JAMAICA.. Memorial from the Secession Congregation of New Glasgow, 218 221 223 Extract of a Letter from the Rev. ALEX. LOWDEN, dated New Glasgow, 10th December 1842. Since my last communication things have been moving on as well, perhaps, as might be expected, although not so well as might be wished. There are difficulties, against which Missionaries have to contend wherever their lot may be cast; and every one who knows the religious condition of Canada East, can say that in it they are not few nor far between. Here there is a mixed people, and a multiform creed. Here a church feeling-as it would be called at home-runs high. A desire has been repeatedly expressed to me, with seeming anxiety, that I should think of joining the Kirk, and apply for a share of the clergy reserves. In reference to this I have expressed my unqualified disapprobation. Generally I have been treated with kindness, and have reason to speak favourably of the attention shown to public ordinances, by not a few, who were formerly reputed as infidels. From personal intercourse with them, I have never had cause to find fault with any connected with the congregation for holding such principles. Those belonging to our society, who were suspected of such sentiments, seem to be more regular and attentive to the public means of grace than some who are inclined to think better of themselves, and to conduct themselves with as much propriety. The dispensation of gospel ordinances is, I fondly trust, being attended with good to some; and from the manner in which our Sabbath meeting has been attended, the people seem to feel an interest in the services of religion. Restraints are being put upon the baser appetites of our nature. The ranks of intemperance are being thinned; and here, at least, many are becoming sober. One, if not more, who come to the house of God to curse and to swear, has imbibed a better spirit, and comes for a different purpose. And all that levity too, which formerly disgraced the meeting on the first day of the week, has disappeared, although NO. XXII-APRIL 1843. 2 D I have had some occasion to reprove on this account. I have been told that I have never seen such unbecoming conduct as has been witnessed. Whatever changes may have taken place, as to outward conduct among the people here, there is much room for more. Physically, the forest is being cultivated, and will yet become a fruitful field-would that the statement were true that there were more numerous, and more visible signs of its truth, in a spiritual sense! Nothing is impossible with God-nothing too much for omnipotent grace to accomplish; but, humanly speaking, how opposing and resisting the hearts of aged transgressors to the sacred duties of religion! In one of my former letters I gave a general view of the state of religion among us. Irish Roman Catholics about equal, if they do not outnumber us. As yet they have no church or place of worship here, but are about to raise one. They are generally peaceable and industrious, but lamentably ignorant, and seem determined to hold by their motley creed. The Sabbath is with them a day of riotous mirth-a day of music and of dancing-a scene painful indeed. But there are others who, with better privileges in their early years, seem to have cast off all restraint, and seem pleased to live in utter neglect of every thing of a religious nature. Those to whom I have referred, formerly belonged to the Church of Scotland. One of them lately told me that the only fault he had to the Secession Church, was that it is TOO STRICT. The church continues to be well attended-as well as ever it was. The members have generally been conducting themselves with christian propriety, so far as known to me. The social prayer meetings in the several settlements are promising well. I have been visiting some of them, and am about to visit the others. Their usual exercises are reading the scriptures, and prayer. My week day classes, especially the female class, is highly interesting and encouraging. Two of the females come a distance of eight miles, and most of them from one to four miles. The male class already numbers twelve— and the female twenty-six. We have had an accession of eight new members, which makes the membership seventy-four. The Lord's supper has been twice dispensed, and is again appointed to be celebrated on the fourth Sabbath of December. As I can procure no assistance with convenience, the connecting services must be limited. We have sermon on Friday afternoon, after which tokens are distributed to communicants. In consequence of the distance of most of the people from their homes, the services of the communion Sabbath, as well as others, are performed continuously. We expect to celebrate our new testament feast three weeks hence. Several have already applied for admission into the fellowship of the church. The erection of our place of worship is advancing but slowly. Want of funds prevents its being completed this season. Nearly L.50 currency have already been expended, and twice that sum will be required to finish it; as the people generally are not able, and some by no means hearty in the cause, it is not likely that it will be finished in haste. I do not remember whether I stated in my last letter that we have no seat rents. Whatever money is collected is obtained by subscription, with this exception, that a collection is made every Sabbath, which may average one half dollar. I may state that about L.40 currency was subscribed for last year, but all has not been paid up. I believe that a sum nearly equal to the above has been subscribed for the current year. Memorial from the Secession Congregation of New Glasgow, dated 11th January 1843. It has seldom fallen to the lot of any christian society to discharge a more pleasing duty than that which devolves on us on the present occasion. When we contrast the past with the present, there is great cause for thankfulness. Taking a view of this settlement from the year 1820, there is nothing in the past calculated to cheer the mind,-no temple to which to repair, no watchman to lift up his warning voice, and point out the danger that awaited the ungodly and impenitent, and arouse many of us who were slumbering in the way. Infidel principles, supported with wealth and influence, were making fearful inroads amongst us; but we are happy to state that, even in those times of sad declension, there were still a remnant who called on the name of the Lord. We had a Sabbath school. There were meetings for exhortation and prayer,—and a few, chiefly from the Highlands of Scotland, formed themselves into a church, and by their own exertions, and the assistance of others, succeeded in erecting a place of worship (that in which we now assemble). We were visited occasionally by ministers from Montreal, and elsewhere, who, seeing our destitute situation, as sheep without a shepherd, held forth encouragements to us which ended in disappointment. Prayers were offered up to God that he would send us a minister to go in and out amongst us, and break the bread of life. Our means of support was but limited; we were aware that it would require a man of great talent and learning to gather into one body those who have come from different parts of the old country, and, as might be expected, held different views and opinions on religious subjects. We were at a loss what to do; but we rejoice to state, that in this situation we obtained assistance from your benevolent society. Yea, we would with heartfelt gratitude express our thankfulness to you for sending a labourer to this barren and neglected field. We would bless the Lord, and lift up our souls to God in humble and fervent thanksgiving, who hath visited us with his loving-kindness and tender mercy. Our eyes now behold our teacher, and we are happy to add, one who is fully qualified for the arduous work devolving upon him. For, since the first day of his sojourning amongst us, thanks be to God, he hath far surpassed our expectations. Our fears vanished as a cloud, and a new era in our history began. We are now seen flocking to the house of God to hear the words of eternal life; and amongst the numbers that attend, there are many who feel a deep interest in the work; but there are others who are indifferent. Yea, that indifference or dislike has manifested itself in opposition. Opposition, however, might have been expected, for there are some who have such views of doctrine, and of church discipline, as are peculiar to themselves. Those may endeavour to alienate the affections of the people, and draw some who might be unstable from the church, yet we trust they will be but few, if any. It is a small thing that the Lord's servant should be judged of man to be unfaithful. We trust that his master counts him so as we have found him to be, while publishing the glad tidings of salvation among us, both in his public and private ministrations. Happy in the selection of his subjects, in the perspicuity of his arrangement and force of scripture argument, giving clear and distinct exhibitions of the truth as it is in Jesus, and possessing deep feeling for immortal souls, that he may present them blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus. We will not affirm that a corresponding advance has been made; but that a great and happy change has been effected, we cannot doubt, in the observance of the ordinances of the church, which the Lord hath appointed for strengthening the faith, enlivening the hope, and kindling an ardent glow of love in the hearts of his children. We state it freely to you, our dear friends, that many, nay, we may say all, of us, have long left our first love. Now we pray that God by his spirit would grant us godly sorrow for sin, that although we should be cast down and in darkness for a season, that we may be enlivened, comforted, and strengthened for his service. And how cheering to look on the young and rising race, who have opportunities given them for instruction that they never enjoyed formerly, and who have better examples to copy after. Those among us in the prime of life, when our families and our cares increase, thank God that we can now with joyful hearts, cast all our care upon the Lord, believing that he careth for us; and bow our knees before the Lord our God in humble prayer, that we may be enabled to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The aged also amongst us, whose hoary hairs admonish and warn to prepare for a better and more enduring world than this, feel lively emotions and affectionate recollections long gone by, when we went with the multitude to the solemn assemblies of the Lord, and took sweet counsel together. It gladdens our hearts that the Lord has spread a table for us in this wilderness,-may God by the power and effectual working of his Holy Spirit, bless and sanctify our souls that this wilderness may become a fruitful field. In this hope we bend our weary steps through the deepening snow to the place where he has promised to meet with his people and bless them. Upon the arrival of the Rev. Mr Lowden amongst us, a subscription list was immediately drawn up to see what could be raised for his support. The sum of L.45 currency was subscribed. But about L.32 of that sum was paid at the end of the year for the following reasons. One or two because they could not be admitted into the church became offended, and walked no more with us: others finding things contrary to their expectations, did not pay their subscription (and we have used no compulsory measures). But the chief reason of the drawback was, that some were more willing to subscribe than able to pay their subscription-however, a few pounds of that sum has since been paid. We drew up another subscription list for the present year, when the sum of L.36 currency was subscribed. We are sorry that we could not have subscribed more. A few of the reasons are these previously mentioned; but there are also others though we have the necessaries of life, and favoured above many in this respect, yet we are still pennyless. Farm produce brings but a mere trifle, and trade in a depressed state, that it makes it hard for the farmer to raise a little money to meet his frequent demands. Notwithstanding this deficiency in the sum subscribed, there is still union existing amongst the members of the church, and the attendance given on a preached gospel exceeds our most sanguine expectations. The house will seat about 200, and it is frequently crowded to excess, so as to render it uncomfortable both for minister and people. We found ourselves under the necessity of making an effort to begin another. We collected in Montreal the sum of L.28 currency. We raised amongst ourselves the sum of L.22,-which sums, together with our own voluntary labour, has enabled us to finish the frame and boarding. We can make little additional progress for want of funds, and there is as it were a mingling of hope and fear concerning the future. Our beloved pastor hath been but poorly provided with a house since he came amongst us. It is by far too small for him, and pays the sum of L.6 per annum for it. He has begun to build one for himself, which will occasion him a great deal of trouble and expense. It will be next summer before he has it in a way fit to be occupied, owing to the way in which we were situated with the other building. We could render him no assistance. We are sorry that we could not. It is the aid which we have received from your society that has encouraged us to do what has been done; and, as a church receiving such assistance, beg of you that you will accept our united and sincere acknowledgment as our benefactors under the Lord of the vineyard, who has so highly favoured us. It is the earnest desire and prayer of this congregation that your society who has done so much for us, and others in like circumstances, may prosper. That every thing connected with the church may be under the fostering care of the Lord of the vineyard. That the Secession Church may long maintain her purity untarnished, and that many, both at home and abroad, may rise up to call her blessed. JAMAICA. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. JAMES PATERSON, dated Cocoa Walk, 30th August 1842. You are well aware that there must be a great difference between the circumstances and labours of a missionary, when he commences operations in the midst of a heathen population, and when he has been engaged in assiduous exertions there for a considerable space of time. There must necessarily be a corresponding difference between his reports during the first few years, and those of subsequent periods. The former may contain details possessing greater novelty, and better calculated to produce excitement. The latter, though less attractive to the superficial observer, may be no less valuable and useful, inasmuch as they may tend to strengthen our faith in the predictions and promises of God's word, to fill us with gratitude for the past, and to animate our hopes in regard to the future. In many respects, the circumstances of the church and congregation here are much the same as they were a year ago. It will not, therefore, be needful for me to enter into minute details. Since the date of my last year's report, sixty have been transferred from the list of candidates, and received into full membership. Some of these are considerably advanced in life, and a few are young and hopeful persons, and are, I trust, under the influence of divine truth. Of these sixty, five are from the adjoining out-station at Rowe's Corner, and were admitted to the Lord's table for the first time on last Sabbath. The entire number of persons in full communion at present is one hundred and seventy-nine. During the past twelve months I have baptised thirty-one children. In the same period, have married sixteen couples, making in all two hundred and thirty-six couples married by me at this station since it was opened. The zeal and interest about the prayer meetings had been declining somewhat. Means have been employed, and are still being employed, for producing revival. These means, I am happy to say, appear already to have accomplished in some degree the desired effect. As many of the people have removed from the properties to which they were formerly attached, and gone to reside on other properties, or settled themselves on patches of land which they have purchased. They are thus more scattered, and the number of our prayer meetings is increased, while the attendance at some of the meetings is not so large as it was a year or two ago. A considerable proportion of the population in this district have removed to a distance. Notwithstanding of this, the attendance on public worship with us is, at least, not inferior to what it used to be. In consequence of the changes that have taken place, and other circumstances, no great or sudden increase is to be expected. There is, however, abundance of work for the most zealous minister. On the west side of the church on Greatbally property, upwards of 100 acres are laid out in about 50 lots, to form a village, called Broughton. The greater part of these lots are already taken, and houses built on some of them. In consequence of the name given to the village, we now call the church, Broughton Place. The attorney for Cocoa Walk has for some time past been expecting power from the proprietors of Cocoa Walk, to dispose of land for a village on the east side of the church, and closely adjoining it. I trust this will be the case, and an additional number of families be located near to the church and school. Not a few are sensible of the advantages to be derived from being so situated. In previous communications, you have been informed of my practice of visiting the different districts of the congregation, and holding meetings with the people for religious exercises, for expounding the word of God to |