2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Broadsheet, 2p. quarto, August 13, 1798, Bristol, titled “An Account of the Missions established by the Society late in Connection with the Rev. JOHN WESLEY, for the Conversion of the Negroes in the West Indies.” signed in type by Thomas Coke. In part: “...In the year 1786, Dr. Coke was driven by stress of weather from the Coast of America to the West Indies. Being thus undesignedly brought to that part of the world, he visited several of the Islands, to examine whether Missions could be usefully established for the benefit of the Heathen i nthat Archipelago. He accordingly found, that the Negroes were exceedingly susceptible of religious instructions; and having three Preachers with him, he prevailed on them to continue in that part of the Globe, one in Antiqua, another in St. Christopher’s, and the third in St. Vincnet’s. When he returned to Europe, he laid the circumstances of the case before his venerable and honoured Friend, the late Rev. JOHN WESLEY....A subscription was immediately opened for the establishment and support of Missions in those Islands...About 50,000 of the Negroes are now under instruction in all the Islands unitedly considered...There are now seventeen Missionaries in the Islands...The Preachers have been driven from Montserratt by the Roman Catholics, but there is a pious Black in taht Island, who leads a class of awakened Negroes, and we are waiting a favorable opportunity to return...” Much much more. Toning, else VG. Thomas Coke (1741-1814) Educated at Jesus College Oxford, Coke became an Anglican curate in South Petherton until 1777 when he was dismissed because of his Methodist tendencies. He then became the most important of John Wesley’s recruits from the Anglican clergy. He was appointed superintendent of the London circuit in 1780 and chair of the Irish Conference in 1782. In 1784 Coke was ordained by Wesley for the superintendency of Methodism in the newly independent United States and assumed the title of bishop. He visited North America nine times. He was appointed chair of the first Methodist missionary committee in 1790, and its president in 1804.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.