a lively disposition,
and there was no doubt of his piety, as he was a good man, and these
qualities made him a successful evangelist. His rank Antinomian
doctrines caused havoc among the Presbyterian, Congregational and
Methodist congregations in the places visited by him, and William
Black mourned the withdrawal of two hundred persons in a little over a
year from connection with the Methodist Church. It was very natural
that the young evangelist should consult John Wesley on the matter,
but the only help he received was a package of books, including two
volumes of the writings of William Law, the great mystic, and
instructions not to mention Alline's name in public, only to go on his
way preaching the gospel. Though much depressed by the loss of so many
members from the church, he had the satisfaction of seeing some return
to the old fold, and toward Henry Alline himself he entertained
respect. There remained no harshness, though the blow was heavy by the
breach made in the congregations, as shown by a letter which he wrote
to Alline when he was sick, in which, after speaking of the souls won
for God, and his joy in Alline's success, he added, "Although we
differ in sentiment, let us manifest our love to each other. I always
admired your gifts and graces, and affectionately loved your person,
although I could never receive your peculiar opinions. But shall we on
this account destroy the work of God? God forbid! May the Lord take
away all bigotry, and fill us with pure, genuine, catholic love!" That
was charity indeed, but Henry Alline went on his way denouncing all
who did not follow him.

William Black had no fine capacity for anger, for with his soul aflame
with a holy passion he saw men and women as related to eternity, and
he loved them. With an iron will he laughed at danger, without any
austerity he was a great saint, his ideals were lofty, and
cheerfulness sat upon his lips and shone in his face, a practical
mystic was he without losing his head in the clouds, in brief, he was
a man, a brave soul with a woman's tenderness, who held his eyes
toward the Cross.

VII.

LAST DAYS AND AFTER.

The long years of arduous labor began to tell upon a strong
constitution, so that gradually the physical strength of the pioneer
evangelist and missionary in the Maritime Provinces became so
enfeebled, that during the last fifteen years of his life he was
practically laid aside. For forty years he travelled, unhast