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Walking Back in the
Days of Cayman's Past
A Review of Two Millennia

Will Jackson

The Cayman Islands, like all other countriesof the world, is now embarked on a long, and known journey downinto time. Two thousand years of the Christian Dispensation haveall gone behind us; to be remembered only by that of which historyreminds. However, too much, and too m any things have transpiredduring those untamed, and, in many countries of the world, unchristianizedyears, to have all been recorded; or perhaps, a lot that was writtenwas lost with the passing of time.

Should we today, at the very early stage of this third Millennium,take a close up mind-review of just some of the real significanthappenings during two millenniums, there would appear on our visionaryscreen many drastic occurrences, some too unreal to accept asrealities in just one's weakened mind. It takes strong faith,and Spiritual thoughts, first of all in commencement of the period,for one to fully visualise the Son of God having condescendedto this terrible world just to save sinful man from eternal destruction.

Yes, the Biblical records tell us how Jesus started that firstMillennium as a man among men, performing numberless, and otherwiseimpossible miracles, such as no other person on earth could do.We read of Him being crucified because of His goodness. Therefollows the story that He was resurrected and went back to Heaven.Thus, coming out of that early era, the world has been handeddown two events of greatest importance: Christmas and Easter.

Next we have been given the Christian Worship, known as the churchof the new dispensation, a Saved by Grace Plan, with the sacrificeof animals and such formalities being abolished. In that firstMillennium, the people who were chosen to carry on the work ofChrist in the spreading of the gospel on the earth, were all murderedexcept one man whose name was John, but whom we have the Bookof Revelation.

During those early years only a small part of the world was knownto the inhabitants. Europe, Asia Minor, and Africa seem to havebeen the bounds of travel. During those crucial days, Papal Romewas the supreme ruler of the world; wherever people lived theycame under the power of the Roman government. Most cruel rulersthey were. Rome is was, who instituted death by being nailed toa wooden cross, which was the most cruel death that could havebeen thought of. It was those wicked Romans who engineered thecrucifixion of Christ, being planned by the Jewish nation.

But, in process of time Papal Rome lost her great power to PaganRome. That was when Constantine was converted from Paganism toChristianity, which was only a blend of Paganism and Christianity.Constantine carried over with him a great many of Pagan beliefsinto the Christian Church. This was where, and how the world'sgreatest Christian persecution started in 538AD, and rode on to1798, a period of 1260 years when untold millions of Christiansdied by every conceivable form of murder that could be thoughtof.

People were burnt at stakes until there could hardly be foundany wood with which to burn them. They were termed as hereticsbecause they did not adhere to the Roman Catholic doctrine. Suchgreat reformers as Russ and Jerome and Wycliffe, just to namea few, paid with their lives for their stand for the Bible andChrist. Martin Luther, another great Reformer escaped the Stake.

Only by the providences of God, carrying on his work of reformfrom deep seclusion. Many thousands of Christians survived theonslaught by hiding in the wildernesses and in the mountain caves.The great
Protestant movement survived those terrible days sustained onlyby the strong hands of a Mighty God. By the unbending will andendurance the Christian faith grows stronger and stronger evennow at the start of this Third Millennium. Many million gallonsof blood was shed to preserve what we take for granted in thesedays of a Satan controlled world.

During that first millennium the emphasis was placed on battlingChristianity, but by the middle of the second millennium the picturechanged to wards of conquest. France, Italy, Spain and Englandcould be termed as a half dozen roosters in a barn yard, eachwanting to be in control of the entire yard. They created unceasingwars for many years. It is worthy of note here that in the middleof the second era during the 15th century, the New World was discoveredwhen Christopher Columbus, by permission of Ferdinand and Isabellaof Spain went on his first voyage of discovery.

The Americas, North and South, were found in the name of the SpanishGovernment, thus causing much bloodshed when France and Englandwent seeking shares in the bounties that had been discovered.The islands of the West Indies were charted and caused much hostilityamong the nations. During those years the ocean was infested withPirates who claimed the supremacy, robbing and plundering whereverthey could. They were murderers that were greatly feared on theseas.

Early in the 16th Century the land we call our beloved home firstcame into man's knowledge when Columbus, about to complete hislast voyage, by a coincidence spotted Cayman Brac and Little Caymanin May of 1503.
Sparse settlement later took place, little by little laying thefoundation on which to build the land we now cherish and love.For many years these islands were unwanted by any nation as therewas nothing of value to plunder.

Finally when England thought to take possession of the lands evenshe had plans of what ever could be done with it. So Jamaica,being then a British possession was given charge over the CaymanIslands; however even Jamaica could find no good use for the islands,seeing them as a liability, rather than an asset to the country.

The 20th Century through which we have just come through the mostbloody of all before it, yet ended up as the most industriousand the most inventive of all times. Two world wars were fought,plus many other major conflicts. Travels saw many great improvementsworld wide. Huge jets fly from place to place, able to cover earth'sfurthest cities in a day. Great Ocean Liners ply the oceans continuouslythe world over.

Communications have probably reached the limit of invention. Computers,the most modern, taking over the affairs of business. the governmentsof the world and now even invading the homes, they just seem tobe everywhere doing an undreamed of work among the people of earth.

Looking back over one's shoulder just three centuries ago we seemore, and greater inventions pointing up to our present time thanin all the millenniums before. In 1907 steam ships came into being:the first steam printing press came in 1811 Railroad cars wereinvented in 1825, telephones came in 1876. The first successfulaeroplane was in 1903. Radio broadcasting was in 1915, and televisionin 1931.

Those are just to name a few of our modern inventions of whichour forefathers knew nothing. Even electricity came late to theworld on a major basis. The scientific world is no doubt runningout of new ideas and the world wonders, what next? Medical experimentshave achieved much for the betterment of humanity; many livesare being extended whereas they might have been cut short.

Nevertheless, the diseases of the world keep on multiplying. Nowas we enter into the untrodden paths of this new millennium thebig question that waits for an answer is, what does the 21 centuryhold in store for the inhabitants of this world? Truly, man doesnot have the answer, even if they tried guessing. However, thereis a God in Heaven who holds all of these secrets. Taking theBible as one's guide, and believing God and Christ they say, theend of all things is in sight.

Please read Matt. Ch. 24; and hear the Saviour saying, Be ye alsoready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh.Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on theebecause he trusteth in thee. Isa. 26:3

The Author:
Mr. Percival Jackson, knownthroughout the Cayman Islands as "Will" Jackson, isa born East Ender. He is a man of many experiences: A Home Guardduring World War Two; A former policeman, a seaman for 22 yearswho sailed around the world; and a retired businessman.

Mr. Will has been a Justice of the Peace for the past 20 yearsand a Marriage Officer, whose one greatest interest is preachingthe gospel.

He is the author of three books, one which will be published ina few weeks. Obviously, his pastime is in writing of life in theold days of Cayman, and he has written many local articles forthe local media.

The pride of his life is his wife, Miss Sybil Harris of GeorgeTown, whom he married 35 years ago. They are now retired, enjoyinglife together, living in East End, by the Sea.

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