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EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF MR. DAV-| printing hands, as he was desirous to ENPORT, DATED BANGKOK, DEC. 8, exhort and instruct them as far as he 1840. was able.

I said to him, suppose you should

The first Siamese convert-Application be persecuted by your countrymen,

for baptism.

I rejoice with trembling to communicate to you the fact, that there is one Siamese willing to break loose from the idolatrons religion of his forefathers and his countrymen, and to connect himself with the church of Christ. His name is Soot; and he is a young man, about twenty two years of age. He has been in our employment more than a year. Soon after entering it, he began to make inquiries relative to the Christian religion, and afterwards appeared to take an uncommon interest in the daily and Sabbath exercises. After this time he expressed his belief in the truths of christianity, and asked to be admitted into the church by baptism. I thought it best to act cautiously in regard to this case, and requested him to persevere in the course he was pursuing. When we felt fully satisfied that he was willing and anxious to obey Christ, we should with much pleasure receive him into the church. I have conversed with him at intervals for a

and they should even proceed to imprison you and threaten you with death for changing your religion; how would you act? He replied, I would endeavor to submit to it quietly.

We all feel much interested in this case. Sabbath next is appointed for his examination; after which I hope to have the pleasure of baptizing him in the name of the blessed Trinity. We ask the prayers of the Board in behalf of ourselves and the poor heathen about us, and especially for this individual, that he may be blessed and made a blessing to the benighted Siamese.

West Africa.

THE BA'SA TRIBE.

The subjoined sketch of the character and habits of this people, is from the pen of Rev. W. G. Crocker, missionary of the Board, who is now on a visit to this country. He has re

sided for several years among them, has acquired their language, and has had ample opportunities for acquaintance with their character and condition.

The Bása country-Agriculture-Social

economy.

The Basa people extend from Junk river to the river Cestres, about 90 miles on the coast; and from all the information I have been able to gain, I think they occupy most of the country between those points, and for about seventy miles back from the sea. Their number was estimated by Mr. Ashman at 125,000. As this would give about twenty to a square mile, it probably is not far from the truth. The language of this tribe seems to be understood pretty extensively, and by those among them also, who speak another language.

number of months past, and he has given evidence that he has been a man of prayer ever since his first application. Recently he has been exerting himself in behalf of his fellow-laborers in the printing department, and seems extremely desirous that they should engage in the service of the true God. A most prominent object in his private supplications of late, he says, has been to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Upon being questioned closely in reference to the exercises of his mind concerning sin, as having been committed against God, a good and holy Being, he says he has not only besought Him to forgive the sins which he still remembers to have committed, but also those which he has long since forgotten, including the sin of idolatry. But with regard to idol worship, he says he never engaged in it because he fully believed in it, but simply for the The Básas seem to be as ignorant sake of doing as others did. For sev- and degraded as any other tribe on the eral days past he has given every indi-western coast. They are a timid, incation of a mind at ease and joyful; and upon being questioned as to his feelings, he said he was in the enjoyment of much happiness. We have a meeting for conference and prayer every Wednesday afternoon; and he inquired if I would permit him at the same hour to have a meeting with the

dolent, and unambitious people. Not having had any written language, they have no knowledge of the arts and sciences, and seem to have gone on for ages in the same track, following implicitly the customs of their ances tors. They seem, indeed, to regard any innovation almost as a crime.

Their manners are simple and their | exception of the head man, builds his wants few. They depend upon the own house. These houses are of varicultivation of the soil, and raise barely ous sizes, from six or eight feet square, sufficient to supply their necessities to twenty feet long and a dozen wide. from year to year. As there is no in- The usual size is not far from eight dividual property in land, each person feet square. The sides consist of poles selects some spot which, by not hav- thrust into the ground perpendicularly, ing been cultivated for several years, and plastered with a kind of clay, or has grown up to trees and bushes. covered with a mat. The roof is covThese trees and bushes he, with the ered with thatch, which, when well aid of his wife, or wives, cuts down in put on, effectually sheds the rain. This the dry season, and after burning them, roof projects two or more feet beyond just as the rainy weather sets in, puts the sides of the house, and generally his rice and cassada into the ground. comes down to within about four or As soon as the farm is burned, almost five feet from the ground. By this all the rest of the work devolves on the means the sides of the house are thorwomen. The time occupied by the oughly secured from the rain. The men in farming, is not far from three interior is principally occupied by a months in a year. The remainder of bed. This is formed of a niat restthe year is spent chiefly in idleness. ing on a kind of framework, which is Some however are more industrious raised from the ground about eighteen than others, and employ a portion of inches; or it is frequently made of their leisure time in making canoes, earth, elevated above the rest of the paddles, rice mortars, &c. Some are floor about six inches, and covered employed by the colonists to bring with a mat. A portion of the floor (or camwood from the interior, and others ground) is left for a fire. The natives are hired to work on their farms. always have a fire at night. They have Though they are generally averse to no chimney, but the smoke finds its labor, and always call their farming way out at openings left for this purseason a time of trouble, yet for the pose under the eaves. sake of reward, they can be induced to work for a short season with some degree of diligence. They are eager to acquire money, but have very little disposition to hoard. Indeed there is but little encouragement for a common individual to lay up wealth. The moment one gets a little more than his neighbors, he is the object of envy, and subject to heavy exactions from the head man of the town. If he is known to have any thing valuable, the head man will frequently ask it as a present. If he refuses, he is liable to be brought into a difficulty which will cost him twice as much as the value of the article desired. Besides, the sensuality of the natives is frequently bringing them into difficulty with their neighbors, or with the head man, who has often twenty or thirty wives, of all ages. In such cases, the damage sustained is estimated very much according to the pecuniary resources of the offender. Sometimes, when the criminal has nothing to pay, nor any friends to redeem him, he is sold as a slave.

Houses of the natives—Domestic habits—
Amusements.

The people of this tribe live in small villages containing from twenty to two hundred houses. Each man, with the

An inventory of the domestic utensils of the natives, would illustrate the adage,

"Man wants but little here below."

A pot or two for cooking, a wooden
bowl or a wash-basin, and sometimes,
(not always) a wooden spoon for eat-
ing, comprise all that many a native
family owns of these articles. Their
wardrobe consists of a few yards of
different kinds of cloth, cut up into
pieces of one or two yards in length.
One of these pieces, without the aid
of needle or scissors, forms the robe of
their most respectable females. The
cloth is, by females of the Bása tribe,
wrapped round the body, so as to lap
in front; the width of the cloth (which
is usually from three quarters to a yard)
forming the length of the garment.
The men use generally about a yard of
cloth, and put it on as best comports
with their sense of decency. Some of
the tribes on the coast differ from these
in their mode of wearing cloths. The
Grebo men, at Cape Palmas, dress like
the Bása women, and their women
like the Bása men.

The food of the natives is usually simple, consisting of rice, cassada, palm oil, banana, plantains, green corn roasted, and such animal food as they can obtain. They eat cats, dogs,

monkeys, snakes, frogs, and almost every kind of fish that can be procured.

Their principal amusement is dancing to the sound of a drum, accompanying their instrumental with vocal music. The children are taught to dance as soon as they can walk. Such is their attachment to this amusement that they frequently keep it up most of the night, for many nights in succession. Both sexes, and almost all ages, participate in this sport. Upon almost every occasion of joy, however trivial, the drum and song of the dancers are heard. But at the burial of a head man, great preparations are made; natives flock in from all around, and several days and nights are spent in dancing. This ends with a feast.

Religious notions—Ideas of futurity. The Básas seem to have no system of religion. Indeed their ideas are so vague on this subject, that it is exceedingly difficult to ascertain what they really are. They are, however, much under the power of superstition. Their belief in witchcraft is amazing. Their grigri men, who are generally from some distance or of another tribe, being shrewd men, and capable of performing some juggling tricks, are viewed with a kind of awe, and impose most astonishingly upon their credulity. They live in much dread of being poisoned; and as they seem generally to connect this poisoning with witchcraft, they wear on their bodies something furnished by their grigri men, to guard them against that and other evils. They profess to believe that their grigris will protect them from bullets, but they rarely put themselves in a situation to test their virtue.

In regard to futurity, they manifest astonishing blindness and ignorance. Indeed, such is their fear of death, that they will rarely suffer themselves to think long enough upon it to form any idea of what lies beyond. They have some vague notion of existence beyond the grave, and frequently carry food, and throw it upon the grave of a deceased relative, years after his death. I have seen Sante Will talking, professedly, to his son's body, years after it was put into the grave. Some believe that the person who dies comes back an infant. It is the province of the grigri man to say who it is that has thus come back. The child is then called by the name of this person.

LETTER FROM KONG KOBA.

The writer of the following letter is a youth of much promise connected with Mr. Clarke's school at Edina. He is a son of the late king Koba, "Father of the land," a powerful chief whose jurisdiction extended over many native towns. He is now about 17 years of age, possesses a strong and vigorous mind, a docile disposition, and exhibits a consistent christian character. The letter is addressed to the Secretary of the Board, and dated Edina, April 2d, 1841. Dear Sir,

I was very thankful when I received those things you sent out to us;* not I only, but all the rest of the boys were very glad also. By this reason the natives of this country know that there is a reality in the religion of Jesus Christ. You were not our relations, neither our parents, but for your kindness' sake you sent out these things to us. When Mr. Crocker and Mr. Mylne first came to this country my father thought, after we were taught, they (the parents) will pay them; but Mr. Crocker and Mr. Mylne told them that they want no pay at all. They were astonished, and said among themselves, these people came here to steal our children away; therefore when they first came to this country they did not have many boys; but afterwards they said, these people are good people, then they sent their children. Another (reason) was, they thought when a person gets a knowledge of books he will soon die. But when they saw we staid here and went to school, and none of us has died yet, then others sent their children to school.

I want to come here (to America) very much to see you, because my cousin, Peter Harris jr., been there, and when he got home Abraham Miller, my other friend, go there also; and he came back. And the other reason is, when I tell the natives, when a person go to America he must cross this ocean, they ask me how I know it? "In geography," say I, and they don't believe me; therefore I want to come there. I wanted to come with Mr. Crocker, but he said he cannot take me; but he will ask you, and if you will, he will send a letter that I may come and see the country. Your unworthy friend,

KONG KORA, or Lewis K. Crocker.

* Articles of clothing, &c., sent out by the Board, for the boys of the school.

Shawanoe.

EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM MR. BAR-
KER, DATED SHAWANOE, IND. TER.
JULY 9, 1841.

This mission, as now organized, consists of four stations, which, as stated in the last annual Report, are in a prosperous condition. At the two stations referred to below, Shawanoe and Delaware, in particular, there have been received special tokens of the Divine favor during the past year. The formation of a church at the latter place, as mentioned in the letter, was the constitution of a branch which had existed there for some time, and which in March last consisted of 26 members, into a separate church. The history of these several stations for the past two years, is very interesting, and affords much encouragement to those who feel

April 5. I have just returned from the Delaware station, (br. Blanchard's,) where I assisted in organizing a church, according to previous arrangement. It was a solemn service; in one sense painful, to have our brethren separated from us; in another sense pleasing, as of the cause, and for our mutual good; we hope it will be for the advancement and we know that in every important sense we yet are one. After service we proceeded to the water side. Three were baptized; two of them members of br. Blanchard's school.

June 5. Last week there was a church meeting at the Delaware station again. Christian union seems abundantly manifested. We hope the cause may be revived there.

To-day, church meeting at this station. One Indian of some influence a special interest in the progress of the gospel dealings of God with his soul. Deferpresent, with the view of relating the among the aborigines of our country.

Course of missionary labor-Baptisms.

Feb. 27. I find it difficult to maintain an abiding and consistent interest for the Indians. Sometimes I think no means will avail for their salvation; and then again I seem to see evidence that the time is not far distant when there will be a triumph of the gospel. I doubt not a wise providence will overrule all things for good.

red his case until morning. We had some devotional exercises, which it is hoped, were profitable to all.

red to, was received and baptized.
6. The Indian, (Yitie) above refer-
Hope the glory of the Lord will be in-
creased among the heathen.

ware station again.
27. Church meeting at the Dela-
were baptized. One, the wife of the
Three Indians
interpreter, of whose piety the breth-

The other two, a man and his wife,
ren have for some time had evidence.
whose conversions were more recent.
A case of discipline, commenced at a
previous meeting, terminated happily
to-day.

28. I endeavored to preach upon christian duties. Had an attentive audience of Indians, though the number was small compared with those who attend worship in christian lands. One young man was present with his family, who has been inquiring of late. Had conversation with Blackfeather, one of the chiefs who has for two or three months past indulged a hope in the Savior. Have been gaining confidence in him almost daily. How painful, if at last I should be disappointed! March 6. Church meeting at this station. Black feather, mentioned above, presented himself as a candidate for baptism. He appeared clear in his views of the gospel for one of the benighted Indians. He is numbered among the first who learned to read in his native language. The next Sab-entering, I found the house filled with bath is appointed for the ordinance.

14. The Indians assembled at an early hour to witness the baptism. We sung a translation of the hymn, "Children of the heavenly King." Felt divine assistance in pleading the cause of the Savior, and in the ordinance of baptism.

dian house. I have been trying to susJuly 8. Attended meeting at an Intain such meetings for some time. It proves a very laborious task, owing to the distance I have to travel in order to render them profitable to the Indians in various places. I am encouraged to hope, however, that they will prove the means of good. How cheering amid the darkness to behold the glimmerings of light! At one meeting I was unable to arrive until sometime after the appointed hour. Coming near at length, I heard the sound of prayer and praise in the Indian tongue. On

melted within me. I could not but exattentive worshippers. My spirit was press the gratitude of my soul that the Lord had given so much of success to his word. Surely "The solitary places shall be glad for them."

Miscellany.

NATIVE SCHOOLS IN CALCUTTA.

There is an English school for native youths at Entally, a district in the suburbs of the city, contiguous to the Circular Road. This institution is under the direction of the English baptist mission, and is in a very flourishing state. Large and commodious buildings have been recently erected, for which a donation of £1,000 was presented by an unknown friend to the late Mr. W. H. Pearce. A late number of the Baptist (Eng.) Magazine contains the following remarks, in a letter from Rev. F. Tucker:

I mentioned Mr. Ellis's Native Institution it is the most interesting object I have seen in India. It contains fifty-four boys, children of native christians. They are kept apart from the corrupt heathen around them, and lodged in neat straw huts, within the walls which inclose the missionary's house. They are assembled every day for family worship, and instructed in religious as well as secular learning. Of these, twenty-one give evidence of real piety, and are members of the church; and seven are studying for the christian ministry. I wish you could see these seven young students; they cannot speak English very intelligibly, but can give most intelligent answers to many a puzzling question. And then they are truly pious. Oh! I have looked down upon them on a Lord's day evening, (for several of them attend my ministry,) and my heart has been ready to leap at the thought that some one of them may prove, through the grace of God, a Whitefield or a John Knox among his countrymen, and be honored to turn many to righteousness. Mr. Ellis has also just opened a day school.

The school-room is lofty, spacious, and well ventilated. It measures inside 90 feet by 40, with a verandah the whole length, affording an agreeable shelter from the burning rays of a tropical sun. At the east end are two large and commodious class-rooms, measuring 26 feet by 16. The school-room will accommodate from 400 to 500 pupils. It was opened on the 3d of February, 1840; and there are now in attendance between 200 and 300 native youths. Many of these belong to the higher classes, to whom the school affords the only opportunity of hearing the gospel clearly explained and faithfully applied.

The chapel adjoining, calculated to seat 300 persons, is neatly fitted up. The native church and congregation, connected

with the Christian Institution, assemble here, and it will be a convenient spot for holding annual or occasional meetings of the different native churches in and around Calcutta.

There is another native institution under the patronage of the Scottish mission, the following notice of which is from a letter of Rev. Joseph Owen, in the July number of the Foreign Missionary Chronicle.

The most interesting object, by far, that I have yet seen in Calcutta, is the Institution of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, under the superintendence of the Rev. Alexander Duff, D. D. This school was formed a little more than ten years ago, and has now about six hundred pupils. It stands near the centre of the native town, in an extensive open place, and is advantageously situated for coolness, the greatest object for comfortable living to be attained, in the selection of building locations in this country. We first entered the library, which is not very large. The one at the Bishop's College, by the way, is excellent. It is select, and contains many works that are rare and very valuable. It has copies of nearly all the fathers, some of the best editions of the classics, the most valuable biblical and theological writings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and many productions of the most noted popish authors. They have not more than ten or eleven students at that Institution. It was delightful on entering the school room of Dr. Duff, to cast the eye on five hundred Hindu children dressed in the native costume, arranged in classes, each of which was formed into a square, with a monitor standing within, proposing questions and hearing the recitations. The appearance of most of their countenances was remarkably sprightly and intelligent. We were first taken to the lowest class, and went from that up.

These were most of them very young children, say from five to eight years of age, all learning the English alphabet, through the medium of the Bengali, their native tongue, and taught by natives. The next two or three classes were small grades higher, consisting of those who had learned to combine the letters into syllables or short words.

A little further on were classes learning Scriptural truths, in the way of question and answer, as, Who made all things? 'God.' In how long a time did he make

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