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WEST INDIES.

JAMAICA.

The view of Clarkson Town, one of the new villages that have been established in different parts of Jamaica since the abolition of slavery, will be regarded with additional interest, if the account of its opening be perused, which Mr. Phillippo has given in his volume entitled "Jamaica, in its past and present State," as illustrative of the progress of social improvement throughout the country.

This township is beautifully situated in the centre of a long valley or glade, formed by two ranges of mountains, rearing their summits to the clouds, and nearly meeting at their base. Beheld from a mountain pass immediately in the rear of the settlement, two or three sugar estates are visible in the distance; and beyond them, by an accommodation of the foreground to avoid obstruction from the trees which are in process of being cleared away, are seen the towns of Kingston and Port Royal; whilst, as an additional element of interest and beauty in the picture, the ports disclose their shipping, and the harbour the small craft, that are perpetually skimming to and fro over its surface, with now and then a merchantman or man-of-war homeward or outward bound.

The settlement is already of considerable extent, and is gradually increasing. The cottages are of comfortable size, containing about three rooms each, and are very substantially built. The township contains at present but three principal streets, one of which, by an angle in its centre, is divided into two, named Victoria and Albert. Along these, leaving a piece of garden-ground in front, the cottages are ranged on either side, at equal distances. The interesting ceremony of opening the township took place on the 12th of May, 1842. A considerable number of people were attracted by the occasion; and, as its principal objects were to secure an opportunity of preaching the gospel and administering advice, accommodation for a large auditory had been provided beneath a cluster of old forest trees, on the mountain-side, and in a situation which commanded a view of the whole settlement. It was a most romantic spot-the mountains forming an amphitheatre, covered with trees and shrubs of varied foliage and beauty, arresting the clouds as they floated along the sky,

"With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild,
Access denied, and overhead up grew
Insuperable heights of loftiest shade,
Cedar and branching palm,"

whilst their sides, and the extended and lovely valley below, presented in beautiful

contrast a garden reclaimed from the wide waste around by the arts of peaceful industry. In consequence of the reverberation of sound along the narrow defile which the township occupies, a shout of the voice was all that was necessary to attract the company to the place of meeting. Accordingly at the appointed hour, the words, " Come to prayers," being vociferated two or three times by one of the most robust and active of the villagers, who ascended the summit of a detached hill for the purpose, every individual in the settlement was seen wending his way to this rural sanctuary; the aged and infirm supporting themselves on a staff, and others more vigorous climbing the steep ascent with quick and eager step: all, at the same time, with countenances that betokened the pleasure which such a summons had created.

The pulpit was a rude table, covered with a white cloth, and situated close to the huge trunk of one of the group of trees already mentioned. The bearers were seated almost in semicircles on planks affixed to uprights placed in the ground beneath the shade of the wide-spreading branches, altogether presenting a most novel and interesting spectacle.

The writer commenced the services, and delivered an address containing, as is usual on such occasions, advice on the subject of personal and relative duties, urging on all present the advantages of a conscientious and faithful discharge of them, both as evidences of their piety towards God, and as necessary causes of their temporal prosperity and happiness. The Rev. Thomas Dowson preached an energetic and appropriate discourse, relating, in an especial manner, to the spiritual interests of the hearers. The service was then closed by prayer and praise.

These preliminary engagements being ended, the writer proceeded to the ceremony of naming the town, and accordingly proposed its being called "Clarkson Town," in honour of the celebrated philanthropist of that name, to whose long and untiring efforts on behalf of the African race the great boon of emancipation was mainly to be attributed, detailing some of the difficulties this venerable man had to encounter, and the sacrifices he was

called to make, in the prosecution of his arduous work, deducing from the whole his pre-eminent claim to their most grateful remembrance. This address was received with cordial responses, and the designation, "Clarkson Town," by men, women, and children united, resounded throughout the valley. "The venerable Clarkson, and his associates in the great work of securing liberty to the slave! May they live to hear of still greater triumphs of their philanthropy! May they persevere in their benevolent efforts until slavery and the slave-trade shall perish in every land; and may they be at last crowned with immortal honour and happiness in heaven!" was repeated by the crowd with the greatest enthusiasm, and followed by loud and long-continued cheering.

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jesty's name and that of her royal consort (a general case in all the new townships) with their social prosperity and happiness. And on his saying aloud, "I name this street Victoria, in honour of our beloved sovereign, by whose gracious will and pleasure the great boon of freedom was bestowed upon you and your children," all united in loud and successive cheers, followed by singing in chorus two or three verses of the national anthem. The circumstances attending the naming of the street in honour of Prince Albert were similar, as were also those which accompanied the naming of the remainder, among which was "Gurney Street," in remembrance of Joseph J. Gurney, Esq., who, as described in his "Winter in the West Indies in 1841," visited the settlement, and was delighted both with its appearance, and the manners, intelligence, and hospitality of the people.

A statement of the circumstances which led to the establishment of the township, together with the leading incidents which had hitherto marked its history, was then read; an ex- At the conclusion of the business of the day tract from which, designed especially to show the two ministers who conducted the cerethe advantages of its locality, is here subjoined. monies, together with the friends who ac"Although the settlement is at present companied them, retired loaded with caresses small and insignificant, it is probable it may and followed by benedictions, until the insoon become of considerable magnitude and teresting spot had vanished from their sight. importance, as a plan is conceived of cutting The writer could not help speculating, as he a canal from a little above Kingston harbour paced the winding solitary ascent to his to the foot of the mountains near which the home, on the emotions of which the venertown is located-a design which, if executed, able Clarkson and his noble coadjutors in will be of almost inconceivable advantage to the cause of African liberty would have been the estates in the neighbourhood, bring a the subjects had they but witnessed the scene vast tract of land into cultivation now aban--had they beheld the activity and lightdoned in morass, afford facilities for the con-heartedness manifested both by young and veyance of produce from the adjoining parishes, old, from the earliest dawn of day. Had and thereby increase cultivation in them to they heard their mutual salutations-their an extent hitherto unprecedented.

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May this infant township rise under the blessing of Almighty God, and may its inhabitants, to the most distant posterity, united in bonds of Christian love and fellowship, be as one family, with one feeling to prompt, and one principle to govern!"

This part of the ceremony concluded, the writer proceeded to name the streets of the town, and arriving at the most convenient part of the principal street, he prefaced the designation by a short address, congratulating the peasantry on their loyalty to their sovereign in desiring the association of her ma

hearty cheers and enthusiastic benedictions on the instruments of their deliverance from temporal and spiritual bondage! Had they but seen the evidences of their industry and providence of their contentment and happiness-these noble-minded men and women would have required no other recompense, they could have desired no higher honour. Nor will their names or their deeds ever be forgotten-they will descend to succeeding generations embalmed in the grateful recollection of the whole posterity of Ham, when the memorials of the tyrants that oppressed them shall have perished.

We have been expecting for some time to receive and lay before our readers a compendious account of the present state of the baptist churches in Jamaica. In the interim, pleasure may be derived from the indications of success in the work of Christ in different parts of the island furnished in the following extracts from recent numbers of "The Baptist Herald," published at Falmouth.

A new baptist church was formed at Hast- | suitable portion of scripture and implored the ings on Tuesday, the 26th December, 1843 The services of the day were commenced by Mr. W. Dendy, of Salter's Hill, who read a

divine presence and help. Mr. T. B. Pickton, the minister of the place, then briefly stated the nature of the business of the day;

Mr. W. Knibb, of Falmouth, stated the con- enter into. At half-past ten, A. M., a crowded stitution of a New Testament church, taking congregation assembled, and listened with the first clause of the 10th verse of xliii. of the greatest attention to a sermon upon the Isaiah, as the foundation of his discourse." nature of this rite, and the ancient and Mr. J. E. Henderson preached from Psalm scriptural mode of attending to it." At two cxviii. 25. Six deacons were then chosen, A. M., the congregation and candidates adunto whom Mr. W. Dendy addressed appro- journed to the sea beach, where not less than priate counsel, after showing from the word 2000 persons were convened to witness the of God the qualifications for, and the duties imposing ceremony. After some preliminary of the deacon's office. and devotional exercises, the pastor delivered an address to the audience. In this, the fallacy of all the arguments brought forward in support of infant sprinkling was exhibited; and the "Book of Common Prayer," used in the church by law established, was brought forward in support of the practice of believers' baptism, and that by immersion. In closing the pastor urged all to search the scriptures for themselves. The chorus to the hymn commencing" Salvation, O the joyful sound," was then sung, and twenty-four persons went down into the water, and were baptized by E. J. Francies, pastor of the church.

Hymns were then given out by Mrs. J. E. and G. Henderson, W. Dendy, and T. B. Pickton; and the interesting services were concluded with prayer by Mr. Claydon, of Salter's Hill. The members of the new church were 183 in number, and were all dismissed on the previous Sabbath from the church at Bethtephil.

On sabbath morning, December 24, 1843, the ordinance of baptism was administered to thirty-seven persons, in the sea, at Passage Fort, near Spanish Town, in the parish of St. Catherine, by the Rev. Thomas Dowson. This solemn ordinance was administered in the presence of a very large number of spectators, who all behaved with the greatest possible order, during the administration of the same.

On Monday morning, January 1st, 1844, 106 more individuals were immersed, on a profession of repentance and faith, in the baptistry in the baptist chapel at Spanish Town. The chapel was also crowded with spectators on this occasion.

At Montego Bay, on Sunday, January 7th, sixty-nine persons were baptized in the sea, by the Rev. P. H. Cornford, and afterwards received to the communion of the church. These believers, with those baptized on two former occasions, make the number 182, who in the course of nine months have thus been admitted to the privileges of Christian fellowship in this place.

This most solemn institution of the gospel was commemorated at Lucea on Sunday afternoon last, the 21st of January. A vast concourse of spectators assembled on the inOn Monday, December 25th, thirty-seven teresting occasion, when twenty-one persons persons, who had previously professed re-received this Christian rite at the hands of pentance towards God, and faith in our Lord E. J. Francies, the pastor. Jesus Christ, were baptized at the River Head, near Stewart Town, by B. B. Dexter. They afterwards repaired to the chapel at the THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION, CALABAR. latter place, and, having received the right hand of fellowship from the pastor, on behalf On Thursday, the 18th of January, accordof the church, partook with their fellow mem-ing to previous advertisement, a meeting of the bers of the ordinance of the Lord's supper. general committee of the above institution As an encouragement to those engaged in was held on the premises. The Rev. Thos. imparting instruction to the rising race, it Burchell having taken the chair, an interestmay be added that twenty-two of the above ing report was given of the progress made number are young persons at present con- during the short period which had elapsed nected with the Stewart Town sabbath school. since the commencement. We hope soon to be able to publish the same, for the satisfaction of the friends of education here and in the parent country. Owing to the debility of the president, resulting from the painful operation to which he has recently submitted, it is expected that the vacation will continue for about a fortnight longer than the period originally fixed. Timely notice of the day of re-opening will be forwarded to the students individually.

On Saturday, December 31st, 1843, most interesting services were held at Green Island, connected with the administration of the Christian rite of baptism. At six o'clock A. M., a deeply solemn prayer-meeting was held, when the candidates received an affectionate and impressive address, upon the solemn responsibility they were about to

The most unbounded satisfaction and surprise were expressed by those brethren who had not previously visited the institution, at the convenience of the arrangements and the

neatness and commodiousness of the buildings appropriated to the use of the students. The session, for the year 1844, will commence with ten students.

To these extracts we subjoin part of a letter from Mr. Knibb to Mr. Saffery, dated Kettering, January 29th, 1844.

I was very happy to receive a letter from owing in part to other schools being establishyou, and to have thus an opportunity of re-ed, and in part to members belonging to the turning the favour granted.

About the box from Edinburgh. I have written since I last heard, and have now most unfortunately lost the address of the kind lady, the daughter of Mrs. Innes. Will you write to her, and tell her this, and assure her that the post office arrangements, especially in the country posts, are so sadly managed that not receiving a letter is no proof at all that one has not been sent. I think these arrangements have lately improved, and that we shall not so frequently be subjected to such mistakes in future.

Respecting our schools, if you can do any thing for us, as we have had a severe drought, which has nearly destroyed the crops in several parts of the island, and Trelawney has suffered much; so that I much fear we shall not be able to sustain our operations in their full extent. The schools in connexion with the churches under my care were never in such efficient order. I will give you a brief account.

The Thompson school at Kettering has been kept up during the whole of the past year, and some very pleasing circumstances are connected with its operations. Since its opening 170 scholars have been admitted into the day-school. There are now in it sixtyfour boys and thirty-two girls; fifteen of these are writing on paper. We have connected with it a very interesting sabbath-school, under the care of fifteen teachers, all natives; and it contains 140 scholars. Mr. and Mrs. Gallimore, the former one of the most active teachers in the school, are now on their way to Africa, there to proclaim salvation through the blood of Jesus. He was taught to read by my beloved William. Last sabbath but one I had the pleasure of baptizing the eldest of the African children whom I took from the slave ship, and who was educated in this school. The village of Kettering has now nearly 200 members of my church residing in it, and though it is in its infantine state, am encouraged by many tokens for good.

Refuge School contains 155 children in the day-school, and it has 450 in the sabbathschool, under the care of thirty-five teachers, whose general conduct is highly gratifying to me. The school at Falmouth has declined,

church purchasing land at too great a distance to send them. To obviate this latter evil, I have purchased ninety acres of land just two miles from Falmouth, for which I have to pay 1700 dollars. I shall form a town of the whole It is surrounded by twelve large sugar properties, and is the only plan I had of saving the station. I have the whole to pay in twelve months. Do you know any kind friend who would lend me £400 at six per cent. for twelve months or two years. I should be very glad of your aid. I could easily pay it in that time, and would give a bond for the amount. I have property to meet such a demand in case of death, or would not ask it.

The school at Falmouth contains fifty-four in the day and 450 in the sabbath-school, under the care of thirty teachers. From this school, and the one at Refuge, several have been added to the church. My other school is called Camberwell; it has in it eighty-three children; and in the sabbath-school there are eighty-one, under the care of five teachers.

During the year the children in these schools, with the teachers, have collected £40 towards the support of a student for Africa in the Theological Institution, and had it not been for the drought, would have done the same next year. This has much rejoiced my heart.

The churches under my care are much as usual. I have again dismissed about 300 to form another church, and 100 more have been dismissed to other churches by change of residence. Thus in fourteen years, and three of those interrupted by martial law, there are now seven churches where there was but one; and still, though not crowded, we have generally a good congregation at Falmouth, and a very good one at Refuge. We have at all churches much to try us, but we have what all such churches have not, much to cheer us; and I hope that still a kind and gracious God will watch over us for good. I hope, as we are about much to improve our Herald, that you will try and get it into circulation in the north. Send any orders to Mr. Dyer, Paternoster Row, who will send them to us, or send them direct to the office in Falmouth.

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