Mr. Tinson, having met the other brethren at Falmouth early in February,
writes as follows on his return to Kingston. We are persuaded our
readers will be gratified by the deliberate and candid opinions
expressed by this experienced missionary. His letter is dated Feb. 25th,
1835.
Since I last addressed you I have seen more of our mission field
than I had ever before an opportunity of visiting. We found it not
only gratifying, but profitable, thus to visit our brethren, who
all appear to be faithfully labouring in the vineyard of Christ.
From them we received much kindness, and returned home, after an
absence of six weeks, with improved health and increased desire to
labour for God, from witnessing what he is doing by his servants.
Such intercourse, occasionally enjoyed, could hardly fail to
promote brotherly love, stimulate to exertion, and strengthen our
confidence in God, as we behold the triumphs of his truth.
In my last I mentioned the desire manifested by many in Mr. Knibb's
congregation to obtain the Scriptures, and the large attendance on
religious worship. The same may be said of Montego Bay, and, in
proportion, of other stations I had the privilege of visiting. I
spent one sabbath at Lucea, and intended going to Savannah la Mar,
but was prevented by the rain. Of the interesting services at
Montego Bay and Falmouth, which took place on the 7th and 14th of
this month, on laying the corner-stones of the new chapels, I need
not write, as our brethren at those stations will send you all the
particulars. On our way home we passed through Stewart Town,
Brown's Town, and called at Jericho, brother Clarke's residence and
principal station. I should have mentioned that we spent a night
with brother Coultart; and in every place we were refreshed in
seeing or hearing of the grace of God. I have more than once
expressed my conviction that God is about to do some great work in
this land. In this opinion I am confirmed by what he is doing. We
know that He does nothing in vain; therefore to any person at all
observant of Divine Providence, it must manifestly appear, that
God's thoughts are thoughts of good and not of evil concerning the
inhabitants of this country. Look at the noble gift of his word
which he has recently sent to the people! Upwards of 40,000 copies
of the New Testament and Psalms, now circulating, like so many
streamlets of the water of life, through the whole length and
breadth of the land! Then there is the desire to read, and to
possess the word of God; the spirit of hearing, which prevails in
almost every part of the island; the great accession of spiritual
strength in the arrival of new missionaries--Episcopal, Methodists,
Baptists, and Independents; and the preservation and increase of
good men on the island. Mr. S., the rector of Lucea, mentioned a
fact worth recording: that, during his residence in the colony of
sixteen years, he had not lost, by death, one of his evangelical
friends, which was the same as saying that not one had died; for he
is a truly pious man himself, and consequently is acquainted with
all the good men in the church throughout the island. He further
stated, that several clergymen, who had never before manifested any
concern for the spiritual welfare of the people, were now coming
out as active and laborious helpers in the good cause. Surely, my
dear Sir, these are signs of the times not to be overlooked.
* * * * *