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“...as many others, we doubt not greatly regret and
loudly condemn the outrage. Even many of the active rioters them-
selves, led on by bad and designing men, must, if they have any right
feeling or conscience, blush, upon the better information which
they will receive, to have been guilty of persecuting a most innocent
and praise-worthy man; a man entitled, as the whole spirit of his
letters will shew, to their respect, and not their hostility.—
Letter from Mr. Shrewsbury to the Committee, dated St.
Vincent's, Oct. 29th, 1823.
“ You will have probably received, by the time this reaches you,
a former letter of mine sent from Barbadoes, in which 1 mentioned
the persecutions and afflictions which had befallen us in that island,
that the Chapel was demolished, and that I was obliged to flee for my
life. I now purpose to give you the fullest information on these
subjects, together with such additional facts, as have come to my
knowledge since I left the island.
“ It is well known that Methodism...”
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“...the 20th, about two miles down the
coast below Bridgetown, we went on board, and sailed for St. Vin-
cent’s. But my trials were not yet over. We were in a small vessel,
manned by the Captain and three black sailors, when, being about
half our passage over, my wife complained of the pains of labour,
which, with sea-sickness, rendered her case one of deep distress. I
could do nothing but cry to God, for no human help could possibly
be obtained. Blessed be the Lord, He heard our cry ; for, though
the sea-sickness continued, her pains were considerably lessened till
we landed in St. Vincent’s, when they returned, and a few hours after
our landing she was delivered of a fine boy. Through almost unpa-
ralleled mercy, both mother and child are well. In remembrance
of my sorrows, we design to name him Jeremiah. I do assure you,
Brethren, my heart felt most deeply the observation which a pious
old leader in St. Vincent’s made, when looking on Mrs. S. and the
child,—‘ Ah, Sir,’ said she, ‘ the people...”
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“...will be the end 1 know not; perhaps all the West Indian Governments
will look upon me with suspicion. Brother Moses Rayner has gone
to Barbadoesto obtain documents of my integrity. Political events
in England, 1 fear, will make against us West Indian Missionaries in
every station; never had men greater need of meekness, wisdom,
and love.”
On Mr. Shrewsbury's arrival at St. Vincent’s he addressed a Pastoral
Letter to the Society, from which he had been thus violently driven
away, some Extracts of which we subjoin, as exemplifying, as it
ought to do, a proper contrast between the spirit of the persecuted
and his persecutors.
St. Vincent's, Oct. 24, 1823.
“ To the Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, Barbadoes.
“ Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
“ It was a cause of grief to my soul, that I was obliged to leave
you without so much as bidding you farewell; and I doubt not of
your sorrow on this account also. But we must resign our all to
God, submit to every event of Providence with cheerfulness...”
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“...on which there are about 2500
slaves, the greatest part of whom seem very desirous of instruction, and I believe they are already making considerable progress on some of the estates.”
“ i am much obliged to the Committee for sending out Mr.. Goy at my suggestion. He appears to be a very good man, and well fitted for the office
he has undertaken. Mr. Shrewsbury, who was here on his arrival, is a superior man, and would do honour to any church or society of Christians.”
J. $ T. Clarke, Printers, St. John-Square, London....”
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