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of these disturbances. They were likewise preserved from those depredations and murders, which were committed by the run-away Negroes in 1798. And, what more particularly excited their gratitude, was that they observed a greater attention to the gospel in many of the slaves *.

About this time some gentlemen in London, who had considerable possessions in this island, applied to the Brethren for one or more missionaries, to be sent out for the special purpose of instructing the Negroes, belonging to their plantations, taking upon themselves the entire maintenance of these missionaries, so as not to trench upon the general fund, the resources of which were barely sufficient to meet the exigencies of the more promising fields, hitherto cultiIn order to meet the wishes of vated by the Brethren. these gentlemen, the brethren Joseph Jackson, (who was born in this island, his father having formerly laboured in this mission) and Thos. Ellis, and their wives, went to Jamaica in the spring of 1800. On their arrival they found most of the resident missionaries ailing. Brother Howel and his wife were gone to North America for the recovery of their health, and brother Brown, after the decease of his wife, had returned to Pennsylvania. The service of the new missionaries, therefore, were immediately needed in the old settlements; and in this they acquiesced the more readily as the requisite arrangements, for their accommodation, had not yet been made in those places, for which they were properly destined t

In subsequent years appearances became rather more hopeful, and the attendance of the Negroes, especially at UNION and ELIM (two new places) was encouraging. Noticing the celebration of the aniversary of this mission in 1804, it being fifty years since its commencement, our brethren remark: 66 Though we cannot exult over a very abundant harvest of souls, which these fifty years have produced, or even over present prospects, yet we find sufficient cause of gratitude to the Lord, for having preserved a seed in Jamaica also, which in his own good time may grow up into a rich harvest. It appears from the + Ibid. p. 617-619.

Brethren's History, Vol. iv. p. 611-616.

church-register, that from the commencement of this mis sion to the present date nine hundred and thirty-eight Negroes have been baptized *."

A few years after the mission sustained a very serious loss by the departure of brother Joseph Jackson, who fell asleep in Jesus on Dec. 9th 1808, in the fortieth year of his age. The loss of such a man was the more to be deplored, as his natural and acquired endowments (having studied at the Brethren's college in Saxony) joined to great urbanity of manners, and fervent zeal in the Lord's service, qualified him for more extensive usefulness in the church of the Brethren +.

The time for which our brethren had long waited, and fervently prayed, seemed now to have arrived, when the gospel would run and be glorified in Jamica also. A greater desire was evidently excited among the Negroes to become savingly acquainted with the truths of christianity. They attended the preaching in greater numbers, and evinced more earnestness in seeking to attain a right understanding of what they heard. For the attainment of this end, our missionaries found a regulation, which they made in 1812, very useful, in meeting their people in classes, especially the catechumens. Concerning this they remark: It is pleasing to see the eagerness, with which the Negroes come to this meeting. We are chiefly occupied with asking questions, and explaining texts of scripture. They are all anxious that they may not come behind in proper answers, and therefore never stay away but from urgent necessity. We find that this mode of instruction makes a more lasting impression upon their minds, than a regular discourse ‡.

Among the new people, who about this time sought for instruction in christian doctrine, was a Mahomedan, who had come twelve miles to visit the missionary. He introduced himself by saying: "Massa, I would have you know that I want to come to you to be baptized. I am a Mahomedan, and in my country we also believe in Moses.

• Per. Acct, Vol. iii. p. 441. † Ibid. Vol. iv. p. 373. ‡ Ibid. Vol. v. p. 329.

But I think my faith is now old and not the right one; I wish to come to Jesus Christ, I have one wife, and she is of the same mind. We have prayers together; and always pray to Jesus Christ. Did we not live so far off, we should have come before now and begged you to baptize

us

October 4th 1812 a violent hurricane, followed in a few days by a smart shock of an earthquake, which continued half a minute, did very considerale damage in the island, and plunged the Negroes into very great distress, as all their provision-grounds were destroyed. Brother Lang, in a letter dated CARMEL, March 15th 1813†, writes: "Whenever we visit them in their huts they cry out: Massa, hunger kill we;' and indeed they look so lean and emaciated, that we cannot behold them without pity. It will be two months before the plantain and Indian corn become fit for use. Were it not for our coffee planters who, when coffee fell so much in price, planted plenty of a certain fruit, growing in the ground, which the storm cannot carry away, the poor people would absolutely be in danger of starving."

In June 1815 brother Ward and his wife arrived from England, having been appointed for the service of this mission. Soon after their arrival they took the charge of the instruction of the Negroes on Island and Windsor estates, and fixed on WILLIAMSFIELD, as the most convenient place for their residence. On Island there were some baptized Negroes, the gospel having been occasionally preached there for many years, but those belonging to Windsor were ignorant heathen. The difference between them was striking, and appeared even in their manners and customs. The missionary soon found that his labour in these places was attended with the divine blessing. His auditories were, in general, large and very attentive, and many desired more special instruction, that they might be prepared for receiving holy baptism ‡.

The endeavours of our brethren at CARMEL were equally Per. Acc. Vol. v. p. 436. † Ibid. p. 436. Ibid. Vol. iv. p. 327.

successful. Brother Lang writes: "The number of our hearers is on the increase, and the preaching of the gospel evinces its power on the hearts of the Negroes, which also appears in their moral conduct. Some walk in true fellowship with our Saviour, and have received the assurance of the forgiveness of their sins; others are mourning on account of sin, and seeking salvation in Jesus. Of the latter class there are about two hundred. Last sabbath a Negroe from an estate, about fifteen miles from CARMEL, brought me a stick, marked with seven notches, each notch denoting_ten Negroes, informing me that there were so many Negroes on that estate engaged in praying to the Lord. About twenty of them attend divine worship at Peru: they are all unbaptized, but desirous of receiving holy baptism. The awakening spreads more and more, and we entertain hopes that our Saviour will now gather a rich harvest in Jamaica *."

Of the new stations Elim and Peru were the most flourishing. The attornies and overseers on these estates, no less than the proprietors in England, promoted the endeavours of our missionaries by every means in their power. This indeed was now the case on all the plantations.

In the spring of 1816, however, some gentlemen endeavoured to obstruct the work, and for a short time intimidated the Negroes, so that the preachings were less numerously attended. Complaints were even lodged against the missionaries before the governor, but being unsupported by evidence, he was too just to condemn them without proof. And as an application on their part to be heard in their defence was not attended to, they determined to be quiet and commit their cause to God. In a little while the storm subsided and they could undisturbedly continue their labours t.

Thus it appears that the Brethren's missionaries occupy four settlements or stations in this island, viz. BOGUE

Per. Acct. Vol. iv. p. 411. ↑ Ibid. Vol vi. p. 367.

It seems, that they removed from this station in 1816, having, erected new mission-house at a little distance, and called it EDEN. Ibid. p. 369.

MESOPOTAMIA, CARMEL, and WILLIAMS-FIELD, and have besides regular preaching-places on several plantations, the principal of which are, Elim, Peru, Union, Two-milewood, Island, and Windsor.

SECTION III.

Antigua.

THE missionaries, residing in St. Thomas, had long directed their attention to those islands in the West Indies, which belonged to the crown of England, hoping to find means of preaching the gospel also in them. The paucity of their number, however, and the frequent deaths, which occurred among them, rendered this benevolent design abortive for a considerable time. At length, in 1756, brother Samuel Isles, who had spent eight years in St. Thomas, went to ANTIGUA. On his arrival he waited on the governor, and shewed him the act which had passed in favour of the Brethren in 1749. Some gentlemen patronised him, giving him permission to preach on their plantations. The following year he had the pleasure of performing the first baptismal transaction in this island on a Negroe woman. In the sequel, proposals were made to him of building a place of worship for the Negroes. This was effected in 1761, on a piece of ground, in the town of ST. JOHN's, bought for the purpose of forming a missionary establishment.

For several years the progress of the work was rather slow. Brother Isles, and his two assistants John Bennet and Wm. Lister, continued to preach the gospel wherever a door was opened. On the one hand they met with no remarkable opposition, and on the other they saw no very striking effects attend their labours. Samuel Isles finished his race in 1764, having spent eight years in the service of this mission, during which period only thirty-six Negroes had been baptized. His successors did not relax in their endeavours, but sowed the seed of the gospel, in hopes of a fruitful harvest at some future period, for as

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