This testimony to Rev James Elmslie was written in April, 1858 and has been reproduced in its entirety

TESTIMONY TO THE REVEREND JAMES ELMSLIE’S LABOURS

The Rev. Mr. Elmslie, who has been twenty years in the West Indies, twelve of which have been spent in the Grand Cayman, where the Lord has wonderfully prospered his labours, obtained leave to revisit Scotland in order to see his family, who have been twelve months in this  country, and to recruit his health. Before leaving, he got from the people of Prospect, of Bodden Town and of George Town, the following, letter, expressive of their gratitude to him, who went to them when they were entirely destitute, and who has been instrumental in bringing more than 300 persons into the Church of Christ:

Grand Cayman

29th April 1858

Rev. James   Elmslie,

DEAR PASTOR AND FRIEND,  –We, the undersigned, on behalf of ourselves and our brethren of the United Presbyterian Churches under your care in the several districts of this Island, cannot allow you to depart from our shores without approaching you with expressions of our sentiments on the occasion of the lamented departure of you, our long tried and zealous pastor.

When we remember the spiritual darkness which prevailed throughout this island at the period of your arrival, some twelve years gone by, and the blessings that have resulted from your indefatigable labours to make known the truths of the gospel to the inhabitants of this once neglected spot, the mildness and firmness which have characterised your labours, and the benefits that have thence flowed to a great portion of its population, we feel grateful to our Heavenly Father for having sent you to reside with us for so long a period, where you have proved yourself a faithful servant of God to us for good.

Under your benign auspices, religion has been diffused in its transcendent worth, another pastor has been sent to feed the flock and teachers have been sent to our land to train the young for the services of the Lord.

When we view these blessings, we trust in the word of God, that the good that has resulted from such faithful labours will rebound to crown you with blessings from on high, and that we, your flock, will be led by our Great Shepherd to meet you in the courts of Glory.

With these sentiments impressed upon our minds, and considering how patiently you have borne the heat and burden of the day, subject to the calamities incident to a tropical climate, for so long a period, in this remote isle of the sea, when, to our knowledge, you have never been deprived of performing your pastoral duties from ill health, it becomes us to bless and thank God for thus preserving you. And be assured, Reverend Sir, that your name will not only be revered by us, but will be handed down to our latest posterity.

And now, through the providence of God, you are called to leave us, to visit those who are near and dear to you, a beloved wife and family of children – whom we also esteem and respect, and to whom we would desire you to tender our cordial and affectionate regards, we would say GO, worthy pastor, go; and may the God of Jacob conduct you in peace and safety across the mighty deep to your father’s land and native soil, where you may meet in peace and happiness.

If it is manly to weep on such on occasion, then we must drop a tear and say, farewell, adieu; yet not without hope that you may again visit us.

(signed)          James S. Coe

                                    W. M. Eden

                                    Joseph Watler

HISTORY

In 1830 the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica decided to send Missionaries to preach the Gospel in Africa; they set out for Calabar in Nigeria in 1845 but did not get beyond the Cayman Islands as their ship was wrecked on the reef there. Rev. Hope Waddell was one of the ministers on board the ill-fated ship and when he discovered that there was no organized church on the islands he appealed to the Presbyterian authorities in Jamaica for ministerial help. It took some time for any action to be taken.

In 1846, the Synod meeting at Goshen in St. Mary decided that someone should go. The Rev. James Elmslie heard of the plight of the Caymanians and at the age of 50 he was sent to the Cayman Islands to establish the Presbyterian Church there. Rev. Elmslie had been at Green Island Church in Jamaica and when no other volunteer was found to set up the Cayman Church he said, “If no one will go, I will go”.

Rev. Elmslie traveled all over the island of Grand Cayman on horseback, by boat and on foot planting churches, among which was the Church in George Town. The Elmslie Church, which is named after him, is built on the site that was the former Anglican Church and was destroyed by a hurricane that struck in 1838.

The present building was constructed during the 1920’s by Capt. Rayal Bodden, and has a noteworthy feature. Capt. Rayal being a naval architect designed the roof in the form of a ship’s hull turned upside down, which can be seen in its strength and beauty.

Rev. Elmslie laboured unflinchingly in his task despite severe opposition both from the people and those in authority. The few with an interest in religion who welcomed him were enough encouragement; eventually even the Chief Magistrate who has so rigourously opposed him was converted and became a strong supporter! The climate and breadth of the work took its toll on his health, leading to a stroke. He did not desert his post, however, but was eventually forced to return to Scotland in late 1863, and died in mid-1864.

See also iNews Cayman story

“Early schooling on Grand Cayman” published Oct 28 2012 at:

http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/early-schooling-on-grand-cayman/

and

“The shipwreck in 1845” published Oct 29 2012 at:

http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/10/the-shipwreck-in-1845/