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HISTORY
OF
“THE CHRISTIAN BRETHREN”
IN
GUYANA
BY
E.A. CHAPMAN
CONTENTS
PAGE
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Belief Strictly Fundamental
The Holy Spirit
Reception Policy
Ordinances of the Church
The Lord’s Supper
Prayer Meeting
Bishops and Deacons
Ministry of Women
Financial Matters
Camp Street – Bethel
Women’s Bible Class
Youth Meetings
Brother Muller’s Ministry
Broadcast
Peter’s Hall Assembly
Alexanderville Assembly
Craig Assembly
Supply Assembly
Dunoon
Hyde Park Assembly
Mahaicabally
Patentia
East Ruimveldt Brethren (Maranatha)
Construction of Church Building
Campbellville Brethren – Bethany
Windsor Forest
Leonora Assembly
Essequibo
Kitty
Plaisance
Buxton
Victoria
Eldorado
Berbice River
New Amsterdam
Mission Field
Rupununi
FOREWORD
It
give me great pleasure to write these few words, chiefly because I
have known the Author since the early ‘20s as not only a very godly
Christian Leader, but also as one who exercises what he professes,
and does all in his power to further the work of
“Missions”.
This interest is clearly seen in his desire to publish a
2nd edition of the History of “The Christian Brethren” in
Guyana to show what successes or/and failures have occurred in the
various Assemblies in the past two decades.
There may not have been any spectacular events occurring
during these years, but since souls have been saved, and saints
edified and instructed in the Scriptures; since the influence of the
various Assemblies has been felt in the community as salt to flavour
and preserve, and as light to enlighten, the Kingdom of God must
have been established in many hearts.
As
we all read this Book, may our Master exercise our hearts to do much
more for the furtherance of the Gospel, especially so, as we
approach the end of this age.
GEORGE O’JON,
17.11.77
PREFACE
New Amsterdam, Berbice
Guyana,
South America.
In
the year 1955 I wrote “History of the Brethren in British Guyana”
and I now consider it needs reviewing and enlarging, so I have
undertaken a second edition for this reason
It
seems appropriate to introduce myself as one born of parents who
themselves were in this fellowship, and form my earliest
recollections I was taken to every meeting that my mother attended
and she was very regular.
In
the month of May 1904 I was baptized and received into fellowship by
Brethren and am thankful to be still enjoying that fellowship.
From November 1924 I was acknowledge as
an
elder in the church which I still attend. I thus have been
privileged to serve my Lord and my brethren in the Lord in this
office for more than half a century.
I
wish to gratefully acknowledge the help given me by the late Mrs.
Lilly O’Jon and her daughter Miss Joy O’Jon in gathering information
and in advising me when necessary as to the content of this
book.
E.A. CHAPMAN
The Brethren is an indigenous body and did not come into
being as a result of Missionary activity by a church in another
country, but had its commencement in this country when in 1827 a
clergyman of the Anglican Church, Rev. Leonard Strong without any
knowledge of a similar movement in the world launched out in faith
as a result of diligent and independent study of the scriptures, and
found it impossible to reconcile what he learnt with his position in
the Church of England.
This was in 1827 and the two assemblies started by him, one
at Peters Hall, East Bank, Demerara and the other in Georgetown, are
still extant.
It
was a test of faith as to whether descendants of slaves severely
handicapped by lack of education and suffering from the class
prejudice that resigned in that day could understand and practice
the ideals taught by the apostles.
BELIEF STRICTLY FUNDAMENTALIST
No
modernist, nor modernistic teaching is permitted in Assemblies of
Christian Brethren.
That the Bible, the Holy Scriptures is God’s inspired
message to mankind and the only authority for the worship and
service of God among believers. That the brethren have no
creed or written articles of faith, but depend only on the Holy
Scriptures and on the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit for
Doctrine and Morals.
They believe that the Church, consisting of all true
believers, is one body and should be visibly united, having as its
bond of fellowship and barrier of exclusion the reception of those
truths by which the Christian is distinguished from the
unbeliever. Christ is the Head of this body. (Eph. 5 : 23, Col.
1:18). They believe in the Eternal Security of the believer,
(John 10:27-29, John 6:37).
THE HOLY SPIRIT is the Vicar or Representative of
Christ on Earth. (John 14 : 16-26) He leads Christians in this
worship. (John 14 : 16-26) He leads Christians in this worship.
(Eph. 2:18).
He
inspires their prayers. (Romans 8:26-27) He raises up overseers fro
the Church (Acts 20:18). He bestows Gifts for its growth and
effectiveness – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers, (Eph. 4:11 & 12) God seals the believers with the Holy
Spirit by giving them the Holy Spirit to dwell within them. We are
thus sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. (II Cor. 1 : 22) (Eph
1:13-14, Eph. 4 : 30).
They believe that the filling of the Spirit, (Eph. 5 : 18)
is not related to regeneration, baptism, sealing and indwelling,
which take place the instant we believe; but to our Service and
Reward.
This requires that we heed all the Ephesians 5
teaches.
We
believe that all believers are priest of God.
(I
Peter 2 : 5-9).
RECEPTION POLICY
The local Assemblies receive all those whom we believe
Christ has received viz:- all born-again believers who are holy in
life, sound in doctrine and not under discipline by some other
assembly.
We
believe that every believer should engage in Christian Service,
viz:- be worshippers, through exercising their God-given
functions.
The idea of a clergyman who does the religious duties for
the congregation, of preaching the sermons, baptizing converts,
conducting communication services, etc. is not
acceptable.
ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Baptism of believers only by immersion in water, type of
death: (Acts 2 : 4, Acts 8 : 12, Romans 6 : 1) signifying the end of
a former way of life, and the commencing of a new life.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
We
believe the elements of Bread and Wine represent the Lord’s body and
blood, an occasion for remembrance and for inspiration. It is
a public witness to the world of God’s provision for the salvation
of all who believe through the offering of Calvary, and by believers
in the unity of the body with Christ and with each other.
PRAYER MEETING
It
is necessary for the life of the Church (I Timothy 2). To be
effective we must abide in Christ (John 15 : 7). Our prayer
should be according to His will (John 5 : 14). Our request
should be offered in the name of Christ. (John 14 : 14).
BISHOPS AND DEACONS
The bishops, also called elders and overseers, are to feed
the flock and they must be fitted for that office by the Holy Ghost
(Acts 20:28).
The Deacons are to administration the business and financial
affairs of the church and must be elected to that office; but, the
elders, otherwise called bishops or overseers or presbyters are
pointed out to the church by a senior and accepted by the church on
his fitness for that office. The chief requirement is love to
the Lord (John 21 : 15).
MINISTRY OF WOMEN:
With regards to salvation or acceptance before God, a woman
is on an equality with man. (Gal. 3:28). Differences of sex
are not abolished in everyday life nor in the church, (1 Cor.1 :
11). She must be silent; (I Cor. 14 : 34-35), which means that
she is not permitted to teach. (I Timothy 2 : 12). She should
not ask questions publicly. (I Cor. 14-35). She must attend
services with her head covered. She should learn to minister of
their substance. (Luke 8:3) – e.g. show hospitality, (Romans
16.1), teach the younger women, (Titus 2 : 4) bring up, children in
the fear of the Lord, help Sunday Schools, work among women, pray
etc.
The first Epistle to the Corinthians was not written to the
Corinthians only, but, “To all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord”.
We
believe that every believer is bought with a price and should
glorify God in his or her body and spirit which are His. We
therefore discourage use of alcoholic drinks, and if anyone in
fellowship should get drunk at any time, that person will be
excommunicated.
We
are against the use of drugs like opium, heroin and tobacco.
It is only in the last of these three that we have any experience,
and we have done all we could. In nearly every case we have
been successful in getting the smoker to give it up.
We
discourage theatre going, deeming it an incentive to ungodliness and
licentiousness. Immorality is dealt with on instructions from 1
Cor. 5. No secret Societies or Orders are permitted among
members.
FINANCIAL MATTERS:
Those who go out into whole-time service do so in faith that
God will supply their needs. They take nothing from
unbelievers and have no fixed salary or agreement for support with
any board or committee. Collections are made on the first day
of every week, “as the Lord has prospered the believers”.
We
believe in stewardship; that all we possess is the Lord’s and that
we are only stewards and should use our possessions for His
glory. No gambling is permitted, as we consider it to be the
sin of covetousness. Dancing is also prohibited because w e
believe it to be revelry condemned in the Word of God, and that it
leads to immorality. (I Timothy 2:9
I
Peter 4 : 3). We believe and teach that women should be modest
in their apparel, and should in obedience to the Scriptures adorn
themselves with the ornament of “a meek and quiet spirit, which in
the sight of God is of great price”. (I Peter 3 : 4).
The assembly in Georgetown has produced outstanding native
brethren, who is fellowship with missionaries from England have not
only maintained a large membership and attendance, but have been a
source of succour to smaller assemblies in the country.
From the time of the return of Mr. Strong to England, the
Camp Street Georgetown Assembly as always benefited by having senior
Missionary Brethren stationed there, and seems to have reached its
greatest spiritual prosperity while it enjoyed the benefit of Mr.
John Rhymer’s godly ministry. Of all the best loved and
respected by the believers throughout the country. On his
return to England the number in fellowship was seven
hundred.
CAMP STREET – BETHEL
In
February 1903 it was reported that through the help and leadership
of Miss Baker, a building to accommodate 120 was constructed for the
Women’s Bible Class at 192 Camp Street, Georgetown. This
building was to be the property of the Mission. The Assembly
was run mainly by Missionaries sponsored by the English Missionary
Society situated at Bath, England. Missionaries that served in
the area included: - Messrs. John Rhymer, Thomas Wales, Gordon
Smith, Albert Webster, Ronald Aldrich and Robert Mc Lucky. The
women seemed to be the thriving section of the assembly and thus
were involved in many projects.
There was once a Sewing Class for Children of all ages
managed by Mrs. Ruby Young and Mrs. Florrie King. This soon
became defunct. However, another sewing class involving the
sisters was later introduced and still functions. An annual
sale of work is held around October/November and the proceeds go to
the Missionary Society. The class is directed by Mrs.
King.
WOMEN’S BIBLE CLASS:
The class was run mainly by the wives of missionaries, and
up to 1960 was the main Women’s Bible Class in the city.
Gradually other classes were formed, and so the number diverted to
other assemblies. At the present time, almost every assembly
runs an effective Women’s Bible-study class. There is also a
Dorcas Society run by the women folk. This group, which was
started by Mrs. Gordon Smith, was handed over to Mrs. Florrie King
by Mrs. Winifred Webster. This group is primarily concerned
with helping the poor folks by providing clothing and
food.
YOUTH MEETINGS:
Associated with Mr. Rhymer was a coloured native of the
country, Henry Isles by name, Like King Saul of Israel, he was
outstanding in bodily height, but unlike him in his spiritual life,
was a faithful, godly brother with exceptional ability in the
Ministry of the Word.
He
served principally in Georgetown, but was also active in the country
Assemblies. He felt called to whole-time service and came out
depending entirely on the Lord. He and his family lived at the
Camp Street Mission House, along with Mr. and Mrs. Rhymer, and
continued to live there until his death in 1909.
Another outstanding coloured native brother associated with
this assembly was William Chesterfield Willock, who died in
1935. He was converted by the preaching of Mr. Rhymer in 1891,
and for forty-three (43) years he laboured in the Lord’s vineyard
with acceptance both in the assemblies of the coastlands of the then
colony which he visited, and more so in the interior. He
travelled from the Barima River in the North West District to the
Potaro centre of the gold-mining industry, covering hundreds of
miles on those missionary journeys. He also visited New
Amsterdam, where I reside, and I listened to, and profited greatly
from this brother’s ministry to us in the year 1916. The last
time I heard him, he was addressing oversight brethren at a
conference in Camp Street. His was a life which reminds me of
the Apostle Paul, who was willing to spend and be spent for the
gospel. Among other eminent brethren who have been highly
respected, because of their exemplary character and godly counsel,
the names of Joshua Austin, and Augustus Ashby stand conspicuous for
about half a century.
These brethren helped to strengthen the hands of Mr. Rhymer,
and of Mr. Wales, who succeeded him. This doubtless caused
brethren in the country districts to turn Georgetown assembly for
advice and direction.
After Mr. Rhymer returned to England, Mr. Thomas Wales
succeeded him; his was a most outstanding personality. He was
famous for strict discipline and impartiality; this earned him
profound respect. On his death he was succeeded by Mr. C. Gordon
Smith, who while in England was called higher service, on September
11, 1955. In seeking information about the Demerara
assemblies; I found it difficult to meet the older brethren of these
assemblies, but one brother, Gabriel Theophilus Bullen, who died in
1918, has left a written record in connection with the formation of
an assembly on the West Bank fo the Demerara River, which record I
have pleasure to use. It says, in essence:‑
It
was on June 7, 1896 that some believers decided to travel by a
bateau to a well-populated area on the West Bank of the Demerara
River to preach the Gospel. This was a hazardous undertaking
and on one occasion fifteen of them wee thrown overboard by the
upsetting of the boat. They were not deterred however, but
proceeded to their destination and were lent dry clothes to use
until they were about to return, when they had to put on their damp
apparel until they reached home. This meant rowing across a
river about half a mile wide to Peter’s Hall and then walking for
about four miles to Georgetown, to arrive about midnight;
nevertheless the work went on, and shortly after, a dance hall at La
Retraite was offered to the brethren, to which the people brought
chairs and benches on the Lord’s day evenings and listened to the
Gospel with rapt attention. It was then discovered that there
were believers scattered in that area, who had heard the gospel from
Mr. Joseph Collier. He had been one of the first missionaries
in this colony after Mr. Strong had left. These believers were
brought over to the assembly at 192 Camp Street, Georgetown, and
received into fellowship there. Soon after, eight persons were
converted, but the owners of the hall gave them notice to cease
having meetings there. A Gift of necessary furniture were made by
believers from Georgetown and Peter’s Hall and on January 1, 1997,
meetings commenced in the hired room.
On
June 6, 1897, one year after this small work started on that side of
the river, the Lord’s Supper was observed for the first time, and on
the following day, Brother Bullen baptized the first eight
converts. An assembly of sixteen was formed under his
oversight, and the work took on a permanent character.
Again on October 25, 1897 there was a baptism at which Mr.
Fred Stanley Arnot, Missionary from Central Africa was
present.
Brother Bullen writes of his personal experiences as
follows:-
“As a result of an encouraging response in attendance,
especially in the Sunday School, and because of the difficulty of
traveling at night, and getting wet in a malarial district, I
decided after prayer and discussion with my wife to give my whole
time to the Lord’s work in that district, and to trust Him for the
necessities of our lives.
As
soon as we had removed to our new abode, my wife opened a women’s
Bible Class and prayer meeting, but she contracted malaria fever and
died on June 6, 1898, exactly one year after the first baptism, and
two years after the first meeting. It devolved upon me to set
before the new converts a good example of faith, so kneeling
down by the side of her dead body I gave thanks to God for His
unerring wisdom and love and committed my future to Him.
Shortly after her death, I became very ill with dysentery, so much
so that my life was despaired of. During my illness, brethren
from Peter’s Hall supported the work in my stead, and showed me much
kindness until I was able to be active once more”.
In
February, 1899, Brother Bullen received five pounds from Brother
Muller of Bristol, England, and thereafter regular assistance from
him.
At
this stage Brothers Willock and Isles rendered invaluable aid, and
along with Brother Isles, Brother Bullen visited the assemblies on
the banks of the Demerara River.
Forty new converts were the result of this missionary
journey. An interesting incident on this journey that ended
ninety miles up the Demerara River is, that before the last two
assemblies at Issurn and Mahaicabally were reached, a message came
from those believers asking the two Brethren not to come at that
time as it was not then convenient to receive the,. They,
however felt the Lord’s leading, and arrived unexpectedly at the
nearest meeting room at Issuru, to find the place deserted.
Haven forgotten the victuals they had prepared at their last
stopping place, they found themselves alone with only a few ears of
corn. They were completely isolate. They lit a fire to
roast the corn which was to be their meal, and the smoke attracted
the believers, who come in their boats to investigate, and soon,
having a goodly number, a gospel meeting was kept and twelve of the
forty mentioned before confessed Christ.
Further, the mother of an oversight brother at Mahaicabally
died at this time, and the believers were not only glad that their
request to these two Brethren to come at a later date had not been
heeded, but also they sent conveyance for them, and urged them to
come for the funeral. Further result of this tour was the
purchase of a building from a Chinese Brother who was leaving the
then colony.
This building was eventually transported to La Retraite
where, after some difficulty and opposition, a piece of land was
secured with the help of other assemblies. The building was
converted to a meeting room which was completed and occupied in
January, 1906.
The year after, Mr. Bullen got married again and was able to
live on the West Bank Once more.
A
building was also secured for a residence from a Chinese brother,
but it had to be transported to distance of twenty-six
miles.
Brethren gave help in materials and cash, and one sister,
Mrs. Alves, (who lived at Peter’s Hall) pawned certain articles of
jewellery which she had and loaned the amount to help meet the cost
of purchase and re-erection. In December 1910 the new mission
house was completed.
At
this time Mr. Bullen also received financial help from an evangelist
Rev. James Taylor, of Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A., who had visited
the colony previously.
Mr. Bullen died in the year 1918, but his wife carried on
the good work at La Retraite, where she resided in the Mission House
until her death in 1974.
Two miles north of La Retraite, in a more central part of
the district, was the Chinese Baptist meeting room and Mission
Home. These had been loaned to Mr. Bullen for seven years
before his death for use in the gospel. While he lived for the
use to which they were being put.
After his death they were sold to the Brethren and though
Brother Bullen did not live to see it, his desire was
granted.
BROTHER MULLER’S MINISTRY
Brother J. T. Muller who laboured as missionary brother in
Essequibo from 1920 came to this Assembly – La Retraite – in 1926;
he lived at the mission house and laboured here and at
Zeeburg.
He
was instrumental in building up both churches. During his stay
at Bagotville the support which he had received from the churches in
the Colony declined considerably, in so much that he and his family
were reduced to a very impecunious position.
In
1928 he left our fellowship to become a Pastor in the Pilgrim
Holiness Church. Now at the time of writing, Brother Muller is
still alive, and over a century old.
HYDE PARK ASSEMBLY, now transferred to
Soesdyke.
Brother Aveline, a missionary from England, laboured there
until his death and was buried there. Brethren Warren, Elijah
D’Urban and John Pantlitz exercised oversight and built the meeting
room.
ISSURU, now Endeavour, West Bank, Demerara
River.
The work at Issuru must have commenced a very long time ago
inasmuch as the name of Mr. Huntley, a missionary who died in the
middle of the last century, is associated with it. The names
of old and faithful believers viz:- Browers, Biedburgs, Houths and
Allicocks belong to the past century though some of their
descendants are still to be found in fellowship. From 1901 a
clearer picture emerges when Messrs. Elder and Lewis exercised
oversight, with Joseph Houth as Trustee, and John Allicock as Sunday
School Superintendent. These oversight brethren were succeeded
by Mr. Laing who fell asleep in 1915, then by Mr. Abram Davidson
until 1929, then by Messrs. Abram Joseph, Phillip Sampson and John
Allicock.
Messrs. Gordon Smith and A. Webster, missionaries, paid
regular visits; also young men from the Young Life Campaign.
As a result the membership went up to seventy in 1943, but since
then there has been a falling away.
The Assemblies on the East Bank of Demerara River have
received much help from Brother John Buchanan, a fine Scottish
Christina and Bible Teacher who was then a secular employment in the
country. He fell asleep in Scotland in November,
1977.
CHRISTIANBURG ASSEMBLY, West Bank,
Demerara.
This was started by a Postmaster and his wife, Mr. and Mrs.
Glasgow, who commenced a cottage meeting in the home of Brother and
Sister Rafferty in the year 1907. Brother Willock and Brother
Natowlie were associated with Brothers Glasgow, Rafferty and
Burnett. Brother Burnett gave a piece of land to building
church. After the Glasgows left the district Brothers Burnett
and Rafferty went on preaching the Word. Brother Burnett was
drowned while engaged in purchasing materials for the erection of a
meeting room and in distributing tracts. Brother Bullen
prepared the plan for the meeting room and other brothers gave money
for sawing lumber. After Brother Baverstock’s death the number
of believers dwindled.
In
1950 Brother O’Jon went to work with the Demerara Bauxite Company
and gave much of his spare time to the work. It revived
considerably.
In
1955 Brother and Mrs. McLucky from Ireland spent a year at
Christianburg and helped in the Assembly. Their first child was
born at Mackenzie, across the river from the Mission
Station.
In
1958, when Brother O’Jon retired from the Bauxite Company, the
Saints at Wismar requested him to become the resident Missionary for
the Upper Demerara River District with centre at
Christianburg. After prayer and waiting on the Lord and
consultation with Senior Brethren, Brother and Sister O’Jon acceded
to this request.
Brother O’Jon was then commended to full-time service.
The Assembly grew. Some of its stalwarts passed to be with the
Lord:- Brother Joseph Maxwell, Brother Darnley Alleyne and Brother
John Austin.
A
definite youth work was started. Later, in 1959-1961, a
mission house was built and when the lower part was enclosed, that
was used for sewing classes, and games sessions for the young
people. A kindergarten school was started.
At
about that time Brother and Mrs. Sutherland from Scotland gave a few
years’ service to the river work. In a beautiful fully-equipped
river boat, Brother Sutherland visited the stations at Aratak,
Dunoon, Endeavour, Christianburg and Coomacka, spending some days at
each place, preaching the gospel, ministering the Word and giving
Bible lessons in the schools.
As
numbers of believers grew, a branch work was set up at Wismar Hill
at the house of Brother James Blackman.
In
1971, a work was started at Ituni, thirty-five miles from Mackenzie,
where Sister Ruth Smith of Jamaica laboured among the women and
children. Several were won for the Lord, and some men
also. In the course of the years, three young men from the
Christianburg Assembly left for Bible College in the United States
of America and Canada:- Brother Eustace Marshall was the first, and
afterwards Brother Winston Newton and Brother Godfrey Bourne.
They are all now serving the Lord in United States of America
and Canada, but Brother Marshall gave valuable help to the assembly
for some time after his return from Bible College. A group of
young workers was taken on alternate monthly week-end trips to
Endeavour and Dunoon, two settlements down the river about half way
between Wismar and Georgetown. This provided good training
practice in preaching for the young men. The two assemblies
were much blessed as well as the workers themselves.
In
1970-1973 the old church building was demolished and a new and
larger building erected at Christianburg. Assistance was
rendered by local Assemblies and by the Brethren of “Echoes of
Service”. Bath, England.
The new building called “Faith Gospel Chapel”. At the
present time these Assemblies serve the Upper Demerara River area
–
Faith Gospel Chapel – Christianburg - Presiding Elder G.
O’Jon
Wismar Hill
- -
Presiding Elder J. Blackman
Ituni (mining
area)
- - Bro.
J. Pantlitz
Endeavour
- -
Bros. V. Allicock and P. Sampson
Dunoon
- - Bro.
I. Pollard
Coomacka
- -
Bros. R. Jeffrey and A. Waldron
MAHAICABALLY, West Bank, Demerara River.
As
a result of a gospel campaign by Mr. G. Bullen the assembly at
Mahaicabally, on the west bank of the Demerara River, about
seventy-three miles from Georgetown, and about eight miles from
Wismar Assembly, was started. In the year 1907, seven years
after Mr. Bullen’s first visit, Mr. John Vangronigen was recognized
as the Assembly’s First Elder.
After he died in 1911, Brother David Richardson continued
the work. At this time Mr. Kingsland, a missionary residing at
Wismar, and Mr. Wales, from Georgetown, paid regular
visits.
After Mr. Richardson, Brothers Benjamin, Archer, and
Zechariah Bedford were recognized as local Elders, and Mr.
Baverstock assumed missionary duties in the area. He removed
the meeting room to Coomacka on the Eastern Bank of the river with
the object of facilitating those who were working with the Demerara
Bauxite Company and had to cross the river to get to the meeting
room, and he also erected a Mission House for his own
use.
After twenty years of service he died, and Brothers
Brathwaite and Duggan become responsible for the oversight of the
Church, but the work deteriorated and the Lord’s Supper was not
observed for some time.
In
1952 the Lord’s Table was again set up and Brother Albert Webster
was invited to be present on that occasion.
Brother Duggan has now gone to Jamaica but Brother
Brathwaite continues as an oversight Brother.
A
Government-aided School was started within the last decade and was
showing gradual increase until taken over by Government.
(Private Schools started previously at Camp Street,
Georgetown, and on the Pomeroon River have been
discontinued).
PATENTIA
Our brother Mr. Sutherland, a missionary from Canada, has
been instrumental in starting an assembly at Patentia on the West
Bank of the Demerara River.
The members of this new Church are mostly East Indians, and
there is cause for thankfulness that this long neglected section of
our population is now brought into our fellowship.
EAST RUIMVELDT BRETHREN (MARANATHA)
East Ruimveldt Work
This work started out as an extension of the then
Alexanderville and was in the form of a prayer group and Sunday
School conducted in Brother Dainty’s home. Brother Dainty was
a member of Alexanderville.
Reason: Distance to Alexanderville was the main
reason.
Growth: These prayer meetings, attended primarily by
the women (about 15-20) grew into Sunday-night Gospel Services at
the home. The Breaking of Bread Service becomes a primary
concern since this could only be done at Alexanderville.
In
April 1962 however, the Table was opened. At the Breaking of
Bread were Brothers Dainty, Beresford, Hubert Boston, Arthur Duncan
and others. The work became known as the East Ruimveldt
Brethren and programmes arranged to have Monday night Prayer
Meeting, Wednesday night Ministry Meeting and Friday night Young
People’s Meeting. This last was led by Brother
Beresford.
The Elders were then Brother Dainty, Brother Duncan and
Brother Boston.
Removal: Accommodation becomes a problem and so in
March, 1963, the Brethren removed to 606 East Ruimveldt (Front Road)
at the home of Sister Thomas. The lower portion was enclosed
and provided accommodation for sixty.
In
1964 the Baptistry was sunk since prior to this, baptismal services
had to be conducted at Camp Street, and at Princes Street
Assemblies. These baptisms were conducted by Brother Webster
at Camp Street and Presiding Elder, Brother Mc Watt, at Princes
Street. The average weekly attendance at services was
forty-five. At the youth services it was about thirty-six (36)
and at the Sunday School about sixty-five.
CONSTRUCTION OF CHURCH BUILDING
In
1965, due to differences of opinion between Mr. Thomas and the
Church Executive, the church was forced to move back to Brother
Dainty’s home. In 1966 Brother Dainty and Brother Eustace
Marshall, then an Elder at Camp Street, were called to full time
Ministry. Due to Brother Marshall’s help the present lot at
458 East Ruimveldt (Black Road) was acquired. The lot cost
$1,200, a sum financed by the East Ruimveldt Brethren, who are,
supporters. Brother Spence drafted the plans for a two-storey
building-rest room included-to cost $34,000.
Self Help: This seemed a large sum and the Brethren
decided on a self-help policy. Brother Dainty and the few
available male folk made the mould and the sisters made and laid the
blocks.
However the foundation and the roof were done by
contract. The foundation stone was laid in1967. The
Brethren Buchanan, Mc Innis, Mc Watt and Webster officiated, and
Brother Mc Innis performed the function of laying the
stone.
The corner stone was laid on 12th April,
1969. However, the brethren had moved in 1968, so services
were conducted in the building before the laying the
stone.
Missionary: In 1969 Brother Dainty was called out into
full time Service and worked in the Berbice River, in the Pomeroon,
and in the surrounding areas, fully supported by the Assembly,
Brother Duncan assisted Brother Dainty by alternating their duties
between the riverain areas and East Ruimveldt.
Extension: In 1966 a work was started in Meadow Brook
Gardens. This took the form of a Sunday School and Sunday
evening open-air meetings. This was enlarged and by 1968
regular Gospel Services were held. This was a result of a two
week campaign during this period.
In
1967 a day school was started in the area. The teachers were
two young believers, Ruth Kingston and Deserie Chapman.
Subsequent teachers were the Morgan Sisters. This school had
to be closed in April 1974, because of poor response. In 1969
the Sunday-night services had to be stopped for the very
reason. However, a Sunday School attached to the Brethren is
carried on under the supervision of Brother Stuart of Camp Street
Assembly. In 1964 the organ was bought.
In
1965 Brother Beresford was recognized as an elder. Trustees
then were Brother Edinboro, Boston, Beresford, Marshall, Duncan and
Dainty. This was legalized in 1967 under the Christian Brethren
Ordinance.
In
1966 the brethren were able to buy a public address
system.
In
1971 Brother Beresford become the Presiding Elder.
In
1972 Brother Williams became an Elder.
Deacons at the time of writing are Brothers Andrew, Marshall
and Archer.
Since then Brother Marshall has left the country for
Canada.
CAMPBELLVILLE BRETHREN – BETHANY
The work in Campbellville started out about fifteen years
ago with open-air work, by the same workers who were involved in the
“Message for the Hour” Broadcast. The response to these
open-air meetings was good. A Sunday School was therefore
commenced at the Government School, and a weekly Gospel Service was
conducted by Brethren and Sisters from Camp Street. The use of
the school, which was kindly granted by Dr. Jagan, was later denied
us.
During that period money was collected to purchase a piece
of land at No. 45 Craig Street. Money was also collected for
making bricks in readiness for constructing a building. The
land was bought and the transport was passed in the year
1963.
Because of various difficulties, within and without, the
land lay unused for a number of years.
In
July 1967 when Mr. and Mrs. Webster returned from England, after
their leave of absence, and made their home at No. 29 Blygezight
Gardens, the Lord laid on their hearts a keen desire to see a
building put up to His glory on the plot of land still
vacant.
With about twelve dollars in hand, with stringent savings,
with assistance from believers in England chiefly, and from many
friends in Guyana, they were able to construct and complete the
building by August 1970.
On
August 29, 1970, Miss C. Hughes declared the building open and a
day-long dedication service was held.
On
the following day with Sunday School at 09:00 a.m., and breaking of
Bread at 10:30 a.m. the usual meetings commenced.
In
August 1972 a Youth meeting was started by Godfrey Mc Allister, a
young believer and Sunday School Teacher. Three months later
Mc Allister left for Jamaica Theologicla Seminary.
Due to lack of personnel, this youth meeting, which was
attended primarily by Sunday School children, had to be
closed
In
August 1973, God made the call and once again, with the help of
Neville George, and John Elcock, a steering committee was formed and
the youth meeting re-commenced. The response was
encouraging.
Ever since, with the exception of one difficult period at
the beginning of 1974, the fellowship at Bethany is constantly
growing with almost 100 souls claimed and won for Christ.
The first crusade to be sponsored by this group was held
from 8th-11th August, 1974.
Special mention could be made of the thriving Women’s Bible
Class, presided over by Sister Webster, held at Bethany.
Attendance is good, and keen attention is paid to the Word
dispensed.
WINDSOR FOREST, West Coast, Demerara.
The work at Windsor Forest was commenced in 1935 by V.
Ting-A-Kee and E. Reis, who held open-air meetings. Later they
were joined by Brothers H. L. Bunburg, C.A.P. Low, R. G. H. Low, N.
Ewing Chow, J. H. Wrong and I. Ying.
After several open-air meetings, the lower flat of the
Manager’s house on the Plantation was loaned them to hold indoor
meetings.
At
about this time the Canadian Mission Church was closing down their
Primary School in this area. They sold the school building to
these brethren for a nominal sum. Special meetings were held,
souls were converted and baptized and the Lord’s table was set
up.
Brother Carl Browman gave of his time and talents to this
work and has been instrumental in rebuilding the meeting room.
This building was destroyed during political strife in
1963-1964. The assembly which had subsequently fallen off
greatly is now showing signs of revival.
LEONORA ASSEMBLY, West Coast, Demerara
The Chinese Baptist Church of British Guiana was founded by
Mr. Lough Fook about 1860, at Peter’s Hall, East Bank,
Demerara. The founder came from China with the main purpose of
spreading the gospel among the Chinese who came from China to work
on the sugar estates, as there was no one who was looking after the
spiritual needs of these people, who could neither speak nor
understand English. With the Lord’s blessing the work soon
prospered and another assembly was formed at Leonora, West Coast
Demerara, with Mr. Lee-A-King as Pastor.
The Lord continued to bless the work of His servants and
another work was opened at Camuni Creek in the Demerara River.
As time went on the work prospered to such an extent that yet
another assembly was formed at Bagotsville, West Bank,
Demerara. Other servants of the Lord who assisted in the work
at different times were Messrs. Lee Ching, Chung-A-Hing and
Chung-Man-Chu. The descendants of the Chinese from China went
to schools where English was taught; consequently, they soon learnt
to speak and write English fluently so that by the year 1920 there
was no longer a need to have a Chinese-speaking Pastor.
It
should be mentioned that the local brethren gave valuable assistance
at certain periods. Eventually, the meeting room at Camuni
Creek was closed, while those at Bagotsville and Peter’s Hall were
sold to the Brethren. Since 1932 the Assembly at Leonora has
been in fellowship with the Brethren and has opened its doors to
everyone
ZEEBURG ASSEMBLY, West Coast, Demerara
A
Brother by the name of Paul Jones came to this district sometimes
around 1920 and commenced cottage meetings in the one of one Mrs.
Elcock. The Lord blesses the work, and the believers collected
a sum of money with which they built a small meeting
room.
On
April 1, 1923, the first baptism was held and the Lord’s table was
set up. A Sunday School was also started for the children of
the district and the neighbouring villages. Sometime after,
Mr. Jones left the district to reside in Georgetown, and Mr. Muller
of Bagotsville exercised oversight over the infant assembly.
Many brethren from the City visited regularly, among them being
Messrs. O’Jon, Bunbury and Chesney. A baptism was held in
December, 1926, and another on Easter Sunday of the following
year.
The first weeding solemnized at Zeeburg was that of the
Author of this work to Miss Doris Gullen. It was soon found
necessary to enlarge the building. Requests for help were sent
to other assemblies with gratifying response. A much larger
building was erected and dedicated in November, 1930.
The Assembly continued, with ministry supplied by its local
brethren and by visitors from other assemblies. This building
was destroyed during the political unrest in 1963-1964.
ESSEQUIBO
The work in Essequibo was commenced by an English missionary
Brother, Mr. Daniel French, about the middle of the last
century. He was succeeded by other missionary Brethren from
England:- Brethren Barlowe, Greene, Sparrow, Nicols, Smith, Miles,
Webster and Aldrich.
I
remember Brother Sparrow somewhere around 1898; he was labouring at
Queenstown at that time.
Then there was a strong and virile Church with many local
brethren of African descent, chief among whom were Brothers Fraser,
Arthur, Jenot, Higgins, Luyken, Kilkenny, Grant, Cole and Forde,
Eadie and Horton. These men were able ministers of the Word
and there was spiritual progress and prosperity through their
Ministry. It was converted through the Ministry of Brother
Fraser. There was also a primary school at Danielstown, the
first Headmaster being Brother Arthur. It was closed sometime
before the present Church building was erected in 1896.
I
met Brother Sparrow for the last time in Barbados in 1923, where he
was continuing to witness for his Lord even in his old age. I
also remember Mr. W. W. Nicols who came to New Amsterdam on more
than one occasion, the last being in 1924, on the occasion of the
opening of our Gospel Hall which had just been built.
On
April 14, 1920, a local Brother was commenced fro Missionary service
at Danielstown, Essequibo. This Brother, J. T. Muller by name,
was an Essequibian by birth and had been converted by a message from
Brother Arthur on April 30, 1895. He laboured for about six years
before going to Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara. While in
Essequibo, which support was quite adequate for his needs.
Although there has nearly always been a resident English Missionary
in Essequibo I have information that the work there has declined
during the last half century to about one half its numerical
strength. There does not seem to be that ability and zeal among
the native brethren at present as there was in the past. At the
same time other Christian bodies are doing well in the same district
and making excellent progress.
There is need for prayer that the churches in Essequibo may
be revived so that they may abound in every gift, and be
self-propagating. The churches now in Essequibo are situated
atMaria’s Lodge,Queenstown,Henrietta,
Danielstown and Bounty Hall. On the East Bank of
the Pomeroon River at Lilydale, a church was founded about the year
1900 by a local brother, Ed Grant. This church prospered and
at the time of Brother Grant’s death fifty years after, had a
membership of ninety. Brother Edward Grant was a man of
African descent, of dignified appearance and couteous
demeanour. He was of excellent character and was much
respected. The work continues under the guidance of Brother
Glen who is now aging.
Having traced the work southward and westward we now turn
eastward to the assemblies on the East of Demerara and in
Berbice.
KITTY
This was the first from Georgetown travelling cast, and was
founded by Mr. John Kingsland the son of an English missionary who
commenced keeping open-air meetings in the district in 1904 and
continued until 1909. During this time a small building was
secured for meetings at Queen and Williams Streets. After
Brother Kingsland’s departure, Brother Alfred Collins continued the
work from 1910 to 1916; then from 1918 to 1924 Brother Edward
Kingsland, followed by Brother Fred Mc Kie from 1926 to 1944.
From 1945 to the time of writing Brother R. C. Ifill has helped the
work. Brother Ifill has since gone to be with the
Lord. The present building is at David Street; it was purchased
in 1930 from Chinese Baptists for one hundred dollars and, at the
time of writing, was the finest architecturally, of the Gospel Halls
in the country.
PLAISANCE
The work in this Village was commenced by an Englishman by
the name of John Barnes in the year 1892. The membership at the
commencement of the century was twenty; it is now sixty. In
the past much help was received from Brother Long of Georgetown, and
also from Brother Uriah Nicols until 1912. The latter will be
remember by the older brethren as the most spiritual Brother that
ever laboured among them.
At
the incorporation of the Camp Street Assembly in 1914 he withdrew
and started afresh at Plantation Ogle.
BUXTON
The earliest available records of the Buxton Assembly are
dated 1879 and show the names of Messrs. J. F. Collier and R. G.
Ross as weekly Lord’s day visitors. In 1885 the records show
closing of the Assembly account with Collier & Sons. In
1895 money was being collected for building a new meeting room which
was completed in 1914 and registered for the publication of banns in
1917. The baptistry was built in 1921.
Down the years, in the oversight of the Assembly are found
the names of faithful men of God, now in His presence:- Messrs. G.
F. Wilson, Z. Smith, W. C. Harry, H. A. Moses and Joseph Lewis.
These were native brethren who pursued their various
vocations for a livelihood, and gave of their spare time in
maintaining and furthering assembly life and witness.
In
1924 Brother H. Chesney with his family took up residence in the
village and for seven years laboured in the gospel, both indoor and
outdoors and outdoors. The church provided house
allowance. At this time Brother J. C. Sutherland wad resident
in the village and was a great help in the oversight. Brethren
from the city paid week-end visits, sharing in the worship meeting
the Sunday School and the Gospel and prayer meetings. These
visitors were entertained by our late sister, Mrs. Jane Rafferty of
Vigilance and also by our late sister, Miss L. Pollard of
Buxton.
In 1935 a weekly meeting for young people was started
by Brother Norman Browman and carried on after his removal by the
late Sister Laura Francis Murrain, then Laura Francis; later by
Sister Fanny Gilbert, Sister Miriam Moses and Sister Lovell.
After the death of Brother Joseph Lewis, Brother Albert Stephenson
exercised oversight in the assembly. An examination of
available registers show nearly always fewer men than women in
membership, and depletion in membership is always more due to home
calls and change of residence than to disciplinary reasons. It
has been a matter for regret that the registers show too small a
percentage of young people in fellowship. A steady stream of youths
has passed through the Sunday School and later been absorbed by the
denominational churches in the village. Some other children
have been removed from us because to secure appointments as pupil
teachers in primary schools they must first be members of the Church
who carries on the school.
It
becomes increasingly obvious that alongside our present programme
for their spiritual development we must seek to assist them in
needlework, handicraft and other ways of making a living. Our
Brother Armstrong is now exercising oversight in this
Assembly.
VICTORIA
This Assembly was formed very early in the history of the
Christian Brethren movement, and it is believed to be the original
staring point, where Mr. Leonard Strong commenced his
ministry.
It
is known that Mr. Daniel French laboured here in 1842, before going
on to Essequibo. The building now used as a meeting room was
previously used by Dutch owners as a rest house for labourers on
their cotton plantation. It was purchased from them by these
early brethren.
No
records have been kept of this assembly. They are in close
tough with brethren in Georgetown and along the Coast where hourly
communication by road makes visiting easy.
At
present Brethren Collins and Barnwell are exercising oversights of
this Assembly.
ELDORADO
About a quarter of a century ago, a very aged sister, by
name Princess Lewis, living at Eldorado, West Coast Berbice, but now
with Christ, told Brother Carl Browman that the Lord had helped her
to purchase a property, and that she had chosen a piece of the land
for the erection of a small building for a Sunday School for
children of the district, as there was none in the district at that
time.
She asked Brother Browman to hold an open air service on the
spot and to let the brethren know of the plans afoot.
Brother Browman and Brother Alphonso Jordan held two
open-air meetings in the village. The villagers came in large
numbers and listened attentively. They were told of the Sunday
School which was to be started shortly, and asked to send their
children.
Brother Carl Browman contacted Brother Kenneth Roach, who
was then living in New Amsterdam, telling him of the spiritual
awakening at Eldorado and encouraging him to go to Eldorado to meet
Sister Lewis and see what arrangements could be made for the
starting of the Sunday School. Brother Roach told the
believers at Hartman’s Lane Assembly, and they continued praying for
the efforts which God was blessing. Brother Roach met Sister
Lewis and prayerfully they planned the starting of the Sunday
School.
The Sunday School was started in Sister Lewis’ home.
The numbers increased steadily.
Brothers Browman and Jordan meanwhile held more open-air
meetings. The time came when there was a great break-through
and souls gave indication of accepting Christ as their personal
Saviour and Lord. An Enquirers’ Class was opened in the home
of Sister Lewis, and Brother Jordan held himself responsible for
it. The old Society Hall in the village was offered to the
brethren free of cost, for holding meetings. They prayerfully
accepted the offer.
Five of the converts, having seen a baptism, were eager to
identify themselves with Christ in the waters of baptism.
Brother Chapman was asked to have the converts baptized at
Hartman’s Lane, and the was given the honour to baptize the first
batch of converts from the new assembly. Brothers Browman,
Jordan and Shultz accompanied the converts to New Amsterdam for the
baptism service. Brother Chapman spoke very highly of the work
which the Lord was doing on the West Coast of Berbice. A great
time of rejoicing was experienced by all.
The following Lord’s Day, Brothers Browman, Jordan and Roach
led the believers in what was then their first worship meeting in
the district. It was held in the home of Brother O. David, one
of the five who had been baptized the previous Lord’s
Day.
The work continued to flourish. The Worship meeting
were held in the home of Brother David; the Sunday School in the
home of Sister Lewis, and the Gospel Meetings in the Society
Hall.
The church grew from strength to strength. Plans were
made for the construction of a Meeting Room on its present
site. The foundation of the building was laid on September 8,
1962.
Under the godly care of Brother Carl Browman, and with the
continued interest and help from older Assemblies, the work at
Eldorado is showing encouraging progress.
BERBICE RIVER
In
the Berbice River District a work was started about the middle of
the last century by a Swiss Brother named John Mayer, followed by
one Mr. Aveline at Coomacka, about one hundred and thirty miles up
the River. Eventually the work was shifted to Weronie, about
eighty miles from the mouth of the river. The mission there is
ideally situated at the junction of the Berbice River and the
Weronie Creek where it serves the native coloured people who live on
the river banks and the Amerindians who live mostly on the banks of
the Creek.
Mr. Henry Taylor, an English missionary, carried on the work
during the first part of this century until his death. His son
Mr. Gregson Taylor who carried on the work after the death of his
father died about the year 1958 and since then, brethren from New
Amsterdam and other parts of the country have given help as
opportunity offered.
This mission is isolated, being about seventy miles away
from the nearest assembly in New Amsterdam; the only means of
communication is by steamer that goes up the river once a week and
returns on the following day.
There is very little gift in the Assembly. The
Amerindians being very taciturn in speech, a brother of African
descent by name of Adolph was a great help while he lived, but since
his death Brother Sampson has been helping in this capacity.
Brother Dainty helped for a short time in the mission, building a
stelling, starting a farm and reviving the schools.
At
present, Brother Charles and his family from Moco Moco, Rupununi,
are there helping in the work. Brother Charles is exercising
oversight in that Assembly.
NEW AMSTERDAM
It
was in the year 1902 that I first made contact with the assembly of
brethren in New Amsterdam. I was then a boy ten years of age
and had recently come to reside in the town. My mother, always
devout and serving the Lord with gladness of heart, lost no time in
locating the Assembly and taking me and my only sister with her to
the meetings. These meetings were kept in a hired house and
though the membership did not exceed three dozen they were well
attended; and a Sunday School with a membership of about one hundred
and fifty was held. There was a fair average weekly
attendance. My enquires have brought to light that the work in
this town had been started by Dr. John Thomas Davis about the year
1880.
This Servant of God who was of mixed European and African
descent found time in addition to his ministry to the body, to
minister to souls also, and as a result of his testimony a number of
believers came together to remember the Lord, according to the Word
of God, accepting no other guidance for their spiritual lives.
He also found time to be the author of a number of books, two of
which have been given me by one of his sons. They show his
deep insight into the truths of God’s Word and his exceptional
ability in expressing them.
When I began attending the meetings in New Amsterdam I
listened to ministry that emphasized the need of the new birth, of
believers’ baptism by immersion, of the Word of God being the only
authority for the worship and testimony of the Church, and of the
Holy Spirit as the only means by which human hearts are enlightened
on Divine subjects.
I
was also taught that the Church had failed to express the Lord’s
desire that it should be one, that the world might know that God had
sent Jesus as expressed in John 17; that the number of sects
existing proved that the Church had turned from listening to the
voice of the Good Shepherd to listen to the voice of man; and that
the correct course for the believer was to disassociate himself from
all religious systems of human origin and go back to the original
platform of the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and thus be found
keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond to peace.
There were good men and true in that small company of whom
two will never be forgotten by any who know them. William
Moses Brice came to this country from Barbados as a young man and he
was truly a man whose life shewed in every way that he had been with
Jesus.
Of
a gracious manner and tender heart, he often wept during his
addresses, which were deeply spiritual and gripped the hearers’
attention from first to last.
He
was consecrated to the Master’s Service until he departed to be with
Christ in his 90th year. I have been influenced by
him for good more than by any other person I have met, with the
exception of my dear Mother, who after seventy-one years of
uninterrupted Christian Fellowship with the assemblies went to be
with her Lord at the ripe age of 89 years.
Then there was Brother Frederick Parkinson who never entered
any house without witnessing to the Salvation that is in Christ
Jesus.
Of
an earnest disposition and unswerving loyalty to his Lord, this
brother was an example to all who knew him, of the words of Paul –
“Whose I am, and Whom I serve”. He also has ended his earthly
course, and while he lived was “steadfast, unmovable, and always
abounding in the work of the Lord”.
This New Amsterdam Assembly went on the even tenor of its
way, without any spectacular development, with the usual heartbreaks
that occur by individual failures; the joy of welcoming new comers
by conversion or commendation and without any great fluctuation in
numbers. There was little contact with other assemblies, the
nearest to us by road being at Belfield, fifty miles away
with a large river to cross first.
I
remember that Mr. Rhymer from Georgetown paid us a visit about the
year 1904, and recommended that Mr. Henry Taylor who was doing
Missionary work at Weronie eighty miles up the Berbice River, should
visit us regularly and assist with the oversight, but the
arrangement did not last long, because the brethren considered Mr.
Taylor to be too much like a clergyman.
It
was in 1914 that a time of crisis arose from the assembly.
Then eight Assemblies in the then colony decided to be legally
incorporated for the purpose of a better control of their property,
and in the ordinance they were described as “a religious
denomination or sect commonly called “Christian
Brethren”.
The Church at New Amsterdam immediately wrote protesting
against the Camp Street oversight who were the leaders in this
movement, stating that they had taken a sectarian ground, and by so
doing had abandoned the undenominational ground on which they stood
– that instead of being able to represent the whole assembly of God
on earth, they could now represent the whole assembly of God on
earth, they could now represent only those who had been registered
under the name of their sect. The New Amsterdam brethren added
“with your lost testimony to the unity of the Body goes also your
testimony to the Lordship of Christ as Head of the Body”. A
curt reply was received signed by five elders from Camp Street
expressing thanks and stating that they saw “nothing of the new man,
much of the young man and more of the old man” in the letter they
had received from us.
Following this the brethren of New Amsterdam sent another
letter as follows-
“Dear Brethren,
We
the brethren here think that as you have overlooked the subject of
our letter, we should write again asking you to reply in plain
words, however few. We are aware that we have written plainly
and firmly, but we are still willing to be corrected if we have
misinterpreted or misapplied the Scriptures”.
The reply was as follows:
“Dear Brethren,
We
the five Brethren whose signatures appear on our previous
communication to you, desire to state that we have already expressed
out thanks for you letter. Further than that, we have nothing
to add.”
This letter was unsigned, there being only a scrawl where
signatures should have been. The result of this was division
in the Church at New Amsterdam, a division which continued until
1923, some of the believers supporting the action of those who had
become incorporated as a sect, and others maintained that they had
denied their Lord.
The arrival of Mr. G. H. Hale, who came from New Zealand, to
work as a missionary in Berbice, and the departure of both Messrs.
Brice and Parkinson from the town coincided to close the cleavage in
the Assembly and restore fellowship through the country.
During Mr. Hale’s sojourn, which was about two years, Mr. Hailley
from England joined him as a co-worker and the two built a small
hall at Sheet Anchor, two miles from New Amsterdam, where the
Gospel was preached.
At
the time of Mr. Hale’s departure there were forty-two in fellowship,
a few of whom lived at Sheet Anchor. He soled the building to
the New Amsterdam Trustees for the nominal sum of one
dollar.
The work at New Amsterdam progressed and we were able to
establish an assembly at Sheet Anchor a few years after Mr. Hale’s
departure.
Each of these assemblies has established an outpost, one at
Reliance in a well-populated area in the Canje district, and one on
the Corentyne Coast at Gibraltar. These outposts have both
been discontinued. After Mr. Hale left the Colony of British
Guiana, Mr. C. Gordon Smith came up on quarterly visits of ten days
each and divided his time helping at both places. These visits
ceased in 1938.
The work at New Amsterdam and at Sheet Anchor has
progressed.
MISSION FIELD
An
important even in the history of the Church in British Guiana was
the visit of Mr. Fred Stanley Arnot in 1807. As a result of
missionary meetings conducted by him, several left the Colony for
the mission field in Africa. Of these Mr. and Mrs. Richard
Murrain, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Higgins and Mr. and Mrs. George O’Jon
spent their lives in the Lord’s service in that land. However,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Agard returned from Africa and then went on to
the United States of America where they continued labouring for
their Lord.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams Lewis and Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel
Phillips, who had also gone to Africa, return to their home-land to
end their life’s work. I listened to Mr. Agard in my home-town
on his return from Africa, and his message brought revival to my
life. I also have listened to Mr. and Mrs. Higgins, and had
them spend a fortnight at my home when they visited the then Colony
in 1937. There was no doubt in the minds of those who met Mr.
and Mrs. Higgins that they were chosen vessels, sanctified and meet
for the Master’s use.
In1927 the local church was greatly stirred by a visit from
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins of central Africa. A week of special meetings
was held and believers thrilled to the accounts of the Lord’s work
in their Motherland. Another week was devoted to
the Ministry of the word. Even the memory of this
visit still refreshes. In 1932 the assembly
commended a sister to the service of the Lord in central Africa,
Miss Lily Jacobs. This Sister married Mr. George O’Jon who
also went out at the same time to Missionary Service. After
spending sixteen years in the Lord’s work there, they are both back
in the country and are still in active in the Lord’s work.
Mrs. O’Jon has since gone with her Lord.
RUPUNUNI
This is a large interior area of our country inhabited
mostly by American tribes and the greater part Savannah land bound
by Brazil and Venezuela.
In
1969 there was a mission to the unevangelized, but after an uprising
against the Government of this country, it became necessary for the
missionaries to leave the country, and the Local Missionary Society
of our church purchased most of the assets they owned.
Our Brother Dainty had served with success among the same
people at Weronie, Berbice River, volunteered to go and labour
there.
God is blessing his ministry and many have converted and
admitted into fellowship. Churches have sprung up among, the
Macushi Indians at Moco Moco and Napi, and the North, in the South
and in the extreme south among the Wapishana and Wai-Wai
tribes
This is a large and very important area.
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