history of its acts in every nation, where
it has prevailed, but also in particular acts in reference to missions.
Thus in St. Vincents in the West Indies the Methodist Missionaries
attempted to begin a school among the native Caribs, and the legislature
of the islands gave an estate for the support of the institution; but
the Catholic priests of Martinico infused suspicions into the minds of
the poor people, that the missionaries were employed by the King of
England, and by this means raised their jealousy to such a pitch, that
it was found necessary to withdraw from among them.

Among the negroes, however, the Methodists were more successful, and in
a short time collected such numbers of them in their societies as amply
recompensed them for the failure of their labours among the Caribs. In
1793 the Legislative Assembly of St. Vincents, which had at first
patronized the Methodist Missionaries, passed a very rigorous act
against them, prohibiting them from preaching to the negroes under the
severest penalties. For the first transgression, it was enacted that the
offender should be punished by a fine of L10; for the second, by such
corporeal punishment as the court should think proper to inflict, and
likewise by banishment; and if the person should return from banishment,
by death!

The emissaries of the Pope have shown their real feelings in reference
to evangelical missions, in their attempts on the Sandwich Islands and
in their bitterness after their failure, as also in their more recent
and cruel conduct in Otaheite.

In the prosecution of the work, it must not be forgotten:

1st. That all that shall be done must be with the consent and under the
sanction of proprietors of estates and of slave-holders generally, where
the negroes are slaves.

2nd. That the friends of religion should labour to obtain unity of
views, sentiments, and purposes amongst all the ministers and churches
in our bounds; especially where this population is large.

3d. There must be exercised in the whole matter a sound discretion, and
a careful examination of every step.

4th. Also unblenching intrepidity, and Christian firmness.

5th. Untiring perseverance and unceasing effort.

6th. That long patience, which the husbandman hath when he waiteth for
the precious fruits of the earth.

7th. Undoubted love to God and to all men.

8th. Correct statistical information of the number of black members in
our churches, and hearers in our con