Me

He said, "I will let you all go free, and I will give you provision wherewith to go to the State of Ohio, where you can buy liberty. They received the proposal in silence. At length one, who was celebrated with them for his wisdom, said, " Massa me no go. "Why not go Cato, inquired the master? Cato replied, "Me kept here; you take care when me grow old: if me go to Ohio me no know who take care of me. no go Massa, "-Now, as he had before remarked, he did not give this anecdote to discourage emancipation. What then were the hopes of the colored man here? And if this be the case, was it wise, was it christian like, was it philanthropic to frown on any scheme more feasible and more certain, though more gradual, which eventually promises his complete disenthralment? And, after all, notwithstanding the condition of those in our own country, when they contemplated yonder mighty continent, with its 150,000,000 of human beings, they would find that the condition of the black population here was not so degrading a condition as that of the blacks in Africa. Here the African had more than a glimmering of Christianity, but there he was an idolator. Here he had a glimmering of salvation-there he had none. Here he knows a little-there he worships the moon and the work of his own hands. Here he was a slave-admittedthere, too, there were a great many slaves; the creditor sold his debtor, and the conqueror his captive, and thus slavery prevailed in that country. There they were degraded, ignorant, and enslaved, and there were 150,000,000 raising their hands to Christendom and crying, “Come over and help us.

And this was the object of this Society. The fundamental principle of this Society was to colonize free people of color with their own consent, on the coast of Africa. There was not the cruelty in it which had been represented, for they were colonized by their own consent.

Dr. Johnson, who has resided four years at Liberia as a physician, gave some interesting details of the prosperous condition of that Colony.

The Rev. Mr. EDDY, of Newark, moved a vote of thanks to the ladies for their exertions in this cause, and after some other observations, the meeting was dissolved.-Herald.

AFRICA.

VERY erroneous opinions are entertained of Africa. With its name are associated little else than sterile plains, sandy deserts, and unwholesome fens-yielding sparingly the rich gifts of nature, and inhabited by ferocious savages, or by wild beasts still more ferocious. But in reality, Africa is a fair and beautiful portion of the globe-hardly surpassed in native riches by any other country. It contains immense plains of wonderful fertility, capable of raising almost every production peculiar to a tropical climate. Its forests, consisting of the most valuable timber, cover thousands of miles-while its rivers surpass in magnificence those of any other country on the Eastern Continent. The Niger, which is navigable within 500 miles of its source, after flowing more than two thousand miles through the interior, rolls its mighty waters from upwards of twenty mouths into the ocean. Such are the natural advantages of Africa-advantages which ought to give the inhabitants a prominent standing in the scale of nations, and make them happy among themselves, and a blessing to the rest of the world.

But the slave traffic is the terrible evil which rests like an incubus upon this devoted country, which desolates the fairest portions, converts the inhabitants into wolves, and array them against each other.-Mercantile Journal.

"ANOTHER BRITISH OUTRAGE UPON AN AMERICAN VESSEL."-Paragraphs introduced in a manner similar to the above, have become quite familiar, of late, to the American ear, and commonly they appear to be well authenticated. If England is inclined to peace, it is most unfortunate that she should have selected this particular juncture for the exercise of a "right" which we never admitted, and shall not-the right of search. True, the motive, or at least the ostensible motive, for this encroachment, is honorable and praiseworthy, viz. the suppression of the slave trade. And it is also true, we believe, that all the searches made, have taken place on or near the African coast. These are circumstances which should be taken fully into the account, in estimating the conduct of the British cruisers.

The number of American vessels searched within the last few months is probably a dozen or twenty, some of which have been subjected to much delay, inconvenience and loss. In all these vessels, we should like to ask the conductors of the movement, how many slaves have been found? In how many cases has there been even probable evidence that the vessels in question had been, or intended to be, engaged in the slave trade? The fact is, that instead of suppressing the slave trade, the British cruisers are suppressing our lawful commerce; a commerce which has been carried on, particularly from the port of Salem, for a long series of years; and has no more connexion with the slave trade than it has with the Canada lumber trade. Does it not become the British cruisers and the Government which sends them out, to weigh all these facts, and consider whether they have not carried this business far enough? Surely it cannot be that England would resort to such an under-handed policy for the purpose of destroying our lawful commerce with Africa!

The manner of the search, if the statements of the aggrieved are to be relied on, has been, in some cases, better suited to the character of pirates, than of honorable men, acting in behalf of oppressed humanity.-Jour. Com.

SLAVES IN SYRIA.-The slave trade in Syria is not carried on to a large extent. In the houses of the opulent a few negroes are seen, and amongst the wealthy Mussulmans generally one black eunuch at least; but the annual importation is small and diminishing. The supplies come down the Nile and are shipped at Alexandria. I have never known an instance of the employment of black slaves for field labor in any part of Syria. For household purposes they are seldom engaged except in the harems, there being a sufficient supply of domestic servants, which, in Egypt, cannot be found among the native Arab races. The black slaves who are fortunate enough to be purchased for the more opulent Mussulmans, are well treated, and frequently comfortably settled by their masters after a certain period of service. When we were visiting the Governor of St. John of Acre, he sent for a little black child, who was obviously a favorite, and told me he was the son of COUBADGI BASHA, to whom he had given one of his black women in marriage, and the child, whom he introduced, was the first born. He was pleased when the white father stroked the cheeks, and seemed proud of his boy.—Bowring's Report on Egypt.

SLAVERS CAPTURED.-A letter received here yesterday, from H. CARROLL, Esq., U. S. Consul at St. Helena, dated March 26, 1841, states, that five Portuguese Slavers had just been brought in at St. Helena, having been captured on the West coast of Africa by the British naval force on that station, with upwards of one thousand slaves on board. The slaves had been landed at St. Helena, and remained of course subject to the orders of the British Government.-Journal of Commerce.

MISSIONS IN ABYSSINIA.

THE Rev. C. W. ISENBERG, now in England, has furnished some details relative to Abyssinia, from which we have condensed the following:

Abyssinia is more than 600 miles in length, and about 400 in breadth. It is a mountainous country, with a healthy climate and a productive soil. Owing, however, to the low state of religion, morality and industry, the country is now poor. The population is about 5,000,000. It is divided into Tigre, on the N. E., Amhara on the N. W., and Shoa on the South. Formerly these three countries constituted one large kingdom. Shoa is the only part of Abyssinia where government is now respected. All the rest is a theatre of constant civil disorders.

In 1829, Messrs. GOBAT and KUEGLER of the British Church Missionary Society, went to Abyssinia, and met with a favorable reception from the Governor of Tigre. Mr. GOBAT went to Gondar, where he stayed six months. Mr. KUEGLER died, and the Governor of Tigre was killed in war. Mr. GOBAT fled to a convent, where he remained till 1832, when he returned to England, in order to obtain assistance. In 1834, he returned in company with Mr. ISENBERG, their wives, two German artizans, and two Abyssinian pupils. Mr. GOBAT was soon compelled to go to Europe for the benefit of his health. In 1837, Mr. ISENBERG was joined by the Rev. C. H. BLUMHARDT and Rev. J. L. KRAPF. They employed themselves in translating the Scriptures in the Tigre, in holding daily services in the Amharic language, in distributing the Bible, and in preaching. Large numbers listened attentively to the truth as it is in JESUS. Some intelligent men did not hesitate to confess that the Christian system was superior to their own. But the priest of one church at Adowa, the capital, became violently opposed to the missionaries, and took every measure in his power to destroy their influence. The confidence of the King in the missionaries could not, however, be shaken, till two French travellers arrived, attended by a Romish priest. This determined the question against the Protestant missionaries. They were soon ordered to leave the country. The King confessed that he himself had wished them to remain, but he could not resist the clamor of their enemies. With sorrowful minds they left the field, committing the precious seed which they had sown in tears to Him who is still able to carry on his work, even in the midst of human perverseness. The papal emissaries, however, had no reason to triumph in their temporary success. It appears that they were expelled soon after, because they interfered with political concerns.

The Protestant missionaries determined to accept an invitation which they had received from the King of Shoa. They arrived in his territories at the end of May, 1839. They were permitted to begin the work of evangelization. They first established a school, which was attended by thirty or forty scholars. Mr. ISENBERG, after staying six months, went to England, for the purpose of securing various supplies, and to carry through the press several school books. There is an apparent opening for preaching the Gospel to the numerous pagan tribes of the Galla nation, a people who surround Shoa, and are widely extended into central Africa. Their religion much resembles that of the Caffres of South Africa. Some of them have expressed a strong desire for Christian instruction. Some of the tribes deal chiefly in slaves, whom they purchase on the eastern frontier of Shoa, and sell at Mocha and Berbera. The annual export of slaves from one province is supposed to be 2000. The price of a slave near Shoa is from eight or twenty dollars; in Mocha, it is from 30 to $60. In view of these circumstances, the Committee of the Church Missionary Society have determined to reinforce the mission. Messrs. Mueller and MUHLEISEN left London for the Abyssinian mission, on the 21st January last. Boston Recorder.

MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AMONG the most prosperous missions which have been established are those of the London Missionary Society in South Africa. We have been much gratified with the details which are found in the reports of the missionaries respecting a revival of religion which occurred at a number of the stations in 1839-40. Of these missions, the Rev. JOHN PHILIP, D. D., residing at Cape Town, is Superintendent. The number of stations is twenty-four. One of the most distant, Lattakoo, is six hundred and thirty miles northeast of Cape Town. The number of ordained, European missionaries is twenty-eight. The number of communicants reported at seventeen stations is one thousand nine hundred and eighty-three. The amount of contributions in one year, by the native Missionary Societies, at eleven stations, was five hundred and ninety-eight pounds sterling.

At Caledon, a station one hundred and twenty miles east of Cape Town, a general awakening was manifested in the beginning of 1839, and many became concerned about the salvation of their souls. Among the converts was a number of promising young men. At Hankey, Mr. WILLIAMS, the missionary, preached from the words, "Behold! the Judge standeth at the door," at a time when the measles, a much dreaded, and in many instances, a fatal disorder, had broken out at a number of the stations. At the close of the sermon, Mr. WILLIAMS called on his people to humble themselves, like the Ninevites, before God. Next morning, hours before sun-rise, men, women and children came together for that purpose. The fire of devotion was kindled in the breasts of some, for the first time, and burst into a flame in the hearts of others, where previously it lay dormant. Marks of a blessed change were soon perceived. Some of the hardest and most hopeless individuals were softened and humbled. The zeal and devotional spirit of the members of the church soon acquired a high and holy character. They were indefatigable in their exertions to do good. The Hottentots, generally, have no chamber in their houses, where they can retire for private devotions. They go to the bush for that purpose. of them, also, have a way of uttering their words in a low plaintive tone, in secret prayer. What may be frequently seen and heard is truly delightful. Individuals may be seen resorting to, or returning from, their "praying-place," as they call it, at almost every hour of the day; but to take a walk in the evening about 10 o'clock, or 4 o'clock in the morning, would be sufficient to move any one. Each Hottentot has his own 66 prayingplace," a little distant from that of his neighbor, and some of them are visited so frequently, that there is a beaten path leading to the spot. It is truly pleasing to see a meeting-house filled, early in the morning with colored persons, singing, praying and exhorting; and at the close to find sixty or seventy persons remaining, in order to be further instructed in the way of salvation.

Most

At Uitenhage, about four hundred and fifty miles east of Cape Town, the missionary writes, in March, 1840, that, by the grace of Christ, there are a great number of inquirers belonging to the Mantatee tribe, who appear to be not far from the kingdom of God. The members of the church often speak about their former state of ignorance and barbarism; their eyes fill with tears when relating these things, and when praising the Lord for the grace which he has bestowed upon them.

The Rev. ROBERT MOFFATT, missionary at Lattakoo, after a residence of twenty-two years in the interior of South Africa, has returned to England, in order to superintend the printing of his translation of the Psalms and the New Testament in the Bechuana language. In order to make himself master of its peculiarities and idioms, he felt himself constrained

to leave for a while his wife and children in the desert, and plunging into its grosser darkness, and its greater perils, he there endured privations, and familiarized himself with scenes to which nothing could reconcile the mind of an Englishman and a Christian, but the love of souls and the love of Christ. His labor was completely successful.

The British Wesleyan Missionary Society appear to have about twenty stations, mostly among the Caffres, twenty-five European missionaries; number of members in Society one thousand eight hundred and fourteen; number of scholars four thousand and fifty-four.

Some idea of the extensive improvement which is taking place among the Caffres, may be formed from the report of the printing department. More than three hundred copies of a Caffre periodical are published quarterly, not for gratuitous distribution, but for sale to those natives who send in their names as subscribers to the work. During the year, there had also been printed in Caffre, five hundred copies of the Acts of the Apostles, five hundred of the Rules of the Society, and one thousand reading lessons. Of various works four thousand copies were to be immediately printed in Caffre, and the same number in Dutch. It was, also, determined to print five hundred copies of Mr. AYLIFF'S English and Caffre Dictionary. A second addition of Mr. Boyce's Caffre grammar, has lately been printed in England, under the charge of Mr. W. J. DAVIS. A manifest Divine influence has attended the preaching of the Word among the Bechuanas. The missionary has free access to the whole of the large population. A Chapel, which will contain one thousand persons, has been built at one station, together with two small chapels. Many of the young are anxiously inquiring what they must do to be saved.The progress of true religion among the Mantatees is extraordinary. This large tribe, which, until lately, was shut up in the deepest darkness, appears to be prepared for a general reception of divine truth. At the two stations which have been occupied, an extensive religious awakening has taken place, and many have proved that the Gospel is the power of God' unto salvation. Some of the converts are zealously employed in calling their heathen countrymen to repentance. At one school are more than twenty boys, sons of the most influential chiefs of the nation, who are receiving regular instruction in useful learning. A copious grammar of the Bechuana language has been published, together with other elementary works. Boston Recorder.

NAVAL. The U. S. brig Dolphin arrived at St. Croix on the 21st ult. from the coast of Africa, having touched at Gaudaloupe and Martinique. She left Porto Praya, Cape de Verds, on the 23d of March, at which time the Cyane had not returned from the African coast. But one death, (that of John Jackson, an Englishman,) had occurred on board the Dolphin since the 7th of February. Nine deaths had occurred previously. The Grampus lost two men at Porto Praya, which make five deaths on board that vessel. These facts we derive from a letter in the N. Y. American.

HON. WALTER FROWARD, of Pennsylvania, Comptroller of the Treasury, and Hon. E. WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, have been appointed by their respective State Colonization Societies, members of the Board of Directors of the American Colonization Society. Both of these gentlemen have long been friends of the cause, and favorably known to the public.