Religious privileges.

by the minutes that the number of ministers of this denomination in the colony, was, at the beginning of 1835, twelve; and the number of communicants upwards of 200. The report also speaks of the appointment of a missionary "for the interior of Africa, to carry the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the dark regions of this benighted land." The appointment, it is said, seems to be regarded by the members of the conference with the warmest approbation, and one good result already discovered from it is the awakening a missionary spirit among the preachers. Several are ready to say, "Here are we, send us. We covet the privilege of carrying the gospel to the heathen tribes."

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The Report concludes, "If we are to judge from the appearance of the fields around us, which are already 'white unto harvest,' we should conclude that the set time to favour Zion has come,' yea, that now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.' Men and brethren, help! O help to disenthral poor bleeding Africa from the hellish grasp of the enemy of all righteousness! Help to promote the moral and religious prosperity of this infant colony, destined as it is to be rendered the savour of life unto life to this benighted continent !"

In a number of the Liberia Herald, which is now before me, dated February 28, 1836, I find pleasing evidence of the advancement of the colony in all that is good, and of the rich blessings which God designs to pour through it upon a benighted continent, in the fact that a number of natives who had been brought under the influence of the gospel, and had been for some time communicants in one of the Baptist churches, have been dismissed from that particular church to form a new one in a situation more advantageous to their extended usefulness. I will give you the article announcing this event, as I find it in the Monrovia paper:

Religious privileges.

"On Sunday, the 7th inst., thirty-six native Africans, resi dent at New Georgia, late members of the First Baptist Church in this place, having been dismissed by letters, were brought into visibility as a church, in the place of their residence. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Skinner, charge and right hand of fellowship by Rev. H. Teague, and concluding prayer by Rev. A. W. Anderson. The exercises of the occasion were truly solemnly pleasing and impressive. They naturally threw the mind back to the period when they who were thus solemnly dedicating themselves to God, to be constituted into a golden candlestick' from which the Divine light is to chase the surrounding gloom, were in the darkness of nature, without God, without revelation, and consequently without the hope it inspires. These reflections seemed to produce a reaction of the mind, and threw it on an immoveable foundation, the promise that 'Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God.' On this circumstance, the mind seemed invited to repose, as an earnest of the full completion of the promise, and earnestly to ejaculate, Lord, let thy kingdom come.'

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'I must give you one more extract from the same paper. It is a communication from a correspondent of the Herald, in Monrovia, and relates to the dedication of a Presbyterian church: "Mr. Editor, as every circumstance which has any relation to the spreading of our blessed religion in Africa, must have a tendency to give satisfaction to every lover and follower of the religion of Jesus Christ, you will confer a favour on one of your constant readers by giving publication to this. Having understood that the First Presbyterian Church was to be dedicated to the service of God on the 26th November, I attended, and was happy to find the principal part of the inhabitants of this town present on so interesting an occasion. Every denomination of saints seemed

Religious privileges.

to rejoice that another temple had been erected and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. It was enough that the pure religion of Jesus Christ was to be inculcated from that sacred pulpit, and, as that servant of God, the Rev. C. Teage, remarked, that where he then stood preaching the dedication sermon, sixteen years past, the Devil's bush stood. What skeptic could doubt that colonization and missionary enterprise had done much good. The service commenced at 11 o'clock, A. M., by singing a hymn selected for the occasion, and reading the 8th chapter of the 2d book of Kings, by the Pastor, Rev. James Eden; sermon by Rev. C. Teage ; concluding prayer by Rev. A. D. Williams, of the M. E. Church. How truly animating it is to see temples arise for the worship of God, where not long since there was nothing to be heard but the savage yell of the native, or the clinking of the poor slaves' chains. On Sunday the 27th December, Mr. H. B. Matthews was ordained a ruling elder of the church, by Rev. Mr. Wilson of Cape Palmas.”’

'I do not see, Pa, why the Colonization Society and the interests of the colony should be so virulently opposed as they are by many?'

'It is strange that it should be opposed by so many from whom we should have expected better things; and especially since something, it is admitted by all, must be done, and since no better scheme has been devised.'

'Should not the mighty scheme of colonization be realized in all its parts and to its utmost extent,' said Caroline, blessings will nevertheless be attained, it seems to me, which will abundantly repay every effort and sacrifice made.'

'Great good has already been done, and far more than

Colonization a good cause.-Good has been done.

proportionate to the efforts made. The germ of an Americano-African empire has been planted; and even if Colonization should for ever cease, that colony will extend and extend, I doubt not, until its influence shall overshadow the continent. The plan will succeed. Heaven's blessing will attend it. Glorious things are in store for Africa. That continent has a rich blessing in the Liberia colony.'

It appears to me, Pa, that the object is one of the most noble philanthropy; we have read of the philanthropic spirit of a Howard, and have admired: but here is a philanthropy that seeks to disenthral and elevate two millions of outcasts who are now among ourselves, and to establish the liberties and secure the best good of a continent.'

And that continent, Caroline, is estimated as containing fifty millions of immortal souls!'

'Truly a noble cause!'

A noble cause, indeed; and we may all, if we will, enjoy the honour of engaging in its interests, and of helping forward this blessed enterprise.

In our next conversation I shall call your attention to some further progress in the great and good work, as exhibited in the more recent establishment of the sub-colony at Bassa Cove.'

Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennsylvania.

CONVERSATION XXV.

"Non enim est ulla res in qua proprius ad Deorum numen virtus accedat humana, quam civitates aut condere novas, aut conservare jam conditas."

Cicero.

IN our last conversation, I promised you some account of another enterprise in connexion with the colony at Liberia, by which the prospects of the Colonization cause have been greatly brightened, and our hearts encouraged. This enterprise is the result of the efforts of the Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennsylvania. Of the origin of this Society and its success, I must give you a brief history.

The YOUNG MEN'S COLONIZATION SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, was organized May, 1834. This Society, acting as auxiliary to the American Colonization Society, was formed with the design of pursuing strictly a system of political economy which shall foster with special care the agricultural interests of the colony by them established, checking the influence of petty and itinerant traffickers which has been found detrimental in the other colonies, excluding from the colony the use of ardent spirits, and withholding the comtemptations and means for any aggressions upon the native population of Africa. The great principles upon which the Society professes to act, are thus expressed by

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