A HISTORY OF THE WEST INDIES, CONTAINING THE NATURAL, CIVIL, AND ECCLESIASTICAL History of each Island: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE MISSIONS INSTITUTED IN THOSE ISLANDS, FROM THE COMMENCEMENT BUT MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE MISSIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THAT ARCHIPELAGO BY THE SOCIETY Late in Connexion with the Rev. John Wesley. BY THOMAS COKE, LL.D. OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND TO BE HAD OF THE REV. MR. BLANCHARD, 1810. A. Paris, Printer, Took's Court, Chancery Lane. Phillips 7-20-29 20059 THE HISTORY OF JAMAICA (Concluded). CHAP. XVI. Progress of the Mission on the repeal of the colonial law.-Pleasing prospect in various quarters.-Restrictive orders in contemplation.-Ordinance passed.-Effects resulting from this measure.-Copy of the Ordinance.Copy of a law prohibiting slaves from attending public worship, or receiving any instructions from Missionaries. -Imprisonment of Mr. Gilgrass, one of the Missionaries.-Trial, sentence, and punishment of Mr. Gilgrass. -Spirit of persecution.-Preaching altogether prevented.Application to the throne for redress.-Persecuting law repealed.-Loyalty due both from principle and interest. THE repeal of that colonial law which imprisoned Mr. Campbell and Mr. Williams, and finally drove the former from the island, established the professors of religion in the possession of those privileges which they had previously enjoyed. These availed themselves of the returning favor, and, with gratitude to their God, and to their sovereign, began with renewed vigor to spread among the heathens the unsearchable riches of Christ. The spirit of hearing that had been suppressed, but not destroyed, during the time of persecution, revived with the occasion; and an increase of the congregations, a seriousness of attention, and a spread of the word, were the immediate consequences. The Missionaries were now invited to many places from which they had been before expelled; the people of Mon |