MADAGASCAR, and other Isles on

the Eastern Coast. Dr. Vanderkemp had long inPagans, with some European tended a mission to this island, strangers of different nations. and was about entering upon itat The inhabitants, which are very the time of his death. Mr. Milnumerous, bear the character of ne has since visited it to make intelligence and hospitality.-inquiries, and it will no doubt Population four and a half millions.

ISLANDS on the Western Coast. Partly Pagans, and partly Catholics or Protestants, according to the European powers to whom they belong. Population one million.

become a missionary station of great importance. The London Missionary Society has sent missionaries to this Island, who have been received by the native gov ernment with much attention and gratitude. The extent and population of Madagascar are sufficient for a great Christian country.

SPANISH Dominions, including

Mexico.

Present State of Religion, &c
N. AMERICA.

SPANISH DOMINIONS.

The Spaniards consider these These nations being, by the nations as converts to Christianipower of Spain, and the arts of ty; but it is, unhappily, to their the Jesuits, reduced under the own religious bigotry and superSpanish Dominion, of course pro-stition. There are said to be, fess the Catholic Religion, and are in great measure civilized. The inhabitants in 1803 were estimated at six millions and a half, and supposing they were exaggerated, as some think, I cannot conceive they ought now to be taken at less than eight millions.

UNITED STATES.

however, in New Mexico, thirty villages of Christian Indians, who live in society and industry, professing the catholic faith.

UNITED STATES.

Christians, of all denomina- The most numerous religious tions, Infidels, and Jews, with denomination in this country is equal rights and privileges. The the Congregationalists and PresNational government and most of byterians, who are united in comthe State governments explode munion and constant intercourse. all religious establishments, as Next to this is the Baptists, who inconsistent with the full enjoy- are in all parts of the country. ment of civil liberty. Public The Methodists are also numersentiment requires that no man ous, and not less extensive. shall have any better prospects There are also many Episcopaof civil privileges and promotion, lians, a considerable number of in consequence of being a Chris- Quakers, Dutch Reformed, Gertian, and that no one shall be re- man Lutherans, and others. The quired to support any of the in- Baptists, generally, agree with stitutions of religion but by his the Congregationalists, in docexplicit consent. There is, how-trine and ecclesiastical_governever, in most of the constitutions, ment, differing only in Baptism. or, at least, in the practice of the The Methodists are generally governments, a general acknowl- agreed with the Episcopalians in edgment 21*

doctrine

Religious Denominations, &c.

Present State of Religion, &c.

doctrine and ecclesiastical government, the principal difference being in the use of the liturgy. The number of worshipping as

edgment of the truth and obligations of Christianity. At the same time, the great question whether a community can exist, or will exist, without the influ-semblies on the Sabbath, and the ence of religion, can receive very number of persons devoted to the little light from this experiment. work of the ministry, are less, The United States were original- in the United States, in proporly settled by Europeans who had tion to the population, than in been accustomed to the estab- most other Christian countries. lishments of Christianity in their The only religious Institution, native countries. They brought which unites all denominations in their religious opinions and this country, is the American Biusages with them, and these con- ble Society. The annual income tinue to this day. Associations of that society is about 45,000 for religious purposes and regu- dollars. The American Board lar worshipping congregations of Foreign Missions is doing were founded in all the settled parts of this country, and convenient edifices were erected for the worship of God, with all their necessary attachments and venerations, before this general relaxation of the laws took place. This state of things, in our early history, gave an impulse to the interests of religion, which will long have a powerful influence. Population, about 10,000,000.

much for the heathen, and has an income of near 60,000 dollars. The Baptist Board of Foreign Missions is active and useful. All Christian denominations in the United States send missionaries to the destitute parts of our own country, and several to foreign parts. No Christian country is more favoured with religious revivals than this.

The United States have no extensive Universities, like those of Europe, but we have numerous Colleges, which are more suited to our state of society, and many of them highly respectable. And no country in the world is so well supplied with academies and common schools. The rudiments of education are accessible to all, and a liberal classical education may be obtained by a large portion of the community.

In the slave states, more liberal sentiments begin to prevail with regard to that unhappy portion of our population, and prudent persons are permitted, in many instances, to teach the rudiments of education and the

leading

Religious Denominations. &c.

half a million.

BRITISH Dominions.
There are several missionary

BRITISH Dominions in America. Protestants and Catholics, the latter being the established Reli- stations also in the Back Settlegion in Canada, while the estab-ments of Canada, &c. supported fishment in New Brunswick, by various American Societies, Newfoundland, &c. is that of the by some in England, and by the Church of England. Population, United Brethren. The Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts' employs Chaplains in many towns of Canada, NewBrunswick, and Newfoundland, but few of them preach to the heathen. The Methodists have also a number of missionaries in the same parts, and some considerable congregations.

The Coasts of Labrador and West Greenland are too thinly peopled to admit a distinct enumeration in this brief Sketch.

S. AMERICA.

CARACCAS.

The United Brethren have long established settlements in West Greenland, and on the coast of Labrador, which have given an evangelical tint (so to speak) to those inhospitable regions.

S. AMERICA. › The population of South Amer

The inhabitants of this pro-ica in the interior consists chiefly vince, at the time of the French invading Spain, declared themselves independent; and are not willing to resign their independence, though the ancient family is restored-They are Catholics. Population, one million and a half. Government, Republican.

NEW-GRANADA.

Catholics. Population, one million and a half. Government, Republican.

PERU.

Catholics. Population, two millions. Government, Spanish Monarchy.

of independent Tribes of Indians. The inhabitants on the coast are mostly of European origin.-The colonies, with the exception of Peru, have established their independence-though the governments are in their infant state. The Portuguese and Spanish Colonies in South America and Mexico, as it regards education, are grossly ignorant ; schools are almost unknown. In Brazil there is scarcely the appearance of education. Some efforts are now making to promote education in the countries which have become independent. Lancasterian Schools

ject to England; but few inhab-mising interest here, and have ited, and the population very built a Chapel which is well atinconsiderable. Government, tended, both by the white and monarchical.