February 1826, five native teachers were sent from Amboyna to several of the Molucca Islands, in consequence of applications previously received from the inhabitants. Two teachers, natives of Banha, have also been sent to that island, in compliance with their own earnest desire to instruct their countrymen in the knowledge of the Gospel. Mr. Kam's Malay translation of the first volume of the "Village Sermons" is now in circulation.

was the first fruits of the Amboyna mission. Various difficulties, however, subsequently arose; and in 1818, Mr. Carey left the island and arrived at Bengal.

In 1819, Mr. Finn, from the N. M. S. joined Mr. Kam, and has since successfully assisted him in his labours. Messrs. Ferdinand Bormeister, Frederick Mueller, from the Basle Seminary, and Mr. Akersloth, from Holland, also arrived in 1821, and commenced the study of the language preparatory to their becoming missionaries in different islands.

In 1814, the Rev. Jabez Carey, from the B. M. S. was appointed inspector of the schools in this island. In 1815, he says, "The number of scholars is 303. On the 16th of January, I was appointed to the office of manager of the poor fund, with this emolument attached to it, namely, that of attending to the wants and good of the poor. The fund was a very rich one, and will be so yet, if the English government should return the loan made to it by the Dutch government, which is more than 20,000 rix-dollars: besides which I have in hand about 6000 rix-dollars. Last December I visited the neighbouring islands of Saparooa and Harooka."

As bere

at indeed

AMERICA, one of the four
grand divisions of the world, and
by much the largest, is bounded on
all sides by the ocean. It took its
name from Americus Vespucius, a
Florentine, who having accom-
panied Ojeda, a Spanish navigator,
in 1497, drew up an amusing his-
tory of his voyage, in which it was
insinuated that the glory of having
first discovered the continent of the
New World belonged to him. This
was in part believed; the country
began to be called after the name
of its supposed first discoverer ; and
the unaccountable caprice of man-
kind has perpetuated the error.
But America was first discovered,
in 1492, by Christoval Colon, a
Genoese, better known by the
name of Christopher Columbus.
It is called the New World with
great propriety; for not only the
men, but the birds and beasts, differ
in some respects from those known
before. It has likewise a great
number of trees and plants, that
grew nowhere else before they
were transmitted to other places.
All the men, except the Esqui-
maux, near Greenland, seem to
have the same origin; for they
agree in every particular, from the
Straits of Magellan in the S. to
Hudson's Bay in the N. Their
skins, unless daubed with grease or
oil, are of a red copper colour, and

On June the 5th, a few of the children under Mr. Carey's inspection, that is 20 out of 300, were examined at the Government-house, in presence of the resident; they acquitted themselves well, and each obtained a suit of clothes from government.

In the course of a week the chiefs had destroyed five idolatrous temples, with every thing belonging to them, at Harooka.

A few years after, a change took place relative to the government; but the conduct of Mr. Carey had so effectually recommended him, that the new government requested him to continue his employment as superintendent of schools. valued missionary, Mr. Ricketts,

A

18

тупа

OW.

they have no beards or hair on any other parts of their bodies, except their heads, where it is black, straight, and coarse. Many are the conjectures about the peopling of this vast continent, and almost as various as their authors. America is so long, that it takes in the torrid zone, the two temperate zones, and part of the northern L frigid zone. A continent so extensive must naturally be various in its climate, soil, and productions. In the most northern and most southern parts the countries are cold, sterile, and desert; while in the centre are found the richest metals, minerals, precious stones, and abundance of the most valuable and useful commodities. It is hard to say how many different languages there are in America, a vast number being spoken by the different people in different parts; and, as to religion, there is no giving any tolerable account of it in general, though some of the most civilized of the Aborigines The Rev. Wm. Read, of the L. seem to have worshipped the sun. M. S., commenced his labours here The principal motive of the in 1805; and subsequently became Spaniards, in sending so many co-pastor of the Dutch Church, and superintendent of schools. The Wesleyan missionaries, at Galle, take this into their field of labour, and have several native members and a school.

had Mexico, New Mexico, New Albion, and California; and Russia has some settlements on Cook Inlet. In South America, Spain possessed Caraccas, New Grenada, Peru, Chili, and Buenos Ayres; Portugal had Brazil, and part of Guinea; and France, Britain, and Holland, have the remainder of Guinea. The Spanish Colonies have now asserted their independence, and contain Mexico, in South America; Colombia, in the N.; Chili, and the United Provinces, including the S. of Peru, and Buenos Ayres. Brazil is now an independent empire; and Patagonia remains in the possession of the native Indians. [See Canada, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Fairfield, Oochgelogy, Paramaribo, Red River, and Spring Place.]

lonists here, was the thirst of gold; and, indeed, they and the Portuguese are possessed of all those parts where it is found in the greatest plenty. This vast continent is divided into North and South America, which are joined by the Isthmus of Panama. It has lofty and immense ranges of mountains, such as the Andes and Allegany; and the most stupendous rivers, such as the Amazon, Plata, Orinoco, Mississippi, and Missouri. Besides the Aborigines, who inhabit the interior parts, and the United States of America, who possess many of the finest provinces, the different European powers have rich and flourishing colonies bere. In North America, Britain possesses New Britain, Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick; Spain

AMLAMGODDE, OR AM-
LAMGOODY, a town on the
S. W. Coast of Ceylon, near a
small river of the same place.

AMSTERDAM, a city of the Netherlands, capital of Holland. Next to London, it is deemed the most commercial city in the world, and contains upwards of 220,000 inhabitants. The walls are high and well fortified; and the bridge, which joins the rampart, is built over the river Amstel. Towards the water it is only protected by a double range of great piles, strengthened by transverse beams, with openings to admit vessels into the canals, which are closed by booms at night. But its chief security consists in the facility of inundating the vicinity by means of

sluices. Few cities have their public buildings so fine, numerous, and well kept. The Exchange is one of the principal ornaments of the city, and the harbour is one of the finest in Europe. The Stadthouse, now the royal palace, has long been celebrated for its extent and durability; and the furniture and decorations of the interior are in a style of costly magnificence. The streets are broad and well paved, and most of them have canals, with rows of trees on each side; but there are no spacious public places, nor squares. It surrendered to the king of Prussia, in 1787, when that prince invaded Holland, in favour of the stadtholder; it received the French troops in 1795, without any resistance; and, in 1813, it was the first place that declared for the restoration of the House of Orange. It is seated at the conflux of the Amstel and Wye, 70 m. N.W. of Cleves, and 80 N. by E. of Antwerp. E. long. 4° 40′, N. lat. 52° 25'.

he had lost five of his nearest re latives-an uncle, a father, a bro ther, and two aunts. Respecting his father, he mentions several things which give reason to hope, that, during the latter weeks of his life, a great change had taken place in his heart. But of his brother he gives a most interesting account. He was taken ill only three weeks after the father's death, and the disease came on so rapidly, that he had a very early presentiment of his own approaching dissolution. The convictions under which he had evidently been labouring even in health, now became a source of severe internal conflict. For a time his mental anguish was extreme. On one occasion he said, "You, my dear brother, can understand me; I am tormented with the devil. Our dear mother does not believe that there is one. There was a time when I did not believe it myself; but now I feel that he tortures my soul. I have deserved it. Oh! my brother, what a sinner I have been!" "Then it was," says the writer of this letter, "that I first felt freedom and boldness in speaking to him of our Saviour, in telling him of the love of God towards such sinners as humble themselves before him, and in exhorting him to pray to the Lord Jesus to be delivered from the wicked one. He soon began to pray most earnestly, and seemed to be completely overwhelmed with a deep sense of sin. He confessed that he had long been under conviction. On the seventh day of his illness, after a violent paroxysm of the disease, he sunk into a kind of torpor, from which, in a few hours, he raised himself up, and, in the full possession of his faculties, to the surprise of all, he exclaimed,

The Rev. A. S. Thelwall, agent of the L. J. S., assisted by Mr. Chevallier, has been assiduously engaged to promote Christianity among the Jews, and to excite among Christians an enlightened interest in their behalf, with considerable success. Much good has also been effected through the medium of a Tract Society; and an institution has been formed to educate poor Jewish children.

Mr. T. who is now in England, from impaired health, has lately received several letters from his friends in Holland, which testify that the work of the Lord is still going on.

Towards the close of last year, he heard from one of those converted Israelites with whom he had enjoyed much Christian intercourse, conveying the intelligence, that, within two months,

Call my mother, my sister, and my friends; I die in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ-of the Triune

20

4 Mr.

at ber

ANGUIL AND, the

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time successful measures have been taken by the African Institution to establish schools. The natives evince a very anxious wish for the instruction of their children in the English language and in the Christian religion. E. long. 1° 45′, N. lat. 5° 20′.

arest re a bro God-the true Messias-the Kingment of Sierra Leone, since which specting of the world. He is revealed to me, In him Jews and Gentiles are one. Many of the Jewish nation must yet come to him. Proclaim, in the synagogue, how I have died. Say to all, and you (addressing an intimate Jewish only friend) listen to my voice, and say ather's this to my other friends, that they ne on must come to him.' After this he early again expressed his deep conviction roach of his own sinfulness. The disease ctions returned upon him with increased been strength, and he became delirious be nearly to the time of his departure, ernal which took place on the following ental morning. In the intervals of com2 OC- posure, he declared his perfect dear knowledge of what he had said, am and his firm acquiescence in the Our principles he had then avowed. In this way he died. Was not this ime a brand plucked from the burnl;ing ? »

that

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Mr. Thelwall also received, about the same time, a letter from another ve Jewish convert, giving a very afhe fecting account of the death of his mother-in-law, after two years' consistent profession of Christianity. Mr. Thelwall had been present at her baptism, at the age

elt

of 65 years.

ANGUILLA, OR SNAKE ISLAND, the most northerly of the Caribbee Islands possessed by Great Britain in the West Indies. It takes its name from its winding figure, and is 60 m. N.W. of St. Christopher's. W. lon. 63° 10′, N. lat. 18o 12'.

This station has been partially occupied, for many years, by the Wesleyans, and a prosperous society raised up. Its numbers at present are 49 Whites, 67 Free Col. and Black, and 120 slaves. Total 236.

ANNAMABOE, a large populous fortified town on the Gold Coast of Africa. In 1822, it was annexed to the general govern

ANTIGUA, one of the Caribbee Islands, 16 miles long and 12 broad, and 60 E. by S. of St. Christopher. It has several good ports; and in that called the English Harbour, on the S.E. side, are a royal navy yard and arsenal. It is destitute of fresh water, and the inhabitants save rain water in cisterns. was taken by the French in 1782, but restored in 1783. Population, in 1817, 35,739, of whom 31,452 were slaves, the rest Whites and free people.

It

Antigua is the seat of Government for the Leeward Islands. Its legislature is composed of the commander-in-chief, a council of 12 members, and an assembly of 25. This legislature presented to the sister islands the first example of the melioration of the criminal law respecting negro slaves, by giving the accused the benefit of a trial by jury, and allowing, in cases of capital conviction, 4 days between the time of sentence and the execution. The military generally consists of 2 regiments of infantry, and 2 of foot militia, besides the force raised in the island. The capital is St. John's. It lies in W. lon. 62° 9', N. lat. 17o 4'.

In January, 1750, Samuel Isles, one of the United Brethren, set sail for Antigua. Countenanced by the governor and some proprietors, he commenced his labours; but heavy trials awaited him, which soon beclouded his prospects.

In the year 1761, however, a piece of ground was purchased in the town of St. John's, for the pur

pose of a missionary establishment,
and a place of worship was erected
for the accommodation of the
negroes.

From this place, which proved inconvenient, owing to the steepness of the ascent, the brethren removed, in 1782, to a more eligi ble spot, which they designated Grace Hill; and, though the external circumstances of the mission were rather difficult, the Christian slaves being exposed to famine,

Three years after, Samuel Isles was removed by death from the scene of his labours; and for about five years the mission continued in a very languishing state; but at the expiration of that time, a mis-sickness, persecutions, and depresionary, named Brown, arrived, and his labours were so abundantly blessed, that it soon became necessary to enlarge the church; and on that occasion the zeal of the converted negroes was most pleasingly demonstrated. On coming to the evening meeting, each individual brought a few stones and other materials with him; the different departments of the work were divided among such as were masons and carpenters; and those who could not assist in enlarging the edifice, provided refreshments for the builders; so that the requisite alteration was completed by the voluntary labour of these poor slaves, after the completion of their respective daily tasks.

dations, and the island being taken by the French,-the cause of Divine truth remained firm and immoveable; and, after the restoration of peace in 1783, 60 adults were received into the church of St. John's, by the rite of baptism, in one day; and, in the course of 12 months, the congregations in that town and at Grace Hill were augmented by the accession of more than 700 persons. The missionaries also tis preached, at stated times, in dif-e ferent plantations; and one of the native assistants actually built a chapel at his own expense, sufficiently capacious to accommodate 400 hearers.

Many of the planters were now convinced of the beneficial effects of the Gospel on their slaves, but others became violent persecutors of the truth.

300

of

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and the

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some

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quarry

parters of and the mis

and assista

carpenters

In the midst of calamities, which subsequently arose, the work continued to go forward; and, immediately after the hurricane of 1772, a new awakening appeared among the slaves, and spread in all directions. A desire for religious instruction was, of course, augmented; and, in 1775, the number of persons who attended public worship amounted to 2000, and from 10 to 20 were baptized almost every month. A new and more spacious church was, therefore, erected in St. John's, in 1773; and, in the following year, a piece of ground was purchased at Bailey Although indisposition compelled Hill, near the town of Falmouth, Mr. Brown to retire in 1790, a for the purpose of forming a second suitable successor was found in 1822; on the Rev. H. C. Tschirpe; and the other at tion of those negroes who lived at cause was so prosperous, that a thirdly pleasin a considerable distance from the settlement was formed, and named these stat

The word of the Lord, however, continued to run, and was glorified. The two congregations, in 1788, consisted of more than 6,000 members; and so many new doors were opened to the Gospel, that the missionaries were exceedingly thank ful when they found zealous and to thei useful assistants in many of their dich (a converts, to visit the sick, give ad-ee, 64 vice and reproof if needed, and to report to the missionaries the state of the congregation.

establishment, for the accommoda

former station.

Grace Bay.

22

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of Decem

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