VII. Every man, upon taking his first wife, is entitled to a well built stone house, consisting of two apartments, and is to receive a sow pig, and a pair of dung hill fowls, as a donation from the proprietor. VIII. Sufficient land is set apart for the use of the people, and half an acre is annexed to each house, as the property of the occupant for the time being; separate pastures are allotted for their hogs; and each head of a family is permitted to keep one sow: but to prevent their pastures from being overstocked, the whole of the pigs are to be sold off, when fit for the spit, one only excepted, which may be reared for pork, if confined to a pen. One quart of corn is to be stopped out of the weekly allowance of every slave who keeps a sow; and is to be delivered to some trusty negro, chosen by themselves, who is daily to feed the hogs that may be running in their pasture; nothing is to be deducted from the allowance of any slave, who may choose to keep his hogs in his own pen. IX Two suits of oznaburgs, or some other coarse linen; and one suit of woollen, are to be allowed annually, to each slave, of whatever ageA blanket once in three years-and the women receive an additional blanket, and a straw bed, at each time of lying in. The midwife's fee is three dollars; but she receives nothing if the child should die within the month. X. The drivers are not to inflict any correction exceeding one dozen stripes, (without stripping or binding the offender) except by order of the proprietor, or his agent: and to prevent oppression, notes are to be made in the Journal of every punishment inflicted, however small. XI. In cases of Adultery, the man forfeits his hogs, poultry, and other moveable effects; which are to be sold, and the proceeds paid over to the injured husband-Both offenders are moreover to be whipt; their heads to be shaved, and they are to wear Sack-cloth, (viz. gowns and caps made of cotton bagging) for the next half year; during which time they are not to go beyond the limits of the plantation, under the penalty of being whipt XII. The offence of running away is also punished by whipping, shaving the bead, wearing sack-cloth, confinement to the plantation, and forfeiture of goods, which last are to be seized by the driver. They are afterwards to be sold, and the money laid out in the purchase of books for the School. XIII. All punishments exceeding one dozen stripes are to be inflicted with due solemnity, in the presence of all the slaves of the plantation, and with the common military cat. West India cart-whips, and American cowskins are utterly prohibited; and no punishment can lawfully exceed thirty-nine stripes. XIV. The Proprietor claims the pre-emption of all hogs, pigs, poultry, and eggs, which the people may have for sale, and for which he is to pay the Nassau prices; to be fixed by the driver and two other men chosen by the seller. XV. An ox (or a competent number of hogs) is to be killed for the Christmas dinner of the people; and Rum, Sugar, Pipes and Tobacco are served out on that day. XVI. The proprietor allows the driver, at Clifton, and the principal berdsmen at Tasculum, a brood mare each, for the purpose of enabling them more frequently and expeditiously to ride over the pasture grounds and other lands. They are not to sell those mares; but are entitled to their increase. He moreover gives them an allowance of twelve guineas a year, each, in quarterly payments, in addition to the usual plantation provisions and clothing. This, however, only when no overseer is employed. XVII. A scarcity of provisions has sometimes made it necessary to reduce the weekly allowance of provisions below that which is established by law, in which cases the children are to be victualled by the nursery wo man; and all deficiences are immediately to be made up in money, te labouring hands, according to the current price of Guinea corn in Nassau. XVIII. People in the sick list are not to remain at their houses, except by express permission; but on being taken sick, are forthwith to repair to the hospital, where proper attention will be paid to them. While in the hospital, they are to be properly supplied with tea, gruel, broth, and other necessaries; but are to receive no regular allowances of provisions. XIX. On working days, the children are to be carried, early every morning, by their mothers, to the nursery, where proper care will be taken of them during the day; and their mothers are to call for them when they return from their work in the afternoon. Women who have children at the breast, are never to be sent to any distance from the homestead. XX. These regulations are to be publicly read to the people immediately after prayers, upon the first Sunday in January and July, in every year. Given under my hand, at Nassau, the 15th day of July, 1815. MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. lected. He did so; and got forty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and sixpence Extract of a Letter from Mr. TURTON, to sterling, on his subscription list. This I the MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. Harbour Island, June 19, 1815. Hon. and Rev. Fathers and Brethren, Seeing the Lord has continued his goodness, and enabled me to do something in his vineyard, I feel my duty to inform you of my proceedings since our District Meeting. According to our regular order of exchanging in these islands, New Providence became my circuit this year; but as brother Ward was not acquainted with the islands, the manner of travelling, living, &c. and I was not able to do the duty of N. P. through the summer months, I concluded it best to leave him on the circuit, especially as he requested it. Accordingly, I set sail on April 21st, and arrived the next day, at Harbour Island, the healthiest spot in the Bahamas. Blessed be the name of the Lord, I found all things much as they had been described at the District Meeting. The people, or rather, many of them, were hungering and thirst ing after God, and growing in grace. They received me with great joy: our meetings were numerous and lively, and every thing promised future prosperity. When brother Dowson was on this cireuit, the temporary addition to the old hired house, became considerably too small for the congregation; and the old-hired house, from hurricanes, became so much out of repair, that, in rainy seasons, it could not be used with any degree of comfort. He wrote to me on the subject, signifying, at the same time, that the people were willing to assist in building a chapel. I requested him to propose a subscription, and see what could be col thought was considerably too small a sum to begin with, having no other means to obtain money for carrying on the work: but as Harbour Island was my station for half this year, I proposed making the trial whether something more could not be obtained, to encourage the undertaking. On my arrival, I mentioned the matter, and received for answer, that "the people were poor; and that the scarcity of provisions called for every shilling they could get." On hearing this, I gave up the thought of building, and concluded, that, though our accommodations were small and bad, nay, very bad, they must do for the present; there was no way to better ourselves. While I was thus in despair, of accomplishing the desired end we had in view, a member, who lately joined us, and who is the most opulent on the island, came forward, contrary to my most sanguine expectations, and said, 'Sir, a chapel is really wanting in this place, and the people cannot spare much at present to assist in the building; but if you will undertake the building, I will furnish you with money; and when the chapel is finished, let the seats be sold yearly, and I will receive the price of them in part payment." I thought this a way opened by Providence, for getting a chapel, and observed, "Sir, we cannot at this moment command money; but if you will furnish us with what is wanting for the work, in addition to the subscriptions, when the chapel is finished, and seats sold, you shall have the price of them; and whatever is then due to you, I will, according to custom, pay you interest for." The chapel is begun; and as I have from three to four months to remain here, I hope to see it finished before I leave the place. The work in this place is worthy of a chapel. There are several small places connected with this, that make a respectable congregation. The people at two of these places have built small chapels at their own settlements. Indeed this town, independent of any other, affords a genteel congregation. Many profess to be members of the Established Church; but they regularly attend our service, and will purchase seats in our chapel. As soon as the inhabitants of Green Turtle Key heard of the work in this place, the chapel building, &c. they sent me the following letter, signed by twentyone persons, who appeared to me to be heads of families. “To the Rev. Mr. W. TURTON, Green Turtle Key, June 1, 1815. Sir. "This being the first time that we ever presumed to write to you, we beg to be excused for making so free; nor should we have done so now, had it not been for the pressing occasion which compels us to it. In short, Sir, we are like so many sheep going astray, for want of a shepherd. Do therefore, good Sir, if you can possibly make it convenient, come over to see us; and God Almighty, we hope, will bless your endeavours. Accept our best respects to you and Mrs. Turton; hoping that this may find you and Mrs. Turton in good health, we remain, with all due respect, dear Sir, "Your most obedient servants." This was signed by twenty-one white people, most of whom, I understand, have slaves. In reply to their letter, I informed them that the building of the chapel in this place would detain me here some months; but that as soon as it should be finished, I would visit them. As I was writing to brother Ward, I mentioned the invitation; and I understand that he has left brother Rutledge on the circuit, and gone to Green Turtle Key. I am happy to inform you, that God is powerfully working for his own glory. I think most of the Bahama Islands will be taken up, provided the committee can assist in bearing the expenses. Places, you see, open before we are able to supply them. I am truly sorry that it is not in my power to be as active as I was formerly; my strength fails, but the Lord knows my heart is engaged in the work. When I look around, and see the change in these lands, since my arrival in 1800, it affords a pleasing reflection, and leads me to be thankful to God, who brought me hither, and sent other labourers into this part of his vineyard. I am, Fathers and Brethren, your's, &c. WILLIAM TURTON. Letter from Mr. WARD, to Mr. BUCKLEY. New Providence, August 11, 1815. Dear Brother, I am fully persuaded, from personal interviews with you, that nothing is more pleasing to you, and your brethren of the Committee, than to hear that our conjoint efforts to promote the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom are owned of God.-I thank God, that this is still the case with us upon the Bahamas. An effectual door is open here for the preaching of the word, upon several of the settlements around us. One of these I have visited, and I give you the following extract from my journal relative to that subject. In the latter part of May, and beginning of June, I had a severe bilious com plaint, nor was there any probability of my recovery from it while I continued in Providence. requisite by the leaders and principal It was, therefore, judged friends in town, that I should take a voyage to Abaco: and as brother Turton had received a petition from that place, of the largest settlements in that district, signed by the principal inhabitants of one With these two objects in view, I emmy usefulness among them was anticipated. barked for Abaco, or rather Green Turtle Key, in the Abaco district, June 17, or board a small sloop belonging to that place, commanded by Mr. Benjamin Lowe, a man of genuine piety. This was a circumstance which made my voyage both pleasant and profitable. About one o'clock, the weather was very squally; and, during the afternoon, we had a great deal of thunder and lightning, which obliged me to keep below, although it was very inconvenient, on account of the smallness of the cabin. The little time I was upon deck, I spent in conversing with Mr. Lowe. His knowledge of the things of God, as well as his heartfelt enjoyment of them, truly astonished me; especially when he told me that he had not heard five sermons for three years. And yet, though thus circumstanced, he enjoys the peace of God in his soul, possesses the witness of the Spirit, and walks in the light of God's countenance. June 18, We have had very severe weather; the whole of the night it has thundered, lightened, and blown most alarmingly, so that sleep has been denied us; nevertheless, all things are well: God is with us, and the greatest danger is apparently over. We have got over the bar which separates the Keys from the main ocean. It appears to me now only like a large river; as we have land at a very small distance from us on either hand. I am informed by brother Lowe, that we have passed a settlemeut of considerable note, called Cherick Sound, where the inhabitants would gladly receive the Gospel. There is a person on board with us who belongs to the above place, and he wishes very much that I would visit it; promising, at the same time, his house for my accommodation. come me. Sunday evening, seven o'clock, we anchored opposite Green Turtle Key. The news of my arrival had no sooner reached the shore, than the beach was covered with men, women, and children, to welOn my landing, they gave me the right-hand of fellowship, and with every expression of kindness, assured me of the pleasure they felt on my arrival. After taking a little refreshment with friend Lowe, I preached to a hundred and twenty or thirty people, from "Behold, I bring you good tidings," &c. Luke ii. 10. The Lord was with us of a truth; and, notwithstanding the fatigue of the passage, and the sick state I was in, I was so much in my element, that I forgot the body altogether. However the end may turn out, we certainly had a good beginning. While I stay on this settlement, I am to remain at the house we preach in. O that the Lord may bless his word. Monday, June 19, I have distributed several tracts among the settlers, which they accepted with thankfulness, promising to read them attentively. This evening I preached from Prov. xxiii. 26. An awful solemnity was apparent in the congregation, and many were deeply affected. When I had finished my discourse, I explained the nature of our economy, and proposed to meet as many as were desirous to save their souls, the following evening. Nine persons, with whose views and feelings I was much pleased, met me the following night; and on the 21st, three were added to their number. Having spent part of the following day in going from house to house, in order to ascertain the number and state of the people; I found that there are twenty-four white families, whose slaves and children included, amount to about 193 souls. Thursday 24, our little class received an addition of two members. Truly the Lord is doing a great work here. This evening I met the class; about twenty persons were present and while we were singing the first hymn, I experienced such a manifestation of the divine presence, as led me to think that the Lord was about to do great things among us. Nor was this opinion without foundation; for the Lord wrought powerfully on the minds of those who were present. The schoolmaster was so overpowered, that he fell from his seat, and roar'd aloud from the disquietude of his soul. Indeed every heart felt that God was present. From the 24th of June until the 22d of July, God graciously owned his word; and our number increased to thirty-nine; viz. twenty-nine whites, and ten blacks. formed them into classes, and appointed such leaders over them as I judged most humble and most alive to God. I have since heard that they are doing well, with the exception of one man, who, I was afraid, would create them some trouble. May the Lord open his eyes, that he may see his state, and repent of his sin. They have got a house framed for their preacher, and are making every preparation for his support, upon the Methodist plan. Providence, at present, is doing well. The work goes on steadily, and our congregations are upon the increase. Brother Turton is still sick. Brother Dowson is well, and labouring manfully for the Lord. Brother Rutledge is faithful to the cause, and willing to accommodate the Conference in the way proposed by the district. I am, your's, &c. JOSEPH WARD. On a survey of the Lord's goodness towards us since we came on this delightful island, we have indeed much to be thankful for, in regard both to ourselves and the Mission. We are the living this day, and praised be our God that sickness has been kept from our dwellings, except in the case of brother Coultas for a few weeks in December last. In our delightful employ, God has given us one heart, and his enriching blessing accompanies our ministry. We have reason to believe, generally speaking, that we live in the affections of the people among whom we labour, and we can say for ourselves that they are our joy and our crown. The society is on the increase in number, and we are happy to say, in the life and power of religion. Many of the members, during the last year, departed this life, the dying testimony of whom gave us just cause to rejoice over them, as fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. O! there are in the city above MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. teas of thousands from among the heathen who are the trophies of redeeming love, and missionary toil. We have cause to rejoice over many under our care, who have evidently received the gospel, and whose lives adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. Among these are to be found numbers who are not inferior to our frends in England, either in sense or pety, while the majority excel in virtue aly. But from the general thirst which the negroes evince for learning to read, and from the establishment of SundaySchools among them, we may calculate on their making great improvement in the course of a few years; and there is no doubt that Missionary success will be in proportion. All our chapels are well attended, and our hearers, as well as members, are generous indeed. We have been at great expense in building a cistern, and making other improvements at St. John's. We have nearly paid off the debt on EnglishHarbour chapel, and we are now about enlarging the chapel at Parham, where we have 1000 members: and all this, thanks be to God, we have done independent of our funds in England. All the Missionaries are well, and doing well in the different islands. I am, Your's, &c. THOMAS MORGAN. she the land of the living; many have been cut down since our arrival. Mr. Hirst and myself are just recovering from a fever. Mr. Hirst had a very severe attack; his pulse at one time was as high as 125 per minute; but He who orders all things for the best, has rebuked the disorder. My dear wife is well, and has It is the thus far escaped the fevers. rainy season with us now, which will not be entirely over till the beginning of October. Our congregations are generally thinner than usual at this time, but we have no reason to complain. Two of Mrs. Davies's class died very happy lately, a mother and a daughter; the a backslider; mother had been died about a month ago, the daughter last Sunday night. About three nights before she died, she was earnestly seeking the Lord. (Neither of them had obtained pardoning love before they were taken ill, but upon their death-bed, the Lord manifested himself to them.) She called for her grandmother (who is a Methodist) in the night, to tell her what God had done for her soul. "Praise the Lord, (said she,) he hath pardoned my sins; he hath said to my soul, Arise, shine, thy light is come-go in peace, and sin no more.' I must see my classmistress, to tell her also what God hath done for my soul." In the morning Mrs. Davies went to see her, and found her in great pain, but happy in the enjoyment of the liberty of God's children. About half an hour before she died, she had a hard struggle with the enemy. She said, "I have just escaped hell; Satan would have me in, but the Lord delivered me.” Soon after, she calmly breathed her last. I have no doubt that she reached the blissful shore. An old member of the society died lately, who was about 100 years of age. I went to see him a short time before he died; and he told us, in a very satisfactory manner, that he had communion with the Father by the Eternal Spirit, and an interest in the Saviour's blood. Glory be to God, our labour has not been in vain in this distant land; and I am sure it never will be in vain as long as it is done in the Lord. O God, teach us to do thy work as thou commandest us to do it, in thine own Spirit. I know that if you could be with us here, you would be delighted to hear the people giving, though a plain, yet clear testimony of the work which God is carrying on in their souls. Blessed for ever be God, for an experimental religion, for a testimony of our acceptance. This is the religion of Patriarchs and Prophets, and of all the com• *K** Extract of a Letter from Mr. DAVIES, to Free Town, Sierra Leone, I feel truly sensible of my unworthiness for the work of preaching among the heaten the unsearchable riches of Christ; bat yet I feel truly happy, when I consider that my sufficiency is of God. I am determined, through divine grace, to dewote myself to the work more and more. Blessed be God, we are still spared upon VOL. XXXIX. JANUARY, 1816. |