in the affairs of the western
continent, and Whitefield's frequent visits helped to deepen Wesley's
love for the people among whom he had spent the early years of his
ministry. Whitefield had crossed the ocean and visited America seven
times, and his visits were seasons of great power, when thousands were
converted, and when he suddenly died at Newburyport, there passed from
earth one of the greatest pulpit orators and evangelists in the
history of the Christian Church. His death was an invitation to
renewed efforts for the evangelization of America. The Countess of
Huntingdon and her ministers organized a missionary band, which
labored with much success in Savannah and the surrounding country,
especially among the African population.

Methodism was neither silent nor powerless in sharing in the progress
of the Gospel, and striving to evangelize the new world. While the
great revival was stirring the heart of England, a small band of
German "Palatines" which Methodism had redeemed from demoralization in
Ireland, emigrated to New York, among whom was Philip Embury, and
these were followed by Barbara Heck and her friends, through whose
efforts Methodism found a secure place in America. The new movement
received an impetus from the preaching of Captain Webb, and a call for
preachers was sent to Wesley, with the result that Richard Boardman
and Joseph Pilmoor were sent. Later Francis Asbury, the faithful
preacher and administrator, followed, and Methodism became a church.
Meanwhile Lawrence Coughlan had found his way to Newfoundland, and
laid foundations upon which others built.

Bermuda had been visited by Whitefield, and in the general awakening
it could not be expected that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island would be forgotten. It was a period of emigration and
revival, and in the great commotion, the present Maritime Provinces of
Canada shared in the blessings of the new movement.

During the period of emigration to Nova Scotia, four different parties
came from Yorkshire, England, the first arriving in 1772. It was
natural to expect, that coming from a district, memorable as the scene
of many visits from the Wesleys, a bit of land consecrated with the
tears and labors of John Nelson, the stalwart hero, and kept fresh
with the hallowed memories of the saintly Hester Ann Rogers, there
should be among the emigrants many who were loyal and devoted
Methodists. Yorkshire Methodism was of that strenuous