Mr. and Mrs. M. stated that notwithstanding the very low rate of wages, which was scarcely sufficient to support life, they had never seen a single individual who desired to return to the condition of a slave.  Even the old and infirm, who were sometimes really in a suffering state from neglect of the planters and from inability of their relatives adequately to provide for them, expressed the liveliest gratitude for the great blessing which the Savior had given them.  They would often say to Mrs. M.  “Why, Missus, old sinner just sinkin in de grave, but God let me old eyes see dis blessed sun.”

The missionaries affirmed that the negroes were an affectionate people—­remarkably so.  Any kindness shown them by a white person, was treasured up and never forgotten.  On the other hand, the slightest neglect or contempt from a white person, was keenly felt.  They are very fond of saying ‘howdy’ to white people; but if the salutation is not returned, or noticed kindly, they are not likely to repeat it to the same individual.  To shake hands with a white person is a gratification which they highly prize.  Mrs. M. pleasantly remarked, that after service on Sabbath, she was usually wearied out with saying howdy, and shaking hands.

During the evening we had some conversation with two men who came to ‘speak.’  They spoke about the blessings of liberty, and their gratitude to God for making them free.  They spoke also, with deep feeling, of the still greater importance of being free from sin.  That, they said, was better. Heaven was the first best, and freedom was the next best.

They gave us some account, in the course of the evening, of an aged saint called Grandfather Jacob, who lived on a neighboring estate.  He had been a helper[A] in the Moravian church, until he became too infirm to discharge the duties connected with that station.  Being for the same reason discharged from labor on the estate, he now occupied himself in giving religious instruction to the other superannuated people on the estate.

[Footnote A:  An office somewhat similar to that of deacon]

Mrs. M. said it would constitute an era in the life of the old man, if he could have an interview with two strangers from a distant land; accordingly, she sent a servant to ask him to come to the mission-house early the next morning.  The old man was prompt to obey the call.  He left home, as he said, ’before the gun fire’—­about five o’clock—­and came nearly three miles on foot.  He was of a slender form, and had been tall, but age and slavery had bowed him down.  He shook us by the hand very warmly, exclaiming, “God bless you, God bless you—­me bery glad to see you.”  He immediately commenced giving us an account of his conversion.  Said he, putting his hand on his breast, “You see old Jacob? de old sinner use to go on drinkin’, swearin’, dancin’, fightin’! No God—­ no Savior—­no soul! When old England and de Merica fall out de