No. 8.]

[VOL. VIII.

MEXICO -The Rev. H. L. Dixon gives a full account of his labours at this Station; the result of which evinces both the desire of the Negroes for religious instruction, and the certain benefits attending it. Under date of July 11, 1836, he writes

At present, I may describe my Station as consisting of Mexico, Windsor, and Mount Unity. The Congregations at these three places are, in a great measure, distinct. Mount Unity is nine miles from Mexico: it is situated on the top of one of the range of mountains near Accompong. I commenced Divine Service there on Friday last; and found nearly a hundred people assembled, having come from distant mountains, and traversed seven or eight miles of very bad road. In fact, I was not aware of the importance of that part of my district; as I am assured, that, so far from my commencement being a flattering one, the number will, by altering both the day and the hour, be doubled. I found, too, that beginning a Service at one place, was sufficient to make the pecple inquire if "Minister" would not have a Service also at other places; otherwise, they felt disposed to complain. I am therefore much gratified with my new opening, where I have promised them, D.V., to preach once a fortnight; at the same time intending to take in Harmony Hall on the other road; as they claim attachment to the Windsor district, in preference to Accompong.

At Windsor, the number of my people is never less than 200; and it has been more than 400. At Mexico, the attendance varies from 100 to 200. This will, I am sure, appear very strange, it being the place where I reside. It is strange; but, in the first place, there are local difficulties connected with the Estates; in the second place, the Apprentices about here are so far behind all the others in knowledge, civilization, and privileges, that RECORD, August 1837.]

I am not much surprised myself. Their dialect is so much of the African, and they hear so few Europeans converse, that after all my attempts to explain, to illustrate, to shift the position of the subheart says, "I am a barbarian to these peoject, and exhibit it in other lights, my

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ple, and they are barbarians to me.' 99 Το my great discomfort, I found, that when Mrs. Dixon inquired of an old African woman, who has attended me almost constantly, whether she knew any thing of what I told her about God, the Saviour, her own soul, and another state, her reply was, that she would tell Missis no lie about it—that she did not know any thing at all of what she asked her. Some, however, do understand; and of some I entertain great hopes that they act much better than they did, upon correct principles and proper motives. One thing in justice to my little flock, both at Mexico and Windsor, must be mentioned; viz. their orderly behaviour, deep attention, and serious deportment in the House of God. The district was, half a year ago, in an almost unbroken state of heathenism now it would be in vain for me to seek for higher examples of exterior deportment in any Congregation which I have attended in the mother country. In several instances I have had pleasing developement of a conscience at work within the bosoms of the Apprentices, by the questions they have put to me concerning the harm or indifference of some of their practices. And I am happy to say, that, in the important article of Baptism, some who have been relying on the sufficiency of that Ordinance for their salvation perceive now that the outward sign is not the inward grace. The silent influence, too, of the steady enforcement of Christian doctrines upon the conduct was very pleasingly illustrated in a case not long since. One of the Apprentices having made a hasty and somewhat impertinent answer to the Book-keeper, was about to 2 A

be punished. Here is naturally hasty disposition again gained ground. While a Letter was being written to commit him, Mrs. Dixon beckoned to him, and showed him that his duty was to be humble and to submit: he became in a moment like a child, knelt upon the ground, and prayed God to forgive him; rose from his knees, made an acknowledgment of his error, and begged pardon.

I have one circumstance to state respecting the building of the Mission Premises at Appleton ; which is due, not only to the Society, but to the individual. A person, living two miles and a half from that place, and of limited circumstances, called on me, to make an offer of all the timber that might be required in the erection of the whole premises: and so urgent was he that I should take it, and have a Place of Worship in the neighbourhood, that, to enforce it, he said to me, "Oh Parson, Parson! do make haste and take it; and have the building put up, and preach to our people, and teach our children. My first attempt at a Collection for the Church Missionary Society will, I think, be pleasing to the Committee. The sum of 101. 10s. was gathered from poor people; the majority of them being, indeed, Apprentices. To me, the circumstance of its being collected in small sums is the most pleasing feature, as it discovers the good-will of so many. Several others have wished to put in something; but I told them I would give them another opportunity at Christmas.

The following passages are extracted from Mr. Dixon's Journal of a later date. One part relates his visit to Mr. Betts's Station at Knockalva.

Oct. 23, 1836: Lord's Day-Went to preach at Lacovia, to make a Collection for the Mission Premises at Appleton. I had gone to Mount Unity on the Saturday, to shorten my travelling on the Lord's Day. When taking my journey from Mount Unity to Lacovia, how can the feelings be described of one who has any reverence for the Lord's Day! for, during the whole descent of the mountain, my road being the same as the Accompong Road, every two or three minutes I met little parties, of two, three, or four Maroons, returning home laden with provisions and rum. My spirit was stirred within me, at the recollection that these people have the whole week, in which to go and

supply themselves; that they have had the advantage of a Teacher residing among them for several years, and that yet Sunday should be the morning chosen by them to go to the Estates to buy their rum and provisions. I frequently stopped my horse, in order to address them on the sinfulness of their practice. To one I addressed myself in the kindest manner-" Do you know, my friend, that you are making God angry with you? He will not bless you, if you get your provisions and travel on the Sunday." The man stared impudently in my face; and his only reply was, Che!" an interjection which they use to signify the greatest contempt. Still, however, determined not to be discouraged, I addressed every person; and the most part made some faint apology for doing it, and promised not to repeat it.

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Nov. 7-Yesterday, I was only just able to get through the Services; having been attacked by a bilious fever, which increased for two or three days, and became so violent, that my strength was almost gone; nor could I sit up above an hour at a time.

Nov. 9 & 10-I was able to sit up only half-an-hour at a time.

Nov. 12-I am sufficiently recovered to travel four miles. We all went to Look-out Pen. Here the air is comparatively cool, the situation elevated, and free from the damps' and fogs of the lowlands. One thing is very observable in Jamaica-how little it takes to pull down the strength; and, when God is pleased to restore the health, how rapidly one re

covers.

A small Con

Nov. 13: Lord's Day gregation, composed of the servants of the Family and the Apprentices on the Pen, assembled about eleven o'clock, and were very attentive to the Service. In the evening, the house was filled, though it was both dark and damp. I reasoned with the people about their unwillingness to come to Christ;-their ingratitude to so kind a friend; and was happy to see a tear or two on the sable countenances of some present. It is a great assistance to the Christian Missionary, to find religious families scattered here and there, who are glad to see a Minister come among them.—I would observe, that a person who professes to be a Christian in Jamaica will very soon have his Christianity put to the test. is, as far as my observations have extended, a general practice with every Christian master or proprietor to call all his Appren

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tices to Family Prayers; when he reads the Bible to them, and instructs them in it. Dec. 7, 1836-Attended a Ladies' Meeting for establishing Schools: twenty-eight Ladies and ten Gentlemen present. It was animating to me to meet so many, collected in one house in Jamaica, for this very laudable purpose; and to hear of the assistance which they give to numerous schools in the neighbourhood, and the good moral effects arising out of their labours.

Dec. 11: Lord's Day-I buried one of the Apprentices on this Estate. I am rejoiced to find how much a Christian burial is preferred to the old heathenish custom of singing, crying, and sitting up all night; but in every circumstance which gives one joy in this island, the ignorance of the people, together with the delusions of Satan, give occasion for much pain. I fear there is almost as much danger to them in a Christian burial as in a heathenish one; because they trust to the Christian burial as a passport to heaven.

Dec. 15-This morning, I met the Corresponding Committee of the Society at Darliston. At half-past two, I left Darliston to proceed to Argyle Pen, the residence of the Rev. W. K. Betts. After a ride of two hours, I came in sight of this very striking part of the island; where, after passing through a dense wood, the eye is relieved of its confinement, and refreshed with the view of an extensive amphitheatre, bounded on all sides by ridges of mountains, ten or more miles distant; the intervening land consisting, for the most part, of semi-globular mountains, like tumuli, rising in every direction, some quite large, others comparatively small. The whole view bears a great resemblance to the surface of water boiling in a furious manner. Not so delighted, however, is the traveller in riding along the road; as the track of his horse would somewhat resemble the letter S. But, although the whole is rocky to a degree that I have never seen before, yet such is the luxuriance of the soil of Jamaica, that mould scarcely discernible will give sustentation to the stupendous cotton-tree, 100 or 130 feet in height; and will also supply the sweet juice of the sugar-cane, large crops of which, appearing here and there, together with the premises connected with the Sugar Estates, look at once soft and lively. But no object appeared to me so lovely as the church at Knockalva, where the Rev. W. K. Betts preaches on the Lord's Day. It is situated on an emi

nence; can be seen at a great distance; stands close to the public road from Savanna-la-Mar to Montego Bay; and is nearly central to many Estates and Properties. In the evening, I read a chapter, and gave a short address to the people assembled in an out-building. There were about fifty present; who were all very attentive, and some appeared to feel what was said to them. I discovered a great deal of order and good behaviour among them; and could trace Mr. Betts's attention, in the manner in which they conducted themselves. When the hymn was named, I suppose as many as twenty produced their hymn-books, and at once turned to it; and after the hymn had been read, there was universal singing. Dec. 16 - At past nine, I went to one of Mr. Betts's Schools, at Alexandria; and found about sixty children present, engaged with their master, a person of colour. I was pleased to observe how readily both master and children had fallen into the system so successfully adopted in every part of England: every thing was regular and systematic, and was performed adroitly. I heard the children repeat Tables, and the Catechism; after which, I took some classes myself, and examined them in their Spelling, and explanation of the words they had read. I then put questions to them, to find out their knowledge of the Scripture. On asking one little boy the question, "Who taught His Disciples to pray?" I was rather surprised at the accuracy of his answer-" John the Baptist, Sir;"-as children generally give, as the answer, Our Saviour." The writing in the copy-books afforded me the greatest pleasure. One specimen of writing which was shown me, was that of a little boy who had not been learning more than six months: the writing was well formed, bold, and pretty correct; and that which perhaps reflected the greatest credit, both on the Teacher and the pupil, was, that there was not one blot throughout the book.

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Dec. 17-Went out with Mrs. Betts, to see some of the people living on Argyle Pen. One old man was present, who quite surprised me, both by his appearance and manner. His "How d'ye do, Missis?" was given to Mrs. Betts in so bold, and yet respectful a manner— and the inquiries which he made about the Rev. J. Stainsby and Mr. Holt, who had also been there, were put in so familiar a style-that I could not avoid remarking