Jamaica: its past and present state

Preface

. The author of the following pages, having heen in capacitated for more active labours by protracted personal affliction, formed the resolution of employ ing the leisure which was afforded him in writing a work on Jamaica, which he ventures to hope will in some measure supply a desideratum long felt and acknowledged by the conductors and supporters of our various missionary societies. None but the invalided missionary knows the bit terness of those feelings which fill the heart, when compelled by sickness to leave behind him his scene of arduous but happy toil, and to re-visit his native shores under circumstances which preclude the pos sibility of engaging in active exertion for the promotion of that cause to which he has consecrated his life. In these feelings, which not all the sympathy and kindness of friends can wholly remove, the writer has largely shared. But should it be found that the present effort of his pen has in some measure supplied

PREFACE.

. VI that " lack of service " which he hoped to have other wise rendered, not only will the severity of the trial be greatly alleviated, but throughout his future days it will prove a source of high and joyous satisfaction. Though the manner in which he has accomplished his object will of course be variously estimated, he can most conscientiously affirm, that in all his statements he has at least endeavoured to be scrupulously cor rect, and to give a faithful representation of Jamaica as it was, and Jamaica as it is. Having been a resident on the island since the year 1823, he has had extended opportunities of acquainting himself with it. And though, with regard to its past history, and present commercial condition, as well as some other particulars, ' he has been compelled to avail himself of the labours of the historian, yet the greater portion is the result of his own observation and experience.

He cannot, but indulge the hope that the facts narrated, illustrative of the fervent piety, growing intelligence, and rapidly improving temporal circumstances of those who but a few years since not only tasted the " wormwood and the gall " of slavery, but who, with regard to their spiritual condition, were " sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death," will strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of those Christian philanthropists to whose benevolent and unceasing efforts the mighty change is, under God, to be attributed. Nor does he feel willing to

PREFACE.

. VII repress the delightful anticipation that by these pages feelings may be awakened which shall ultimately con tribute to hasten the arrival of the period when not only shall the blighting curse of slavery pass away from every land, but when " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." It may possibly be thought by some that too many anecdotes have been introduced, as well as too liberal a use made of the peculiarities of the negro dialect. If any apology is required, the author begs to state that he has been governed in this particular not so much by his own predilections and tastes as by the advice of valued friends, who judged that such a method of illustrating the various topics to which attention is directed would be more likely than any other to interest and benefit a large class of his readers — an object at which he considered himself bound to aim.

It will not escape observation that prominence has been given to the moral and religious condition of the black and coloured population, and to the encouraging results of missionary efforts among them. To preserve the fidelity of an historical record, the author has necessarily reverted to circumstances of a painful as well as a pleasing character ; and if in so doing he has reflected upon what he regards as ex isting evils, it has been from a consciousness of duty,

PREFACE.

. as it is by such representations that manners and customs are reformed. Most truly can he affirm that he cherishes no improper feeling towards the higher classes of the inhabitants of Jamaica ; on the contrary, it is the most sincere desire of his heart that her governors, senators, judges, and magistrates may be men eminent for piety and equity — that the higher classes of her population, as well as her peasantry, may be truly good, industrious, and happy — that she, as a country, may excel in all that is great, and noble, and distinguished — that she may ever remain con nected with Britain, not only politically, but by ties of the warmest affection and holiest sympathies, cemented by the most sacred bonds that can hold society to gether. As a matter of necessity, the writer is more inti mately acquainted with the progress of his own deno mination than with that of any other, and consequently has given to it a more full and circumstantial account.

Had it been practicable, it would have afforded him the sincerest pleasure to have embodied in his work a comprehensive statement of the successes and encou ragements of those honoured brethren of other denominations whose labours have been signally owned and blessed. It is a deficiency which he sincerely regrets. But having left the island without any in tention of becoming au author, and, perhaps, with a too confident expectation of being engaged in more active

PREFACE.

. IX service during his sojourn in his native land, he did not avail himself of those sources of information which would have been open to him, had he formed the resolution of writing at an earlier period ; and since thus engaged he has been prevented by a variety of circumstances from obtaining that correct statistical in formation which was requisite to enable him to fulfil his first intention. To these causes alone is the omis sion to be attributed. Far from him be that attachment to a party which would lead him to regard with feelings of jealousy or indifference the labours of those whom, though under another name, he regards as brethren, and honours as the servants of Christ. He can truly say, " Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity ;" and ardently does he long for the arrival of the day which is destined to witness that delightful union of soul and effort which constituted the burden of his prayer who is " head over all things to the church."

" That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us ; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."* Proposals for the establishment of a college on liberal and comprehensive principles, but designed especially for the education of the descendants of Africa in the higher branches of learning and science, * John xvii. 21. X

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. will be found as an Appendix, to which the particular attention of the reader is invited. The volume being already increased far beyond its originally intended size, in addition to the impos sibility of obtaining all the statistics necessary for the purpose, the author has not added the sketch of missionary stations announced in the Prospectus. The omission, however, he flatters himself will not be regarded as important, inasmuch as it may easily be supplied by individual reference to the publications of each Society. As a Christian missionary, whose life has been spent, not in learned seclusion, but in the duties and incessant labours of his office, the author makes no pretensions to literary excellence. His aim has been to produce a work which might be interesting and useful, even without those embellishments of diction which, though ever pleasing, are not always necessary.

As it is, he commends his volume to the attention of the churches and the blessing of Almighty God, as an humble contribution to the glory of Him in whose work he desires " to spend and be spent," and who, in the days of his flesh, graciously condescended to accept the services of her who " did what she could." London, September, 1313. CONTENTS

PREFACE.

Pagev.

Chapter I. Christianity

Ite nature — Adaptation to the wants and circumstances of the World — Its designs— Its effects — The future glory of the Church — Particular instrumentality to be employed — Former neglect of the Church — Subsequent activity — First Missionary Society — Difficulties and Discouragements — Future and increasing Success . . Page 1

Chapter X. People Of Colour And Free Blacks

Former Condition — Causes of difference of Complexion and Circumstances — Political State — Proscription from Society of White Inhabitants — Low State of Morals — Removal of Disabilities — Rapid Advancement in Civilization and the Social Scale — Present Condition 143

Chapter XI

Sect. I. Political Condition of the Black Population. — Origin of the Slave Trade — Its Atrocities — Slaves, when first brought to Jamaica, and by whom — Dreadful Nature and Consequences of Slavery as it existed in Jamaica ..... CONTENTS. XIII Sect. II. Abolition of the Slave Trade. — Origin of the African Institution — Efforts for ameliorating the Condition of the Slaves — Conduct of the Jamaica House of Assembly — Insurrection or Disturbance in 1832 and 1833 — Its real Causes — Destruction of Mission Property — Wanton and awful Sacrifice of Negro Life by the Whites — Imprisonment aud Trial of Missionaries — Their triumphant Acquittal Page 161 Sect. III. The Apprenticeship System. — Its Impolicy, Injustice, and Cruelty — Inefficiency as a Preparative to Freedom — Special Magistrates — Excited and unsettled State of the Black Population as the Result of the Operation of this System — Representation of the State of Things by Missionaries — Messrs. Sturge, Harvey, and others 1 69 Sect.

IV. Total Emancipation. — Manner in which itwas celebrated — Conduct of the Newly-Emancipated — Conduct of the Planters — Subsequent Differences — Establishment of new Villages — Restoration to Harmony and Peace — General Prosperity and Happiness . 174

Chapter XII. Intellectual Character Of The Black People Under Slavery

Ignorance of Arts and Sciences — Of Reading, Arithmetic, Mechanical Arts, Civil Polity — Alleged Deficiency of Mental Capacity — Establishment and Operation of Schools — The Negro under Cultivation and Freedom — Notions of his Natural Inferiority disproved — Proposal for the Establishment of a College — The great Importance and Advantages of such an Institution — Decline of Schools — Appeal for these objects to the British Public . . . . 1 88

Chapter XIII. Social Condition

Negro Villages in Time of Slavery — Houses — Dress of Slaves — Personal and Domestic Habits — Licentiousness — Polygamy — Marriage — Treatment of Females — Indolence — Improvement in all these Respects — Opening* of a new Township under Freedom — Number of new Settlements established — Growing Comfort and Prosperity of the Country — Evidences of these results . . . . *216 CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV. Moral State And Aspects Of Society

Different Tribes of Africans — Peculiar Characteristics of each — Immoral Tendency of their Amusements — Funerals — Superstitions — Characteristic Vices — Contrast presented by the present State of Things — Description of a Funeral as now conducted — Causes of the late partial Revival of Obeism and Myalism— Decrease of Crime Page 239

Chapter XV. Religious State

Sect. I. — Awful Destitution of Religion in the Island during the first Century of its Occupation by the British— Ignorance of the Black People — Idolatry — Superstition — Subsequent corrupted Christianity — Influence of Ignorant and Superstitious Teachers — Desecration of the Sabbath — Paucity of Places of Religious Worship ; of Hearers — Clergy — Their unfavourable Opinion expressed to Parliament as to the Instruction and Conversion of the Slaves — Opinions of Infidel Philosophers . . . . . . . . 267 Sect. II. — Arrival of Missionaries — Opposition experienced — Subsequent Success — Abolition of Sunday Markets — Improved Observance of the Sabbath — Number of regular Places of Worship in 1 843 — Number of Missionaries — Great Extension of Religion — Village Chapels — Attendance at Places of Worship — Average Size of the largest Congregations — Number of Missionaries of all Denominations — Number of Native Assistants .... 279 Sect.

III. — Number of Members in communion with each of the Churches and Denominations of Christians, and aggregate of Inquirers, &c, connected with each Denomination — Size of individual Churches — Manner of admitting Members — Wesleyans, Baptists — Number added to Baptist Churches at one time ; in one year — Total Number added to Baptist and Wesleyan Churches during the last twenty years 290

Chapter XVI. Religious State

continued.- Sect. I. — Presumptive Evidences of the actual Piety of Jamaica Churches — Character of the Missionaries — Nature and Extent of Scriptural Knowledge possessed by Candidates for Church-fellowship CONTENTS. XV — By Members in general — Manner of Admitting Members — Great Christian Principle and Feeling manifested by them Page 305 Sect. II. — Description of Inquirers and Catechumens — Nature and Objects of their Connexion with the different Denominations — Usual Term of Probation among Baptists for Church-fellowship — Average Number of Exclusions — Intimate Knowledge possessed by Ministers of the State of their Churches — Discipline, Faithfulness, and Impartiality of its Administration — Christian Consistency of Members — Testimonies — Investigation of Cases of alleged Delinquency — Church Meetings — Members' Knowledge of Scriptural Discipline — Distinguished Prevalence of a Spirit of Prayer — Piety and Fervour of Social Exercises . . . . . 326 Sect.

III. — Sacrifices made by Members, of Time, Comfort, Property, and Freedom — Persecution — Martyrdom — Spirit exemplified under these circumstances ....... 347 Sect. IV. — Love of Converts towards each other — How displayed — Charity in the Treatment of Offences — Attention to Poor and Afflicted — -Mutual esteem — Love for the Service of God's House — Attendance on the Means of Grace — Regard for the Interests of Zion generally — Attachment to their Ministers — Astonishing changes in Individual Characters ...... 368 Sect. V. — Zeal of Jamaica Christians — Their Liberality — Their great Personal and Individual Exertions — Class and Ticket System — Its Operation in Furtherance of the Gospel — Great Self-devotion of many ofthe Members of the Churches — Astonishing Effects produced by their Individual Labours ..... 387 Sect.

VI. — Experience and Conduct of Members in general in seasons of calamity — On Beds of Sickness and Death — Their anxious Concern for the Welfare of the Churches to which they belong, and for the general Interests of Religion — Numerous Instances of Happy and Triumphant Deaths of Adults and Sunday-school Children 403

Chapter XVII. Principal Instrumental Causes To Which These Great Results Are To

BE ATTRIBUTED. Abolition of the Slave Trade — Efforts of the African Institution — Of Antislavery and Agency Societies — Establishment and operation of Schools — Circulation of Bibles and Tracts — Moral Influence exerted by Missionaries — Their efforts for the Improvement of the temporal CONTENTS. condition of the People — Insurrection or disturbances in 1832 and 1833— Establishment and Operation of Schools— Peculiar System of instrumentality employed by the larger Churches — Spirit of Prayer possessed by the People. Chiefly by the preaching of the Gospel, accompanied by the influence of tlie Holy Spirit , . Page 4 1 7

Chapter XVIII. Increased Claim Of Missionary Societies, Especially On The Sympathies And

BENEVOLENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. Magnitude of the objects — Past Success — Condition of Africa, St. Domingo, and other neighbouring Islands, South America — Increased facilities which these fields of labour afford — Sympathies manifested by the Churches in Jamaica — Demand for these objects on the Christian Public — Sinfulness of neutrality in such a cause — Motives — Way in which this Cause is to be especially promoted . . 448 Appendix ......... 477 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. PAGE Cocoa, or Chocolate-tree 50 Negro cutting Sugar-cane 89 Agricultural Implements ...... 91 Planter and Negro-Driver . 120 Mulatto and Black Females of the Upper Classes . . 151 Tread-wheel ......... 172 Emancipation in 1838 ....... 174 Metropolitan School-rooms . . . . . .194 Sligoville, with Mission Premises 222 Clarkson Town ........ 228 Female Negro Peasant in her Sunday anJ Working Dress . 230 Heathen Practices at Funerals ..... , 244 Testimonial presented to the most noble the Marquis of Sligo by the Apprentices of Jamaica . . . . . ,254 Interior of Baptist Chapel, Spanish Town .... 288 Visit of a Missionary and Wife to a Negro Village on an Estate 372 Front View of Chapel and Dwelling-house at Sligoville . . JAMAICA; ITS PAST AND PRESENT STATE, *<■• %c.

Chapter I. Christianity

Its nature — Adaptation to the wants and circumstances of the World Its designs — Its effects — The suture glory of the Church — Particular instrumentality to be employed — Former neglect of the Church — Subsequent activity — First Missionary Society — Difficulties and Discouragements — Future and increasing Success. Christianity is a system of the most pure and exalted philanthropy. The field which it is designed to occupy " is the world," and its object the salvation of the whole human race, without any distinction of country, con dition, or character. Revelation looks with the same benign aspect on the sun-burnt negro as on the inha bitant of a more temperate clime — to the bond as to the free — to the savage as to the philosopher ; all are alike the offspring of the same common parent, involved in the consequences of the same apostacy, heirs of the same immortal destiny, and alike capable of being re stored to the happiness and prerogatives of their ex alted nature.

" God has made of one blood all the nations of the earth." " Darkness has covered the B FUTURE GLORY OF THE CHURCH. earth, and gross darkness the people." And in that great day, when the purposes of God shall have received their full accomplishment, " a multitude which no man can number, out of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue," shall join in the eternal jubilee of the redeemed from amongst men. " They shall come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, and with Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God." But, as there is no other name given under heaven whereby men can be saved, but Jesus Christ, it is evident that the gospel must be universally diffused, and that "all nations" must be "subdued to the obedience of faith."

And to this glorious event both promise and prophecy lead our expectations. " I saw," says Daniel, " in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of man came in the clouds of Heaven and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him ; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."* Thus there is to be a visible and territorial, if not an actual, subjugation of the whole world to the power and rule of the Redeemer. Thrice happy and glorious period ! then the reign of darkness is to end and inno cence and peace are to be enthroned. Innocence and pe*"*e, those blessed emblems of millennial hap piness anil glory.

So will a new creation arise as * Dan. vii. 13, 14. MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED. from the ruins of the old, when the various ranks of being, no longer separated, shall form one beautiful chain of happy intercourse. " The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling to gether, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain ; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."* This representation of the future state of the world, it may be said, is exceedingly debghtful, but how is such a mighty revolution to be effected ?

It is to be effected by the Gospel, accompanied by the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit. " But how can they be lieve in Him of whom they have not heard ? and how can they hear without a preacher ? and how can they preach except they be sent?" Human instrumentality is necessary in the order of means for the moral reno vation of the world. The obligations under which all real Christians are laid should be felt, acknowledged, and, to the best of their ability, discharged ; for they come to them not simply as duties, but as commands enforced by the example, and enjoined by the authority, of Christ. " Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."+ Like the apostles, missionaries in every succeeding age were t be " sent * Isaiah xi. 6—9. t Mark xvi. 15. B FIRST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. unto the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, that they might receive for giveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith which is in Christ."* It is deeply to be regretted that it was not until a comparatively recent period that Christians in general seemed aware of their duty towards the heathen world ; and thus ages were suffered to pass away, during which it might be said by the eight hundred millions ofour race who every thirty years pass into eternity as they cast their eye of distraction up to the frowning judge, " No man cared for my soul."

No sooner, however, did the Church awake from her slumbers than she clearly perceived her obliga tion : than she buckled on her armour, and was resolved, in the strength of the Lord, to take possession of the rich inheritance bequeathed to her. Hence, the formation of Missionary, Bible, Scriptural Educa tion, and Sunday School Societies, and others of a similar nature, at once the ornament and glory of our land. Thus began a new era in the history of the Church of Christ. Such, indeed, on the formation of the first Missionary Society (in modern times) was the novelty of its character, so mysterious and powerful the difficulties against which it had to contend, and such the vastness and grandeur of its aim, that an interest was associated with it unparalleled in any age since that of the Apostles.

The object contemplated, indeed, was regarded as a mighty and glorious, yet, in some respects, a dubious enterprise, requiring deep reflection * Acts xxvi. 18. ITS DIFFICULTIES. in the plan, and no small degree of wisdom, courage, perseverance, self-denial, and simple yet firm de pendence upon God in the execution. In this light it was viewed by the agents to whom it was at first entrusted. "Our undertaking to India," says Mr. Fuller, " appeared to me, at its commencement, to resemble that of a few men who stood deliberating "*** about the importance and necessity of penetrating into a deep mine which had never before been explored. We had no one to guide us, and while we were thus deliberating, Carey said, as it were, ' Well, I will go down if you will hold the ropes ;' but before he went down he, as it seemed to me, took an oath from each of us, that while we lived we would never let go the ropes."

Nor were circumstances more favourable after the arrival of the first missionaries in Bengal. " Every where," says Mr. Ward, " we were advised to go back. Even one or two good men thought the attempt utterly impracticable. India, in short, has been long considered an impregnable fortress defended by the gods. Many a Christian soldier, it has been said, may be slain in the entrenchments, but the fort will never be taken." Under such circumstances did the first missionaries enter the field. They laboured long and hard, and, as they had anticipated, against obstacles calculated to appal the stoutest heart ; but, having thus counted the cost, and recognising the principle that no appearances however adverse altered their obligation, they still per severed, " trusting in God." PROGRESS OF MISSIONS.

The promised blessing was at length bestowed. Barrier after barrier began to give way and disappear. This success produced a reaction upon the churches at home, and the heralds of salvation were successively multiplied. And now let us ask, what are the results of an enterprise, the operations of which were so doubt fully and almost inauspiciously begun ? It may suffice to say that the results have exceeded the calculations of the most sanguine of the friends of missions. Whole nations have given up their gods. One island after another ofthe great southern archipelago has renounced its superstitions and assumed the Christian name, whilst, among the habitations of cruelty in the West, there is kindled a light which the united opposition of earth and hell will never be able to extinguish. The cloud of moral darkness which has for ages hovered over the continent of India has begun to retire — the spell of Brahma is dissolving — the chains of caste are falling off — the wheels of Juggernaut are scarce ensanguined — the horrid custom of self-immolation has disappeared, and the " sacred tide of Jordan mingles with the Ganges."

From the borders of China extending along many of the shores of the eastern continent, and even to the interior of Africa, has the light of life extended. In almost every portion of the globe are churches and schools rising up, the landmarks of missionary progress, forming a beautiful contrast to the surrounding bar renness and desolation — churches " built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him self being the chief corner stone." In almost every THEIR SUCCESS. direction we are presented with increasingly brighten ing prospects. In some parts of the field, God is not only with his servants, but it may emphatically be said that he has gone before them. The ground ap pears to be already ploughed up to their hands. They have nothing to do but to cast in the seed, and it im mediately vegetates and brings forth an abundant harvest.

All that seems wanted is increased liberabty on the part of the Church to furnish more labourers to gather it in. To change the allusion, no sooner is an attack made upon the powers of darkness than a retreat is sounded, and all that seems required are reinforce ments of men and increased pecuniary supplies to occupy the ceded ground. Allusion is here made more especially to the island of Jamaica, of which, as connected with the work of God, the following pages, it is hoped, will furnish some interesting particulars. SKETCH OF JAMAICA.

Chapter II. Sketch Of The Island

Civil History and Geographical Situation — Discovery — Settlement by the Spaniards — Conquest by the British — Subsequent History. The island of Jamaica is one of the cluster of islands called the West Indies, which extends from Florida, in North America, to the mouth of the great river Oronooko, in South America. They are divided into windward and leeward, or the greater and lesser Antilles. Jamaica (or Xaymacd) is one of the latter group, and signifies, in the language of the aboriginal inhabitants, " a land abounding in springs." It is situated between the parallels of 17° 39' and 78° 34' north latitude, and between 76° 3' and 78° 34' west longitude ; 4000 miles south-west of England ; 90 miles west of St. Domingo ; and 435 miles north of Carthagena, on the South American continent. It is nearly of an oval form, and is 180 miles long, and 60 in extreme breadth, containing about 4,080,000 acres of land, or 6400 square miles.

Jamaica was discovered by Columbus on the 3rd of May, 1494, on his second voyage to the New World. He had previously visited Hispaniola and Cuba. When first discovered by the Spaniards, the island is said to have been densely populated by Indians, a race of men (unlike the Charibs — cannibals who in- LANDING OF COLUMBUS. 9 habited some of the windward islands) benevolent and mild in their dispositions ; of great simplicity of man ners ; and by no means unskilled in some of the arts of civilized life. They were assimilated, indeed, in these respects, as well as in appearance and language, to the aborigines of the contiguous continent. Sailing a south-west course from the east end of Cuba, Co lumbus approached the north side of the island, and being defeated in endeavouring to effect a landing at Santa Maria* (now Port Maria), by the hostile demon strations of the natives, he proceeded to another harbour, a little to the northward, which he called Ora Cabessa, and there, after encountering similar opposi tion, which he subdued by discharging several of his arbaletes, or pieces of cannon, among the assailants, he planted the royal standard of Spain.

The appearance of the strangers ; the report of their artillery ; and above all, the slaughter they had witnessed, struck the Indians with astonishment and awe. A negociation was therefore effected, and the invaders were plentifully supplied with the various productions of the island, by an interchange of presents. Here the Spaniards remained for about ten days, and, disappointed in their expectation of finding precious metals, they sailed again to Cuba. With the exception of a simple survey of the coast, which he commenced at Rio Bueno on the 22nd June, 1494, and which occupied him until the 20th of the ensuing August, nothing further was heard of Colum bus by the natives of Jamaica during a period of nine * So called after the name of his first ship. B HIS RETURN. years. Fortunate had it been for these peaceful and comparatively happy islanders, as well as for the Spaniards themselves, had this been the termination of their mutual intercourse ; but other changes and calamities awaited them.