«From an account of Moravian Missions the objects which they have so in the West Indies." much at heart. "Under these half of the unhappy Negro race, and stimulated by an earnest desire for the wider extension of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour in these eventful days, venture to bring this case before the Christian public, which they do in the confidence that the prospect of so important an amelioration will not be blighted by the want of means to carry it into effect, and to satisfy the ardent desires, and the extreme necessities of this hitherto benighted and degraded class of our fellow creatures." "Notwithstanding the unfacircumstances vourable feeling which unfortu- the Committee of the London Asnately prevails in some of the is-sociation, encouraged by the anxlands, many of the colonial go-iety so generally prevalent in bevernments and of the proprietors of estates, have shewn themselves much disposed to countenance, and even to invite the exertions of the Brethren, who have been domiciled among them as a Protestant Episcopal Church, for nearly a century past, having no less than 28,000 Negroes under constant instruction, and the beneficial effect of whose efforts they have experienced in the improved eharacter and conduct of their slaves. From several of these proprietors offers have been received of land for new settle- The Committee propose to open ments, and of other assistance in a separate subscription for the purforming them. Though the Bre-pose of assisting the Brethren in thren will not attempt the estab- the establishment of new stations lishment of new stations, without in the West-India islands, with invitation or consent from the the consent or on the invitation of owners or superintendants of ad the proprietors, or superintendents joining estates, yet, where invita- of estates, and in providing faciltions are received, they are anx-ities for the education of the ious to avail themselves of such children of the Negroes. The openings for the further exten-plan on which this last branch of sion of the Gospel. But the present embarrassed state of the is lands renders it impossible to ob tain in them an adequate supply for the erection of chapels, and other necessary buildings: it is only, therefore, by the aid of their friends in Great Britain that the Brethren can hope to accomplish missionary labour is conducted by the Moravian Brethren, will be seen in the following extract from a recent letter from the Rev. L Stobwasser, lately a missionary in Antigua. "It has always been the practice of the missionaries of the Brethren's Church, whenever "When I first came to the is they could possibly do it, to establish schools among the Ne-land of Antigua, Sunday schools were generally reckoned to be impracticable, though frequent, and not unfruitful attempts, were made, especially by our truly indefatigable brother, James Light, (now in Jamaica.) By degrees the prejudices of the planters against permitting the Negro children being taught to read, which in the beginning were very perceptible, wore away; and we see on those estates where the structed, the beneficial consequences of it. Quite a different generation seems there to rise, and gives the prospect of happier days for the Negroes." groes. It is evident what an influence may be obtained on the minds of children by means of schools, especially if the sole aim of them is to procure for them a more immediate access to the sacred books of Scripture. Among Negro slaves, a Sunday school seems the only one practicable. Our method is to give to every child a lesson pasted on a small board, which they put into a bag or pocket they have for that pur-children are most generally inpose, and in which they exercise themselves in the evenings, also at noon, and in the field at their breakfast time. We take care to find on every estate, if possible, a Negro who is able and willing to "There is now an amazing de instruct them; and when there sire among the children, and even are no such Negroes to be found, among adult Negroes, to learn to we encourage the most able we read; and many have declared can get to visit us once or twice a that they wish to be able to read week in the evening, besides Sun- the sacred Scriptures themselves, day, in order to be qualified by us for their comfort and instruction. for the instruction of others: An opportunity to satisfy such a much has been done by the Breth-laudable desire is now afforded ren in this way, and in our Negro which, if permitted to pass away congregations in Antigua, teach-may perhaps not soon return, but ers are not wanting to give effect which, under the blessing of God, to the charity which the generous may lead to an entire reformation friends of missions and Sunday of the slave population of Antischools might feel disposed to ex-gua." ercise in this cause. Christian Observer. Written on perusing in the last number,|| And happy I thought me and blest, the account of the African Chieftain. Break! break! these fetters and I'll bring A precious treasure to your hand--- So kindly and nobly the sea And the fresh blowing breeze from the West Bore on my proud vessel and me. 'Twas then, from around and above, Where black men can also be freeWhen I heard that, I listened the more, For I thought that the voice was to me. I look'd, and the coming of day Thus spake the Chieftain, while the tear While the sun rose in glory, and threw Stole silent down his manly face; Not death, not death, he cried, I fear I fear but this disgrace. Bold mountains of my native land, Those rugged heights, that daring stand O give me drink, my hopes are dead, G. From the National Intelligencer. THE NEGROE'S DREAM, I dreamed I was sailing afar And swift o'er the high swelling wave; Before me was morning's bright star, Its light to my pathway that gave. O'er its green woods his mantle of And there stood-I shall never forget- Around him were those who had come, The sun had far mounted the sky, In freedom and joy did I stand, And pour forth my thanks to my God, Who thus led me back to the land, My fathers for ages had trod. SYDNEY Many consider this Institution like ourselves mystery must ever as proposing a plan, to the execu-invest the future. Most human tion of which, it is altogether in-actions are related to objects and adequate; something they ac-events which, until revealed by knowledge it may do, perhaps time, no penetration can discover; much, but its inability, as they and to predict with perfect accuimagine, to effect all which is de-racy, what will be the consequensirable in its object, stands against ces of any measure, is beyond the it a valid and unanswerable ob-power of the keenest sagacity. jection. They maintain that the We must act upon probabilities uncertainty connected with its or hardly act at all. It is to moral results is a sufficient reason for evidence, not to mathematical dedenying to it their contributions. monstration that we look for diThey demand demonstration that rection in the daily occurrences. the application of their money and and duties of life, and to demand efforts will be succeeded by opera- a brighter light, if any such exists, tions which shall deliver our is to question the wisdom and becountry from its greatest misfor-nevolence of Heaven. tune, and regenerate all Africa's population. The principle upon which such men act, has, we believe, never been permitted long to exist in any mind born for highness, but must also be demonstraenterprise and achievement, and bly, infallibly connected with the destined singularly to improve accomplishment of the full meaand bless mankind. To beings sure of our wishes, in reference to If a scheme must present, not merely according to our best judgment, the characteristics of feasibility and extensive useful Written on perusing in the last number, || And happy I thought me and blest, the account of the African Chieftain. Break! break! these fetters and I'll bring A precious treasure to your hand-- Thus spake the Chieftain, while the tear Bold mountains of my native land, O give me drink, my hopes are dead, Souls of the mighty Chiefs, whose blood G. From the National Intelligencer, THE NEGROE'S DREAM. I dreamed I was sailing afar And swift o'er the high swelling wave; Before me was morning's bright star, Its light to my pathway that gave. So kindly and nobly the sea And the fresh blowing breeze from the West Bore on my proud vessel and me. |