A number of letters from our various stations in this island have
reached us, containing information to the end of the year. We subjoin a
few of the leading particulars.
Mr. Tinson refers, with great satisfaction, to the growing thirst for
instruction among the negro population. He had been under the necessity
of opening an evening school, principally for adults, whose progress was
very rapid, and a large proportion of them had been reported able to
read the New Testament. He expresses an earnest desire to establish a
school at his country station at Yallahs, situate in a parish (St.
David's) containing 7,000 apprentices, without a single school of any
description. Twenty-three persons had been accepted for baptism at this
station.
"The brethren from the London Missionary Society (writes Mr. T.) have
arrived. They landed on Tuesday, the 23rd inst. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge
suffered much from sea-sickness; in other respects they are all well.
Mr. Woolridge brought a letter from Mr. Ellis, and one from yourself.
They all took tea with us the evening after they landed, in company with
brother and sister Gardner, and an interesting meeting it was. We sang,
before we knelt together around our domestic altar, I believe with
unfeigned sincerity of heart, the hymn beginning,
"Kindred of Christ, for his dear sake
A hearty welcome here receive;"
after which, brother Gardner presented to the kind and gracious Redeemer
our united thanksgiving for their safe arrival, and solicited the Divine
guidance in reference to their future steps. Brother Woolridge preached
a most delightful sermon in our chapel yesterday morning, and I expect
to be helped next Lord's-day by brother Hodge. They will probably
continue in town a week or two, and then proceed on a tour of
observation. Should one remain in Kingston there is plenty to do, and I
see no cause in the world for contention between us."
Mr. Gardner has been tried by personal indisposition and by the loss of
his eldest child, but has been enabled to resume his accustomed labours.
Mr. Clarke has furnished us with the following tabular account of the
stations under his superintendance:
Members. Inquirers. Average Sabb.
Congreg. Schs.
Constant Spring 450 200 6 to 700 40
Lucky Valley 20 63 300 35
Retirement 6 30 300 40
Fairfield 86 400
Guy's Hill 250
Of these stations, Retirement is in the parish of St. John's, Fairfield
in St. Ann's, and the other three in St. Thomas-in-the-Vale. The scene
of violent outrage mentioned in our January number occurred at Guy's
Hill. Referring to that circumstance in a subsequent letter, Mr. C.
observes: "The persecution some of my people suffered there is at an
end. The hand of God appeared so plainly against them parties on the
following morning, that one of them declared we had been praying against
them. Their fear of us is such that their mistaken belief will prevent
them, we think, from annoying us a second time."
Although the parish of St. Ann's has formerly presented greater
obstacles than any other part of the island to the progress of gospel
truth, Mr. Coultart is favoured with great encouragement in his efforts.
He supplies St. Ann's Bay, Brown's Town, Ocho Rios, and the Pedroes, and
at all these places has large and increasing congregations. In the three
former, he is commencing to build places of worship in the room of those
which were destroyed; and in the last, ground has been offered him for a
similar purpose by parties who, a few weeks before, had shown the most
violent hostility. More help is urgently needed in this, as well as in
other parts of the island.
From Montego Bay Mr. Dendy writes, under date 30th December: "Our
Missionary friends, Messrs. Vine and Alloway, of the London Society,
arrived at Falmouth on the 24th instant, in pretty good health. On the
25th brother Knibb baptized 69 persons, and held public services in the
chapel; on the 26th a further addition was made by the baptism of 68
candidates; and on sabbath-day, the 28th, there were between 700 and 800
communicants sitting around the Lord's table. Mr. Vine preached in the
morning for brother Knibb, and Mr. Alloway in the evening; the services
of the day were peculiarly interesting."
By the arrival of Mr. Burchell, Mr. Dexter will be left at liberty to
visit Rio Bueno and Stewart's Town. For the present, however, some
intermission seems needful both for him and for Mr. Dendy, as both have
been labouring beyond their strength to supply the deficiencies
occasioned by the absence of Mr. Abbott. This last named brother, having
been released from confinement by the rising of the House of Assembly on
the 20th of December, had returned to his family; and through the mercy
of God his health, instead of being impaired, had been improved by his
temporary secession from active engagements. Previously to his arrest he
had enjoyed the pleasure of adding 59 members to the church at Montego
Bay, who were baptized on the 1st of November.
Of the return of Mr. Burchell to the people of his charge after so long
a separation, we must give our readers an account in his own words. His
letter is dated December 23rd:--
I shall commence my present letter by giving you some account
of my journey from Spanish Town, and my reception at this
place.
We left Spanish Town on Wednesday the 19th November, and
reached Brother Coultart's the same evening, a distance of
fifty miles; the following day we spent with our friends Mr.
and Mrs. Coultart, from whom we received the most interesting
and gratifying accounts of the progress of the Mission in the
parish of St. Ann's. In the evening I preached at St. Ann's
Bay, and although there were but a few hours' notice, still the
principal part of the chapel house was full. It was to me
unspeakably delightful to witness such an assembly in such a
notorious place. Friday we proceeded on to Falmouth
(thirty-four miles), which place we reached about two o'clock;
in the evening I preached for brother Knibb to a very large
congregation, the chapel was crowded, and one of the tents
also, and many on the outside of the chapel-house. Saturday
morning we left our old companions for the eventful town of
Montego Bay; when we were three miles distant from the town, we
had to pull up to shake hands with some who were come out to
meet us; as we proceeded onwards, the numbers and frequency of
the groups of friends increased. It was almost more than we
could bear. The poor people looked at us as though they could
scarcely believe their own eyes, and then they clasped their
hands, blessed God, and burst into tears. When we entered the
town, a crowd of recollections burst upon my mind as I looked
upon the situation where the Blanche was anchored when I was
first taken prisoner, &c.; but my attention was soon aroused
from reflection, for as we passed along the streets, many of
the inhabitants came to their doors and windows, congratulating
us as we passed by. As we proceeded more into the town, the
doors and windows became crowded, and many were the kind
congratulations of our former townsfriends; some expressed
their feelings by their remarks, some waved their
handkerchiefs, and others their hats; as we entered the centre
of the town we were recognised by one who had been a very
staunch friend in our difficulties, he took off his hat and
greeted us most cordially; this excited the attention of the
negroes in the market, and one of them recognising us,
exclaimed, "Bless God, and him come for true. Massa Burchell,
him come for true." Others now joined him and began clapping
their hands, when the whole multitude, consisting of three or
four thousand, waving their hands and hats, set up their
shouts, and made the whole town resound with their thundering
huzzas. I now endeavoured to press on to our house, but the
negroes leaving their baskets and the market followed us. I
drove hastily forward, fearing they would surround us and take
out our horse, which I have since found they would have done.
When we reached the house we were immediately surrounded; the
yard and the street were crowded. One of the friends took the
child and carried her into the house, for she was completely
frightened. It was a long time before we could get out of the
gig (which had been lent us for the journey) for every one was
trying to shake our hand, or lay hold of us in some way. When
we alighted from the gig, Mrs. B., who was nearly overcome, was
carried in by the friends, and then the throng crowded upon me,
some taking one hand, some the other, some threw themselves on
the ground. Indeed, the whole scene which followed was such
that I cannot describe. It would not be possible to do it
justice. The market square was almost vacated, except the
baskets of provisions, &c., which were for sale; and yet many
have since informed me, that when they returned to the market
they found all as they had left it, nothing was lost.
The whole of Saturday, the 22nd, was spent in receiving the
congratulations of the people, whose remarks were frequently
affecting. Many threw themselves down at my feet, and wept
aloud. Some looked at me, and then said: "Hi, massa, and it you
for true! and you for we, massa Burchell! and me see you with
me own eye! blessed God!" and then they burst into tears. After
speaking to a party and shaking hands, I was compelled to
request them to leave in order to give place to others. When
one said: "No massa, me no go--me no able to believe yet--and
is it massa Burchell for true?" Another one said: "Now massa,
me know dat God him true--him hear for we prayer--but him take
him own time--and him work him own way--but him do every ting
quite good." Indeed, I could fill a sheet with their
interesting sayings. One poor afflicted negress came down from
the country (a distance of twenty miles) the next Saturday, the
29th; and when she saw me, looking upon me, as the tears rolled
down her face, she said: "Massa, me hear you come--and me
_hungry_ for see you--and me cry for see you--me take two day
for walk for see you--and now me believe--God him too good--me
now willing for die--for now me know me God him true."
I had no idea whatever of such a reception, I knew my friends,
and knew they would be truly glad to see me, but I had not the
most distant idea of such a manifestation of feeling. It was
far beyond any description that I can give.
The following day, November 23, I again commenced my labours
among my poor but dear people. There were at least 4000
persons present at the 10 o'clock service. I preached out of
doors. On Sunday, November 30, the attendance was still
greater. At our morning prayer-meeting at 6 o'clock in the
morning there were _full_ 2,700 present; and at 10 o'clock, not
less than 5000; but you must not be misled by this statement of
numbers, as there was a union of the churches of Montego Bay,
Salter's Hill, and Gurney's Mount, &c.
We conclude our present article by an extract of a letter of somewhat
less recent date from Mr. Hutchins. It relates to the station at Lucea,
and was addressed to a friend of the writer, who has kindly furnished it
for our pages.
A few sabbaths ago I had such a delightful day, that the
recollection of it will, I have no doubt, be ever attended
with feelings of peculiar pleasure. Early in the morning we
proceeded to the place of baptizing from Lucea, where I
baptized nine of my black brethren and sisters, nay nine of
our black brethren and sisters in Christ. The place was two
miles from the Bay. We arrived at break of day. It was not in
the river Jordan, but in a beautiful winding river in a most
retired situation. We were covered by the majestic and
graceful boughs of the bamboo, which, for grandeur of
appearance and loveliness of shade, excels every other tree in
the island, and is beautiful beyond description.
The congregation consisted of about 300 persons, all getting as
near as possible to the banks of the river, while we arranged
the candidates close to the border of the stream.
The day now dawned upon us, and I felt as if compelled to
commence by singing the verse:
"Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise thy name, give thanks, and sing;
To show thy love by morning light,
And talk of all thy truth at night."
And indeed, if one may speak for others, it was truly sweet. I
then engaged in prayer, and delivered an address to the various
classes present; and judging from appearances, we cannot but
hope that at some future period good results will be brought to
light.
The Spirit of the Most High seemed to rest upon us. Persons
whom I have seen trifling on other occasions, were overawed.
Others, who were anticipating with pleasure the time when they
shall have a name and a place among the people of God, were
seen with the tear silently rolling dawn their cheeks. While
others, with their hands clasped and pressed on their bosoms,
with their eyes raised towards heaven, seemed to be fervently
engaged in the interesting service, and to enjoy in their minds
something of that feeling which is peculiar to the Christian,
which the world can neither give nor take away. I then entered
the stream and baptized them, singing two lines between each;
after which I concluded, and thus ended one of the most
interesting services I ever knew. We then repaired to Lucea,
and commenced our morning prayer-meeting at seven instead of
six o'clock; we had a good congregation. At half-past ten the
next service was to commence. At ten I saw people going away to
seek for sittings at the kirk, for not one could be found here.
Our house is very commodious, being three stories high. The
lower parts we use for the chapel, and in the top we reside.
The whole of the chapel was crowded to excess. People coming
from all parts of the bay with a chair from any person they
could make their friend, filled the landings. The stairs
leading up the whole of the three stories (which are carried up
outside the buildings in this country) were occupied, by four
persons on each. And then the poor creatures went into our
hall, and laid their ears on the floor to listen from beneath.
This is a congregation in Jamaica; and often we have them
standing in the streets exposed to the rays of a vertical sun!
Behind and before, on the right hand and on the left, we are
surrounded, yea crowded, in every possible way.
The result is, that on the evenings of the sabbath we wear a
completely emaciated appearance. Oh, say you, this is not
right, you ought not to do so. I am fully aware that we ought
not to do so, but the remedy is not with us. You may try, and
try again, to overcome such feelings, but you cannot. I should
pity that man who professed to have the welfare of souls at
heart who would not be aroused by such overwhelming scenes as
we have here. When persons have come from two to twenty or
thirty miles to hear the word of eternal life, to disappoint
more than can possibly be helped, is what I cannot, what I dare
not, do. For as I value my own immortal soul, as I prize the
joys of heaven and dread the miseries of hell, so in proportion
I consider it my duty to let all, as far as in me lies, hear
the truths of that gospel which is able through Christ to raise
poor perishing creatures from the degradation of sin to a life
of righteousness and holiness by faith in him. Pardon me, my
dear brother, pardon me for giving vent to the flowing tear
while I am again considering that the remedy is not with us.
Here is myself and there are my brethren with congregations
which are enormous. We cannot refrain from shedding a tear
again and again, because we are not able to do more for their
thirsty souls. The remedy rests with friends at home.
I often think that I must as I am now doing fall, very soon
fall, a sacrifice to the cause in which I have embarked.
Through mercy I fear it not. I am happy, truly happy, in my
work, and feel confident that should I be a martyr to the
cause, I shall receive a martyr's reward.