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EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1811.

MEMOIR

OF

THE LATE HERMANUS' HILBERTUS POST, Esg.

OF DEMARARA.

(In a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Wray to the Editor.)
(Continued from our last.)

[THE following Extracts from the Letters of Mr. Post are given (as promised in our last) to shew how much he had at heart the glory of God, and the salvation of the negroes: -],

My health and strength (he says, in one dated Feb. 1808) have failed me much for several months, and disabled me, in many instances, from being as useful as I could wish; but I know that our Lord has no need of me: I am not worthy to serve his cause. Join with us in earnest prayer, that the work here, as well as in other places, may continue and prosper, to the salvation of many of every colour. God, in his mercy, has prepared a way for his minister; and will, I trust, continue to bless his labours with his Almighty power, and open the understandings of the people, to whom the sound of every scriptural or spiritual expression is new. May his health be preserved, and the obstacles against future undertakings be removed!'

When writing for a person for the school, he says,

'My constitution is such, that it does not promise me many more healthy days. The gout seems to continue my constant companion; but I trust I shall, before my departure, see that long-desired work accomplished, of instructing the youth of all classes in the ways of true wisdom.' In another letter, dated Jan. 12, 1809, he writes,

It would be ingratitude to our God and Saviour, not to praise his name for what he has done. He has built his temple in this wilderness, and, I trust, has given us reason to call it Bethel, because many of the ignorant negroes have experienced the presence of the Lord. It is not possible that such a change could otherwise have been effected in their conduct, both on mine and other estates, but especially on the estate next to mine. They were formerly a nuisance to the neighbourhood, on account of their drumming, dancing, &c. two or three nights in the week, and were looked on with a jealous eye, on account of their dangerous communications; but they are now become the most zealous attenders on public worship, catechizing, and private instruction. No drums are heard in this neighbourhood, except where the owners have prohibited the attendance of their slaves. Drunkards and fighters are changed into sober and peaceable people, and endeavour to please those who are set over

them.

In another letter he writes,

I have not the pleasure to find that my own negroes attend so well as those on other estates; but I thank God that many of them do, and are very zealous indeed, and much concerned to have an interest in that Jesus who came to die for sinners. I asked one of my carpenters, if his knowledge was much improved; to which he replied, Very much;' and said he was convinced of sin. I asked him, if he were to fall in a river, and a plank were thrown to him, what he would do; to which he answered, ‘I would take hold of it very strong so I do Jesus.' He, and several more, assure me that their only hope is on what Jesus has done for them; and that they pray daily for wisdom and the Spirit of God. Many express themselves with great thankfulness that they have an opportunity to hear the gospel, when, surely, I point them to the First Cause, who shewed his love to them, in directing me and the hearts of the good people in Europe, to do it. It is affecting to see so many black faces in the meeting, who formerly were not much distinguished from the brute creation, all directing their faces toward the minister, especially when the subject is very serious; and in prayer, to see many kneeling, others standing, repeating with a sigh the word Amen; and to hear from their lips the words plainly expressed, both in prayer and singing hymns. These are pleasing facts. I recommend us all to the prayers of the Christian people in Eng. land. We think it our duty to pray for the coming of the kingdom of

Jesus over all the world.'

I could make a great number of more extracts from the many letters he wrote to his friends on the subjects of religion and preaching, but these are sufficient to shew us how anxious he was for the salvation of his people, and for the preaching of the gospel in general; and how he rejoiced in God when good was done, either anong his own negroes or others. He gave his great encouragement to attend preaching; but very few came, either to learn the catechism or to hear the word: which sometimes cast him down. He used to give them the Satur day to go to the market, that they might have the Sabbath to themselves; and sometimes he ordered them to be called together on the week days, in his own time, that I might speak to them. He also often told them he would not give them their fish if they would not hear God's word; but all the means he could use had not the desired effect. Some of them would say to him, when he was speaking to them on the subjeet, Mässa, me no jacket, me no hat, no shirt to attend church; but when Massa gave one they would not attend long. Some of them would say, 'Me no do bad; me no thief; and numbers of excuses they would make to him. However, he rejoiced to see a few of them attend, and was constantly encouraging them. He would converse with them in the most affectionate manner, explain the Bible to them, and catechize them; and not only his own, but those also who came from other estates; and sometimes he would spend a great part of the Sabbath before dinner in this work. lie had a large Family Bible, with excellent plates, which he would explain to them, to give them an idea of the historical parts of the Old and New Testament. Thus did this good

ntan do all in his power to bring sinners to Christ. O that all the West Indian Planters would follow his example! then would happiness indeed be diffused among the poor Africans! It may now be proper to say something of Mr. Post's views of the great doctrines and duties of Christianity.

His doctrinal sentiments were Calvinistic, as will be observed from the above extracts of his letters. These sentiments he formed from the Bible, and not from any human author. His mind was too noble and independent for any thing of this kind;-however, he had not read many books on doctrinal subjects. An Exposition on the Heidelbergh Catechism was his favourite work. He also greatly approved of the Assembly's Catechism after he became acquainted with it. His mind had formerly been much perplexed about the inspiration of the holy Scriptures; and the more he read on the subject in human authors, the more he was confused. The reading of the word alone confirmed his mind in this glorious truth. The fulfilment of the prophecies, the majestic language of the Scriptures, and the holy precepts it contained, especially the sayings of Christ and the epistles of Paul; the effects the gospel produces, and its progress through the world by the mildest means, in the midst of the greatest opposition, firmly established him in their truth; but the fulfilment of the prophecies appeared to have the greatest force. Some parts, however, of the Old Testament he conceived to be unnecessary; and one sentiment, which he thought it greatly favoured, is certainly much to his discredit, and one of the greatest blemishes of his whole life, namely, Concubinage. I mention this, because it is well known that he had practised, and did not conceal it; and should any persons read this Memoir who were acquainted with him, and not find it recorded, they would probably throw it aside, and say, It is a partial account.' I am also certain that he would have mentioned it himself, had he written his own life. We find that God himself, in his own holy word, has recorded the faults of his servants, as well as their good actions; not indeed for our imitation, but that we may avoid them, and also to shew our weakness when left to ourselves. This, perhaps, is the only objection that can be alleged against the character of our excellent friend; but it must be observed, that he not only forsook this sin long before his death, but bitterly lamented he had ever been guilty of it.

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He possessed an uncommon esteem for the word and ordiDances of God. He had been taught to read the Bible at home: he brought it with him to Demarara; and read it every day, not merely as the effect of custom, but that he might derive benefit from it. Soon after his arrival, the gentleman with whom he then lived, used to laugh at him, and say, M.. Post, you read your Bible to atone for your sins," to which

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