish ceremonies. Mr. were three large artificial tufts of hair, and K. remonstrated with the chief against it, in her right hand several sharp-pointed but without effect.-The men were arrang. spears. After using ridiculous gestures ed in semi-circular order, with the women and throwing herself into disgusting atti- in the rear. The latter sang and elapped tudes, she announced the names of two per- their hands; the former kept up a heavy sons who had done the deed, and said she stamping of the feet and a dinning clatter had learned it from a dream. One of them, of spears. Silence was commanded by the who was present, was seized with terror. chief, that the parties might ask any ques After a breathless silence, the executive tions they chose. In an interval, the witch party rushed and fell upon the poor fellow advanced in a circumambulatory manner in a savage manner-stripped him of his to the centre of the area, muttering in a garb and ornaments, tore the lobes of his grumbling tone-threw aside her garments ears in their strife for his beads. Mr. Kay and danced before the people in a state of entreated the chief to interpose and prevent perfect nudity. This most abominable con. them from doing him personal injury. They duct was regarded as a proof that due venarraigned him at the feet of the council, geance was preparing for the culprits. perfectly naked, kneeling on one knee, and With a dart in her up-lifted hand, she again a rope round his neck. The most painful pronounced her verdict of guilty upon the apprehensions were portrayed in his coun- men before charged. They repelled the tenance; for he considered his life at stake. charge, and called on her to prove her asA party was despatched to apprehend the sertions by fetching from their concealment individual said to be his accomplice. It is the articles that were missing. She exusual to bind the accused hand and foot, claimed, "You have concealed them, and I and extort confession of guilt by torture- command you to produce them." They floggings, lacerations, branding by the ap- contradicted her statement; but her menaplication of heated stones to the throat, ces, with their own superstitious fears, breast, &c. This would have been done caused them to tremble exceedingly.-The in the present instance, had not Mr. Kay woman, with her train, then proceeded 3 prevented. In answer to all questions of miles to the dwellings of the accused-made the defendant, nothing could be adduced to mysterious search-turned over stones, support the charge but the bare assertions ransacked huts, peeped and muttered of the sorceress.- -These agents of satanic among the trees; and, plunging into a deep power are not the instigators of cruelty on- pool, brought up something which her de İy; but they are made the specious pretexts luded followers regarded as the very thing for rapine and plunder. Hence, the party wanted, but which was actually concealed sent in pursuit of the declared accomplice about her person all the time! Returning seized the property of the accused individ- to the village at dark, they struck up one uals, ransacked their houses, stripped one of their war-songs in token of success-a of their wives of her ornaments, seized the terrific ditty, notes apparently as horrid as boys and threatened them with death if could be produced by the human voice. they did not show all the cattle of their pa- "It verily seemed (says Mr. K.) as if the rents-slaughtered and eat, feasting in the infernal hosts were let loose, and as if a night; and the next morning drove off the storm from the bottomless pit was about to whole herds of these men, applying them burst upon our heads, The surrounding partly to their own use; while the young glens and ravines loudly echoed a chilling chief distributed the rest among his coun- response to the dread chorus." A death. sellors. Verily, the tender mercies of like silence pervaded the whole assembly |