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"The combination of Mr. Johnson's skill and ability with the bodily strength and hearty zeal of his people, produced such rapidity of execution, that the task was completed in considerably less than one month, although the extent is full two miles."

The Committee cannot withhold the following honourable testimony, added in the same Report:

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"Let it be considered, that not more than three or four years have passed, since the greater number of Mr. Johnson's population were taken out of the holds of Slave Ships and who can compare their present condition with that from which they were rescued, without seeing manifest cause to exclaim-" The hand of Heaven is in this!" Who can contrast the simple and sincere Christian Worship which precedes and follows their daily labours, with the grovelling and malignant superstitions of their original state, their greegrees, their red-water, their witchcraft, and their devils' houses-without feeling and acknowledging a miracle of good, which the immediate interposition of the Almighty alone could have wrought? And what greater blessing could man or nation desire or enjoy, than to have been made the instruments of conferring such sublime benefits on the most abject of the

human race?

"If any other circumstance could be required to prove the immediate interposition of the Almighty, we have only to look at the plain men and simple means employed in bringing about the miraculous conversion that we have recorded. Does it not recall to mind the first diffusion of the Gospel by the Apostles themselves? These thoughts will occur to strangers, at remote distance, when they hear these things; and must they not occur much more forcibly to us who have these things constantly before our eyes?"

The following particulars of a Negro Missionary Meeting will afford just delight to our Readers :

The formation of a Missionary Association in aid of the Society was stated in the last Report. Of the sum of 681. 4s. 11d. before mentioned as contributed by the Sierra Leone Auxiliary Society, this Association collected 331. 7s. 1d. The First Anniversary was held on the 7th of December. Beside Mr. Collier and various

Missionaries, the Meeting was attended by a great number of the inhabitants of Regent's and Gloucester Towns.

Some remarks of several of the Natives will manifest the blessed influence of that Gospel on themselves which they are anxious to send to others.

The whole of the proceedings on this occasion were highly interesting. The Addresses of the Europeans were well suited to inform and encourage the people. The Committee will quote some of the remarks made by Natives, which cannot be heard without thankfulness.

Mr. Macaulay Wilson, who is son of the old Bullom King, and will probably succeed his Father, now acts in a medical capacity. On being appointed Treasurer of the Association, he expressed his wil-, lingness to take on himself the office, as he had himself been greatly blessed by means of the labours of Missionaries. He: had, indeed, been favoured, from the early age of six years, with the means of grace; having been brought by Mr. Macaulay,, then Governor of the Colony, from the Bullom Shore, and in his house accustomed to daily prayer; yet both then, and during his subsequent visit to England (from whence he was driven by sickness, before he had completed his education), he remained quite ignorant of the nature and meaning of Prayer. After his return

he was offered a situation in the Slave Trade, WHICH HE WAS PREVENTED FROM ENGAGING IN, BY THE PRINCIPLES WHICH HE HAD LEARNED FROM THE FRIENDS WHO HAD TAKEN HIM TO ENGLAND. He at this time attended the instruction of the Wesleyan Missionaries at Freetown, which was of much benefit to him; but after. ward became a backslider, and lived in the practice of sin, till the arrival of Mr. Johnson, who preached a Sermon which pricked him to the heart, and he had been mercifully led to the Saviour of Sinners. He then contrasted the blessings of liberty and education which are enjoyed at Regent's Town, with the slavery, ignorance, and abounding wickedness of his

native shore; and expressed his confidence of the success of the Meeting; as where the heart is open, the purse is sure to be opened likewise.

Mr. Wilson was followed by one of the Liberated Negroes :

"I recollect," he said, "how we went on at first coming in sin and wickedness, and did not know what was told us. But the Lord sent his Missionary, who brought

us to pray; which was for our good. When we were sold, we thought we should die; but God had mercy upon us. If we have two, three, or four coppers, we must give them. Suppose a man be blind, and go walk in the fire, we must stop him. Our Country-people are the same-they are ignorant, and know not God: so we must pray for them; and for the Society, that they may send Missionaries to teach them the right way. If we had been left in our own country, we should have been ignorant still; and we did not come by our own strength, but by the will of God, for God led us."

Another Liberated Negro thus followed his Countryman :—

"I stand not in my own strength, but come to serve the Living God. When man or woman first converted, they think they find no more trouble. I have trouble but Jesus is the same, yesterday, and today, and for ever! Our Country-people are in darkness; but Jesus knows the worst, and is able to save the worst: so all must pay coppers for Missionary. No man can do good by his own strength: and, suppose we give coppers, it is no great thing it is Jesus who must send Missionary to preach."

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"I have great reason to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for his goodness and mercy, when I think of what sin and misery I was in. My father die-my mother die

and I had nobody to take care of me. Then they sell me; but it pleased God to bring me here. At first I was sick, and like to die; but God had mercy on me, and I thank him for his long-suffering. Then I used to beat the drum, and talk bad, when the moon shone; and do all manner of evil, and did not know what was preached. Afterwards, I hear that Jesus Christ came to die for sinners-I feel it; and it pleases God to enable me to hear it now. But they say a big hole is God, and worship it :-though we cannot save their souls from hell, yet we can give coppers to send Missionaries, as there is no way to be saved but by Jesus Christ; for except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Stand not still, and say We can do nothing:' but try to pray and send Missionary. Suppose you go to jail, you soon come out again; but if you go to Hell, you never come out."

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The Address of a fourth Liberated Na

tive cannot be read without surprise at its strength and cogency :

"I thank God for what he has done for me! When I was sold, at first I thought they would eat me; but I knew not that Jesus Christ had put me in the good way, as he says, I will lead the blind by a way that they know not, and by paths which they have not known. We ought all to consider how few live here now, that came in the same ship with us-hardly half. They are dead; and what place are they gone to? When I first came, I knew nothing, and laughed at prayer; and should have been in Hell, if God had not spared me, and opened my eyes.

"Some people say, How do you know that any body go to Hell? Did ever any one die and come back?' We must not trust to that. We do not see every thing. We do not see God; but we see the sun and moon, the trees, and all the other things. Did ever any person see a mountain or a stone make these things? -then we know that God made them.

"Some say,Suppose me go to Hell, me soon die there-big fire soon kill me : then me no feel.' But God says you no die in Hell. Suppose you put stone in the fire, he can't be burnt! No-fire can't burn him he always live there! God says the wicked have hearts of stone, and fire will no melt them.

"We must believe that Jesus shed his blood for sinners, and pray for our Countrypeople. If we cannot speak English, we must pray in our country tongue. Jesus can hear, for he knows our thoughts. Suppose we work not for the King, and have but little money, we must give little. have a few coppers, we want not more— When we go to Freetown, suppose we we no want house and plenty things there, because we no live there: so we are strangers in the world, and should trust in the Lord, and be easy with little, that we may spare some for send Missionary to our Country-people-Suppose we don't believe, we must give an account of every word we hear, and then we shall have nothing to say; but if we belong to Jesus, he waits to take us to Heaven, where there is no sickness, nor sorrow, but we shall sing the song of Moses and the Lamb."

A Collection was made, which amounted to 51. 10s. 8d.

Of the progress of real religion, \ which has been highly encouraging, Mr. Johnson wrote in October

Old and young are hungering and thirsting after righteousness. I have encountered many doubts and fears, on account of the number who seem to be concerned for their souls being so great; but I am more happy now, as a change has evidently taken place in their conduct.

The Report adds

In November he stated to the Meeting of Missionaries at Freetown, that the Communicants and Candidates had increased to 111, and many more were anxious to join them. The Church was always well attended; and the people, in general, become more moral and industrious, upward of 500 maintaining themselves, and much land being cleared and cultivated.

On Christmas-day, Mr. Johnson bap tized 46 adults; and on the next occasion of celebrating the Lord's Supper, he had the happiness of administering the Ordinance to 120 of his Black Brethren and Sisters.

Our Readers have already been informed (see p. 323 of the Number for July) that/110 Adults were baptized on Easter Sunday, and that the Communicants amount to 263.

Of a religious feeling awakened among the Young, the following account is given:

A considerable impression appears to have taken place among the younger part of Mr. Johnson's people. They have been observed retiring into the woods for prayer; and, by moonlight, the mountains have been heard to echo with the Hymns of little groups of them assembled in different places. Mr. Johnson wrote, on this subject, under date of Sept. 6th

"After Service, I was told by one of my servants, that the School- Boys wished to speak to me. I bade them come in; when one Boy came forward, and said that they had been in the field to pray, but they did not know how; but they had heard that Jesus Christ prayed for them that loved Him: they wished to know if that was so. I then spoke to them on the office of the Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest, who is not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but ever liveth to make intercession for us. They went away with joy."

A few days afterwards Mr. Johnson
Sept. 1819.

overheard a boy praying with his companions, whose words deeply impressed him. Mr. Johnson writes

"His whole soul seemed to be engaged. He spoke loud and distinctly. One part of his prayer came with power to my heart -O Lord Jesus Christ! we been so long on the way to Hell, and we no been know. We been hear your good word so long, and we no been consider.-O learn us how to follow you now!-We live nigh Hell! O Lord Jesus, save us! Take us away from Hell fire! We want you to do it now! this night! our sins too much! O! Lord Jesus, save us!' I was so affected," says Mr. Johnson, "that I could stay no longer. My heart was full."

Of the care taken for the establishing of the Christian Natives, it is said

Every opportunity is taken of affording adequate instruction and edification to these Converts. A Meeting for Prayer is held every Wednesday Evening; and, on Saturday Evenings, another for conference and prayer with Communicants and Candidates for Baptism. A Meeting is also held on the first Monday in each month, to pray for the success of Missions throughout the world, and in particular for those of the Society. "The simple and artless accounts," says Mr. Johnson," which the untutored Negroes sometimes give, on these occasions, of the workings of Divine Grace on them, are such as to warm the Lord is gracious." heart of every one who has tasted that the

The Members are referred for these and

other instructive particulars to Mr. John son's Journal for the year 1818.

We shall hereafter lay before our Readers some passages from this Journal.

Wilberforce.

Various discouraging circumstances occurred among the Negroes collected at this place, which disheartened Mr. Cates; but he strengthened himself in God. On his temporary removal to Leicester Mountain, they began to manifest a regard to him which encouraged better hopes re specting them. He had opened an Evening School for Adults, which was attended by about twenty-five persons. Public Worship was not so well attended as at other towns.

On Mr. Cates's removal to Leicester

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Mountain, Mr. Decker, as has been stated, was appointed to this Station. On his way thither, Mrs. Decker was taken in Jabour at Regent's Town, and died there, on the 21st of June. At first he had but four hearers, but they gradually increased to a considerable number. He has a School for Children, in the morning; and for Adults, in the evening. By the Official Return of January, the number appears to be fifty-five. He has meetings for prayer, several times in the week; and on Saturday Evenings, a meeting for

eligious instruction and edification, which

had been attended by about fifty Congo and seventy Cosso People: some of these

promise well.

Gloucester.

The prospects of success at this Station are greatly increasing; and full encourage men is given to Mr. Düring by the blessing hich has already attended his labours. Having been admitted to Ordination in the Lutheran Church, his Negroes enjoy

the henefit of the Christian Ordinances.

ery assistance is afforded to the people which their untutored state requires, so far as Mr. Düring's strength will a'low. Family Worship is maintained, morning and evening. Two Public Services are held on Sundays, and the Children catechized in the interval. Meetings for Christian conference and edification take place on Saturday and Sunday Evenings, which have been attended with much good. By the last Official Returns, it appears that 202 Adults and Children were receiving education.

On the 2d of January the Schools underwent an Examination before the Governor, and other Gentlemen, greatly

to his Excellency's satisfaction, who tes.

tified his pleasure in an encouraging

Address to them.

In the account of this Examination printed in the Sierra Leone Gazette, it is said

About TWENTY-SIX Months past, the Town was a Forest. Nearly the whole of its present African Inhabitants have, since that period, been rescued from the holds of Slave Vessels. At the Examination, they appeared neatly clad, intelligent, and well behaved. The Examination was ended by the singing of a Hymn. The whole of the audience then joined heartily with the Scholars, male and female, in the

Grand National Invocation of "God save the King!"

From some intimations in the account given in the Sierra Leone Gazette of the Examination of the Freetown Schools, on which occasion also "God save the King" was sung, we infer that some persons object to the introduction of this song, and this is supposed to arise from disaffection. But candour may find another and a very suf

ficient

reason. The association which the mind naturally makes of this song with convivial meetings, may well unfit us to enter into it as a solemn Invocation to God; and if to this consideration it be added, that the language of the second verse is unfit to be addressed to Heaven, we can find abundant cause for declining to use or to join in this song, particularly on occasions of the nature of those in question, without impeaching in the smallest degree the loyalty of such persons. The Royal Dukes at the head of the British and Foreign School Society, as our Readers have seen at p. 267 of the Number for June, have felt that the song, as first composed, was unfit for these occasions, and have therefore sanctioned an improvement of it; which will be as well adapted to African as to of the second verse be changed British Schools, if the second line from "Long be our Native Isle❞ to "Long be the British Isle," and we hope that this Hymn, so improved, will be adopted and used, throughout the Schools of the Society, as a solemn and devout Invocation of the Divine Blessing, both on the Sovereign, and on his young subjects who pray for hips.

The Report proceeds

In December, 1817, five Adults were baptized, and three in the month following. These were the first-fruits among these Negroes. One of them proved insincere ; but of the rest he says, they are shining lights among a wicked and perverse generation." The people, when first received

from the Slave Ships, are little removed, a few tribes excepted, from the very brutes, in habits and dispositions; and labours among them must be consequently arduous and unwearied. He writes, however, under date of Oct. 27, 1818

"The day is dawning, and Satan sees his empire receiving one blow after another. My people begin to feel themselves men. The eager desire for instruction increases every day, as they begin to see its benefits. The place where I keep Divine Worship is far too small, though it holds more than 200 persons. This inconvenience will, however, be very soon remedied, as I have begun the building of a substantial Stone Church, seventysix feet by forty-two, which when finished will hold above 800."

A Church Missionary Association had been formed among the Negroes; and a gradual improvement was observable among them.

In reference to the sickness which had prevailed, and by which they had themselves suffered, Mr. Düring writes

"This year has been marked by much suffering from the climate; and particularly by the mercies of the Saviour, in sweetening the bitter waters of affliction." Mr. During sketches the characters of a few of his Christian Negroes, which will be contemplated with pleasure.

Of one he says—

"He was before of a stubborn and stiffnecked disposition, which ran through all his actions; and was, moreover, very deceitful and indolent: yet it may be justly said of him, that the lion has been turned into a lamb, and his idleness into pious industry."

Of a second he writes→→→

"Vain, foolish, and proud, in the highest degree, he commonly went by the name of WILD TOM;' but since his principles are changed, he is noticed by every individual of the place, as an example of love and seriousness: for seriousness, indeed, of demeanour, he deserves to be styled a shining light."

Of a married couple Mr. Düring testifies

"From their long residence in the Colony, they had learned to imitate many moral actions; on account of which, they were both remarkably self-sufficient; but are now happily stripped of that unbecoming garb, and adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ as man and wife, particularly by their retired manner of living."

On Mr. Bull's first arrival in the Colony, he paid a visit to Mr. Düring. His account of the Saturday-Evening Meeting which he attended, will manifest that it pleases God to grant his blessing to the labours of his servant at this Station, in awakening a sense of spiritual need.

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"Could our Subscribers have been present, they would have rejoiced that they were Subscribers to so glorious a work. What simplicity of faith did I witness! What humility of soul! What tenderness of conscience!-I will mention an instance or two. The Negroes are accustomed to tell their Minister all that they feel. The first that rose said to Mr. Düring, Sir! this week my heart be sorry too much. I think, every day, that the dirt be better than me.' Yet this is a most exemplary man. Another said, Every day my heart tell me every day I be bad man pass every body.' And a Boy, who has been made a good boy by God's grace, came forward to say that he was troubled very much, because, when he was at work, he revenged himself on one of the masons who had thrown his tool away, by doing the same for him. This, he said, his heart told him was not good, and he feared God would be angry with him. Some said that it had been Sunday all the week with them, and God had made their hearts glad. There were present between forty and fifty, of various degrees of Christian knowledge and experience. You have not been deceived about Africa. The Lord is mak ing bare his arm. Ethiopia does now stretch out her hand unto God,"

Kissey.

The establishment of Mr. Nyländer at this place, as successor to Mr. Wenzel, has been mentioned, Stephen Caulker, the Native Usher at Yongroo Pomoh, with twenty Scholars out of twenty-five, accompanied him to Kissey. By the Official Return for January, there were 236 Scholars at this Station. Mrs. Wenzel has the charge of the Females. On the 1st of February the Schools underwent a satisfactory examination before the Go

vernor.

Leopold.

Mr. and Mrs. Decker were first appointed to this Station, but left

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