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from the Bashorum of Abbeokuta not only to vist Ibadan with provisions for the mission party, but also to act as mediators between themselves and the Ibadans. There is thus good reason to hope that the civil war which has so long distracted the Yoruba country may be speedily terminated.

The committee trust that this intelligence will lead their friends to mingle thanksgivings with their continued prayers on behalf of the mission. Gratefully as they recognize the self-denying efforts of their friends to provide the funds needed for their great work, they are still more grateful for this evidence of the prayerful interest manifested on the Society's behalf. They desire to offer their humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God for the spirit of prayer which has been so largely poured out, and they trust that their friends will ever remember that such contributions are the true strength and stay of the Church Missionary Society.

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THE COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

There never was a time when the Colonization Society stood so high in public estimation as it does deservedly at the present. It has managed to keep itself entirely clear of all party strifes, and while loyal to the Government of the United States, and philanthropic to the colored race to the highest possible degree, its discreet method of showing that regard, though it has occasioned for it some misconception formerly, has raised it higher and higher every year in the eyes of all discerning men. It originated in the most sincere and hearty desire to do good to the colored race, and it has effected more that is encouraging in the present and hopeful for the future than any other scheme that we have seen or can yet see.

The power of self-government has been developed among these colonists to a degree, and with a success which is truly astonishing. Their sense of superiority to the native Africans around them has led them justly to appreciate and look up to the Christian civilization of the United States, and to imitate all the best features of our institutions of their own free choice. Agriculture, commerce, education, religion, the just and legitimate authority of civil self-government without tyranny and oppression; these things are all found advancing among them more rapidly than in Sierra Leone, a British colony planted long before-more rapidly, perhaps, than in almost any other colony, planted only so short a time, and nourished only by such slender support.

At the present moment there can be no comparison, we suppose, between the prospects for the colored man, who emigrates to Liberia, and to any other place that has been proposed. In Hayti, they are all in danger of being subjugated at any moment by French or Spanish ships of war. They are placed in the midst of a people of their own race, but of the most idle and worthless description, speak

ing another tongue, and where, instead of being looked upon as superiors in industry and knowledge, they will be treated as strangers and foreigners, while their children will be almost certain to be corrupted instead of elevated.

The climate and distance used to be the chief sources of dread against Liberia. But such are the results of experience and science, that with proper precaution nothing is to be feared from that source now. On the high table lands a few miles back from the coast, emigrants go through the acclimating fever in so mild a manner that far less is to be feared from it now than in going to Hayti, or Central America, or any other climate adapted to the colored race. Ships have also so abridged the duration of the voyage, and made the passage so smooth and pleasant for those who can manage thus to get across, that it is almost as if a bridge had been thrown over the Atlantic. The language, too, and customs, are so thoroughly American that the colored man hardly realizes his change of country, only his change of position.

If ever there was a scheme of philanthropy calculated to do good to the colored race at the present juncture, this is it. The wisdom of encouraging so many able-bodied laborers to leave our own shores might justly be questioned, viewed simply from the point of our own interest. Great Britain is eager to obtain them for their own interests. But so far as the good of these individuals and their children is concerned, and for the future benefit of the whole continent of Africa, nothing can be conceived more promising. If some of our merchants would present either the Liberian Government or the Colonization Society with a packet steamer to ply between Philadelphia and Monrovia regularly and rapidly, we believe it would soon amply pay expenses, and develope a trade of the highest value to this city, while by carrying emigrants, it would enrich Africa.— Public Ledger.

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Rev. Mr. Arbousset, a French Protestant Missionary, of thirty years service among the Basutos in South Africa, reports having received at Moriah, six hundred of the natives to the Lord's table, and that there were lately four hundred communicants at the station, besides several other flourishing stations had been formed. It is stated that a work on South Africa has been written by Mr. Arbousset, which has been translated and published in Edinburg.

Accompanying a handsome contribution from one of the Missionary districts in South Africa, for the relief of the starving operatives in England, was a statement that $250 of the sum was contributed by the native tribe known by the name of Fingoes, among whom the Wesleyan missionaries have many years labored in teaching Christianity and civilization.

GROWING TRADE OF WEST AFRICA.

The ability of Western Africa to supply others than her own people with staple productions, and as a boundless mart for the manufactures of Europe and America, are clearly demonstrated. The last returns of imports by England from thence are thus given, as well as the increase or decrease as compared with 1859:

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The subjoined table shows the character of the commodities shipped in 1860, and that, with one exception, all the articles exhibit increases over the preceding year:

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The increase is a handsome one, and the total is rapidly rising in importance. The commerce of Western Africa offers great inducements to traders.—Colonization (Phila.) Herald.

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AID TO THE FREED PEOPLE.-Our private accounts from the West represent that the number of refugees from slavery was largely increased recently in Tennessee. It is said the Government proposes to furnish them with land for cultivation, and that seeds and agricultural implements are greatly needed. Our Western friends are giving their attention earnestly to this want. "I rejoice," writes a correspondent, "that this is the case, and I desire friends everywhere to be encouraged in this good work-thereby evincing to our authorities that though we cannot, for conscience' sake, destroy men's lives, we feel the Christian obligation resting on us to do something to save them. Although we should not, and I trust do not, engage in this work for ostentation, yet it is apparent that what is accomplished through the hand of charity, will be so much relief to our oppressed Government, and will doubtless meet its cordial approbation."

We are informed that our friend Henry Rowntree, of Iowa, has gone to the stations in Tennessee, to labor for the moral and religious improvement of the colored people.

A valued friend in the interior of the State of New York, writes that friends there have been much interested in preparing clothing for the freed people, and adds: "It does not seem to me a charity, but a debt we owe, and which, in justice, we are required to pay, at least in part. These poor people have been long toiling for us-suffering hardships, stripes, and bondage, and we have clothed and fed ourselves with the produce of their unrequited labor." By a recent letter from England, we learn that the Appeal from London Meeting for Sufferings for contributions to aid the refugees from slavery, is likely to find a liberal response, notwithstanding the strong claim of the suffering population of Lancashire upon the aid of our English friends—a claim that has been met in the spirit of true Christian benevolence.

We are glad to find that the Cincinnati Relief Commission continues its active exertions in the great work.-Friends Review.

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A superintendent expresses much gratitude for articles forwarded, while he mentions the exposure and sufferings of those associated with him in his labors, and suggests that every box sent should have a list of contents, and the place of the donor under whose charge distribution is made. The superintendent could report the good done:

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LIBERIA-THE STEVENS.

The Liberia Herald of the 4th of March gives a full account of the independent organization of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Liberia, with several other interesting articles, which we shall give in our next number. For various satisfactory reasons the Executive Committee have decided to postpone the departure of the Stevens unto the 16th of the present month. Efforts are being made by the friends of the Society, particularly by Rev. Dr. Pinney,

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of New York, with the sanction of the Board of the New York Society, to increase the number of emigrants by the approaching expedition. May these efforts be attended with success. What Liberia now, above all things, needs, is an intelligent and enterprizing colored population to extend her influence and develop her resources. Let but one mind animate those men of color who would make their liberty a blessing, and Africa shall become a sharer in their joy.

AFRICA.

Senator Wright, at a late missionary meeting in New York, said: “Liberia is as stable a Government as any of its age. She had schools, colleges, and over four thousand five hundred children receiving education by the policy of our government. A large trade in coffee and palm oil had been given to France and England. He hoped soon to see a vessel leave these shores every week for Liberia, and then the missionaries would open that dark continent to civilization. As the war goes on, and the colored people are thrown upon the Government, God seemed to open Africa that we might return them to their native land, and be their brethren in trade and commerce.

DEATH OF MISSIONARIES IN AFRICA.-Just as this number is made ready for the press, we are put in possession of letters from Africa, announcing the death of Mrs. Auer, wife of the Rev. J. G. Auer, on the 10th of February ; and of that of Miss Delia Hunt, on the twelfth of the same month. Both of these beloved missionaries died at the Orphan Asylum, Cape Palmas.

The letters containing the particulars of these sad events, are necessarily deferred to the next number.

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RECEIPTS OF THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY, From the 20th of March to the 20th of April, 1863.

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