The 1865 Morant Bay Uprising, otherwise known as the ‘Native Baptist War’ represents an important watershed in Jamaican history. Traditional historiography has often represented the actions of Paul Bogle hero/villan Baptist Deacon and his followers when they marched on the Morant Bay courthouse in 1865 as being motivated by mere murderous intent.

Thoroughly researched and drawing on original documents attributed to Bogle and other Native Baptists, The Cross and the Machete provides an alternative interpretation of Bogle’s actions and introduces a new paradigm for understanding the struggle for equality, justice and liberation.

Contents:

List of Maps      

List of Figures 

List of Tables 

Foreword 

Preface       

Acknowledgements       

Abbreviations  

1. Introduction
2. Identity of the Native Baptists        
3. Religious Influences on the Native Baptists 
4. Native Baptists’ Beliefs and Practices  
5. Interpretation: Themes and Hermeneutic of the Native Baptists 
6. Nature and Scope of the1865 Native Baptist War   
7. Conclusion      

Notes 

Bibliography       

Index 

About the Author:

Devon Dick is Pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, St Andrew, Jamaica and the author of Rebellion to Riot: The Jamaican Church in Nation Building (2002).