The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 eBook

American Anti-Slavery Society
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,105 pages of information about The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4.

The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 eBook

American Anti-Slavery Society
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,105 pages of information about The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4.
the work in the boiling-house, and at the mill.  They did not have rest even on the Sabbath; they must have the mill put about (set to the wind so as to grind) by sunset every Sabbath.  Often the mills were in the wind before four o’clock, on Sabbath afternoon.  They knew of slaves being flogged for not being on the spot by sunset, though it was known that they had been to meeting.  Mr. G. said that he had a young friend who came from England with him, and acted as book-keeper.  His labors and exposures were so intolerable, that he had often said to Mr. G., confidentially, that if the slaves should rise in rebellion, he would most cheerfully join them!  Said Mr. G., there was great rejoicing among the book-keepers in August 1834! The abolition of slavery was EMANCIPATION TO THE BOOK-KEEPERS.

[Footnote A:  The book-keepers are subordinate overseers and drivers; they are generally young white men, who after serving a course of years in a sort of apprenticeship, are promoted to managers of estates.]

No complaints were brought before Mr. Chamberlain.  Mr. Gordon pleasantly remarked when we arrived, that he had some cases which he should have presented if the magistrate had come a little earlier, but he presumed he should forget them before his next visit.  When we left Williamsfield, Mr. C. informed us that during five months there had been but two cases of complaint on that estate—­and but a single instance of punishment. Such are the results where there is a good manager and a good special magistrate.

On Sabbath we attended service in the Baptist chapel, of which Rev. Mr. Kingdon is pastor.  The chapel, which is a part of Mr. K.’s dwelling-house, is situated on the summit of a high mountain which overlooks the sea.  As seen from the valley below, it appears to topple on the very brink of a frightful precipice.  It is reached by a winding tedious road, too rugged to admit of a chaise, and in some places so steep as to try the activity of a horse.  As we approached nearer, we observed the people climbing up in throngs by various footpaths, and halting in the thick woods which skirted the chapel, the men to put on their shoes, which they had carried in their hands up the mountain, and the women to draw on their white stockings and shoes.  On entering the place of worship, we found it well filled with the apprentices, who came from many miles around in every direction.  The services had commenced when we arrived.  We heard an excellent sermon from the devoted and pious missionary, Mr. Kingdon, whose praise is among all the good throughout the island, and who is eminently known as the negro’s friend.  After the sermon, we were invited to make a few remarks; and the minister briefly stated to the congregation whence we had come, and what was the object of our visit.  We cannot soon forget the scene which followed.  We begun by expressing, in simple terms, the interest which we felt in the temporal and spiritual concerns

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The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 2 of 4 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.