surrounding regions, has not hitherto succeeded: and the Committee of the Church Missionary Society entertain grave doubts, whether this attempt to influence the Oriental Churches be any longer a work within their province. It may probably be prosecuted with better effect by our Protestant Episcopacy, which has now entered the field. Meanwhile a Greek Mission, an Asia-Minor Mission, an Egyptian, and another in Eastern Africa, are maintained. The direct appeal to the Mahomedans is being prosecuted, while no opportunity is neglected of benefitting the members of the Christian Churches. A Mission to North Africa was contemplated by Mr. Pratt in his Instructions to Mr. Jowett in 1829: the following passage sets the subject in a strong point of view : "Of the four great continents of the globe, Africa is the lowest in the scale; and of the four quarters of this Continent, the Northern is the lowest in respect of Christian and moral advantages. On the Eastern side, through Egypt and Abyssinia, somewhat seems likely to be accomplished: on the Western, the labours of Christian Missionaries have not been in vain in the Lord on the South, at the Cape, there has long been a nucleus of growing civilization and Christianity; but, on the North, there are these TEN great evils, all in operation, almost without any counteracting influence: Mahomedanism-Paganism-Barbarism-Habitual Wars -Slavery-Almost impenetrable Deserts-unknown Languages-the want of Ancient and Modern History, or accounts of Travellers, to guide our steps -dangerous Climates-and, want of a British footing, nay, even of a European footing, a single step beyond the regencies of Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco. "The language of the people [of these regions, Mr. Pratt adds] has attracted attention, and progress is making in the acquisition of this tongue. It will, of course, be one of your first objects in visiting North Africa, should you have it in your power to do so, to acquire the most accurate information on this point; and to make the best provision for furthering a plan of this nature, should the Society be hereafter in a condition, with respect both to Funds and Labourers, to follow up such a plan." This, it will be observed, is a description only of difficulties. It was arranged at this time that Mr. Jowett should visit Algiers, and go on southward to Gadarmis: the plan, however, was totally frustrated by the occupation of Algiers by the French in 1830; and at the close of that year he finally quitted the Mediterranean, in consequence of the failure of his health. It remains to be seen, in what way objects so great and important will be taken up by the Church Missionary Society, or by some other competent body. Let the cry of these nations enter into our ears: and may the Spirit of God shew to Christians, what is their proper course of duty in this matter; and strengthen them to pursue that course! * Reference is here made to a Version of the Four Gospels and the Book of Genesis in the Berber Dialect, purchased by the Bible Society in 1830. But no learned person has yet been found, competent to render the work available. CHAPTER XII. 1818-1824. PROGRESS OF THE WEST-AFRICA MISSION-DREADFUL SICKNESS AND MORTALITY AMONG THE MISSIONARIES-SUCCESS AT LENGTH VOUCHSAFEDMR. JOHNSON'S LABOURS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED-MORE MISSIONARIES SENT OUT TO INDIA-THE SYRIAN CHURCH-MISSIONARIES SENT WITH A VIEW TO ITS REVIVAL-CHEERING PROSPECTS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA -AGRA-CHUNAR-BENARES-BURDWAN -KRISHNAGHUR -FEMALE EDUCATION DEATH OF BISHOP MIDDLETON, AND APPOINTMENT OF BISHOP HEBER-DIFFICULTIES IN THE NEW-ZEALAND MISSION-CORRESPONDENCE WITH MISSIONARIES-MR. PRATT RESIGNS THE SECRETARY SHIP. We DURING the latter years of Mr. Pratt's connection with the Church Missionary Society, he had the happiness of seeing some brightening symptoms. God was beginning to pour out an abundant blessing upon the labours of His faithful servants. will now glance at the progress made in each of the three chief Missionary fields of the Society's operations, from the beginning of the year 1818 to the spring of 1824, when he resigned the office of Secretary. In WEST AFRICA death was still, as formerly, making fearful inroads amongst the labourers. During the period under notice, sixteen European Missionaries and Catechists went out to those unhealthy shores: of whom, within that interval, eight fell a sacrifice to the climate, besides six of their older companions, and several of their wives; so dreadful was the mortality! Up to the spring of 1824, at which time the West-Africa Mission had been established twenty years, the Society had sent thither thirty-eight European Missionaries, Catechists, and Schoolmasters; of whom, at that date, twenty-five were dead, three had retired, and ten only, exclusive of the females, were in the field. honour to the zeal devoted men, who name of the Lord This was a sacrifice which did and Christian courage of the "hazarded their lives for the Jesus." But it was one which occasioned Mr. Pratt great disquietude, and weighed with an almost intolerable load upon his anxious mind. Several times was the question discussed, whether it was right to continue the Mission under circumstances so perilous. Yet as long as men were found willing, with a full knowledge of the dangers before them, to adventure themselves for the love of Christ and the souls He had purchased by His blood, it seemed a duty to maintain their efforts, and to encourage these noble-minded servants of the Lord to persevere in their high and holy undertaking; especially as the fields appeared to be now more than ever ripe unto the harvest. It is worthy of observation, that when success during this period was the most marked, death raged with its greatest fury.* Johnson, his church had several times been enlarged, Within a year and a half after the arrival of Mr. * Table of the number of Missionaries, Catechists, and Schoolmasters sent to West Africa during the 1804. 1815. 1814. : 2 .. 2 : : 0.2 0.8 .. 2.0 : These were transferred to New Zealand. †These retired. This includes one who died in March 1824. |