British Guiana And Jamaica
The story of how brother Blenman conducted a vigorous campaign in British Guiana leading to the formation of the ecclesia in Georgetown is now fairly well-known. In the early days of the meeting quite a considerable effort was made to take the gospel, not only into the hinterland of the Colony, but also to the West Indian Islands. In fact, an appeal was made to the brotherhood in 1902 for financial assistance, so that a prominent brother could visit the islands. He was in great material distress, and removal to one of the islands might have saved him from destitution and, since he was a vigorous and energetic preacher, made for an extension of the gospel call. However, he fell dangerously ill soon after receiving a considerable sum of money from many quarters, and the scheme had to be abandoned.
The effect of brother Blenman’s brief visit to Jamaica is hidden in obscurity. It would seem that he called there on his way to British Guiana and preached vigorously for a short time. Initial results were disappointing, but the labor was not in vain, for in June, 1890, the following letter was received from two Jamaicans, H. McDonald and Winsloe Garcia by brother Roberts:
“I am compelled to communicate with you on behalf of myself and others who require direction. Some time back a young man by the name of Blenman came to our island for a few months, and preached the Christadelphian doctrine, to the astonishment of myself and others. From Mr. Blenman we received a few small books, and after reading some I was compelled to seek him, but he was not at home, and in a few days I heard that he had left the island. I afterwards sent for ‘Christendom Astray’ . . . To be short, our desire is to be baptized, but there is no ecclesia here to baptize us. What are we to do? We have only been christened in our infancy”
Brother Robert gave appropriate advice, and the Kingston ecclesia came into being. Requests for books poured in from many parts of the island. Brother Garcia had a regular instruction class at his house, and brother McDonald reports, “The orthodox people ply us with questions but never floor us.”
During 1891 the work continued encouragingly, and brother McDonald’s wife was baptized. After a difficult period, further progress occurred in 1894, when brother Blenman revisited the island. During his short stay he had the opportunity of debating with a Kingston clergyman who had been denouncing the little band. Apparently brother Blenman was completely successful. A Sunday School came into being at about the same time.
A period of obscurity followed, but private correspondence continued between brother McDonald and brother Roberts. The West Indies fell about this time into a period of deep depression owing to the failure of the sugar cane industry, and the ecclesia in Jamaica fell on hard times. However, brother McDonald loyally led the little band till his death in 1925.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One