Since our last article respecting this station, we have received a
variety of communications from our brethren Burton and Pearson. Up to
the date of the last, the tenor of these letters was uniformly pleasing.
They showed with what diligence our dear brethren were prosecuting the
work of God, not only at Nassau, but at Eleuthera, Andros Island, and
other places scattered through that extensive group of islands.
Additions to the number of converts were made every month, and there was
reason to hope that in a short time some of them would be found capable
of taking an efficient part in the instruction of their countrymen. But
the Society has more recently been called to the exercise of patient
submission under the loss of one who, though but recently entered on the
Missionary field, had afforded abundant evidence of holy devotedness to
the cause of his Saviour. We refer to Mr. Pearson, whose lamented
decease is reported by Mr. Burton under date of the 31st December. That
letter will close this article: as an appropriate introduction to it, we
insert extracts from the last written to the Secretary by Mr. Pearson
himself. It was dated Nassau, December 1, 1834:
In the course of last September, I and my family were invited
to St. Salvador, by Mr. John Armbrister. I rejoiced in so
favourable an opportunity of communicating the glad tidings of
salvation where they were so little known, and I felt grateful
that on this occasion I could without aditional expense take
my family with me, because our medical friend strongly
recommended it, as the most likely means to renew my dear
wife's health after her dangerous illness in August. We
arrived at St. Salvador, Sabbath, Oct. 6th, were kindly
welcomed, and soon surrounded by an interesting congregation
of about 80 persons, to whom I preached twice on that day. On
Monday and Tuesday I was fully engaged in the work of
instruction among the children in the forenoon, and the adults
in the evening. On Wednesday I was expected to preach upon two
properties; but having preached to a few persons at one
estate, I was afflicted with such a violent head-ache that it
was with great difficulty I managed to ride to the house of
our friend, where, finding myself the subject of fever, I was
compelled at once to exchange the exercise of preaching, for
the exercise of submission upon a bed of sickness, under
indescribably agonizing and protracted pain, which entirely
precluded rest by night or day: under these circumstances my
second sabbath at St. Salvador was spent. My dear wife read
the Scriptures to many who were gathered together, and also a
few pages of Christian counsel which I had written for their
benefit, and otherwise assisted them to worship God. On the
following morning a conveyance offering to N. P., we availed
ourselves of it, in order that I might obtain medical advice.
We were glad to reach home on the following Thursday; but with
change of scene, we experienced an increase of affliction. My
dear wife, the child's wet nurse, and our servant boy, were
immediately subjected to the fever; and unable as we were to
provide for our disconsolate babe, it required the exercise of
faith cheerfully to acquiesce in the divine disposal of our
concerns. We _were troubled_, but _not distressed_; and our
compassionate God, who knew how much we could bear, and
delights to bind up the wounds which in mercy he inflicts,
almost entirely independent of our agency, sent us, that very
night, a suitable nurse for our child, who has since proved to
us a blessing. My dear wife was speedily restored to her
former state of convalescence, and after a week I was
permitted to rise from my bed, much reduced in body, yet, I
would hope, strengthened in my resolutions to love and serve
the Saviour. My recovery was rapid, and on the 30th of October
I again embarked with my family for St. Salvador. The health
of all was much promoted by the passage, and when I landed,
Monday, November 3, contrasting my bodily state with that
under which I had left the island, I was filled with
gratitude, my peace seemed like the beautiful canopy stretched
over my head, unsullied with a cloud, and abundant as the
waves of the sea. I was immediately put in possession of a
house, unoccupied by its owner (Mr. Henry Armbrister), on an
estate called "Freeman's Hall:" where, unmolested, I could
hold meetings whenever I was able; I adored the goodness of
God who thus disposed the planters to aid and encourage me in
my work, and longed for their salvation as well as that of
their dependents. During the first week I laboured to the
utmost of my ability, teaching the children, preaching to all
I could gather around me from evening to evening, and holding
inquiry meetings whenever opportunity offered; but I seemed to
labour in vain: my hearers were attentive, but their hearts
were hardened. I did not merely tell them that there was a God
who made and upheld them, who knew all their ways, and would
bring them to judgment. I did not merely endeavour to expose
the evil of fornication, drunkenness, lying, stealing, &c. I
told them of Him who died for sinners. The doctrines of the
total depravity of the human heart, the necessity of an
atonement, the efficacy of the blood of Christ, the loveliness
and suitableness of Jesus as an all-sufficient Saviour, the
exceeding sinfulness and awful consequences of rejecting him,
justification by faith, and the reward of eternal life, as the
_free gift_ of God for the sake of his dear Son, were the
themes which I most earnestly endeavoured to press home upon
their consciences, but I could discover no evidences of
relentings for sin, no meltings of heart at the recital of a
Saviour's sufferings, no emotions of gratitude for a Saviour's
love. Their hearts were inaccessible. Almost all were
professed Baptists, but taught by a man who could not decipher
a letter, who appeared wholly ignorant of the truth, and whose
life was at variance with it. After many conversations with
him, in which he seemed impervious to the light, I
affectionately warned him to desist from preaching, lest he
should entail the curse so solemnly denounced Gal. i. 8, 9.
Meeting with little encouragement in this part of the island,
on the first Friday after my arrival I rode to "Golden Grove,"
seven miles distant, where I preached, and returned the same
day. At this place I had an opportunity of addressing 100
persons, and, deeming it an important field for labour, I
again rode thither early on the following sabbath. Here I
found some living sparks. An old man who had come over with
his master at the American revolution, had been in the habit
of reading his Bible to all who would hear him, which he could
do tolerably well; he had taught them to sing many of Watts's
Hymns; and was accustomed to read to them from a good book
written by Guthrie, an old Scotch divine. Lydia, his
daughter-in-law, at an inquiry meeting, answered the questions
which were put to her very satisfactorily, and I thought her a
suitable subject for baptism, when I found that her character
was exemplary. The old man, I found, was overseer of the whole
property, which was extensive, during his master's absence;
and Lydia was intrusted with the care of the proprietor's
house, and much valuable property. What a proof that God's
servants are the best servants! At that time I regarded my
health as established, I was animated in spirit, and among
this people I laboured on the sabbath until the evening, when
suddenly, whilst preaching, I was taken ill, and was obliged
immediately to seek the open air, abruptly closing the service
in which we were engaged. I soon discovered that I was once
more under the influence of violent fever, and after a
restless night, though treated with the utmost attention,
agreeable to the instructions of the proprietor, H. Hunter,
Esq., I made the best of my way to "Freeman's Hall," where I
remained an invalid thirteen days. I had no medical aid; but
the medicines I had with me, and Graham's popular work, proved
invaluable. My stay at St. Salvador from this period was
indeed a season of suffering; the fever was intermittent, but
would come on again and again with chilliness, succeeded by
ardent and continued heat, throbbing of the temple, continued
restlessness, unquenchable thirst, a distressing oppression at
the chest, difficulty in breathing, and nausea. My illness, I
am convinced, was protracted by the stagnant water, gathered
from among the bushes, which we were compelled to drink, and
which was deeply impregnated with putrid vegetable matter:
there was, indeed, a spring one mile distant; but of this we
were not informed until the eve of our departure, although we
daily complained of the water we were using. My affliction was
greatly increased by finding that my dear wife's exertions on
my behalf brought on a periodical fever, the paroxysms of
which would remain with her six or eight hours. The vessel by
which we were to return to N. P. sailed on Sunday, November
23, much to my grief, as I was then a little recovering, and
hoped to preach; and so indeed I did, in much weakness, on the
sea beach, to thirty or forty persons, whilst waiting for the
boat. Once more I exhorted them to repent and believe on the
Saviour. We arrived here November 28, again improved in health
by the passage, and yesterday I superintended and taught in
the Sabbath-school two hours, and preached twice to our
Nassau crowded congregations. In the evening I endeavoured to
improve the death of our late esteemed brother Penney, who
died of yellow fever, aged thirty-five years.[A] And now you
will not be surprised when I assure you that I can adopt the
language of David, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am
weak." Our best thanks are due to Henry Armbrister, Esq., who
has allowed us to make four passages in his vessel
gratuitously, provided us with house, horses, &c., and
afforded us every help in his power. How mysterious, that with
such facilities coming from God, my lips should be sealed, and
my repeated efforts for the good of these islanders apparently
frustrated! But thus the great Sovereign shows that he has no
need of me; and that if he ever employ me, he is conferring a
great and undeserved favour. It is indeed to me a great
affliction to be prevented from labouring for my Master. There
is, I think, nothing which I so much dread, as the thought of
being an unprofitable Missionary, an incumbrance to the
society and to the church. I feel that I need affliction, and
I hope in the midst of it ever to desire its improvement,
rather than its removal. I am aware also, that my sufferings
bear no comparison with those of Brainerd, Zeisberger, and
many others, who in the midst of great tribulation cheerfully
bore the cross and scorned the shame; but when month after
month passes away, with nothing done for Christ, and no souls
brought near to God by my instrumentality, I feel depressed in
spirit. The Lord knows how much of self and pride there is in
all this; may he pardon and purify me! I can give you no
cheering accounts of usefulness, but I can most sincerely
assure you, if I know myself, I only desire to live actively,
faithfully, and perseveringly; to serve Christ with body,
soul, and spirit. Oh, pray for me, that I may not live in
vain, but that I may acquit myself as a good soldier until
death remove me from the field.
[Footnote A: Our readers will rejoice to notice these kind references to
other labourers in the vineyard, sent forth by a kindred society.
Elsewhere Mr. P. mentions another Christian Missionary of the same body
in terms which we gladly quote: "Here I would most particularly mention
the zeal and kindness of Mr. Horne, Wesleyan Missionary, by whose
efforts the little flock (at Turk's Island) I united in church
fellowship have been kept in order. He has read to them our pastoral
letters, and in their own words 'has taken great pains with them.'"]
It is affecting to think that, in sixteen days after the expression of
these devout sentiments, the departure of our dear brother took place.
(We are constrained by want of room to defer Mr. Burton's letter till
next month).