OUR young readers will also be delighted to hear of the progress which African children are making in their native land—a land over which their fathers wandered fifty years ago, as ignorant and savage as the wild beasts around them. Mr. Read, a valuable and venerable Missionary, who has been many years in Africa, thus describes the present condition of the school at Kat River, in connexion with the London Missionary Society.

"The school is still in a pleasing state, and contains about fifty children. You will be thankful to hear that upwards of twenty of the children, formerly in the school, were awakened to a knowledge of their state as sinnners during the revival which we had three years ago, and they are now ornaments to our church. I am happy to say, that several of the children who are now in the school, and some of them very young, not more than nine or ten years of age, have for some time given us pleasing indications of piety. We had lately an examination of all the schools. It was bad weather, but we had about 400 children present. Very many read English and Dutch extremely well. Many had committed whole chapters to memory, and others, selected passages. Some were pretty expert in arithmetic, some in grammar, some in geography and history. Among the children of Fletcher's School are some very

interesting pupils. Wilsonton, the out-station, where this school is situated, has always been the flower of our church. We have some excellent Christians there; in fact there are but few of the inhabitants who are not members of the church, or, at any rate, inquirers and candidates. The great excitement we had in our church some time since has considerably abated. We have not more than from thirty to forty inquirers; among them are two interesting children, each about eleven years of age, and both have been in the class of inquirers for more than two years. On account of their tender age we hesitated to admit them into the church; but their evident piety, deep humility, and consistent conduct, are such, that we shall not dare to refuse them any longer. About fifty members were added to our church last year. Our Bushmen station is in a flourishing state. God is gathering in the outcasts, and we trust, that what has been begun in Africa is only the commencement of a still richer harvest."

Still then will we sing,

"Let the Indian, let the Negro,

Let the rude barbarian see,
That divine and signal conquest
Once obtained on Calvary;

Let redemption

Echo all the world around!"

THE BURNING OF JAGGERNAUT.-A TALE. THE curious incidents narrated in the following rhymes, by the late Rev. William. Ward, fell under the personal observation of that estimable man. They illustrate at once the nature of Hindoo superstition, and the power of the gospel in subduing it. AT Ephesus, in former days,

The word of God did so prevail,

That all the saints were fill'd with praise,
Who chanced to hear the wond'rous tale.

They burnt their books of curious art,
Books fill'd with deep and secret things;

And saw their wealth at once depart
With all the joy the gospel brings.

Such were the conquests of the Lamb,
Where once the great Diana stood;
But greater honours wait his name,
Where Ganges rolls a mighty flood.
There lives a man nam'd Jaggernaut,*
A Hindoo of Byraggee+ cast;
Whose heart, with superstition fraught,
Stuck to his debtah‡ to the last.

His debtah's name was Jaggernaut,

('Lord of the world' the Hindoos say;) Though from a tree the god was wrought, While other gods are made of clay.

He made his offerings every day,

His name repeated every hour;
In trouble to his god would pray,
And trusted in his mighty power.

One day this man the Gospel heard,
And felt inclin'd to think it true;
But then this Jaggernaut he fear'd,
And other things that might ensue.

How could he turn his idol out,

Which he had serv'd and fear'd so long;
And whose exploits, beyond a doubt,
Were writ in many an ancient song?

He was named after his idol.

The Byraggees are holy beggars among the Hindoos, something like the friars mendicant in the Church of Rome. † Debtah is a common name for the Hindoo idols.

Besides his bread, his caste would go,

His former friends would turn his foes; And naught but poverty and woe,

And deep disgrace his days would close.

But such the power of Jesus' love,
Where'er it enters and abides-
Mountains of fear it can remove,
And bliss impart whate'er betides.
Such was the case with Jaggernaut :
With scorn he cast his god aside,
Renounc'd his worship, burnt his raut,§
And all the god could do defied.
His salgram, and his biggro¶ too,
Into a neighbouring pond he flung;
His books into the Ganges threw,
As worthless dross or sordid dung.

But yet a thing or two remains,

Which, more than all, this convert's love To Christ and to his cause proclaims,

And his sincere conversion prove.

Raut is the god Jaggernaut's car ;-at his anniversary he is seated in it, and drawn by men, at which time many, in order to procure salvation, throw themselves before it, and are crushed to death! Some rauts contain thirty-two wheels, and some sixteen: raut is a common name for any carriage.

Salgram signifies a turnip. It is a stone cut in the shape of a turnip, before which the worship of any of their gods may be performed.

¶ Biggro is a stone, before which the worship of only some of their principal gods may be performed.