disproved; and it is now in fact acknowledged, by the publication of the "Report of the Committee appointed by the Assembly of Barbadoes to inquire into the Insurrection, and to report accordingly." In this Report, nothing is said of Missions or Religion, and the Insurrection is traced to other causes.

ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS.

The Letters from many of the Islands, recently received, are of an encouraging kind; and the additional number of Missionaries appointed, with the increasing encouragement afforded by the White Inhabitants, in several of the islands, to their labours, support the hope, that, great as has been the success of the West-India Mission already, it is but in its infancy; and that its benefits will rapidly extend through the Negro Population of the Islands, until the whole are brought under the instructions and influence of Christianity.

The Committee, fully appreciating the importance of this Mission, have, during the year, made it an object of increased attention. Copious instructions and directions have been given to the Missionaries recently sent out, and renewed to those who are already there, to stimulate them to exertion, and to the adoption of every means which can promote the stability, knowledge, and piety

of the societies; and to communicate to the yet-neglected part of the Negro Race,

the benefits and consolations of our religion and it is a subject which affords great cause of gratitude, that, notwithstanding the opposition and calumnies which these attempts to Christianize the Slaves of the Colouies have had to meet, for so long a period, the cause of Charity and Truth appears advancing toward a complete victory over the prejudice which has so long assailed it. Not only have the illiberal attacks upon West-India Missions, by a class of writers at home, been for a considerable time suspended, and in those publications where they were most frequent; but a sentiment in favour of the communication of Christianity to the Colonial Negroes is recovering strength in some of the Colonies themselves. In proof of this, the Committee have to instance the late extension of the work in Jamaica; an invitation from some of the principal Gentlemen of the Island of Tobago to establish a Mission there, accompanied with a tender of liberal pecuniary aid; and

a similar request from a Gentleman, of influence in Grenada, with the offer of support for an additional Missionary, to be appointed for the express purpose of statedly affording instruction to the Slaves of his estates.

MARRIAGE OF SLAVES ESTABLISHED.

To these cheering indications of improving public sentiment in the West Indies themselves, the Committee have great pleasure in referring to a late decision of the Government at home, in a case iutimately connected with the morality of the Negroes; and, as such, peculiarly important to the Missionaries labouring for their religious improvement.

It had been long a prevailing notion, that Slaves were incapable of contracting marriage, and more especially without the consent of their owners. Marriage was, therefore, but seldom encouraged; and polygamy, with all its baueful consequences on morals, domestic comfort, aud the relations of life, prevailed throughout the whole of the Islands. A Clergyman in Nevis, conceiving Slaves competent to marry, ventured to publish the banus of matrimony between two in the Parish Church. The marriage was interdicted by the Autho rities of the Island, and the Clergyman His appealed to the Bishop of London. Majesty's Ministers being consulted, the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown was taken, who stated, THAT THE

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ECCLESIASTICAL LAW HAD ALWAYS HELD THAT SLAVES WERE COMPETENT ΤΟ MARRY, WITHOUT ANY REFERENCE TO THE AUTHORITY of their MASTERS."

This important decision has been transmitted by his Majesty's Government to the Colonies; and will, by according to Slaves the right to enter into this contract, encourage marriages among them; guard them, by the authority of law; and thus check and utterly abolish an evil, not only highly inju

rious to the civil welfare of the Colonies, but greatly obstructive, in many instances, to the endeavours of the Missionaries to bring the Negroes under the influence of a pure and holy religion. A circumstance more favourable to the interests of morality and piety in the Islands could not have taken place.

WISDOM AND DUTY OF COMMUNICATING CHRISTIANITY TO THE NEGROES.

On this subject, the Report

quotes the sentiments of James Walker, Esq. who has lately published" Letters on the West Indies." It speaks of him as

a Gentleman long resident in the Islands; and who, though neither a Methodist nor Dissenter of any kind, has given explicit and full testimony to the prudent conduct of the Missionaries of different Denominations employed in the West Indies, and to the good effects of their pious labours upon the moral and social condition of the Slaves; and has also ably advocated the general principle of the obligation of a Christian People to provide for the religious wants of the Pagan Population of the Colonies.

We shall quote Mr. Walker's eloquent sentiments and reasoning. They deserve to be universally known:

We talk of the danger of giving our Negroes religion, but we talk ignorantly. The fact is, they already have it in the most dangerous form. They have superstitions, by no means favourable to our peace; and we cannot eradicate them, but by means of truth. They have the religion of the injured savage, which is revenge; and we cannot soften it, but by Christianity. It · has been well said, that man is a religious animal; and there is no mind so untutored, that the thoughts of retributive justice are foreign to it. It is vain to contend with nature: a perfect vacuum is not to be found in morals, more than in physics; and, if we will not give to the minds of our Slaves the light of the Gospel, they will remain full of their Obeah and every other darkness: if we will not teach them the true principles of order and submission, they will continue under the dominion of that ferocious repugnance which human nature always feels to restraint of every kind. ·

If Gentlemen would, as wise men, study the subject which they speak of, they would perceive how much they have mistaken it. If they would carefully examine the New Testament, they would find that it would be in no wise compromising the tranquillity of the Colonies, or risking any subversion of the state of bondage, to permit the Negroes to learn from the Scriptures;

The far greater number probably of the Christians of the early ages were Slaves. Do we find that they were ever exhorted by the Apostles to free themselves? Far from it. The utmost length to which any observation on the subject goes, is, that there is no harm in accepting freedom, if a Master chooses to confer it. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called, being a servant (a Slave)? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather: (1 Cor. vii. 20, 21.) This is saying no more than every body says in the West Indies, and everywhere else, at this day; while numberless are the repeated passages where servants under the yoke are com manded to count their own masters worthy of all honour, (1 Tim. vi. 1, &c.)-to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again, not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity: (Tit. ii. 9, &c.) These commands are all enforced, too, by the peculiar persuasions and arguments of the Gospel; the strongest, cer tainly, that were ever presented to the mind of man.

The fact is, that Christianity never interferes, in any manner, with the civil affairs of life. It gives no opinion upon them as it finds them, so it leaves them, in all cases. Its occupation is nobler: its aims are higher. Its endeavour is, to turn away the eyes of all men, rich and poor, bond and free, from circumstances which it uniformly treats as of little comparative importance; and to direct the views of one and all of them to an eternal inheritance.

For this purpose, the duties of all stations are taught in its doctrines; and none more clearly and expressly, than the contentment and cheerful submission, the service, the obedience, and perfect fidelity of Christian Slaves. According to its rules, prayer for the Master enters into all their acts of devotion: and surely nothing can be conceived more productive of union of heart to his service, than sincere supplications that the blessings of Heaven may descend on him. Indeed, Christianity teaches them gratitude to God, for a lot in which His

providence separates them from Heathen Connections, and opens up to them the vast future blessings which the Gospel unfolds.

Thus it is, that religion, when free from those frauds and crimes with which the corruption of man has sometimes unhappily obscured it, but which its real nature is as far from creating as it is from the tendency of the sun to produce midnight darkness-thus it is, that the True Religion, which came down from Heaven under the name of Christianity, is fitted for all states aud conditions of mankind; and proves it self, in all circumstances, climates, and regions, the best gift which a gracious Creator ever bestowed on his rational creature. Without attempting the least change on his outward circumstances, wheresoever and howsoever it finds man, it makes him a better and a happier being than he was before. Nor can any thing else do this so thoroughly and universally. Philosophy has been tried by the learned force has been tried by the powerful :-the still small voice remains ; and it is the one thing, which will reclaim, and humanize, and bless mankind. Whenever, without art or secular scheme, it is simply made known by honest men, however unlearned or despised, its character and effects universally are peace and good-will to men.

Every part of the Old World has, at one time or another, experienced this.

Many portions of the West Indies have done so; and the rest of our Colonies may enjoy the same happiness, if they do not persist in preferring danger and misery. All other melioration of the state of Negroes sinks to nothing, in comparison of this: it enhances and comprises every other improvement: it sweetens the state of bondage itself: it produces contentment with every thing provided under it: it incites to willing labour and faithful conduct: it supersedes painful discipline: it tends to elevate the character, and to destroy the ignorance and superstition, and totally to eradicate the vices, of our Slaves.

Indeed, Christianity is peculiarly fitted for the Black Population of the West Indies. In our own country, many circumstances combine to hide, from all but acute observers, the excellent effects which it produces among those of our people who truly receive it. But, when it enters the uncultivated and untutored bosom, it so enlightens and taines it, that the effect is striking, both to the man himself and to all around him: from a savage, he becomes a tractable being; if in bondage, an attached servant.

A body of such Negroes, in short, according to what the Danish Government have said of their Sectarian Slaves for nearly a century, is a better defence to the Master and the Colony than a line of fortifications could possibly be..

To provide means for the supply of the Christian Ministry to the destitute nations of the world, is now one of the special duties which Providence, by affording so many opportunities, has devolved upon Christians of the present day. This is their vocation. The Conversion of the World is the end at which they are steadily to look; and every exertion by which that great result can be forwarded, is now to be regarded as entering into our imperative duties, and as the work by whichwe are to glorify God.

The state of the world, as laid before us by the information which is constantly accumulating, cannot be received with indifference. The spirit of every good man must be stirred within him. The facilities afforded by Providence for relieving its dark and fallen condition cannot he without meaning or intention. They are the indications of the finger of God, and they point to our work.

We may not, except in few honourable instances, be prepared to undergo

Missionary Labours and make Missionary Sacrifices, personally; but there are important methods in which we may serve the work abroad, by our diligence at home. Our Prayers will aid it: it will be aided by our Contributions: but they most effectually aid it, who, in addition to these, employ their lufluence and Counsel, in bringing into one united and regular course of contribution and supply the offerings of the Christian Public. Constant supply will be thus afforded for constant expenditure; and every Missionary Institution be conducted without embarrassment, and with confidence as to its support. With every accession to the Church of Christ there will, by such arrangements, be an ac

cession to those funds by which the wants of the world are to be supplied. By such means the work will proceed, enlarging with every year, moving with accelerated force, comprehending larger spheres of usefulness, till the supplies of the Church shall be commensurate with the wants of the World. Thus will Zion become the glory of all lands; and those great events be accomplished, the prospect of which is the inspiration of the co-operating zeal of Missionaries and People; and which are assured to us as the reward of authorised and persevering efforts-The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

GOSPEL.

ADDRESS OF THE SOCIETY.

THE Society has just put into circulation the following Address :

The Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was established, as well for the purpose of converting and instructing the Heathen, as for the maintenance and advancement of pure Christianity among our Own People settled abroad.

At

The views of the Society, in the prosecution of these laudable designs, have been hitherto principally directed to the Continent and Islands of North America. the time of its original institution, and long afterwards, our territories in that country were far the most considerable in extent and importance among the Foreign Possessions of the Crown. They contained a large population of unenlightened Savages; as well as growing Communities of Settlers, who, without the means of religious instruction and worship, were in danger of sinking into the vices and ignorance of Heathenism.

To the successful exertions of the Society, the conversion of the Indian Tribes that profess Christianity, and the number of Episcopal Churches still subsisting in the United States, must in a great measure be attributed.

At the present moment, the revenues of the Society are almost wholly expended in

and Schools; and providing a regular supply of Ministers, Catechists, and Schoolmasters, with competent stipends, who are subjected to the controul and authority of their respective Bishops: nor is it too much to assert, that, without such assistance from the Society, many large and populous districts of those extensive countries would be altogether deprived of the light of Religion; or, at least, of the benefits of a Ministry, the administration of the Sacraments, and regular Public Worship.

The extension of our dominions in the East has since opened to Christian Zeal a new scene of exertion, to which the attention of the Country has for some time been anxiously turned. A variety of circumstances, however, continued to suggest to the Society the necessity of caution; and the expediency of waiting for some favourable conjuncture, which might enable them to concert their measures with effect, and begin their operation with reasonable assurance of success. The time they trust is arrived.

The appointment of a Bishop at Calcutta has supplied an adviser, of not less discretion than zeal, to direct the Society's proceedings at the outset, to point out safe and unexceptionable modes of acting, to suggest proper rules and directions, and, finally, to assist, by his authority, in the controul and regulation of their Missions. Their first measure has accordingly been, to offer their co-operation to the