SLAVE EMANCIPATION IN AMERICA. MR. G. THOMPSON, who has recently returned from America, has been delighting immense crowds at Glasgow, reporting the success of his dangerous mission to the United States for the promotion of the abolition of slavery. Mr. T.'s statements relative to the progress of anti-slavery opinions is fully justified by passing events: for, notwithstanding the deep-rooted prejudice against the coloured man, Divine Providence is working in his favour, by awakening religious principle to testify against that crying abomination. America now holds 2,500,000 human beings in cruel bondage; but the following (from the Boston Recorder), relating to a slave state, prognosticates the triumph of truth and justice : EMANCIPATION IN KENTUCKY. We have received from a correspondent, "An Address to the Presbyterians of Kentucky, proposing a plan for the Emancipation and Instruction of their slaves, by a Committee of the Synod of Kentucky." It is an octavo pamphlet of sixty-four pages. On the second page, we find the following minute: "For the purpose of promoting harmony and concert of action on this important subject, the synod do "Resolve, That a committee of ten be appointed, to consist of an equal number of ministers and elders, whose business it shall be to digest and prepare a plan for the moral and religious instruction of our slaves, and for their future emancipation, and to report such plan to the several presbyteries within our bounds, for their consideration and approval." John Brown, Esq. is chairman of the committee, and Rev. John C. Young, president of Danville College, secretary. The committee "respectfully request every member to read this address to his congregation on some sabbath. The object of the synod in appointing the committee to prepare a plan, is stated to be to promote harmony and concert of action on this important subject;' and this can only be effected by presenting the plan, with the reasons urging its adoption, before every member of our church," The committee say, in defining slavery-" 1. A part of our slavery consists in depriving human beings of the right to acquire property. 2. The deprivation of personal liberty, forms another part of our system of slavery. 3. The deprivation of personal security is the remaining constituent of our system of slavery." Its effects are said to be; "1. To deprave and degrade its subjects, by removing from them the strongest natural checks to human corruption. 2. It dooms thousands of human beings to hopeless ignorance. 3. It deprives its subjects, in a great measure, of the privileges of the gospel. 4. This system licences and produces great cruelty. 5. It produces general licentiousness among the slaves. 6. This system demoralizes the whites as well as the blacks. 7. This system draws upon us the vengeance of heaven." These several points in their order, are illustrated and enforced at length. Then follow confutations of the various arguments of the defenders of the system. Then "As the conclusion of all that has been advanced, we assert it to be the unquestionable duty of every Christian, to use vigorous and immediate efforts for the destruction of this whole system, and for the removal of all its unhappy effects. Both these objects should be contemplated in his efforts." Next, the plan of immediate and complete eman cipation is discussed and rejected. Then we have the plan of the committee, briefly stated thus: "I. We would recommend that all slaves now under twenty years of age, and all those yet to be born in our possession, be emancipated, as they severally reach their twenty-fifth year. "2. We recommend that deeds of emancipation be now drawn up, and recorded in our respective county courts, specifying the slaves we are about to emancipate, and the age at which each is to become free. “This measure is highly necessary, as it will furnish to our own minds, to the world, and to our slaves, satisfactory proof of our sincerity in this work-and it will also secure the liberty of the slave against all contingencies. 66 "3. We recommend that our slaves be instructed in the common elementary branches of education. "4. We recommend that strenuous and persevering efforts be made to induce them to attend regularly upon the ordinary services of religion, both domestic and public. "5. We recommend that great pains be taken to teach them the Holy Scriptures; and that, to effect this, the instrumentality of Sabbath-schools, wherever they can be enjoyed, be united with that of domestic instruction." It should be understood that deeds of emancipation, such as are here recommended, put it out of the power of the master to hold the slaves beyond the time stated in the deed, even if he should change his mind and wish to do it. The deed, being recorded in court, is beyond his power. The law, on this point, is clearly settled in Kentucky. Some connected with the synod have already recorded deeds of emancipation. Others, we doubt not, will do it soon. These men are in earnest. Neither the fear of being confounded with northern abolitionists on the one hand, nor the charge of being "gradualists" and "apologists for slavery," on the other, will be permitted to drive them from their course. THE YOUTH'S DYING LAMENTATION, "I AM LOST! I AM LOST!" I ONCE knew a young man of sixteen, the son and hope of pious parents, and the favourite of a large circle of associates. He was my friend. We went together to the school-room, to the play-ground, to our chamber. I have seen him, while listening to the pleadings of parental faithfulness, urging him to immediate repentance, and warning him, by a brother's recent grave, of the danger of delay. He listened in silence and respectful attention, but the alluring pleasures of youth dazzled him, and he resolved to leave religion for a future day. One evening he met a circle of youthful acquaintance. It was a gay circle, and a thoughtless one, In the midst of their mirth, his eye fell on a hymnbook. He opened it and read, "And must this body die? And must these active limbs of mine, He laid down the book and forgot its warning voice. Late that evening he came to my chamber, breathing short, like one who had been walking fast, and laid down by my side. After some time he turned to me, and said, "Will you get up and give me a glass of water? I feel unwell." I arose and called the family. He was manifestly sick, but not appa rently in immediate danger. The next morning he was worse. A physician was called, but did not understand his case. Search was at length made, and it was found, that by mistake, he had taken a dose of deadly poison. The hand of death was then upon him. For three hours his body was writhing in agony, but that was forgotten in the more excruciating agonies of his soul. I heard his minister tell him of a merciful Saviour. I heard his father, kneeling by his bedside, pour out to God, the most agonizing prayer for him that language could express. I heard his mother exclaim, Oh! my son! my son!" till she swooned and sunk upon the floor. I heard him, as he tossed from side to side, cry out, “O Lord, have mercy on my soul, O my God, have mercy on me-mercy! mercy! mercy!" and then reaching out his hands towards his father, he exclaimed, "I am lost! I am lost! am I not, father?" His breath grew shorter, and his voice fainter, until raising his hands, as if he would cry "mercy" once more, he expired. Fifteen years have rolled away since I heard those cries of dying agony, but they ring in my ears now, as if it were but an hour. That look of fierce despair is now in my eye, and my ear echoes with the heart-rending cry, "I am lost! I am lost am I not, father?" How can I forget them? They came from the death-bed of my friend, and that friend my own beloved brother. Reader, by my brother's dying groans, by the tears which fall on this paper while I think of him, and by the tears and groans of Calvary, I beseech you, remember, and lay to heart the truths you are here taught.-Pastor's Journal. THE OLDEST CHURCH IN GREAT BRITAIN. : CANTERBURY is believed to contain the oldest church in Great Britain. St. Martin's, a little way out of the city, is pointed out to visitors as that venerable building it is said to have been given to queen Bertha, the consort of king Ethelred, when she arrived in England from France. St. Martin's is thought to have been built in the time of the Romans, at least sixteen hundred years ago. We purpose giving a further account of this church. Wales, however, claims the honour of possessing the oldest church in Britain. They say, "there can be little doubt that Llanilid (between Llantrissent and Bridgend) is the oldest church in Great Britain. Ilid, a converted Jew, accompanied Bran, the father of Caractacus, from Rome. Caractacus is known to have lived at Dunraven; Bran is supposed to have resided at or near Llanilid; and a farm-house not far from the church, still called Tre-fan (Tre-bran) the abode of Bran,' confirms the probability. The revels (Mapsent) of that parish are still called Gwyl Geri, from Ceri, the grandfather, or, as some say, the father of Bran. Bran and Ilid (who must have been at Rome at the same time with St. Paul) converted the Britons to Christianity, and founded a church at Llanilid five hundred years before Augustin had converted their Saxon neighbours." THE INFIDEL AND THE CHRISTIAN IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH. MIRABEAU, like all the leading names of France for the last century, was an infidel; it was the melancholy fashion of the time, and considered essential to the reputation of all who pretended to philosophy. There was but little in the religion of the land to rebuke the evil spirit; and its name was Legion. His last effort, when his speech failed him, was to write on his tablets, “Death is but a sleep," and to request "some opium to extinguish his life and his pains together." Still, even in this fatal insensibility to all that constitutes the true greatness of the dying mind, and to those illustrious hopes and feelings which, to the Christian, throw their light across the grave, the sinking man of genius showed some of that brilliant buoyancy which had once given him such distinction among his countrymen. "Take away," said he, "from my sight, all those funeral-looking things: why should man be surrounded by the grave before his time? Give me flowers-let me have essencesarrange my dress-let me have music and close my eyes in harmony." But this passed away with the return of pain, and he once more asked eagerly for opium to end his struggle. The physician, to quiet his mind, gave him some water in a cup, telling him it was opium; he swallowed it, dropped back upon his pillow, and was dead. 'My letter was interrupted," writes the Rev. R. Watson," by being called to visit an old follower of Jesus Christ: I have been much profited by the interview. I have not been to instruct but to be instructed. One of his expressions was, 'Days, weeks, and months have rolled round during my affliction, and I scarcely have known the night from the day, nor the day from night, so rapidly and joyfully have the hours escaped me. I have felt nothing but joy and love; not for a moment have I been impatient or weary, or wished it otherwise with me, so marvellously has God wrought in me.' This is the hand of God. This never grew in nature's soil. "May I die the death of the righteous, and may my latter end be like his." HIGH RAISED SEATS PLACES OF HONOUR. "AND it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died" (1 Sam. iv. 18). It appears that Eli, the judge and high-priest of Israel, sat on a high seat when the fatal news of the defeat of his people was brought to him; and that, falling from it, he brake his neck and died. These seats were used in other parts of the East besides Judea; for St. James ii. 3, says, "And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool." St. Matthew, speaking of the Pharisees, says, "And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues." Now, the chief seats in the synagogues were so placed, that those who occupied them had their faces to the people. The Pharisees, therefore, coveted them, that they might be in full view of all who were present. The Great Mogul sits daily in the durbar, to entertain strangers, and to receive petitions and presents, and give out orders. The king sits in a little gallery over head: ambassadors, great men, and strangers of quality within the inmost rail under him, on seats raised from the ground, covered with canopies of velvet and silk, and with good carpets under foot. The next degree are within the first rail, and the common people without in a low court. In the halls of great men's houses in the kingdom of Tonquin, are several alcoves, where they sit eross-legged upon seats, according to their rank; the higher the more honourable; and these seats are all covered with mats, corresponding in fineness to their stations, except in time of mourning, when they are obliged to use coal 8 3 ones. In reference to the 9th verse of the first chapter of Samuel, "Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord," Bishop Patrick and Dr. Wells informs us that, upon a seat by a post, signifies upon a throne; meaning a seat raised to some height, so that he might see and be seen by all that came to the tabernacle; and that by his presence and eye overlooking them, he might the more easily preserve order and regularity; for which purpose his throne was placed by "a post," at the entrance of the tabernacle, or ' temple," as it is here called. THE CORRUPTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. PROFESSOR VAUGHAN, in his admirable Lectures on the Corruptions of Christianity, remarks ;-" Thus Judaism was, what Christianity too soon began to be, an invention of man, more than the work of God. The former, in common with the latter, has its pontiffs and its conclaves; its maxims of intolerance, and its subordination of moral to ecclesiastical obedience; its encouragements to mental reservation, and its preference of the law of tradition to the law of the Bible; its substitution of a corrupt, or at best of a merely symbolic ritual, in the place of enlightened piety ; and of presumptuous or idle speculation in the place of religious truth. And with all its worldly pomp and splendour, it was not without its attractions for the learned recluse, its instances of voluntary poverty, its sects of ostentatious devotees; -in a word, it possessed nearly all that shrewd fitness to the different temperaments, and characters, and classes of men, which has contributed so much to the success and the permanence of the grand apostasy, being in all respects as popish as popery has ever been, in connexion with the same limited means of self-advancement," "THE RIGHT SIDE OF FIFTY." THE following anecdote is related of a fellow-labourer of Mr. Howell Davis:-Mr. Venn, in one of his excursions to preach for the countess of Huntingdon, while riding on the road, fell into company with a person who had the appearance of a clergyman. After riding together for some time, conversing on different subjects, the stranger, looking in his face, said, "Sir, I think you are on the wrong side of fifty?" "On the wrong side of fifty!" answered Mr. Venn, "No, sir, I am on the right side of fifty." "Surely," the clergyman replied, 66 you must be turned of fifty." " Yes, sir," added Mr. Venn, "but I am on the right side of fifty, for I am nearer my crown of glory." PROMISCUOUS DEFINITIONS, ILLUSTRATIONS, &c. "Egg-Scorpion." The body of a scorpion is like an egg, especially if it be a white scorpion; and such are reckoned to be the first species of them, by Nicander, Elian, Avicenna, and others. Nor does a scorpion differ much in size from an egg in Judea, if it be true that, as is asserted by the monks in Messuam, there are large scorpions about Jerusalem and throughout all Syria.-BOCHART, in Burder. "Husks." The fruit of the Ceratonia or Carob tree, common in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and the East, which still continues to be used for the same purpose (feeding swine) and is eaten by the poorer sort. -BLOOMFIELD. "Hate not, &c." One thing is said to be loved, another hated in Scripture, when the former is much preferred; and especially when out of regard to it the latter is neglected or forsaken: Compare Luke xiv. 26; Gen. xxix. 31; Deut. xxi. 15—17; Mark i, 3; Rom, ix. 13; and Matt. vi. 21. DoDDRIDGE. "Taught in our streets." It was customary with Jewish doctors to teach in the streets.-GILL. "Siloam." The fountain Siloam or Siloe, which was the only one whose waters gladdened the city, flowed at the bottom of Mount Moriah to the South East.-JAHN. "Galileans." A new sect, made by a secession from that of the Pharisees in the twelfth year of Christ, about the time that Archelaus was sent away from his government.—JAHN. "For a man's life." (Luke xii. 15.) Life is here used agreeably to the Hebrew idiom for "happiness," or the enjoyment of life. The corresponding word in Hebrew signifies not only animal existence, but also the enjoyment of every temporal blessing, which renders it desirable. HEWLETT. "The Key of Knowledge." If a key was delivered to them as a badge of their office, there may be a beautiful allusion to that circumstance, as if he should have said "you take the key not to use but to secrete it. " - DoDDRIDGE. "More tolerable, &c." A more tolerable doom at the day of judgment is widely different from eternal salvation; yet the former is all that is favourable which our Lord speaks concerning the Gentiles.— ScoTT. "Staves." Staves were always used by travellers in those rocky countries, both to support them in slippery places, and defend them against assaults, So necessary in those countries was a staff, that it was a usual thing for persons, when they undertook long journeys, to take a spare staff with them for fear one should fail. When Christ, therefore, sent forth his apostles, he ordered them not to take staves, but only one staff, without making provision for a spare one.-HORNE. 66 Legion." There is no need of concluding that the number of evil spirits was exactly the same as that of a Roman legion, which was now upwards of six thousand. It was a phrase that was often made use of to express a great number. It is observable that Luke here adds (viii. 30), that many demons were entered into him, so that it is evident he thought it not a mere lunacy, but a real possession. -DODDRIDGE. "Thou gavest me no water." In this respect Simon was sadly deficient in civil respect; whether this proceeded from forgetfulness or contempt. The custom of giving water to wash the guests' feet, was very ancient. See instances in Gen. xviii. 4; xxiv. 32; Judges xix. 21; 1 Sam. xxv. 4, 41. In Hindostan it is the custom, that when a superior enters the house of an inferior, the latter washes his feet, and gives him water to rinse his mouth before he eats.-Dr. A. CLARKE. ILLUSTRATION OF 1 THESS. iv. 13. "That ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope." THE Rev. W. Yate, Missionary, writes as follows, in a note to page 243, of his instructive “ Account of New Zealand: "How bitterly hopeless, as well as atrociously cruel, were the feelings of those bereaved of their dearest relatives by death, may be gathered from the following description, extracted from my Journal, under date of December 4th, 1830:-I went to the hill, to endeavour to administer consolation to Mawe; but he refused to be comforted, because his child was not, it having died about two hours before. The scene was most melancholy. Here was the corpse, placed up in a corner, and gaudily dressed with feathers and other finery: there was the father prostrate at its feet, weeping bitterly, and bleeding in many places from self-inflicted wounds. Next to him sat the mother, singing a mournful lamentation over the dead body of her son, and accompanying every stanza with a deep gash across her neck or arms, with a piece of glass. Around, were three friends and relatives, falling in with the chorus, and wounding themselves in a dreadful manner. At a little distance was a man preparing to kill a slave, as a satisfaction to the manes of the departed. I reasoned with him upon the subject, and he promised to desist from his bloody purpose: whether he will or not, remains to be proved. The scene, altogether, was most ago. nizing; there seemed to be no hope, no consolation for the bereaved parents." ILLUSTRATION OF PROVERBS xxvi. 4, 5. "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." "A Subscriber from the first" to the Christian's Penny Magazine, shall be gratified to the best of our ability in the elucidation of this apparently paradoxical scripture, independently of the consideration of his being a Sunday-school Teacher." Proverbial expressions are peculiarly adapted to a rude state of society; they were common, therefore, in Palestine and other oriental nations: but none that have ever been written may be compared for purity, piety, and force, with those of the Holy Scriptures. This divine inspiration is manifest from their surpassing wisdom, leading the mind at once to the most correct views of God, and to all the various duties of individual and of social life. Cavillers have, however, exhibited their folly in finding, or rather labouring to find, fault with the verses referred to by our inquirer; but they may easily be reconciled in the mind of a pious attentive reader of the Word of God. Professor Brown, whose comments are generally more brief, sententious, and forcible, than almost any other expositor of the scriptures, gives the following as the sense of these verses. 4. Answer not an ignorant, impertinent fool in his own reproachful manner, so as to imitate his impertinence. 5. Answer a proud conceited fool with strength and evidence of reason as may render him sensible of his folly and check his pride." 66 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him" (ver. 4.) Sometimes a fool, or wicked man is not to be answered at all, as the minister of Hezekiah answered not a word to Rabshakeh (Isaiah xxxvi. 21): nor Christ to the Pharisees (John viii. 6; Mark xv. 2-5). And when an answer is returned to a fool, it should not be in the same foolish manner, lest he who replies should lose his reputation for good sense and understanding, and in like manner be esteemed a mere prater and a fool. "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit" (ver. 5). Prudence requires that sometimes even fools should be answered; and then it should be done with wisdom and discretion, for the purpose of doing good by conveying reproof and affording instruction, especially when ill impressions may be prevented, the glory of God promoted, and the cause of truth and piety may be advanced. Timely answers, in the spirit of wisdom and the fear of God, will oftentimes annihilate the vanity and self-conceit of fools, and secure the honour of religion. This inquiry also of our friend, WHAT IS THE BEST DICTIONARY OF THE BILLE? we will endeavour to answer. : 1. Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible is doubtless the best but as it is in five volumes 4to. price 10/. 10s, it cannot be generally within the reach of Sunday-school teachers. 2. Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible, abridged, in one volume, imperial 8vo. price 17. 4s., is very excellent in things relating to historical and geographical matters, and the manners and customs of the Hebrews and ancient nations: it is not so valuable for doctrinal theology; still it is a treasure. 3. Watson's Biblical and Theological Dictionary in one volume imperial 8vo., is a very valuable work, it embraces not only the principal subjects of the Bible, but many masterly articles on theological and ecclesiastical topics. Mr. Watson was a man of superior mind, a Wesleyan minister; and his work, of course, inclines to the doctrinal peculiarities of the Methodists. 4. Brown's Dictionary of the Bible, in two volumes, 8vo. This may be obtained for 12 or 15s. and is a valuable work. Several editions, with alterations, of this work, have appeared under other names. 5. Gurney's Diamond Dictionary of the Bible, one volume 18mo. price about 3s. This is a very valuable little work; and though its price is small, it contains a mass of excellent matter in a small type. We have reason to believe that one, still more valuable for Sunday-school Teachers, will soon be announced by an author of established reputation. THE BEST WORK ON THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. "A CONSTANT READER" of the Christian's Penny Magazine, is, it is presumed, a young person in humble life; for such especially the publication is designed, and their improvement has always been the great object of its successive numbers, which have been crowned, in this respect, with the blessing of God. The inquiry of "a Constant Reader" for "the best work on the doctrines of the Christian religion" is reasonable, and it shall have that attention which the subject requires. There are, however, it will be remembered, different shades of opinion on certain points of doctrine, as well as church order, entertained among pious, holy, and learned men: but the doctrines inculcated in this Magazine, have ever been the principles for which the British martyrs died, and which have ever been held by the most devoted professors of the gospel in every age; and which form the basis of union among the pious members of the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, and the great body of Nonconformists-the basis of union among the several denominations in carrying on the Religious Tract Society. A few works on the doctrines of Christianity, of the most approved and of the cheapest kind, only can here be noticed. 1. The Holy Bible: this is the only inspired and infallible instructor in the doctrines of Christianity. The great Mr. Locke, when requested on his deathbed, by a young gentleman, to point out to him the best work on Christianity, said, "Let him study the Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, therein are contained the word of eternal life. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter." Among the cheapest and best helps to understand and profit by the Scriptures are, 1. The Companion to the Bible, price 3s. by the Religious Tract Society. 2. Keyworth's Pocket Expositor of the New Testament, price 5s. Dr. J. P. Smith calls this "A most valuable compendium of sacred learning." 2. Assembly's Catechism with Fisher's Exposition, about 3s. 6d. This is highly esteemed by the most eminent divines, for its excellent definitions of doctrine and scriptural proofs. 3. Scott's Essays on the Most Important Subjects in Religion, 2s. 6d. This work contains twenty-five very scriptural essays or chapters on the chief subjects of Christian doctrine. 4. Dickenson's Familiar Letters on several important Subjects in Religion, 2s. 6d. These published by the Religious Tract Society are very valuable. 5. Timpson's Christian's Directory, or, Guide to Daily Walking with God, 2s. This volume in a small compass contains a body of Christian doctrine in twenty chapters, besides a Guide to the Evidences of Christianity. A Guide to the Lord's Supper. A Guide to Prayer, &c. This is prized greatly by Sunday-school teachers. Those who would pursue the study of Christian doctrine further, might find much satisfaction in the following: 1. Dwight's Theology Explained and Defended, in 5 vols. 8vo, about 17. 10s., or a smaller edition in 12mo. about 11. This is a very valuable series of discourses on almost every point of Christian doctrine. 2. Watson's Christian Institutes, 3 vols. 8vo. about 17. 10s. Mr. Watson was a Wesleyan Methodist, but his Institutes, allowing for his Arminian peculiarities, are truly valuable. Other works of sterling worth, will become familiar to those who read the above, so that it is not necessary to extend the list of this class of writings. REVIEW. An Account of New Zealand; and of the Formation and Progress of the Church Missionary Society's Mission in the Northern Island. By the REV. WILLIAM YATE, Missionary of the Church Missionary Society. 12mo. cloth, pp. 320. London Seely and Burnside. "RESEARCHES" in the remote regions of the earth, among nations sitting in darkness and the shadow of death," were commenced by our adventurous navigators; but their completion has been the work of Christian Missionaries, carrying with them the doctrines of the divine forgiveness and immortality in life everlasting. These devoted men of God, inspired with heaven-born benevolence and constrained by the love of Christ, have persevered in their difficult but merciful course, cheered by the divine promises, and consoled in the discovery that their "labours have not been in vain in the Lord." Mr. Yate's volume is a valuable addition to the contributions of our missionaries; and this work cannot but serve as an argument for the necessity and the value of the gospel of Christ. How far the sanctifying influence of the gospel is needed in New Zealand, will be evident from the following paragraph relating to the MANNERS OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS. Mr. Yate says, 66 Cruelty, and a desire to inflict pain, mark all the proceedings of a New Zealand battle. The blood of the victim is slowly drained from the most sensitive parts of the body; and not unfrequently quaffed, to slake the thirst or to gratify the revenge of the conqueror. The almost universal conclusion of these bloody scenes is, lamenting over the dead bodies of their friends, cutting off the heads of their enemies, and preparing the bodies for a feast. No doubt can for a moment be entertained, that these people are to be ranked among the Anthropophagi; as, with very few exceptions, they cat the bodies of the chiefs whom they have slain. I cannot, however, think that it is from any desire that the generality of them have to satisfy or to gratify their appetite for human flesh; but from the diabolical spirit of revenge with which they are actuated, which appears in all their movements, and which is never satisfied till exercised to the utmost upon its object. Revenge!-yes; the very slightest injuries are never passed by unnoticed or unatoned for in New Zealand: the remembrance is kept up from generation to generation, as a plea for aggression, should an opportunity be presented. It is revenge fostered by a spirit of cupidity and a spirit of pride, which leads them to preserve the trunkless heads of their enemies, as trophies of their victory. At some of their feasts, these heads are placed in rows at the top of the houses; but, generally speaking, when visited by any of the missionaries at these seasons, they are covered over with a tapued garment, to conceal them from our view. They are ghastly and dreadful objects the features are most admirably kept-the hair and beard is uninjured-and nothing seems to be lost from the countenance but the eyes, which are closed up, and give a more death-like appearance to the whole. Taunting language is made use of to the head, as though they could hear and understand. 'What,' I have heard them say to these senseless objects, you wanted to run away, did you? but my meri overtook you: and after you were cooked, you were made food for my mouth. And where is your father? he is cooked :—and where is your brother he is eaten :-and where is your wife? there she sits, a wife for me :-and where are your children? there they are, with loads on their backs, carrying food, as my slaves.' The custom of preserving the heads of their enemies is of recent date among the New Zealanders. They formerly used to preserve the heads of their friends, and keep them with religious strictness: and it was not till Europeans proposed to buy them, that the idea occurred to them of preparing the heads of their enemies; first as an article of barter, and, more recently as a trophy of victory. This inhuman traffic has been carried on to a great extent in the islands; and the natives have ceased altogether to preserve the heads of their friends, lest by any means they should fall into the hands of others to be sold; which, of all ideas, is one of the most horrible to them."-Pp. 129-131. Christian missions commenced at New Zealand in 1814, by the Church Missionary Society; but little progress was made for several years, though the |