WILLIAM BLACK

WILLIAM BLACK

THE APOSTLE OF METHODISM IN THE
MARITIME PROVINCES OF CANADA.

BY

JOHN MACLEAN, Ph. D.,

Author of "Canadian Savage Folk,"
"The Indians of Canada,"
"The Making of a Christian," &c., &c.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA:
THE METHODIST BOOK ROOM,
1907.

Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada,
in the year one thousand nine hundred and seven,
by John Maclean, at the Department of Agriculture.

PREFACE.

While there are several sketches of the life andwork of the subject of this book, they are all basedupon the "Memoirs of William Black" by theRev. Matthew Richey, D. D., which was publishedin Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1839. Some additionalinformation is to be found in Dr. T. WatsonSmith's History of the Methodist Church ofEastern British America. The former volumecontains the interesting Journal of the famousmissionary, and is therefore of great value. As ithas long been out of print, and it is well-nighimpossible to secure an old copy, and as there is nolikelihood of it being republished, we have deemedit commendable to publish the following pages.We have sought to condense as far as possible,giving the chief facts in his life, and to produce inpopular form a volume which might be read withprofit, and within the reach of all. As a study ofspiritual forces and an appreciation, it might havebeen enlarged to considerable size, and it has beendifficult indeed to keep within the limits which wehad set for the volume, but that would have beento defeat our object, of writing a small book, inwhich the salient features of his life and work wereseen, and at such a price that the poorest in theland might secure a copy.

We dare not forget the work of our fathers, andwe must not permit the memory of William Blackto be lost in oblivion, for he builded better thanhe knew, and we are heirs of his work and influence,and his example is a stimulus to us all. In thatspirit have these pages been written, and we hopethat they will help keep alive the memory of agreat and noble man, a pioneer and patriot, whogave his life for Christ and his fellow man.

JOHN MACLEAN.

Wesleyan Office,
Halifax, Nova Scotia.

CONTENTS.