AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ‘ t OF 
 
 ' THE LOSS 
 
 OF 
 
 MESSRS. WHITE, HILLIER, TRUSCOTT, OKE, AND JONES, 
 
 WITH MRS. WHITE AND MRS. TRUSCOTT, AND THEIR CHILDREN 
 - ' AND SERVANTS, 
 
 IN 
 
 THE MARIA MAIL-BOAT, 
 
 OFF THE ISLAND OF ANTIGUA, IN THE WEST INDIES, 
 FEBRUARY 28, 1826. 
 
 FIFTH EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR JOHN KERSHAW, 14 , CITY-ROAD, AND 
 66, PATERNOSTER-ROW 
 
 1826 . 
 
James Nichols, Printer, 
 
 2, Warwick Square, Newgate Street, London. 
 
AN ACCOUNT 
 
 THE LOSS 
 
 OF 
 
 SBeslcgan iHiSiaiionaiHesi, 
 
 4 ‘C. <§-c. 
 
 The following painfully affecting Account is chiefly drawn 
 ■up by Mrs. Jones, the only survivor of those who, by so 
 mysterious a Providence, were arrested in the course of their 
 labours, and in the vigour of life and usefulness ; and called 
 to their eternal rest from those bereaved Societies, for whose 
 spiritual benefit they had left their native land, and amongst 
 whom some of them had administered the word of life for 
 several years. The naiTative appeals so directly to the heart, 
 and so obviously teaches its own moral lessons, that no com- 
 ment is necessary to introduce it. The friends of Missions will 
 have the satisfaction to find, that those excellent men, whose 
 loss is so deplored both at home and in the West Indies, 
 exhibited in their dangers and sufferings, a calmness and 
 resignation, and a zeal for the salvation of the seamen, their 
 fellow-sufferers, worthy of their hopes as Christians, and of 
 their characters as Missionaries of Jesus Christ. Perhaps 
 that she might give this testimony to the closing scene and 
 consistent conduct of these servants of God, was among the 
 reasons why, in the providence of God, Mrs. Jones was so 
 singularly preserved. The impressiorj produced in the Colonies 
 where they were known, has been very deep ; and we doubt 
 not that this afflictive event will be over-ruled for the promotiofl 
 of the spiritual benefit of the Mission Societies. 
 
 We have introduced Mrs. Jones’s Account by extracts from 
 Mr. Hyde's Journal, as they trace the previous circumstances, 
 and show particularly that blessed and prepared frame of mind 
 in which the Brethren were living, and the spirit in which they 
 engaged in their ministerial duties during the time they were 
 
4 
 
 liXTHACTS FUOM 
 
 detained in Montserrat. We have added to Mrs. Jones’s 
 Account some subsequent particulars, taken also from Mr. 
 Hyde’s Journal. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MR. HYDE TO THE WESLEYAN MIS- 
 SIONARY COMMITTEE, DATED MONTSERRAT, APRIL 5, 1826. 
 
 By the last packet you received the distressing intelligence of 
 the loss of our dear Brethren, White, Truscott, Hillier, Oke, and 
 Jones, with Mrs. White, and three children, and Mrs. Truscott, 
 and one child. Not knowing that anyj one had written to you, I 
 endeavoured to send you a few lines, but so agitated and afflicted 
 was I that I scarcely knew what I wrote. As soon, however, as 
 I could become calm, I saw it to be my duty to hasten to Antigua. 
 This duty, under the blessing of God; I performed without delay, 
 and a most painful duty I will assure you it was. This circum- 
 stance, however, with that of the dear Brethren and Sisters having 
 spent their last days with us, put me in possession of a variety of 
 painfully interesting particulars connected with this most afflictive 
 event, which no one else can have. Knowing that you will wish 
 to have all the information you can get, I send you, without loss 
 of time, the following copious extracts from my Journal. 
 
 Montserrat, February 2Sd. Thursday — By the good provi- 
 dence of God, I and Mrs. Hyde again landed here, from the 
 District-Meeting. We left St. Kitt’s yesterday, about eleven 
 o’clock in the forenoon, in company with the Brethren White, 
 Hillier, Truscott, Jones, and Oke ; Sisters White, Truscott, and 
 Jones ; Brother White’s three children, and Brother Truscott’s 
 little son, with two servants. Upon the whole, we had as good a 
 passage as we generally have in our District vessels ; never envi- 
 able, and sometimes scarcely tolerable. The Brethren and their 
 families landed, and rested with us about four hours. Brother 
 Oke preached to a good congregation, from, “ The grace of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion 
 of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.” (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) It 
 was a blessed season : One of our intelligent friends said, “ that it 
 was one of the best sermons he ever heard.” A respectable 
 coloured young woman was deeply affected under it, and is likely 
 to be a seal to his ministry. We then affectionately look our leave 
 of each other, and the Brethren sailed for Antigua. 
 
 The District-Meeting was one of considerable importance, and 
 of deep solemnity and profit. The Missionary Meetings were 
 well attended and the collections were good. The word preached 
 was eagerly received by the people, and the large new chapel was 
 often crowded. The Sacramental occasions were seasons of great 
 refreshing, as were also the Band-Meetings. The death and 
 
MR. HYDK’s journal. 
 
 funeral of our dear Brother Gilgrass much affected us, and served 
 to solemnize a District-Meeting never to be forgotten. He had 
 been upwards of twenty years in the work, and honourably, yea, 
 enviably died in it. He died surrounded by his weeping Bre- 
 thren, and was the next day carried by eight of us to his grave. 
 His life was one of devotedness to God, and his death was peace. 
 
 Friday, 24th. — I was surprised and alarmed to-day about 
 eleven o’clock by a messenger running to my house, saying, “The 
 schooner is coming back. Sir, the Missionary Schooner.” I went 
 off to her as soon as possible. The sea was very high, and it was 
 long before I could get on board. I however hailed her, and re- 
 ceived the very acceptable answer, “ All is well.” When I reached 
 her the Brethren informed me, that there was a heavy sea in the 
 channel, — that they had had a bad night, with the wind right 
 a-head ; and, that they were drifting down to Nevis, and saw no 
 probability of reaching Antigua whilst the wind and sea continued 
 as they were. Their wives and children had been very ill, and 
 the Captain had given it as his opinion that it would be more 
 prudent to return than to proceed. I thanked God that they were 
 safe, and gave them a welcome to every comfort that my house 
 would afford. When on shore they all soon forgot their troubles . 
 We united to thank God for mercifully preserving them, and to 
 pray to Him that their stay among us might be blessed to the 
 people. Throughout the day the weather continued increasingly 
 unfavourable. In the evening Brother Hillier preached a very 
 useful sermon to a good congregation, from “ Fear not, little flock, 
 for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” 
 {Luke xii. 32.) We all enjoyed it much, and it was quite a word in 
 season. 
 
 Saturday, 25th — The weather still boisterous : The night has 
 been very stormy, and we are all thankful that the Brethren and 
 Sisters were not exposed to it. This morning we had a solemn 
 and delightful Prayer-Meeting in the chapel. We went also lo 
 see the Rector, and were kindly received. The day, however, has 
 been one of anxiety to the Brethren ; they are very wishful to 
 reach their stations, but they see, as do all, that it would be im- 
 prudent for them now to attempt it, as the weather is worse. We 
 are sorry for them and our dear people in Antigua, but it is a 
 great privilege to our people here, and our hopes are great in 
 reference to the coming Sabbath-day. 
 
 Sunday, 26th. — Brother White in the forenoon preached to us 
 a profitable sermon from 1 John v. 19: And we know that we 
 are of God.” He afterwards with Brother Hillier administered to 
 Brother Jones, Brother Oke, and myself, and to the Society, the 
 sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. It was a most solemn season. 
 We next attended to the school, and at three o’clock Brother 
 
EXTEACTS FROM 
 
 Truscott preached to a large congregation in a very earnest man- 
 ner. Brother Hillier preached at Little-Town. At night the 
 chapel was crowded to hear Brother Jones, a man much beloved 
 here. He gave us a most excellent sermon from 1 Sam. ii. 30 r 
 “ Them that honour me I will honour.” I know not when I have 
 seen such marked attention under a sermon, and such hopeful 
 indications of good being effected. Brother White, his superin- 
 tendent, observed to me afterwards, that it was the best sermon 
 he had ever heard him preach. O thou most Holy Spirit, by 
 whose inspiration the Holy Scriptures were written, accompany 
 with thy demonstrative energy, for Jesus’s sake, the word 
 preached this day, and make it powerful to the salvation of all 
 who have heard it! — I omitted to state, that Brother Oke went a 
 few miles into the country this evening, and preached on Symns’s 
 estate to a very large congregation. He appears to have been 
 much blessed in the discharge of this duty to himself and to the 
 people. His text was Psalm xxiii. 
 
 Monday, 27th.— The wind and sea still continue unfavourable, 
 and the Brethren are ver}'^ uneasy at their long detention. Brother 
 Oke at six o’clock this morning preached a solemn and useful 
 sermon, from 1 Cliron. xxix. 1.5: “ For we are strangers before 
 thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers ; our days on the 
 earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” To illustrate 
 his text he referred to the situation of his brethren and himself, 
 “ We are strangers,” said he, “ and mere sojourners among you. 
 We have been driven here by stress of weather ; we shall soon be 
 gone again, and perhaps you will see us no more for ever. So it 
 is with the children of men generally. We are all strangers and 
 sojourners in this world ; we are hastening to another ; soon we 
 shall leave all on earth and be no more seen here for ever,” &c. 
 &c. About noon the Brethren met together in my study, to con- 
 sult on what they should do. Our seafaring friends had given it 
 as their most decided judgment that the Missionary schooner 
 could not, in consequence of her various defects, beat up to 
 Antigua for a number of days, if at all, so long as the wind and 
 sea continued as they were. We sent for the captain, and asked 
 him candidly to tell us what he thought of his vessel. “ Gentle- 
 men,” he replied, “ it is an unpleasant thing for me to say any 
 thing against my own vessel, but I do not think she will reach 
 Antigua in less than four days, if this weather continues.” To 
 be four days longer from their charge quite alarmed them, and in 
 the end they determined to go in the Maria, mail-boat. Captain 
 Whitney, which left here this evening at sun-set. She is a fine 
 vessel, sails well, and it is to be hoped they will reach home to- 
 morrow. The Mission-house was filled with people when it was 
 known they were going. W’e sang the 536th hymn ; the whole 
 
MR. Hyde’s journal. 7 
 
 of it I felt to be very gratefUl to my feelings, but especially the 
 words, 
 
 “ There we shall meet again 
 
 When all our toils are o’er, 
 
 And death, and grief, and pain. 
 
 And parting are no more : 
 
 We shall with all our brethren rise. 
 
 And grasp thee in the flaming skies.” 
 
 We next prayed with each other, and took an affectionate leave. 
 May God in his abundant mercy give his angels charge over 
 them. 
 
 Wednesday, March 1st . — We have been much surprised to 
 hear that the Brethren have not yet arrived in Antigua. 
 
 Friday, .3d. — By another arrival from Antigua we have been 
 much grieved to hear that the mail-boat has not arrived or been 
 heard of. The people are beginning to be very uneasy about her. 
 
 Tuesday, 7th. — How to record the mysterious, the overwhelm- 
 ing events of this day, I am at a loss to tell. My mind is almost 
 distracted, and my heart broken. The Maria is lost ! The Bre- 
 thren White, Hillier, Truscott, Jones, and Oke, the Sisters 
 White and Truscott, with their dear children, (four in number,) 
 their two servants, the captain and all but two of the crew are 
 drowned ! Sister Jones alone has escaped to tell us ! Great God, 
 what is thy design in this overwhelming affliction ? It lays reason 
 prostrate, and strikes even thy people dumb before thee. They 
 were blessed men. They were engaged in thy work. Thou didst 
 recently baptize them anew with the Holy Ghost, and they were 
 hastening forward with renewed strength, to all human appear- 
 ance, to be a greater blessing than ever to the churches ; and yet 
 at a stroke thou hast broken off their purposes, desolated our 
 expectations, left upwards of 3000 people joined in church 
 fellowship, without a single spiritual pastor, and filled all our 
 hearts with unutterable grief. O that we may have grace to “ be 
 still, and know that thou art God.” Early this morning a mail- 
 boat appeared in sight. I hastened to the bay, and stood with 
 deep anxiety waiting the return of a boat from her. At length it 
 left her, but came slowly towards the shore. The people wondered 
 at their tardiness, but, alas ! the sad cause was soon developed. 
 “ Have the Missionaries arrived?” was the eager inquiry. “ No,” 
 was the distressing answer ; “the mail-boat is lost, and all on 
 board have perished but one woman.” I turned pale, trembled, 
 and had nearly fainted, when it came to my recollection, “ some 
 one will hasten up to the Mission-house and inform Mrs. Hyde, 
 and I fear the consequence in her situation.” The thought of 
 this set me in motion, and I reached home so much the picture 
 of anguish, that my wife immediately saw what was the matter. 
 
8 
 
 EXTllACTS FROM 
 
 We wept together ; the whole house wept ; people flocked in on 
 every hand to mingle their tears with ours. One voice of 
 lamentation spread itself throughout the house. They had spent 
 their last days with us, preached their last sermons to us, poured 
 out their last prayers for us, and by their holiness, zeal, useful- 
 ness, and friendship, endeared themselves unto us. Such distress, 
 
 I believe, was never witnessed here before, and so much affection 
 for the memory of strangers was never manifested. At night we 
 had a Prayer-Meeting in the chapel ; but sighs and tears drowned 
 the voice of prayer for a time, and the place was a perfect 
 Bochim. 
 
 Our distressed and affectionate people have hung the chapel in 
 black at their own expense, and the Society and friends are going 
 into mourning. To-night I endeavoured to improve the subject 
 to a large and distressed congregation. “ They mourned with a 
 great and very sore lamentation,” and so did I. O that some who 
 are now dead in trespasses and sins may hear the voice of the Son 
 of God in this affliction and live ! There is hope of this. 
 
 Fridav, 10th, Antigua . — Yesterday morning early I took leave 
 of my most affectionate people and family, and set out on one of 
 the most afflictive errands I ever had. My heart was deeply 
 stricken. The wind was against us, and the sea in the channel 
 was very heavy. However, the captain declared it was the finest 
 day he had seen at sea for six weeks. Every thing reminded me 
 of my dear Brethren. I could not sleep at night ; they were 
 constantly before me in my imagination. As we approached the 
 reefs on which they were wrecked, many melancholy reflections 
 passed through my mind ; but though I had pains I had no fears, 
 and tears and prayers more than once greatly relieved me. I 
 landed about seven o’clock this morning, many hours sooner than 
 we expected when we left Montserrat. When I entered the house 
 of the friend where I intended to remain, my feelings were so 
 overpowered that 1 could say little or nothing. At length I was 
 enabled to ask after Mrs. Jones. I was informed that she was re- 
 covering. This relieved me much. Mrs. Hillier, I also found, 
 endured her affliction in a very Christian-like manner. The 
 Society were keeping the day as a day of fasting, humiliation, 
 and prayer. About 1 1 o’clock I saw Mrs. Jones. It was a most 
 painful duty. I was much affected, but restrained myself for her 
 sake, and I asked no questions about the painful occasion of our 
 meeting. I prayed with her, and left her to the gracious care of 
 God and the kind friends around her. I then went to the Prayer- 
 Meeting in the chapel, and was pleased with the spirit of the 
 j)eople, and with a few remarks made by Mr. Gaiding, who, with 
 Mr. BaKiies, has conducted the services in the chapel since the 
 death of the Missionaries. From the chapel I w'ent to see Mrs. 
 
MR. Hyde’s journal. 
 
 9 
 
 HilHer, at English Harbour, a distance of about twelve miles. 
 I found her in tears, surrounded by her children. When I entered 
 the house she got up, raised her hands, and exclaimed, “ O Mr, 
 Hyde, what means all this?” The children laid hold of me, 
 kissed me, and one of them said, it seemed as if his father had 
 come again. It was a most touching scene. The Lord, however, 
 mercifully strengthened her, and I was enabled to speak comfort- 
 ably to her. Her mind was greatly relieved by my visit. I prayed 
 with her, and then went up to our kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gilbert, Avhere I spent a few comfortable hours, and enjoyed one 
 of the best night’s rest that I have had since my dear Brethren 
 rested in Christ. The Lord be praised for all his mercy to me, 
 and to the dear widows of his servants now with him. 
 
 Saturday, 11th. — In the evening I visited Sister Jones, and 
 found her much better. She is at the house of Joshua Kentish, 
 Esq., the gentleman who most humanely delivered her from her 
 perilous situation, and who with his kind lady strive day and 
 night to do every thing in their power to restore and comfort her. 
 Never was greater kindness shown to a stranger. May the Lord 
 graciously reward them. 
 
 ]\Ir. Hyde received the account of the circumstances of the 
 wreck from Mrs. Jones, upon her partial recovery : This was 
 published in the Missionary Notices for J uly last, as a part of 
 Mr. Hyde’s Journal. Since Mrs. Jones has returned to Eng- 
 land, she, at the request of the Committee, has furnished the 
 following narrative : — 
 
 Wednesday, February 1, 1826. — Mr. Jones and myself left our 
 dear people at Parham, in Antigua, engaged in prayer for our safety, 
 and a speedy return. After a very affecting parting, we set out for 
 the District Meeting, held in St. Christopher’s ; at six o’clock we 
 arrived at St. John’s. We expected to go on board immediately j 
 but the Brethren thought it advisable that all of us should stay the 
 night on shore, and sail early next morning. This was agreed 
 upon ; and, as it was the Missionary Prayer Meeting, Mr. Hillier, 
 Mr. Oke, and Mr. Jones attended. Mr. Jones commenced with 
 singing and prayer, Mr. Oke read the affecting account of the 
 anxieties of our Brethren in New Zealand. The congregation 
 were deeply affected. Mr. Jones concluded, by solemnly com- 
 mending our dear people, with ourselves and the rest of the 
 Mission family, to God. How mysteiious are the ways of the 
 Most High ! — Little did w e think that this would be our last 
 meeting in Antigua ; or the people, that their Ministers were 
 so soon to be summoned to their eternal rest. 
 
 D 
 
10 
 
 WI 18 . Jones’s account 
 
 Next morning, about eight o’clock, many of our friends came 
 to bid us farewell. Brother White prayed ; and, after a very 
 affecting parting with our people, we went on board, and very 
 soon set sail. The da}'^ was fine and pleasant : Nothing par- 
 ticular occurred. Before sun-set, we were in sight of St. Kitt’s. 
 A little after seven, we made the harbour and landed. Some of 
 the friends met us on the beach. It was very affecting and grati- 
 fying, as we walked through the town, to hear several Negroes 
 blessing their Great Massa for bringing us in safety. The kind 
 lady, at whose house we were appointed to stay during the 
 District, welcomed us to her house, and we were treated with 
 the greatest kindness. 
 
 On Friday we went to the Mission House, and heard the 
 painful intelligence of Brother Gilgrass’s illness, and that no hope 
 was entertained of his recovery. Mrs. Gilgrass informed him 
 of our arrival: He said, “ Let me see them.” We entered the 
 room : He shook our hands, and said, his desire and prayer had 
 been that he might see us once more : He spoke of his confi- 
 dence in God, and of the glory into which he should soon enter. 
 This was a source of great comfort to us. 
 
 On Sunday the large Chapel in Basseterre was well filled to 
 hear the Missionaries preach. 
 
 On Monday morning, the District Meeting commenced, at 
 which the Missionaries were engaged all the day. 
 
 Saturday night, the Band Meeting was held. How true is it 
 that real religion is the same thing every where ! Our dear black 
 and coloured people would, however, often shame us at home, on 
 account of the readiness and simplicity with which they speak of 
 the things of God. 
 
 Sunday, 11th. — Brother Hyde preached an excellent sermon 
 in the morning. Afterwards the Sacrament w^as administered by 
 the Brethren. We looked round, and saw with joy the numbers 
 waiting to commemorate the death of that Saviour, whose power 
 to save there was so much reason to believe they had experienced. 
 I then thought if our friends in England had seen the sight, how 
 powerfully it would have stimulated them in collecting, in pray- 
 ing, and exerting themselves in every way to promote the cause 
 of Missions. What has been effected by the blessed Gospel 
 among this people, none can tell but those who have witnessed 
 it. Our hearts were deeply affected and encouraged to persevere 
 in that glorious cause to which God had called us. 
 
 Monday, 12th. — We attended the funeral of Brother Gilgrass. 
 A great number of people assembled. 
 
 Wednesday, 21st. — The business of the District Meeting 
 closed. The next morning the Sacrament was administered to 
 the Missionaries. 
 
OF HER SHIPWRECK. 
 
 11 
 
 I shall pass over what Mr. Hyde has said about our arrival at 
 Montserrat, our sailing from thence, and being driven back. 
 
 Sunday, 26th, Montserrat . — Brother Hillier read the Prayers 
 and Lessons for the day. The Epistle was from the 2 Cor, xi. 
 During the reading of St. Paul’s sufferings, my mind was deeply 
 affected. At the words, “ A night and a day I have been in the 
 deep,” the horrors of a shipwreck were suddenly presented to my 
 view so forcibly, that 1 said to myself, “ I could suffer any thing 
 but shipwreck.” The impression remained ; and during the ser- 
 vice it would still recur to my thoughts, “ A night and a day I have 
 been in the deep and not until evening did I obtain relief from 
 these horrible feelings. 
 
 Monday morning, whilst at prayer, the same impression re- 
 turned ; and as there appeared something so mysterious in this 
 circumstance, in our delay, and other events, I could not but ask 
 myself in silence, What can this mean }" After much prayer 
 and much deliberation as to leaving our own vessel, we went on 
 board the Maria mail-boat. And here I wish it to be understood, 
 that Brother White was not more determined to go in the Maria 
 than the rest ; for all were anxious to get to their labours in 
 Antigua. I mention this, as I have heard him censured or 
 removing to the Maria. 
 
 As soon as we got on board we retired to our births ; the chil- 
 dren had a bed on the cabin floor with the nurses. We soon set 
 sail, and were much pleased with our comfortable accommoda- 
 tions. We often spoke of Brother and Sister Hyde, and of the 
 kindness of several of the gentlemen and friends during our stay 
 in Montserrat. In the course of the night the wind rose very 
 high, and the sea Imcame rough. We, however, went to sleep. 
 
 Tuesday, 28th — The morning was stormy, the sea breaking 
 upon us so that we could not go on deck, and the wind was right 
 a-head. All were very sick except myself and Mr. Hillier. Mrs. 
 White was afraid the vessel would upset. Sister Truscott often 
 inquired if we were approaching land. About four o’clock there 
 was a cry of “ Land ! Antigua in sight !” Mr. Hillier called to 
 us below, and bade us be of good cheer, as we should soon be on 
 shore. The children revived, and said to each other, they should 
 soon forget their .■^ea sickness. 
 
 Mr. White’s little boy, William, opened the hymn book and 
 gave out a hymn ; the rest of the little ones joined in singing ; 
 and then W^illiam, with a sense far above his years, began telling 
 the other children the account of the Prophet Jonas, and other 
 Bible histories. I recollect it as a curious co-incidence, that the 
 little fellow, with an emphasis and seriousness which then power- 
 fully called my attention, gave out the verse beginning with, 
 “ Though waves and storms go o’er my head.” 
 
 B 2 
 
12 
 
 MRS. Jones’s account 
 
 I had lain in my birth listening to the children, when suddenly 
 my mind became greatly disturbed : The feeling was one I never 
 experienced, for I was a stranger to fear at sea. My mind was 
 filled with horror : I feared the vessel would sink, or something 
 terrible happen. I attempted to pray, but for the moment could 
 not. At length I cried, “ Lord ! Lord ! help me !” I had scarcely 
 uttered the words, when my mind became composed ; and though 
 my apprehension for the safety of the vessel did not leave me, I 
 repeated with great comfort that verse of our hymn, 
 
 “ .Jesus protects ; my fears be gone ! 
 
 What can the Rock of Ages move ?” &c. 
 
 I also sung-, 
 
 “ When passing through the wat’ry deep, 
 
 I ask in faith his promis’d aid,” &c. 
 
 My mind remained stayed on God, though an oppressive an- 
 ticipation of evil hung over me. 
 
 About this time the Steward brought down a light in the lan- 
 tern ; the sea beg^ to be very rough. Several times. Brother and 
 Sister Truscott were alarmed, and thought the vessel would upset ; 
 but little William kept saying to his mother, “ Mamma ! don’t be 
 afraid ! no danger ! Mamma must not be frightened ; we shall soon 
 be on shore.” Soon after, the Steward came down in great haste : 
 By his countenance we saw something was amiss. He took up the 
 lantern in haste ; and when Sister White asked him what was the 
 matter, he made no reply. We all jumped out of our births : The 
 children and nurses were on the floor, and all were tumbled to- 
 gether, as the vessel turned on her beam-ends. The sea broke 
 over us, and washed down into the cabin. With great exertion 
 we got out : The mothers and nurses pushed up the children, 
 every parent claiming his own. Brother White gave me his dear 
 little baby whilst he was helping the others up. Mr. Jones came 
 and laid hold of me, and assisted me to the side of the vessel 
 which was highest out of the water. I asked him, what was the 
 matter : He said, “ There is danger ! let us pray ! The vessel has 
 struck on the reefs, and there is no hope of being saved !” I 
 remained holding to the side, with the sweet little baby in my 
 arms, until the sea came so strong upon us, that I thought it 
 proper to give it to its mother. I kissed the dear creature as I 
 parted with it, and almost felt a mother’s feelings. The captain 
 and sailors were very much alarmed. The captain cried out, 
 “ Oh my vessel ! what will become of us ?” The sailors appear- 
 ed panic-struck. The sea came rushing upon us, and washed 
 away the boat with a Negro in it, who had been hit by the boom, 
 and thrown into it in a senseless state. The mate, seeing the 
 boat thus launched, jumped into it, intending to bring it to our 
 
OF HER SHIPWRECK. 
 
 13 
 
 rescue ; but the sea running high, it was carried down with the 
 current. Now there appeared no hope of help. The captain 
 looked eagerly after the boat, but it was soon out of sight : In a 
 fit of despair he cried, Oh ! my men are gone ! the boat is 
 capsized !’’ All our hopes fled. The cries of the sailors were 
 very great ; and the Missionaries exhorted them to pray. The 
 poor men clung about the Missionaries, and eagerly caught all 
 they said. Then the captain ordered them to cut away the mast 
 and rigging, he himself assisting. We were clinging to the bul- 
 warks, and all engaged in prayer to God. 
 
 The fury of the sea continuing, suddenly broke up the vessel. 
 The captain, with four sailors, the Brethren Hillier, Oke, and 
 Jones, clung to the bows of the vessel ; myself. Brother White and 
 family. Brother Truscott, wife and child, two nurses, one gentle- 
 man passenger, and several of the sailors, who were holding by 
 the bulwarks on the quarter-deck, at once went down with that 
 part of the vessel to which we had trusted ourselves. When the 
 wave had passed over, Mr. Jones cried out for me. I heard him, 
 and cried out, “ I am going !” But ray feet wei'e entangled in the 
 rigging, which was the cause I was not washed away with the 
 rest. Mr. Jones finding I was not far off by ray voice, said, 
 “ Put out your hand.” I put it out above the water, and he 
 brought me up from a watery grave. I now heard the heart- 
 rending shrieks of the dear children : Their cry was, “ Oh, mamma ! 
 I am drowning! Oh, papa! save me ! save me!” The little baby’s 
 cries were distressingly distinct. 
 
 One of the nurses had two children of her own on shore ; she 
 cried, “ Oh ! what will become of my children ? They will be 
 fatherless and motherless !” She then began to pray. Mr. Jones 
 perceived her clinging to a part of the floating wreck in the 
 water, but there was no possibility of helping her. He called out 
 to her, “ My Sister ! pray. Oh, pray to God to receive your soul ! 
 He will provide for your children ; leave them to Him !” She said, 
 “ Yes,” and then said, “ Lord, receive my soul ! take me to thy- 
 self!” and calmly resigned her spirit to God. The other nurse 
 cried out, “Farewell, Aunt! farewell. Sisters! we shall never 
 meet on earth again ! Oh, let us meet in heaven !” I trust, Eliza’s 
 prayer when drowning will be fully answered : She then said, 
 “ Farewell, Mrs. Jones ! we shall meet in heaven !” I replied, 
 “ Farewell.” 
 
 When the^wave which broke up the vessel had passed over, the 
 captain saw that I was rescued, and directed that I should be brought 
 to the bowsprit. The captain said, “ Let us cling to this part of 
 the vessel, as it is the firmest, and will remain the longest together.” 
 He then inquired if I was safe : I answered, “ Yes,” but thought 
 I should soon be exhausted, as I was very cold through sitting in the 
 
14 
 
 sms. JONKs’s -ACCOUNT 
 
 water with my head just above the surface. I had no bonnet on, 
 and the pieces of wreck came washing against me, and soon tore 
 up the gown which I wore ; so I had nothing to keep me warm. 
 Mr. Jones pressed me to take his coat, but to this I could not con- 
 sent. The captain, however, brought me an old jacket, which I 
 thankfully received in this time of extreme necessity. As we sat 
 on the wreck, the cries of the drowning sufferers [^who appear for 
 a short time to have been supported by the floating rigging and 
 wreck] I'eached us from all parts : The Brethren and Sisters, with 
 broken accents, still commending their souls to God, Nothing but 
 a full assurance that their sufferings would soon be ended, and that 
 they would soon be admitted into glor}'^, could have supported us 
 in these awful moments ; and they only reminded us of what we 
 expected at length to be our own lot. 
 
 Every wave that came, appeared like a mountain, and threat- 
 ened us with destruction. Oh, what a scene of horror presented 
 itself : No moon, — no stars, — the sky dark, — the wind bursting 
 in gusts upon us, — the sea roaring upon the rocks, — nothing to be 
 seen but the lights in the harbour ! Twice I lost my hold, in con- 
 sequence of a large dog that was on board attempting to get on 
 the wreck. The poor animal seeing my head out of water, came 
 and put his feet upon it, and I was very near being suffocated 
 before the Brethren perceived my danger. 
 
 By this time the cries and groans of the drowning sufferers had 
 ceased. Mr. Jones remarked, “ Now our Brethren’s sufferings 
 are over.” Brother Hillier often spoke of his dear wife and chil- 
 dren. The promise being named, “ 1 will be a Husband to the 
 widow, and a Father to the fatherless,” he answered, “ Yes,” and 
 calmly resigned them to God. 
 
 Very little was said, except to the captain and sailors, who 
 often inquired what they must do to be saved. The Missionaries 
 pointed them to Jesus, as the Friend of sinners. Oh, how they died, 
 preaching Jesus to the poor men ! As the part of the ship we sat 
 on still remained together, the captain said there was hope if we 
 could hold on until morning. 
 
 Wednesday, March 1. — The night appeared very long ; towards 
 morning every eye was directed towards the sky, anxiously long- 
 ing for day-break. At length the sky cleared, and the sea was 
 much calmer. We next discerned the tops of hills, and then the 
 sun burst forth. Brother Hillier clasped his hands together, and 
 said, “ Bless God ! we see the light of another day ! Now, my 
 Sister, w'e shall soon have help !” The captain said, if we had 
 something with which to make a signal, it would soon be dis- 
 cerned. Mr. Oke and Mr. Jones took off their cravats, and tied 
 them to a piece of wood and hoisted it. The Brethren often 
 named the dear people in Antigua, saying, “ If they knew our 
 
OF HER SHIPWRECK. 
 
 15 
 
 situation, we should soon have help. Oh, how many would come 
 to our aid !” Brother Oke said, pointing to an estate opposite 
 us, “ That is Mr. Byam’s estate ; it is not more than three miles 
 distant, perhaps they may see us, and come to our assistance.” 
 The house stands on a high hill, and commands a view of the 
 sea. They could see with a telescope much farther than the reefs 
 where we were wrecked : But Mrs. B. informed me afterwards, 
 that, though scarcely a day passed without some one looking out 
 with the glass, during the three days Ave were on the wreck, they 
 had never thought of using it ; had they done so, they must have 
 seen us. 
 
 To-day, the bodies of some of those drowned were seen floating 
 with the rigging full in view ; our feelings at this sight cannot be 
 described. It made me shrink from a watery grave, and long to 
 die on shore. My mind was, however, led to contemplate the bliss 
 of which their freed spirits were then partaking, and I had great 
 comfort from this consideration. The captain ordered the sailors 
 to cut the rigging adrift. It was so entangled with the wreck, 
 that it prevented the dead bodies from floating away from us. 
 The captain was very kind, and encouraged us all in his power. 
 Vessels began to appear in sight. We saw a brig enter the har- 
 bour, w hich came very near us. We saw the sailors on board ; 
 the captain even said, “ They are coming now !” We eagerly 
 looked, and wished for the moment of deliverance. At length 
 we saw a schooner coming down towards us : Brother Hillier said, 
 while joy beamed in his countenance, “ Now, Sister Jones, help 
 is coming !” Tears ran down his face, whilst he exclaimed, “ I 
 shall see my children again.” Thus, our hopes were raised ; but 
 the schooner tacked about, and was soon out of sight. 
 
 Despair filled the minds of the sailors : The poor men often 
 wondered that the man at Goat Hill Battery did not see them. 
 The captain said, “ He cannot be looking out.” Mr. Kentish 
 told me afterwards, that the man appointed to look out and make 
 signals if he saw a vessel in distress, was not at his post, but on 
 the other side of the island, Avhich was one reason why we sat 
 three days on the wreck without help ; he was afterwards dis- 
 charged, and another appointed. 
 
 Mutual inquiries were now made into the state of our minds, 
 in this time of distress ; and it fully appeared by what was said, 
 we were all kept in peace : The Missionaries throughout were per- 
 fectly calm. As to myself, the lines of the hymn before men- 
 tioned, “ Jesus protects ; my fears be gone,” &c. were constantly 
 dwelling on my mind. Mr. Jones said, how thankful he Avas to see 
 me bear it so Avell, and hoped I was still resigned to die. I said, 
 “ Yes, but sometimes I think I shall be saved. I cannot think 
 of any thing else. I sec such power in Gou, and my faith is so 
 
16 
 
 MKs. Jones’s account 
 
 strong ; but yet my mind is comfortably willing for God to do 
 any thing with me.” 
 
 Two of the sailors were so exhausted, that at times the waves 
 washed them from their seats, and the other seamen several times 
 recovered them ; but all was in vain. The sea broke upon us, 
 and washed the cook away ; the steward was next carried off, and 
 while clinging to the frame of the wreck, when drowning, we 
 heard him praying for mercy. He was close by us when strug- 
 gling with death, and when the sea washed him away he was still 
 calling upon God. 
 
 We began to feel hunger. Brother Hillier complained of this, 
 and seemed to want food the most. The day was now passing 
 away ; boats and schooners were still scudding along ; but none 
 approached us. The two remaining sailors were earnestly inquir- 
 ing, “ What must we do to be saved The Missionaries pointed 
 them to Jesus, and encouraged them to pray. They clung to 
 the Brethren, and would not be satisfied but when they were 
 talking. Oh, how eagerly did they receive every word of com- 
 fort and instruction ! One poor black man often cried out, 
 “ Massa ! Massa ! my Great Massa ! have mercy ! have mercy !” 
 
 Night was fast approaching ; and as no help had arrived, we 
 concluded it would be the last we should see. The sun set, the 
 wind rose, the sea swelled, and the waves came with greater 
 violence. This brought to mind the horrors of the preceding 
 night ; and I trembled at the thought of passing another night in 
 that situation. We were seized with cold, and sat shivering, 
 clinging to each other to keep us warm. I shall never forget, so 
 long as memory continues, the kind attention paid to me by the 
 Brethren and captain. This night was almost as bad as the former 
 one; but truly it was a night of prayer. If ever I felt the real 
 value of religion, it was then. How foolish, how empty was every 
 thing besides ! How valuable was the little which I had, in time 
 of danger! 
 
 Thursday, 2d. — At length day-light appeared, but our hopes 
 were not so elated as the morning before. We had then thought 
 
 impossible not to have help ; but one day’s e.xperience proved 
 the contrary. The captain and sailors, with the rest, seemed to 
 have very little hope ; but as the sun burst out, we revived and 
 hoisted our signal. The sea was not running so high as before. 
 The captain said, if it was not for the current, one might swim 
 as far as Sandy Island, which was but a mile and a half from us. 
 Sometimes the sailors would say, “ A schooner is coming !” W’e all 
 thought so, and were ready to plunge into the water to meet it : 
 Again our hopes were blasted. Nothing but the grace of God 
 enabled us to submit; or we should have been like the poor 
 captain and sailors, impatient for help. 
 
OF HEK SHirWUF.CK. 
 
 17 
 
 Towards twelve o’clock by the sun, the sea became much 
 calmer. Brother Hillier named his intention of swimming, if he 
 could, to shore. The captain told him, he perhaps might swim 
 to Sandy Island. Brother Hillier, not being aware of the strong 
 current with which he would have to contend, seemed confident, 
 and said, when a boy he could swim well. The captain said, he 
 could not swim, or he would try. Brother Hillier said, he thought 
 it his duty, then, to make the attempt to save himself and the rest. 
 After praying for each other, he shook our hands, and said, 
 “ Farewell ! God bless you ! If we never meet on earth we shall 
 meet in heaven !” He took out his watch and gave it to Brother 
 Oke, who sat the next to him, and said, “ Here is my watch : If I 
 should not succeed, and you should be saved, give it to my wife.” 
 He then made ready and said, “ Now, Brethren, it is for you as 
 well as myself that I make the trial. If I get on shore I shall soon 
 send out boats.” He then said, “ God bless you !” and plunged 
 into the w^ater. He set out very well ; he swam, I should suppose, 
 thirty or forty yards. We all had hopes ; but he was obliged to 
 stop ; the current was too strong against him, or I believe he 
 would have made the shore. After some time he returned back 
 and endeavoured to reach the wreck : He got within a few yards, 
 and a wave washed over us : When it had passed, I saw Brother 
 Hillier on my side of the wreck, and I cried, “ Oh, captain ! 
 Brother Hillier is drowning !” The captain said, all was over ; 
 for they should only lose their own hold, and could not save him, 
 but endanger their own lives. The captain laid hold of a piece of 
 wreck and pushed it out to him. Our poor Brother attempted 
 to lay hold of it, but again he was washed away. At last, being 
 quite exhausted, he gave us a last look, and shut his eyes. What 
 were our feelings ! Not a word was spoken ; but his groans were 
 heard. I shut my eyes ; the sight I could not bear. The captain 
 watched him, and soon he was carried down with the stream, and 
 out of sight. 
 
 Mr. Jones said, “ Brother Hillier’s sufferings are at an end ; and 
 this will soon be our fate. We cannot live much longer.” I found 
 I got much weaker. Brother Oke said, “ Our number gets less ; 
 it will soon be our lot.” I could not speak ; my heart was too 
 full I thought of Brother Hillier’s wife and family, and our ow n 
 loss : For in our situation we felt the loss of every one ; and now 
 began to say, “ Who will be the next 
 
 The want of food and water was almost insupportable, as we 
 had had nothing from Monday night, and this was Thursday. Our 
 longing for water was indescribable, as the salt-water washing into 
 our mouths, caused us to suffer more from thirst than we otherwise 
 should have done. I now suffered also much from cold. Mr. Jones 
 took off his coat, and insisted on me putting it on ; as, being a 
 
18 
 
 MBS. Jones’s account 
 
 great coat, he thought it would keep me warmer. I availed 
 myself of it, and he put on the jacket which the captain had 
 kindly given me. 
 
 Towards sun-set. Brother Oke, seeing no hope of our being 
 saved, asked the captain if he thought they could make Sandy 
 Island, if they got on the mast that was floating by us. The 
 captain said he had little hope, all of them being so weak, but he 
 would try. He then laid hold of the rope ; and the mast was 
 brought to. While the captain and Brother Oke were making 
 ready, Mr. Jones said to me, " We shall soon be alone.” I asked 
 him if he wished to try with them. He said, if I were not with 
 him he would. I then told him, I would attempt it by getting 
 on the other mast ; or, if he would make the attempt with the 
 captain, I would remain clinging on the bowsprit. Mr. Jones 
 replied, “ No, my dear, I will not leave you ! We will remain 
 together as long as we can.” 
 
 The wreck began to unjoint, and we expected before morning 
 it would quite separate. We suffered much from pieces of wood 
 w'ith nails in them, which, by the force of the water were driven 
 against us, and tore our flesh. On that day the sun greatly 
 scorched me ; for, as I had no bonnet to screen my face, both ray 
 face and hands were blistered, and afterwards the skin and my 
 finger nails came off. I am astonished, that after all I still live, 
 and possess the perfect use of all my limbs and faculties. 
 
 The captain and one sailor got on the mast, but it would not 
 answer, as it turned round with them. The captain was near 
 being washed away ; but he and the sailor got back on the wreck 
 and said, they could not hold on the mast, and so they gave up 
 the attempt. Vessels still were passing near us ; the men were 
 quite discernible, and we often said, “ They must see us !” On 
 the beach of Goat Hill, we could also see people walking ; and 
 the Negi'oes at work on an estate opposite. This was more trying 
 than if we had seen no one. 
 
 Night again came on; and, as before, we expected it would be 
 the last. Nature was almost exhausted ; on the previous nights, 
 the sea ran much higher, so that we could scarcely keep our hold, 
 and this exhausted our strength ; but on this night, the swell was 
 not so great, and we were able to get a few minutes’ sleep. 
 One kept watch whilst the others slept. I was not so sleepy as 
 Brother Oke and Mr. Jones, and I supported them while they 
 slept. Brother Oke said he was quite surprised that I held it out 
 the best ; and Mr. Jones expressed his great thankfulness to God 
 that I was kept so calm, and was,^o mercifully sustained. Indeed, 
 with gratitude I remember the goodness of God to me; so that 
 it was my greatest satisfaction to help them ; and my own suffer- 
 ings were lessened by the attentions I was able to afford to them. 
 
OF HER SHIPWRECK. 
 
 19 
 
 When Mr. Jones awoke he appeared much better; he then 
 looked out while I slept. In my sleep I dreamed, that help would 
 come on that day ; but of this there did not seem to be any hope. 
 
 Friday, 3d. — Towards morning I was so faint with a violent 
 pain at my stomach, that I could not support myself. When the 
 sun broke out, the faintness increased, and I thought I was dying. 
 
 I told Mr. Jones so, who said he saw I was much altered. He ap- 
 peared to feel much for me ; and, to revive me, bade me remember 
 my dream : “ Perhaps to-day,” said he, “ help may come. Do not 
 give up, for my sake.” I remained very ill until the sun became 
 warm, then I gradually revived. 
 
 The day was much clearer than before, and we were much 
 burnt with the sun. Poor Brother Oke was so weak he scarcely 
 moved his hand. The captain and sailors appeared ready to yield ; 
 and frequently remarked it as strange, that the fishermen did not 
 set out a fishing, as there were fish-pots placed all round us. In the 
 course of the morning we saw a small boat not far from us, and 
 hailed it. The captain and sailors said, “ The people in the boat 
 must see us but they did not speak, nor come to our help. 
 After ray recovery, I was informed by a gentleman on whose 
 word I can depend, that it was throu§:h a fisherman mentioning 
 he had seen the wreck about eleven o’clock, that as.sistance was 
 sent out to us. 
 
 The Captain now thought of lead, as useful, when chewed, to 
 relieve thirst, and ordered one of the sailors to get some from the 
 port-hole. The Captain gave me a little, and Mr. Jones got a 
 little. O howf eagerly did I bite a piece ! The Captain warned 
 me against swallowing it, as it would soon kill me. I found it 
 relieved me much. 
 
 Few words now passed betw'een us. All seemed engaged in 
 prayer. To-day the bodies of the children floated in our sight. 
 Mr. Jones became drowsy and could not keep awake. Several 
 times he w'as washed from me, but I recovered him. I held him 
 while he slept. After sleeping, he was much refreshed, and 
 desired me to sleep, and he would wake me when the waves came. 
 While I was thus sleeping. Brother Oke thought he could swim 
 to shore. I believe he could not have been perfectly sensible at the 
 time, as there appeared no possibility of his reaching shore. The 
 Captain and Mr. Jones attempted to persuade him not to try, but 
 all in vain : He shook hands with Mr. Jones, and after a painful 
 parting, was about to wake me, but Mr. Jones said, “ Spare her 
 feelings, do not wake her !” He then plunged into the water, but 
 had not strength to use his hands, and very soon was carried away. 
 When I awoke, missing Brother Oke, I inquired whether he had 
 been washed away, and was informed of the circumstances by 
 Mr. Jones. 
 
20 
 
 MKs. Jones’s account 
 
 Oar sufferings were now so great, that death was truly desirable, 
 though our minds were, by the great mercy of God, kept in per- 
 fect peace. One of the sailors attempted to get on shore with a 
 plank ; but as soon as he set off, the plank gave way, and he was 
 drowned. The last remaining sailor appeared almost dead when 
 he was washed away. Night was now drawing on apace, and my 
 dear Mr. Jones was gradually dying. I was obliged to hold him. 
 The poor Captain was almost as ill as he. 
 
 There were now but three of us left. Mr. Jones could scarcely 
 speak distinctly. Sometimes he would say, “Let me go, for 
 I am dying !” Sometimes he asked me, “ What could be the 
 matter with him.” Every time a wave came it washed him 
 almost from me ; he had no power to assist himself, and 
 one at length bore him off, so that I had only hold of his coat 
 collar. I called to the Captain, “ Mr. Jones is drowning! Oh, 
 if you can help me, do ! Do not let him drown, for he is dying ! 
 Raise him and let him die in my arms !” The Captain tui-ned 
 round and attempted to assist, but could not. He was not able even 
 to assist in lifting his foot over the bowsprit, but said, “ It is all 
 over ! I am dead almost myself. I cannot, I cannot assist you !” 
 I then, by a last effort, got his head upon my shoulder ; but how 
 I collected strength for the exertion, I cannot tell. I continued 
 to hold him in my arms ; but frequently thought I must yield 
 him up. Then again I thought, “ Oh, if I can but save him until 
 death has ended his sufferings, I shall be satisfied I” He spake 
 after this ; but I could not answer him for weeping, and I now 
 felt as though my heart would break. Mr. Jones then gave 
 a struggle, and cried aloud, “Come, Lord Jesus!” This he 
 repeated three times, and then exclaimed, “ Glory !” I held him 
 several minutes ; but he neither moved nor spoke afterwards. I 
 spoke to him, and begged him, if still alive, to move his hand ; 
 but life had fled. 
 
 I well remember feeling thankful, amidst all my sorrow, that I 
 had been enabled so to help him as to keep him from drowning, 
 and that he had not to struggle with death in the water. I had 
 also the full assurance of his being admitted into heaven. This 
 was to me an indescribable consolation. Though exhausted, I 
 could not yield him to the waves ; my heart seemed to say, “ Stop 
 awhile before I let him go but a wave at length washed him 
 away, and he floated at my feet. The Captain to whom I called 
 was not able to speak, or even to stir, being then almost dead. 
 My feelings now quite overwhelmed me. The last thing I 
 remember was my saying, “Farewell, I shall soon be with you.” 
 
 I know not how much longer I continued, as I remained quite in- 
 sensible ; but it could not have been long before I was rescued by 
 Mr. Kentish and Mr. Ashford, who came to my assistance. They 
 
OV HER SHIPWRECK. 
 
 21 
 
 have since told me how much they were surprised to see me sitting 
 and not holding myself, my face resting on my hand, looking on the 
 water, with my eyes fixed : Nor did I move, though a great noise 
 was made with the boats and sailors. The first gentleman that 
 touched me, says I asked him what he wanted ? He said he was 
 come to my assistance. I then asked for water, and said, “ Bring 
 Mr. Jones! He is there!” Meaning the place upon which my 
 eyes had been fixed. They asked me my name, and they say that 
 I told them “ Mrs. Jones, of Parham.” They conveyed me, with 
 great care, from the wreck into the boat, and gave me some cor- 
 dials ; but I can recollect nothing except my importunity in 
 urging them to bring Mr. Jones to me. I pointed out a body to 
 them, which had been for some time previously near my feet, and 
 was not then cold ; but it proved to be the body of the Captain, 
 which was taken on shore and received Christian interment. By 
 the time we arrived at the beach I was nearly dead ; my pulse 
 had almost ceased its beating, and all consciousness had com- 
 pletely fled. 
 
 In this exhausted and nearly inanimate condition I was landed. 
 An immense crowd of persons waited on the beach, to receive and 
 welcome all the survivors. It was well for me, that I was uncon- 
 scious of their congratulations being lavished upon one solitary 
 being. Many of the spectators inquired who I was ; and one of 
 our friends who did not know me, has since told me that I was a 
 frightful object to behold, on account of the distortion of my 
 features. 
 
 I was carried to the house of Joshua Kentish, Esq. with very 
 little hopes of recovery. But to the unwearied attention and 
 perseverance of Dr. Peddie, with Mr. and Mrs. Kentish’s kind 
 care, I have under God to attribute my spared life. Never shall 
 I, as long as memory continues, forget their kindness, and that of 
 many others. 
 
 When I think of the scenes I passed through, I wonder that I 
 could sustain them ; but I owe all to the grace of God, who 
 brought me down to the grave, and has raised me up. It is mine 
 to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband, and that of the Mis- 
 sionaries and their wives, with whom I had rejoiced and sorrowed. 
 
 On the Sunday after my deliverance, when my reason had per- 
 fectly returned, for a few minutes the agitation of my thoughts and 
 feelings was such, that but for the special help of God I must have 
 sunk under it. I then indeed felt that I was left alone ; yet my 
 mercies abounded : The Lord had provided a house for my recep- 
 tion, and opened the generous hearts of those who rescued me, 
 to show me the greatest kindness. In their house I was treated 
 as one of the family, with every possible attention, till the morn- 
 ing I left the island. The Lord reward them ! 
 
22 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM 
 
 In the most trying seasons of affliction and distress, I have 
 never repented leaving the comforts of my native land ; and the 
 cause for which I left it will be ever dear to my heart. 
 
 THE FOLLOWING ARE FURTHER EXTRACTS FROM MR. HYDE's 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 Sunday, March 12th, Antigua . — I this day improved, in St. 
 John’s, the great affliction wherewith the Lord has afflicted us. 
 A more solemn and affecting scene I never witnessed. The Chapel 
 and people were almost entirely clothed in mourning. In the 
 forenooon I preached from the third chapter and first six verses 
 of the Wisdom of Solomon : “ But the souls of the righteous are 
 in the hands of God, and there shall no torment touch them ; in 
 the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and their departure 
 is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruc- 
 tion ; but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the 
 sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having 
 been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded ; for God 
 proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the 
 furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt-offering.” 
 After some remarks suited to the occasion, I observed, Notwith- 
 standing our text is taken from the Apocrypha, it is full of truth ; 
 truth supported by well-authenticated passages of revelation ; 
 truth explanatory and consoling in the situation in which we are 
 found. Here we are taught the following very acceptable and 
 important particulars: — 1. The high estimation in which God 
 holds the souls of the righteous, and the special care he takes of 
 them : “ The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and 
 there shall no torment touch them.” 2. That notwithstanding this 
 especial care of God for the souls of the righteous, the same event, 
 namely, death, befals their bodies, as the bodies of other men, and 
 that the occasion of their death has often no marked difference. 
 S. The false way of reasoning into which the “ unwise” are prone 
 to fall, when they witness such apparent indistinction. (Verses 
 2 and 3.) And, finally, the design of God in such a dispensation 
 as that over which we mourn, is here stated in such a way as to 
 confound the reasonings of unbelief, to justify the ways of Gon 
 with man, and to comfort and strengthen us who now grieve over 
 that great loss which we have sustained, in the death of so many 
 righteous persons who lived for us, and who died so mysteriously. 
 (Verses 4, 5, and 6.) Having considered the various parts of the 
 text in their application to our dear departed Brethren and their 
 families, and our imaginations having had a glimpse of their glori- 
 ous ascent to heaven from the altar of their Redeemer’s merits, as a 
 “ burnt sacrifice, an offering of a sweet savour unto the Lord,” we 
 
MR. Hyde’s journal. 
 
 23 
 
 proceeded to consider some of the probable ends which God 
 designed should be accomplished through this affliction. Among 
 others were the following : 1 . To humble the people of Antigua 
 generally, and the Methodist Society particularly. 2. To cause 
 us who survive to preach more fully like dying men to dying men. 
 3. To confound our reasoning and to strengthen our faith. 4. To 
 lead all who sat under the ministry of his now glorified servants 
 to think more seriously of what they have heard, and to practise 
 the same. 5. To endear heaven to us the more, and to weaken 
 our earthly affections. 6 . To teach us to glory less in man and 
 more in God, and to display the power, the wisdom, and glory of 
 the Great Head of the Church in raising up others to stand in 
 their places. 7. To awaken a more active spirit of prayer through- 
 out the Church for Missionaries and their work, and to excite a 
 more lively interest generally in the blessed Missionary cause. 
 8. Perhaps to save the souls of the crew of the vessel. These 
 probable designs of the Almighty in this affliction having occupied 
 our attention for some time, it was observed in conclusion. Let us 
 pray to God that he would make this dispensation plain to us, and 
 cause it to answer all his designs of wisdom and goodness : And 
 whilst we thus pray, let us be willing to do our part ; let us en- 
 dure the rod in a Christian spirit, and humbly kiss the hand of 
 Him who uses it ; yea, with the devout poet let us say, 
 
 “ Bless’d be that hand ! whether it shed 
 Mercies or judgments o’er my head ; 
 
 Extend the sceptre or the rod ; 
 
 Blest hand ! ’tis still the hand of God.” 
 
 It was a very affecting, and I trust, a profitable season. The 
 distress of the people at one time was so great, that I was obliged 
 to stop for a few minutes to give them an opportunity to vent, by 
 tears and groans, their deeply afflicted hearts. Truly it might be 
 said, “ This is a grievous mourning.” In the evening, to a large 
 congregation, I again improved the death of the Missionaries, 
 from Joshua i. 28 ; “ My servant is dead.” 
 
 Monday, March 13th.— I had an opportunity of thanking Dr. 
 Peddie to-day for the great attention he had paid to Mrs. Jones. 
 He, I understood, slept at Mrs. Kentish’s three or four nights on 
 her account. I told him that the Missionary Society would gladly 
 pay his bill. To this he most generously replied, “Sir, it is alto- 
 gether an act of benevolence, and I should never forgive myself 
 if I charged a farthing.” This was said with so much feeling, 
 that I wafs almost as much gratified with the manner as with the act. 
 
 Tuesday, 14th. — I spent some time with Sister Jones, and in 
 the evening preached in Ebenezer Chapel, from, “ Knowing in 
 yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring sub- 
 stance, cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great 
 
24 KXTKACTS KKOM Mil. IIYUK’s JOUKXAL. 
 
 recompense of reward." The following is an extract from the 
 Weekly Register newspaper of this day : “ Mr. George Newbold, 
 late mate of the mail-boat Maria, arrived here on Saturday morn- 
 ing from St. Bartholomew’s. He reports, that he and the man 
 who were saved in the boat of the Maria, endeavoured to scull the 
 boat to the vessel, but found it impossible to reach her, from the 
 boisterous weather and heavy sea that was running, added to 
 which, part of the boat’s stern was stove in, and no proper place 
 remained for sculling ; they, however, used every possible exer- 
 tion to return, but were unsuccessful, and by next morning they 
 had drifted down to the back of Nevis, where they were fallen in 
 with by a F rench sloop, which took them on board, and conveyed 
 them to St. Bartholomew’s.” 
 
 Wednesday, 15th. — Mr. and Mrs. Morgan arrived this morning 
 from Dominica, which place they left on Sunday morning last- 
 We met in tears. At noon, we went to see Sister Jones, who, by 
 the mercy of God, is fast recovering. In the afternoon I went to 
 English Harbour ; saw sister Hillier, who bears up under her 
 affliction in a most Christian manner ; and at night, to a full 
 chapel, I improved the afflicting dispensation. The chapel was 
 hung with black, and most of the people appeared in mourning. 
 The expressions of sorrow that every where meet the eye or salute 
 the ear, cannot be described. So great has been the demand for 
 mourning, that it has taken an extensive rise. May this prove to 
 many a godly sorrow, that shall work repentance unto eternal life ! 
 Then indeed the servants of God will not have died in vain. 
 
 Friday, 17th. — I called at the office of the Editor of The Free 
 Press to-day, for the purpose of contradicting a mistake in his 
 paper of last week. Writing on the wreck, with feeling for the 
 sufferers and indignancy towards some who are represented to 
 have seen the wreck without affording relief, he adds, ‘^Mr. 
 Hillier, in a paroxysm of disappointment and despair, seeing they 
 were thus bereft of the only probable chance of relief, on Thursday 
 plunged into the sea and perished." On being better informed, 
 he regretted the error, and has written a paragraph contradicting 
 it in a satisfactory manner. A general feeling of sympathy and 
 affection prevails. Some who did not look at the Missionaries 
 favourably when living, now speak well of them. “ Oh ! what a 
 pity that so many good people have been taken from us!” “What 
 a loss to the island !” &c. are some of the exclamations which are 
 to be heard. May God, of his infinite mercy, grant that this great 
 loss may be so felt as to awaken some to righteousness who are 
 now strangers to it ! 
 
 James Nichols, Printer, 2, If'^artcick Square, Newgate Street, London