market is held on this day only. He must work in his garden, or choose the utmost want, along with the severest punishment from his master for having neglected it. Yet, while the cruelty and ungodliness of the planters thus make a Sunday's sun to bring: no sabbath, no day of rest, and spiritual improvement to their slaves; still they cannot prevent the blessing of some relief from the sacred institution, being felt by the unconscious negro. On that day, he may walk freely and without force to the market! He may labour for his own benefit, without being urged beyond his power, by the strokes of a terrible whip!

Nor is this all:- the miseries of these our fellow-creatures and fellow-subjects, extend much further. Besides the use of the whip to compel them to labour, it is the instrument of severe punishment in the hands, and at the will, of the driver and the overseer. The former is only permitted to punish small faults; and he ought not to inflict more strokes than ten; but with this limit, he may lay either a man or woman-slave flat on the ground; and stripping them naked, while their arms and legs are held down by other slaves, he may proceed up to the allowed number, to give strokes, which at every lash, bring streams of blood; 'till by the frequent use of this dreadful scourge, the skin, and even the flesh, becomes in some degree callous. The being too late for work, either morning or evening, is usually so punished. And as it is quite at the will of the driver's whim, ill-humour, malice, or revenge; a word, a look, any thing, or nothing, may expose the poor wretch to this indecent and inhuman treatment. Seldom a day passes, it is said, without some one or other in a gang suffering this punishment; and sometimes it will be inflicted on many. While it is mentioned as a circumstance scarcely ever oc

curring, for the body of any slave not to retain the lasting marks of the scars, produced by this engine of torture!

The overseer, who is supposed to punish more serious faults, is permitted by law, to cause to be inflicted thirty-nine lashes in the same way. He ought not to exceed this number; but he can evade it with the most wanton cruelty: such as raising the bleeding sufferer up after the first whipping; and then instantly flinging him or her down again, and repeating the strokes! The protection of the verbal law in this, or any other cruel breach of it, can hardly ever be enforced, and is of little avail to the illused slave. The evidence of no black whatever is received in a court of justice; thousands of them might witness a crime, and if no white man is by, there can be no proof in a court of justice.

Besides the whip, the slaves are put in the stocks, and kept in them whole nights together: this being also part of that domestic discipline, which the magistrate of the country has no right to interfere in. Runaway slaves are often made to work in heavy collars. They may be shot by those who meet them. Their punishment, when recovered, is terrible repeated floggings, unceasing work in the fields, and many nights spent in the stocks.

I have not given particular anecdotes of the treatment of these poor wretches, to spare both my own feelings, and those of my readers. When such tyranny is allowed, and such barbarous modes of punishment are resorted to, can we wonder, when we consider the depravity of human nature, and the difficulty of restraining it within right bounds by the most wholesome laws, and the most civilized manners-that at times the wretched slave should be exposed to every excess of wanton cruelty?

If such be the gloomy picture of the life of the

negro in the West Indies, can we turn with any comfort to the view of him as an immortal being, whose earthly sufferings may soon be exchanged for a blessed eternity! Alas, as far as the interests of the soul exceed those of the body, so far does the horrid system of colonial slavery weigh heavier upon Britain! The morals of the slaves are corrupt to the most terrible degree. The natural hardness of the heart of man is there unsoftened by any intercourse of kindness. Sunk in his own eyes, he has no character to lose. The most savage passions of anger and revenge towards his cruel oppressors, must be hid under the most degrading and fulsome civility of manner. It is remarked, that a slave never looks you in the face; that his eye always sinks under yours; while his every word and action bespeak the fear and servility of his spirit. Domestic comfort, or decency, is almost unknown to the West Indian slaves. They never marry, though sometimes they will cohabit together, as man and wife, as long as inclination may prompt; but it is more usual for them to live in confirmed and promiscuous fornication. Nor are the Whites less guilty towards the negro women in this respect. They are the common property of all the men resident on the estate who choose to claim them; while a refusal on the part of the female, might expose her to the heaviest infliction of the whip, and severest confinement in the stocks. Where power is uncontrouled, a pretence for using it can never be long wanted. Something has been attempted, and something we hope has been done, in regard to instructing the slaves in Christianity. But 'till the sabbath is restored to its hallowed uses, and time for being taught is allowed to the slaves, we cannot expect much advantage even from the most zealous exertions of the pious missionaries, who are devoting their lives to this blessed work.

Urged then by every motive, which, as fellowmen, ought to interest us in the unhappy fate of these wretched creatures, or which must stimulate us as Christians, let us unite our prayers to the God of us all, and the Saviour not less of the Black than of the White, that he would so influence the minds of our rulers, that right laws may be enacted, and wise provisions made for the better treatment of the slaves, both as to soul and body; and which may gradually lead to the abolition of slavery itself in every part of the British dominions. It is hoped, that many petitions will be presented to parliament on this subject. And whenever one is sent from our own neighbourhood, we may increase its influence by signing our name, and procuring our friends to do the same. And let it be remembered, that the prayers too of a poor man in such a cause, will not be less registered in heaven, by Him who sees not a cup of cold water given in his name, without regarding it; than even the persuasive pleadings of a Wilberforce, in the grand council of the nation.

AWFUL END OF A WICKED MAN.

John S. was too well known in my parish as a drunkard, swearer, and sabbath-breaker. I often reproved him for his vices; but as often received unwelcome answers, mingled with oaths too shocking to mention. After having continued for the long period of fifty-four years, to sin with all his might, amidst threatenings and warnings, it seemed as if the Almighty said to him, "hitherto shalt thou go, and no further." The years of his life plainly shew, that the Lord's mercy was greatly extended to him; but at length the divine patience was exhausted. John was employed in a quarry in the parish. On Friday the 14th of last February, he had to clear away some rubbish, which was underneath

the stone. Early in the morning, while hard at work, the bell of the parish church solemnly tolled for the departure of a soul into eternity. On hearing this signal of death perform its mournful office, John remarked to his fellowworkmen, "it is not for me, for I am here." On this they replied, "it would have been a bad job, if it were for you.". He answered," not it indeed; for I should not be much missed."-At this moment notice was given, that the stones under which he was working were likely to fall. He looked up, and was hastening out of the way, when one of his legs was caught in the barrow he was filling with rubbish; and before the bell had done tolling, the stones fell upon him, and killed him on the spot!

The next Sunday I endeavoured to improve this awful event, and preached to my people from Jeremiah v. 9. "Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord, &c?"—! particularly addressed sabbath-breakers, swearers, and drunkards; and it is my heart's desire and earnest prayer, that this awful event may, through mercy, be an effectual warning to many of my ungodly parishioners; and prove the means of raising them from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness.

March 19th, 1823.

THE CURATE.

A REMARKABLE PROVIDENCE.

A young lady in America, was requested to assist two poor women, who were said to be in great distress. She went and found two maiden females advanced in life, dwelling in a small cellar. One was afflicted with a slow consumption; and the other was obliged to spend her whole time in waiting upon her: so that neither of them could earn any thing, and their distress was very great. The young visitor found them in want of all things, but confidence in God, and hope in his mercy; and as a follower of him who went about doing good, she took effectual means to provide for the wants of these afflicted sisters.