Dedication

To the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ, who have honoured my ministry with their attendance, in London and other localities of England.

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

DEAR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS,

After sojourning in your hospitable land, and peregrinating among you during these last five years; in the course of which period, it has been my happiness to enjoy much spiritual intercourse with many of you in your family circles, your social meetings, and in the house of God, I feel a strong desire again to cross the pathless bosom of the foaming Atlantic, and rejoin my dear friends in the occidental land of my nativity; and, in the prospect of an early departure from your shores, i feel that I cannot present you with a more appropriate keepsake, or a more lively memento of my Christian esteem, and affectionate desires for your progressive prosperity and perfection in the Christian calling, than the following contour portrait of my regenerated constitution—exhibiting, as did the bride of Solomon, comeliness with blackness; and, as did the apostle Paul, riches with poverty, and power in weakness—a representation, not, indeed, of the features of my outward person, drawn and coloured by the skill of the pencilling artist, but of the lineaments of my inward man, as inscribed by the Holy Ghost, and, according to my poor ability, copied off for your edification.

If, therefore, there is anything in the soul reviving and thrilling Christian intercourse we have enjoyed together in the Spirit of Christ, and in the holy communion with which we have so frequently met together in the house of God, mingled our ascending petitions at the throne of grace, unbosomed our spiritual conflicts and trials to one another, and listened with devotional interest to the messages of gospel mercy, and the unfolding mysteries of divine grace, in times now passed over for ever, worthy of your cherished recollections; and, if the poor and weak instrumentality in the gospel of Jesus, of the coloured female, whose labours and sojourn amongst you are hastening to a close, have rendered her an object, not unworthy of your cherished recollections; receive with cordial and generous courtesy, this small token of an esteem and love, which she will continue to cherish on a far distant shore, in another clime, long as life permits its exercise, and resume, on our mutual recognition in that renewed state of existence, which will be characterised by the eternal developments of elevated holiness, blissful immortality, and transcendant glory.

My dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. I gratefully acknowledge the numerous marks of kindness you have conferred upon me during my residence in your land. I intreat your prayers for my preservation from the perils of the deep, whensoever my path may lie through it; and your continued remembrance of my pilgrim course and ministerial labours, at the throne of grace. I affectionately exhort you to walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith you are called, shunning, carefully, the destructive vices which so deplorably abound in and disfigure the Christian community, in this day of feverish restlessness and mighty movement. Remember, dear brethren, that they who will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and numerous foolish and hurtful lusts, which will eventually drown them in perdition. Cease, therefore, from earthly accumulations; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Renounce the love of money; for it is the root of all evil. Love not the world; for the love of God is not in those who love the world. Look deep into the principles which form the under current, regardless of the artificial surface-polish of society; and abhor the pride of respectability; for that which is highly esteemed amongst men, is an abomination in the sight of God. Deal not in tale-bearing; neither be busy-bodies in other men’s matters. Judge not one another, for your Judge standeth before the door. Be not ambitious, ostentatious, proud, haughty, morose, or wrathful; for God resisteth the proud and haughty scorner. Be ye, therefore, clothed with meekness and humility. Shut not your hearts against the poor, but ever remember them; for blessed is he that considereth them; and very unlike Jesus is he who cherishes a lurking prejudice in his heart against the children of need, and stoppeth his ears at their plaints. Take heed what you read: as a tree of knowledge, both of good and evil, is the press; it ofttimes teems with rabid poisons, putting darkness for light, and light for darkness; extolling earthly grandeur and honour, spurious valour and heroism; fixing reputation and character on a false basis; and frequently appearing as the panegyrist of the rankest principles, and the basest vices. Above all, shun an infidel, obscene or disloyal newspaper press, which is the scavenger of slander, and the harlequin of character; the masquerade of morals, and the burlesque of religion; the proteus of sentiment, and the dictionary of licentiousness; the seminary of libertines, and the hot-bed of sedition. Defile not your eyes with the sight of its columns, nor your heart with its proximity. Remember that you are called to be saints, not politicians and newsmongers. Give your cordial preference, therefore, to the Holy Scriptures; carefully read, study, and digest them, especially the title-deeds of the Christian covenant. Endeavour, as far as in you lies, to do the will of God on earth, as it is done in heaven. Imbibe the sentiments and spirit, the temper, disposition and manner of Christ Jesus, your inestimable pattern. Cautiously, diligently, and habitually observe and obey the directions and statutes of Christ and his apostles, that your foundation may be built not upon the sand of current traditions and prejudices, but upon the prophets and apostles, Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone, and that you may become His true and finished disciples, perfect and entire, lacking nothing, but complete in all the will of God.

And now, dear brethren, I commend you to God and the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Amen.

Dear Friends, farewell! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.