Record of facts concerning the persecutions at Madeira in 1843 and 1846 ...

Front matter

Class.

KECORD OF FACTS

CONCERNING THE

Section I

Madeira. Mental darkness for centuries. Dr. Kalley's visit. Learns Portuguese ^Schools opened. Results. Bible read. Proscribed ~ 4he priests. Dr. Kalley's letter to Scotland. Sch. ,*6 suspended. Bible-readers imprisoned. Dr. Kalley in prison by a law of the Inquisition of 1603. Dr. Kalley ? s address before London Protestant Association. Sentence of excommunication. Increase of Bible-readers, &c. &c. ... 11

Section II

Sentence of death on Mrs, Maria Joaquina Alves. Petition to the Quep^i Appeal to the court at Lisbon. Singular decision. Mrs. Alves in prison two or three years. JJow in Trinidad. Children in New- York. . . 38

Section III

Renewal of persecution. New governor. Jesuit at the head of the mob. Arsenio Nicos Da Silva insulted. Escapes. Misses Rutherfurd's house attacked. Converts beaten. British protestants flee to vessels. Ladies in the Bay. Portuguese houses mobbed and plundered. Converts flee to the mountains. . . 45

4 CONTENTS.

SECTION IV. Page*

Lawless state of the island. Threats against Dr. Kalley and others. Dr. Kalley's letter to the police magistrate. To the civil governor. To British consul. Treacherous guard. Attack on Dr. Kalley's house. Dr. Kalley escapes in the night, — carried in a hammock in lady's dress to British vessel. Mrs. Kalley follows him. Consul and mob on shore. Protest of British ambassador at Portugal. Queen appoints a commission. Government at Madeira changed. Mock-trial. Results. 56

Section V

Barbarous treatment of native converts. Bibles burnt and hid. Converts flee to the mountains. Houses and furniture destroyed. Portuguese flee to foreign vessels. Gratitude. Prayer for enemies. Narrow escapes. Boy twelve years old knocked down. Aged woman beaten and left for dead. A man murdered. Thousand converts flee to the West India Islands. State of those left at Madeira. Petition to Queen of Portugal for the expulsion of all protestants. The bishop's pastoral, &c. 82

Section IX

Rev. Arsenio Nicos Da Silva, — his father's family, — becomes merchant, — marriage, — only daughter's health Dr. Kalley invited as physician ; — hears Dr. Kalley's preach. Contrast with priests. — Receives a Bible from Dr. Kalley, — searches it, — Peter's epistle, — conversion. Associates with converts,— insulted by priests. Escapes the mob, — his life in danger, — separation from his family, — flight to Lisbon, &c &c. Trinidad, — ordained pastor of six hundred exiles, — his labors and letters to American Protestant Society. Arrival at New- York, — sickness, — death, — funeral, — his life and character. Letter of Rev. Mr Hewitson, &c. . . 137

Section X

Providence of God in providing a home for the exiles. Location. Plan of settlement. Expense of transportation. Appeal for aid. Colony of six hundred expatriated Portuguese. Moral influence. . . . 182

Section XI

Islands of the sea in the nineteenth century. Revival of

primitive mode of spreading the Gospel. Spirit of the

Roman church unchanged. Remonstrance of civilized

world against this outrage on the rights of conscience.

6 CONTENTS.

Page.

Faith of christians. The same in all ages. Priceless worth of civil and religious liberty. . . . 191

Appendix

Testimony of living witnesses. ; 207

Letter of Dr. Kalley from Malta to the Portuguese at

New- York .214

Correspondence of Dr. Kalley and Mr. Da Silva. . 221

Preface

The recent violent persecution in Madeira has burst upon the christian world like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky. Amid the light and refinement, and especially the humane feeling of the 19th century, neither the church nor the world were prepared for such a demonstration of the unchangeable and barbarous spirit of Rome as is presented in this persecution. The origin, severity and extent of it, in connection with the work of God in progress among the Portuguese in Madeira, are too important to be omitted in the history of this century. We chronicle the events for the benefit of the present and of succeeding ages. The high moral lessons they teach should be written with " a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond," on the hearts of all men.

Having been brought into familiar intercourse with our persecuted brethren, and become personally acquainted with their sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, there may be some propriety (not to say an obligation) on the part of the writer to collect and spread out before the church and the world, the facts of their history and the nature of their trials. The record of these may have a tendency to awaken more active sympathy for the sufferers, and at the same time to raise the standard of vital piety in the chris-

8 PREFACE.

tian church. They may also open the eyes of all to see that the system of Romanism is essentially a system of persecution. This is now questioned by many in our country. They appeal to the state of things in the United States, and to the kind feelings exhibited by Romanists here, and then confidently affirm that the Roman Catholic church would not persecute in this day.

But we object to the trial of popery on our soil at present for various reasons. 1. Because she dare not now act out her system — she dare not now outrage our laws and our opinions. 2. Because Romanists are, as yet, the minority of the population in the United States. 3. Because the restraining and conservative influence of protestantism is felt on the system of popery among us. Finally, because the hierarchy of the Roman church could never consummate their plans in our country, should they come forth in their true colors.

For these, and other considerations, we say that this country is not at present the best place for the trial of popery. But we must visit other countries where we may see the operation of her system, removed from the effective influence of protestantism. Such a view is presented to us by the facts in this volume. As these facts are unquestionable, they furnish an infallible test of the character of popery at the present time. May the lessons they teach not be lost upon our country and the world. May they hasten the return of the church of Christ to the primitive standard of piety.

In this narrative we have quoted from Dr. Kalley, who

PREFACE. 9

has been the principal agent that the great Head of the church has been pleased to employ in promoting the glorious and powerful work of the Spirit and the truth in Madeira. We have also quoted largely from Captain J. Roddam Tate, of the Royal British Navy. Captain Tate personally witnessed the sufferings, the patience, the unshaken and triumphant faith of the converts who endured bonds and imprisonment and death for their adherence to the word of God. The statements of Captain Tate are received as worthy of all confidence by the European, especially the religious press, and they are entitled to the. highest credence, whether we regard him as a gentleman or a christian.

This unprovoked persecution, in this age, for the simple reading and belief of the primitive doctrines of Christianity, we think should command the attention of the civilized world. Protestant governments and protestant churches should remonstrate against it. They should lift their earnest and united voice for Liberty of conscience —Freedom to worship God — Freedom to circulate and to read the Bible in every Country. Such a remonstrance against persecution, and such a demand for Religious Freedom, would have a 'powerful influence in this day on every despotic government. Let this be done without delay.

Should this volume contribute in any measure to the various results to which reference has been made, the design of its publication will be answered.

PERSECUTIONS AT MADEIRA.

Section I

Madeira — Mental darkness for centuries — Dr. Kallcy's visit — Learns Portuguese — Schools opened — Results — Bible read — Proscribed by the Priests — Dr. Kalley's letter to Scotland — Schools suspended — Bible-readers imprisoned — Dr. Kalley in prison by a Law of the Inquisition of, 1603 — Dr. Kalletfs Address before London Protestant Association — Sentence of Excommunication — Increase of Bible-readers, Sfc. <J-c.

The Island of Madeira, that now excites so much interest in the Christian world, is in the Atlantic Ocean, nearly opposite Morocco, on the coast of Africa. It lies about 30 degrees north of the Equator. Part of the Island is highly mountainous. Pico- Ruivo, the highest mountain peak, is upwards of 5000 feet. The slopes of this mountain are covered with a rich soil, on which are found beautiful vineyards and a luxuriance of vegetation.

The thermometer usually ranges higher there than in the same latitude in this country. During the brief prevalence of the hot winds it ranges from 90° to 95°. In the coldest season it is at 60°, and sometimes, but rarely falls, to 50°,

The Island was called Madeira, which means timber, on account of the abundance of wood that grows upon it. Fire has been the most effective agent in removing the wood. At one time the woods were constantly burning for a period of seven years.

Ever since its discovery by the Portuguese, in 1419, it has been a part of the dominions of Portugal, and subject to the laws of the mother country^, The Roman Catholic, being the religion of the State, the Portuguese are forbidden to become Protestants, as is the case in all countries where the Roman church controls the civil power. From one century to another, the people have lived and died in the mc >t profound ignorance of the vital truths of Christianity. ~No one has stood up amid this dense mental or spiritual darkness and proclaimed to them the way of salvation. Such a mission has, within a few years, been committed by the great Head of the church to Dr. Kalley, a minister of the Free church of Scotland, and also a physician. In 1838 he arrived at Madeira, with the design of residing on the Island. Entirely ignorant of the Portuguese language, he resolved to obtain the knowledge of it, that he might, if God should prosper him, declare in their own tongue the wonderful works of God, Acts, 2 : 11.

In a few hours after he landed he began his task. The manner in which he commenced proved him to be a practical man. He sallied forth from his dark room, entered a store, and inquired for a candle. No one understood him. When he pointed out the article, and heard the Portuguese name, he ever after knew what to say when he wanted a candle. This is an illustration of the course he adopted to gain a speedy knowledge of the names of all things essential to life and comfort.

He opened a school to teach the English language, with the design of acquiring the Portuguese. He early began to establish schools for the diffusion of education throughout the Island. From his own purse he paid the salaries of the teachers, and also furnished all the books for the schools. The desire to learn was very strong. These schools became very popular, and commenced a course of unparalleled prosperity. Within a short period no less than eight hundred adults were taught in these schools, besides the children. The people were delighted and amazed at the benevolence of Dr. Kalley, who sustained the expense of all without any compensation.

They gave the most pleasing evidence that they were anxious for instruction, and grateful to the kind stranger who was devoting his time and his money to their best interests. Even the municipal authori ties of the city of Funchal, the principal city on the Island, were constrained to pass a vote of thanks to Dr. Kalley for what they called " his disinterested acts of benevolence and philanthropy, such as the establishment of schools in different parts of the Isl- 2 and, at his own expense, furnishing the people with medical attendance and medicines gratuitously, &c.

Dr. K. found the Portuguese in the most deplorable and almost incredible ignorance of the word of God. None of them had in their possession a copy of the Scriptures. A long time since a translation had been made of the Bible into the Portuguese by Antonio Pereira, a Romish priest. This had been sanctioned by the Queen and the Patriarch of Portugal. Eighty volumes of these are said to have been sent to Madeira free of duty for the use of the priests and a few government schools that were formed on the Island.

The people were not only destitute of the Bible, but it was a rare case to find any one who knew there was a book that contained a history of Jesus Christ. Portuguese now in New- York, who have fled from the persecutions in Madeira, declare that they never heard of such a book until they heard of it from Dr. Kalley.

Early in his efforts Dr. K. began, as he thought it would be wise to circulate the Portuguese Bible, for he had taken a supply from Scotland. It was the first book in which he taught the people to read in English. The people read with the deepest interest a book so rare, so entirely new to them. Copies soon spread to the most distant parts of the Island. Of the progress of the pupils in the schools, an English clergyman, who was some time at Madeira, says : " I have been present at the examination of some of the scholars, and it was indeed most gratifying to witness the delight with which they exercise their newly acquired power, and the intense interest with which they listened to the instructions of Dr. Kalley. It is, I believe, no exaggeration to say, that hundreds of the people, who before were almost as ignorant as the beasts they drove r are now* intelligent readers of the Bible."

Capt. Tate, of the British Navy, to whom we have already referred as a Scottish gentleman and a Christian,* who has been an eye-witness of the things that have occurred at Madeira, thus narrates the influence of the circulation of the Scriptures among the people.

" A desire to investigate the life-giving truths of the Gospel spread widely among the people. They began to hunger and thirst after knowledge. Their souls were touched by the Spirit of Christ. The seed took root and grew — was watered from on high, and soon became fruitful. To one sinner after another the Word came home with demonstration and with power. In the course of reading the Scriptures they met with many things inconsistent with the religious tenets which they had received from their fathers. Some applied to their priests for a solution of their difficulties, and, becoming gradually accustomed to the exercise of their mental powers, were often dissatisfied with the answers given to their inquiries. The piiests were annoyed when they found themselves surpassed, as they frequently were, in the

See Preface.

knowledge of the word of God, by their own parishioners, and ere long began to oppose, both the schools and the Scriptures. One intelligent peasant, having seen that popery was inconsistent with revelation, became a protestant, and was soon after excommunicated.' *

The priests became alarmed at the growing intelligence of the people. They saw that this practice of Bible-reading, if continued, would produce a vast change in the feelings and views of the Portuguese. Resolving to check this, the bishops and priests declared that " the Bible was a booh from hell," and the sentence of excommunication was thundered against all who read it.

The leaven of persecution was spreading unseen, but extensively, for a long time. The first public outbreak occurred in 1843. By this time copies of the Word of God were found in the remotest part of the Island — numbers of Bible-readers had embraced its doctrines by faith, and were prepared to defend them in opposition to the dogmas of the Roman church. They were also ready (as subsequent facts will prove) to suffer and to die for the faith of the Gospel.

Dr. Kalley saw that the storm of persecution was rising. He had been warned by friends in Scotland to flee from it. But he was prepared to say with Nehemiah, " Should such a man as I flee V y He wrote a letter to Scotland that was published in the Glasgow Scottish Guardian, June 6, 1843. The extracts that follow give a lucid view of the state of

things at Madeira at that time :

" At present I am threatened with imprisonment, and if the enemy be allowed to fulfil what is in his heart and on his tongue, I am likely to be in jail when you receive this. God may, however, interpose at any hour ; and if it be for His glory and the eternal welfare of the people that I should not go, he will open a way. If, on the contrary, it be for his glory and the advancement of the cause of Christ that I should be in bonds for his name, I should only have cause to rejoice in this.

" You reminded me of the order given, when persecuted in one city to flee into another ; but you will also remember that it is said of the hireling that he fleeth, because he is an hireling, and the wolf comes, and catches the sheep. Were I to flee, I believe the poor sheep of Christ's fold would feel deeply discouraged, and the wolf would catch them. The Lord can deliver out of the paw of the lion, and of the bear. He would deliver them though I were away, but it is necessary for us always to examine well, and seek to know the will of God, for it is not for us to run whenever the lion growls. Let those who have no hope, or confidence in the Eternal, fear men that shall die, but let not us fear earth or hell. The woman drunk with the blood of saints may stretch out her blood-stained arm, but God will cut it off and destroy her. In a moment shall she be brought low. Be on your guard against her accursed witcheries, for it is true that though in some aspects she exhibits the malignity of hell, and the most horribly appalling corruption, there are others in which 2* she appears enticing, and she intoxicates myriads with the wine of her fornication. Her smiles are poisonous — her fancied colors cover rottenness — and he who is admitted to see her actions on a scene where mask is laid aside, may well take up the cry, How long, oh Lord, wilt thou not avenge the blood of thy saints ] When shall the breath of the Lord destroy this great system of deceit, abomination, cruelty, and superstition? Let us blow the trumpet, and the walls will come down, for the trumpet sound of the Gospel is the very breath of the Lord, which shall destroy her.

" At present there are two women and one man in prison for the sake of Jesus, and the probability is, that they will be kept in it for eight or ten months before their trial be brought on. There are two other men against whom a writ has been issued, but they are in hidings. The crime with which they are charged is apostacy : for joining the Church of Scotland here, is heresy and blasphemy. I was included in the same charge, but the judge found no law on which to issue a writ against me at that time. A new process has been entered on ; many witnesses have been called ; one was threatened with imprisonment if her evidence should not be to please the priests who were taking it ! Much of a similar nature has been unhesitatingly and unblushingly resorted to. The judge is brother-in-law to the governor, and both bitterly opposed to me. Two men are excommunicated, and many more threatened. Amidst all this, however, I am enabled to have two discourses daily, at which from thirty to one hundred individuals are present, and exceedingly attentive, and there are more applications for admission to communion with the Scottish Presbyterian Church.*

" A cry has been raised against the Bible — some copies have been taken out of the people's houses by force — and generally the people are shocked by a denunciation of one of the seven Canons, that the Bibles should be burned. That Canon, on the very day he was so preaching, had (as I was assured by a priest) a child born to him ! So much for his vow of celibacy.

" In point of fact, the Inquisition is established in Funchal. There is a secret tribunal of priests, who make investigations in secret ; and without any citation or hearing of the person, he is consigned to the civil power to be put in jail, against even their own ecclesiastical laws of civil rights," &c. &c.

In the beginning of open hostilities to the work of instruction and of Bible-reading, a blow was aimed at the schools established and sustained purely by the benevolence of Dr. Kalley. Eight hundred adults, in a course of instruction in these schools, was indeed a formidable array against papal ignorance and superstition. If popery is the friend of education, as her advocates in this country boldly affirm, what an occasion was here presented to exhibit her friendship. Her undisguised sentiments on this subject, where there are no protestant influences to control her, are seen in the following public docu-

* The foreign residents have a small Scotch Presbyterian church, and are protected in their worship by a Treaty between England and Portugal.

merit issued for the entire suppression of these schools.

Copy of an order in relation to the Schools, sent to

the Registrars of each Parish.

" Sir—

u On the receipt of this, you will summon to your presence the teachers, male and female, of all the schools established and supported by Dr. Kalley, existing in your parish ; and in the presence of two witnesses, charge them henceforth not to teach any living being. If, after being duly notified, any of them should continue to teach — you can immediately send them to this administration in charge of two officers of police. You will cause this order to be faithfully executed, and report the result by Monday next, giving the names of all who have been notified, &c. God save you.

" J. C. Terreira Uzel,

" Administrator"

At the same time the Bible-readers, or converts, were reported by the priests to the government, and the work of arrest and imprisonment commenced. The sufferings of the excommunicated peasant, to which reference has been made, and the violence with which the converts were treated, are vividly described by Capt. Tate.

" Besides being excommunicated, the peasant referred to was thus indicted for apostacy. He lay concealed for about a year ; and then, being convinced by the pleading of the public prosecutor in an analogous case, that the Charter of Portugal does not now sanction the ancient cruelties of popery, lie left his hiding place, and taught an evening school in the Lombo das Fayas, in the parish of St. Antonio de Serra. One night, during the hours of instruction, a party of men, led by the Church beadle, came to the school with a fictitious warrant, for the apprehension of the teacher. But as it was not issued by a legal authority, and it was brought moreover at an illegal hour, the teacher most properly refused to obey it. His scholars took part with him. Many of their relations and friends collected ; and the bearers of the illegal warrant were obliged to withdraw without the teacher, but also, it must be added, without having been subjected to the slightest violence.

" The conduct of the scholars was represented as ' sedition and resistance of justice,' and the Public Prosecutor denounced them as Miguelites, led on by Dr. Kalley ! On that day week the judge and public prosecutor, with a notary, and about sixty soldiers, proceeded at night to the Lombo das Fayas. The houses of the scholars, chiefly Bible-readers, were broken open — thirty men and women were taken prisoners — most of them were bound — many of them were beaten, and some of them very severely — and their houses were given up to be sacked by the soldiers, who committed the most horrible atrocities. With scarcely any clothes on (for they had been roused from their beds by the soldiers) twenty-two of them were conveyed to Funchal, in a Portuguese Frigate, which to complete the melancholy farce, was sent to support the operations of the soldiers, (!!!) and there committed to prison. In prison they were denied liberty to read the Word of God ; and, though mass had not been performed in it for years, it was now found useful as a means of persecution, and they were driven to mass at the point of the bayonet. But in the midst of all, they rejoiced in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, and the neighborhood of the prison often resounded with their sacred songs of praise. Even the liberty to sing these songs of praise was after a time denied them, while the other prisoners were still allowed to make the streets around echo with their ribald mirth ; and the priests enraged at their steady peacefulness and joy, stirred up the enmity of the populace against them !

" For upwards of twenty long months did these twenty-two Serra prisoners lie pining in the jail of Funchal, supported by English generosity. At the end of this period they were brought to trial, and the facts of the case proved to be exactly as stated above. - Though the judge and public prosecutor showed no disposition to be lenient towards them, they were honorably acquitted of every charge. But notwithstanding their full and honorable acquittal, they were remanded to prison till they should fully pay the jail fees. On their acquittal being pronounced, their enemies were exasperated to the highest degree, and threatened that, on their release from prison, they should all be murdered ; and open violence soon broke forth. On the very evening of their liberation, when the host was being carried in procession past a poor protestant's house, his door was broken open and destroyed by persons who were accompanying the host ! On the same day another poor man, father of six or seven children, (and who had only five months before had his house wilfully burnt to the ground,) was quietly going home, when he was cruelly attacked and knocked down. His arm was broken by the first blow — four wounds in the head laid bare the bone — his nose was nearly knocked off, and the very women bit him, as he lay on the ground ; one of them all but tearing a piece from his cheek with her teeth ! The Serra prisoners had been all (with one exception) acquitted of every charge. It had been long known that that one could prove an alibi on the night of the alleged resistance of justice, and to prevent his escape a charge of heresy had been brought against him. Two days after they had all been acquitted on the general charge, he was tried on that of heresy, and, as if to appease the angry passions of the infatuated slaves of the priesthood, and to gratify the priests, he was actually condemned to five years' banishment to Angola, for having declared that, while he deeply respected the Sacrament, lie could not believe that the consecrated bread is the very body of God.

" The sentence of the prisoners from the Lombo das Fayas was given on the 4th June, about six weeks after my arrival in Madeira, and was evidently the cause of much excitement among the enemies of the Sacred Scriptures. The priests and their friends took advantage of such events to stir up the evil passions of the people. In 1843 the Impartial, one of the public newspapers, (edited at the time by the brother-in-law of the person who was then civil governor,) openly recommended the cudgel, as the best means of convincing the country people of the truth of their religion, because they were not accustomed to arguments, but could understand the power of a stick. The gallows and the stake were also at another time recommended in it, as the only remaining cure for heresy, and its columns were constantly filled with scurrilous and inflammatory remarks against the Bible and its readers. There was an associate too of the editor, who, having seemingly collected all the falsehood and abuse of the Imparcial for several preceding years, published it in 1845, in the form of a pamphlet, entitled, "An Historical Review of the Anti-Catholic Proselytism carried on by Dr. Kalley, in Madeira, since October, 1838." This was currently reported to have been printed at the recommendation of the bishop, and was published by subscription, just in time for him to carry copies of it to Lisbon in the beginning of 1846. On his leaving Madeira, he is said to have declared that he would get Dr. Kalley turned off the island, adding, that he would never return unless he succeeded in doing so. To this pamphlet Dr. Kalley wrote a most temperate, but unanswerable reply, proving from the words of his opponent's own book, that the charges he had adduced were unfounded. This reply was printed in Lisbon, and circulated there, and in Madeira in July, 1846. Its very gentleness rendered it more intolerable to the author of the attack, who, along with his friends, while they felt that some answer should be given to the doctor, did not attempt to do so by the press. It is hard to say what influence the friendship subsisting between him and the Administrator do Concelho may have had in the events related in the following pages. But when these events were first threatened, they were spoken of by some of his friends as the best answer that could be given"