A narrative of the Wesleyan mission to Jamaica : with occasional remarks on the state of society in that colony.

Front matter

PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY

PURCHASED BY THE

A narrative of the Wesleyan mission to Jamaica

Chapter I

Introductory remarks — The Rev. Dr. Coke A-isits Jamaica and preaches in Kingston — Disgraceful interruption of one of the Services — Rev. Mr. Ilammett, the first Missionary sent out— The first Wesleyan Society is formed — A short accoimt of its Members — The first Chapel obtained and opened in Kingston — Opposition to Mr. Ilammett's Ministry — The Chapel presented at the (iuarter Sessions as a "nuisance" — Mrs. Wilkinson — Preaching in the town of Port Royal — Attempts to destroy the Kingston Chapel .... 1 — 21

Chapter II

Arrival of the Rev. Mr. Brazier — Dr. Coke again visits Jamaica along M'ith Mr. Wcrrill, another Missionary — Failure of Mr. Hammett's health, who leaves the Island with Dr. Coke — Mr. Bra/ier's health also fails, and he goes to America— Death of Mr. Werrill — Temporary return of Mr. Brazier— Arrival of the Rev. W. Fish — Of Mr. McVean — Mr. Fish removes to Montego Bay, and laboui's with success— Death of John H. Constant— Preaching in the parishes of St. George and St. Thomas in the East — Mr. Fish returns to Kingston— A contribution to assist Great Britain in defrapng the expenses of the War — Ai-rival of Missionaries — They extend their labours, but with little success — Chapel-house violently broken into at Midnight — Mission Premises seized by the Militia during ^Nlartial Law — Number of Members 22 — 42

Chapter III

Commencement of the Work in Morant Bay — Hon. Simon Taylor— Inquiry into the Laws of Jamaica respecting Religious Toleration — Intolerant Law of 1802 — Imprisonment of Mr. John Williams in Morant Bay — Imprisonment of Rev. Mr. Campbell— Case of Mr. Campbell brought before the Kingston Assizes— Mr. Fish applies for " License" at the Kingston Quarter Sessions — Mr. Campbell afterwards applies— They visit Morant Bay for a similar purpose, but their application is rejected — A warrant for Mr. Campbell's Arrest issued by the Magistrates — He is compelled to leave the Island — Law of 1802 disallowed by the King 66

Chapter IV

Arrival of the Rev. ;Mcssrs. Bradnack and Gilgrass— Departure of Mr. Fish— Building of a Chapel in Morant Bay— Preaching in tlu' Parish of St. Mary — Morant Bay Chapel opened — State of the Kingston Society — Copy of an Ordinance enacted by the Common

X CONTENTS.

Council of that City — Consolidated Slave law of 1807 — Imprisonment of Mr. Gilgrass — The Chapels are shut up — Arrival of Rev. Messrs. Wiggins and Johnston — Proceedings of the Kingston Corporation — His Majesty disallows the new Slave Law — Mr. Johnston preaches in Morant Bay, but soon afterwards leaves the Island — Act of 1810 — Imprisonment of Mr, Wiggins — State of the Society — Arrival and death of Mr. Davies — Anival of Rev. Messrs. Shipman and Burgar — Morant Bay Chapel re-opened — Mr. Shipman obtains " License" in Kingston 67 — 105

Chapter V

State of the work in Kingston and Morant Bay on the re -opening of the Chapels — A Society formed in the Parish of St. David's — Death of Mr. Bm-gar — Premises purchased in Spanish Towoi — Grateful Hill Circuit — Memorials to the Governor and Assembly — First District Meeting — Grateful Hill Chapel opened — Stephen Drew^ Esq. — Arrival of Missionaries — District Meeting of 1818 — Premises purchased for a second Chapel in Kingston — A Society formed in Manchioneal — Preaching in Bath — Unsuccessful application at the Quarter Sessions of Port Antonio — Mr. Shipman preaches in Falmouth— A Society formed in Montego Bay — Death of Mr. William Carver — District of 1819 — Death of Rev. O. Adams — District of 1820 — Death of Rev. Mr. Hartley — A Petition to the Magistrates and Vestry of St. Thomas in the East 102—130

Chapter VI

District Meeting of 1821 — Opening of the Bath Chapel — Success at Manchioneal — Sickness and death of Rev. J. E. Underhill — Death and character of the Rev. George Johnston — District of 1822 — Opening of a new Chapel in Manchioneal — Prosperity of the Kingston Societies — Preaclung at Stoney Hill and Port Royal — State of the Work in St. Anus and Montego Bay — District of 1823— Opening of a Chapel at Bellemont — Purchase of premises on Yallahs Bay — Opening of AVesley- Chapel in Kingston — District of 1824 — Arrival of Missionaries — Death of Mr. Allen — Prosperity of the Work on the Stoney Hill Circuit pp. 131 — 155

Chapter VII

Opposition in 1824 — District Meeting of 1825 — Simday Schools — Preaching in Falmouth — Missionary Societies foiined — District of 1826 — Formation of the Auxiliary Missionary Society for the Jamaica District — Death and Character of Miss llacster — Week-night services in Kingston — Arrival and departui'C of Missionaries — A Society formed in Port Antonio — Intolerant clauses in the Slave-law of 1826 156—180

Chapter VIII

Opposition in St. Ann's — Disgraceful outrage at St. Ann's Bay — Death of S. Drew Esq. — Outrage in St. Ann's brought before Parliament by Dr. Lushington — An official "Despatch" — Termination of pro-

CONTENTS. XI

ceedings relating to " the affaii-" at St. Ann's Bay — District of 1827 — Visit to the Maroons — State of the Mission in Spanish Town and Falmouth — lievival of lleligion in St. Ann's — Trial and imprisonment of the Hev. Mr. (jrimsdall — Last illness and death of the Kev. "W. llatelifFe — Death of Mr. Parkin — Mr. Grimsdall again apprehended and Mr. Robert Watkis — Messrs. Grimsdall and Watkis, together Avith Miss Catherine Jarvis, are tried at the Court of Quarter Sessions — Commencement of a thii-d Chapel in Kingston — Death and character of Mr. Grimsdall 181—207

Chapter IX

The Slave-law of 1826 is disallowed — The " Sectarian Committee" appointed by the House of Assembly — District of 1828 — Opposition in St. Ann — A bill of Indictment foimd agamst Mr. Whitehouse at the Quarter-sessions of that parish — Missionary Meeting in Kingston— Imprisonment of Rev. Messrs. Whitehouse and Orton — They are released by order of the Chief Justice — Magistrates deprived of their Commission by Sir. John Keane — iUhdavits tiled in the Crown Office, agamst the Rev. Messrs. Barry, Duncan and Orton, charging them with " Wilful and corrupt Perjury" — Trial of Mr. Orton — Indictment against Mr. A\Tiitehouse, removed to the Supreme Court and quashed — Death of the Rev. Messrs. Morgan and Harrison — New Chapels opened in Spanish Town and Kingston . . 208 — 236

Chapter X

Session of the Legislatm-e in 1828 — Report of the " Sectarian Committee"— Slave-law of 1826 passes the Assembly and Council, but is rejected by Su-. John Keane — District-meeting of 1829 — An action for Libel at the Kingston Assizes against the Rev. Mr. Barry — He is accquitcd — The disallowed Slave-law again passes the Lcgislatui'e and is sanctioned by the Earl of Belmore — A Missionary stationed in Port Royal — A new Chapel opened in the Town of Montego Bay — Correspondence between Mr. W^hitehouse and the Governor's Secretary — Slave-law disallowed by his Majesty William the fom-th —Death of the Rev. Messrs. Vowles, Penman, and Saxton— Death of Mr. Robertson, the Steward of the Morant Bay Cu-cuit — District-meeting of 1831 — Prosperity of the Mission — Number of Members, as reported in January, 1832 237 — 268

Chapter XI

Insurrection of the Slaves in December, 1831 — Extracts from Colonial Publications — Arrest of the Rev. William Box — State of the Society in Montego Bay — Rev. Messrs. Kerr and Wood visit Ocho Rios and are arrested — Ai-rest of Miss Jarvis — Colonial Church Union — Extraordinary fidelity of the Wesleyan Negroes during the InsuiTCCtion — Demolition of Chapels in Falmouth, St. Ann's and Oracabessa — State of Kingston — Intended attack on tlie new Clia])cl prevented — Proclamation of tlie Mayor — Sufferings of the Wesleyan Negroes on the north-side of the Island — Robert Laniont — Jolui Baillie — Execution of John Davidson — Sentence of deatli passed on James Malcolm — Sufferings of Ilemy Williams — Brutal assault on

XU CONTENTS.

Rev. Henry Bleby in Falmoutli — Meeting of the Legislature — Report of the " Rebellion Committee" — Resolutions of the AVesleyans against it — Rev. Messrs. Wood and Greenwood Adsit fSt. Ann's — Letter of the Gustos of that Parish — The Earl of Belmore leaves the Island — Chapel Destroyers prosecuted at the Supreme Court — The Grand Jury return the Bill " Ignoramus" — Rioters at Falmouth prosecuted but the Grand Jury also ignore the Bill — Trial of the Editor of the Watchman for Libel — Rev. Mr. Greenwood preaches in Port Maria, and is twice imprisoned — Writ of Habeas Corpus for his release refused — Arrest of the Rev. James Rowden and his subsequent Imprisonment at Morant Bay — Montego Bay Chapel shut up by order of the Quarter Sessions 269 — 334

CHAPTER, XIL

The Earl of Mulgrave appointed Governor of Jamaica — Friendly reply of his Excellency to the Address of the Missionaries — Meeting of the Legislature — His Excellency's dignified answer to the Address of the Assembly — Determined energy of the Governor — Royal Proclamation for dissolving the Colonial Church Union — Magistrates in St. Ami's dismissed from their office — John BaHlie and James Malcolm are liberated by order of the Governor — Rev. Mr. Barr arrested at Manchioneal — Incident at Morant Bay — Imprisonment of the Rev. Mr. Murray — Decision of the Supreme Coiu't on the Acts of Toleration — Daring outrage at the Coru't-house of St. Ann's — Colonial Church Union entirely broken up — A Bill for the Abolition of Slavery passes the Imperial Parliament — Extraordinary changes in Jamaica — Missionaries retiu'n to Falmouth and St. -Ann's and worship in peace — A Bill for the Emancipation of the Slaves passes the Colonial Legislature — Death of the Rev. Richard Watson — Proceedings of the Missionary Committee — The Earl of Mulgrave leaves the Island — He is succeeded by the Marquis of SHgo— First of August, 1834 335—362

CHAPTER XHI.

Extraordinary change in the state of public feeling. — Remarks on Colonial Society — Management of Estates — Agents in London — Governors of Jamaica — Correspondence of the Colonial Office — Favourable Changes accounted for — Altered aspect of the Mission — Rev. Valentine Ward sent out as the special Representative of the Conference and Missionary Committee — District Meeting of 1835 — Death of Mr. Ward and five other Missionaries — Unprecedented Prosperity of the Mission — Establishment of Day Schools — Temporary Agitation — Erection of a new Chapel m Kingston — Jubilee of the Mission — New !Marriage Act passes the Legislature — Enlightened Liberality of the House of Assembly and of his Excellency Sir Charles Metcalfe — Report on the state of the Mission — — Visit of the Rev. Robert Young — Great depression of Colonial Interests — ^The present *' transition state" of Jamaica Society — The present state of the Mission— Concluding remarks . . 363—399

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Wesleyan Mission to the Island of Jamaica furnishes a chapter of some interest to the great vohime of Ecclesiastical History. Few Missions undertaken in modern times by the Church of Christ have been more successful, and not one has been attended with a greater number of those collateral advantages which accompany the diffusion of genuine Christianity. The reader of the following pages will remark, that in almost every stage of its progress, until the passing of the act for the abolition of slavery, its history is characterized by a fierce and determined opposition. Infuriated mobs have sought its destruction ; intolerant laws have been enacted against it ; its agents, in not a few instances, have had to suffer bonds and imprisonment for the sake of Christ ; and many of their people have had to endure " a great fight of afflictions." But though the bush was burning it has not been consumed. The cause of truth has "^reath

VI ADVERTISEMENT.

triumphed, and thousands have felt the gospel to be " the power of God unto salvation."

Much of what appfears in this Narrative will be new to the generality of British readers, and indeed a considerable part of it has never been published before in any form whatsoever; but the writer has endeavoured to obtain the most accurate information on every event he records, and his opportunities for this have been of the most favourable description. It was his lot to be employed as a missionary in Jamaica between eleven and twelve years, and having arrived early in 1821, he became personally acquainted with several who had witnessed the progress of the work from its very com- . mencement, and with whom he often conversed on almost every point recorded in the earlier periods of the history. But the greater part of the volume is occupied with events which transpired during his own term of residence, or with such as were immediately connected with them. Of those not a few came under his own observation, while the knowledge of others was conveyed by his brethren with whom he was in constant intercourse. In addition to these sources of information, he has availed himself of the help afforded by the publications of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, as well as the early notices of the Mission in Dr. Coke's History of

ADVERTISEMENT. Vll

the West Indies : and it also affords him great pleasure to acknowledge his obligations to the Rev. Dr. Beecham and the Rev. Elijah Hoole, two of the General Secretaries, not merely for their countenance and approval of this undertaking, but also for their valuable suggestions which he has been most happy to adopt. He does not indeed assume that he has fallen into no mistakes, but be trusts he may affirm that they are neither very numerous nor very important. He now commends this Narrative, such as it is, to the kind attention of the reader, and above all to the special blessing of Almighty God.

8, Spital Square, London, November 16th, 1848.

Chapter I

Introductory remarks — The E-ev. Dr. Coke visits Jamaica and preaches in Kingston — Disgraceful interruption of one of the Services — E,ev» Mr. Hammett, the first Missionary sent out — The first Wesleyan Society is formed — A short account of its Members — The first Chapel obtained and opened in Kingston — Opposition to Mr. Hammett's Ministry — The Chapel presented at the Quarter Sessions as a "nuisance" — Mrs. Wilkinson — Preaching in the town of Port Royal— Attempts to destroy the Kingston Chapel.

The island of Jamaica, the most valuable of the British possessions in the West Indies, is situated between 17^ 44^ and 18° 34^ north latitude, and between 75° 55^ and 78° 48^ west longitude. Its general aspect is rough and mountainous ; but it abounds with fertile valleys, and almost every part is covered with vegetation. Its name in the language of the aborigines is s^id to signify the " Land of springs," a designation highly expressive and appropriate. Its valleys are watered and refreshed by numerous streams flowing in every direction, and the whole landscape presents the eye of the spectator with scenery of extraordinary variety, magnificence and beauty. Jamaica was discovered by Columbus in the year 1494> and for 160 years it continued in the possession of Spain. In 1655, the English, under Penn and Venables, having failed in their designs in St. Domingo, made an attempt on Jamaica. They landed at Passage Fort on

B

2 DESCRIPTION OF JAMAICA.

the Port Royal Harbour, and the Spaniards flying before them, they made an easy conquest of the whole island. Since that period it has continued an appendage to the crown of Great Britain.

The island is divided into three counties, namely, Middlesex, Surrey, and Cornwall, in each of which the Supreme or Assize Courts are held at regular terms. These are again subdivided into parishes, and it is in the parochial subdivisions in which the resemblance to counties in the mother country is seen chiefly to consist. With the exception of Kingston, they are as large as many of the counties at home, and are regulated in a manner nearly similar. Each has not only its vestry, but in general its separate establishment of magistrates, under a Custos Rotulorum, and its courts of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas ; and until very recently the Custos always presided in those Courts when he was present.*

The towns of Jamaica are not numerous, and, with the exception of Kingston, are neither large nor populous. The capital is St. Jago de la Vega, generally known by the name of Spanish Town. Its situation is in the parish of St. Catherine, and about 13 miles to the westward of Kingston. The oflicial residence of the governor is in Spanish Town, which is also the seat of the Colonial Legislature and the supreme Court of Judicature ; but

* The only exceptions to this arrangement are found where two or more parishes are conjoined so as to form a " Precinct." Of those there are however only two on the island ; the one consisting of the parishes of St. Catherine, St. Dorothy, St. John, and St. Thomas in the Vale ; and tlie other of the two parishes of St. Thomas in the East and St. David's.

ITS PRINCIPAL TOWNS. 3

besides the square formed by the public buiklings, it is a place of little elegance, and little business. By far the most important town on the island is Kingston, in the county of Surrey. It contains a population of upwards of 30,000 inhabitants ; and towards the harbour, the bustle of ordinary traffic and the activity of mercantile and commercial pursuits cannot fail to arrest the attention of every visitor. About the begining of the present century the freeholders were constituted a body corporate by the style of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of Kingston ; and all elected as members of the Common Council are invested with powers and prerogatives similar to those exercised by justices of the peace. It is the only town in the British West Indies enjoying municipal institutions ; but they have not hitherto proved so beneficial to the community as might have been reasonably anticipated. The next in importance is Montego Bay, which is situated on the north side of the island, at about 120 miles distance from Kingston. It is the chief town of the county of Cornwall. It is handsome and well built, containing about as many inhabitants as Spanish Town, but, being a considerable seaport, it far surpasses it in commerce and activity. Falmouth, which stands about twenty-one miles eastward from Montego Bay, and in the adjoining parish of TrelaAvney, is next to it in respectability. Besides those there are Port Royal, Savannah la Mar, Port Antonio, Lucia, Morant Bay, and a few others, of which no particular description is necessary.

The political constitution of the island bears a strong

b2

4 POLITICAL CONSTITUTION.

resemblance to that of the parent state. The three branches of the legislature consist of the Governor, the Council, and House of Assembly. The governor is of course appointed by the crown, and represents the sovereign. The council consists of twelve members, who are also appointed by the crown, and act both as a Privy Council, and in the time of the session of the legislature, as its second branch, answering to the House of Lords in Great Britain. The members of assembly are returned by the freeholders of the respective parishes, of whom each of the parishes of Kingston, Port Royal, and St. Catherine elect three, and each of the others only two. During the period embraced by this narrative, the parochial divisions, including the city of Kingston, amounted ■to twenty-one ; which, according to the above mentioned arrangement, returned forty-five representatives, who constituted the third branch of the legislature.* Formerly the number of persons possessing the elective franchise was very small, none but whites with a certain property qualification, having been allowed to exercise it ; but from the year 1830 the privilege has been greatly extended, all persons of colour having been then admitted to equal rights and privileges with the others. It may just be observed that all matters of internal legislation are within the jurisdiction of the Colonial Legislature,— that any bill passing the Council and Assembly, and receiving the consent of the Governor, becomes law from the time specified in the act itself; but any act

* A very few years since an additional parish was fomicd, giving two more members to the House of Assembly.

LEGAL INSTITUTIONS. O

passed in Jamaica, may afterwards be disallowed by the sovereign, in which case it becomes null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever.

The legal institutions of Jamaica have also been formed somewhat after the model of the mother country, though in some of their details exhibiting a very important difference. It has been observed that the seat of the Supreme Court is Spanish Town, but that assizes are held besides in the other counties of Surrey and Cornwall, at which all business is transacted competent to such courts in England. The chief justice was always a member of the legal profession ; but by a monstrous anomaly, the assistant judges were appointed without any reference to it, and were frequently taken from the most influential of the planters and merchants, who sometimes scarcely understood the technical language of the counsel pleading at their bar. A few of the senior assistant judges were salaried ; but the others, who were numerous, had to give their services gratuitously. The reader will see in the course of this narrative, several of the baneful eflects resulting from so pernicious a system; but within the last few years this also has been altered for the better. The chief justice is now assisted by two gentlemen taken from the bar ; those have adequate salaries, and the dignity and impartiality of the bench have been greatly elevated. The courts of Quarter Sessions very much resemble similar institutions at home ; parishes being understood as holding the place of counties. Formerly the custos presided assisted by local magistrates, but in this department also great improveb POPULATION.

ments have been effected. A standing chairman, with a competent salary and duly qualified for the office, presides, assisted by the stipendiary and local magistrates. The same parties also sit as judges in the parochial courts of Common Pleas, at which civil transactions of small amount are adjudicated ; but in most cases an appeal to the Supreme Court lies against their decisions.

It is not the object of the writer to enter at any length into the political and civil constitution of Jamaica. The foregoing observations are made with the view of enabling the reader more clearly to understand many of those events connected with the Wesleyan mission hereafter to be recorded ; and not to convey information on matters beyond the limits of this work. It will be seen that the mission and its agents were often connected with legislative and judicial proceedings, and the preceding remarks became necessary that such transactions might be seen in their proper light.

It need only further be observed that the population of Jamaica may be estimated at about 420,000 souls ; of whom it is reckoned that not more than 30,000 are whites, and the remainder coloured and black. Of the latter upwards of 300,000 were formerly in a state of slavery.

The eye of Christian sympathy has been seldom directed in modern times to any place which stood more in need of the gospel than the island of Jamaica. The early British settlers partook too much of the character of those roving barbarians from Spain and other European states, who about two centuries ago frequented

ARRIVAL OF DR. COKE. 4

the West India islands in search of wealth. The constant importation of negroes from Africa, introduced the debasing ignorance and wretchedness of heathenism. Slavery was accompanied with all those vices of which it is the fruitful parent. The sacred institution of marriage was almost unknown ; and in the few instances in which its forms were celebrated, its obligations were, on the part of the husband, totally disregarded. Thus very few traces of Christianity were to be seen. An unbridled licentiousness, unchecked by public censure, prevailed ; and the inhabitants were living without "hope and without God in the world."

It was on the 19th of January, 1789, that the late venerable Dr. Coke first arrived in Jamaica, and commenced that work which has been since carried on by the Wesleyan Missionary Society. It has proved a memorable day. The island had then been under British government for upwards of a century, yet scarcely any thing had been done for the souls of the people. The habits of the whites had indeed become much more settled. They were friendly and hospitable in their intercourse with each other, and had improved in many of the external civilities of modern refinement, but the hallowed restraints of religion were as much unknown as ever. They were strangers to the enjoyments of the domestic circle, and throughout the whole country the standard of morals was deplorably low. It is true, emigrants from Great Britain were constantly arriving, but they left their profession of Christianity behind, and were soon assimilated to the corrupt mass by whom they

STATE OF RELIGION."

were preceded. The ordinances of religion in many parts were rarely administered. There was a famine of the bread of life. There was indeed a church in almost every parish, but many of the benefices were generally vacant ; and excepting on the occasion of funerals, the churches in the country parishes were seldom open for divine service, even upon the Lord's Day. Numbers of the clergy were living openly in concubinage and were otherwise unblushingly immoral ; and it may be fairly questioned whether before 1789 that sabbath ever dawned upon Jamaica, which witnessed five hundred persons in all the places of worship put together, out of a population of between four and five hundred thousand souls.

Besides the clergy of the establishment, a few of the Moravian brethren had been a short time on the island. They acted merely as chaplains on certain estates, but their labours were utterly unsuccessful. Several negroes also of the Baptist denomination had arrived from America about the close of the revolutionary war, but they were little qualified for evangelizing Jamaica. Before 1789 the immense mass of heathenism was absolutely untouched, and the gross darkness which covered the minds of the people, was unmitigated and unbroken.

On the first visit of Dr. Coke he remained but for a very short period, but by preaching a few times in the city of Kingston he opened a door of usefulness which none of the adversaries have been able entirely to shut. He hired a large concert room for preaching, and a proceeding so extraordinary drew many to hear him ; but the enemies were not idle. On one occasion while

VIOLENT OPPOSITION. 9

preachin<i^ from " Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God," he was rudely interrupted by a number of white persons calling themselves gentlemen, who, hating the message of mercy to the perishing heathen, pressed through the congregation to drag him from his place. It appears that the mob were igreatly infuriated ; and no one who knows any thing of the state of Jamaica at that time will deny, that, humanly speaking, the life of that eminent man was in the greatest danger; but God interposed in behalf of his servant, and delivered him from wicked and unreasonable men. A gentleman, at whose house he lodged, stood by him as his friend ; but it was chiefly through the intrepidity of Mrs. Smith, a white lady, that the riot was quelled. Perceiving the designs of the mob, she stepped between them and the preacher, and mildly entreated them to desist from their purpose. She remonstrated with them on the impropriety of their conduct ; but it was of no avail, they only grew more and more outrageous, and she herself became exposed to no small peril. Finding that all gentle means were utterly ineffectual, she boldly assumed a threatening attitude, and drawing out a pair of scissors she exclaimed to the rioters, " You may now do as you please, but the first man who lays a violent hand upon him shall have these scissors thrust into his heart." They saw that this was no empty threat, and therefore they escaped as fast as possible, actually boasting of their great courage while they were running down stairs. The noise and tumult occasioned by this interruption were excessive. An old acquaintance of the Avriter once

10 FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY.

observed to him, "When I entered the room, it was just at the moment the rioters were quitting it : so much bustle and confusion I never saw. The doctor only was calm, and unmoved. He seemed to me to be like an angel." After the noise subsided, he took another text and quietly finished the service.

Notwithstanding the uproar which took place as has been related, he found a considerable number who heard him attentively, and a few who appeared desirous to " flee from the wrath to come." On his return to England he lost no time in obtaining a suitable missionary for Jamaica. The person he selected was the Rev. William Hammett, a man of superior talents, and who appeared to be every way well qualified for the important undertaking. He arrived on the island in the month of August that same year ; and was gladly welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Lungren, who for a time received him into their house. He immediately rented a house for preaching in a very populous, though obscure part of the town, and formed a small class of eight persons, who constituted the first Methodist Society in Jamaica. Their names were as follow, viz. — Daniel Coe, James Fead, Mary Ann Able Smith, Peter Lewis, Mary Lewis, Catherine Dawson, William Harris, and Venus Harris. To those were almost immediately added the names of the hospitable host and hostess of Mr. Hammett, Mr. and Mrs. Fishly, of Port Royal ; and Messrs. Cook and Bull of Kingston.