Describing the state of the schools under his charge, he mentions,- Some are going on very attentively in Divine things, and are evidencing that my labours among them are not in vain, by giving up their sins; and some, especially of the adults, by entering into the holy estate of matrimony, which has not been the case till of late.'

"Mr. Armstrong has returned from his station at Bartica Point, with a view to receiving ordination in this country: but his labours are continued and followed up, with much zeal, by Mr. Youd.

"Such is the very brief outline of the society's labours in these regions. It is their earnest hope and prayer to God, that, as He has now said to the prisoners, Go forth, and to the captives, Show yourselves, he will also bestow his blessing upon this and every other faithful attempt to impart to them the glorious gospel of the grace of God.

The Society of Friends have ever distinguished themselves as the zealous supporters of education. They have liberally assisted missionaries of all

denominations in defraying the expenses of building school-rooms, purchasing books, and employing teachers. They have also, for several years, supported among themselves a society, under the management of a committee of ladies, entitled "The London Central Negro's Friend Society." For some time it combined also the title of "London Female Anti-Slavery Society;" but on the happy event of emancipation the latter title was dropped. Its design has all along been "to promote the moral and religious improvement of negroes and coloured persons, more especially such as reside in the West India Islands.' "The children of slaves were considered as having a primary claim on the sympathy and attention of the society: its first and chief concern was to open schools for their reception and the training of native teachers, trusting that prompt and persevering efforts to give a scriptural education to such as are just emerging from the darkness of slavery will be attended with the Divine blessing." In furtherance of these objects, a well-qualified young person was sent to conduct a British school at Spanish Town, Jamaica. Her success exceeded the expectations of the committee. After some time she was married to a gentleman in Kingston. The school, however, continued to prosper, both in number, efficiency, and interest. It is conducted by a respectable and pious female of colour, assisted by two young girls, and superintended by Mr. and Mrs. Phillippo. Since the happy 1st of August, the numbers attending both day schools and Sunday schools have greatly increased, and encouraging prospects opened for the yet wider diffusion of the blessings of education, by

66

means also of infant schools. The committee urge on their friends the propriety of continuing the subscriptions hitherto raised for anti-slavery purposes, and endeavouring to gain new contributions to bestow on negro education. Missionary societies do not undertake to establish schools; but missionaries mourn over the want of them, or find them most important auxiliaries to their efforts. It must be the work of other societies to carry on the work of education. May the energies of this useful society be unwearied, its resources extended, and its best desires fulfilled. We desire," say they, "to be made instrumental in raising the character of the sable females of our slave colonies by intellectual and moral culture; best promoted, as we believe, by christian endeavours to impress the great truths of the Bible upon the minds and memories of the rising generation. Before the view of these girls the joys of freedom are doubtless spread out in the bright array of glowing expectation; and much do we desire that this hope may become elevated, purified, and extended from time to eternity, through the grace of our Saviour, who gave himself a ransom for all;' that thus being made free indeed, they may have their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

There is also a society, chiefly in connexion with the established church, entitled "The Ladies' Society for promoting the Education and Improvement of the Children of Negroes and People of Colour in the British West Indies." Its labours are directed chiefly to supplying books and other school requisites, and assisting in supporting teachers both of infant and general schools. Considerable

success appears to have attended their efforts. The late happy change of affairs brought on them numerous and pressing applications for aid, and their appeal to public liberality was responded to even beyond their expectations.

The noble grants of the Bible Society, and of the Tract Society, have already been alluded to (p. 536). The Sunday School Union, during the last four years, has furnished books for the use of the negroes to the amount of about £150, in grants of various sums, from two to thirty pounds each; and the Sunday School Society has granted books to the amount of £120.

After this sketch of what has been attempted and effected by christians of various denominations on behalf of the negro race, it may be asked, what proportions do these exertions bear to the necessities of the case ?—and it must be replied, that all the places of worship, and all the missionaries, and all the denominations of evangelical christians now on the field, are not adequate to the supply of more than one-tenth of the negro population now under the dominion of the British government; moreover, that there are still above five millions of human beings held in slavery by christian powers, and who are denied the means of christian instruction! * Where then is the boundary of

* Yes!" free and independent America" retains in cruel bondage and gloomy ignorance, two millions two hundred and fifty thousand negroes. In the Brazils, there are 2,000,000; in the Spanish possessions, 500,000; under the French, 300,000; and under the Portuguese, Dutch, and Danish, 10,000;—making a total of 5,150,000.

christian duty ?-the duty of British christians? Can it be found short of the attainment of the following objects?

First, that every one of our negro fellow subjects should have the means of religious instruction placed within his reach, and pressed upon his acceptance, the preaching of the gospel,-the word of God,-and the ability to read it.

Here is work for missionaries, and bible societies, and school societies, and tract societies, and for the supporters of all those and similar benevolent institutions. Shall we say, work for years to come, and for generations yet unborn? We may say so; but in so saying let us not overlook personal and present obligations. The duty of the present generation is to the present generation. Time is fleeting, and souls are passing away,—and shall the soul of the negro pass into eternity ignorant of the way of salvation-and the soul of the Briton under the guilt of supineness and selfishness? These are solemn questions. May they fasten upon the mind of every reader of this little volume, and lead to the personal inquiry, What service can I render-what sacrifice can I make-to promote the instruction and salvation of the negroes ? And then, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor knowledge, nor device in the grave, whither thou goest."

Secondly, that we should employ every means in our power to promote the utter annihilation of slavery, and its concomitant evils, from the face of the world. Britain has nothing to arrogate to herself for having taken the lead in the work of mercy —but rather shame for having so long delayed it—