100 
TrJNIDAD. 
very soft yet durable wood, and they were generally 
covered with tlie leaves of the carat-palm. In fact, the 
woods fu'iiiished everything necessary but nails and 
labour, the people gave the latter, and the missionary 
provided the former. In these buildings, tlie people 
statedly assembled, and heard from the lips of the mis- 
sionary the words of eternal life. The work, however, 
was A'ery arduous, both to body and mind. Wearying 
to the body, by reason of the long rides in the deep mud 
— mud that no one scarcely can form any idea of, but 
those who have travelled through, not over it. The 
description Macaulay gives of the roads in England, in 
1G85, is a correct description of the state of our roads 
in the wet season, which may be said to last for eight 
months in tlie year. Tlie work was trying to the mind, 
inasmuch as the Gospel made slow progress, and many 
customs and practices .vere rife among the people, vliich 
needed to be changed into others more consistent with 
the religion of Jesus. But Mr. Cowen laboured on un- 
O 
tiringly, but it was not till after his death that any 
great change for the better was apparent. It has proved 
true in this instance, as in manv others, “ One soweth, 
and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon 
ye bestowed no labour', other men laboured, and ye are 
entered into their labours.” The pioneer goes first, en- 
counters and overcomes the difficulties and dangers of 
the untrodden forest ; and those who follow his steps 
know little, and think less, of his toils. But, in tlie 
great day, every man shall have his reward according 
to his work. 
At First Company, or IMount Elvin, a piece of land 
was purchased, and a suitable building was erected, the 
people helping in its construction. The people assembled 
joyously to hear the glad tidings of a Saviour’s love: 
some who had been members of Christian churches before 
they left America, and others who believed and were 
baptized in Trinidad, were formed into a church to 
which the ordnances of Christ were administered. A day 
