Notwithstanding the enormous wealth acquired by thousands, and the uninterrupted prosperity of the colonies now united as British Guiana, for a long series of years, they afford a striking proof of the utter impossibility of our being able to serve God and Mammon. It was not till the year of our redemption 1810, that a regular temple was built, in which the people could meet to worship the living God, or that any provision was made for the performance of Divine service at Georgetown. Even then, the building that was consecrated and set apart for religious worship, according to the ritual of the Church of England, had more the resemblance of a barn than a church. It was, however, named St. George's church.

I have already stated, that a large proportion of the white inhabitants of British Guiana are natives, or descendants of natives, of North Britain; yet it was not till 1819, that they bethought themselves of building a Kirk, wherein they might praise the Lord after the manner of their pious forefathers. When, however, this was resolved upon, they raised a very splendid and commodious building.

It was not till the first day of May, 1826, that an ordinance was passed for the encouragement of religious instruction, and the preservation of the pure and holy faith of the Gospel in this land; for so I consider that ordinance, which enacts, that “Whereas his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, and Court of Policy, have deemed it expedient to divide the united colony of Demerara and Essequibo into ten separate and distinct parishes, they are henceforward to be so divided and named accordingly.”