LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER.

View of the Residence

Residence & Chapel of the late Rev. John Smith.

at le Resouvenir, in the Colony of Demerara.

Published by Henry Fisher. Caxton. London 1824

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN SMITH,

LATE MISSIONARY IN DEMARARA,
THE MARTYRED VICTIM OF LEGAL

PERSECUTION.

(With a View of his Chapel and Dwelling-house.) ON taking a retrospective survey of departed years, we look with astonishment on the sanguinary character of our ancestors, and congratulate ourselves, that the season is past, in which a profession of Christianity sometimes sanctioned murder, and an intemperate zeal delighted in human blood. So far as the concentrated parts of the British empire fall within the reach of these reflections, historical records bear evidence to the melancholy fact, and present observation justifies the conclusion.

[1824.

JOHN SMITH was born June 27, 1790, in the village of Rothwell, Northamptonshire. He had the misfortune, at a very early age, to lose battles of his country on the plains of his father, who fell while fighting the Egypt. His mother being then left destitute, he was deprived of the advantages of an early education, except that which he derived from an occasional attendance at a Sundayschool. His mind, naturally vigorous, being placed under few restraints, he soon contracted the detestable habit of swearing. But this vice, though dreadful in itself, was not followed in him by others, which tended to impeach his character for honesty, veracity, and a strict attention to the duties of his station.

There are, however, some distant At about the age of fourteen, he, appendages of the English nation, entered into an engagement with the though warmed by equinoctial suns, late Mr. Blunden, St. John's-Lane, in which the ferocity of ancient times Clerkenwell, intending, as an apprenstill asserts its dominion. In some tice, to learn the business of a biscuitof these, the benignant principles of baker. His master, however, dying, an enlightened toleration have but he was succeeded in his shop and feebly exerted their influence; its ex- calling by Mr. Davies, in the month of istence, indeed, has been nominally March, 1806. To him, John Smith acknowledged, but justice has not was recommended by his former misalways been consulted in the adminis- tress, as a lad well acquainted with tration of law. In too many in- the customers, and one that was likely stances, men invested with authority to be serviceable. On this recomhave employed power to protect an mentation, Mr. Davies consented to interest, founded on an invasion of take him, and both the lad and his the most sacred rights of mankind; mother approving the terms, he was and, as if conscious of the dangerous bound an apprentice for six years, ground on which they stood, none which he regularly served; and after have been able to escape suspicion, the expiration of that term, he conbut those who have cordially partici- tinued in the employment of his maspated in the common crime. Hence, ner, until his engagement with the under the influence of injustice, jea- Missionary Society, which took place lousy has generated animosity, which in the year 1816. From this time, apprehension has matured into guilt, to the period of his decease, he while persecution, under the forms of continued to correspond with Mr. ' law, has been unkennelled, to hunt its Davies; and in the last letter which victims to the gibbet or the grave. The sent, prior to his imprisonment, he How far these observations are appli-enclosed five pounds for his mother, cable to Demerara, those who peruse to whose necessities he was ever atthe following narrative of Mr. John tentive, and who, residing in the Smith, who lately perished in that vicinity of London, has to deplore the colony, while under sentence of death, loss of one of the best of sons. in the common jail, will easily judge. At the time of his being bound au No. 65.-VOL. VI. 2 C

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all his former books were quickly discarded. Some few, that were of a moral tendency, he sold, and with the money purchased a Bible, and other religious books. The others, that they might not extend their contaminating influence, he consigned to the flames. He now found, that he had every thing to learn; and under this conviction, was as diligent in the acquirement of useful knowledge, as he had previously been in the acquisition of that which tended to debase his moral and intellectual powers.

apprentice, so much had his education been neglected, he was unable to write his name, and only made a mark, as the sign of his assent to the agreement. His master, on perceiving that he appeared ashamed of his inability to write, kindly offered to instruct him. A copybook was accordingly purchased, and copies were set by Mr. Davies, under whose fostering care, the improvement he made was exceedingly rapid, but no marks whatever of piety had hitherto appeared. While thus ignorant of God, and an enemy to divine things, he was not It now pleased God to afflict inattentive to reading; but, unhappily, him with the small-pox, and so sethe books in which he took delight, vere was the disease, that neither coincided with his natural disposi- himself nor his friends entertained tion, and rather tended to lead his soul much hope of his recovery. While farther from God, than to awaken in this state of danger, he thought that within him a sense of his danger, and God was about to cut him off for his bring him to the fold of Christ. On past wickedness; but, on finding the one occasion, while thus engaged, he disorder to abate, he determined to had a narrow escape from being burnt devote himself unreservedly to the 'to death. He had one night been service of his Maker and Redeemer. reading while in bed, (a practice, To this resolution, through divine though but too common, that cannot grace, he firmly adhered, and hencebe too much reprobated,) when, fall-forward became a decided character. ing asleep, the candle caught the bedclothes, which were instantly in a flame. The sensations which the heat occasioned, roused him from his repose, just in time to save his own life, and to preserve the house from destruction; but the greater part of the 'bedding was consumed.

In the course of divine providence, he was led, by a fellow workman, to hear the Rev. John Stevens, of Prescot-street, Goodman-Fields, and in what was delivered on that occasion, he seemed to feel some interest. This friend repeated his invitation, and he again consented to accompany him. The word, at length, took such deep hold on his mind, that invitations became unnecessary, and he settled down into a willing and constant attendant.

Under four sermons preached by Mr. Stevens, from 1 Thess. i. 10., and a discourse, delivered by the Rev. J. Leifchild, of Kensington, preached on the opening of Tunbridge chapel, Somer's Town, from Isaiah lv. 7. he seemed much affected, being convinced that he deserved wrath; and the nature and duration of the divine displeasure made a deep impression on his mind. He now gave decided proof, that religion had gained an ascendency in his estimation. Nearly

After having for some time attended preaching at Tunbridge chapel, he applied for admission, and was received as a member of that church. Here a Sunday-school being formed, he became a teacher; and, in this capacity, discharged his duty with conscientious exactness, being rarely absent, or scarcely ever five minutes behind the time appointed for assembling. To this school, he was justly considered as a valuable acquisition. His steadiness and regularity gave him influence, and on most occasions his judgment was consulted, when cases occurred that required deliberation. In addressing the children on religious subjects, his exhortations were solemn and impressive; and although it was well known to all his associates, that at the commencement of his seriousness he had every thing to acquire, the rapid improvement which he had made in divine things, could not escape their observation. In public prayer meetings, his petitions were energetic and devout ; and at home, when his master was either absent or unwell, on him the conducting of the family worship devolved.

In the science of music, he also made a considerable proficiency, with scarcely any other assistance than