other, how much may be accomplished by a man of sterling principle and active, unremitting benevolence. "I have alluded thus particularly to the excellent management of Dr. Browning, because I think religious instruction was imparted more successfully in the Arab than in any former vessel." TESTIMONIES CONCERNING CONVICTS BROUGHT OUT BY THE SHIP ELPHINSTONE," 1836. 66 No. 4.-Extract from His Excellency's Certificate. * * * * "It is truly pleasing to contemplate the gratifying results of his exertions for the reformation of the convicts placed under his charge; the peculiar excellency of the system of moral and religious education adopted on board, as set forth in his Journal, having been strongly evidenced in the general demeanor of the prisoners on landing. No. 5.-Extract referring also to the Men by the "Elphinstone." * * * * "I cannot avoid availing myself of this opportunity to draw the attention of * * to the very able system of education pursued by Dr. Browning during the voyage. His firm but conciliatory manner has insured for him the respect of the convicts; and his unwearied exertions for their moral and religious improvement have called forth such evidence in their conduct, of their gratitude and esteem, as is almost incredible. "Whilst on the voyage, men and boys were taught to read, and were so far instructed in the Scriptures as to be able to answer satisfactorily on any essential doctrine of the Christian religion. * * * "CAPTAIN ADAMS,* of His Majesty's 28th Regiment, who commanded the guard on board the Elphinstone, has assured me, that such was Dr. Browning's influence over the convicts, that during the whole voyage there was not a dispute amongst them; and there appeared to be nothing they dreaded so much as giving offence to their surgeon-superintendent. It may here be added, that when the LIEUTENANTGOVERNOR, SIR JOHN FRANKLIN, addressed the prisoners debarked from the Earl Grey, in the presence of a number of the colonial officers, HIS EXCELLENCY made frequent allusions to the superior conduct of the men who had been transported in the Elphinstone in 1836. * Nothing could be more gratifying than the spirit and bearing of this officer during the whole of the voyage. Not only did Captain Adams scrupulously guard against all interference with the naval officer in charge of the convicts, and abstain from throwing any obstacles in his way, but ever gave his most cordial co-operation. The discipline of the soldiers under his command, and their general conduct during the passage, were admirable. BRIEF NOTICE OF THE CONVICT SHIP "THERESA." Extracted from a Letter to a Friend in England, dated "The lovingkindness of the Lord and his tender mercy, have so abounded towards us since we embarked in the Theresa, that I feel absolutely at a loss how to begin my letter, or to determine on the details which ought to have a place in this my first communication to you since we passed through the Downs; which you remember was on the 2nd of April. As my mind is now, at the end of the voyage, in a state of great exhaustion, and utterly incapable of anything like close thinking, I shall not attempt any formal arrangement of matter, but shall merely relate facts as they may happen to present themselves to my mind. You are aware of the circumstances through which I passed after I left you, and that, for many days before the prisoners embarked, I was confined to my cabin with an attack of illness, which left me in such a state of weakness, that I lost all power, in any degree to prepare a suitable address for the hour of embarkation. The hour came, and in the midst of weakness, God was my strength. In the midst of darkness, God was my light, my life, my joy. The suggested train of thought was blessed to the prisoners, blessed to me; all were more or less impressed, and several of them, in subsequent com munications to me, attributed the first awakening of their souls from a state of spiritual death, to the Divine power of the Holy Spirit accompanying the instructions and exercises of that solemn hour. The embarkation of the prisoners (two hundred and twenty in number) took place on the morning of Monday, 24th of March. By the 16th of April, eight of the prisoners had been brought under deep convictions of sin; had been led to think correctly of themselves as guilty transgressors; and sought to converse with me in private, in reference to the state and interests of their souls, and the Divine will concerning them; and it was at their earnest desire agreed, that we should occasionally meet as the avowed followers of Christ, in obedience to the Divine command, for the social worship of God, and for spiritual edification and comfort. One after another was added to the company of the professing disciples of the Lord Jesus; and on the 28th of April, the number of prisoners who appeared to have been, by the power of the gospel, turned from sin and Satan unto God, had reached fourteen. Deep and anxious concern for their souls' peace and security increased; and on the 5th of May, our number was twenty-one; on the 7th, twenty-seven ; and on the 8th, a most interesting man, who speedily exhibited the character of a meek and lowly Christian, was joined to our worshipping community; making our number twenty-eight. Spiritual concern increased and extended: the minds of the great body of the men seemed intent on salvation. Each converted man became a devout and active agent amongst his fellowprisoners, and especially in his own mess; and the number who were awakened and impressed, and who desired to have private conversation with me, increased more and more. After attending to professional, and other necessary and important duties, my time was mainly occupied with the great work of Christian instruction, private conversation, and prayer; and blessed seasons did the Lord, in his unchanging love, grant to the souls who waited upon him in obedient faith and prayer, according to his inspired word. But we have nothing in which we can glory, save our infirmities, and the cross of Christ. We have much, very much, to humble us, and lay us low in the dust of self-abasement, before Him who loved us and gave himself for us, that we might have pardon, peace, and life. We were now living in the midst of a published gospel; fervent and wrestling prayer increased, especially prayer for the promised gift and influences of the Holy Spirit, who alone is able to give a Divine and saving efficacy to the truth concerning Jesus Christ, and him crucified. The minds of the people became more and more enlightened, their hearts more impressed, and they evinced a deep and increasing concern about the things of God, eternity, and heaven. On the 13th of May, the number who professed to yield a believing obedience to the gospel, and who appeared to be renewed in the spirit of their minds, amounted to thirty-two; almost every succeeding day witnessed additions to their number, till, on the 7th of July, the total number of prisoners on board the Theresa, who professed to have received Christ, and in the renunciation of sin to have dedicated themselves to his service, amounted to one hundred and fifty-six. In one of these, a very young man, I had not confidence; and with three others I was not fully satisfied; the remaining one hundred and fifty-two, with each of whom I conversed in private, seemed to have been Divinely taught in the knowledge of themselves as delineated in the Scriptures of truth; each expressed his hope that he had received Christ Jesus the Lord, as the unspeakable gift of the Father's everlasting love, and that he had given himself up to him, body, soul, and spirit; with which profession, their temper, conversation, and conduct corresponded; we must therefore, so long as they retain their consistency of Christian character, regard them as 'brands plucked out of the fire.' How many more of the prisoners on board the Theresa were brought under the enlightening, purifying, and saving influence of the truth, I cannot tell the day of the Lord will declare it; and the future conduct of those who professed to embrace Christ as their only Saviour from sin |