Attended the anniversary of the “Friendly Society,” connected with the church in St. John’s.  Many of the most respectable citizens, including the Governor, were present.  After the services in the church, the society moved in procession to the Rectory school-room.  We counted one hundred males and two hundred and sixty females in the procession.  Having been kindly invited by the Rector to attend at the school-room, we followed the procession.  We found the house crowded with women, many others, besides those in the procession, having convened.  The men were seated without under a canvass, extended along one side of the house.  The whole number present was supposed to be nine hundred.  Short addresses were made by the Rector, the Archdeacon, and the Governor.

The Seventh Annual Report of the Society, drawn up by the secretary, a colored man, was read.  It was creditable to the author.  The Rector in his address affectionally warned the society, especially the female members, against extravagance in dress.

The Archdeacon exhorted them to domestic and conjugal faithfulness.  He alluded to the prevalence of inconstancy during past years, and to the great improvement in this particular lately; and concluded by wishing them all “a happy new-year and many of them, and a blessed immortality in the end.”  For this kind wish they returned a loud and general “thankee, massa.”

The Governor then said, that he rose merely to remark, that this society might aid in the emancipation of millions of slaves, now in bondage in other countries.  A people who are capable of forming such societies as this among themselves, deserve to be free, and ought no longer to be held in bondage.  You, said he, are showing to the world what the negro race are capable of doing.  The Governor’s remarks were received with applause.  After the addresses the audience were served with refreshments, previous to which the Rector read the following lines, which were sung to the tune of Old Hundred, the whole congregation standing.

   “Lord at our table now appear
     And bless us here, as every where;
   Let manna to our souls be given,
     The bread of life sent down from heaven.”

The simple refreshment was then handed round.  It consisted merely of buns and lemonade.  The Governor and the Rector, each drank to the health and happiness of the members.  The loud response came up from all within and all around the house—­“thankee—­thankee—­thankee—­massa—­thankee good massa.”  A scene of animation ensued.  The whole concourse of black, colored and white, from the humblest to the highest, from the unlettered apprentice to the Archdeacon and the Governor of the island, joined in a common festivity.

After the repast was concluded, thanks were returned in the following verse, also sung to Old Hundred.

   “We thank thee, Lord, for this our food,
     But bless thee more for Jesus’ blood;
   Let manna to our souls be given,
     The bread of life sent down from heaven.”