CONTRIBUTIONS IN LABOUR.

393

wife, to give from one shilling to four shillings each per month for months together, towards the same objects; and sometimes, when a debt remains upon a place of worship, the congregation propose in a body to work additional hours per day, that they may at once free themselves from the incumbrance. By servants and others the same liberality is manifested. A young woman of colour, residing in the author's family, who has six shillings per week, a short time ago, after drawing small sums for her support, left in the hands of her mistress the value of four weeks' service for the African mission, two for herself and two for her aged grandmother; at the same time cheerfully contributing to every other call that was made. On his recent return to England this same individual sent eighteen shillings, the amount of three weeks' wages, as a present to some children of whom she had previously the charge as a nurse. At a public meeting not many months since a black young man, a sailor, announced, that if it pleased God to spare him to return from the voyage on which he was then about to embark, he would give fifty dollars towards the African Mission-a pledge which he nobly redeemed. Tradesmen, and others in a small way of business, have been known to give from one to three pounds and upwards repeatedly towards the liquidation of chapel debts; and in some cases the wives of individuals of this class have employed themselves in menial occupations, to which they had been unaccustomed, that they might give the proceeds of it to the house of God. In numerous instances in the country

394

EVIDENCES OF PIETY.

parts of the island the congregations not only contribute towards these objects in a pecuniary way, but also by actual labour, principally in the conveyance of materials. To mention but one instance, of the many that could be selected, as a specimen. The entire church and congregation at Sligoville devoted one day in the week to this object, each class labouring in succession, and often conjointly. They thus conveyed almost all the wood materials, and no inconsiderable portion of the other requisites to the spot, bearing the more ponderous timber on their heads up an acclivity along narrow and almost inaccessible paths from the woods, full three miles distant, and carrying the rest from Spanish Town, a distance of twelve miles of steep ascent; thereby, on a moderate calculation, contributing in cheerful, energetic, voluntary labour, and that in addition to monthly pecuniary donations, the sum of three hundred pounds.

To these evidences of genuine piety may be added another, without which the former would be but of little avail. They dedicate themselves to God in body, soul, and spirit, and unite their efforts with their contributions and prayers. Among some of the denominations, and probably in a greater or less degree among all, it is thus with inquirers and catechumens, as well as members. A negro convert cannot but tell of "how great things the Lord hath done for him."

The Jamaica churches in general are essentially missionary churches, and each individual of which they are composed regards it as a sacred duty to do

HEARTY DEVOTION.

395

something to promote the glory of God, in the salvation of his fellow men. Every one especially aims at the conversion of those with whom he is connectedhis relatives, his friends, his children, his servants. Male and female, young and old, rich and poor, are thus employed. They are not only all at work, but it might almost be said, always at work-not only every day, but almost every hour of the day. The work of God is their employment, not their recreation. "And whatsoever their hands find to do they do it with all their might," taking advantage of every favourable occurrence that presents itself. Whether in the market, in the field, or on the public road, they seldom neglect an opportunity of speaking a word for God, and this they do with cheerfulness, and without hesitation or apology. To facilitate these operations, and to give them organisation, as well as to secure vigilant and proper oversight, a special native agency is employed by some of the denominations termed leaders and helpers. In addition to the employment of leaders, the Wesleyans and Baptists make use of tickets. The system pursued by the Wesleyans is the same as that in operation among them at home. The practice of the Baptists in some respects resembles it. It is indeed a departure from the custom of the Baptist churches in England and elsewhere, but was adopted in consequence of the law in force, during slavery, prohibiting ministers of religion visiting estates without permission from the persons in charge. It was, in these circumstances, found essential to a successful prosecution of missionary work. Where the churches