The weight of my sins was so great, that I thought it was like a bar of iron upon my shoulders; but as I entered the place where prayer was, the weight fell off, love and comfort came into my heart, and I thought if I had wings I would fly away. I told my leader. He encouraged me, and from that night I have been happy. Our Missionary asked him if he loved God, and if he should die whether he thought he should go to heaven? O, yes, O, yes,' said he, and spoke with such an emphasis, and such divine power accompanied what he said, that the Missionary felt new life in his own soul, while tears of joy fell plentifully from their eyes." History of the Jamaica Mission. In 1789, Dr. Coke visited this island with the view of esta blishing a Mission upon it, and shortly after, a Missionary arrived at Kingston, and was received with much kindness by a number of the inhabitants. They held their meetings for some time in private house, but as it was small, and situated near the extremity of the town, they purchased a large building in a more central situation, the upper part of which they converted into a chapel capable of containing about twelve hundred people, while the lower part was employed as a lodging for the Missionaries. On the opening of the chapel, it was frequented by some of the Whites, as well as by the Negroes and People of Colour, but most of the former soon ceased to attend; and, indeed, a number of the White People became at length so riotous, that it was impossible, in the evening, to meet for the worship of God in peace, both the preacher and the hearers being often in danger + not only of mischief, but even of their life. It was in vain to apply to the magistrates for justice, or even for protection. A determined system of persecution ensued, which was counteracted and defeated by the benevolence of his Majesty's Government at home. The Methodists were the persons chiefly aimed at by the Legislature of Jamaica in all the laws which they passed on the subject of religion; and it is obvious that their progress could scarcely fail to be impeded by such frequent acts of hostility. Many of their members, as might naturaly be expected, drew back, while others were prevented by their masters from attending Divine Worship; but yet it appears, from the following table, that the numbers, on the whole, have rather increased than diminished. Years. Total. Years. Total. Present State of the Jamaica Mission. The work of God continues to prosper in this island, notwith-, standing the opposition which it meets with from some persons who are high in authority. Mr. Davies, one of our Missionaries, arrived at Kingston on the first of May, 1814, and found himself surrounded by a numerous and affectionate people; who rejoiced at the prospect of having the doors of the Lord's house once more opened for their reception, after having been shut, by a persecuting act of the Assembly, nearly seven years. The strong conviction which he felt that the Lord had called him to the work of a Missionary, in this part of the world, removed every doubt from his mind respecting the ultimate success of his endeavours to open the house of prayer. Without delay he waited on the Mayor of Kingston, and other 1, agistrates, and indeed on most of the members of the corporate body; many of whom received him with politeness, though very few at that time would promise him their support. One gentleman, however, kindly undertook to present a petition, which he had drawn up, to the corporate body. On the 9th of May, Mr. Davies waited on their Honours at the Court-house, where there were only three gentlemen who were decidedly against him; the rest were willing to have a fair discussion on his case. But as it was hinted that some terms in his petition were ambiguous, he was requested to present one in another form, which would be more full and explanatory. The 13th was observed, by our friends, as a day of fasting and prayer, to entreat the Lord to look upon the afflicted state of the church in Jamaica, and particularly in King. ston, where the ministry of the word had been so long suspended. On the 16th, Mr. Davies presented a petition, to which none of the gentlemen objected; and it was agreed that his documents should be transcribed into the journals of the court. On the 17th, he applied to the quarter sessions for permission to take and subscribe the usual oaths. There were five sitting magistrates at the sessions, three of whom favouring his designs, leave was granted, The intelligence of this gave joy to thousands who were hungering for the word of life, and anticipating that day when they should say to one another, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." The chapel in Kingston, being immediately put in repair, at a considerable expense, was once more opened for Divine Worship. This great blessing, however, was but for a moment. Mr. Davies has been suddenly called to an early reward; and, by this awful and mysterious providence, our chapel is once more shut up, no other person being licensed for this place by the Assembly; our dear people are again deprived of the public worship of God. But we must not despair. The hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord; and while we use prudential means, and put our trust in him, we may reasonably hope for ultimate success. We have three Missionaries and 1937 members in this Island. Mr. Davies observes, and it is with pleasure we record it, that Brother Wiggins, one of our Missionaries, had borne the burden and heat of the day, and had proved himself to be a faithful, disinterested Minister of Christ. Beside these Missions in the West-India Islands, the Methodists have established others in St. Bartholomew's, Barbadoes, Grenada, Trinidad, and the Bahama Islands; but those of which we have given some details are of the greatest importance. Miscellanies. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ASSOCIATIONS. Present Contrib. Total. St. Antholin's (with Ship Fund, 21.1s. 6d)L.9 11 4 L. 98 15 0 .. 24 2 6 107 16 1 2 16 0 30 0 149 2 0 Richmond: (Rev. W. Keeling, Curate).... 11 2 11 Annual Subscriptions. 6 15 018 4 8 Newland (with Ship Fund, 31. 33.).. 26 6 6 563 3 11 220 13 7 0 16 S 8 1 By Miss Foster, Exeter: One Quarter CONGREGATIONAL COLLECTIONS. Cambridge: Trinity Church: by Rev. Josiah Pratt, B.D. Two Sermons By Rev. Legh Richmond, M. A.: Sheffield Hospital Chapel Hayfield, near Derby.. Mrs. Blackwall Joseph Julian From Portsea (including Miss Gay, Gosport, 1.; and Miss Carver, Gosport, 1/. 48.) for William Stevens Dusautoy .... Madame de Sabloukoff: for Nicholas Alexander .... ...... Contributions to the Fund for the West-African Ship "William Wilberforce." Bristol Contributions, printed before L.1055 17 Ò Contributions by Miss Hensman: A "Ladies' Association at Clifton, (in all 50%) 25 00 Mr. C. P N. Wilton 1 10-26 1 0 Contributions from other places: Huddersfield: First Remittance By Cambridge Ladies' Association: -1081 18 0 1 21 7 9 Mrs. Green ... 2 1 0 16 6 3 19 4 3 2 10 935006 5 3 3 1 0 0 2 5 0 By Miss Marshall, through St. Antholin's Association J. W. Warren, Esq., Powis Place .... 0 |