was soon raised. After the missionaries had laboured for some time in this island, with con siderable success, a door was also opened to them in Spanish Town, another of the Virgin Islands belonging to England; and little societies were formed in several of the smaller islands.

In 1793, Dr. Coke paid another visit to Tortola. He was much pleased with the success which had attended the labours of the missionaries. In that and the neighbouring islands, no fewer than 1400 had been joined in the society. Most of these were evidently awakened out of the sleep of sin, and not a few were savingly united to Christ. And the congregations were large and attentive.

A warm persecution had been raised; but by the activity and prudence of Mr. Owens, the missionary then labouring there, its violence was soon abated, and finally extinguished.

The Doctor at this time held a conference in Antigua. From the returns made at this meeting, it appeared that it was chiefly among the negroes that the great ingathering has been in Tortola.Of 1406, 6 only were whites, and the rest partly coloured people and partly blacks.

Not long after this, Mr. Owens wrote from Tortola to Dr. Coke as follows:- In this island the work of the Lord prospers. Backsliders are restored, sinners awakened, and God's children established; and what is equally matter of thanks giving, some are safely and triumphantly removed to Abraham's bosom. The society increases in number and grace. We have peace in all our borders.

In the island called Spanish Town, also, the mission prospered. Almost all the negroes joined the society; and the whites were civil, friendly, and attentive to the preaching. When we recol lect the state of the inhabitants of these islands

about five years before, and the proofs of illumin, ation and regeneration which now appeared, we may exultingly exclaim, What hath God wrought! In 1794 there were about 2000 in the society in Tortola, and between two and three hundred in Spanish Town.

In 1795 the number in society in Tortola was, 12 whites, and 2260 mulattoes and blacks: and in Spanish Town, 2 whites, and 260 mulattoes and blacks.

From Fortola and Spanish Town, the savour of piety, and the possession of religious knowledge, spread into the adjacent islands; and considering the small number of the inhabitants, many embraced the gospel.

In the month of May, 1796, the members in society in the whole of the British Virgin Islands were as follows:-In Tortola, 2642; in St. Peter's Island, 49; in Jostvan Dykes, 76; in Spanish Town, 299; in Anagada, 82; amounting in the whole to more than 3000 souls.

In Spanish Town, there was no place of worship, till one was erected by and for the Methodists in 1796. And to this was added a dwelling-house,

As Mr. Isham, one of the missionaries, was sailing from Tortola to Spanish Town, in 1797, a French privateer pursued and captured the vessel in which he sailed. He contrived to escape on shore; but he lost all his books and clothes.

In these little islands religion has continued to be attended with considerable prosperity; but it does not appear that the numbers have ever risen higher than those mentioned; and at present they are not quite so many.

On the last day in December, 1805, Mr. Brownell was furiously attacked and cruelly abused while walking through one of the public streets

in Tortola. In the Methodist magazines for July that same year, a letter had been inserted, said to be from Mr. Brownell, in which it was said, "fornication, adultery, and neglect of all religion, are reigning sins in this region." It was alleged, that this letter was a libel on the public, and it was resolved that the writer should be hunted out of the community. A gentleman, so called, called Mr. Brownell rascal and scoundrel; struck him in the face, first with a stick, and then with his fist; and then pulled him by the nose, and kicked him. Another person struck him a violent blow on the breast; and a third made a severe cut in his head with the but-end of a loaded horse-whip. It was with some difficulty that he escaped immediate murder, in the open street, and in the face of day.

Mr. Brownell laid the affair before the grand jury of the Virgin Islands; but instead of finding a bill for him, they found one against him. He was arraigned at the bar; but after sundry malicious attempts to imprison and punish him, the king's council thought right to quash the indictment, to the great mortification of Mr. Brownell's enemies.

The missionary report for 1809 said, “ In Tortola, in Spanish Town, and in the adjacent islets, the work appears to flourish. The congregations are large, attentive, serious, and respectable; and the work seems to sink deeply into many hearts. Our number in society amounts to 2337, of whom 52 are whites.

I shall only add upon this head, that the return of members for 1814, for Tortola, &c. was, whites, 81; and blacks and mulattoes, 2493; making a total of 2574.

There are sundry other little islands in this region, where the Methodists have not yet estab

lished any mission. But in the Danish islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and the St. Jan, the Moravians have long laboured, and that with considerable success. In the year 1791, they baptized 222 adults: and the number of believing negroes at that time under the care of their missionaries, in all these three islands, was about 8000; since then they have increased, and their present number is supposed to be 10,000.

After repeated applications to the Danish government, the Methodists were given to understand, that their missionaries must expect no protection or toleration in the Danish West India Islands.

In speaking of the West India Islands, we must mention the BAHAMA ISLANDS. These are sometimes called LACAYA ISLANDS. They are situated to the south of Carolina, between 22 and 27 degrees of north latitude, and 73 and 81 of west longitude. They extend along the coast of Florida to the island of Cuba, and are said to be three hundred in number, but mostly mere rocks. Twelve of them, however, are pretty large and fruitful: and the Island of Providence, though not one of the largest, is esteemed the most valuable. The island of Bahama, which is the largest, and gives name to the rest, is about 60 miles long, and 9 broad. These islands are under the government of England. The cotton seed, which has been brought from Georgia hither, is found to be well adapted to the soil and climate. The quantity of cotton exported is very large.

Some time elapsed after missions had been introduced into the other British West India Islands, before a mission was attempted in the Bahamas. But when trial was made, many of the -inhabitants shewed a ready disposition to receive

the gospel. From about the year 1806, the work began to take a considerable spread. During the first year of its establishment it was confined to New Providence; and from this island it went to some of the neighbouring ones. It met with a favourable reception, and small societies of serious and affectionate people were soon formed in them.

In 1808, the number in society here was, 91 whites, and 148 blacks. These were zealous for God, and bade fair to endure unto the end.

The annual report of the state of the missions, for 1809, says, "In the Bahamas, as well as in the Virgin Islands, religion appears to be venerated by those who fill the most exalted stations.Though New Providence may be considered as the principal of our labours, the mission is by no means confined to this island. It extends to seve→ ral of the adjacent islets, on which solitary families reside, or detached plantations are established.

In Wreck Sound we have more than 100 members in society, of whom no less than ninety are whites. In all these places, so great is the spirit of hearing, that we have not one place of worship which is sufficiently large to contain the congregation. And what is of more importance, the people seem to hear for eternity. Since our last report, the members of our society are nearly doubled in number. We had then 148: we have now 255, of whom 111 are whites. Scattered, however, as these are, up and down in the islands, great exertions are required on the part of the missionaries who labour in the Bahamas."

"In

In 1811, the missionary report says, Torpum Bay, the society has increased in number; and the members evidently appear to be growing in grace. At Wreck Sound a new chapel has been erected, and this, in a great measure, by the

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