He will have access, from this station, to three Districts, extending more than 100 miles along the coast, with a population of upwards of 40,000 persons, destitute, at present, of proper religious instruction. Mr. Ward presses earnestly for assistance; as it will be impracticable for one Missionary to exercise any adequate superintendence over a population scattered along such an extent of country.

There is a good prospect of establishing schools, in the different villages connected with this station; and a very prevalent desire among the natives to learn the English Language. Mr. Ward proposes to train up some Schoolmasters, from among the Natives, in the knowledge of the National System. A Malabar School, of forty-four Boys--Protestants, Roman Catholics, Mahomedans, and Gentoos-is under his superintendence; the Master of which is on the Government Establishment: it might soon be increased to 100 Boys. Mr. Ward had opened an English School, in his own house, for the instruction of children of the higher castes. Mrs. Ward hopes to succeed, in time, in the establishment of a Female School: at present, the people smile at such an unusual proposal!

Calpentyn is about 90 or 100 miles from Colombo, and the same distance from Jaffnapatam. There are some Protestants among the inhabitants; but the greater part of the people are Roman Catholics, Mahomedans, and Gentoos. On Sunday mornings, Mr. Ward preaches, for the present, by means of an interpreter, in an old Dutch Church; and, in the evenings, in English, in his own house. He laments the indifference of the Native Protestants to Public Worship. On this subject, he writes:

I might get an order from the Modliar, or Headman, for them to attend; in which case, the church would be filled: but I would rather that they should come of their own accord, or by persuasion. Such is the state of moral depression in which the Natives are sunk, that they have little idea of doing any thing, unless they are ordered to do it. I hope soon to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. In

n

the mean time, I feel desirous to improve every opportunity, both publicly and privately, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God.

Some remarks of Mr. Mayor on the awful delusions of our fellow-subjects, the Natives of this fine island, may serve to quicken the prayers and exertions of Christians for their deliverance from the power of darkness:

I believe that Budhism is on the decline in this island-not that it is yet yielding to the Cross of Christ-the preaching of the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God. Most heartily do I wish that such a statement could be made. Few, comparatively very few, of the Natives have ever heard a single sermon; and how shall they believe in Him, of whom they have not heard! They are not relinquishing the worship of Budhu, for the worship of the only true God; but for the worship of Devils. The Devil is regarded by the greater part of the Cingalese as the author of all temporal evil: and, therefore, when in health, they attend the ceremonies of his Priests, and offer gifts of money or rice, that he may be propitious toward them; and inflict no evil on them himself, nor permit inferior devils to hurt them: when sick, they either come to the Devil's dance themselves, or send by others, and make their offerings to the Prince of Darkness; and vow, that, in case of recovery, they will perform some peculiar service for his goodness toward them. One man vowed, for instance, that he would constantly keep a lamp burning in the midst of a field-a light which could benefit no human being, but which burns as a witness that darkness covers the land, and gross darkness the people.

AUSTRALASIA MISSION.

In reviewing the circumstances of this Mission, the Committee will first call the attention of the Members to the assistance rendered to it from home.

The visit of two Young Chiefs to this country was mentioned in the last Report, and testimony was borne to their amiable dispositions. The Committee regret to state, that the necessity of their early return to their own country which was then anticipated, has been realized. Their departure for New Zealand has been already stated. The preservation of their valuable lives

seemed to depend, under the blessing of God, on their restoration to their native climate. The Committee speak of their lives as valuable, because they have the best reason to hope that they will become, if spared, a real blessing to their countrymen.

It became necessary, therefore, for the preservation of their lives until an opportunity should occur for their return, to give them the advantage of a residence in the country, They accordingly spent several months in Shropshire, under the more immediate care of the Rev. George Mortimer, of Madeley; from whom, and from the Rev. John Eyton, of Wellington, and from many other friends, they received the most affectionate attention. Mr. Francis Hall accompanied them to Shropshire; and displayed, in the instruction of them, the most unwearied kindness. In Shropshire, they had an opportunity of witnessing operations, particularly calculated to gratify their curiosity and enlarge their minds: the Coal, Iron, and China Works of that county filled them with astonishment and delight, and made them deeply to feel the wants of their own country*.

These Young Chiefs addressed Letters to several friends, expressing, in very simple and touching language, their gratitude for the kindness shewn to them, detailing many objects which they had seen, and mani festing a very promising state of mind.

The Clergyman mentioned in the last Report as devoting himself to the objects of the Society in New. Zealand, has been obliged to forego his purpose; regretting, in a truly Christian Spirit, the necessity which he felt laid on him of thus sacrificing a plan which he had long cherished in his mind.

The Committee, in consequence, looked out for one who might take on himself the Pastoral Charge of the Infant Settlement. The Rev. John Butler was accord

*Some particulars respecting Tooi and Teeterree may be seen in the Missionary Register for 1818. pp. 72-74, 93, 94, 231, and 525.

+ In Appendix XXIII. some further account is given of Tooi and Teeterree, with Extracts of their Letters.

ingly appointed to proceed thither with that view. The wishes of the Committee respecting Mr. Butler and his companions, may be seen in the Instructions delivered to them. Their embarkation on board the Baring has been already mentioned.

While the Baring was refitting at Chatham, after receiving some damage in the River, Tooi became so ill that his life was considered in imminent danger. The Assistant-Secretary, with another friend, visited him while in this state. He was deeply affected at the interview; and gave the most satisfactory evidence of having received a blessing from God on his affliction. His strength was, however, so far restored, that he re-embarked with his friends, and began to manifest considerable improvement in his health.

The kindest attention was paid to the Missionaries and Chiefs, by the Heads of Departments at Chatham.

Of Mr. Butler's companions, Mr. Francis Hall was mentioned in the last Report: his unwearied attention to Tooi and Teeterree, and his fixed and exemplary character, encourage the hope in your Committee, that his services among the New Zealanders will be rendered a real blessing to them. James Kemp, from Wymondham, was strongly recommended by the Clergymen of that parish, who are zealous Members of the Society he has proceeded, in a truly Christian Spirit, as a Smith attached to the Settlement; and was furnished, by an intelligent friend, with many practical instructions in agriculture, which may prove highly beneficial to the

settlers.

The Committee will proceed to report the state of of the Seminary, established by Mr. Marsden at Parramatta, the place of his own residence in New South Wales.

This Seminary, formed for the instruction of New Zealanders, was mentioned in the last Report. The subserviency of such a Seminary to the plans of the Society in reference to New Zealand is obvious; as nothing can have a more direct tendency, according to the just sentiment of Mr. Marsden, to enlarge the

minds of men in the situation of the natives of New Zealand, than to witness the advantages of civilized life.

In May of last year, there were Twelve Natives of New Zealand in the Seminary, occupied in the acquisition of the useful Arts. Some of these men were kept constantly at rope-making and twine-spinning; as their own flax will probably become, at no very distant day, an object of great importance. Nine of these Natives were about to return to New Zealand on board the Active.

In September, the number of Natives in the Seminary was six. Two had sailed for England, a short time before, in the Claudine: these were the last whom Mr. Marsden intended should be allowed to visit this country.

Mr. Marsden considers it of great importance to continue this Seminary for the benefit of the New Zealanders; and proposes to improve it, and extend its scale. It is his intention to put it on such a footing, that the Natives who enter it may be employed, partly in agriculture and gardening, and partly in learning the simple Arts, combined with moral and religious instruction.

Before the Committee proceed to report the actual state of the Settlement at the Bay of Islands, they beg to renew the acknowledgments of the Society to its able and unwearied friend Mr. Marsden, not only for his measures at Parramatta in reference to New Zealand, but for the watchful eye which he keeps on the interests of the Mission, and the judicious steps taken by him in its favour.

Messrs. Carlisle and Gordon, mentioned in the last Report, proceeded, with their families, in the Active, from Port Jackson to the Bay of Islands, in the latter part of April, 1817. They were accompanied by six Natives of New Zealand, some of whom had been at Parramatta a year and a half.

Several head of horned cattle were sent over, the advantages to be expected from which were stated in the last Report. "Milk, butter, beef, and labour,"