after which the President remarked, to the effect, that the character of the Society was most noble, and though not strictly religious, it did give play to some of the highest sensibilities and best feelings of the christian. And that it offered a grand stage upon which all the friends of the African race might act a part. It gave every facility to their northern friends to ameliorate their condition-and it received the favor of the South.

The first object of the Society was to relieve those in America who are free or shall become free, from the load of public opinion which weighs them down, and from the invidious distinctions which they have been obliged to endure. They have not a happy home here, and this Society proposes to give them one, to place them in their own-their God given home-to establish them in Africa-their dear, their "Father Land," and which is indeed a beautiful country; and that the ulterior object of the Society was the complete regeneration of Africa.

The President closed by introducing Joseph B. Walker, Esq., of Concord, who was appointed delegate to represent this Society at Washington in January last.

Mr. W. said:-My experience at the convention at Washington, gave me a new view of the reality and magnitude of the Society. I had long known that it had a name and a kind of existence, and had felt favorably towards it, but had never so realized its importance before. He closed by saying that this Society was the parent of Liberia.

Rev. Alexander Crummell, a colored gentleman from Liberia, was then introduced, and while delivering a very interesting address, in substance said: The eyes of the whole civilized world appear at length to be turned toward Africa. Those who have travelled over the continent have endeavored to find out the great secret which has seemed to shut her out, as it were, from the civilized world.

There is need for interest in Africa, for she stands almost alone in darkness, and divorced from all enlightened nations. But that precept, "Go ye into all the world," embraced Africa. How can she

be brought up and out where the light of civilization and truth can shine in upon her and chase away the darkness? Trade alone cannot do it; the graves of the noble white men sent as missionaries, scattered here and there along her borders, show that for them a mission of mercy is a mission of death; and yet Africa must be evangelized, christianized, as much so as this country.

The first experience of those who labored to establish the colony was discouraging. They had to struggle against sickness occasioned by change and exposure; against troubles brought upon them by the slave trade; and they were disheartened and oppressed; but all that is no reason for believing the enterprise to be impracticable. Such is the history of all new countries. It was so with California and Australia, with their healthy climate, and especially so with our own country, and you cannot plant a colony without anticipating these disadvantages.

Our people have recently taken courage and show more activity. They now cultivate about 500,000 coffee trees. The demand for coffee has increased, and they have increased their efforts, and coffee has become quite an export, and I think will be more so, as the coffee tree grows spontaneously. In 1853 there was not a pound of sugar produced in the Republic. Our attention was called to the subject in 1855, and now we are exporting sugar and molasses to England and America, and export it too in our own vessels, of which we have about thirty. We export ivory and palm oil also, the latter of which is destined to become a staple of great importance; and as the demand and the means for trade and manufacture extend, just so fast new desires and new motives are awakened, and industry and order ensue. And Africans will work. I have known them to come from the back country a distance of twenty-five days' travel, bringing loads of ivory and palm oil on their backs. Our exports at a single port last year amounted to about $190,000, our imports to about $140,000. Politically considered, we have a republican government, choose our President once in two years; have a Legislature of two branches, and an organized militia; but no division into States, and consequently no disputes about State rights. We extend protection over a country 500 miles on the coast and 200 into the interior, and to all are secured the right of trial by jury. Those returned from this country are about 15,000; whole number of inhabitants about and we carried and use your language with us, which is being spread somewhat among the tribes of the continent, for they urge us to take and educate their children.

Before I stop I suppose you will want to know if I believe we are to become a great, civilized, prosperous nation. There are many things that may hinder, but I shall answer, yes! An epidemic may sweep away our population; wars and other calamities may overcome

us.

But these are possibilities, not probabilities. I believe God has gracious designs for Africa. His precept is being obeyed, and the Gospel is being preached in nearly all the world successfully; the islands of the sea are being christianized to a great extent, and nations are almost literally "born in a day." And Africa, so long borne down in darkness, in slavery, and in unjust judgment of men, I believe is about to receive the compassionate blessings of Heaven, and to have her rights among the nations, by which she has been wronged, vindicated at length by a just and merciful God; and I believe Liberia is one instrument by which He has blessed and will bless Africa to this end. I cannot believe he has led us on thus far in this noble enterprise, until we have begun to see and feel the genial influences of light and truth softening and scattering the thick darkness, and that he will now forsake us-for God takes no step backwards. And I see other reasons for believing that we shall become christianized and as honorable as we have been oppressed and despised.

The African is very susceptible to religious impressions; is devotional, and the Gospel, which is the chief corner-stone of all national greatness, is readily received. Her inhabitants are of the highest order of men, physically, also, however contrary that may be to the

commonly received opinion among the nations; and more, they have and will continue for a long time to have the benefits derived from experience as bondmen, in a nation of the highest intelligence, and the most choice political institutions, and who in spite of their positions have participated somewhat in the joys of independence.

With this experience as bondmen comes the benefit of affliction, which humbles a people, and brings them where God can safely honor them and make them great. God always afflicts and humbles a people before he exalts them. It was especially so with the Jews, and with your own ancestors, and in this way old civilizations are done away, and new and higher orders of civilization are introduced. It is sometimes so in nature. The insect is imprisoned in the chrysalis before he can wear the gorgeous apparel of the butterfly. I believe that God is about to plant a new germ of civilization in Africa, and that we are fast rising to that lofty position designed by God for us. Hon. N. G. Upham was then introduced, and spoke with great zeal and force, after having introduced the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the importance of African Colonization is made eminently distinct and impressive, by passing events in this country and the encouragements of Providence in Africa, and that the vigorous prosecution of the enterprise is imperatively demanded, as well by true patriotism as by pure philanthropy and religion."

In his remarks this very appropriate truth was presented for the encouragement of the friends of Colonization. He said: There is an important truth found in the history of nations: and that is, a people in its first struggles for nationality is never properly appreciated by the nations living simultaneously.

Rev. Mr. Orcutt remarked, that he hoped the time had come when it was unnecessary for one to apologize for being a Colonizationist. The President then read the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the Rev. Alexander Crummell, for the able and interesting address delivered by him before the Society this evening."

On motion of Dr. Stone, the officers of last year were re-elected. The meeting was full, and the exercises throughout were of a high and impressive character.

On motion the meeting dissolved.

THE CHRISTIAN CONSTITUTION OF LIBERIA.

Rev. Mr. Orcutt, in a sermon last Sabbath in the South Church, Concord, N. H., stated that the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia was more christian than that of any other nation on earth. This appears from the fact that the Constitution makes it the duty of the Government to extend the blessings of civilization and christianity as far as it shall be able, throughout the benighted continent of Africa. The

but a

Liberia Constitution establishes no union of church and state, union of christianity and state; and for this reason, if for no other, we believe God will preserve and prosper that Republic, and make it one day the glory of the world. If the 200,000,000 of black men inhabiting the continent of Africa shall be ever christianized, it must be done mainly through the agency of black men." Mr. Orcutt thought that, "The providence of God points christians and philanthropists in this country to the Christian Republic of Liberia, as the basis of successful missionary operations upon the continent, and foreshadows the time when the African race will rise to a respectability and a commanding influence among the races of the human family.— Cong. Journal.

FROM LIBERIA.

We have received brief despatches from President BENSON, bearing dates to May 14, 1861:

REV. AND DEAR SIR:

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

Monrovia, April 27, 1861.

I addressed you a few lines this month, via England, which no doubt will have reached you ere this does. Since then, I have nothing of importance to write. It is very likely (though not fully decided) I will have the quarterly reports of Commissioners of Recaptured Africans published quarterly, instead of awaiting the session of the Legislature; especially as friends abroad are very desirous, I am certain, to know how they are getting on, especially our co-laborers, the American Colonization Society. Taking all things under consideration, I am pleased with their improvement and present condition; and I hope it will not be long before funds will be comeatable, by which we may be able to erect the contemplated Receptacle and completely inaugurate our system of training.

The Superintendent of Grand Bassa County is progressing with the interior settlement, (Finley,) and I have instructed him to cooperate, and on certain occasions to consult with your agent there; and above all things to try and get on harmoniously, which I hope will be the case. *

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I hope peace and quietude are once more restored in the United States, and that the present Administration may have an unparalleled rule of prosperity and peace. *

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Being greatly pressed with business, I close by subscribing myself, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Rev. R. R. GURLEY.

STEPHEN A. BENSON.

REV. AND DEAR SIR:

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

Monrovia, May 14, 1861.

I wrote to you a few days ago by Captain Webber, which will have no doubt reached you ere this will. I then informed you that it was a matter of regret, that for want of funds it was impossible to have the recaptives' Receptacles erected. Yet I indulge the hope that many more weeks will not elapse before we shall be informed that we can draw under the contract the instalment due on the same.† I have fully determined to suffer no drafts to be drawn on account of the recaptives, until we are notified that we can do so; which we sincerely hope to be notified of at least by the next arrival.

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On the evening of the 7th inst., the ship Nightingale, Lt. Guthrie, who bears this letter over, anchored in our harbor, a prize to the U. S. Sloop Saratoga, captured at Cabenda. The Congoes, about 800, have all been landed and safely housed by Government, and will be duly cared for. We are greatly pressed. Yet we believe that all our friends in the United States will do all in their power for our relief. Surely the new Administration will not hesitate in making the proper appropriation and contract. We are sorely pressed.

I intended to write you more lengthily by this vessel, but the messenger has just come in to say that the ship is getting underway, so I must close.

Our election was held on the 7th inst. The Administration ticket has been sustained by about three-fourths of the votes of Liberia. We are expecting other prizes up soon.

With great respect, I am, very truly, your obedient servant, STEPHEN A. BENSON.

Rev. R. R. GURLEY.

We regret to observe that the publication of the "Liberia Christian Advocate" is suspended from March 13, 1861; yet the hope is expressed that it may be resumed in the course of two or three months. The number for March 13th concludes one-fourth of the year. From this last number of the paper we extract the following articles:

Trip to Careysburg.

Reaching White Plains on Friday, the 8th ult., after attending to many minor particulars, went over pretty thoroughly the coffee farm. It was when the heat of the day was spent, and we determined to see all that was to be seen on the premises. Comprehensively and truly, we gladly express our agreeable surprise at the healthy and prosperous condition in which we found a large proportion of the farm; especially that part of it lying over the creek, where the soil is much better adapted to coffee-growing than next to the river. To look at some 10,000 coffee trees, in the mild evening light of a bright day, completely covering with their deep green foliage the hills, and

This information was sent some weeks ago.