dancing days for the slaves; Mr. Wray had frequently represented to the Governor the importance of changing the day to some other in the week, and his Excellency had always seemed to favour the idea. The effort at length bore fruit, for under date 11th April (Easter Sunday) is the record:

"In my return to the Protector last August, I particularly enlarged on the evil of legally setting two or three Sabbaths in the year (as dancing days) and of holding the public market on the Sabbath. I find Sir George Murray has been pleased to notice with approbation my statement respecting the dancing days, and has requested that they shall be removed from the Sabbath; and in new laws by the King in Council which came out a few weeks since, the Sabbath markets and compulsory working (of the slaves) on the Sabbath are for ever abolished. Also the compulsory manumission clause is established, and there are several other beneficial regulations for the slave. Blessed be God for putting it into the hearts of our great men to do these things."

With improved circumstances, the pioneer wisely adopted improved and suitable methods, even though, so far, appar ently new in Berbice. On Whitsunday of this year, according to previous announcement, he held a public examination in Scripture knowledge, of all children who had been baptized and taught; also addressing them along with their parents and others who presented them; following all up, on the succeeding Sunday afternoon, by a further examination and by the distribution, to the most deserving, of medals from the British and Foreign School Society, and of Bibles, Testaments, Hymn and other books from the Bible and Tract Societies.

He still did what he could, though increasingly disabled by his personal affliction. But with July came another time of sickness throughout the whole town, continuing to the end of September. Doctors said they never had so much. Mr. Wray, for several weeks, was quite unable to preach, and members of his family and inmates of his house were

frequently stricken with fever. Several church-members died very suddenly, and a most promising youth of nineteen, a Crown slave employed at the sawmill, baptized when a little boy and in whom the missionary took a deep interest, passed away in the faith of the Gospel.

The Rev. M. Lewis, hearing of Mr. Wray's prostration, arrived early on Sunday, 11th July, and stayed until the 29th, conducting public worship and preaching. His services proved very acceptable, the chapel being crowded by persons of all colours. "He seems," the pastor writes, "an excellent, pious young man, and I trust will be very useful.”

Young Jane, who, after being seriously unwell, had somewhat recovered, it was decided, should go to England; and all alone, but in charge of their friend Captain Cook of the Highbury, who kindly gave her a free passage, the child, in September, took her departure. Though most affectionate, "the dear girl went willingly and manifested much decision and firmness." Happily all went well, and like her elder sisters, Jane lived to become a useful Christian lady and to attain a good old age.*

One awful event in July, shocking to the Colony, was particularly so to the two missionaries. Going on the 12th with Mr. Lewis to introduce him to the Governor and the Fiscal, at the house of the latter Mr. Wray met a Mr. Kewley, owner of estate No. 49, on the East or Corentyne. Coast, who, it is remarked, quite shocked Mr. Lewis by his profane swearing. This Mr. K. had hired some slaves who had long lived on the West Coast, and who, having heard their mistress was hiring them out to go so far off, ran away. The Fiscal, however, had succeeded in getting them back, had brought them over the river and put them in gaol until the schooner was ready to take them. On the 14th, they and Mr. K., with some other whites, about thirty souls altogether,

* In later days she became Mrs. Goss, Exeter; surviving her husband until the close of 1890.

set sail. It was customary to hail vessels passing the fort and, if they did not answer, to bring them to.

"I never heard of any accident or injury done before," writes Mr. Wray, "but as these were passing the fort a gun was fired to bring them to, and whether obeyed or not I cannot say; but a second was fired and, by accident or mismanagement, the shot struck the vessel. Some on board narrowly escaped, but none received hurt except Mr. K., whom the ball struck dead on the spot, rending his body almost in twain."

In a few hours, the shattered remains were buried, a very great number of people attending."

As the year drew to a close, the pioneer again became very weak, disposed also to write bitter things against

himself.

"I am very low; I have indeed need of patience, yet my temper is very irritable and I manifest great impatience. Oh that my God would be with me and help me to bear my affliction with patience and resignation!"

But again Mr. Lewis, coming over with Mrs. Lewis, was able to render help. Forty adults and twenty-five children had been baptized during the year; eighteen persons admitted to the Lord's Table, all slaves, except one; and there had been seventeen legal marriages of slaves.

The new year, 1831, was begun, as usual, with a service at 7 A.M, which consisted of prayer and praise.

"Thus far the Lord has led us on," Mr. Wray notes, "I trust from the prospects before us that the increase will be far greater this year as the people are advancing in knowledge, and there is a growing desire among the slaves for improvement."

Its opening day saw the last of a very aged and somewhat historical character.

"1st January.-Buried old Frederick. He was past ninetynine years of age. For the services he rendered to the Whites in the dreadful insurrection of the slaves in 1763, he was freed, and has received an annual pension ever since."

The growing attendance at the chapel services, advancing

beyond the capacity of the building to accommodate it, demanded an enlargement of the edifice, which was now planned and put into execution. Besides this, land had been obtained on the other side of the river, and people were subscribing weekly and monthly sums for a place of worship there. Also a few miles higher up the river, on the East Bank, a favourable opening for work was presenting itself. Mr. Wray's increasing affliction seemed the only drawback. This more frequently rendered him helpless. Then, "I see my dear wife and daughters constantly engaged, while I do nothing but moan and groan.'

In January, however, he was cheered, not only by hearing of the safe arrival of young Jane, her good health and that of his son Robert, but by "a very kind and sympathetic letter from the Society, promising another to take his place. and to arrange for himself and Mrs. Wray returning to England for a short time." All which was very grateful to the heart of the tried but devoted pioneer.

February brought further communications to the effect "that myself and Mrs. Wray are at liberty to return to England as soon as we wish, and authorize me to invite Mr. Lewis to take care of the congregation in my absence."

This arrangement was ultimately adopted. Propped up a few weeks until the work of enlarging the chapel was about completed, then leaving the Rev. Mr. Lewis in charge of the mission, and the two eldest daughters in charge of the private school and of the home; the suffering minister and his dear wife embarked on board the Highbury, Captain Cook, amid the most affectionate attentions of their poor people, and assurances of unceasing prayers on their behalf ; amid the politest attentions shown by the white and coloured inhabitants. In three days the Highbury left the bar, and on 14th April, just twenty-two years since Mrs. Wray had arrived in Guiana, and which had been spent by her without intermission there, the voyage home was fairly begun.

also

CHAPTER VII.

VISIT WITH MRS. WRAY TO ENGLAND; TO NEGRO

EMANCIPATION.

APRIL, 1831—August, 1834.

Reception in England-History of Mission-Early Return-Death of Rev. M. Lewis-Reception in Berbice-In Harness Again-William O. Ramsey-Coming Changes-Berbice Colony: Union with Demerara, &c.-Lonsdale Chapel: Liberality of New Governor, &c.: Sudden Death of Builder-Town Chapel: Third Enlargement—Rev. James and Mrs. Scott-Lonsdale Chapel: Opening-Increase, 1832-Reported Schism.

THE Voyage to England, also that back again to Berbice, seem to have been without particular incident, Mr. Wray making no note upon either. Of the interval, about seven months, we have the following memorandum, here slightly condensed::

"6th June. This day myself and Mrs. Wray landed in England. We were received with great kindness by our nephew. On the Monday evening following I was introduced by Mr. Hankey to the Board of Directors, in the most affectionate and flattering manner, so much so that I felt quite ashamed. They have manifested the greatest kindness to me. I have always attended their Monday evening committee, when in London; and have been treated with great respect. I also generally attended the Committee meeting of the Tract Society on Tuesday morning; felt much interest in it, and was always edified. The Committees of the Bible Society and the School Society also I had the pleasure of attending, and was kindly received. On the 5th