approbation of the Committee, and that the result will prove our strict adherence to economy. I am now preparing to proceed to Badagry, with Mr. and Mrs. De Graft, by the first opportunity; and hope, by the blessing of God, to be able to write to you from thence in about two months from this date. I bless God that our reports from all parts of the District are very encourag ing, both from the interior and along the Coast. Some of us, either from hard labour, or from the exhausting effects of the rainy season, are not quite so strong in bodily health as we could wish: but we will not complain; for we know in whose glorious work we are engaged. IV. CIVILIZATION. SEVERAL passages in the preceding pages serye to illustrate the principle that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the grand civilizer of hea then and savage men, and show that wherever its glorious truths begin to operate on minds previously wedded to the superstitious observances and barbarous customs, which had held successive generations in thraldom, a desire for the arts and comforts of civilized life is speedily manifested. With a view to furnish further evidence on this point, we give some additional extracts, which will be read with especial interest even by those who may be disposed to estimate the value of the religious instruction which the Missionary communicates to the Heathen, principally by the beneficial changes which it promotes in their temporal condition. The first extract shows that, although agricultural operations had been delayed at Domonasi, in consequence of the lamented death of the Rev. W. Thackwray, a part of the stock of implements which had been formed by a grant to the Chief at that place, from the Committee of "the Society for the Extinction of the Slave-Trade, and for the Civilization of Africa," and by private liberality, had been usefully employed by our people at Afetu. The Napoleon Plantation, to which Mr. Freeman refers, as only four miles distant from this place, is a cotton and coffee plantation, situated five miles from Cape-Coast Castle, about which the Missionaries are all greatly interested. The purchase of this estate, (which might be effected for a few hundred pounds,) for the purpose of teaching the Christian natives an improved method of agriculture, would certainly be a noble expression of philanthropy; and, if the concurrent judgment of intelligent persons of all professions and pursuits, who are acquainted with it, can be relied upon, would be one of the most beneficial measures yet adopted for the improvement of Western Africa. The late lamented Captain Bird Allen, of the Niger Expedition, when he visited it in company with Mr, Freeman, was so much impressed with its importance, that he offered to share with Mr. Freeman the responsibility of taking the management of it for a time, until it could be ascertained whether it was practicable to make any arrangement in England for its purchase and permanent occupancy. It may be added, that the Rev. Mr. Allen, who was sent from England to supply the vacancy occasioned by Mr, Thackwray's death, has so recently reached Domonasi, that there has not been opportunity to receive from him a report of his proceedings at that place. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman, to the General Secretaries, dated Cape-Coast Castle, April 17th, 1842. SEVERAL of our people at Cape- in agricultural pursuits, and I have supCoast have applied to me for assistance plied them with some of the implements placed in my care by the Anti-SlaveTrade Society, (as well as by private liberality,) at half-price,-the payment to be made in part of the produce of their plantations; and the money thus received to be applied to any practical purpose connected with agriculture, &c., which time and circumstances may point out to us. Some have received cross-cut saws, and pit-saws, under the same regulations, and are now, busily engaged in cutting boards, and beams. Four of them, whom I supplied with the latter implements, came to me yesterday, stating, that they had cut ninety boards for sale, and begged me to allow them to. store them on the Mission-premises; to which I have readily consented. same men have also received pick-axes, spades, &c., and are busy in farming. They yesterday asked me for coffee-seed, that they may prepare for a coffee-plantation next year. According to my instructions, they have cut down the bush, and sowed corn, which is now up, and will bring them a quick return for their labour. After the gathering of this corn, they will then clear the roots of the trees out of the land, and plant coffee. Their little plantations are at Afetu, These about four miles beyond the Napoleon plantation, and on the road to Denkera, the residence of the celebrated refugee,, Kujoh Chibbu, which is situated about twenty-five miles north-west of CapeCoast. It is a painful reflection, that so important a person as Chibbu, with his numerous tribe, perhaps from thirty to forty thousand, scattered around within twenty to seventy miles of us here, have received no attention from us. But what can we do? We really have not labourers enough to occupy our present extensive field. Our movements, however, in this neighbourhood will be sure to bring Chibbu more fully under our notice, and ourselves more immediately into contact with him. The King of Ashánti expressed a wish to have some of his people taught to cut boards, and asked me to procure him saws from the Coast. Some Ashántis have been sent with our men to learn to saw; and I have sent the King a cross-cut saw, and a pit-saw, as a present from the Anti-Slave-Trade Society, with which he is very much pleased, and for which he requests me to present his thanks to that Society. (ENCLOSURE.) Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Robert Brooking, dated Kumási, April 6th, 1842, to the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman, Cape-Coast Castle. ALL things around us are as promising as ever, I am still frequently visited by all the principal Chiefs. Indeed it seems that I am exciting a greater interest among them. I am just now getting a few articles of furniture completed. A few days ago I had a side-board finished and put in its place, which circumstance has drawn numerous visiters here. They are also greatly astonished at the wonders of the turning-lathe. You will remember, in reading the adventures of that excellent Missionary, Williams, that, the first thing he turned in the South-Sea Islands was the leg of a sofa, By a curious coincidence, quite undesigned on my part, that was also the first thing I turned in Kumási; nor did it occur to me, until after Degowar came in and saw it; who, after he had examined it, for upwards of half-an-hour, with the greatest attention, and placed it in twenty different positions, pronounced it to be a most beautiful thing. The King also paid me a visit to-day. He was here almost an hour; he, too, was much gratified with what I have done, and desired me to work the turninglathe, with which he was greatly delighted. He expressed a degree of surprise, when, after he asked me how long I had had it, I informed him three weeks, that no one had told him I had got sucha wonderful thing. He was also pleased with the side-board; and when he saw the stool, he pronounced it to be an excellent thing; and told Quantamissah that he should like to have one to be carried with him when he goes a journey, but that he did not like to ask me to make him one. I shall set Kobri to make him a neat one, and send him down as soon as possible; and am glad that I have such an opportunity of doing him this favour. One of the Chiefs told me the other day, that if he had been told that the side-board had been made on the Coast and brought up here, he should not have believed it; but have concluded that it certainly came from England. V. BADAGRY. THE complexion of the intelligence which we continue to receive respecting this place is, on the whole, satisfactory. The King, or prin cipal Chief, still expresses a strong desire that a Missionary should be placed there; and the native people, who removed thither from SierraLeone,* appear to be in safety while they remain in the town ; but some few, who had ventured a short distance into the country, had been exposed to violence. This latter circumstance shows the importance of securing the concurrence of the King of Dahomy. Mr. Freeman is earnestly commended to the prayers of all the friends of the Society, that he may be preserved on his long and perilous journey, and may, by the divine blessing, succeed in producing such a favourable impression on the mind of that dark and sanguinary Monarch, as may not only promote the establishment of a Christian Mission at Badagry, but may also open the way for the ultimate spread of the Gospel through Dahomy itself. The admirable letter of Mr. De Graft, the Native Missionary, who has been selected to accompany Mr. Freeman to Badagry, does him the highest honour, and affords delightful promise of what may be eventually expected from a Native African ministry. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman, to the General Secretaries, dated Cape-Coast Castle, Western Africa, June 25th, 1842. SOME few weeks since I spoke to Mr. De Graft, suggesting his removal to Badagry. He has thought and prayed over the subject; has offered to take charge of the place; and is, I find, just arrived at Anamabu, ready to accompany me down. The enclosed letter from him will show you the spirit in which he enters into the engagement. We hardly know how to spare him from Winnebah; but the demand for Badagry is too imperative to admit of excuse or objection. Mr. Thomas Hutton has just established a factory there, which will facilitate my financial transactions for that place. I will endeavour to write again in a few days. P. S. Since I finished my letter, I have seen Mr. Thomas Hutton, and talked with him respecting Badagry. He says, my best plan will be to go to Why. dah, where Mr. De Souza lives, and from thence proceed to the capital + of the King of Dahomy, whose concurrence would greatly facilitate our Missionary plans at Badagry. He recommends my taking down a few workmen, to get a temporary Mission-house built out of hand, as dwelling-houses are not to be obtained there. These things make me feel that another arduous work is before me. O for physical and spiritual strength, faith and patience, adequate for these successive and onerous duties! (ENCLOSURE.) Extract of a Letter from Mr. William De Graft, to the Rev. Thomas B. Freeman, dated Winnebah, June 7th, 1842. REV. SIR,-Impelled by a pure sense of duty, I embrace this early opportunity, having heard of your arrival on the Coast from the interior, to transmit you these few lines, on the important subject you affectionately submitted to my consideration, when I last visited you at Cape-Coast, respecting the Mission to Badagry. Ever since that time I have, in accordance with your kind advice, made that momentous subject the object of deep thought, serious consideration, and fervent prayer. And here I must confess, that, during the interlapsed time, since I saw you until now, my mind has been greatly For an account of this emigration see the "Notices" for December, 1841, and June last; and the Annual Report for the present year, p. 101.-EDIT. Again, I say it to the glory of God, that, notwithstanding all the painful perplexities my troubled mind underwent, I felt, and still feel, the love of God to be a living, mighty, and invincible principle, as recorded by the great Apostle to the Gentiles: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ?" &c. And since "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom," I am afraid to act in opposition to his divine will, which is the best; and, endeavouring by his own grace to keep his commandments, which consist in the two great ones mentioned by our Saviour, I therefore resign and leave myself afresh in his hands, his gracious hands, and pray, "Me if thy grace vouchsafe to use, Meanest of all thy creatures, me, O'errule, or change, as seems thee meet! Thy work, O Lord, is all complete, And pleasing in thy Father's sight; Thou only hast done all things right. "Here then to thee thy own I leave; Mould as thou wilt thy passive clay; But let me all thy stamp receive, But let me all thy words obey; Serve with a single heart and eye, And to thy glory live and die." And, surely, when I contemplate the amazing love of God, as manifested in the gift of his Son; the very precious ransom which Christ Jesus paid for me and mine, and for the whole human family; Sir, I cannot come to any other conclusion than to follow in that path "in which my Saviour's footsteps shine." And I mention it to you with a very thankful feeling indeed, that Mrs. De Graft coincides with me in my views, we having renewed our resolution, as it were, to sustain the holy cross, and labour in any part of the Gospel-field where our Lord and Saviour would call us to work for his glory. So you see, Sir, that we are ready to do the will of the Lord. All I wait for now is, to know what to do, or to hear from you what is proper to be done. And as you have proved our unwavering friend from the very first until now, with such an important affair before us, we beg an interest in your prayers. If convenient, I shall thank you, by the return of this messenger, to send the accounts about that place for me to read, with Lander's Journals. CONCLUSION. AFTER the reader has perused the preceding documents, he will be somewhat prepared for the following outburst of intense feeling. No wonder that the Missionary who nobly "jeopards his life unto the death in the high places of the " West-African Mission "field," and who has the most vivid perception of the glorious victories which are likely, with suitable aid, to be effected in furtherance of the kingdom of Christ, and for the advancement of the cause of humanity,-should give vent to his benevolent emotions in language which we shall now copy from one of Mr. Freeman's recent letters : O THAT we had more help here! What distressing obstacles the want of it throws in the way of our usefulness! England is doing nothing, or scarcely any thing as yet, compared with what she ought to do. O that God would raise up another successful "Peter the Hermit," to call Christian England, and her Christian allies of Europe, to engage more effectually in a grand spiritual warfare; not in order to rescue a lifeless sepulchre from the hands of heretics, but to snatch millions of immortal spirits in Africa from the iron grasp of Satan, and thus transform the ancient chivalry of Britain into burning zeal for the glory of the God of heaven, in the evangelization and civilization of the degraded posterity of Ham! In this, success would be certain; and the Christian crusader (if I may be allowed to call him by that name) would enjoy a present reward, in the happy consciousness that he was saving souls from death. I trust the day is not far distant, when some mightier movements will take place in the Christian camp, and when England will do something for Africa worthy of her knowledge, her piety, and her greatness. Her energies are inexhaustible, and she is at present doing comparatively nothing. Cherishing the most grateful sense of the liberality evinced by Christians of all denominations, in support of our Missions in Ashanti and at the Gold-Coast, we at the same time so far enter into the spirit of this quotation, as to painfully feel, that the present amount of means at the Committee's disposal is most distressingly disproportionate to the work providentially placed before the Society in those parts of Africa, to which this Number of our "Notices" refers. It is, however, our earnest hope, that the good work which has been so delightfully begun, will not long be left to languish for want of something like adequate support; but that those who feel for Africa, and who are encouraged to believe that the universal dissemination of the Gospel cannot fail eventually to redress her wrongs, and elevate her to her proper place among the Christian and civilized countries of the earth, will promptly afford their liberal and effectual aid to an enterprise, on which the furthering smile of Heaven so manifestly rests. Donations or annual subscriptions, in aid of the Wesleyan Missions generally, or specially for the support and enlargement of the Society's Missions at the Gold-Coast, in Ashanti, Badagry, and in other parts of Guinea, are most earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received at the Wesleyan Centenary-Hall and Mission-House, BishopsgateStreet-Within, London, by General Treasurers, THOMAS FARMER, Esq., General Secretaries; and, in the country, by any of the Wesleyan Ministers, or by the gentlemen who act as Local Treasurers, and whose names are specified in the list given on the cover of the "Missionary Notices." LONDON, October 17th, 1842. Contributions to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers, since our last announcement, to the 13th of October, 1842. Moneys received at the Mission-House. £. 3. "Nihil," for the Jamaica Mission 50 0 From the Mother and Sister of the late Rev. Thomas Furze, for the Gold-Coast and Ashanti Missions, by the Rev. William 50 0 42 0 0 R. Benson, Esq., Liverpool. 25 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 330 Legacy of the late Mr. John Shewan, of Peterhead, by the Rev. M. N., for Female Schools in Trinidad (additional). T. E. S., by Thomas Ayerst, Esq., jun.. Rev. James and Mrs. Osborn, London In the September Notice last published, for, "A Thank-offering by Thomas Farmer," read, "A Thank-offering by Thomas Turner, Esq., Batcombe, SheptonMallet Circuit, for the Feejees." In the October Notice, for, Miss Tomlinson's Legacy, £36, read, £5. LONDON-PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, HOXTON-SQUARE, |