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I ONE HUNDRED YEARS *

-OF—

METHODISM

—IN-

LUNDY'S LAN£,

BY REV. JOHN C. STEVENSON,

PASTOR OF LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH, *

% NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH. %

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Printed at The Advisbr Office, Niagara Falls Sooth. $

The EDITH and LORNE PIERCECOLLECTION ofCANADIANA

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Queens University at Kingston

V.r-7 i

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

-OF-

METHODISM

—IN-

LUNDY'S LANi.

BY REV. JOHN C. STEVENSON.

PASTOR OF LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH,

NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH.

AN ADDRESS

DELIVERED IN THE

LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH.

Niagara Falls South, Nov. 6th, 1898.

PUBLISHED BY THE REQUEST OF THE QUARTERLY BOARD

One Hundred Years of Methodism

in Lundy's Lane.

T ECKEY the historian speaks of John^ Wesley as '

' the greatest figure in re-

ligious history since the reformation."

Dr. Chalmers pronounced Methodism to

be "Christianity in earnest." This

earnest Christianity arose as the result

of John Wesley's new birth in 17;}8,

when at the mature age of 35 years. Bybirth and education Wesley was a high

churchman, and like his father becamea clergyman of the Established church

in England. In an age of extreme for-

malism and spiritual deaduess his life

and work were marked by unusual

strictness and fidelity. Yet he was far

from satisfied with his own spiritual

state. He came out from England to

the American colonies and spent someyears as a missionary in Georgia. Hereturned to England with a sense of

failure and groping for light. The light

and peace of God came to him in a little

meeting conducted by a layman in aprivate house in Aldersgate street, Lon-don, his feelings being expressed inlanguage now familiar to all Methodists :

•'I felt my heart strangely warmed."From that date Wesley was a new man.This strange warmth—the life of theHoly Spirit—was soon felt by others. Heliad a new message to the dead churcheswhich they would not receive. He wasthrust our from the church of his fath-ers, took to the streets and highways,and fields ; the common people heardhim gladly, with wonderful rapiditythe new life spread through tiie threekingdoms, and Methodism had begunits remarkable career.

The first Methodist church in theworld was built in Bristol, Eugland, inJ H$9. The new evangel was carried to

distant places chiefly by emigrants andsoldiers. Thus Methodism was foundedby the Irish emigrants, Philip Emburyand Barbara. Heck, in New York inJ70(), and in Newfoundland one yearearlier by another Irishman, LawrenceCough Ian, who had been received ontrial as a preacher by John Wesley.

It is worth while looking at the be-ginnings of Methodism in Canada,whereit is now the largest Protestant churchand leads the country in every moralreform

.

These beginnings it is not possible inevery case to trace, for the reason thatprivate members of Methodist societiesin those days moving to new homes car-ried their Methodism with them, beganto exhort their neighbors, and to formclasses, and thus in many places thefoundations of flourishing churcheswere laid " without observation " bylaborers unknown and unrecorded. Inthis manner United Empire Loyalistshad planted Methodism on the shores ofLakes Erie and Ontario and along thebanks of the St. Lawrence before theadvent of the regular itinerant preach-ers in these localities. The stirring con-flicts, the quick movements and thestrict discipline of Methodism whileWesley yet lived, seemed to have had apeculiar attraction for men in militarylife, and soldiers became in not a fewplaces its most ardent founders andpropogators. Capt. Webb was one of

the first to come to the help of the in-

fant society in New York city. Com-missary Tuffey began to preach in Que-bec as early as 1780, and tracing the first

beginnings of Methodism on the Niagarafrontier we find that the first preacherwas also a soldier,

MAJOR GEORGE NEAL,

who preached and formed the first class-

meeting in 1788. How was this first

Methodist preacher welcomed in this

neighborhood at that early day ? Preach-ing as he did against prevailing vicesand loved sins of the time and place, heexcited the opposition of " the basersort," and the rabble pelted him withstones until the blood flowed down his

face. But Neal was a soldier and stoodhis ground. What success attended his

heroic ministry? Our means of infor-

mation are but scanty, but we are ableto name at least one of the converts un-der the first Methodist evangelist—

a

noted man in his day and a name re-

vered until this day—Christian War-ner, who lived near whore St. David's

now stands. Major Neal, retiring fromthe army, became a regular travelling

preacher. He retained his militarybearing even in old age and died in Ca-nada in 1839, the centenary year of

Methodism, at the patriarchal age of

ninety-one years.The Methodism of Upper Canada at

this time and foe a number of years af-

ter was connected with the MethodistEpiscopal church of the United States

as established by Wesley at the close of

the Revolutionary war. By that churchthe first appointments of travellingpreachers in Canada were made. In theyear 1791 we come to the name of

WILLIAM LOSEE,the first itinerant preacher appointed to

Upper Canada. He had no circuit, for

no circuit was yet formed. His com-mission was to " range at large, " preachwhere he could find hearers and formhis converts into classes. At the end ofthe year the first circuit was formed

—

Kingston or Cataraqui. This first cir-

cuit included this Niagara country.Two classes are named—one in thetownship of Augusta and the other inNiagara, which means near the Niagarariver. This Niagara class we may becertain was the class formed three yearsearlier by Major Neal and meeting atthe home of Christian Warner and at-

tended, we may assume, by personswithin a radius of some miles, includ-ing the immediate neighborhood ofLundy's Lane.Methodism, then, in this locality dates

from 1788, and this Niagara country be-came a seedbed of Methodism for thegreater part of Upper Canada. WilliamLosee, the first itinerant, at the time ofhis arrival iu Canada was ayoung man of twenty-eight years,tall and active, but with one armshrivelled and therefore called the" one armed " Losee. Using the saddle,as all preachers did in that day, he wasa fearless horseman, his ordinary pacebeing a gallop. He was a fearlesspreacher also—with impassioned earn-estness like another John the Baptisthis voice was heard in the wilderness," Prepare ye the way of the Lord, makehis paths straight."In the year 1792 there were two cir-

cuits, Kingston and Oswegotchie, thelatter taking the name of a streamemptying iuto the St. Lawrence oppo-site where Prescott now stands.In 1795 there were three circuits in

Canada, the third being Niagara. Thatyear

NIAGARA CIRCUIT

appears for the first time in the minutesof conference with the name DariusDunham for its first minister. One ofthe most interesting Methodist relics inCanada and perhaps the oldest, is theNiagara circuit account book now inpossession of Bro. Z. B. Lewis, of this

church, and containing the record of cir-

cuit finance, and other business from thetime of the formation of the circuit in1 795 until the close of the year 1823. Thetitle page reads, "Book of accompts ofthe contributions and disburisments ofthe Methodist E. church on Niagaracircuit, established 1795. ChristianWarner, general steward, approved ofand 1 appointed at a quarterlv meetingheld at Lyons Creek, Feby. 27-28, 1796.

Dars Dunham."From this date we are on sure foot-

ing and can trace the history of Method-ism in the neighborhood from official

documents and regular church histories.

The Niagara circuit extended north andeast beyond Toronto, till met by theKingston circuit, and west as far asLondon, and south to the shores of LakeErie, following the pioneers, and as con-verts multiplied and churches grew, di-

viding and sub-dividing until now hun-dreds of circuits and churches are in-

cluded within the boundary of the origi-

nal Niagara circuit. We can under-stand now what the word travellingpreacher meant in those days—not onewho moved once in three years, but onewhose work involved constant travel,

loug journeys generally in the saddle,but frequently by boat or on foot.

Darius Dunham, the first minister ofthis circuit, had good talents as a preach-er but was so plain and blunt that his

name comes down to us as "scoldingDunham." But his" scolding" as it

was called was not without the spice ofmother wit. Preaching at the Head ofthe Lake appointment and meeting theclass he observed on one occasion thatseveral strangers had remained and re-

el nested that any who wished to jointhe socie y would signify it by standingup. Two young women were sitting to-

gether, one of whom seemed desirous ofjoining but asked her companion tojoin also. She in a heartless manner re-

plied loud enough to be heard, " I don'tcare if I do," when Dunham at oncetroke in, "You had better wait til'

you do care." A sample this of theplain dealing of those early days.The second minister was James Cole-

man, appointed in 1798, a man of sleu-

der abilities and limited education, buta man of God whose prayers were at-

tended with a peculiar unction andwhose prfaching was made effective byhis fervent love. In 1800 Joseph Saw-yer came, a man of mark in Methodisthistory. Unlike some of the earlypreachers he was a man of polished man-ners and superior education—picturea man of twenty-nine years old, erectand dignified, neat and tasteful in dress,

wearing a broad leafed hat and cuta-way coat, with hair falling on his

shoulders, and you see the third ministerof the Niagara circuit. Under thelabors of Sawyer a great revival tookplace in this vicinity. Among the con-verts was a young school teacher, Na-than Bangs, and this name now claimsour attention, for the

REV. NATHAN BANGS, D. D.,

whose life has been written bythe greatest historian of Method-ism, Abel Stephens, was known for

many years as one of the greatestmen of American Methodism. He wasthe first editor of the Christian Advo-cate, the author of the first history ofMethodism, editor of the Methodist Re-view, founder of the Missionary So-ciety and a debater in general confer-ence of unsurpassed ability. LeavingNew York state in 1799, when twentyyears old, coming by way of Buffalo,where he found only a few loghuts, crossing the river and reach-ing the Falls when there wasnot a house on either side, hereached the neighborhood of Stamfordand obtained a situation as schoolteacher and boarded in the same housewith Rev. James Coleman. Under theprayers of the devout Coleman youngBangs was convinced of sin, and duringthe revival under Joseph Sawyer'sminis- try he obtained the peace and loveof God. One of his first acts was to

open the school with prayer. To this

the trustees objected, and rather thandiscontinue the prayers he gave up hissituation. Soon after we find him board-ing in the home of Christian Warner,by whose counsels and prayers he wasled into the experience of " perfect love,which casteth out fear." He had suchconfidence in the Christian purity andinfluence of Mr. Warner that he kt lovedhis very presence, and in prayer meet-ings wished to kneel close by liis side."Encouraged to preach, he made the at-

tempt, at first with shaking limbs andstiffened lips, but the power of God

came down, his lips were opened andsobs and praises filled the house. Thenext year Nathan Bangs was received asan itinerant preacher and appointed to

the Niagara circuit. At the end of theyear he was able to report an increaseof 300 members. In 1850. two aged menvisited Canada together, both servantsof God, their work well done—NathanBangs, now seventy years old,

and his ancient friend and pas-tor, Joseph Sawyer, now fourscore years. They recalled and re-

visited the old scenes, and at the con-ference in Toronto related many of thestruggles and triumphs of the pioneerdays. N. Bangs lingered on until 1862,

when he passed home, Joseph Sawyerhaving preceded him by ten years.There are a few more names before

the war, worthy of mention. The ap-pointments are: 1806, Thomas White-head, who to reach Niagara from Al-bany had a journey of six weeks, livingon boiled wheat by the way. Many ofhis descendants now reside in Ontario.In 1808, Henry Ryan, described as " abrave Irishman who labored as if thejudgment thunders were to follow eachsermon." He was accustomed to meethis colleagues, Isaac B. Smith and Robt.Perry, at the intersections of the roadswith the salutation, " Drive on brother,drive on, drive the devil out of thecountry." Camp meetings were com-menced in his time, and at these Ryanwas at his best. He was as strong as hewas brave, and lias been known morethan once to quell camp meeting dis-

turbances by jerking the disturber, anordinary sized man, off his seat andthrowing him with little ceremony overthe enclosure.

1810—Joseph Gatchell: His gifts inpreaching were supplemented by theexhortations of his wife, a sister ofNathan Bangs, who, to use the phrasecurrent at the time, exhorted " like astreak of red hot lightning."

1812—Andrew Prindle : A Canadianby birth, who said of himself that he' • received his education in Canadawhen there were no schools and nobooks." He was a faithful man, butremembered chiefly by the early settlers

for his huge size, becoming in early

middle life so corpulent as to be com-pelled to sit while preaching.During the war many of the ministers

stationed in Canada returned to theUnited States, and their names nolonger appear in connection with ourwork on this side. Among those who re-

—6—mained and served the Niagara circuit

during the war were : Ninian Holmes, aman of superior gifts, who spent the re-

mainder of his life in Canada, and DavidYoumans and Silas Hopkins, who wereboth Canadians by birth. A meeting ofthe conference was appointed to be heldin 1812 at Warner's chapel, but met in-

stead at the residence of Mr. Swayzie,of 'Beaverdams. On account of the dis-

turbed state of the country only sevenpreachers were present.

THE OLD RED MEETING HOUSE

was built a few years after the war, cer-

tainly not later than 1817. Previous tothe building of the church several per-sons in the neighborhood opened theirhomes for Methodist services and classes

were formed at Jonah Howey's in 1795,or it may be earlier, at Mr. House's, in1806, and Mr. Corwin's in 1810. Howeylived a little distance south of Lundy'sLane, and House and Corwin a little tothe north. At length these scatteredsocieties united their efforts and resolvedto build. A plot of ground, two acres inextent, was donated by Mr. CharlesGreen, a U. E. Loyalist, and here at

the head of the Lane, where the publicschool now stands, the church was built.

This was one of the first Methodistchurches erected in Upper Canada. Afew others can claim an earlier date.The Blue church on Hay Bay is older.

The churchfat Lyons Creek was builtbefore 1816. In the Niagara circuit book" the Niagara church " is mentioned in1811, and there is also tne record of aquarterly meeting held at " the meetinghouse," October 18, 1805. These re-

cords probably refer to Warner's church,which was the first church erected inthis part of Upper Canada. It was builtin the face of strong opposition TheRev. R. I. Warner, M. A., of Alma col-

lege, in a recent letter tells of hearingin his youth of an attempt made to burnthe church while in the course of erec-tion, and of how the navvies employedin the construction of the railway in thethirties, left the old building almost awreck. A little frame church nowstands on the same site a short distancefrom the track of the Grand Trunk rail-

way.The old red meeting house is re-

membered by the older people as astrong frame building 36x56, painted onthe outside a dark red ; a high box pul-pit, reached by a flight of stairs, stood onone side, an aisle down the centre, on. oneside scats for the men, on the other side

seats for the women—a custom whichsurvived in some rural districts until afew years ago. This church stood formore than 40 years, a centre €o whichMethodists gathered from all parts of

the country to quarterly meetings andconferences. The first quarterly meet-ing was held here on Dec. 26th, 1818.

In the month of July, 1820, the redmeeting house was the scene of a meet-ing of great interest. The Genesee con-ference met there that year. Preachersassembled from all parts of Canada, andfrom distant parts of the United States.

Reaching conference in those days in-

volved much toil and danger. Onepreacher while on his way w^as drownedin the Susquehanna river. More thanone hundred travelling preachers as-

sembled under the presidency of theAmerican bishop, Enoch George. OnSunday so many came to the publicservices that an adjournment wasmade to an adjoining grove.Here twenty young men knelt to-

gether and were solemnly ordained to

the work of the ministry—among thesewere men who six years before hadfought on opposite sides, near to this

spot in the fierce battle of Lundy's Lane.Now they knelt side by side and re-

ceived authority to preach the gospel of

peace. Several local preachers were or-

dained at this conference—names wellknown in Canada—Caleb Burdick, Ab-ner Matthews and Smith Griffin, of

Smithville.When the last day of the conference

came the preachers brought their horsessaddled, ready to start. The appoint-ments were to be read by the bishop andeach man without demur or delaywould start for his new field. Invita-

tions and protests were alike unknownin those days. The circuit welcomedthe preacher appointed and the preacherwent where he was sent. No mancould tell within a hundred miles of

where 1 he might be sent until his circuit

and name were read out by the bishop—true soldiers these waiting their march-ing orders. The moment arrives—thestations are read—the benediction pro-

nounced—handshaking and tears are in-

dulged in by those who have met and maymeet no more on earth. One who waspresent, the Rev. Fitch Reed, tells howthey passed out of the church, mount-ed and formed in regular order twoabreast—proceeded for some distance in

this order, then separated, going northand southeast and west todech re every-where the grace of Christ their King

and Saviour Thus did this band ofone hundred knights errant of the cross,

on that memorable day leave the oldred meeting house" O that each in the day of his coming may say,

' I have fought my way through,I have finished the work thou didst give me

to do';

O that e ach from the Lord may receive theglad word,' Well and faithfully done'

Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne."

To follow the names of those who oc-

cupied the pulpit of the old red meetinghouse would be to recall almost all

THE LEADING MINISTERS

of our church in the early days. I canbut select a few. George Ferguson wasanother soldier preacher. He was withGeneral Murray at the attack of theAmerican fort, Niagara, was woundedat the battle of Chippawa andwas healed of his wounds at the Metho-dist home of Christian Warner Hiscommanding officer had such confidenceiu his christian integrity and fidelity asa soldier that on one occasion when abattle was expected at any hour he wasgiven leave of absence that he might at-

tend a quarterly meeting at Warner'schapel . He retired from the army, en-tered the ministry and the year 1817finds him appointed to the Niagara cir-

cuit and taking in his turn the servicesin Lundy'sLane. In 1822 Isaac Puffertook up the first missionary collectionamounting to £36-8-7. This was twoyears before the Missionary society ofour church in Canada was organizedand but two years after the Missionarysociety of the Methodist Episcopalchurch of the United States was found-ed by Nathan Bangs. We may regardthis amount as the first missionarymoneyever collected by our Church in Canadaand it is interesting to note that the col-

lection was made on the Niagara cir-

cuit when Dr. Bangs, the founder of thesociety, was converted and commencedhis ministry About this time

THE RYERSONS

appear in connection with the circuit.

Their father was Colonel Ryerson, ofLong Point, a staunch Loyalist and aloyal churchman who could barely tol-

erate dissent—yet five of his sons be-

came Methodists, worse still, all five be-

came Methodist ministers, Egerton, whobecame the most distinguished, hav-ing given his name for membership atthe age of eighteen years, was met byhis father's ultimatum, " Egerton, I un-derstand you have joined the Methodists,

you must either leave them or leave myhouse. " He left the house the next day.Of the five Methodist sons of this

sturdy anti-Methodist colonel threeserved our church at the head of theLane—William Ryerson in 1822. Forfifty years he held his place as one ofthe most powerful preachers of the pro-vince, becoming president of the con-ference, and after his superannuation amember of the Canadian parliament.John Ryerson was stationed here in1826 and he also maintained for almostthree score years an eminent place inthe ministry of our church Edwy M.Ryerson, who was twenty six years inour ministry,was stationed here as juniorminister in 1833 and again as superin-tendent minister in 1849 and 1850.

Time will but permit the naming ofsome of the honored and beloved minis-ters who held appointments here be-

tween the years 1816 and 1844—such asEzra Adams, Elijah Warren, DavidYoumans, Jas. Richardson, EdmundStoney, Ephriam Evans, David Wright,Alexander McNabb, Richard JonesSamuel Rose, Thomas Bevitt, MatthewWhiting, Hamilton Biggar, G. R.Sanderson, Lewis Warner, JonathanScott. These are names to linger over—names of men who made the historyof Methodism in Canada.At the last date mentioned—1844—

a

new brick church was erected on thesite of the present building. This wasduring the ministry of Revs. JonathanScott and Joseph Messmore.But those who had long worshipped

at the head of the Lane were loth to

leave the old place of meeting and fromthe year 1844 until 1857 services wereheld iu both churches although butlittle more than a mile apart. Fondrecollections of the old- church still

survive. The names of the old preach-ers are lovingly repeated. Whatgrand quarterly meetings were heldthere ! From far and near Methodistsgathered for the " feast of good things"lasting from Friday evening until Mon-day morning—the grace of hospitality

abounded and the work of billeting wasa joy. What stirring revival services !

Many of the terms and phrases thenused would seem strange to this genera-tion. They held '

' protracted meetings'

'

in those days. They had a " penitentform "—" Penitents" and " Converts "

were classes quite distinct. The'

' Mourners '

' were known by their tears

and cries and when they " got through"the new rapture made their face to shine.

The "amen corner" was in everypart of the church and the shout" hallelujah " or "glory to God " madeno one start and shocked no person'ssensibilities. Best of all of many wholived the Christian life it could be said," this and that man was born " there.

What singing there was in those olddays ! No organ led and to " sing bynote " was a rare accomplishment. Butthe gospel invitation was heartily givenin the chorus, " O say will you go to theEden above" and the invitation seemedto change to a command when witha full voice was sung :

" Turn to the Lord and seek salvation."

What a volume of music in old West'swhen joined to the words :

" There is a land of pure delight."

And how the rafters of the old meetinghouse echoed the sound of many voicessinging

:

" And above the rest this note shall swellMy Jesus hath done all things well."

One quarterly meeting is rememberedfor incidents of quite another character.It was between fifty and sixty years agoLewis Warner was preaching when thedoor was suddenly opened and thesingle word '

' fire'

' startled the congre-gation. Rushing out, the neighboringparsonage was seen to be in a blaze.

Fighting the fire with success, the con-gregation returned and settled down to

the service, only to be startled once moreby a cry and a fall—one of the oldmembers had been fatally seized withparalysis.In 1857, during the Rev. Mr. Dickson's

term, services ceased to be held in thered meeting house. The building wasremoved from the old site, and is still

owned by a Methodist, although usedfor purposes not strictly sacred.The circuit register about this date

shows that the number of members atLundy's Lane appointment was eighty-two—of these eleven survive and arenow members of our church. Thenames are : Mr. and Mrs. MarsenaMorse, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Garner, Mr.and Mrs. Z. B. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs.Adam Garner, Mrs. Susan Howey, Mr.Walter Waite and Mrs. Peter McGarry.Following the history of the brick

church built in 1844 down to the timewhen in 1888 it was superseded by thepresent building, we come to the namesof the following ministers who "restfrom their labors '

'

:

Reuben E Tupper,Edwy M. Ryerson,

Thomas Cosford,Claudius Byrne,Alexander T. Green,G. N. A. F. T. Dickson,John G. Laird.

A number of others who still live

have sent messages of greeting and re-

membrance for this service. The first

is from the

REV. E. B. HARPER, D. D.,

of Barrie, who fifty-two years ago min-istered to this congregation. Illness pre-

vents him using his pen, but through afriend he says, with the promise of afurther communication, " In the mean-time I send my greetings to my oldcharge with best wishes for success."

REV. JOHN HUNT,

of Toronto, whose appointments date forthe three years following June, 1848,

writes: "Fifty years ago last June I

was sent to Niagara, of which I hadspecial charge. The circuit was knownas Drummondville and Niagara, and re-

garded as one of the most desirable andpleasant circuits in our work. E. B.Harper moved from Niagara to Lundy'sLane parsonage. Our work was twoSundays in Niagara and an alternate

afternoon at Queeuston and Virgil.

Then two Sundays at Lundy's Lane andDrummondville in the evening and al-

ternately at Stamford and St. David's,afternoon. Rev. Edwy Ryerson wasmy colleague during the third year, amost beautiful and impressive preacher.Niagara was then the county town, aplace of considerable business, with be-

tween three and four thousand inhabi-

tants. We had a very fine congrega-tion, and during the first year a mostgracious revival of religion. At Lumty'sLane we also held special meetings twoor three times during the term of yearsI was there with a goooVdegree of suc-

cess. At Lundy's Lane and the countryaround the Falls we had a numberof excellent old Canadian families, al-

ways kindly and most hospitable, faith-

ful and loyal to the church, butif my recollection is correct somewere tinged with an anxiety to

get rich, which materially retard-

ed their growth in spirituality. Onthe whole, however, they were a gener-ous and most kind-hearted people,

whose homes it was always a pleasureto visit. I recall the names of Benjaminand John Corwin, Jacob Garner, GeorgeWright, Hiram Howey, John andG-eorge Bender, Alansou Ross andothers. I do not know any one of those

—9—I have named but has passed over to

join the great majority. We, too, arefollowing hard after and shall soon bethere. I often am a wonder to myself

;

am within less than a month of eightyyears, yet really doing as much work as

ever I did. Have preached every Sab-bath between six and seven years in thegeneral hospital, and visit hundredsevery week. I love the work ; I lovethe Master, and hope to do His workwhile He lends me breath."

REV. JOHN WAKEFIELD D. D.,

of Dundas, greets his old congregation inthese words :

" My first personal knowl-edge of Methodism in Lundy's Lanewas in the summer of 1857, when I wasstationed in the town of Niagara, andthe Rev. G. N. A. F. T. Dickson wasstationed at Drummondville. WhenMr. Dickson left in 1860, I wasappointed as his successor. The cir-

cuit was then composed of Drummond-ville, Stamford, Chippawa, Olifton andBeechwoods. I was assisted by a staff

of local preachers, such as William Ap-pleford, James Shrimpton, and part ofthe time the Revd's Peter Ker and Wm.Sutton were laid aside from the regularwork and lived there. I found the cir-

cuit in a low state, and for a year and ahalf there was little religious life. Inthe fall of 1862 I began special servicesat the head of the circuit, in sheer des-peration, and preached every night,except Saturday, for more than twelveweeKs. For five of these weeks therewas a small attendance and little en-couragement, but a break came, and thehouse was often so full that I could notget penitents to the altar, as every avail-

able spot was filled with the ordinarycongregation. Sinners, hov%Tever, wereconverted, and there were some seasonsof great power, and many cried aloudfor mercy, or snouted victory throughthe blood of the Lamb. Over a hundredadults were converted, seventy-six ofthem heads of families. The next yearwe enlarged the church, and put whatgood James Badger called a "hell" on theback end of it, with a basement storeyfor class and school rooms. That yeartoo we held a camp meeting in thewoods of John Ker, Esq., just south-west of the village (the only one so faras I know ever held in that immediatepart of the country. ) This meeting waslargely attended, and though not a verylarge number of souls were converted,hundreds of Christians from many milesaround entered into the rest of perfect

love, and the influence of the meetingfor good was felt for a long time in mostof the circuits in all that part of thecountry. We had great trouble withthe rough element accustomed to gatherabout the Falls, who, in spite of protestbuilt their booths on the road near thegrounds, where they had shows of wildcats, sold liquor and carried on otheriniquities. In a few days, however, wehad several of them arrested, tried, andheavily fined by John Ker, Esq., whoheld his court in his tent on thegrounds, so that all the rest of themcleared out. Thus law and right tri-

umphed over these bad men as it hadnot done for a long time."When I went to the circuit Bro. Jacob

Garner was recording steward, butshortly afterward Bro. Z. B. Lewis wasappointed to that office, and held it formany years, often, as I know personally,making up deficiencies in ministers'salaries at the end of the year. I hardlydare begin to mention names, thoughmany of them and their works are freshupon my mind. There were two largeclasses in the village meeting on Sun-day, one met by Bro. John Ker, and theother by Bro. James Badger, both faith-

ful, good men, who have since passedinto the skies, and their works do fol-

low them. There was also a prettylarge class met by the minister on aweek evening, in the house of Bro. Mar-sena Morse."At the end of three years I had

learned to love the people, and left thecircuit with great regret. After morethan forty-six years in the ministiy I

send greetings to my old charge onLundy's Lane. Tell them to hold fast

to the old doctrines of early Methodism,such as the divinity of Jesus Christ, theuniversality of the Atonement, justifi-

cation by faith, holiness of heart, with-out which no man shall see the Lord,and the clear and unmistakable witnessof God's Spirit to the soul of the be-

liever, telling him of His sonship, andadoption into the family of God. If

faithful we shall meet again under bet-

ter conditions than this life can afford."

REV. W. S. BLACKSTOCK D. D.,

of Toronto, who was the minister dur-

ing the years 1864-65-66, says :" Will

you be kind enough to convey to my old

and dear friends at Niagara Falls theassurance of my unabated interest in

them, and everything that pertains to

their well-being and the prosperity of

the cause of God among them. I am

-10—

glad that the close of the first hundredyears of their history as a Methodistsociety is not to pass by unnoticed andthat facts and incidents of the past arenot to be forgotten.

" It was no small honor that was con-ferred upon your locality when it wasselected by divine Providence to be oneof the original seed-plots of Methodism

.

It is worthy of being remembered thatbefore William Losee performed thatremarkable missionary journey fromLake Champlain to Hay Bay, which re-

sulted in the regular organization ofMethodism in Upper Canada, MajorGeorge Neale was at work on theNiagara Frontier, and the Falls wasprobably about the centre of the field ofhis labors . If not the first Methodistclass, certainly the second ever formedin Upper Canada was that of whichChristian Warner was the leader inStamford within a couple of miles ofSt. David's. The third place of worshiperected by the Methodists in this pro-vince was the old Warner meetinghouse in the same place . It would beinteresting to know the names of thepeople who composed that class, andthe incidents connected with their first

attempt at church-building." One thing that we do know about it

is, that about the time of the opening ofthat primitive place of worship a greatrevival of religion took place on the oldNiagara circuit, of which Niagara Fallsformed a part ; and that in that revivalNathan Bangs, who afterwards becameone of the greatest of the great men ofAmerican Methodism, was converted.It is worthy of being remembered toothat the first Methodist conference heldin Canada was held within the boundsof this circuit, and that at that conference—as I learned from his own lips

—

Rev. George Peok, another of the greatmen of Methodism, the author of themost learned and probably the bestbook on the doctrine of Christian per-perfection that has been written,was set apart to the office andwork of the ministry by the laying onof hands. How many thousands ofsouls have been converted and gatheredinto the church within the limits of thatfield ; and what a number of ministersof the gospel have been raised up there,and sent forth to preach the everlastinggospel in every part of the country ! Butwhat is most important to rememberis that we have the same gospel todaythat our fathers had, and when accom-panied by the holy spirit it has lost

none of its ancient power. The worldneeds it as much as it ever did, and wehave a right to expect the same signs tofollow its faithful proclamation. Thereview of the past ought to inspire uswith confidence and hope for the future.

And my earnest prayer is that the his-

tory of the next hundred years may sofar as the congregation at Niagara Fallsis concerned—nay so far as our churchthroughout the Dominion of Canada andall its missionary fields is concerned

—

that the glory of the past may beeclipsed by the greater glory of the fu-

ture and that we may be permitted tosee at least the dawning of the brighterday that is before us.

'

' .

REV. JOHN MILLS,

of Guelph, thus greets you :

" It affords me unmingled pleasure torespond to your kind request to addressa few words of greeting to my old anddear friends, the members and adher-ents of the Methodist church in Lundy'sLane. At the conference of the Wes-layan Methodist church, held in themonth of June, in the year 1870, twenty-eight years ago, I was appointed to thethen Drummondville circuit, having asmy colleague the Rev. William J.

Ford. During a period of forty six

years in the active work of the ministry,I have had a varied experience, and inthat time I have almost invariably re-

ceived kind and considerate treatmentfrom our people where it has been myprivilege to labor. Conversing with myfriends and family in regard to my dif-

ferent circuits aud stations, I alwaysrefer to the thoughtful kindness of themembers and friends of the church onthe old Drummoudville circuit to me andmy family. To the end of life I shall

look back with pleasure to the threeyears of my ministry on your circuit

among the brightest and happiest yearsof my ministry.

" My ministerial term among you wasnot only pleasant but profitable to mespiritually, and I trust also to thechurches comprised in the circuit. Atnearly every appointment the head ofthe church favored myself and col-

leagues with revivals, the lukewarmwere incited to increased activity in theservice and work of Christ, backsliderswere reclaimed and believers built upin the faith and hope of the Gospel. I

am highly gratified to hear of the pros-perity of your church. I need scarcelytell you the deep interest I feel in it.

May your Shiloh be ever the seat of

11—

tranquility and joy, and upon you mayGod command the blessing, even life

forevermore. Owing to deaths and re-

movals, some of our earliest and strong-est circuits have, to a painful extent,been reduced, both in numbers andstrength. I rejoice that such is not yourexperience. Notwithstanding that yourchurch is part of the third circuit formedin Upper Canada in the year 1795, yourbow abides in strength, and the causeof God among you is strong and grow-ing. May God pour down His spirit

abundantly upon the membership andadherents of your church, and upon thecommunity. '

'

REV. SAMUEL WILSON,

of London writes, " During my pastor-

ate (1880-83) by vote of the quarterlyboard Stamford appointment was set

off and Drummondville became a sta-

tion. Id my second year special ser-

vices were held for twelve weeks, re-

sulting in an addition of about seventymembers to the church. I never foundany people that worked more heartilyto help forward revival work. I lookback upon those three years with greatpleasure as being one of the happiestterms of my ministerial career.

"Now unto Him that is able to keep youfrom falling and to present you faultless he-fore the presence of His glory with exceedingjoy. To the only wise God our Saviour beglory and majesty, dominion and power bothnow and ever. Amen."

REV. G. A. MITCHELL, M. A.

of Georgetown, writes :« Fifteen years

ago last June we were met at the station

by Bro. Lewis and assured that wewould be welcomed by the kind heartedpeople of Drummondville. This wasfully realized during three happy yearsand ever since then the thought of theold home, the old church and the oldfriends we loved opens up afresh thesprings of joy in our hearts. Our first

meeting was the Thursday eveningprayer meeting — the confusion of

rattling windows and the weird moan-ing and roaring of the Falls caused adeep sense of strangeness and loneliness,

but when the brethren and sisters

prayed with such unction andfervor, as was their custom inthose days, we realized this is indeedthe house of God and these truly arehis people. As I stood in the pulpit onthe first Sabbath, I thought of the oldchurch and its long interesting history,and then of the old red meeting house,and the pioneer fathers of the formerdays—when I thought of the long list of

names I had read as printed on the backwall of the parsonage, I felt as thoughthis great company of able and honoredpreachers who had stood in that pulpitwas present, and watching me do. myduty, and I hoped and prayed that I

might be a worthy successor of suchworthy and noble men. During thosethree years we were favored with thefrequent visits of honored missionaries,prominent evangelists and numbers ofdevout men and women gathered fromevery land—some of whom came to seethe Falls and others to enjoy the campmeeting services. Many of the friendswith whom we labored at that time andwhom we learned to love are still onthe way, but others have gone on beforeus, to join the triumphant church aboveand serve Him day and night in Histemple.

' Yet love to linger, love to stay,Where first they learned to watch and pray,

On wings of faith to riseA host of witnesses they stand,A diademed illustrious band,

And urge us to proceedTo take the crown and win the world for God.'

"Let us accept the challenge and helpto win the world for God, till we also

obtain the crown and join our friendswho have already been gathered to ourFather's house above.

"

The last message is from the

RET. RICHARD HOBBS,

of London, during whose ministry thepresent church was erected. He writes :

'

' There are many things in my heartthat I would like to say to your people,

but I am reminded that I could not ad-dress myself either by pen or voice to

my old congregation of ten years ago.' Our fathers, where are they, and theprophets, do they live forever?' Therewere many eventful days during mypastorate. Among the most importantwas the moving out of the old churchinto the new. But the people werewilling in the day of God's power, henceis due largeh' to the Methodist peoplethe renovation and regeneration materi-ally, and I trust morally, of Lundy'sLane and its people since they arose to

build. I pray that peace and prosperitymay still attend this church and its

pastor."These messages bring the history of

Lundy's Lane Methodism down to thetime of the building of the presentchurch and within the memory of thegreater part of this congregation. Wehave seen that Major Neal formed thefirst Methodist class in this vicinity in

—12-

1788. This church was built in 1888,

when Methodism had existed here justONE HUNDRED YEARS.

This may have escaped observation at

the time, if so it is not too late to call

attention to it now. The church mighthave been named the Centenary, whichit really is. We have already passedthe first decade of the second century ofLundy's Lane Methodism.Many ministers of our church had

their early home within the bounds ofthe old Niagara circuit. Rowley Hey-land was the son of a poor widow, wholived a few miles from the Lane. Fath-er Corson lived here in his youth. Col.Ryerson, the father of the Ryersonbrothers, lived at Long Point, in theearly days included in Niagara. Our oldcircuit book shows that David Culp washere licensed as an exhorter, July 7, 1810,and he was the first Methodist ministerwho preached in Toronto and thereduring his ministry the first Methodistchurch was built in 1818.

Of the local preachers of those daysthe best remembered are Peter Bows-laugh, a Pennsylvania Dutchman,with a body like a giant andwith the tenderness of a child, andSmith Griffin, grandfather of Dr. W. S.

Griffin, who as he said himself " had toomuch of his own business to attend to,

to occupy himself with any of Satan'swork." Among the names commonlymet with as connected with Methodismin the Niagara peninsula during theclosing years of the last century andthe opening years of this, besides thosealready mentioned, are these : Ostran-der, Lawrence, Morden, Dell, Buchner,Doan, Lemon, Beam, Gonder, Street,Merritt, Keefer. These names arefound in the very earliest records of ourchurch and grand children and greatgrand children of these persons arefound in all parts of our Dominion andmany of them yet prominently con-nected with Methodism.In Lundy's Lane, Methodism has

more than held its own. This cannot besaid of some other places where it wasfirst planted in this province. Many ofthe old historic names are known nomore, either as circuits or preaching ap-pointments. This is true of Augusta,where the first class was formed, of LongPoint, the home of the Ryerson's, ofWarner's, where service is no longerheld, and in the neighborhood of whichno Methodist population exists. ButLundy's Lane Methodism continues.Let us hold to the name

LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH.Let us speak of it as such, and let this

be the name used in all written andprinted references to this church.Lundy's Lane Methodism has an honor-ed history—let the name be connectedwith that history. We pay all duereverence to the memory of the heroeswho in Lundy's Lane met death in thedeadliest and most decisive battle of thewar—but if the name reminds us of thehard won victory of one day of battle , it

ought surely call to mind a full hundredyears of gospel labor, of spiritual con-flict, and of many and splendid victories

won for Christ. Lundy's Lane Method-ism has done more for Canadathan the battle of 1814, thereforelet us revive and hold to the old name,Lundy's Lane Methodist Church,the third in succession from the old redmeeting house. Our church here hasgrown in numbers. The number re-

ported in the oldest register available,for the year 1859 was 82. In 1888, whenthe new church was built, 200 were re-

ported, and in 1898 it stands at 300. Westill hold part of the original two acreplot at the head of the Lane, and includ-ing this our church property is nowvalued at $18,000. So Methodismstands here after an existence of overone hundred years and in like propor-tion it has increased throughout Ontarioand in almost every Province of Canada.We may

LEARN FROM THE PAST.

Not that the men and the methods ofone hundred years ago would be bestfor today. It would not profit tiie far-

mers of Canada to go back to the scytheand flail, the ox teams and corduroyroads of the days of their fathers. Butfarmers of today may learn from the in-

dustry, the economy and the practicalwisdom of many of the early pioneers.

If the men who served this church twogenerations ago were brought to life andthe congregations raised up with them

,

we might find much fault with bothpreachers and people, and with their

work and methods. The limited educa-tion, the narrow range of thought, therigid restrictions, the loud and boister-

ous services, these it may be said be-

longed to the past. So let them be—thedays of circuit riders, saddle bags andcamp meetings, have passed out forever.

Yet wTe may learn from the past, fromthe old spirit, the gifts and graces andexperiences made prominent in earlyMethodism, the unwoiidliness, the ac-

ac-

knowledged supremacy of the spiritual,

the undoubting acceptance of bibleteaching, the common assurance of son-

ship, the tenderness of spirit, the un-restrained emotion, the spontaneous out-

bursts of religious feeling, the readinessin testimony, the unction in prayer, thefervent power in exhortation, the plead-ing earnestness in individual appeal, theinsistence of conversion and sanctifica-

tion, the rapturous experience,

" Jesus all the day long,Is my joy and my song,"

the eager desire—made more ardent bypersistent effort,

—

" O that all His salvation may see,"

the heroic stand against sin inlife and heart. These were ele-

ments of strength, weapons of warfare

'

' not carnal, but mighty through God tothe pulling down of strongholds." Andin these things we may as ministersand members sit at the feet and learn,from the fathers of our church and ofour country. But we may and ought togo far in advance of the fathers. Asthe day brightens and the horizonwidens, Methodism ought to brightenand widen in thought and work. Thetimes, pregnant with opportunity, call

for deepened sympathies, a wiser adapta-bility, a more self-renouncing zeal, for awider reach of effort and an all embrac-ing charity. By way of reproach thefollowers of Wesley were " the peoplecalled Methodists," but they made thename honorable and great, and we whoinherit this great and honorable namemust hand it down untarnished '

' to thegeneration to come."

—14—

Extracts from the First Niagara Circuit

Book. 1795—1824.

THE TITLE PAGE.

"Book of Accornpts of the Contributions and Dis-bursements of the Methodist Episcopal church on Nia-ara circuit. Established 1795. Christian Warner, gen-eral steward, approved of and appointed at a quarterlymeeting held at Lyon's Creek, February 27, 1796—Dars.Dunham."

Here is the copy of an incomplete resolution on the subject of Ministerial sup-port. It refers to the period when preachers first crossed the border to establish

Methodism in Canada. The salaries on either side of the line at that date werenot exorbitant.

"Whereas the price of goods is so high in this

country that we think it our duty to raise the salary ofour preachers who labor in this country above the statedsum specified in the forms of discipline for the Metho-dist Episcopal church in the United States—which to beon an average, is $24 per quarter"

First Lists of Contributors to Circuit Income with the name of classes.

" Dec. 6, 1795, quarterly meeting. Contributed for"the support of the gospel—Cash—£1 13 0.

Contributions at quarterly meeting held February27, 1796

:

By strangers, cash £0 1 6s. Od.

Silverthorns, cash 1 2 3

Warners, cash 1 14 6

Public, cash 2 8

Samuel Vanevery contributed 8

Gage's, public 10

Morden's,public 17 6

Total £7 16 6

The Rev. Darius Dunham, the first Circuit Minister, corrects an error andsigns a receipt.

"The above accornpts being posted wrong I just certi-

fy my demands on Niagara circuit for traveling ex-

penses and services six months past—Cash.New York currency £ 38 1 8

And have received in all of the said circuit bythe hand of the steward. By cash N.Y. C 35 11 11

Balance due me 2 9 7

Darius Dunham."

Quaint form of Circuit Receipt by Rev. James Coleman, the second ministerappointed

.

" October 10th, 1797. Received in full of all Debts,Dues and Demands for traveling expenses and services

to this present date, above mentioned.

James Coleman .'

'

—15—

The circuit extends, and classes multiply, as we see by this list, dated sevenyears after the organization of the circuit, the amounts contributed omitted.

"May 1st, 1802. Collections from different classes:Newark.Four Mile Creek.Flamborough.Beverly.Ancaster.Barton.Stoney Creek.Fifty Mile Creek.Thirty.Twenty.

First church trial on Niagara Circuit.

" Crowland, Aug. 10, 1805. Elizabeth Shaver ap-peared before ower quarterly Conference, for redress ofa former tryal, before Bro. N. Bangs, in presence ofower society in Stamford. E. Shaver is cleared by avote of a large majority."

The circuit book is used as one of the first Baptismal Registers in the country,and Baptism of Infants is insisted upon. The first baptism is

:

" Samuel, son of James and Mary Pew, born April6th 1806, Stamford.

"December 27, 1817. James Brown, of Thorold, ap-plied for license as a local preacher. The Conferencegranted a verbal license until he could have his chil-

dren baptized the first opportunity, and then Bro.Ryan to give him a writteu license."

Toronto's first Methodist Minister, David Culp, licensed as an exhorter, butrefused license to preach.

"July 7, 1810. David Culp made applycation forlicens to exhort at ower quarterly meeting, he beingrecommended by his class. Upon mature considera-tion licens where granted.—Christian Warner, Secre-tary."

"Sept. 14, 1811. Bro. David Culp made applicationto preach, being recommended by his class. Lost by amajority of votes."

Circuit appropriation. How the Rev. Isaac Puffer and his family were pro-vided for

:

"October 19, 1820, Geo. Lawrence, Benjamin Cor-win and Hiram Sweazy were chosen for a committeeto estimate Bro. Puffer's expenses for flour and meat,which is twenty-four bushels of wheat, and 400 of

pork, which will cost £13 9s. Od."

First Methodist missionary collection.

" July 13, 1822, paid missionary money on NiagaraCircuit to the Rev. Isaac Puffer, for missionary pur-poses, through the hands of Benjamin Corwin, circuit

steward, £36 Is. 7d."

The last item is a note on the inside of the back cover showing that the first

preachers of this circuit were also the first distributors of literature in the country.

" Sold of Mr. Dunham's books : Weslt-y's Journals,7s. Od. ; Dottritche's Sermons, 4s. lOd. ; Christian Bap-tism, Is. 6d. ; Primitive Physic, 5s. Od. ; total, £018s. 4d.

The book closes with the end of the year 1823, which also ends the connectionof Upper Canada Methodism with the Genesee Conference In 1824 the CanadaConference was formed, and a few years later entirely separated from theMethodism of the United States,

—16—

Names of the Ministers who have served this

Church from the Organization of the

Niagara Circuit in 1795, with the

Dates of Their Appointment.1795—Darius Dunham.1796—James Coleman.1797—Darius Dunham, Michael Coate.1798—James Coleman.1799—James Coleman.1800—Joseph Sawyer, Seth Crowell.1801—Joseph Sawyer, Nathan Bangs.1802—John Robinson, Daniel Pickett.

1803—Sylvanus Keeler, Samuel Howe, Reuben Harris.1804—Danl. Pickett, Luther Bishop, Nathan Bangs.1805—Gershom Pearce, Andrew Prindel.1806—Thomas Whitehead, Robert Perry.1807—Thomas Whitehead, Ninian Holmes.1808—Henry Ryan, Isaac B. Smith.1809—Henry Ryan, Robert Perry.1810—Andrew Prindel, Joseph Gatchell.1811—Isaac B. Smith, Peter Covenhoven.1812—Andrew Prindel, Ninian Holmes.1813—Ninian Holmes.1814—David Youmans, Silas Hopkins.1815—William Brown.1816—Elijah Warren.1817—J. W. Byam, George Ferguson.1818—Isaac B. Smith, George Ferguson.1819—Isaac B. Smith, D. Shepherdson.1820—Isaac Puffer.1821—Isaac Puffer, John Tackaberry.1822—Ezra Adams, John Ryerson.1823—Ezra Adams, William Ryerson.1824—Thomas Demorest, William Ryerson.1825—Thomas Demorest, William Griffis.

1826—John Ryerson, William Griffis.

1827—David Youmans, Rowley Heyland.1828—James Richardson, Joseph Gatchell.1829—James Richardson, Edmund Stoney.1830—Joseph Messmore, James Wilson.1831—Edmund Stoney, James Wilson.1832—Edmund Stoney, Ephraim Evans.1833—David Wright, Edwy M. Ryerson.1834—David Wright, Alexander Irvine.1835—Alexander Irvine, Alexander McNabb.1836—Richard Jones, Alexander McNabb.1837—Thomas Bevitt, Samuel Rose.1838—Matthew Whiting, Samuel Rose.1839—Matthew Whiting, Joseph Messmore.1840—Hamilton Biggar, E. Shepherd, Thomas Cosford.1841—Hamilton Biggar, John Law, G. R. Sanderson.1842—Lewis Warner, G. R. Sanderson, Wm. McEwen.1843—Lewis Warner, James Musgrove.1844—Jonathan Scott, Jos. Messmore, Jos. Shepley.1845—Jonathan Scott, Jos. Messmore.1846—Reuben E. Tupper, Ephraim B. Harper.1847—Reuben E. Tupper, Ephraim B. Harper.1848—Ephraim B. Harper, John Hunt.

—17—

1849-50—Edwy M. Ryerson, John Hunt.1851-2—Thomas Cosford, George Young.1853—Thomas Cosford, Claudius Byrne.1854-5—Alexander T. Green.1856—William T. Griffin.

1857-9—G. N. A. F. T. Dixon.1860-2—John Wakefield.1863—Alexander Sutherland.1864-6—William S. Blackstock.1867-69—John G. Lavid.1870—John Mills, William J. Ford.1871—John Mills, James Awde.1872—John Mills, Joseph Odery.1873—Thomas StDbbs, John V. Smith.1874—Thomas Stobbs.1875-6—John Ridley.1877-9—Matthew Swann.1880-2—Samuel Wilson.1883-5—George A. Mitchell, B. A.1886-8—Richard Hobbs.1889-91—Richard W. Woodsworth.1892-3—James Awde, B. A.1894-6—Amos E. Russ, M. A.1897-8—John C. Stevenson.

The above list has been compiled from Dr. Cornisti's ' Cyclopedia of Method-ism '•; Cornwall's ' Case and Cotemporaries

'; the Conference Minutes, and original

manuscript documents.

List of Members in the Class which met at

Warner's Chapel, from Class Book in

Possession of F. A. Hutt, Esq.

"Warner's Chapel Class—Bro. McQuen leader.Meets at Warner's chapel on Lord's Day at 1

.2 2 o'clock.

1—1. John Vanevery.2. Margret Vanevery.8. Margret McKinley.4. James McCoen.5. Janet McCoen.6. Mary Vanevery.i

.

Elizabeth Smith.8. Ann McKinley.9. Lavina Clow.

10. Elizabeth Warren.11. Mary Stewart.12. John McKinley.Yd. Joseph Vanevery.

—18—

Quarterly Class Tickets of various dates in

possesion of the writer.

March, 1820.

And these words,

which I command thee

this day, shall be in

thine heart : And thou

shalt teach them dili-

gently unto thy chil-

dren.

Deut. vi. 6, 7.

G

Dec. 1819.

^' But; as for me andmy house, we i will*

serve the Lord.

Joshua xxiv. 15.

*

F;

-

Wesleyan-Methodist Society.

Established 1739.

Quarterly Ticket for September, 1837.

The words of the Lord are pure

words : as silver^ tried in a furnace oe

earth, purified seven times.

Psalm xii. 6.

Wesleyan-Methodist Society.

Established 1739.

Quarterly Ticket for Septem-ber, 1868.

We know that we have passed

from death unto life, because welove the brethren.

1 John iii. 14.

V

The Methodist Church.

Quarterly Ticket for Novem-ber, 1898.

In all things shewing thyself a

pattern of good works.—Titus 2 :7.

The general conference of this year (1898) has made the giving out of quarter-

ly class tickets optional.

4