spoke with an audible voice on this wise, "My dependence is on the Lord Jesus, who I trust will forgive my sins, which is all I hope for, and if it be his will to raise up this body again, I am content; and if to die, I am resigned; and if thou canst not be easy without trying to assist nature, I submit:" after which his throat was so much affected, that it was very difficult for him to speak so as to be understood, and he frequently wrote when he wanted any thing. About the second hour on fourth-day morning he asked for pen and ink, and at several times with much difficulty wrote thus, "I believe my being here is in the wisdom of Christ, I know not as to life or death."

About a quarter before six o'clock the same morning he seemed to fall into an easy sleep, which continued about half an hour, when seeming to awake, he breathed a few times with more difficulty, and expired without sigh, groan or struggle.

END OF THE JOURNAL.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES;

RECOMMENDED TO THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY OF EVERY

DENOMINATION.

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1754.

INTRODUCTION.

CUSTOMS generally approved, and opinions received by youth from their superiors, become like the natural produce of a soil, especially when they are suited to favourite inclinations: but as the judgments of God are without partiality, by which the state of the soul must be tried, it would be the highest wisdom to forego customs and popular opinions, and try the measures of the soul by the infallible standard, Truth.

Natural affection needs a careful examination; operating upon us in a soft manner, it kindles desires of love and tenderness, and there is danger of taking it for something higher. To me it appears an instinct like that which inferior creatures have; each of them, we see, by the ties of nature, love self best; that which is a part of self, they love by the same tie or instinct. In them it in some measure does the offices of reason, by which, among other things, they watchfully keep and regularly feed their helpless offspring. Thus natural affection appears to be a branch of self-love, good in the animal

race, and in us likewise, with proper limitations; but otherwise it is productive of evil, by exciting desires to promote some by means prejudicial to others.

Our blessed Saviour seems to give a check to this irregular fondness in nature, and at the same time, a precedent for us: "Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?" thereby intimating that the earthly ties of relationship are comparatively inconsiderable to such, who through a steady course of obedience, have come to the happy experience of the Spirit of God bearing witness with their spirits that they are his children :-" And he stretched forth his hands towards his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren: For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, (arrives at the more noble part of true relationship) the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

This doctrine agrees well with a state truly complete, where love necessarily operates according to the agreeableness of things, on principles unalterable and in themselves perfect.

If endeavouring to have my children eminent amongst men after my death, be that which no reasons grounded on those principles can be brought to support; then to be temperate in my pursuit after gain, and to keep always within the bounds of those principles, is an indispensable duty, and to depart from it, a dark unfruitful toil.

In our present condition, to love our children is needful; but except this love proceeds from the true heavenly principle which sees beyond earthly treasures, it will rather be injurious than of any real advantage to them: where the fountain is corrupt, the streams must necessarily be impure..

That important injunction of our Saviour, Matt. vi, 33, with the promise annexed, contains a short but comprehensive view of our duty and happiness:-If then the business of mankind in this life, is first to seek another; if this cannot be done but by attending to the means; if a summary of the means is, not to do that to another which, in like circumstances, we would not have done unto us, then these are points of moment, and worthy of our most serious consideration.

What I write on this subject is with reluctance, and the hints given are in as general terms as my concern would allow. I know it is a point about which, in all its branches, men that appear to aim well are not generally agreed; and for that reason I chose to avoid being very particular. If I may happily let drop any thing that may excite such as are concerned in the practice to a close thinking on the subject treated of, the candid amongst them may easily do the subject such further justice, as on an impartial inquiry it may appear to deserve; and such an inquiry I would earnestly recommend.

T

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

"Forasmuch as ye did it to the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me."-Matt. xxv, 40.

As many times there are different motives to the same action; and one does that from a generous heart, which another does for selfish ends; the like may be said in this case.

There are various circumstances among those that keep negroes, and different ways by which they fall under their care; and I doubt not, there are many welldisposed persons amongst them who desire rather to manage wisely and justly in this difficult matter, than to make gain of it.

But the general disadvantage which these poor Afri cans lie under in an enlightened Christian country, having often filled me with real sadness, and been like undigested matter on my mind, I now think it my duty, through Divine aid, to offer some thoughts thereon to the consideration of others.

When we remember that all nations are of one blood, Gen. iii, 20, that in this world we are but sojourners, that we are subject to the like afflictions and infirmities of body, the like disorders and frailties in mind, the like temptations, the same death, and the same judgment, and that the all-wise Being is Judge and Lord over us all, it seems to raise an idea of general brotherhood, and