that which imparted its first rudiments; and in the higher walks of literature, which he soon began to tread, an ardent desire for classical attainments was kindled, which no obstacle could ever repress. The vigour which his mental powers derived from exercise, stimulated him to new exertions, without diminishing his zeal for God; and in his character was exhibited a happy combination of intellectual energy, piety, and perseverance. In the present state of the religious world, it is not to be supposed, that diligence and talents like these could long remain unnoticed, by those who are actively engaged in sending labourers into their Lord's vineyard. He was soon distinguished as a person well qualified for the missionary department, and as such was accepted by the London Missionary Society, who placed him under the care of the late Rev. Mr. Newton, of Witham, preparatory to his going abroad. On Thursday evening, Dec. 12, Mr. John Smith was ordained a missionary to Demerara, to supply Le Resouvenir, the station occupied by Mr. Wray, before his removal to Berbice. Dr. Waugh prayed; Mr. Hawksly delivered an introductory discourse; Mr. Lewis proposed the usual questions, to which Mr. Smith gave very satisfactory replies, with a brief declaration of his faith. Mr. Burder offered up the ordinary prayer; Mr. Young, of Margate, delivered an affectionate charge; and Mr. Finley, of Tunbridge Wells, concluded the service by prayer. He sailed from Liverpool, in the ship William Neilson, on the 30th of December, 1816, for Demerara, which colony he reached on the 23d of February in the following year; and in this place he continued to labour until he fell a martyr to persecution, on the 6th of February, 1824. Scarcely had he landed, before he received a specimen of the light, in which, as a missionary, he was surveyed. On waiting on the governor, he was met with a degree of coldness bordering on hostility; his excellency observing," If ever I know you, sir, to teach a negro to read, I will send you out of the colony immediately." But though watched with all the suspicious vigilance which this salutation was calculated to inspire, such was the care with which Mr. Smith conducted himself, that not even his most inveterate enemies were ever able to fix a blot on his character, until the fatal revolt, which lately took place among the negroes; when, on the charge of being suspected of having promoted dissatisfaction among them, he was seized, committed to jail, tried by a court-martial, and condemned to death. Fearful, however, of carrying this awful sentence into execution, without the sanction of his majesty, it was sent to England for that purpose; but meeting with the royal negative, his reprieve was immediately transmitted to the colony, where it is said to have arrived a few hours after he had breathed his last. It would exceed the limits of this memoir, to trace Mr. Smith through all the branches of his ministerial labours, during his long residence in the colony. Of his success, some estimate may be formed, from the following statement given in the twenty-eighth Report of the London Missionary Society for 1822. In this Report, page 136, the Directors speak as follows:-"A considerable measure of success continues to attend the labours of Mr. Smith. His congregation (which previously consisted, on an average, of about 600,) was increasing in number, and its members in the knowledge of religion. During the year 1821, the number baptized was 390, of whom 372 were adults. Several gentlemen, both on the east and west coasts of the Demerara river, whose slaves have been instructed by the Missionaries, speak in very favourable terms of the good conduct of those negroes who attend the preaching of the gospel, and they have evinced their approbation of the labours of the brethren, by liberally contributing to the Demerara Auxiliary Society." In the twenty-ninth Report, for 1823, page 117, the Directors again record their opinion of Mr. Smith's diligence and usefulness, in these terms:-"From the following report of Mr. Smith, it will be seen, that his labours continue to be increasingly successful. 'Our average congregation is 800 persons. We have certainly much cause to be thankful to the great Head of the church, for the success that attends our labours. We. behold every sabbath an overflowing congregation, behaving with praise- | Smith's chapel was situated. The worthy decorum, and we see them zealous for the spread of Christianity. They are fast abandoning their wicked practices for more regular habits of life, as is evident from the number of marriages, few of which, not one in fifty, have hitherto been violated.' Mr. Smith observes, that the Mission Registers contain the names of about 2000 persons, who have professedly embraced the gospel at Le Resouvenir, and the adjoining plantations." The members of his church at this time, amounted to 203. In the sixty-third number of the Imperial Magazine, for March of the present year, we inserted, in col. 218, a letter from a lady in Demerara, which contains an outline of the negro revolt in that colony; and to this the reader is referred for additional information on this melancholy subject. It would, however, be an act of injustice, both to the memory of Mr. Smith, and also to those gentlemen who sat in judgment on his case, and sentenced him to death, to pass over in total silence the circumstances connected with the revolt among the negroes, through which his life was sacrificed. The cruelties inseparable from the system of colonial slavery, are too well known in England to require proof, or to admit denial. Of this, their taskmasters are so well aware, that their anticipations of retaliation keep them constantly on the alert; and to prevent revolt, coercion exercises all its rigour. But though vigilant terror may, for a season, postpone the catastrophe, of which guilt is always apprehensive, there are certain points beyond which buman nature can no longer yield submission to the brutality of the lash, and the refinements of torture; and when this crisis arrives, the goaded wretches brave every consequence, in attempting to throw off the yoke. planters, unwilling to admit the real cause, sought after one that was artificial, and viewing Mr. Smith in a situation favourable for their purpose, he was taken into custody, his private papers seized, and he was committed to the public jail. To justify this measure, and support something like a charge against him, some scores, perhaps some hundreds, of persons were examined; and it was not until seven weeks had elapsed, that they were able to collect, from the contradictory statements of the implicated negroes, and from his own papers, a sufficiency of evidence, to make out the charges embodied in the following articles of accusation. "First-That Mr. Smith, long previous to the revolt, did promote, as far as in him lay, discontent and dissatisfaction in the minds of the negroes towards their lawful masters, managers, and overseers. "Secondly-That he advised, consulted, and corresponded with a negro named Quamina, touching the revolt; and that, after the revolt took place, he aided and assisted in the rebellion. "Thirdly-That having come to the knowledge of the intended revolt, he did not make known the same to the proper authorities. "Fourthly-That after such revolt had taken place, he held communication with Quamina, well knowing him to be an insurgent engaged in the insurrection." re In the support of these charges, the contradictory evidence of the negroes implicated in the revolt, was ceived, and no doubt many were willing to become witnesses, as the most effectual way to secure their own lives. How far this might really have operated in their personal preservation, those who are acquainted with colonial proceedings may easily judge. Several, however, to whom the favour of life was denied, boldly asserted, when on the scaffold, that Mr. Smith had never taught them to rebel, and that he knew nothing of the rebellion until it actually broke out. It is well known, that the planters in Demerara were never famed for humanity towards their slaves. The negroes, if unable to reason, are In the Missionary Chronicle for capable of feeling the lacerations of March, 1824, appended to the Evangethe whip. This they had long sus-lical Magazine, the writer, page 119, tained in silent anguish, until the 18th of August, 1823, when they broke out in open rebellion, in that part of the colony in which Mr. makes the following observations. "The papers of Mr. Smith were seized, and his private journal, the record of those feelings of his heart which were never divulged to any man, nor intended to be, was ransacked, to find matter of public accusation; and nearly twenty of such extracts are cited in support of the charges alleged against him-conversations held at distant periods and places-acts which, by a prejudiced ingenuity only, could be made to bear on the question-passages of scripture read by him-and texts preached from in his public ministry,-were all tortured to support the imputations so derived; the evidence of negroes, (taken through the medium of an interpreter,) which would not have been admitted in a civil court on an action for any trifling offence, or for property; hearsay evidence admitted and required against the prisoner, but peremptorily and deliberately refused in a critical part of his defence, when resorted to in his favour, formed the mean support of the charges; with other incongruities of procedure, open to the legal eye. Add to which, the extreme length of the trial, during which the witnesses and judges were open to the influence of a community, heated by the most violent prejudices, and kept in a constant state of excitement by the effusions of a press, by no means disposed to impartiality and moderation. "The Directors having stated these points of serious objection, (and more might easily be found,) to the proceedings on the trial, conclude, that the members of the Society, and the candid beyond its circle, will approve of their declaring, that they retain the conviction formerly expressed, of the moral and legal innocence of their missionary Smith; that they do not withdraw from him their confidence ; and that they are not ashamed of his bonds.' They regard him as an unmerited sufferer in the diligent and faithful, and it may be added, useful discharge of his duties as a Missionary, and they earnestly wish the Divine forgiveness may be extended to those who have been instrumental in causing his sufferings." In avowing this conviction, the Directors are happy to find their sentiments confirmed by the voluntary testimony of the episcopal chaplain of the colony, which he has expressed in the following terms:-"I feel no hesitation in declaring, from the intimate knowledge which my most anxious inquiries have obtained, that in the late scourge which the hand of an all-wise Creator has inflicted on this ill-fated country, nothing but those religious impressions which, under Providence, Mr. Smith bas been instrumental in fixing-nothing but those principles of the gospel of peace, which he has been proclaiming-could have prevented a dreadful effusion of blood here, and saved the lives of those very persons who are now (I shudder to write it ) seeking his." From his long residence in Demerara, and the fatigues necessarily attendant on the duties of his station, Mr. Smith's health had been somewhat impaired, prior to the revolt, his constitution having suffered from the enervating effects of the climate. The charges brought against him, therefore, occasioned a shock which he was badly able to withstand, and his long and close confinement tended to press with peculiar severity on a weakened frame, which nothing but relaxation and indulgence could restore. To this must be added, the agitation which his trial occasioned, the painful sensations resulting from his unmerited sentence, and the state of suspense in which he remained, before his Majesty's pleasure could be known. All these, in their combined effect, were more than human nature could support. He languished in confinement from August, 1823, until February, 1824, when, resigned to the will of his heavenly Father, under this mysterious dispensation of his providence, "the weary wheels of life stood still." This afflictive event is thus announced in the Barbadoes Mercury of February 14. 66 Demerara, Feb. 6th.-Died, this morning, at 20 minutes past one o'clock, in the colonial gaol, where he had been confined as a state prisoner since the 26th of November last,-on the termination of his trial by general court-martial, on a charge of high treason, sentence thereon having been transmitted to his Majesty for his final decision,-John Smith, missionary. He had been in a poor state of health, and had medical advice for a considerable time previous; and since he took seriously ill, about three weeks ago, has been attended regularly by skilful physicians. We are happy to state, by personal inquiry and inspection, that this unfortunate man had the utmost | chased a painful immortality, which attention and kindness shewn to him will never cease to associate with his by the humane keeper of the prison, name. The nefarious transactions. Mr. Padmore, all the time of his con- which have deprived him of life, will, finement. His apartment was airy it is fully expected, ere long be and commodious; and he had always laid before an impartial public; and at his command, every comfort which the historians of missions will rank his taste fancied, or his necessities him among the martyrs of the ninerequired. He has left a widow to teenth century. lament his fate, and deplore his loss." To this statement, which breathes a portion of sympathetic humanity, that may be justly contrasted with the remorseless vengeance echoed in the papers of Demerara on former occasions, the friends of Mr. Smith in this country are disposed to give much credit; but the arrival of Mrs. Smith will very shortly confirm or correct their opinion. It is not inconsistent with a spirit of persecution, to shew pretended pity to the victim which it has hunted to the gibbet or the stake. It is, however, well known, that Mr. Padmore, the keeper of the prison, is a humane man; but it is also ascertained, on authority equally unequivocal, that such were the vindictive feelings of the whites in Demerara towards Mr. Smith, that should he have lived to receive his liberation, an armed guard In his last letter to Mr. Davies, and perhaps the last that he ever wrote, he thus expresses the state of his mind in its concluding paragraph, to which we have subjoined a fac-simile of his hand-writing: “ I feel pretty happy in my mind. I know not what judgment awaits me. Sometimes I. think my decaying frame will not hold together long enough for it to affect me. I am in the Lord's hand, and feel quite willing he should do with me what he pleases. Indeed, I often feel anxious for the period to arrive, when I shall inhabit a house not made with hands.' Pray for me.' John Smith Colony Jail would be necessary to protect him, Demerary. effects of popular indignation. Facts during his embarkation, from the like these, direct us to receive colonial reports with caution. A stanch colonist has an interest in distorting truth, and stifling the dictates of humanity, when his negro property is involved in the issue; and the jail and military tribunal await those who dissent from public opinion. From Mr. Smith's numerous letters transmitted to his friends in England, during his residence in Demerara, materials might easily be collected, sufficient to fill an interesting volume. From these documents may be gathered many important facts, which, without designing it, illustrate the spirit and character which prevail in those colonial settlements; but in this respect, the tragical circumstances connected with his seizure, trial, confinement, sentence, and death, leave but little to be developed. Mr. Smith is now placed, where neither the sympathy of his friends, nor the implacable vengeance of his foes, can reach. By the manner of his death, he has pur Dec. 16. 1823) Mr. Smith was a man who possessed strong natural parts, great vigour of intellect, much acuteness of penetration, and an amazing quickness of comprehension. He was zealous in whatever he undertook, and remarkably exact in the fulfilment of all his engagements. As a servant, he was faithful; and as a friend, he was sincere. Feeling most acutely the plague of his own heart, he earnestly sought, and happily found, the divine mercy; and, possessing a mind calculated for great usefulness, he entered fully on his ministerial duties, with the true spirit of an evangelist. By his death, the Missionary Society has lost one of its most active instruments, and the church one of its brightest ornaments. His wife has been deprived of an affectionate husband, his mother of a kind and dutiful son, and the enslaved Africans of one whose aim was to promote their eternal welfare. Such was John Smith, who has been cut off, in the midst of his days, by the hand of persecution, under a court-martial, composed of men engaged in the same profession in which his father lost his life in the defence of his country;but surely his judgment is with the Lord, and his work with his God. Sketch of the Chapel and Residence of the late Rev. John Smith, at Le Resouvenir, in the Colony of Demerara, with a brief historical Account of the Mission. No sooner was it known in this coun-. try that sentence of death had been passed on Mr. Smith, than serious apprehensions were excited among the various Christian communities for the personal safety of their respective missionaries; and those who are acquainted with the ground of the accusation brought against him, and the evidence by which that monstrous legal decision was supported, which affected his life, will readily acknowledge that their fears were not without foundation. When the memoir which occupies the preceding pages was contemplated, we entertained no doubt of being able to procure a portrait of this much injured, but highly honoured servant of God, to accompany our delineation of his personal history and character. It was found, however, on inquiry, that no likeness of this suffering individual was ever known to have been taken, and consequently that no portrait was in existence. It was well known to many of his acquaintances, that he had been frequently importuned to sit for this purpose, but to do this he never would submit. ...... his name, or give an additional lustre to his reputation. The colony of Demerara, in which Mr. Smith laboured, and became a martyr, is situated in Dutch Guiana, on the east coast of South America. It is bounded on the east by the colony of Berbice, and on the west by that of Essequebo. For about 20 miles inland, along the banks of the of extensive meadows. Plantations, river Demerara, the country consists chiefly of sugar, coffee, and cotton, are regularly ranged on each side of the river. The culture of rice has also been introduced. The river, which is about two miles in breadth at its mouth, affords an excellent harbour for ships; but a bar prevents the sailing of large ships up the river, which, however, is navigable for smaller vessels nearly 100 miles. The population of the united colony of Demerara and Essequebo is estimated as follows: - Whites, (among whom there are proba bly not more than 150 ladies,) about 3,000 Free blacks, and coloured people, about 3,000 Slaves - 72,000 Total, 78,000 The mission to Demerara was undertaken by the London Missionary Society in the year 1808, in consequence of an application from Mr. Post, a respectable Dutch planter, who possessed the estate called Le Resouvenir, situated about eight miles from the principal town, then called Staarbrook, but now George Town.— On this estate stand the chapel and dwelling of the late Mr. Smith, surrounded by colonial scenery, as represented in the prefixed engraving. Prior to the establishment of this mission, Mr. Post had taken much Being thus defeated in our inten- laudable pains with his slaves, and tions, a sketch of the house in which for a considerable time he kept a he resided, and of the chapel in which schoolmaster purposely to instruct he preached, presented itself to our them. The directors having some notice, surrounded with plantation | knowledge of these circumstances, scenery such as the plate represents. considered his application for a misOf this we readily availed ourselves, sionary as an especial call from Prodirecting an engraving to be immedi-vidence, which they durst not disreately taken, that, as a tribute of re-gard. They accordingly sent out Mr. spect to his memory, it might accom- John Wray, who, on his arrival, was pany the memoir. We have no doubt received by Mr. Post with true Christhat both will prove highly gratifying tian hospitality. to many of our readers, but we have not the vanity to suppose that the delineations either of the artist or the writer will add to the perpetuity of Mr. Wray immediately entered upon his work, and found the poor negroes very ready and willing to hear the word; so that additional seats |