ferocity truly demoniacal-" Insolent intruder on my sacred works of merit, take on thee all the heavy burden of my curse! On one only condition will I free thee from that curse-put my resolution to a severer trial: give me an opportunity of claiming higher merit: make a bed of spikes for me, on which I may prove how far I rise above other mortals."

and

This appears to have been the meaning of the miserable man; is it possible to produce more heartrending evidence of the combined cruelty and pride by means of which the Great Enemy of Man tyrannizes and riots among the Heathen?

This "ser-seja" became from this time a sort of triumphant car for the wretched devotee. Praun Poory, so far as appears, made his immense journeys chiefly on foot: but Purrum Soatuntre was drawn on his "serseja;" contriving, doubtless, by some means, to prevent the full effect, at least, of the spikes on his body during the joltings of his long subsequent travels: for, on this very "ser-seja" of the Rajah, he travelled through the whole Peninsula, by Allahabad and Benares, to the Temple of Juggernaut in Orissa; and thence, by Ramisher near Ceylon, round again to Surat. There, after visiting Muscat by sea and returning, he stayed two years.

In giving this account of himself to Mr. Duncan, in 1792, he closed it by saying:-"It is now thirty-five years since I made Tupisya' on this serseja.' I have been at every place of religious resort, and have no longer any inclination to roam; but, being desirous of settling in Benares, I have come hither. Three Yugs (Ages) have passed; and we are now in the fourth and, in all these Four Ages, there have been Religious Devotees and their Disciples: and they are first to make application to the Rajah, or to whoever is the ruler of the place; for even Rajahs maintain and serve us and it is befitting that I obtain a small place, where I may apply to my religious duties, and that something may be allowed for my necessary expenses, that I may bless you." The Reader has already learned that Purrum Soatuntre obtained his object!

Mr. Duncan put, however, a very

unexpected question to the Fakeer. Remarking to him, that, in all the eighteen Tupisyas," or modes of devotional discipline, mentioned in the Sacred Books, the one which he had chosen was not specified; and that it was to be inferred, in consequence, that he must have committed some great offence, in expiation of which he had betaken himself to his present very rude mode of discipline

"Declare, therefore," said he, "what crime you have perpetrated!"

His answer was to this effect-betraying at once his arrogance and his fanaticism:-" In the First Age, a holy man, named Agniburna, performed this discipline: in the Second Age, Ravono did this for 10,000 years: in the Third Age, Bhikma Pitamaha did the same: and, in the Present Age, I have followed their example during a period of thirty-five years; but not to expiate any crime or offence by me committed-in which respect, if I be guilty, may Vesweishuna strike me a Leper, here in Benares !"

But the torment of the "ser-seja" was not, of itself, sufficient for this extraordinary aspirant after the merit of self-torture. "During four months of the winter," he boasted to Mr. Duncan, "I have made 'jel-seja' upon this seat:" that is, in order to add to what he considered as the merit of this state of mortification, he directed that water should be made to fall on his head, night and day, in the cold season, from a perforated pot, placed in a frame at some height above him. Nay, he even refined on this "jel-seja" mortification; often ordering, in hot weather, that logs of wood should be kept burning round him! "And yet," says Mr. Duncan-such is the power of habit and of fanatical superstition!"he seems contented, and to enjoy good health and spirits: neither do the spikes appear to be, in any material degree, distressing to him, although he uses not the defence of even ordinary clothing to cover his body, as a protection against them."

We shall add no more. The Christian will find, in these affecting statements, urgent reasons for more earnest supplications and increased zeal in behalf of the deluded Heathen.

Mrs.

Agnes Morris, a poor Negro Woman, sent a pressing request to Mrs. Thwaites to visit her. She was in the last stage of a dropsy. This poor creature ranked among the lowest class of Slaves. Her all consisted of a little wattled hut, and a few clothes. Notwithstanding her poverty, some wicked person had robbed her of almost all the few clothes which she possessed. She was obliged, in consequence, to work in damp weather with such slight covering, that she caught a severe cold, which terminated in a dropsy. Thwaites finding her, at the commencement of her illness, in a very destitute condition, mentioned her case to a friend, who gave her a coat. When Mrs. Thwaites paid her last visit, on her entering the door, Agnes exclaimed, "Missis! you come! This tongue can't tell what Jesus do for me! Me call my Saviour, day and night; and he come. He da here!"—laying her hand on her breast-" he comfort me here." On Mrs. Thwaites's asking if she was sure of going to heaven when she died, she answered, "Yes, me sure. Me see de way clear, and shine before me" -looking and pointing upwards with a smiling face. "If da dis minute Jesus will take me home, me ready." Some hymns being sung, she was in a rapture of joy; and, in reference to the words of one of them, exclaimed, "For me-for me-poor sinner!" lifting her swelled hands-"what a glory! what a glory!" Her effusions of joy were so great, that she laughed two or three times; and then said, by way of apology, "Me can't help laugh. My Jesus is so sweet in my heart." Seeing her only daughter weeping, she said, "What you cry for?-No cry-follow Jesus-He will take care of you :" and, turning to Mrs. Thwaites, she said, "Missis, shew um de pa;"-meaning, the path to heaven. Many other expressions fell from her, of a similar nature, to the astonishment of those who heard her. She continued, we understand, praying and praising God, to her latest breath. This poor creature was destitute of all earthly com

forts. Her bed was a board, with a few plantain-leaves over it. How many of these outcasts will be translated from outward wretchedness to realms of glory!

Mrs. Thwaites and I going to visit the sick on one of the Estates, we observed among the number assembled to welcome us, an old man, named Benjamin, weeping and praising God aloud. Not having seen or heard of him before, we were desirous of knowing who he was; and, on inquiring, found that he was an African, bore an excellent character, and was a real Christian. In his younger days, he had. been taught to read by Mr. Baxter, Methodist Missionary, whose preaching had been the means of bringing him to the knowledge of the truth. Benjamin, being a constant Watchman, was incapable of attending Divine Service; but he had his Bible; and from that he derived light and comfort. Soon after our interview with him, Providence opened the way for his living in English Harbour for a short time. We had then many opportunities of seeing him, and he always appeared in the same state of mind, his language being generally that of praise. His eyes becoming dim through age, he could hardly read his Bible: we, therefore, gave him a pair of spectacles, with which he read a portion of the Psalms in such a way as plainly shewed that he felt it. It was evident that he had read much of Scripture, for he quoted it frequently. On one occasion, when reproving a woman who was not sincere in her Christian Profession, he said, "You are grasping the world; and what is a man profited if he gain the

whole world and lose his own soul? You may deceive man, but you cannot hide from God-for whither shall you flee from His presence?" Soon after Benjamin was taken back to the Estate, he fell sick; and, a little before he died, requested to be taken out of bed and put upon his kness, probably wishing to commend his soul to God in that posture, for soon after he expired,

Goree to the Cape. To such Mahomedans as could read, he gave Arabic Bibles. Many of the NovaScotia and Maroon Settlers labour under great disadvantages, from not being able to read; but as their children are taught, it may be hoped that they will read the Sacred Volume to their parents, now that copies of it are become easy of access to them. Of the Liberated Negroes, many can now read well; and not a few have been brought, by the grace of God, to live under its influence: and it is truly delightful, and worthy of imitation, to observe how constantly the Scriptures are with them the companion of their leisure hours. The Reader may refer, for very encouraging evidence on this subject, to pp. 343-345, and 464-467, of the last Volume.

The Second Anniversary of this Society was held in January, 1818. Still but few of the Nova-Scotia and Maroon Settlers attended. The Liberated Negroes, it is confidently hoped, will, for the future, stimulate them by their example; as they are manifesting a willingness to aid every use. ful institution that has been brought before them.

Mr. Garnon was urged by the Governor to take on him the office of a Magistrate. He begged permission to decline, fearing that the union of that office with that which he already held might have an unhappy effect on the minds of the people. After a little longer residence, however, among them, he was prevailed on to accept it; finding that, in his particular situation, it would give him more influence in enforcing regulations for the good order of those committed to his charge. He found it necessary so to arrange the duties which thus devolved on him, as that he should not be always liable to calls of this nature. With the other Gentlemen, therefore, who held the office with him, he agreed that each should appropriate one day in the week.

At the latter end of April and the beginning of May, Mr. Garnon was attacked by Cholera Morbus. These attacks were, through divine mercy, soon subdued; but they awakened painful apprehension concerning him. As he well knew how rapidly this disease in Tropical Climates often terminates in death, he was led to

meditate much on the probable result with regard to himself; and his mind being deeply impressed with the responsibility attached to the station which he held as a Christian Minister, he endeavoured to improve this season by self-examination and prayer. He was mercifully recovered in a few days, and resumed his Ministerial Duties with increased vigour. On the following Sunday, he preached a solemn and affecting Sermon, from Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward; selecting such Psalms for the Service as indicated the grateful state of his heart.

The Two Services on Sunday, at the Court Room, were continued till the beginning of July; and the evening spent in the instruction of Children, who came to him at his house for that purpose. Finding, however, that the Afternoon Service was very indifferently attended, and the Rains set- ́ ting in, he considered it adviseable to. suspend that Service; but, in its place," he undertook to visit the Military Hospital in the Afternoon; and in the Evening, to go to Soldiers' Town,about a

quarter of a mile from Free Town, to preach to the troops and their families. He had no Public Lecture in the week; but had he lived to see the Church finished, he intended to open it once on the week-days, for the further instruction of the people.

From the first week of his arrival, Mr. Garnon had been in the habit of frequently visiting the different Towns in the mountains, which are peopled by Negroes who have been liberatedfrom Slave Ships; and where they are not only trained to habits of civiliza-' tion, but are brought under the sound of the everlasting Gospel. Here seems to be the gathering together of almost all the nations on this part of the vast Continent of Africa: and the inhuman traffic in Slaves is thus so wonderfully overruled by Providence, that these our fellow-creatures, de based by ignorance and sin, shall be taken in bonds to a place, where friends shall free their bodies from fetters, and where He has provided Missionaries to instruct them in the things which belong to their everlasting peace, and to bring them into that freedom which Christ bestows! Good is brought out of evil; and the Gospel,