there was in the voice a mixture of coaxing and familiarity which was a little offensive; still, as a “layman’s” exercise, it was very good.  He prayed for “every grace and Christian virtue.”  Amen, ejaculated I,—­then your slaves will soon be free.  He prayed for “our nation and rulers.”  He prayed that “the great blessings of Civil and Religious Liberty which we enjoy may be handed down to future generations.”  “Looking out for a few niggers this morning?” thought I. He also prayed for “the army and navy, and our fellow-citizens now on the field of battle,” in allusion to the Mexican War.—­The prayer ended, Dr. S——­ gave out another hymn.  During the whole of the service, I may here remark, there was a good deal of going in and out, talking, whispering, spitting, guttural turbulence, &c.  At first there were about a dozen white boys in my neighbourhood, who seemed as if they belonged to the Sabbath-school; but, having no teacher to look after them, and enjoying the full swing of liberty, they had before sermon all disappeared.

After the singing, Dr. S——­ made several announcements,—­amongst others, that the monthly concert to pray for the success of Foreign Missions would be held there to-morrow evening, when several speakers would address the meeting.  By all means (said I to myself), and I’ll try to be present.  He also told his people that the Rev. ----. ------, (from some place in Kentucky,—­the particulars I did not catch,) was in the city, as a deputation from the ladies, to solicit subscriptions for the erection of a new church that was greatly needed.

The tall man in the black neckcloth then rose, and, to my surprise and disappointment, read a text.  It was I Cor. iii. 21:  “For all things are yours.”  I imagine he was the deputation from the Kentuckian ladies.

After a few introductory remarks explanatory of the context, he proposed to inquire what are the things which “enter into” ("constitute,” we should say) the inheritance of God’s people.  Slaves (said I to myself) are a part of the inheritance of “God’s people,” both here and in Kentucky:  I wonder if he will notice that.

The first thing, I observe (said he), that enters into the inheritance of God’s people, is the living ministry—­“Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas.”  To illustrate the value of this blessing, he referred to the imaginary Elixir of Life, the Philosopher’s Stone, and the Universal Panacea.  If such things really existed, what a high value would men set upon them!  But here was something of incomparably higher worth.  In order to form an estimate of its value, he led his hearers to imagine the entire loss of the living ministry.  Secondly, the “world” belongs to God’s people.  It is sustained for their sake, and therefore sinners are indebted to God’s people for the preservation of their lives.  To prove this he referred to the words of our Lord, “Ye are the salt of the earth.”  In speaking of the preserving nature of salt, he supposed the sea to be without salt.