tihxaxy of t:he trheolo^ical ^^minavy 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 
 PURCHASED BY THE 
 
 TTATl/TTTT TV/TTGCTn M A P V TTTTND 
 
 BV 2848 .J2 D9 1849 
 Duncan, Peter, 1798-1862. 
 A narrative of the Wesleyan 
 mission to Jamaica 
 
JUN 4 1975 
 
 NARRATIVE \%oe/CAL bf«^ 
 
 WESLEYAN MISSION 
 
 TO 
 
 JAMAICA; 
 
 OCCASIONAL REMARKS ON THE STATE OF 
 SOCIETY IN THAT COLONY. 
 
 REV. PETER DUNCAN, 
 
 WESLEYAN MINISTER. 
 
 And behold the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed." 
 
 Exodus iii. 2. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PARTRIDGE AND OAIvEY, PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
 SOLD BY J. MASON, CITY ROAD AND PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 1849. 
 
Clapliam; Printed by G. P. Measbn, 
 
THOMAS FARMER, ESQUIRE, 
 
 OF GUNNERSBURY HOUSE, MIDDLESEX, 
 
 W^i^ Walumt 
 
 IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, 
 
 AS AN 
 
 EXPRESSION OF HIGH RESPECT FOR HIS PERSONAL CHARACTER, 
 
 AND ESPECIALLY EOR 
 
 HIS GENEROUS AND UNWEARIED EXERTIONS 
 IN 
 
 PROMOTING THE OBJECTS OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS 
 THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 
 
C O N T E N T S. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory remarks — The Rev. Dr. Coke A-isits Jamaica and preaches 
 in Kingston — Disgraceful interruption of one of the Services — Rev. 
 Mr. Ilammett, the first Missionary sent out— The first Wesleyan 
 Society is formed — A short accoimt of its Members — The first 
 Chapel obtained and opened in Kingston — Opposition to Mr. Ilam- 
 mett' s Ministry — The Chapel presented at the (iuarter Sessions as 
 a "nuisance" — Mrs. Wilkinson — Preaching in the town of Port 
 Royal — Attempts to destroy the Kingston Chapel .... 1 — 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Arrival of the Rev. Mr. Brazier — Dr. Coke again visits Jamaica along 
 M'ith Mr. Wcrrill, another Missionary — Failure of Mr. Hammett's 
 health, who leaves the Island with Dr. Coke — Mr. Bra/ier's health 
 also fails, and he goes to America— Death of Mr. Werrill — Tempo- 
 rary return of Mr. Brazier— Arrival of the Rev. W. Fish — Of Mr. 
 McVean — Mr. Fish removes to Montego Bay, and laboui's with suc- 
 cess — Death of John H. Constant— Preaching in the parishes of 
 St. George and St. Thomas in the East — Mr. Fish returns to Kings- 
 ton — A contribution to assist Great Britain in defrapng the ex- 
 penses of the War — Ai-rival of Missionaries — They extend their la- 
 bours, but with little success — Chapel-house violently broken into 
 at Midnight — Mission Premises seized by the Militia during ^Nlar- 
 tial Law — Number of Members 22 — 42 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Commencement of the Work in Morant Bay — Hon. Simon Taylor— 
 Inquiry into the Laws of Jamaica respecting Religious Toleration — 
 Intolerant Law of 1802 — Imprisonment of Mr. John Williams in Mo- 
 rant Bay — Imprisonment of Rev. Mr. Campbell— Case of Mr. Camp- 
 bell brought before the Kingston Assizes— Mr. Fish applies for " Li- 
 cense" at the Kingston Quarter Sessions — Mr. Campbell afterwards 
 applies— They visit Morant Bay for a similar purpose, but their ap- 
 plication is rejected — A warrant for Mr. Campbell's Arrest issued by 
 the Magistrates — He is compelled to leave the Island — Law of 1802 
 disallowed by the King 66 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Arrival of the Rev. ;Mcssrs. Bradnack and Gilgrass— Departure of 
 Mr. Fish— Building of a Chapel in Morant Bay— Preaching in tlu' 
 Parish of St. Mary — Morant Bay Chapel opened — State of the 
 Kingston Society — Copy of an Ordinance enacted by the Common 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 Council of that City — Consolidated Slave law of 1807 — Imprisonment 
 of Mr. Gilgrass — The Chapels are shut up — Arrival of Rev. Messrs. 
 Wiggins and Johnston — Proceedings of the Kingston Corporation — 
 His Majesty disallows the new Slave Law — Mr. Johnston preaches 
 in Morant Bay, but soon afterwards leaves the Island — Act of 1810 
 — Imprisonment of Mr, Wiggins — State of the Society — Arrival and 
 death of Mr. Davies — Anival of Rev. Messrs. Shipman and Burgar 
 — Morant Bay Chapel re-opened — Mr. Shipman obtains " License" 
 in Kingston 67 — 105 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 State of the work in Kingston and Morant Bay on the re -opening of 
 the Chapels — A Society formed in the Parish of St. David's — Death 
 of Mr. Bm-gar — Premises purchased in Spanish Towoi — Grateful 
 Hill Circuit — Memorials to the Governor and Assembly — First Dis- 
 trict Meeting — Grateful Hill Chapel opened — Stephen Drew^ Esq. — 
 Arrival of Missionaries — District Meeting of 1818 — Premises pur- 
 chased for a second Chapel in Kingston — A Society formed in Man- 
 chioneal — Preaching in Bath — Unsuccessful application at the 
 Quarter Sessions of Port Antonio — Mr. Shipman preaches in Fal- 
 mouth — A Society formed in Montego Bay — Death of Mr. William 
 Carver — District of 1819 — Death of Rev. O. Adams — District of 
 1820 — Death of Rev. Mr. Hartley — A Petition to the Magistrates and 
 Vestry of St. Thomas in the East 102—130 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 District Meeting of 1821 — Opening of the Bath Chapel — Success at 
 Manchioneal — Sickness and death of Rev. J. E. Underhill — Death 
 and character of the Rev. George Johnston — District of 1822 — 
 Opening of a new Chapel in Manchioneal — Prosperity of the King- 
 ston Societies — Preaclung at Stoney Hill and Port Royal — State of 
 the Work in St. Anus and Montego Bay — District of 1823— Open- 
 ing of a Chapel at Bellemont — Purchase of premises on Yallahs Bay 
 — Opening of AVesley- Chapel in Kingston — District of 1824 — Arri- 
 val of Missionaries — Death of Mr. Allen — Prosperity of the Work 
 on the Stoney Hill Circuit pp. 131 — 155 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Opposition in 1824 — District Meeting of 1825 — Simday Schools — 
 Preaching in Falmouth — Missionary Societies foiined — District of 
 1826 — Formation of the Auxiliary Missionary Society for the Ja- 
 maica District — Death and Character of Miss llacster — Week-night 
 services in Kingston — Arrival and departui'C of Missionaries — A So- 
 ciety formed in Port Antonio — Intolerant clauses in the Slave-law 
 of 1826 156—180 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Opposition in St. Ann's — Disgraceful outrage at St. Ann's Bay — Death 
 of S. Drew Esq. — Outrage in St. Ann's brought before Parliament 
 by Dr. Lushington — An official "Despatch" — Termination of pro- 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 ceedings relating to " the affaii-" at St. Ann's Bay — District of 1827 
 — Visit to the Maroons — State of the Mission in Spanish Town and 
 Falmouth — lievival of lleligion in St. Ann's — Trial and imprison- 
 ment of the Hev. Mr. (jrimsdall — Last illness and death of the 
 Kev. "W. llatelifFe — Death of Mr. Parkin — Mr. Grimsdall again ap- 
 prehended and Mr. Robert Watkis — Messrs. Grimsdall and Watkis, 
 together Avith Miss Catherine Jarvis, are tried at the Court of Quarter 
 Sessions — Commencement of a thii-d Chapel in Kingston — Death and 
 character of Mr. Grimsdall 181—207 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Slave-law of 1826 is disallowed — The " Sectarian Committee" ap- 
 pointed by the House of Assembly — District of 1828 — Opposition in 
 St. Ann — A bill of Indictment foimd agamst Mr. Whitehouse at 
 the Quarter-sessions of that parish — Missionary Meeting in King- 
 ston — Imprisonment of Rev. Messrs. Whitehouse and Orton — They 
 are released by order of the Chief Justice — Magistrates deprived of 
 their Commission by Sir. John Keane — iUhdavits tiled in the Crown 
 Office, agamst the Rev. Messrs. Barry, Duncan and Orton, charging 
 them with " Wilful and corrupt Perjury" — Trial of Mr. Orton — 
 Indictment against Mr. A\Tiitehouse, removed to the Supreme Court 
 and quashed — Death of the Rev. Messrs. Morgan and Harrison — 
 New Chapels opened in Spanish Town and Kingston . . 208 — 236 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Session of the Legislatm-e in 1828 — Report of the " Sectarian Com- 
 mittee" — Slave-law of 1826 passes the Assembly and Council, but is 
 rejected by Su-. John Keane — District-meeting of 1829 — An action 
 for Libel at the Kingston Assizes against the Rev. Mr. Barry — He is 
 accquitcd — The disallowed Slave-law again passes the Lcgislatui'e 
 and is sanctioned by the Earl of Belmore — A Missionary stationed 
 in Port Royal — A new Chapel opened in the Town of Montego Bay 
 — Correspondence between Mr. W^hitehouse and the Governor's 
 Secretary — Slave-law disallowed by his Majesty William the fom-th 
 —Death of the Rev. Messrs. Vowles, Penman, and Saxton— Death 
 of Mr. Robertson, the Steward of the Morant Bay Cu-cuit — District- 
 meeting of 1831 — Prosperity of the Mission — Number of Members, as 
 reported in January, 1832 237 — 268 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Insurrection of the Slaves in December, 1831 — Extracts from Colonial 
 Publications — Arrest of the Rev. William Box — State of the So- 
 ciety in Montego Bay — Rev. Messrs. Kerr and Wood visit Ocho 
 Rios and are arrested — Ai-rest of Miss Jarvis — Colonial Church 
 Union — Extraordinary fidelity of the Wesleyan Negroes during the 
 InsuiTCCtion — Demolition of Chapels in Falmouth, St. Ann's and 
 Oracabessa — State of Kingston — Intended attack on tlie new Clia])cl 
 prevented — Proclamation of tlie Mayor — Sufferings of the Wesleyan 
 Negroes on the north-side of the Island — Robert Laniont — Jolui 
 Baillie — Execution of John Davidson — Sentence of deatli passed on 
 James Malcolm — Sufferings of Ilemy Williams — Brutal assault on 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 Rev. Henry Bleby in Falmoutli — Meeting of the Legislature — Re- 
 port of the " Rebellion Committee" — Resolutions of the AVesleyans 
 against it — Rev. Messrs. Wood and Greenwood Adsit fSt. Ann's — 
 Letter of the Gustos of that Parish — The Earl of Belmore leaves the 
 Island — Chapel Destroyers prosecuted at the Supreme Court — The 
 Grand Jury return the Bill " Ignoramus" — Rioters at Falmouth pro- 
 secuted but the Grand Jury also ignore the Bill — Trial of the Editor 
 of the Watchman for Libel — Rev. Mr. Greenwood preaches in 
 Port Maria, and is twice imprisoned — Writ of Habeas Corpus for 
 his release refused — Arrest of the Rev. James Rowden and his sub- 
 sequent Imprisonment at Morant Bay — Montego Bay Chapel shut 
 up by order of the Quarter Sessions 269 — 334 
 
 CHAPTER, XIL 
 
 The Earl of Mulgrave appointed Governor of Jamaica — Friendly reply 
 of his Excellency to the Address of the Missionaries — Meeting of 
 the Legislature — His Excellency's dignified answer to the Address 
 of the Assembly — Determined energy of the Governor — Royal 
 Proclamation for dissolving the Colonial Church Union — Magis- 
 trates in St. Ami's dismissed from their office — John BaHlie and 
 James Malcolm are liberated by order of the Governor — Rev. Mr. 
 Barr arrested at Manchioneal — Incident at Morant Bay — Imprison- 
 ment of the Rev. Mr. Murray — Decision of the Supreme Coiu't on 
 the Acts of Toleration — Daring outrage at the Coru't-house of St. 
 Ann's — Colonial Church Union entirely broken up — A Bill for the 
 Abolition of Slavery passes the Imperial Parliament — Extraordinary 
 changes in Jamaica — Missionaries retiu'n to Falmouth and St. 
 -Ann's and worship in peace — A Bill for the Emancipation of the 
 Slaves passes the Colonial Legislature — Death of the Rev. Richard 
 Watson — Proceedings of the Missionary Committee — The Earl of 
 Mulgrave leaves the Island — He is succeeded by the Marquis of 
 SHgo— First of August, 1834 335—362 
 
 CHAPTER XHI. 
 
 Extraordinary change in the state of public feeling. — Remarks on 
 Colonial Society — Management of Estates — Agents in London — 
 Governors of Jamaica — Correspondence of the Colonial Office — 
 Favourable Changes accounted for — Altered aspect of the Mission 
 — Rev. Valentine Ward sent out as the special Representative of 
 the Conference and Missionary Committee — District Meeting of 
 1835 — Death of Mr. Ward and five other Missionaries — Unprece- 
 dented Prosperity of the Mission — Establishment of Day Schools — 
 Temporary Agitation — Erection of a new Chapel m Kingston — Ju- 
 bilee of the Mission — New !Marriage Act passes the Legislature — 
 Enlightened Liberality of the House of Assembly and of his Excel- 
 lency Sir Charles Metcalfe — Report on the state of the Mission — 
 — Visit of the Rev. Robert Young — Great depression of Colonial 
 Interests — ^The present *' transition state" of Jamaica Society — The 
 present state of the Mission— Concluding remarks . . 363—399 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The Wesleyan Mission to the Island of Jamaica fur- 
 nishes a chapter of some interest to the great vohime of 
 Ecclesiastical History. Few Missions undertaken in 
 modern times by the Church of Christ have been more 
 successful, and not one has been attended with a greater 
 number of those collateral advantages which accompany 
 the diffusion of genuine Christianity. The reader of 
 the following pages will remark, that in almost every 
 stage of its progress, until the passing of the act for the 
 abolition of slavery, its history is characterized by a 
 fierce and determined opposition. Infuriated mobs have 
 sought its destruction ; intolerant laws have been enacted 
 against it ; its agents, in not a few instances, have had to 
 suffer bonds and imprisonment for the sake of Christ ; 
 and many of their people have had to endure " a great 
 fight of afflictions." But though the bush was burning it 
 has not been consumed. The cause of truth has "^reath 
 
VI ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 triumphed, and thousands have felt the gospel to be 
 " the power of God unto salvation." 
 
 Much of what appfears in this Narrative will be new 
 to the generality of British readers, and indeed a con- 
 siderable part of it has never been published before in 
 any form whatsoever; but the writer has endeavoured 
 to obtain the most accurate information on every event 
 he records, and his opportunities for this have been of 
 the most favourable description. It was his lot to be 
 employed as a missionary in Jamaica between eleven 
 and twelve years, and having arrived early in 1821, he 
 became personally acquainted with several who had 
 witnessed the progress of the work from its very com- . 
 mencement, and with whom he often conversed on 
 almost every point recorded in the earlier periods of the 
 history. But the greater part of the volume is occupied 
 with events which transpired during his own term of 
 residence, or with such as were immediately connected 
 with them. Of those not a few came under his own 
 observation, while the knowledge of others was conveyed 
 by his brethren with whom he was in constant inter- 
 course. In addition to these sources of information, he 
 has availed himself of the help afforded by the publica- 
 tions of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, as well as 
 the early notices of the Mission in Dr. Coke's History of 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. Vll 
 
 the West Indies : and it also affords him great pleasure 
 to acknowledge his obligations to the Rev. Dr. Beecham 
 and the Rev. Elijah Hoole, two of the General Secreta- 
 ries, not merely for their countenance and approval of 
 this undertaking, but also for their valuable suggestions 
 which he has been most happy to adopt. He does not 
 indeed assume that he has fallen into no mistakes, but 
 be trusts he may affirm that they are neither very nu- 
 merous nor very important. He now commends this 
 Narrative, such as it is, to the kind attention of the 
 reader, and above all to the special blessing of Almighty 
 God. 
 
 8, Spital Square, London, 
 November 16th, 1848. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory remarks — The E-ev. Dr. Coke visits Jamaica and preaches 
 in Kingston — Disgraceful interruption of one of the Services — E,ev» 
 Mr. Hammett, the first Missionary sent out — The first Wesleyan 
 Society is formed — A short account of its Members — The first 
 Chapel obtained and opened in Kingston — Opposition to Mr. Ham- 
 mett' s Ministry — The Chapel presented at the Quarter Sessions as 
 a "nuisance" — Mrs. Wilkinson — Preaching in the town of Port 
 Royal— Attempts to destroy the Kingston Chapel. 
 
 The island of Jamaica, the most valuable of the British 
 possessions in the West Indies, is situated between 17^ 
 44^ and 18° 34^ north latitude, and between 75° 55^ and 
 78° 48^ west longitude. Its general aspect is rough and 
 mountainous ; but it abounds with fertile valleys, and 
 almost every part is covered with vegetation. Its name 
 in the language of the aborigines is s^id to signify the 
 " Land of springs," a designation highly expressive and 
 appropriate. Its valleys are watered and refreshed by 
 numerous streams flowing in every direction, and the 
 whole landscape presents the eye of the spectator with 
 scenery of extraordinary variety, magnificence and beauty. 
 Jamaica was discovered by Columbus in the year 1494> 
 and for 160 years it continued in the possession of 
 Spain. In 1655, the English, under Penn and Venables, 
 having failed in their designs in St. Domingo, made an 
 attempt on Jamaica. They landed at Passage Fort on 
 
 B 
 
2 DESCRIPTION OF JAMAICA. 
 
 the Port Royal Harbour, and the Spaniards flying before 
 them, they made an easy conquest of the whole island. 
 Since that period it has continued an appendage to the 
 crown of Great Britain. 
 
 The island is divided into three counties, namely, 
 Middlesex, Surrey, and Cornwall, in each of which the 
 Supreme or Assize Courts are held at regular terms. 
 These are again subdivided into parishes, and it is in the 
 parochial subdivisions in which the resemblance to coun- 
 ties in the mother country is seen chiefly to consist. 
 With the exception of Kingston, they are as large as 
 many of the counties at home, and are regulated in a 
 manner nearly similar. Each has not only its vestry, 
 but in general its separate establishment of magistrates, 
 under a Custos Rotulorum, and its courts of Quarter 
 Sessions and Common Pleas ; and until very recently the 
 Custos always presided in those Courts when he was 
 present.* 
 
 The towns of Jamaica are not numerous, and, with the 
 exception of Kingston, are neither large nor populous. 
 The capital is St. Jago de la Vega, generally known by 
 the name of Spanish Town. Its situation is in the parish 
 of St. Catherine, and about 13 miles to the westward of 
 Kingston. The oflicial residence of the governor is in 
 Spanish Town, which is also the seat of the Colonial 
 Legislature and the supreme Court of Judicature ; but 
 
 * The only exceptions to this arrangement are found where two or 
 more parishes are conjoined so as to form a " Precinct." Of those 
 there are however only two on the island ; the one consisting of the 
 parishes of St. Catherine, St. Dorothy, St. John, and St. Thomas in 
 the Vale ; and tlie other of the two parishes of St. Thomas in the 
 East and St. David's. 
 
ITS PRINCIPAL TOWNS. 3 
 
 besides the square formed by the public buiklings, it is a 
 place of little elegance, and little business. By far the 
 most important town on the island is Kingston, in the 
 county of Surrey. It contains a population of upwards of 
 30,000 inhabitants ; and towards the harbour, the bustle 
 of ordinary traffic and the activity of mercantile and 
 commercial pursuits cannot fail to arrest the attention of 
 every visitor. About the begining of the present century 
 the freeholders were constituted a body corporate by the 
 style of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the 
 city of Kingston ; and all elected as members of the Com- 
 mon Council are invested with powers and prerogatives 
 similar to those exercised by justices of the peace. It is 
 the only town in the British West Indies enjoying mu- 
 nicipal institutions ; but they have not hitherto proved so 
 beneficial to the community as might have been reason- 
 ably anticipated. The next in importance is Montego 
 Bay, which is situated on the north side of the island, at 
 about 120 miles distance from Kingston. It is the chief 
 town of the county of Cornwall. It is handsome and well 
 built, containing about as many inhabitants as Spanish 
 Town, but, being a considerable seaport, it far surpasses 
 it in commerce and activity. Falmouth, which stands 
 about twenty-one miles eastward from Montego Bay, and 
 in the adjoining parish of TrelaAvney, is next to it in re- 
 spectability. Besides those there are Port Royal, Sa- 
 vannah la Mar, Port Antonio, Lucia, Morant Bay, and a 
 few others, of which no particular description is neces- 
 sary. 
 
 The political constitution of the island bears a strong 
 
 b2 
 
4 POLITICAL CONSTITUTION. 
 
 resemblance to that of the parent state. The three 
 branches of the legislature consist of the Governor, the 
 Council, and House of Assembly. The governor is of 
 course appointed by the crown, and represents the sove- 
 reign. The council consists of twelve members, who 
 are also appointed by the crown, and act both as a Privy 
 Council, and in the time of the session of the legislature, 
 as its second branch, answering to the House of Lords in 
 Great Britain. The members of assembly are returned 
 by the freeholders of the respective parishes, of whom each 
 of the parishes of Kingston, Port Royal, and St. Cathe- 
 rine elect three, and each of the others only two. 
 During the period embraced by this narrative, the paro- 
 chial divisions, including the city of Kingston, amounted 
 ■to twenty-one ; which, according to the above mentioned 
 arrangement, returned forty-five representatives, who 
 constituted the third branch of the legislature.* For- 
 merly the number of persons possessing the elective 
 franchise was very small, none but whites with a certain 
 property qualification, having been allowed to exercise it ; 
 but from the year 1830 the privilege has been greatly 
 extended, all persons of colour having been then admit- 
 ted to equal rights and privileges with the others. It 
 may just be observed that all matters of internal legisla- 
 tion are within the jurisdiction of the Colonial Legis- 
 lature, — that any bill passing the Council and Assembly, 
 and receiving the consent of the Governor, becomes law 
 from the time specified in the act itself; but any act 
 
 * A very few years since an additional parish was fomicd, giving 
 two more members to the House of Assembly. 
 
LEGAL INSTITUTIONS. O 
 
 passed in Jamaica, may afterwards be disallowed by the 
 sovereign, in which case it becomes null and void to all 
 intents and purposes whatsoever. 
 
 The legal institutions of Jamaica have also been formed 
 somewhat after the model of the mother country, though 
 in some of their details exhibiting a very important dif- 
 ference. It has been observed that the seat of the 
 Supreme Court is Spanish Town, but that assizes are 
 held besides in the other counties of Surrey and Corn- 
 wall, at which all business is transacted competent to 
 such courts in England. The chief justice was always 
 a member of the legal profession ; but by a monstrous 
 anomaly, the assistant judges were appointed without 
 any reference to it, and were frequently taken from the 
 most influential of the planters and merchants, who 
 sometimes scarcely understood the technical language of 
 the counsel pleading at their bar. A few of the senior 
 assistant judges were salaried ; but the others, who were 
 numerous, had to give their services gratuitously. The 
 reader will see in the course of this narrative, several of 
 the baneful eflects resulting from so pernicious a system; 
 but within the last few years this also has been altered 
 for the better. The chief justice is now assisted by two 
 gentlemen taken from the bar ; those have adequate 
 salaries, and the dignity and impartiality of the bench 
 have been greatly elevated. The courts of Quarter Ses- 
 sions very much resemble similar institutions at home ; 
 parishes being understood as holding the place of coun- 
 ties. Formerly the custos presided assisted by local 
 magistrates, but in this department also great improve- 
 
b POPULATION. 
 
 ments have been effected. A standing chairman, with a 
 competent salary and duly qualified for the office, pre- 
 sides, assisted by the stipendiary and local magistrates. 
 The same parties also sit as judges in the parochial 
 courts of Common Pleas, at which civil transactions of 
 small amount are adjudicated ; but in most cases an 
 appeal to the Supreme Court lies against their decisions. 
 
 It is not the object of the writer to enter at any length 
 into the political and civil constitution of Jamaica. 
 The foregoing observations are made with the view of 
 enabling the reader more clearly to understand many of 
 those events connected with the Wesleyan mission here- 
 after to be recorded ; and not to convey information on 
 matters beyond the limits of this work. It will be seen 
 that the mission and its agents were often connected 
 with legislative and judicial proceedings, and the pre- 
 ceding remarks became necessary that such transactions 
 might be seen in their proper light. 
 
 It need only further be observed that the population 
 of Jamaica may be estimated at about 420,000 souls ; 
 of whom it is reckoned that not more than 30,000 are 
 whites, and the remainder coloured and black. Of the 
 latter upwards of 300,000 were formerly in a state of 
 slavery. 
 
 The eye of Christian sympathy has been seldom 
 directed in modern times to any place which stood more 
 in need of the gospel than the island of Jamaica. The 
 early British settlers partook too much of the character 
 of those roving barbarians from Spain and other Eu- 
 ropean states, who about two centuries ago frequented 
 
ARRIVAL OF DR. COKE. 4 
 
 the West India islands in search of wealth. The constant 
 importation of negroes from Africa, introduced the de- 
 basing ignorance and wretchedness of heathenism. 
 Slavery was accompanied with all those vices of which 
 it is the fruitful parent. The sacred institution of mar- 
 riage was almost unknown ; and in the few instances in 
 which its forms were celebrated, its obligations were, on 
 the part of the husband, totally disregarded. Thus very 
 few traces of Christianity were to be seen. An unbridled 
 licentiousness, unchecked by public censure, prevailed ; 
 and the inhabitants were living without "hope and 
 without God in the world." 
 
 It was on the 19th of January, 1789, that the late 
 venerable Dr. Coke first arrived in Jamaica, and com- 
 menced that work which has been since carried on by 
 the Wesleyan Missionary Society. It has proved a 
 memorable day. The island had then been under British 
 government for upwards of a century, yet scarcely any 
 thing had been done for the souls of the people. The 
 habits of the whites had indeed become much more 
 settled. They were friendly and hospitable in their in- 
 tercourse with each other, and had improved in many of 
 the external civilities of modern refinement, but the 
 hallowed restraints of religion were as much unknown 
 as ever. They were strangers to the enjoyments of the 
 domestic circle, and throughout the whole country the 
 standard of morals was deplorably low. It is true, emi- 
 grants from Great Britain were constantly arriving, but 
 they left their profession of Christianity behind, and 
 were soon assimilated to the corrupt mass by whom they 
 
8 
 
 STATE OF RELIGION." 
 
 were preceded. The ordinances of religion in many 
 parts were rarely administered. There was a famine of 
 the bread of life. There was indeed a church in almost 
 every parish, but many of the benefices were generally 
 vacant ; and excepting on the occasion of funerals, the 
 churches in the country parishes were seldom open for 
 divine service, even upon the Lord's Day. Numbers of 
 the clergy were living openly in concubinage and were 
 otherwise unblushingly immoral ; and it may be fairly 
 questioned whether before 1789 that sabbath ever dawned 
 upon Jamaica, which witnessed five hundred persons in 
 all the places of worship put together, out of a popula- 
 tion of between four and five hundred thousand souls. 
 
 Besides the clergy of the establishment, a few of the 
 Moravian brethren had been a short time on the island. 
 They acted merely as chaplains on certain estates, but 
 their labours were utterly unsuccessful. Several negroes 
 also of the Baptist denomination had arrived from 
 America about the close of the revolutionary war, but 
 they were little qualified for evangelizing Jamaica. Be- 
 fore 1789 the immense mass of heathenism was absolutely 
 untouched, and the gross darkness which covered the 
 minds of the people, was unmitigated and unbroken. 
 
 On the first visit of Dr. Coke he remained but for a 
 very short period, but by preaching a few times in the 
 city of Kingston he opened a door of usefulness which 
 none of the adversaries have been able entirely to shut. 
 He hired a large concert room for preaching, and a pro- 
 ceeding so extraordinary drew many to hear him ; but 
 the enemies were not idle. On one occasion while 
 
VIOLENT OPPOSITION. 9 
 
 preachin<i^ from " Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her 
 hands unto God," he was rudely interrupted by a 
 number of white persons calling themselves gentlemen, 
 who, hating the message of mercy to the perishing hea- 
 then, pressed through the congregation to drag him 
 from his place. It appears that the mob were igreatly 
 infuriated ; and no one who knows any thing of the state 
 of Jamaica at that time will deny, that, humanly speak- 
 ing, the life of that eminent man was in the greatest 
 danger; but God interposed in behalf of his servant, and 
 delivered him from wicked and unreasonable men. A 
 gentleman, at whose house he lodged, stood by him as 
 his friend ; but it was chiefly through the intrepidity of 
 Mrs. Smith, a white lady, that the riot was quelled. 
 Perceiving the designs of the mob, she stepped between 
 them and the preacher, and mildly entreated them to de- 
 sist from their purpose. She remonstrated with them on 
 the impropriety of their conduct ; but it was of no avail, 
 they only grew more and more outrageous, and she her- 
 self became exposed to no small peril. Finding that all 
 gentle means were utterly ineffectual, she boldly assumed 
 a threatening attitude, and drawing out a pair of scissors 
 she exclaimed to the rioters, " You may now do as you 
 please, but the first man who lays a violent hand upon 
 him shall have these scissors thrust into his heart." 
 They saw that this was no empty threat, and therefore 
 they escaped as fast as possible, actually boasting of their 
 great courage while they were running down stairs. The 
 noise and tumult occasioned by this interruption were 
 excessive. An old acquaintance of the Avriter once 
 
10 FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY. 
 
 observed to him, "When I entered the room, it was 
 just at the moment the rioters were quitting it : so much 
 bustle and confusion I never saw. The doctor only was 
 calm, and unmoved. He seemed to me to be like an 
 angel." After the noise subsided, he took another text 
 and quietly finished the service. 
 
 Notwithstanding the uproar which took place as has 
 been related, he found a considerable number who heard 
 him attentively, and a few who appeared desirous to " flee 
 from the wrath to come." On his return to England he 
 lost no time in obtaining a suitable missionary for Ja- 
 maica. The person he selected was the Rev. William 
 Hammett, a man of superior talents, and who appeared 
 to be every way well qualified for the important under- 
 taking. He arrived on the island in the month of Au- 
 gust that same year ; and was gladly welcomed by Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lungren, who for a time received him into their 
 house. He immediately rented a house for preaching in 
 a very populous, though obscure part of the town, and 
 formed a small class of eight persons, who constituted 
 the first Methodist Society in Jamaica. Their names 
 were as follow, viz. — Daniel Coe, James Fead, Mary 
 Ann Able Smith, Peter Lewis, Mary Lewis, Catherine 
 Dawson, William Harris, and Venus Harris. To those 
 were almost immediately added the names of the hos- 
 pitable host and hostess of Mr. Hammett, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Fishly, of Port Royal ; and Messrs. Cook and Bull of 
 Kingston. 
 
 Of the eight persons who formed the first class, Mrs. 
 Smith was for many years highly honoured as the 
 
MRS. SMITH. 11 
 
 mother of Methodism in Jamaica. She was born in the 
 United States of America when they were British colo- 
 nies; but was descended from a Scottish family, and some 
 of her ancestors had suffered martyrdom in the cause of 
 Christ. She came from America to Jamaica about the 
 time of the war which separated the States from the mo- 
 ther country. It appears that she had been favoured 
 with a religious education ; and from the manner in 
 Avhich she stood up in defence of Dr. Coke, it is evident 
 that she highly esteemed the messengers of salvation. 
 Shortly after the formation of the society she was ap- 
 pointed to take charge of a class of females, and con- 
 tinued in that office to the great spiritual benefit of many, 
 until the time of her death. The writer first saw her on 
 his arrival in Jamaica, early in 1821. She was then far 
 advanced in life, and was so feeble as scarcely to be able 
 to walk about the room without assistance ; but her mind 
 had lost but little of that energy for which in her early 
 days she had been so remarkable, and her eyes seemed 
 to sparkle with the fire of youth, while she related the 
 manner of Dr. Coke's first reception in Kingston. 
 
 Nearly the last time he had the happiness of seeing 
 her, was at the close of the annual district meeting in 
 January, 1822 ; when the missionaries met a few of the 
 friends to inform them of the progress of the work on 
 their circuits through the preceding year. It was a sea- 
 son not to be forgotten by those who were present. When 
 it was reported that the increase of members was upwards 
 of 600, and that the whole number on the island amounted 
 to nearly 8000, Mrs. Smith raised her hands to heaven, 
 
12 WILLIAM HARRIS. 
 
 and with streaming eyes expressed her gratitude to God 
 for what he had spared her to witness. " I was once/' 
 she said, " one of eight, but God has permitted me to live 
 to see the little one become a thousand." Shortly after- 
 wards, she became confined to her room, but lived until 
 the 4th of March, 1823, when her spirit took its flight 
 to the paradise of God, having lived about eighty years 
 in the house of her pilgrimage. Her death was noticed 
 in the Wesley an Magazine for May, 1823; and it is a re- 
 markable circumstance that the death of the excellent 
 wife of the late Rev. Daniel Campbell, is also recorded 
 in the same list. She also was among the first-fruits of 
 missionary toil in Jamaica, and, until her marriage, she 
 had resided for years in the same house with Mrs. Smith, 
 and loved and honoured her as a true mother in Israel. 
 For about twenty years they had been separated in body 
 yet not in affection, and are now re-united in the king- 
 dom of God, where they rest from their labours and have 
 been followed by their works. 
 
 Of the others, William Harris deserves also to be par- 
 ticularly mentioned. He was a free black man, also a 
 native of America, and arrived in Jamaica about the same 
 time as Mrs. Smith. He was a person of a remarkably 
 amiable and cheerful disposition, and his animated 
 and pleasing countenance will not soon be forgotten 
 by those who knew him. He was a great loyalist, and 
 was passionately attached to every thing that was 
 truly British. On one occasion when he was asked why 
 he had left his native country to come to Jamaica, 
 he replied with intense feeling, " I remained in my 
 
MR. COE. 13 
 
 country, until my countrymen rebelled against their 
 king ; then I left it, for it is my principle, — the king is 
 the chief man in the nation, and the minister the chief 
 man in the church." He was eminently a man of peace, 
 and from the time in which he became vmited to the 
 people of God, he maintained his steadfastness to the last. 
 For many years he was useful as leader of a large class ; 
 and was also long employed in superintending certain 
 arrangements for the numerous funerals connected with 
 the Kingston congregations. He died at a very great 
 age towards the close of the year 1839. His late wife, 
 Venus Harris, was also a person of a meek and quiet 
 spirit, and a steady member from the beginning until her 
 death. For a long period she was the leader of a class 
 of females; and died in great peace in 1830, highly 
 esteemed by all who knew her. 
 
 Respecting the others, there is comparatively little 
 known to record. Mr. Coe, from whom the first preach- 
 ing house was rented, did not long continue with the So- 
 ciety. It appears that he had been pious in the days of 
 his youth ; but on arriving in Jamaica, he fell into the 
 sinful practices of the country, into which it is to be 
 feared he afterwards relapsed. Peter Lewis also grew 
 weary of the way and forsook it. Mary Lewis, his wife, 
 lived but a short time after the Society was formed. She 
 died in peace in one of the apartments belonging to the 
 chapel- premises not very long after they were obtained. 
 Mr. Fead was spoken of by the old members, as a man 
 of a very amiable disposition, of deep piety, but of very 
 retiring and vmobtrusive habits. He died united with 
 
14 CHAPEL OPENED. 
 
 the people of God, in February, 1803. Catherine Daw- 
 son came to the island along with William and Venus 
 Harris, and was for thirty-six years a modest and con- 
 sistent Christian. She died in hope of the glory of God 
 in 1825 ; and her remains were committed to the dust by 
 the writer of this narrative, amidst a vast concourse of 
 sorrowing friends, by whom she was highly respected. 
 It may only further be observed that of those eight per- 
 sons, Messrs. Coe and Fead, and Mrs. Smith, were whites ; 
 the others were all free blacks and natives of America. 
 
 The society being formed, Mr. Hammett continued to 
 exercise his ministry with success. Many among the 
 coloured people and blacks listened attentively to the 
 word of life, which, by the power of God, was made ef- 
 fectual to their salvation. But the house they occupied 
 being small, the increasing congregation soon became 
 much incommoded for want of sufficient room; and a 
 more suitable place was earnestly desired and sought 
 for. About that time a large building, which had been 
 erected for a spacious dwelling-house, was offered for 
 sale. It was situated on the east side of the great square 
 in the centre of the town called the Parade, and appeared 
 to be every way eligible for the purpose required by the 
 Society. After Dr. Coke had been consulted upon the 
 subject, it was purchased ; and the whole plan meeting 
 with his entire approbation, considerable enlargements 
 were made at great expense, but before the close of the 
 year 1790 every thing was finished and the chapel was 
 opened for the worship of God. 
 
 The building thus obtained and consecrated to the 
 
DR. coke's liberality. 15 
 
 service of God, measured 72 feet by 40 feet, exclusive of a 
 covered balcony on the west end. The lower part afforded 
 the missionaries a comfortable residence, besides a large 
 room, called the " band room," where various meetings, 
 connected with the society, were occasionally held. 
 The upper part was the chapel, which was galleried on 
 three sides, and so fitted up as to accommodate from 
 twelve to thirteen hundred hearers. Great efforts were 
 made to obtain pecuniary contributions for this under- 
 taking, and considerable sums were also lent to the trus- 
 tees by Dr. Coke. Those were afterwards partly repaid ; 
 but it deserves to be recorded as another instance of his 
 generosity, that before he received the whole, he volun- 
 tarily and cheerfully gave up a considerable part of what 
 was due to himself, under the pretext of repaying the 
 Kingston society certain expenses which had been in- 
 curred for keeping of horses, that the missionaries might 
 preach the gospel in other parts of the island. Thus 
 did God so prosper his work in the hands of his servants, 
 as that in the space of a year, they obtained one of the 
 best edifices for a chapel at that time in the town, and 
 standing in the very best situation which could have 
 been selected for the purpose. 
 
 While the Methodists continued to worship in the small 
 and obscure house which they first obtained, they met 
 with but little interruption ; but having been brought 
 out of their obscurity by their commodious and well situ- 
 ated chapel, and the number of their hearers rapidly in- 
 creasing, the jealousy of their enemies was awakened, and 
 every means were resorted to, to bring them into con- 
 
16 SINGULAR DOCUMENT. 
 
 empt, and at the same time to call forth the most determi- 
 ned opposition against them. Abusive and slanderous let- 
 ters appeared in the public papers, and the congregations 
 were almost incessantly annoyed by persons who attended 
 for the very purpose of creating disturbance. It deserves 
 also to be mentioned that before the chapel had been 
 opened for more than two or three months, the Grand 
 Jury of Kingston thought proper to present it to the 
 court of Quarter Sessions as a nuisance. This present- 
 ment was made in November, 1790, a copy of which is 
 here inserted: — 
 
 " Kingston Sessions. 
 
 " The Grand Jury charged and sworn in behalf of our said 
 lord the King, and for the body of the said town and parish, 
 on their oaths do present and say that the two papers here- 
 with delivered, and hereunto annexed, marked with the letters 
 A. and B., purporting to be the affidavits of Robert Sinclair, 
 William Taylor, Robert Elliott, Archibald M'Neal, George 
 Waterhouse, jointly, and Robert Sinclair, separately, are in 
 their opinions and belief a ground for presenting a house in 
 the Parade, known by the name of the Methodist meeting, in 
 which William Hammett preaches and delivers his doctrines 
 therein, as injurious to the general peace and quiet of the in- 
 habitants of the said town. In further support of their opinion 
 they examined Samuel Yates, James Clarke, and Joseph 
 Watson, inhabitants of the said town, whose testimony leads 
 to prove what is above set forth." Signed by the Grand 
 Jury.* 
 
 * ** Clement's Exposition of Laws, &c., in Jamaica." A small pub- 
 lication printed at Kingston in the year 1828. 
 
ATTACK ON THE CHAPEL. 17 
 
 The affidavits connected with this document are not 
 to be found, nor has the writer been able to learn Avhat 
 was done in the Court on this presentment of the grand 
 jury. It does not appear that the magistrates as yet 
 gave any countenance to the proceedings of those 
 who disturbed and annoyed the Methodists ; but neither 
 does it appear \hat they exerted their authority to check 
 them. There were indeed a few of the influential part 
 of the community who highly respected Mr. Hammett. 
 It has been already intimated that he was a man of un- 
 common talents ; and in their exercise he happily blended 
 such a mixture of zeal and prudence as could hardly 
 fail to command esteem. But it does not appear that 
 those gentlemen who respected him were friendly to 
 the object he had in view. To a certain extent they 
 esteemed the man, but they cared nothing about his 
 work ; consequently nothing was done to protect the con- 
 gregations from insult and violence, which (perhaps 
 arising in a great degree from the failure of the grand jury 
 scheme) continued to increase, rather than diminish. 
 At last the destruction of the mission-premises was re- 
 solved upon, on the part of the mob; and some of the 
 most active of our friends had to guard them to prevent 
 their being pulled to the ground. But notwithstanding 
 all their precautions, the rioters were determined if pos- 
 sible to effect their purpose ; and on one occasion, about 
 the hour of midnight, they succeeded in breaking down 
 the chapel-gates. This called forth the interference of 
 some of the magistrates, and a few of them were prose- 
 cuted ; but they were acquitted by the jury. After some 
 
 c 
 
18 A FEMALE CONVERT. 
 
 time Mr. Hammett was obliged so far to yield to the 
 storm, as to suspend the evening services ; a measure 
 which was adopted with extreme reluctance, as it was 
 only in the evenings the slaves could command time for 
 attending the house of God. Those events occurred in 
 1791. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the opposition which the Society 
 met with at this early period of its history, the work of 
 God continued to prosper ; and among those who joined 
 themselves to his people at that time, there is one name 
 which ought to be recorded ; and a brief account of that 
 person may be allowed for a little to interrupt the re- 
 gular course of our narrative. The person alluded to was 
 S. Burnett, afterwards Mrs. Wilkinson, a respectable 
 coloured female, who for about fifty years adorned the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour. 
 
 When Dr. Coke first visited Jamaica, Mrs. Wilkinson 
 (whose name was then S. Burnett,) resided on Manchio- 
 neal Bay, in the extensive parish of St. Thomas in the 
 East, and nearly sixty miles from Kingston. The cir- 
 cumstance of a minister preaching the gospel to 
 negroes and people of colour, was at that time so re- 
 markable as speedily to obtain very extensive circulation ; 
 but the uproar connected with that event, caused it to be 
 noised abroad to the very extremities of the island. She 
 had been informed of two principal duties which had 
 been taught, namely, that the people ought to meet to- 
 gether to pray to God, and, that instead of living as they 
 were doing, they ought to get decently married. Her 
 views of prayer were at first so crude and defective, that 
 
HER EFFORTS. 19 
 
 they can hardly be related with gravity, but according 
 to the light she then had (which was indeed but little), 
 she assembled a few of her neighbours, and they per- 
 formed their religious exercises as well as they could. 
 But what was to be done for the solemnization of mar- 
 riages ? Negro marriages there, had never been heard of. 
 The parish church was also between twenty and thirty 
 miles distant; and no messenger of mercy had ever 
 visited the extensive district of Manchioneal. In this 
 emergency, she saw no way but to perform the duties of 
 the clergyman herself, and she actually married several 
 couples, which were amongst the first negro marriages 
 solemnized on the island. On account of frequent in- 
 tercourse with Kingston, and the spread of religious 
 knowledge there, her ardent mind became more and more 
 enlightened; and wishing to do all the good she was 
 able, as she received the knowledge of religious truths 
 herself, so she communicated them to others. For this 
 purpose she met as many as were willing to attend, in a 
 house which, thirty years afterwards, was occupied by the 
 missionaries for preaching the gospel. These humble 
 efforts on the part of this sincere woman soon excited the 
 suspicions of the principal inhabitants ; who became so in- 
 censed against her, that at last she had to escape to 
 Kingston for her life. On her arrival, she immediately 
 joined the Society. She was diligent in attending the 
 various means of grace, and her profiting appeared to all. 
 During the period in which the Kingston Chapel was 
 afterwards shut up, which was between 1807 and 1815, 
 she regularly attended divine service in the parish 
 
 c2 
 
20 
 
 church, and at the close of each service, she converted 
 the church into a Wesleyan class-room, by going from 
 seat to seat, conversing with many who tarried to receive 
 her instructions. The greater part of those were Me- 
 thodists, but some became members of the Established 
 Church, and were known by the appellation of " Church 
 lights." This community afterwards spread into several 
 parts of the island, and numbered persons among them 
 of decided piety. 
 
 Mrs. Wilkinson was a Christian of no common kind. 
 She was zealous in the cause of God, and her whole life 
 was consistent with her Christian profession. She 
 greatly honoured the missionaries, " esteeming them 
 highly in love for their work's sake ;" and some of them 
 can never forget her visits at the chapel-house, during 
 the sitting of the District Meetings ; nor the earnest 
 ejaculations she offered up to God on their behalf. She 
 was called to that rest which she had long and ardently 
 desired, only in the commencement of the year 1840, 
 having lived, it is presumed, little short of ninety years. 
 As might be expected, her last end was peace. 
 
 The labours of Mr. Hammett were not exclusively 
 confined to Kingston. Two or three neighbouring 
 estates were opened to him, and some of the slaves gave 
 evident proofs of a sincere desire to obtain the salvation 
 of the gospel. He also regularly preached in the town 
 of Port Royal, which lies only about six miles by water 
 from Kingston. This is a place of considerable historic 
 fame. It has been desolated alternately by the fearful 
 judgments of God, by earthquake, hurricanes, and fire ; 
 
LUDICROUS ALARM. 21 
 
 but the inhabitants were long proverbial for their wicked- 
 ness all over the island. At first Mr. H. was favoured 
 with the use of the court-house, but this privilege was 
 soon withdrawn. He then preached in the house of Mr. 
 Fishley, who was a master shipwright in the royal 
 dock-yard ; but only few attended ; there was but little 
 outward persecution, and there was nearly as little suc- 
 cess. 
 
 The discontinuance of the evening service in Kingston 
 was the means of somewhat abating the persecution 
 there ; but it is plain that the opposers were still bent 
 upon the destruction of the chapel. One morning after 
 the guard had been dispensed with, a quantity of burnt 
 coals were found on the chapel floor, leaving no doubt 
 but that an attempt had been made to set the premises 
 on fire. Another instance of intended violence, which 
 termin atedin a ludicrous manner, is related by Dr. Coke. 
 He says, " A large party of the sons of Belial had on 
 a dark night beset the chapel ; but before they could ac- 
 complish their purpose, two very large and dreadful beings 
 like globes of fire were seen moving towards them with 
 majestic pace; which struck them with such terror and 
 dismay, that they hastily fled to provide for their own 
 safety. Those horrid appearances proved to be only two 
 harmless lamps affixed to a lady's chariot." Thus " the 
 wicked flee when no man pursueth." 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Arrival of the Rev. Mr. Brazier — Dr. Coke again visits Jamaica along 
 with Mr. Werrill, another Missionary — Failure of Mr. Hammett's 
 health, who leaves the Island with Dr. Coke — Mr. Brazier's health 
 also fails, and he goes to America — Death of Mr. Werrill — ^Tempo- 
 rary retmn of Mr. Brazier — Arrival of the Rev. W. Fish — Of Mr. 
 McVean — Mr. Fish removes to Montego Bay, and labours with suc- 
 cess — Death of John H. Constant — Preachiiig in the parishes of 
 St. George and St. Thomas in the East — Mr. Fish retxims to Kings- 
 ton — A contribution to assist Great Britain in defraying the ex- 
 penses of the War — Arrival of Missionaries — They extend their la- 
 bours, but with little success — Chapel-house violently broken into 
 at Midnight — Mission Premises seized by the Militia during Mar- 
 tial Law — Nxmiber of Members. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1791, Mr. Brazier arrived 
 to the assistance of Mr. Hammett, and in a few days 
 afterwards the venerable founder of the Mission again 
 visited Jamaica, bringing along with him Mr. Werrill, 
 another missionary. After remaining a few days at 
 Montego Bay, where they landed, they proceeded to 
 Kingston, a distance of about one hundred and twenty 
 miles. It appears they performed this long journey on 
 horseback, a more serious undertaking than can be well 
 conceived by persons who are unacquainted with a tro- 
 pical climate ; especially as the roads were then much 
 injured by recent heavy rains. But, says the Doctor, 
 "notwithstanding our trials, the novelty, beauty, and 
 grandeur of the different prospects we met ^Wth in 
 our way, and perhaps a peculiar turn of mind for ex- 
 tracting out of those innocent transitory things much of 
 
ARRIVAL OF MR. BRAZIER. 23 
 
 that sweetness which they are capable of yielding, to- 
 gether with the approving smile of Heaven, made our 
 journey very agreeable : but who can count the various 
 beauties of those prolific regions ! Abundance and variety 
 strive together for the mastery, and alternately appeal to 
 the judgment and the senses. The contemplative mind 
 is overwhelmed with a profusion of beauties. But the 
 power and goodness of God are conspicuous in all." 
 
 On his arrival in Kingston Dr. Coke, attempted to 
 restore the evening services, but the behaviour of many 
 was so rude that he found himself under the necessity of 
 giving them up. At this time he visited Spanish Town, 
 which is only thirteen miles distant. There also he at- 
 tempted to preach, but he was excessively disturbed by 
 the white " getitleme7i^^ who assembled for that purpose ; 
 but notwithstanding those discouragements, thinking he 
 saw the prospect of usefulness, he hired a small house 
 and left Mr. Werrill to follow up the opening. The an- 
 noyance on the part of the whites abated, and Mr. W. 
 was diligent and persevering, but not successful ; the 
 house in which he preached was small and incommo- 
 dious, and few of the people seemed to care for their 
 salvation. This was exceedingly discouraging. In 
 Kingston the servants of God cheerfully bore up under 
 the persecutions of their enemies, for there the word of 
 the Lord was glorified, but the deadly apathy of Port 
 Royal and Spanish Town, was worse than the fiercest 
 persecution. It was a trial indeed. 
 
 After Dr. Coke had remained a short time on the 
 island and preached in various places, he took his pas- 
 
24 DECLENSION OF A MISSIONARY. 
 
 sage in a vessel bound for Charleston in South Carolina, 
 taking Mr. Hammett along with him, who had been 
 completely worn down by intermittent fevers, as well as 
 by his laborious efforts to extend the gospel. It was 
 intended that Mr. Hammett's removal should be but 
 temporary, as it was every way probable that a short re- 
 sidence in a colder climate would fully re-establish his 
 health. But how short-sighted is man. He had only 
 been a very little time in Charleston, when he headed a 
 schism which occurred amongst the Methodists in that 
 city. Those who separated from their brethren erected 
 for him a large and spacious chapel, and for some time 
 he was very popular. In a very few years, however, the 
 congregation dwindled away, Mr. Hammett purchased 
 slaves, settled a plantation, and became a man of the 
 world. It is exceedingly painful to narrate these events, 
 and to reflect, that his removal from Jamaica, which on 
 the part of Dr. Coke was dictated by the purest benevo- 
 lence, should have been the occasion of the ruin of one 
 who had been truly a "great and useful minister." 
 
 The Societies were now left to the care of Messrs. 
 Brazier and Werrill, but the health of the former soon 
 became so much impaired as to render it necessary for 
 him to quit the island, and in the month of August he 
 left for the continent of America. The burden of the 
 Societies now rested upon the latter, and having ceased 
 to visit Spanish Town, he concentrated his energies in 
 the service of Kingston and its more immediate vicinity, 
 and his labours were owned of God in an uncommon 
 manner. But the great head of his Church was pleased 
 
DEATH or MR. WERRILL. 25 
 
 to try his little flock with severer exercises than any 
 through which they had been heretofore called to pass. 
 Mr. Brazier had only taken his departure about three 
 months, when Mr. Werrill was called away by death. 
 This melancholy event occurred on the 15th of No- 
 vember, 1791, and no language can do justice to the 
 feelings of the bereaved Society. They were not only 
 left as sheep without a shepherd, but also as sheep in 
 the midst of wolves. A few days after this occurrence 
 Mrs. Smith wrote to Dr. Coke on the subject, and as 
 she describes the last moments of the first Wesleyan 
 missionary who fell by death in the island of Jamaica, 
 and as the reader may also learn something of the state 
 of the work at the time, no apology need be made for 
 inserting a part of her letter. 
 
 After briefly stating the fact of his death, she observes, 
 " He has, I think, fallen a martyr to his indefatigable 
 labours in his Master's vineyard. He constantly 
 preached five nights in the week, and almost every morn- 
 ing, and led five classes, besides his Sabbath duties. 
 Though he was not successful either at Spanish Town 
 or Port Royal, yet in Kingston the work has spread and 
 deepened in a remarkable manner ; and I fear that we 
 shall never have a minister better calculated to estabhsh 
 and build up a church in this part of the world, than he 
 was. While he preached the most plain and forcible 
 doctrines, he strove by the most loving deportment to 
 gain souls. Oh may I be enabled to follow him, as he 
 followed Christ. 
 
 " On the 6th instant he preached in the forenoon on 
 
Zb EXTRACT FROM A LETTER. 
 
 those words, ' Fear not, little flock^ &c. The hearers 
 were much affected, and at the sacrament, the Lord was 
 present indeed. Our dear friend was overcome with 
 fatigue, and was very feverish ; but on lying down and 
 getting an hour's sleep, he was so far strengthened, as to 
 preach in the afternoon, on * Fight the good fight/ to a 
 very large and serious congregation. Notwithstanding 
 his indisposition he was drawn out to a greater length 
 than usual, and assuredly preached by the power of the 
 Holy Ghost. He met the Society ; and on Monday 
 morning early, he preached again, and was seemingly 
 much better. But at noon his fever came on with great 
 strength. In the evening he sent for me. I went, and 
 prevailed upon him to send for a physician, whose every 
 effort was exerted ineffectually. His afflicted friends 
 paid him the greatest attention. He wanted nothing 
 that either love or money could procure. But, alas, all 
 was in vain. 
 
 " On Thursday his soul was as much racked as his 
 body; and the enemy continued his fierce assaults through 
 the night. On Friday morning he requested I would 
 pray with him. This he knew was laying a hard task 
 upon me ; but blessed be God, I found uncommon free- 
 dom, and the Lord gave us his blessing. He broke out 
 in raptures of praise and thanksgiving, and prayed him 
 self for some moments. In the evening on giving him 
 some nourishment he said, ' Sister, how true is that 
 saying, As iron sliarpeneth iron so doth the countenance 
 of a man his friend. I never felt that so forcibly ex- 
 emplified as under your prayer this morning. Glory be 
 
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER. 21 
 
 to God, my soul has ever since been so filled with love 
 and joy that my cup runneth over.' " 
 
 In that happy state of mind he continued to the last, 
 but on the night of the following Monday, she adds " He 
 was so low that we thought him expiring. I said, ^ I 
 trust you now feel that God is love.' His pulse which 
 had left him returned, and he exclaimed, ' Blessed be 
 God I do.' I answered, ^ And you find his strong arm 
 supporting you in these strong conflicts.' He said, 
 ' Indeed I do, I have the assurance that Christ is my 
 righteousness, and full and perfect salvation !' A few 
 minutes before seven in the evening he sweetly fell asleep, 
 for surely death had no sting to him. Though the room 
 was filled with weeping friends, not one of them thought 
 him dead, till I cried out, (my soul being filled with 
 grateful transport to God for so wonderfully supporting 
 my much valued friend,) 
 
 ' Happy soul, thy days are ended, 
 
 All thy mourning days below ; 
 Go, by angel guards attended, 
 
 To the sight of Jesus, go.' 
 
 It was then found difficult to restrain the outcries of our 
 friends ; for I do not think there ever was in this town a 
 death lamented by so many sincere souls as his was. 
 
 " As soon as they were calmed we sung a hymn, and 
 went to prayer, praising God for his dealings to our pas- 
 tor and entreating his protection and support to ourselves. 
 You, sir, will feel for us, sheep without a shepherd. 
 Will not the wolf take advantage of our situation and 
 tear, and rend, and slay ? May God of his infinite mercy 
 send us another Wefrill! " 
 
SJO BURIAL OF MR. WERRTLL. 
 
 Thus died Mr. Wernll,on the 15th November, 1791. 
 He was interred the following evening in the Wesleyan 
 burying ground, which lies on the east end of the town 
 and about a mile from the Parade Chapel. When a 
 vast concourse of people were attending the remains of 
 the departed missionary to the tomb, a circumstance oc- 
 curred worthy of notice. "A gentleman and his lady were 
 riding swiftly in their phaeton ; but the driver observ- 
 ing the danger some of our friends were in of being hurt 
 by his horses, attempted to rein them in. Immediately 
 the master cruelly cried out ^ Drive, on they are all going 
 to hell ;' when instantly, though on smooth ground, the 
 phaeton overset and the lady was taken up for dead. 
 Some negroes who had been standing by, and who it ap- 
 pears had in this instance learned to scoff at serious per- 
 sons, were suddenly checked, and cried out, * There now, 
 God Almighty do that.' Thus the eyes of the blind 
 were opened to see the hand of God." 
 
 The writer will be excused for dwelling so long on the 
 above mournful event. He himself laboured many years 
 afterwards on the same field which was cultivated by the 
 first Wesleyan missionaries. He has often visited that 
 solemn spot where the ashes of some of his predecessors 
 repose, and amongst others he has bent over the grave 
 of Werrill. While he writes, he thinks of no fewer than 
 eleven of his fellow-labourers who, duiing the period of 
 his sojourn in Jamaica, fell by the hand of the last 
 enemy. It was the field of arduous conflict, but it was 
 the field of victory. God has indeed " buried many of 
 his workmen but he has carried on his work." Their 
 
ARRIVAL OF MR. FISH. 29 
 
 spirits, resting from their hard toil, are now happy with 
 the Lord. Hundreds of their spiritual children have also 
 overtaken them, and both he who sowed and they who 
 reaped are rejoicing together. 
 
 The Society being now without a pastor, the fears 
 which appear to have been entertained by Mrs. Smith 
 were to some extent painfully realized. Unhappy dis- 
 putes and contentions began to arise : but through her 
 instrumentality, and that of John Constant, a free black 
 man and leader, who was afterwards known in the So- 
 ciety by the name of the " Peace-maker," the evil was in 
 some measure restrained. Yet, notwithstanding their 
 pious and prudent endeavours, the society was on the 
 point of being divided, when Mr. Brazier suddenly re- 
 turned from America. The guilty stood reproved, and 
 peace was eifectually restored. Since that time to the 
 present, a period of more than half a century, the island 
 of Jamaica has never been without one or more Wesleyan 
 missionaries. 
 
 In the month of May, 1792, the hearts of the people 
 were gladdened by the arrival of the Rev. William Fish, 
 a man to whom, under God, the cause of religion in Ja- 
 maica owes much. He came at a very needful time, for 
 Mr. Brazier, whose constitution was entirely unsuited to 
 a tropical climate, was then confined by sickness. On re- 
 covering a little, (but seeing no hope of being able to 
 labour,) he, in a few weeks, finally left the island. Mr. 
 Fish was thus left alone, and it appears that at first he 
 entered on his work with much fear and trembling. But 
 though the ciicumstances of the Society had been most 
 
30 SUCCESS IN KINGSTON. 
 
 unfavourable, yet he found it, on the whole, in a much 
 better state than he had expected. The number of mem- 
 bers was one hundred and seventy-six, including some 
 who lived on three or four plantations which had been 
 visited with the light of the gospel. 
 
 From the departure of Mr. Brazier, Mr. Fish was 
 without the assistance of any other missionary until July, 
 1794. He was able, however, to pay attention to Port 
 Royal as well as Kingston ; but, as in the case of his 
 predecessors, his efforts there, were attended with but 
 little success. The people who had disregarded the di- 
 vine judgments, and would not learn righteousness by 
 them, appeared to be as unwilling to receive the message 
 of mercy. But in Kingston it was otherwise. The work 
 of the Lord prospered in the hand of his servant, and a 
 considerable number were added to the Society. The 
 disgraceful interruptions of the public worship became 
 much less frequent, and when they did occur they were 
 discountenanced by the magistracy, to whom applications 
 for redress were not always made in vain. On one oc- 
 casion Mr. Fish obtained warrants against certain persons 
 who disturbed a prayer meeting, and so well known was 
 the sentiments of some of the leading magistrates, that 
 they were glad to compromise the matter by paying all 
 costs ; on which the prosecution was dropped. At the 
 June visitation, in 1794, the number of members 
 amounted to 280 ; so that through the active exertions of 
 Mr. Fish, the increase during the two years he laboured 
 alone, was no less than 110. It is to be hoped that these 
 persons were not only united to us, but also to the Lord. 
 
MR. FISH VISITS MONTEGO BAY, ol 
 
 On the arrival of Mr. Mc Vean, Mr. Fish left the So- 
 ciety in Kingston, and hastened to Montego Bay. This 
 large town is situated in the parish of St. James, on the 
 north side of the island ; and in its population is perhaps 
 exceeded only by Kingston. Dr. Coke on two of his 
 visits, had already preached there, namely in 1792, and 
 also in 1798, which was the last time he visited the is- 
 land. And although he was interrupted as usual by some 
 of his congregation, yet there were a few in the place 
 who shewed him great kindness, which, together with 
 the numbers who attended his ministry, encouraged him 
 to hope for success. Mr. Fish lost no time in acquaint- 
 ing the magistrates with the design of his coming and 
 soliciting their protection in the discharge of his duties. 
 They consulted together on the subject, and without 
 much hesitation, it was agreed that he should preach. 
 A large apartment which was used as an assembly-room, 
 in which Dr. Coke had preached before, was immediately 
 obtained. In this place he had large congregations, 
 many even of the principal inhabitants attended, and all 
 behaved with becoming decency. 
 
 After Mr. Fish had laboured for the greater part of a 
 year in Montego Bay, a lamentable event occurred which 
 partly occasioned his removal from the place. On the 
 6th of July, 1795, a dreadful fire broke out near the 
 centre of the town. Most of the houses being framed or 
 wooden buildings, the fire, which was fanned by a brisk 
 wind, raged with the most destructive violence, and a 
 great part of the town was speedily laid in ashes. 
 Although, by the singular providence of God, none of the 
 
32 MR. FISH RETURNS TO KINGSTON. 
 
 houses of the Methodists were consumed, yet after this 
 calamity no suitable place could be obtained for preach- 
 ing ; the assembly-room having been destroyed in the 
 conflagration. At that time also, the Maroon war com- 
 menced in that neighbourhood, and Montego Bay was 
 constantly exposed to danger. " These events," says Dr. 
 Coke, "were unfriendly to the interests of the gospel. The 
 attention of the inhabitants was entirely engrossed with 
 retrospection and anticipation, behind them they saw the 
 fire and before them the sword. The consequence was, 
 that the congregation dwindled away, almost every mind 
 seemed wholly absorbed in these disasters. Om- worthy 
 missionary therefore, after labouring among them a con- 
 siderable time almost in vain, returned to Kingston, 
 according to the discretionary powers entrusted to him." 
 
 It must not, however, be supposed that the seed which 
 was thus sown by Mr. Fish was entirely lost. He had 
 some seals to his ministry, who will be the crown of his 
 rejoicing in the day of the Lord. A Society was formed 
 consisting of twenty-three persons, and though no mis- 
 sionary was permanently settled in the place for twenty 
 years afterwards, yet even to that time a few of the 
 original members remained. Those joyfully hailed the 
 return of a minister, and they constituted the giound- 
 work of that large and flourishing Society which con- 
 tinues to this day. 
 
 During the residence of Mr. Fish in Montego Bay, the 
 Kingston Society sustained a very great loss in the death 
 of John H. Constant, already mentioned as having re- 
 ceived the appellation of the Peace-maker. He was a 
 
DEATH OF MR. J. H. CONSTANT. S6 
 
 native of the island of Antigua ; a black man^ but born in 
 freedom. His mother was a member of the Methodist 
 Society there, under the care of the Messrs. Gilbert, with 
 one of whom he himself lived as a hired servant. His 
 master taught him to read and write, and in early life he 
 was under very serious impressions. Those impressions 
 afterwards wore off, and he entered into the service of a 
 gentleman in the navy, with whom he came to Jamaica, 
 where he remained. He soon became conformed to the 
 sinful customs of the country, but being brought under 
 the ministry of Mr. Hammett, he was seized with deep 
 convictions of his sinfulness and danger. Soon after this 
 he obtained peace with God through believing, and was 
 a steady member of the Society to the time of his death. 
 His wife with whom he lived pre\dous to his marriage, 
 was, it is believed, the daughter of an African chief, who 
 had been stolen from her parents, and was a slave at the 
 time he was married to her ; but on that event he pur- 
 chased her freedom, although the price he had to pay 
 for it Avas one hundred pounds sterling. 
 
 He was a useful class leader for the space of five years. 
 He was also frequently employed as an exhorter ; and 
 was listened to on the part of the people with pleasure 
 and profit. He was a Serjeant in the Colonial Militia, 
 which was composed of the greater part of the free per- 
 sons resident on the Island. Being on permanent duty 
 and engaged in the Maroon war, he had to endure greater 
 fatigues than his constitution could sustain, which laid 
 the foundation of that illness which terminated in his 
 death. In his last sickness his afflictions were great ; 
 
 D 
 
34 PREACHING IN THE PARISHES 
 
 but his consolations abounded. On the evening of his 
 departure, he desired that all who were in the house 
 might be called into his room ; on which he prayed with 
 them with great fervour. Having concluded, he clapped 
 his hands, and with an air of triumph he twice exclaimed, 
 " Glory be to God ; " and then quietly "fell asleep." 
 
 While Mr. Fish was in Montego Bay, his colleague 
 took frequent excursions into the country with the view 
 of obtaining permission to preach to the negroes on their 
 respective estates. The Honorable Henry Shirley, at 
 that time the Gustos of St. George's parish, and an ex- 
 tensive proprietor, having been friendly to the religious 
 instruction of the slaves, readily permitted him to visit 
 his estates of Spring Garden and Petersfield. On going 
 to the former, he was much discouraged, as the white 
 people turned into ridicule the idea of preaching the 
 gospel to the negroes ; yet having obtained permission 
 of the proprietor, he was nevertheless determined to ac- 
 complish his object. But his way was made far more 
 plain than his fears had anticipated. A gentleman of 
 great influence and respectability, namely, the Honor- 
 able John Scott, one of the members of the Council, hap- 
 pened to be there on a temporary visit, and having 
 expressed his desire to hear the missionary, he preached 
 in the great hall to all the white people on the property, 
 and as many of the negroes as it would contain. The 
 example having been set by Mr. Scott, the utmost de- 
 corum prevailed throughout the service ; all knelt at 
 prayer, and appeared to listen to the truths delivered in 
 the sermon with becoming attention. He afterwards made 
 
OF ST. GEORGE AND ST. THOMAS IN THE EAST. S5 
 
 repeated visits both to Spring Garden and Petersfield, 
 and many of the negroes evinced a work of grace begun 
 in their hearts. In May, 1797, which was only about 
 ten months after his first visit, he was enabled to report 
 fifty members on the former, and a considerably greater 
 number on the latter. This was the first establishment 
 of the work in St. Thomas in the East, a parish in which 
 since that period the advantages of missionary labour 
 have been so extensively diffused. 
 
 It is pleasing to record such instances of kindness and 
 good-will to the Mission, as were manifested at this early 
 stage of its history, on the part of the Honorable 
 Messrs. Shirley and Scott. The former gentleman, in 
 addition to his estates in St. Thomas in the East, and St. 
 George's, possessed two in the distant parish of Trelaw- 
 ney ; and such was his concern for the instruction of the 
 negroes belonging to them, that he generously offered 
 to build a chapel, a house for the missionary, and to give 
 £ 100 per annum for his support, in order to accomplish 
 this benevolent object. Those offers were sincerely made, 
 and they aflforded encouraging prospects for the time, but 
 they were not realized. After this the higher classes 
 became either decidedly hostile or totally indifferent to 
 the labours of the missionaries. What led to this 
 change shall be afterwards related. 
 
 In the month of August, 1797, Mr. Fish, who still re- 
 mained at Montego Bay, received letters from Kingston, 
 giving an account of the severe illness of his fellow- 
 labourer, and earnestly requesting his immediate return. 
 It has been already mentioned that several events 
 
 b2 
 
86 STATE OF THE KINGSTON SOCIETY. 
 
 occurred which put an end to his flattering prospects 
 where he was ; and though he remained for two years 
 after the fire, yet he saw but little fruit of his labours, so 
 that the application from Kingston left him no room to 
 doubt as to the path of duty. He earnestly advised the 
 free coloured and black members of Society, to go along 
 with him, but they found themselves unable to do so. 
 After giving them such advice and exhortation as were 
 suited to their circumstances, he took an affectionate leave 
 of them, commending them to the care of Him who was 
 able to keep them from falling. This was a painful 
 parting on both sides, but it was unavoidable. 
 
 On his arrival in Kingston, he found that during his 
 absence his colleague had added about 190 members to 
 the Society, exclusive of deaths, removals, &c,, making 
 the whole number in the town and neighbourhood to be 
 370. But at the quarterly visitation in September, he 
 found that discipline had not been strictly exercised, and 
 that many unworthy persons had been admitted and 
 were suffered to remain. His fellow-labourer was 
 zealous, but he did not possess the judgment and dis- 
 crimination of Mr. Fish, and his frequent absence from the 
 town on his laborious and successful visitations to many 
 places in the country, might account for those irregula- 
 rites. Mr. Fish was however forced to expel no fewer 
 than fifty-one, of whom the greater part had neglected 
 to attend the means of grace, but there were some who 
 were also immoral in their lives. 
 
 The labours of this faithful missionary, were very 
 severe. The reader may form some idea of them from a 
 
AN EXPRESSION OF LOYALTY. 37 
 
 letter to Dr. Coke, which was written about the end of 
 September. Pie says : — " My regard for the people of 
 Kingston is such, that I could rejoice in spending my 
 last breath among them. Though I have so much work, 
 that sometimes I scarcely know what to do first, yet it is 
 all pleasant and delightful : and though constantly en- 
 gaged in public or private, abroad or at home, from four 
 in the morning until ten at night, I bless God I 
 scarcely know what weariness is ; so graciously has the 
 Lord renewed my strength during my voyage from 
 Montego Bay, and since my arrival here." Much of 
 those excessive labours no doubt arose out of the peculiar 
 circumstances of the Society at the time ; for in such a 
 climate as that of Jamaica, it would have been impossible 
 for any European to have persevered in them to any 
 lengthened period. 
 
 A pleasing feature in the character of the Kingston 
 Society was manifested at that time, and deserves to be 
 distinctly noticed. A contribution having been com- 
 menced on the Island with the view of assisting the 
 Mother Country in that arduous struggle in which she 
 was then engaged against France and other European 
 powers, the Methodists were alsodesu'ous to do something 
 in that cause. But they were far from being affluents 
 and their individual subscriptions could only at best 
 appear but small in comparison with those of many of 
 their more opulent neighbours. They therefore united 
 their efforts, and by that means cheerfully raised the sum 
 of £ 150, which they presented to the common object. 
 Thus at this early period, they begun to shew that at- 
 
38 ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES. 
 
 tachment to their Sovereign and to Great Britain for 
 which they have been distinguished ever since. 
 
 About this period there seems to have been some 
 hopes of success even at Port Koyal, and some time 
 before^ Mr. Fishley wrote to Dr. Coke as follows : — " I 
 trust, through your assistance and advice, our present 
 worthy minister will be able to give a happy account 
 of his mission. He is in my opinion well adapted to it; 
 as he is simple, loving, persevering with all faithfulness ; 
 sparing not himself. I hope he will soon have work 
 enough to employ two or three more, for there are daily 
 invitations for him to preach to the poor blacks from 
 those who were not long since avowed enemies to all 
 religion." Those prospects were of no long duration, 
 and Port Royal settled down into the same state of 
 apathy and indifference as before. 
 
 Towards the close of the year 1797 Mr. Fish was again 
 left without a colleague ; but in the following March, 
 Mr. Alexander arrived to his assistance, and in a few 
 weeks afterwards, Messrs Campbell and Fowler. There 
 being now four missionaries on the Island, they endea- 
 voured to spread the gospel in diiferent places. Their 
 attention was first directed to the eastern districts, and 
 they went as far as Port Antonio, which is situated 
 between seventy and eighty miles from Kingston on the 
 north-eastern part of the Island, being the principal town 
 in the parish of Portland; but their labours were not at- 
 tended with success. In the district of Manchioneal, their 
 prospects were more flattering. In that populous neigh- 
 
OPPOSITION IN MONTEGO BAY. 39 
 
 bourhood they found some who appeared desirous of hav- 
 ing the ordinances of religion, and they hired a house in 
 which they preached to peaceable congregations. But 
 this did not last long, there was no spirit of enquiry ex- 
 cited amongst the negroes, and the whites and free per- 
 sons of colour who attended soon became dissatisfied 
 with what were to them unpalatable doctrines ; and the 
 congregation fell away, so that the place had to be given 
 up. Spanish Town was also again attempted, but they 
 met with little either of opposition or encouragement ; 
 consequently it had to be relinquished. 
 
 In the month of May, 1799, Mr. Campbell went down 
 to Montego Bay, and made application to the magistrates 
 for permission to preach. But since Mr. Fish left that 
 town a considerable change for the worse had taken place, 
 and they peremptorily rejected his request. Mr. Camp- 
 bell urged his being a licensed minister according to the 
 laws of Great Britain ; but this was disregarded, and see- 
 ing the door completely closed against him he returned 
 to Kingston. 
 
 At no period of its history were the circumstances of 
 the mission more trying to the servants of God than about 
 the year 1799. They had, at much personal fatigue and 
 reproach, visited many parts of the Island, and in some 
 places they were refused permission to preach, and where 
 they had such permission the people cared for none of 
 these things. But they were not weary nor faint in their 
 minds. In Kingston their labours were owned of God 
 to the benefit of many, and on some of the estates in St. 
 
40 A DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE. 
 
 Thomas in the East, they saw that they were not spend- 
 ing their strength for nought. 
 
 For some time the annoyance which had been formerly 
 experienced in Kingston had considerably abated; but 
 another disgraceful event, which occurred this year, shews 
 that the spirit of persecution had not become extinct. 
 One evening, near midnight, after the missionaries had 
 long retired to rest, a number of ruffians broke into the 
 chapel-house; but the police being called for, who were at 
 hand, they suddenly decamped. It was however thought 
 necessary for future safety to make an example of the 
 principal person concerned in this daring outrage. He 
 was a merchant in the town, who seemed to be desirous 
 of recommending himself by shewing his zeal against the 
 despised sectarians. A warrant was obtained against him, 
 but when the case was brought before the Quarter Ses- 
 sions, it was traversed until the court following ; and at 
 that time the missionary, who was the prosecutor, was 
 taken dangerously ill, and having to leave the island the 
 prosecution dropped. 
 
 After this nothing remarkable occurred, till about 
 Christmas in that year. From the contrivances of the 
 French, some of their countrymen in the Island had 
 brought it into considerable danger. On the 22nd of De- 
 cember martial law was proclaimed; and Sas Portas, a 
 spy, was detected and executed. His plans were com- 
 pleted, and he was about to sail, when the discovery of 
 the whole was effected. When the Methodists were 
 acknowledging the hand of God in this deliverance, all 
 the out-houses belonging to the mission-premises were 
 
ARRIVAL AND DEATH OF MR. RICHARDSON. 41 
 
 taken possession of by the Militia, as a receptacle for 
 French negroes, who were then in custody. In about 
 four days afterwards, the chapel itself was seized, and 
 converted into a place of riotous feasting. Complaints 
 were made to the principal officers of the injury which 
 w^as done to the premises, which they listened to and en_ 
 deavoured for the future to prevent. The missionaries 
 also, by orders of the general, had the use of the chapel 
 on the Sundays. Some were however anxious that they 
 should be compelled at that time to serve in the Militia ; 
 but through the kindness of Colonel Cockburn, who was 
 an influential merchant in the town, they were not mo- 
 lested. 
 
 In course of this year Mr. Richardson arrived as an 
 additional missionary. He Avas a young man of conside- 
 rable promise, and entered upon his work with great 
 zeal and diligence ; but his work was soon accomj)lished 
 for in the space of seventeen days, during which he had 
 preached four times, and once led a class, he was called 
 from a life of suffering to that rest Avhich remains for 
 the people of God. 
 
 In the beginning of 1800, Mr. Alexander left the island 
 and the work devolved on Messrs. Fish and Campbell.* 
 As there was nothing of great importance which trans- 
 pired after this, until the persecutions which commenced 
 in 1802, we shall conclude this chapter by an account 
 
 * Mr. Alexander is said to have left, because he had *' fulfilled his 
 engagements ;" as to his term of residence. He had been about six 
 years in the West Indies, but only two were spent in Jamaica. He 
 was remembered twenty years afterwards only as having been the 
 missionary who cut down a large tree which grew in the chapel -yard 
 in Kingston. 
 
42 NUMBER OF MEMBERS. 
 
 of the numbers as they were reported at that time. On 
 the Kingston Circuit there were about 500 members, and 
 about 100 on the plantations in St. Thomas in the East. 
 There were nine raised up in Kingston, who acted as 
 exhorters, besides a considerable number of leaders who 
 were very attentive to their duties, and successful in the 
 discharge of them. 
 
43 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Commencement of the "Work in Morant Bay — Hon. Simon Taylor — 
 Inquiry into the Laws of Jamaica respecting Religious Toleration — 
 Intolerant Law of 1802 — Imprisonment of Mr. John Williams in Mo- 
 rant Bay — Imprisonment of Rev. Mr. Campbell — Case of Mr. Camp- 
 bell brought before the Kingston Assizes — Mr. Fish applies for " Li- 
 cense" at the Kingston Quarter Sessions — ISIr. Campbell afterwards 
 applies — They visit Morant Bay for a similar pm-pose, but their ap- 
 plication is rejected — A warrant for Mr. Campbell's Arrest issued by 
 the Magistrates — He is compelled to leave the Island — Law of 1802 
 disallowed by the King. 
 
 We are now approaching to a very important period 
 in the history of the mission, a period strongly marked 
 with opposition of a far more systematic and formidable 
 character than any which preceeded it. There had in- 
 deed been a constant struggle from the very commence- 
 ment; yet, though the opposers had always been amongst 
 the whites, the higher classes, though generally un- 
 friendly, manifested no disposition to persecution. It is 
 true, an exception must be made in Montego Bay, where 
 the magistrates refused Mr. Campbell permission to 
 preach ; but that is to be regarded as a departure from 
 the general rule, and had no opposition arisen from 
 a far more powerfiil source, that would neither have been 
 of long duration, nor involved very serious consequences. 
 That formidable opposition, which we are now going to 
 relate, began in St. Thomas in the East, and as it was 
 productive of a hostility which could hardly be said to 
 
44 PREACHING AT MORANT BAY. 
 
 have ended until the passing of the Emancipation Act, it 
 will be necessary to trace it to its proper origin. 
 
 In the month of April, 1802, some local preachers, who 
 had been raised up in Kingston, visited Morant Bay, the 
 principal town or rather village in the above mentioned 
 parish. They were immediately followed by the mis- 
 sionaries, who obtained a house for preaching, and found 
 many, both among the free coloured and blacks, as well 
 as the slaves, willing to hear them. As usual they met 
 with the same interruption in their public services as 
 in other places ; and, in addition to it, negroes were some- 
 times employed by their superiors, or hired, for the pur- 
 pose of disturbing the congregations. But it was all 
 lost labour; the cause of religion triumphed, and the 
 success which attended the preaching of the gospel was 
 quite unprecedented. By the month of July, a society 
 of thirty persons was formed ; which by November in- 
 creased to ninety, and the work continued to advance 
 with still greater rapidity. At that time the late Hon. 
 Simon Taylor was Custos, or chief magistrate, of that pre- 
 cinct, and as he became the principal originator of that 
 long opposition which followed, it will be necessary to 
 say a few words respecting him. 
 
 Mr. Simon Taylor was a native of the Island, and in 
 the course of many years had amassed prodigious wealth. 
 He was proprietor of some of the finest estates in Ja- 
 maica, and attorney for many more, a situation which 
 gives the power of removing any of the whites belonging 
 to them at pleasure. Besides his being Custos of the 
 precinct of St. Thomas in the East and St. David's, he 
 
HON. SIMON TAYLOR. 45 
 
 was a major-general of the Colonial Militia, a mem- 
 ber of the Legislature, and no Colonist, either before or 
 since, has possessed any thing like his extraordinary in- 
 fluence. As might be expected, an individual so prominent 
 was the subject of much conversation on all parts of the 
 Island ; and seldom has public opinion on any man been 
 expressed with greater unanimity. In his private habits, 
 he was invariably represented as being so degraded as 
 to be almost perfectly brutish ; although there were two 
 virtues for which he was celebrated. The first was, 
 strict integrity in the management of estates committed 
 to his care, and the second, his warm and efficient pa- 
 tronage of those who had the good fortune to enjoy his 
 smiles. But his friendship was capricious and uncer- 
 tain, and woe to that man who was not ready to serve 
 him on all occasions, and from whom he might receive 
 any real or imaginary slight. He was inexorably tyran- 
 nical ; a terror to almost every one, but loved and re- 
 spected by none. His resentments were easily awakened, 
 and when this was the case, he was universally repre- 
 sented as being absolutely implacable, or rather utterly 
 diabolical. Few had the courage to oppose him in 
 anything, for to incur his displeasure was accounted 
 sufficient to blast the fairest prospects. He was also 
 said to have been excessively avaricious, and notwith- 
 standing his immense wealth, to have long trembled 
 lest he should be reduced to beggary, and at last die in 
 a jail. His death happened nearly forty years ago, and 
 having been interred on a property which was afterwards 
 sold, his ashes were exhumed, purchased by his ex- 
 
46 ON THE LAWS OF JAMAICA 
 
 eciitoi's, and were at last conveyed on mules to his estate 
 of Lyssons, where this tutelar deity of Jamaica was 
 buried "with the burial of an ass." It is to this un- 
 worthy man, whose memory has been long execrated, 
 that the Island owes some of the darkest blots on 
 its history. Had he been merely a private individual, 
 no notice would have been taken of him in this narrative, 
 but his public conduct cannot and ought not to be con- 
 signed to oblivion. It was under his direction that the 
 magistracy about Morant Bay first assumed the attitude 
 of decided hostility to the cause of religion. It was 
 under his influence that attempts were subsequently 
 made by the Legislature to deprive their fellow-subjects 
 of their dearest rights ; and to him many of those 
 evils are traceable, which so long disturbed the Colony, 
 and which did so much to blast the reputation of the 
 colonists in the estimation of the wisest and best of men 
 in the Mother Country. 
 
 Before proceeding further, it mil be needful, in order 
 that subsequent events may be seen in their proper light, 
 to enquire a little into the laws of Jamaica respecting 
 the great question of religious toleration. It seems to 
 have been a prevailing opinion, both amongst the mis- 
 sionaries of that day as well as others, that what are 
 called the Toleration Laws of Great Britain, or rather of 
 England, extended to all parts of the Empire, and con- 
 sequently to the West Indies. Nothing however could 
 be more erroneous ; and it is unquestionable that this 
 notion was productive of much injury in the struggle 
 against their formidable adversaries. It is not necessary 
 
RESPECTING RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. • 47 
 
 to touch the question, which has been so much agitated, 
 as to the right of the Imperial Parliament to legislate for 
 the foreign dependencies of the Empire ; but it must at 
 once appear absurd to suppose, that an act of the Legis- 
 lature at home, such as the Toleration Act, which does 
 not even extend to all parts of the United Kingdom 
 itself, should extend to the Colonies, without any de- 
 claratory clause to that effect. The Legislature of Ja- 
 maica never legislated on this subject until 1802, but 
 their act was immediately disallowed. Various attempts 
 were made at different subsequent periods, as shall be 
 hereafter narrated, but no permanent law was ever 
 established ; so that with the exception of those short 
 interruptions, the law remained the same as it was before 
 the act of 1802, down to the time of the passing the Act 
 of Emancipation, which constituted the toleration laws 
 of England the law of Jamaica. What the law of Ja- 
 maica was before 1833 is now to be the subject of en- 
 quiry. 
 
 As there was some degree of uncertainty, the mission- 
 aries at different times consulted with several legal gen- 
 tlemen, who gave their opinions professionally; and as 
 they all referred to a clause somewhat awkwardly embo- 
 died in a Jamaica Act, of the 1st Geo. II, that clause 
 may as well at once be inserted here ; which is as 
 follows : — 
 
 "That all and every the acts and laws of this Island, which 
 determined and expired the first day of October, in the year 
 of our Lord 1724, and not hereby or by any former act of the 
 Governor, Council, and Assembly now in force, altered, or re- 
 
48 • OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. 
 
 pealed, shall be, and are hereby devised and declared to be 
 perpetual ; and also all such laws and statutes of England as 
 have been at any time esteemed^ introduced and accepted^ or re- 
 ceived as laws of this Island, shcdl, and are hereby declared to 
 be, and continue laws of this his Majesty s Island of Jamaica 
 for ever.''^ 
 
 During the time the chapels were shut up and mission- 
 aries not allowed to preach, (which shall afterwards be 
 duly noticed), application was made to Counsellor Hinch- 
 clifFe for his opinion as to what laws (if any) were in 
 force, and whether the missionaries could legally require 
 to be protected in their public duties. In his answer, he 
 referred to the aforesaid clause (which was universally 
 admitted to be the only statute which could have any re- 
 ference to the question), and intimated, that as it was 
 uncertain whether the old toleration laws of Will, and 
 Mary, and 10th of Anne had ever been introduced in the 
 Island before 1724, so it was consequently uncertain 
 whether there was any law under which the missionaries 
 could qualify ; and he appears to have come to the con- 
 clusion that they could obtain no redress. In 1824, Mr. 
 Burge, then the Attorney General, was consulted, as to 
 whether the missionaries were bound to apply for licence 
 to the Quarter Sessions in each parish, and if refused by 
 the court, it was enquired, what was the remedy. The 
 substance of his answer was, that the missionaries were 
 undoubtedly obliged to apply in each parish, but in case of 
 refusal the magistrates might be compelled by manda- 
 mus to admit them to qualify. The basis of that gen- 
 tleman's opinion, was still the clause we have transcribed. 
 
DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT. 49 
 
 which he thought recognized the old Toleration Act of 
 England ; but as he had only perused that of Will, and 
 Mary, and overlooked the X^tli of Anne ; * he was thereby 
 led into the mistake, that the missionaries were bound 
 to apply in each parish : parishes in Jamaica holding the 
 place of British counties. In 1828 it was decided by 
 the Supreme Court (but in the absence of the Chief Jus- 
 tice), on the opinion of Mr. Attorney General James, that 
 by the aforesaid clause the acts both of Will, and Mary, 
 and the 10th of Anne, were in force ; and the same 
 opinion was substantially adopted several years after- 
 wards, by the present Attorney General, Mr. Dowall 
 O' Reilley, and confirmed by the same Court. 
 
 With due deference to the talents of those learned 
 gentlemen, it is not difficult to perceive that, with the 
 exception^ Mr. Hinchcliffe, their opinions were perfectly 
 erroneous ; and the conclusion which he seems to have 
 drawn from the supposed uncertainty of the law, was as 
 absurd as any of them. 
 
 Nothing can be more obvious than that the act of Ist 
 Geo. II, only recognizes the old toleration laws, provided 
 they had been ^'esteemed, introduced and accepted as laws 
 of the Island'^ before 1724 ; and if not, they were of no 
 force whatsoever. But it was well known that no mi- 
 nister out of the Established Church had ever attempted 
 to qualify under the acts in question, until long after the 
 date referred to. No Wesleyan or Dissenting minister 
 
 * That this was the fact, the writer is perfectly certain, from a 
 private conversation he had long afterwards with that gentleman 
 himself. 
 
 E 
 
50 NO PERMANENT LAW AGAINST RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. 
 
 of any sort had ever officiated on the Island until long 
 after 1724, and no one ever attempted for a moment to 
 affirm the contrary. But supposing this to have been 
 absolutely uncertain, how would this uncertainty affect 
 the case of the missionaries ? It was agreed on all hands, 
 that by Common Law they had a right to officiate in 
 their chapels ; and therefore in the absence of any special 
 statute, regvilating or prohibiting such an exercise, they 
 might worship God as they pleased ; and in the peace- 
 able discharge of such duties, they had a claim upon the 
 magistrates for protection. Supposing, therefore, that any 
 of the missionaries had been indicted by the Attorney 
 General, (who is there the public prosecutor,) for preach- 
 ing without license, so called, what would have been 
 the result? As this by Common Law was no offence, 
 would it have devolved upon the missionary to point out 
 what was, or what was not, the law of the Island ? Cer- 
 tainly not. The Attorney General could not have sus- 
 tained his indictment, and the whole prosecution must 
 have fallen to the ground. It is this that we have been 
 endeavouring to place in the clearest light before the 
 reader. No one knew any law to hinder the missionaries 
 from the performance of their public duties. In fact 
 there ivas none. The magistrates were therefore bound 
 to protect them in the peaceable enjoyment of those pri- 
 vileges which are in a peculiar manner the birth-right of 
 every British subject. The reader will now clearly per- 
 ceive that every attempt on the part of the magistrates 
 to prevent the preaching of the missionaries, was down- 
 right persecution, and with the exception of the short 
 
SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IN 1802. 51 
 
 j)eriods in which certain Jamaica Acts were in force, as 
 much contrary to the laws of the Island as to the law of 
 God. 
 
 But to return to our narrative, such was the state of 
 things in Jamaica until the sitting of the Legislature to- 
 wards the close of 1802. At that session a Bill was in- 
 troduced into the Assembly, entitled " An Act to prevent 
 preaching by persons not duly qualified by law." This 
 passed the House on the 17th day of December. On the 
 following day it passed the Council, and also received 
 the sanction of the Lieutenant Governor, who at that 
 time was Major General Nugent. A copy of this cele- 
 brated law is here subjoined : happy, however, to record 
 the conviction, that such is already the altered state of 
 feeling in Jamaica, that the day is at no great distance 
 when all will be astonished that such an enactment 
 should ever have been allowed to disgrace the annals of 
 the nineteenth century. It is as follows : — 
 
 " I. Whereas there now exists in this Island an evil, which 
 is daily increasing, and threatens much danger to the peace 
 and safety thereof, by reason of the preaching of ill-disposed, 
 illiterate, or ignorant enthusiasts to meetings of negroes or 
 persons of colour, chiefly slaves, unlawfully assembled ; 
 whereby not only the minds of the hearers are perverted with 
 fanatical notions, but opportunity is afforded them of concert- 
 ing schemes of much public and private mischief : We, his 
 Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lieutenant 
 Governor, Council, and Assembly, of this your Majesty's island 
 of Jamaica, humbly beseech your Majesty that it may be en- 
 acted, and be it therefore enacted and ordained by the 
 
 e2 
 
52 A PERSECUTING LAW. 
 
 authority of the same ; That from and after the passing of this 
 act, in case any person not duly qualified and authorized or 
 permitted, as is directed by the laws of this Island and of 
 Great Britain, shall, under pretence of being a minister of 
 religion, presume to preach or teach in any meeting or assembly 
 of negroes or people of colour, within this Island ; every such 
 person shall be deemed and taken to be a rogue and vagabond, 
 and within the intent and meaning of this act, and be punished 
 in the manner hereafter mentioned. 
 
 "II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid : 
 That it may and shall be lawful for any magistrate of the 
 parish wherein the offence aforesaid shall be committed, on 
 compliant made to him on oath, or upon his own hearing or 
 view, to cause the offender to be apprehended and committed 
 to the common gaol ; and shall forthwith associate himself 
 with two other justices of the peace of the said parish ; and 
 have authority to summon all persons capable of giving evi- 
 dence to appear before them ; which three magistrates so as- 
 sociated, shall, upon due conviction of the offender, adjudge 
 him, or her, if of free condition, to be committed to the 
 workhouse,'^' there to be kept to hard labour, for the first 
 offence for the term of one month, and for every subsequent 
 offence for the term of six months each : and in case the of- 
 fender shall be a slave, such offender shall be committed for 
 the first offence for hard labour to the nearest workhouse for 
 one month, and for every subsequent offence to receive a 
 public flogging, not exceeding thirty-nine lashes ; provided 
 always, that whenever the offence committed by a white per- 
 son shall appear to be one of extraordinary heinousness, it 
 shall and may be lawful for any one or more of the justices of 
 
 * The reader is requested to take notice that the term workhouse in 
 Jamaica, signifies House of Correction. 
 
MAJOR GENERAL NUGENT. 53 
 
 the peace, and he and they are hereby required to secure the 
 appearance of any such offender at the next subsequent su- 
 preme, or Assize Court, by sufficient bail or commitment to 
 answer for the offence ; and on conviction, to suffer such 
 imnishment as such Court shall see Jit to injlict, not extending to 
 life, 
 
 " III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid : 
 That from and after the passing of this act, in case any owner, 
 possessor, or occupier of any house, out-house, yard, or other 
 place whatsoever, shall knowingly permit any meeting or 
 assembly of negroes, or people of colour, for the purpose of 
 hearing the preaching of any person of the description herein- 
 before declared to be a rogue and vagabond, every person so 
 permitting such meeting or assembly shall, on conviction 
 thereof before the Court of Quarter Sessions of the same parish 
 or precinct, incur a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, 
 at the discretion of the said Court, and be committed to the 
 common gaol, until such fine be paid, and until the offender 
 shall have given security for his future good behaviour, by 
 recognizance for such time, and in such sum, and with such 
 sureties, as the Court shall judge fit." 
 
 It is truly humbling that any British general could 
 have been found in the present century who would put 
 his hand to such a document as this ; but Major General 
 Nugent did it, and not only so, but with such haste, 
 that on the very day it passed the Council it received his 
 signature. It is perhaps well that his name does not 
 stand out amongst those illustrious generals whose ac- 
 tions will adorn the annals of Britain to future genera- 
 tions ; for then this unhappy act might have tarnished 
 his fair fame. But it cannot be concealed ; that before 
 
54 MR. JOHN WILLIAMS IMPRISONED 
 
 the ashes of Abercromby had been well settled in the 
 grave, and while the immortal Nelson was braving every 
 danger for the liberties and glories of his country, Gene- 
 ral Nugent was sitting securely in the Government House 
 of Jamaica signing persecuting laws, to crush the Chris- 
 tian minister, and to torture poor people, whose only 
 crime was a desire to obtain the knowledge of salvation. 
 The moment he signed the intolerant document, it became 
 law ; but that law could not become permanently esta- 
 blished, till it received the sanction of the sovereign. 
 Such a law might and did pass through the hands of Ge- 
 neral Nugent, but it never could pass through the hands 
 of George the Third. 
 
 The consequences resulting from the new law were 
 most deplorable, and it would be far more agreeable to 
 cast a veil over them than to relate them. But they 
 were of too public a nature to be hidden, and much too 
 bad to admit of an apology. It had pleased God some 
 time before, to raise up a gentleman of colour at Morant 
 Bay, namely Mr. John Williams, to warn his neighbours 
 to " flee from the wrath to come." He was a person of 
 intelligence, of good education, of excellent character, 
 and possessed of some property in the village. On peru- 
 sing the Act which was published in the newspapers, 
 he deemed it prudent to desist from preaching, until he 
 should obtain license at the Quarter Sessions, which were 
 to be held within a few days afterwards. On the 4th of 
 January, he accordingly made application to qualify, but 
 was met with a decided refusal. Two others from King- 
 ston also applied at the same time, but they were con- 
 
AT MORANT BAY. 55 
 
 temptuously driven away by the presiding magistrate, 
 who told them that they ought to be committed for 
 having dared to address the Court. Seeing there was no 
 hope, they became cahnly resigned to their circumstances ; 
 but looking up to God for better days. 
 
 On the evening of the 5th January, a few of the friends 
 assembled together, and lest they should give offence, 
 they only sung a few hymns, and then engaged in prayer. 
 On the following day, Mr. Williams who had been pre- 
 sent, was apprehended and taken to the Court-house for 
 summary trial, before five magistrates who had assem- 
 bled for the purpose. The witnesses did not charge him 
 with teaching, or preaching ; and they all declared that 
 they had never heard him advance anything of a dange- 
 rous tendency. But he had sung and prayed, and the 
 Court decided, that those exercises amounted to the same 
 thing as preaching ; and passed sentence that he should 
 be confined to hard labour in the workhouse, for the 
 space of a month. The " hard labour" was however re- 
 mitted, but the punishment of imprisonment was ri- 
 gorously infiicted. 
 
 Mr. John Williams was the first prisoner of Jesus 
 Christ on the island of Jamaica, and no one would have 
 rejoiced more than the writer, could he have added, that 
 none since that time have shared with him in the "glorious 
 infamy." It deserves to be mentioned to the honour of 
 the affectionate people of Morant Bay, that during the 
 period of his incarceration, they sympathized with him 
 in his suffering, paid him all possible attention, and were 
 not ashamed of his bonds. He himself was all the while 
 
56 CONTINUED OPPOSITION. 
 
 kept in perfect peace ; and, by the blessing of God, he 
 received no material injury to his health, although he was 
 confined in a close room which was paved with bricks. 
 At the end of the month, he was required to give security 
 for his appearance at the Quarter Sessions to answer for 
 another part of the offence. He had been already 
 punished for singing and praying, along with a few of his 
 friends ; and now it was demanded that, he should be 
 bound to answer to the charge of doing so " in his own 
 house.'''' But he positively refused to be released on such 
 conditions ; and he was liberated after having been con- 
 fined a day longer than his sentence required. 
 
 On the tidings of Mr. Williams's imprisonment reach" 
 ing Kingston, Mr. Campbell hastened to Morant Bay. 
 He tenderly sympathized with the suffering people, and 
 would not forsake them while they were groaning under 
 oppression. As a regular minister, and to use the Avords 
 of the act, '^ duly qualified by the laws of Great Britain," 
 he never suspected that his qualifications would be ques- 
 tioned. But he was mistaken. On the first evening he 
 preached he was apprehended, and taken before Mr. 
 Harris, a neighbouring magistrate. This gentleman 
 appeared however to be perfectly satisfied with his cre- 
 dentials, and he was therefore allowed to depart. On 
 remaining a few days longer, he was informed that it 
 was nevertheless in contemplation to proceed against 
 him ; and he therefore thought it the most prudent 
 course to return to Kingston, to obtain the opinion of 
 counsel as to the validity of his '' License." That opi- 
 nion being quite satisfactory, he immediately went back 
 
IMPRISONS' MENT OF MR. CAMPBELL. 57 
 
 to Morant Bay, and once more entered upon his labours. 
 On the 7th of February he was agam apprehended, and 
 was taken before] four magistrates, among whom was Mr. 
 Harris, before whom he had been previously examined. 
 He again produced his credentials, and also the opinion 
 of his counsel in his favour. But the Bench decided, that 
 by the laws of the Island, he was not duly qualified to 
 preach. He then enquired what law of the Island was 
 against his preaching ? This, as has been already shewn, 
 was an unanswerable question ; and they only replied, 
 " You may propose questions, but we are not obliged to 
 answer them." 
 
 It is somewhat difficult to ascertain what was the 
 precise intention of the magistrates, in the case of Mr. 
 CampbelL No formal sentence was pronounced. The 
 clerk however was ordered to make out his commitment, 
 which they signed, and he was hurried to the same room 
 which Mr. Williams had quitted only a few hours be- 
 fore. His imprisonment, while it lasted, was niore 
 rigorous than that of Mr. Williams. For a time, none 
 but his own family were permitted to visit him, but his 
 friends were as attentive to him as they could. Though 
 they could not obtain admission, yet they came to the 
 outside of the gaol, and through the iron grating of the 
 window, he was enabled to exhort them " to hold fast 
 their faith in the Avords of eternal life." 
 
 In a few days he obtained a writ of Habeas Corpus, 
 and the case was brought before the Kingston Assizes, 
 which were then sitting. The late Stephen Drew, Esq., 
 who some years afterwards became a member of the 
 
58 KINGSTON ASSIZES. 
 
 Methodist Society, was employed as Mr. Campbell's 
 counsel. It appears, that what he advanced had great 
 weight, and the Chief Justice expressed his satisfaction 
 with the qualifications of his client. But the assistant 
 judges were of a different opinion : and being a majority, 
 the Court accordingly decided against him. Another 
 hearing took place on the validity of his commitment, 
 and it was proved to be defective, both in substance, and 
 form. Again the Chief Justice leaned to the same side as 
 before, but the assistant judges, as the majority, carried 
 it against him. The sentence of the Court was then 
 delivered to the following effect : — " That what Mr. 
 Campbell's counsel had said, had great weight, but as 
 his license had been already declared by the Court to be 
 insufficient, and the magistrates of this Island were not 
 so learned in points of law as those in England, and also 
 considering the state of the Island, Mr. Campbell must 
 be remanded back to prison." Thus it Avas adjudged, 
 that the liberty of the subject must be sacrificed, only 
 because the magistrates were ignorant of their duty. 
 It may be here only necessary to add, that although a 
 great part of what has been narrated concerning those 
 transactions, has been taken from an account of them 
 which appeared in the Methodist Magazine for February, 
 1804, yet the writer has often had the opportunity of 
 hearing the whole fully corroborated, by credible persons, 
 who were eye and ear witnesses, as well as by the late 
 Mr. Campbell himself. 
 
 It may appear at first rather remarkable that the as- 
 sistant judges, who arc not trained to the profession of 
 
ASSISTANT JUDGES. 59 
 
 law, should in such cases as the above so decidedly 
 differ from the Chief Justice, who is always taken from 
 the Bar, either of England or Jamaica, and more es- 
 pecially, as a difference of opinion on the judicial Bench 
 was a rare phenomenon indeed. But their circumstances 
 as men of business go far to account for their opposition. 
 Those judges were for the most part unsalaried, and having 
 been generally either merchants or planters, their stations 
 were not favourable to the independence of the Bench. 
 It is therefore more than probable that those gentlemen 
 were much under the influence of Mr. Simon Taylor, 
 who was the prime instigator of the whole business ; and 
 not at all unlikely, that they were more or less directly 
 dependent upon him : and it was a matter long after 
 well known, and much talked of, that such was his 
 determination to have Mr. Campbell punished, that he 
 declared he would rather sell Lyssons estate (should that 
 be necessary for the accomplishment of his object) than 
 that he should be suffered to escape. Such influence as 
 his was more than sufficient to turn the scale against a 
 man of much higher station in the community than that 
 of a despised and persecuted missionary ; and it may be 
 added, that as far as missionaries are concerned, and 
 indeed the honour of the Island also, it would have been 
 much better if everything had been left to the decision 
 of chief justices (at least for a period of nearly thirty 
 years) without the encumbrance of assistant judges and 
 juries. 
 
 There was also another cause which no doubt operated 
 very powerfully against Mr. Campbell. Had the Assize 
 
60 APPLICATION FOR " LICENSE" 
 
 Court declared his license to be valid, or his commitment 
 defective, then the magistrates of Morant Bay Avould 
 have been liable to an action for false imprisonment, and 
 there would have been no possibility of their acquitaL 
 unless by such unblushing and notorious perjury as 
 could hardly be expected. Thus his liberty vras sacri- 
 ficed that the guilty might escape. 
 
 From what had transpired in the case of Mr. Campbell, 
 Mr. Fish perceived, that though he had been nearly eleven 
 years officiating on the Island, yet he was equally liable 
 to the same treatment. As considerable weight was laid 
 at the Assizes on applying at the Quarter Sessions, he re- 
 solved to make such application, which he did in course 
 of the following week. Having laid his letters of ordi- 
 nation and other credentials before the Court, after much 
 hesitation his request was acceded to, and he was per- 
 mitted to preach as before. Some of the local preachers 
 also applied at the same time, but they were instantly 
 rejected. 
 
 It will be needful here to pause for a moment, to call 
 the attention of the reader more particularly to this pro- 
 ceeding on the part of Mr. Fish. It is not meant to 
 insinuate any blame for his applying as he did at the 
 Quarter Sessions. His were circumstancs of peculiar 
 trial and difficulty, and it is hard to conceive of any under 
 which it becomes more the duty of a missionary " to meet 
 even unreasonable prejudices," than those in which he 
 was placed. But there was no law which required it ; and 
 it became a precedent, which though not universally fol- 
 io wed, was yet productive of very unhappy consequences. 
 
AT THE QUARTER SESSIONS. 61 
 
 This was the origin of what was called the " licensing 
 system ;" and it soon led the magistrates to two very 
 erroneous, but at the same time very mischievous con- 
 clusions. The first, that the power of granting or with- 
 holding permission to preach lay entirely Avith them, as 
 judges of the qualifications of the applicant ; and the 
 second, that as each Court had no jurisdiction beyond the 
 limits of its own parish or precinct, so it became obliga- 
 tory on the missionary to apply in every parish or pre- 
 cinct in which he intended to officiate. Many instances 
 of the injurious effects of this system will be seen in the 
 following pages. 
 
 As Mr. Campbell was imprisoned in the workhouse 
 of Morant Bay, he could not apply for license at the same 
 time with Mr. Fish ; but on his release he returned to 
 Kingston, and at the ensuing Quarter Sessions he was 
 admitted to qualify. This was a matter of great thank- 
 fulness to the people in Kingston. The local preachers 
 were indeed silenced, and the leaders could not meet their 
 respective classes, but the public ordinances were regu- 
 larly administered, and the classes were met by the 
 ministers with as much regularity as possible^ This 
 constituted their labour very heavy ; but notwithstanding 
 all their privations the Society prospered, and in the 
 space of six months the number of members increased 
 from 435 to 515. 
 
 Although the little flock at Morant Bay continued 
 steadfast, yet they were all the while destitute of the 
 ordinances of God. No minister was allowed to teach 
 them the way of righteousness ; and from what they had 
 
62 ANOTHER WARRANT AGAINST MR. CAMPBELL. 
 
 already experienced, they were afraid to meet together 
 for the more private means of grace. All that they could 
 do, was to retire to the shady banks of a neighbouring 
 river in little companies ; and there, concealed from the 
 view of their adversaries, they poured out their souls to 
 God in prayer. But as Messrs. Fish and Campbell had 
 succeeded in Kingston, in July they went to Morant 
 Bay, and presented a house to the Quarter Sessions, 
 petitioning that it might be licensed for public worship. 
 They also stated that they themselves had duly qualified 
 in Kingston, but offered to take the oaths again, should 
 that be required. Their petition was read, and returned 
 with this short answer. " The magistrates are unani- 
 mously resolved to grant no license." The missionaries 
 therefore could do nothing but commend their people to 
 the grace of God. They could not advise them to attend 
 the parish church, for at that time there was no minister. 
 The church at Yallahs, in St. Davids, was about twelve 
 miles distant; but divine service in that day was very 
 rarely performed in it ; and at the time the magistrates 
 rejected the application of the missionaries, it may be 
 said with truth, that there was no public worship at all of 
 any sort between Kingston and Port Antonio ; a distance 
 of no less than eighty miles. And even at Port Antonio 
 itself, public worship was also a very rare occurrence. 
 
 But though the magistrates refused to grant them a 
 license, they embraced the opportunity of issuing their 
 warrant to apprehend Messrs. Campbell and Williams, 
 on account of the penalty of £ 100, which, according to 
 their interpretation of the law, they had incurred, for 
 
HE LEAVES THE ISLAND. 63 
 
 having worshipped in a house of which they were the 
 occupiers. This matter had been dropped for three 
 months, and was now evidently revived to punish the 
 missionaries for having the temerity to apply to the 
 Quarter Sessions for license. In what followed Mr. 
 Williams was not disturbed, but every effort was put 
 forth to seize Mr. Campbell. He however got to King- 
 ston, to which a constable was repeatedly sent to arrest 
 him, but he escaped his hands. It is to be observed that 
 although the penalty was great, yet that was only in his 
 case the least part of the evil. The new law authorized 
 the magistrates to demand such sureties for his good 
 behaviour as they should think Jit ^ and also to require 
 them to bind themselves for such sums, as they should 
 choose to appoint. If therefore he had been disposed to 
 find sureties for such a purpose, he knew well that, as a 
 missionary, he could procure none, but such as the 
 magistrates could without any difficulty find the most 
 plausible pretences for rejecting. There was therefore 
 no alternative left, but either to subject himself to per- 
 petual imprisonment, or to make his escape from the 
 Island. He escaped accordingly, and arrived in London 
 on the 27th November, 1803. 
 
 After the departure of Mr. Campbell, Mr. Fish was 
 once more left without a colleague. The only place in 
 which he could labour was Kingston, and through the 
 restrictions of the new law his labours were necessarily 
 very severe. But the number of members increased, 
 though not with any very great rapidity. The Sunday ser- 
 vices were indeed well attended, as were also his regular 
 
64 ACT OF 1802 DISALLOWED. 
 
 morning lectures, but the want of other means of grace, 
 and the efficient co-operation of the lay officers were pain- 
 fully felt. In course of the year 1804, there were but few 
 events which transpired to be recorded. The number 
 of members was about kept up, but that was all. They 
 were harrassed by reason of legal restraints ; but they 
 toiled, though in much sorrow, in the hopes that God 
 would undertake for them. Their only expectations, 
 under Him, lay in the well-known abhorence on the part 
 of the Sovereign, of religious persecution; and they fondly 
 cherished a hope, that he would be pleased to disallow 
 the intolerant enactment, and thus unfetter the consciences 
 of his loyal, but persecuted subjects. Nor were their hopes 
 cherished in vain. George the Third never could be a 
 party to the persecution of his people. The " law" in 
 his hands was soon consigned to the fate it deserved ; and 
 the heart-cheering event was announced in Jamaica, about 
 the end of December, through the medium of the public 
 papers ; from which the following documents are ex- 
 tracted : — 
 
 House of Assembly, Dee. \2th, 1804. 
 
 " A Message prom his Honour the Lieutenant Governor 
 BY HIS Secretary : 
 
 " Mr. Speaker, I am directed by the Lieut. Governor to lay 
 before the House, an extract of a letter from Earl Camden, 
 dated Downing- Street, 7th of June, 1804, together with the 
 draught of a Bill, which his Honour has been instructed to 
 propose to the House to be passed into a law." 
 
ACT OF 1802 DISALLOWED. 65 
 
 •* Extract op a Letter from the PaoHT Honourable Earl Camden 
 TO Lieut. General Nugent, dated June 7th, 1804. 
 
 " Sir, I herewith transmit to you an order of his Majesty 
 in Council, dated April 23rd last, disallowing an Act passed 
 by the Legislature of the island of Jamaica, in December, 
 1802, entitled "An act to prevent preaching by persons 
 not duly qualified by law ; " and a further order of his Majesty 
 in Council, of the same date, to which is annexed the' draught 
 of a Bill on the same subject, which in compliance with the 
 directions contained in the said order, I am to desire you will 
 take an early opportunity of proposing to the Assembly to be 
 passed into law." 
 
 " Ordered, that the above message and the papers sent 
 down therewith, do lie on the table for the persual of the 
 members." 
 
 " House of Assemhly^ Dec. 17 tk, 1804. 
 
 " The above message and papers being referred to a Com- 
 mittee on the state of the Island. The House resolved itself 
 into such Committee, and being resumed, reported resolutions, 
 which were agreed to mem. con. as follows : — 
 
 " To send a message to his Honour the Lieut. Governor, to 
 acquaint him, that in consequence of his Honour's message of 
 the 12th instant, accompanied with a Report from the Board 
 of the Lords of Trade and Plantations to his Majesty, and an 
 order of his Majesty's Council thereupon ; the House have na- 
 turely weighed the purport of the proposition recommended to 
 them, to enact into a law the Bill framed by that Board, for 
 the prevention of unlicensed preachers in this Island, but are 
 of opinion, that any attempt made by that Board, or any other, 
 to direct or influence the proceedings of this House in matters 
 of internal regulation, by any previous composition or decision 
 
66 ACT OF 1802 DISALLOWED. 
 
 on what is referred to, or under their consideration or delib- 
 eration, is an interference with the appropriate functions of 
 the House, which it is their bounden duty never to submit 
 to." 
 
 Such was the end of the intolerant Act of 1802. By 
 the gracious interposition of the Sovereign, the people 
 of God were again permitted to lift up their head. 
 Their various means of grace, of which they had been 
 deprived, were once more restored to them ; and they 
 felt a new impulse given both to their piety and loyalty, 
 and were laid under a new obligation to connect the 
 honouring of the king with the fear of God. 
 
67 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 AiTival of the Rev. Messrs. Bradnack and Gilgrass — Departure of 
 Mr. Fish — Building of a Chapel in Morant Bay — Preaching in the 
 Parish of St. Mary — Morant Bay Chapel opened — State of the 
 Kingston Society — Copy of an Ordinance enacted by the Common 
 Coimcil of that City — Consolidated Slave law of 1807 — Imprisonment 
 of Mr. Gilgrass — The Chapels are shut up — Ai-rival of Rev. Messrs. 
 Wiggins and Johnston — Proceedings of the Kingston Coi-poration — 
 His Majesty disallows the new Slave Law — Mr. Johnston preaches 
 in Morant Bay, but soon afterwards leaves the Island — Act of 1810 
 — Imprisonment of Mr. Wiggins — State of the Society — Arrival and 
 death of Mr. Davies — Arrival of Rev. Messrs. Shipman and Burgar 
 — Morant Bay Chapel re-opened — Mr. Shipman obtains " License" 
 in Kingston. 
 
 About the same time that the disallowing of the law of 
 1802 was announced in Jamaica, Mr. Bradnack, who 
 had been employed as a missionary in the Windward 
 Islands arrived ; and not long afterwards he was followed 
 by Mr. Gilgrass. But the Mission sustained a great loss 
 in the removal to England of Mr, Fish. He had laboured 
 with remarkable diligence, prudence, and success, for the 
 space of thirteen years. But being worn down with toil 
 and anxiety, a change to his native country became 
 indispensably necessary. But he was thus called to leave 
 at a very critical period ; for although one severe storm 
 seemed to be blown over, yet a severer was then 
 gathering. The calm was but of very short duration, 
 and in the troubles which succeeded, the want of his 
 judicious counsel and mature experience, was painfully 
 felt; but while the history of the Wesley an Mission to Ja- 
 
68 BUILDING OF A CHAPEL IN MORANT BAY. 
 
 maica shall be remembered, the usefulness of Mr. Fish 
 in connexion therewith can never be forgotton. 
 
 The brethren entered upon their work with great zeal, 
 and they soon found doors of usefulness opening to them 
 in various quarters. The hinderances being removed, 
 they quickly repaired to Morant Bay, and found that 
 the Society in general had been steadfast in their 
 Christian profession. After some time, the work con- 
 tinuing to advance, Mr. Williams generously presented 
 the Mission with a very eligible and valuable plot of 
 ground for a chapel and dwelling-house, which were 
 speedily commenced under the superintendence of Mr. 
 Bradnack. In this important undertaking he met with 
 much encouragement ; the people were liberal in their 
 contributions, and assistance was also obtained from 
 several benevolent persons in England towards the 
 same object. Those measures attracted general notice . 
 and before he had been twelvemonths on the station, 
 under his ministry and that of his colleague, there w^as 
 a clear addition of 200 members to that Society. They 
 also made another attempt at Manchioneal, and for some 
 time their prospects were encouraging. They met with 
 great kindness from several respectable coloured persons, 
 who resided on the Bay ; and a small society was formed, 
 consisting of six members. But the labourers were so 
 few, and Manchioneal so distant from the centre of their 
 operations, as that no adequate attention could be given 
 to it ; the work therefore dwindled away, and in a few 
 years there was no trace of it remaining. 
 
 About tlie same time, they also extended their labours- 
 
PREACHING IN ST. MARY. 69 
 
 to the northern parish of St. Mary, where they had 
 many pleasing tokens of success. They preached at the 
 house of Mr. W. Clark, a local preacher, and also oc- 
 casionally on Job's Hill plantation ; and at both places 
 a number gave in their names as sincere seekers of sal- 
 vation, and joined the Society. They were also suc- 
 cessful in the formation of a small Society on Tremoles- 
 worth estate, in the same parish. This extensive 
 plantation was the property of — Shreyer, Esq., a gen- 
 tleman of colour, who at first granted the use of his large 
 hall for preaching, and afterwards fitted up a house for 
 that purpose. Through succeeding troubles, the mem- 
 bers in St. Mary became scattered, and for many years 
 preaching was discontinued ; but as shall be afterwards 
 related, the labour was not lost, and some of its fruits 
 remain even to this day. Thus, in 1806, the fields all 
 around seemed white to the harvest, and nothing ap- 
 peared to be wanting but more labourers. With the 
 exception of Port Royal, they had more or less success 
 in every place where they preached ; and at the end of 
 the year, the number of members on the Island amounted 
 to 832, making a total increase within that period of 
 upwards of 200. 
 
 It has been already mentioned, that the erection of a 
 chapel and dwelling-house had been commenced in 
 Morant Bay. A long and severe illness of Mr. Bradnack 
 occasioned a want of funds, and for some time the work 
 languished. On his recovery, he addressed himself with 
 much ardour to the accomplishment of this important 
 object, contributions were solicited and obtained, and on 
 
70 MORANT BAY CHAPEL OPENED. 
 
 Sunday, the 26th of April, 1807, the chapel was opened 
 by Mr. Knowlan, who had arrived about a month 
 before. This edifice was a plain, or rather a rough 
 wooden building, destitute of ceiling, and without a 
 single ornament of any description whatsoever. Its 
 dimensions were 50 feet by 40, and was so seated as to 
 accommodate about 500 hearers with tolerable comfort. 
 There were now upon the Island two regular stations, 
 and three missionaries ; and their plans were so ar- 
 ranged, as that one remained in Kingston, another at 
 Morant Bay, while the third took excursions into the 
 country. 
 
 It gives great concern to be forced to state, that in the 
 course of this year many events transpired of a very un- 
 pleasant character. The unsuspecting missionaries 
 seemed to fancy themselves perfectly secure, and in some 
 measure to forget that they were in a community in 
 which its most influential members were hostile to their 
 labours, and most inveterate in their hatred to them- 
 selves. Wheresoever they went they were watched 
 with untiring vigilance ; and whatsoever was found in 
 their conduct, which could by any possibiHty be con- 
 strued, or tortured into evil, was done so accordingly, 
 and extensively circulated to their disadvantage. It 
 must also be acknowledged, that there were instances of 
 imprudence which were but too favorable to the designs 
 of their adversaries. It is indeed true, that not a single 
 crime could with truth be laid to the charge of any of 
 them ; and nothing they ever did, would have been re- 
 garded in the mother country as amounting to anything 
 
STATE OF THE KINGSTON SOCIETY. 71 
 
 more than eccentricites, which would be readily excused 
 in young men full of zeal, but comparatively destitute 
 of experience. They did abstain from evil, but not 
 in all cases from the appearance of it. They had the 
 harmlessness of the dove, but they were defective in the 
 wisdom of the serpent. It is therefore quite obvious, 
 that under all the circumstances of the case, what was 
 said against them, tended very much to the injury of 
 that cause the good of which they had so much at 
 heart. 
 
 At that time also the Kingston Society was grievously 
 agitated by vain disputations and strife. It would have 
 required all the prudence and experience of Mr. Fish, to 
 have regulated and controlled them ; but it is needless to 
 say, that for such a purpose, his place was but imperfectly 
 supplied by the young and inexperienced brethren to 
 whose care the Societies were committed. The leaders' 
 meetings, instead of being conducted with that admirable 
 order and piety which had hitherto characterized them, 
 sometimes exhibited scenes of confusion and quarrelling. 
 They were often kept up until a late hour, while num- 
 bers of their adversaries were standing outside, atten- 
 tively listening to all that passed, and eager to lay hold 
 on every expression which might by any means be 
 made to serve their purposes. At last a list of foolish 
 and frivolous charges were got up by a small party 
 against one of the missionaries ; and he, at the first op- 
 portunity, read their names from the pulpit, declaring 
 them to be no longer members of the Society. But as 
 
7f2 INTERNAL AGITATIONS. 
 
 some of them, who were thus aggrieved, were persons of 
 influence, they resolved to have satisfaction in their turn ; 
 and the next time he went intending to preach, they 
 placed themselves at the foot of the pulpit steps and 
 actually refused him admission. 
 
 This disagreeable state of things was soon checked, but 
 in a manner the most painful and afflictive. God, in his 
 wise providence, suffered his enemies to coiTect his church; 
 and though the remedy was sharp, yet by his blessing it 
 was rendered in the end most salutary and effectual. It 
 may be easily conceived, that the disallowing of the law 
 in 1802, was productive of much mortification and disap- 
 pointment ; and that it was very unlikely that the failure 
 of one speculation, would discourage those who had 
 embarked in it from making other attempts of the same 
 kind. Long therefore before the disputes in Kingston 
 began, (for they were only very recent) the enemies of 
 the Mission w^ere busily employed in concocting other 
 measures to effect their purpose. This accounts for the 
 external peace Avhich had been experienced for about 
 eighteen months. It was only a deceitful calm, and the 
 clouds were secretly gathering for a more furious stomi 
 than ever. About the middle of the year, the mission- 
 aries received warning of what was about to take place. 
 They were informed that the Common Council of King- 
 ston had it in contemplation to enact a bye law, the 
 operation of which would materially abridge their privi- 
 leges, and militate against their usefuhiess. They there- 
 fore presented a respectful petition against its being 
 enacted; but though their petition was read, it was utterly 
 
COMMON COUNCIL OF KINGSTON. 73 
 
 disregarded, and on the 15th of June, 1807, the fol- 
 lowing ordinance became law in Kingston : — 
 
 " Whereas it is not only highly incumbent npon, but the 
 first and most serious duty of all magistrates and bodies poli- 
 tic, to uphold and encourage the due, proper, and solemn 
 exercise of religion and worshipping of God. And whereas 
 nothing can tend more to bring true devotion and the practice 
 of religion into disrepute, than the j^retended preachings 
 teaching, and expounding the word of God, as contained in the 
 Holy Scriptures, by uneducated, illiterate persons, and false 
 enthusiasts. And whereas the practice of such pretended 
 preaching, teaching and expounding the Holy Scriptures, by 
 such descriptions of persons as aforesaid, to large numbers of 
 persons of colour, and negroes of free condition, and slaves, 
 assembled together in houses, negro-houses, huts, and the 
 yards thereunto appertaining, and also in divers lands and by- 
 places within this city and parish, hath increased to an alarm- 
 ing degree ; and during such pretended preaching, teaching 
 and expounding, and pretended worshipping of God, divers 
 indecent and unseemly noises, gesticulations, and behaviour, 
 often are used and take place, to the great annoyance of the 
 neighbours, and to the disrepute of religion itself, and also to 
 the great detriment of slaves, who are induced by divers 
 artifices and pretences of the said pretended preachers to at- 
 tend their said irregular assemblies, whereby such slaves are 
 continually kept and detained from their owners necessary 
 employ and business and, in some instances, the minds of 
 slaves have been so operated upon, and afi'ected, by the fana- 
 ticism of the aforesaid descriptions of persons, as to become 
 actually deranged : Be it therefore enacted and ordained by 
 the Common Council of the city and parish of Kingston (the 
 
74 INTOLERANT ORDINANCE, 
 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council-men of the city and 
 parish (or a competent and legal number or quorum of them 
 being in Common Council assembled) ; and it is hereby enacted 
 and ordained by the authority of the same, that from and after 
 the first day of July next, no person not being duly authorized, 
 qualified, and permitted, as is directed by the laws of this 
 Island, and of Great Britain, and in the place mentioned in 
 such license, shall, under pretence of being a minister of re- 
 ligion of any sect or denomination, or being a teacher, or ex- 
 pounder of the Gospel, or other parts of the Holy Scriptures, 
 presume to preach, or teach, or ofi*er up public prayer, or sing 
 psalms, in any meeting or assembly of negroes, or persons of 
 colour, within this city and parish ; and in case any person 
 shall in any wise off'end herein, every such person, if a white 
 person, shall suffer such punishment by fine not exceeding one 
 hundred pounds, or by imprisonment in the common gaol, for 
 any space not exceeding three months, or both ; or if a free 
 person of colour, or free black, by fine not exceeding one 
 hundred pounds, or imprisonment in the workhouse for a 
 space of time not exceeding three months, or both ; or if a 
 slave, by imprisonment and hard labour in the workhouse, for 
 a space not exceeding six months, or by whipping, not ex- 
 ceeding thirty-nine stripes, or both ; as shall be in those cases 
 respectively adjudged. 
 
 " And be it further enacted and ordained by the authority 
 aforesaid, that no person or persons whatsoever, being so as 
 aforesaid licensed or permitted, shall use public worship in 
 any of the places within this city and parish, Avhich may be 
 licensed as aforesaid, earlier than the hour of six o'clock in the 
 morning, or later than sunset in the evening, under the penalty 
 of such punishment by fine, not exceeding one hundred pounds, 
 or by imprisonment in the common gaol, not exceeding the 
 
ITS CONSEQUENCES. 75 
 
 space of three months, or both ; as shall in that respect be 
 adjudged. 
 
 " And be it further enacted and ordained by the authority 
 aforesaid, that from and after the first day of July next, in 
 case any owner, possessor, or occupier of any house, out- 
 house, yard, or other place whatsoever, shall permit any 
 meeting of any description of persons, for the purpose of 
 hearing, or joining in any such pretended preaching, teaching, 
 praying, or singing of psalms as aforesaid, such owner, occu- 
 pier, or possessor, being a white person shall incur, and suffer 
 such punishment by fine, not exceeding one hundred pounds, 
 or by imprisonment in the common gaol, not exceeding three 
 months, or both ; or if a person of colour, or black of free 
 condition, by fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, or by 
 confinement in the workhouse for any space not exceeding 
 three months, or both ; or if a slave, by confinement and hard 
 labour in the workhouse for any space not exceeding six 
 months, or by whipping not exceeding thirty-nine stripes, or 
 both ; as in these respective cases shall be adjudged." 
 
 It cannot be denied, but that some of the evils 
 complained of in the preamble of this most intolerant 
 enactment did exist, although not to any great extent. 
 But the persons who practised such extravagancies were 
 not under the care of the missionaries, nor had any con- 
 nexion with them. But this law certainly increased the 
 evils which it professed to deprecate and to remedy. Its 
 restrictions amounted almost to a total prohibition of the 
 slaves being rehgiously instructed by persons who were 
 competent to that work. Hence many took to themselves 
 the liberty which was denied them by the Common 
 
76 CONSOLIDATED SLAVE-LAW OF 1807. 
 
 Council, and attended to doctrines very different, both in 
 their nature and effects, from those taught by the mis- 
 sionaries. Many of them practised a rude mixture of 
 Christianity and paganism, and wild extravagancies 
 certainly became more common. This was only what 
 might have been expected, and was not traceable to the 
 missionaries, but to those who opposed them; and in 
 particular to the ridiculous, but persecuting enactment 
 just transcribed. One can hardly forbear remarking, 
 that it would be rather amusing to see the present cor- 
 poration of Kingston perusing this document. It is 
 composed • of gentlemen of a very different description 
 from what fonnerly belonged to it : and it certainly would 
 cause a contemptuous smile on their part, to read over 
 this wonderful piece of municipal legislation, the offspring 
 of the ignorance and bigotry of their predecessors. 
 
 But the ordinance of the Common Council, was only 
 the precursor of another law, still more intolerant in its 
 principles and extensive in its operation, as well as dis- 
 asterous in its consequences. In the month of October 
 the Legislature was called together as usual by General 
 Sir Eyre Coote, then the Lieutenant Governor ; and at 
 that Session the various laws for the government of slaves 
 were consolidated, of which the two first clauses, which 
 were then newly enacted, are as follow : — 
 
 " Whereas, it is for the public good, that all the laws re- 
 specting the order and government of slaves should be conso- 
 lidated and brought into one law : may it please your Majesty 
 that it may be enacted : be it therefore enacted by the Lieu- 
 
CONSOLIDATED SLAVE-LAW OF 1807. 77 
 
 tenant Governor, Council, and Assembly of this your Majesty's 
 island of Jamaica, That from and after the commencement of 
 this Act, all masters and mistresses, owners, or, in their 
 absence, overseers of slaves, shall, as much as in them lies, 
 endeavour the instruction of their slaves in the j^rinciples of the 
 Christian religion, whereby to facilitate their conversion ; and 
 shall do their utmost endeavours to fit them for baptism, and 
 as soon as conveniently can, cause to be baptized all such as 
 they can make^sensible of a Deity and the Christian faith ; 
 
 " II. Provided nevertheless, that the instructions of such 
 slaves shall be confined to the doctrines of the Established 
 Church of this Island ; and that no Methodist missionary, or 
 other sectary, or preacher, shall presume to instruct our slaves, 
 or to receive them into their houses, chapels, or conventicle^, 
 of any sort or description, under the penalty of twenty poundsT" 
 proved to have been there, and to be recovered in a summary 
 manner before any three justices of the peace ; who, or the 
 majority of whom, are hereby authorized and empowered to 
 issue their warrant for the recovery of the same ; and on re- 
 fusal of payment to commit the offender, or offenders, to the 
 county gaol until payment of the said fine or fines ; which shall 
 be paid over to the churchwardens of the parish where the 
 offence shall be committed, for the benefit of the poor of such 
 parish." 
 
 On an attentive perusal of the above clauses, the 
 reader may easily discover the mean artifice which was 
 resorted to on the part of those who framed them. They 
 clearly saw, that under such a sovereign as George the 
 Third, no law would be allowed, which as a whole, was 
 intended to abridge the religious liberty of his ])eople. 
 They therefore embodied the aforesaid clauses into a law 
 
 2,^i«Xu 
 
78 ARRIVAL OF MR. FIRTH. 
 
 or rather code of laws whicli had no natural connexion 
 with the subject. But this code contained many improve- 
 ments, and it was thought that all those would not be cast 
 aside for the sake of the proviso in the second clause. 
 It was also introduced with the show of ardent zeal for 
 the instruction of the negroes ; and especially that they 
 might be trained up to the communion of the Established 
 Church. But it is remarkable that those who were 
 capable of so much tact, should yet be so ignorant as not 
 to know, that every one might perceive that this zeal for 
 the conversion of the slaves was only mere pretence. 
 There are no specific duties they inculcate, no rules pre- 
 scribed, in order to accomplish that object ; and besides, 
 it is a perfect burlesque upon legislation, a mere solecism, 
 a law without a penalty to enforce it. But the second 
 clause is specific enough, and in it the penalty is not 
 forgotten. It was nothing less than an attempt to crush 
 the missionaries, and to prevent the slaves receiving any 
 religious instruction whatsoever. 
 
 While this law was under the consideration of the Le- 
 gislature, a disgraceful event occurred in Kingston under 
 the " ordinance" lately passed by the Commotn Council. 
 The missionaries had been in the habit of occasionally 
 meeting some of their people between the hours of five 
 and six in the evening, for the purpose of instructing 
 them in psalmody. On the evening of the 20th November, 
 Mr, Firth, a missionary who had just arrived, introduced 
 a new tune to which they listened a little longer than 
 usual. At a quarter past six, the master of police, 
 attended by a magistrate and some of the night guard. 
 
IMPRISONMENT OF MR. GILGRASS. 79 
 
 entered the house, and apprehending Messrs. Gilgrass and 
 Knowlan, were ahout to conduct them to the " cage ;" 
 when, on their calling for their hats, they agreed to let 
 them remain, on the condition of engaging to meet them 
 the following morning at the Court-house. It is per- 
 fectly plain, that all the movements of the missionaries 
 had been carefully watched for the purpose of finding 
 occasion against them. In this case it is to be observed, 
 that the sun sets in Jamaica, in November, about half- 
 past five ; the police office was a third of a mile from the 
 chapel ; yet a police officer, a magistrate, and part of the 
 night guard were all marshalled and equipped, as if to put 
 down some alarming riot, and got to the chapel-house ex- 
 actly at a quarter past six o'clock. Had there been any 
 thing alarming, there would have been less promptitude. 
 But they knew that they might make a show of danger, 
 without the least fear of it ; and that they might display 
 as much courage as they desired against men, whose sole 
 object it was to do good to their fellow creatures, and to 
 live peaceably with all. 
 
 For a few days the matter was allowed to drop, but on 
 the 26th, Mr. Gilgrass received a summons to appear at 
 the Court-house, and answer to the charge of violating 
 the " ordinance" lately enacted. According to the sum- 
 mons, he appeared on the 30th, and having hQewfotmd 
 guilty of the crime of singing a hymn tune after sunset, 
 in his own house, he was actually sentenced to im- 
 prisonment in the common gaol, for the space of one 
 calendar month. Mr. Knowlan was then in a state of 
 ill-health, and on that account his share in the offence 
 
80 AURTVAL OF MESSRS. WIGGINS AND JOHNSTON. 
 
 was passed over ; and after Mr. Gilgi-ass had lain in gaol 
 about a fortnight, the remainder of his punishment Avas 
 remitted. 
 
 After Mr. Gilgrass had been thus liberated from prison, 
 the new slave-law came in force ; and the magistrates, 
 armed with the power invested by its second clause, sum- 
 moned all the missionaries to appear before them, and de- 
 demanded their authority for preaching. They urged their 
 qualifications as licensed ministers by the laws of Eng- 
 land; but this plea was of course disregarded. They then 
 applied for license from their worships, but the answer was 
 " Indeed you shall have none." A short time before 
 this, the magistrates at Morant Bay^ acted in a similar 
 manner ; and thus, in the end of 1807, both the chapels 
 were violently shut up against the worshippers of God. 
 Papists and Jews had as much liberty as they could 
 desire, but his Majesty's loyal Protestant subjects, could 
 only " hang their harps on the willows and weep while 
 they remembered Zion." 
 
 At the Quarter Sessions, which were held in Kingston 
 in January, 1808, Mr. Wiggins, a missionary who had 
 just arrived, applied for license. As usual, he produced 
 his credentials received in England, but they were dis- 
 regarded, and his application was sternly rejected. Mr. 
 George Johnston, a missionary of great prudence, and 
 who had laboured for a few years in the Windward 
 Islands was sent to superintend the mission, under its 
 then very painful circumstances. But although he 
 brought letters of recommendation from gentlemen of 
 the highest respectability in those Colonies, yet he was 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN KINGSTON. 81 
 
 unsuccessful. On his arrival, Messrs. Bradnack, Gil- 
 grass, and Knowlan left the Island. 
 
 It cannot be doubted but that many fears were enter- 
 tained on the part of the colonists, that the intolerant law 
 of 1807 would ultimately share the fate of its predecessor 
 of 1802. Plans were therefore concerted in Kingston to 
 effect a general organization throughout the Island, for 
 the purpose of extirpating the only hated sect which 
 the power of the Legislature, the frowns of the Bench, 
 and moreover bonds and imprisonment, could not anni- 
 hilate. For this purpose Mr. Bradnack had undergone 
 several examinations towards the close of the last year. 
 His answers were carefully taken down; and a com- 
 mittee, who were appointed, drew up a Report, which 
 they pretended was fully borne out by what had been 
 elicited during such examinations. The whole of this 
 document is too long for insertion, but the following 
 passages are extracted, and submitted to the attention of 
 the reader : — 
 
 " That it appears by the examination of Isaac Bradnack, 
 hereunto annexed, that he is the principal of a set of ministers 
 in this Island, sent out by a Society in England called Me- 
 thodists of the Wesleyan connexion. 
 
 " That these ministers have been in the habit of preaching 
 to persons of colour indiscriminately ; of extending their con- 
 nexion by societies all over the Island; and that such 
 ministers, preachers, and societies, hold themselves amenable 
 to the body of Wesleyan ministers in Great Britain. 
 
 " That such ministers, or preache/s, have entered upon and 
 continued their functions, without license from the magistracy, 
 
 G 
 
82 REPORT OF A COMMITTEE. 
 
 and generally assert their right to do so, even in despite of 
 the laws, and express regulation of the police. 
 
 " That it appears from said examination, that such minis- 
 ters, or preachers, are forbid to hold slaves in their own right, 
 or to intermarry with any woman having slaves to her be- 
 longing, who shall not previously have emancipated them by 
 all lawful means. 
 
 " That it appears to the Committee, the introduction of a 
 class of clergy to preach the gospel so qualified, is repugnant 
 to the constitution and established laws of the Island in this 
 respect, and should be discountenanced. 
 
 " That there is too much reason to believe universal eman- 
 cipation is the object of the Wesleyan Methodists and their 
 preachers, rather than the propagation of the gospel. 
 
 " That the conduct of these persons calling themselves 
 Methodists and ministers of the gospel appears to your Com- 
 mittee not only to have been scandalous and indecent in the 
 performance even of their religious functions, but unseemly, 
 intemperate, and even threatening before the magistrates. 
 
 " That from an enquiry which your Committee has made, 
 and particularly from documents annexed to this Report, 
 whose authority is undoubted, the said preachers are in the 
 habit of maintaining intimacies and correspondence degrading 
 to their labour, (according to the established opinion here), not 
 to say to the sacred character to which they pretend ; and 
 that they are so far from proper pretensions to such sacred 
 character, that they appear in some instances to be taken from 
 handicraft trades ; and that the principal himself, before 
 mentioned, appears by his correspondence, not to have even 
 received the rudiments of a common education. 
 
 "Your Committee, therefore, upon the whole, take the 
 liberty to recommend a communication with the different 
 
VINDICATION OF THE MISSIONARIES. 83 
 
 parishes in this Island, in order that the organization of a 
 most wicked system, which appears to have commenced, may 
 be stopped before it is too late," 
 
 The above extracts constitute the greater part of the 
 Report, and contain all the charges preferred against the 
 missionaries. It is indeed freely admitted, that the 
 Wesleyan Methodists disapproved of Colonial Slavery; 
 and that their ministers in the West Indies, wore not 
 allowed to become the proprietors of slaves. But it was 
 at the same time imperatively laid upon them to exhort 
 all in that state to be " obedient to their masters ;" and 
 no evidence whatsoever is produced, of their teaching 
 any doctrines at variance with that principle. It cannot 
 be doubted, but that if their ever-vigilant adversaries had 
 been able to prove any act of insubordination against them, 
 or that anything which they taught was designed, or cal- 
 culated to lead to it, it would have been done accordingly, 
 and publicly proclaimed to their disparagement. But with 
 the exception of general and unsupported charges, and 
 vague insinuations, we find nothing of any consequence 
 alleged against them. It is true, that they did "main- 
 tain intimacies and correspondence" with some, which, 
 " according to the established opinion," might be con- 
 sidered as degrading. But in this respect, let their 
 conductbetriedby a better standard than the " established 
 opinion" of Jamaica, and what is here brought forward 
 to their disgrace, will prove a noble testimony to their 
 honour ; so that on the whole, it may be safely affirmed, 
 that the character of the missionaries came forth from 
 the fiery ordeal of those inquisitorial investigations totally 
 
84 COMMON COUNCIL OF KINGSTON IN 1808. 
 
 unscathed. It has been aheady admitted, that as young 
 men they did fall into some indiscretions ; but into none 
 which could affect their reputation as Christians, or war- 
 rant those unfounded jealousies which were manifested 
 by persecuting laws, and the exercise of tyrannical power. 
 It is not, however, probable that they made any great 
 pretensions to extensive scholarship ; and of their want 
 of learning the Report complains most bitterly. But in 
 this case who were their judges ? Why a Committee of 
 the Common Council of Kingston in 1808 .' / This is too 
 bad! It can hardly be thought of with gravity. The 
 gentlemen composing the Common Council of Kingston 
 of that day, were in no respect more learned than the 
 magistrates and gentry of a neighbouring parish, who 
 were in the habit of meeting at that very time once a 
 month at the Court-house, for " the discussion of difficult 
 subjects /" and one of the most difficult (as was confessed 
 by a magistrate who took part in its discussion,) was 
 the momentous question, " Whether London or Bristol 
 tripe were entitled to the prefer ence^ The question 
 appeared to be involved in much perplexity, and the 
 disputants could not settle it. At last, however, though 
 after much discussion, it was resolved, " That the Bristol 
 tripe was fatter than that from London." 
 
 But though it may be allowed, that the missionaries 
 had no claims to any very extensive classical or literary 
 qualifications ; yet it is also to be observed, that even in 
 respect of learning, they were able to bear a comparison 
 with many of their neighbours. There were indeed ex- 
 ceptions ; but not a few of the clergy of the Jamaica 
 
FRUITLESS EFFORTS. 85 
 
 establishment were quite as uneducated as the men who 
 were thus treated with contempt. 
 
 But to return to our narrative. The chapels having 
 been both shut up, the missionaries were some time after- 
 wards induced to lay their case before the Lieutenant 
 Governor, Sir Eyre Coote ; but little could be expected 
 from a man, compared with whom, even the white in- 
 habitants of Jamaica were almost angels. On the 
 failure of this, they did not make any other attempt 
 until the 4th of May in the following year. They 
 then presented a petition by counsel to the Kingston 
 Quarter Sessions ; but it must be admitted, that had the 
 magistrates been disposed to allow them permission to 
 preach, it could only have been to free persons, not to 
 slaves. But in fact there was no disposition ; for the 
 petition was not only rejected, but an order was given 
 from the Bench, requiring all concerned to carry the re- 
 strictive city " ordinance" into full and complete effect. 
 Thus their last hopes were blasted, and they could only 
 look up to God and the king for the removal of those 
 restrictions which prohibited the exercise of their ministry, 
 and denied to their people all access to the sanctuary of 
 God. 
 
 In the meantime their friends at home were not un- 
 mindful of their most trying and oppressive circum- 
 stances. Dr. Coke, and the other members of the 
 " Committee of Privileges" appointed by the Conference, 
 were constantly watching for the arrival of the new law. 
 But it was kept long on the Island, in the vain hope 
 that the missionaries, harrassed by its restrictions and 
 
86 SLAVE-LAW DISALLOWED. 
 
 worn out by disappointment, might be forced to abandon 
 their rough, but not unfruitful field of labour. Applica- 
 tion was made at the Colonial Office in March, 1808, 
 but no such law had then arrived. A similar answer 
 was returned in April, and even so late as August, " the 
 same silence prevailed." But during that time the Com- 
 mittee presented a Memorial to his Majesty, humbly 
 praying, that whenever the law might be laid before him, 
 he would be graciously pleased to disallow it. Some 
 time afterwards, the three denominations of Protestant 
 Dissenters also sent a Memorial to the Lords of Trade 
 and Plantations, praying for their interference for the 
 same end. But months passed away after the presenta- 
 tion of the former, before anything was heard on the 
 subject. But at last Dr. Coke received the following 
 note, written by Earl Bathurst, on the 26th of May, 
 1809, announcing his Majesty's decision : — 
 
 " Lord Bathurst presents his comphments to Dr. Coke, 
 and acquaints him that the late Act passed in Jamaica, in 
 November, 1807, ' For the protection, clothing, and for the 
 better order and government of slaves, and for other pur- 
 poses,' was this day disallowed by his Majesty in Council." 
 
 Thus another artful attempt to destroy the religious 
 liberties of the people was frustrated by the paternal in- 
 terference of the Sovereign. Such instances of justice 
 on the part of George the Third, entitled him to the 
 gratitude of all classes of his subjects, and will cause his 
 name to go down to posterity, loved and honoured, while 
 
PREACHING AT MORANT BAY. 87 
 
 the virtues of a pious and patriotic monarch shall be duly- 
 appreciated and esteemed amongst mankind. 
 
 The tidings of this important decision were publicly 
 announced in Jamaica in the month of August follow- 
 ing ; and as there was no law to prevent their preaching^ 
 Messrs. Johnston and Wiggins applied to the Town 
 Council in Kingston to re-open the chapel, engaging 
 at the same time to confine their services within the 
 hours prescribed by the City Ordinance. Their petition 
 was read, on which they came to the following brief re- 
 solution, which was entered upon their minutes, viz. — 
 " Resolved, That the prayer of this petition be, and it 
 is hereby denied." Thus, whether under colour of 
 law or not, the Kingston Council were determined 
 that the coloured and black population should not have 
 the privilege of sitting under the ministry of the gospel. 
 But although they were thus rejected in Kingston, it 
 affords great pleasure to say that they were successful in 
 Morant Bay. The principal instigator of the opposition 
 having been removed by death, there were a few gentle- 
 men of intelligence who befriended the missionaries, 
 although, the great majority of the magistrates were still 
 hostile. Through the influence of their friends they 
 were allowed to qualify at the Quarter Sessions ; and in 
 July, 1810, Mr. Johnston went to Morant Bay, where 
 he laboured for thirteen weeks with great success. The 
 long and powerful opposition had not only taught the 
 members to appreciate the value of Christian ordinances, 
 but was also overruled, so as to produce in the minds 
 of the slaves a more earnest desire than ever to hear the 
 
88 SESSION or the legislature in 1810. 
 
 words of eternal life. They therefore flocked to the 
 chapel from surrounding estates ; and during the time 
 of his residence there, upwards of one hundred were 
 added to the Society. On the removal of Mr. Johnston 
 to Kingston, he was succeeded by Mr. Wiggins, who 
 continued to labour until an event transpired which once 
 more placed both the circuits* in the same circum- 
 stances as they had been, under the operation of the 
 slave law, which his Majesty had disallowed. 
 
 It has been related in what manner the magistrates of 
 Kingston proposed to the other parishes to unite, for the 
 purpose of arresting the progress of what they were 
 pleased to denominate, a " most wicked system ;" and 
 hence another legislative attempt was made during the 
 Session of 1810, to effect that object, and another re- 
 strictive law was passed accordingly, and sanctioned by 
 the Duke of Manchester, then the Governor of the 
 Island. It was entitled, " An Act to prevent preaching 
 and teaching by persons not duly qualified, and to re- 
 strain such meetings of a dangerous nature, on pretence of 
 preaching and teaching." This law, to which his Grace 
 consented on the 14th of November, differed in several 
 respects from its unfortunate predecessors ; and in par- 
 ticular, it was only to continue in force until December, 
 1811 ; so that before the opinion of the Sovereign could 
 be announced, it would be about expiring. Its framers, 
 
 * A " Circuit," in the language of Methodism, embraces such con- 
 tiguous stations as are placed under the superintendence of one 
 minister ; but two or more ministers are generally appointed to the 
 same Circuit. On the Foreign ^Missions the term is sometimes ap- 
 plied to solitary stations, but such stations arc very fcAv. 
 
ACT OF 1810. 89 
 
 however, knew that it would secure, at least, another 
 year's opposition ; and in their estimation that was an 
 important point, and might perhaps settle the whole 
 business. 
 
 As the Act of 1810 is too long for insertion, we shall 
 only transcribe a few of its clauses, that the reader may 
 be able to form an opinion of its nature and tendency. 
 In the commencement, it is provided, that no person 
 shall be allowed to " preach to persons of colour and 
 negroes, unless he shall first qualify himself for that pur- 
 pose in the Supreme Court by taking the oaths of allegi- 
 ance and supremacy, &c. ;" but by the second clause it is 
 enacted, — 
 
 " That no person shall be admitted to take the said oaths, 
 and make and subscribe the said declarations for the above 
 purpose, who shall not appear to the judges of the said Court, 
 to be a fit and proper person to perform the office of preacher, 
 or teacher, to a meeting or assembly of persons of colour or 
 negroes. "" 
 
 By the fourth clause it is enacted, — 
 
 " That every person intending to make application at the 
 Supreme Court, for permission to qualify himself to preach 
 and teach as aforesaid, shall give notice of such intention in 
 the Royal Gazette, the Gazette of St. Jago de la Vega, and 
 Cornwall Chronicle, for four successive weeks, at least, pre- 
 vious to the meeting of the Court at which he means to make 
 application : and also that every person intending to give into 
 the Supreme Court a notification of a house, or place, meant 
 to be used for preaching or teaching as aforesaid, shall give 
 
90 CLAUSES IN THE NEW LAW. 
 
 notice of such intention in the Royal Gazette, the Gazette of 
 St. Jago de la Vega, and Cornwall Chronicle, for four suc- 
 cessive weeks at least, previous to the meeting of the Court 
 at which such notification is intended to be given ; and that 
 the said Supreme Court shall appoint a convenient day during 
 the first week of each sitting, for hearing and deciding on 
 every such application or notification." 
 
 It is provided by the eighth clause, — 
 
 " That if on complaint made to the Supreme Court, and 
 after hearing the parties and examination of witnesses on oath 
 on both sides, it shall appear to such Court, that any person 
 so qualified as aforesaid, is not fit to perform the functions of 
 a preacher, or teacher, in such meetings or assemblies of per- 
 sons of colour or negroes ; or that such person has miscon- 
 ducted himself as a preacher or teacher, or has attempted to 
 inculcate or disseminate principles subversive of the peace and 
 good order of society, then it shall be lawful for the judges of 
 the said Court, to declare such qualification of such preacher 
 or teacher, to be from that time null and void to all intents 
 and purposes whatsoever." 
 
 By the ninth clause it is provided, — 
 
 " That in all cases where the Supreme Court shall refuse 
 to admit any person to qualify himself, by taking the oaths 
 and making and subscribing the declarations as aforesaid, it 
 shall be lawful for the party grieved, to appeal to the Governor 
 and Council, who upon hearing the parties, and examination 
 of witnesses on both sides on oath in a summary way, shall 
 make such order therein as to them shall seem proper, which 
 order shall be final." 
 
 These extracts will be sufficient to srive the reader an 
 
THE CHAPEL OCCUPIED BY THE FREE SCHOOL. 91 
 
 idea of this Act. The other clauses are principally for 
 the purpose of regulating the hours of worship, for pre- 
 scribing penalties, costs, &c. It will be easily perceived, 
 that there was no intention whatsoever, on the part of 
 the Legislature, that the missionaries should be allowed 
 to preach. Had the Chief Justice been disposed to 
 admit them to qualify, there was every probability of his 
 being out- voted on the Bench, as before, by the assistant 
 judges ; and an appeal from their decision to the Gover- 
 nor and Council would not, in that day, have afforded 
 any relief at all. It seems, however, to have been the 
 intention of Mr. Wiggins to make the experiment, but 
 the magistrates of Morant Bay (the majority of whom, 
 as has been observed, were still unfriendly) employed 
 Mr. Hinchcliffe, the most eminent counsellor then on the 
 Island, to oppose him. Thus all attempts Avere fruitless, 
 and the people of God could only apply to the throne of 
 grace, to be relieved from the tyranny of the oppressor. 
 
 Although the corporation of Kingston had for several 
 years manifested the most inveterate hostility to the mis- 
 sion ; yet, at the very time they were consulting with 
 counsel to oppose the missionaries in the Supreme Court, 
 they had the effrontery to ask for the use of the chapel, 
 for the temporary accommodation of the free school. 
 This request was however readily complied with, and the 
 premises were so occupied from October, 1811, until the 
 following August. 
 
 As the Act of 181 expired at the close of the following 
 year, and as no other had been brought before the Le- 
 gislature, Mr. Wiggins resolved to open the chapel, on 
 
92 IMPRISONMENT OF MR. WIGGINS. 
 
 the removal of the free school * And on Sunday the 
 26th of August, he preached twice to large congregations, 
 but within the hours prescribed by the city ordinance. 
 Between the two services, one of the town- guard called 
 at the chapel-house, and being introduced to him, said, 
 " Sir, the police officer has desired me to warn you not 
 to preach in the afternoon, at your peril." He repHed, 
 '^ Sir, tell the police officer, that the people will come in 
 the afternoon, and that I shall preach if spared ; because 
 there is no law of the Imperial Parliament, or of this 
 Island, to prevent me." The congregation in the after- 
 noon consisted of nearly 1000 persons, whose behaviour 
 shewed that they had learned the value of a preached 
 gospel, and felt its poAver. He preached to them with 
 great comfort, and nothing remarkable transpired until 
 the next morning, when two constables called at his 
 house with a summons for his appearance before the sit- 
 ting magistrates. From the beginning he fully anticipated 
 the issue, and took the precaution of placing a family 
 in the house to guard the premises during his absence. 
 His trial lasted about two hours, but he was not allowed 
 to speak for himself without almost perpetual interrup- 
 tion. The mind of the magistrates was made up ; and 
 although there was not the shadow of a law against him, 
 he was nevertheless sentenced to imprisonment in the 
 common gaol, for the space of one calendar month. 
 During the period of his imprisonment many inftimous 
 
 * The Governor had received orders to pass no law restrictive of 
 religious worship, unless it contained a clause suspending its operation 
 until his Majesty's pleasure shoidd be annoimced. The assembly re- 
 fused to legislate while such an order was in force. 
 
NEW SOCIETIES FORMED. 93 
 
 attempts were made to blast his character, and to effect 
 his expulsion from the Island. Amongst others, two 
 abominable letters were basely fabricated, in order to 
 make it appear that he was forming a conspiracy to 
 murder the magistrates, and others who were hostile to 
 his designs, and in particular to accomplish the emanci- 
 pation of the slaves. Accounts of such fearful documents 
 were published in the daily papers, but no pretended 
 extract from the said letters ever made its appearance. 
 In the meantime his imprisonment was very rigorous. 
 His friends were not permitted to visit him, and all the 
 indulgence in that way that was allowed, was the atten- 
 dance of a faithful negro man -servant, who shared his 
 sorrows and endeavoured to alleviate them as far as was 
 possible.* 
 
 It must not be supposed that though the state of the 
 Mission was most distressing, the work of God was 
 standing still. Mr. Wiggins had been in the habit of 
 visiting a small society in St. Thomas in the Vale, which 
 had been formed a few years before ; and as he was 
 allowed to preach, the members increased both in grace 
 and number. He was also instrum^ental in forming a 
 Society in Spanish ToAvn, a work which had been re- 
 peatedly attempted by his predecessors, but in which 
 
 . * The name of the excellent negro who attended on Mr. Wiggins, 
 was Thomas Wallace. He was then a slave, but hu-ed at a certain 
 weekly sum from his owner. He continued to reside with Mr. Wig- 
 gins, until the latter left the Island in 1818. At that time a number 
 of the members in Kingston, united in a pecuniary contribution, to 
 present him with a token of their respect and affection. It amounted 
 to a handsome sum, but the generous and disinterested missionary 
 refused to accept it for himself, but it afforded him the means of per- 
 forming an act which ought not to be iimioticed. He purchased there- 
 with his faithful domestic, and Thomas Wallace became a free man. 
 
94 GREAT INCREASE OF MEMBERS. 
 
 they were not successful. It is true in those places, it 
 was but "the day of small things;" but there was already 
 much to excite gratitude, and to encourage those hopes 
 which have since been so delightfully realized. He also 
 paid frequent visits to Morant Bay, and although he was 
 not peimitted to preach, he visited the members in their 
 own houses, or met with them in small companies, ex- 
 horting them to continue in the grace of God. In 
 Kingston the increase of members was far beyond any 
 thing the Island had ever witnessed before. The chapel 
 was indeed closed against the worship of God, but small 
 meetings for prayer were held in almost every street and 
 lane of the city. The imprisonment of Mr. Wiggins 
 especially, " turned out for the furtherance of the gospel." 
 The members actually, like the believers at Rome, 
 " waxed bold through his bonds." The classes were regu- 
 larly met by their respective leaders ; the leaders' meet- 
 ings were held every week at the chapel-house ; and the 
 blessing of the Lord was evidently upon them. The state 
 of the Society in the city may be learned from a short 
 extract of a letter from Mr. Wiggins, dated April 4th, 
 1813, and addressed to the Missionary Committee in 
 London. He says, "in October, 1811, when the care 
 of the Society devolved upon me, the number therein 
 was about 560, which has increased since that time to 
 1723; and the people's growth in genuine piety and 
 holy zeal, is I think in proportion to their number. We 
 have upwards of fifty prayer-meetings, in which we sing 
 as well as pray ; notwithstanding w^e are not yet suf- 
 fered to preach in our chapel. However we feel that 
 
MR. DAVIES IS PERMITTED TO PREACH. 95 
 
 God is with us, consequently things must] do well." 
 Thus did the word of the Lord run, and was glorified, 
 and all the efforts of the magistrates and police, to 
 eradicate the obnoxious sect, amounted to nothing better 
 than " beating the air." 
 
 Such was the state of the work in Jamaica, when, in 
 the beginning of 1814, Mr. John Davies was sent out to 
 the assistance of Mr. Wiggins. After a tedious passage 
 he safely arrived in Kingston, and embraced the earliest 
 opportunity of waiting upon the mayor and several other 
 members of the corporation, whom he acquainted with 
 his designs. Though few of them promised their sup- 
 port, yet they all received him with such politeness as to 
 encourage the hope of success. 
 
 On the 13th of May the members of the Society agreed 
 to implore the special blessing of God, by fasting and 
 prayer, that he might be pleased to open the way of his 
 servant for administering the word of life. The Quarter 
 Sessions sat on the 17th ; and a few respectable magis- 
 trates, who had become decidedly favourable, took their 
 seats on the Bench. Mr. Davis appeared, and presented 
 his credentials, and a majority being in his favour he 
 was allowed to qualify. The principal persons who be- 
 friended him were the Honourable George Kinahorn, 
 the Gustos of the parish and mayor of Kingston, also 
 Robert Smith, Esq., one of the city corporation, and 
 John McLelland and William Savage, Esqrs., two of his 
 Majesty's justices of the peace. For the kindness mani- 
 fested by those gentlemen, both Mr. Davies and the 
 Kingston Society, felt themselves to be deeply indebted. 
 
96 DEATH OF MR. DAVIES. 
 
 The decision at the -Qviarter Sessions diffused joy and 
 gladness through the hearts of thousands ; and of those, 
 many who were hungering for the bread of Hfe, wxre 
 impatient to go up to the house of the Lord. But before 
 it coukl be opened it had to undergo several necessary 
 repairs : those being finished, on Sunday, the 8rd of 
 July, the people of God again repaired to their holy 
 solemnities, and once more the chapel echoed with the 
 voice of joy and thanksgiving. It was indeed a day 
 which called for gratitude and praise. For nearly seven 
 years they had been deprived of their privileges ; and 
 though they knew they had many powerful adversaries, 
 they felt they were under the protection of the magis- 
 trates ; and looked forward to many happy Sabbaths, in 
 w^hich the house of God would be no longer closed 
 against the services of his people. 
 
 But how short sighted is man ; and how unsearchable 
 are the ways of God ! Mr. Davies had scarcely entered 
 upon his labours, when he was taken to an early rest. 
 In little more than three short months, this promising 
 young minister sickened and died. On the 8th of Octo- 
 ber he was seized with yellow fever, and on the loth 
 he departed in great peace, joyfully declaring that 
 " heaven was his." Mr. Wiggins, and the bereaved 
 Society, by this event were plunged into the most in- 
 expressible sorrow. The shock was both sudden and 
 severe. Their fondest hopes were blasted in a moment. 
 Their beloved pastor they had no doubt was happy with 
 the Lord, but to what could they look forward, but to 
 Sabbaths without public ordinances, and to their temple 
 
A PAINFUL DISAPPOINTMENT. 97 
 
 which they would not be permitted to approach. But it 
 was the Lord's doing, and they bowed submissive to his 
 will ; trusting that even that dark dispensation of his 
 Providence, would ultimately conduce to the benefit of 
 his church. 
 
 About five weeks after the death of Mr. Davies, the 
 hopes of the people of Kingston were once more elevated, 
 and their hearts gladdened by the arrival of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Shipman. Shortly after their landing, they learned 
 for the first time that their predecessor was no more, 
 and that the people he left, were again deprived of the 
 means of grace. On coming to Kingston, he was in- 
 formed that the Quarter Sessions had just finished, and 
 consequently would not sit again until the month of Feb- 
 ruary. He therefore lost no time in drawing up a 
 petition to the Common Council, praying for permission 
 to open the chapel, until he might be able to qualify, as 
 (what was thought) the law required. But though he 
 was received with great courtesy, and several gentlemen 
 expressed themselves as being decidedly friendly, yet it 
 was not thought expedient to grant permission, until he 
 should be authorized by the Quarter Sessions. In the 
 meantime he and his friends Avere adopting every mea- 
 sure which prudence could dictate ; and very sanguine 
 hopes of success were cherished. But, alas ! a great 
 majority of the magistrates were still hostile to the Mis- 
 sion ; and those constituting the greater number on the 
 Bench in February, the application of Mr. Shipman was 
 rejected. 
 
 It was about this time that Mr. and Mrs. Burgar ar- 
 il 
 
98 SUCCESS AT MO RANT BAY. 
 
 rived, who had the pain of witnessing the harrassing- 
 restrictions under which the Societies were still suffering. 
 But as the way was open in Spanish Toaaqi, they w^ent 
 thither, until it should please God to remove the hin- 
 drances at Morant Bay. 
 
 In the meanwhile the circumstances of the missionaries 
 were exceedingly trying. The only places in which they 
 were allowed to preach, were Spanish Town and St. 
 Thomas in the Vale. Those small Societies then as- 
 sembled in dwelling-houses, which could accommodate 
 but few hearers, w^hile the two chapels of Kingston and 
 Morant Bay continued shut up. In the month of July, 
 1815, Mr. Burgar applied for license at the latter of 
 those places, but was sternly repulsed; and in a few 
 weeks afterwards Mr. Shipman made another attempt m 
 Kingston, but with no better success. Thus theii- pros- 
 pects appeared to be still as dark and cheerless as ever. 
 
 On the disappointment of Mr. Burgar at Morant Bay, 
 he returned to Spanish Town ; but as the other was his 
 intended field of labour, he renewed his application at 
 the Quarter Sessions in October, and was successful. 
 This was principally owing to the friendly offices of 
 Thomas Thomson and Stewart West, Esqrs., two of the 
 magistrates ; while the Hon. Peter Robertson, the Gus- 
 tos, though scarcely favourable, manifested no opposition. 
 Thus was Mr Burgar honoured as the instrument of re- 
 opening the chapel at Morant Bay, after it had been 
 shut up (with the exception of one or two short inter- 
 vals) for between seven and eight years; and thus 
 where magisterial opposition first began, there also it 
 
A FALSE ALARM. 99 
 
 first terminated. From that time the missionaries 
 were treated with greater kindness by the leading men 
 in that neighbourhood than on any other part of the 
 Island. 
 
 A very few weeks after the Morant Bay chapel was re- 
 opened, an incident occurred which at first threatened to 
 put an end to Mr. Burgar's prospects of usefulness. A 
 negro woman, a member of the Society, had died, and 
 amongst her effects a Wesleyan ticket was found, with 
 the motto, " The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, 
 and the violent take it by force." This got into the 
 hands of one of the white officers of the property to 
 which she belonged; and the fearful document was 
 forthwith conveyed to a magistrate. All was now terror 
 and alarm. It was thought the watchword of seme dark 
 but sanguinary conspiracy. A meeting of the magis- 
 trates and vestrymen was summoned to Morant Bay, and 
 Mr. Burgar was cited to appear and answer. He found 
 the majority in great terror ; but at his request he was 
 allowed to return to his house, to bring a similar ticket 
 which his wife had received in England of the same 
 date. On his producing it, their fears were in some mea- 
 sure allayed ; and he was dismissed, after an admonition 
 from the Gustos to " preach the necessity of good works, 
 but to say notliing about faith, for that was dangerous 
 doctrine for the negroes." Lest, however, there should 
 after all be a " rebellious conspiracy," the parochial mi- 
 litia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness for 
 service at the shortest warning. 
 
 It has been stated that notwithstanding the restrictions 
 
 h2 
 
loo 
 
 KINGSTOTi CHAPEL RE-OPENED. 
 
 in Kingston, the work of God prospered amazingly ; but 
 hope deferred made the heart sick at last. Mr. Shipman 
 had applied at the Quarter Sessions in February and 
 May, but both applications were unsuccessful. He re- 
 solved to make another attempt in August, which he did, 
 and the result was as before. From that time the op- 
 pressed people gave up all expectation of relief; and 
 symptoms of indifference became too apparent. The 
 generality of the leaders were exceedingly disheartened ; 
 and their meetings, which had been all along well and 
 cheerfully attended, were now almost deserted. It was 
 plain to all, that under their privations the work could 
 not be much longer maintained, and that without public 
 ordinances the Society must soon dwindle away. Of the 
 former their was no hope, and the latter seemed inevitable. 
 Mr. Shipman was wearied with disappointment, and the 
 state of the Society wrung his heart with anguish ; and 
 much as he loved the people, he resolved to make only 
 one effort more, and should that also prove unsuccessful, 
 then to leave the unpromising field. The Quarter Ses- 
 sions sat in November, and while he w^ent to the Court 
 several of the leading members met at the chapel-house 
 and engaged in prayer, that the Lord might be pleased 
 to open the way of his servant. There was, at the instant 
 of his appearing, a favourable majority on the Bench, 
 and he was allowed to qualify. On that business being 
 finished, he hastened home to his friends with the happy 
 tidings, which for a time they could not persuade them- 
 selves to believe ; and no wonder, for he scarcely believed 
 them himself. " The Lord then turned their captivity. 
 
KINGSTON CHAPEL RE-OPENED. 101 
 
 and they were like them that dream." He had suffered 
 then- faith and patience to be severely tried, but he had 
 not forgotten them. He was better to them than all their 
 fears ; and when their night was at the darkest, he sud- 
 denly '^ turned the shadow of death into the morning." 
 
lOS 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 State of the work in Kingston and Morant Bay on the re-opening of 
 the Chapels — A Society formed in the Parish of St. David's — Death 
 of Mr. Buxgar — Premises piirchased in Spanish Town — Grateful 
 Hill Cu-cuit — Memorials to the Governor and Assembly — First Dis- 
 trict Meeting — Grateful Hill Chapel opened — Stephen Drew, Esq. — 
 Arrival of Missionaries — District Meeting of 1818 — Premises pur- 
 chased for a second Chapel in Kingston — A Society formed in Man- 
 chioneal — Preaching ia Bath — Unsuccessful application at the 
 Quarter Sessions of Port Antonio — IMr. Shijnnan preaches in Fal- 
 mouth— A Society formed in Montego Bay — Death of Mr. William 
 Carver — District of 1819 — Death of Rev. 0. Adams — District of 
 1820— Death of Rev. Mr. Hartley— A Petition to the Magistrates and 
 Vestry of St. Thomas in the East. 
 
 When Mr. Shipman obtained permission to re-open the 
 chapel, as has been related in the foregoing chapter, it 
 was attended nevertheless with certain restrictions. It 
 was an express condition that there should be no services 
 held after dark, nor on any week-day, excepting at such 
 times as divine service was performed in the parish church. 
 This occasioned great privations; but the people sub- 
 mitted to them without a murmur, in the hope that such 
 restrictions would yet be removed. Indeed they were 
 abundantly thankful for what they liad obtained ; and on 
 Sunday, the ord of December, 1815, (a day which ought 
 never to be forgotten by the Methodists in Jamaica), the 
 gates of the Lord's house were opened by the hands of 
 the venerable Mrs. Smith. This act she accompanied 
 with her prayers and tears ; earnestly beseeching the 
 Father of mercies that he would never more suffer them 
 to be closed against his worshippers, by the hand of 
 
STATE OF THE KINGSTON^ SOCIETY. 103 
 
 oppression and intolerance. Her prayers have been an- 
 swered; for from that day the chapel has never been 
 shut up by the interference of the magistracy. 
 
 The house of God being once more opened for his ser- 
 vice, the hands which had been long hanging down were 
 at once lifted up. A spirit of holy zeal animated and 
 quickened the leaders, and was indeed diffused through 
 the whole Society. Mr. Shipman, who had been " sowing 
 in tears, now reaped in joy ;" and he continued to labour 
 with much encouragement. The increase of members 
 for the preceding seven years had been very great; 
 numbers more flocked to the chapel, and its walls became 
 too strait for the congregation. Many who could not ob- 
 tain admission, sat in the large " band room" below ; and 
 an opening was made in the chapel-floor that they might 
 hear, though scarcely any of them could see the pulpit. 
 It was also about that time the Baptist Society first sent 
 missionaries to the Island. On their arrival they found 
 a large number of negroes called by their name, and they 
 commenced their labours amongst them with every pros- 
 pect of success. 
 
 On Morant Bay the ministry of Mr. Burgar was crowned 
 with the special blessing of God. Before he went thither, 
 the Society had been for some time under the care of 
 Mr. William White, then a local preacher, but who had 
 been recommended to the Committee at home as a person 
 well qualified to be employed as a missionary.* Although 
 
 * Mr. ^Vhite was accepted, and was admitted as a preacher on trial 
 by the Conference of 1816. He was afterwards appointed to the An- 
 tigua District, and was one of the missionaries wlio were lost by the 
 upsetting of the Maria mail-boat in 1825. He was a native of England, 
 but brought in very early life to Jamaica, and from the time of his 
 conyersion was made extensively useful. 
 
104 PIOUS ZEAL OF MRS. HARRIS. 
 
 he had not been allowed to preach in the chapel, lie was 
 diligent in watching over the members, and in adminis- 
 tering such instructions and advices as tended to their 
 spiritual edification and improvement. Mr. Burgar en- 
 tered upon his work with every advantage. The Society 
 was united and prosperous, while several of the neigh- 
 bouring magistrates manifested great kindness, and a 
 number of the principal inhabitants attended his ministry. 
 But the state of the Mission was such as to require his 
 appointment to Kingston; and with a view to that 
 arrangement, he applied to the Quarter Sessions in May 
 for permission to qualify. The spirit of the magistracy 
 w^as greatly improved ; and after a very short consultation 
 his request was unanimously complied with. Thus his 
 way was open for the commencement of his labours in 
 Kingston, when the time of his residence on Morant Bay 
 should expire. 
 
 About that period a Society was formed in St. David's, 
 a smaller parish, connected with St. Thomas in the East. 
 The person who was instrumental in this w^ork was 
 Catherine French, afterwards Mrs. Harris, a coloured fe- 
 male of earnest piety, and remarkable for her imcommon 
 zeal and intelligence. She was born in slavery, and be- 
 longed to a Mrs. Geoghegan, a white lady, who gave her 
 her freedom in infancy, and brought her up with great 
 tenderness. She joined the Society in Kingston; and 
 possessing many advantages she became noted for piety 
 and usefulness. After a number of years, her kind be- 
 nefactress was under the necessity of removing from 
 Kingston, and settling on a property of her own, called 
 
A SOCIETY FORMED IN ST. DAVID's. 105 
 
 Pomfret (in the aforesaid parish of St. David's), which was 
 situated about eight miles westward from Morant Bay. 
 The thought of separating from her religious associates 
 was extremely painful ; but she felt she could not part 
 from one to whom she was under so many obligations, 
 who had brought her up with maternal kindness, and 
 with whom she had resided from her birth. She there- 
 fore accompanied her, in the hope that the Lord would 
 make her useful amongst a people who knew nothing 
 of the way of salvation. She soon succeeded in forming 
 a class of serious enquirers after religion ; and, to her mi- 
 speakable joy, was rendered instrumental in the conver- 
 sion of Mrs. Geoghegan herself, who met along with her 
 for religious exercises, and profited by her instructions. 
 The house of that lady was now opened for the preaching 
 of the gospel, and the hall w as fitted up with benches for 
 the accommodation of all who chose to attend. Pom- 
 fret became connected with Morant Bay, and was visited 
 by the missionaries as often as their engagements would 
 allow. This continued for two or three years ; when, on 
 the death of Mrs. Geoghegan, the property was sold, and 
 the house could no longer be so occupied. A temporary 
 hut was however erected at no great distance from it, 
 large enough to accommodate between two and three 
 hundred hearers, and the ordinances of God were admin- 
 istered as before. 
 
 On the 15th of July Mr. Burgar left Morant Bay, for 
 the purpose of entering upon his work in Kingston. It 
 appeared that in that city the Lord had set open for him 
 a great and an effectual door of usefulness; and many 
 
106 DEATH OF MR. BURGAR. 
 
 hearts were rejoicing in the pleasing prospect which they 
 now saw set before them. But, alas, their joy was almost 
 instantly changed into mourning; and the Lord in his wise 
 providence saw it meet to take his zealous servant home 
 to himself. On Saturday, the 20th, only a few days after 
 his arrival, he was seized with yellow fever, accompanied 
 with symptoms of the most alarming description. The 
 best medical aid was immediately procured, and those 
 alarming symptoms disappeared for a time, so that the 
 most sanguine expectations of his recovery were pleasingly 
 entertained : expectations which w^ere soon disappointed. 
 On the following Thursday, the fever returned with re- 
 doubled violence, and continued with but little intermis- 
 sion until the 1st of August, when he died in great peace, 
 in the 28th year of his age. 
 
 Although the period of Mr. Burgar's residence on the 
 Island was so short, yet, by the blessing of God, his la- 
 bours were not in vain. The great head of the church 
 had furnished him with talents for extensive usefulness ; 
 and he seemed to be especially qualified for Jamaica, a 
 part of the mission-field requiring the happy union of no 
 common degree of zeal and prudence on the part of the 
 faithful minister. When he went to Morant Bay, in Oc- 
 tober, 1815, he found the Society to consist of 625 mem- 
 bers ; but the work of the Lord so prospered in the hand 
 of his servant, as that during the time of his residence 
 (which was only about nine months) he saw a clear in- 
 crease of 327 members under his ministry. When he 
 went to Kingston the whole number amounted to 952, 
 of whom about seventy belonged to the little society at 
 Pomfret. 
 
f 
 PROSPERITY IN SPANISH TOWN. 107 
 
 It is also peculiarly pleasing to notice, that while he 
 was so extensively useful in the Society, his prudent and 
 zealous behaviour removed long-existing prejudices, and 
 secured the confidence and esteem of the principal inha- 
 bitants of that neighbourhood. The tidings of his death 
 were received by the magistrates and others with sincere 
 sorrow; and at the jfirst meeting of the vestry, they 
 generously voted to his widow the sum of £100 sterling? 
 as a token of respect for his memory, and their high 
 estimation of the value of his labours. This was an act 
 equally honourable to all parties. It shewed that the 
 darkness of prejiidice was fast passing away, and an- 
 nounced the beginning of a very different state of feeling 
 in that part of the Island. Mr. Wiggins then removed 
 to Morant Bay, and was permitted to " qualify" without 
 opposition. 
 
 In the meantime, the work which had been commenced 
 in Spanish Town, exhibited pleasing indications of pros- 
 perity. It is true the Society was still small, yet their 
 congregations on the Lord's day were larger in propor- 
 tion than on any other part of the Island. This arose 
 from the circumstance of the members being nearly all 
 in a state of freedom : for very few of the slaves either in 
 Spanish Town, or its vicinity, manifested any concern for 
 salvation. And here let it be remarked, once for all, 
 that such were the disadvantages of the slaves, especially 
 those on estates, that when they were disposed to attend 
 the house of God, and even when no obstructions were 
 voluntarily thrown in the way, one Sabbath in four or 
 five, was as much time as the generality could command 
 
108 PREMISES rURCHASED IN SPANISH TOWN. 
 
 for the public ordinances of religion. This will account 
 to the reader for the disproportionate size of some of the 
 chapels, as compared with the numbers in Society. 
 
 The place of meeting in Spanish Town was small and 
 incommodious ; and it was therefore resolved to purchase 
 a large house, which was at that time advertised for sale. 
 But the members were too few in number to raise an 
 adequate sum without assistance, nor could they expect 
 much help from the other inhabitants of the town. But 
 in this embarrassment the Kingston Society generously 
 presented them with £500 currency, which enabled 
 them to accomplish their object.* The house was pur- 
 chased accordingly, and was fitted up both for a chapel 
 and preacher's residence on the same floor. Those 
 arrangements being completed, the chapel was opened 
 in the beginning of the following year. 
 
 The little Society in St. Thomas in the Vale continued 
 to be visited as frequently as possible. In that parish, 
 which belonged to the same precinct as Spanish Town, 
 there never had been any serious opposition ; and in the 
 absence of the missionaries, their place was supplied by 
 two local preachers in the neighbourhood, who were 
 allowed to officiate with very little interruption. Here 
 also the number of hearers rapidly increased, and a more 
 suitable place of worship became indispensably necessary. 
 
 * Here lot it be noted, that the nominal difference between Jamaica 
 cun'cncy and sterling is 40 per cent. But this does not include the 
 premium on bills, which varies. The real difference is therefore 
 greater ; and on an average £100 currency would not amount to much 
 more than £60 sterling;, payable in Great Britain. Contributions here- 
 after shall be given in sterling, reckoning £160 cxu-rency to be equal 
 to £100 payable at home. 
 
GENEROSITY OF MISS HUTTON. 109 
 
 For tliis purpose two of the free members offered a 
 choice of two different plots of ground^ suitable for the 
 site of a chapel and dwelling-house. The spot which 
 Mr. Wiggins selected was exceedingly beautiful, and in 
 a fine climate. It was named Grateful Hill ; and the 
 work was immediately commenced with all possible 
 diligence. 
 
 A small but promising Society was formed, about four 
 miles from Grateful Hill, in the northern part of the 
 parish of St. Andrew, but near the boundary lines of St. 
 Mary and St. Thomas in the Vale. This was principally 
 owing to a Miss Hutton, a coloured lady, who had been 
 a member for several years, and a person of great zeal 
 and decided piety. Having purchased a settlement in 
 that neighbourhood, her first care was to establish the 
 preaching of the gospel, for the benefit of a dark and 
 ignorant population, Avho had none to care for their 
 souls. At that time the only houses upon her property 
 were a few thatched cottages, the largest of which, to- 
 gether with a suitable piece of ground, she regularly 
 settled for mission-premises. This cottage was repaired 
 and enlarged, and was occupied as a chapel for a number 
 of years ; but not long after the Society was estabhshed, 
 the generous donor departed this life, having been long 
 loved and respected as a " mother in Israel." 
 
 The missionaries observing that their principles and 
 designs were still much misunderstood, and much mis« 
 represented ; adopted the expedient of addressing me- 
 morials to the Governor, and the House of Assembly : 
 
110 THE FIRST DISTRICT MEETING. 
 
 which they did in the beginning of November. They 
 were received by the respective parties with courtesy, 
 though nothing further was heard resulting from that 
 sent to the Governor. But as the memoralists had ex- 
 pressed a wish to make the parties acquainted with their 
 whole economy, Mr. Shipman was summoned in a few 
 days afterwards before a committee of the Assembly ; 
 and was strictly examined on the doctrines, discipline, 
 and objects of Wesleyan Methodism. His candid and 
 ready answers appeared to give general satisfaction, and 
 to no one more than the Honourable James Stewart, 
 Gustos of the extensive parish of TrelaAvney. This was 
 the means of opening his way to the north side of the 
 Island, where he laid the foundation of missions, which 
 since that time have been eminently successful. 
 
 At the Gonference of 1816, the various stations in 
 Jamaica first appeared on the minutes, as a regular 
 District ; and Mr. Wiggins was appointed to act as 
 chairman. The first District-meeting was held in Kings- 
 ton, in March, 1817 : there were then only four mission- 
 aries on the Island, namely Messrs. Wiggins, Shipman, 
 White, and Katclifie ; the last having arrived early in 
 January. As this must be regarded as a new event in 
 the history of the Mission, we shall subjoin the numbers 
 of members on the various circuits as they were reported 
 at the time ; observing, that of the whole there were only 
 twenty-five whites, and of the remainder upwards of 
 two- thirds were slaves. The followuig is the official 
 statement of the District : — 
 
NUMBER OF MEMBERS. Ill 
 
 Kingston 2684 
 
 Spanish Town 77 
 
 MorantBay 1246 
 
 Grateful Hill 144 
 
 Total . . 4151 
 
 It may here be proper to remark, that the business of 
 most of the foreign districts is much more complex 
 than that which is brought before similar meetings at 
 home. A considerable number of standing questions 
 have to be regularly answered, which involve all details 
 connected v/ith the various circuits, both financial and 
 religious. Accounts from all the stations have to be 
 produced ; giving the most minute statement of all items 
 both of income and expenditure, whether such stations 
 may be dependent on the funds at home, or otherwise. 
 The business of the Jamaica District has seldom occujiied 
 less time than a week, commencing at day-break, and con- 
 tinued with only two intervals (making an hour and a 
 half) until three o'clock. It is part of the business of those 
 Districts to express their opinion as to the appointments 
 of the brethren for the ensuing Conference ; and if there 
 be any alterations in the stations as fixed by the Con- 
 ference preceding, the reason for such alterations must 
 be specifically stated in their minutes. At the close of the 
 whole the brethren take their departure for their new 
 circuits, or to such as they may be appointed for the 
 year. 
 
 At the close of the first Jamaica District-meeting-, Mr. 
 Shipman left Kingston for Spanish Town, and was sue- 
 
112 GRATEFUL HILL CHAPEL OPENED. 
 
 ceeded by Mr. RatcliiFe ; Mr. Wiggins returned to Morant 
 Bay and Mr. White removed to England, by order of the 
 Committee, where having been ordained to the ministry, 
 he was appointed to labour in the Antigua district. The 
 brethren repaired to their respective circuits, full of 
 gratitude for what God had wrought out for them. 
 The clear increase of members throughout the past year 
 was no less than 944 ; and as they were expecting a con- 
 siderable reinforcement of missionaries, their prospects 
 w^ere brighter than ever. 
 
 Nothing very remarkable occurred until the opening 
 of the Grateful Hill chapel, which took place about six 
 months after the District-meeting. This edifice was a 
 frame or wooden building, but raised a few feet on a 
 brick foundation. Its dimensions were 43 feet by 28, 
 exclusive of the dwelling-house, which was taken from 
 the west end ; and though small, was not incommodious. 
 The exterior was remarkably neat, and the noble and 
 healthy situation was as imposing as can be well con- 
 ceived. Standing in front of the chapel, on the top of 
 Grateful Hill, the spectator might behold a most exten- 
 sive prospect, which was limited by a chain of lofty 
 mountains, and within their range, the whole had the 
 appearance of an immense valley of hills. None of those 
 eminences were higher than 200 feet ; but many of them 
 rose so abruptly, that for miles there was scarcely so 
 much ground naturally level as would suffice for the site 
 of an ordinary dwelling-house : but whether cultivated 
 or otherwise, they were covered with vegetation, and 
 presented a scene of extraordinary variety, magnificence. 
 
STEPHEN DREW, ESQ. 113 
 
 and beauty. In that district there are no villages nor 
 sugar estates. There are a few coffee plantations of 
 considerable magnitude, but a great part was laid out in 
 small settlements, principally belonging to free persons 
 of colour. The neighbourhood was populous, and was 
 inhabited by a people, many of whom gladly embraced 
 the offers of mercy. 
 
 The establishment thus completed, was situated in 
 the interior, about twenty miles north-west from Kings- 
 ton, and in that part of St. Thomas in the Vale, known 
 by the name of " Above Rocks." As there were no 
 carriage roads in that district, the difficulty and expense 
 of procuring materials were very great ; and though 
 many of the members were free, yet they were in gene- 
 ral far from affluent. But they contributed to the utmost 
 extent of their ability ; and the people of Kingston again 
 came nobly forward to their assistance, and presented 
 them with a sum equal to what they had given a year 
 before to the Society in Spanish Town. 
 
 In course of this year, Mr. Shipman, who was stationed 
 in Spanish Town, was made mainly instrumental in the 
 conversion of the late Stephen Drew, Esq. This gentle- 
 man was a native of Cornwall, and was brought up to 
 the legal profession ; and for a few years practised at the 
 Bar in Jamaica. For some time, however, he had re- 
 tired from that employment, and resided on an estate in 
 St. Ann's, called Bellemont, which he inherited in right 
 of his wife. Having been himself brought to the know- 
 ledge of the truth, he felt desirous of communicating 
 
114 ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES. 
 
 that knowledge to others ; and especially to the poor 
 negroes around him, for whom no man cared, and who 
 were perishing for lack of knowledge. For this end, he 
 opened his large house, read portions of the sacred scrip- 
 tures, and otherwise instructed all who were willing to 
 attend. Mr. Shipman also went over and preached, 
 and formed a small Society, which was the commence- 
 ment of a work which has since occupied a very con- 
 sjncuous place in the missionary annals of Jamaica. 
 
 At the Conference of 1817, Mr. Johnston w^as again 
 appointed to Jamaica, as superintendent of the Kingston 
 circuit, and chairman of the District. He had laboured 
 for about fourteen years in the West Indies ; and his 
 discerning mind, prudent conduct, and mature expe- 
 rience, well qualified him for the important station. A 
 short time after his arrival, Messrs. Home, Underhill, 
 Hudson, and Binning, landed at Morant Bay ; and at 
 the Quarter Sessions, which sat in the same month, 
 Messrs. Home and Underhill applied for license, which 
 was granted with great cordiality. On this event, Mr. 
 Wiggins, who had been long worn down with toil and 
 anxiety, left the Island, after a painful residence of 
 about ten years. 
 
 The second District-meeting began in Kingston, on 
 the 2nd of March, 1818. The brethren reported favour- 
 ably of the state of the work on their respective stations ; 
 and the total increase of members amounted to 627. At 
 this District the following appointments were finally 
 settled : — 
 
A SECOND CHAPEL IN KINGSTON. 115 
 
 Kingston . . Messrs. Johnston and Ratcliffe. 
 
 Spanish Town . Mr. Hudson. 
 
 Morant Bay . Messrs. Horne and Underhill. 
 
 Grateful Hill . Mr. Binning. 
 
 Falmouth . . Mr. Shipman. 
 
 It has been already observed, that the Kingston chapel 
 was insufficient to contain the increasing congregation. 
 For some time, therefore, the Society had been preparing 
 for an enlargement of their borders ; and they fixed their 
 eye upon a spacious dwelling-house, which was then 
 offered for sale. This building was in every respect 
 eligible for their purpose. It was erected on a conside- 
 rable plot of ground, in one of the principal streets of 
 the city, and at a distance of half a mile from the 
 Parade. The upper part was capable of being fitted up 
 as a chapel, sufficiently large for a few years to come ; 
 while the apartments below might be easily turned into 
 a very comfortable residence for the second minister. 
 At that time the Kingston Society consisted of about 
 2800 members, and above one-third were }>ersons of free 
 condition. There were indeed very few of them wealthy, 
 but many were in respectable and easy circumstances ; 
 and as their burdens for some time had been but trifling, 
 compared with their number; and their hearts being 
 much in the work, they purchased the spacious pre- 
 mises ; and by the end of the year the chapel was opened 
 by Mr. Johnston, To accomplish this important under- 
 taking, the members in Kingston had to put forth every 
 efibrt ; and, by the blessing of God, they were successful. 
 It ought also to be mentioned, that they met mth great 
 
 i2 
 
116 A SOCIETY IN MANCHIONEAL. 
 
 encouragement from many of the other inhabitants, who 
 were favourable to their designs, and who rendered 
 assistance with praise-worthy liberality. The amazing 
 promptitude which was manifested in the whole of this 
 work was surprising to every one ; and the building was 
 presented at the Quarter Sessions for registration, before 
 many thought there was anything in the reported inten- 
 tions of the Methodists beyond mere rumour. When 
 the application of the brethren was read to the Court, 
 the magistrates were evidently astonished ; and one of 
 their worships exclaimed, not in a friendly tone, " How 
 far are those people to spread ! How high are they to 
 rise !" None of them, however, offered the smallest 
 opposition. The chapel was seated so as to accommo- 
 date about 600 persons ; and the expense of the whole 
 amounted to £1700 sterling; but such were the zeal 
 and liberality of the people, that the last instalment of 
 the debt was paid in January, 1820. 
 
 Under the ministry of Messrs. Home and Underhill, 
 the Society at Morant Bay enjoyed extraordinary pros- 
 perity. A short time after the District, they visited 
 Manchioneal, where the work had been attempted be- 
 fore, but without success. They were received with 
 great cordiality by the free people, who rejoiced in the 
 prospect of having the gospel preached amongst them. 
 It was evident that the time to favour Zion had come at 
 last : and a house, called " Kendal Castle," was rented 
 and fitted up for preaching. A Society was speedily 
 formed, consisting of the greater part of the free people 
 on the Bay, as well as a number of slaves from surround- 
 
CONTEMPTIBLE OPPOSITION. 117 
 
 ing estates ; and the change in their deportment mani- 
 fested a real change of heart. As this place was nearly 
 thirty miles from Morant Bay, Mr. Underhill took 
 lodgings in the neighbourhood, and watched over the 
 infant Society with great care. His work was much 
 facilitated by the assistance of Mr. William Moodie, the 
 son of one of the circuit stewards in Kingston. He 
 settled in Manchioneal as a schoolmaster, and all who 
 were able, sent their children for instruction, and many 
 of them made considerable proficiency. 
 
 The district of Manchioneal, which is situated on the 
 east end of the Island, is very extensive, comprehending 
 many sugar, and other plantations, to which many slaves 
 were attached. It is divided from the other districts of 
 St. Thomas in the East by lofty mountains, and the 
 character of its white inhabitants, as compared with the 
 others, was then strongly marked. In Manchioneal 
 they were very generally natives of the Island, whereas 
 in the other parts they were chiefly emigrants from the 
 mother country. It is not for the writer to say how far 
 they deserved it ; but it is certain, they had more of the 
 ridicule of their neighbours than their respect. For 
 some time a number of them attended the preaching, 
 but their puerile behaviour was very annoying to the 
 congregations, and would not have been tolerated in 
 other parts of the parish. Some of them were very bitter 
 against the Mission, and to make a show of danger they 
 took their muskets in the evenings, and paraded about 
 the neighbourhood as sentinels. But as they were only 
 laughed at by the more respectable parishioners, they 
 
118 PREACHING IN BATH. 
 
 became tired of their police duties, and the work went on 
 without interruption. 
 
 About the end of the year, they were also successful 
 in commencing preaching in the village of Bath, so called 
 from the hot springs in its immediate vicinity. This 
 beautiful village is situated in the delightful valley of 
 Plantain Garden River, and about ten miles from Morant 
 Bay on the road to Manchioneal. The largest sugar es- 
 tates in the British West Indies are in its neighboLU'hood; 
 and many of the negroes were already members of the 
 Society, although they had to walk to Morant Bay to 
 attend the chapel. The leading gentlemen were friendly 
 to the missionaries, and few places presented greater 
 claims upon their attention than Bath. A very eligible 
 house in the village was also offered for sale, which was 
 capable of being converted into a permanent chapel, at 
 comparatively little expense. This was purchased by 
 Mr. Home, who preached in it for some time, although 
 no Society could be formed until about two years after- 
 wards. 
 
 It may be mentioned here, that on receiving an ad- 
 ditional missionary, Mr. Home, early in the following 
 year, went to Port Antonio, in the parish of Portland, 
 with the view of commencing a mission there. This 
 parish is bounded by the district of Manchioneal on 
 that side ; and what has been said of the white in- 
 habitants of the latter, was equally applicable to the 
 former. Their leading men were generally natives of 
 the Island, and were accused of an affected pomp and 
 ostentation of manners, which often brought, *' The in- 
 
QUARTER SESSIONS IN PORT ANTONIO. 119 
 
 habitants of the independent and virtuous parish of 
 Portland " into contempt. Mr. Horne applied at the 
 Quarter Sessions, furnished not only with the usual cre- 
 dentials ; but also with recommendations from some of 
 the principal gentlemen in St. Thomas in the East. The 
 Custos, who was highly respected, appeared to be quite 
 favourable ; but one of his associates rose up mth great 
 dignity, and delivered a long and vehement harangue 
 against the request of the applicant : this oration he con- 
 cluded with the following bombast, accompanied of course 
 with suitable gestures, and uttered with such a sonorous 
 twang, as the reader may easily imagine : — " Sir," said 
 his worship, addressing the Gustos, "remember our 
 beautiful estabhshment. Our beautiful establishment 
 sir ! It is true, sir, she is not without her spots, but those 
 spots only bring out her beauty the more. If you allow 
 those men to come into this parish, then, sir, I say you 
 will have imperium, imperio .'" As a majority of the 
 magistrates were unfavourable, but not wishing openly 
 to oppose the Gustos, they agreed to leave the whole 
 matter to the decision of the jury. The jury therefore 
 retired, and after some consultation, they returned the 
 sapient verdict : ''That two religions could not agree in 
 the same parish.'''' 
 
 At the request of the Honourable James Stewart, of 
 Trelawney, Mr. Shipman went over to that parish, which 
 lies on the north side of the Island ; and commenced a 
 mission in the town of Falmouth. Under the patronage 
 of that influential magistrate, license was easily obtained, 
 and also a commodious place for preaching. His labours 
 
120 EXTENSION OF THE MISSION. 
 
 were also extended to Rio Bueno, a populous village 
 about sixteen miles eastward, and lie preached occasion- 
 ally on the property of Counsellor Drew, in St. Ann's. 
 No mission had ever been commenced on the Island 
 under more favourable auspices; there was no oppo- 
 sition, and in Falmouth many of the whites attended 
 his ministry. He was even allowed to preach and cate- 
 chise on several estates ; but with all these advantages, 
 and the most indefatigable labour, few manifested any 
 desu-e for salvation, and he saw but little fruit. 
 
 In the month of September, Mr. Shipman received the 
 pleasing intelligence, that a few of the members still 
 survived in Montego Bay who had joined the Society 
 under the ministry of Mr. Fish, and were meeting for 
 religious exercises along with a Serjeant of artillery, 
 stationed in that town. Being situated only twenty-one 
 miles west from Falmouth, he paid them an early visit, 
 and found a very general desire for the preaching of the 
 gospel At first he encountered considerable opposition 
 from some of the higher classes, but it soon subsided and 
 his want of fruit at Falmouth was in some measure com- 
 pensated by his success at Montego Bay. Through the 
 help of Mr. Jones a merchant in the place, he obtained 
 contributions for the purchase of a large house for a 
 chapel and residence. This object was accomplished, 
 and the building was speedily fitted up for the pui-poses 
 of the Mission. 
 
 The year 1818 was eminently peaceful and prospe- 
 rous. There were seven missionaries on the Island, 
 none of whom had met with any material obstruction in 
 
MR. WILLIAM CARVER. 121 
 
 the discharge of their important duties. But the whole 
 District sustained no common loss in the death of Mr. 
 William Carver, who had long been one of its most 
 efficient lay-officers. That gentleman was a native of 
 Hertfordshire, in England, and received a hberal educa- 
 tion, having been intended for the ministry of the 
 Established Church. About the year 1798 he went out 
 to Antigua, under the patronage of Sir George Thomas, 
 who owned estates on that island. He was shortly 
 afterwards married to a lady whose father had been an 
 officer in his Majesty's navy, but who had retired, and 
 resided at Port Royal in Jamaica. After his marriage, 
 he was providentally brought under the ministry of the 
 Rev. A. Murdoch, one of the missionaries in Antigua, 
 and became the subject of a real change of heart, which 
 was in after life evinced by a course of no common zeal 
 and usefulness. About the year 1803 he and his family 
 came to Jamaica, at the request of his father-in-law, 
 who was possessed of considerable property on the 
 Island ; but on his arrival he was grieved and disap- 
 pointed to find him living according to the sinful course 
 of the country. This occasioned a speedy separation 
 between them ; and from that time Mr. Carver had to 
 come out from the world, showing that he had " respect 
 to the recompense of the reward." Had wealth been his 
 object, his varied talents, his liberal education, and un- 
 common energy, would have raised him to the very 
 highest stations in Colonial society ; but, although the 
 Mission was then deeply depressed and persecuted, he 
 " chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, 
 
1^2 A USEFUL LIFE. 
 
 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." He 
 was the firm friend and judicious counsellor of the mis- 
 sionaries, who profited much by the benefit of his ex- 
 perience, and Avho had a large share in his sympathies 
 and prayers. He filled, at different times, all the lay 
 ofiices in the connexion, with great credit to himself and 
 usefulness to others. He was the leader of three large 
 classes ; and under his fostering care many were raised 
 up, who were ornaments to their Christian profession. 
 In times, also, when the word of God was eminently 
 precious, owing to the paucity of labourers, he occasion- 
 ally visited the parishes of St. Thomas in the Vale and 
 St. Mary ; where, in private houses, he expounded the 
 scriptures to small companies, who gladly received his 
 instructions; and not a few, by his instrumentality, 
 were " turned from darkness to light, and from the 
 power of Satan to God." 
 
 For the space of fourteen years Mr. Carver had re- 
 sided principally in Kingston, and was employed as a 
 teacher of youth in a public seminary in that city ; but 
 owing to certain changes in that institution, he removed, 
 about the beginning of 1818, to Morant Bay, where he 
 was gladly welcomed by a people with whom he was 
 intimately acquainted, and who had long known his 
 worth. It was fondly hoped, that God had sent his 
 servant for a long and useful service on that large and 
 fruitful field of labour ; but his health soon failed, and 
 he was called to exemplify the graces of Christianity in 
 suffering and death. His last illness was somewhat 
 protracted, and his bodily pain was often very great. 
 
DISTRICT-MEETING OF 1819. 123 
 
 But that God whom he had served did not forsake him. 
 and the consolations of his Spirit proved quite sufficient 
 for the trial. He had long honoured God, and now God 
 honoured his servant, by giving him a glorious triumph 
 over his last enemy. He died at Morant Bay, in June, 
 1818, in the forty-sixth year of his age, leaving hun- 
 dreds, besides his own family, to lament their loss. 
 
 The District-meeting of 1819 commenced its sitting 
 in Kingston, on the 16th of February ; at which the 
 increase of members throughout the year was found to 
 be 703. As the Rev. Messrs. Adams and Hartley had 
 arrived a few days before, no fewer than nine missionaries 
 were present. Few changes had to be made in the ap- 
 pointments, only Mr. Binning removed to the north side 
 to the assistance of Mr. Shipman, while Mr. Adams 
 went to Spanish Town, and Mr. Hartley to Morant 
 Bay. 
 
 At the close of the District -meeting, Messrs. Shipman 
 and Binning repaii'ed to the new stations of Falmouth 
 and Montego Bay, with very sanguine hopes of success. 
 As Mr. Binning was, however, refused " license" in the 
 latter town, Mr. Shipman immediately removed thither, 
 leaving the opening in Falmouth to be improved by his 
 colleague. The house he had purchased was then com- 
 pleted with great diligence. The lower part, which was 
 raised several feet upon a stone foundation, was converted 
 into a chapel, and the preacher's residence was above. 
 As much economy was observed as was practicable ; yet 
 the purchase and alterations involved such expense as a 
 small infant Society was not prepared to meet, for which 
 
124 A SOCIETY FORMED IN MONTEGO BAY. 
 
 Mr. Shipman was principally responsible. Great efforts 
 were made in the town for procuring contributions, which 
 were not unsuccessful, and some even of the white inha- 
 bitants rendered assistance. Among the early friends of 
 this Mission, it affords great pleasure to mention the 
 names of T. Guthrie and J. Manderson, Esqrs., the 
 latter a gentleman of colour, of extensive influence, and 
 who afterwards became Gustos of the parish, and one of 
 its representatives in the House of Assembly. But not- 
 withstanding all their efforts, they were under great 
 embarrassment, until the Kingston Society again came 
 forward, and generously gave them a sum about equal in 
 amount, to those given to the Societies of Spanish Town 
 and Grateful Hill. Tliis was a token of their love to the 
 cause of God, and especially to a minister to whom they 
 felt themselves laid under many obligations ; but it was 
 the more praise-worthy, as at that time they were exerting 
 themselves for the liquidation of the debt on their second 
 chapel. 
 
 In Falmouth the work continued in much the same 
 state as before. Mr. Binning laboured without any in- 
 terruption, but with as little success. A number of the 
 respectable inhabitants attended his ministry, but no 
 general impression was made on the minds of the negroes. 
 He remained, however, until the month of September, 
 when the death of Mr, Adams caused his removal to 
 Spanish Town. 
 
 Mr. Adams, as has been observed, arrived in January ; 
 and in April he applied at the Quarter Sessions, and was. 
 received with great courtesy. A complaint of a very 
 
DEATH OF MR. ADAMS. 125 
 
 singular nature was at that time made to the Court ; 
 namely, of the annoyance of several young men of colour, 
 whose rude and insulting behaviour caused great dis- 
 turbance in the congregations. In the whole history of 
 the Mission, this stands almost the only instance of the 
 kind. The body of free coloured inhabitants, had always 
 treated the missionaries with respect, and it is to their 
 honour that they have uniformly attributed their subse- 
 quent elevation in Society to their labours and sufferings. 
 Those in Spanish Town who were guilty of such indeco- 
 rum, were only a few contemptible persons, the paltry 
 mimics of the baser sort of whites, who (with a few ex- 
 ceptions in Manchioneal) had for some years disappeared 
 from the Island. The magistrates at once intimated, that 
 the congregations were under the protection of the Court, 
 and they had only to complain and such grievances should 
 be instantly redressed. From that time all disturbance 
 ceased. 
 
 Mr. Adams was a man of deep piety and ardent zeal 
 for the glory of God. During his short residence on the 
 Island he laboured with success, and secured the confi- 
 dence and esteem of the community in which he lived. 
 He was seized with the prevailing fever on the 12tli of 
 August, and on the 18th his spirit was delivered from the 
 burden of the flesh, to be for ever with the Lord. Mr. 
 Johnston, who was present and witnessed his triumphant 
 death, sent home the following account of the deeply 
 impressive scene. He says, — 
 
 *' With feelings of great sorrow, I hereby inform you of 
 the death of our dear brother Adams. In the last stage of 
 
12Q A TOKEN OF RESPECT. 
 
 his affliction, he was not able to bear the smallest disturb- 
 ance, in consequence of his head being so dreadfully affected ; 
 but his heart was filled with the peace of God in so glorious 
 a manner, as to prevent his bodily pains from interfering with 
 his happiness. He said, he had no hope of life, but felt his 
 mind perfectly resigned to life or death, as God should think 
 fit. My wife and self visited him again on the 18th, and 
 found him evidently sinking. His head was so much affected 
 with the malignant disease, that his reasoning powers were 
 much interrupted ; but so far as he had power to think or 
 speak, he gave evidence to all the attendants, that he pos- 
 sessed the joyful hope of eternal life. He often spoke in a 
 kind of whisper, smiled, and pointed upward. At one time 
 he imagined himself in the act of dispensing the Lord's Sup- 
 per, and mentioned ' the body, and blood of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ' with great fervour. He was often engaged in fervent 
 attempts to pray ; and at one time said, with peculiar em- 
 phasis, ' Other foundation can no man lay than that which is 
 laid, which is Jesus Christ. Glory be to God, I am built 
 upon it.' About eight o'clock in the evening of the 18th, his 
 happy spirit took its flight. 
 
 Mr. Adams was highly respected by many in Spanish 
 Town, who did not belong to the Methodists ; and by 
 none more than the E-ev. Mr. Hamilton, the worthy 
 rector of the parish. A very short time after his death, 
 that gentleman presented Mrs. Adams with a sum 
 amounting to nearly £100 sterling, which had been 
 given by several respectable inhabitants as a proof of 
 their high regard for her late husband. This, as has 
 been observed in a case somewhat similar, was honourable 
 to all concerned in it. 
 
REMOVALS THROUGH SICKNESS. 127 
 
 The year 1819 was very unhealthy , and the members 
 of the Mission family had a large share of affliction. In 
 addition to the death of Mr. Adams, Mr. Home lost 
 his excellent wife, who died in Kingston, on the 14th of 
 August. Mr. Hudson was so broken with fever, as that 
 it became necessary for him to leave the Island. He 
 proceeded to St. John's, New Brunswick, where he died 
 in great peace in course of the following year. Mr. 
 Underbill was also so much debilitated, as to render it 
 imperative on him to leave for a temporary change of 
 climate. But though it was a year of great affliction, it 
 was also a year of unprecedented success. At the 
 District-meeting, which sat on the 9th of January, 1820, 
 the number of members was found to be 6540, making 
 the clear increase to be no fewer than one thousand and 
 fifty- three. As several changes were necessarily made, 
 the follomng is the list of appointments which was 
 finally adopted : — 
 
 Kingston . . . Messrs. Johnston and Horne. 
 
 Spanish Town . Mr. Binning. 
 
 Morant Bay . . Messrs. Batcliffe and Hartley. 
 
 Grateful Hill . . Vacant. 
 
 Montego Bay . . Mr. Shipman. 
 
 Notwithstanding the suiferings of the preceding year, 
 it pleased the Great Head of the Church, to try his 
 servants with a few more severities. Mr. Hartley had 
 scarcely recovered from fever, when he went to attend 
 the District-meeting. On the business being finished, 
 he hastened back to his circuit, but still in a very weak 
 and languid state. He had hardly arrived, when he 
 
128 DEATH OF MR. HARTLEY. 
 
 was seized with greater violence than ever, and his life 
 was soon despaired of. Medical aid was procured, and 
 the attention of the affectionate people, was assiduous 
 and unremitting. But all their efforts were ineffectual, 
 and on the 29th of January, he died in peace, in the 
 twenty-second year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Hartley was a young man of amiable temper and 
 engaging manners. He was a minister of gi'cat promise, 
 and was made a remarkable blessing to the people 
 amongst whom he laboured. His death was felt as a 
 painful bereavement. It happened at the time Mr. 
 Underbill was departing for America on account of ill 
 health ; and left Mr. Ratcliffe alone, upon a circuit con- 
 prising four different stations, and those at the extremes 
 were separated by a distance of nearly forty miles. 
 Besides occasional visits, he could pay but little atten- 
 tion to any of them, excepting Morant Bay, which in 
 itself was enough to require the undivided labours of a 
 minister. The people in St. David's and Manchioneal 
 were attentive to their classes, and other means of in- 
 struction ; but the formation of the Bath Society was 
 necessarily suspended. 
 
 It may be also mentioned here, that the parish of St. 
 Thomas in the East, sustained another loss in the tem- 
 porary removal of the Rev. Mr. Trew, the worthy rector. 
 That excellent clergyman had been appointed about a 
 year before, and heartily co-operated with the mission- 
 aries, in endeavouring to diffuse the blessings of Christi- 
 anity amongst the unenlightened negroes. Before his 
 removal, he had the satisfaction of witnessing increased 
 
AN ILLIBERAL PETITION REJECTED. 129 
 
 accommodation provided for them in the parish church, 
 and also the commencement of a chapel of ease in Bath, 
 whicli promised to be a great benefit to many in that 
 vicinity. 
 
 A circumstance occurred during his absence which, as 
 it shewed a spirit of liberahty amongst the leading men 
 in that parish, ought to be recorded. The clergyman 
 who supplied the place of Mr. Trew, was an inexperi- 
 enced young man, and of a very different spirit from the 
 amiable and pious rector. It fell to his lot to preach at 
 the opening of the chapel in Bath ; and although the 
 Wesleyan-mission premises were purchased and occupied 
 before a chapel of ease was thought of, yet he complained 
 very bitterly that a "sectarian conventicle" should be 
 allowed to stand so near the Established Church. In a 
 few days, he drew up a petition to the magistrates and 
 vestry, praying that the Methodists might be removed. 
 Having obtained a few signatures, he attended the vestry 
 accordingly, for the purpose of presenting it. On his 
 mentioning a petition, the Gustos enquired what was its 
 purport ? On his replying, he was told that it could not 
 be received ; and was advised to live in peace with his 
 neighbours. He then requested that the document he 
 held in his hand might at least be read. To this the 
 Custos answered somewhat sternly, "It cannot be al- 
 lowed : but if you want the Methodists out of the parish, 
 your best way will be to preach them out, and to sing them 
 out, and to pray them out :^^ and thus the puerile attempt 
 was defeated. It may also be mentioned, that the Rev. 
 Mr. Stainsby was almost immediately appointed as the 
 
 K 
 
130 PREACHING ON ESTATES. 
 
 curate of Bath, than whom no missionary on the Island 
 was ever more zealous in endeavouring to promote the 
 spiritual welfare of the people. 
 
 Besides what has been related, there were very few 
 incidents in 1820, which admit of being recorded. Al- 
 though the labourers were so few, there was an increase 
 of members on all the circuits, and in particular in 
 Kingston and Morant Bay. Mr. Shipman continued to 
 be well rewarded in the success which attended his labours 
 on the new station of Montego Bay. A goodly number 
 of the free coloured inhabitants attended his ministry; 
 not a few joined the Society ; and the congregation in- 
 creased in piety and intelligence as well as in number. 
 There was also a deep impression made on many of the 
 slaves ; and he had access to a few sugar estates on which 
 he regularly preached and catechized. But preaching on 
 estates has not been attended with that permanent good 
 in Jamaica, which it appears to have produced on some 
 of the smaller West India Islands. 
 
131 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 District Meeting of 1821 — Opening of the Bath Chapel — Success at 
 Manchioneal — Sickness and death of Rev. J. E. Underhill — Death 
 and character of the Rev. George Johnston — District of 1822 — 
 Opening of a new Chapel in Manchioneal — Prosperity of the Kmg- 
 ston Societies — Preaching at Stoney Hill and Port Royal — State of 
 the Work in St. Anns and Montego Bay — District of 1823 — Open- 
 ing of a Chapel at BeUemont — Purchase of premises on Yellah's Bay 
 — Opening of Wesley- Chapel in Kingston — District of 1824 — Arri- 
 val of Missionaries — Death of Mr. Allen — Prosperity of the Work 
 on the Stoney Hill Circuit. 
 
 The District-meeting of 1821 commenced in Kingston, 
 in the month of January, and was on several accounts a 
 sorrowful meeting. There were only six missionaries pre- 
 sent, including Mr. Underhill, who had recently returned 
 to the Island. The brethren felt their late bereavements 
 most accutely; and more particularly, as they beheld 
 their small number quite inadequate to supply the wants 
 of the existing circuits ; and at that time there were 
 several new places which required their help, for which 
 they could do nothing. But it was a source of great 
 comfort, that notwithstanding all their trials, the work 
 of God was not standing still. The clear increase of 
 members during the past year amounted to 520 ; which, 
 considering their circumstances, was more than could have 
 been anticipated. About a fortnight after the District, 
 the Rev. Robert Young, together with the writer of this 
 narrative, landed at Kingston, and were received with 
 
 k2 
 
132 OPENING OF THE BATH CHAPEL. 
 
 great kindness by their brethren. The following were 
 the appointments for the year : — 
 
 Kingston . . Messrs. Horne and Young. 
 
 Spanish Town . Mr. Binning. 
 
 T., , -p» (Messrs. Johnston, Underhill, and 
 
 MorantBay .| j)^^^^^. 
 
 Grateful Hill . Mr. Shipman. 
 Montego Bay . Mr. Ratclifpe. 
 
 The Morant Bay circuit having obtained its full num- 
 ber of missionaries, the work of God exhibited signs of 
 uncommon prosperity. The intended improvement on 
 the Bath premises was commenced, that the chapel might 
 be finished and the Society formed as quickly as possible. 
 The house which had been purchased, was a frame 
 building, but elevated on a high stone foundation ; and 
 the wooden part being taken away, and the stone work 
 raised several feet, a substantial chapel, measuring 42 
 feet by 36, was completed at comparatively little addi- 
 tional expense. As the village is situated about ten miles 
 from Morant Bay, Mr. Johnston had to take many a hot 
 journey, and to endure much fatigue in watching the 
 progress of the work and furnishing materials for the 
 workmen. But the whole was finished about the middle 
 of June, and on Sunday, the 29th of that month, it was 
 opened for the worship of God. The crowds who at- 
 tended at the opening services were immense. Every 
 spot within was occupied, and more than double the 
 number stood without. It was thought that this build- 
 ing would be sufficiently large to accommodate the 
 ordinary congregations for some time to come ; but in 
 
CHRISTIAN ORDINANCES HIGHLY VALUED. 133 
 
 this there was a pleasing disappointment. As preaching 
 on the Lord's day could not be given oftener than once 
 a fortnight, for want of a full supply of missionaries, so 
 during that time, those who attended on the forenoons 
 were never all able to get within, unless at such seasons 
 as the negroes from the country were prevented by the 
 adjoining rivers, which in the rainy seasons were fre- 
 quently impassable. 
 
 The formation of the Bath Society was a work of a 
 very peculiar character ; and its difficulty arose princi- 
 pally from the greatness of the number with which it was 
 begun. It has already been mentioned, that many of 
 the negroes residing in that neighbourhood, belonged to 
 the Society at Morant Bay, andjthat one object of the 
 new station was, to accommodate them by superseding 
 the necessity of their long journeys on the Lord's day. 
 When the names were reckoned up which had to be 
 transferred to Bath, it was found that they amounted to 
 upwards of 800 ; and of those at least one-half resided 
 beyond it. From this circumstance, the reader must be 
 struck with the intense anxiety manifested by those poor 
 people to hear the word of God. Before this arrange- 
 ment was eifected, the number of members connected 
 with Morant Bay was considerably above two thousand; 
 and of those, all who were taken to Bath had to walk 
 from eight to sixteen miles to the chapel, and also to re- 
 turn the same day. It is true, they could not attend often ; 
 but it was not so much on account of the distance, 
 as on account of those hindrances w^hich their condition 
 as slaves cast in their way : though it ought here to bo 
 
134 SUCCESS AT MANCHIONEAL. 
 
 mentioned, that those hindrances were not increased hy 
 any hostihty on the part of the principal white inhabi- 
 tants. Many of them attended the services with great 
 regularity, and not a few rather encouraged and facili- 
 tated, than prevented the attendance of their slaves. 
 
 Of the members thus taken to Bath, scarcely any were 
 of free condition ; and as all resided at such a distance 
 from the mission-station, none of them were at that time 
 able to read. The obtaining of suitable leaders was 
 therefore a matter of great difficulty, and the work fell 
 very heavy on the missionary. But a few persons were 
 found of deep piety and more intelligence than their 
 neighbours, who were appointed to that office ; and the 
 classes having been arranged according to the estates on 
 which the members resided, they were watched over with 
 much care, and it is believed, with equal success. Some 
 time afterwards, a family consisting of three well quali- 
 fied leaders removed to Bath, and the work went forward 
 with less difficulty. 
 
 At that time there was also a remarkable spirit of 
 hearing in Manchioneal. The congregations increased 
 under every sermon, and many of the slaves attended 
 from great distances. The house being by far too small, 
 a canvass awning was erected outside, under the cover 
 of which many could hear, and were thus sheltered 
 from the sun or rain. But that also became insufficent, 
 and a chapel was rendered absolutely necessary. For 
 this purpose a plot of ground, most eligibly situated, 
 was presented by Misses Agnes Grier and Hester Burke, 
 two of the members ; but the building in Bath having 
 
DEATH OF MR. UNDERHILL. 135 
 
 more than exhausted the funds, the brethren were in 
 great perplexity. At last Mr. Johnston found a trades- 
 man who was willing to undertake the work, and allow 
 the money to remain until the Society might be able to 
 pay it. His offer was accepted ; and on the 7th of 
 August the first stone of the new building was laid, to 
 the great joy of many who assembled to witness that 
 ceremony. 
 
 Thus everything went forward on the Morant Bay 
 circuit with unprecedented rapidity, and never were 
 there more cheering prospects of extended usefulness on 
 any part of the Island. The long night of darkness ap- 
 peared to be fast passing away ; and never did Christian 
 societies seem to be more thankful and happy. Such 
 was their state, when it pleased Almighty God once 
 more to turn the joy of his people into mourning. 
 About the middle of September, Mr. Johnston became 
 suddenly and severely afflicted, and there were serious 
 apprehensions as to the issue, from the time he was 
 seized. Mr. Underhill, who was then at a distance, on 
 hearing the intelligence, hastened to his help ; but had 
 scarcely arrived, when he w^as seized with fever himself: 
 and after an illness of six days he '' ceased at once to 
 work and live." He died in peace, on the 24th of Sep- 
 tember, 1821, in the twenty-ninth year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Underhill was a young man well qualified for 
 usefulness in Jamaica. His preaching, though not of a 
 high order, was yet simple and scriptural, and well cal- 
 culated to instruct and edify those amongst whom he 
 laboured. He was well acquainted with Christian dis- 
 
136 DEATH AND CHARACTER 
 
 cipline, and in its exercise he was eminently successful. 
 His bodily constitution was not strong ; and it is doubt- 
 ful whether his residence on the Island was not the 
 means of lengthening, instead of shortening his days. 
 From the time he returned from America, he had resided 
 almost exclusively with the little Society in St. David's; 
 and preached to them as often as his state of health 
 would allow. He watched over them with paternal 
 solicitude and affection, which were returned with an 
 extrordinary degree of gratitude and respect. At his 
 death, the bereaved people deeply felt their loss ; and 
 while any of them survive, the memory of Mr. Underhill 
 will continue to be blessed. 
 
 In the meanwhile Mr. Johnston was still confined to 
 bed ; and though the first alarming symptoms had dis- 
 appeared, yet his state was so very uncertain as to 
 produce great anxiety. After the death of Mr. Under- 
 hill, he was removed to a neighbouring house ; after 
 which he seemed better, and hopes of his recovery began 
 to be entertained. But in a few days his disease returned 
 with increased violence ; and on the 3rd of October, his 
 medical attendants informed his friends that their last 
 hopes were gone. He afterwards became delirious ; but 
 at intervals his mind was calm; and resting on the 
 gi-eat atonement, he contemplated the approach of the 
 last enemy, with a composure every way worthy of a 
 Christian pastor. On the morning of Friday, the 5th, 
 while his friends were commending him into the hands 
 of the Redeemer, he fell asleep in Jesus, in the fifty- 
 ninth year of his age, and in the eighteenth of his 
 ministry in the West Iiulies. 
 
OF MR. JOHNSTON. 137 
 
 In many respects the late Rev. George Johnston was 
 an extraordinary man, and ranks among the greatest 
 and most successful missionaries ever sent out to those 
 Islands. In person he was a very little under the middle 
 size ; but his strong muscular frame seemed to be ca- 
 pable of enduring almost any labour. From early life 
 he had made the Scriptures his chief study ; and few 
 ministers possessed a more extensive acquaintance with 
 the sacred oracles, or were better qualified for expound- 
 ing them to others. His public discourses were studied 
 with great care ; and while they were remarkable for 
 clearness and simplicity, they were equally rich with 
 evangelical truth. His manner of address in the pulpit 
 was strong and vehement : his voice was harsh, and his 
 pronunciation strongly marked with a broad Scottish 
 accent. But in preaching, his placid countenance beamed 
 upon his hearers with such a sympathy and kindness, as 
 to possess a charm which was generally felt by all. 
 " In labours" he was " more abundant," and was never 
 surpassed by the most diligent of his brethren. His 
 kindness to his colleagues was so well known as to become 
 proverbial ; and, in general, it was returned with the 
 most affectionate respect. He was so much loved, as to 
 be readily obeyed ; and it was seldom he found it need- 
 ful to have recourse to his prerogatives as superintendent, 
 unless in sickly seasons, when he always insisted on his 
 junior colleagues remaining at home, while he undertook 
 their labour on the distant parts of the circuits. But 
 for some time his strong constitution was evidently 
 giving way, and he had to use unnatural efforts, as an 
 
188 DISTRICT MEETING OF 1822. 
 
 occasional stimulus, to preserve him from sinking into 
 entire exhaustion. He had to endure much fatigue in 
 connexion with the building of the Bath chapel ; and on 
 one of his journeys he was slightly struck by lightning, 
 which induced a paralytic seizure, from which he never 
 fully recovered. His death spread a universal gloom 
 over the whole community ; and the Missionary Com- 
 mittee, on receiving the mournful intelligence, caused a 
 resolution to be inserted in their notices, expressive of 
 the high character he had so long sustained, and their 
 sorrow caused by his death, Mr. Johnston left the rich 
 legacy of a holy example for the benefit of his brethren ; 
 and it is to be hoped, that many of them have imitated 
 him, as he had so closely and fully followed Christ. 
 
 In consequence of those events a special meeting of 
 the preachers was held in Kingston. It was truly a 
 sorrowful time, and they felt as a little family deprived 
 of their head. A letter was immediately addressed to 
 the Committee in London, setting forth the destitute 
 state of the District, and earnestly imploring additional 
 help. In the meantime Mr. Shipman was removed to 
 the Morant Bay circuit ; and Grateful Hill, on which he 
 had been stationed, was again left vacant. 
 
 The District-meeting of 1822, assembled as usual in 
 Kingston; and began on the 9th of January, and was emi- 
 nently characterized by a spiritof harmony and brotherly 
 love. The increase of members during the preceding 
 year was 61G, and the total number on the Island 
 amounted to 7676. The brethren still lamented the 
 paucity of their numbers; but before the final termination 
 
A CHAPEL OPENED AT MANCHIONEAL. 139 
 
 of the District, they had the pleasure of receiving Messrs. 
 Crofts and Parkinson to their assistance ; and they re- 
 turned to their respective circuits, thanking God and 
 taking courage. No change whatever took place in the 
 appointments, only Mr. Crofts went to the vacant station 
 of Grateful Hill, and Mr. Parkinson to St. Ann's Bay, 
 where a small Society had been formed some time before. 
 A house was there obtained for the use of the Mission, 
 part of which was made into a neat temporary chapel, 
 and the other afforded lodgings for the missionary. 
 
 At this District-meeting, Mr. Drew, of St. Ann's, who 
 attended as a circuit-steward, made an affecting represen- 
 tation of the state of the negroes in the neighbourhood 
 of Bellemont, where he resided ; and desired that the 
 Committee might be earnestly requested to send out 
 another missionary. At the same time he offered to 
 erect a plain chapel and dwelling-house, provided they 
 were fitted up and furnished at the expense of the Mis- 
 sion. He was especially induced to make this offer, as 
 there was some hazard respecting the title, which how- 
 ever he made as secure as he could. He also generously 
 engaged to find board and lodgings for the missionary 
 until the house might be completed, which would require 
 some time. The Committee accepted this offer, and the 
 building was begun as soon as their decision was known. 
 
 The new chapel at Manchioneal, which was com- 
 menced during the preceding year, was completed in 
 March, and was opened by Mr. Shipman. Its dimen- 
 sions inside were 40 feet square ; was fitted up so as to 
 accommodate nearly 500 hearers ; and was also built so 
 
140 JOY MINGLED WITH SORROW. 
 
 as to be capable of enlargement at any time, without in- 
 terrupting the religious services. The situation of this 
 building is very fine. It stands in the immediate vici- 
 nity of the Bay, on the brow of a hill, elevated about 
 120 feet. In front it overlooks the sea, and in every 
 other direction it commands an extensive and varied 
 prospect. The chapel itself is a plain brick edifice, 
 raised on a strong stone foundation, and its large arched 
 windows gave it an appearance of neatness, superior to 
 any other at that time belonging to the Mission. 
 
 On the day of the opening an immense concourse 
 attended, and such a day of hallowed joy had never 
 dawned on Manchioneal before. All hearts appeared to 
 be filled with gladness, as a habitation was found for 
 the mighty God of Jacob. Mr. Shipman was under the 
 necessity of going to a distant part of the circuit, on 
 account of the sickness of his colleague, so that there 
 was only one service. At its close a collection was made 
 to assist in defraying^ the expenses, which amounted to 
 nearly £60 sterling, the largest which had ever been 
 made on the Island at one time. 
 
 But this joyous day was far from being unaccompa- 
 nied with sorrowful recollections. The people could not 
 forget that two of their ministers were then mouldering 
 in dust, who had been mainly instrumental in obtaining 
 for them that which gladdened their hearts, and filled 
 them with holy gratitude. They had witnessed the 
 commencement, and watched the progress of the build- 
 ing ; but before its completion they were removed to a 
 " house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
 
PROSPERITY OF THE KINGSTON SOCIETIES. 141 
 
 There was also another individual, in humble circum- 
 stances, who had long rejoiced in the prospect of that 
 happy day ; but he was not permitted to realize his an- 
 ticipations. The person alluded to was Robert Jones, 
 who belonged to the Society for some years, and who 
 came to Manchioneal Bay about the time it was first 
 visited by Messrs. Home and Underbill. He was a 
 slave, but had been brought up to the employment of a 
 tailor. He hired himself from his master ; and had to 
 labour hard in order to raise his weekly demand, as well 
 as to support his family. When the missionaries visited 
 the place, none gave them a more hearty welcome than 
 this excellent man, and no one more sincerely rejoiced 
 in the success of their labours. He was the first leader 
 in that Society, and the number of his members in- 
 creased with extraordinary rapidity. He was of a very 
 weak constitution, and laid down his body and charge 
 together, in hope of that rest which remaineth for the 
 people of God. 
 
 Under the able ministry of Messrs. Home and Young, 
 the societies in Kingston were favoured with a blessed 
 revival of the work of God. This was principally 
 amongst the free population, many of whom gave them- 
 selves to the Lord, and who since that time have proved 
 steady and useful members of his church. A considerable 
 proportion of those were young persons, and who had 
 profited much, either directly or indirectly, from the 
 labours of the missionaries. Not a few of them were the 
 children of our own people, who had received such an 
 education as was sufiicient to qualify them, by the bless- 
 
14:2 NEW CHAPEL IN KINGSTON. 
 
 sing of God, for very extensive usefulness. The congre- 
 gations at the new chapel increased so rapidly, as that 
 it could no longer contain them with comfort ; and it was 
 evident, that the time was fully come for the erection of 
 that large edifice, which had indeed been contemplated 
 from the beginning. The old building was therefore 
 pulled down ; and on the 18th of July Mr. Home laid 
 the foundation-stone of '^ Wesley Chapel," amidst a vast 
 assemblage of all classes. This joyful event, as well as 
 the prospects of the brethren, is thus described in a letter 
 written a few weeks afterwards by Mr. Yomig. He says : 
 " The foundation-stone of our new chapel was laid in 
 the presence of an immense crowd of people, who wit- 
 nessed the ceremony with great interest. The building 
 has since been getting rapidly forward, and many hand- 
 some donations have been received from this community 
 towards its erection. Mr. Home and myself have called 
 upon the members of the corporate body, and other 
 gentlemen in the city, and all have subscribed liberally, 
 with the exception of a few individuals, who, we have 
 reason to believe, did not withhold their favours from any 
 hostile motive. I have also called on several gentlemen 
 in St. Andrew's parish for their aid, and in not one in- 
 stance have been refused. I have received very handsome 
 subscriptions from both Jews and Roman Catholics ; and 
 in that parish alone, obtained nearly £ 100 from the 
 white population : thus is prejudice dying away." 
 
 During the time that Wesley Chapel was being built the 
 congregations were subject to much inconvenience. No 
 house could be obtained for their temporary accommoda- 
 
PREACHING AT STONEY HILL. 143 
 
 tion, and therefore as many as could gain admission, were 
 under the necessity of worshipping in the old chapel 
 only. The band-room underneath was once more thrown 
 open, but this was also crowded, and many were forced 
 to go away for want of room. As might be expected, 
 this greatly cramped the work, although the decrease of 
 members was very trifling. But those disadvantages 
 were more than compensated by the brethren extending 
 their labours to other places, particularly to Stoney Hill 
 and Port Royal. There being only one chapel open in 
 the city, one of them was at liberty to visit the country ; 
 and by the blessing of God, they were rendered instru- 
 mental in forming Societies in both those places before 
 the end of the year. 
 
 Stoney Hill is a considerable military station, on the 
 Island establishment, and is situated about ten miles 
 northward from Kingston, the road passing through the 
 beautiful and extensive plain of Liguanea. The build- 
 ings belonging to the garrison are erected on the summit 
 of the hill, between two and three thousand feet above 
 the level of the sea. Besides those there are a consid- 
 erable number of houses, which were inhabited by per- 
 sons of free condition, and many sugar and coffee plan- 
 tations in the vicinity, which contained a vast population 
 of negroes. This was therefore a spot which pressingly 
 invited the labours of the brethren ; and the salubrity of 
 its climate, as well as its population, rendered it very 
 desirable that it should become a permanent station for 
 the residence of a missionary. 
 
 The importance of Stoney Hill had sometime before 
 
144 PROSPECTS IN PORT ROYAL. 
 
 engaged the attention of the missionaries. The first who 
 preached there Avas Mr. Wiggins, on his visits to the 
 little Society in St. Thomas in the Vale; but on account 
 of the troubles of those times, and the extent of his 
 labours, he was unable to attend to it or form a Society. 
 This however was accomplished by Mr. Young, about the 
 time of commencing the building of Wesley Chapel. 
 Having called at a house on passing from Grateful Hill 
 to Kingston, he intimated his readiness to preach ; and 
 the oifer being thankfully accepted, he returned in a few 
 days, and addressed an attentive and serious congregation. 
 Among them there was a considerable number of the 
 soldiers, twenty of whom gave in their names, and ex- 
 pressed a desire to flee from the wrath to come. These 
 he divided into two classes, which were increased by 
 many of the free people of the place, as well as the negroes 
 in its vicinity. In the following year, a house was pur- 
 chased from a gentleman who was friendly to the Mis- 
 sion ; which, with some additions, w^as converted into a 
 chapel and dwelling-house, to which Mr. Young re- 
 moved, after his time of residence expired in Kingston. 
 
 It has been already seen that the town of Port Royal 
 had been often visited by former missionaries; but though 
 they laboured with great zeal and perseverance, a general 
 apathy prevailed, and there was little either of opposition 
 or success. But at last the Lord appeared to open a 
 door of usefulness, and the brethren entered into it at 
 the earliest opportunity. In the month of August, Mr. 
 Young attended at the Quarter Sessions, and applied for 
 permission to preach ; and having been strongly recom- 
 
A SOCIETY FORMED IN PORT ROYAL. 145 
 
 mended by several influential gentlemen in Kingston, 
 he was received with great cordiality. Permission was 
 kindly granted, without the formality of taking the oaths, 
 and not only for himself, but any other Wesleyan mi- 
 nister stationed on the Island. This was an instance of 
 liberality, which at that time was quite unprece- 
 dented. 
 
 As the way was thus opened, a house was rented for 
 preaching, part of which was prepared by the removal of 
 partitions for that purpose, while two apartments were 
 reserved for the missionary. This place was very un- 
 comfortable, but it was the best which could be obtained, 
 and the congregations exceeded the most sanguine ex- 
 pectations. A Society was formed, which by the begin- 
 ning of the following year included thirty-two members ; 
 about one-half of whom were free. The missionaries 
 were greatly assisted by Messrs. Butler and Hindle, both 
 whites employed in his Majesty's dock- yard, and who 
 had been previously connected with the Society. The 
 former did not indeed long survive the commencement 
 of this work ; but the latter became a very eflicient leader, 
 and was zealous and useful for many years, when he was 
 obliged to remove to another part of the Island. There 
 was also a pious officer of artillery stationed in the town, 
 who regularly attended the public services. In conse- 
 quence of his example, several of the soldiers were 
 induced to attend, and some of them were brought under 
 a serious concern for the salvation of their souls. 
 
 It has been stated, that at the District of 1 822, a mis- 
 sionary was appointed for the first time to the parish of 
 
146 A TRIAL OF PATIENCE. 
 
 St. Ann. The house which had heen obtained on the 
 Bay, having been very comfortably fitted up, many of 
 the principal inhabitants attended with great regularity 
 and decorum. The labours of the missionary were not 
 confined to the Bay ; he also preached at the house of 
 Mr. Drew, to a congregation which was composed chiefly 
 of the members of his family, and a few of the neigh- 
 bouring negroes. But there was a remarkable resem- 
 blance between the beginning of the work in St. Ann's, 
 and that of Falmouth. There was no opposition, and 
 many of the whites manifested some interest in the Mis- 
 sion, and contributed towards its support. But although 
 there was no part in which the negroes stood more in 
 need of the gospel, yet in no part did they manifest less 
 concern for its blessings. There had been occasional 
 preaching for several years, and a Society had also been 
 formed. At the end of this year they amounted indeed 
 to 125, but a number of those were free persons ; and 
 altogether the Society was but small, compared with the 
 labour which had been bestowed : nor did the state of 
 the congregations afford very great encouragement to 
 look for immediate success. It pleased God in this in- 
 stance also, to teach the missionaries that his work in 
 Jamaica was to advance from the least to the greatest. 
 
 In the town of Montego Bay, Mr. Ratcliffe laboured 
 with comfort and success. In the month of July, he 
 observes, " That a great number of marriages have 
 taken place among the free people of colour ; and those 
 who are acquainted with the peculiar habits of this 
 country, cannot but view this as a most important step 
 
A SEASON OF TRANQUILLITY. 147 
 
 towards the moral improvement of this class of society. 
 Our congregations are becoming large and respectable, 
 %d the word of the Lord is glorified in the deep atten- 
 tion of all, and the solid conversion of many. I have 
 often witnessed a more rapid work in other places, but 
 a more regular and genuine increase of members, and of 
 scriptural experience, I never beheld." 
 
 The District of 1823, began in Kingston on the 8th 
 of January. There were eight missionaries present, and 
 never on any former occasion did the state of the work 
 call more loudly for praise and thanksgiving to the 
 author of all good. The labourers, compared with the 
 vast field which lay before them, were indeed but few ; 
 but it was matter of devout gratitude, that throughout 
 the preceding year, none had been called away by death. 
 The state of the Societies was unusually tranquil, and 
 there was no violent opposition from without in any 
 part of the District. In Kingston, it is true, they 
 were still limited as to their hours of public service ; 
 but prejudice appeared to be daily passing away; 
 and there was the utmost probability that all re- 
 strictions would be speedily and peaceably removed. 
 The increase of members was also very cheering, 
 amounting to no fewer than 818 ; and never since the 
 commencement of the Mission, had there been a period 
 in which it could be so truly said, " Then had the 
 churches rest ; and were edified; and, walking in the fear 
 of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were 
 multiplied." At the close of the meeting, the brethren 
 partook of the Lord's Supper, and then departed to their 
 
 p 2 
 
148' CONTINUANCE OF PEACE. 
 
 several appointments, which were finally settled as 
 under : — 
 
 Kingston . . . Messrs. Hokne and Young. 
 
 Spanish Town . . Mr. Ceofts. 
 
 Morant Bay . . Mr. Shipman. 
 
 Bath Mr. Duncan. 
 
 Grateful Hill . . Vacant. 
 
 Montego Bay . . Mr. Ratcliffe. 
 
 St. Ann's Bay . . Mr. Binning. 
 
 Bellemont . . . Vacant. 
 
 During the greater part of the year 1823, the state of 
 the Mission presents little to be recorded. The Societies 
 had peace in all their borders, and the brethren saw with 
 pleasure that their labour was not in vain. In Kingston, 
 indeed, no increase of members could have been expected, 
 as there was no chapel room for many who already 
 belonged to the Society. But unremitting attention 
 was paid to Stoney Hill and Port Royal; and in 
 those places the infant Societies grew both in grace and 
 number. Mr. Young was much employed towards the 
 close of the year in soliciting contributions for the pre- 
 mises purchased at the former place, and met with great 
 encouragement from nearly all the leading gentlemen in 
 that neighbourhood. 
 
 In the beginning of the year, Mr. Tremayne was sent 
 out to the assistance of the brethren. He landed at 
 Morant Bay, early in March ; and in a few weeks 
 afterwards, Mr. Thompson, an assistant missionary, 
 arrived from the Bahamas. The former was sent to 
 Grateful Hill, which for some months had been withou t 
 
A CHAPEL AT BELLEMONT. 149 
 
 a resident minister; and the latter, took the place of 
 Mr. Shipman at Morant Bay ; while he, with his family, 
 removed to Bellemont, to superintend the erection of the 
 chapel which had been in progress for some time. 
 
 The Bellemont chapel was opened shortly after his 
 removal, and afforded extensive accommodation for the 
 inhabitants of the beautiful and populous neighbourhood- 
 Its dimensions were about 60 feet by 50, and with the 
 exception of Kingston, was the largest at that time be- 
 longing to the Mission. But though Mr. Shipman 
 laboured with extraordinary zeal he saw but little fruit, 
 nor was Mr Binning much more successful at St Ann's 
 Bay. There was indeed an increase of members at the 
 close of the year, amounting to about one hundred ; but 
 by far the greater part of those were upon a distant estate 
 on which they preached, while near the stations there 
 was the most unaccountable indifference manifested by 
 all classes. The state of the Society at Bellemont 
 was thus described by Mr. Shipman. He says, — " The 
 Society in this place has not given that encouragement 
 during the year which might have been expected, 
 considering their means of improvement ; however, the 
 chapel being now open, and several strangers disposed 
 to attend the ministry of the word, we trust that some 
 of them will, after having given themselves to the Lord, 
 unite themselves to his people." Those anticipations 
 were indeed ultimately realized, but not for a considerable 
 time afterwards. 
 
 It has been mentioned that the little Society in St. 
 David's continued to worship in a large thatched hut. 
 
150 PREMISES PURCHASED AT YALLAHS. 
 
 from the time they were under the necessity of removing 
 from Pomfret. Its situation was by no means desirable, 
 being in the midst of a thick jungle, and far from any 
 considerable population; but it was the best which 
 could be obtained, and incommodious as it was the people 
 were thankful for it. About this time, however, the pro- 
 perty to which it belonged was sold, and notice was given 
 to remove. This produced great uneasiness, until they 
 learned that a suitable house on Yallahs Bay, together 
 with about three acres of ground was to be sold. This 
 was the very situation on which the Society had fixed 
 their eye from the beginning, but there were no funds in 
 hand and the brethren were at a loss what to do. In 
 this emergency, Charles Scott, Esq., of Retreat, hearing 
 of their circumstances, generously lent the money without 
 interest ; and thus, beyond all expectations, a very com- 
 modious establishment was fitted up at the expense of 
 very little more than £ 250 sterling. 
 
 In the month of December, Wesley chapel in Kingston, 
 which had been upwards of a year in course of erection, 
 was so far completed as to be ready for opening. This 
 event, which had been long and anxiously anticipated, 
 was realized on Sunday, the 21st of that month, when 
 immense congregations assembled to hear the word of 
 life. Mr. Home preached in the forenoon, from Matthew 
 viii. 33 ; and Mr. Young, in the afternoon, from Psalm 
 cxxxii. 13, 16. Notwithstanding the crowded state of 
 the chapel, the greatest order was preserved, and a holy 
 influence accompanied both the services, and seemed to 
 pervade every heart. 
 
WESLEY-CHAPEL KINGSTON. 151 
 
 This spacious edifice is built for the most part with 
 brick. Its dimensions are 84 feet by 74, and still ranks 
 among the first class of chapels belonging to the Wes- 
 leyan connexion. In front, there are four pilasters of 
 white stone, supporting a large moulding along the top, 
 which is surmounted by a handsome balustrade of the 
 same materials, but the side and end walls are perfectly 
 plain. As its elevation is so great, compared with the 
 houses of a tropical town, it has externally a most com- 
 manding aspect ; although there is much less of what is 
 merely ornamental than in almost any chapel of its class 
 in the mother country. 
 
 The appearance of the interior is more magnificent 
 than commodious. The galleries run all round the 
 chapel, but their elevation is so great as to require the 
 pulpit to be raised to a most disagreeable height ; and in 
 addressing the assembly, the preacher feels as if he were 
 speaking to two difierent congregations. There are two 
 rows of handsome columns, the lower supporting the 
 gallery, and the upper from thence, supporting the roof. 
 The front of the gallery is of mahogany, and its pews of 
 cedar ; but the lower part is nearly all occupied with free 
 sittings ; and from 1800 to 2000 hearers can be accom- 
 modated with the greatest ease. As there was very little 
 of the work previously contracted for, the expense was 
 much greater than had been originally calculated ; but 
 the plan secured the best materials and the most sub- 
 stantial workmanship, and Wesley Chapel was unques- 
 tionably the noblest place of worship in the British West 
 Indies. 
 
162 MISREPRESENTATION CORRECTED. 
 
 Shortly after it was opened, a very false and exagge- 
 rated account of it was sent home ; for the purpose, it 
 would seem, of making an impression on the British 
 public, that their money, which was contributed to the 
 support of missions, was lavished upon expensive and 
 showy buildings. This mahcious misrepresentation was 
 published in the New Bajitist Magazine, and displayed 
 as little liberality on the part of the editor, as on the part 
 of the anonymous correspondent. It was stated that the 
 expense amounted to £ 30,000. This was untrue, for it 
 was very little more than £9000, payable in Great 
 Britain ; and, indeed, considering its dimensions and the 
 expense of labour in Jamaica, it would be difficult to find 
 any large chapel at home which cost so little money. Let 
 it also be observed, that the Society in Kingston had 
 nothing to do with the mission funds, only to contribute 
 towards them, for they never received anything for 
 their buildings, nor for the support of their ministry, at 
 least for thirty years before. The cedar pews may strike 
 the British reader as being very extravagant ; but he may 
 rest assured, that in that chmate where ordinary deal so 
 soon decays, this was not intended for show but for 
 economy, and was economical in reality; and also he must 
 remember, that Jamaica is the native soil both of cedar 
 and mahogany, which are therefore much cheaper there 
 than at home. It is not however denied, but there are 
 a few ornaments which might have been dispensed with ; 
 but those are not so numerous as in almost every chapel 
 of the same class in England. There were two other 
 good chapels finished on the Kingston circuit within six 
 
ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES. 153 
 
 years afterwards, and there is very little debt remaining 
 npon any of them. 
 
 At the District of 1824, the increase of members 
 amounted to 551 ; which, considering the want of accom- 
 modation in the city, was fully as many as had been 
 anticipated. The only changes in the appointments 
 which took place were between Messrs. Shipman and 
 Home, the latter removing to Morant Bay, the former 
 took his place in Kingston. The brethren were once 
 more thankful to find, that throughout the preceding 
 year, their number had not been lessened by death ; and 
 they went to their circuits, lamenting indeed, as usual, 
 that their number was so small, but looking for addi- 
 tional help which was daily expected. 
 
 In the month of March, Messrs. Jenkins, Whitehouse 
 and Allen, arrived at Morant Bay. Mr. Jenkins was ap- 
 pointed to Grateful Hill, Mr. Whitehouse to Montego 
 Bay, Mr. Katcliffe removed to Falmouth, and also to 
 take charge of St. Ann's Bay, and Mr. Binning succeeded 
 Mr. Young in Kingston. The arrival of the above 
 brethren was a cause of great joy and gratitude ; but in 
 less than a month their joy was turned into sorrow 
 through the death of Mr. Henry Allen, whom it pleased 
 God to call to an early reward, after having lived only 
 three weeks on the Island. 
 
 Mr. Allen was a most amiable and pious young man, 
 but was occasionally so much subject to mental de- 
 pression, as to cause uneasiness respecting him from the 
 time of his landing. After a few days residence at Mo- 
 rant Bay, he went down to Kingston along with his 
 
154 DEATH OF MR. ALLEN. 
 
 companions, but he had scarcely anived there before he 
 showed symptoms of an inflammatory complaint. Al- 
 though there was nothing which appeared serious, it was 
 thought expedient to remove him to a neighbouring 
 estate, where the air is delightfully cool and pleasant. 
 On the first or second night of his visit, there was a smart 
 shock of earthquake, which happened shortly after he 
 had retired to rest. This so alarmed him, that he got 
 out of bed and sat in his room for a considerable time 
 almost undressed. From this he caught cold, and ap- 
 peared in the morning so much worse, as that it was 
 judged necessary for him to return to Kingston. The 
 best medical aid was procured, and all other means were 
 used for his recovery ; but the fever increased until the 
 17th of April, when he expired in the full triumph of 
 faith. During the first part of his illness, he was griev- 
 ously tempted by his unwearied enemy ; but through 
 Christ, he was made more than conqueror. A little 
 before his departure, he said, " The Lord hath not sent 
 me to Jamaica to labour, but to praise him ;" and a short 
 time after, he raised his hand and waving it in token of 
 victory, he exclaimed, " Praise ! Praise ! Praise !" and 
 then calmly fell asleep in Jesus. 
 
 On the removal of Mr. Binning to Kingston, Mr. Young 
 went, according to his appointment, to Stoney Hill ; and 
 had there the pleasure of seeing his labours attended 
 with great success, on a station which he had been 
 mainly instrumental in establishing. During the time 
 of his residence there, he visited several estates where he 
 regularly preached and catechized. He also formed 
 
EXTENSION OF THE MISSION. 155 
 
 another Society, about ten miles westward from Stoney 
 Hill, in a mountainous part of the same parish, known 
 by the name of Red Hills. On the circuit, before the end 
 of the year, nearly three hundred persons had been 
 either received as members, or had been admitted on 
 trial; and though a number of those afterwards drew 
 back, yet not a few continued stedfast in their Christian 
 profession. But while the work of God was thus pros- 
 pering, a storm was already gathering, of which an 
 account shall be given in the succeeding chajiter. 
 
156 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Opposition in 1824 — District Meeting of 1825 — Sunday Schools — 
 Preaching in Falmouth — Missionary Societies formed — District of 
 1826 — Formation of the Auxiliary Missionary Society for the Ja- 
 maica District — Death and Character of Miss Racster — Week-night 
 services in Kingston — Arrival and departiire of Missionaries — A So- 
 ciety formed in Port Antonio — Intolerant clauses in the Slave-law 
 of 1826. 
 
 The reader cannot have failed to observe a remarkable 
 difference between the last two chapters, and those which 
 preceded them. The earlier periods of our history, 
 were invariably marked by external opposition ; either 
 the congregations were disturbed by the riotous and in- 
 decent behaviour of many who called themselves gen- 
 tlemen, or a legislative and magisterial persecution 
 silenced the missionaries, and cast some of them into 
 prison. But from the re-opening of the chapels in 
 Kingston and Morant Bay, in 1815, until the end of 1823, 
 there was very little appearance of outward hostility. 
 The missionaries pursued their successful course unmo- 
 lested ; the Mission was extended over many parts of 
 the Island ; and during that period, the Societies in- 
 creased from two thousand seven hundred members to 
 no fewer than nine thousand and seventy six. 
 
 It was even thought, that the long night of prejudice 
 had passed away, and the beneficial results of the Mission 
 
PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTIONS OF 1823. 157 
 
 SO apparent, that no further attempts would be made to 
 retard its progress, or to defeat the object of its agents. 
 But about the period to which we are brought we are to 
 date the commencement of a remarkable change, and of 
 a struggle which did not terminate until the termina- 
 tion of slavery itself. This struggle was not indeed 
 maintained on every station. In St. Thomas in the East, 
 and several other parishes, the missionaries for the most 
 part laboured without opposition ; but in many places 
 it was far otherwise. It was obvious that there was a 
 great change in the public mind ; or rather, that pre- 
 judices which were only dormant, not extinct, were now 
 awakened ; and we have again to record instances of 
 oppression : while the agitation was kept up, and the 
 Island degraded, by one of the most brutal publications 
 which ever disgraced the English language.* There 
 were four different events which transpired about the 
 same time, all of which excited great alarm in the 
 Island, and were made use of by the enemies of religion, 
 as the pretext of their opposition to the Wesleyan mis- 
 sionaries.f Those events it will be necessary to notice. 
 The first was the passing of the famous parliamentary 
 resolutions of 1823, declaring the expediency of adopt- 
 ing such decisive measures for ameliorating the condition 
 of the slave population, as might prepare them for par- 
 
 * The Jamaica Coiirant. 
 
 t We here use the term *' Wesleyan," because at that time, and 
 for several years afterwards, the Wesleyans were the only ministers 
 who, as a body, were suspected by the Colonists. There were indeed 
 two or three of the Established Clergy who shared in then- infamy 
 but as a body they were popular enough. The other denominations 
 were not then thought to be hostile to Colonial institutions. 
 
158 DISABILITIES OF THE FREE COLOURED POPULATION. 
 
 ticipating in the civil rights and privileges of other 
 classes of his Majesty's subjects. Those resolutions 
 reached the Island about July or August ; and the re- 
 cognition of the principle of freedom, however distant, 
 was productive of instantaneous alarm. It was indus- 
 triously circulated that the missionaries were but the 
 paid agents of the African Institution, or of other 
 societies of a similar description ; and that under the 
 pretence of preaching the gospel, they were endeavour- 
 ing to effect great civil and political revolutions in the 
 West Indies. That they were preparing the slaves for 
 freedom, while attending exclusively to their spiritual in- 
 terests, need not be denied; but that they were the 
 agents of any civil or political organizations, as their ad- 
 versaries affirmed, or that they were interfering either 
 secretly or outwardly, with the civil or political insti- 
 tutions of the Island, is so notoriously false as to require 
 no refutation. 
 
 Another event, which occurred about that time, was the 
 petitioning of the Legislature, on the part of the free 
 black and coloured population, for their rights and pri- 
 vileges as British subjects. The public privations under 
 which they then suffered were both numerous and op- 
 pressive. Whatever might have been the character, the 
 intelligence, or the property of any man of colour, he 
 was not allowed to be a member of the Legislature, or to 
 give a vote in the elections for the Assembly. He could 
 not fill the office of a magistrate, nor hold an officer's 
 commission in the militia ; he had no seat in the jury- 
 box, nor in the parochial vestries ; he was disqualified 
 
INSURRECTIONARY RUMOURS. 159 
 
 for even the lowest stations of free persons on estates ; 
 and there were also certain seminaries of public educa- 
 tion from which his children were excluded. Although 
 nothing could exceed the decorous and respectful be- 
 haviour of those classes in petitioning to be relieved 
 from their disabilities, yet the indignation of the As- 
 sembly was excessive ; and as the Wesleyan Societies 
 embraced a greater number of those free persons than 
 any other religious community, much of the indignation 
 fell upon the missionaries. 
 
 A third incident which was made use of against the 
 missionaries, was the rumour of several insurrections as 
 having occurred in different parts of the Island. With 
 the exception of a partial excitement in Hanover, those 
 risings were merely imaginary, or at most totally un- 
 deserving of any public notice. Even in Hanover itself, 
 there was nothing but the manifestations of discontent 
 on the part of some few of the negroes, on one or two 
 properties, and the whole affair was subdued without any 
 difficulty.* 
 
 * It may here be mentioned, that the only instance of alarm which 
 occTirred about that time, within the reach of any missionary station in 
 
 Jamaica, was on W estate, in the parish of St. David. An old 
 
 negro, who resided in a small wattled hut, after the toils of the day, 
 stuck part of a lighted candle in one of the crevices, and fell fast 
 asleep. The hut caught fire, and was soon perceived by some of the 
 negroes, who immediately went to inform the white people and to 
 receive orders. The latter, having some time before retired to rest, 
 they got up, and looking out, an awful scene was presented to their 
 view: '^Conspiracy! Rebellion! Fire!!'' But being all militiamen 
 they loaded their muskets, and bravely fired in the direction of the 
 burning hut, which however they did not dare to approach. Provi- 
 dentially none of the negroes were hurt, though several were at it at 
 the time ; but one of them afterwards observed, " We were xoaiting for 
 huckra coming dozvn, hut token ive heavy huckrafire him gun, den we link 
 
160 A GATHERING STORM. 
 
 The last event alluded to, is the well known insurrec- 
 tion in Demerara. Although it was allowed on all 
 hands that the Wesleyans had no concern w^ith that 
 affair, yet it afforded a j)retext for opposition, too plausi- 
 ble for that purpose to be neglected. It was referred to 
 by designing men with great effect ; and old suspicions 
 and prejudices were revived with greater inveteracy 
 than ever. 
 
 The state of the Mission was then very critical and 
 trying. An Act was passed by the Legislature, autho- 
 rizing the Governor to remove any suspected person or 
 persons from the Island ; and it was generally thought that 
 the Missionaries were parties particularly referred to. A 
 secret committee was also appointed by the Assembly, 
 invested with considerable powers, and the brethren 
 knew that in several places a system of espionage was in 
 operation, and that they were under the most vigilant 
 surveillance. No communication from the parent go- 
 vernment respecting religious toleration in Jamaica had 
 been sent to the Island for years, and the last which had 
 been sent was partially restrictive. Meanwhile a grow- 
 ing hostility became evident in the Courts of Quarter 
 Sessions. A missionary, who had been several years on 
 the Island, applied to qualify in Kingston ; and though 
 producing recommendations from some of the most in- 
 fluential persons in the Colony, he w^as kept for hours 
 under examination, and only succeeded by sending for 
 
 it time to pull foot" Thus the hut was left to its fate, and in this 
 manner an event was terminated, which was nearly as serious as any 
 insurrection which occurred about that period. 
 
GREAT PERPLEXITY. 161 
 
 tlie Custos the following day, who decided in his favour. 
 In St. Ann's, where hitherto there had been no opposition* 
 two applied at the Court, and their request was peremp- 
 torily rejected. On this case the opinion of the Attorney 
 General was solicited, and his reply only served to in- 
 crease the embarrassment. He considered that the mis- 
 sionaries were bound to apply in each parish, but should 
 the magistrates refuse, they might be compelled by 
 mandamus to allow them to qualify ; a measure from 
 which, however, he earnestly sought to dissuade them.* 
 At last it was proposed in the Supreme Court (under 
 the Act referred to), to send them off the Island ; but as 
 the sitting of the Legislature was drawing near, and as 
 many of the members had expressed themselves strongly 
 in favour of such a step, the matter was allowed to lie 
 over for a time. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the brethren knew not 
 what to do, nor to whom to apply for counsel. The 
 chief seat of the hostility was Kingston ; and the Wes- 
 leyans were its principal objects. It was a general opi- 
 nion, that some public vindication of their character and 
 labours was imperatively required; and they were 
 strongly urged to this, by the very few gentlemen whom 
 the troubles of those times had not caused entirely to 
 withdraw their countenance. A few of them accordingly 
 met in Kingston, on the 7th of September, and passed 
 certain resolutions, which were afterwards severely 
 censured by the Committee in London. It is painful to 
 
 * Vide Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons 
 on the extinction of Slavery in 1832. Ques. 1528. 
 
 M 
 
16^ RESOLUTIONS PASSED IN 1824. 
 
 dwell upon this matter, but it stands out too prominently 
 to be passed over in entire silence. 
 
 The number of missionaries then stationed on the 
 Island was ten, and of those, four met in Kingston on 
 the occasion referred to. After having agreed to certain 
 resolutions, a copy was sent to each absent missionary, 
 requesting that he would peruse it, and in case the re- 
 solutions met with his approval, to affix his signature. 
 There were three who signified their entire disapproba- 
 tion of the whole ; one or two others objected to certain 
 passages which were afterwards censured by the Com- 
 mittee ; and, as there was so little agreement, they were 
 signed only by the chairman. Before they were sent to 
 the press, one of the brethren, who had not been at the 
 meeting, suggested several alterations, and a resolution 
 was inserted which was not in the original copy, and 
 which was more strongly censured by the Committee 
 than any of them. The family-like manner in which 
 the missionaries lived, accounts for this liberty ; but 
 when the substance of the alterations was known, some 
 of the brethren, who were at the meeting, so disapproved 
 of it, that they sent to Spanish Town to quash the whole, 
 but it was too late. 
 
 In the first resolution they merely state, " That they 
 have observed with deep regret the numerous misrepre- 
 sentations and calumnies, which have been circulated con- 
 cerning their principles and motives :" and in the second, 
 " That it has been insidiously stated of the members of 
 this meeting, 1st. That they believe slavery to be incom- 
 patible with the Christian religion. 2nd. That their doc- 
 
DISALLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE. 163 
 
 trines are calculated to produce insubordination among 
 the slaves. 3rd. That they are secretly attempting to 
 put in operation means to effect the emancipation of the 
 slaves. 4th. That they are connected with, and corres- 
 pond with the members of the African Institution. 5th. 
 That they are the most decided (although disguised) 
 enemies of the West India Colonies. 6th. And are en- 
 riching themselves by extorting money from the slaves." 
 
 In the remaining resolutions they reply to those 
 statements ; but the whole, together wath the " disa- 
 vowal" of the Committee, are too long for insertion. 
 The severe censure of the Committee chiefly referred to 
 two points. The first was the equivocal manner in which 
 they declare their belief, that " Christianity does not in- 
 terfere with the civil condition of the slaves, as slavery 
 is established by the laws of the British West Indies :" 
 and the second, the manner in which they speak of 
 those benevolent individuals in the mother country, 
 comprehended under the terms of " emancipatists and 
 abolitionists," who were laboimng for the ultimate ex- 
 tinction of slavery. 
 
 On the former, the Committee observe : — 
 
 "If no more were meant by this, than that all slaves, 
 brought under the influence of Christianity, are bound by 
 its precepts to obey their masters, and to submit to the au- 
 thorities of the state, conscientiously and constantly, this is 
 no more than the missionaries have been explicitly instructed 
 to teach ; and which the Committee sacredly enjoin upon 
 them, to inculcate upon all to whom their ministrations might 
 extend ; but if it was intended, that the system of slavery ' as 
 
 m2 
 
164 REMARKS ON THE PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 established in the West Indies,' or anywhere else, is not in- 
 consistent with Christianity, the Committee and the ' Wes- 
 leyan body' hold no such opinion. But whilst they feel, that 
 all changes in such a system ought to emanate solely from the 
 Legislature, they hold it to be the duty of every Christian 
 government, to bring the practice of slavery to an ■ end, as 
 soon as it can be done safely, prudently, and with a just 
 consideration to the interests of all parties concerned ; and 
 that the degradation of men, merely on account of their colour, 
 and the holding of human beings in interminable bondage, 
 are wholly inconsistent with Christianity." 
 
 On the whole of those proceedings very few observa- 
 tions will be made. That the missionaries never meant 
 to declare, that the system of holding men in intermi- 
 nable bondage, is consistent with Christianity, might 
 easily be proved, were it needful. All they intended, 
 was merely to re-echo the substance of their instructions 
 on the point of slavery ; for in the original copy they 
 extracted their very form of expression, which was but 
 slightly altered in that which was afterwards published. 
 But it is admitted, that their declaration, even as it then 
 stood, was equivocal, and an interpretation might have 
 been given which was never meant, of which the " In- 
 structions," being longer and more explicit, were inca- 
 pable. 
 
 Their allusion to the " emancipatists and abolition- 
 ists" is indeed perfectly unjustifiable ; and especially as 
 it is a fact, that none of the missionaries then on the 
 Island knew scarcely anything relative to their principles 
 and objects. They had no correspondence with any 
 
OF THE COMMITTEE IN 1824. 165 
 
 persons at home, on the subject of West India politics, 
 as was affirmed by their adversaries. They knew but 
 little of the controversy, which was then beginning to be 
 agitated, excepting from what they occasionally saw in 
 the Colonial papers, and which the pressure of their en- 
 gagements, and their devotedness to their proper work, 
 left them but little time to study. The Committee were 
 perfectly correct in stating, that " the sweeping charges 
 were written under ignorance of the opinions of those 
 excellent men, who distinguished themselves by advo- 
 cating the amelioration of the condition of the slaves, 
 with a view to the ultimate extinction of slavery." The 
 truth is, there was httle difference of opinion between 
 the " abolitionists" of that time and the missionaries, but 
 of that the latter were ignorant. The language of the 
 resolutions relative to them, was, however, very repre- 
 hensible ; but it was principally to be found in the 
 fourth, which was not in the original copy ; but even the 
 milder language of the original was objected to by some 
 of them, who did not disapprove of the whole series. 
 
 But whatever blame may be attached to those brethren 
 in Jamaica who were connected with the resolutions, 
 the candid and thoughtful reader will also take their 
 peculiarly perilous circumstances into consideration. 
 The missionaries felt no fear for themselves, but al- 
 together for their important work. The threats of trans- 
 portation, were not empty menaces to be altogether 
 laughed at. Persons were transported about that time 
 who were not so obnoxious to those in power as they 
 were ; and it is therefore highly probable that the resolu- 
 
166 INDISCRETIONS ACCOUNTED FOR. 
 
 tions, censurable as certain parts of them were, were the 
 means of preventing their being sent off the Island. 
 Let it be also observed, that the Wesleyans were at that 
 time the only body of ministers suffering from Colonial 
 prejudice. Jews and Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyte- 
 rians, and Baptists, had as much liberty as they desired ; 
 and the Baptist chapel was regularly opened on the week 
 nights even by candle-light, which was denied to the 
 Methodists, who alone were the objects of a cruel and 
 inveterate hostility. 
 
 The candid reader, therefore, will not be surprised, that 
 under the severe pressure of such trials, a few should be 
 driven into the indiscretions already pointed out. But 
 the "VVesleyan body have no reason whatever to blush 
 for the conduct of their agents in Jamaica. No mis- 
 sionaries ever sent out by them have suffered so much 
 in the cause of Christ, as those who were contempora- 
 neous with the author of this narrative, or who had 
 preceded him on that Island. And let it be also re- 
 membered, that there was no other body of ministers 
 then in Jamaica, of whom it can be said, that 7iot one 
 of tJie7n,fro7n first to last, ever held property in slaves. 
 
 It is only needful further to remark, that the cen- 
 sure of the Committee was not productive of that in- 
 convenience which they themselves expected ; for in the 
 persecutions which followed, the resolutions passed by 
 them were not referred to. In one respect, indeed, they 
 were attended with much good, for the brethren were 
 determined to enjoy their religious privileges more as 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 167 
 
 their right, and less as a matter of favour and sufferance 
 than before. 
 
 At the District of 1825, it afforded no small consola- 
 tion to find, that in course of the preceding most pain- 
 ful year, there was a clear increase of members, amoimt- 
 ing to no fewer than 973. With only one exception, 
 this was the greatest addition made to the Societies in 
 one year since the commencement of the Mission. The 
 greater part of this was upon the Bath and Stoney Hill 
 circuits ; but there was an uncommon spirit of hearing 
 in other places, and all had some share in the general 
 prosperity. 
 
 The Committee in London had been long desirous of 
 establishing a more general and efficient system of 
 Sunday-School instruction ; and the missionaries were 
 equally desirous of carrying their wishes into effect. 
 Hitherto comparatively little had been done, for even 
 those gentlemen who had befriended the Mission, were 
 in general very hostile to the teaching of their slaves to 
 read. Notwithstanding this, schools had been formed 
 in several places, and particularly in Montego Bay and 
 Grateful Hill ; but a more general and efficient efibrt 
 was now agreed upon. This met with the hearty con- 
 currence of the free people on the various circuits, and 
 particularly in Kingston, where schools, connected with 
 each of the chapels, were speedily formed, and the at- 
 tendance and proficiency of the children exceeded the 
 most sanguine expectations. 
 
 In the month of February, Mr. Shipman left the Island 
 for England, and Mr. Home for the Bahamas. The 
 
168 A CHAPEL OBTAINED IN FALMOUTH. 
 
 former had laboured in Jamaica for between ten and 
 eleven years, and the latter about seven. During the 
 time of their residence their usefulness was very great, 
 and their names are so interwoven with the history of the 
 Mission as not to be forgotten. Their places were sup- 
 plied by Messrs. Barry and Kerr, who landed in King- 
 ston in course of the following month ; when the former 
 was appointed to Grateful Hill, and the latter to Bath. 
 
 It has been intimated, that in the preceding year Mr. 
 Ratcliffe removed to Falmouth, it being determined to 
 make another effort in that place. This was done at the 
 earnest solicitation of a few persons who belonged to the 
 Society ; and the Gustos, being still as friendly as ever, 
 allowed the use of a convenient building, which had 
 been the court-house, at a very trifling rent. This 
 building was soon afterwards sold to the Mission, and 
 through the goodwill of that intelligent magistrate, it 
 was obtained for a very moderate sum. Mr. Ratcliffe 
 succeeded in forming a Society, which in course of the 
 year increased to about eighty members. He had also 
 several estates thrown open to his labours, which he re- 
 gularly visited ; yet, with all these advantages, the con- 
 gregations were not large, although the chapel was one 
 of the most commodious then on the Island. The great 
 mass of the negro population manifested the same in- 
 difference to religion as before. 
 
 The year 1825, was remarkable for a very interesting 
 event in the history of the Mission, namely, the forma- 
 tion of Branch Missionary Societies. The Committee in 
 London had been long desirous to accomplish that object. 
 
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES FORMED. 169 
 
 while at the same time they expressed the necessity of 
 being very cautious in taking such a step, in a country 
 where every act of the missionaries was viewed with so 
 much jealousy and suspicion. The brethren were quite 
 aware, that the novelty of public meetings would excite 
 feelings of great hostility ; but they concluded that the 
 time was now fully come, in which they could no longer 
 withhold from their people those sources of gratification 
 and profit, which Christians of various denominations 
 enjoyed at home, and which their brethren also enjoyed 
 in the other West India Colonies. A small meeting was 
 first held at Bellemont, on Sunday, the 9th of October, 
 at which Mr. Drew presided, and at which Messrs. 
 Ratcliffe and Young were nearly the only speakers. A 
 good feeling pervaded the congregation, and a collection 
 was made at the close which amounted to between six 
 and seven pounds sterling. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 12th, a missionary meeting was 
 held in Spanish Town, and as the Custos and magistrates 
 had in general shown themselves rather friendly than 
 otherwise, no serious consequences, in the way of oppo- 
 sition, were expected. The chair was taken by Mr. 
 Ratcliffe, and the other speakers were the Rev. Messrs. 
 Young, Crofts, Jenkins, Barry, and Duncan, together 
 with Mr. Paul, the steward of that circuit. The chapel 
 w^as crowded, though principally with free people. There 
 were only two whites present, who were strangers, but 
 they appeared to be as much interested as the others ; 
 and a more hallowed and joyous evening was never 
 spent in Spanish Town. The brethren could not help 
 
170 MISSIONARY MEETING IN SPANISH TOWN. 
 
 adverting, with gratitude to God, to the state of the 
 Mission as contrasted with a former dark and gloomy- 
 period ; while they were inwardly sensible, that the time 
 of opposition had not yet passed away, and that even 
 some of them might be called to suffer bonds and im- 
 prisonment for the sake of the gospel. The collections 
 amounted to between twenty and thirty pounds sterling, 
 and a number of persons came forward and offered their 
 services as collectors for the society. 
 
 The public attention, or rather jealousy, was awakened 
 to an uncommon degree by the meeting in Spanish 
 Town. The Gustos, now that a bishop had arrived, 
 appeared desirous to withdraw his countenance from 
 the missionaries ; and a number of persons were sum- 
 moned to his office, to depose to what they had seen 
 and heard at the chapel. Amongst the rest, were the 
 two white gentlemen alluded to, who were examined, 
 but not upon oath. One of them frankly acknowledged 
 that he neither saw nor heard anything objectionable ; 
 but the other, although he had before spoken to one of 
 the missionaries in the highest terms of the proceedings, 
 adopted a very different tone before the chief magistrate, 
 and represented them as dangerous ; only he affected to 
 doubt whether the speakers were perfecthj sane. The 
 other witnesses were all sworn, none of whom belonged 
 to the Society, and few could write their own names. 
 The object of the whole was to injure the reputation of 
 the missionaries, by representing them as acting fi'om 
 avaricious motives ; and instead of preaching the gospel 
 to the slaves, to demonstrate that their only aim was to 
 
MEETING AT GRATEFUL HILL. 171 
 
 plunder them of their money. This indeed had been the 
 popular clamour for some time, although it was well 
 known that it was but mere pretence, and raised only to 
 afford a colouring to an opposition which rested on very 
 different grounds. Those affidavits were accordingly 
 made use of for this purpose, as shall be hereafter related. 
 
 The next meeting was held at Grateful Hill, on the 
 18th, at which Mr. Ratcliffe again presided. On this 
 occasion, one of the members made an impressive appeal 
 to the congregations, and observed that it was to the 
 missionary cause that most of them owed their all ; that 
 they were miserable, ragged, and without hope, before 
 the missionaries came among them ; but since that time 
 they were happy, improved, and had obtained a blessed 
 hope of heaven. He then said, " Grateful Hill Society, 
 who sent those servants of God to us ? We did not col- 
 lect money and send to England for them ; no, but they 
 were sent by Christians in that far country, who beheld 
 us in a state of great wretchedness, who pitied us and 
 sent us help. We ought therefore to consider, that as 
 we have so freely received so we ought as freely to give ; 
 that the same blessings may be sent to other heathens 
 which have been sent to us." The collection amounted 
 to about five pounds, but a considerable sum additional 
 was entered immediately on the list of contributions. 
 
 Similar meetings were also held, towards the close of 
 the following month, at Morant Bay and Bath ; and in 
 both places, the chair was occupied by Thomas Thomp- 
 son, Esq., the senior magistrate of that precinct. In 
 opening the business of the former, the chairman referred 
 
112 DISTRICT MEETING OF 1826. 
 
 most feelingly, to the beneficial effects resulting to the 
 slave population from the labours of the Wesleyan mis- 
 sionaries, during the long period of their residence 
 amons: them. He then drew a contrast between the 
 state of the negroes in that parish to that of those re- 
 siding where no missionary stations had been established; 
 and he especially contrasted their present state as a people 
 with what many still remembered it to have been be- 
 tween twenty and thirty years before. Of that he drew 
 a most affecting picture ; but now, said he, " We begin 
 to look like a Christian community." His appeals were 
 cheerfully responded to, and at those meetings about 
 fifty pounds sterling were collected. 
 
 The District of 1826 was held in Kingston, at the 
 usual time, and was, with but little exception, a season 
 of great harmony and love. The increase in the number 
 of members was 304, and the brethren were thus ap- 
 pointed to the different circuits : — 
 
 Kingston . . Messrs. Duncan and BAiiRY. 
 
 Spanish Town. Mr. Young. 
 
 Morant Bay . Mr. Jenkins. 
 
 Bath .... Mr. Kerr. 
 
 Grateful Hill . Mr. Whitehouse. 
 
 Stoney Hill. 
 
 Montego Bay . Mr. Crofts. 
 
 St. Ann's Bay . Mr. Ratcliffe. 
 
 Falmouth. 
 
 At this time an Auxiliary Missionary Society was 
 formed for the Jamaica District, and the public meeting 
 was held in Wesley Chapel. The chair was occupied by 
 
DEATH OF MISS RACSTER. 173 
 
 Henry Foskey, Esq., and nearly all the brethren took 
 part in the proceedings. The assembly was immense ; 
 as many as could attend from the other circuits were 
 present, and it was calculated that nearly three thousand 
 had got crowded within the w alls of the spacious edifice. 
 It was a happy day for the missionaries ; as they beheld 
 on a large scale the blessed fruits of their labour, and 
 that of their predecessors. The appearance of the whole 
 was almost overpowering, and especially the galleries, 
 which were crowded with a people whose intelligent and 
 respectable appearance would have done credit to Exeter 
 Hall itself. Collections were made at the different ser- 
 vices, which altogether amounted to nearly one hundred 
 pounds sterling. 
 
 The brethren had scarcely returned to their respective 
 circuits, when the Kingston Society was called to sustain 
 a great loss in the death of Miss Sarah Racster, then one 
 of its brightest ornaments. This excellent person was a 
 female of colour, and had for about thirteenyears "adorned 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour." In early life she was 
 favoured with a respectable education ; but having been 
 in affluent circumstances, before her conversion she was 
 gay and thoughtless, and became conformed to the cus- 
 toms of an ungodly world. About the year 1813, she 
 was deeply convinced of sin, and joined the Methodist 
 Society, then suffering under severe oppression. In a 
 short time she was delivered from the burden of her 
 guilty fears ; and though it is not pretended that she was 
 exempt from human infirmities, yet, from the time of her 
 conversion until her death, few characters more spotless 
 
174 EVENING SERVICES IN KINGSTON. 
 
 have adorned any Christian society. She was a liberal 
 supporter of the cause of God, and the poor found in her 
 a sympathising and generous benefactor. She was the 
 leader of three female classes, two in Kingston and one 
 in Port Royal ; and while she was characterised by an 
 uncommon degree of modesty, she was at the same time 
 ever zealous in endeavouring to advance the glory of 
 God. Her last illness was protracted, but the consola- 
 tions of divine grace were amply sufficient for her sup- 
 port; and when the last enemy aj)proached, it was 
 evident that her merciful Redeemer had granted her 
 *' poAver and strength" to achieve a complete and glorious 
 victory. She died in the full triumph of faith, on the 
 29th of January, 1826 ; and on the following afternoon, 
 it was the mournful office of the writer of this narrative 
 to commit her body to the tomb, to rest until that day 
 when the grave must deliver up its dead. 
 
 About the beginning of this year, the brethren in King- 
 ston ventured to commence services on the week evenings 
 by candle-light. As the Societies had long been deprived 
 of this privilege its restoration was highly prized. Both 
 chapels were opened at the same time, and were attended 
 by congregations little smaller than those which assem- 
 bled on the Lord's-day. Although even after this, the 
 missionaries on that circuit had not ordinarily to preach 
 oftener than four times a week, yet their labours were 
 very heavy, as there were only two ministers to upwards 
 of four thousand members. The quarterly visitations 
 was especially a work of immense labour. The exami- 
 nation of the Sunday-classes commenced at daybreak. 
 
ARRIVAL OF MISSIONARIES. 175 
 
 and was continued for about the space of two hours. 
 This was resumed after the forenoon services, excepting 
 on the first Sabbath of each month, at which time the 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered ; and 
 two or more classes again met at the close of the service 
 in the afternoon. Such was the Sunday labour of the 
 Kingston ministers for nine or ten sabbaths in every 
 quarter. 
 
 The week-day classes met likewise at day-break each 
 morning for examination, and also again at four in the 
 afternoon, which continued for about eight weeks a 
 quarter, every day, excepting Saturday, being so occu- 
 pied ; this, taken in connexion with visiting the sick, 
 funerals, and other duties, rendered the labour very 
 arduous ; but there was also much encouragement. 
 Both the chapels w^ere well attended, and the ordinances 
 of God were highly estimated. On the first Sabbath in 
 each month the Lord's Supper was administered, on an 
 average to about from thirteen to fifteen hundred com- 
 municants, including those at both chapels. Those were 
 seasons of great bodily fatigue, but they were times of 
 refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 
 
 A few weeks after the District-meeting, the Mission 
 received a seasonable reinforcement on the arrival of 
 Messrs. Grimsdall and T. C. Morgan. Mr. Beard also 
 was sent out at the same time, but he was not long on 
 the Island when he was removed to the Bahamas. Mr. 
 Grimsdall was appointed to Stoney Hill, where he 
 laboured for the remainder of the year with uncommon 
 diligence and success; and Mr. Morgan went to Morant 
 
ITfi A SOCIETY AT PORT ANTONIO. 
 
 Bay, to the assistance of Mr. Jenkins. Towards the 
 middle of the year, Mr. Orton landed at Kingston, and 
 was appointed to Falmouth ; and in a few weeks 
 more, Mr. Murray arrived, who had been for about 
 three years in the St. Vincent District. But about that 
 time Mr. Young was forced to leave the Island, on ac- 
 count of the very dangerous state of his wife's health, 
 whose constitution had been long and seriously impaired ; 
 and his place in Spanish Town was supplied by Mr. 
 Murray. Mr. Jenkins also, whose health had suffered 
 much, removed towards the close of the year, and his 
 place at Morant Bay was supplied by Mr. Parkin. 
 
 For some years the missionaries had been earnestly 
 importuned to visit Port Antonio, where no attempts 
 had been made from the time Mr. Home was rejected in 
 1819. Mr. Kerr, who was then stationed in Bath, went 
 over in August ; and at first he met as many as chose to 
 meet with him in the house where he lodged ; but as he 
 was called to account by one of the magistrates, he pro- 
 mised not to preach until he was licensed at the Quarter 
 Sessions. License being obtained, he hired a house for 
 preaching, and visited the place as often as his other en- 
 gagements on the Bath circuit would allow. His efibrts, 
 by the blessing of God, were attended with success ; and 
 by the end of the year he left a promising Society, con- 
 sisting of thirty-five members, besides three on trial. 
 
 The year 1826, had almost passed away without any 
 material interruption; at which the missionaries some- 
 times expressed their astonishment, that an opposition 
 so severe should have subsided almost instantaneously. 
 
NEW CONSOLIDATED SLAVE LAW. 177 
 
 The mystery was however at last developed, and it was 
 found that another legislative scheme had heen concoct- 
 ing, with the view of retarding their labours and blasting 
 their reputation. For some time the British govern- 
 ment had been urging the Legislature to make such 
 improvements in the slave code, as would secure to the 
 slaves the possession of what property they might acquire* 
 and also to provide for their giving evidence in courts of 
 justice against free persons as well as against each other. 
 In the new slave law of 1826 considerable concessions 
 were made, and their right to give evidence was allowed, 
 under certain restrictions and limitations. But several 
 clauses were introduced injurious to the missionaries, 
 and the more so as they were enacted under the pretence 
 of the kindest solicitude for the welfare of the slaves. 
 The principal of these clauses are the 84th and 85th, of 
 which the following is a copy : — 
 
 " LXXXIV. And whereas the assembling of slaves and 
 other persons after dark, at places of meeting belonging to 
 dissenters from the established religion, and other persons 
 professing to be teachers of religion, has been found to be 
 extremely dangerous, and great facilities are thereby given to 
 the formation of plots and conspiracies, and the health of the 
 slaves and other persons has been injured in travelling to and 
 from such places of meeting at late hours of the night : Be it 
 further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and 
 after the commencement of this act, all such meetings between 
 sunset and sunrise shall be held and deemed to be unlawful ; 
 and any sectarian, dissenting minister, or other person j^ro- 
 fessing-to be a teacher of religion, who shall, contrary to this 
 
 N 
 
178 OPPRESSIVE ENACTMENTS. 
 
 act, keep open any such places of meeting between sunset and 
 sunrise, for the purpose aforesaid, or permit or suffer any such 
 nightly assembly of slaves therein, shall forfeit and pay a sum 
 not less than twenty pounds or exceeding fifty pounds for 
 each offence, to be recovered in a summary way before any 
 three justices by warrant of distress and sale, one moiety to be 
 paid to the informer, and the other moiety to the poor of the 
 parish in which such offence shall be committed ; and in de- 
 fault of payment thereof, the said justices are hereby em- 
 powered and required to commit such offender or offenders to 
 the common gaol, for any space of time not exceeding one 
 calendar month : Provided always, That nothing herein con- 
 tained shall be deemed or taken to prevent any minister of 
 the Presbyterian Kirk, or licensed minister, from performing 
 divine worship at any time before the hour of eight o'clock in 
 the evening at any licensed place of worship, or to interfere 
 with the celebration of divine worship according to the rites 
 and ceremonies of the Jewish or Roman Catholic religions. 
 
 " LXXXV. And whereas, under pretence of offerings and 
 contributions, large sums of money and other chattels have 
 been extorted by designing men, professing to be teachers of 
 religion, practising on the ignorance and superstitions of the 
 negroes in this Island, to their great loss and impoverishment : 
 and whereas an ample provision is already made for the reli- 
 gious instruction of the slaves : Be it enacted by the authority 
 aforesaid, That from and after the commencement of this act, 
 it shall not be lawful for any dissenting minister, religious 
 teacher, or other person whatsoever, to demand or receive any 
 money or other chattel whatsoever from any slave or slaves 
 within this Island, for affording such slave or slaves religious 
 instruction, by way of offering, contributions, or under any 
 other pretence whatsoever ; and if any person or persons shall, 
 
THE GOVERNOR CONSENTS TO THE NEW LAW. 179 
 
 contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, offend 
 herein, such person or persons shall, upon conviction before 
 any three justices, forfeit and pay the whole sum of twenty 
 pounds for each offence, to be recovered in a summary man- 
 ner by warrant of distress and sale under the hands and seals 
 of the said justices, one moiety thereof to be paid to the 
 informer, who is hereby declared to be a competent witness, 
 and the other moiety to the poor of the parish in which such 
 offence shall be committed ; and in default of payment, the 
 said justices are hereby empowered and required to commit 
 such offenders to the common gaol for any space of time not 
 exceeding one calendar month." 
 
 This act passed the Assembly on the 7th of December, 
 and on the 22nd it passed the Council, on which day it 
 also received the consent of the Duke of Manchester. 
 Tliis was the second persecuting law which his grace had 
 signed during the term of his administration ; and, not- 
 withstanding its plausible pretences, not one more in- 
 tolerant had ever been enacted by the Jamaica Legisla- 
 ture. Unless the missionaries had given up all contri- 
 butions from free as well as bond (which they neither 
 would nor could conscientiously do), to avoid its penalties 
 was absolutely impossible. It was not, however, to come 
 into operation until the first of May following, and its 
 duration was limited to the period of three years. It is 
 hardly necessary to say, that the missionaries were not 
 enriched by the contributions of the negroes. Their 
 allowances were regulated by the Committee in London, 
 and no circuits on the Island were then able to meet 
 their regular demands, excepting Kingston and Morant 
 
 N 2 
 
180 DETERMINATION OF THE MISSIONARIES. 
 
 Bay, and sometimes the deficiencies of the latter were 
 considerable. The accounts of the Societies were kept 
 by the stcAvards, who sent home statements of every 
 fraction, both of income and expenditure, every year. 
 Those yearly accounts are first read at the District-meet- 
 ings, and if approved of are passed there, and when 
 signed by the stewards are finally sent to the Committee 
 for their examination, and are sanctioned or rejected as 
 they may decide to be just and equitable. This rule ap- 
 plies to all the circuits, whether dependent on the home 
 funds or not. 
 
 At the District-meeting, which was held in January, 
 the new law of course was made a subject of conversation ; 
 and as the missionaries were conscious that they neither 
 wronged nor impoverished any man (but even in a 
 temporal sense profited thousands), they unanimously 
 resolved, that whatever might be the ultimate fate of 
 the law, or whatsoever might be the consequences to 
 themselves, they would not sacrifice one single point of 
 their discipline, nor depart in the least degree from that 
 line of conduct which they liad hitherto pursued. 
 
181 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Opposition in St. Ann's — Disgraceful outrage at St. Ann's Bay — Death, 
 of S. Drew Esq. — Outrage in St. Ann's brought before Parliament 
 by Dr. Lushington — An official "Despatch" — ^Termination of pro- 
 ceedings relating to " the affair" at St. Ami's Bay — District of 1827 
 — Visit to the Maroons — State of the Mission in Spanish Towm and 
 Falmouth— Revival of Religion in St. Ami's — Trial and imprison- 
 ment of the Rev. Mr. Grimsdall — Last illness and death of the 
 Rev. W. RatclifFe — Death of Mr. Parkin — Mr. Grimsdall again ap- 
 prehended and Mr. Robert Watkis — Messrs. Grimsdall and Watkis, 
 together with Miss Catherine Jarvis, are tried at the Court of Quarter 
 Sessions — Commencement of a thii-d Chapel in Kingston — Death and 
 character of Mr. Grimsdall. 
 
 It has been related, that on no part of the Island the 
 missionaries began their labours under more auspicious 
 circumstances than in the parish of St. Ann, which was 
 the more remarkable, as the leading white inhabitants 
 were generally natives of Jamaica. But from the time 
 of which we are writing there was a striking change, 
 and St. Ann's became the seat of the greatest hostility, 
 and was debased by religious persecution, much more 
 than aU the other parishes put together. In connexion 
 with this Ave have, for the first time, to mention a name 
 (which we do with sincere sorrow) which must occupy 
 no very enviable place in the records of Jamaica, — 
 we allude to the Rev. George W. Bridges. That gen- 
 tleman had a year or two before been appointed to the 
 rectory of St. Ann, and there can be no doubt but his 
 
182 HOSTILITY IN ST. ANn'S. 
 
 avowed hostility to the Mission, contrihuted to excite 
 that spirit of cruel and relentless persecution which has 
 entailed so much disgrace upon many of his ostentatious, 
 but ignorant parishioners. It would afford great plea- 
 sure to lose sight of his name altogether ; but several 
 events with which he is connected, are of so public a 
 character as cannot be overlooked in the shortest faithful 
 narrative. 
 
 In the year 1826 the only missionary stationed in St. 
 Ann's was Mr. Ratcliffe, a man who for prudent and 
 engaging behaviour has seldom been surpassed. His 
 place of residence was Bellemont, but as it was only 
 about fourteen miles distant from St. Ann's Bay, he was 
 able, with the assistance of Mr. Drew, to supply both 
 places with regularity. After preaching on the morning 
 of Christmas-day at Bellemont, he went down to the 
 Bay along with his family, and preached to the usual 
 congregation in the evening. After the labours of the 
 day, he retired to rest in the mission-house, which was a 
 boarded or wooden building, containing both the chapel 
 and lodgings for a single preacher upon the same 
 floor. At the Christmas festivals it was then usual to 
 call out the militia to preserve the peace, as the slaves 
 had three or four holidays, which, in former times, were 
 spent more in a childish manner than in a way dan- 
 gerous to the established order; but it was often re- 
 marked, that the guards were the most noisy and turbu- 
 lent persons in the whole community. On the night of 
 the 25th, the guard at St. Ann's Bay were of the Light 
 Company of the militia, which was composed exclusively 
 
DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE. 183 
 
 of whites. About the hour of midnight a number of them 
 came to the outside of the mission-house, loaded their 
 muskets with ball, and at the word of command, fired 
 upon it from different directions, knowing that the mis- 
 sionary and his family were within. Several of the 
 bullets perforated the walls and went through the op- 
 posite side, but seven of them were afterwards found in 
 various parts of the house, exclusive of one which stuck 
 fast in a wooden post, not far from the defenceless in- 
 mates. But in this time of danger God covered his 
 servants as with a shield, and providentially none of them 
 were injured. 
 
 On hearing of this outrage, Mr. Drew, who was one 
 of the magistrates of that parish, hastened to the assis- 
 tance of Mr. Katcliffe ; and associating himself with a 
 few other justices, the matter was put by him in the way 
 of legal investigation. He attended only one sitting, at 
 which but little was done, and then retired to Bellemont 
 to sicken and to die. On Sunday, the 2nd of January, 
 he attended divine service at the chapel for the last time, 
 when he also partook of the sacred memorials of our 
 Lord's suffering and death. He was then somewhat in- 
 disposed, but on returning home he grew worse, and on 
 Thursday evening, the 6th of January, about 10 o'clock 
 P. M., he died in the joyful hope of a glorious resurrec- 
 tion. It ought to be mentioned, that on that evening a 
 missionary meeting was held at the Bay, at which it had 
 been intended he should preside. When the meeting 
 was finished three of the missionaries who were present, 
 
184 DEATH OF S. DREW, ESQ. 
 
 immediately left for Bellemont, to attend their afflicted 
 friend. After having travelled some miles in the dark, 
 on gaining the summit of a lofty mountain they alighted, 
 and kneeling down on the ground they commended 
 him to God in prayer. They afterwards found, that 
 as near as they could calculate, it was at that solemn 
 moment his spirit took its flight to be for ever with the 
 Lord. 
 
 Mr. Drew was a man of extensive learning and eminent 
 talents, but for some years he was tossed to and fro on 
 the troubled ocean of scepticism. But at that time he 
 was in the habit of receiving letters from a pious sister 
 in Cornwall, who was a Wesleyan, which made a deep 
 impression on his mind; and through the instrumen- 
 tality of that correspondence, and the ministry of the 
 Rev. John Shipman, he was made the subject of a saving- 
 change. He joined the Methodist Society in 1816, 
 and until his death he was one of its most zealous 
 members. On some minor points his opinions were 
 peculiar, but he was a firm believer in the depravity and 
 sinfulness of human nature, in the divinity and atone- 
 ment of Christ, and of our salvation by faith in his 
 merit; and from the time of his conversion his piety 
 was consistent and uniform. He left a widow and 
 numerous family to lament their loss ; and his death, 
 happening at such a critical period, the feelings of 
 the missionaries may be more easily conceived than ex- 
 pressed. 
 
 Another sitting of the magistrates took place, yet 
 
A DISAGREEABLE RUMOUR. 185 
 
 nothing effectual Avas done for the discovery of the 
 persons who were guilty of the outrage. But in the 
 meantime the tidings flew throughout the Island, and it 
 was strongly rumoured, that much of the blame rested 
 with the rector, who had on Christmas morning preached 
 a violent sermon against the missionaries. At a sub- 
 sequent meeting of the vestry the affair was again taken 
 up, and Mr. Bridges addressed to them a most pathetic 
 letter, dated 10th of January, in which he ^dndicated his 
 conduct, asserted his innocence, and cast himself upon 
 the justice of his parishioners. For the more effectual 
 clearing of himself, the sermon was published in the 
 Island newspapers, from which a few extracts shall be 
 afterwards transcribed. The vestry offered a reward of 
 £50, for the detection of the rioters, and passed certain 
 resolutions, in which, to say the least, they manifested 
 as much anxiety to exculpate their " worthy rector" as 
 to do justice to the missionary. Here the matter drop- 
 ped for the time, but as it was afterwards revived, the 
 final issue of the whole may as well be narrated at 
 once. 
 
 On the news of this outrage reaching Great Britain, 
 Dr. Lushington immediately brought the whole case 
 before the House of Commons, and made such severe 
 remarks as its disgraceful character deserved. On this 
 being known in Jamaica, the matter was again revived. 
 Alarm was instantly excited in the government-house, 
 and a despatch was forthwith sent home by the Duke of 
 Manchester addressed to the Colonial Secretary, of which 
 the following is a copy : — 
 
186 AN OFFICIAL DESPATCH. 
 
 " King's House, Jamaica, 
 
 Aprinoth, 1827. 
 
 "My Loud, 
 
 " Having observed in a late London paper, a mo- 
 tion made by Dr. Lushington, for an enquiry into an attack 
 which is stated to have been made, during the Christmas 
 holidays, on the residence of a Wesleyan missionary residing 
 in St. Ann's Bay, I think it proper to inform your Lordship, 
 without waiting for your Lordship's instructions to that effect, 
 that no report had been made to me of this unfortunate oc- 
 currence, and I have only heard of it casually. As far as I 
 can learn, it was a drunken frolic among some of the privates 
 on guard, intended to alarm the Wesleyan missionaries. I 
 have never heard, nor do I believe it was connected with, or 
 in consequence of a sermon preached by the rector of that 
 parish ; but was entirely unpremeditated, however much the 
 outrage there committed is to be reprobated or deplored. 
 
 " I have lately learned from the Attorney-General, that a 
 strict investigation, which lasted many days, took place on 
 the part of the magistrates, assisted by a barrister who was a 
 Wesleyan himself, and no evidence could be brought for- 
 ward to induce the grand jury to find a bill. Under those 
 circumstances, it was deemed prudent to offer a reward for the 
 conviction of the offenders, and it was hoped that by appear- 
 ing to let the matter drop, some of the parties concerned in 
 the riot might be induced to make some disclosures which 
 might lead to the conviction of the delinquents. 
 
 " Your Lordship is of course aware, that this event took 
 place after the conclusion of the Session. 
 
 " In regard to the sermon preached by the rector of St. 
 Ann's, and which is so strongly commented on by Dr. Lush- 
 ington, I understand that it had been repeatedly preached 
 
REMARKS. 187 
 
 before on this Island, and that it was not written by Mr. 
 Bridges, but by the archdeacon of Colchester. And as it has 
 been stated by Dr. Lushington, that Mr. Bridges receives the 
 yearly sum of £ 500 from the public of Jamaica, for a pam- 
 phlet which he published some years ago ; it is only proper 
 that such a statement should be corrected, as the only sum 
 that gentleman ever received from the Assembly was £500 
 sterling, to afford him the means of publishing his ' Annals of 
 Jamaica.' 
 
 " I shall take care to forward to your Lordship such de- 
 tailed information as I may be able to obtain respecting the 
 affair at St. Ann's Bay. I shall also transmit to your Lord- 
 ship a copy of Mr. Bridges' sermon. In the meantime I can 
 venture to assure your Lordship, with perfect confidence, that 
 there has been no participation of public feeling in the outrage 
 there committed ; that missionaries are treated with respect 
 and moderation, and any attempt to insult or oppress them 
 would meet with general reprobation. 
 
 (Signed) " MANCHESTER." 
 
 The reader will excuse a few observations on this sin- 
 gular document, especially as they will contain a further 
 developement of the ^^ affair of St. Ann's Bay," and lead 
 to an account of the termination of the whole business. 
 
 The writer remarks, that he " had only heard of it 
 casually y How far this was honourable to a colonial 
 governor to say, four months after the outrage occurred, 
 the public w^ill judge. They will also judge how much 
 the feelings of that man are to be envied, who can coolly 
 represent it as " a drunken frolic among some of the pri- 
 vates on guard at St. Ann's Bay." Those "privates" must 
 
188 EXTRACT FROM A SERMON 
 
 have been in a wonderful state of discipline indeed. But 
 the attention of the reader is chiefly requested to the fol- 
 lowing points : — 
 
 First, The writer is desirous to impress upon the Colo- 
 nial Secretary, that there was no connexion between the 
 sermon of Mr. Bridges, and the outrage ^y'hich. that night 
 was committed, and also that he understood that it was 
 not written by him, " but by the archdeacon of Col- 
 chester.^^* The reader will be good enough to attend to 
 the following extracts, fancying, of course, that he hears 
 the dignitary alluded to delivering them, in one of the 
 churches of his archdeaconry : — 
 
 " I need not, my brethren, dwell upon the multitude of 
 evils which division from the Established Church is the mat- 
 ter of, in a community constituted like this. What a stumbling 
 block to the unstable minds of the ignokant negkoes 
 AEOUND us ! What a snare to itching ears ! AYhat an op- 
 portunity to men of wanton or peevish fancies to sow the 
 tares of sedition among us, and thereby to bring ruin upon 
 us all. 
 
 ^ « ^- :^ * * 
 
 " Yet you m-ust know, if you look into your Bibles, that 
 there is very great harm in breaking the unity and fellowship 
 of worship which has been instituted by God himself; and 
 that to separate from the religion of your country, which has 
 stood the test of ages, to adopt the novel doctrines of those 
 who, I am sorry to say, have political rather than religious 
 reasons for their artful activity, is to destroy the very life and 
 
 * The text which was prefixed to this celebrated discom'se was 
 John xvi. 32. 
 
PREACHED BY THE HECTOR OF ST. ANN's. 189 
 
 spirit of all true devotion. I allow, however, that with judg- 
 ments refined and tenets fixed, there might be no harm in 
 listening to the instructions of the Wesleyan missionaries, had 
 you no other instructions offered to you; but here, when a 
 direct hostility is shown to the church, by opening a place of 
 worship adjoining the church,* at the same hours ; thus of- 
 fering (I will not say mocking) the same administration of our 
 holy ordinances, exacting your pecuniary oblations, and ob- 
 structing rather than dividing with us in our labours, what is 
 it but to make a false impression on the minds of the ignorant, 
 insulting to the church, injurious to yourselves, and artfully 
 subversive of the constitution of your coimtryf'j 
 
 Whether there was a designed connexion or not be- 
 tween such a harangue and the disgraceful proceedings 
 of that night, the writer will not pretend to say ; but the 
 reader will see, that amongst materials already prepared 
 for explosion, this discourse was very like setting a match 
 to the train ; and as to the tale of the archdeacon of Col- 
 chester it can only excite a smile of contempt. 
 
 * About half a mile distant. 
 
 t The sermon complains most grievously of separation from the 
 Established Church. But whether this charge against the Wesleyans 
 in England be true or not, the preacher could hardly help knowing, 
 that in Jamaica, it is absolutely false ; and that the clergy officially 
 declared, that the objects of the Wesleyan mission {i. e. the negroes) 
 formed no part of their charge. Besides this, one of the benches in 
 the Wesleyan chapel woidd have accommodated any average congre- 
 gation attending the parish church before they went there ; nor were 
 the congregations of Mr. Bridges so large, as that the missionaries 
 were under the smallest temptation to move even a finger to proselyte 
 the whole of them. But if there be anything in this separation, which 
 is so loudly exclaimed against, in Jamaica at least, the Wesleyans are 
 the orthodox, and the clergy the schismatics. But the wi'iter sincerely 
 prays, that by the blessing of God they may be made instrumental in 
 making many converts h'om sin to righteousness. 
 
190 DUKE OF MANCHESTER. 
 
 Secondly, The despatch says, " No evidence could be 
 brought forward to induce the grand jury to find a bill.'''' 
 Of course the reader cannot but suppose from this, that 
 the case had been brought before a grand jury. But 
 what will he think, when he is informed that no such 
 a thing\ had ever occurred ! It was indeed so presented 
 afterwards, but not until several weeks from the date 
 of this despatch. 
 
 Thirdly, It is asserted " That missionaries of all de- 
 scriptions are treated with respect and moderation, and 
 that any attempt to insult or oppress them would meet with 
 general rejirobation.^^ It is sincerely to be wished, that 
 the Duke of Manchester had never written this despatch ; 
 but it is difficult to repress a feeling of indignation on 
 reading the last quoted sentence. What, does not almost 
 the whole history of the Mission demonstrate the contrary? 
 "Was there not a law passed, not four months before, which 
 did the same thing? And did not the Duke of Man- 
 chester himself put his hand to that very law ? And, 
 lastly, was it not disallowed by his Majesty, for the very 
 express reason that it was both insulting and oppressive 
 to the missionaries ? Alas ! is this the production of 
 a man occupying the highest rank among the illustrious 
 orders of the British nobility ! 
 
 But further, to show the respect for the missionaries, 
 the reader will now attend to the "upshot" of the whole 
 matter. To pretend any longer that the rioters could 
 not be discovered was perfectly absurd, and it was now 
 obvious that something was needful to be done for the 
 credit of the Island. Several persons therefore gave 
 
DISTRICT MEETING OF 1827. 191 
 
 themselves up, under the assurance, no doubt, that they 
 were perfectly safe. The case was brought before the 
 grand jury of the Supreme Court in June. But lest the 
 wi'iter should be suspected of prejudice or resentment, 
 the account of what passed shall be principally extracted 
 from the Jamaica Courant of June the 6th, 1827. The 
 editor says : — 
 
 " Our readers will remark, that the young men who were 
 participators in the row at the Wesleyan chapel have sur- 
 rendered themselves. It is to be hoped that the jury will not 
 be led astray by the ex-parte eloquence of Dr. Lushington ; 
 and above all, that his Honour, the Chief Justice will not, in 
 passing sentence, remember the Commons of England. If the 
 young men have done wrong, let their evil deed be corrected 
 by the merciful hand of British law, and not by the tyrannous 
 arm of anti- colonial vengeance." 
 
 The young men were indeed safe enough. The grand 
 jury ignored the bill ; and though the missionaries long 
 expected that the Attorney-General would prosecute ex 
 officio, yet he never did ; and thus this disgraceful busi- 
 ness was brought to as disgraceful a termination. 
 
 The District-meeting of January, 1827, sat in Spanish 
 Town, at which there was nothing very remarkable. The 
 increase of members throughout the preceding year was 
 753, at the announcement of which the brethren felt 
 happy and thankful. A few weeks afterwards three ad- 
 ditional missionaries arrived, namely, Messrs. Crookes, 
 Langslow, and Harrison. The first of these was stationed 
 at Manchioneal, and the second at Morant Bay. Mr. 
 
192 MAROONS OF ACCOMPONG. 
 
 Harrison went to Falmouth, and took tlie place of Mr. 
 Orton, who went to the Montego Bay circuit. 
 
 For some time the Committee had been desirous of 
 paying attention to the Maroons, a people who were still 
 living in a state of entire ignorance and barbarism. The 
 Maroons, are not the descendants of the aboriginal inha- 
 bitants of the Island, as has been sometimes erroneously 
 supposed, but of African negroes who belonged to the 
 Spaniards, who, when the English took possession of the 
 Colony, fled to the woods and fastnesses of the interior, 
 and have maintained their liberty ever since. At several 
 periods they have caused much trouble, and in particular 
 those at Accompong, in 1795. They are located on four 
 different stations, all in the interior, situated many miles 
 distant from each other ; but the population all put toge- 
 ther is only about 1200. They hold a certain portion of 
 land from the Colony belonging to the respective stations, 
 besides other allowances granted by the Legislature. A 
 white superintendent, appointed by the governor, resides 
 on each station, whose office it is to preserve order and 
 see that justice is properly administered ; and none of the 
 inhabitants were allowed to go beyond a certain distance 
 without a passport signed by him. The males are all 
 trained to the use of arms at the expense of the Colony, 
 and at a sort of rifle exercise, or rather bush fighting, 
 they are said to be very expert. A colonel and other 
 officers among themselves hold regular commissions from 
 the governor, and none in the British service maintain 
 their authority with more pomp, or exercise their 
 powers with greater rigour. They generally wear such 
 
VISITED BY MISSIONARIES. 193 
 
 coats and hats as they may receive as presents, either 
 from naval or military officers^ for if they have only epau- 
 lettes and other trappings, the colour, whether blue or 
 red, is no object, and stockings and shoes are generally 
 dispensed with altogether. 
 
 The Maroons of Accompong were those on whom the 
 Committee fixed their attention, and about the middle 
 of February, Messrs. Ratcliffe and Murray visited that 
 settlement. They were kindly received by Captain 
 Hylton, the superintendent, who manifested great in- 
 terest in the object of their visit. On Sunday, the 18th, 
 they went to the house of Major Roch, a Maroon officer^ 
 where they preached and expounded to a very consider- 
 able number. They again preached and catechized the 
 children the following day, and explained to them more 
 at large their intentions in visiting them. They evinced 
 great interest, and expressed a strong desire for a teacher 
 to reside among them. After this Mr. Orton visited 
 them from Montego Bay, but as the distance was nearly 
 forty miles, by roads almost impassable, this was neces- 
 sarily suspended ; and indeed Accompong was so situated, 
 as that it could not possibly be attended to from any 
 missionary station then on the Island. 
 
 On the Spanish Town circuit there had been a gradual 
 improvement and extension of the work of God. A 
 small but promising Society was formed at Old Harbour, 
 the principal place in the parish of St. Dorothy, and the 
 missionary also preached regularly on Halse Hall estate, 
 in Clarendon, situated about twenty-four miles from his 
 residence. In the town, although there was not any 
 
 
 
194 REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN FALMOUTH 
 
 very extensive movement among the negroes, yet the 
 Society and congregation continued to increase, until 
 the house, being too small as well as much decayed, be- 
 came quite insufficient for their accommodation. The 
 people had been for some time preparing for a new 
 chapel, and to their great joy the first stone of it was 
 Jaid shortly after the middle of this year. 
 
 Under the ministry of Mr. Harrison in Falmouth, the 
 long cherished expectations of the missionaries began at 
 last to be realised. By that time, however, most of the 
 whites who had attended the preaching, grew weary of 
 that way and forsook it; but the negro population 
 seemed to receive a sudden impulse, which shook them 
 them out of that dangerous lethargy in which they had 
 been hitherto slumbering. Many, both from the town 
 and the surrounding estates, came to the missionary to 
 be taught the way of salvation. By the end of the year 
 the number of members increased from 119 to 191, but 
 there was a much greater number of serious enquirers, 
 many of whom joined the Society in course of the year 
 following. 
 
 It has been remarked, that in the parish of St. Ann 
 the negroes, in general, manifested the same indiiference 
 to religion as characterised those of Falmouth and its 
 vicinity. But from the beginning of this year we are to 
 date the commencement of an astonishing change ; and 
 the outrage at the Bay, instead of answering its intended 
 purpose, was only the announcement of a far more 
 glorious and successful work than had been hitherto 
 known in that parish. After the District, Mr. Ratcliife 
 
AND ST. Ann's. 195 
 
 removed to the new station of Port Antonio, having 
 spent nearly three years of hard toil in St. Ann's, though 
 he saw but comparatively little fruit. But his efforts 
 were not in vain ; by his zeal and perseverance he pre- 
 pared the field for Mr. Grimsdall, by whom he was suc- 
 ceeded, and under his ministry there was reaped an 
 abundant harvest. 
 
 Mr. Grimsdall entered upon his work under very dis- 
 couraging circumstances. There was only himself to 
 supply both Bellemont and the Bay, besides Ocho Rios, 
 where there had been preaching on the week nights. 
 Mr. Drew, the faithful friend and counsellor of the mis- 
 sionaries, was dead, and there was then no local preacher 
 to render any assistance, and if there had been, he would 
 not have been allowed to oiRciate. But God again 
 taught his servants the lesson, that the work of religion 
 is his own, and that its success does not primarily 
 depend upon human agency. Hitherto the chapel at 
 Bellemont, even on the Lord's day, presented but a 
 cheerless aspect. There was only a small part nearest 
 the pulpit occupied with benches, which was space 
 enough for the usual congregations. But the firing at 
 St. Ann's Bay told the negroes that it was on their 
 account the missionaries were enduring hardship, and 
 were exposed to danger; and Mr. Grimsdall scarcely 
 began his labours, when they crowded to the chapel from 
 all parts. More and more benches were procured, but 
 in a few months the walls were too strait for the congre- 
 gation, and several had to • stand without. There was 
 also a similar movement in other parts of the parish, 
 
 o2 
 
196 A MALIGNANT PERSECUTOR. 
 
 and from that time everything connected with the work 
 hegan to wear a different aspect. 
 
 But Mr. Grimsdall did not labour long, before a spirit 
 of the most diabolical malice began to be manifested, 
 both against him and his work. The writer is sorry that 
 he must here pollute his page with a name which can- 
 not be consigned to oblivion. The person alluded to is 
 the late Samuel Drake, who held the situations of 
 head constable, supervisor of the workhouse, and cap- 
 tain of militia. This infamous individual, the malig- 
 nant tool of others as wicked and malicious as himself, 
 was one of the most active instruments in the persecutions 
 which disgraced St. Ann's. He at first went to Mr. 
 Grimsdall and informed him that he must give up preach- 
 ing, as he had not been licensed in the parish. On this 
 intimation Mr. Grimsdall applied at the court of Quarter 
 Sessions, and after some altercation, he was, through the 
 influence of the Hon. Henry Cox, the Gustos, allowed to 
 qualify. After this Drake watched him with untiring 
 vigilance, and also threatened the negroes at the Bay, as 
 they went to the chapel, to have them put into the work- 
 house for so attending. But all this proving ineffectual 
 he went to still greater lengths ; and taking his stand 
 outside, he struck and otherwise abused several of the 
 slaves, as they went in to worship God. He also him- 
 self sometimes went in amongst the congregation, and 
 took down such names as he knew, and giving informa- 
 tion to their overseers many of them were severely 
 punished. 
 
 But as all tbis did not hinder the work of God, some- 
 
MR. GRIMSDALL APPREHENDED. 197 
 
 thing more effectual was resolved upon ; and after preach 
 ing on the morning of Sunday, June the 3rd, Mr. 
 Grimsdall received from a constable the following sum- 
 mons : — 
 
 " You are hereby requested personally to be, and appear at 
 the court-house in the parish of St. Ann, in the county of 
 Middlesex, between the hours of ten and twelve of the clock 
 in the forenoon of Thursday, the seventh day of June instant, 
 then and there to answer to the justices then present, touch- 
 ing and concerning certain misdemeanours in the said parish 
 committed." 
 
 In obedience to this order Mr. Grimsdall attended 
 accordingly, and two charges were preferred against him. 
 The first was for preaching in an unlicensed house at 
 Ocho E-ios, and the second, for preaching to slaves in the 
 chapel in St. Ann's Bay at unlawful hours. To the for- 
 mer charge he replied, that (though there was no law 
 which required it) the house had been duly certified to 
 the clerk of the peace, whose duty it was to present it to 
 the Sessions, and that in preaching there he had done 
 no more than his predecessors, who had not been dis- 
 turbed on that account. As the charge could not be 
 sustained it was abandoned, after he had promised to 
 desist from preaching there until the Quarter Sessions. 
 He was then called to answer to the second charge, 
 which was brought against him by Drake, when the 
 following proceedings took place, a copy of which was 
 transcribed from the records of the Court. 
 
 Samuel Drake was first called, and being sworn he 
 deposed as follows : — 
 
198 A SUMMARY TRIAL. 
 
 " On Thursday, the 31st of May, between the hours of 
 seven and eight o'clock P.M., stopped opposite the Methodist 
 chapel in my round, accompanied by Mr. Hodges ; when on 
 looking, recognized several negroes whom I knew to be slaves, 
 on benches in the Wesleyan Methodist chapel at St. Ann's 
 Bay ; waited near there for Mr, Grimsdall until he had 
 finished ; and as the negroes were coming out took hold of 
 some whom he knew. 
 
 " Ques. Were you called upon by any one to act as a con- 
 stable on that occasion ? 
 
 " Ans, By Mr. Henry Israel,^ one of whose slaves was in 
 the chapel. When opposite the chapel a considerable noise 
 occurred about his interfering. Mr. Grimsdall came out and 
 said, ' he thought I was interfering and taking too much upon 
 myself.' I replied, ' No, I was only acting according to law, 
 and by the direction of the magistrates ; and that he had no 
 right to preach and teach the slaves, excepting between sun- 
 rise and sunset.' The people continued in the street for some 
 time." 
 
 " George Saunders sworn : was passing the chapel on the 
 night of the 31st of May, when he saw two gentlemen, whom 
 he recognised as Mr. Hodges and Mr. Drake : was warned 
 by Mr. Drake in the King's name to notice what slaves were 
 in the chapel : recognised several, — Tom, belonging to Mrs. 
 Clarke, one belonging to Mrs. Sievewright, and several others 
 with whose names witness is not acquainted. 
 
 " Qiies. Did not Mr. Drake conduct himself in a very 
 peaceable manner ? 
 
 * Though some of the Jews in Jamaica manifested the same virulence 
 against Christianity, as has brought eveiiastLng infamy upon the cha- 
 racter of their infatuated and guilty forefathers, yet it is but justice to 
 say, that not a few of them, especially in Kingston and Montego Bay, 
 treated the missionaries with great respect. 
 
IMPRISONMENT OF MR. GRIMSDALL. 199 
 
 *' Ans. Yes ; Mr. Grimsdall came out and said he was in- 
 terrupting his congregation." 
 
 Mr. Grimsdall was then called upon for his defence, 
 on which he very properly referred to the 84th clause in 
 the late Slave-law, then in force, which expressly sanc- 
 tioned his preaching until eight o'clock. But though no 
 one ever pretended to charge him with keeping open the 
 chapel until that hour, he was nevertheless sentenced to 
 " be and stand committed to the common gaol for ten 
 days," The names of the magistrates who passed this 
 sentence, and signed the copy of his commitment, were 
 Sam. W. Rose, B. W. Smith, and David Brydon. 
 
 The place of his confinement was one of the most 
 loathsome that can be conceived. His apartment was 
 only separated from a hospital, or rather lazzaretto, by a 
 wooden partition which did not reach half way to the 
 roof, and there was no ceiling. As a number of diseased 
 negroes and others were there at the time, and as it was 
 also connected with the workhouse, the stench was al- 
 most insupportable ; yet in this place the servant of God 
 was confined, without being allowed so much as a pallet 
 of straw to lie upon, and for no oifence, neither real nor 
 pretended, but that of preaching the gospel, and at such 
 hours as the Slave-law, intolerant as it was, expressly 
 allowed. 
 
 After the last District-meeting, as has been already 
 stated, Mr. Ratcliffe went to the new station of Port 
 Antonio ; and during the time he laboured there, the 
 Lord made him extensively useful. Besides adding 
 many members at the place of his residence, he was 
 
SOO DEATH OF MR. RATCLIFFE. 
 
 instrumental in forming a small Society at Hope Bay, 
 where he saw the cheering prospects of abundant success. 
 But God in his wise providence was pleased to release 
 his servant from his toil and labour, and in the midst of 
 his usefuhiess to call him to his everlasting reward. On 
 hearing of his illness, Mr. Parkin hastened from Morant 
 Bay to the assistance of his old and valued friend, but 
 before he could reach the place the last conflict was over. 
 He was, however, affectionately attended by the Rev. Mr. 
 Griffith, then the curate of the parish, who kindly fur- 
 nished the following account of his triumphant end. 
 He says, — 
 
 " After I arrived at his house he called Mrs. Ratcliffe into 
 the room, and requested me to engage in prayer without delay, 
 which being comphed with he appeared to be more composed 
 and easy. I remained in his room a considerable time alone, 
 with the exception of a female servant. About half-past 
 seven, a number of persons coming in, we retired into the 
 hall, to lay his case before the Physician of Gilead, I believe 
 our petition to the throne of grace was signed with the hearty 
 amen of every person present. His memory and sight now 
 began to fail him together ; yet the Lord was evidently con- 
 soling and supporting his servant with the vouchsafements of 
 divine grace. Never before did I witness such composure 
 resignation, and heavenly-mindedness, as were manifested by 
 this man of God, during the burning rage of the fever which 
 terminated in his death. He declared that the light affliction 
 he was then enduring, was working out for him a far more 
 exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and that death had 
 lost its sting. He exhorted all the bystanders to be also 
 
DEATH OF MR. PARKIN. 201 
 
 ready ; and maintained in the agonies of death, the truth of 
 that gospel which he had faithfully propagated in his life. 
 
 " When he felt the king of terrors rapidly undermining this 
 tenement of clay, he exclaimed with uncommon energy, that 
 death had laid hold on his vitals, life was drawing to a close, 
 and eternity bursting on his view ; but, continued he, ' I feel 
 under me a glorious foundation ; not anything which I have 
 done, all boasting for my part is for ever excluded in shame. 
 Oh the blood, the blood of Christ cleanseth from all iniquity !' 
 He was now sinking fast, but recovering a little he broke out 
 once more, as in a foretaste of the world to come, and ex- 
 claimed with growing confidence of soul, ' I know that my 
 Redeemer liveth.' 
 
 " It was now twelve o'clock, and he spoke no more, but 
 making signs for me to come near, he laid hold of my hand 
 and pressed it very cordially, which he never loosened but 
 with life itself; and at two o'clock A.M., August 16th, 1827, 
 he fell asleep in Jesus, in full possession of the peace of God 
 which passeth all understanding. 
 
 Mr. RatclifFe was a man of most amiable and con- 
 ciliating manners, and as a preacher his talents were of 
 a highly popular and useful order. He laboured in the 
 Island between ten and eleven years with great accept- 
 ance and success, and died in the thirty -ninth year of his 
 age, leaving a widow and three children to lament their 
 irreparable loss. 
 
 Mr. Parkin had scarcely returned from the house of 
 mourning to Morant Bay before he was seized with a 
 mortal illness himself. He had laboured for a few years 
 in the Windward Islands, and after having endured great 
 bodily affliction he returned to England for the benefit 
 
202 MR. GRIMSDALL AND OTHERS 
 
 of his health. He arrived in Jamaica towards the close 
 of 1826, and was appointed to the Morant Bay circuit, 
 on which he continued until his death. His last public 
 service wa« to preach a funeral sermon for Mr. Ratcliffe, 
 whose last words he selected for the occasion, and died 
 in peace on the ITth of September, in the fortieth year 
 of his age, only a month after the death of his much- 
 esteemed and highly-valued friend. 
 
 The imprisonment of Mr. Grimsdall in the filthy gaol 
 of St. Ann's Bay had not yet satisfied the persecuting 
 rage of his most inveterate enemies. In about three 
 months after his release he was again apprehended, and 
 charged with having married a couple of slaves without 
 having the consent of their owner; although Earl 
 Bathurst, in an official despatch to the Colonies, had 
 stated that no such consent was required. Mr. Robert 
 Watkis, a gentleman of colour, and Miss Catherine 
 Jarvis, of Ocho E-ios, were also apprehended about the 
 same time ; the former for having sung and prayed in 
 daylight in the chapel in St. Ann's, during the time Mr. 
 Grimsdall was in custody ; and the latter, for praying 
 in her own house. They were all bound over to appear 
 in October, and answer to their respective charges at the 
 Court of Quarter Sessions. 
 
 At the time of the Quarter Sessions Messrs. Barry and 
 Murray went over to St. Ann's Bay, to witness the ex- 
 traordinary proceedings, who were extremely happy 
 when they saw the Custos take his seat on the Bench. 
 On Mr. Watkis being called, Mr. Barry begged the 
 favour of his honour to allow him to propose a question 
 
TRIED AT THE QUARTER SESSIONS. 203 
 
 to the clerk of the peace. This being promptly granted, 
 he desired merely to know on what statute he grounded 
 his charge against Mr. Watkis ; but it seemed that 
 this had never even been thought of, and he was unable 
 to return an answer. The Gustos (who was no persecu- 
 tor) then charged the jury, that as the clerk of the 
 peace could not sustain the indictment, they must return 
 a verdict of acquittal, and on this being done Mr. Watkis 
 was released. 
 
 Miss Jarvis was next placed at the Bar, but the clerk 
 of the peace proposed to traverse this case until the en- 
 suing Court. On the Gustos demanding his reason, he 
 replied, that he was not then furnished with sufficient 
 evidence. " Have you," said he, " the evidence on 
 which the grand jury found a true bill ?" On answer- 
 ing in the affirmative, the Gustos decided that the trial 
 must proceed. A white planter was then called, and on 
 being sworn he deposed that he had seen Miss Jarvis 
 engaged in religious exercises in her house one evening 
 after dark; on which the following examination took 
 place : — 
 
 " Ques. What was she doing ? 
 
 " Ans. She was praying. 
 
 " Ques. What did you hear her say ? 
 
 " Ans. All I heard her say was ' Lord God.' 
 
 " Ques. How many persons were present ? 
 
 " Ans. I saw only herself and her mother." 
 
 His honour was then extremely indignant, and charged 
 the jury, that as Miss Jarvis was guilty of no offence 
 
S04 DONATION OF A JEWISH GENTLEMAN. 
 
 whatsoever, they must return the same verdict as before ; 
 which was done accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Grimsdall was next put to the Bar, when Mr. 
 Barry again desired to know on what law the indictment 
 was grounded. The clerk of the peace instantly replied, 
 " The Slave Law." Mr. Barry then submitted to the 
 Court, that there was not a single sentence in it which 
 had any reference to the case in question. The clerk of 
 the peace then hastily exclaimed, " No, it is the Eccle- 
 siastical Law." Mr. Barry again submitted that neither 
 had that law anything to do with it, having been enacted 
 after the arrival of the bishop for clergymen of the Es- 
 tablished Church, and them only. Here, however, the 
 justices lost all patience, and cried out that they would 
 not thus sit on the Bench to be interrupted by " sec- 
 tarians." But the Custos complimented Mr. Barry, and 
 wished their clerk of the peace had only some of his 
 knowledge of the laws of his country. The case of Mr. 
 Grimsdall being however judged to be of an important 
 nature, he was bound over to appear and answer at the 
 next sitting of the Supreme Court. 
 
 On the 21st of the same month (October) the founda- 
 tion of a third chapel was laid in the city of Kingston. 
 For this purpose a grant of land had been made about 
 two years before, by Abraham Rietti Esq., a Hebrew 
 gentleman, upon the condition that the building should 
 be finished within four years from the date of the con- 
 veyance. The situation was the most eligible which 
 could be desired, being in the outskirts of the city, at a 
 considerable distance from the Parade, but in a direction 
 
COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW CHAPEL. 205 
 
 opposite from that of Wesley chapel. Though the old 
 chapel was indeed as full as it could contain, yet this 
 third edifice was rather premature, and caused pe- 
 cuniary embarrassment, which was felt for some time ; 
 but as it was a growing neighbourhood, in which 
 there was no place of worship of any sort whatsoever, it 
 was an enterprise of real charity. Besides Messrs. Barry 
 and Kerr, who were then stationed on the circuit, the 
 preachers who assisted on the occasion were Messrs. 
 Murray, Morgan, and Duncan. A sermon was preached 
 from the well-known words, "What hath God wrought !" 
 and though it was computed that not fewer than eight 
 thousand persons were present, yet as the speakers stood 
 on an elevated platform all were able to hear. Few 
 more imposing spectacles than this had ever been wit- 
 nessed on the Island. The services commenced about 
 five o'clock, and immediately afterwards the sun became 
 hidden in a cloudy tabernacle, which screened the im- 
 mense multitude from the fierceness of his rays. The 
 sight was truly solemn, and the vast assembly, either 
 listening with the stillness of death, or hfting up their 
 voices in praise as the noise of many waters, seemed to 
 anticipate that day when the whole church of God shall 
 join in the new song in our Father's kingdom. 
 
 It has just been intimated that Mr. Grimsdall was 
 bound over to appear at the Grand Court, which sat in 
 the ensuing February. But the malice of his enemies 
 was disappointed, for before that time God took his per- 
 secuted servant home to himself. About the end of 
 November he was seized with severe fever, and when it 
 
206 DEATH OF MR. GRIMSDALL. 
 
 became evident that there was no hope of his recovery, 
 he beheld the approach of the last enemy Ti^ith a courage 
 every way worthy of the high rank of a Christian con- 
 fessor. He died at Bellemont, full of holy triumph, on 
 the 15th December, 1827, in the thirty-second year of 
 his age. 
 
 Mr. Grimsdall was in every sense a most exemplary 
 and consistent Christian. He was a man of plain, but 
 most inoffensive and engaging manners ; and that heart 
 must have been hard indeed which could do him even the 
 slightest injury. In early life his education had been 
 neglected, but through the kind assistance of a friend 
 in Hull (from which place he was sent out), he was 
 enabled to lay a foundation on which he afterwards built 
 with great success. From the time of his arrival in 
 Jamaica he attended to his studies with more than 
 ordinary diligence, and his profiting appeared to all, 
 while his public labours were so uncommon, that his 
 brethren remarked that during his short residence on 
 the Island, he had done the work of years. His 
 bodily constitution was strong and vigorous, and there 
 can be little doubt but that his death was hastened by 
 the cruel and relentless persecution which he suffered. 
 In the parish of St. Ann his labours were eminently suc- 
 cessful. When he went thither in February, he found 
 the number of members to be 301, but at his death they 
 amounted to no fewer than six hundred and forty-six ; 
 and a more genuine work of God the Island had never 
 witnessed. But it appeared that the malice of his ene- 
 mies did not subside even after his death, and several 
 
A YEAR OF MORTALITY. 207 
 
 months from that time one of the magistrates who con- 
 demned him to imprisonment, pointed to his tomb, and 
 with scornful and malignant excitement remarked to his 
 companion, that " there lay the first of those fellows" 
 with whom he contended. But Mr. Grimsdall and his 
 persecutors will have to stand at the judgment-seat of 
 Christ. May God grant that they may find mercy in 
 that day. 
 
 The year 18^7 was more than usually afflictive to the 
 Wesleyan mission family. "Within a few months no 
 fewer than tliree of the missionaries had been removed 
 by death, exclusive of the excellent wife of Mr. Crookes, 
 who died at Manchioneal Bay. But though their bodies 
 sleep in dust, yet having all died in the faith, their 
 spirits are for ever happy in the presence of the Lord. 
 
208 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Slave-law of 1826 is disallowed — ^The " Sectarian Committee" ap- 
 pointed by the House of Assembly — District of 1828 — Opposition in 
 St. Ami — A bill of Indictment fovmd against Mr. Whitehouse at 
 the Quarter-sessions of that parish — Missionary Meeting in King- 
 ston — Imprisonment of Rev. Messrs. AVhitehouse and Orton — They 
 are released by order of the Chief Justice — Magistrates deprived of 
 their Commission by Sir. John Keane — Affidavits filed in the Crown 
 Office, against the Rev. Messrs. Barry, Dmican and Orton, charging 
 them with *' Wilful and corrupt Perjury" — Trial of Mr. Orton — 
 Indictment against Mr. Whitehouse, removed to the Supreme Court 
 and quashed — Death of the Rev. Messrs. Morgan and Harrison — 
 New Chapels opened in Spanish Town and Kingston. 
 
 Towards the end of the year 1827 the Colonial legis- 
 lature was called to meet by the lieutenant-governor. 
 Major General Sir John Keane. At an early period the 
 fate of the late slave-law was announced, which was. 
 That his Majesty had been graciously pleased to disalloxo 
 it. This was an act most honourable both to the 
 Sovereign and his ministers, for though the law un- 
 doubtedly contained many improvements, yet it showed 
 that in their estimation no advantages whatsoever can be 
 a compensation for the loss of religious liberty, and an 
 infringement on the rights of conscience. A long des- 
 patch, assigning his Majesty's reasons for the step which 
 had been taken, was sent out by the Right Hon. "W. 
 Huskisson, the Colonial Secretary, from which we trans- 
 cribe a few extracts, which can hardly fail to be interest- 
 ing to the reader. 
 
209 
 
 " Among the various subjects," says the despatch, " which 
 this act presents for consideration, none is more important in 
 itself, nor more interesting to every class of society in this 
 kingdom, than the regulations on the subject of religious 
 instruction. The eighty-third, and the two following clauses, 
 must be considered as an evasion of that toleration, to which 
 all his Majesty's subjects, whatever may be their civil condi- 
 tion, are alike entitled. The prohibition of persons in a state 
 of slavery assuming the office of religious teachers, might seem 
 a very mild restraint, or rather a fit precaution against inde- 
 corous proceedings ; but amongst some of the religious bodies 
 who employ missionaries in Jamaica, the practice of mutual 
 instruction is stated to be an essential part of their discipline. 
 So long as this practice is carried on in an inoffensive and 
 peaceable manner, the distress produced by the prevention of 
 it will be compensated by no public advantage. 
 
 " It is impossible to pass over without remark, the invidious 
 distinction which is made, not only between Protestant Dis- 
 senters and Roman Catholics, but even between Protestant 
 Dissenters and Jews. I have indeed no reasons for sup- 
 posing that the Jewish teachers have made many converts to 
 their religion among the slaves, and probably the distinction 
 in their favour is merely nominal ; still it is a preference 
 which, in principle, ought not to be given by the Legislature 
 of a Christian country. 
 
 " The penalties denounced upon persons collecting contri- 
 butions from slaves, for the purpose either of charity or reli- 
 gion, cannot but be felt both by their teachers and followers, 
 as humiliating and unjust. Such a law would fix an unmerited 
 stigma on the religious instructor ; and it prevents the slave 
 from obeying a positive prec^ept of the Christian religion, 
 which he believes to be obligatory on him, and which is not 
 
 P 
 
210 DEBATES IN THE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 inconsistent with the duties he owes to his master. The 
 prohibition is therefore a gratuitous aggravation of the evils 
 of his condition. 
 
 " I cannot too distinctly impress upon you, that it is the 
 settled purpose of his Majesty's government, to sanction no 
 Colonial law which needlessly infringes on the religious 
 liberty of any class of his Majesty's subjects ; and you are to 
 understand, that you are not to assent to any bill imposing 
 any restraint of that nature unless a clause be inserted sus- 
 pending its operation until his Majesty's pleasure shall be 
 known." 
 
 It is scarcely possible to conceive of the disappointment 
 and chagrin occasioned by this despatch. The Assembly 
 felt the last paragraph especially to be most mortifying, 
 and resolved to legislate no more for the slaves, while the 
 governor was placed under such a restriction. The debates 
 were excessively intemperate, and as they vrere certainly 
 far from being entirely unconnected with the subject of 
 our narrative, the two following specimens are selected 
 for the perusal of the reader : — 
 
 " Mr. Barrett said, to pass another slave law would be an 
 absurdity. His Majesty's ministers are the tool of a faction, 
 whose object was the destruction of the West India Colonies. 
 It behoved the House then to consider what they did. He 
 had most carefully examined the document sent out by Mr. 
 Huskisson to Sir J. Keane, and he had no hesitation in saying, 
 that it was not the work of a statesman, nor of an honest man, 
 but that of an enemy to his country. The British govern- 
 ment knew well, that if they lost these Colonies they had no 
 way to supply the revenue. Sorry was he to find that the 
 British ministers loved their places more than their country, 
 
SECTARIAN COMMITTEE. 211 
 
 and that they would, for a few votes in Parliament, send this 
 unfortunate Colony to perdition." 
 
 " Mr. StamjD felt great pleasure in hearing the candid, 
 manly, and eloquent address of the honourable member for 
 St. James's. That gentleman, in his speech, had fully laid 
 open the fraud and villainy which had been so long practised 
 upon this House by British ministers. One thing he would 
 beg to impress upon this House, and that was, that this House 
 would proceed to impeach any minister who would attempt to 
 violate the constitution of this country."" 
 
 The reader will probably find it diificult to preserve 
 his gravity^ while attending to such ribaldry and non- 
 sense. But there was a sense in which it was serious 
 language. It was such vituperative slang as this, which 
 caused that scene of desolation, which the Island wit- 
 nessed about four years afterwards ; and the criminality 
 of which was in vain attempted to be charged upon the 
 missionaries. 
 
 As all attempts on the part of the Legislature to ob- 
 struct the progress and work of the missionaries, had 
 been hitherto attended with entire failure, another scheme 
 was devised at this session, with the view of accompHshing 
 that object, which its issue demonstrated to be more 
 unprincipled than any which preceded it. It was then 
 that the celebrated committee, commonly known by 
 the name of the " Sectarian Committee," was appointed 
 by the house of Assembly ; the avowed object of which 
 the reader will learn from the following resolution on 
 which it was formed : — 
 
 " That a Committee be appointed to inquire and report the 
 
 P 2 
 
212 EXAMINATION OF MISSIONARIES AND OTHERS. 
 
 names of all sectarians or dissenters, licensed to preach and 
 teach, and resident within this Island ; and also to ascertain 
 and report, what offerings or monies are or have been received 
 or taken by such sectarians or dissenters, from all slaves or 
 other persons attending the places of worship, in which such 
 sectarians or dissenters preach or teach ; and what offerings 
 or monies are or have been received or taken by unlicensed 
 persons, acting under their instructions, as class-leaders or 
 otherwise, from any slave or other persons attending their 
 meetings or societies ; in what manner such offerings are re- 
 ceived and applied or disposed of ; and also to ascertain and 
 report, whether any, and what regulations are necessary, to 
 the receiving of such offerings or monies at such places." 
 
 Tills motion was proposed by Mr. Marshall, one of 
 the members for St. John's, and a committee was ap- 
 pointed with full powers to carry it into effect. Besides 
 Mr. Marshall, the chairman, the other members were 
 Messrs. Batty, Grignon, Quarrell, and Capon. 
 
 The Wesleyan missionaries examined before the com- 
 mittee, were Messrs. Barry, Duncan, Morgan and Orton ; 
 and it is but just to say, that during the course of 
 their examinations they were treated with great ap- 
 parent kindness and respect. Besides the missionaries, 
 two leaders of female classes were also summoned from 
 Kingston to give evidence. Those were Mrs. Sutliffe 
 and Miss Dessosser, but the former only was examined ; 
 and the author is sorry to say, that he has learned that 
 she was not treated with that respect which a person 
 of her station, modesty, and intelligence undoubtedly 
 merited. As the committee did not finish their exami- 
 
DISTRICT MEETING OF 1828. 213 
 
 nations at this session, the result of the whole will be 
 given in its proper place. 
 
 At the District of 1828, which sat in Kingston, ten 
 missionaries were present, being the greatest number 
 who had ever assembled on any similar occasion. The 
 following is the list of circuits, together with the number 
 of members belonging to each : — 
 
 Kingston 4235 
 
 Port Royal 147 
 
 Spanish Town 505 
 
 Morant Bay 1705 
 
 Bath, &c 1958 
 
 Grateful Hill , 678 
 
 StoneyHiU 726 
 
 Montego Bay 748 
 
 Falmouth 191 
 
 St. Ann's 646 
 
 Port Antonio 143 
 
 Total 11,682 
 
 Last year .... 10,974 
 
 Increase in 1827 . . 708 
 
 After the District of 1828, Mr. Whitehouse went to 
 St. Ann's, as the successor of the late Mr. Grimsdall. 
 He found that his statements relative to the extraordinary 
 prosperity of the work of God had not been in the least 
 exaggerated, and many were still inquiring " what they 
 must do to be saved." But he had only been about a 
 month on his station, when he received a summons to 
 
214 PROCEEDINGS IN ST. ANN's. 
 
 attend the court, and answer for having preached without 
 a license. As the magistrates professed all the while 
 to be governed by the old toleration law, he very pro- 
 perly replied that he did not consider it to be necessary 
 having already qualified in another parish. But on the 
 Gustos inquiring whether he was again willing to take 
 the usual oaths, he replied in the affirmative ; which 
 having been administered, he was licensed accordingly. 
 
 Nothing very material occurred until the month of 
 July, at which time he learned with surprise, that an 
 indictment had been found against him at the Quarter 
 Sessions, charging him with preaching without a license, 
 and a bench warrant was immediately issued for his ap- 
 prehension.* He was then taken into custody, and 
 brought before three magistrates, by whom he was bound 
 over to appear at the ensuing court to answer to the 
 charge. On his inquiring whether it was intended to 
 prohibit his preaching in the meanwhile, he was told by 
 the clerk of the peace that the court had given orders 
 
 * This requires some explanation. In certain parishes the mission- 
 aries were not only required to take the usual oaths, but to receive a 
 certificate from the clerk of the peace. The fee charged for such cer- 
 tificates varied from four to sixteen dollars ; but it is to be observed, 
 the practice of applying for such documents never was so general as 
 that of attending the courts to take the oaths. The writer spent be- 
 tween eleven and twelve years in Jamaica, but never had any certifi- 
 cate but one, which he obtained on his arrival. The fee demanded in 
 St. Ann's was about £1 12s. sterling, and as in the certificate it was 
 declared tliat the labour of Mr. Witehouse should be confined to cer- 
 tain places, he properly refused either to submit to the restriction or 
 the pecmiiary imposition. It was on this ground the magistrates 
 pretended he was unlicensed, and found the indictment referred to 
 above. Even on their own principles their proceeding was absurd. 
 They had authorised him to preach, and tlie records of their own 
 couit attested it, and as to certificates Mr. AVhitehouse possessed 
 abundance to show that he had qualified, both under the old tolera- 
 tion act and the new. 
 
MR. A. H. BEAUMONT. 215 
 
 that he should not pretach for the space of three months. 
 To this he rephed^ that to such an order he could not 
 conscientiously submit. By preaching he violated no 
 law, and to forbid him was to infringe upon his rights, 
 both as a minister and a British subject. To this the 
 magistrates only answered, " The decision of the Bench 
 is the latv ;^^ and that if he refused to obey their orders he 
 must abide by the consequence. After this he only 
 preached once or twice, when he was informed that 
 Drake had obtained a warrant to apprehend him, but 
 having gone to Kingston to a meeting of the branch 
 Missionary Society, the warrant was not executed until 
 after his return. 
 
 The above-mentioned meeting was held on the 1st of 
 August. It was as usual largely attended, but an inci- 
 dent occurred which renders it necessary to suspend the 
 account of affairs in St. Ann's for a few moments. In 
 connexion with the meeting, the reader's attention is 
 called to a name which will frequently be found in the 
 following pages, we allude to Mr. Augustus Hardin 
 Beaumont, the proprietor and editor of the Jamaica 
 Courant. This person, who afterwards exercised so 
 much influence in the Island, was little more than thirty 
 years of age, of rather a mean appearance, and effeminate 
 expression of voice, but remarkable for great mental 
 energy and indefatigable perseverance. About the year 
 1822, he commenced a scurrilous publication called the 
 " Trifler." It was issued in numbers, and was remark- 
 able for its abuse of the missionaries, for its obscenity, 
 and for traducing such of the authorities as were imme- 
 
S16 A MISSIONARY MEETING. 
 
 diately appointed by the parent government ; and all this 
 under pretence of the most devoted attachment to the 
 planters, and zeal for the welfare of the Colony. This 
 infamous journal did not last long, but shortly after its 
 discontinuance he commenced a paper called the " Public 
 Advertiser," and ultimately obtained the " Jamaica Cou- 
 rant." He had been repeatedly prosecuted for libel, but 
 always defended himself without the aid of counsel. This 
 brought him into notice, and more particularly as he in- 
 variably obtained a verdict in his favour ; more, however, 
 as he was considered a sufferer for the interest of the 
 planters, than by the strength of his arguments or the 
 justice of his cause. When he commenced his career as 
 editor and publisher he was in circumstances of great 
 obscurity, but he was raised to be a member of the Com- 
 mon Council of Kingston, and for a short time the leader 
 in the House of Assembly. 
 
 At the missionary meeting just spoken of, Mr. Barry 
 was requested to preside in the room of a lay gentleman, 
 who, through indisposition, was prevented from occupy- 
 ing the chair. On the speakers taking their places on 
 the platform, they were somewhat surprised to observe 
 Mr. Beaumont and some of his companions in the front 
 gallery. On one of the speakers referring to the opposi- 
 tion in St. Ann's, he rose and delivered a long harangue, 
 insinuating that the magistrates of that parish had 
 been traduced. He vauntingly observed, that " armed 
 as he was with magisterial power he might dissolve the 
 meeting ;" yet he declined to exercise it, and at the close 
 of his speech he left the chapel without waiting for a 
 
AN ACTION FOR LIBEL. 217 
 
 reply. As there was a little excitement (and but little), 
 Mr. Barry addressed the assembly, stating that they had 
 nothing whatever to fear, and that as they were protected 
 by the law, the gentleman whom they had just heard 
 had no right to interrupt the business, and possessed no 
 power to dissolve the meeting. He afterwards addressed 
 a letter to the " Kingston Chronicle" upon the subject ; 
 and observed, that in Mr. Beaumont's interference he 
 had never seen " the magisterial dignity sunk so low." 
 
 On this assertion Mr. Beaumont entered an action 
 against him for libel, and estimated his damages at 
 £ 2,000 . As has been already observed he had frequently 
 appeared as a defendant in such concerns. Now he 
 changed sides, and turned plaintiff; and as he considered 
 he had vanquished the members of the Bar within their 
 own territory, so he purposed to try his strength against 
 the unpopular " sectarians," who had been provokingly 
 regardless of his published calumnies. The trial was not, 
 however, brought on until the following year, and the 
 account of it is therefore reserved for its proper place, 
 that in the meantime we may relate what transpired in 
 St. Ann's. 
 
 After the meeting Mr. Whitehouse returned to his 
 circuit, confidently expecting to be sent to the same 
 filthy gaol, which it was believed had undermined the 
 health of his predecessor, and hurried him to a premature 
 grave. On Saturday, the 9th of August, he left Belle- 
 mont in company with Mrs. Whitehouse, with the inten- 
 tion of preaching at St. Ann's Bay the day following, 
 which having been well known, every thing was prepared 
 
218 IMPRISONMENT OF MR. WHITEHOUSE. 
 
 by his enemies to apprehend him. When he had pro- 
 ceeded a few miles on his journey, he was met on the 
 road by Drake, who arrested him in the King's name, 
 and laid hold on him as his prisoner. Proceeding a little 
 further Drake stopped and took him into a house by the 
 road-side, where Mr. S. Rose (the magistrate who pre- 
 sided on the trial of Mr. Grimsdall) was waiting quite 
 ready for what took place. Here he was detained some 
 time, while Mrs. Whitehouse was forced, with unfeeling 
 brutality, to remain without, exposed to the burning heat 
 of a vertical sun. After his commitment had been signed, 
 which was prepared beforehand, he was then removed 
 in the custody of Drake to St. Ann's Bay. 
 
 " On arriving at the gaol," says Mr. Whitehouse, " I was 
 conducted to the apartment where that man of God, the late 
 Mr. Grimsdall, had been twice imprisoned. On entering, I 
 found it was occupied by an insane black woman, whom the 
 gaoler removed to another apartment. The cell was exceed- 
 ing filthy, and the stench was unbearable. It was now eight 
 o'clock in the evening, and the gaoler said he must ' lock up.' 
 I desired that the floor might at least be swept, which a few 
 friends immediately attended to. There was no bed provided 
 for me, not even one of straw, and it was not until I had made 
 several requests to the gaoler, that a few benches from the 
 chapel were allowed to be brought in, on which to make a 
 bed. A large quantity of vinegar and of strong camphorated 
 rum was thrown upon the floor and walls, for the purpose of 
 counteracting the very disagreeable effluvia, which proceeded 
 from the filth with which the place abounded ; but this pro- 
 duced very little effect. The sea-breeze had subsided, and 
 the only window from which I could obtain the least air, was 
 
ARREST OF MR. ORTON. 219 
 
 just above the place in which all the filth of the premises is 
 deposited." 
 
 On the imprisonment of Mr. Whitehouse, he imme- 
 diately wrote to Mr. Barry and the author of this nar- 
 rative, requesting that, if possible, they would hasten to 
 St. Ann's Bay to his assistance. The former being then 
 stationed at Spanish Town, and the latter at Grateful 
 Hill, they met from different directions, on the 12th of 
 August, at an inn on the northern road ; and after a long 
 and fatiguing journey they came safely to Bellemont, a 
 little after dark. Tarrying there for the night, they set 
 out again early the following morning, and reached the 
 Bay between seven and eight o'clock, A.M. On thei^ 
 arrival, they found a number of free people about the 
 chapel premises, wringing their hands expressive of great 
 sorrow, who informed them that Mr. Orton had arrived 
 the preceding afternoon, and having preached in the 
 evening, " Drake," said they, " was at the house by five 
 o'clock this morning, and has taken him before a ma- 
 gistrate ; he will soon be in gaol, and we fear that before 
 night you two will be in gaol also." 
 
 After breakfast they went to the gaol to see their per- 
 secuted brother, a place which they found to be as detest- 
 able as had been represented. A number of diseased per- 
 sons were going about, some with loathsome sores, and 
 altogether the appearance of the whole was as sickening 
 as can well be imagined. But they found the undaunted 
 missionary as happy as if he had been in a palace, and 
 through the mercy of God, his health had sustained no 
 material injury. After a little conversation, Mr. Orton 
 
2^0 PROCEEDINGS OF A SPECIAL COURT 
 
 came in, who stated, that although he was not yet a 
 prisoner, he beheved that he should be one before night; 
 that he had been taken before Mr. Heming, a magistrate, 
 who had called a special court to sit at eleven o'clock, at 
 which he had engaged to attend. 
 
 A little after eleven the court sat, and Messrs. Rose 
 and Heming only took their seats on the Bench. Mr. 
 Orton was then called upon, and Mr. Rose said, that in- 
 formation had been given by Mr. Drake, that he had 
 been preaching the preceding evening in the Wesley an 
 chapel, and demanded by what authority he had done so, 
 not having received permission from the magistrates ? 
 Mr. Orton answered, " that he was a regular minister of 
 the Wesleyan connexion and had taken the usual oaths 
 of allegiance and supremacy, both in London and in a 
 neighbouring parish, and that he had preached several 
 times on St. Ann's Bay before, and no one had disturbed 
 him on that account." He then handed to the Bench 
 his certificates of ordination, together with his other 
 credentials, and after having perused them, Mr. Rose said 
 they were insufficient ; " that he had been guilty of a 
 misdemeanor, and a very great misdemeanor too ; " and 
 then began to write out his commitment. On this, 
 Messrs. Barry and Duncan stepped forward, and address- 
 ing their worships, stated that they had come to St. Ann's 
 for the purpose of offering bail for Mr. Whitehouse, but 
 as Mr. Orton was now in similar circumstances, they 
 tendered bail for him also. The magistrates replied, 
 that they had no objection to admit Mr. Orton to bail, 
 but it must be on the condition that security be given 
 
AT ST. Ann's bay. 221 
 
 that he should not preach again in the parish, until he 
 received permission from the Court. To this the mis- 
 sionaries decidedly objected, and submitted, that if they 
 thought he had been guilty of an offence, and should 
 that offence be committed again, they had it in their 
 power to apprehend him as before ; but to tender bail 
 upon any such condition, was what they would not 
 do, and if they did, Mr. Orton would not accept it. 
 After a good deal of conversation (in which it ap- 
 peared very evident that the magistrates wished to 
 evade the case of Mr. Whitehouse altogether), they 
 then said, " We wish now to direct the attention of your 
 worships to Mr. Whitehouse ; we cannot conceive that 
 there can be any difficulty in his case, as even according 
 to your own views of the law, he has been already 
 licensed for the parish." Mr. Rose then replied in a 
 low tone, that he believed he was committed without 
 bail. " Are we to understand your worship," said the 
 missionaries, " that you have committed Mr. Whitehouse 
 to gaol without bail or mainprize?" To this he an- 
 swered, "I have no copy of the commitment at present 
 and cannot be certain." " Did not your worship," said 
 they, " make out that commitment ?" He replied hesi- 
 tatingly, "Yes, I believe that is in it — it is in it." 
 The missionaries then stated that they would repair to 
 Kingston, and obtain their release by habeas corpus ; 
 but before they finally quitted the court-house, they re- 
 turned to the Bench, and said, " Please your worships 
 we once more offer bail for Mr. Whitehouse and for Mr. 
 Orton." They again expressed their willingness to ac- 
 
MISSIONARIES IN PRISON. 
 
 cept bail for the latter, and urged it ; but as they would 
 not leave ou6 the condition already specified the mis- 
 sionaries retired. 
 
 The reader will excuse something of prolixity in the 
 detail of the above-mentioned proceedings. They have 
 been related thus minutely because of their inseparable 
 connexion with a remarkable event, which shall soon be 
 recorded. But in the meantime it is but justice to say, 
 that although the missionaries addressed the Bench 
 alternately for upwards of an hour, the magistrates be- 
 haved towards them with great civility. 
 
 After obtaining some refreshment, Messrs. Barry and 
 Duncan returned to the gaol to take leave of their 
 brethi-en, then the prisoners of Jesus Christ. Before 
 their departure they proposed to have prayer, but were 
 informed that orders had just been received that no such 
 exercises could be allowed. They replied, that they had 
 received no such orders, and gave out the verse, 
 
 *' Who suiFer with, our Master here, 
 We shall before his face appear, 
 
 And by his side sit do-\\Ti. 
 To patient faith, the prize is sure ; 
 And all who to the end endure 
 
 The cross, shall wear the crown." 
 
 This verse was sung lustily, and several of the poor in- 
 mates, struck with the unusual sounds, came into the 
 apartment, and kneeled down while the persecuted mis- 
 sionaries were commended to the grace of God. 
 
 The brethren lost no time in proceeding to Kingston, 
 
THEY ARE REMOVED TO KTNGSTON. 223 
 
 where they made affidavits, that bail had been oifered 
 for Messrs. Whitehouse and Orton, which had been 
 refused. A blank copy was forwarded to St. Ann's 
 to be filled up by Mr. Orton^ which having been re- 
 turned, orders were issued forthwith for their removal 
 to Kingston. 
 
 On account of these necessary steps, they did not 
 arrive in Kingston until the afternoon of the 28th of 
 August ; and being still prisoners, they w^ere met by 
 three other missionaries, who accompanied them to the 
 gaol. Immediately on alighting, a smart shock of earth- 
 quake caused the Island to vibrate to its centre, and we 
 saw that all within was bustle and alarm. This con- 
 sternation was not lessened, when they perceived two 
 ministers standing before them as prisoners, for no crime 
 but that of preaching the gospel. The officers cried out, 
 " Those gentlemen cannot come in here ; we have no 
 place prepared for them ! " It was then inquired, where 
 they were to go ? And it was answered, " They could 
 not tell, only they could not come within the gaol." 
 To this it was observed, " That they were prisoners, and 
 must remain at least for that night." But it was an- 
 swered, " They knew they were prisoners, but neverthe- 
 less there was no place for them there." The deputy- 
 marshal then desired that they might go to some of their 
 friends, and on the following morning at eleven o'clock, 
 he would go with them to the chief justice, where the 
 whole business would be settled. This was very diffe- 
 rent treatment from what they had been receiving ; 
 though the meanest cell within the premises was a lordly 
 
224 MAGISTRATES DEGRADED FROM THEIR OFFICE. 
 
 hall, compared with the detestable apartment they had 
 left. 
 
 The chief justice was the Hon. William A. Scarlett, 
 brother to Lord Abinger, and one of the most upright 
 men Jamaica had ever produced. He was a man of 
 strictly moral habits ; and as a judge, remarkable for 
 inflexible integrity, and the exercise of impartial justice. 
 He had studied the late proceedings with deep attention, 
 and the brethren were scarcely brought before him when 
 he ordered their release. The business of Mr. Orton 
 was quashed entirely ; yet as an indictment had been 
 found against Mr. Whitehouse, it was necessary that he 
 should appear and answer to it ; but the case was 
 removed by certiorari from St. Ann's to the Supreme 
 Court. It was a matter of great grief, that before its 
 sitting, the chief justice had to leave the Island for 
 Great Britain, and none but assistant judges remained, 
 whose station has been already described. 
 
 The issue of this business was uncommonly mortifying 
 to the magistrates of St. Ann ; but a still more humbling 
 stroke was awaiting them. The lieutenant-governor 
 Sir John Keane (now Lord Keane) had made himself 
 acquainted with the whole aff'air ; and indignantly ex- 
 pelled both Rose and Heming from the magistracy, the 
 powers of which they had so much abused. The mis- 
 sionaries were informed, that the manner in which this 
 was done, was equally honourable with the act itself. 
 That he wrote, warning and admonishing the magistrates 
 of that parish, and assured them, that " the Wesleyan 
 missionaries were not to be hunted down like a parcel of 
 
MISSIONARIES ACCUSED OF PERJURY. 2^5 
 
 dogs." Sir John Keane had not, perhaps, much of tho 
 penetrating sagacity of a wily politician, but he had the 
 honest high-mindedness of a British general. 
 
 The indictment which had been found in St. Ann's 
 against Mr. Whitehouse, was removed to the Supreme 
 Court, which sat in Spanish Town, in October. He 
 was charged with a misdemeanor in preaching and 
 teaching in St. Ann's, without the license of the 
 magistracy ; and as the proceeding was likely to settle 
 that question, it was a matter of great pubHc in- 
 terest. Several missionaries, amongst others, went to 
 witness the trial ; but before they reached the court- 
 house, they were informed by their solicitor, that they 
 must be prepared for another trial of a more serious de- 
 scription. On their inquiring to what he referred, he 
 stated that affidavits had been filed in the Crown Office, 
 charging Messrs. Barry, Duncan, and Or ton with " wil- 
 ful and corrupt perjury ;" that the ex-magistrate Rose, 
 together with Drake and another person, had sworn that 
 no bail whatever had been tendered for Mr. Orton, at 
 the special court which sat in St. Ann's on the 12th of 
 August. Also, that on account of Messrs. Duncan and 
 Barry having made oath to their statements in Kingston, 
 their case could not be proceeded with until the Surrey 
 Assizes ; but Mr. Orton's alleged offence having been 
 committed in Cornwall, he had no doubt but he would 
 be brought to trial before Mr. Whitehouse. In this 
 conjecture he was perfectly correct, and Mr. Orton was 
 instantly bound over to appear the following morning 
 and answer to the charge. The grand jury having found 
 
 Q 
 
226 TRIAL OF MR. ORTON 
 
 a "true bill," the business was proceeded with on 
 the 23rd. The assistant judge who presided was the 
 late Mr. Richard Barrett, a man of some talent and 
 influence. He was an extensive planter, Custos of St. 
 James, and member of Assembly for that parish. But 
 though he was universally regarded as a man of ability, 
 his principles were considered so vacillating and un- 
 certain, that he possessed the entire confidence of no 
 party. Though the case to be tried was nominally the 
 " King V. Orton," its promoters were not content to 
 leave it in the hands of the attorney-general, whose 
 office it was to prosecute it. Mr. Hugo James, who then 
 occupied that station, was a gentleman of great urbanity 
 of manners, and no persecutor of religion. It was 
 doubted whether he would be sufficiently zealous 
 in the cause to secure success. The party therefore re- 
 retained Mr. Fitzherbert Batty to assist him, a man 
 not destitute of talent, and of whose zeal there could be 
 no question. 
 
 The witnesses examined for the crown were Messrs. 
 Rose, Drake, and Robinson. They all deposed that no 
 bail had been oifered for Mr. Orton, consequently that 
 his affidavit was false. Rose persisted in affirming, that 
 the word bail had never been mentioned ; that Messrs. 
 Duncan and Barry had indeed been allowed to occupy 
 much time in addressing the Bench (more than he be- 
 lieved was justifiable), but they had never mentioned the 
 word " bail." On being asked to say what was their 
 avowed object in taking that long journey, and appear- 
 ing before the court, he was at a loss for an answer ; 
 
AT THE SUPREME COURT. 227 
 
 but at last replied, that " they said they had come to St- 
 Ann's to inquire why they had put Mr. Whitehouse in 
 jail;" a statement which was responded to by a burst of 
 indignation throughout the whole house. Drake was 
 next examined, who also aifirmed that no bail had been 
 offered on the occasion ; that he was present the whole 
 time, and must have heard it had the offer been made* 
 On being asked to say on what subject the missionaries 
 addressed the Bench on the day in question, he repHed, 
 that they never addressed the magistrates at all ; though 
 afterwards, on being reminded of what E-ose had said, 
 he allowed he had heard them say something about 
 habeas corpus, hut nothing more. Robinson, the only 
 other witness, gave his evidence in a very different man- 
 ner. He was a young shopkeeper in St. Ann's, and 
 seemed very reluctant to make his appearance. His 
 testimony amounted simply to this, that he never heard 
 bail offered for Mr. Orton. This might be partly true, 
 for he was seen conversing at the door of the court-house 
 during a great part of the time. 
 
 The witnesses for the defendant were Messrs. Barry 
 and Duncan, together with the E-ev. Samuel Bromley, 
 the General Baptist missionary. The substance of their 
 evidence has been already recorded in the proceedings 
 of the special court ; only Mr. Bromley deposed to bail 
 having been offered six different times for Mr. Orton 
 alone, besides what took place at the close of the pro- 
 ceedings, when it was tendered for both. That no 
 advantage might be lost, the crown witnesses were again 
 called to give evidence in rebutter. There was little 
 
 Q 2 
 
ADDRESS OF MR. BARRETT 
 
 difference between their former and latter statements, 
 only Rose did admit that the ^' word bail might have 
 been mentioned," but persisted that none was offered for 
 Mr. Orton. 
 
 Our limits will not allow a more lengthened detail of 
 those examinations, which occupied the court for almost 
 a whole day. But we cannot withhold the substance of 
 Mr. Barrett's address to the jury, in summing up the 
 evidence which had been adduced. The reader will see 
 the manner in which justice was then administered by 
 Colonial magistrates to Wesleyan missionaries. The 
 substance of the address is as follows : — 
 
 " Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner, Joseph Orton, stands 
 at the bar charged with wilful and corrupt perjury. Though 
 there are offences more severely punishable, yet there are none 
 more disgraceful, and the scorn and contempt of mankind wil^ 
 for ever haunt the traverser, if a verdict of guilty go forth 
 against him. In determining the present question, it matters 
 not whether the conduct of the magistrates was legal or other- 
 wise, the nature of the crime charged against the prisoner 
 is not affected thereby. The point on which you are to 
 determine is the evidence." 
 
 Here he went over the evidence for the crown at 
 considerable length, and then proceeded. 
 
 *' Gentlemen, in Mr. Rose's evidence there is not the 
 slightest contradiction, and notwithstanding a severe cross- 
 examination its consistency is preserved. His testimony is 
 confirmed by Mr. Drake and Mr. Robinson, and notwithstand- 
 ing a most rigid cross-examination there is not the smallest 
 discrepancy between them ; only in one apparent instance, in 
 
TO THE JURY. 229 
 
 which Mr. Drake stated that Messrs. Barry and Duncan were 
 near the Bench, and afterwards he was understood to say they 
 were not." 
 
 He then briefly glanced for a few seconds only at the 
 evidence for the defendant, and thus concluded : — 
 
 " Gentlemen, Mr. Rose presided as a magistrate on the oc- 
 casion, and must have heard all that passed, and if his state- 
 ments are not true he must be guilty of perjury, for he could 
 not be mistaken. But can this be believed ? Mr. Rose is a 
 gentleman of long standing in the community, of respectable 
 education, and of unblemished integrity; and besides, his 
 evidence is corroborated by two others, one of whom, at least, 
 is perfectly disinterested. But, gentlemen, you must dismiss 
 from your minds the remark of the counsel for the defendant, 
 as to the character of his witnesses, they being ministers. 
 When a man is on his oath before God, it makes no matter 
 what may be the colour of the coat he wears." 
 
 He just allowed, that if there was any doubt on their 
 minds they should give the prisoner the benefit of it. 
 
 In the above brief account of Mr. Barrett's address, 
 some may be inclined to suspect, that the writer, having 
 been personally interested, is as much biassed against the 
 judge as the judge was against the prisoner. He is 
 happy, however, to refer to the " Jamaica Courant" from 
 October 18th to the 25th, 1828, in which the case is 
 reported at much greater length. The editor of that 
 publication will not be suspected of any friendly feeling 
 towards the missionaries. But while he eulogizes Mr. 
 Barrett, he states quite enough to corroborate every 
 
230 MR. ORTON IS ACQUITTED. 
 
 thing which has just been aifirmed. If so, surely such 
 a specimen of a judicial address to a jury had not been 
 witnessed in the British dominions for a century before ! 
 Mr. Barrett knew there were discrepancies amongst the 
 witnesses for the crown ; and it cannot be doubted, but 
 if Sir W. Scarlett had been present, he would have 
 ordered that Drake should have been tried for that very 
 offence which he was endeavouring to charge upon an 
 innocent man. Mr. Rose's conduct was not so unim- 
 peachable as Mr. Barrett wished the jury to believe. If 
 so, it may be asked why was he degraded from his office 
 as a magistrate only a few days before the trial occurred? 
 A matter with which he was perfectly acquainted. But 
 had it been otherwise, surely the prisoner had as much 
 right to the benefit of the character of his witnesses as 
 the other side. But no, this must not be thought of for 
 a moment, and the jury are charged to dismiss from their 
 minds all allusion to it on the part of the counsel. It 
 was, however, a happy circumstance that they had ho- 
 nour enough to frustrate the object of this unprincipled 
 judge. The foreman and another parishioner of St. 
 Ann, indeed, stood out some time, but the others 
 were resolute ; and the consequence was a verdict of 
 " not guilty," a verdict which virtually acquitted the 
 other missionaries also. 
 
 On the following day the indictment found in St. 
 Ann's against Mr. Whitehouse was brought before the 
 court by the attorney-general. The learned gentleman 
 proved, in the first place, that by common law, noncon- 
 
INDICTMENT AGAINST MR. WHITEHOUSE QUASHED. S31 
 
 formity is no crime. He then examined several statutes 
 and observed, that 
 
 " The indictment is not sustainable under the Toleration 
 Act of Will, and Mary, which it cannot be denied is in force 
 in this Island, as well as the 10th of Anne, cap. 9. Those 
 statutes are clearly in force in this country, inasmuch as they 
 were enacted and received as laws in the Island, antecedent 
 to the period when it was declared what British statutes were 
 in force here ; for by the Jamaica statute 1 Geo. II. it was 
 enacted, that all English statutes thereto received in Jamaica 
 should be and continue to be laws of this Island.^' Now there 
 is no indictable offence under these statutes, for having ob- 
 tained a license in one place, Mr. Whitehouse is entitled, by 
 the 10th of Anne, to preach in any other. Therefore as Mr. 
 Whitehouse is not committed for refusing to take the oaths, 
 nor for any offence under these statutes, the indictment is not 
 sustainable, from the inability of its being shown that it is an 
 offence against the common law, or any statute of Parliament 
 or of the colonial Legislature." 
 
 The indictment was therefore quashed by order of the 
 court. 
 
 By the above decision the ex-magistrates were now 
 liable to be prosecuted for false imprisonment, and had 
 this been done their con\iction was inevitable. For 
 
 * Had the learned attorney -general established the fact, that these 
 statutes icere received in Jamaica before 1728, he would have fully proved 
 them to have been in force in 1828, but this material point he over- 
 looked. His own argument shows that all reasonmg on the Jamaica 
 act of Geo. H. goes for nothing in the absence of this essential point. 
 Those statutes had never been so received. There Avas therefore no 
 WTitten law at all, ^and as by " common law nonconformity is no 
 crime," the magistrates were bound to protect the missionaries in the 
 discharge of their duties. 
 
2S2 MR. B. Z. HEMING. 
 
 some time indeed it was thought it might be a matter of 
 public duty to prosecute, but all idea of it was quickly- 
 abandoned. The magistrates themselves were aware 
 of their danger, and in fact notice was given of an 
 intention to bring them to trial. Indeed it cannot be 
 doubted, that one reason for their bringing on the trial for 
 perjury, was to avoid the heavy penalties to which they 
 were exposed ; and had the missionaries been convicted, 
 it would not have been a matter of difficulty to do so, at 
 least to some extent. But they had no resentful feehngs 
 even against Rose himself, and they felt sorry for 
 Heming. He was an amiable but an inexperienced 
 young man, and had he not been led by others, it is not 
 likely he would ever have engaged in such proceedings. 
 His conduct with reference to Mr. Orton's trial, shewed 
 him not to be destitute of principle. He was present at 
 the special court in St. Ann's, as well as Rose, and knew 
 all that transpired ; he had equal reason to dread a 
 prosecution for false imprisonment ; hut he never made 
 Ms appearance as a witness in Spanish Town. This 
 circumstance was noticed with great effect by the de- 
 fendant's counsel, who inquired at Rose if he knew why 
 Heming was absent. The reply was " he was sick." 
 On its being further inquired whether he had not seen 
 him prior to his leaving St. Ann's, he acknowledged he 
 had ; but was forced to confess that he saw no appear- 
 ance of sickness, only he himself said he felt indisposed. 
 This also provoked a contemptuous laugh in the court- 
 house ; and upon the whole, the conduct of Heming in 
 this affair appeared to the missionaries so noble, as to 
 
DEATH OF MR. T. C. MORGAN. 233 
 
 make tliem sincerely sorry that he had been dismissed 
 from the magistracy. 
 
 While those disagreeable proceedings were pending, 
 the missionaries were exercised with still more painful 
 trials, occasioned by the ravages of death. Two of their 
 brethren fell by the hand of the last enemy. The first 
 was Mr. T. C. Morgan, who was seized with fever about 
 the end of August; and although at first there were no 
 symptoms to cause much uneasiness, yet in a few days 
 the fever increased, and on the the 2nd of September he 
 died, after having testified that, by the grace of God, 
 '*he had gained the victory through our Lord Jesus 
 Christ." 
 
 Mr. Morgan was a man of decided piety and ardent 
 zeal for the glory of God. For some time he was the 
 subject of much occasional depression, and a nervous 
 affection under which he laboured, induced a certain 
 eccentricity of feeling, but not in the least derogatory to 
 his character for piety and usefulness. No man was ever 
 more ready at all times for his Master's work. In preach- 
 ing the gospel, he was instant in season and out of season ; 
 and none enjoyed a larger share of the affectionate regards 
 of his fellow-labourers. During his residence on the 
 Island, which was only between two and three years, he 
 was made eminently useful, especially on the Stoney 
 Hill circuit ; and in Kingston he was loved by the Socie- 
 ties to an uncommon degree. On the occasion of his 
 funeral, thousands attended his remains to the tomb ; 
 and the tears which were shed, abundantly testified the 
 high estimation in which he was held. His death hap- 
 
S34 DEATH AND CHARACTER 
 
 pened only a few days after the amval of another mis- 
 sionary of the same name, who had laboured for many 
 years in the Windward Islands. 
 
 But the brethren and Societies in Kingston, had not 
 recovered from this shock, before they were called to 
 sustain another of a similar description in the death of 
 Mr. Mark Harrison. He was seized with the usual fever, 
 at the old chapel-house, only about a month after the 
 death of Mr. Morgan, and from the commencement of his 
 illness, there was but too much reason to fear that the 
 issue would be fatal. Though his suiferings were great, 
 he was enabled to repose unshaken confidence in 
 his Redeemer, and his mind was kept in perfect 
 peace. At one time, he said, that he had been often 
 favoured with uncommon views of the love of Christ, 
 yet never equal to what he had enjoyed under that 
 affliction. " I see," said he, " such a fulness :" but 
 here he was overpowered with his grateful feelings, and 
 was unable to proceed further. They were the last words 
 he uttered. Almost immediately afterwards he became 
 speechless ; and while seemingly quite insensible to all 
 that was passing in his room, the indescribable placidity 
 of his countenance shewed that all was right within. 
 He died in Kingston, on the 7th of October, 1828, in 
 the twenty-third year of his age and third of liis 
 ministry. 
 
 Mr. Harrison was a young man of uncommon pro- 
 mise. Just before his death, many were rejoicing in the 
 pleasing anticipation, that God would make him a burn- 
 ing and shining light, and one day raise him to a high 
 
OF MR. MARK HARRISON. 2S5 
 
 elevation amongst the ministers of Jesus Christ. It 
 is not pretended that he was exempt from infirmities 
 with which even good men are encompassed, but it has 
 often been remarked by those who had the best opportu- 
 nities of knowing him, that they had never heard him 
 utter one word, or seen him do anything inconsistent 
 with his character as a Christian or his office as a mi- 
 nister. He was first appointed to Falmouth, where the 
 blessing of the Lord crowned his labours in an extraor- 
 dinary manner. A few months before his death he was 
 removed to Kingston, and resided along with Mr. Murray, 
 his superintendent. He was a man greatly beloved. 
 His natural disposition was amiable and afiectionate, 
 which, improved by his hallowed piety, gave a charm to 
 his whole behaviour, that was powerfully felt by all who 
 knew him. For some time before his death, he pursued 
 a very arduous course of study, so arduous as that his 
 superintendent felt it his duty frequently to interrupt 
 him, fearing that his unremitting application might 
 be prejudicial to his health. His kind offices were 
 acknowledged in the most grateful manner, but when 
 on such occasions he quitted his study, he often exchanged 
 it for the chamber of the sick and dying, to minister to 
 their spiritual consolation. In this manner did this de- 
 voted young man pass his time 
 
 " Twixt the mount and multitude, 
 Doing and recei\ing good." 
 
 But his course was soon finished ; and having fulfilled 
 his ministry, he was taken to an early rest. These were 
 not the only bereavements the mission family were called 
 
236 NEW CHAPEL OPENED. 
 
 upon to sustain. Mr. Murray was deprived by death of 
 his most excellent wife, not long after the loss of his 
 colleagues in the ministry. She was eminent for a meek 
 and quiet spirit, and exemplary in the practice of every 
 personal, social, and Christian virtue. 
 
 The new chapel in Spanish Town, which had been 
 long in course of erection, was opened for divine worship 
 in November. Its dimensions are 60 feet by 45 within 
 the walls, and has galleries on three sides. The crowds 
 attending the opening services were immense, and a hal- 
 lowed feeling pervading the congregations, was thankfully 
 acknowledged as a token of future good. Not long 
 afterwards the third chapel in Kingston was completed, 
 of the same measurement without, as the former within 
 the walls ; but the erection of galleries was deferred until 
 the growing congregation should so increase as to render 
 it necessary. 
 
237 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Session of the Legislature in 1828 — Report of the " Sectarian Com- 
 mittee" — Slave-law of 1826 passes the Assembly and Council, but is 
 rejected by Sir. John Keane — District-meeting of 1829 — An action 
 for Libel at the Kingston Assizes against the Rev. Mr. Barry — He is 
 accquited — The disallowed Slave-law again passes the Legislature 
 and is sanctioned by the Earl of Belmore — A Missionary stationed 
 in Port Royal — A new Chapel opened in the Town of Montego Bay 
 — Correspondence between Mr. Whitehouse and the Governor's 
 Secretary — Slave-law disallowed by his Majesty William the fourth 
 — Death of the Rev. Messrs. Vowles, Penman, and Saxton — Death 
 of Mr. Robertson, the Steward of the Morant Bay Circuit — District- 
 meeting of 1831 — Prosperity of the Mission — Number of Members, as 
 reported in January, 1832. 
 
 A BOUT the time the events transpired, which are related 
 towards the close of the preceding chapter, the session of 
 the Legislature for 1828 was commenced. After a hand- 
 some present to the lieutenant-governor, the disallowed 
 slave-law was again brought before the house of As- 
 sembly ; though many of the members at first contended 
 that the House would compromise its dignity, were they 
 again to legislate on the subject, until they had the ex- 
 plicit assurance that the restraints laid upon the gover- 
 nor as to the sanctioning of religious clauses, were 
 altogether removed. To facilitate its progress, as well 
 as to convince even the British pubHc of its necessity, 
 the " Sectarian Committee" finished their labours, and 
 presented their report. To this celebrated document, 
 the attention of the reader is particularly requested. 
 The following is a copy, as it was read to the House : — 
 
238 REPORT OF THE 
 
 " Your committee, appointed to inquire into the establish- 
 ment and proceedings of the sectarians in this Island, 
 
 " Report, That they have taken the examination of sundry 
 persons, which examinations are here annexed, and that the 
 principal object of the sectarians in this Island, is to extort 
 money from their congregations by every possible pretext, to 
 obtain which recourse has been made to the most indecent 
 expedients. 
 
 " That in order to further this object, and to gain an as- 
 cendancy over the negro mind, they inculcate the doctrines of 
 equality and the rights of man ; they preach and teach sedi- 
 tion even from the pulpit; and by misrepresentations and 
 falsehood, endeavour to cast odium upon all the public autho- 
 rities of this Island, not even excepting the representative of 
 Majesty itself. 
 
 " That the consequences have been abject poverty, loss of 
 comfort, and discontent among the slaves frequenting their 
 chapels, and deterioration of property to their masters. 
 
 " Your committee therefore feel bound to report, that the 
 interference of the missionaries between the master and the 
 slave is dangerous, and incompatible with the political state 
 of society in this Island ; and recommend to the House to 
 adopt the most positive and exemplary enactments to restrain 
 them." 
 
 This report was received by the House with very little 
 hesitation^ and was ordered to be sent to the agent in the 
 mother country, together with the examinations, to be 
 by him printed and circulated as extensively as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 On perusing this document, the Wesleyan missionaries 
 were astonished, as some of them had been informed by 
 
SECTARIAN COMMITTEE. 239 
 
 members of the Assembly, and even by one of the com- 
 mittee, that their examinations, which were finished the 
 preceding year, had given the most unquahfied satisfac- 
 tion. But the mystery was soon revealed; the com- 
 mitte had more recently called before them persons of the 
 most avowed hostility to the Mission ; and their state- 
 ments were implicitly received, while those of the mis- 
 sionaries (who were not permitted to confront their 
 accusers) were utterly disregarded. The reader will 
 now excuse a few observations upon this extraordinary 
 document. 
 
 First, The general charge is, " that the object of the 
 missionaries, is to extort money from their congregations 
 by every possible pretext." This assertion was grounded 
 principally upon the depositions, which were taken by 
 the Custos of St. Catherine, respecting the proceedings 
 of the missionary meeting in Spanish Town, in 1825, 
 which were handed in by that gentleman, and pressed 
 into the service of the committee. Another ground 
 was the testimony of the clerk of the peace of St. 
 Ann (Mr. Coward), who stated that the slaves belong- 
 ing to the late S. Drew, Esq., in his neighbourhood, 
 "were great thieves, and very poor:" which might be 
 true or not, but it does not afiect the case, for there 
 were not half a dozen of them connected with the Me- 
 thodists. A third ground, was the testimony of a 
 neighbouring tavern-keeper, who affirmed that at the 
 opening of the new chapel in Spanish-Town, his wife, 
 who was present, was so disgusted with Mr. Barry 
 begging before the collection, that she instantly quitted 
 
240 CHARGES AGAINST THE MISSIONARIES. 
 
 the place. But poor as this statement was, its truth is 
 more than questionable, for several persons were ready- 
 to depose, that she left because she was unable to 
 remain longer, on account of the crowded state of the 
 chapel, which information they had from herself. 
 Another witness was Daniel Saa, a weak man, but his 
 evidence was quite immaterial. 
 
 Besides these, the author is not certain whether an 
 answer to a question in his own evidence was not made 
 use of, to substantiate the same charge. On his stating 
 that the number of slaves attending the chapel at Grate- 
 ful Hill averaged about two hundred, it was inquired, 
 if he could say, as nearly as possible, how much of each 
 public collection was contributed by them. The sub- 
 stance of his reply was, that it was impossible to as- 
 certain with accuracy, but he thought a dollar was as 
 much as was received from them, excepting on extraor- 
 dinary occasions.* This answer was so taken down, as 
 to appear doubtful whether a dollar from the whole, or 
 from each slave was intended. He objected at the time 
 to the equivocal way in which it was expressed, yet it 
 was so printed afterwards ; but he does not mean posi- 
 itively to aifirm, that this was intentional, or that there 
 was indeed any reference to it at all. 
 
 Secondly, The committee allege, that to obtain money, 
 " they have recourse to the most indecent expedients." 
 The " indecent expedients" were explained in the 
 
 * The reader is here mformed, that a small silver coin (five-pence 
 currency), the 1-1 6th of a dollar, was the smallest in circulation in 
 Jamaica. 
 
MISREPRESENTATIONS. 241 
 
 debate ; and in all conscience they were indecent enough, 
 if the charge had been true; namely, That the mis- 
 sionaries had encouraged the prostitution of females, 
 in order to obtain money. This charge was grounded 
 upon the testimony of Mr. Beaumont, the editor of the 
 Courant, and as it referred to the Wesley ans, it must be 
 explained. 
 
 At the Kingston missionary meeting, which Mr. 
 Beaumont attended a few months before, the late Mr. T. 
 C. Morgan mentioned an " expedient," to which a woman 
 in England, in humble circumstances, had "recourse" 
 to obtain money for the missions. He said, she kept 
 fowls, one of which she reserved, and its eggs or chickens 
 were sold, and the money paid into the funds. Mr. 
 Beaumont substituted another word for fowls ; (though 
 this was probably unintentional, for it was one equally 
 imiocent,) and deposed, that as he saw some females 
 holding down their heads at the time,he thought the mean- 
 ing was indecent. Such an intimation was sufficiently 
 detestable on the part of the witness ; but what is to be 
 thought of the committee who, on such a statement, 
 grounded a charge so disgusting and abominable, against 
 a body of Christian ministers ; and which after all re- 
 ferred to an occurrence in England ? 
 
 Thirdly, The seditious charges contained in the re- 
 port only remain to be noticed. The committee say, 
 that the missionaries " endeavour to cast odium upon all 
 the authorities of the Island, not even excepting the re- 
 presentative of Majesty itself' Alas, for the Wesleyans, 
 
243 CHARGE AGAINST THE LATE 
 
 for this refers to them also, and was likewise charged on 
 the testimony of Mr. Beaumont ; who stated, that he had 
 some years before heard a missionary in Spanish Town, 
 speak very disrespectfully from the pulpit of the then 
 governor, the Duke of Manchester. He afterwards ex- 
 plained, that the missionary he alluded to was the late 
 Mr. Adams, who, in praying for the governor, used such 
 terms as cast an injurious reflection on his grace's moral 
 character. 
 
 It is admitted, that it might he no difficult matter to 
 draw such inferences from the expressions used by Mr. 
 Adams, as might be easily perverted by Mr. Beaumont 
 to answer the purpose of the committee ; but that Mr. 
 Adams was a man to speak against the public authorities, 
 much less so to asperse them in the solemn exercise of 
 prayer, there is the most irrefragable evidence to dis- 
 prove. The reader will first attend to the character of 
 that missionary, which appeared in some of the pubHc 
 papers, both of Kingston and Spanish Town, about the 
 time of his lamented death ; which he will readily allow 
 bears no marks whatever of a Wesleyan composition. 
 It is as follows : — 
 
 " Died, in Spanish Town, on the evening of the 18th inst., 
 of the prevailing fever, the Rev. Obadiah Adams, of the Me- 
 thodist persuasion, leaving a disconsolate widow to lament 
 his premature death. He commenced his religious pursuits 
 at the early age of nineteen, and only arrived on this Island 
 in January last. The truly unaffected piety this gentleman 
 evinced, during the short time he resided in this community, 
 
MR. ADAMS, REFUTED. 243 
 
 and the diligent and successful discharge of his mission, 
 have endeared his memory to an extensive circle, who will 
 long regret the loss of so worthy and excellent a man. The 
 liberty granted him by his honour the Gustos, in April last, 
 to preach and teach the gospel, has never been more de- 
 servedly used by any ; and it can justly be said, that were 
 such characters allowed to dispense instruction to the unen- 
 lightened throughout the Island generally, no alarm need to 
 be entertained that any improper doctrines would be dissemi- 
 nated among that class of persons. Indeed he was formed 
 in every view for the arduous duty of working that change 
 in the minds of the slave population, so ardently desired by 
 his Majesty's ministers, as well as by the Legislature of this 
 Colony." 
 
 But the peaceable and prudent character of Mr. Adams 
 was declared at that time by more substantial evidence 
 than that vs^hich is merely verbal. It will be remem- 
 bered, that the gentlemen of Spanish Town, contributed 
 a sum amounting to nearly £ 100 sterling, for his widow, 
 as a testimony of the high estimation in which he had 
 been held. 
 
 Very little more need be said respecting this famous 
 " Report," only let it be carefully observed, that the re- 
 marks upon it, have not been made with the view of vin- 
 dicating the missionaries (for from such aspersions they 
 need no vindication) ; but solely with the view of giving 
 the reader a clearer insight into these extraordinary pro- 
 ceedings. Meanwhile, the author is happy to record his 
 conviction, that were such a document, on such evidence, 
 
 r2 
 
244 DISTRICT-MEETING OF 1829. 
 
 brovight into the House of Assembly of the present day, 
 it would be thrown out with as much indignation as 
 it would be in the Imperial Parliament.* 
 
 The slave-law which had been introduced into the 
 Legislature passed, with but very little opposition ; but 
 when it was presented to Sir John Keane, he had the 
 magnanimity to refuse his consent : so that all the 
 schemes and labour of the Assembly were entirely frus- 
 trated and came to nothing. 
 
 At the District-meeting held in January, 1829, it was 
 found that the increase of members throughout the pre- 
 ceding year amounted to 417. This was not indeed a 
 great number, but as several stations had not been re- 
 gularly supplied, the small increase was easily accounted 
 for. But, a few weeks after the District, the brethren 
 were gladdened by the arrival of Messrs. Penman, 
 Vowles, Wood, and Box, on which their various stations 
 were appointed as follows : — 
 
 * It may be observed here, that at least one of the witnesses ap- 
 peared to have some misgivings as to the truth of his testimony, and 
 therefore he resolved to make out a case by a subsequent experiment, 
 which shall be here related. A short time after those events had 
 transpired, a negro woman came to the Bellemont station, carrying a 
 number of fowls, and leading an ass, well loaded with yams, plantains, 
 &c., and offered the fowls and provisions as a present to Mrs. "S^Tiite- 
 house. Mrs. W. then said, that she did not accept presents from the 
 negroes, nor did she know the woman, nor where she came from. She 
 
 replied, that she came from I , and said she had attended chapel 
 
 last Smiday, when "me see Missis, and took liking to Missis, and 
 bring dis here as present." But though the woman continued lu'gent, 
 her offer was finally rejected. It does not requii'e any extraordinary 
 sagacity to see tlirough this most mean and detestable artifice, but its 
 design was thus completely frustrated. A very short time afterwards 
 the unhappy man died very suddenly, and it was strongly rumoured, 
 that it was from the effects of poison, administered by his o\^^l 
 hands. 
 
AN ACTION FOR LIBEL. 
 
 245 
 
 Kingston 
 
 Spanish Town 
 Morant Bay- 
 Bath . . 
 Grateful Hill 
 Stoney Hill 
 Montego Bay 
 Falmouth . 
 St. Ann's . 
 Port Antonio 
 Savannah-la-Mar 
 
 I Messrs. Morgan, Murray and 
 
 3 VOWLES. 
 
 Mr. Barry. 
 Mr. Kerr. 
 Mr. Orton. 
 Mr. Penman. 
 Mr. Wood. 
 Mr. Duncan. 
 Mr. Crookes. 
 Mr. Whitehoijse. 
 Mr. Edney. 
 Mr. Box. 
 
 In the month of April, Mr. Beaumont commenced his 
 action against Mr. Barry for libel, the grounds of which 
 have been already stated. As it was well-known that 
 both parties were to plead their own cause, this trial ex- 
 cited perhaps a deeper interest than any other which had 
 taken place on the Island. For a long period the day 
 had been anticipated with the most intense feelings, 
 which were more or less experienced by all classes ; and 
 an immense majority of the whites, confidently hoped to 
 see " sectarianism" humbled, in the degradation of oug 
 of its ministers. 
 
 The court-house was crowded at an early hour, and 
 persons of all grades of society were mingled together, 
 the eager spectators of this extraordinary conflict. After 
 the plaintiff" had stated his case, he proceeded to call 
 witnesses, who were all severely cross-examined by Mr. 
 Barry ; but as the whole scope of the examinations tended 
 rather to prove a case of sedition than the libel, Mr. 
 Barry stated that he would call no witnesses, requesting 
 
246 MR. A. H. Beaumont's 
 
 that the plaintiff might then address the jury, claiming 
 to himself the right to reply. This was a course for 
 which Mr. Beaumont was not prepared ; hut as the court 
 decided in favour of the defendant's claim, he then pro- 
 ceeded. Our limits will not allow a full report of those 
 speeches, we shall only extract a few paragraphs, taken 
 from the conclusion of each. 
 
 After a long and inflammatory address to the jury on 
 the part of the plaintiff, he thus continued : — 
 
 *' Whether I am a fit man to hold magisterial office, is not 
 to he decided by such men as the defendant ; the law, and 
 some of the guardians of the law — some of the most respected 
 and honoured men in Jamaica, who elected me to that office, 
 — ^have decided that I am fit to hold that station ; and you 
 have heard the honourable testimony these men have given 
 this day in my favour. 
 
 " Unless you mean to sanction such conduct as that proved 
 against the defendant ; unless you mean to allow him, and 
 others like him, to extort money from your slaves — to de- 
 nounce the magistrates from the pulpit as devils and fools — 
 to emulate Smith the missionary, and to turn Jamaica into 
 another Demerara ; unless you intend to prevent any magis- 
 trate from daring to attempt to suppress their extortionate 
 harangues, you will find this defendant guilty, and assess 
 damages to the full amount of £2000. The damages will not 
 be borne by Mr. Barry alone, but by the whole body he re- 
 presents — the corporation — the company — the federal band of 
 maccaroni-hunters, as maccaroni-hunters, as well in Thames 
 Street, Kingston, as elsewhere. All will contribute to re- 
 lease their beloved brother from the consequences of a heavy 
 
ADDRESS TO THE JURY. S47 
 
 verdict, the consequences of too anxiously seeking after every- 
 thing, not short of a maccaroni>' 
 
 " I have placed myself foremost in the breach made by such 
 men as the defendant, in the constitution of the country. All 
 their energies are directed against me. I look to be sup- 
 ported by the juries of Jamaica, in resisting the invasions 
 made upon her rights, by the legions of cant, extortion, and 
 sedition. Never forget, that the sedition of Smith, a mis- 
 sionary, occasioned the revolt amongst the slaves in that 
 country. Neglect me, allow me to be trampled on by those 
 whose assaults on the citadel of our laws I have sought to 
 repel, then their attack must be successful. Your slaves will 
 be taught sedition, they will learn to rebel ; your lives and 
 fortunes will be sacrificed. As your laws perish so must 
 yourselves, your wives, and children fall." 
 
 The defendant then rose, and after having gone over 
 the depositions of the plaintiff's witnesses, replied to his 
 speech ; and also allowed, and vindicated the expressions 
 on which he had grounded his charge of libel. He thus 
 concluded : — 
 
 " It is with considerable regret that I trespass longer on 
 your patience and attention, and especially as I am aware of 
 the agony under which one of their honours has, for the last 
 three days, maintained his seat on the Bench; but, gentlemen, 
 there are a few other observations with which I feel it neces- 
 sary to trouble you. You are well aware of the power of the 
 press ; you know what a tremendous engine it is in the hands 
 
 * A quarter- dollar is called in Jamaica a " maccaroni." Hence the 
 term maccaroni-hunter was often applied to the missionaries by Mr. 
 Beaumont, in his newspaper ; but besides the Courant and the Corn- 
 wall Co\irier, which was published m Falmouth, no other papers were 
 degraded so low. 
 
248 ADDRESS OF THE 
 
 of an unbridled and unprincipled editor, who may, at will, 
 attack the characters of the most amiable and deserving, and 
 hold up to public scorn and derision those who possess no 
 power to counteract slander, or justify themselves. There, 
 gentlemen, is that editor. I^et me ask you, whom has he not 
 calumniated ? Who has escaped his defamation and malice ? 
 Against whom has not his malignity been directed ; from the 
 highest authority on the Island to the most humble citizen, 
 from the bishop to the curate of the Establishment ? He, gen- 
 tlemen, has dived into the secrets of families, dragging that 
 before the public which ought ever to be concealed, and ex- 
 hibiting to the gaze of the world those circumstances which, 
 had he possessed one spark of humanity, he would have co- 
 vered with the veil of oblivion. He has followed the very 
 dead! and, penetrating their silence and retirement, has dis- 
 turbed the repose of the tomb. He has calumniated the 
 memory of a Christian missionary, and as he libelled his cha- 
 racter when living, so he has raked up the ashes of his grave. 
 But could I call up the shades of the dead, and confront them 
 with their accuser — that reckless libeller — a single gaze of his 
 victim (were annihilation possible) would blast him into non- 
 existence.* Gentlemen of the jury, you have often been 
 asked to-day by the plaintiff, 'Is this to be endured?' But 
 I would ask you, is it to be endured, that a remorseless 
 slanderer, shall with impunity level his shafts at the innocent 
 without distinction ; and when his libellous propensity is 
 opposed, and a public justification attempted, shall it be en- 
 dured that he bring an action for damages before a British 
 jury ? Gentlemen, what is my case to-day, may be yours, 
 or their honours' on the Bench, to-morrow. The very speech 
 that you have heard him just now repeat, was prepared last 
 
 * The missionary alluded to is the late Mr. Grimsdall. 
 
REV. MR. BARRY. 249 
 
 Sunday for publication, and you may expect, if you grant me 
 your verdict, to be identified with me to-morrow as the be- 
 trayers of your country. 
 
 " I had the strongest possible ground for asserting, that in 
 the plaintiff the magisterial dignity was sunk. I was aware 
 of that for which, had I prosecuted him, he would have been 
 declared by the laws of his country unfit to hold any public 
 office — to hold that which he now sustains ; or in case of his 
 being guardian or executor, from suing in a court of justice, 
 or from receiving a legacy. He has declared in my hearing, 
 and in the presence of several witnesses, ' That there neither is 
 a divine revelation, nor a necessity for a divine revelation ; 
 that the miracles of Quashie and Quamina are as real, and 
 will appear as well authenticated to posterity, as the miracles 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and that religion is a mere political 
 humbug, invented to keep the lower classes of society in 
 awe !' And yet that man, because that I, under such a con- 
 sciousness of his unfitness for any public office, represented 
 him as lowering the dignity of the magisterial character, dares 
 to apply for damages to a British jury. 
 
 " Gentlemen, we have heard much of ' moral courage ;' and 
 are led to suppose that the plaintiff has it in a very eminent 
 degree, as it has long constituted a very favourite topic in his 
 publication. If to indulge in an unbridled propensity to ex- 
 hibit his fellow-men to obloquy and contempt be moral 
 courage, the plaintiff possesses it. If to attempt to excite in 
 the public mind a revolutionary spirit be moral courage, the 
 plaintiff possesses it. If to penetrate the retirement and pri- 
 vacy of the tomb and calumniate the dead be moral courage, 
 the plaintiff possesses it. If to ransack the family record, 
 and bring before the view of mankind the transactions over 
 which humanity would throw a veil, be moral courage, the 
 
250 MR. BARRY IS ACQUITTED. 
 
 plaintiff possesses it. Or if to impugn the sacred Scriptures, 
 and propagate principles subversive of every moral obliga- 
 tion, be moral courage, the plaintiff has it. And though I 
 cannot now refer to any particular authority, yet it is almost 
 generally allowed in law, that such a man — a man the com- 
 mon libeller of his fellows — should possess no claim to the 
 verdict of a jury, should he in turn become the subject of the 
 attacks of another. The time is not far distant, when we 
 shall appear at the tribunal of the Eternal ; and I trust, gen- 
 tlemen, you will then be as fully acquitted as to the justice 
 of your verdict, as I of having libelled the plaintiff in this 
 case." 
 
 The jury had scarcely retired when they returned into 
 the court, and pronounced the verdict of " not guilty." 
 
 The effect produced by this verdict was indescribable^ 
 The court-house echoed with the loud cheers of the 
 crowded audience. The multitudes who stood without 
 caught the same spirit of enthusiasm, and to the remotest 
 bounds of the city, persons were seen in the streets 
 shouting, waving their hats, and showing other manifes- 
 tations of joy. But the issue of this case was extremely 
 humbling to the other party. Mr. Beaumont had been 
 repeatedly in such conflicts, and he had always come off 
 victorious. But by this verdict, he beheld himself strip- 
 ped of all his laurels, and was in an instant thrown 
 prostrate at the feet of a Wesleyan missionary. 
 
 After having been so long employed in the detail of 
 legislative or judicial proceedings, it is with pleasure we 
 now turn to what is more immediately the history of the 
 Mission. Although it is obvious that a great work of 
 
A SOCIETY IN SAVANNAH-LA-MAR. 251 
 
 God had been accomplished on the Island, yet there were 
 many extensive districts unvisited, and uncheered by the 
 light of the gospel. In the western parishes of St. Eliza- 
 beth and Westmoreland, there were indeed several settle- 
 ments belonging to the Moravian brethren, but beyond 
 their vicinity, the gross darkness of heathenism was almost 
 unbroken. It was therefore resolved by the committee^ 
 on the recommendation of the District, to send a mis- 
 sionary to those destitute parts of the Island ; and for 
 that purpose Mr. Barry took a journey in March, along 
 with Mr. Box, and it was intended for the latter to com- 
 mence his labours where Providence appeared to open 
 the door. In the town of Savannah-la-Mar, which had 
 been once the county town of Cornwall, they were 
 courteously received by several free persons of colour, of 
 the first respectability ; and here a house was taken, and 
 Mr. Box immediately entered upon his labours. Besides 
 preaching there, he visited the gaol and workhouse, and 
 some of the most degraded of the species, listened with 
 tears of gratitude to the news of salvation. He also 
 took excursions to the surrounding country, preaching 
 at Bluefields and several other places ; but although 
 there did not appear to be any extensive religious move- 
 ment among the negroes, he was successful in forming 
 a Society, which by the end of the year consisted of 
 forty- two persons. 
 
 The congi'egations at Montego Bay, had been long 
 incommoded for want of a suitable chapel, and the 
 sanction of the committee having been obtained, the 
 missionary who went there after the District, received 
 
252 PREACHING IN LUCEA. 
 
 directions to set about the erection of a new one as 
 speedily as possible. The first stone of this building 
 was laid on the 12th of March, in the presence of a 
 vast multitude, who were assembled on the occasion. 
 This ceremony was to have been performed by John 
 Manderson, Esq., but that gentleman having been con- 
 fined to his room by severe illness, his place was supplied 
 by one of the missionaries. 
 
 Hitherto no Society had been formed in Hanover, 
 but a number of free persons in Lucea, the principal 
 town in that parish, had been long and earnestly 
 soliciting some one to "come over and help them." 
 About the middle of this year, the missionary at Mon- 
 tego Bay (which town was twenty-five miles distant) 
 paid them a visit ; and hired a house for preaching. In 
 presenting this house to the Quarter-Sessions, much op- 
 position was expected ; but there was none at all, and 
 in no instance had any parochial court shown greater 
 courtesy. He continued to preach to large congrega- 
 tions, as often as his engagements at Montego Bay would 
 permit ; and a small Society was formed, which in the 
 following year became connected with that of Savannah- 
 la-Mar. 
 
 Under the ministry of Mr. Whitehouse, there was also 
 a great extension of the work in the parish of St. 
 Ann. The chapel at Bellemont being insufiicient to 
 contain the congregation, he purchased a place about 
 eight miles distant, known by the name of Botany Bay, 
 (on which Ebenezer chapel was afterwards erected), and 
 many of the members belonging to Bellemont from that 
 
^'EW SOCIETIES FORMED. 253 
 
 time attended there, as being nearer to their places of 
 residence. Miss Jarvis having been long and earnestly 
 desirous to have her large house at Ocho Rios, regularly 
 settled upon the Methodist plan, that it might be en- 
 tirely set apart for the preaching of the gospel, this, for 
 little more than a merely nominal sum, was effected in 
 course of the year. Mr. Whitehouse also extended his 
 labours as far eastward as Oracabessa and Port Maria, in 
 the parish of St. Mary, and in both these places he was 
 instrumental in the formation of Societies. 
 
 Besides those already mentioned, new Societies were 
 formed on Buff Bay, in the parish of St. George, con- 
 nected with the Port Antonio circuit. Also, in the 
 mountains of St. John, and at a place known by the 
 name of Lyme Savannah, in the parish of Clarendon, 
 Avhich were visited from Spanish Town. Preaching was 
 also commenced at Rocky Point, in St. Thomas in the 
 East, and a large Society was formed, consisting prin- 
 cipally of members removed from Bath. These new 
 openings required additional missionaries, and towards 
 the close of the year, Messrs. Pennock, Greenwood, and 
 Saxton arrived ; but Mr. Orton was compelled to leave 
 the Island, on account of the dangerous state of his 
 health, and early in the ensuing year he was followed by 
 Mr. Barry. 
 
 In course of the year 1829, the Earl of Belmore arrived 
 as the new governor, and under his administration, the 
 missionaries expected much benefit would result to the 
 Island, then in a very unsettled state. But an event 
 transpired during the Session of the Legislature, which 
 
254 SLAVE-LAW SANCTIONED BY LORD BELMORE. 
 
 appeared to fill every one with surprise. This was no other 
 than the passing of the slave-law, which had been pre- 
 viously disallowed, which, after having gone through the 
 Assembly, and Council, received his lordship's sanction. 
 There were indeed several alterations in the religious 
 clauses, but they only rendered them more stringent 
 than before. The missionaries could not do otherwise 
 than behold this event with alarm. They feared that 
 the instructions given by the Colonial Office had been 
 withdrawn, for they never could suppose, that any man 
 on earth would have so palpably violated them by pass- 
 ing such a law, had they continued in force. There had 
 been also several changes in the Cabinet, since the date 
 of Mr. Huskisson's despatch, which increased their fears ; 
 but whatever might be the issue, they were as firmly 
 resolved as ever, to adhere both to their doctrines and 
 discipline, leaving the whole matter in the hands of Al- 
 mighty God. 
 
 The District of 1830 sat as usual in Kingston, and 
 was in some respects one of the most discouraging which 
 had been held for many years. Although several new 
 places had been opened, at which Societies were formed, 
 yet on a few of the older circuits the work had rather 
 declined. The total increase of members appeared on 
 the minutes to amount only to thirty-one, but in 
 reality it was about 200 more; for at the preceding 
 District, a mistake had been made in the returns from 
 Montego Bay, amounting to nearly that number. But 
 the discovery of that mistake did little to remove the 
 discouragement, for it was still evident that the whole 
 
NEW CHAPEL OPENED AT MONTEGO BAY. 255 
 
 increase during the space of two years was under 500, 
 which was less than it had been for twenty years 
 before. 
 
 At the close of this District, Mr. Murray removed to 
 Port Royal, in which a neat mission-house had been 
 erected under his superintendency. The building con- 
 tained a convenient preacher's residence on the first floor, 
 and a remarkably neat and commodious chapel above. 
 It may be worthy of notice, that these premises were built 
 upon the site of a house in which Mr. Fishley, the first 
 Methodist in Port Royal, resided, and in which the 
 early missionaries preached under very discouraging cir- 
 cumstances. Now the scene was changed, and Port 
 Royal because the place of a minister's residence ; and 
 the handsome new chapel was well attended by pious 
 and respectable congregations. 
 
 On Easter Sunday, the 24th of March, the new Chapel 
 at Montego Bay was opened by Mr. Kerr, of Spanish 
 Town. The walls are principally built with a rough 
 dui'able stone, but cased outside with brick. Its dimen- 
 sions are 66 feet by 46, with a gallery opposite the 
 pulpit ; and as it was seated, was capable of comfortably 
 accommodating about 800 persons. The efforts made by 
 the Society for the erection of this chapel were highly 
 praiseworthy, and the liberality of Miss Rebecca Waite, 
 Miss Ann Yatman, and others, cannot be forgotten. 
 Great credit was also due to Messrs. Appleton and 
 Anderson, the stewards, both for their contributions and 
 diligence ; but they all felt highly rewarded in the pros- 
 perity of the work of God, and in witnessing increased 
 
256 coRREsr()NDP::NCE of 
 
 accommodation for many who were enquiring tlic way to 
 heaven. 
 
 In course of this year, a very extraordinary correspon- 
 dence took place between Mr. Whitehouse, and the late 
 Mr. Bullock, the governor's secretary. Though every 
 part of this correspondence is of great interest and im- 
 portance, yet our limits will only allow of a few extracts.* 
 In the year 1828, Mr. Whitehouse addressed a letter to 
 the committee, complaining that Henry Williams, an ex- 
 cellent leader belonging to the Bellemont Society, but a 
 slave, had been sent to the workhouse of Rodney-Hall, 
 in St. Thomas in the Vale, where he had been severely 
 flogged, only for attending the Wesleyan chapel. This 
 was done by the order of Mr. Betty, his attorney, who, 
 it was alleged, was instigated to do so by Mr. Bridges, 
 the rector of the parish. It v/as also stated, that the 
 sister of Henry Williams was severely flogged, merely 
 for sighing at the sight of her brother's undeserved, but 
 most cruel suffering. He also complained of Mr. Bridges 
 himself causing a negro, named George, belonging to a 
 Mrs. Simpson, to be cruelly punished, he being also a 
 member of Society at St. Ann's Bay. The Missionary 
 Committee in London sent his letter to the Colonial 
 Office; and Sir George Murray, the secretary for the 
 Colonies, wrote to Lord Belmore, demanding that the 
 charge of such inhuman barbarities should be duly in- 
 vestigated. Mr. Betty, though he did not deny the 
 
 * A considerable part of the correspondence here alluded to may be 
 found in the Missionary Notices for May, 1831. 
 
AND THE governor's SECRETARY. 257 
 
 charge affected to view his accuser with contempt ; but 
 avowed his readiness to answer in any court of justice, 
 or to any constituted authority, to whatever might be 
 brought against him. It appears that Mr. Bridges also 
 allowed, that he did use his influence to induce Henry 
 Williams " to leave the sectarians, because he was an 
 intelligent person." But respecting the negro George, a 
 letter, with his signature, which was published gives the 
 following explanation : — 
 
 " The fact is, the negro in question was in the habit of 
 trespassing on my premises ; and my own servants having 
 been continually preferring complaints of depredations com- 
 mitted by him, I certainly, on one occasion, several years ago, 
 and after giving him repeated warnings without effect, took 
 the law into my own hands, as to order them to drive him 
 from their gardens, where he was idling ; when one of the 
 cattle-boys cracked a whip at him, and followed him running 
 to the gate. But that he received any such flagellation as is 
 described by this Methodist preacher, I absolutely deny, nor 
 was I then aware that he was under the influence of the sec- 
 tarians." 
 
 About the same time, Mr. Whitehouse received a 
 letter from the governor's secretary, stating that he had 
 been commanded by his excellency to say, that if he had 
 any complaint against Mr. Betty, the proper course 
 would be to lay authentic documents, verified by oath, in 
 the Crown Office, when proceedings would be com- 
 menced against him. Mr. Whitehouse addressed a long 
 communication to the governor, assigning reasons why 
 he could not become the prosecutor in this case, but at 
 
 s 
 
258 DESPATCH OF LORD GODERICH. 
 
 the same time stating the evidence upon which he had 
 grounded his several charges. To this the secretary re- 
 turned an answer, the principal design of which seems to 
 have been, to reprove him for addressing the governor 
 directly, and not through the medium of his secretary ; 
 and he observed, that it was unnecessary to reply in detail 
 to the "diffuse and impertinent observations contained in 
 his letter to the governor, which seemed to be for the 
 purpose of drawing his excellency into a correspondence, 
 which would be very unsuitable for his Majesty's repre- 
 sentative to enter jnto." Mr. Whitehouse immediately 
 sent a dignified rejoinder, still maintaining his former 
 position, but observed, that " he regretted anything in 
 his letter had been considered by his lordship as * im- 
 pertinent," and disavowed any intended disrespect ; but, 
 said he, " I fain hope, that you had not his lordship's 
 commands to apply the term ' impertinent' to me, or my 
 communication. But however it might have orig- 
 inated, I beg to observe, that its use is scarcely con- 
 sistent with the civility or decorum of official correspon- 
 dence." 
 
 A short time after this Mr. Betty died, but the 
 whole correspondence was sent to the Colonial Office. 
 Sir George Murray was succeeded in the secretaryship 
 by Lord G oderich ; but his lordship seems to have ex- 
 amined it with no common attention. Although it was 
 admitted by him that the explanation of Mr. Bridges, in 
 the case of the negro George, was satisfactory, yet his lord- 
 ship fully justified the course adopted by Mr. Whitehouse y 
 and expressed his high disapi:)robation of the language 
 
DESPATCH OF LORD GODERICH. 259 
 
 made use of by the governor's secretary, suggesting the 
 propriety of his excellency ^^ admonishing him" to avoid 
 it for the future. 
 
 " My sense," said his lordship, " of what is due to a gen- 
 tleman engaged in the highly meritorious and painful, though 
 ill requited, labours of a missionary, has drawn from me the 
 preceding observations ; which have not been written without 
 much reluctance, because I feel that your lordship may, per- 
 haps, consider them as involving some disapprobation of your 
 public conduct. But not even my disinclination to augment 
 the embarrassment inseparable, in the present state of public 
 opinion, from the government of Jamaica, is sufficiently 
 strong, to prevent my pointing out to your lordship, in the 
 most distinct manner, the necessity of your affording your 
 countenance and protection to the ministers of religion, while 
 conducting themselves inoffensively ; and the still more ur- 
 gent necessity for a rigid and impartial scrutiny into every 
 such abuse of the owner's power, as was brought to your 
 notice by Mr. Whitehouse in the case of Mr. Betty's slaves," 
 
 Thus far everything was honourable to Mr. White- 
 house, but the reproof was painfully felt at the govern- 
 ment house by the Secretary. It was admitted, however, 
 that the explanation of Mr. Bridges was satisfactory 
 with reference to his treatment of the negro George. 
 Several months elapsed before Mr. Whitehouse saw 
 a copy of what purported to be this explanation, 
 (which has already been transcribed), but as soon as it 
 was brought under his notice, he addressed another com- 
 munication to the missionary secretaries, which was pub- 
 lished at full length in the Jamaica Watchman. In this 
 
260 SLAVE-LAW DISALLOWED. 
 
 letter he gives up nothing he had formerly written, hut 
 in addition, he enters into a variety of sickening details, 
 which for ohvious reasons cannot be related. It will be 
 sufficient to say, that throughout the whole correspon- 
 dence the laborious missionary shews himself well able 
 to stop the mouths of gainsayers, and to put to silence 
 the reproaches of malignant and persecuting men. 
 
 The reader has already been informed, that a slave- 
 law, substantially the same with that which had been pre- 
 viously rejected, passed the Legislature in 1829, and 
 received the sanction of the Earl of Belmore. On the 
 tidings of this event reaching Great Britain, the Mis- 
 sionary Committee immediately forwarded a memorial to 
 the Colonial Office, exposing the injurious and intole- 
 rant character of the law, and praying that his Majesty 
 might be graciously pleased to disallow it. The mis- 
 sionaries waited for the royal decision with great anxiety, 
 and at last a despatch from Sir George Murray an- 
 nounced that God was better to them than all their fears. 
 This despatch was truly an extraordinary document, and 
 reflected the highest honour upon the Colonial Secretary. 
 It was addressed to the governor, who was reminded 
 that his act was contrary to his instructions ; that his 
 predecessor had refused his sanction to a similar law, 
 which conduct was highly approved of by his Majesty- 
 He was also admonished, that the most proper course for 
 him to pursue in future would be to abide by his in- 
 structions. And, finally, he was directed to lay the 
 despatch before the House of Assembly. As this was 
 one of the first acts of his late Majesty William the 
 
STATE OF THE ASSEMBLY. 261 
 
 fourth, the missionaries felt it difficult to restrain such 
 expressions of joy as might have been calculated to give 
 offence, and provoke unnecessarily the anger of their 
 enemies. Their people were therefore advised to go 
 privately to the throne of grace, and there to return 
 thanks to " Him by whom kings reign, and princes decree 
 justice." But throughout the whole British Empire 
 his Majesty had not a body of subjects more attached to 
 his person and government than the Wesleyan Method- 
 ists of Jamaica. 
 
 The Assembly was now in a most pitiable condi- 
 tion. They beheld all their anxious labours entirely 
 blasted, and there well-laid schemes given to the winds 
 of heaven, while all hope of future success was taken 
 away. Great was the rejoicing when Sir George Murray 
 succeeded the late Mr. Huskisson. " Sir George was 
 no saint, but a soldier, a statesman, and a true friend to 
 the Colonies." But now, alas, he was represented as 
 " The most saint-ridden secretary who had ever been in 
 the Colonial Office." Even the Duke of Wellington 
 admonished them to encourage the religious instruction 
 of their negroes, " for such was the progress of liberal 
 opinions, that the day of their freedom could not be 
 delayed much longer." They also beheld their governor, 
 in effect, reprimanded for sanctioning their favourite 
 measure, while the missionaries were pursuing their 
 peaceful course, as if regardless of all that passed. Year 
 after year they had been making concessions to the free 
 coloured population, but they were attended with such 
 humbling conditions as caused them only to be rejected 
 
262 RAVAGES OF DEATH. 
 
 with disdain ; while the names of the few who availed 
 themselves of them were published in one of the news- 
 papers, and thus held up to the scorn of their country- 
 men. At this time the Assembly were under the 
 necessity of gi'anting all they desired, but as this appeared 
 so forced, and was so long delayed, and as the free coloured 
 body had ceased to solicit their rights at their hands, 
 looking for them entirely from the justice of the mother 
 country, the concession, when it came, awakened no 
 feelings of gratitude whatsoever. Great Britain was 
 loudly complained of, and represented as a '' cruel step- 
 mother" trampling upon the Colonies, and seeking the 
 destruction of her children. It is true she was begin- 
 ning to correct her wayward sons, and under the infliction 
 they did wail most piteously. But thus much must in 
 justice be said for them, that had she managed them 
 with a firmer hand at an earlier period, such correction 
 would have been wholly unnecessary. 
 
 It now becomes once more our painful task to record 
 the ravages of death. No fewer than three of the mis- 
 sionaries were, in the course of this year, called from 
 their field of labour to their eternal reward. 
 
 The first was Mr. Vowles, who had arrived on the 
 Island in March, 1829, and for the remainder of that 
 year laboured in Kingston with great acceptance. At 
 the District of 1830 he was sent to Port Antonio, on 
 which circuit he finished his course with joy. He was 
 a man of highly respectable talents, of a most amiable 
 and engaging disposition, and his humble and conciliat- 
 ing- behaviour secured the affections of all who knew 
 
DEATH OF MESSRS. PENMAN AND SAXTON. 263 
 
 him. After a severe illness of eight days, he died in 
 great peace, at Port Antonio, in the twenty-fourth year 
 of his age. 
 
 The next was Mr. Penman, who came to Jamaica at 
 the same time with Mr. Vowles. He was the son of one of 
 our ministers in England, and after being employed two 
 years at home, offered himself for the missionary work. 
 He was a man of great activity, and of promising talents; 
 but while his brethren and the church were looking for- 
 ward to future years of usefulness, the Master whom he 
 served, was pleased to release him early from his toil and 
 labour and to take him to himself. He died at Morant 
 Bay, on the 8th of November, in the twenty-seventh 
 year of his age and fifth of his ministry. 
 
 In less than three weeks after the death of Mr. 
 Penman the brethren had to mourn over the loss of Mr. 
 Saxton. This most excellent young man had only been 
 about a year on the Island, which had been nearly all 
 spent in the parish of St. Ann's. His talents for the 
 ministry did not appear to be very extraordinary, but for 
 deep piety, and a prudent, but burning zeal for the glory 
 of God, he was surpassed by none of his felloAV-labourers. 
 His preaching was always characterised by much ear- 
 nestness and affection, and was eminently attended by the 
 power of the Holy Ghost. Mr. Whitehouse found in 
 him a useful, holy, and zealous colleague ; and the 
 depth of his fervent piety commanded the respect of all 
 his brethren, who saw and admired the grace of God in 
 him. He died at Bellemont, of apoplexy, on the 27th 
 of November, and in the second year of his itinerancy. 
 
264 DEATH OF MR. CHARLES ROBERTSON. 
 
 About the same time the Society in Morant Bay 
 sustained no common loss in the death of Mr. Charles 
 Robertson, the excellent steward of that circuit. In 
 early life he was converted to God, through the instru- 
 mentality of Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion ; 
 and, until his death, he was an ornament to his Christian 
 profession, loved and respected by all with whom he was 
 acquainted. He had been a member of the Methodist 
 Society upwards of twenty years, and filled the various 
 lay offices, with great credit to himself and advantage to 
 the cause of God. He was a trustee for some of the 
 chapels ; and as a circuit steward, the missionaries often 
 derived incalculable advantage from his strict integrity 
 and judicious counsels. He had several classes at the 
 time of his death, and no man on the Island had ever, 
 in that ofiice, been more successful in training souls 
 for eternal life. His death happened a few years after 
 that of his most excellent wife, who was truly a help 
 meet for so worthy and so useful a man. She also was 
 the leader of a large female class, and under her watch- 
 ful care many were instructed and upheld in the way of 
 righteousness. Her attention to the wants of the mis- 
 sionaries can never be forgotten, and especially during 
 the times of sickness and afiliction. She had often night 
 and day ministered to their necessities while suffering 
 from the burning rage of fever, and has sometimes closed 
 their eyes when they slept the sleep of death. The 
 writer here feels acutely. He remembers " the days of 
 other years," and can say with the apostle, " She hath 
 been a succourer unto many, and unto myself also." 
 
DISTRICT-MEETING OF 1831. 265 
 
 Thus this exemplary couple, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, 
 "walked in all the commandments and ordinances of 
 the Lord blameless;" and after having served their day 
 and generation they fell asleep, in sure and certain hope 
 of the resurrection to eternal life. 
 
 At the District of 1831 the reports from the various 
 stations showed a decrease of members amounting to 105, 
 a circumstance which had not occured for between 
 twenty and thirty years before. But, notwithstanding 
 this, the brethren were not discouraged, as they had been 
 the preceding year ; a considerable number had been 
 received on trial ; chapels had been built, and opened at 
 Old Harbour on the Spanish Town Circuit ; one addi- 
 tional in St. Ann's, which was named " Ebenezer," and 
 another on the same circuit at Oracabessa, in the parish 
 of St. Mary ; three new missionaries were also present; 
 and altogether their prospects were such, as warranted 
 the anticipation of a prosperous year. 
 
 At this District Mr. Muiray removed from Port Royal 
 to Montego Bay, and under his ministry the work of 
 God continued to prosper. He was instrumental in 
 forming a Society at a place called '^The Ramble," 
 situated about eighteen miles distant from the town, and 
 in the neighbourhood of which many of the members 
 resided. Here the earnest desire manifested by the 
 negroes to attend the means of grace, deserves particu- 
 larly to be noticed. About three hundred resided 
 from twelve to twenty miles from the Bay, yet they 
 attended every opportunity, although after the early 
 services they had immediately to return. The new 
 
PROSPERITY OF THE MISSION. 
 
 station of " The Ramble" was primarily obtained for 
 their accommodation, but as it was in the midst of a 
 vast slave population, its importance for the extension of 
 the work of God was very obvious. Mr. Murray rented 
 a house for preaching which had been used as a black- 
 smith's shop, but though it was the most commodious he 
 could procure, it was too small for the increasing congre- 
 gations. 
 
 In course of the year 1831, the Mission furnished but 
 few materials for narration. Although it was not with- 
 out its trials, it was a year of great prosperity ; and the 
 brethren felt abundant cause of gratitude to God. Five 
 additional missionaries were sent out to their assistance ; 
 not one had been called away by death ; and Mr. Mor- 
 gan only removed from the Island for England. New 
 chapels had been erected at Unity, on the Grateful 
 Plill circuit, and at Red Hills, which stood connected 
 with Kingston South ; and the increase of members on 
 the Island amounted to 803. But as an event oc- 
 curred, which prevented the sitting of the District at the 
 regular time, and which must occupy a great part of 
 the following chapter, we shall conclude the present, by 
 subjoining a list of the circuits, with the number of 
 members belonging to each, as they were reported by 
 letters from the brethren in January, 183^ : — 
 
 Kingston North 2778 
 
 Kingston South 1709 
 
 Spanish Town 720 
 
 Carried forward . 5207 
 
MEMBERS IN JANUARY, 18-32. 
 
 267 
 
 Brought for\\ 
 
 art! 
 
 5207 
 
 Morant Bay . . . 
 
 
 2259 
 
 Grateful Hill. . . 
 
 
 735 
 
 Stoney Hill . . . 
 
 
 257 
 
 Montego Bay . . . 
 
 
 1090 
 
 Falmouth .... 
 
 
 960 
 
 St. Ann's, &c. . . 
 
 
 1499 
 
 Port Antonio, &c. . 
 
 
 744 
 
 Lucea and Savannah-la- Mar 
 
 84 
 
 Total 
 
 12,835 
 
 Last year .... 
 
 12,025 
 
 Increase . . 
 
 . . 
 
 810 
 
CHAPTER. XI. 
 
 Insurrection of the Slaves in December, 1831— Extracts from Colonial 
 Publications — Arrest of the Rev. William Box — State of the So- 
 ciety in Montego Bay — Rev. Messrs. Kerr and Wood visit Ocho 
 Rios and are arrested — Arrest of Miss Jarvis — Colonial Church 
 Union— Extraordinary fidelity of the Wesleyan Negroes duriiig the 
 Insurrection — Demolition of Chapels in Falmouth, St. Ann's and 
 Oracabessa — State of Kingston— Intended attack on the new Chapel 
 prevented — Proclamation of the Mayor — Sufferings of the Wesleyan 
 Negroes on the north-side of the Island — Robert Lamont — John 
 Ba3lie — Execution of John Davidson — Sentence of death passed on 
 James Malcolm — Sufferings of Ilemy Williams — Brutal assault on 
 Rev. Henry Bleby in Falmouth — Meeting of the Legislature — Re- 
 port of the " Rebellion Committee" — Resolutions of the Wesleyans 
 against it — Rev. Messrs. Wood and Greenwood visit St. Ann's — 
 Letter of the Custos of that Parish — The Earl of Behnore leaves the 
 Island — Chapel Destroyers prosecuted at the Supreme Com't — The 
 Grand Jury retiirn the Bill " Ignoramus" — Rioters at Falmouth pro- 
 secuted but the Grand Jirry also ignore the Bill — Trial of the Editor 
 of the Watclmian for Libel — Rev. Mr. Greenwood preaches in 
 Port Maria, and is twice imprisoned — Writ of Habeas Corpus for 
 his release refused — Arrest of the Rev. James Rowden and his sub- 
 sequent Imprisonment at Morant Bay — Montego Bay Chapel shut 
 up by order of the Quarter Sessions. 
 
 The attention of the reader is now to be directed to an 
 event, in itself the most disastrous that had ever trans- 
 pired in the history of Jamaica ; namely, the insurrection 
 of the negroes in December, 1831. He is, however, re- 
 minded that this is a narrative of the Wesleyan Mission 
 and not of that melancholy occurrence. But as the 
 most strenuous endeavours w^re made to involve the 
 missionaries in the guilt of that aifair, and as the history 
 of the Mission became otherwise much affected by it, 
 it will be necessary to glance at public events which 
 
CAUSES CF THE INSURRECTION. 269 
 
 were then passing, that others which arose out of them 
 may be seen in their proper light. 
 
 The inveterate hostiUty of the whites to the mother 
 country, which had been awakened by the discussions 
 on Colonial Slavery, had been long cherished by the 
 leading newspapers on the Island, and in particular by 
 the notorious Courant. That publication, by pandering 
 to the worst passions of the planters, had so exasperated 
 them both against the teachers of religion and the 
 parent government, as even in Jamaica was beyond all 
 precedent. The House of Assembly became thoroughly 
 imbued with its spirit and principles, and their debates 
 were not unfrequently of the most inflammatory, not to 
 say seditious, description. Their disloyalty completely 
 alienated from them the affection and respect of the free 
 coloured and black population, Avho were devotedly at- 
 tached to Great Britain, and who in the towns were fully 
 equal to the whites, and in many instances superior to 
 them in general information. It has been already stated, 
 that the recent concessions to that body had in no degree 
 concihated their affections; for being granted with so 
 bad a grace, and at a time when their rights were 
 sought for elsewhere, the Legislature only discovered its 
 own weakness, and instead of feelings of gratitude pro- 
 duced those of contempt. The repeated failures in their 
 attempts to enact persecuting laws to crush the mission- 
 aries, under the flimsy and hypocritical pretence of good- 
 will to the slaves (whose best interests they entirely 
 disregarded) ; and also the notorious and unblushing 
 falsehood of such measures as those connected with the 
 
270 CAUSES OF THE INSURRECTION. 
 
 " Sectarian Committee," lost for them the confidence of 
 all unprejudiced men, whether in the Colony or at 
 home. 
 
 In the meantime, the slaves were not ignorant of 
 these movements ; but their knowledge was only par- 
 tial, and in general drawn from such sources as were 
 likely to produce the most unfavourable impression on 
 their minds. They were in the daily habit of listening 
 to the clamours of their overseers and others against 
 the government of the mother country, for endeavouring 
 to bring about a measure of emancipation ; while Colo- 
 nial resistance was as much vaunted of, as if the weak- 
 ness of Britain could no more withstand the power of 
 Jamaica, than a worm could resist the stroke of a 
 thunderbolt. Parochial meetings were held in 1831, 
 at which the most violent resolutions were adopted. 
 They were nearly all of a similar description. They 
 complained that the government were aiming at the 
 destruction of their property, that is, the emancipation 
 of the slaves. They engaged to stand by each other in 
 resisting such a measure, and some of them claimed to 
 be absolved from their allegiance to the British crown. 
 The slaveswere not unacquainted with these proceedings; 
 and, having but an imperfect knowledge of the general 
 state of affairs, they received the impression, that the King 
 had made them free, but that the white people on the Is- 
 land were determined to keep them in a state of slavery. 
 Here, let it be remarked, that the Sovereign had not, 
 throughout his dominions, a body of more loyal and 
 devoted subjects than they were ; but it is not neces- 
 
AGITATED DISTRICTS. 271 
 
 sary to say, that they had no great love for their overseers. 
 However much, therefore, it is to be deplored, it can 
 hardly be wondered at, that in such circumstances they 
 should be easily induced to use violent means to obtain 
 that freedom which the King, whom they honoured, 
 desired to bestow ; and to escape from slavery, which 
 those only whom they neither loved nor honoured desired 
 to perpetuate. The failure of a motion of Mr. Beau- 
 mont's in the House of Assembly, to abolish female 
 flogging, made the impression that any mitigation of 
 their present evils was not to be looked for from that 
 body. Their few civil and religious privileges (if such 
 they can be called) were in many instances wantonly 
 tampered with; while they were sometimes tantalized 
 with the names of Wilberforce and Buxton, in a way 
 which was almost impossible for human nature to bear. 
 In a word, the distracted state of the Island rendered it 
 evident that some eventful crisis was at hand ; although 
 an insurrection of the negroes on a scale so formidable 
 and extensive was, perhaps, expected by none. 
 
 The insurrection first broke out in the parish of St. 
 James, of which Montego Bay is the chief town. Several 
 fires were seen on the the night of the 28 th of December, 
 and in a few evenings the work of destruction spread to 
 the adjoining parishes of Trelawney, Hanover, West- 
 moreland, and St. Elizabeth. There were partial dis- 
 turbances even in the distant districts of Portland and 
 Manchioneal ; and though the intervening parishes were 
 quiet, the symptoms of a general insurrection were such 
 as to create universal alarm. Martial law was proclaimed 
 
272 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSURGENT NEGROES. 
 
 by Lord Belmore on the 31st of December; the Island 
 was divided into military districts, each under the com- 
 mand of a major-general of militia ; and in a short time 
 the various parochial regiments were all under arms. 
 
 It was allowed on all hands, that at first it was not 
 the object of the insurgent negroes to take life, and in 
 this their moderation was acknowledged, and even 
 eulogized by their enemies ; but after the commencement 
 of the military executions, and when many of their num- 
 bers were shot in the woods, then indeed they retaliated, 
 but not more than from six to ten were spoken of as 
 having been killed by them during the whole insurrec- 
 tion. But the destruction of property was immense, 
 although it was admitted, that much of this would have 
 been prevented, had not the Western Interior regiment 
 of militia, under the command of Colonel Grignon, fled 
 from a rabble of negroes, consisting of about three hun- 
 dred men and women, of whom very few were armed. 
 This circumstance left that part of the country entirely 
 open, nor was the career of desolation checked until 
 Sir Willoughby Cotton, the commander-in-chief, appeared 
 with a body of regular troops, who were speedily marched 
 to the scene of action. The negroes no sooner knew of 
 this than they submitted ; for it never was their intention 
 to rise against the authority of the parent state ; and on 
 the 5th of February, by the governor's proclamation, 
 martial law was declared to be at an end. 
 
 The Earl of Belmore, in his address to the Assembly, 
 was pleased to say that the rising of the negroes was ^' un- 
 provoked." This is utterly unaccountable. Tlie pro- 
 
CRUEL PUNISHMENTS. S73 
 
 vocation was almost intolerable, and time may yet show, 
 whether, in some instances, the negroes were not directly 
 instigated to violence for the purpose of casting odium 
 upon the missionaries.* But be that as it may, the 
 conduct of the insurgents is justly to be [reprobated ; 
 and in this sentiment no class of persons more readily 
 agreed than the missionaries of all denominations. At 
 the same time, it cannot be concealed, that they were 
 punished with such a barbarous severity, and that the 
 whole insurrection was subdued in a manner so sangui- 
 nary and ferocious, as to be revolting to humanity, and 
 disgraceful to any country pretending to civilization. 
 Probably no fewer than three hundred were hanged or 
 shot, by sentences of courts martial, or of the civil ma- 
 gistrates ; military floggings both of men and women, 
 were a constant exercise ; many hundreds were shot by 
 parties of the militia ; the woods were scoured by the 
 Maroons, who received a certain sum of money for 
 every pair of human ears they produced ; and the carnage 
 would have been much more extensive, had it not been 
 for Sir Willoughby Cotton, who exerted himself to the 
 utmost to prevent it ; and it ought also to be mentioned 
 that the free coloured and blacks, serving in the militia, 
 conducted themselves throughout the whole affair in a 
 
 * Th.is thought has been ridiculed, and it has been asked, whether it 
 can be believed, that any man would instigate the negroes to destroy 
 his OAvn property ? Perhaps not ; but it never was pretended that the 
 instigators of the negroes had property to destroy. The overseers, the 
 parties alluded to, had no property. Such foimd it easier to kindle 
 the fire than to put it out. It is not, however, suspected that many 
 directly instigated the negroes to the work of destruction. 
 
 T 
 
274 PERILS OF THE MISSIONARIES. 
 
 way equally honourable both to their courage and hu- 
 manity * 
 
 Immediately on the breaking out of the disturbances, 
 the rage of the planters and others against the mission- 
 aries, exceeded all bounds. It was even perilous to 
 profess towards them any degree of sympathy or friend- 
 ship. The " Jamaica Watchman," however, fearless of 
 danger, boldly vindicated their cause ; and even the 
 " Kingston Chronicle," a paper conducted on Colonial 
 principles, demanded on their behalf the right of every 
 British subject, namely, that they ought not to suffer 
 until they were proved to be guilty. But the " Courant," 
 which was by far the most influential, literally clamoured 
 for their blood. For some time before, Mr. Beaumont 
 had retired from that publication, and was succeeded 
 by William Bruce. This low individual was destitute 
 of the talents of his predecessor, and was remarkable 
 for that inveterate opposition to the missionaries which, 
 for ambitious ends, he only professed. The " Cornwall 
 Courier," which was published in Falmouth, was equally 
 
 * Although it is not pretended to give an exact ' account of the 
 number of executions, yet the statement given above will doubtless 
 appear so horrible as to require some farther observation. Although 
 the missionaries in the agitated districts were imable to ascertain the 
 numbers with precision, yet they thought they amounted to about 
 four hundred. The witnesses on the Colonial side, before the Com- 
 mons' Committee on Slavery, estimated them from a hundred to a 
 hundred and twenty. The estimate of the former parties was perhaps 
 too high, as that of the latter was too low. But, probably, nothing in 
 the account will appear so shockmg as the barbarities of the Maroons : 
 but in an extract from even the Cornwall Chronicle, now before the 
 MTiter, which was published at the time, these are alluded to in a 
 manner so cold blooded that the heart sickens on reading it. The un- 
 happy Colonists were in a state of perfect frenzy, and both justice 
 and mercy were asleep. 
 
CORNWALL COURIER. 275 
 
 violent. Its proprietor and editor was William Dyer, 
 who was permitted to retain the office of the magistracy, 
 which by his conduct he so much disgraced. That the 
 reader may see the spirit of these malignant journals, 
 the following paragraphs are inserted, as specimens. 
 His attention is first directed to an extract from the 
 " Courier," published during the first week in January, 
 1832. It is as follows :— 
 
 " We have for a long time used every exertion to show, 
 that the missionaries in this Island were inculcating our slave 
 population with principles and doctrines most dangerous to 
 the well-being of this Island. The acts of rebelHon and in- 
 cendiarism committed, and still committing, in this parish and 
 St. James's, are occasioned by the slaves having been mis- 
 guided and deceived by the sectarians. Let the blood that 
 must be spilt rest on the heads of the instigators. We can 
 only now state, that facts of the rebellion having been actu- 
 ally preached to the slaves, and instilled into their minds, are 
 hourly coming to light. 
 
 " What satisfaction can it be to the anti-colonial faction in 
 England, to see the work of destruction that has been insti- 
 gated by their emissaries in this Island r Hecatombs of the 
 once peaceful and contented slave population of Jamaica we 
 fear must be offered up, ere a stop will be put to the rebel- 
 lion which has been infused into their minds. Immediate 
 steps should be taken to place the whole of the sectarian 
 preachers in the Island, if not in close custody, at least under 
 a most rigid surveillance. This is not the time for half-and- 
 half measures." 
 
 Our next paragraph is extracted from the '' Courant," 
 published about the same time. The editor says, — 
 
276 EXTRACTS FROM THE 
 
 " Our enemies unhappily are numerous, both here and in 
 he mother country, and heaven knows this fact was repeat- 
 edly pointed out to the inhabitants of this Island by the 
 writer of the present article ; but his cautions and predictions 
 were not only discarded, but he was charged by many of his 
 best friends with cherishing a feeling of hatred, and without 
 just grounds, against the sectarians. This he utterly dis- 
 claims ; but from the information with which he was so con- 
 stantly furnished enabled him to state facts which few even 
 of his friends would believe. But as he had a duty to per- 
 form to his country, he persevered in exposing the machina- 
 tions of the sectarians, as well as the motives by which their 
 conduct was governed. Still the writer's best friends said, 
 ' Bruce, let the Methodists alone, they will be found out bye 
 and bye.' In defiance, however, of all this he persevered, 
 because he knew that truth would ultimately prevail over 
 villany, falsehood, and hypocrisy. Shall the woeful tale be 
 told ? Shall it now be said that the editor of this paper is an 
 incendiary ? No, he exerted every means in his power to 
 prevent it, but the sectarian preachers have been too many 
 for him : but they have now the pleasing satisfaction of 
 knowing, that they have succeeded in rendering the fairest 
 fields in Jamaica barren wastes, and have sent forth many of 
 our most respectable families into the world houseless, and 
 destitute of the means of existence. These indeed must be 
 gratifying reflections to men tvho pretend to preach and teach 
 the mild and benign doctrines of our Saviour to our slaves, but 
 whose souls are bent upon the destruction of the fairest por- 
 tion of the British Empire, and that merely because they are 
 paid by the Anti-Slavery Society to hasten our ruin. They 
 have progressed one step too fast, and we may, perhaps, be 
 able to make their infamous conduct recoil upon themselves. 
 
JAMAICA COURANT. 277 
 
 Three Baptist preachers are now in custody, and as we are 
 satisfied they would not have been taken into custody upon 
 slight grounds by Sir Willoughby Cotton, "^ we hope he will 
 award them fair and impartial justice. Shooting is, however, 
 too honourable a death for men whose conduct has occasioned 
 so much bloodshed and the loss of so much property. There 
 are fine hanging woods in Trelawney, and we do sincerely 
 hope, that the bodies of all the Methodist preachers who may 
 be convicted of sedition, may diversify the scene. After this, 
 our hostility, even to men so reckless of blood, carnage, and 
 slaughter, shall cease." 
 
 We shall adduce only another specimen, the leading 
 article of the " Courant" of January 20th : — 
 
 " We have taken every pains," says the editor, " and we 
 acknowledge our obligations to our friends for the very hand- 
 some manner they have furnished us with the information 
 relative to the disturbed districts, which we are enabled to 
 lay before our readers. In the absence of positive information 
 it may be unkind to blame any one ; but we grieve to say, 
 that the temporising measures which have been carried on, 
 are likely to prolong the unfortunate contest now existing 
 between the proprietors and their deluded slaves, who have 
 been goaded on to rebellion by a set of miscreants, who be- 
 lieve themselves above the law, merely because General 
 Murray hesitated to carry the sentence of the court martial 
 against Smith of Demarara into immediate execution. These 
 scoundrels consider themselves the aristocracy of the Island, 
 from the impunity with which their proceedings have been 
 hitherto viewed ; and they declare, through the medium of 
 their own press, that the people of Jamaica dare not interfere 
 
 * They were not taken mto custody by Su' W. Cotion. 
 
S78 SUFFERINGS OF MISSIONARIES. 
 
 with the favoured spies of our foes of Aldermanbury. The 
 preachers will soon find themselves wrong ; for though we 
 admit, that the supineness with which their conduct has been 
 viewed may have led them to draw such a conclusion, they 
 may, however, shortly find themselves mistaken, as impunity 
 in crime has made them treasonable ; and for the proof of 
 this assertion, we look to the confessions of those miserable 
 wretches who have been sacrificed to please Jesus Christ and 
 parson Burchell ! God forbid that we should advocate any 
 measure contrary to the principles of British law, and what is 
 still more material to us — self-preservation ; but we do main- 
 tain, that evidence has been adduced against several of the 
 Methodist incendiaries, who now reside among us, which, in 
 any other country, would have speedily consigned them to 
 the gallows : and unless a hatch of these vagabondising reve- 
 rends are held up, as patterns to their congregations, we may 
 imagine the consequence : and the wretches ought to bless 
 God, that they live in a country where the use of the dagger 
 and the stiletto are unknown." 
 
 The reader cannot mistake the meaning'and object of 
 the above extracts. They have been given merely as 
 specimens ; but for months the public papers abounded 
 with similar articles, equally sanguinary and cruel. The 
 infuriated Colonists were hurried onward by such mer- 
 cenary editors, until many were covered with infamy, 
 and plunged into ruin. In the persecutions which 
 followed, both the Moravian and Baptist missionaries, 
 had a large share of suffering and reproach. It is 
 from no want of respect to Christian brethren of these 
 denominations, that their unmerited trials are not par- 
 ticularly detailed; many of them have been already 
 
ARREST OF MR. BOX. 279 
 
 brought before the public in various ways, and our limits 
 will only allow the attention of the reader to be directed 
 in this narrative to what transpired in connection with 
 the Wesleyan Mission. 
 
 The annual District-meeting having been called to 
 assemble in Kingston, about the beginning of January, 
 a few of the brethren arrived at the appointed time. 
 The Island being then under martial law, they obtained 
 passports from the major-general of militia, allowing 
 them to journey unmolested. None of them suffered 
 any material interruption, excepting Mr. Box, in travel- 
 ing from Falmouth. On Sunday morning, January 1st, 
 while holding public worship in that town, he received 
 a summons to attend a militia court of inquiry, with the 
 view to his bearing arms ; but on the following morning 
 he waited on the colonel, before whom he laid his case 
 and obtained a passport for Kingston. He met with 
 but little hindrance until he reached Spanish Town, but 
 on tarrying there a short time, he was arrested in virtue 
 of an order received by express from Falmouth. At 
 first he was taken to the guard-room, where he was 
 kept for the night, but on the following morning he was 
 removed to the gaol, and lodged in a cell which had 
 been occupied by a condemned felon. In course of the 
 day he was allowed to go out into the prison-yard, 
 but was locked up at night in that apartment, which 
 was so infested with vermin, and was otherwise so 
 loathsome, that sleep was altogether impossible. In 
 that condition he was detained a prisoner for the space 
 of five days, until an express returned from Falmouth, 
 
280 MR. MURRAY. 
 
 which had been sent by the governor, and no charge 
 whatsoever having been made against him, he was re- 
 leased by order of his excellency. 
 
 The brethren in Kingston received a communication 
 from Mr. Murray, (then stationed in Montego Bay), in 
 which he informed them, that such was the dreadful 
 sate of affairs in that town and neighbourhood, that he 
 could not think it prudent to leave the place, even for a 
 single day. The chapel having been taken as a garrison 
 for the military, there was indeed no pubUc worship ; 
 but his presence with the Society was of immense impor- 
 tance. The conduct of this intrepid missionary was 
 most heroic. His was a station of the greatest danger , 
 and in the midst of terror, confusion, and death, he 
 visited his people from house to house, unmoved by 
 the angry threatenings daily denounced against " sec- 
 tarians" and " sectarianism." He frequently attended 
 the courts martial, which were almost constantly sitting. 
 He looked his enemies in the face wherever he found 
 them. He was also particularly attentive in visiting the 
 Rev. Messrs. Whitehorne, Knibb, and Abbot, the three 
 Baptist missionaries, then under arrest ; and, by his calm 
 and fearless demeanor, he compelled even the whites to 
 acknowledge he had no hand in the insurrection. But 
 what very much contributed to his comfort, was the 
 remarkable fact, that amongst the vast numbers of pri- 
 soners daily brought into town, no Wesleyan was to be 
 found. This was indeed more than could have been ex- 
 pected, but so it was, that as far as the examinations 
 had proceeded, Mr. Murray had every reason to conclude 
 
ARREST OF MESSRS. KERR AND WOOD. 281 
 
 that his people were walking worthy of their Christian 
 profession. 
 
 As it was found, that the District-meeting could not 
 be held, it was judged highly proper for the brethren to 
 return to their stations, where it was practicable ; and Mr. 
 Kerr (who was appointed to succeed Mr. Whitehouse 
 in St. Ann's), along with Mr. Wood, his colleague, 
 actually formed the desperate resolution of visiting the 
 Societies in that parish. After some interruption by an 
 officer of militia, at an inn called " The Rest," they 
 proceeded on their journey, and arived the same evening 
 at Ocho Rios. They had scarcely sat down to partake of 
 some refreshment, which was prepared by Miss Cathe- 
 rine Jarvis, when they heard a person in the chapel ex- 
 claiming, " Is Whitehouse here?" Mr. Kerr instantly 
 left the table, and found he was a Lieutenant Taylor of 
 the militia, attended by two of his comrades, and armed 
 with a pair of pistols. lie informed him, that Mr. 
 Whitehouse was not in the parish, but that himself and 
 Mr. Wood were the ministers appointed for that year to 
 St. Ann's. " Then," said Taylor, " I arrest you both 
 in the King's name, you are my prisoners ; " and on 
 hearing this Miss Jarvis stepped out, and she was 
 arrested also. Mr. Kerr then requested to know the 
 distance they had to go, and on being informed it was 
 about three miles, he ordered their boy to get the horse 
 ready as quickly as possible. After some time he re- 
 turned, and said, " Massa, de horse break de fence, and 
 him gone, me seek him all about sir, but me can't find 
 him." They then took their hats, and signified their 
 
282 MESSRS. KERR AND WOOD LIBERATED. 
 
 readiness to proceed ; but the officer^ beginning to see 
 tliat he had mistaken his men, offered to allow them to 
 remain, on the condition of their appearing before a 
 neighbouring magistrate the following morning at eleven 
 o'clock. To this they thankfully consented, and wearied 
 with their journey, they rested at Ocho Rios in peace. 
 
 On the next morning they went at the time appointed, 
 and appeared before a Mr. Moncrieff, a magistrate ; their 
 accusers being present. After looking at each other a 
 few moments, Mr. Kerr stated, that they stood before 
 him as prisoners, and desired to know what charges were 
 to be brought against them. The officer here denied 
 they were prisoners, and observed that they were at 
 liberty to go. Mr. Kerr, then addressing the magistrate, 
 replied, " lam a prisoner ! We were arrested last night 
 hy that gentleman in his Majesty^ s name, and hound to 
 appear before your worship at this hour, I demand, there- 
 fore, to know what charges he has to prefer against us,'' 
 Taylor answered, that he heard there was to be an un- 
 lawful meeting at the chapel ; and as evidence, he pro- 
 duced a prayer-book and a small sunday-school spelling- 
 book, which he had taken the preceding evening ; but 
 as there was no charge against the missionaries they 
 were liberated, very much to the satisfaction of the 
 magistrate, who hardly knew what to do in the busi- 
 ness. 
 
 On tlieir liberation they immediately proceeded to St. 
 Ann's Uay, to inform the Hon. Henry Cox, the Gustos 
 and major-general of the district, of what had happened. 
 When they had related the whole matter respecting 
 
THEY RETURN TO KINGSTON. 283 
 
 themselves, he said they must be mistaken in the per- 
 son of Lieut. Taylor, as the company to which he was 
 attached had not been on guard the preceding night. 
 But on being assured that he w^as the person guilty of 
 the outrage, he became exceedingly indignant, and as- 
 sured them that the whole should be duly investigated. 
 They then intimated their wish that no further notice 
 should be taken of the offender, but as Miss Jarvis had 
 been arrested, and was still in custody, they begged his 
 honour would order her to be released. This was ac- 
 cordingly done ; but perceiving it to be impossible for 
 them to remain in St. Ann's they returned to Kingston. 
 On the 26th of January, martial law being still in 
 force, a public meeting was held at St. Ann's Bay, at 
 which the well-known confederacy, known by the name 
 of the " Colonial Church Union," was formed. As this 
 unhallowed combination was productive of much mis- 
 chief, an account of its formation and proceedings shall 
 be given from the Jamaica Courant, that the reader may 
 at once be made acquainted with its constitution and 
 objects. It is as follows : — 
 
 " At a meeting held at St. Ann's Bay, on the 26th day of 
 January, 1832, 
 
 " It was resolved, 
 
 " To call on every friend of the Colony to assist, by an 
 annual subscription of twenty shillings, in the permanent 
 establishment of a " Colonial Chuech Union," whose 
 object shall be to resist, by all constitutional means, the en- 
 croachment of their enemies under every disguise ; and 
 through the agency of Quarterly Reports, published through 
 
284 FORMATION OF THE 
 
 out the British Dominions, to offer to the falsehoods of the 
 Anti-Slavery Society an antidote, in the form of arguments 
 and facts, illustrative of the true state of our labouring classes, 
 at the same time encouraging every measure for the advance- 
 ment of their spiritual and temporal interests. 
 
 " That subscription lists be opened, and forwarded to all 
 places of public resort throughout the Island. 
 
 " That, until a meeting of all the Island subscribers can 
 be convened for the purpose of electing a President and offi- 
 cers of the Society, this meeting elects, 
 Presidents. 
 
 " The Honourable Henry Cox and James Lawrence Hil- 
 ton, Esquires. 
 
 Secretaries. 
 *' Thomas Raffington and Ralph Cocking, Esquires, and 
 Dr. Edward Tucker. 
 
 Acting Committee. 
 " Hamilton Brown, James Walker, James Johnston, Gil- 
 bert Senior, Dr. Stennett, William M'Cook, John Higgin- 
 bottom, J. W. Davis, Robert Robinson, Henry Smallwood, 
 and S. W. Rose, Esquires. 
 
 Treasurer. 
 " Benjamin Scott Moncrieffe, Esquire." 
 
 " At a General Meeting of the Colonial Church Union 
 of St. Ann, held this 15th day of February, 1832, present, 
 The Honourable Henry Cox and James Lawrence Hilton, 
 Esquires, Presidents, 
 " It was resolved, 
 
 " 1st. That at an alarming crisis like the present, when the 
 possession of our lives and properties depends upon our 
 recovering the confidence of our people, which has been 
 
COLOI^IAL CHURCH UNION. 285 
 
 estranged by the arts of those whose influence must be first 
 removed ; and when it is the prevailing fashion of the day, 
 to carry every measure against us by organized societies and 
 political unions, it becomes us to arm ourselves with the 
 same weapons against our assailants ; and to unite in our 
 own defence for our mutual support, and for that of our ex- 
 isting institutions, by the removal of those who seek their 
 overthrow. 
 
 " 2nd. That in furtherance of the objects of the meeting 
 held here on the 26th of January last, our secretaries be now 
 instructed to communicate immediately with all the Parochial 
 Unions yet established, for the purpose of collecting within 
 the General Colonial Church Union the whole strength of 
 the Island, and obtaining therefrom a general petition to the 
 Legislature for the expulsion of all sectarian missionaries. 
 
 " 3rd. That the members of the Union, collectively and 
 individually, shall strive to regain the confidence of their 
 slaves, estranged through the machinations of the sectarians, 
 by a more rigid discipline in the first instance, and in the 
 next, by granting every indulgence consistent with their state 
 and merited by their conduct. 
 
 " 4th. That the members of the Union do bind themselves 
 to use every possible exertion to prevent the dissemination of 
 any doctrines at variance with those of the English and Scotch 
 churches. 
 
 " 5th. That in furtherance of the ulterior objects of the 
 Union, and to exhibit in their true light the arts which have 
 been used to bring ruin and devastation on Jamaica, the first 
 Report of the Colonial Church ?7mow shall contain an authentic 
 account of the late rebellion, and that the committee do 
 cause such narrative to be compiled from official sources of 
 information. 
 
286 OBJECTS OF THE 
 
 "6th. That it is expected from every member of the Union, 
 that he will lend his influence and support, on all occasions, 
 to those patriots who, in behalf of the paramount laws of 
 society, have hazarded their personal responsibility for our 
 preservation from the murderous machinations of our ene- 
 mies. 
 
 " 7th. That every member of the Parochial Union doth 
 hereby bind himself to obey, promptly and explicitly, all 
 constitutional orders of the General Union. 
 
 " 8th. That any member of the Colonial Church Union 
 who shall act unworthily of the obligation herein imposed 
 and accepted, shall be expelled therefrom. 
 
 " 9th. That a meeting of the acting committee of St. Ann 
 
 be held at St. Ann's Bay, to commence on the third Saturday 
 
 in March, or, during this eventful crisis, as much oftener as 
 
 they may think proper to call on the presidents to convene 
 
 them." 
 
 (Signed; JAMES L. HILTON,) p 
 
 HENRY COX, j PRESIDENTS. 
 
 The attentive reader will easily see what were the 
 motives and objects of this conspiracy. The design of 
 the " Colonial Church Union," was not to support the 
 Churches of England and Scotland on the Island. Of the 
 latter, there was indeed only one congi*egation at the time, 
 which was in a state so pitiful, as would not have dis- 
 pleased even Claverhouse, could he have risen from the 
 dead to see it. The object tvas to drive religion out of 
 the country ; to rivet the chains of slavery ; and to hring 
 hack those days in xohich the clergy were few in nunibefi^ 
 and immoral in their lives, to accomplish their ends, 
 they engage "To support," on all occasions, "those 
 
COLONIAL CHURCH UNION. 287 
 
 patriots who, in behalf of the paramount laws of society, 
 hazard their personal responsibility." That is, they hind 
 themselves to pollute the jury box hy perjury, and to use 
 all other means in their power to preserve their agents from 
 the effects of justice, in the prosecution of their laivless 
 schemes. Does the reader think these observations un- 
 charitable ? If so, let him peruse the leading article of 
 the Courant of March the 3rd, and then let him say 
 whether there be anything overcharged; recollecting, 
 that the Courant was the principal organ of the con- 
 spiracy. Of the Colonial Church Union, the editor 
 says,— 
 
 " This auspicious measure flourishes ; eleven parishes are 
 already organized within its combining influence, and an 
 active principle of life and energy is already infused into our 
 hitherto lifeless body, which will soon circulate through every 
 vein of the Colony, and give an impulse to its struggles which 
 nothing can withstand — nothing at least which can be brought 
 against us in the present dislocated state of affairs in the 
 Parent Isle — for in such a cruel situation are we placed, that 
 all we have to guard against is the unnatural conduct of our 
 own misguided parent. In less than four months have we to 
 dread the infuriated exertions of our enemies. The whole 
 battery of the Colonial Oflice will then be opened against us, 
 aided by the small arms — the rifles of the assassin brigands — 
 the sectarians, who are so expert at picking off" our best men, 
 the victims of treachery and revenge. For this we must be 
 prepared by our Unions, as well as against the harrassing 
 prosecutions which will be instituted, but which need not be 
 feared, as long as the Jury Box is within its range. The plan 
 is understood to be this, and it is time it should be widely 
 
^88 OBJECTS OF THE 
 
 promulgated : — The Parochial Unions are to become sub- 
 committees to one Grand Island Union, which will be directed 
 by an acting committee, of two or more members of each of 
 the parochial committees headed by a president, to be elected 
 by the general voice of the members, with secretaries and 
 Island treasurer, to meet where, and as often as occasion may 
 require. The first general meeting will shortly be convened, 
 when such provisions, rules, and orders will be promulgated, 
 as will anticipate the dreaded blow, and organize the country 
 against the future interference of those who have rendered 
 such strong measures necessary. Above all things care must 
 be taken to exclude, and narrowly to watch the conduct of 
 suspected persons, many of whom are 7iow among us, whom it is 
 now necessary to hold up to shame and reproach. The ex- 
 istence of the Union as an effective body requires their 
 exposure, and its members will bear harmless the man who 
 dares to bring such forward. They Avill also protect all those 
 who for the general good are active in expelling from our veins 
 the poison of sectaranism, and preventing its further infusion ; 
 and one of its first efforts should be to destroy those organs 
 of sedition and blasphemy which have assisted in dissemina- 
 ting that poison ; to support or countenance, in short, impress 
 or person who shall advocate the hateful cause of the Dissenters ; 
 and to petition the Assembly to place our own clergy under 
 our 0W71 people, and their representatives in Vestry, even to 
 the expulsion of those missionaries and curates, who are still 
 here, paid by and under the influence of our enemies, and 
 who have been detected in their vile vocation. The old 
 church government and discipline was better than the present 
 — let then the old laivs revive. The Episcopal government 
 has here been an experiment and has failed ; for under it 
 sectarianism has increased tenfold, and flourished even 
 
COLONIAL CHURCH UNION. 289 
 
 amongst the ministers of our own church. In fact, sec- 
 tarianism came in with that system — let them expire together. 
 We have lately seen the danger of trusting our people to the 
 instruction of those who are not under our control: let us, 
 therefore, henceforward hold the purse and power in our own 
 hands ; and let every member of the Colonial Church Union 
 think, that as in battle, the field may be won by his own arm, 
 so in the present." 
 
 It will now be seen that the " Colonial Church Union" 
 was nothing less than what has been described, a con- 
 spiracy to drive religion out of the Island. It is much 
 to the honour of the Established Clergy that so few of 
 them had anything to do with it. None, indeed, but the 
 contriver of the whole plot, and another unhappy man, 
 who afterwards fell in a duel, were even so much as sus- 
 pected ; but it is with mingled feelings of grief and shame, 
 that it must be related that a Scottish minister, though 
 standing precisely upon the same legal footing with 
 the missionaries, was universally believed to be one of its 
 supporters. 
 
 Martial-law having terminated on the 5th of February 
 the District-meeting assembled during the following 
 week. It was a sorrowful time, but amidst the various 
 trials which depressed the missionaries, there were two 
 things which afforded abundant cause of praise and 
 thanksgiving to Almighty God : the first was, that God 
 had so far been gracious to them, as to preserve them 
 from falling victims to the rage of persecuting men ; and, 
 secondly, that, notwithstanding the strong temptations 
 to which their people were exposed, not one of them ivas 
 
 u 
 
290 INSTANCES OF FIDELITY. 
 
 found guilty of being connected with the late insurrection. 
 Such was their confidence, that they never expected 
 many of them would be led astray ; but as tliere were 
 between two and three thousand of their members in a 
 state of slavery, in the disturbed districts, it was not to 
 be supposed they would have all been able to resist the 
 fiery trial. But great was their rejoicing over their peo- 
 ple, when they found that their fidelity had been far 
 beyond what the most sanguine could have ever antici- 
 pated ; and while they gave the praise to Him to whom 
 it was justly due, it led them to admire more than ever 
 that system of holy discipline which they had received 
 from the venerable founder of Methodism, and which had 
 proved so efficient in a season of no ordinary trial and 
 difficulty. 
 
 But not only did the Wesleyan negroes abstain from 
 the practices of the insurgents, but many of them ha- 
 zarded their lives, rather than unite with them; and 
 stood up in defence of their master's property, while the 
 smallest ray of hope remained of their being able to save 
 it. The names of a few of those heroic negroes cannot 
 be unacceptable to the reader. 
 
 The first to be mentioned is John Spence, a leader, 
 who belonged to Axe and Adze Pen. 
 
 " On the 2nd of January," says a missionary, writing from 
 Montego Bay, " he and some of his fellow-slaves, saw two 
 men go to their master's house, but before they reached it, a 
 large party of three or four hundred came up, by way of 
 Golden Grove, which caused them to stop ; the party then 
 burnt the premises and departed. In the night he (Spence) 
 
•JAMES MTJIR. 291 
 
 called up all his members on the property, and went to prayer. 
 All of them prayed, or, as he said, * every one had his own 
 prayers.' They continued from about midnight until day- 
 break, and, he says, ' They never had such prayers before ; 
 God made them all very happy.' Just as they had separated, 
 the same party who burnt the property came and fetched him 
 out of his house, and told him he must go with them. This 
 he refused to do, and said he was determined to die rather 
 than join them in their wickedness. "When they found he 
 was not to be moved either by their threats or promises, the 
 commander of the party ordered them to blow his brains out. 
 Accordingly they divided, and Spence was placed alone. 
 Two men then stepped out, one with a musket and the other 
 with a rifle piece, and at the command of their captain they 
 attempted to fire. The pieces did not, however, go off, al- 
 though they snapped them twice. Spence says, ' he thought 
 then he was no longer in the world, hut he felt quite happy 
 since the prayers in the night.'' When they found their pieces 
 did not go off they were a little daunted, and delivered their 
 prisoner over to the care of another they brought with them. 
 Both effected their escape together ; and Spence subsequently 
 went to his master on guard at a neighbouring estate. One 
 of his members, who refused to join the insurgents, they tied 
 up and beat very cruelly, but it was of no avail, he persisted 
 in his refusal to have anything to do with them." 
 
 James Muir was also a leader, and a slave belong- 
 ing to Bogue estate, about three miles from Montego 
 Bay. He was a man of great intelligence and deep 
 piety. On the breaking out of the insurrection, the 
 white people were heard exclaiming, "Where is Muir?" 
 But he was not to be found, and it was of course con- 
 
 u 2 
 
292 JAMES MALCOLM. 
 
 eluded, that he was a ring-leader among the insurgents. 
 It was afterwards found, however, that he had assembled 
 the members of his class, who united in defending the 
 premises against a large party who attacked them, and 
 when longer defence was impossible (for the balls were 
 beginning to fly around them), they contrived to take 
 away whatever of the moveables they could, which were 
 securely concealed, till the insurgents were driven from 
 that neighbourhood, and then the whole was delivered 
 up to their master at Montego Bay. 
 
 James Malcolm, of Knockalva, a negro of no common 
 piety and usefulness. When hundreds around him were 
 proceeding with the work of destruction, he and his 
 people turned out to work on the S8th of December, 
 w^hich was even before the time usually required at the 
 Christmas holidays. He continued to work until the 
 overseer himself sent an order to desist. He also stood 
 up in defence of the property, and when overpowered by 
 numbers, saved what he could, and delivered it up to the 
 owner. Such was the confidence reposed in him by the 
 general, that he was for some time employed in the 
 woods as a pioneer, or rather as a guide, through the 
 fastnesses of the country. But this excellent man, not- 
 withstanding his faithful services, was cruelly persecuted, 
 of which an account shall be given in the sequel. 
 
 Besides those, there were many others who distin- 
 guished themselves by their fidelity. Richard Lewis, a 
 leader belonging to the Ramble Society, was severely 
 beaten by the insurgents while defending his master's 
 property ; and his son Edward was seized, bound, and 
 
DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGES. 293 
 
 carried away by them, but succeeded in making his 
 escape. J ames Wilmot, a leader, belonging to Content 
 estate, was first flogged, and then dragged about by the 
 insurgents until they had almost killed him ; and James 
 Leach, a leader at Burnt Ground, was made prisoner and 
 carried away, but he also escaped from their hands. 
 
 It might be thought that the extraordinary fidelity of 
 the Wesleyan negroes would have undeceived the Colo- 
 nists, and opened their eyes to the inestimable advan- 
 tages of religious instruction ; but, alas, it was far other- 
 wise. Recent events had wound them up to the highest 
 pitch of fury, and being goaded to desperation by the 
 Courant, and by the machinations of the Colonial 
 Church Union, they proceeded to outrages of which they 
 never would otherwise have been guilty, but which 
 must for ever constitute a sad stain upon the history of 
 Jamaica. 
 
 The outrages alluded to commenced in Montego Bay, 
 with the demolition of the Baptist Chapel. This took 
 place on the 7th of February, in open day, and although 
 it was well known that none of the Wesleyans had been 
 implicated in the insurrection, yet it was designed to de- 
 molish the Wesleyan chapel that same night. Provi- 
 dentially, however, this was prevented by the return to 
 the town of the coloured companies of the militia in 
 course of the afternoon, many of the most respectable of 
 whom were members of the Methodist Society. There 
 was now strength sufficient to defend it, and the Custos 
 was induced to station a military guard upon the 
 premises, by which means they were preserved from 
 
S94 DEMOLITION OF CHAPELS. 
 
 destruction. After the guard was removed, some half- 
 burned coals were found in the chapel, showing, that an 
 attempt had been secretly made to set it on fire, but 
 through the providence of God, the diabolical design did 
 not take effect. 
 
 But in the neighbouring town of Falmouth the infatu- 
 ated whites had none who could effectually oppose them, 
 and both the Wesleyan and Baptist chapels were razed 
 to the ground, the former, on the 8th of February. 
 This was what could not have been accomplished in any 
 other town on the Island of equal magnitude, had the 
 free black and coloured population been present. In 
 other towns, that body had been raised in intelligence 
 and respectability, principally through the labours of 
 the missionaries, and they felt their obligations to them ; 
 but though there were a very few gentlemen of colour of 
 high respectability in Falmouth, yet the mass had not been 
 brought under religious training, and they were not 
 superior to the slaves in intelligence, though they might 
 easily be distinguished from them by their insolence and 
 pride. In St. Ann's the mob was of course triumphant, 
 and the militia had scarcely returned, when they began 
 their career of violence. The chapels at St. Ann's Bay 
 and Oracabessa were pulled down, and that at Ocho 
 Rios and Ebenezer were burnt. It is melancholy to 
 think, that in some instances the planters were assisted 
 in the work of destruction by the captains and crews of 
 ships, then in several of the harbours, and thus the 
 hands of British seamen were employed in destroying 
 the sanctuaries of God. Great was the disappointment 
 
HORRIBLE BLASPHEMY. 295 
 
 of the St. Ann's incendiaries when they found the mis- 
 sionaries had escaped; but as they were gone, they 
 suspended three figures at the Bay, designed to represent 
 Messrs. Whitehouse and Wood, and Mr. Nicholls, the 
 Baptist missionary. Those were removed by order of 
 the Gustos, but they were afterwards set up by Henry 
 Israel (a Jew already mentioned), on his own premises, 
 together with another figure placed over them, blas- 
 phemously representing the devil as saying, " These 
 are my beloved, in whom I am well pleased." 
 
 No Colonial Church Union could indeed be formed 
 in Kingston. Not only were the coloured and black 
 population resolute against it, but it was feared that 
 many of the whites would scorn to be identified with 
 such a detestable conspiracy. But as it would have 
 been thought by the opposite party somewhat disrepu- 
 table to appear less zealous than their brethren on the 
 north-side of the Island, the editor of the Courant urged 
 the demolition of the chapels, though not by fire, lest 
 other property might be involved in the same destruc- 
 tion. Information was secretly conveyed, that for this 
 purpose he and his friends had received the names of a 
 number of persons, who volunteered to stand by each 
 other until they were pulled to the ground. The first 
 attack was to have been made upon the new chapel, 
 which was situated in a solitary place, in one of the 
 outskirts of the city; but, notwithstanding all their 
 precautions, their designs Avere made known (though at 
 first only to a very few), and even the night was ascer- 
 tained on which the assault was to take place. On that 
 
^96 STATE OF KINGSTON. 
 
 evening the missionaries were astonished to observe the 
 strange aspect of the congregation at the old chapel, for 
 as yet not one of them knew anything of the plot. It 
 was the evening for the usual week-night service. The 
 chapel was quite full, and a very large proportion were 
 males, most of whom were dressed with great coats, and 
 many carried bludgeons. When service was ended, a 
 gentleman informed them of the whole matter, and 
 stated that it was intended to place a strong guard on 
 the new chapel, and that a sufficient number would also 
 be appointed to protect the others, as well as the two 
 belonging to the Baptists. About nine o'clock the city 
 itself had an unusual aspect. In general the streets 
 were perfectly quiet by that hour, but on the evening in 
 question, numbers were seen in arms, the great majority 
 ^f whom were taking the direction of the devoted chapel. 
 A little before midnight two of the missionaries went to 
 the spot, but just before they reached it they were chal- 
 lenged by sentinels to give their names. On doing so, 
 they went up and found a vast number assembled 
 within the railing, and amongst those, two were em- 
 ployed as sentinels, one of whom was on horseback. 
 They expressed a hope that there would be no distur- 
 bance, and at any rate the full conviction that they 
 Avould preserve the peace, so as to give no occasion to any 
 one to misrepresent the object for which they were 
 assembled. They were answered by the gentleman who 
 had been appointed to the command for the night, to the 
 effect, that they would assuredly preserve the peace, if 
 possible ; but he intimated, they had in the meanwhile 
 
A PROCLAMATION. 297 
 
 made the preservation of the chapel their own concern 
 and respectfully, yet firmly, desired them to retire. A, 
 demonstration so public could not be unknown to the 
 intended assailants, but the chapels being so guarded 
 night after night, they did not dare to make their 
 appearance. 
 
 In this dangerous posture of affairs, his honour the 
 mayor (a gentleman of great respectability), convened a 
 meeting of the inhabitants, and a " civic guard" was 
 formed, sufficient for the protection of the city. This 
 was quickly accomplished, and he issued a proclamation, 
 which as it corroborates what has been said relative to 
 the instigation of the Courant, and otherwise contains 
 information as to the state of the city, it shall be inserted 
 entire. It is as follows : — 
 
 " Whereas the attention of the magistrates of this city has 
 been attracted by a paragraph in this day's Courant, of a most 
 wanton and highly dangerous character, having a tendency 
 to influence the minds of the population of this city, and to 
 induce outrage and violence on the sectarian places of wor- 
 ship. Notwithstanding I feel the most entire confidence in 
 the morality and good disposition of all classes of the inha- 
 bitants, which would render futile any attempt to bring so 
 dire a disgrace upon Kingston ; yet I feel it proper to, and 
 hereby do enjoin and call upon all magistrates, all members 
 of the civic guard, and all special and other constables, to be 
 on the alert, and to use their most active endeavours to pro- 
 tect the Baptist, Wesleyan, or other sectarian buildings from 
 outrage or spoliation. 
 
 " And whereas many persons have, with the intent of pro- 
 tecting those buildings, assembled in the streets armed during 
 
298 EBENEZER CHAPEL DEFENDED. 
 
 the night, without any authority from his excellency the go- 
 vernor or myself to do so, I hereby caution all such persons 
 from continuing such illegal conduct. The lawful authorities 
 are ample for the preservation of the peace ; and any self- 
 constituted body, by whatever pretence formed, will be put 
 down, and punished with the utmost severity. 
 
 (Signed) " T. L. YATES, Mayor and Gustos. 
 ''Kingston, Feb. 18th, 1832." 
 
 Notwithstanding the proclamation of the mayor and 
 the appointment of the " civic guard/' the security of the 
 new chapel was still doubtful, and several gentlemen 
 resolved to defend it as before. On the night of the 18th, 
 two of the guard rode up to the chapel, and finding them 
 so employed ordered them to disperse. To this they 
 objected, urging that they were on private property, and 
 in fact obeying the proclamation, for they had been 
 sworn in as special constables, and were required to be 
 "on the alert." At their request the captain of the 
 guard was sent for, who was on the ground in a few 
 minutes, accompanied by several others. To him they 
 gave an explanation of their conduct, stating, that they 
 owed their standing in society to the men who occupied 
 such chapels ; that the editor of the Courant, was en- 
 deavouring to effect their destruction, but it would be to 
 no pui-pose, for they and many others were resolved to 
 defend them at all hazards. Here the editor himself 
 came forward in a state of great alarm, pulled off his 
 hat, and protested his innocence ! It was all in vain, his 
 paper was referred to, and he was not allowed to pro- 
 ceed. It is likely he would have met with much rougher 
 
SUFFERINGS OF WESLEYAN NEGROES. 299 
 
 treatment, had it not been for the gentlemanly conduct 
 of the captain. On his making himself responsible for 
 the premises, they were left with the guard for the night, 
 the editor himself being compelled to stand as one of the 
 sentinels. Several of the others, however, remained in 
 the vestry, which was so occupied for some time after- 
 wards. In this way the designs of their enemies were 
 entirely frustrated ; a happy circumstance, for had it 
 been otherwise, Jamaica would probably have become a 
 field of blood. 
 
 Having given an account of the state of affairs in 
 Kingston, we return to the north-side of the Island, to 
 record the sufferings of some of the Wesleyan negroes, 
 who although innocent of the charge of rebellion, and 
 " rebellious conspiracy," and having no hand whatsoever 
 in the recent insurrection, were nevertheless grievously 
 persecuted by their brutal enemies, and some of them 
 even to death. The cases of cruel and unmerited suf- 
 fering were very numerous, of which a few only can be 
 noticed here ; but when the oppressed and the oppressor 
 shall both stand at the judgment seat of Christ, the 
 hardships those poor negroes endured for His sake, 
 shall neither pass unnoticed nor unrewarded. The first 
 to be mentioned is 
 
 Robert Lament. He was a person of colour, and one 
 of the head slaves belonging to Georgia estate, in Tre- 
 lawney. He was a man of a very amiable disposition, 
 and from his respectable appearance, it was evident that 
 his lot had been far happier than the immense majority 
 of his neighbours. His deep piety, his prudence, and 
 
300 ROBERT LAMONT. 
 
 uncommon intelligence, attracted the notice of Mr. Box, 
 who appointed liim to the charge of a class in Falmouth 
 Society, in 1831, which oiRce he filled with great credit 
 to himself and usefulness to others. On the 28th of 
 December, the negroes on Georgia estate had gone to 
 their provision grounds, and as this was one of the days 
 universally allowed at the Christmas season, they meant 
 no offence, and they apprehended no danger ; yet though 
 all this was unknown to Lamont, he with some others of 
 the head-men were seized by a party of militia, bound, 
 and carried to Falmouth, where, in the commencement 
 of martial law, he was tried by a " drum-head" court 
 martial, sentenced to receive 500 lashes, and to he confined 
 to the workhouse, to work in chains for the term of his 
 natural life. It is stated, that his humane overseer, 
 who Avas then on militia duty, exerted himself to prevent 
 the infliction of the cruel and unjust punishment. But 
 it was to no purpose ; the unfortunate slave was known 
 to be a man of piety and pra^yer — crimes quite heinous 
 enough for punishment during that " reign of terror." 
 Though he never recovered from the barbarous flagella- 
 tion, yet he was taken to the workhouse at Port INIaria. 
 There, in addition to his bodily suffering, he saw himself 
 separated for ever from his excellent wife and his family ; 
 and, amongst the most wretched outcasts of the species, 
 degraded to the condition of a chained and unpitied 
 workhouse slave. Such an accumulation of suffering 
 was more than he could sustain, and in the space of a 
 year nature sunk under the intolerable burden, and his 
 spirit went to heaven to join " the noble army of 
 martyrs." 
 
JOHN BAILLTE JOHN DAVIDSON. 301 
 
 John Baillic, was also a man of colour, and a natural 
 son of tlie late J. Baillie, Esq., proprietor of Roehampton 
 Estate, and attorney for Georgia, to which latter property 
 he helonged. He was likewise a slave of great trust and 
 respectability, and it appears that his father, who quitted 
 the Island a short time before the insurrection, had left 
 the sum of £50 towards his manumission, which, with 
 what he had saved himself, was sufficient for the purpose ; 
 but it seems his successor objected, alleging that if he 
 should be allowed to purchase his freedom, the head 
 carpenter would wish to do the same, and the estate 
 could not afford to be without such services as theirs. 
 Baillie was a near relative of Robert Lament, was ap- 
 prehended at the same time, tried for the same alleged 
 offence, and sentenced to a similar punishment. While 
 he was under the torturing infliction of the lash the un- 
 fortunate sufferer fainted, and the surgeon in attendance 
 stated he could bear his punishment no longer. He was 
 then taken down, and afterwards sent to Rodney Hall 
 workhouse, a place so terrible, that the very name has 
 made some of the stoutest negroes tremble. He was 
 confined to hard labour in that dismal abode of misery 
 until June, 1833, and during that period, it appears he 
 suffered much from the drivers and others, who were 
 stimulated to treat him with aggravated cruelty. The 
 manner of his release shall be related in the sequel. 
 
 John Davidson, of Knockalva Pen, situated on the 
 borders of St. James and Hanover. He had been a 
 member of the Society at the Ramble, which was formed 
 by Mr, Murray in 1831, and consisted at first principally 
 
302 EXECUTION OF JOHN DAVIDSON. 
 
 of slaves who were connected with that of Montego Bay. 
 During the insurrection he manifested a spirit of great 
 fidelity, for which he was seized by a party of the in- 
 surgents, but after being kept for some time he effected 
 his escape. But it appears they again caught hold of 
 him, and it was said they compelled him to prepare 
 some of their victuals, which was afterwards disproved- 
 This coming to the ears of his overseer (to whom, says a 
 correspondent from the place, he had become an object 
 of hatred by his praying), he sent him to be tried under 
 the capital change of rebellion ; and he was sentenced to 
 be executed on the property, in the presence of his wife 
 and former companions. Before his death, he requested 
 to see the witness on whose testimony he was con- 
 demned, in order to assure him of his hearty forgiveness, 
 although he said he had sworn falsely. He was a driver 
 on the property, but he refused to see him. At the time 
 of his execution, he desired permission to speak, which 
 being granted, he only requested his wife (who was com- 
 pelled to be present), to forgive the driver, and to do 
 him any good offices in her power ; adding, " I die in- 
 nocent of the crime laid to my charge, but the Lord 
 Jesus will receive my spirit." In this noble frame of 
 mind the martyred negro escaped to that quiet region 
 
 " Where tyi'ants vex not, and the weary rest." 
 
 James Malcolm. The name of this excellent negro 
 has been ahcady mentioned, as having been remarkable 
 both for his fidelity and usefulness in the time of the 
 insurrection. He was a man of a very cheerful and 
 
JAMES MALCOLM. 303L 
 
 affectionate spirit, and such were his attractive manners, 
 that that man must have possessed a heart of adamant 
 who could treat him with cruelty. He was also a person 
 of uncommon piety, and by his unwearied application he 
 became able both to read the scriptures fluently and also 
 to write with tolerable clearness ; and none of the re- 
 ligious negroes exceeded him in prudent zeal, and exten- 
 sive usefulness. He had been once one of the head-men 
 on the property, but on account of his religion he was 
 degraded to the condition of an ordinary field labourer, 
 but he endured all his sufferings without a murmur. 
 About the commencement of the disturbances he was 
 severely examined, and great disappointment was mani- 
 fested, when it was made evident that he was guiltless ; 
 but after he was employed in the public service, as has 
 been already related, certain false charges were fabricated 
 against him, and he was sent to be tried at Lucea. " If," 
 says the correspondent already referred to, " he had been 
 allowed to call witnesses in his defence, his innocence 
 would have been established ;" but it appears this was 
 denied, and he was sentenced " to be hanged by the neck 
 till dead." Through the efforts of Mr. Murray, however, 
 arrest of judgment was obtained, and Lord Belmore com- 
 muted the sentence to " confinement in the workhouse to 
 he wrought in chains for life.''^ Of James Malcolm's in- 
 nocence there cannot be a moment's doubt ; and though 
 the last penalty of law was not inflicted, yet his suffer- 
 ings were inexpressibly severe. The result of the whole 
 will be related in its proper place. 
 
 Henry Williams. The name of this excellent man is 
 
304 HENRY WILLIAMS. 
 
 known to the reader, as having been already the subject 
 of the most barbarous punishment for no crime but that 
 of being a Wesleyan Methodist. As the insurrection 
 did not extend to St. Ann's, it was impossible to find 
 any pretence for implicating him in the guilt of that 
 affair. He was therefore charged with " administering 
 unlawful oaths," and again sentenced to receive a public 
 flogging. For some time the missionaries thought that 
 he must have been reading the form of the covenant, as 
 used among the Wesleyans, with a few of his members ; 
 but when they had the opportunity of inquiring into it, 
 they found they had been mistaken, and that the charge 
 was without even the shadow of a foundation. The 
 cruel and unmerited suflerings of this worthy negro 
 excited the sympathies of a number of benevolent persons 
 at home, and through the efforts of several ladies in Bir- 
 mingham and its vicinity, his manumission was pur- 
 chased, and Henry Williams, not long after his cruel 
 torture, became a free man. 
 
 Another negro in St. Ann's was cruelly flogged, not 
 because he was guilty of rebellion, but because, to use 
 the language of one of the magistrates, he did not " give 
 correct evidence ;" i. e. the negro could not be induced 
 to say, that his minister, Mr. Whitehouse, had told them 
 they were to be free. Besides those, many others had 
 trials of the most painful description, and many had to 
 endure hardships which time cannot unfold. But " their 
 witness is in heaven, their record is on high." 
 
 After the District-meeting, the brethren once more 
 went to their respective appointments, only sucli was the 
 
BRUTAL ASSAULT ON MK. BLEBY. 305 
 
 violence of hostile feeling in St. Ann's, that it would 
 have been certain death for any missionary to have at- 
 tempted to go there. Mr. Bleby, who had been about a 
 year on the Island, was appointed to Falmouth, and he 
 lost no time in repairing to his new and arduous station. 
 On his arrival he was cordially welcomed by his afflicted 
 people, but a mournful scene was presented to his view. 
 Persecuting rage was triumphant ; the Society scattered 
 as sheep having no shepherd ; and the house of God 
 razed to the foundations. But no man was considered 
 better qualified to occupy that difficult post than Mr. 
 Bleby, and his prudence and respectability were admitted 
 by all. The Colonial Church Union had however ob- 
 tained firm footing in Falmouth, and he was one of the 
 obnoxious persons that diabolical organization sought 
 to expel from the Island ; and under its influence an 
 outrage was perpetrated, of so atrocious and brutal a 
 character as to be quite unprecedented in the history 
 of the Mission. 
 
 On the evening of the 7th of April, between seven and 
 eight o'clock, as Mr. and Mrs. Bleby were sitting at tea 
 in their own house, in company with one or two female 
 friends, they were surprised by a band of ruffians rushing 
 into the room, evidently with the most hostile intentions. 
 On demanding their business, one of them replied, they 
 had come to take tea with him : to which he answered, 
 " if that be what you want, you are welcome." At that 
 moment three or four of them violently seized him, and 
 placing him against the wall, besmeared him with 
 tar, which they had brought for that purpose. When 
 
306 MAGISTRATES IN FALMOUTH. 
 
 this was done, one of them seized a lighted candle, and 
 attempted to set fire to his clothes ; which when Mrs. 
 Bleby observed, she flew instantly to the spot, and dashed 
 the candle from the hand of the murderous ruffian. 
 They then threw her violently on the floor, and called 
 out to throw her infant, only about five months old, out 
 of the window. At that instant a few of his friends, 
 hearing the noise, got into the premises, on which the 
 assassins became alarmed, and hastened to the door, 
 after having struck one of their own number with a 
 bludgeon so as to endanger his life, whom in the con- 
 fusion and bustle of the moment they mistook for 
 another person. It gives great pleasure to say, that on 
 hearing of this brutal outrage Mr. Miller, a magistrate 
 of the first respectability, hastened to the spot, with a 
 party of the twenty-second regiment, then garrisoned in 
 the town; and Mr. Bleby was taken to the barracks, 
 where he found a safe asylum for the night. Mrs. B., 
 who was forced to flee without her bonnet and with only 
 one shoe, was kindly received and sheltered by Mrs. 
 Jackson, the lady of the clerk of the peace. 
 
 The gang of ruffians guilty of this outrage were 
 well known ; and it was resolved, that at least an at- 
 tempt should be made to obtain justice for a persecuted 
 and injured missionary. On the following day Mr. 
 Bleby waited with that view on some of the magis- 
 trates, but Mr. Miller having left the town none of 
 them would take his depositions ; but on the return of 
 that gentleman, he discharged his duty, and arrange- 
 ments were made to prosecute the rioters at the Cornwall 
 
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE. 307 
 
 Assizes. But though no magistrate could be found, on 
 Mr. Bleby's first application, who would take his depo- 
 sitions, there was no want of promptitude in dealing 
 with the men who ran to his rescue. They were speedily 
 arrested, and bound to answer at the Quarter Sessions ; 
 but when one of them requested that his depositions 
 should be taken against one of the men who assaulted 
 him, this was sternly refused. 
 
 On the termination of the disturbances, his excel- 
 lency the governor called the Legislature to meet and 
 proceed to business. In his opening address, which was 
 principally on the recent insurrection, he recommended 
 the members to ascertain its causes, and legislate ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 " It will be your province," said his excellency, " to en- 
 deavour to trace this unprovoked rebellion to its true origin. 
 That a very general impression has been made upon the 
 minds of the slave population that his Majesty had granted 
 their freedom, is undeniably proved by the dying declaration 
 of many unfortunate individuals, who have sujfifered under the 
 sentence of the law. I shall lay before you such information 
 as may be useful in this inquiry, in the pursuit of which I am 
 confident you will proceed with that entire absence of all 
 prejudice, which the spirit of impartiality and justice require, 
 and by which truth alone can be ascertained. I have re- 
 ceived his Majesty's command to submit to you a proposition 
 for the future regulation and government of slaves, calculated 
 to simplify and consolidate into one legislative enactment all 
 the laws passed on this interesting subject; and as his Ma- 
 jesty's government attach the greatest importance to the early 
 
 X 2 
 
308 
 
 PROCEEDINGS IN THE 
 
 consideration of it, I shall lose no time in recommending it to 
 your most serious attention." 
 
 On the following day a committee was appointed to 
 ascertain the causes of the insurrection, and a petition 
 was presented to expel the •' sectarians" from the 
 Island. This was opposed by Mr. Beaumont, who de- 
 nied the power of the House to pass any such enact- 
 ment as the petitioners requested. After a short debate, 
 it was agreed, by a large majority, that the petition 
 should be received, and it was ordered to lie on the table. 
 It is remarkable, that within a few days after, the House 
 were informed that two " sectarians," namely, the writer 
 of this narrative and Mr. Barry, had given the usual 
 public notice of their intention to proceed to England. 
 A motion was then made, that none of them should be 
 permitted to leave. Mr. Beaumont too hastily rose and 
 ridiculed it, showing at the same time that there was no 
 governor who would dare to sanction it. The members 
 saw this, but when it was about to drop for want of a 
 seconder, he got up and seconded it himself; it did not, 
 however, pass. Thus the house was fast losing the 
 respect even of some of its own members. 
 
 The Orders in Council were sent to the House by the 
 governor without delay, on which there was a violent 
 debate. Mr. Berry delivered a very inflammatory speech, 
 and holding the documents in his hand, proposed that 
 the Sovereign's message they contained should be 
 thrown out of the House, taken to the square, and hurnt 
 by the hands of the common hangman. Suiting his 
 
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. 309 
 
 action to the word, he threw the whole over the bar. 
 Mr. Stamp said, he differed from the honourable member 
 as to the disposal of the documents, and proposed that 
 no notice should be taken of them whatsoever. " Late 
 events," said he, " have shown that we have in the mili- 
 tia a force most truly great, most truly formidable, and 
 should the mother country interfere with us we have 
 bayonets to resist all such interference." This was no 
 unusual slang, and the reader in it can be at no loss to 
 perceive one of the chief causes of the recent unhappy 
 events. The House ultimately sent a message to the 
 governor, stating, that any further amehoration of the 
 slave code must emanate from themselves. 
 
 Another proposal of some importance was brought 
 before the Assembly. Considering the unequivocal at- 
 tachment to the Colonial cause of the Kev. J. Wordie, 
 the Presbyterian minister of Kingston, it was proposed, 
 in addition to the usual sum of £ 900 annually voted 
 to the Kirk, to allow him a sum sufficient to proceed to 
 the mother country, to convert the General Assembly of 
 the Scottish Chvirch, to set the minds of the British peo- 
 ple right on Colonial matters : also to tax the different 
 parishes for the support of a Presbyterian establishment 
 in each. On this being regularly brought before the 
 House, a long speech was delivered by Mr. Beaumont, 
 from which, as there were several remarks bearing upon 
 the Mission, the following brief extracts are subjoined. In 
 opposing the motion for any additional expense, he said — 
 
 " We have been told that the Presbyterian church effected 
 the freedom of Scotland, now we are told that the features of 
 
SIO SPEECH OF MR. A. H. BEAUMONT. 
 
 her loveliness are the facilities she presents for perpetuating 
 slavery in Jamaica ! How then has she fallen ! Is the free 
 step of her youth thus exchanged for the decrepitude of pre- 
 judice, her armour of freedom for the manacle of the slave ? 
 She has not fallen. Not all the energies, nor eloquence, nor 
 talents, nor sophistries of ten thousand preachers, will avail to 
 persuade the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 
 that slavery is a blessing. Slavery has heard the award of 
 destruction gone forth against her, and her partisan efforts 
 cannot save her. The honourable member (Mr. Stamp) says, 
 that he, as a member of the Established Church, supports the 
 preachers of Presbyterianism because their doctrines arc not 
 at variance with his own. I, as a citizen of the world, defend 
 the sectarian preachers, because they are my fellow-men. As 
 it respects the charge against the Methodists and Baptists 
 being concerned in the insurrection, I shall content myself 
 with referring to facts. No man saw more of that horrid 
 scene of destruction and misery to all classes than I did, and 
 I can appeal to many members of this House to confirm the 
 statement I am about to make — not one Wesleyan Methodist^ 
 of any cast or comj^lexion, was concerned in the insurrection / 
 The greater number were Baptists, but there were also nume- 
 rous members of the Established Church, and some Presbyte- 
 rians implicated.*^ When I say the greater number were 
 Baptists, I wish to be thus understood, I do not believe there 
 is one instance in which it will be possible to procure convic- 
 tion against any one of the white preachers of that persuasion. 
 The Baptists are a numerous sect, or rather I should say sects, 
 
 * About the year 1824 the Scottish Missionary Society first sent 
 out their agents to Jamaica. There were four in the Island in 1831, 
 principally on the north-side. They were nearly all from the Seces- 
 sion Church, laborious and successful Missionaries ; and though de- 
 nominated Presbyterians, must not be confoimded with the Eoi-k in 
 Kingston. 
 
SPEECH OF MR. A. H. BEAUMONT. 311 
 
 in the north-west parts of the Island. The black preachers 
 of this persuasion certainly did inculcate political, instead of 
 religious doctrines ; but with reference to the white preachers, 
 the worst they have done is no more than what many in the 
 Established Church are accused of, and accused of on quite 
 as good evidence — of addressing language to the slaves which 
 was likely to be misunderstood and to inflame their minds. 
 To perpetuate slavery you must not alone banish sectarian 
 ministers, you must stop the progress of civilization ; you 
 must not barely fetter, you must destroy the press ; you must 
 cease to express your opinions in this House, at your public 
 meetings, at your private tables ; you must be yourselves the 
 worst of slaves in order to perpetuate slavery in others." 
 
 The speaker then drew a picture of the desolate state 
 of the Island, and of the miseries resulting from the late 
 insurrection, and thus concluded — 
 
 " It is to avert those frightful ills, which render property 
 and life itself a curse, that I call upon you to consider of some 
 more effectual means of safety than the attempt, the futile 
 attempt, to establish a new hierarchy of Presbyterian priests 
 WITHOUT CONGREGATIONS in this Island." 
 
 Mr. Beaumont's amendment was adopted, and nothing 
 more was granted to the Kirk than it had been accus- 
 tomed to receive. 
 
 The testimony of Mr. Beaumont is valuable. He was 
 by far the most intelligent member of the House, and 
 none can suspect him of a leaning to Methodism. He 
 was never in heart a lover of slavery, any more than of 
 Christianity ; but he had spent some time in the mother 
 country, a little before the insurrection broke out, and 
 
312 REPORT OF THE 
 
 what he had seen convinced him that slavery could not 
 be much longer perpetuated. At the time of his greatest 
 avowed hostility to Missions, there is no reason to sup- 
 pose that he would have carried hostility to the mis- 
 sionaries themselves, to the extent that was clamoured 
 for by the infuriated Unionists. His was the first speech 
 delivered in the House upon emancipation. The 
 senators were confounded. It put an end to his Colo- 
 nial popularity ; but, indeed, he began to be suspected 
 shortly after his arrival from Great Britain. 
 
 The Report of the " Committee on the Rebellion" was 
 ordered to be published on the 26th of April, and they 
 declared its causes to be : — 
 
 " The unconstitutional interference of his Majesty's minis- 
 ters with the Colonial Legislature, in regard to the passing of 
 laws for their government : the discussions in Parliament on 
 the subject of slavery, coupled with the false and wicked reports 
 of the Anti-Slavery Society: the mischievous abuse existing in 
 the systems adopted by the Baptists, Wesleyan Methodists, 
 and Moravians, by their recognising gradations of rank among 
 the slaves who had become converts to their doctrines, under the 
 denomination of rulers, elders, leaders and helpers : the pub- 
 lic discussions of the free inhabitants of the Island consequent 
 upon the continued suggestions made by the King's ministers : 
 and, lastly, the preaching and teaching of the sects called 
 Baptist, Wesleyan Methodist, and Moravians, (but more 
 especially the sect called Baptist,) which had the effect of 
 producing in the minds of the slaves, a belief that they could 
 not serve doth a temporal and spiritual master, thereby occa- 
 sioning them to resist the lawful authority of their temporal, 
 under the delusion of rendering themselves more acceptable 
 to a spiritual, master." 
 
COMMITTEE ON THE REBELLION. 313 
 
 On the publication of the report the representatives of 
 the various rehgious bodies alluded to, protested against 
 such portions of it, as charged either their systems or 
 their teaching with the melancholy disasters which had 
 desolated the fairest portions of the Island. The meet- 
 ing of Wesleyans convened for that purpose, consisted 
 of ministers, stewards and leaders ; and was held in 
 Kingston, on the 10th of May. On that occasion they 
 indignantly repelled the false charges and insinuations 
 which had been brought against them in the report ; and 
 the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to 
 and published : — 
 
 " 1st. That we have read the report of the committee ap- 
 pointed by the honourable House of Assembly to inquire into 
 the causes of the late rebellion in this Island, and perceive, 
 with great surprise and indignation, the unworthy attempt 
 which is made to implicate us and our people as the promo- 
 ters of the same. 
 
 " 2nd. That as neither the Wesleyan missionaries, nor the 
 leaders in their Societies were directly, or indirectly, concerned 
 in instigating, or in any way aiding in the late rebellion, we 
 consider the report, as far as relates to the ' Wesleyan Me- 
 thodists,' utterly false and unfounded, nearly all the leaders 
 being respectable free persons, most of whom are owners of 
 slaves. 
 
 " 3rd. That as the report aforesaid is calculated to bring 
 our system into disrepute, by asserting that it affords facilities 
 for exciting rebellion among the slaves, we feel ourselves 
 called upon to maintain that it is scriptural, and calculated to 
 promote peace and good order among all classes of his Ma- 
 jesty's subjects, whether free or slaves; and that nothing 
 
314 RESOLUTIONS OF THE WESLEYANS. 
 
 contrary to this can be proved against it ; therefore the re- 
 port is a gross calumny, not only upon ourselves and people 
 in this Island, but also upon the body to which we belong. 
 
 " 4th. That being conscious of our innocence, and the 
 praise-worthy conduct of the members of our Societies in this 
 Island, during the late disturbances, we consider it our im- 
 perative duty to PROTEST, in the most public and solemn 
 manner, both here and in Great Britain, against the charges 
 preferred against us in the report aforesaid ; and also against 
 the conduct of individuals, who could make such a wanton 
 attack upon our characters, without allowing us an opportu- 
 nity of self- vindication. 
 
 " 5th. That the assertion in the report, that the ' preaching 
 and teaching' of the ' Wesleyan Methodists' are calculated 
 to mislead the minds of the slaves, on the subject of " lawful 
 authority,' is unworthy of serious consideration ; their ability 
 to expound and enforce the Holy Scriptures having been de- 
 cided by a competent tribunal, and the falsehood of the charge 
 can be proved, by an appeal to the thousands of their hearers 
 throughout the Island. 
 
 " 7th. That these resolutions be signed by all present, on 
 behalf of our Societies in this Island, and that a copy of them, 
 signed by the chairman and secretary of this meeting in be- 
 half of the seventeen missionaries and four hundred and forty - 
 seven leaders, be forwarded to his excellency the governor, 
 the Earl of Belmore. 
 
 " 8th. That these resolutions be published in three of the 
 Island newspapers ; that a copy be transmitted, with the least 
 delay, to our committee in London, and by them be presented 
 to our most gracious Sovereign, in any way which to them 
 may appear the most acceptable." 
 
315 
 
 The language of the above resolutions is strong and 
 severe, but no apology is required, either for their spirit 
 or letter, in respect of severity. The House had debased 
 itself far below the respect of any upright man. They 
 adopted a report, containing calumnies which every 
 member knew to be false. But this, too, hastened the 
 downfall of the system, and assisted in preparing the 
 way for a better state of things. 
 
 Meanwhile the afflicted and persecuted state of the St. 
 Ann's Societies continued to engage the attention of the 
 brethren, and to excite their tenderest sympathy ; and, 
 notwithstanding the perilous nature of the attempt, 
 Messrs. Wood and Greenwood went over in the begin- 
 ning of June, to see if they could find an open door for 
 preaching the gospel. Not judging it safe to proceed by 
 land, they took their passage in a sloop, and arrived at 
 St. Ann's Bay on the 11th. They were affectionately 
 welcomed by their suffering people, and particularly by 
 Mrs. Boyle, a coloured lady, who received them into her 
 house. But appearances of hostility were instantly 
 manifested. Insulting and threatening placards were 
 posted on the walls by the Unionists, and on Wednesday, 
 the 13th, it was agreed to make an attack upon their 
 persons, and to pull down the house in which they 
 lodged. But the free black and coloured population 
 were on the alert, and resolved to resist. The Unionists 
 therefore deemed it prudent to defer their intended opera- 
 tions until after the muster of the militia, which would 
 take place on the following Saturday. 
 
 Under these threatening circumstances, the mission- 
 
316 LETTER OF THE GUSTOS OF ST. ANN's. 
 
 aries resolved to acquaint his honour the Custos with 
 their arrival and intentions. They addresed a letter to 
 him, in which they stated that they had come to the parish 
 in accordance with the wishes of no inconsiderable num- 
 ber of respectable free persons, who had worshipped in 
 those places which had been pulled down by riotous 
 mobs ; and that such persons were resolved to defend 
 their ministers from the outrageous attacks of their 
 enemies. They also informed him that on Friday night 
 or Saturday, their enemies had resolved to perpetrate 
 acts of violence ; and they concluded, by requiring at his 
 hands, that protection to which all his Majesty's peace- 
 able subjects are entitled to claim. On the same day 
 his honour returned the following answer to their 
 letter : — 
 
 Epping, June 14/A, 1832. 
 *' Gentlemen, 
 
 " I most deeply deplore the unfortunate violence 
 that has been displayed in the destruction of the chapels in 
 St. Ann's, and I am sorry to observe, that violent spirit still 
 exists in almost the whole of the parishioners ;* so much so, 
 that I have not the means of protecting you. I, therefore, 
 most strongly urge you to desist from holding meetings imtil 
 that spirit has subsided ; for at present it rages to that degree, 
 that they seem reckless of any danger attending their outra- 
 geous and unlawful acts. I should not consider my o-svn 
 person safe, were I to attempt to interfere in your behalf. 
 " I am, gentlemen, 
 
 " Your most obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) "HENRY COX." 
 * His honour means white parishoners only. 
 
DEPARTURE OF LORD BELMORE. 317 
 
 The letter of the Gustos will be sufficient to show the 
 state of that then lawless district ; but there are several 
 expressions in it which will appear remarkable from one 
 of the presidents of the Colonial Church Union. The 
 truth is, Mr. Cox was one of the best of the white Colo- 
 nists. If he had been left to himself he would have 
 been anything but a persecutor. He was an amiable, 
 but a weak man ; he had no mental vigour to bear up 
 against the influence of the majority ; he was a mere 
 tool in their violent hands, and frightened into a position 
 he yet mortally disliked. This timidity was the occasion 
 of his being afterwards degraded from the magistracy, as 
 shall be related. In the meantime the missionaries saw, 
 that by their continuance in the parish bloodshed must 
 be the result, and they left in a few days for Kingston. 
 
 While Messrs. Wood and Greenwood were in St. 
 Ann's, Lord Belmore terminated his feeble and unfortu- 
 nate administration ; and on the 1 2th of June, he took 
 his departure for Great Britain. Rumours had been 
 afloat some time before, that his lordship had received 
 his note of recal from his Majesty's government ; a matter 
 which sorely disconcerted the Unionists. The following 
 account is transcribed from the Jamaica Watchman, 
 and will be read with interest, or rather with disgust. 
 
 " This nobleman," says the editor, " after having governed 
 Jamaica for three years, a period much shorter than he himself, 
 or those he ruled, anticipated, laid down the reins of govern- 
 ment yesterday ; and sailed from Port Royal this morning in 
 the Sparrowhawk for England, by way of New York. 
 
318 LORD belmore's administration. 
 
 " About seven yesterday morning the Countess, and a 
 female attendant, in her carriage, and Miss Brookes in a gig, 
 driven by Colonel Mc Leod, left the King's House for Port 
 Henderson, w^here we suppose they waited the arrival of his 
 excellency, who left Spanish Town at about half-past two, 
 accompanied by the Rev. George Wilson Bridges (who had 
 been for some days previously domiciled at the King's House J, 
 and some few others. On quitting the seat of government, 
 and Port Royal Harbour, his lordship received the salutes and 
 military honours usual on such occasions." 
 
 The above requires no comment. The reader will see 
 the cause of many of the misfortunes under Lord Bel- 
 more's administration. If men are known by their 
 company, the unprotected state of the missionaries is 
 easily accounted for. In private life, his lordship is said 
 to have been an amiable man, but his nerveless arm was 
 by far too weak for the reins of the Jamaica government. 
 Justice, however, requires it to be stated that he came at 
 a difficult time. Disorders had accumulated under the 
 long but despicable administration of the Duke of 
 Manchester, which the imbecility of Lord Belmore 
 could neither grapple with nor remove. Be that as it 
 may, it is certain his coronet acquired no lustre, 
 but was rather dimmed and tarnished, by his re- 
 sidence in Jamaica. Good men were glad when he 
 quitted the Island ; his departure was regretted only by 
 the worst. 
 
 The death of that honest man and upright judge, the 
 Lion. Sir William A. Scarlett (brother to the late Lord 
 Abinger) was severely felt as a great public loss. That 
 
HON. W. A. SCARLETT. 319 
 
 event occurred between two and three months before the 
 insurrection ; and had his firm and impartial hand held 
 the scales of justice during the troubles which followed, 
 the Island would have been preserved from much evil. 
 He had no acquaintance with the missionaries, but they 
 admired his public conduct, which showed him to be one 
 of the most upright men the Island ever produced. 
 With many, his administration of justice was not popular, 
 but that arose out of what redounded to his honour. 
 The unenlightened classes of offenders were corrected 
 with a lenient hand, but when a more privileged class 
 might stand convicted at his bar, and especially of cruelty 
 to slaves, whatever might be their complexion, the 
 severest sentence of law was inflicted. Great anxiety 
 was felt about his successor. At last, information was 
 received in April, that his Majesty's government had 
 appointed Sir Joshua Rowe, a gentleman from the En- 
 glish bar, to the high office, who arrived in May, and 
 entered upon his official duties. Without intending the 
 slightest reflection on any party, the appointment of a 
 stranger at that crisis was not wise, as the state of affairs 
 required such a consummate acquaintance with Colonial 
 society as no stranger could possess. Indeed, while sla- 
 very lasted, it requires no great sagacity to perceive, that 
 it was the worst possible policy to appoint a chief-justice 
 from any other bar than that of the Island itself. Many 
 specious appearances might for a time deceive a stranger, 
 which could have no such effect on one acquainted with 
 the habits of the country ; while, independently of his 
 own sense of justice, he could not but know, that no 
 
S20 PREPARATIONS TO PROSECUTE 
 
 corrupt administration would be tolerated by the parent 
 state. The reader will judge how far the correctness of 
 these remarks is borne out by what follows; but this 
 much is certain, that (at least from the commencement 
 of the Mission) the official conduct of those gentlemen 
 who were appointed from the bar of Jamaica, was such 
 as would have been honourable to the judicial bench in 
 the mother country itself. 
 
 It was intended to prosecute the chapel destroyers in 
 St. Ann's and St. Mary's at the Supreme Court in June, 
 before the new chief-justice. But as several events 
 connected with that measure occurred some months 
 before, it will be needful to go back some time, in 
 order that the reader may have a correct view of the 
 whole aifair. As the perpetrators of those outrages 
 were well known, there being no temptation to conceal 
 their guilt, several affidavits were made out, and the 
 missionaries, under the direction of their law agent, 
 forwarded them to the acting attorney-general, Mr. 
 Fitzherbert Batty. Weeks, however, passed away, and 
 no notice was taken of the matter. At last, on the 19th 
 of April, the Rev. Messrs. Kerr and Wood forwarded a 
 memorial to the Earl of Belmore, informing him of the 
 steps they had taken ; that nothing had been done to ap- 
 prehend the incendiaries ; that they were prevented from 
 entering upon their duties in those parishes ; and re- 
 spectfully soliciting the interference of his excellency. 
 On the following day they received a note from the 
 governor's secretary, intimating that their memorial had 
 been received, and should be submitted to the attention 
 
THE INCENDIARIES IN ST. ANN's, ETC. 321 
 
 of Mr. Batty without delay. On the 21st another note 
 was received from the secretary, together with the ex- 
 planation of the attorney-general. In that explanation 
 he stated, that there had been no delay on his part; that 
 he had not " seen the affidavits y" that he did not know 
 whether they had been lodged in the crown office by the 
 memorialists or their agent ; but, said he " I must 
 observe, that if the memorialists were desirous of prose- 
 cuting, they should have entered into recognizances for 
 that purpose before the magistrate who took their 
 depositions, and also to have obtained warrants from 
 him against the parties accused, and had them bound 
 over to stand their trial, as the offence is bailable, being 
 only a misdemeanor hy the laws of this Island, This 
 has not been done, and thereforife they continue at large 
 at present." He promised, however, that as soon as the 
 grand jury should find the bills, he should move for 
 bench warrants to arrest the parties. 
 
 To a mere English reader nothing can be more plau- 
 sible than the explanation given above ; but an impartial 
 person, acquainted with the institutions of the country, 
 can peruse it only with feelings of indignation and dis- 
 gust. The attorney-generalship of England and that 
 of Jamaica are in some important respects different 
 offices though they have the same designation. In the 
 latter country the office of that functionary is to be ex- 
 plained by the legal institutions of Scotland, and not of 
 England. His position is analagous to that of the lord 
 advocate, and not to that of the English attorney- 
 general. He represents the crown as the public prose- 
 
THE GRAND JURY 
 
 cutor ; and having received information of the offenders, 
 it became his duty, not that of the missionaries, to see 
 that they were properly secured and dealt vrith according 
 to law ; and as to the crime of arson " being only a 
 misdemeanor by the laws of Jamaica," let him believe it 
 who can. The records of the insurrection, tell a very 
 different tale. The whole communication has very 
 much the appearance of evasion, if not of an artful at- 
 tempt to practise deception on a weak and inefficient 
 governor. 
 
 The time for the sitting of the Supreme Court arrived, 
 and indictments were prepared against John H. Sharpe, 
 Thomas Taylor, David Dow, R. W. Johnson, George 
 Gardiner, and M. Hyman, charging them with setting 
 fire to the chapel at 06ho Rios, in the parish of St. Ann ; 
 and against Edward Bettigar, H. Vandeburgh, and Donald 
 M'Donald, for the destruction of that at Oracabessa, in 
 St. Mary. The chief-justice, in addressing the jury, con- 
 gratulated them on the lightness of the calendar ; but 
 was sorry to observe that there were two cases of a serious 
 nature which they would have to investigate.* As the 
 crimes of arson, and the destruction of property, are 
 considered serious in England, and as they were so con- 
 sidered in Jamaica during the time of the insurrection, 
 the reader of course will already anticipate that the two 
 indictments aforesaid were what was alluded to by his 
 honour; but not so, and the issue may now be foreseen. 
 
 * The cases were " Rex v. Parker for murder," and ** Rex v. Smith 
 for a horrible outrage." See Royal Gazette of Jamaica for June, 1832, 
 and the Jamaica Watchman for Jime 13th. 
 
RETURN THE BILL " IGNORAMUS." 323 
 
 The grand jury ignored both the bills ! ! It is a 
 painful task to record such an event, but it shows the 
 success which had attended the machinations of the 
 Colonial Church Union, in the protection of their " pa- 
 triots who had hazarded their personal responsibiUty." 
 While hundreds of poor deluded negroes were sacri- 
 ficed for the destruction of property, the whites, though 
 guilty of the same crime, were not only allowed to 
 pass with impunity, but also to glory in their wicked- 
 ness. At the close of the sitting, the grand jury pre- 
 sented Sir Joshua with an address, congratulating him 
 on his appointment to his high office ; and intimating, 
 that as a stranger, who had received his information 
 respecting their habits and customs " through erroneous 
 channels," his situation was difficult, but he might rely 
 on the grand jury freely tendering all the assistance in 
 their power, to further the ends of justice. His honour 
 sincerely thanked them for their addi-ess. In reply, he 
 observed, amongst other things, that though a stranger, 
 he was " a stranger with a mind unbiassed with any 
 prejudices." Thus much is certain, his mind was not 
 unduly biassed by any prejudice in favour of the mis- 
 sionaries : not that they wanted any favour at his hands, 
 but they did expect that a judge from the bar of England 
 in his official character, would exercise his powers to pre- 
 serve to them those rights, which the laws were designed 
 to secure. 
 
 The Cornwall Assizes sat in Montego Bay the follow- 
 ing month, and again his honour congratulated the 
 grand jury on the lightness of the calendar, which only 
 
324 THE EDITOR OF THE WATCHMAN 
 
 contained a few cases of assault. At this court Mr. Bleby 
 prosecuted the ruffians who had attacked him in his 
 own house. But here, too, the Union was triumphant. 
 Oppression reigned while justice was asleep. The grand 
 jury ignored the hill ! 
 
 A remarkable occurrence also took place at the Surrey 
 assize-court, held in August, in the city of Kingston, 
 which, as it is not wholly disconnected with the Mission, 
 deserves to be related. It is the trial of Mr. Jordon, the 
 editor of the Watchman, for libel. Mr. Jordon was a 
 Wesleyan, and during the reign of terror fearlessly ad- 
 vocated the rights of missionaries of all denominations ; 
 while the Courant, and some other publications, were 
 clamouring for their blood. During the period of mar- 
 tial law, he was marched with a detachment of the King- 
 ston militia, to which he belonged, to a distant parish, 
 where he continued until the insurrection was quelled. 
 At that time some of the articles in the Courant indicated 
 a vast superiority in point of education to that of the un- 
 tutored individual who was its nominal editor; and of this 
 description one of the worst appeared on the 21st of Ja- 
 nuary. Others had been published, exhibiting quite as 
 much of the ferocity of the savage, but for artful though 
 deliberate falsehood, and a malignity truly fiend-like, this 
 was perhaps equalled by none. Though not entirely fi'ee 
 from the usual vulgarity of the Courant, its style was 
 yet different, and its dark and sanguinary character ap- 
 peared only more exciting as it was partially covered 
 with a hypocritical respect for religion itself. The pro- 
 fessed object was to draw a line of distinction between 
 
PROSECUTED FOR LIBEL. 325 
 
 the Scottish missionaries on the north-side of the Island, 
 and the others, who of course were designated by the 
 usual appellation of "sectarians." Of the former, two 
 were located upon estates, which, like some others in the 
 neighbourhood, had escaped the desolations of the insur- 
 rection; and this circumstance he ascribes to their fidelity, 
 while the ruin and bloodshed were all charged upon the 
 latter. " Wherever," says the writer, " the sectarians have] 
 set their foot there is a horrible scene of misery and desola- 
 tion, and estates entombed in ashes.* Wherever they 
 have gained admission, just like Satan in Eden, they 
 have produced disobedience to the master, impatience 
 of all rule, a general spirit of turbulence, and crimes the 
 most horrible. " These," said he, " are the blessings which 
 have resulted to this Island from tJiose fanatics of su- 
 perior light and wisdom. A horrible harvest of ruin 
 and misery is what Jamaica has reaped from these tools 
 of the Anti-slavery Society." They were further de- 
 nounced as " diabolical innovators y" as the " infernal 
 demons of Aldermanhury r as ^^ 7nissionary traitors;''^ and 
 were accused of all the evils which were then distressing 
 the Island. The atrocity of such an article is at once 
 apparent. It appeared when the rage of the Colonists, 
 was fast approaching to its highest pitch, when some of 
 the missionaries were driven from their stations, and 
 cruel men w^ere seeking their life. It is due to the 
 
 * It is almost unnecessary to say, that the "sectarians" so called, 
 were not permitted to visit estates on the north-side of the Island. 
 One or two in St, James had been once open to their labom's, but for 
 years they had been excluded. 
 
CHARACTER OF THE ALLEGED LIBEL. 
 
 Scottish missionaries to say, that the Courant afterwards 
 treated them as it treated their brethren. 
 
 The gentleman who conducted the Watchman while 
 Mr. Jordon was absent on military duty was a member 
 of the church of England ; but as a friend of mission- 
 aries, his indignation exceeded all bounds when he saw 
 the aforesaid production. In the following week, he 
 charged its authorship on the Rev. J. Wordie, the Pres- 
 byterian minister of Kingston, and alleged that the 
 charge was sustained by his own handwriting. His 
 rebuke was terrible, and in some parts tremendously 
 eloquent ; but the spirit cannot be vindicated. Though 
 the article was most atrocious, yet the writer, whoever 
 he might be, was an object of pity, and it became a 
 Christian editor to exemplify the meekness and forbear- 
 ance of Christ. The result was what might be expected ; 
 a prosecution was threatened, and Mr. Jordon was de- 
 sired to give up the name of the party responsible for the 
 paper in his absence. This he nobly refused to do, and 
 took the whole responsibility on himself. 
 
 On the 7th of August the case w^as brought before the 
 Supreme Court, not as an action for damages, but by 
 indictment. Mr. Panton, the advocate-general, appeared 
 for the crown, a zealous Colonist, and who a few months 
 before exerted himself before the same court to inculpate 
 Mr. Jordon in charge of treason, as he had spoken 
 against slavery and urged its abolition. He entered 
 upon his work with much ardour, read the article on 
 which the charge of libel was grounded, and observed 
 that the Rev. prosecutor had adopted the present course 
 
SENTENCE OF THE SUPREME COURT. 321 
 
 in order to the vindication of his character. Several 
 witnesses were called to prove that Mr. Jordon was the 
 responsible editor, and that the gentlemen complaining 
 was the party attacked in the offensive article. The 
 counsel for the defendant was Mr. Watkis, who man- 
 aged the defence with great ability. He strove to adduce 
 evidence to show that the prosecutor was the author of 
 the article which had provoked the dreadful rebuke ; 
 but all tliis was objected to by the Bench. It was not, 
 however, lost upon the jury, who after some time 
 returned with the verdict of " guilty of publishing 
 ONLY." This produced great joy amongst the numerous 
 spectators, and Mr. Watkis contended that it was tan- 
 tamount to an acquittal ; but the Bench overruled this 
 also. Mr. Watkis then moved for a new trial, alleging 
 that, amongst other reasons, he would adduce evidence 
 to prove that the article which had originated the whole 
 was written by the prosecutor. A day was fixed for 
 hearing his arguments for a new trial, but it was 
 decided against him ; and on the verdict of " guilty 
 of publishing only" Mr. Jordon was sentenced to " im- 
 prisonment for six months, and a fine of one hundred 
 pounds .'" Thus whether there was law for the pro- 
 tection of missionaries or not, there w^as at least pu- 
 nishment for their friends. But the object of this prose- 
 cution was defeated after all. It was no civil action, in 
 which the truth or falsehood of the alleged libel could 
 be taken into account. Even if the prosecutor had 
 proved the guilt of the defendant, he did not demonstrate 
 his own innocence as to his being the contributor to the 
 
S28 IMPRISONMENT OF MR. GREENWOOD. 
 
 infamous Courant. And, indeed, his object was defeated 
 every way. Mr. Jordon was sent to gaol, but his towns- 
 men, immediately elected him an alderman of the city. 
 When the case reached home it was there examined, 
 and he was released before the term of his imprison- 
 ment expired, and the fine of one hundred pounds was 
 never exacted. 
 
 After the return of Messrs. Wood and Greenwood 
 from St. Ann's, the latter remained about three weeks in 
 Kingston, after which he went over to Port Maria, and 
 preached on the 8th of July. At the evening service, 
 one Lee, a Jew, came in along with several others as 
 vicious as himself, and by their rude and disorderly 
 behaviour seriously annoyed and disturbed the congre- 
 gation. On the following day this person made ailidavit 
 before a magistrate that Mr. Greenwood was preaching 
 without license. He was immediately arrested and taken 
 before L. E-. Stephens, G Vidal, and H. Cox, Jun., 
 Esquires, and was committed to take his trial at the en- 
 suing Quarter Sessions. Having objected to enter into 
 recognizances he was sent to gaol, and on the 1 7th was 
 brought before the court and liberated. This was not 
 owing to the justice of the Bench, but to the clerk of the 
 peace, who honorably declared that there was no law to 
 support the indictment. 
 
 It was, therefore, the intention of Mr. Greenwood to 
 proceed with his work, which, from what had passed, 
 it was hoped he might be allowed to do without molesta- 
 tion. But having preached on Sunday, the 29th, he was 
 again arrested on the following day, taken before a 
 
OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. 329 
 
 bench of magistrates, and sentenced to pay a fine of ten 
 pounds for the offence of preaching without license. As 
 he had violated no law, he refused to pay the fine, and 
 was again committed to gaol. As this was a case 
 similar to that of Mr. Orton in 1828, application was 
 made to Sir Joshua Rowe to release him by Habeas 
 Corpus, as had been done by his predecessor. To the 
 great suprise of all Sir Joshua refused the application, 
 and the minister of God was allowed to remain in gaol. 
 
 In order that the missionaries might see what steps to 
 take, it was deemed prudent to submit the credentials of 
 Mr. Greenwood to Mr. Dowall O'Reilley, the new 
 attorney-general, and to obtain his advice. It appears 
 to have been his opinion that no case could be made out 
 against the magistrates, as there was no evidence that he 
 had subscribed certain articles of the Church of England 
 required by the Toleration Act, as it stood before the 
 19th Geo. III. Of course the attorney-general was 
 guided in this opinion by the decision of the Supreme 
 Court in 1828; and supposing that decision to be correct, 
 his conclusion was undoubtedly right. But the mission- 
 aries never objected to that law; they had applied to 
 the courts of Quarter Sessions under its provisions, and 
 surely it was the business of the magistrates to see that 
 they had complied with its terms, before they were 
 allowed to qualify. But in truth it was a new discovery, 
 for the said articles were thought of by none, so that it 
 was not for want of that form they were persecuted by 
 a cruel and unprincipled magistracy. 
 
 About the time of Mr. Greenwood's release, an instance 
 
PROSPECTIVE WARRANTS. 
 
 of magisterial oppression occurred in Manchioneal. It 
 seems the white inliabitants made application for a party 
 of regular troops to be stationed in that district, where 
 they arrived on Sunday, the 12th of August. The officer 
 commanding, having been a married man, no suitable 
 house had been provided for him, and it was hinted 
 (not by the officer) that the house rented by Mr. Rowden, 
 the resident missionary, was quite ehgible. On the 
 following day Mr. M^William, a neighbouring magis- 
 trate, waited on Mr Rowden, and required him to give 
 up his house, or he should not be allowed to preach ; to 
 which he very properly objected. On the same day, 
 about two o'clock, he returned, along with Mr. Speed, 
 another magistrate, and demanded his authority for 
 preaching. He then produced his testimonials, which 
 they declared to be insufficient, as, said they, " there is a 
 Colonial law requiring dissenting ministers to take out 
 license in every parish." He replied, that he was not 
 aware of any such law, but expressed his willingness to 
 take the oaths whenever he might be required; inti- 
 mating at the same time his intention of proceeding with 
 his ministerial duties as usual. On the following Thurs- 
 day a warrant was made out for his arrest, and a special 
 constable was sworn to execute it, upon condition of his 
 attempting to preach. The constable, however, mistook 
 his commission, and went immediately to arrest him ; 
 but having gone to Morant Bay he was not to be found. 
 As he knew nothing of the matter he soon returned, and 
 was again waited on by the two magistrates, who once 
 more urged him to give up his house ; promising to 
 
IMPRISONMENT OF MR. ROWDEN. 331 
 
 make up any difference in the amount of rent. To this 
 he still objected, and they withdrew, after threatening 
 him with the consequences of his preaching, should he 
 make the attempt. In a little time the constable made 
 his appearance, armed with his warrant, which had been 
 prepared " cut and dry," as has been related. He was 
 taken before M'William; when lo! the business was 
 found to be premature, as the warrant was to be exe- 
 cuted only in case of his attempting to preach. On 
 Saturday, the 18th, another warrant was prepared be- 
 forehand, to be ready for him in case of his preaching ; 
 and Thursday, the 23rd, being the regular evening for 
 public service, he officiated as usual. He was immedi- 
 ately arrested by virtue of the aforesaid warrant, brought 
 before M^William, and by him committed to the com- 
 mon gaol at Morant Bay. The cell in which he was 
 confined being very damp, he caught a severe cold, 
 which was succeeded by a violent attack of fever, and 
 his removal became absolutely necessary. He then 
 entered into recognizances to appear at the Quarter 
 Sessions, and was discharged. On recovering a little he re- 
 moved to Kingston for a change of air, but his fever again 
 returned, and at the time of Quarter Sessions he obtained 
 a medical certificate, stating his inability to attend, 
 which was admitted to be satisfactory. At the Supreme 
 Court, held in June, 1833, application was made for a 
 criminal information against those magistrates ; but on 
 their counsel admitting that their conduct had been 
 most illegal and reprehensible, the case was pressed no 
 further. The missionary had no malice to gratify ; 
 
3S2 QUARTER SESSIONS AT MONTEGO BAY. 
 
 •and the court (somewhat strangely) thought it best for 
 the respective parties to pay their own costs. 
 
 Another instance of intolerance occurred in Montego 
 Bay. When the disturbances in that neighbourhood 
 had subsided, Mr. Murray intimated his intention of re- 
 opening the chapel; and as it was admitted that his 
 conduct had been unimpeachable, and that none of the 
 Wesleyan negroes had been implicated in the insurrec- 
 tion, it might have been expected that no impediment 
 would be thrown in his way. On his intention being 
 known, a placard was posted on the chapel, purporting 
 to give him notice, that should he preach it would be at 
 the hazard of his life, and that the chapel also would be 
 pulled to the ground. Notwithstanding this (after ma- 
 king such arrangements as prudence suggested), he 
 opened the chapel, and entered upon his public duties. 
 About that time a general meeting of the Colonial Church 
 Union of the different parishes was held in Falmouth, at 
 which they issued "a solemn declaration," binding 
 themselves to their engagements, and also that they 
 would not give employment to any " sectarian," or to 
 such as encouraged them in any way whatsoever. At 
 that meeting, the Unionists of St. James were severely 
 taken to task for permitting the preaching of Mr. 
 Murray in Montego Bay; and on the Slst of July, an 
 order was sent from the Quarter Sessions, then being 
 held, demanding his immediate attendance. He found 
 no fewer than about twenty magistrates, all apparently 
 waiting for him, who informed him that they had received 
 information that he was preaching in an unlicensed 
 
MONTEGO BAY CHAPEL SHUT UP. 
 
 house, and was also unlicensed himself. He replied, 
 that the old building had been duly registered in that 
 court, that as the new one was on the same site, it had 
 not been thought necessary to present it ; and that he 
 himself had qualified, not only in England, but also on 
 the Island. They, however, decided he was not legally 
 entitled to preach, on which he presented the chapel for 
 registration, and offered again to take the oaths, which 
 the law gave them no power to refuse; but they 
 sternly rejected his application. Two of their number 
 indeed, Mr. Guthrie and another gentleman, advocated 
 his cause, but as all the rest gave their voice against 
 him, it was to no purpose. The person who presided on 
 the occasion was Mr. John Coates, a violent antagonist ; 
 but thus much must in justice be said for the whites 
 in Montego Bay, that his was a character anything but 
 highly respected. 
 
 The situation of Mr. Murray was now extremely 
 trying ; both parties were strong on Montego Bay, and 
 he was assured, that should he open the chapel as matters 
 then stood, riot and bloodshed would be the consequence. 
 After consultation with his friends, he prudently con- 
 sented to yield, until his case should be presented for the 
 consideration of the governor. 
 
 For some time the attention of the reader has been 
 directed to a dark and gloomy period of our history. 
 Law and order wantonly outraged with impunity ; a cruel 
 faction triumphant ; and the servants of God suffering 
 bonds and imprisonment for his sake; while hundreds of 
 their afflicted people were enduring such fiery trials, as 
 
334 SUFFERINGS FOR CHRIST's SAKE. 
 
 cannot be fully known until the great day of judgment. 
 Some severities still remain to be recorded, but a brighter 
 day was nigh at hand. These severities, together with 
 succeeding triumphs, shall be related in the following 
 chapter. 
 
335 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 • 
 
 The Earl of Miilgrave appointed Governor of Jamaica — Friendly reply 
 of his Excellency to the Address of the Missionaries — Meeting of 
 the Legislatm-e — His Excellency's dignified answer to the Address 
 of the Assembly — Determmed energy of the Governor — Royal 
 Proclamation for dissolving the Colonial Chm-ch Union — IMagis- 
 trates in St. Ann's dismissed from their office — John Baillie and 
 James Malcolm are liberated by order of the Governor — Rev. Mr. 
 Barr arrested at Manchioneal — Incident at Morant Bay — Imprison- 
 ment of the Rev. Mr. Murray — Decision of the Supreme Court on 
 the Acts of Toleration — Daring outrage at the Coui-t-house of St. 
 Ann's — Colonial Church Union entirely broken up — A Bill for the 
 Abolition of Slavery passes the Imperial Parliament — Extraordinary 
 changes in Jamaica — Missionaries return to Falmouth and St. 
 Ann's and worship in peace — A Bill for the Emancipation of the 
 Slaves passes the Colonial Legislature — Death of the Rev. Ptichard 
 Watson — Proceedings of the Missionary Committee — The Earl of 
 Mulgrave leaves the Island — He is succeeded by the Marquis of 
 Sligo— First of August, 1834. 
 
 On the 29th of July, 1832, the Right Honourable the 
 Earl of Mulgrave (now Marquis of Normanby) arrived, 
 as the nevrly appointed governor of the Island. From 
 the time of the Earl of Belmore's departure, the admi- 
 nistration had been in the hands of the president of the 
 council, the Honourable George Cuthbert, a well- 
 meaning man, but possessing no energy. The mission- 
 aries hailed the arrival of the governor, and on the 9th 
 of August they presented a congratulatory address which 
 was favourably received. The insertion of the address 
 would occupy too much of our space, but the reply of his 
 excellency cannot be withheld, which was as follows : — 
 
336 REPLY TO THE MISSIONARIES' ADDRESS. 
 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " I thank you most sincerely for the expression of 
 your congratulations upon my assumption of the government 
 of this Island. The assurances of your sincere and inviolable 
 attachment to the person and government of his Majesty, 
 have given me the highest gratification. 
 
 " I am duly sensible of the complicated difficulties by 
 which ftie administration of public affairs in this colony is at 
 present surrounded ; but I trust to the prevalence of those 
 feelings which you have now expressed, and which so well 
 become you as ministers of the gospel, to the diffusion of a 
 general wish for the preservation of tranquillity, and the re- 
 moval of unhappy differences ; knowing that it is by such 
 means, my arduous task can be best facilitated. 
 
 " It is a matter of peculiar satisfaction to me to hear from 
 you, that during the late disturbances, every class of the 
 members of your Society were distinguished by a devoted at- 
 tachment to the government of his Majesty. 
 
 " It will be my duty, as a uniform supporter of the cause 
 of religious liberty, to extend to you that protection in the 
 enjoyment of your rights and privileges which our constitu- 
 tion has granted, and which, whilst acting upon the principles 
 put forward in your address, I see no reason to suppose you 
 will ever forfeit." 
 
 The manner in which his excellency received their 
 address, as well as his answer to it, inspired the mission- 
 aries with hope. Both they and their people had borne 
 their trials with the most extraordinary patience. In 
 the discharge of their duties they feared no danger, while, 
 on the other hand, by their exemplary prudence, they 
 shewed themselves to be as far from unbecoming teme- 
 
ENERGY OF THE GOVERNOR. 3S7 
 
 rity as from cowardice. But at the period of Lord 
 Mulgrave's arrival, dark clouds were fast gathering 
 around the distracted colony. The Colonial Church 
 Union had extended its ramifications throughout most 
 of the parishes ; but the free black and coloured popu- 
 lation were beginning to organize against them, and the 
 country was threatened with civil war.* It was some 
 time before the principles which marked his excellency's 
 administration were fully developed ; but the mission- 
 aries had the fullest confidence that a governor had at 
 last arrived every way adequate to the arduous duties 
 of his station, and not less disposed to fulfil them. He 
 visited many parts of the Island, inquired into its insti- 
 tutions, and inspected the hut of the slave, as well as the 
 mansion of the planter. It was long since Jamaica had 
 witnessed such a governor. He appeared every where, 
 and in a style becoming a representative of Majesty. 
 His early caution was wise and politic ; but an oppor- 
 tunity was soon presented, for shewing the decision of his 
 character, and declaring the principles of his government. 
 The Legislature were called to meet on the 30th of 
 October. The opening address of his excellency was 
 long, minute and conciliatory, but it was equally digni- 
 fied and faithful. Amongst other topics, he stated his 
 
 * It deserves to be noticed, tliat after a large and influential meeting 
 of gentlemen of that class had been held in Montego Bay, who con- 
 demned the Colonial Church Union, a handful of persons met and 
 passed a few contrary resolutions. The chief of the names must be 
 mentioned, as it would be a grievous affair should they be forgotten. 
 They were J. Boyd and E,. E. Breare ; Moncrieffe also, the St. Ann's 
 treasurer of the Union, was a person of colour. Alas, it appears that 
 these worthies were all educated in the mother country. 
 
SS8 MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 regret, that in some parts of the country he had observed 
 " a turbulent and lawless spirit occasionally betraying 
 itself in open acts of outrage, and consequent symptoms 
 of alienation between different classes of the free popu- 
 lation ;" expressing, at the same time, his determination 
 to suppress such outbreakings, " wherever they might 
 occur, and by whomsoever they might be fomented." 
 He gently hinted at the appointment of committees, in 
 both Houses of Parliament, who had been employed in 
 investigating the state of the Colonies ; that of the 
 Lords having been obtained at the instance of the West 
 India body itself. He informed the Assembly that a 
 bill had passed the Imperial Parliament for the relief of 
 the Island, suffering as it was from recent misfortunes. 
 Also, that the Orders in Council of November, 1831, 
 would not be pressed ; but he strongly recommended 
 them to the consideration and adoption of such measures 
 of amelioration, as in their wisdom they might think 
 fit. 
 
 His excellency's speech was favourably received by 
 the Council, but the long answer of the Assembly was 
 expressive of much dissatisfaction and deeply wounded 
 pride. They were stung by his reference to the Union- 
 ists, and endeavoured to apologize for their outrages, or 
 rather to justify them, by referring to the disasters of the 
 late insurrection. But what appeared to be the most 
 galling, was his reference to the Parliamentary Com- 
 mittees, before which they knew several missionaries 
 had given evidence. They disclaimed any participation 
 in their appointment ; boasted of the liberality of their 
 
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. 339 
 
 legislation; and denied the competency of Parliament 
 to make any eiFectual inquiry into their institutions. 
 They said, they never recognized the resolutions of 1823, 
 and protested against the House of Commons interfering 
 with their internal legislation. They urged, that they 
 were not represented in that House, and that they had 
 no hope of an impartial and dispassionate result from 
 any committee it might appoint. The hill passed hy 
 Parliament produced no grateful response ; they simply 
 replied, that they would take it into their considera- 
 tion. 
 
 It is prohable, that under many former administra- 
 tions, all this might have passed without any animad- 
 version, but it was not so in this instance. His 
 excellency's rejoinder formed a perfect contrast with 
 the few formal sentences usually employed on such 
 occasions. He confessed himself disappointed with many 
 sentiments in their long aud desultory address, as wel]^ 
 as in the spirit with which it was pervaded. His speech, 
 he observed, "broached no theory, and required no 
 sacrifice : it announced only a boon, and a conces- 
 sion for the present and for the future, patient exa- 
 mination at home, and a determination to report faith- 
 fully from hence." He left it to themselves to settle 
 how far it was fitting to disclaim a connection with the 
 West India body at home ; yet they ought to have recol- 
 lected, that their own accredited agent united in the 
 request for one of the Parliamentary committees ; and 
 that they had just vacated their chair, by sending their 
 speaker, and another of their body, to embark for En- 
 
 z 2 
 
S40 THE governor's FIDELIl^. 
 
 gland^ so as to be in time for the next meeting of the 
 Imperial Legislature. Nothing could have induced him 
 to originate the irritating question of the right of Par- 
 liament to legislate for the whole empire ; but though 
 he should ever maintain the most inviolable respect for 
 their privileges, yet he could not listen to their declara- 
 tion, " without asserting, in the most unequivocal terms, 
 the transcendent power of the Imperial Legislature, regie- 
 lated only hy its oion discretion, and limited only hy such 
 restrictions as itself may have imposed.^^ He aifection- 
 ately advised them to judge others, as they would wish 
 to be judged themselves ; and assured them that it was 
 " such groundless accusations, which alienated the public 
 mind in Europe from the cause of the Colonists ; and^^ 
 said he," if you continue thus to speak for yourselves, I 
 much fear it will be vain for any one to speak for youP 
 
 It is impossible for any true friend to Jamaica to read 
 the manly reply of Lord Mulgrave, without feelings of 
 bitter sorrow, mingled with inexpressible indignation. 
 Amongst former governors, who fattened on the bounty 
 of the Assembly, how was it that not one manifested 
 toAvards them the same generous and faithful friendship ? 
 They had many opportunities for announcing such doc- 
 trines, why then were they so long withheld? Had 
 they discharged their duty with equal fidelity, how much 
 evil would have been prevented ! The Assembly would 
 have been preserved from that deep disgrace, which must 
 for ever attach to the memory of many of its members : 
 the history of the Island might have been free from 
 many foul blots, which must now remain to disfigure 
 
ROYAL PROCLAMATION. 341 
 
 it; and the fair fields of Jamaica might have been 
 unstained by the blood of its inhabitants. Never had 
 such a lecture been delivered before; it burst like a 
 thunder-clap on the ears of the astounded senators : — it 
 reverberated through every part of the country : — the 
 Courant teemed with abuse : — the Unionists fretted with 
 rage ! But it w^as all in vain. From that moment his 
 excellency sprung into the car of government ; and 
 though the unruly steeds had long been unaccustomed to 
 the reins, yet he impelled them onward until they reached 
 the point prescribed by the British Parliament, and re- 
 quired by the general voice of the British nation. 
 
 But another volley still more formidable w^as about to 
 be discharged at the wretched Unionists. A proclama- 
 tion was received in January from the Sovereign himself, 
 denouncing their confederacy, and requiring it to be in- 
 stantly broken up. All persons on the Island were com- 
 manded to abstain from any such Society ; all judges 
 and magistrates were required *^ to give full effect to the 
 laws for the toleration of religious loorshij), and to hring 
 to justice all such persons as might be found violating 
 them,''^ It is possible, that in the hands of some former 
 governors, the royal proclamation might have proved a 
 very harmless instrument, but in the hands of Lord 
 Mulgrave it became an engine of extraordinary power; 
 and so skilfully did he use it, as to break up the Union 
 into fragments, and then scatter them to the winds of 
 heaven. Copies of the proclamation were forAvarded to 
 the Custodes of parishes, along Avith which his ex- 
 cellency issued a circular, in which he declares his de- 
 
S42 VIGOROUS MEASURES. 
 
 termination to enforce it in the most vigorous manner ; — 
 that all persons who should violate his Majesty's injunc- 
 tions should be reported to himself; that should they 
 hold offices under the crown, civil or military, they should 
 be instantly deprived of them, " that all others concerned 
 in similar proceedings may perceive, that neither actual 
 violence nor a repetition of illegal threats, will be 
 allowed to pass unpunished." 
 
 When these documents appeared, the hearts of his 
 Majesty's loyal and peaceable subjects were filled with 
 gladness ; but the rage and disappointment of their 
 adversaries were extreme. Threats were held out against 
 the governor, and one miscreant went so far as to assail 
 both him and the countess of Mulgrave with abusive 
 language, as they were walking toward the King's 
 House in Spanish Town. The infatuated Unionists 
 of St. Ann had the unparelleled audacity to call a meet- 
 ing of their body by advertisement, " to take jjlace on 
 the \Oth of February, to consider his Majesty's late pro- 
 cla7nation,''' This was a step too far, and the offending 
 magistrates were driven from their offices : nor was this 
 all, he repaired in person to the rebellious parish, and 
 knowing the loyalty of the colored population, he went 
 to a muster of the militia, and at the head of the re- 
 giment called up the colonel (Hamilton Brown) and dis- 
 missed him from his Majesty's service. 
 
 Nor was his excellency less to be admired for the ex- 
 ercise of mercy than of justice. Many of the negroes 
 confined in the workhouses experienced his clemency. 
 Amongst others the case of poor Baillie, who after his 
 
LIBERATION OF BAILLIE AND MALCOLM. 343 
 
 severe flagellation had been sentenced to hard labour in 
 Rodney Hall, was brought under his consideration, and 
 he granted his Majesty's pardon and ordered his release. 
 Some time afterwards he investigated the case of J ames 
 Malcolm. It has been stated, that that excellent man 
 had received sentence of death, but that Lord Belmore 
 commuted it to confinement and hard labour in the 
 workhouse at Lucea, and to be wrought in chains during 
 the term of his natural life. But the malice of his ene- 
 mies was disappointed. Lord Mulgrave ascertained the 
 history of the whole affair ; the command of mercy Avas 
 authoritatively issued ; the chain was snapt asunder ; 
 and James Malcolm soon became a free man. 
 
 The above-mentioned events did not all transpire at 
 the same time, nor could order be at once restored. The 
 Colonial Church Union had indeed received its death 
 wound, but during its last convulsive struggles, there 
 were several instances of oppression which remain to 
 be narrated. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 27th of March, 1833, Mr. Barr, 
 who was stationed in Manchioneal, was apprehended by 
 a constable, taken before Messrs. Mc William and Speed, 
 and charged with preaching without license, on Sunday 
 the 25th. The constable at the same time arrested two 
 respectable ladies of colour, Mrs. Lyon and Mrs. Edwin 
 Drummond, and brought them before the magistrates, 
 to give evidence ; but respect for such functionaries was 
 fast declining ; those ladies despised their threats, and 
 they positively refused either to he siuorn, or to give one 
 vjord of evidence, Mr. Barr stated that he had already 
 
344 OCCURRENCES IN ST. THOMAS IN THE EAST. 
 
 qualified, and was willing to' do so again; but they 
 affiiined there was a recent statute against him, and he 
 was sentenced to pay a fine of twenty pounds. To this 
 he decidedly objected, and by order of the magistrates, a 
 levy was made on the mission furniture, which was 
 nearly all seized, and sold for the sum of nineteen pounds 
 eleven shillings and threepence. A representation of 
 this case was made to the governor, and Speed and Mc 
 William were instantly deprived of their commissions. 
 
 It has been remarked, that though Manchioneal be- 
 longs to St. Thomas in the East, yet the white inhabi- 
 tants differed widely in their character and habits from 
 those in the other districts of that parish. But an 
 incident occurred at Morant Bay for which it is difficult 
 to account; considering the respectful treatment the 
 missionaries had long received from the gentlemen in 
 that neighbourhood. On the third of April, Mr. Barr 
 was advised by two respectable magistrates to apply at 
 the Quarter Sessions to take the usual oaths. This 
 advice was no doubt kindly meant, and as there was no 
 reason to fear the issue, he promptly complied with it. 
 There were six justices on the Bench, and after long con- 
 sultation, Thomas Mc Cornock, Esq., the presiding ma- 
 gistrate, stated " That it was decided hy a majority not 
 to grant any license at present r This case is inex- 
 plicable. It is undoubted that that gentleman had no 
 wish, as an individual, to prevent Mr. Barr from preach- 
 ing : he had long been favourable to the Wesleyan mis- 
 sionaries, and had been in the habit of frequent atten- 
 dance on their ministry : indeed, as Mr. Barr continued 
 
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MR. MURRAY. 345 
 
 to preach without further interruption, it does not appear 
 to have been the wish of the majority. It is j)robable 
 that the practical uncertainty of the law so perplexed 
 them, as that they scarcely knew how to act. The 
 governor had issued his Majesty's proclamation, and had 
 shewed himself the firm friend of religious liberty. On 
 the other hand, the chief-justice, though he had been 
 nearly a year on the Island had never decided the ques- 
 tion of law ; he had refused to release Mr. Greenwood 
 from gaol, though he had the example of his predecessor 
 for that course ; and was- thought to be quite as un- 
 favourable as many of the Colonists themselves. In these 
 circumstances, it is more than probable that the object of 
 the magistrates was rather to evade the matter, until 
 they might learn what the law required them to do. 
 
 The Society at Montego Bay had been for some time 
 deprived of the public means of grace ; but after his 
 Majesty's proclamation, together with the governor's 
 circular, Mr. Murray again opened the chapel, and 
 entered upon his work. In consequence of this, two 
 constables came to his house on the 24th of March, 
 bearing a warrant to bring him at once to the court- 
 liouse. He was taken to a private room in which twelve 
 justices were assembled, charged with preaching with- 
 out license, and required to give security not to preach 
 again, or to be committed to prison. As he had both an 
 English and a Jamaica " license," he desired to know by 
 what law^ they threatened to commit him to prison ; but 
 he was told that he was not to ask questions as they 
 had determined not to permit any conversation. He 
 
346 MR. MURRAY IS IMPRISONED. 
 
 was again asked if he were ready to give security 
 not to preach : to which he replied, " he could give no 
 such security. '^^ His commitment was then made out, 
 and along with two Baptist missionaries, was taken 
 through the streets, guarded by five constables, like a 
 common felon. Such was the treatment of a man 
 whose congregation at the time of the insurrection had 
 been characterized by extraordinary fidelity, and whose 
 own conduct, his very enemies were forced to acknow- 
 ledge to have been most exemplary. Justice requires it 
 to be particularly noted, that against the iniquitous de- 
 cision Lord Seaford and John Manderson Esq., loudly 
 protested, but it was in vain ; they were over-ruled by the 
 majority, and the servants of God were sent to prison. 
 Mr. Murray lost no time in presenting his case to the 
 governor, and by order of the chief-justice he was 
 released on bail, after having been incarcerated about a 
 week. Mr. Murray was the last of the Wesleyan mis- 
 sionaries in Jamaica who suffered bonds and imprison- 
 ment for preaching the gospel. 
 
 At the Surrey Assize Court, which was held in King- 
 ston, the chief-justice, in addressing the gi-and jury with 
 reference to the intended trial of Mr. Dendy, a Baptist 
 missionary, gave his opinion, that the old toleration 
 laws were in force in Jamaica ; but as this was no formal 
 decision of the court, it went for but little, and matters 
 were in the same state as before. It was on this account 
 that an application on tlie part of Mr. Walters, at the 
 Falmouth Quarter Sessions was unsuccessful ; the Hon. 
 
DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT. 347 
 
 William Miller, the Gustos, (whose conduct was not 
 marked by intolerance) desired him to let his application 
 lie over, until after the Grand Court, at which the matter 
 would be set at rest. 
 
 The question was accordingly decided on the 22nd of 
 June, and the acts of Wilham and Mary, together with 
 the 10th of Anne, declared to be the law of the Island. 
 From this decision, however, Mr. Justice Bernard dis- 
 sented, as Mr. Justice King had done before at the Surrey 
 Assizes. The author is not acquainted with the reasons 
 assigned by those gentlemen for dissenting from the 
 chief-justice. But they were both solicitors by profession, 
 and were therefore likely to be as Avell acquainted with 
 the laws of Jamaica as Sir Joshua Rowe. But whatever 
 may have been their views, we still persist that the 
 decision of the Grand Court w^as erroneous. It was 
 impossible those acts could have been the law, unless 
 they had been " esteemed, introduced, and accepted or 
 received as the laws of the Island" before 1 728. No at- 
 tempt was made to produce evidence that they ever 
 had been, therefore, with due deference, it is still 
 maintained, there was no ivritten law on the subject. 
 
 Though by the aforesaid decision the missionaries 
 were not required to apply in each parish for licenses, 
 yet it was far from being acceptable to the respectable 
 portion of the community. On the other hand, as it re- 
 cognized the existence of the conventicle act, and other- 
 wise allowed scope for some annoyance, it was hailed 
 with dehght by the Unionists, with whom Sir Joshua 
 
348 EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT ST. ANN's BAY. 
 
 Rowe became a greater favourite than ever.* On his 
 passing through St. Ann's Bay, on the 28th of June, 
 they presented him with an address, expressive of their 
 admiration of his conduct in the recent decision at the 
 Supreme Court ; which address purported to be from the 
 inhabitants of St. Ann, and was signed by Hamilton 
 Brown, an ex-magistrate and the degraded ex-coloncl. 
 So highly were they delighted, that it was even pro- 
 posed to take out his horses, that they themselves might 
 draw his carriage through the town. This, however, 
 was not done ; " hut he was saluted with several j^icces 
 of cannon J and tcith deaf ening cheers ;^^ which, says the 
 Falmouth Courier, " must have been highly gi'atifying 
 to him." Although, in his reply to the address, he ac- 
 knowledged that he should have preferred that such an 
 expression of thanks had not been conveyed to him, for 
 doing what was only his duty, " yet he could not but 
 feel gratified that confidence was felt in him while pre- 
 siding over the administration of justice in the Island." 
 If Sir Johsua were really gratified by this mark of " con- 
 fidence," he must be a happy man ; so thankful for what 
 others would esteem as but "small mercies." The 
 Church Unionists crowned him with laurels ! Long may 
 he live to wear them ! His wreath certainly possesses one 
 rare excellence, namely, that should it never fade until 
 another pluck it from his brow, it bids fair to flourish for 
 ever. The next paragraph will enable the reader to esti- 
 mate the value of such a token of confidence and respect. 
 
 * ITie Unionists Avcrc mistaken in tlic laAV, they understood it to be 
 far more restrictive than it really was. 
 
DARING OUTRAGE AT ST. ANN's BAY. 349 
 
 The principal magistrates of St. Ann's Avho belonged 
 to the " Union," having been deprived of their commis- 
 sions, Mr. Greenwood appeared at the Quarter Sessions 
 on the 19th of July, for the purpose of taking the oaths, 
 &c., in order to commence preaching in that parish. 
 The Honourable Samuel Moulton Barrett was appointed 
 custos in the room of Mr. Cox, who had been dismissed 
 by the governor. Mr. Barrett had been formerly a 
 member of the House of Commons : he was a gentleman 
 of great intelligence and liberality, and also a true friend 
 to the religious instruction of the slaves. The intentions 
 of Mr. Greenwood were generally known, and many of 
 the ex-magistrates and other Unionists attended, armed 
 with clubs. On his entering the court-house, they cried 
 out, " JVe tvant no 3Iethodist parso7is here!^^ Rose 
 exclaimed, " I protected one of those ivretches hefore, hut 
 I will not protect this 07ie !^^ Hamilton Brown vocife- 
 rated, " We hcwe a firebrand amongst us ! . Turn him 
 out forthwith, forthioith ! " It was in vain that the Cus- 
 tos referred to the law ; they shouted, " Our detennina- 
 tion is above law : ive set the law at defiance ! ! " In the 
 midst of the tumult, they repeatedly attempted to get 
 Mr. Greenwood into their hands, but this was prevented 
 by the Custos placing him behind the bench, which was 
 set up at a little distance from the back wall. The con- 
 fusion still increased, and his honour, finding he could 
 no longer protect him, pointed to a door close to where 
 he was standing, telling him to flee for his life. This he 
 did, and in the space of a few minutes more he himself 
 had to follow his example. This violent outrage was, 
 
350 COLONIAL CHURCH UNION BROKEN UP. 
 
 however, over-ruled for good, and it proved to be nearly 
 the last struggle of an expiring faction. The governor 
 immediately stationed a party of regular troops on the 
 Bay. It was seen by all, that law was no longer to be 
 trampled upon. The Colonial Church Union was com- 
 pletely annihilated ; its most zealous supporters sunk 
 into a miserable obscurity ; and the cause of righteous- 
 ness and peace became triumphant.* 
 
 The gross and insulting outrage at St. Ann's Bay 
 could not be passed over, and measures were at once 
 adopted at the King's House to bring the ringleaders to 
 justice. As Hamilton Brown was one of the members 
 of the Assembly for the parish, the party felt exceedingly 
 mortified. On the 28th of the same month, a requisition 
 (signed by about forty persons), was presented to the 
 Custos, desiring him to call a meeting of the parish- 
 ioners, to consider the " present alarming situation in 
 which the Island is placed ; as well as the insult offered 
 to the parish, in the attempt lately made to deprive one 
 of its representatives of his personal liberty." The 
 Custos addressed his reply to Mr. J. L. Hilton, the prin- 
 cipal name amongst those of the requisitionists, but who, 
 as one of the presidents of the Union, had been degi'aded 
 from his civil and military honours by the command of 
 the governor. The reply was firm and dignified. He 
 refused to call any such meeting, as it would only en- 
 danger the public peace and be productive of no good 
 
 * The riot in the court-house of St. Ann's -will be sufficient to 
 sliew, that tlic respect manifested towards the chief justice by the 
 Unionists was no evidence of respect for the hiw. 
 
PROSECUTION OF THE ST. ANN's RIOTERS. 351 
 
 whatsoever. It was no use now to resist : the military 
 were at hand, and the misguided men, had only quietly 
 to submit, in the best manner they could, to the con- 
 temptible state of insignificance into which they had 
 fallen. 
 
 The rioters at St. Ann's were prosecuted at the 
 Supreme Court, which sat in Spanish Town the following 
 October. The attorney-general entered upon the matter 
 with great zeal, but as he could not but know what 
 would be the result of placing a bill of indictment 
 against them into the hands of the grand jury, he re- 
 solved to prosecute by ex-officio information. On both 
 sides the counsel displayed uncommon ability, but the 
 defendants were not able to produce any evidence to 
 shake the testimony of the witnesses for the crown. 
 Their counsel, therefore, in addressing the jury, made 
 but little use of their evidence, but they eloquently de- 
 claimed against ex-officio informations, representing 
 them as engines of oppression, and calling upon them by 
 their verdict to protect the liberty of the subject. The 
 chief-justice summed up the evidence, and charged the 
 jury with impartiality; but the eloquence of the de- 
 fendant's counsel prevailed : the jury retired and re- 
 turned with a verdict of " Not Guilty." By that verdict, 
 the traversers left the bar unscathed indeed by legal 
 punishment, but they retired amidst the hootings and 
 execrations of an indignant populace. But though they 
 gained the verdict, the object of the prosecution was not 
 entirely lost : they had had a narrow escape ; the times 
 were fast changing ; and the " loyal and independent 
 
S52 MONTEGO BAY CHAPEL RE-OPENED. 
 
 parish of St. Ann's" was beginning to be generally re- 
 garded as a reproach to the Island. They very wisely, 
 therefore, put up with their degradation, and we hear of 
 them no more. 
 
 The persecuting magistrates at Montego Bay, appear 
 to have observed the signs of the times rather earlier 
 than their more ignorant brethren in St. Ann's. It has 
 been already related that Mr. Murray was held on bail 
 to appear at the Quarter Sessions in that town to answer 
 to the charge of preaching without license. On the day 
 for holding the Court, no magistrate made his appearance 
 excepting John Manderson, Esquire, who had been 
 throughout all the disturbances the firm friend to the 
 missionaries, and a determined foe to persecution. On 
 the following day he was associated with Messrs. Plum- 
 mer and Watt, and after a short conversation relative 
 to some cases connected with the Baptist Mission, the 
 indictment against Mr. Murray was brought before the 
 Court by the clerk of the peace. The Court, with little 
 hesitation, ordered a 7iolle prosequi to be entered upon it, 
 and thus the prosecution was dropped. At the same 
 time he presented his credentials as a Wesleyan minister, 
 and desired to qualify according to the recent interpre- 
 tation of the toleration acts. Mr. Watt only appears to 
 have opposed him, but his opposition was overruled. 
 Mr. Murray was allowed to qualify, and from that time 
 the Wesleyan ministers and their congregations have 
 worshipped God in peace. 
 
 It will not be necessary to detail at any length, the 
 well-known events wliich had for some time been pass- 
 
EFFORTS FOR ABOLISHING SLAVERY. 353 
 
 ing in the mother country, in relation to the West India 
 Colonies. There, the cause of freedom was continually 
 gaining ground, as the agitations on the question of 
 slavery proceeded. The violent persecutions in Jamaica 
 contributed much to forward that cause : by them, the 
 indignation of the British people was wound up to the 
 highest pitch, and they demanded that Colonial slavery 
 should hear its doom. The evidence before the Parlia- 
 mentary Committees was new to many of the members, 
 and some noble lords, who were Colonial proprietors, 
 honourably declared, that they would sooner lose all their 
 West India property than support such a system. The 
 two members of the Jamaica Assembly, who had been 
 sent over at the expense of the Island, to represent their 
 interests and to claim what they called their rights, had 
 only to proclaim their own defeat, and to tell their con- 
 stituents what a bitter foe they had in the British mi- 
 nister. The Colonial party appeared to be infatuated : 
 even at home they clung to the accusations against the 
 missionaries, which, without the smallest difficulty, were 
 proved to be utterly false. They also employed certain 
 lecturers in their service, who knew nothing about the 
 Colonies, whose statements were easily met ; and thus 
 they themselves contributed to ruin their own cause. 
 The generality of their witnesses before the committees 
 made no great figure, and their evidence rather strength- 
 ened than weakened the hands of their antagonists. 
 Bad as matters were at home with them they were 
 still worse abroad; their violence demolished their 
 credit ; in a word, it was such that, as the Earl of Mul- 
 
 2 A 
 
354 THE EMANCIPATION ACT PASSED. 
 
 grave had forewarned them, " it was vain for any one to 
 speak for them." Thus the friends of slavery were, under 
 the providence of God, so over-ruled in their designs, as 
 to be pressed into the cause of freedom. It is true 
 they never can share in the honours of a Clarkson, a 
 Wilberforce, or a Buxton; but even such men as 
 Bridges and Bruce contributed to the advancement of 
 their cause ; and the infamous Courant also contributed 
 its quota, as well as the Anti-slavery reporter. It was 
 decreed by the British Senate, and sanctioned by the 
 British Monarch, that on the first of August, 1834, 
 slavery should cease throughout the whole Empire ; and 
 the toleration laws of England from that time declared 
 to be law in the Colonies. 
 
 In returning to Jamaica we seem to enter upon a 
 different region. For several years, especially since 1824, 
 it had been to the Mission '^ a land of storms ;" but we 
 nowbegin to enter upon a period of tranquillity and peace. 
 From the commencement of the late troubles, until nearly 
 the close of the year 1833, the internal history of the 
 Mission presents us with but few prominent incidents. 
 The greatest prosperity was in Spanish Town, where the 
 Societies were favoured with the public ordinances with- 
 out interruption, and enjoyed more quiet than in Kingston 
 itself. On most of the other stations, even where the 
 chapels were standing and open, the slaves were so fre- 
 quently kept from attending, that no increase of members 
 could have been expected. At last the prospects began 
 to brighten ; Mr. Walters was permitted to enter upon 
 his labours in Falmouth about the beginning of July ; 
 
MISSIONARIES WORSHIP IN PEACE. 355 
 
 and though the chapel lay in ruins, so great was his 
 success, that in the space of two months forty persons 
 were admitted on trial. He was also allowed to worship 
 in peace, and so marked was the change, that he says, 
 " I feel confident, that notwithstanding former occur- 
 rences, that if protection, or even redress, should be re- 
 quired by me, I should have it. Our prospects are 
 exhilarating, the cloud is dispersing, the scattered vic- 
 tims of persecution begin again to be collected, and the 
 church will, we trust, once more flourish to the glory of 
 that God who has thus brought us through the water 
 and through the fire." But though the people were 
 brought together who resided in the town, some time 
 elapsed before they were collected from the estates in 
 the country. 
 
 On the 19th of September, Messrs. Crooks and Green- 
 wood went from Kingston to visit the scattered Societies 
 in the parishes of St. Mary and St. Ann, and found the 
 state of afiairs much more settled. In Port Maria and 
 Oracabessa they were happy to find their people in a 
 state of comparative prosperity. On Saturday, the 21st, 
 they went to St. Ann's, and though they met a number 
 of Unionists on their way, yet none dared to molest 
 them. Mr. Greenwood preached the following day, in a 
 house which had been registered in the bishop's ofiice, to 
 large congregations, after which they renewed the tickets 
 to many of the members. In the afternoon they preached 
 under some cocoa-nut trees at Ocho Rios, close by the 
 ruins of the chapel wliich was burned after the insur- 
 rection. Thus the clouds were fast passing away, and 
 
 2 A 2 
 
356 MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 they hailed the approach of a brighter day than had ever 
 yet dawned on Jamaica; only on the St. Ann's and 
 Falmouth circuits they sighed over the ruins of those 
 edifices which had once been the sanctuaries of their 
 God. 
 
 The Colonial Legislature was called to meet on the 8th 
 of October. His excellency, in a conciliatory speech, 
 directed their attention to the recent measures adopted 
 by the Imperial Parliament, and strongly recommended 
 them to make preparation for that renovated state of so- 
 ciety which was then at hand. The Assembly replied 
 in a manner equally wise and conciliatory, indicative of 
 that great change of spirit and temper which their deli- 
 berations afterwards evinced. Mr. Watkis, one of the 
 members for Kingston, gave notice that on an early day 
 he would bring in a bill for the abolition of slavery. It 
 was his wish, and also that of Mr. Campbell, of Montego 
 Bay (another of the Kingston members), to have no in- 
 termediate period of apprenticeship ; but a bill similar 
 to what had passed the Imperial Legislature was ulti- 
 mately adopted, which, on the 12th of December, received 
 the sanction of his excellency. In course of the debates 
 there were occasional manifestations of old principles, 
 but it was clear that already they were at an enormous 
 discount ; and, with but little exception, their delibera- 
 tions were not unworthy of a legislative assembly. The 
 toleration laws of England were also adopted ; and the 
 sword of persecution was thrown back into its scabbard. 
 From that time ministers and congregations have wor- 
 shipped God in peace, none daring to disturb them. 
 
DEATH OF REV. R. WATSON. 357 
 
 At the District-meeting of January, 1834, the number 
 of members returned was very considerably under the 
 return of 1832. This was not owing to any great de- 
 clension, but simply to the fact, that until that time 
 many of the slaves were prevented from attending the 
 means of grace. The Missionary Committee, therefore, 
 properly directed the numbers to stand as had been pre- 
 viously returned. At that District the brethren rejoiced 
 in the blessing of peace. More labourers were loudly 
 called for, and they went to their stations with the full 
 anticipation of being richly rewarded for all the toils and 
 sufferings through which they had been called to pass. 
 
 On the tidings of the late insurrection reaching the 
 mother country, the Missionary Committee deeply sym- 
 pathized with their suffering brethren in Jamaica ; 
 and they put forth every effort to render them all 
 possible help. None manifested a livelier interest in 
 all their concerns than the late Rev. Richard Watson, 
 whose name can never be forgotten by the Wesleyan 
 missionary. But the ways of Providence are often dark 
 and mysterious. Before he saw the full consummation 
 of his hopes and wishes, God called his honoured ser- 
 vant home to his eternal reward ; yet those plans of 
 usefulness devised by his piety and judgment have sur- 
 vived, and will doubtless prove a blessing to generations 
 yet unborn. 
 
 Mr. Watson was succeeded as senior secretary by the 
 Rev. Dr. Bunting, whose qualifications for the highly 
 responsible station are well known to be fully equal to 
 those of his illustrious predecessor. Under his direc- 
 
358 SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS. 
 
 tion and that of his excellent colleagues, estimates of 
 losses sustained by the Jamaica Mission, by the destruc- 
 tion of its property, were drawn out and forwarded to 
 government, and application was made for redress. A 
 special effort by the connexion was also made on behalf 
 of the West India Missions, and in particular that of 
 Jamaica. As under the apprenticeship system, which 
 was to commence on the 1st of August, the benefits of 
 the Christian Sabbath were to be secured, and as new- 
 doors of usefulness would then be thrown open in all 
 directions, it became indispensably necessary to increase 
 the number of missionaries, as well as to erect additional 
 chapels and schools. All this was properly laid before 
 the public, and not only was the call nobly responded 
 to on the part of the Wesleyan body, but persons of all 
 denominations, and some of the highest rank, contribu- 
 ted in the most liberal manner. One half of the estimated 
 amount of damages was allowed by government, on con- 
 dition of the other being raised by the friends of the 
 Society, which was done accordingly. 
 
 After the passing of the Emancipation Act, Lord 
 Mulgrave visited the different parishes, and addressed 
 large assemblies of the negroes, explaining to them the 
 nature of that new state on which they were about to 
 enter, and those new responsibilities under which they 
 would be laid. His efforts, together -with those of the 
 missionaries, were productive of much advantage, and 
 greatly contributed to the peace and good order which 
 marked the momentous change. But it appears tliat 
 such exertions were too much for his lordship's health ; 
 
LORD MULGRAVE LEAVES THE ISLAND. 359 
 
 and he was consequently under the necessity of quitting 
 the Island, which he did on the 14th of March, 1834, 
 after having held the reins of government nearly two 
 years. 
 
 On the announcement of his excellency's intention of 
 leaving the Island, and especially when it was known 
 that it was on account of the delicate state of his health, 
 a feeling of genuine sorrow was almost universal. Pa- 
 rochial addresses, expressive of sympathy and regret, were 
 sent from Kingston, Port Royal, and, indeed, fr'om the 
 principal parishes throughout the Island. The ministers 
 of the various denominations, expressing similar senti- 
 ments, adopted the same course ; and their addresses 
 were received and answered in the most kind and re- 
 spectful manner. When it was known that it was his 
 intention to depart from Kingston (in which city he had 
 chiefly resided), preparations were made by the inhabi- 
 tants suitable to the occasion. Both battalions of the 
 militia were called out, who, together with the 22nd 
 and 37th regiments, lined the streets fi'om the Parade to 
 the Ordnance Wharf. His excellency, the Countess of 
 Mulgrave and suite, entered on the Parade at half-past 
 four o'clock, and were received by a salute of twenty- 
 four guns from the artillery, and advanced slowly through 
 the military avenue to the Ordnance Yard. On her 
 ladyship alighting from her carriage, a number of gen- 
 teely dressed young negro women strewed her path 
 with flowers ; and his excellency, after cordially shaking 
 hands with the principal persons in the Colony, went on 
 board the Rhadamanthus, amidst the repeated thunders 
 
360 LORD MULG rave's ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 of artillery, followed by the best wishes and earnest 
 prayers of all the truly good tlii'oughout the whole 
 Island. 
 
 The period of Lord Mulgrave's administration must 
 ever be regarded as an eventful era in the history of Ja- 
 maica. When he entered upon his arduous duties, he 
 found anarchy and confusion, religious intolerance, and 
 the fiercest persecution threatening to destroy the last 
 vestiges of society ; and to all appearance the Island was 
 on the verge of a civil war, far more calamitous than the 
 late insurrection of the negroes. But by his unparalleled 
 energy and perseverance, persecution and intolerance 
 were put down, and a powerful but wicked faction was 
 crushed, which had been the cause of such disorders. In 
 the pursuit of his object he had at first to encounter a 
 formidable opposition. The popular j ournals assailed him 
 with all manner of abuse ; and even his countess, (be- 
 cause, with the high spirit of a British lady, she had 
 dared to trample on the pride of caste) shared with him 
 in their most malignant vituperation. In the midst of 
 all this he fearlessly held on his course, nor did he rest 
 until he saw the foundations of civil and religious liberty 
 on such a basis, as to secure their blessings to future 
 generations. So sudden a change of feeling, especially 
 on the subject of religious freedom, was perhaps scarcely 
 ever witnessed before. No doubt some of the old per- 
 secutors remained who might be as malignant as ever, 
 but they were in an instant thrown into a miserable 
 minority, and became perfectly fanglcss. An immense 
 majority of those who had been hostile, not only ceased 
 
MA.RQUIS OF SLIGO. 361 
 
 to oppose, but their feelings of hostility were exchanged 
 for sentiments of liberality and good-will. The causes 
 of this remarkable revolution will be examined in the 
 following chapter. 
 
 The Earl of Mulgrave was succeeded in the govern- 
 ment by the Marquis of Sligo, who arrived on the 4th of 
 April. The noble marquis was himself a Jamaica pro- 
 prietor, but having been a member of the West India 
 Committee in the House of Lords, he was there, to use 
 liis own expression, " converted to anti-slavery prin- 
 ciples ;" on which he faithfully acted during the period 
 of his sojourn in Jamaica. As he could not visit all parts 
 of the Island before the first of August, he issued an ad- 
 dress to the negroes, in simple and affectionate language, 
 evincing the liveliest interest in their welfare ; and al- 
 though his talents were not equal to those of his prede- 
 cessor, yet he showed himself to be, what he was after- 
 wards called, " the negroes' friend !" 
 
 The eventful first of August at last arrived ; a day, 
 which, according to the predictions of some, was to be 
 marked with disorder, rapine, and blood. But how de- 
 lightfully were such predictions falsified ! The behaviour 
 of the emancipated negroes exceeded the expectations of 
 their best friends. On that day, and the following Sab- 
 bath, thousands of the apprentices were seen bending 
 their way to the houses of prayer. Jamaica had never 
 witnessed such vast religious assemblies before. Never 
 on that Island had so many voices been raised in praise 
 to the Giver of all good : never had so many united in 
 prayer at the throne of the heavenly grace : thousands of 
 
S62 FIRST OF AUGUST, 1834. 
 
 petitions ascended to God on behalf of the King and the 
 benevolent in the mother country, through whose efforts 
 the oppressed had been set free. It is true restrictions 
 did exist under the system of apprenticeship ; but much 
 was gained. The reign of persecution was at an 
 END, and no man was allowed to invade the sacred rights 
 of conscience. Sunday markets loere abolished, and all 
 might employ the time of that day in attending to those 
 sacred exercises for which the Sabbath was instituted. 
 
363 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Extraordinary change in the state of public feeling, — Remarks on 
 Colonial Society — Management of Estates — Agents rii London — - 
 Governors of Jamaica — Correspondence of the Colonial Office — 
 Favourable Changes accounted for — Altered aspect of the Mission 
 — Rev. Valentine Ward sent out as the special Representative of 
 the Conference and Missionary Committee — District Meeting of 
 1835 — Death of Mr. Ward and five other Missionaries — Unprece- 
 dented Prosperity of the Mission — Establishment of Day Schools — 
 Temporary Agitation — Erection of a new Chapel in Kingston — Ju- 
 bilee of the Mission — New Marriage Act passes the Legislature — 
 Enlightened Liberality of the House of Assembly and of his Excel- 
 lency Sir Charles Metcalfe — Report on the state of the Mission — • 
 — Visit of the Rev. Robert Young — Great depression of Colonial 
 Interests — The present " transition state" of Jamaica Society — The 
 present state of the Mission — Concluding remarks. 
 
 It has been observed in the preceding chapter, that not 
 only did the reign of persecution in Jamaica terminate 
 with the passing of the Emancipation Act, but that 
 feelings of hostility were suddenly exchanged for senti- 
 ments of liberaHty and good-will. This remarkable 
 change has been attributed to a variety of causes. It 
 has been very generally thought that the twenty millions 
 voted by parliament as compensation for the slaves, was 
 what principally conciliated the Colonists, and disarmed 
 them of their hostility to the teachers of religion : but 
 it is obvious that this had very little to do with the mat- 
 ter ; for although the West India interest at home was 
 benefited by the measure, very few of the planters on 
 the Island derived any advantage whatsoever : the 
 
364 EXTRAORDINARY CHANGES. 
 
 parties who did were generally amongst those who had 
 never been disposed to persecution. It has been more pro- 
 perly ascribed to the firm determination of the parent 
 government (at last unambiguously expressed) to stop 
 the rage of persecuting violence, and to secure to every 
 British subject the right to worship God according to 
 the dictates of his conscience ; but this alone does not 
 solve the question. The strong arm of power may, in- 
 deed, wrest the weapons of mischief from the hands of 
 an enemy, but there must be something very peculiar in 
 his case if such an act would destroy his enmity and 
 change him into a friend. The feeling of the Colonists 
 after the passing of the Emancipation Act, was not that 
 of an unwilling and sullen submission to an authority 
 which they could not resist ; it was a feeling of respect 
 for the missionaries, and which has often been manifested 
 in the most unequivocal manner. In what way then 
 the firmness of the government, as expressed either by 
 its own acts or by its representatives, operated, so as to 
 produce the extraordinary change, is the question now 
 to be considered. But it is not solely on account of the 
 importance of the question itself, that the attention of the 
 reader is to be directed to it ; its examination will re- 
 quire us to take a view of the state of Colonial society 
 while slavery existed, and to give an outline of the lead- 
 ing features in the character of the Colonists, as pre- 
 sented during that period, which it is hoped wdll not be 
 uninteresting nor uninstructive. It may be said, that 
 such an investigation is beyond the province of an ec- 
 clesiastical historian, and may lead even to that of the 
 
COLONIAL SOCIETY. 365 
 
 politician ; be that as it may, the writer feels it to be 
 nothing short of a grave duty to make the attempt, es- 
 pecially after having given such a narrative as that of 
 the Wesleyan Mission to Jamaica. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact, that the ecclesiastical history 
 of Jamaica differs materially in its external aspect from 
 that of the other West India Colonies. The introduction 
 of Missions in most of them, was indeed accompanied 
 with opposition, but in general it soon subsided, and 
 Christian missionaries were treated with kindness. In 
 Jamaica it was far otherwise, as the preceding pages too 
 clearly demonstrate. Are the Jamaica Colonists then to 
 be regarded as so much more outrageous, and so much 
 worse men than the others, as the aspect of their history 
 would seem to indicate ? Not so ; and had it not been 
 on account of some very unfavourable circumstances in 
 which they were placed as compared with the others, it 
 cannot be doubted but that the planters of Jamaica 
 would not have been disgraced by persecution more than 
 the same class in the sister Colonies. 
 
 By far the most influential portion of the white Colo- 
 nists (and it is to the whites alone that the present ob- 
 servations are to be applied) were natives of the mother 
 country, and generally belonged to the middling or 
 lower classes of society. They were not in general libe- 
 rally educated; and they left their home at an early 
 period of life, long before their minds were expanded by 
 intercourse, or their judgment matured by experience 
 and observation. On their coming to Jamaica they were 
 surprised to find themselves a sort of aristocracy on ac- 
 
3f)6 CHARACTER OF THE COLONISTS. 
 
 count of their colour. The evils of slavery became fa- 
 miliar. Their reading was confined to Colonial publica- 
 tions. In the short space of two or three years they 
 became managers of estates, and not long afterwards 
 many might be seen on the magisterial or judicial bench, 
 or heard declaiming in the Senate. Jamaica was a 
 perfect paradise for enjoyment ; and as to their field of 
 observation, it was their world. Amongst themselves 
 their was also a kindness and hospitality little known 
 even at home ; and to be opposed to Colonial habits, was 
 sure to awaken suspicion, and was sometimes regarded as 
 enmity to humanity itself. Meanwhile few attended 
 any place of worship ; and on estates the comforts of the 
 domestic circle were nearly unknown. Amongst the 
 white natives matters were rather worse. Marriage, 
 indeed, was more common, but they were born an aris- 
 tocracy, nurtured in Colonial prejudices, and were gene- 
 rally vain and ostentatious to such a degree as to expose 
 them to the contempt of the British settlers, whose man- 
 ners were more dignified because much less pompous. 
 The influence of this class was most extensive in the so 
 called " virtuous parish of Portland," the " loyal and 
 independent parish of St. Ann," and in the district of 
 Manchioneal. Both classes were incapable of taking an 
 enlarged view of matters of diflerence between the Island 
 and the mother country ; and these, presented only 
 through a Colonial medium, were seen in an unfavourable 
 and improper light. It will be already seen that Ja- 
 maica presented an inviting field for those artful and 
 iui])rincipled men who flattered the prejudices of the 
 
MANAGEMENT OF ESTATES. 367 
 
 planters, only that they might live upon their substance. 
 It is to he observed, that of all the local interests that 
 of the planting or agricultural was by far the most 
 powerful ; and all other occupations, as well as the 
 habits of the planters, were regulated by its influence. 
 On sugar plantations, the white officers were book- 
 keepers, overseers, and attorneys * Of these the station 
 of the book-keeper was the lowest, and was the first the 
 young planter had to occupy. The appellation was 
 probably first imposed with a view to delude young men 
 at home as to the nature of the situation. It is certain 
 many went out under the impression, that their principal 
 business would be to keep accounts, when on their 
 arrival they found that at first they had more to do with 
 "keeping swine." It pertained to them to take the 
 oversight of the negroes in the field, or when employed 
 at the works, and their condition was almost as servile 
 as that of the slaves themselves. They had no secure 
 hold of their places, and the word of the overseer was 
 sufficient for their discharge. " Saintship" would have 
 been an unpardonable offence, and the mere suspicion of 
 it would have been enough to blast their prospects. 
 But they were supported by hope. In two or three years 
 they expected a release from their drudgery, and to be- 
 come overseers ; and, if they lived, their expections were 
 often realized. The overseer was the highest officer 
 necessarily resident on the property; his salary was 
 
 * In the smaller islands book-keepers are called overseers, and the 
 overseer in Jamaica is there styled the manager. These appellations 
 are much more descriptive of the situations they are meant to desig- 
 nate. 
 
368 OVERSEERS — ATTORNEYS. 
 
 considerable, and in other respects his situation was 
 comfortable ; but he was as much dependent on the at- 
 torney, as the book-keeper was upon him. He also 
 might be dismissed at a moment's warning, and all his 
 fond calculations upon lucrative attorneyships, might 
 thus vanish like a morning dream. Many attorneys had 
 various estates confided to their care, and as in later 
 times their emoluments often exceeded the profits of the 
 proprietors, the attorneyship was the highest eminence 
 to which the rising planter sought to aspire. As a body 
 they were thorough Colonists, but though their station 
 was elevated, they were under such a strict mutual sur- 
 veillance, as required the utmost caution. " Saintship" 
 in an attorney (or even in a proprietor) would have 
 exposed him to the pillory of the Courant, or other kind- 
 red journals, and might have been attended with very 
 disagreeable consequences.* Few of them knew anything 
 personally of the missionaries, and fewer still were 
 capable of appreciating the spiritual character and ob- 
 jects of their work. They had been trained in the same 
 school as their dependents, and, with few exceptions, their 
 prejudices against the teachers of religion were equally 
 strong. The reader will again see a state of society 
 affording but too many facilities for thfe operation of those 
 wicked influences which have been adverted to in the 
 preceding paragraph. 
 
 The practice of appointing an Agent for the Colony 
 
 * For an illustration of this the reader may consult the evidence of 
 Messrs. Taylor and Wildman, before the Commons' Committee on 
 Slavery in 1832. 
 
AGENTS IN LONDON. 369 
 
 in London with a large salary, was also an arrangement 
 which during the continuance of slavery operated very 
 injuriously on the prejudices of the Colonists. It is 
 very difficult to percei^ e what interest can at any time 
 be served by such agency ; but it is certain that during 
 the period referred to, its tendency was to keep up a 
 feeling of irritation against the parent government, and 
 to increase the hostihty to the religious teachers of the 
 slaves. There were certain facts with which it was of 
 the highest importance to the character and interests of 
 the Colonists they should have been made acquainted. 
 They ought to have known that no government had any 
 wish to sacrifice the Colonies ; that even such men as 
 Wilberforce and Buxton had no desire to deprive the 
 owners of slaves of just compensation, for such losses as 
 they might sustain by theii* emancipation; that the 
 clamours of the popular journals were based on false- 
 hood ; and that the missionaries were not the paid agents 
 of the Anti-slavery Society, employed in disseminating 
 sedition amongst the slaves. But what Jamaica agent 
 ever dared to assert those facts to his constituents, or to 
 impress them in a Avay commensurate with their im- 
 portance ? His side was that of the Colonists ; and as 
 he was their oracle, the weight of his statements was 
 prodigious. But had he been disposed to insist on the 
 above-mentioned facts, he must have knoT\Ti what would 
 have been the result. It would have been said, that he 
 too had gone over to the side of the enemy ; that he had 
 betrayed their interests, and had become as much a 
 " saint" as the King's ministers, or as Wilberforce and 
 
 2 B 
 
370 INEFFICIENCY OF CERTAIN 
 
 Buxton themselves. It would have been his last re- 
 sponse, and the oracle would have been " struck dumb 
 for ever." 
 
 It is not intended to convey the slightest reflection on 
 the integrity of those gentlemen who have held the situ- 
 ation of Jamaica agents. It is by no means insinuated 
 that they designedly kept back the truth from their con- 
 stituents. The fact rather appears to be that one reason 
 for their appointment was their known adherence to the 
 Colonial side; the advocate and his clients holding 
 views precisely similar. If so, the blind led the blind, 
 and " they l)oth fell into the ditch." 
 
 Hitherto the remarks on the state of society are more 
 or less applicable to all the West India Colonies, though 
 with some differences unfavourable to Jamaica; but a 
 few other circumstances of the most disadvantageous 
 character remain to be noticed, and which (at least to a 
 great extent) were peculiar to the latter. 
 
 In the other Islands the early outbursts of persecuting 
 violence were in general soon corrected or rejiressed by 
 the fidelity and energy of the governors, many of whom 
 not only extended the shield of protection to the mis- 
 sionaries, but treated them with civility and confidence. 
 In Jamaica the conduct of those high functionaries was 
 very different ; and for more than the first quarter of tlie 
 present century, the greater part of them were either 
 totally incompetent to the duties of their office, or no- 
 toriously unworthy of the confidence reposed in them by 
 the sovereigns whose commissions they held. Within 
 the space of twenty-seven years no fewer than six enact- 
 
GOVERNORS OF JAMAICA. 371 
 
 ments, framed with the design of crushing the mis- 
 sionaries, passed the Legislature, and only in one instance 
 was the consent of the governor withheld, namely, that 
 of Sir John Keane in 1828 ; the others were all dis- 
 allowed hy the King in Council. The reader is already 
 aware that the first attempt was made in 1802, and no 
 apology can be urged on behalf of Major-General Nugent 
 for having at that period given his sanction to such an 
 intolerant proceeding. Let the results be carefully at- 
 tended to. The law was disallowed at home, but this 
 only exasperated the Colonists the more, until another 
 law, equally intolerant, but more artful, received the 
 consent of Sir Eyre Coote, which had the effect of 
 silencing the missionaries, and shutting up their chapels. 
 Again, through the paternal interference of the Sove- 
 reign, the nuisance was swept from the country ; and 
 the Duke of Manchester was appointed governor, in the 
 expectation that the best interests of the Colony would 
 be promoted by that arrangement. His grace was 
 allow^ed to retain the office for nearly twenty years ; but 
 he also degraded his dignity by consenting to the act of 
 1810, and afterwards to that of 1826. In the space of 
 three years, the same example w^as followed by the weak 
 Earl of Belmore ; who was reprimanded for his conduct, 
 and more particularly, as his immediate predecessor had 
 defeated a similar attempt only twelve months before, 
 and had been highly approved of by the government. 
 The Colonists were now wound up to the highest pitch 
 of fury, and they proceeded to deeds of violence unknown 
 before. Their conduct is justly to be condemned, and 
 
 2 B 2 
 
^12 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE. 
 
 indeed execrated, but the intelligent reader, considering 
 what sort of governors had for many years ruled in the 
 Island, Avill not refuse to mingle pity with his censure. 
 An immense mass of evil had been accumulating under 
 their administrations, which required all the energ^^ of 
 the Earl of Mulgrave to remove. It was happy for the 
 community that that nobleman possessed powers quite 
 adequate to the work, and was equally disposed to its 
 ])erformance. 
 
 In addition to the above, it must also be acknowledged, 
 that the tone of oiRcial correspondence on the part of the 
 government at home was often injudicious, and but ill 
 calculated to check the evils they wished to eradicate. 
 Their despatches to the Legislature were generally in a 
 style such as would have been adapted to statesmen of 
 large and comprehensive views, and well skilled in all 
 the branches of political science. Is it necessary to say 
 that the House of Assembly was not composed of such 
 statesmen ? What they required was the wisdom of a 
 parent to guide them, together with a parent's affection, 
 and above all, a parent's firmness, and it was in this last 
 element that the correspondence of the Colonial Office 
 was principally defective. It is true that in the despatch 
 of Mr. Huskisson in 1827, and that of Sir George Mur- 
 ray in 1830, there was a manly firmness; but in both 
 those documents the good effect was neutralized by the 
 injudicious manner in which they were eulogized for 
 the apparently ameliorating trifles, which were con- 
 tained in the bills which were disallowed. But trifles 
 though they were, the Assembly knew very well that 
 
THE JAMAICA PRESS. did 
 
 they had no wish to see them incorporated with the 
 slave-code, unless, as the price of such concession, the 
 government would also sanction the clauses which were 
 intended to harrass the Christian missionary, and to put 
 an end to his labours. They deserved no praise, but 
 rather censure ; and it is a fact, that those expressions of 
 the government were interpreted only as indications of 
 weakness, and not as sentiments of good- will. The 
 firm attitude had to be adopted at last, and the happy 
 result proves the correctness of the view here taken of 
 its efficiency. Lord Mulgi'ave treated the Assembly as 
 they ought to have been treated all along, and backed as 
 he was by the government at home, the fierce elements 
 at once ceased to rage, and there was a great calm. 
 
 The reader will now attend to the influences of a 
 licentious press, on a state of society unhappily so well 
 prepared for being powerfully affected by it. It has 
 been already observed, that the reading of the planters 
 was in general almost exclusively confined to the co- 
 lonial publications, of which the Courant was by far the 
 most popular, and exerted an influence which it is im- 
 possible to describe ; none of the other papers furnished 
 an antidote to its poison, excepting the Watchman, 
 which was seldom seen by the planters, and was more- 
 over regarded only as an enemy. The Courant, therefore, 
 was all-powerful, and its power was increased by the 
 well known, but humbling fact, that two ministers w^ere 
 amongst its patrons, and contributed to its most in- 
 famous columns." The misguided and heated Colonists 
 in the meanwhile cagerlv received all its statements. 
 
374 SINGULAR VIEWS OF THE 
 
 and believed them as firmly as if tliey had been revela- 
 tions from heaven. They were taught that the mis- 
 sionaries were the emissaries of a hostile faction at home, 
 and were only seeking their destruction, and that they 
 must be expelled from the Island : that the mother- 
 country was in fact as much dependent upon Jamaica 
 as Jamaica was upon Britain : and that should she any 
 longer interfere with their institutions, then they would 
 arise, and mighty in the strength of their Unions, and 
 terrible in the number of their bayonets, and in the 
 valour of their militia, any force the parent state could 
 send against them would be speedily swept from the 
 Island, as with the besom of destruction. All this icas 
 hclieced ! and the unhappy Colonists impelled each 
 other onward with increasing velocity in a career of in- 
 famy and ruin. It was at this critical time that the 
 voice of British power burst like thunder on the dis- 
 tracted Island. Lord Mulgrave had exhibited the true 
 dimensions of the House of Assembly, and in the name 
 of the Sovereign demanded the consciences of his ma- 
 jesty's subjects to be unfettered. The Imperial Legis- 
 lature at the same time decreed that slavery should be for 
 ever abolished, and that the oppressed should be set 
 free. The Assembly, which had been recently so cou- 
 rageous became tame and harmless, under the pretext 
 that compensation was to be awarded for the slaves. 
 But it was a very different compensation from that 
 which had been clamoured for, and but a small portion 
 indeed would come to them or the planters on the 
 estates. In their addi'ess to Lord Mulgrave they averred 
 
JAMAICA COLONISTS. 375 
 
 that they had never defended slavery, but upon the 
 rights of property. As this was partly true, his Lordship 
 acted wisely in not disputing the credit which they 
 claimed. The fact is, the Colonial citadel loas taken : 
 why should he have denied to the vanquished to march 
 out with the honours of war ? 
 
 It may now be seen how a spirit of rancorous hostility 
 to missions was so long perpetuated, and in what way 
 the firmness of the government was productive of the 
 extraordinary change in public feeling in 1834. The 
 Colonists as a body were united by the same views of 
 their interests, and by their dependence on each other ; 
 and were generally exasperated against the mother 
 country as well as against the missionaries : but they 
 were all the while labouring under the greatest delusion, 
 which by the determined measures then adopted was 
 almost instantly dispelled. The voice of the British 
 nation was lifted up in the cause of righteousness, and 
 that voice demanded their submission. But where now 
 were the men who were to lead them to victory over the 
 British arms, and to deliver the country from British 
 interference ? They were awed into silence ; while their 
 boasted Unions were broken into fragments, and scat- 
 tered as by the winds of heaven. Their eyes at once 
 were opened and everything was seen in a different light. 
 They saw that the missionaries were not the contemp- 
 tible vermin they had been taught to believe : that they 
 had rights which would be vindicated; and even a 
 standing in society of which they had formed no con- 
 ception. The fallacies of the Courant were effectually 
 
376 GREAT CHANGES IN THE COLONY 
 
 exposed ; its credit was gone, and the insolvent editor 
 and proprietor was sent to languish in a gaol. It was 
 seen that the day of freedom was at hand, and that the 
 missionaries, of all others, were the men the most likely 
 to he instrumental in securing the blessings of peace. 
 The sword of persecution was exchanged for the olive 
 branch, and religious liberty became firmly established 
 in the land. 
 
 The preceding observations present the character of 
 the great body of the Colonists in a less odious light than 
 that in which it has been often regarded, and certainly as 
 better than what might be inferred from the ecclesiastical 
 history of Jamaica. Few of them knew anything of the 
 missionaries, excepting what had been conveyed through 
 the channels of misrepresentation and falsehood. In no 
 part of the Island were they so well known as in certain 
 districts in St. Thomas in the East, where for years they 
 had been treated with much civility, and where the 
 kindness of several of the leading inhabitants cannot be 
 forgotten. There were some even in St. Ann's itself, 
 who, had they been anywhere else, would in all proba- 
 bility have been preserved from that disgrace into which 
 it is mucfi to be lamented they ever fell. The Honour- 
 able Henry Cox was certainly a very amiable man, and 
 at heart no friend to persecution: Mr. Betty, who is 
 alluded to in the correspondence of Mr. Whitehouse, 
 was also in many respects an estimable individual, and 
 as a neighbour deserving of esteem: even Hamilton 
 Brown himself, though possessing very little information, 
 was a man whose general conduct was marked by much 
 
ACCOUNTED FOR. 
 
 377 
 
 kindness and generosity. But they were surrounded by 
 vipers, and were led astray by those whose example 
 ought to have led them into a diiFerent course. Had 
 such men only enjoyed the fear of God, their chamcters 
 would have been preserved untarnished, and they would 
 have been kept from that unenviable prominence which 
 exhibits both their weakness and their guilt. Besides 
 ihese, it cannot be doubted but that there were many in 
 less elevated stations who secretly cherished sentiments 
 of respect for the missionaries, but who, from a want of 
 religious principle, were afraid to avow it. No doubt 
 some of those suffered themselves to be drawn into the 
 work of persecution, much against their own inclinations, 
 and would rejoice when the day came which released 
 them from a service they had never loved. The Colo- 
 nists as a body had many faults, and in the matter of 
 religious persecution their guilt was great, but the guilt 
 of those venal and unprincipled men was much greater, 
 who, for their own selfish ends, took advantage from 
 their position to lead them onward in their career of 
 violence, until they were covered with disgrace, and 
 many plunged into ruin. But of all the parties implicated 
 in those atrocities, the greatest degree of blame must be 
 attached to those worthless governors, the nuisance of 
 whose private example was a moral pestilence, and who 
 in their public capacity neither acknowledged God nor 
 faithfully represented their King. 
 
 In returning to the history of the Mission after this 
 long digression, it will be found presenting a totally al- 
 tered aspect. The arduous struggles under the reign of 
 
378 ALTERED ASPECT 
 
 slavery were over, and its progress from the year 1834, 
 becomes more assimilated to the prosperous operations 
 of Christian churches at home. It was the intention of 
 the writer, after a few general observations, to have con- 
 cluded the narrative at this period, when it may be said 
 that the leading peculiarities which had hitherto distin- 
 guished the Mission in a great measure ceased to exist. 
 But as some of its most glorious spiritual triumphs have 
 been witnessed since the establishment of civil and reli- 
 gious liberty, he purposes to give a brief outline of the 
 principal events which have transpired since that im- 
 portant era. This outline will be sufficient to point out 
 the results of so much toil and suffering on the part of 
 many of the missionaries, and of the grievous and cruel 
 hardships so long endured on the part of many of their 
 flocks ; but as it is not intended to enter into any mi- 
 nute or lengthened details, what remains is only to be 
 regarded as supplementary to the preceding part of the 
 narrative. 
 
 At the close of the year 1834 the Rev. Valentine 
 Ward, who had been for upwards of thirty years em- 
 ployed in the ministry at home, w^as sent out as the 
 special representative of the Conference and the Mis- 
 sionary Committee, It was intended that he should 
 visit all the stations in the West Indies, but to act at 
 first as the chairman of the Jamaica district. He ar- 
 rived on the 19th of December, along with the Rev. 
 Messrs. Edmondson and Randcrson, and on the 13th of 
 January the Distrist-meeting began its sittings in 
 Kingston. As the Committee had sent out several 
 
OF THE MISSION. 
 
 379 
 
 missionaries some months before, no fewer than twenty- 
 five were assembled on this occasion. Those who had 
 borne the burden and heat of the day were glad to hail 
 so many additional labourers, but they were especially 
 grateful for the presence of their chairman, from whose 
 long experience, ardent zeal, and paternal affection they 
 calculated upon the happiest results. 
 
 On account of the troubles following the insurrection, 
 the missionaries were unable for the two preceding- 
 years to give a satisfactory statement of the number of 
 their members, especially in the northern parishes. 
 But the year 1834 had passed over in peace, and as they 
 had enjoyed their religious privileges under the protec- 
 tion of British laws, the scattered sufferers were once 
 more gathered together ; and it afforded real joy to find, 
 that under their trials they had in general maintained 
 their Christian steadfastness. The following is the re- 
 turn of members and of scholars in the Sabbath schools, 
 as reported at the District-meeting of January, 1835. 
 
 
 Members. 
 
 Scholars 
 
 Kingston, North . . 
 
 . 2301 
 
 175 
 
 Kingston, South 
 
 . 1256 
 
 179 
 
 Spanish Town . . 
 
 . 1509 
 
 471 
 
 Morant Bay . 
 
 . 1313 
 
 72 
 
 Grateful Hill . . 
 
 . 615 
 
 206 
 
 Montego Bay . . . 
 
 . 1050 
 
 365 
 
 Falmouth .... 
 
 . 852 
 
 130 
 
 St. Ann's .... 
 
 . . 1703 
 
 — 
 
 Carried forward . 10599 
 
 1598 
 
380 IJEATH OF REV. V. WARD 
 
 Hiouglit forward . 10599 1598 
 
 Bath 1479 — 
 
 StoneyHill 621 191 
 
 Port Antonio .... 294 81 
 
 Lucea, &c 33 — 
 
 Oracabessa 269 — 
 
 Black River 70 — 
 
 13365 1870 
 
 Number of members I 19835 
 
 in 1832 . . .) 
 
 Increase 530 
 
 It wns not the intention of the Conference or the 
 Missionary Committee that Mr. Ward should remain 
 long in the West Indies. The object of his mission 
 was rather to visit the different stations, and to give 
 such instructions and advice as in his judgment the 
 altered circumstances of the work might require. The 
 business of the District-meeting being finished, he 
 entered upon these duties with much ardour, and where- 
 ever he went he was received with the liveliest demon- 
 strations of affection and respect. On Sunday, the 
 22nd of "March, he preached at the new station of the 
 "Ramble," on Proverbs ii. 10, 11, and in the evening 
 went down to Montego Bay. Here his labours termi- 
 nated. He was seized with violent fever, and on the 
 following Thursday he fell asleep, in the fifty-fifth year 
 of his age and thirty-fourth of his ministry. 
 
 The shock occasioned by the death of Mr. Ward is 
 
AND FIVE OTHER MISSIONARIES. 381 
 
 indescribable. It was felt throughout the Island, and 
 persons of all classes sympathized with the missionaries 
 under so painful a bereavement. But other trials of a 
 similar description quickly ensued. In course of the 
 same year the Rev. Messrs. Wilcox, Wood, Walters, 
 Barr, and Corbett, fell by the hand of death. As these 
 brethren (with the exception of the last) had been each 
 a few years on the Island, hopes were fondly cherished 
 of their increasing usefulness for years to come. But 
 God in his wise providence had otherwise determined, 
 and their bereaved families and flocks had to bow to his 
 will, and to say, " Let him do as seemeth him good." 
 
 But although the year 1835 had its sorrows it had 
 also its transcendent joys. The places of those who had 
 fallen were quickly supplied by others sent ont by the 
 Missionary Committee; and on almost every circuit 
 they were able to bestow additional labour on such 
 places as were already occupied, or to extend their efibrts 
 to others which loudly called for their help. The hand 
 of the Lord was eminently with his servants, and it was 
 found at the following District-meeting that the increase 
 of members amounted to no fewer than three thousand 
 seven hundred aiid fifty-eight. 
 
 W^hile slavery continued the state of education on the 
 Island was very defective, and, with the exception of a 
 few of the principal towns, the only instruction given to 
 the young was almost exclusively at the Sunday schools 
 connected wdth the missionary stations. This important 
 subject engaged the attention of the parent government, 
 and the sum of £20,000 was placed at their disposal by 
 
SS2 ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 Parliament, to assist in the erection of scliool-houses, 
 thereby to faciHtate the progress of education in the 
 West India Colonies. The government wisely deter- 
 mined to divide the greater part of this sum amongst 
 the rehgious societies, on condition that their friends 
 should contribute one-third more for the purpose of still 
 further diffusing the benefits of this salutary measure. 
 The sum allotted to the Wesleyan Society was £3000, 
 which was accepted on the condition abeady specified ; 
 but it may here be added, that for some years afterwards 
 additional grants were made and accepted on similar 
 terms. The Missionary Committee were fully alive to 
 the importance of carrying out the benevolent intentions 
 of the government, and at the Conference of 1836 the 
 Rev. Thomas H. Bewley was sent to Jamaica to super- 
 intend this new department of missionary labour. 
 
 On the arrival of Mr. Bewley he entered at once on 
 the duties of his office, and received all the help from 
 the other missionaries their engagements would allow. 
 Several new day schools were immediately formed, and 
 until the erection of the school-buildings, they were ac- 
 commodated in such houses as could be obtained. While 
 these operations were going forward, C. J. Latrobe, Esq. 
 was sent out by government " to inspect those schools 
 on account of which any share of the Parliamentary 
 grants had been applied, and to furnish a report on the 
 state of education in the Colonies." He landed in Ja- 
 maica in April, 1837 ; visited the different parishes ; and 
 was enabled to present such a view of the religious and 
 oducational statistics of Jamaica as had never been col- 
 
WEEK-DAY SCHOOLS. 383 
 
 lected before. It appears that at first he expected greater 
 progress would have been made in the erection of 
 school-houses ; but on due enquiry, he found that the 
 delay had not arisen from any want of zeal on the part 
 of those bodies to whom the grants had been made, but 
 w^as entirely attributable to causes over which they had 
 no controul, and in particular to the difficulty of obtaining 
 suitable sites, with sufficient titles, in localities where 
 schools were most urgently required. 
 
 It is pleasing to know that what had been done in this 
 department was highly satisfactory to her Majesty's 
 government. After having perused the report of Mr. 
 Latrobe, Lord Glenelg, the secretary for the Colonies, 
 forwarded a despatch to the governor of Jamaica on the 
 subject, in which document his Lordship is pleased to 
 express himself in the following terms. He says, 
 
 " Although the completion of the school-buildings to which 
 Parliamentary aid has been appropriated has been so fre- 
 quently retarded, by the causes above alluded to, it is grati- 
 fying to perceive that the main object of their erection has 
 nevertheless been in a great measure fulfilled, by means inter- 
 mediately provided ; and that where the school-houses have 
 not been actually finished and occupied, schools have been 
 established, and are in operation at, or near, the sites of the 
 proposed buildings. I advert with much satisfaction to the 
 assurance of Mr. Latrobe, that although considering ' how 
 very recently the great majority of the schools now reported 
 have been instituted, and also the difficulty and uncertainty 
 that attend all first efi*orts, under the circumstances of the 
 Colony, he cannot be expected to give any decided opinion as 
 
384 THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION PROMOTED. 
 
 to the actual efficiency of the greater number ; but the pro- 
 mise held out by all, more or less, is sufficiently encouraging.' 
 I feel," says his lordship, " bound in justice to the exertions 
 of the various religious societies, of the trustees of the Mico 
 charity, and of others who are engaged iu this important 
 work, to express my conviction that a powerful impulse has 
 been given to negro education by the aid voted by Parlia- 
 ment, and applied through their agency, and that from a con- 
 tinuance of such zealous co-operation the happiest results may 
 be expected." 
 
 The cause of education in connection with the Wes- 
 leyan Mission was prosecuted under the superintendency 
 of Mr. Bewley with success ; and after his death, which 
 happened in July, 1838, he was succeeded by Mr. Arm- 
 strong Avho was specially appointed to fiU the impor- 
 tant station. By his exertions, in connection with the 
 missionaries, the school machinery was completed and 
 brought into full operation. Great encouragement was 
 ffiven from the manner in which the cause of education 
 was countenanced on the Island. The parochial vestries, 
 as well as the House of Assembly, contributed Hberally 
 towards its establishment and extension, and an en- 
 lightened zeal was manifested for the improvement of 
 the lower classes of the population. The number and 
 state of the Wesleyan Schools will be presented on 
 another page. 
 
 But while the work of religion in its various branches 
 was advancing on the Island with unprecedented ra- 
 pidity, it is humbling to be compelled to state, that in 
 1837 the Mission was assailed by a species of opposition 
 
AGITATION. 385 
 
 hitherto unknown to its history. In former times it had 
 to contend against foes from without, but then, for the 
 first time, it was assailed by a systematic and rancorous 
 hostihty from within. That turbulent and factious 
 spirit which had agitated the Society in England had 
 scarcely subsided, when, contrary to all that could have 
 been expected, it broke out in a few of the Societies in 
 Jamaica. The unfortunate individual with whom it 
 originated, had been employed for several years as a mis- 
 sionary in the other West India Islands, and ha^sdng 
 been permitted to spend a year at home, he was sent out 
 to Jamaica in 1829. After the appointment of the Hev. 
 V. Ward to his office, he was disappointed in his expec- 
 tations, and having been summoned to appear before his 
 brethren he resigned his connection with the Mission, 
 and drew away a considerable number of members on the 
 Grateful Hill and Kingston circuits. As usual the 
 spirit of enmity was very bitter, but it soon subsided. 
 It would indeed have been a marvellous instance of in- 
 gratitude, had the Wesleyans in Jamaica turned against 
 their faithful pastors, especially while the men were still 
 with them who had suffered bonds and imprisonment 
 for the sake of promoting their best interests ; but it has 
 to be recorded to their honour that it was far otherwise. 
 They generally resisted the insidious influence which 
 was used to lead them astray, and cleaved to the Mission 
 with a fidelity which nothing could shake. Indeed had 
 it not been for mentioning the honourable conduct of 
 those who resisted such attempts, the whole aflair has 
 proved so harmless as to render it otherwise unworthy of 
 
 2 c 
 
386 NEW CHAPEL IN KINGSTON. 
 
 notice. At the commencement of the agitation, the 
 number of members on the Island was 18,715, and at 
 the close of the following year, they had increased to 
 20,152. 
 
 As the congregations in Kingston had greatly in- 
 creased since 1834, and as many parts of the old chapel 
 had become much decayed, it had been resolved to take 
 down that venerable edifice, and erect another on its site. 
 This project excited great interest, and James Taylor, 
 Esq., one of the members of Assembly for Port Koyal, 
 brought the case before the Legislature, and moved a 
 grant of £500 to assist the Wesleyans in this under- 
 taking. But what a change ! Former days had passed 
 away ; and better principles took the place of old ones, 
 with a rapidity almost unexampled. Several gentlemen 
 spoke highly of the Wesley an missionaries and of the 
 benefits resulting to the Island from their labours. The 
 issue may now be anticipated. The motion of the ho- 
 nourable member for Port Royal was carried, and the 
 handsome donation was contributed accordingly. The 
 Common Council of Kingston also gave their aid, and 
 many of all classes assisted with great liberality. It was 
 more than two years afterwards before this chapel was 
 finished ; a spacious Gothic structure, and forming one 
 of the noblest architectural ornaments of which the 
 British West Indies can boast. 
 
 Another important event happened in Jamaica in 
 1838. The question of the apprenticeship having been 
 warmly agitated at home, with a view to the abolition of 
 the restrictions imposed under that system, the Colonial 
 
FIRST OF AUGUST, 1838. 387 
 
 Legislature at its recent session took it up, and passed 
 an act for its termination. The 1st of August was the 
 day appointed for the apprentices entering on the new 
 and unfettered condition of British subjects. On that 
 day the various places of worship were again thrown 
 open, and crowded with grateful worshippers ; and 
 throughout the whole country the conduct of the liberated 
 apprentices on that occasion, was such as evinced the in- 
 estimable advantages of religious instruction, and was in 
 the highest degree honourable to themselves. Thus the 
 last vestiges of actual slavery were swept away, and Ja- 
 maica became a free colony. 
 
 In connection with the sitting of the District meeting 
 of 1839, another Jubilee was celebrated, namely that of 
 the Mission. On the 19th of January, fifty years had 
 passed away since Dr. Coke first landed on the Island, 
 bringing along with him the message of salvation ; and 
 the people of Kingston prepared to celebrate that event 
 in a manner becoming its importance. The following 
 extract of a letter from a missionary on the spot, de- 
 scriptive of what then took place, will be read with in- 
 terest. He says : — 
 
 " Our faithful people entered into the matter with joyous 
 alacrity, and it was pleasing to witness the evident delight 
 with which they made the necessary arrangements, and testi- 
 fied their attachment to that Methodism, which under God 
 had been made so great a blessing to them, their famiHes, 
 and their country. The handsome and spacious chapel in 
 Thames street (Wesley Chapel) was splendidly decorated ; 
 and the words, ' What hath God wrought ! ' and the memo- 
 
 3 C 2 
 
388 JUBILEE OF THE MISSION. 
 
 rable motto, ' The best of all is God is with us,' were in- 
 scribed in large letters on a blue and red ground ; while the 
 venerated names of Coke, Bunting, Jackson, &c., were done 
 in a similar manner, and the whole building was adorned in a 
 way I shall not attempt to describe. About a thousand 
 people were assembled to breakfast, and the addresses, which 
 were suitable to the occasion, were listened to with the live- 
 liest interest and pleasure. There was no public collection 
 made, but it was thought something should be done in a more 
 substantial way to celebrate the Jubilee of Methodism in 
 Jamaica, and a subscription was spontaneously entered into 
 which soon amounted to £400. This sum is to be devoted 
 to the new chapel on the Parade (Coke Chapel), as the most 
 suitable monument to that most devoted servant of Christ and 
 prince of modern missionaries whose name it bears. Al- 
 though I was on many accounts delighted with our jubilee 
 day, yet in more than all, I rejoiced in the unanimity and 
 Christian love manifiested by our Kingston people. It seemed 
 as if they were of ' one heart and soul.' Gratitude to God 
 for Methodism, and the blessings it has brought to thousands 
 in the land, was the prevailing sentiment; and the dying 
 words of our venerable founder, ' The best of all is God is 
 with us,' were frequently repeated, and responded to with 
 adoring joy by all present. It added not a little to the inte- 
 rest of the occasion, that the Centenary of Methodism in 
 the land of our fathers and the Jubilee of Methodism in 
 Jamaica, fell in the same year ; nor was the unparalleled 
 liberality of our friends on the other side of the Atlantic 
 forgotten — liberality which we cannot hope to rival, but 
 which wc doubt not our people here will humbly attempt to 
 imitate." 
 
NEW MARRIAGE LAWS. 389 
 
 Let the reader only carefully study the ahove ex- 
 tract; let him contrast the scene which it describes 
 with the scenes which Jamaica presented at the com- 
 mencement of the Mission, and he cannot fail to catch 
 something of the same spirit which inspired that large 
 assembly. For generations the class which composed it 
 had been treated with infinite scorn; but what an 
 altered appearance do they now present. Here were 
 hundreds of the comparatively poor, whose respectability 
 and intelligence, elevated their rank in society; but 
 besides them there were not a few who had been raised 
 far above the state of comparative obscurity, and of those 
 some were gentleman who adorned the magisterial bench, 
 or were honoured as useful members of the Senate itself. 
 All w^ere animated by the same spirit, and all were proud 
 to acknowledge their filial relation to Wesleyan Metho- 
 dism, to which under God they owed so much, both as it 
 respects the life that now is, and that which is to come. 
 
 For some time a matter of immense importance had 
 occupied the attention of the missionaries ; namely, the 
 state of the Marriage Laws on the Island. During the 
 period of slavery they had solemnized negro marriages, 
 from which no inconvenience resulted; but as the legality 
 of those marriages was now called in question, they re- 
 presented the case to the Committee who lost no time in 
 directing the attention of government to the subject. 
 Laws were sent out for the crown Colonies, and in the 
 others the governors were directed to bring the matter 
 without delay before the respective Legislatures. In the 
 year 1839 the Wesleyan missionaries suggested the form 
 
390 NEW MARRIAGE LAW PASSED. 
 
 of a bill to meet the case, which was introduced by Mr. 
 Taylor into the House of Assembly. That branch of 
 the Legislature were exceedingly desirous of having this 
 matter properly settled, and the bill passed with very 
 few emendations. It was, however, long under conside- 
 ration in the Council, who agreed to it in substance, 
 but made such alterations in its details as involved mucli 
 trouble and expense. The object of the bill was not 
 merely to authorize the missionaries to solemnize mar- 
 riages in future, but also to legalize such as could be 
 proved to have been solemnized by them in the past. It 
 was the nature of the evidence required which occasioned 
 so much expense and inconvenience, and of which com- 
 plaint was generally made. The bill passed in April 
 the following year ; but at the ensuing session another 
 measure was adopted, differing in very few points from 
 what the missionaries recommended; and thus this 
 most important affair was satisfactorily adjusted : It de- 
 serves to be mentioned, that the Assembly honourably 
 reimbursed the missionaries for what they had ex- 
 pended in carrying out the original measure for the 
 benefit of their people. 
 
 In addition to what has been stated, the reader will 
 be gratified with a short extract of a letter from a 
 respectable missionary, with reference to the House of 
 Assembly, which was written when the marriage bill 
 Avas in progress ; whicli, although it relates principally 
 to that affair, notices also some other matters Avliicli re- 
 flect the highest honour on that now enlightened and 
 public-spirited body. He says : — 
 
INSTANCES OF LIBERALITY. 391 
 
 " The House also during its session just closed, has libe- 
 rally granted £1200, in answer to the petitions of four of the 
 missionaries who were engaged in chapel-building ; and it is 
 due to the members to state, that they have manifested a 
 strong desire to meet the wishes of the missionaries with 
 reference to the marriage law. The bill is not yet printed, 
 but it has received the governor's assent ; and as soon as it 
 can be procured I shall furnish the Committee with a copy. 
 Should there be anything in it objectionable it must not be 
 attributed to the Assembly ; that House desires to deal fairly 
 and liberally with all classes of the inhabitants." 
 
 It is somewhat unpleasant to state^ that under the ad- 
 ministration of Sir Lionel Smith considerable agitation 
 and dissatisfaction prevailed in the Colony. In 1839 he 
 was succeeded by Sir Charles Metcalfe, afterwards Lord 
 Metcalfe, whose talents and prudence were quite equal 
 to his charge. His Excellency entered upon his work 
 in a conciliatory spirit, and shewed that he had the in- 
 terests of all at heart, and was earnestly desirous of pro- 
 , moting them. He visited many parts of the Island, and 
 afforded his countenance and support to the charitable 
 and religious institutions which he inspected. He con- 
 tributed the sum of fifty pounds to each of the chapels 
 of Kingston and Bath, and a similar amount to the 
 school in Falmouth. Some time afterwards, when the 
 machinery of the school system was being completed 
 under the superintendency of Mr. Armstrong, his ex- 
 cellency was pleased to visit several of the schools, and 
 was so highly satisfied with what he witnessed as to re- 
 
392 STATE OF THE MISSION. 
 
 quest that he might be entered as an annual subscriber 
 of one hundred pounds. 
 
 The work of God was now eminently prosperous, 
 Chapels and school-houses were multiplied in various 
 directions, and not only did the House of Assembly con- 
 tribute towards their erection, but also several of the 
 parochial vestries imitated the same example of en- 
 lightened liberality. These instances cannot be enu- 
 merated in detail, but the state of the Mission in 1842, 
 and especially of the schools, will be seen from the fol- 
 lowing extract from the annual report, which will be 
 read with interest, which is as follows : — 
 
 " The summary of the past year shows that a measure of 
 success still attends our labours, and that immediate as well 
 as remote advantages are secured. It cannot be overlooked 
 that we are increasing, although others are decreasing. 
 While we thus learn that the purposes of God are not to be 
 accomplished ' by might or by power,' the encouragement is 
 afforded, that by the blessing of God the same means will 
 continue to afford their portion of success, till the great and 
 final result be completely attained. We would not forget 
 the subordinate relation of schools to the preaching of the 
 gospel, but we claim an affinity of the closest kind for the 
 scriptural education which it is our object to impart. It can- 
 not be otherwise than that a great effect should be produced 
 by the daily education of nearly 3000 children. They must 
 receive impressions, and be brought under the power of 
 motives, which will give weight to the character and influence 
 of their piety, should they in after life not depart from us. 
 The model seminary in Kingston ranks among its scholars the 
 
VISIT OF THE REV. R. YOUNG. 393 
 
 children of all classes. — the future legislators of the land, 
 those who shall rule and those who shall obey. Can their 
 identity with Methodistic operation be forgotten, or ever 
 cease to be admonitory or stimulating ?" 
 
 But while the number of members was gradually in- 
 creasing on the circuits, new stations occupied, and 
 chapels and school-houses built in many parts of the 
 Island, those extended efforts pressed heavily on the 
 funds of the parent society : with a view to remedy this, 
 and to regulate other matters belonging to the Mission, 
 the Committee in London sent out the Rev. Robert 
 Young in 1843, to the scene of his early labours, to pre- 
 side at the meeting of the District in January in the 
 following year, and to make such arrangements, for a 
 reduction of the grant from the parent society, as might 
 be practicable. The brethren for some time had their 
 eye fixed on this most desirable object, and in connection 
 with their people, they were enabled to state their con- 
 viction, that the amount granted to the Mission might 
 be lessened in course of the year by the sum of £ 1000 ; 
 expressing also their hopes that in a few years the Mis- 
 sion itself would be able to meet its demands from its 
 own resources. 
 
 It must however be stated, that the hopes which were 
 cherished and expressed at the District meeting of 1844 
 have not been fully realized. The Island was then on the 
 eve of those disastrous changes which have interrupted its 
 civil prosperity, and involved so many in poverty and 
 ruin. Vast numbers of the members have suffered, and 
 
394 STATE OF THE COLONY. 
 
 from the abandonment of estates, and other causes, they 
 have been forced to quit their ancient locaHties, and 
 liave been scattered throughout the Island, in many in- 
 stances beyond the reach of the Christian ministry. 
 The result has been what may be expected, namely, a 
 considerable diminution of members since 1844. The 
 Wesleyans have indeed in this respect sustained but a 
 very inconsiderable loss compared with some of the 
 other societies ; and it is pleasing to know that the num- 
 ber of missionaries has not been lessened, that not one 
 station has been relinquished, and that the number of 
 scholars has increased rather than diminished. 
 
 It is not intended to pronounce any opinion wliat- 
 ' soever, either on the policy or equity of the recent mea- 
 sures of government, which have resulted in the present 
 unprecedented depression of West India interests. But 
 it may be remarked, that nothing has as yet appeared, 
 which ought in the slightest degree to shake the princi- 
 ple so long maintained by the friends of the negroes ; — 
 that the labour of free men is cheaper and more profita- 
 ble than that of slaves. Slavery requires a long array 
 of attorneys, overseers, book-keepers, and other expensive 
 concomitants, which in a settled state of freedom will be 
 found unnecessary. It is true that in Jamaica slavery 
 itself is abolished ; but many of its expensive appendages 
 still remain, and, perhaps, cannot be entirely dispensed 
 with, until society shall have passed through the incon- 
 veniences of a transition state, and becomes settled down 
 on the basis of freedom. Much of the social fabric was 
 raised upon the basis of slavery, which must be gradually 
 
FUTURE PROSPECTS. 395 
 
 taken down and erected anew upon a very different 
 foimdation. This is the very process at present in 
 operation, and which occasions all that inconvenience 
 and suffering which seem to be inseparable from all 
 great changes however beneficial. It does not appear 
 that any political, or fiscal arrangements can possibly se- 
 cure the estates in the West Indies to British proprietors. 
 It seems to be the design of Providence that they shall 
 pass into the hands of " the sons of the soil/' not by 
 means of robbery and bloodshed, but according to the 
 established laws of human society ; and that before long 
 a race of men shall be lords of those fair and fertile 
 possessions, on which their fathers toiled and suffered 
 as unpitied and degraded slaves. Should the work of 
 godliness prosper in Jamaica, the present cloud will soon 
 pass, and brighter days will yet shine than ever dawned 
 on it before. It is possible that its exports may not be 
 so considerable as in former times, as more of its produc- 
 tions will be enjoyed by its own people; but religion 
 will stimulate to honourable industry; vast tracts of 
 excellent land, which the system hitherto established 
 could never reach, will be brought under cultivation • 
 and the Island will become the home of a happy popula- 
 tion, and will be adorned with fruitful fields, and studded 
 with peaceful and thriving villages. But let the people 
 of Jamaica be admonished. If ever they should forget 
 that God who broke the oppressive yoke of slavery : if 
 ever they should forget their obligations to the men who 
 for so many years endured so much of reproach and suf- 
 fering for their best interests ; — then indolence and 
 
396 STATE OF THE MISSION IN 1848. 
 
 wretchedness will be the result ; the Island will be the 
 grave of its own prosperity, and will exhibit, for a warn- 
 ing to others, the melancholy spectacle of the degradation 
 of an ungrateful people, and the sin of such as apostatize 
 from God. May such a day never come ; but may the 
 divine blessing ever rest on all classes of its population : 
 may its rulers learn wisdom from the failings of their 
 predecessors, and always adopt and prosecute such mea- 
 sures as shall promote the public good : may its ministers 
 be men of righteousness, filled with the Holy Ghost ; 
 and may its churches continue to flourish, until the land 
 shall be covered with the knowledge of God. 
 
 The following schedule will show the present state of 
 the Mission. It is taken, with but little alteration, from 
 the Committee's Report for 1848 ; and by comparing 
 with it the returns of the District-meeting of 1834, the 
 progress of the work since the passing of the Emancipa- 
 tion Act will be seen and estimated. For the reasons 
 already assigned, the number of members for that period 
 will be given according to the returns of 1832, but as 
 the persons who were on trial were then included, the 
 same class is also added to the members at the present 
 time. They amount to 509. 
 
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398 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 The preceding schedule will show that a mighty 
 work has been accomplished in Jamaica through the in- 
 strumentality of the Wesleyan Mission. But who can 
 tell what innumerable blessings have resulted from it 
 since the first arrival of the venerable Dr. Coke, in 1789 ! 
 Its influence upon civil society, in improving and eleva- 
 ting it, has been inferior to no other agency whatsoever ; 
 but its chief glory is in the honour conferred upon it by 
 God, in rendering it the means of conveying salvation 
 to so many thousands. Multitudes of those have already 
 passed into the eternal world, having left behind them 
 the happy testimony, that the grace of God is sufficient 
 to prepare them for that " fulness of joy" which is at his 
 right hand. Several have been mentioned whose exalted 
 piety would do honour to any age of the Christian church ; 
 and others still remain whose memory will be blessed, 
 for many years after they shall have left the church mili- 
 tant here upon earth. Of these there are two worthy 
 persons whose names have not been mentioned, but 
 ought ,not to be overlooked in the shortest account of the 
 Mission. The first is the widow of the late Rev. George 
 Johnston, who, since the death of her venerated husband, 
 has resided in Kingston, and who by her example, as 
 well as by unobtrusive Christian efforts for the good of 
 others, has been greatly honoured and rendered exten- 
 sively useful. The other is Mrs. Mary Good, whose 
 modest piety, blended with ardent zeal for the glory of 
 Christ, have rendered her a blessing to hundreds. Her 
 labours of love for the temporal and spiritual benefit of 
 others, and especially her unwearied assiduity in watch- 
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 399 
 
 ing the sick and dying beds of so many of the pastors of 
 Christ's church, will be remembered in that day when 
 he shall say, " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto these 
 ye have done it unto me." Both of these excellent per- 
 sons have been about forty years an ornament to their 
 Chi'istian profession. May their last days be serene and 
 happy, as their past life has been so honourable and 
 useful. 
 
 For some years the J amaica Mission has been burden- 
 some to the funds of the parent institution, but the 
 liberality of British Christians has not been bestowed in 
 vain. It has been seen that many of the members on 
 the Island are at present suffering great privations; it 
 is to be hoped these will be but temporary, and that be- 
 fore long they will be able, (as they have shown them- 
 selves willing) to support that cause which to them has 
 been fraught with so many blessings. 
 
 MEADEN, PRINTER, CLAPHAM. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 8 line 15, for " a short time" read " for years." 
 
 " 8 " 17, dele " utterly." 
 
 " 8 " 21, /or "absolutely" rmr/ "almost." 
 "49 and 50 for "1724" read ''1728." 
 
 "65 " 20, for "mem. con." read "nem. eon." 
 
 " 77 " 15, after " twenty pounds" iiisert "for every slave." 
 
 "256 " 1, «/)fe7' "correspondence of " mseri " Mr. Whitehouse. 
 
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