the sacred Scriptures, and the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit; and that they will, with few exceptions, persevere in a course of iniquity,-the bane of social order, and totally unworthy of the confidence of society,-until they are brought back to God and to godliness, by the faith of the gospel. So accustomed are some of them to vice; so hardened in their career of iniquity; so utterly devoid of all sense of propriety and decorum; so insensible to the excellences and attractions of virtue; so sunk in their own estimation, and (in their apprehension) in the estimation of mankind; that, if we desire to see these unhappy men become worthy of that degree of trust, which they must command ere they can be safely permitted to mingle in general society, we shall aim at nothing short of their conversion to God. It is my sober conviction, that nothing less than a saving change of heart will warrant our placing confidence in the more hardened and depraved of those who suffer transportation, or furnish a sufficient guarantee, that they will prove themselves safe and useful members of the community. The same observations will, I believe, equally apply to thousands of our population, who escape the punishments both of imprisonment and transportation.

Supreme love to God is not only the principle upon which alone we can perform even a single work acceptable in his sight, but it also secures active and unwearied obedience to the whole of

his revealed will. Supreme love to God admits of no substitute. But let this holy and heavenly principle be generated in the breast of a man, by his being led to perceive, through the Spirit, God's everlasting love to his soul; and, from that moment, he is under the influence of a mighty and transforming power;-a power, the tendency of which is, to diffuse itself throughout his whole nature, and reduce to its own holy character, all that he is and feels, thinks and does.

Entertaining these sentiments-sentiments, common, I believe, to all true Christians,-it is incumbent upon me, in conducting the instruction and discipline of the prisoners, to use every possible means to acquaint them with the word of God, and bring their minds and hearts into contact with its momentous and impressive truths. Change of heart is the only ground on which I expect satisfactory change of conduct. But the renewal of the heart is effected by the Holy Spirit, through the instrumentality of the inspired word: I am bound, therefore, earnestly to seek in the appointed way, those enlightening, and sanctifying influences of the Spirit of all grace, without which, all means employed to recover man unto his Maker must prove abortive.

He alone, who created the soul at the first, can create it anew in Christ Jesus unto good works. The same Almighty power which called into existence an archangel, is requisite to turn the apostate heart of man back again to God, and to re-stamp

upon it the Divine image. Salvation is wholly of the Lord. In dealing with convicts, it is necessary that our minds be constantly under the influence of these and similar views. We cannot too completely set aside self as nothing less than nothing-sinful dust and ashes; we cannot too deeply feel that it is utterly impossible for us to impart to the mind of a fellow-sinner a single truly spiritual idea. We must consent to become as the rough unpolished horn of the priests before the walls of Jericho, and, as it were, to be merely spoken through, to our fellow-sinners, by the Spirit of all truth and grace. And we cannot put too much confidence in God, that he will give efficacy to his own word; nor can we too earnestly plead with him, in humble and scriptural prayer, on behalf of those, whom at his command we seek to bring to himself. Proceeding in this manner, we are warranted to expect, that the God of all mercy will, through our humble instrumentality, speak to the heart of the convict, and accomplish in him that moral renovation of his nature and principles, which will ensure the conformity of his life to the spirit and precepts of the gospel of Christ, as well as to the spirit and letter of the law of the land. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake." (Psalm cxv.)

CHAPTER VIII.

Examination of the schools-Awarding of prizes-Farewell address previous to debarkation.

THE names of all the pupils, beginning with those in school No. I, are entered into a small book, provided with four columns perpendicular to the lines on which the names are written; the schools being divided by a small space from each other, and having written over them the names of their respective teachers. These columns anticipate four special examinations of the schools during the voyage, about a month intervening between each. The first three are conducted by myself, in the presence of the general inspector of schools, and of the respective schoolmasters. In the first column is stated the date of the first examination; and notes of the progress made by the pupils are entered opposite to their respective names. The two following columns are filled up in like manner.

The advantages resulting from these examinations are very obvious: they afford so many points, or stages, at which the pupils are led to anticipate, that a special and faithful report will be made as to their degrees of diligence and success in the

great business of their education; they furnish an opportunity of giving to each, his due meed of praise or reproof, and of exhorting and encouraging all to put their shoulder to the wheel with manly effort. Sometimes a pupil is at these times transferred to some other school; and occasionally a "private teacher" is appointed to such as appear of obtuse intellect, to assist the efforts of the schoolmasters; especially during leisure hours, when the schools are not assembled. These stated and special examinations of the schools, do not of course supersede my daily visits already noticed.

When our voyage appears to be within a fortnight of its termination, our fourth and last examination of the schools takes place. This is, if possible, conducted before "a Board of examiners," consisting of the officers of the guard, the master of the ship, and one of the mates; whom I invite to unite with me in hearing the prisoners read, determining their respective merits, and awarding the prizes which I may have provided for them. We assemble at the cuddy-table, on which are placed lists of the schools; and each examiner is provided with paper and pencil for taking notes, and recording his opinion; the general inspector is also present to witness the examination, and to answer any questions, but he is not, of course, a member of the Board. The schools, attended by their respective teachers, are called into the cuddy in succession, commencing with the junior school; and, after being most carefully examined, all, save