the habitations of cruelty." He
hopes to see the nations "open their eyes, and turn from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by
faith."

The curse originally pronounced on the descendants of Ham has, in a
variety of respects, both temporal and spiritual, been awfully
fulfilled--"A servant of servants shall he be." Slavery, as well of mind
as body, has been continued amongst the Africans through their
generations in a manner which at once proves the truth of the Divine
prediction, and yet calls aloud for the ardent prayers and active
exertions of Christians in their behalf. The time will come when the
heathen shall be proved to have been given to Christ "for an inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." The degraded
Hottentot, and the poor benighted Negro, will look from the ends of the
earth unto Jesus, and be saved. "Many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased." The Redeemer "shall see of the travail of
his soul, and shall be satisfied," in beholding the gathering together,
not only of the outcasts of Israel that are ready to perish, but of
churches and people from all the tongues, and kindreds, and nations of
the earth. In the day of his appearing, the sons of Africa will vie with
their brethren of the north, and the west, and the east, in resounding
the praises of God their Saviour from one end of the earth to the other.

In the meantime, we rejoice in every occasional instance of the love and
power of God in effecting the conversion of some, who appear as the first-
fruits of that harvest which shall hereafter so fruitfully grow up, to
the honour of Christ and the blessedness of his redeemed people.

The following narrative of real facts may, perhaps, illustrate the
importance of the foregoing remarks.

During a residence of some years' continuance in the neighbourhood of the
sea, an officer of the navy called upon me, and stated that he had just
taken a lodging in the parish for his wife and children; and had a Negro,
who had been three years in his service. "The lad is a deserving
fellow," said the officer, "and he has a great desire to be baptized. I
have promised him to ask you to do it, if you have not any objections."

"Does he know anything," replied I, "of the principles of the Christian
religion?"

"Oh, yes, I am sure he does," answered t