Martial in town; an unfortunate circumstance at this important juncture, as the negroes were left entirely to themselves. Blessed be God that another house is erected in Berbice for the worship of Jehovah!"

A glance at the home country and friends there, will appropriately close this chapter.

The venerable philanthropist, Wilberforce, had passed away, not, however, without a knowledge and pledge of the crowning triumph that was at hand; for "the last public information he received was, that his country was willing to redeem itself from the national disgrace at any sacrifice." * "Thank God," said he, "that I should have lived to witness a day in which England is willing to give twenty millions sterling for the abolition of slavery." His remains, intended for private interment, had, by request of members of both Houses of Parliament-where once he and his measures were the objects of intensest virulence-been laid in Westminster Abbey, followed thither by royalty, peers, and

commoners.

His successor in the leadership, Mr. Buxton, not forgetting, either in private or in public, to give God the glory of the triumph won, spent the

"spring and summer of 1834 chiefly in active exertions for the benefit of those so soon to be liberated; watching the regulations adopted in different islands; carefully investigating the appointment of stipendiary magistrates; and especially endeavouring to provide for the education and religious instruction of the Negroes. He was in constant communication on this subject with Mr. Stanley, and corresponded largely with the secretaries of various benevolent societies."

The important scheme of the Mico Trust which after much expense and trouble had been successfully established, occupied then a deal of his time and attention in seeing to the proper and most efficient application of the money.

* Life, &c., vol. v. p. 370.

"He spared no labour in the endeavour to establish schools, and to procure schoolmasters of ability and piety." All such work was of course shared by other officials and many friends.

"When the anxiously expected first of August at length arrived, it was kept very generally throughout England as a day of rejoicing. To Mr. Buxton, it was rendered memorable not only by the consummation of that great work to which his heart had so ardently been given, but also because on this day, his eldest daughter was married;" Priscilla, who had been his chief secretary.

"In the evening, the leading abolitionists dined together at the Freemasons' Tavern; the Earl of Mulgrave, the late Governor of Jamaica, in the chair. But many of those who shared in the festivities of the day could not divest themselves of the feeling of uneasiness, when they thought of what might, at that very time, be passing in the West Indies. The period that intervened between August, 1833, when Mr. Stanley's motion became law, and 1st August, 1834, when it was to take effect, had indeed passed away in unexampled tranquillity. But, would not the gloomy predictions of the West Indians be now fulfilled? The bloodshed, the rioting, the drunkenness, the confusion they had so often foretold-would not these tarnish the lustre of this glorious deed of the British people?

"It was, therefore, with feelings of deep solicitude, that Mr. Buxton and his friends awaited the news from the Colonies. He was at Northrepps Hall, when, on the 10th of September, a large pile of letters came in with the Colonial stamps upon them. Well-knowing that they would contain the long-looked-for intelligence, he took them, still sealed, in his hand, and walked out into the wood; desiring no witness but One of the emotion and anxiety he experienced. He opened them; and deep indeed was his joy and gratitude to God, when he found that one letter after another was filled with accounts of the admirable conduct of the Negroes on the great day of freedom. Throughout the Colonies the churches and chapels had been thrown open, and the slaves had crowded into them on the evening of the 31st of July. As the hour of midnight approached,

they fell upon their knees, and awaited the solemn moment, all hushed in silent prayer. When twelve sounded from the chapel bells, they sprang upon their feet, and through every island rang the glad sound of thanksgiving to the Father of all; for the chains were broken, and the slaves were free."*

Many were the beautiful verses which the occasion called forth. Those by James Montgomery stand, it is said, preeminent. Placed side by side with the same author's lines on the burial of the "Missionary Smith," already given, they form a striking monument of change and many things that had gone on during the ten years between. Are not the two pieces worthy of a more frequent place in our young people's reading or recitation books than they seem to have?

"Hie to the mountains afar,

All in the cool of the even,
Led by yon beautiful star,

First of the daughters of heaven:

Sweet to the slave is the season of rest:
Something far sweeter he looks for to-night,

His heart lies awake in the depth of his breast,
And listens till God shall say, 'Let there be light!'

"Climb we the mountain, and stand

High in mid-air, to inhale,

Fresh from our old fatherland,
Balm in the ocean-borne gale.

Darkness yet covers the face of the deep:
Spirit of freedom! go forth in thy might,

To break up our bondage, like infancy's sleep,

The moment when God shall say, 'Let there be light!'

"Gaze we awhile from this peak,

Praying in thought while we gaze;
Watch for the dawning's first streak,—
Prayer then be turned into praise.

Shout to the valleys, 'Behold ye the morn,
Long, long desired, but denied to our sight!'
Lo! myriads of slaves into men are new-born,
The word was omnipotent-'Let there be light!'

* Life of Buxton, pp. 291-297.

"Hear it and hail it ;-the call

Island to island prolong ;-
Liberty! liberty! all

Join in that jubilee song.

Hark, 'tis the children's hosannahs that ring!
Hark, they are freemen, whose voices unite!
While England, the Indies, and Africa sing,

'Amen! hallelujah!' to 'Let there be light!'"

CHAPTER VIII.

NEGRO EMANCIPATION TO PIONEER'S DEATH.

AUGUST, 1834-JUNE, 1837.

Rapid Progress-Station on East Coast-Arrival of Rev. Daniel and Mrs. Kenyon-Orange Chapel: Opening-Hanover Chapel Enlarged -Native Catechists-Crowded Anniversaries-Learning to ReadBible Society's Gift: Response of Mission, &c.—Improvements in Commerce, &c.-Heavy Rains-Ordination of Deacons—Arrival of Rev. Giles and Mrs. Forward-Waterloo Chapel: Opening-History of Mission-Town Flooded-Death of "America"-Arrival of Bible Society Agent: Journeys with him-Death of Son Robert: a Great Blow-Sympathy Shown-Visit from Governor-Rev. J. and Mrs. Mirams: Return to England—Rev. J. and Mrs. Howe: Recruiting— Deaths of Valued Helpers--Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Parish-New British Schoolroom.

THE work of the Mission, of instruction and amelioration, now went on with more than redoubled speed; while heathen dances, drunkenness, rowdyism, and revelling proportionately ceased. As was foreseen by the pioneer, there arose, through the abuse of the apprenticeship clauses, a serious and widespread hitch in the carrying out of the Emancipation Act, which Berbice did not escape; and which, as will presently be told more at length, involved Mr. Wray among others in a considerable expenditure of time and trouble. But if, like boulders in the stream-course, it caused a noise, yet it could not stop the flow; and, as sometimes in their case, the current at length swept the clauses clean away.