The Practical Character of Her Religion

The earnest and practical character of her religion soon became apparent. The yearning of her heart for the spiritual well-being of others, which now appeared, was not less the natural outflow of her new-born feelinss than the forecastinos of her future devotedness. The fervent zeal to which her Christianity gave birth, and which was but now in the first pantings of its inspiration, she retained in all its bloom until death. It was natural that those of her own house should occupy her first thoughts, and share her deepest sympathies. As a follower of Christ, she stood alone in her family. She felt her responsibility and resolved to act. Her first step in carrying out this her solemn resolution to serve the Lord was the erection, of what until now had no place in her domestic circle — a family altar to God. The accomplishment of her purpose demanded no little moral courage, wisdom, and firmness. The proposal was submitted to her husband, and though kindly, was yet strongly opposed. But the conviction of duty was too deep to be overcome. The energy of will, and the remarkable grace which in after years confronted and vanquished difficulties in the way of duty more formidable, and which bore her through trials yet more severe, crowned this her first work and testimony for God with.the most pleasing success. Consent was at lenoth sriven; the effort was made in God’s strength, and God blessed it. The family and household were convened for what to them was a novel yet impressive service. Her husband, at first declining to be present, was there. She conducted the service, read a portion of God’s word, and then all but one of that circle laielt while she offered solemn prayer, — the father of that worshipping family alone stood. But when again they assembled, that heart was subdued, its hostility disarmed, and side by side with his wife and little ones lie bent the knee before their Father in heaven. From this moment (32)

the fire enkindled on that domestic altar never went out. Whether at home or abroad, iourneyins on the land, or voyaging upon the sea, family prayer was never omitted. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” was a holy resolve with which no other engagements ever were allowed to interfere. From the commencement of her Christian course until its close, her grand and single aim was to live for God. To Him her first thoughts, first time, first duties were given. All other and secondary calls, duties, and claims were held in stern abeyance. “Seek ye Jirst the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” was the precept in which she undeviatingly walked, leaving God to fulfil as most faithfully he did, the promise with which it is annexed, “and all things else shall be added unto you.” Happy if her holy example — the exam* pie of one ever conscious of her own weakness, yet knowing wherein her great strength lay — shall confirm the wavering purpose, or encourage the hesitating heart of some feeble, timid witness for the Lord. Alas! how manv professedly Christian households are there without a family altar, simply because there are no hands in that circle strong enough in faith to rear it, and no hearts fervent enough in love to light its sacred fires. But how grievous the twofold sin, — first, the neglect of a sacred and binding duty; and then to limit, in its performance, the promised grace and strength of the Holy One of Israel! The believer should ever remember, that Grod has enjoined no precept unaccompanied by a promise; and that it is only as we are found walking in filial, unreserved obedience to the one, that he is found faithfully and fully performing the other. Christ enjoins upon His disciples no yoke, and imposes no burden — calls to no service, and sends no trial — for which He does not vouchsafe all requisite aid. “My grace is sufficient for thee,” is a promise which embraces in its illimitable range every member, and all the circumstances of each member, of the household of faith. Looking, then, to Him, “Let the weak say I am strong:” let the timid “glory in their infirmities;” and let those who are cast down exclaim, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” Apposite to these re marks is the following extract from one of her letters to her mother: —

“Do you, my dearest mamma, have family prayer? I hope you do. B — — and you are of one mind, and when only two or three meet together to worship God, He has promised to be

o*

“* amongst them. He has not said to the seeking seed of Israel, Seek je my face in vain. How pleasing it is to the Lord when we are enabled, in spite of an ensnaring world, to erect an altar to Him in our house, and say with Joshua, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Call the servants together, read a portion of Scripture, and go to prayer. If you have not yet been able to do this, I hope you will do it. Let the wicked laugh; let them call you by wdiat names they may; be not afraid, for more are they who are for you, than those who are against you. You have all the saints on earth, and all the saints in glory, and all the angels in heaven, and best of all, God Himself on vour side. And if God be for you, who can be against you? You fight under a good Captain, the Captain of your salvation, who will make you more than conqueror. I would earnestly recommend to you extempore prayer. Lay aside your forms of prayer, and the Lord Himself will teach you to pray from the heart. The blessed Spirit has promised to help our infirmities in prayer.”

Among the first general objects which enlisted her Christian sympathies and efforts, was the spiritual condition of her own native isle. In St. George, the metropolis of the Bermudas — a beautiful group of islands bestudding the bosom of the Atlantic ocean — there still resided her mother, and a wide circle of kindred and friends. God had done much, in point of natural scenery and salubrity of climate, for the Bermudas. Few spots in this beautiful, though fallen creation, concentrate so much varied loveliness, and of so high a tone, as do these isles of the sea. Poetry, in some of her sweetest, if not her most truthful strains, has often sung their praises; while history, with perhaps more stern fidelity, has awarded them an honourable page in its no less interesting annals. Nor to poetry and history alone are the Bermudas indebted for their fame. Invalids from distant climes, attenuated by disease, and abandoned by hope, who have repaired to these islands, seeking but to eke out an enfeebled existence yet a little longer, and to meet death with mitigated suffering, have, beneath their soft skies, and fiinned by their balmy breezes, been restored to perfect health; and lived, either to settle permanently in the island, or to return to the homes they expected to have quitted for ever. Nor were the Bermudas less renowned for the generous kindness and boundless hospitality of their native inhabitants, than for the romantic loveliness of their scenery. No consumptive ever landed upon their shores in quest of health — no tourist ever came to explore their beauties — no wayfaring mariner was ever stranded upon their rocks, who met not liee a friend, and found not here a home. The only rivalry that existed was, — who should show most kindness to the stranger,*

But lovely and fertile as these fairy islands were, and still more attractive the native character of their inhabitants, the earlv history of the Bermudas does not appear to furnish any clear or authentic evidence that evangelical religion had ever very extensively prevailed. And yet, if we may credit Andrew Marvel, of the Commonweath — one of the greatest wits and statesmen of his age, and a Christian poet, too, of no mean worth — it would seem that the Bermuda islands afforded an asylum to some of the Puritans from the tyranny which drove so man V to seek in other lands the liberty of conscience denied them in their own.f But, if this be true, the piety which

* TTaller, in his “Summer Islands,” a poem of exquisite beauty, thus portrays this salubrious dime: —

‘• For the kind spring (which but salutes us here)
Inhabits these, and courts them all the year;
Ripe fruits and blossoms on the same trees live,
At once they promise, and at once they give.
So sweet the air, so moderate the clime,
None sickly lives, or dies before his time.
Heaven sure has kept this spot of earth uncursed,
To show how all things were created first.”

t This hi.storical fact is embodied in the following poem, entitled “Bermudas.” composed by Andrew Marvel and published about the year 1661. It is supposed’ to be a chant of the Puritans who fled to these islands: —

“Where the remote Bermudas ride

In the ocean’s bosom, unespied,

From a small boat that rowed along,

The list’ning winds received this song:
” What should we do but sing His praise.

That led us through the wat’ry maze,

Unto an isle so long unknown,

And yet far kinder than our own?

Where He the huge sea-monstei-s wracks,

‘Ihat lift the deep upon their backs,

He lands us on a grassy stage.

Safe from the storm’s and prelates’ rage;

He gave us this eternal spring.

Which here enamels everything; these holy refugees enkindled, in course of time, either expired altogether, or lived only in the smouldering embers which faintly glowed beneath the cold, deadening forms of a prevalent but lifeless religion. Yet God had purposes of mercy towards those islands, which He was about now to unfold. It was on the 15th of March, 1748, that the Rev. George

And sends the fowls to us in care,
On daily visits through the air;
He hangs in shades the orange bright,
Like golden lamps in a green night;
And does in the pomegranate close
Jewels more rich than Ormus shows.
He makes the figs our mouths to meet,
And throws the melons at our feet:
But apple plants of such a price,
2s o tree could ever bear them twice.
“With cedars, chosen by His hand,
Prom Lebanon, he stores the land,
And makes the hollow seas that roar.
Proclaim the amborgroase on shore.
He cast (of which we rather boast)
The gospel’s pearl upon this coast,
And in their rocks for us did frame
A temple where to sound His name.
Oh! let our voice His praise exalt,
Till it arise at heaven’s vault,
“Which, then (perhaps) rebounding, may
Echo beyond the Mexique Bay.’

“Thus sang they in the English boat,
An hoh’ and a cheerful note;
And all the way, to guide their chime,
With falling oars they kept the time.”

Works of Andrew Marvel, by Captain Edmu-nd Thompson,

3 vols. 1776.

There is, perhaps, no man whose name deserves to be held in more sacred veneration, by those to whom the memory of the Puritans is dear, than Andrew Marvel. He occupied an illustrious niche in the history of his times. His father was a clergyman of great learning and of high repute. He met an affecting and untiraely’ death. Crossing a river with a bridal party, for whom he was about to officiate, a sudden squall arose, and the entire group, including the young and beautiful bride, perished. The son, Andrew, who appeared to inherit much of his father’s gifts, was educated at Cambridge, and afterwards represented Forkingtonupon Hull in Parliament, was secretary to the English Embassy at Con-Btantinople, and Assistant Latin Secretary to Milton, under CromwolL To him the bUnd bard was indebted for the eaily popularity of his sub* lime poem. Finding “Paradise Lost,” the copyright of which Milton

WHITFIELD — HIS Vltll TO BERMUDA. 37

“Whitfield, the great apostle of his age, landed in Bermuda. He had arrived from New York, -with impaired health, borne down with anxiety and toil, seeking amidst the loveliness and tranquillity of these enchanting isles a few weeks’ bodily and mental rest from his exhaustinsr labours. An entire stranger, ill, and depressed, his reception was worthy of the people, and soothing to his lone feelings; it was kind, sympathizing, and hospitable. “Whitfield was pleased with the beauties of the place, and charmed with the simplicity and friendship of the inhabitants. A rapid survey of the spiritual condition of the population was sufficient to convince this zealous minister of Christ that an extended field of evangelical labour, whits to the harvest, was spread out before him. Enfeebled by illness, and oppressed by care, though he was, his mighty soul was stirred within him, and he yearned to proclaim throughout that lovely group the unsearchable riches of Christ. Scarcely allowing himself a week’s repose, he commenced his mission. The pulpits of the parish churches being closed against him by a law of the island, which required a license from home, and which the Governor would fain have relaxed in his favour, he preached to large, attentive, and affected auditors in the Presbyterian pulpit, in the Town-house of St. George’s, in private dwellings, and in the open air. The immediate result was what might have been anticipated from the ministry of “Whitfield. Everywhere from the highest to the lowest, — from the Executive to the most ignorant slave in the island, — society was moved to its centre, as by one mighty impulse, on the subject of religion. A general and powerful awakening transpired. Crowds were attracted to his ministry — his word was with power — and multitudes were profoundly impressed, and not a few hopefully converted. Such an outpouring of God’s Spirit, such a revival of evangelical religion, those

had just sold for fifteen pounds, remained unhonoured and unknown, Marvel wrote a complimentary poem on its publication, which at once unveiled its beauties to the undiscorning eye of the public, and brought it into notice. He was a raan of great integrity of principle, and of extra» ordinary moral courage. Of him it was said by an historian of his day, “He had the courage to attack arbitrary government in the reign of a tyrant, and to attempt to defend the Protestant church when the head of it died a Papist.” Some poet thus refers to two of the greatest men of his day:

“‘Tis Marvel braves the wicked acts of kings;
But what the Muses dictate — Milton sings.”

islands had, perhaps, never l)efore witnessed. Amongst the first to welcome Mr. Whitfield to Bermuda, and to offer the hospitality of his house, was Dr. George Forbes, the grandfather of the subject of this memoir. He received the interesting stranger to his home, paid him the most courteous attention, and employed his influence in obtaining the Council Chamber for his use, in which the Governor, several of the council, the clergymen of the parish, and a number of the townspeople assembled in the most devout order to hear the message of salvation from his lips. The reader will gather a better idea of the remarkable success of Mr. Whitfield’s labours in Bermuda, during which he preached generally twice a day for a month, from the extracts given below, selected from his own private journal.*

* u

Wednesday, April 6. After sermon Dr. Forbes and Mr. Ptlie Collector, desired me to favour them and the gentlemen of the town with my company to dine with them. I accepted the invitation. The Governor, the President, and Judge Baseombe were there. All wondered at my speaking so freely and fluently without notes. At table his Excellency introduced something of religion, by asking me the meaning of the word ’ hades.’ Several other things were started about free will, Adam’s fall, predestination, &c., to all which God enabled me to answer so pertinently, and taught me to mix the utile and dulce so together, that all at table seemed highly pleased, shook me by the hand, and invited me to their respective houses. The Governor, in particular, asked me to dine with him on the morrow; and Dr. Forbes, one of his particular intimates, invited me to drink tea in the afternoon. I thanked all, returned proper respects, and went to my lodgings with some degree of thankfulness tor the assistance afforded me, but awed before God at the consideration of my unspeakable unworthiness. In the afternoon, about five o’clock, I expounded the parable of the prodigal son to many people at a private house, and in the evening had liberty to speak freely and closely to those that supped with me. Oh, that this may be the beginning of good gospel times to the inhabitants of this town! Lord, teach me to deal prudently with them, and cause them to melt under Thy word.

♦’ Sunday, 17. God still magnifies His power and goodness more and more. This morning we had a pleasing sight in Mr. Paul’s meeting-house. I began to preach, and the people to be affected as in days of old at home. Indeed, the prospect is encouraging. ‘Praise the Lord, 0 my soul.’

“May 7. In my oonvorsation, these two daj’S, with some of my friends, I was diverted much in hearing several things that passed among the poor negroes since my preaching to them last Sunday,

“One of the number, it seems, said, ’ that if the book I preached out of was the best book that was ever bought, and came out of London, she was sure it had never all that in it which I spolcc to the negroes.’ Tho” Laden “with abundance of prayers and blessings,” to use Ids own words, Whitfield bade farewell to Bermuda and its generous inhabitants, bearing with him, as the expression of their grateful love, ample provisions for his voyage, and upold man who spoke out last Sunday and said, ‘Yes, Sir,’ when I asked them whether all the negroes would not go to heaven, being questioned by somebody why he spoke out so. answered, ’ that the gentleman put the question once or twice to them, and the other fools had not the manners to make me any answer, till at last I seemed to point at him, and he was ashamed that nobody should answer ine, and therefore he did.’ Another, wondering why I said negroes had black hearts, was answered by his black brother thus; ‘Ah I thou fool dost not thou understand it? he means black with sin.’ From all which I infer that the Bermuda negroes are more knowing than I supposed; that their consciences are awake, and consequently prepared, in a good measure, for hearing the gospel preached unto them.

Sunday, May 15. ‘Praise the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy name!’ This morning I preached my farewell sermon at Mr. Paul’s meeting-house; it was quite full, and as the President said, above a hundred and fifty whites, besides blacks, were round the house. Attention sat on every face; and when I came to take my leave, oh, what a sweet unaffected weeping was there to be seen everywhere. I believe there were few dry eyes. The negroes, likewise, without doors, I heard, wept plentifully. My own heart was affected, and though I have parted from friends so often, yet I find every fresh parting almost unmans me, and very much affects my heart! Surely a great work is begun in some souls at Bermuda! Carry it on. 0 Lord, and if it be thy will, send me to those dear people again. Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen.

‘’Sunday, May 22. Blessed be God! the little leaven thrown into the three measures of meal begins to ferment, and work almost every day for the week past. I have conversed with souls loaded with a sense of their sins, and as far as 1 can judge, really pricked to their heart. I preached only three times, but to almost three larger auditories than usual. Indeed the fields are white, ready unto harvest. God has been pleased to bless private visits. Go where I will, upon the least notice, houses are crowded, and the poor souls that follow are soon drenched in tears. This day I took, as it were, another farewell. As the ship did not sail, I preached at Somerset in the morning, to a large congregation in the fields, and expounded in the evening to as large a one at Mr. Harvey’s house, round which stood many hundrels of people. But in the morning and evening how did the poor souls weep! The Lord seemed to be with me in a peculiar manner. After the service, when I lay down on the bed to rest, many came weeping bitterly round me, and took their last farewell. Though’ my body was very weak, yet my soul was full of comfort. I magnified the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour. Abundance of prayers and blessings were put up for my safe passage to England, and speedy return to Bermuda again. May they enter into the ears of the Lord o“f Sabaoth!” — TI7</(/?VW5 Jour-ial.

40 MEMOIR OF MILS. MARY Vv’INSLOW.

wards of one himclred pounds for his Orphan House, the spontaneous contriljutions Oi” several parishes where he had preached the word. The tracer of his labours existed for many years afterwards; and altho.igh, in process of time, this powerful revival was s icceeded by a sad relapse into religious formalism, both in the pulpit and amongst the people, yet the seed then sown by this prince of preachers still bore fruit. Amongst the converts of his ministry appears to have been an aunt of Mrs. AYinslow, a family tradition of whom still existed, that her favourite and frequent exclamation was, “Oh, for more grace! “Alas! that a declension so melancholv should have followed a spiritual awakening so gracious. But God had not left Himself without a witness. There still existed a little remnant who preserved the coal unquenched. The occasional visit of a gospel minister in quest of health, or in the providence of God, driven upon the island by stress of weather, helped to keep alive the smouldering embers of vital religion. This feeble band, who may be regarded as the conservators of evangelical piety in Bermuda, were wont to assemble statedly for public worship, one of their number generally reading a discourse from” Biirder’s Villa2:e Sermons.” It was to meet this spiritual destitution that the thouo-hts of Mrs. Winslow, as expressed in the following letters to her mother, were directed: — “August, 1813. I am trying very hard to send ‘you a dear gospel minister to be settled in St. George’s; and I do earnestly entreat that you all will endeavour, if I succeed in obtaining one, to procure him a place to preach in until he is enabled to build a chapel. The Lord has blessed me, and I think I am called in duty to lay out what He has given me for His glory. I think I can spare fifty pounds a year to aid the minister until he is sufficiently established, and draws around him a cono;re2:ation who will be able to afford him a proper maintenance. I have employed several dear ministers to inquire for one who may be made a blessing to you all. Now, I wish to hear from you, just to know whether you can obtain a place for him to preach in, and whether you can raise a subscription to pay its expenses until I am enabled to build a chapel; for I mean to build one myself, in God’s good time; and I trust some of my own children will stand up in it, preaching, from heartfelt experience, the unsearchable riches of Christ, when you and I, my precious mother, will be admiring nnd adoring the same Jesus in eternity. All things are pos* sible with our God; and great are my expectations from Him. He has put large desires in my heart, and has promised in His own word to fulfil them. You must give me a part of the garden, if you think proper; or, if that cannot be, I must purchase a piece of ground in the town. A chapel must be built where my God will be glorified and souls won to Christ. Oh, that you knew how He blesses my soul, and how much He reveals His tender love to me, so that there are moments when I am lifted above the world and feel next door to heaven!

“My dear Mother, — I cannot express to you, though I hope you feel it also, the comfort and consolation I derive from seeing my eternal interest in Christ and in the love of God as my Covenant Father. How great, how unspeakably great are our privileges, and how glorious the prospect we have before us! Jesus will never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in Him. I have been praying much for you all lately, with respect to your spiritual welfare, that the Lord would fill your hearts with peace and joy in believing, and lift you above this poor, fleeting, perishing world. I am doing my utmost to get you a minister, but none are willing to leave their native land.” At a later date she adds: —

“I am doing my best to procure a minister to send to you, but I find it more difficult than I expected, as those who are good prefer remaining at home, and I will not send you an indifferent one. However, let us trust the Lord, and in His own good time He will provide one.”

The following note, addressed to Mrs. TVinslow, from the late excellent and venerable Rev. George Burder, author of the “Village Sermons,” just alluded to, manifests the interest he felt in this missionary effort.

“My Dear Friend, — ‘’ London, May, 1814.

“I have not been unmindful of Bermuda. I mentioned it at a meeting where many ministers were present, and begged to be informed if they could hear of any. There is no person so likely to speak to as Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Islington. But, indeed, all the academies are jealous of transferring their students from their original destination, being supported by the public. I will still make inquiry, and hope, sooner or later, we shall succeed. I will call upon you if I can, but my hands are more than full — I cannot do half my business. “I am. Madam, yours in the Lord, George Burder.”

From among a large number of candidates who had pre sented themselves, one at length was deemed suitable for the appointment, and was accepted. The Rev. H. H. Cross and his wife embarked on this interesting mission, and arrived safe at Bermuda, amid the cordial and affectionate greetings of the little Christian band of whom he was to assume the pastoral oversight. The chapel was completed, and dedicated to the worship of God, in connexion with a remarkable and thrilling incident, strikingly illustrative of His gracious and all-governing Providence. The interesting narrative to which we refer, will be found below, in a letter from the Rev. Mr. Cross, addressed to the Rev. John Arundel, of the London Missionary-Society.*

* ‘’-St. George’s, Bermuda. June 20, 1821.

•’ I am happy to inform you, ray dear brother, that our chapel was opened on the ] 3th of April, under peculiar circumstances of gratitude and delight towards Him who conducts all things after the counsel of His own will.

“Previous to its opening, my mind was a great deal exercised respecting the service of that important day. I had no brother to whom I could say, ‘Come and help me:’ I stood alone; and niy- feelings oflen overwhelmed me. My fears, however, were very singularly dispersed by our kind and ever gracious God. On Saturday, previous to the 13th, a ship appeared in sight off the island, hoisting signals of distress: and a report was soon circulated, ’ that she was full of passengers and several Methodist parsons, in a state of starvation; six months from Liverpool, bound for New York.’ I immediately thought on Mr. “Ward; and by referring to the Magazine, found that the time of his sailing from Liverpool to the United States exactly corresponded. I went up the signal hill, where all vessels are seen, and looked with an anxious eye towards the ship, hoping and fearing that Mr. “Ward might be on board. On my return, however. I found from a friend who had just heard from New York, that Mr. ^Y. had been there, and was then about to return to England. On Sabbath afternoon, the ship, with great difficulty, came within anchorage ofif the island. Some of my friends went with provisions on board, and found the passengers in great distress, yet tilled with consolation, and many of them with ‘joy and peace in believing.’ As the passengei”s were no strangers to the language of Canaan, my fiiends were soon introduced to the Rev. Duncan Dunbar, a Baptist minister, his wife and four children; Rev. Mr. Grey, a Presbyterian minister, and his interesting wife (to us particularly so, because we soon learnt that she had been brought to the saving knowledge of the truth from the circumstances of the voyage); and Mr. West, a teacher, a very pious young man, and son to Rev. Mr. West, of Dublin. They stated, in brief, i!ie distressing circumstance to my friends, who could not then listen to their ‘Tale of woe’ before they came for some fresh supplies (c-ircumstances prevented the missionaries from landing on the Sabbath, and my duties from seeing them that evening). It ay)peared they had

CHAPEL OPENED IX ST. GEORGe’s. 43

The subject of colonial slavery has happily ceased to rouse those feelings of horror and indignation, which at one time stirred the Enghsh mind to its centre, by the universal and

been at sea nearly six months: for four months they had been on the allowance of five potatoes per day, and for three weeks the Missionaries had scarcely a drop of water in their mouths: such were the cries of many children on board that they were obliged to deny themselves what they could only obtain from the clouds, to satisfy the thirst of the little ones. They were, however, in good health; and were constrained to say, ‘”J’hough we have had nothing, we have possessed all things.’

“‘J he DiViUe presence had evidently blessed the labours of these devoted servants of Jesus to the hopeful conversion of several.

“Karly on Monda’ morning I went off with several of my friends to the ship, and was soon in the midst of this interesting Mission family. I found them perfectly happy, 3-ea, rejoicing in the prospect of meeting some Christian friends in a strange country.

‘’ During their stay with us. we had our new chapel opened. Mr. Dunbar preached in the morning, from Gen. xxviii. 17, and Mr. Grey in the evening, from Zech. xiv. lij. 17, to a very crowded and attentive congregation. The collection amounted to eighty dollars. Our friends remained with us nearly three weeks, and their circumstances and labours made a deep impression on many. One evening after Mr. D. had delivered an excellent and faithful sermon from Acts, vii. 34, the Collector of the Customs went to one of mv friends, and begged that

his name might be put down tor doubloons, (£21 6s. 8d currency,)

for the general catastrophe, which, lie observed, has been so gratefully remembered by the stranger this evening. In the morning we waited on him to return our thanks, and to say, that as the government had given orders that the passengers should all be taken care of, and forwarded to New York by the first vessel, we begged to decline his kind offer. ( tn stating, however, the great object of Mr. D.’s mission, and showing him his ease which was strongly recommended by most of the ministers in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool, and particularly by a written recommendation from Dr. Chahner.^, i whom the Collector knows,) he very generously presented Mr. D. lih the sura for the object of his mission, adding, ‘When you arrive at New Brunswick, show your case to several gentlemen (whose names he gave Mr. D. ); and give my respects to them, and tell them to look at your book: and say-, I hope to hear from you that they have followed my example. God bless you, and give you success.’ We obtained also, from other friends, subscriptions to the amount of £40. besides clothing and necessaries fijr the voyage. Every day rendered them more endearing to the friends of Jesus in this place. Fain could we have said, ‘Abide with us, for there is room;’ and glad would they have been to say, ‘We will continue wath you;’ but the piercing cry of the red men of the woods, ‘No white man teach red man’ had penetrated their hearts. ‘Forthe.se,’ said they, ’ we have left all: and for these we must leave you.’ They left us on Good Friday, and we are daily expecting to hear of their arrival.”

entire extinction of the monstrous evil. In the Bermudas, as in all the West-India Islands, slavery of course existed. By a legislative law of the islands, however, the importation of slaves was strictly prohibited. To this enactment, as also to the benevolent feelings for which Bermudian society was proverbial, mav be attributed the mitiijated and mild form which slavery in this colony assumed.

If in any place involuntary servitude appeared divested of its more repulsive features, it was here. But prune and moderate the evil as you may — lighten its yoke, and gild its chain — lessen its toil, and call it by mild and gentle names, — “Slavery, thou art a bitter draught!” It is a system contrary to all the tender instincts of our nature, is at war with the genius of Christianity, and is opposed by every sentiment and feeling of true religion and virtue. Familiar as Mrs. Winslow was, from childhood, with this species of servitude, she yet never was wholly reconciled to the monstrous principle of holding pro])erty in man. On reaching her majority, she found herself the owner of two domestic slaves; but although lapsing to her by inheritance, it will appear that she was ill at ease in her possession; in this sentiment she was strengthened by the best feelings and efforts of her husband. An illustration of this may here be given: — A poor free negro man hastened one day to Captain TVinslow, in the greatest distress, and informed him that his wife and children, who were slaves, were on the eve of being sold to another master, with the prospect of their removal from the island, and in all probability their separation from him for ever. He came to request his sympathy and aid in rescuing them from so distressing a fate. His appeal met with a cordial and instantaneous response. Not a moment was to be lost. Seizing his sword, and adjusting it as he passed through the streets, accompanied by the anxious negro. Captain Winslow hastened to the auction mart. The sale had commenced. There stood the poor trem bline: woman and her children, for whom a laro:e sum had already been offered. Captain Winslow instantly became a competitor. The contest grew warm. Observing his determination to purchase, the price rose to an enormous sum. At this juncture, the terror-stricken father approached him, and said, “0 Massa, do not bid any more; I shall never be able to repay you, Massa.” “Never mind, Ben,” was the answer. At length victory decided in his favour, and he bore away in triumph the slave-wife, mother, and little ones, restoring them FREE to the delighted and grateful husband and parent. “I shall never be able to repay you, Massa,” was the exclamation of the poor negro. “No matter if you cannot,” was all the reply of one, whose heart had already found its full reward in the generous impulse it had cherished, and in the pure happiness it had conferred. Mrs. AYinslow’s views on this subject may be gathered from the following letter to her mother: —

“I wish, my dear mamma, to give my two negroes, Ben and John, their freedom. I cannot bear the idea of havinoslaves. But if you think it most for their good to keep them in my service, I will have their freedom made out, so that at my death they may not be liable to be sold or made slaves. I sometimes think, that to give such a poor creature as John his freedom now, (in other words to cast him off,) he would soon go to ruin. But still I would desire so to manage things as to make him free whenever he can maintain himself, and to secure his freedom now in case I should be called home.”

It is almost needless to add that her directions were immediately and fullv complied with. And vet it was one of her bitterest self-accusations, as from the close of her pilgrimage she looked upon its past, that she had ever been the involuntary possessor of a slave. It is true, they were inherited and not purchased — were kindly treated, justly remunerated, and ultimately freed; yet, as the shadows of eternity deepened around her, this solemn backs-round of human life brouoht out in bolder relief the circumstances and events of bygone years, and she was known to weep and humble herself before God, for her past participation in an evil which now appeared in a light so sinful, and in a character so abhorrent.

The spiritual mind will sympathize with the exercises detailed in the followino- letter.

To her Mother. — “Oh that I could commit, with my soul, all my temporal concerns into the hands of my covenant God, and feel that He who has the hearts of all men at His command will give me all things, and do all things necessary for me! for Jesus will ’ do all things well.’ Pray, my precious mother, that He would increase my faith, for I need it every hour and everv moment of the dav. I often go to Him with the intention of casting all my cares upon Him, but as often bring them away again. Oh, how far, how very far do I fall short of what a true Christian ought to be! I grieve and lament my shortcomings, and long to evince myself, by practice as well as by profession, a lowly follower of Jesus Christ; and He, I trust, with whom all things are possible, will enable me to overcome and be more than conqueror. All my hope is in Him, my eye is up to Him; and He has promised that he will in nowise cast out. Pray for me.”

In the extract which follows, we trace the early workings of that simple, yet strong faith — a faith all the stronger because so childlike — for which her whole Christian life was so remarkable. It records, too, one of those providential interpositions which so frequently appear in her history. Her eldest son had recently left her, on a visit to Bermuda, and she thus writes to her mother: —

“I long to hear from my precious child, but still I am not so uneasy about him as you and others would imagine; for I know who commands the winds and the waves, and I know also who has said, If you ask anything in my nanie it shall he granted you. So you see the Lord calls me to walk by faith, and He gives me faith to trust Him, to His own praise and glory. I awoke last night and discovered my room on fire — three of my children were with me. I had prayed that the Lord would watch over me and mine, and not forgetting you

and B, and keep us from danger. He heard my petition.

I awoke just in time to save myself and family from being lurnt. It was occasioned by a spark falling from the rushlight upon the dressing-table, which set fire to the wainscot and the table, which were burning when I awoke, I extinguished the fire, opened the door to let the smoke escape — for both rooms were filled — without alarming the family, and retired to bed again to meditate on the goodness of God to such an unworthy creature. Has He not said that His angels encamp round about His people; and have I not reason to believe Him and bless Him for all His mercies? So you see, my beloved mother, that you have no occasion to be uneasy about me, for I am in very precious hands. I only grieve that I make no greater progress in the Divine life. But what a mercy to be in the way to heaven; and sure I am that He who has put me in that way will keep me there until the time comes to call me to partake of those blessings He has purchased for me with the precious price of His own blood.”

But a dark cloud was now gathering over her domestic happiness. The remarkable grace we have seen developing itself in the infancy of her Christian life, was about to pass through the crucible. The precious faith, so richly bestowed, was now to be tried as by fire. And, perhaps, from this period of her history may be dated the commencement of those disciplinary dealings of her Heavenly Father, which gave such a decided impress and complexion to her future life; and to the salutary influence of which may be attributed that completeness and mellowness of Christian character, for which she afterwards became so eminent. The affliction to which we now refer, was the renewed and alarming illness of her husband, the circumstances of which, and the exercises of her mind on the occasion, she thus details: —

“My dearest Mamma, — London, An. 22, 1813.

“I know it will distress you to hear that my beloved husband is again laid on a bed of sickness, perhaps the bed of death. He was getting better, and was looking as well as ever he did; but I thouo-ht the Lord would brinor him low to save his soul. The world and worldly people were alluring him from all his good resolutions. On Tuesday eveninoj I took a short walk with him, and then left him in cfood health, to go to the House of God. On my return, I was told that he had retired. I had stopped to visit a dying saint, and thus made it late before I returned. As soon as he heard me, he called me from the head of the stairs, to come to him. I found him pale and trembling, for just as he was stepping into bed, he coughed and raised blood. I sent for the physician, and endeavoured to tranquillize his mind. The doctor came, but said it was so little he would not bleed him, and after taking something prescribed, he composed himself to sleep. The next morning he appeared as well as usual, and came down stairs. But about twelve o’clock the dreadful haemorrhage returned rapidly. I sent off for another physician, a Christian man. They took nearly a quart of blood from his arm. The haemorrhage then abated for about an hour, when it returned ao;ain, and continued off and on until five o’clock. Mv dearest mother, how you would have felt to have witnessed the agony of his distressed mind. He said there was no hope for him — that he had neglected the day of salvation, and the Lord would have no mercy on his soul. He implored me to pray for him continually. I did pray. I spoke to him of the love of Jesus, and entreated him to call upon Him who had promised that those who came to Him he would in nowise cast out. He hung upon every word I said, and repeated, ‘Oh, that I had but taken your advice!’ He could not speak much, but I continued to repeat to him every precious promise as well as I was able. He now lies between life and death. But while there is life there is hope. The doctors have some hoyes to-night that he may recover. The sight of the children threw him into great agitation. Two hours ago he exclaimed, ‘Jesus,

0 blessed Jesus! manifest Thyself to me!’ It was the first prayer I ever heard him utter; and I doubt not but Jesus has heard it, too. The physician spoke sweetly to him, and implored him to continue to call upon the Lord until He answered him. Mr. Stewart has also been with him, and endeavoured to lead him to Jesus. We have just been at prayer by his bed-side, and I am now writing close by him.

“This, my precious mother, has been, and is, a trying time to me; but the Lord, ever faithful to His promise, is with me, and eives me strenfrth accordino- to my dav. Fear not for me; God is my Father; He watches over me, and will not afflict me beyond what he will give me strength to bear; and

1 trust, if it is the Lord’s will. He will again restore him. I have entreated him not to think of me or of his children, but only to think of his own soul. I read and pray, and watch over him, and am scarcely a moment from his side. He sa.js, if he is but spared, how differently will he live. Oh, that Jesus may hear my prayer, and cause his soul to rejoice.

‘■^Friday nighty 23. — My precious Winslow has had a good night, and has continued so throughout the day. The bleeding has not returned, but the physician says he is not out of danger. He says nothing, for he is not allowed to speak; but I trust he thinks the more. We have just been at prayer by his side. Good Mr. Baker engaged in prayer, and all the family, as usual, attended. May the Lord in mercy hear our prayers! My spirits, which for two days and nights have been wonderfully supported, to-night a little flagged, and a trifling thing threw me into tears. I have everything to be thankful for; but my mind has been on the full stretch, and weeping now is a relief. But I am, thank God, well, and have no fear but for the salvation of my precious husband’s immortal soul. Oh, may he be led, in this affliction, to seek Jesus with all his heart!

“24. — Thank God, he is better to-day. Oh, may this warn him to flee from the wrath to come! but I am afraid it will not suffice. His distress is not occasioned, I fear, by sin committed against a holy, good, and righteous God, but from a fear of death. However, the Lord knows best how to work upon the siimer’s heart, and I trust He will save his soul.

“Saturday afternoon. — The physician has seen Winslow, and says he thinks he will do well. He implored him to pray to the Physician of souls, who knew his heart, and could read

there his desires. I am rejoiced you have ]Mis3 M with

you: I doubt not, from what Mr. S. tells me, she is a child of God, and knows what it is to be born again. lay she prove a real blessing to you. Tell her I love her, because she belongs to the fold of Jesus, and for her attachment to you. May the Lord, whom we serve, strengthen your heart to persevere in the blessed cause, and to show to all about you what great things he has wrought in your soul! Broad is the road to destruction, and many go therein; narrow is the road that leads to glory, and there are few, comparatively, who find it — happy few! And, oh, what a mercy that he has guided our feet there! Our souls and bodies ought to be devoted to Him, to glorify Him for His distinguishing grace; for what are we more than others, that He should fix His everlasting love upon us while we were dead in trespasses and in sins? But He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. Blessed, for ever blessed, be His adored name. Oh, for grace to serve Him better, and to love Him more! We love Him because He first loved us. Our love is the effect, and not the cause, of His love to us.

“Sept. 3. — I know it will please you to have a line, especially as I can tell you my dearest Winslow is mending as fast as I could wish. May grace be as thriving in his soul as health is in his body! I am strong, and in good spirits; for my Friend above reigneth, and He has enabled me to cast every weight of care upon Him. I have everything to praise Him for; for

goodness and loving-kindness follow me all my days. Mrs.

said to me the other day,” What a blessing it is, situated as you are, that you are religious! ‘She might have said, ‘What a blessing it is that God is your Friend! ‘Oh, the sweets of religion! To know the Lord Jesus is our Friend, surpasses every earthly good, and is better than the possession of a thousand worlds. To have Him to go to, — to lay before Him all our wants, to express om- fears, to plead his promises, and to expect that because He has promised He will fulfil, — is worth more than all the world can give. His ear is ever open to the prayer of his people, and,

‘Thouo-h hell and death obstmet the way,
‘Ihe weakest saint shall win the day.’

“Mv precious husband begins to understand and to love the truth. He who has l)egun a good work, will complete it in him. He loves and admires Mr. Sheppard, our worthy clergyman, who regularly visits us once a fortnight; and although AYinslow does not say much, he listens with the profoundest attention to evervthins; of a serious nature when we have anv religious friends Avitli us.”

Thus, the dark cloud, enshrouding her domestic happiness, and which for a while wore an aspect so threatening, was in a measure removed. The pious physician, to whom allusion is made in the preceding extracts, merits a passing notice. The gentleman referred to, was the late Dr. James Hamilton, a name as sacred to religion as it was dear to science. The peculiar and salutary influence of the Christian physician was, perhaps, never more strikingly illustrated than in the case of Dr. Hamilton. Everywhere, and on all occasions, he was the man of God; but nowhere did his Christianity shine with so rich a lustre as by the side of the sick bed. On one occasion, when allusion was made to the happy results of a prescription, with lowliness he remarked, that he “never prescribed a remedy unaccompanied with a prayer for the Divine blessing upon its use.” It was frequently his habit, extensive as was his practice, to spend five minutes in prayer, before retiring from the sick room, thus leaving upon the mind of his patient a most soothing, healthful influence.* What an incalculable blessing may such an individual be! The Christian physician

* A marble tablet, erected to his memory in the City Road Chapel, thus truthfully records his many Christian virtues: “His religion was exhibited in his medical profession, in his family, in his general intercourse with society, in the sweetness and amiability of his temper, in the habitual composure and happiness of his life, and pre-eminently in his Catholic spirit, which led him to love all who feared God, without any distinction of sect or party. He ascribed his eminent success in his professional efforts to the power of God in answer to prayer: and he lived and died with the abidingvconviction of his own un worthiness as a sinner, and of the sufficiency of a Saviour’s righteousness, at the good. old age of eighty-six.”

is begirt with opportunities of usefulness, to which the gospel minister can scarcely aspire. The clergyman is, in most instances, the last attendant of a sick room thought of, the last summoned, and often when too late to be of any essential avail — the patient, perhaps, worn by fever, racked with agony, or stupified by anodynes. But the Christian physician is the constant attendant; he possesses the ear, the confidence, and the grateful regard of the sick person. Without awaking a needless suspicion of danger, and thereby producing undue excitement, he can direct the languid eye to the good and great Physician of the soul, and tell of His blood, the only remedy for the mind’s malady. Thus, like his divine Master, whom of all others he most closely resembles, he may travel from ward to ward in this vast hospital, “healing all manner of diseases, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” Who, as he accompanies Dr. Hamilton to the bedside of the sinking and alarmed patient, and marks his affectionate fidelity and Christian concern for the higher interests of the soul, feels not a desire that a vocation so ennobled as a science, and so purely benevolent as a profession, might be universally sanctified and consecrated by religion?

Mrs. Winslow’s ecclesiastical views at this period may be gathered from the following letter to her mother: —

“We are going on as usual, so that there is nothing important to tell you. My religious ^^(ursuits are my greatest delight; and I can truly say, religion’s ways are to me ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace. I had a long conversation

with Mr. the other day on this subject; but as I am not

a member of his communion, and dishke much I see in it, and as he is very bigoted to his own views, we, of course, cannot in manv thincfs airree. But, lest you should wonder wherein we differ, it will be necessary to say it is only on church government and ordinances; and as he sees not with the Church of England, while I remain in it, he thinks I act wrong. But as I see so many errors in his, I will remain where I am until I find a purer and more perfect branch of Christ’s church. I hear the gospel in its greatest purity and excellence, and next to communion with God, it is my greatest comfort and joy to wait upon the preaching of the word. Hardly any weather keeps me at home.’”

Warmly attached, however, as she was to the Established Church, to which she then belonged, her soul, panting for the living water, could slake its thirst at any channel through which it flowed. She delighted, therefore, to attend the weekly ministration of ministers of Christ, other than those of her own church; and regularly once a-week she walked a mile to Islington Chapel, where her soul was often refreshed by its services. The eminent provincial ministers, who at this period supplied in rotation the pulpits of Tottenham Court Road Chapel, and the Tabernacle, ]Ioorfields, frequently allured her to these “wells of salvation,” from which, in seasons of trial and spiritual dejection, she often returned invigorated and comforted. She manifested, at this stage of her Christian course, a deep interest in the spread of the gospel through all lands; and thus refers, in a letter to her mother, to the religious anniversaries then transpiring: —

“I am just going into the City, to attend the Missionary Meeting, and will write to you on my return. Evening. — I did not return from the meeting until five o’clock, and then only had time to take a cup of coffee, and hurry off to the evening service. I have indeed been animated to-day, at seeing so many of God’s dear people exerting their powers to the

utmost for the spread of the everlasting gospel. T and I

set out, as soon as I arranged my family matters for the day, and we were fortunately at the London Tavern in time to obtain sittings; for many ladies stood the whole service. The speaking lasted from two o’clock until five. All was animation and zeal. My favourite, ]Ir. AVilberforce, was most excellent. The eloquence of the orator, the elegance of the gentleman, and the piety of the Christian, were all blended in him, and in all he said. The crowd was very great, and the applause at the different speeches so loud and so long that my head ached while my heart rejoiced. Lord Gambier was in the chair, and what little ’ he said showed that his heart and soul were devoted to Jesus. I never saw such an assemblage of gospel ministers in one place before, and such a number of ladies, whose countenances beamed with delight, and whose tears bespoke their love to the cause of Christ. This is a busy week for the church militant. Missionary meetings and sermons in all directions, and by the Church of England, Independents, and Baptists; for here they all sweetly unite in sending the blessed gospel to the poor heathen. Besides this, there is a societv formed for instructino: the Jews, and brins-ina: God’s ancient people (or rather using the means, with His blessing, for bringing them) to bow their knee to our Immanuel. This meeting also takes place this week, and I am invited, as a member of the society, to attend, at which I shall, please God, have the happiness of seeing manv Jews baptized in the name of Jesus. How I shall rejoice, when it pleases God to bring you to us, to go with you to such places; for I know it will gladden your heart. May the Captain of our salvation keep us steady and persevering! And when I see the many temptations all around me, and feel my own weakness, I indeed work out my own salvation with fear and trembhng. What a glorious animating prospect we have before us! A crown of glory — an inheritance incornqjtible undefiltd, and that fadeth not aicay; and this is reserved in heaven for God’s people, and they are kept for it by the mighty power of God. Fear not, little /lock, says Jesus; it is your Father s good, ^9?ea- ure to give you the kingdom. Good-night.”

The following familiar letter is introduced as being the only one in the volume which affords anything like a particular reference to her young family; thus supplying a link in the narrative, which, perhaps, would otherwise be missed: —

“My dearest Mother, — Twickenham Common.

“Yours was forwarded to me at this place, where

I am for a week, with my dear little suffering 0, in the

hope, with God’s blessing, the change of air may be of service. The Lord onlv knows whether I shall ever rear him. The physician in town pronounces him in a decline, but that the change of air may be of service. He is very dear and precious to me; but I desire to resign him into His hand, who is able to rescue him even from the grave; and if it be His blessed will to take him, I have a humble hope that He will give me grace to say, TJiy will he done! But oh, my dear mother, you know my heart is wrapped up in my children; and this sweet little sufferer is particularly dear to me, because he has been almost all his life afflicted; and I beUeve, if every hair of his head were numbered, I have had a tear, a sigh, a groan for each one. I am often afraid the Lord is chastening me for my too anxious concern about my children. But I know that all He does will eventually be for mv o:ood and His glory.

“I have a little cottage on Twickenham Common for a month, where the air is fine, and all the other children seem much benefited by it, I liavo with me the five younger children. I and E, with a young friend of theirs, come

down to me on Saturday, as they then break up for the Midsummer. Dear little F is one of the loveHest boys, perhaps, you ever saw. R grows a fine fellow, and often

talks of you and his little wife. He is a good-looking boy,

nearly as tall as G, who is as wild as possible, and as lazy

as T. I received a letter from him yesterdav, at Cadiz,

but there is no prospect at present of his coming home.*.... God is my Shepherd, and all my concerns are in His hands. Blessed, forever blessed, be His dear and holy name, who has looked with everlasting mercy on such a poor, vile smner as me, and encouraged me with such sweet manifestations of His love, to trust my soul and all my interests in His hands; and

if God is for me, wio can prevail against me? If Mrs.

comes home, I will endeavour to see her for your sake; but I rather decline much intercourse with worldly people; for if one can do them no good, they are sure to do you some harm. May the Lord bless you in your soul, and enable you to follow after the one thing needful, and induce you to make that the chief concern of your life! Religion is a personal thing; we must not leave our salvation to an uncertainty, and merely consider Jesus as the Saviour of sinners; but we are to know that He is our Saviour; and the Scriptures encourage us to press forward until we do ascertain this; and God has never promised what he does not mean to perform. The ever-blessed Jesus has encouraged us to ask and implore, and we must take no denial, but, like the importunate w’idow, never rest until He blesses us, and assures us by the witness of the Spirit, that He is ours, and that we are His blood-bought children. May He give His blessing to these imperfect words, is the earnest prayer, my dearest mamma, of your affectionate daughter.”

* Her eldest son, then a midsbipmau in the Royal Navy.