along the deck. The former we supposed to be the flesh; and the latter, the heads of the individuals, who had been killed for meat. But we were soon undeceived, by a close examination of the flesh with cloven feet, which resembled those of a hog; and by a cautious approach to the shots, that they were iron. In a few days we were quite at home in the man-of-war : being only six in number, we were soon selected by the sailors for their boys, and were soon furnished with dress. Our Portuguese owner and his son were brought over in the same vessel, bound in fetters: and I, thinking I should no more get into his hands, had the boldness to strike him on the head, while he was shaving by his son-an act, however, very wicked, and unkind in its nature. His vessel was towed along by the man-of-war, with the remainder of the slaves therein. But after a few weeks, the slaves being removed from her, and being stripped of her furniture, the schooner was left alone on the ocean-destroyed at sea by captors, being found unseaworthy, in consequence of being a dull sailer. One of the brigs, which contained part of the slaves, was wrecked on a sand-bank; but, happily, another vessel was near, and all the lives were saved.

It was not long before another brig sunk, during a tempest, with all the slaves and sailors; with the exception of about five of the latter, who were found in a boat, after four or five days, reduced almost to skeletons; and so feeble, that they could not stand on their feet: 102 of our number were lost on this occasion.

Settlement at Sierra Leone-Baptism, and Christian Labours.

After about two months and a half cruising the coast, we were landed at Sierra Leone, on the 17th of June 1822. The same day we were sent to Bathurst, formerly Leopold. Here we had the pleasure of meeting many of our countrypeople, but none were known before. They assured us of our liberty and freedom. We very soon believed them; but a few days after our arrival at Bathurst, we had the mortification of being sent for to Freetown, to testify against our Portuguese owner. It being hinted to us that we should be delivered up to him again, notwithstanding all the persuasion that we should return, we entirely refused to go ourselves, unless we were carried. I could not but think of my ill-conduct to

But as

our owner, in the man-of-war. time was passing away, and our consent could not be got, we were compelled to go, by being whipped; and it was not a small joy to us to return to Bathurst again, in the evening, to our friends.

From this period I have been under the care of the Church Missionary Society: and in about six months after our arrival at Sierra Leone, I was able to read the New Testament with some degree of freedom; and was made a Monitor, for which I was rewarded with sevenpence-halfpenny per month. The Lord was pleased to open my heart, to hearken to those things which were spoken by His Servants: and being convinced that I was a sinner, and desirous to obtain pardon through Jesus Christ, I was baptized on the 11th of December 1825, by the Rev. J. Raban.

I had the privilege of visiting your happy and favoured land in the year 1826: in which it was my desire to remain for a good while, to be qualified as a Teacher to my fellow-creatures. But Providence so ordered it, that, at my return, I had the wished-for instruction, under the tuition of the Rev. C. L. F. Haensel, who landed in Sierra Leone in 1827; through whose instrumentality I have been qualified so far, as to be able to render some help, in the service of the Church Missionary Society, to my fellow-creatures. May I ever have a fresh desire to be engaged in the service of Christ! for it is "perfect freedom."

Thus much I think necessary to acquaint you of the kindness of Providence concerning me. Thus the day of my captivity was to me a blessed day, when considered in this respect; though certainly it must be unhappy also, in my deprivation, on it, of my father, mother, sisters, and all other relations. I must also remark, that I could not as yet find a dozen of Ocho-gu people, from among the inhabitants of Sierra Leone. I was married to a Christian woman on the 21st of September 1829. She was captured by His Majesty's Ship Bann," Captain Charles Phillips, on the 31st of October 1822. The Lord has since blessed us with three childrena son, and two daughters. As I doubt not it will be also acceptable to you to know a little how part of my time is employed, I hope it will not be looked upon as ostentation, when I briefly mention the effect of Mr. Kissling's advice on my study. I thankfully accept the offer of improvement held out to me, by my being sta

by far too small for the attendants on Public Worship on Sunday Mornings, and for the Sunday Scholars.

There were some others, who gave a greater part of their time to drumming and dancing. At that time this was a very favourite amusement, with which they would not part at any rate. I well remember the time when the Rev. J. W. Weeks spoke to one of the head dancers, a man of understanding, on the folly of so doing, especially as he could read his Bible; but instead of being thankful for this kind admonition, he looked at Mr. Weeks as an intruder on their peace. He immediately applied to the Manager for permission to play: and that being granted, he retired with his company, with singing, clapping of hands, dancing, and performing somersets, in spite of their kind admonisher. Though the working of the Gospel leaven be slow, yet, wherever it touches, it will prove effectual in converting the lump to its nature. This very individual, after many years, was brought to see the real state of his danger. He was under Mr. Weeks's instruction, as a Candidate, at Bathurst, for some time; and was one of the five baptized by the Rev. J. F. Schön, the pleasing sight of which Mr. Weeks reported in the Record for Nov. 1834, p. 235. How many such instances of former follies, ignorance, and superstition, may be mentioned, when the individuals have been brought to see their real state and condition, and have become followers of the Lamb! Was not the former conduct of these individuals cause of great discouragement to the Missionaries? When such reports as these were made, did it not seem as if all that was doing for Africa was to no purpose? But Christian perseverance will have its fruit at last, success will crown their labours, and with joy they will bear the sheaves of the seeds which they had sown in tears. The bread which they cast upon the waters will be found after many days. We need very much your earnest prayers for the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon us in this part of His vineyard, that the Ministers and Teachers of His Word may increase, and that His Word may have free course and be glorified. We have great cause for thankfulness that we have been greatly strengthened by the arrival of Messrs. Graf, Young and Townsend; and I hope, through God's blessing, much more good will be done, as Labourers are increased, to satisfy the urgent demands of the people, more than has been hitherto. The state of

the people in general affords great encouragement to the Ministers of the Gospel to persevere in their work of faith and labour of love. The increased number of inquirers after the way to Zion leads us often to reflect on the veracity of the word of Him, who has said-So shall my word be, that goeth forth of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.

The accounts given by the two other Catechists, although shorter, contain various characteristic particulars. The following, by B., is dated March 3, 1837. It illustrates, equally with the preceding narrative, the doctrine of

Divine Providence, bringing Good out of Evil. I think it necessary to acquaint you of something concerning myself; how the Lord had wonderfully brought me from my native land to this Colony of Sierra Leone, where I am now set at liberty, and also am enjoying many privileges. The first trial that I had in my own native land, was, that I was deprived of both parents by death, and thus became an orphan. After this, I was taken into the care of my name-sake. But he was a bad man: he treated me badly. It happened in a day, as I came from the farm, I saw some foreigners with him. As soon as he

saw me, he called for me, and desired me to offer him some water. This he did on purpose to have me to appear before the men. Some time after this, he called me again, and one of his servants, and told both of us to go with those strangers, to bring some palm-oil. As soon as we had left the town, and had gone about a mile, the young man that came with me told me to proceed on, and that he would directly overtake us. He then made his way into the bush. When we had gone a little way off, I told the strangers that I would not go further with them, until I had seen him who came with me. But my proprietors soon openly showed me that it was in vain for me to expect to see him, because I cannot see him any more, for he had bought me for his slave. When I heard that, I burst into a lamentable cry. But the men did not pay attention to my crying, only were continually hasting me to proceed to their place, which was, from the place of my nativity, a distance of about thirteen or fourteen miles. My master had a wife; but they had no

family. Both took me, therefore, almost as instead of a dear child; and they were very fond of me. But when I had been there a few months, a heavy sickness prevailed upon me. My master tried all he could; but nothing was effected to the cure of the disease I had. When I appeared a little better, my master was obliged to part with me; and during the time I was in slavery, I was never well. In consequence of that, I was then sold to different persons; till at last I was sold into the hands of the Portuguese, who took me and put me on board a ship. And from that time I was in the ship, until we were landed in Sierra Leone, I was perfectly well, without using any means: and since that time, I had never such a sickness again.

Ah! my dear Sir, I have stated these things on purpose to show you in how thankful a manner I now look at such great mercies as the Lord has bestowed upon me. I did not know that the hand of the Lord was in all that happened to me; and that He had purposed it for my good here, and hereafter in Heaven-that is, if I continue to follow Him to the end of my life. This often puts me in mind of the words of our Saviour to His Disciples-What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Thus so it was with me, when I was in slavery. But now all appears so clearly to me, what had been unknown before. When I did not know any thing of the Religion of Jesus Christ, I usually had such a bad feeling about the man that sold me first from my native land, that if he were to come to this country, I would requite him for what he had done to me, if it were in my power. But now I feel quite another mind concerning him. If he were to come here now, I would speak comfortably to him, as Joseph did to his cruel brothers. I would tell him, that it was not he who sold me, although he was the instrument in the hand of the Lord to bring me to this country; but it was the Lord who sent me here-blessed be His holy name, who left me not in my heathen country, where superstition and ignorance reign! When I therefore remember all this, I am often led to exclaim, 'The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I ought to rejoice always!' particularly when I consider how He has put such great honour upon me, as to account me worthy to be among His Servants in the good work. It is my earnest desire to spend and be RECORD, Oct. 1837.]

spent in the service of our God and Saviour-through His grace assisting meall the days of my life. It often affords me much joy and comfort in my mind, when engaged in teaching, either in Public Worship or in going about visiting people in their dwelling-places. Undoubtedly the Lord is carrying on His good work of grace in the heart of many a one, even in this colony. When I look back at the former state of some of our people, a few years ago, and at the present, it is indeed an object of joy and gladness to me to see many, whose hearts were hardened against the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but who now are inquiring after the Way of Salvation with much earnestness. I doubt not that the Lord is blessing the labour of His Servants in this colony. Pray for poor Africa, that many more, who are still living in ignorance and disregard of the Means of Grace, which from time to time have been held out to them, and who are choosing rather to live without God and without hope in the world, may be brought out of darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan unto God. We are very grateful to the Church Missionary Society, that it is furnishing us with its faithful Servants to instruct us both in natural and spiritual knowledge. Notwithstanding the great loss it has sustained in this Colony, yet it still blesses us with faithful Servants. Oh! often, when I think upon this, I am ready to exclaim, "What shall we poor Africans do, if we should neglect so great a salvation to the end of our lives?" In conclusion, my dear Sir, I pray that your zeal for Africa may be rewarded by seeing many of us become useful instruments in the service of Christ, under the Church Missionary Society. This is the ardent desire of your humble and obedient servant.

The very brief account given by the third of these Catechists, C., bears date March 1, 1837; and is so far similar to the preceding ones, that it need not be added. We extract from his communication a few passages, describing the

Acceptableness of the Labours of the Missionaries.

This is the way I spend my time-Monday night, I meet with the Communicants; Tuesday afternoon, with Communicants and Candidates; Wednesday night, each of the Leaders to attend their class in their houses; on Thursday night I catechize

2 I

them on the Sermon; on Friday night, with the Leaders, reading and questioning them from the Scripture History; Saturday, each of them to their class meeting; on Sunday night, I have all in one class meeting, to catechize them from the Sermon. I find this a very useful way to them; because each one will confess what they learn; and by doing so with them, many of them commit the words to memory. O may the Lord, who gives them good memory of His words, also cause them to walk according to His laws, all their days!

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Nov. 27, 1836-This night, after the meeting, three of the Communicants came to my house; and one of them said to me, “What do you think of the preaching of the Rev. J. W. Weeks at this time?" Why?" said I. Because the words appear as plain as the day, to me."Another: "I think part of England use Black man language. I think there Massa get more larning of Black man talk."-Another say: "I remember that time Massa say, sin will bite like serpent. When I had this word, the place which I set down, ah! you look in my heart: the same way when I put pots in the fire, and it boil by the fire, so the words boil my heart. O Massa! he hold the word, this point there and there, and brought it together in one place, before he begin to open, open to us. I hope God spare them longer with us. But all this, when I look what God do for poor dry bones as we are, and yet this our bad hearts cannot let us love our Jesus as we wish."-I reply to them: Yes, indeed, the words are more plain to us than formerly. May all of us give thanks unto God for His mercy to us poor Heathen, by making His words more plain to us by His Servants!"

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The first-mentioned of these Native Catechists, A., in a Letter dated Feb. 11, 1837, adds the following

interesting account of the effects produced by a recent Treaty with the Queen of Spain, in the

Destruction of Condemned Vessels, previ

ously engaged in the Slave Trade.

I dare say it will be interesting to hear that the effect of the Treaty, to which the Queen of Spain has lately come, is daily witnessed by us. Since the signing of the Treaty, I think about forty or more Spanish vessels have been cut asunder at Fourah Bay, in a very convenient sandbeach about a mile from Freetown. At the beginning of this destructive but just act, you might hear many of the Liberated Africans say when they came to see the fatal end of those means of their conveyance from the land of their nativity, or rather those prisons in which they had been wretchedly confined for months"You shall now become fuel for my food!" You might then see the road crowded with labourers and apprentices, from all parts of Freetown, who were employed in carrying the planks for fencing, paling, or fuel. The Spanish Owners might also be seen, in companies of from fifteen to twenty, in the evening, going to the beach to see the destruction of their costly vessels. No doubt they were not a little mortified to see their valuable brigs and schooners cut asunder, and some of them sold at so low a rate as 227., and finally used as fuel before their eyes. This will no doubt give, in a great measure, a serious blow to those Slave Dealers, and will, consequently, have a very powerful effect to the abolition of that inhuman traffic. That thus every year may leave some effective measures behind, to the abolition of the Slave Trade, till all nations shall become bodily and spiritually the freemen of the Lord, is the hearty desire of Yours, &c.

Nassuck.

The Rev. Messrs. C. P. Farrar, John Dixon, C. F. Warth and C. C. Mengé, continue labouring at this Station. From their Journals, and from that of Mrs. Farrar, we select the following statements concerning the Mission. The Extracts from

their Journals, which are first given, refer, in general, to their

Ministerial Services-Readings, Conversations and Discussions with the Natives.

The following accounts are by Mr. Farrar :

July 4, 1836-A fine interval in the weather this evening allowed of my pro