After the church and churchyard of St. John"s, the next public building which calls for attention is the court house. This, as before stated, was erected in 1747, William Lowry being the mason, and Duncan Grant the carpenter. Who these worthies were I know not; but a glance at the court house proves they were efficient workmen. In order to raise funds to defray the expenses of its erection, the legislature obtained a loan of 746l. 12s.
4d. currency, from the executors of Samuel and Thomas Watkins; and Jonas Langford (a proprietor of Antigua, and whose estates still go by his name) lent 1253l. 7s. 7d. currency, which debts were to be paid off by levying a tax of 2s. 6d. per head upon all slaves in the island for six years.
The place where it stands was originally the market; but that site being the one most approved of for the erection of a public building, the market was removed to a street nearly facing it, where it has since been held.
The court house is a very n.o.ble-looking pile for a West India colony, and indeed would not disgrace the boasted streets of London. The plan of the structure is very uniform and neat. It is built of a fine-grained freestone, the produce of some of the small islands already described, which was furnished by contract for the purpose by Mr. Robert Bannister, a former planter of Antigua.
The princ.i.p.al entrance (to the south) is approached by iron gates; and after crossing a small court-yard paved with large flag-stones, you enter a small corridor, supported by circular stone columns, with plain capitals. At each end of this corridor, a flight of stairs leads to the upper apartments in the east and west wings, the one appropriated to the use of his excellency the governor, when he retires for the purpose of preparing his speech; the other to the clerk of the a.s.sembly; below are the marshal"s office, and the office of the colonial secretary.
The ground-floor of the main building comprises one large room, extending the whole length and breadth of the edifice. The east end being fitted up for the sittings of all courts of justice, has its bench for the judges, covered with crimson, and a chair for the governor (when present), over which are the national arms, where the "lion" grins with approved ferocity, and the "unicorn" shews its golden hoofs. Around a huge circular table, which might have feasted "king Arthur" and his gallant "knights,"
even better than the stone one which is shewn as having answered for that purpose, are placed the sittings for the barristers, attorney-general, solicitor-general, and benches for the grand and petty juries. Exactly opposite the seat of the solicitor-general, a ready pen has scrawled upon the table a striking likeness of "his satanic majesty." I hope his aid was not necessary in that part of Astrea"s court, at the time his lineaments were portrayed! This part of the interior is enclosed within a semi-circular mahogany railing. At the lower or west end of the apartment are congregated all the _canaille_-the very riff-raff of the town-who flock to hear speeches they understand as much as a Greek syllogism; the respectable spectators are admitted within the enclosure. The barristers plead in gowns, but not in wigs, very much to their comfort I should apprehend, in this warm climate.
The upper floor of the court house is divided into two apartments by wooden part.i.tions, leaving a lobby between; but these can be removed at pleasure, making the whole one room, as on the ground-floor. The east apartment is appropriated to the governor and council, when sitting; at other times for the use of the grand jury, or petty juries in criminal causes. A long table covered with "green cloth" runs across the room, and around which are placed very handsome chairs, of unique patterns, (oak, with cane backs, and green morocco seats and elbows,) the one destined for the use of the governor being of larger dimensions, and having the arms of England painted upon it.
The west room is used for the meeting of the house of a.s.sembly, and is furnished in the same manner as the other apartment, only that under the royal arms (which are attached to the north side of the room) is a kind of rostrum, furnished with its proper seat, and intended for the accommodation of the speaker of the house of a.s.sembly.
On returning by the west flight of stairs, my eyes were directed to a padlock in the wall, which formerly secured the ladder made use of at executions; but happy am I to say, such scenes are now of very rare occurrence in this island.
I should have observed, that b.a.l.l.s and dinners are sometimes held at the court house; as well as Bible and missionary meetings; and also fancy sales for charitable purposes. The last fancy fair, or rather bazaar, held there by the Church-of-England a.s.sociation, was a very crowded affair. It took place on the day after Christmas-day, a day of all others devoted by the Antiguans to a display of dress. Not only all kinds of fancy and ornamental articles, fabricated by the fair hands of the Antiguan ladies were to be found there, but what pleased some part of the company much better, a well-filled lunch-table was spread, when pullets and guinea-birds, turkeys and ham, were joined to a whole army of tarts and puffs, fruits and confections. It was a motley group that frequented the court house that day: Iris would have found herself outvied in colours, and Fancy might have taken a new lesson. In one part of the room might be seen a member of the council, with his lady hanging upon his arm, and next to him a black labourer _with his lady_, in the same position; the latter couple making, in many instances, a far greater show than their aristocratic neighbours.[80] The military band was stationed in the lower apartment, and played during the day the most fashionable and favourite airs. The profits arising from this sale were appropriated to the purposes of a.s.sisting to defray the expenses of the new public cistern lately erected.
Opposite the north side of the court house is the a.r.s.enal, erected in 1757 or 1758. It is, as might be supposed, a strong building, and stands in a court yard, enclosed with iron railings. To the east of the a.r.s.enal is the old guard-house, erected in 1754, during the administration of Sir George Thomas.
It is a plain building, with two projecting wings; but it is now very much out of repair, not being used for any purpose.
Adjoining the guard-house is a long stone building, with its grated windows, formerly used as the gaol of the island, but within these last few years turned into the police office,-the goal being removed to the suburbs of St. John"s. This is a very great improvement; for this building, standing in one of the greatest thoroughfares of this populous town, and directly facing the market, the culprits who were immured for petty crimes, and kept in that part of the gaol, could look through their grated windows, hold converse with the pa.s.sers-by, and thus disseminate their evil counsels among the idle and profligate of both s.e.xes, who were always lounging about that spot. The dungeons where the felons used to be confined were gloomy dens indeed, and ran along the outer walls of the prison. One of these dungeons has been lately made into an engine-house, a door being broken through its ma.s.sy walls facing the street. Upon pa.s.sing this vault during its transformation, a sigh broke from my lips as memory carried me back to those fearful days when so many miserable creatures, who bore the name without the freedom of man, used to inhabit them, and often, it is said, from very trivial causes. Like Sterne, I fancied I could behold them in all their misery,-their bodies, perhaps, wasted with disease,-their eyes blood-shot and wild with despair,-their features sharpened by anguish of mind:-no one to soothe their grief,-no one to hear their complaint,-and without the _hope_, but not perhaps without the _fear_, of an hereafter, they left those cheerless vaults to be launched into eternity by the hangman"s hands! The picture was too dreadful; but sounds of laughter and gladness were abroad, our carriage rolled on amid crowds of blacks of every s.e.x and age; and although at times I suffer, as many others do, from their impudence of manners and behaviour, yet I felt in my heart a pleasure at their being _free_. The present building was erected in 1772, the former gaol having been burnt to the ground in the great fire of 1769.
The next edifice worthy of notice is government house. It is situated in a pleasant and open s.p.a.ce in the suburbs, and embraces a wide extent of prospect, while from its open windows as pure a breeze may be inhaled as attainable from any dwelling in the capital. Although possessing nothing very grand in its exterior, or internal arrangements, no marble pillars or lofty arches, yet it is a pleasant, genteel West Indian residence, possessing some good apartments, and having its stabling and other out-buildings upon a respectable scale. During the period his excellency is residing in the capital, the "Union Jack"
floats from the top of the flag-staff, opposite government house; and then all loyal subjects pay their respects to their young and beautiful queen"s representative.
The custom house, as has already been mentioned, was destroyed in the fire of 1841. It was a very respectable edifice, and well suited to the purpose. The building now used in its stead is hired at the annual rent of 100l. sterling. The treasurer"s and registrar"s offices are also private property, for which a moderate rent is given.[81]
From the custom house, I proceed to mention the barracks, very delightfully situated in a kind of open heath, to the east of the town. These consisted of two distinct buildings a few paces from each other; but the north wing of the lower one becoming dismantled and ruinous, it was resolved in 1831 to repair it, and appropriate it to the use of a gaol, instead of the building already described in the vicinity of the court house.
In this gaol, far greater attention is paid to the unfortunate inmates than was formerly the case. The prisoners are furnished with two wholesome and sufficient meals a day, but no clothing or bedding is allowed, unless by order of the medical man attending them. The females are separated from the men, and the debtors from the felons; although in former years they all used to herd together.
Since the year 1829, the Rev. Robert Holberton, the excellent rector of St. John"s, has voluntarily visited the prison every Sunday between the hours of seven and eight a.m., to read prayers, and deliver a religious discourse to the inmates; and in all cases where an unhappy being has so outraged the laws of humanity and justice as to forfeit his life to pay the penalty of his crimes, that divine has ever stepped in with his message of mercy, prayed with them, and sought to soften their stony hearts; to lead them to that only fountain capable of washing away their deadly sins, and finally accompanied them to the last sad scene of their mortal career.
One part of the gaol is converted into a house of correction, and the prisoners confined there are employed in breaking stones, or, under the surveillance of an officer, in working in the roads, or a.s.sisting in any other public works. A treadmill was sent for from England some time ago, but after costing the country a large sum, strange to say, no use is made of it. A shed is built over it, and there it remains quietly in the gaol-yard, and is likely to do so to the end of its existence. The reason for not using this machine, however, is said to be on account of the power required to work it, which necessarily calls for the exertions of a large gang; and although the house of correction is generally crowded with occupants, yet there has seldom been a sufficient number of culprits at one time condemned to that peculiar punishment, to set the treadmill going.
The north end of the building is appropriated to the use of the officers of her majesty"s troops, stationed for the time in the island; and notwithstanding its near proximity to a prison, must, I should think, be a very pleasant domicile. The privates are quartered at the other barracks, further to the east; and beneath the shade of a large tree growing near, their red-faced wives may be seen busily employed in washing their habiliments, while their sun-burnt children scramble about and chase the b.u.t.terflies, who, gorgeous in colours, sport about the margin of a neighbouring pond.
The next building to be mentioned is, the new Ebenezer Chapel, belonging to the Methodist society. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid by the Honourable Nicholas Nugent (then speaker of the house of a.s.sembly, but who now resides in England as the colonial agent) in 1837. A religious service was first held in the old chapel, and then, forming into a procession, consisting of ministers of the different sects in Antigua, some of the aristocrats of the island, the leading members of the Methodists, and the scholars of their Sunday-schools, they marched to the spot appointed for the erection of their new place of worship. A bottle containing the customary inscription was placed in the cavity the stone lowered to its proper situation, the three blows of the mallet struck, addresses delivered, and the ceremony was over.
It is a s.p.a.cious building, the front being constructed of free-stone, the gift of the Honourable and Rev. Nathaniel Gilbert. It is pierced with two tiers of windows; the upper ones arched and of larger size than the lower tier, which are very disproportioned to the extent of the edifice-a circ.u.mstance which tends to render it warmer than it otherwise would be. The ground-floor is appropriated to the use of the infant and Sunday schools, as also their "tea-parties," held for charitable purposes; above is the chapel, which is approached by an outward flight of stone steps. The interior is fitted up in the usual plain style; but boasts a smart display of blue and white paint.
The pulpit, painted to represent oak, is an irregular octagon, supported by four fluted columns, and covered with purple drapery, bordered with yellow fringe, instead of gold; below is the reading desk. The pulpit is so lofty, which renders it inconvenient for such of the congregation as occupy the body of the chapel to follow the movements of the officiating minister.
The galleries run round all sides, and are supported by plain cast-iron pillars, bearing each its neat-looking lamp. The last gallery is exclusively appropriated to the use of the children of the Females" Friend Society and the Sunday-school scholars; and here, also, is placed the seraphine belonging to the chapel, which serves to lead the vocal part of the service. Altogether, the chapel is an excellent building, superior to anything of the kind I have seen in the West Indies, and makes a good and commanding outward appearance, particularly when lighted up of an evening; but to my eye it looks more like reading rooms, or a philosophical inst.i.tution, than a place of worship.
Methodism was first established in Antigua in 1760, by the Honourable Nathaniel Gilbert, speaker of the house of a.s.sembly.
In 1758, Mr. Gilbert visited England, carrying with him some of his negro servants; and during his stay there, he formed an acquaintance with the Rev. John Wesley, the venerable founder of Methodism, who baptized two of the negroes. Upon Mr. Gilbert"s return to Antigua, he signified to those individuals who resided near him, that he should feel happy in meeting them at his house on certain evenings, when he would expound the word of G.o.d to them, and endeavour to enlighten their minds upon religious subjects. This invitation was eagerly accepted by many of the negroes and coloured people, and Mr. Gilbert was led to increase his views, and form a regular organized society, which in a short time amounted to two hundred members.
This proceeding of Mr. Gilbert produced the greatest astonishment among the inhabitants of Antigua. A man in his rank of life to herd with negro slaves, and their coloured offspring, who, although perhaps they might be free, bore about with them the marks of their despised race!-oh! wondrous! incomprehensible!-the man must be mad, thought they. But when he, unmindful of their censure, proceeded in his acts of love towards these poor outcasts from the pale of society, their wonder knew no bounds; their feelings took another turn, and what at first was surprise, gave way to reproach and contempt. Mr. Gilbert, however, was not to be moved by what mankind said of him; he knew the consequence before he commenced his labours; and reckless of scorn or reprehension, he steadily pursued the path he had chalked out, knowing full well in whom he trusted. Thus he proceeded, until death called him from this world, and summoned him to reap his reward in heaven; when, strong in faith, he left his infant society without a shepherd to watch over its welfare.
Mr. Gilbert derived his origin from a family of considerable distinction in the west of England, where one of its members-Sir Humphrey Gilbert-a.s.sociating himself with his kinsman, the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, became one of the most eminent circ.u.mnavigators of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Dying, he left a son, Raleigh Gilbert, Esq., who, among other individuals, obtained from King James I. a large grant, in what was then termed Plymouth-the foundation of the afterwards glorious colony of Virginia, in North America-and where, in 1606, he emigrated, along with the Lord Chief Justice Popham; George Popham, Esq.
(his son); William Parker, Esq.; and Thomas Stanham, Esq. Soon after this period, we find Raleigh Gilbert, under the t.i.tle of Captain Gilbert, in command of a vessel manned with 100 men, and provided with ordnance, stores, and provisions, sufficient for the establishment of a plantation, which he (in conjunction with Captain Popham, a joint patentee, and in command of another vessel, similarly provided) began on the banks of the river "Sagadock," in the year 1608, and where they erected a fort, called Sir George"s. Captain Popham, his zealous coadjutor, having died in this place, Captain Gilbert returned to England, where he took possession of an estate, fallen to him by the death of his elder brother, Sir John Gilbert, President of the Virginian Company. Another member of this family, we find, about the same time, leader of an abortive expedition to form a settlement upon the sh.o.r.es of the Bay of Chesapeake, in Virginia, and who, it appears, was well acquainted with those several islands which now form the Leeward Caribbee government. The following extract is taken from a work published in 1741 (second edition):-
"In the same year, Captain Gilbert, in the "Elizabeth," of London, made a voyage to Virginia, but not with the like success.
He traded with the savages in the Charibbe Islands-viz., St Lucia, Dominica, Nevis, St Christopher"s, &c., and thence proceeded to the Bay of Chesapeake, in Virginia, being the first that sailed up it, and landed there. The Indians set upon him and his company in the woods, and Captain Gilbert and four or five of his men were killed by their arrows, upon which his crew returned home."
We cannot undertake to say from which particular member of this distinguished family the Gilberts of Antigua sprang, but they were among its earliest settlers, and const.i.tuted some of the greatest ornaments of the colony, in which for so many years they have been proprietors. The present most n.o.ble Marquis of Northampton, President of the Royal Society, descends, in a female line, from this family. His mother, the late marchioness, (married, August 18, 1787, to Charles, late Earl and Marquis of Northampton, and died, March, 1843,) being the daughter of a Miss Gilbert, (daughter of Nathaniel Gilbert, of Gilberts, Antigua, Esq., grandfather of the present Honourable and Reverend N.
Gilbert,) by her husband, Joshua Smith, of East Stoke Park, co.
of Wilts, Esq.
But to return to Methodism. Unpromising as the state of this little society might seem, the good seed already sown was not destined to perish. The Great Shepherd cared for it; and when least expected, raised another pastor in the person of a Mr. John Baxter, a native of England. Mr. Baxter was a man who moved in humble life, and who worked in the capacity of shipwright, in Chatham Dockyard; but he was justly esteemed by all who knew him, a pattern to the society to which he belonged, and a highly-respected leader among Mr. Wesley"s sect. In 1777, a proposal was made him by some of the directors of the Chatham Dockyard, to sail for Antigua, and work as foreman of the calkers in the naval establishment of that island. To this Mr. Baxter a.s.sented; but not so his friends: they made use of every argument in their power to make him forego his purpose-representing, in the most glowing colours, the distance he would be from all he loved; the dangers of the ocean, over which he must pa.s.s; and the difference, perhaps insalubrity, of climate he would have to contend with. But all without avail; he felt an unconquerable desire to visit that portion of the globe, and accordingly, bidding his friends farewell, he left England, and arrived in Antigua on the 2nd of April, 1778.
As might be expected, he found the infant Methodist Society in a very languishing state. Upon hearing of his arrival, and of his being a member of the same sect as their beloved benefactor, the little band waited upon him, and after welcoming him to their sh.o.r.es, begged him to tell Mr. Wesley he had many children in Antigua whom he had never seen, but who were earnestly desirous of his aid. On the following Sabbath, Mr. Baxter met them in the services of religion, and from that day const.i.tuted himself their pastor; which office he performed until his death, a.s.sembling them together on Sundays, and performing the full service, as in England, and on the other week-days, after his labours in the dockyard were over, visiting the different estates, and teaching the poor slaves the road to salvation.
His exertions were greatly blessed; and by the following year, 1779, six hundred negroes were joined to the congregation. He now contemplated the erection of a chapel, and for that purpose inst.i.tuted collections among his people, and adopted every other consistent method to acquire funds to carry out his plans.
Mr. Baxter"s situation was productive of great discomfort to himself; his duties to be performed in the naval-yard were very laborious; and after a long day"s work, his evenings were spent in travelling from plantation to plantation, the harbinger of Gospel news. He had no one to a.s.sist him in his self-appointed task, but for some years laboured on alone. In 1782, he mentions in a letter to a friend, "There is no white person in the congregation but myself. At St. John"s, thirty coloured persons receive the Lord"s Supper."
a.s.sistance, however, was not so far off as he supposed. About this time an Irish family (who were all members of Mr. Wesley"s sect) were persuaded by an unprincipled captain of a trading vessel, to sell all their little property, and emigrate with him to America. Deceived by his plausible manners and fair speeches, they acquiesced in his proposals; and turning all their goods into money, the whole family, consisting of an elderly father and mother, a son, and some daughters, embarked on board his vessel, and sought with him their better fortune in a far-off land. But their false friend having inveigled them into his power, under various pretences, robbed them of their little all, and then deserted them, in a strange country. After suffering many and bitter privations, they found their way to Antigua, where they eventually became valuable a.s.sistants to Mr. Baxter.
In the meantime, Mr. Baxter"s great object, the erection of a Methodist chapel in St. John"s, was rapidly being accomplished; and on the 8th of November, 1783, that worthy man, with an overflowing heart, had the happiness of preaching his first sermon in it, to a full and serious audience. In the s.p.a.ce of the three following years, the society increased to 2000 persons.
In 1786, Dr. c.o.ke, the Wesleyan missionary and historian, left England, for the purpose of spreading gospel tidings in America.
Meeting, however, with violent gales, the ship in which he took pa.s.sage was unable to make her destined port; and after encountering a series of disasters, as a last and only resort, was obliged to put into Antigua, in distress. Dr. c.o.ke was delighted to find the Wesleyan society in that island in so satisfactory a state-a circ.u.mstance he was unprepared for; and in his letters to England, expresses in warm terms his pleasure upon the subject.
The first conference was held at Antigua, in the year 1787; but the annual conferences, or district meetings, were not established until 1793, when, on the returns being made, the society was found to consist of 6570 members; out of which there were 36 white, and 105 coloured persons. Although the Methodist society had progressed so far, and embraced so many members, yet its proceedings were reviled and insulted by the greater part of the white inhabitants. All kinds of petty insults were heaped upon its pastors; while their place of worship was made the scene of vulgar waggeries and ribald jests. One favourite amus.e.m.e.nt with many of the young men of that period was, to procure a live goat, and after hampering its legs, fling it into the midst of the a.s.sembly, while engaged at their devotion at the Methodist chapel. At other times, in order to vary the sport, the goat was secured against the chapel door; and as the minister p.r.o.nounced the amen, or the members raised their hymns of praise to G.o.d, the poor animal was beat and kicked until it joined in chorus with its deep and unharmonious cries, which were received with bursts of applauding laughter by its foolish captors.
Mr. Baxter, although a very _good_ man, was not, I have understood, possessed of very superior talents; and accordingly, many of his discourses produced much merriment among that cla.s.s of persons who frequented his chapel for the sake of pa.s.sing criticisms, as well as killing time. He had a favourite servant living with him, whose name was John Bott, and who attended to the lighting up of the chapel, as well as performing his home duties. Upon one occasion, John neglected to snuff the candles; an omission which caused his master so much uneasiness, that, after endeavouring in vain to read the portion of Scripture selected, he was fain to interrupt himself in the midst of a pa.s.sage-"And Nathan said unto David-John Bott, snuff the candles!" This intervention, as may be supposed, caused a tumult of laughter; nor (said an ear-witness) could his own people restrain their risible faculties. But to return. About 1793, Dr.
c.o.ke paid Antigua another visit, and preached upon many plantations; one of which was Sir George Thomas"s, at North Sound. The old chapel at Parham was erected in 1802; the returns of the society made that year were, 4000 persons.
The year 1805 was marked by the Methodists as that in which their friend and pastor, Mr. John Baxter, closed his mortal career, after a well-spent life-twenty-seven years of which he pa.s.sed in Antigua.[82] He died November the 13th, 1805, and was interred in the churchyard of St. John"s; but if any stone marked the place of burial, time has obliterated the inscription, or else shattered the tomb. The visitor may look in vain for such a memento. It appears strange to me, that the Wesleyans of Antigua have never erected monuments to the memories of Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Baxter. I am sure there are members enough to do this; and it would be but paying a proper tribute of respect to the memories of those excellent men, and founders of that sect in this island.
Perhaps, they may take the hint, and allow the walls of their handsome chapel to be graced with two neat marble tablets devoted to that purpose.
But to proceed. Since Mr. Baxter"s death, the Wesleyan society has been rapidly progressing, not only in Antigua, but in all the other West India Islands, although Antigua is still looked upon as the parent church; and in 1842, the society in that island consisted of about 2700 members. Beside the chapel in St. John"s, they have places of worship at Parham, English Harbour, Willoughby Bay, and elsewhere.
Thus, from a small beginning-from a few black slaves gathered together by night beneath the roof of a white man-this society has spread far and wide, like some huge wave, until now it boasts a vast increase of number, of every variety of shade, from the ruddy son of Britain, down to the jetty offspring of Afric"s soil. Great success has attended the preaching of this sect; and although an episcopalian myself, and consequently more attached to that form of worship, I cannot let the opportunity pa.s.s me without offering my mite of praise to the character of their undaunted and fervent ministers, tendering my hearty wishes for their further progress, and, at the same time, expressing my firm belief that they have, through G.o.d, been the means of preventing much crime, and saving many, very many, from the fearful retribution, the inevitable attendant on a misspent life.
From this view of the Methodist Chapel and Methodism, I proceed to mention the Moravian settlement. The Moravians, or rather, "United Brethren," as many of my readers may be aware, revived under the celebrated Count Zinzendorf, a native of Germany, who, with some of his followers, visited England in the reign of George II., and formed several settlements of their sect in different parts of that kingdom. They also established colonies in Greenland, Labrador, and other parts of North America, and in South America.
In 1731, Count Zinzendorf visited Denmark, for the purpose of attending the coronation of Christian VI., who, by the death of his father, was called to the throne of that kingdom. During his residence at that court, some of his domestics became acquainted with a negro, named Anthony, from one of the Danish islands. This man related many instances of the moral darkness in which the West Indies were enveloped, and of the distressed state of the negroes; which being repeated to the count, he felt an invincible desire to send missionaries to that part of the world, to proclaim the "tidings of great joy" to those poor benighted negroes.
In 1732, this desire was carried into effect; and two missionaries were despatched from "Herrnhutt," (the princ.i.p.al Moravian station, in Lusatia, Germany,) to St. Thomas. Other missionaries followed them; and in 1733, they planted their standard in St. Croix. In 1754, the society in London sent missionaries to Jamaica, who were followed by some of the brethren from America; and in 1756, Samuel Isles, a true and exemplary Christian, came from St. Thomas, where he had been residing as missionary for eight years, and established the first Moravian settlement in Antigua.
Their labour of love was at first very slow in its progress; but they succeeded, in 1761, in raising a chapel, for the accommodation of the negroes, on a spot of land, purchased for the purpose, in St. John"s. Still their society rather decreased than flourished, until, about 1768, there were only fourteen members in the church at St. John"s. Disheartening as these circ.u.mstances were, like true soldiers of the Cross, they would not lay down their arms; and at length, their faith and patience met with their reward. A wonderful revival took place, and in 1775 "the number of their stated hearers amounted to 2000; and never a month elapsed without an addition to the church of ten or twenty by baptism."
By the year 1787, 5465 negroes were admitted into the church.
Their first settlement was situated at St. John"s; but in 1782, they had formed another at Grace Hill, or, as it was first termed, Bailey Hill; a delightful spot, about ten miles from the capital. The number baptized at St. John"s, in 1789, was 507; while at Grace Hill, 217 were admitted into the church by that ceremony. By this time, five preachers were settled in Antigua; and in the course of the two following years, the society enrolled 7400 members. At the present period, 1842, the number may be estimated at 11,000.
Their settlement at St. John"s is situated in Spring Gardens, at the extreme north end of the town, and looks the very picture of neatness and domestic comfort. The present chapel, erected in 1773, is a plain building-devoid of any great architectural beauty, it is true, but interesting from its very simplicity, and from being built by the negroes in times of slavery. The rapid increase of their numbers, already mentioned, rendered it necessary to provide a larger place of worship; which fact being mentioned to their negro converts, they immediately commenced procuring some of the materials, by each bringing a few stones with them, when they came to their evening meetings in the week.