rally from the matter, which are not affected by the scantiness of our information. In the first place, it is evident, that knowledge, and communication with free England, have been so far imparted to the slave population, that it is now impossible to prevent that general illumination, respecting human rights and duties, which is overspreading other countries and people, from reaching them also. And in the second place it is melancholy to witness the insensibility of the slave-holders to their true interests. They have lessons before them of a fearful character. We pray and beg of Almighty God, that they may not be permitted to bring upon themselves the horrible miseries of St. Domingo. We do wish that all the Slaves in the British West Indies were as free as ourselves; but we wish at the same time that this were accomplished in such a way that neither pecuniary, nor any other sort of loss or danger, were incurred by their present owners. We think, with our Friends in Liverpool, that this is perfectly practicable; and we deeply grieve that the slave-holders are so blind, as well to their own interests, as, to the unalienable rights of their fellowmen.

HAYTI.

Hayti is a regenerated slave country. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, it is a country in which the process of regeneration is rapidly going forward. But the essential part of the work is done: the people are free. They have purchased their freedom dearly; and they hold it with corresponding firmness and jealousy. Their government has long laboured assiduously in promoting education and good morals. Schools have been established according to the system of Lancaster; and a College, we believe, has been founded, upon liberal principles, and furnished with British Professors. The crowning blessing needed by the people is Religion; and we are happy to say, that this is not likely to be much longer with-held. The established religion is the Roman Catholic:

spiritual tyranny.

but a free country is an unnatural soil for such a system of It will either subdue freedom, or be itself extirpated and we know which part of the alternative to expect, in this age of the world. True Christianity is now proposed to the Haytians, and we can confidently leave the result to God.

We have formerly intimated to our readers, that Christians in North America had directed their attention to this interesting and rising country. The Baptist Domestic Mission sent thither Mr. Thomas Paul with many prayers, and with prudent counsels: and a more pleasing reception could scarcely have been anticipated for him than he has received, as will be seen by the following extracts from his letters :

"Rev. and dear Sir,

Port-au Prince, July 16, 1823,

"It is my duty to announce to you, that I obtained an interview yesterday, with his Excellency the President, at the government-house, which lasted not far from two hours. I was introduced to him, by Gen. E―. My credentials were previously translated into French, and handed him with the letter and Bibles I received from New York. After the formal introduction, we took our seats, when I said, I presume your Excellency has been apprized of the object and design of my mission to this highly favoured country. He informed me he had received his letter and my credentials, and the Bibles, &c. for which he tendered his thanks, and was abundantly satisfied with my papers, and sorry that such was the situation of the people, that they were not prepared to receive or hear another religion, contrary to that of the establishment of the country. However, he hoped, in a future day, the time would come, when all religions would rejoice together. Gen. E- was present.

"I endeavoured to explain to them, the real object of my visit to this island, and the feelings of the Board, together with my own, and that I felt deeply interested in their present, and everlasting welfare. After bringing into view other considerations, his Excellency told me I might preach in a private house or hall, and that he hoped the time was not far distant, when we should build houses of worship and enjoy them unmolested. And both of them affectionately told me not to be a stranger, nor treat them as such,

R

but to call at their houses often; they should always be glad to seẻ

me.

"Now if the Lord Jesus is with me, I know his name will be glorified, and sinners converted to him. My affectionate regards to the Board."

"Rev. and dear Sir,

Cape Hayti, Aug. 6, 1823.

"My last to you was dated Port-au Prince. I was favoured of the Lord, so that I obtained liberty to preach the Gospel on this island. In this, my best friends told me that they had no idea I should succeed. I told them, that the object I had in view, was the cause of God, and my hope was in him, and I believed I should not be confounded. I was with the heads of Government a considerable time; at length my petition was granted, and the govern ment pledged to protect me.

"When I returned, every one was anxious to hear the result, and when they were informed that I had liberty to preach, their hearts melted within them, and they blessed God and took courage. I distributed a number of Bibles in the course of the week, and preached on Lord's-day in the morning to about fifty men; not a female present. In the afternoon, I preached to about double that number, perhaps one-third were females: the season was solemn, and many wept, and I saw none that appeared to mock, May the Lord bless the season.

"Tuesday, in the morning, I was called upon to attend the funeral of a Methodist minister, who arrived at this place only two days before me; this, to me, was a solemn event. Lord, why am I spared!-0! that it might be for the declarative glory of God. In the afternoon at four o'clock, agreeably to my appointment, I attended a meeting: the season was affecting. I think some were rejoicing in the Lord who had previously entertained a hope in Christ. Capt. N. was pleased to give me my passage, from Portau Prince to the Cape, which is not less than twenty dollars.

"I engaged several persons to form a Bible Society in that city, which is to take place on my return. Should my health be spared, I expect to be there about the 1st of October.

"I arrived at the Cape on the 29th of July, with letters from Government to Gen. M. which gave him great satisfaction; he was pleased to say to me, that he was very glad I had obtained

my object, and I might rest secure, that nothing should be want ing on the part of the Government, and wished to receive informa tion when I should preach, as he would attend and hear me. Hither to the Lord God hath blessed me. For ever blessed be his holy

name.

"I preached last Lord's-day to a very respectable number of people. I think, my dear brother S. you would have been pleased with the solemnity of the people; some were on their knees, and a profound silence pervaded the assembly.

"At the close of this meeting, I appointed a concert of prayer for the next evening, being the first Monday in the month. There were, perhaps, one hundred and fifty persons present. We opened the meeting by reading a chapter, and spent about fifteen minutes in an exhortation. Five prayers were offered, and part of six hymns were sung, and our meeting dismissed at 9 o'clock. This was one of the most interesting meetings I have witnessed since my arrival. We agreed to establish a Bible Society here as soon as possible.

"We also had a meeting last evening, and found eight or ten brethren and sisters who stand fast in the faith, and we have agreed to have the Lord's supper administered next Lord's-day. This again was a precious season; may thy name, O Lord, have all the glory.

"My christian love to the Board. I beg a continuance in your prayers."

DECLINE OF MAHOMEDANISM.

The following important communication may be depended upon as authentic; it is from the pen of a gentleman whose rank and character render his testimony indubitable.

"You ask me if the Mahomedan religion is on the decline. I answer; in Persia they can scarcely be called Mahomedans : they are Deists, if any thing, and are ready to receive the christian faith. A few such men as Mr. Martyn would soon effect a change. You cannot conceive the eagerness with which they ask for his translation of the New Testament. have distributed several hundreds, and could have done so

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of

with twice the number if they had been sent me. At Mecca, the resort is so much fallen off, that not one in a hundred (perhaps if I were to say two hundred, I might be nearer,) now goes for those that did. Indeed the revenues in consequence this have so much decreased, that in lieu of overflowing treasuries, the Ottoman government is obliged to make large remittances for the payment of its officers and troops. Those pilgrims who now resort make no offerings or presents; they are satisfied with going. Indeed, from my own observation, after a residence of near twenty-four years amongst the Arabs and Persians, I can safely say that Islamism is fast falling to decay."-Baptist Magazine.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

The Directors of the London Missionary Society received, in September last, some encouraging communications from these islands, from which we shall make a few extracts. They consist of a long letter from Mr. Ellis, giving a general account of the Mission, on his arrival on the 5th February, 1823; an amiable correspondence between Mr. Ellis, and his American brethren,

his joining them in their labours; and a literal translation of a letter from the king Tamehameha to the Directors of the London Society. Of Mr. Ellis's letter the following are the most important passages:

"I was happy to find the good work had gone on more encouragingly since our departure. The king and principal chiefs of all the islands we found very favourably disposed towards the religion of Jesus Christ, and diligent in the use of the means of instruction, several of them having made a very respectable proficiency in reading and writing, being able to write intelligibly and read the small spelling-book published in their language. The Sabbathday is kept as a holy day, by all the chiefs and many of the people, who to a great degree abstain from labour, barter, and other worldly occupations. Every Saturday night, Mr. Pitt sends the king's crier round, to proclaim throughout every part of the village,

* Karaimoku, the King's Prime Minister, so called.