This and other letters were sent to the
Methodist Missionary Society in England from Newfoundland in the
early 1800's. The letters are now archived at
the Methodist Missionary Society, although
microfilm copies can be found at the United Church Archives
in Toronto, Ontario under location number "87.225C".
03 November 1819 - Ninian Barr - Trinity, Newfoundland
I spent last Sunday at English Harbor ... English Harbor contains a
little more than 200 inhabitants and is distant from Trinity 4 miles
by water and 6 or 7 by land. I preached at Mr James Ivemays house - all
that could I believe were present in the afternoon and very attentive.
In conversation with the people many of them talked of the change
amongst them. "Some years ago" said they "what a state were we in -
nothing was ever among us on the Lord's day but spending of [unclear]
hauling our nets and going to the shops & stores. now we have prayer
and praise from morning to night. no Sunday work, no swearing and
hardly a [unclear] of ardent spirits in the place." There are in this
place about 40 members of [unclear, maybe society]. They have begun to
build a small chapel which I hope they will be able to open in the
spring