Though the United Brethren need the testimony of no man to the importance and utility of their labours; yet as the authority of Bryan Edwards, Esq., may have some influence with persons of a certain description, who are prejudiced against missionary exertions in general, we shall here subjoin a short extract from the work of that writer: "It is very much," says he, "to the honour of the legislature of Antigua that it presented to sister islands the first example of the amelioration of the criminal law respecting negro slaves, by giving the accused party the benefit of trial by jury, and allowing in case of capital conviction, four days between the time of sentence and execution. And it is still more to the honour of Antigua, that its inhabitants have encouraged in a particular manner, the laudable endeavours of certain pious men, who have undertaken, from the purest and best motives, to enlighten the minds of the negroes, and to lead them to the knowledge of religious truths. In the report of the lords of the committee of council on the slave trade, is an account of the labours of the society known by the name of the Unitas Fratrum, commonly called Moravians, in this truly glorious pursuit; from which it appears that their conduct in this business displays such sound judgment, breathes such a spirit of genuine Christianity, and has been attended with such eminent success, as to entitle its Brethren and missionaries to the most favorable reception from every man, whom the accidents of fortune have invested with power over the poor Africans, and who believe (as I hope every planter believes) that they are his fellow-creatures, and of equal importance with himself in the eyes of an all-seeing and impartial Governor of the Universe."--_Edward's History of the West Indies. Vol. 1, page 487. Fourth Edition._ In the autumn of 1786 the Rev. Dr. Coke, accompanied by three other Methodist preachers, destined for Nova Scotia, sailed from England for that country, but after being ten weeks at sea, the violence of the gales, a leak in the ship, and apprehensions of the want of water, forced the captain to change his course, and bear off for the West Indies. Having landed on the island of Antigua, the Dr. and his companions resolved, that, instead of proceeding to the original place of their destination, they would attempt to begin a mission on this and some of the neighboring islands. Of these establishments we shall now give a short account.