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toil exacted from them, and so severe their sufferings, that in 1558 the aboriginal inhabitants were entirely exterminated. To supply the deficiency of labourers occasioned by this destruction of the natives, the Spaniards imported slaves from the African continent. This was done under the sanction of Ferdinand V., of Spain, in 1551, and an authentic record is extant of a patent given by the emperor Charles V., in 1517, to the Genoese, for the annual supply of 4000 slaves to his West Indian possessions. The island was attacked and plundered by the British in 1596 and 1635; and, finally, as a consequence of European quarrels, fell under the power of England, during the protectorate of Cromwell, in May, 1655. The excesses committted by the English, and their vile negro hunting by bloodhounds, while the island remained under military government, may be passed over. A civil administration was formed in 1661, after which, until the peace between this country and Spain, in 1670, the island was the resort of pirates, adventurers, and "the dregs of the three kingdoms." Port Royal, the the first capital, notorious for its wealth and wickedness, was swallowed up by an earthquake, at mid-day, June 7, 1692.

"The governor and council were met in session. As on that day that Noah entered into the ark, the inhabitants were immersed in their various schemes of business and pleasure; the wharves were laden with riches and merchandise; the markets and stores displayed the splendid treasures of Mexico and Peru; and the streets were crowded with people. On a sudden a roar was heard in the distant mountains, which reverberated through the valleys to the beach. The sea immediately rose, and in three minutes stood five fathoms over the houses of the devoted town."

Of the inhabitants 3000 perished, and almost the whole town was destroyed.

The English carried on the slave trade, and in 1740 there were 100,000 slaves in this island. The annual importation to Jamaica alone, about the year 1763, was 16,000, and the total number at that period was upwards of 200,000. From the conquest of the island by the English until the abolition of the slave trade, in 1807, 850,000 slaves were imported into this island; and, as the compensation in 1835 was paid for 311,692, we may form some estimate of the destructive nature of slavery!

It is a common-place remark, that slavery is as debasing and demoralizing to its abettors and perpetrators, as to its victims. The truth of this is most fully demonstrated in the character and habits Pride, of the planters of Jamaica. haughtiness, and most savage-like cruelty; drunkenness, gambling, debauchery and profanity most extreme, were the prevailing characteristics of the white population.

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The better sort of the slaves, heartily despising them, "perceiving little or no difference from themselves, except in skin and blacker de"The name of a family man," pravity." says the favourite historian* of the colowas formerly held in the greatest nies, derision." Except a few of the magnates, none of the whites attended worship. The stores were open, and the Sabbaths were spent in riot and de"There seemed something bauchery. in the very atmosphere of Jamaica unfavourable to religion in a white man, for scarcely did he touch her shores than its most important truths were forgotten, and its most sacred obligations violated." The inhabitants of Sodom could not have surpassed those of Jamaica in their ferocious and profane treatment of those who first went to preach the Gospel there. The free blacks were a proscribed, insulted, and oppressed people; they had no political privileges until 1823; and they were generally submersed in the awful laxity of morals that prevailed.

"Such was the debasement of moral feeling, that the most infamous excesses were perpetrated without a blush of shame, and among this class, also, there was one universal riot in the vicious indulgencies of an indiscriminate sensuality."

The condition of the slave population was debased in the extreme. Politically, the slave was a nonentity; he was the property of his master, branded with the initials of his owner, like a brute, driven to excessive toil by the whip, miserably fed and sheltered, without protection from the most licentious outrage, and subject to every imaginable torture both of body and mind. Intellectually, though giving evidence of power equal to other races, whenever opportunity for the cultivation or developement of their powers had been offered, the slaves were kept in the most extreme ignorance, and

* Long.

REVIEW.

insulted as the descendants of the ouran-
outang, and represented as "utterly inca-
pable of the higher attainments of the
mind." Socially, devoid in a great
measure of the ordinary decencies of
life, and without legitimate marriage.
Every estate in the island-every ne-
gro hut was a common brothel; every
female a prostitute, and every man a
libertine." Without honourable stimu-
lus to labour, multitudes were most in-
corrigibly indolent, and with many, the
vilest creatures, 66
cane rats, putrid fish,
and even reptiles, were articles of com-
mon food." Morally, they seemed to ex-
hibit the destruction of every right prin-
ciple. Their nightly and licentious
dances, their vile funeral customs, their
heathenish superstitions, imported from
Africa, as obeism, a kind of witchcraft
by" cats' teeth, toads' feet, lizards' tails,
&c.; and Myalism and Fetishism, by
which the initiated professed to have a
kind of demoniacal power; their drunk-
enness, and their systematic lying, in-
dicated the deepest degradation. Re-
ligiously, their condition was as low as
it could be. For upwards of a hundred
years after the island was subject to the
English, scarcely an effort was made for
the instruction of the slaves, and in 1790,
in answer to inquiries made by parlia-
ment, it was stated, that "in general
there is no attention paid to religious
instruction." Ignorant, neglected, and
debased, there obtained among them
every low form of error and idolatry, and
it became the fixed opinion of clergy-
men and others, that their conversion to
christianity could never be hoped for.
Surely the testimony given with tears by
a professional gentleman, was correct,
"Jamaica is a hell upon earth."

We shall not have space to describe the whole process of that happy change that has passed over this once ill-fated island. The established church is entitled to little honor in this matter. One or two Moravians had laboured on some properties, previous to the Wesleyans, who commenced a station in Kingston, in 1789. The Baptist Missionary Society commenced operations in 1813. Great opposition was offered by the authorities to the labours of the sectarians. Persecuting enactments often suspended their labours, and dispersed their flocks; but the king in council repeatedly disallowed their laws; so that, as open hostility was abated, and the attention of VOL. 6.-N.S.

17

societies at home was called to the religious necessities of the negroes, more labourers were sent into the field. The Lord prospered their efforts, and multitudes heard and received the word. "The tide of knowledge and religion had begun to flow, and utterly in vain was every attempt to impede its onward progress. A new era had dawned upon Jamaica, and a change was gradually taking place, which, in the short space of twenty years, has produced results probably unprecedented in any age or country."

Not stopping even to glance at the succession of atrocities committed by the planters, and the destruction of chapels, &c., in 1832, which led an indignant British public to declare, that slavery should no longer exist; or to touch on the wrongs endured under the apprenticeship system, which was another form of slavery; we proceed to notice some of the blessed fruits of Gospel light and liberty in that now comparatively happy land.

There are now, in this island, sixty Baptist chapels, some of them very large, containing from 2000 to 3000 hearers, besides many subordinate stations; upwards of fifty Wesleyan chapels; fifty or sixty churches and chapels of ease, belonging to the Church of England; and many others, connected with the London, Scotch, and Moravian societies; making a total of from two to three hundred regular places of worship. Of members and communicants, exclusive of those under the care of evangelical clergymen, there are now 80,000, and of enquir ers and probationers, giving pleasing evidences of piety, there are near 50,000 more. There were, in 1841, about 190 day schools, 100 Sabbathschools, besides evening schools, containing from 60,000 to 70,000 scholars. The Sabbath-schools are nurseries for the Churches, and the proficiency of the pupils generally is most gratifying. The evidences of piety, zeal, and devotedness, given by the negro christians, are of such an order as not only to induce European christians to judge favourably of their character, but very frequently to excite their admiration. The negro feels that he owes everything to the Gospel; his liberty, his knowledge, his independence, and his hope; and his zeal and love sur pass all that has been exhibited in modern times. He esteems it a privilege Ꭰ

to give and to labour for the cause of God. Most refreshing illustrations of this statement are contained in this volume. From a number, take the following::

"An aged African female, who obtained her living by the manufacture of a cool and innocent beverage, brought to the author a piece of gold of the value of two dollars, towards the building of a chapel, then in progress. Thinking it more than she could afford, he hesitated to accept it. Tears immediately filling her eyes, she said, " Minister, don't it a privilege to help on God's work; and, because me poor, minister don't want me to help? Me have worked hard for it; rise early, sit up late, hide up one fippenny, then anoder, till me get two dollar; den me bring it to minister; and me must beg minister to take it!"

This is only a fair specimen of negro zeal. By labour, extra toil, a proportion of their small income, altogether unprecedented, is cheerfully devoted to the various objects open for the exercise of christian liberality. Then, as to the care exercised in the examination of candidates, and the reception of members, and the evidence of Scriptural knowledge, and the manifestation of deep piety in the negro christians, they will not suffer in a comparison with the most orderly and exemplary of the Baptist and Independent Churches at home. But, for ample details, we must refer to the volume before us.

In all other respects, the condition of the liberated negroes is surprisingly and delightfully improved. There is an extinction of the old African rites and follies. For the Fetish is substituted the Gospel; for their nightly orgies, the hallowed prayer meeting; for filth and indolence, cleanlines and industry; for the extreme prostration of slavery, all the elements and attributes of freedom and independence. In short, the brute has become a man; the unprotected

slave, a citizen; the prostrate and ignorant negro, an enlightened and devoted christian. Their villages, and there are several in which the negroes are the freeholders, present a scene of morality, beauty, and order, on which the eye of the philanthropist and the christian dwells with extreme interest and delight. Nor are the colored people, who were formerly free, without participation in these happy improvements. In every respect they have advanced, and "the eye of the christian is now delighted, especially on the Sabbath, by the spectacle of multitudes of these classes, with their families, walking to and from the house of God in company." Even the white population have been influenced by this onward movement. Though there is, in many instances, much to be deplored, there is a perceptible advancement. Many, once enemies to all piety, are now seen at the house of prayer; the family altar is erected; and their sympathies are awakened to objects of a spiritual and benevolent kind.

We must refer our readers to the interesting volume before us, for a full illustration of these, and many other important truths. There are still some serious grounds of complaint for the labouring and productive classes in this island, which we do hope, will, ere long, yield to the spirit of freedom. But, looking at "Jamaica, as it was and as it is," we cannot but exclaim, with adoring gratitude, "What hath God wrought?" The work of Mr. Phillippo has supplied a volume of deep interest and great importance to the christian world. It is the honest testimony of a competent and eye witness; and, while it ranks with the narratives of Williams and Moffat, as to other spheres of interesting missionary labor and success, it deservedly claims the gratitude and approbation of every lover of God, of missions, and of man.

BRIEF NOTICES.

THE GREAT CHANGE: a treatise on conversion. By GEORGE REDFORD, D. D., L. L. D. With an introduction by the author of "The anxious Inquirer," &c. 18mo., pp. 162. Tract Society.

THIS is a very sound, serious, and useful publication. It is written in a plain, manly style, and reflects credit on its learned and pious author. The nature, necessity, means,

and evidences of conversion, are set forth in a scriptural and impressive manner, and the possibility of its being immediate is urged with great force. A number of particular cases of those who need conversion, is given; as the unbeliever, the undecided, the mistaken, &c. It is a very suitable present for young persons.

OBITUARY.

a female With a 32 mo.

MY SUNDAY SCHOLARS; or teacher's recollections of her class. few practical hints to teachers. pp. 172. Tract Society.

WHAT changes soon pass over Sabbathscholars! The teacher here gives a brief sketch of her class, and their peculiar circumstances and inclinations. She then,

after the lapse of ten years, indulges in a retrospect, and sketches the varied and in. structive course pursued by her respective scholars, and finds, in too many instances, her fears realized, and in some, her hopes confirmed. This is a very proper little book to be studied by every teacher, and to be given into the hands of all intelligent scholars.

THE COUNTRY; or old Michael and young Maurice. 18mo., pp. 168. Tract Society. IMAGINE a sensible, pious, and observant old gardener, talking to an inquisitive and intelligent boy about the weather, and the appearance of the fields and skies, and the engagements of the husbandmen, and the customs of people during every month of the year, and you have the idea of this very delightful book. It is embellished with wood engravings.

THE INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA. 16mo. square, pp. 296. Tract Society.

THIS beautiful gilt edged book contains more instruction concerning the history, num

19

bers, tribes, vicissitudes, customs and character of the red men of America, than is to be found in any other volume of its size. An intelligent man, the son of an American fur trader, brought up in the wilds of the back settlements, and who had spent many years amongst the Indians, and collected innumerable curiosities, communicates his knowledge to a number of intelligent English boys. The book contains many narratives of the chiefs, of deep interest, and also some account of missionary labours amongst these injured people. It is embellished with very beautiful engravings, representing the grotesque Indian dances, their place for the dead, the mystery lodge, mounted chiefs, buffalo hunt, &c. &c.

ERRORS OF THE TIMES. The only sacrifice for sin. Tract Society.

THIS is a twenty-four paged tract, learnedly and elaborately written. This is an invaluable series.

THE BAPTIST CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE FOR 1843.

THIS interesting and instructive periodical for children maintains its character, and deserves the support it receives. Its embellishments are not all of a superior order, though some of them are excellent. A few more decidedly religious papers would not diminish the value of this little work,

OBITUARY.

"MAN that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down, he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not." "Dust we are, and unto dust we must return." How frequently are Churches called to weep over the graves of departed friends! But though christians die, Jesus lives, and has solemnly engaged to watch over the interests of Zion. Jesus lives, and will ultimately resuscitate the sleeping dust of his followers. "That which has been sown a natural body, shall be raised a spiritual body." "Death shall be swallowed up in victory." May we not even now, begin to learn the song of triumph?

"Hope looks beyond the bounds of time,
When what we now deplore,
Shall rise in full immortal prime,
And bloom to fade no more."

Whilst Churches are called to experience the ravages of death, it is well to learn lessons of wisdom. Ought we not to work while it is day? Ought we not to be ever preparing for our father's house, by a life of consecration to his service? Ought not our affec.

tions to be daily weaned from the world, and firmly set on our eternal home? The benefit of the living, we conceive, should be our principal object in recording the departure of those with whom we have taken sweet counsel. Whoever then may glance at this article, let them remember their latter end, let it be their constant aim to be followers of those who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises." Within a little more than twelve months, the Church at Castle Doning. ton has lost several of its members, who, for a long series of years, had maintained the faith. Death has triumphed over that which was mortal, but we believe, they have fallen asleep in Jesus, in anticipation of a glorious resurrection.

MR. THOMAS FIELDING, departed this life, September 22, 1842, in the 78th year of his age. He was a man on whom divine providence had peculiarly smiled, but his worldly prosperity was never suffered unduly to elate him. Everything like ostentation and parade he despised. His general deportment was humble and unoffensive, and he was sincerely attached to the cause of

God. During the last years of his life, it was generally observed that he had become much more heavenly-minded. His attendance on the means of grace was constant, and his anxiety for the welfare and prosperity of Zion, great. His last hours, though occasionally rendered painful to survivors by partial wanderings of mind, were calm and serene. He could say with exulting joy, that he was resting on the rock of ages. We are happy to state that, in this instance, the son has risen up, instead of the father, may he be a man of God, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.

MR. THOMAS SPENCER, of Sawley, exchanged a world of sorrow and pain, for a region of joy and glory, February, Flth. 1843. Our departed brother was a sincere follower of Jesus Christ. He loved his bible, and lived much in intercourse with heaven. Under the ministry of the Gospel, he experienced much hallowed delight, and was ever glad when it was said to him, let us go into the house of the Lord. For several years, he greatly suffered from asthma, and general debility. His mind, however, was calin and resigned, and in the greatest paroxyms of pain, we are not aware that a murmuring word escaped his lips. When in conversation with him, we have frequently felt convinced that his piety was of an elevated character, death had no terrors to him, and we have often heard him say that he was willing to depart, whenever his heavenly Father called him.

Not long after the decease of this beloved friend, we had to consign to the silent tomb, the remains of

MR. JOHN SHEPHERD, of Sawley, another old disciple. He had been occasionally for years, engaged, in exhorting his fellow men to flee from the wrath to come. As we never had an opportunity of hearing him, we cannot form an accurate opinion as to the character of his addresses. As he ap

proached the closing scene, he professed an unwavering confidence in our divine Redeemer, and was able to rejoice in the prospect of a blissful immortality.

She was

Another friend whose name we must introduce into the catalogue, is, MRS. ROBOTHAM, of Shardlow. born in the house where the Gospel was first proclaimed among the Baptists, at Sawley. Her affliction was great and protracted, and though for some time after its commencement, her mind seemed considerably beclouded, yet she was ultimately delivered out of all her fears; the Lord sanctified her severe trials, and caused his face to shine upon her.

Mrs. PICKERING, the widow of the late Rev. Thomas Pickering, Pastor of the Church, at Castle Donington, departed this life, on Friday, December 6, 1843, in the 73rd year of her age. She was no ordinary

woman. Though left a widow thirty-sÊK years since, with a small family, she was able, through her untiring industry, creditably and respectably to bring up her children. She was an honorable member of the Church for fifty-six years, and it is a source of sincere gratification that all the surviving members of the family have given themselves to the Lord. Our departed sister as she approached the grave, had no rapture, but was blessed with serenity of mind. She could joyfully say that she had kept the faith, and looked forward with an humble hope to the realisation of the Crown.

We believe that no memoir has appeared in the Repository, of her late excellent husband. This must be considered a great omission on the part of those who had the requisite information. May the writer be permitted to state, that he was a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He presided over the Church at Castle Donington, for nearly twenty years, with zeal and ability. The great theme of his ministrations was the love of God, as developed in the economy of human redemption. His labors were abundantly blessed. In the midst of much persecution and many discouragements, he continued visiting the village of Sawley, until he had ultimately the satisfaction of seeing the cause, notwithstanding various attempts to crush it, in a state of pleasing prosperity, and extending its influence through the neighbourhood. Though he had to contend against a feeble constitution, and was em. ployed daily in teaching a school, yet he never neglected the great duties of his office, and his pulpit ministrations were not hasty effusions, but the result of serious and deliberate study.* He consecrated his best energies to the Lord, and labored with holy ardour to extend his cause, not for filthy lucre sake, but from Christian love. Whilst we have then, to dwell on the triumphs of death, it affords us unmingled pleasure that the places of the departed become occupied by others, changed by the grace of God. Though friends die, the cause of the Redeemer must live.

"Lo, I am with you,' saith the Lord,
My Church shall safe abide,

For I will ne'er forsake my own
When souls in me confide."

Castle Donington.

His sermons have been described by competent judges, as being peculiarly clear, sound, and practical; logical in their arrangement, effective in their delivery; indicating a masculine and well disciplined understanding, and a devout spirit. Mr. P. sometimes composed a hymn, which he would give out after the sermon, in which were embodied the chief topics of his discourse. The late Rev. J. Jarrom was accustomed to speak of this circumstance with peculiar interest, and to refer to Mr. P. as a man of no common order.-ED.

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