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on each side. The opening prayer ended, the missionary, dressed in a loose black robe, belted round his waist, stepped forward into the water, and, four or five yards from the edge, was soon firmly stationed with the water reaching to his waist. He was followed by two elders (negroes) leading one of the candidates for baptism, who was immersed, after a few impressive words from the missionary, being firmly supported by the two strong assistants, the minister also joining; another and another was then baptized in the same manner, a sentence of Scripture or a few other words being reverently pronounced over each. In a short time more than eighty were immersed. As the baptizing party retired from the water, with the last of the new members, an appropriate hymn was sung, and the whole dispersed to re-assemble at the chapel, at the usual hour for service, and there be welcomed to church fellowship, and unite with many others in the Lord's Supper.

The whole scene was deeply impressive. When we remembered the moral condition of a large portion of the Island, little better than the darkest heathenism, a few years before, without the least religious instruction, excepting one colored teacher, and the Sabbath but partially observed when we saw such evidence of missionary success when we remembered the finished education and eloquence of the missionary, who had devoted his life and some property to the cause of religion here, and when we looked forward to the progress of the Gospel in raising the whole character of the population around, and witnessed its effects before us in the neatness and evident Christian enjoyment of the multitude collected,-we could not but depart convinced, that there is power and benevolence in relig ion that there is glad news in the Gospel, even 'good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.' We were not Baptists, but we found that such a work knows no sect; and when we saw how much religious instruction was prized, and knew that these simple people in great numbers were really rejoicing in the bonds of the Gospel, we turned our thoughts upon the Christian world, torn to pieces by theological discussions, and then could understand the apostle, who says, that 'faith stands not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.'

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FUNERAL OF OLD JOE."

While residing in the gentleman's house mentioned as near the chapel, we heard of the death of "old Joe," a Christian slave, with whom we had often conversed. He had for many years professed a hope in Christ, having been a disciple of the colored preacher before officiating in that region. Joe had lived

a consistent life, and was universally respected. He was respectful to the whites, and friendly to their interests a peacemaker a man of truth and strict integrity. He was open to the wants of others, and therefore, even for a slave, not rich; a man of deep religious experience, but of calm and even life. He was a man of prayer, and of family prayer, and his children, though not pious, bore the same relation to society around, that dutiful and moral children well brought up, do among us. He had become enfeebled by age, and had long reduced his walks to the distance of his beloved chapel, and his visits to a spiritual talk of a few minutes, before of after service, with the missionary. He had gradually sunk away and gone in peace to his rest, where he might join the people of God, among whom it was his chief pleasure to live.

His funeral we were told would be at sunrise, one morning during our stay. My wife joined me on horseback, and, crossing the meandering river before mentioned, we ascended by a horse-path, a hill of alarming steepness. But the horses of those regions are sure-footed, and will safely wind up a narrow path, when the unaccustomed rider is almost dizzy with the descent below, down which, one false step must infallibly precipitate both horse and rider. It was a lovely morning and few mornings there are otherwise, the rain falling in the afternoon and very rarely before twelve o'clock. As we rode along towards the negro village, the cattle belonging to the plantation, perhaps two hundred in number, were just leaving their sleeping pen, and rushing eagerly to their feeding. The cheerful notes of the cattle boys and the loud cracking of their whips, added to the singularity of the scene, and strengthened the impressions of the morning. We could understand the Psalmist, 'the cattle on a thousand hills are thine,' We soon reached the negro houses and fastening our horses to a fence, which surrounded the little garden, we walked on to the hut of the departed Christian. There were no marks of wretchedness in his dwelling, nor were there any peculiar indications of thrift and prosperity. Many, even of the surrounding houses, showed more of comfort and convenience. Joe had borne the name of an industrious man, and we wondered at first that what we saw was merely comfortable and nothing more. But a little reflection unravelled the whole. Joe had drank deep of the spirit of divine truth. He had felt that he was a stranger and a pilgrim here below; he had taken no anxious thought for the morrow. His African birth had weaned him from a love of comforts, and his Christian birth had weaned him still more from this world, and led him to lay up treasure in another. It will be recollected, that the negroes generally have their burials

during the night, - scenes of uproar, dissipation, superstition and extravagance. The expense varies from ten to fifty dollars, or more, according to the wealth of the family. It had been the desire of the missionary and of the Christian negroes that this custom should cease, and the burial of old Joe was, a truly Christian burial. The coffin, usually covered with white or black cloth, and glittering with "coffin furniture," was in this instance, a neat and plain red coffin, not to be distinguished from those in use among us. A few old people were collected with the relations, to pay the last tribute of respect; the other slaves having gone to their daily labor. An intelligent young man of color, who acted upon the plantation as catechist, was present to perform the service. It was just after sunrise, as the coffin was brought out of the house and the mourners, accompanied by the tottering elders, fellow-servants with the departed in the Lord, all proceeded to the grave. It was dug in one corner of his own garden. We joined the group. The remaining and appropriate portion of the burial service according to the church form, was now read, and, impressive as that service is, there was something so simple and yet so touching in the whole scene, that I have seldom been more deeply affected. The place, the group around, the occasion, the unusual character of the man, his simple life, his Christian hope, and add to all, the glorious sun just rising over the whole scene, beaming forth the emblem of a still more glorious day, was almost too much for the feelings. As these first rays of the morning shot through the plantains which hung over this Christian's grave, it seemed as if the resurrection were already proclaimed. No one can imagine the effect which native simplicity gives to such a time. It leaves to divine truth and promises all their force, unembarrassed by human trappings. When the sentence was read over the grave, 'I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write from henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors,' it appeared as if, the glory of that divine promise really shone forth over the last scene of the aged and pious slave, who was now at rest from his labors.

I have been present at a funeral of great parade, costing ten thousand dollars, but the solemnity of that scene was a mere mockery to the simple funeral of "old Joe." This, spoke of the power of the Gospel; the other, of its corruptions.

THE MISSION CHAPEL AT THE BAY.

The missionary to whom I have alluded, and of whom I may give some further account, was accustomed to preach in

the mountains and at the Bay or sea-port alternately. The two stations were ten miles distant. Having given you an account of one scene of his labors in the former place, it may not be uninteresting to continue that account by now following him to "the Bay," where he resided, and where his most important labors centered. Those who have seen a town in the W. I. Islands will remember its peculiar scenery. In the one to which I wish the reader to accompany me, there were the usual characteristics On entering a spacious Bay, your ship is moored about a gun-shot from the wharves, and continues riding at anchor until her departure, amidst perhaps, some ten or twenty-five others, mostly large vessels, varying in number according to the season.

Before you lies the town of M -, the second in the island, containing several thousand inhabitants. Its situation is even and low; a large plain extends in the rear, and beyond that, a range of elevated and verdant hills. Sugar plantations are scattered over the plain, which is rich and well cultivated; and the cane-fields and huge cotton-trees, here and there, aid in rendering the whole singularly beautiful. The town itself, with its regular streets and neat houses, and a hill on the left, presenting a better class of dwellings, the whole interspersed with spreading trees and plantains, and green grass plats, beautifully complete the scene. Here Mr. B, the Missionary of the English Baptist Society had commenced his labors. A Missionary of the Wesleyan Methodist Society was also stationed there, and an Episcopal church, latterly enlarged and well filled, composed the public religious privileges. The Baptist Chapel was an old court-house, purchased for the Society, and enlarged for the purpose, and admirably fitted for its new destination. I had heard Mr. B. on the mountains, and now determined to spend a Sabbath on the Bay. It was nrarket day. A large square, at a little distance from the Chapel was filled with slaves from the surrounding country, bartering their provisions to the negroes of the town. They must have amounted to many more than a thousand present at a time, and the scene of confusion and vociferation marked a Babel, rather than a Sabbath, in a land professedly Christian. The Chapel was a delightful contrast. A spacious ground floor covered with neat pews and seats and a gallery of great depth on three sides, formed the accommodations for about one thousand four hundred neatly-dressed slaves and free people of color. The Chapel was filled, and with some difficulty we found seats in the gallery. About half a dozen other white persons were all of that class present with us. The discourse, which was extempore, was eloquent and plain, from an Old Testament subject. The audience, rivetted in attention,

really valuing the inestimable privilege they enjoyed. Perfect order aud quietness continued throughout, and no one could witness the uniform neatness and deep fixed attention, without being struck by the contrast which is often presented, where the privileges of the Gospel are supposed to be far better enjoyed. When the missionary, with his fine voice, gave out and commenced singing, the hymn," Return, O wanderer, return," and a number of excellent voices joined in, the reader may conjecture the effect, better than I can describe it. The tune called Shirland was also sung with beautiful spirit, and even with taste. I know not that music ever struck me more, though I have heard it in Cathedrals. Connected with the church were about one thousand baptized members; and as there were experienced elders residing on most of the plantations these members were receiving continual and systematic instruction; their lives, in general, considered as consistent, and the leading truths of the Gospel known and obeyed. What may not one missionary be enabled to accomplish, when the Spirit is with him in his labors!

ORIGIN OF TRACT AND BIBLE SOCIETIES.
Now I

THE following statement was received from the Rev. Mr. Jones, Secretary of the London Religious Tract Society. The facts, we believe have never before been presented to the Christian community. They may be interesting to many of our readers.

When the Rev. Dr Burder was near the close of his pilgrimage, his sight failed. Mr. Jones visited him and made minutes from the dictation of the venerable patriarch, respecting the formation of the Religious Tract Society in 1799.

On the anniversary of the Missionary Society, Dr. Burder went up to London to be present. The sermon was to be preached at Surry Chapel, (Rev. Rowland Hills.) On the morning of the day a little circle of clergymen were assembled in the vestry. Dr. Burder remarked, that we needed a society to print small religious works, in a cheap form, for extensive circulation; that he had himself in some instances published a good work in that way, but that a society for the purpose was very much needed.

Mr. Hill, and others present, fell in with this suggestion at once. After some conversation, it was decided that noticeshould be given. from the desk after the sermon, requesting the brethren to meet immediately after service, in the vestry to consider the subject.

Quite a number remained. After a little conversation it was agreed that they were not quite prepared to act upon the measure,

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