condemnation of all human literature, in general. St. Paul had himself abstained from their meretricious eloquence, and had cautioned posterity against their magical philosophy. The first, lest it should occasion a suspicion that the faith had made its way rather by the arts of human speech, than by the power of the Spirit. The latter because he saw it was fatally framed to infect religion; and had some experience, and more divine foreknowledge, that it would speedily do so.

Indeed the time was at hand. For the convictive evidence and rapid progress of the Gospel, had so shaken and disconcerted learned pride, that the next age saw a torrent of believers pour into the church, from the schools of their rhetors, the colleges of their philosophers, and the cloisters of their priests. The sincerity of these illustrious converts in embracing a religion which did not hold out so much as in distant prospect, any advantages of the temporal kind, cannot be fairly brought into question. Their discretion, their prudence, were the things most wanted. For that passion of new converts, zeal, which is then least under the direction of knowledge when zeal most needs it, hindered them from making their advantages of the principles of revelation; so admirably fitted, as we have shown, to improve human nature on that side where its perfection lies, I mean in the high attainments of moral science. For, instead of reasoning from truths clearly revealed, and so from things known, to advance, by due degrees, in the method of the mathematicians, to the discovery of truths unknown. They travested obscure uncertainties, nay, manifest errors, into truth; and sought in philosophy and logic, analogies and quibbles to support them.

Their two great objects, as became them, were to increase the number of believers; and to defend the faith against infidels and heretics.

Amongst the means they employed for the speedy conversion of the world one was to bring Christianity as near to the genius of the Gentile religion and of the Greek philosophy, as could be done without giving offence to them or to their brethren.

This will account for a circumstance that never fails of giving scandal to

the readers of Church-history: which is, that the principles and doctrines of the ancient Heretics were infinitely more shocking and absurd than those of any modern sectaries. The reason (we see) is, that the ancient heretics formed their tenets on the principles of Pagan Philosophy; while the modern sectaries form theirs on the books of sacred Scripture. And the one was on philosophy reformed and purified, and the other is on the Bible perverted and misunderstood, yet the difference in favor of the latter becomes immense.

This mysterious genius of Paganism, together with its popular absurdities, naturally produced a method of teaching, which always pleases the imagination in proportion as it disgusts the judgment, that is to say, the use of allegory. A practice excellently fitted to cover the early follies of vulgar Gentilism, and to ornament the late knaveries of the philosophic; but very abhorrent of the genius of Christianity, where every doctrine was rational and therefore every rite should have been plain and open. Yet as allegory was become the general vehicle of instruction, and that which distinguished the school of Plato; the Fathers, who leaned most towards that sect, thought fit to go into that fashionable mode. They allegorized every thing; and their success was such as might be expected from so absurd an accommodation.

Here again they were misled in their ignorance of the nature of the Jewish law a law full of allegories and figurative representations. And with great propriety so as that religion was dependent on and preparatory to the Gospel; which, being its end and completion, required to have some shadow of itself delineated in the steps which led to it. But this, which shows the use of allegories to be reasonable in the old Testament, shows the folly of expecting them in the New. For when the substance was advanced, and placed in full light, the shadow was of course to be cast behind. Yet by the most unaccountable perversity, the very reason which the apostle gives for the necessity of interpreting the law figuratively, that the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life, was made the authority for using the Gospel in the

same manner.

Tenth Annual Report of the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color in the United States. Washington; 1827. Eleventh Annual Report of the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color in the United States. Washington; 1828.

SOME men are disposed to pour contempt upon an untried benevolent enterprise, because of the warmth of emotion which its friends exhibit. But deep feeling is perfectly consistent with sound judgment. In the higher stages of passion, there is something which gives to the short sighted faculty of judgment, a power of remote vision and comprehensive survey. Men of large minds have been susceptible of strong emotion. The philanthropists of Britain took broad and prospective views in regard to the well-being of Africa, because they felt strongly. In their minds an impulse went through all the regions of intellect and waked up whatever slumbered, and purified whatever was dim. It was often a matter of wonder to the unbelieving little men around them, why they did not give up the cause in despair. But discouragement they had anticipated. They had placed their hopes of success on such substantial things as the progress of knowledge, the connexion between wickedness and impolicy, the nature of man, and the sayings of God. Actuated and impressed by similar views and feelings, the supporters of the American Colonization Society have held on their way. Not the least disheartening of the adversities which they have encountered was the spirit, of mingled incredulity and contempt, any thing but magnanimous, which was exhibited by some of the more respectable journals in this country. Men of

the noble views of Mills and Caldwell, and of the sagacious and comprehensive intellect of Harper and Clay, were accused of misguided zeal and of a weak and pitiable philanthropy. But through the merciful kindness of God, those days of rebuke and gloom have gone by. The Colonization Society now urges its claims, not simply on the ground of earnest hope and confident prediction, but on the basis of well estab lished facts. When we presented this subject to our readers five years since, though many circumstances combined to cheer and animate us, yet the final success of the experiment was comparatively problematical.

For the purpose of presenting the subject to our readers in one view, we purpose to go back to the establishment of the Colonization Society, and briefly review its history during the successive years of its existence. Before doing this, however, we will briefly advert to the kindred settlement at Sierra Leone. We regard this colony as an instrument of signal benefit to Africa, as the pioneer in the great cause of Colonization, and as a noble monument of British philanthropy.

The celebrated Granville Sharpe, was the founder of the colony at Sierra Leone. By the decision in the High Court of England, in the case of Somerset, that the British constitution does not recognise a state of slavery, four hundred negroes were thrown, without employment, into the streets of London. They immediately resorted to Mr. Sharpe for protection. After much deliberation, he determined to attempt to colonize them somewhere on the African coast. Proper representations being made to the government, they concluded to defray the whole expense of the expedition. The transports, which conveyed them,

sailed in May, 1787. But owing to the unfavorable time of the year in which they arrived upon the coast, and to the intemperance and insubordination of the people, almost one half died during the first year. The land, which was originally purchased of the natives, is about twenty miles square, lying on Cape Sierra Leone, 8° 12' north latitude, and about 12° west longitude. By various misfortunes the colony was reduced to forty persons, and a total extinction was feared. In 1788, another ship was sent out, having on board thirtynine emigrants and abundant supplies of provisions. Thirteen of these soon fell victims to death. Mr. Sharpe trusting too much to the force of moral principle in the settlers, had neglected to provide them with any thing like a code of laws, or with any materials for repelling foreign aggression. In 1789, a neighboring chief, for the purpose of retaliating certain injuries received from a British slave factor on the coast, burnt the settlement at Sierra Leone, and dispersed the colonists. By the exertions of Mr. Sharpe the Sierra Leone company was now formed, embracing many of the most wealthy citizens of London. This company despatched forthwith an Agent, with various supplies of provisions, arms, and amunition. A large number of slaves, in our Revolutionary war had escaped from the United States and placed themselves under British protion. At the close of the war, they were removed to Nova Scotia. The climate proving too cold, they petitioned the Sierra Leone company to be removed to their colony; the request was granted, and one thousand one hundred and thirty-two individuals were transported to the colony. Through the presure of the rains and the want of fresh provisions, one tenth of the number died during the first season. In 1792, a school was established, two churches erected, lots of land distributed to the set

tlers, and various important improvements effected. In 1793, the York, store-ship, containing property to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds sterling was consumed. In 1794, the colony was visited with a calamity, which nearly annihilated it. A French fleet, with a barbarity worthy of Tartars, attacked this unof fending settlement, burnt nearly all the buildings, pillaged and destroyed the books, printing apparatus, botanical collections, &c., and captured a ship with goods on board, with ten thousand pounds sterling. The whole loss was little short of fifty-five thousand pounds sterling. But this misfortune was met on the part of the settlers, with much fortitude. Convinced that their very existence depended on obedience and subordination, they exhibited some more unanimity and regard for character.

In 1798, Freetown contained one thousand two hundred inhabitants, three hundred houses, a government house, &c. Many of the colonists about this time became unhappily infected with a spirit of insubordination. Matters at length proceeded so far, that the courts of justice were shut, the Europeans were ordered to depart, or to pay for the privilege of remaining. The loyal party took arms, and met and routed the insurgents. The ringleaders were executed. Shortly after the native tribes made an attack upon the colony, and some loss was sustained. These various misfortunes influenced the directors of the company to make a very spirited representation of the state of the colony to Parliament, accompanied with the urgent request that the government would take it under its protection. The whole subject was fully investigated by a committee of the House of Commons, and in January, 1807, all the possessions of the company were surrendered to the British crown. In the progress of this work Mr. Sharpe had expended from his private funds, more than one thou

sand four hundred pounds sterling, and the company eigty-two thousand. This year was rendered illustrious by the abolition of the slave trade. By one provision of the abolition act, the colony was made the asylum for liberated slaves; in consequence of which more than ten thousand of these miserable men have been settled at sundry villages on the coast. This settlement has been rendered by the efforts of the Church Missionary Society a most interesting field of labor. The gospel has here gloriously triumphed over the degradation of the African, and has indeed made him a new creature. Songs of thanksgiving have ascended to the one living and true God from many a valley and hill, where the devil had been openly worshipped for ages. When Messrs. Mills and Burgess visited Freetown, they attended divine service in a stone chapel, where the missionary, Johnson, preached to a congregation of eleven hundred persons.

Schools are now universally established, and nearly the whole population attend public worship. Sierra Leone now contains eighteen thousand inhabitants, about twelve thousand of whom are liberated negroes. Its commerce is in a very flourishing state. The freight on the shipments made in 1824, amounted to nearly one hundred thousand pounds sterling. In consequence of the mortality of white persons, for three or four years past, which has been severe, but greatly exaggerated, a report has gained currency, that the British government were about to abandon the colony. This report is declared in the London papers to be without any foundation, and to have been circulated by the enemies of the African cause. A late Report of the Parliamentary Commissioners is entirely favorable to the expediency of continuing it. They declare that it is becoming every year more healthy and prosperous.

The plan of colonizing the free

people of color in this country seems to have had its origin in Virginia. About twenty-five years since, the Legislature of that State passed a resolution requesting Gov. Munroe, since President of the United States, to correspond with the General Government, on the subject of estab lishing a colony in Africa. In 1816, a resolution expressing cordial approbation of the measure passed the legislature with but eight dissent ing voices. General Mercer, says that the plan had been long discussed in secret council, and revolved in the inmost meditations of a few distinguished men, and that the news in 1817, that it was maturing brought with it the first ray of light upon a subject, which his own mind had been long and deeply pondering." As early as 1787, Dr. Thornton, of Washington, proposed the subject to the people of color residing in Boston and Providence, and induced many to consent to accompany him in a proposed expedition. But the community refused to furnish the means and the enterprise failed.

In 1816, the Rev. Dr. Finley of New Jersey, whose mind had long been occupied with this subject, visited Washington, and immediately began to make arrangements prepa ratory to a meeting of the citizens. He conversed with President Munroe, the Heads of Departments, and with many Members of Congress. The zeal and ability with which he pleaded the cause had considerable influence in collecting people to the meeting. The evening before, a small circle met to supplicate the blessing of the Most High upon the undertaking. Samuel J. Mills arrived at Washington just in time to at tend this meeting. The Society was hardly organized before Dr. Finley was summoned from the prosecution of his loved enterprise to his eternal reward.

The first object of the society was to procure information in regard to the most suitable place for the estab

lishment of a colony. For this purpose Messrs. Mills and Burgess visited Africa, in behalf of the Society. About five weeks at the commencement of the year 1818, were employed in surveying the coast to the south of Sierra Leone, as far as to the Island Sherbro. Several conversations were held with the native chiefs on the subject of purchasing land, and much valuable knowledge was collected. On the homeward passage Mr. Mills died. Not the least among the important objects which were accomplished by this enterprise was the excitement of a powerful sympathy in this country, in favor of a cause, to which the noble spirit of Mills had fallen a sacrifice. Public attention was awakened, and the treasury of the Society was so much replenished, that it was determined to fit out an expedition as speedily as possible. In consequence of the representations of the Society, the Government of the United States determined to establish an agency on the African coast, for the purpose of providing an asylum for re-captured slaves; and that it should be located at the place where the Society should establish a colony. Early in 1820, the Elizabeth sailed from the United States, with its two agents on the part of the Government, and one in behalf of the Society, with eighty emigrants. This ill-planned expedition arrived in the midst of the rainy season, and was landed, through the treachery of some of the native chiefs, on the island Sherbro, one of the most unhealthy spots, which could have been selected. The agents and twenty-four settlers were soon swept away. The surviving colonists experienced a complication of sufferings. The news of these events, though disastrous in the extreme, did not discourage the fast friends of the Society. Early in 1821, twenty-eight emigrants, under the direction of four agents joined the wretched remains of the settlers at

the whole were removed to Sierra Leone, and placed under the protec tion of the British Government. The agents sailed down the coast and made several fruitless attempts to purchase land of the natives. Two very soon fell victims to the fever of the climate, and a third returned to the United States. The slave trade was the source of these failures to purchase land. The people of the Bassa country were perfectly willing to receive their brethren from the United States, but, on no consideration would they consent to renounce the slave trade.

In the spring of 1821, Dr. Eli Ayres was appointed agent of the Society. Soon after his arrival, in company with Lieutenant Stockton of the Alligator, he proceeded down the coast from Sierra Leone. On the 15th of December, they succeeded in purchasing a territory embracing the whole of Cape Montserado, and a most valuable tract of land, on a river of the same name.

We have never seen any negociation with the Indians of this country, admirable as some have been for tact and talent, which could be compared, for perfect knowledge of human nature, and unconquerable perseverance, with this negociation of Lieut. Stockton and Dr. Ayres.*

Cape Montserado lies in about the sixth degree of North Latitude. The territory first purchased presents the form of a tongue of land, twelve leagues in extent, joined to the main land by a narrow isthmus formed by the approach of the head waters of the Montserado and Junk rivers. The northwestern termina

tion of this narrow tract of country is Cape Montserado, rising towards its extremity into a bold and majestic promontory. The Montserado river is three hundred miles in length being the largest African river from the Rio Grande to the Congo.

* A most interesting account of this transaction from the pen of Dr. Ayres is

VOL. II.-No. VII.

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ject.