length ventured to invite them, they
observed the utmost caution in their manner of proceeding: and in some
instances, the missionaries, after having preached a few times, were
discarded, without being informed of any reason for such a singular mode
of treatment. They were rarely however without employment. When
dismissed from one plantation they were solicited to visit others, and
after a short season were treated in the same manner as they had been
before.

In Jamaica, matters were still more unpleasant. A number of the white
people at Kingston, soon after the opening of a chapel became so riotous
that it was impossible in the evening to meet for the worship of God in
peace, both the preacher and hearers being often in danger not only of
mischief, but of losing their lives. Mobs and riots were raised against
the missionaries. Their chapel was presented as a nuisance. The chapel
was stoned--its gates were torn down. Similar outrages were committed at
Morart Bay about 30 miles from Kingston. Opposition rose even higher,
and the Assembly of Jamaica began the work of legislative persecution
and carried it on with great zeal, but not being supported by the Crown,
they were not able to accomplish all their purposes, though much
inconvenience and even suffering followed. This opposition has
continued, until within the last twelve or fifteen years, against the
labours of these people, notwithstanding the law was fairly on their
side. Yet were they not disheartened so as to abandon a field, where God
had been with them from the first. And now we can all see how a gracious
God has overruled all these things for good. The Anniversary of the
Wesleyan Missionary Society in 1834 was attended with an unusual degree
of thankfulness on account of the cessation of this opposition and the
readiness of the people to hear the word of God.

What has been the entire success of their labours up to this date is not
known. But in 1811, twenty-five years from the commencement of the first
missions in the Islands, there were 27 missionaries, and between 11,000
and 12,000 converts. That the number both of missionaries and converts
has been more than doubled since that time is at least very probable.

In reference to the good effects of these missions, one, who may be
regarded both as a competent and credible witness says: "Among the
members of the Methodist societies in the West Indies, there are not a
few, we hope, who are sincere converts to