Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/41

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1832.
Religious Intelligence.
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mankind; and we see no reason why they will not produce the same results, when brought to bear with suitable energy, on the human beings who inhabit India, China, and Japan. God hath made of one blood all nations of men; and though there are many differences in minor points, yet they are every where essentially the same; and with the Divine blessing, like efforts may every where be expected to produce similar effects.


Cape of Good Hope. Several of the early numbers of the South African Christian Recorder have fallen in our way; we were especially interested with the account they contain of the progress of infant schools at Cape Town. "Quite amused" we were, too, to read of the "little group of infants,"—African politicians, "from four to seven years of age,"—"gravely discussing" the merits of the French revolution. In correct education, learning to do what and only what is good—in training up the child in the way he should go,—we look on the system of infant schools to be, in point of efficiency, very nearly what the power of steam is in mechanics; and the system is as simple and as pleasant, as it is efficient; and having reached and doubled the Cape, we hope it will come on to China. Here very few girls receive any education; and the education of boys is seldom commenced till the age of seven, eight, or ten years. Who would not admire to see an infant school established among the sons of Han, the disciples of Confucius!


Madagascar. The dissensions, strifes and murders, which followed rapidly on the demise of Radama, have ceased; and further, (we are happy to learn from various sources,) the Queen, the successor of the late sovereign, has given strong proof of her determination to improve the condition of her people, and "has repeatedly declared herself the enemy of the slave traffic, and the friend of peace, education, and commerce." It appears, also, that efficient measures have been adopted to improve agriculture, manufactures, and commerce.

The Bible has been translated into Malagasy, the native language; the teachers of Christianity are protected and encouraged by the Queen; and, among other recent improvements, the system of infant schools has been introduced; and, where twelve years ago not six individuals could write their own language, thousands can now both read and write, and great numbers are enjoying the advantages of a respectable education.


Diary of a Chinese Christian;—(Extract, faithfully translated.)

Fourth moon, 1st day. At the village of ————, superintending the printing of the Scripture Lessons.

2nd day. Composing a religious tract.

4th. (Sunday.) When reading the Gospel of Matthew, the man who came and conversed with me, on a proceeding day, came again, and said,—What book are you reading to-day? I replied, I am reading an account of what the Saviour of the world