performance of what we consider a plain and positive duty, we will venture to say, that it is difficult to imagine any motive for these gratuitous labours but the best-a love for souls, and a zealous desire for the increase of Christ's kingdom upon earth And when we recollect how many of the friends of religion must necessarily be prevented from joining in these labours, by age, by infirmities, or the engagements of domestic duty, it is gratifying to think, that with all these deductions there still remain so many who are able and willing to execute his humble though important duty." "Statement, shewing the number of Sabbath Schools, &c. connected with the different Unions in Great Britain and Ireland, according to the last Reports.

The grand total of the above in Great Britain and Ireland, is, 7329 Sabbath schools, 72,275 teachers, and 769,263 children, which, when compared with the Reports of last year, presents an addition of 1692 schools, 21,900 teachers, and 112,721 scholars."

MISSION FROM THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) TO WESTERN AFRICA.

As this is both a pleasing and a novel undertaking, it will, doubtless, be gratifying to our readers to know something of its origin and proceedings. We believe it owes its rise, principally, to the benevolence of an excellent lady, Mrs. Hannah Kilham, who is now the principal agent in its opera tions. She took under her care, in 1820, two African youths, Sandanee and Mahmedee, and began the double task of instructing them and obtaining from them a knowledge of the Jaloof, or Wolof, language, in order to reduce it to grammatical principles, and prepare the way for its expression by writing and printing. By these means she has been enabled to prepare a publication entitled "AFRICAN LESSONS, Wolof and English, in three parts"—the first part containing, “Easy Lessons and Narratives for Schools;" the second, "Examples in Grammar, Family Advices, and a short vocabulary;" the third, "Selections from the Holy Scriptures"--the whole comprising 175 pages, in Wolof and English. At the same

time the conduct of her pupils has been satisfactory, and their attainments in common learning and the knowledge of certain mechanical operations, such as to qualify them to impart valuable instruction to their countrymen; to which work, it is said, their minds appear to be steadily devoted.

Mrs. Kilham having made all the preparation that was practicable in England, and having obtained the personal assistance of other three friends, Richard Smith, John Thompson, and his sister Ann Thompson, sailed, in company with them and her two Africans, for Western Africa on the 28th of October, 1823. They were exposed to the dreadful gales of that season, and were obliged to put back to Cowes, from which they made their final departure on the 7th of November; and after a safe and agreeable passage they anchored before Bathurst on the 8th of December. Their subsequent proceedings are thus related in the second Report of the Committee of Management.

"Upon landing, our friends were conducted to a vacanthouse, provided for them, as an abode while here, by the kindness of William Waterman, a merchant, to whom the Committee had incurred many previous obligations. They were soon afterward introduced to the Commandant, Capt. Findlay, and to the rest of the principal resident Europeans. Our friend Hannah Kilham writes;

"The Commandant received us courteously, and was so kind as to promise conducting us to Birkow; and introduce us to the Alcaide, whom all speak of as a respectable man.'

"Birkow, or Bakkaoo, is a Mandingo town, situate on the Cape St. Mary, about 8 miles from Bathurst, near the sea; and being on a dry, elevated spot, was considered the most eligible place to settle in. Another favourable circumstance concurred to recommend it to the attention of the Committee. A good stone-house has been here erected, at the charge of government, on land held by an annual acknowledgement to the Chief; and the Committee, having learned that it was not likely to be speedily occupied for the purposes for which it was built, made ap: plication, by letter, to Sir Charles MacCarthy, for the use of it until they could otherwise provide for the party going out: this request having been, in the most liberal and condescending manner, complied with, the concern has been thus relieyed, for the present, from a difficulty which had pressed heavily upon it that of building a sufficiently large and safe babitation and school-room, before the merits of the proposed site should have been ascertained by actual trial.

"The interview with the Alcaide of Birkow has since taken place; and the consent of his Chief, the King of Combo, has been obtained, to the settlement at that place, for the purposes of a School and Farm.

"But before entering upon the particulars supplied by letters of more recent date, it will be proper to state, in her own words, the views and feelings with which our friend entered this new field of labour. She writes, the day after her arrival ;

66

"Through the kind protecting care of Heavenly Goodness, we haye arrived safe on the shores of Africa; and it is due from me to ac

knowledge, that, although under a feeling that an arduous concern must engage my mind and occupy my attention from day to day, I never was, in any circumstances, more sensible of being at home, and in the appointment allotted to me. Oh that ability may be given, so to dwell under a sense of dependance on the Fountain of Life, that a refuge may be known in all seasons of difficulty and danger! for such there will doubtless be, on the right-hand and on the left.

The James cast anchor at this port early yesterday morning: a pilot had come on board, after dark, the preceding evening. After our usual morning reading (of the Scriptures,) we were favoured with a precious feeling of the Divine presence; and my heart breathed the language of supplication- and praise. Very soon, W. W. came, accompanied by Capt. Smith, who had previously gone on shore, and to our great satisfaction, conducted us to an empty house, which we are to occupy during our stay on the island. The sitting-room is about 30 feet in length: it has eight doors and four windows, a piazza east and west, and is situated close on the beach, so that we may certainly enjoy a breeze, and indeed we are prepared to enjoy it! I did not recover from the effects of sailing, so as to sit up all day, during the voyage; but am now well, and hope to engage, without difficulty, in what is before me.

"Twelfth Mo. 10th.-I have the consolation to find, that the humble attempt upon which I have entered, with regard to the reduction of the African Languages to a written form, appears quite likely to answer the design of presenting an intelligible picture to the Natives.

Adrian Partarrieu informs me, that a young man from Senegal, who has been instructed in French, and speaks Wolof, has read the "African Lessons" in Wolof, from the book which I gave him the day before yesterday : HE UNDERSTANDS THE WHOLE; and remarks that it will be a good method of teaching himself English, through the medium of Wolof.

"Sandanee has been reading out of the Scripture Lessons to some Natives, at their request, which they appear to understand. I have been to talk a little Wolof to the children, and long to teach it to them from their books.

"Remember us, and desire our preservation EVERY WAY.' "From their subsequent letters, it appears that our friends had been chiefly occupied, up to the 16th of the First Month, in landing and unpacking their stores, in the necessary cares attendant on settling in a strange country, and in preparations

360 African Mission from the Society of Friends.

for school-keeping: yet not without having commenced their labours as teachers, which it has been found expedient to carry on for a while at Bathurst; confining their attention at Birkow, for the present, to the cultivation of friendly intercourse with the Natives, and to some attempts at gardening. Difficulties, which were not wholly unforeseen, have indeed rendered it impracticable for the whole party to take up their abode, as yet, at this station. The supply of water is distant about a mile; though it is believed that some may be obtained near the house, by digging; there is a want also of some appendages to the building, to serve as kitchen, store-room, &c. and lastly, a "palaver" with the Natives on the spot had been for some time going on, in consequence of objections on minor points; which they undoubtedly expect to have removed in the mode usual with all uncivilized people, by repeated presents, It is expected, that when these matters are accommodated, Richard Smith and John Thompson, with Mahmedee, who speaks the Mandingo, will take up their residence here, and endeavour to diffuse useful knowledge in their immediate neighbourhood, and gain the attention and good-will of the Natives until it shall be seen whether this be the more eligible place for a permanent abode. This measure was even rendered advisable by a due consideration for the health of our friend Richard Smith, which had been somewhat affected by the climate. It is proposed, that, in the event of their being thus separated, the whole company shall endeavour to spend the First day together at Bathurst,

With respect to school-teaching, at the latter place, it ap'pears, at the date of the letters, to have been going on with spirit, under Sandanee, in a School formed partly of Liberated Negroes from Sierra Leone, who are retained by the Government at Bathurst, and go under the appellation of" King's Boys:" and, under our women friends, with the Mulatto Girls and others of the Colony, 22 in number. This School was open. ed the 8th of 1st month. The education of Native Boys was not as yet taken in hand.