present situation, it may be expected to meet with all the aid he can render it. About 144 families, from Bethelsdorp and Theopolis, were its first settlers. They have since been joined by others from the missionary institutions, and by, perhaps, a still greater number of the same people, who, by the liberties lately conferred upon them, have it in their power to join a society so new to the Hottentots. At the unanimous request of the people, Mr. Read was sent amongst them as their missionary; and his daughter, who acquired the knowledge of the system from Mrs. Atkinson, at Bethelsdorp, has introduced it into this interesting settlement. This district is immediately on the borders of what is still the Caffre country; the scenery is mountainous and picturesque in a high degree; it is watered by beautiful streams flowing from the mountains, and the population is divided into twenty-four locations, generally about four or five miles from each other. When it is considered that this is the first example of the Hottentot people being altogether in a state of freedom and independence since the introduction of Christianity among them, there is not, perhaps, a more interesting spectacle in the whole world than that which is presented by the rising community. From the habits and tastes those of them who were at our missionaries' stations had acquired, and from the means of instruction among them, every thing goes on prosperously; but as this new settlement is considered as an experiment on which the future condition of uncivilized tribes may in some measure depend, the friends of religion and humanity must feel more than an ordinary interest in its success. I have heard of none who have visited this district who have not been compelled to bear testimony to the intelligence, the good character, and peaceful industry of the people; but the impulse their minds received at the missionary stations must not be allowed to subside; and to elevate them to that state which the general interests of religion and humanity require, we must have a greater abundance of means than we yet possess. I shall not be satisfied till, instead of the two infant-schools now among them, we have one at each of the locations. For this purpose we must have assistance from our Bible, Tract, and British and Foreign School Societies, and from the friends of infant-schools at home. On an average, I presume, we may have fifty children at each of the twenty-four locations under instruction; and could we only get the schools extended in this manner, and raised to that perfection of which they are capable, we may soon raise up so many native teachers as will enable us to diffuse the system through much of the country by their means; a desideratum necessary to the completion of our plans. There is no community upon earth in which the infant-school system is not of the highest importance; but in our attempts to raise savage and barbarous tribes, it is a discovery of inconceivable value. When properly managed, it has in it a power which will raise up the first generation brought up under its influence above the third or fourth generations of those educated under different systems. At the infant-schools, the children of the barbarous tribes start with the advantages of those of civilized men, and instead of being retarded in their progress by the ignorance and imbecility of a people only rising above the savage state, they rise up to cultivate and humanise their parents, and become the elements of a society that will soon be able to supply their own wants, advocate their own rights, and diffuse the blessings of civilization among the tribes in the interior of Africa; and I have reason to believe that our labours may be attended with surprising success. Some of the great difficulties of introducing education among barbarous nations is the indifference of the parents to instruction, and the aversion of the children to its restraints. By the infant-school system these difficulties are completely removed. There is something in it so novel, so striking and so amusing to a barbarous people, and so interesting to their children, that, generally speaking, in establishing such schools among them, we should find no difficulty in securing the approbation of the one, and the attendance of the other. On my late journey over Caffreland, I had several opportunities of having my mind confirmed in this opinion. Resting one day, while our oxen were feeding, I remarked a number of children around our waggon, humming a tune, to which they were beating time. Their appearance instantly suggested to me the idea of an infant school. I communicated my idea to Mr. Read, who had acquired some knowledge of the system. We instantly arranged them, to the number of perhaps fifty, to make the experiment. In the midst of Caffreland, among some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, I observed the readiness and enthusiasm with which the children entered into the spirit of the system, and heard them pronounce the English words which they had never before heard, with all the propriety that might have been expected in an English school, and saw the eagerness with which the parents partook of the delight of the children. I could scarcely believe my own eyes and ears, and could not help reflecting what a mighty influence these schools might have in raising that interesting people had we only the necessary agents and apparatus. While I cannot help regretting the discontinuance of the Bethelsdorp school, it is pleasing to reflect that Mrs. Edwards is gone to introduce the system among the Bechuannas, while Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, who have just sailed from hence for Madagascar, in company with Mr. Freeman, intend beginning a school in that interesting island, perhaps the most important field for such exertions in the whole world. In 1830, some friends, who visited us on their way to India, were so much struck with our schools, that two of the ladies, Mrs. Capt. Law and Mrs. Chelow, acquired a knowledge of the system, intending to introduce it in Madras. We furnished them with a set of lessons and frames, to enable them to carry their benevolent project into effect. After the formation of the committee in Cape Town, a sufficient apparatus was procured from London, through their own funds; and the apparatus which I brought from England, has been sent to Graham's Town, the New Settlement, Bethelsdorp, Latakoo, India, and Madagascar. The following is a statement of the money received by me and expended on this object : Collected in England, and deposited in Mr. 5 00 I have at present in Cape Town an individual studying the system, with a view of teaching at some of our missionary stations. I have recommended both Mr. Anderson of Pacaltsdorp, and Mr. Barker, of Theopolis, each to send one of their daughters to Cape Town, to acquire some knowledge of it, with a view to beginning schools at the stations where they reside; but my means are exhausted. I need more apparatus before the system can be further extended. I shall thank you to converse with Mr. Hankey and other friends on the subject; and if you can procure us a number of sets, the sooner they can be sent the better. An appeal to the Society of Friends might assist us greatly on this point. Although my labour in this work may be considered as strictly missionary, yet, from the manner in which the money was collected, it appears to me that the statement I have made of the manner in which it has been expended should be given to the contributors. You will perceive, by the statement that has been made, that hitherto we have been able to do but little for the nations in the interior. who, of all classes, are most in need of its advantages. We are in great need of apparatus and money to extend the system. You will have the goodness to send us, by the first opportunity, the articles in the inclosed list, from the balance in favour of the schools in your hands. You may send us as much in addition to the articles specified, or rather as many duplicates, as the friends to the infant-school system may enable you to add. I hope the friends at home who entrusted me with the funds for introducing the system into this colony will be satisfied with my exertions, and with the manner in which I have expended the money entrusted to my care. JOHN PHILIp. To J. Foulger, Esq. List of Articles most in use for an Infantschool. Scripture pictures with descriptions, natural history with ditto, pictures of trades, clock faces, numal frames, sheet pictures of different objects, ruled unframed slates.' Books-Course of Lessons with Tunes, Questions on Pestalozzi's System, numbers of I. S. Magazine, vols. of Infant School Repository, Wood's Account of Sessional Schools, Bible Story Books, Mrs. Hewlett's Natural History, Wilson's Manual. A PROFITABLE VISIT. ABOUT eleven versts from the imperial city of St. Petersburgh there is a beautiful and interesting spot. It stands on the rising ground that overlooks the gulf of Finland, and commands a fine view of the vessels which for several months are continually sailing up and down, with the commerce which is to be conveyed to distant regions, or which has been brought from every quarter of the globe. It belongs to an ancient family, and is richly diversified by woods, and lawns, and waters, which greatly contribute to the comfort and accommodation of the inhabitants. At this place I have spent a few months with my family for three successive years; and there a variety of circumstances have occurred which fill my heart with joy, and which, on reviewing them, appear to me infinitely more lovely than any thing that the most enchanting landscape can present. Some of them are already published; others may yet be published; but the following is now, for the first time, made known. The evening of the Sabbath drew near, and the bright summer's sun was gilding the western sky, when a pious young woman was sitting reading the gospel of St. John. A neighbour approached; "Come in," said the devout reader; "be seated. Would you like to hear a portion of God's holy word ?" "Oh, yes, by all means," said the neighbour: "Proceed." The place of the Scripture which she read was this: "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ; when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman, yet no man said, What seekest thou, or why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city and came unto him." "Delightful!" said the visitor; " pray stop a moment, and I will go and call my fellowservants; I think they will rejoice to hear this, for surely they never heard such things since they were born." She then arose, and ran and called her fellowservants, and brought three of them with her, and the same chapter was read again, accompanied by many solemn remarks on the state of unconverted sinners, and the suitableness and all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ, that he is both able and willing to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him. She also urged on them the necessity of coming to Christ immediately, as every effort to get to heaven in any other way would be unavailing, for by the deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified; and, lastly, she showed them the blessedness of all those who actually embrace Christ as the Saviour of their souls. These remarks were delivered with uncommon emotion, and frequently watered with her tears; and the hearers were as much touched as she was. They were all deeply affected, and wept profusely; and when the chapter and the remarks were concluded, they took their leave and departed, acknowledging with gratitude the unspeakable pleasure they had enjoyed, from hearing words which they had never heard before. The mistress of the pious reader list ened with peculiar delight to a part of these proceedings; and when she saw the visitors, the tears were still glistening in their eyes. It ought here to be noticed, that none of these young women were able to read, consequently the Bible had been to them a sealed book; and it is more than probable that they had lived until that day without hearing a chapter in a language which they could understand. But now the seal was loosed, and the book was opened, and Messias, which is called Christ, seemed for once to be addressing them. One of these young women has since been at my house for a New Testament, and copies of the Dairyman's Daughter, and the Young Cottager, to send to her brother, who is able to read, and who resides at a distance of several hundred miles. On receiving these precious treasures, her heart seemed to swell with extasy. She pressed them to her bosom, and kissed the hand from which she received them. Had some coldhearted professor-some neglecter of his Bible, witnessed this scene, he would have felt it as a dagger in his conscience; and could the lovers of the Bible have witnessed the scene, they would have felt also, but it would have been similar to the joys of angels, when a sinner is brought to repentance. I imagine that persons who have been acquainted with the Scriptures from their infancy have no idea of the pleasure, and wonder, and astonishment which burst upon the mind of an individual, who, for the first time in his life, hears the lovely, affecting, and instructive history of our Lord and Saviour. One circumstance of this kind particularly struck me. It was a man who was born again when he was old; and, with his new birth, he felt a strong desire to learn to read, that he might search the Scriptures for himself. This he accomplished, and when he began to read the New Testament, he frequently called on me to relate the glorious discoveries he had made; and having related them, he would ask me, with child-like simplicity, "Did you ever hear any thing so delightful before ?" Dear old man! as it was all new to him, he thought it was new to me also; when, alas! my unfeeling familiarity with the subjects often made me tremble. Ah, it would be well if we could retain the freshness of first impressions! Ten thousand worlds would I part with, if I possessed them, for the vivid, ardent, joyous feelings which I have experienced when meeting with some precious promise for the first time; and I believe this is precisely what multitudes of pious people feel. From the circumstances here recorded, I would make four observations. 1. What pleasures are those persons deprived of who are unable to read! Oh, what a dreary waste, an uncultivated desert does that town or village present that is without a Bible, and which can scarcely muster up ten individuals who could read the Bible if they had it! Yet there was a time when this was the case in Britain; and there are many towns and villages in the world which are in this deplorable condition even at the present day. Yea, there are spots in England and Scotland, and large places in Ireland and in America too, which are still covered over with this thick gloom. The question naturally arises, Will it always remain so? I boldly answer-no. Shall it remain so much longer? I transfer the question to the followers of the Lamb. They must decide it. 2. How gratifying is it to devoted Christians to be able to open the treasures of redeeming love,-to make known to their neighbours the unsearchable riches of Christ! And what pious person cannot do this to a certain extent? The old proverb is, "When the people are blind, a man with one eye will be accounted a philosopher." Let every man do what he can. Talents improve by exercise. Perseverance will do much! The man who travels but one mile an hour, will, if he persevere for two years and a half, make the circumference of the globe. Invention will do much! The man who strikes out a new thought, who suggests a new idea, who forms a new plan for doing good, may confer unspeakable obligations upon the present aud future generations. Union will accomplish wonders! Mole-hills, if often heaped, to mountains rise. All the waters of the deluge were composed of drops; and what could not the individual and concentrated energies of the Lord's people effect, if they were heartily devoted to the cause! The present state of the world calls for unusual efforts. A vast majority of the human race are perishing for lack of knowledge, and they will continue to perish, if the disciples of Jesus do not come to their help. England expects every man to do his duty," was the watchword of a dying warrior, and it conveyed an electric shock through the whole fleet. Every man exerted himself to the uttermost. 66 And shall a dying Nelson be heard, and a dying, risen, glorified Saviour be disregarded! Oh, it must not be! God forbid! Oh, for the quickening Spirit, that can raise the dead; for until every disciple is roused to consider his responsibility and to exert all his powers, the world will continue in the embraces of the wicked one-darkness will cover the earth, and gross darkness the people. 3. What an invaluable treasure in a family is a pious servant, who acts up to her Christian character! The young woman of whom I have written is a servant, who was spending the sacred hours in a proper manner. She was meditating in the law of the Lord, and when opportunity offered, she read it to her friends, and explained it as she was able. Many a learned man has laboured for years, who never witnessed such an effect of his labours. And why might not servants, when they meet, thus occupy their precious time? Doubtless there are servants who do this, and they will be amply repaid for it. "Sweet the moments, rich in blessing" which are thus spent, and many have felt it to be so. We rejoice that there is so much real godliness among this interesting class of the community. We rejoice to see them, out of their small earnings, devoting a considerable portion to the cause of God. Oh, servants! you serve a good Master. takes notice of the widow's mite. listens to the feeblest prayer, and marks with approbation your endeavours to advance his cause. Remember you have a character to maintain. Oh, keep it without a spot! You have a talent to improve. Improve it to the uttermost. Spend your He He Sabbaths well. Let the holy principles of the gospel influence all your conduct. Let your Bible and your Saviour be so precious to you, that you may speak of sacred things, not by constraint, but out of an overflowing heart—and what comes from the heart will reach the heart-and opportunities, thus improved, will be remembered with gratitude through the countless ages of eternity. 4. Not a few, when reading this, will recollect that they have often paid and received visits, without hearing a word about Jesus of Nazareth, and have separated from their guests without one really profitable hint. Oh, Christians! let holy indignation fire your souls and redden your cheeks at this indifference to your adorable Benefactor, to whom you owe your all. What! shall a poor servant girl discover more love and zeal for Christ than persons in more exalted stations? Is salvation, through a crucified Saviour, less suited to the conversation of the parlour or the drawing-room than to the kitchen or the nursery? Oh, no! This subject will add splendour to a diadem. King David never appeared more illustrious than when he exclaimed, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee." Perhaps much of that deadness, and coldness, and leanness, of which Christians justly complain, may be traced to a want of walking with God, all the day long, and not taking the Saviour with them into all the common concerns of life. If Christians were to alter their plan for six months, they would shout aloud for joy. St. Petersburgh. DR. SMITH'S REMARKS ON TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. To the Editor. PERSONAL considerations would not readily induce me to offer any remarks upon a Review, or to withhold a duly loyal deference to the privileges of anonymous criticism; but public and moral reasons may demand, and if so, will justify a different course. Allow me, then, to say, that I am apprehensive of deep injury to the cause of the Temperance Societies, from the review of some Tracts on that subject in your last number. Convinced, as I deeply am, that the principle, the objects, and the means of operation of those socie ties are of an importance, civil and religious, second only to that of the direct institutions of the gospel, I cannot but wish that the subject were correctly understood and prevailing mistakes concerning it universally obviated. I am bound, however, to exercise the utmost candour for those who labour under such mistakes; for I long and unsuspectingly myself lay under them. Through two or three years I declined to read, with sufficient attention, the Reports of Temperance Societies with which I had been favoured from America, hastily supposing that they applied to a state of society consi |