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a book in his hand, reading-went up to him, and discovered a man sitting at the door of a mud hovel, with a long reed in his hand, which he was swinging over the heads of twenty-six children, all engaged in writing Arabic and Coptic on plates of tin. This was a Coptic school. "Siout. This is the seat of government for Upper Egypt. There are twelve priests here, and one church. There are schools for boys, but girls are never taught to read. One of the priests gave us his opinion, that there are 300 or 400 Coptic houses in Siout. The bishop received us very kindly. We gave him a New Testament, a Psalter, and a Genesis; and he sent three priests to take books to sell, while we are gone to Thebes. They took fifty Testaments.

"Abutig. We called on the Koumas, or head priest, who is here at present in the bishop's place, and sold a few books. Several Copts came afterwards to the boat, and purchased. We left five Testaments and five copies of Genesis with a young man, to be sold during our absence.

“Akmim.—This is a considerable town, on the east bank. We took some books and went to the Coptic church. We saw the koumas, an old man, who immediately purchased some of our books. We sat down at the door of the church, and offered our books for sale to those who were present. The information was soon circulated, and others came to purchase: we were obliged to go to the boat repeatedly for more books. The koumas sat by our side most of the afternoon, and assisted us. Some of the other priests were also present, encouraging the people to buy. Before nine o'clock in the evening, we had given away nine books and sold ninety.

"When we awoke in the morning, we found a crowd of Copts waiting round our boat, to buy the Scriptures and tracts. The koumas and some of the priests who were present bought additional copies,

and assisted in selling. Before ten we gave away and sold forty-seven for 173 piastres; making the whole number sold in Akmim 137, for 497 piastres; besides eleven given gratis, and tracts for twelve piastres,

all accomplished in less than twenty-four hours. Here was a scene on which our minds dwelt with a degree of satisfaction not easily expressed. It was highly gratifying to see the priests so zealously stirring up the people to purchase the word of God. May a Divine blessing accompany the books distributed, and rest on the priests and the people who received them!

"Negade.-The greater part of the inhabitants are Copts. A priest named Antonia invited us to his house: he had an Arabic Bible, which he received from Mr. Jowett, whose name he remembered. He said he had read the whole of it, and was much pleased with it.

"At Thebes we spent five days. Most of this time was occupied in visiting the temples of Luxor and Carnac, on the east; and, on the west, those of Medinal Abu, of Memnon, and of Isis, the colossal statues of Memnon, the tombs of the kings, and the grottos of Necropolis.

"About thirty miles above Thebes is Esne, a large town, and the see of a Coptic bishop: most of its inhabitants are said to be Copts. We contemplated going thither; but, finding that all our books are likely to be disposed of before we reach Caïro, and being in haste on account of the season, we concluded to relinquish this part of our journey. Beyond Esne there are no Christians, except a few at Edfou. There are, indeed, a number of Copts now employed by the pacha at Assouan, and we have heard that they are erecting a church there.

"On the morning of the Sabbath which we spent at Thebes, we read the Scriptures in Romaïc to our servant, and gave him religious instruction. We then spent some time in social worship.

"On our return down the Nile to Caïro, we came to Kene. Taking books with us, as usual, we went into the town, and inquired first for Mallem Boulus, who is mentioned in Mr. Jowett's Researches.' He looked at the books, kissed them, bought several, and assisted us in selling to others. He told us there were about 1500 houses in Kene, of which 150 or 200 are Coptic. They have neither a priest nor a church in Kene, but go for public worship to Goos, a village three or four hours distant, where are also many Copts. Within four hours after our arrival, we sold seventeen Testaments and fourteen copies of Genesis, for 114 piastres. We have reason to speak very highly of the attentions which we received from Mâllem Boulus, and of the part that he acted in regard to the sale of the books; and it gave us the highest pleasure to find among the people such a desire to possess the word of God. While we were with Mâllem Boulus, another Mâllem came in, who teaches a school of thirty boys; to him we gave five copies of Genesis, to be given as premiums to such of his pupils as make the most rapid progress in their learning.

“Haou.—In returning to our boat we met with a priest from Hou, or Haou, who bought a Testament and a copy of Genesis, at a very low price.

"Girge. We awoke, on the 10th of March, in sight of the high minarets of Girge. Went first to pay our respects to the bishop, and were conducted to his house through a narrow dark avenue. He was asleep, but the koumas received us very kindly. The apartments were entirely without furniture, except a mat of reeds spread on the floor, on which we sat; but they were cleaner than the rooms in which we have usually been received by the Coptic clergy. After waiting a-while, the bishop awoke, and we were invited into his presence. He was on the roof of the house, reclining on the bed on which he had been sleeping.

He was in feeble health, as might be expected from his age, which is ninety years. For thirty-one years he has been bishop of this diocese. The koumas told us, that there are in Egypt twelve bishoprics; two east of the Nile, and ten west of it. The whole number of Coptic priests we estimated at 230 or 240: but others set it much higher. The reason he assigns why the number of bishoprics is so small, is the poverty and tribulation which the Christians are now in. They are indeed in bondage. We dined with the koumas: the dinner consisted of boiled eggs, bread, and honey. We had but three Arabic Testaments remaining; one we gave to the bishop, the koumas bought one, and the third was immediately sold. We sold also seventeen copies of Genesis. The koumas told us, that Girge contains 300 or 320 Coptic houses. Besides the bishop and koumas, there are five other priests, and there are three churches.

"At Girge we received a letter from Mr. Salt, requesting us, in the name of the pacha, but in a very kind manner, to forbear arguing on points of religious belief with Mussulmans. The letter implies that there is no impediment whatever on the part of the Mussulmans or of the government to the distribution of the Scriptures, or to missionary labours, except among Mussulmans themselves; and that the need of caution, at the present moment, arises, in part at least, from the present political state of Turkey. Here, then, is a wide and promising field actually laid open before us, for labours among nominal Christians and Jews. It seems improper to cause it to be shut against us, by attempting to force open a door, which Providence seems to have closed against us. Still, opportunities may occasionally occur of giving the Scriptures to Mussulmans, and of speaking to them about Christianity. Now and then, we meet one who has travelled in Europe, or who reads European books, who is

liberal and tolerant in his ideas. To such persons, and to our teachers, and to men of letters with whom we become acquainted, we may speak of the Son of God, and give them the Gospel. Mussulmans, also, come sometimes to purchase the Scriptures of their own accord. By enlightening and reforming nominal Christians in Turkey, we are preparing the way; and raising up agents to bear a part when the way shall be prepared, in convincing the followers of the False Prophet of their errors, and teaching them the truth. Lord, teach us the way in which we should walk, for we lift up our souls unto Thee!'

"Tahta is half-an-hour west of the river. We called first at the Catholic convent, where we were very kindly received by a Missionary of the Propaganda, who has been here eight years, and has under him about 500 Coptic Catholics. We gave him an Italian Bible, which he accepted with many thanks; and gave us, in return, one of his Arabic sermons in manuscript. There are four Catholic establishments in Upper Egypt; namely, at Tahta, Farshiout, Akmim, and Girge. There have been others at Negade, &c.; but they are now destroyed. We went, next morning, among the Copts, found two priests, and learned that there is a third in the village, and about 100 Coptic houses, and three schools for boys. We cannot learn that girls are ever sent to school among the Copts, or taught to read at home. To the Copts we sold ten copies of Genesis.

"Siout. We waited on the bishop. We had the happiness to learn that all the fifty Testaments which we had left were sold, and that more were wanted. One person inquired whether we should come that way again with books. Another offered four piastres for a Psalter, if we had one remaining. We sold to the priests all the copies of Genesis that we had on hand; and thus found

ourselves, a long way from our journey's end, entirely without books for distribution.

"Between Minie and Cairo.Here are several convents and villages, at which we intended to stop on our return; but, having distributed all our books, and being in haste, we passed by them all.

"Cairo. After an absence of forty-six days, we arrived at Caïro on the 23d of March. Our expenses have amounted to about thirty dollars each. We sold, in Arabic, 211 Testaments, 127 Genesis, and 7 Psalters; and gave away 10 Testaments, 45 Genesis, and 1 Psalter. In other languages, we have sold 4 and given away 5 Testaments and Bibles. We have also distributed 250 tracts.

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"We ought to have mentioned, that, before leaving Caïro, we waited on the Coptic patriarch, and presented him with some of our books, and that he gave us a very friendly letter to the bishops and priests of Upper Egypt. We now feel authorised to say, that the Coptic Church has lifted up its voice in favour of the Bible Society, and of the distribution of the Scriptures. The patriarch, the bishops, the priests, and the people, call to the Bible Society, and say, Help us.' This language expresses not merely their necessities, but their wishes also. They have no press, and are not likely to have any at present. They have among them a few, though but very few, copies of the Bible, or some parts of it, printed at Rome: in our travels we have found but two. They must remain destitute, or manuscripts must be multiplied, or the Bible Society must supply them. We have never yet heard a Copt's voice raised against the Bible Society, or the distribution of its books.

They have, almost every where, inquired eagerly for the whole Bible: the Psalter also is in great demand."

AMERICAN JEWS' SOCIETY.

THIS Society was formed in Feb. in part executed, the design of ruary 1820, in New York; and was establishing near the Rhine, a incorporated, by the Legislature of colony of Christian Jews, commisthat State in April following. The sioned David Jadownisky, a conobject of the Society is to invite verted Rabbi, to visit the United and receive from any part of the States for the purpose of obtaining world, such Jews as already pro- the co-operation and assistance of fess the Christian religion, or are the Society. This proffered codesirous of receiving Christian in- operation was thankfully accepted; struction-to form them into a and Count Von Der Recke has been settlement and to furnish them requested to act as the agent of the with the ordinances of religion, and Board in Germany, in communicatwith employment in the settlement, ing information respecting its plans principally in agricultural and me--ascertaining the names, numbers, chanical operations. The members and circumstances of Jews who of the settlement are to be con- may wish to come to the settlement sidered as a band of brethren, forming societies to defray the governed by the laws of the Divine expenses of the emigrants in coming Redeemer, and associated together to America-and, generally, calling for the purpose of aiding one another the attention of the public in in the concerns of the life that now Germany to the objects of the is, and of that which is to come. Society. Distinct funds will be received and applied by the Directors, for the education and employment of Jewish Missionaries, and for distributing among the Jews the Hebrew NewTestament and other religious publications.

The late Elias Boudinot, LL.D. was the first president of the Society; and, at his decease, bequeathed to it 1000 dollars.

A large mansion, with three acres of land, a few miles from New York, has been rented, as an asylum for such Jews as may emigrate to America. Here they will be united as one family; and from this place they may remove, at their option, to the Agricultural Settlement when formed, or engage elsewhere under the auspices of the Board.

Intelligence of the Society's design having reached Germany, Count Von Der Recke, a German nobleman, who had conceived, and

Mr. Jadownisky is now at the Theological Seminary at Princeton, under preparation as a missionary to his brethren. Mr. Simon, Mr. Primker, and Mr. Zadig, all converts from Judaism, have arrived at New York from Germany. Mrs. Simon is a Scottish lady, devoted to the temporal and spiritual interests of the Jews: her husband and herself have visited America on their own pecuniary resources, in order to co-operate with the Society. The Rev. J. S. C. F. Frey, has been actively engaged in promoting the objects of the Society. The whole number of Auxiliary Societies is 213. A small monthly publication is issued by the Board, entitled "Israel's Advocate." There are three institutions in the United States, which are independent of the Society, but are co-operating towards the same ends; the Female Societies of Boston and Portland, and the Portland Society.

AFRICAN INSTITUTION.

THE Eighteenth Report of the Afri- of the Society's last annual meeting. can Institution details the intelli-At the very close of the preceding gence respecting the state of the session, a large mass of papers on the Foreign Slave-Trade, to the date subject had been laid before Parlia

ment; and the Directors have compressed into a brief space the most material parts of the information, which these papers convey, combining with it such fresh intelligence as had reached them.

Netherlands. The preceding Report contained an additional treaty, signed at Brussels on the 31st of December 1822, for more effectually suppressing the Dutch Slave-Trade. Its provisions give to our cruizers a right of seizing Dutch ships, not only when they have slaves actually on board, or when they have landed them in order to elude capture, but when they are found, within certain limits, with an outfit and equipment. which shew them to be intended for the Slave Trade. We regret, however, to learn that on neither side of the Atlantic had the Dutch functionaries exhibited a resolution to suppress the traffic. Mr. Lefroy the British commissioner complains that he "could not perceive in any of the Surinam officers of his Ne therlands Majesty, either civil or military, the slightest appearance of any peremptory orders having been issued from the mother country in the bonâ fide spirit of the treaty. So far," he says, "from cordially co-operating with me, if any good has been effected since I have been here, it has been effected only by the most irksome and continuous extra-judicial importunity on my part, which ought not to have been necessary, and at the utmost expense possible of trouble and expostulation to your lordship and his Majesty's ambassador in Holland." A proposal for a registry of slaves in Surinam, was received with coldness, and, in fact, wholly eluded...

Spain. It is now made the law of Spain, that all captains, masters, and pilots of Spanish vessels, who purchase Negroes on the coast of Africa, or introduce them into any part of the Spanish monarchy, or are found with slaves on board their vessels, shall lose their vessels, and be sentenced to ten years' hard labour on the public works. It is

to be regretted that these penalties do not extend to all Spanish subjects engaged in the Slave Trade, as principals or agents. The letters of the British Commissioners at the Havannah, however, clearly shew, that, notwithstanding this law, nothing had been effectually done to prevent the importation of slaves into the island of Cuba. The importation of slaves into that island was chiefly effected under the French and Portuguese flags. But, notwithstanding the risk attending it, and the penal inflictions denounced against it, the Spanish flag also is still employed in this proscribed traffic; and in proportion to the risks, the desperate audacity of the criminals appears to have increased. They proceed strongly armed, to carry on their work of rapine and blood on the, coast; and some of them have not been captured without a severe conflict with the British boats, attended by the loss of lives, and involving all the guilt of murder and piracy.

The records of the Mixed Commission Court of Sierra Leone, during the year 1822, exhibit six cases of Spanish ships condemned for slave trading. In addition to these, the Sierra-Leone Gazette specifies several Spanish slave-ships which had been detained by his Majesty's cruizers in 1823; and several more, evidently the property of Spaniards, but which were protected from capture by the French flag. One of these cases is thus alluded to in the Sierra-Leone Gazette of the 11th Oct. 1823—

"In our last we mentioned, that

a Spanish vessel, under French colours, was purchasing slaves at Shebar. With the deepest feelings of horror and pain we now have to acquaint our readers, that we have since received information that her anchoring off Shebar has been followed with the usual scenes of blood, inseparable from such a criminal traffic. The natives who reside about forty miles in the interior (the Cossous), being anxious to open a

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