try gave free rein to their passions, in wild orgies
by day and night. His evenings were spent in dancing and playing
cards, yet amidst the frivolity he was unhappy, and he betook himself
to prayer, that he might be able to break the chain of evil habits.

For three years this condition of affairs existed, and the spirit of
unrest increased, with discord in the family, but the dawn of a better
day was close at hand. There were several in the neighborhood who
enjoy the honor of being the first Methodists in Canada, among whom
were the families of Dixon, Wells, Trueman, Fawcett, Newton, Scurr,
Chapman, Oxley, Donkin, Dobson and Weldon, whose descendants, with
those of the Black family, remain with us till the present day.

Through the zealous labors of these families in class meetings and
prayer meetings, there was a great revival in the spring of 1779,
which stirred the whole neighborhood. Among those who were awakened
and soundly converted, were all the members of the Black family.
William was then nineteen years of age, and shortly afterward he wrote
an account of his conversion to John Wesley, who introduced it in his
journal, under date of April 15th, 1782.

The story of his spiritual struggles, his prayers for release from the
burden of sin, and the great joy he experienced when light came to his
soul, form a charming bit of biography. The change in his own life was
thorough, the home was transformed by the conversion of every member
of the family, and though he subsequently experienced doubts and
temptations, he gradually grew in grace, being confirmed in the faith,
until the Sabbath became a market-day in his soul.

Like every new convert he became anxious for the spiritual welfare of
his fellow men, and first of all he became solicitous for the
salvation of those in his own home. His father having married again,
and all the members of the family being strangers to the joy of the
forgiveness of sins, his first care was for their salvation. On the
Sunday that he found peace, he spoke to his brothers one by one,
waking them from sleep, and they too, were led into the light. Then he
roused his father and stepmother, and they besought him to pray for
them, and peace came to their souls. And the climax was reached, when
next day his sister found the Lord. Thus the whole family through his
exhortations and prayers, became earnest followers of Christ. Along
with the joy of seeing all at home possessors of the joy of