Savannah, Dec. 22, 1792.
_Dear Brother Rippon_,
By return of Capt. Parrot in the ship Hannah, opportunity offers to
acknowledge receipt of your kind favour with two boxes of books
agreeable to invoice, which were very thankfully acceptable to our
Brother Andrew, as well as to myself, and were delivered agreeable to
your request. Within a month past a few of our Christian friends
providentially collected at my house, when it was thought necessary we
should commence a subscription for the building of a Baptist
Meeting-house in this city, as the corporation has given us a lot for
that purpose. Mr. Ebenezer Hills and myself were appointed trustees, and
we have subscribed £35. 6s. if we can get as much more, we intend to
begin the work, please God to smile on our weak endeavours, and the
place will be made sufficiently large to accommodate the black people:
they have been frowned upon of late by some despisers of religion, who
have endeavoured to suppress their meeting together on Thursday evening
in the week which was their custom, but is now set aside; so that they
only continue worship from the sun rise to sun set on Sabbath days.
I copied brother Andrew's last return of members for brother Silas
Mercer, who was here since the association of Coosawhatchic, which is as
follows: Return made to the Georgia Association,
Supposed to be two or three years past.................. 250
Baptized since (say 80 in this year 1792)............... 159 409
---
Excommunicated.......................................... 8
Dead.................................................... 12 20
--- ---
Total remaining Nov. 26, 1792......................... 389
Brother Andrew lately brought me a letter from brother George Liele, of
Jamaica, expressive of the great increase of his church in that island.
Andrew is free only since the death of his old master, and purchased his
freedom of one of their heirs at the rate of 50 l. He was born at Goose
Creek, about 16 miles from Charleston, South Carolina; his mother was a
slave, and died in the service of his old master: his father, a slave,
yet living, but rendered infirm by age for ten years past. Andrew was
married nine years since, which was about the time he and his wife were
brought to the knowledge of their wretched state by nature: His wife is
named Hannah and remains a slave to the heirs of his older master; they
have no children; He was ordained by our Brother Marshall: he has no
assistant preacher but his Brother Sampson, who continues a faithful
slave, and occasionally exhorts. Some white ministers from the country
preach in his church. Jesse Peter, another Negro (whose present master
is Thomas Galphin), is now here, and has three or four places in the
country where he attends preaching alternately; a number of white people
admire him. While he is here, I propose to be informed more particularly
of his situation, etc. Although a slave his master indulges him in his
profession and gives him uncommon liberty. To return to Andrew, he has
four deacons appointed, but not regularly introduced. He supports
himself by his own labour. There are no white people that particularly
belong to his church, but we have reason to hope that he has been
instrumental in the conviction and converting of some whites. Amos, the
other Negro minister, mentioned by Brother George, resides at one of the
Bahama Islands, which is called New Providence, and is about four days
sail towards the southeast. There is one white church at Ogeechee, and
another at Effingham; each of these are about twenty miles from this,
which are the nearest and only ones. Perhaps fifty of Andrew's church
can read, but only three can write.
For the present, accept of the sincere love and kind respects of the
Black Society, with Andrew's particular thanks. My ears have heard their
petitions to the throne of grace for you particularly, which no doubt
they will continue; and let me entreat your prayers for them, and for
the connected societies of this State.
Your brother in the Lord Jesus,
Jonathan Clarke.
--_Baptist Annual Register_, 1790-1793, pages 540-541.
Kingston, Jamaica, Jan. 12, 1793.
Our Meeting-house is now covered in and the lower floor was completed
the 24th of last month. We supposed we are indebted for lumber, lime,
bricks, &c. between 4 and 500 l. I am not able to express the thanks I
owe for your kind attention to me, and the cause of God. The
Schoolmaster, together with the members of our church, return their
sincere thanks for the books you have been pleased to send them, being
so well adapted to the society, they have given great satisfaction.
I hope shortly to send you a full account of the number of people in our
societies in different parts of this island. I have baptized near 500.
I have purchased a piece of land in Spanish Town, the capital of this
Island, for a burying ground, with a house upon it, which serves for a
Meeting-house. James Jones, Esq., one of the magistrates of this town,
and Secretary of the Island, told me, that the Hon. William Mitchell,
Esq., the Gustos, had empowered him to grant me license to preach the
Gospel, and they have given me liberty to make mention of their names in
any congregation where we are interrupted. Mr. Jones has given
permission for all his negroes to be taught the word of God. The gospel
is taking great effect in this town. My brethren and sisters in general,
most affectionately give their Christian love to you, and all the dear
lovers of Jesus Christ in your church at London, and beg that they, and
all the other churches, will remember the poor Ethiopian Baptists of
Jamaica in their prayers, I remain, dear Sir and brother, your unworthy
fellow labourer in Christ.
George Liele.
--_Baptist Annual Register_, 1790-1793, page 542.
Kingston, Jamaica, April 12, 1793.
_Rev. and Dear Sir_,
I am one of the poor, unworthy, helpless creatures born in this island,
whom our glorious master Jesus Christ was graciously pleased to call
from a state of darkness to the marvelous light of the gospel and since
our Lord has bestowed his mercy on my soul, our beloved minister, by
consent of the church, appointed me deacon, schoolmaster, and his
principal helper.
We have great reason in this island to praise and glorify the Lord for
his goodness and loving kindness, in sending his blessed Gospel amongst
us by our well-beloved minister, Brother Liele. We were living in
slavery to sin and satan, and the Lord hath redeemed our souls to a
state of happiness to praise his glorious and ever blessed name; and we
hope to enjoy everlasting peace by the promise of our Lord and master
Jesus Christ. The blessed Gospel is spreading wonderfully in this
island; believers are daily coming into the church and we hope, in a
little time, to see Jamaica become a Christian country.