erected, and the number of hearers augmented. Afterwards, the gospel spread among the inhabitants of the several islets, scattered up and down in the vicinity, which, like solitary rocks, lift their heads above the waves. To many of these the missionaries, with prejudice to their health, and often at the risk of life, went from time to time, declaring the glad tidings of salvation to the few deserted families upon them. At the present time, religion is not only respected in Tortola, but publicly countenanced by the principal inhabitants. Even the chief magistrates had, in 1809, seats in the Methodist chapel, and regularly occupied them. One of the members of his Majesty's Council was a communicant. The Society was greatest in 1809, there being 2337 members.

JAMAICA. In 1789, Dr. Coke visited this island to establish a mission. Shortly after, a missionary arrived at Kingston, and was received with much kindness by a number of the inhabitants. Meetings were at first held in a private house, but, as they increased, a building was purchased, which answered for a chapel. On the opening of the chapel, it was frequented by some whites, as well as negroes and free people of colour but the former soon discontinued their attendance. The tide changed. Many of the whites became outrageous against the meetings, and went so far that the preacher and hearers were even in danger of their lives. It was vain to apply to the magistrates for protection. They, too, set their faces against the mission, and even countenanced the mob in several enormities. Methodists were obliged to keep a guard in the chapel during the night. One morning, when there was no watch, burnt coals were found on the floor; an indication of some attempt to set it on fire.

The

These circumstances, together with sickness among the missionaries, brought the society very low. New missionaries indeed supplied the place of those who died, and attempts were made to establish societies in different parts of the island; but generally with little

success.

The white people were inveterate against the missionaries, and the slaves were generally prohib ited by their masters from attending on instruction. Even the government interfered, and manifested a zeal in suppressing the mission, worthy a better cause. In December 1802, the Assembly passed an Act, that no person, unless qualified by the laws of Great Britian and of Jamaica, should preach, or perform the services of religion in meetings of negroes, or people of colour, that persons offending against this law should be deemed rogues and vagabonds; and as such be committed to the work house, and kept to hard labour one month for the first offence, and six months for every repetition of it-Nay, should the case be extraordinary, the Assizes might inflict any punishment short of death.Any person permitting a meeting on his premises should pay a fine not exceeding 100 pounds.

The Methodists, having a regular license, did not apprehend themselves within the limits of this law. Mr. Campbell, therefore, continued to preach as usual at Kingston. He was not there interrupted; but going to Morant bay, where a society was beginning to be formed, he was apprehended and committed to prison. When his imprisonment was expired, he returned to Kingston, and applying to the magistrates for a license, it was granted.

Having preached there for a time, he returned to Morant bay. As this was a different parish, he applied to the magistrates there also for a license. Instead of granting it, they revived the old prosecution, imposing the fine of one hundred pounds in addition to an imprisonment, and Mr. Campbell was obliged to leave the island. Mr. Fish was left to take care of the flock at Kingston, but at Morant bay they remained destitute. All social worship was at end. A sensible and respectable man was imprisoned a month, simply for singing and praying with a few friends.

The iniquitous bill, however, did not receive the royal sanction. The pious people of Jamaica, after a

persecution of two years were permitted to assemble for the worship of God; but the legislature had not yet done. An act was procured forming Kingston into a corporation. A clause was inserted in the charter empowering the corporation to impose fines and imprisonment to a great extent on those who should violate their regulations. The design not being perceived, it obtained the sanction of his majesty. The Common Council then, under pretence of zeal for the purity of religion, passed an act by which any person, not duly authorized, presuming to preach, or teach, or offer up public prayers, or sing psalms in any meeting of negroes or free people of colour, should, if a free person, suffer a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, or be imprisoned in the common jail, or work house, for any space less than three months ;-that any person permitting such illegal meeting in his house, or premises, should suffer a like punishment; and that even in a licensed place of worship there should be no public service earlier than six in the morning, or after sunset at night.

This cruel law was of course confined to Kingston; but the Assembly under the cloak of exciting the proprietors of slaves to instruct them, soon after passed an act ordaining that their instructions should be confined to the doctrines of the established church, and that no missionary should be allowed to teach them under a penalty of twenty pounds for every slave proved to be present. This act, however, being subject to revision by his majesty, was disapproved ; though there was an intentional delay in forwarding it for the royal approbation, so that it was acted upon, and the meetings suspended for more than a year. This being understood by his majesty, he ordered the governors in the West Indies to give their assent to no bill relative to religion, until they had transmitted a draught of it to England. Enraged by this disappointment, the Assembly of Jamaica passed various resolutions declaring that the prohibition of passing laws on

the subject of religion was a violent infringement of the Constitution of the island; and it was the duty of the House to exercise their privilege of withholding supplies. Proceedings at last were so violent, that the Governor dissolved the Assembly.

The Methodists seem to be the principal persons aimed at in this opposition, and towards them it is still directed. Various means are found to harass them. In August 1812, one of their missionaries was imprisoned a month for preaching on the Lord's day. In 1814, however, Mr. Davies, on arriving at Kingston, after much difficulty obtained license from the assembly to preach. The chapel was opened, after having been closed nearly seven years. But scarcely had the hungry and scattered flock begun to collect and refresh themselves in the house of the Lord, when Mr. Davies was removed by death, and the doors again closed. The members in the Methodist connexion on this island were in 1815, no less than 1937.

Besides these missions, the Methodists have others in St. Bartholomews, Barbadoes, Trinidad, Grenada, and the Bahama Islands. The whole number attached to their society in all the islands, was by their Report in 1816, as follows:

In addition to these stations, they have lately ap pointed missionaries to that part of St. Domingo under the presidency of Petion, who favours their attempts.

CHAPTER II.

CEYLON.

Miscellaneous exertions-Society and funds-Mission to Ceylon-Conversion of a Budhist Priest—Aspect of the Mission.

THE Methodists, animated by their usual zeal, have not confined themselves to the West Indies. They have, within four or five years, extended their labours to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Bombay, and Ceylon in the East; and Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland in the West. In the four last named countries they employed, in 1815, seventeen missionaries, and reckoned in society 1570.. Since that time, in 1817, they have established a mission at Madras in the East Indies, and are now about. forming one in the important island of Madagascar. Their establishment at Demarara deserves notice. was formed in 1809, and is now flourishing. A missionary society in aid of the general Society is commenced, and promises between four and five hundred dollars annually. Several of the slaves subscribe. When one of the missionaries asked them whether they could afford to give any thing, they replied, "Sir, we ought of all persons to help our poor fellow creatures. Once we had not the Gospel; but the people of England have sent it to us, and we ought to help in sending it all over the world." A female slave said,

It

"God has given it to me, and his Gospel beside; and as it is my own, I have a right to give it to help carry de Gospel to my fellow creatures; for I sure de Gospel