f
the people," and when he began to preach, a great revival followed,
and Methodism in the colony was saved from disaster.

The power of God fell upon the people at the very first service, and
many were deeply convinced of sin at every meeting. At Carbonear the
people cried aloud for mercy, so that he had to stop preaching, and
betook himself to prayer, when the sound of his voice was nearly
drowned by the people weeping, and he came down from the pulpit and
passed up and down through the church, exhorting and directing them,
as many as three and four persons being in an agony of spirit in every
pew. Even after the service closed, the cries and groans of anxious
persons could be heard at a considerable distance up and down the
harbour. At Harbor Grace, Port a Grave, Bay Roberts and other places,
similar scenes were witnessed, of deep conviction for sin, and many
rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven. At Conception Bay during
a short time spent there, two hundred souls were converted, but that
was not all, for throughout the colony, William Black marched in
triumph, and saw very many souls won for Christ. It is no wonder that
he considered this visit to Newfoundland, as "the most useful and
interesting portion of his missionary life." The Rev. Richard Knight,
who spent seventeen years in the colony says, that he "organized
Methodism, settled the mission property, and secured it to the
Connexion, increased and inspirited the society, and obtained for them
the help they needed." Such a messenger could not fail to leave a deep
and abiding impression upon the hearts of the people, and his
departure was pathetic, as he stood for nearly an hour shaking hands
with them, and at last as he tore himself away, he says, that he "left
them weeping as for an only son." He secured fresh laborers from
Wesley to carry on the work, and Methodism in Newfoundland was
established upon a firm basis, and has continued vigorous till the
present day.

Upon his arrival in Halifax he found that the gentleman who owned the
church property in the city, had severed his connection with the
society, and become a bitter opponent, but William Black though sorely
tried, was in no wise daunted, and immediately he started a
subscription list, and secured prompt and efficient help, so as to
proceed with the building of a new church. One hundred pounds were
raised in one day, and the society took fresh courage, and grew in
numbers and strength. Havin