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one of the Negroes under his instruction was implicated in the rebellion. "Mr. Elliot's being taken into custody was therefore owing only (though he had threatenings given him) to an alleged 'disobedience of orders,' which he had not understood to be such, in visiting Mr. Smith at the colony-house the day after he was sent thither. After a detention of about ten days, during which his papers were ali taken from his house, he was allowed to return home, under an injunction not to interfere with the trials. No charge was preferred against him; and thus are the vehement accusations against all the Missionaries of the Society within the colony, circulated for several weeks past throughout the country, reduced to that only against Mr. Smith.

"The insurrection, it should seem, manifested itself first in Mahaica, the district to the eastward of that in which Mr. Smith resides. Its appearance on the Le Ressouvenir estate, where Mr. Smith resides, was on Monday the 18th August, in consequence of an order to take into custody two slaves belonging to an adjoining plantation, whom the Negroes of the Le Ressouvenir, as the prisoners had to pass over it, rose to rescue. Mr. Smith was at home. He successfully used his endeavours, on perceiving the tumult, to rescue the Manager from the Negroes, and continued his exertions to induce them to return to their duty, till he himself was driven with violence, and with a weapon held to his body, from the estate.

"Mr. Smith was taken into custody on the evening of the 21st August, and all his papers seized. He is kept a prisoner in the colonyhouse, and has, since the 24th of August, had a guard stationed over him. Mrs. Smith is not detained as a prisoner, but does not avail herself of her liberty, lest, on leaving her husband, she might be refused access to him again. After the 22d August, Mr. Elliot had no communication with him. Mr. Smith

was, on Monday the 13th October, brought to trial before a court-martial; the legality of which proceeding is greatly doubted in this country. The public papers have stated four charges as forming the indictment against him, but of their accuracy the Directors are not enabled to judge. They trust that, under the direction of Divine Providence, he has been able to prove himself guiltless of them all.

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"It is not, however, to be concealed, that he will have had much to contend with from the violence of public prejudice in the colony, and, it is to be feared, from the false assertions of some of the unhappy Negroes, whom the hope of favour towards themselves may have led to bring against him things that he knew not. Indeed, the Directors are informed, upon authority on which they can rely, that some of the condemned Negroes, finding the hope of life taken away, had in the most solemn manner declared that they had been induced so to act; and that others, on being questioned whether they had not been incited to rebellion by Mr. Smith, had, in the strongest terms which their broken language could supply, denied the imputation. It is stated by the writer of one letter, that he has often heard charges circulated against the Missionaries, as if spoken by the Negroes at the time of their execution, which he knew (for he was a near spectator) that they never had uttered.

"The issue of Mr. Smith's trial is not yet known in England; but it is stated in the public papers that, by a vessel arrived at one of the out-ports, letters have been received of the date of the 27th October, which mention that the evidence for the prosecution closed on the 25th October, and that the court would meet on the 1st November to proceed on the defence.

"While waiting for the decision, the Directors are much grieved in knowing that the health of Mr. Smith has for some time been in a

dangerous state, and that his physician had, just before the insurrection broke out, advised him to take a voyage to England, as the best means of recovery. The Directors have written to him, recommending his compliance with this advice as soon as circumstances will allow him so to do, which it may be hoped will be the case ere long.

"The Directors have received letters from Mr. Davies, dated the 15th and 18th October. He arrived with his family in Demerara on the 11th of that month, through the Divine goodness, in health and safety. Under the shock which the state of affairs occasioned, he had the happiness to find his own congregation enjoying tranquillity, and that not one of the Negroes who attend his ministry took any part in the insurrection. He speaks of the kindness with which the Governor received him, and states that he was allowed to preach as before."

"By a letter from the Rev. John Wray, our missionary in the colony of Berbice (bordering on the colony of Demerara), dated September 25, 1823, the Directors have received the distressing intelligence of the destruction of his chapel by fire, on Monday the 22d of that month. The fire began in a small house close to the chapel, and, being to the windward, immediately communicated to it, and in a short time reduced it to ashes. It appears that no person was in the house when the fire commenced; but in what manner it was kindled was not known when Mr. Wray wrote. Many of the inhabitants, of all colours, with the captains and seamen of the ships in the river, lent their assistance, and used every exertion in their power to save the chapel, but in vain.

"Mr. Wray's dwelling-house, which adjoined the chapel, was with much difficulty preserved from entire destruction, but it was greatly injured: a large part of the roof was uncovered; ; all the windows

broken; most of the furniture spoiled by being thrown out of the windows, and much other damage done. The Governor and Fiscal were using every means to discover whether the fire was accidental or intentional."

We have no evidence respecting this last point; but we are deeply concerned to add, that the postscript of this communication contains a most flagrant proof-in another colony, and respecting the property of another society, and where no question whatever exists as to whether "the fire was accidental or intentional”of that "violence of public prejudice" with which the humane and Christian object of promoting the spiritual welfare of the unhappy slave population is regarded by too many of the residents in our slave colonies. We quote the account, as appended by the Directors of the London Missionary Society to the foregoing documents. We shall let the statement of the Directors speak for itself: indeed, we have no words to express the grief and indignation with which every friend of humanity, of Christianity, and of civil and religious liberty, must regard such transactions as the following.

"By letters received from Barbadoes, it appears, that when the intelligence of the insurrection of the slaves in Demerara arrived there, a violent degree of rancour against Mr. Shrewsbury, the [Wesleyan] missionary, was artfully excited, and the worship of God at the chapel disturbed on the evenings of Sunday the 5th and 12th of October, attended with many very alarming circumstances.

"A letter from Barbadoes, dated October 20th, has been inserted in the newspapers; in which it is stated, that on Saturday the 18th, a paper was handed about, inviting the rabble to meet at the chapel door at seven o'clock (on Sunday evening) armed with pick-axes, swords, crows, saws, hatchets, &c. Accordingly, about 1,000 headstrong fellows did assemble, nad

began to demolish the chapel; and by twelve at night had completely annihilated the building, carrying off in their flight all the materials, so that at day-break not a piece of wood was to be found near the spot. "Mr. Shrewsbury, in a postscript to his letter of Monday, October 20, says,- Last night the chapel was demolished by the mob, and my library almost wholly destroyed. My wife and I, with the things saved, are preparing to flee for our lives we must quit the island without delay. I will write

farther hereafter: we are obliged to keep ourselves in secret.'

Our readers will rejoice to learn that at the earliest meeting of the Directors, the communication from Mr. Wray being read, it was unanimously resolved, that the sum of 500l. be granted for the purpose of aiding in rebuilding the chapel and school-house. The loss sustained by the Society is calculated at nearly 20007. sterling. The Wesleyan Society have been equally prompt in their measures for rebuilding the chapel at Barbadoes.

MORAVIAN MISSIONS.

WE extract from the last Number of the Society's Periodical Accounts, the following cursory memoranda. They are taken from the recent journals of its Missionaries in Antigua; and they furnish a truly delightful view of the effect of the benevolent labours of the Society amongst the unhappy class of men who form the bulk of West Indian population. The Moravians have missionaries in Jamaica, Barbadoes, and St. Kitt's; and in the Danish islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan; but their principal station is Antigua, where they have no less than eighteen missionary agents, including the wives of the missionaries.

Preparations for the establishment of a missionary station at Cedar-hall having been made in the latter part of the year 1821, the foundation-stone of the new chapel was laid on the 5th of November. Mr. Ellis had been appointed to the care of this congregation, consisting principally of Negroes detached from that at St. John's, on account of the increasing numbers who attended the chapel in that town. In the first week of February, he began to hold meetings with the Ne. groes, and continued them afterwards every Wednesday and Friday evening. The following particulars are extracted from his diary.

"Feb. 10.-Public worship was

this day performed for the first time at the new station; and we trust to be able to continue it at least every other Sunday, till the church is ready to be opened. After the usual morning services Brother Ellis held a meeting with the assistants, fourteen in number. During the course of the week, Brother Ellis and his wife have conversed with above 350 new people and candidates for baptism, in many of whom a work of the Holy Spirit was evidently to be traced.

"Feb. 24. The public service was so numerously attended, that the hearers could not be accommodated in the two large rooms which were thrown open to them. At a meeting for the children, seven infants were baptized, after which the classes met. Both on this occasion, and at the individual speaking which followed, many were the expressions of joy and gratitude uttered by the Negroes, for the blessing of Christian instruction, which is now, as it were, brought to their very doors. Some of the older communicants shed tears of thankfulness, when they called to mind the difficulties that in former times stood in the way of their hearing the Gospel. Often they had been in eminent peril of their lives, when, in returning from St. John's, they were obliged to cross the creek, swollen by sudden rains to an unusual size,

before they could reach their homes. This spirit of rejoicing is not confined to the communicants: Brother Ellis found it general, wherever he visited on the neighbouring estates. "March 9.-Towards the end of last month we began to entertain hopes, that we should be able to open the building for Divine service on Easter Sunday; and the idea appeared to excite our people to increased activity, both in giving their manual labour, and assisting those employed with food ready cooked, and such other refreshments as they could afford, from their own scanty stores. Indeed, the willingness shewn in this respect was so great, that we have reason to fear many a poor Negro reserved but half a meal for himself, and perhaps even went entirely without."

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April 3.-Brother Ellis visited the sick communicant sister, Sarah Tullidephs. She expressed a longing desire to be at home with her Saviour; adding with great emotion, that she experienced every day new tokens of His great love to her, and was convinced that He would not lay a heavier burden on her than she was able to bear. From this plantation he proceeded to that of Hermitage, where he again read to the aged and infirm the history of our Saviour's Passion. The manager of the estate having kindly granted the use of the great house for the field Negroes to assemble in, the company which came together was considerable; and, from the humble expressions of many, we are encouraged to hope, that the Lord laid a particular blessing on this little service.

"April 5th. Good Friday.-We assembled early, to remind each other of the great and stupendous display of Divine love, manifested unto poor sinners in the sacrifice of Christ our Saviour upon the shame ful cross. The apartments used as a temporary church were three successive times filled with eager auditors, to whom Brother Ellis communicated the history of the day.

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April 7. Easter Sunday. This was indeed a day of rejoicing to us, and to our Negro congregation. At an early hour in the morning, persons began to assemble, and their number continually augmented with the advance of the day. It was indeed a pleasing sight, to behold the little hills in the vicinity, spangled with Negroes in their clean white dresses, all hastening to the house of prayer which had been prepared for them. Of those who attended on this occasion, including many White people, not above half could obtain admission into the church.

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April 28.-This day we were favoured to partake, for the first time in our new church, of the body and blood of Christ in the holy sacrament. There were present one hundred and eighty-six communicants.

"May 1.-At the speaking with the new people and candidates for baptism, many pleasing expressions were uttered. In the first week in May, we spoke with 390 new people and candidates.

"May12.-We celebrated our first prayer-day at Cedar-hall. It was numerously attended. Eleven Eleven persons were baptized, nine received into the congregation or re-admitted, and seventeen added to the class of new people.

"June13.-Brother Ellis was much edified by a visit which he paid to an aged Negress, Charlotte Rowland Fryer. For about nine weeks she has been lying on a bed of sickness, and her strength has been reduced to a very low ebb; yet her mind continues collected, and her heart overflows with gratitude to her Saviour, for all the mercies she has experienced, and which even now render her sick-bed easy to her. Though often left alone, she declared she never felt lonely. The presence of her Saviour cheered her.

"June 28.-In this week we spoke with 394 new people and candidates, and were glad to find a generally prevailing desire for a more intimate

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knowledge of the truth, and closer union with the church of Christ."

Before the close of the year 1822, there had been baptized at Cedarhall, 48 adults and 43 children: 47 persons had been admitted to the holy communion. The newly established congregation consisted of 593 baptized, besides 613 communicants. The whole number under the care of the Brethren at this station amounts to 1828 souls.

Another Missionary writes:

"Here, in Antigua, we live in peace, and see with joy the work of the Lord increasing. Between Easter 1822, and Easter 1823, 408 adult Negroes have been baptized at St. John's; or, having been baptized as children, received into the congregation; 104 at Gracebill; 49 at Gracebay; 115 at Newfield; and 89 at Cedar-hall; in all, 765: 482 were admitted, during the same period, in the five settlements, to the holy communion."

NATIONAL EDUCATION SOCIETY.

report thus concludes:

"The great truths of religion are designed for all-for families and states, for men and nations.

THE Committee state, that se- is reduced to 5971. 2s. 7d. The venty-seven new schools have been received into the union since the last Report. There may be reckoned 150 children, for each, making a total of 11,555; which, added to last year's statements, makes the number 323,555.

The average number of boys at present in the central school is 451, and of girls 280. There have left the school, 278 boys and 151 girls; many of whom have received all the benefits of the institution.

Of the training masters and mistresses, this year, there have been received, from the country schools, twenty-one masters and eleven mistresses; and, for missionary purposes, five Lutheran clergymen, with two schoolmasters and three schoolmistresses.

Twelve temporary masters and five boys, and eight temporary mistresses and five girls, were sent out to different schools. Fourteen schools have also been supplied with permanent masters, and nine with permanent mistresses.

Two masters have been trained for classical schools, and one lady for the purpose of introducing the system into her private seminary.

A boy and a girl, who had been entirely educated in the central school, were sent out to be permanent master and mistress in considerable schools. The income of the year was 19967.; and the expenditure 46671. The balance in hand

"It is enough to have shewn, by the clearest documents, concerning this new and salutary method of instruction, that it extends itself with ease and certainty to vast numbers, who must otherwise have wanted such advantages; and what the consequence would be, where this defect should be suffered to remain, will be calculated in a moment, by those who feel rightly for their own interests, and, by the same sure standard, for the interests of others.

"It was manifest, beyond the power of contradiction, that, with respect to the larger districts of our native land, it was hardly practicable, if not quite impossible, to instruct so many in a way so sure, so expeditious, and attainable at so small a cost.

"Such an institution could not fail to attract the best regard of the noble minded-the chief in rank and station the liberal, prudent, and religious-those who honour God, and are deeply mindful that, in His fear only, the ground must be laid of every benefit in public or in private life, and with reference to present things or future.

"The support and maintenance of the work, so happily begun and so successfully pursued, will not,

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