340 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



ances. That political equality of all sects of opinion, which 

 in Europe was unfortunately almost always confined to Hol- 

 land, has been one of the great benefits conferred on Guyana 

 by the laws of the United Netherlands. A congregation of 

 French refugees, two sects of jews, a congregation of Labadists 

 patronized by governor Somelsdyk, are among the earliest knots 

 of settlers enumerated. Religious liberty has been the chief 

 cause of the rapid colonization of the North American pro- 

 vinces, and if steadily preserved in Guyana, will no doubt 

 bestow on it a like populousness and importance. Those ec- 

 clesiastical feuds which excite so much bitterness in die old 

 world, are here unknown ; nor is practical morality placed in 

 the insignificant observance of Sunday gloom, of continence* 

 and of not swearing, but in the liberal virtues of spirit and 

 beneficence. There is perhaps a point of view in which a 

 priesthood more numerous could be rendered useful, namely, 

 as instructors of the young ; the want of good schools renders 

 it at present expedient to educate young men of family in 

 Europe. This, however, preserves an attachment for the me- 

 tropolitan country, and circulates its manners in the colonies. 



One of the most remarkable places of worship in this town 

 is a negro-chapel, supported by six German missionaries, called 

 Hernhooters, or Moravians. They have translated the bible 

 and a book of hymns into the talkee-talkee, or negro language, 

 of which they have also composed a grammar* Service is per- 



