The moravians in Jamaica...

Dedication

To the Promoters and Supporters of the Moravian Missions.

Honoured and much beloved Brethren and Friends in Jesus ; you have hitherto cheerfully and liberally answered the appeals made to you on behalf of the extensive Missions of the Brethren's Church. You have enabled a small body of Christians who desire to devote all their energies to the preaching of the gospel, to send out a considerable number of labourers into the vineyard of the Lord. To you therefore the Church of the United Brethren owes a debt of gratitude. Her congregations in heathen lands have to thank you, next to the Lord and their faithful teachers, for possessing the means of grace and the light of the gospel. To you, honoured and much beloved Brethren and Friends, the author desires to dedicate this History of the Moravians in Jamaica. With feelings of unfeigned gratitude and christian love, he prays that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon you at all times, and under all circumstances.

In the best of bonds he remains, your brother in Christ, J. H. BUCHNER.

Preface

The Church of the United Brethren, commonly called Moravians, is one of the smallest tribes of the Israel of God, and is but little known. Descended from those faithful witnesses who, in the countries of Moravia and Bohemiaj bore testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, and sealed it with their blood, at a time when ignorance and superstition had well nigh succeeded in extinguishing the light of the gospel, they, in common with the Waldenses, have the honour of being the most ancient of all the Protestant Churches r Animated with a holy zeal to make known the saving name of Jesus, their missionaries went forth and traversed many countries, within the short period often years after they had emigrated from their native land, to enjoy religious liberty. Of the numerous missions to the heathen, which at that time were undertaken by them, many have been successful, and continue to this day. The Moravians have numerous congregations of heathen converts in Greenland, Labrador, the Islands of the West Indies, Surinam, the Cape of Good Hope, and among the Indians in North America. It is by these missions they have at-

IV.

tracted the attention of other churches, and gained their esteem and love. The Brethren's congregations not being sufficiently wealthy to raise the necessary means for the support of these Missions, have been, and are to this day, liberally supported by christians of other denominations. In 1754, three Moravian missionaries arrived in the island of Jamaica to preach the gospel to the Negro slaves ; and the following Narrative contains the history of this Mission during the last hundred years. The author begs to state that what he has written, is published upon his own responsibility ; and that he has not been commissioned or authorized by the authorities of the church. The facts stated are, to the best of his knowledge, strictly according to truth : for the opinions and sentiments expressed, tlie author alone is accountable. Being engaged as a missionary of the Brethren's Church in this Island, during the last fifteen years, he has had ample opportunity of making himself acquainted with every department and station of this Mission ; and the centenary jubilee which takes place this year, incites him to record the principal events of the past, in the belief that the numerous friends and supporters of the United Brethren's Missions will take an interest in the work.

J. H. BUCHNER.

Fairfield, Mandevilhy P. 0.

Jamaica, 1854.

liS^TEODTJCTION.

GIOTJS AXD IIOEAL STATE OF THE ISLAXD EE:\IAEE:S OX THE

CAUSES STATISTICS DISEASES AZUiOXG THE XEGEOES IXCEEASE

OF POPITLATIOX PATEOXAG-E OF PEOPEIETOES OF ESTATES

SLATE RT.

It was on the 6t]i of February, 1839, that the vessel in which I had crossed the Atlantic, cast anchor in the harbour of Black Eiver, on the south coast of Jamaica. Ve had been sailing all day along the coast, and I had admired two mountain ranges, which, at an elevation of about 2000 feet, run almost parallel with each other, leaving a valley of from five to ten miles in width between them. The captain pointed out to me, almost on the top of one of these mountains, Fairfield, the place of my destination. As the evening closed in, a cold damp breeze sprang up, and the clouds hung over the mountains, deep down iuto the valley ; it was cold and chilly, and I found the warmth of an over- coat quite grateful. The next morning we landed.

Elack Eiver is a small seaport of perhaps two thousand inhabitants. The characteristics of this, as well as of all the towns and villages here, are disorder, filth, and an air of negligence and wretchedness. The houses are nearly all built of wood, many with broken windows, doors and gates, with only here and there a more decent habitation. Brother Davis

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from Kew Fulnec, soon arrived to welcome us, and after a diive of an hour and a half, we reached the first mission station, jN'ew Fulnec, situated on a hill about 300 feet high, afiording a pretty view of the valley, where an estate with its canefields and sugar works enlivens the landscape. The &rst sight of a mission station far surpassed my expectation ; the dwelling-house and the church built of stone, and the school-house forming a square, looked neat and pretty, and imparted a feeling of home and comfort. The following sabbath day, I twice addressed a large Negro audience, who formed the congregation. I was astonished at the number that came riding on horseback, and counted above forty horses ; I was also much pleased with the appearance of the congregation. They were all well dressed, and behaved as quietly and orderly as could be expected. The rows of black countenances were very striking ; they all appeared alike to me. I could not distinguish one from the other ; it was several weeks before I discovered that there is as much diversity of expression in the countenances of the blacks as in those of the whites.

Eor various reasons, I could not go at once to Pairfield, the place where I was to be stationed, and therefore travelled for some weeks, accompanied by my wife, through our several congregations, and had an opportunity at all these places, of addressing and telling them of the love of our brethren and sisters at home. The impression made upon my mind was most favourable, and surpassed all my expectations ; I felt cheered and enthusiastic. Here was a wide field open, with abundant room for the exercise of every talent ; here were the fruits of the labour of those who had been before me, in large congregations numbering thousands ; I found everything much more advanced than I had been led to believe ; well-ordered stations, organized churches, the machinery all selected and trained, and everywhere a life, a zeal, an interest quite new and startling to me. It was tlie first year of complete emancipation, when a new state of things was in course of formation, when the people looked up to the missionaries as their protectors and advisers in everything, and gladly and willingly submitted themselves to their direction. It is not to be wondered at, that the reports of missionaries of all the different denominations gave very glowing and enthusiastic descriptions of the hopeful state of their congregations at that time. Eifteen years have elapsed since then ; I have been labouring in five different congregations, and have had ample opportunities to make experiences of various kinds ; I may therefore now speak with more certainty, and be more likely to discern the truth, than at that time.

There is an error ^ not uncommon even among the wellinformed, which requires correction. Sometimes, when at home, I had an opportunity of seeing the riches of a tropical land displayed, and formed to myself a picture of its splendour, its balmy air, its continual spring, its glowing colours, its delightful shores, strewn in profusion with the treasures of the deep, its rich vegetation, its delicious fruits, its wonderful animal creation, from the tiny humming-bird to the large fiamingo, which made me long to see and enjoy its beauty. Often, when reading the reports of missionaries, have I thought with delight of telling an ignorant multitude the wonderful gospel story of a Saviour's love, and pictured to myself the astonishment, the joy and pleasure they would evince, the eagerness with which they would enquire : ^^ What must I. do to be saved !'^ and the triumphs of the gospel in converting sinners and building up believers on their most holy faith. These are the imaginations of the young ; they are shared even by young candidates for the mission service, whose imagination clothes missionary labours in a romantic dress, and whose desires to serve in the mission are thus strengthened, but not by the spirit of God. They come and see, and their vision departs as a dream of the night; then only it vrill be seen what spirit is in them, whether the root of the matter, the foundation, was good, upon which they built thfir stubble and hay, or whether ignorance and an excited imagination urged them to the missionary enterprise.

Instead of the balmy air, there is the scorching heat, fraught with disease and death, oppressing the spirit and drying up the fountains of mirth and cheerfulness. The very evenness of the seasons without change is fatiguing; tropical riches must be sought after carefully, and are not in profusion on every hand ; and the briUiant plumage of a single bird does not indemnify for the solitary stillness of nature, where the song of the many is never heard. As for man, and his eagerness to hear and do the will of God ; who ever heard or read thus of depraved human nature, wliich, as scripture tells us, ^' is enmity against God ?" Who would not much rather expect that they who have grown up in unchecked lust and passion, would be hardened in sin, and deaf to the voice of the charmer ? It is God's Holy Spirit, a power from above, that is required to make men love and obey the Saviour. Our testimony, weak and feeble, or ever so energetic, if unaided by the grace of God, leaves no furtlier impression than the wave upon the sea-shore sand. IVIuch rather might they to whom we are sent, expect to hear that all in Christian lands are followers of the Lord in word and deed; and, truly they do think it is so. Our people here would be much astonished to hear of unbelieving, unrenewed members of our congregations at home. "Well I remember, with what simplicity I heard some converted jSTegroes conversing on the subject : ^^ We grow up in sin, but they are taught to love the Lord from their youth up, and how delightful it must be to see them all children of God."

The mission in Jamaica is, in the present day, the most numerous of all our missions, numbering 13 stations and 45 schools, with a population amounting to 13,000 in connexion with the church. This is a large number, and contrasts strongly with our congregations at home. It is only during the last 30 years that so many have been gathered into the fold, though the mission was begun one hundred years ago. Tor a long time the labours of the Brethren were comparatively unfruitful, numbering only a few attendants on the ministry. In 1809, Er. Lang still writes : ^^0 Jamaica, Jamaica ! dead as a flint, yea hard as an adamant, unfeeling to all that comes of and from God ! Dost thou think the Omnipotent will change his laws for thy corrupted customs' sake !" This testimony was in truth. Up to the year 1800, when other missionaries joined the Brethren, and their united efforts gradually began to make an impression, with the exception of a very few poor Kegroes under instruction, the whole population, white and black, appear to have been sunk in ungodliness, knowing no other god than llammon, and the lusts of the flesh. Though there were a few churches, they were not often opened, even on the Sabbath day, and six or ten persons might perhaps be found in them, when well attended. The white inhabitants of the island, fifty years ago, were much more numerous than at present, but sunk in profligacy and drunkenness ; and as regards the N"egToes, they were like the beasts of the field ; indeed masters and slaves stood, in their moral and religious character, very much on a level. When we compare their present moral and religious state with what it was formerly, we see that there has been indeed a wonderful, an astonishing change ; we forget then all the deficiencies stin remaining, and speak confidently of the wonders wrought amongst them by means of the power and influence of the blessed gospel. It is good for us sometimes to remember past mercies, and compare the former times with the present, to understand and know what great things have been effected. The tree grows but slowly ; from one day, from one week to the other, no growth is perceptible, and we might suppose there had been no change ; but it is not so from year to year, the difference in size cannot then be mistaken. So likewise in our mission labours ; when we look back after a number of years, we are astonished at the progress which has been made, though at the time it might appear to superficial observers as if little was being done. "We believe all who know anything of the history of the mission in Jamaica will confess that it holds forth much encouragement to its friends and supporters to persevere, and not faint in prosecuting their labours. This will become still clearer as we proceed with our narrative.

Jamaica may certainly be called a beautiful, and even a splendid island. There is but little level land. The description which Columbus is said to have given of it, when, in answer to enquiries, he took a sheet of paper, and crushing it in his hand, laid it on the table, is not improper. Mountain ranges traverse the land in every direction, rising in those parts where our mission stations are situated to the height of 2000 feet above the level of the sea, while in the East of the island, they are from 6000 to 8000 feet high. Innumerable conical hills of less height stud the country. The land is fruitful, in some, parts very rich, the vegetation wonderfully quick; besides all the tropical fruits found in abundance, most, if not all, the European vegetables may be cultivated in the higher mountains with advantage. Jamaica means ^^ the land of springs,'' having more springs and rivers than any other of the "West-India Islands; The northern and eastern parts of the island abound in them, but in the western part, where our stations lie, there are but few springs and rivers :

there we have to depend upon the rain, which is collected in cisterns, for our supply of water ; this is much purer and of a better taste than even the spring water. In long droughts, which frequently occur, when the supply fails, great distress and suffering are occasioned thereby. The land is rich in limestone, which rises in immense rocks and sometimes in curious formations, showing the action of water upon it. Sea shells, some of them unknown in the present day, are found everywhere embedded in the rocks, and many feet deep in the soil, proving that this island must have risen out of the sea, or have been once overflowed with water. "Within the last years rich copper mines have been discovered. Caverns abound throughout the island ; these are certainly ordered by a wise Providence to absorb the heavy rains, and give vent for the gaseous vapoui^s, which frequently occasion earthquakes, to escape from the bowels of the earth. Jamaica is much less exposed to earthquakes than the "Windward Islands. On the 7th of June, 1792, nearly the whole of Port-E-oyal, at that time the depot of all the riches of the West, was entirely destroyed and sunk into the sea. Since that time no serious earthquake has taken place, though shocks of less or more violence are frequently felt.

The climate is varied. In the Lowlands the heat is at times almost intolerable, on account of the absence of the sea-breeze, and consequently, the inland parts of Jamaica are more unhealthy than the smaller islands. The thermometer frequently rises to 95, and varies generally from 75 to 90 degrees. At an elevation of some thousand feet, the climate is delightfully cool and healthy, and fevers rarely occur : here the thermometer averages at from 65 to 75 degrees, and in January it sometimes sinks as low as 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The seasons have, as the old inhabitants assert, not been as regular for the last twentyyears as formerly, and less rain has fallen.

The disease to wliich Europeans are so much subject, is a hilious remittent or yellow fever, which frequently proves fatal. During my residence in the island I have been four times attacked by this sickness, and every time was brought to the verge of the grave, and not expected to live. And even after the crisis had passed, it was always two or three months before I felt my strength restored. The disease begins with head-ache, pain, giddiness, retching, and fever ; delirium and an entire prostration of strength follow. After labouring for a week under this disease, and after a night spent in wild delirium, I found myself sitting in an arm-chair, conscious of my existence, but memory, all recollection, and all knowledge had faded away. Por hours I sat looking upon the objects around me like a new-born babe, wondering at every thing I saw, being unconscious of my own name, or office, or any thing, except that I was alive. Suddenly my recollection returned, and at the same time a feeling and consciousness that I was dying. I felt death, as it were overshadowing, creeping slowly over me. ^^ I am dying," I lisped, with that utter indifference which is characteristic of the disease, and resigned myself to my fate. By strong stimulants, and a continual rubbing of the whole body for an hour, I was recalled to life, fell into a deep sleep for several hours, and awoke saying ^^I shall yet live." Without passing through such a trial, it is not less afflicting to endure the daily enervating influence of a tropical sun in the Lowlands. "Without any exertion, without moving, the perspiration is profuse ; languor, lassitude, inability and disinclination for mental exertion comes over the whole system, and the individual feels his spirit, and strength, failing him ; he ceases to live, and only vegetates. Four of our stations in Jamaica are situated in the Lowlands, the other nine are in the mountains, in a salubrious, and for some months of the year.

invigorating air. Those brethren stationed in the Lowlands are therefore called to a mountain residence when their strength fails, while those from the mountains for a time supply their places. "We are in this respect particularly favoured here, and have a great advantage over our brethren in the Windward Islands. During the last ten years there has been less sickness, and death has not been so frequent among the missionaries in the "West Indies as in former years. Though no remedy has been discovered to prevent or cure tropical fevers, I think this may be chiefly attributed to a different mode of living. Formerly it was thought indispensably necessary, and generally advised, to use spiritous liquors, and not even a glass of pure water was permitted — it must be converted into grog. This absuixl and dangerous belief has providentially been exploded, and experience has proved, that intoxicating drink in the AYest Indies is not only unnecessary but absolutely injurious to health. In consequence, our missionaries are not only temperate, but most of them abstain entirely from all alcoholic di^ink. The use of cold-water bathing, which is very general, is not only invigorating, but promotes free perspiration ; and a change of diet, substituting fresh meat for salt meat, may likewise have much contributed to preserve health and life. There are very few Europeans able to endure the heat without being subject to fever, most of them have to pass through a season of sickness by which they are acclimatised. The animal heat of the body is in all northern nations of higher temperatare, and this climatisation consists simply in reducing the animal heat of the body. Some assert that a vegetable diet only, would effect this, and there is certainly much in the nature of the climate to support the opinion.

There is no mission-field where disease and death have been so active as in the West Indies. A reference to our resristries proves this, and the preservation of health and life is a subject well worthy, in every way, the serious attention of the supporters of the mission. Since the commencement of the mission in Jamaica in 1754, sixty-four brethren and sisters have been buried here, and how short has been the time of their service !

The following statement will show the length of service of the 64 Missionaries who have departed this life ia Jamaica.

2 were drowned by accident.

6 died within one year. 10 served only one year.

7 served for two years.

7 three years.

8 four years.

2 six years.

3 ........ seven vears.

3 served for eight years.

2 nine years.

2 ten years.

1 eleven years.

2 twelve years.

1 thirteen years.

1 fourteen years.

1 fifteen years.

1 nineteen vears.

Of the 64 brethren and sisters who died in the service of the Jamaica Mission, there was only one who lived to endure the severity of that service for nineteen years !

Since the commencement of the mission, 193 brethren and sisters have been engaged in the work — 64 died in the island, 98 have returned home, or were called to laboui^ in other islands, and 31 are now engaged in the service here.

Of all these 193 brethren and sisters, one brother served in the West Indies for a term of 30 years, two for 28, and three for 25 ; the time of all the others was much shorter.

Of the 31 missionaries at present employed in the service, two have been engaged for 22 years, two for 17, two for 16, four for 11, one for 10 years, and the remaining 20 for a still shorter period.

When we compare these statistics, we find the average time of service of a missionarv in Jamaica to have been formerly less than ^ye years, while at the present time it is nearly nine. This fully bears out our statement that the mortality among missionaries in the present day is far less than formerly. The coloured and black people of this island . are likewise subject to fever, but very few die of it. A medical author of some celebrity here states, that in a practice of twenty years, he has known only two black men to die of the yellow fever. Many amongst them attain to a very high age ; I myself have known several, who though they could not state the year of their birth, were unquestionably above 100 years of age. On the other hand, there are several most loathsome diseases peculiar to the Is'egro race, to which the white man is not subject, as the Taws, the Cosobay, and others ; but they are in general only fatal after many years suffering. The cause of death among them is most frequently old age, consumption, and dropsy. Dysentery, as an epidemic, frequently carries away many, and fearful were the ravages of the Cholera amongst them in 1850 and 1851. During the last year, numbers were likewise swept away by the small pox. But on the whole, the mortality among the natives is very moderate ; and our church registers of births and deaths show that the population is increasing rapidly, as the number of births is one-third more than the number of deaths. There is abundant room for a growing population ; Jamaica is as yet very thinly inhabited, counting but sixty persons upon every square mile, which gives ten acres to every individual. In the centre of the island there is still an unbroken forest of 30 miles in length by 20 in breadth, untrodden by the foot of man, except the hunter who seeks for wild hogs, which have roamed at large since the time when they were first introduced by the Spaniards, llonkeys or other wild animals are not found in these forests : even of the parrot-tribe, only the two smaller green parrots are to be found. Besides a vai'iety of pigeonS; some smaller birds, and some snakes, of Tvhieli none

are poisonous, the lai^gest measuring nine feet ; no other animals are there to enliven the solitude.

These few statements, which have more or less reference to the mission and the well-being of those engaged in it, may be useful to those who shall yet enter the mission service in the West Indies, and perhaps not without interest to those who support the laboui's of the Lord's servants in this part of the world.

The time of slavery in these islands has happily passed away, and we may now speak with more freedom of the parties concerned in it, than would have been expedient and prudent in former days. There were among the proprietors but few, who, in the midst of the wealth and splendour which surrounded them, wrung from the sweat and blood of their unfortunate slaves, remembered them and their wants and grievances ; few who would return to them a pittance of their earnings, by employing a missionary to speak to them of their souls' salvation. Those few deserve to be honoured ; they form an exception. However, I am not inclined to say much on this subject: it is only by comparing the few exceptions, with those who were still more selfish, that we can discover anything particularly laudable in their conduct. If when conscience told them all was not right, and they sent a missionary in the hope of saving the soul of the slave, while his body was given to destruction, and spent one per cent of the unrighteous mammon as a balm to their wounded conscience, there was nothing very praiseworthy in it. Or if they believed that their slaves, being taught the will and commandment of the Lord, would become more submissive and obedient, would learn to serve theii^ master faithfully as if they served the Lord, and thus be more profitable, what is there to deserve commendation in this : Nevertheless, we must make allowance for the ignorance that prevailed formerly and not judge them harsKLy by the light which vre have at present.

Slavery was no sin to them, at least they did not know and feel it as such ; and we believe the motive that induced many proprietors, especially one hundred years ago, to have their slaves instructed, was pure and deserving of praise. These good intentions were, however, in most cases, if not entirely frustrated, yet so much hindered, that scarcely the tenth part of the good they wished to effect could be realized. Their attorneys and overseers were the real masters, and threw obstacles in the way of the missionary, entirely out of his power to remove. In most instances, they put him to such annoyances, to such inconvenienee, scorn and ridicule, that it required on his part no small degree of humility, forbearance, and self-denial. Complaints on his side were not only fruitless, but brought him into disgrace on every hand. There was nothing left for him but quiet submission-— to bear the cross, and commit his cause to him who judgeth righteously. And as to his standing, his authority and influence among the slaves, let any one, but for a moment, consider with what feelings they must have looked upon him, and what conceptions they must have formed. Here was a missionary supported by the proprietor, as it were in his employ ; another officer added to the staff of agents on the plantation ; to him the overseer complained of the laziness and disobedience of the slaves ; he was expected to reprove them, to tell them to obey and work diligently. For instance, let us accompany the missionary to the sick-house ; the overseer would be with him, and, if possible, not allow him to speak to the sick out of his hearing ; there he would find many laid up with sores and various diseases ; all were accused by the overseer of feigning disease for the sake of escaping from labour, or wilfully irritating their sores, that they might continue idle ; and the missionary, instead of being permitted to speak a word of comfort and condolence, would be called upon to lecture them on tlie sin of deception and idleness.

This is no imaginary tale, but taken from life. We enquire, AYhat impression could a missionary make upon the minds of the slaves under such circumstances? Why, they looked upon him in no other light than that of a spiritual police officer, sent out to care for the interests of the proprietor. How difficult was it for him to convince these poor people, that he had come among them out of love to their souls — that he really loved them, wished to comfort them, and, if possible, to save their souls. This is the reason why our congregations on all those plantations where the missionary was under obligation, and in a great measui^e under the control of the proprietor, have been but small and insignificant in number, while the Xegroes flocked in crowds to attend the ministry of those missionaries who were themselves free agents. Among the Erethren, the choice lay, in most instances, between submitting quietly to these hindrances, and faithfully doing all the good in their power under such adverse circumstances, or being driven away without accomplishing any good. They therefore preferred the former, and hence their humility and self-denial deserve both our respect and admiration. The proprietors in England were entirely ignorant of the real state of things on their estates ; and though some of them, when informed, sent out orders to have the evil remedied ; these orders were, by their agents, easily frustrated and made of no avail. The proprietors themselves may have meant well ; and, as they continue to support the mission, even to this day, long after slavery has ceased to exist, they certainly have given evidence of their disinterestedness, and deserve our acknowledgments. May the Lord reward and bless them.