William Black: The Apostle of Methodism in the Maritime Provinces of CanadaMacLean, John
Religion
William Black: The Apostle of Methodism in the Maritime Provinces of Canada
MacLean, John
Black, William, 1760-1834; Wesleyan Methodist Church -- Clergy -- Biography
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
forgiveness, he set up the family altar, and then became anxious for
the souls of his neighbors. As he passed them on the road he lifted
his heart in prayer for their conversion, in company, he seized the
opportunity of denouncing sin, much to the annoyance of some, but
ultimately with spiritual profit. His early efforts at winning souls
were so richly blessed, that he seized every opportunity of speaking
of the good things of Christ.
In the summer of 1780, at a Quarterly Meeting held at Mr. Trueman's,
he received so great a blessing that he wept, and the same evening at
Fort Lawrence he made his first attempt at exhortation. From that hour
he exhorted or prayed at every meeting, and though his knees trembled
with fear, his tongue was loosened, and he spoke with much liberty.
During the following winter he was invited to Tantramar to hold
meetings, and had great joy in seeing many led to Christ. Assisted by
some of the old class leaders and local preachers, he travelled over
the country, exhorting as often as his duties on the farm would
permit.
His first attempt at preaching from a text was in the spring of 1781,
when he visited a settlement on the Petitcodiac River, and the word
was with power. With so many tokens of the divine favor, it was
evident that he was a marked man, and though not quite twenty-one
years of age, and without any special training, he was being literally
thrust out, and seemed destined to be the man who should lead the
forces, and lay the foundations of Methodism, far beyond the limits of
his own neighborhood. The man possessed of gifts and grace, in whom
the people had confidence, and who was singularly blessed in winning
souls had come, and the stripling on the farm was called to leave the
plough and go forth, to proclaim the great truths of the Gospel of
Christ. He was truly a chosen vessel, and fitted for a great work.
III.
THE MARITIME ITINERANT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account