in 1779, there was only
a small company in Cumberland, Nova Scotia, who reckoned themselves
followers of John Wesley, but when he died in 1834, there were in
these Provinces and Newfoundland, 3 Districts, 44 circuits, about 50
ministers and local preachers, with more than 6000 members of the
church. But the denomination has grown since then, until in the year
1906, there are 3 Conferences, with 332 ministers, 194 local
preachers, nearly 42,000 church members, 686 Sunday Schools with over
45,000 scholars, 716 churches, and 219 parsonages valued at more than
two and a half million dollars, and then add to these statistics, the
value of the schools and colleges belonging to Methodism in the
maritime provinces and Newfoundland, amounting to 567,000 dollars, and
we may well say, "What hath God wrought?"

Let us remember that when John Wesley died, there were only 287
Methodist preachers in Great Britain and Ireland, and 511 in the whole
world, and we may well ponder the significance of the growth during
the last hundred years in the new country where William Black was the
leader and pioneer. The movement which began with Black has run
through a whole century without rest or failure, the stream of
conversions has continued to flow, and the spiritual impulse has been
maintained, despite many changes in manners and modes of thought. The
old tradition of Methodism being an aggressive force, embodied in the
apt phrase "Christianity in earnest" is still true, as it emphasizes
the great spiritual forces of religion, as distinguished from
ceremonial and even church organization, as the essentials of our
faith ever abide within. The message of the apostle of Methodism in
the Maritime Provinces was charged with great truths based upon
doctrine and experience, and the power which swayed the people under
his preaching, has remained as an abiding spiritual force. In Black's
Journal we have a charming bit of autobiography, which reveals the
inner life of a man who has become a historic figure, and yet he had
no desire for fame. He was an evangelist first and last, begetting
influences more abiding than the centuries, and if you would estimate
his worth, and measure the value of his work, look around. He lived in
a religious atmosphere of his own making with the help of God, he
learned the triumphant secret of religion, and he gave a noble
challenge to the world, in a heroic life for Christ. The pulse of his
life beats still in the twenti