ducation to promote the instruction of all classes, but especially of the poorto seize all the advantages which this new system of education holds out-and to open resources by which it may be adapted to the circumstances and necessities of the country.

-in.

"Connected with Education, all enlightened friends of mankind will augur well of the intelligence and happiness of a country in proportion to the circulation of the Scriptures thereThe able and impressive manner in which a Peruvian Gentleman, at the Seventh Anniversary of the Bible Society of the United States held at New York, shewed that the Scriptures are the great blessing which South America requires, will have been seen at pp. 275–277 of our last volume. In communicating to its inhabitants this boon, the British and American Bible Societies continue to co-operate. In briefly surveying this Continent in the order already adopted, we find it reported, that, in Columbia, the demand for the Scriptures, particu larly among the poor and in the public schools, is rapidly in creasing-in Peru, five hundred Spanish Bibles and five hundred Testaments were circulated, at Lima, in two or three days: had their number been five thousand, they would have been disposed of; so great was the concourse of people pressing to obtain copies, that the Gentleman to whom they were consigned was obliged to close his door upon them: the number sold paid the cost of the whole: the New Testament is translating into the Quichua Tongue, spoken by the numerous descendants of the ancient Peruvians-in Chili, an American Captain found much difficulty in disposing of forty Testaments; but the state of things soon afterwards improved: one Gentleman sold all the copies of the Scriptures which he had, and had no doubt but that the sale would increase from year to year; of two hundred Testaments, committed to the care of the Captain of a vessel, nearly three-fourths were paid for: he found the copper-miners, in particular, most anxious to possess and read the Scriptures —at Mendoza, across the Andes, in Buenos Ayres, the Scriptures meet with a very favourable reception at the city of Buenos Ayres, an Auxiliary Society has been formed, and the

New Testament is in free circulation; and, from that place, makes its way in all directions, into the surrounding country, and even into Patagonia-at Bahia, Pernambuco, and Rio Janeiro, in the Brazils, the Portuguese Scriptures have been circulated at Pernambuco, they were admitted duty free, and were applied for by the people in crowds: at Rio, an American Captain found them much esteemed and thankfully receivedin Guiana, the Negroes, in various places, willingly purchase the Scriptures, and manifest the benefit derived from them.

"In reference to the spirit of toleration in the New States, it is remarked, in an American publication ;

Although a bigoted attachment to Romanism is visible in all the South-American Provinces, still as much liberality of sentiment has already been manifested, with respect to the introduction and toleration of the Protestant Religion, as, from their previous opinions and habits, could have been reasonably expected.

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'It is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that the hostility to the free circulation of the Scriptures, which all over the world now characterizes the Romish Church and marks its apprehension, should display itself in this quarter; and that while, as was the fact, the people were eagerly crowding for the Scriptures in Lima, the public papers should break out into opposition: but it is certainly ground of congratulation and thankfulness, that when some of the Clergy in Chili endeavoured to throw obstacles in the way of their circulation, the Government was as ready to remove them.

"Christian Knowledge is, moreover, making its way among the people of this vast continent, by means of Scripture Extracts and Religious Tracts.

"On the first of these it is said, in a letter from Lima ;

"We have printed, at different times, Lessons for our Schools, consisting of Extracts from the Scriptures; and these Lessons are now used in the Schools in Buenos Ayres and Chili. In this place, I am printing an edition of these Lessons, consisting of two thousand five hundred copies, at the Government Printing-Office. No objections have hitherto been made to my introducing the Scriptures into the Schools in this manner; nor is there any interference, in the manner of selecting the parts of Scripture for these Lessons. You will easily perceive the great advantages arising from this indirect circulation of the Scriptares. Ins

truction will be communicated thereby, at that age in which the tender mind. easily receives, and to a certain extent permanently retains, the impressions then made. From the slow progress of truth, of religion, and virtue among MEN, and from the adherence to evil in all its forms, I turn my eyes, and I turn them with pleasure, to CHILDREN. There the great reformation must begin upon this foundation must be built all that is noble in our species, by which God may be glorified and the deeper this foundation is laid, that is, the EARLIER instruction begins, so much more majestic and beautiful will be the edifice erected.

"On the subject of Tracts, we quote the last Report of the Religious Tract Society :

"Your correspondents in South America unite in stating, that a general avidity for publications of all descriptions now prevails throughout that extensive field of operation. Increased facilities for the circulation of Tracts have thus been given; and their distribution has become an object of the greatest importance. Wherever an increased desire for information exists, it must be of the atmost consequence to diffuse what shall prove food for the mind-even those leaves which are given for the healing of the nations. Tracts have, every where, been found to awaken a desire for the perusal of the Holy Scriptures; and in no part of the world is this of more importance than in South America, where the greater number of the inhabitants, including many of the Ministers of Religion, have literally NEVER SEEN that precious volume, which contains the words of eternal life.”

WEST INDIES.- We have usually connected the Missions in Guiana with South America, according to their local situation; but as Guiana is the only part of that continent where Protestant Missions are established for the benefit of Slaves, and as it borders close on the West India Islands, we have classed it, on the present occasion, with the other Missions to the Slava Population.

"This is a topic, however, which awakens painful feelings. The efforts entered on in the course of last year, for the present mitigation and the gradual but ultimate abolition of the state of Slavery throughout the British dominions, and the interest which the Government and the country have taken in this great question (see pp. 125–128 & 373-377 of our last volume), have been met, in some of the colonies, in a manner, so opposite to that which even their own real interests required, as to shew the friends of the beneficent measures in progress that they must

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prepare for a long conflict; but, of its triumphant issue, there is no ground to fear.

"The religious instruction of the whole Slave population, combined with those habits of industry which religion forms, and which would become fixed and unchangeable by permission gradually to purchase their own emancipation by their la bour, would substitute, for the present degraded and therefore dangerous mass of Slaves, a race of contented and laborious freemen. This conviction is rapidly gaining ground; and will make its way wherever the subject is calmly considered in all its bearings. The great object itself, therefore the present melioration and ultimate abolition of the state of Slavery-and the temperate and judicious manner in which it is proposed to attempt its accomplishment, both deserve the cordial support of every person who has any interests at stake in the West Iadies.

"We quoted, at pp. 268–270 of our last volume, the sentiments of Sir G. H. Rose and those of Mr. Stephen, on the duty and benefits of giving Christian Instruction to the Slaves. Sir George Rose, himself an hereditary possessor of West India property, has since forcibly urged this obligation, in a pamphlet on the "Means and Importance of Converting the Slaves in the West Indies to Christianity ;" and has recommended an Ecclesiastical Establishment with express reference to this object. The powerful arguments of the Rev. Thomas Gisborne and the Rev. E. W. Grinfield on this subject were detailed at pp. 223-225 of our last volume. We are truly happy to add, that such an establishment is about to be formed. Bishops, appointed for Jamaica and Barbadoes, will have un. der them a body of clergy specially devoted to the religious jnstruction of the Slaves. The Incorporated Society for the Conversion of the Slaves is also beginning to enlarge its means of usefulness, with the concurrence and support of the Colonial Body; the West India Merchants and Planters of Londou having voted 1000l. to its funds, and those of Liverpool and Glasgow respectively 1004

**Mr. Stephen has just published, in an ample octavo volume, the first part of a work, entitled "The Slavery of the British West India Colonies delineated, as it exists both in Law and Practice." This volume contains the delineation of the state in point of Law; and exhibits a mass of facts and conclusions, which no one but this able, enlightened, and unwearied Friend of the African Race could have brought together, and used to a purpose so effectual.

We recommend to the attention of our readers both the publications which we have mentioned; and would earnestly urge on every religious and conscientious mind the duty of aiding to the utmost the attainment of the ultimate object in view, the most beneficial of all others to our West India Colonies themselves—The raising of ignorant and degraded slaves · into industrious and religious freemen.

"Much has indeed, been already done, by the benevolent exertions of different Societies, for the conversion and salvation of our Slaves. In some places, and against some of the labourers in this work, great hostility has been lately manifested, on occasion of the Insurrection which broke out, in the latter part of last year, in Demerara. In reference to the outrages which followed, we shall quote the forbearing and temperate words of one of the Societies concerned :—

"The Committee regard them as the ebullitions of the moment; and rejoice in knowing, that the great cause of enlightening the Slaves of the West Indies, by means of religious instruction, is daily gaining new friends, among those whose connexion with those Colonies is the most intimate and influential."

The details in this division are arranged under the names of the different Societies employed. The Baptist Missionary So ciety have eight (we rather think nine; Missionaries in Jamaica. The Church Missionary Society have eleven Schools in Antigua, and in Barbadoes, Dominica, and St. Vincent, one each. The Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society have one Missionary in Hayti. The London Missionary, Society have three Missionaries in Demerara, one in Berbice, and two