fere; on the contrary, its prayer for them is, that they may God speed, and that all of them may be auxiliary to one another.

The members of this Society have always entertained the opinion, which is now very generally adopted, that the only effectual restraint upon immorality and vice, especially among the lower ranks, is the knowledge and belief of religious truth; their object, therefore, has been to afford religious instruction to the poor, and es pecially the children of the poor, who from their situation in life, would otherwise be destitute of every means of education; and with this view they have directed their chief attention to the erection and regulation of Sabbath Schools. In these the children are catechised and instructed in the principles of Christianity, and for the encouragement as well as information of the scholars, religious books are occasionally distributed among them.

These Sabbath Schools, when at first instituted, were mostly in the city of Edinburgh and its vicinity, where the members of the Society had the opportunity of visiting them and observing their progress; but when other establishments arose of the same kind, and in the same place, this happily put it in the power of this Society to extend its efforts to other populous manufacturing towns, and large country parishes, some of them even in the remote corners of Orkney and Shetland. In several of these, the parish minister is obliged to perform divine service in separate districts, of which the distance from each other is so great, and the communication so difficult, that many of the people cannot have the benefit of attending his ministrations more than three or four times in the year. In such places the catechists of the Society are in use, not only to do their duty as schoolmasters to the children, but to meet with any of the people who can attend, and publicly to read a portion of the Scriptures or a sermon. They also pray with the people and children; and the Society has great satisfaction to know, that in all, or most of their schools, there are not only young persons, but many farther advanced in life, who by hearing the instruction of the children are themselves instructed.

Regular annual reports are required of the state of each school, which besides being open to the inspection of all the members, are remitted to a subcommittee for particular examination. The Report for the year 1822, besides containing a detail of the different Schools, has a general paragraph in the following terms:

"The subcommittee beg leave to add, that on perusing the Reports laid before them, they have much satisfaction in being

able to report to the directors, that their Schools are in general well attended; and from the attestations of the ministers of the parishes within which these Schools are established, they appear to be extremely useful, in affording the means of religious instruction to many who could not otherwise obtain it. And thus the object for which the Society was originally formed is attained in no inconsiderable degree."

The next report of this kind, which is for the year 1823, after a minute statement concludes thus: "The Reports from the ministers of the usefulness of the Schools, attendance of scholars, and of their parents, and other adult persons, and of the fidelity and labours of the masters, continue to be very satisfactory, and form a powerful argument for the continuance of the patronage and contributions of the Society towards the support of the Schools, which, under the blessing of God, cannot but prove conducive to the moral improvement, and in many cases to the salvation of the rising generation, besides being the means of leading the parents of many of the scholars to attend to the things which concern their peace.

"The subcommittee are happy to observe in one of these Reports, that a very numerous School, attended by almost the whole juvenile part of the village, has been patronized by a noble family in the neighbourhood;-two of the ladies having not only encouraged the master and his assistants, but also assisted them in instructing upwards of thirty girls at their own house on the Sabbath and Wednesday mornings, in a most serious and impressive manner."

By the scheme of the Society's Schools, published in the year 1815, the number of these Schools was at that time only twenty-nine, and the number of scholars 1967. By the scheme of last year, the schools are forty-one, and the scholars 2923. The salaries of the catechists, at the former of these periods, was £128, 12s.; at present they amount to £187, 17s. which, with the expense of books and incidents, cannot be estimated at less than £220.

To meet this expenditure, the Society has only the following sources of revenue. First, the interest of the balance of stock, which has arisen from bequests and donations, destined mostly for particular purposes; so that it cannot be encroached upon, and, by the lowering of the rate of interest, it yields little more than £60 ayear. Second, the annual subscriptions of the members of the Society, with occasional legacies or donations by its friends. third, the collections at the annual sermons preached for the Society.

And,

The first of these is limited by the

amount of the funds belonging to the Society. The second has fallen short by the death of the annual subscribers and other friends, whose places have not been filled up by new ones, owing to many being preoccupied by other Societies which have been set on foot; and the third source has also, from the same cause, been less productive than formerly. Still, however, as the exertions of the Society have hitherto been encouraged, not only by the countenance received from the public, but by the suc cess which, under the divine blessing, has attended these exertions for promoting the important object of the Institution; so it is hoped that the appeal to the friends of religion, and of the best interests of their poor countrymen, will produce a liberal contribution. Without this the Directors feel themselves obliged to state, that in the circumstances now detailed, they are not only unable to extend the sphere of their usefulness, for which they have many calls, but that they must retrench their present establishment. They have only farther to add, that what is given in this way will not be lost. It will not only be a blessing to those for whom it is given, but will secure a blessing to the giver. For "He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again."

DEMERARA.

As our readers must feel deeply interested, on many accounts, in the case of Mr. Smith, the Missionary in Demerara, we give the following account from the Missionary Chronicle for this month; and shall not fail to publish every thing of importance that may afterwards occur in this most painful and extraordinary business. We think it evident that Mr. Smith has been a deeply injured man-that the local authorities in Demerara have acted a most indefensible part-and that the court-martial have exceeded their powers in a manner, and to a degree that reflects no credit upon officers of the British army. Mr. Brougham, we are glad to see, has success. fully moved for a copy of the minutes on Mr. Smith's trial. And we anticipate much good from the parliamentary discussion that will of course take place when the papers are produced.

Adjutant-General's Office, Head-Quarters, Georgetown, 28th Nov. 1823. "The members composing the general court-martial, which assembled at the Colony-house, on the 18th of October last, for the trial of John Smith, of the London

Missionary Society, and which continued by adjournment to the 24th November, and whereof Lieut.-Colonel Goodman is President, will return to their duty-the nature of the proceedings being such as to render it imperative on his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to transmit them for his Majesty's consideration and ultimate decision.

"J. R. BRANDT, Adjt.-Gen. M. F."

It is evident that the tenor of the decision of the court-martial was not intended to be disclosed by that communication; and the public, both in Demerara and in England, remained in uncertainty as to the precise issue of the trial. The Direc tors, however, were immediately informed by government, that Mr. Smith had been found guilty, and that the sentence was confirmed by the governor, Lieut. Gen. Murray; but that a recommendation of mercy having been given by the Court, the Governor had not thought it proper to carry the sentence into effect, until his Majesty's pleasure should be made known.

The Directors received at the same time, by a vessel which arrived at Liverpool, papers containing copies of the proceedings, with the exception, however, of two important documents, (one of which was, the entire sentence of the Court,) by which only they could know to what extent Mr. Smith had been declared guilty on each of the several charges (given subsequently) that had been laid against him. They were also apprized of the intention of Mr. Elliot to sail, without delay, for England, in order to afford additional information, according to the recommendation which had been given him by the friends of Mr. Smith. Mr. Elliot arrived in London on the 13th inst.

The perusal of the voluminous documents referred to, confirmed all the fears which the Directors had entertained, of the extreme hardships which Mr. Smith had endured, and the vast difficulties to be encountered in his defence, as well by the nature of the trial by court martial, as by the inevitable influence of the violent prejudices and fervid animosity which pervaded the colony. How far these were augmented by arbitrary acts of rigourwhatever opinion the Directors may have been led to form-they will not presume publicly to pronounce. But if the welldefined and impartial procedure of an English court of judicature may be taken as the rule of what a British subject has a claim to, when on trial for his life, in any part of the British dominions, then, undoubtedly, the Missionary Smith has many causes of deep complaint.

The Directors feel it to be their duty to

The papers of Mr. Smith were seized, and his private journal-the record of those feelings of his heart which were never divulged to any man, nor intended to be was ransacked, to find matter of public ac.. cusation; and nearly twenty of such extracts are cited in support of the charges alleged against him-conversations held at distant periods and places--acts which by the exercise of a prejudiced ingenuity only, could be made to bear on the question passages of Scripture read by him-and texts preached from in the course of his public ministry, were all tortured to support the imputations so derived; the evidence of negroes (taken through the medium of an interpreter,) which would not have been admitted in a civil court, on an action for any trifling offence, or for property-hearsay evidence admitted and required against the prisoner, but peremptorily and deliberately refused, in a critical part of his defence, when resorted to in his favour, formed the main support of the charges; with other incongruities of procedure open to the legal eye. Add to which, the extreme length of the trial, during which the witness and judges were open to the influence of a community heated by the most violent prejudices, and kept in a con. stant state of excitement by the effusions of a press by no means disposed to impartiality and moderation.

As a justification of all that may be urged in protection of Mr. Smith's character, (for, through the interposition of his Majesty, his life is safe,) the existence of martial law is alleged. But here important questions arise, which will no doubt be duly investigated and decided upon in the proper place; how far it was justifiable to continue such law in force, so long after all the effects of the short-lived insurrection had ceased; whether its continuance were not solely for the admission of evidence and forms most unfavourable to the prisoner; and whether, after all, the evidence resorted to were legally admissible, even in a British court martial. These are points on which very serious doubts are entertained, by persons well qualified to judge. How far the recommendation to mercy by the Court itself might be prompted by a consciousness of the force of the above-mentioned reasons against an unmi

2

tigated sentence, the Supreme Judge knoweth!

The Directors having stated these points of serious objection (and more might easily be found) to the proceedings on the trial, conclude that the members of the Society, and the candid beyond its circle, will approve of their declaring that they retain the conviction formerly expressed, of the moral and legal innocence of their Missionary, Smith; that they do not withdraw from him their confidence; and that they are "not ashamed of his bonds." They regard him as an unmerited sufferer, in the diligent and faithful, and it may be added, useful discharge of his duties as a Missionary; and they earnestly wish the divine forgiveness may be extended to those who have been instrumental in causing his sufferings.

That these opinions are not the result of their own prepossessions, or of partial information, they have the best evidence in sentiments expressed upon the character of Mr. Smith, by one whose knowledge and integrity cannot be called into doubt the Rev. Chaplain of the colony. He bore honourable testimony on behalf of Mr. Smith on his trial, and has in a private letter expressed a decided opinion as to the usefulness of Mr. Smith's instructions. An extract from this letter will be found quoted in a resolution of the Directors on a subsequent page.

Whether it be or be not sufficient to weigh down the calumny vented in every place, and under every form against Mr. Smith, public opinion will decide.

The causes of the insurrection, and the proceedings upon it, will, it is to be presumed, become the subject of parliamentary inquiry; so that the public will, ere long, have less exceptionable means of forming an impartial opinion, than the Directors can be supposed to have it in their power to afford; and if propriety permitted, they would abstain from any statement of their own. Their duty will not, however, allow them to be altogether silent; and they are prompted by justice to the Society, and to the character of their Missionary, to declare their conviction, that whatever the springs and causes of that deplored revolt have been, it was in no way caused by nor is attributable to the instructions of Mr. Smith, or his personal influence on the minds of the Negroes.

The extracts from his Journal, standing on the proceedings of the trial, and the uniform testimony of the best informed of the negro witnesses, are of themselves sufficient to satisfy every impartial person, qualified to judge on such subjects, that

his doctrines have been scriptural, and his instructions consistent with truth and soberness, and also with a due consideration of the duties which his hearers owed to their superiors, in the condition in which the will of Providence had placed them. The fact is, that the rays of truth which proceeded from the simplest opening of the Word of God, reproved the principles and practices which prevailed around; the reproof was felt, and the animosity displayed in the Colony against the truth, as dispensed not only by Missionaries, but by other faithful ministers of the Gospel, became the result. Of the happy effects produced by the Gospel on the character and conduct of many of the negroes who attended Mr. Smith's ministry, the evidence given by owners and others, elicited on the trial, are pleasing and authentic proofs; and whenever the report of the trial shall be given to the world, it will offer irrefragable proof of the force of the genuine truths of the Gospel, in humanizing the minds even of the least cultivated of men, and in controlling their passions, though excited by the strongest sense of injuries. In no West Indian insurrection before recorded (and there are not a few) were Negroes heard to say,We will not shed blood, for our religion forbids it :"-" We will not take life away, for we cannot give it." How inconsistent with sound policy to persecute men whose labours produce, in so unfavourable a soil, such fruits as these! Mr. Smith may cease to reside in Demerara, but the records of the Colony will retain this testimony to his character, and to the beneficial influence of his labours.

In reference to this topic, it shall only be said farther, that Mr. Smith, in his defence, states the four following causes, as baving produced the revolt amongst the Negroes, viz.

1st, Immoderate labour.
2d, Severity of treatment.

3d, Opposition to Religious Instruction.

4th, Withholding the instructions [of Government] concerning the whip.

In the management of this delicate and important affair, the Directors can assure the members of the Society, that, whatever opinion may be formed of the result, their zeal has not been slack. Ever since the intelligence of the unfortunate event reached them, their endeavours have been unabated to meet the varying aspect of the case. Their correspondence and interviews with the Government have been frequent, and they have the utmost pleasure in fulfilling the duty of thankfully acknowledging the attention paid to their many applications. It is but candid to state that Government,

maintaining the official regularity of their proceedings, did not feel themselves at liberty to afford to the representations made by the Deputation on the presumed illegality of the proceedings of the Court Martial (on which the great weight of their ap plication, in their own judgment, rested) that consideration which they had been led to anticipate.

The Directors would be happy if they could state their entire satisfaction in the issue of their endeavours. They entirely participate in the concern expressed by their Deputation, when constrained, in their concluding interview with the Right Honourable Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, to intimate to his Lordship the measure of disappointment which their expectations had met with, in the tenor of his Lordship's communication, and their opinion, that the Directors would feel it their duty to take such farther measures for obtaining the revocation of the whole sentence of the Court Martial, as they might be advised to pursue. They at the same time stated their trust, that, in such case, their proceedings would be regarded, on the part of his Majesty's Government, as being only the conscientious discharge of an important duty, not merely towards their own Society, but the supporters of Christian Missions in general. The Deputation received with the highest satisfaction, on that occasion, from Earl Bathurst, the declaration of entire approbation of the "Instructions" given by the Directors to Mr. Smith, which had been communicated on the first arrival of the intelligence from Demerara.

The Directors have sent out instructions to the counsel of Mr. Smith, to take steps for appealing from the sentence of the Court Martial, (if an appeal be advisable in the case, and compatible with a due regard to Mr. Smith's health,) and they will, on their own part, proceed to take such legal advice as shall point out the measures that it may be proper to adopt.

The Directors will now advert to a point which, in the opinion of some of their friends, may need an explanation, if not an apology, their abstinence from efforts to defend the Society, through the public press, from the calumnies cast upon it by the enemies of Missions. If this shall appear to any to have been a culpable silence, they have to say, that it has not arisen from inattention, indifference, or timidity; but from their own judgment of what the honour of the Society, and the dignity of its cause, required at their hands. Conscious of their own integrity, and confident in the innocence of their missionaries, they felt that they could calmly wait till the hour

for effective vindication should arrive. To attempt to follow the torrent of slander in its ten thousand channels was impracticable, and they were contented to oppose to it a firm confidence in the good opinion of their friends, and the discriminating impartiality of the British public.

The false statements which were continually transmitted from the Colony, they were long kept from all means of refuting, by the conduct of the local authorities, of which they have just cause to complain. All communication from the Missionaries with the Society, their proper protectors, was, contrary to every principle of British justice, cut off; so that, till December, the Directors had no advice whatever from themselves, of their own situation, or the facts of their case. A letter addressed to the Treasurer was taken from the person of Mr. Elliot, and, though entirely inof. fensive in its tenor, was arbitrarily kept back; and it was not till a copy of that letter was forwarded, after his liberation from confinement, by circuitous means, that the Directors had any information of their actual circumstances. Mr. Smith was not allowed to write to them, and although Mr. Elliot entreated leave for an interview with him, after his trial, that was refused! Previous to Mr. Elliot leaving the Colony, Mr. Smith was allowed pen and ink, when he wrote to the Directors a letter, which will be found in a subsequent page. From any endeavour to vindicate the Society, apart from the defence of their Missionaries, they were withheld by their feelings of justice. They did not think it honourable, by a separate vindication of themselves, even to seem to sever their own cause from that of their missionaries; they believed that a day would arrive when the vindication of the Missionaries would wipe away all the opprobrium thrown upon the Society through them; and they judged it their duty to wait with confidence and calmness till it came.

The Directors, in conclusion, beg to express their submission to the will of Divine Providence, in allowing this mysterious dispensation to happen to their Society, and that in a quarter from which they had almost uniformly received cheering accounts and testimonies of the benign effects of the Gospel, on the persons under the instructions of these Missionaries. Time will, no doubt, develop the reasons of that dispensation, and the Society will submissively wait for the discovery, encouraging themselves in the hope that it will be overruled to that end, which the Directors have solely in view the furtherance of the Gos pel.

vouring to remove the misapprehension which appears to be entertained by various persons interested in the West Indies, as to the object of the London Missionary Society. It is declared in the fundamental principles, adopted at the formation of the Society in 1795, that "the sole object is to spread the knowledge of Christ among heathen and other unenlightened nations." To this principle they have strictly adhered; and they with truth affirm, that they do not embrace other objects in their proceedings. It has been supposed that they adopt the plans, and join in the measures of other Associations, formed in reference to the civil condition of the Negroes in the West Indies ; but they can assure all who are interested in the question that this is not the case. The instructions given to their Missionaries in the West Indies are of an uniform tenor with those to the Missionary Smith, which are before the public, and which have received the commendation of his Majesty's government. They require of their Missionaries discretion and prudence, as well as zeal, in the instructions given to the slave population, and would discountenance any missionary who violated that injunction.

The Directors respectfully offer to those interested in the West India Colonies, their assurance that nothing is aimed at by their Society, but that which is not less advantageous to the Colonists than it is beneficent towards the Negroes-the inculcation of the doctrines and duties of Christianity. In that endeavour the latter are not less insisted on than the former; and a reference to the passages of Scripture, quoted in their instructions to their Missionaries in the West Indies (viz. Rom. xiii. 5, and 1 Pet. ii. 19) will show what are their views of the peculiar duties of those persons who, on embracing Christianity, find themselves in the condition of slaves. A Missionary of this Society, in a Colony adjacent to Demerara, has explained and enforced those obligations in a Catechism prepared for the Negroes, which has received the approbation of the local authorities.

On such grounds the Directors beg leave dispassionately to oppose to the calumnies headed upon their Society, their full conviction, that it bears only the most friendly aspect to the inhabitants of the West In.. dian Colonies, whether free persons or slaves; believing as they do, that Christian instruction is the surest means of obviating the dangers peculiar to the state of society within them; inasmuch as it tends to control a power confessed to be physically irresistible, by the interposition of the autho