that all the debts on the account of the plantation having been discharged, in the year 1789, by the profits of the estates-there was then a surplus in the hands of the Society-and in consequence directions were given that six more boys should be taken in; and that the house and buildings which had suffered so severely by the hurricane, in the year 1780, should be put in repair. In the year 1797, the repairs were so far completed that the Society was enabled to re-establish the school, and to admit eighteen boys on the foundation, and a very short time sufficed to restore the establishment to its former flourishing condition. Since

this period the income arising from the estates has been uniformly steady, and of sufficient amount to support the establishment upon the scale of usefulness at which the Society then fixed it.

By the terms of the founder's will, it is evident that he contemplated the immediate erection of a College, upon a scale sufficiently large to furnish a number of missionaries adequate to administer to the temporal and spiritual necessities of the negro population. His piety, however, was attended with wisdom; and, by a prudent foresight of the difficulties which might arise in carrying his object into effect, he invested the Society with the utmost discretion as to the manner in which that object should be attained. In exercise of this discretion, therefore, the Society have regarded the amelioration of the slave population as the primary object which they were entrusted to effect; and, accordingly, their earliest funds were appropriated to this end by the appointment, in the year 1712, of a catechist to the negroes; and upon the first recovery from the effects of the dreadful calamity in 1780, the negroes were again the first objects of their care. We apprehend that no one would venture to call in question the propriety of the motives which led the Society to adopt this step as the primary means of effecting the purposes of their donor. Had they acted otherwise, generations of untutored slaves might have passed away, while the great scheme intended for their benefit was slowly growing to maturity, and fitting itself for operation. Adhering

therefore to their original plan of proceeding, the Society, although they had attended as far as lay in their power to the wishes of the founder, that a College should be erected, came to a resolution, in the year 1818, that the most effectual steps should be taken to forward the dissemination of moral and religious instruction among the slaves. For this purpose a minister was provided, whose sole attention was to be directed to the improvement of the negroes in moral and religious knowledge. Schools upon the national system were formed under the superintendence of the chaplain, and a code of regulations prepared, by which sufficient time was allowed the negroes during the week, for the cultivation of their provision grounds, to enable them to attend to the religious observance of the Sabbath without interruption.

The following are the Regulations spoken of:

REGULATIONS.-The College and Society estates having been left in trust to a religious body, whose sole object is the propagation of the Gospel among mankind, it seems as if Providence had intended that the great work of reformation in the Negro character should commence among the labourers on these Plantations. And although the annual returns of West India property form a consideration secondary to moral culture and comfort among those from whose industry an abundant revenue is derived, yet it is desirable that a system should be adopted, in every way coincident with the colonial interest: a system, which, while it effectually secures progressive amelioration in the dispositions, understandings, and habits of the slaves, may afford a model for other proprietors to follow. And most ardently may this event be expected, when it is seen in what harmony religious institutious and flourishing agriculture subsist.

CHAPEL.--Resolved, That Divine Service be performed on the Sunday morning at half-past ten, according to the rites of the Established Church, with a familiar discourse to the slaves on the doctrines of the Gospel, and their consequent duties as Christians; and again in the afternoon at two o'clock; when, after prayers, the Scripture shall be explained to them by way of exposition, or the Common Prayer illustrated, or the ancient and useful mode of catechising adopted. By this arrangement, those who may have been unavoid

ably prevented attending in the morning will have the opportunity of repairing their loss, and the neighbouring negroes may, if so disposed, be accommodated.

SCHOOLS.-That there shall continue to be a school on each estate, receiving all from the period of distinct articulation to the age of ten;-the hours of attendance daily, from nine in the morning till one at

noon.

That, commencing with a prayer and the Creed, they shall proceed to their ordinary place of study, agreeably with the national system, and close with a repetition of the Ten Commandments and a hymn.

That writing and arithmetic be excluded. That there shall also be a Sunday-school for the accommodation of those, who either from being superannuated, or from having neglected past opportunities, may desire to benefit by the advantages now afforded them, and particularly as a plan for continuing those in habits of useful knowledge, who shall hereafter quit the school.

That it shall be conducted on the plan of the daily schools, under the superintendence of the minister and school-mistresses.

SACRAMENTS.-That Baptism shall be readily administered to all children presented by their parents; and to all adults who give a satisfactory reason for their desiring this sacrament.

That the Lord's Supper shall be administered once a month to those who have given previous notice of their intention to the minister, and justify his acceptance of them by the improvement of their lives and devoutness at worship.

FUNERALS. That in case of a funeral, the immediate relatives continue to have the whole day granted them; and that labour shall cease at five o'clock on the estate where the funeral occurs, in order that all may have the opportunity of attending a Christian ceremony, so peculiarly calculated to awaken religious feeling.

MARRIAGE. That marriage be encouraged among the slaves in conformity with the rites of the Church of England, as one of the most effectual means of refining and strengthening natural attachments, and thereby paving the way to virtuous habits.

HOSPITAL. That it be considered a part of the Minister's duty to attend the sick, aged, and infirm, at the hospital, or at their own houses, and afford the consolations of religion by his advice and con

versation.

INDULGENCES.-That the slaves on the two estates continue to have the full enjoyment of the Saturday from one o'clock, for attending to their own immediate concerns, so that the Sabbath may be considered by them (not as heretofore a day of

bodily rest), but a holy season set apart for the improvement of the soul.

That no species of labour be allowed on a Sunday which can possibly be prevented by some arrangement for its performance on the other days of the week.-Pp. 33, 34.

These regulations have now been in force nearly ten years, and their effect has been most beneficial to the character of the negro. We must again regret that want of room prevents us from stating the particulars of this improvement, as detailed in the correspondence between the chaplain and the secretary to the Society; but to this correspondence, which is of considerable length, we can do no more than refer.

From the judicious management of their agents, to whom the direction of the Society's plantations is intrusted, the proceeds arising from the estates have considerably increased; and in 1825 the Society, encouraged by the prosperous state of their affairs, resolved,

To take into consideration the practicability of placing the College upon a more respectable footing; one more conformable to the intentions of the Testator, and their own original views-namely, "as an institution for the maintenance of a convenient number of professors and scholars, who are to be obliged to study physic and chirurgery as well as divinity, that, by the apparent usefulness of the foriner to all mankind, they may both endear themselves to the people, and have the better opportunities of doing good to men's souls, whilst they are taking care of their bodies." 110

With these views a plan has been formed for giving it the character of a University, and arrangements have been under consideration for securing to it the services of a Principal and two or three Professors. By these means an adequate education may be provided for such of the West Indian youths as are disposed to devote themselves to the Christian ministry within their native islands, without the expense and trouble of seeking the necessary qualifications in Europe, at a distance from their friends and relations.

This important measure could not be carried into full execution without the effectual aid of his Majesty's Government; not only under the sanction of the civil authorities, but by a liberal grant of money. And the Society are encouraged to believe,

* General Codrington's Will.

from the cordial approbation with which the plan was entertained, that the countenance and co-operation of Government will not be wanting when the arrangements are in progress.

The first step will be to enlarge the buildings, so as to render them capable of containing a sufficient number of students; and the plans and estimates for this purpose are now under consideration, and it is confidently expected that the Society will be able to report considerable progress in this most interesting work in the Abstract for the following year.-Pp. 42, 43.

An Institution, which has for its object the advancement of the temporal and spiritual welfare of our enslaved brethren, must, we think, find a friend and an advocate in every enlightened breast. The question of slave emancipation is now debated merely upon the grounds of expediency; and these are not incompatible with the vouchsafement of the blessings of civilization. We would treat this question as one of a purely political nature, and express no opinion as to its merits or demerits. We rest satisfied with this assurance, that whatever be his climate, his colour, or his habits of life, man is a reasonable being, and therefore capable of participating in the choicest refinements of civilization;-that he bears within him an immortal soul, which is adapted to a state either of everlasting happiness or everlasting misery; and that those to whom the light of revelation has been given, are thereby, as being the depositories of God's word, entrusted with a talent for which they must account hereafter, both as to the manner in which they have used it themselves, and communicated its blessings to others. The prosperity,

therefore, of this Institution, so directly intended and so admirably calculated to forward the knowledge of our Saviour's kingdom, among those nations over which the light of the Gospel has never shone, is an object of our warmest wishes. And we have full confidence that the fruits of the vineyard will be proportioned to the zeal of the labourer.

Before we conclude we may suggest, that a full account of the results which have from time to time attended the labours of the missionaries, who have for so many years been engaged in this work of salvation, could not fail to be interesting. The effects they have produced upon the negro character would be facts of very high importance, as being founded upon the experience of so many years. In the several discussions which have taken place upon the subject of the effects of education upon the negro character, we do not remember to have seen any allusion made to this charity. The extracts from the Society's Report shew, that beneficial effects were from time to time produced; and we cannot but think that a detailed account of the proceedings of the missionaries or catechists would have the effect of setting at rest the absurd speculations entertained by some people, that the negroes are incapable of participating in the blessings of civilization; and of convincing many who are yet in doubt of the usefulness, both in a temporal and religious point of view, of such establishments as Godrington College.

Through the kindness of his Lordship, the Bishop of Barbados, we are enabled to present our readers with a view of this interesting establishment.

MR. EDITOR.-The consecration of five new Churches in Cornwall, erected under the auspices of His Majesty's Commissioners, lately brought the Bishop of Exeter into this part of his Diocese; and his Lordship availed himself of the opportunity to hold a Visitation of his Cornish Clergy. The Bishop was not prevailed upon to publish his Charge; but the following extracts from it, which are pretty correct,

may not be unacceptable to many of your readers. I am, Mr. Editor, Your faithful and obedient Servant, A CORNISH INCUMBENT.

Having commended the activity of the Archdeacon and Rural Deans in that portion of the Diocese, the Bishop proceeded to say, that it was delightful

to him to be able to state, that throughout the whole Diocese, a general and manifest improvement had taken place in many respects. "I would not, indeed," continued his Lordship, "be so rash as to assert, that, in the great body of the Clergy, there is no unsound limb, which requires unceasing care and attention to restore it to a healthy state, or which might not be cut off with advantage; but I do maintain, that by an earnest endeavour faithfully to discharge the high duties of their calling, by their zeal to promote the present and future welfare of their fellow-creatures, by their anxious wish to fulfil their ordination vow, of setting forward quietness, peace, and love, among all people,' and of living an example to their flocks;' by all these circumstances, the Clergy of the present day are, in general, pre-eminently distinguished. And it is well that they are so; for at no period, perhaps, has the Church, notwithstanding the inherent loveliness of her doctrines, and the excellence of her discipline, seemed to require more support from the character and ability of her ministers. We are sensible, indeed, that they are only instruments in the hand of God, which he vouchsafes to use, and that upon no strength or merit of theirs, but upon Him alone, must they rely for protection in the hour of trial. For that hour, it behoves us, however, to watch, and to be prepared, for we know not when it cometh. Some, perhaps, may consider it to be even now at hand. They may observe the Church to be assailed on all sides, and they may fancy that there is a disposition in many, who should be her protectors, to break down her bulwarks, and to deliver her defenceless into the hands of her enemies. They may imagine, indeed, that the first breach has been already made, by an Act passed in the late Session of Parliament. Nor are those who entertain such a notion to be hastily condemned, though they may be afraid where no fear is, for they have the authority of Sir W. Blackstone for believing that the acts now repealed seemed to us both our civil and religious liberties; and, undoubtedly, no great alteration can be made in the constitution, under

which this country has so long flourished in the enjoyment of those liberties, without furnishing reasonable ground for apprehension and alarm.

"But then it should be recollected that the Acts, which have been thus repealed, were, in fact, almost a nullity. They neither were, nor were ever likely to be enforced; and though it may be argued, that where no inconvenience was felt, there was no need of alteration; yet, on the other hand, it may be said, with equal truth, that it could not be desirable to retain the appearance of severity, without deriving from it any real security. We may hope, too, that the temper and moderation displayed upon the occasion by the Church, will be met with similar feelings by our dissenting brethren, and will, at least, disarm their hostility, if not gain their good-will and affection; and will have convinced them, if they had any doubt before, that the charge of bigotry and intolerance, which has sometimes been preferred against her, is utterly void of foundation. Indeed, her most inveterate enemies have changed their tone, and, at length, have been obliged reluctantly to admit the merits which they cannot deny. They now confess that she is the most tolerant of all churches, and proclaim that such is her superior excellence, such her internal strength, she stands in need of no external support, no adventitious aid.

"We may hope, therefore, that the bitter animosities which have at times prevailed, will never be renewed, and that henceforth all will dwell together in the bond of peace, and that the stability of the Established Church will thus be increased. Should such be the effect of the measure, which has been adopted, we shall have reason to rejoice in it; and if we should be disappointed in our expectations, I must still think that we ought not to regret an experiment, which may, nevertheless, prove beneficial; for we shall then have been taught by experience that no concession on our part, no attempt at conciliation, will avail, and we shall, at least, be more united in opinion among ourselves. I will not, however, anticipate a result so much to be deprecated, nor

will I enter farther into a subject, which I would gladly have omitted altogether, but that I thought you would expect me not to pass it by entirely unnoticed. I will only pray that the Declaration substituted for the former Test, may be made in sincerity and truth, and that we may all work together for the good of our country, for the maintenance of its laws and liberties, for the temporal and eternal interests of the people."

After some observations upon the measures lately introduced into Parliament for the solemnization of marriage between Unitarians, commutation of tithes, and the abolition of briefs, the Bishop proceeded as follows:

1

"Allow me to offer you my warmest thanks for your exertions in behalf of the several institutions, which, upon a former occasion, I recommended to your attention. I am aware that those institutions had only to be made known in order to secure to them your patronage and support. They required no other recommendation than their own intrinsic excellence, both as regards the objects proposed, and the means of attaining them. There could be but one opinion amongst you, as to the duty of promoting Christian knowledge both at home and abroad, or of furnishing the poor as well as the rich, with the opportunity of attending the worship and service of God, by providing additional accommodation for them, either by the enlargement of our old Churches, or by the erection of new ones. In the performance of none of which duties has this Diocese been deficient; but in the discharge of the latter it has particularly distinguished itself, as is testified not only by the number of Churches and Chapels which will have been consecrated in the course of the present year, but by the Report of the Parent Society, from which it appears that the cases of enlargement are numerous, and that of twelve District Committees, the whole number yet established, six are in this Diocese, which has also the credit of having been the first to form them, and to set an example to others.

"Nor has this Diocese been backward in providing for the education of the poor in the soundest principles of religion and virtue; without which,

education, whether of the poor or rich, can profit little. Trifling, indeed, are vain philosophy, and science falsely so called, when compared with the knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.

for

"There are, however, and deeply is it to be lamented that there are, those who look upon any endeavour to impress the infant mind with a sense of religion, and to instruct our youth in the doctrines of the Gospel, as an improper interference with the natural liberty of man, and who discard, therefore, from their systems of education, that which I humbly conceive ought to be their very foundation; other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' But it is said, also, that persons of maturer age will form more correct opinions concerning religious truths, if they come to the consideration of them with unprejudiced minds. I rather think, and experience teaches us, that they are more likely to fall into scepticism and infidelity, to be spoiled by philosophy, and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.' But do those who hold such language entertain similar notions with regard to matters of less consequence, with regard, for instance, to the arts and sciences? On the contrary, do they not insist upon the advantage of an early application of the mind to such subjects, and are they not perpetually complaining, that the time which might be given to these with more benefit, is wasted at our universities and public schools in acquiring a knowledge of the dead languages, though that knowledge, it may be observed, is not sought merely for ornament or amusement, but is essentially necessary to an accurate understanding of the Scriptures? Shall then the most important of the concerns of man, that in which his eternal interests are involved, be the one least attended to? Shall it be the only one in which he is not to profit by the labour and learning of others? Shall he be left to the chance of forming to himself crude notions, and of erring from the truth, instead of being rooted, and built up in Christ, and stablished in the faith?