free from corruption and confusion. I could fill many sheets in mentioning particular circumstances, which to us have been of a very interesting nature, but I must forbear.

Lord's day before last, Elder Amos Allen baptized his mother, aged 66. She has lived through all the reformations that have taken place in this town heretofore, and is now evidently a "new creature.' On the same baptizing season, four of her grand children were baptized; one of whom was Elder Allen's son, who was also baptized by his father. O, it is enough to affect the most hardened infidel, to attend the prayer meetings of our youth and children, and behold the order they maintain! Their prayers and exhortations are short, but in general to the purpose, and very spiritual. The time is improved in these meetings by the male members; the females also meet by themselves for prayer, and other religious exercises. These meetangs have been remarkably instrumental of awakening those who were going on the way to ruin. The work is still going on among us.

1040

OBITUARY NOTICE:

[M. B. M. M.

To the Editor of the Christian Herald.

DEAR SIR-Having attended the subject of the following memoir, in her last illness, I send you an account of her triumphant death, and should you deem it worthy a place in your excellent paper, you will confer a favour by inserting it.

I was called on Friday, the 20th of July last, to attend an aged lady, Mrs. Margaret Lundergreen, who had been for some time labouring under a severe complaint, which was rapidly hastening her to the house appointed for all living; and I can truly say, that. I never before witnessed such an interesting death-bed scene. Death, that awful king of terrors to the ungedly wretch just awakening from his dream of folly and launching into eternity, was in her case entirely divested of its sting:-Yes, it was completely swallowed up in victory. The religion of the despised Nazarene, which for so many ages has encountered the derision and scorn of those who are wise in their own imaginations, now manifested its superiority over the fashionable philosophy of modern times, (which has attempted, but in vain, to soothe the evening of life,) and enabled her to rejoice in the prospect of that dissolution which was to usher her into the eternal world.

J

It was about eleven years since it pleased God first to direct her serious attention to the great concerns of her salvation, and taught her to live the life of a pilgrim and stranger here upon earth. She was awakened under the preaching of the late eminently pious Dr. Rogers, of this city, when he was discoursing upon the song of the aged Simeon, who, while clasping in his arms the Saviour of the world, cried out, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." After continuing a season in distress, the darkness which surrounded her was removed; the Son of righteousness arose with healing in his wings, and she was enabled to rejoice in the God of her salvation. Having begun, she continued to spend a pious life, until she was called to an inheritance among the saints in light, which took place on the 2d of August, 1816.

It pleased God in his wise providence, who best knows the welof his people and who grants to them as many of this world's

goods as will subserve their everlasting interests, to place her in the humble walks of life, and make her, like her beloved master before her, dependant for her support upon the charity of others; and though she was severely tried, her faith enabled her to overcome all her difficulties, and rest contented with her situation. O that the people of God, when labouring under the deprivation and loss of the things of this world, would only reflect, that the enjoyment of their everlasting estate in Heaven is necessarily connected with their present situation of poverty, otherwise it would most assuredly be different. We cannot suppose that God would heap blessings with such liberal hands upon the poor miserable worldling, who never makes him one return of love and gratitude, and deprive his dear children (for whom he has given the greatest of gifts, even his well-beloved, bosom son, and in whom is all his delight,) of those things which are necessary for their comfort, while passing through the wilderness, unless their happiness in the world to come depended upon it. O comfortable reflection! May it ever be the desire of the saints of God, to throw themselves into the hands of that father who careth for them, and who, to act the part of a kind parent, must direct all things in such a manner as will best further their eternal interests.

During the last three months of Mrs. Lundergreen's life her health gradually declined, and though for a time she expressed many doubts and fears respecting her state, they seemed to be almost, if not entirely gone in the last moments thereof.

On the Saturday evening preceding her death, when she was spoken to respecting her weakness, and her apparent near approach to death-she replied,

"I feel this mud-wall cottage shake,

I long to see it fall,

That I may wing my way above

To Christ, who is my all."

On Sunday, after awakening from an unusually long slumber, she clasped her arms around the neck of her excellent friend Mrs. Munro, to whose charity she was indebted for many of her com-' forts, and exclaimed, "Where have I been. I have been with Jesus. I have been with Jesus, O my dear, I wish I could carry you to heaven with me,' and then looking around the room, she said, "Has the Lord done such great things for me, to place me in this large room, to provide such nourishment and attendance for me, for such a poor unworthy worm of the dust as I am, and has been pleased to permit my friends to visit, converse, and pray with me, and to be surrounded with so many comforts, when my dear master had not where to lay his head! O bless the Lord my soul, and all within me bless his holy name."

During one of my visits in the evening, I asked her if she were willing to depart-"O yes, Doctor," said she," I desire to depart to be with Christ, which is far better." She said "she would soon take her seat at the table in heaven, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and sing the new song of Moses and the Lamb"-and

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THE CHRISTIAN HERALD

added, "Won't that be a glorious song." One of her aged friends being in the room, she called him, took him by the hand, and said, "We have seen many years together, my dear friend, and now prepare to meet thy God."

From Sunday until the moment she entered into rest, she continued almost uninterruptedly in a happy frame of mind, and would often repeat the following lines:

"Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near,

And for my relief he will surely appear,

By prayer let me wrestle, and he will perform :
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm."

On Tuesday morning an aged Christian friend visited her, and before he departed, he went to the bed-side, took her by the hand, and said, that to all appearance he would never meet her again in this world. She answered, "She hoped they would soon meet in heaven, as to all appearance he would not tarry long after her,' and added, "O what a glorious meeting will that be!"

On Wednesday evening she asked a friend, if the frame of mind she was in could be a delusion, to which being answered in the negative, she exelaimed, “No, I know that my redeemer liveth," and then repeated the words

"His love in times past forbids me to think

He will leave me at last in trouble to sink,

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms his good pleasure to bring me safe through."

On Thursday morning she attempted to repeat a part of a hymn of the pious Watts" Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell;" but she was so much exhausted, that it was impossible. She now wished to see no more company, 66 no person but Christ; he was all in all-the chiefest of ten thousands, and altogether lovely."

On Friday morning, as life now glimmered in the socket, she asked what o'clock it was, and on being told it was half past seven, she opened her eyes, looked around, and said, “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." This was the last sentence she ever distinctly uttered. She fell asleep in Jesus, about eleven o'clock at night.

Should the eyes of any unhappy stranger to the religion of Jesus, be cast over the above-narrative, may he be constrained to stop for a moment, and ask himself, if it be not worth living the life of a Christian to die such a death.

Believe me, dear sir, to be, &c.

JOHN SCUDDER.

KINGSTON SUNDAY SCHOOL, (in Ulster County, N.{Y.})

CONSTITUTION.

LOOKING forward to the time when people of colour will be entitled to the rights of citizenship: but, in a more especial manner, taking into consideration the welfare of their immortal souls-The subscribers are deeply impressed with the importance of educating them-whether bond or free, and of whatever age or sex; and, in particular, of enabling them to read the

Note---This was the case in a few weeks, when he also entered into rest.

Holy Scriptures, as the means, under the blessing of Providence, of their present comfort and eternal salvation.

Therefore, we, the subscribers, do hereby associate under the style of the "KINGSTON SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY."

Our object is, gratuitously to teach People of Colour to read the Bible. All persons, of good moral character, on signing this constitution, become members.

Each member may be assessed to the amount of one dollar, annually, if the funds require it.

A member who contributes ten dollars in money, or in spelling-books, catechisms, testaments or bibles to that value, shall be a member for life; and not subject to annual assessment.

Our officers shall be a President,, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secreta ry, to be chosen on the first Monday of June, annually, or at a special meeting, if necessary.

Our regular meetings shall be quarterly, on the first Mondays of June, September, December, and March.

The officers of the Society shall, in nature of a committee, be the acting board of this association. They shall have power to engage teachers, to collect and apply the funds, to call extra meetings of the Society, to corres pond with similar societies, to superintend the schools, to distribute the school-books, to meet as often as they think proper, and generally to transact all the business of the institution: And at each quarterly meeting they shall report their proceedings to the Society for confirmation or advice.

The instruction intended by this Society, is to be furnished on Sabbaths -because it encourages cleanliness in dress; it prevents profanations of the Lord's day; it produces in the mind habitual respect for the Sabbath; it promotes attendance on divine worship, and it leads to the most desirable religious consequences.

Thirty-two gentlemen having signed the above, May 15, 1816, the following officers were elected:

Rev. John Gosman, President; Christopher Tappen, Vice-President; James Cockburn, Treasurer; Edward O'Neil, Secretary.

Y-LAWS.

1. The officers have power to make regulations for the school, subject alteration by the Society.

2. People of Colour may be admitted and remain in school until they can read the Bible.

3. The officers or persons employed by them shall teach the school. Those instructors shall be preferred who teach without pecuniary compensation. 4. Teachers shall strictly enjoin personal cleanliness on the scholars. 5. School shall be opened and closed with some religious exercise.

6. Scholars may be classed; 1. Into those who are unacquainted with let ters: 2. Those who spell words of two or more letters: 3. Those who spell words of two or more syllables: 4. Those who read short sentences: 5, Those who begin to read the New Testament: 6. Those who read the Bible, 7. Absentees from school shall account for their absence on the next Sabbath. If absent two or more successive Sabbaths, the teachers shall call upon them; and if sick, shall address them in a suitable manner; if well, but without excuse, they may be expelled.

8. Scholars guilty of lying, profane swearing, stealing, profanation of the Sabbath, disorderly conduct in the church or school, loss or abuse of school books, or other improper or immoral conduct, shall be liable to admonition or expulsion.

9. Every scholar having received the proposed instruction, on leaving the school in good standing, shall be presented with a Bible. The Bibles shall be purchased of the Kingston Female Bible Society.

10. A Committee of four members shall be chosen as the other officers are, and called the VISITING COMMITTEE: one of whom ought always to attend in school, to exhort the scholars and assist in religious exercises.

1. Make a list of scholar's names, and note the tardy or absent.

2. Explain the rules applicable to them.

3. Write their names in their books, prefixing their master's name in the possessive case.

4. Note the school books and tracts given out, and to whom.

5. Note offences of which any are guilty, for consideration of punishment. 6. The sexes shall be taught in separate apartments.

7. School hours every Sunday from 8 to 10, morning, and from 5 to 7 after

noon.

These will form the basis of each quarterly report. The above school contains one hundred and fourteen scholars; and as it is a free-school, it is constantly enlarging. The above information has been given with some minuteness, under the hope of establishing similar schools in other parts of this country; where blacks are very numerous. The plan may also be adopted with suitable alterations for the education of poor white children or adults. Sunday schools have been in operation in many parts of the world for several years; and experience has proved them to be uniformly a great benefit to society, and a great blessing to individuals. Any information required for the organization of schools, may be obtained from the above officers. Gentlemen. desirous of signing the constitution, will call on the Secretary.

REPORT.

THE Committee required to make the Quarterly Report, have the satisfaction of making known to the Society, a success in the objects of this association, very far beyond their most sanguine expectations. They well knew the determination of some members to persevere in the establishment of a Sabbath School. But they also knew of prejudices to be combated against educating slaves, lest it might, as has been asserted, give them the disposition and the knowledge to conduct a rebellion against the white people; lest it should infuse a spirit of insubordination, incompatible with their menial situation; and, lest it might introduce that levelling principle, which is destructive of the rank and relative duties of social life. We had other difficulties to contend with. It was a new undertaking, none of us having been conversant with the management of a Sabbath school. It may also be remarked, that it required a considerable share of self-denial in slaves, after the hard labours of the week, and the welcome return of a day of bodily rest, to forego that enjoyment, and walk several miles to school twice a day, when several of them, living at a distance from their wives, were accustomed to spend the Sunday in their company. All these self-denials have been practised: all these prejudices have been subdued: and, in the management of the school, volunteer teachers, both young and old, have exhibited a readiness which we could not have anticipated. The utility of Sabbath Schools is not only admitted, but it is demonstrated. The streets used to be crowded with the idle, the noisy, and the profane. Now, all has a stillness becoming the Lord's day. Divine worship is better attended. Coloured people show a marked civility to the whites generally-from sentiments of gratitude, for their efforts in behalf of this once degraded portion of mankind. It is difficult to say which is the most remarkable— their eagerness to learn, or their promptness in receiving instruction. It seems as if the Father of Spirits imparts to the learners a teachable disposition, and to the teachers willing hearts. That éducation is the best mean of preventing crimes, is now an acknowledged truth. And that the religion of the Bible will make a bondsman a better servant, is a fact established on a foundation as solid as that divine fabric itself.* The number of

*The Georgetown Messenger says, that as far as his observation extends, (which probably will be the fact in all the southern states) a great progress in moral improvement has invariably followed the instruction afforded to negro slaves.