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“‘ Thus attended, we marched on; the people walking some before and some behind, vying with one another in their =
manifestations of gratitude and love.†3
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he ee se oi lca ne a mama ae ta o
Missionary Sketches, No. XCI.—April, 1841.
WEST-INDIA MISSIONS.
Tur improving character and condition of the enfranchised negroes at our
stations in the West Indies, their deep sense of the value of religious instruction,
the delightful results of the labours of our brethren among them, and other gra-
tifying facts, are pleasingly exemplified in the following descriptive notices taken
from the recent correspondence of the Missionaries. Mr. Davies, who lately arrived
at New Amsterdam, thus mentions his cordial reception among the people :—
The Missionary’s Welcome. bited; only with this difference,—that at
On the Sabbath after my arrival, says Mr. the close of the service nearly the whole
Davies, I commenced my ministry in this Congregation gathered outside the chapel
place ; and I cannot describe the joy and to shake hands with Mrs. Davies and my-
gratitude evinced by the people in having a self; and when I said good-night to them,
minister once more amongst them. The they would not return the salutation, but
congregation was very large and attentive, said they would ‘‘ carry Massa and Missyâ€
and at the close of the service nearly all of to the gig,—a distance of four or five hun-
the people wanted to shake hands with their dred yards. We began to fear they in-
‘‘ new Massa.’? In this respect, the com- tended to take us up in their arms, but soon
mencing scene here reminded me of the learnt that ey ne word ‘ to carryâ€â€™ they
closing scene at Stockport, when I bid adieu simply meant ‘‘to accompany.’’ Thus al-
to my beloved flock; and had they been tended, we marched on; the people walk-
eye-witnesses of it, I am sure they could “J Some before and some behind, vying
not but have rejoiced with me at my having with one another in their manifestations
come to the help of these destitute and of gratitude and love. And I can say,
affectionate people. that no monarch ever viewed his most
The greater part of the morning congre- splendid retinue with a more sublime satis-
gation is composed of country people from faction than I viewed mine on the present
the different plantations around. As itis Occasion. No sooner were we seated, and
too far to come to town to the evening the horse began to move, than they raised
service, they hold meetings of their ownin 4 loud shout of gratulation which only died
the little chapels they have erected on the 4Way On our cars as we receded in the dis-
different estates, where the service is con- tance. Last Thursday I visited another
ducted by what are called ‘‘ head-men,â€â€™ plantation, and met with similar proofs of
a sort of deacons. Of these there are two flection and gratitude.
appointed, on account of their superior a :
knowledge and piety, to superintend the Conversion of a young Englishman.
religious interests of the people on each The Sunday evening congregation in the
plantation. That service I understandcon- town is not so numerous as that in the
sists chiefly of an exercise of this kind:— morning; but a considerable number of
the head-men repeat and ‘ break down,’’ very respectable Europeans attend. Last
as they call it, the sermon they have heard Sabbath I preached a sermon on the para-
in the morning. By this breaking down of _ ble of the prodigal son; and this week I
the sermon, they mean to simplify andmake __ received a very interesting letter from a re-
it small, so that the most illiterate may un- spectable young man who like the prodi-
derstand. And this I am told is always gal, had left his father’s house in England,
much more acceptable to the people than if and come into this ‘‘ far country.’’ He
these head-men were to give an address, or _said the description given of the prodigal
advance any thing of their own. son seemed to be an exact parallel to his
About a fortnight ago, I went one even- own case; and he described the deep im-
ing for the first time, to visit one of these _ pression which the sermon had made on his
plantations, and to preach to the people. mind. He also enclosed an affecting and
Their little chapel, which holds from 200 penitential letter which, under the influence
to 300 people, was crowded. At the close of these feelings, he had written to his fa-
of the service they all publicly, and with ther; its whole tone was, ‘‘ Father, I have
one voice, thanked me for coming to tell sinned against heaven, and in thy sight,
them ‘‘ good things.’? And, asif to give &c, Here then is another motive for the
vent to hearts overflowing with gratitude people of England to support the Mission-
and love, they began singing, ‘‘Oh that will ary cause ;—they may be rewarded, as has
be joyful !’’ often been the case, by the conversion of
A few evenings after, I visited another their irreligious relatives and friends 1n 4
plantation where a similar scene was exhi- distant land,
y WEES, ae Cah aac $ SM Si ese Ie
Missionary Sketches, No. XCI.—April, 1841.
GRATITUDE OF THE NEGROES AT HANOVER CHAPEL.
Mr. Roome arrived in Berbice at the same time as Mr. Davies, and experienced
an equally gratifying welcome.
My reception by the people, he observes, God, Isoonrecovered. My beloved people,
was of the most affectionate and affecting as well as myself, felt truly thankful that
description: some of the men wished to’ my life was spared and my health restored.
‘‘ carry me on their shoulders,’’ whilst the To show their gratitude, they resolved to
women went on their knees, desiring to kiss present a ‘‘ thank-offering’’ to God, who
my hand. I was altogether unprepared for had so graciously continued my life; and
any thing of the kind. The fact was, that to my astonishment, the amount subscribed
as they had lost two pastors by affliction by them for this purpose, exceeded 3,000
and death, they thought the Directors would — guilders, about 220/. sterling! It was with
be so discouraged as never tosend another! thrilling interest I watched them, of their
But when they actually saw one among’ own accord, from the child of a year old,
them, it is impossible to describe their grate- to the man of hoary hairs, pressing forward
ful joy. to place upon the altar of the sanctuary a
The first ordinance Sabbath was to me ‘‘ thank-offering’’ to God for his goodness
a most interesting day. As the members _ to their minister!
came in from the out-stations, there were One dear man called out and said, in the
present not less than 500. Nowhere did I peculiar manner of the people, ‘‘I value
ever see a body of Christians more solemn you, Sir, at rHinry GuILDERS;’’ (near 21,
and devout in commemorating the dying love _ sterling.) Several followed his example,’and
of the Lord Jesus. They were delighted to others, according to their ability, seemed
| find I had come to reside amongst them; delighted to cast into the treasury of God
and the usual, and I believe heartfelt, salu- on this deeply interesting occasion. I
tation was, ‘‘ God bless Massa! God bless think it right to state, that I distinctly told
Massa !â€â€™ them that whatever they gave, it should all
They have commenced bringing presents _be appropriated towards paying for the new
of fowls and other native produce, which chapel. As a faithful steward, I have, of
brother Haywood tells me are ‘‘ marks of course, applied it to that purpose. When
their esteem and confidence.â€â€™ I informed the people of my intention to do
so, they said in reply, that ‘‘if Minister
| Another instance of Negro gratitude. were sick, they would give him the last dit*
| In June last I had asevere attack of fever, they had with all their hearts.â€â€™
| from which, through the abundant mercy of
JAMAICA MISSION.—ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST OF AUGUST.
The Rey. W. Alloway, referring to this most gratifying event, observes :—
I feel a more than ordinary pleasure in down to tea together, in the large room
furnishing a brief account of the truly de- underneath the chapel, and in the evening
lightful and profitable manner in which the a temperance society was formed, on the
second anniversary of the negro’s jubilee principles of the new British and Foreign
was celebrated at Dry Harbour. Temperance Society, and already 110 per-
At an early hour on the Ist of this sons have pledged themselves to abstain
month, more than 200 of the children con- from the use of all intoxicating drinks, and
nected with the day-schools, assembled, as __ to discountenance the practices and causes
on former occasions, and listened with the of intemperance. This was, indeed, one of
greatest attention to a very interesting ad- the happiest days it has been our privilege
dress, by the Rev. Geo. L. Hovey, of Clare- to enjoy in Jamaica, and exceeded in in-
mont, from Psa. xxxiv. 11, after which terest by none, excepting that glorious day
they were presented with a book each, and which hailed this people free; and, in the
their usual refreshment of buns and coffee. estimation of some of the people, not even
At half-past eleven, thechapel and school- surpassed by that; for at the close of the
room being crowded, I preached from Psa. services one of our black members came to
cexvi. 12, after which a collection was made me and said, ‘‘O minister, this better than
on behalf of the schools, amounting to 12/. the ‘ 1st of August.’ â€â€™
In the afternoon, nearly 120 of the mem- The following day was the Sabbath, which
bers of the church and their friends sat we shall long remember, on account of its
* A small coin, value 4d.
Missionary Sketches, No. XCl.—April, 1841.
solemn and impressive services. We re- like this. The children’s collection is
ceived four into our communion, and pro- 5/. 10s., and the adults’, 112/. 13s. 4d.
posed for admission at the next church The first year, the collection was 3J, 2s. 6d.,
meeting four others; when the number of _ the last, 22/., and ¢his, (including the child-
church members will be nearly fifty. ren’s,) 118/. 3s. 4d. This gives good evi-
dence that their circumstances are im-
First of August at Chapelton. proved, and their privileges increasingly
Mr. Jones writes,—As our August festivi- valued. |
ties are concluded, I sit down to give a
short account of the manner in which this A scene of social enjoyment.
anniversary of freedom has been spent by We have never had a public dinner or feast-
the people connected with our church and _ ing of any kind before this year. It was there-
congregation ; it gives me pleasure to state fore proposed, that on Tuesday, the 14th of
that all appear to have been more deeply August, we should have a public dinner,
interested in the return of this anniversary, and that all should provide their own food,
than on any former occasion. and invite what friends they pleased. They
Our services commenced on the Ist of cheerfully agreed to the proposition, and
August by a prayer-meeting at sunrise. made a large bower of green bushes, in
The congregation was large, and some of — which they placed tables 140 feet long; so
the members of our church engaged in that above 200 could be seated with com-
prayer and thanksgiving, and prayed with fort. Each family was busily engaged in
great feeling and earnestness for those who the morning, preparing their several dishes,
are still suffering in bonds, in different The abundant manner, in which they
parts of the world. None seemed to think provided, proved that they intended to be
the service too early, for long before the hospitable. The table was loaded with
day dawned, we could hear them busily every variety of substantial food. Their
preparing for the service of the day, and conduct during the whole of the dinner was
singing the chorus of one of their hymns— most admirable; no noise, or disturbance
‘* Now we are free.†of any kind occurred; the greatest stillness
a . prevailed, broken only by the kind invita,
Appreciation of the blessings of liberty. tions of the different parties who were de-
After this, the children of the school lighted with the opportunity of shaving
were examined before their parents and each other’s enjoyment. The scene wa
congregation, and gave delightful evidence such as would have delighted any Chris-
of having made rapid progress in reading, tian’s heart; pleasure and kindness wer¢
writing, and ciphering. They were after- pictured in every countenance. After din:
wards presented with books and cakes. ner, several of the company made excellent
These exercises being over, we assembled speeches, delivered with a warm-hearted.
for worship, and great was the number of ness and feeling that surprised us, and de:
those who joined with heart and voice in lighted all present. They contrasted thei)
the prayers and praises then offered. Many condition that day with their condition iy
were deeply affected, in remembering the former years, when about that time in th
great mercy bestowed upon them. One _ evening they were suffering under the as
said, ‘* Me no know dat de free would do _—but now they were all comfortably seate
such great tings for me as it has.â€â€â€™ Anold at such a table as they had never seen be;
woman, who is beginning to feel the value fore, with white gentlemen and ladies, an(
of religion, said, ‘‘ O my massa! meneber free from any fear of being driven to thé
know nor tink dat me should live to see field in the morning. One said, ‘‘ Every
such a good day as dis; whenme look back thing calls upon us to be thankful; a shor!
upon old times, me no know how to be _ time since we had no free, we had no Gos
tankful enough; massa, de day too good.â€â€™ pel, no kind friends, to show us the righ
; : way; but now our children can be taught
Liberal Offerings to the cause of God. we can hear the Gospel, and have all th
The voluntary contributions of the peo- blessings that we can desire.â€â€™
ple will show their gratitude at a season
The Quarterly Sketches will be supplied in such numbers as may be required for Subscribers to th
Society, by the Seeretaries of Auxiliary Missionary Societies or Associations, who are requested to transmi
their orders annually, with the name of the conveyance by which they are to be forwarded, to Rev. Jol
Arundel, Home Secretary, Mission-house, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, London.
W. Tyler, Printer, 5, Bolt-court, London.
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