father and family had emigrated from the Island of Guernsey in the year 1806. As boys, we were almost continually associated, but whether he was the subject of very serious impressions in early life, I cannot now recollect. Mr. Avard studied Law in Charlotte Town, and had he continued his studies, would probably have arrived at some eminence in his profession; as, in addition to respectable talents, he possessed an ardent thirst for knowledge, and such a degree of firmness and perseverance as would almost have ensured him success in any pursuit to which he might have turned his attention.

In the year 1815, it became apparent that the Spirit of God was operating on his mind; though much associated with the people of the world, it was very evident that he was losing his relish for that company, and those pursuits, which had previously occupied his attention. One evening, on passing the house of an aged friend of his parents, the late Mr. Benjamin Chappell, he perceived Mrs. C. just going out to attend a weekly prayer meeting: the thought occurred to him, where can Dame Chappell be going?-it must be to a prayer meeting-I also will go. He did so, and the result was, a deep conviction of his lost state as a sinner. Mr. Avard's parents having been for many years accredited and respected members of the Wesleyan Society, and his father being a regular Local Preacher, he, of course, was brought up under the Wesleyan Ministry; but now he became particularly interested in the ministrations of the late Rev. John Hick, the first Wesleyan Missionary who had been regularly sent to Prince Edward Island. I perfectly recollect the appearance of deep concern-of pungent and heartfelt sorrow, manifested in his countenance, accompanied by tears, on one occasion in particular, while the Word of Life was being dispensed; these pleasing indications of penitence were not, as they sometimes prove, evanescent; for within the space of three weeks, Mr. A. became the subject of that great moral change, which, in the Scriptures of Truth, is denominated a new birth. As his convictions were very powerful, his transition from darkness to light from the condemning power of the law, to a state of justification through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, was remarkably clear and satisfactory; the evidences กากร mo of the new creature were indeed very conspicuous; almost immediately he became a faithful reprover of sin, wherever he witnessed it, and his whole soul seemed absorbed in the consi

deration, that he must strive to promote the glory of God, in the salvation of his fellow creatures. On one occasion, when conversing with me in the street, a person hastily passed us, at the same time uttering a most horrid imprecation; he turned, and with all the authority of one, who had felt himself commissioned by heaven itself, dealt out to the offender a pointed and impressive reproof. The natural ardency of his disposition, and the fearlessness and zeal which he manifested in the cause of truth, connected as they were, with his inexperience, caused some of his friends to fear in reference to his future stability; but his humility kept pace with his zeal, and subsequent events happily proved that their fears were groundless.

About three months previously to Brother Avard's evincing any concern for his soul, I had rather withdrawn myself from his intimacy; having, through the instrumentality of Mr. Hick's ministry, been powerfully convinced of the necessity of beginning a new life, and relinquishing my former worldly associates; but on the happy change which took place in Brother Avard, our friendship was renewed on a much firmer basis; Christian principle assisting to cement it, and which was never again interrupted until by death he was summoned to the eternal world. We now went on mutually assisting each other; the ministration of the word, in connection with the ordinances peculiar to the Wesleyans, proving exceedingly beneficial to us; and Mr. Hick already appeared to recognise in my friend, one whom the Great Head of the Church might at some future day honour, by putting into the ministry.

ཨེ

Though Brother Avard continued some months after his conversion, in the office of the professional gentleman to whom he had been articled, yet he totally abandoned the intention of further prosecuting his studies; indeed from the first his mind was impressed with the idea that God had called him to the work of preaching the Gospel; and this impression became increasingly vivid and powerful. Within a year from his first awakenings, he delivered his first discourse in public, taking as a text, "Suffer me to speak"-Job xxi. 3. Never afterwards did he omit any opportunity of declaring to others, the salvation which he himself enjoyed; and in eighteen months from the commencement of his Christian career, he was recommended to "the C10 1270193% to the Committee and Conference as a candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry.

The last interview I had with Brother Avard, was at the Dis trict Meeting of 1818. His labours had been greatly blessed, and in every place he was received as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. He at that time strongly urged the necessity of my attempting the important work of calling sinners to repentance. I had occasionally acted in that way, in a local capacity; but he very much urged the necessity of my giving myself entirely to the work, Little did I then anticipate that his useful career would so soon terminate, or that I should ever be permitted to follow him through so many parts of the Mission-field in these Provinces, as I have done,

MEMOIR OF THE REV. DUNCAN MCCOLL,

Late of Saint Stephen's, Charlotte County, New-Brunswick,
(Concluded from page 253.*)

MR. MCCOLL was now far advanced in life, and at length began to feel the infirmities of old age creeping upon him. He, however, continued to pursue his arduous course of ministerial toil, retaining still the sole charge of the Societies and Congregations which had been gathered through his instrumentality at Saint Stephen's, Saint David's, &c.-We will insert a few more extracts from his very interesting Journal:

February 28th, 1823. My spirit was refreshed and my views greatly brightened while considering the character and offices of our blessed Lord and Saviour; he is the way to the Father— all and in all to the true believer. I was also comforted by a very friendly letter from the Rev. A. Clarke, LL.D., whose observations July 24th. I went to bury J Bat Saint David's, the ons are truly edifying. Sho House was full, I preached with freedom of spirit from Luke xvi. 12.—First, I gave an explanation of the term Steward; secondly, Took of

Meetin

Stewards; when we are to give an thirdly, of om period when we can be no longer count, viz. the Day of Judgment, While describing our stew ardship, I took notice of the strength of our bodies, and of the of the providential fields which God places open before us for im

odi bisiy of deiw 6 b9aa97qz9 llɔɔɔ14 114 mid or bus abrede a.We regret that the conclusion of this Memoir has been so long delayed, and

that we must noterect a form.

This valuable

it so
may

2905100 of 10 9182

in another place f
place in this Magazine, J12 Puz

provement in spiritual and temporal things. I hope that God will move this people to discharge their duties in a regular Christian-like manner. I never saw better attention paid at Saint David's; how long the impression will remain, time will shew.

July 25th. After some close attention paid to the reasons which induce me to be a Christian, I testify to the world: That it has not been my wish to be blindly hurried into the belief of anything. It is my reason which raises me above the brute creation. Should I lose sight of this, I should be unworthy to have a name among men. But, after using it to the best advantage, I am confirmed in the belief of the Christian religion. Thanks be unto the Lord who has supplied the Christian with what is fully sufficient to keep such in perfect peace as take hold of the truth as it is in the Gospel. My belief is not produced by flights of the imagination, but it is supported by what fully satisfies my own reason. But, above all, the witness of the Spirit, and other internal evidences with which God has favoured me, afford proofs which are indubitable.

Aug. 22d. This morning I am seventy years old: thanks be unto God he has dealt bountifully with me all my days.

January 10th, 1826. I had an appointment at Vance's Mills. The day was rainy, and I took the round back road. We had a good meeting. I found that there were two gentlemen in our congregation who had come up on the ice with their horse and sleigh, and as they intended to go back on the river the same way, I concluded to follow them. We soon saw much danger, especially when we got to a place where the water ran rapidly. I soon saw their horse cracked the ice, but he escaped; my horse broke it more, but got to the strong ice. However, the sleigh broke a large body of the ice, and threw me out, partly on the strong ice, and one side in the water. We drove hard, the ice giving way under the horses' feet, for about fifty rods. This was a singular deliverance to us all, but to me in particular. Happily my mind was calm and without fear, and I hardly knew my danger till I got out of it. O through how many dangers has the Lord conducted me from my youth up. Hitherto he has been my helper. Lord help me to serve and honour thee! I am a wonder to myself and to others, but thou, God, sent me, and thine arm has upheld me. Mr. Vance advised me not to take the ice; but I concluded to venture, because others did so. Alas, how many do so,following others to their own destruction, and give insurable in suat so thườ In the summer of this year, (1826,) the Rev. R. Williams, then Chairman of the New-Brunswick District, visited Saint Ste phen's, and to him Mr. McColl expressed a wish to yield the care of the Societies, &c. which had hitherto been under his sole supervision, to the Wesleyan Conference, in order that they

might be supplied in the usual way by the labours of the Itinerant Wesleyan Ministers. At the suggestion of Mr. W. he addressed him the following letter which was forwarded to the Wesleyan Missionary Committee:

DEAR BROTHER,

Saint Stephen, 24th August, 1826.

You are desirous of knowing when it was that God began to work by my feeble attempts to bless the people.

It was in the year 1781 God granted unto me the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; being then with the British Army, many took knowledge of the change they saw in me, and inquired after God; among others, some Romans used to come to me for instruction, and (I believe) were benefited. But it was in the year 1783, I began to publish the word freely. God owned it and blessed it

to many. It was in the year 1785 I came to Saint Stephen, where a glorious work began, which continueth to the present hour. I then took charge of this people, according to the law of the Province; nevertheless I extended my labours through the whole of this County, and through the eastern part of the District of Maine. In the year 1791 I visited Halifax, and got acquainted with the Methodist preachers. In the year 1792 I visited the City of Saint John, Fredericton, &c. and did there what I could by forming Societies under the care of the Methodists. I had the chief charge of visiting these places for a number of years. In the year 1795, I spent the summer in company with brother Jesse Lee, forming Societies, and establishing the Methodist cause throughout much of New England. I receive no other earthly support but the willing contributions of my hearers, together with my own property which was under the management of Mrs. McColl, but that supplied all my wants.

I now feel incapable of supplying so extensive a Circuit as you see; I therefore feel desirous to give up the charge of it to the Methodist connexion, together with the grounds and chapels, provided that connexion will afford me my necessary support-say not less than seventy pounds annually; and that the friends here will provide some fire wood for me as they have done, I will give all the help I can to the good cause as long as I am able. You can communicate these things to our Committee in London.

I am, dear Brother, your's, &c.

To the Rev. Mr. WILLIAMS.

D. McCOLL..

Thus commenced the negotiations which led to the appointment of a Missionary to Saint David's in 1827, and of another to Saint Stephen's in 1829, to whom Mr. McColl surrendered the charge of the Society-continuing, however, himself to do all he could in the service of the Church until his last sickness in December, 1830.

April 5th, 1827. I keep doing all I can to promote peace and good will among men ; but I do not see so much fruits of my labours as I long for. The people indeed attend as well, and perhaps better than ever they did, but true awakenings are not us as we used to have them. I am often called to n among us bury the dead, to preach, and to baptize children. I was sent for to see James Bally, who is near his end. He informed me that he was brought up a Roman Catholic, and had attended to their way of worship till he came to this place a few years ago and although he was a good scholar, he never read his Bible until after he heard me in our Chapel. time he bewife that