In March 1836, he accepted an invitation to visit Liverpool, Nova Scotia. In this town the Lord had recently blessed the people with a glorious revival of religion, and Mr. Wheelock soon found himself surrounded with many who, like himself, had been made happy in God. In Liverpool he became intimately acquainted with the Rev. Matthew Cranswick, Wesleyan Missionary, a circumstance to which he frequently adverted with pleasure, and regarded as an invaluable blessing to his soul. His time was now spent in preparing himself for future usefulness in the church, and he observes, "while engaged in this way I became deeply impressed with the importance of a greater conformity to the mind of Christ. I had long been convinced of the divinity of the doctrine of entire sanctification, and I now felt ardent desires for the blessing, accompanied with conviction of inbred sin, such as frequent indications of pride, self-will, and unwatchfulness. All of this diseo vered to me the necessity of a deeper work of grace in my soul. With such convictions and desires I ultimately waited upon Mr. Cranswick, with whom I conversed freely; he explained in his short way its simplicity, and inquired hy I could not obtain the blessing then; seeing its possession depended rɔt upon works, but faith only, and alone. After engaging with him in prayer, divine light seemed to shine upon the promises, and they appeared so clear, I saw no reason why I dare not rest upon them; particularly when I reflected that they were the promises of God grounded upon the atonement, which now assumed a brilliancy of character I had never apprehended before. I returned to my lodgings musing on the greatness of the atonement. The following lines were frequently suggested "But is it possible that I, Should live and sin no more?" The reply was also immediately supplied, "Lord if on thee I dare rely, The faith shall bring the power." He was now enabled to believe for the full salvation of his soul. On good Friday he says, "I find myself still in possession of unshaken confidence, from which arises such peace and joy in the Holy Ghost as I never felt before." His soul was triumphantly happy, and his only desire, to live for the glory of God. Under a full conviction of duty, he had been for some time engaged as a local preacher; the circumstance of preaching his first sermon is thus recorded. "The trying hour is past, I attempted to preach my first sermon last evening in the African Chapel, from "Salvation is far from the wicked." My scruples about preaching have subsided; my duty appears clear, Lord help me." In the month of May 1836, having been unanimously recommended by the Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, as a candidate for our Missionary work, he attended the Annual District Meeting. His examination proving satisfactory, he was accepted, and by the District Meeting recommended to the British Conference. In accordance with a request made by the Liverpool Quarterly Meeting, he was directed to return to that station, under the superintendence of Mr. Cranswick. That he was fully and successfully employed on this Circuit, is evident from the entries found in his private journal; under date of August 9, he remarks, “left Liverpool on Friday last, and held a meeting at Port Matoon; proceeded to Port Jollie. On Saturday, rode over to Port Le Bare; held service in the morning at 9; returned thence to Port Jollie, and preached at 11 to a good company; in the afternoon came to Port Matoon, and preached to a crowded congregation; in the evening we held a prayer meeting,-thus I got through with four services besides class-meetings; four persons joined society, and one found the blessing of pardon." In October he was deprived of the valuable superintendence of Mr. Cranswick, who in consequence of ill health was necessitated to leave the station. On this occasion he writes, "I parted this morning with my dear superintendent. He had been to me a friend and brother; through his instruction I was led more fully into the simplicities of the gospel of Christ. The Rev. W. Smith having been appointed to the Liverpool Circuit, sometime in the month of March Mr. Wheelock was directed to proceed to the Shubenacadie station. On the eve of leaving Liverpool he thus remarks, "I feel like one leaving a happy home; that I am going from a kind and affectionate people, among whom the providence of God, by a singular train of circumstances, has cast my lot." (To be Continued.) MEMOIR OF THE REV. DUNCAN M'COLL, (Continued from page 618 of our first volume.) On the 6th of November, we had a blessed time at the Mill Town Chapel, especially in time of baptizing a young child. Surely the Lord blessed his own ordinance. Why should any one forbid little children coming unto him in his own way? On the 10th of November, although the roads were bad, and the meeting was not so large as we often have it, yet it pleased the Lord to bless us with refreshing times, especially while I strove to shew that the creation was formed for the glory of Jesus Christ—that frail man was redeemed by him and for his sake. In this way I undertook to show the humble and dependent state of man, and the exalted character of Jesus Christ. Glory be to his holy name for this hour. On Tuesday I was requested to go over to Calais, and bring the body of Mrs. Mary Whitney to our burying ground. Many of our old Calais friends were there, but I am now become a disagreeable visitor to them. We had considerable weeping at the meeting house, especially at the time of addressing her husband and friends. On the 17th November we had a very good time at Saint David, yet no apparent reformation. Now for some time our meetings are very encouraging, yet no reformation. I keep on foot as well as I can. I enjoy wonderful good health-possess as good a constitution and mind as ever I did; yet I am getting clumsy, and feel some bodily defects. I feel a strong wish of having my work in good order, that at whatever time the Lord sees fit to call me, I may be prepared to leave my charge according to the will of God. On Thursday, January 9th, I prepared a petition to lay before the House of Assembly, begging assistance to build our new chapel. But alas my faith feels weak, for we are not such as please the great, although I believe we are as good subjects as the King can boast of. But the world will love its own, and them only. On the 26th of January, we had a heavenly meeting at the head of Oak Bay. Tuesday the road was bad to the Ledge, the snow deep, and I had to break the path all the way, but we enjoyed much comfort at the school house, and the people attended well. Sunday, 16th February, I attempted to go to St. David with my horse and sleigh; after getting with much trouble through the snow-drifts half way, I had to return back for the first time since I became a preacher, and thereby disappointed a few who came to the place of worship. The snow-drift was such through the whole of the week as to prevent all our meetings, which was a new thing, but it could not be helped. Sunday was a good day every where; among other things I was much encouraged while baptizing a whole family. Thanks be to the Lord for the strength be generally gives me to preach his everlasting gospel. I am also supplied with the necessaries of this life in a way which I can no other way account for than that it is the Lord's doings, and it is often marvellous in my own eyes. Sunday my congregations being large and my mind much engaged, I forgot my constant endeavour to manage my voice so as not to over-strain myself, but for this I commonly pay whenever it happens. I feel for those whose misguided zeal leads them to become martyrs to louder speaking than what is necessary. In that way many are cut off from the field and disabled before the time. May the Lord teach us wisdom. On the Sabbath our new house was considerably full at St. Stephen twice, and in the evening our friends at Mill Town put their building in good order, but although large, it could by no means hold the people. I could say it was good for me to be there, and I trust it was so for many others. Such times as this cannot be in vain, although we see no present conversions. On Monday, finding that our petition was not granted by the Council, we met together at the new meeting-house, and subscribed heartily the second time in order to complete the house. We were therefore encouraged to engage with workmen to finish it. On Tuesday, April 8th, I visited Esquire F's family; and was received as usual, and I had a feeling time in prayer with them and his sick son. Some will have it that this gentleman is an unbeliever in divine revelation: but he does not appear so to me, nor say so, but on the contrary thanks me for my visits and conversation, and shews me polite and kind treatment. He is now going off fast in a decline himself. The doctor was present, and all bathed in tears when I was done prayer. I trust I shall always conduct myself so as not to disgrace religion by my own misconduct in introducing it, which I have unfortunately observed in the conduct of some who ought to know better, and it is likely I have been of the number, but not willingly. On the 9th of April, 1817, I was called in to see the last of my faithful and sincere friend, Mr. Robert Watson, who was our steward for eight and twenty years, and the great support of the society. He is now gone to receive his reward. May the Lord's name be praised for the gift of this man to us so long. On the next Sabbath we laid his body along side his late wife in our burying ground. The day was rainy, but a great number attended, to whom I was enabled to speak freely. On Saturday, although the roads were bad I walked thirteen miles to see а sick friend, afterward led a class at Mill Town, where I was so refreshed as to forget all my own weariness. On the Lord's day, 20th April, we had a weeping time at the new meeting-house, but whether we had any awakening or not I cannot tell, for weeping and religion are two things. On Thursday before day I was awakened out of sleep by the heaviest shock of an earthquake I ever felt. I heard it plainly coming with rumbling noise. The bed shook and moved forward. The house shook very much, and the windows rattled exceedingly. This gave a great alarm to many. I strove to impress eternal realities on the minds of the congregation. This evening, June 1st, I attended to see the last of an old and faithful friend, Mrs. JC, who had suffered evil treatment from a near quarter for several years at her first setting out in religion, but she endured the cross and fought her way through, even unto death. In this way my most faithful and intimate friends are taken from me. I am still spared, perhaps the Lord has something more for me to perform on earth. Now, for some time I see nothing worth writing or remarking except my own trials and temptations, which often perplex me very much. I praise God that I am out of hell— "O to grace how great a debtor, Daily I'm constrain'd to be," is the very language of my soul. I thank the Lord for the peace I feel with God and man, my mind is very happy at present. On Sunday the 26th of October, after a very good time in the forenoon, I thought that the Bible contained no other text, and was troubled. However when the time came I went to the meeting house, and ventured on 2 Cor. v. 14. The love of Christ constraineth me. Instantly my head was as water, and my eyes a fountain of tears. I spoke freely, and had a remarkable time. (1.) I took notice of the sufferings of Christians. (2.) Of their objects, and (3.) of the moving cause: the love of Christ to a dying world. Surely this day will not be easily forgotten by many. On Tuesday I had a long ride on a bad road, on a wet day, to the Baswood Settlement, where I preached, and baptized some children. This evening an Arian preacher came, asking for lodgings at my house. I conversed freely with him on the iniquity of his principles, and his defence was not strong. 1 read numerous passages of Scripture to him, and improved on them, shewing him that he was in a fatal error, or that we were idolators. He did not appear to be very easy afterwards. 1 The roads are now extremely rough, frozen in hard lumps in most places, and soft in others; on this account it is impossible for a horse to go in many places. I was urgently sent for to bury Mr. B—n S-, at the head of Oak Bay. I had to go on foot, and to walk eight miles, and after burying the dead, to walk that distance back again. This was rather heavy for a man of sixty-three years, on such an enormous bad road, notwithstanding I felt nothing the worse the next day. On Sunday the 23d of November, the Lord enabled me to preach with more than common freedom. I am surprised to see no reformą, |