b'</ \n\n\n\n:// \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n( \n\n\n\ni LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 5 \n\n\n\n9 \\ / p r \' \n\n\n\nUNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ! \n\n\n\n@ \n\n\n\n\nEscape of Dr. Kalley. \n\n\n\np. 112. \n\n\n\n/ Ol^^ \n\n\n\nTHE \n\n\n\nEXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\n\nJ BYvTHE \n\n\n\nKev. wr m. blackbue \n\n\n\nPHILADELPHIA: \n\nPEESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION, \n\nNo, 821 Chestnut Street. \n\n\n\n/^& \n\n\n\n\'^^i\'3^ \n\n.H^^ \n\n\n\nEntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by \n\nJAMES DUNLAP, Treas. \n\nin the Clerk\'s OflBce of the District Court for the Eastern District \nof Pennsylvania. \n\nSTEREOTYPED BY WILLIAM W. HARDING, PHILADELPHIA. \n\n\n\n1- i^ -h ^; \n\n\n\nXbe Library \nOF Congress \n\nWASHINGTON \n\n\n\nPREFACE. \n\n\n\nThe work of the gospel in Madeira from 1838 to IboOy nas \nbeen called *\'tlie greatest fact of Modern Missions." Its his- \ntory shows what Romanists can do, and what Bible-readers \ncan suffer in the nineteenth century. It proves the mighty \npower of an open Bible, and of faith in the Son of God. \n\nThe author of this little volume acknowledges his indebted- \nness to several friends and authors, but especially to the Rev. \nA. De Mattos, Pastor of the Portuguese Presbyterian Churches \nin Illinois, to a little volume entitled, *\' Facts in Madeira," \nand to the ** Memoirs of the Rev. "W. H. Hewitson." Much \ncare has been taken to present a correct narrative. It is part \nof the history of the Presbyterian Church, and therefore may \nvery properly form a volume for the Presbyterian Board of \nPublication. We may feel a chord in our hearts touched by \nthe term of reproach cast on the Bible-readers of Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n*\' the Calvinists." \xe2\x80\xa2 \n\nW. M. B. \nErie, Pa. \n\n\n\nCONTENTS \n\n\n\nCHAPTER L \n\nPAGE \n\nMadeira\xe2\x80\x94 The Purple Island \xe2\x80\x94 Its discovery \xe2\x80\x94 Colonized by \nPortuguese \xe2\x80\x94 Vine introduced \xe2\x80\x94 Funchal \xe2\x80\x94 The people \xe2\x80\x94 Curious \nsights \xe2\x80\x94 Cottages \xe2\x80\x94 Old fashioned bottles \xe2\x80\x94 Ignorance \xe2\x80\x94 Jails \xe2\x80\x94 \nFamine \xe2\x80\x94 A story \xe2\x80\x94 What our little book will show \xe2\x80\x94 A parable. 9 \n\nCHAPTER 11. \n\nDr. Kalley \xe2\x80\x94 How he was led to Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 What he saw \xe2\x80\x94 \nNeed of Bibles \xe2\x80\x94 Errors in religion \xe2\x80\x94 Healing the sick \xe2\x80\x94 Mode \nof teaching truth \xe2\x80\x94 The Bible by itself \xe2\x80\x94 Schools \xe2\x80\x94 Vote of \nthanks\xe2\x80\x94 Meetings held \xe2\x80\x94 The glad tidings 19 \n\nCHAPTER III. \n\nThe Bible readers \xe2\x80\x94 New discoveries \xe2\x80\x94 Bishop wants to see a \nBible \xe2\x80\x94 False charges \xe2\x80\x94 Bible cursed \xe2\x80\x94 Readers persecuted \xe2\x80\x94 \nSchools stopped \xe2\x80\x94 An Edict \xe2\x80\x94 A hasty arrest \xe2\x80\x94 How property \nwas losti \xe2\x80\x94 No justice in courts \xe2\x80\x94 Flight of the innocent \xe2\x80\x94 The \nwood-sawyer \xe2\x80\x94 Leaving wealth for Christ\'s sake \xe2\x80\x94 Threats \xe2\x80\x94 \nWe\'ll not give up the Bible 28 \n\nCHAPTER IV. \n\nMrs. Alves \xe2\x80\x94 Enemies saw her light shining \xe2\x80\x94 Imprisoned \xe2\x80\x94 \nTrial \xe2\x80\x94 Noble answer \xe2\x80\x94 Severe sentence \xe2\x80\x94 Death had no terrors \n\n\xe2\x80\x94 Petition to the queen \xe2\x80\x94 Release -Exile. 41 \n\n1- (5) \n\n\n\n6 CONTENTS; \n\nCHAPTER V. \n\nPAGE \n\nThe Rev. W. H. Hewitson \xe2\x80\x94 Dr. Kalley threatened \xe2\x80\x94 Will not \nflee \xe2\x80\x94 Modern Inquisition \xe2\x80\x94 Old law discovered \xe2\x80\x94 Dr. Kalley in \nprison \xe2\x80\x94 The gospel in the jail \xe2\x80\x94 Crowds coming to hear him \xe2\x80\x94 \nA new governor \xe2\x80\x94 Hints toward a St. Bartholemew\'s day \xe2\x80\x94 \xe2\x80\xa2 \nOutrages\xe2\x80\x94 At Lisbon Dr. Kalley meets Hewitson \xe2\x80\x94 Hewitson\'s \nyouth \xe2\x80\x94 Studies \xe2\x80\x94 honours \xe2\x80\x94 Failure of health \xe2\x80\x94 Conversion \xe2\x80\x94 \nRead a "living epistle" \xe2\x80\x94 Student of theology\xe2\x80\x94 His missionary \nspirit \xe2\x80\x94 Travels \xe2\x80\x94 Call to Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 Ordained 47 \n\nCHAPTER VI. \n\nThe young Missionary \xe2\x80\x94 Church in the house at Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 \nMany inquirers \xe2\x80\x94 A communion, "the doors being shut for \nfear" \xe2\x80\x94 An Apollos found \xe2\x80\x94 The carpenter \xe2\x80\x94 A puzzled priest \xe2\x80\x94 \nThe "Espirito Santo" \xe2\x80\x94 Plenty of jails in Romish countries \xe2\x80\x94 \nJeronymo \xe2\x80\x94 The Bible a cure for beggary \xe2\x80\x94 A poor cripple \nthinking of the resurrection-body \xe2\x80\x94 The timid made bold \xe2\x80\x94 The \npoor cursed by the priests \xe2\x80\x94 Elders chosen \xe2\x80\x94 Dark clouds \xe2\x80\x94 The \nnight-feast \xe2\x80\x94 Hewitson sick\xe2\x80\x94 Withered flowers \xe2\x80\x94 A Bible- \nclass \xe2\x80\x94 Romish anger \xe2\x80\x94 The missionary retires \xe2\x80\x94 Home again... 61 \n\nCHAPTER VII. \n\nLawless violence \xe2\x80\x94 The Rutherfords\xe2\x80\x94 A meeting on Sabbath^ \nLetter from Hewitson \xe2\x80\x94 Mob about the house \xe2\x80\x94 Insults \xe2\x80\x94 Pleas \nin vain \xe2\x80\x94 No law for " Calvinists" \xe2\x80\x94 An assault at night \xe2\x80\x94 A \nlady\'s entreaty \xe2\x80\x94 The only refuge \xe2\x80\x94 The contrast \xe2\x80\x94 A sick lady \nin danger \xe2\x80\x94 A cool consul \xe2\x80\x94 No protection \xe2\x80\x94 Insults to Eng- \nland 76 \n\nCHAPTER VIIL \n\nNarrow escape op Dr. Kalley \xe2\x80\x94 The plan of attack \xe2\x80\x94 Choos- \ning the Sabbath \xe2\x80\x94 Vain appeals for protection\xe2\x80\x94 Dr. Kalley\'s \nletters \xe2\x80\x94 Bolting the doors \xe2\x80\x94 Intent to kill \xe2\x80\x94 A marvellous escape \n\xe2\x80\x94 Friends found \xe2\x80\x94 Violence \xe2\x80\x94 Sunday guns \xe2\x80\x94 Dr. Kalley carried \naway in a hammock \xe2\x80\x94 Almost detected \xe2\x80\x94 Safe on a ship \xe2\x80\x94 Other \nflights for life\xe2\x80\x94 Fiery trials 92 \n\n\n\nCONTENTS. 7 \n\nCHAPTER IX. \n\nPAGE \n\nThe William op Glasgow \xe2\x80\x94 Bibles buried \xe2\x80\x94 Bible-readers for- \nsaking all \xe2\x80\x94 Refuge on ship-board \xe2\x80\x94 Prayers and hymns \xe2\x80\x94 Poor \nMariasinha\xe2\x80\x94 Barbarities \xe2\x80\x94 The sails unfurled \xe2\x80\x94 Joy and bro- \ntherly love \xe2\x80\x94 The true religion \xe2\x80\x94 Exiles for Trinidad 117 \n\nCHAPTER X. \n\nA LOOK BACK AT MADEIRA \xe2\x80\x94 Why Hot a War with England ? \xe2\x80\x94 \nOfficers deposed \xe2\x80\x94 No trial of the lawless \xe2\x80\x94 A decree \xe2\x80\x94 A bishop \nin a pet \xe2\x80\x94 A wonderful letter , 131 \n\nCHAPTER XL \n\nArsenic Nicos Da Silva \xe2\x80\x94 Two brothers \xe2\x80\x94 The priest and the \nmerchant \xe2\x80\x94 Arsenio\'s daughter \xe2\x80\x94 Disease \xe2\x80\x94 Dr. Kalley called \xe2\x80\x94 \nGospel taught \xe2\x80\x94 Da Silva learns the way of life \xe2\x80\x94 Is persecuted \n\xe2\x80\x94 His son-in-law is a judge \xe2\x80\x94 Da Silva\'s flight ., 136 \n\nCHAPTER XII. \n\nMr. Hewitson in Trinidad \xe2\x80\x94 Visits Madeira on the way \xe2\x80\x94 The \nexiles in Trinidad \xe2\x80\x94 How support themselves \xe2\x80\x94 Much suffering \n\xe2\x80\x94 Their spiritual condition \xe2\x80\x94 New arrivals \xe2\x80\x94 Da Silva becomes \npastor \xe2\x80\x94 Holding up both hands \xe2\x80\x94 Pilgrims and strangers \xe2\x80\x94 Mr. \nGonsalves visits them \xe2\x80\x94 Call from America 151 \n\nCHAPTER XIII. \n\nThe Shepherd dying on the shore \xe2\x80\x94 Da Silva \'s health fails- \nComes to New York \xe2\x80\x94 His last hours \xe2\x80\x94 Burial \xe2\x80\x94 Letter to his \nwife 166 \n\nCHAPTER XIV. \n\nAn OUTLOOK over the sea \xe2\x80\x94 Scattered exiles \xe2\x80\x94 No home found \n\xe2\x80\x94 St. Kitts \xe2\x80\x94 Essequibo \xe2\x80\x94 Plan to come to America 174 \n\nCHAPTER XV. \n\nA FAREWELL TO THE IsLES \xe2\x80\x94 The finger of God \xe2\x80\x94 Arrivals \xe2\x80\x94 Letter \nfrom Dr. Kalley \xe2\x80\x94 Partings \xe2\x80\x94 Welcome in the West \xe2\x80\x94 An old \nwoman\xe2\x80\x94A happy death \xe2\x80\x94 A noble lady \xe2\x80\x94 Young ladies \xe2\x80\x94 The \nexiles\' testimony , 182 \n\n\n\n8 CONTENTS. \n\nCHAPTER XVL \n\nPAGE \n\nTwo HOUSEHOLD BANDS \xe2\x80\x94 The Vieira family \xe2\x80\x94 The Vasconcolhis. 193 \n\nCHAPTER XVII. \n\nA PASTOR FOR THE FLOCK \xe2\x80\x94 Hewitson\'s last hibours and death \xe2\x80\x94 \nRev. A. De Mattos \xe2\x80\x94 Conclusion 208 \n\n\n\nTHE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER I \n\n\n\nTHE PURPLE ISLAND. \n\n** The people that sat in darkness saw a great light.\' \n\nOut of the ocean rises Madeira. It looms up \nbefore the voyager, rocky, brown, red, and purple, \nwith tinges of green from the forests and vineyards, \nand tints of snow far up toward the blue sky. It \nappears like one vast rock, grand and imposing, in \nthe distance. Coming nearer, under the mountain\'s \nfrown, the traveller finds that the coasts are set with \nlofty cliffs, many of them more than a thousand \nfeet high. Above these rise the sharp pinnacles, \nand jagged towers, shading the groves of heath and \nbroom. Coasting around, he sees, in the little nooks \nwhere the cliffs are broken, small villages with white \nwalls, and the little Roman Catholic chapels up at \nthe head of the gorge. There are the homes of the \nvillagers, as snug and as quiet as the nests of doves \nin the silent grove. \n\nThis is Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 Isle of Woods \xe2\x80\x94 or Isle of red \nsoil \xe2\x80\x94 or Isle of the colouring purple. It is not far \n\n9 \n\n\n\n10 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfrom Morocco, and is six hundred miles from Spain, \nthe nearest civilized country. It is sixty miles \nlong, by twenty wide, though in some parts it is not \nover five miles from one coast to the other. Around \nit lie several smaller islands. Before the Christian \nera there was some knowledge of this group, and a \nscheme was proposed to make money there by col- \nlecting a beautiful purple dye. They were then \ncalled the Purple Islands. \n\nAbout four hundred years ago, Gonsalves Zarco \nwas making a voyage for discovery along the \nwestern coast of Africa. He was overtaken by a \nviolent storm, and all his crew expected to sink in \nthe deeps. They gave up all hope, when suddenly \nan island appeared, and they made for its shores. \nAfter landing they called it Porto Santo, or " Holy \nHaven." Here a settlement of Portuguese was \nformed. But the people were afraid to go to the \nlarger Island of Madeira. Some of them would \nventure near it, but it looked so gloomy, and they \nheard such strange sounds coming from its woods, \nthat they imagined it was the abode of awful giants \nand terrific creatures \xe2\x80\x94 a land of darkness. \n\nGonsalves, however, ventured to pay a visit to \nthe awful island. The men on his vessel became \nalarmed as they came nearer the shores, and thought \nthey saw monstrous giants on the coast. They \nbegged their commander not to expose them to \ndeath. He kept on, until he proved to them that \ntheir giants were only craggy rocks, and the horrid \n\n\n\nTHE PURPLE ISLAND. 11 \n\nvoices they heard were only the beatings of the \nwaves against the cliffs. He landed at a place \nwhich he named the \'\'Wolfs Den." The shores \nwere thick with tangled trees and vines. He \nthought that men might live on an island where so \nmuch wood was growing. \n\nA colony from Portugal settled on the island. \nThey cleared the land by setting fire to the forests, \nand thus they robbed it of its natural beauty. It \nis said that these fires kept burning for seven years, \nand left scarcely a tree on the island. This was \nwrong, but not so wicked as the fires of persecution \nkindled four hundred years afterward, to drive away \nthe Bible-readers. \n\nA few slips of the grape-vine were brought from \nthe Isle of Cyprus and planted in Madeira. They \ngrew, and from them have grown the celebrated \nvineyards of the Isle of Wines. The wealth of \nMadeira is chiefly derived from its vineyards. \n\nThe traveller, making port on the south side of \nthe island, sees the Loo-Rock, grand and majestic \nlike a king on his throne, and the white pebbly \nbeach lies at his feet like the king\'s robe spread \non the floor. On this beach is the chief city, \nFunchal. It looks white and brilliant, house above \nhouse, and street above street, climbing up the \nmountain side ; and outside the city, still on higher \nterraces, are the cottages and \'\' quintas" or coun- \ntry residences. Yet higher up is the church of \n^\'Our Lady of the Mount." One would suppose \n\n\n\n12 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthat if the " Lady" were very kind, she would have \ngiven a hint to put her church lower down the hill, \nso that some body might get to the door with a \nlittle breath left in the lungs. It must be hard \npenance to go up there to worship. \n\nWere you to land at this harbour, you would be \nmet by many persons, all bowing to you, and some \nof them begging of you. Off would go their tunnel- \nshaped hats, and before you some poor cripple would \nthrust himself, some boy with one arm, some woman \nwith a pale, soiled baby, or some black-eyed little \ngirl hoping for an alms. \n\nYou would think the streets were all narrowed \ndown to lanes and alleys. If you wished to ride, \nno fine horses and carriages would stand waiting, \nbut you would take a summer sleigh-ride. " Two \npleasant chubby little oxen" are harnessed to a thick \nplank with low runners to it, and away they go \ngrating along over the pebbles with which the streets \nare paved. It would be very much like riding on \none of the ^\'scrapers" which we see used in making \nturnpikes. \n\nPalanquins are used to carry persons from one \nplace to another. Some of the wealthy class have \nvery fine sledges and palanquins cushioned and \ncovered with silk. A pony would be your best \nvehicle if you were going up the mountains. Those \nwho wish to go up hill for eighteen miles may stand \nby the Great Curral, or what seems to have been \nan enormous crater. The visitor looks down six \n\n\n\nTHE PURPLE ISLAND. \n\n\n\n13 \n\n\n\nthousand feet, toward the earth\'s centre, and even \nthere sees the little houses and the chapel of some \nvillage which is two thousand feet above the sea. \n\nIn the city there are many fine houses, but there \nare more one story cottages with stone walls, stone \nfloors, stone seats, thatched roofs, and generally a \ngood coat of whitewash on the outside. \n\nThe stranger who never saw any old fashioned \nbottles is amused to see the sheep-skins filled with \nw*ine, and carried on the shoulders of peasants to \n\n\n\n\nthe market. Of course they know better than to \nput \'\' new wine into old bottles.\'* It might not be \n\n\n\n14 \n\n\n\nTHE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nvery pleasing to a wine -bibber to look on tbe men \nin their bare feet treading the grapes in the press, \nespecially in a warm, sweating day. \n\n\n\n\nFor many centuries there was deep mental dark- \nness on the minds of the people thicker than that \nwhich alarmed the crew of Gonsalves. The Roman \nCatholic religion did not make them intelligent. \nThey went to the little chapels, and heard mass, or \nmade confession, and thought these would take \nthem to heaven. Few of them could read, and \nthose who could read knew nothing of the true \nBible. Still fewer could write. This shows tha,t \n\n\n\nTHE PURPLE ISLAND. 15 \n\nthe Bible-readers of modern times were among the \nmost intelligent classes. \n\nThere were plenty of jails where there were no \nschool-houses. Persons who had committed smaller \ncrimes were put in jail, to wait until their cases could \nbe tried in Lisbon. This kept them in prison many \nyears. Their expenses were to be paid by those \nwho complained against them. Hence accusers \nbecame rare, for they did not like to pay for their \nown accusations. This was not done however with \nthe Bible-readers, for they had to pay for their own \nsupport in prison. There were plenty of accusers \nwhen the word of God began to be read by the \nmore honest people. \n\nA few years ago the vineyards began to fail. The \ntraveller could no longer pass along under the \nshadow of the vines, and have rich clusters of grapes \nhanging over his path. The fruit was cut off. It \nbrought a famine on the island. The Romanists \nlaid all this to the Bible-readers ! They said it was \na curse on the people for allowing such men as Dr. \nKalley and Mr. Hewitson to come among them and \nestablish schools, read the word of God, and have \nmeetings for prayer and praise. \n\nThe Christians of the United States took a deep \ninterest in the famishing people of Madeira. They \nsent them the \'\'finest of the wheat," and induced \nthem to cultivate such eatables as we raise in our \nfields and gardens. And notice, the poor exiles \nsent liberally of their \'\'good things" to the very \n\n\n\n16 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\npersecutors who had driven them from home. This \nwas returning good for evil. \n\nThe famine made many people poor. The women \nof the island, who have always done most of the \nlabour, began to turn their skill to good account. \nThey made fancy articles of a very superior quality, \nsuch as laces, edgings, paper-cutters, card-cases, \nwork-boxes, and writing-desks. They took the \ndark Til-wood of the old wine-presses, and made \nbeautiful articles for foreign parlours. \n\nA little romantic story may point the close of \nthis chapter : \n\nSome years ago, a peasant girl was accustomed \nto come down the mountain, barefooted but light- \nhearted, with a bundle of small wood, which she \nsold in the town. Her pleasant face and honest \nmanner attracted the notice of a wealthy gentleman, \nwho gave her a home in his house. She became \nthe lady of the mansion, the wife of her protector. \nAfter his death, she became the wife of a young \nlawyer of rising fame and excellent talents. He \nrose to be the governor of the island, and she filled her \nhigh position with elegance and courtly grace. The \nmost polite people admired her and thought that she \ncould not be excelled. No doubt this may seem \nquite strange. \n\nBut our little book will show something far more \nstrange. It is this : The Lord can take a poor, \nignorant peasant and make him a child of God. \nHe did it in Madeira. He can take a crippled \n\n\n\nTHE PURPLE ISLAND. IT \n\nbeggar and make him a bright ornament in his \nkingdom, and a labourer in his vineyard. He did it \n\xe2\x80\xa2with poor Jeronymo. He can take a rich lady and \nmake her willing to suffer in the meanest prisons, \nand cause her to leave a home of luxury, to be very \nhappy in a little narrow room on a foreign island \nwhere she had not as much to eat as the bare-footed \npeasant girl on the cold mountain. He did it with \nMrs. Vieira and Mrs. Alves. We have interwoven \nmany brief histories which show how much true \nChristians can endure gladly for Christ\'s sake, and \nhow happy the Lord can make his suffering children. \nWhen they enter the glorious mansions of eternal \nrest, it will be said of them, \'\' These are they which \ncame out of great tribulation.\'\' \n\nThe Lord had a vineyard on beautiful Madeira. \nOn it shined the " Sun of righteousness." On it \nfell the showers of grace and the gentle dews of \nHermon. The vines grew full of goodly clusters. \nThe frosts came and ripened them. The persecu- \ntors trod the grapes in the wine-press of suffering, \nand the rich wine of love and patience was wrung \nout of pious hearts. Enemies began to pull up the \nLord\'s vines, so that they might never bear any \nmore fruit. They tore them up rudely, threw them \ninto the desert, and cast them into the seas. But \nthe Master took the torn vines and transplanted \nthem in another large and rich vineyard. Some of \nthem he planted in heaven. The grapes of Eshcol \nwere not richer than the goodly clusters which these \n2* \n\n\n\n18 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nvines bore for their Lord. He was saying to them \nwhen they were broken and bleeding, " Herein is \nmy Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." \n\nOur little book will tell the meaning of this \nparable. It will not tell of such bloody scenes as \nare written in the history of the Waldenses or the \nHuguenots, or the Hollanders, or the martyrs of \nSmithfield, and the Tolbooth of Scotland. It will \nnot tell of the wheel, the stake, the theatre of wild \nbeasts, nor the trap-door of the Inquisition. It is \nnot such a record of murders as Fox\'s Book of \nMartyrs. But it shows that the "man of sin" is \njust the same that he was in the olden days when \nHome put to death thousands of Christians in ways \ntoo horrible to be described ; and that now, in this \ntime of light and mercy, he is as cruel toward Bible- \nreaders and praying believers as he dares to be. \nThere was cruelty enough, and blood enough shed, \nto entitle Madeira to the old name of the Purple \nIsland. \n\n\n\nFIRST GOSPEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. 19 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER II. \n\nFIRST GOSPEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. \n\nRobert R. Kalley was a young physician in \nScotland. He felt it his duty to go as a missionary to \nChina, and was ordained by the Free Church to \npreach the gospel. In 1838 he and his wife left \ntheir home to go to China. \n\nOn the voyage Mrs. Kalley was smitten with dis- \nease. Her friends thought she could not live to \nreach China. There was no vessel to carry them \nback to Scotland, and so they turned aside to visit \nMadeira. There were then many English residents \non the island. There was a Scottish church in the \nchief city. \n\nDr. Kalley thought, that while hindered from \nlabouring in one field, he should do all that he could \nin another, just as the Apostle did, when prevented \nfrom going to Italy. He knew not a word of the \nPortuguese language. In a few hours after he \nlanded he began his task in the most practical way. \nHe rushed out of his dark room, entered a store and \nasked for a candle. No one understood him. He \npointed to a candle, and asked the Portuguese name \n\n\n\n20 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfor it. He learned what to say when he wanted a \ncandle. In this way he learned word after word. \nNo doubt he learned much from the English residents \nwho spoke the language. Probably too he had other \nteachers. \n\nHe looked about on the people and pitied their \nignorance and blindness, just as Paul did in Athens. \nFor centuries they had been denied the use of the \nBible. The Romish priests may have had a few \nBibles, but they would not let the people have them. \nIt was a sin for any one to search the Scriptures for \nhimself. Many of the islanders had never seen a \nBible, nor known there was such a book. \n\nDr. Kalley says \xe2\x80\x94 \'^I met with few of them who \nhad ever seen a Bible, or seemed to know that the \nNew Testament was written by men who went about \nwith the Lord Jesus, when he dwelt on the earth \xe2\x80\x94 \nwho saw his miracles, heard his words, gazed upon \nhim as he went up to heaven, and described what \nthey knew by the testimony of their own senses. \nWhen one part of it was shown to them as the work \nof Peter, another as that of John, and a third as \nthat of Matthew, some doubted and wanted proofs, \nothers listened with eager interest, while a portion \nof it was read to them as a specimen of its con- \ntents.\' \' \n\nNone of them had in their possession a copy of \nthe Scriptures. A long time since a translation had \nbeen made of the Bible into the Portuguese by \nAntonio Pereira, a Romish priest. This had been \n\n\n\nFIBST GOSPEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. 21 \n\nsanctioned by the Queen and the Patriarch of Por- \ntugal. Eighty volumes of these are said to have \nbeen sent to Madeira free of duty for the use of the \npriests and a few government schools that were \nformed on the island. \n\nThe people were Roman Catholics. They believed \nin the Pope, and they worshipped the Virgin Mary. \nMary, whom we believe to be a saint in heaven, \nwould have been better pleased, if they had read the \nwords of Jesus, and prayed in his name, as he taught \nus all to do. They had images in their houses and \nchurches. They gave money to priests for masses, \nand for saying prayers to release their friends from \npurgatory. There is no such place as purgatory, \nbut they supposed there was. They confessed their \nsins to the priests, and bought their pardons with \nmoney. They sometimes went about with a staiBF \nwhich had a little image of a pigeon on the top of \nit, and a red cloth tied to it, asking men to worship \nit, as the Holy Ghost ! If men would not bow to \nthe little image of Christ on the cross, they were \nregarded as daring infidels. \n\nDr. Kalley did not attack the errors of Romanism \nat first, by trying to show the people how foolish \nand useless many of their services and doctrines \nwere. He took the better plan. He tried to get \nthe people to read the word of God. Many of \nthem heard of the wonderful book, and were anxious \nto see it. Many of them could say as Luther did, " Oh \nthat God would give me such a book for myself !" \n\n\n\n22 THE EXILES OF MADEIHA. \n\nOur Lord not only taught those who came to hear \nhis words, but also healed the sick, the lame, the \nblind. Dr. Kalley resolved to do the same as far \nas he could. He early prepared a large hospital, \nand offered to give medicine to all who would come. \nIt was as well furnished with comforts for the poor \nand the infirm as his means would allow. He had \nhis office in which he examined his patients, and \nanother room for his medicines in the same building. \nAll who came for medical advice were required to \nbe at the hospital by nine o\'clock in the morning, \nor he could not attend to them on that day. Often \nthere were fifty or more persons at that hour wait- \ning for Dr. Kalley. When he entered the hospital \nthey were assembled together. His first business \nwas to read a chapter in the Bible and then explain \nit to them. Thus he began his daily work by call- \ning their attention to the word of God. After this \nhe distributed tickets among them. These tickets \nwere simply numbered one, two, three, &c. up to \nthe number of applicants. He then went into his \noffice, and each one came as his number was called. \nWhen he had ascertained the disease of the patient, \nhe wrote his prescription, and it was taken to the \ndrug department, and the medicine w^as obtained. \n\nHe became known as an excellent physician, and \nwas often called to visit the sick at their homes. \nHe, in his kind manner, sought to do more than \nheal the body. He examined the patient, and then \nsaid that he could not give health ; God alone could \n\n\n\nFIRST GOSPEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. 23 \n\nraise up tlie sick. Often did he kneel by the bed-side \nand ask God to make him wise in giving the proper \nremedy, and make it the means of restoring health. \n\nWhen he had given the medicine, he would take \nthe patient by the hand and say, " Now you must \npray to the Lord Jesus Christ ; he is the great \nPhysician, and can heal the sick.\'\' He then had \nan opportunity of telling of the wondrous works of \nthe Saviour. Sometimes he would say to the sick, \n" You have another disease of which I have not \nspoken, and it is a very bad disease." \n\n" What is it, doctor ?" the sick would anxiously \ninquire. \n\n\'\xe2\x80\xa2 It is a very fatal disease, and if not cured it \nwill ruin you. But bad as it is, there is a remedy \nfor it." \n\n\'^ But what is it, doctor ?" \n\n\'\' I will tell you. It is not a disease of the body, \nbut of the soul. It is sin. We are all sinners, and \nour sins must be pardoned, or our souls must perish \nfor ever. I have a book with me called The Bihle^ \nthat will teach you how Jesus Christ came into this \nworld, and shed his blood and died, that sinners \nmight be saved." \n\nThis strange news often led the sick to wish for \nthe wonderful book, and to be anxious to learn \nmore of the Saviour. The Bible was often read in \nthe sick room, and one person would tell another the \nglad tidings. \n\nDr. Kalley left the Bible to tell its own truths as \n\n\n\n24 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nmuch as possible. Surely none could reasonably \nobject to this. When any persons came to him with \npassages they could not understand, he showed \nthem other verses in the Bible, which would ex- \nplain the meaning. He wanted the word of God to \ndo the work. He thus taught them how to prove \nthe newly learned doctrines by the Scriptures. \nSome of the Bible-readers went to the priests, but \ncould get no light, and were rudely told to burn or \nthrow away the book. The readers often knew more \nthan the priests. \n\nA school was soon established. The Bible was \nthe first book in which the people were taught to \nread English. They learned very rapidly, so \nanxious were they to know what was in the " good \nbook." Portuguese Bibles were distributed. One \nof the visitors of the school said : " It is, I believe, \nno exaggeration to say, that hundreds of the people^ \nwho before were almost as ignorant as the beasts \nthey drove, are now intelligent readers of the \nBible." \n\nOther schools were established on the island, at \ndifferent points, not for religious instructions alone, \nbut for teaching the common branches of learning. \nHe paid the teachers from his own purse, and \nfurnished books for the scholars. In some of these \nschools the teachers were Romanists, and the only \nbooks were a small Bomish primer, and a New \nTestament translated by a Romish priest. Surely \n\n\n\nFIRST r-^:PEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. 25 \n\nthere ought not to have been any objections to this, \nby the Romanists. \n\nIt often happens that what costs nothing is worth \nnothing, but the people did not think so in this case. \nThe schools became very popular. They prospered \nbeyond the expectations of their founder. Eight \nhundred men and women were soon attending these \nschools, and, how many children w^ere with them, \nwe cannot tell. The private houses of some of the \npeople were turned into school-rooms, and filled \nwith scholars. Never had there been so much study, \nso much improvement in mind and morals, nor so \nmuch happiness in Madeira. \n\nThe people were amazed at the benevolence of \nDr. Kalley. He gained their hearts. The children \ncalled him \'\' the good man." They were learning \nto sing for joy. He saw the harvest growing ripe. \nThe chief men in Funchal saw what a great work \nwas set on foot. They passed a vote of thanks to \nDr. Kalley for his acts of benevolence in establish- \ning a hospital for the poor and the sick, and schools \nfor the ignorant people. \n\nIt should be noted that the adult schools were \ngenerally held in the evening. The number who \nwere thus taught to read the Bible, for themselves, \nw^as over one thousand ; and as many as twenty-five \nhundred adults had sought to grow wiser and better \nby attending these evening schools. \n\nMeetings were held as early as 1842, in difi*erent \nplaces. Hundreds came to hear the word of God. \n3 \n\n\n\n26 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nWhen Dr. Kalley could not preach to them, some \none stood up, like Ezra in old times, and read the \n\'\' Book of the Law." Ezra read almost half a day, \nand still the people were not wearied. Nor were \nthese islanders tired of long readings and long \nsermons. They were hungry for the word. If one \nhad preached, as Paul did, till midnight, they would \nhave listened gladly, and I much doubt whether any \nEutychus would have gone to sleep and fallen out \nof a window. The word was "sweeter than honey \nand the honey-comb." \n\nMany walked ten or twelve hours to attend a \nmeeting. They climbed over mountains 3000 feet \nhigh. And while they stood and heard of Christ \nand his great love, they looked at the reader or the \npreacher with solemn wonder, or raised the hand to \nbrush away the starting tear. Never had they \nheard these glad tidings from their priests, and \nperhaps the "Padre\' who had hailed and threatened \nthem as they passed by the chapel of \'\xe2\x80\xa2 Our Lady \nof the Mount," knew very little of the gospel him- \nself. \n\nFor several months there were not fewer than \none thousand persons attending these meetings in \nthe open air, every Sabbath. Often there were two \nor three thousand, and once they were reckoned at \nfive thousand. Many of these meetings were held \non the mountain side, like that on which the Saviour \nsat, and uttered the great blessings of the sermon on \nthe mount. A few hymns were sung to such good \n\n\n\nFIRST GOSPEL LABOURS IN MADEIRA. 27 \n\nold tunes as the Portuguese Hymn, and Old Hun- \ndred. Few were there who did not \'\'join in the song \nand love the praise/\' \n\nThe people began to talk about the "glad news\'\' \nwhile walking along the roads or resting in the fields. \nUnder many a vine a little group was gathered to \nread or hear the story of the Cross. In many a \nvineyard songs were sung, such as never before \nechoed from Madeira\'s rugged cliffs. \n\nVery little seed fell by the way-side, to be picked \nup by the fowls of the air ; very little fell among \nthorns, to be choked and destroyed ; very little in \nstony places, to grow only for a few days ; almost \nall the good seed fell in good ground, and was bring- \ning forth fruit an hundred fold. \n\n\n\n28 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA, \n\n\n\nCHAPTER III. \n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. \n\nPeople who love to hear the truth will always \nwant to read it. This was true of those islanders \nwho walked so many miles, and climbed such high \nmountains, to hear the Bible read. This holy book \nwas offered them and they gladly took it, and began \nto read it as the noble Bereans. Protestants always \nurge every man, woman, and child to \'\' search the \nScriptures,\'\' as the Saviour told us to do. \n\nSome of these islanders read the Bible for several \ndays, and did not think how it condemned popery. \nThey perhaps thought they would soon find some- \nthing about mass, penance, purgatory, and priestly \nconfession, but they could find nothing of the kind. \nThey could see how useless and foolish such doctrines \nwere. They could see that Jesus Christ died for \nsinners \xe2\x80\x94 "once for all" \xe2\x80\x94 and hence there was no \nneed of mass. They read the words, \'\' Confess your \nfaults one to another ;" and then thought thus, \n\'\'Now if that means that we should confess to the \npriest, he also should confess to us ; and therefore \nit does not mean either." \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 29 \n\nMore than one thousand persons were reading the \nBible. They carried it home. They talked to \ntheir neighbours about it. They found out how \nthey had been cheated, and how falsely they had \nbeen taught. But they learned to love their ene- \nmies. They did not abuse nor injure the priests. \nThey did not go and break down altars nor burn \nchurches. They prayed that God would convert all \nthe people. \n\nThe Romanists at first pretended that they were \nvery willing for the people to have the Bible. \nyes ! all they wish is to keep them from having un- \nsound and altered Bibles ! Thus they pretended \nat Madeira. In 1840 the Bishop said that he would \nbe glad to see a copy of the Bible which the people \nwere so eagerly reading. One was soon sent to him. \nHe put it into the hands of some examiners. They \nsearched it. Two years after, they reported that \nthere was scarcely a chapter or verse, but had been \nchanged and corrupted. This was without a shadow \nof truth. Dr. Kalley had the copies he circulated, \nvery carefully compared with the version which the \nRomanists pretended to sanction, and the result \nproved that the Bishop had only condemned him- \nself. Certified comparisons were posted up in the \nstreets, that people might see how unjust the Bishop \nwas. A royal mandate arrived from Lisbon giving \nfull sanction to the very edition which Dr. K. was \ncirculating. This ought to have made the Bishop \n3* \n\n\n\nso THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ncareful lest he " be found fighting against God.\'* \nBut it did not. He raged. \n\nThe Bishop pronounced a curse on the Bible, and \non all who should read it. The teachers under Dr. \nKalley were warned \'\'not to teach any living being !" \nIf they did, they should be arrested ; and after such \nan arrest there was little chance of liberty or life. \n\nIn 1843, a severe persecution began against all \nthe Bible-readers. If the people should read it, \nthey would be certain to renounce popery. The \nPriests called it \'\'a book from hell !" Its readers \nknew it was a book from heaven. How it pained \ntheir hearts to hear it proclaimed that " the Bible \nshould be burned !" One spring day two converts \ncame to the Presbyterian church in Funchal, and \nsat down at the Lord\'s table. This was only re- \nnouncing Romanism. It required boldness to do it. \nThe Bishop heard of it and cursed them, I suppose, \n"by bell, book, and candle." Nor were these idle \nthreats. Persons were forbid to even touch \nthem. " Let none give them fire, water, bread, or \nanything that may be necessary to them for their \nsupport. Let none pay them their debts.\'\' No \nBible-readers would ever be so cruel as this ! \n\nOne officer went to a school, which the English \npeople supported by their charities, and took away \nthirty Bibles, with all the Testaments he could find. \nA judge went, with some officers, to the jail, and \nsearched the boxes of the prisoners for Bibles. \nThey took away every one they could lay hands on, \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 31 \n\nand probably burned tbem. But these readers \nwere ready to say, " We\'ll not give up the Bible." \nThey were cast into the worst prisons with the most \nwicked men, who annoyed them day and night by \nsinging the vilest songs, while they were not allowed \nto sing a hymn of praise to God. One of the jails \nwas near the cathedral, and the Romanists in pass- \ning by the Bible-readers, would spit in their faces, \nwhile these converts would show a christian spirit \nby praying for their enemies. On one prison door \nwas written, "\xe2\x80\xa2 No reading and no singing of the \nBible here I" \n\nOf course the schools must be stopped ! The \nchurch of Rome had, certainly, a good chance in \nMadeira to show whether she was the friend of ed- \nucation. And she did show her regard for the best \nschools ever sustained on the island, by aiming a \nheavy blow at all the teachers. It is not often that \npublic documents make popular reading, but here \nis a gem which must not be lost. It shows Rome\'s \nfriendship for education. It is an order sent to the \noverseers in every parish : \n\n" Sir : \xe2\x80\x94 On the receipt of this, you will summon \nto your presence, the teachers male and female of \nall the schools established and supported by Dr. \nKalley, existing in your parish ; and in the presence \nof two witnesses, charge them henceforth not to teach \nany living being, * If, after being duly notified, any \n\n** \xe2\x96\xa0^- Compare Acts iv. 16-18 ; where the rulers of the Jews attempted \nto silence the Apostles : What shall we do to these men ? for that \n\n\n\n32 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nof them should continue to teach, you can immedi- \nately send them to this administration in charge of \ntwo officers of police. You will cause this order to \nbe faithfully executed, and report the result by \nMonday next, giving the names of all who have \nbeen notified. God save you." [Signed.) \n\nIn several personal sketches we will show how \nthese teachers were treated. One case we now \ncite. An intelligent man, after sufiering many evils \nfrom the priests, taught an evening school in a part \nof the island. Not one word had he said to injure \nthe government. He was teaching the people how \nto be well governed. They were improving in \nmorals and industry. But the school must be \nstopped. Whether the above order was read to him \nor not, is not known. But there was an unjust way \nto take him, when there was a wicked will. \n\n*\' One night, during the hours of instruction, a \nparty of men, led by the Church beadle, came to \nthe school with a fictitious w^arrant, for the appre- \nhension of the teacher. But as it was not issued by \na legal authority, and it was brought moreover at \nan illegal hour, the teacher most properly refused \n\nindeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all \nthem that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But that it \nspread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, \nthat they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they \ncalled them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in \nthe name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto \nthem, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you \nmore than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things \nwhich we have seen and heard." \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 33 \n\nto obey it. His scholars took part with liim. Many \nof their relations and friends collected ; and the \nbearers of the illegal warrant were obliged to with- \ndraw without the teacher, but also, it must be added, \nwithout having been subjected to the slightest \nviolence. \n\n\'^ The conduct of the scholars was represented as \n\' sedition and resistance of justice,\' and the public \nprosecutor denounced them as Miguelites,* led on by \nDr. Kalley ! On that day week the judge and \npublic prosecutor, with a notary, and about sixty \nsoldiers proceeded at night to the Lombo das Fayas. \nThe houses of the scholars, chiefly Bible-readers, \nwere broken open \xe2\x80\x94 thirty men and women were \ntaken prisoners \xe2\x80\x94 most of them were bound \xe2\x80\x94 many \nof them were beaten, and some of them very severely \n\xe2\x80\x94 and their houses were given up to be sacked by \nthe soldiers, who committed the most horrible atro- \ncities.\'\' \n\nThey were put in prison, denied the liberty to \nread the word of God, and driven to mass at the \npoint of the bayonet. For nearly two years they \nlay pining in the jail, supported only by kind English \nfriends who learned their starving condition and \nvisited them. Had it not been for the English \nresidents many deaths would have occurred by star- \nvation in the prisons. \n\nAfter these converts were cursed by the Bishops or \npriests, no one dared to do any business with them. \n\n* Followers of Don Miguel the usurper and tyrant. \n\n\n\n34 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nThus they lost their property. No one dared to \nbuy it. If two men were in partnership and one \nbecame a Bible-reader the other could have all the \nproperty. Two poor men were partners in sawing \nwood. The one who owned tw^o-thirds of the \nmachinery became a Christian, but the other con- \ntinued to worship images and pictures like a devoted \npapist. The first tried to sell out to the other, but \nas he was "cursed," he could not induce him to \nbuy. He then proposed that both should sell out \nand divide the profits, but this plan would not do. \nHe then appealed to a judge, and when the judge \nlearned that one was a convert, he gave the other \nall the property, and made the innocent loser pay \nall the costs ! \n\nNo Bible-reader could obtain justice from any \ncourt in Madeira. No one could forsake the Bomish \nchurch, or keep away from mass and confession, \nwithout losing his property. If the converts had any \nrelatives who were Romanists, the latter could take \ntheir houses and lands; if there were no relatives, \nthe priests and the government divided the confis- \ncated wealth among themselves. A few exiles, \nbefore leaving the island, sold their property for \nalmost nothing, but even this was against the curse \nof the priest, who decreed that it was wrong to touch \nor talk with a Bible-reader. The lepers of old were \nnot more carefully to be shunned. This was a high \ncompliment to the power of the Bible and the in- \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 35 \n\nfluence of Its readers. Before them Romanism could \nnot stand long. \n\nAnother very rich man became poor for the sake \nof his Lord and Master. He would not allow his \nBible to be taken away. He and his family fled for \ntheir lives. They escaped to the mountains, among \nthe vineyards, and hid among the vines. The \npriests and soldiers could not find them, to put \nthem in prison. Around his large house in the \ncity w^ere vines, plants, and flowers. It was a \nbeautiful home. To give up all this and be hunted \nlike a wild beast, where he could have no bed but \nthe hard soil and no shelter but grape leaves, was \nsurely a great trial. Yet he was not left unhappy \nby his Lord. If we should be tried thus, we should \nlearn whether we have any faith or not. They at \nlast found refuge in a vessel bound for Trinidad. \n\nOne man was thrice in prison, and even saw his \nwife put into a horrid dungeon. He would not \nyield. Then severer measures were used. He was \nbeaten with rods, until he could not move for several \ndays. But he was firm. He told them, " they \nmight scourge him until he was dead; he could die, \nbut he could not give up the Bible.\'\' He became \nan Elder in the church, and came to this country \nwith the exiles. \n\nThe wealthiest land-owner on the island was J. \nF. Lomelino. He was the oldest son in his father\'s \nhouse, and inherited a large estate. According to \nthe laws of the island his property could not be \n\n\n\n36 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ntaken from him, and yet he lost it. He was for \nsome time an officer in Funchal, and was highly re- \nspected as an intelligent and honourable man. He \nretired when thirty-five years of age, to his native \nvillage of St Da Sara, and became its chief magis- \ntrate. He heard of Dr. Kalley\'s school, though he \nnever attended. As the people were telling one \nanother of the wonderful things in the Bible, he be- \ncame curious to learn what such a book could con- \ntain. \n\nHe went to Dr. Kalley asking, " What do these \nthings mean ?" The story of the cross was told to \nhim. It was to him very wonderful. Was it not \nstrange that he had not heard it before ? If the \nRomanists were true Christians, surely they would \nteach that ! But they had never taught him how to \nbe saved through the death of Jesus Christ. \n\nHe obtained a Bible, took it home, read it eager- \nly, and loved its truths. It was precious to him. \nThe people about him came to learn what he had \nthat made him so happy. They said, " This man \nsoon talk more strong on the gospel than any other \nof the people." \n\nBut enemies soon were spying out his libertj\\ \nSome one told the Bible-haters that he read the \nword of God, and denied that the bread in the sa- \ncrament was the real body of Christ. He was seized, \ntorn away from his family, tried before the court, \nand of course put into prison. His foes might tor- \nture him if they chose, but he would not give up the \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 37 \n\nBible. They could not take its truths out of his \nhead and heart. \n\nIn the jail o\xc2\xa3 Funchal was a place called the \nBomba. It was a most disgusting den of filth. It \nwas only twelve feet square. In it were often \nplaced twenty persons, and when a friend would go \nthere to give them bread, he would come away sick and \nalmost unable to walk. It is most likely that Mr. \nLomelino was often put in the Bomba, for the spite \nof his persecutors was so great that they tortured \nhim all they could. Other prisoners said that if \nany severity of suffering, or abuse of words, or \nloathsome condition, was to be endured, it was re- \nserved for him. They were ready to let a Barabbas \ngo free, but an innocent disciple of Jesus must \nsuffer. \n\nThe reason was plain. They hated him the \nworst, because they feared him most. They did not \nfear his hands, for he was meek, patient, and for- \ngiving. He was careful not to say a word against \nthe government or the religion of the island. If he \ncould have been free, he would not have forced any \none to read the Bible, nor done harm to any of his \npersecutors. They knew this. What they feared \nwas his influence. He was intelligent, and would \nlead others to read the word of God. \n\nHe was obliged to pay for his own support in \n\nprison. After nearly two years\' suffering, he, with \n\ntwenty-one others, was released from the jail. They \n\nwere told that if they did not return at once to the \n\n4 \n\n\n\nS8 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nRomlsli church, they should be imprisoned again \non charges which would be sure to convict them. \nIn those days if a witness did not. give evidence to \nplease the priest, they threatened him with imprison- \nment. False witnesses could be hired, just as they \nwere against Jesus. \n\nAfter these twenty-two persons were set at liberty \nagain, (and such liberty !) some enemies threatened \nto murder them. Open violence soon broke forth. \nOn the very evening when they left the jail, some \nRomanists were carrying the \'\'host" in procession \npast a poor Protestant\'s house. These bearers of \nthe host pretended to be very devout and solemn. \nBut some of them broke open the poor man\'s door \nand destroyed all the property on which they could \nlay their hands. On the same day another poor \nman was quietly going home, thinking perhaps how \nhis house had been burned to the ground five months \nbefore, or how he should provide for his large family \nof children. He was attacked and cruelly knocked \ndown. His arm was broken by the first blow, four \nwounds on his head laid bare his skull, and the very \nwomen bit him as he lay on the ground ; one of them \ntore the flesh from his cheek with her teeth ! \n\nMr. Lomelino went home, but his family were \ngone. They too were Bible-readers, and had been \ndriven away. He was there but a few days when \nhe was arrested again. He admitted before the \ncourt that he read the word of God. For this he \nwas sentenced to five years\' banishment, But he \n\n\n\nTHE BIBLE READERS. 39 \n\nappealed to the higher courts of Lisbon, and re- \nmained in prison on the island for eight months, \nuntil the time of his further trial. Of course he \nalso lost his property. \n\nOne day his fellow prisoners gnashed on him with \ntheir teeth and cried out, " Now, dog, prepare to die, \nfor your God dies to-day ! Dr. Kalley is to be \nkilled before to-morrow morning." He was aware \nthat plots had often been laid against his own life \nin the prison, but he was not troubled by them. \nHe was, however, in great sorrow when he was told \nthat Dr. Kalley was to be murdered. How base \nand ungrateful his countryman were to their best \nearthly benefactor ! How awful their crime of kill- \ning a man who was doing so much to teach men \nhow to be saved ! Yet he thought of the suflfering \nSaviour, and felt able to say, " I am ready to die, \nand expect to die ; or I am ready to live and suffer for \nJesus\' name." He was not banished by the judges, \nbut was held in prison for several months longer. \n\nWhen he came to the United States in 1848, he was \nasked if it was not hard to live in a dungeon three \nyears, when he knew he was innocent. " Oh no," \nsaid he, " it is not hard if you believe in the Lord \nJesus Christ and in the Bible." He said that he \noften thought of Paul and Silas singing in the \nprison at midnight, and he often wanted to sing as \nthey did, but was not permitted. The vilest songs \nwere allowed to be sung by wicked men who laughed \nat his religion. \n\n\n\n40 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nIn those days the Bible-readers fled to the caves, \nto the woods, and a wealthy young lady was so \nclosely pursued that she hid in a sewer of the street. \nSome died in their efforts to escape. It would be \nimpossible to tell the half that was suffered. \n\nAt one time the government formed the idea of a \nmassacre of the Christians. They were told by \noflScers that if they still persisted in reading the \nword of God, they should be burned ; and thus an \nend would be put to the heresy. \n\nThese converts replied in the true spirit of primi- \ntive martyrs : " We are willing to be shut up in this \nprison, and suffer here, and we are willing to be \nburned; but we are not willing to give up this book, \nand to give up our faith." \n\nThere is no doubt but this Bible-reading was the \nprime cause of the persecutions that followed. \nKomanism can never live among those who read the \nBible in their own houses. The cry of the great \ncorrupt church is, " Away with the Bible !\'* The word \nof our Lord is, " Search the Scriptures." The Be- \nreans could not have been Roman Catholics. \'\' They \nsearched the Scriptures daily." There was no \nRomanism in the home of young Timothy, for he \nknew the Scriptures from a child. But all Bereans, \nall the Loises, the Eunices, and Timothys on Madeira \nwere persecuted. What would St. Peter have said \nto all this ? " Grow in knowledge." \n\n\n\nMRS. MARIA JOAQUINA ALVES. 41 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER IV. \n\nMRS. MARIA JOAQUINA ALVES. \n\n*\' She has been called to such a trial of her faith as has fallen to \nthe lot of no other Christian woman in the nineteenth century." \n\nThis noble woman was the wife of Manuel Alves, \nand the mother of seven children, one of whom was \na tender babe when she was first taken from them. \nShe lived in the village of Santa Cruz, twenty-five \nor thirty miles from Funchal. It would seem that \nher home was a pleasant one, and well furnished \nwith the comforts of this life. \n\nIn some way the Bible came into her hands. It \nwas a new book to her. She read it, and found that \nJesus was the only Saviour of sinners. She learned \nthat saints, angels, and the Virgin Mary, were not \nable to save. She discovered that her former teach- \ners had deceived her. Her prayer was directed to \nJesus Christ, who heard her and forgave her sins. \nGreat was her joy in the Saviour. She told her \nneighbours, as the woman of Samaria did, when she \ninvited the people to come and see Jesus. \n\nHer light was shining and her enemies saw it. \n\nThey saw that her godly life and fervent prayers \n4 * \n\n\n\n42 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nwould lead many to become lovers of God and his \nword. They thought they would fill the minds of \nothers with terror by making an example of her. \nShe was arrested and placed in the village jail for \nnine months. Then she was removed to the prison \nat Funchal. This loathsome place was her home \nfor years, where she breathed only the spirit of \nprayer for her persecutors. She was put in a room \nwith twenty more, to be exposed to their ridicule and \ninsults. At length she had a separate room, but \nthere was no door to protect her. She took with \nher a New Testament, concealed in her bosom, so \nthat in her lonely days she could still read the \nwords of comfort and faith. Soon however she was \nsearched, her Testament was found, and thrown \nto the flames. Her friends gave her two others at \ndifferent times, but they were taken and burned. \nYet she was cheerful. Her mind was stayed on her \nSaviour. It is wonderful how the truth and love \nof God can make the greatest sufferers happy. She \nwas willing to die if that was her Lord\'s will. For \nher children she must have been very anxious. \n\nThe more firm her faith was, the more angry were \nher persecutors. They resolved that she should \nsuff*er the severest penalty of the law. The long- \nexpected day for her trial came. She went into the \ncourt room, prepared for the sentence of death. The \ncourt made a great display. The judge was very \ngrave. Her indictment was read. Three charges \nwere written against her, " Apostasy, heresy, and \n\n\n\nMRS. ALVES. 4l \n\nblaspliemy !" She was tried only for blasphemy. \nAnd what had she done that was blasphemous ? She \nhad refused to say that the " wafer" in the Romish \ncommunion was the real body and the real blood of \nJesus Christ, and refused to adore it ! Just what \nany of us who know what common sense is, would \nrefuse to do ! Never was this denial a sin. \n\nThe question was asked : " Do you believe the \nconsecrated host is the real body and real blood of \nJesus Christ ?\' \' On the answer her life would hinge. \nShe knew it. But she dared not give a false answer. \n" I do not believe it," she calmly replied. All eyes \nwere fixed on a woman who could not be frightened. \nShe could boldly say, ^\' I do not believe it !\'\' \n\nWhat was now to be done ? One would suppose \nthat such an honest opinion of what is as plain as \nday-light, would not meet with harshness. But \nwhile all eyes were gazing, the judge rose and pro- \nnounced upon her the sentence of death ! The \nsentence was in these words : \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n" In view of the answers of the jury and the dis- \ncussions of the cause, &c. , it is proved that the accused, \nMaria Joaquina, perhaps forgetful of the principles \nof the holy religion she received in her first years, \nand to which she still belongs, has maintained con- \nversations and arguments condemned by the church ; \nmaintaining that veneration should not be given to \nimages ; denying the real existence of Christ in the \nsacred host ; the mystery of the most Holy Trinity ; \n\n\n\n44 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nblaspheming against the most holy Virgin, the \nmother of God, and advancing other expressions \nagainst the doctrines received and followed by \nthe Roman Catholic apostolic church, expounding \nthese condemned doctrines to different persons, thus \ncommitting the crimes of heresy, blasphemy, &c. I \ncondemn the accused, Maria Joaquina, to suffer \nDEATH as provided in the law ; the costs of the \nprocess, &c. to be paid out of her goods. \n\n\'\' Funchal Oriental^ iii public court ^ May 2dj \n1844. \n\n\'\' Jose Perreira Leito Pitta Ortegueira Negrao, \nJudge, &c.\'\' \n\nSuch a sentence ought to go down to every gen- \neration that will know anything of Romanism. \nRemember this was not done in the dark ages, but \nin 1844 ! It was not for murder nor treason, but \nfor daring to deny an absurdity. She had not \nunited with any Protestant church ; she had simply \nrefused to believe an error ! \n\nShe thought the sentence would be as unchange- \nable as the laws of the Modes and Persians. She \ndid not ask the court to reverse it. No apology \nescaped her lips, no mercy was asked ; but she stood \nwith heroic firmness, and commended her persecu- \ntors to God, praying for their salvation. Death had \nno terror for such a spirit. Her Lord endured the \nshame of the cross, and she was ready to die in any \n\n\n\nMRS. ALVES. 4& \n\nshameful way that they dare propose. Her expec- \ntation was, soon to be in heaven. \n\nThe English people on the island were deeply \naflfected by such a cruel procedure. They drew up \na petition to the Queen of Portugal asking that this \nChristian lady might not be so unjustly put to death. \nAn appeal was also carried up to the higher court, \nand in 1845, it was declared that as there had been \nno trial for two of the charges (heresy and apostasy), \nshe might be released from the penalty of death, \nbut should be kept in prison for three months and \nshould pay a fine of six dollars. But how could she \npay the fine ? They would not allow her friends to \ndo it. So she must suffer out the fine. Month \nafter month she was kept in the dismal prison. For \nthose six dollars she was imprisoned twenty-three \nmonths ! In all she was kept in prison more than \ntwo years and a half ! \n\nShe had a sister with her part of these long \nyears as a fellow-sufferer. When their days were \nfulfilled, they were allowed to return to the family, \nwho were glad to meet her whom they never \nexpected to see at home again. Great joy was felt \nby the Christian people at her release. To show \nwhat foes she had to face, we quote a letter from \nthe Rev. Mr. Hewitson, the devoted missionary on \n\nthe island : \n\n\xc2\xab \n\n" July 11th, 1845. It was reported a few days \nago that a writer was to be posted at the door, to \ntake down the names of the people who might enter ; \n\n\n\n46 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nbut as yet he has not made his appearance. Mean- \nwhile public notice has been given by means of \nplacards, I believe, fixed at the church doors, that \nall who have not been attending the Roman Catholic \nchurch, and not gone to confess to the priest, are \nrequired to confess or attend church, within the \nspace of ten days, at the risk of being imprisoned. \nThe ten days have not yet expired. Maria Joaquina \nwas liberated from prison on Thursday of last week. \nI saw her a short time after her release, and on \nSaturday morning she was present at our meeting \nfor worship. She had been in prison for two years \nand some months. She is an applicant for admission \nto the communion.\'* \n\nThis living martyr, with her husband, children, \nand sister, afterwards fled to Trinidad. She after- \nwards came to the United States. She seemed \nalways happy. A friend in New York asked her, \n^\' Is your faith in Jesus Christ as strong now as \nbefore, and are you as willing to die as when in \nprison, and expecting to be executed ?" \n\n" I feel,\'\' said she with a starting tear, " that my \nfaith in Jesus Christ is growing stronger and \nstronger every day, and that I am willing to die \nwhenever he calls me." \n\nShe is hastening to the close of her pilgrimage, \nwhen she shall come up before the bright throne \nof glory \'\'out of great tribulation." She went to \nher western home in Illinois, there to be buried \nand rest till the morning of the resurrection. \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 47 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER V. \n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. \n\nDr. Kalley had been often threatened. His \nfriends in Scotland wrote for him to flee the island. \nBut with Nehemiah he could say, " Should such a \nman as I flee ?" In one of his letters written when \nhe expected every hour to be put in jail, he says, \n*\' You reminded me of the order given, when perse- \ncuted in one city to flee into another ; but you will \nalso remember that it is said of the hireling that he \nfleeth, because he is an hireling, and the wolf comes, \nand catches the sheep. Were I to flee, I believe \nthe poor sheep of Christ\'s fold would feel deeply \ndiscouraged, and the wolf would catch them. The \nLord can deliver out of the paw of the lion, and of \nthe bear. He would deliver them though I were \naway ; but it is necessary for us always to examine \nwell, and seek to know the will of God, for it is not \nfor us to run whenever the lion growls. Let those \nwho have no hope, or confidence in the Eternal, \nfear men that shall die, but let not us fear earth or \nhell." \n\nThere was danger. He says, \'\'In point of fact, \n\n\n\n48 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthe Inquisition is established in Funchal. There is \na secret tribunal of priests, who make investigations \nin secret ; and without any citation or hearing of \nthe person, he is consigned to the civil power to be \nput in jail, against even their own ecclesiastical laws \nand civil rights.\'\' \n\nDr. Kalley was the special object of vengeance \nfrom the priests and the government. But how \ncould he be arrested ? The treaty between England \nand Portugal would forbid it. This treaty gave all \npersons in Madeira the liberty to enjoy their own \nreligion without molestation. But the Romanists \nwere determined that Dr. Kalley should not sit \nunder this vine. So they hunted up an old law of \nthe Inquisition in 1603, which had no more force \nthere than a law from the court of Japan, and by \nthat they arrested him, tried, condemned, and put \nhim into prison. For five months he lay in the \ngloomy cell. \n\nNor was he idle there. The friends of the \nprisoners were allowed to visit them six or eight \nhours every day, perhaps with the design of trying \nto induce them to recant the new doctrines. The \njailer warned many of them not to visit Dr. Kalley, \nand he took down the names of many who did visit \nhim, threatening to have them arrested. They \nwere however allowed to enter by threes, but there \nwas to be " no singing or reading of the Bible \nthere." On Sabbaths, from seventy to an hundred \nfriends came to hear him talk to them. As only \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 49 \n\nthree could enter at a time, there were many \ngathered about the door, anxiously waiting their \nturn. These persons were mocked and abused by \nthose who went to and from the cathedral. Dr. \nKalley was released in 1844. He often had six \nhundred people to hear him, from whom he withheld \nnothing which would benefit their souls. \n\nA new governor was appointed. This man had \ndeclared that if, he ever filled that office, he would \nnot rest until he had driven Dr. Kalley from the \nisland and put a stop to the work. He began in \nearnest to do this, by every means at his command. \nThe free use of the cudgel was recommended as an \nargument which country people could feel and \nunderstand. Murder was suggested in the public \npapers as an easy way to get rid of the teachers \nand readers of the Bible. Hints were thrown out \nabout a new St. Bartholemew\'s day ! or Sicilian \nvespers. The officers did not rebuke such threats \nin any public manner, if they did at all. Some \npersons were beaten, some stoned ; three houses \nwere burned, two more were fired, and all at the \nsame hour, though far apart. The more the sufi\'erers \ncomplained and entreated, the more injury they \nreceived. The dead were refused a grave except in \nthe highway. \n\nDr. Kalley expected to be driven away from the \n\nisland. He knew it would be best to avoid this if \n\npossible. He went to Lisbon, and it was agreed to \n\nstay certain proceedings against him. He was \n\n5 \n\n\n\n50 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nearnestly desiring help, so that by being less pub- \nlic himself as a teacher, he might still labour for \nthose already converted. Who would come ? \n\nAt Lisbon he met Mr. Hewitson, and learned, to \nhis joyful surprise, that he had been appointed by \nthe church in Scotland to go to Madeira, and was \non the way. As this devoted man did so much for \nthe work on the island, let us learn more fully who \nhe was. \n\nWilliam Hepburn Hewitson was born at Culross \nin Ayrshire, on the 16th of September, 1812. He \nw^as not a remarkable boy. He was known as a \ndelicate pale child, having little taste for boyish \nsports. He was, as all children naturally are, \nworldly and ambitious. His earthly ambition was \nlove of praise. He would say in his childish manner \nthat he would be \'\' either a minister or a king,\'\' and \nhe often asked how long it would take to be a king, \nand how long to be a minister. Sometimes he \nwould mount a chair and, gathering the little band \nabout him, would strain every power to move his \nhearers to tears. And they did weep at his words. \n\nAs he grew older he was devoted to books. Often \ndid his school-mates laugh at him for being a book- \nworm. He was ambitious to qualify himself for \nentering college, and had an energy that never \nflagged. He was so independent that he would \nhardlv receive aid from his father in his studies. \n*\' All he wanted to know was that such and such \nthings should be done, and he set himself in right \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 51 \n\nearnest to do them/\' *\' Alone and unaided lie at- \ntained to a greater knowledge and skill in languages \nthan most boys do at the best academies, with all \nthe help of tutors and teachers of first rate accom- \nplishments. Then the foundation was laid of his \nfuture eminence as a scholar and as a thinker for \nhimself.^\' \n\nHe was rigorously truthful. He could not endure \nto show any appearance of falsehood in word or \naction. The idea of being a minister of the gospel \noften came to his mind, and he seems to have thought \nno more of ever trying to be a king. \'\' Even in his \nwalks with me as a boy," writes one of his early \nfriends, \'\'he showed the loftiness and purity of his \naims, in declaring to me that he never would be a \nminister unless he were first a Christian. He scorned \nthe mockery of setting up to preach what he did not \nthoroughly believe, and feel, and live upon, himself. \nEvery thing must be reality with him, within and \nwithout. You saw him just as he was.\'\' \n\nAt college he soon became known as among those \nwho were at the head of the list. The self-taught \ncountry lad had few compeers. When five con testers \nwere chosen by the votes of his class he was one of \nthe five, and at the top of the list of competitors. \nThe student next him, had been in the class already \nfor three sessions. Between these two there was \nan intense struggle. At the first examination they \nwere pronounced equal \xe2\x80\x94 the professor not being \nable to decide between them. At the second trial \n\n\n\n62 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nhe made a mistake. He saw it at once. He felt \nthat the prize was lost. But he was determined \nthat before the professor should enter the class to \nannounce his rival\'s victory, he would let him know \nthat the student understood his own blunder as well \nas the professor himself. He therefore wrote a \npolite note to the professor correcting the blunder, \nbut acknowledging that it was too late to be helped. \nThe professor announced the decision and read the \nnote. The students were loud in their praise of \nHewitson, and though he lost the medal that year, \nthey made it up by presenting. him a copy of the \n\'\' Attic Orators." This delicate gift was honourable \nto all concerned- The next year the professor urged \nhim to be a candidate and he took the prize very \neasily. On the morning of March 31st, 1835, as \nthe gold medal was hung about his neck, he felt \nalmost to be the \'\'king" of his childish years, and \nthe students were rarely so enthusiastic in hailing \nhim as the first man of his year. This was his prize \nfor the classics. But in Logic also he bore off the \npalm over forty rivals. \n\nThere is a song about the nightingale, that when \nyoung sat in the nest and picked the green leaves \nof the rose. This was its pleasure. But after \nawhile the rose unfolded itself, and then the bird \nsang only of it, flew among the thorns, wounded \nitself and died. Such young men as Kirke White, \nPollok, and Hewitson did this. They saw beauty \nblooming on every thorny limb of the tree of \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 53 \n\nknowledge, and in trying to gain it they wounded \nthemselves \xe2\x80\x94 they almost died by reaching for roses \nwhere once they gathered only leaves. \n\nHewitson paid dearly for his honours. They cost \nhim health, and that is hard to buy back when lost. \nThe night had hardly stopped him in his pursuit. He \noften had not slept till three or four in the morning, \nand had risen at seven. He did not heed the warn- \nings of friends. He sometimes came in from class, \npale and weary, laid his hand on his heart, and drew \na long breath with evident pain, but still he gave up \nall to study. \n\nHe made one other effort for an honour. A prize \nhad been offered to the students for the best essay \n" on the Nature, Causes, and Effects of National \nCharacter.\'* Hewitson stretched forth his hand and \ntook it. In December 1837, his essay took the \nhonours. It was read, and highly applauded. A \nlistener, now known as Dr. James Hamilton of \nLondon, exclaimed, " What a fine sense he has of \nthe sublime !" \n\nDo you not imagine that the young victor had his \nheart set on publishing the essay ? Not long be- \nfore he would have leaped for joy at the proposal. \nBut now Professor Wilson urges its publication, and \nHewitson refuses ! All is changed ! \n\nHe felt that he had grasped a shadow ; ah ! a sting- \ning serpent. He thought of himself and was ashamed. \nHe thought upon God and was troubled. He felt \nthat he must be a minister of the gospel, but how \n5 * \n\n\n\n54 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\xe2\x96\xa0unprepared, how unworthy, how fearful ! He says, \n*\' that is the grand object of my existence \xe2\x80\x94 the \nmotive of all my exertions \xe2\x80\x94 identified with all my \nhopes, and fears \xe2\x80\x94 the centre of my soul. If it be \nnot gained, a dark cloud will settle all around my \npath, a blighting chill will benumb all my faculties, \nand will make me useless to myself and others." \n\nOh if he only loved Jesus ! that is now his thought. \nOnce he loved to be praised, but now his soul is on \nfire with a purer, nobler wish ; he wants to praise \nJesus and tell of his great love. His sad soul \nmourns as he wishes his heart were full of love to \nits God and Saviour, and yet finds it cold as ice and \nhard as adamant. \n\nAnd why, how, this change ? A "living epistle" \nhad come before his eye. He read the lesson and \nlearned it well. \n\nWhile at Leamington writing that prize essay, he \nwas aroused to something nobler than seeking \nhonours of men. He says, \'\' I happened one day \nto turn up to the mineral spring. A young man \nentered the building, whose appearance at once at- \ntracted my observation. His coarse linen frock \ncontrasted strangely with the gay apparel of the \ngroups before me. He was emaciated and walked \nforward with a feeble step. After drinking of the \nwater (out of a vessel of earthen ware, which was \nplaced beside a number of tumblers), he, without \nhaving apparently observed any one, again slowly \nwithdrew. After a little, I began slowly to descend \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 55 \n\nthe hill, in the middle of which the spring was sit- \nuated, and found the young man sitting at one of \nthe bends of the winding path which slopes gently \ndown the declivity. I spoke to him. His diiBdent \ntone of voice, and his modesty of manner, at once \nenlisted my sympathies. During several weeks after- \nwards I frequently visited his father\'s lowly cottage. \nMy intercourse with the young man soon gave me \nground to conclude, that, if my theoretic knowledge \nof gospel truths was greater than his, he, unlike \nmyself, had experienced their sanctifying power. \nTruly his was the better portion. When he spoke \nof the Saviour\'s love to sinners, and of his obedience \nunto death for their redemption, he at times gave \nvent to his gratitude in tears of joy. Pointing ta \nhis clothes on one occasion, he said, addressing his \nfather, " These will be no more needed ; I wish you \nto sell them ; the price of them will be enough to \npay for my coffin." He seemed like one who had \nobtained " everlasting consolation and good hope \nthrough grace," to have not a shadow of doubt or \nanxiety on his soul as to the prospect of eternal \nglory. One evening about sunset he fell asleep." \n\nThe young prize seeker was struck with an arrow \nfrom God. That peasant was such a " living epis- \ntle," that no one could read it and not be affected. \nThe thought came, " I am a stranger to all this." \nHe asked himself, " Could I thus calmly pass into \nthe immediate presence of the holy and just Jehovah ? \nAm i, like him, sheltered from the \' wrath to come?\' \n\n\n\n56 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nWhat must I do to be saved ? How miserable a \nstate of mind is that in which sorrow, like a heavy \nload, weighs upon the heart, and tries to find relief \nin tears, but cannot find it !" Well might he have \nsaid as Cowper wrote : \n\n*\'I was a stricken deer that left the herd \nLong since ; with many an arrow deep infixed \nMy panting side was charged, when I withdrew \nTo seek a tranquil death in distant shades. \nThere I was found by One who had himself \nBeen hurt by th* archers. In his side he bore, \nAnd in his hands and feet, the cruel scars. \nWith gentle force soliciting the darts, \nHe drew them forth, and healed, and bade me live.\'\' \n\nHis mind could not be turned from the ministry. \nTo be a king would only be playing with baubles. \nBut he doubts ever being capable to preach. Yet \nhe says, " Let God dispose of me for time and for \neternity so as most to show forth his glory. If it \nbe his will that I am to be a minister of Christ, \nblessed be his name ! If he dispose of me otherwise, \nhis will be done !" \n\nIn 1838 he became a student at Edinburgh where \nDr. Chalmers presided over Divinity Hall. For \ntalent and scholarship he was well known. But \nthere was a deep sorrow in his heart, which no \nhuman eye could detect. He says, " I cried to the \nunknown Crod with my voice, and often cried in \ndespair. The cry seemed never to reach his ears, \nand then I was so \' troubled that I could not speak.\' \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 57 \n\nAt such a time would I pour forth to God such \nlines as these : \n\n** * Oh wherefore hast thou left me now \n\nIn desperate struggles all alone ? \nWhat tempest hides thine awful brow ? \n\nWhat horror girds thy gracious throne ? \nThou art my Father \xe2\x80\x94 deign to look \n\nUpon the anguish throbbing here, \nAnd not regard with stern rebuke \n\nThe scorching agony of this tear/ \'\' \n\nBut he came at length to the cross, and found his \nburden gone. In 1840, he was brought under the \npreaching of that burning and shining light, Mr. \nMcCheyne, and he was led to Jesus. He now \npressed forward " toward the mark for the prize of \nthe hio;h callino; of God in Christ Jesus." He now \nwished to have \'\' an ear deaf to the world\'s music, \nbut all awake to the voice of Him who is \' the chief \namong ten thousand and the altogether lovely.\' " \nHe too became a " living epistle," and when he \nwent again among his friends at home, " they took \nknowledge of him that he had been with Jesus." \n\nStill he was a student. He writes \xe2\x80\x94 " In the \ncourse of my walkings to-day, I have been in- \nformed that I am studying twenty-four hours a day, \nand I may reasonably expect ere long to be informed \nthat I am very ill in consequence of my hard study. \nOh that this indolent me were able to study hard !" \nAnd again two months later he writes, " I am not \ntroubled now either by the \' indolence of genius,\' or \nthe genius of indolence. I was out of bed this morn- \n\n\n\n68 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ning by four o\'clock. I wish I could keep \' Minshuir \nhours regularly ; I dare say such hours were kept \nby Adam and Eve when they were wont to close \ntheir eyes in faith, and open them in prayer." \n\n\'\' God will not suffer me to be ambitious now," \nhe says. His fine genius was turned to the cross, \nand he became a little child. He sold the gold \nmedal, once the idol of his heart, and put the pro- \nceeds into the Lord\'s treasury. \n\nThoughts of the missionary work now came into \nhis mind. \'\' Such is the expansive energy of Chris- \ntian love," he once said, " that wherever it sees a \nbrow like that which was mocked with a crown of \nthorns, it will not be satisfied till on that brow there \nbe engraved the name of Jesus. \' I am a mission- \nary\' is a thought which we should frequently \xe2\x80\x94 every \nday that passes \xe2\x80\x94 entertain in our minds. We should \nbe ever ready to put the question, \' What as a mis- \nsionary ought I now to do ?\' " \n\n"I am forbidden to study," he was compelled \nat length to say. Disease shut him up in the house, \nduring the winter of 1841-2. In the spring he \nwent to Germany for his health. To a great suf- \nerer he wrote while travelling. \'\' You are tried by \nsore pain in the morning ; at nine o\'clock in the \nmorning Christ was nailed to the cross. All day \nlong you are afflicted with pain ; Christ hung on the \ncross in an agony till three o\'clock in the afternoon. \n\'Behold the lamb of God !\' and amidst your suffer- \nings, take comfort from the sight of his wounded, \n\n\n\nTHE REV. W. H. HEWITSON. 59 \n\nbleeding body/\' Such a man would make a ^\' son \nof consolation\'\' to the people of God. \n\nAgain he was in the solitude of Dalmellington, \nhis home. His friends thought that he would soon \ndie of consumption. But he was intent on doing \nsome work for the Master ere he should go hence. \nHe thought of the south of France, and Malta, as \nfields of labour, where his health might possibly \nbe regained. Little did he know yet, that God was \nmaking a way for him in Madeira. The hour had \ncome, and a Mr. Sym proposed that island on which \nsuch a grand scene was enacting. Yes, Madeira ! \nit was the very place. God had sent one labourer there \nthrough ill health, and now he has another ready \nwhen needed. It was a pleasing idea to Mr. Hew- \nitson. He wrote, October 15, 1844, \'^ It is, I un- \nderstand, most desirable, at present, that a minister \nshould be sent out to Madeira to acquire the Por- \ntuguese language, with a view to preaching the \ngospel to the poor Portuguese in the island. Dur- \ning the year which would be spent in doing nothing \nbut acquiring the language, my health might be so \nfar recruited, by the blessing of God on the change \nof air, as to enable me afterwards to labour in that \npart of the vineyard. Doubtless it would be more \nconsonant to my natural wishes, to be a minister of \nthe gospel at home ; but if in a way so unexpected, \nthe Lord be pleased to say, \' I will send thee far \nhence unto the Gentiles,\' it is my part to deny my- \nself through his grace, and take up my cross and \n\n\n\n60 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ngo. Madeira is at present the forlorn hope of \nChristianity. There, more than anywhere else in \nour day, has Popery breathed its natural element \nof intolerance and persecution." \n\n^\'Yesterday," he writes, November 7th, 1844, \n" was a solemn day, one ever to be remembered. I \nwas ordained by the Presbytery of Edinburgh (Free \nchurch of Scotland)." This was part of the pre- \nparation for Madeira. " I go to Portugal as a \nmissionary and may have much to try me and put \nmy faith to the proof." " Pray for me, my dear \nfriend. Remember my trials and difficulties before \nthe Lord. Let us not forget Saturday evenings at \nseven o\'clock. Then pray for fruit unto eternal \nlife from among the poor Portuguese." \n\nSome one unwisely published the fact that Mr. \nHewitson intended to go to Madeira, but the Lord \noverruled it for good. It made it necessary for him to \ngo first to Lisbon. There his Master took him \n\'\' aside, once more to give to his sickle a new edge." \nThe two months spent there did much to qualify \nhim for trying events, among enemies such as he \nhad never known, and could not fully know until he \nshould suffer persecution. \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. 61 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER VI. \n\nTHE YOUNa MISSIONARY. \n\n\'\' Tuesday, January 28th, 1844. Mr. A \n\ncalled this evening to tell me that Dr. Kalley had \narrived from Madeira ; and while he was here, a \nletter came from Mr. Sym, intimating that I had \nthe consent of the Colonial Committee to go imme- \ndiately to Madeira. Thus, in a marvellous manner, \nthe Lord has been answering the prayer which yes- \nterday I offered up for direction and counsel.\'\' \n\nThus while the Lord was preparing a labourer for \nthe Held, he was also preparing the field for the \nlabourer. It must have overjoyed the heart of Dr. \nKalley thus to meet one, who, without his knowledge, \nhad been sent to stay up his hands, and reap a \nglorious harvest. The young missionary was to \ntake his place. \n\nThere was no church yet organized among the \nconverts. Not many had openly renounced Popery; \nonly twenty-five or thirty ; many were reading the \nBible and giving up the errors of Rome one by one. \nThey were truly as sheep without a shepherd. Mr. \nHewitson was entering upon a field where the \n6 \n\n\n\n62 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nenemy was strong. He was sent forth as a sheep \namong wolves. He ran the risk of enmity, and im- \nmediately sought after those who wished to learn \nthe gospel. He lived with a Eev. J. J. Wood, of \nEngland, and had a room in the dwelling for hold- \ning meetings. Here was the \'\' church in the \nhouse," \n\nEvery day converts and inquirers came to meet \nhim. Few came at a time, lest the ofiicers of the \ncity should forbid any to go. In the Lord\'s way \nhe had learned their language at Lisbon. He spoke \nit as a " gift from God," though he could not under- \nstand them when they spoke. " The good people," \nhe says, " are so anxious to be understood, that \nwhen I ask them to speak more at leisure, they \nspeak all the faster !" Several persons applied for \nadmission to the Lord\'s table. They had gained \nclear views from the Bible respecting Christ, and the \nlast supper. One lady, whose heart overflowed \nwith love to the Saviour, said she would rather be \nput to death than to be silent when the truth was \nspoken against. She " could not but speak the \nthings she had heard. "^ \n\nThe little church grew. The difficulty was to \nkeep too many from crowding the room at one time. \nFour parents came one Saturday evening, a four \nhours\' walk, and brought their children to be bap- \ntized on Sabbath. Soon after that a communion \nwas held, in the evening, \'\' the doors being shut for \nfear." Thirty-four converts were there, with a \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. 63 \n\nhappiness they never had known before. More \nmight have been admitted, but there was no room \nin the house ; every thing had to be done in the most \nquiet manner. \n\nNow he found an Apollos, ^ ^mighty in the Scrip- \ntures." Let us recite the beautiful story. Dr. \nKalley was staying one summer on the north side \nof the island to enjoy the sea bathing. One \nday an almost blind carpenter was led by the hand \nover the mountains, to consult the doctor about his \neyes. The doctor did all he could to relieve him. \nThe visitor then asked \xe2\x80\x94 as few did \xe2\x80\x94 what he had \nto pay. He was told, "I do not want money, but \nif God blesses the remedies and you wish to pay me \nfor my trouble, I would like you to learn to read \nthe word of God and do as he bids you." The \nignorant carpenter went home, taking a Bible with \nhim. \n\nThe next summer the same persons met at the \nsame place. The carpenter was as blind as at first. \nBut he had learned a great deal from the Bible. \nHe would speak of a truth and say, " You will find \nthe proof in such a chapter and such a verse." His \nsight had been restored \xe2\x80\x94 he had gone to school, \nlearned to read, read the Bible with prayer for \nGod\'s teaching, got married, and lost his sight \nagain \xe2\x80\x94 all this in a year. He was asked how he \nhad learned so much of the truth in so short a time, \nand replied, \'\' God could teach me more in five \nminutes !" \n\n\n\n64 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nThis carpenter had a priest. Padre Vigarlo. He \none day went to the priest with a tract, which Dr. \nKalley had given him, on which were the ten com- \nmandments. *\' Are these the true commandments of \nGod?\'\' he asked. The priest declared they were \nnot. He abused Dr. Kalley most bitterly for giv- \ning such a tract to be read in his parish. But the \ncarpenter was determined to have the evidence of \nhis senses, for he could now see. He told the priest \nthat surely he had a Bible of his own, and asked \nhim to be kind enough to bring it forth so that they \nmight compare the tract with the record in Exodus. \nThe priest at first refused, but was forced to yield at \nlast. The Bible was brought. The priest either \ncould not, or would not find the chapter. He turned \nto the beginning, middle, and end of the Bible. So \nthe carpenter took it and at once turned to the \n20th chapter of Exodus. Then giving the priest \nthe one, he read the other. They were the same. \nThis man was \'\' strong in the gospel." But the priest \nwas all the more angry, and declared that if the \nEnglish doctor ever entered his parish, he should \nnot leave it except piecemeal ! \n\nThis victory cost the carpenter his liberty. Not \nlong after he was visited by some persons, who were \ncarrying a little flag with a figure of a pigeon on the \ntop of the staff. They asked alms, as is done once \na year, for the Holy Ghost ! They knocked at the \ndoor, were invited in, and then begged for alms for \nthe "Espirito Santo" (Holy Spirit). " This is not \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. . 65 \n\nthe Esplrito Santo," said the carpenter. " We \nknow no other," they replied. \'\' The Holy Ghost \nis a spirit," said the reasonable man, \'\'and that is \na piece of cloth fastened to a stick." The men \nwent and told the priest Vigario ; the priest reported \nthe case to the judge, and the judge had the poor \nman brought to court, tried, and condemned to suf- \nfer in the common jail. In Romish countries there \nseem to be a great many jails \xe2\x80\x94 one always close by \nwhere a Bible-reader is arrested ! He was there \nfor two months, but this did not convince him that \nthe parish priest was right, nor that the Bible was \nwrong. This man came to Mr. Hewitson asking \nbaptism for his infant child. \n\nThere was a poor man on the island named Jeron- \nymo. When seventeen years old a severe illness \nmade his mind feeble, his hands, head, and feet \ntremulous, and his appearance quite boyish and \nfoolish. When Dr. Kalley first saw him, he was \nabout thirty years of age. He had learned a few \nwords of French and English, and used them in \nbegging from strangers. He was an idler of little \naccount to any one, as idlers usually are. The boys \noften teazed him, and laughed at his stammering \nw^ords and strange gestures when angry. \n\nOne Sabbath in the spring of 1843, the police \nwere stationed at Dr. Kalley\'s door to prevent or \nw^atch any persons who wished to hear the word of \nGod, from entering the house. Jeronymo took a \nfancy to go in. One or two persons had been \n6 * \n\n\n\n66 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nbeaten for daring to enter, but the police did not \nthink it worth their while to hinder poor Jeronymo. \nThe time for worship had not quite arrived, and \nsome of the family thought that Jeronymo was sent \nthere to d6 some mischief, for they were alarmed at \nhis idiotic appearance. They sent him away with- \nout Dr. Kalley\'s knowledge. But God, who often \nchooses the weak to confound the mighty, would not \nlet Jeronymo be offended and go away. He lingered \nabout the gate. In the afternoon he came and took \nhis seat with the little band of worshippers. No one \ninvited him to leave this time. His eyes and mind \nwere riveted. With open mouth and staring face \nhe sat hearing of the wonderful works of God. He \nlearned that Jesus had died for poor Jeronymo, as \nw^ell as for John and Paul. \n\nHe came again and again to the house. It was \nthe best place he could find in the city. The boys \ncould riot find him to teaze him any more. He \nceased to beg from strangers, and left ofi* being \nidle. He contrived to support himself by his own \nhands. Nor was this all. He must read the Bible. \nHe studied and prayed, and at last became a reader. \nHe told others about the true religion and the great \nand good book. The enemies thought that he was \nnot worth their persecuting attention, and therefore \nhe could labour unharmed. God was making the \nfoolish confound the wise. When Dr. Kalley was \nin jail, this poor man would come and get supplies \nof Testaments and tracts to distribute, or sell to \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. 67 \n\nthose who would buy them. In this way he earned \nsomething, and became very useful in the good \nwork. \n\nWhen the enemies saw how much good such a poor \nman could do, they resolved to stop it. Canon \nTelles, a dignitary of the Romish church and a Jesuit, \nonce met him at his door, offering the tracts and \nTestaments, and he gave him a terrible beating. \nWhich zeal was the best, that of the Jesuit for his \nchurch, or that of the humble labourer for the cause \nof Christ ? \n\nJeronymo was put into jail, but this was no great \nhardship for him, for he had never seen much bodily \ncomfort in this world. For a good while he had \nslept on the steps of some house so as not to be \ncaught and beaten. His home was a very poor one. \nIt was a little hut, in which his sister lived with an \nidolatrous husband. They would not listen to the \nnew convert as he rebuked them for their false wor- \nship, and so he thought it was not best to live with \nthem any longer. Some one asked him where he \nslept and he replied, with as much independence as \nif he owned a palace, that he could sleep quite \nwell at any door, and the Lord always provided him \nwith a piece of bread. \n\nIt was no small pleasure to him to be in the same \njail with Dr. Kalley. One day when in the doctor\'s \nroom, the conversation turned upon the resurrection \nof the body. Poor Jeronymo looked on his hands \nand his feet very much grieved. He could not feel \n\n\n\n68 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nhappy, in thinking that the same hands and feet \nwould be given him at the resurrection. He had \nhoped to be freed from his poor, weak, awkward body. \nHe was then told that if he died trusting in Jesus, \nhe should be raised up " like to His glorious body." \nThe expression of his face was instantly changed. \nHe looked again at his trembling limbs, and then \ngazed upwards with wonder and delight, at the \nthought of having that body made like the Lord\'s. \n\nWhen out of prison he did all he could during the \nday for his Master, and at night slept on the steps \nagain whenever he could find a place not exposed to \nthe violence of the enemies of Christ. In prison or \nout of prison he was happy. One day he came to \nMr. Hewitson and heard him speak of the " hid \ntreasure.\'\' He was asked if he understood what it \nmeant. He came forward as one who had been \nbruised by severe blows, and said that he knew what \nthe hid treasure was, for he had been beaten severe- \nly the night before because he loved his Saviour. \nPoor Jeronymo could find no \'\' good Samaritan" \namong his own people, unless they had first been \ntaught the Bible. \n\nTwo or three would come to the young mission- \nary at a time, and others would wait anxiously for \ntheir time to come. They often were not cautious, \nand would linger at the door watching for it to be \nopened. They seemed not to care for the danger \nof being arrested and cruelly treated. Daily there \nwere additions to the church. He found that Mr. \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. 69 \n\nWood\'s house was too small as well as too public. \nSo he rented another with a garden on each side of it, \nwhere the people might not be watched so closely \nby the police. His health was still feeble. The \nwonder is that it did not entirely fail. It should be \nnoticed that these people are naturally timid and \nfearful of danger. They were persecuted at home \nby friends and suspicious neighbours. Often a \nman\'s foes were they of his own household. Yet \nthe love of God and of his truth made them bold. \n\nA pony had been left by Mr. Wood for the young \nmissionary to ride, when he sought the refreshing \nair on the hills, or the music of the waves along the \nshore. Coming toward his house from one of these \nrides, he saw several policemen on the watch about \nhis house. He rode on past the house, and these \nspies continued their watch for two or three hours \nand then left. The few people in the house went \nhome, no doubt full of sorrow that their pastor must \nrefrain from his work. He wished to use all pru- \ndence, lest these disciples should be beaten with many \nstripes, have their houses burned, their property \ntaken away, and their privileges denied them by \narrest and imprisonment. \n\nThe curses of the priest fell on the poor, instead \nof blessings. A poor man had by careful earnings \nlaid up seven pence to pay the priest for confessing \nhim. He offered it in the chapel, but the priest \nturned round in anger, and with an oath " hoped \nthat he might turn as black as his hat if he would \n\n\n\n70 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\never confess a man for less than ten pence !" The \npoor man obtained another half penny and offered \nthat also, but was rudely turned off with a curse. \nThis was his last attendance at priestly confession. \nHe learned to confess his sins to God, who invites \nus to come " without money and without price.*\' \n\nSeveral persons were examined by the officers in \norder to find some cause for an arrest of Mr. Hew- \nitson. The police were ordered to put him down in \nsome w^ay. The treaty between England and Por- \ntugal prevented an outrageous attack. Out of pru- \ndence he discontinued his meeting for a few weeks, \nin order that the black cloud of threats might blow \nover a little. Yet the converts were bold, and their \nenemies saw that imprisonment was a poor way to \ncure them. The lion Ment about roaring, for he \nknew not what to do with this devoted pastor and \nthe harmless people. \n\nIn making strong the church, Mr. Hewitson took \nanother important step. Let him tell it in his own \nwords, dated May 8th, 1845. " I have been contem- \nplating the ordination of three or four elders. On \nTuesday last, I intimated to a godly young man, that \nI wished him to become an elder, asking him if he \nwould object to undertake the office. He answered \nthat he would refuse to do nothing that was agree- \nable to the will of God ; and, evidently referring to \na threatened attempt on the part of the enemies of \nthe truth to force him into the military service, he \nadded, that he would gladly enlist himself as a \n\n\n\nTHE YOUXG MISSIONARY. 71 \n\nsoldier to defend the Lord\'s cause and people. The \nyoung man is a devoted servant of God, vrith intense \nlove of Bible truth. He quotes the Scriptures with \ngreat readiness and felicity." The missionary then \nproposed that this young man should be assisted in \npreparing for the ministry. \'\' The time may be \nnot far distant," he says, " when I shall be obliged \nto leave Madeira by the strong arm of persecution, \nand it would be a great comfort to the afflicted \nchurch here, amidst their privations, to have the \nprospect of so soon receiving ordinances at the hands \nof one of their own number." Elders were after- \nwards ordained. \n\nMay 12th, he writes, " The horizon is becoming \nmore and more cloudJ^ Two or three days ago at \na dinner party, the Bishop of Madeira declared ex- \nterminating war against the Bible. He said that \nhe had all the authorities on his side,* and he was \nresolved to put down all dissent from the Roman \nCatholic Church. Yesterday while the Bishop was \npreaching, he fell down in a fit. This might teach \nhim that the Lord is mightier than he." \n\n"An excellent young man, who should be made \nan elder of the Portuguese church in Madeira, on \na person saying to him, \'that the church of Rome is \nthe mother of us all,\' had replied, \' Then keep her to \n\n* Very much like the hoast of Sennacherib in 2 Chron. xxxii. 10- \nIS. But the missionary could have said, " There be more with ns \nthan with him. With him is an arm of flesh ; but with us is tho \nLord our God to help us,*\' ver. 7-8. \n\n\n\nT2 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nyourself.\' He was, for this, sent to jail four \nmonths." \n\nThe police warned him not to continue the meet- \nings in his house, or he would be arrested, and the \ncourt would not handle him mildly. He thought, how- \never, that it was better to violate the Portuguese \nlaw, than the law of Christ, and so he cautiously \nheld meetings under cover of the night. \n\nAug. 24, 1844, he writes, \'\'This night we are \nat eight o\' clock to \' keep the feast\' in secret, and \nwith closed doors and windows, in our dining-room, \nwith this poor and persecuted little flock of Christ. \nThe service if discovered will send his dear servant \nto prison, but the Lord is his keeper." \n\nThe jailer was very kind at this time. He al- \nlowed three prisoners to get out 07i parole^ and go to \nthe " Church in the house." He knew they would \ncome back, for they said they would. He knew \nthat these Bible-readers could be trusted. Honour \nto that jailer ! \n\nThe Lord took his servant out of this danger. \nHe became too ill to labour in the city, and sought \nrest and recovery by retiring to a village fifteen \nmiles distant. Disease crept more rapidly upon him. \nHe was brought back to Funchal, in a hammock, a \nmode of conveyance in this mountainous land. Dr. \nKalley was absent in Scotland. The physician \nalmost despaired of seeing Hewitson well again. \nNor was the patient very hopeful. He said, " For two \nor three days I scarcely expected recovery. I never \n\n\n\nTHE YOUXG MISSIONARY. 73 \n\nwent down so far into the dark valley, nor got so \nsteady a gaze over the verge of time into the depths \nof eternity." For six weeks he could not meet, on \nSabbath, with the Scotch congregation worshipping \nthere. Yet he declared that these were the " sweetest \nweeks he ever spent in Madeira." A friend sent \nhim some flowers and he wrote back, " When we \nlind the Lord\'s flowers withering in our hands, we \n\nshould not vex our souls as we are apt to do He \n\nis not hiding his face, though the flowers be dry. \nHe would have us be ever going again, through the \ngentle dropping dews of prayer in the Holy Ghost, \nto knock at his garden gate, and ask him for a \nfresh gift of his choicest flowers. He withers the \nflowers we have, that we may ask for more. Oh \nmatchless love of Jesus ! He wishes us to come \nas^ain and aojain.\'\' \n\nThis sickness crave streno-th to his heart for the \ngood work. " Out of weakness he was made strong." \nHe did not think best to renew the public meetings \ntill Dr. Kalley should return, lest the foe should get \nsome advantage. But he set on foot a new method. \nThe converts should hold meetings from house to \nhouse, and those best instructed should conduct them. \nIt was a happy plan. He organized a class, who \nshould study the gospel, in order to be qualified to \nteach others. Some came eighteen miles to attend \nit. One person, just released from jail, was asked \nto lead in prayer, but feeling his need of learning \nand good language, he said, \'\' Excuse me, for I can \n7 \n\n\n\n74 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nonly pray as I have been taught by the Holy Ghost !" \nWould that all Christians could thus learn from the \nSpirit of God ! \n\nThe rage of the enemy waxed more terrible ; more \nwas known of jails than of churches in those stormy \ndays. Hewitson was waiting daily for the call of \npolicemen to hurry him away to prison. Dr. \nKalley returned to the island. The missionary was \nforbidden to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. \nOne of the judges was ordered to arrest him, but \ndeclined. The Bishop went to Lisbon to get aid to \nput down the religion of Christ. The English mer- \nchants were forbidden to have any meetings of Por- \ntuguese in their houses. It seemed best for Mr. \nHewitson to retire from the scene for a little while. \nBut he felt that he must get his class through a \ngood course of study. He toiled hard. In three \nweeks eighty -seven Portuguese took the sacrament. \nThere were hundreds \xe2\x80\x94 yes thousands \xe2\x80\x94 ready to \nlisten to the word of God, but the hoof of oppression \nkept them down. \n\nOne cheering fact occurred, just when the enemy \nseemed to be most mighty. \'^ A few minutes ago," \nhe wrote, \'\' I have heard of a wicked man\'s conver- \nsion. His wife called to ask me to visit the house." \nThat man had been one of the chief tools of the \nangry priests, in carrying on their work of violence. \nThis gave more of an impulse to priestly rage, while \nit made it the more sad for the young missionary to \nretire from the field. \n\n\n\nTHE YOUNG MISSIONARY. 75 \n\nHe left Madeira in May 1846, Intending to \nreturn after a few months. With a bounding heart \nhe soon exclaimed, "Again I am on British \nground !\'* Toward Madeira his thoughts often \nturned. He heard how his flock were being scat- \ntered by the storm. " Ah ! the tidings from Ma- \ndeira," he writes, " are truly sad. The dear people, \nhunted like wild beasts on the mountains by their \nsavage foes, and forced on the resource of emigra- \ntion, as the only means of escape from the dreadful \nalternative of relapse into Popery, or of suffering, \nit may be in many cases to death. One man brut- \nally murdered ! Several women beaten almost to \ndeath ! Popery would exterminate grace itself \nfrom the earth if it could !" \n\nOf Mr. Hewitson\'s labours. Dr. Kalley wrote : \n*^ He has been a source of incalculable good to \nMadeira. I feel myself to be very much a hewer \nof wood or drawer of water." \n\n\n\n76 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA- \n\n\n\nCHAPTER VII. \n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE \xe2\x80\x94 ENGLISH LADIES MOBBED. \n\nThe Misses Rutherford were English ladies re- \nsiding in a quiet part of Funchal. They occupied \na summer residence called the " Quinta das Angus- \ntias." One of them was an invalid, unable to leave \nthe house. A Miss Clarke acted as her nurse. A \nyoung Portuguese lady, an orphan, a convert, and \na teacher, was also one of the family. \n\nThe Misses Rutherford were known to be Protes- \ntants, and friends to the Bible-readers. They had \nallowed some of the Portuguese women to come and \nhear the Bible read in their house. They had been \n" helpers in the gospel.\'\' It was resolved by their \nspies and foes, that they should be driven from the \nisland. All treaties for protecting English residents \nwere disregarded, and even when the British consul \nought to have shielded them from harm, nothing \nwas done. They were exposed to the rage of a \nmob. \n\nOn a Sabbath morning, August 2nd, 1846, a com- \npany of thirty or forty worshippers of God met in \nthe "Quinta das Angustias.\'\' They met on this \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 77 \n\nholy day to sing praises, offer prayers, read the \nBible, and hear a letter from Mr. Hewitson their \npastor, then absent in Scotland. The worship was \nconducted by Mr. Da Silva, a man of influence and \nlearning, who had left all and followed Jesus. \n\nDuring these hours a mob was collecting. It \nwas not headed by a drunken outlaw, but by a canon \nof the church, an officer who assisted the Bishop in \nhis labours, and was one of his counsellors. He \nwas a Jesuit. Educated in England, he had seen \nsomething of what power the Bible had over the \npeople. He had, no doubt, come from the Cathe- \ndra] that very hour, with his robes upon him, and \nwas now mustering a ruffian rabble to attack the \npeaceable worshippers in the Quinta. \n\nThe meeting heard Mr. Hewitson\'s letter with \ndeep interest. It was like one of his rich sermons. \nA few words from it would do us good. \n\n" I remember you every day in my prayers before \nGod, giving thanks to him who called you out of \ndarkness into his marvellous light. \n\n"Life, light, salvation, the hope of glory, all \nspiritual and eternal blessings, are found in Christ \nJesus our Lord ; neither can they be found any- \nwhere else. Christ is the storehouse of all the \nheavenly goods ; Christ is the treasurer of all the \nriches of divine goodness ; Christ is the fountain \nfrom which rivers of living waters are always flow- \ning ; Christ is the Sun of the highest heavens, which \nscatters and throws all the ravs of divine wisdom \n7* \n\n\n\n78 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nand knowledge both among the angels above and \nthe believers below. Whatever blessing you need, \nseek from Christ Jesus. \n\n" If ye depart from Jesus, ye are poor, miserable, \nblind, and naked ; ye have nothing. Coming to \nJesus, ye become partakers of his riches, his white \nrobes, his light, his wisdom, happiness, joy, grace, \nand love ; his kingdom and glory. Come therefore \nnearer to Jesus, and never leave ofif living and walk- \ning with him. Be very close to his pierced side. \nHide yourselves within his heart. Bathe your souls \nin the waves of his eternal love. \n\n" If you do not trust in Christ only, you cannot \nbe saved. If you trust in your tears, prayers, \nworks, persecutions, or tribulations, you are certain- \nly wrong, and walk far from the way of salvation. \nSuch things are not Christ \xe2\x80\x94 such things are not \nyour Saviour. Do not trust in them, but only in \nChrist. \n\n" It is good to shed tears of sadness, thinking on \nyour sins ; but shed them looking to Christ crucified. \nIt is good to pray; and to pray more and more \nearnestly ; but you ought to pray trusting only in \nthe merits of Christ. It is good to do the good \nworks of faith and love ; it is good to increase more \nand more in fortitude, charity, purity, and meekness; \nbut see that you don\'t put any confidence in your \nown works. It is good, if necessary, to suffer per- \nsecution, shame, and death itself, for the sake of the \nname of Jesus. But we ought always to remember, \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 79 \n\nthat it la not for the sake of our personal sorrow \nand suffering, but only for the sake of the sufferings \nwhich Christ endured, that we are saved. \n\n" If we have Christ, we have all ; without Christ, \nwe have nothing. You can be happy without money, \nwithout liberty, without parents, and without friends, \nif Christ is yours. If you have not Christ, neither \nmoney, nor liberty, nor parents, nor friends, can \nmake you happy. Christ with a chain is liberty ; \nliberty without Christ is a chain. Christ without \nanything is riches ; all things without Christ are \npoverty indeed." \n\nTears must have fallen from the eyes of these \ndevoted Christians, so soon to be persecuted. The \nmeeting was held until after twelve o\'clock. As \nthese refreshed worshippers were about to retire, a \nmob appeared at the gate. The Jesuit Canon Telles \nwas heard shouting defiance and revenge. Other \npriests were with him. \n\nMr. Da Silva went first to the gate. The canon \ninstantly thrust an image in his face, and bade him \n^\' kiss it" and " adore his God !" Da Silva calmly \nreplied, \'\'Why do you interfere with a peaceable \ncitizen ?" The canon then abused him, with the \nnames of \'\'heretic, renegade, apostate," and other \ninsults. But the good elder, " when he was reviled, \nreviled not again." \n\nThe canon then knocked off his hat in a violent \nmanner, and urged on the mob. Da Silva, after \nsuch ill-treatment, managed to escape, and three or \n\n\n\n80 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfour others with him. One young man was so brut- \nally attacked that he retreated into the house. The \nrest were compelled to remain within doors. The \nEnglish ladies could not think of forcing them to \nleave the premises. The house was besieged through \nall the afternoon. \n\nDr. Kalley came in the afternoon to visit the \nsick in the Quinta. He knew nothing of the mob \nuntil he rode up to the gate. As he was told that \nthe sick English lady was in need of medical aid, \nhe felt that he must go in, though the mob should \nrage the more. Voices hooted at him, called him \nabusive names, threatened him, and shook their \nfists and their clubs. When he came back he was \nthreatened again, and his groom was violently \nbeaten. The mob declared that they would kill him \nif he dared to follow the doctor. He therefore ran \nhome, struck with fear and horror, reporting that \nhe had left his master in the midst of a murderous \nmob. The doctor mounted his horse, and rode \nthrough the crowd in the street, and some hats were \nlifted in respect for him, and some voices were \nheard saying, that it was an outrage to reward him \nin such a way for doing good. \n\nThe mob would probably have disb^-nded and gone \naway, had not Canon Telles and the priests been \ndetermined not to abandon the ground. They went \nabout through the crowd, adding oil to their burning \nfury. The police were there, but they did not dis- \nperse the rioters. No law was read, forbidding such \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 81 \n\noutrages. The scenes that followed during that \nnight of violence are best described by quoting the \nwords of an eye witness, Lieut. J. R. Tate, in the \nBritish service : \n\n*\' Having heard, late in the afternoon, of the \npainful situation in which the Misses Rutherford \nwere placed by the threatening attitude of the mob, \nI rode down to the Angustias, with a view to afford \nthem any protection, counsel, or comfort in my \npower, as well as to watch the further motions of \nthe people. I arrived at half-past six, when I found \nthat the police had been withdrawn. The canon, \nhowever, with various other priests, was on the \nground, and an unusual number of persons were \nwalking and talking in the neighbourhood. I ac- \ncordingly resolved upon returning at ten, and re- \nmaining in the house during the night, should my \npresence be required by the ladies under the cir- \ncumstances in which they were placed. Soon after \nten I returned, at which time Conego Telles was seen \nin the road, with a crowd of people talking in groups \naround the gate. Through them I was permitted \nto ride in quietly, but not, as \\se afterwards discov- \nered, without much consultation on the subject \namongst the ringleaders of the mob. Being out on \nthe balcony about eleven o\'clock, when the silvery \nmoon was shining peacefully through the trellis of \nthe verandah, and all nature quietly reposing in the \nsolemn stillness of the night, the sound of human \nvoices warned us that the mob had come within the \n\n\n\n82 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ngates. We now perceived a number of men armed \n"with bludgeons standing at the front door, and at \nonce warned them off the grounds. \n\n" Miss Rutherford addressed them in Portuguese, \nusing every argument to induce them to retire. She \nreminded them that their appearance thereat such an \nhour, and in such an attitude, was contrary to all \nlaw, while their conduct was seriously endangering \nthe life of an invalid lady. She cautioned them to \nbeware of illegal proceedings ; she told them that \nthey might surround the house and wait for daylight, \nor send for the police if they suspected there was \nany criminal within ; for to the police, with a legal \nwarrant, she would open the door the instant the \nsun was up. The people were at the same time \nassured that the case would be represented in the \nmorning to her Britannic Majesty\'s representative \nat Funchal. \n\n" To this they replied that \' they did not care for \nthe English consul\' \xe2\x80\x94 \' there was no law for the \nCalvinists\' \xe2\x80\x94 and \' they could appeal to the gover- \nnor.\'* \' They had a right, they said,\' \' to do what \nthey liked, and all the Portuguese in that house \nshould die.\' They then insisted on immediate \nentrance, or that the Portuguese should be delivered \nup to their vengeance. Both were, of course, re- \nfused, when they declared their intention to force \ntheir way ; with the threat that if they did so every \n\n* The subsequent conduct of the governor fully confirmed the \nideas the ruffians had been led to form of him. \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 83 \n\nsoul they found within should die. A low whistle \nwas given by the ringleaders, which was immediate- \nly answered by a further rush of men, who now \namounted to fifty or sixty, armed with clubs and \nbludgeons. Seeing all remonstrance vain, that the \npeople were partially intoxicated by liquor, and \nwere now planting their comrades in all directions \nround the Quinta, we retired from the balcony into \nthe house, shutting and bolting the windows as we \nwent. Having done this, we repaired to the chamber \nof the invalid, and committed ourselves unreserved- \nly to the care of Him who alone could overrule the \nwill of his enemies, and make the wrath of man to \npraise him. \n\n" In a short time the smashing of the windows, \nand crash of the bludgeons on the door, announced \nthat the money and liquor of the enemy were fear- \nfully doing their work."^ \n\n" Amidst the yells of the mob, the cry was still \nheard for admittance ; when Miss Rutherford again \naddressed them in that calm, gentle, temperate, yet \nfirm and dignified manner which distinguished her \nconduct through the night. One of the ringleaders \n\n* \'* The money paid on this occasion was in small sums of 3 bits \n(fifteen pence) and upwards. This I have from relatives of those \nwho actually received payment. That paid to the ringleaders on the \noccasion of the outrage on Dr. Kalley\'s residence was in much \ngreater sums \xe2\x80\x94 large subscriptions having, I was given to understand, \nbeen raised among the priests and men of property.\'^ Rev, Mr. \nMorton. \n\n\n\n84 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ndesired her to speak in English,* bat she answered \nthat \' she spoke not for his ear only, but for those \nof all that were present.\' She then, in the most \ncourteous way begged them to withdraw, urging the \ndanger they were incurring by so acting in violation \nof the law. \' There are no laws for Calvinists,\' was \nthe instant reply, showing that the impression pro- \nduced by the long preceding course of authorized \npersecution was, that Christians were outlawed by \nthe fact of being readers of the word of God, with \na further threat, that if the doors were not immedi- \nately opened they would burn the house to the \nground ! \n\n" Another smash of windows followed, and one of \nthe mob called out aloud, \' You had better retire or \nI\'ll kill you.\' Miss Rutherford sprang back, and \na huge stone fell upon the spot which she had occu- \npied but the moment before. The smashing at the \ndoor was now resumed with fearful violence, and \nrepeated at short intervals. As each blow fell upon \nthe windows and resounded through the house, a \nshudder passed over the invalid\'s weakly frame. \nAnd though I am sure there was hardly a thought \nof self within her, yet so deep was the sympathy \nevinced for her suffering sisters in Christ, that we \nexpected every moment would have severed the \nspirit from the body, and called it from a stormy \nworld to \' where the wicked cease from troubling, \nand the weary are at rest.\' Each crash seemed \n\n* So that the mob would not understand her plea. \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 85 \n\nlike an electric shock, pervading every nerve ; so \ntrue is it that \' we, being many, are one body in \nChrist, and every one members one of another/ \nThus when \' one member suffers, all the members \nsuffer with it.\' 1 Cor. xii. 26. \n\n" Meanwhile Miss Rutherford and Clarke, her En- \nglish maid, were exerting themselves to conceal the \npoor Christians from the anticipated murderous \nattack. They consisted almost exclusively of women ; \nof harmless, quiet, inoffensive females ! But they \nwere Protestants \xe2\x80\x94 they had not been to mass, nor \nhad they lately paid the fees of confession. And so \ntheir sex was no protection from the bludgeon of \nthe ruflSan ! They were marked out by the priest- \nhood for vengeance, and the end was to justify the \nmeans. For their greater security they were hurried \ninto the kitchen, at the remote end of the house ; \nthat being the apartment likely to be last reached \nby the assailants, and from which there was a stair- \ndoor down to the garden. All but a poor blind \nman were shut in here ; and he, perhaps the happiest \nof the party, was put under a bed in a spare room, \nover which some dresses were carelessly thrown to \nconceal him from view. He was told that there \nwas no help but in his God, and that he must plead \nwith him to put out his arm and save him. \n\n" We also commended the whole of our party to the \n\ncare of our heavenly Father, praying that he would \n\nbe to each of us individually a very present help in \n\nthis our time of trouble ; that he would teach us ta \n\n8 \n\n\n\n86 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\npray, that lie would help our unbelief and confirm our \nfaith ; and above all, that he would uphold us, so that \nnot one of our number, for any pains of death, should \nfall from him. The seats were then removed from \nthe room in which the meeting had been held. \nBibles and bonnets were put out of the way, so that \nno additional cause for excitement might inflame the \nrabble as they entered. Still crash succeeded crash, \nand blow succeeded blow ! \n\n" What a contrast, thought T, between those with- \nout and those within the house ! Here was peace \nand confidence ; there violence and hatred. Here \nwas the voice of Him who is love itself, and who had \npermitted the storm to rise, whispering into each \none\'s ear, \' It is I ; be not afraid ; my grace is suf- \nficient for thee :\' there was the voice of Satan urg- \ning on his slaves to deeds of darkness and of blood. \nHere, in a word, was Christ ; there was anti-Christ. \nHere the seed of the woman ; there the seed of the \nserpent. Alas, how true ! it was not against their \ncountrymen as men that their hatred, their rage, \ntheir violence had been raised, for many of those \nhad come from the country, and were personally \nunknown. It was not against them, but against \n* Christ in them.\' It was Jesus whom they perse- \ncuted. After a few more crushing blows, the door \nof the house flew open. Still none dared enter. \nPortuguese cowardice, ready enough to attack the \nhelpless, aged female, and the blind, shrank from \nencountering an unknown danger in the dark. The \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 87 \n\nruffians sent for lights, which they made \' little boys\' \ncarry in their front ! They then searched every \nroom in the lower part of the house, but in vain. \nTheir victims were not there. \n\n*\' Soon after midnight, just as arrangements were \ncompleted above, lights were distinguished on the \nstaircase, and almost immediately they entered the \ndrawing-room. Oflf this room was the invalid\'s \nchamber, and thither the rioters directed their course. \nSix or eight of the ruffians, preceded by boys \ncarrying lights, flashing in their faces, daringly en- \ntered the room and demanded the Portuguese ; plac- \ning by this act of reckless cruelty, the life of a de- \nfenceless invalid lady, guiltless of crime, in the most \nimminent danger. They were informed that the \nPortuguese were not there, and would not be given \nup ; and desired, moreover, not to come farther into \nthe sick lady\'s room. They whispered together for \na few minutes, (every moment of which must have \nbeen an agony to the ladies,) and then went grum- \nbling and muttering away. A guard being left in \nthe drawing-room, they proceeded in search of their \nvictims ; a rather tedious process by the way, in a \nhouse with twenty bedrooms and six sitting rooms, \nbesides a chapel and closets of all kinds. \n\n"At length we heard the yell of triumph. The \nvictims had been found. Resistance was not thought \nof, but they were all on their knees in prayer to \nGod. One was seized \xe2\x80\x94 his head laid open to the \nbone, and himself thrown over the banisters to the \n\n\n\n88 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nground. Here the mob was beating him with clubs \nand dragging him out to be murdered in the garden, \n^for it is a less crime/ said they, \' to kill him there.\' \nAt the very moment of opening the door by which \nto drag out their intended victim, the police and \nsoldiers entered, thus catching them in the very act \nof outrage, and intended murder in a British sub- \nject\'s house. The mob was asked by what authority \nthey had entered that house, to which they replied \nthat \' they did not care for authority or law.\' Two \nof the ruflBans were then secured, marched off, and \nlodged in jail. \n\n" The rest fled through the house, making the \nladies fancy for a moment that either the poor \nvictims were rushing to us for shelter, or that the \nvillains were returning to add us to the number of \ntheir prey. We soon discovered that the police \nwere in possession of the kitchen, and taking our \nparty under their charge, they conducted them in \nsafety to their homes. No sooner had the invalid \nheard of the safety of Christ\'s little flock, than nature \nshowed herself completely exhausted. The spirit \nindeed was strong, but the flesh was weak. She \nfell into a state of complete insensibility, from which \nshe had not recovered when I left the house in the \nmorning. The noise had, it appeared, been heard \nin the town, but no force was in readiness to quell \nthe disturbance ; or in ten minutes they might have \nreached the Angustias. The two policemen who \nheard the noise were insufficient to face a mob ; they \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 89 \n\nhurried off, therefore, for military aid. Thus, not \nthe foresight of the magistrate, nor the vigilance of \nthe government, but the length of time spent in \nsearching the house, and the native cowardice of \nthe Portuguese, were instrumental in the hands of \nan all-wise and all-merciful Providence, towards \nbringing deliverance to his persecuted, but not for- \nsaken ones. \n\n^\'In the morning, at the request of Miss Ruther- \nford, I officially reported the outrage to the consul, \n* in order that he might take such steps as he might \nbe pleased to think the case demanded as represen- \ntative of the British crown.\' I also begged him to \nadopt such measures as might be necessary to pro- \ntect British life and property from any repetition \nof violence, the door being so smashed in that any \none could enter the premises at pleasure. This \nletter I delivered in person, but soon found how \nlittle we had to expect either in sympathy or assis- \ntance at the hands of the representative of British \nmajesty. The subject was treated with the greatest \ncoldness and indifference. More regret was ex- \npressed at the meeting of a few Protestants for prayer \nand praise in the morning, than indignation at the \nviolation of British rights and honour, and the \ndanger to which the lives of British subjects were \nexposed at the hands of a lawless mob at night. \nAlthough I looked, and still look at the outrage as \nan affair to be judged of wholly irrespective of the \nmeeting or any other circumstance whatever, I \n\n\n\n90 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nventured to assure the consul that not a word had, \nat that meeting of friends, been uttered against the \nreligion of the state, which alone, according to Por- \ntuguese interpretation of the law, could make such a \nmeeting illegal. \n\n" Besides, I added, had all the laws of Portugal \nbeen broken. Miss Rutherford was amenable to those \nlaws, and to those laws only, and till tried and con- \ndemned by them, was surely entitled to protection \nfrom her country. She should not be given over to \nthe tender mercies of a Romish priest and his reck- \nless mob. The consul admitted that the outrage \nwas unjustifiable ; and he \' hoped,\' and \' trusted,\' \nand \' felt assured\' that the offenders would be \npunished. I suggested that in my humble opinion \nthe British government, in a case of such gross vio- \nlation of British property, &c., was entitled to demand \nthat active measures should be taken by the au- \nthorities for the arrest of the offenders ; or, at least, \nthat due punishment should be ensured to the two \npersons captured on the previous night under cir- \ncumstances that could admit of no kind of doubt as \nto their guilt. \n\n\'\' So far, however, from this being likely to follow, \nI told him that no authority of any kind had been \nnear the scene of outrage ; nor, so far as I could see, \nwere any steps being taken for the furtherance of \nthe ends of justice. The consul stated, in reply, \nthat it was a case for the courts of law, and not for \nhim to interfere in ! I then asked the consul as to \n\n\n\nLAWLESS VIOLENCE. 91 \n\nthe protection which the Misses Rutherford might \nexpect to their lives and property during the night ; \nwhen (will the reader believe me when I say ?) the \nrepresentative of Great Britain referred them to the \noffice of police ! \' The head of police would, he had \nno doubt, provide them with a sufficient force !\' \'* \n\n^\' Such outrages were committed on the 2nd of \nAugust, 1846. Neither the British consul nor the \nPortuguese authorities made any efforts to prevent \ntheir repetition. The leaders of the mob well un- \nderstood the disposition of the authorities, and were \nencouraged in their work. \n\n"Such, I may add, were some of the consequences \ndirectly arising from the breach of the peace by a \ncanon of the cathedral church of Funchal, Carlos \nTelles de Menezes, a dignitary of the church of \nRome ! ! !" \n\n\n\n92 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA, \n\n\n\nCHAPTER VIII- \n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. \n\nThe enemies now found how far they might dare \nto go in deeds of violence. They need fear nothing \nfrom the governor, nor police, nor British consul. \nIt was in the power of the governor and consul to \nrestore order. A resolute word from them would \nhave put the rioters in fear. They were solemnly \nbound by their oaths of office to protect all whose \nlives and property were assailed. British Protest- \nants could claim the protection of all they had, by \nthe treaty between England and Portugal. It was \nsaid expressly \xe2\x80\x94 " Their dwelling houses, warehouses, \nand everything belonging thereto, shall be respected, \nand shall not be subjected to any arbitrary visits \nof search." It also secured them the right to wor- \nship God without any opposition. \n\nThe one man against whom the malice was strong- \nest, was Dr. Kalley. It was determined to attack \nhim very soon. Through the week, after the attack \non the Quinta das Angustias, he was often insulted. \nHis name was called aloud in the streets, and he \nwas threatened. The cries of " Calvinistas/* (Cal- \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 93 \n\nvinists,) and "Kallistas," (Kalleyites,) were very \nloud in reproach of the Protestants. Large com- \npanies of men marched through the city declaring \nthat all Protestants, foreign and native, should be \ndestroyed. \n\nMiss Rutherford, before leaving the island, asked \nsuch protection as even an enemy would give, if \nthere were any mercy for the defenceless and the \nsick. But it was refused. From the head of the \npolice she received the following message : \n\n" That he (the police magistrate) would not con- \ntinue to protect Miss Rutherford\'s house so long as \nPortuguese were admitted to hold divine worship, or \nany that had been known to assemble themselves \ntogether were permitted to frequent the place.\'\' And \nhe further required from her a promise in writing \n*\' that no meeting should be held in her house.\'\' To \nthis impudent and daring threat Miss Rutherford \nreplied by stating to the consul her thorough con- \nviction that no Portuguese law prohibited such \nmeetings, in which nothing was said against the re- \nligion of the state. At the same time, as protection \nwas otherwise refused to the lives and property of \nherself and family, she requested him to give such \npromise in her name, if he considered the giving of, \nsuch a promise " extorted by threats," and which no \nlaw and no treaty gave the magistrate any right to \nprescribe, was compatible with the honour of the \nBritish nation. If not, she demanded protection \nfrom him. She was the more earnest because her \n\n\n\n94 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfriends thought that her sick sister could not endure \nthe removal from the house. \n\nNo such protection was granted, but she was \nordered to remove as soon as possible. The threats \nagainst these innocent ladies, and the kind-hearted \nDr. Kalley, became more fierce during the week. \nKnives were packed away in a house near the \nQuinta das Angustias. The rioters were spying out \nthe Christians. One of the leaders was heard to \nsay, " If Dr. Kalley escapes this time, he must be \nthe devil !" \n\nA letter was addressed by Dr. Kalley to the police \nmagistrate, informing him of the facts of the case. \nThe bearer of the letter was seized in the street, by \nsome " gentlemen," as they were called, and beateu \nseverely, so that he was forced to give up the letter. \nDr. Kalley then wrote to the governor a statement \nof the facts. \n\nThe governor, in a very insulting letter, replied, \nthat the British residents on the island were looked \nupon with ^\'mistrust and disgust," and that the \ndisturbance " was the fruit of the tree he had planted \non the island, and it could produce nothing but dis- \ncord and trouble !" Just so the apostles were falsely \naccused of having turned the world upside down ! \n\nTo this insulting letter Dr. Kalley sent a manly, \nrespectful, and Christian reply. He recited the \nevents of the previous Sabbath, and said : " The \nauthorities are not ignorant of the facts. They \nare notorious to your excellency, to the public \n\n\n\nNARROW ES\xe2\x82\xacAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 95 \n\nprosecutor, to the British consul, and to the whole \npopulation of Funchal. The actual state of the \nhouse speaks volumes, but not one of the authorities, \neither British or Portuguese, has yet looked near it. \nThe criminals are not unknown \xe2\x80\x94 two of them were \nin the power of the authorities \xe2\x80\x94 actually in prison \n\xe2\x80\x94 and were set at liberty ! Why does the public \nprosecutor not raise an action against those guilty \nof so public an outrage, unless it be true that the \nauthorities do not choose to repress the disturbances \nby the punishment of the offenders ? \n\n^\'Houses have been broken into, and the inmates \nbeaten nearly to death. Other houses have been \nset on fire at midnight, and burned to the ground, \nand the authorities have not given any public de- \nmonstration of disapproval. Not one of the crim- \ninals has been punished ; and when ruffians are \narrested by the police * in flagrante,\' in a British \nsubject\'s house, they are forthwith set at liberty. \nThe assailants are released \xe2\x80\x94 the assailed are im- \nprisoned and condemned in virtue of laws, respect- \ning which the judge, in the very sentence, declared \nthat they are abolished. \n\n"Further the master of police dares to refuse \nprotection to British life, and British property, ex- \ncept on condition of British subjects making promises \nwhich no law and no treaty ever conveyed to him \nany right to exact ; and for the want of energetic \ninterference, the residence of British citizens is ac- \ntually placed in a state of siege. \n\n\n\n96 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n"If the authorities choose to proceed in such a \nway, the verdict of the world as to the cause of the \ndisturbances cannot be doubtful. The attempt of \nthe authorities to throw the blame upon others, will \nonly serve to remind the world of Nero, blaming the \nChristians for the burning of Rome. \n\n"A large loose rock, on the steep side of a hill, \nmay be easily kept in its place as long as it is at \nrest ; but once in motion, how terrific its course, as \nit sweeps and bounds impetuously down the mountain \nside, bearing destruction along with it ! Who can \narrest it? So it is with the power of a hiwless \nmob." \n\nLike the apostle Paul, when falsely accused, he \nreferred to his past life in proof that he was aiming \nto secure the best interests of men. " My aim has \nuniformly been to promote the health, comfort and \nhappiness of the Madeirans, as far as is in my \npower. I have never taught anything at variance \nwith the doctrines, that men have one Father, the \nliving and true God, that we are all brethren, and \nthat our common Father commands all his children \nto love one another, not in word only but in deed \nand truth. \n\n" I have never taught a syllable at variance with \nthe glorious truth, that when we had all offended \nthat most gracious Father, and deserved the doom he \nhad denounced, a Friend from heaven \xe2\x80\x94 a partner with \nthe Father in his throne \xe2\x80\x94 loved us, died for us, re- \ndeemed us with his blood, and thus laid us under \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 97 \n\nstill more powerful obligation to love our Lord \xe2\x80\x94 to \nlove one another \xe2\x80\x94 to love all men, even our enemies ; \nand such doctrines are diametrically opposed to all \ndisturbance, injustice, and crime. \n\n" I am bold to say, that my conduct, and that of \nthose who hold similar religious sentiments, has \nnever been such as to give any reason to suppose \nthat, in my creed, I approve of any kind of moral \nevil. No one has ever dared to charge me with \nteaching any man to defraud or injure his fellow- \nman. Amid all the disturbances that ever occurred \nat Madeira, there never was an instance in which \nthose who agree with me in my religious views, were \nthe aggressors ; and among innumerable cases of un- \nprovoked, atrocious cruelty practised against them, \nthey have never, with one exception been charged \nwith striking a blow, even in self-defence ; for they \nhave learned of Him, who was meek and lowly of \nheart \xe2\x80\x94 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again \n\xe2\x80\x94 when he suffered, he threatened not, but com- \nmitted himself to Him who judgeth righteously. I \nfeel, therefore, most fully borne out in repudiating \nthe charge which your excellency has brought against \nme, as the cause of the disturbances referred to ; \nand am convinced that, on an extensive, unprejudiced \ninvestigation of facts, your excellency will exonerate \nme from the charge." \n\nThe governor was now as silent as the police \nmagistrate had been. Dr. Kalley then wrote to the \nBritish consul, whose name we now withhold, lest it \n9 \n\n\n\n98 THE EXILES OP MADEIRA. \n\nshame some honest and brave man that bears the \nsame good-sounding name. In this he said, \n\n" The rioters must feel that the conduct of all the \nauthorities implies an approbation of their proceed- \nings, inferior only to the issuing of an edict, or the \noffering of a reward for their perpetration ; and they \nare accordingly becoming daily bolder, so that on \nthe night of the 5th instant, and last night, their \nthreats were such that from sixty to eighty individ- \nuals felt themselves obliged to flee from their houses \nfor their lives, and spend the night in the moun- \ntains. \n\n\'\'I have received warning from various Portuguese \ngentlemen, that the rioters threaten to attack my \nhouse, and two or more other British houses within \nthe next eight days ; and as your inattention with \nrespect to Miss Rutherford\'s case has favored the \npresumption that our government will not interfere, \nwhatever atrocities be committed upon us, it seems \nhighly probable that an attack will be made. \n\n" From the conduct displayed towards the Misses \nE-utherford, (who had broken no laws, and, if they \nhad, should have been tried by the law, and not \nleft to the mercy of an infuriated mob,) and towards \nthe rioters ; it is impossible to regard the authorities \notherwise than as, at the very least, conniving at \nthe outrage, and therefore responsible for all the \nresults. \n\n" If you, in your official capacity, do not demand \nthe adoption of such measures as shall effectually \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 99 \n\nsecure British subjects against the repetition of such \natrocities, I am convinced that my life and property \nwill be in danger; and if, from your non-interfer- \nence, similar atrocities be again perpetrated, our \ncountry will justly look to you as responsible for \nthem all. \n\n" I believe it is intended that an attack shall be \nmade on other places, at the same time as upon my \nhouse, so as to afford a pretence for no aid, under \nthe plea that the police were occupied elsewhere.\'* \n\nSaturday came, and the signs were plenty, that \nthe mob intended an attack on Sabbath, just one \nweek after the exploits of Canon Telles in attacking \nthe house of some innocent ladies. Dr. Kalley sent \nthis message to the consul : \n\n" 9>tJi of August, \xe2\x80\x94 For several days the vocifera- \ntions, threats, and abuse uttered by the lower orders, \nwhen passing my house, have been incessant ; and \nof such a nature as to be disgraceful to a country \nprofessing to be civilized. They are never inter- \nfered with. Every one who goes out, or in to my \nhouse, is assailed with a volley of abuse, whatever \nbe their religious opinions ; and during the last night \nmy family was repeatedly alarmed by parties bat- \ntering at my door with sticks. \n\n\'\'2nd P. S. \xe2\x80\x94 JSToon. I enclose an anonymous \nletter just put into my hands, which I beg you will \nreturn to me.* I must repeat that I am fully con- \n\n* The anonymous letter contained a correct programme of what \nwas planned for the next day, in mobbing Dr. Kalley in his own \n\n\n\n100 . THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nvinced that this comes of liberating the prisoners, \nand other conduct of the authorities ; and if ener- \ngetic measures be not instantly adopted, I shall feel \nmyself obliged to deliver up the key of my property \nto you for protection, as I cannot, with a couple of \nservants, defend it against a mob." \n\nDr. Kalley began the work of turning his dwell- \ning into a fort. Two ruflSans disguised as towns- \nmen came and stationed themselves at the door, \nwatching all that passed. About six o\'clock on \nSaturday evening, ten or twelve soldiers marched \nup as a guard to the house, and were posted in a \ncottage at the entrance of the grounds. Dr. Kalley \nasked them if they knew why these threats were \nmade against him. They replied that " they fan- \ncied it was because he was opposed to the saints.\'\' He \ntold them that this was a great mistake, for instead \nof being opposed to them, it was his greatest aim \nand wish to be one of the happy number. The \nperson in charge of the guard then added, \'\'Well, I \ndon\'t know, but the authorities think these things \nhave lasted long enough." \n\n" From these ominous words, and from preceding \nevents, the doctor felt assured, writes an eye witness, \nthat the authorities would be in no hurry to come \nto his protection, and, therefore, returned to finish \nthe barricading of the house by every additional \n\nhouse. And yet the consul did nothing ! Yes, he did go the next \nday and look on the scene of violence against one of his own coun- \ntrymen I \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 101 \n\nmeans that he could contrive. In the meantime five \nor six of the soldiers kept watch at the gates, whilst \ntheir comrades remained in the cottage. \n\n\'\'At ten o\'clock, a friend of Dr. Kalley\'s acci- \ndentally met a boy returning from Santa Luzia, with \na load of iron bolts, which he knew had been ordered \nfor the barricading of his house. He accordingly \nstopped the lad, and on enquiring the reason of his \nnot delivering them at the doctor\'s house, was told, \n\'that he could not gain admittance, and that the \nsoldiers had said they were not required !\' The \ndoctor\'s friend then accompanied the boy back to \nthe house, and assisted the doctor in completing his \nwork. \n\n"About two in the morning, all had been done \nthat seemed possible in the way of defence, and as \nDr. Kalley\'s friend was leaving, the doctor accom- \npanied him to the outer gate. Providentially, on \nreaching it, they overheard the guard in a familiar \nconversation with men, either masked, or with their \nfaces blackened ; one of w^hom was sharpening a \nlarge knife on the door lintel, preparatory, as he \nsaid in Portuomese, to the \' killino- on the morrow !\' \nWhen several had gathered together, they further \nheard them consulting as to whether they should go \nin then \xe2\x80\x94 the soldiers being still in their company. \nOne said, \' No, there will be plenty of time for all \nto-morrow.\' Another, \' Nay, but let us go in now^;\' \nand the gate moved a little on its hinges. Now \nthis had been left shut, so that it could not have \n9 "^ \n\n\n\n102 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nbeen opened but from within ; and when found \nopen, it was evident that the soldiers were traitors,* \nand had come from the cottage and opened it. A \nfemale servant was near, and when she saw it move, \nshe instantly shut it with all her force ; and having \nthe key with him, the doctor locked it. Convinced \nof the treachery of his guard, and that he had now \nno longer any security to his life, he returned with \nhis friend into the house, to consult as to what should \nbe done. After committing themselves to God in \nprayer, and casting all their care upon Him who \n\' careth\' for his people, they felt satisfied that the \nmost prudent course was to withdraw from the house. \nDr. Kalley therefore disguised himself, as hurriedly \nas possible in the country dress of a peasant, and \nstealthily and silently withdrew. \n\n" It was a glorious moonlight night, \xe2\x80\x94 too clear to \nbe favourable for his escape, but there was no time \nfor delay. He passed through his own grounds as \ncautiously as if he had been a thief, and fearing as \nmuch to meet a ruffian there, as, in other circum- \nstances, a ruffian would have been to meet the right- \nful owner ! Having reached the boundary, he \nlooked carefully round ; but seeing no watch on this \n\n* " The soldiers were well aware that what was about to happen \nwas both agreeable to the government, and encouraged by the \npriests ; and, therefore their present conduct and bearing to the \nleaders of the mob. Had they been called upon to act on the morrow \nby their officers \xe2\x80\x94 or that night instructed by their superiors to do \ntheir duty, I cannot doubt that, as soldiers, they would have un- \nhesitatingly have done so." \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 103 \n\nside of his property, he descended the wall, to creep \nalong the vineyards in his front. What a spectacle \nwas here presented ! The best and kindest friend \nthat had ever visited Madeira \xe2\x80\x94 he that had spent \neight long years in active exertions to benefit her \npeople \xe2\x80\x94 who had been by night and by day minis- \ntering to their wants, at the bedside of their sick \nand their dying, and had been the means, under \nProvidence, of restoring thousands of them to health \nand strength : \xe2\x80\x94 was now leaving his home, at dead \nof night, unattended and alone. He was fleeing \nfor his life ! The stars were shining in beauty \nabove \xe2\x80\x94 the mountains rising in noble grandeur on \nhis right ; rich vineyards lay before him, and on his \nleft appeared, over the city, the calm, placid, silvery \nocean. \n\n" All was still. The winds were hushed. It was \nthe Lord\'s day morning. No sound broke the \nsacred stillness of that hour. All contrasted fear- \nfully with the tempest which the demons of supersti- \ntion and persecution had raised in the hearts of \nsome of that deluded people ! Having descended a \nlittle way, the sound of voices broke upon his ear, \nand fearing it might be a watch of enemies, he \nturned aside. But after a few more alarms especially \nfrom meeting people in the way, and from the watch- \ndogs of the peasants, he reached the Pinheiros in \nsafety, the Quinta in which I was residing with my \ninvalid sister and mother. This was a little after \nthree o\'clock. He leapt the wall, gently tapped, \n\n\n\n104 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nand was received by those within with fervent grat- \ntitude for his escape from the assassins who sought \nhis life. With deep anxiety had the attention of \nall in the Pinheiros been directed, for nights past, \nto the residence which he had now been compelled \nto desert ; and our eyes had been intently fixed on \nthe spot, almost to the moment when Dr. Kalley \nmade his appearance in person.* \n\n\'\' In the home which he had left there were hearts \nbeating anxiously for him ; and we lost not a moment \nin exhibiting the appointed signal of his safe arrival. \nThis being seen, the rest of the inmates of the house \nconsulted for their personal safety. An old and \nfaithful servant buried the silver plate \xe2\x80\x94 a few im- \nportant documents were secured, and they left the \ndwelling where the ignorant had been instructed, \nthe mourner comforted, the sick attended, and anxious \ntrembling sinners directed to the blood that \' clean- \nse th from all sin,\' but against which the leaders of \nthe misguided people had now threatened to direct \ntheir rage. \n\n\'\'While the family escaped by the back way, \nthrough vineyards and fields, as the doctor had \ndone before, the friend who had been with them \nduring the night returned through the front door, \nleaving, as it would seem to the treacherous guard, \n\n"* Our cook had visited Santa Luzia early in the evening, and he \nhad reported the very suspicious appearance of a number of ** bad \nmen/\' in the neighbourhood of the doctor\'s house. The threats, too, \nwere so open, that we were continually dreading an attack," \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 105 \n\nthe whole party quietly within. It was now near \nthe break of day, and crowds were pouring up the \nmount road to the Festa, which had just begun. \nSoon after daylight I was up, and not a little startled \nat the sight of the doctor\'s groom, who, remember- \ning probably the military outrage at the Serra, had \nfled from his master\'s house as soon as the guard ap- \npeared, and taken refuge in our stable. Fearing \nthat his being seen would serve to throw suspicion \non his master\'s retreat, I asked him a few questions \nas to the time and circumstances of his leaving on \nthe previous evening. And having thus lulled the \nsuspicions of our own servants, if any existed, I re- \ncommended him quickly to seek a place of safety, \nwhich he at once consented to do.* Thus was Dr. \nKalley in a place of shelter, unknown to a single \nnative in the island. \n\n" It was now high time for Dr. Miller (Dr. Kalley \'s \nbrother-in-law) and myself to be acting. We felt \nassured that the threatened attack would take place \nat the appointed hour ; but were thankful that we \nhad a British consul and a British flag that must be \ndegraded and trampled upon, ere a British subject\'s \nresidence, rendered sacred by treaty, could be \nopenly outraged under the Sabbath\'s noon-day sun. \nWe hastened, therefore, to the consulate for the \npurpose of reporting the events of the night, and \n\n* He returned, however, as I afterwards discovered, to the stable, \naud I subsequently took hiin off in a hammock to the *^ William," of \nGlasgow, disguised as a woman. \n\n\n\n106 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nrequesting the consul to hoist the union of England \nover the property of Dr. Kalley. The reader may \nimagine our utter amazement when we found that \nin spite of all the warnings he had received, all the \ndetails of the plot with which he had been furnished, \nthe very hour of the attack being known to him, the \nBritish consul had actually gone away to his coun-" \ntry seat, without any probability of his return to \nFunchal ! ! \n\n" The Quinta dos Pinheiros, to which the doctor \nfled commands an excellent view of Santa Luzia, \nhis residence. Dr. Kalley had, therefore, an op- \nportunity of watching from the windows the motions \nof the people below ; and who can tell with what \nthrilling anxiety he must have gazed in the direc- \ntion of his now deserted residence ? Ten o\'clock \ncame, and all was quiet ; the soldiers kept watch, \nand the intending assailants, who had their spies \nin all quarters of the town, thought that their vic- \ntims were safe within. Half-past ten o\'clock struck ; \nstill no unhallowed sound was heard reverberating \nthere. \n\n" It was a glorious Sabbath morning. The sun had \nrisen, and was shining in a blaze of golden light ; \nthe sky was cloudless \xe2\x80\x94 the earth lovely, every vine- \nyard around us being clustered with grapes, scattered \nby a heavenly Friend. But though the wild roar \nof furious men was not yet heard, they were gather- \ning from among these vineyards to perpetrate, in \nthe name of that God, a God of love, justice, and \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 107 \n\ntruth, outrage, cruelty, and it might be murder ! \nThe only subject of conversation in the streets \nseemed to be the intended proceedings of the day ; \nand Mrs. Kalley, when escaping in disguise, over- \nheard persons say \xe2\x80\x94 \' Those who are in that house, \nwould need to-day, to be sure of salvation.\' \n\n^\'Eleven o\'clock struck, and still there was a \npause. Then was heard a rocket hissing through \nthe air. A little pause, and a second followed ; and \nthere began a hum of human voices, which soon \nrose into wild bursts, like ocean\'s billows in their \nangriest mood. It sounded nearer and nearer ; still \nthe Quinta and grounds were quiet. Another \nmoment and a dense mass of human beings emerged \nfrom among the trees, and were seen surrounding \nthe house. There was one wild roar and then a \nsilence. They retreated, and a faint hope arose \nthat the soldiers would do their duty. But no : the \nsilence was again broken ; the people were not \nmistaken, the approval of the authorities was indeed \nreal, and the work of the instigator of the riots, \nwho had, I understand, himself enjoyed the charitable \nadvice and medicines of Dr. Kalley, was commenced \nin earnest. \n\n" Sledge-hammers and clubs were soon in requisi- \ntion. The ruffians worked hard, and the door was \nforced. A tremendous yell arose, then disappoint- \nment and confusion. They had expected that the \ndoctor would be dragged out to satiate their infuri- \nated passions. But no ; he was not found ! During \n\n\n\n108 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nall this time the governor and the police magistrate \nwere present, with a guard of soldiers ; and there \nthey remained while the house was being attacked, \nbroken into, and ransacked ; seemingly, as was re- \nmarked by a gentleman who passed at the time, \nmore as a guard to see the work of devastation well \ndone, than for anything else. \n\n" The consul arrived in the midst of the work of \ndestruction, and seeing that nothing but force could \nrestrain the mob, pressed the governor to \' fire, as \nit was a case where it was necessary to sacrifice \nlife/ But this the governor refused to do. Guns \nwere, indeed, heard in the distance ; but it was at \nthe festival of \' Our Lady.\' The corps of country- \npolice, which had, on former occasions, been called \nout to prevent people from going to the doctor\'s \nhouse to listen to the sacred Scriptures, were not \nnow called out to save his life. The militia, though \ncalled to attend, and fire in honour of the Festa of \n\' Our Lady of the Mount,\' were not in requisition \nwhen the lives and property of British subjects were \nin danger. Nothing effectual was attempted by the \ngovernor, who had at his command all the force of \nthe island. Who, then, can fail to see that the \npresence of that functionary and the military, at \nDr. Kalley\'s house, was a most pitiful farce ? Nay, \nit was more than a farce \xe2\x80\x94 it was an insult to the \nBritish nation. \n\n" Disappointed of human sacrifices, the ruffians \nseized upon the doctor\'s valuable library, manu- \n\n\n\nNARRCvr ESCAPE OF DR. K ALLEY. 109 \n\nscripts, and other papers ; and those w\'hich were not \nreserved for their priestly employers, were, amidst \nfiendish yells of delight, cast into the road in front \nof the house, thrashed with clubs, and afterwards \nburnt. The sacred Scriptures were the objects of \nespecial hatred, and were all consigned, without re- \nserve, to the clubs and to the flames." \n\nAs there was now no security either for property \nor life. Dr. Kalley\'s friends resolved to convey him \nsecretly and in disguise to a British vessel. For \nthis purpose, a hammock was obtained, but they \nhad much difficulty in securing bearers. Finally \nthey succeded. \n\n\'\'Dr. Kalley was quickly disguised in female \nattire, put into the hammock, and covered over (as \ninvalid ladies are when being carried in Madeira) with \na linen sheet. Soon we had fairly started on our \nperilous journey, not wavering in doubt, but strong \nin faith and prayer ; knowing that He that was for \nus was greater than any host that might be arrayed \nagainst us. At first one of the bearers refused to \ncarry any one whose face he did not previously see ; \nbut his objection was fortunately overruled by the \nservant of the consul. \n\n" About a hundred yards from the entrance of \nthe Pinheiros two men were on the watch at that \npoint of the road which is crossed by the Levado, \nand from which our course diverged to the left. \nThis was the first danger we encountered ; but, put- \nting on a bold face, we advanced towards the spies. \n10 \n\n\n\n110 ^ THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nA suspicious glance was directed at myself, the \nbearers, and the hammock ; but as we appeared to \nbe going away from those parts that would have led \nthem to suspect the hammock\'s contents, we were \nallowed to pass on without molestation. \n\n\'\' Before we had gone far the end of the sheet \nwas lifted by one of the bearers and an inquisitive \nlook directed within. I then handed into the ham- \nmock a bottle of eau-de-cologne, which I carried in \nmy hand to dispel suspicion. In a little time ex- \npressions were heard indicative that \' it was no lady \nthey were carrying.\' Still we proceeded on our \nlong, circuitous journey, passing, ever and anon, \nlittle groups of curious people, talking over the \naffairs of the day and gazing on the dense column \nof smoke rising from Dr. Kalley\'s burning library, \n&c., the papers from which were falling around us. \n\n\'\'By and by we descended towards the town, and \nthe bearer who had lifted the sheet exclaimed, \' It \nwas hell for him, he could not go any farther ;\' and he \nstopped and laid down the hammock. The moment \nwas a critical one ; but as the weather was truly \noppressive (for we had come under a burning sun) \neven to one unencumbered with the weight of a \nhammock, I did not oppose their resting awhile. I \nthen gently pressed them to proceed, and in a few \nminutes we were passing the deanery. Three \nseveral times did they thus lay down, and as often \nwere they induced to resume their burden, each \ntime pressing earnestly to know whither they were \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. Ill \n\ngoing. This was a question that could be answered \nonly at the risk of our lives. I mentioned, there- \nfore, the name of a street close to the pier from \nwhich we were to embark, and by which it was ne- \ncessary to pass. We were now fairly in the heart \nof the town, and expressions were more than once \nheard, \'It is he.\' \n\n*\' We passed the convent of Santa Clara, and the \nconsul\'s servant declared he could not go a step \nfurther and would not. It was a trying position, \nand things were becoming imminent, for the mob, \nhaving failed in obtaining possession of Dr. Kal- \nley\'s person at Santa Luzia, had assembled in front \nof the consulate, where as I have already said his \nwife and brother-in-law\'s family had previously \ntaken refuge. Here they insisted that Dr. Kalley \nwas secreted, and loudly demanded his person. \nWhile thus engaged in insulting the British flag, \nand on the very point of breaking into the official \nresidence of our consul, a party of soldiers sent by \nColonel Teixeira was drawn up in front of the con- \nsulate. \n\n"From the steps of St. Peter\'s another bearer \nwas procured, but the cry had just been raised, \n\' There\'s the consul\'s servant ; that must be Dr. \nKalley.\' We hurried past the Franciscan convent \nand the castle onwards to the beach, while the cry \nof \' Kalley !\' \' Kalley !\' was being carried from \nstreet to street till it reached the British consulate, \nxhree loud fiendish cheers, and the living mass \n\n\n\n112 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nswept impetuously towards the pier, diverted from \nthe siege of the consulate to the far more exciting \nsearch for the doctor\'s person. At length we \nreached the pier, the boat was in readiness, the \nhammock put on board and we were launched upon \nthe ocean. I turned round and the whole beach \nteemed with living beings. What a change had a \nmoment produced in our condition and in theirs ! \nBut a moment earlier and we had surely been sac- \nrificed to the fury of the mob. We were now out \nof danger \xe2\x80\x94 we were beyond the murderers* grasp !" \n\nThe little boat with its precious charge was \nrapidly rowed towards the steamer. Only those \nwho sufier persecution for Christ, know how exciting \nsuch an hour must be. Angry voices from other \nboats were heard asking who was in the hammock. \nThe boatmen seem to have thought " it was a sick \nlady who was going to the West Indies.\'\' No one \nof the Christians said it was a sick lady; they \nmerely kept quiet and passed on. \n\nWhen the little boat came alongside of the \nsteamer, Lieut. Tate mounted the deck, and asked \nthe captain to take the hammock on board. \n*\' Awful disease," " Quarantine," thought the captain \nat first. He hesitated. But the mysterious story \nwas soon told, and it drew forth his true generosity \nand hearty welcome. Dr. Kalley was now on \nboard an English ship. Soon after Mrs. Kalley \nand a native attendant were on board the vessel. \nThis was Dr. Kalley\'s earthly reward, for showing \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 113 \n\nhimself the best friend of Madeira that ever landed \non her shores ; the best friend of the people ; \xe2\x80\x94 "the \nman who had consecrated time, talent, property, \nand life itself to promote their best temporal and \nspiritual welfare. Not only he and his family were \nobliged to flee, but his library, valued at $10,000, \nwas reduced to ashes.\'\' \n\nThe British Consul had laid aside the ofl5cial \ndress, and had taken down the flag from flying over \nhis house, signifying English protection ! The \nconsular uniform should not be seen, and the flag \nshould be furled in the lockers at an hour when \nthey ought to have been used to save English life and \nproperty. England was not to blame, but she was \ninsulted by her own consul, who went about in a \n" sailor\'s round jacket !" Name not the man I \n\nThe consul went to the mob which was still raging \nat Dr. Kalley\'s burning house, and told them that \nhe had escaped, and had gone on board an English \nvessel. But they would not believe this, unless \nthey could see him. So the obliging consul went \nto the shore with them and asked that Dr. Kalley \nwould show himself! This was an insult. The \nconsul plead that, if this was not done, he would be \nsuspected of harbouring Dr. Kalley in his house, and \nit would be set on fire. It would gratify him, and \nsatisfy the mob if he would grant them an ocular de- \nmonstration. Dr. Kalley consented to this in- \ndignity because he feared his dear friends would be \n\nburned alive in their houses, or murdered in trying \n10* \n\n\n\n114 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nto flee from them. It was too late to use any more \nhammocks in carrying away disguised persons. \n\nThere were officers of the government ready to put \ndown these riots. They had some respect for life, \nfor property, for rights, and for the treaty between \nnations. They came to the Governor and police- \nmagistrate who were present at the work of destruc- \ntion ! \'\' The officer of the guard frequently asked \npermission of the head of police to disperse the \nmob, but was told on no account to do so ! Colonel \nTeixeira, the military commandant, knowing what \nwas going on at Dr. Kalley\'s house, and having re- \nceived no requisition for more troops than a small \nguard, proceeded in person to the scene of plunder, \ntold the civil authorities that he had field pieces and \nplenty of troops ready for action, and asked per- \nmission to bring them up. He was informed there \nwas no need whatever for them." \n\nWe see then what the Romanists are ready to do \non Sabbath, when there are Christians to be driven \naway, and when there are no civil laws to hinder \nthem from riots. Two Sabbaths had been dese- \ncrated in the most bold and violent manner. One \nweek was not enough to spend in this wicked work. \nThe fury was still kept hot by the priests. No \nChristian, no Bible-reader, was allowed to be safe \nin the city, or any of the towns of the island. \n\nOn the next day after Dr. Kalley\'s flight, many \nother English residents were forced to leave their \nhomes. The sick were treated without mercy. \n\n\n\nNARROW ESCAPE OF DR. KALLEY. 115 \n\nEleven such families were insulted and threatened. \nOne English gentleman, who helped his friends to \nget safely away on ships, was threatened with mur- \nder and obliged to flee. It would not do to help \nany one to remain safe on the island, nor to help \nany one to flee away ! One British lady died after \nreaching a vessel in the harbour, from the violence \nto which she, in her sickness, was exposed; others \ncame near losing life through fatigue and alarm. \n\nThe native Bible-readers w-ere severely perse- \ncuted. Their houses were broken into and plun- \ndered, their steps were watched by spies, and they \nwere driven by hundreds into the mountains, and \nhunted down, like sheep upon an island of wolves. \n\n"It is truly heart-rending," wrote one of the \nEnglish residents, " to hear of their sufl\'erings. \nWhen discovered in their hiding places, they are \nmercilessly beaten, to extort a promise that they \nwill go to confession. A few days ago a man was \nmost brutally murdered, and several women have \nsustained injuries from which they are not expected \nto recover.\'\' They were faithful to their Saviour, \nand remembered that, by faith, men of olden times \nendured fire and sword, even death for Christ. \n\nThere was no protection for Protestants on shore. \nA placard was put on the governor\'s palace de- \nmanding that Protestants should leave the island on \nthat week, and stating that four thousand men \nwould come for the answer of the government on \nnext Sabbath. \n\n\n\n116 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nNot many years before, during the reign of ter- \nror under Don Miguel, one of the proscribed per- \nsons took refuge under the flag of a foreign consul. \nHe was safe there, though he did not dare to leave \nhis room for many months. But he was not a Bi- \nble-reader! No Bible-reader could be allowed the \nprotection of a foreign flag, and the worst of our \nshame is that an English consul should even deny \nthe use of his -waving banner. \n\n\n\nTHE "WILLIAM OF GLASGOW.\'* 117 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER IX. \n\nTHE ^\'WILLIAM OF GLASGOW." \n\nThe converts and Bible-readers were now called \nto enter the seven-times-heated furnace. Fire at \nhome, the cudgel in the streets, the treachery of \npriests, starvation in the mountains ; all these \nthreatened them. They were persecuted on every \nside. Their neighbours, who still adhered to the \nRoman church, the priests and the police were con- \nstantly on the alert to arrest them. They were \nforbidden to read the Scriptures, or to pray to- \ngether in their own dwellings. Every copy of the \nword of God on which the priests could lay their \nhands was immediately committed to the flames. \nBut thanks be to God, the Bibles were not all de- \nstroyed. Some enclosed their Bibles in small boxes \nand buried them in the earth. Others opened a \nplace in the stone wall of the house, put in the Bi- \nble, and then plastered over it. And others \nwrapped them in cloth and hung them in trees of \nvery thick foliage. In such ways as ingenuity and \npiety could suggest, we are assured by those who know, \nthat at least fifty Bibles and three hundred New \n\n\n\n118 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nTestaments were preserved from the destroyer and \nare now on the island. From time to time there \nhas been a resurrection of those Bibles that were \nburied during the violence of the persecution. The \nfruits of "the seed of the kingdom" will, we trust, \nyet be seen in Madeira. \n\nEvery night some new act of violence and cruelty \nwas committed. The vineyards of Protestants were \ntrodden down, and their property destroyed. They \nwere hated by men, because they loved Christ. There \nwas no human law for them, because they were de- \ntermined to obey the laws of God. There was no \nearthly home for them, because they were seeking \nthe Father\'s house in heaven. They were praising \nGod in the mountains, or seeking refuge on English \nships. Guns were often fired from these ships, to \nlet the persecuted people know that they might find \na welcome on their decks. \n\nThe \'\'William of Glasgow" was anchored in the \nbay of Funchal, ready to take on board as many of \nthe Protestants as could find room. Twelve English \nrefugees were on board. One of them who knew \nmuch of the fury of the mob, thus wrote to Mr. \nHewitson : \'\' This ship is to take away two hundred \nof your flock to Trinidad. Seventy are already on \nboard. The sound of the hymns is very sweet, as \nit rises from the hold. It is a great privilege to be \nnear them in this time of need, and to see that their \nfaith does not fail. They never speak against their \npersecutors \xe2\x80\x94 they only mention them with pity. \n\n\n\nTHE ^^ WILLIAM OF GLASGOW.\'\' Il9 \n\nSometimes I overhear them in prayer, praying for \ntheir enemies, and for those who have turned back \nagain to the houses of idolatry. They have all \nbeen in hidings on the mountains, and many of \nthem have nothing left but the clothes they wear." \nWe quote a longer account of these exiles. It was \nwritten by one on board the ship William. \n\n" They soon heard that the ship William had re- \nceived on board those who sympathized in their \ncruel suflFerings. And the very first night after we \nembarked, several of the poor persecuted ones were \nsafely treading the deck of the William. It was a \ntruly interesting sight to see the boat sweep along- \nside, doubtful at the moment whom it might contain ; \nthen to see one after another mounting the side of \nthe ship \xe2\x80\x94 casting a wistful eye around, lest perchance \nthey might have missed the looked-for vessel ; to \nwitness the afi*ectionate meeting, as they caught the \neye, and afterwards the hand, of a well known \nsympathizing friend. It was most affecting to see \nthe tear of joy, the look of gratitude, that beamed \nin the face of each poor sufferer as he first set foot \nupon an English deck, and once more breathed the \nair of freedom and of liberty. \n\n" It rejoiced the heart to see the tear of gladness \xe2\x80\x94 \nto hear the prayer of intercession for their enemies, \nand the hymns of praise and gratitude from night \nto night, as their numbers increased, and they now \nflocked in crowds to seek amongst strangers that \nshelter which their countrymen refused them. Old \n\n\n\n120 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nand young, strong and infirm, girls and women with \nchildren at their breasts \xe2\x80\x94 all hurried to the William, \nknowing that here were hearts beating with tender \naffection for Christ\'s suffering flock. \n\n\'\' I wish I could recount the marvellous escapes \nof some through the brushwood of the mountains, \nwhile their enemies were in full pursuit \xe2\x80\x94 the hair- \nbreadth escape of others, who left their homes at \nmidnight, and never were permitted to enter them \nagain \xe2\x80\x94 who left them to the robber and the plun- \nderer, and never found shelter more, till they found \nit in the William of Glasgow. I have a letter before \nme from one who, writing from Trinidad, speaks \nthus of her wanderings in the mountains of Ma- \ndeira : \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n\'\' \' I cannot narrate in writing the afflictions we \nsuffered, nor even by word of mouth could I tell \nthem. I can only say we fled from our home on \nSaturday night, and wandered fugitives for thirteen \ndays. But God in his mercy sent us a ship one day \nafter the sad 9th of August, to deliver his children \nfrom the fangs of their enemies, and from the snares \nof the devil. We cannot give the thanks due to \nGod for his mercy towards us. God fulfilled his \nword : \xe2\x80\x94 " When thou passest through the waters, I \nwill be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall \nnot overflow thee ; when thou walkest through the \nfire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame \nkindle upon thee." Isaiah xliii. 2.\' \n\n"Every night added to the list of native con- \n\n\n\nTHE "WILLIAM OF GLASGOW.\'\' 121 \n\nverts rescued from the assassins\' grasp. But all \ndid not escape so well. On the morning of the 9th, \nthe day of attack on Dr. Kalley\'s house, the nephew \nof a poor woman, who had jiist been obliged to fly \nfrom the house, was found at the door, as the rufiians \ncame to attack it. He was but twelve years old, \nbut his youth was no protection. He was knocked \ndown and violently beaten, receiving a dreadful \nblow in the head, which for a considerable time con- \nfined him to the hospital. On the same day a poor \nold woman was dreadfully beaten, and the mob, \nsupposing her dead, dragged the body to the spot \nwhere two of the converts had been buried on the \npublic road.* There they laid her upon the grave. \nShe remained in this state a considerable time, and \nwas then carried to the hospital ; but having refused \nto attend confession, on which terms only she was \noffered her life, she was cast out to perish. She \nwas afterwards taken in again, and notwithstanding \none arm was broken, and her whole body a mass of \n\n* *\' As if it was not sufficient for the church of Rome to be continu- \nally persecuting the converts to Gospel truth, she denies, in direct \nviolation of the laws of Portugal, their very bodies sepulture in the \nonly legal cemetery, and decrees that they be buried in the public \nroads. Scarcely twelve months since the authorities of Madeira, not \ncontent with ordering a Protestant\'s body to be thus buried in the \npublic road, insisted on its being buried in front of his own door, in \norder that the family might daily step over it. Happily the rock \nprevented the accomplishment of this iniquitous design, and he now \nlies on one side of the door. Verily * the righteous perisheth, and no \nman laveth it to heart.* Isaiah Ivii. 1." \n\nii \n\n\n\n122 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nbruises, recovered, and sailed in the Lord Seaton \nfor Trinidad. \n\n\'\' Poor Mariasinha ! hers was one of the most fiery \nof all the trials of those stormy days. Canon Telles \nattacked her again and again, and the most fearful \nthreatenings were employed to force her to confession. \nShe was five weeks alone amongst her enemies ; \nspeaking of which time subsequently to a Christian \nfriend, she shuddered, as she thought of the blas- \nphemies she had heard from the lips of the \nother invalids, and from the attendants. May her \npatience, and her strong and simple faith have been \nblessed as a lesson to some one among them ! It is \ninteresting to tell how this poor one of the flock, \nweak both in mind and body, was made strong to \nwitness a good profession in the hour of trial. \nDuring this conversation, which the English lady \ndeclared to be a solemn lesson to her, she said : \n\' Much had been forgiven her, and truly she loved \nmuch.\' \n\n\'\' Another woman was treated in a similar way \nsome days later, and shortly after, a man was bar- \nbarously murdered in open day by five or six rufiians, \nwho, not content with having murdered him, jumped \nand stamped, like fiends, over the mutilated remains. \nFor this murder four men were committed to prison, \nand during the week a jail delivery was everywhere \nspoken of, as the work of the coming Sunday. On \nthe Saturday preceding, being the eve of the great \nMount Festa, the city was filled with strangers, At \n\n\n\nTHE ^^ WILLIAM OF GLASGOW.\'* 123 \n\nintervals during the day two English ships, lying \nnext to us, fired their guns, to show the people, as \nthe captain remarked, that afloat, at least, the \nEnglish could and would protect themselves. This \nI believe, gave great ofl*ence to the Portuguese au- \nthorities ; but there is no doubt the eflFect on the \npeople was good. \n\n" The military officers, ashamed of the scandalous \naffair of last Sunday, met together in their quarters, \nand resolved amongst themselves to put down all \nattempts at disturbance, independently of any re- \nquisition from the civil authorities ; \' seeing,* as they \nsaid, \' that the administrator of the council had lost \nthe public confidence, and had been the promoter \n(as they were ready to prove, if the inquiry were \nproceeded with) of all the disorder, in concert with \nthe Canon Telles and other priests;\' and a message \nto this effect was sent to the governor. Throughout \nthe week some very clever and ludicrous squibs were \nposted in different parts of the town, and it was the \nconstant work of the police to search them out, and \npull them down. Some caricatures also appeared, \nin which certain public characters were by no means \nspared.* On Sunday, the 16th of August, a good \nmany boats were pulling and sailing about our \nvessel, with insulting parties on board, singing songs \nafyainst " the Calvinists,\'\' and in one we recomized \n\n^ Some wag fixed, among other papers, on the door of the British \ncottsulate\xe2\x80\x94 ^\' To let, with immediate possession.^\' \'^Furniture for sale, \nthe occupier being about to leave the island/\' &c* \n\n\n\n124 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthe boys who held the lights before the ruffians on \nthe night of the Angustias outrage, as they entered \nthe invalid\'s chamber. Crowds of people were in \nthe town from all parts of the island. Upwards of \ntwo hundred assembled, as on the previous Sunday, \nin the neighbourhood of the cathedral, armed with \nbludgeons ; but on hearing of the determination of \nthe military, and not meeting with their friend the \npolice magistrate, as they had done before, dispersed^ \nor rather went in search of the native converts in \nthe country, fearing that an attack on the jail would \nonly meet with certain defeat and loss. The two \nneighbouring ships continued firing their guns at \nintervals throughout the day, for which, I believe, \nthey incurred the penalty of a consular reprimand. \n\n" The William had now received on board all the \nconverts she could accommodate, and, as it was im- \npossible for these poor persecuted ones, either to \nappear on shore, or to satisfy the priests\' demands, \nit was necessary that something should be done to \nremove the difficulties of procuring their passports. \nA deputation accordingly waited on the governor, \nand obtained from him a dispensation as to personal \napplication, and also as to the certificates of church \nattendance, which are always insisted on before a \npassport is given. So glad were the authorities at \nthis time to sacrifice any consideration to allay the \nfever which they had themselves excited." \n\nThus did the great Head of the Church prepare \nthe way for the flight of his people from their native \n\n\n\nTHE "WILLIAM OF GLASGOW/\' 125 \n\ncountry ! What a company was this ! What a \nspectacle for the 19th century ! Parents and chil- \ndren, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, are \nseparated from each other. Among these tender, \nnatural, and social relations, some are persecutors on \nshore, and others are fugitives on the vessel. Who \ncan tell the agony of these persecuted disciples \nabout to leave their country and friends for ever ? \nWhat were their feelings, when they thought of the \ndarkness, delusion, and bigotry in which their \nrelatives were involved ; \xe2\x80\x94 when they anticipated \nthat their next meeting would be at the judgment- \nseat of Christ, and especially when they thought of \nthe destiny of those who persecute the children of \nGod? \n\nThe day of their departure arrived. What a day \nfor them ! Alas ! What a day for Madeira ! It \nseems as though the Gospel was to be taken away \nfrom that infatuated people ; it looks like the de- \nparture of the Saviour from their coasts ; it reminds \nus of his declaration to the bigoted priests and \nPharisees who despised and rejected him ; " I go \nmy way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your \nsins; whither I go, ye cannot come." But our \nprayer is, that they may not be abandoned to their \ndelusions. May the light of the glorious Gospel yet \nshine upon them, and may they yet rejoice in that \nlight! \n\n" On Sunday, the 23rd of August, the William \n\nloosed her sails, and slowly and beautifully glided \n11^^ \n\n\n\n126 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nout of the bay of Funchal. There was something of \ndeep solemnity about her every motion \xe2\x80\x94 carrying, as \nshe was, two hundred Christians from the land of \ntheir fathers, to seek a refuge in a land of strangers. \nMost of this large party had left their homes at \nnight, and could not, without risking their lives, \nreturn to their ruined cottages to collect any little \nproperty that might be left. Many of them came \non board with nothing but the clothes they had on, \nand these in tatters from their wanderings in the \nSerras. Yet during the days we sojourned among \nthem in that ark of refuge, not a word of repining \nreached our ears, except from one or two unconverted \nmembers of large families, who had not yet learned \nto love the cause for which the rest rejoiced to suffer. \nThe language of all the others was that of joy and \nthankfulness to Him who had called them \' out of \ndarkness into his marvellous light;\' 1 Peter ii. 9 ; and \nwho had now in his mercy delivered them from their \nenemies on every side, and gathered them together \nin one family, and into one refuge. \n\n"The more that was seen of this persecuted \nflock, in circumstances the most trying, the higher \ndid their Christian principle rise in the estimation \nof all. Those only who know the general character \nof the Portuguese can form a just estimate of the \ntotal change that must have passed on these con- \nverts. They had become \' new creatures\' indeed. \nIn the distribution of clothes to the necessitous, \nMatthew v. 44, it was most gratifying to witness \n\n\n\nTHE ^^ WILLIAM OF GLASGOW." 127 \n\nthe good feeling shown by all on the occasion \xe2\x80\x94 to \nsee not merely their willingness to share with one \nanother the bounty of their Christian friends, but \ntheir eagerness to tell of the wants of others more \ndestitute than themselves. And in no one instance \nwas there an attempt to deceive, by any conceal- \nment of what they possessed. The mate and steward \nboth repeatedly remarked, \' that they had never \nseen folk love one another as these folk did.* \n\n\'\'Among the two hundred and eleven passengers \nof the William, there was one Romanist family, \nwho had long persecuted the converts, and was now \nseeking a passage to Trinidad as emigrants. Their \nextreme poverty excited the compassion of those \naround them. After the converts had each received \nfrom the hand of charity their small supply of \nclofhing, some of them came aft to their benefac- \ntors on the ship, and begged to know if they might \nnow consider it as their own property, and act ac- \ncordingly. They were asked the reason of the \nquestion, when they said, it was their wish to obey \nthe Lord\'s command \xe2\x80\x94 \'Love your enemies, bless \nthem that curse you, do good to them that hate you, \nand pray for them which despitefully use you and \npersecute you.\' They were cheerfully assured that \nthey might, and it was pleasing to see them share \ntheir scanty store with their former enemies ; thus \naffording a most beautiful specimen of the spirit by \nwhich they were animated. \n\n\n\n128 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\'\' Their conduct throughout was such that the \nRomanists openly expressed their wonder and as- \ntonishment. They saw those who had little prop- \nerties, (and there were both land and householders \nin the William\'s band of Christians,) parting with \ntheir houses and land, and all they possessed, for \nthe smallest trifle, counting \' all things but loss, for \nthe excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus \nour Lord/ Philippians iii. 8. One Portuguese gen- \ntleman, talking on the subject, wound up by saying, \nthat \' if he were called upon to choose a religion \nsuddenly, and without further thought, he believed \nhe should fix upon that of these people, because he \nsaw them suffer without complaining/ \n\n"As was their conduct under persecution on \nshore, so was their conduct afloat. They had chosen \nChrist, and the only subject of their glorying was \nthe Lord Jesus. They looked not back upon the \nworld with all its pleasures. From it, and from \nself, they had been weaned by the Spirit of that \nGod who had been their friend through evil report, \nand through good report ; who had been more than \na brother to them, in sorrow and in joy, by day \nand by night, at all seasons, and in all circum- \nstances. They knew that He, who had thus watched \nover them, would not desert them in the land to \nwhich they were now being driven before the perse- \ncuting hand of man. Christ, when on earth, said \nto his disciples, \' When they persecute you in this \n\n\n\nTHE "WILLIAM OF GLASGOW." 12J> \n\ncity, flee ye into another.\'* The Christian\'s king- \ndom is not of this world : his kingdom is a kingdom \nset up by the God of heaven. It is a kingdom \nwhich shall, in God\'s own good time, break in pieces \nand consume \' all other kingdoms, but shall itself \nstand for ever.\' \n\n"Rather than sacrifice one\'s inheritance in that \nkingdom, it were well to flee, during a whole life- \ntime, from city to city, or from one land to another^ \nhowever severe the trials, however great the earthly \nlosses, however cruel the personal suSerings. \' The \ndisciple is not above his master, nor the servant \nabove his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be \nas his master, and the servant as his lord.\' ^If we \nsuffer, we shall also reign with him.\' \n\n" And now why was all this grievous persecution \ncarried on against that little flock ? Were they \ntraitors to their country ? There were none more \nloyal. Were they disturbers of the peace ? None were \nmore peaceful. Never perhaps were the members \nof any church more \'likeminded one toward an- \n\n* " Matthew x. 23. After reading, in the simplicity of their faith, \nthe words, * if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you,\' \nJohn XV, 20, and *when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into \nanother,\' they felt that they must suffer persecution, as God had said \nso. And after talking together on the subject, they applied to a \nChristian friend as to what they should do when persecution came, for \nthey could not flee to other cities, unless God were to open a way \nfor them through the sea. His answer, delivered four years before, \nthey now called to mind, * if persecution should come to Madeira, \nGod would also send ships to deliver those who keep his word, as \nsurely as he delivered the Israelites from the power of Pharaoh.\' " \n\n\n\n130 THE EXILES OV MADEIRA. \n\nother, according to Christ Jesus/ Rom. xv. 5, than \nthe little flock at Madeira. Never was there \nsimpler faith, simpler hope, simpler love. Shining \nas lights \' in the midst of a crooked and perverse \nnation,\' they held \'forth the word of life;\' Phil. ii. \n15, 16 ; constantly provoking each other to love and \ngood works. Their humility, gentleness, guileless \nsimplicity, and burning love, were seen and acknow- \nledged by their most bitter enemies. Like the \nmeek, who shall inherit the earth, they would fain \nhave been suffered quietly to delight themselves in \nthe abundance of peace. As followers of the \nPrince of Peace, they were peaceable and peace- \nmakers. They desired peace with God, peace with \nman, peace at home, peace abroad. But peace was \nnot to be purchased at the expense of principle. \n\' The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then \npeaceable.\' James iii. 17. To appease the enemies \nof Jesus, they would not cease to read and obey \nthe word of God. And this was the sum and ground \nof their offence. They would obey the injunction \nof their Saviour, to \' search the Scriptures,\' and \nlearn of him, instead of subjecting their minds \nand will to the guidance and thraldom of their fel- \nlow sinners, who in vain were serving God, \' teach- \ning for doctrines the commandments of men.\' " \n\nIn the ship William there were about two hundred \nof these exiles, and soon after this, the Lord Seaton \ntook about the same number. \n\n\n\nA LOOK BACK AT MADEIRA. 131 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER X. \n\nA LOOK BACK AT MADEIRA. \n\nWhy did not these outrages on British life and \nproperty provoke a war on the part of England ? \nIt probably would have done so, had not steps been \ntaken to prevent such a calamity. \n\n^\'When the tidings of these outrages reached \nPortugal, the British ambassador there, more faith- \nful to his trust than the consul at Madeira, entered \nhis solemn protest against these reckless and un- \nrighteous proceedings. The Queen of Portugal was \ncompelled by this act to appoint and send a royal \ncommission to investigate the affairs at Madeira, \nespecially with reference to the treatment of British \nsubjects. \n\n" This commission came and made their investi- \ngations. In their view, the conduct of the govern- \nment at Madeira was so unjustifiable that they re- \nquested the administration to resign. They all re- \nsigned except the administrador do concelho. \n\n^\' His dismission was immediately sent from Por- \ntugaL A new governor was appointed at Madeira. \n\n\n\n132 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nIn this change there was a show of disapprobation \non the part of the queen against those who had en- \ncouraged and sanctioned this persecution by their \nsilence and inaction. Whether this change was \nmade by the queen with a conviction of wrong \ndoing on the part of the authorities at Madeira, or \nw^hether it was effected through fear of British \ncannon, may be a question. \n\n"\xe2\x80\xa2 There was also the external form of a trial of \nsome of those who had been the most active and the \nmost savage in this persecution. The result of this ap- \npearance of justice was the acquittal of all the \nrioters. Even those who were arrested in the very \nact of murdering the Bible-readers, were acquitted. \nWhen the evidence of their guilt was too obvious to \nbe denied, no penalty was inflicted. The leaders of \nthe mob, such as Canon Telles, were not subjected \neven to the form of a trial. \n\n" The painful conclusion to which we are driven \nby these facts is, that the civil government and the \ncourts of justice connived at these enormous crimes, \nand that the whole form of trial was a solemn \nmockery or a farce. \'* \n\nCanon Telles was still active in his work of per- \nsecution. He circulated a petition to the Queen of \nPortugal, begging her to issue a decree against the \nProtestants, or, as he wrote, " Against foreign mis- \nsionaries and their agents, foreign and native." It \nwas like the request of the Gadarenes to Jesus, \n"that he would depart out of their coasts." As he \n\n\n\nA LOOK BACK AT MADEIRA. 133 \n\nwas not himself working for the gospel in Madeira, \nhe could not say, \'\' Come over and help us." This \npetition was signed by one hundred and seventy- \neight persons. Among the signers were the names \nof the civil governor, judges, public prosecutor, \nthirty-eight priests, and eighty-one relatives of the \npriests. This strange petition, we believe, was \ngranted by the queen. \n\nThe Bishop was not asleep. Nor was he sitting \ndown behind the screen, laughing to see the work \nof death or banishment going on so well. He was \nactive. He ordered that all young persons should \nbe confirmed in the Romish Church as soon as pos- \nsible, and that all the islanders should come at \nonce to mass and confession. If they did not \nobey, they should bo proceeded against for heresy \nand for apostasy, as Mrs. Alves had once been \nserved. Death had been pronounced against her. \nOnly one step more and the Bishop would have had \nthe old Spanish Inquisition in all its power. \n\nThis Bishop had left Madeira early in 1846, say- \ning, in a pettish way, that he would not return until \nDr. Kalley was driven from the island. It must be \nmade more thoroughly Bomish, or he would not \nstay in it ! In fact, too many people were just \nmaking the great discovery that they could do \nwithout him. \n\nHe returned in October after Dr. Kalley\'s expul- \nsion. He sat down to write a "pastoral letter." \nNow such letters are usually, among Protestants, of \n\n12 \n\n\n\n134 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\na mild, persuasive character. They are the letters \nof pastors to their people. They are such as Mr. \nHewitson wrote, full of love and christian sympathy. \nBut how did the Bishop write ? \n\nHe called the religion of Dr. Kalley " proud and \nSatanic philosophy ;*\' " doctrines of yesterday, con- \nceived in impiety, by caprice, and extracted from \nthe dark bosom of Protestantism.\'\' Did he not re- \nmember that Dr. Kalley had circulated the Bible which \nwas proved to be the true word of God, and which \ndid not differ in any important point from the one \nthe Bishop ought to have kept in good use ? The \nBishop was thus denouncing the word of God ! \n\nTo the influence of these doctrines he ascribed \nthe potato disease! blight of the vines! and all \nother calamities. This same charge has been laid \nto Protestants who lately left the Bomish Church \nunder the labours of Bev. Mr. Chiniquy, in Illinois. \nThe failure of the harvests, and the sickness, the \nwant of money in the country, and all other tem- \nporal trials, were said by the Bomanists to be \ncaused by the little colony of St. Anne, when they \nleft the church that would not let them have the \nBible. Our Lord did not think Bible reading to be \nsuch a sin ! No! it is his will that we \'\'give atten- \ntion to reading and sound doctrine," and "hold fast \nthe form of sound words." \n\nThe Bishop\'s zeal led him to pen the most singular \nexpressions. " He speaks of the Divine aid and mercy \nin enabling them to drive away the heretics. He \n\n\n\nA LOOK BACK AT MADEIRA. 135 \n\nsays to his flock, that \' the Lord compassionating \nyour troubled situation, condescended to excite and \ndirect, by way of moderation and charity, (!) your \npurified religious zeal, (!) and natural energy ; and \nby an extraordinary mode, and perhaps strange in \nthe eyes of the world, to snatch from the midst of \nthis flock, already almost torn to pieces, that wolf \nfrom Scotland. Blessed be the God of mercies, \nand Father of all consolation, who thus conde- \nscended to succour us, and console us.\' As an \nexpression of their gratitude and joy, in view of \nthe things that had been done, he orders that in all \nthe churches they \' sing the hymn, Te Deum laud- \namus.\' \n\n" When the tidings of the Bartholomew massacre \nreached Rome, in 1572, and the Pope and cardi- \nnals marched to the church of St. Louis to give \nthanks unto God for the victory over the Protestants, \nthen the Pope ordered the \' Te Deum laudamus\' to \nbe sung. What then is the diS*erence between po- \npery in 1572 and in 1846 ? \n\n" May the daily prayers, ofi\'ered by the converts \nfrom Madeira for the conversion of those who have \ncast them into prison, and driven them from their \ncountry, be graciously answered ; so that the final \ndestiny of persecutors may not be theirs.\'\' \n\n\n\n136 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XI. \n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. \n\n" He not only belongs to that class who are to he in everlasting \nremembrance, but he is eminent among them." \n\nIn" the most pleasant part of the chief city of \nMadeira dwelt the family of Da Silva. Arsenio \nNicos was born in 1800. His father was a man of \nwealth and high esteem. The garden about his \nhouse was cultivated with so much taste that strangers \nupon the island visited it as one of the notable places. \nThe rich variety of grapes, plants, and flowers, with \nthe politeness of the family, made it a delightful \nresort. \n\nThe Da Silvas were members of the Roman church, \nand believed in its rites and infallibility. They had \ntaken for granted what the priest said, and had not \nsearched the Scriptures to find whether they were \ntaught the truth. They believed that the priests \nwere the holiest and greatest of men : adored the \nVirgin Mary ; felt willing to kiss the Pope\'s toe ; \nalmost shuddered when a Bishop passed by ; and no \ndoubt they knew as little about the Latin mumbled \nover at mass, as we do in hearing it read by a priest. \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 137 \n\nAmong their children were two sons, Arsenio and \nCasimiro. These sons were carefully taught the \nrites of Romanism, the fear of a priest, and the \nworship of saints- They were every day presented \nbefore the image of the Virgin Mary, as if it could \nbless them, and she was entreated to watch over \nthese children and make them priests of the church. \nCould Mary have spoken from heaven she would \nhave said, \'\'Worship God," and pointed them to \nHim who said, " Suffer little children to come unto \nme." \n\nThese sons were sent to the best schools on the \nisland. No pains were spared to make them as learned \nas any of the priests ever become. They grew fond \nof books, and were very diligent in their studies. \nThey received some oflSce in the church called \n" minor orders," and were reported to be ready for \nstud3dng the theology of the church. \n\nThus far had they gone, but were unwilling to go \n\nany farther. They refused to become priests. They \n\nhad eyes to see and ears to hear. They saw too \n\nmuch of the sins of the priests, and did not wish to \n\nbe counted with such men. They perhaps had heard \n\nand read of those strange transactions of popes, \n\ncardinals, and priests, which once shocked a Luther \n\nand a Calvin. It may be that they learned in some \n\nway that there had been a great Reformation in the \n\n16th century, and wondered why the church in \n\nMadeira was not reformed. \n\nTheir parents were astonished. They besought \n12* \n\n\n\n13B THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthem even with tears to remember how much their \neducation had cost, how many prayers and vows \nhad been made to the Virgin, how much honour \nthey would have if they became priests, and how \nthey might become Bishops and Cardinals ; but \nthey did not care for such entreaties. The father- \nconfessor could not persuade them to put on gowns \nand shave their heads. \n\nCasimiro loved money and lands, just as his \nparents had done before him. His mother thought \nshe could touch that chord, and so she told him if he \nwould become a priest he should have a large estate \nand be regarded by her as the favourite son. She \nheld out the shining gold ! \n\nThis appeal was very strong and went home to \nhis heart. It touched the intended chord, and he \nfelt the power of the music. He then began to feel \na struggle between his love of gold, and his hatred \nof priests. He abhorred the vow of celibacy which \nhe would be required to take ; but he also abhorred \nthe loss of the riches which his mother promised. \nMethinks \xe2\x80\x94 for we Protestants may think \xe2\x80\x94 that if \nthe Virgin had spoken to him she would have pointed \nhim to her poor Son and her glorious Saviour. \n\nHe yielded to the charm of riches. He became \na priest. He did not believe in what he was obliged \nto do and say. He hated the oflSce and the church. \nHis duties were a burden, and his soul was not at \nrest. A request was made by him to be released \nfrom the office. The "dispensation" was granted, \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 139 \n\nand he took his money, settled down upon his estate, \nand is now, we suppose, living as a gentleman re- \ntired from office and business. \n\nArsenio could not be induced to enter the priest- \nly office. He had more stability of character, more \nintellect, and more principle than his brother. His \nconscience was not to be bought with gold or honour. \nYet he was not a believer in religion. He knew \nonly one form of religion, and that he knew was \ncorrupt. He could not then see that Romanism \nwas not Christianity, nor that Christianity was truly \nfrom God. He saw how foolish it was to worship \nthe Virgin and other saints, but could not perceive \nhow wise and happy it would be to believe and wor- \nship Jesus Christ. \n\nHe became a merchant. He was polite, pleasant, \nhonest, and energetic, so that he soon had an exten- \nsive business. He made himself a large fortune, \nlittle knowing that one day he would gladly leave \nall and follow Christ. \n\nWhen about twenty-five years of age \xe2\x80\x94 when \nHewitson was called the boy of a book, Arsenio \nmarried a young lady of a very wealthy family. \nShe was gay, worldly, and by no means inclined to \ntake the black veil in a nunnery. She was admired \nas very beautiful and highly accomplished. The \nfriends all thought this a most happy union. One \nchild smiled upon them to make home happy. They \nmade this only daughter an idol in their hearts. \nThey did all they could to make her as near a queea \n\n\n\n140 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nas possible. If she should live, she would one day \nbe very rich, and they wished to see her well edu- \ncated, and adorned with every accomplishment their \ncity could bestow. Her "god-mother\'\' was very \nrich, and had made a will leaving her immense wealth \nto this young lady. Perhaps too the bachelor uncle, \nwho satisfied both his love of gold and his hatred of \nthe priesthood, was supposed to have such a will in \nreserve for his beautiful niece. \n\nBut God had other purposes. He had a legacy \nfor that infidel father which only a Redeemer can \ngive. She was to be a link in the chain of means \nwhich would bring her father to Christ. \n\nDisease crept slowly through her veins and hid \nitself there, only to work death the more perfectly. \nPerhaps she had not played enough in the sunny \nvineyards, or had studied too closely at school. The \nvisions of her future looked toward the grave. \n\nThe best physicians were called, but they could \ndo little good. The Virgin Mary was invoked and \nshe did still less. It is not her work to hear prayer \nor heal the sick. She is engaged in praising her \nSaviour in heaven. The young lady still declined, \nand the parents would give anything they had to \nrestore her to health. It is a sad affliction for any \nparents to follow such a daughter to the grave. \n\nIn 1840 Dr. Kalley had gained a great reputa- \ntion on the island as a skilful physician. Many \ncame to consult him in very difficult and almost \nhopeless cases. His success had been remarkable. \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 141 \n\nGod seemed to bless him. The reader will remember \nthe method he adopted to point all his patients to \nthe Great Remedy for the soul. \n\nDa Silva was advised to send for the Scottish \nphysician. No doubt he was ashamed to do so, but \nas a last resort for healing his beloved daughter, he \nconsented to go and consult him. It reminds us of \nNaaman going to Elisha. He found Dr. Kalley \nvery kind and ready to do all he could. As Dr. \nKalley came near the rich house, many eyes were \nupon him. Even the servants exclaimed, " The \nDoctor ! the English Doctor !" \n\nHe entered softly, sat down by the bedside of the \nyoung lady, and tenderly spoke of her sickness. \nHe learned all he could about the cause. Then he \nprayed God to make him wise in prescribing the \nmedicine, and to make it a means of healing. He \nalso entreated the patient to look to Jesus as the \ngreat physician, who alone could restore her to \nhealth. No such physician had ever been in that \nhouse before. While they all wondered, he re- \nquested the parents to seek her recovery by prayer \nto Jesus Christ. \n\nSeveral visits were paid by Da Silva to Dr. Kal- \nley. He saw his dear child recovering day by day. \nIt seemed as if God was very merciful to him and \nhis family. He one day asked that he might talk \nwith the doctor at his own house privately. He \ncame, and they sat down together. It seems that \nhe had already heard Dr. Kalley preach on the \n\n\n\n142 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nneed of a change in the sinner\'s heart and life, and \nhe felt that he needed it more than all others. In \nhis business he could not forget the ring of gospel \nwords. The written word had become the voice \nfrom heaven. And now as he sat down he felt wil- \nling to be as a little child. \n\n\'\' On what subject do you wish to speak ?" asked \nDr. Kalley. \n\n" About the way in which a guilty man can, \nunder the government of a just God, escape the \npunishment which he deserves." \n\n" Well, tell me what you think about it." \n\n" I understand that in baptism the death of \nChrist is so applied as to free from original sin ;" \nand then he went on to speak of penances and \nmasses, and good works as atoning for actual trans- \ngressions. This is Romish doctrine. \n\n\'\'I understand," said Dr. Kalley, interrupting \nhim, " that the blood of Christ cleanses from all \nsin." \n\n"What?" cried Da Silva. \n\n\'\' I understand that the blood of Christ cleanses \nfrom all sin, of every kind." \n\n"Tell me that again!" \n\n"No: but here, read here, and here" \xe2\x80\x94 as the \nDoctor pointed out several texts in the Bible. The \ninquirer read, and great tears came coursing down \nhis cheeks as his eye fell on the plain words of God \nwhich attested the wondrous truth. Then the light \nof the cross seemed to break in upon his soul. He \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 143 \n\ncould see why Christ died, and how he loved guilty \nsinners. He began to understand the doctrine of \nGod\'s free favour in pardoning the lost and undone. \nHe was wiser than Nicodemus, and more willing \nthan Naaman. Now he could see why the doc- \ntrines of the Bible produced such good effects on \nthose who loved, believed, and practised them. \n\nWe would gladly know more of what passed dur- \ning that hour. He received then the first Bible he \nhad ever read. Yes, he had been once prepared to \nstudy the theology of the priests, and yet had never \nread a Bible ! Remember Luther. \n\nEagerly did he read the word of God ; gladly \ndid he become a convert to its doctrines. Boldly \ndid he defend it and the persecuted converts. \nHumbly did he bow to Jesus, praying, " Create in \nme a clean heart." Submissively did he yield to \nthe Holy Ghost to renew and sanctify his heart. \nWillingly now would he sacrifice everything in this \nworld to the Lord Jesus. His case reminds us of \nthose who came first to Jesus to be healed, or to \nhave a friend healed, and who went away believing \nin Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Remember \nMary Magdalene and blind Bartimeus. \n\nDr. Kalley had heard him called \'^o avarento,\'\' \n^Hhe miser.\'\' At this time the Doctor was trying \nto furnish a small hospital. Da Silva sent him a \nlarge basket full of sheets, towels, and other ar- \nticles of comfort, and along with them a note, say- \ning, " My heart was gangrened ; it has felt the \n\n\n\n144 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\npower of the love of God ; and I send you the first \nfruits of it." Good fruits were these to help a \n"good Samaritan" in taking care of the poor and \nthe sick, but these were only an earnest of what \nwas to follow. No longer was he " the miser." \n\nDa Silva had heard strange things of this "father \nin Christ." The priests were obliged to admit that \nhe was a skilful physician, but they said he was in \nleague with Satan, to overturn the Romish Church. \nOne of them called him "a devil incarnate," and \nhoped to see the day when he and his Bibles, and \nall who believed them would be burned together \non the public square, in front of the Governor\'s \nhouse ! This priest must have known little of the \nBible. \n\nDa Silva heard nothing like that from his new \nfriend and brother, who wept with many tears, as \nhe urged men to flee for refuge to Jesus, or prayed \nwith deepest emotion for priests and people. He \nwas ever ready when persecuted to give response in \nthose words from the cross, " Father, forgive them, \nfor they know not what they do !" This rich convert \ncould see the difference between these preachers, \nand he too wept while hearing the truth spoken in \nlove, or praying for his enemies. \n\nHow different, too, were the Bible-readers from \ntheir opposers ! Even enemies were forced to say, \n" We call these people ugly names, but they don\'t \nanswer back ; we spit upon them, but they don\'t get \nangry; we beat them, and they seem pleased; we \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 145 \n\nbreak open their houses, and destroy their prop- \nerty, and they are happy; we put them in jail, and \nthey sing; we can\'t make them unhappy!\'\' This \nmight have been said at Philippi in the days of \nPaul and Silas. Da Silva could see the reason of \nthis contrast. \' \n\n" Mrs. Da Silva, who had been persuaded by her \nhusband to hear Dr. Kalley, when she saw the tears \nin his eyes, became very much troubled. She was \nafraid that the servants or the people would hear of \nthe views Mr. Da Silva had of himself as a sinner, \nand they would think he was a very bad man. She \nhad no doubt that her lord, (as ladies address their \nhusbands in Madeira,) was a perfect gentleman, and \nought not to be compared with those who had not \nnoble blood in their veins. She thought he had \nmistaken his own character. \n\n" The Bible became the companion of Mr. Da \nSilva, and prayer his delight. He had not only \nfelt that he was a lost and wretched sinner, justly \ncondemned, but he had also experienced the power \nof faith in Jesus Christ. The doctrine of justifica- \ntion, only by faith, flashed upon his mind like light \nfrom heaven. This opened his eyes to see the \nawful state of those who sought salvation by virtue \nof their own works. This filled him with the \ndeepest distress for the conversion of his wife, his \ndaughter, and his blind countrymen. He poured \nout his heart in prayer to God for them. \n\n"Before his soul rejoiced in the full light of the \n13 \n\n\n\n146 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nGospel, it is interesting to see how the Spirit of \nGod enlightened his mind, and led him on from one \ndegree of knowledge to another. When reading \nthe Bible, he came to the Epistle of Peter ; he was \ndelighted to find an epistle from that apostle. He \nwas ignorant of its existence, up to the hour when \nhis eye rested upon it. As he had always been \ntaught that Peter was the supreme head of the \nchurch on earth, he supposed here, if anywhere, he \nwould find the doctrines and ceremonies of the Ro- \nman Catholic church. After reading it again and \nagain with the closest attention, he was surprised \nto learn that nothing resembling the mass, purga- \ntory, confession, praying to the saints and to \nthe Virgin, as taught by the Romish church, was \nto be found in the writings of Peter. \n\n" The epistles of Peter would make an excellent \ntract to put into the hands of all Romanists who \nhave a high respect for the authority and suprem- \nacy of that apostle. They would see, as in sun- \nbeams, how little gold and silver, and how much the \nprecious blood of Christ has to do in the salvation \nof souls. \n\n" The conversion of Mr. Da Silva was known to \nall the inhabitants of Madeira, not merely because \nhe was a man of great wealth and influence, but es- \npecially by the remarkable change in his life. He \nmingled with the Bible-readers, who were despised \nand treated with contempt by those with whom he \nhad always been associated. Instead of attending \n\n\n\nARSENIO NICOS DA SILVA. 147 \n\nthe gay and brilliant parties, where his wife and \nfriends found their highest happiness, he went to \npray with the persecuted Bible-readers. In their \nlittle circles of prayer he enjoyed richer blessings \nthan the gaiety or pleasures of the world could im- \npart. \n\n" One of these meetings, for prayer and reading \nthe Scriptures, was held in a private family, about \na mile from his house. We are told, by some \nmembers of that family, that Mr. Da Sllva was always \nexpected to be present. They depended upon him \nto conduct the exercises, and to read and expound \nthe word of God. His whole soul was engaged in \nthis work. These precious meetings will never be \nforgotten by those who attended them. They will ever \nremember, with indescribable interest, the fervent, \ntearful prayers, and edifying exhortations of Mr. Da \nSilva. By these, as the means, their courage and \nfaith were increased at the time when they were \nabout to pass through the fires of persecution. These \nseasons of previous communion with God, and with \neach other, were continued, until the family had to \nflee for their lives to the mountains." \n\nOne of the judges of the island married the \ndaughter of Mr. Da Silva. It pained his heart \nnot to see her also a follower of Jesus. She, who \nhad been a means of bringino: him under the influence \nof the gospel, and who had received such a blessing \nfrom its messenger and from his God of mercy, \n\n\n\n148 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nwould not \'^heed the things which were spoken." It \noften occurs, that they who are the most benefitted \nby a blessing are the least grateful. \n\nThis judge was he who declined to arrest Mr. \nHewitson, on the ground that his authority did not \nextend over him ; perhaps the friendship between \nhis father-in-law and the missionary had some weight \nin his mind. \n\nMr. Da Silva had become a member and an elder \nin the church, under Mr. Hewitson. With such a \npastor and teacher, he must have grown rapidly in \nknowledge and grace. It is a wonder that he was \nnot imprisoned. \'\'Bonds and afflictions awaited \nhim." \n\nThe reader will remember the attack upon the \nhouse of the Misses Rutherford, and the man who \nhad an image thrust in his face with the command \nto \'\'kiss it," "adore it," but who refused the idol- \natry. Rome owed that man a grudge. The abuse \nof that hour was not enough. He was too prominent \na man to be allowed his liberty. Neither the power \nof wealth, nor his high standing as a citizen could \nscreen him from harm. His near friends, of such influ- \nence as his wife and son-in-law ought to have exerted, \nwere not enouorh to save him from dano;er. He \nmust either return to the church of Rome, or fly \nfrom his family and home, from wealth and native \nland. Others were speeding away for life ; so too \nmust he. Already he was obliged to keep away \n\n\n\nAESEXIO XICOS DA SILVA 149 \n\nfrom the city. Among the mountains, so often \nthe kindest refuges God\'s people could tind, he \nwandered, a sheep, yes a shepherd, hunted by the \nwolyes. \n\nHe could not bid farewell on a bright morning at \nhis own door, order his well packed trunks to the \nharbour, get into a fine carriage, and pass through \nthe streets in style, bowino^ to many friends as they \nbowed goodbye to him. Every pang of parting was \nmade as intense as possible. The love of his wife \nwas a small offset to her want of sympathy with him \nin his religion. It was but a \'\' drop of honey in a \nquart of gall." Any respect of his son-in-law was \nnothing to the shameful refusal to defend and save \nhim from an exile. Of his daughter he could haye \nsaid, *\'How can I give thee up I" Once he had \nbeen ready to crive and do anythincr for her: now \nshe is not ready to use all possible means to keep \nhim at home. \n\nHe was obliged to come from the mountains to \nthe city in the nio;ht, if he would see his family. He \nhired a man to stand at the corner of a certain street \nat an appointed hour. All was dark and silent. He \ncame and met this man who showed him to a house \nwhere he could be concealed. Then he sent for his \nwife, obtained a little money, hastened to a ship and \nsailed for Lisbon. \n\nNever ao;ain did he see his family. Letters \npassed between them, and he would often say, years \n13* \n\n\n\n150 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nafter this, "I have a letter from my wife \xe2\x80\x94 kind \nfriendly letter, but no good, no spiritual in it \xe2\x80\x94 no \nfaith in Jesus Christ.\'\' \n\nThe Lord had a future work for this Christian \nhero. \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 151 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XII. \n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. \n\n"He will guide me with his eye/\' wrote Mr. \nHewitson while absent, " whether it be back again \nto Madeira or not." He learned that he must go \nto Trinidad, " not only to administer gospel consola- \ntion, but to reorganize the exiles into a compacted \nchurch order.\'\' \n\nJanuary 2nd 1847, he sailed from Southampton. \nThe winds were contrary. He was soon lying sick \nin his cabin, translating Mr. H. Bonar\'s hymn, " I \nlay my sins on Jesus," into Portuguese, and a met- \nrical version of the 23rd Psalm. This was the be- \nginning of a Hymn-Book for the Portuguese church. \n\nHe felt that he must do something for the Master \non the voyage. If we do not work where we are, \nwe will not be likely to do any good in any other \nplace. " Among the passengers," he says, \'\' I have \ncome in contact with only one who seems truly \ndesirous of walking with God." This was a man \nwho took an interest in the new mission as its thrill- \ning history was told him, and he gave ten pounds \nfor the Trinidad fund. Mr. Hewitson gave him a \n\n\n\n152 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\ncopy of the old book called " The Marrow of Modern \nDivinity/\'* and he was so pleased with it that he \none day put a five pound note in the missionary\'s \nhand, saying, " This book is worth that to me." Of \nthis kindness the suffering exiles should have the \nbenefit. He was taking \xc2\xa3200 for their relief \xe2\x80\x94 what \nwas this among so many ? \n\nMr. Hewitson did not expect to have an oppor- \ntunity of visiting Madeira. But he was gladly per- \nmitted to do so. The vessel landed him at a secluded \npoint of the city, and two gentlemen quietly led him \nto a house near by. Then he was put in a palan- \nquin, and carried through the streets to the residence \nof a sure friend, where his unexpected visit was re- \nceived with joy. Several converts came there to \nsee him. It was a happy hour. Then, veiled in \nthe palanquin, he made a few other calls, and was \ntaken back to the steamer, whose wheels were soon \nworking away to Trinidad. Remember Paul\'s short \nvisit at Miletus. \n\nFebruary 4th, 1847, he was at Trinidad. The \n^\' meetings and greetings, the embraces, the tears, the \nlaughings" cannot be told. The welcome was kind \nand cordial, from those whom he had well known in \nMadeira. \n\nThere were now about four hundred and fifty \nexiles in Trinidad, most of whom were numbered with \nthe converts to Christ. Eighty-five members of the \nchurch were there. Three of the seven elders, and \n\n* This has been published by the Board of Publication. \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 153 \n\nfour of the nine deacons had come from Madeira. \nAbout thirty persons soon applied for admission to \nthe church. \n\nHow were these exiles to be supported ? They \nwere in a strange land. They were not familiar \nwith the language of their benefactors. They found \nall classes of people from several diiferent nations. \nThe island had become a sort of \'\' stowing-away \nplace," for sufferers and slaves from Africa and \nIndia. Many of these foreigners were sunk in the \nlowest state of superstition and wickedness. The \nnative inhabitants had been so overrun by these \nheathen bands, that some of them left their estates \nand retired to the forests to make new homes. Yet \nthere were some Christians among the islanders, \nwho had warm hearts to relieve the exiles of Ma- \ndeira. Several of the planters were willing to hire \nthem to work on the sugar estates. But remember \nthat these exiles knew nothing of that kind of \nlabour. Some of them had been wealthy, and their \nhands were not skilful to toil for their daily bread. \nMany women and children must have a lighter em- \nployment. \n\n\'\'Something must be done," wrote Mr. Hewitson, \n"for the more safe employment of the exiles. I am \nrevolving a scheme which none but an Oberlin could \ncarry vigorously into effect, and I am not an Ober- \nlin. Every weak muscle in my body echoes \xe2\x80\x94 \' not \nan Oberlin.\' " A head to plan was not all the need. \nFunds were wanted. The work of teaching, preach- \n\n\n\n154 THE EXILES OE MADEIRA. \n\ning, and perfecting the church was enough for more \nthan any one man. He resided at the capital, \ncalled \'Port of Spain,\' and there found most of his \nchurch about him. He had his \' class\' newly started ; \na Sabbath-school was commenced ; a day-school was \nbegun ; and he had many inquirers to instruct, many \nmourners to comfort, many weak believers to en- \ncourage, and many poor to assist. He went regular- \nly to Arouca, fourteen miles distant, and held \nmeetings ; also to Santa Cruz, ten miles away, where \nhe found some Portuguese. Twelve of them were \nProtestants, and eight were Romanists. All the \nProtestants were together on one estate. After \ntheir day\'s labour, they met together for worship. \nSome of the Romanists gladly heard the word. \nAbout one hundred of the converts were thus \nscattered about on sugar estates and cocoa planta- \ntions. He went to them all, and often preached \nunder the shadows of the trees. To learn how one \nhalf-a-week was laboriously passed, read the follow- \ning letter to his parents, written March 31st : \n\n" On Wednesday, last week, I left this place in a \ngig, at a little after six, A. M. and travelling ten \nmiles, preached to forty Portuguese in the open air \nunder the shadow of a large tree. Afterwards I \nwent a distance of six or seven miles more, and \npreached in an upper room to about twenty Por- \ntuguese. Then returning four or five miles, I \npreached again in Mr. Brodie\'s church at Arouca, \nto a number of Portuguese, who assembled, after \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 155 \n\ntheir day\'s work, from a distance of two miles. On \nThursday morning I was here to breakfast, having \nleft Arouca pretty early. If the Lord will, I shall \nbe at Arouca again next Sabbath, administering the \ncommunion and preaching twice." This was coming \nvery near to proving himself an Oberlin. We \nwonder how such a weak body could endure such \nlabours, attended, as they were, by anxieties which \ncannot be written. \'\' Working in this hot climate \nsuits me ill," he writes ; " I scarcely know what it \nis to be free from fatigue." \n\nThe Romanists saw and felt these labours. With \na glad heart he could write : \n\n" \' In this island there are a considerable number \nof Portuguese from Madeira, who came here staunch \nRoman catholics ; and of these several have been \nled, by means of intercourse with their converted \ncountrymen, to embrace the Protestant faith. Three \nof these have expressed a desire to be admitted to \nthe Lord\'s table, and another of them travelled \neighteen miles last Saturday evening in order to \nattend public worship with us on the following day. \nOne of the most recent of the converts from Popery, \nand one whose heart seemed to have been truly \nopened by the Lord to receive the word of grace, is \nlabouring under a white swelling at the knee which \nmakes amputation necessary, as the only means of sav- \ning his life. Two or three Sabbaths ago, this man, \nyielding to an irresistible desire to hear the gospel \nin public, made the dangerous effort of travelling to \n\n\n\n156 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nchurch on crutches, and back again, a painful journey \nof nearly two miles. Surely such as he will rise up \nin the judgment against those who, possessing greater \nadvantages, yet *\' neglect the great salvation,\'\' and \n" forsake the assembling of themselves together\'\' in \nthe house of God." \n\nOne glance at the temporal condition of the \nexiles. On the sugar plantations many suffered. \nThe low marshy ground, so different from the vine- \nlands of their native home, together with the hot \nair, made their condition very sad. Many of them \nhad fevers of the deadly type. Others were obliged \nto retreat to the highlands and to the capital. The \nGovernor ordered the removal. This Governor \nwas Lord Harris, of England, w^ho exerted himself \nmost generously in behalf of the sufferers. Other \nlabourers on the plantations suffered from other \ndiseases, and especially from failure of eye-sight. \nAbout fifty of the refugees were supported by cul- \ntivating the sugar cane, when only sixteen of them \nwere able to do the work. Mr. Hewitson wrote : \n\n" The greater proportion of the exiled brethren \nhave found occupation in the capital of the island, \nPort of Spain, or its vicinity. Not a few of them \nare distributed in domestic service among the fam- \nilies resident there. Some are occupied in garden- \ning and similar rustic labour. A few have com- \nmenced shopkeeping on a small scale, being unable \nto gain a livelihood by any other means. While \nthose of them who are masons, carpenters, and \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 157 \n\nshoemakers, are endeavouring, in their respective \ndepartments of labour, to earn a livelihood. The \nfemale converts, who, in Madeira, were able to sup- \nport themselves by needlework, are still dependent \non the same means of support, but their earnings \nare comparatively small and precarious. While \nsome of the brethren are, by the goodness of God, \nin comfortable enough circumstances, not a few have \nsuch difficulties to struggle with as tend at once to \nkeep them hanging in daily dependence upon the \nLord." \n\nAnother glance at their spiritual condition. The \nelders and the deacons had been faithful, and had \nkept up meetings before Mr. Hewitson arrived. \nSome persons had grown sorrowful under the heavy \nburden, and had almost forgotten to cast it on the \nLord. They had remembered Egypt, and felt lonely \nin the wilderness. One of them said, ^\'In Madeira \nit was not so difficult as it is here to walk with God. \nI had some striking answers to prayer in Madeira, \nbut here God has not given such answers to my \nprayers." The reason was plain. Family-worship \nand secret devotion had been neglected. The ask- \ning had almost ceased, and the answers were with- \nheld. \n\nThe sword will be kept bright in the contest, but \nwill rust when the battle ceases. Take away the \niron hand of persecution, and the heart will very \nnaturally be thrown off its guard, and become \nworldly. We often feel the chill of a summer ev- \n14 \n\n\n\n158 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nening more than we do the intense cold of the win- \nter, for we protect ourselves against the keen De- \ncember storm. Thus some who had braced their \nsouls against the enmity of Madeira, felt the unsus- \npected chill of Trinidad, and grew cold in heart. \n\nBut not so with all. To the first communion \nnumbers came, hungering and thirsting for right- \neousness. They sat under his shadow with great \ndelight, and his fruit was sweet to their taste. \nCould they not lean on Jesus\' bosom, and wash his \nfeet with their tears ? " Who is this that cometh \nup from the wilderness leaning on the arm of her \nbeloved?\'\' She was the refugee church, with bleed- \ning feet, and garments rolled in the blood of her \nsons ! \n\nExiles from Madeira were still arriving. For \nmonths there had been a succession of flights, when \nthe faithful, like Abraham, \'^went out, not knowing \nwhither they went." They knew not how to be \nfed or clothed. Fleeing from one enemy, they \nknew not but they should rush into the face of an- \nother. It might be \'\'as if a man did flee from a \nlion, and a bear met him; or went into the house \nand leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit \nhim." \n\nYet many had strong and pleasant hopes. They \nfelt assured that in Trinidad and the United States \nthere would be \'\'freedom to worship God." They \nwere willing to leave all for this great right and \nprivilege. They sought a better country. " It was \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 159 \n\nsomething like the anticipation of heaven to the \nweary and suffering Christian." \n\n\' Persecution was sweeping Madeira well-nigh clean \nof its choicest and worthiest people. Among the \nthorns was here and there a lily left ; among the \ntares some good seed was growing secretly. Among \nthe lawless was here and there one to hold up the \nbanner of truth, and testify that " there is a judg- \nment." The wrath of man could not entirely crush \nout the word of God. The church of Christ was \nnot destroyed ; only removed to another clime. \n\nMrs. Alves was among those who were heartily \nwelcomed by her friends. Another, Philippa Rosa, \nwho, in a trying hour, had denied her Lord, was \nthere. Like Peter in her denial, she was like him \nin repentance, and returned to her Saviour with \nbitter weeping. A little boy, who saw his father \nkilled and thrown into the river, when trying to es- \ncape to the vessel, came with his mother to Trinidad \nand there saw his mother die. God found friends \nfor him. He afterwards came to America. \n\nEvery vine has its enemy ; every field of wheat \nhas its tares. Trinidad had its foes to a pure re- \nligion. At the very moment when Mr. Hewitson \nwas writing about Philippa Rosa\'s tears of peni- \ntence, one of his flock came to his house weeping, \nand saying that in the house where she was acting \nas a servant, she was most harshly treated for re- \nfusing to do evdl. The family were Romanists. \'^I \nleft Madeira," said she, \'Hhat I might be able to \n\n\n\n160 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfollow God, and for nothing else, and I wish now to \nleave that family/\' This is a specimen both of the \nspirit of enmity, and of Mr. Hewitson\'s calls and \nlabours. The shepherd must find a place for the \nlamb. He wrote : \n\n" Now, more than ever perhaps, the brethren who \nare \' strangers\' in Trinidad, need the prayers of the \nchurch. They are exposed to temptations more \ndangerous, because more subtile and insidiously se- \nductive, than those connected with a persecution \nstate. To be attracted by the world, under its \nmask of a graceless Protestantism, is worse than to \nbe repelled by the world under its undisguised form \nof hatred to the truth. Let the church then, \xe2\x80\x94 \neven all who love the Lord Jesus, and who have \nheretofore poured forth supplications in behalf of \nthe persecuted saints of Madeira, \xe2\x80\x94 continue in ear- \nnest prayer for them to the Lord, that they may be \n\' kept from falling, and presented faultless before \nthe presence of his glory with exceeding joy.\' " \n\nThe organization of the church was completed iii \nApril, 1847, about two months after the arrival of \nMr. Hewitson. He would leave for the cooler \nnorth in May. It was important to find a leader \nfor the flock. \n\nThe eyes of the faithful had been directed to Mr. \nDa Silva as the successor of Mr. Hewitson. He \nhad studied theology. His gifts and graces were \nof a high order. The Free Church of Scotland \nnamed him as their missionary. \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 161 \n\nDa Silva went with joy, and his dear former \npastor had the great pleasure of handing over to \nthis strong fellow-labourer the care of the exile \nchurch. He was ordained and installed over his \nfirst and only charge, at Port-of-Spain, in April, \n1847. His former pastor said of him, " He seems \nto have the Bible always in his heart, and his heart \nalways in heaven." \n\nWhen the people were asked whether they would \nreceive Mr. Da Silva as their pastor, they were re- \nquested to vote by raising the hand. But they \nwere too happy for this ; they all rose to their feet, \nand raised both hands as high as they could ! He \nwould not lack for the Aarons and Hurs ! \n\nThe good pastor often made one remark, which \nbecame a proverb among the ministers on the island. \n\'\'Patientia! Patientia!\'\' he would say pleasantly \nsmiling, when anything dark or diflScult came up. \nPatience ! Patience ! It reminds us of the tradi- \ntion concerning John, the beloved disciple, in his \nold age saying daily, \'\' Little children, love one an- \nother." \n\nSix hundred in his flock, and all exiles ! Pilgrims \nand sojourners indeed ! No other flock like it in \nthe world ! It was truly a charge. The labours \nwere great. But he was not in despair. The \nproperty of the exiles, and the wretched prospect \nof a better condition in Trinidad, were truly an \nanxiety in his mind. No land could be obtained \nfor them to settle upon, and there was little hope \n14* \n\n\n\n162 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nof living by their toils so long as they must become \nmere slaves in the hot fields, or in the friendless \nhouses of strangers. \n\nLike the Pilgrim Fathers in Leyden, they began \nto look toward some other land for a home. Their \ncry came to the Christians of the United States, \nand instead of echoing back a cold, heartless mur- \nmur, a voice of welcome rolled across the waters. \nOur banner of religious freedom was held up above \nthe waves. Our \'\'great West," with her grand \nprairies, was pictured before their eyes. Our Chris- \ntian people felt their hearts touched by that sad \nwail from Madeira, which will ring awfully in the per- \nsecutors\' ears at the judgment : " Ye did it not \nunto the least of these my brethren V \n\nThe American Protestant society sent the Rev. \nG. Gonsalves to Trinidad, while Mr. Da Silva was \npraying God that help might come. His mission \nwas to inquire into the condition of the exiles. \nThis " Good Samaritan" society was intent upon \nlooking after the temporal interests of the people, \nas well as the spiritual. The exiles had not only \nbeen beaten but cruelly robbed, or they could have \nhad their own means of finding happy homes. \n\nMr. Gonsalves had been born at Madeira. He \nhad been a Romanist. After his conversion he \ncame to this country, and for several years laboured \namong the five thousand or six thousand Portuguese \non the sea coast of New England. It was refresh- \ning to his own heart to visit those once fellow-coun- \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 163 \n\ntrymen, and feel the warm glow of their piety. \nWhat he saw may be shown in one of their pastor\'s \nletters to the Free Church of Scotland : \n\n" More than one hundred and twenty commun- \nicants take the Lord\'s supper on the last Sabbath of \neach month. The solemnity and reverence with \nwhich this act of worship is performed, touch the \nheart even of the unbelieving. Besides, the regu- \nlarity with which the people attend on days fixed \nfor ordinary worship, and the general blamelessness \nof their lives, exercise, in some degree, a beneficial \ninfluence on the character of those among whom \nwe dwell. God, who has begun this good work among \nthem, will carry it on ; but till this day, through \nmany, many afflictions have these children had to \npass. In the midst of them we constantly implore \nhis mercy ; and sure we are that he will hear us. \nThe sufferings in which this church is at present in- \nvolved arise from the decaying state of this island. \nWith difficulty do the people at all find labour so as \nto be able to support themselves and their families, \nand to pay the rent of their houses, which are al- \nways exceedingly high. In circumstances of ex- \ntreme necessity, those of them who sicken, die as \nmuch in consequence of want as from the severity \nof their disease. Their little children are almost \nnaked, and have only rags to sleep on. Such of \nthem as are of age to be sent to school, are, as a \nmatter of sheer necessity, put to service for food \nand clothing. And what is it that they learn? \n\n\n\n164 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nEverything that is opposite to the doctrine of the \ngospel; and consequently the children, who should \ngrow up to take the place of their believing parents \nin love to the Lord, are like seed-corn that is com- \npletely lost." \n\nMr. Gonsalves returned bringing a letter from \nMr. Da Silva, in which he says : \'^ I do not see \nhere the prospect of keeping this people in the midst \nof the present distress, as their labours are not paid \nas they should be ; for in this sickly climate, when \nthe husband and father is taken to the hospital, the \nwife and children are left destitute, and not being \nable to pay the house-rent, they are turned into the \nstreet, to beg from door to door. This state of \nthings led me to solicit of the governor of this island, \nLord Harris, a portion of land to be divided amongst \nthe Portuguese, that they might on the same build \ntheir cabins, provided they could receive some aid \nin advance, to be paid by them in the course of \ntime. But although the governor is friendly to us, \nyet in his official capacity he said he could not com- \nply with our request. I have also written on this \nsubject to the Rev. Mr. Hewitson, of Scotland, who \nanswered that we should find it difficult to obtain \nlands for families in these islands. And finally in \nthe midst of these eiforts, the bank of the West Indies \nfailed, and sugars came down in price, and business \nwas prostrated to the ruin of many households. \nGovernment works were stopped, and labourers can \nfind little or nothing to do. And worse than all, \n\n\n\nREV. MR. HEWITSON IN TRINIDAD. 165 \n\nour children whose morals should be preserved at \nevery expense, are mixed with a low, profane, \nwretched Roman catholic population. \n\n" I do not ask for money, but for lands. I ask \nwhat God has given to man, that he might earn his \nbread by the sweat of his brow. Our people are \nmechanics and farmers, virtuous and industrious; \nthey will soon thrive with the blessing of God and \nthe labour of their hands. They will soon rejoice in \nabundance, for they hate vice and love virtue." \n\nSome of the exiles wished to go with Mr. Gon- \nsalves, but their pastor persuaded them to wait \nuntil they could remove as a band of pilgrims. \nLittle did he then think how soon he would depart \nfor America to seek health, reach the shore, and die \nin the arms of those who were calling his people to \na land of liberty. \n\n\n\n166 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIII. \n\nTHE SHEPHERD DYING ON THE SHORE. \n\n\'^A-ltbough no relatives were present, yet many hearts mourned over \nhim, and many eyes were filled with tears as his body went down to \nits last resting-place/\' \n\nTo pass from luxury into poverty is often severe \nto health. Perhaps Mr. Da Silva was affected some- \nwhat by this. But the seprwation from his family ; \nthe anxiety, like Paul\'s, for his kindred ; the change \nof climate; the charge of a people poor and in need \nof much spiritual guidance ; the great labours of his \nministry \xe2\x80\x94 all these brought on disease in fearful \nform. Toward the north he was pointed, and in \nDecember, 1848, he came to New York. He was \nnot only on our coast, but on the shore of another \nworld. \n\nSad were the partings at Trinidad. But those \nwho had risen to their feet and held up both hands \nin receiving him as pastor, now felt that it was a \n"needs be." They crowded the wharf when he \nsailed. Many risked their lives by entering small \nboats and dashing through rough waves to the vessel \nlying at anchor, that they might see his face once more, \n\n\n\nTHE SHEPHERD DYING ON THE SHORE. 167 \n\nand hear some words from that man whose heart was \nin heaven. Their enthusiasm was not yet lost. \nAlas ! this was their last vision of his face on \nearth ! \n\nNor was health all that he sought. Dearer to \nhim than life was the exile church. He sought a \nhome for his people \xe2\x80\x94 a green pasture for the flock. \nSome of the Madeira brethren were here before him, \nand the meeting was one of great joy. Wanderers, \ntossed on the seas or struggling over mountain passes, \nalways delight to meet and talk, and draw pleasure \nfrom the past endurance. So with brethren, long \ntossed and wearied on earth ; what will it be in \nheaven ! \n\nA candle, after the blaze is gone, revives in one \nbrighter glow, and then dies. The life of this man \nof God had really lost its vigour. It revived for a \nfew days, and then sunk rapidly away. Truly \nGod\'s ways are not as our ways. It seemed as if \nhe could not be spared to conduct the toilsome en- \nterprise of giving the exile church a home. But he \nwas not so necessary as Moses or Joshua, or he \nwould have been spared. \n\nThere he lay gasping on a bed of death. Every \nthought of home, of his flock, of his plans, would \nseem to point every dart of pain. Once rich, now \nan object of charity ! Once dear to wife and child, \nbut now cast out as evil ! Once thinking of a splendid \nmonument, but now an exile grave ! Was he cast \ndown ? Oh these were nothing to his soul. For he \n\n\n\n168 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nknew all tkis well counted cost. Once he was blind, \nnow he sees ! Once he was lost, now he is found ! \nHere is comfort. He has little anxiety for him- \nself, for his name, or his body. His mind turns in \nimploring pity toward his family and flock, as he \ncommits them to the merciful Lord. The man of \nstrong vigorous mind speaks like a little child. \n\nA gentleman from Illinois was daily wdth him. \nDa Silva had asked about the land, to his imagina- \ntion so goodly. He said he wanted to go and see \nall the land that he might find a good home for his \npeople. This he often repeated : \'* You can do my \npeople good. I must go with you. They must \nhave a place and go to it, or they will all be \nscattered.\'\' \n\n^\' Oh ! I want to know more with you. You \nteach me to speak English ;\'* he would say when \nothers spoke of the things reserved for those who \nlove God. \n\n\'\'Better?\'\' asked this daily attendant one morn- \ning. \'\' No, it is not better." He turned away his \nhead and wept. Hezekiah perhaps did not feel \nmore intense longing to live, than he did at that \nmoment, for he " remembered Zion." Soon re- \ncovering his submission he said, " God is good, \nbut I fear I not go with you to see my people set- \ntled." \n\nThe all-absorbing topic, of an earthly kind, was \nthe good of his people. When hopes of life revived, \nhe praised God that there was some prospect of \n\n\n\nTHE SHEPHERD DYING ON THE SHORE. 169 \n\nhis living long enough to see them in a new home. \n*\' Are you yet alive?" his friend asked, after the \npatient had been some time unconscious. \n\n" Yes, but very sick, pain, swelled.\'* Then he \nwept in view of the goodness of God in bringing \nreason back again. \n\nOn the last day of 1848, when he was fast sink- \ning, Mr. Kingsbury said : " It is Sabbath, clear sky, \nand the sun bright; \xe2\x80\x94 is God good?" "Yes," he \nreplied. " Is Christ precious ?" "Yes." "I fear," \nsaid Mr. Kingsbury, "you will not live long." \n" No," he answered, " but yet I want to go with my \npeople." \n\nOn the 1st of January he was weak, restless, and \nin severe pain. Mr. Kingsbury remarked : " Christ \nalone can help and cure you." "Yes," said he, \n^\' but my people will be alone. God is good. Every \nthing seemed to go wrong since I came to America ; \n\xe2\x80\x94 hindered here, could not go west and get homes. \nNo, but God will take care of the Portuguese." \n\nTo Mr. Kingsbury he said : " You are my friend ; \nI love you very much." When told that we were \nall his friends, but God was better than them all, \nand he must love him ; he quickly replied : " Yes, \nyes, I love him, I love you." \n\nHe was sensitively grateful for every little kind- \nness. It was hard to be dependent on strangers. \nHe was told that Christ was thus showing that \n" every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, \nor sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, \n15 \n\n\n\n170 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nor lands, for my name\'s sake, shall receive an liiin- \ndi\'ed fold, and shall inherit life everlasting.\'\' He \nreplied, "\' Oh, yes, good friends, Christ is better \nthan all." \n\n\'\'Pain! sick! very sick!" he would say with \ngreat effort ; and when told that Jordan\'s flood was \ndark, deep, and rapid, but Christ had passed it \nsafely, he would say, \xe2\x80\xa2\xe2\x80\xa2\' Yes, yes ! Though dark on \nthis side, the other is cheerful. Yes ! yes !" \n\nIn his last audible prayer he said: \n\n"0 Lord God of Israel, thou hast been very \ngracious to us poor Portuguese, who were in great \ndarkness in the island of Madeira. Of thy infinite \nmercy thou hast given us the hope of eternal life \nthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. \n\n" Lord, look in mercy upon thy servant who \nis aflilicted. But especially look in mercy upon thy \nredeemed people in Trinidad. Lord, thou know- \nest that thy servant has done what he could for thy \npeople, and now is ready to give up even the last \ndrop of his blood for them, even as thou, blessed \nLord Jesus, didst give thine for us poor miserable \nsinners ! Lord, forgive my sins \xe2\x80\x94 give patience. \n\n" Lord, I pray thee for my dear wife and \ndaughter. Lord, may they forsake the world \nand give thee their hearts, and remember the advice \nI have given them. \n\n\'^I am weak, but thou art mightj^ Let not, \nLord, thy persecuted flock become scattered, but \n\n\n\nTHE SHEPHERD DYING ON THE SHORE. 171 \n\nestablish them in the faith of the gospel and unity \nof thy Holy Spirit. \n\n" Lord, bless all good Christians in America; \nreward them for their kindness to us. These favours \nI ask, in great weakness of body, through my blessed \nLord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen." \n\nJust before he died, he asked Mr. Gonsalves to \nwrite to his wife and daughter. \'\' What shall I \nwrite?\'* \'\'Tell them to remember what I have \nwritten in every letter." Yes, he had always been \nearnest for them. There was no return to the Ro- \nman catholic church. \n\nOne of the last questions proposed to him \xe2\x80\x94 " Is \nGod good to you?" \xe2\x80\x94 was answered: "Yes, he is \ngood to me; God is good to all !" \n\nThough he could not open his eyes toward the \nlast, yet the tear of love to Christ would roll down \nhis thin and sallow cheeks. At the last hour his \nPortuguese brother knelt down to pray, along with \nothers who could not be persuaded to leave the room \nwhere their dear pastor was dying. While the \nprayer was ascending, the happy redeemed spirit \nleft for the heavenly land. He fell softly asleep. \n\nHe died in faith, January lOtli, in the forty-ninth \nyear of his age. Scarcely landed from the waves \nof ocean, so rough at his embarking, the billows of \ndeath took him away, and they still murmur his \ndying words, \'\'Farewell in Christ Jesus." \n\nAt his funeral the llev. Mr. Gonsalves, mission- \nary of the society, addressed, in their own language, \n\n\n\n172 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthe Portuguese exiles, who were present to mourn \nover the death of their beloved pastor. At the \nclose of this, all the Portuguese present, (about \nfifty,) rose and sung a hymn in their own language. \n\nEvery eye in the congregation suddenly filled \nwith tears, as the notes of these homeless and per- \nsecuted disciples fell upon the ear. The singing \nwas so devotional and hearty, and there was such ai \nsublimity in their rising when sufiused with tears, \nand their hearts overflowing with grief, that no one \ncould resist the subduing influence of the scene. \n\nThe body of this first martyr from Madeira was \nthen buried in the vaults of the Lafayette-Place \nchurch, there to await the resurrection of the dead \nin the last day. Beloved, blessed man, thou art \nnow at rest ! \n\nIt was a bitter cold day, but many were the wit- \nnesses. The weeping Portuguese felt like Rachel, \nrefusing to be comforted. \n\nAfter the death of this devoted "man of God\'\' \na friendly letter was sent to Mrs. Da Silva, at Ma- \ndeira. It told her of her husband\'s sickness, and \nhis joyful death, and reminded her of his last mes- \nsage to his family. She replied in a very lady-like, \nbut cool, business letter. Though she thanked \nthose who were kind to her husband, she expressed \nnot a word of sympathy for his religion, which was \nhis comfort in death. \n\nTo another letter sent her some months after, she \nreplied in a very difi\'erent spirit. She referred to \n\n\n\nTHE SHEPHERD DYING ON THE SHORE. 173 \n\nher "good husband whom it had pleased the Lord \nto take to himself." Her gratitude to his friends \nwas far more deep and hearty. She said that her \nmind was in great darkness, and she could obtain \nno comfort from the church which she had refused \nto forsake. She was reading the Bible, but needed \nsome one to tell her what to do to be saved. And \nthis is all we know of her history. We hope the \nentrance of God*s word and Spirit gave her light to \nthe true cross. \n15* \n\n\n\n174 THE EXILES OE MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XIV. \n\nAN OUTLOOK OVER THE SEA. \n\nthou Eternal Ruler I \n\nWho holdest in thine arm \nThe tempests of the ocean, \n\nProtect them from all harm. \n\nWhen a vessel is burning at sea, it often occurs \nthat the relief-ships carry the passengers in all di- \nrections, and it is a long time before the mother \nknows where her son was borne, or an anxious \npeople learn who were saved. It was thus with the \nscattering of the Christians of Madeira. It was \nlong before the little bands could report their places \nof refuge. Some had landed in Demarara, others \nat St. Vincent, and others at St. Kitts. How many \nfled from Madeira cannot be certainly told. Some \nlittle bands may have perished, with no man left to \ntell the awful story. Some were heard of in British \nGuiana. Of others no news ever came. Of them \nit could have been said, in the beautiful words of the \nBible, " They shall lift up their voice, they shall \nsing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry \naloud from the sea. Wherefore glorify ye the Lord \n\n\n\nAN OUTLOOK OVER THE SEA. 175 \n\nin the fires, even the name of the Lord God of \nIsrael in the isles of the sea." \n\nThe Editor of the Defensor, a newspaper in Ma- \ndeira, was threatened with murder for publishing \nthe following facts, in 1846. In the parish of St. \nAntonio, some persons met quietly on the Lord\'s \nday evening, in their own house, to read and hear \nthe Bible. A band of armed men entered the \nhouse violently, wounded the owner of it, and ar- \nrested the unresisting company of friends. Re- \nmember Saul of Tarsus. " He made havoc of the \nchurch, entering into every house, and haling men \nand women, committed them to prison." \n\nThey were charged with resisting the officers of \njustice ! It was not asked what they had done for \nwhich the police could arrest them, nor proved that \nthey had showed any resistance. The police had \nno right to go without the legal, written order, and \nthey could show none. We think that our homes \nare our strongholds, and that not even a King or \nGovernor has any right to enter by force, unless \nproof is shown that we are guilty of some daring \nWTong. Not so in Madeira. "Where law ends, \ntyranny begins." \n\nAny one could see that the police and their band \nwere guilty of an assault. But the jury, sitting in face \nof these arrested Bible-readers, would not see that \nfact. So they found these innocents guilty of resist- \nance I Resistance for turning the other cheek after one \nwas smitten ! Madeira is a beautiful island, but we \n\n\n\n176 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthank God that we were not born there. No one \ncould have a \'\'vine and fig tree" of his own, and \nbe safe under it, if he had a Bible in his hand \n\n\'\'Alas for liberty !" wrote this editor. "Tyr- \nanny is like fire.\'\' It gains strength by running. \nThe law that protects to-day, may be made to crush \nthe protected to-morrow. \n\nThese prisoners were condemned to lie in jail ten \nmonths. When the ten months were fully ended, \nthey were there still, with no prospect of release. \nWhy ? Because the public prosecutor imagined \nthat the sentence was not sufficiently severe ! Where \nwas the judge whose son-in-law was a Christian ? \n\nThe widowed mother of two of the suiferers was \nreleased without trial. But while her children Avere \npatiently waiting for the slow law to release them, \nher dwelling was set on fire, the store-house burned, \nand she was obliged to escape for her life. In the \nWest Indies she fell a victim to the fever, remem- \nbering how her husband had been buried in the \npublic road for his faith. \n\nWho then would report the state of the people in \n1848, if an editor were thus threatened with murder \nin 1846 ? There were " the Lord\'s hidden ones" \non the island ; but how many in 1848, no one could \ntell. They were left to " glorify God in the fires." \n\n" Poor Madeira !" wrote Dr. Kalley. " There are \nvery few believers in it now, unless they are con- \ncealed ; and who knows how many the Lord has \n* who have not bowed the knee to Baal?\' " \n\n\n\nAN OUTLOOK OVER THE SEA. 177 \n\nThe English residents, for some time, were in \ndanger. Dr, Kalley advised a friend not to go there, \nand also said : " The enemies are now very brave. \nThe priest says from the pulpit, that, unless Dr. \nMiller does as he would have him, he will be treated \nas Dr. Kalley was. Dr. Dexter was obliged to \nleave the hospital. M. R. was much persecuted. \nShe was taken to the church to confess ; but did not \nconfess any thing." \n\nYet there was some good news. Some of " the \nbravest of the enemies" became " among the firmest \nof the converts." The Lord knew where they were. \nOne such man could say, " Sometimes I lift up my \nheart to the Lord in prayer, and at other times I \nbreak forth into singing praise to God; and always, \nby this means, I get rid of the evil thoughts that \ntrouble me, and have my heart filled with joy." \nThus did the Psalmist sing in the night watches. \n\nMr. Hewitson, returning from Trinidad, visited \nSt. Kitts, preached fourteen times, and administered \nthe Lord\'s supper twice. He found about fifty \nmembers there, and they afterwards became an hun- \ndred. He left an elder there as their teacher and \nguardian. \n\nMartin Da Songa wrote a letter telling how many \nexiles on the island of St. Kitts wished to go to the \nUnited States. There were ninety-nine, who said \nthey wished first of all \'\'to follow the word of God \nand grow better," and then follow the exile church \nto a new land. These persons were not "outlaws" \n\n\n\n178 tTHE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nof Madeira as their enemies said, but were " men \nof good report." Da Songa wrote : \n\n\'\' In the number I here send, there are none that \nget drunk either on rum or wine, neither any that \nmay be called slothful. All this people are accus- \ntomed to come to the prayer-meeting for a long \ntime, and there are some new ones who now attend ; \nbut I have admitted none in the number except \nthose I knew as believers before the reception of \nyour letter," \n\nAt Essequibo, in British Guiana, were nineteen \nof the exiles. They heard that their brethren were \non the eve of going to the United States, and one of \nthem wrote to their old friends Da Silva and Miss \nRutherford to learn the facts. The letter is worth \nreading : \n\n\'\' But, perhaps, before I proceed, I had better \ninform you who and what I am. I am then a planter \nand attorney, and manager of this estate \xe2\x80\x94 but the \nLord has also used me in his vineyard, and, through \nme, has collected together a church exceeding one \nhundred in number. We do not identify ourselves \nwith any denomination, but the only test required \nfor fellowship is an interest in \' the blood of the \nLamb.\' With us are united sixteen Portuguese, \nbesides our dear blind brother Antonio, and his sis- \nters Mary and Jokina ; they at present are in \nGeorgetown, Demarara. Of those sixteen, only \nfive were received into the church at Madeira. Of \nthese were Francis Da Silva and his wife Maria. \n\n\n\nAN OUTLOOK OVER THE SEA. 179 \n\nSeveral of the others were impressed with the truth \nthere, while others knew nothing of it till they heard \nit from the Lord\'s people here. I know nothing of \nPortuguese, but we have very profitable meetings \ntogether notwithstanding. I mean, now, the meet- \nings particularly for the Portuguese. They sing \nand pray in their own tongue, in which I sometimes \nhave owned fellowship, though it is but few words \nI understand. They then fix on a chapter, or part \nof a chapter, which one dear brother reads ; this dear \nbrother has wonderfully got on with English ; I believe \nit is only about two years he has been here. His \nwife has been in this colony many years ; she there- \nfore also knew some English ; and then there is an- \nother dear interesting young disciple, who was taught \nto read in Dr. Kalley\'s school, in Madeira. Her \nparents, with herself, and I think two other children, \nemigrated to this country some five or six years \nago. She was living a poor lonely orphan, on an \nestate about a mile from this, having lost her parents \nand brothers or sisters. When she heard of the \nChristian Portuguese here, (our blind brother and \nhis sisters were here at the time,) she came to see \nthem ; the Lord soon touched her heart, and she is \nnow, I trust, growing in grace and in the knowledge \nof our Lord and Saviour. She is learning to read \nin English, and can read the Testament pretty well \nin this language. \n\n" But, to return to our meeting, when the chapter \nis read, I refer them to every text that I can, that \n\n\n\n180 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nI think will throw light on the portion read. I \nthen talk what I feel led to say ; this brother as- \nsisted by those two sisters interpreting it to the others. \nAnd I am happy to say there is an inquiring mind, \nwhile the many questions asked show me plainly \nthey understand what is said. In our public meet- \nings, particularly at the Lord\'s table, I sometimes \ntry and speak to them a few words through this \nbrother." \n\nMen who have come out of the fires, been trained \nin dungeons, and tried on the mountains or in caves \nand dens of the earth, will generally be found \n" steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the \nwork of the Lord/\' \n\nFriends in England and America were active in \nproviding a way for these exiles to come, and a \nhome for them when they should arrive. They \nshould not leave their various refuges and start \n"not knowing whither." They were willing to go \nanywhere, if they could have a safe home and a \nsecure church. \n\nMost of these exiles had learned " to labour and \nto wait." Da Silva\'s " patience" was not forgotten, \nnor were Hewitson\'s lessons of industry. They \nwere now mostly farmers and mechanics. They \nwished to be in a colony by themselves in a new \nland. \n\nAt first a large agricultural company engaged to \ngive them a home in Illinois. They were to have \nhouses, good wages, and the comforts of life. To \n\n\n\nAN OUTLOOK OVER THE SEA. 181 \n\nevery family of the colony ten acres of land were to \nbe given. Bonds were given to make secure the \ncontract. The place was about half way between \nSpringfield and Jacksonville, Illinois. The Ameri- \ncan Protestant society were to pay for their immi- \ngration to the place. \n\nAppeals were made to the Christians of England \nand the United States to help transport the exiles, \nwho were in need of clothing and daily bread. The \nresponse was generous. The Christian people felt \ntheir hearts touched as they were asked to take an \n\noutlook over the sea. \n16 \n\n\n\n182 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XV. \n\nA FAREWELL TO THE ISLES. \n\n" They come, they come ; \xe2\x80\x94 thine exiled bands, \n\nWhere\'er they rest or roam, \nHave heard thy voice in distant lands, \nAnd hasten to their home." \n\nSome of the exiles were already in New York. \nGreat preparations were making for the welcome of \nothers. Just then the first plan for their settlement \nfailed. New schemes must be devised. Stout \nhearted men set about it in right good earnest. In \ntheir will they found a way. A home was again \nsecured in Illinois. Christian friends in Jackson- \nville offered to take those already in New York and \nprovide for them. Springfield and Waverly were \nproposed as points where others following should \nbe settled. \n\nHere was the "finger of God." Had the exiles \nleft New York when first proposed, they would have \nmet with that terrible disease \xe2\x80\x94 the cholera \xe2\x80\x94 then \nstealing victims from the lines of travel, and beset- \nting men at almost every point of rest. And fur- \nther, had they gone then to the place first selected, \n\n\n\nA FAREWELL TO THE ISLE. 183 \n\nthey would have met with a severe disappointment, \nand found no resting place for their feet. The \ncompany which had engaged to give them houses \nand lands had failed. The delay thus caused proved \na blessing. Though in the city when the cholera \nraged, no death was known to occur among them. \n\nOne vessel after another arrived, bringing exiles, \nuntil about five hundred were in the city. The \nAmerican Protestant Society had to find their daily \nbread, and clothe the needy. Some were sick. All \nwere in a strange land. \n\nDr. Kalley had not ceased to remember these \npeople, many of whom were his " sons in the \nfaith." He wrote them from Malta in 1849. As \none band of exiles after another came, his letter \nmet them in their own language. In it he says : \n\n\'^ What are all the riches of this world without \nthe love of God ? Love is found in heaven. There \nthe blessed rejoice in love. They have no money \nin heaven. There they do not need money. But \nthey could not be happy without love. Love there- \nfore is celestial ; it is worth more than all the treas- \nures of the world. Love will remain when the fire \nof God shall melt all earthly goods. Jesus said, \n\'Love one another as I have loved you/ " \n\nHe then warns them of false teachers. The les- \nson is good for us all. " The way in which these \nenemies succeed in destroying souls, is by raising \ndoubts in the minds of the disciples as regards the \nblessed truths of the Bible. In the same manner \n\n\n\n184 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthe Devil tempted our mother Eve; and he en- \ndeavoured to tempt Jesus in the same way. In this \nway the Devil and his servants have destroyed mil- \nlions of souls. They begin by saying tliat the \nword of God is a book full of mysteries, and very \nobscure, very hard for any knowledge of true re- \nligion by searching. Then they recommend the \nwritings of the fathers, saying that they contain the \ntruth which the church has believed in all ages. \nThey say that we must examine the writings of the \ndead priests to know the true meaning or right in- \nterpretation of the Bible. \n\n" Suppose a number of men should go to work \nand make a common tallow candle, and, after light- \ning it, should place it in their midst, and then should \nsend out their preachers to inform the people that \nwithout the light of their candle no one could see \nin the day time, even if the sun should shine ever \nso clear. What should we think of such men ? \nWhy we should take it for granted that they had \nrun away, by some means, from the lunatic asylum. \nAre not the words of God clear and plain ? Can \nthey not give assurance to the immortal soul ? Sup- \npose we should see a number of men digging at the \nbottom of one of the huge mountains of Madeira, \nand heard them say that the mountains were about \nto tumble down, and that it was necessary for them \nto work very hard in order to prevent so great a \ncalamity. Therefore one would bring a handful \nof clay, another a broken reed, another a rotten \n\n\n\nA FAREWELL TO THIl ISLE. 185 \n\nrail to hold up the mountain. What should we \nthink of such men?" \n\nGladness is often the twin of sadness. It was on \nthe 19th of October, 1849. Nearly three hundred \nexiles left New York on that day for their western \nhomes. Many eyes were on the pilgrim band. Among \nthem were three orphan sisters, who had been \nwealthy in their native vine-clad isle. One of them \ncould have remained in the city and taught music, \nhad she understood the language. As she was \nplaying beautifully one evening, she was asked \nwhere she left her piano. She said that she left it \nin her own house, with all she had in the world, \nand fled for her life. On the deck of the steamer \nstood the wanderers. It was a sublime scene. An \neye witness says : \n\n"As we began to grasp the hands of those pil- \ngrims, with whose trials and suff*erings we were so \nfamiliar, a scene of unspeakable tenderness was \npresented. Never had we seen their tears flow so \nprofusely. We felt their warm grasp, but soon we \ncould not utter that last word \xe2\x80\x94 farewell. The three \norphan sisters wept aloud, not because they have \nnot a relative on earth, but because they left those \nwho were deeply interested in tbeir welfare." \n\nOne old lady came the second time to bid fare- \nwell, and as she grasped the hand of a benefactor, \nshe closed her eyes and lifted her silent prayer \nto God that all human kindnesses might be re- \nwarded. One hundred others followed soon after \n16* \n\n\n\n186 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nthem. Rev. Mr. Hale, of Springfield, Illinois, \nwrote of those who arrived there as follows : \n\n" We are much occupied these days in minister- \ning to our brethren, the Portuguese exiles. They \narrived here just in time to enter on the severe win- \nter weather, which now they, in common with all of \nus, have to endure. They are not much accustomed \nto severe cold weather ; and as our city was very \nfull of people when they arrived, it was well nigh \nimpossible to provide them habitations ; to provide \ncomfortable dwellings was out of the question, as \neverything worthy of the name was already crowded \nfull. But we have done what, under the circum- \nstances, we could, and they are hoping for better times. \nSo far as I know, they are contented and happy. \nMany of them find employment, at good wages and \nready pay. They are highly valued as labourers, \nand will soon be able to take care of themselves \nwithout the aid of others. Indeed, the last thing \nto be looked for is that such men should long be a \ncharge to their fellow men. If they maintain their \nreligious principles and their habits of industry, \nthere is but one destiny for them here, and that is \n\'plenty \xe2\x80\x94 independence.\' " \n\nAmong those who remained we may find charac- \nters of interest. One was a venerable woman, sev- \nenty-nine years of age. Only five years before had \nshe heard there was a Bible in the world. She \nmade it her delight. She could say, " Thy testi- \nmonies are wonderful." For her devotion to that \n\n\n\nA FAREWELL TO THE ISLE. 187 \n\nbook, which our Lord gave us to read, she was pub- \nlicly beaten by those who professed to be the "only \ntrue church." She left her native vineyard with \ntwo less ribs than in our land we allow every Chris- \ntian to have. But such wounds only reminded her \nof her Lord\'s pierced hands, thorn-crowned brows, \nand bleeding side. She was happy. \n\nThe first convert under the labours of Dr. Kalley \nwas on our shores, with her husband and aged \nmother. She had aided Dr. Kalley in defending \nhis house in the days of fearful riot. She drove \nthe nails and fastened the bars over the windows. \nShe knew something of curses, blows, and jails. \n\nThis family had taken a wrong vessel at St. Vin- \ncent, and were landed in the cold of winter on \nNova Scotia. The northern blasts were too severe \nfor the poor exiles of a southern isle. The chill \nhad wrought disease in the old lady. She was in \nconsumption\'s fatal grasp. When in New York, \nshe suddenly one day spoke cheerfully, " I am go- \ning to my Father, I am going to my Father." \n\n" Shall we pray with you?" asked her friends. \n\n"Yes !" and then exclaimed, "My Lord is coming, \nmy Lord is coming." In the moment of the prayer \nshe said, " See the angels ! don\'t you see the \nangels?" \n\nIn a moment her spirit was wafted gently away. \nThat view of the angels ! Was it illusive ? May \nwriter and reader not deny it, but wait till our ex- \nperience shall decide. Hebrews xii. 14. \n\n\n\n188 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nA lady, named Antonia Da Conea, had once \ngone to Dr. Kalley for medical aid. She expected \nsoon to die by a fearful disease. God blessed the \nremedies of the kind physician, and she recovered. \nShe had learned how to read when a child, but had \nforgotten it. \'She learned again, and obtained a \nboon which would never let her forget how to read \nagain. It was the Bible. She became one of the \nmost intelligent and devoted Christians in the church. \nShe taught her daughters the good news, and they \nbecame teachers in the schools. Many of her friends \nand neighbours were persuaded by her to love the \nLord Jesus. Her enemies saw how great her influ- \nence was, and they said that she had an enchanted \ncup, from which if any drank they became ^\' Cal- \nvinists." \n\nHer husband came with her to attend the class \nwhich Mr. Hewitson taught before leaving Madei- \nra. He was thus well qualified to become an elder \nin the church. He owned a good home, with a \nbeautiful vineyard about it. A band of ruflSans \ncame to assault their house; it was Saturday night. \nNext day they were to have a quiet meeting for \nBible-reading and prayer. Catching up a few \narticles, they fled to the mountains. God\'s people \nhave often known what mountains are worth. It \nhas been so from the days of Lot. They walked all \nnight, and on Sabbath morning were upon a summit \nto greet the rising sun. Glad were they to see a \nspring, as Hagar was to see a well when her boy \n\n\n\nA FAREWELL TO THE ISLES, 189 \n\nwas gasping In his thirst. Here they bathed their \nbleeding feet. Was Jesus ever wounded in climbing \nthe mountain sides for the nightly prayer ? Then \nthey sat down on the grass, read the word of God, \nand praised Him who is the God of the mountains as \nwell as of the valleys. Softly did they sing, lest even \nthere might lurk an \'enemy. It was eighteen days \nbefore they could reach a British vessel. They \nwent to Trinidad ; there the elder lost a limb and was \nmore lame than halting Jacob. At New York he \nwas brought near to that shore whence Da Silva \ntook his joyful departure for a better world than \nthis. But the Lord brought him farther on toward \nsecuring a home for his survivors. \n\nIf any Howard had sought to know the condition \nof the prisons and dungeons of Madeira, he could \nhave been well informed by those who knew too well. \nEven the Bomba would no longer have remained a \nmystery. Many had been there and could testify. \nMrs. Alves was one of the welcomed. All her \nsurviving children were with her. If she had any \nfears concerning those left behind, it was, lest the \nenemy might rifle the very graves. \n\nThe reader vfill remember the young woman who, \non the fearful night of Dr. Kalley\'s siege, locked \nthe gate and took away the key. She was among \nthe escaped. She was an orphan, without a living \nrelative on the earth. Her heroic deeds are worth \nreciting. \n\nFor several years she was an inmate of the family \n\n\n\n190 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nof Dr. Kalley. She became a teacher, and in the \nstormy year of 1846 her class of young ladies \nnumbered thirty. She was staying with the Misses \nRutherford when the mob committed the outrage \nupon their house. She heard the mob cutting down \nthe door and breaking the windows. In a small \nroom up stairs she sought refuge. The rioters \nrushed into the house. The soldiers came into her \nroom and ordered her to confess and return to the \nRoman catholic church. She replied that she was \ndaily in the habit of confession, but she confessed to \nGod and not to man. To their threats she made \nthe same reply. \'\' Were you not afraid at that \nhour ?\'* a friend afterwards asked. ^\' I believed that \nmy Father would take care of me." The mob left \nthe room, locked the door, leaving her in it, and \ntook the key. They then seized some of the Bible- \nreaders and committed the awful deeds of " outrage \nand intended murder." \n\nAgain was this young lady called to the trial of \nher courage and faith. She was brought before the \ngovernor of the island. In a large parlour she \nmust face the crowd of official dignitaries. A book \nwas brought to her on which was the sign of the \ncross. She was requested to put her hand upon it, \nand take oath that she would never leave the Romish \nchurch. She refused with all the \'\' boldness of \nPeter and John." \'\'But you will surely put your \nhand on the book !" said the governor. " No ! \nnever ! The Saviour says \xe2\x80\x94 Swear not at all ; neither \n\n\n\nA FAREWELL TO THE ISLES. 191 \n\nby heaven nor by earth, neither by Jerusalem, nor \nby thy head ; it cannot be right therefore to swear \nby the sign of the cross." \n\n" Do you think, young woman,\'\' replied the gov- \nernor, "to teach us the Bible? I know much more \nabout it than you do." A statement very doubtful ! \nShe was permitted to leave the room with no further \ntrouble at the time. \n\nTwo other family histories are reserved for the \nnext chapter, and we close this by appending a paper \nsigned by fifty-eight persons. It refutes any charge \nthat these exiles were "wretched outlaws," not fit \nto live in Madeira. It had been stated in a public \npaper that some of the refugees, after having their \nway paid to New York, sought a Romish priest, \nmade confession, and returned to the church that \nhad robbed and driven them away. This may \ndo only for those who have nothing to say but \nslander. \n\n" We, the undersigned, are all natives of Madeira : \nwe were all born and educated in the Roman catholic \nchurch : we have always been in the habit of attend- \ning mass, confession, and the various ceremonies, \nfeasts, and fasts of that church. We knew of no \nother way of worship, because we had never seen \nnor read the word of God. We did not know there \nwas such a book as the Bible, in which was found \nthe history of Jesus Christ and of the apostles, until \nDr. Kalley began to circulate it in Madeira. In \nreading the Bibles we received from him, we learned, \n\n\n\n192 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nfor the first time, that we must be saved by the blood \nof Jesus, and not by penance, and mass, and purga- \ntory. We found that the Virgin and saints are not \nmediators, for there is only one Mediator between \nGod and man, that is, Christ Jesus. When we \nbegan to rejoice in Jesus as our only Mediator, and \nto read the Bible with joy, then we w^ere forbidden, \nby the priests and the government, to read it. The \npriests began to take our Bibles, and to burn them. \nMany of the Bible-readers were thrown into prison. \nSome of us have been in prison about two years, \nand others three years. We have been driven \nfrom our houses and our country \xe2\x80\x94 have wandered \nin the mountains, and slept in caves \xe2\x80\x94 because we \nread the word of God, and desired to live accord- \ning to its precepts, and for no other reason. We \nwere compelled, by the priest and the government \nin Madeira, to flee away, and leave all our goods, \nand houses, and lands ; and on this account we are \nnow destitute in a strange country. To the truth \nof all these things we are prepared to testify before \nall the world." {Signed.) \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 193 \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVI. \n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. \n\nOn a warm day in August, 1841, three young \nmen were on the way to attend the feast of the \n\'^ celebrated Virgin of the Mountain." The fame \nof Dr. Kalley had reached their ears. Out of mere \ncuriosity they called to see him. They were polite, \nand saluted the doctor with all respect. One of \nthem, N. Vieira, told him that he wished to buy a \nTestament for his friend Henry. \n\n\'\' Who will teach Henry to read the good book?\'* \nasked Dr. Kalley. \n\n"I will," N. Vieira replied. \n\n\'\'Can you read?" \n\n\'\'Yes, sir, I have read the catechism for six years \npast in a school." \n\n"Do you believe there is a God?" \n\n"Yes, sir. I do believe in God." \n\n" Give me some sure proof of his existence." \n\n"He made the ocean and the fire." \n\n"Do you believe you are a sinner?" \n\n"Yes, sir. We are all sinners." \n\n"How do you expect to be saved?" \n17 \n\n\n\n194 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n^^By my good works." \n\n\'\' Good works I What good works have you done \nto satisfy the demands of God\'s law against your \nsins?\'\' \n\n" If I clothe and feed the poor, these good works \nwill take me to heaven, after passing through the \npurifying fires of purgatory." \n\n\'\'My friend, Christ came into the world to save \nyou. He has given his life for you : now believe in \nChrist, read his words of advice, which are found in \nthe Bible. Read in the sacred book the kind invi- \ntations of his gospel." \n\n" Sacred Bible ! I do not know such a book. I \nnever saw one." \n\n"Here is one. I will make you a present of this \nholy book, if you promise to read it every day to \nyour family, after the labours of the day. When \nyou find any passage you cannot comprehend, write \ndown all the points, and when you come to the city \nbring them to me. I shall always be happy to see \n\nyou." \n\nThese young men took the good book and went \nhome. N. Vieira gathered his mother, and two \nbrothers and two sisters in a family circle, and com- \nmenced reading God\'s word. He began with the \ncreation of the world, and continued to read about \nthe wonderful works of God, until their interest was \nso great that they could not keep it to themselves : \nso they spoke to their neighbours and friends, from \nhouse to house, of this new and wonderful bpo]^, \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 195 \n\nA few months passed. The new Bible-reader \ncame again to Dr. Kalley, and told him these good \ntidings. The " man of God" was exceedingly glad \nto hear him speak of how he had found the Saviour \nto be his Redeemer, and how his mother and sisters \nwere weeping over their sins. He invited N. Vieira \nto come and live with him, visit his schools in various \nparts of the island, and speak to teachers and \nscholars of the love of Christ. The invitation was \nlaid before the family, and though they needed him \non the farm, yet they felt that he could do more \ngood in the way proposed. He gladly entered upon \nthe new work. \n\nHe was first requested to read the Bible in the \nhospital to the sick every morning. This he did, \nand was blessed in the service. In the hot season \nDr. Kalley hired a house in the mountain district \nof St. Antonio Da Serra, near where the Vieiras \nlived. In their own house he established a school, \nand Henry was appointed the teacher. Many \nneighbours came to hear the word of God. \n\nOne Sabbath in 1843, the Rev. Mr. Weed of the \nScotch church was just about to administer the \nLord\'s Supper. N. Vieira and a friend requested \npermission to receive the holy Communion. Dr. \nKalley tried to dissuade them at first, lest it might \nbe a rash act on their part. But they felt con- \nstrained by the love of Christ, and had no fear of \nthe rage of man. They were ready to die if need \nbe. Their greatest anxiety was that this " father \n\n\n\n196 THE FXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nin Christ" might not suffer on their account. They \nwere examined, admitted, and seated at the Lord\'s \ntable. \n\nFour days after this N. Vieira was arrested, \nbrought before the Magistrates, and charged with \nhaving forsaken the religion of his fathers and of \nthe government. Now was a time to try him, \nwhether he would obey God rather than men. He \nreplied to the charge that he had never received re- \nligion from his earthly parents : that he now en- \njoyed the love of God in his heart: that this re- \nligion came from the Bible which God gave to his \npeople to read: and that he was but a follower of \nChrist the Lord. As to purgatory, it was not in \nthe Bible. " The mere forms of religion," said he, \n\'\' have never quenched any thirst, but now I have \nfound a pure fountain in God\'s word which satisfies \nmy soul." \n\n"Do you believe in the crucifix, that we should \nworship the image on the cross?" asked the judge. \n\n" Nay. God is a Spirit, and they that worship \nhim must worship him in spirit and in truth." \n\n\'\' Very well ; go in peace." \n\nWere they to go in peace ? A secretary of the \ngovernment was there, who wrote down all the an- \nswers. They should hear from them again. Such \nyoung men of promise must be checked in their \nlabours of love. \n\nOn the next Sabbath their names were read aloud \nby the parish priests in all the churches, and their \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 197 \n\nexcommunication pronounced. People were forbid- \nden to allow them to enter their houses, trade with \nthem, or even give a cup of cold water to them. "^ \n\nTerror could not be struck into the minds of \nother Bible-readers in this way. They saw that \nsomebody was wrong. The ignorant part of the \npeople were afraid of the Jesuits, for they imagined \nthat the Jesuits had all power at command. But \nthose who could read the Bible, read all the more, \nin order to learn who was in the right. These per- \nsons thought well of the converts, and applauded \ntheir firmness. Nowhere is firmness of any account \nunless it be on the side of right. Thus more and \nmore Bibles were in demand. The searching for \nthe \'4iid treasure" was earnest and intense. These \nenemies did not understand human nature, or they \nwould not have made these humble young men such \nobjects of curiosity and inquiry. Take a book from \na man by force, and you make everybody else want \nto see what that book is. Thus many were led to \nask for the Bible; and who could give it to them? \n\nThe priests and the officers of government were \nnot satisfied with this. They imagined that by \npunishing these two young men very severely, others \nwould be afraid to forsake the Romish church. So \nthey one day met to lay their plans. They were so \nangry that they talked louder than they intended. \nRemember the enemies of Paul, who banded to- \ngether and took an oath not to eat or drink until they \n\n* See Appendix, for the pompous sentence. \n17* \n\n\n\n198 THE EXILES OF MjVDEIRA. \n\nhad killed him. They talked too loud about their \nmad design. Paul\'s sister\'s son overheard the \nplans, and went into the castle where his uncle was, \nand told him that certain men had sworn that if he \never came near them they would kill him. \n\nThere was a young woman, a convert, named \nUrsula, who overheard some conversation about ar- \nresting and imprisoning these two young Christians. \nShe hastened to Dr. Kalley\'s house and told him \nthat his young brethren, then in his house, were \nthreatened with death. Ursula had scarcely finished \nher almost breathless story when the loud rap of \nthe police was heard at the doctor\'s gates. The \nhunters had surrounded the innocent prey and \nthought their hands would soon be laid upon them. \nNot a moment was to be lost. Escape from the \nhouse was impossible. The doctor knew there was \na niche in the wall behind his library case. So the \ncase was pulled away from the wall, and the two \nfriends were hid in the narrow space. The case \nwas then pushed back and no eye but that of God \ncould see them. The hunters rushed in, searched \nthe house, even went into the rooms of the sick, but \ncould not find the men they wanted. The doctor \ndid not say they were not there, but helped them \nransack the house. The police went away, hoping \nfor better success some other time, and the friends \ncame out of their hiding place with a song of de- \nliverance in their hearts. \n\nFor six months these young men were hidden in \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 199 \n\nthe houses of their friends. There came a decree \nfrom the court of Lisbon that no one should be mo- \nlested or persecuted for religious opinions. The court \nsaid that men might worship God according to the \ndictates of conscience. The spider makes a beauti- \nful web to catch his prey ; so the Romanists made \na beautiful law, but it was only a trap to catch the \ninnocent. And many were caught. No convert to \nChristianity could have his own religious opinions. \n\nN. Vieira returned home to gladden his mother\'s \nheart, and to exchange places with Henry. The \nBible-class was entrusted to Henry. The flourish- \ning school in Da Serra had N. Vieira at its head. \nBut there was no library case to hide him nor any \nlaw from Lisbon which would protect him. The \nhaters had their cruel way. \n\nThe priests and the police soon saw that this family \npaid no regard to the confessional, (they went to the \nProtestant confessional \xe2\x80\x94 the Mercy-seat), and did \nnot obey the priests of their parish, nor care for the \nPope, nor bow to the Virgin Mary, nor have any \nidols in their house. It was resolved to put an end \nto this matter. Two officers with eighteen men \ncame by night to arrest the teacher. He was roused \nfrom his sleep at midnight, and fled to the friendly \nshelter of the mountains. Two hundred soldiers \nwere sent by the government to arrest him. For \nmore than a month they hunted him, but could not \nfind him. He was one of "- God\'s hidden ones." \nAll this time he found no roof under which he could \n\n\n\n200 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nsleep. The caves were his refuge, the earth his bed. \nDavid in his exile was not more homeless. Yet \nDavid could sing and make Psalms even there. He \ncould look up and see the hart bounding on Bether\'s \nhills and say, " As the hart panteth after the w^ater \nbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, God.\'\' So \nwith our heroic young sufferer. Though without a \nchange of raiment and almost starved, he could re- \njoice in the Lord Jesus. \n\nWhile thus wandering on the mountains he one \nday came in sight of the large mansion where his \nmother lived. It was about five miles from the ca- \npital. There he had played in his boyhood, and \nin the vineyard he had toiled through many a weary \nday. It was the old home. He probably intended \nin some way to gain admittance there, and relieve \nthe mother who perhaps was weeping for her son. \nBut what fearful view broke on his vision ? He saw \nthe soldiers coming down like a wolf on the fold. \nNever did a dove look down with keener pain of \nheart on her nest just when the eagle\'s claws were \ngoing to rifle it, than he did from the mountain top. \n\nThe soldiers arrested his mother, his sister and \nher husband, and also a woman living in the house- \nhold. One of his brothers, in delicate health, was \ncompelled to eat disgusting food, with the threat of \na severe beating. When they had secured their \nvictims, they took the furniture and tore the clothes \nand bedding to pieces. Where was the husband of \nthis aged woman at this hour ? Though a Romanist, \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 201 \n\none can hardly imagine how he could permit a scene \nlike this in his own house, and with his own family. \nThey led their captives away, goading the aged \nmother with a stick pointed with sharp iron. A \nbayonet would have been more refined. She was \ntoo feeble to march as rapidly as they wished. \nThey insulted her by saying something like this : \n^\' Go along, you old Protestant fool." \n\nHer son could see much of these cruelties, as he \nstood gazing. His soul almost sunk within him. \nWhat to do he knew not. What would be the fate \nof his family he dared not imagine. To rush to his \nmother would not comfort her, for she could not feel \nany happier herself by having her son as a fellow- \nsuflFerer. His courage and faith were almost failing. \nThen he thought of his Bible. Into his troubled \nmind came the words, " Who shall separate us \nfrom the love of Christ V His mind rose with \nPaul\'s in saying, "I am persuaded that neither \ndeath, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor \npowers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor \nheight, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be \nable to separate me from the love of God, which is \nin Christ Jesus our Lord." He was comforted. \nFamine might come, peril might hang about his path, \npersecution might take his life ; he was ready to die \nin the love of Christ. \n\nElijah found bread by the brook-side. This \nwanderer found it in the mountains. No Christian \nbrought it, for no Christian knew his hiding-place. \n\n\n\n202 THE EXILES OF MADEIHA. \n\nOnly one human being knew. This was a Roman \ncatholic girl. She was the only Romanist known, \nby us, to have been kind to the converts. It was \na fearful offence to \'\'give them fire, water, bread, \nor any comfort ; or even to " touch*\' them ! Who- \never did this was to be publicly cursed by all the \npriests. \n\nThis young girl was tender-hearted and pitied \nthe suffering Christians. She did not dare tell any \none that she knew where one poor Bible-reader was \nhid. Bat she took a little meal from the barrel, \nand when her mother was absent, she make a cake \nand baked it in the ashes, so that there might be \nnothing to betray her. No doubt she made it as \nlarge as she dared, and as good as she could. She \nsought a favourable moment, and ran into the moun- \ntains to give it to him. On this he lived four days. \nIt gave him strength to wander, and watch for a \nvessel to take him away. One day he reached the \ndeck of a British vessel and was safe. He first \nwent to Demarara. \n\nWhere was Ursula, who had given warning to the \ntwo friends at Dr. Kalley\'s house? She was too \nkind toward the persecuted to be safe. The spies \nsaw what she did. Her kindness betrayed her. \nShe was called a \'\'convert," and so she became. \nShe chose affliction with the people of God, and \nleaving a once happy home she fled for her life. She \nreached St. Vincent, and there in a quiet grave her \nbody was laid to sleep till the resurrection. \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 203 \n\nThe family who had been taken from the man- \nsion, when N. Vieira looked down upon the outrage, \nwith about twenty others, were put on board a Por- \ntuguese frigate, the largest one in the Portuguese \nnavy. They were told that they were all to be \ntaken to Lisbon, and there tried for heresy. But \nthey were deceived. In a few days they were shut \nup in the dungeon at Funchal, where they were \nclosely kept for nearly two years. \n\nNor would the government give them bread or \nwater. They must die if no hand of charity would \nprovide relief. Foreign residents sent them their \ndaily food. Their enemies did nothing to prevent \nstarvation ; and had they starved, their persecutors \nwould not have been more guilty. \n\nThe time of their release came at last. The bars \nof their prison were drawn back very slowly, and \nthey were told that if they would for ever leave their \nnative island, they might go wherever the ships \nwould carry them. They left all for the gospel\'s \nsake. \n\nOne day in these stormy times, a ship touched at \nDemarara. N. Vieira went to the wharf to see \nwho might be on board from his home. Often had \nhe wished to learn the fate of his mother, brothers, \nsisters, and friends. To his utter surprise, they \nwere on the ship. The joy of such a re -union \nseemed almost to repay them for the sorrows they \nhad all endured. Earth has few such meetings. \nHeaven will have many even more joyful. \n\n\n\n204 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nThey all remained in Demarara some months, \n"where they suifered from the fevers of the place. \nThey then sailed for Trinidad. Some of them came \nafterward to this country. \n\nThe aged mother remained in Trinidad. She \nhad once lived in a large mansion, about five miles \nfrom the chief city. Her house had been filled \nwith luxuries, and many servants came and went at \nher bidding. But her exile-home was far different. \nShe lived in a small room, ten or twelve feet square, \nglad to have the plainest diet for her daily bread. \nShe had left her husband, a Romanist. Nothing \nhad he done for her while in prison, nor for any of \nhis children. He probably is yet living upon the \nestate. This Christian woman said that her little \nhome among strangers was the happiest she ever had \nknown, and the days of her exile were brighter \nthan all those past in the mansion. Christ was her \nriches and her comforter. \n\nThe other family sketch is brief. \n\nIn the family of Vasconcellas, there were four \nbrothers, who were farmers. One of them, Joseph, \nwas about thirty years old when the persecutions \nIbegan. He saw how others were cruelly treated, \nand asked the reason. He learned that they were \nBible-readers. He found out for the first time that \nthere was a book called the word of God. He ob- \ntained one, read it with intense delight, and went \nto hear Dr. Kalley preach. Then he attended the \nmeetings for prayer and inquiry. For some time \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 205 \n\nhe dreaded the Jesuits and the priests. Many \nothers at this time trembled under their threats, \nand their attempts to excite the people to violence. \n\nBut as he read the words of Jesus he was made \nbold, for he said, " Fear not them that kill the \nbody.\'\' With these words stamped in memory, he \nbecame very decided. He ceased to attend the \nRomish church. With mass, confession, and saint- \nworship, he had nothing more to do He began the \nduties of a true Christian life. He became " strong \nin the gospel." Without disguise he met with the \nProtestants, and cared little if the police did see him. \n\nThey lived some distance away from the capital. \nOne morning before the sun rose, an armed police \nwas attacking the house. They chose the dark- \nness ; so did Judas. With horrid yells they were \nasked to open the doors, which they did. The four \nbrothers and their aged father were bound with \nthongs, shamefully treated, and hurried away to a \njail, which, of course, would not be far off in such \na country. \n\nThe mother and sisters fled, while the father was \nparleying with the soldiers at the house. The old \nman was afterwards released, and sent back home, \nbeing told that he was too infirm to be shut up in \nprison, and as four of his sons were captured, the \npolice would be satisfied. \n\nThe church and jail of the neighbourhood were \nnear together \xe2\x80\x94 very wisely. Into the jail twenty \npersons were cast. There they remained three days \n18 " \n\n\n\n206 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\n"with nothing to eat or drink. They were then put \non board a Portuguese ship, and told that they \nshould be taken to Lisbon for their trial. Here, \nwe suppose, they met the Vieira family, and were \ndeceived like them, and lodged in the prison at \nFunchal. \n\nDuring their imprisonment there was less favour \nshown to some prisoners than to others \xe2\x80\x94 if indeed \na milder cruelty can ever be a favour ! One of \nthese brothers, Joseph Da Vasconcellas, had all along \nbeen the object of special malice. He had been \nmore active in teaching the gospel, and had the \ngreater influence. Hence he was treated with \nseverer barbarity. \n\nThe mass was introduced into the prison, and the \ninmates were required to express their adoration ; a \nthing unknown there for generations. A little \nimage upon a cross was to be brought in. Joseph \nwas compelled to go with the priests to bring it. \nThey came to the church, took it from the altar, \nand carelessly threw it into the basket which Joseph \ncarried. There it was, \'^ upside down,\'* and he was \nblamed severely for having it thus carried. He \nonce would have shuddered at such a thought, and \neven now would not have done such a deed. If the \npriests had possessed any of their pretended rever- \nence, they would have never thus turned over the im- \nage, much less play the false part they did. If they \ndid not reverence the image, why ask him to do it ? \n\nWhen the mass was celebrated, the prisoners all \n\n\n\nTWO HOUSEHOLD BANDS. 207 \n\nrefused to witness the ceremony. They were forced \nto be present. Some of the more feeble were so \ncruelly forced, as to bow against their will \xe2\x80\x94 a bow \nobtained by breaking them down. Joseph stood \nstrong and firm. He was then struck terrible blows, \nbut persisted in refusing the idolatry. No name of \nvile reproach was too bad for them to employ against \nhim. And this at their own mass ! ! \n\nFor refusing to confess to a priest, who showed \nthat he was anything but a \'\'vicar of Christ," he \nwas manacled till his hands were blood-shot, and \nthen cast into the horrid Bomba, where the wonder \nis he did not die in agony. \n\nWhen two years had passed in prison, the Vas- \nconcellas were released. They returned home only \nto be driven poor and unpitied to Trinidad. There \nthe aged parents were buried, and one of the sons \nbeside them. The surviving three came to this \ncountry. They all said that through their various \ntrials the Lord had never forsaken them. Joseph, \nif living, bears still in his body the signs of the \nabuse cruelly inflicted upon him for refusing to wor- \nship the wafer, and bow to the image, with which \nChrist is mocked and put to shame. \n\n\n\n208 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA, \n\n\n\nCHAPTER XVII. \n\nA PASTOR FOR THE FLOCK. \n\nMr. Hewitson was not one who would put his \nlight under a bushel. It was put on a candlestick \non ship-board as he returned from the West Indies \nin 1847. "I never had a voyage like this," said \nthe captain. So all the company felt. ^\'Not a \nJonah had been on board, fleeing from the presence \nof the Lord, but a Caleb, walking in the light of \nGod\'s countenance." Daily his voice was heard \nin prayer and preaching in the ship. One sailor \nfelt the new kindling of love in his soul. \'\' I am \nnot in want of a closet to pray in," said this sun- \nbrown tar ; " I can just cover my face with my hat \nhere at the helm, and I am as much alone with God \nas in a closet." \n\nHewitson went home, to be \'\'a bright and shining \nlight" in Scotland. He was settled in Dirleton, \nwhere he died in August, 1850. He " turned many \nto righteousness." While failing day by day he \ncould remark pleasantly : \'^ The Lord has his own \nway of dealing with his servants. He is pleased to \nmake one like a bowl of living water, which shall \n\n\n\nA PASTOR FOR THE FLOCK. 209 \n\nbe handed round to refresh many souls. And he \ntakes the same bowl, empties it, turns it upside \ndown, and puts it on the shelf, saying, \' I have no \nmore need of thee !\' " \n\nAs he laid him down to preach no more, he was \ncomforted with the "tenderness of Christ." \'\'I \nhave seen further down of late, into the depths of \nhis amazing love than ever I saw before." Not \nwithout a tear did he dictate of his field of labour ; \n\n\'^ No more I reap that harvest field ; \nIts sheaves to others may it yield : \nMy call to hasten home is sealed ; \nGod\'s will be done." \n\nThere were many links to connect him still with \nthe Portuguese exiles. In his labours and his sick- \nness he often spoke of them. And they remem- \nbered him. Here is a link worthy of note. Open- \ning a letter from New York he read thus : \n\n" The Portuguese here are a very devoted band \nof pilgrims. They love one another. They search \nthe Bible with great diligence. They enjoy a \nblessed prayer-meeting morning and evening. . . . \nSeldom is a prayer ofi*ered at the throne of grace, \nfrom any one of the flock, that I do not hear your \nname, that of Dr. Kalley, and the Free Church of \nScotland. . . . Can you, my dear brother, come to \nIllinois next fall, and take charge of this interest- \ning, precious flock ? I know they all love you as \nthey love their own souls.\'\' \n\nThese people would have stood on their feet and \n18* \n\n\n\n210 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\nheld up both hands, if that could have made this \nlink of love a bond between pastor and flock. But \nhe was not to come to our land. He was to hold \nforth the word of life a little while and then die, \nleaving those death-bed words to ring through the \nworld, " I am better acqainted with Jesus than with \nany friend I have on earth." \n\nThat star which had risen over the moors of \nScotland, and hovered a while over the isles of the \nsea, ever moving on to where Christ was, seemed to \ngo down in the cold north : but no ! God took it \nand set it in the firmament of his glory. It had \nturned many to righteousness, and was placed on \nhigh to shine, a star for ever and ever. \n\nHewitson was a minister in a far higher sense \nthan even his childish ambition involved. He was \nalso a king \xe2\x80\x94 a king in glory ! for there such humble \nsouls are "made kings and priests unto God.\'\' \n\nThe Lord of the vineyard raised up a pastor for \nthe exiles in their new western home. We would \nbe happy to present a brief account of his life ; \nhow he became a Bible-reader in Madeira ; how he \nleft friends and his father\'s house for the sake of \nChrist ; how he fled from his native island, and how \nhe became a minister of the gospel. But he does \nnot wish any account of himself to be given, for he \nwishes Christ to have all the glory, and all our at- \ntention. We shall therefore only mention some \nfacts which have already been published. \n. Mr. Antonio De Mattos was one of the converts \n\n\n\nA PASTOR FOR THE FLOCK. 211 \n\nat Madeira. He fled to Scotland in 1846, where \nhe became qualified for preaching the gospel. He \nwas ordained to come to this country and take the \nplace of Mr. Da Silva, as the pastor of the scat- \ntered flock. \n\nHe paid a short visit to his father\'s family in \nMadeira. He saw forty of the converts in the \nchief city. He met them one by one, conversed \nand prayed with them, for it was not thought pru- \ndent to hold public meetings. It was a most joyful \nand refreshing visit to these young disciples. He \nremained under the paternal roof until a notice was \nposted on the door, that he must leave the island or \nsuffer death. \n\nHe then visited Trinidad on his way to this coun- \ntry. There he found more than four hundred ex- \niles, many of whom had come from other shores to \nenjoy the protection off\'ered them by the British gov- \nernment. Mr. De Mattos has been for several \nyears the pastor of the Portuguese Presbyterian \nchurches in Springfield and Jacksonville, Illinois. \nIn a beautiful letter now before us, he speaks of \ntheir prosperity, their trials and temptations. There \nare about one thousand Portuguese exiles in the two \nplaces where he preaches. \n\nThe severe laws in Madeira will not allow any \none to go as Mr. Hewitson went, and labour among \nthe people. Yet there have been for several years \nmany Bible-readers there. Sometimes as many as \n\n\n\n212 THE EXILES OF MADEIRA. \n\none hundred have been reported. They would \nmeet together in little companies, as quietly as pos- \nsible, for prayer in the night ; and often under the \nvines their low tones of prayer would find an utter- \nance which no enemy could hear, but which did not \nfail to reach the ever-listening ear of Him who never \nslumbers. \n\nThose Bibles and Testaments which the exiles \nburied in the earth, or plastered in the walls of \ntheir houses, were not hidden in vain. Many were \nafterwards found, and many no doubt will yet be \nbrought to light. The good seed thus buried, will \none day bring a good harvest for the Master. \n\nOur little volume now closes. As the reader \nshuts it up, we hope that Holy Book which did \nsuch wonders in Madeira, will be opened, and dili- \ngently read. An open Bible, a well-read Bible, a \nBible believed and obeyed, is the only book that \ncan teach us the way of salvation. Persecutors \nwill probably never dare to take it from us. But \nwe may keep it from ourselves. We may cheat \nourselves of its great truths. We may neglect the \nword of God, and be ignorant of the love of Jesus \nChrist. \n\nWe often hear thanks rendered to God that " we \nmay sit under our own vine and fig-tree, with none \nto molest or make us afraid." Truly this is a \ngreat privilege. Let us read the Bible under the \nsummer shade, or by the winter fire, and pray to \n\n\n\nA PASTOR FOR THE FLOCK. \n\n\n\n213 \n\n\n\nthe Lord with earnest hearts, " Open thou mine \neyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy \nlaw." \n\nHoly Bible ! Book Divine ! \nPrecious treasure, thoa art mine I \n\n\n\n\nAPPENDIX \n\n\n\nDr. Kalley refers particularly to the sentence \nof excommunication pronounced against two of the \nconverts. To gratify the interest, or curiosity of \nthe reader, we here spread out before him, this \npompous and unjust sentence as it was originally \nuttered : \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n** Sebastiao Cazemiro Medinna Vasconcellos, Leader \nof the Choir in the Cathedral, Synodic Examina- \ntor, Vicar-General of the Bishopric of Funchal, in \nthe island of Madeira, for the Most Excellent and \nReverend Don Januaro Vicente Comacho of her \nMajesty\'s Council, Dean of the Cathedral of Fun- \nchal, Commander of the Order of Christ, Bishop \nElect of Castle Branco, Temporal Governor and \nVicar-General of the Bishop of Funchal, Porto \nSanto and Arguinot \xe2\x80\x94 \n\n\'\' To all the reverend vicars and curates, assistants \nand chaplains, as well as to all judges and justices \nof peace, to the delegates of the attorney-general, to \nthe administrators of councils, and all officers of \njustice, and to all ecclesiastical and secular persons \n(214) \n\n\n\nAPPENDIX. 215 \n\nof every degree and condition in all the bishopric \nand out of it, whom this my letter may reach, who \nmay hear it, or get notice of it any way, health \nand peace for ever in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is \nthe true remedy and salvation of all. I make known \nto you, that, having proceeded to an examination of \nwitnesses, as competent to my office, it was proved \nby them, and confirmed by my sentence, that Fran- \ncisco Pires Soares, married, and Nicolao Tolentino \nVieira, bachelor, both of this bishopric, residing in \nthe parish of Santa Luzia, near the parish church, \napostatized from the union and bosom of the Holy \nMother Roman Catholic Church, and became sec- \ntaries of the Presbyterian communion, incurring \nby this, ecclesiastical censure and canonical punish- \nment of the greater excommunication. The censures \nrequiring to be aggravated, I ordered this present \nletter to be written, by which I require and command, \nunder pain of the greater excommunication, all ec- \nclesiastics, ministers and officers of justice, and \nothers above mentioned, as soon as they shall have \nnotice of it, not to touch or hold communication\' with \nthose who are excommunicated by the curse of \nAlmighty God, and of the blessed St. Peter and St. \nPaul, with these of Gomorrah andof Sodom, Dathan \nand Abiram, whom the earth swallowed alive for \ntheir great sins and disobedience. Let none give \nthem fire, water, bread, or any other thing that may \nbe necessary to them for their support. Let none \npay them their debts. Let none support them in \n\n\n\n216 APPENDIX. \n\nany case which they may bring judicially. Let all \nput them aside as rotten and excommunicated mem- \nbers, separated from the bosom and union of the \nHoly Mother Catholic Church, and as rebels and \ncontumacious ; for if any do the contrary, which \nGod forbid, I lay, and consider as laid, upon their \npersons, the penalty of the greater excommunication. \nTherefore were their names and surnames expressly \ndeclared ; and that all may know this, I order the \nreverend parish priest to publish this at the meeting \non the first Sabbath or holy day, and to aflix it on \nthe door of the church, from which let no man take \nor tear it under pain of excommunication, until, by \nmaking satisfaction for all, they merit the benefit \nof absolution. \n\nGiven in Funchal, under the seal of the vicar- \ngeneral and my signature, on the 27th of April, \n1843. Jacinto Monteiro Cabrse, Writer to the Ec- \nclesiastical Council, wrote this. \n\nSebastiao Cazemiro Medinna e Vas. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nDeacidified using the Bookkeeper process. \nNeutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide \nTreatment Date: Sept. 2005 \n\nPreservationTechnologies \n\nA WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION \n\n1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive \nCranberry Township, PA 16066 \n\n(724) 779-21 1 T \n\n\n\nLIBRARY OF CONGRESS \n\n\n\n\n014 728 892 A \n\n\n\n'